will@cvradio.com Members of the Utah Supreme court asks a question to Troy Booher during the oral arguments of Teamsters v. Utah Transit Authority on Monday in Logan. The Utah Supreme Court traveled to Utah State University to hear arguments in two cases followed by a Q&A with those in attendance. LOGAN Students, faculty and visitors had the opportunity Monday morning, to watch as two cases were argued before the Utah Supreme Court. The open court session was held at Utah State University for the first time in recent years. Afterwards, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant said the court travels twice a year, primarily visiting universities. The open court sessions are meant to allow citizens to see first-hand, how the judicial system in Utah operates. The public needs to understand, said Justice Durrant. Theres a place where they can go and receive a decision on their individual case. Where the decision makers will be uninfluenced by popular sentiment, by race, gender, or other extraneous factors, where they can get a neutral arbiter. So, I think it is very important that the courts be respected in that way. That is why we are so strict with our ethical requirements of judges. The first case justices heard involved whether the Utah Court of Appeals correctly overturned a district judge, who ordered a 16-year-old boy to stand trial as an adult for an armed robbery in Weber County. The second case stemmed from a labor dispute about whether the term employee applies to UTA supervisors, under the Utah Public Transit District Act. The ruling will determine whether they could unionize. Justice Durrant said the State Supreme Court performs several roles when they decide a case. Not only do they consider a decision for the interested parties, but also the effect their ruling will have on the laws of the state. We feel very much the weight of the responsibility to get the case right for those individual parties, but we also have to be concerned about the broader development of the law. Were looking to take cases that will have an impact beyond the parties. We are looking for areas where the law is unclear, where important issues have not been decided. After hearing the opinions in both cases, the justices said they would take the arguments under advisement and issue their written rulings at a later date. USU president Noelle Cockett said it was a pleasure to host the court on campus. She expressed gratitude for those involved in the judicial branch of government, who are concerned and have a passion about the rule of law and peoples rights.
will@cvradio.com
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday:
1. POLICE MAKE DIRECT APPEAL TO BOMBER
In the search for answers to a series of explosions in Austin, Texas, authorities have come ahead with a simple plea to whoevers behind the blasts: Talk to us.
2. SELF-DRIVING UBER STRIKES, KILLS PEDESTRIAN
The fatality in a Phoenix suburb is the first involving a fully autonomous test vehicle, prompting the ride-hailing company to suspend all road-testing of such autos in the U.S. and Canada.
3. TRUMP UNVEILS PLAN TO COMBAT OPIOIDS
The president calls for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, including embracing a tactic employed by some of the global strongmen he admires: the death penalty.
4. DATA MINING CREATES STIR
A Trump-affiliated group, Cambridge Analytica, reportedly tried to influence elections using data, including likes, inappropriately obtained on tens of millions of Facebook users. Whats not clear is how effective that was.
5. WHATS NEXT FOR VLADIMIR PUTIN
As the Russian leader shifts into his next six-year term, he could groom a successor, scrap term limits, or create for himself a new behind-the-scenes position of power.
6. TURKEY VOWS NO LET-UP
President Erdogan says he intends to keep pressure on a U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia and could expand Turkeys military offensive into other Kurdish-held areas across northern Syria and even into neighboring Iraq.
7. MISSISSIPPI LAW STANDS ALONE
The states governor signs the nations tightest abortion restrictions into law, banning most abortions after 15 weeks.
8. HOW TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE FLYING
Worried about catching a cold or the flu on an airplane? Get a window seat, and dont leave it until the flight is over, researchers advise.
9. NCAA TOURNAMENT HAS NEW LOOK
Sixteen teams are now left. Top seeds Virginia and Xavier are gone. Ditto No. 2 seeds North Carolina and Cincinnati.
10. WHOS STEPPING ONTO POLITICAL STAGE
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon says shes running for New York governor.
A self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed a pedestrian in suburban Phoenix in the first death involving a fully autonomous test vehicle a crash that could have far-reaching consequences for the new technology.
The fatality Sunday night in Tempe was the event many in the auto and technology industries were dreading but knew was inevitable.
Uber immediately suspended all road-testing of such autos in the Phoenix area, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto. The testing has been going on for months as automakers and technology companies like the ride-hailing service compete to be the first with cars that operate on their own.
The Volvo was in self-driving mode with a human backup driver at the wheel when it hit 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg as she was walking a bicycle outside the lines of a crosswalk, police said. She died at a hospital.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed condolences on his Twitter account and said the company is working with local law enforcement on the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which makes recommendations for preventing crashes, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which can enact regulations, sent investigators.
Tempe police Sgt. Ronald Elcock said local authorities havent drawn any conclusions about who is at fault but urged people to use crosswalks. He told reporters at a news conference Monday the Uber vehicle was traveling around 40 mph when it hit Helzberg immediately as she stepped on to the street.
Neither she nor the backup driver showed signs of impairment, he said.
The publics image of the vehicles will be defined by stories like the crash in Tempe, said Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who studies self-driving vehicles.
Although the Uber vehicle and its human backup could be at fault, it may turn out that there was nothing either could have done to stop the crash, he said.
Either way, the fatality could hurt the technologys image and lead to a push for more regulations at the state and federal levels, Smith said.
Autonomous vehicles with laser, radar and camera sensors and sophisticated computers have been billed as the way to reduce the more than 40,000 traffic deaths a year in the U.S. alone. Ninety-four percent of crashes are caused by human error, the government says.
Autonomous vehicles dont drive drunk, dont get sleepy and arent easily distracted. But they do have faults.
We should be concerned about automated driving, Smith said. We should be terrified about human driving.
In 2016, the latest year available, more than 6,000 U.S. pedestrians were killed by vehicles.
The federal government has voluntary guidelines for companies that want to test autonomous vehicles, leaving much of the regulation up to states.
Many states, including Michigan and Arizona, have taken a largely hands-off approach, hoping to gain jobs from the new technology, while California and others have taken a harder line.
California is among states that require manufacturers to report any incidents during the testing phase. As of early March, the states motor vehicle agency had received 59 such reports.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey used light regulations to entice Uber to the state after the company had a shaky rollout of test cars in San Francisco. Arizona has no reporting requirements.
Hundreds of vehicles with automated driving systems have been on Arizonas roads.
Duceys office expressed sympathy for Herzbergs family and said safety is the top priority.
The crash in Arizona isnt the first involving an Uber autonomous test vehicle. In March 2017, an Uber SUV flipped onto its side, also in Tempe. No serious injuries were reported, and the driver of the other car was cited for a violation.
Herzbergs death is the first involving an autonomous test vehicle but not the first in a car with some self-driving features. The driver of a Tesla Model S was killed in 2016 when his car, operating on its Autopilot system, crashed into a tractor-trailer in Florida.
The NTSB said that driver inattention was to blame but that design limitations with the system played a major role in the crash.
The U.S. Transportation Department is considering further voluntary guidelines that it says would help foster innovation. Proposals also are pending in Congress, including one that would stop states from regulating autonomous vehicles, Smith said.
Peter Kurdock, director of regulatory affairs for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety in Washington, said the group sent a letter Monday to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao saying it is concerned about a lack of action and oversight by the department as autonomous vehicles are developed. That letter was planned before the crash.
Kurdock said the deadly crash should serve as a startling reminder to members of Congress that they need to think through all the issues to put together the best bill they can to hopefully prevent more of these tragedies from occurring.
Krisher reported from Detroit, Fonseca reported from Flagstaff, Arizona. Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix contributed to this story.
This story has been corrected to show that federal investigators found Teslas Autopilot system was a factor in the deadly Florida crash.
MIAMI (AP) The Latest on the Florida school shooting (all times local):
5 p.m.
A Florida commission formed to study mass shootings and school safety will contain three parents of students who died during the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The members of the 16-member commission were announced Tuesday. It was created under a school safety law passed as a response to the shootings that killed 17 people last month in Parkland.
Ryan Petty, Andrew Pollack and Max Schachter will serve on the commission. They are the fathers of victims Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack and Alex Schachter.
The commission will review what happened at Parkland and other mass shootings and make recommendations on how to prevent future attacks. The commission was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner will also serve on the board.
4:45 p.m.
The Florida woman who watched over the teen suspected of killing 17 people at a Florida school says she did everything she could to warn law enforcement about him several months before the shooting.
Rocxanne Deschamps spoke publicly for the first time since the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during a Tuesday news conference in New York.
Deschamps described being neighbors with the Cruz family in Parkland and how her son played with Nikolas Cruz and his brother.
Just before Lynda Cruz died suddenly last November, Deschamps promised to take care of the boys.
Knowing Nicholas Cruz had mental issues and obsessions with weapons, Deschamps says she implored him to get professional help and take medication but he refused. Her calls to police about suspect behavior resulted in no action. He eventually moved in with another family when Deschamps said she told him to choose between his guns and her home.
1:40 p.m.
A judge has set bond at $500,000 for the younger brother of suspected school shooter Nikolas Cruz after he was arrested for trespassing at the Florida high school where 17 people were gunned down.
Eighteen-year-old Zachary Cruz had a bond hearing Tuesday. The state sought a $750,000 bond, noting that he had admitted visiting the campus two other times since the shooting. Prosecutors also said he had been observed during an earlier jail visit with his brother saying that Nikolas Cruz is famous.
Judge Kim Theresa Mollica ordered Zachary to stay away from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School if hes released. She also said the home where he is living in Palm Beach County should be searched for weapons.
Deputies say he rode his skateboard onto the campus Monday afternoon, saying he was there to reflect on the school schooling and to soak it in.
He is being held in the same jail where his 19-year-old brother is.
11:15 a.m.
Police have told the Miami Herald that a gun buy-back program has taken 128 guns off the streets, including two assault weapons turned in by a father who lives near the Florida school where 17 people were killed.
Attorney Steve Hemmert says in a Facebook post shared 87,000 times that he has eliminated the hypocrisy of these guns from his house and can now feel comfortable calling on the government to ban them.
Hemmert says his 14-year-old daughter helped him build one of the military-style assault rifles from scratch. After the Florida shooting, she told her father that she plans to wear only sneakers to school, in case she has to run.
8:20 a.m.
The brother of the 19-year-old who confessed to gunning down 17 people at a Florida high school spent the night in jail after he was arrested for trespassing on the campus.
Broward Sheriffs deputies arrested 18-year-old Zachary Cruz on Monday afternoon, saying he rode his skateboard onto the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School campus after being warned to stay away. They put him in the same Fort Lauderdale jail where his brother, Nikolas Cruz, has been housed since the Feb. 14 shooting.
Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie called Zachary Cruzs actions odd.
Survivors of the shooting are getting ready for Saturdays March for Our Lives in Washington. Some will join a panel discussion about guns Tuesday night at Harvard University.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The Latest on serial bombings in Texas (all times local):
3:45 p.m.
FedEx says it has turned over extensive evidence to authorities after a package exploded at its processing center in the town of Schertz, south of Austin.
In a statement, the company says the individual responsible for sending the package that blew up also shipped a second package that has been secured and turned over to law enforcement.
FedEx says it gave authorities evidence related to these packages and the individual that shipped them collected from our advanced technology security systems.
A company spokeswoman subsequently refused to say if that second package might have been linked to a suspicious package that authorities seized at another FedEx shipping facility on Tuesday, this one in south Austin, near the citys airport.
No arrests have been made in the five bombings that have rocked the Austin area since March 2
3:25 p.m.
The chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security committee says he thinks the latest package explosion in Texas will lead to more evidence, hopefully fingerprints and surveillance photos.
Congressman Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, made the comments Tuesday at a White House roundtable discussion on so-called sanctuary cities. Its not clear whether McCaul was speaking with knowledge of specific information in the case.
McCaul also thanked President Donald Trump for sending 500 federal agents to Austin to find this perpetrator and bring him to justice.
A package exploded early Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says the package was sent from Austin and was addressed to a home in Austin.
Four other package bombs have exploded in Austin since March 2.
3:10 p.m.
An employee at a FedEx center in Austin says managers ordered workers outside before sunrise after a suspicious package showed up.
Bryan Jaimes told reporters Tuesday he estimates there were about 60 people working at the facility near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport when the building was cleared out.
The 19-year-old package handler says workers left calmly and that hes glad he made it out safe. He returned to the center hours later hoping to be allowed back in to get his car and phone. The facility remains closed.
Jaimes says he never received new guidance from managers about handling packages as Austin authorities look for what theyve called a serial bomber. He said his job is to load the trucks.
1:20 p.m.
The San Antonio Police Department says its police chief was mistaken when he said that investigators found a second package bomb that hadnt detonated at a FedEx distribution center.
The department says in a news release police Chief William McManus misspoke at a news conference earlier Tuesday and that there was only one package bomb at the Schertz facility the one that exploded.
It forwarded any inquiries to the FBI and Austin Police Department.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier told The Associated Press that there was a suspicion of another package, but he stopped short of confirming there were two.
Officials say the package bomb that exploded early Tuesday apparently went out from a FedEx store in the Austin enclave of Sunset Valley and was addressed to an Austin home. It blew up on a conveyer belt at the FedEx ground center in Schertz, which is outside of San Antonio and about 60 miles (95 kilometers) southwest of Austin.
12:45 p.m.
Austin police say theyve called the bomb squad to investigate a suspicious package at a FedEx shipping center outside of the citys airport.
Austin police spokeswoman Destiny Winston said Tuesday that the package was reported shortly before sunrise. She says federal investigators were called to the scene as a precaution due to past events.
Four package bombs have detonated in Austin this month, killing two people and injuring four others. A fifth that officials say was sent from the Austin area to an address in Austin exploded early Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio, where investigators found another parcel bomb that hadnt exploded.
12:30 p.m.
Austin police say theyve responded to more than 1,200 calls in the last two weeks from people worried that suspicious packages could be bombs.
Police said Tuesday that theyve responded to 1,257 calls since March 12, when packages exploded at two homes in Austin, killing a 17-year-old and injuring two others. On March 2, a 39-year-old man was killed when a package bomb exploded.
On Sunday, a bomb triggered by a tripwire injured two men in a quiet neighborhood in southwest Austin.
Police say that between 8 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday, they responded to 420 calls about suspicious packages.
Officials say a bomb that exploded early Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio went out from an Austin-area FedEx store and was addressed to an Austin home.
12:15 p.m.
Investigators have closed off an Austin-area FedEx store from where officials say two package bombs were sent to a distribution center near San Antonio, including one that detonated.
Authorities have roped off a large area around the shopping center in the Austin enclave of Sunset Valley where the store is located. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says the parcel bomb that exploded early Tuesday in the distribution center in Schertz was mailed from Austin and addressed to an Austin home.
The police department in Sunset Valley, which is surrounded on all sides by Austin, says it appears that both package bombs that made it to the Schertz facility went out from the Sunset Valley store.
Authorities suspect the parcel bombs are linked to the four bombs that have killed two people and injured four others in Austin this month.
11:40 a.m.
President Donald Trump is blaming a very sick individual or individuals for a series of bombings in Austin, Texas.
Trump said during an Oval Office meeting Tuesday with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the situation is terrible.
He says, This is obviously a very sick individual or individuals and that authorities are working to get to the bottom of it.
Trumps comments came hours after an early-morning explosion at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio. Authorities say it was a bomb addressed to an Austin home that had been sent from Texas capital city. Investigators found a second bomb at the facility that hadnt exploded.
Authorities believe the latest parcel bombs are linked to the four bombings this month in Austin that have killed two people and injured four others.
11:20 a.m.
Texas attorney general says the package that exploded at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio was sent from Austin and was addressed to a home in Austin.
Attorney General Ken Paxton also told television station KXAN that a second parcel bomb that didnt explode was found at the FedEx facility in Schertz. San Antonio police Chief William McManus told a news conference there that the second package was no longer at the facility.
Authorities say one of the parcel bombs detonated at around 1 a.m. Tuesday while it was on a conveyer belt in the facility, which is about 60 miles (95 kilometers) southwest of Austin. One worker suffered minor injuries.
Paxton didnt provide details on where the packages were addressed to.
Investigators believe the explosives are linked to the four bombings that have killed two people and injured four others in Austin this month.
10:30 a.m.
Authorities say the package that exploded at a FedEx ground facility near San Antonio was on a conveyer belt when it detonated.
Schertz police Chief Michael Hansen said at a news conference that one worker reported feeling ringing in her ears after the early Tuesday blast, but she was treated and released.
Hansen said that the intended target of the parcel bomb wasnt the facility or anyone who lives in Schertz, which is about 60 miles (95 kilometers) southwest of Austin. But neither Hansen nor federal agents who spoke at the news conference would say where the package was sent to or from or give any other details about the investigation, saying it was still unfolding.
An FBI spokeswoman, agent Michelle Lee, said earlier Tuesday it would be silly for us not to admit that we suspect its related to the four Austin bombings that have killed two people and injured four others since March 2.
8:45 a.m.
Austin police have deployed a hazardous materials squad to a FedEx shipping facility near the citys airport to investigate reports of a suspicious package.
It isnt known yet if the suspicious package is linked to a bomb that detonated earlier Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio or the four bombs that have gone off in Austin this month.
But the Austin Police Department says an investigation is underway.
The package that exploded earlier Tuesday at the FedEx facility in Schertz, about 60 miles southwest of Austin, slightly injured one worker. Authorities believe it is linked to what they say is a serial bomber responsible for the four Austin bombings since March 2.
8:35 a.m.
The White House says the federal government is doing whatever is necessary to apprehend whomever is responsible for a series of explosions in Austin, Texas.
Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells Fox News Channel that President Donald Trump is aware of the situation.
Sanders says federal authorities are working closely with local authorities and have offered their full support and cooperation to make sure were doing whatever is necessary and whatever is possible to stop the explosions and find whomever is responsible.
A package bomb that authorities believe is linked to the recent string of Austin bombings exploded early Tuesday inside of a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio. A worker suffered minor injuries.
Four other Austin bombings have killed two people and injured four others since March 2.
8:30 a.m.
A heavy law enforcement presence is surrounding the FedEx distribution center near San Antonio where a parcel bomb exploded, slightly injuring one worker.
The area around the facility in Schertz is heavily industrial and features warehouses and parking lots empty except for parked trailers.
A woman who identified herself as an FedEx employee emerged from the shipping facility wrapped in a blanket as the sun rose on Tuesday and said shed been evacuated. She declined to give her name.
The FBI says a package exploded at the facility at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
Authorities believe it is linked to the four bombs that have detonated in the Texas capital of Austin this month. Those bombs killed two people and injured four others.
7:45 a.m.
The Austin Police Department says it is aware that a parcel bomb exploded overnight at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio and that it is working closely on the investigation with federal law enforcement agencies.
An FBI spokeswoman, agent Michelle Lee, says it is still early in the investigation into the early Tuesday bombing at the FedEx facility in Schertz, which left one worker with minor injuries. But she says it would be silly for us not to admit that we suspect its related to the four Austin bombings that have killed two people and injured four others since March 2.
The latest bombing in Austin injured two men on Sunday. Authorities say it was triggered by a tripwire and was a more sophisticated bomb than those used in the first three attacks, which were package bombs left on peoples doorsteps.
The Austin police are again warning people to call 911 if they come across suspicious packages, bags or other items that look out of place.
7 a.m.
Federal investigators say a package that exploded at a FedEx facility near San Antonio is believed to be linked to the string of bombings that has terrified the Texas capital this month.
Special Agent Michelle Lee of the FBI in San Antonio says she has no confirmed reports of any injuries in the blast. But the police department in Schertz, where the FedEx facility is located, issued a statement saying one person was treated at the scene and released.
Lee says it is still early in the investigation, but it would be silly for us not to admit that we suspect its related to the four Austin bombings that have killed two people and injured four others since March 2. The latest bombing in Austin injured two men on Sunday.
Lee didnt have details about the size, weight or description of the package.
5:30 a.m.
Federal agents tell The Washington Post that a package bomb exploded around 1 a.m. Tuesday inside a FedEx distribution center in Schertz, Texas.
Spokeswomen for the FBI and the ATF say both agencies are at the scene.
The explosion happened at the facility just northeast of San Antonio sometime around 1 a.m., said FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee. ATF spokeswoman Nicole Strong said that early indications are that no one was injured.
5 a.m.
A website that monitors fire and police activity in San Antonio, Texas, says a package bomb has exploded at a FedEx distribution center in Schertz, Texas, hurting 1 person, a FedEx employee who apparently suffered a non-life-threatening percussion-type injury from the blast.
The FBI and ATF are at the scene. Federal agents say this package is likely linked to attacks by what they believe is a serial bomber. The package exploded shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
The Associated Press reported erroneously earlier Tuesday that the San Antonio Fire Department said one person had suffered a non-life-threatening percussion-type injury from the blast. That information came from SanantonioFIRE, a local media website that reports on local police, fire and emergency service news, and could not immediately be independently confirmed.
1 a.m.
Police and federal agents said Sunday nights blast triggered along a street by a nearly invisible tripwire suggests a higher level of sophistication than they have seen before in three early package bombs left on doorsteps, and means the carnage is now random, rather than targeted at someone in particular.
William Grote says the attack, by a suspected serial bomber that has terrorized Austin for weeks, left what appeared to be nails embedded in his grandsons knees.
Two people are dead and four injured, and authorities dont appear closer to making any arrests in the four bombings that have rocked the capital city.
Authorities havent identified the latest victims, but Grote told The Associated Press that his grandson was one of the two men wounded in southwest Austins quiet Travis Country neighborhood. They suffered what police said were significant injuries and remained hospitalized in stable condition.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Latest on the pedestrian death involving a self-driving vehicle in Tempe (all times local):
4:05 p.m.
Uber has postponed a show-and-tell of its self-driving vehicles after one was involved in a deadly crash in Arizona.
Uber had planned a media event Thursday at its Tempe facility to show off its fleet, offer rides, and have engineers talk about the push to have vehicles operate on their own.
Uber has been testing the self-driving vehicles in Arizona for months.
Police say one of them hit and killed 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg late Sunday as she stepped on to the street. Police say neither she nor the vehicles backup driver showed signs of impairment.
Uber spokeswoman Stephanie Sedlak says the media event will be held at a later date.
3:35 p.m.
An Uber self-driving test vehicle was traveling around 40 mph when it struck and killed a woman late Sunday in a Phoenix suburb.
The death of 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg is believed to be the first known fatality by a self-driving test vehicle.
Tempe police Sgt. Ronald Elcock said Monday the agency hasnt drawn any conclusions about who is at fault.
He says Herzberg was struck immediately as she stepped on to the street outside of a crosswalk while walking a bicycle. He says neither Herzberg nor the man behind the wheel monitoring the vehicle showed signs of impairment.
The vehicle was in autonomous mode, meaning its computers and sensors were driving but the human can intervene.
Elcock says the investigation is in the early stages and will be aided by video footage of the scene.
2:10 p.m.
A woman who was hit and killed by an Uber self-driving vehicle was walking a bicycle across a suburban Phoenix street.
Television video footage showed a bicycle with a twisted front wheel lying on a Tempe sidewalk, with the Uber vehicle nearby.
Tempe police say the crash involving an Uber SUV happened Sunday night in the first known fatality by a self-driving test vehicle.
They say 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg wasnt in a crosswalk when she was hit. She later died at a hospital.
Federal investigators were headed to Tempe on Monday to investigate. The agency says it will examine vehicle factors, human performance and electronic recorders.
11:50 a.m.
A woman who police say was hit and killed by an Uber self-driving vehicle has been identified as 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg. She is believed to be the first person killed by a self-driving vehicle.
Police in a Phoenix suburb says Herzberg had been walking outside of a crosswalk Sunday night when she was struck by the vehicle. She died from her injuries at a local hospital.
Uber suspended its self-driving tests in a handful of cities Monday following the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a small team to Tempe to investigate what happened.
Uber expressed condolences to Herzbergs family and says it is working with local law enforcement on the investigation.
10:35 a.m.
Uber says it has suspended all of its self-driving testing following what is believed to be the first fatal pedestrian crash involving the vehicles.
The self-driving testing has been taking place in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto.
Automakers and tech companies are competing to be first with the technology.
Police in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe say one of Ubers self-driving vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian on Sunday night.
Investigators say the vehicle was in autonomous mode with an operator behind the wheel when the woman walking outside of a crosswalk was hit.
The woman died of her injuries at a hospital.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed condolences on his Twitter account the company is working with local law enforcement on the investigation.
10:15 a.m.
Police in a Phoenix suburb say one of Ubers self-driving vehicles has struck and killed a pedestrian.
Police in the city of Tempe said Monday that the vehicle was in autonomous mode with an operator behind the wheel when the woman walking outside of a crosswalk was hit.
Sgt. Ronald Elcock says in an email that the crash happened overnight but did not say whether it occurred Sunday night or Monday morning.
The woman died of her injuries at a hospital and her name was not made public.
Uber has been testing the self-driving vehicles in Tempe and Phoenix for months.
Uber says on Twitter that it is fully cooperating with the investigation and expressed condolences to the family of the victim.
SHAH ALAM, Malaysia (AP) A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the North Korean leaders estranged half brother told police she realized she had been used to murder him after she was detained, her lawyer said Tuesday.
Doan Thi Huong and co-defendant Siti Aisyah from Indonesia were charged with murdering Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpurs airport on Feb. 13 last year. The two are the only suspects in custody, though prosecutors have said four North Koreans who fled the country were also involved.
The court heard earlier that Huong told police after she was detained last year that she was recruited by a Korean man known as Mr. Y in a Hanoi bar in December 2016. Mr. Y has been identified in court as Ri Ji Hyon, one of the four North Korean suspects who fled Malaysia.
On Tuesday, the court heard that Huong thought she was playing a harmless prank for a hidden camera show and only knew Kim was dead after police told her. Her lawyer, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, said Huong told police that Mr. Y put an oily substance on her hands and told her to rub her hands together before smearing it on Kims face, but that she didnt know it was VX nerve agent.
Huong said she didnt think the substance was poisonous because it didnt burn her skin and she wasnt sickened by it, Teh said.
She told police Mr. Y didnt ask her to wash her hands or keep her hands away from her body but that she did so on her own because the substance was oily, smelly and felt uncomfortable, Teh said. She went to a restroom on another floor to wash her hands because Mr. Y had told her to leave the scene immediately after the prank, he said.
The court heard that Huong was told by Mr. Y that the video on Feb. 13 would be important because it would be uploaded on YouTube. She told police she wasnt able to contact Mr. Y after that. She returned to the airport two days later to carry out another prank but there was no sign of Mr. Y and she was detained at the airport.
He is liar. He used me to do video on 13/02/2017 for him, she said in her police statement, read out by Teh.
Huong told police she was given Johnsons baby cream for a similar prank at the airport two days before the attack on Kim, and didnt wash it off.
Teh was cross-examining chief police investigator Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz, who disagreed with the lawyers assertion that Huong was tricked into carrying out the killing and was a scapegoat. He agreed however that Huong, who entered Malaysia on Feb 4, could have fled the country and disposed of her VX-tainted clothing if she had known she was given VX to kill Kim.
Teh told the court that instead, Huong had a flight ticket to return to Hanoi on Feb 23.
The two women face the death penalty if convicted, but not if they lacked intent to kill. Prosecutors contend the women, who both were seen on security videos holding their hands away from their bodies as they rushed to wash off the oily liquid, knew they were handling poison.
Earlier, Teh told the court that Huong had told police she was an actress because she was paid to act in two prank videos in Hanoi in 2016 which were uploaded on YouTube. The Vietnamese man who made those videos gave the court sworn statements that he recruited Huong, whom he knew just as Baby, to act in his videos because he couldnt come to Malaysia to testify.
Teh also presented a video clip obtained from Vietnamese police showing Huong playing a prank at Hanois airport on Feb. 2 last year and being paid $100 for it. He told reporters that the target, a Vietnamese civil servant, was willing to come to Malaysia to testify if needed.
The trial is to resume Wednesday.
Kim, the eldest son in the family that has ruled North Korea since its founding, had been living abroad for years after falling out of favor. It is thought he was assassinated because he was perceived to be a threat to the rule of his half brother, Kim Jong Un. Malaysian officials have never officially accused North Korea of involvement in Kims death and have made it clear they dont want the trial politicized.
This story has been corrected to show that Kim died on the way to a hospital, not at the airport.
PARIS (AP) Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was placed in custody on Tuesday as part of an investigation into allegations he received millions of euros in illegal campaign financing from the regime of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
A judicial source with direct knowledge of the case told The Associated Press that Sarkozy was being held at the Nanterre police station, north-west of Paris. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Sarkozy has vehemently and repeatedly denied wrongdoing in the case, which involves funding for his winning 2007 presidential campaign.
Though an investigation has been underway since 2013, the case gained traction some three years later when French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told the online investigative site, Mediapart, that he delivered suitcases from Libya containing 5 million euros ($6.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff Claude Gueant.
A lawyer for Sarkozy, 63, did not immediately respond to a message from the AP seeking comment.
Investigators are examining claims that Gadhafis regime secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros overall for the 2007 campaign. Such a sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time of 21 million euros. In addition, the alleged payments would violate French rules against foreign financing and declaring the source of campaign funds.
A former top aide of Sarkozy, former minister Brice Hortefeux, was reportedly questioned on Tuesday but was not detained. Sarkozy can be held up to 48 hours and could be placed under formal investigation after his hearing.
In the Mediapart interview published in November 2016, Takieddine said he was given 5 million euros in Tripoli by Gadhafis intelligence chief on trips in late 2006 and 2007 and that he gave the money in suitcases full of cash to Sarkozy and Gueant on three occasions. He said the handovers took place in the Interior Ministry, while Sarkozy was interior minister.
Takieddine has for years been embroiled in his own problems with French justice, centering mainly on allegations he provided illegal funds to the campaign of conservative politician Edouard Balladur for his 1995 presidential election campaign via commissions from the sale of French submarines to Pakistan.
Takieddine made his accusations at a time when Sarkozy was taking part in the presidential elections primary to be the candidate of the right-wing party The Republicans. Sarkozy lost in the first round, ending third behind Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe.
Fillons own campaign was destroyed by corruption allegations. The former front-runner in the presidential race was charged over the allegations and he suffered a big loss in a vote won by Emmanuel Macron.
According to Le Monde newspaper, investigators have recently handed to magistrates a report in which they detailed how cash circulated within Sarkozys campaign team.
In January, a French businessman suspected of playing a role in the financing scheme, Alexandre Djouhri, was arrested in London on a warrant issued by France for offenses of fraud and money laundering. Le Monde said French investigators are also in possession of several documents seized at his home in Switzerland.
Sarkozy, who was president from 2007-12, had a complex relationship with Gadhafi. Soon after becoming the French president, Sarkozy invited the Libyan leader to France for a state visit and welcomed him with high honors. But Sarkozy then put France in the forefront of NATO-led airstrikes against Gadhafis troops that helped rebel fighters topple his regime in 2011.
It is not the first time that Sarkozy faced legal troubles. In February 2017, he was ordered to stand trial after being handed preliminary charges for suspected illegal overspending on his failed 2012 re-election campaign. Sarkozy has appealed the decision.
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) Slovenias government has formally ended its term after the prime minister unexpectedly resigned last week.
Parliament on Tuesday formally acknowledged the resignation of Miro Cerar, marking the end of his governments mandate. The government will remain as a caretaker Cabinet until a new one is elected.
Cerar resigned after Slovenias top court annulled a referendum on a key government-backed railway project. He has said he stepped down to protect the country from pressure from interest groups.
Cerar says the events of recent weeks were no longer in the interest of Slovenias prosperity.
Cerars government has faced a wave of public sector strikes and protests.
The small EU nation was to hold regular elections in June but its president has now suggested a snap vote a few weeks earlier.
MOSCOW (AP) Nearly two dozen Russian diplomats expelled by Britain over the poisoning of an ex-spy arrived home Tuesday, while a scientist involved in the creation of the nerve agent said it could be manufactured by other countries.
Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, are in critical condition in the English city of Salisbury after being poisoned on March 4. Britain said they were poisoned with a class of nerve agent known as Novichok and blamed Russia for the attack.
Russian scientist Leonid Rink told the state RIA Novosti news agency that Britain and others could easily synthesize Novichok after chemical expert Vil Mirzayanov emigrated to the U.S. and revealed its formula.
Its easily available to professionals, and there is no problem for Britain, the U.S. and other developed nations to create such weapon, he said.
Rink said Novichok had a different name when it was designed in the Soviet Union, arguing that British officials used the name Novichok to convince the public that Russia was to blame for the poisoning.
Britain has dismissed claims the nerve agent could come from the U.K. On Sunday, Russias ambassador to the EU suggested the nerve agent could have come from Britains chemical weapons research facility, Porton Down. The British government said that was nonsense.
On March 14, British Prime Minister Theresa May gave the 23 diplomats whom she said were undeclared intelligence agents a week to leave Britain. Russia responded by expelling the same number of British diplomats, who are expected to leave in the coming days.
Diplomats and their families emerged from the Russian Embassy in west London with suitcases, bags and pet carriers. Some hugged before boarding vehicles to Stansted Airport near London for a flight to Moscow that landed later Tuesday.
Russia has fiercely denied any involvement, saying that it had no motive to kill Skripal, who was convicted of spying for Britain but released in a 2010 spy swap. It said that it had completed the destruction of its chemical arsenals last year under international oversight.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the poisoning didnt come up in President Donald Trumps phone call Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sanders said the call, in which Trump congratulated Putin on his re-election Sunday, was meant to discuss areas of cooperation between the two countriees.
Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, dismissed demands by Britain and its allies that Russia prove its innocence, saying that its Britain who must provide proof.
Lets stay sober-minded and first of all wait for proof from Britain that Russia was to blame, he told reporters.
Rink said Britain has refused to provide a sample of the agent it said was used in the poisoning because tests would reveal that it hadnt come from Russia. He said each lab has its own chemical signature, allowing experts to trace its origin. It would be immediately clear that it wasnt cooked in Russia, he said.
Britain says experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons are taking samples of the nerve agent, which will be tested in international laboratories.
Britains National Security Council was meeting Tuesday to consider possible further measures against Russia. May and other European Union leaders are due to discuss the poisoning at a summit Thursday. The EU on Monday condemned the poisoning and called on Russia to address urgently British questions about the Novichok nerve agent program.
The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Britain and other EU member states of developing similar nerve agents, and said Britains government is stirring up media hysteria around the case to distract attention from troubles in negotiating the countrys exit from the EU.
Instead of cooperating with us they are simply slinging mud at us, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. A great country that has fallen so low only causes pity.
Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova emphasized that Britain has failed to provide any proof of Russian involvement, limiting itself to boorish accusations. She said the Russian Foreign Ministry is summoning ambassadors Wednesday to present Moscows arguments and raise questions about the case.
The British military and police are continuing to search for clues around Salisbury into what happened. International chemical weapons experts are due to take samples of the nerve agent.
British police investigators say it may take months to complete the widening inquiry. The focus is on the movement of the Skripals in the hours before they were found unconscious on a bench in the city 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of London. A police officer who came to their assistance is in serious condition.
This is going to be frustrating for people, said Neil Basu, head of counterterrorism at the Metropolitan Police. It is going to take weeks, possibly months to do this.
Jill Lawless reported from London. Kate de Pury and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this story.
BAGHDAD (AP) The dirt mound in the dry hills outside the village of Badush was known as a place where Islamic State fighters had buried some of their enemies after they overran much of northern Iraq nearly four years ago. But it was only when Iraqi authorities began digging last summer that the identity of the victims became clear.
They found the bodies of men with long black hair and silver bracelets known as karas that are worn by followers of the Sikh religion. On Tuesday, Indias foreign minister confirmed the mass grave contains the bodies of 39 Indian construction workers abducted shortly after the area fell to the extremists.
Iraqi and Indian authorities said 38 of the bodies had been positively identified through DNA analysis. All were Indian, and all had been shot, many in the head. IS likely killed them for their religious beliefs.
DNA analysis has not been completed on the last body.
The killing was a heinous crime carried out by Daesh terrorist gangs, Najiha Abdul-Amir al-Shimari, the head of Iraqs Martyrs Establishment, told reporters, using an Arabic acronym for the group.
Those killed were citizens of the friendly Indian state. Their dignity was supposed to be protected, but the forces of evil wanted to defame the principles of Islam, said al-Shimari, whose government body documents those killed by IS.
While authorities have not said when they believe the group was killed, the bodies were badly decomposed and had clearly been buried for a long time, Iraqs forensic director, Zaid Ali Abbas, told The Associated Press. He also described how the men had been shot.
The workers, most from northern India, had been employed by a construction company operating near the northern city of Mosul. Around 10,000 Indians lived and worked in Iraq at the time.
In the first days after Mosul was captured, their relatives back in India began to receive panicked phone calls, with the men begging for help.
Tajinder spoke to us once on the phone after he was kidnapped, said Tevinder Singh, whose nephew Tajinder Singh was among those killed. We never heard from him again.
She said the Indian government did not contact the family to tell them his body had been identified. Instead, they got the news when Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj announced it in a Parliament speech on Tuesday.
Dozens of mass graves have been discovered in territory once held by IS, though Iraqs government has only been able to examine a handful of them. Iraqi officials say they lack the resources and trained personnel to properly exhume so many sites.
At the height of its power, IS controlled nearly a third of the country. In recent years, Iraqi forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition have gradually driven the militants from all the territory they once held. The area around Badush was retaken last summer.
Search operations led to the mound of dirt near Badush, where local residents said bodies had been buried by IS, Swaraj said in Parliament.
Iraqi authorities used radar to verify that the mound was a mass grave, she said, and then exhumed the bodies. Indian authorities then sent DNA samples from relatives of the missing workers.
Forty Indians were captured by the militants, though one man managed to escape.
It is indeed a moment of deep grief and sadness for us, Indias ambassador to Iraq, Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, told reporters in Baghdad. India strongly condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations and stands in solidarity with the government and the people of Iraq in their fight against terrorism.
He said the bodies will be sent back to India in a couple of weeks or so.
Harjit Masih, the only Indian survivor, has long said the rest of the group had been killed. He said they had all been held for a number of days, then taken outside and ordered to kneel. Then the militants opened fire.
They were killed in front of my eyes, he told reporters Tuesday in his north Indian village. He was shot in the thigh but managed to escape.
Iraq, which is in the midst of an economic crisis, is also struggling to rebuild after more than three years of grueling war against the militants. The fight against IS has cost Iraq more than $1 billion in destroyed infrastructure, officials say.
Associated Press writer Ashok Sharma in New Delhi contributed to this report.
| BY Ricki Green |
APN Outdoor Group Limited has today announced the appointment of Jeremy Howe to the new role of chief strategy and innovation officer.
Howe will report to James Warburton, who joined APN Outdoor as chief executive officer and managing director on 22 January 2018.
Says Warburton: The appointment of Jeremy to this important new role is a key part of our strategy to define and accelerate the next phase of growth for APN Outdoor and continue to drive our competitive advantage.
We have a clear strategy, focused on transformation, innovation and the evolution of APN Outdoor in the broader media eco-system.
With a strong balance sheet, successful operations in Australia and New Zealand, and growing revenue and earnings, APN Outdoor is well positioned for the future.
Jeremy has excellent strategic skills, a proven track record in driving innovation and a depth of product innovation experience across the telecommunications and media sectors. I am delighted that he will be part of the APN Outdoor executive management team.
Howe joins APN Outdoor from Telstra Corporation, where he has been director product innovation Telstra Retail since 2016. His previous roles at Telstra included director, networking and cyber security products, global enterprise services, and director, mass market pricing, Telstra innovation, products and marketing.
Says Howe: I am thrilled to be joining APN Outdoor during such a transformative time. I am excited by the business appetite for creativity and innovation and am very much looking forward to developing longer-term strategies and initiatives that will result in profitable returns for APN Outdoor.
The announcement of Howes new role at APN Outdoor follows the appointment of Philip Knox as chief financial officer, effective 5 March 2018, and the appointment of Charlotte Valente as general manager, marketing, effective 19 February 2018. These appointments complete APN Outdoors executive leadership team joining Andrew Hines, chief operating officer, Annaliese Van Riet, head of people, culture and performance, Mark Fairhurst, general manager sales and Mike Watkins, country head NZ.
| BY Ricki Green |
12 bottles of the most sought after beers in the world are being auctioned in a world first Facebook Live beer auction via The Taboo Group. At 8:30pm Wednesday 21st March, Australian beer lovers will get their chance to bid on the last case of Goose Islands coveted Bourbon Country Stout in Australia.
Brewed in Chicago, the legendary barrel-aged imperial stout is in high demand across the globe, with American drinkers queuing outside liquor stores for hours in freezing temperatures to get their hands on it. Even empty bottles fetch up to $40 on ebay.
The event, hosted by Ale of a Times, Luke Smith and Goose Islands Tiffany Waldron will be broadcast live through Facebook Live from Melbournes Beermash. The public will be able to bid through the comments section in twelve one minute auctions, with the winner being declared live at the end of each auction. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Pink Boots Society, a not-for-profit empowering women in the beer industry.
Says Waldron: This is going to be a fun and unique way to get your hands on the last few bottles of the worlds best bourbon barrel aged beer. All the while spending time chatting with Luke and I, plus sharing the story of Pink Booty Society and raising money to support scholarships to empower more women in the beery industry.
The hype for the beer started 20 years ago, when the Brewers at Goose Island asked Jim Beam for some Bourbon Barrels to age their stout beer in. This experiment confirmed their reputation as innovators within the craft category.
All it takes is one motion of the glass toward the nose to instantly remind you why Bourbon County carries the reputation that it does. That familiar, silky, fudgy stout is present yet again-and is still the king of barrel-aged stouts, for good reason. The Hop Review
| BY Lynchy |
Ascential plc., the parent company of Cannes Lions, has announced that Philip Thomas, CEO of Ascential Events, will take on the additional role of chairman of Cannes Lions when long-term chairman Terry Savage leaves that position after this years Festival in June. Previous to his current role running Ascentials Events division, he was CEO of Cannes Lions and its associated festivals for ten years.
Philip is the obvious choice for this role, having led Cannes Lions to great success as CEO from 2006 to 2016, said Ascential plc. CEO Duncan Painter. His knowledge of the brand and the global creative industry is unparalleled. He will of course continue in his role as CEO of Ascential Events, leading across a portfolio of brands.
Says Thomas (above): My role as chairman will be to support managing director Jose Papa and his team in the strategic development of Cannes Lions and its associated festivals, offering counsel as he leads and manages the business. The role of creativity for growth and for change has never been so critical, and Cannes Lions exists to help people and businesses become more creative. I am delighted to be able to help Jose and his team in this mission.
| BY Ricki Green |
R/GA Sydney has today announced that executive creative director, Hamish Stewart (left), is leaving the agency. Former TBWA\Sydney deputy ECD Craig Brooks (right) will fill the ECD role left by Stewart.
Says Rebecca Bezzina, VP managing director: For three and a half years, Hamishs creative leadership has been an anchor for R/GA Sydney and helped us evolve into a globally awarded agency. Hes been instrumental in our success and the pride we feel in our work. His integrity, warmth and craftsmanship will be very missed.
Says Stewart: Its been fantastic to have been part of the growth of R/GA Sydney, now an agency 90 people strong, with a thriving client roster and a body of work Im extremely proud of. Ive always been interested in the intersection of technology, data and storytelling. But after three-and-a-half years, its time to pursue those interests elsewhere. I look forward to sharing my plans soon.
Following an extensive search for Stewarts replacement, Brooks is to take the role of ECD from April 9, working alongside co-ECD, Rob Chalmers.
At TBWA\Sydney Brooks clocked up a decade delivering celebrated integrated, media-neutral thinking for brands including Apple, Foxtel, Tourism New Zealand, David Jones, NRMA & M.J. Bale. Along the way he rose from art director to deputy ECD, collected numerous Cannes Lions, Spikes, One Show, D&AD and AWARD awards, and helped steer TBWA\ to 18 Agency Of The Year titles.
Says Bob Mackintosh, VP ECD, R/GA: Craig is the epitome of what modern creative leadership should be holistic in his outlook, unconventional in approach and, above all, a champion of great work. Hes a great talent and were excited to have him at the helm.
| BY Lynchy |
Michael Houston, Worldwide CEO of Grey Group, has announced that Adam OConor, one of Chinas most accomplished advertising industry leaders, is joining the agency as Chairman and CEO of Grey Group Greater China.
OConor has served most recently as President, Ogilvy & Mather Group, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, overseeing global brand management in the region, capping a stellar two-decade long career at the agency.
Adam OConor brings a tremendous track record of success to his new role at Grey, Houston said. As a key architect of the Ogilvy network in Asia, he has demonstrated vision and dynamism in building brands across all communications channels. He has an unparalleled grasp of what clients are looking for in a future-facing marketing partner. Most importantly, Adam is known to be a champion of creativity, which aligns perfectly with our Famously Effective ethos. His appointment is a clear signal of our ambitions to aggressively pursue growth and expand our reach and resources in China.
| BY Lynchy |
When Grace Blue opened its doors ten years ago in London, its vision was to be the best global headhunting business focusing on the media and communications space.
To be the best requires creating the values of a business that is brave and inventive and cares about placing leaders who can really grow businesses.
The best requires creating systems and a rigorous process which ensures no stone is left unturned to find the very best candidates for each and every leadership role. The best requires a truly global operation.
Now with offices in New York, Singapore, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Shanghai, the Grace Blue Partnership is delighted to announce that Daisy Chen (pictured above right) and Sonia Voirol (left) will be joining as Directors of the Shanghai and Singapore offices, respectively.
Chen has over 10 years of consulting and executive search experience across Marketing Communications, Management Consulting, Financial Services, and Market Research industries. Daisy spent over two years at McKinsey as an Executive Recruiter, responsible for the firms senior lateral hires in Greater China, and prior to that at WPP China as Associate Talent Director, where she was responsible for executive recruitment and talent strategy for all WPP operating companies in Greater China. Chen will be based in Shanghai, working alongside Hilda Ng, and Stephanie Sun.
After all these years, Im so excited to be working with Daisy again, as I know there is no one better in the China market who has both the depth of experience and the connectivity to ensure that the Grace Blue Partnership continues to deliver an unrivalled service there, solidifying us as the China experts, said Jean-Michel Wu, Grace Blue Partnership Asia CEO
Voirol has over 10 years of experience under her belt, with the last five years spent at Ogilvy & Mather where she managed multi-million-dollar integrated campaigns for global clients like American Express. Her strengths lay in brand, direct marketing and digital. She is very well placed to identify agency and brand side talent.
Voirol will be based in regional head office in Singapore alongside Jean-Michel Wu, Helen Duffy and Hilda Ng, and will focus on expanding both the agency and brand side roles within the region.
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Did you hear the joke about the Canberran who bought a ticket for an event at the last minute? Usually, it's no joke, but the agony of most event organisers. But it seems there's something those in the capital will buy tickets early for, and that's comedy. The Canberra Comedy Festival is back this week, returning for its sixth year from March 19-26. Held across stages at Canberra Theatre, The Street Theatre, Civic Pub and the ANU, this year's lineup includes international acts Rich Hall, Stephen K Amos, Urzila Carlson, Arj Barker and Ross Noble, alongside Aussies like Nazeem Hussain, Dave Hughes, Cal Wilson, Joel Creasy, Nath Valvo and Becky Lucas. Around 18,000 tickets went on sale for the festival, and the Canberra Comedy Festival's Dave Graham said that the event was almost 70 per cent sold out at the start of the week. "A bunch of shows are completely sold out, like the opening gala has been sold out for ages and people are crawling over broken glass to get tickets. We put it on sale earlier and earlier each year and it sells out sooner," he said. "It's a fantastic feeling that you have such a big week of comedy because a lot of [touring artists] don't come to Canberra because, 'no one will buy tickets in time' - that late ticket buying scares them. So it's good to be the big show in town." The festival was launched during Canberra's centenary year in 2013, and Mr Graham said the capital's comedy scene has grown significantly since then. "It used to be we begged them to come to us and now they ask to come to us," he said. Canberra comedian Chris Ryan, who performed at the festival's opening gala on Tuesday night and also has a show on Thursday night at the ANU School of Music, agrees that Canberra has firmly secured itself on the Australian comedy map. "We're on the national touring circuit now and we've got a name for comedy in Canberra and it's just gonna get bigger I think. I just hope the audiences come along with that growth. There's heaps more comedians but I just hope we continue to see new faces at comedy gigs, live gigs, that's the most important part of all of this for performers, we need an audience," she said. "But the team that puts this festival together has done an incredible job in building it, getting Canberrans to embrace it, getting participation from business, from government, all walks of life, volunteers. It's become bigger than ever and it's a credit to them but also a credit to the canberra community to get out of the house and participate." A new addition to the festival this year is Festival Square, an alfresco bar in Civic Square out the front of Canberra Theatre with fake grass, tables, food vans plus DJs, trivia and live music during the week. Entry is free and the square is open from 5pm every day during the festival. Full program and tickets at canberracomedyfestival.com.au.
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Good morning Canberra, Welcome to Wednesday. We're looking at a comparatively cold day (yay!) with a forecast minimum temperature of 10 degrees and a top of 18. It is with great pleasure that I walk you through what's making news today. Analysis by health reporter Daniella White has found demand for acute mental health beds has grown by 50 per cent since 2006-07 but only three extra acute mental health beds have been made available. The figures show the ACT had 46.9 psychiatric services per 10,000 people in 2015-16 - the second lowest in the country behind the Northern Territory - which was down on 56.4 in 2008-09. It's having an impact: advocates say people with mental illness are being turned away from hospital because they're "not sick enough". Read more here. A Lyneham couple has clashed with the ACT government over a tree on their own property. Tara Williams and her partner Alec Wickerson decided to have the Arizona smooth bark cypress tree removed after it dropped branches near their asbestos sheeted roof. The government rejected the move in September and began a stoush that went to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Thursday where the couple argued the tree posed a danger to their home and the public. Doug Dingwall went along to the hearing and has more here. Fyshwick's getting funky. Kirsten Lawson reports the group behind New Acton has unveiled plans for a highly experimental pavilion designed by a renowned Chilean architect to kick off its new 50-building precinct at Dairy Road. The Molonglo Group will call expressions of interest internationally this year for the precinct, which aims to mix industrial, residential and commercial buildings - rejecting the highly segregated zoning that dominates planning in Canberra. Described as a "parasitic pavilion" and "something between a bird hide and an urban observation tower", it consists of two towers, each about 20 metres, and circular walkways between. I'm not super sure what a parasitic pavilion is but it all sounds very cool. Read more here. This is a heartbreaking, awful story. A Canberra mum is campaigning for the ACT government to fund a new information pack for first-time parents that would teach them to recognise the signs of abuse. She's been motivated by her own horrendous experiences; her father abused her young daughter and will be released from a WA prison this Friday after spending four years behind bars for his crimes. The parent pack has been backed by Bravehearts and the Canberra Liberals. Read Sherryn Groch's story here. Deborah Naeve and Ingrid Mitchell lost everything in the Tathra fires - including the home they were about to move into just a suburb from where they lived. Like dozens of others they received no warning before the fire tore through the community. They snatched their children and ran. Eryk Bagshaw went to poor Tathra yesterday. His story is here.
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Credit card knives are among several items that will be outlawed in the ACT from next Wednesday after changes to the Prohibited Weapons Act. Legislation passed in February bans items that contain a disguised or hidden blade or spike. This includes weapons like credit card knives and blades hidden in pens. Swiss army knives are not covered by the ban. Most of the other items added to the list of banned weapons are specialised firearms and accessories. ACT Policing Detective Superintendent Mick Calatzis praised the new legislation and said police would not hesitate to enforce the ban from next Wednesday. "Community safety is of the utmost importance, and devices with hidden blades are inherently very dangerous, due to their nature as concealed weapons," he said. "These items have been on sale legally in many places for quite some time, and may have been brought into the country as souvenirs. They are still dangerous, and will be illegal from March 28." Detective Superintendent Calatzis said anyone with a credit card knife or similar weapon should destroy or dispose of it safely before next Wednesday. Anyone caught with a banned weapon faces up to five years in prison, a fine of $75,000, or both. If you have an item that contains a concealed blade or spike and wish to speak to police, or to make a report about a banned item, call 131 444 or visit any police station.
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The group behind New Acton has unveiled plans for a highly experimental pavilion designed by a renowned Chilean architect to kick off its new 50-building precinct at Dairy Road, Fyshwick. The new precinct, for which the Molonglo Group will call expressions of interest internationally this year, aims to mix industrial, residential and commercial buildings, rejecting the highly segregated zoning that dominates planning in Canberra. The group has commissioned Chilean architect firm Pezo von Ellrichshausen, which has designed art installations, pavilions and highly experimental buildings around the world, and will now design its first piece in Australia. Described as a "parasitic pavilion" and "something between a bird hide and an urban observation tower", it consists of two towers, each about 20 metres, and circular walkways between. Molonglo Group director Nikos Kalogeropoulos said it could be used as a shared working space or interpretive centre, providing an interface between the new estate and the wetlands. "Pezo von Ellrichshausen has proposed an enigmatic piece; a mysterious sculpture. A simple, solid, heavy and monolithic vertical building divided in two - a paired tower," the design concept says. "Between the two buildings is a void, filled with soft, informal, delicate bridges - a floating circular path, or possibly even a third building, that moves between, around and through the other two buildings. In time, it is hoped that the pavilion will be inhabited by the delicate wetland. It will become a relic of ambition." Sofia von Ellrichshausen, from Concepcion, Chile, is in Australia for the announcement of the Dairy Road piece. The Molonglo Group will not say what it is paying for the pavilion, but says it hopes to be building it as early as next year. It would be the first in a series of experimental "parasitic pavilions" around the world, designed to "subvert the pavilion concept" and "hijack, insert, envelope, attach, intervene". The Efkapidis family's Molonglo Group is developing a 14.5 hectare site on Dairy Road over 10 to 15 years, promising more than 50 buildings, including "artist residences and studios, retail, light industrial, commercial, creative and cultural spaces". The "experimental mix of highly interwoven uses" was "especially radical for Canberra", the company said, promising a "dense urban village", and "a vast experiment". "At Dairy Road all uses will be challenged, including already laid-down regulations such as car-parking quotas," the company said. "The development of the site provides a unique opportunity to retain the industrial built form and immerse it within new and contrasting forms of uses." The company would announce an international design competition for a site masterplan this year. Mr Kalogeropoulos said details of what would be built were yet to be worked out, but seven buildings on site and the 20,000 square metres of light industrial warehousing would remain. The company was not about flouting planning rules but about bringing the life back into cities and creating "real" human spaces, he said. "One of the joys of living in a wonderful small Greek village is you get to hear chitter chatter of neighbours, the smell from the town baker, these are elements of life we should somehow be bringing back into our communities as opposed to cocooning ourselves and having this insular perspective," he said. The company has set out principles for the site: Zero carbon emissions and waste, new forms of manufacturing, putting the landscape first, eschewing "big roads" in favour of laneways, cycleways and walkways, without "big roads", improving bike links to the city, protecting the wetlands, and "pluralism" - making a space for everyone. The Molonglo Group bought the site from the Commonwealth in 2002.
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Extended bar hours are coming back to the city of Cape Coral. And if all goes well, the program could be permanent.
The Cape Coral City Council voted 7-1 Monday to extend bar hours in the South Cape hospitality zone until 3 a.m. following Friday and Saturday nights as well as on five designated holidays.
Mayor Joe Coviello was fully supportive of the ordinance, saying it would give a boost to commercial development in the area.
We are being asked to pay a small amount of money in a concentrated area. The demographics of this city are changing. Young people are coming in and taking Uber and theres potential for economic development, Coviello said.
Projected cost was the primary Council sticking point specifically the use of general fund money but the board majority determined that the opportunity for business growth and the potential for making the area a destination should outweigh projected costs associated with public safety.
Citing data collected during a 2015-16 trial period when two bars stayed open until 4 a.m., Cape Coral Police Chief David Newlan said the new program would require four additional officers and a supervisor at a cost of more than $158,000 in overtime.
Conceding data collected during the 4 a.m. program didnt compare apples to apples, Newlan said information compiled since gives a more complete picture with more calls for service, more DUIs and more crime reports written during the trial period than either before or after.
For the 3 a.m. program to be successful, he would need four officers and one supervisor to work overtime to patrol the district, Newlan said.
We cant say that every call was caused by the extended bar hours, but we cant say it wasnt either. You need to accept there will be an increase in crime. Otherwise, this will fail, he said in the staff presentation to Council.
Joe Mazurkiewicz of BJM Consulting countered the police cost argument with a financial argument: Sixty-nine new businesses opened during the first extended bar hours program and some South Cape businesses saw revenue increase by as much as 140 percent. The two bars that took part in the 4 a.m. hours extension reported a business increase of 48 percent.
And it wasnt just after 2 a.m. the regular closing time; the extended hours had an impact on area businesses as early as 9 p.m.
Mazurkiewicz said the 3 a.m. ordinance would bring vibrancy to the area, increase property values and the tax base, create more jobs, increase local investment, expand tourism and become an economic driver for the entire city.
All I saw were pictures of drinks and people in handcuffs in the police presentation, Mazurkiewicz said. Stats can say anything you want them to mean. It all depends on your point of view.
Regarding funding, two sources were suggested or confirmed.
Councilmember John Carioscia said that the money for the police-requested overtime could come from the unpaid salaries for the police officers that have been budgeted, but not hired yet.
Meanwhile, the Community Development Agency board has already agreed to fund a third of the cost.
The thought that city taxpayers would pay to extend serve times, though, remained a hurdle for some on Council.
Councilmember David Stokes said the e-mails he got from angry residents, concerned as well at the prospect of general fund tax dollars being used to pay for the police presence and possible additional safeguards such as license cameras, was a deal breaker.
Council members Marilyn Stout, Rick Williams and Jessica Cosden also expressed concern with the money, saying that the CRA should pay for the South Cape -only program.
Public comment at the meeting was mostly positive with most saying that 3 a.m. is a good compromise, that businesses beside bars would benefit and that the CCPD would do a good job making sure things dont get out of hand.
Council voted to support the measure for what it could do for businesses in the area, especially for those on Southeast 47th Terrace, which stand to lose money in the short term due to streetscape project construction.
Stokes was the lone no vote.
Hospitality zone bar hours extended to 3 a.m. By Staff | Mar 20, 2018
Extended bar hours are coming back to the city of Cape Coral. And if all goes well, the program could be permanent. The Cape Coral City Council voted 7-1 Monday to extend bar hours in the South Cape hospitality zone until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights as well as on five designated holidays. Mayor Joe Coviello was fully supportive of the ordinance, saying it would give a boost to commercial development in the area. We are being asked to pay a small amount of money in a concentrated area. The demographics of this city are changing. Young people are coming in and taking Uber and theres potential for economic development, Coviello said. Projected cost was the primary Council sticking point specifically the use of general fund money but the board majority determined that the opportunity for business growth and the potential for making the area a destination should outweigh projected costs associated with public safety. Citing data collected during a 2015-16 trial period when two bars stayed open until 4 a.m., Cape Coral Police Chief David Newlan said the new program would require four additional officers and a supervisor at a cost of more than $158,000 in overtime. Conceding data collected during the 4 a.m. program didnt compare apples to apples, Newlan said information compiled since gives a more complete picture with more calls for service, more DUIs and more crime reports written during the trial period than either before or after. For the 3 a.m. program to be successful, he would need four officers and one supervisor to work overtime to patrol the district, Newlan said. We cant say that every call was caused by the extended bar hours, but we cant say it wasnt either. You need to accept there will be an increase in crime. Otherwise, this will fail, he said in the staff presentation to Council. Joe Mazurkiewicz of BJM Consulting countered the police cost argument with a financial argument: Sixty-nine new businesses opened during the first extended bar hours program and some South Cape businesses saw revenue increase by as much as 140 percent. The two bars that took part in the 4 a.m. hours extension reported a business increase of 48 percent. And it wasnt just after the 2 a.m. regular closing time; the extended hours had an impact on area businesses as early as 9 p.m. Mazurkiewicz said the 3 a.m. ordinance would bring vibrancy to the area, increase property values and the tax base, create more jobs, increase local investment, expand tourism and become an economic driver for the entire city. All I saw were pictures of drinks and people in handcuffs in the police presentation, Mazurkiewicz said. Stats can say anything you want them to mean. It all depends on your point of view. Regarding funding, two sources were suggested or confirmed. Councilmember John Carioscia said that the money for the police-requested overtime could come from the unpaid salaries for the police officers that have been budgeted, but not hired yet. Meanwhile, the Community Development Agency board has already agreed to fund a third of the cost. The thought that city taxpayers would pay to extend serve times, though, remained a hurdle for some on Council. Councilmember David Stokes said the e-mails he got from angry residents, concerned as well at the prospect of general fund tax dollars being used to pay for the police presence and possible additional safeguards such as license cameras, was a deal breaker. Councilmembers Marilyn Stout, Rick Williams and Jessica Cosden also expressed concern with the money, saying that the CRA should pay for the South Cape-only program. Public comment at the meeting was mostly positive with most saying that 3 a.m. is a good compromise, that businesses beside bars would benefit and that the CCPD would do a good job making sure things dont get out of hand. Council voted to support the measure for what it could do for businesses in the area, especially for those on Southeast 47th Terrace, which stand to lose money in the short term due to streetscape project construction. Stokes cast the lone no vote. Cape News St. Andrew to hold Blue Mass Sunday A Blue Mass for emergency responders will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. ... County Commission allocates additional dollars to rapid rehousing programs Arts & Animals: Furry Friends Displayed in Art Thursday
Before opening Joeys Custard on Sanibel, Joey Almeida spent three years in the U.S. Army. It was a call to duty that runs deep in his family two uncles and his late father served in the Vietnam War.
In honor of them, Almeida is marking National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29.
U.S. Armed Forces personnel with active duty service between Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location of service, are invited to have their choice of sundae or sandwich on the house, he said. We ask veterans to bring their VA card or DD214 form on March 29.
The recognition of Vietnam veterans service to our country is important to me. It will be a pleasure to be able to thank them and talk with them on a day set aside just for them, Almeida, who lost his father as a direct result of exposure to nuclear missiles during the Vietnam War, said. I have witnessed the strong bond of military service in my family and hope this day will form new, ever-lasting bonds.
National Vietnam Veterans Day was developed by the Gold Star Wives of America, a Congressionally chartered non-profit organization that provides services to the active duty and service-connected military surviving spouses. Almeidas mother and business partner, Debi, is a member.
This commemorative day is very close to our hearts, she said. We look forward to serving them.
Debi Almeida plans to release a book in the memory of her husband in the fall.
The book will tell his story through emails to loved ones during the last six weeks of his life, intermixed with artwork he drew while stationed in bunkers in Germany, she said.
For more information, visit joeyscustard.com or call 239-472-7222.
Joeys Custard is at 2467 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
Canadian or not, the behaviour reported by this band is inexcusable. This is not about bands from 20 years ago, or what others have done. This is about the responsibility of these artists to act as decent human beings.
There are now multiple rape allegations, which have been verified by a doctor. The public meanwhile is free to offer their own judgement based on multiple allegations and can choose to put their money and support towards artists who do not flaunt their fame to take advantage of women and assault them.
The sooner we stop making excuses for celebrities to commit sexual assault or other crimes, the sooner we can begin to expect proper decency, accountability and responsibility from them.
Matt Phillips
Photo: mydisruptivelife.com
Last week, we looked at how we might define a bad driver. Views were varied, but there were two well thought out responses that did more than just express an opinion.
This week, let's look at how bad drivers pay for the risk that they present to others using our highways.
At the top of the list is the Criminal Code of Canada. Part 8 deals with offences against the person and reputation.
Here we find homicide, criminal negligence and motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft. These are reserved for the worst of the worst offenders and convictions may result in significant fines and/or time in jail.
Our Motor Vehicle Act and its associated Regulations create the framework of rules that we are supposed to follow when we drive. Disobey one of these and you might receive a violation ticket with a prescribed fine.
The fine amount should reflect the seriousness of the offence, the more dangerous the act, the higher the fine.
There are some problems with this system. First among them is that the fine may be a life-altering penalty for those with no financial means and the bite of a gnat for those with significant resources.
Yes, the court system exists to reduce the penalties to be fairer in the circumstances, but in my experience, those of limited means seldom take advantage of it. Also, there is no provision to increase the fine beyond the prescribed fine in traffic court.
Some countries use a day-fine system where the penalty is based on the offenders daily income level to make the penalty more appropriate.
If the circumstances are out of the ordinary, but do not call for criminal sanctions, the offending driver may be served with an appearance notice instead of a violation ticket.
A provincial court judge will hear the case and may apply a variety of penalties on conviction. These may range from probation orders to fines, prohibitions from driving and jail sentences.
The second problem that comes to mind is the high threshold for sanction of experienced bad drivers in the Driver Improvement Program.
Additions to the penalty system include the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program (IRP) for alcohol and drug impaired drivers and the Vehicle Impoundment Program for the IRP, excessive speeding, driving while unlicensed, prohibited or suspended, stunting and not being seated properly on a motorcycle.
The Driver Penalty Point Premium is based on driving convictions and paid to ICBC each year. The more penalty points you are assigned, the more you pay.
This part of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations is overdue for revision. A red light conviction is two points, as is parking next to a yellow curb if you are ticketed for disobeying a traffic control device.
The Driver Risk Premium is meant to penalize drivers who have shown that they present a significant danger others through a driving related Criminal Code conviction, a 10-penalty point violation, excessive speeding or a distracted driving conviction.
If you are an at fault driver in a collision, you will either lose your safe-driving insurance discount or the possibility of forgiveness should you experience another at fault collision.
Finally, the courts, RoadSafetyBC in Part 2 or the roadside prohibition requirements of Part 4 of the Motor Vehicle Act serve to remove driving privileges entirely as a penalty.
This is quite an array of possibilities, isn't it? With all of this in place, one wonders why there is still so much bad driving behaviour on our roads.
Story URL: https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/collisions/making-bad-drivers-pay
Alanna Kelly
Residents living on Kirschner Mountain have had water flooding into their homes since Thursday and are desperately trying to stop the never ending flow.
It was Thursday night when Donna Greer and Karen Bernath found water flowing into the basement of their home located on Verde Vista Road.
They spent all night digging trenches, shovelling water and running pumps to push out the water.
We have a waterfall feature here down the back hill we never installed, said Bernath. You can hear the water and you know to get out there all sump pumps and wet vacs on deck.
Water is coming at the house by seeping underneath and also running down the mountain.
Their next-door neighbour noticed water running into his home Sunday night.
The water was flowing through my yard and I noticed my window well was filling with water and almost up to the top of the window, said Harry Rasmussen.
Rasmussen quickly made a trough to push the water down to the end of the street and away from his home.
A small creek here and a large creek at the neighbours, a lot of water, he said.
Residents said the water needs to go somewhere and believe this flooding is from a recent development above their properties on the top of the mountain.
We have been here over 20 years, weve never ever had issues like this, said Greer.
Rasmussen who has been living at the property for 38 years said he has never experienced flooding.
I believe it is because the development behind us, the land change that they have done, removing the forest, building up the land up there, he said.
Firefighters reviewed the properties on Sunday night but the residents have not heard a response from city staff as of Monday.
Bernath said they are worried about mudslides and rocks rolling down from the top of the mountain into their home.
Castanet has reached out to city staff and are awaiting a response.
Madison Erhardt
Kelowna's Betty McKenzie has made it to triple digits.
McKenzie turned 100 on Monday. When asked what her secret is to living such a long and happy life, she said: "I keep well, and I'm healthy. I've got friends here, and the people that serve me are friends. I have got a good family and they have helped me along the way."
McKenzie has been blessed with nine grandchildren.
"She has been very, very active. I think that has helped her a lot as she has gotten older. She has good friends, a lot of faith, and good genes," Valerie McKenzie, her daughter-in-law said.
Betty will be partying all week.
"We plan on celebrating by going out to dinner, and then on Saturday a number of her relatives will be getting together to do some more partying," said Valerie.
"She has told all her kids to simply live an honest life, a motto she holds near and dear to her heart," she added.
Photo: Contributed
Major changes coming to B.C.'s child-care system remain unclear for parents and service providers.
The budget pledged $1 billion over the next three years to create an affordable child-care system in B.C.
To reach that goal, two measures were announced that will reduce costs for some families with kids in licensed facilities, and which will together help low-income earners the most.
According to the provincial budget, about 27,000 families with incomes under $45,000 will eventually pay little or nothing for licensed child care.
Amanda Worms runs two independent licensed child-care facilities, called Little Owl Academy.
"I have a background in business and I have invested my familys life savings into this business and made the move to the Okanagan to do something of service for a community in desperate need. Since the budget, child-care providers need to know whether daycare fees will be capped. It's a mess."
Worms says replacing an income-geared subsidy program that hasn't been updated for a decade with a new benefit that improves eligibility and rates, should help in theory, but the practical application has caused consternation and confusion.
"If 24,000 spaces are going to be created, we need 1,500 more staff. We're in a staffing crisis already."
Worms also says details of the plan released Monday are worse than she feared.
"The deadline to opt in is March 27. If a child-care service does opt in, they will have to increase their fees. But (Monday's) document indicates that's not allowed except under extraordinary circumstances."
No definition of "extraordinary circumstances" was attached.
Worms says if her facility opts out, families using her service are not eligible for the rate reduction, which she feels could harm her business.
When Worms asked the government representative, during a recent town hall if the plan was to move towards public child care, she was told: "not at this time."
Worms says she has asked the government for clarity on three issues:
Increase ECE wages and implement training/retention strategies immediately. Provide expanded subsidy for families. Provide capital funding incentive for both private and public sectors to build quality child-care spaces to expand access.
"This whole situation is infuriating. Private businesses own the majority of the licensed child-,care spaces in the province and we were not appropriately represented on this advisory committee," she said.
Alanna Kelly
Flair Airline passengers were stuck at Kelowna International Airport for over eight hours on Sunday.
Passengers boarded and took off in a plane not once, but twice and each time had to make an emergency landing.
Jules Rempel, Director Communications and Marketing for Flair Airlines said the landing gear system was never jeopardized, but that the issue was because a safety interlock that did not release after lift off.
This is a safety system that prevents the gear from ever coming up when it is on the ground, she said.
The safety system prevents the landing gear from retracting while on the ground, but once the plane was in the air it stayed out.
The sensor thought it was on the ground and would not retract once it was on the ground, she said.
Crews investigated and thought the issue was an on-time thing and all of the checks were approved.
When they went for the second time there was an interlock cable that had been adjusted on the edge, she said.
Numerous passengers took to Twitter saying the entire experience was horrible and a man was even escorted out of the airport.
Our number one intention is to always get our passengers safely to their next destination and in an on-time manner. Unfortunately the on-time piece of the puzzle did not happen yesterday, she said.
We apologize for that. We worked diligently that we could get them on their way although delayed, said Rempel.
Another aircraft was called to YLW from Edmonton and passengers left Kelowna just before 10 p.m.
Photo: Google Maps View from above Diamond Mtn. looking toward the landfill.
City council was swayed by fear, not by science and not by reality.
That was the opinion of Renee Wasylyk, CEO of Troika Management Corp., after council shut down her Diamond Mountain development by a 5-2 margin.
The development, which would have included between 800 and 1,000 homes at full build-out, was proposed for the hillside directly south of the Glenmore landfill.
Following a lengthy set of presentations by both the city and the developer, council decided the risk to one of its prime assets was not one worth taking.
City staff argued complaints about noise from the landfill and compost facility, visual impacts, dust and odour could cost taxpayers millions if it were forced to look for a new place to dump city garbage, likely outside the city.
"The range of cost consequences and possible consequences to our ratepayers and citizens of the region is extremely high," said utility services manager Kevin Van Vleit.
"I believe they outweigh, by an order of magnitude, any benefit we may get from the residential homes of this site. Our sites operate without a problem now, and the reason they operate without a problem is the adjacent properties have compatible use."
He says they are agricultural, vacant or are being farmed.
Wasylyk countered science is on the side of Diamond Mountain.
"The science is clear. Diamond Mountain is safe. Diamond Mountain has no health issues. Diamond Mountain is the least affected area in the entire North Glenmore corridor. And, there is no scientific, or regulatory reason for Diamond Mountain to not move forward," said Wasylyk
"If we apply the science and the model to what's here, UBCO is affected in 64 of 74 nuisance scenarios. McKinley is 40, Wilden is 68, and the most affected by the landfill. The airport sits at 31 and Quail Ridge and Diamond Mountain at 36. We are the least affected."
Council was swayed by the risk to the city and its taxpayers. Van Vliet says nuisances may not be bad in 10 year, but as the city continues to outgrow forecasts, he doesn't know what those conditions will be like in 40 years.
He said shutting down the landfill would cost the city between $30 and $50 million, and trucking waste out of the city could cost taxpayers upwards of $3 billion over the life of the facility.
"Coun. Mohini Singh agreed the city needs more attainable housing, but added council still needs to do what's right for the city as a whole.
"I am worried about the impact on our landfill site. The landfill is an amenity that serves the entire region," she said.
Singh said she was leaning toward supporting the development, but said after everything she heard, she was voting against for the "greater good of the community."
With the larger development shot down, Wasylyk said her company with Plan B, 17 10-acre lots, which she said will make millionaires very happy.
"We have to move forward, and we have to move forward with what we're dealing with today, and it's way too risky to not know what is going to happen."
As for Monday's meeting, Wasylyk said the process was biased.
"They weren't asking me enough questions. Staff got almost two-and-a-half hours to answer questions. I had a half an hour.
"It was a very biased process, and that I would say is part of what I'm most disappointed about. There was not a lot of interest in listening. I would say Coun. Sieben and Coun. Gray were most inquisitive, but there was a very biased procedure that happened in there today."
Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo Coun. Brad Sieben
Kelowna city council will wait until they gather Tuesday night to determine how to officially respond to the province's proposed speculation tax.
Staff put a series of recommendations on the table, but councillors couldn't decide how best to proceed.
They decided to give it 24 hours and rethink their options Tuesday.
Some of the recommendations include applying a tax equally geographically, a transactional tax as opposed to a vacant home tax, providing clarity on details and exemptions of the proposed tax and keeping any revenues from a tax in the city for affordable housing initiatives.
"I really take offence to the fact Kelowna is identified in this without any consultation what-so-ever," said Coun. Brad Sieben.
"The one thing I don't support in language is the notion of equalizing the tax throughout. I fully get the spirit of it that it may benefit Lake Country and the others, but I fundamentally don't support the tax at all and believe it shouldn't be there at all."
Mayor Colin Basran, a vocal opponent of the tax, reiterated Monday his opposition is not about trying to find homes for people squeezed out of the market.
But, he added the tax, as proposed, has many damaging impacts.
Basran said Kelowna may want to follow the lead of West Kelowna and Qualicum Beach who has said to the province "thanks, but no thanks," when it comes to including their communities with those being affected.
He says a letter should also include a recommended meeting with Finance Minister Carole James or Premier John Horgan, or both.
What council did agree on was, what is being called a "vacant home tax," could have disastrous consequences for the city.
YouTube
Warning: The video police have released shows the attack. Viewer discretion is advised.
There is a B.C. connection to a senseless and violent crime in Mississauga Ontario.
Toronto-area police are looking for three suspects, possibly from B.C., who are suspects in an attack on a man with autism.
The attack which was caught on security camera, happened last Tuesday night at a bus terminal outside a mall in Mississauga, Ont.
Peel Regional Police say a 29-year-old man was sitting on the bottom step of stairs when he was violently attacked by three males. The first man punched the victim in the face, breaking his nose then the victim was surrounded and punched and kicked.
The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Peel police tell CTV News, they believe at least one of the suspects involved in the "brutal assault" might be from B.C., or have some connection to the province. They're asking anyone in our province to look at the video police released last week and contact them with more information on the suspects.
"We saw the video and we decided to release that video to the public, and by doing that, we generated a lot of information," Const. Harinder Sohi told CTV News Monday.
"Our information is that all three parties that are responsible for this assault are from British Columbia, the Lower Mainland area."
Sohi would not say what the information was or how it came to police but said that they'd verified it and it looked to be credible.
"I think this really shows the power of social media. Once we released that video, it was amazing to see not only the tips we received but also the response from the community for the victim himself all the well-wishes and people wanting to reach out to the victim," Sohi said.
"I can tell you that the victim is with his family and is getting a lot of support."
The males have been described as South Asian and about 5-10.
-with files from CTV
Photo: Contributed
UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.
British Columbia's next lieutenant-governor has a deep background in working with social and government organizations in the province.
Janet Austin, who is the CEO of the Metro Vancouver YWCA, will assume the post in the coming weeks, replacing Judith Guichon.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Tuesday, describing Austin as an advocate whose work has helped others.
"Ms. Austin is an outstanding leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others," Trudeau said in a statement.
"I know she will work hard to represent the province, and its people, well.
Austin will be the province's 30th lieutenant-governor.
She is an active member of the community, serving on the board of transit operator Translink in Metro Vancouver, as well as the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Austin was previously the executive director of Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland and worked for B.C. Housing.
Guichon has been the province's lieutenant-governor since 2012.
"As someone who has dedicated her career to championing women's equality and social change, she is a wonderful choice to represent Her Majesty the Queen in this great province," Guichon said in a news release. "Ms. Austin will continue to inspire and connect British Columbians in this role."
Lieutenant-governors serve as the Queen's personal representatives in their provinces and fulfil her roles and functions including granting royal assent to provincial laws. They serve terms of at least five years.
Austin has been recognized with several awards for her work. She has been named as one of Vancouver's influential women in business, won the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award and the Wendy McDonald Diversity Champion Award.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Calgary and an honorary doctorate of laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C.
After graduating from university, Austin worked in regional planning and ran public consultation and communications projects for the Alberta government in Calgary before going to work for B.C. Housing.
ORIGINAL: 7 a.m.
B.C. has a new lieutenant-governor.
Judith Guichon has offered her congratulations to Janet Austin, OBC, on the announcement of Austin's appointment to be the 30th lieutenant-governor of British Columbia.
"I am so pleased to welcome Janet Austin as the next lieutenant-governor of British Columbia. As someone who has dedicated her career to championing women's equality and social change, she is a wonderful choice to represent Her Majesty The Queen in this great province," said Guichon.
"Ms. Austin will continue to inspire and connect British Columbians in this role."
Guichon will remain lieutenant-governor until the installation of Austin in the coming weeks.
Photo: CTV
A couple of B.C. brothers are being hailed as heroes Tuesday after they saved their brother and grandmother from a burning house.
The incident happened in Victoria and more than two dozen firefighters battled the blaze at a heritage home on McClure Street, Tuesday.
Finn Parker, 13, says he was upstairs watching TV when he heard his 16-year-old brother Sampson yelling "fire."
One brother grabbed the fire extinguisher and took matters into his own hands. When that didn't work he grabbed his little brother and fled the fire.
I saw him in the living room and the curtains were on fire. The first thing was I grabbed him, brought him to the backyard and I just told everyone to get out of the house, Sampson told CTV News.
Finn ran downstairs to notify their tenants of the fire.
As long as everyone was not hurt I felt semi-calm and it was OK, Finn said.
Neighbours report the flames spread in a matter of minutes. and the home is now considered a complete write-off.
Because of the construction of the building, its a balloon type construction, there are no fire stops so the fire wouldve spread right to the roof quite rapidly, Paul Bruce said.
The cause is under investigation, but the family believes it may have been caused by a 40-year-old lamp in the front room.
Out in the front there was a couch and it was just completely on fire, all that was left was a bit of the frame and just a small amount of the cushion left, Finn said.
The boys say they have lived in the 110-year-old house their entire lives.
Were all just staring up at our house which is all almost black instead of its gross yellow now, Finn said.
-with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: Contributed
On the first official day of spring, it's time to start thinking about one of Kelownas most popular team building events, and the YMCA of Okanagans largest fundraiser of the year.
It's been going for twelve years and the YMCA Cycle for Strong Kids promises to raise both funds and heart rates with a series of 45-minute stationary cycle classes.
This year's event takes place on Sunday, May 27, 2018, under a big tent outside the H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre.
Registration is now open for individuals and teams to take part in a heart pumping cycle class that will truly make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The event also includes a silent auction, music, prizes, refreshments, community business stations and more.
The importance of this event cannot be overestimated as 100 per cent of all funds raised directly support local children and families who need it most, says Rhonda Zakala, General Manager of Fund Development at the YMCA Okanagan. Currently one in four children attending YMCA Child Care are in need of donor funding and one in five families requires financial assistance to access YMCA health, fitness and aquatics programs.
The event raises funds for underprivileged families, last year in B.C. the Child Poverty Report Card indicated that at least one in five children are living in poverty stretching from Downtown Kelowna to Rutland. West Kelowna had the highest child poverty rate of 35.3 per cent.
It is critical that we assist underprivileged families and prevent children living in poverty from falling through the cracks, explains Zakala. The generosity of local residents and businesses who support Cycle for Strong Kids make it possible for the Y to offer life-changing programs that address our communities most pressing issues including inactivity, isolation and poverty while helping our future generation access the resources they need to succeed and thrive.
Last year's event saw nearly 300 participants take part and raised over $80,000. This years goal is to raise over $100,000 as the urgent needs in our community also continue to grow.
You can register here.
Photo: Contributed
Police say there were no injuries after several shots were fired today at a home in Nanaimo.
The RCMP says they responded to a home on Wildlife Place about 6:15 a.m.
Police say there were reports of a vehicle leaving the area shortly after the shots were heard, and that two people fled on foot.
The Vancouver Island emergency response team and police dog services are among those involved in the investigation.
Photo: Contributed
Police in Surrey are investigating an altercation at a weekend house party, potentially a stabbing, which led to a 14-year-old girl being taken to hospital with injuries.
The incident occurred near 88th Avenue and King George Boulevard, after an altercation from a nearby house party spilled onto the street.
"Early media reports indicated that this incident was a stabbing, however the cause of the victims injuries is still under investigation," Surrey RCMP said in a news release.
Police said there were about 100 youths at the house party and added alcohol was a factor in the incident.
Another female, also 14, was arrested at the scene of the incident and released on a promise to appear, according to police.
Those with information are asked to call RCMP or CrimeStoppers.
Photo: CTV
More evidence of Vancouver's topsy-turvy housing market.
A 96-year-old home in Vancouver's West End, which is listed as a fixer-upper is on the market for $6.98 million more than $3 million over its assessed value.
The aging three-storey house at 1511 Barclay Street includes two bedrooms and a bathroom on the main floor, plus separate one-bedroom suites on the top floor and in the basement.
Still, the basement is only "partly finished." The ad reads, "great opportunity for investment and self-use," it reads.
The 2,542-square-foot house was built in 1922.
The house last sold for $2.8 million in October 2015.
The most recent assessment lists the value at $3.45 million.
So far there has been no explanation for the sudden and dramatic increase in value or asking price.
According to B.C. Assessment, a nearby property at 977 Broughton Street that has nine bedrooms and six bathrooms sold in September for $2.8 million, less than $100,000 over its assessed value.
-with files from CTV
Photo: Contributed
Looking for something different to do with the children this spring break? Making plans for friends and family this summer?
You might want to check out BC Transits Explore BC by Bus campaign.
The program is in its third year and features new and interesting spring destinations.
BC Transit has hundreds of province-wide routes, featuring a wide range of activities and attractions.
Discover the Adventure Seeker or Family Fun itineraries with guided routes to exciting destinations. You can head to the wild, or round up the kids for affordable family day trips under $100.
You can also enter to win a chance to win prizes including a one-month bus passes each week, plus a Grand Prize of two one-year bus passes and an adventure getaway on Vancouver Island!
Photo: BC Gov't
Premier John Horgan says his government will replace a "one-size-fits-all" funding formula for schools because the current one doesn't account for differences in urban and rural communities.
Horgan addressed members of the B.C. Teachers Federation at their annual general meeting in Vancouver ahead of contract talks set to begin in about 10 months.
Union president Glen Hansman says members want a wage hike, but he's realistic that other public-sector workers will also be heading to the bargaining table about the same time.
Hansman says "mature conversations" will make a difference for the union. The BCTF had a bitter relationship with the former Liberal government, which in 2002 stripped teachers' right to bargain class size and composition.
He says B.C. teachers and their colleagues in Quebec have the lowest starting wage in the country, up to $20,000 lower than in other provinces.
Hansman says more teachers must be hired to meet the objectives of a landmark 2016 Supreme Court of Canada ruling requiring the province to restore staffing to 2002 levels, when the Liberals put the current funding formula in place.
Photo: CTV
UPDATE: 11:10 a.m.
Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board are being sent to Vancouver Island to determine why thick smoke suddenly filled the cabin of a commuter plane travelling to Nanaimo.
A news release from the board says a team will gather information and assess what happened Tuesday afternoon onboard WestJet Encore flight 3161.
The Bombardier Q400 turboprop with 56 passengers and two crew aboard had almost completed its short hop from Vancouver to Nanaimo when smoke began wafting into the cabin.
Passenger Addison Becker says as conditions became smokier, the plane descended quickly.
It landed safely after the pilot declared an emergency, a procedure a spokeswoman for WestJet says establishes priority landing and also summons emergency vehicles.
She says all passengers and crew fled the aircraft minutes after it touched down and no one was hurt.
Becker said passengers remained calm despite increasingly smoky conditions, but people pushed for the exits once the doors had been thrown open.
"It was freaky but it wasn't the worst thing that could happen," he said.
The plane was to fly on to Comox and then back to Vancouver, but those legs of the flight were cancelled.
The Canadian Press
UPDATE 7 a.m.
Transport Canada will deploy a team of investigators to Nanaimo to investigate after smoke filled the cabin of WestJet flight from YVR to Nanaimo airport.
ORIGINAL 3:06 p.m.
A WestJet flight from Vancouver made an emergency landing in Nanaimo, Tuesday, after the cabin filled with smoke.
The Bombardier Q400 turboprop landed safely and was met by first responders at Nanaimo Airport after it began filling with smoke minutes before it was scheduled to land.
"You could smell the smoke, and after a couple minutes you could see the haze," a passenger told CTV.
"They stopped short of the tarmac here and had us all bail out, basically. They said it was an emergency situation, and had us clear the plane and get off the runway, off into the field there."
No one was injured, and the flight staff "did a really good job, stayed calm," said passenger Marci Pimlott.
There's no word on what caused the smoke.
with files from CTV Vancouver Island
At the same time, the car often described as the Accord's archrival, the Toyota Camry, is up 13.7 percent for the year. Like the Accord, the Camry launched an all-new model last year. The new Camry was greeted positively, but unlike the Accord, with little excitement.
This is also why it takes repeated calls from my doctor to eventually reach those patients. He may be the bearer of dire news about their future. And, most likely, their fears of the unknown overshadow the reality of the situation. So they don't pick up the phone, hoping or praying that those test results will somehow just go away.
"We started thinking about how we control the first three miles of ocean, and there are state rights that we have," said New Jersey state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, a Democrat who represents the state's southern coast. "Even if we don't succeed in banning it outright, we can still make it a lot more expensive to do it in this area. It's a back-door, ingenious way to block this."
Yet, without a hazy IPA category at last years GABF, the competition had the distinction of being without a place to judge the hottest style in craft brewing. (The gold medal winner in the IPA category came from the Chicago area, but was far from hazy.) Another year without acknowledging the evolution in tastes might have argued for the competitions declining relevance. Instead, its organizers adapted.
Throughout his career Richard Townsend has proven himself to be a creative curator and talented fundraiser, museum founder and board President Richard H. Driehaus said in a statement. His impressive track record includes providing visionary leadership to the institutions he has overseen and organizing unprecedented and critically-acclaimed exhibitions.
Siku, who is now 8, came into the habitat first, transferred here from the Louisville Zoo. He was joined last February by Kobe, roughly twice his age. She arrived late in the spring breeding season so keepers were more hopeful for this year than last. But in early autumn, Kobes health declined rapidly. Zoo veterinarians found kidney failure and euthanized her Oct. 19.
I was raised with the music, she adds. My father played it constantly. He was also part of a group called Our Thang he was a poet for that group. There was always rhythm and song in my life. As young children, my brother and I got to know John Coltrane and Miles Davis just as we knew the soul music we were hearing on the radio. It became part of our DNA.
A tidal wave of dance is upon us. Each April, See Chicago Dance, the citys dance service organization formerly known as Audience Architects, shines a spotlight on the wealth of dance offerings in the spring through an initiative called Chicago Dance Month. In addition to spotlighting an abundance of local and visiting performances all over the city, Chicago Dance Month includes opportunities to try something new and see dance for free. You might come across dancers in the Pedway on your evening commute at Block 37, or see a roaming performance down Michigan Avenue. Curious about a particular company? Many of them are opening their doors with studio showings and open rehearsals on Fridays at the Cultural Center, and in venues all across town.
Everyone at the Goodman figured out fast that Falls has allegory at the top of his agenda here. Now, hes not the first to jump on this train (aside from Neveus fine efforts, this Enemy makes an interesting companion piece to Tracy Letts The Minutes), but he clearly sees the truth-averse small-business owners (who make up the majority of the town) as Trump supporters fed by a fake and foxy news media. Indeed, the term fake news even shows up in the adaptation. Then again, so does deplorable, suggesting a touch of the Clintonian in Falls conception of Stockmann (played here by Philip Earl Johnson). Stockmann has a deep contempt for those he thinks of as dumber than himself; in this production, the great town hall meeting plays out as a kind of cautionary tale for progressives on how not to talk in such a way as to make things worse.
Neither Foy or Smith, or Netflix, have commented on the pay story. A petition was started this week calling for Smith to donate some of his pay to Time's Up. Two seasons of the lavish series have been produced and Netflix has ordered a further two. The producers have already committed to pay parity for the upcoming runs of the show, which will see a full cast refresh, to reflect the ageing of the characters. Olivia Coleman will play the British monarch on the next two seasons and Helena Bonham Carter Princess Margaret. Other key casting decisions are still to be made.
"I do not have the millions of dollars that Burke has, but I do have the families that believe in me, believe in what I've done, and believe in what I want to do for our community. At the end of the day, I'm not worried about the thousands of dollars I don't have; I'm worried about the people that I want to be accountable to. And that's how you beat a machine," Ortiz said.
The '60s saw the gathering of the second feminist wave, and Barnet writes that Betty Friedan might be considered a fifth "visionary" in her lineup but for the violence of her approach, her desire to blow up the system rather than safeguard what is valuable. Yet Barnet is careful not to rely on essentialist assumptions about gender. When she describes Carson's style of fostering connection rather than competing with her peers as "female," the word is set off in scare quotes. Her subjects' femaleness mattered most, unsurprisingly, to men: It was what they saw first and what some of them could not see past.
Haitians along the Texas border face the risk of deportation to the country they fled, a country that barely struggles along with the population it already has, while we Americans still try to sort out our mixed messages without whips.
The show echoes real examples, and they continue. Huma Abedin continued in a marriage with Anthony Weiner as he tried to recover from scandal; he has since been sentenced to prison for sexting with a minor, and they are now settling their divorce. More recently, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was charged with a crime after accusations that he took compromising photos of a woman. He and his wife acknowledged the affair and released a joint statement that said they were working on their marriage.
The Company expressly releases any confidentiality provision to the extent it has prevented individuals who suffered or witnessed any form of sexual misconduct by Harvey Weinstein from telling their stories, the statement continues. No one should be afraid to speak out or be coerced to stay quiet. The Company thanks the courageous individuals who have already come forward. Your voices have inspired a movement for change across the country and around the world.
British Airways should accept responsibility for your bag from the time you drop it off at the ticket counter to the time you pick it up. Period. The fact that this isn't the first report of British Airways pushing people off on the police is a cause for concern. If it's happened to two of my readers, chances are it's happened to more. It may even be part of a new policy, which would be really unfortunate.
I told her everything we have been doing to push for gun control and how I looked up to her, a buzzing Eickhoff-Brown told Chicago Inc. I asked her if she would collaborate with us on an open letter we are sending to legislators and she said, of course.
African-Americans have heard that kind of talk a lot lately, mostly from Trump. One of the things many black people detest about Trump is that he routinely dismisses the contributions that blacks and other minorities make to America. He implies that we drain from society and have nothing of value to give back.
Any effort to stall it and not let it see the light of day, not engage in the City Council process that I think our good aldermen here envision, I think will be met with extreme, extreme hostility and it will be taken out on them in February 2019, the Tribune quoted Lightfoot as saying.
The large and wheelchair-accessible buses would be pre-owned, which would be less than two years old and would have 25,000 miles or fewer miles, he said. The buses being considered are under lease by the Round Lake and Geneva school districts.
Calhoun, who most recently had been assigned to the Gresham police district, was relieved of his police powers and placed on paid desk duty early last month after police learned of the allegations, department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. The department will move to suspend him without pay since he has been criminally charged, he said.
Bresnahan, the valedictorian of her Police Academy class who has a masters degree in education, was a 10-year veteran of the force at the time she applied for the job with the Bomb Squad. According to the suit, Bresnahan and two male officers scored the highest of all 130 candidates on a written aptitude test designed to evaluate mechanical and electrical skills. She later passed a physical fitness test, using only half of the allotted time, according to the suit.
The suspect in the 3:15 p.m. shooting, an 80-year-old man, barricaded himself inside a home in the 10400 block of South King Drive, police said. He was taken into custody about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday and taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said.
In opening statements, Assistant States Attorney Ashley Romito told jurors that Dominique Hodrick was in a nearby apartment building stewing that day in May 2014 about gang rivals on the block. He then stepped outside to fire at a car that doesnt belong there, and that is a capital offense in his world, she said.
Initially, the county turned to its insurers to pay out the $55 million settlement, but the companies didnt deliver, according to the lawsuit. So the county dug into its coffers funded by taxpayers and paid $40-plus million to plaintiffs in the strip-search case less than the agreed upon settlement. But the county offered a sweetener to the plaintiffs: Any money recovered in legal action against multiple insurers would go to them.
The way the 13 Chicago-area stash house cases are playing out is being closely watched by law enforcement and defense attorneys across the country because hundreds of similar stings have been used over the past two decades. While judges in other districts have criticized the operations for inventing crime and targeting vulnerable people, Castillo's ruling was the first to call them out on issues of race.
*Pritzker vs. Kennedy vs. Biss: Democratic billionaire entrepreneur J.B. Pritzker has given his governor campaign fund $69.5 million and picked up the backing of much of the state's Democratic establishment. But he has been dogged by his recorded phone calls with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Kenilworth businessman Chris Kennedy has gone hard after party leadership and has a famous name, but even supporter U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush called him the "Kennedy with no charisma." And state Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston has tried to pick up the Bernie Sanders wing of the party, though he's been criticized over his attempt in the legislature to cut teacher and state worker pensions.
A cause of death has not been released and forensic experts were still processing the scene where his body was found. Dombroski was a member of the rugby team at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and had come to Bermuda to compete in a tournament.
Facebook logos are pictured on the screens of a smartphone, right, and a laptop computer in central London on Nov. 21, 2016. Facebook announced March 19, 2018, that it has hired a digital forensics firm to investigate the handling of data on millions of Americans leaked to a consulting firm working on Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. (Justin Tallis / AFP/Getty Images)
Bryant, who like McDaniel benefited from substantial tea party backing, declared open war on his onetime ally after he switched races. Bryant has said he was focused on naming someone who could hold the seat for years to come. By choosing Hyde-Smith and passing over the 70-year-old Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Bryant follows a long Mississippi tradition of seeking to place federal lawmakers who can stay in Congress for decades and build seniority and influence. Hyde-Smith could be able to call on support from agricultural interests, which are strong in Mississippi, one of the nation's most rural states.
As an indication of what is to come, Xi stressed the absolute leadership of the ruling Communist Party of which he is head in all aspects of Chinese life. That authority is central to Xi's vision of a confident, rising China with him at the helm to tackle thorny challenges that include slowing growth, risky excessive borrowing, a possible trade war, tensions with rival Taiwan and other challenges.
In this June 21, 2017, photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington. (Andrew Harnik / AP)
The meaning of Haspel's nomination won't be lost on our enemies either. The torture program and similar abuses at military-run prisons in Iraq were among the greatest recruitment tools that al-Qaida, the Islamic State and other bad actors ever had, according to legal experts, U.S. lawmakers and even the militants themselves. It energized them and gave them something to rally against. It sowed an even deeper hatred of the United States among militant groups. It swelled their ranks. It was no coincidence that the Islamic State paraded its prisoners in front of cameras wearing orange jumpsuits (like those worn by Guantanamo Bay detainees) before beheading them. Haspel and the others at the CIA who engineered and oversaw the torture program are at least partially responsible for that, because they showed the world how the United States sometimes treats captives.
Finally, there is no chance that the U.S. and the West will provide major reconstruction aid to Syria as long as Assad is in power. This is especially problematic for Assad (and Putin) given that America's Kurdish-backed allies now control most of the critical oilfields in eastern Syria. Therefore, it's a safe bet that Assad is unlikely to have sufficient money to begin rebuilding Syria's badly damaged infrastructure in the near future, even though this is critical to ensuring his long-term political viability. So, while Russia had hoped by this point in the conflict to present a bill to Assad for services rendered, it may instead be presented with a tab for money owed. Nearly three years on from Russia's military intervention, then, Putin is discovering that playing both fireman and arsonist in Syria is a difficult needle to thread.
At around 11 p.m. Monday night, trustees were deadlocked on the proposal with an evenly split 4 to 4 vote on the proposal. Village Manager Randall Recklaus earlier had informed the board that the proposed development required a two-thirds majority (six votes), instead of a simple majority, for approval since a recent petition signed by more than 20 percent of the property owners in the neighborhood triggered the higher voting requirement.
"After so many tragic incidents across our country, we cannot afford to take these matters lightly or fail to hold people accountable for their actions," they said in the statement. "We will continue to seek criminal charges for any confirmed threat to commit acts of mass violence."
The city in January filed a complaint in Kane County Circuit Court seeking to overturn an independent arbitrator's ruling that Wagner should only have been suspended for one year and could return to work Jan. 18. Firing Wagner, who admitted to installing three video cameras inside the Sugar Grove home he once shared with his ex-wife, "may be too harsh," the arbitrator wrote.
A welcome table with maps and egg hunt bags will be set up at Endiro Coffee's lower level, 29 W. New York St. Egg hunt bags are required for the outdoor egg hunts, according to the release.
"I feel the district here has worked to provide new opportunities for students and my goal as superintendent is to connect all the districts with what they need to have," Smith said. "I try to visit some each week, and we need to do what we can to make all 852 of the state's districts healthy and strong, which I believe makes our state strong."
She said almost as important as having a team of skilled doctors to help you through a scary cancer diagnosis is having a friend who's "been there, done that" to hold your hand and tell you everything will be OK.
"We could have voted it down, but we want to make sure it is done right," said Republican Caucus Leader Chuck Maher, R-Naperville, after Thursday's meeting. "If there is no immediate need or major issue, then we should step back."
All traces of the restaurant at 10331 S. Roberts Road in Palos Hills were scrubbed from social media over the weekend. Its Facebook page was taken down, the Facebook page of former manager Paul Kousis disappeared, former owner Klaudia Szulkowska deleted all references to Bertucci's from her Facebook page and the website has been taken down.
The state-wide company that insures public employees in more than 70 Chicago suburbs capped the costs to keep a miracle alive at $2.1 million. That price included everything from a new home to a wheelchair and exercise equipment. They also wanted to place Tim in a "facility." This is the best he will be, they told the Jones family. The family fought to keep Tim at home. Temmera Jones stopped working to help take care of her son. The family hired lawyers to help them keep Tim with them. "All this is tough to deal with," William Jones said. "We live in hope."
Gavin, who had concerns about the prior arrangement, said that since the budget discussions he's seen the bureau make strides, upping its game in marketing what Elgin has to offer visitors and in increasing its visibility. Now there will be deliverables by which the group's success can be measured, Gavin said, and the agreement is just for a year, after which it can be reviewed.
Less than an hour later, the three saw a pizza delivery driver in the 2100 block of Foster Street and, again, King allegedly ordered Jones and Rucker to rob him, said prosecutors. According to prosecutors, Jones pointed a gun at the delivery driver's head before the three alleged thieves fled with $500, a wallet, cell phone and the driver's debit card. The driver was not injured, police said.
"This construction is for their students, current and for years to come," she said. "This construction is for the start of something new, and it's the key to the door of many more new opportunities. It is the addition to the objective of what makes this place a safe environment for students to grow and be comfortable."
"While this event was started at our Schaumburg restaurant, we are very excited to create the celebration here in Glenview," Leongas said. "It's really an extension of our interest in providing great hospitality and community, a place where everyone can come together to celebrate being Irish, at least for a day, or a weekend."
"I do want the Ravinia (business district) to be successful," Krupp said. "For that to happen, people need to get out of the house and start shopping locally instead of shopping on Amazon. The summer in Ravinia is fantastic in that the community comes out and supports everyone," she said.
VK: It was actually Jay's own choice. I follow a strict principle to never tell soloists what to bring to a concert, but always ask them what their choice is. This concerto is one of the most challenging in the repertoire, both technically and stylistically. Jay is one of the most vibrant cellists in the U.S today. He plays a lot of contemporary music, and what I like about his playing of the traditional repertoire is that he interprets those old works with the same vigor that a piece has when it is premiered. We always should regard every piece of music like it is a premiere.
Williams had already been studying music seriously for about nine years, but the moment she placed her fingers on some of the harp's strings, "I fell in love with the instrument," she said. "It appealed to my personality fairly outgoing, yet introspective."
And then we watched the aforementioned horde of candidates to replace Lisa Madigan, the previous attorney general for life. Republican Erika Harold who, fans of local trivia will note, visited Waukegan High School in 2003 during her reign as Miss America ran ads in which she theatrically folded her arms to show that she would stand up to, yes, Mike Madigan. Democrat Scott Drury, not to be outdone, also ran ads stating that he, too, would stand up to Mike Madigan.
In the state of Illinois, we have the strictest gun laws, but yet they say Chicago is Chiraq. But we at least have an FOID card that allows you to go into a gun store and look at weapons and purchase them. You still have the hold, but your background check was done when you applied for that card. If there's anything if there's an order of protection put out against you; if there's a felony conviction the sheriff will come to your house and remove your FOID card and your weapons and ammunition from your house. That's the law. It's a step in the right direction. But you see even an extreme measure like we have in Illinois ... doesn't make a bit of difference because people don't understand that criminals do not obey laws. This massacre in Florida could have been stopped if the local police, the state police and the FBI would have heeded all the warnings. How many warnings did they need? Don't blame this on the gun owners. Blame this one on the police.
You really outdid yourself in today's paper in Talk of the County, starting off with "Good news, bad news" and "Unite against unions." Well, the rest of them for most part were the same nonsense. These people have the mentality of a subhuman primate. Number one, the Republicans are the ones who are in control of the government, so what you see today is the result of Republican governance. Number two, if people who have these low-paying jobs and support Trump really think that they're going to be able to survive in an era where their low-paying jobs are being replaced by machines, they've got another thing coming. Your only hope is to support unions and strong unions. That way they may be able to be retrained to do something, other than to sit on welfare. The rest of it is just nonsense and all the statistics show that anybody with a high school diploma or less is going to have problems maintaining their employment, period. Unions are their only way to get ahead. Unions are their only way that they're going to survive and if they continue to support an idiot like The Donald, who makes stuff up as he goes the chief of fake news by the way they will pay the price.
I've had dogs all my life. The thing is I don't have to take them somewhere else to take a dump. They can do that here in my yard, and I can clean it up and life goes on. For all you lazy people that must take your dogs somewhere else, you're probably the one that walks your dog past my house and goes in my front yard. It's people like you, the irresponsible pet owners, I think they should start charging a fee for those parks. Charge a couple of bucks when you come in. Somebody's got to pay to maintain it besides the taxpayers. You're probably one of those liberals who think you can have everything and somebody else will pay for it.
"Staff has been in there with me as have our fellow board members and I can only tell you it is better than anything I thought it was going to be, and I thought it was going to be really, really great and cool," DiMaria said at a March 12 village board meeting. "But it surpassed that."
Runners can register by April 23 for the race for $30 per person, $15 per Trinity student, faculty or staff member and $25 for Trinity alumna. After April 23, registration fees will increase to $40 per person, $25 per Trinity student, faculty and staff, and $35 per Trinity alumna.
"Jill found two different places to work at last year and she recommended I try here too," Hightower said. "I know to be successful I have to find a good fit. And that's exactly what I'm going to do take my time and talk at length if they seem interested in me."
"We are concerned like everybody else about the safety of it. There is not very much we can say," Gomez said. "We are concerned about the safety issues. We are concerned about what happened in Florida. What's the tie-in? Who's responsible? Before we do anything, we are waiting to see what FIGG's response is."
In January, Hinckley said she was advised by officials from the DUAB, the Department of Education and the Indiana School Boards Association that she could make appointments and name officers under a state takeover law passed last year. Hinckley said she was told the new law reduced the board's authority and it could no longer hold votes on any matter.
"That was obviously, you know, a concern so they took him down to the principal's office," Kellogg said.
Investigators are still determining who was driving, Wojas said. Alcohol or drugs may be a factor in the crash, but police are waiting for toxicology results, she said. No seat belts were worn, police said.
He allegedly stole the dogs, Mugsy and Marley, from the Winfield home of Brandy Ortiz, a former romantic interest, earlier that morning while no one was home. Ortiz, who has said she received the dogs as a Christmas present from her parents, told investigators that "she remembered a male subject who has been trying to date her but she has stayed off his advances," according to court documents.
Parents, guardians, students, and communities share a sacred trust and expectation surrounding school safety and security. Every student, regardless of zip code and choice of school, deserves to learn in an educational environment that meets defined safety expectations while accounting for local decision making. Examples reflecting local voice include whether to employ school resource officers, the selection of vetted safety equipment, and the implementation of a policy to arm educators. As of today, on the topic of the latter, no Indiana school district has implemented the practice of having armed educators. As a former local superintendent, I, too, did not and would not make such a recommendation.
"We need to find a way to spend what our consultants ask us to spend on these buildings or we're going to continue to reduce the useful life expectancy of our buildings," he said.
Sally said the school board could soon get more recommendations from a study the district's security consultant is doing. He said the district will also review its policy on video surveillance. He said staff advisers talked last week to students about safety precautions, such as getting to classrooms that can be locked or finding other school spaces where they can be out of the line of fire. The district will also hold a safety drill, he said.
She said she asked Northfield police to find out if Findlay had gotten permission from the property owner to work there, and to let Findlay know she couldn't go onto the site unless she got permission from the owner.
"It is deeply troubling that Trump's presidency has emboldened people with hateful, racist views," Ruiz said. "These are difficult times for all of us who believe in the fundamental American values of justice and equality and who are willing to stand up against ugliness and bigotry. But we are not intimidated, and we will not back down."
Local pickleball players call for public courts in Pueblo
A group of local pickleball enthusiasts wants the city to convert a basketball court at Lake Minnequa Park to a public pickleball facility.
By I-Ting Shelly Lin
On February 7, 2018, the Chinese Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) released a notice clarifying key concerns about the tax exempt status of non-profit organizations (NPOs) (Cai Shui [2018] No.13).
The notice amends the tax exempt qualification standards set out in Cai Shui [2014] No.13, and provides guidance for application procedures. This new notice does not relate to foreign NGOs unless they set up a domestic NPO.
RELATED: Chinas New NGO Law and Its Impact on FDI into the Higher Education Industry
According to this announcement, an NPO must meet the following eight requirements to be eligible for tax exempt status:
The NPO must be legally established or registered as a public institution, a social organization, a foundation, a social service organization, a place for religious activities, a religious institution, or other non-profit organization recognized by the MOF or SAT; The NPO must be involved in public welfare or non-profit activities; Other than the payment of reasonable organization-related expenses, all income must be used for the public welfare or not-for-profit purposes and approved by the registration authority or the NPOs Articles of Association; Assets and fruits are not to be distributed, except for expenditure of reasonable wages and salaries; Upon de-registration, with approval from the registration authority or the NPOs articles of association, the remaining assets must be used for public service or not-for-profit purposes, or donated to other similar organizations by the registration authority; Aside from government and administrative units, individuals, legal entities, and other organizations that have contributed property to the NPO will not be allowed to retain or enjoy any right to those properties; Expenditures for wages and employee benefits must comply with the prescribed ratio, with no further distribution of organization property. Specifically, average wages should not exceed two times of the average salary of similar organizations in the same industry in the city (or above the level of the city) in which the organization is registered; and Costs, expenses, and losses related to taxable and non-taxable incomes must be accounted for separately.
To apply for tax-exempt status, an NPO shall prepare and file all relevant required documents, including:
The application form;
The Articles of Association or management system;
A certified copy of registration;
Documents that state the sources and uses of funds for the preceding year and the details of public welfare and non-profit activities;
The Salary Report for the preceding year;
Proven financial statements and audit reports from a qualified intermediary;
Materials issued by the registration authority stating that the NPOs development or non-profit activities for the preceding year complies with related regulations and national policies; and
Other requested files.
According to the 2018 notice, an NPOs tax exempt status is valid for five years.
An NPO should submit an application for re-examination within six months, compared to the previously stated three months, after the expiration of its tax exempt status. If an NPO fails to submit its application for re-examination or fails the re-examination, it will automatically lose its tax exempt status.
RELATED: Setting Up a Foreign NGO as an RO in China
Major changes introduced in Cai Shui [2018] No.13 include:
Allowing social service organizations and religious institutions to apply for and be granted tax exemption;
Abolishing the requirement of qualifying annual inspections when applying for tax exemption and replacing them into materials issued by the registration authority stating that the NPOs development or non-profit activities for the preceding year accord with relevant regulations and national policies;
Replacing average wages shall not exceed two times of the preceding years average salary where the NPO is registered with average wages shall not exceed two times of the average salary in similar organizations in the same industry in the city (or above the level of the city) in which the organization is registered (item 7);
Requiring newly established NPOs applying for tax exempt status to submit additional verification documents: A special report on wages and salaries for the preceding year, including the remuneration system, average employee wages, proportion of wages and benefits to total expenditure, and information about wages and salaries of important personnel (including at least the top 10 highest paid personnel);
Extending the re-examination term from three months to six months;
Adding a regulation that states: During daily management processes, if an NPO enjoying tax exemption is found to not meet the tax exempt requirements of this notice, the government unit which has granted the NPO tax exempt status should review its qualifications. For NPOs that fail the qualification review, their tax exempt status will not be cancelled, but they will not be allowed to enjoy preferential policies in the corresponding year.
Canceling an NPOs tax exempt status and prohibiting it from filing a re-examination application for at least one year, if it is found to have violated related laws and policies, was discredited by the civil affairs department, engaged in illegal political activities, or received a Class C or D rating in taxation credit;
Barring organizations that engage in illegal political activities from tax exempt status in the future; and
Adding regulations that state: When an NPOs tax exempt status is cancelled, it should pay taxes according to the law. Once the NPO fails to pay taxes according to the law, taxation authorities should collect tax payments starting from the year since the NPO lost its tax exempt status.
Audit and Financial Review Services from Dezan Shira & Associates
Hannah Feng, Senior Manager of Corporate Accounting Services at Dezan Shira & Associates commented, The conditions for NPOs tax exemption have become more flexible. Measures are also keeping pace with the times. Feng noted, Narrowing down average wage comparisons to the same industry of the NPO is more suitable for the actual development of the industry, making it more conducive to attract talents.
According to Feng, NPOs with higher average wages in the industry will have a higher possibility to qualify for tax exemption. She said, The average wage level of NPOs in some industries is low. Tax exemption will encourage these organizations to strengthen industry synergy and to progress together. The incentive effects of this new notice will continue in the future.
Regarding conditions that may lead to cancellation of tax-exempt status, the government has also loosened restrictions. Compared with previous measures that canceled an NPOs tax exemption when it is found to have failed the annual inspection or have received minor penalties, the current notice indicates that only those who have seriously violated the law and have been recorded as seriously dishonest will be canceled tax- exempt status. This means that as long as an NPO who has previously received light punishment has corrected its behaviors, the NPO can still enjoy tax exemption.
Feng concluded, The changes are closely linked to the reform of social organizations registration management system, and are closely linked to credit management of the tax sector, making the document highly enforceable and forward-looking.
A group of 25 major U.S. retail companies, including Walmart, Costco and Best Buy, on Monday urged the Donald Trump administration not to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports.
"We are concerned about the negative impact" that "could have on America's working families," "as you consider remedial actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act," the retailers said in a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, referring to the administration's ongoing unilateral investigation about China's trade policies and practices.
"Yet were this investigation to result in a broadly applied tariff remedy on imports from China, it would hurt American households with higher prices and exacerbate a U.S. tariff system that is already stacked against working families," the letter said.
The retail group noted that those working families who can afford less have already paid more in the United States because the country levies "the highest tariffs" on basic consumer goods.
"Applying any additional broad-based tariff as part of a Section 301 action would worsen this inequity and punish American working families with higher prices on household basics like clothing, shoes, electronics, and home goods," they argued.
The letter came after the Trump administration was reportedly considering tariffs on 30-60 billion U.S. dollars of annual Chinese imports for China's alleged "unfair trade practices."
It was the latest example of growing dissent from U.S. business groups against the Trump administration's protectionist trade policy.
Forty-five U.S. trade associations, representing retail, technology, agriculture and other consumer-product industries, on Sunday also urged the Trump administration not to move forward its tariff plan on Chinese imports, as it would hurt U.S. consumers and companies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that China hoped to address bilateral trade issues with the United States in a constructive manner and by making a bigger "cake" of cooperation.
"The two sides have properly resolved their trade differences in a constructive manner over the past 40 years. We believe the two countries can still settle their disputes through friendly negotiations, and we are ready to do so," the spokesman said.
China is building the world's fastest hypersonic wind tunnel to help with the development of spaceplanes.
"The 265-meter-long tunnel can be used to test hypersonic aircraft that can travel at speeds of up to Mach 25 (30, 625 kph), 25 times the speed of sound," Han Guilai, a researcher with China's State Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), told China Central Television over the weekend.
Han said the current wind tunnel could simulate flights ranging from Mach 5 to 9. Researchers from CAS in Beijing have successfully tested one hypersonic plane in a wind tunnel at such speeds.
The research was published in the journal "Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy" in February. It unveiled the "I Plane" model, which is capable of transporting people and payloads from Beijing to New York within two hours, beating any commercial airline flight.
Wind tunnels move air around objects, making it seem like the objects are really flying. Spacecraft engineers use them to test ideas for various spacecraft designs. Long after the design work is finished, wind tunnels help make spacecrafts better and safer.
The new tunnel will help China to take the lead on wind tunnel building, though competition from other countries is still fierce, according to Han.
"The new tunnel will aid the engineering application of hypersonic technology by duplicating the environment of extreme hypersonic flights. Once issues are discovered during these ground tests, they will be ironed out before test flights begin," Han said.
Flash
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday that the joint exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle between the United States and South Korea will restart on April 1 "at a scale similar to that of the previous years."
The United Nations Command has notified Pyongyang on the schedule as well as "the defensive nature of the annual exercises," said the Pentagon in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and South Korean Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual war games, the statement said.
The military drills, which were postponed this year during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic period, come amid signs of a growing rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula.
Over a week ago, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to meet top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un by May "to achieve permanent denuclearization," a big step forward following the announcement that the third inter-Korean summit is expected to be held in late April.
A high-level South Korean official, after briefing Trump on the outcome of a meeting with Kim earlier this month, told reporters in Washington that Kim said he "understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the United States must continue."
Amid detente on the peninsula, uncertainties remain whether the leaders of the DPRK and the United States can finally meet each other in May.
Analysts say that the two sides need to initiate working-level consultations at first. If their positions are too divergent, the face-to-face meeting may not be held as scheduled.
MEXICO CITY - Automaker JAC Motors is seeking a 20 percent increase in sales in Latin America, as it introduces new models in the region, said a JAC manager.
In 2018, JAC aims to reach the sales target of 30,000 units across Latin America - including Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela - David Zhang, the company's deputy general manager, told the Xinhua News Agency in an interview.
Last year, JAC Motors, officially known as Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd, sold 25,000 units of passenger and cargo vehicles in Latin America.
PARIS - He's France's most anglophone president, who reaches for the language of the old foe when telling global audiences that "France is back", or that he wants ecologically to "make our planet great again".
Emmanuel Macron's mastery of English has wowed foreign leaders, who are used to their French counterparts either refusing to speak a language they see as a symbol of cultural imperialism or doing so with an accent so thick it makes Inspector Clouseau sound like Prince Philip.
Yet despite English being his go-to language when abroad France's energetic president is on a drive to boost the use of his native tongue.
On Tuesday, "International Francophonie Day", he was schedule to set out his plan for promoting global use of French, which he sees as key to boosting France's place on the world stage. On a visit to Burkina Faso in November, he made an impassioned appeal to francophone Africans not to turn their backs on the language of the former colonial power by switching to English.
"To refuse the French language in order to make English fashionable on the African continent is to be blind to the future," he declared.
"If we go about it right, France will be the first language in Africa and maybe even the world in the coming decades!", he boldly predicted.
That's a tall order for a language that was only the world's sixth-most spoken language in 2014, after Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic or Hindi, according to official French figures.
To make up the difference France is looking to Africa for a shot in the arm.
The African language?
Macron based his prediction on a study from The International Francophonie Organization which forecast that, due to explosive population growth in Africa, over one billion people will live in French-speaking countries by 2065, second only to countries that speak English.
Critics have described the statistics as misleading, noting that not all inhabitants of countries that have French as an official language speak what was once the language of diplomacy.
Macron is treading carefully, aware that any attempt to foist more French on former African colonies.
In Burkina Faso, the 40-year-old philosophy graduate said he was "from a generation that doesn't come to tell Africans what to do", and argued that "the French language is no longer solely French but also, maybe even more so, African".
One of the main components of his "plan for French and multilingualism in the world" is investment in education in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
On a visit to Senegal in February, he pledged 200 million euros ($248 million) toward the Global Partnership for Education.
Agence France-presse
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Andy Savage, the pastor who disclosed his decades-old assault on a teen in his former youth group to an applauding congregation, stepped down from his position at a Memphis megachurch on Tuesday.
Savages January 7 remarks on his repentance regarding the 1998 incident launched months of discussion among Christians, coverage in national news media, and an investigation by Highpoint Church, where he served as teaching pastor.
Church leaders had been aware of his misconduct, which had taken place at a church in Houston, prior to hiring him. Though the recent investigation did not uncover further instances of abuse, Highpoint leadership agrees that Andys resignation is appropriate, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reported. He has been on leave during the course of the investigation.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Savages victim, Jules Woodson, had spoken out publicly about the sexual assault that has haunted her since she was 17 and her disappointment with her churchs response to the crime.
She most recently shared her story, and her reaction to Savages initial remarks addressing the sexual incident, earlier this month in a haunting video by The New York Times. She told the Commercial-Appeal she was still trying to process the news of Savages resignation.
In a statement posted online, Savage addressed the criticism over his initial discussion of the assault, and announced his resignation:
After much prayer and counsel, I now believe its appropriate for me to resign from my staff position at Highpoint Church and step away from ministry in order to do everything I can to right the wrongs of the past. Apologies are important, but more is required. I know that stepping down once, or even a second time, still doesnt make things right for Jules. But addressing my own acts of abuse this way acknowledges the importance of confronting abuse in our culture and in the Church at large. In addition, I will continue striving to grow through this experience going forward as I seek Gods will.
Last month, the pastor who Woodson met with to report Savages assault back in 1998, Larry Cotton, resigned from his position at The Austin Stone Community Church.
Cotton had been on staff at Woodlands Parkway Baptist Church in Houston at the time of the abuse, but did not contact authorities to report the crime. He stated that he has come to understand the weight of my mistakes.
Woodsons story reignited the conversation over how church leaders can better address abuse allegations by alerting the police and/or allowing outside firms to investigate.
When people see churches trying to handle investigations of their own leaders internally, it leads many to doubt whether the church really desires to bring the truth to light, wrote researcher Julie Zamzow. Even if you think you can be objective, if the public views your actions as trying to sweep things under the rug, this does real damage, not only to your church but to the entire Christian community.
In Savages case, Billy Graham Center for Evangelism executive director and CT blogger Ed Stetzer wrote, so much damage is already donemost of all (and most importantly) to Jules, but (again) to the broader Christian witness.
Woodson previously told the Times, We as a church, of all places, should be getting this right. Its unfathomable to me that the secular world, Hollywood, are taking a stand. The church should have been the first group to stand up and say, We will not allow this.
The backlash over Savages response and the ways other churches have mishandled abuse cases are reminders to listen to victims and to be mindful of language used to characterize rape, assault, and harassment when allegations arise.
Christian advocates have emphasized the importance of recognizing abuse as abuse, rather than using language to downplay what happened or to suggest that a sexual relationship between a youth pastor and a teen in a youth group could be consensual.
Anger wont be enoughbut neither will apologies. We need forums for helping men to see the harm theyve done, name it rightly, accept culpability, and commit to the redemptive work of healing, wrote Jen Pollock Michel back in January. I cant help but hope that churches like Highpoint Church in Memphis will one day lead the way in refusing language that minimizes sexual aggression.
The church sent an email to congregants today correcting its error.
Highpoint leadership has come to recognize that it was defensive rather than empathetic in its initial reaction to Ms. Jules Woodsons communication concerning the abuse she experienced, and humbly commits to develop a deeper understanding of an appropriate, more compassionate response to victims of abuse, leaders stated.
In Savages remarks in January, he said the incident was dealt with in Texas 20 years ago, and that he had adequately sought forgiveness and accepted responsibility. In the followup statement announcing his resignation, his perspective has shifted:
When Jules cried out for justice, I carelessly turned the topic to my own story of moral change, as if getting my own life in order should help to make up for what she went through and continues to go through. Morality is meant to guard against injustices, not to minimize them, to compensate for them, or to obscure them. I agree with Jules that, of all places, we as the Church should be getting this right. As Ive reflected during my leave of absence, I have come to see that many wrongs occurred in 1998. The first was my inappropriate relationship with Jules, which was not only immoral, but meets the definition of abuse of power since I was her youth pastor; therefore, when our relationship became physical, there could be no claim of mutual consent. Another wrong was the failure to follow due process afterward; Jules deserved, and did not get, a full investigation and proper response 20 years ago.
Highpoints investigation of Savage was conducted by Scott Fredricks with the law firm Cantey Hanger.
CT Pastors has resources for church leaders on how to care for survivors of abuse within your congregation, as well as how to identify and stop sex offenders.
Judicial Watch Sues for Records of Clinton State Department Protocol Officer
Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5190
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch announced today that it sued the U.S. Department of State for emails, calendar entries and other information in the electronic file of Dennis Cheng, who was Deputy Chief of Protocol for two years under former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (Judicial Watch v U.S. Department of State (No. 1:18-cv-00221)).
Cheng was deputy chief of protocol of the United States from July 2009-July 2011. Following his tenure at the State Department, Cheng joined the Clinton Family Foundation as director of development, and then in April 2015 became finance director of the Hillary for America presidential campaign.
Prior to joining the Clinton State Department, Cheng was finance director in New York for Mrs. Clinton's successful campaign for Senate.
Judicial Watch filed the complaint after the State Department failed to respond to a December 21, 2017, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for:
[T]he PST file of Dennis Cheng. Mr. Cheng served as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States from July 20, 2009 to July 2011. A PST file is a Personal Storage Table, an open proprietary file format used to store copies of messages, calendar events, and other items within Microsoft software such as Microsoft Exchange Client, Windows Messaging, and Microsoft Outlook.
While at the Clinton Foundation, Cheng raised $246 million in just over three-and-a-half years, July 2011-February 2015. A separate FOIA lawsuit by Citizens United found that Cheng communicated with Huma Abedin about a major Clinton Foundation dinner and other issues.
Previous Judicial Watch FOIA litigation uncovered the Clinton email scandal and ethics scandal, Bill Clinton's conflicts of interest issues, and the pay-to-play scandal involving the Clinton State Department and donors to the Clinton Foundation and Clinton campaigns.
"Judicial Watch proved the Clinton State Department became a corrupt arm of the Clinton Foundation," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "The Justice and State Departments seem to be still protecting Hillary Clinton. Judicial Watch is stepping into the gap and, through this and other ongoing FOIA lawsuits, aims to expose and hold the Clinton cash machine accountable to the rule of law."
Revival for the Final Harvest Contact: Sam Rodriguez, Christ for all Nations, CfaN, 407-854-4400, srodriguez@cfan.org
TORONTO, Canada, March 20, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- The upcoming Christ for all Nations (CfaN) conference in April 2018, Light The Fire Again (LTFA) in Toronto, Canada will feature the leaders from some of the most powerful revival movements around the world. These historic meetings have one purpose: to rekindle the flames of revival that God has used for more than 20 years; to ignite a new generation with the fire of the Holy Spirit for the sake of the great end-time harvest.
Christ for all Nations has seen one of the greatest moves of God in history. Since 1987 they have documented nearly 78-million decisions for Christ in their massive open air campaigns in Africa and around the world. But in this season, Christ for all Nations is hosting a platform for new cooperation and cross-pollination between streams. Light The Fire Again is more than a conference; it is a solemn assembly (Joel 2:15) of pastors, worship leaders, teachers, evangelists and prophets from the Argentina Revival, the Toronto Blessing and the Brownsville Revival, as well as ministers from the intercessory, prophetic and missions movements who are coming together in one historic event.
In his new book on the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Are You Flammable or Fireproof, Bonnke says that "oneness does not mean sameness." Truly, the diversity of ministry gifts and movements represented in Light the Fire Again is startling (1 Corinthians 12:4). Evangelists Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda represent global evangelism and healing. Pastor John Kilpatrick, Lindell Cooley, Jeri Hill, Lila Terhune and Dr. Michael Brown bring their passion and fire birthed out of the Brownsville revival. Rick Joyner represents the Morningstar movement and adds his prophetic voice to the gathering, and Claudio Freidzon brings the Argentina revival to us here in the North. There is definitely a new wind blowing across the Body of Christ. Different streams of revival are coming together, partnering to see Gods Kingdom increase and looking for the next Great Awakening.
If you have been praying and fasting for a move of God, you are in good company. Very few men are as passionate about prayer, intercession and revival as Lou Engle from The Call, and he will be part of Light The Fire Again, ministering and igniting a passion for prayer as only he can. Healing evangelist and missionary Heidi Baker brings fresh fire from the mission fields of Africa. As well, the host city will be represented. John Arnott and Randy Clark from the Toronto Blessing will be ministering there in the very same building where the outpouring began in 1994!
This is an historic conference that you will not want to miss. April 25-28, 2018 at the Attwell Center (site of the Toronto Blessing), come and be part of a life-changing gathering of leaders from God's great global movements over the last twenty years. Join with us as we believe God to revive the flames of revival and see a mighty move of His Holy Spirit all over the earth, reviving the hearts of this generation! As Evangelist Daniel Kolenda declares, "The time is now for a new generation to experience the Fire. I believe we are standing on the threshold of the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit in history. The best is yet to come!"
REGISTER TODAY at LightTheFireAgain.org
About Christ For All Nations
CfaN is a non-denominational missions organization aimed at taking the Gospel message to the world. Christ for all Nations is primarily known for its historic crusades in Africa and recently surpassed a historic milestone of over 77 million documented decisions for Jesus Christ at major events in Africa and other parts of the world. CfaN has offices in countries around the world including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States.
To learn more about Christ for all Nations, visit CfaN online at www.cfan.org, or email srodriguez@cfan.org or call 407.854.4400.
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S.C. Abortion Clinic Busted for Illegal Aborted Baby Body Parts Transfer
Contact: Mark Harrington, President, Created Equal, 614-419-9000, mark@createdequal.org
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 20, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Whistle blowers for a national pro-life group, Created Equal, have uncovered ongoing illegal transactions of dead baby body parts between a Greenville, SC abortion clinic and Stericycle, America's largest biological waste hauler. On three separate occasions, video was captured showing a representative of Greenville Women's Clinic illegally transporting dead babies in a passenger car and transferring the aborted baby body parts to a Stericycle waste truck at a local gas station.
Five different transactions are referenced in a March 6, 2018 Notice of Alleged Violations from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) to Greenville Women's Center and Stericycle.
According to the letters from the SDHEC's Bureau of Land and Waste Management Division of Compliance and Enforcement these illegal actions violate South Carolina's Infectious Waste Management Regulation 61-105.
The SDHEC alleges that Greenville Women's Center (GWC) violated nine regulations. They include:
Illegally transferred and storing infectious waste (aborted babies).
Transferring waste at a non-designated transfer facility (gas station).
No having a properly marked transfer vehicle and leak resistant cargo carrying containers.
Not being registered as a transporter of infectious waste.
Having no infectious waste management plan.
The SDHEC alleges that Stericycle violated five regulations. They include:
Illegally transferred and stored infectious waste (aborted babies).|
Illegally transferred infectious waste from one vehicle to another at a non-designated transfer facility.
Illegally accepted infectious waste without a proper manifest.
Greenville Women's Clinic has been investigated before, found in violation of other rules and regulations, and issued enforcement actions after inspections were completed in September 2017.
"Abortionists and their medical waste enablers are the dregs of society and medicine and, therefore, are forced to conduct their nefarious activities in secret. Because abortionists kill babies, they also break other laws. We thank the SCDHEC for bringing to light both the unlawful conduct of Greenville Women's Clinic and Stericycle. We demand the SDHEC shut down both these operations over these violations, not just given a slap on the wrist." -- Mark Harrington, President, Created Equal
IMPORTANT: An enforcement conference with Greenville Women's Center and Stericycle has been scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the office of the Bureau of Land Management in Columbia, SC.
The mysterious Mezcala and the grandfather of chaos theory
Why did the abstract art of Mexicos ancient Mezcala civilisation so fascinate the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Ilya Prigogine? Christies Pre-Columbian Art specialist Fatma Turkkan-Wille admires his superb collection offered in Paris on 9 April and offers some theories of her own
From the mountainous region of Guerrero in modern-day Mexico, the Mezcala culture is famous for its prolific production of stone sculpture, which includes human figures, animal effigies and architectural models, dating from 300-100 BC. Little is known about this ancient civilisation, other than that it chose to bury its dead with these abstract, esoteric stone carvings, and that it was the only one of the Mesoamerican civilizations to have been so focused on architecture. In the above film, Christies Pre-Columbian Art specialist Fatma Turkkan-Wille looks at Mezcala stone carvings from The Prigogine Collection, including a selection of what appear to be facades of temples. There is a big question mark, she says. What did these structures mean to [the people inhabiting the Mezcala region]? And what did they mean to Ilya Prigogine? And where were they taking him on his scientific and spiritual quest?
A Nobel prize-winning chemist and physicist, Ilya Prigogine (1917-2003) was devoted to advancing mans understanding of the role that time played in physical sciences and biology. His theories have helped us to better comprehend subjects as diverse as traffic congestion, the multiplication of cancer cells and embryology. Hailed in some quarters as the grandfather of chaos theory, Prigogine has even been credited with influencing the works of Salvador Dali, who was inspired by the new approaches to physics that began to emerge in the 1970s. The two men met shortly before the artists death in 1989.
Prigogine felt that these ancient artists tried to capture mans constant questioning of eternity, reincarnation and passages to the other world
Prigogine had an all-encompassing view of science, philosophy and art, says Turkkan-Wille, who believes the carvings had a special philosophical resonance for the Russian-born scientist. He felt that these ancient artists tried to capture, through the mysterious little buildings, mans constant questioning of eternity, reincarnation and passages to the other world. Beginning in the 1960s, Prigogine and his wife Maryna spent 30 years acquiring these 91 Mezcala carvings, ranging in colour from dark, mottled green to milky white, and all carved between the 1st and 3rd centuries BC.
Remarkably, these sculptures were created without the use of metal tools. They simply used stone on stone, and they had a piece of twine with which they would saw away at the stone. And then they would continue polishing them with small pebbles and polishing stones, Turkkan-Wille explains. Hundreds of hours of labour were required to shape each model before it was interred at a burial.
The magic returns; the strains of our music will once more ring forth. Consortium Aurora Borealis is back in action after the silence imposed on so many arts organizations by COVID-19.
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ERIM: Apel pentru aplicatii Granturi pentru campanii media, de advocacy si sensibilizare pentru a sprijini OSC-urile si mass-media in informarea despre pandemia COVID-19
AKRON, Ohio - After three weeks of discussion, and some tinkering by the city finance department, Akron City Council has approved the city's $168 million 2018 operating budget.
The vote was 11-1 with Ward 4 Councilman Russel C. Neal Jr. voting against the measure. Ward 8 Councilwoman Marilyn Keith was absent.
The budget is balanced now, as required by law. An initial version of it, submitted during hearings in early March, had nearly a $1 million deficit.
The finance department identified two budgeting errors that saved $400,000. The city will make up the remaining shortfall by leaving positions open when employees retire, and by reassigning expenses away from the general fund to the various departments that incur the bills.
The budget is tight because of a decline in income tax collected last year. The city had a 2 percent reduction in revenue from 2017 income-tax collections but had anticipated 2 percent increase, which is the normal projection.
This year's operating budget, $167,854,300, which mostly pays out salaries and benefits, aligns closely with the past few years, which totaled $166,717,000 in 2017 and $166,784,000 in 2016.
What's different this year is the way the money is allocated.
"This is a public-safety focused budget," said Akron Chief of Staff James Hardy. "You definitely feel the positive effects of Issue 4. Police and fire are seeing increases in their budgets, but everybody else is taking a haircut."
Issue 4 increased the city income tax by .25 percent, which will generate an additional $16 million per year. The income will be divided equally between road maintenance, the fire department and the police force.
The city also plans to "double down on creating efficiencies and partnerships," Hardy said.
For starters, the city has begun merging the Planning and Economic Development departments with elements of the Engineering Bureau to create the Office of Integrated Development. Hardy will oversee the new office.
The goal is to eliminate any duplication of duties in city operations.
"We will be working to realign positions so that instead of having three ... departments we have one department that can leverage the talents of all three," Hardy said.
Hardy said the merger create efficiencies and save money in future operating budgets.
"My goal is to bring efficiencies within the Office of Integrated Development, so that we have not only savings within the general-fund budget, but a more responsive, nimble staff as it relates to responding to development in the community, neighborhoods and commercial," he said.
More partnerships are in the works as well.
The city saw some savings this year by using Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro's IT department for back-office services.
On a larger scale, Mayor Dan Horrigan used his State of the City address in February to announce a new initiative in which the city will partner with the county and the Greater Akron Chamber to find ways to coordinate resources. The goal is to eliminate duplication of efforts in economic development, and to align long-term to become more competitive locally and globally.
"For the first time in a long time, we're hoping to bring clarity around what the role of the city is around economic development, and the role of the county and the role of the chamber," Hardy said. "In doing so we will undoubtedly discover there is duplication."
With state cuts to local governments, which totaled $1.2 billion across the state in 2017, Akron will continue to work to reduce spending.
"What we need is everyone working together," Hardy said. "The city can no longer staff up for every economic reality, and neither can the county and neither can the chamber. Working more closely together around a common vision, how do we staff up in ways that bridge our gaps but also help our budget collectively and individually?"
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BEREA, Ohio -- During Monday night's Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Mike Sheppard and Assistant Superintendent Jeff Grosse presented a comprehensive overview of safety procedures in place throughout the Berea City School District.
A 60-member, three-city Safety and Security Team exists, as do trained threat assessment teams in each school building. Multi-tiered protocols are implemented whenever an emergency situation arises, Grosse explained.
"When you talk about safety and security in your buildings, the first and most important thing is the relationships you build with the staff and the student body," Grosse said. "We know our own kids. That's typically where bad incidents happen within a school district."
Staff members in grades 5 through 12, transportation department employees and school nurses already have been trained in recognizing mental health issues, Grosse said. Sheppard added that Berea is one of only a few districts to have everyone educated in youth mental health first aid after completion of training classes in August.
"A very detailed" district safety plan is submitted to the Ohio Department of Education every year, Grosse explained. It includes information about scheduled fire, tornado, rapid dismissal and lockdown drills.
An easily accessible application on smartphones and computers called NaviGate directs district employees by providing step-by-step emergency procedures organized by incident type. Staff members also have received ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) protocol training.
"The most important thing you can do is train, because there is no way to cover every single scenario that could possibly happen," Grosse emphasized.
Board President Ana Chapman later recalled safety drills she has experienced with elementary school students she teaches in another district.
"You don't know fear until you go through one of these drills with children," Chapman said, voice quivering. "I'm glad we're doing these things, but it's extremely difficult. We have to be prepared."
BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A teacher at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School accidentally left a loaded gun magazine or clip, used to store several rounds of ammunition, in the high school parking lot last week.
It happened March 14. Two pupils found the magazine or clip during school dismissal, between 2:30 and 3 p.m., and reported it to high school administrators, according to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights schools and Broadview Heights police.
The teacher, Nicholas Palumbo, has a state permit to carry a concealed weapon. However, he told school administrators and police that he did not bring a weapon onto school property. Palumbo did not return calls.
"No weapon accompanied the clip," district officials said in a statement Tuesday. "The situation surfaced, was investigated, resolved and communicated to building parents in a matter of hours. At this time, the district considers the matter closed."
The incident occurred the same day that Brecksville-Broadview Heights pupils organized a sit-in to raise awareness of school safety and support students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida -- where 17 people were shot dead Feb. 14 in the country's latest mass shooting -- and as tensions have heightened over school security.
At a Feb. 26 Brecksville-Broadview Heights school board meeting, parents and pupils packed the board office, expressing concerns about building safety and skepticism over the district's existing security measures.
In response, the district is expanding its Safety and Security Committee, which had consisted of school and police officials, to include parents. The committee will discuss ways to improve security and present recommendations to the board.
On Monday night, three of five board members said they would not consider arming teachers.
According to Broadview Heights police, it was a gun magazine, not a clip, that was found in the high school rear parking lot March 14. They said it was spotted on the ground between two parked cars.
School officials looked inside the two cars, but saw no weapons. Police determined that, based on the position of the magazine, it was not placed there intentionally and had probably fallen out of one of the two cars. One of the cars belonged to Palumbo.
Police said Palumbo admitted to school officials that the magazine was his and was "apologetic and nervous" over the incident. He said he and his wife have state permits to carry concealed weapons.
"It should be noted that throughout this incident, Palumbo was never rumored, accused, suspected or otherwise indicated that he brought any weapon into the school or onto school property," police said in their report.
Police confirmed that Palumbo has a concealed-carry permit and returned the magazine to him.
In a statement sent to parents the day of the incident, Superintendent Joelle Magyar praised the two pupils who reported the clip or magazine, saying they "put their 'See Something, Say Something' training to good use."
When asked whether the district would review or change any of its policies due to the incident, district officials did not respond directly, but sent cleveland.com basically the same message Magyar sent parents last week, adding a paragraph stating that no weapon accompanied the clip or magazine that was found, and that the matter was closed.
BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- By 10 a.m. March 14, upward of 1,000 Brunswick High School students had gathered outside the school building and inside the school's east and west gymnasiums as part of the nationwide student walkout in protest of gun violence at schools.
But how Brunswick City Schools -- and, in fact, all public school districts -- approach school security over the long term will mark the true legacy of the national walkout.
School officials in Brunswick began that effort in a substantive way at the March 19 Board of Education meeting, with the unanimous passage of a resolution "supporting school safety and reducing violence in school."
The resolution goes on to state that the board "implores the president of the United States, the governor of the state of Ohio, the United States Congress, and the Ohio General Assembly to prioritize the protection of students and school employees by enacting legislation with funding" for a number of areas.
These include enhanced mental health services and substance abuse treatment for all individuals, including children; increased access to school safety measures, including, but not limited to, school resource officers, school safety infrastructure, and other security measures; training for school employees and enhanced coordination with law enforcement agencies and first responders to ensure appropriate responses to incidents of violence in schools; and "preserving the balance between the right to own firearms and the protection of students and school employees from any act of violence."
The district has already undertaken one of those initiatives locally, with the addition of a Brunswick Hills Police Department officer as the Brunswick City Schools' third school resource officer.
"We are currently working out some of the details," Superintendent Michael Mayell said of the addition. "The district currently has two SRO's provided by the Brunswick Police Department.
"School resource officers play a vital part in school safety. They work closely with our students, parents, and staff to prevent acts of violence from taking place. They are a great resource for our students, and many times you will see our students interacting with them, all the way down to the elementary grades," Mayell said.
Making a difference for the future
As a district, Mayell said, Brunswick City Schools is "constantly evaluating and changing our safety plans and initiatives."
"We spend a great deal of time making sure that our school buildings are safe," he said. "School shootings and other violent acts are devastating to hear. They remind us all of the importance of safety and to be kind to one another."
He commended students who participated in the 17-minute walkout/moment of silence March 14.
"Our students have really responded in a positive way. They have stepped up to create some positive activities within the high school and are currently working to expand those activities to the elementary and middle school buildings," Mayell said.
As an example, he said, on the day of the walkout, students who were eligible registered to vote or to help out on Election Day.
"A total of 65 students registered to vote that day," Mayell said. "Students were also able to drop off letters to be mailed to local and state representatives. I am proud to see this type of response from our high school students. The students reacted in a way that is respectful, responsible and productive."
Historically, school safety has been a top priority in Brunswick, Mayell added, with episodes of school violence across the nation only driving home the continued need for such measures.
"The district has created safety plans specific for each building," he said. "The details of those plans are not made public, as doing so would jeopardize the efficiency of those plans. We work hard to keep our schools safe while still maintaining a school atmosphere. We want our students to feel safe, and we also want them to be excited to come to school."
Walkout day
As students gathered outside the main entrance of Brunswick High School on a blustery and cold March 14, Principal Michael Draves called it "one of my proudest moments as an educator."
"I am so proud of these students. It takes a lot to come out here for this. I am so hopeful for our future," Draves said.
District Communications Director Amy Rutledge said students were provided blank signs with "I walk for...", allowing any name or cause to be written in.
These, along with a variety of hand-made signs ,dotted the line of students gathered outside the high school. Rutledge said students were also encouraged to be respectful, in general and to those whose message may differ from their own opinion.
Students were prohibited from speaking to the media during the walkout.
The school's Rachel's Challenge group advisers, Debbie Oatman and Jackie Rodriguez, said the long-range goal at Brunswick is to create a more positive school atmosphere.
"We hope this spins into something positive; we look to our kids to create that," said Oatman, who added that all but one of her 27 students participated in the walkout.
Rodriguez said events such as the walkout can inspire students to be more compassionate and have more of an awareness of those around them. To that end, the school's Rachel's Challenge group was promoting a specific initiative on this day.
"We encourage students to talk to, or smile at, 17 people they would not normally, or to do 17 acts of kindness, in honor of the 17 victims in Parkland, Florida," Rodriguez said.
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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city will pay Cleveland Water $125,000 to cover transition fees incorrectly assessed last year against residents who qualify for the Homestead Exemption on their taxes and utility bills.
"We received a lot of calls from residents whose Homestead rate had not been adjusted last year for the transition rate" that tacks roughly $39 per MCF onto monthly bills, City Manager Tanisha Briley told City Council Monday.
Some had turned out for council meetings seeking an explanation for their water bills, which included the five-year transition surcharge in effect through 2021 to recover the $5 million debt that Cleveland Heights had run up since 2009, before turning its system over to Cleveland last year.
In January, Briley promised to "make whole" again any residents whose Homestead Exemptions had been overlooked last year.
The discount will be honored by the Cleveland Water Division going forward.
An emergency ordinance was passed Monday to "additionally support a retroactive 2017 Homestead rate and to reimburse to CWD that amount that reflects the discounted rate for calendar year 2017."
As a result, qualifying residents will now receive a credit on their bills to correct the oversight.
"Not everyone has the income to pay the rate increases necessary to cover our transition, including our seniors and folks with disabilities, who can now continue to receive water," Councilwoman Cheryl Stephens said.
In other business, the city has accepted a $24,241 bid from Trafftech Inc. to install "Bike Path Buffer Striping" along North Park Boulevard from Martin Luther King Drive to Lee Road.
The $30,000 federal grant came though the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) as part of a study through the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative, City Planning Director Richard Wong explained previously.
The buffer grant was sought in partnership with University Circle Inc. to provide "greater protection to bicyclists and to calm traffic, deterring motorists from speeding and passing cyclists in an unsafe manner," Councilwoman Mary Dunbar noted earlier.
Also, Vice Mayor Melissa Yasinow announced that this year's St. Baldrick's head-shaving fundraiser for pediatric cancer research will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday (March 25) in the Cleveland Heights Community Center.
The local event has raised over $100,000 in the fight against the leading cause of death by disease in children.
"But only 4 percent of research funding goes toward finding cures for pediatric cancer," Yasinow added.
Yasinow and roughly 30 others attended Sunday's "End-of-Watch" ceremony commemorating the eighth anniversary of the passing of Officer Thomas Patton, who died in the line of duty on March 13, 2010.
In the public comment portion of Monday's meeting, council heard from resident James Williams requesting "at least one piece of gun legislation" in response to the recent surge in school shootings.
Williams also suggested sending police officers to Government classes to explain the use of deadly force and to speak out against bullying and violence.
Another resident arrived to distribute flyers for Miriam "Mimi" Johnson, 31, a mother of four who has been missing since Feb. 25 and is believed to be in danger, possibly being held against her will by the children's father.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police or (216) 461-5356.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Aniya Day-Garrett's father led about two dozen activists in chants and marches along Euclid Avenue in front of the home of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services to call for an investigation into the agency after the 4-year-old girl's death.
"We want [the agency] held accountable," Mickhal Garrett told a group of reporters as he cried. "They failed me. They failed all of us. Nobody should have to go through what we went through."
The rally came eight days after Aniya died of a stroke triggered by what investigators say was blunt force trauma delivered to the emaciated and scarred girl's head while in the care of her mother Sierra Day, and her boyfriend, Deonte Lewis.
Both Day and Lewis appeared in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Monday on charges of aggravated murder. They have pleaded not guilty and are being held in jail on $1 million bond.
Garrett's comments also came three months after he first told court officials that he suspected his daughter was being abused, and that he feared for her life, according to records obtained by cleveland.com.
Garrett petitioned the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court in December to get custody of his daughter from Day, who had obtained a restraining order against him in November. Garrett denied her claims of domestic abuse, and records show he never received notice of the Nov. 14 court hearing so he was unable to defend himself against the charges.
Garrett wrote in the affidavit, signed Dec. 14 and filed on Dec. 20, that Day had refused to let him see Aniya since September, when he noticed scars on the girl. He also said he only recently learned that the Department of Children and Family Services had received reports of abuse.
"I truly, truly, truly feel as though my daughter is being abused at home physically/mentally and that her life could possibly be in danger," Garrett wrote.
The affidavit triggered a court process that stretched out over three months.
The court held its first hearing on Garrett's Dec. 20 application on Feb. 26, where a magistrate ordered the Department of Children and Family Services to visit the homes of both Garrett and Day. Two days later, the same magistrate appointed a guardian ad litem to investigate the case and report back to the court, and set the next hearing in the case for 2:30 p.m. Monday.
While that case was going on, Garrett also filed paperwork to amend the restraining order that Day had obtained against him. That case was set to go to trial in Domestic Relations Court on Thursday, March 15, according to court records.
Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services investigated three reports alleging abuse against Aniya in 2017, but the agency did not find cause to remove her from Day's home, Cuyahoga County spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan told cleveland.com after the girl's death.
Aniya's relatives told cleveland.com they called the agency to report injuries on the girl's body, such as rug burns and black eyes, and Harbor Crest Child Care of Euclid contacted the police department last year to report a series of suspicious injuries that happened over a year-and-a-half period, according to a police report.
Garrett petitioned the court to get custody of Aniya, but that case was still open when the girl died on March 11.
On March 11, at about 11:15 a.m., police were called to Day's house after Aniya had gone unresponsive. She was rushed to Euclid Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
She had scald marks on her feet and legs, a large bruise near her left eye and a cut on her face when paramedics found her, and appeared so emaciated that investigators could clearly make out the individual joints in her fingers and each of her ribs, according to a police report.
Garrett, dressed in a pink vest with a pink corsage to commemorate his daughter's favorite color, said Aniya's death has devastated him. He wondered what more he could have done to save her.
"I hope and pray a difference is made today," he said Monday. "I don't want this to happen to any other children on this Earth. We have to come together and make a change."
Madigan told cleveland.com that the agency is conducting an internal review into its handling of the case.
"We know that we are expected to see and recognize patterns of abuse and neglect and if the internal investigation determines we did something wrong there will be discipline," Madigan said in a written statement issued after Monday's rally.
The rally was organized by Black Lives Matter Cleveland. That group's co-founder Latonya Goldsby, said Aniya's death is the latest in a string of cases that, together, show the agency is systemically failing the children it is meant to protect.
Goldsby and other activists pointed to the deaths of Aniya, Ta'Naejah McCloud, Jordan Rodriguez and Alexandria Hamilton, whose families had all been investigated by social workers.
The group called upon county leaders to probe the department's policies and practices to determine its shortfalls, whether it be a lack of funding, social services workers bogged down by high caseloads or whether some don't act with urgency.
"Something is wrong here," Goldsby said. "How is a system that is supposed to protect children letting them die under their supervision?"
To comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments page.
AKRON, Ohio -- An Ohio jury on Tuesday found a former FBI informant guilty of trying to create a terrorist cell in the U.S. to carry out attacks in the name of the Islamic State.
Erick Jamal Hendricks, of Charlotte, North Carolina, faces up to 30 years in federal prison following the jury's decision to convict him on charges of conspiracy and attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization.
Authorities say Hendricks' mission was to recruit and train ISIS sympathizers to carry out attacks on U.S. soil. He vetted people to see if they were suitable to join his cell and espoused radical views. He instructed others to vet additional possible recruits through social media, authorities say.
Following testimony that lasted about a week, the jury announced its decision Tuesday morning. Deliberations had begun the prior afternoon. U.S. District Judge John Adams will sentence Hendricks at a later date.
"Protecting our citizens from terrorist attacks remains our priority and our community will be safer with this defendant behind bars," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said in a statement.
Attorneys representing Hendricks could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The trial was among the most intense and noteworthy to have taken place in Akron federal court in the past few years. Adams took certain safety precautions at trial, including allowing an undercover agent to testify in disguise, using a pseudonym and to a courtroom closed to spectators.
Hendricks, 37, was arrested in North Carolina in August 2016. Prosecutors said much of his activities took place online through Twitter and various encrypted chat apps, though the FBI tracked him in Baltimore as he met in person with someone he believed to be a recruit. In fact, the man was an FBI informant.
Authorities said Hendricks exhibited a sense of paranoia and used countersurveillance measures, often changing social media handles and breaking up words related to the Islamic faith with spaces when using chat apps on his phone.
Justice Department trial attorney Rebecca Magnone, who tried the case with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Shepherd and Mark Bennett, told the jury during her opening statement that Hendricks distributed training materials with lines such as "never leave your home without your AK-47 or your M16."
He had plans to buy land off the grid in rural areas in California and New Mexico to train recruits, Magnone said.
A large part of the government's case against Hendricks centered on his connection to one of two gunmen who opened fire at "The First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" in Garland, Texas in May 2015. Elton Simpson and Nadir Hamid Soofi drove from Phoenix to Garland, which is outside Dallas. They wounded a security guard before a police officer and killed them.
Hendricks was not in Texas but was chatting with an undercover FBI agent before and after Simpson and Soofi opened fire. The agent testified that he was in Garland at the time and saw Simpson and Soofi open fire, but he was not aware of the pair's plan before it was executed.
Hendricks is not from Ohio and most of the criminal activity the federal government charged him with did not occur here. It was tried in Akron largely because Hendricks reached out to Sheffield Lake man Amir Al-Ghazi on social media in order to get him to recruit others.
Al-Ghazi, who is awaiting sentencing for buying an AK-47 in support of ISIS, testified against Hendricks.
Hendricks' attorney David Doughten argued his client was not the man behind the social media accounts the FBI connected to him. The attorney also pointed out that Hendricks worked as an informant for several years before the FBI began investigating him.
Hendricks maintains his innocence. Federal prosecutors offered a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 20 years, but Hendricks rejected the deal.
His mother Linda Woods traveled from her home outside Little Rock, Arkansas for part of jury selection but said she was unable stay for testimony. She said Tuesday that she believes her son when he says he is innocent. That belief was not shaken by the jury's verdict, Woods said.
"He was trying to help the government and the government turned on him," Woods said. "So I still stand behind him and I still believe in him."
Herdman, in a brief interview Tuesday afternoon, said he was struck by the lengths Hendricks went to avoid detection by law enforcement.
"It proves how difficult it is for law enforcement to deal with this threat," Herdman said. "And we're very good at it too, but the threat is very real and our adversaries are very sharp and they're very committed to their cause. And we have to keep on this every single day."
This article was updated to reflect the correct amount of time Hendricks faces when he is sentenced.
If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- About two dozen demonstrators including the father of Aniya Garrett on Monday occupied Euclid Avenue near East 40th Street to decry recent cases where children died after their families were investigated by social services workers.
The group began marching about 12:40 p.m. outside the county's Jane Edna Hunter Social Services Center at East 40th Street and Euclid Avenue and caused several road closures for nearly an hour.
Cleveland and RTA police blocked Euclid Avenue between East 40th Street and the Children's Museum during much of the rally, which ended about 1:30 p.m. Police re-opened Euclid Avenue about 1:35 p.m.
Cleveland.com is at the rally and will provide coverage.
To comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments page.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish has a great relationship with County Council, but the same can't be said about his top administrators, according to Council President Dan Brady.
Brady said his fellow council members are frustrated by top administrators not answering questions about high-profile issues such as delinquent economic development loans and overtime pay for salaried employees.
Council members also lack confidence in the administration's ability to implement a $25 million system, known as "Enterprise Resource Planning," that will connect all government computers and information technology systems, he said.
"Honestly, I think the administration needs to reorganize itself," Brady said in an endorsement interview with cleveland.com editors and reporters. He is seeking re-election to County Council.
Brady credited Budish for major initiatives, such as gaining the support needed for the $140 million Quicken Loans Arena transformation, but he said the "day-to-day functioning of the county government is not attended to as well as it should be."
When presented with Brady's concerns, Budish released the following statement:
"Dan Brady and I have had and continue to have an excellent working relationship. Our county government is structured now so that you have the Executive branch and Council with Council providing the checks and balances. That means that Council can and should be asking hard questions. I welcome the challenges, they only make me and my administration stronger and better at what we do so that we can provide much needed services to the residents of this county."
Brady said he had believed that anything Budish decided to do would always be unquestionably legitimate and he "didn't see it as my job to look over his shoulder in terms of his administration."
But his opinion has changed, he said. "What we have found out, maybe the hard way, is that we need to do more oversight than we thought we were doing."
The three administrators who have come under scrutiny are Chief Economic Development and Business Officer Ted Carter, Chief Talent Officer Douglas Dykes and Chief Information and Transformation Officer Scot Rourke.
Carter has been working on delinquent-loan issues since he arrived in January 2016 following reports that the department had no policies or procedures to keep track of repayments and that paperwork on many loans was missing.
Until January, when a list of active development loans was posted online, Carter had often been unable to answer questions posed by council about the status of more then 200 loans granted over the last decade.
Dykes has been before council to defend the payment of overtime to salaried workers, The county's independent auditor reported last fall that the administration improperly paid $1.7 million in overtime to salaried employees.
Also concerned that Budish's administration was continuing to pay overtime to salaried workers, council introduced a resolution last November to repeal the policy section that Budish contends allows him to make the payments.
That legislation is pending because Budish has included that provision in proposed revisions to the employee handbook. Council is currently working on amendments to that document.
Council recently voted to pay $264,000 to ZCo Consulting, LLC for "independent verification and validation services" in connection with the Enterprise Resource Planning system. It is a two-year contract.
That action was taken because members felt they weren't getting adequate information from Rourke and administrators overseeing the project.
Rourke is currently on paid administrative leave after he and another administrator were named in a subpoena from public-corruption investigators seeking records in the Department of Information Services and contracts involving Hyland Software
Brady said he and council members are frustrated by the lack of information provided when administrators are asked specific questions at meetings or when requests are submitted in writing.
"They either do not know or are not willing to tell me," he said. "It is systemic."
When the information is not provided, he said he asks Budish, who arranges for the information to be provided.
Brady said he hopes things will improve in April, when Earl Leiken leaves his job as Shaker Heights mayor and begins serving as Budish's chief of staff. Leiken replaces Sharon Sobol Jordan, who resigned to take another job.
"Sharon had knowledge and sophistication but served as a consultant," Brady said. "She is a big thinker, which is good and necessary. But the chief of staff has to keep the executive informed and keep the train running."
Budish chose not to comment about concerns regarding his administrators or Sobol Jordan's performance as chief of staff.
Sobol Jordan could not be reached for comment.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County Council supports allowing salaried workers to be paid overtime on limited occasions and will likely vote March 27 to include that provision in a new employee handbook.
Council also intends to let salaried employees keep overtime they improperly received in the past. But members are not inclined to extend the same courtesy to administrators who received tens of thousands of dollars in fringe benefits from Executive Armond Budish.
Those were the main takeaways Tuesday from a Human Resources Committee meeting where council members discussed amendments to administration proposals for a revised employee handbook.
If the full council adopts the amendments, state auditors could issue findings for recovery from employees awarded extra vacation time, relocation expenses or other executive compensation by Budish, Michael King, special counsel to council, told council members.
Prosecutor Michael O'Malley ruled last November that such incentives should not have been given because Budish's executive and special compensation guidelines were never adopted by council.
The new handbook will replace the current Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, last updated in 2013.
Budish had proposed the new handbook allow such compensation, but council, removed that section at Tuesday's committee meeting. It added strict language prohibiting any form of director or indirect compensation unless authorized by council.
The existing handbook also does not allow salaried employees to receive overtime, only exchange time that can be used later.
O'Malley has ruled that Budish's administration violated the county charter by paying $1.7 million in overtime to salaried employees over a three-year period and providing special compensation to certain employees.
The county's internal auditor, Corey Swaisgood, also concluded last year that Budish did not have the discretion under the current handbook to set policies for administrative hires and pay.
Several council members initially opposed paying salaried workers overtime, saying salaried employees should understand that they are paid to work as many hours as needed to get the job done.
But after learning more about the practice, they agreed to allow the overtime, but added restrictions and reporting requirements that would have to be met before someone would be paid their hourly salary beyond 40 hours.
King and council's legislative budget advisor, Trevor McAleer, had several meetings with council members before amending the the administration's proposed handbook. They presented the amendments to the committee.
See the powerpoint below or click here if on a mobile device.
King and McAleer said that of the 4,579 county employees, 967 are salaried. They are paid hourly and must record their hours.
Of the salaried employees, 132 received hourly pay beyond 40 hours, according to the internal audit. They worked in the Fiscal Office, Medical Examiner's Office, health and human resources and the Cuyahoga Emergency Communications System, a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation that handles 911 calls.
The Ohio Revised Code allows for salaried employees to be paid overtime if a policy is adopted.
The overtime would only be paid if approved by the department director, the director of human resources and the executive. The additional pay would be noted on the county's personnel agendas.
The provision was reviewed by Swaisgood and O'Malley, King said. O'Malley doesn't approve of the practice, he said.
Council is also expected to approve several other amendments to the handbook including:
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County's long-awaited $25 million Enterprise Resource Planning system, which will connect all county government computers and information systems, faces additional delays because Chief Information Technology Officer Scot Rourke cannot oversee the project.
Rourke, and Emily McNeeley, IT general counsel and director of special initiatives, were placed on paid administrative leave a month ago by County Executive Armond Budish after they were named in a subpoena from public-corruption investigators. Among other things, the subpoena sought records and contracts involving Westlake-based Hyland Software.
Budish has formed a committee, led by Fiscal Officer Dennis Kennedy and Chief Economic Growth and Opportunity Officer Matt Carroll, to move the ERP project forward.
On Monday, Kennedy and Carroll appeared before County Council's Finance Committee members, who have been worried about the project long before Rourke stepped down.
"The operational overview of how we do things has changed over the last several weeks," Kennedy told the committee. "We are trying to get things on the right track."
The Budish administration now wants a consultant to oversee the project and plans to present a resolution to council to hire a firm, Kennedy said.
"The addition of someone on our side can also give us a wealth of technical information that we have been lacking to this point and keep us on track internally," he said.
County Council recently spent $264,000 to hire its own consultant to oversee the project for the next two years.
The county has been working to establish the ERP system for years. It was first proposed in 2010 when the county transitioned to a charter government. Officials issued a request for proposal in 2013. Council didn't approve the project until October 2016. Two administrators to oversee the system were hired last summer.
Three small departments, sanitary dispatch, GIS and the print shop, were the first to go online and began using the system on Monday.
But the fiscal, budget and procurement departments, which were supposed to go online June 7, are now delayed to Sept. 3. Kennedy said. And others may be altered in the future.
See the chart below.
"We have spent the last several weeks doing an inventory of where we are at and the status of the project," Kennedy said. "There were some issues in information sharing that we are still getting caught up on. I would say that we are a little bit off track. It is a huge project and things came up in the day-to-day of the project management."
Committee members voiced their concerns over extra fees that could be charged by consultants if the project takes longer than expected.
Carroll said they believe the budget can work.
"I understand that you two are in a bit of a difficult position, but how far off the track are we?" asked council member Michael Gallagher.
Kennedy and Carroll said they discovered it was taking too long to make decisions, which delayed the vendors and has thus delayed the timeline. They said that has been rectified. They refused to blame any specific people.
"I would expect from you two gentlemen that when you come up here you tell us the truth, as bad as it is," Gallagher said. "I have a feeling that you will be coming back real soon telling us that [$25 million] is an unreal figure."
Council member Jack Shron said he is concerned delays will lead to an escalation in consultant costs.
Kennedy and Carroll said they would provide regular reports to council members.
"There has been scrutiny from the media about the department and what is happening," said council member Sunny Simon. "We have some cleaning up to do with image and hope this is the beginning of that."
BEREA, Ohio - Democrat Sherrod Brown holds comfortable leads over leading Republican candidates in his bid to represent Ohio for a third term in the U.S. Senate, new statewide polling from Baldwin Wallace University shows.
And, in perhaps a surprising twist, Brown's lead is stronger over political veteran Jim Renacci, a member of Congress from Wadsworth, than it is over first-time candidate Mike Gibbons, a Cleveland businessman.
Brown leads Renacci, 41 percent to 29 percent.
Brown leads Gibbons, 41 percent to 31 percent.
Baldwin Wallace University's Community Research Institute interviewed 1,011 registered voters statewide from Feb. 28 through March 9. The poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Previously: Donald Trump would easily beat John Kasich in rematch of Ohio Republican primary
Brown has some support among Trump voters, according to the poll, though a Republican candidate is the overwhelming choice among those voters.
Thirteen percent of the Trump voters said they would vote for Brown, regardless of whether he is running against Renacci or Gibbons.
Renacci has support from 58 percent of the Trump voters when facing Brown; Gibbons has support among 59 percent of the Trump voters when facing Brown. The rest are unsure.
Brown, though widely considered to be one of the more liberal members of Congress, has enjoyed strong success at the ballot box in what has often been considered a battleground state.
Brown has won 15 elections in 16 tries, losing only in 1990 in his bid for a third term as Ohio Secretary of State when he was defeated by Bob Taft. Since then, Brown has won seven campaigns for the U.S. House and two for the U.S. Senate.
He was first elected to the Senate in 2006 when he defeated incumbent Mike DeWine - a gubernatorial candidate this year - 56 percent to 44 percent.
Brown was re-elected in 2012 with a 51 percent to 45 percent win over Josh Mandel.
Renacci entered politics as a city council member in Wadsworth before becoming mayor in 2004. He is in his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gibbons, who had donated thousands of dollars to Republican political causes, is running for office for the first time. He is senior managing director of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, a Cleveland investment banking firm.
Baldwin Wallace did not ask about three other Republican candidates - Marysville business owner Melissa Ackison, Galloway retiree Don Elijah Eckhart and Cincinnati investment adviser Dan Kiley.
Brown is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Clevelanders know Rascal House pizza. Whether you've dined at the original store on the campus of Cleveland State University or had it delivered to your home or office, you probably have a Rascal House memory.
Niko Frangos is looking to take the brand to places where it isn't as well known. The Rascal House CEO, who left his career as a Disney animator in 2016 to take the helm of the business started in 1980 by his parents, Mike and Fouly, has embarked on an ambitious plan to go regional, if not national.
"The plan right now is a five-state expansion," Frangos said. "We're open to sell in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania."
The company hopes to open up to four new restaurants this year and 15 over the next 24 months.
"Within five years, we're projected to have about 50 stores," he said.
The chain currently has five locations, all in Greater Cleveland.
While no specfic addresses have been lined up yet, Frangos and his sales team have seen interest from potential franchisees in Akron and Toledo. He is also targeting Columbus and Cincinnati before testing the waters beyond the Buckeye State.
"Even though we could sell in Michigan, I'd rather much sell in our backyard in Akron," he said. "It would be an easier opportunity for a franchisee to start there as opposed to out in Michigan."
Rascal House's franchise fee costs $30,000, with an intital investment between $400,000 to $700,000 required depending on the build-out.
"Nobody is signing on the dotted line tomorrow. We're just really kicking it off and trying to find the right people," the CEO said.
While "just another pizza place" might sound like a hard sell to investors, Frangos is confident in the brand, noting that some locations generate over $2 million in sales annually.
"If you look at what we've done well and then look at the competition, there's really nobody doing what we are," he said. "Yes, there are pizza places out there, but we're not just pizza. We have burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads. You take all of that and then add in our catering component."
The Rascal House CEO said he considers fast-casual spots such as Chipotle and Jimmy John's as his primary competition more so than the big pizza chains like Domino's and Papa John's.
Frangos, who worked as an animator on Disney's "Tarzan," "Mulan," "Hercules" and "Fantasia 2000," said the thought of expansion came to him after a longtime employee expressed interest in running his own Rascal House store. For him, the potential was so compelling, after more than 20 years in the movie business, he moved from Hollywood back to Cleveland.
"When I really saw what my parents had built, which was this opportunity to give something to someone else that could transform their lives with," he said. "That was a turning point for me and got me very excited about the idea."
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In the days following the March 14 school walkouts that took place locally and around the country, school districts have been reviewing their security policies and strategies.
A couple of those districts, Cleveland Heights-University Heights and Beachwood, have had to look at their procedures in the face of phoned-in threats to middle schools.
The student walkouts provided a range of emotions in students, including anger and sadness and, in one student's case, a sense of security and love.
"Yes, we feel safe," said senior Ramir Williams, of Richmond Heights High School.
"We're a very small school (about 380 students), we're like a family," said Williams, who was an organizer of his school's walkout to protest violence in schools and to remember the 17 people -- students and teachers -- killed Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Williams said about 30 students participated at Richmond Heights High, walking out of the school and onto nearby Richmond Road for the 17-minute protest.
"There were chants like 'Am I Next?' as we walked," Williams said. "Seeing my student peers walking with me was like a dream. I loved it."
Williams is a member of Democrat U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge's Youth Advisory Council, along with students from Shaker Heights, Beachwood and Lorain.
"We (the YAC) discussed this (walkout) and other things, like opioid addictions," Williams said. "I spoke to my Superintendent Renee Willis, and my Principal Marnisha Brown before the event."
Other area students didn't feel as safe as Williams after the Parkland shootings. In efforts to keep their students safe and feeling secure, districts, since the Florida shootings, have been reviewing their safety policies with students and parents.
Orange City School District Director of Communications Lou DeVincentis said that that district, like others, are reviewing emergency response procedures using the "A.L.I.C.E." protocol.
A.L.I.C.E. is protocol that tells students and staff how to react if an intruder enters the building. It's an acronym that stands for "Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate."
The Alert portion is to assure students and staff are using clear language to describe the location of an event in or around a school during an emergency.
Students and staff are then locked down in secure areas, while students and staff are kept informed in order to make good decisions.
Counter means to apply skills to barricade and, if necessary, distract, confuse and gain control of a situation.
Lastly, evacuating the building helps reduce the chance of injury.
In Orange, a school safety training program was held early last week, and on April 11, all parents will be invited to experience the same A.L.I.C.E. training the staff and students have already received.
Also, Orange safety forces last week held a meeting with school officials to go over safety procedures. DeVincentis said that a safety meeting with the public is being scheduled for an April date.
Cleveland Heights-University Heights
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools Supervisor of Communications Scott Wortman said of safety measures taken, "Our supervisor of safety and security went through each building's emergency operations plan with the principals and administrators, as a refresher. After that, the principals did the same with all of their staffs.
"This plan covers all different types of emergencies, from active shooters, to lockdowns, to natural disasters."
Further, Wortman said before- and after-school care staff were all trained on A.L.I.C.E. protocols. This personnel had not been previously trained on A.L.I.C.E.
On March 12, the CH-UH Board of Education held a meeting to discuss security with Cleveland Heights City Council. In advance of the meeting, security was already planned as the meeting's topic, but the matter became more urgent as, earlier on March 12, a bomb threat, later determined to be unfounded, was called in to Heights Middle School at the former Wiley School building in University Heights.
Like Richmond Heights student Ramir Williams, Cleveland Heights High student Georgina Jolivette felt the walkout students conducted brought about kinship among them.
"It really brought our student body closer together," Jolivette said. "It also made me very happy to see our school make a positive impression on our community, to show everyone that Heights High students are motivated and determined to make a real change."
Jolivette said she does not think the walkouts will convince lawmakers to pass gun regulation laws, "as public opinion has usually been in favor of common sense gun laws."
But, she added, "The walkouts are important in the sense that they are involving young people in politics, so that when our generation is voting age, we will vote these people out of office and elect people who will actually represent the voters."
After the Heights High walkout, Jolivette said League of Women Voters representatives were in the school cafeteria and registered 88 young voters.
To keep the momentum going, students are organizing an April 20 walkout.
"Teachers seemed proud of our efforts and supportive of the movement, congratulating students throughout the day (March 14)," she said.
Beachwood
On March 13, Beachwood Middle School was the recipient of a telephone threat, although the district and police were not specific as to the type of threat made. The threat was deemed not credible.
"Our district Director of Security C.J. Piro works regularly with our on-site officers, principals and staff in Beachwood to enhance security practices," said Beachwood Schools Director of Development Shana Wallenstein. "Last week's threat became an opportunity to see how we respond in an emergency situation, and overall, we were very pleased with our students and teachers.
"Students were attentive and responsive -- and quick," she said. "Once the evacuation call was made, the school was emptied in approximately five minutes.
"Tuesday (March 13) gave us an opportunity to debrief as a staff, as well, and look for areas we can adjust to keep students safe and secure.
"The police response to the incident reinforces how well the schools and police work together. We're very fortunate to have this strong partnership in Beachwood."
Mayfield City Schools
The day after the Parkland shootings, the Mayfield City School District sent a letter to parents, teachers and staff members in which Superintendent Keith Kelly assured that, "The safety of our students and staff remains the number one priority in our daily operations."
Kelly stated that the district's safety and security plan is "continually under assessment" and that its "safety process is ongoing."
The letter listed 11 bullet points, each pertaining to a safety measure taken. These include the door-lock and surveillance system at all schools' main entrances, limiting access to only staff and security officials. All individuals are identified before entering the schools.
All schools employ school resource officers, and a district-wide phone system, which includes phones in all classrooms is in place. The phone system is equipped with classroom panic buttons to alert the school's main office should there be an emergency. A.L.I.C.E. training is provided to all students and staff.
Mayfield Schools have a Safety Reporting Helpline that can be called anonymously to report suspicious behavior or threats. The number is 1-866-547-8362.
BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Beachwood police released surveillance photos Monday night of a person of interest in the weekend mall shooting that left one person injured.
The unknown male may have information about Saturday's shooting at Beachwood Place, police said in a news release. The man was photographed walking inside the mall and leaving in a dark-colored Jeep.
He was photographed wearing dark-colored clothing and a hat on.
The shooting happened about 3 p.m. near Saks Fifth Avenue at Cedar and Richmond roads, authorities said.
Officers arrested two men following the shooting. One of the men suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, police said. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities said the two men were the only people involved in the incident and the pair may have known each other. The names of the men have not been given.
A gun and a large amount of drugs were seized at the scene, police said.
Both men were detained and being held in the Beachwood City Jail as of Monday night, police said.
Investigators said a short time later a 17-year-old girl suffered minor injuries after a gunshot was heard. She was treated at a local hospital and later released.
Anyone with information regarding the man or the shooting should call Beachwood police at (216) 464-1234.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Councilman Kevin Conwell, who was stopped by Case Western Reserve University police March 9 for what he describes as "walking while black," said Monday Cleveland must require police at institutions like the university to get the same kind of anti-bias and sensitivity training that Cleveland police get.
Conwell said the departments need to be held to the same standards as Cleveland's police and recognize that bias will not be tolerated.
The councilman spoke for several minutes Monday about how he was stopped, making it clear that he thought race was a factor. He said he wants to know how often similar stops have led to citations.
"How many African-American males have traveled through University Circle and were stopped while walking [while] black and were given misdemeanors?" he asked.
Conwell, whose ward includes much of the Case campus, was stopped Feb. 9 while walking from his home north of campus to Little Italy and back. It's a route he regularly takes for exercise. He passes through campus both directions.
Initially one officer asked Conwell to produce some identification while he was walking along Ford Drive. Several other officers were subsequently called to the scene before Conwell was told he was free to go.
Case Western Reserve University President Barbara Snyder called to apologize to Conwell, after the incident.
The university also issued a statement Wednesday, after being contacted about the incident by cleveland.com, again expressing regret that Conwell had been questioned and promising to provide more training to campus officers.
Officers were responding to a complaint and Conwell's attire matched a description given, the university said. Records show a student had contacted the university's police department regarding a man with missing teeth mumbling to himself and approaching students.
On Monday the university reaffirmed its regret.
"The university continues to regret the mistaken stop of Councilman Conwell and is providing additional training to the entire division of public safety this month," the university said in a statement. "The leaders of the division look forward to meeting directly with the councilman to discuss the issues involved and hear more about his perspective on them in light of his own experience."
Conwell is to meet with the department's chief on Tuesday.
His colleagues, meanwhile, expressed support Monday evening.
"I'm very sorry for what happened to you," Council President Kevin Kelley said, describing the incident as "very unjust."
Councilman Mike Polensek praised Conwell for drawing attention to the matter.
"You just kicked the door open," Polensek said. "When they do this to one of us, they do it to all of us."
Councilman Blaine Griffin also called for better training.
"We have to make sure that these departments are trained on the same policies that we have," Griffin said. "We cannot tolerate that [bias] in the city."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland police homicide detective failed to investigate a 2015 fatal shooting for two years after getting a DNA match for the suspected killer.
Det. Rhonda Gray was suspended 10 days without pay for failing to conduct a follow-up investigation after the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner told the 32-year police veteran of the DNA match.
The investigation into the April 18, 2015 slaying of Tina Martin languished for two years until Martin's brother notified Gray's supervisor, who found Gray never conducted a substantial investigation, even with a DNA hit that ultimately led to an arrest.
An Internal Affairs investigation also found that she created false documents that claimed she did follow-up on the case, according to the disciplinary records.
"Detective Gray's lack of investigation into this homicide case put the City of Cleveland and The Division of Police in a position of liability for the fact that a potential homicide suspect had been free to roam the community for the past two years leaving citizen's vulnerable to potential victimization," Gray's supervisor, Lt. Ali Pillow wrote in his investigative report.
Cleveland Patrolmen's Association President Jeff Follmer did not respond to a message seeking comment on Gray's behalf. Attempts to reach Gray directly were unsuccessful. Cleveland.com has requested Gray's personnel file, but the city has not yet provided it.
In a written statement included in the internal investigation, Gray wrote that she did not remember getting an email from the medical examiner regarding the DNA match. She also wrote that she took full responsibility for the error.
"I do not recall receiving the information, if I had I would have immediately sought out the person named in the [DNA] hit to ascertain if he is in fact a suspect in this case as is usual procedure," Gray wrote.
Gray will remain in the homicide unit after her supervisors noted that her work vastly improved from 2015, the same year she was taken out of the homicide unit's rotation of detectives in order to work on a backlog of unsolved cases. Her performance in 2016 improved and her supervisors all recommended that she continue investigating homicides.
The supervisors also wrote that they did not believe Gray acted maliciously in ignoring the DNA match. But they did call the mistake egregious and recommended discipline.
Gray was assigned the case on April 18, 2015, after children found Martin dead in the backyard of a home in the 13200 block of Beachwood Avenue. She died from multiple gunshot wounds to her head, according to the medical examiner.
The medical examiner's office swabbed Martin's hand for DNA and sent it to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's crime lab for testing against the nationwide database for criminals who have DNA profiles on file from past arrests.
The state crime lab notified the medical examiner on July 21, 2015 they had a match for Melvin Bradley, 62, who has several felony convictions dating back to the early 1980s. The medical examiner the same day sent the information to Gray.
Gray wrote in her statement that she checked for videos, conducted interviews and submitted evidence. She wrote that while she waited for the evidence to yield results, she spoke with Martin's family several times.
The internal investigation, however, led Gray's supervisors to believe that she falsified documents that made it appear she spoke with the family and other documents in order to make it look like she had been working on the case, according to Pillow's report.
Two years went by without any investigation into the deadly shooting, the report says. Martin's brother contacted Pillow on April 24, 2017 and complained about Gray's handling of the case. The two met to discuss the issue on May 2 and Pillow requested Gray's case file.
Pillow immediately noticed that there was no postmortem report from the medical examiner's office in the file, a standard document investigators must have in homicide investigations. There was also no documentation regarding DNA submitted to the crime lab for evidence.
Pillow ordered Gray to get the information immediately. Gray emailed the medical examiner, who forwarded her their original email regarding the DNA match. Pillow then ordered her to write a statement explaining what happened.
Pillow dug into the case file and found that Gray conducted "minimal" follow-ups and that there was no documentation that she did anything she claimed to do after the case was assigned.
After the re-discovery of the DNA match, Gray investigated the case. Bradley's DNA was eventually used to secure an indictment on July 14 that charged Bradley with aggravated murder. He pleaded not guilty. His trial date has not yet been set.
"Det. Gray is a seasoned detective, and very capable of handling and investigating cases, which makes this oversight indefensible," Pillow wrote. "There is no reason to believe or evidence to support this oversight was a purposeful act, however, the lack of follow up or investigation regarding this case equates to gross neglect and or dereliction of duty."
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - One of the Cuyahoga County administrators named in subpoenas from corruption investigators sent an email in 2017 praising procurement software that would be provided to the county by her spouse's employer.
Emily McNeeley, the county's IT general counsel and director of special initiatives, sent the Jan. 13, 2017, email to county Executive Armond Budish and other top county administrators, and blind copied two employees of at Westlake-based Hyland Software, where her spouse Lisa McNeeley works.
"The team has done a lot of great work to date and I believe we are in a strong position to move this project forward," McNeeley writes in the email. "We are excited about the partnership with Hyland Software and the amazing efficiencies the software can deliver. Thank you for your continued support throughout this effort."
The email is signed "Emily and the team." She addressed the email to Budish, Sharon Sobol Jordan, who was then Budish's chief of staff, county Fiscal Officer Dennis Kennedy and IT Director Scot Rourke. She blind copied Highland employees Lori Kershner and Tom Pappalardo.
Cleveland.com discovered the message Tuesday among thousands of emails that the county turned over to corruption investigators earlier this year and subsequently made public through a records request.
The email references the attached "Procurement Transformation Plan 2017." The plan, designed to improve the county's procurement process, was presented to the county's executive team on Jan. 25, 2017.
Investigators with the county Prosecutor's Office and the FBI have not publicly stated what criminal activity they suspect. But they have served eight subpoenas on the county, including three made public Tuesday (read them below).
Subpoenas have named Emily McNeeley and one sought contracts and other documents related to Hyland Software as well as any ethics opinions related to McNeeley. Her spouse, Lisa McNeeley, is a contract administrator at Hyland Software.
In the latest opinion, issued June 13, 2016, County Inspector General Mark Griffin determined that Emily McNeeley could work on Hyland assignments, but not on the procurement of contracts.
On Dec. 5, 2016, nearly six months after Griffin issued his opinion, the County Board of Control approved a $371,570 contract with Hyland Software. The contract was for professional services and system upgrades to the county's contracting system. Scot Rourke, who was Emily McNeeley's boss, made the presentation to the Board of Control.
Rourke also is named in a subpoena that also seeks documents related to his former employer, OneCommunity. Rourke and McNeeley have been placed on paid leave. McNeeley could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Hyland Software did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but has stated earlier that is it cooperating with the investigation. County spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan said the plan cited in the email is part of the Enterprise Resource Planning project to integrate all the county's computer systems. McNeeley was one of the leaders of the team working on the plan.
Madigan said she had no immediate comment on Emily McNeeley's decision to blind copy two Hyland employees.
In her Jan. 13, 2017, email, Emily McNeeley describes the procurement transformation plan as a "90-day plan for improving our procurement process and is not meant as a comprehensive solution. . . . The solution proposed in this report is meant as a short-term solution until the deployment of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system anticipated in 2018."
The email also says the "Team" partnered with Hyland Software "to achieve the goals set forth in this report," and that the report was created at the request of the county executive and chief of staff.
The Procurement Transformation Plan 2017 had five projects, the fifth, titled "Agenda Manager Upgrade," "is not part of the initial 90 days but is included in this report as it is part of the professional services Hyland will be providing to the County," the plan states.
The plan has been woven into the ERP, Madigan said.
A second contract with Hyland was approved by the Cuyahoga County Council on Nov. 14, 2017, for no more than $660,245. It was for upgrades that would allow for more efficient collection of child-support payments.
In December 2017, the Board of Control approved a $243,255 amendment to the $371,570 contract, with the additional money to be used for maintenance on the countywide Hyland software system and to expand the system to add health and human service operations.
Emily McNeeley was hired by the county in 2014 to be an assistant law director focusing on information technology contracts. She became general counsel and director of special initiatives for information technology on July, 1, 2016, according to the county.
Lisa McNeeley joined Hyland in October of 2014, as a public procurement administrator, then became a "Team Lead" for government contracts. She is currently manager for proposal services and government contracts, according to her LinkedIn page.
Griffin first determined that Emily McNeeley had no conflict of interest as long as the county "does not contract directly with Hyland Software," or that McNeeley's wife does not work on city or county procurement contracts at Hyland. Griffin's memo on the subject states that Lisa McNeeley did not.
Emily McNeeley sought a second opinion on May 17, 2016, because the county's Information Technology Department began receiving direct support from Hyland and Rourke was "considering expanding the County's business relationship with Hyland, according to Griffin's response to McNeeley.
As a result, Griffin determined that Emily McNeeley would have a conflict dealing with proposed Hyland contracts, but that she would not have a conflict working on projects involving Hyland after contracts were awarded.
HAMILTON, Ohio -- An inmate being held at a jail in Butler County jail on drug and theft charges died Monday after corrections officers found him unresponsive in his cell, according to reports.
Billy Hall, 31, was pronounced dead at Fort Hamilton Hospital after being found at about 8 a.m., WCPO Channel 9 reports.
The cause of death has not been determined. The Butler County Detectives Division and Butler County Coroner's Office are investigating, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The Dayton Daily News reports Hall had been in jail for about two weeks on drug, theft, and unauthorized used of a vehicle charges out of Hamilton County.
The city of Hamilton is located just north of Cincinnati.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - A 41-year-old man is charged in connection with an attack on an animal control officer who issued a warning to the man because of his barking dog.
Matthew Timoch is charged with felonious assault in connection with the Feb. 15 attack on the officer, 44-year-old Keith Dozier. Timoch's court appearance is scheduled for March 28.
The incident happened about 10:30 p.m. at Timoch's home in the 1600 block of Spring Road, near Broadale Road in the city's Old Brooklyn neighborhood.
Dozier went to the home because of a complaint that Timoch's dog was left outside and barked all night, police reports say.
Dozier told Timoch he was going to issue him a warning about the barking dog, police reports say. Several people inside the home surrounded Dozier. Dozier told police he put his clipboard down and the group attacked him.
Timoch punched Dozier in the head and threw him off the front porch, according to police reports. The officer landed awkwardly and broke his right leg, police reports say.
Timoch then jumped off the porch and ran up to Dozier, police reports say. Dozier grabbed Timoch, pulled him to the ground and got on top of him. He choked Timoch until he passed out, according to police reports.
Dozier grabbed his radio and asked for help. A 49-year-old man at the home ran off the porch and tried to kick Dozier in the face, police reports say.
Cleveland officers arrived and arrested both men. The 49-year-old man has not been formally charged in the case. Both he and Timoch were later released from the city jail.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland man hurt the mother of his child and her teenage sister last week by hitting them with his car and pinning the girl between the vehicle and the exterior of an East Side house, police say.
The 31-year-old woman and her 16-year-old sister were treated at MetroHealth after the crash that happened about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Warner Road and Tioga Avenue in the South Broadway neighborhood.
The woman convulsed on the ground after she was hit by the car and police believed she suffered a seizure. A police report does not detail the extent of the girl's injuries.
Tyshawn Harrell, 29, is charged with two counts of felonious assault in the incident. A warrant was issued Saturday for his arrest but he is not in custody, court records show.
Relatives told Cleveland police that Harrell called in a complaint about the family to 696-KIDS, the child abuse hotline provided by Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services.
One family member was upset by the phone call, so he and Harrell got into a fist fight, the report says.
The family said that Harrell lost the fight got into a Nissan Maxima, and turned the car around in the street. Harrell sped toward the group, which included of the mother of his child, her 16-year-old sister, that girl's mother and the man with whom he fought, the report says.
The car went off the road and traveled up onto the sidewalk, the report says. It struck the woman and pinned her sister between the car and a vacant house, the report says. Harrell then backed up and drove away.
Paramedics and firefighters treated the woman at the scene before taking her to the hospital. A MetroHealth spokesman on Tuesday said that she was no longer listed as a patient at their facility. The 16-year-old sister was not identified in the police report, so her condition is unknown.
Harrell's felony history in Cuyahoga County includes convictions for attempted felonious assault, burglary, arson and failure to comply, which resulted in a three-year prison sentence, court records show. Those charges stemmed from three 2011 cases in which Harrell burned a Warner Road property and tried to attack a different woman with a shovel, court records show.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Public-corruption investigators have served three more subpoenas on the administration of Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, two seeking documents related to contracts not mentioned in earlier subpoenas and a third seeking emails between Budish's then-chief of staff and his IT director.
One March 16 subpoena requests documents associated with a contract between the county and "Thundertech and/or CitySourced," including "invoices, vouchers, records of payments, emails, memos, letters, OnBase procurement logs, or any other documents relating to a contract to create the 'MyCuyahoga" Mobile App."
The county launched MyCuyahoga in July of 2016 as a free resource for users in downtown Cleveland to report graffiti and trash and to ask for safety escorts or other services. Los Angeles-based CitySourced developed the app.
The same subpoena also asks for "records of any 2016 grant from Microsoft, the Cleveland Foundation, or Citysourced to Cuyahoga County and/or Cuyahoga County Department of Information technology."
A second subpoena, also received on March 16, asks for "all emails and Outlook calendar appointments" in then Chief of Staff Sharon Sobol Jordan's county email account, and log-in records for Jordan that "demonstrate that she used her Cuyahoga County user name and password to login or access her computer remotely or at any facility owned or controlled by Cuyahoga County" from Nov. 1, 2017, until she left her job with the county earlier this month.
A third subpoena received March 9 asks for all notes, writings and other documents kept by Assistant Law Director Sarah Cammock of a meeting on Oct. 20, 2016, at Hyland Software, a Westlake-based company that has contracts with the county.
The March 9 subpoena also wants emails between Cammock and Emily McNeeley, the IT general counsel and director of special initiatives at the county, and text messages between Cammock and McNeeley from a county smartphone.
In addition, the March 9 subpoena asks for written communications and other documents in the control of Doug Dykes "reflecting any employment offers, moving expenses or bonuses made to Jim Hay or paid to Jim Hay." Dykes is the county's chief talent officer and Hay is deputy IT administrator.
Also sought are emails in James Hay's county account that contain the word "Hyland" or "OnBase."
The investigation by the county Prosecutor's Office and the FBI was made public last month, when the county released two subpoenas it had received. One subpoena names Jordan, who recently left the county for a job in the private sector. The other subpoena names Neeley and Scot Rourke, and seeks contracts involving Hyland Software and OneCommunity.
McNeeley and Rourke have been placed on paid leave.
McNeeley's spouse, Lisa McNeeley, works for Hyland Software and is involved with government contracts. Rourke worked for OneCommunity for 10 years, leaving in 2013. He joined the county in late 2015.
HAMILTON, Ohio -- A 15-year-old girl will be held in juvenile detention until she's 21 years old after being convicted of shooting and killing her father in 2017, according to reports.
The teen could spend another several years to life in adult prison if she doesn't behave while in juvenile detention, a Butler County Juvenile Court judge ruled Monday, the Associated Press reports.
It is the policy of cleveland.com to withhold the identity of juvenile offenders.
The girl was 14 years old when she shot her 71-year-old father in the face in February 2017, WLWT Channel 5 reports. The victim was in bed when he was shot.
In court Monday, family members of the victim say he was a good role model and say they don't know why his daughter shot and killed him.
"What happened? What made her shoot my dad? He loved her so much," the teen's sister said, according to WLWT. "I don't sleep anymore. Every day, I wake up in a hell. Every day, I wake up knowing my little sister murdered my daddy."
The teen's brother says he believes his sister did not act alone, WKRC Channel 12 reports.
"I have continually asked what my father's last words were because I feel like he would have told us that Mariah was not the only one to blame," he said.
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LORAIN, Ohio - Lorain City Sixth Ward Councilman Angel Arroyo knows he can't fix all of Puerto Rico's problems brought on by Hurricane Maria six months ago, but he will try to fix a tiny bit, and he's looking for help.
Arroyo wants volunteer craftsmen and workers to repair two elementary schools that were heavily damaged in the Sept. 20 hurricane.
He also has been talking to people and companies about helping him raise about $80,000 to pay for the materials, airfare, room and board for the workers.
Arroyo has been speaking to local high schools, trade schools and business leaders and local union officials to line up the help he needs to repair the Jaime C. Rodriguez School in Yabucoa and the Comerio School in the mountainous region in the middle of the island.
At the Comerio school the children play precariously close to a steep cliff since the fence that once protected them is gone. Part of the school roof blew off during the hurricane and mold grows on much of the furniture. The school has partial electricity, but not in the cafeteria, Arroyo learned when he visited the school.
The Rodriguez school has no electricity or water. Like the Comerio school, the cafeteria roof blew away and parts of the building remain open to the elements.
"Both schools reopened in January because parents went out and completed the makeshift repairs so that their children could be educated," Arroyo said.
He has some help on the ground already. Yasmin Saez retired as a school teacher in Lorain in 2015 after 30 years and moved to her ancestral home in Puerto Rico.
"It was nice until Maria came," she said. "It blew off our solar panels, caused extensive damage and even peeled the paint off the walls. But (as it did at the school in Comerio) it did even worse to a little school near us in Naranjito."
After many of the teachers at the school moved to the United States, she came out of retirement and took a job as a teacher in Naranjito.
She met Arroya when he was helping organize repairs at the school in Comerio.
"The parents and the community has been rebuilding the school in Naranjito," she said. "We've been able to reopen, but the conditions are primitive. My children are so happy just to have new school books. I commend Angel on what he is doing. It's so important to get the schools open again for the children."
If everything goes as planned, Arroyo's crews will leave for Puerto Rico in May or June and spend four to 10 weeks to fix the schools.
The biggest challenge today is to convince people that Puerto Rico needs help, now more than ever.
"It's been almost six months and people tend to think that everything is back to normal," he said. "It is not, things are still very bad over there and not getting better."
Since the hurricanes, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have moved to the United States, most settling in Florida, at least temporarily. At least 600 moved to the Cleveland area and 200 to Lorain area, many moving in with relatives until they can get settled.
Many others are reluctant to leave their homes in Puerto Rico for fear the homes will not be there when they return.
"I have spoken with older people who will not leave," said Romanita Vargas, executive director of the Spanish American Committee of Cleveland. "They said nothing would stop people from taking their houses if they are not there to protect them."
Arroyo noted that many families have lived in the same houses for generations but would be hard pressed to produce deeds and documentation to prove ownership if someone moved in while they came to the United States.
He has a great interest in Puerto Rico, where his father was born. His grandfather came over in 1947 with a great number of others to work in the steel mills.
He has visited the island three times since the hurricane and helped deliver truckloads of relief goods and he plans at least three more visits in coming months.
Officially, electric power has been restored to 75 percent of Puerto Rico. Based on what he has seen in his visits to the island, Arroyo said he believes that is much lower. He said broken utility poles and downed power lines are everywhere. Combined with washed-out roads and mudslides, getting around the island can be treacherous.
The quiet of the Caribbean island has been replaced by the sounds of gasoline powered generators that are everywhere, Arroyo said.
He also said there are qualified island residents looking for work who could be employed to restore the island's electricity, rather than sending people from the United States to do the job.
He said one thing the government could do immediately that would help would be to suspend the Jones Act which has been preventing aid from reaching the island.
The Jones Act, passed in 1920 requires all goods shipped to the island do so in United States vessels.
"Except for the 10 days when the act was lifted after Maria, foreign countries can't easily help with supplies," Arroyo said. "If the Netherlands wanted to send materials, they would have to be first unloaded in the U.S. and reloaded onto an American boat and then sent. It's expensive, time-consuming and pointless."
The American maritime partnership disputes the statements about the Jones Act, noting that it does not impact foreign shipments to Puerto Rico, only affects American shipments. For more information, visit https://www.americanmaritimepartnership.com/puerto-rico-service/
The needs Arroyo says must be addressed
Power: Electrical power needs to be restored to the island. Officials said that will take at least another three or four months.
Education: Many children are only going to school half a day or less. Schools need to be repaired and staff needs to return to work.
Food: Shortages of fresh food are causing trouble in many parts of the island. More canned food and packaged meals are needed.
Clean-up: The debris from fallen trees, poles and destroyed buildings is everywhere, creating hazardous situations and a breeding ground for rats, mice and other vermin.
Money: The island is relying on financial help from the United States to repair the damage and set the nation on the path to recovery. The New York Times reported that Puerto Rican officials said they would need $94.4 billion to repair and rebuild the island after hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing to Arroyo's efforts can contact him through his Facebook page.
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron's financial outlook has been upgraded to "stable" from "negative" by Moody's Investors Service.
"Revision of the outlook to stable from negative reflects Akron's demonstrated ability to strengthen fiscal operations by cutting expenses, contributing to improving cash flow margins and debt service coverage," the bond credit rating business said in a statement.
The company lowered the outlook in May 2016, citing enrollment declines and a "high debt and pension burden relative to balance sheet reserves and operations."
At that time, Moody's affirmed an A1 rating on outstanding debt.
That same rating was affirmed on approximately $230 million of the university's outstanding rated debt, the firm said.
"After years of softening student demand, first-year enrollment is showing signs of stabilizing," Moody's said. "Total wealth and liquidity remain strong and have improved modestly driven by higher retained cash flow and continued donor support. Credit challenges include constrained revenue growth prospects given smaller incoming classes and slightly lower state support for operations as well as a high debt and pension burden relative to balance sheet reserves and operations."
The university has taken several measures to improve enrollment, increase donations and reduce debt following the resignation of President Scott Scarborough in May 2016 and the appointment of Matthew Wilson as president.
"We continue to navigate our challenges, and maintaining the University's rating and improving its outlook to 'stable' is affirmation that we have managed our finances and balance sheet very well these past few years," Nathan Mortimer, vice president of finance and administration, said in a news release.
Moody's said the stable outlook "reflects our expectations that the university will continue to produce double digit cash flow driven by an increase in tuition for incoming students beginning in fall 2018 and ongoing expense management. It also incorporates our expectation for relatively flat state support and limited material debt issuance over the next year."
According to Moody's factors that could lead to an upgrade are:
Strong enrollment growth and tuition increases resulting in growing net tuition revenue
Substantial increase in flexible reserves to better support high amount of total adjusted debt
Greater revenue diversification through increased research activity and philanthropy
Factors that could lead to a downgrade are:
NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio -- Negotiations between the city and firefighters over a proposed three-year collective-bargaining agreement have stalled due to a disagreement over healthcare insurance.
The city wants to give firefighters the right to reopen wage talks if their out-of-pocket healthcare costs rise too high. Firefighters rejected that idea in a 29-0 vote, saying that any increase in wages might not match skyrocketing medical insurance deductibles.
Due to the standoff, the Ohio State Employment Relations Board will appoint an arbitrator, who will serve as final judge in the negotiations. A decision is expected within 60 days, according to North Royalton Law Director Tom Kelly.
"We love our firefighters and want to protect them and make sure they are reasonably compensated for the services they provide," Kelly said. "But we also have an obligation to taxpayers, and we believe we met those obligations with this (proposed) contract."
Firefighter Christian Sary -- president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, Local 2156, which represents North Royalton firefighters -- said the city's healthcare clause is too undefined.
"We know that healthcare is expensive and we're willing to pay our part, but we have no control over what our out-of-pocket expenses are," Sary said. "The wage reopener is an excellent start, but it doesn't mean the city would match our wages to (any additional) deductible amount."
Fact-finder facts
Kelly said negotiations with firefighters for a new contact started in late December or early January. City officials believed the two sides had come to a tentative agreement several weeks ago.
The proposed three-year agreement, in replacing the previous two-year contract, would give firefighters raises of 2.5 percent in 2018 and 2 percent in both 2019 and 2020.
Now, the salary range for North Royalton firefighters is $53,553 to $81,132, according to city Finance Director Eric Dean. When a family medical plan is added, the range is $92,506 to $126,745.
Kelly said firefighters with a family medical plan contribute $180 a month toward their coverage. Under the new contract, firefighter contributions would rise to $199 in 2018, $210 in 2019 and $220 in 2020.
Before the city presented the contract to City Council for approval, firefighters rejected it. So the two sides recruited a fact-finder, attorney Jonathan Klein, who presented his recommendations in a March 5 report.
On March 6, City Council approved Klein's recommendations, which included the salary raises, the annual increases in firefighter contributions toward healthcare coverage and the city's proposed wage reopener if healthcare premiums became too expensive.
Three days later, on March 9, firefighters again rejected the contract. Two or three firefighters were absent from the vote.
Kelly wasn't sure why firefighters turned down the contact, but suspected the problem was healthcare.
Sary, speaking to cleveland.com Tuesday morning, confirmed that healthcare coverage was the sticking point.
Unstable markets
Kelly said the previous firefighters' contract, covering 2016 and 2017, was limited to two years due to uncertainty over the fate of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and unstable healthcare insurance markets.
Under the 2016-2017 contract, firefighters agreed to give city officials the ability to shop for and choose a healthcare plan unilaterally. In exchange, wage increases were higher than they might normally have been -- 3 percent in both years, Kelly said.
"Prior to that time, we were contractually bound to find comparable coverage to what had been in place," Kelly said. "That gets challenging year after year, because the price of healthcare keeps going up."
Kelly said the best healthcare deal the city could find for its workers in 2018 was a high-deductible plan with a health savings account.
"Until now, our workers had never had to deal with a high-deductible plan, nor did they have any experience with health savings accounts," Kelly said. "That creates a learning curve for everyone, and it creates a certain level of anxiety."
The annual deductible for firefighters and other city workers is $2,700. That's the amount workers must pay before their insurance kicks in and covers 100 percent of their remaining medical costs for the year. Previously, the deducible was $800.
To make up for the higher deductible, the city agreed to contribute $1,900 to its employees' health savings accounts. In effect, that meant employees' healthcare "exposure" -- their costs in deductibles, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses -- would remain $800. If deductibles rose beyond $2,700, the city would contribute more to workers' health savings accounts.
But firefighters worried that deductibles, because of unstable markets, might rise so much within the three-year contract period that the city would not be able to afford increases to their health savings accounts.
That's where the wage reopener comes in. If deductibles increase excessively, and firefighters' out-of-pocket costs exceed $800, they could reopen wage negotiations during the contract period.
Sary said too much uncertainty remains under the proposed contact. He added that the city's healthcare costs over the past 10 years have risen by only 20 percent, which he said is "far below" the SERB statewide average.
Sary said firefighters have been understanding and cooperative with the city when it comes to healthcare. He said firefighters agreed to a two-year contract in 2016-2017 due to uncertainty over healthcare markets and allowed the city to unilaterally shop for healthcare, instead of buying the same or better health insurance coverage.
Until the two sides reach an agreement, firefighters will continue working under the 2016-2017 contract, Kelly said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A new bill in the Ohio General Assembly would ban dog and cat remains from commercial pet food.
House Bill 560 would also ban remains of animals that had been chemically euthanized from pet food. Rep. Laura Lanese, the measure's sponsor, said that the euthanizing drug pentobarbital has turned up in pet food, and some vets have reported that animals get sick from eating it, as reported in Tuesday's Capitol Letter, cleveland.com's daily Statehouse newsletter.
"Veterinarians have reported for years it seems to be harder and harder to put down an animal," said Lanese, a Columbus-area Republican. "And it's because some of them might be building up a resistance due to the dog feed."
Lanese was tipped off that it's legal for dog and cat remains to be in the very food the live pets eat by DanaMarie Pannella, a Sharon Center attorney who specializes in animal law.
Pannella said that she and a client researched Ohio Department of Agriculture licenses of companies that specialize in collecting and processing animals that have been euthanized. While euthanized animals are considered unfit for human consumption, there's nothing in Ohio law preventing them from being sold to pet food manufacturers, Pannella said.
Indeed, some of the animal rendering companies indicated they use the carcasses or parts of the animals -- such as hearts and kidneys -- for animal feed, poultry meal or dog or mink food, according to Pannella's research.
Last month, wet dog food made by Orrville-based J.M. Smucker Co. brands Gravy Train, Kibbles 'N Bits, Ol' Roy and Skippy was recalled, after the FDA detected small amounts of pentobarbital. At the time, the government said preliminary tests indicated levels were too low to hurt pets.
The company, in a statement shortly after the recall, said it uses fat sourced from cow, chicken and pig. DNA tests at the time of the recall ruled out the presence of cat, dog, horse, lamb, goat and turkey.
Smucker spokeswoman Maribeth Burns said the company has a long history of safe products, and it recently began a new testing protocol for pentobarbital in pet food.
"The proposed legislation reinforces our pet food manufacturing practices already in place," she said. "...We are committed to enhancing sourcing and supplier oversight procedures to ensure they are in compliance."
WILLOUGHBY, Ohio -- As she's continued her run for governor, Lt. Gov Mary Taylor's campaign strategy has drifted from gently criticizing to outright opposing Gov. John Kasich.
So that raises the question -- why does she continue to work for him?
Following a campaign event in Lake County on Friday, Taylor said in an interview that she's stayed a member of the Kasich administration because she's "not a quitter." She specifically cited her work overseeing the Common Sense Initiative, an ongoing state effort to work with businesses and state agencies to reduce regulations.
"I haven't quit anything, and that includes the lieutenant governor office, even though there are things that I disagree with the administration on," Taylor said.
But if there are areas where Taylor agrees with Kasich, who technically has endorsed her candidacy for governor, she doesn't emphasize them in her stump speeches. At the Lake County event, where Taylor addressed about 15 people at a microbrewery in Willoughby, Taylor said she is running to challenge the political status quo. She said she would end the state education department's use of the federal Common Core standards, which Kasich supports, and that she would end the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, which is a signature achievement of Kasich's tenure as governor.
In response to a question about gun control, Taylor said is an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment. Kasich, meanwhile, recently unveiled a raft of proposed gun reforms.
"I'm using the bully pulpit of my office to speak up in support of our Second Amendment rights," said Taylor, who when later asked by an attendee to identify areas where she agrees with Kasich, said she supports his efforts to cut income taxes and his creation of JobsOhio, the economic development nonprofit.
Lt. governor's job open-ended
In Ohio, the duties of the lieutenant governor are largely ceremonial. Besides taking over should the governor die or otherwise be incapacitated, the lieutenant governor traditionally has been assigned by the governor to oversee a state department.
Taylor directed the state insurance department until last year, when she gave up that job so she could raise campaign money from insurers without creating a conflict of interest. That reduced her $150,000 salary to about $78,000.
As lieutenant governor, she oversees a staff of about 10 people, and while she's in touch with her staff remotely, she comes in the office roughly every two weeks, said David Hopcraft, spokesman for the lieutenant governor's office.
One of her major responsibilities is to oversee the Common Sense Initiative. Taylor sets the program's general strategy, and helps cast a tie-breaking vote in case CSI staff and a state subsidiary disagree on a particular regulation, which Hopcraft estimated happens around twice a month. She also meets with a small-business council as part of the program once a quarter.
Taylor also oversees the Ohio Business Gateway, an ongoing project to make a centralized website for businesses to conduct their necessary state business, such as applying for licenses or paying taxes.
From 'really proud to support' Kasich to 'Huh'
Taylor generally also has served as a prominent spokeswoman for Kasich administration policies, which has included speaking at community events and making media appearances. In the lead up to the 2016 Republican National Convention -- including at the convention itself , where Taylor said she was "really proud" to do so -- Taylor supported Kasich's presidential candidacy, even as it became clear that Donald Trump was the party's presumptive nominee. But Taylor had a major break with Kasich politically after the November 2016 election and in January 2017, she switched her allegiances and helped oust Kasich's hand-picked state party chair.
When Taylor announced her candidacy for governor last year, she called Kasich a "good man" whom she respected, but said she did not agree with all of his positions. But as the race has continued, she has ramped up her criticism of Kasich. In January, she told Republicans in Clermont County she hadn't spoken with Kasich for more than a year, which Kasich denied. She's begun distributing political literature emphasizing that she, but not Kasich, attended the 2016 Republican National Convention. (One version of the literature falsely said her opponent, Attorney General Mike DeWine also didn't attend.)
Taylor and her running-mate, Nathan Estruth, have taken to pointing out that Dave Luketic, a political operative who ran a pro-Kasich Super PAC during the 2016 election, now is running DeWine's campaign. And after Kasich gave his State of the State speech earlier this month, Taylor tweeted a one-word reaction that was seen by many as a major show of disrespect.
Tom Zawistowski, a prominent figure in Ohio's Tea Party movement, said he and other conservative Kasich critics whose support Taylor has courted have tried to pressure her to resign to create a clean separation between her and the administration. A Republican familiar with Taylor's campaign said her team at one point gamed out whether to resign, but ultimately decided it wasn't strategically wise.
"I can tell you flat out that not only I, but other leaders in the state have asked her to [resign] point blank," said Zawistowski, who last week denied that his request for $1 million from the Taylor campaign to help fund candidates for the state Republican Party's central committee in exchange for an endorsement was an "extortion" attempt.
Taylor told a reporter that only one person, whom she did not identify, has asked her to consider resigning. She said she doesn't think it poses an issue for her in differentiating herself from Kasich in the eyes of voters.
"Certainly early on, I got that question a lot more than I do now," Taylor said. "I think my public statements and my positions on issues have made it pretty clear where I stand in that I am a conservative."
This story has been corrected to reflect the Taylor campaign in event in Lake County was in Willoughby, not Eastlake. It also has been corrected to reflect that Kasich has cut income taxes, not sales taxes in Ohio.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After months of relative silence, political attack TV ads are hitting the airwaves in Ohio this week.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced a statewide ad campaign -- and a website -- attacking Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, his Republican opponent in the Ohio Republican primary for governor. The campaign comes the same day a political group supporting Taylor launched a campaign of their own attacking DeWine.
The new DeWine ad, titled "Unfit, Unqualified," summarizes news articles during Taylor's tenure as state auditor and lieutenant governor -- one from 2017 which details turnover in Taylor's lieutenant governor's office, another from 2011 about her questionable use of a state plane and a third from 2010 from The Plain Dealer that questioned Taylor's work hours.
A DeWine campaign spokesman said the ad would match the scope of the anti-DeWine ad campaign, which cost about $760,000, and will air in most major media markets in Ohio.
"The Lieutenant Governor and her supporters continue to focus on false and misleading attacks about Mike DeWine because there is absolutely nothing good to say about her own record," DeWine Campaign Manager Dave Luketic said in a statement. "Over her more than 15 years as an elected official, Mary Taylor's scandals in office vastly outnumber her accomplishments."
Politically speaking, the ad from DeWine is interesting in that he's generally ignored Taylor thus far during the Republican primary campaign. DeWine is seen as a strong favorite in the Republican primary, and is leading Taylor in fundraising, endorsements and polling. The Ohio primary election is in May.
In a statement, Taylor campaign spokesman Michael Duchesne said: "I guess Mike DeWine isn't looking or talking past Mary Taylor anymore. The fact is, our campaign has been reminding Ohioans of DeWine's liberal record on defending the Second Amendment and illegal immigration, and apparently that's hitting close to home. All DeWine has in response is to call Ohio's highest ranking female elected official a 'slacker.' I hope [his wife] Fran sits him down tonight and explains what a bad look that is.
Here's the ad:
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group supporting Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor's run for governor has launched a statewide TV ad campaign attacking her Republican primary opponent, state Attorney General Mike DeWine.
Onward Ohio, a pro-Taylor Super PAC, began running the ads on Tuesday morning. The 30-second spot compares DeWine unfavorably to President Donald Trump on trade, guns and dealing with illegal immigration. The attack comes as the Taylor tries to overcome a large DeWine lead in public polling, endorsements and fundraising. Taylor in January loaned $3 million to her faltering campaign, but has yet to spend the money on a meaningful TV or digital ad campaign as the May primary grows nearer.
Officials with Onward Ohio didn't respond to repeated requests seeking comment. But the TV ads cost about $670,000, and are set to air in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo and Lima, according to officials with Medium Buying, an Ohio-based political ad-buying agency that tracks campaign ad spending. Medium Buying shared a copy of the ad on its Twitter account Tuesday.
OH-Gov: Onward Ohio (Pro-Mary Taylor group) is up on TV today with this spot attacking Mike DeWine. We've tracked nearly $700K in spending behind it pic.twitter.com/BWVictcBTt Medium Buying (@MediumBuying) March 20, 2018
The ad says that DeWine as a U.S. Senator joined then-Sen. Hillary Clinton in voting "to allow illegal immigrants to receive Social Security" -- DeWine voted in favor of a 2006 bipartisan immigration reform bill that created a path for citizenship for some undocumented immigrants, but also funded border security and classified illegal immigration as a felony -- and in Ohio allowed "illegal immigrants to receive drivers licenses" -- a reference to DeWine's 2013 legal opinion that under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, some people who immigrated here illegally as children were eligible for licenses.
It describes a 2000 DeWine vote on an amendment pertaining to a trade bill with China as showing that he "backs unfair trade with China" -- and accurately says that DeWine in the past has received an "F" grade from the National Rifle Association. DeWine in 2006 drew the ire of gun-rights groups by backing the renewal a federal assault weapons ban, but since becoming Ohio attorney general, he has shored up support from pro-gun groups by expanding access to concealed-carry permits and supporting the arming of school employees as part of a response to possible school shootings.
In a statement, DeWine campaign spokesman Ryan Stubenrauch said DeWine, through the 2006 immigration reform bill, voted to "build a wall, hire more than 15,000 new border agents and crack down on employers hiring illegal aliens." (The bill failed to pass the U.S. House.)
As attorney general, Stubenrauch said, DeWine also filed legal briefs supporting Trump's efforts to defund "sanctuary cities" and restrict travel from countries including North Korea, Syria, Somaila, and Venezuela.
"Mike DeWine is the only candidate who has taken action to defend his conservative positions and President Trump," Stubenrauch said. "Ohio voters see a lieutenant governor whose 15-plus years in politics are defined by scandals, inaction and empty rhetoric. She is unfit and unqualified to be governor."
Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, whom Trump personally helped in her 2017 takeover of the state party, issued a statement Tuesday criticizing the ad. DeWine won the Ohio Republican Party's endorsement last month.
"It's disappointing to me and many other Republicans that Mary Taylor's Super PAC is falsely attacking a true conservative like Mike DeWine who has fought hard to defend President Trump's law and order policies on immigration, sanctuary cities and fighting drug dealers," Timken said.
Onward Ohio, formed by Taylor's political allies, at the last campaign finance deadline in December disclosed about $293,000 in cash on hand, although most of that was raised in 2015 and 2016. Under federal law, Super PACS are allowed to spend unlimited amounts of money to support individual candidates, but cannot coordinate with that candidate's campaign.
COLUMBUS, Ohio--After years of passing bills to chip away at abortion access, Republican House members Monday launched a frontal assault with legislation to outright ban the practice in Ohio.
House Bill 565, which has 20 House GOP co-sponsors, would outlaw abortion at all stages of pregnancy, even in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is in danger. As cleveland.com's Jackie Borchardt explains, the bill makes an "unborn human" a person under Ohio's criminal code regarding murder, manslaughter and homicide.
Even if the legislation passes the Ohio legislature - which is far from certain, despite GOP supermajorities - it would likely be vetoed by Republican Gov. John Kasich, as he did in 2016 with the so-called "heartbeat bill" to ban abortion as early as six weeks into a woman's pregnancy.
It also would go directly against the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, which established that a woman's constitutional right to privacy extends to abortion rights.
Rep. Ron Hood, an Ashville Republican and bill sponsor, said the "goal of this bill is to first of all continue to get the word out that life does begin at conception and move the debate in that direction."
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio said the bill would allow doctors to be charged with murder, punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. Pregnant mothers who seek an abortion could also be charged with a crime under the bill.
So what do you think? If you support abortion rights, how worried are you about this bill? If you oppose abortion, is this the right move?
Join us from 1 to 3 p.m. today for a constructive conversation about the proposed abortion ban. Comments will be reviewed by a moderator before they are published.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio-- With Democrats set to field candidates in every legislative race for the first time since 2012, there is no shortage of competitive -- and often crowded -- primaries for the Ohio House of Representatives.
Thanks in part to a number of open seats and excitement over the prospect of a so-called "blue wave" in 2018, there are currently two dozen contested Democratic House primaries in Ohio, up from 14 in 2016.
Capitol Letter, cleveland.com's daily Statehouse newsletter, has compiled a list of the top 10 Democratic House primaries worth keeping an eye on through the May 8 primary. Here they are, in order of district number:
District 10: Downtown Cleveland, Bratenahl
Who's running: Nelson Cintron Jr., TJ Dow, Kyle Earley, Aanand Mehta, Ronnie Jones, Billy Sharp, Terrence Upchurch, Danielle Shepherd.
Everyone and their mom seems to be running to succeed term-limited Rep. Bill Patmon in this heavily Democratic district in central Cleveland. Upchurch has the endorsement of the Cuyahoga County Democrats (which will publicize him via their sample ballot). Earley, a pastor and a former top aide to ex-state Sen. Nina Turner, has the backing of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus. Dow, a former Cleveland city councilman, has a voter base, though he's currently facing allegations of voter fraud. Cintron, also a former Cleveland councilman, is these days a perennial candidate with little chance of winning. Mehta, an attorney at JonesDay, has some well-regarded operatives helping his campaign -- including Michael Bowen, who ran Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's re-election campaign last year. With so many candidates, the race will likely be decided by who has the best voter turnout operation.
District 12: Part of Cleveland's West Side, Maple Heights, Pepper Pike, and other parts of east suburban Cuyahoga County
Who's running: Juanita Brent, Patrice Brown, Earl W. Campbell Sr., Yvonka Hall, Dimitri McDaniel, Isaac Powell
Brent, the daughter of the late activist and ex-Rep. Vermel Whalen, has a leg up as the endorsed candidate of the Cuyahoga County Democrats, though she recently got media coverage for an overdue driver's license renewal (noteworthy mainly because Ed FitzGerald's 2014 gubernatorial campaign was sunk in part by a similar, though far more serious, issue). Hall, the executive director of the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, is the progressives' choice. McDaniel is a Case Western Reserve University law student and a former aide to state Sen. Sandra Williams. The other candidates are either political unknowns or perennial candidates.
District 13: Lakewood, part of Cleveland's West Side, Linndale
Who's running: Tom Bullock, Mike Skindell
Skindell is very well known in the district, having represented the area in the legislature since 2003. But Bullock, a Lakewood city councilman, has momentum, scoring endorsements so far from the Cuyahoga County Democrats, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, among others. The campaign is taking place amid a battle for the Cuyahoga County Democrats between establishment Dems and progressives. Skindell is affiliated with the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus; Bullock is considered more of an establishment candidate, though he's been careful not to tie himself to a particular side.
District 19: Northeast Franklin County, including Gahanna and New Albany
Who's running: Noni Banks, Mary Lightbody
Observers predict this will be a close race between two Westerville residents: Lightbody, a Harvard grad and longtime K-12 and university science teacher, and Banks, founder of The Diva Movement, a women's leadership organization. Lightbody entered the race before Banks, but that advantage could be eroded by Banks if she proves to be a strong fundraiser and campaigner. The Franklin County Democrats declined to endorse in the race.
District 24: Parts of western/central Franklin County, including Hilliard and Upper Arlington
Who's running: Andrea Bonny, Mary Relotto, Allison Russo
Relotto and Russo are the early favorites in this suburban Columbus district. Russo, a health-policy researcher from Upper Arlington, is the more establishment-y candidate; Relotto, founder of the all-female career networking site Dames Bond, is the more progressive and activist-y candidate. Bonny, a pediatrician from Upper Arlington, is a comparative unknown, having entered the race relatively recently. The Franklin County Democrats didn't endorse in the race.
District 26: Southeastern Columbus
Who's running: Erica Crawley, Michael Cole
Crawley, a U.S. Navy veteran and law clerk, won the endorsement from the Franklin County Democrats, giving the first-time candidate an edge in the race to succeed Rep. Hearcel Craig in a heavily Democratic district covering southeast and part of western Columbus. But don't count out Cole, a Columbus City School Board member whose name is only a syllable different from Michael Coleman, the popular former mayor of Columbus.
District 50: Eastern Stark County
Who's running: Cassie Gabelt, Courtlen Vizzuso
Outgoing Republican Rep. Christina Hagan's seat, which covers the eastern half of Stark County, is a longshot for Democrats in November. But it still features an interesting primary between Gabelt, a U.S. Navy veteran from Alliance who works as a mediator, and Vizzuso, a recent Ohio University grad from Alliance who was recruited by Run For Something, a national PAC that recruits young Dems to run for office. Gabelt is perhaps the early favorite, given she entered the race earlier and has support from local progressive groups.
District 56: Northwestern Lorain County
Who's running: Mark Ballard II, Joe Miller, Claudia Olaes, Cory Shawver
Shawver and Miller are the early frontrunners in the race to take over term-limited Rep. Dan Ramos's seat in this Democratic-friendly district. As a resident of Lorain, Shawver (the former executive director of the Lorain County Democrats) has a geographic advantage over Miller, a councilman from the smaller city of Amherst (a non-Lorain resident has never won the district in recent memory). But Miller, a high-school teacher, could pick up support from education organizations, and he was recently endorsed by the Ohio AFL-CIO. Ballard, a law student, is the son of a Lorain school board member and a former district director for ex-U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton. Olaes is a student at Oberlin College.
District 59: Western, central, and southern Mahoning County
Who's running: Larry Moliterno, Eric Ungaro
Ungaro, a Poland Township trustee, is perhaps the slight favorite to win the district, currently held by outgoing Democratic Rep. John Boccieri. The son of ex-Youngstown Mayor Pat Ungaro, Eric easily won the Mahoning County Democrats' endorsement for the seat. But Moliterno, as a trustee for Boardman Township (the largest township in Mahoning County), has a power base, and he's been in the race longer than Ungaro. High voter turnout in the primary would likely benefit Ungaro.
District 75: Southern half of Portage County
Who's running: Denise Baba, Randi Clites, Alice Freitas
Clites and Baba are the frontrunners to take over term-limited Rep. Kathleen Clyde's seat in southern Portage County. Clites entered the race more than a year ago - the Ravenna resident hasn't run for office before, though as an associate director with the Northern Ohio Hemophilia Foundation, she successfully lobbied the Ohio House to preserve funding for a children's medical assistance program. Baba, a former TV reporter, serves on the Streetsboro Board of Education and is ex-president of the Ohio School Boards Association. Freitas, who entered the race at the last minute, is the former president of a transgender advocacy group at Kent State University.
SANDUSKY, Ohio - Kalahari Resorts has reopened its massive indoor waterpark less than a week after a section of air duct fell from the ceiling, causing minor injuries.
John Zimmerman, with the Huron Township building department, gave the resort the all-clear to reopen the waterpark late last week, after employees worked around-the-clock to replace metal support cables throughout the property.
Last Monday, March 12, a large section of duct fell into one of the park's pools. Two park employees were treated and released at a local hospital.
A portion of the waterpark reopened on Tuesday, though much of it remained closed while employees and inspectors worked to figure out what went wrong and how to fix the problem.
Zimmerman said he suspects that one of the cables may have corroded due to the park's high temperature, high humidity and high chlorine content. The indoor waterpark is heated to a constant 84 degrees.
He said Kalahari employees worked 24 hours a day following the accident to replace metal support cables throughout the park.
Zimmerman said he was told by Kalahari officials that they intend to initiate regular inspections of the park's metal cables going forward.
Officials from Kalahari were not immediately available to comment.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees amusement park rides, also gave Kalahari approval to reopen late last week, according to department spokesman Brett Gates.
Though no rides were involved in the incident, Gates said inspectors wanted to ensure there were no secondary issues involving pools or slides.
At 174,000 square feet, Kalahari's Sandusky waterpark is one of the largest in North America. It's located on U.S. 250, just north of the Ohio Turnpike in Huron Township. It opened in 2005.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- There was a lot of discussion at Monday night's City Council meeting about amending an existing ordinance to make it easier for residents to keep backyard chickens. But in the end, there was no final resolution.
There wasn't an empty seat in council chambers, as most residents present were there to give their opinion on the chicken question. That question is whether council should amend its ordinance -- which now allows for the keeping of backyard chickens if they are at least 500 feet away from the nearest neighbor's dwelling -- to permitting chickens 20 feet away from the nearest home.
In addition, the ordinance, among things, would require backyard chicken coops to be located at least 10 feet away from the side property line and at least three feet from the rear property line.
If council votes to amend the ordinance, it would significantly change a law that has been on the books since 1944. University Heights, as many residents pointed out, was a very different, less populated place 74 years ago.
In all, 20 people took to the council chamber microphone during the meeting's public comment portion, with two of those people speaking twice. In the end, opinion was just about split in terms of who favored the amendment and who did not.
Charles Evans, who has lived on Meadowbrook Boulevard for 33 years, said he grew up on a farm in Andover, Ohio, where 1,500 chickens were kept.
After telling council about the work involved in keeping chickens, the noises they make, and the frequency with which they defecate, Evans said, "I don't want them around my home."
Traymore Road's Nick Tranchito, after citing the small size of most University Heights properties, said, "I don't think 20 feet is sufficient."
Meadowbrook's Mary Fox, in speaking against the keeping of chickens, had a question for council. "How did you go from 500 feet to 20 feet?"
Councilman Mark Wiseman, a leading council proponent of allowing residential chickens, said 20 feet was enough for his colleagues who support the amendment. But he added that council is also requiring, as part of the amendment, that anyone planning to keep chickens take a Cleveland Metroparks class on how to do so. In addition, a resident must first get a special use permit from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals before proceeding.
The amendment is actually a one-year trial that, if approved, would require council to review its success or failure in February 2019. The city would limit chicken permits to 25, and each permit would be in effect for 2018 only.
Those who keep chickens would also be required to keep a well-maintained coop, with a run, and their yards would have to be fenced in. The number of chickens allowed would be limited to four, none of the resulting eggs could be sold, chickens could not be slaughtered and eaten, and no roosters would be permitted.
It was in 2017 when resident Laura Francis began the chicken talk when she requested permission to keep a coop in her yard. Council, citing its 1944 ordinance, turned her down.
Francis continued to lead the charge for allowing backyard chickens. She spoke at Monday's meeting, listing what she called the myths and facts about chickens.
Francis attempted to dispel comments from those in opposition, stating that the noise chickens make is at about the same volume level as a human conversation; that chickens, contrary to what some believe, can enhance property values; and that the 1.25 pounds of average daily waste that comes from a chicken is "valuable fertilizer."
Resident Justin Gould backed Francis, stating, "I hope government will get out of my way and allow me to use my property, and my neighbors to use their properties, as we want."
Those who favor backyard chickens state that the fowl produce healthy eggs for eating and become pets.
While some say that chickens can be a source of salmonella, Ursuline College biology professor Dr. Jenise Snyder said that occurrences of the disease can be significantly reduced if people don't kiss their chickens or bring them in their houses, as some have done, and if they properly cook eggs.
"I'm in favor of chickens," Snyder said.
There was also a side debate as to the amount of predators backyard chickens can attract, and the danger that those predators create for neighboring pets.
Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said he has heard from a number of residents on the chicken topic. He said that opinions are split.
Wiseman told those at the meeting that he spoke with a county inspector who said he has only logged four complaints about residential chickens in the last dozen years. Wiseman added that he checked with neighboring South Euclid, where chickens are allowed, and that there were no complaints received.
Shaker Heights, Beachwood and Cleveland Heights -- all cities that are neighbors to University Heights -- also allow chickens, with different specifications attached.
"We're not Shaker, Beachwood, Cleveland Heights or South Euclid," said Councilman Steven Sims, who is against the amendment. "I think we could differentiate ourselves so we have a true brand."
University Heights is about to undertake a new branding program.
The University Heights Planning Commission, on March 12, voted 2-0 against the amendment. At that meeting, however, Brennan abstained and Councilman Phillip Ertel substituted for Wiseman and voted in opposition.
Wiseman was stuck in a traffic jam but, if he were present at the Planning Commission meeting, would have voted in favor and Ertel would not have been there. Brennan said if Wiseman were present, he would have voted in favor, meaning a recommendation would have come from the commission.
In order to overturn the Planning Commission's decision not to recommend, a council vote would require five affirmative votes. Council elected to table the matter to its first meeting in April, as Vice Mayor Susan Pardee, who favors the amendment, was not present at Monday's council meeting.
With Pardee in attendance, council would likely vote in April in favor of the amendment by a 5-2 vote, Wiseman said.
WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Westlake City Schools Superintendent Scott Goggin said he and his administration are taking a hard look at student safety. He included that information as a part of the State of the Schools address he gave last night at the high school's performing arts center.
The slogan for the address was "Focus on Progress but not Perfection." Goggin related a lot of progress in the schools, from stem to stern. Vision 20/20 has been the plan for several years, and he believes much has been accomplished toward that goal.
"We are really close to the target and have received a lot of support from the community," he said.
Regarding school safety, Goggin said in February that the district began working with students who wanted to do a school walkout on March 14 in memory of the 17 people who lost their lives last month in Parkland, Fla.
"We wanted them to do it safely. After that, they wanted to create their own action. They did a Justice Fair so that it wasn't just adults making the decisions," he said.
The Justice Fair was a grouping of tables at Dover Congregational Church to interest people in taking action. There was a table to register to vote and another to make posters. Other tables showcased ways to get involved for better school safety, along with chilling statistics about school shootings -- too many of them for too long.
The actual school buildings will be "hardened," Goggin said. That word is one that some superintendents hesitate to use, because some believe it gives the impression that the school will become a prison.
Not so in Westlake.
"Our buildings are newer, so a lot of safeguards are already in," he said. "And there are plans in place for the new elementary school. We must make it harder to get in and shorten the response time for any incident."
He noted that there is already remote control of all buildings and security systems are already inside as well as outside, but the details cannot be publicized.
"At the new elementary school, site work (such as sewers) is being done. We have a total of seven schools right now, including four elementary schools that will be replaced by the new school within two years. We also have a new middle school and Dover Intermediate has already been renovated," Goggin said.
Goggin said organization is a big part of the plan and has been going well. In that vein, some positions have been shifted around, some due to retirements, making a more streamlined organizational structure.
Union contracts have been negotiated quickly, he said, due to creating a communications forum. The teachers now have a new three-year contract.
In the financial area, CFO/Treasurer Todd Hopkins had good news, even with a $1.2 million loss of funds coming from the State of Ohio.
"We had projected a $9 million deficit in 2020, but we have been able to push that to 2022. We are excited about that," Hopkins said.
He also said the school system continues to have a high Moody's bond credit rating of AA1. "We will, though, need a levy at some time in the future," he said.
Student experience is important, too, said Goggin.
"It's about what it is like to be a student here and what is the curriculum like. We are proud of all the opportunities we offer. For example," he said, "girls lacrosse has just been added, and we have also added an Unmanned Flight Technology course, which is drones, and now we have 12 college courses instead of just two."
There are also new health programs for grades K-10, he said.
"What we want to do, above all, we want to create a safe and nurturing environment for the kids."
Justices Accept Districts Drawn By State's Highest Court
Pennsylvanians will vote this spring and in November in congressional districts that have been re-fashioned to wipe out a bias for Republican candidates, the U.S. Supreme Court decided on Monday.
An apparently unanimous court declined to take up a legal challenge to the new districts, which were drawn by an independent consultant supervised by Pennsylvanias Supreme Court. The state tribunal had ruled that the previous districts, drawn by the Republican-controlled state legislature, discriminated against Democratic voters.
While the Pennsylvania electorate is roughly evenly divided Democratic and Republican congressional candidates usually get about the same number of votes statewide the legislature-drawn districts were gerrymandered to produce a 13-5 Republican advantage in the states delegation to the House of Representatives.
The state ruling was based on provisions in the Pennsylvania Constitution; the U.S. Supreme Court rarely intervenes in such cases, leaving them to the highest court in the state.
Todays Supreme Court ruling was a victory for Pennsylvania voters who will now be able to cast ballots for congressional candidates in districts not unconstitutionally manipulated to make them uncompetitive, said Micah Sims, Common Cause Pennsylvanias executive director.
The ruling came just one day before todays deadline for congressional candidates in all 18 Pennsylvania districts to file for the scheduled May 15 primary elections. Officials indicated that if the court had intervened and forced a delay in the election schedule, the cost to taxpayers would have been about $20 million.
The decision also comes as the Supreme Court considers gerrymandering cases in Wisconsin and Maryland; the Wisconsin case is a challenge to Republican-drawn districts in that state, while the Maryland case involves a Democratic-drawn district that was configured to unseat a Republican representing heavily GOP counties in the western part of the state.
Those cases, and a third gerrymandering challenge, Common Cause v. Rucho, making its way to the high court, invite the justices to put limits on the role of partisan considerations in drawing congressional and legislative districts. More details on the Rucho case and redistricting generally are available here and here.
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Fresh Off The Rail shows off hot new swimsuit fashion for the summer
Now that winter's over and spring is heralding warm weather and sunshine, images of the beach and summer vacations aren't far off.
And, if the runway from Houston's Fresh Off The Rail fashion show is any indication, women will have plenty of bold and striking swimsuits to wear this upcoming beach season.
Fresh Off The Rail is an international street-wear festival held in Houston. It ran March 7-11 this year. According to the event's website, "Fresh Off The Rail Fashion Week is a five-day event celebrating the convergence of fashion, culture, creativity and innovation in the heart of downtown Houston. Designers and emerging creators will share their art and vision. Event activities include fashion shows, presentations and musical performances."
Read more at:vintage bridesmaid dresses uk | green bridesmaid dresses uk
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Abrasives are used in various end user industries such as building and construction, automobile, electronics, metal fabrication, and machinery among others. The growing demand from the developing region in the globe are major factors driving the global market of Abrasives. The growing government in the infrastructural development coupled with the augmenting demand from the automobile sector are other factors contributing to the growth of the market. Among the various end-user industry, the automobile is the dominant segment and expected to show the same trend during the forecast years. Has increased the demand for Abrasives in the automobile industry.
Market Segmentation
The Global Abrasives Market is segmented into material, product, type and end user industry. On the basis of material, the market is segmented into natural abrasives and synthetic abrasives. On the basis of product, the global abrasives market is segmented into grinding wheels, sandpaper and others. On the basis of type, the market is bifurcated into coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, and super abrasives. On the basis of end use industry, the market is further segmented into automotive, machinery, metal fabrication, electrical and electronics, building and construction, and others.
Market Scenario
The grinding wheel product segment is the leading type in the market on account of its growing use in the machinery, electrical & electronics and automotive components. The advantages such as high speed, enhanced efficiency and productivity are the major factors contributing to the growth of the segment.
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Regional Analysis
The Global Abrasives Market is spanned across five key regions: Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific holds a major portion of the global market and is anticipated to continue its dominance during the forecast period. The developing end user industries in the region such as construction and automotive is expected to fuel the market growth. Moreover, the favorable government regulation has resulted in the shifting of manufacturing based on the Asia Pacific which has further propelled the market growth. India, China, and Japan. North America is the dominant region for the market abrasives. The development of the development of the market. The major countries are attributing this growth to the US and Canada. The European market of abrasives is mainly driven by the automobile and electronic industry. Moreover, the increasing use of the industrial sector is anticipated to be further to the growth of the market in the forecast years.
Competitive Analysis
Some of the prominent players operating in the Global market are Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), 3M Company (US), DuPont (US), Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. (France), Fujimi Incorporated (Japan), Henkel AG & CO. KGAA (Germany), Tyrolit Group (Austria), Asahi Diamond Industrial Co., LTD (Japan) Deerfos Co., Ltd (Korea), and Carborundum Universal Limited: (India).
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Telxius, Telefonica's infrastructure arm, was established in February 2016. It owns and operates a portfolio comprising nearly 16,300 telecom towers in five countries and manages an international network with around 65,000 km of submarine optical cable, including around 31,000 km owned by Telxius. The Telxius-owned network includes SAM-1 linking the U.S., Central and South America, PCCS (Pacific Caribbean Cable System) and Unisur, which connects Uruguay and Argentina. It also took over Telefonica's share in older subsea consortium cables, including Columbus III, Atlantis II, and FLAG.
Telxius has two new subsea cables that are expected to enter commercial service shortly: BRUSA, linking Brazil, Puerto Rico and the U.S., and MAREA linking the U.S. and Europe in partnership with Google and Facebook. The two projects bring enormous East-West and North-South capacity to the Atlantic. More about these projects below.
It was just over a year ago that Telefonica announced it has reached an agreement with global investment firm KKR Group for the sale of up to a 40% stake of Telxius Telecom, its global telecommunications infrastructure company, for a total of Euro 1,275 million, or Euro 12.75 per share. The deal with KKR implied an enterprise value of Euro 3,678 million for Telxius, or 11.4 times its 2017 EBITDA.
Telefonica's original plan was to seek a public listing for Telxius as an independent company. An attempted initial public offering was announced in September 2016 but subsequently withdrawn in November.
In terms of valuation, the deal with KKR was fairly close to the earlier aspirations for a public listing. KKR is a private equity firm specializing in infrastructure opportunities. As of the end of 2017, KKR had $168 billion of assets under its management.
From what we gather, the Telxius shared infrastructure business is doing well.
Construction of the highest-capacity subsea cable to cross the Atlantic was officially completed in September 2017. The 6,600 km MAREA subsea cable, which was jointly funded by Microsoft and Facebook, links Virginia Beach, Virginia to Bilbao, Spain. For these two Internet giants, the collaboration represents a significant change for the subsea cable industry, which previously funded major projects by establishing a consortium of telecom carriers, with bandwidth on the system subsequently divided between eight, ten or even more investing parties. MAREA is not only massive in comparison to the projects from just a decade ago, it also follows a more southerly transatlantic route, landing in Europe on the Iberian peninsula. For the American landing, the cable arrives hundreds of miles to the southern coast of Virginia, in proximity to new hyperscale data centre campuses being built by Microsoft and Facebook.It is also very interesting that the MAREA cable will be managed by Telxius, providing Telefonicas new infrastructure company with two very reliable customers whose bandwidth needs are certain to skyrocket in coming years. Telefonicas European fibre backbone will certainly be an option if either of these Internet giants needs their traffic to be carried onward to other European destinations.The MAREA cable features eight fibre pairs and an initial, estimated design capacity of 160 Tbps. TE SubCom served as the system supply partner for MAREA.The BRUSA subsea systemBRUSA is Telxius new submarine cable linking Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza (Brazil) with San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Virginia Beach (USA). The 11,000-km cable consists of 8 fibre pairs, with 135 x 100 Gbps per fibre pair, with 4 direct fiber pairs connecting US-Brazil, and 4 fibre pairs entering Puerto Rico and Fortaleza. Alcatel Submarine Networks is the lead supplier. The system is expected to begin operations in the coming weeks.The SAM-1 subsea systemTelxius also owns and operates the 25,000 km SAM-1 subsea cable connecting the U.S. with Central and South America. It started operations in 2000, connecting the United States, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Guatemala, and was extended to reach Ecuador and Colombia in 2007. Infineras equipment is deployed in this system, enabling on-demand service capabilities in some locations Infinera solutions are also installed on the terrestrial backhaul routes associated with the cable.Expanding its tower businessThe portfolio of 16,300 cellular towers, most of which were transferred from Telefonica, are largely concentrated in Spain (10,741 towers), where the company of course has its historical roots. Germany is its second largest installed base with 2,350 telecom masts, followed by Brazil (1,665 towers), Peru (849 towers), Chile (327 towers), and Argentina (304 towers).Considering the business possibilities for in the Telxius portfolio, it is clear that the plan must be to add new mobile operator tenants in as many properties as possible. In addition to conventional mobile operators, a new class of Internet of Things operators is emerging.One company leading in this sector is Sigfox, a French company founded in 2009 that builds wireless networks to connect low-power objects such as electricity meters, industrial sensors, etc. Sigfox uses a unique technology for extreme energy efficiency in the remote sensor and which remains compatible with Bluetooth, GPS 2G/3G/4G, and WiFi. Over the years, Sigfox has expanded its network to over 45 countries. It now claims to serve around 803 million people, with the ambition of extending the network across 60 countries and regions and reaching 1 billion people in 2018.At Mobile World Congress, Telxius and Sigfox announced a deal to expand the Sigfox network in Germany to cover more than 80 percent of the country. This entails the deployment of Sigfox equipment on a number of the 2,350 telecom towers that Telxius acquired from Telefonica Germany in early 2016. In addition, Sigfox can utilize further selected antenna locations of Telefonica Germany for further expansion of its network. To reach complete network coverage across Germany requires only about 2,500 Sigfox base stations.Previously, Sigfox Germany has acquired masts and roofs for its base stations directly. Working with Telxius, enables Sigfox to accelerate the rollout of its network as it will no longer have to negotiate directly with property owners.If the Sigfox partnership in Germany is successful, Telxius certainly offers telecom masts in all of its other market for supporting a global IoT network.
The actives market for personal care shows no signs of slowing. According to a recent report, the global anti-aging market is anticipated to reach $66.2 billion by 2023. How will it get there? Revisiting the topics from the latest SCC Annual Meeting gives some indication.
Promise and Limitations of Stem Cells for Skin and Hair
Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., of The Rockefeller University, discussed the study of stem cells and their role in skin health and aging. Fuchs noted that adult skin stem cells reside at the interface between the epidermis and the dermis and are defined by their task. Stem cell activity is dictated by contextfor instance, whether they receive inhibitor cues from their micro environment. However, while these cells are versatile, their over-activation can have deleterious effects.
When taken from their niche and cultured, hair follicle stem cells can acquire plasticity that allows them to form epidermis, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. But Fuchs noted these cells may have limited capacity to function and thus must not be overused. Additionally, she explained that well-balanced bone morphogenetic proteins, which regulate differentiation of stem cells, could be the fountain of youth for hair growth. Again, Fuchs warned, even hair growth stimulation could over-tax stem cells.
What Does It Mean to Age Well?
David Boudier of Silab discussed the biological signatures of well-aging skin, work that has sought to decrypt the aging process. He noted that key terms consumers find to be critical for well-aging included:
Hydration
Complexion
Radiance
Silab used 3D matrix multidimensional scaling to visualize the level of similarity of individual cases of a dataset. In this case, the company assessed the skin of 373 women aged 19 to 78 using key parameters including hydration, attenuated wrinkles, complexion, radiance and firmness.
The researchers discovered age-independent healthy skin among the candidates, as well as subjects who displayed prematurely aging skin. These candidates were generally categorized as well-aging and poorly aging, respectively.
Epidermis thickness was more robust in well-aging volunteers, in addition to higher levels of procollagen 1 and hyaluronic acid. Key elements of well-aging skin, Silab found, included cell proliferation, cell migration and construction capacity.
Rose Extract for Healthy Skin Aging
Silab has commercialized a Rosa damascena (Bulgarian rose) extract under the Wellagyl moniker, which reportedly activates the biological pathways that stimulate tissue metabolism and generally promotes healthy skin aging. The ingredient is said to boost complexion radiance, hydration, relief and firmness.
Seabuckthorn vs. Skin Dysregulation
Understanding skin aging requires insights into extrinsic and intrinsic factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, environment, UV radiation, stress, metabolic processes, oxidation and glycation, said Manasi Chavan of BASF.
Chavan noted that BASF has explored skin aging solutions by leveraging dermal microRNA control to improve skins biomechanical properties. MicroRNA regulate the intensity of gene expression in reaction to the external environment, Chavan explained, fine-tuning at the protein level.
Let-7 microRNA precursor is a master regulator of many dermal components like proteins, which impact extracellular matrix, skin elasticity, collagen and elastin fiber organization, Chavan explained. Let-7b levels rise with aging and fibroblast quiescence. Modulating its levels can positively impact the biomechanical properties of the skin.
BASF Care Creations has commercialized a seabuckthorn extract as RNAge (INCI: Maltodextrin (and) Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract), which provides consumers with a push-up effect by counteracting the chronological epigenetic dysregulation of the skin. The ingredient can be applied in anti-aging creams, anti-sagging treatments, facial contour lifting treatments and V-shape treatments.
The application of seabuckthorn extract is associated with a decrease in Let-7b levels, leading to an increase of dermal density (via collagen 3 and 5), according to Chavan. BASF researchers reportedly found a 26% improvement in skin density, 18% improvement in skin firmness and four-degree improvement in chin angle following the application of the extract.
Kimchi for a Balanced Skin Microbiome
Tia Alkazaz of Active Micro Technologies noted that skin disorders could potentially be avoided by maintaining the homeostasis of the microbiome. Elements such as histone deacetylases (HDAC) are a marker of microflora balance; HDAC3, in particular, is critical for healthy skin because it modulates the epigenome and nearby gene expression.
A reduction in HDAC can render commensal bacteria less effective, thereby compromising the immune system and, ultimately skin health, Alkazaz explained. One solution is the use of antimicrobial peptides derived from the fermentation of lactic acid bacteria, which can promote antimicrobial protection by preventing unwanted growth while exhibiting milder activity on the skin.
A recent study by Active Micro Technologies found that 4% of an antimicrobial peptide applied to nasal folds increased the beneficial bacteria on the participants skin area while also decreasing the presence of Gram-positive Propionibacterium sp.
Active Micro Technologies has commercialized the peptide as Leucidal Liquid, which is based on an antimicrobial peptide derived from Leuconostoc kimchi lactic acid bacteria, which is well-known for its role in producing kimchi fermented cabbage.
Sweet Corn Anti-aging and Moisturization
Finally, Martin Kurylowicz of Mirexus noted that phytoglycogen extracted from plants can be isolated in its natural state from non-GMO sweet corn using a patented green process that results in a uniform product with no glycogen debris. The phytoglycogen has a silky, velvety finish on the skin and offers anti-aging and moisturizing properties, according to Kurylowicz, and works synergistically with hyaluronic acid.
The ingredient acts an energy boost to cells and reportedly increases cellular growth rate, hyaluronic acid production (by 83%) and collagen production (by 60%) in human skin fibroblast cells. Mirexus has commercialized the ingredient as PhytoSpherix.
In a comparison study against a placebo, a formulation containing 0.3% phytoglycogen improved global hyperpigmentation by 85%, skin clarity by 40% and evenness of skin tone by 56%, as well as a 75% reduction in wrinkle area and 20% reduction in wrinkle depth.
The natural nano material is water-soluble and reportedly easy to formulate with. The ingredient is typically used at low levels as over-concentration can actually reduce effectiveness.
Shilpi Jain graduated summa cum laude from the University of Toronto with a bachelor degree in biochemistry and inorganic chemistry, followed by a masters in chemistryspecifically, organometallic chemistry. Her thesis resulted in five publications and two patents.
She currently works for Skinveda, LLC, on topical hyperpigmentation and pain solutions, among others; here, she shared her experiences and aspirations with Cosmetics & Toiletries in our "Ones to Watch" series.
Mentors and Teachers
I have been fortunate to have several mentors along my educational and career path. The ones who shaped me into who I am include Prof. Ulrich J. Krull, who taught me analytical chemistry at the University of Toronto and saw leadership and teaching skills in me. He highly recommended me for a medicinal chemist position and mentored me along the way.
I also did my masters thesis with Prof. Michael Denk, who whipped me into a hard-working, tireless and very patient scientist. He gave me several opportunities to present at American Chemical Society meetings as well as to teach a university class, to work with thioureas toward cancer research, and to work with air-sensitive chemistry toward chemical vapor deposition (CVD) precursors.
On the industrial side, I'd like to acknowledge Thuy Ann Trang, Ph.D., who was my supervisor and project leader at Arena Pharmaceuticals. Under her supervision, I was involved in the synthesis of the drug lorcaserin.
Last but not the least, I'd like to acknowledge my mother, who taught science and had a masters in chemistry and bachelors in education. She inspired me every day and invoked my curiosity to choose this field.
Hyperpigmentation, Pain and More
I am working on developing products for hyperpigmentation using alternatives to hydroquinone, as well as topical creams for pain relief. I am also in the process of researching and formulating hair growth products and products for reversing signs of gray hair without using invasive or harsh synthetic chemicals.
Meeting Challenges: Marketing and Claims
The best part about my work is the creativity and innovation that drives me to create products and formulations that were probably not possible 15 years ago. I am always seeking challenging projects. I also love educating consumers about how to read labels and understand their skin from the inside out.
My least favorite would have to be marketing. I am a hands-on chemist and love research, development and formulation, but when it comes to selling products it is a whole new animal.
Being an entrepreneur comes with several challenges. The most daunting aspect is to wear several hats and when a hat becomes challenging, to say to yourself I chose this road and must overcome this challenge.
Experience and learning through mistakes has helped along the way. For instance, one of the challenges I face as a formulator of natural skin care is claims substantiation. With new rules and regulations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it becomes challenging as we must be very careful with our words. Even if something is as effective as the current OTC/drug and is plant-based, we cannot claim this quality.
I have seen a strong connection between skin issues and the way we manifest stress in our lives.
Finding Solutions from All Angles
The best and most fulfilling part of my profession is when I am able to address a particular problem, be it in skin, hair or another health issue, and to find a solution that works. I have been fortunate to have several such instances.
For example, I recently formulated a patent-pending topical for pets and humans that will help reduce inflammation of the joints and arthritis in older dogs and for humans, as well for inflammatory response to pain.
I also developed the first product in my own line: Replenishing serum. My son, who was a little over a year, had developed eczema. I was confident I could find a solution to his itchy, dry skin with rashes. I formulated the Replenishing serum and noticed an immediate improvement in his skin within one week.
As a chemist, I look at all angles of the problem: from a medical perspective, to formulations, bio-identical compounds and synergies as well as delivery systems. I am also trying to incorporate psycho-dermatology into my practice and have seen a strong connection between skin issues and the way we manifest stress in our lives.
For the Love of Formulating
Since the age of 10, I was intrigued when my mom made homemade facial masks, and I loved mixing up fruit pulps and oatmeal powder and dabbing them on my face more than I did playing with toys or even baking cakes. I always wanted to go into personal care formulation.
What excites me the most about this job is innovation and new research. I love reading journals and industry news to help me formulate new and improved products.
I would like my role to evolve into taking up more challenging projects, especially in skin and hair care, and work with companies that need an advisor to help with troubleshooting formulations. I also would love to be able to promote my products through online media and get more people to try and feel their difference.
Evolving Career
I have been fortunate to know several people in the industry who have referred me to clients through my impeccable work as a formulation chemist. I would like to continue that trend and also need assistance with growing the brand, as I see such a huge potential for Skinveda.
Graying Hair, Ayurveda and Education
I dont think we've yet found a solution to graying hair; i.e., reversing it naturally. There is also growing awareness among those formulating Ayurvedic personal care for herbs and claims/results; however, many of those formulating in this niche may not have the skillset to synergize these very potent herbs by knowing their chemistry and how they can interact with one another. The wrong combination of these herbs can hurt rather than help.
I also think the education is lacking and consumers are becoming more savvy. However, marketing and PR remain very strong influencers. We as chemists and brand founders must do our due diligence and educate the consumer to steer them in the right direction.
Transparency and Plant Actives
In the future, I would like to see a more fluid and transparent processes of formulating skin care, cosmetics and personal care, whereby regulators work hand-in-hand and information about current regulations is easily available to formulators.
I would also like to see more plant actives tested for their efficacy and approved by the FDA. Finally, I would like to see more turnkey solutions and companies being more honest in their marketing of products.
Change the Rules
Defeat anti-union laws
Ever since its election in September 2013 the Abbott/Turnbull government, with the backing of its employer mates, have pursued a union-bashing agenda. Each new piece of legislation has robbed workers and their trade unions of basic rights once taken for granted. Last week Unions Australia launched a campaign to Change the Rules, to give trade unions and workers the basic means to defend and fight for their rights.
The rules being referred to include the Fair Work Act (FWA), the legislation behind the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the secondary boycott provisions in Sections 45D & E of Competition and Consumer Act.
Unions have been hit with massive penalties, in some instances a million dollars or more. Workers increasingly face intimidation, penalty rates have been cut, jobs casualised, wages frozen or cut, and the right to strike is virtually illegal.
This legislation needs ripping up. We need to replace these bad laws with a new Act guaranteeing workers and trade unions their basic rights. There is no way that they can be fixed. The underlying premise on which they are built, the restriction of trade union rights and action, needs to be replaced by pro-union provisions.
Five new bills for bad laws
As long as a trade union that fights for its members exists, the government on behalf of employers will not let up. It has five more bills before Parliament to add to the raft of union-bashing legislation.
These bills directly attack trade unions and their industry superannuation funds workers retirement savings.
The first of the superannuation bills abolishes equal representation of employer and trade union representatives with an independent chair on the board of industry funds. Instead, there is a requirement that at least one third of the board members be independent with appropriate expertise read from banks and insurance companies.
Not one shred of evidence is provided as to how that would improve governance. The industry funds consistently outperform the for-profit, retail funds with their higher fees and poorer investment outcomes: Those are governed by the self-same financial independent experts.
There is no attempt to dictate to the boards of bank-owned superannuation funds, despite numerous instances of mismanagement and fee-gouging coming to light.
Banks poor governance
Most recently it was revealed that ANZ have to pay an extra $10.5 million to 160,000 customers after it was found that they had incorrectly processed member superannuation contributions.
The Commonwealth Bank had to repay over $100 million for fees charged for advice where it was not provided. ANZ has also been paying out for fees charged but no service provided. NAB has also been paying back money. And so it goes, on and on.
This is what the government calls good governance.
The real aim is to hand over the billions of dollars of workers savings to for-profit, commercial interests. These are the same outfits that are presently appearing before the banking Royal Commission and admitting their failure to provide financial advice that their clients have paid for.
It will be business as usual if they get their grubby hands on workers retirement savings.
Another bill removes the right of unions to collectively bargain for a single superannuation fund.
Ensuring Integrity Bill
Under the provisions of this dishonestly named bill, the Federal Court could prohibit officials from holding office if they contravene a range of industrial and other relevant laws, are found in contempt of court, repeatedly fail to stop their organisation from breaking the law or are otherwise not a fit and proper person to hold office in a registered organisation.
This could immediately be applied to a large number of trade union officials who might have done as little as fail to stop workers walking off the job after a fatal workplace accident.
The Court could cancel the registration of a trade union for repeated breaches of a range of industrial and other laws by the organisation or its members and the taking of obstructive unprotected (meaning illegal) industrial action by a substantial number of members.
Unions would be obliged to pass a public interest test taking into account such matters as compliance with industrial law, before being permitted to amalgamate.
ILO Conventions
The Change the Rules campaign is an important step in defending the rights of unions, not only to represent their members, but as a part of a wider strategy for the survival of the trade union movement. This includes the defeat of the new rules before Parliament.
We need to throw the laws out. We need to replace them with new laws that meet International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards, as a bare minimum.
The ILOs conventions include Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (No 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (No 98). The ILOs position on the right to strike is clear.
In 1957, the International Labour Conference which provides guidelines for ILO policy adopted a resolution concerning the abolition of anti-trade union legislation in member states. This resolution included a call for the adoption of laws ... ensuring the effective and unrestricted exercise of trade union rights, including the right to strike, by the workers.
In other words the right to strike is considered by the ILO to be basic right. Without it workers cannot defend themselves.
Australia as a signatory to the conventions has a legal obligation to enforce them. But needless to say the government pays scant heed to them. The ABCC and FWA run roughshod over trade union and workers rights. They virtually outlaw all industrial action, place severe restrictions on the right of entry, on the ability of trade unions to organise or negotiate enterprise agreements.
The Communist Party of Australia calls for the following basic rights:
Independent Trade unions
Legalisation of the right to strike
Rights for workplace union representatives
Right of entry for union officials to meet with and recruit members
Union representatives on company boards elected by the workers
Allow and protect rights to collective bargaining
Full inspection rights to workplaces for union officials.
Urgent action required
If you are not already a trade union member then sign up now. Join the union movement for change for the better, for higher wages, secure jobs, improved working conditions, safe workplaces and social justice.
To get a copy of the Australian Unions campaign kit visit the resource centre on the Australian Unions website: www.australianunions.org.au/resourcecentre.
Contact key cross bench Senators and ask them to vote against Turnbull and Cashs anti-union laws and their attack on workers superannuation. Sign the petition on the Australian Unions website to keep Michaelia Cash out of our unions.
Editorial
Time to end private school funding
The 1962 decision of the Menzies Liberal government to fund near-bankrupt Catholic schools in Goulburn NSW had disastrous consequences. Under current education policies the richest private schools now receive lavish government cash handouts while public schools struggle to make ends meet.
For example, last year NSW private schools received $3.3 billion in federal funds, but public schools received only $2.2 billion, despite having almost two thirds of the states students.
This year 21 wealthy private schools in Sydney will receive $19.1 million from the Commonwealth and $31.8 million from the state. Loaded with cash, 23 Sydney private schools spent $141.9 million on capital works in 2016. Seven of them plan to spend $365 million constructing an orchestra pit, a five-storey innovation centre, theatres, aquatic centres and lavish sporting facilities.
In 2016 Scots Colleges income was $66.4 million, including $7 million in federal and state funding. It now plans to rebuild its library to resemble a Scottish castle, for $25 million!
In 2016 Knox Grammars total income was $89.4 million. It received $9.5 million from federal and state governments, and between 2014 and 2016 its capital works expenditure was $64 million.
In glaring contrast, in 2016 the total income of Knoxs neighbour, Turramurra Public High School, was just over $14.6 million and it could only spend $143,420 on capital works. The current maintenance backlog in NSW public schools is $570 million.
The former Gillard governments Gonski education review established the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). This comprises the level of recurrent funding needed by a school to support its students with minimal educational disadvantage, allowing for other factors including students with disabilities. the schools location and its income from non-government sources. But some states disagreed with the scheme, and until last year all governments have ensured that private school funding would not be cut. The rate of funding for private schools in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia fell slightly last year, but its still rising in NSW.
The Turnbull government has increased its spending on private schools by $238 million per annum. Three in every five dollars contributed by the federal government now goes to private schools. The government will now supply 80 percent of the private schools SRS. But public schools will only get 20 percent; the states will have to find the rest.
In 2016, thanks to $6.5 million from the federal government, plus $2.6 million from the state, private school Loretto Kirribilli in Sydney received 278.47 percent of its SRS, compared with the average public school, which receives only 83 percent of its SRS!
Since 2016 schools with disabled students have been able to claim a higher SRS than previously. The definition of disability has been changed, and school authorities rather than doctors may now assess the nature and extent of a students disability. After these changes were made in 2016, the number of disabled students in Victorian independent schools rose from 2.5 to 12.7 percent.
Under the governments modified funding scheme (Gonski 2.0), nine Melbourne private schools will receive $9 million more than they would have under the original scheme because of differences in determining their SRS. Changing the estimated SRS of Melbournes Lauriston Grammar resulted in an increase in its funding entitlement that was ten times greater than it would have been under the original scheme.
Three quarters of students at Australias rich private schools come from the wealthiest quarter of the nations families, and only one percent from the least wealthy. Most private schools have no Aboriginal students.
About one third of low social-economic and remote area students fail to achieve minimum international standards in reading, maths and science. Theyre three to four years of learning behind students from high socio-economic status backgrounds. The public schools they attend struggle to meet rising costs. Their chronic shortages of teachers and educational materials are among the worst in OECD countries.
The Gonski scheme assumes that public funding should be provided to private schools to assist their students. But no other developed nations provide funding on the same scale as Australia. In the US hardly any private schools receive funding.
The taxpayer money currently being poured into wealthy private schools should be used to construct new public education facilities, including accommodation for students from private schools likely to close if they lose government funding. Public funding of private education is another source of great social injustice. We must phase it out and the sooner the better.
US Hands off Venezuela!
Pacha Guzman visit to Perth
Pacha Guzman of the Bolivar & Zamora Revolutionary Current visited Perth on March 12-15 as part of her Australian tour. The tour was organised by the Latin American Solidarity Network, LASNET and supported by several organisations including the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Communist Party of Australia, CPA.
Pacha was welcomed by the CPA Perth branch on Monday March 12 where she shared her experiences from Venezuela and explained the challenges faced by the Bolivarian Revolution. She encouraged our comrades to monitor the situation in her homeland and warned about the United States interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela and the Latin American region.
The next day Pacha addressed a public meeting at Politics in the Pub Perth, she shared her first-hand experience of the Bolivarian Revolution. Pacha took the opportunity to also launch an agricultural-school project that will benefit around 500 families in food production. She invited those present to visit Venezuela and see for themselves the internal situation and outlined opportunities for sharing work experience and skills.
Pacha ended the public meeting by calling on the international solidarity to defend the gains of the revolution that is benefiting the people of Venezuela.
On March 13 Pacha visited an urban community Permaculture farm that runs on volunteer labour before checking out the annual sculptures by the sea event and then visiting Solidarity Park.
Solidarity Park was founded in 1997 during the Third Wave Campaign, when the state Liberal government introduced legislation that would significantly restrict the ability of unions to protect members and the general community from unfair and exploitative employment practices.
On April 29, 1997, over 35,000 unionists and community supporters marched on Parliament House to demand the scrapping of these unjust laws. The government rejected this demand. So, on May 1 May Day the site was pegged and legally claimed by unionists under the provisions of the Mining Act.
Originally called the Workers Embassy, the site was renamed Solidarity Park in July 1997 and is still a focal point for workers protesting unfair labour laws.
Guzman rounded out her visit to WA to attend the CFMEU WA branch monthly general meeting at Trades Hall. Pacha gave an impassionate message of solidarity to construction workers in Australia who are the target of the Turnbull government.
She called for workers of both countries to work together in solidarity against the system of oppression that exploits workers.
Treaty, sovereignty, autonomy
Forum on Constitutional Recognition of First Nations People
David Malcolm Justice Centre, Perth
On May 26, 2017, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the country delivered the Uluru Statement from the Heart to the Australian people and the following month on June 30, the Referendum Council delivered its Final Report to the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten both of whom poured cold water on the Statement and Final Report.
The government and corporate media made statements which suggested the Statement and Final Report was divisive and did not reflect the will of the majority of Australian people.
Nine months later the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, University of Western Australia Law School, and the Constitutional Centre of WA held a forum at which a panel comprised of learned men and women to discuss progress so far and the direction for the future, attended by over 80 people.
The panel comprised of Robert French, AC former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia; Wayne Martin AC, Chief Justice of Western Australia; Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous & Professor of Law, University of NSW; Associate Professor Sarah Murray, Deputy Head of UWA School of Law; and Dr Ambellin Kwaymullina UWA School of Law, creative writer and facilitator of strategies for Aboriginal people.
Professor Richard Walley delivered the Welcome to Country and a song to initiate proceedings which was followed by the delivery of the opening remarks by Robert French who observed the absence of Aboriginal men and women at the original Constitutional Convention which established the Australian nation and the constitution which would establish the legal framework for the nation which would be built, a legal and factual myth - that the land was empty before the English arrived, or Terra Nullius.
No treaty was entered into with the Aboriginal people. What followed was the tragic living conditions of many First nations people and also their overrepresentation in our courts and prisons.
Martin added that although Constitutional change has been difficult to achieve in Australia, the people and government owed it to the Aboriginal people to try including the establishment of a body within the Australian parliament - a Makarrata Commission which would progress treaty negotiations and take responsibility for truth telling. Such bodies, added Martin, are not without precedent and exist currently in New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Canada, and Sweden.
While the Turnbull government has said they do not accept or reject the proposal, they saw it as undesirable claiming it created the spectre of a third chamber of parliament and the concept was divisive and would not be accepted by the majority of Australian though a recent survey suggested at least 60% of people supported the idea.
Professor Megan Davis remarked that the Uluru Statement about Aboriginal recognition was itself seven years in the making. She said Aboriginal people have always rejected the minimalist approach to constitutional recognition and in a post-ATSIC world has seen bipartisanship (between Liberal and Labor) lock Aboriginal people out of the discussions.
Davis added, Recognition is a complex issue which can mean many things including treaty, sovereignty and autonomy. Davis, who attended the Constitutional Convention at Uluru, said that before a referendum goes to the Australian people (on Aboriginal recognition in the Constitution), the Aboriginal people have to agree to the context of the changes. What happened at Uluru was a difficult process in which participants were asked to suspend their disbelief in order to have discussions about reform. Davis believes a voice or dialogue with the Australian parliament is necessary to achieve the aims of the Uluru Convention.
The next speaker, Sarah Murray, noted that the Uluru Statement is about breaking the torment of powerlessness and that the three principal objections of the recommendation to establish a Makarrata Commission were disingenuous; those objections being that it would violate the principle of equality, was divisive, and that constitutional reform was difficult if not impossible to achieve.
However, Murray said there needs to be a willingness to trust the people which was demonstrated in the 1967 referendum where a no case was not even presented. The Uluru Statement demands a constitutional referendum be put in a similar way, one that the Australian people would support the initiative. To have this endorsement from the Australian people would amount to a fuller expression of our nationhood.
The final speaker, Dr Ambellin Kwaymullina, is a Palyku woman from the Pilbara region of WA who observed, as other speakers had, the federal governments failure to embrace the Uluru Statement. This meant if you were waiting for the government to do something (including a Labor government) you may be waiting a long time.
Kwaymullina spoke of there being much which needed to be done to change attitudes of settler Australia and settler culture in order to achieve the changes in laws necessary to gain the conditions of change which Aboriginal people were looking for both in the Australian Constitution and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission.
However, the Uluru Statement asked the Australian people to walk with us on our journey.
The Communist Party of Australia supports the calls by the Referendum Council for a Makarrata Commission and Constitutional recognition which includes progress towards a treaty. This was necessary as the original constitutional convention which established the current constitution did not consult Aboriginal people and it was time, as Associate Professor Murray indicated, To reset the Constitution to allow such an opportunity.
Resistance to a dirty war
Syrian refugees are fleeing regime-change (Not Assad)
Palm Sunday rallies used to be about protesting war and demanding nuclear disarmament until the focus shifted over the past many years towards championing the rights of refugees. Yes, it is a humanitarian necessity, but the greater task is to expose and restrain the role played by the Anglo-American alliance (including Australia) in fuelling the proxy-wars that created the vast majority of those who were made refugees in the first place, but for that the consciousness of the west needs to be weaned off a saviour-complex that sees third-world societies as comprised of victims who need to be saved, and tyrants who need to be defeated.
The refugee crisis over the course of the past few years was caused, far less by people fleeing oppressive governments, and far more by the covert wars waged to topple the governments of their homelands.
What those wars have in common with the refugee rights movement is both are fuelled by a neo-colonial saviour-complex that targets and encourages westerners to think about ways they can save people in third-world countries from their own governments. When directed at Australias horrific mandatory detention regime, this saviour-complex serves a worthy humanitarian purpose, however when confronted with war-propaganda designed to manufacture consent for regime-change, this saviour-complex lends itself to backing covert wars of aggression with great enthusiasm.
What needs to be understood and accepted is that the refugee crisis over the course of the past few years was caused, far less by people fleeing oppressive governments, and far more by the covert wars waged to topple the governments of their homelands.
In keeping with this saviour-complex, the western corporate media presents the Syrian war as a one-sided conflict between the government, derisively referred to as the Assad regime, and ordinary civilians who we are told are being killed, simply because they protested for democracy. The portrayal is one of contrasting a cartoonish evil tyrant with an insatiable desire for inflicting arbitrary evil, against a homogenised mass of civilian victims whose suffering is blamed on the failure of the west to intervene.
None of this is logical for the simple reason that in Syria, the driving force behind the war is the attempt to militarily overthrow the government, NOT the government resisting that attempted overthrow. Therefore, the demand that Syrian government to stop the war on their end is to objectively aid the attempts of anti-government forces to seize state power. War is not an ideological contest over a spectrum of political beliefs, rather a struggle with limited choices for those directly affected by it. Therefore, the question of whether one supports Assad is entirely meaningless because although many Syrians are critical of their government, that doesnt automatically mean theyd support the armed overthrow of the state by the actual forces attempting it. By that same token, it makes no sense to claim that one supports the overthrow of the Syrian government but NOT the forces that are attempting it.
Political forces
Who are those actual forces? From the very beginning of the conflict in March 2011, the war against the Syrian government has been dominated by Islamic fundamentalists fighting to establish a theocracy inspired by the Wahhabi movement that rules Saudi Arabia. They espouse an ideology that routinely denounces the secular character of the Syrian government, appeals to Sunni-majoritarian chauvinism, calls for the marginalisation of religious minorities, and in the case of the Shia Alawite community to which the Syrian president belongs, calls for their outright genocide, accusing them of being more disbelieving than the Christians and Jews, to quote the 14th century scholar Ibn Taymiyyah whose works were revived by the Wahhabi movement.
These forces waging war on the government also threaten the secular freedoms that women had won in Syria over many decades, completely subjugating them in the areas they control, forcing them to don the veil, and reducing them to mere property. A recent UN sponsored report on gender-based violence titled Voices from Syria 2018 is dominated by horrific accounts primarily from areas held by anti-government Wahhabi militias. It found that in 66% of communities in Idleb which is almost entirely controlled by anti-government forces, adolescent girls are affected by child marriage as well as 28% of girls below the age of 12, and observed girls below the age of 10 being married in Idleb governorate, including marriage to foreign members of armed factions (p. 116).
Throughout the war, the town of Kafranbel gained prominence in the corporate media as being emblematic of free Syria because of all the photos from the town of men (suspiciously no women) holding large English-language banners, targeting western audiences, calling for western intervention against the Syrian government. However, in that same town, according to that previously mentioned report, extremist groups impose more restrictive rules for women and girls compared to before the crisis, which is why according to one girl from that town, we used to live comfortably, and now we are monitored and have to wear a veil and they stop us from leaving the house.
According to an adolescent girl from that same town, girls get married at a young age as when they are married young they cannot get pregnant. Unsurprisingly the report also states that religious authorities were reported to be conducting the weddings, implying therefore that these disgusting practices, illegal according to Syrian law, which sets a minimum marriageable age of 17 for women, are sanctioned by the Wahhabi militias controlling these towns.
The corporate media constantly accuses the Syrian government of targeting and bombing civilians, but what they rarely mention is that civilians are barred from leaving by these armed militias themselves. In November 2015, Jaysh al Islam, one of the militias controlling Eastern Ghouta, published videos showing mostly women civilians being paraded around in cages, used literally as human-shields, justifying their actions as a deterrent to the national armys attempts to take back the area.
More recently this month, reporting for the Independent, Patrick Cockburn interviewed a man named Ghafour who lives in Eastern Ghouta and sympathises with the insurgency who said, I tried to send my family out, but the opposition militants prevent all families leaving. The article also cites a UN-sponsored report which states that women of all ages, and children, reportedly continued to be forbidden by local armed groups from leaving the area for security reasons. The only reason the articles title blames both sides for preventing civilians escaping is because men living under siege are suspected of having been former fighters, making them liable to be interned, or conscripted by the national army.
External
Not only are the forces waging war against the government far more reactionary than the status quo, theyre also far more reliant on external support than on internal discontent. As early as September 2012 one of the co-founders of Doctors Without Borders, Jacques Beres, who had treated wounded anti-government fighters in Aleppo, stated that more than 50 percent of them were foreigners this is coming from someone who can be seen in videos online participating in protests in Paris against the Syrian government.
Similarly, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which is the leading anti-government source, foreigners are roughly half of the insurgent dead. Yes, the Syrian governments strength is also bolstered by foreign volunteers, especially Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias, however theres no denying that the government is by far the more indigenous force the Syrian Arab Army alone has lost around 100,000 soldiers, which is roughly at least a quarter of the total war death-toll.
Observers of war may believe that a certain level of oppression justifies the armed overthrow of the state in question, but that doesnt mean that the attempted armed overthrow being witnessed was entirely caused by that real or perceived oppression. This is especially true of third-world countries with a history of resisting colonialism and fighting for their independence. For them the external enemy is a genuine threat, whereas for the former colonial powers of Europe and their settler offshoots (like Australia), there is no external enemy capable of overthrowing them. This probably explains why the anarchist obsession with toppling the state exists only in countries that arent threatened by external powers.
Violent overthrow
All the evidence shows that attempts to violently overthrow the Syrian government are internally unpopular. Naturally the western corporate media scoffed at the 2014 presidential election results in which the Bashar al Assad won 88 percent of the vote with a 73 percent participation rate against two other candidates. However, what cannot be denied is that these results are entirely consistent with the perception of those attempting to topple the state, whose admissions cannot be accused of being self-serving.
In November 2012, Rania Abouzeid, reporting for Time magazine, quoted a Free Syrian Army fighter saying, the Aleppans here, all of them, are loyal to the criminal Bashar. Two months later Reuters reporter Yara Bayoumy interviewed a Free Syrian Army militant in Aleppo who put support for Assad at 70 percent.
For countries with powerful external enemies, it is not inconceivable therefore that external support to a minority among their population can magnify and multiply their ability to challenge the state. According to leaked emails obtained by WikiLeaks, US and British special forces were training fighters inside Syria to fight the Syrian government as early as 2011.
The CIA has spent at least US$1 billion on Syria-related operations including the training of up to 10,000 fighters in Turkey, according to the Washington Post. By May 2013, Qatar had spent up to US$3 billion arming the insurgency according to the Financial Times, and in that same month, the European Union had lifted their oil-sanctions on Syria making it legal for European companies to buy oil from al Nusra and Islamic State, thereby fuelling the war on Syria via the theft of its resources.
Then there are the economic sanctions on Syria that have contributed to the 12-fold devaluation of the Syrian currency, driving up the price of food and medicine, making it extremely difficult for Syrian refugees to send remittances home to their families. For more information about the sanctions, see Break the sieges? What about the economic siege on Syria? which I wrote for Al Masdar News in September 2016.
Given all these external factors intended to topple the government, the notion that refugees are fleeing because of the Syrian government is nothing more than a propagandistic distortion popularised by an apparent poll conducted by The Syria Campaign in 2015 claiming that 70% of refugees are fleeing Assad, however this claim turned out to be fake news.
According to the polls actual raw data, 70 percent of the 889 respondents in Germany said the Syrian military was responsible for the fighting, but because the respondents could choose multiple options, 74 percent also chose anti-government militias. Similarly, 77 percent said they feared arrest by the Syrian military, but the figure was even higher for anti-government militias at 82 percent.
It would therefore make even more sense to claim that 74 percent of Syrians are fleeing anti-government militias, however that wouldnt suit the agenda of manufacturing consent for a no-fly-zone over Syria a euphemism for a direct invasion targeting the Syrian military and nuclear-armed Russia, and another example of the neo-colonial saviour-complex being weaponised to justify military aggression. For more information about this fake news, see How The Syrian Campaign Faked Its 70% Fleeing Assad Refugee Poll by Tim Anderson, writing for Global Research.
The broad trend regarding refugees over the course of the war is that Syrians have left their homes when the government loses territory (to the Islamists), and tend to return when the government takes back that territory.
Internally displaced
When I travelled to the Syrian cities of Damascus, Lattakia, and Tartous in July 2015 (when Islamic State was at the height of its territorial control) everyone from local government officials to ordinary citizens were of the view that the populations of their cities had tripled. This makes sense given that roughly half the total number of Syrian refugees are internally displaced, and the overwhelming majority of them live in government-controlled cities. In Lattakia this made complete visual sense given the high number of cars with Idlib and Aleppo number plates, residents even jokingly referred to their city as New Aleppo.
However, after Aleppo was taken back by the government in December 2016, people started returning in droves as evidenced by a report by the International Organisation for Migration, which stated that in the following year, between January and October 2017, a total of 714,278 internally displaced Syrians returned to their places of origin within Syria a movement largely explained by people returning to parts of Aleppo that the government had retaken.
In Australia like in other first-world countries, the persecution of refugees is an expensive exercise intended to win votes by selling fear of non-white foreigners who are blamed to direct public attention away from genuine economic problems, and does nothing to address the original cause of the refugee outflow, exactly because the actions of the United States and its allies have contributed to the original cause, politically, diplomatically, and militarily.
Australian weapons sales
Demanding that we accept responsibility for taking in refugees caused by the policies endorsed by our government is necessary but not enough. We should demand an end to the relentless demonisation of the Syrian government, an end to the sale of Australian weapons to Saudi Arabia (which are being used to pulverise Yemen for the apparent crime of actually pulling off a popular revolution) and an end to the crippling economic sanctions on Syria that punish millions of ordinary people for refusing to side with foreign powers wanting to topple their government.
All the evidence shows that the forces waging war against the Syrian government are unpopular, reactionary, and infinitely more reliant on external support than they are on internal discontent with the government. The reason Syrian refugee flows have stabilised over the past year is because the government is winning the war, whereas had it been toppled, the result would have been a failed state falling prey to a direct military occupation.
This is exactly what happened in Afghanistan after the Soviet-backed socialist government of President Najibullah was overthrown in 1992 by warlords armed and funded by the United States, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, who seized control of the country, massacring, raping and looting their way to Kabul, completely levelling the capital city in the process, causing an unprecedented outflow of refugees that continues to this day, thereby softening up the country for direct invasion by the United States in 2001.
The only reason this history hasnt repeated itself in Syria is because of the sheer determination of the Syrian people to resist the most well-funded dirty-war in modern history.
A clear example of propaganda
Last week showed up the Orwellian nature of Britains so-called free press. The corporate newspapers ran advertisements declaring that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was empowering women and bringing change to Saudi Arabia.
With friends like these, how can the British Establishment wag its fingers at Venezuela, Cuba or anyone for that matter?
And while the UK Guardian ran stories last week entitled The crown prince doesnt listen to Saudis why would he listen to Theresa May? and A national disgrace: fury over 100m aid deal between UK and Saudi Arabia, its edition of March 7 included three half-page ads in praise of the man at the front of the paper.
What change is the crown prince of a theocratic, absolutist monarchy bringing to 21st century Saudi Arabia? Well, his regime is allowing women to drive, apparently. Hurray. Next hell be empowering women by allowing them to go outside without a male chaperone, to wear whatever they chose, hang around with whomever they want whenever they want, and maybe even vote.
Oh wait, no-one gets to vote for anything in a despotic kingdom, do they?
The countrys human rights record is atrocious. Amnesty Internationals summary of last year notes: The authorities severely restricted freedoms of expression, association and assembly. Many human rights defenders and critics were detained and some were sentenced to lengthy prison terms after unfair trials ... Torture and other ill-treatment of detainees remained common.
Despite limited reforms, women faced systemic discrimination in law and practice and were inadequately protected against sexual and other violence. The authorities used the death penalty extensively, carrying out scores of executions. The Saudi-led coalition continued to commit serious violations of international law in Yemen.
Oh yes, Yemen. Since 2015, the Saudis have led an international bombing campaign in the country, killing at least 10,000 people and regularly carrying out what observers say are war crimes all with British weapons, British training and even British advisers in the Saudi war room.
Oxfam reported last year that the number of people with cholera in Yemen is now the largest ever recorded in any country in a single year since records began.
The worlds major arms exporters which include the UK and US are making more money from arming the Saudi-led coalition force than they are spending on Yemens humanitarian appeal.
Oxfam pointed out that, in 2016, Saudi Arabia spent nearly 2.1 billion on British and US weapons and, as of last July, those same governments had given just 446 million towards the 1.15 billion UN appeal for Yemen.
Could the reason why Theresa May, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and other neo-liberal leaders dont harp on about regime change in Saudi Arabia as opposed to, say, Iran be because it supports Western capitalism by dishing out its oil, buying up Western weapons and backs imperialist foreign policy in the region?
With friends like these, how can the British Establishment wag its fingers at Venezuela, Cuba or anyone for that matter? Imagine the uproar in the corporate press if the Morning Star were to carry advertisements for Raul Castro or Nicolas Maduro.
Why then did British newspapers especially the Guardian, which presents itself as the worlds leading liberal voice agree to smear their newspapers with Saudi propaganda during Mohammed bin Salmans state visit to Britain? The answer of course is money.
Corporate media is dependent on advertisers to survive and the reason why the mainstream press can sell their papers below the cost of production. In effect, the readers of the Sun, Mail, Express, Independent, Metro, Guardian and so on are the product sold to corporate advertisers. The nature of this business model means profits come before truth.
In their seminal 1988 book Manufacturing Consent, US dissident academics Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky describe how the corporations which own the media, shape and control news coverage so that it is framed in a favourable way to their interests.
The authors describe how every story passes through five filters before making it into print. Articles are influenced though largely not directly meddled with by the owners, the advertisers, the sources used to gather and comment on the news, the flak newspapers face for stepping out of line, and a prevailing acceptance of the dominant ideology anti-communism at the time the book was written.
Herman and Chomsky highlight the differences in news coverage between those killed by the West and its allies and those killed by the Wests enemies.
They state that worthy victims will be featured prominently and dramatically, that they will be humanised, and that their victimisation will receive the detail and context in story construction that will generate reader interest and sympathetic emotion. In contrast, unworthy victims will merit only slight detail, minimal humanisation, and little context that will excite and enrage.
One example they give is that of Archbishop Oscar Romero, recently confirmed as a saint by Pope Francis, who was assassinated in a El Salvador hospital chapel by a US-armed and trained death squad but whose murder was played down by the US media.
The corporate medias role as a propaganda mouthpiece for the Establishment is the reason why the war in Yemen, Turkeys attacks on the Kurds, and the Western-backed Al-Qaida forces in Syria received such scant coverage. Its also the reason why the blood-soaked crown prince of a medieval state has his face all over our papers.
Morning Star
Culture & Life
There are two Puerto Ricos
WASHINGTON Five months after Hurricane Maria hit, Puerto Rico is still a mess. And the US federal response to the catastrophe that struck the island commonwealths 3.2 million US citizens is both terrible and ideologically slanted.
Those were the key points that came through at a six-hour forum on the disaster and its aftermath, hosted by the American Federation of Teachers, its Al Shanker Institute, and the Hispanic Federation, on March 1.
Maria caused at least US$94 billion in damage to an island already reeling from double-digit joblessness, high poverty, aging and creaky infrastructure, a decade-long depression and to top it all off a federally imposed control board named to straighten out its finances after Wall Streeters demanded repayment of US$72 billion in bonds.
The commonwealth governments response was to declare bankruptcy and impose an austerity plan. That only made a bad situation worse, two financial analysts, both Puerto Rican natives, said.
But the damage was really much more than that, panellists said. There are still 1,500 people living in temporary shelters in churches and schools in Ponce alone, said Mayor Maria Melita Melendez Altieri. One-third of the island still is without power. At night, one speaker said, there still arent any street lights in Old San Juan. And more than 1,000 people died.
Hundreds of schools have closed and 300 more may do so, added Aida Diaz Rivera, president of AFTs affiliate, the Asociacion de Maestros de Puerto Rico. The teachers havent had a raise in a decade, she said, and thousands of them live below the poverty line. Due to emigration even before Maria, Puerto Ricos K-12 student population dropped from 400,000 in 2010 to 330,000 in June 2016.
There are two Puerto Ricos: The one I saw as a girl growing up, full of joy and hope and the other, after Maria, full of sadness and lack of hope, said Diaz Rivera, a science and family ecology teacher.
Melendez Altieri told the story of an old man in a town outside Ponce who evacuated his family and turned around to make sure all were out and watched Maria destroy his house. He had just gotten a $35,000 loan for repairs and the results and everything else were gone.
President Donald Trumps Federal Emergency Management Agency offered him US$26,000 for the whole thing. Hes been in and out of the hospital twice and he looks like hes aged 20 years, she said.
And federal aid was botched. While speakers did not say so, the latest case, reported the day before, showed an unknown firm from Atlanta delivered only 50,000 meals of the 30 million it promised to victims immediately after the hurricane hit and left. FEMA paid US$156 million to the company.
Puerto Ricans are eager and excited to rebuild and modernise their island, making it more attractive to workers, residents, businesses and lure back exiles who fled after the storm.
But Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello is working straight out of the Trump-DeVos playbook and scheming to voucherise, charterise and privatise the islands schools, said Weingarten. Other planned moves, speakers said would not repair the islands infrastructure and would not lure industry and jobs.
When things are not going well, its bad if we do nothing, but its worse if we do it wrong, Diaz Rivera added.
The speakers agreed with various reports recommending the first step is to wipe out the islands US$72 billion debt. That would take congressional action, said the US Senators sponsoring a $146 billion Puerto Rico aid bill.
All the money should go to the islands residents, not to the bankers and other creditors, the three senators said. But if Congress calls for increasing payments to creditors and large cuts in public services, we will fight it, Senator Elizabeth Warren vowed. The vulture funds should not profit from Puerto Rico, and specifically from their discounted bond purchases, she added.
What happened in Puerto Rico mirrors what happened in New Orleans after Katrina 12 years ago, Senator Bernie Sanders added. There, the George W Bush administrations FEMA botched recovery aid, and Bushs allies used the city for right-wing social experiments. Sanders mentioned one: Turning 90 percent of New Orleans public schools into a charter system, unaccountable to voters.
Though Sanders did not say so, the charterising virtually destroyed the United Teachers of New Orleans, one of labours largest union locals in the South. Privatisation efforts also cut into the ranks of the Amalgamated Transit Unions bus drivers there.
We cannot allow it (Puerto Ricos schools) to be turned into a private charter system that puts profits before kids, Sanders said. These are the same forces that attack public schools and teachers on the mainland. And weve already seen folks from the mainland come to Puerto Rico to make a buck off Puerto Ricos distress.
The only way to put Puerto Rico back on the front pages and enact reforms that really help its residents, is advocacy and pressure on lawmakers from stateside campaigners the senators said.
Texas has two senators. Florida has two senators, Sanders said of two mainland states hurricanes also clobbered last year and which got aid quickly. Puerto Rico has zero senators. The Virgin Islands have zero senators. If Puerto Rico has no (voting) representatives in Congress, all of us must be those representatives.
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Last week I was among a crowd of tens of thousands of racegoers cheerfully for the most part backing losers at the Cheltenham Festival.
It was a glorious week and no harm is done when gamblers can afford their losses.
Nor do I dislike betting shops. Choosing the winner of a horse race requires skill, knowledge of bloodstock and racing form, and enough understanding of mathematics to calculate the odds. Many of the punters I meet in bookies are highly informed and intelligent people, pursuing a hobby which enriches their lives and does no harm to anyone.
But there is another side to the modern High Street bookmakers. And that is the presence of so-called fixed-odds betting machines, which offer games such as electronic roulette. These are a very different proposition to putting a fiver on a horse in the 3.10 at Catterick.
These terminals are soulless. They do not demand skill, only luck. And over time, the odds are hopelessly tilted against the punter.
Peter Oborne says fixed-odd betting terminals have made him realise he was wrong about New Labour's decision to liberalise gambling legislation
Thats why I believe the Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry, has missed a crucial chance this week and in doing so has given bookmakers the green light to carry on destroying lives in the name of short-term profit.
The Gambling Commission has come under pressure from, among other bodies, church groups and the Daily Mail to cut the maximum stake for fixed-odds machines from the current limit of 100 to just 2 stakes which can be replayed every 20 seconds.
But the Commission has ducked the issue by recommending the minimum stake should only be reduced to 30 or less. How utterly pathetic.
It is hard to believe this body doesnt know perfectly well the addictive qualities of these machines and their hideous power to destroy lives.
Those who doubt this should go to a High Street bookmaker and see for themselves. Zombie-like punters stand or sit enthralled in front of these machines, sometimes winning, but often losing money that, in many cases, they and their families cannot afford. We are talking about the crack cocaine of High Street gaming.
Terrifyingly, in theory with the current limit, punters can lose up to 18,000 an hour and stay within the existing rules.
On a maximum bet of 100 a time, a win can be immense, conferring a terrific adrenaline buzz on the punter, thus helping to get him hooked. Over the medium term, however, he is guaranteed to lose money in a game where all the odds are stacked against him.
Of course, its the most vulnerable people in our society who will suffer.
Men (its almost always men) spend money they often simply cant afford to lose. No wonder there are numerous cases of losers venting their anger against the machines. Police record hundreds of incidents of violence every year including assault linked to fixed-odds terminals.
He doesn't dislike betting itself but says: 'These terminals are soulless. They do not demand skill, only luck. And over time, the odds are hopelessly tilted against the punter'
Indeed, CCTV footage showed one man in the Midlands picking up a stool and smashing it repeatedly into the screen of one such machine. Another who was driven half out of his mind was Eric Baptista, a trained chef, who told the Mail in an interview last year how he had wrecked seven William Hill bookmakers after losing tens of thousands of pounds on these gaming machines.
He said: The feeling I get on those machines the adrenaline rush is sensational.
Until, of course, you start losing. His heaviest loss in a single morning was 700, which took him less than five minutes. He is one of the thousands who, all told, lost 1.8 billion on fixed-odds betting terminals last year.
You can imagine the knock-on effect on those gamblers and their families. One addict, Lee Murphy, committed suicide after losing up to 30,000 a year on the machines.
Before his death, he wrote: When I know its pay day I get agitated, nervous, anxious, as I know I can gamble when it arrives my main gambling focus is machines in the bookie shops. Its quick and its easy to win and lose money in a short space of time.
The deep irony here is that Im not against gambling per se. As I said, theres nothing at all wrong with having a flutter on a horse. But the spread of these terminals has made me reconsider the strong support I expressed several years ago in favour of New Labours decision to liberalise gambling legislation.
I felt that the then culture secretary Tessa Jowell was right to give everybody the chance to enjoy an activity which, until that point, had been available only to the few.
The rich and well-connected had for years been able to go to West End casinos and make or lose a few hundred pounds (and sometimes much more) at the roulette or pontoon tables.
Why shouldnt ordinary folk, I argued, have the opportunity to do exactly the same?
He added: 'Surely ministers have a far greater duty to protect the poorest and most vulnerable people in society than they do to allow unscrupulous bookmakers to make handsome profits'
I now wonder whether I was right to support Tessa Jowell in her reforms. Certainly, I failed to foresee the rise of these fixed-odds terminals, which are inflicting such damage on the finances and sometimes even the mental health of so many people.
There are counter-arguments, of course, against a crackdown on the bookmakers, who warn that hundreds of their shops will close if a 2 limit on machines is imposed, with the loss of thousands of jobs.
But who wants a job that exists only at the expense of human misery?
The Gambling Commission is the statutory adviser to the government on the betting industry, so one would expect ministers to accept its proposals. Would it be too cynical of me to worry that Chancellor Philip Hammond might be quite relaxed if the limit on all these electronic gambling machines is not reduced to single figures? After all, as much as half a billion in tax revenues is linked to them.
But again, do we want to build our roads and hospitals on profits made in such an immoral way? Surely ministers have a far greater duty to protect the poorest and most vulnerable people in society than they do to allow unscrupulous bookmakers to make handsome profits.
The fact is that gambling is becoming worryingly ubiquitous across our society. The Gambling Commission itself estimates that more than two million people are either problem gamblers or at risk of addiction. More than 400,000 suffer a serious habit.
Its a problem that has become dramatically worse in recent years because of the advent of the smartphone, and apps that mean anyone can bet on anything 24 hours a day and that includes children. Twenty-five thousand British children between 11 and 16 are believed to be regular gamblers, thanks to the internet.
Betting companies cannot argue that this is simply an unfortunate side-effect. Paddy Power outrageously offers a Peter Pan-themed game, with bets starting at 20p. William Hill has a game called Frozen Fruits that you can play for just 30p.
This is truly disgraceful.
I do not advocate a need to go back 60 years to the days when there were no bookmakers on the High Street because gambling then, of course, was illegal. That simply led to illicit gaming controlled by gangsters.
But it is now clear that the liberalisation of gambling has gone too far.
Some people will say they like to play a game or two on fixed-odds betting machines and then walk away. But for others, they can be ruinous.
Too many lives are being torn apart. It is time for ministers to clamp down on one of the fastest-growing social evils of our age.
It takes hours of work and a delicate hand to ensure a celebrity's make up immaculate for an official appearance.
So it comes as no surprise that even the most professional make up experts have a few things to learn from Ariel Tejada, the 22-year-old make up artist behind Makeup by Ariel.
The talented artist, who counts the Kardashian family, Kylie Jenner and Shay Mitchell as clients, recently flew to Sydney to host a workshop where he revealed his top tricks and beauty secrets.
Australian beauty YouTuber Chloe Morello attended the event and afterwards, recreated a Hollywood look to show how Ariel makes over his clients, his favourite products and the little hints and tricks he offered to the crowd - and it wasn't easy.
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Australian beauty YouTuber Chloe Morello attended a workshop by Makeup by Ariel - the make up artist for celebrities including Kylie Jenner, the Kardashians and Shay Mitchell
She recreated a Hollywood look inspired by one he did on Kylie to show how Ariel makes over his clients
'I went to Makeup by Ariel's Masterclass. He is of course Kylie Jenner's make up artist and he is very sweet and talented and humble,' Chloe said in her video, which is still trending highly on the platform.
'I wanted to put together some of the tips and tricks and products that he taught us about and do a Kardashian/Jenner worthy look for you.'
Chloe said Ariel is 'extremely patient and takes his time and uses a very light hand when doing the make up' so it takes a long time.
In fact, he says that a good make up look takes about 1.5 hours but because of time restrictions he often has just 10 minutes to pull a look together.
'Ariel (pictured) is of course Kylie Jenner's make up artist and he is very sweet and talented and humble,' Chloe said in her video
'He does his make up on completely bare skin so no moisturiser or primer - the skin needs to be cleansed and dry - and then he begins on the eyebrows,' Chloe said.
Chloe then used the Anastasia Brow Whiz pencil and lightly shaped and filled in her brows before using a caramel/blonde brow gel to bring some dimension back to the brow. To do this she used 3D Brow Times by Benefit.
'Ariel used a Kryolan Concealer Palette after to carve out the brow but I don't have that so I am going to take MC25 by Mac - he went around the whole parameter of the brow craving it out,' Chloe said.
'He then put concealer all over the eyelids and powdered them.'
After doing her eyebrows Chloe applied $99 The Water Cream by Tatcha (pictured) all over her face, decolletage and chest
'With foundation he likes to use a very light hand and then spreads it all over the face around the edges of the face and then puts concealer towards the middle of the face. That is how he combats cakeyness,' she said
What are some of Ariel's top tips? * Start on a completely bare face and do the eyebrows before moisturising * Apply moisturiser all over the face, decolletage and shoulders * Apply foundation only around the edges of the face and buff inwards and apply concealer in the centre * Use the baking method under the eyes in a triangle and along the smile lines * Use a gentle hand, never a heavy one * Use lash clusters so you can create a whispy, staggered look rather than a perfect, unnatural one * Leave a small gap under the eyes so powder doesn't settle into the creases * Use bronze eyeliner on the lower and upper water line as it makes the eyes sparkle * Overline the bottom lip to make the lip look naturally pouty * Use a blonde brow gel over the top of the brows to bring some dimension back to them Advertisement
Chloe said Ariel likes to use the Laura Mercier powder - the make up artist using 'a lot of powder' but in small amounts to set his clients' faces.
'He does not like white translucent powders he likes ones with a beige tint so it doesn't leave a white cast,' Chloe said, before dabbing the powder over her lids and under the brows.
Only then was it time to moisturise and prep the face.
To do so, Chloe used The Water Cream by Tatcha all over her face, chest and neck before applying the Lanolips balm (instead of the Shiva Rose Glow Face Balm Ariel used) over the higher points of her skin for 'extra radiance'.
The eye look was created using products from Kylie Cosmetics and a Too Faced bronzer and Chloe used Kylie's black eyeliner and one of the KKW eye shadows over the top of her lids.
Chloe then added the Cold Plasma Eye Cream from Perricone MD (instead of the La Mer Eye Cream) underneath her eyes before applying the Luminous Silk Foundation by Giorgio Armani.
'He uses 6.5 on her but I am using 6 - and the brush he uses is the It Cosmetics brush,' Chloe said.
'With foundation he likes to use a very light hand and then spreads it all over the face around the edges of the face and then puts concealer towards the middle of the face. That is how he combats cakeyness.'
She used the KKW Contour and Highlight Kit to contour and highlight her face
Chloe then applied the foundation all across her decolletage, shoulders and ears before adding concealer (a couple of shades lighter) under he eyes and on blemishes. To hide blemishes she then patted foundation back over the concealer.
'He used the Creme Contour & Highlight set by KKW to contour and highlight the face - he used a beauty blender periodically to pat over the skin as well - and then he took out a cheap make up sponge and baked her,' Chloe said.
'He put a lot of powder under the eyes and also set all over the face so I am going to use a brush and delicately set it all. I then leave all that on now to do its business.'
Chloe then did her eyes, highlighted under her brow bone, baked again along the smile lines, curled her lashes and used the Hypno mascara from Lancome on her upper and lower lashes.
Chloe used powder to 'bake' (set make up) under her eyes and along her smile line - it's important to remove this properly later on or the excess shows up in photos
'One last step before dusting off the powder is putting a bronze eyeliner on the lower water line and upper water line because it makes the eyes sparkle and makes brown eyes pop,' Chloe said, before using Scorch by Urban Decay to do so.
'You have to make sure the baking is well and truly off otherwise it can flash back in pictures so you have to be buffing it off. He said to bring it towards the side of the nose.'
A number of times Chloe struggled with the new techniques but persevered regardless.
Chloe used the $168 Surratt brush to contour as Ariel swears by it before using a Too Faced bronzer on her face, the Natasha Denona's Diamond and Blush Palette on the apples of her cheeks and Ardell clusters on her eyelashes - the latter choice because you can 'customise' the look more.
Pictured left is the model Ariel made over and right is Chloe after she recreated the look
'I think I did pretty good. I think I did something similar to what he ended up with,' Chloe said of her final look (pictured)
'He likes them to look whispy. He uses the tweezers to smoosh them a little bit so they don't look as perfect,' Chloe said.
Chloe then put highlighter on the inner corner of her eyes, used the Morphe lipliner in Sweet Tea on her lips and finished with the KKW lip gloss over the top in Kim.
'For the bottom lip he over-lines the bottom. Basically your bottom lip curls over so noone can see you are overlining it there. It creates a shadow underneath the lip and your lip will look really naturally pouty,' Chloe said.
'It all came together really well. After I baked I wasn't sure what I did,' Chloe concluded.
'I definitely love the techniques that he gave us. He is a genius. I am totally going to start using a lot of these techniques. I feel really good.
'I think I did pretty good. I think I did something similar to what he ended up with.'
The full tutorial with all products and tricks can be viewed here.
What products did Chloe Morello use/mention in the process? - Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Dark Brown' Brow Wiz, $28 - Benefit Cosmetics 'Light/Medium' 3D Brow Tones, $42 - MAC 'NC25' Studio Finish Concealer, $34 - Laura Mercier 'Translucent' Loose Setting Powder, $62 - Tatcha 'The Water Cream', $99 - La Mer Creme De La Mer, $242 - Shiva Rose Glow Face Balm, $65 - Lanolips '101 Ointment' Multipurpose Superbalm, $14 - Kylie Cosmetics 'Bronze' Palette, $42 - Too Faced 'Sweethearts' Baked Luminous Bronzer, $44 - Kylie Cosmetics 'Black' Kyliner, $14 - KKW 'Bronze' Ultra Beam Loose Powder, $32 - Perricone Cold Plasma Eye Cream, $142 - Giorgio Armani '6' Luminous Silk Foundation, $99 - KKW Medium' Creme Contour and Highlight Kit, $48 - Lancome Grandiose Mascara, $54 - Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara, $52 - Urban Decay 'Scorch' 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil, $33 - Natasha Denona 'Darya' Diamond & Blush Palette, $89 - Ardell Individual Lashes with Duo 'Dark' Lash Glue, $9 - Morphe 'Sweet Tea' Lipliner , $3 - Kylie Cosmetics X KKW 'Kim' Creme Liquid Lipstick, $58 - Surratt Brush, $168 Advertisement
A new range of royal wedding memorabilia has gone on sale to raise money for the homeless in Windsor.
Non-profit brand For Richer, For Poorer has launched the collection - which includes a tea towel, T-shirt and commemorative plate - ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan's big day in May.
Each product features a crest that depicts issues faced by rough sleepers, along with a message explaining that the item helps homeless people in Windsor.
It comes after a row sparked by the suggestion that rough sleepers should be removed from the streets of Windsor by police ahead of the royal wedding.
A new range of wedding royal memorabilia has gone on sale to raise money for the homeless, including this 5,000 commemorative plate
Non-profit brand For Richer, For Poorer has launched the souvenirs, which all feature a specially-designed crest and message. Pictured is the souvenir mug, costing 20
The range of souvenirs by For Richer, For Poorer - priced between 10 and 40 - includes postcards, fridge magnets, a ceramic mug and bunting.
On their website, the non-profit explains what buying each item will provide for a homeless person - from a toiletry kit to hot meals.
There is also a 'hero item': a 5,000 commemorative plate that will cover all costs involved with re-homing someone for an entire year.
For Richer, For Poorer are working with charity Windsor Homeless Project to help rough sleepers in the town.
It comes after the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead came under fire for announcing plans to fine rough sleepers in Windsor ahead of Harry and Meghan's wedding in May
The memorabilia includes a 25 tea towel, which will pay for a moving-in pack for someone getting off the streets
It comes after the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead was forced to drop plans to fine rough sleepers 100 if they refused to engage with services.
Council leader Simon Dudley came under fire for demanding police remove homeless people from the streets ahead of the royal wedding.
Prime Minister Theresa May - whose constituency is Maidenhead - spoke out against his comments earlier this year, saying she 'did not agree' with the proposal.
Murphy James, from Windsor Homeless Project, said: 'Prince Harry and Meghan are both passionately committed to supporting those in need, including the UK's homeless.
'By celebrating their special day with a hard-hitting message, For Richer, For Poorer really highlights the challenges our homeless communities face on a daily basis. Together we can make a difference to their lives.
The 40 T-shirt, which features a crest depicting the issues faced by homeless people, will pay for clean clothes for a rough sleeper
The collection also includes a set a postcards costing 10, which will pay for a mobile phone and credit
Some people suggest homework for primary school students is setting them up for success, while others think it's just an added pressure on an already competitive system.
Dr Jennifer Buckingham from The Centre for Independent Studies is of the belief that children under the age of 12 should be given 10-15 minutes of extra work a night - and that doesn't include colouring in title pages.
Speaking on the Today show, Dr Buckingham was adamant research supports the integration of maths, science and reading work outside of the classroom, and was an important part of the education system.
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Dr Jennifer Buckingham from The Centre for Independent Studies is of the belief children under the age of 12 should be given 10-15 minutes of extra work a night
'It's not so much about how much homework but the type of homework. So colouring in is not good homework... but it depends on the education objective and that it's not interfering too much with family life,' she said.
National figures from 2017 show that children aged seven and eight spend an average of 954 hours in the classroom - and that excludes time spent on homework.
Psychologist Judith Paphazy said she is seeing year five and six students doing an hour of homework each night, something that is damaging their 'mental and physical health,' the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
This differentiation between primary and high school aged children is imperative, with the Victorian government website stating it's up to the individual school to make an informed choice
Why shouldn't children start homework in primary school? Dr Coulson's response: Some parents have said to me 'They may as well get used to it in primary school... they have to do it in high school anyway.' My child's going to be driving at 16, should I put them behind the wheel now to 'get them used to it'? Of course not! This is a ridiculous way of thinking, we should let them be children. These kids have had a long six or seven hour shift and giving them homework after a big day is like saying 'Okay now let's do two hours of overtime.' It's unfair. Advertisement
Evidently not everyone agrees that homework is beneficial for learning.
Last year, the principal at Allambie Heights Public School banned after school work for all primary school students and instead offered them a project to do each semester.
Surprisingly, almost 100 per cent of pupils complete the project of their own free will and it gives educators more time in the classroom to teach.
'You lost two hours a week setting and marking homework with the kids, that's my own experience,' Mrs Helsloot told the Canberra Times.
'Now you've got that time back in the classroom.'
Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson, who has previously banned homework for his six daughters, argues there is merit in spending time away from the books.
'At this point there is not a shred of credible evidence to support giving primary school students homework, except for reading,' he explained on the Today show.
'High school is different. From about the ages of 13 or 14 an hour of homework a night is about right and when they reach the higher levels, two or three hours.'
Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson (pictured), who has previously banned homework for his six daughters, argues there is merit in spending time away from the books
This differentiation between primary and high school aged children is imperative, with the Victorian government website stating it's up to the individual school to make an informed choice.
'The setting of homework needs to take into consideration the need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, sport and recreation, cultural pursuits and employment where appropriate,' it suggests.
When it comes to giving birth there are multiple ways of going about it, each one as individual as the mother and newborn themselves.
But there is a trend of late that leans towards shaming women who have caesarean births - a habit Melbourne blogger Laura Mazza is infuriated by.
Posting a picture of her baby bump to Instagram, the mother addressed the issue by stating it's not a matter of choice - and how your baby arrives into the world doesn't determine your worth as a mother.
But there is a trend of late that leans towards shaming women who have caesarean births, a habit Melbourne blogger Laura Mazza (pictured) is infuriated by
'I've have read things said about mothers who have had caesareans before. They said: "It's the easy way out" or "You didn't really give birth",' she began the lengthy post.
'Today I learned, after two vaginal births, I will become a mother who is going to have a caesarean. I have placenta previa, which means my placenta is fully covering my cervix... and that even if my placenta moves away from my cervix, it won't be enough to give birth vaginally.
'There is literally no other way, no other choice. It is life or death for me and my baby,' she explained.
'There is literally no other way, no other choice. It is life or death for me and my baby,' she explained
Laura, who is a mother to Luca and Sofia, reiterated that no matter what kind of birth a woman goes through - vaginal, water, c-section - they are all equally as strong as the next
Laura, who is a mother to Luca and Sofia, reiterated that no matter what kind of birth a woman goes through - vaginal, water, c-section - they are all equally as strong as the next.
'Imagine going through a life or death situation, only to be told "you didn't really give birth". Imagine you are 36 hours into labour and your baby's heart is stopping, only to be told it was a "matter of convenience",' she continued.
'Imagine learning you could lose your baby if you didn't go through major abdominal surgery and be told "it's the easy way out". Imagine being ready to birth in a pool with essential oils and having a strong dream and desire about giving birth a certain way only to have that ripped away from you and for people to discard your warrior scar with a "I don't want to see that".
She also noted that the scar left behind after a caesarean procedure should not be cause for scrutiny, arguing ladies should wear it as a badge of honour
Research suggests Australia has one of the highest c-section rates in the world
'I say, f*** those people.'
She also noted that the scar left behind after a caesarean procedure should not be cause for scrutiny, arguing ladies should wear it as a badge of honour.
Research suggests Australia has one of the highest c-section rates in the world.
Late last year we were at 32 per cent, despite the World Health Organisation's recommendation that c-section rates should be around 10-15 per cent per nation.
'Imagine going through a life or death situation, only to be told "you didn't really give birth". Imagine you are 36 hours into labour and your baby's heart is stopping, only to be told it was a "matter of convenience",' she continued
Professor Hannah Dahlen, from the Australian College of Midwives, told BellyBelly there is a reason the rates are so high.
'When we look at the countries in the world that have both low caesarean section rates and excellent outcomes for mothers and babies we find three things in place: firstly, midwives are the cornerstone of care, and obstetricians are only involved where there are complications.
Secondly, evidence based care is actually taken seriously; and thirdly, there are strong social policies supporting parenting in place. We could improve in all three areas in Australia.'
ALDI Australia is set to launch a 1.5 litre bottle of French Rose just in time for Easter celebrations.
The store will begin selling the $24.99 magnums of Le Chat Noir Rose as part of its Special Buys on Wednesday and they will only be available at selected ALDI stores in New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and Western Australia while stocks last.
The dry, pale pink French Rose is described as having 'perfumed aromas of rose petals and strawberries' as well as notes of 'light red berries and a hint of spice'.
ALDI Australia is set to launch a 1.5 litre bottle of French Rose just in time for Easter celebrations
The wine is from the Gers and Aude Valley regions of Southern France and is of a 2016 vintage.
The store is known for its affordable liquor options and was named 'Liquor Store of the Year' at the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction awards, held in Melbourne recently.
Following the accolade, it has released its top seven selling wines which all retail for less than $10.
The wine is from the Gers and Aude Valley regions of Southern France and is of a 2016 vintage
This bottle of Chardonnay has won eight awards in the space of five years
1. ONE ROAD EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY, $6.99
Although Chardonnay might not be everyone's first choice when it comes to wine, this bottle has won eight awards in the space of five years.
The latest award it won was 2016's Silver Medal at the Riverina Wine Show.
It is described as 'complex and fresh' and is a blend of cool climate Eden Valley fruit and Padthaway fruit.
'It combines to produce a delicious Chardonnay that has creamy white stonefruits and a touch of minerality,' the ALDI website says.
2. SOUTH POINT ESTATE PINOT GRIGIO, $4.99
This Pinot Grigio is another award-winning ALDI wine, having received 14 accolades over the years.
ALDI's website declares this 'the perfect lunchtime wine' and thanks to the soft citrus and pear fruit flavours they suggest serving it with salads and antipasto plates.
This $4.99 bottle is dry and crisp but not too sharp, with some people saying that it is more floral than fruity.
This Pinot Grigio is another award-winning wine, having received 14 accolades over the years
3. THE POND CABERNET SAUVIGNON,$6.99
This Cabernet Sauvignon is another award-winning wine from the grocery chain.
In 2013 alone this classic cool climate Cabernet won seven awards in 2013 and has won nine overall.
The bottle has notes of ripe blackberries, cassis with spice and a structured palate.
'A wine with very good richness, structure and depth and ideal for barbequed meats and evening meals,' ALDI says.
4. CLAIRE CREEK CHARDONNAY, $4.99
ALDI claims that this award-winning Chardonnay is 'a fresh and modern approach to Chardonnay'.
The website states that it is made up of fresh citrus such as white nectarine and soft stone fruits, which helps to deliver a Chardonnay that is 'clean, fresh and full of flavour'.
In 2013 alone this classic cool climate Cabernet won seven awards in 2013 (pictured left) and ALDI claims that this award-winning Chardonnay is 'a fresh and modern approach to Chardonnay' (pictured right)
5. CORTE CARISTA CHIANTI, $9.99
The Chianti blend is a classic blend of grapes used in the wines of Italy, most obviously those from Chianti.
This is most expensive bottle out of store's most popular wines but it will only set you back $9.99.
'A well proportioned wine that is elegant in body, combining dark berry and black cherry fruits and fresh spice flavours finishing with a smooth taste,' the website states.
They recommend pairing this with aged cold cuts, dark sauce pastas, BBQ, boiled meats with spicy sauces and fried vegetables.
6. KAIORA BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC, $8.99
Marlborough in New Zealand is known for its fantastic wines, and this Sauvignon Blanc is no exception.
Over the years this white wine has won seven awards, proving its place on this list.
This bottle is packed with fruity flavours as it is a blend of passionfruit and cool lemon-lime and ALDI recommends serving this with salads and seafoods.
The Chianti blend is a classic blend of grapes used in the wines of Italy (pictured left) and over the years this Sauvignon Blanc has won seven awards, proving its place on this list (pictured right)
7. ONE ROAD CABERNET MERLOT, $6.99
This Merlot is a blend of both Victorian and New South Wales regions. It has a rich and soft flavour with wild berries and ripe plum fruits.
People online claim that it is a well-rounded red with good depth and subtle oak.
'The nose doesn't do the wine justice to start, takes a couple of hours to open up. The palate is spot on though....and that price!' one reviewer wrote.
ALDI recommends that when you crack open a bottle you should accompany it with beef dishes and casseroles.
A mother who suffered a tragic stillbirth has revealed why she chose to have a photographer with her during labour, her son's post-mortem and even his funeral.
Heartbroken Sarah Jade, 33, from Melbourne, Australia, gave birth to son Aksel Jude at 33 weeks after he passed away in the womb following severe complications with his brain development.
Jade and her husband Tim, 34, asked photographer Lacey Barratt to capture her son's birth from the moment she went into labour to his funeral - including his postmortem examination.
Sarah Jade, from Melbourne, pictured with husband Tim, went into labour at 33 weeks knowing her baby son Aksel couldn't survive outside the womb due to brain complications
The mother-of-two asked photographer Lacey Barratt to photograph her labour, the moments she cradled son Aksel afterwards and his funeral which took several weeks later
Sarah, who has a three-year-old son Arthur, says the photographs have helped herself and Tim heal while also preserving her son's memory.
She says: 'I wanted a beautiful birth. But when we knew what the outcome of the birth would be, I still wanted to capture those moments.
'It was traumatic. The worst part was that I was pushing so hard, and Aksel was halfway out but then went back in, and I had to push all over again.
'I just burst out in tears at that moment. It was like my body wanted to push but my heart wanted to keep him inside of me.
'Getting to hold him after he was out was such an amazing feeling. It really helped us all to be able to see him and hold him. I just wanted to soak in those moments with Aksel and embrace him forever.'
The mother says she had 'never experienced that amount of different emotions at one time. I thought I was going to explode.'
And she adds that she's 'never regret' having those photographs taken, saying: 'It is something for us to hold onto forever.'
Sarah says that despite knowing her baby would be stillborn, she wanted to capture the memory of her brief time with him
Pushing baby Aksel out was the hardest part for Sarah, who's seen above during the final stages of labour
'I wanted to embrace him forever': Sarah and Tim spent time with their deceased son in the moments after his birth, even dressing him in baby clothes
'Our whole family saw Aksel and said goodbye. Letting go was the hardest thing we've ever had to go through.
The couple's three-year-old son, Arthur, also joined the family to say goodbye.
'We had talked about him having a little baby brother for so long, so we needed him to see Aksel.
'I said "here is your brother". Arthur looked for a moment and then turned to me and said: "but he's not talking mummy. Why is he sleeping?'"
'He still has that pure childhood innocence that meant he couldn't fully understand the gravity of the situation. Aksel will be in our hearts forever.'
Doctors had become extremely concerned about the development of Aksel's brain at Sarah's 20-week scan, and after a series of tests she went for an MRI scan at 31 weeks pregnant.
Sarah Jade during labour with husband Tim by her side: she said she was desperate to keep her little boy in her heart
A 20-week scan had alerted the family that there was a serious problem with the development of her baby's brain
'Before I had Aksel I was just happy with just having one child. But now I feel so incomplete'
Her worst fears were confirmed when her son was diagnosed with a brain abnormality called Polymicrogyria, which was so severe he would not have been able to survive or have any quality of life outside the womb.
Tragically, at 33 weeks Aksel's heart stopped beating and Sarah went into labour before giving birth to her stillborn son early the following morning.
Lacey returned for a second solemn post mortem photoshoot with Sarah and Aksel the following day, before he was laid to rest nearly four weeks later.
We were heartbroken. It was absolutely devastating. It was so hard to have this dream of another child be completely ripped out from underneath you... Sarah Jade
Sarah wanted Aksel's birth to be special and said she is thankful she has the photographs to honour the precious moments with her son.
She said: 'I hadn't felt quite right the entire pregnancy - it was a bit like mother's intuition telling me that something was wrong.'
At the 20-week scan, doctors began noticing something was very wrong with Aksel's brain. And after an MRI scan at 31 weeks, medics told the couple that their baby would not be able to survive outside the womb.
She says: 'We were heartbroken. It was absolutely devastating. It was so hard to have this dream of another child be completely ripped out from underneath you.
'The hardest thing is not knowing why this happened to us. Why we had to go through this nightmare. Before I had Aksel I was just happy with just having one child. But now I feel so incomplete.
'We are just taking it one day at a time and trying to move forward.'
Support: The family say sharing their photographs on social media has seen people who've been through a similar experience get in touch
Sarah says she didn't want a faint memory of her son and that the photographs offer a way to keep her image of him alive
The couple also showed their three-year-old son Arthur his little brother
Photographer Lacey says she felt honoured to take part in the shoot, which 'validated' birth stories like this one
The day after the little boy was stillborn, his parents dressed him in his own clothes for the post-mortem, which photographer Lacey also captured on film
Photographer Lacey, who is also based in Melbourne, said: 'There are so many hidden stories of pregnancy loss and there are so many women that have never been validated.
'So by sharing stories and photographs like this, we're uniting everyone in that validation.
Lacey says the story has prompted an outpouring of support: 'I've had so many messages and comments from women who have lost their babies, and there is just so much solidarity.'
'I think back to all the friends and family that I've lost over the course of my life, and while you know what they look like, you don't have a very vivid picture in your mind but a faint recollection of what that person was like.
'But to have a photograph of them you're getting a hard copy replica of what they looked like.'
Princess Anne has paid her respects to the victims of the Warrington bombings during a service to mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA attack.
The Princess Royal, 67, took part in a minute's silence in Warrington this afternoon, joined by family members of the victims as well as representatives of the British and Irish governments.
It was held at 12.27pm, the exact time the bombs went off in March 1993, and attendees laid wreaths as well as watching Warrington Male Voice Choir and choirs from Sankey High School and Barrow Hall Primary School.
Twenty-five years ago, two IRA bombs hidden in litter bins detonated on Bridge Street in Cheshire, killing two children including a three-year-old and injuring dozens of civilians.
Solemn occasion: Anne took part in a minute's silence during the service at Warrington Town Hall on Tuesday, joined by family and friends of the victims
Paying her respects: The Queen's daughter looked to be in a reflective mood as she attended the memorial service, held by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, today
Johnathan Ball, three, and Tim Parry, 12, were the young victims of the bomb attacks, and the blasts sparked a major campaign for peace with Tim's parents setting up a Peace Centre in the town and helping with the Peace Process in Northern Ireland.
Three years after the blast, their families unveiled the Fountain of Life in the town centre, including photographs on bronze of the boys.
The Queen's daughter looked to be in a reflective mood as she attended the memorial service, held by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, today.
Lives cut short: Johnathan Ball, three, and Tim Parry, 12, were the young victims of the bomb attacks
Princess Anne was in a solemn mood as she paid her respects to the victims of the Warrington bombing on the 25th anniversary of the IRA atrocity
Dressed in a bottle green dress and purple shawl, she sat with her hands folded on her lap during the commemoration.
The day after the bombings, the IRA claimed responsibility for the attacks in Warrington which killed a four-year-old child.
After paying tribute to the Warrington bombing victims this afternoon, Anne will travel to Birmingham for a reception to mark the 20th Anniversary of Queen Alexandra College and 25th Anniversary of Lattitude in Ecuador.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked stunning in a vibrant yellow gown as she hosted Queen Rania of Jordan at a glitzy gala dinner at The Hague.
Maxima, 46, turned heads in a ruffled column dress as she joined husband King Willem-Alexande in welcoming the Jordanian royals to the palace.
Rania, 47, looked glamorous in an embellished black frock, which featured floral detailing around the neckline and down the sides.
She and her husband, King Abdullah, are currently enjoying a two-day visit to the Netherlands in a bid to strengthen relations between the two countries.
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Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (second from right) looked stunning as she hosted a glamorous Queen Rania of Jordan at a gala dinner at The Hague. King Abdullah (second from left), King Willem-Alexande and Princess Beatrix (far right) were also at the reception
They were also joined by Prince Constantijn (far left) and Princess Margriet at the royal palace
Maxima looked in high spirits as she posed with mother-in-law Princess Beatrix
Princess Beatrix, who opted for a chic embroidered gown, shared a joke with Maxima
The gala dinner was held at the Palace Noordeinde in The Hague on Tuesday night
Princess Beatrix also attended the royal couples at the dinner, opting for a chic embroidered dress.
Earlier in the day, Maxima had looked a vision in camel as she wore a perfectly co-ordinated ensemble to greet the Jordanian royals.
Ensuring to wrap up warm, the mother-of-three opted for a stylish wool cape, which she teamed with leather gloves and a wide-brimmed hat perched perfectly over her neatly swept blonde hair.
King Willem-Alexander and King Abdullah were seen having a toast during the gala dinner
King WIllem-Alexander delivered a speech during the state dinner this evening
Officials from both countries attended the glitzy dinner at the Noordeinde Palace
Maxima finished the look with matching camel heels and a brown leather clutch purse.
Meanwhile, Rania also got the memo about wrapping up warm, having left behind the balmy temperatures of Jordan to travel with her husband King Abdullah.
The glamorous middle eastern queen wore a light teal blue woolen coat with side button detail and a whisp of a chiffon scarf at the neck.
Earlier in the day, the pair had enjoyed a tour of the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague
Queen Maxima of Netherlands and Queen Rania of Jordan posed for photographers today before looking around the museum
Queen Maxima and Queen Rania are welcomed by museum director Benno Tempel as they arrive for a guided tour of the Gemeentemuseum
In a stylish light blue woollen coat, Rania looked impressed by the Dutch art on display
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, left, are greeted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, during the official welcoming ceremony at Royal Palace Noordeinde in The Hague earlier today
Queen Maxima cut a stylish figure as she wore a warm belted camel cape, matched with a wide-brimmed hat and co-ordinated heels
King Abdullah II and King Willem-Alexander braved the near zero temperatures in just suits as they strolled down the red carpet
Wearing her brunette locks neatly loose, mother-of-four Rania graced the red carpet in a pair of blue heels.
The Jordanian royal visit has a serious note with the couples expected to discuss counter-terrorism and defence issues during the whirlwind visit, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte joining the quartet.
This trip is in place of a state visit planned for November 2017 that was postponed last autumn.
Maxima and Rania looked easy within each others' company as they toured the gallery after an official welcoming at Royal Palace Noordeinde
A mother-of-three who lost her hand in a horrific house fire when she was just a baby has finally achieved her dream of becoming a model.
Carla Nunes, 33, from East Dulwich, London, lost her left hand when she was just seven months old after a petrol lamp fell into her cot and set alight.
She described how she saw her confidence plummet following years of abuse from strangers - with one person even branding her a 'monster'.
However, since signing a contract with modelling agency Models of Diversity, she says she has learned to 'own her disability'.
Carla Nunes, 33, from East Dulwich, London, has described how she has learned to 'own her disability' after becoming a model
The mother-of-three (centre, with other models) was scouted by modelling agency Models of Diversity, which campaigns for more diversity in the industry
Carla, who is a stay-at-home mother, explained how a devastating house fire meant her left hand and forearm were burned off, leaving her with a small stump below her elbow.
She said the disability left her with confidence issues, as she would regularly get looks ad comments from the street.
'Growing up people would be scared of me because of my disability, they thought I was strange for not having a hand,' she said.
'Strangers would call me a monster and children crying with fear and laughing at me when I was younger.
Carla lost her left hand in a devastating house fire when she was just seven months old after a petrol lamp fell into her cot and set alight
'It regularly got me down because of the way I looked, but also it was the fact that I knew I couldn't do as much as everyone else.'
She added: 'When I entered the real world and reached my teens I started having confidence issues - I didn't have any hope in myself.
'I never thought that I would be able to have a choice in the men I dated and could never imagine having a family.
Carla says that signing up with Models of Diversity - who campaign for more diversity in the modelling industry - has helped her realise that anything is possible.
Carla described how she has always wanted to be a model, but never thought she would be able to do it due to her disability
'Having always had my disability, I never even thought I could one day be a model so this really is a shock for me,' she said.
'Now I've learned to own my disability and I really feel as though I am invincible - even though I can't change the bedsheets myself!'
'Since becoming a model I have felt great, for the first time in years I've realised that I actually look good despite my disability!'
Carla described how her father managed to save her from the house fire, which was so devastating that no photographs remain of her
The mother-of-three (centre) has already taken part in a campaign for Models of Diversity
Carla was just seven months old when a petrol lamp fell from the window sill into Carla's cot and set her on fire.
As a result, Carla's left hand and forearm were burned off, leaving her with a small stump below her elbow.
The fire was so horrific that she has been left with no photographs of how she looked when she still had both hands.
She said: 'Luckily my dad ran into the house and managed to rescue me from my cot, or I might not be alive today.
Carla said her confidence plummeted after being bullied at school, explaining how she was even branded a 'monster' by strangers
She said the way she looked regularly 'got her down' when she was growing up as a child
'Alongside having no left hand, my face and small patches over my body are covered in scars from the burns too.
'Until I was old enough to go to school I always felt normal, because I was protected by my family and it was the only way they had ever known me.'
Carla says she still struggles with every day tasks around the house due to her disability.
'I still struggle with being completely independent because I am not able to get a prosthetic hand because my arm is too straight,' she said.
Carla said other children would both cry with fear or laugh at her when she was younger
She explained how she had previously thought that her disability would always hold her back, but now she feels 'invincible' due to her modelling work
'So I can't do things like hook up new curtains, change my bedsheets, hang out the washing and even just clean the dishes.'
Alongside having physical tasks that she could not complete due to her disability, Carla also struggled to feel as though she could reach her own goals due to it.
However after being scouted by Models of Diversity, Carla has realised that she can do anything.
Carla said: 'Despite always thinking that I would like to be a model, I thought my disability would hold me back.
'Now, I have three children and I have been with my partner for years - modelling felt like the final tick on my list of things I thought I'd never do.
Anna Wintour was spotted without her signature black sunglasses in New York City on Monday.
The Vogue editor-in-chief is rarely seen not hiding behind dark shades, even while sitting front row inside at fashion shows.
But on Monday, the 68-year-old icon removed them while crossing the street, seemingly trying to figure out where she was going.
Where's she going? Anna Wintour was seen out and about in New York City on Monday
Bad directions? The Vogue editor-in-chief took her sunglasses off and seemed to be having a bit of trouble finding her way
Top: She was seen with her signature bob and layered designer clothes
Wintour, who has been the boss at Vogue since 1988 and is now also artistic director for Conde Nast, was her usual impeccably-dressed self while out earlier this week.
She wore a watercolor floral print dress, no doubt designer, layered with a mixed-medium colorblock coat with burgundy snakeskin accents at the cuffs.
On top, she added a class red scarf and those black sunglasses which she held in her hand, along with her phone open to Gmail, as she walked down the middle of a New York City street with a look of slight confusion on her face.
The fashion editor rocked her signature bobbed hairdo, too, as well as a gem necklace.
Celebration: On March 13, Wintour attended the Ellie Awards, where Vogue was a finalist in three categories
No bad blood: She posed with Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Radhika Jones
Media: Wearing red and black, Wintour also took a moment to take a photo with Don Lemon
Happy: She took off her sunglasses inside at the awards, too
Wintour was last spotted out on March 13 at the Ellie Awards, where she enjoyed dinner while sitting next to Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Radhika Jones.
She also posed with the editor, proving the two get along just fine after it was reported that Jones was bullied for her fashion choices upon earning the Vanity Fair job last year.
The Ellie Awards honor print and digital publications 'that consistently demonstrate superior execution of editorial objectives, innovative techniques, noteworthy enterprise and imaginative design' and Vogue earned three nominations this year, for feature photography, website, and video.
March has been a bit more low-key for Wintour, who had a very busy February thanks to Fashion Month.
Last month: She attended the launch of an exhibition on religious fashion at a formal Papal residence in Rome
Fashion heavyweights: Anna posed with Donatella Versace and Vatican culture minister Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi at the event
Ready? They got a preview of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring exhibit of the Costume Institute, which will feature vestments and liturgical accessories
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi addresses the audience, including Wintour and Versace
At the end of the month, she attended the launch of an exhibition on religious fashion at a formal Papal residence in Rome. She joined designer Donatella Versace at the event, which was hosted by the Vatican's culture minister.
The exhibition is particularly well-timed given the theme for this year's Met Gala, which is scheduled for May 7.
The theme, which was announced as Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, dictates the fashion exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as the Costume Institute Gala (also called the Met Gala) that kicks off the start of the exhibition (which will run from May 10 to October 8).
The event in Rome offered a sneak preview of the Met's exhibition, which will feature 40 vestments and liturgical accessories from the Vatican including bejwelled miters, Papal tiaras, and a golden-threaded papal cape.
The exhibition will also include garments from designers including Simone Rocha, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, and Karl Lagerfeld.
Major moment: In February, Wintour sat next to the Queen at London Fashion Week, during the monarch's first-ever show
Before the event in Rome, Wintour participated in another major milestone: She sat next to the Queen at the royal's first-ever London Fashion Week show.
Dame Anna and the Queen sat side-by-side at the Richard Quinn show in London, and were joined by British Fashion Council chief Caroline Rush.
Wintour didn't take off her sunglasses for the show, as she typically wears them while sitting front row. However, some people thought she should have made an exception in the Queen's presence.
Etiquette expert William Hanson told MailOnline: 'The Queen of Fashion meets The Queen, but sadly has got it wrong here. Whilst Anna Wintour's fashion choices usually are faultless her etiquette today is far from on trend.'
Accompanying the Queen, who was wearing a duck egg blue Swarovski crystal-studded suit, was her closest confidante, Personal Advisor to Her Majesty (The Queen's Wardrobe) Angela Kelly, who designed the monarch's outfit.
At the end of the show, the Queen clapped briefly but politely,before Caroline Rush took to the floor to address the audience from the runway.
'I would like to formally welcome Her Majesty The Queen to London Fashion Week,' she said. 'Your Majesty, it is a true honour to have you here and to have your support for British fashion.'
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From the campaign trail to holidays at the summer house, a newly-unveiled set of revealing images offers an intimate look at the life of former president John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie.
The photographs were taken by celebrated LIFE photojournalist and filmmaker Mark Shaw, who documented the glamorous couple as John F. Kennedy progressed from Senator of Massachusetts to his early presidency.
He captured the couple both in staged portraits and in candid moments, including precious family time with a young Caroline.
The images are going on public display as part of a new London exhibition by the Proud Galleries marking the 55th anniversary of President Kennedy's death.
Jackie sits at JFKs senate desk, Washington DC, 1959: This image was made into a postcard during the hugely popular 2001 exhibition of Jackies clothing which started at the Metropolitan Muse-um of Art and traveled around America. Depicting Jackie relaxing at the Senates desk, it illustrates the authority and respect she held in the public spotlight at the time
Jackie swings Caroline in the shallows at Hyannis Port, 1959: This is the Mark Shaw Photographic Archives most popular Kennedy image. The shot embodies the candid relaxed style that made Mark Shaws portraits so well remembered. To take a political figure and to put them in a setting where they look both relaxed and glamorous was unheard of at that time. America fell in love with the First Family thanks to this photograph and a few others like it
Jackie and JFK in Campaign Car, Wheeling, 1959: This portrait of the young couple was taken during JFKs presidential campaign. With American flags waving in the parade and the romantic gaze shared between the senator and his wife, the picture captures their optimism for the future. Chillingly, it shows JFK and Jackie in a convertible not unlike the vehicle that JFK was assassinated in a mere 4 years later
After initially being commissioned to capture the Kennedys on the presidential campaign trail, Shaw developed a close personal friendship with the family and became their unofficial photographer.
His relationship with the family meant he was invited to share in some of their most intimate moments, including trips away to their holiday home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Shaw's images chronicle the Kennedys' life in 1959, six years after their wedding and two years before JFK became president of the United States.
The exhibition includes Kennedy's favorite portrait of himself, an introspective image of him walking into the windswept landscape of Hyannis Port with his back turned. This photo has been used frequently since JFKs assassination to symbolize his presidency. It is unclear whether the frame currently hangs in the White House, but it has been on display through multiple presidencies since JFK was assassinated.
Other highlights include a light-hearted shot of Jacqueline Kennedy swinging daughter Caroline in the air as they splash in the shallows. The shot embodies the candid relaxed style that made Mark Shaws portraits so well remembered. To take a political figure and to put them in a setting where they look both relaxed and glamorous was unheard of at that time.
JFK on the dunes near Hyannis Port, 1959: JFK's favorite photo of himself was taken by Mark Shaw in 1959 on the dunes near Hyannis Port. This photo has been used frequently since JFKs assassination to symbolize his presidency. It is unclear whether this photo currently hangs in the White House during Donald Trumps tenure, but it has been on display in White House through multiple presidencies since JFK was assassinated
Jackie, JFK and Caroline, Hyannis Patio, 1959: Color images of the Kennedys are rare to find, with this example accurately detailing the styles and fashions that Jackie became known for. Jackies skirt dominates this photo and shows, yet again, how fashion forward she was. In the background JFK is seen playing with his young daughter Caroline, demonstrating the great affection he shared for his wife and children
A third image features the glamorous First Lady sitting at her husband's desk at Capitol Hill while he was still senator. It illustrates the authority and respect she held in the public spotlight at the time.
Jackie's sense of style is also encapsulated in the photos, which show her in a colorful skirt in Hyannis Port, where the Kennedy Compound is located, and wearing some of her trademark ensembles and rows of pearls.
Chillingly, another snap shows the couple in a convertible car during JFK's presidential campaigna vehicle that calls to mind the one in which the president was assassinated in 1963, a mere four years after the picture was taken.
The photos are a mix of candid snaps that illustrate the couple's intimate family life, including during their vacations at Hyannis Port, and their rise as a power couple, captured in a striking shot of the pair at the White House, with Jackie standing behind her husband with her arm wrapped around his shoulder.
They also show the pair as parental figures to Caroline, now 60. JFK and Jackie were also parents to John F. Kennedy Jr., who died in 1999 aged 38 in a plane crash, Patrick, who passed away two days after his birth due to hyaline membrane disease, which is now called respiratory distress syndrome, and a stillborn daughter named Arabella, to whom Jackie gave birth in 1956.
Her first pregnancy, in 1955, resulted in a miscarriage.
A portrait of Jackie and JFK, White House, 1959: This shot of Jackie posed behind JFK is partly a caricature of the motto 'Behind every Great Man is a Great Woman'. Mark Shaw shot this series of images in the yellow sunroom in two permutations- a set with JFK in the foreground and also a set with Jackie in the foreground
Shaw, who photographed notable celebrities of the 1950s for Harper's Bazaar and other major fashion publications, distanced himself from photography following President Kennedy's assassination, deeply affected by the loss of his close friend.
When Shaw unexpectedly died at the age of 47, the majority of his works were placed into storage and remained unseen for over 40 years.
In 1996, Shaw's son David and his wife Juliet founded The Mark Shaw Photographic Archive and his pictures were re-introduced to a new audience in The Kennedys: Photographs by Mark Shaw photobook.
The collection has since become a lasting tribute to the work of Shaw, encapsulating the memories and experiences of his close relationship with the Kennedys at a pivotal moment in American history.
Life with the Kennedys: Photographs by Mark Shaw, Proud Central, 22nd March 6th May 2018, www.proud.co.uk
This is the moment a contestant on First Dates tried to woo his dining companion by launching into a tirade about the Cambodian genocide.
John, from Limerick, appeared on the Irish version of the dating reality show but nerves got the better of him and he failed to impress his date, Clodagh from Meath, with his musings on the Khmer Rouge regime.
In scenes due to air on Tuesday night, the 30-year-old spoke about his trip to the Killing Fields, where millions were brutally murdered at the command of government leader Pol Pot between 1975 and 1979 - describing it as 'horrible'.
But Clodagh, 23, was clearly far from impressed by his dinner talk and could be seen grimacing as he went into graphic detail about the killing of babies.
In fact, John's romantic efforts have been dubbed the 'worst date chat ever' by producers.
The singleton said: 'When I went to Cambodia, I went to this thing called the Killing Fields.
'They're these fields where they just killed a load of people who were educated and it was just horrible.
'And there was a tree, I'll never forget it as long as I live, it was called the Baby Tree. So if you were a child who was like a month old... it's actually a horrible story to tell.
'When they brought you in a truck to these Killing Fields, they'd bring your family and if there was a kid there, they wouldn't be able to afford guns so they just beat the child [against] the tree and kill them, so it was horrible.'
Reflecting on his shambolic date later on, John told cameras: 'I knew as I was talking I was bringing down the date.
Clodagh, 23, was clearly far from impressed by his dinner talk and could be seen grimacing as he went into graphic detail about the killing of babies
Awkward encounter: It is not clear whether John and Clodagh decided to see each other again
In scenes due to air on Tuesday night, the 30-year-old spoke about his trip to the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, where millions were killed - describing it as horrible
'I was like, "John, shut up". Even in my head I was thinking at the time: "John, do not talk about this!"'
It is not clear whether John and Clodagh decided to see each other again.
The hugely popular fly-on-the-wall show, which first aired on Channel 4 in 2013, follows couples matched by a team of researchers as they embark on blind dates in the same restaurant.
Many have gone on to forge long-term relationships, and last year Aarron Stewart and Ibiba Mudada welcomed the first ever 'First Dates baby' on national television after finding love on the show.
First Dates Ireland continues tonight at 9.30pm on RTE2
An Instagram star has revealed how she managed to fake a birthday trip to Disneyland - to prove just how easy it is to lie on social media.
Carolyn Stritch, who runs The Slow Traveler blog, posted a snap of herself ahead of the make believe trip - explaining how she was going to California for her 22nd birthday.
She then posted another snap on Instagram of herself apparently posing in front of the famous Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
But the UK-based blogger, who is actually 32, has now explained that she never went to Disneyland at all - photoshopping herself into a photo of the castle, while using an app to make herself look younger.
No one appeared to twig that the entire trip, along with her age, had been made up, despite her face looking dramatically different in the first picture.
Carolyn Stritch, who runs The Slow Traveler blog, managed to fake a trip to Disneyland by using Photoshop
Posting on Instagram, she described how she had taken herself to California to give herself a 'self-indulgent' birthday present for her 22nd birthday
Writing on her blog, the freelance photographer explained: 'I came up with a story: my FaceApped perfect self, whos ten years younger than I am, flies off to Disneyland for the day, and somehow manages to photograph herself all alone in front of Sleeping Beautys Castle.
'I manipulated images, captioned them with a fictional narrative, and presented them as real-life.'
In her first fake post, Carolyn wrote: 'Tomorrow, I'm going to be 22! I'm treating myself with a trip to Californ-I-ay: I'm off to Disneyland to Instagram the hell out of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
'I'll be putting myself to bed nice and early tonight: I'm flying tomorrow and coming home Monday (need a magic carpet, not an aeroplane).
Prior to the fake trip, Carolyn - who is actually 32 - posted a heavily edited photo of herself explaining she was going to the US for her 22nd birthday
The freelance photographer told fans she was going to 'Instagram the hell out of Sleeping Beauty's Castle'
'I'll be by myself, but so what? It'll be my very own fairytale. Human possibilities vastly exceed our imagination!'
Her fans were quick to comment with a flood of birthday messages, describing her as 'stunning'.
No one suggested that she was lying about her age, although some people did express surprise that she was so young.
In her second post, she posted a photoshopped picture of herself in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, with her back to the camera.
A day later, Carolyn came clean about the experiment, explaining how she had made up the whole trip
The blogger (pictured in Naples) was heaped with praise for raising awareness of how easy it is to distort the truth online
She wrote: 'I've taken myself off to California. There I am in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle my crazy, self-indulgent 22nd birthday present to myself.
'Tomorrow I'll be back home and it'll be like it never even happened! I keep saying to myself: it's kind of fun to do the impossible. Life is what you make it!'
Other Instagram users were quick to comment on the picture perfect shot, describing it as 'beautiful'.
No one appeared to realise the entire trip was made up, with Carolyn receiving a flood of birthday messages
Fans described her shots as 'incredible', with some questioning how she managed to get the castle picture without other tourists in sight
No one appeared to twig that she had fake the entire trip, although many were left amazed that she managed to get a picture of the famous castle without any other tourists in it.
Since revealing the truth, Carolyn has been heaped with praise for raising awareness of how easy it is to distort the truth online.
One fan wrote 'Such a great and needed project!', while another added: 'Loved this Carolyn. Well done you'.
From footwear to food, Vogue is considered by many to be an authority when it comes to dictating the latest trends.
But one of the glossy fashion bible's latest style predictions has sparked something of an outcry on social media, after it suggested that women should stop waxing their bikini lines and embrace a natural, full bush.
In an article posted on the publcations's website, writer Eviana Hartman suggested that 'the natural look has been on the verge of a comeback since 2013, when Gwyneth Paltrow told Ellen DeGeneres that she "works a Seventies vibe".'
On trend: Vogue has declared a 'full bush is the new Brazilian' and is urging readers to give up hair removal in favor of natural pubic hair
Celebrity endorsement: In an article posted on its website, Vogue suggested that untamed pubic hair has been on the up since Gwyneth Paltrow revealed she had stopped waxing in 2013
Gaining momentum: In 2014 American Apparel place mannequins with visible pubic hair merkins showing through sheer underwear in the window of its East Houston store in New York
She also cited American Apparel's decision to place mannequins with visible pubic hair merkins showing through sheer underwear as a sign of the changing times (in 2014, the retailer's East Houston location in New York featured three mannequins clad in transparent white underwear, exposing their unkempt bikini lines).
In order to get a better, more up-to-date understanding, Hartman spoke to Paz Stark, owner of Stark Waxing Studio in Los Angeles and New York.
Groomed: Writer Eviana Harman also spoke to the owner of a waxing salon and found that women are now going for a more natural groomed look
Giving an insight into bikini line trends for 2018 Stark shared that while many women still prefer to remove some hair, a substantial amount of women are now requesting a triangular shape that mimics natural pubic hair rather than the skinny Brazilian 'landing strip'.
She also told Vogue that she believes this trend is part of an overall trend for a more natural approach to grooming, citing the current preference for thicker, untamed eyebrows as an example of this.
'Ladies are saying, "I do want a clean-up, but I want it to be fuller and more natural-feeling"', she said.
However, people have taken to social media to call out the Vogue article for suggesting and promoting the ideas that pubic hair is a trend.
Twitter user Rachel Jacoby Zoldan wrote: 'I feel this is a personal choice guys'.
While Becca Burns typed: 'Women should embrace our bodies the way our Goddess created us. Waxing isnt necessary to attract a husband'.
While Tammy Hunter argued that the trend for pubic hair was less of a 'comeback' and more about laziness.
'We are all just busy and tired,' she joked.
Personal: The publication also spoke to actress and former blogger Tavi Gevinson who revealed she doesn't wax but also suggested pubic hair is a personal matter and not a trend
Reaction: Social media fans took to Twitter to give their opinion with one woman suggesting pubic hair is a 'personal choice'
Not a thing: Another Twitter user suggested that the publication shouldn't make it 'a thing'
Au natural: Another women agreed with the article and suggested women should take a more natural approach
Lazy: One Twitter user joked that a fuller bush wasn't a trend or a comeback but just an example of women being too 'busy and tired' to visit a salon
However Stark maintained that Brazilians are '100 per cent here to stay' but that people are getting them on their 'own terms' rather because a partner or society has pressured them into it.
She also shared her own litmus test when it comes to removing unwanted hair and told Vogue that feeling comfortable on the beach is her only motivation.
'I don't wear skimpy bottoms, but I don't want hair around my inner thighs,' she explained.
The publication also spoke to actress former fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson who argued that a preference for untamed pubic hair isn't really a trend at all.
'I don't really have a take, beyond whether or not I make the choice for myself' she said.
'I'm not interested in dictating what other women do with their bodies and appearances.'
However, Gevinson did argue that the natural look ultimately saves her time.
Word to the wise: Don't mess around with a woman who knows your grandmother.
Tamira, an American college student, was surprised when she received a message out of the blue from a man she attended high school with. She was even more surprised when his messages progressed from aggressive to overtly sexual to downright nasty in a matter of minutes.
Yet she wasn't so caught off guard to let that kind of behavior go unchecked. She soon taught the man a brutal lesson by forwarding all of his messages to his grandmother including the one of his genitals he sent her unsolicited.
In for a ride... An American college student has shared her cringe-worthy text exchange with an old high school classmate
Oh, hey there... Tamira was surprised to get a text from Hank out of the blue
Tamira has since uploaded the entire exchange to Imgur, where its earned lots of attention.
From the get-go, there were some red flags but Tamira seems to be good-matured enough to remain polite and give Hank, her old classmate, the benefit of the doubt.
After he texted her a simple 'heyy,' Tamira asked who he was, explaining that she has a new phone an doesn't recognize the number.
Hank seemed immediately offended, writing: 'Here I'm trying to be friendly and I feel like you're trying to get rid of me.'
Tamira continued to be polite, and Hank eventually told her who his was and that they shared Algebra II together.
'You must be wondering why I'm writing,' he said, clearly not recognizing the strangeness of his behavior despite acknowledging it indirectly.
Yikes: He wasted no time telling her he had a crush on her and explaining how he'd put on muscle since graduation
No uncertain terms: She told him clearly, but politely, that she was not interested
Transparent: He persisted, trying to keep the conversation going in a friendly manner
Cringe: When she asked about his classes, he misunderstood and took it as an opportunity to tell her, 'My core is jacked'
'I always had a crush on you in school and I recently gained 50 pounds of muscle and got the last few credits to graduate with my AAS in criminology and I finally feel like I'm good enough for you.'
'Oh, wow,' Tamira replied. 'That's very sweet of you, but I'm just getting off a really intense breakup, so I'm not looking right now. I hope you've been well otherwise! Congratulations on all your success and see you around.'
Not taking the hint or rather, the very direct but polite dismissal Hank continued to press.
'I'm not like the other men whom have frittered in and out of your life,' he wrote, incorrectly using 'whom' instead of 'who' and misusing the word 'frittered'.
'I am poetic and considerate and I can provide for you and we can cuddle up on the couch and not even do anything sexual just hold each other.'
'I think you may be jumping the gun a little bit talking about "providing for me,"' Tamira answered. 'I am not interested in a relationship at this time, and am two years deep in school myself and capable of supporting myself.'
Chill, dude... When she tried to end the conversation nicely, he pushed on aggressively
Relax: He really didn't take a hint and things quickly escalated
'I know you're probably just brushing me off because you remember me being kind of prepubescent and whispy,' he replied, before writing what may be the most cringe-worthy line of the exchange: 'But I assure you I'm swoll now and I'll protect you from your exes and make a great life for us.'
The word 'swoll' is slang for being muscular.
'You don't even have to do anything sexual on the first few dates since I know you're going through a tough time,' he added, in what he must have believed was a chivalrous show of generosity. 'That's just the kind of guy I am. Very considerate and sensitive to your needs above my own.
When Tamira told him he was making her uncomfortable, he apologized, claiming that he could 'respect' that she didn't want a relationship.
He then changed courses, saying they should catch up anyway 'because besides your looks, I always thought you were really cool and going places.'
Woah! Suddenly, he sent her a photo of his genitals with an odd winky smiley face
Firm: Tamira stopped being polite, telling him plainly how disgusting his behavior was
Still trying to be nice, Tamira continued to engage with him, talking about school and asking what classes he was taking: 'Anything meaningful or just core stuff?'
'Core stuff... like exercise?' he asked, misunderstanding. 'My core is jacked.'
After a few more messages, Tamira said she had to go to work and said goodbye which set this 'nice guy' off again.
'Wait wait why don't you like me?' he wrote, to which she patiently replied that she simply needed to go to work.
'Ohhh ok ok. I get it,' he answered before messaging her an unsolicited picture of his genitals.
Finally, Tamira lost it, and no longer responded nicely. She told him in no uncertain terms that he was being 'creepy' and that it was'deplorable and gross that you would send me a wrinkly d*** pic especially when I tried very hard to be kind ot you in the face of your creepiness.'
'Woah woah woah unsolicted?' Hank answered, insisting that Tamira being 'nice and kind' to him could only mean that she was being coy. (Hank, however, spelled it 'koy' and completely misused the word 'juxtapose'.)
'Nice guy': Hank turned nasty, insisting Tamira was leading him on simply by being nice
Oh, really? He also insisted he was a 'nice guy' and she was in the wrong
Awful: He started slinging insults and telling her 'kys,' meaning 'kill yourself' which is when she said she'd be sending the exchange to his grandma
He grew nastier, accusing her of leading him on and insisting she send him a nude photo in return. He insulted her, told her to kill herself, and then tried to insist that he wasn't that interested in her anyway.
'I've just sent this entire chain to your grandmother,' she answered.
Then, as proof, she shared a screenshot of her exchange with his grandmother on Imgur. She was able to track the woman down on Facebook, and seems to have known her name because they attend the same church.
'Hello Mrs. [redacted],' she wrote, along with screengrabs of the texts. 'I'm sorry you have to see this. I wanted you to know what Hank is up to in his free time, because I'm still reeling from this exchange and did not know who else to reach out to to prevent it from happening to anyone else.
'You may want to discuss this with your grandson because, as you know, sending photos of this [nature] can have legal and reputations repercussions.
'My mom sends her regards and looks forward to seeing you in church,' she added.
Panic: Hank started to freak out, switching back and forth between begging for a response and insulting her
Hank, unsurprisingly, panicked, sending Tamira a string of messages calling her a 'heartless b****' while simultaneously begging her to respond.
'Is this ow your treat someone who's in love with you?' he wrote after calling her a 'c***' and telling her to kill herself again.
'If you do decide you want to hang out just call,' he added.
Unfortunately for Tamira, Hank's grandmother didn't respond to the messages as she hoped she would.
Though his grandmother said she was sorry Tamira experienced such a thing and promised that his conduct would be addressed, she also told the young woman that she could have handled herself 'a bit more courteously.'
Then, outrageously, she told Tamira more about her grandson, just in case she does decide to go out with him after all.
Tracking her down: Tamira found Hank's grandma on Facebook and sent her the messages. She even got in a mention of the church the woman goes to with Tamira's mom
Two-sided: Though his grandma apologized, she also made excuses for Hank
Oh, dear... She signed off by telling her that 'boys will be boys' the kind of attitude that likely encouraged his bad behavior to begin with
'Boys will be boys,' she added, an indication of how Hank likely grew to behave in such a way.
Tamira told Imgur users that she has since blocked Hank on her phone and social media. She also explained why she engaged with him in the first place instead of ignoring him.
'I was getting ready for work and distracted. Its a small enough neighborhood. I just wanted him to go away without hard feelings,' she said.
'And he was not bad at all in high school so this was totally unprecedented. It wasnt until the d*** pic that I realized it had been.'
As for why she contacted his grandma, she said: 'She had to understand the gravity of the situation.'
Hope Hicks did the best she could to stay dry while braving the rain in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday morning.
The 29-year-old outgoing White House communications director donned an olive green parka featuring a fur collar and a hood to cover her hair as she stepped out of her apartment a little after 9:30 a.m.
Despite the dreary rain and near-freezing temperature, Hicks opted to wear slim black dress pants and classic black pumps, which suggests she may have been headed to work.
Battling the elements: Hope Hicks was seen leaving her Washington, D.C. apartment a little after 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday
Keeping dry: The outgoing White House communications director stepped out in a parka featuring a fur collar and a hood
Best attempt: At one point, the 29-year-old held the hood over her head to keep her hair dry
Hicks resigned from her position on February 28, but it's unclear when her last day at the White House will be.
The former model looked less than pleased as she battled the weather while on her way out for the day.
Although Hicks is known for her bouncy blowouts, the White House staffer had her highlighted hair pulled back in a bun.
When she first left the lobby of her building, she tried to keep her hair covered by holding her hood with one hand, but it eventually blew off.
Hicks clutched her black work cellphone and had her embossed crocodile skin in the crook of her arm as she made her way towards her Lyft driver's red car.
Heading to the office? Hicks donned slim black dress pants paired with black heels, and she had her black work phone clutched in her hand
Best bet: Although she is known for her bouncy blowouts, Hicks wore her highlighted hair pulled back on Tuesday morning
Off she goes: Hicks was seen getting into the backseat of a Lyft driver's red car
She was in far better spirits when she was spotted exiting the White House with her co-worker Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Friday evening.
Hicks, Sanders, and another colleague were all smiles as they made their way out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The outgoing White House communications staffer often has her black work phone in her hand, but it was nowhere to be seen as she left work.
Instead, she was chatting away on a silver iPhone before she caught up with Sanders and their other co-worker.
Hicks was sporting a $495 maroon blazer dress by Theory, which wore over a pale blue blouse.
Off duty: Hope left the White House on Friday evening carrying a silver iPhone - not her black work phone
Celebration? Hicks was all smiles as she left work with Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Happy? Hicks had a small smile on her face as she walked out with her phone to her ear
Friday night: Hicks' broke into an open-mouth grin when she caught up with her colleagues
In good spirits: The women laughed and chatted as they headed off for the night
The dress is one of her favorites, as she wore a navy version to testify in front of the House Intelligence Committee a few weeks ago.
She also wore the frock in black while working at the White House last month.
Hicks, who admitted to telling 'white lies' on behalf of President Donald Trump during the closed-door testimony, looked solemn as she left her Washington, D.C. apartment earlier that day.
Although she typically heads to work at 9:30 in the morning, Hope was out the door at 8 a.m.
Hicks failed to crack a smile as she walked out of building and made her way to a white SUV parked at the curb.
Off to work: Hope stepped out of her D.C. apartment on Friday morning in a $495 maroon blazer dress by Theory
Favorite frock? Hicks wore a navy, belted version of the Theory frock to testify in front of the House Intelligence Committee a few weeks ago (left) and a black version last month (right)
However, despite her glum appearance, Hicks' outfit was far more colorful than it was the day before.
On Thursday morning, she looked mournfully chic as she made her way from her apartment to a waiting Lyft in a fur-lined wool coat, belted turtleneck dress, and her favorite black suede pumps.
Hicks kept the coat open and her legs bare, despite the fact that the temperature was below freezing in the nation's capital.
This funereal look was rolled out on the same day that Hicks boss President Trump made his return to the White House after a two-day trip spent in California and Missouri.
Hicks did not seem all that sad, however, and she even cracked a smile at one point on her way to the car.
It was Hicks' third week at work following her announcement that she would be stepping down from her post in the Trump administration.
Back in black: Hicks (above flashing a rare smile) went for an expensive and somber look last Thursday as she headed into work upon President Trump's return to the office
Mix and match: Hicks opted for blazers as she headed into work last Tuesday (left) and Wednesday (right)
Her resignation came just one day after the Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner's West Wing-ally and spokesperson Josh Raffel announced he was stepping down from his post as senior communications official.
Hicks was one of the many who have exited the team over the past month. That mass exodus kicked off with the ousting of Hicks' boyfriend Rob Porter.
Porter resigned from his post after DailyMail.com revealed that he had been accused of physically abusing his two ex-wives in early February, a claim that the administration tried to initially deny.
That was on February 7, and since that time there have been five additional members of President Trump's administration who have left their posts, including Hicks.
Economic adviser Gary Cohn was the next to go on March 6, and on March 12 President Trump's personal aide John McEntee was escorted out of the White House by security.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired by President Trump on Tuesday, and then hours later was followed by Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein.
That second firing was a result of the first, with reports emerging that Goldstein was let go for contradicting the administration's version of events as it pertained to Tillerson's exit.
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An Afghan woman who took a university entrance exam while taking care of her two-month-old baby has become the subject of a powerful photo capturing the scene.
Jahan Taab, 22, comes from a village in the province of Daikundi, Afghanistan, and took an exam to study at a private university in Kabul.
While she was taking the exam, her two-month-old baby started crying, and Taab sat on the ground to soothe and nurse him while continuing to write down her answers.
Powerful: Jahan Taab, 22, comes from a village in the province of Daikundi, Afghanistan. She was taking a university entrance exam when her baby started crying
Yahya Erfan, a lecturer who was monitoring the exam, told BuzzFeed News he found the mother 'amazing' and decided to take a picture of the moment.
He ended up capturing a few snaps of the scene and shared them on social media, describing the context in which they were taken.
One of the snaps, which shows Taab on the ground with her infant child on her lap, writing down her answers while caring for her baby, has attracted attention from people admiring the mother's dedication, praising her for taking the exam even with a young child to tend to.
'Twenty years from now, that child will see this photo in a better Afghanistan,' one person wrote on Twitter.
Someone else deemed the picture 'absolutely touching', while another person called the mother a 'legend'.
Focused: Taab sat on the ground to soothe him while continuing to write down her answers. Yahya Erfan, a lecturer who was monitoring the exam, took photos of the scene
Future: The mother passed her exam with 152 points and now wants to study social science, but she is worried she will not be able to afford the tuition fees
Other students, Erfan said, were 'so sympathetic' to her and didn't seem to mind the baby's cries.
Taab passed her exam with 152 points and now wants to study social science.
But the mother, who comes from a 'poor family' according to the lecturer, is worried she will not be able to afford the tuition fees, and had a conversation with school officials about funding after taking the exam.
She is also concerned that she will not be able to commute to school properly, because she lives in a remote village.
'They don't have roads for cars,' Erfan said of the location.
The Afghan Youth Association, an organization based in the UK, has started a Go Fund Me to help the mother get her education.
'The reason for the campaign is that nothing should stop this woman who have made such afford to take the exam with her two-month-old child,' Shokryah Mohammadi, a member of the group, told CNN.
Through the online fundraiser, the group has raised more than $400 over the course of one day.
Champagne: not just pleasant to drink but the perfect neutral paint colour for your home.
But now global colour authority Pantone has created a new shade to rival the creamy hue that is inspired by British bubbles instead of French fizz - and it's named after English sparkling wine.
The colour, an off-white cream, was created to challenge the ubiquitous use of French wine names to describe paint shades, such as Champagne and Burgundy.
Move over Champagne, there's a new neutral paint colour in town and this shade celebrates English sparkling wine. It has been directly inspired by an award-winning English sparkling wines called Wyfold Vineyard Brut (pictured)
You can buy English sparkling wine as a paint colour now at B&Q stores in the UK
Pantone, which created the colour with British online wine retailer Laithwaite's Wine, hopes English Sparkling Wine will be the new go-to choice for interior designers as much as Champagne is currently used.
Pantone Colour Institute describes the new shade as a 'subtle and stylishly elegant, creamy hue that quietly expresses effervescence and good taste.
'Young in spirit and timeless in its appeal, this natural off-white shade conveys feelings of spring freshness and modernity,' the institute continued.
The hue was created to celebrate the booming English sparkling wine industry which has had a meteoric rise in popularity over the last few years.
A living room decorated stylishly (left) with walls painted the colour of English sparkling wine (right)
The shade is officially called English Sparkling Laithwaite's Wine
Last year, renowned French Champagne house Tattinger made history by becoming the first to plant vines in the UK to tap into the English sparkling wine market.
Sales of the fizz are also rising, and last year 51 per cent more people bought home-grown fizz compared to the previous year at Waitrose. Sales also doubled at M&S.
The industry as a whole has grown by a whopping 89 per cent over the last five years.
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute said: 'We are honoured to be involved in the creation of this new unique off white shade, Laithwaite's Wine English Sparkling.
'A colour of its time, the tastefully elegant Laithwaite's Wine English Sparkling recognizes and symbolizes the growing prominence of the English wine industry.'
The paint colour - described as having an 'undertone of pleasantness and geniality' - has been inspired by an award-winning English sparkling wines called Wyfold Vineyard Brut, a Laithwaite's own brand wine that is made using grapes grown in the Chiltern Hills.
David Thatcher, CEO of Laithwaite's Wine, said: 'Just as Burgundy and Champagne are very well known terms for colours, it's now time for English Quality Sparkling Wine to take centre stage.
'Creating an official colour is a great way of acknowledging the ever-growing popularity of the English wine industry around the world.'
The colour is now available to use digitally worldwide, as a textile or paint in the colour is made by Valspar and is available at B&Q stores.
The number of patients enduring the humiliation of mixed-sex wards has hit a seven-year high.
More than 2,250 patients were placed on the wards last month, the worst recorded figure since March 2011. Nearly 13,700 people slept on the wards in the past year.
Ministers promised to end the so-called wards of shame in 2010 following a Daily Mail campaign to expose their indignity.
More than 2,250 patients were placed on mixed-sex wards over the winter crisis, the wards are also known as 'wards of shame' (FILE photo)
But hospitals have become so overcrowded, they say it is impossible to stick to the pledge.
Labour yesterday accused the Government of abandoning a key manifesto promise and leaving thousands of patients denigrated.
NHS England figures show there were 2,278 mixed sex breaches last month, three times as many as in February 2017. A breach counts as any occasion when a patient is placed on a ward with the opposite sex, not including intensive care, high dependency units or A&E.
Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth said: These breaches are a stark indicator of patient care worsening under the Tories. Patients expect dignity and respect when theyre being treated in hospital, but instead theyre being left denigrated on mixed-sex wards.
He added: We need a full inquiry into the Governments mishandling of the NHS this winter. Successive governments have been promising to eradicate mixed-sex wards for more than 20 years.
Many patients find the wards dehumanising. They often have to share toilets or bathrooms with the opposite sex wearing little more than hospital gowns or night clothes.
The hospital with the highest number of breaches in February was Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in Kent with 582.
There were 408 at the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust in Reading and 234 at the Northampton General Hospital.
Ministers had promised to end the wards back in 2010 but last month saw the worst level of patients using mixed-sex wards (FILE photo)
Sarah Scobie, of the Nuffield Trust think-tank, said: Hospitals have increasingly had to rely on workarounds from cancelling planned operations to using mixed-sex accommodation to ensure they treat growing numbers of sick and very often frail patients in as safe and timely a manner as possible. This has meant that years of progress in driving down the rates of mixed-sex breaches are at risk.
Phillippa Hentsch, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said: Ensuring patients privacy and dignity is always a priority.
These breaches reflect the difficulties trusts and frontline staff face in providing the quality of care patients deserve. Trusts have worked hard over many years to eliminate this problem. It is disappointing to see those gains going into reverse.
Ruth May, of NHS Improvement, the hospitals regulator, added: NHS staff have been dealing with an increase in emergency admissions of 6.5 per cent compared to the same time last year.
Despite this increase and a significant spike in flu and norovirus cases, over two thirds of acute trusts reported zero mixed-sex breaches.
It comes as a leading doctor warned that the winter pressures in the NHS will not let up until Easter at the earliest. Society of Acute Medicine president Dr Nick Scriven said hospitals had been battling a perfect storm of cold weather, norovirus and flu.
Statins, hayfever pills and other common drugs may all be fueling the worrying rise of antibiotic resistance, 'scary' research suggests.
Scientists in Germany discovered that a quarter of drugs given to humans inhibit the growth of bacteria in the stomach.
This is allowing bacteria to turn into superbugs and become resistant to life-saving drugs in the same way as antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance is deemed to be one of the biggest threats to humanity and has been cited as severe as terrorism and global warming.
Scientists in Germany discovered that a quarter of drugs given to humans, including statins, inhibit the growth of bacteria in the stomach
Antibiotics have been doled out unnecessarily by GPs and hospital staff for decades, fueling once harmless bacteria to become superbugs.
But the new research into the effects of 1,000 common drugs on 40 strains of gut bacteria suggests there may be other factors fueling the resistance.
It showed simvastatin - dished out by GPs in England more than 27 million times in 2017 - was one of the most harmful on human gut bacteria.
Tamoxifen - a type of hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer - and loratadine - an antihistamine used in hayfever - were also listed as offenders.
WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE? Antibiotics have been doled out unnecessarily by GPs and hospital staff for decades, fueling once harmless bacteria to become superbugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously warned if nothing is done the world is heading for a 'post-antibiotic' era. It claimed common infections, such as chlamydia, will become killers without immediate solutions to the growing crisis. Bacteria can become drug resistant when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics or if they are given out unnecessarily. Former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies claimed in 2016 that the threat of antibiotic resistance is as severe as terrorism. Figures estimate that superbugs will kill 10 million people each year by 2050, with patients succumbing to once harmless bugs. Around 700,000 people already die yearly due to drug-resistant infections including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria across the world. Concerns have repeatedly been raised that medicine will be taken back to the 'dark ages' if antibiotics are rendered ineffective in the coming years. In addition to existing drugs becoming less effective, there have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years. In September, the WHO warned antibiotics are 'running out' as a report found a 'serious lack' of new drugs in the development pipeline. Without antibiotics, C-sections, cancer treatments and hip replacements will become incredibly 'risky', it was said at the time. Advertisement
Dr Nassos Typas, of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, said: 'This is scary considering that we take many non-antibiotic drugs in our life, often for long periods.
'We actually see drugs from all therapeutic classes impacting gut microbes.
'The most prominent from them are antipsychotics, antihypertensives, anti-cancer drugs, proton-pump inhibitors, antihistamines, painkillers and contraceptives.'
Evidence has shown for decades that antibiotics can damage the microbiome - the collective term for bacteria in the gut.
But scientists were, until now, yet to prove other drugs could also have an impact. Their study was based on suspicions.
Professor Peer Bork, co-author of the study, said: 'The number of unrelated drugs that hit gut microbes as collateral damage was surprising.'
And he claimed that the actual number of drugs that may fuel antibiotic resistance 'is likely' to be even higher than what they found.
The findings, published in the scientific journal Nature, follow a host of warnings from experts across the world about superbugs.
The World Health Organization previously stated that if nothing is done to combat the problem then the world was headed for a 'post-antibiotic' era.
It claimed common infections, such as chlamydia, will become killers without immediate answers to the growing crisis.
Bacteria can become drug resistant when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics, or they are given out unnecessarily.
England's chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies claimed in 2016 that the threat of antibiotic resistance is as severe as terrorism.
Figures estimate that superbugs will kill ten million people each year by 2050, with patients succumbing to once harmless bugs.
Around 700,000 people already die yearly due to drug-resistant infections including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria across the world.
Duncan Bannatyne's daughter today revealed that she is lucky to be alive after she mistook her sepsis for a hangover
Duncan Bannatyne's daughter has revealed she is lucky to be alive after she mistook deadly sepsis for a hangover.
Mother-of-two Abi assumed she had partied too hard at a friend's wedding in France when she woke up feeling unwell and shivering last September.
But within 24 hours, she was rushed to hospital - and lay hallucinating on the floor of a busy A&E while doctors rushed to find her a bed.
The 34-year-old had a temperature of 42C - which is so high it could have caused brain damage - after a water infection sparked sepsis.
Ms Bannatyne, from Middlesbrough, is now speaking about her ordeal in a bid to raise awareness of sepsis and help others recognise the signs.
'It was a really frightening experience and I dread to think the outcome if I had not listened,' she said. 'It could have been a lot worse.'
Ms Bannatyne only told her father, the Dragon's Den tycoon, who currently lives in Portugal, days after her life-threatening ordeal. The wedding was at Le Chateau de la Belle, in Benest - 114 miles (185km) north east of Bordeaux.
She claims she didn't want to worry her father, who has an estimated 175 million fortune, because he was on holiday in Monaco at the time.
'Dad was really worried but I told him not to panic and that I was getting better in hospital,' Ms Bannatyne - who is the second-eldest of six children - added. 'He was calling and texting me every day.'
Sepsis, known as the 'silent killer', strikes when an infection such as blood poisoning sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.
It is the leading cause of avoidable death in the UK, killing at least 44,000 a year, and the Daily Mail has long campaigned for more awareness.
Mother-of-two Abi assumed she had partied too hard at a friend's wedding in France when she woke up feeling unwell and shivering (pictured with her father)
But within 24 hours, she was rushed to hospital - and lay hallucinating on the floor of a busy A&E while doctors rushed to find her a bed (pictured in hospital with her sister)
The 34-year-old had a temperature of 42C - which is so high it could have caused brain damage - after a water infection turned into sepsis
Ms Bannatyne, from Middlesbrough, is now speaking about her ordeal in a bid to raise awareness of sepsis and help others recognise the signs
If caught early, the infection can be controlled by antibiotics before the body goes into overdrive - ultimately leading to death within a matter of minutes.
But the early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with more mild conditions, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose.
A patient can rapidly deteriorate if sepsis is missed early on, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital yet this rarely happens.
Ms Bannatyne, who was lucky to escape with her life, said: 'I originally thought the symptoms were just a hangover from my friend's wedding.
'We had a pretty mad weekend so when I got to work on Monday morning I was still feeling unwell and just presumed I was still getting over it.
'By lunchtime, I was freezing cold and sitting next to a heater when one of my colleagues told me I looked unwell and should head home to rest.
'I had a lot of pain in my lower back and felt stiff, I got into bed and couldn't lift my head up from my pillow and then I started vomiting uncontrollably even though I couldn't eat.
'It was a really frightening experience and I dread to think the outcome if I had not listened,' she said. 'It could have been a lot worse' (pictured with her father)
Ms Bannatyne only told her father, the Dragon's Den tycoon, who currently lives in Portugal, days after her life-threatening ordeal (pictured at a friend's wedding)
'My aunty had to collect my children from school but I will still adamant it was a hangover and that I would be fine in a couple of days.'
She continued to rest in bed but her condition took a turn for the worse when her temperature rocketed.
Ms Bannatyne said: 'I was being so sick and I felt like I was dying, that's why I decided to ring 111 at around 4am.
'I didn't have a thermometer so I think if I had checked my temperature at that point I would have realised how ill I was.
'I had been telling everyone that I was fine as I didn't want to bother emergency services if I was just suffering with flu.
'I was told to get a doctors appointment first thing in the morning and if I couldn't make it till then that I should ring 999 but by 7am I called for an ambulance.
'Things suddenly got serious when she took my temperature and the paramedic said that we needed to get to hospital straight away.'
'Dad was really worried but I told him not to panic and that I was getting better in hospital,' Ms Bannatyne added. 'He was calling and texting me every day'
She spent six days in hospital, having to celebrate her 34th birthday on a ward surrounded by her family and her two children, Ava, nine, and Austin, six (pictured with her sister and Austin)
Ms Bannatyne was rushed to North Tees Hospital, where she was told she would have to wait in A&E for a bed.
However, she was so ill that she had to lay down on the floor of the crowded unit as she began to hallucinate.
Ms Bannatyne said: 'I told them I had to lie down as I felt so ill and they managed to find me a bed in about 10 minutes.
'I began to get really delusional and I remember feeling like my head was going to fall off, I got really angry when people started laughing at me.
'It was really bizarre like I was in and out of consciousness. Within half an hour the doctors knew it was sepsis.'
Doctors asked her when she had last taken antibiotics and it became clear that a course of treatment had not cleared up a previous water infection.
She spent six days in hospital, having to celebrate her 34th birthday on a ward surrounded by her family and her two children, Ava, nine, and Austin, six.
Despite having private healthcare through her father's business - the working mother was overjoyed with her NHS treatment.
Ms Bannatyne, who was lucky to escape with her life, said: 'I originally thought the symptoms were just a hangover from my friend's wedding' (pictured her Ava and Austin)
Despite having private healthcare through her father's business - the working mother was overjoyed with her NHS treatment
Sepsis, known as the 'silent killer', strikes when an infection such as blood poisoning sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs
Ms Bannatyne said: 'The nurses and doctors were amazing - I was treated really quickly although it was quite depressing being in a hospital on your birthday.
'It was upsetting for the children to see their mum go through all of this too.
'I was at the gym three times a week and was also running regularly, now I struggle to run up the stairs. I'm still recovering six months on.'
Dr Ron Daniels, chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: 'Stories like Abi's remind us of the serious damage sepsis can do.
'Every day in the UK, individuals and families have their lives torn apart by the condition, but better awareness could save thousands of lives each year.
'Anyone with flu-like symptoms and one or more of the key signs of sepsis must present to healthcare immediately, either by calling an ambulance or going to an emergency department.
'With every hour that passes before the right antibiotics are administered, the risk of death increases.'
A woman who hid her 'ugly' leg for 14 years after being mocked by bullies has defied her critics by forging a successful modeling career.
Berlange Presilus, 28, who is originally from Haiti and now lives in Toronto, has a port wine stain and prominent varicose veins on her right leg due to rare disorder known as Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS).
As a child, Ms Presilus was cruelly mocked by her peers who said it looked like her leg was dying, prompting her to cover it under long trousers and skirts for more than a decade.
Keeping her 'flawed' limb to herself, Ms Presilus went on to model for the likes of Toys R Us, Samsung, Mac and Johnnie Walker.
Ms Presilus, who took part in a photo shoot showing off her leg, is speaking out to encourage others to embrace their differences.
She said: 'I feel great. I have discovered that I have magic and now I'm unstoppable.'
Berlange Presilus, who hid her 'ugly' leg for 14 years after being mocked by bullies, is showing off her 'flawed' limb in a photo shoot to encourage others to embrace their differences
Ms Presilus hopes her story will encourage people to appreciate differences in beauty
As a child, Ms Presilus' peers made cruel comments, saying her leg looked like it was dying
WHAT IS KLIPPEL-TRENAUNAY SYNDROME? Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is collection of symptoms such as port wine stains, varicose veins and extra growth of one limbs. It is present at birth but may not become apparent until varicose veins are diagnosed. KTS' cause is unclear but may be due to blood vessel problems during pregnancy. It affects one in every 20,000-to-40,000 children. What are the symptoms? Port wine stains: a flat, red or purple mark
Varicose veins: swollen, enlarged veins that usually occur on the legs. They may be blue, lumpy or twisted in appearance
Limb hypertrophy: an extra growth on the affected limb KTS cannot be treated, however, its symptoms can often be eased. Laser treatment can ease port wine stains, while compression stockings can relieve varicose veins. Limb hypertrophy can be treated via raising sufferers' shoes or surgery. Source: Great Ormond Street Hospital Advertisement
'It was the ugliest thing I had ever seen'
Speaking of her insecurities as a child, Ms Presilus said: 'I used to wear long jeans all the time and long skirts, even in the summer.
'If I exposed my leg I would get laughed at or teased.
'They would say, "Look at her, it looks like her leg is about to fall off".
'It made me feel bad and as if I didn't belong. I just felt like, "Why me?"
She said: 'I would see models in magazines with long hair and bright lipstick and I dreamed of being like them but then I would look at my leg and think, "how could it ever happen?"
'I thought my leg was ugly. It was the ugliest thing I had ever seen.'
Ms Presilus is keen to change how beauty is perceived in modelling, saying: 'Even now when you look at the bigger picture, what is being showed on magazines and in TV, you rarely see anybody with flaws.
'The industry wants to make people believe that perfection exists and if you can't look like that girl in the magazine then you are not beautiful.
'The truth is that we all have different bodies.
'I want people to hear my voice and see my story and realize that.'
Ms Presilus previously thought her limb was 'the ugliest thing she had ever seen'
She managed to hide her leg until her modelling agency requested she do a swimwear shoo
Although angry and hurt, Ms Presilus decided she had to stand up for herself
Ms Presilus says she feels 'great' and 'unstoppable' after discovering her 'magic'
'I decided enough was enough and that I had to stand up for myself'
Ms Presilus was born with a lump on her right leg, formed of a mass of intertwined veins, which grew bigger as she aged.
As a child, the condition caused Ms Presilus to crawl and walk with a left tilt, while blood circulation issues made her toes curl, resulting in painful cramps.
After spending years battling her condition Ms Presilus, was finally diagnosed with KTS aged 22.
Although she went on to launch a successful modeling career, Ms Presilus initially avoided any jobs that required she show her 'flawed' leg.
Yet, in 2016 Ms Presilus was asked to go to Singapore for a swimwear shoot.
She said: 'I was going through the motions of wanting to speak out because I thought my voice might encourage somebody else.
'I told my agency about it but the room was pretty quiet. My agent said, "Why didn't you tell us in the beginning?"
'The reason was that I wasn't ready to be rejected.
'After that the casting calls started to slow down and it went from one a month to nothing.
'Eventually I asked if it was my condition and she said, "Unfortunately it is."
She said: 'When I found out I wept and I was angry. I felt like it was unfair.
'It took me years but I started questioning things and asking myself, "Was I really born just to lie?"
'I decided enough was enough and that I had to stand up for myself.
'I decided to take part in this photoshoot and I have never looked back.
'I have stopped wearing long trousers and changed my whole wardrobe.
'It was like my whole life was changed. Now I feel great. I discovered that I had magic and now I'm unstoppable.'
Ms Presilus battled severe insecurities as a child as a result of her 'difference'
Pictured with her brothers Sherlain and Thedelin, Ms Presilus used to stand with a tilt
Ms Presilus has since stopped covering her leg and completely changed her entire wardrobe
A mother claims the beard-like mass of painful growths on her face have ruined her marriage and left her jobless.
Iris Hudson, 35, from Cleveland, Ohio, has been tormented by the raised scars, known as keloids, for almost three decades.
Despite undergoing 25 surgeries, the lumps, caused by childhood chickenpox and teenage acne, remain.
As well as causing Ms Hudson severe pain, the disorder has also caused her to battle anxiety and depression.
Trapped within her home, unable to work, Ms Hudson feels she cannot go outdoors due to her frequently enduring cruel stares from strangers, with some even taking photos and videos.
The former marketing director even blames her appearance for her separation from her husband of 17 years.
Ms Hudson is speaking out to raise money towards a last-resort treatment.
Iris Hudson claims the beard-like mass of painful growths on her face have ruined her marriage
The scars, which she believes are behind her unemployment, have been present for decades
The keloids cause agonising pain that makes Ms Hudson feel as if her skin is burning
WHAT ARE KELOIDS? Keloids are types of scars that occur when they become larger than the original wound. This can be due to minor skin damage, such as acne, and can spread out of the original area and persist for many years. Keloids affect around 11 million people around the world every year. A tendency to develop keloids can run in families. They look like exaggerated scars and are raised above the skin. Keloids are shiny and hairless, and can feel hard and rubbery, as well as domed. New ones are often red or purple before turning browner as people age. Most sufferers have just one or two keloids, however, some have many, particularly if they are the result of acne or chickenpox. Keloids can often not be cured as cutting one out may cause it to be replaced by a larger scar in the same place. Source: British Skin Foundation Advertisement
'My skin feels like its burning all the time'
Ms Hudson first noticed the growths at eight years old after her chicken pox cleared up.
While in her teenage years, the problem worsened when Ms Hudson developed acne, particularly on her chest.
Speaking of her symptoms, she said: 'I get constant flare ups and strikes of pain where the keloids are, especially at night and when I'm out in the sun.
'During the summer months, my skin basically feels like its burning all the time.
'I get anxiety when I have to go outside and I get so depressed that I have to stay home and can't work.
'None of the surgeries worked and some of them even made the problem worse.
'Anything touching them can cause pain. I even have to be cautious of what clothes I wear.
As well as affecting her quality of life, Ms Hudson's disorder has also had a significant impact on he relationships. She said: 'My husband was always accepting of my keloids, but it got to the point where he just didn't understand what I was going through and it tore us apart.'
She also endures cruel treatment from strangers, adding: 'People are always staring at me. Sometimes I just keep walking and sometimes I stare back.'
Ms Hudson endures cruel stares from strangers, with some even taking photos and videos
The pain is so severe Ms Hudson even has to be cautious of the clothes she wears
Her anxiety and depression cause Ms Hudson to feel trapped in her home, unable to work
'I'd love to be able to start living my life again'
Ms Hudson's last resort to relieve her suffering is to undergo cryotherapy, which involves freezing the growths and is the only procedure she has not tried.
She hopes this will remove the scars and finally relieve the pain.
Iris said: 'I'd love to be able to return to work and start living my life again.'
Out of all the setbacks Ms Hudson has been forced to face, the most difficult for her has been to prove to her 18-year-old daughter that she is a good role model, despite not working.
Ms Hudson said: 'I always made sure I was the best in school when I was younger and at my jobs when I got older. Now she's followed in my footsteps and is exactly the same.
'I don't think she remembers me working when she was younger, so I just want to be able to go back to work for her.'
Ms Hudson felt her husband did not understand her disorder, which drove them apart
Ms Hudson worries not working makes her a bad role model for her daughter Imani (pictured)
Ms Hudson's condition was triggered by childhood chickenpox and later teenage acne
What are keloids? An expert explains
Dr Raffy Karamanoukian, a plastic surgeon who specialises in keloids,said: 'They are caused by injuries ranging from something as simple as acne to something as extreme as serious trauma.
'Keloids are overactive scars that grow beyond the footprint of the original injury.
'They can significantly impact a person's quality of life.
'They can present a major cosmetic issue, cause pain, affect sleeping patterns and limit the function of the body depending on where they are located.
'Treatments start with creams and gels, but if those can't clear them up, it might be necessary to seek scar modulation procedures, injections, lasering and even surgeries.'
Donate towards Ms Hudson's cryotherapy here.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) could be caused by having low levels of thyroid hormones, a new study suggests.
The findings shed new light on the truth behind the debilitating condition, which has prompted uproar among the medical community in recent years.
Skeptics dismiss the extreme tiredness and mental lethargy as merely psychological, but angry patients are adamant it's biological.
And the new Dutch research, conducted on 197 adults, backs up claims that it is a physical problem and not made up in the head of sufferers.
Scientists today announced hope of finding the root cause of CFS, which may allow doctors to move away from treatments that involve psychologists.
The findings shed new light on the truth behind the condition, which has prompted uproar among the medical community in recent years
There is no cure and current treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), graded exercise therapy and medications such as antidepressants.
Researchers at the University Medical Center Groningen compared thyroid function between 98 CFS patients and 97 healthy adults.
Results, branded remarkable, showed CFS patients had lower serum levels of two key hormones, triiodothyronine and thyroxine.
Having low levels of the two hormones, called T3 and T4 respectively, can cause weakness and fatigue - like that of CFS.
However, they did not show signs of hypothyroidism - where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone.
The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology.
SCIENTISTS ANGRY AT 'FLAWED' TRIAL The study findings come after angry scientists threw cheap insults at each other regarding the 'flawed' results of a landmark 5 million British study on chronic fatigue syndrome. One medical journal dedicated its entire August edition to ripping apart the 'unreliable' PACE trial, which was funded by taxpayers. In response, three editors at the Journal of Health Psychology, who are all scientists, have resigned. One said the journal displayed 'unacceptable one-sidedness'. An upset co-editor of the journal hit back and told him to 'f*** off' for his 'attempted bullying', leaked emails obtained by The Times show. He also called him a 'disgusting old fart neoliberal hypocrite' - despite once considering him a 'hero' and referring to him as a 'Trotskyite' in his younger days. Advertisement
Some 250,000 people in Britain suffer from the condition, while figures suggest it strikes as many as two million in the US.
It comes with flu-like symptoms, extreme tiredness and mental lethargy which can leave some sufferers bedridden for years.
The condition rose to prominence in the 1980s, and was dubbed 'yuppie flu' due to the young professionals it tended to affect.
A lack of evidence for a clear physical cause encouraged doctors to believe it was a psychological condition.
But for years infuriated campaigners have insisted it is to do with an infection or a failure of their immune system.
A landmark study in 2011 published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, which has since been disputed, formed the basis of treatment.
The results of the PACE trial sparked the ongoing debate that the controversial condition is merely psychological.
Treatment for CFS is delivered by psychologists and involves therapy, which has only angered sufferers more by suggesting it is all in their head.
The new study comes after Bristol University research in September, published in the Archives of Disease, revealed that a controversial treatment for children with debilitating CFS can actually help in some cases.
The Lightning Process - a course which claims to retrain the brain to improve physical health - worked when combined with specialist medical care.
The 620 course has been praised by celebrities such as Martine McCutcheon and the wife of England rugby union player Austin Healey.
But some experts and campaigners have condemned the 620 course which is not available on the NHS - as pseudoscience' and 'quack medicine'.
Dr Charles Shepherd, honorary medical adviser at the ME Association, said: 'This new research into thyroid gland hormones in ME/CFS represents an important advance in our understanding of hormonal abnormalities in this illness.
'We already know that there are abnormalities involving the hormone cortisol in ME/CFS.
'However, routine blood tests for thyroid function in ME/CFS have always indicated that thyroid gland hormones are not affected.
'Consequently, thyroid hormone treatment is not recommended for ME/CFS - as this can cause serious side effects in people who have normal thyroid function.
'If this new research - which demonstrates a defect in thyroid hormone activity rather than actual thyroid gland disease - can be replicated by other independent research groups, it suggests that the cautious use of thyroid hormone treatment needs to be assessed in a clinical trial.
'It could be an effective form of treatment for at least a sub-group of people with ME/CFS.'
Doctors have revealed how a dying cancer patient's labia fused together - and they blame her lack of sex after the menopause.
The Japanese patient urinated out of a 'pinhole' and had a build-up of urine in her vagina and cervix because she was unable to clear it all.
The 76-year-old, whose identity is unknown, 'took a long time' when she went to the toilet - but denied that she ever suffered any pain.
She had given birth twice vaginally and had never undergone a screening, meaning her fused labia had never been stumbled across.
Gynaecologists in Sendai believe the post-menopausal woman may have spotted the issue - caused by low oestrogen levels - had she been having sex.
The Japanese patient urinated out of a 'pinhole' and had a build-up of urine in her vagina and cervix because she was unable to clear it all (stock)
Doctors feared the woman's stage four oesophageal cancer spread further when a PET scan revealed a 'high accumulation' in her vagina.
The Tohoku University Hospital team referred her to a gynaecologist - who found the woman's unusual labia and published it in medical literature.
An inspection showed 'there was a pinhole opening at the midpoint between her clitoris and anus', doctors wrote in the Journal of Medical Case Reports.
Her urethral orifice - the hole which urine comes out of - had wasted away and the entrance to her vagina was masked by the fused labia.
The patient, however, denied suffering any trauma or battling infections - two main causes of labial adhesion, better known as fusion.
WHAT IS LABIAL ADHESION? Labial adhesion, when the small inner lips around the entrance to the vagina become sealed together, can be caused by low levels of oestrogen. As a result, the problem is fairly common in girls before puberty. However, it rarely strikes postmenopausal women - who can suffer from hypoestrogenism. Surgery for labial fusion isn't recommended unless there are other symptoms which may cause problems. Treatment is with oestrogen cream or ointment applied daily or, very rarely, surgical separation. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement
Tests of a small sample then confirmed her claims as doctors were unable to detect any presence of blood or bacteria in her urine.
Labial adhesion, when the small inner lips around the entrance to the vagina become sealed together, can be caused by low levels of oestrogen.
As a result, the problem is fairly common in girls before puberty. However, it rarely strikes postmenopausal women - who can suffer from hypoestrogenism.
Doctors claimed the woman's sedentary lifestyle and lack of a sexual partner was to blame as it could have helped spot the condition beforehand.
Writing in the medical journal, the medics said: 'Decreased general activity and lack of sexual intercourse were the major causative factors leading to labial fusion.'
Doctors dilated the hole to try and reach the bladder, where they confirmed the woman had urine in her cervix.
Surgeons then operated on the woman - who underwent the menopause aged 40. They 'bluntly' and 'sharply' cut open the labia to restore her function.
The patient was given an oestrogen ointment to prevent her labia from fusing again.
A mother-of-six had to have her hands and legs amputated after what started as a common cold turned into life-threatening pneumonia and a blood infection.
Tiffany King, 38, was rushed to a hospital in Provo, Utah, in mid-January after waking up in the middle of the night with difficulty breathing.
She slipped into a coma and was diagnosed with viral and bacterial pneumonia that lead to sepsis - giving her a 15 percent chance of survival.
When she woke up from the coma at the end of January, she was told that both of her hands and both of her legs would need to be amputated.
Nearly two months later Tiffany is undergoing physical therapy and has her mind set on being able to walk down the aisle at her wedding in October.
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Tiffany King, 38, caught a cold in Springsville, Utah, in January that led to viral and bacterial pneumonia and sepsis. When she woke from a coma her fiance Moale Fonohema, right, told her she needed a quadruple amputation
Tiffany is a dental technician living in Springsville, Utah, with her fiance Moale Fonohema and their six kids ages four to 27 - three of whom are hers, two are his and one they adopted together.
When Tiffany was in her 20s she found out she carried a gene for a severe type of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis that affects the spine and large joints in the body.
To treat it, she started taking Humera, an immunosuppressant that weakens the immune system.
In mid-January Tiffany came down with a cold, and one night she woke up with trouble breathing, so her fiance - nicknamed Moe - brought her to a 24-hour clinic.
From there she was sent in an ambulance to a hospital in Provo where she slipped into a coma and was diagnosed with viral and bacterial pneumonia.
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs and is most commonly caused by bacteria and viruses - or in Tiffany's case, both.
Viral pneumonia invades the lungs and cases swelling that blocks the flow of oxygen and increases the likelihood of developing bacterial pneumonia, which infects and inflames the air sacs in the lungs causing them to fill up with fluid.
The combination of the swelling and the fluid explains why Tiffany was unable to breathe.
Tiffany is pictured with fiance Moale Fonohema - nicknamed Moe - and five of their six kids - three of whom are hers, two are his and one they adopted together
When she was in her 20s Tiffany found out she carried a gene for a severe type of arthritis and began taking Humera, an immunosuppressant that weakens the immune system. She is pictured left with Moe and right with a friend
While she was in the coma and being treated for the pneumonia, her liver and kidneys began to fail.
By the end of January Tiffany had developed sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection that kills 30 percent of patients.
Sepsis occurs in response to an infection, commonly pneumonia, when chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight an infection cause inflammation throughout the body.
It also critically-low blood pressure that can lead to organ failure.
Tiffany's chances of survival went from 70 percent to 30 to 15 in a matter of days.
'Doctors said that we should start making (funeral) arrangements,' Moe told People.
He stayed by her bedside every night waiting for her to wake up.
'It was scary, but I knew that she could get through it. She's a tough person and I wasn't about to give up on her. To be honest, we have wedding plans and I knew that we both wanted more than anything to see them happen.'
The doctors put Tiffany on Levophed, a common sepsis treatment that counteracts the low blood pressure by diverting blood from the limbs to the organs so they can continue to function.
When she came out of the coma, Moe broke the news that she would need a quadruple amputation of her hands and legs.
'When he told me that the lack of blood flow to my arms and legs meant that a quadruple amputation was necessary in order for me to live, I didn't hesitate to say: "Let's do it,"' Tiffany told People.
When Tiffany came out of the coma, Moe broke the news that she would need a quadruple amputation of her hands and legs
Throughout her time in the hospital, Tiffany has been surrounded by friends and family
Tiffany said she has always been a positive person and intends to stay that way despite the long road to recovery ahead of her
Tiffany describes herself as an active person, and said she knows the amputation will affect that.
'I love to turn up the music around the house and dance, and I enjoy snowboarding and horses,' she said. 'So sure, it was shocking to hear that I had to lose my arms and legs, but I know that we'll figure it out. I have a lot of people cheering me on.'
While she recovers in the hospital and goes to physical therapy to learn how to do everyday tasks without the help of her hands, Tiffany's family and friends are working to make her home as accessible and comfortable as possible.
They also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for prosthetic arms and legs that will cost $225,000 and insurance won't cover.
The page has raised $60,000 as of Tuesday morning.
'If I can get enough to pay for those prosthetics, I'm going to work very hard every single day so that I can walk again,' Tiffany said.
'The first thing I want to do is walk down the aisle to marry Moe. That's my biggest dream now, and I'd love for it to come true this fall.'
Moe added: 'With arms and legs or without them, I'm here for her I love her. She was worried how I'd feel about her after the amputation, but nothing has changed.
'"You're my rock," I told her. "And I'll be your hands and feet."'
While she knows she has a long road to recovery ahead of her, Tiffany said she has always been a positive person and intends to stay that way.
'Of course, there are days when I ask: "God, why did this happen to me?" But I'm so thankful to be alive and to have a future with my family,' she said.
'There are lots of reasons why I shouldn't be here but I am. So I'm going to make the very best of the situation, work hard and tackle every difficult task the best that I can for the people I love.'
Star Trek star Sir Patrick Stewart is supporting a campaign for Alfie Dingley, six, to be given medical cannabis to treat his epilepsy.
Alfie, from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, suffers from a rare form of the condition, known as PCDH19, which causes him to suffer up to 150 life-threatening seizures a month.
The youngster has been in hospital three times since returning from a five-month stint in the Netherlands last week, where his symptoms 'miraculously' improved after his parents paid for specialist cannabis-oil treatment.
Sir Patrick, who uses medicinal cannabis to treat his arthritis while living in California, said: 'How could one not support Alfie?
'Hearing what his life has been and the benefits given to him by being able to use medicinal marijuana, there has never been a stronger case for the legalisation of medical marijuana.'
Following Alfie's hospitalisation, his mother Hannah Deacon, a hairdresser, appealed directly to the Home Office and Prime Minister Theresa May to 'act to help my beloved son survive and have the best life he can'.
Ms Decon and Alfie's father Drew Dingley handed the 370,000-strong petition, which is also backed by Joanna Lumley and Richard Branson, supporting the use of the banned substance, to Number 10 Downing Street today.
Cannabis oil is illegal in the UK, despite being available for medical purposes throughout Europe. The Home Office previously said it would consider a medical cannabis trial as an option for Alfie, who will likely would be institutionalised with psychosis and die prematurely without appropriate treatment.
Sir Patrick Stewart (pictured with Alfie's parents Drew Dingley and Hannah Deacon) is supporting the campaign for Alfie Dingley, six, to be given cannabis to treat his epilepsy
They gave a 370,000-strong petition supporting the drugs' use to Number 10 Downing Street
Alfie Dingley, six, has a rare epilepsy, which causes him to suffer up to 150 seizures a month
Sir Patrick uses cannabis to help treat his arthritis while living in California and says 'there has never been a stronger case for legalisation' than Alfie (pictured with his father Drew Dingley)
Alfie will likely would be institutionalised with psychosis and die prematurely without therapy
'We just want our little boy back'
Speaking of his condition, Sir Patrick said: 'I have been registered for medical marijuana in California for over three years and have found it immensely beneficial for my arthritis.
'I had to have eight steroid injections in my fingers and knuckles, which was about as painful as anything one could imagine, because medicinal cannabis is not available here.'
Speaking of his son's disorder, Mr Dingley said: 'Alfie's condition is worsening, which is obviously a worry.
'The steroids have side effects, they make people more aggressive and we've seen a change in his behaviour.
'We just want our little boy back, our happy little six-year-old playing with his sister.
'This is our six-year-old son, we're not going to put something into him that's in any way illegal.
'What we're asking for is a medical-grade product, made under laboratory conditions, which is bottled and prescribed in the way any painkiller is.
'It's amazing the support we've had, Richard Branson came out of the blue and all the support has been amazing from people. Hopefully things are starting to move in the right direction.'
Ms Deacon added: 'Alfie is really struggling and really suffering.
'The longer this goes on the longer he will suffer and it has to stop.'
'It's really important that the Government understands the importance of feeling in the public domain, we have a lot of public support.
'We're hoping to get some reassurance and clarity on what the Government will do to help us.'
Sir Patrick felt compelled to help Alfie after hearing how cannabis changed his symptoms
As well as Sir Patrick, Joanna Lumley and Richard Branson also back the campaign
Alfie's parents Hannah Decon and Drew Dingley (pictured with their son and three-year-old daughter Annie Dingley) will hand the 380,000-strong petition supporting the use of the banned substance, to Number 10 Downing Street today
'Beloved' boy Alfie Dingley has been rushed back to hospital for emergency treatment
'Please don't stand by and let my son die'
This comes after Alfie was admitted to hospital earlier this month after suffering a cluster of seizures, and being given intravenous steroids, to the distress of his family, who describe him as a 'beloved son'.
It was the second time he had been hospitalised since returning from the Netherlands.
On a Facebook page set up to highlight his plight, 'Alfie's Hope', Ms Deacon said: 'To see him in distress in hospital with his life in danger yet again is traumatic and heartbreaking. My son is suffering.
'We need your urgent compassion and action now. Please don't stand by and let my son suffer or die unnecessarily.'
Ms Deacon added the medical cannabis products were the 'only ones which have worked' to reduce Alfie's seizures in number, duration and severity.
'It's clear his life is being put at risk by this ridiculous mess that is happening at the moment. I can't bear to watch my son have seizures. It's heartbreaking,' she said in an emotional video.
The Home Office has revealed ministers are exploring 'every option' for treating him, including putting him on a medical cannabis trial (pictured with his mother)
Alfie Dingley's mother, Hannah Deacon, has repeatedly urged the Government to grant the youngster a licence to use cannabis oil to soothe his symptoms
Home office are considering a cannabis trial
Ms Deacon has repeatedly urged the Government to grant Alife a licence to use cannabis oil to soothe his symptoms.
It previously denied his mother's plea, warning the banned substance 'cannot be prescribed, administered or supplied to the public'.
Yet the Home Office recently revealed ministers are exploring 'every option' for treating Alfie, including putting him on a medical cannabis trial.
If Ms Deacon were to give Alfie - the only boy in Britain to have PCDH19 - medical cannabis in the UK, she could be jailed for up to 14 years.
While Policing Minister Nick Hurd has met with the family to discuss possible treatments, it has been stressed no decisions have been made.
A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Government has a huge amount of sympathy for the rare and difficult situation that Alfie and his family are faced with.
'The Policing Minister wants to explore every option and has met with Alfie's family to discuss treatments that may be accessible for him.
'No decisions have been made and any proposal would need to be led by senior clinicians using sufficient and rigorous evidence.'
Mr Hurd previously told MPs that he 'sympathised deeply' on a personal level with the situation faced by the family.
It previously denied his mother's heart-rending plea, warning the banned substance 'cannot be prescribed, administered or supplied to the public'
Speaking in the Commons, he added: 'We are aware that the position is shifting in other countries, we monitor that closely.
'We are also aware that cannabis is an extremely complex substance and the WHO quite rightly are looking at it from every angle.'
It follows the landmark case of Billy Caldwell, an epileptic boy in Castlederg, Northern Ireland, who was prescribed cannabis oil on the NHS last April.
Although Alfie has been successfully treated in the Netherlands with cannabis oil, he cannot be given the drug in Britain.
Members of the all-party parliamentary group on drug policy reform had called on the Home Office to assist with Alfie's plight, saying it would reduce his seizures and hospital visits brought on by his condition.
Although Alfie has been successfully treated in the Netherlands with cannabis oil, he cannot be given the drug in Britain because it is illegal
His family who spent five months in Den Haag, said the medication, prescribed by a paediatric neurologist, reduced his seizures in number, duration and severity
Since Alfie (pictured as a baby) and his mother returned to Britain in January after running out of money, he has been unable to continue the treatment
WHAT IS CBD OIL AND IS IT LEGAL IN THE UK? Government advisers made it legal to buy CBD supplements in 2016 CBD oil is a legal cannabinoid that can be sold in the UK. CBD contains less than 0.2 per cent of the psychoactive substance THC. Although the oil has been thought to have some medicinal properties, including relieving inflammation, pain and anxiety, there is no conclusive science. Suppliers in England and Wales have to obtain a licence to sell CBD as a medicine. Manufacturers are able to avoid the strict regulation by selling it as a food supplement - ignoring the lengthy process of gaining a medicinal licence. CBD products comes in many forms, the most popular being an oil - which users spray under their tongue - or gel tablets which melt slowly in the mouth. Government advisers at the MHRA found that CBD has a restoring, correcting or modifying effect on humans. Cannabis oil, which is different to CBD oil because it contains THC - the compound that gives users a 'high' - is illegal under UK laws. Billy Caldwell, from Castlederg, Northern Ireland, made headlines last April when he became the first Briton to be prescribed it on the NHS. Cannabis oil, which reportedly has no side effects, influences the release and uptake of feel good chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. Advertisement
'Miraculous' results with cannabis treatment
Alfie's first attack happened when he was just eight months old. By the age of four he was having seizures every three weeks.
Doctors discovered he was just one of just five boys in the world in the world to have PCDH19, which is caused by a genetic mutation.
By 2016 Alfie's seizure frequency increased to almost every week, with multiple episodes each time.
In despair Ms Decon sought out other treatments and learned about cannabis oil, which contains THC, the compound that causes a 'high'.
It is different to CBD oil which is legal because it does not contain THC.
Ms Deacon found a doctor in Holland willing to prescribe it, so moved there with Alfie last September.
The results were, she previously said, 'nothing short of a miracle', bringing his seizures down to about one a month. The Dutch doctor said the outcome was 'astounding'.
Yet since Alfie and his mother returned to Britain in January after running out of money, he has been unable to continue the treatment.
Baroness Meacher, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Drugs Reform, previously said it was 'scandalous' that Alfie couldn't be given cannabis oil in Britain.
And Tory MP Crispin Blunt, who advocates for the legalisation of cannabis, added: 'This position must be reviewed in the UK urgently.'
Yet The Home Office said last month it would not issue a licence for the personal consumption of a 'Schedule 1 drug' such as cannabis.
THE LANDMARK CASE OF BILLY CALDWELL An 11-year-old on the brink of death from a severe form of epilepsy has made an 'incredible' recovery since taking medical marijuana. Billy Caldwell, from Castlederg, Northern Ireland, made headlines in April when he became the first Briton to be prescribed such a drug on the NHS. But his treatment actually began last November, when he was given cannabis oil by specialists in the US in hope it would control his vicious seizures. And now, 10 months since he was first given the liquid cannabis oil, he hasn't had any seizures. He used to suffer up to 100 a day. Born with intractable epilepsy and learning disabilities, Billy has since cheated death thousands of times, his mother said. Charlotte told Derry Now: 'Following extensive treatment with CBD oil, Billy is now more than 300 days seizure free.' The 49-year-old, who is her son's full-time carer, also told ITV News earlier this year the change has been 'incredible, because one seizure can kill him'. Advertisement
Alfie is the only boy in Britain, and one of just five in the world, to have the form of epilepsy known as PCDH19, which is caused by a genetic mutation
Even if they are born full-term, American babies are as much as 200 percent more likely to die in infancy than babies in many European countries, new research reveals.
More than 7,000 full-term babies die in the US each year, but infants are at much higher risks in some states than others, according to a Harvard University study.
High rates of mortality in places like Mississippi as compared to New York or California suggest that the nation's high infant mortality rate could be curbed as many of these full-term babies' deaths were likely preventable.
Many of the babies died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation, both of which suggested to the authors that too many Americans are not using the safest sleeping arrangements for their babies.
A map reveals that full-time babies are at as much as three times greater risks of dying in infancy in states like Mississippi than in New York or California
Between January 2010 and December 2012, more than 10.1 million babies were born full-term in the US.
Being born after a full, 39-40 week gestation period is one of the best survival advantages an infant can have.
Conversely, with every additional week early a baby is born, its mortality risks falls precipitously.
In the US, the mortality rate for babies born between 22 and 23 weeks of gestation is 4.2 per every 1,00 live births.
Overall in the US, 5.9 infants per every 1,000 die, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because premature babies are typically weaker and less resilient than those carried to term, this high infant mortality rate is thought to be driven up by their deaths.
But, according to the study authors, mortality rates for premature infants in the US are similar to those in other high-income countries, so their deaths do not explain why the country is ranked 44th out of 199 countries for overall infant mortality rates.
'Children born after 36 weeks of gestationin the US faced more than twice the mortality risk of children in European countries with low infant mortality rates,' the authors wrote.
The new research revealed that infant mortality among full-term babies remained high at 2.23 per 1,000 live births, which, the CDC estimates, accounts for more than half of the disparity in infant mortality between the US as Sweden, the authors wrote.
Even more staggering was the wide range of state-to-state variation.
Mortality rates were highest for full-term babies in Mississippi, where an infant was three times more likely to die than in the state with the lowest rate, Connecticut.
Sudden unexplained death of infants (SUDI) was listed as the cause on 43 percent of the full-term babies death certificates.
SUDI encapsulates a number of incidents ranging from wholly unexplained sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) to other fatal sleep accidents.
In states where a greater number of full-term babies died, SUDI tended to account for the difference in death rates from cities with better odds.
New York and California saw fewer than six deaths per 10,000 births, but 12 states, including Ohio, South Dakota and Tennessee, had infant mortality rates more than twice that high.
The researchers reasoned that, because premature infant mortality is similar in the US and other countries, and most of these deaths were due to SUDI rather than birth defects immediate post-delivery care quality was not a likely cause.
Instead, they pointed to studies done in European countries that suggested that 'a large majority of SIDS deaths could historically be attributed to prone sleeping [positions] and maternal drug consumption'.
Both Sweden and Scotland have reduced the number of babies that die from SIDS by as much as 75 percent through 'active public health programs,' the researchers wrote.
Although the American Academy of Paediatrics like pediatric associations in most high-income countries recommends that babies sleep in the same room but not the same bed as their parents, 'general compliance with sleeping recommendations continues to be a challenge in the US,' the authors wrote.
They observed that women with lower income sand education levels are more likely to sleep in the same bed with their babies, and the infants of these mothers are more likely to die of suddenly during the night.
'The results presented in this paper suggest that a substantial proportion of these deaths are preventable, with particularly large improvements possible for SUDI,' the study authors wrote.
Busy Philipps has been diagnosed with sunburned eyes after doing a 10-hour photo shoot for a new magazine cover.
The 38-year-old actress, who has recently burst back into the limelight as a star of Instagram stories, shared her mysterious ordeal with fans last night, weeping uncontrollably from agonizing pain that felt like 'shards of glass inside' her eyeballs.
After hours of trying to soothe her eyes with water-soaked napkins and taking allergy medicine, as some fans had suggested, Philipps went to the ER where she was diagnosed with photokeratitis, inflammation of the cornea caused by exposure to bright light.
The condition, she discovered, is particularly common among people with blue eyes, including blue-eyed CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, who came down with it in 2012 after spending 36 hours on a sun-soaked yacht in Portugal.
Ever self-deprecating, Philipps poked fun at her misfortune in an Instagram story driving home from the hospital at 5.20am: 'It's so on-brand... I get one big magazine cover and I do one photo shoot and I burn my eyeballs.'
Agony: Busy Philipps, 38, posted this photo on Instagram on Tuesday after a night in the ER, ending in doctors diagnosing her with photokeratitis, sunburn of the eyes
Photokeratitis can hit anyone with overexposure to intense ultraviolet light, whether they're on a beach, in the mountains or in front of stage lights.
Skiers call it 'snow blindness', while welders call it 'arc eye'.
Usually it happens when the light reflects off something - snow, water, sand, a white board - and burns the cornea, which is a dome protecting the eye.
The effects of photokeratitis are temporary, much like a sunburn.
But while they do not cause blindness or other lingering conditions, the symptoms are excruciating.
Some feel temporarily blinded. Some, like Philipps, feel a stabbing sensation. Some describe a feeling of 'grit' inside their eyelids.
People with blue eyes are more sensitive to all eye condition, since there is less pigment in the eye, so more light is let in.
They have higher risk of age-related macular degeneration, rosacea-related eye issue, and - of course - photokeratitis.
Philipps' ordeal began at around 6pm on Monday, when she went for dinner with her husband, writer and director Marc Silverstein, in LA before they were due to see a band, Super Organism.
The actress and Instagram star took her fans through every step of the agonizing ordeal
CAN YOU PREVENT PHOTOKERATITIS? In order to prevent the condition, it is important to protect your eyes by looking away from the sun or using sunglasses that filter out UV rays. For those on a photo shoot, it's important to give your eyes as much of a rest from the bright lights as possible. If you're in the sun, you need shades. But not all sunglasses are made equal: some will block UV and some aren't so good at it. UV rays measure between 320 and 390 nanometres. If sunglasses carry a CE mark that means they should allow no more than five percent of UV rays below 380 nanometres to get through. Another common sign on sunglasses is something that says 'UV 400'. That means that the glasses should, in theory, block out all UV rays below 400 nanometers. Advertisement
Half-way through the dinner, however, Philipps started spontaneously crying.
At first, she found it funny, posting an Instagram story about this apparently new bizarre social habit she had developed.
She said: 'I used to have a boyfriend who used to hate how loud I laugh in restaurants, but now I cry a lot in restaurants. And Marc just said... what would that guy have done?
'Now I can't even remember what I was crying about. I was legitimately crying three seconds ago.
'Can you see it? It's happening again. This who I am... crying in restaurants.'
She added: 'This is who my mom is, Barbara Philipps. You can see how we turn into our mothers. Thanks mom.'
But an hour later, still at the restaurant, her condition started to deteriorate.
'Now I'm just holding napkins dipped in cold water to my eyes as cold compresses because they're swelling I can't even see straight,' she said, insisting: 'I'm going to the doctor tomorrow.'
Eventually, she had to go home, and around 8pm she posted a video in agony.
'Guys I'm having a crazy allergic reaction, we were meant to go see a band tonight - Super Organism, who I love. I had to come home, I can't even open my eyes, it feels like there are shards of glass.'
She explains that she couldn't go to the doctor that day because she was doing a photo shoot from 8.30am to 6pm, at which point she had to meet Marc for dinner.
Instead, she was following fans' advice, taking anti-allergy pills Zirtek and Benadryl, but nothing was doing the trick.
Philipps, pictured at a Levi's event last Thursday, found that she has a higher risk of the condition because she has blue eyes
Fellow victim: Famously blue-eyed CNN anchor Anderson Cooper contracted photokeratitis in 2012 after spending 36 hours on a sun-soaked yacht in Portugal
Finally, she posted at around 11pm: 'Ok I'm going to go to bed and close my eyes even though when I close my eyes it feels like there are shards of glass inside them. I'll update you tomorrow after I go to the doctor.'
Eight hours later, at 5.20am, fans were met with an answer to the mysterious ordeal.
Philipps, driving in the dark with sunglasses on, said: 'Is it cool that we just spent four hours at the emergency room for my eyes? I have photokeratitis. I sunburned my eyes from my photoshoot today.'
Her doctor told her Anderson Cooper had it, and that it's particularly risky for people with blue eyes.
As a lasting warning to fans, Busy, who runs a health podcast, said: 'Gotta be careful out there guys when you're...doing photo shoots... or on yachts.'
Britons had started to accept self-driving cars and were becoming increasingly confident about their safety credentials before one was involved in the death of a pedestrian in the US at the weekend.
A consumer study by Deloitte found that less than half of UK respondents (49 per cent) believed self-driving cars will be unsafe when they arrive. That was down from 73 per cent who answered the annual survey 12 months earlier.
This is likely to be dented after one of Uber's fleet of autonomous Volvo SUVs was in a collision with 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg in Tempe, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday evening, marking the first fatality involving a self-driving vehicle on public roads since their incarnation.
Police in a Phoenix suburb said one of Uber's self-driving vehicles (like the one pictured) struck and killed a pedestrian. Police in the city of Tempe said that the vehicle was in autonomous mode with an operator behind the wheel when the collision happened
The death is likely to reignite fears about the imminent introduction and testing of driverless cars in the UK, with the Government increasing funding to make the country a world leader in autonomous vehicle technology.
Deloitte had polled 22,000 people across 17 different nations on their attitudes. The insight provider said the feedback from UK drivers was in-line with the thoughts of motorists from other countries, with people generally growing more trusting of the technology.
Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed in November last year that he wants fully-driverless cars on UK roads by 2021.
Just last week, roads minister Jesse Norman announced a review by the Law Commission that will examine any legal obstacles that might restrict the widespread introduction of self-driving vehicles in Britain in time for the chancellor's deadline.
With ministers backing their introduction and an increasing number of car manufacturers working to create their own systems, motorists had become less fearful of the technology, according to a new report.
Deloitte said just 30 per cent of Italians polled believed self-driving cars would be unsafe, while 37 per cent of French drivers felt they would make roads more dangerous.
However, the first fatality could undo much of the work done to convince the public that autonomous vehicles are the next logical step for global transport.
Police reports from the weekend's incident claim that the Uber vehicle that struck and killed Elaine Herzberg was operating in automated mode at the time, though there was a human in the driver's seat.
A spokesperson for Tempe police suggested that the vehicle was travelling at 40mph and showed no significant signs of slowing down before the impact.
The suggested failure of the system to recognise the risk ahead could change consumer attitude towards trials taking place in the UK, with Uber suspending all of their testing with immediate effect in the US.
According to police, Herzberg was hit by an SUV (pictured) at around 10pm on Sunday in Tempe when she was walking her bicycle outside of a crosswalk
Uber has since suspended all of its US trials involving autonomous vehicles
Why had trust grown among consumers?
Deloitte said one of the most influential factors for a growing acceptance of autonomous vehicles before the fatal incident was the increased involvement of trusted brands developing the technology.
Over half (53 per cent) of respondents said they would trust an autonomous vehicle that was manufactured by an established company, up from 44 per cent who completed the poll in 2017.
That said, fewer were convinced by systems developed by non car-making firms.
Just 21 per cent of consumers said they had faith in self-driving systems brought to market by tech firms, such as Uber, as more felt comfortable with technology derived from auto makers.
Mike Woodward, UK automotive leader at Deloitte, said: 'The significant improvement in consumer trust in autonomous vehicles is a critical step in progressing driverless technology.
'Although driverless cars are still at an experimental phase, building consumer trust in the industry will be a key step in its future success.'
Jaguar Land Rover originally conducted a short trial of connected and autonomous car technology in November 2017 on roads in Coventry
Jaguar Land Rover is expected to conduct more tests in Coventry and Milton Keynes throughout 2018
In light of recent activity, UK ministers now face pressure to increase the safeguarding of road users and provide more clarity about where responsibility lies if collisions take place involving driverless cars.
Much of this is likely to be covered in the law review confirmed last week, which will focus on apportioning blame in crashes involving other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians - and consider how everyone can be protected from risk.
WILL DRIVERLESS VEHICLES BE ON THE ROAD BY 2021? More than two thirds of the UKs small and medium-sized enterprises don't expect to see self-driving cars on our roads in three years' time, with the transport and haulage sector particularly uncertain, new research from Close Brothers Asset Finance said. Of the 965 UK SMEs contacted, just 31 per cent expect to see widespread use of autonomous vehicles in 2021, falling to 21 per cent in the transport sector. The prospect of driverless cars is currently seen as neither a threat nor an opportunity for most businesses. Only nine per cent of business owners expect their business to be impacted by self-driving cars, while 69 per cent dont expect any change; the remaining 23 per cent think its too early to tell.
The first crash involving an autonomous car could see Uber held criminally liable due to an executive order signed earlier this month by Arizonas governor.
Republican Doug Duceys new rules were implemented on March 1 and outlined the list of licensing and registration requirements for driverless car operators.
The official order specifies that a 'person' subject to the laws includes any corporation incorporated in Arizona, putting Uber in a position of responsibility.
Speaking last week, Mr Norman said: 'The UK is a world leader for self-driving vehicle research and development, and this work marks an important milestone in our continued commitment to the technology.
'With driving technology advancing at an unprecedented rate, it is important that our laws and regulations keep pace so that the UK can remain one of the world leaders in this field.'
Plans to support the driverless car industry, which officials estimate will be worth 28 billion to the economy by 2035 and support 27,000 jobs, were part of a package of measures announced in the previous Budget that were designed to help the UK become a world leader in the technological revolution.
Dr Jenifer Baxter, head of engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said this week's tragic event in the US served to draw attention to the challenges of incorporating autonomous vehicles into 'an incumbent system operating with manned vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and other road users'.
She added: 'In 2016 the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in our Case Study on Autonomous and Driverless Cars raised the need to address societal questions before highly and fully automated cars are both accepted and legally able to be positioned on our roads; this will include having the right regulatory framework in place.
'Engineers will need to create an environment where connected autonomous vehicles can operate safely with or without an operator during the transition period to a fully autonomous vehicle system.
'This transition period could last for several decades.'
The GATEway Project is due to commence this year, with driverless pods being used as a shuttle service around the Greenwich peninsula to gauge public reaction
Nissan tested an electric Leaf with autonomous driving tech on London's roads in 2017
Despite the claims that the country has time to adapt to their introduction, numerous driverless vehicle trials have already taken place or are being conducted in the UK.
Mr Norman last week visited the GATEway Project - a scheme that will see a fleet of autonomous pods provide a shuttle service around the Greenwich peninsula to gauge public reaction to self-driving vehicles.
Jaguar Land Rover has also been undertaking tests of autonomous driving technology on the streets of Coventry in November, with more trials scheduled to take place there and in Milton Keynes throughout 2018.
And Nissan has previously tested a self-driving electric Leaf around the Docklands area of London a little over a year ago.
No one can accuse reclusive activist investor Edward Bramson of lacking what the Americans politely call cojones.
He is grabbing a 5.2 per cent voting stake in Barclays, one of Britains big four banks, in a deal more than 30 times larger than anything done before.
There is recognition that even after a 70 per cent recovery in Barclays share price since 2016, chief executive Jes Staley is still struggling to make its investment arm pay its way. Yet as the only fully functional UK investment bank, splitting from the retail bank should not be an option.
Tough task: Jes Staley is still struggling to make Barclays' investment arm pay its way
In past attacks on rusty British investment groups Foreign & Colonial and Electra, the raider unseated the board with his own slate of nominees, cut costs, raised charges and delivered for shareholders. Only at 3i did Bramson take an early profit and go away.
A hostile boarding party at Barclays is unthinkable, with the Bank of England and other regulators keeping banks on an incredibly short leash since the financial crisis.
Bramsons Sherborne Investors might see Staley as weakened after his whistle-blower misstep, but if this had been regarded by the authorities as a sacking offence it is hard to think he would maintain his fit and proper status. There have been emails back and forth among the parties and Staley has been designated chief negotiator should Bramson show his hand.
But however wonderful past returns, it is hard to believe that Sherborne backers, that include Aviva Investors and Threadneedle, can be entirely at peace with such an audacious target.
Melrose penalties
Melrose has hit the panic button. The fabulously wealthy Melrose three, Chris Miller, Simon Peckham and David Roper, have behaved like the England rugby team by thinking a reputation for invulnerability would carry them across the line in the 8.1bn battle for GKN. But reality dawned and the Mayfair-based financial engineers upped their game.
Failure to engage properly with pension-fund trustees and the Commons opened up a great hole in the defence, so Melrose is promising to put up 1bn. Estimates of the shortfall are as high as 2bn and, as short-term owners, the Melrose covenant may be overwhelmed by events. So the pledge may not be decisive.
The Melrose bosses are also fighting back over fat-cattery. Under GKNs self-help plan, its bosses stand to collect 70m.
The spoils, if they are ever paid, will be shared among 400 people and take three years to materialise. The average 175,000 (or 58,333 per head for each year) is small change compared to the potential 285m pay cheque for the Melrose top brass. This is in addition to the accumulated wealth of Melrose bosses, which, including pay, bonuses and share purchases is worth 457m. All told they stand to benefit by up to 742m from their experiment in private equity financing in a quoted company setting.
Melrose bosses are declining to make themselves available to BBC Radio 4s morning business slot. Instead we heard from former non-executive Miles Templeman who did nothing to constrain share and bonus payments in his period at Melrose and obsequiously praised the buyout group. GKN has sought to fight back against the Melrose charm offensive with a sweetener of its own. It promises investors in GKN will be able to maintain an interest in its driveline technology through a London-quote for Dana, the US automotive group that has agreed to buy the division.
That may not be ideal for tracker funds. But it will allow committed investors to maintain an interest as they can in P&O cruising through Carnival and fintech through Worldpay (now part of Vantiv).
There was a big gain for GKN when top ten investor Columbia Threadneedle revealed it would be sticking with the incumbents. Other long investors, with a genuine belief in good governance, would be wise to do the same.
Property feud
French-controlled city centre shopping champions Klepierre has been told to get lost by Hammerson, which is intent on doing its underwhelming sweetheart deal with Trafford Centre owner Intu.
Big investors in Hammerson, which include Blackrock and Dutch pensions investor APG, may find it hard to resist a premium of 40 per cent (which could go higher) from an overseas buyer which says it is placing faith in Brexit Britain.
Klepierre with retail centres in Paris, Rome and Madrid is determined to press ahead.
A promising bout is on the cards.
A secretive investor has mounted a 1.9bn raid on Barclays, sparking fears of open corporate warfare at one of Britains most important banks.
New Yorker Edward Bramson has built a stake of more than 5 per cent in the lender and could be about to demand a seat on its board.
It makes him Barclays fourth-largest shareholder and will give his firm, Sherborne Investors, a powerful say in how the bank is run, although he has so far not revealed his intentions.
Fears: Edward Bramson has built a stake of more than 5 per cent in the lender and could be about to demand a seat on its board
The 67-year-old, who has quietly been growing his position since midway through last year, has not met the board and has issued no demands.
But he has a notorious reputation as a corporate brawler with previous scalps at some of the Citys most prestigious firms.
It is thought the investors plan may be to split Barclays in two by spinning off its investment bank, leaving behind a UK retail lender.
The Bank of England is understood to be watching and is thought to have spoken to Barclays directors about the activist.
British-born Bramson bought his 5.2 per cent using 700m that Guernsey-based Sherborne Investors raised last summer, with extra cash borrowed on top.
The fund backed by big City names including Aviva Investors and Threadneedle was set up to buy into a single big business which is seen as underperforming. It aims to force its own staff into the role of chairman or an executive director, and then slash costs to boost the share price.
Bramson is a ruthless operator whose previous victims have included 150-year-old asset manager Foreign & Colonial and Electra Private Equity.
Any radical shake-up will pit him against Barclays chairman John McFarlane, a banking veteran with an equally tough streak who supports the banks current strategy and fired its previous chief executive for failing to improve the lenders fortunes.
Justin Urquhart Stewart of Seven Investment Management said it could lead to a dramatic bust-up but added that many investors might understand the logic behind a split.
Sherborne representatives met Barclays investor relations officers after its annual results last month, and asked a list of questions about the business. But although insiders said the banks chief executive Jes Staley is willing to have a meeting with Bramson, he has not yet asked for one.
Any public row will alarm the Treasury and the Bank of England over fears it could harm financial stability.
Regulators must approve any firm which boosts its stake in a large bank beyond 30 per cent or 10 per cent if it is working with other investors. They must also approve of new board members and an activist demanding radical changes would likely have an extremely hard task persuading regulators to give their blessing.
Informal conversations between the Old Lady and the Barclays board are already believed to have started, but there is still no guarantee that British-born Bramson will act.
The prospectus for the investors fund states it may sell out of a business after building a stake if shares rise high enough that there is nothing to be gained by demanding change.
This is what happened at 3i in 2013, when Bramson sold out because shares had rallied strongly without any action by him. A Barclays spokesman said: Barclays will continue to engage with Sherborne, and welcomes them as a shareholder.
Sherborne did not respond to a request for comment.
BT has seen off the threat of strikes after reaching a deal with union chiefs on pensions and pay.
The telecoms company will close its final salary pension scheme at the end of May, a move bosses say is crucial to its finances.
All change: The telecoms company will close its final salary pension scheme at the end of May
It is replacing it with a hybrid system which will combine elements of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.
The deal followed talks with the Communication Workers Union, which had warned it could ballot for strikes over the changes.
Staff will get a 3 per cent pay rise this year and again in 2019.
About 30,000 are in the BT pension scheme a defined benefit scheme which closed to new joiners in 2001. It has a deficit estimated to be nearly 14bn.
Tread carefully: Michelin announced the deal after markets closed
Michelin last night swooped on British manufacturer Fenner with a 1.2bn takeover bid.
The French tyre-maker announced the deal after markets closed, offering 610p per share. Fenners shares had closed at 490.6p, after climbing 5.1 per cent, or 24p.
Its proposal has been backed by Fenners board, with both firms saying it could lead to 30m in annual cost savings. Fenner, based in East Yorkshire and founded near Hull in 1861 by Joseph Henry Fenner, makes conveyor belts and reinforced products for the mining and industrial sectors.
Michelin boss Jean-Dominique Senard said: Mastering high-technology materials is key to creating value in the coming years. The acquisition will enable Michelin to accelerate its growth in this area, and to strengthen its position as a key player in the recovering mining markets with a comprehensive offering.
Fenners directors thought the offer was fair and reasonable and unanimously recommend the deal to shareholders.
Mark Abrahams, chief executive, said: We find the cultural fit and business opportunities excellent with Michelin. Both companies have innovation in their DNA.
Vanda Murray, chairman, said although the firm was confident its strategy would deliver significant value for shareholders as an independent company, they also believed the terms of the acquisition acknowledge the quality of Fenners businesses and the strength of its future prospects.
Fired 1: LK Bennett axes ex-BHS boss
Former BHS boss Darren Topp has been forced out as chief executive of LK Bennett to be replaced by the head of a fashion chain which collapsed into administration this year.
Topp will leave the womenswear retailer, a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, next month after it decided it was the right time for him to move on.
Topp joined LK Bennett in September 2016 after helming Sir Philip Greens BHS, which left 11,000 people unemployed after it collapsed just months earlier.
On the move: LK Bennett has forced out Darren Topp and Diana Hunter resigned from Bargain Booze
He will be replaced by Erica Vilkauls, who was chief executive of womenswear chain East for just three months earlier this year, during which time it went bust for the second time in three years.
LK Bennetts latest accounts, for the year to July 30, 2016, show turnover slipped 1.4 per cent to 92.3m and profits dropped 2.2 per cent to 58.3m.
Patrick Woodall, chairman, said: We agreed that now would be the right time for Darren to move on to new challenges that he had in mind.
Fired 2: Alcohol firm dumps chief
The boss of Bargain Booze owner Conviviality has stepped down as the hangover from a week of financial chaos sets in.
Diana Hunters resignation comes after a sobering statement to shareholders last week which revealed it owed 30m to the taxman and, as a result, had cancelled its dividend.
Conviviality suspended trading in its shares on Wednesday. Hunter, 49, will leave the drinks business with immediate effect after five years at the helm. She was handed a pay package of 966,000 last year, up from 844,000 a year earlier.
Convivialitys non-executive chairman David Adams will step in. The company issued two profit warnings in a week and admitted it had miscalculated its forecasted earnings. The revelation sent Convivialitys share price tumbling by 64 per cent.
Conviviality said it would update shareholders in due course.
President Bashar al-Assad flaunted government advances in Syria's seven-year war by filming himself driving to meet frontline soldiers near Damascus, making a video of the journey from the city centre into areas recently recaptured.
'The road is open... everything is running now in the city and in Syria,' he said in the video, describing a road that had previously been cut by sniper fire and saying it was now easier to travel around the country.
The video, released overnight after a trip on Sunday, showed Assad in sunglasses at the wheel of his Honda, speaking about the government's increasing strength as peaceful scenery behind him gave way to battle-scarred concrete.
His visit to the battle front in eastern Ghouta, where state television showed him cheered by soldiers as smoke rose in the distance, came after tens of thousands of civilians began fleeing the opposition area for government lines.
Syrian President Bashar Assad shared a video of himself driving to the newly captured areas of eastern Ghouta, near the capital Damascus, Syria
Assad's trip, captured in a video filmed inside the car and published by his office on Sunday, show the president calm and assured as his forces appear close to clinching one of their most significant victories in the country's seven-year long civil war
Air strikes in the area over the past month have claimed the lives of more than 1,400 civilians, including 15 children overnight who were taking shelter from the bombardment in a school basement.
The army offensive began a month ago with a massive bombardment and has so far retaken most of the area, the biggest rebel enclave near Damascus, cutting it into three zones.
It is the latest in a series of military gains for Assad after Russia entered the war on his side in 2015, ending rebel hopes of toppling him by force. Large areas remain outside his grip, but he now controls the main cities of Syria's heavily-populated west.
'This is the picture he wants to give... he is in control and finishing off the opposition in eastern Ghouta,' said Nikolaos Van Dam, a former diplomat in Syria and author of two books on the country.
While Assad has increasingly been shown travelling around Syria in recent years, it is unusual for him to visit areas close to the battlefront, as he did on Sunday, meeting cheering soldiers as well as civilians who had escaped the fighting.
There have been numerous other signs of his increasing confidence, including the release last year of a banknote bearing his image for the first time since he became president in 2000.
President Bashar al-Assad flaunted government advances in Syria's seven-year war by filming himself driving to meet frontline soldiers near Damascus, making a video of the journey from the city centre into areas recently recaptured
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shaking hands with government troops in Eastern Ghouta, in the leader's first trip to the former rebel enclave outside Damascus in years on March 18
Assad grins as he shakes hands with cheering government troops in Eastern Ghouta this week
Wearing a suit without a tie and speaking informally to the in-car camera, Assad gave a running commentary on the areas he was driving through and discussed the military campaign.
He drove into eastern Ghouta from the east - the direction from which the army campaign began a month ago - into the district of Jisreen, which was captured late on Friday.
'When we see that people are returning to the state, it affirms what we are saying: that people want the state, and the state is the mother and father of everybody,' he said as he passed civilians who had left the rebel enclave.
His government and its ally Russia describe the opposition as terrorists and the population in rebel-held areas as human shields for armed groups.
The opposition says residents of eastern Ghouta - an early centre of the uprising against Assad - do not want to return to his rule for fear of persecution, which he denies would happen.
Speaking to the camera as his car passed from fields into a town pocked with shell holes, Assad said Syria's long-term challenge would be to 'rehabilitate' children brought up under rebel rule.
'This generation has lived five years with dark thoughts, and with elements that resemble the days of the Middle Ages,' he said, saying they needed to be brought back 'onto the right path'.
He said their lost education was the price of the war. 'It can't be avoided one way or another,' he said.
ISIS fighters drive out Assads army and take a district in Damascus Islamic State fighters holding a small district in Damascus have gained some ground after driving out Syrian army units that moved into a neighbouring area that rebels abandoned last week, a war monitor said. In fighting that lasted 24 hours, the ultra-hardline militant group killed 36 Syrian soldiers, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Syrian army could not immediately be reached for comment. The district of al-Qadam lies in the Syrian capital's southern suburbs and has not been part of the month-long offensive waged by the army against rebels in eastern Ghouta. It is located next to the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, a scene of fierce fighting early in the seven-year conflict. Last week, rebels that had held part of Qadam for years quit the district for opposition areas in northern Syria under an evacuation deal with the government, allowing the army to move in. However, the Islamic State group that had held a separate part of Qadam, and had sporadically fought the rebels there, launched an assault to take the area they had vacated. Islamic State has lost almost all its territory in Syria after two rival offensives last year by the Syrian army, backed by Russia and Iran, and an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by the United States. It now controls only the small pocket in Qadam, a patch of territory in southwest Syria near the borders with Jordan and Israel, and two small areas of desert on each side of the Euphrates near the border with Iraq. Advertisement
People carry an injured Syrian man are seen after Assad Regime forces carried out airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta's Douma town in Damascus, Syria on March 19, 2018
Syrians, including children, walk in a destroyed street in the Eastern Ghouta town of Saqba on March 18, as civilians return to the area after regime forces took control
A wounded Syrian girl walks with her parents in the town of Kfar Batna, Southeastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus, on March 19
Air strikes killed dozens of civilians in Eastern Ghouta on Friday and forced thousands more to flee, as Syrian troops pressed their blistering assault on the last rebel stronghold near Damascus.
One of the strikes is understood to have killed 15 children who were taking cover in a school basement.
The latest deaths brought the toll for the nearly month-old offensive to more than 1,400, with world powers still unable to stop one of the devastating conflict's worst crises.
Syria's war enters its eighth year with another deadly assault also unfolding in the north, where Turkish-led forces pressed an operation to seize the Kurdish-majority region of Afrin.
The operation has sent thousands onto the roads, with bombing on the city of Afrin on Friday killing 36 people and hitting the main hospital.
On the edge of Ghouta, a sprawling semi-rural area within mortar range of central Damascus, hundreds of civilians were still streaming out of destroyed towns, carrying scant belongings in bags and bundles.
Crowds crammed into a government centre on the edge of Eastern Ghouta on Friday, unsure what the next step would be after walking straight into the arms of the forces that have relentlessly pounded their homes for weeks.
Matt Morgan has filed the first lawsuit against the companies involved in the design and building of the bridge that collapsed in FL
The first lawsuit has been filed against the companies involved in the design and building of the bridge that collapsed at Florida International University.
'I will be filing the first civil lawsuit related to the FIUBridgeCollapse tomorrow morning,' Matt Morgan, of Morgan and Morgan, tweeted on Sunday.
'It is imperative we act quickly to secure critical documentation & data. Thoughts & prayers to all the families impacted by this tragedy. #FIUbridge,' he added.
The lawsuit was filed by Morgan, an Orlando-based lawyer, on Monday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on behalf of 24-year-old Marquise Rashaad Hepburn.
Hepburn was seriously injured as he rode his bicycle under the bridge when it collapsed last week.
The lawsuit says a car swerving to avoid the falling concrete struck Hepburn.
The negligence lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the entities involved in building the bridge.
The lawsuit was filed by Morgan, an Orlando-based lawyer, on Monday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on behalf of Marquise Rashaad Hepburn. Hepburn was seriously injured as he rode his bicycle under the bridge (pictured) when it collapsed last week
The lawsuit says a car swerving to avoid the falling concrete struck Hepburn
The negligence lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the entities involved in building the bridge
Morgan tweeted Monday evening that he will be filing a second lawsuit on Tuesday
They include Munilla Construction Management and FIGG Bridge Engineers. Both companies say they will cooperate with multiple investigations into the collapse that killed six people.
Ronaldo Fraga Hernandez, Oswald Gonzalez and Alberto Arias were all killed in the horrific collapse.
Navaro Brown, 37, who died at the hospital, was employed by a structural technology company.
Brandon Brownfield was believed to be inside one of the other cars that was removed Saturday night.
And 18-year-old Alexa Duran, a student at the university, was recovered from one of the vehicles Saturday night.
The lawsuit says cracks in the span should have been taken seriously and traffic should have been diverted during any testing.
Navaro Brown, 37, who died at the hospital, was employed by a structural technology company. Alexa Duran, 18, a student at the university, was recovered from one of the vehicles Saturday night
Oswald Gonzalez (left) and Alberto Arias (right) were both killed in the horrific collapse
Ronaldo Fraga Hernandez (left) and Brandon Brownfield were also killed. Brownfield was believed to be inside one of the other cars that was removed Saturday night
Morgan also tweeted Monday evening that he will be filing a second lawsuit on Tuesday.
Tomorrow, I will be filing a lawsuit for another individual whose car was crushed by the #FIUBridgeCollapse. My client respectfully requests any member of the media reach out to me for any questions. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. #fiubridge,' Morgan tweeted.
Florida International University President Mark Rosenberg joined students and staff to hold hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence at 1.47pm on Monday to honor the victims of the bridge collapse.
The moment of silence was the first in a series of memorials as classes resumed on campus after the university's spring break.
In a statement, Rosenberg said a blood drive was scheduled Tuesday to support wounded victims who remain hospitalized.
The Student Government Association will hold a vigil Wednesday morning for Duran, an FIU student killed when the bridge collapsed on her car.
Duran's sorority will hold a memorial for her Thursday evening.
Students returning to class said they were angry that traffic continued under the bridge while testing continued on the 950-ton structure.
Actress Cynthia Nixon jumped into the race for New York governor by blasting 'crushing inequality' in a bid that immediately set up an ideological primary clash against incumbent Andrew Cuomo.
Nixon played workaholic lawyer 'Miranda' on HBO's 'Sex and the City,' which aired for six seasons.
On Monday, she released a campaign video that showed her strolling the streets of Manhattan with a cup of coffee and riding the subway, while asking how the state she grew up in could become the the 'most unequal state in the entire country.'
The repeated the line in her campaign announcement Tuesday. 'The top 1 per cent of New Yorkers earn 45 times what the other 99 per cent earn combined,' she said. 'This is not something that just happens by mistake,' she said.
She said she voted for Cuomo eight years ago because she believed he was a 'real Democrat' but then said he has since showed his 'true colors.'
She said he has given 'massive tax breaks to corporations and the super rich' as governor.
Actress Cynthia Nixon announces that she is running for Governor of New York at a campaign stop in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., March 20, 2018
Actress Cynthia Nixon shakes hands at campaign stop after announcing that she is running for Governor of New York in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., March 20, 2018
The video also included shots of desolate upstate towns, and concludes with her riding a train, with train whistles in the background and indication that she will head upstate at some point to campaign in struggling communities outside of the bubble of the five boroughs.
She also went after Donald Trump and blasted Cuomo for accepting campaign contributions from the Republican mega-donors the Koch brothers in 2010.
Nixon stresses her own biography, which includes having grown up in a 'one bedroom fifth floor walk-up' apartment with her mother.
But she is already launching attacks on the more centrist Cuomo. Her website has a tab on '#CuomosMTA,' a shot at his stewardship of the Metropolitan Transit Administration.
'Something has to change. We want our government to work again on health care, ending mass incarceration, fixing our broken subway,' she says in her video.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING: Nixon calls for 'fixing our broken subway' in her debut campaign video
Cynthia Nixon and her wife, Christine Marinoni (left) attend the Off-Broadway Opening Night After Party for 'Rasheeda Speaking' at the West Bank Cafe on February 11, 2015 in New York City
Her campaign is being advised by two veteran strategists for Mayor Bill de Blasio, Bill Hyers and Rebecca Katz. De Blasio cruised to an easy reelection, but his efforts to try to play in Iowa in the run-up to the 2016 election fell flat.
Her video was viewed one million times Monday night on Twitter, the New York Times reported.
She and Cuomo will face off in a primary Sept. 13. It is already becoming one of the nation's most closely watched internecine battles, due in part to her stardom and also to Cuomo's potential as a presidential candidate in 2020.
A new Sienna poll had Cuomo leading Nixon 66 percent to 19 percent, and besting her among every demographic including both moderates and liberals, as well as upstaters and city dwellers.
Nixon unveiled a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.
The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
IN SERVICE: Nixon's campaign website hints it will go after Cuomo for his stewardship of the Metropolitan Transit Authority
GO NORTH! Her video concludes with a shot of Nixon riding a train, though a new poll shows her trailing Cuomo upstate
The move confirmed speculation that Nixon would challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. If elected, Nixon -- who is a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump -- would be New York state's first woman and first openly gay governor.
The actress and liberal activist, who has campaigned for gay marriage, public schools and access to women's health care, announced that she was "sick of politicians who care more about headlines and power than they do about us."
"Our leaders are letting us down. We are now the most unequal state in the entire country with both incredible wealth and extreme poverty. Half the kids in our upstate cities live below the poverty line. How did we let this happen?" she said in the video.
"Something has to change. We want our government to work again -- on health care, ending mass incarceration, fixing our broken subway.
Actress Cynthia Nixon arrives at campaign stop to announce she is running for Governor of New York in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., March 20, 2018
ACTION! Actress Cynthia Nixon rides the subway to her press conference in Brownsville after announcing her run for New York State Governor in New York City, New York on March 20, 2018
"Together we can win this fight," finished the New York-born and raised Nixon, who said she grew up with her mother in what she called "a one-bedroom, fifth-floor walkup."
The Trump presidency has seen a surge in women -- particularly Democratic women -- running for office. Only eight of the current 50 US state governors are women.
In 2004, Nixon accepted an Emmy award -- the highest accolade in US television -- for her role as Miranda Hobbes from Trump, the fellow celebrity-turned-politician whose current presidency she publicly opposes.
- Left-field candidate -
Nixon accepted an Emmy award for Best Supporting Actress from Donald Trump in 2004
New York, the fourth most populous state in the United States, goes to the polls to elect a governor on November 6. But Nixon remains a left-field candidate with Cuomo very much the favored contender ahead of the Democratic Party primary on September 13.
Despite the stardom brought by her role alongside Sarah Jessica Parker on the hit HBO comedy from 1998-2004 that spawned two movies, a recent Siena College poll found that Cuomo is overwhelmingly favored by Democrats to Nixon by 66 to 19 percent.
The governor, who is seeking his third term, has downplayed the competition and Nixon has never previously run for office.
"I'm not nervous about whoever runs," Cuomo said last week. "They'll be people who run. That's called elections and that's fine."
Actress Cynthia Nixon -- shown here at rally outside Trump Tower in 2017 -- is running for the New York governorship
Considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2020, Cuomo is shored up by a bevvy of powerful supporters, but it remains unclear whether he will be badly damaged by the recent conviction of a close friend and aide for bribery.
According to The New York Times, Cuomo's name was mentioned 163 times during Joseph Percoco's eight-week federal trial.
Nixon, who is close to left-leaning New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, echoes some of the language used by 2016 Democratic Party presidential contender Bernie Sanders, who electrified the left before ultimately losing to Hillary Clinton.
Her campaign fundraising page stipulates that she "won't be accepting any corporate contributions" and that "instead our campaign will be powered by the people."
If Trump has proved a celebrity can win office as a political novice, the mother-of-three is far from the first US actor to venture into politics.
Republican president Ronald Reagan got his political start after acting as a two-term governor of California from 1967 to 1975. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born body builder, also served as California governor from 2003-2011.
And Former television comic Al Franken -- for whom Nixon once campaigned -- was Democratic senator of Minnesota from 2009 until early this year, when he was forced to step down over sexual misconduct allegations.
Muslim aerospace engineer Munir Zanial displayed a Malaysian flag (stock image above) at a party at a lake in Wichita, Kansas
A Muslim aerospace engineer has sued for religious discrimination after his Malaysian flag was mistaken for a US flag defaced with 'ISIS symbols'.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the Spirit Boeing Employees Association on behalf of Munir Zanial.
The Malaysian national of Indian ancestry had rented out a lake in Wichita, Kansas, for a party last year to celebrate Malaysian Independence Day.
The national flag was displayed at the gathering and the guests included people of Malaysian Indian ancestry, some wearing hijabs.
But he was reported by the association for desecrating an American flag with 'ISIS symbols'.
Spirit filed a complaint with the FBI and terminated his rental benefits.
The lawsuit alleges the association reported him out of fear he used the lake to hold an Islamic State meeting.
The association declined to comment.
An English businessman has lost an anonymity fight after a judge said he had been dishonest during a divorce court dispute with his Russian ex-wife.
Bella Bloom, 29, said a judge should publish three rulings made following hearings in the Central Family Court in London - and name names.
Her former husband Baron Bloom, 44, disagreed.
Bella Bloom, 29, said a judge should publish three rulings made following hearings in the Central Family Court in London - and name names (pictured: Bella and Baron Bloom in 2012)
Recorder Nicholas Cusworth has ruled against Mr Bloom and published rulings he made following hearings in 2017 and 2018.
The judge said parties involved in divorce court cash disputes had a duty to provide 'full and frank' disclosure of information.
He said Mr Bloom had 'actively undermined and ignored that duty by continued dishonesty throughout the proceedings'.
The judge said he was satisfied that his rulings should be made public.
The pair had married in 2011 and divorced in 2016, and had lived in a 1.3 million flat in South Kensington, which Ms Bloom's parents had bought for them.
Besides their home in London, Ms Bloom's parents also bought the couple a 2.1 million villa in Antibes, reports The Times.
The judge had ordered Mr Bloom to pay more than 500,000 to his ex-wife following the breakdown of their marriage.
Rulings have been published on a legal website.
For decades Australians have been taught to slip, slop, slap when it comes to protecting themselves from the sun.
But new data released by the Cancer Council shows nine out of ten Australians still don't know how or when to apply sunscreen correctly.
The numbers may partially explain the country's astronomical rates of melanoma diagnosis, which is the highest in the world.
New data released by the Cancer Council shows nine out of ten Australians still don't know how or when to apply sunscreen correctly or that protection is needed when the UV is above 3
The research's release comes as sunscreen and sun protection experts gathered at the first Sunscreen Summit, in Brisbane to discuss ways to improve Australians' use of sun protection
A further 24 per cent of the 3600 people surveyed also incorrectly believed that sunburn risk
According to the study, 40 per cent of Australians are still confused about which weather factors cause sunburn.
A further 24 per cent of the 3600 people surveyed also incorrectly believed that sunburn risk was related to temperature and more than a fifth thought they were protected when the weather was raining or cloudy.
It also showed that more than 90 per cent of people understand that sun protection is needed when UV levels are 3 or above.
The research comes as sunscreen and sun protection experts gathered at the Sunscreen Summit, in Brisbane on Monday to discuss ways to improve Australians' use of sun protection.
Melanoma: Australia's national cancer - Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of Melanoma diagnosis in the world - It is the third most prevalent cancer for both Australian men and women - Although it accounts for just two per cent of skin cancers, Melanoma cases 75 per cent of skin cancer deaths - Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians, making up 20% of all their cancer cases - If caught early the cancer can have a 90 per cent survival rate Advertisement
Professor David Whiteman, head of the Cancer Control group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute said at the summit that educating Australians on the realities of sun protection was an ongoing challenge.
'There is overwhelming evidence that, if used correctly, sunscreen prevents skin cancer yet at the moment many Australians don't even really understand when it's required, and many are neglecting to use it altogether,' he said.
'We also know from previous research that 85 percent of Australians don't apply it correctly.'
Australia has long had the highest rate of Melanoma in the world with almost 15,000 people being diagnosed each year.
It kills more young people than any other cancer and it is though approximately one in twenty Australians will be diagnosed by the time they're seventy.
'There is overwhelming evidence that, if used correctly, sunscreen prevents skin cancer,' Professor David Whiteman said at the Sunscreen Summit
Australians have received public information about sun safety for decades to help combat the nation's astronomical rates of Melanoma diagnosis
Robin Williams used to grope his Mork & Mindy co-star Pam Dawber as his madcap sense of humor crossed the line into sexual harassment, a new book reveals.
In the upcoming biography of the comedian, Robin, by New York Times journalist Dave Itzkoff, Dawber, 66, tells how the actor repeatedly grabbed her bottom and breasts and took off his clothes in front of her during the four-year run of the show.
Williams would also wrestle her down and break wind on her, and once 'goosed' an elderly actress playing her grandmother by putting a cane between her buttocks, she disclosed.
But the actress, who played Mindy alongside Williams's Mork, admits that she never took offense because the comedian was so charming.
She described filming the show as 'so much fun' and remarked: 'It was the Seventies, after all.'
Mork & Mindy: Actress Pam Dawber has revealed that she had 'the grossest things' done to her by co-star Robin Williams on the set of their hit show
No offense taken: Dawber (pictured in 2015) however, who played main character Mindy, admitted that she was unfazed by Williams's antics because the comedian was so charming
The show's director Howard Storm also contended that there was 'nothing lascivious about it, in his mind, it was just Robin being Robin.'
However, the revelations about Williams, one of the most adored comics of all time, could cause consternation for some of his fans and those of the show which ran from 1978 to 1982.
Dawber's unfazed reaction may surprise some too as it comes amid the MeToo movement, when victims of sexual harassment are encouraged to speak out.
Itzkoff interviewed Dawber for the book - set to be released in May and published by Henry Holt. It is the most thorough account of the comic's life since he hanged himself in 2014 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's.
The autopsy on his body revealed he also had Lewy bodies, a nerve condition which causes dementia.
The TV sitcom made a star of Williams and kicked off his Hollywood career that would include films like Mrs Doubtfire and Dead Poets Society, which made him one of the most famous comics on the planet.
In the show, a spin-off of the television hit Happy Days, he played an alien who comes to Earth from the planet Ork and moves in with a roommate, Mindy.
Dawber, who played a human who would eventually become Mork's wife, gave Williams a springboard for his wild, offbeat humor.
Speaking to Itzkoff, Dawber said Williams was 'such a nice person' and had a 'gigantic heart,' adding that they became close and she became the big sister that he never had.
'I really loved Robin and Robin really loved me. We just clicked,' she said.
Williams and Dawber starred together on the show from 1978- 1982. Williams played an alien, Mork, who came to Earth and moved in with Mindy. Dawber, who played a human who would eventually become Mork's wife, gave Williams a springboard for his wild, offbeat humor
The comedian's role on the show kicked off his career in Hollywood which eventually saw him win an Oscar in 1997. Above he is pictured after accepting his Golden Globe in 2005
But on the set Williams did things that went beyond those which a brother and sister would do to each other, ranging from crass behavior, to sitting and farting on Dawber despite her protestations.
Williams, however, also caused tensions on set with his constant improvisations which led some to think there was no script, a myth he perpetuated.
Itzkoff writes that many of these additions were sexual and directed at the women in the cast, such as when he goosed the actress who played Mindy's grandmother with a cane.
Storm said: 'I'm standing there watching this and I'm thinking, "oh my god" and I just laughed. I thought she was going to turn and say: "How dare you stick a cane in a woman's a**?" That sweet old lady.
'There was nothing lascivious about it, in his mind. It was just Robin being Robin, and he thought it would be funny. He could get away with murder.'
Other times Williams would grab Dawber's bottom or her breasts simply because he was 'bored.'
'He'd be doing a paragraph and in the middle of it he would just turn and grab her a**. Or grab a breast. And we'd start again. I'd say, "Robin, there's nothing in the script that says you grab Pam's a**." And he'd say: "Oh, ok,"' Storm added.
Garry Marshall, the producer of the show, said: 'He would take all his clothes off, he would be standing there totally naked and she was trying to act. His aim in life was to make Pam Dawber blush.'
But Dawber remained unfazed, she admits: 'I had the grossest things done to me - by him. And I never took offense. I mean I was flashed, humped, bumped, grabbed. I think he probably did it to a lot of people...but it was so much fun.
'Somehow he had that magic. If you put it on paper you would be appalled. But somehow he had this guileless little thing that he would do - those sparkly eyes. He'd look at you, really playful, like a puppy, all of a sudden. And then he'd grab your t*ts and then run away. And somehow he could get away with it. It was the Seventies, after all'.
Friends: One of Williams's mentors was comedy legend Richard Pryor (pictured in 1995) whom he met in the early 1970s at The Comedy Store in LA - where he'd begin an 'enduring pattern of behavior', staying up late until sunrise doing drugs and drinking with other comics
Williams had studied at the Julliard School in NYC where he met Christopher Reeve, the Superman actor who became a lifelong friend. Reeve died in 2004
Mork & Mindy changed Williams's life incalculably and by the time it finished in 1982 he had gone from never having had a gig that lasted more than three weeks to a national star.
But his success came with a cost as his marriage to his first wife Valerie Velardi - whom he married in 1978 - became strained due to his constant work and cocaine-fueled partying with the comedy crowd.
In fact, fellow comics would say 'Robin loved cocaine.'
During one of his performances at the Comedy Store, Valerie was in the audience when he said: 'There's girls that come up to me and they're like: "Excuse me, would you?" and pointed towards his crotch.
Valerie shouted out: 'Oh, you love it,' to which Williams responded: 'Oh, now my wife's heckling me'.
Itzkoff writes that Valerie had 'no illusions' about her husband's drinking, drug use, and infidelity but 'had to allow him these indulgences in the hope that his waywardness was providing him with something that he needed as an artists and performer.'
If you put it on paper you would be appalled. But somehow he had this guileless little thing that he would do - those sparkly eyes. He'd look at you, really playful, like a puppy, all of a sudden. And then he'd grab your t*ts and then run away. And somehow he could get away with it. It was the Seventies, after all.
They would remain together until 1988 by which time they had a son, Zak.
Williams's drug use escalated further, but the death of fellow comedian John Belushi from an overdose in 1982 caused him to sober up - he would remain clean for two decades.
After a few false starts, Williams's movie career took off with Good Morning Vietnam in 1987 in which he played renegade DJ on a military radio station in Saigon during the Vietnam War.
His improvisational style for the rapid fire scenes made the film a massive hit.
In 1989, the year after Williams divorced Valerie, he married Marsha Garces, Zak's nanny, who took a far more active role in his life by managing his schedule and acting as his gatekeeper.
Their marriage was the most stable and most successful period of Williams's life and resulted in classic hit films such as Good Will Hunting, which earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
There were also beloved children's movies such as Jumanji, Flubber, Hook, and the voice of the genie in Disney's Aladdin.
Williams and Marsha had two children, Zelda and Cody, and in one interview he had said that thanks to his wife he found peace and 'stopped running around with all this madness.'
Marsha dismissed the idea she was his savior and said: 'He needed stability. I'm Robin's safety net. He knows I'm strong.'
Born on July 21, 1951, Williams grew up between Michigan and Illinois as his father moved around and climbed the corporate ladder at the Ford motor company, which made it hard for him to make friends.
The comedian married his first wife Valerie Velardi (pictured in 1979) but his success as an actor strained his marriage due to his constant work and cocaine-fueled partying with the comedy crowd. The marriage produced a son, Zak
The year after Williams divorced Valerie, he married Marsha Garces, with whom he had two children, Cody (far left) and Zelda (second from right)
Instead he lived in his imagination; for a time the family lived in the Stonycroft mansion in Detroit, where he would spend hours in his attic playing with his vast collection of toys and creating characters in his head, acting them out in his own private fantasy land.
Itzkoff writes that Williams would 'in a sense never leave the attic' and would spend his entire life surrounded by fictional friends.
Williams attended Claremont Men's College in Los Angeles where he planned to become a foreign service officer but took a theater elective class and after that he was 'hooked'.
He moved to New York where he studied at Julliard where he met Christopher Reeve, the Superman actor who became a lifelong friend, but he did not finish the course.
Williams relocated to Los Angeles and began performing at the Comedy Store where future stars like David Letterman had checked him out. Williams met comic legend Richard Pryor, his comedy mentor, and became friends with him.
It was here that Williams began an 'enduring pattern of behavior', staying up late until sunrise doing drugs and drinking with other comics, that would haunt him his whole life.
Marsha, his second wife, helped to keep him straight until the 2000s when he suffered a series of personal losses.
Reeve died in October 2004 to a pressure wound caused by being bound to a wheelchair as a result of a horse riding accident nine years earlier.
Pryor died the following year and Williams began drinking again for the first time in 20 years and thought about committing suicide.
After a family intervention in 2006, he detoxed at the Hazelden Foundation center in Newberg, Oregon followed by months of Alcoholics Anonymous, but his relationship with Marsha was never the same since he had kept his drinking secret from her.
Family drama: Williams married his third wife Susan Schneider (pictured) in 2011 after having met her in an Apple store in 2007. However, his family believed the two actually met at AA. An ugly legal dispute began between Susan and Williams' children over the comedian's estate
Itzkoff describes it as a 'catastrophic breach of faith by the person she was supposed to be able to trust completely.'
'The revelation of his relapse poisoned their marriage and cause her to question everything she knew and took for granted about him,' Itzkoff writes.
As Zak puts it: 'He had been married most of his adult life...when fame hit, it hit really hard. It was nonstop from 27 years onward. It was just a ride. It's only when things slowed down a bit that he could assess the situation'.
At the end of 2007 Williams and Marsha split up. His film career was failing and that year his half-brother Todd, a figure he thought of as 'immortal', died of heart failure at 44.
After divorcing Marsha, Williams moved to Tiburon near San Francisco where his father had moved his family when he was a teenager, seeking privacy and comfort.
His house had a bunker with no windows in which he kept collections of soldiers from every war he could find. There were lead ones, Japanese ones, German ones, soldiers from the Boer War a colonial British conflict in South Africa at the turn of the century - and lots of Star Wars memorabilia.
'I think they were his friends,' his friend Lisa Birnbach said.
Williams occasionally did stand-up comedy and, with two ex-wives and alimony to pay, he embarked on a tour called Weapons of Self Destruction in late 2008.
But in early 2009 when he reached Florida, he developed a nagging cough and started feeling dizzy. He was examined by a doctor who told him he had an irregular heartbeat and damaged heart valves which he decided to have replaced.
Just before the operation at the Cleveland Clinic, his family were introduced to his new girlfriend, Susan Schneider, a 44-year-old artist and graphic designer, who had been on tour with him.
He told his family they had first met in October 2007 at an Apple store and had been quietly dating while Williams's divorce from Marsha was still ongoing.
But Zak felt differently and thought that the two actually met at an AA meeting - Susan was a recovering alcoholic who had been sober for 23 years.
Itzkoff writes: 'Amid the anxiety and uncertainty of whether Robin would even survive the surgery or his recovery from it, his children were concerned that Susan was monopolizing their father.
'In a particularly awkward moment, Robin's surgeons offered his family a pager to hold on to during the procedure which could be use to summon them on a moment's notice if any problems occurred.
'While Zak and Cody hesitated, each expecting the other to take the pager, they were startled when Susan claimed it for herself.'
Zak said that Susan 'expliciting expressed a disinterest' in getting to know them as people' and that they were 'hurt' by her conduct.
In 2011 Williams and Susan married at a ceremony in Napa Valley but it was a 'fraught' affair for his three children, according to Itzkoff, because they felt loyal to Marsha and were not sure if they should even be there.
While some of Williams' friends thought that Susan gave him companionship he sorely needed, others noted that she did not manage his affairs like Marsha did.
She did not always go with him when he worked out of town and had a life on her own, traveling widely by herself and spending time with her two sons from a previous marriage.
From 2013 onward Williams's health got worse and he began to have stomach cramps, tremors in his left arm, and he walked with a stoop at times. His anxiety and nervousness took over his life.
A year later, he was diagnosed with degenerative Parkinson's disease which attacks the central nervous system and eventually leads to death.
Williams's children decided to spend as much time with him as possible but that meant getting around Susan, his assistant Rebecca and his managers - this 'resistance' discouraged them from seeking him out.
Zak worried that his father was isolated and became concerned when he told him Susan was making him hang out with her friends who he was 'deeply suspicious'. 'They feel like users,' he told his son.
In June, Williams checked himself into rehab again in. His stay at the Dan Anderson Renewal Center in Minnesota would keep him where he could manage his illnesses, Susan thought.
The tell-all biography on the one of the most adored comics of all time will be released on May 15
But other friends saw it differently, Itzkoff writes, and that Williams had 'no reason' to stay at a rehab clinic when he was suffering from a physical disorder.
Close friend Wendy Asher said: 'That was wrong. This was a medical problem. Susan thought everything could be fixed through AA, and it just wasn't true.'
Weeks later Williams banged his head on the bathroom door, causing it to bleed heavily. Susan later said the injury led him to enter 'trance-like states' and become 'frozen'.
Friends said that he had a 'thousand-yard stare' and did not recognize him.
On August 9, Williams visited Zak and Alex who half jokingly asked him to stay with them. Zak said: 'We didn't want someone who seemed to be in so much anguish to leave. We wanted him to stay with us. We wanted to take care of him'.
The next day Williams was at home with Susan when he began to 'fixate' on some of his designer wrist watches and became paranoid they were in danger of being stolen.
He stuffed some of them in a sock and around 7pm drove to his friends Rebecca and Dan Spencer nearby and gave the watches for safekeeping.
He said 'goodnight my love' as he always did to Susan and offered her a foot massage which she declined.
He rummaged through the bedroom closet and left with an iPad which Susan saw as a good sign because she thought he was reading.
He left her bedroom at 10.30pm and headed to the separate bedroom he slept in.
At 11.42am the next day his assistant, Rebecca, used a paper clip to force open the door and made the horrific discovery: Williams had hanged himself with a belt.
Susan later revealed that she said goodbye to her husband that afternoon and told him: 'I'm not mad at you, I don't blame you at all. You fought so hard and you were so brave.'
The autopsy report from the Marin County Coroner confirmed that Williams had Lewy bodies, which Williams did not know about during his lifetime.
More surprises were to follow with regards to Susan.
A month before he married Susan in 2011 Williams had entered into a prenuptial agreement with her which said he planned to leave his $100 million estate in a trust which was operated by his attorneys.
He also created a separate trust for Susan worth $7 million and their Tiburon home, its contents and enough cash to cover her day to day expenditure.
Williams however said that specific items like his memorabilia and personal items should go to his three children.
An ugly dispute began between Susan and Williams' children which ended up in court.
Susan accused the Williams children of taking things they were not entitled to while they accused her of refusing to give them their father's belongings.
Both sides eventually came to an agreement under which Williams' children would get thousands of items like his Oscar statue, 50 bikes, and 85 watches. Susan received enough money to remain in the home they had shared for the rest of her life.
Itzkoff writes that the whole dispute 'reinforced a long standing discomfort they had felt about Susan, and whether she fully shared the values of her husband and his family.'
Cheri Minns, Williams's makeup artist, said: 'I think she just wanted to secure her place as Mrs Williams - the final Mrs Williams. And to always be that. I can't see that. And none of it really matters. Because he's gone'.
Zak said: 'Susan was under the impression she had struck gold. But for us, we're deeply involved with Dad's life. You can't untether us from the equation.'
David Itzkoff's Robin will be released on May 15, 2018 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com
A female driver has been charged after she allegedly ran a red light and slammed into a mother and her six-year-old son.
Police are now investigating if the driver was distracted by a mobile phone when she hit the pair, 9 News reported.
The mother and son were crossing at the traffic lights outside Bankstown Plaza in Sydney's west on Monday before they were hit by a Toyota Camry just after 8am.
Police are now investigating if the driver was distracted by a mobile phone when she hit the pair
A mother and her six-year-old son were hit by a car as the pair were crossing at the traffic lights outside Bankstown Plaza in Sydney's west (pictured)
The pair were crossing at the traffic lights outside Bankstown Plaza in Sydney's west before they were hit by a Toyota Camry just after 8am Monday
The boy's mother, 35, was incredibly distressed, shouting at the female driver as she was dragged away from the scene with injuries of her own, Nine News reported.
The boy was taken to the Children's Hospital at Westmead where he was treated for lower leg fractures and head injuries and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Witnesses said they saw the car allegedly running a red light before it slammed into the pedestrians.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the boy at the scene as police spoke to the driver.
His mother was taken to Westmead Hospital with abdominal injuries and is now in a stable condition.
The female driver of the car, 32, was uninjured and taken to Bankstown Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing, NSW police told Daily Mail Australia.
The pair were crossing at the traffic lights on the intersection of Rickard Road and Lady Cutler Avenue in Bankstown (pictured)
The boy was taken to the Children's Hospital at Westmead where he was treated for lower leg fractures and head injuries after a crash outside Bankstown Plaza in Sydney's west (pictured)
The driver has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
She was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Bankstown Local Court on April 18.
The Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit will conduct an investigation into the incident and the car is expected to be taken for forensic investigation.
A cafe in north Melbourne were forced to give their coffees away for free after their Commonwealth Bank terminal went down.
Double Dutch Coffee Bar in Brunswick handed their loyal customers paying by card their morning brew for without a charge after the 'Albert' card terminal went down.
This isn't and isolated issue with the wireless payment system as it has been affecting Australian small businesses causing national outrage.
The big bank apologised to their customers on social media on Monday.
Double Dutch coffee bar in Brunswick handed out free coffee because their CommBank pay terminal went down on Monday morning
The 'Albert' pay terminal is for contactless card payments and is used by Australian small businesses
'We're aware some customers may be experiencing issues with merchant terminals,' the message said.
'We apologise for the inconvenience and we're working on this as a matter of priority.'
The card payment terminal was down across some parts of the nation on Monday morning and forced the bank to restore the system.
The big Australian bank issued an apology for the system failure and restored it on Monday
The owners of Double Dutch Coffee Beatrix and Chris Holland told the Age that 75 per cent of their customers pay for their coffee by card.
'Luckily a lot of our morning traffic is our regulars so we are happy to operate on a honour system,' Mrs Holland said.
'It's a bit of an embarrassment, any new customers who have come through this morning are less likely to return,' she said.
One small business from the Gold Coast had the same issue with the big banks card terminal
The Brunswick coffee store said they have regular morning customers to issue a honour system on Monday
One small business in the Gold Coast also had issues with the terminal posting to their Instagram the system was down and you could only use cash.
'Eftpos is down in store today (Australia wide too.) thanks Commbank we are sorry for the inconvenience, so Cash king,' Raw Espresso wrote.
The Eftpos 'Albert' system is a touch screen tablet that accepts 'contactless' payments.
It is uncertain how many small businesses were affected by the system failure but it has been reported that it was a 'large number'.
A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Bank said in a statement 'We know when events such as this happen its frustrating and we apologise for this. We are working with priority to help our customers reconnect and encourage customers who are experiencing difficulties to call our Merchant Support team'.
Kevin Esterly, 45, waived extradition from Miami to Pennsylvania on Monday
A 45-year-old man who ran away to Mexico with his daughter's 16-year-old friend has agreed to extradition, as his wife says she's refusing his calls from jail.
Kevin Esterly, 45, told a Miami judge on Monday that he would waive his right to fight extradition back to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he faces a charge of child custody interference.
Authorities may opt to bring further charges upon investigation, but the age of consent is 16 in Pennsylvania, and Mexican federal law sets the age of consent at 12.
'I'd like to go back to Pennsylvania as soon as possible' Esterly told Judge Mindy S. Glazer after she explained that he had the choice to waive or contest extradition.
'That's a smart choice,' the judge replied.
Esterly was found on Saturday in the Mexican resort town of Playa del Carmen along with 16-year-old Amy Yu, who was returned safe to her family in Pennsylvania.
Amy disappeared with Esterly on March 5 and was found with him in Mexico on Saturday
Mexican police are seen taking Esterly into custody in Playa del Carmen. From there US Marshals transported him to Miami, where he faced an extradition hearing on Monday
'I'd like to go back to Pennsylvania as soon as possible' Esterly told a Miami judge on Monday
Esterly's wife Stacey (pictured) has been refusing to take any of his calls from Miami jail
Esterly and Amy disappeared from Allentown on March 5.
The two met at church years ago, and the Amy is friends with one of Esterly's four daughters, according to Amy's family.
Esterly and Amy had gotten so close she often went on his family's vacations and the older man had often come to Amy's home for meals, her mother Mia Luu said.
Amy even changed school documents to list the older man as her step-father, and he signed her out of school 10 times between November 13 and February 9, police said.
Amy's mother discovered the deception when she came to get the girl from school on February 9 and found that Esterly had already signed her out. The furious mom warned him to stay away from the teen.
Before fleeing town with the girl, Esterly withdrew $4,000 from his join bank accounts with wife Stacey, she told police.
Luu discovered after her daughter vanished on March 5 that she had taken some of jewelry, her passport and cash.
Esterly and Amy had gotten so close she often went on his family's vacations with his kids
Amy changed school documents to list Esterly as her step-father, and he signed her out of school 10 times between November 13 and February 9. They are pictured with his daughters
Esterly's wife Stacey told cops he took $4,000 from their accounts before fleeing
When the pair disappeared, police were immediately suspicious. A warrant for Esterly's arrest was issued on March 7.
Cops tracked the pair to Mexico and issued an Amber Alert there on Thursday.
On Saturday, Mexican federal police found the pair in Playa del Carmen, the coastal resort on the Yucatan near the island of Cozumel.
Amy returned to Pennsylvania on Saturday, where she was taken to a hospital for examination and reunited with her family.
Esterly was transported by US Marshals to Miami. He will be extradited to Pennsylvania shortly after waiving his right to contest.
Since he arrived in Florida, Esterly has been trying to call his wife Stacy - but she has refused all of his calls, her attorney told CBS News.
'Stacey is happy that Amy is home and that Kevin is in custody,' attorney John Waldron said in a statement.
Prosecutors are examining the case and could bring more serious charges, for instance if Amy tells investigators that she didn't want to go to Mexico, or if she asked to return but Esterly refused.
Mexican authorities issued this Amber Alert seeking Amy and Esterly on Thursday
The beach in Playa del Carmen is seen. Cops found Amy and Esterly in the town on Saturday
If the girl went willingly to Mexico with Esterly it could present a valid defense for him, Allentown attorney Thomas Joachim told the Morning Call, a local newspaper.
Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits the crime of interference with the custody of a child if they knowingly take a child under the age of 18 away from their legal parent or guardian.
However, if the child is at least 14 years old and goes with the person willingly, and the defendant had no intention of committing a criminal act with the child, that could lead to acquittal, Joachim said.
Since the age of consent is 16 in Pennsylvania and 12 in Mexico, sexual acts between the two wouldn't necessarily be criminal.
However, if Esterly gave the girl alcohol that could open up additional charges of corrupting the morals of a minor or endangering the welfare of a child, experts said.
While Esterly is behind bars, his wife Stacey is working full time to support their four daughters, according to a GoFundMe campaign to assist them.
'She is committed to making every effort to see her children through this situation as best as possible and maintain a sense of stability for them,' her attorney said.
Hope Hicks appears to have been behind Donald Trump's much-mocked cue card reminding him to offer sympathy as he met with victims and families of the Florida high school massacre.
The former White House communications director's handwriting, which has been spotted on a Valentine's Day note to White House staff, appears to be almost identification to the note Trump was spotted holding during the meeting last month.
Both the Valentine's note, which urged staffers to 'Believe in LOVE', and the list of talking points in Trump's hand shared the same bubbled letters, written in printed rather than cursive text.
Identical: Hope Hicks appears to have been behind Donald Trump's much-mocked cue card reminding him to offer sympathy to the Florida high school massacre victims, as the handwriting matches her Valentine's Day note to staff
Hope Hicks, 29, who announced she is stepping down from her role as comms director, was spotted leaving the White House on Friday
Hicks, who announced plans to resign from her role in the White House on February 28, has not yet commented on the note.
But the president came under fierce criticism last month after a photo emerged of him holding the note, written on a White House letterhead, reminding him to listen to the concerns of the students who survived the shooting at Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School, in Parkland, Florida.
Point number five was a reminder to himself to tell his guests: 'I hear you.' Other questions that were also visible on the card included: 'What would you most want me to know about your experience?' and 'What can we do to help you feel safe?'
Other questions that were also visible on the card included: 'What would you most want me to know about your experience?' and 'What can we do to help you feel safe?'
Survivors of the Parkland shooting and their parents begged President Donald Trump to act on gun violence at at the tearful listening session at the White House. Here, he is seen listening to student body president, Julia Cordover
President Trump (left) shakes the hand of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors Carson Abt (center) and Ariana Klein (right) during a White House listening session on Wednesday
It seems the president had to remind himself to tell the dozens of guests who had been directly impacted by the shooting that left 17 dead, including 14 children, that he was listening to their concerns.
At the same event, the President put forward a proposal to arm up to a fifth of teachers.
Trump didn't appear to actually use the visible prompts at any point during the meeting, but did remember to cast a tender tone.
'To me there can be nothing worse than what you've gone through,' he told the victims, before bringing up reforms to the system that his administration had backed publicly.
He told the survivors of the shooting and their parents that he grieved for them during the listening session at the White House, in which many of the guests implored the president to take immediate action on gun violence.
The meeting came as thousands of high schoolers held walkouts and protests around the country to bring attention to gun control.
Hicks announced plans to resign from the White House on February 28, after her boyfriend Rob Porter was accused of physically abusing his two ex-wives
Outgoing White House communications director Hope Hicks, left, and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, right, walked out of the White House in Washington, Friday
Parkland parent Andrew Pollack, who is an avid Trump supporter, told the president he was 'pissed' as he described his daughter Meadow's horrific death to the president and other families present - she was shot nine times.
'I'm very angry that this happened, because it keeps happening,' the bereaved father said, declaring that 9/11 'happened once, and they fixed everything. How many schools, how many children have to get shot?'
After listening to parents like Pollack for some time, Trump said he'd be looking at making concealed carry permits available to teachers, which he admitted after asking for a show of support is certainly 'controversial.'
Parents and students affected by the Sandy Hook and Columbine shootings were in the room, as well, alongside local teachers and students who put a spotlight on D.C.'s local crime problem.
The president spoke briefly at the top, and sympathetically asked questions several times in the middle of the meeting that aired live on national television.
Meanwhile Hicks, has continued working at the White House after she announced she would be stepping down from her post in the Trump administration last month.
President Trump was captured bowing his head during the White House listening session with families and victims of school shootings. He offered his grief and condolences to the victims and their families multiple times throughout the sit-down
Students of Coral Glades High School, a high school less than four miles from the Parkland shooting scene, hold signs as the participate in a school walk for gun law change
Her resignation came after the ousting of her boyfriend Rob Porter.
Porter resigned from his post after DailyMail.com revealed that he had been accused of physically abusing his two ex-wives in early February, a claim that the administration tried to initially deny.
That was on February 7, and since that time there have been five additional members of President Trump's administration who have left their posts, including Hicks.
Economic adviser Gary Cohn was the next to go on March 6, and on March 12 President Trump's personal aide John McEntee was escorted out of the White House by security.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired by President Trump on Tuesday, and then hours later was followed by Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein.
That second firing was a result of the first, with reports emerging that Goldstein was let go for contradicting the administration's version of events as it pertained to Tillerson's exit.
Mississippi's governor signed the nation's most restrictive abortion law on Monday - and was slapped with a lawsuit less than an hour later.
Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1510, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, in a closed ceremony on Monday in Jackson, Mississippi attended by legislative supporters.
'We'll probably be sued in about half an hour,' Bryant said to laughter from supporters as he signed the bill. 'That'll be fine with me. It'll be worth fighting over.'
Bryant's prediction was accurate. The state's only abortion clinic and one of the physicians who practices there sued in federal court within an hour, arguing the law violates other federal court rulings saying a state can't restrict abortion before a child can survive on its own outside the womb.
Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1510, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, in a closed ceremony on Monday in Jackson, Mississippi (file photo)
The Jackson Women's Health Organization, in a lawsuit handled by the Center of Reproductive Rights, argued the measure is unconstitutional and should immediately be struck down.
'Under decades of United States Supreme Court precedent, the state of Mississippi cannot ban abortion prior to viability, regardless of what exceptions are provided to the ban,' the suit states.
The suit says the clinic performed 78 abortions in 2017 when the fetus was identified as being 15 weeks or older. That's out of about 2,500 abortions performed statewide, mostly at the clinic.
Dr. Sacheen Carr-Ellis, in a sworn statement, said she'll have to stop providing abortions to women past the 15 week ban, or else lose her Mississippi medical license, as House Bill 1510 requires. Carr-Ellis said women shouldn't be forced to carry their pregnancies to term against their wills or leave the state to obtain abortions.
'A woman who is pregnant should have the ability to make the decision that is best for her about the course of her pregnancy, based on her own values and goals for her life,' Carr-Ellis said in the statement.
A pro-life protester stands outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson earlier this month. The clinic has sued the state over a new tough restriction on abortion
The law and responding challenge set up a confrontation sought by abortion opponents, who are hoping federal courts will ultimately prohibit abortions before a fetus is viable. Current federal law does not.
Some legal experts have said a change in the law is unlikely unless the makeup of the US Supreme Court changes in a way that favors abortion opponents.
'We are saving more of the unborn than any state in America, and what better thing can we do?' Bryant said in a video his office posted on social media.
Mississippi's only abortion clinic, though, is asking an immediate halt to the law, telling a federal judge that a woman who is 15 weeks or more pregnant is scheduled to have an abortion Tuesday afternoon.
Attorney Rob McDuff told The Associated Press that the Jackson Women's Health Organization wants a federal judge to impose a temporary restraining order by Tuesday.
The law's only exceptions are if a fetus has health problems making it 'incompatible with life' outside of the womb at full term, or if a pregnant woman's life or a 'major bodily function' is threatened by pregnancy. Pregnancies resulting from rape and incest aren't exempted.
Pro-life supporters stand outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic earlier this month. The clinic is the state's only abortion provider and hopes to overturn the new law
Mississippi previously tied with North Carolina for the nation's strictest abortion limits at 20 weeks. Both states count pregnancy as beginning on the first day of a woman's previous menstrual period. That means the restrictions kick in about two weeks before those of states whose 20-week bans begin at conception.
Republican legislative leaders Lt. Gov Tate Reeves and House Speaker Philip Gunn both attended Bryant's private signing ceremony
'The winners (today) are those babies that are in the womb, first and foremost,' Gunn said. 'Those are the ones we're trying to protect.'
When asked if the state is prepared to bear the cost of a lawsuit, Gunn said, 'Absolutely.'
'I don't know if you can put any value on human life,' Gunn said. 'We are all about fighting to protect the unborn. Whatever challenges we have to take on to do that, is something we're willing to do.'
Kim Gibson, a clinic defender, keeps watch along the entrance to the parking lot of the Jackson Women's Health Organization earlier this month
Opponents, though, predicted the attempt to allow states to restrict abortion before viability would fail.
'We certainly think this bill is unconstitutional,' said Katherine Klein, equality advocacy coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. 'The 15-week marker has no bearing in science. It's just completely unfounded and a court has never upheld anything under the 20-week viability marker.'
The bill was drafted with the assistance of conservative groups including the Mississippi Center for Public Policy and the Alliance Defending Freedom.
'We believe this law should be a model for the rest of the country,' Jameson Taylor, acting president of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, said in a statement.
Both Republican-controlled chambers passed the bill overwhelmingly in early March, by a vote of 35-14 in the Senate and 76-34 in the House.
The US Senate failed to pass a 20-week abortion ban bill in January. With 60 'yes' votes required to advance, the bill failed on a 51-46 vote.
An 11-year-old girl who was killed when she was hit by a freight train as she played on tracks with friends has been remembered as a 'beautiful soul'.
Moareen Rameka, 11, tried to run off the rail bridge in Ngaruawahia on New Zealand's North Island when the group of children heard the train approach on Sunday.
Her friends managed to flee to safety, but the girl didn't make it in time. She died at the scene after she was struck from behind and thrown from the tracks.
Moareen Rameka, who was killed when she was hit by a freight train as she played on the tracks with friends, has been remembered as a 'beautiful soul'
The 11-year-old was struck and killed by a train on the rail bridge at Ngaruawahia (pictured) on New Zealand's North Island
Heartbroken family and friends have paid tribute to the 11-year-old on social media.
'I love you so much Moareen Rameka words can't describe how lost I am to here this tonight,' one wrote.
'Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have expected him to need a beautiful soul like you so early in your life you will be with us always.'
Another posted: 'So sad to hear that it was you... still can't believe it was you that God planned to take.'
The little girl's sister Joanna Lines (pictured) has started a fundraising page to help cover the costs of her funeral
KiwiRail CEO Peter Reidy said the popularity of the bridge (pictured) as a spot for local children to jump into the Waikato River made the tragedy 'many years in the making'
The little girl's sister Joanna Lines has started a fundraising page to help cover the costs of her funeral.
'Moareen Rameka was struck by a train in Ngaruawahia taken from her beloved family, mother, father, grandmother her 11 siblings, cousins and much more,' the page reads.
'The family is in devastation as her death was such a shock to us all. I've created this page on behalf of my family and baby sister to help them with anything in need. Anything will be a blessing towards this tragedy.'
KiwiRail CEO Peter Reidy told Radio New Zealand the popularity of the bridge as a spot for local children to jump into the Waikato River made the tragedy 'many years in the making'.
Although paramedics and family members attended the accident quickly, the young girl died at the scene
'Young children are accessing the track to jump off the bridge, so this [death] has been many years in the making,' he told the station.
'We've spent a significant amount of money on fencing, anti-trespassing measures and we have weekly inspections of the area.
'This is a situation where local youth will use cars to drag the fencing off.'
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
He led the BBCs weather team for almost two decades, so its a bit of a surprise to find Bill Giles urging viewers to watch the forecast on another channel.
Nonetheless, he has branded the BBCs new graphics a severe disappointment and says Channel 5 offers a clearer view.
The changes come after the BBC dropped the Met Office after 94 years and introduced forecasts from private company MeteoGroup.
Giles, 78, said the old BBC forecasts were more fit for purpose.
BBC weather veteran Bill Giles has branded the BBC's new graphics (pictured) a 'severe disappointment'
Bill Giles, pictured in 1999 with the old BBC weather map, has said on the new version the UK map appears a lot smaller
He added: The new forecasts ... are as disappointing as a downpour in high summer. If a forecast is supposed to give you a clear idea of what might be in store tomorrow, then the new maps, with their state-of-the-art graphics, are a severe disappointment.
The UK map appears a lot smaller. You may be able to see much further east into Europe but if you want to know what is going on in, say, Southampton, near where I live, then you have your work cut out. Giles, who is retired, led the BBCs weather team between 1983 and 2000. The Corporation introduced its new-look forecasts at the start of February, promising viewers a better experience, with lots more data and the latest in technology and forecasting science.
For all those lofty claims, Giles complained that the way temperatures are now indicated on the map is simply more confusing. He criticised the use of a thin blue line beneath the number for freezing temperatures, as opposed to putting the numbers in blue.
Giles said: 'If you wish to see clean clear graphics, tune in to Channel 5 just before 7pm' (pictured: Channel 5's weather map)
Giles wrote in Radio Times: Last month the Beast from the East brought a blast of Siberian air, but if you had wanted to get a clue of how cold it would be, you had to stare very hard at the screen. He added: On some national broadcasts we see just a list of the four capital cities with a symbol and temperature fine for the residents of London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. But what if you live elsewhere? If you wish to see clean clear graphics, tune in to Channel 5 just before 7pm. The only problem is that the forecast is too short. Giles is not alone in his criticisms of the BBCs overhaul.
One viewer asked: Why is GB so small? We dont need to see the forecast for Luxembourg or Eastern Sweden.
Another said large place names were obscuring details on the map. A BBC spokesman said: BBC Weather has a more realistic map which presenters can customise by adding different layers of data to tell the most relevant weather story, as well as zooming in to give a more detailed forecast. We are confident that overall people will appreciate the new features.
Ranjan Thapa, 26, was stopped by police in Boston's South End around 1 a.m.
An Uber driver from Boston has appeared in court on charges he raped a passenger.
Ranjan Thapa, 26, of Everett, was arrested in the South End of the city shortly after 1am on Sunday.
Boston police were met by Northeastern University police officers who had stopped Thapa after noticing that a female passenger in the rear of his car, who hired him to drive her home, appeared to be distressed.
They feared that she may possibly be the victim of a sexual assault.
Officers later charged Thapa with rape after the accuser was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated.
'I know I'm in trouble, I had sex with her,' Thapa told an officer, according to the police report. He was later arrested and charged with rape.
In court, Thapa's defense attorney argued the act was consensual.
When detectives initially went to interview the victim early Sunday morning, they were unable because 'she was not able to talk or understand what was being said to her.'
Thapa told police that the woman in his car was drunk and he was driving her home
Investigators later returned, and the woman told them she had been drinking all day and did not remember what happened to her. She explained how she was not the person who ordered the Uber to take her home
Thapa's bail was set at $10,000.
Rabindra Lamichhane, Thapa's brother-in-law, told WBZ-TV that he was shocked by the allegations.
'We couldn't sleep the whole night, it's terrible,' he said.
Officers later charged Thapa with rape after the accuser was taken to hospital and it appeared she had in fact been raped. His bail was set at $10,000
He described Thapa as 'a regular guy, he's a hardworking guy' who is a student at UMass Boston and working two jobs to make ends meet.
Uber released a statement, saying: 'What police describe is deeply troubling. The driver has been removed from the app, and we stand ready to assist the Boston Police Department with their investigation.'
The two Northeastern University police officers were on a regular patrol throughout the neighborhood when they 'noticed suspicious activity in a parked car,' said a school representative.
The United Nations, Environment Secretary, MPs and health campaigners last night called for action against the plastic pandemic following a Daily Mail investigation.
Tiny particles of plastic are present in the air, contaminating the food we eat and the air we breathe, this newspaper revealed yesterday.
Fish fillet samples from eight stores were tested and all revealed worrying levels of plastic exposure.
The head of UN Environment Erik Solheim, pictured, has called on people to pay attention to science and accept the health risks of plastic
Scientists behind the research said this was evidence that microplastics are all around us. It is the latest damning indictment of modern societys reliance on plastic when its damaging effects are still unknown.
The Mails research follows ten years of campaigning against plastic, which was praised by the UN last year.
Yesterday Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment, said: This Daily Mail investigation is yet more shocking but important evidence of the global scale of plastic pollution.
Its high time for people to pay attention to the science and accept that we simply cannot afford to continue with this carefree attitude to polluting our water and the air we breathe. We still dont know nearly enough about the potential health risks of plastics pollution, although this is fast becoming an area of high priority research because of the sheer scale of the problem. Still, common sense dictates that inaction is not an option.
Last night Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: The findings of the Mails investigation are deeply disturbing. I will be examining them very carefully. I remain determined to tackle plastic pollution.
Environment minister Therese Coffey added: 'While the basis and conclusions of this study need to be considered more in detail, we are clear we need to protect our precious planet from the scourge of plastic waste and honouring our pledge to leave our natural world in a better state than we inherited it across land, sea and air.
'That is why we are driving global action and leading by example including introducing one of the worlds toughest bans on plastic microbeads and taking nine billion plastic bags out of circulation with our 5p carrier bag charge.'
The UN, pressure groups and the government have pledged to take action to tackle the plastic pandemic following a Daily Mail investigation
Experts warn ingesting plastic particles can affect lungs, kidneys and hormones. They can even travel from the intestines to a mother-to-bes placenta.
Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, has warned of unquantified health consequences of microplastics while leading scientists have called for urgent further research.
Last week, four Commons select committees demanded a new Clean Air Act and an end to Britains poisonous air.
Tory MP Neil Parish, chairman of the environment, food and rural affairs committee, said it was deeply concerning that airborne microplastics may pose a risk to public health.
The latest revelations underscore the importance of joining up action across sectors and Government departments, he said. There is an urgent need for further studies on the prevalence and health impacts of airborne microplastics.
Labour MP Mary Creagh, chairman of the environmental audit committee, said: These worrying findings by the Daily Mail show the urgent need to act. It is not enough for ministers to give up plastics for Lent, we need policy not piety to turn back the plastic tide.
A potential health effect of ingesting microplastics is lung damage as tiny particles can lodge deep inside them without disintegrating for weeks.
Alison Cook, director of policy at the British Lung Foundation, called for an ambitious Clean Air Act without delay. She added: The Mail has revealed the potential threat of microplastics in the air.
Julian Kirby, for Friends of the Earth, said a phase-out of all but the safest, most essential plastics was needed to stop the particles getting into waterways and the air. Apolline Roger, of green lawyers Client Earth, said: Single-use and unnecessary plastics need to be banned.
The particles found in the Mails research were 0.25mm to 1mm long and mainly fibres from textiles used in clothing, carpets or furniture.
Most of our food 'is contaminated'
Most of the food we eat and drink is likely to be contaminated with microplastics, leading scientists warned last night.
Dr Andrew Mayes, of the University of East Anglia, said: It shouldnt be a surprise to people that everything they eat, drink, touch, is contaminated with tiny particles.
Plastic had been seen as a wonderful new product but only after years of extensive use did it begin to dawn on people that it was the tip of an environmental disaster iceberg, he added.
Dr Natalie Welden, who led the Mails research, said although airborne microplastics have been shown to affect items displayed on counters, processed food could be even more at risk. Each stage of the production process could lead to the fragments being trapped in the food, she added.
Generally its going to be something that, whether at the supermarket or in your home, its something thats very difficult to control, said Dr Welden.
Dr Mayes helped devise a study for the World Health Organisation which found microplastics in bottled water.
He said this was just the start, adding: If we look at other food and drink sources, I would expect to find similar results. We dont know what weve done to ourselves.
The number of people who give money to charity once a month has fallen below a third, new figures showed yesterday.
Only 32 per cent of the population said last year that they had donated to a charity over the previous four weeks, a level that dropped below the 33 per cent floor recorded in 2017.
And the overall fall in numbers who pay for charities was even greater because of a decline in sponsorship for people taking part in charity events, a large survey found.
The number of people in the UK who are giving money to charity has fallen to under a third of the population
It said that when direct donations and sponsorship are counted together, the share of people who contributed dropped from 39 per cent in 2016 to 37 per cent last year.
The survey, carried out among 12,000 people by the Charities Aid Foundation, followed a series of scandals over fundraising methods used by big charities. In 2015 the Mail disclosed how the NSPCC, the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Macmillan were using outrageous 'boiler room' tactics to raise cash.
Firms paid by them were regularly contacting homes on the official 'no-call' list meant to spare vulnerable and unwilling people from being targeted. They were also prepared to take money from those who revealed they had dementia.
There has also been widespread revulsion over the used of 'chugging' gangs who waylay people on High Streets and try to persuade their targets to sign up to hand over regular bank payments.
Althought the total amount of donations rose above the 10 billion mark during 2017, the number of people donating were fewer
It was taken before the scandal this year over sexual exploitation of disaster victims and employees by senior executives of Oxfam and other major international charities.
The total of donations rose above the 10 billion mark during 2017, 9.7 billion to 10.3 billion, but the money came from fewer people, the Foundation said.
Its chief Sir John Low said: 'We see that although total donations are slightly up, the number of people giving has fallen. It is far too soon to tell if that represents a trend, but we need to be careful if giving becomes concentrated in fewer, larger donations. This is something we will monitor carefully.'
The report said that levels of trust in charities have not shifted since 2016, with 51 per cent of people agreeing that charities are trustworthy. However, men are most likely to disagree that charities are trustworthy, with fewer than half saying they have trust in them, and older people too are increasingly suspicious. Again, fewer than half of over-65s say they trust charities.
A MasterChef star has been caught up in a messy legal dispute over a $6,000 lobster tank after reaping $15 million from the sale of his stake in a Melbourne restaurant empire.
Millionaire celebrity chef Shannon Bennett commissioned Coburg Aquarium in 2012 to install a set-piece glass enclosure to display mud crabs to high-end customers at Vue de Monde, Fairfax Media reports.
That aquarium and tropical fish supplier has lodged a legal complaint against the celebrity chef in the Magistrates Court of Victoria over the $6,050 tank.
A MasterChef star has been caught up in a messy legal dispute over a $6,000 lobster tank after reaping $15 million from the sale of his stake in a Melbourne restaurant empire
Millionaire celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, pictured with soap star wife Madeleine West, commissioned Coburg Aquarium in 2012 to install the tank at Vue de Monde
The company alleges Bennett, 42, had ignored phone voice messages, faces and emails from them, the complaint seen by The Age said.
They are seeking $1,132 in costs from the MasterChef guest judge over a March 2012 invoice for installing the tank at his upmarket Collins Street restaurant, which charges diners $230 to $275 to sample its tasting menu.
Bennett, who has six children with former Neighbours star wife Madeleine West, lives in Toorak and his continues to operate a restaurant in the Rialto Tower.
His solicitor Sam Bond from SBA Law told The Age his client had been not been served with any court summons and was unaware of his debt.
In 2016, Bennett sold 65 per cent of his company Vue Group to Singapore billionaire brothers Robert and Philip Ng for $14.6 million.
That aquarium and tropical fish supplier has lodged a legal complaint against the celebrity chef in the Magistrates Court of Victoria over the $6,050 tank (stock image)
Furious Aboriginal activists clashed with police outside the Sunrise studio this morning.
Dozens stormed Sydney's Martin Place with flags and banners reading 'stop stealing our children' despite an all-Aboriginal panel being live on air to discuss indigenous issues.
Pictures showed activists making obscene gestures outside the studio as white concrete barricades blocked them from getting too close to the windows.
They were protesting against the show after a debate on adoption last week featured a panelist who said it was a 'no brainer' for abused Aboriginal children to be placed in white families.
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Anger: Pictures showed activists making obscene gestures outside the studio as white barricades blocked them from getting too close to the windows
Fury: Dozens held flags and banners saying 'stop stealing our children' in Sydney's Martin Place
Activists were protesting against the show after a debate on adoption last week featured a panelist who said it was a 'no brainer' for abused Aboriginal children to be placed in white families. Pictured: Protesters today
Three activists take photos of the Sunrise studio as they are blocked from coming closer by police
Police stand outside the Sunrise studio in Sydney's Martin Place on Tuesday morning
At the time of the today's protest, Sunrise was airing a live discussion with aboriginal experts on the issue - something the activists have demanded.
Protester Elizabeth Wymarra wrote on Twitter: 'Barricade or not Coppers or not - we r still here! our presence still felt!' (sic).
She added: 'Coppers have barricaded public walkway to block protesters from protesting at #Sunrise7 Windows.'
Another protester shared a video of the protests with the caption: 'Protesters are currently being blocked by police from reaching the glass windows at Sunrise. This protest marks one week since the all-white panel called for more Stolen Generations of indigenous kids.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted New South Wales Police for comment.
One protester criticises sunrise with a sign outside the studios on Tuesday morning
An all-Aboriginal panel was live on air to discuss indigenous issue. Pictured: Presenter David Koch on Sunrise today
At the time of the today's protest, Sunrise was airing a live discussion with aboriginal experts (pictured) on the issue - something the activists have demanded
There were also protests outside the studio on Friday during which Channel Seven ran stock footage of Martin Place to avoid showing the group, who were accusing the show of spreading 'racist lies' against Indigenous Australians.
Hundreds of people arrived outside the set carrying Aboriginal flags and signs which read 'Scumrise', 'Sunlies' and 'Stop stealing our kids'.
But despite their strong presence, hosts Natalie Barr and Samantha Armytage presented the live show in front of routine scenes of workers walking through a tranquil Martin Place.
A Channel Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the decision was made to roll down soundproof blinds and use a 'generic backdrop' because of offensive signage and language.
At the time of the today's protest, Sunrise was airing a live discussion with experts on the issue - something the activists have demanded. Pictured: Today's protests
Protester Elizabeth Wymarra wrote on Twitter: 'Barricade or not Coppers or not - we r still here! our presence still felt!' (sic)
'We respect the right to protest as much as we respect the right of free speech ... some of the group were holding offensive signage and some began banging on the window and mouthing obscenities,' the spokesperson said.
'To ensure regulatory compliance, and bearing in mind the potential for young children to be watching, the decision was made to utilise a generic backdrop.'
The debate on adoption was sparked last week when assistant federal minister for children David Gillespie said the law should be changed to make it easier for white families to adopt indigenous children who were victims of abuse.
During last Tuesday morning's 'Hot Topic' segment on Sunrise, panelist Prue MacSween argued in favour of removing Aboriginal children from abusive families, saying the move would be a 'no brainer'.
'Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their well-being, we need to do it again, perhaps,' she said.
Friday's protest: Channel Seven ran stock footage of Sydney's Martin Place to avoid showing angry protesters (pictured)
Controversial Sydney businessman Salim Mehajer has been declared bankrupt by a Federal Circuit Court judge after one of his companies failed to pay a debt of over $200,000.
The petitioning creditor for the bankruptcy order was the liquidator of Mehajer's property development business, SM Project Developments.
Other creditors, including the Australian Taxation Office and the company which built a staircase at his lavish Lidcombe home, supported the application.
Judge Justin Smith on Tuesday rejected his lawyer's argument that the bankruptcy notice was invalid.
Sydney businessman Salim Mehajer has been declared bankrupt by a Federal Circuit Court judge after one of his companies failed to pay a debt of over $200,000 to its creditors
The company which built a staircase (pictured) at his lavish Lidcombe home supported the bankruptcy application
The order means Mehajer's multi-million-dollar estate will be managed by a trustee who will take control of his property and financial affairs - and deal with his creditors.
Legal costs of the bankruptcy application totally $20,524 will also come out of his estate.
The bankruptcy order comes as the 31-year-old faces a string of criminal charges.
His dream of becoming prime minister is well and truly shattered, as he continues to fight legal battles including electoral fraud claims and allegations he breached an AVO taken out by his former wife.
He is currently behind bars awaiting trial after allegedly faking a car crash to avoid a court appearance over the assault of a taxi driver.
Mehajer was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he threw an EPTPOS machine at the driver's face outside Sydney's Star casino in April last year.
He is accused of staging the car crash to avoid court over the matter - and defrauding an insurance company after he insured his Mercedes for over $150,000.
Mehajer's multi-million-dollar estate, including his Lidcombe home (pictured) will now be managed by a trustee who will take control of his property and financial affairs
Mehajer made headlines after causing chaos and shutting down streets during his lavish wedding to now former wife Aysha
During a bail hearing last month, Mehajer said his situation was 'an absolute mess', with frozen bank accounts affecting his business, family, employees and investors.
Being incarcerated and having only one phone call a day was making it 'ever so difficult' to turn his fortunes around, Mehajer said.
'I am here between four walls and letting everything collapse... this is going to be a catastrophe,' he predicted.
Mehajer could face a lengthy jail term if convicted of perverting the course of justice and conspiring to cheat and defraud over the alleged staged crash.
Perverting the course of justice attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
The 31-year-old is currently behind bars awaiting trial after allegedly faking a car crash to avoid a court appearance over the assault of a taxi driver
Mehajer is accused of staging the car crash and defrauding an insurance company, days after he'd insured his Mercedes for more than $150,000
The businessman was also last month found guilty of assaulting Channel Seven journalist Laura Banks.
The incident took place outside Day Street police station on April 2 last year, where Mehajer had been taken early that morning following the taxi driver incident.
Ms Banks had been standing in the doorway of a Porsche trying to quiz Mehajer when he slammed the car door against her.
He was found guilty of assault occasioning bodily over the incident, which left her with hand and back injuries.
The bankruptcy order comes as the 31-year-old faces a string of criminal charges
Mehajer will remain behind bars until his matter over the alleged staged car crash is heard on March 28.
He first captured the public's attention in 2015 when his wedding shut down streets in Sydney's west.
He hired four helicopters that landed in a local park, while his fiancee Aysha travelled with a $50 million motorcade of 45 motorbikes and 35 luxury cars.
In a later television interview, he stood at a lectern and said he would like to be prime minister.
'I'd like to make my way up to the very top spot,' he said. 'That would [be] my dream come true.'
Mehajer was last month found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm against TV reporter Laura Banks (left) outside a Sydney police station last year
Britain took a huge stride towards signing the biggest, most effective and comprehensive trade deal in history after clinching a Brexit transition agreement yesterday.
David Davis said the provisional pact was a decisive step in the talks which will allow the UK to sign deals across the world as soon as the divorce is completed.
The agreement on the 21-month period, which Theresa May promised in order to provide certainty to businesses, is a huge economic boost and led to a surge in the pound.
Here JACK DOYLE gives his view on where Britain has won and lost...
EXIT TIMING
Britain will formally leave the EU at 11pm on March 29 next year, but will then enter a transition phase during which little will change.
Remain-supporting Cabinet ministers and Treasury officials lobbied for a longer period lasting for at least five years, but Mrs May stuck to two years, and the final timing was decided as much as anything by the end of the EUs annual budget cycle
Ministers say this period which will last for 21 months and end on December 31, 2020 is needed to give business certainty. Remain-supporting Cabinet ministers and Treasury officials lobbied for a longer period lasting for at least five years, but Mrs May stuck to two years, and the final timing was decided as much as anything by the end of the EUs annual budget cycle.
Verdict: Draw
FREEDOM TO SIGN TRADE DEALS
David Davis said the provisional pact was a decisive step in the talks which will allow the UK to sign deals across the world as soon as the divorce is completed
DURING the transition period, Britain will be free to negotiate, sign and ratify new trade deals with non-EU countries which are predicted to account for 90 per cent of future global growth. This was not contained in the EUs draft proposals but was insisted upon by negotiators so Britain can begin to seize one of the great opportunities of Brexit. As David Davis said yesterday, this will mean the chance of new deals with old friends and new allies around the globe for the first time in more than 40 years.
Verdict: UK wins
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Although free movement will formally end next March, EU nationals will in effect keep all their rights to come to Britain and settle until the end of 2020. They will also be free to bring in family members, but will have to register with the Home Office.
Only weeks ago, Mrs May stuck her neck out by publicly stating her determination to secure a win but in the end had to settle for reciprocal rights for UK nationals in the EU
Only weeks ago, Mrs May stuck her neck out by publicly stating her determination to secure a win but in the end had to settle for reciprocal rights for UK nationals in the EU. According to the MigrationWatch think-tank it could mean an additional million new arrivals.
Verdict: UK loses out
FISHING
In a major disappointment for fishermen and Leave supporters Britain will have to wait another year to decide its own fishing policy, and during 2019 we will in effect stay in the Common Fisheries Policy.
Mrs Mays concession yesterday will heap pressure on her not to give in on fishing in the final deal
Ministers have won the right to be consulted on how the catch is divided up, and the UKs share of the fish caught will not fall. However, the failure to take back control of a totemic Brexit issue has enraged Leavers and particularly Scottish Tories. Mrs Mays concession yesterday will heap pressure on her not to give in on fishing in the final deal.
Verdict: UK loses out
NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE BORDER
Still the thorniest issue in the talks. The EU proposes as a backstop keeping Northern Ireland in the customs union after Brexit. That has enraged Tory MPs and the DUP as it would create a customs border in the Irish Sea and effectively divide the UK.
Drawing a clear red line, Mrs May said it was something no UK prime minister could ever agree. This section of the agreement remains in the official papers, but has not been agreed.
Nor is there any obvious sign of how it can be resolved, meaning the can has been kicked down the road.
Verdict: Draw
GIBRALTAR
EU negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday claimed Spains veto over the deal remained in place, but despite reports suggesting Gibraltar would not be covered by the deal, it is explicitly included in its territorial scope.
Verdict: UK wins
The body of an Australian woman who went missing in the Canadian wilderness has been found four months after she vanished.
Alison Raspa, 25, was last seen at the Three Below Restaurant and Lounge in the holiday town of Whistler about 11.30pm on November 23.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed human remains found on Friday in Alpha Lake, which is partially frozen, belong to Ms Raspa.
The body of an Australian woman who went missing in the Canadian wilderness has been found four months after she vanished
Alison Raspa (pictured), 25, was last seen at the Three Below Restaurant and Lounge in the holiday town of Whistler about 11.30pm on November 23
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed human remains found on Friday in Alpha Lake (pictured), which is partially frozen, belong to Ms Raspa
Police said Ms Raspa's death does not appear suspicious, but a cause of death is yet to be determined, ABC News reported.
The 25-year-old, who had moved to Whistler from Perth in early 2017, was reported missing when she failed to turn up to work.
Her phone was found about 6.30am the following morning in a lakeside park some five kilometres away.
Police revealed in December Ms Raspa sent text messages to friends to say she was lost at about 1.15am on November 23.
Police said Ms Raspa's death does not appear suspicious, but a cause of death is yet to be determined (pictured is the Three Below Restaurant and Lounge)
Police said they believed Raspa caught a bus between the bar and the park where her phone was found along with her backpack and jacket.
Ms Raspa is the third young Australian to die in the ski resort town in recent years.
In 2015 the body of teenager Jake Kermond was found after he went missing from his hotel weeks earlier.
In 2014 a 19-year-old Australian was found dead in his staff accommodation, and is believed to have died of an overdose after taking cocaine and sleeping pills.
The local Coroner's office is working with Ms Raspa's family to have her remains returned to Australia.
Theresa May will hold crisis talks with Scottish Tories today after they threatened to veto the final Brexit deal unless it secures full control of the UKs fishing grounds.
Industry leaders criticised ministers after they accepted that the EU will be able to fix fishing quotas in British waters during the Brexit transition period. UK officials will not be in the room when the decisions are made, but Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted that Britain would still be consulted on the quota, and said the share awarded to UK boats would not be reduced.
However, Scottish Tory MPs warned they could block the final Brexit deal unless they get guarantees that ministers will not trade away access to fishing grounds.
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: I will not support a deal as we leave the EU which, over the long-term, fails to deliver full control over fish stocks and vessel access
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: I will not support a deal as we leave the EU which, over the long-term, fails to deliver full control over fish stocks and vessel access.
Douglas Ross, one of 13 Scottish Tory MPs at Westminster, said: There is no spinning this as a good outcome.
Bertie Armstrong, of the Scottish Fishermens Federation, said: Our fishing communities fortunes will still be subject to the whim and largesse of the EU for another two years. Downing Street denied the industry would be sold out, insisting the PM is determined to secure a fairer share of fishing stocks.
A father who was allegedly shot dead by his own son told his other son to call 911 just minutes before he was killed alongside his wife last week.
Deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff's Department found the bodies of Steven Standley, 55, and Theresa Standley, 56, Wednesday just after 7pm.
The deputies responded to a home in the 23000 block of 162nd St. E. near South Prairie after a caller insisted on a welfare check for his parents.
The bodies of Steven Standley (left), 55, and Theresa Standley (right), 56, were found Wednesday just after 7pm inside their Washington state home
They were allegedly killed by their 21-year-old son, Jared Standley (pictured), who was early Thursday morning outside a Comfort Inn about 55 miles away from the crime scene
According to KOMO News, the caller told dispatchers that his brother, had anger problems and had just shown up from out of town, had possibly obtained a gun and was going to be talking to their father soon.
'The father told his son, 'if you don't hear from me in 20 minutes, call 911,'' Det Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department told the station.
Deputies said the caller waited the 20 minutes and dialed 911. He said he became worried after his father didn't respond to several phone calls.
When the deputies arrived at the home, they found a bullet hole in the window of the front door.
Upon entering the home, they found the Standley's bodies. The gunman had already fled the scene.
After releasing a statewide notice about the suspect, a Tumwater police officer found him around 1.15am inside a rental car at the Comfort Inn on 74th Ave. SW in Tumwater and called the Thurston County sheriff's office for backup, according to KOMO News.
The driver of the vehicle allegedly sped toward a deputy who tried approaching the car.
Subsequently, the sergeant opened fire and struck the driver in the shoulder. The driver was later identified as 21-year-old Jared Standley.
After releasing a statewide notice about the suspect, a Tumwater police officer found him around 1.15am inside a rental car at the Comfort Inn (pictured) in Tumwater. He was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder on Monday
Standley was arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
In an interview with detectives, Standley reportedly said he killed his parents because he 'hates his parents so much'.
Standley admitted when he went to the home, he killed his mother by beating her to death with a bat before his father returned home, according to KOMO News.
When his father arrived, he tried to lure him inside so 'he could shoot him quietly or stab him with a knife,' court documents show.
His father then ran into the home as Jared followed him. The father tried to hold the front door shut, but moments later, Jared allegedly shot him in the head through a glass panel in the door.
He told detectives: 'I don't feel like a gunshot to the head is really that upsetting... But I, I was fairly apologetic about having to bludgeon (his mother) Terry twice.'
Jared Standley was charged Monday with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder.
If convicted of the charges, he will be sentenced to life in prison without parole and the possibility of the death penalty.
The group will be run by Lee Rowley and Luke Graham (pictured)
A campaign to win over millennial voters and challenge snowflake culture has been launched by a group of young Tory MPs aiming to seize the task of party renewal from David Camerons Notting Hill set.
The Freer campaign will make the case for free markets and free speech amongst the younger generation.
The MPs said they were mobilising to win the battle of ideas as socialism stalks our landscape again thanks to the rise of the Corbynite left.
The group will be run by Lee Rowley and Luke Graham, both state-educated MPs in their thirties, who represent working-class seats in Derbyshire and Perthshire.
Speaking at their launch last night, Cabinet minister Liz Truss said: Whereas the Tory revolution was once fermented in the town houses of Notting Hill - now its the industrial towns and port cities where the call of freedom rings loudest. These places are fed up of being told what to do and what to think by others.
In their launch manifesto, Mr Rowley and Mr Graham argued they needed to challenge those who plot the destruction of capitalism while sipping their Starbucks lattes.
They said: Representatives of our generation now Instagram the very marches that would tax private enterprise and innovation out of existence.
They plot the destruction of capitalism while sipping their Starbucks lattes, and plan their South American gap years unaware that the freedom they enjoy here has been taken away from their Venezuelan peers by the same ideology they, these fortunate Britons, propound.
The pair argued that coming opportunities can only be fully enjoyed, and properly shared, if our country continues to chart a course of free markets, free society, and free expression.
They added: We must fight again for these timeless principles, which have spread prosperity, promoted aspiration, raised billions out of poverty, and have made us the most educated, healthy, and creative global generation ever to have lived.
Socialism stalks our landscape again - superficially alluring, and as innately dangerous as ever.
The Corbynite left is fossilised, incurious, and hellbent on shifting our national debate towards the exhausted tropes of socialism. That is exactly where we must not allow our country to go.
Lee Rowley (pictured) and Mr Graham said they will argue against attempts to limit freedom of speech, following a series of rows on university campuses
Mr Rowley and Mr Graham said they will argue against attempts to limit freedom of speech, following a series of rows on university campuses.
They added: An assault has been mounted on our speech and thought, with the emergence of a snowflake culture, promoting safe spaces and trigger warnings, and testing the essential Voltairean notion of freedom of expression.. The right to express oneself, even provocatively, is central to the freedom of the modern liberal state, as indeed is the need to recognise the personal responsibility that comes with it.
Yet a loud, vocal minority - unrepresentative, as usual, of wider society both on campus and beyond - outrageously seeks to narrow our public discourse.
The two MPs also said they will challenge the Lefts attempts to paint themselves as more caring. They said: We must make the moral case for our principles. Socialism has no monopoly on virtue, compassion, or care. There is no superiority in a creed that has failed societies for generations.
Good people - regardless of the rosettes they wear - seek the advancement of others, a healthier and wealthier society, and recognise their duty to help those who have fallen on hard times.
An airport supermarket in New Zealand has been giving new arrivals a very rude welcome after its sign broke.
The Countdown store at Auckland airport has been left emblazoned with a four-letter obscenity after the light behind the letter 'o' broke.
Driver Catherine Sayce captured the amusing mishap before posting the picture to her Instagram page, where it has since gone viral.
The 'O' in Countdown has been broken for three days, according to Ms Sayce
Diver Catherine Sayce posted a photo of the sign to Instagram on Monday
'There's only one place I shop. Also what people yell when I fall over,' she said.
'P.S. Countdown your sign has been broken for three days and long may it last.'
It's not the first time one of Countdown's signs has undergone an unintended transformation.
A store in Northcote, north of Auckland went with its 'O' for weeks in 2017, while social media commenters pointed out a sign at a Countdown in Invercargill in the South Island experienced a similar rebranding.
'Hopefully they get someone to give them that big O,' Ms Sayce posted.
Displaying the word on a sign was at the heart of a judicial ruling in August.
A New South Wales Court ruled it was legal to call former Prime Minister Tony Abbott the swear word because Australians don't find it as offensive as other English-speaking countries.
Well-known Sydney identity Danny Lim, 75, was seen holding a sign with the word on it.
A right-wing men's group which promotes 'western chauvinism' and holds bizarre initiation rituals including beatings has opened several Australian chapters.
The Proud Boys promise to 'venerate the housewife' and 'glorify the entrepreneur', while believing 'West is best'. They claim not to be racist.
Members, who vow not to masturbate more than once a month, can be spotted by their black Fred Perry brand polo shirts with yellow piping.
Among the group's odd rituals is the requirement that nominees be beaten up by members until they can name five breakfast cereals. These assaults are often filmed.
Members of the Proud Boys take part in a protest in Toronto, Canada, in October last year
A man wearing a Proud Boys T-shirt takes part in a May Day protest in Seattle last year
An Australian member of the Proud Boys men's group shows off his freshly-inked tattoo
A Proud Boys member holds up a West Australian branch flag (right) in an Instagram post
The group was started by conservative commentator Gavin McInnes, a co-founder of Vice Media who has been described as the 'godfather of hipsterdom'.
Local Proud Boys, who do not engage with the media, have been spotted gathering in increasingly large numbers at hotels in capital cities.
The manager of an inner-city Sydney pub said the first he had heard of the group was when half a dozen turned up for a drinking session in their Fred Perry shirts about three months ago.
The next time there were about of dozen of them and they booked a room for dinner.
'One of them described themselves as a men's help group, supporting youths without dads,' the manager said.
At one point the group left the pub for about 20 minutes having said they were going to initiate new members.
'A couple of them were holding their ribs a bit tenderly when they came back,' the manager said.
The group, which now numbers about 30, had also distributed stickers saying 'It's okay to be a Proud Boy' on the street outside the pub.
Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes attends a protest against sharia law in New York last year
A Proud Boys sticker left behind at a Sydney hotel after one of the group's regular meetings
No one in Australia seems to be the group's spokesperson but McInnes has given interviews to US news outlets explaining what Proud Boys are about.
An administrator of the Proud Boys Sydney Facebook page declined to discuss the workings of the group with Daily Mail Australia.
'We don't really speak to media,' the administrator said.
'We don't see it being conducive as a fraternal organisation of like-minded blokes who get together for a beer.
'The founder of Proud Boys, Gavin McInnes, has outlined in many public forms exactly what Proud Boys are.'
Much of what McInnes has said in public forums makes the group sound like frat boys, particularly its initiation ceremonies.
McInnes avoids using phrases such as 'white supremacy' or 'white pride' to describe the Proud Boys philosophy.
The right-wing group Proud Boys was founded in New York City by Gavin McInnes in 2016
Proud Boys members are required to get a tattoo as part of the third degree of initiation
'Our motto is that we're Western chauvinists who refuse to apologise for creating the modern world,' he has said. 'That's really the only tenet.'
The group's motto is: 'West is best'.
Proud Boys also stand for 'minimal government, maximum freedom, anti-political correctness, anti-racial guilt, pro-gun rights, anti-Drug War, closed borders, anti-masturbation, glorifying entrepreneurs, venerating housewives.'
McInnes pushes a message that men need to be masculine. 'There's a real sort of anti-masculinisation going on,' he has said. 'Not with just grown men, but with little boys. There's a real war on men going on.'
In 2013 McInnes wrote about what he had learned of women and sex.
'I learned they want to be downright abused. When I stopped playing nice and began totally defiling the women I slept with, the number of them willing to sleep with me went through the roof.'
Proud Boys members, pictured in New York this year, often wear black Fred Perry polo shirts
Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes (far right) attends a protest against sharia law last year
The name of the group comes from a stage show song Proud of Your Boy in which Aladdin apologises to his mother for being 'one rotten kid' and promises to make her 'proud of your boy'.
McInnes interpreted this lyric to mean Aladdin was apologising for being a boy and has said the Proud Boys sing the song at their meetings.
Founded in New York in 2016, there are Proud Boys chapters across the US as well as in Canada and Great Britain, and now Australia.
The group conducts meetings in public - often in bars - but is nonetheless secretive, operating much like a US college fraternity.
Memberships is a matter of degrees. The first degree requires only that a nominee declare themselves a Proud Boy by reciting their credo: 'I am a Western chauvinist, and I refuse to apologise for creating the modern world.'
The second degree requires Proud Boys to receive a beating until they can name five breakfast cereals. The third degree demands a Proud Boys tattoo.
Members of right-wing groups including Proud Boys prepare to face anti-Trump protesters
Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes (centre) says the 'Western chauvinist' group is not racist
A fourth degree, added later, is supposedly achieved when a Proud Boy takes part in 'a major fight for the cause'.
Proud Boys are also supposed to masturbate no more than once a month because McInnes says the practice is 'hurting our marriage and it's draining our life force.'
Black Proud Boys and Gay Proud Boys are accepted but non-white Proud Boys must 'recognize that white men are not the problem' and not 'whine about racism or blame it for their problems.'
Proud Boys have been involved in disturbances at US protest rallies including scuffles with members of the anti-fascist Antifa movement.
Various Proud Boys Facebook pages operate from Australia. The national page has 625 likes, the Sydney page 194 likes, Queensland has 173 likes. The Proud Boys Australia Vetting Page has 423 members.
McInnes helped found the Vice magazine and media company in Canada in the 1990s.
A Brisbane man who choked a 14-year-old boy he claims was bullying his stepdaughter before being hailed as a 'hero' online has been fined $1000.
Mark David Bladen, 53, pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday to choking the boy at a Brisbane skate park on March 3.
The court heard he told police he just 'snapped' when he attacked the teenager, causing bruising to his throat when he held him on the ground.
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Mark David Bladen (pictured), 53, has been fined $1000 for choking a 14-year-old boy he claims was bullying his stepdaughter
He pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday to choking the boy at a Brisbane skate park earlier this month
Footage emerged this month showing the seasoned firefighter and former Army technician grab the teenager by the throat and then scuffle with three of his mates
Mr Bladen (pictured) was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, and later told police he was 'aghast' at his behaviour
Mr Bladen held the boy around the throat until he began to lose consciousness, court heard.
He was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, later telling police he was 'aghast' at his behaviour and apologising to his victim outside court.
'I'm very sorry for what I did, very regretful and ashamed,' he said.
'Please don't do what I did, I just lost control, it's definitely not the way to handle things.'
Mr Bladen was fined $1000 with no conviction recorded, after the court heard he had an exemplary history, including a commendation for his work in Rockhampton in February 2015 following Cyclone Marcia.
Footage emerged this month showing the seasoned firefighter and former Army technician grab the teenager by the throat and then scuffle with three of his mates.
'I'm very sorry for what I did, very regretful and ashamed,' Mr Bladen (pictured) said outside court
Mr Bladen was hailed as a hero for taking a stand by some viewers, before his wife Jennifer (right) shed light on the family's ordeal
He was hailed as a hero for taking a stand by some viewers, before his wife Jennifer shed light on the family's ordeal.
'These bullies need to be stopped,' Ms Bladen told Daily Mail Australia.
'My daughter has been bullied by this particular individual since September last year.
'She is now scared and anxious of going to school. We have brushed it off thinking it would stop but now enough is enough.
'These bullies need to be stopped,' Ms Bladen (pictured with husband Mark) told Daily Mail Australia
Many viewers wrote comments supportive of the father this month - one even calling on him to become Australian of the Year
Another viewer said they would have 'done the same thing' as Mr Bladen
'Kids are committing suicide because of this and it's not on ... so we are now as a family standing up to them.'
In the video, the father can be seen grabbing the boy by the neck and then pushing him onto his back.
The boy's friends then intervene, shouting: 'Get the f*** off him, get off him!'
Ms Bladen said earlier this month she is calling on the community to act against bullying.
'I'm going to make sure with the support of our community that we get these bullies,' she said.
Former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros has filed a claim against Roger Ailes' estate in an attempt to secure a payout if she wins two sexual harassment lawsuits against the late media magnate.
The 39-year-old former co-host of The Five filed the claim against the former Fox News CEO in Palm Beach, Florida, according to the Miami Herald.
The claim's sole purpose is to alert the judge in charge of administering Ailes' estate of two lawsuits she's already filed against Ailes, Fox News and others.
Andrea Tantaros filed a claim against Roger Ailes' estate in Palm Beach in an attempt to secure a future payout if she were to win two sexual harassment lawsuits against the former CEO
Tantaros alleges that she was a victim of systemic sexual harassment as a Fox News employee. She is pictured on the far right during her time as co-host of The Five
Ailes died last May at age 77 after a fall at his home in Palm Beach. He left an estate believed to be worth as much as $100million.
His widow Elizabeth Tilson has already hit back at Tantaros' claim, filing a petition that alleges the time to file against the estate ran out on November 15, the Miami Herald reported.
In two separate lawsuits filed last year in New York, Tantaros has accused Ailes and the network of sexual harassment, cyber-stalking, retaliation and unauthorized surveillance.
Among the claims are allegations that Ailes monitored Fox News offices, including one where the female talent changed clothes, through a closed-circuit television network.
Tantaros was asking for $50million from the network, Ailes, and others in her first lawsuit, but the recently filed claim does not specify how much money it involves.
She claims Ailes, Bill O'Reilly and former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, among others, made 'unwanted sexual advances', adding that network executives condoned the harassment and even participated in a smear campaign against her.
Ailes' widow Elizabeth Tilson has already filed her own petition alleging the time to file against the estate ran out on November 15
Ailes died last May at age 77 after a fall at his home in Palm Beach. He left an estate believed to be worth as much as $100million
Tantaros alleges that after multiple complaints about sexual harassment to executives at Fox she was taken off the air in April of 2016, just as she was to begin promotion of her book.
One of the lawsuits against her former employer states that certain executives at the cable news network were 'continuing to emotionally torture Ms. Tantaros into giving up her claims that she was sexually harassed by Ailes and Bill O'Reilly ... through illegal electronic surveillance.'
That 'surveillance' according to the filing involved 'the hacking of her personal computer' and 'the use of "sockpuppet" social media accounts to stalk Ms. Tantaros.'
Those lawsuits, filed last year in New York City, have not yet been decided on. Tantaros has said she refused a $1million settlement offered by the network because she wants a change in culture.
'They wanted to guarantee my eternal silence which was never going to happen,' she said on Good Morning America.
The network fired back after the first lawsuit was filed, saying Tantaros, 'is not a victim, she is an opportunist' who is only trying to ride the coattails of Gretchen Carlson's case against Ailes and Fox.
Former Fox News employee Gretchen Carlson was reportedly paid $20million to settle a sexual harassment case against Bill O'Reilly. She eventually inspired multiple other women to speak out about a culture of sexual harassment at the network.
Fox News has said Tantaros, 'is not a victim, she is an opportunist' who is only trying to ride the coattails of Gretchen Carlson's case against Ailes and Fox
Tantaros has also claimed she was a victim of sexual harassment by Bill O'Reilly (left) and former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown (right)
O'Reilly was fired in April 2016 and Ailes stepped down from his post as CEO two months later following multiple accusations, including claims from Megyn Kelly.
Tantaros joined Fox in 2010 as a political correspondent and a year later in 2011 was named as one of the co-hosts of the popular Fox News show The Five.
She claims in her original lawsuit that she was told to wear skirts while appearing on air because 'Roger wants to see your legs.'
Things took a turn in 2014, however, when Tantaros was moved off The Five and on to the less watched Outnumbered.
The move came after a meeting with Ailes in which Tantaros claims the former CEO told her to turn around 'so I can get a good look at you.' Because she refused, according to Tantaros, she was demoted to a less-watched news program.
antaros joined Fox in 2010 as a political correspondent and a year later in 2011 was named as one of the co-hosts of the popular Fox News show The Five
Tantaro also claims that Ailes once asked her to perform 'the twirl' for him, said 'come over here so I can give you a hug' and told her 'I bet you look good in a bikini.'
It was while she was hosting Outnumbered that Tantaros claims that former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown began to sexually harass her after appearing on the program.
Despite complaining, the network continued to book Brown on the show, claims Tantaros.
Brown has denied the claims.
Tantaros has also said O'Reilly invited her to his Long island home to stay with him, telling her it would be 'very private', she claims in her lawsuit, and that he could 'see [her] as a wild girl' and that she had a 'wild side.'
'Ailes did not act alone,' claimed Tantaros in her lawsuit.
'He may have been the primary culprit, but his actions were condoned by his most senior lieutenants, who engaged in a concerted effort to silence Tantaros by threats, humiliation and retaliation.'
A mental health clinic that detains psychopathic killers has come under fire for treating them to birthday cakes, chocolates and movie nights with popcorn.
Footage uploaded to Facebook by the Mason Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand showed an assistant 'going above and beyond' by baking for patients.
It also showed a table full of popcorn, chocolate bars and fizzy drinks ahead of a movie night.
A mental health clinic that detains psychopathic killers has come under fire for treating them to birthday cakes, chocolates and movie nights with popcorn. Pictured: A grab from a video inside the clinic
The video was captioned: 'She does it for all the patients in her unit, organising special treats for other occasions also'.
The assistant says in the video that she does not judge the patients but show them compassion and humanity.
The footage, which has cheery music playing in the background, was removed from the Waitemata District Health Board Facebook page after victims' families expressed their outrage.
The parents of 18-year-old Christie Marceau, who was stabbed to death by patient Akshay Chand in 2011, were furious at the thought of their daughter's killer being treated so well.
Tracey and Brian Marceau told the New Zealand Herald: 'It would have been Christie's 25th birthday in four weeks so this has caused us intense emotional harm.
'We have no birthday cakes or celebrations - that was taken from us at the hand of another.
'This is a bitter reminder of our loss and we are not alone in this. There are some things that should not be promoted and this is one of them.'
Footage uploaded to Facebook by the Mason Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand shows an assistant 'going above and beyond' by baking for patients and preparing snacks
The brother of Colin Moyle who was set alight and bashed to death with a spade by Matthew Ahlquist in 2007 also said he was deeply offended by the video.
The District Health board told Daily Mail Australia: 'Waitemata DHB posted a video to our Facebook page yesterday recognising one of our staff members for going above and beyond the call of duty in her work with our mental health patients.
'"With compassion" is one of our DHB's core values and we always seek to recognise staff members who demonstrate empathy in the course of their work, no matter what their role is or which patients they are responsible for.
'This also extends to the Mason Clinic where our staff often work in difficult situations and environments.
'We are sorry that posting this video has caused offence to victims' families and we have taken the video down immediately on hearing of their concerns.
'It was never the DHB's intention to cause offence and we deeply regret this.'
Federal investigators have issued an urgent recommendation to ban complicated makeshift safety harnesses like the ones apparently used in a helicopter crash that killed five.
The urgent safety recommendation report issued on Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board sheds light on the tragic final moments of five passengers who died on March 11.
Pilot Richard Vance, who survived, was the only person in the chopper wearing a manufacturer-installed restraint system, the report says.
The five passengers, who all drowned when the helicopter rolled over in the East River after the engine failed, were all wearing makeshift harnesses, provided by operator FlyNYON, the NTSB said.
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U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Go Team gathers information on scene while awaiting salvage of the helicopter that crashed in the East River in New York, U.S., in this image released on March 12
Floating crane pictured lifting helicopter out of the water on 34th street after deadly East River crash
The new report says the passengers were wearing a harness made with 'off-the shelf' components including a 'nylon fall-protection harness'. The fall-protection harness seen above is used in construction work and sells on Amazon for $40.99
'This harness system was not installed by the helicopter manufacturer; it was comprised of off-the-shelf components (a nylon fall-protection harness tethered via a lanyard to the helicopter) that were provided to the passengers by FlyNYON,' the report said.
Pilot Richard Vance was wearing a manufacturer-installed restraint and survived
The crashed chopper was an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2.
On its website, FlyNYON claims to use 'proprietary eight-point safety harness systems.'
Nylon fall-protection harnesses are typically used by construction workers, and are available for as little as $40 - but have not been evaluated by the FAA for aviation use.
The harness system on the doomed helicopter was never inspected by the FAA because it was not required equipment, the report said.
'To self-egress from the harness system, the passengers would have had to either cut the tether with a provided cutting tool or unscrew a locking carabiner located at their back,' the NTSB report continued.
Rescue dive crews had to cut all five passengers from the harnesses after the helicopter flipped and sank in the frigid waters of the East River.
'The pilot, who was wearing only the manufacturer-installed restraint system, was able to release his restraints, escape the helicopter, and survive,' the report said.
Trevor Cadigan, right, recorded this image shortly before takeoff. Cadigan and his friend, Brian McDaniel, left, would drown strapped inside their harnesses in the East River
Other victims (left to right): Tristan Hill, 29, Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29, and Daniel Thompson, 34
The elaborate passenger harnesses were intended to allow passengers to safely sit in the open door of the helicopter and take photographs - something only professional photographers used to do, but a trend that has soared in popularity in the age of social media.
Passengers on the crashed chopper only got a brief safety tutorial and were never told where the knife was to cut themselves free, according to photographer and journalist Eric Adams, who was in another FlyNYON helicopter that departed at the same time as the one that crashed.
'We had a safety briefing that included a video showing, among other things, how the harnesses worked and demonstrating the use of a knife that was attached to the harness,' Adams wrote in an essay for The Drive.
'At no point did anyone point out where precisely the knife was on my harness,' Adams continued.
'A water-landing in the middle of winter, strapped in via incredibly-secure harnesses? I wondered what chance they really stood,' Adams wrote.
The crashed helicopter is seen being transported through Brooklyn on March 12
An NTSB investigator is seen examining the cabin of the helicopter in a federal facility
An NTSB investigator inspects components of the helicopter that crashed in the East River
The five victims of the crash were Trevor Cadigan, 26, died, as well as Daniel Thompson, 34, Tristan Hill, 29, Brian McDaniel, 26, and Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29.
In a lawsuit filed last week, Cadigan's family claimed the company did not provide enough knives to help remove the passengers from their nylon harnesses.
In the new report, the NTSB urgently recommends that the FAA prohibit any open-door commercial flights with harness systems that have to be cut or forcefully removed to escape.
The FAA already temporarily banned all open door flights with tight restraints last week, but the report was adopted anyhow.
In a statement, parent company NY on Air said it 'is fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB in their investigation and those agencies should be referred to for any further information.'
'We extend our deepest sympathies to the family members and loved ones of those involved in this tragic event,' the company said.
Why had Melanie Onn (pictured) not been leaping up and down about her fishing constituencys interests for the past fortnight?
With our fishermen again being chucked overboard by civil servants and ministers (when it comes to fish catches, the latest transition deal on Brexit stinks like an iffy oyster), you might have thought Labour would grab an Urgent Question on the May Governments fisheries policy.
But Jeremy Corbyns lot arent much fussed about the fishing industry, or whats left of it since Ted Heaths betrayal in the 1970s.
Fishing types? Eek, they tend to be self-sufficient, pro-Brexit and salty about the elite. Officials find such superb people hard to understand. And so the fishing setback went almost ignored in the Commons yesterday and we instead had Urgent Questions on Russian money laundering, the Customs Union (another Hilary Benn moan-in) and data protection. What an odd definition they must have of urgent in the Speakers office, where such questions are awarded.
Why had Melanie Onn (Lab, Great Grimsby) not been leaping up and down about her fishing constituencys interests for the past fortnight, since it became clear the Brexit transition deal was going to be feeble on fishing?
Why had she not been making points of order, seeking urgent debates under Standing Order 24, boinging to her feet at Prime Ministers Questions and generally doing everything to prevent a sell-out on fishing? Instead, she secured a Westminster Hall debate on, er, wolf-whistling. Meanwhile, it was left to Scots Tories to make the headway on fishing. Ms Onns predecessor, Austin Mitchell, who changed his name by deed poll to Captain Haddock, would never have let himself be outmanoeuvred like that.
The most we heard yesterday afternoon from Ms Onn was an under-powered, half-swallowed question about fish-processing, and whether or not our fish fingers would be safe after Brexit.
Mel Stride, a Treasury minister, offered suave reassurance that the nations fish fingers would indeed be safe in the Governments hands. Mr Stride knew he had only to make a meaningless little half-joke of it to bat away the feeble Ms Onn. Ms Off, more like.
The money-laundering question was brought to the House by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who has been trying to repair some of the damage done to Labours reputation for patriotism last week by Jeremy Corbyns half-hearted stance on the Russia controversy. Mr McDonnell, who is a little more skilful than Mr Corbyn at parliamentary dances, may have sensed that pushing the row towards money-laundering oligarchs would allow moderate Labour MPs to support their own frontbench.
John McDonnell has been trying to repair some of the damage done to Labours reputation for patriotism last week by Jeremy Corbyns half-hearted stance on the Russia controversy
In this he was partly successful. Anti-Corbynite Labour MPs such as Angela Eagle (Wallasey), Toby Perkins (Chesterfield), Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract & Castleford), Liz Kendall (Leicester W), Ben Bradshaw (Exeter), Chris Bryant (Rhondda), blowhard Stephen Doughty (Cardiff S & Penarth) and Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) found it in themselves to criticise the Government without sounding anti-British.
At the despatch box stood or rather crouched, his shoulders oddly hunched the security minster Ben Wallace.
Ex-soldier Wallace is pretty well-liked by the House but he maybe rushed his shots a little yesterday. He opened with such a long list of policies he said the Government had introduced to prevent dodgy oligarchs that Speaker Bercow had to interrupt him and urge him to remember to breathe. It was characteristic of Mr Wallaces jocular and unaffected way that his response to this was to do some heavy panting at the microphone.
Labour MPs kept wanting to know why our prosecutors and police were not going after various Russians named Igor and Dmitry and so forth (the surnames were a nightmare for the Hansard stenographers). Mr Wallaces answer was that in Britain, politicians do not tell Plod or the director of prosecutions what to do.
Although a perfectly correct answer, this did not quite persuade the Chamber. Is it not possible that in the past ministers have murmured quietly into the law-enforcers ears to go easy on rich Russians, so long as they did not bring their murderous ways to Britain? If so, that informal arrangement may be at an end.
Anna Campbell, 26, from Lewes in East Sussex, died in Afrin, which has been under attack by Turkish forces
The father of a British woman who died in Syria after joining an all-female Kurdish brigade in their battle against ISIS has paid tribute to his 'unstoppable' daughter.
Anna Campbell, from Lewes in East Sussex, died on March 15 in a Turkish missile strike while travelling in a convoy in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin.
The 26-year-old is the first British woman known to have died in Syria with the YPG or YPJ groups, which have around 50,000 Kurdish men and women fighting in northern Syria.
The qualified plumber travelled to Syria in May last year to help the Kurds, who were battling ISIS. But she reportedly left the fight against the terror group in Deir ez-Zor, to defend Afrin, which was being bombarded by Turkish forces attacking the Kurds along the northern Syrian border.
Turkey views the Kurdish forces in the enclave as terrorists and launched an offensive in the area on January 20.
Yesterday in an emotional interview with the Mail, Annas grieving father Dirk, 67, told how he had been powerless to prevent his daughter leaving the UK.
I told her she would be in terrible danger, that she would come under bombardment but she was insistent, he said. It was something she desperately wanted to do and there was no stopping her.
Annas campaigning zeal was inherited from her late mother. Anna was carrying on a lot of the kind of work that Adrienne was doing, Mr Campbell said. She was a credit to her mum.
Speaking at his two-bedroom flat in a large Victorian mansion in Lewes, he paid tribute to his brave and beautiful daughter. Her two sisters Rose and Sophia were also present and wept as their father spoke about Anna.
She had a lot of friends and she was very popular with many people, he said.
Mr Campbell said his daughter had dedicated her life to the fight against unjust power and privilege and put herself on the line for what she believed in.
Anna was very brave, she was very beautiful and was really idealistic, a dedicated idealist, he said.
She went there knowing what might happen to her.
Mr Campbell told the Guardian 'I didnt try to stop her because I knew, once she had decided to do something, she was unstoppable. Thats why she went to Rojava: to help build a world of equality and democracy where everyone has a right to representation.
'When she told me she was going I joked: "Its been nice knowing you." I just knew it might be the last time Id see her.'
The qualified plumber travelled to Syria in May last year to help the Kurds, who were battling the ISIS
Dirk Campbell paid tribute to his brave and beautiful daughter today (pictured with her sister Rose Campbell at a vigil in her hometown today)
The 26-year-old (centre) is the first British woman known to have died in Syria with the YPG or YPJ groups, which have around 50,000 Kurdish men and women fighting in northern Syria
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels walk past a burning shop in the city of Afrin in northern Syria
Mr Campbell told the BBC that he believed Kurdish comrades had tried to stop his privately educated daughter from travelling to war-torn Afrin.
He said: 'With fair hair and blue eyes they knew she would stand out, but she dyed her hair black and persuaded them to let her go.
'I contacted my MP Maria Caulfield as soon as I knew she was in danger from the Turkish bombardment. I emailed my MP and said my daughter is in danger, you have to get on to the Foreign Office and get them to put pressure on Turkey to stop.'
He added that she had wanted to join the group after learning of the Kurdish aim of creating a democratic society once ISIS had been driven out.
One of three sisters, she grew up with a keen love of nature and the environment and later became interested in radical left-wing politics, Mr Campbell said.
Educated at the independent St Mary's Hall in Brighton, where fees were around 10,000 a year, she went on to study at Sheffield University before moving to Bristol where she worked as a plumber.
It was during her time there that she became more and more interested in the Kurdish cause.
Although she was 'bookish', she began training to get fit and in May last year she announced she was going to fight for the YPJ - part of the YPG force - in Syria.
Annas campaigning zeal was inherited from her late mother. Anna was carrying on a lot of the kind of work that Adrienne was doing, Mr Campbell said. She was a credit to her mum (pictured: Dirk Campbell at the vigil)
The Britons killed in Syria while fighting with Kurdish forces Anna Campbell is the eighth Briton to have been killed in Syria while working with Kurdish forces. Here are the seven others: Oliver Hall Mr Hall, from the Portsmouth area, joined the Kurdistan People's Protection Units (YPG) to fight against ISIS. The 24-year-old was said to have been killed on November 25 last year while clearing mines in Raqqa. Olive Hall, from the Portsmouth area, joined the Kurdistan People's Protection Units (YPG) to fight against ISIS Jac Holmes The sniper, from Bournemouth, had been fighting with YPG since January 2015. His mother, Angie Blannin, said the 24-year-old was killed while clearing mines in the newly-liberated city of Raqqa in October last year. Jac Holmes, from Bournemouth, had been fighting with YPG since January 2015 Mehmet Aksoy The 32-year-old, who grew up in England, is believed to have joined the YPG to work as a press officer. He was killed in October last year during an ISIS attack while he was on duty in the Syrian city Raqqa, according to the Kurdish military force. Mehmet Aksoy. who grew up in England, is believed to have joined the YPG to work as a press officer Aladdin Sinayic, a friend of the film-maker, told the BBC in the wake of his death that 'Mehmet never fought, the plan was never to fight', and wanted to tell the stories of the fighters instead. Luke Rutter The 22-year-old, from Birkenhead, was killed in Raqqa on July 5 2017 and had also joined the YPG. A video of a 'final message' from Mr Rutter, also known as Soro Zinar, was posted on the force's Facebook page, in which he apologised for lying to loved ones about going to fight. He said: 'I lied to people I care about to come here. I said that I was going somewhere else. I didn't. I apologise massively for that. 'Apart from that I don't regret my decision and I hope that you respect it.' Ryan Lock The 20-year-old former chef, from Chichester, West Sussex, shot himself to avoid falling hostage to ISIS on December 21 2016. With no previous military experience, he was fighting with the YPG in Raqqa and had told his family he was going backpacking to Turkey when he left the UK. An inquest into his death, held in Portsmouth, Hampshire, heard that, after being surrounded by ISIS fighters, he turned the gun on himself to avoid capture and a 'frightening and painful death'. Ryan Lock, a 20-year-old former chef, from Chichester, West Sussex, shot himself to avoid falling hostage to ISIS on December 21, 2016 Dean Evans The 22-year-old dairy farmer, from Reading, Berkshire, died in the Syrian city of Manbij in July 2016. Following his death, which happened during an offensive to take back the north-western city, his stepfather, John Evans, described him to the BBC as a 'martyr', who was 'courageous, not stupid'. Having always wanted to be a soldier he was rejected by the British Army because he had asthma, his stepfather told the broadcaster. Mr Evans arrived in Syria in March 2015. Konstandinos Erik Scurfield The 25-year-old former Royal Marine, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died fighting alongside Kurdish forces in the northern village of Tel Khuzela, Syria. He was fatally wounded by shrapnel from a rocket propelled grenade on March 2 2015 after flying out to the war zone in secret, his mother said. Nicknamed Kosta, he was said to have been 'horrified by the atrocities being carried out' by the extremist group and became the first volunteer Briton to die in the conflict. Advertisement
Mr Campbell, a folk musician and composer, said: 'Obviously I was worried for her, we all were. I told her she would be in terrible danger, that she could come under bombardment but she was insistent. It was something she desperately wanted to do and there was no stopping her.'
'I heard yesterday at mid-afternoon. A friend of Anna's came to the door and rang the bell and said she was here to talk about Anna and I knew right away.
'She was in Afrin which was under bombardment from the Turks and contingents of the Syrian government army. She moved to Afrin a couple of weeks ago when the war was escalating then. The Turks are trying to demonise the YPG, to turn them into terrorists.
'Anna was part of the Rojava movement. What is going on in Rojava is a social experiment, it's Utopian. It isn't just a Kurdish initiative, it's mixed.'
Mr Campbell said the family had known Kurds for a long time.
'We were fully supportive of their aims and their hopes for self-determination. The Turks want to stamp out any move by the Kurds towards self-determination. They are fighting separatism.
One of three sisters, Ms Campbell grew up with a keen love of nature and the environment and later became interested in radical left-wing politics, her father said
Dirk Campbell told the BBC that he believed Kurdish comrades had tried to stop his privately educated daughter from travelling to war-torn Afrin
Mr Campbell said his daughter (pictured) was 'very brave, very beautiful and was really idealistic'
Mr Campbell said his daughter was working as a freelance plumber and had a partner but they split up before she went to Syria
'Anna was very brave, she was very beautiful and was really idealistic, a dedicated idealist. She was very intelligent and creative. She was a leading light in many areas and was very popular.
'She went there knowing what might happen to her. When she told me I was alarmed because I knew she was likely to face lethal fire there, if not from Islamic State then from the Turks and Syrian Army. I told her that. I said: "You could be killed" and she said: "I know. There's nothing I can do to reassure you about that".'
He said: 'I had to let her do what she wanted to. I couldn't force her not to go. She was a grown woman, she could make her own decisions in life.'
Mr Campbell said his daughter was educated at Lewes New School - a school set up by her mother Adrienne before moving to St Mary's Hall.
Mr Campbell added: 'Anna was very interested in learning about political history and that interest grew as she got older.
'She was good at art, languages and literature and had a broad circle of friends in the area. She was radical left, a idealistic purist. She had studied the Spanish Civil War and the aftermath of that and the syndicalist experiment that happened in Barcelona. It was an ideal she held.'
He said his wife and Anna's mother, Adrienne, had lots of conversations about politics and they both went on a demonstration in London around eight years ago when women stormed the Houses of Parliament.
He said his daughter was working as a freelance plumber and had a partner but they split up before she went to Syria.
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels walk past a burning shop in the city of Afrin in northern Syria on March 18, 2018. Ms Campbell had apparently 'insisted' on leaving the fight against ISIS to help defend the Kurdish enclave
A Turkish-backed Syrian rebel raises a dagger in Afrin. Turkish forces and their rebel allies are now said to be in control of the Kurdish-majority city
Her sister said: 'Anna was exercising an hour a day, every day before she went to Syria to get fit.'
'Her friends, sister and myself were all concerned about her going but it was the most important thing in her life for her to do.'
As news of her death emerged, YPJ commander and spokesperson Nesrin Abdullah said Ms Campbell had 'insisted' on leaving for Afrin.
He said: 'Although we tried to keep her far from the frontlines, the attacks from the Turkish state were very heavy.'
In a statement to The Guardian, he added: '(Campbell's) martyrdom is a great loss to us because with her international soul, her revolutionary spirit, which demonstrated the power of women, she expressed her will in all her actions.
'On behalf of the Women's Defence Units YPJ, we express our deepest condolences to (her) family and we promise to follow the path she took up. We will represent her in the entirety of our struggles.'
Mark Campbell, co-chairman of the Kurdistan solidarity campaign, said Ms Campbell, who is no relation to him, was killed alongside two Kurdish women amid the air strikes.
Speaking to the Press Association, he said: 'Anna is a woman who seemed to have more humanity in her little finger than the whole of the international community.'
He described Ms Campbell as an 'inspiration' and a 'hero'.
He added: 'I did not know her but I met with her father this morning. I have the utmost respect and condolences for her family.'
The Turkish military and allied Syrian forces have taken 'total' control of the town centre of Afrin in their offensive against the Kurdish militia.
Turkey views the Kurdish forces in the Afrin enclave along the border as terrorists linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency within Turkey's borders
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish flag and the flag of the Syrian opposition fighters have been raised in the town, previously controlled by the YPG.
'Many of the terrorists had turned tail and run away already,' Mr Erdogan said in a speech in western Turkey.
Turkey views the Kurdish forces in the Afrin enclave along the border as terrorists linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency within Turkey's borders.
Ankara launched the operation, codenamed Olive Branch, against the town and surrounding areas on January 20, slowly squeezing the militia and hundreds of thousands of civilians into the town centre.
A Kurdish official, Hadia Yousef, said the YPG was still fighting inside the town, but had evacuated the remaining civilians because of 'massacres'.
But Salih Muslim, a senior Kurdish official living in exile in Europe, tweeted that Kurdish fighters had withdrawn, saying 'the struggle will continue and the Kurdish people will keep defending themselves'.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said nearly 200,000 people have fled the Afrin region in recent days amid heavy airstrikes, entering Syrian government-held territory nearby.
Syrian State TV on Sunday broadcast footage of a long line of vehicles and civilians on foot leaving Afrin.
A court has heard that two relatives and another boy have been sent to prison for the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl after she was grabbed and thrown to the ground by a boy.
The three boys took turns raping her during while up to seven others pinned down her arms and legs in Katherine in the Northern Territory in 2014, the court heard.
None of them can be named due to legal reasons but were sentenced to six years in jail on Monday.
Three boys took turns raping the 14-year-old girl after she was grabbed while walking through an oval on her way home in 2014
But they could be released as early as next year after their non-parole period of two years and time served allowances are taken into account.
All the defendants - now aged 17 and 18 - denied the charges at court but were convicted at trial, NT News reports.
Justice Judith Kelly said in court one of the teenagers had shown no remorse for his actions or accepted responsibility.
Earlier, the court heard he had told his probation officer he 'didn't want to rape her, she agreed to have sex'.
All the defendants - now aged 17 and 18 - denied the charges at court but were convicted at trial
But Justice Kelly dismissed it as 'nonsense'.
The court heard the girl was walking home and decided to take a shortcut through an oval but was thrown to the floor by a boy.
She was grabbed by the shoulder after one of the group had called over to her.
In court the judge described what followed as a sustained attack that was 'not just over in a moment'.
She later arrived 'distressed' at her aunt's house and the police were called.
The youngest of the group is currently in Don Dale and is set to be moved to adult prison in the next few months
Justice Kelly said she wanted the sentencing to warn 'young men who commit a crime like this' will receive lengthy prison sentences.
The three will be eligible for parole in mid to late 2019.
The youngest of the group is currently in Don Dale and is set to be moved to adult prison in the next few months.
Two of the boys had no criminal record. One of the boys had a history of stealing aggravated unlawful entry, assaulting police, assaulting workers, drug possession, property damage and disorderly behaviour.
He had also previously spent time at Don Dale.
Ben Hoy is just 37, but for the best part of the last two decades he admits he's been a 'dole bludger'.
The father-of-two, who is estranged from his children, has worked occasionally since he was in his late teens, usually doing the odd 'cash job' as a labourer.
But on Tuesday morning he joins a large queue outside a Centrelink office in northern Melbourne, keen to be ensure his $501 fortnightly 'Newstart Allowance' is not cut off.
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Ben Hoy, 37, (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia he has been a 'dole bludger' for the last two decades
Inside he is greeted by police and government officials from Taskforce Integrity, leading the crackdown on welfare cheats across the country.
They're specifically targeting Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and surrounding suburbs in the city's north where area's welfare bill soared from $22.9 million in 2012 to $50.4 million this year, and the number of welfare recipients doubled.
In just the past year, 709 people in Craigieburn have started receiving Youth Allowance or Newstart Allowance.
The number of welfare recipients in Melbourne's north has doubled in five years, bringing the area's bill to $50.4 million and prompting a crack down on 'dole bludgers' (pictured is mother-of-two Joanne Maher. It is not suggested she is a welfare cheat)
Government officials from Taskforce Integrity are specifically targeting Broadmeadows and Craigieburn, where a large group of people were seen on Tuesday queuing outside a Centrelink office (pictured)
But outside, after rejecting their offer of a pamphlet instructing how to report welfare cheats, Mr Hoy tells Daily Mail Australia about 'knowing the loopholes' to keep his welfare payment despite him not actively looking for work.
'Well put it this way, I've been on the dole since I was 17 and I know all the loopholes,' he said of his 20 years on welfare.
'Every time they want me to work for the dole I change job agencies and it all starts again.
'They don't follow it up, they don't do nothing.'
In just the past year, 709 people in Craigieburn have started receiving Youth Allowance or Newstart Allowance
After working full-time for most of her life, Bernadette Townsend (pictured) was made redundant last year
Pictured is the Craigieburn Plaza in the City of Hume
Mr Hoy's story is seemingly a common one within the area, which has always battled but in recent years has done it particularly tough.
In October last year the Broadmeadows production factory for car giant Ford shut its doors after more than 57 years. At its peak it employed thousands of locals.
But despite the tough times facing the area, most of those who are receiving some of the $50 million being handed out in welfare payments are angry at those who rort the system.
After working full-time for most of her life, Bernadette Townsend was made redundant last year.
TOP 10 WELFARE SUBURBS 1. Caboolture, north of Brisbane 2. Blacktown, western Sydney 3. Mildura, north-west Victoria 4. Frankston, south-east Melbourne 5. Deception Bay, north of Brisbane 6. Werribee, south-west Melbourne 7. St Albans, north-west Melbourne 8. Dubbo, central-west NSW 9. Auburn, western Sydney 10. Dandenong, south-east Melbourne * Department of Human Services data on welfare recipients failing to turn up for job interviews. Advertisement
Battling health issues in the wake of her sacking, the 52-year-old is now trying desperately to get back into the work force and is angry at those who ride on the taxpayer's coat tail.
'I've worked all my life and I've just come from a position where I was a supervisor at a local company doing up to 20 hour days on-call and working weekends as well,' Ms Townsend said.
'It's crazy the amount of people who are on the dole that shouldn't be - it just infuriates me, especially when I've worked all my life without any support.
'There's a lot that's been shut down around here, but I don't know if that's contributed to it.
'A friend of mine had a child to a guy who's 38 and never worked a day in his life, and here I am someone's who has always paid their taxes - getting $1000 a month.
'I'm really struggling now, that money doesn't even cover my mortgage and that's why I've had to succumb to cashing in some of my super.'
Government officials from Taskforce Integrity are seen talking with people entering the Centrelink office
Graffiti can be seen on a decaying fence near Craigieburn Plaza
Mother-of-two Joanne Maher is also feeling the pinch and is worried the Taskforce Integrity crackdown will make it harder for her to access her welfare payment.
'I part-time work so we can get by alright, but when the bills come it does stress you out and they (Centrelink) just don't want to help you,' she said.
'I've just been cut of my family tax payment because they couldn't wait until we put in our tax and there's others out there who get paid without deserving it.
'I've got two kids who are both at school and it affects me because I can't give them what they want.'
Pensioner and father-of-eight Brian Flinn (pictured) says he has worked hard all his life to support his family and told Daily Mail Australia it was about time welfare cheats were caught
Pensioner and father-of-eight Brian Flinn says he has worked hard all his life to support his family and told Daily Mail Australia it was about time welfare cheats were caught.
'Absolutely it's a good thing that they're cracking down,' Mr Flinn said.
'There's no doubt in my mind that there's people that cheat the system and I think it's just because it's easy, it's too easy.
'I'm 68 and I'm still working, I've been working for 50 years, sometimes two and three jobs, I've brought up eight kids, I've paid my taxes and at the end of it I get a $30 pension.
'I suppose my bias is that I've always done whatever I've had to do to get by and I think most people should do the same, and I know a lot don't.
'But in saying that if you can't get a job the system's there for a reason, we're a rich country and we should be able to look after you - but I've got no time for cheats.'
Pictured is part of the Ford Factory that is closing down in the City of Hume
The taskforce, consisting of AFP officers and government agencies, aims to identify any instances of intentional fraud.
Human Services Minister Alan Tudge told the Herald Sun that preserving the integrity of the welfare system was crucial to maintaining 'a strong social safety net'.
'While the vast majority of people do the right thing, the unfortunate reality is that some people deliberately defraud the system, while others inadvertently fail to update their records,' Mr Tudge said.
During the past year alone, another 709 people in Craigieburn have started receiving either the Newstart unemployment benefit of the Youth Allowance, costing more than $2 million to the taxpayer.
There is no suggestion that any of the people in this article are welfare cheats.
Firefighters have rescued a terrified dog from underneath a bed as a family's home went up in flames.
The blaze ripped through a property on Elizabeth Road in Christie Downs, south of Adelaide on Tuesday morning.
The family escaped through a door at the rear of the home, but soon realised their beloved husky named BJ was nowhere to be seen.
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The husky was given oxygen and rushed to a nearby vet by paramedics
Fire crews were on the scene shortly after and stormed the house.
They found a frightened BJ hiding under a bed, The Advertiser reported.
The husky was given oxygen and rushed to a nearby vet by paramedics.
Thankfully BJ is expected to make a full recovery.
Fire Cause Investigator Marty Miller said the fire was most likely caused by charging batteries.
'The family is extremely lucky, lucky they were alerted by a banging noise,' he said.
Thankfully BJ is expected to make a full recovery
Firefighters have rescued a terrified dog from underneath a bed as a family's home went up in flames
'It could have been the power surging, it had tripped out, or could've been an explosion from the battery mechanisms.
'We understand there was a smoke alarm in the house but whether it was functioning properly or was located properly we're not quite sure.'
Damage to the house is estimated to be about $700,000.
President Donald Trump has blamed Congressional Democrats for rejecting a deal for border wall funding in exchange for extended protection for DACA-recipients.
'The Democrats do not want to help DACA. Would be so easy to make a deal!' Trump tweeted on Monday, after negotiations in Washington DC derailed ahead of a critical budget deadline on Friday.
Democrats on Monday rejected a White House offer to extend protections for young illegal immigrants for 30 months in exchange for $25 billion in funding for a wall on the southern border, congressional aides said.
The development came as talks continued on a massive $1.3 trillion catchall spending bill, with action needed by Friday to avoid another federal government shutdown.
Trump inspects border wall prototypes in San Diego last week. Democrats in Congress have rejected his proposal to trade $25billion in wall funding for extended DACA protections
Young illegal immigrants march in New York last month. Democrats demanded protections for a broader pool of immigrants than the some 600,000 that are signed up for DACA,
The bill would implement last month's budget agreement, providing 10 percent increases for the Pentagon and domestic agencies.
Coupled with last year's tax cuts, it heralds the return of trillion-dollar budget deficits as soon as the budget year starting in October.
While most of the funding issues in the enormous measure have been sorted out, fights involving a number of policy 'riders' - so named because they catch a ride on a difficult-to-stop spending bill - continued into the weekend.
Among those riders was a potential deal on DACA-recipients, young illegal immigrants who have been given worth authorization and protection from deportation.
Trump killed the Obama-era program in September, but a court decision has essentially left it in place, for now.
Democrats demanded protections for a broader pool of immigrants than the some 600,000 that are signed up for DACA, a request denied by GOP negotiators, aides said.
Young illegal immigrants march in New York last month. The DACA program expired on March 5, but a court decision has essentially left it in place, for now
Border wall prototypes are seen over the current fence from the Mexican side of the border
That signals that Democrats may be willing to accept wall funding, but they are battling hard against Trump's demands for big increases for immigration agents and detention beds they fear would enable wide-scale roundups of immigrants illegally living in the US.
It's unclear what role Trump's proposals to reduce chain migration and end the diversity lottery played in the negotiations, if any.
Last week, Trump traveled to California last week to inspect prototypes for the wall.
He has continued to push for better physical security at the border, insisting at an event in New Hampshire on Monday that the wall would stop the deadly flow of opioids into the US.
'Eventually the Democrats will agree with us and we'll build the wall to keep the damn drugs out,' he said, with a partisan audience whooping and cheering.
Sounding more like a campaign rally crowd than a group witnessing a presidential address, they shouted: 'Build that wall! Build that wall!'
Currently, the wall funding pending is $1.6 billion for earlier designs involving sections in Texas that double as levees and 14 miles of replacement fencing in San Diego.
Two Muslim women who allege they were forced to remove their hijabs when they were arrested have filed a civil rights lawsuit against New York City, arguing their religious liberties were violated.
Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz claim police officers forced them to remove their head scarfs for mugshots even though they repeatedly stated doing so was against their faith, according to a federal class-action lawsuit filed on Friday.
The women are seeking unspecified damages as well as a change of a city policy that requires head coverings be removed for official photos taken by the police department - even if they don't cover someone's face, like a hijab, which usually covers the head and chest.
Both women were separately arrested last year in New York City for violating protective orders but both charges were dropped (file photo)
'Requiring a Muslim woman to remove her hijab in public is akin to demanding that a secular person strip naked in front of strangers,' the lawsuit states.
The suit argues that the current law for booking arrests violates the First Amendment rights of any civilian whose religion requires them to wear a head covering, such as Orthodox Jews and Sikhs.
Clark, who's from Cedar Grove, New Jersey, was arrested on January 2017 for violating a protective order, as reported by the New York Times.
The 39-year-old was allegedly kept in a holding cell for hours as she explained between tears that her religion forbids her from removing her hijab in front of men who aren't in her intimidate family.
The lawsuit claims she was told she would be prosecuted if she refused, with one officer making 'numerous hostile comments about Muslims'.
Eventually, after being moved to the NYPD headquarters, Clark agreed to let a female officer take her photograph with her head uncovered. The suit claims the female officer proceeded to show the photo to about five male officers.
The women claim they told NYPD officers that uncovering their heads in front of men who aren't part of their intimidate family is banned by their religion
'When they forced me to take off my hijab, I felt as if I were naked. I'm not sure if words can capture how exposed and violated I felt,' Clark said in a Council On American-Islamic Relations press release.
Aziz, on her part, faced a similar incident when she was arrested in Brooklyn last August under the same charge as Clark, and was allegedly forced to pull down her hijab while in a hallway crowded with dozens of male prisoners.
The 45-year-old claims that the prisoners turned away in respect after she removed her hijab. The officers, in contrast, looked on, with one of them telling her: 'It's the law.'
According to the lawsuit, Aziz 'wept throughout the entire ordeal' and still feels 'distressed and humiliated' from the experience.
Although both the women's charges were dismissed, their mugshots live on in the databases of the NYPD - a source of great anguish for Clark and Aziz, they claim.
'The existence of this photograph haunts Ms. Clark, who is distressed by the prospect of the photograph being viewed again and again by men who are not members of her immediate family,' the lawsuit says.
Clark and Aziz' lawsuit does not address burqas (right) and niqabs (left), different religious garments worn by some Muslim women that do cover the entire face
According to the NYPD rules, any arrestee who refuses to take a head covering off for religious reasons is to be transported to the department headquarters where they can have their picture taken more privately.
Aziz says she was also offered this option but was told there was no guarantee a woman officer would be there to take her photo.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the New York City Law Department said the policy 'carefully balances the department's respect for the customs of all religions with the legitimate law enforcement need to take arrest photos'.
Their statement continues: 'Persons who do not wish to remove religious head coverings in front of others have the option of being taken to a separate, more private facility to be photographed.'
Clark and Aziz' lawsuit does not address burqas and niqabs, different religious garments worn by some Muslim women that do cover the entire face.
Their lawyer Albert Fox Cahn told the Huffington Post the lawsuit focus exclusively on religious garments that leave the face uncovered.
A 25-year-old New Zealand man has been charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly stole a ute and then set fire to the vehicle with three hunting dogs trapped inside.
The man is suspected of breaking into the Broadwood property, north of Kaitaia, before stealing a ute where the dogs were sleeping in cages on the back tray.
After crashing the ute in a nearby paddock the thief set fire to the vehicle killing two of the dogs, Newshub reported.
New Zealand man Waaka Moka, 25, allegedly stole the Ute from the brothers property and then set fire to it after he crashed. Two of the three hunting dogs trapped in the back tray died in the fire
Theo (left) and Chad (right) Scrivener were only away from their Broadwood property for short while when the alleged thief broke in
Brothers Theo and Chad Scrivener, who owned the pets and vehicle, said that when witnesses arrived to the fire they thought a human was trapped inside because the screams were so loud.
One dog managed to escape but suffered burns on it's back while the other two died.
'They've been our mates and we've got so many pigs with them and it's going to take years to get dogs like that again. We put so much love and heart into those dogs and they go and burn them like that. How heartless are they?' said Chad.
The brothers said the thief returned two days later and attempted to poison their other dogs. One of them is now having treatment at a vet clinic in Kaitaia.
Mr Moka was taken to the Kaitaia Police station on Monday night by his family members.
He was charged with cruelty to an animal, arson and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
The brothers lost two of their five hunting dogs in the fire. They say the thief returned back two days later and poisoned another dog which is now being treated at the vet
Theo (left) and Chad (right) say they are heartbroken over loosing their dog in such a horrible way
The dogs were two of the five that the brothers use for pig farming. The said they were heartbroken over the loss of their dogs.
'They don't give a f**k about anything - and if they do that to dogs, what will they do to humans?' Chad said.
The incident caused heated debate online with many users sharing the name of the alleged offender and telling people 'not to forget it' over Facebook and Twitter.
Mr Moka remains in custody.
Flood warnings have been issued for the New South Wales coast as a freak autumn heatwave gives way to heavy rain.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Weather Warning for Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Lower Hunter areas on Tuesday.
The region is expected to bear the brunt of intense rain brought on by a coastal trough, causing potentially dangerous overland and riverine flooding.
Sydney fell just short of posting a record three consecutive 30 degree plus days in March, after a scorching Sunday (pictured is a beachgoer on Sunday)
Flood warnings have been issued for the New South Wales coast as a freak autumn heatwave gives way to heavy rainfall (pictured is Central Coast flooding in 2016)
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Weather Warning for Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Lower Hunter areas on Tuesday (pictured are storms in Sydney in 2016)
'Weather modelling indicates there will be some very heavy bursts of rain,' the Bureau's New South Wales State Manager, Ann Farrell said.
'While the specific areas of greatest impact are still uncertain, we expect to see this occurring from early morning on Wednesday, with more to come tomorrow night.
'This could be enough to cause road and riverine flooding, and to create dangerous conditions around storm water drains, along with slippery roads.
'Our primary areas of concern for tomorrow are the Central Coast, Newcastle and Port Stephens areas.
The region is expected to bear the brunt of intense rain brought on by a coastal trough, causing potentially dangerous overland and riverine flooding (pictured is the rainfall forecast for the region)
Residents are urged to monitor weather forecasts and warnings and be prepared to evacuate to high ground if floods develop (pictured is the warning area)
'Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Great Lakes are on the periphery of the worst conditions, but they are regions we will be monitoring closely.'
Residents are urged to monitor weather forecasts and warnings and be prepared to evacuate to high ground if floods develop.
Waterways and catchments affected by the flood warnings Manning River (minor flooding) Wallis Lake (local flooding) Myall River (local flooding) Karuah River (local flooding) Wollombi Brook and Lower Hunter River (minor flooding) Newcastle Area (local flooding) Paterson and Williams Rivers (minor flooding) Central Coast (local flooding) Lake Macquarie (local flooding) Advertisement
'A few simple preparations such as cleaning gutters and downpipes and checking your roof is in good repair can make a big difference, said New South Wales State Emergency Service Commissioner Mark Smethurst.
'Once severe weather starts, delay non-essential travel, bring pets indoors, park your car under cover, and most importantly, do not drive in floodwater.'
While the coast north of Sydney is set to see days of persistent heavy rain, there will be little respite for the bushfire-stricken region around Tathra on the south coast.
Tathra is only expected to get two to eight millimetres of rain on Thursday, although it could see wetter weather on Saturday and Sunday.
Sydney fell just short of posting a record three consecutive 30 degree plus days in March, after a scorching Sunday.
Up to 25mm of rain will fall in Sydney on Wednesday, followed by 25 to 45mm on Thursday.
While the coast north of Sydney is set to see days of persistent heavy rain, there will be little respite for the bushfire-stricken region around Tathra on the south coast (pictured)
Tathra (pictured) is only expected to get two to eight millimetres of rain on Thursday, although it could see wetter weather on Saturday and Sunday
Showers are predicted to hit the city daily until Monday, with temperatures peaking a day earlier at 30C.
Areas affected by the flood warnings include Manning River, Wallis Lake, Myall River, Karuah River, Wollombi Brook and the Lower Hunter River.
The Newcastle area, the Paterson and Williams rivers, the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie are also expected to experience local flooding.
An Australian chef has died while surfing alone after complaining to friends about a sore shoulder.
Andrew Wiseman, 52, drowned off Lombok island near Bali where he lived and worked.
He was surfing at Tanjung Aan beach when he got into difficulty on Sunday.
Tragic: Andrew Wiseman (pictured, left, with his brother Steven), 52, drowned off Lombok island near Bali where he lived and worked
Australian chef Andrew Wiseman has died while surfing alone after complaining to friends about a sore shoulder
Mr Wiseman was surfing at Tanjung Aan beach (pictured) when he got into difficulty on Sunday
The surf at Tanjung Aan beach (pictured) is considered to be fairly gentle and suitable for beginners
Another Australian brought him to shore by boat but was unable to revive him.
Lombok Tengah Police chief Kholilur Rochman said: 'It is believed that the victim died when he was surfing because he was unwell. Before going to surf he had told witnesses that he felt pain in his left shoulder.'
Mr Wiseman's brother Steven, who runs a villa in Lombok, has asked for the body to be cremated on the island.
He posted a picture of him and his brother together on Facebook with the caption: 'Will always Love you Andy, you still make me smile.'
Dozens of friends commented on the post offering their support. Chris Platt wrote: 'So sorry to hear about Andy I'm a bit numb at the moment hope you and all the family are doing alright.'
A resort on the island paid tribute to Mr Wiseman on its Facebook page. The post by Jivana Resort Kuta read: 'Beautiful memories silently kept of the one that we loved and that memories becomes a treasure. Andrew Wiseman - March 18, 2018.'
Lombok Tengah Police chief Kholilur Rochman said: 'It is believed that the victim died when he was surfing because he was unwell'
A resort on the island paid tribute to Mr Wiseman on its Facebook page.
The post by Jivana Resort Kuta read: 'Beautiful memories silently kept of the one that we loved and that memories becomes a treasure. Andrew Wiseman - March 18, 2018.'
The surf at Tanjung Aan beach is considered to be fairly gentle and suitable for beginners.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
Australia's largest Muslim school could close after it lost a Federal Court fight to keep $19 million a year in taxpayer funds.
The Malek Fahd Islamic School on Tuesday lost a crucial legal battle to keep its federal subsidies after appealing an earlier decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
The tribunal found the school, which operates three campuses across Sydney's southwest, was being run for profit in breach of education funding laws.
Australia's largest Muslim school could close after it lost a Federal Court fight to keep its taxpayer funds
The court battle hinged on lease arrangements at the school's Greenacre campus.
The school properties had been owned by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, which improperly used inflated rents and other charges to make money from the school.
A new school board was installed in 2016 and took steps to terminate a range of inappropriate arrangements AFIC had saddled it with.
One problem the board could not immediately solve was the lease of its Greenacre campus.
The Malek Fahd Islamic School on Tuesday lost a crucial legal battle to keep its federal subsidies after appealing an earlier decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Justice Nye Perram said the rent payable to AFIC 'exceeded a fair market rent', in a decision published on Tuesday.
'The applicant could not simply terminate the lease, however improperly it had been procured by AFIC, because it continued to need the Greenacre premises to conduct the school,' he said.
The judge said the school 'did its best' to stop paying rent to AFIC but the lease remained and rent continued to accrue.
He found the appeal must be dismissed with costs.
'I have found there to be no error of law discernible in the tribunal's reasons and making a finding that future rent owed by the applicant to AFIC in relation to Greenacre will be at a market rate would be inconsistent with findings made by the tribunal,' Justice Perram said.
The school properties had been owned by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, which improperly used inflated rents and other charges to make money from the school
'The appropriate course is for the applicant to make a fresh application to the minister.'
Justice Debra Mortimer found there were 'errors of law' in the tribunal's construction and application of the relevant act, indicating she would set aside its decision and allow an appeal.
But Justice Michael Wigney agreed with Justice Perram that the appeal must be dismissed.
Responding to the decision, Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the federal government would not tolerate the misuse of taxpayer funding for schools.
Responding to the decision, Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the federal government would not tolerate the misuse of taxpayer funding for schools
The Malek Fahd school's graduates include Uthman Badar, a leaders of Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia
'I urge Malek Fahd's management to clearly outline their plans to give their school community certainty for the future,' he said in a statement.
AFIC, which collects halal certification fees from Vegemite's parent company Bega Cheese, was found to have siphoned about $45 million from the school since the Sunni Muslim umbrella organisation founded the school in 1989.
It had received $19 million a year from taxpayers until the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled in 2016 the funds should be withheld over financial irregularities.
The Malek Fahd school's graduates include the leaders of Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia, Uthman Badar and Hamzah Qureshi.
Daily Mail Australia last year captured Mr Badar on camera telling a forum at Bankstown library that ex-Muslims deserved death.
Hundreds of people gathered anxiously in Bega Showground hall on Tuesday
Devastated Tathra residents have started returning to their homes after hundreds of properties were destroyed in horrific bushfires.
An awful bus ride awaited locals on Tuesday as they made their way back after a firestorm ravaged the New South Wales town on Sunday.
They were told before they arrived whether their home had been destroyed, damaged or unaffected.
Fears of asbestos being released by the fire were allayed after tests revealed there were no particles in the atmosphere, the fire service said.
Devastated Tathra residents have started returning to their homes destroyed in horrific bushfires
Emotional residents Ingrid Mitchell (right) and Deb Nave (left) outside the burnt out remains of their home
Residents were evacuated to Bega during the bushfire, those who lost houses were brought in by bus this morning to see for the first time the devastation
They were told before they arrived whether their home had been destroyed, damaged or unaffected
The first buses left for Tathra at around 10am with many getting the first glimpse of the carnage that used to be their homes.
Some homes looked as though they had been ripped apart by an earthquake while others remained as empty charred shells.
Ingrid Mitchell and Deb Nave were among the first to arrive back to inspect the damage at their burnt out home.
Greg McKay, who owns and runs the BIG4 Holiday Park, has lived in Tathra for more than 20 years.
Some homes looked as though they had been ripped apart by an earthquake while others remained as empty charred shells
Ingrid Mitchell goes through the wreckage of her home in a bid to salvage anything left
The first buses left for Tathra at around 10am with many getting the first glimpse of the carnage
It was an anxious wait for hundreds as they were taken back to Tathra for the first time on Tuesday
The devastation was caused by a bushfire as it destroyed more than 70 homes and businesses
But fortunately there have been no casualties despite the total carnage caused in the fires
In total, 69 properties are completely destroyed while a further 39 have sustained significant damage
He has lost everything in the fires which has affected almost 100 properties.
'It's just property, we can get a bulldozer in here and knock all this over and we can rebuild,' Mr McKay told Ten News.
'I haven't heard of anyone in the town that's been burnt or hurt. It's amazing considering the amount of smoke.'
The fire spread rapidly throughout Sunday afternoon helped by dry winds and high temperatures.
Some residents were more fortunate and said the community would recover together.
'It's just heart-wrenching. Floods you've still got a house. Fires you've got nothing,' resident Ray Coates told reporters
In total, 69 properties are completely destroyed while a further 39 have sustained significant damage.
But other residents were more fortunate and said the community would recover together.
'I was lucky,' Ray Coates told reporters on Tuesday. 'I could just see mine at the back and the roof was standing, so somebody was with me.
'It's just heart-wrenching. Floods you've still got a house. Fires you've got nothing.'
Cooler weather on Monday night allowed fire crews to carry out further backburn operations
Ingrid Mitchell (right) and Deb Nave (left) were in tears as they arrived home and started looking through their property
The fire spread rapidly throughout Sunday afternoon helped by dry winds and high temperatures.
Hundreds of people gathered anxiously in the Bega Showgrounds hall on Tuesday morning as the Rural Fire Service gave the latest update.
Alison Westblade said: 'I'm a wreck. I'll be okay but the young couple with mortgages and no insurance, well it's awful.'
The nerves were too much for some to bear as the fire service provided the latest update
Hundreds of people gathered Bega Showgrounds hall on Tuesday morning as firefighters revealed there had been no asbestos released
The latest inspections found no asbestos in the atmosphere as cooler weather on Monday night allowed fire crews to carry out further backburn operations.
But more remote properties may not be tested for another week.
Firefighters have now managed to put in containment lines around the 1,200-hectare blaze.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten visited the town on Tuesday but said it was not the time for a 'blame game'
Opposition leader Bill Shorten visited the town on Tuesday, saying: 'It's a miracle there was no loss of life.'
He added it was not the time to carry out a 'blame game' over mobile phone towers and land clearing.
Mr Shorten's visit followed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's arrival in the Bega Valley on Monday.
The moment a man dropped off a 'suspicious device' in front of a court house, before a bomb squad was called in to dispose of it, has been caught on camera.
The man was filmed just before 7am Tuesday dropping off the brown backpack at the front door of Frankston Magistrates Court, in Melbourne's south-east.
He then fled the area on foot, before a police bomb squad inspected the package hours later and found what appeared to be a red jerry can with a gas bottle attached.
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The moment a man dropped off a 'suspicious device' in front of Frankston Magistrates Court on Tuesday, before a bomb squad was called in to dispose of it, has been caught on camera
The man was filmed just before 7am Tuesday dropping off the brown backpack at the front door of the court in Melbourne's south-east
He then fled the area on foot, before a police bomb squad inspected the package hours later and found what appeared to be a red jerry can with a gas bottle attached
In the CCTV footage, the man can be seen hurriedly walking towards the court house front door with the hood from his grey jumper concealing his face.
He then drops the bag in front of the door before swiftly turning around and running away.
Investigators are now looking for a man dressed in black clothing standing across the road, who police say would have spotted the suspect.
A bomb response unit at about 8am attended Fletcher Road, where a police station is also located.
Pictures from the scene show the brown bag that was placed beside the entrance of the court house.
A police bomb disposal robot could be seen inspecting the bag, pulling out the suspicious homemade item.
A bomb response unit at about 8am attended Fletcher Road, where a police station is also located
Pictures from the scene show the brown bag that was placed beside the entrance of the court house
A police bomb disposal robot was used to inspect the bag, pulling out what appeared to be a red jerry can with a gas bottle attached
Police are now investigating who is responsible for the scare, asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the court car park about 7am to come forward. Pictured: A member of the bomb response unit moves in to investigate a suspicious device
A police spokesperson said on Tuesday morning police conducted safety checks on the package
Police crews wearing flak jackets and fire services could also be seen arriving at the scene and cordoning off sections of the road.
A Frankston Magistrates Court spokesperson said the courthouse was evacuated about 9am after reports of the suspicious package.
The court remained closed for about 90 minutes as the bomb response unit investigated, the spokesperson said.
A worker at next-door body repair shop Repco told Daily Mail Australia that police shut down parts of Fletcher Road at the same time.
He said the road reopened shortly before 10am, allowing customers entry into Bayside Shopping Centre, which is across the road from the courthouse.
A police spokesperson said the area was declared safe after a police bomb response unit 'conducted safety checks'.
Police are now investigating who is responsible for the scare, asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the court car park about 7am to come forward.
Police crews wearing flak jackets and fire services could be seen arriving at the scene at cordoning off sections of the road
Pictures from the scene show an unattended brown bag (pictured) was placed beside the entrance of Frankston Magistrates Court, where officers were attending on Tuesday morning
Police and emergency services investigate a suspicious device found in Frankston, Melbourne
A woman's scream were heard as she panicked in fear for her life as her boyfriend entered her apartment and then shot her dead before taking his own life.
Witnesses saw 35-year-old Tania Rendon-Santiago on her fourth-floor balcony desperately trying to hold a sliding glass door shut and screaming that Scott Caruso, 36, had a gun.
Her pleas made no difference to the man she had been in a relationship with for several years.
Caruso coldly walked up to the door with a gun in his hand and shot through it, killing her instantly.
Tania Rendon-Santiago, 35, ran onto her fourth-floor balcony and was shot
She was killed by a man she had been in a relationship with, Scott Caruso, 36
Courtesy of KSAT
Police rushed to the scene after receiving a tip off and headed to where they believed the shooting may have taken place.
As police kicked down the door a single gunshot rang out as Caruso cowardly took his own life.
The shooting happened at an upscale apartment complex in downtown San Antonio.
'I, along with other officers, tactically entered the apartment and began to clear the room,' wrote Officer Michael Fisher of the San Antonio Police Department in his report. 'Upon entry, I saw Caruso on the couch laying down unresponsive, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his head.'
Rendon-Santiago was found lying in the sliding glass doorway. Both she and Caruso were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police raced to the San Antonio apartment block after neighbors heard her terrified screams
Rendon-Santiago's killing shocked friends and family who have been devastated by the news.
'It is a terrible loss for the scientific community,' said Caroline Bergeron, the director of research and evaluation at the Bexar County Community Health Collaborative and a friend of Rendon-Santiago.
Rendon-Santiago was a geropsychology fellow at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and obtained her doctoral degree in counseling psychology last year.
They were too late to save her life after being shot through the balcony door. Her killer, Caruso, ended up taking his own life
'Tania Rendon was truly one of God's angels on this earth,' reads Rendon-Santiago's memorial GoFundMe page, created to raise money for her funeral expenses.
'Tania always took the time to listen and make you feel better. Her generosity and compassion for others was a testament to her character. She had the heart and charisma of a princess and was loved by so many.'
'Tania was very proud of her Latina heritage. Her inspirations are her parents and two brothers. Her parents taught her strong work ethics, courage, love, and compassion. The admiration and support she received from her brothers gave her the strength to continue to pursue her dreams and goals,' read a tribute on her memorial page.
A sixth person has died by the listeria outbreak contaminating rockmelons across Australia.
An elderly woman aged in her 90s from New South Wales was confirmed dead by authorities on Tuesday afternoon, Nine News reported.
The woman's death brings the total toll to six, after three Victorians and two others from New South Wales died after eating fruit linked to a farm in southern NSW.
A total of 18 people have been affected by the listeria outbreak due to rockmelons (stock image)
There has also been a case recorded in Tasmania and four have been reported in Queensland.
Victoria's health department would not provide further details about the fifth victim, including the date of his death.
Nine people in Victoria have been affected with listeria from the melons five men and four women, all from high-risk groups.
Listeriosis is particularly dangerous for elderly people, pregnant woman, their unborn babies and anyone with compromised immune systems.
Victoria and New South Wales have recorded six listeria cases each. There has also been a case recorded in Tasmania and four have been reported in Queensland (stock image)
Listeriosis starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea.
Symptoms of infection in pregnant women may be mild and include a temperature before or during birth.
The outbreak has been traced to Rombola Family Farms near Griffith, one of the biggest growers nationally, sparking an national recall of implicated melons.
The NSW Food Authority has said it may implement additional regulation to the rockmelon industry to ensure compliance with food safety.
People are being told to wash their food and refrigerate two hours after cutting it open.
People are being urged to throw away the fruit that they have already bought, despite the recall of the affected rockmelons taken off the shelves and out of distribution.
A university student from Canberra has reflected on the life changing impact of a spinal cord injury over a year after the accident.
Jackson Sievers, 22, was attempting a back flip at a local trampoline park when he landed on his head, causing irreparable damage to his spinal cord.
The impact broke his neck between the C-4 and C-5 vertebrae and made Jackson a quadriplegic.
Jackson Sievers, 22, broke his neck while attempting a back flip at a trampoline park (pictured in Turkey with his girlfriend Ida before the accident)
The university student at ANU in Canberra sustained an injury between the C-4 and C-5 level and spent a total of ten months in hospital after the accident
'When I came down on my head, I could just hear some very loud cracks in my neck. Most of my body went limp,' he told Nine News.
'I tried to move my legs, my arms, nothing was moving.'
As an experienced carer for people with disabilities Jackson knew immediately how serious the injury potentially was.
These fears were only confounded by doctors who told him he would never walk again.
'I will continue to fight to get stronger and will spend the next couple of years undertaking intense rehabilitation to get an ever better quality of life' Jackson said of his outlook on the future
What followed was two weeks in the intensive care unit and a total of ten months in hospital.
A keen hiker, Jackson had almost completed his degree in Asia-Pacific Security Studies at the Australian National University when the accident happened and his home has since needed major refurbishment to cater for his needs.
In response friends and family raised $28,000 to make the changes.
Despite the earth-shaking impact the injury has had on his life, Jackson refuses to let it beat him.
'I will continue to fight to get stronger and will spend the next couple of years undertaking intense rehabilitation to get an ever better quality of lifebecause ultimately we all only get one life and we need to make it count,' he said.
The whistleblower who revealed that Cambridge Analyica harvested data on 50million Facebook users to target campaign ads has spoken out on television.
Christopher Wylie, 28, said that he's 'taking responsibility' and 'owning up' to his role with Cambridge Analytica, in a new interview with CBS News released late on Monday.
Wylie is a data scientist whose ideas helped the firm backed by Steve Bannon and billionaire Robert Mercer create psychological profiles and targeted Facebook ads for the presidential election campaigns of Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.
'All of these pieces of information, put together, create a digital portrait of who you are,' Wylie said.
Wylie, a self-described 'gay Canadian vegan', spoke out in a TV interview about his role helping the firm backed by Steve Bannon and billionaire Robert Mercer
Cambridge Analytica bought the data from a company that had made a 'personality quiz' app that gathered profile data on users and their friends on Facebook.
'It scaled really quickly. We spent over $1 million on it, so it wasn't cheap but in terms of the amount of data that was collected, and the quality of that data, it was a rare example of where something was fast, relatively cheap, but high-quality, ' Wylie said.
Wylie, a self-described 'gay Canadian vegan', has spoken out widely since handing over information to the Guardian for an explosive report that broke over the weekend.
'I take a share of responsibility in this because I was the research director and I worked on this program so I'm going to start by saying I'm taking responsibility and I'm owning up,' Wylie said in the new TV interview.
'In terms of who else needs to take responsibility: Cambridge Analytica -- it funded the program, it approved the program - as an entity this is what ultimately became the foundation of what Cambridge Analytica is,' he said.
'I take a share of responsibility in this because I was the research director and I worked on this program so I'm going to start by saying I'm taking responsibility and I'm owning up,' Wylie said
Facebook said that the company that created the Facebook quiz gathered user data legally under their terms of service, but the sale of that data to a third party was a violation of terms
Wylie added: 'Last week I offered to help Facebook and work with Facebook and their lawyers confirmed that they wanted to work in a collaborative manner -- when all of this came out I got banned [from Facebook] -- they decided that actually the whistleblower is the person they want to apparently go after.'
Facebook said that the company that created the Facebook quiz gathered user data legally under their terms of service, but that the sale of that data to a third party was a violation of those terms.
The social network suspended the companies involved.
Wylie called the data a 'political gold mine.'
'If you're trying to influence an American election, that's a one-stop shop,' Wylie said.
No profile information involved in the controversy was hacked or stolen, said Facebook.
'People knowingly provided their information, no systems were infiltrated, and no passwords or sensitive pieces of information were stolen or hacked,' Facebook said in a statement.
A midnight snack turned into an all out brawl at a Tennessee IHOP, ending with one man being sent to the hospital and a load of broken dishes.
Police were called to an IHOP in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 16 at 12.40am, following a reported assault.
A manager at the IHOP told a group of five people to leave the restaurant when they wouldn't stop behaving in an loud and unruly manner, police told WREG.
The IHOP manager, Mohammad Al Hourani, 28, said he asked a party of five unruly patrons to leave the restaurant. In a video, he and the patrons can be seen physically attacking each other
The manager, later identified as Mohammad Al Hourani, 28, told authorities that the group left their table and started heading for the exit, yelling as they walked. Then, Al Hourani said, one of the people in the party attacked him. As the two tussled, other people threw dishes and chairs at them.
The brutal late night fight was captured on video by a bystander.
In the video, a blue polo shirt-wearing Al Hourani can be seen being thrown to the floor by several people, who proceed to kick and punch him.
A person wearing a black tank top then puts Al Hourani in a headlock and drags him length of the restaurant, until the reach a banquette, where they proceed to fight some more with the Al Hourani eventually body slamming the tank top-wearer to the ground.
The video captured Al Hourani and the patrons throwing wooden chairs at each other. The unruly patrons also threw dishes at Al Hourani during the fight
After chairs are thrown in both directions, the unruly party walks towards the door again and Al Hourani, with what appears to be blood on his face, does a lap around the restaurant.
The video ends with the party of five leaving the restaurant, while the Al Hourani brandishes a long cook's knife and what appears to be a plate at them.
Authorities said that Al Hourani was taken to the hospital in non-critical condition.
In a police report, obtained by The Smoking Gun, Al Hourani said that 'one of the reasons why the suspects got so upset was because he kept calling them sirs even though the suspects were dressed like ladies.'
Authorities listed the party as being composed of men and women, between the ages of 20 and 25.
Police said no arrests had been made, but the incident is being classified as a felony aggravated assault.
A grandmother has died after she was tragically reversed over by her partner after a shopping trip in Queensland.
Eileen Bolton, 72, was described as 'caring and quiet' by police when it was confirmed she was hit at a shopping car park at Atherton Square last Tuesday.
Police described the crash as tragic after she was mowed down by her partner when she was doing her grocery shopping.
They have also revealed the grandmother from Innot Hot Springs was hit by the car driven by her partner Clifford Clark, 75, at 2.30pm.
Eileen Bolton, 72, was reversed over by her partner Clifford Clarke, 75, at the Atherton Square carpark last Tuesday
A memorial for the grandmother has been set up at the carpark where she was hit.
Grieving friends and family of Eileen left flowers and messages on the fence.
Senior Sergeant Kyell Palmer said it seemed as if it was a accident.
'It seems the man has backed the car up and run her over because she was trapped under the back wheel when police arrived,' the senior sergeant told the Cairns Post.
A memorial with flowers and letters have been set up for the grandmother has been at the carpark where she was hit
Emergency services removed her as quick as possible from under the car but her injuries were too severe.
She was transported to Atherton Hospital but died shortly after.
Her daughter Veronica Cipolla told Daily Mail Australia her mum was a caring and quiet lady.
She said: 'She was an avid churchgoer in Ravenshoe and she always made sure to keep in touch with her four children, Alice, Matthew, Laurena and myself.
'Our family is all struggling to come to grips with her loss and I'd would like to thank everyone who showed us kindness and who have left flowers for my mum's memorial and kind words.
'And I know that she will be also missed by her partner Clifford Clark.'
Ms Cipolla said Mr Clark was grieving from the accident and left rattled.
Police are preparing a report for the Coroner and further investigations will be conducted.
A 'Tinder sl*t' shamer who was found guilty of joking about raping feminists online has been convicted of calling his ex-girlfriend a 'f***ing sl*t' in front of kindergarten children.
Sydney man Zane Alchin, 27, made vile threats online in 2015 when his Facebook friend shared the Tinder bio of 23-year-old Olivia Melville, which included X-rated lyrics from one of rapper Drake's songs.
He has pleaded guilty to new charges after swearing at his ex-girlfriend outside a childcare centre and maliciously damaging her car with a key,news.com.au reports.
Sydney man Zane Alchin, 27, (pictured) made vile threats online in 2015 when his Facebook friend shared the Tinder bio of 23-year-old Olivia Melville
He has pleaded guilty to new charges after swearing at his ex-girlfriend outside a childcare centre and maliciously damaging her car with a key
The pair had reportedly ended their intimate relationship several days earlier when Alchin turned up at the woman's place of work to retrieve his pillow.
During the exchange in a childcare centre carpark, court documents allege Alchin attempted to hug the woman and became aggressive when she rejected his advances.
'You're a f***ing sl*t and you owe me money,' Alchin allegedly yelled in front of her boss and the young schoolchildren.
When he was asked to leave Alchin then took 'what resembled a key' and scratched along the passenger door of her grey Ford Focus.
He then yelled: 'Are we going to get back together?' before driving away.
Miss Melville's Tinder profile was shared online by a friend of Alchin's who pointed out the explicit Drake lyric in her biography
Alchin (pictured) and the woman were reportedly sleeping in a car outside the childcare centre in the Sydney suburb of Caringbah last month - where the woman worked -when the bizarre altercation occurred
Alchin was charged with use of offensive language and for destroying and damaging property, to which he pleaded guilty.
Police also applied for a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) for him not to approach, assault, harass or intimidate the woman.
However on March 5 a member of the public alerted police two people were sleeping in a car behind a childcare centre in Caringbah, south of Sydney.
Alchin and the woman were found lying on an inflatable mattress inside the woman's vehicle.
Two days later Alchin pleaded guilty to the charges of of swearing at his ex-girlfriend and keying her car.
In 2016 Alchin also pleaded guilty to using a carrier service to menace, harass, or cause offence, for writing the comments about Olivia Melville's Tinder profile on social media last year.
The bizarre swearing altercation occurred outside a childcare centre in Kirrawee (area pictured)
In 2016 Alchin (pictured) pleaded guilty to using a carrier service to menace, harass, or cause offence, for writing the comments about Olivia Melville's Tinder profile on social media last year
Alchin posted a string of abusive comments on Facebook after a friend of his shared a screenshot of Ms Melville's Tinder profile.
In it, the woman included a lyric from rapper Drake's song Only which read: 'The type of girl that will suck you dry and then eat some lunch with you'.
Among Alchin's comments was one which referenced 'raping feminists'. In another he told a different woman she was not good looking enough to rape.
'You know the best thing about a feminist they don't get any action so when you rape them it feels 100 times tighter,' one of his posts read.
Another shocking comment said: 'It's people like you who make it clear women should never have been given rights.'
Alchin posted a string of abusive comments on Facebook after a friend of his shared a screenshot of Ms Melville's Tinder profile
Among Alchin's comments was one which referenced 'raping feminists'. In another he told a different woman she was not good looking enough to rape
Miss Melville is now part of a campaign group called Sexual Violence Won't Be Silenced (above)
His vitriol continued: 'Please you deserve to be taken back to the 50s were (sic) you will learn to know your role and shut your damn mouth.
'If anything you've proven the only thing good a women's (sic) mouth is useful for is to get face f*** till she turns blue.
'Your (sic) all basic sluts who clearly couldn't get *** even from their plumber. So shut the f*** up.'
Alchin's friend, Chris Hall, was fired from his bartending job over the incident.
A father who was left in a coma after an alleged coward punch outside a Melbourne fish 'n' chip shop has miraculously woken up after his family said their goodbyes and turned off his life support.
Father-of-three Beau Shortis, 35, was allegedly attacked on the corner of Nepean Highway and Davey Street after celebrating his best friend's engagement party on November 25 last year.
He was so badly injured he fell into a coma and spent more than a month in hospital.
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Father-of-three Beau Shortis, 35, was left in a coma after an alleged coward punch outside a Melbourne fish 'n' chip shop, has miraculously woken up after his family said their goodbyes and turned off his life support
His mother and sister started to plan his funeral and the homicide squad was brought in to investigate.
Mr Shortis' sister Donna Griffiths said doctors told her there was 'nothing more they could do' to save him.
Two days after his family said goodbye to the beloved father-of-three and turned his life support off, he started to wake up.
His survival shocked doctors who expected Mr Shortis would die from his severe head injuries.
Mr Shortis (left) was so badly injured he fell into a coma and spent more than a month in hospital
Mr Shortis (right) said he was in a daze after he woke, and remembered very little from the attack
Mr Shortis said he was in a daze after he woke, and remembered very little from the attack.
'For days I didn't know what I was doing, I was just all over the shop. I didn't know anything really,' he told Seven News.
'In a way I'm really glad I don't remember it, I don't really want to remember it anyway.'
Mr Shortis said the alleged attack happened in the blink of an eye and with no warning at all.
'It was a great night, spending time with friends, wishing my best mate a happy engagement,' he told the Herald Sun.
'We were leaving there and waiting for a taxi and that's the last thing I remember.'
Mr Shortis said he was given a second chance at life and intended to make the most of it.
'We were leaving there and waiting for a taxi and that's the last thing I remember,' Mr Shortis said (scene pictured)
Mr Shortis' sister Donna Griffiths (together) said doctors told her there was 'nothing more they could do' to save him
'I'm here for a reason, I don't know what it is yet but it must be good it just wasn't my time,' he said.
The father-of-three, who requires ongoing treatment and rehabilitation for his injury, is now recovering at home.
The police have arrested Frankston man, Matthew Defreitas, over the alleged attack.
Mr Defreitas is expected to face court on April 5, charged with recklessly causing serious injury.
The police said they still required help from the public, and urged anyone with information about the alleged attack to come forward.
Police have lost tabs on nearly 500 registered sex offenders in Britain, newly released figures reveal.
The missing include rapists and paedophiles, including some who disappeared more than a decade ago, according to a Sky News investigation.
Figures released by 41 police forces show the number of convicted sex offenders whose whereabouts are unknown is 485, a jump of more than 20% in the last three years.
As the row over the release of black cab rapist John Worboys continues, it emerged today that police have lost track of nearly 500 registered sex offenders
The Metropolitan Police said they did not know the whereabouts of 227 registered sex offenders, including 38 who had been missing for at least eight years.
The figures come as victims of black cab rapist John Worboys campaign to overturn the decision to release him from prison.
Police did not name the missing sex offenders, citing the Data Protection Act.
West Midlands said 46 registered sex offenders were wanted or missing including one offender who disappeared in 2006.
Greater Manchester Police said the whereabouts of 19 registered sex offenders were unknown, with one vanishing in July 2006.
Police Scotland said 12 registered sex offenders were wanted, all of whom are believed to be out of the UK.
Four forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), did not respond to Freedom of Information requests, Sky News said, meaning the total number of sex offenders on the loose is likely to be higher.
The total number missing is up 22% on March 2015 when 39 UK police forces said hey did not know the whereabouts of 396 registered sex offenders.
Alex Mayes, from charity Victim Support, said: 'These figures will potentially be very alarming to victims of sexual offences and could undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system.
'To ensure the safety and well-being of survivors of sexual offences, as well as local communities, it is vital that the police strictly monitor sex offenders.'
The number of sex offenders who have fallen off police radars has increased in recent years
Registered sex offenders must inform police of their addresses and are subject to monitoring by authorities who manage certain sexual and violent criminals living in communities.
There were a total of 55,236 registered sex offenders living in England and Wales in 2016/17, according to a Ministry of Justice report published last October.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'The UK has some of the toughest powers in the world to deal with registered sex offenders and we are committed to ensuring that the system is as robust as it can be.
'We have significantly strengthened the system of reporting that sex offenders are subject to, and a range of civil orders have given police more powers to manage their behaviour.
'When a registered sex offender goes missing, their details are recorded on national and international systems and the police will actively seek out further information and intelligence to locate them.'
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These are the heartbreaking scenes as wildlife ranger Zacharia Mutai says goodbye to Sudan, the last the last male northern white rhino on earth, who died shortly after the photograph was taken on a Kenyan wildlife reserve.
The rhino, named Sudan, was suffering from a degenerative muscle and bone condition linked to age when keepers found he was unable to stand up and made the decision to euthanise him on Monday.
Sudan's demise should spell the end of his subspecies, but scientists have gathered genetic material and hope to develop IVF techniques to produce more white rhinos. He is survived by his daughter and grand daughter.
Ranger Zacharia Mutai, pictured, comforts Sudan, the last living male Northern White Rhino on the planet, moments before he was euthanised by a vet due to his age-related muscle and bone wasting disease at the Ole Pejeta Wildlife park in Kenya
Experts made the decision to kill the rhino because he was no longer able to stand as a result of disease
The last male northern white rhino, named Sudan, has died in Kenya at the age of 45, leaving just two females of his subspecies alive
Najin (right), Sudan's daughter, and Patu (left) his granddaughter, are now the only two living members of the species. They are pictured on Tuesday grazing at the national park where Sudan died
Sudan, who was named after the country of his birth, had been brought to Kenya from a Czech zoo in 2009 along with another male and two females in the hopes they might breed, but produced no offspring
Sudan was suffering from a degenerative muscle and bone condition linked to age when his keepers found he was unable to stand and decided to euthanise him (file image)
When Sudan was born in the early 1970s there were believed to be around 500 northern white rhino living in central Africa, but that population was reduced to just 15 by the middle of the following decade
A statement from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where he was kept under armed guard to prevent poaching, said his condition 'worsened significantly' and he was no longer able to stand.
His muscles and bones had degenerated and his skin had extensive wounds, with a deep infection on his back right leg.
The rhino had been part of an ambitious effort to save the subspecies from extinction after decades of decimation by poachers, with the help of the two surviving females.
The northern white rhino population in Uganda, Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad was largely wiped out during the poaching crisis of the 1970s and 80s, fueled by demand for rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine in Asia and dagger handles in Yemen.
A final remaining wild population of about 20-30 rhinos in the Democratic Republic of Congo was killed in fighting in the late nineties and early 2000s, and by 2008 the northern white rhino was considered extinct in the wild.
Sudan was named after the country of his birth, now South Sudan, and was captured in 1973 at around three years old before being taken to Dvur Kralove Zoo, in the Czech Republic.
But in 2009 he was moved to Kenya along with another male and two females - his daughter Najin and granddaughter Fatu - in an ambitious effort to save the species.
Sudan was being kept at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya and had to be under armed guard in order to prevent poaching
Wild white rhinos were wiped out across Uganda, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad thanks to poaching, before the final 30 were killed during conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Sudan was captured in the wild in 1973 at around three years old before being shipped to a zoo in the Czech Republic as part of their northern white rhino display. He spent the rest of his life in captivity
Keepers have collected genetic material from Sudan and now hope to develop IVF techniques allowing them to keep the species from dying out completely
The rhinos were given a 90,000 acre pen which was watched over by armed guards 24 hours a day to prevent them from being poached.
Horn-embedded transmitters, watchtowers, fences, drones and guard dogs were also used to protect them.
'However, despite the fact that they were seen mating, there were no successful pregnancies,' the conservancy said.
While Sudan's death marks a turning point for the species, he has been technically infertile for years, meaning IVF has long been the northern white rhino's last hope of survival.
Scientists now hope to develop techniques using frozen eggs and sperm which will allow the species to survive.
'He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity,' said the conservancy's CEO, Richard Vigne.
Sudan was something of a celebrity, attracting thousands of visitors. Last year he was listed as 'The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World' on the Tinder dating app in a fundraising effort.
Such was the importance of Sudan's survival that he was guarded 24 hours a day using drones, horn-embedded transmitters, guard dogs and armed keepers
While northern white rhinos are now facing extinction, there are around 20,000 southern white rhinos left in South Africa thanks to intensive conservation and breeding efforts
While Sudan's death marks a turning point in the fight to save the species, he has been technically infertile for years, meaning IVF is the northern white rhino's final hope
Keepers said that Sudan's death 'is a cruel symbol of human disregard for nature and it saddened everyone who knew him'
Rangers caring for Sudan described him as gentle and, as his condition worsened in recent weeks, expressed sadness over his imminent death.
The rhino 'significantly contributed to survival of his species as he sired two females,' the conservancy said.
'Additionally, his genetic material was collected yesterday and provides a hope for future attempts at reproduction of northern white rhinos through advanced cellular technologies.'
The only hope for preserving the subspecies 'now lies in developing in vitro fertilization techniques using eggs from the two remaining females, stored northern white rhino semen from males and surrogate southern white rhino females,' the statement said.
Sudan's death 'is a cruel symbol of human disregard for nature and it saddened everyone who knew him. But we should not give up,' said Jan Stejskal, director of international projects at Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic.
'It may sound unbelievable, but thanks to the newly developed techniques even Sudan could still have an offspring.'
Northern white rhinos once roamed parts of Chad, Sudan, Uganda, Congo and Central African Republic, and were particularly vulnerable because of the armed conflicts that have swept the region over decades.
Other rhinos, the southern white rhino and another species, the black rhino, are under heavy pressure from poachers who kill them for their horns to supply illegal markets in parts of Asia.
Roughly 20,000 southern white rhinos remain in Africa. Their numbers dipped below 100 around a century ago, but an intense effort initiated by South African conservationist Ian Player in the mid-20th century turned things around.
International wildlife charity Born Free's President and co-founder, Will Travers OBE said 'When are we going to understand that we cannot continue to use and abuse wild species without serious consequences?'
'The pressures on wild species from habitat loss, persecution, trade, hunting, trophy hunting, resources extraction, land conversion, agriculture and more, combined with the relentless growth in the human population begs the question: Will there be room for non-human life on earth after we have finished?'
Australia's native wildlife are being encouraged to cross some of the busiest highways with specially built overpasses costing taxpayers millions.
A new bridge is being built for animals in Sydney's northern beaches at Mona Vale Road, costing $7.5 million.
The 40-metre wide overpass will link Ku-ring-gai and Gargigal National Parks in an attempt to decrease the number of road kill.
A new bridge is being built for animals in Sydney's northern beaches at Mona Vale Road, costing $7.5 million (pictured, 9 News)
The 40-metre wide overpass will link Ku-ring-gai and Gargigal National Parks (pictured, 9 News) in an attempt to decrease the number of road kill
The overpass will be covered with native vegetation to coax the animals to 'eat' their way across the road (pictured)
The overpass will be covered with native vegetation to coax the animals to 'eat' their way across the road, 9 News reported.
'We want to ensure that area, surrounded by two National Parks - a very important area, part of the lungs of Sydney - that we protect that native wildlife by putting in the appropriate infrastructure to protect them into the future,' NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said.
The wildlife bridge is the first of its kind in Sydney and is hoped to prevent the high number of road kill.
Many animals, including possums, koalas and wallabies, are often killed by cars along the stretch of Mona Vale Road.
'We'll have fences along the side so animals can't drop off onto the road,' Jacqui Marlow of Pittwater Natural Heritage Association said.
The animal overpass is part of the Mona Vale Road West upgrade which includes widening the two lanes to four.
A former neighbour of Poppi Worthington has been arrested in connection with the missing laptop used by her father to watch porn on the night that she died, it was revealed today.
Paul Worthington, 50, claimed that he used the computer on the night he is believed to have sexually abused 13-month-old Poppi in the hours before she died in 2012 in Cumbria.
His laptop, which has never been recovered or examined by police, could be the toddler's 'last chance' for justice.
Police want to find it so they can search it for any new evidence that proves Poppi was attacked by her father.
Poppi was a 'fit and active' toddler before she was found bleeding and unconscious in her father's double bed.
Paul Worthington watched porn on a laptop on the night Poppi died in his double bed. Police hunting for it have arrested former neighbour Wayne Roebuck
Poppi was found lifeless and bleeding in her father's double bed in December 2012
Mr Worthington claimed he gave the laptop to his neighbour, Wayne Roebuck, 39, in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, according to The Sunday Times Magazine.
Forensic faults and a missing laptop: 12 basic errors by police that could deny Poppi justice 1) Items at the hospital Poppi was taken to were not preserved for forensic analysis 2) Items at the family home were not preserved for forensic analysis 3) The scene at the family home was not secured, with Poppi's last nappy being lost despite the presence of police officers 4) The detective inspector and another officer not visiting the home. According to national protocol, a senior officer should immediately attend the home to take charge of the investigation and ensure that evidence is intelligently preserved 5) No reconstruction with the parents at home so that their accounts could be understood and investigations focused 6) No forensic medical examination at the time of death. Swabs were not taken until post-mortem despite delays meaning forensic analysis can be prejudiced 7) No engagement of a paediatrician with specialist knowledge of investigating sexual abuse for there to be a physical examination of the child, a viewing of the home and a report for the pathologist 8) Dr Armour's initial views were not clearly passed on to the local authority for safeguarding purposes 9) The parents were not formally interviewed until August 2013 10) Neither parent's mobile telephone or Facebook accounts were analysed 11) Samples were not sent for analysis until after receipt of Dr Armour's full report 12) No statements taken from any witnesses (paramedics, nurses, doctors, family members) until September 2013. Advertisement
But Roebuck refused to reveal the missing laptop's location when he was arrested on Thursday.
The laptop was reportedly described as 'long gone' after he then 'gave it to someone in Millom' - a nearby town.
Mr Roebuck was arrested after detectives began searching for the laptop and conducted a search of his home.
Drugs were found while it was being searched, but he has since been released under investigation.
A Cumbria Constabulary spokeswoman told The Times that a 39-year-old man, from Barrow-in-Furness had been arrested yesterday on suspicion of assisting an offender and possession of MDMA with intent to supply.
She said that his arrest 'relates to a statement previously made to officers investigating the death of Poppi Worthington concerning the location of a laptop'.
Poppi was sexually assaulted by her father before dying in his bed of asphyxiation.
Mr Worthington was arrested in August 2013 in connection with her death, but no action was taken against him.
He has strenuously denied the allegations and has not been charged.
Today his sister Tracy claimed he has been forced to flee his home fearing for his life.
She told the Daily Star: 'There's lots of support for Paul among friends an people who knew him.
'They think he's innocent and so do I.
'Paul is terrified. Every time he leaves the house he's looking over his shoulder.'
He escaped prosecution over the sexual assault and death of his baby daughter for a fourth time last week.
Prosecutors ruled out reviewing evidence in the case which has been dogged by police blunders.
Earlier this year a coroner said Worthington's 13-month-old daughter Poppi had been assaulted by him before dying in his bed at their home.
A similar conclusion was reached back in 2016 by a family division judge.
At the inquest Mr Worthington, 49, refused to answer questions about Poppi's death, relying 252 times on his right to remain silent under inquest rules designed to prevent people incriminating themselves.
But yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service ruled out what would have been a fourth review of evidence, saying no new witnesses had come forward to the hearing which finished in January.
Three earlier attempts at a prosecution have failed primarily because of a lack of evidence gathered by police at the time of Poppi's death in 2012 in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria.
They were in March 2015, following a referral from police; in June 2016, following the outcome of a family court hearing ; and in November 2016, when the decision not to prosecute was subject to a Victim's Right to Review application.
Worthington sobbed in the dock in November last year as he refused to answer question after question about his daughter's death
Last week's decision, which effectively closes the case, brought an angry response from Poppi's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
In a statement her solicitor Fiona McGhie, of law firm Irwin Mitchell, said she was 'extremely disappointed'.
'The past five years have been a complete nightmare for her,' she added.
'Although she is now closer to the devastating truth, it is likely that she may never get full closure on exactly what happened that night.'
Barrow MP John Woodcock has called for a public inquiry into years of mishandling of the case.
Yesterday he said: 'This fresh knock back was expected but it stings because it is a fresh reminder of the terrible failings in the police investigation that have made a criminal conviction so difficult.'
A Russian model has broken her back after jumping from the sixth floor of a Dubai hotel 'to escape from a US businessman who tried to rape and kill her'.
Ekaterina Stetsyuk, 22, from the city of Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, refused to have sex with the man who allegedly held a knife against her throat, she told friends and relatives.
However, the unnamed man has reportedly made a counter claim that she attacked him and the model is now 'in custody' in her hospital bed. Unverified allegations have also been made that she was working as an escort in Dubai.
This claim was denied by the model's mother, who said Ekaterina had been held with a knife at her throat by an American man before trying to save her life by leaping from the sixth floor of the building, which has not been identified.
Russian model Ekaterina Stetsyuk (pictured) has broken her back after jumping from the sixth floor of a Dubai hotel 'to escape from a US businessman who tried to rape and kill her'
Ekaterina Stetsyuk, 22, from the city of Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, has been left with serious injuries in hospital (pictured) after the fall
The 22-year-old (pictured) refused to have sex with the man who allegedly held a knife against a throat, she told friends and relatives
'The attack took place on March 3,' said the model's mother Inge.
'A man, a foreigner, attacked Katya, grabbed her neck and put a knife at her throat.
'My daughter tried to save her life, she had to jump from the sixth floor. She has serious injuries, she can't walk.
'And yesterday Katya (Ekaterina) called and said she would be taken to jail. They want to make her guilty.'
The man is reported to run a business in Dubai. He claimed Ekaterina had attacked him and he had to defend himself.
Inge added: 'We were not speaking about what happened to Katya because we hoped that our consulate would help. They asked us not to talk to media, but now I do not know whom I can trust.'
The unnamed man has reportedly made a counter claim that Ekaterina (pictured) attacked him and the model is now 'in custody' in her hospital bed
The model's mother said Ekaterina (pictured) had been held with a knife at her throat by an American man before trying to save her life by leaping from the sixth floor of the building, which has not been identified
Ekaterina's mother, Inge, is set to fly from Russia to Dubai to be by her daughter's side
She hit back at lurid and vitriolic social media claims in Russia that her glamorous daughter had been working as an escort in the sex industry when the incident occurred.
'My daughter is a well known model in Irkutsk,' she insisted. 'On February 15 she left for Dubai for a month where she had a contract.'
She said the claims made about her daughter could 'cause her more trouble'.
She said: 'What happened there all my information is only from speaking to my daughter. The laws are different there, we are worried about the development of this situation.'
Her mother aims to fly to Dubai soon to be by Ekaterina's side.
The man whose nationality has not been confirmed was detained at the airport seeking to flee Dubai, Ekaterina (pictured) was told
Ekaterina's friend Irina Grossman said the model had jumped from the sixth floor 'to save her life and dignity'
The model's mother has claimed Ekaterina had been held with a knife at her throat by an American man
Ekaterina's friend Irina Grossman said the model (pictured) 'cannot walk or move by herself' after the incident
'We appeal to those who know Ekaterina and just to all sympathetic people. Give her a chance to recover,' stated the appeal for funds.
The model faces 'expensive surgery and further rehabilitation'.
Ekaterina's friend Irina Grossman said the model had jumped from the sixth floor 'to save her life and dignity'.
'She survived by a miracle. Her spine is broken, several vertebra were crushed.
'She cannot walk or move by herself, but doctors are giving good forecasts because her spinal chord is intact.'
The man whose nationality has not been confirmed was detained at the airport seeking to flee Dubai, Ekaterina was told. He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
But during interrogation, he made unknown allegations against the model which led also to her being detained in her hospital bed.
The model's friend and mother are raising money by crowdfunding to cover initial 11,000 medical costs in Dubai
Russian channel NTV reported that Ekaterina 'was followed by a rich foreigner' before leaping from the sixth floor of the building
Speaking from her hospital bed, Ekaterina (pictured) recorded a video to reassure her mother
Russian channel NTV reported that Ekaterina 'was followed by a rich foreigner.'
'She refused to be with him. He got angry and attacked Ekaterina, trying to kill her.'
Inge and Irina are raising money by crowdfunding to cover initial 11,000 medical costs in Dubai.
Speaking from her hospital bed, Ekaterina recorded a video to reassure her mother, saying: 'I am doing well, do not worry about me. People from the (Russian) consulate visited, I can get in touch with you.
'My surgery was postponed. We'll see how it goes. All will be fine, do not worry. (Friend's name) has come to see me, all ok. All is fine mummy, I love you. Kisses. I have got everything.
'Nastya's friends visited me yesterday, they are from Dubai, they brought lots of tasty things, I am eating well here. All is fine, kisses.'
Gocha Buachidze, the Russian Counsel in Dubai, said: 'We are thoroughly studying the situation around Russian citizen Ekaterina Stetsyuk and we are providing all necessary support to her. The investigation is in progress.
'The Consulate cannot give any more details of the accident due to the request of the citizen herself.'
Jeremy Corbyn today risked reigniting the row over his soft stance on Russia by insisting he could still 'do business' with Vladimir Putin.
The Labour leader repeated his call for the UK to give Moscow a nerve agent sample from the Salisbury attack - suggesting that would allow them to say 'categorically' whether they were responsible.
Even though Mr Corbyn also stressed that 'all fingers point' towards Russia's involvement, the comments will again infuriate Labour MPs.
They will also fuel speculation of a split between the leader and his close ally John McDonnell, who struck a notably tougher tone over the weekend by suggesting the attack on Serge Skripal and daughter Yulia was 'highly likely' to be a state-backed assassination attempt.
Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in the Commons last week) again seemed to make excuses for Russia in a BBC interview being aired today
Mr Putin (pictured at a rally on Sunday after being reelected) has denied Russia was involved in the poisoning of the ex-spy
The poisoning of Yulia, left, and her father Sergei Skripal, right, sparked a huge investigation and clean-up operation (file picture)
Mr Corbyn was heavily criticised by MPs from all parties last week after he pointedly failed to accept that Moscow was behind the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.
The leader's spokesman inflamed the row further by arguing that the British security services might not be trustworthy enough to draw a conclusion on the involvement of Russia.
Mr McDonnell and Baroness Chakrabarti, close allies of Mr Corbyn, seemed to try to shift the party's position over the weekend by stressing that Russia is culpable and endorsing the government's reprisals against Moscow.
But Mr Corbyn again seemed to make excuses for Russia in an interview aired today, telling BBC Radio 4's World at One: 'What I'm saying is the weapons were made from Russia, clearly.
'I think Russia has to be held responsible for it but there has to be an absolutely definitive answer to the question where did the nerve agent come from? I asked the Russians be given a sample so that they can say categorically one way or the other.'
Britain is already supplying samples from the scene in Salisbury to the international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Amber Rudd and Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street today) are expected to attend the National Security Council meeting later
Theresa May is gathering her National Security Council today to consider the UK's next moves in the diplomatic standoff
In an apparent attempt to shift the party's position over the weekend, Mr Corbyn's cose allies John McDonnell (left) and Baroness Chakrabarti (right) endorsed the government's reprisals against Moscow
Ministers have warned that Russia would merely use a sample as an opportunity for propaganda and delaying tactics.
Mr Skripal, a former double agent, and his daughter are still fighting for their lives after being exposed to Novichok in the Wiltshire city.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has previously said Labour agreed with Theresa May that Russia was responsible for the attack.
GALLOWAY CLAIMS RUSSIA 'BOTTOM OF LIST' OF SUSPECTS George Galloway has claimed Russia is 'near the bottom of the list of suspects' in the spy poisoning. The former MP, a close friend of Jeremy Corbyn, dismissed the UK's conclusions that Moscow was behind the use of military-grade nerve agent in Salisbury. Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, he said: 'Russia must be near the bottom of the list of suspects. Rationally, logically.' Asked about Vladimir Putin's comments that traitors must 'kick the bucket', Mr Galloway said: 'It's everybody's view of traitors. Every government in the world has that view about those who betray their secrets.' Mr Galloway said because Yulia had been living in Moscow she could have been 'strangled silently with her own scarf'. Pressed on who he believes is behind the poisoning, the ex-Labour politician said: 'The oligarchy and fugitive thieves in Russia, murder each other with great frequency and they do it for criminal, not political, purposes.' But political commentator Dan Hodges told Mr Galloway: 'This was a Russian agent, killed with a Russian nerve agent - there's no doubt that Russia does possess this nerve agent - in a manner not dissimilar to assassinations that have occurred and been perpetrated by the Russians in the UK before. 'With the greatest respect you don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to work out who's behind this.' Advertisement
Mr Corbyn said he would still 'do business' with Mr Putin if Labour came into power.
'Would I do business with Putin? Sure. And I'd challenge him on human rights in Russia, challenge him on these issues and challenge him on that whole basis of that relationship,' he said.
Yesterday Theresa May hit back at Mr Putin's dismissal of the British Government's claim that Russia was responsible for the attack.
Her comments followed strong words from Boris Johnson, who accused Russia of trying to conceal 'the needle of truth in a haystack of lies' over the case - after Mr Putin dismissed the idea of Russian responsibility as 'nonsense'.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary said the use of a nerve agent against the Skripals was 'very deliberate'.
'As Ken Clarke pointed out in Parliament last week, the obvious Russian-ness of the weapon was designed to send a signal to anyone pondering dissent amid the intensifying repression of Mr Putin's Russia,' he wrote.
'The message is clear: we will hunt you down, we will find you and we will kill you - and though we will scornfully deny our guilt, the world will know that Russia did it.'
Mrs May will gather her National Security Council today to discuss the UK's next move in the crisis.
The 23 Russian spies who were expelled as part of Britain's first wave of reprisals are due to leave the country today.
Theresa May (pictured in Birmingham on Monday) is considering Britain's next move in the diplomatic standoff
Private jets are being subjected to enhanced searches as part of reprisals against Russia, it has been revealed.
Downing Street gave more details of the action to make Britain more hostile to Vladimir Putin's cronies as Theresa May held off escalating the diplomatic standoff over the Salisbury poisoning.
After a meeting of the National Security Council yesterday, Downing Street made clear the government was focusing on implementing the measures announced by Mrs May last week.
Checks on private planes arriving in the UK have been stepped up and Russia's spy network has been 'dismantled' by the expulsion of 23 diplomats, the PM's spokesman said.
Ministers and the security services have also prepared other responses and 'stand ready to deploy them at any time', No10 added.
The 90 minute meeting was held as the first 23 Russian diplomats expelled in the wake of the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia left the country.
But the prospect of quick international sanctions being imposed on Russia appears to have receded, despite Britain receiving strong support from Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and EU Council president Donald Tusk.
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday failed to sign off a statement explicitly blaming Russia for the nerve agent attack.
The final statement condemned the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia and offered the UK unqualified support and solidarity.
But on the question of Moscows involvement, it said only that signatories took the UKs position extremely seriously.
British sources said Greece, which has strong links to Russia, had insisted the statement stop short of blaming Moscow directly. Brussels sources said Hungary and Italy also raised some objections.
German chancellor Mrs Merkel signed a joint statement with US president Donald Trump and French leader Mr Macron last week, saying there was 'no other plausible explanation' of the attack besides Russian involvement.
EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday risked a split with the UK by sending a letter of congratulations to Mr Putin on his reelection as president.
Mr Juncker also said he wanted 'positive relations' with Russia and failed to mention the Salisbury incident.
Mrs May hit back at Vladimir Putin on Monday after he dismissed the idea Russia was involved in the attack.
Vladimir Putin (pictured at a rally on Sunday after being reelected) has denied Russia was involved in the poisoning of the ex-spy
The poisoning of Yulia, left, and her father Sergei Skripal, right, sparked a huge investigation and clean-up operation (file picture)
Amber Rudd and Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street yesterday) attended the National Security Council meeting
Boris Johnson has accused Russia of trying to conceal 'the needle of truth in a haystack of lies' over the case.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary said the use of a nerve agent against the Skripals was 'very deliberate'.
What is the Novichok nerve agent used against the Skripals? The Novichok nerve agent used against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia is among the most deadly poisons ever created. They were secretly developed by the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold war in the 1970s and 1980s. Communist scientists developed the poison so it would not be able to be detected by Nato's chemical detection equipment. They come in the form of a ultra-fine powder, Novichok is up to eight times more potent than the deadly VX gas. Victims who are poisoned by the powder suffer muscle spasms, breathing problems and then cardiac arrest. There is a known antidote to the nerve agent - atropine can block the poison. But doctors find it very tricky to administer the antidote because the dose would have to be so high it could prove fatal for the person. Novichok poisons are highly dangerous to handle, requiring the expertise of skilled scientists in a sophisticated lab. Dr Vil Mirzayanov, former Chief of the Foreign Technical Counterintelligence Department at Russias premiere, was among the team of scientists who helped develop the agent. Advertisement
'As Ken Clarke pointed out in Parliament last week, the obvious Russian-ness of the weapon was designed to send a signal to anyone pondering dissent amid the intensifying repression of Mr Putin's Russia,' he wrote.
'The message is clear: we will hunt you down, we will find you and we will kill you - and though we will scornfully deny our guilt, the world will know that Russia did it.'
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn today risked reigniting the row over his soft stance on Russia by insisting he could still 'do business' with Mr Putin.
The Labour leader repeated his call for the UK to give Moscow a nerve agent sample from the Salisbury attack - suggesting that would allow them to say 'categorically' whether they were responsible.
Britain is already supplying samples from the scene in Salisbury to the international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Ministers have warned that Russia would merely use a sample as an opportunity for propaganda and delaying tactics.
Even though Mr Corbyn also stressed that 'all fingers point' towards Russia's involvement, the comments will again infuriate Labour MPs.
They will also fuel speculation of a split between the leader and his close ally John McDonnell, who struck a notably tougher tone over the weekend by suggesting the attack was 'highly likely' to be a state-backed assassination attempt.
Mr Corbyn was heavily criticised by MPs from all parties last week after he pointedly failed to accept that Moscow was behind the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.
The leader's spokesman inflamed the row further by arguing that the British security services might not be trustworthy enough to draw a conclusion on the involvement of Russia.
Mr McDonnell and Baroness Chakrabarti, close allies of Mr Corbyn, seemed to try to shift the party's position over the weekend by stressing that Russia is culpable and endorsing the government's reprisals against Moscow.
What is the National Security Council and what does it do? Mark Sedwill is the government's National Security Adviser The National Security Council is the government's main forum for discussing issues that are vital to keeping Britons safe. The NSC is chaired by the Prime Minister, and meets weekly to consider the biggest threats facing the country, from terrorism to cyber and nuclear. Other regular attendees Cabinet Office minister David Lidington, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill is also at the sessions, and other senior officials, ministers, and military and security chiefs attend where required. Sometimes the Leader of the Opposition is invited to come along to meetings. However, Jeremy Corbyn has not been asked to discussions about Russia - although he has been briefed by the security services. Advertisement
Two minibuses and a number of people carriers drove away from the Russian embassy yesterday and towards the airport as the expelled diplomats left
Earlier, people with suitcases and pet carriers were seen arriving at the Russian embassy near London's Hyde Park
Move over Houston, Melbourne has joined the space race, playing host to a giant Lego rocket.
The mighty 7.5-metre model, based on NASA's SLS rocket, comprises more than 450,000 individual bricks and is set to be revealed in Melbourne.
The tallest Lego model in the southern hemisphere, along with 38 other models, is destined to captivate starry-eyed brickheads at the Brickman Awesome exhibition.
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A life-size Toyota Camry complete with head lights (pictured) is one of the 39 impressive models made of Lego bricks being showcased in Melbourne
A mighty 7.5-metre NASA SLS rocket model is on show with more than 450,000 individual bricks - complete with light up smoke (pictured)
The huge creations, including this cute Koala (pictured) were made by Lego architect Ryan 'The Brickman' McNaught
Lego architect Ryan 'The Brickman' McNaught took over the Melbourne Museum Plaza with the incredible work made up of more than 5000 hours and two million bricks.
Among the exhibits and making its debut in Victoria will be an all-brick, eighth-generation Toyota Camry, weighing more than a tonne.
'(Melburnians) will be the first in the world to see my brand new Lego creation - a life-sized Toyota Camry,' the self-admitted car fanatic said in a statement on Tuesday.
To further satisfy fellow rev heads, McNaught's full-scale Harley Davidson and Lego Caterpillar 797 dump truck, the largest of its kind, will be also be showcased.
The gigantic creations don't lack any details with flashing lava and car blinkers features making them all the more realistic.
A life-size police telephone box with a functioning door and the biggest Lego Caterpillar 797 dump truck will also stand out at the exhibition.
The interior of the Sydney Opera House featured at the Brickman Awesome exhibition
The gigantic creations don't lack any details equipped with car blinkers built into the Lego
The Lego model of a DeLorean car from Back to the Future (pictured) brings to life childhood dreams
The Brickman is one of 14 Lego-certified makers in the world and the only one in the southern hemisphere.
The exhibition brings to life every childhood dream is also inviting visitors to partake by adding their touch to a piece of history.
Those interested can add bricks to the belly of a giant snake to clinch an Australian record for longest Lego model.
The father of an Egyptian student who died after being attacked by a gang of girls has called for justice at a vigil in memory of his daughter.
Mariam Moustafa, 18, of St Ann's, London, died last week after spending three weeks in a coma following the brutal attack outside a shopping centre in Nottingham on February 20.
Last night around 200 people attended the vigil to show support and solidarity with the family of the engineering student.
The last photo of Mariam Moustafa, (left) an engineering student, two weeks before she was left in a coma (right) after she was jumped by a group of female yobs. She died from her injuries on Wednesday
Mariam's father Mohamed (pictured) said he was 'very happy' to see a large crowd gather in the market square to hold a vigil for his daughter. Mr Moustafa, 50, told the crowd: 'Thank you to everyone who has come for my daughter, I really appreciate it. Many friends from many countries have come here for her. We need justice'
Mariam's father Mohamed said he was 'very happy' to see a large crowd gather in the market square to remember his daughter.
Mr Moustafa, 50, told the crowd: 'Thank you to everyone who has come for my daughter, I really appreciate it. Many friends from many countries have come here for her. We need justice.'
The victim's family originally said they believed the attack was a race hate crime after the Egyptian-born teenager was targeted by the same group of girls the previous month.
But Chief Superintendent Rob Griffin said yesterday that all of the 'evidence indicates that this incident is not in any way hate related'.
Last night around 200 people attended the vigil to show support and solidarity with the family
The engineering student's sister Malak, 16, later claimed Mariam may have been confused with a similar looking girl who had been taunting the gang online.
Police have confirmed that a group of six girls were involved in the attack. The victim was allegedly punched several times and dragged by the female yobs before the assault continued - which was filmed by onlookers - after she boarded a bus.
Mariam was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham then transferred to the City Hospital where she was treated until her death.
The speakers at the emotional event included her sister, a former teacher of Mariam's and an Egyptian Coptic priest who called for answers in to her death and an end to violence.
Mr Moustafa told the Nottingham Post: 'I am very happy because all these people have come for Mariam, for justice and to make everyone safe.
The speakers at the emotional event included her sister, a former teacher of Mariam's and an Egyptian Coptic priest who called for answers in to her death and an end to violence
'Many people have come, not just British but from all the countries, this is one strong message. We are all brothers and sisters in this country.'
At points the crowd chanted 'justice for Mariam', stood silent or simply repeated her name.
At the front was a banner with images of the Nottingham College engineering student in her hospital bed and the message 'justice for Mariam'.
Cathryn De Max, a 54-year-old local government official from Woodthorpe, said: 'I came to show support for the family after such a horrendous thing.
'I am very tearful myself, we need to stand together and show solidarity with the family. This is not the Nottingham that we know and love.'
Delma Moreno, 25, of Bulwell, a waitress and mother-of-one, said: 'I have got a daughter myself, I feel the pain that her mum is feeling right now. She did not deserve to die the way she did. I feel like I am going to cry.'
Adnan Abdi, a 43-year-old butcher, of Sneinton, a family friend since helping Mariam's dad Mohamed Moustafa to settle in to the country, also attended.
He said: 'We are here to say 'stop the violence'. It is amazing how many people have come today, it is very encouraging when you make a call and a lot of people answer.'
The event was organised by Yousuf Farooq, a 17-year-old pupil at Nottingham College and the secretary of Nottingham Stand Up To Racism.
The teenager (pictured) had been shopping in Nottingham city centre before she was assaulted
He said: 'This is a time for people to come together from all ages, races and creeds and show that at times of violence and grieving Nottingham will come together.
'We are shocked and saddened as a city but we want to be together. It has warmed my heart to see so many people stand together.'
The case has sparked a diplomatic row in Egypt and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has already stepped in to reassure the nation the matter is being investigated thoroughly.
Egyptian authorities and her family have expressed concern about the police investigation and the care she received.
Mariam (right) with her mother Nessrin Shehata. Her sister Malak, 16, claimed Mariam may have been confused with a similar looking girl who had been taunting the gang online
Nottingham-based student Mariam was born in Rome, where her family had moved to from Egypt in 1991.
Nottinghamshire Police have said a decision on whether the incident would be investigated as a crime more serious than that of assault would be made following the outcome of a post-mortem examination, which took place on Friday.
The force has now revealed that the outcome of the post-mortem was inconclusive and that more tests will be carried out.
A 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, but she has since been released on conditional bail
Jared Kushner and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia have forged such a close friendship that their relationship outraged the outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a new report claims.
After first meeting in March last year, Kushner and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have been 'consulting with one another frequently in private calls', according to the Washington Post.
It was reportedly thanks to this bond that President Trump chose Saudi Arabia as the destination for his first foreign state visit as President, despite objections from White House officials.
Close pals: Jared Kushner has reportedly been making 'frequent private calls' to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the past year, worrying White House officials
The report comes as the Crown Prince arrives for a meeting with President Trump today with U.S.-Saudi relations 'at an all-time high,' according to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a former ambassador to Washington.
Kushner is scheduled to attend several dinners with the Crown Prince during his visit to the U.S., and also reportedly spent alone time with Salman during a personal trip to Riyadh in October 2017.
Kushner's courting of the Saudi Prince has 'unsettled' security and intelligence officials in the US because they fear he may have been 'freelancing foreign policy' in their candid conversations, according to the report.
Secretary Tillerson was said to have become so angered by Kusher's calls to Saudi Arabia that he once reportedly exclaimed to his staff; 'Who is Secretary of State here?'
Prince Mohammed arrives for a meeting at the White House on Tuesday to kick off a week in Washington D.C. before heading to New York.
Arrival: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is welcomed upon his arrival in the U.S. yesterday
Ten months after the last face-to-face meeting between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed, in Riyadh, the 71-year-old president and the 32-year-old strongman prince are expected to deepen an already warm and congenial relationship.
During his first trip to Washington last year, Prince Mohammed spoke to the president about his Vision 2030 program, a plan to diversity the Saudi economy making the country less dependent on its oil supply.
He's expected to speak to Trump about the effort and discuss the countries' common enemy, Iran as well as seek out American investors in hubs like New York and Silicon Valley.
The United States and Saudi Arabia are historic allies. Ever since Franklin Delano Roosevelt met with King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud on a US naval ship in the Suez Canal in 1945, every American president has carefully nurtured relations with the Saudi royal family.
But the unstinting support Trump offered when he chose Riyadh as the destination of his first overseas trip as president brought the relationship to a new level.
While Barack Obama said in 2015 that it was important 'not to perpetuate any long-term confrontation with Iran, or to even marginalize Iran,' Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the nuclear deal reached that year with Tehran, has chosen a very different path.
Making friends: President Donald Trump meets Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March last year, months before he became Crown Prince
'Everywhere we go in the Middle East it's Iran, Iran, Iran,' he said a few days ago. 'Every problem is Iran.'
Even before setting foot on American soil, Prince Mohammed struck a scathing tone toward Iran in an interview with CBS, comparing the territorial ambitions of that country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to those of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany.
And he warned that if Iran were to develop a nuclear bomb, Saudi Arabia would do the same 'as soon as possible.'
But critics are cautioning the White House not to blindly embrace every stance taken by the Saudi prince, particularly with regards to its role in the bloody civil war in Yemen.
Fighting between the Huthi movement, supported by Iran, and Yemeni government forces, backed by the Saudis and the UAE, has claimed nearly 10,000 lives and left the country on the verge of a disastrous famine.
A sex doll brothel in Paris is facing calls to be shut down with angry critics branding it a 'degrading' place that fuels rape fantasies.
Councillors are set to decide the future of Xdolls, which opened in a neighbourhood in the heart of the French capital last month, at a meeting this week, Le Parisien reports.
Housed in a non-descript flat in the city, the business is officials registered as a games centre.
But its critics argue that it is actually a brothel which are illegal to own or operate in France.
Critics are calling for a sex doll brothel in Paris to be shut down, branding it a 'degrading' place where 'you rape a woman.' Pictured, a doll at Xdolls
Customers are charged 89 (78) for an hour with one of three silicone sex dolls - Kim, Lily and Sophia, all made in China and worth several thousand euros - in one of the three available rooms.
They are only told the exact address after booking a session and paying for it online.
Owner Joachim Lousquy told the newspaper that Xdolls attracts mostly men, although some couples do visit.
Mr Lousquay, who claims his neighbours aren't aware of the nature of the business, insists the dolls are sex toys and not degrading to women.
But Nicolas Bonnet Oulaldj, a communist councillor, disagrees.
He and others are calling for a ban on Xdolls because it is run like a brothel and over concerns that abusive and degrading experiences with the dolls may lead to such encounters with real women.
Customers are charged 89 (78) for an hour with a silicone sex doll that was made in China and is worth several thousand euros
Lorraine Questiaux, a spokesperson for a Paris feminist association called Mouvement du Nid (Nest Movement), also wants Xdolls to be closed.
'Xdolls is not a sex shop. It's a place that generates money and where you rape a woman,' she told Le Parisien.
She added it was important to shut it down, noting that '86,000 women are raped in France every year.'
Pierre Laurent, the national secretary of the Communist Party, told VSD that some of the sex dolls can lead to thoughts of sex with children because of their small size.
A former Washington Post Reporter who is suing the CIA to release data relating to the assassination of President Kennedy has taken court action to recover legal fees.
Lawyers for Jefferson Morley told the the appeals court in Washington that his bills have climbed to more than $500,000.
Morley is trying to force the government to pay his legal fees and to get the CIA to reveal files relating deceased CIA agent George Joannides. He has accused the agency of dragging its feet over the release.
Jefferson Morley (left) has fought a long running campaign to get the CIA to reveal details relating to deceased CIA agent George Joannides (right)
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas in November 1963
Lee Harvey Oswald was a former Marine and Marxist who according to four federal investigations and one municipal investigation was responsible for assassinating the President
Morley believes Joannides may have had contact with suspected assassin Lee Harvey Oswald prior to the shooting and later when he served as the CIA's liaison officer for a JFK assassination investigation in the 1970s.
President Trump in October ordered the remaining files on the assassination to released. Some 2,800 files were released at the time but the President announced 300 were being held back at the request of the FBI and CIA so they could be redacted further.
Mr Trump initially suggested the process would take six months but after talks with Chief of Staff John Kelly and the security services it was agreed the release should be sped up.
President Trump last October ordered the release of thousands of files relating to JFK's murder
However Morley argues that hardly any information relating to Joannides has been released - and that that until it is the full truth relating to the assassination will never be known.
In 1963, the year Kennedy was murdered, Joannides was the CIA case officer over students from Cuba eager to oust dictator Fidel Castro, who had seized power in 1959. In 1978, Joannides was named by the CIA as its contact with the House Select Committee on Assassinations.
The committee wanted to know more about the student group, which was called the DRE and code-named AMSPEL, usatoday.com reported.
It was part of the CIA efforts to undermine Castro. A separate CIA operation aimed to assassinate Castro, using the Mafia and assets within Cuba.
George Joannides, middle, being presented with an award in 1981 for 28 years of service, flanked by his wife and U.S. Navy Adm. B.R. Inman, director of the CIA
'Oswald had a bizarre interaction with a DRE member in New Orleans the summer leading up to Kennedy's Nov. 22 murder, in Dallas to which Oswald moved from New Orleans. And just after the assassination, the DRE publicized that encounter with Oswald, and Oswald's avowed support of Castro,' usatoday reported.
'Committee staffers wanted to know more about Oswald and the DRE, but they were stymied by Joannides and the CIA, who did not tell the committee that the agent handled the DRE in 1963 was ... Joannides himself.
Morley's attorney, James Lesar said the CIA was trying 'to chill further efforts to open more records by making the plaintiffs pay for the litigation even when there's a public benefit'.
But so far U.S. District Judge Richard Leon has disagreed with his argument, ruling there is no public benefit in records relating to Joannides, who died in 1990. Other appeals court proceedings have sent the issue back to Leon to address finer legal points.
Monday's appeals court appearance is the fifth time Morley's case has been presented, Lesar said.
A ruling from the panel of three circuit judges could come anywhere from a month to one and a half years, Lesar said.
Most of the fees come from the years-long fight over who should pay, Lesar said.
Morley's lawsuit began nearly 15 years ago, after the CIA refused to produce any records it had on Joannides that the National Archives didn't already have.
Five years after that 2003 filing, Morley won a small vicotry. The CIA produced records showing among other things that Joannides had a residence available to him in New Orleans possibly around the time Oswald had a very public altercation there with a member of the student group.
Morley has emphasized that he believes that documents which remain unreleased will not reveal any big conspiracy, but it may prove that the CIA did know of Oswald before the shooting.
That would contradict the first investigation's findings that Kennedy's assassination was carried out by a lone-ranger, a completely random act that couldn't have been prevented.
Morley believes that Oswald may have been in contact with Joannides due to his noted involvement in the pro-Castro organization.
The former partner of Salim Mehajer's younger sister has spoken out against the police and claims law enforcers have an 'unfair' vendetta against him.
Mouhamed 'Moudi' Tajjour, who married Saana Mehajer, 23, following a whirlwind romance and even quicker separation, took to Instagram in a heated monologue about his strained relationship with Australian police.
The 34-year-old Nomads bikie enforcer asked media to 'sit down with him' to discuss the treatment he has received - but was adamant his highly-publicised love life was off the table.
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Mouhamed 'Moudi' Tajjour (pictured) married Saana Mehajer, 23, following a whirlwind romance and even quicker separation
The 34-year-old Nomads bikie enforcer (pictured) asked media to 'sit down with him' to discuss the unfair treatment he has received - but was adamant his highly-publicised love life was off the table
'I pay my taxes, I'm not on parole, I'm not facing any charges... I don't know what's going on, but I'm being treated very unfairly,' Tajjour said.
'I've got a message for the media, you are always asking me for this and that, as long as you don't ask about my love life, I'll do a sit down with you guys... but my love life is not on the f***ing table.'
The former vice-president of the notorious motorcycle club told his followers he had received letters from Australian banks who allegedly refused him service.
Tajjour then went on to claim he was being targeted by police who he said have a 'vendetta' against him.
'I just want to discuss the police vendetta against me and everyone around me,' he said.
'I've had enough of this government treating me like I'm some Al Capone or something.'
'I pay my taxes, I'm not on parole, I'm not facing any charges... I don't know what's going on, but I'm being treated very unfairly,' Tajjour said
Mouhamed Tajjour married Salim Mehajer's younger sister Saana (right) in December
Speaking directly to the media, Tajjour invited journalists to contact him for a 'sit down' to discuss anything but his tumultuous romance with Saana.
'I have always ignored you guys but I have had enough this unjustified actions towards me,' he said in the caption.
Tajjour did not specify what the 'unjustified actions' were in his online rant.
The Sydney bikie wed Salim's younger sister in December last year only weeks after revealing the pair were in a relationship.
But six weeks after their lavish wedding, the couple's romance came to an end, with the pair unfollowing and deleting photos of each other online, and Tajjour appearing to direct vile abuse towards Ms Mehajer.
Six weeks after their lavish wedding, the couple's (pictured) romance came to an end, with the pair unfollowing and deleting photos of each other online, and Tajjour appearing to direct vile abuse towards Ms Mehajer
The Sydney bikie wed Salim's younger sister in December last year only weeks after revealing the pair were in a relationship
The former vice-president (pictured) of the notorious motorcycle club told his followers he had received letters from Australian banks who allegedly refused him service
Commenting beneath a photo she shared on Tuesday evening, a comment from the account of John Ibrahim's cousin wrote: 'U F**KINB S**t'.
On another post Tajjour appeared to say: 'Check ur inbox now ARE WE CLEAR NOW'.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the top bikie claimed his account had been 'hacked' but refused to comment on whether he was still married to Ms Mehajer.
However earlier this month Tajjour took to social media to declare his new single status.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the top bikie (pictured at his wedding) claimed his account had been 'hacked' but refused to comment on whether he was still married to Ms Mehajer
However earlier this month Tajjour (left) took to social media to declare his new single status
'Officially #MrsTajjour Stay tuned for our wedding in 2018!' Ms Mehajer (pictured) wrote last year
Outlined on the bio at the top of his Instagram account, Tajjour states: 'Yes ladies I am single but not desperate or on heat so please chill with ur DMs'.
Tajjour is a life member of the Nomads having first joined in 1999.
Tajjour and his brother, Sleiman Simon Tajjour, both pleaded not guilty to the murder of Nassour, the brother of Fat Pizza actor George Nassour, in 2006.
They were found guilty of manslaughter and spent four years in jail over the ambush attack, before being released in March 2010.
Theresa May is meeting MPs from fishing communities today amid a storm of criticism the Brexit transition deal is a betrayal of promises to take back control.
The Prime Minister has been accused of agreeing a deal worse than a cup of 'cold sick' and some MPs are set to take to the Thames for a symbolic protest tomorrow.
Downing Street insisted today Brexit would eventually allow Britain to fully control its fishing waters for the first time in 40 years despite the transition deal effectively binding fishermen into EU rules for another two years.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove admitted in the Commons today his 'disappointment' the EU refused to back down on letting Britain have complete control over fishing during the Brexit transition period.
Brexiteer ringleader Jacob Rees-Mogg today said the Brexit transition deal is the 'purgatory before heaven' as campaigners gear up to throw fish from a boat into the Thames to protest the agreement.
Theresa May (pictured in Birmingham yesterday) is meeting MPs from fishing communities today amid a storm of criticism the Brexit transition deal is a betrayal of promises to take back control
Confirming Mrs May's meeting with critics today, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'Cabinet discussed safeguards in the agree to protect British fishermen.
'The text clarifies that the UK's share of the catch cannot be reduced during the implementation period.
'It made clear that as we leave the EU we will leave the Common Fisheries Policy, take back control of our waters and regain control of domestic fisheries management rules.'
He added: 'It's clear that what's going to be happening going forward in the implementation period.
'In December 2020 we will be negotiating fishing opportunities as a third country and independent coastal state for the first time in 40 years.'
Facing furious MPs In the Commons, Mr Gove said: 'Our proposal to the EU was that, during the implementation period, we would sit alongside other coastal states as a third country and equal partner in annual quota negotiations - and in making that case, we did so after full consultation with representatives of the fisheries industry.
'We pressed during negotiations to secure this outcome and we're disappointed the EU was not willing to move on this.'
Environment Secretary Michael Gove admitted in the Commons today (pictured) his 'disappointment' the EU refused to back down on letting Britain have complete control over fishing during the Brexit transition period
Mr Gove said the text from the original proposal has been amended and provides 'additional reassurance', with the UK's share of quotas not changing during the implementation period and it can attend international negotiations.
Fishermen are joining forces with Tory MPs to pull a wacky stunt on the River Thames to highlight their opposition to the plan tomorrow.
Tory MPs Craig MacKinlay and Sheryll Murray to take to the waters to protest at the PM's 'betrayal' of fishermen.
They will throw a box of haddock, skate and bass into the Thames to highlight their criticism of the deal, which will keep control of Britain's fishing waters with the EU for the transition.
A spokesman for the European Research Group - a group of backbench Brexit-backing Tories headed by Mr Rees-Mogg - said: 'If Brexit means Brexit, we have to take control of our fish.'
But Mr Rees-Mogg today laughed off suggestions that he is going to join his colleagues in throwing fish into the Thames.
Jacob Rees-Mogg has vowed to throw fish from a boat into the River Thames in a wacky stunt to protest at the Brexit transition deal (file pic)
Fishing For Leave is organising the stunt, which has echoes of when Nigel Farage hired a boat to go down the River Thames in the Brexit campaign.
Alan Hastings, a Fishing for Leave spokesman, told The Telegraph: organising the protest, said: 'The EU has every incentive to wipe us out in 21 months and they will be ruthless enough to do it.
'And our lot have put us in this position.'
Tory chief whips spark fury by saying party does not need to worry about fisherman as they won't vote Labour Tory chief whip Julian Smith sparked fury last night by telling MPs they should back accept Theresa May's Brexit transition deal because 'it's not like the fishermen are going to vote Labour'. Tory MP and Brexiteer Sheryll Murray 'ripped him a new one' after he made the remark. He spoke out at what was supposed to be a clear-the-air meeting yesterday afternoon, according to PoliticsHome. Tory insiders said it showed a complete lack of understanding of the politics of Scotland. Advertisement
The group accused Brexit Secretary David Davis of an 'abject, disgusting betrayal' and demanded he and Mrs May resign.
And he warned that keeping fishermen locked into EU rules for 19-month transition could drive the industry into extinction.
He said: 'Being trapped in the transition is an existential threat and a potential death sentence for what is left of the UK fleet'.
Asked about his stunt on LBC today, Mr Rees-Mogg laughed it off, joking: 'I'm going to start calling myself captain Haddock'.
He added: 'I'm not throwing fish anywhere - I'm not a fish thrower.
'I think this has got a bit out of hand. There was a suggestion that a fishing boat should go up the river in protest at the delay in getting out of the Common Fisheries Policy.
'I'm not throwing fish anywhere. I have a nasty feeling if I started throwing fish they'd be brought back by the wind and hit me in the face.'
He also gave guarded backing to the PM's Brexit transition deal - saying that while he did not think an implementation period is necessary he could stomach it.
He said: 'It is the purgatory before heaven'.
The Conservative MP for Moray, Douglas Ross, yesterday said that Government had delivered 'far less than I hoped and expected' on fishing.
Fishing For Leave is organising the stunt, which has echoes of when Nigel Farage and Kate Hoey hired a boat to go down the River Thames in the Brexit campaign in 2016
Popstar turned activist Bob Geloff hired his own boat to back Remain in protest at Nigel Farage's stunt in 2016
'There is no spinning this as a good outcome,' said Mr Ross.
'It would be easier to get someone to drink a pint of cold sick than try to sell this as a success.
'I hope my disappointment on behalf of Moray fishermen is clear, and I will now be redoubling my efforts to ensure their interests are protected during the implementation period.
'Any final deal that does not deliver, unequivocally, full control over stocks and vessel access will not have my support.'
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said the transition deal was 'an undoubted disappointment' for fishermen.
In a statement agreed by the 13 Scottish Tory MPs, Ms Davidson said she wanted to make clear she would refuse to support a deal that 'fails to deliver that full control over fish stocks and vessel access'.
It is understood David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, supports the ultimatum.
A five-year-old schoolgirl drowned in a pit latrine after falling in when she went to the toilet between lessons in South Africa.
Lumka Mkhethwa was feared abducted when she vanished while at school in Bizana in the Eastern Cape and a police search was launched for the youngster.
But her lifeless body was found the following day after the pit toilet was emptied and searched.
The tragedy happened at the Luna Primary School, the Education Minister has confirmed. Angie Motshekga apologised for the death of the Grade R pupil.
She said in an official statement: 'The death of a child in such an undignified manner is completely unacceptable and incredibly disturbing.
Five-year-old schoolgirl Lumka Mkhethwa (pictured) drowned in a pit latrine after falling in when she went to the toilet between lessons in South Africa
'I would like to send my sincere condolence to the family of Lumka Mkhethwa. I cannot begin to know the trauma the parents are experiencing now.
'It is truly a tragic incident and my sympathies are with them.'
Counselling has been offered to staff and pupils at the school.
The incident was similar to one at a school outside Polokwane four years ago when Michael Komape, five, drowned in a pit toilet.
His family went on to claim damages from the State.
Lumka's father Vuyani Mkhethwa said he believed from the position his daughter was found in that she could have been pushed rather than fallen.
He told Despeath Live: 'We do not understand how this happened. We were under the impression that children are escorted to the toilet at that age.
'We have serious questions about the responsibility of the teachers but we have received a visit from officials, who have promised to investigate.'
Mkhethwa last saw his daughter on Monday morning as she was leaving for school and has been told his teacher last saw her at 1pm.
He described Lumka as a happy child who enjoyed playing with other children and was excited about having finally started school this year.
The incident was similar to one at a school outside Polokwane four years ago when Michael Komape, five, drowned in a pit toilet (pictured)
Michael Komape's death sparked outrage in South Africa and authorities have come under fire for their handling of the case. Pictured: The toilets at the school
He said:'We are heartbroken because we send our children to school thinking they will be safe.
'Although we do not know the details of how this tragedy happened from how she was found it does not look like she was using the toilet because she still had her underwear on.
'From the position of her legs it leaves us with the fear that she may have been pushed.'
The national education department said it is doing 'everything in its capacity' to try to upgrade pit latrine toilets and sanitation at schools in South Africa.
Section 27 executive director Mark Heywood, who runs a public interest law centre hit out at Motshekga over Lumka's death.
He said: 'I read her statement and I absolutely believe that she is crying crocodile tears.
'She knows about the repulsive and shocking state of toilets in public schools in remote areas.
'The problem is that she and her people know about these deadly toilets but there is no political will to fix them.
'They continue to make excuses. It's not a matter of lack of resources or technology. They simply do not care' he said.
Captain Edith Mjoko of the local police said: 'No foul play is suspected. The body is still with the police for a post-mortem and inquest will take place'.
Detectives believe they may now have the DNA evidence to catch Claudia Lawrence's killer on the ninth anniversary since her disappearance
Detectives believe they may soon have the DNA evidence to catch Claudia Lawrence's killer on the ninth anniversary since her disappearance.
Claudia, 35, vanished on her way home from work at the University of York on March 18, 2009, sparking one of Britain's biggest missing person inquiries.
North Yorkshire Police has vowed 'never to give up on Claudia' and will follow new leads if they arise.
They had scaled down their 1million investigation last year after a review of the case brought DNA on a cigarette from the chef's car into focus.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'The DNA profiling work has taken longer to process than originally anticipated, but it is due for completion and we will publicly confirm this when we are in a position to do so.
'The investigation remains in the reactive phase and is being maintained by the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Major Investigation Team.'
Claudia was last seen near her home in Melrosegate, in the Heworth area of York, on the afternoon of March 18.
She had returned from her work as a chef at the University of York's Goodricke College at the Roger Kirk Centre.
That evening she spoke to her parents by telephone and made plans with her mother to spend Mother's Day together.
Claudia, whose passport and bank cards were left at her home, later sent a text message to a friend which was sent 8.23pm.
Her father Peter said yesterday (pictured) 'more needs to be done' after it took him six years to get hold of his daughter's financial affairs
Her last message on her phone was received from a bar worker in Cyprus at 9..12pm where investigators believe Claudia was offered a job on the island.
Claudia was reported missing to North Yorkshire Police after she failed to arrive at work for her early morning shift the following day.
Detectives later said they were treating her disappearance as a suspected murder.
Four men have been arrested in connection with Claudia's murder since the force's 300,000 creation of its Major Crime Unit (MCU) in 2013.
A 59-year-old man, named locally as Michael Snelling, was arrested by NYP at a house in Burnholme Grove on suspicion of Claudia's murder on May 13, 2014.
Snelling was bailed the following day and then re-bailed on June 12, 2014.
An unnamed local man in his 50s was also arrested and bailed following a further forensic search of the alleyway near Claudia's home.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service abandoned proceedings against the four men who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, citing lack of evidence on March 8, 2016.
North Yorkshire Police later blamed a lack of co-operation from witnesses and their review into the case was scaled down in January 2017.
But the force has since released a statement on social media saying it will 'never give up on Claudia and her family' - and continue to investigate any new leads.
It read: 'Information is regularly received but we strongly suspect key and vital information is still being withheld that could provide a breakthrough.
'We all hope that those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder are brought to justice.
'Our thoughts and continued support are with Claudia's loved ones at this poignant time.'
Police have made a number of appeals over the years including for details on this man - but despite four arrests no-one has ever been prosecuted for her murder
The force said last January the three-year probe had now moved to a 'reactive phase,' which would review any new and compelling information that came to light.
Her father Peter said yesterday 'more needs to be done' after it took him six years to get hold of his daughter's financial affairs.
Mr Lawrence, 72, says he has continued to push for government legislation to allow families of missing persons to take control of their assets.
Peter said that the family had 'suffered' for over 3,300 days since her disappearance on March 18, 2009.
He also said that it was 'distressing' that people were not coming forward to detectives with vital information.
Speaking outside Claudia's home in York, Peter said: 'Nine years ago today at the house across the road from us Claudia went missing.
'That is something like 3,300 days and everyday the family have been in pain by not knowing what happened to Claudia.
'It is an awful long time and so distressing that someone around here knows what happened to Claudia - but is not saying anything.
'It is something very difficult for the family to contemplate, but we have for nine years.
'The problem, as always, is that we do not know what happened to Claudia.
'I know that she didn't disappear of her own accord because she left her house here, without her handbag, jewellery, without her bank card, driving licence and everything else.
'Her best friend Jen knows Claudia would have not left the house without these items unless she was just going to work which she was due to do.'
Peter said families with missing persons were suffering because they can not gain guardianship over the person's affairs due to government legislation.
He said he was campaigning to help families in a similar situation without being to access their bank accounts and assets.
Current legislation can take years for families to finally get hold of a missing person's financial affairs - allowing direct debits to drain bank accounts.
But 'Claudia's Law' will allow a missing person's relatives to look after financial affairs and property on their behalf after they have been 'missing' for more than 90 days.
Ex-solicitor Peter had spent six years campaigning to bring the loop hole to the ears of MPs and was started as a private member's bill by Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake.
Peter, of York, said: 'Now, we are nine years on and in the meantime I have been trying to get legislation through government to allow families like us, 2,500 people, to be able to look after their loved one's financial affairs.
'It took us three years to get a presumption of death and three years after that we finally got the guardianship.
'We got the legislation through parliament last year, but the law [Claudia's Law] is still not in force - and it may not be enforced for another year.
'The civil servants have been focusing on other things during the secondary legislation - and quite honestly it is not good enough.
'People are still having to live - and people are still suffering.
'Some are suffering financially as well emotionally - and I can not stress enough how important that is.'
Peter retired after 47 years of being a solicitor with the same York company Ware and Kay in September last year.
He said he would follow his passion of singing after he was part of an emotional performance on Britain's Got Talent as a member of the Missing People's Choir.
A British expat convicted of using 'pornographic' photos to promote a pool party in Cambodia was given a one-year suspended prison sentence on Tuesday.
Daniel Jones, 31, was among 10 foreigners arrested in January after police raided a private villa in Siem Reap, a tourist town near the famed Angkor Wat temple ruins.
During his trial Jones said there was no sex or nudity at the party, which he promoted on Facebook with the tagline 'Let's Get Wet', and apologised for causing offence.
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Daniel Jones (L) was among 10 foreigners arrested in January after police raided their pool party at a private villa in Siem Reap
He admitted using images from a previous party to promote the upcoming event, and said he was unaware of local indecency laws.
When a prosecutor showed him images he was accused of spreading on Facebook, Jones said that most belonged to a different event group - known as 'Pub Crawl' - which had been shut down in November.
Prosecutors successfully argued that any images which encourage sexual activity are illegal and against Cambodian culture.
The court found him in breach of decency laws and handed him the maximum one-year sentence.
But since he had already served a month and 22 days on remand 'the rest will be suspended', the judgement said, according to court spokesman Yin Srang.
It was not clear if Jones would be released immediately. His lawyer Ouch Sopheaktra said he would see if his client wanted to appeal the verdict.
Jones admitted to advertising the 'Let's Get Wet' event on Facebook with images from a previous pool party (above)
Cambodia is popular with foreign backpackers and many are drawn to the wild nightlife.
But the Buddhist country is often strict when protecting local traditions or heritage, especially around the Angkor complex.
During the trial a police witness said officers raided the pool party to prevent sexual acts, adding that they had found condoms at the villa.
Jones told the court he had organised four parties for tourists before his arrest, charging attendees $5 for transport and offering a free drink and T-shirt.
Authorities have already banned skimpy clothing inside the Angkor Wat complex and deported foreigners for taking saucy photos among the temple ruins, which are considered sacred.
But those violations occurred inside the ancient city and not in the adjoining town of Siem Reap, a party destination crammed with bars catering to foreigners.
The court had earlier dropped charges against nine others arrested alongside Jones, but decided to prosecute him as the organiser.
Facebook staff were told to 'back away' from searching Cambridge Analytica's London offices by Britain's data watchdog today as Mark Zuckerberg faced growing calls to testify in Westminster.
Auditors sent by the social media giant were combing through the company's files until Elizabeth Dunham, the Information Commissioner, convinced them to 'stand down' so it does not compromise the 'integrity' of her investigation.
As Facebook searched through files its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, faced calls to testify in parliament amid claims CA hijacked personal details from Facebook and used them during Donald Trump's 2016 Presidential campaign and the EU referendum battle.
CA, who allegedly tapped the Facebook profiles of 50million users, were 'uncooperative' with ICO investigators who were forced to get a warrant to search their servers.
At least a dozen crates believed to contain files were wheeled out of the building this afternoon. The Information Commissioner's office confirmed to MailOnline they have not ordered the removal of any documents but CA and Facebook are yet to respond.
The building is home to several companies and the two men removing the boxes would not confirm where they had come from.
The scandal has left Facebook in turmoil as users called for a boycott and Facebook shares plunged again with more than 25billion ($36bn) wiped off its value in two days.
Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix arrived at the firm's London offices earlier today as Facebook auditors combed through their files
Auditors sent by the social media giant were looking through the files until the Information Commissioner convinced them to 'stand down' so it does not compromise the 'integrity' of their investigation
Last night footage emerged of a meeting in which Mr Nix appears to suggest that CA could compromise politicians by sending 'beautiful' Ukrainian women to candidates' houses
The parliamentary inquiry into fake news has called on Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence, accusing the company of 'misleading' the committee in a previous hearing.
The chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Damian Collins, tweeted a picture of his letter to Mr Zuckerberg, in which he said the tech giant's officials had 'consistently understated' the risk of companies acquiring and holding users' private data.
He asked him specifically for his own account of 'this catastrophic failure of process'.
'Given your commitment at the start of the New Year to 'fixing' Facebook, I hope that this representative will be you,' he added.
A US citizen living in the US cannot be forced to attend Parliament but MPs will pile on pressure for Mr Zuckerberg to answer questions.
The US Federal Trade Commission is also investigating his company over whether they 'violated' the rights of Facebook's members.
Storage crates were removed from Cambridge Analytica's London headquarters today (pictured) but it is not yet known who has ordered them to be taken away
The building is home to several companies and the two men removing the boxes would not confirm where they had come from
The parliamentary inquiry into fake news has called on Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence, accusing the company of 'misleading' the committee in a previous hearing
Earlier today an academic at the heart of the Facebook data scandal said he would speak to the FBI about his involvement in Donald Trumps presidential campaign.
Dr Aleksandr Kogan runs Global Science Research, an online survey company, who allegedly passed private Facebook user information onto Cambridge Analytica.
Dr Kogan, who has previously used the pseudonym Dr Spectre, spoke out about the scandal in an email to colleagues at Cambridge University about his 'surreal week'.
Facebook shares tumble AGAIN the day after 25bn was wiped off its value Facebook shares have plunged after the Cambridge Analytica scandal emerged Facebook is having one of its worst weeks as a publicly traded company with a share sell-off continuing for a second day. Britain's Commissioner Elizabeth Denham told the BBC that she was investigating Facebook and has asked the company not to pursue its own audit of Cambridge Analytica's data use. Denham is also pursuing a warrant to search Cambridge Analytica's servers. Facebook's stock tumbled a further 5% today following its worst trading day in four years. The social media giant saw 25billion wiped off its value yesterday as the backlash intensified and its shares plunged again in the US today. Nearly 36billion has been wiped off Facebook's market value in total this week. Facebook Inc. is coming under intense scrutiny since The New York Times and The Guardian newspaper reported that former Trump campaign consultant Cambridge Analytica used data, including user likes, inappropriately obtained from roughly 50 million Facebook users to try to sway elections. Shares of Snap Inc and Twitter Inc also fell.
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He wrote: 'Ive been asked quite seriously by reporters from the NY Times and the Guardian if I am a Russian spy. I really tried to explain that one seems just silly. If I am Russian spy, I am the worlds dumbest spy.'
Dr Kogan has also been accused of misleading Facebook about his work, a claim he denies in the email.
He writes: 'We never claimed during the project that it was for academic research. In fact, we did our absolute best not to have the project have any entanglements with the university.'
Throughout the day the hashtag #deletefacebook is trending online as users called for a boycott and Facebook shares plunged again with more than 25billion ($36bn) wiped off its value in two days.
Mr Zuckerberg's own 49billion ($70bn) wealth was reduced by 3.4billion ($4.9bn) as his Wall Street stocks crashed.
At least one box contained files, documents and papers, and staff were seen arranging them in the lobby. They were loaded into a self-hire van and driven away.
On the second floor, where Cambridge Analytica has its offices, the blinds were drawn, but earlier CEO Alexander Nix was seen walking around and scratching his head.
Wikileaks boss Julian Assange today announced he would give evidence to the committee via a videolink from his hideout in the Ecuadorian Embassy.
He tweeted: 'I have accepted a request by the select committee of the UK parliament @CommonsCMS to give evidence, via video link, about Cambridge Analytica, and other matters, later this month.'
CA's bosses were secretly filmed claiming they could entrap politicians with 'beautiful girls' and used ex-spies to dig dirt on them, it was revealed today.
Elizabeth Denham said she would have to apply for a search warrant against CA as it had been 'uncooperative'.
She said: 'By Facebook going in at this point we were concerned about the integrity of our investigation.
'We are also looking at Facebook at the same time, so our advice to Facebook was to back away, let us get in there as a regulator and do our work, and they have agreed.
'We are seeking a warrant so that, as the regulator, we can go in and get to the bottom, search the servers, do a data audit'.
Cambridge Analytica chief executive Alexander Nix (pictured arriving at the office today) was recorded saying he could send Ukrainian women to a candidate's house
Large numbers of crates in the lobby of CA's building - the Information Commissioner has confirmed it has nothing to do with their removal
Mr Nix, who has denied using entrapment following a Channel 4 investigation, was working at CA's offices today but has admitted he could resign to save the company
Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve is among those calling for tougher penalties for anyone who abuses online data.
Elizabeth Denham said she would apply for a search warrant against CA, run by Alexander Nix, as it had been 'uncooperative'
He told the BBC: 'I do think we need to give some very serious thought to raising the penalties in relation to this, particularly in relation to the individuals involved.
'Most of these penalties are financial. In the past, quite frankly, they have been relatively minor. The Government's new regime is designed to be much tougher but I think we do have to look carefully at this.
'If there is evidence that data mining is being used to try to influence outcomes of elections of elections or referendums or anything else I think that is a serious matter.
How storm over Facebook data and dirty tactics has rocked Mark Zuckerberg What is Cambridge Analytica? Cambridge Analytica is a British company which uses personal information from social media users to help clients try to influence voters or consumers, crafting messages targeted specifically to people's hopes, fears or desires. The firm was founded as an offshoot of SCL Group, a strategic communication and military operations firm, in 2013. It is largely owned by Robert Mercer, an American billionaire with a history of funding conservative political campaigns, who named Mr Trump's former campaign architect Steve Bannon as vice-president before he stepped into politics. Mr Bannon even chose the company name, according to the New York Times, because it largely employed researchers from Cambridge University to construct its data-crunching software. What do they do? The firm describes itself as delivering 'data-driven behavioural change' for its clients in both political and commercial fields, using large amounts of personal data from social media and other sources. On a practical basis, the company's services are perhaps best described by chief data officer Alex Taylor. 'If you're collecting data on people and you're profiling them, that gives you more insight that you can use to know how to segment the population, to give them messaging about issues that they care about, and language and imagery that they're likely to engage with,' said Mr Taylor, in a secretly filmed meeting with Channel 4 News, broadcast on Monday. 'We used that in America and we used that in Africa. That's what we do as a company.' Where have they worked? Cambridge Analytica famously switched from working with Ted Cruz in the 2016 US election to aiding Mr Trump's team, but it had previously helped 44 congressional and Senate campaigns in the 2014 mid-term elections. Both chief executive Alexander Nix and the leaders of the Leave.EU campaign boasted about working together on the Brexit campaign but have since retracted their claims, saying no contract was signed and no work was completed. Employees talked of working on political and commercial campaigns around the world in the Channel 4 expose, from Mexico and Malaysia to Brazil, Kenya, Australia and China. What is the controversy? Top of the list are topics raised by Mr Nix in a meeting with Channel 4 News journalists, in which he discussed 'deep digging' on opposition candidates, and disinformation and entrapment as possible tactics for fighting elections, on top of its targeted messaging service. Facebook banned Cambridge Analytica from using its platform on Friday, days before a whistleblower claimed the company had harvested and stored data about more than 50 million Facebook users without their permission. The majority of those users were in the US but the UK's Information Commissioner has now issued a warrant to search the company's London offices after it failed to respond to a previous request about the possible illegal use of data. What happens next? Facebook announced an independent audit of its relationship with Cambridge Analytica after suspending the company's accounts last week but has since been asked to stand down by the Information Commissioner's Office. In the US, a number of attorney generals have launched investigations into how Facebook data has been used. Mr Nix and Cambridge Analytica have denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Mr Zuckerberg said at the start of the year that he wanted to fix the issues which have plagued Facebook in recent years. The past week's developments have only added to his already lengthy list. Advertisement
'It will start to create in the mind of the public an anxiety that in fact they are being manipulated'.
A whistleblower claimed the firm used the data to build a powerful software program to predict and influence choices at the ballot box, particularly in the run-up to the 2016 US election.
During one filmed meeting, Mr Nix appears to suggest that CA could compromise politicians by sending 'beautiful' Ukrainian women to candidates' houses.
Discussing CA's 'effective' election tactics, he says they could film themselves posing as wealthy developers and encourage a politician to accept a bribe then put the footage on the internet.
Offering bribes to public officials is an offence in the UK, where CA operates, and in the US, where it is registered.
The apparent admissions were shown in a Channel 4 investigation in which an undercover reporter posed as a fixer for a wealthy client hoping to get candidates elected in Sri Lanka.
Between November 2017 and January, they filmed meetings with Mr Nix, CA Political Global's Mark Turnbull, and chief data officer Dr Alex Tayler.
The executives claimed CA and parent firm Strategic Communications Laboratories had worked in more than 200 elections, including in Kenya, the Czech Republic and India.
At one point, Mr Turnbull describes how, having obtained damaging material on opponents, CA can discreetly push it on to social media and the internet.
He says 'we just put information into the bloodstream of the internet, and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again like a remote control. It has to happen without anyone thinking, 'That's propaganda'.' Mr Turnbull said their influence would be 'very, very, very discreet' so 'no record exists with our name attached'.
He added that they have links to 'specialist organisations so you know who the opposition is, you know their secrets'. When asked about digging up material on political opponents, Mr Nix says they could 'send some girls around to the candidate's house', adding that Ukrainian girls 'are very beautiful, I find that works very well'. Mr Nix has been accused of misleading the Commons culture committee over the alleged Facebook data grab. He has denied the claims.
CA told Channel 4: 'We entirely refute any allegation that CA or any of its affiliates use entrapment, bribes or so-called honeytraps for any purpose CA does not use untrue material for any purpose.'
Alexander Nix arrived at work today as he admitted he may have to resign over the scandal - but denied the London-based company used honeytraps or prostitutes.
Old Etonian Mr Nix faces a storm over footage where he appeared to suggest their election work included entrapping politicians with 'beautiful girls' from Ukraine.
But when asked about the alleged use of prostitutes last night he said: 'No not professionally or personally. I am embarrassed you asked me'.
He added: 'It's going to cost us a vast amount of money. But for the rest of history and for my children when they become teenagers they will read this stuff about dad getting in hookers to catch out politicians. I mean I cringe at the idea'.
Explaining his version of events he told The Times: 'The guy starts saying we need to change the political landscape, I need to entrap the politicians and how can we do this? So I reeled off some examples and said you could do this, you could do that. There's an English thing about being slightly embarrassed when someone starts going off on one like this and you humour him a bit and then you leave'.
He added he believed that Cambridge Analytica was being targeted because they helped with Donald Trump's 2016 US Presidential campaign.
Mr Nix also said he could be forced to quit - and would do so if it meant the company would survive.
Her said'appearances can be deceptive' when asked if the firm had previously used entrapment following the disclosures on Channel 4 News .
When asked if CA would abandon its political work Mr Nix gave no reply but firmly denied he had misled parliament over its use of data, saying 'absolutely not'.
Wikileaks boss Julian Assange today announced he would give evidence to the committee via a videolink from his hideout in the Ecuadorian Embassy
He tweeted: 'I have accepted a request by the select committee of the UK parliament @CommonsCMS to give evidence, via video link, about Cambridge Analytica, and other matters, later this month'
The offices of Cambridge Analytica in central London today, which is likely to be raided by the British data watchdog
MP Damian Collins has called for Mark Zuckerberg to face MPs to answer questions about handling of data and 'fixing Facebook'
Facebook saw 25billion wiped off its value yesterday as the backlash over harvesting the personal details of 50million accounts intensified.
Whistleblower Christopher Wylie said the firm used the private social media activity of a large portion of the U.S. electorate to develop techniques that underpinned its work on President Trump's campaign in 2016
Shares in the social media giant fell 6.7 per cent to their lowest level in five years as web users called for a boycott of the site.
MPs demanded the firm be brought to heel as Theresa May's spokesman said the allegations surrounding Facebook and British data firm Cambridge Analytica were 'very concerning'.
Digital minister Margot James yesterday said the Government should force web giants to sign a code of conduct and warned the public needs 'protection' from the 'Wild West' industry. Asked about Cambridge Analytica, which allegedly used the personal data of Facebook users to predict elections, Mrs James said: 'That cannot go unchecked, unanswered. The harms are too great.'
European Parliament president Antonio Tajani weighed in, claiming the findings constituted 'an unacceptable violation of our citizens' privacy rights'.
It came as scores of social media users took to Twitter to post the hashtag: 'Boycott Facebook'.
Yet in the wake of mounting criticism, Facebook's Europe chief refused to answer questions at a conference yesterday, instead saying: 'I'm just on my way out. I'm sorry. I can't talk to you.'
Jaw-dropping footage shows two huge ships colliding with each other at a busy port causing shipping containers to plummet into the water.
Karachi port in Pakistan has suspended operations after the cargo ship collision which happened on Monday evening.
The video shows the huge vessel scraping against an anchored vessel moored beside it, sending the huge containers crashing into the sea.
The shocking video shows German-based company Hapag-Lloyd's ship leaving the port and colliding with a ship which was docked by its side.
It is not clear what caused the collision but according to reports, twenty one shipping containers fell into the ocean as port workers watch the scene unfold.
The German-based transportation company's ship collided with the container vessel yesterday at the busy port and caused shipping containers to crash into the sea
Reports also said that only the multiple shipping containers that were 'full of imported cars' and other freight were damaged. There is no damage to the terminals cranes.
The port of Karachi is one of South Asia's largest and busiest deep-water seaports and handles about 60% of the nation's cargo.
The large shipping containers, which reportedly were carrying imported cars, crashed into the Arabian sea
Some containers float on the surface as the German container ship pulls out in front. The terminal has suspended operations while Karachi Port Trust removes containers from the water
The end of the footage shows a large, heavy container slowly sink into the sea. It is not clear what caused the two ships to collide
The clip ends as workers film one of the heavy containers slowly sinking into the Arabian sea.
The Karachi Port Trust has ordered investigations into the collision between the two container ships that took place yesterday.
The terminal has suspended operations while a special operation to pull out the fallen containers from the sea is underway with the help of Pakistan Navy.
Mail Online has contacted Hapag-Lloyd for comment.
Police in the capital of Uzbekistan have been banned from hiding behind trees in order to issue traffic fines.
Motorists in the city of Tashkent can now report officers who can be demoted, lose their pension, or get the sack as a result.
Drivers had previously complained that green uniforms worn by police meant they were difficult to see against foliage.
Traffic police in the Uzbek capital of Tashket have been banned from hiding behind trees after drivers complained their green uniforms made them impossible to see against foliage
Residents argued that the tactics amounted to entrapment, and that officers rushing into traffic to issue fines caused more problems than it solved.
Police will also be banned from hiding behind other objects such as buildings, but trees had become a particular source of public anger, according to local media, reported via the BBC.
The measure is just one of several announced by the Tashket police department and designed to restore public trust and reduce corruption.
Police will be issued with new uniforms based on Russian designs and in more visible colours, it is reported.
Officers will also be given handheld cameras in order to reduce corruption.
Pictures show some eco-zealots from the group - who are demanding the Government pay for insulation in social housing - have attended at least three of the five protests carried out by the group over the past nine days. It comes as Priti Patel and Grant Shapps last night instructed officials to seek an injunction against Insulate Britain, which, if granted, means protesters will face arrest and a potential instant jail term for contempt of court. One repeat protester is retired reverend Mark Coleman, who stepped down as vicar and borough dean of Rochdale last year. Reverend Sue Parfitt was back among the protesters on the M25 yesterday. The retired family therapist, 79, from Bristol was spotted being led away by police with blue paint on her hands. Ms Parfitt, who was once arrested as part of the 2019 Extinction Rebellion protest in London, was seen at Insulate Britain's first M25 protest on September 13. Last night Priti Patel and Grant Shapps instructed officials to seek an injunction against Insulate Britain. They are said to be 'furious' at the eco-activists who ran in front of traffic during yesterday morning's rush hour.
A boy who survived a Taliban attack on his school by 'playing dead' has gone on tour to warn youngsters about the dangers of Islamic extremism.
Ahmad Nawaz was just 14 when he witnessed Jihadis slaughter 150 classmates - including his younger brother, Haris- and saw his teacher 'burned alive'.
Ahmad, now 17, from Birmingham, survived the 2014 attack in Pakistan by 'playing dead', despite having been shot.
Ahmad has now joined forces with the West Midlands Counter Terrorism unit, which launched its latest campaign on Tuesday.
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'I wanted to come here today to talk to the children because I don't want them to suffer in the same way I have', said Ahmad
He told the Birmingham Mail: 'I wanted to come here today to talk to the children because I don't want them to suffer in the same way I have.
'I've heard many children from this country are going to Syria, I want to discourage them from doing that.
Ahmad Nawaz was just 14 when he witnessed Jihadis slaughter 150 classmates - including his younger brother, Haris (pictured) - and saw his teacher 'burned alive'
'I also want to convey the message that we should fight for our education.
'In this country, an education is a right, but in mine it is a privilege.'
The boys' mother, Samina Nawaz, said Ahmad 'has nightmares of Kalashnikovs and the Taliban chasing him.'
She said: 'He told me that the Taliban returned to the room where he was hiding. He pretended to be dead as he had already been bleeding.
'He said the gunman stepped on him with his heavy boot. Then he fired some more and set the room on fire but he escaped.'
Ahmad was flown to the UK to receive treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Chief Supt Matt Ward, head of the unit, said the initiative focused on asking members of the public to be officers' 'eyes and ears' on the streets to prevent future attacks.
'We are asking people to look out for suspicious activity in their communities and report it,' he said.
Ahmad was seriously injured in the cowardly attack carried out by the Taliban in Pakistan in 2014
Ahmad Nawaz, now 17, witnessed 150 of his classmates, including his brother, slaughtered at the hands of the Taliban. He is pictured left with Chief Supt Matt Ward
'We are saying 'phone us' if you see someone who doesn't look quite right or is doing something you think isn't right.'
Chief Supt Ward said it was a tip-off from neighbours about suspicious behaviour which led to police swooping on the home of Zahid Hussain in August 2015 in Alum Rock and thwarting his plot to blow up the Birmingham to London train line.
'The threat of a terrorist attack is undiminished with five attacks last year, others disrupted and lots of people still going abroad to Syria,' he said.
Ahmad Nawaz was flown to the UK to recover after he was shot in the arm by the Taliban when they stormed his school in Peshawar in December 2014. Pictured: Children are evacuated from a nearby school during the attack four
Women mourn the death of a student who was killed by Taliban gunmen in the Army Public School in Pakistan
Blood covers the floor of the auditorium at the Army Public School which was attacked by Taliban gunmen in 2014
'But there is a period, between someone thinking of committing an act and actually carrying it out, where we have a chance to act.
'This period of preparation is the time when members of the public might see them acting suspiciously and should contact us.'
The campaign is being launched on Tuesday with videos and information put on social media platforms and the police's website.
'Be a counter-terrorism citizen': Police urge public to report suspicious behaviour
Police want members of the public to act as 'counter-terrorism citizens' to help them stop deadly attack plots.
Security chiefs say information from the community is crucial to confronting the unprecedented threat - with more than 6,000 tip-offs yielding useful intelligence last year.
Launching a fresh drive to encourage reporting of suspicious behaviour or activity, Britain's new counter-terror police chief urged people to trust their instincts.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: 'This is an opportunity for every good citizen to be a counter-terrorism citizen'
In one of his first interviews since his appointment, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: 'There's no such thing as good training for this.
'It's about instincts and knowing your community. If you feel nervous about it, you should report it.
'It's long been a mantra in counter-terrorism policing that we want every good police officer to be a counter-terrorism officer.
WHAT IS 'SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR'? Police today released a new film and more detailed guidance on the types of behaviour they want the population to look out for as they launch the latest phase of the Action Counters Terrorism campaign. Examples of suspicious activity could include: Hiring large vehicles Buying a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reason Receiving deliveries of unusual items Looking at extremist material online Taking photos of security arrangements Going travelling for long periods without specifying the destination, could also be noteworthy Advertisement
'This is an opportunity for every good citizen to be a counter-terrorism citizen.'
New figures show that 30,984 reports were made to counter-terror police online or over the phone in 2017.
Of those 6,659 - more than a fifth (21.5 per cent) - resulted in information used by officers to in form live investigations or help build an intelligence picture of an individual or group.
Mr Basu said: 'This is the planning cycle. Terrorists have to plan, they have to buy things.
'When they do these things they will look nervous, they will look out of place.
'We are looking for the public to pick up on signs like that and report to us.'
Polling indicates that more than 80% of people are motivated to report suspicious activity or behaviour.
Mr Basu said: 'The few people who don't want to report either don't trust us - let's be frank - or they think they are going to waste our time.
'What I would say is nobody is wasting our time. What you might have is an absolutely vital piece of that jigsaw that puts the whole investigation together.
'You don't need to worry about reporting to us.
'We will treat it appropriately, we'll treat it confidentially and with great seriousness. So please just have the confidence to pick up the phone or click on the mouse.'
Since the start of last year police have foiled 10 Islamist and four right-wing terror plots.
Thursday marks a year since the Westminster atrocity - the first of five attacks that took place in less than six months.
Police and MI5 are running more than 600 live counter-terror investigations relating to 3,000 individuals.
There is also a wider pool of 20,000 former 'subjects of interest' who have previously featured in probes and who are kept under review.
Mr Basu said: '2017 came as a shock to everyone but we've actually talked about the fact attacks will get through. This isn't a zero sum game.
'The public should feel reassured they can play a part in this but they've also got a global leading counter-terrorism machine that's working on their behalf.'
Security minister Ben Wallace said: 'The threat we face requires a response from all areas of society and I commend the public for their diligence in helping the police. Taking action can help save lives.'
The European Court of Human Rights has rejected a request by Ireland to find that people detained by the UK during the Troubles in the so-called Hooded Men case suffered torture.
Dismissing the request by six votes to one, the ECHR said there was 'no justification' to revise a 1978 ruling which found the treatment of the men was inhumane and degrading.
The court said new evidence had not demonstrated the existence of facts that were not known to the court at the time or which could have had a decisive influence on the original judgment.
The so-called Hooded Men were 14 Catholics interned - detained indefinitely without trial - in 1971 who said they were subjected to a number of torture methods.
The 'hooded men' awaiting a ruling on British torture claims by the European Court of Human Rights
EUROPEAN COURT REFUSES TO REVISE 'HOODED MEN' TORTURE RULING The European Court of Human Rights rejected Ireland's call to find people detained by the UK during the Troubles in the so-called Hooded Men case suffered torture. Here are some key questions following the decision. Why has this case arisen again, almost 40 years after the original judgment? The Irish Government alleged new evidence had come to light, which if known at the time would have affected the decision in the original judgment. It included material which had been classified at the time of the original proceedings but released into the United Kingdom's public archives 30 years later. Why is a revision significant? Chamber judgments are final unless referred to the Grand Chamber, whose judgments are always final. On the grounds of legal certainty, a revision request is therefore an exceptional procedure. Such requests are subjected to strict scrutiny. Is this the court's final word in the case of Ireland v the United Kingdom? As this is a Chamber judgment, it is in principle possible for either side to ask for it to be referred to the Grand Chamber (composed of 17 judges instead of seven in the Chamber). It would be for a panel of the Grand Chamber to decide on such a request. What is torture in the eyes of the Court? Torture is understood to mean "deliberate inhuman treatment causing very serious and cruel suffering". The court has also spoken of a "purposive element" in torture, as recognised in the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Advertisement
These included five techniques - hooding, stress positions, white noise, sleep deprivation and deprivation of food and water - along with beatings and death threats.
The men were hooded and flown by helicopter to a secret location, later revealed as a British Army camp at Ballykelly, outside Londonderry.
They were also dangled out of the helicopter and told they were high in the air, although they were close to the ground.
None were ever convicted of wrongdoing.
The Irish Government first took a human rights case against Britain over the alleged torture in 1971.
The European Commission ruled that the mistreatment of the men was torture, but in 1978 the European Court of Human Rights held that the men suffered inhumane and degrading treatment that was not torture.
The UK did not dispute the finding.
But following the discovery of new evidence from the national archives in London and amid pressure from Amnesty International and other human rights organisations, Ireland launched new legal proceedings in December 2014.
It included a letter dated 1977 from then-home secretary Merlyn Rees to then-prime minister James Callaghan in which he stated his view that the decision to use 'methods of torture in Northern Ireland in 1971/72 was taken by ministers - in particular Lord Carrington, then secretary of state for defence'.
Mr Rees added that 'a political decision was taken'.
However, in its latest ruling the ECHR found that the documents did not demonstrate facts which were unknown at the time.
And, even if it could be shown that misleading evidence had been provided about long-term psychiatric effects on the men, the court said it could determine whether such knowledge might have had a decisive influence leading to a finding of torture.
Surviving 'Hooded Men' (front left -right) Patrick McNally, Liam Shannon, (backe left-right) Gerry McKerr and Jim Auld during an Amnesty International press conference in Dublin
The ruling said: 'The original judgment had made no reference to the issue of such long-term effects and it was difficult to argue that the court had attached particular significance to that aspect of the case.'
The original judgment had stated that the difference between 'torture' and 'inhumane and degrading' treatment depended on the intensity of suffering, which in turn depended on a number of elements.
It was not clear that the one element of long-term psychiatric suffering would have 'swayed the court into a finding of torture'.
The judge elected in respect of Ireland issued a dissenting opinion.
The popular health trend for mothers to eat their own placenta after giving birth is being critised by experts.
Health authorities are concerned about women eating human placenta because of the potential for high amounts of bacteria.
The Australian Government Department of Health issued a warning to expectant mothers about the 'potential risks' earlier in the year.
'There is currently no evidence to support the claims of health benefits associated with consuming human placenta, and the broader risks are unknown,' the warning outlined.
The popular health trend for mothers to eat their own placenta (stock image) after giving birth is being critised by experts
The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy which connects to the baby by the umbilical cord to feed the unborn baby with nutrients.
Experts have warned eating the placenta can cause viruses and other infections.
'Generally the placenta is discarded after childbirth and as a result there are no regulations on how placental is to be stored and prepared to ensure it is safe for consumption,' the warning said.
Placentas are consumed in tablet form, raw in their natural state or turned into meals like a placenta lasagna.
Anywhere from $200 to $550, mothers can get their placenta turned into vitamin tablets at Perth companies, The West reported.
Pure Placentas spokeswoman Mel Johnson told the publication the company turned up to 200 placentas into tablets last year which mothers can take over a six to eight week period.
While mothers eat placentas for a number of reasons, Ms Johnson said one main factor was to prevent 'baby blues', where she saw 93 per cent of women who ate their placentas avoid it.
Celebrities including Kim Kardashian (pictured) have eaten their placentas after giving birth
However, the government warned there were possible legal risks in eating the human organ.
'Under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, it is an offence to make therapeutic biological products without holding the appropriate license,' the warning said.
The license provisions are designed to ensure that the product is manufactured in conditions that will minimise risk to the user.'
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A group of 23 Russian diplomats suspected of spying for Vladimir Putin in Britain have been flown back to Moscow on a controversial VIP jet dubbed 'Air Cocaine' in the wake of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
The elite Ilyushin aircraft that flew to London Stansted to pick up the envoys and their families is at the centre of an alleged major drugs smuggling row linked to the World Cup.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko bade farewell to the expelled diplomats and their families - around 80 in all and including many children taken out of school in London to be sent to Russia.
'A fantastic plane was sent over,' said the ambassador.
The aircraft chosen for the four-hour flight to Moscow was an Ilyushin-96-300, tail number RA-96023, part of the elite Kremlin-controlled 'Special Flight Detachment Rossiya'.
It belongs to the Russian Presidential Administrative Directorate, which is answerable personally to Putin.
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A jet with the word 'Russia' in Cyrillic on the side, containing 23 suspected Russian spies flies east on its way to Moscow today
Friends stood on the pavement outside the Notting Hill embassy to wave off the buses as they left
The plane which carried Russian diplomats and their family members ordered to leave Britain as part of a standoff over a nerve agent attack on British soil, at Vnukovo 2 government airport outside Moscow
Expelled diplomats and their family members from Russia's embassy in London walk out of a minibus, which drove out of the territory of Vnukovo airport outside Moscow, after making the flight from the UK
The plane sometimes ferries premier Dmitry Medvedev, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, and Putin's top security chief, ex-FSB boss Nikolai Patrushev - but in December there were claims it carried a controversial cargo of drugs to Russia in diplomatic bags.
This exact aircraft is engulfed in the murky controversy over Argentine claims of a trafficking route to Moscow from Buenos Aires involving the Russian embassy in the city.
The plane sometimes ferries premier Dmitry Medvedev, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, and Putin's top security chief, ex-FSB boss Nikolai Patrushev - but in December there were claims it carried a controversial cargo of drugs to Russia in diplomatic bag
A December sting operation involving law enforcement from both countries saw the stash of $61 million's worth of cocaine replaced by harmless flour.
The deadly drugs had been hidden at the embassy school.
One version of the story is that they were intended to flood the Russian market at the time of the World Cup, opening in three months and hosted by Putin.
Smugglers with alleged Russian diplomatic connections - not realising the switch - then transported the cargo using a VIP plane with tail number 96023, according to Argentine security officials.
Pictures show the supposed drugs being loaded on the same plane in Buenos Aires.
Russian officials have strongly denied anything amiss in the drugs story.
They claim Russia acted to snare the smugglers, with half a dozen arrests in Argentina and Moscow.
They also reject as absurd claims that Putin spies poisoned double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in a Salisbury assassination bid.
But in South America, bugged conversations between detained suspects indicate a major smuggling route was operating previously via the embassy, said Russian economist Maxim Mironov, on secondment in Argentina.
In one, embassy official Alexander Chikalo tells Ivan Blizniouk, an ethnic Russian policeman in Argentina and security adviser to the embassy: 'Do you imagine the volume of drug trafficking that was coming out of here earlier?'
A December sting operation involving law enforcement from both Argentina and Russia saw the stash of $61 million's worth of cocaine replaced by harmless flour on the plane
The deadly drugs had been hidden at the embassy school. One version of the story is that they were intended to flood the Russian market at the time of the World Cup, opening in three months and hosted by Putin
Smugglers with alleged Russian diplomatic connections - not realising the switch - then transported the cargo using a VIP plane with tail number 96023, according to Argentine security officials
Pictures show the supposed drugs being loaded on the same plane in Buenos Aires. Russian officials have strongly denied anything amiss in the drugs story. They claim Russia acted to snare the smugglers, with half a dozen arrests in Argentina and Moscow
Russian diplomats accused of spying on Britain boarded a plane painted with the country's flag today after they were ordered out of the UK by Theresa May following the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal
A convoy of Russian diplomatic vehicles pulled up to Stansted's Harrods Aviation terminal after the Russians left the embassy
The alleged spies and their families were seen disembarking the minibuses before getting on a plane back to Russia
Blizniouk replied: 'Yes, of course I do.'
Both men were detained.
Mironov alleged: 'This is a story about a drugs mafia that can give direct orders to security officers of the Russian embassy.'
Theresa May had given the 23 'diplomats' a week to leave Britain in reaction to the nerve agent attack in Salisbury two weeks ago.
The move has prompted Russia to retaliate with its own expulsion of 23 British diplomats. The British diplomats are expected to leave Moscow in the coming days.
Buses pulled out of the Russian Embassy this morning as 23 diplomats suspected of spying were sent home
Some of the well-wishers were in tears after the buses pulled away and the diplomats prepared to be flown back to Moscow
Two minibuses and a number of people carriers drove away from the building this morning and towards the airport
A bus with diplomatic plates thought to be carrying the 23 diplomats being expelled from Britain leaves the embassy
Earlier, men carrying suitcases and pet carriers were seen arriving at the embassy near London's Hyde Park
This morning, people with suitcases could be seen heading toward a white coach parked inside the gated Kensington Palace Gardens complex in London close to the Russian Embassy.
Hugging each other, holding children, pet carriers, suitcases and bags, at just after 10am a number of individuals left in a procession of vehicles including three cars, five people carriers and two small-sized coaches.
One woman could be seen filming the media which had gathered outside from the front seat of a vehicle, as children could be seen excitedly looking out of the window of a coach as it pulled on to the main road.
Britain's National Security Council met today to consider possible further measures.
The Prime Minister and her closest aides decided not to escalate reprisals over the Salisbury nerve agent attack after discussing the stand-off. Downing Street said the government was focusing on implementing the measures announced by Mrs May earlier this week.
Checks on private planes were being stepped up and Russia's spy network had been 'dismantled' by the expulsion of 23 diplomats, a spokesman said. Ministers and the security services have also prepared other responses and 'stand ready to deploy them at any time', No10 added.
A large removal truck was seen leaving the embassy today as 23 diplomats leave the UK
The group of Russians, suspected of spying, were given a week to leave last Wednesday
Russia's Foreign Ministry has said the 23 officials will leave Britain and return to Moscow today
The removal of the diplomats comes amid a tense stand-off between the Kremlin and the UK
Theresa May and other European Union leaders are due to discuss the poisoning at a summit on Thursday.
The EU yesterday condemned the poisoning and called on Russia to 'address urgently' British questions over the Novichok nerve agent program.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called Britain's accusations 'speculative and baseless.'
Boris Johnson yesterday dismissed Russian denials of responsibility as 'increasingly absurd'.
Speaking ahead of talks with his EU counterparts in Brussels, the Foreign Secretary said: 'This is a classic Russian strategy of trying to conceal the needle of truth in a haystack of lies and obfuscation. They're not fooling anybody any more.
'There is scarcely a country around the table here in Brussels that has not been affected in recent years by some kind of malign or disruptive Russian behaviour.'
The expulsions comes amid a tense stand-off between Theresa May and Vladimir Putin
The clean-up operation following the nerve agent attack continues in Salisbury. Yesterday a car thought to have collected Yulia Skripal from the airport was taken away by the Army
The Zizzi's restaurant where the couple dined before they collapsed remains closed off
British sources last night insisted they remain pleased with the degree of Western solidarity.
But they suggested it was too early to push for fresh EU sanctions against Moscow - with some countries wanting to see the results of tests by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) before they will consider acting.
Inspectors for the OPCW arrived in the UK yesterday to discuss the transport of samples of the Novichok nerve agent used in the attack to independent laboratories outside the UK. Ministers fear the tests could take weeks, or even months, to agree.
The Army and police are continuing to search for clues around Salisbury into what happened.
Investigators have said it may take 'months' to complete the widening inquiry. The focus is on the movement of the Skripals in the hours before they were found unconscious.
President Donald Trump will soon make it easier to export some types of lethal U.S.-made drones to potentially dozens more allies and partners, according to people familiar with the plan.
Trump is expected to ease rules for such foreign sales under a long-delayed new policy on unmanned military aircraft due to be rolled out as early as this month, the first phase of a broader overhaul of arms export regulations.
U.S. drone manufacturers, facing growing competition overseas especially from Chinese and Israeli rivals who often sell under lighter restrictions, have lobbied hard for the rule changes.
The White House is expected to tout the move as part of Trump's 'Buy American' initiative to create jobs and reduce the U.S. trade deficit. Human rights and arms control advocates, however, warn it risks fueling violence and instability in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia.
New exports? The Trump administration will make it easier for aerospace and defense companies to sell U.S. military drones to overseas allies
President Donald Trump sees the move as a boost for his 'buy American' ethos and a way to encourage allies like South Korea and Japan to assume more of the costs of their own defense
Workers load a Hellfire missile onto a U.S. Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a secret air base in the Persian Gulf region in this January 7, 2016 photo
An announcement of the new policy has been held up for months amid deliberations on how far to go in unleashing drones exports.
That delay prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to write to Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster to press him to expedite the policy shift to avoid losing out on sales to certain countries, an industry source and two U.S officials said.
A key thrust of the policy will be to lower barriers to sales of smaller hunter-killer drones that carry fewer missiles and travel shorter distances than larger models such as the iconic Predator drone, the sources said. Export regulations will also be eased for surveillance drones of all sizes, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Even though Trump will stop short of completely opening up sales of top-of-the-line lethal drones, it will mark a major step toward overcoming a long-standing U.S. taboo against selling armed drones to countries other than a handful of Washington's most trusted allies.
Military drones have changed the face of modern warfare, with U.S. models in greatest demand.
Armed, unmanned drones like this missile-packing 'Predator' have flown over hostile skies for decades
THE COMPETITION: Pictured is the 'Yi Long' drone produced by China Aviation Industry Corporation
Trump's aides had initially focused mostly on devising ways to boost sales of 'eye in the sky' drones used for tracking and targeting. But after a more than year-long review, they have crafted a plan that will reinterpret some rules to allow for more armed drone sales overseas.
A list of potential buyers being given fast-track treatment is expected to expand to include more NATO members, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners as well as treaty allies such as Japan and South Korea, the people familiar with the plan said.
Also likely to be in the favored group would be key partners such as India, Singapore and Australia as well as many of the 35 signatories to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an international agreement that sets rules for export of missiles and related weaponry.
The only sales of armed U.S. drones in recent years have been to Britain and Italy.
'We're getting outplayed all over the world,' a U.S. official told Reuters. 'Why can our competitors sell to our own allies the equipment they are clamoring to buy from us? This policy is meant to turn that around.'
A Trump administration official, responding to a request for comment on the story, said the U.S. government is seeking to 'minimize the self-inflicted bureaucratic and administrative hurdles to U.S. competitiveness in the global aerospace markets.'
The official insisted, however, that any sales of armed drones would be in accordance with U.S. law and require that buyers adhere to international standards.
There was no immediate comment from the White House or Pentagon on the Mattis message to McMaster.
Two potential beneficiaries of the rule changes, Textron and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc, currently market smaller armed drones internationally, though U.S. regulations have apparently restrained them from securing sales so far.
Industry sources say other manufacturers are considering expanding their product lines.
The overall loosening of drone export rules would also help producers such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Lockheed Martin, two industry sources said.
Company officials declined to comment ahead of the policy unveiling.
The smaller drones that meet the new export guidelines are expected to be much cheaper than high-end models such as the Predator and Reaper, both made by General Atomics, which cost up to $17 million apiece according to reports.
While they are less destructive than the larger drones, their firepower can destroy vehicles, small structures and armed positions.
U.S. officials contend that a more export-friendly approach will not only help meet Trump's 2016 campaign promise to bolster America's 'defense industrial base' but also get foreign partners to take on more of their own defense costs.
An increase in drones sales 'could put these weapons in the hands of governments that act irresponsibly with their neighbors and against their own populations,' warned Jeff Abramson, a senior fellow with the Arms Control Association, a non-partisan Washington-based organization focused on global weapons proliferation threats.
Trump's predecessor, President Barack Obama, introduced revised rules in 2015 aimed at increasing military drone exports. But U.S. manufacturers complained they were still too restrictive.
U.S. drone makers are vying for a larger share of the global military drone market, which the Teal Group, a market research firm, has forecast will rise from $2.8 billion in sales in 2016 to $9.4 billion in 2025.
The new policy is expected to be unveiled in coming weeks, people close to the matter said, though they also cautioned that the exact timing remains in flux.
Among the changes will be a more lenient application by the U.S. government of an arms export principle known as 'presumption of denial.'
This has impeded many drone deals by automatically denying approval unless a compelling security reason is given together with strict buyer agreements to use the weapons in accordance with international law.
One U.S. official said the new policy would 'change our calculus' by easing those restrictions on whether to allow any given sale.
The MTCR a 1987 missile-control pact signed by the United States and 34 other countries will still require strict export controls on Predator-type drones, which it classifies as Category 1, those with a payload of over 1,100 pounds.
However, the Trump administration is seeking to renegotiate the MTCR accord to eventually make it easier to export the larger armed drones.
Tougher penalties are on the way for people who abuse Centrelink staff after a racial abuse incident at an office in Salisbury, north of Adelaide on Monday.
Human Services Minister Michael Keenan has expressed his 'disgust' after viewing vision of the 'ugly incident'.
A man ran away from the office and was later caught by police after he was filmed yelling racial abuse at customers and staff.
'I didn't vote for multiculturalism did I?', the man can be heard screaming as staff try to remove him.
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Tougher penalties are on the way after a man was filmed racially abusing customers and staff at a Centrelink office in Salisbury, north of Adelaide on Monday
'But you will do whatever you can for every other c**t other than Australians.'
He then targets another Centrelink client calling her a 'black b**ch' and questioning how much money she receives.
Minister Keenan said the behaviour was 'totally unacceptable' and he has asked his Department to 'urgently' provide him with ways to stamp out aggression and violence.
Minister Michael Keenan (pictured) said the behaviour was 'totally unacceptable' and he has asked his Department to 'urgently' provide him with ways to stamp out aggression and violence
'Like most Australians I was disgusted to see video of someone abusing my staff and women and children in one of the service centres in Adelaide,' the Minister said.
One witness was not so appalled, however, telling 7 News he would have done the same thing.
'If I was there I would have been joining him,' he said.
'When these guys are coming in our country, and they get cars, houses, money, everything they could ask for,' he said.
One witness was not so appalled, however, telling 7 News he would have joined the abusive man
Minister Keenan has asked his department to urgently provide options to penalise people who are involved in aggressive behaviour
The man says he will 'smash' staff as they attempt to protect children who are near him.
As the man leaves the building he offers one final piece of abuse: 'f**k youse all, you will pay me my f**king money'.
The video was filmed on a mobile phone of another Centrelink customer.
Minister Keenan said it was unfair for the 35,000 people in his department to go to work and fear they may be abused or assaulted.
'I've asked my department to urgently give me options for what we might be able to further do to penalise people who are involved in this sort of behaviour,' he said.
South Australia Police told Daily Mail Australia they have located the man and spoken to him, but investigations are ongoing.
'I didn't vote for multiculturalism did I?' the man can be heard screaming as staff try to remove him
A Muslim woman has lost a legal fight to overturn Germany's ban on driving while wearing a face veil.
A court in the city of Karlsruhe, southwest Germany ruled that the law did not violate her religious freedom.
The unnamed woman, who had worn the niqab for seven years, also failed to explain how she faced harm by driving unveiled, the court found.
A Muslim woman has lost a legal fight to overturn Germany's ban on driving while wearing a face veil (file picture)
According to DW, traffic laws in Germany are such that motorists are required to have 'unhindered all-around visibility'.
This means that they must 'not cover up or obscure their face so that it is no longer recognisable'.
Police also used the law, rubber stamped in September 2017, to help identify and then prosecute motorists for driving offences.
The single mother involved in the court case, who lives in the countryside, claimed that the law meant she was unable to gain a driving license.
In April last year, a draft law to ban German civil servants, judges and soldiers from wearing full-face burkas at work was agreed by the country's parliament.
The move came after Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a ban on full-face veils 'wherever legally possible'.
Although Didcot was hailed as the most 'normal town' in England, it seems that might not be the case any longer.
Road signs in the Oxfordshire county town are pointing the way towards fantasy destinations such as Middle Earth, Gotham City and Narnia.
So far, a total of five roundabout signs have been updated to include fictional locations, including Neverland and Emerald City, and are thought to have been altered on Friday.
Although the additions look official, blending in with directions towards the town centre and rail station, county officials say they are the work of a prankster.
Road signs in Didcot are pointing the way towards fantasy destinations such as Middle Earth, Gotham City and Narnia
So far, a total of five roundabout signs have been updated to include fictional locations, including Neverland and Emerald City, and are thought to have been altered on Friday
Although the additions look official, blending in with directions towards the town centre and rail station, officials say they are the work of a prankster
Directions towards Narnia and other faraway destinations were first spotted over the weekend, much to the blind eye of Oxfordshire county officials, who were focused on preparing roads for the weekend's snowy conditions.
While locals are clearly entertained, officials expressed concern that they could prove a dangerous distraction for drivers but admitted they could be up for a while.
A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement to MailOnline: 'Our operational priority is attending to potholes on our network so while we will reinstate the signs at some point they are not our most pressing concern.'
They added: 'While on the surface amusing, it is vandalism and a potential distraction for drivers.'
Didcot Mayor Jackie Billington said to MailOnline: 'This has certainly put Didcot onto the map once more, yet again, we are not just a "normal" town, but quite unique with so many fantasy locations popping up, this has caused quite a stir!
'I for one am intrigued to find Narnia or Neverland, however, a tourist visiting for the first time, potentially may take several hours driving round in circles trying to find Gotham City!
'It has certainly caused a lot of talk around the town and many people are driving to the signs just to be able to see them first hand!'
Directions towards Narnia and other faraway destinations were first spotted over the weekend, much to the blind eye of Oxfordshire county officials, who were focused on preparing roads for the weekend's snowy conditions
While locals are clearly entertained, officials expressed concern that they could prove a dangerous distraction for drivers but admitted they could be up for a while
Local resident Charlotte Westgate claims to have seen the man responsible for the prank on Friday.
She described him as being in his 20s and wearing a hoodie, adding 'Gotham City' on a roundabout.
Ms Westgate told the BBC: 'He was on his own, and didn't seem worried that anyone might be looking at him, but no one driving past did anything to stop him.'
On Facebook, another resident claims to have seen someone posting 'Emerald City' last week, also saying it was the handy work of a mystery man.
Others expressed their delight on social media, some saying they would go out for a drive just to see if they could discover any other mythical spots.
Jaike Davies said: 'Going to try and have a proper look today! See if I can spot them haha.'
Clare Beamond added: 'Never noticed but I drive past these signs all the time, will look on Tuesday.'
Elaine Pritchard wrote: 'Oh wow will go for a drive when l get a chance and have a look that's cool.'
A scientist who developed the lethal nerve agent used on a former Russian spy in the UK says his creation could not possibly be behind the attack.
Leonid Rink told state-funded Russian media that the Novichok group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s would have killed Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
Former Russian double agent Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain critically ill in hospital after being poisoned with the substance in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
But Rink says the fact that Skripal and his daughter are still alive means that Novichok produced in Russia could not have been used against them.
Police officers in protective suits and masks work near the scene where former double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia were discovered after being attacked with a nerve-agent Novichok. But a Russian scientist who helped create it has said it can't be Novichok or else the pair would already be dead
Unfounded accusations have suggested the nerve gas was produced in the UK and says the fact that Salisbury is eight miles from the Porton Down chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear research facility (pictured) is suspicious
Sergei, right, and Yulia Skripal, left, share a drink. They were poisoned in Salisbury, Wiltshire
He said: 'Since all participants of this incident are alive, it is hard to imagine that the Russians are involved in this.
'Such a blatant ignorance of alleged agents is just ridiculous and unacceptable.
'Even an unprofessional Russian agent would not use the one substance of Russian origin and with a Russian name.
'There are plenty of more appropriate substances.
'Firing at an unimportant target with a rocket and missing is the utmost stupidity.'
Last week a military expert said Skripal may have been smuggling chemical weapons.
The unfounded accusation came from Igor Nikulin, a former member of the UN Committee on the Biological Weapons and a staunch defender of Russian president Vladimir Putin
Nikulin claims the nerve gas was produced in the UK and says the fact that Salisbury is eight miles from the Porton Down chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear research facility is suspicious.
He told Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda: 'Sergei Skripal was not a chemist, so why did he settle there?
'Maybe he needed money, and given his past in the secret services, he somehow participated in the smuggling of chemical weapons?'
Russian chemist Vil Mirzayanov first uncovered in the 1990s the existence of the nerve gas used to attack a former Russian spy in Britain
But the Russian chemist who first revealed the existence of Novichok nerve agents has said only the Russians can be behind the weapon's use.
Vil Mirzayanov, 83, came to the United States in 1995 after 30 years of working for the State Scientific Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, or GNIIOKhT.
It was he who in the early 1990s revealed the existence of that class of ultra-powerful nerve agents.
He did so first in the Russian media as it opened up with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and later, with chemical formulas at hand, in his book State Secrets, published in 2007.
Mirzayanov, speaking at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, said he is convinced Russia carried out the nerve agent attack as a way of intimidating opponents of President Vladimir Putin.
'Only the Russians' developed this class of nerve agents, said the chemist. 'They kept it and are still keeping it in secrecy.'
The only other possibility, he said, would be that someone used the formulas in his book to make such a weapon.
Vil Mirzayanov described the use of the lethal toxins as a 'brazen' attack by Vladimir Putin (pictured), who 'thinks he can use everything to kill enemies'
He said that the Russians could argue that maybe someone had synthesized them 'and they could make me guilty'.
This is the first time the nerve agents, which took 15 years to develop and were tested on animals, have been used to try to kill somebody, Mirzayanov said.
Speaking the day after the attack, he told the Daily Mail: 'It's a brazen attack,' he said. 'Putin thinks he can use everything to kill enemies. They don't tolerate any opponents.
'They should be punished. It's an open demonstration of this Russian terrorism.
'The Russian government is telling people who are thinking about revealing more secrets that they can expect the same fate.'
Asked how the nerve agent works, he added: 'It's for paralysing people, it causes you convulsions and you can't breathe and after that you die. If you get enough of a dose of it.
'It's real torture, it's impossible to imagine. Even in low doses the pain can go on for weeks. You cannot imagine the horror, it's so bad.'
The Novichok family of nerve agents were secretly developed over two decades at a research facility 50 miles outside the Russian capital.
Many times more potent than other better known chemical weapons, Novichok agents can render gas masks and protective equipment useless.
Sometimes described as 'gases' they are in fact liquid, intended to be delivered as a fine spray.
A series of poisons, known as Novichok 5, 7, 8 and 9 to identify them, were produced amid conditions of complete secrecy.
They all kill the same way. By inhibiting enzymes that control nerve receptors in the brain.
One expert said victims simply 'forget to breathe'. A tiny drop, almost undetectable, placed on the skin or inhaled can cause death within minutes.
The incident has caused a huge diplomatic row between the UK and Russia, with senior politicians trading accusations and insults and Prime Minister Theresa May expelling Russian diplomats, who have been given until today to leave the country.
Undercover police officers investigating animal and environmental activists were told to have 'fleeting and disastrous' relationships with them, an inquiry has revealed.
An official memo shows that it was deemed acceptable for officers infiltrating their movements during the 1990s to break the law.
The findings come after an official inquiry was launched following reports some undercover officers had children with women involved in the protests.
The memo, believed to be written by former deputy police and crime commissioner Andy Coles in 2001, was released following the public inquiry.
Andy Coles (pictured) resigned from his position as Cambridgeshire's deputy police and crime commissioner after his brother inadvertently revealed his past as an undercover officer
Advice and instructions on sleeping with the targets, who were dubbed 'wearies', was given to officers, reports The Times.
Those in Scotland Yard's Special Demonstration Squad were told 'emotional ties to the opposition' caused divorce and disciplinary charges.
And the report which was released this week added sex could be 'unavoidable' but if it was the only option then officers should 'try to have fleeting and disastrous relationships'.
The SDS operated between 1968 and 2008 and was heavily criticised because some officers attached to the unit had sexual relations with some of their targets.
The Metropolitan Police has already paid out more than 400,000 in compensation to a woman who had a child fathered by undercover officer Bob Lambert.
Meanwhile, in August 2014, four former SDS officers were told they faced no criminal charges for their actions.
The report said: 'One cannot be involved with a weary in a relationship for any period of time without risking serious consequences.'
The document stated that they could not instigate, counsel or procure other people to commit crimes.
However, they 'should be prepared' to take advice from supervisors if they were invited to break the law.
Andy Coles' secret past as a spy who targeted political groups was only revealed when his brother Reverend Richard Coles (pictured) - revealed his double life
Mr Coles was forced to quit in May last year over allegations he groomed a teenage animal rights activist while working undercover.
He was alleged to have deceived a 19-year-old woman into forming a sexual relationship while working as an undercover officer in the 1990s.
At the time he said: 'There have been news reports over the weekend about which I am unable to comment.
'This coverage is significantly impacting on my ability to carry out my duties as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.
'I have therefore today tendered my resignation with immediate effect, which Police and Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite, has accepted.
'I am aware that the allegations have been referred directly to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).'
Mr Coles' secret past as a spy who targeted political groups was only revealed when his brother - former pop star and broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles - revealed his double life as an undercover police officer in an autobiography published in 2014.
Shadow digital economy minister Liam Byrne (file image) said Labour was determined all intelligence gathered by British spies is used legally
Labour would cut back on intelligence sharing with Donald Trump and the United States, a shadow minister has claimed.
Liam Byrne said Labour was determined all intelligence gathered by British spies is used legally.
He said drone strikes by the US military were an issue of particular concern to Labour, amid fears about how intelligence is used to target them.
Mr Byrne, a former Cabinet minister, is trying to force amendments to the Government's Data Protection Bill through a committee of MPs.
He said: 'Our amendment creates a judicial overwatch for transfer of UK data to any third country.
'When we share information that helps our allies, we need cast iron guarantees that data is used within the law'
The Labour MP set out some of his concerns at an earlier stage of the Bill's progress last week, referring to the way secrets are shared between the Five Eyes nations - the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
'We have to confront the challenge that the governance of some of our Five Eyes partners is perhaps not as cautious as the leadership of those countries was in the past,' he said.
'Since the election of President Trump, there has been a dramatic increase in the United States' drone programme.
'We need to face up to the challenge - not duck, ignore, or pretend it is not there - that we want to preserve the legal safeguards that ensure that our intelligence services can do their job. '
Labour would cut back on intelligence sharing with Donald Trump (pictured in New Hampshire last night) and the United States, a shadow minister has claimed
Human rights charity Reprieve, which has worked with Labour on the amendment, said its effect would be 'to restrict the information that is shared with the Trump administration that might be used to target individuals for killing with drones'.
Intelligence sharing between the UK and US has repeatedly hit the headlines since Mr Trump won a shock victory in the 2016 Presidential elections.
Information shared by British investigators about the Manchester bombing and the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal has made its way to US journalists.
Despite the leaks, the sharing of intelligence is seen as vital to national security and there have been warnings Brexit could slow down the exchange of information.
Former Footy Show host Garry Lyon and Nicky Brownless have made their relationship public after the scandalous affair which tore apart a marriage and longtime friendship.
The loved-up couple were seen at the Cafe Brass launch in Richmond, Melbourne and told reporters they were 'happy to be together', Herald Sun reports.
'We're really happy to be out. It's nice to be together,' Ms Brownless said.
Former Footy Show host Garry Lyon and Nicky Brownless have made their relationship public after the scandalous affair which tore apart a marriage and longtime friendship
The couple were seen at the Cafe Brass launch in Melbourne and told reporters they were 'happy to be together' (Nicky Brownless pictured left with ex-husband Billy Brownless and Garry Lyon pictured right with ex-wife Melissa)
Ms Brownless, 48, was married to Mr Lyon's (right) best friend and co-worker Billy Brownless (left)
Mr Lyon also appeared content with his new relationship, telling reporters: 'Im just happy to be here.'
Ms Brownless, 48, became romantically involved with her husband's best friend Mr Lyon, 50, in 2015 while she was still married to Billy Brownless, whom she shares four children with.
Mr Lyon had separated from his wife Melissa in 2014 and have three sons together.
The pair have kept a relatively low profile since news of their affair was sensationally revealed in 2016.
Mr Brownless and Mr Lyon worked on Channel Nine's The Footy Show together and had been good friends for 15 years.
Following the revelations, Mr Lyon took leave from his roles on The Footy Show and Footy Classified and admitted he had been battling depression for months.
Ms Brownless, 48, (left) became romantically involved with her husband's best friend Mr Lyon, 50, in 2015 while she was still married to Billy Brownless, (right) whom she shares four children with
Mrs Brownless (pictured) has kept a relatively low profile since news of the affair emerged
Following the revelations, Mr Lyon (left with his daughter) took leave from his roles on The Footy Show and Footy Classified and admitted he had been battling depression for months
Billy Brownless, (left) Garry Lyon (middle), and James Brayshaw (right)
'I haven't spoke to (Billy) since before Christmas previously,' Lyon said last year.
'I spoke to Bill before this became public and beyond that, it's something for he and I to work through and we'll do it'.
The pair were briefly reunited in grief at Lou Richards' funeral in March last year, but are not believed to be on speaking terms - despite previously holidaying together with their families.
In March 2016, Mr Brownless opened up about the toll the affair has had on his family, saying 'a good mate wouldn't do that' and believed the secret relationship could have been going on for up to four years.
In March 2016, Mr Brownless (pictured with his daughters) opened up about the toll the affair has had on his family, saying 'a good mate wouldn't do that' and believed the secret relationship could have been going on for up to four years
'I couldn't believe it. I found out three or four months ago. I asked Garry and Nicky earlier on what is going on and they said they were just good friends. That's what hurts the most,' Mr Brownless told the Footy Show.
'By law it's legal. Morally it's wrong. We all know our rights and wrong. You don't touch a man's wallet, you don't touch his wife.'
Ms Brownless previously told Herald Sun she was splitting her time between Mr Lyon's home in Melbourne and her own in Geelong.
For the first time in history, hamburger sales in France have soared higher than the classic jambon-beurre baguette as French diners surrender to the American fast-food favourite.
Burgers were on the menu at 85 per cent of restaurants in France last year with 1.5 billion units sold, according to a study by Paris-based restaurant consultants Gira Conseil.
More worryingly still for the defenders of French cuisine, just 30 per cent of the burgers were sold in fast food joints, with the majority sold at restaurants with full table service.
Le burger has almost become French, often served with some of the country's most famous cheeses like Roquefort rather than plastic cheddar.
For the first time in history, hamburger sales in France have soared higher than the classic baguette jambon-beurre sandwich as French diners surrender to the American fast-food favourite (file picture)
In 2016, hamburger sales were on a par with the jambon-beurre, or ham-and-butter baguette - which is still the most popular sandwich in France.
This is big news for a country that takes great pride in its national culinary culture, and which for years resisted the global burger onslaught.
'We've been talking about a burger frenzy for three years. This year, we don't know how to describe the phenomenon. It's just crazy,' Gira Conseil director Bernard Boutboul told AFP.
There was a nine per cent jump in burger sales last year. 'That's phenomenal growth,' Boutboul said.
In 2016, hamburger sales were on a par with the jambon-beurre, or ham-and-butter baguette - which is still the most popular sandwich in France.
'But in 2017, for the first time, (burgers) overtook (the French classic) by a long way,' Boutboul said, with jambon-beurre sales at 1.2 billion units.
'One wonders whether the burger might even overtake our famous steak frites in France,' he said.
There, Boutboul may have hit a nerve. While the French see their food culture as unique, the truth is a lot of it is based on meat, bread, salad and potatoes - not a far cry from what makes up a US burger meal.
'Where is the country going to?' one Twitter user sighed at the news, with another raging that 'we will all end up wearing Mickey Mouse ears in their rubbish theme parks,' in a reference to Disneyland Paris.
The only silver lining for foodies was the gradual demise of junk food, with high quality, fresh alternatives on the rise in a growing number of French gourmet burger restaurants.
Despite a series of headline-grabbing attacks on its branches by angry farmers two decades ago, France is now McDonald's most profitable market outside the US, with more than 1,400 restaurants (file picture)
More broadly, however, fast food joint sales were 'beating record upon record', Gira Conseil found, making 51 billion euros ($63 billion) in 2017.
But the big trend was for a more gastronomic experience, the consultants found, often using France's rich palette of traditional ingredients.
Despite a series of headline-grabbing attacks on its branches by angry farmers two decades ago, France is now McDonald's most profitable market outside the US, with more than 1,400 restaurants.
The Golden Arches has adapted to French tastes with the McCamembert and McBaguette burgers with emmental cheese, Dijon mustard, various French salads and even macarons for dessert. Customers can also drink beer with their meals.
Jean-Pierre Petit, the man credited with helping France fall in love with 'McDo', is one of the brand's most influential executives, pioneering McDonald's attempts to adapt itself to local tastes.
In his 2013 book, 'I Sold My Soul to McDonald's,', Petit admitted that he had not eaten his first hamburger until he was 30.
In 2005 Frenchman Denis Hennequin, who introduced the Parmesan burger in Italy and the Shrimp Burger to Germany, became the first non-American to lead the McDonalds brand in Europe.
But a lot of the fast food that does best in France is high quality - and fairly pricey.
Food truck culture, another import from the US, has spawned a number of hip burger chains such as Le Camion Qui Fume (roughly translated as the Smoky Truck).
Some joints take pride in serving burgers made from premium quality beef, along with a glass of French red wine.
'Even the Americans are keeping an eye on what we're doing in our gastronomic fast food sector,' Boutboul said.
Jean-Claude Juncker was branded 'shameful' and 'nauseating' today after he congratulated Vladimir Putin on his election victory and said he wants 'positive relations' with Moscow.
Despite the nerve agent outrage in Salisbury, the EU commission chief said he wanted to focus on 'common objectives' with Russia.
The overture came in a letter from Mr Juncker to Mr Putin after he secured another six years in power in a election that has been widely criticised as rigged.
Senior MEP Guy Verhofstdat slammed the comments saying it is 'no time for congratulations', while Conservative MEPs said the letter was 'disgraceful'.
Without mentioning the diplomatic standoff over the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Mr Juncker wrote: 'Congratulations on your reelection as President of the Russian Federation.
Despite the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said he wanted to focus on 'common objectives' with Russia
Vladimir Putin (pictured at a rally on Sunday after being reelected) has denied Russia was involved in the poisoning of the ex-spy
The letter from Mr Juncker to Mr Putin will fuel fears that the EU's support for Britain in the row is not full-hearted
'I have always argued that positive relations between the EU and the Russian Federation are crucial to the security of our continent.
'Our common objective should be to reestablish a cooperative pan-European security order. I hope that you will use your fourth term in office to pursue this goal.'
The missive will fuel fears that the EU's support for Britain in the row is not full-hearted.
Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said the letter was 'pretty irresponsible'. 'This seems at the least tactless,' he told MailOnline. 'It is an occasion when the diplomatic norms have failed to take account of the developments.
'It seems pretty irresponsible to send this message at the same time as the leading member states are taking a tough line.'
Fellow Conservative Sarah Wollaston said the message was 'shameful', while MEP Ashley Fox described it as 'nauseating'.
Mr Verhofstadt said: 'This is no time for congratulations. We will always need dialogue with Russia, but closer ties must be conditional on respect for the rules based international order & fundamental values.'
Downing Street sidestepped questions about Mr Juncker's intervention, saying Theresa May was confident about EU 'solidarity'.
'I think the Prime Minister's position has been set out very clearly. I would not have anything further to add in terms of Jean Claude Juncker's response,' a spokesman said.
'European solidarity has been made very clear.'
Mrs May is gathering her National Security Council today to plan Britain's next move, with a range of new measures under consideration.
Senior MEP Guy Verhofstdat slammed the comments saying it is 'no time for congratulations'
The poisoning of Yulia, left, and her father Sergei Skripal, right, sparked a huge investigation and clean-up operation (file picture)
Theresa May is gathering her National Security Council today to consider the UK's next moves in the diplomatic standoff
A fresh wave of reprisals over the Salisbury nerve agent attack could include the expulsion of more diplomats and the closure of a Russian trade outpost in London seen as a front for espionage.
Ministers are also looking at 'new legislation to make it hard for those who wish to do damage to our country'.
The first 23 Russian diplomats expelled in the wake of the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia are due to leave the country today.
But the prospect of quick international sanctions being imposed on Russia appeared to recede yesterday, despite Britain receiving strong support from Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and EU Council president Donald Tusk.
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels failed to sign off a statement explicitly blaming Russia for the nerve agent attack.
The final statement condemned the poisoning the Skripals and offered the UK 'unqualified support and solidarity'.
The older sister of the New York City nanny accused of murdering two siblings in her care took the stand on Monday and blamed the victims' parents for their deaths.
Miladys Garcia, 64, told the jury about a bizarre phone call she had with her younger sister, Yoselyn Ortega, 55, about five hours before the fatal stabbings.
She said her sister didn't say much on the phone before she hung up, but she could hear her 'gnashing' her teeth and felt she knew something was wrong.
'The way I spoke to her, I know her voice,' Garcia said. 'It was like I was talking to a demon. She had become something evil.'
Ortega is currently on trial for the October 2012 murders of siblings Lucia and Leo Krim.
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Miladys Garcia (left, on Monday), the sister Yoselyn Ortega (right, on March 2), the New York nanny on trial for murdering two kids in her charge, took the stand on Monday
The children were six and two years old respectively when their mother came home and found them stabbed to death in a bathtub of their Upper West Side apartment.
The Dominican nanny stabbed herself in the neck just as the children's mother was coming in the door but she survived her injuries.
Ortega has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
In the weeks leading up the murders, Garcia says her sister complained about 'a black man' who was trying to 'separate the families'.
She says her sister first started having these hallucinations back in 2008, following the suicide of a close family friend.
Garcia, who lives in the Dominican Republic, says she told her sister to go see a priest of a therapist, but says she never followed up with family members in New York to check in on her sister.
Garcia said she had a bizarre phone call with her sister about five hours before Ortega stabbed siblings Lucia, age 6 (right), and Leo Krim, age two (left), to death
When asked why she didn't warn the victims' parents, Kevin and Marina Krim (pictured above), Garcia said the couple should have seen something was wrong with her sister themselves
When asked why she didn't call to warn her sister's bosses, Kevin and Marina Krim, Garcia said it was their fault for not seeing how troubled her sister was - suggesting that if they had given her some time off they may have prevented the murders.
'Why didnt those parents realize and take her out themselves they were seeing it,' Garcia said.
'So the Krims should have seen her unraveling and given her vacation, is that what youre saying?' Assistant District Attorney Stuart Silberg asked.
'Yes, because they were the ones seeing her,' Garcia replied. 'Give her a vacation if you see shes losing weight, say "Yosie, youre not yourself". Even a week of vacation. Say, "Go, Yosie, youre very thin."'
She added: 'I wasnt seeing her. I was hearing it over the phone. I didnt think it was that serious.'
Kevin Krim was in court on Monday and appeared angered at times during the testimony. When Garcia blamed him and his wife, who was not in court, he was seen closing his eyes and bowing his head, according to the New York Post.
Ortega was working part time as the Krim's nanny at the time of the murders, aiding stay-at-home mom Marina Krim.
Earlier in the day, Garcia spoke about how much her sister adored the Krim children, saying they were like her own children.
'She adored them. She would say, "I have four children now,"' Garcia said.
Kevin Krim was in court for Garcia's testimony on Monday and looked angry at points. He's pictured above outside the courtroom on Monday. His wife did not attend the proceedings
Also on Monday, one of Ortega's friends spoke about her odd behavior in the lead up to the murders.
Raquel Perez said Ortega once collapsed on the couch sobbing and she would cry regularly when they met up various times in September and October.
Perez said on one occasion she made Ortega a plate of food after she started crying but the nanny started repeatedly stabbing at it with her knife and court.
'I asked her what was wrong, why she was crying,' Perez said with the help of a Spanish interpreter, the New York Post reported.
'She told me "nothing".'
Perez told the court that Ortega had never mentioned hearing voices and said she loved the two children.
Photos of the bloodied knives used in the attack were shown to jurors earlier in the trial
'She would tell me that she loved them very much, that they were good kids, that they were very intelligent,' Perez told jurors.
Dr Susan Ely, a city medical examiner, had previously told the court of the gruesome injuries inflicted on the children when they were brutally stabbed to death.
One female juror was left shaking after she heard how Ortega cut Leo's eck with a kitchen knife, leaving a 1.5-inch deep wound in the neck.
Leo had been stabbed so many times that he had no blood left in his body when he ended up on the autopsy table.
Another juror shook as the jury was shown a diagram of Lucia's body, showing how Ortega sliced and stabbed the girl 30 times on her head, neck, torso, arms and hands.
Her brother Leo had six wounds to his neck.
Jurors also saw photos of the apartment after the children's murders in October 2012. The Krims immediately moved out
Ely said both children suffered horribly before they died because it took them several minutes to bleed out.
'They didnt die initially. Only some of [the knife wounds] were fatal. That takes an order of minutes, not seconds,' Ely said.
'Bleeding to death takes minutes.'
Earlier in the case, the court heard what Ortega first told police as she recovered in the hospital, using her statement to complain about the cleaning duties she'd been asked to perform in the Krim home.
Two days after the attack, shackled to a hospital bed and with a tube down her throat, she dictated statements to NYPD Sgt. Yoel Hidalgo, using an alphabet board.
She said: 'I had to do everything and take care of the kids. I worked as a babysitter only and she wanted me to do everything. She wanted five hours of cleaning every week.'
Ortega also said she didn't want to clean, 'because of soap'. Hidalgo told jurors she pointed to her pinky finger after making this statement.
In the days before the killings, Marina said Ortega had shown her a bleach burn on her pinky finger. Marina went out and bought natural cleaning products, she testified in court last week.
She also said she paid Ortega $100 extra per week for the five hours of cleaning.
Kevin and Marina Krim, the parents of the children, recorded a video last month, shortly before Ortega went on trial.
The couple asked that with their case coming up in the news again, that people promote the foundation they started in honor of their slain children, the Lulu and Leo Fund, which aims to support innovative art programs for children.
Since the death of their two eldest children, the couple have gone on to have two more kids, Felix, born in 2013, and Linus, born in 2016.
A Chinese baby born with three legs due to an extremely rare fault in pregnancy has had the extra limb removed.
Surgeons revealed the extra leg didn't belong to the boy. It was the remnants of his partially formed, parasitic twin.
Parasitic twins arise when identical twins fail to separate, and the condition occurs in around one in a million live births.
Xiao Fei, from China, was born with an extra leg attached to his back side. Surgeons said the extra leg between the boy's own two legs was his partially formed, parasitic twin
The 11-month-old boy successfully underwent an operation yesterday to have the leg removed
At 11 months old, the baby nicknamed Xiao Fei underwent a complex surgical operation which lasted nearly 10 hours at a hospital in Shanghai yesterday, reported People's Daily Online, citing China News.
WHAT IS A PARASITIC TWIN? Parasitic twins occur when a baby is born with the attached tissue of an undeveloped twin who died in the womb. The parasitic twin's tissues are dependent upon the 'host'. Parasitic twins arise when identical twins fail to separate. It is unclear why this occurs, but may be due to a restricted blood supply during pregnancy, which leads to the death and partial absorption of one of the twins. The condition occurs in around one in a million live births. Source: Live Science Advertisement
Xiao Fei and his family come from far-flung Xinjiang in western China. His parasitic twin hadn't been detected prior to his birth because his mother had not undergone regular pregnancy checks, said the report.
After Xiao Fei was born, his family took him across China to look for treatment and they were finally admitted into the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre.
The boy's surgeon Chen Qiu described Xiao Fei's condition as 'highly complicated'.
Mr Chen told Shanghai Dragon Television ahead of the operation that Xiao Fei's middle leg would be removed because it did not have any function.
However while Xiao Fei's right leg would be kept, it was born deformed because its foot was shaped like a hand and could not function properly.
Therefore, Mr Chen said he and his team would not only remove Xiao Fei's middle leg, but also cut off the foot on Xiao Fei's right leg before transplanting the foot on the extra leg onto his right leg.
Reports said that Xiao Fei's parasitic twin hadn't been detected because his mother had undergone regular regular pregnancy checks in the far-flung Chinese province of Xinjiang
Xiao Fei's parents are pictured looking after him at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre
Surgeons removed Xiao Fei's extra leg and corrected his deformed right leg yesterday
In addition to the parasitic twin, Xiao Fei was diagnosed with a series of other conditions, including an undescended testicle, abdominal hernia and congenital heart disease. These conditions increased the difficulties of the operation, said Mr Chen.
Bao Juan, the director of the Department of Urology of the hospital, said surgeons would bring Xiao Fei's right testicle down from the abdomen to its usual place during the same operation.
The operation started from 10am and finished at 7:35pm. Surgeons claimed it a success.
Xiao Fei's father Ma Xiaolong said he was so relieved after seeing Xiao Fei after the operation
Xiao Fei's father Ma Xiaolong told Shanghai Dragon Television: 'I thank the doctors very much. I was so nervous sitting outside the surgery room, but now after I see my child, I'm not nervous any more.'
Zhu Tongyu, the director of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre, said the success of the operation was significant because of the rarity of the condition.
Mr Zhu also said the operation could ensure Xiao Fei to live a relative normal life, however Xiao Fei's kneecaps are missing, so further surgery will be planned when the boy grows a bit older.
Victim: Elaine Herzberg, 49, was killed when she was hit by the Uber on Sunday night. Police believe she was homeless. She had spent time in prison in the past for minor crimes including drug offenses and is seen above in one of her many mugshots
The female driver who was in control of a self-driving Uber when it hit and killed a homeless woman in Arizona is a convicted felon who claims the victim stepped out in front of his car suddenly, giving her no time to try to avoid her.
Rafaela Vasquez, 44, was responsible for the vehicle when it struck Elaine Herzberg, 49, on Sunday night in Tempe, Arizona.
She previously spent four years in prison for armed robbery and falsifying documents, but was hired by Uber anyway.
On Sunday night, the car was in self-driving mode when it struck Herzberg.
Vasquez was supposed to act as a 'safety driver' and take control of the vehicle if anything went wrong.
She told police that Herzberg, who has also spent time in prison for drug offenses, stepped out in front of her with a bicycle carrying multiple shopping bags and that she had no time to brake before it hit her.
She was traveling at 40 mph at the time, well within the 45 mph speed limit and insisted that she was alert but that nothing could have been done to stop the crash.
Her story was supported by footage from cameras fitted at the front and back of the Volvo SUV that Vasquez was in control of. Police have not yet revealed that footage.
At first, police wrongly described Vasquez as a man.
'The driver said it was like a flash, the person walked out in front of them.
'His first alert to the collision was the sound of the collision,' Sylvia Moir, Tempe Police Chief, told The San Francisco Chronicle on Monday.
'It's very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode (autonomous or human-driven) based on how she came from the shadows right into the roadway,' Herzberg said.
Rafaela Vasquez was behind the wheel of the self-driving Volvo SUV which struck Herzberg. Police say she stepped in front of it with her bicycle (shown above next to the car)
The bicycle was laden down with shopping bags which contained the woman' belongings
Herzberg was taken to hospital but died of her injuries. She is shown (left) in a social media photograph and (right) in another mugshot
The accident prompted Uber to pull all of its self-driving cars in Arizona and in Pittsburgh and Toronto, where they are also being operated in test mode.
The crash is the first of its kind since the cars were introduced to roads in 2016. A separate incident last year saw one vehicle flip onto its side.
Herzberg's death has sparked concern over whether the vehicles should be trusted in the same way as regular cars but police have since said that the company is not at fault.
It is not clear if or when Uber plans to return the vehicles to the road.
In a statement, a spokesman told DailyMail.com on Tuesday: 'Our hearts go out to the victims family. We are fully cooperating with authorities and investigations of this incident.'
Herzberg herself had a criminal history and had been in and out of custody for minor offenses.
Neither she nor the driver are thought to have been under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
No charges have been brought against Vasquez and Uber has been tight lipped about the matter, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
President Donald Trump has been criticized for his silence over the Austin bombings, where most of the victims have come from Austin's historically black and Latino neighborhoods.
Unlike other attacks, such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida, which Trump was quick to label an act of terrorism, the president has remained silent about the Austin bombs.
The NAACP office in Loudoun, Virginia tweeted: 'Can you imagine bombings occurring in McClean, Georgetown, Loudoun or Tyson's killing and injuring white people and any suspicion of it being a person of color or Muslim.
'The National Media, namely Fox News, and the Tweeter in Chief would be apoplectic.'
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Donald Trump has come under fire for his silence over the Austin bombings targeting people of color
Previous victims: Anthony Stephan House, 39, (left) died on March 2 and Draylen Mason, 17, (right) died on March 12 when package bombs were left at their respective homes
'It took Trump just days to criticize black NFL players for kneeling for social justice, it took him days to criticize Oprah & folks in Hollywood for speaking out,' wrote Twitter user Samar.
'But for the people of Austin who have been rocked by a 5th explosion this morning at a FedEx building...silence.'
Film producer and Democrat Party activist Adam Best demanded to know whether the attacks were being ignored 'because the victims have been people of color so far?'
'Why hasn't Donald Trump tweeted or made a statement? This is the 4th bombing in Austin, a metro area of 2M people.
'Because it's a progressive city? Because he's too busy covering his own ass? Austin needs national support!'
'Trump fans questioning the lack of reaction from the American public about the bombings in Austin while Trump himself has been utterly silent is the definition of irony,' wrote former football star Donte Stallworth.
Journalist and Rolling Stone magazine contributor Jamil Smith added: 'Terrorism is what is happening in Austin, Texas right now. Given the race of the victims thus far and his own willful ignorance of extremist violence, I don't really care if @POTUS says anything. I just hope he doesn't impede matters, as he is wont to do.'
The fourth blast occurred at around 8.30pm on Sunday in a southwestern Austin residential neighborhood known as Travis Country.
The explosion seriously injured two white men, aged 22 and 23, when they are believed to have triggered a tripwire when they were pushing or riding their bikes down a sidewalk.
It forced police to warn nearby residents to remain indoors overnight as investigators looked for links to three other package bombings in the city this month.
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said in a Monday morning press conference they are dealing with a 'serial bomber' and that the latest attack showed a 'higher level of skill' than the three previous bombings.
Police also said they have still been unable to determine a motive for the string of bombings which have killed two people in Austin and put the city of nearly two million on edge.
'We're clearly dealing with what we expect to be a serial bomber at this point based on the similarities between now what is the fourth device,' the police chief said.
'(But) what we have seen now is a significant change from what appeared to be three very targeted attacks to what was last night an attack that would have hit a random victim that happened to walk by.'
'So we've definitely seen a change in the method that this suspect or suspects are using.'
In the earlier bombings, two African-American men were killed by packages left on their doorsteps, raising the possibility of a hate crime.
A 75-year-old Hispanic woman was also injured in a blast.
In the past, Trump has been quick to label certain incidents as 'terror attacks' while others have remained tragedies.
In October last year, when someone ran down people with a van in New York, leaving eight dead and 11 injured, Trump sent his 'thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack' after the Uzbekistan immigrant suspect was found with an ISIS letter in his vehicle.
FBI investigators inspect the site of the fourth bombing in Austin on Monday morning. Police had warned residents to remain indoors overnight as they looked for possible links to other package bombings elsewhere in the city this month
ATF agents deploy at the scene in Austin with bomb sniffing dogs. Police have established a wide cordon and urged residents to remain indoors until receiving an all-clear from cops
Manley said the latest attack, which injured the two white males, appeared 'random' and was triggered by a tripwire - raising the possibility the bomber has sophisticated knowledge.
'A trip wire doesn't necessarily suggest a military background,' Manley said.
'But it suggests that the suspect or suspects we are dealing with have a higher level of sophistication than we believed, as they're changing their methods to a more difficult device.'
Timeline of Texas package bomb attacks March 2: Anthony Stephan House, 39, is killed when a package blows up at 6.55am at his home on the 1100 block of Haverford Drive. 6.44am on March 12: Draylen Mason, 17, is killed and his mother is seriously injured in a package explosion in their kitchen on the 4800 block of Oldfort Hill Drive. 11.50am on March 12: Esperanza Herrera, 75, is severely injured in a package explosion while visiting her mother's home on the 6700 block of Galindo Street. March 18: Two men in their 20s are seriously injured by a trip wire explosion on a sidewalk near the 4800 block of Dawn Song Drive. Around 12.01am March 20: One man is injured in a FedEx facility in San Antonio when a package 'containing nails and pieces of metal' bound for Austin explodes. Wounded employee is taken to hospital with minor injuries. 6.19am March 20: Bomb squad responds to a FedEx sorting facility at 4117 McKinney Falls Parkway. An unexploded package bomb is secured. Police confirm it is connected. Advertisement
Residents in the Travis Country area were ordered to stay in their homes until Monday morning and no school buses were going to drive through the area to pick up children.
Manley said authorities would keep the surrounding area blocked off until further notice because of overnight darkness and the 'size of the area that we want to go in and check.'
Police kept residential streets on lockdown, gradually expanding their barricades and closing off all roads into the neighborhood.
Before daybreak on Monday, Austin police pushed another alert to cellphones advising residents to continue staying indoors and to call 911 if they needed to leave their homes in the morning.
Manley also said authorities had worked to 'clear' a suspicious backpack found in the area that was part of a separate report.
'We want to put out the message that we've been putting out and that is, not only do not touch any packages or anything that looks like a package, do not even go near it at this time,' Manley said.
He urged any residents with surveillance cameras to contact police.
Sniffer dogs and authorities canvased the area on Monday morning after a bomb exploded in the Travis Country neighborhood on Sunday night
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley (above) said they are dealing with a 'serial bomber' and that the latest attack showed a 'higher level of skill' than the three previous bombings
An FBI agent and Austin cops work together at the scene of an explosion on Sunday night
A large task force of FBI evidence team members responds to the scene of the explosion
This map shows the latest explosion along with the three prior package bombings in March
HOW TO SPOT A SERIAL BOMBER Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Mark Welner, who has studied some of the worst serial killers in history, has broken down some of the key characteristics that are common in serial bombers: Male
Detail orientated and takes pride in planning and abilities
'Motivated by spectacle through destruction as opposed to merely destructiveness'
Poor at intimacy
Socially isolated and quiet
Obsession with the media and how it reports
They want to draw attention to themselves, and enjoys creating fear in a community
He may justify the crime by attaching it to a cause he believes in Welner, chairman of The Forensic Panel - a forensic science practice which works on complex homicides across the country - told WSOCTV that the sudden change in method of bombing could indicate an experienced bomber who can change methods, or a copycat. He said that the bomber could be targeting certain ehnicities 'to instigate violent race conflict' or to try and manipulate the media 'by staging violence that inflames racial divisions, or what some call a 'false flag.' Advertisement
The two men hurt in the latest blast were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. The street is a quiet tree-lined cul-de-sac surrounded by single-family homes, some with backyard pools.
A large police response was seen in the area, including FBI and AFT agents wearing raid jackets as well as bomb-sniffing K9 units.
The explosion was loud enough for neighbors to hear inside their homes.
'It sounded like when the transformers go out, but it was five times magnified that,' said neighbor Eliza May, who was watching TV at the time, in a phone interview with the New York Times.
It was the fourth explosion to rock Austin in less than three weeks. The latest blast was far from the first three, which occurred on the eastern and northern sides of the city.
The two men injured in the latest blast where white men, while the two men killed were black.
The first was a package bomb that exploded at a northeast Austin home on March 2, killing a 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House.
Two more package bombs then exploded farther south on March 12. Draylen Mason, 17, was killed and his mother was wounded after they opened a package in their kitchen.
A 75-year-old Hispanic woman named by family as Esperanza Herrera was severely injured when a package bomb exploded at her home a few hours later.
The families of the two men who died knew each other and both men were involved in activism in the black community. It led to speculation of a racial motive in the attacks but that has not been confirmed by investigators.
All of the bombs have been distant from the famed SXSW Festival, which ran from March 9 until ending on Sunday, and are not thought to be related.
The festival did receive an emailed bomb threat, causing a concert by The Roots to be canceled. A suspect in that threat, 26-year-old Trevor Weldom Ingram, was arrested on Saturday.
The latest explosion came just hours after police made an unusual direct appeal to whomever was responsible for three package bombs that killed two in the past month.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Chief Manley called on whoever is responsible for the bombs to come forward and share their 'message.'
'These events in Austin have garnered worldwide attention, and we assure you that we are listening,' said Manley.
'We want to understand what brought you to this point, and we want to listen to you.'
Manley appealed to the bomber to communicate with authorities by calling 911 and said that as yet the motive for the attacks has baffled investigators.
'There's the message behind what's happening in our community, and we're not going to understand that until the suspect or suspects reaches out to us to talk to us about what that message was,' Manley said.
'We still do not know what ideology may be behind this and what the motive was behind this.'
Manley announced that the reward for information leading to the arrest of the bomber had been raised to $115,000.
Fred Burton, a chief security officer with Stratfor, told KVUE that it was 'fascinating' the fourth bombing occurred after the reward was raised to $115,000.
'We have a very crafty bomber here,' he said.
'So clearly the bomber watches the news and I think the timing is very curious in light of that.'
Anyone with information about the bombs in Austin is urged to contact investigators anonymously by calling 512-472-8477.
An online fundraising page set up for the 17-year-old victim killed in the second bombing has raised more than $94,000 in less than a week.
Bomb site: A package bomb exploded at this home in northeast Austin, killing Anthony House
Another bombing: A package explosion in the kitchen of this home on March 12, ten days later, killed Draylen Mason, 17
Hillary Clinton says Ivanka Trump will never become president because Americans have already run out of patience with her father.
'That's not going to happen, the failed presidential candidate said in an interview with the Dutch public TV station KRO-NCRV.
'We don't want any more inexperienced Trumps in the White House.'
Clinton said she didn't know who the first female president would be, but pledged that 'I'm going to be there cheering her on assuming I agree with her.'
Program host Eva Jinek, who said she has kept a cheerful photo of Bill and Hillary Clinton with her in every dorm room, apartment and home she's ever lived in, warned her that the 2016 election is proof unexpected things can happen in American politics.
Hillary Clinton said in a Dutch TV broadcast that Ivanka Trump will never become president because Americans have already run out of patience with her father: 'We don't want any more inexperienced Trumps in the White House'
Ivanka Trump toured the Waukee Innovation and Learning Center in Iowa on Monday; she hasn't speculated openly about following her father into the Oval Office someday
Clinton said she didn't know who the first female president would be, but pledged that 'I'm going to be there cheering her on assuming I agree with her'
'Well, that's true,' Clinton replied. 'But, you know, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me".'
'And I think the American people have seen for themselves what happens when a reality-TV candidate wins, she mocked.
Clinton's overseas book tour has already seen her embrace controversy and then apologize for sparking it.
She said last week in India that she beat Donald Trump in regions of the U.S. 'that are optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward. And his whole campaign, "Make America Great Again," was looking backwards.'
She also said women who stood with Trump were responding to 'ongoing pressure to vote the way that your husband, your boss, your son, whoever, believes you should.'
Program host Eva Jinek (right) said she has kept a cheerful photo of Bill and Hillary Clinton with her in every dorm room, apartment and home she's ever lived in
Clinton was widely panned last week for saying in India that Trump's 2016 campaign was 'backwards' and that women who voted for him were blindly following their husbands
The former secretary of state issued a mea culpa Saturday on Facebook, admitting that her comments may have 'upset people and can be misinterpreted.'
'I said that places doing better economically typically lean Democratic, and places where there is less optimism about the future lean Republican,' she acknowledged. 'That doesn't mean the coasts versus the heartland, it doesn't even mean entire states. In fact, it more often captures the divisions between more dynamic urban areas and less prosperous small towns within states.'
'I meant no disrespect to any individual or group. And I want to look to the future as much as anybody,' she insisted.
Hillary says Trump 'has undermined the office' of the U.S. presidency 'and used it to enrich himself and his family'
Donald Trump's message triumphed in 2016 as he won more than 300 Electoral Votes despite winning fewer individual ballots than his Democratic rival
Clinton said she is disgusted with the Trump presidency so far, calling it a 'constant train wreck that never goes away,' and added defensively that she had 'tried to warn people about everything I could, that he should not be anywhere near the Oval Office.'
The president 'has undermined the office and used it to enrich himself and his family, Disregarded laws [and] ethical standards, has been undermining the institutions from the free press to the judiciary,' she claimed.
'He's crossed into a territory of behavior and actions that are unpredictable, that are erratic.'
'I really believe there's an enormous amount of pent-up energy to take the country back from the Trump administration,' Clinton mused, projecting that a Democratic Party takeover of the House of Representatives in November could be the first step.
An 11-year-old girl has given birth in India after allegedly being repeatedly raped by six men.
The schoolgirl, who was more than eight months pregnant, gave birth to a baby girl through caesarean section at a hospital in Rajkot, in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
Police say she was attacked on separate occasions by men who lured her to their homes under the pretext of offering her domestic work.
An 11-year-old girl has given birth in India after allegedly being repeatedly raped by six men. Pictured, the city of Rajkot
The baby has suffered health problems and has been moved to a specialist unit in Asarwa, according to media reports in India.
Nanji Javiya, 67, and Arvind Kubawat, 52, were arrested as part of the investigation on March 13 after the victim's mother lodged a complaint with police.
A further three men - Vijanand Maiyad, 47, Vipul Chavda, 40, and Govind Sakariya, 60 - as well as an unnamed 17-year-old are in custody over the alleged attacks.
According to NDTV, a police official said: 'The victim's condition is stable. The newborn baby had some health problems and has been admitted to a government-run children's hospital.'
Police said the victim was targeted by residents who lived near the girl in Rajkot.
The alleged attacks only came to light after she was found to be more than eight months pregnant.
Officers said the girl's father is unemployed due to ill health, while her mother works as a maid.
A grandmother in Hong Kong has been accused of murdering her six-year-old grandson after allegedly strangling him in a hotel room, according to police.
Chilling footage has emerged showing the last images of the boy as he was being carried by the 52-year-old woman in the lobby of the hotel after falling asleep.
Police have not explained the woman's possible motives, but Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department said the woman suffered from depression and had attended mental health treatment recently.
Ms Kan is seen carrying her six-year-old grandson as she steps in a hotel lobby in Hong Kong
The footage was believed to be the last moment of six-year-old boy as he was taken to a hotel
It's reported that the boy was found in a coma in the pair's hotel room around midnight on March 18.
Apparently the hotel's receptionists had received a phone call to inform them that the boy was unconscious and needed help. The receptionists immediately called the police.
It remains unsure who placed the phone to the hotel's receptionists. Some local reports said that it was the grandmother, but the claims have not been confirmed by the police.
The boy was rushed to the Ruttonjee hospital in Wan Chai but was pronounced dead at 2:28am.
The boy's grandmother, who is a part-time cleaner, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the hospital after officers noticed strangulation marks on the boy's body.
The boy visited doctors for alleged attention deficit hyperactivity disorder recently
Police found a strap cut from a backpack in the room as they investigated into details
The police said strangulation marks were found around the boy's neck and a 68-centimetre-long (27 inch) strap believed to be from the grandmother's backpack was found in their hotel room, according to Wan Kai-ming, the chief inspector of the crime department at Wan Chai district.
During a press conference on March 18, Inspector Wan said the grandmother, known by her surname Kan, checked into the Beverly Hotel in Wan Chai with her grandson on the evening of March 17.
Inspector Wan said the pair lived in Hong Kong in a public housing estate in Ma On Shan, New Territories, along with the boy's mother.
The police were informed by the boy's mother that the boy and the grandmother had been touring the Hong Kong Island and were staying overnight at a hotel.
The police also found a suicidal note in their apartment, apparently written by the grandmother. The note read 'did not want to hold onto the family'.
The boy was pronounced dead about two hours after the police were informed
A member of staff from the Social Welfare Department told Apple Daily that the primary one schoolboy had attended counselling sessions at his school.
And according to HK01, the boy was said to suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Ms Kan has been charged with murder by Hong Kong's Eastern Magistrates' Court.
The trial, which was scheduled to take place today, had to be cancelled because Ms Kan was hospitalised.
The court case has been adjourned to March 23.
Two highly-respected teachers have been unmasked as ballot riggers for Vladimir Putin in shocking CCTV footage.
Maths teacher Svetlana Kolobaeva, who acted chairman of a local election commission in Moscow, has been named as the woman caught filling a ballot box with fraudulent votes during Sunday's election.
Viktoria Bobrovskaya, a physical education teacher and activist in the pro-Putin United Russia party, was also outed for helping to rig the ballot.
Svetlana Kolobaeva (left), a maths teacher and election commission chairman from Moscow, and Viktoria Bobrovskaya (right), a PE teacher and pro-Putin activist, have been exposed for stuffing a ballot box in the Russian capital
CCTV captured Kolobaeva and Bobrovskaya filling the ballot box with voting slips during Sunday's election in plain view of other election officials
All votes from the polling station were later discounted after the abuse came to light, one of 13 across the country where ballots were discounted.
However, foreign election observers said the two women were simply the 'tip of the iceberg' and scapegoating them will do nothing to stop widespread election abuse.
There is concern that volunteer election staff all over Russia came under pressure to get the 'right result' for Putin in their districts.
CCTV captured officials dropping filled-out voting forms into ballot boxes or, in one case, placing balloons in front of a camera just as counting began.
Both women - so far the only ones to be exposed as riggers - could now go to jail for up to four years.
Putin won a landslide with almost 77 per cent of the vote - his highest ever.
All votes from the polling station were later discounted and the teachers banned from future election activities. It is not clear if they will face legal action
Bobrovskaya reportedly trembled as she was confronted with the footage, saying there must have been some kind of mistake
The teachers were slammed in Russian media after their cheating was exposed, but election observers say they are being used as scapegoats
But the country's most experienced presidential candidate, ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, 71, a veteran of six elections, insisted the strongman's real level of support in a free election would have been no more than 40 per cent.
Ms Kolobaeva claimed the CCTV footage was 'a joke, a video-collage, computer fake' when confronted with it.
Ms Bobrovskaya trembled when shown the evidence, saying it 'is some kind of misconception. I don't know how it happened.'
Another teacher on duty as a volunteer at the polling station, Vasily Pavlikov, is plainly embarrassed as he sees the stuffing.
In the video, he gets up, wanders around and looks away, at one point nervously - and momentarily - glancing at the CCTV camera recording the election fraud.
Newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets said the women had 'woken up famous' after 'cynically and without any shame' seeking to rig the election.
Kolobaeva claimed the CCTV footage was 'a joke, a video-collage, computer fake' when confronted by a Russian newspaper
Both women teach at this school in Moscow and have been allowed to keep their jobs
Putin won Sunday's election with 77 per cent of the vote, his highest ever, amid evidence of widespread vote rigging and electoral fraud
A friend of Kolobaeva claimed the pair, known as dedicated teachers, had been 'trapped' and were 'victims', suggesting they felt under pressure from higher up to ensure extra votes for Putin.
'They are very respected teachers. This is a catastrophe for them,' said a colleague.
Both women are teachers at school number five in the Moscow suburb of Lyubertsy.
They have been banned from participating in future election activity but will be allowed to keep their jobs. It is unclear if they will face criminal charges.
The rigging occurred early on polling day - around 9am.
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no evidence of widespread fraud.
If complaints about violations from every polling station were made to law enforcement 'then we do fret.'
'If not, we fret little,' he said.
The first polar bear cub born in Britain in a quarter of a century made its first public appearance today.
The adorable cub, born to mother Victoria in December, has remained nameless as zookeepers attempt to determine its sex.
Victoria gave birth in a maternity den at Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland and for a while, the only confirmation was high-pitched noises coming from inside.
The cub and its mother were ensured privacy and caught on cameras as part of a two-year project documenting the breeding and birth.
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The first polar bear cub born in Britain in a quarter of a century made its first public appearance today
The adorable cub, born to mother Victoria in December, has remained nameless as zookeepers attempt to determine its sex
Victoria gave birth in a maternity den at Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland and for a while, the only confirmation was high-pitched noises coming from inside
But Victoria's cub has now been given access to an outdoor enclosure to increase its confidence - and allow the public a chance to see the fluffy bundle.
The cub was pictured exploring its surroundings today and animal fans will have a chance to see it with their own eyes from tomorrow onwards.
Una Richardson, head keeper at the wildlife park, said: 'Having spent four months in her maternity den, Victoria quickly took the chance to go outside..
'Understandably, her cub has been more cautious and is still getting used to new sights, smells and sounds.
'While the cub will become more confident and start to explore the large enclosure with Victoria, this will take time and they will always have access to their den for peace and quiet.
'There is no guarantee all of our visitors will see the cub at this early age but they may be lucky.
Victoria's cub has now been given access to an outdoor enclosure to increase its confidence - and allow the public a chance to see the fluffy bundle
The cub's sex is still to be revealed but staff at the park in Kincraig, Strathspey and Badenoch, are hoping to name it in the coming weeks
'There is huge interest in the park and seeing a polar bear cub will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people, particularly those travelling from around the world.'
The cub was born in the week before Christmas with mother Victoria - the UK's only female - having mated with Arktos, one of two male polar bears at the park.
Born blind and initially weighing little more than a guinea pig, the cub is now able to see and is the size of a small dog.
It has been feeding on mum Victoria's fat-rich milk since being born.
The cub's sex is still to be revealed but staff at the park in Kincraig, Strathspey and Badenoch, are hoping to name it in the coming weeks.
Douglas Richardson, the park's head of living collections, said: 'Our pioneering captive polar bear management programme closely mirrors what happens in the wild and this birth shows our approach is working.
Victoria previously gave birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008, having been born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany
The last polar bear cubs born in the UK were twins at Flamingo Land in Yorkshire on 8 December 1992
'This is vital because a healthy and robust captive population may one day be needed to augment numbers in the wild, such are the threats to the species from climate change and human pressures.
'The reintroduction of polar bears would be an enormous task but we need to have the option.
'While our cub will never be in the wild, there is a chance its offspring may be in decades to come.'
The last polar bear cubs born in the UK were twins at Flamingo Land in Yorkshire on 8 December 1992.
Victoria previously gave birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008, having been born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany.
She arrived at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015.
Arktos arrived at the park in April 2012 from Hannover Zoo in Germany, having been born at Vienna Zoo in 2008.
Polar bears mate between March and June, with females normally giving birth to one or two cubs in November or December.
RZSS Chief Executive Barbara Smith added: 'The birth of the first polar bear in the UK for a quarter of a century is a huge achievement for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the team at our Highland Wildlife Park.
'We are hopeful our cub will help to raise awareness of the dangers to polar bears in the wild. Collectively, we must do all we can to protect this magnificent species.'
John Dean, President Richard Nixon's White House counsel through the Watergate years, said on Monday that President Trump has gone farther than Nixon to obstruct justice.
'That's exactly what I'm saying, I think Trump is Nixon on steroids and stilts,' Dean said on CNN Monday night.
The Watergate lawyer was being asked if he was surprised that President Trump had gotten to the point where he was calling out Special Counsel Robert Mueller by name, which he did on Twitter this weekend.
John Dean (right), the White House counsel for President Nixon during Watergate, told CNN's Anderson Cooper (left) that 'Trump is Nixon on steroids and stilts'
John Dean, seen testifying before the Senate Watergate Committee, said on CNN Monday that President Trump is carrying out a very public obstruction of justice
'I am not,' Dean replied. 'What I think we're witnessing is a very public obstruction of justice.'
'He, as I see is, has already exceeded everything that Nixon did,' Dean added. 'He's much more intimately involved than Nixon ever was in the cover-up.'
Dean explained that for the first eight months of Watergate, the president would learn details about the investigation through his chief of staff Bob Haldeman.
Haldeman eventually served 18 months in prison, having been tried for perjury, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
'It's later when things get hotter that he gets hands on,' Dean said of Nixon's role in the Watergate cover-up.
Trump, the ex-White House counsel alleged, has been involved from the very beginning.
'So I see a very different profile,' Dean explained. 'And the big difference being Nixon was behind closed door, so everyone was surprised when there was recordings of it, Trump is right out front of it and he's doing it very publicly.'
This weekend Trump served up his first public lashing of Mueller by name.
'The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime. It was based on fraudulent activities and a Fake Dossier paid for by Crooked Hillary and the DNC, and improperly used in FISA COURT for surveillance of my campaign. WITCH HUNT!' Trump tweeted on Saturday.
On Sunday he continued by suggesting that the Mueller probe, which is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether there was collusion with the president's campaign, was politically biased.
'Why does the Mueller team have 13 hardened Democrats, some big Crooked Hillary supporters, and Zero Republicans? Another Dem recently added...does anyone think this is fair? And yet, there is NO COLLUSION!' Trump wrote.
Mueller, himself, is a Republican.
On Monday, Trump sang a similar tune, though this time didn't mention Mueller by name.
'A total WITCH HUNT with massive conflicts of interest!' the president said.
On Sunday night, President Trump's lawyer was pushed to put out a statement saying that the president had no plans to fire Mueller.
'In response to media speculation and related questions being posed to the administration, the White House yet again confirms that the president is not considering or discussing the firing of Special Counsel, Robert Mueller,' Trump's attorney Ty Cobb said.
Nick Gordon has been arrested for violating a no contact order banning him from going near the on-off girlfriend he has repeatedly been accused of beating, DailyMail.com can reveal.
Gordon, who was found legally responsible for the death of Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown in a 2016 civil suit, was booked into jail in Sanford, Florida, just before midnight.
Deputies had received an anonymous call alerting them that he was spending the night with Laura Leal, 26, despite a judge ordering them to stay apart.
Gordon, 29, was slapped with the no contact order following his previous arrest on March 10 for allegedly punching Leal in the face and pulling her hair as they drove home from a bar.
Nick Gordon, was booked into jail in Sanford, Florida, Monday night for violating a no contact order banning him from going near the on-off girlfriend he's been accused of beating
Gordon, 29, was slapped with the no contact order following his previous arrest on March 10 for allegedly punching his on-off girlfriend, Laura Leal, in the face and pulling her hair as they drove home from a bar. (Gordon and Leal above)
Officers had found Leal with a busted lip after arriving at Gordon's home following a late night disturbance and nabbed him for battery domestic violence.
She later refused to press charges and even wrote to the judge asking for the order to be rescinded because she supposedly wasn't 'in any kind of fear or danger'.
However the order remained in place Monday night ahead of an April 6 court appearance and when deputies acted on the tip off they found the couple together at Gordon's home.
Online records confirm Gordon was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on a charge of violating pre-trial conditions for his domestic violence case and 'may not be bailed'.
A recording of Monday's 911 call, made by one of Leal's relatives, was obtained by TMZ.
The woman told police that Gordon was released on bond under the condition that he would have no contact with Leal, but they were together on Monday night.
'I warn you that she won't - she's obviously in the home with him so she's not likely to cooperate,' the caller said. 'We're trying to get her help as well. she has battered woman syndrome and is being manipulated and brainwashed and controlled.'
She asked 911 officials if she could remain anonymous because she wanted to get Leal help and worried the young woman wouldn't return to her family if she knew if was a relative who called authorities.
Monday is the third time Gordon has ended up inside the same jail since he and Leal began dating one year ago.
Each incident has followed a familiar pattern, with Leal making shocking domestic violence allegations only to later withdraw them claiming her temper and bi-polar is to blame.
Friends say the petite brunette is being brainwashed by Gordon who manipulates her into blaming herself for their explosive, booze-fuelled fights.
'He is trying to set Laura up as the aggressor but she does not see it,' a concerned pal told DailyMail.com.
'She believes that if he hurts her it's her fault. This guy is a devil dressed as an angel.'
Gordon became notorious for dating Bobbi Kristina, who died in 2015 after she spent six months in a coma having been found unconscious in a bathtub.
He has never faced criminal charges but was sued by Brown's estate, accused of causing her wrongful death by giving her a 'toxic mixture' of drugs as well as stealing from her bank account while she was comatose.
Gordon has previously been arrested for allegedly beating Leal. He was booked at earlier this month (left), and he was arrested for battery against Leal in June (mugshot right)
When neither he, nor his lawyer, showed up at a hearing in November 2016, a judge in Fulton County, Georgia ruled against him by default and ordered him pay $36 million in damages.
Gordon was first arrested for attacking Leal and holding her hostage during a violent episode at his mother's house in June last year.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com Leal said she fought for her life because she feared she would suffer a similar fate to Bobbi Kristina.
Leal described how Gordon pinned her to the bed during the hours-long attack and punched her head so hard she wondered if she was dead.
She said she was only able to escape when her 'survival instinct' kicked in and she smashed Gordon's nose with a heavy candle before bursting into his sleeping mother's bedroom to beg for protection.
Despite describing numerous instances where he allegedly bashed her head into a car window and choked her until she fell unconscious, Leal revealed in subsequent interview that the pair had reconciled.
She also claimed she had been the aggressor in the lead up to Gordon's arrest and revealed she had petitioned the judge to have the charges dropped.
The next police involvement came March 10 of this year when officers were called to Gordon's home for a possible disturbance and found Leal with a bloody swollen bottom lip, according to his arrest report.
Leal told authorities she had picked Gordon up from a bar and was driving him home when he punched her in her right cheek several times and pulled her hair.
Officers had found Leal with a busted lip after arriving at Gordon's home following a late night disturbance and nabbed him for battery domestic violence earlier this month
Gordon told the officer he just wanted his girlfriend to leave the home because she had gone 'crazy, claiming she ripped his shirt and threw a bottle at him after the pair had been drinking.
Leal refused medical treatment and declined to press charges but the arrest was based on Leal's injuries and her statement.
Gordon was given a bond of $500 and was released from custody on the basis he didn't contact Leal.
In her letter asking for the no contact order to be dropped, Leal said of her injuries: 'In reality my lips were chapped and dry. It was in no way due to any kind of harm or hit.'
She went on to say Gordon was not at fault and she was entirely to blame for the dust-up.
'I suffer from severe anger issues in which Nick has been an incredible support to get my act together,' she writes in the letter, obtained by celebrity news site Blast.
'I am responsible for what happened that night and want you to know what a great person Nicholas truly is.
When I have episodes, he helps to calm me down and prevents me from doing anything that could make things worse.'
Gordon's latest brush with the law comes just weeks after Bobbi Kristina's father Bobby Brown came out and shockingly said he wanted to see him locked up and 'raped'.
Brown told Rolling Stone that the wrongful death lawsuit wasn't enough and he wanted to see Gordon punished.
'He's still walking around free,' Brown raged. 'If he was locked up somewhere where somebody can rape him, that's just how I feel. He raped me by taking my daughter away.'
Famous ex: Gordon, 29, was dating Bobbi Kristina Brown at the time of her death (Gordon and Bobbi Kristina in 2012)
Brown and Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina died on July 26, 2015, aged 22.
She spent the final six months of her life in a medically induced coma after being found unresponsive in a bathtub at her Georgia home.
Bobbi Kristina's body was found in her bathtub almost three years to the date that her mother Whitney was pronounced dead after suffering a similar fate while staying at the Beverly Hilton prior to the 2012 Grammy Awards.
It was Gordon who found and tried to resuscitate Houston in that incident as well, after he discovered her unresponsive in her bathtub just hours before she was due to attend Clive Davis' annual Grammy party.
Eight months after her mother's tragic passing, Bobbi Kristina announced she was engaged to Gordon, who was raised at times during his childhood by Houston and who many considered to be a brother-like figure to Bobbi Kristina.
The pair later claimed they had been married in early 2014, but Bobby Brown shot down those statements, saying the two had yet to wed.
The estate claims in their lawsuit that Bobbi Kristina's death happened after Gordon had been 'out all-night on a cocaine and drinking binge'.
Bobbi Kristina and Gordon argued after he returned home at around 6am on January 31 according to the lawsuit, with the two having it out for approximately 30 minutes while two other individuals - Danyela Bradley and Max Lomas - were at the home.
The estate claims in court papers that Gordon then 'gave Bobbi Kristina a toxic cocktail rendering her unconscious and then put her face down in a tub of cold water causing her to suffer brain damage.'
Bobbi Kristina's autopsy report showed that her face being immersed in water, along with drug intoxication, led to her death.
She was found to have morphine, cocaine, alcohol and prescription drugs in her body at the time her body was found in the tub.
The medical examiner could not determine whether her death was an accident, suicide or murder however, and ruled it 'undetermined.'
In an interview with DailyMail.com after the release of Bobbi Kristina's autopsy, a happy and smiling Gordon said; 'I'm glad that s*** is all over.'
He then added; 'I just want to wish my girl a Happy Birthday. I can't say any more but it's good.'
The widow to Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen has said that she wished she had been 'more truthful' with agents about his early warning signs.
'I wish I had done the right thing but my fear held me back,' Noor Salman said.
Her expression of remorse came just days after Mateen mass shot 49 people and wounding dozens in 2016 inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Salman (left), shown with, Omar Mateen (right) - she said on Monday that fear prevented her from telling police about his murderous intentions
Omar Mateen mass murdered 49 people and wounding dozens more inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, in 2016
Family members of Noor Salman arrived to federal court in Orlando on the morning that her trial began
It was one of at least three instances where Salman - who is on trial for aiding and abetting Mateen - allegedly spoke to police about some of the 'red flag' warning signs she noticed in the weeks and months leading up to the massacre, nypost.com reported.
Salman is accused of providing material support of a foreign terror organization and obstruction of justice. If convicted as charged, she faces up to life in prison.
Salman first claimed Mateen (pictured) acted without her knowledge. Later she acknowledged that she knew Mateen had bought an assault rifle and was watching ISIS recruitment videos
Prosecutors are continuing to build their case against Salman, orlandosentinel.com reported, after jurors on Monday heard testimony from an FBI agent who said she admitted knowing in advance that her husband was planning a massacre.
Special Agent Ricardo Enriquez was the only witness to testify in the trial Monday, spending hours on the witness stand as he described questioning Salman on the morning of the June 12, 2016, attack.
Enriquez transcribed her statements and recounted them in court Monday, nypost.com said.
'I am sorry for what happened,' Salman said. 'I was in denial because I could not believe that the father of my child would do this.'
The defendant, 31, claimed that one of the reasons she didn't speak up about her husband's plans was that she didn't want her in-laws to 'hate' her.
'I wish I'd go back and tell his family and the police what he was going to do,' she said, noting how Mateen regularly viewed Islamic State beheading videos and talked about being a terrorist.
'What would make people more upset, an attack at Disney or a nightclub?' Salman recalled her husband asking.
'I saw this as a 'green light' for (Mateen) to do great violence,' she said in her statement. 'I knew he was going to do something.'
Enriquez told jurors that Salman initially tried to claim she wasn't aware of any attack plans or warning signs, but said that her story eventually changed after being questioned further.
'I said, 'You know Noor, I realize that you knew what was going on. You knew,' Enriquez testified. 'She said, 'No I didn't.'
Salman was indicted on two charges: obstruction of justice for alleged false statements to federal investigators, and aiding and abetting Mateen in his attempt to provide material support to a terrorist organization
Christopher Leinonen (R) with his boyfriend Juan Guerrero, 22, who were both killed in the massacre
Christine Leinonen, mother of Pulse victim Drew Leinonen, became emotional speaking at a press conference outside the U.S. Federal courthouse in Orlando about the Noor Salman trial Wednesday, March 14, 2018
In a court sketch, widow Salman is shown next to her defense attorney Linda Moreno
The FBI agent told her to re-read her three statements to police which she initialed and approved and pressed her again.
'She began to cry, and said, 'I knew,' remembered Enriquez.
But Salman's lawyer, Linda Moreno, said in her opening statements that FBI investigators had bullied her into 'adopting their narrative' after 11 hours of interrogation.
She pointed out how no audio or video recordings were taken during the conversations with agents.
'Omar Mateen is a monster,' Moreno said. 'Noor Salman is a mother, not a monster. Her only sin is she married a monster.'
The teen gunman who died after injuring two classmates in a shooting at a Maryland high school on Tuesday has been identified as 17-year-old Austin Wyatt Rollins.
Rollins entered Great Mills High School just before classes started Tuesday morning, pulled out a handgun and shot a 16-year-old girl.
St Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said Rollins and the female victim had a 'prior relationship' but he couldn't comment on the 'extent' of that relationship or whether it played into the motive.
A 14-year-old boy was also hit with a bullet, before the school resource officer intervened and brought the bloodbath to an end in just one minute.
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Austin Wyatt Rollins, 17 (left), has been identified as the shooter in Tuesday's shooting at a Maryland high school. School resource officer Blaine Gaskill, right, helped bring the shooting to a stop
Jaelynn Willey (pictured) continued to fight for her life in the ICU after being shot by Rollins. Police say they had a 'prior relationship'
The resource officer, Blaine Gaskill, fired a shot at Rollins just as the shooter tried to take his own life, authorities said.
First aid was immediately initiated, and Rollins rushed to the hospital, where he died of his wounds at 10:41am. It's still unclear whether the teen died from Gaskill's shot, or his own.
The resource officer, who doubles as a SWAT team officer, was not injured in the shooting.
It's unclear whether Rollins (seen above in old photos) died from Gaskill's shot or his own
The sheriff praised Gaskill, a six-year veteran in his first year at the high school, for containing the situation in less than a minute.
'He had to cover significant ground,' Cameron said. 'The premise is simple: You go to the sound of gunfire.'
Gaskill who helped stop the shooting is seen above
The two students who were injured were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but their conditions have since improved.
The female student is still in the ICU, battling life-threatening critical injuries, but doctors have been able to stabilize her.
The male student's condition has been upgraded to good.
While authorities have not identified the victims, an online fundraising campaign revealed the identity of the female victim as Jaelynn Willey.
The YouCaring fund, started by a family friend to raise money for Willey's medical bills, has already raised more than $33,000 as of 9.30pm ET.
As Rollins identity came to light, it was revealed that one of his relatives was worried about his safety after learning about the attack.
A YouCaring fund, started by a family friend to raise money for Willey's medical bills, has already raised more than $33,000 as of 9.30pm ET
The school was quickly put into lockdown after the shooting on Tuesday. Students were then taken by bus to another nearby high school to be reunited with their parents
One family member of Austin Rollins expressed concern about his safety on Facebook when she learned of the shooting on Tuesday, before he was identified. She has since taken down this post
Another close family member wrote in support of the Second Amendment in this 2011 Facebook post
'Prayers going out for my Brother in Law [redacted] and his family, his son Austins school was involved in an active shooter situation. We have still not heard if Austin Rollins is ok or not,' one close family member wrote.=
The Rollins clan appears to be a gun-friendly family.
Another close relative wrote on Facebook in 2011 their support of the Second Amendment.
'We ask that all gun owners put this on their wall. The Supreme Court of the United States has affirmed that the right ot keep and bear arms is a fundamental right of the individual. If you believe in the 2nd Amendment, and you are not afraid to show it, re-post this!!! ... I hope to see this re-posted a lot by my friends. Remember, if we outlaw guns, then only outlaws will have guns.'
Not much else is known yet about the killer, but a news release last year showed that Rollins was on the honor roll.
His Facebook hasn't been updated since 2015, but shows Rollins in happy photos with friends, kayaking, and visiting the Daytona International Speedway.
A student appears to be reunited with her parents - including a serviceman - after the Tuesday shooting
The scenes at the school where the teens were picked up were emotional, which many parents rushing to give their shocked children hugs
A mother and daughter walk back to their car after reuniting on Tuesday after the shooting
A male student gives a hut to a waiting family member after the Tuesday tragedy
With a storm coming in, it was rainy when parents reunited with their children. This father used his coat to cover his daughter from the rain
A mother holds the hands of her daughter as they go home after the shooting
Agents with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined deputies at Great Mills High School as students endured a lengthy lockdown, cowering inside classrooms and a locker room while officers worked to make sure there were no more threats on campus.
Police eventually kicked in the locker room door, said Ziyanna Williams, a 14-year-old ninth-grader.
'They came in with guns, and they probably thought there might be another shooter, of course,' she said. 'About an hour or two later they came - more police came - and told us they would search us and search our bags and stuff.
Eventually, the students were escorted outside.
The school has about 1,600 students and is near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, about 65 miles southeast of Washington. On Tuesday, ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles crowded the parking lot and the street outside, where about 20 school buses lined up in the rain to take students to nearby Leonardtown High School to be picked up by their parents.
Several of the students going home with their parents told reporters that they were afraid to go back to school after what happened.
At least one woman, who picked up two kids, said she wouldn't force them.
'Home school, the internet, they're not going back!' she said.
The gunman behind a shooting at Great Mills High School in Maryland on Tuesday has died. Students are pictured above being escorted by officers to a safe location after the attack
Officials say the gunman opened fire around 7:45am, shortly before classes began for the day
The shooter shot a 16-year-old female student and a 14-year-old mal student, both of whom were rushed from the scene in critical condition
Sheriff Tim Cameron, center, said the shooter was injured after the school resource officer intervened
Cameron said it was unclear whether the shooter was killed by the resource officer's gunshot, or his own
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also spoke at the 1pm press conference
A student named Jonathan Freese called into CNN while he was in lockdown in his math class and said that he was told the shooting happened in the art hallway.
'I'm still a little shaken up. I didn't think it would happen,' Freese told CNN.
Senior Terrence Rhames told the Baltimore Sun that he knew exactly what was happening when he heard the a loud crack while standing outside his first period class.
He said he started running towards a nearby bathroom but realized it was a 'dead end'. Instead he turned around and headed for the nearest exit where he saw a girl fall to the ground out of the corner of his eye.
Later in the day, sheriff's deputies towed a car way from the campus
Local outlets reported that the car may be the shooter's
'I just thank god Im safe,' the 18-year-old said. 'I just want to know who did it and who got injured.'
Another student, Mollie Davis, tweeted that she heard a 'loud sound and everyone started screaming and running'.
'You never think it'll be your school and then it is. Great Mills is a wonderful school and somewhere I am proud to go. Why us?' Davis added.
Politicians responded swiftly, acknowledging that this shooting increases the pressure for action against gun violence as anger swells nationwide over the Valentines Day killings of 17 people at a Florida high school by a teenager with an assault weapon.
However in this case, it appeared that the shooter had illegally possessed the gun. In Maryland, a person must be 21 to possess a handgun, unless carrying one is required for employment.
The female student has been stabilized. The male student's condition has been upgraded to 'good'
Parents were told to stay away from the school, and to instead meet at another nearby school to be reunited with their kids
FBI and ATF are on the scene investigating the shooting with local law enforcemen
Many of the students who were picked up by their parents after the shooting today said they were afraid to go back to the school after what happened
Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer, the Democratic Whip, cancelled his usually weekly meeting on Capitol Hill to go to the school, which is located in the county where he lives.
He told NBC Washington that he 'sickened' that shootings continued to happen in schools, which should be 'free of threat'.
He said that the amount of mass shootings that have happened this year comes out to about one a week and is 'just unacceptable'.
'We sympathize. We empathize. We have moments of silence. But we dont have action,' Hoyer said. 'Wringing our hands is not enough.'
Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat, also spoke to reporters near the high school, saying that at a minimum, universal background checks and a ban on assault-style weapons are needed. He said he believes momentum is building for reform, fueled by student activism.
'I can tell you that Americans are listening to our students. I think our political system will respond,' he said.
Marylands Senate joined the House on Monday night to ban bump stocks, which enable a semi-automatic rifle to mimic a fully automatic weapon. Teachers union leaders issued statements Tuesday saying more policies must be changed nationwide to keep schools safe.
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, meanwhile, accused the Democrat-led legislature of failing to take action on 'one of the most aggressive school safety plans in the country'.
The shooting comes just four days before the March for Our Lives, a demonstration in Washington, DC and in other cities across the country, calling for increased gun control. The march was organized by survivors of the February 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead.
Students at the school took part in a national walkout to protest the nation's lax gun laws just last week
School buses were seen lined up outside the school to take students to another school to be reunited with their parents
Most of those school buses have since left the school bound for Leonardtown High School
Above, another view of school buses being lined up outside the school during the lockdown
That shooting has led to a renewed debate about the country's gun control laws.
'We are Here for you, students of Great Mills, together we can stop this from every happening again,' Parkland student activist Emma Gonzalez tweeted Tuesday morning.
Less than a week after the Parkland shooting last month, Great Mills High parents reached out to local outlet TheBayNet.com, saying their kids had heard of similar threats against the school on Snapchat.
The school's principal, Dr Jake Heibel, explained in a statement at the time that one of the threats stemmed from a student overhearing two students mention a 'shooting' and 'school' during a conversation between classes.
They interviewed the student and viewed video of the conversation and found the threat unsubstantiated.
They were also keyed into another threat going around social media. Law enforcement was called in on that case and again the threat was unsubstiated.
Nevertheless, Heibel said they were adding additional security.
Students at Great Mills High School wrote about the incident on Twitter as the school was in lockdown
The St Mary's County Sheriff asked parents NOT to show up to the school to be reunited with their kids
Emma Gonzalez (left), a survivor of the February 14 shooting in Parkland, Florida, tweeted words of support to the students at Great Mills Tuesday morning (below)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he is 'closely monitoring the situation' at the school
Similar threats also rocked nearby Leonardtown High School last month, which is where the Great Mills students were sent Tuesday to be reunited with their parents.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's office got a tip on February 16 - two days after the Parkland massacre - that two students were overheard discussing the shooting in the hallway.
The two students, ages 15 and 16, allegedly talked about how they were 'too smart to get caught'.
Police investigated and realized that one of the students made several concerning statements on social media.
One of the boys was also connected to a person who has a firearm license.
They got a search warrant to search that person's house and found numerous firearms, all legally purchased, but improperly stored. The firearms included semi-automatic rifles, handguns and other weapons, as well as ammunition.
The two teens were arrested for making threats of mass violence. David Fairfax, 39, was also arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, access to a firearm by a minor and illegal transfer of a firearm. It's unclear what his relation to the teens was.
That case is still pending.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is being asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
The school closed for the rest of the day. It's unclear how long the school would stay closed for. It was uncertain whether classes would resume on Wednesday anyway due to an incoming storm
A family have been ordered to move out of their new three-bedroom bungalow because planning permission had only been granted for a shed.
Planners granted permission to build a shed for agricultural use on the land in the Scottish village of Kinloch, but George Burke built the bungalow instead.
The family that bought the home near Blairgowrie in Perth and Kinross may not even have known it did not have planning permission.
George Burke built the bungalow in village of Kinloch, near Blairgowrie in Perth and Kinross
But Peter Brown and his family, who moved in last year, have been ordered to stop using it as a home, or face prosecution.
The house was built in early 2016, following two failed attempts to build homes on the land. An application for retrospective permission for a house was also refused.
Perth and Kinross Council has now slapped the owners with an enforcement order, demanding they stop using the house by the middle of September.
Peter Brown, one of three people named on the council notice, would not comment, although it is understood he has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.
The council believes Mr Burke moved in between July and September 2016, when the property was registered for council tax by the Tayside Joint Valuation Board.
A planning department spokesman said: 'The council has received concerns from local residents and members concerning the unauthorised development.
The house was built in early 2016, following two failed attempts to build homes on the land
'Concerns have been expressed over the previous owner of the site appearing to circumvent the planning process.'
He added: 'It is recognised that the recipients of this notice are the new owners of the site, and may have unwittingly taken ownership without full knowledge of the planning history and constraints.'
Mr Burke could not be reached for comment. In paperwork lodged with the council, agents explained why the shed was made into a house: 'The building was initially designed to facilitate ease of conversion to a house at a later date, should planning permission for a change of use be considered acceptable.
'However, the applicant was approached and asked if he would be prepared to sell his house privately. This accelerated the conversion of this building, to provide alternative accommodation for the applicant and his family.'
A council spokesman said: 'The notice was served because of a breach of planning control for an unauthorised change of use of this building from an agricultural storage building to residential use.
'The council understands that an appeal against the enforcement notice has recently been submitted to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division of the Scottish Government.'
Four police officers who savagely beat a 16-year-old boy with Asperger's as he lay naked screaming for help will now be subject to an internal investigation.
Horrifying CCTV footage, obtained by A Current Affair, shows the teenager being pinned to the ground and bashed with a baton outside a backpackers hostel in Byron Bay, New South Wales, on January 11.
In the shocking vision, the boy can be heard frantically shrieking for help as the officers swore at him and continued to beat him.
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Horrifying CCTV footage, obtained by A Current Affair, shows the teenager being pinned to the ground and bashed with a baton outside a backpackers hostel in Byron Bay, New South Wales
In the shocking vision, the boy can be heard frantically shrieking for help as the officers swore at him and continued to beat him (Bruising pictured)
He was left with severe purple bruising across his legs following the altercation.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) will now hold a public hearing to investigate if any NSW police officer involved in the incident engaged in serious misconduct.
'The LECC has received a number of complaints by members of the public about recent police events in Byron Bay which were reported in the media and has decided to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a young person on 11 January 2018, and the associated conduct of police officers,' a statement read.
The unnamed teenager, who has Asperger syndrome, was lying on the ground outside of the backpacker hostel on Lanteen Lane before police arrived.
Police allege they deployed pepper spray when the boy became aggressive, before using a taser when he allegedly assaulted an officer.
Officers also allege the teenager continued to resist arrest before he was taken to Byron Bay police station.
The footage, filmed by terrified locals, shows four officers repeatedly hitting the 16-year-old and yelling 'you f***ing loser' at the boy
The unnamed teenager, who has Asperger syndrome, was lying on the ground outside of the backpacker hostel on Lanteen Lane before police arrived (Bruising pictured)
The boy's parents are reportedly 'furious' and were out to dinner when the incident occurred.
The victim told the LECC he does not remember much but does recall being given a glass of wine from some locals before becoming 'disorientated'.
The footage, filmed by terrified locals, shows four officers repeatedly hitting the 16-year-old and yelling 'you f***ing loser' at the boy.
The boy then yells 'I'm not resisting' as police struggle to handcuff him.
A Current Affair's vision of the brutal attack sent ruptures across the local Byron Bay community.
Criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy (pictured) said the excessive police force on the young boy was unnecessary, especially with the number of officers attending
The attack is just one of many drug-related crimes and incidences police are having to deal with in Byron Bay, as the holiday hot spot is in the midst of a drug crisis
The attack is just one of many drug-related crimes and incidences police are having to deal with in Byron Bay, as the holiday hot spot is in the midst of a drug crisis.
Criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy said the excessive police force on the young boy was unnecessary, especially with the number of officers attending.
'If it's just a matter of handcuffing him with four officers there, I probably wouldn't see the need for the repetitive baton strikes,' he told the program.
The public hearing into the case will begin on Monday.
Kul Pandey, 56, killed Lord Thomas Taylor, after hitting him with his lorry outside the House of Lords on November 16, 2016
A lorry driver who struck and killed an 87-year-old Labour peer after failing to stop at a give-way sign is facing jail after admitting in court he was carelessly driving.
Kul Pandey, 56, collided with Lord Thomas Taylor of Blackburn, who was on his mobility scooter, at a road crossing on Millbank on November 16, 2016.
Lord Taylor was hit by Pandey's Mercedes Actros Truck on a road crossing just yards away from the House of Lords at around 6pm.
The Lancashire peer was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and succumbed to his injuries nine days later.
Pandey admitted to causing Lord Taylor's death by his careless driving, he told the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
Michael Rawlinson, defending Pandey, told the court the carelessness amounted to 'failing to stop at a give-way sign'.
Had Pandey done so, he may have spotted the peer, Mr Rawlinson added.
'When he started the vehicle, I think the reality is he did not see Lord Taylor, whether that was because he already checked his mirror and missed him or, as the prosecution say, he should have taken more care,' said Mr Rawlinson.
Pandey, who is from Nepal but holds a British passport, has lost his job as a result of the collision and was warned he now faces an almost inevitable prison term.
Pandey admitted to causing Lord Taylor's (pictured) death by his careless driving, he told the Old Bailey on Tuesday
'Mr Pandey, you have pleaded guilty to an offence which I am sure you know is very serious,' said Judge Anuja Dhir QC.
'The sentence that courts impose on offences like this is prison, and you must assume that will be the sentence that I will pass.
'I am not going to sentence you today and that is because I want to hear more about you and more about the facts of the case before deciding what is the appropriate sentence here.'
Prosecutor Aislinn Rice said: 'Lord Thomas Taylor of Blackburn was leaving the House of Lords, he was travelling on his mobility scooter and he was going to Millbank.
'He attempted to cross the road and sadly that is when this happened.
'The defendant is in his lorry and was initially stationery as Lord Taylor was crossing but he did not go fully across and then the collision occurred.
'Unfortunately Lord Taylor later passed away.'
Reading aloud from her notes on Tuesday Judge Dhir said: 'The defendant pleads guilty. No basis of plea, but the carelessness is the defendant failing to stop at a give-way sign.'
Pandey now faces jail time for the death of Lord Taylor (pictured), although Old Bailey Judge Anuja Dhir QC hasn't decided the sentence length
She continued: 'If he had, Lord Taylor may have been noticed by him. When he started the vehicle he did not see Lord Taylor. The prosecution say he should have taken more care.'
Lord Taylor, who was made a life peer in 1978, was leader of Blackburn Town Council in the 1970s.
Speaking after his death, Lady Smith of Basildon, Labour's leader in the Lords, said: 'Tom Taylor had a life-long commitment to the Labour Party, through both local government and Parliament, and was held in high regard and with great affection by his party colleagues.
'Tom was a committed member of the House of Lords right through to the tragic circumstances which led to his death.
'We in the Labour peers group are very sad and will miss him dearly.'
In 2009 Lord Taylor was one of four peers suspended from the House of Lords after entering into negotiations, involving fees of up to 120,000, with Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for a foreign firm.
Pandey, of Bendfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex, admitted a single count of causing death by careless driving.
He was bailed ahead of sentence at the same court on April 9.
United Airlines is pausing its reservations for pets traveling in the cargo compartment after three dogs were loaded onto the wrong planes last week and a fourth died in an overhead bin.
On Tuesday, the airline said it will halt PetSafe reservations while it reviews the service, which lets customers ship pets as cargo. Fees can run several hundred dollars for a medium-size or big dog.
The review, expected to finish by May 1, does not affect pets in the cabin like the French bulldog that died last week after a flight attendant ordered a passenger to put her pet carrier in the overhead bin.
United Airlines said on Tuesday it is pausing it reservations for pets traveling in the cargo compartment after three dogs were loaded onto the wrong planes last week and a fourth died in an overhead bin
Last week, Irgo the German Shepherd (left) and Lincoln the Great Dane (right) were mixed up by staff. Irgo was accidentally sent to Japan and had to be flown home on a corporate jet and Lincoln was sent to Wichita, Kansas
United's decision follows incidents last week in which dogs were mistakenly sent to incorrect destinations.
Irgo the German Shepherd was meant to fly with his owners to Wichita, Kansas, from Portland, Oregon, stopping off at Denver on the way.
Instead, he was sent by mistake to Naruto, Japan.
When his owners in Wichita went to collect him, they were greeted instead by Lincoln, a Great Dane whose family live in Japan and were on their way there without him.
Two days later, a United flight carrying 33 passengers from Newark, New Jersey, to St Louis was diverted to Akron, Ohio, after the airline realized that a pet had been mistakenly loaded onto the wrong flight.
United spokesman Charles Hobart said the airline was pausing new PetSafe reservations while it reviews and improves the program.
He said the airline would consult independent experts in pet safety and assured that United is not killing the program.
Hobart also said that United also will give airport crews more advance warning about the number and type of animals flying in cargo for each flight.
The review, expected to finish by May 1, does not affect pets in the cabin like the French bulldog that died last week after a flight attendant ordered a passenger to put her pet carrier in the overhead bin (pictured)
A United spokesman said the airline also will give airport crews more advance warning about the number and type of animals flying in cargo for each flight
For future flights, a ramp supervisor will be required to oversee the loading and unloading of all animals in cargo, and another official will have to certify that the animals were handled properly before the flight takes off.
United announced last week that to avoid a repeat of the dog dying in an overhead bin, it will put brightly colored tags on carriers containing pets in plane cabins.
The airline says the flight attendant who told a woman to put her carrier in the overhead bin on a Houston-to-New York flight didn't understand that there was a dog inside, an account that the family and other passengers disputed.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to take a break from from their wedding preparations with a holiday hopping around the Greek islands, MailOnline understands
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to take a break from their wedding preparations to enjoy a holiday hopping around the Greek islands, MailOnline understands.
The soon-to-be married couple are planning to spend a day on the party island of Zakynthos as part of an early summer Mediterranean break before their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, a hotel boss on the island claims.
Claims that the royal pair will be paying a visit to the popular holiday island at the beginning of May has been hugely welcomed by the inhabitants.
Businessman Spiros Lougaris, owner of the Hotel Castelli on the island posted on Facebook: 'Good Morning dear friends.
'We have just been informed that His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales (familiarly known and loved as Prince Harry) and Meghan Markle will be arriving in Zakynthos on a ONE DAY stopover of a trip in early May PRIOR to their wedding.
'It is an enormous pleasure and honour for the whole island and of course for our friend Maria Drogitis that will be their personal guide, the Municipality stakeholders and all residents and visitors, that share the same enthusiasm for our beautiful island of Zakynthos!'
Meghan (pictured on Instagram) and Harry are planning to spend a day on the party island of Zakynthos before their wedding Windsor Castle on May 19, a hotel boss on the island claims
Meghan (pictured on Instagram) are reportedly planning to island hop in Greece ahead of their big day in May - much to the excitement of locals. It is rumoured the couple will stay on a yacht
Blessed with pristine blue seas, golden beaches, dramatic cliffs and thickly wooded hills Zakynthos is renowned as one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
A picture postcard destination Zakynthos is characterized by small fishing villages, isolated monasteries, cliff-top churches and traditional hamlets, where traditional foods is served on checked tablecloths outside quaint tavernas.
But Harry and Meghan will not stay overnight on Zakynthos which has gained a notorious after-dark reputation as a party island where hard drinking and high-jinks have at times turned to murder.
Another hotel owner told MailOnline: 'Prince Harry and his fiance will not spend the night on Zakynthos. They will only come for the day.'
In July last year American tourist Bakari Henderson, 22, was beaten to death in an horrific bar fight in Laganas.
Mr Henderson, an African-American university graduate from Austin, Texas, was set upon by a group of nine thugs including one Briton - who asked an off-duty bar hostess why she was talking to a 'black guy'.
In July 2008 Briton Matthew Cryer, 17, from Sheffield, died after he was attacked and thrown down the stairs of the 'Cocktails and Dreams bar' in Laganas, Zakynthos.
Greek authorities claimed he died due to excessive drinking but a British coroner ruled the teenager had been 'unlawfully killed' after he suffered 20 injuries.
Set behind six miles of golden sands, the Laganas beach resort is a sprawling mess of noisy bars, all-night clubs, cheap restaurants and tacky souvenir shops and the main attraction to the tens of thousands of hedonistic tourists who flock to Zakynthos every year.
Known as the 'party zone of Zante' Laganas is notorious for its 'lively' night-life where a variety of clubs stay open until dawn and host theme nights including karaoke, quiz and adult-themed games.
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's full itinerary is being kept as a closely guarded secret, the couple are expected to fly to Corfu the birthplace of the royal's grandfather Prince Philip.
It is believed the couple will board a yacht in Corfu to sail to Zakynthos and other Ionian islands such as Lefkas, which is a favourite of Harry's father Prince Charles, ahead of their wedding.
While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's full itinerary is being kept as a closely guarded secret, the couple are expected to fly to Corfu the birthplace of the royal's grandfather Prince Philip
The trip may also coincide with Prince Charles's first official visit to Greece, scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 May.
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall the future king has been invited by the Greek ceremonial leader, President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos,
Charles and Camilla will be guests of honour at an official dinner in Athens and are also expected to visit the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum and a number of other ancient sites in the Greek capital.
Prince Charles may also take the opportunity to visit the isolated Mount Athos Holy Mount monastery, to where he has made a number of private pilgrimages.
Kensington Palace, which speaks on behalf of Prince Harry, declined to comment, when contacted by MailOnline.
In response to Mike Pences familys book about their pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo, Last Week Tonights John Oliver has published a parody book about the rabbit entitled A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, and features Bundo falling in love with a male rabbit.
And its already proven to be a huge success after it was revealed that Last Week Tonights book has already outsold the Pence familys.
It all started with a segment on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, when John Oliver took Vice President Mike Pence to task over his views on everything from women in the military to gay rights. The HBO shows host said: While Pence may claim that he did not and does not support gay conversion therapy, he very much supports those who support it.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver revealed his parody of Mike Pence's family's book
Oliver then turned his attention to the Pence family pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo, pointing out that he has his own Instagram account and now a children's book to boot.
The book, entitled Marlon Bundos A Day in the Life of the Vice President, was written by Mike Pences daughter, Charlotte Pence, and illustrated by his wife, Karen. It was released on March 19, 2018 and follows the adventures of BOTUS (Bunny of the United States) as he hops after "Grampa" (Vice President Mike Pence).
However, in a segment on Sunday, John Oliver revealed that his show too wrote a book about Marlon Bundo.
It turns out, in a complete coincidence, we also wrote a book about Mike Pences rabbit, that has also been published, before going on to say that while Pence familys book would be released on Monday, March 19, his shows book was released at that exact moment - on Sunday, March 18.
While his is out tomorrow, ours is released...right now.
The parody book A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo is written by Last Week Tonight's Jill Twiss
The former Daily Show correspondent then explained how his book, written by Last Week Tonight writer Jill Twiss, differs from the Pence familys. Oliver jokes that unlike Pences story, his shows Bundo has a bow-tie, before revealing that his Bundo actually falls in love with another boy rabbit.
Oliver said that his parody book is genuine and could be bought on Amazon and at betterbundobook.com, saying it should be easy enough to remember: Do you want the regular Bundo book, or the better Bundo book? Its a betterbundobook.com.
All the money raised by the book would go to The Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention efforts among the LGBTQ youths, and AIDS United, which aims to end the AIDS epidemic in the US.
We absolutely love #BetterBundoBook! Order this beautiful kids book about tolerance and you'll support our lifesaving work, too
Receive a free e-book when you donate to us: https://t.co/78wyycyd4R
Order a hard copy or audio book: https://t.co/4G7LykWKMv pic.twitter.com/f3xMPBTOD0 The Trevor Project (@TrevorProject) March 19, 2018
Oliver says that these charities are two great reasons to purchase the book, before adding that another reason would be that selling more books than Pence, would probably really piss him off. So thats three great reasons.
And it looks like that goal has been accomplished after just one day. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo currently sits at No.1 on the Amazon Best Sellers in Childrens Books, with Marlon Bundos A Day in the life of the Vice President coming in at No.3. However, Pences book is in third only because the Kindle edition of John Olivers book is in No.2.
Oliver also said that there is an audiobook version of his book, which features the Big Bang Theorys Jim Parsons as Bundo and John Lithgow as a stinkbug that may, or may not, look a whole lot like Mike Pence.
The Stinkbug may just be my finest work. Thanks @LastWeekTonight ! https://t.co/otzYnqTgCH John Lithgow (@JohnLithgow) March 19, 2018
Other actors involved include Modern Familys Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper and Jack McBrayer.
However, it looks like the real Marlon Bundo is taking John Olivers book in its stride, with the Pence family posting on Instagram a pic of Bundo wearing a multi-coloured bow-tie.
The Pence familys book is raising money for Tracys Kids, an art programme for children with cancer, and A21, an organisation that fights human trafficking.
Rohan Brown, the former deputy headmaster of Trinity Grammar School, has spoken out for the first time after his sacking for cutting a student's hair.
Mr Brown wrote a letter to the school captain and four vice captains of the prestigious Victorian private school imploring them to end their 'smart casual' protest over his sacking.
'It is my wish that the boys return to school uniform for the remainder of the term,' the letter reads.
'Your strength of character, love of the school and leadership is very evident and I would wholeheartedly support you ensuring the boys are back in uniform.'
Mr Brown thanked the boys for their support over the last and acknowledged that 'it must be very trying, confusing and difficult for the five of you.'
The student at the centre of the incident who had his hair cut by a long-standing deputy principal has revealed he never wanted him to be sacked.
A woman who claimed to be the boy's aunt told The Herald Sun they did not try to force Rohan Brown out of Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne.
She also said that her nephew had been the target of bullying since the announcement of Mr Brown's dismissal and that the student and Mr Brown had sorted the issue out between themselves.
Students were seen passionately protesting the dismissal of Mr Brown, with one student claiming students and teachers alike were crying over it.
However despite more than 500 people signing an online petition to 'Bring Brownie Back' and parents threatening to withhold fees, the school is standing firm on its decision.
Video footage taken on students' mobile phones show Rohan Brown cutting a student's hair
Principal Michael Davies said he would consult with advisors and leaders so that the school could provide more insight into the issue in the coming weeks.
Trinity Grammar School council chairman Roderick Lyle told parents on Thursday night Mr Brown had left the school.
Mr Lyle said Mr Brown's actions were 'inconsistent with community expectations in this day and age', The Age reported.
School council chairman Roderick Lyle told parents on Thursday night deputy principal Rohan Brown (pictured) had left Trinity Grammar in Melbourne
It is understood Mr Brown cut a student's hair because it was too long on the school's photo day.
The school's policy is that hair must be off the collar.
'As a result, the school council was of the view that Mr Brown's leadership position at the school was no longer tenable,' the letter read.
'We are all very disappointed and deeply saddened by the situation.'
Mr Brown had worked at the school for almost 30 years, and said he was upset about what had happened.
'I would like to go back. It's a good school and this is tearing me apart. I can't comment further,' he said.
Former students said they believed the decision to sack Mr Brown was political.
'This was a school which produced well-rounded men who had an interest in the wider community not just their pay packets and status. The school is being destroyed,' a former Trinity Grammar student said.
Mr Brown has since been dismissed from the school over the incident, but the student never wanted it to go that far
Former teachers said there had been high staff turnover after current principal Michael Davies took the role in 2014.
A teacher estimates 152 staff had left the school since then.
In his letter to parents, Mr Lyle said Mr Brown had served the school and had made a strong contribution.
An interim leadership structure has been put in place at the school while the council looked for a replacement for Mr Brown.
At least three students at an Arkansas high school say they were swatted with a paddle for participating in the nationwide walkout protests to promote stricter gun laws.
The incident happened last Wednesday at Greenbrier Public Schools after the teens returned back to classes.
Jerusalem Greer, the mother of one of the students, Wylie Greer, posted what happened on her Twitter page.
'My kid and two other students walked out of their rural, very conservative, public school for 17 minutes today,' she wrote. 'They were given two punishment options. They chose corporal punishment. This generation is not playing around. #walkout'
Jerusalem Greer, the mother to one of the students, Wylie Greer, took to her Twitter to tell what happened to her son last week after he participated in the school protest
Jerusalem Greer is pictured in a selfie from her Facebook page. Her tweet went viral
Wylie also spoke out about the incident last week. The teen described the punishment as 'not painful or injuring' and 'a temporary sting on my thighs'
The tweet immediately went viral - with over 22,600 retweets and 89,200 likes as of early March 20.
The woman's son, Wylie, explained the incident in greater detail last Thursday to the Daily Beast.
Greenbrier Public Schools Superintendent Scott Spainhour said the students violated school policy by participating in the protest
He said around 10am that day, he and the two other students walked out of the school, but were mocked by others for doing so before leaving and after they returned back inside.
'We sat outside the front of the building and were approached first by the principal, who asked us "if he could help us" and "if we understood that there would be consequences",' Wylie said.
'After we answered affirmatively, he went back inside. A few minutes passed and the dean-of-students approached us. He asked "what we were doing," we told him that we were protesting gun violence. He told us to go inside. We refused.'
When the three teens went back to classes less than 20 minutes later, they were told by staff they would be punished by 'swatting' with a paddle. Otherwise, they had the choice to get a two-day in-school suspension.
Wylie told the Daily Beast all three of them chose to be paddled. He described the punishment as 'not painful or injuring' and 'a temporary sting on my thighs.'
School Superintendent Scott Spainhour told KARK-TV Little Rock, the students violated school policy by participating in the protest.
Greenbrier Public Schools in Arkansas is pictured above, where the incident happened last Wednesday
He said the three received the punishment only after their parents provided permission.
Wylie concluded in his statement to the Daily Beast: 'I believe that corporal punishment has no place in schools, even if it wasnt painful to me,' he said.
'The idea that violence should be used against someone who was protesting violence as a means to discipline them is appalling. I hope that this is changed, in Greenbrier, and across the country.'
Corporal punishment is currently banned in 31 states across the country. It is currently legal in Arkansas, the state's FindLaw.com School Discipline section says.
Greenbrier Public Schools is a rural school located at 4 School Drive in the city of Greenbrier.
A Pennsylvania mother-of-two has been arrested after she allegedly left her children home alone for days in horrific conditions while she vacationed in Florida.
Nicole Sciortino, 30, was been charged with four counts of child endangerment. Vincent Licciardello, the children's father, was also arrested and charged.
Police found the house in disarray, with pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, and clothes scattered across the floors. A basket with Sciortino's medication was unsecured.
The temperature inside the Scranton home was 58 degrees and Sciortino's 11-year-old son was wearing his winter coat indoors.
Nicole Sciortino, 30, and Vincent Licciardello, 30, were charged with child endangerment after police discovered their children, aged 10 and 11, had been left home alone for days
Authorities arrived at the home on March 7 after it was reported that two children had been left alone for weeks.
Police had Scirotino's 10-year-old daughter call her on FaceTime with an iPad, and the mother first claimed to police that she wasn't far away.
Sciortino eventually admitted she was in Florida and claimed a March 4 flight had been canceled due to weather in New York, according to The Scranton Times-Tribune.
But officers discovered that the children had been left alone for three days, and that Licciardello had dropped the boy and girl off at their mother's house on March 5.
Sciortino claimed that the children were supposed to be staying with Licciardello, who lived about five miles away.
Licciardello told authorities that his car had broken down, but that he occasionally dropped off food for the children and checked in with them over the phone.
The father, who never stayed with his son and daughter in Sciortino's house, also claimed that she did not like when their children slept at his apartment.
Police found the house Scranton, Pennsylvania (pictured) in disarray, with pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, and clothes scattered across the floors
The children told police they had been left alone overnight and that their mother would call in the mornings to wake them up for school.
They would get ready themselves and walk to a nearby bus stop. They would eat breakfast at school, if at all.
The 10-year-old also told police she had used the microwave to make them macaroni and cheese.
The boy told police that Sciortino had showed him how to fill the furnace with water just in case the heat shut off.
Officers later discovered that one of the children had missed 16 days of school this year, and another had missed 26 days.
They called the county's Office of Youth and Family Services and the children are now staying with family friends, according to WNEP.
Sciortino told police that she was unaware it was against the law to leave children alone at home for long periods of time.
She also told them she 'didn't think it was really that bad', according to the arrest report.
Sciortino and Licciardello were charged on Monday and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for March 27.
Ricky Gervais has backed a dog owner who has been convicted of being 'grossly offensive' online after he filmed his girlfriend's pug giving Nazi salutes and put it on YouTube.
The comedian took to Twitter to throw his support behind Mark Meechan from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, who was found guilty under the Communications Act in Airdrie Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Meechan, 30, had recorded a pug, Buddha, responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' by raising its paw. He was arrested for allegedly committing a hate crime after he uploaded the footage to YouTube in April of 2016.
Gervais took a strong stance against the verdict, tweeting: 'A man has been convicted in a UK court of making a joke that was deemed ''grossly offensive''.
'If you don't believe in a person's right to say things that you might find ''grossly offensive'', then you don't believe in Freedom of Speech.
'I f***ing hate religion. I've criticised and ridiculed it for 40 years. Yet if my government tried to ban it or criminalise it, I would march alongside those poor fools and fight hard for their right to believe any f***ing stupid nonsense they chose.'
Mark Meechan from Lanarkshire filmed his girlfriend's pug giving Nazi salutes and put it on YouTube in April 2016. The 30-year-old was found guilty of being 'grossly offensive' online on Tuesday. Pictured: Meechan (left) and former EDL leader Tommy Robinson on Tuesday
Gervais took a strong stance against the verdict, tweeting: 'A man has been convicted in a UK court of making a joke that was deemed ''grossly offensive''
Meechan recorded the dog, Buddha, responding to statements such as 'gas the Jews' and 'Sieg Heil' by raising its paw in a Nazi salute (pictured)
Meechan, who was supported by former EDL leader Tommy Robinson, said he was going to appeal the decision as he left court on Tuesday.
He added: 'There has been a miscarriage of justice. I think it is a very dark day in regards to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.'
'The thing that was most worrying is that one of the primary things that has to be considered is things like context and intent and that was completely disregarded.
'For any comedians in Britain, be very, very worried about making jokes in future because the context and intent behind them apparently don't matter any more.'
Robinson, who supported Meechan in court on Tuesday, added: 'This is the intelligence services, this is the government, this is the police cracking down and silencing free speech on people who are not even allowed to tell jokes.
'As we're in Scotland, Frankie Boyle has always said far worse.'
Meechan announced the verdict on Twitter, simply writing: 'Guilty. Recess called to await sentencing.'
The self-proclaimed comic was charged under the Communications Act and the offence is punishable by up to two months in prison.
Although Meechan was due to be sentenced on Tuesday, the judge delayed his sentencing until April 23.
Meechan continued to update his followers through Twitter, writing: 'While awaiting sentencing, Court has ordered that I meet with a court social worker for an assessment as to whether or not a Restriction Of Liberty Order will be placed on me.
'This would involve a GPS tracking device being attached to me and me being placed under house arrest.'
Meechan said it was 'extraordinary bad luck' the video featuring the pug became so popular, amassing more than three million views on YouTube
Police later accused the 30-year-old of spreading 'anti-Semitic' material on YouTube, where he calls himself Count Dankula
The self-proclaimed comic was charged under the Communications Act and the offence is punishable by up to two months in prison. Pictured: The pug featured in Meechan's video
Meechan's stunt provoked outrage after being posted on YouTube where it has more than three million views.
He said he has lost eight jobs since posting the video and claimed he only intended it to be seen by seven of his friends, who follow his YouTube channel, Count Dankula.
But he says the video was shared, by someone, on the social media platform, Reddit, which led to the surge in its popularity, amassing more than three million views.
Meechan said it was 'extraordinary bad luck' the video became so popular.
Meechan, who claims the video was 'for the purposes of comedy', previously said he had received support for the joke from famous Jewish comedian David Baddiel.
But Sheriff O'Carroll said the video, in which the phrase 'gas the Jews' is repeated 23 times, was 'threatening and grossly offensive.'
He found Meechan guilty of sending by 'means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character'.
Giving his verdict to the court, O'Carroll on Tuesday said: 'In my view, there is no doubt it's [the video] grossly offensive.'
He said Meechan knew the video was offensive as he said himself during his evidence that he 'likes offensive comedy.'
Sheriff O'Carroll said: 'He said he chose 'gas the Jews' as it was the most offensive phrase associated with the Nazi's that he could think of.
'It was the centrepiece of the joke. He said it was so extreme that it added to the comedy.'
Meechan, who claims the video was 'for the purposes of comedy', previously said he had received support for the joke from famous Jewish comedian David Baddiel. Pictured: Meechan (left) arriving at court with his partner Suzanne Kelly (right) on Tuesday
Meechan announced the verdict on Twitter, simply writing: 'Guilty. Recess called to await sentencing'
Meechan continued to update his followers through Twitter, writing: 'While awaiting sentencing, Court has ordered that I meet with a court social worker for an assessment as to whether or not a Restriction Of Liberty Order will be placed on me'
Sheriff O'Carroll said Meechan 'knew what he was doing' adding: 'It is self-evident that the material is anti-Semitic.'
He did not believe Meechan's defence that the video was made as a private joke to annoy his girlfriend, as he had 'not taken any steps to prevent the video being shared publicly'.
In closing statements, during the trail at Airdrie Sheriff Court, Meechan's defense agent Ross Brown said: 'The purpose of the video was to annoy his girlfriend.
'There was no evidence to demonstrate that he intended, by communicating the material, to cause fear or alarm.'
He added that Meechan had only intended for the eight subscribers to his YouTube channel - all of which are friends who 'share his sense of humour' - to see the video.
But Mr Brown said: 'One of those friends leaked the material and so the content went viral.
'It was not a matter that was able to be reasonably foreseen.'
Defence agent Mr Brown also said there was no evidence that Meechan had intended to 'stir up hatred on religious grounds.'
He pointed out that in a second video filmed by Meechan after the M8 video, that he had stated he had 'no ill will towards the Jewish community.'
Sheriff O'Carroll said Meechan 'knew what he was doing' adding: 'It is self-evident that the material is anti-Semitic.' He did not believe Meechan's defence that the video was made as a private joke to annoy his girlfriend
He stated the video was to be seen as 'comedic or satirical.'
Mr Brown accused the crown of 'promoting the phrase 'gas the Jews' out of context it was intended'. He added: 'Context is everything.'
Mr Brown said there was no evidence of a complainer in the case, adding Police Scotland was not contacted by anyone who found the video 'grossly offensive or menacing.'
He slammed the authority saying Meechan's arrest was 'an attempt to demonstrate diversity credentials.'
He said: 'The complainer would appear to be Police Scotland.'
Mr Brown said his client had been subjected to 'perp walk' after claiming the media was alerted to Meechan's arrest.
He said: 'On his arrest, the media had been alerted and he was photographed before he even got to the police station, let alone before he got to court.
'This 'perp walk' as it is known in America is something I hope is never repeated here.'
Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson attended court today in support of Meechan.
Robinson, real name Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, said the case was a 'huge free speech issue.'
A Yugoslavian man has spent the past two decades building a bunker under his house in preparation for the worst.
Jakov Loncarevic began turning his backyard in Minyip, 308km north-west of Melbourne, into an emergency hideaway in case of fire, flood or nuclear war.
The house may appear normal from the street, but what lies underneath will sustain the dedicated builder for about two years, A Current Affair reported.
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Jakov Loncarevic (pictured right) began digging up his backyard in Minyip, 308km north-west of Melbourne, and created a bunker in case of fire, flood or nuclear war
Mr Loncarevic said the four-metre deep bunker is 'nuclear proof' (pictured) which he created by removing 40,000 buckets of dirt and using 2500 bags of concrete
With 200 pairs of underwear, 6000 litres of water and 120kg of honey, Mr Loncarevic is prepared for any 'unforeseen events' with his 'emergency survival place'.
The Yugoslavian moved to Australia in 1979 after spending years guarding plutonium stockpiles - a radioactive metal used as an explosive in nuclear fission weapons.
Mr Loncarevic said the four-metre deep bunker is 'nuclear proof' which he created by removing 40,000 buckets of dirt and using 2500 bags of concrete, 40 tonnes of steel and 20 tonnes of wood.
The outspoken builder even removed more than 70 trees from his property to prevent potential bush fires.
'(People) asking me so stupid questions ... is this (bunker) for stacking the bodies,' Mr Loncarevic told the Nine Network.
'(It's my) emergency survival place.
'In case of unforeseen events ... I will survive.'
Police believe they have found the remains of Louise Pietrewicz, 38. The mother-of-one disappeared in 1966 after she left her abusive husband and while she was having an affair with a married cop
Police believe they have found the skeletal remains of a mother who disappeared in 1966 under a home once own by the married cop she was having an affair with.
Detectives with the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad in Long Island, New York, discovered the bones wrapped in a burlap bag during a search of a 17th century home in Southhold at 11.30pm on Monday.
Cops believe the remains belong to Louise Pietrewicz, a 38-year-old woman who suddenly vanished from the small town 51 years ago after she left her abusive husband.
She was dating local cop William Boken, who lived in the house at the time with his wife and children.
Boken passed away in 1982, and the whereabouts of Pietrewicz remained a mystery for decades.
The basement had been examined and parts of it were dug up in 2013 with no results.
The current home owner, who has no involvement in the case, consented to Mondays search.
Police used ground-penetrating sonar, which led to additional digging in the basement of the home where the skeletal remains were discovered.
The bones were taken to the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner to determine the identity of the deceased and cause of death.
DNA collected from Pietrewicz's surviving relatives, including her 63-year-old daughter, Sandy Blampied, will be used for comparison.
Breakthrough: The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad on Monday discovered skeletal remains in the basement of a home in Southhold, New York (scene pictured)
This four-bedroom house, built in 1677, once belonged to William Boken, Pietrewicz's married boyfriend
Blampied, who is married and lives in Middletown, told The Suffolk Times she was shocked by the discovery of the remains but said she has never given up hope to find her beloved mother.
Pietrewicz's disappearance had languished in obscurity until last October, when The Suffolk Times ran an in-depth eight-part investigative series in the paper and produced a three-part documentary shedding new light on the missing person case, both titled Gone.
The publicity generated by the reporting and the film prompted the local police to reopen the investigation.
Sgt. John Kempf of the Suffolk homicide squad, told Newsday the bones were found 5-6 feet beneath the surface of the floor, and just 4 feet away from the site of the failed 2013 dig.
Police had started digging in the basement last Thursday after interviewing Boken's ex-wife, Judith Terry, who reportedly told them that Pietrewicz's body was buried in a burlap bag in the basement of the four-bedroom, two-bath home that was built in 1677.
Blampied said she always suspected that Terry knew something about her mother's fate and that she would be the one to unlock the mystery.
Unhappy marriage: Not long before her disappearance, Louise had left her husband of 16 years, a prosperous farmer named Albin Pietrewicz, who was said to have been abusive (pictured together on their wedding day)
Lover: Louise was having an affair with William Boken, a Southold police officer who was married with a son and a second child on the way. He died in 1982
Louise Pietrewicz was last seen alive on October 6, 1966. She had recently left her husband of 16 years, a prosperous farmer named Albin Pietrewicz, who was said to have been psychically and verbally abusive, and had relocated with her 11-year-old daughter, Sandy, to her family's farm in Sagaponack, New York.
At the time, Pietrewicz was romantically involved with William Boken, a Southold police officer who was married with a son and a second child on the way. Their respective spouses, Albin and Judith, both knew of the extramarital affair.
Shortly before she vanished, Pietrewicz had purchased two plane tickets for herself and her daughter so they could travel to Florida.
A day before her last sighting, on October 5, Pietrewicz emptied her bank account containing just over $1,770 and closed it.
Louise's sister Josephine last saw her riding away from Sagaponack in Boken's car, acting as if she did not want to be seen by anyone.
The next day, Boken resigned from the local police force after taking a three-day sick leave.
Keeping hope alive: Pietrewicz's daughter, 63-year-old Sandy Blampied (pictured) has never given up hope to bring her beloved mother home
Pietrewicz's purse was recovered a week later on a shoulder of Route 25. Its contents included a World War II savings bond, the woman's Social Security card and a postcard bearing the name of a doctor in Glen Cove.
Police investigated the incident as a missing person case, not as a possible homicide, and it got no attention from the local press at the time.
Following Pietrewicz's disappearance, detectives interviewed her estranged husband, who reportedly told them that he was humiliated by her infidelity and did not care what about her whereabouts, or whether she was alive or dead.
A year later, Louise's lover Boken was arrested on suspicion of abusing his wife Judith and was committed to a psychiatric hospital.
At one point, he allegedly threatened his wife that he would bury her in their basement 'with that other b****.' He was never prosecuted in connection to Pietrewicz's disappearance, having been officially declared mentally ill, and died in New York City in 1982.
Albin Pietrewicz divorced his missing wife in 1974 and remarried two years later. He died in 2000.
Illinois Rep. Randy Hultgren has fired a senior aide after he was found shirtless in a parked SUV with a 17-year old boy.
The aide, Nick Provenzano, told a police officer who questioned him during the arrest about why he had his shirt off at first said it was 'hot' and the two were 'hanging out' according to an Oct. 21 incident report obtained by Politico.
He also at first said they were 'talking about life.'
Porvenzano served as deputy district director in the exurban district outside Chicago.
The aide was fired over the weekend.
Nick Provenzano was fired from his job as a senior aide to Rep. Randy Hultgren after he got found in a parked car with his shirt off accompanied by a 17-year-old boy
Before the arrest, a suspicious homeowner called police after noticing a parked SUV on a dead end street with the lights off.
A responding police officer observed that Porvenzano had no shirt on, while the boy was fully clothed.
According to the report, Porvenzano stated to one officer that he 'did not want to admit to anything, but stated that contact between him and [the teenager] was consensual in nature, that nobody was forced or coerced each other to engage in any acts they did not want to, and that he believed [the teenager] was eighteen (18) years old.'
Porvenzano was released without charges after being questioned at the stop. Prosecutors did not file criminal charges against him.
Randy Hultgren, R-Ill. represents an Illinois district outside Chicago. His aide Porvenzano was fired over the weekend
Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) claps as President Donald Trump speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC
The teen later told the cops the two met on the online gay dating site Grindr and that the encounter was sexual in nature.
The partially redacted document does not reveal exactly what happened, but one portion of the interview says the teen 'touched Dominic's [redacted]. The teen then was brought to the McHenry police department to give a statement.
The Northwest Herald reported that at one point Porvenzano pulled down his pants and underwear.
Porvenzano was promoted to Hultgren's deputy district director in 2016.
A Hultgren spokesman told the publication the office only found out Wednesday and placed the aide on immediate leave.
Hultgren, elected in 2010, is a former aide to disgraced former House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, who went to jail on financial charges after he was revealed to have been making payments to teen he sexually abused.
Democrats say they are targeting the seat, which is rated solid Republican.
This is the terrifying moment a wasp is captured dragging a huntsman spider across an Adelaide backyard in front of a horrified family.
Jace Watkins noticed the insect pulling the spider from a concrete area over to a patch of grass at his residence in Mansfield Park.
He quickly rushed inside to get a camera so he could film the strength of the wasp as it dragged its prey to privacy.
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A wasp was captured dragging a huntsman spider (pictured) across an Adelaide backyard
Jace Watkins saw the insect pulling the spider from a concrete area at his home and ran inside to grab a camera
'We were playing out in the backyard and the huntsman fell from the roof... and that's when we saw the wasp come down and it started dragging it,' Mr Watkins told Yahoo 7.
'The kids screamed... I have a real fear of them (spiders) so to see that was pretty cool,' Mr Watkins said.
Andrew Trevor-Jones, a visitor services officer at the Australian Museum, said the spider would have been paralysed, making it easier for the wasp to haul the creepy crawly.
At the end of the clip, the wasp flies away from the huntsman however Mr Trevor-Jones explained it was likely because of the attention the pair were getting from the excited family.
'It's not going to give up that spider after its gone to all that trouble,' he said.
Ellie Butler was murdered by her father at their home in Sutton, London in 2013
Ellie Butler was 'let down by an entire system' when she was murdered 11 months after she was returned to her parents, an inquest heard today.
Ben Butler, 38, is serving life with a minimum of 23 years for beating his six-year-old daughter to death at their family home in Sutton, south London in October 2013.
The youngster went to live with her grandparents, Neal and Linda Gray, after Butler was convicted of shaking her when she was a baby.
But the conviction was quashed in the Court of Appeal and Ellie was returned to Butler and her mother Jennie Gray, 38, in November 2012.
The inquest at Croydon Coroner's Court is examining whether there were failures on the part of the authorities over Ellie's murder, including the sharing of information between organisations.
Catherine Harris was employed as an independent social worker by Sutton Council in July 2012, prior to Mrs Justice Hogg's ruling in September of that year.
Giving evidence Ms Harris said she believed her agency, Services for Children (S4C) were part of a system who had let her down.
She said: 'I think with the benefit of hindsight Ellie was let down by an entire system of which S4C was part of. Ellie is now dead so she was let down by a system and S4C was part of that system.'
Ben Butler, 38, is serving life with a minimum of 23 years for beating his six-year-old daughter to death
Ms Harris agreed that there had been a focus on what the parents wanted during Ellie's move from her grandparents home in November 2012.
The inquest heard that following Ellie's move, Gray attended hospital on at least two occasions in December 2012 and January 2013.
Gray also had bruising and there were concerns she was the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of Butler but hospital notes had been 'lost'.
Ms Harris said: 'We weren't in a position to assess this. We were aware of references to domestic violence but getting follow-up on this was contradictory.
'The first time we were aware that domestic violence was considered a significant issue in this case was when we had the information about the January admission and I think Wendy Jones, the manager from Sutton said something. I said is there concerns from the hospital about domestic violence and she said those notes have been lost.
'When I followed it up she said the issue of domestic violence wasn't being followed because there was contradictory information.'
Counsel for the inquest Adam Wiseman QC put several questions from Ellie's parents to the social worker.
He said: 'Did you ever have any concern for her physical welfare?'
'No I didn't', she replied.
'When you visited the family in March 2013 did you have any concerns about Ellie?'
Ms Harris said: 'I didn't have any concerns.'
Ellie went to live with her grandparents after Butler was convicted of shaking her when she was a baby. But the conviction was quashed in the Court of Appeal and Ellie was returned to Butler and her mother Jennie Gray, 38, (pictured) in November 2012
Butler was convicted of Ellie's murder in 2016 and its serving a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years. He has appeared via prison video link during the inquest.
Gray was convicted of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice after helping Butler stage the tot's murder as a 'tragic accident'.
During the trial at the Old Bailey in 2016, jurors heard how the pair staged the scene to make it look like an accident.
The six-year-old had been left to die in her bedroom for two hours on the 28 October 2013 before Butler and Gray called emergency services.
The jury did not accept their string of far-fetched theories, including a fall from a tiny chair as Ellie copied her favourite cartoon character Peppa Pig.
The inquest continues.
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Britain will emerge from winter's long, icy grip this week as 'significant' warming delivers temperatures as mild as the South of France.
After a 'Mini Beast from the East' brought widespread snowfall and temperatures down to -10C (13F) over the weekend, the mercury is expected to climb to 12C (54F) on Thursday - hotter than 11C (52F) Marseille.
As astronomical spring gets underway today, the Met Office say spells of sunshine will feel pleasantly spring-like, although meteorologists are warning of wet and windy weather from Friday to Sunday.
And, looking further ahead to Easter, the Met Office is forecasting a 'greater than normal chance of snow' in the North - along with a 'spell of colder than average weather, with increased likelihood of overnight frosts'.
Three-year-old girl Ava Rowney picks daffodils in a field on the first day of spring today in Spalding, Lincolnshire
The daffodils in Spalding, Lincolnshire, are said to be four weeks late in flowering this year due to the recent cold weather
A lorry transporting milk remains stuck in heavy snow near Masbury in Somerset on the first official day of spring
Snow lies on the hills near to Cutcombe in Exmoor national park in Devon today following the 'Mini Beast from the East'
Drifted snow lies along the roadside leading to Dunkery Beacon in Exmoor, Devon, following the weekend's wintry weather
Snow begins to melt near Cutcombe in Exmoor national park today, on the start of astronomical spring in Britain
A reverse angle of the lorry transporting milk which is stuck in heavy snow near Masbury in Somerset today
Forecaster Martin Bowles said: 'It will be significantly milder and the snow will thaw rapidly. Temperatures will be much closer to normal for this time of year, and it will finally start to feel Spring-like with sunny spells for most.
'Friday will be wet and windy across the country, and it may feel slightly cooler. Saturday and Sunday look similar, with rain showers for most. There could even be some gale-force winds. But on the whole, we will see a very noticeable improvement in the temperatures.'
While meteorological spring began on March 1, astronomical spring started today. The milder weather comes after as much as 6in (14cm) of snow and ice wreaked havoc across the country yesterday and over the weekend.
Snow drifts in some areas are likely to have been much deeper. More than 700 schools in Wales, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall were closed yesterday, flights were cancelled and rural communities cut off.
The worst disruption was in the West Country, where blizzards and 4ft snow drifts forced police to close 65 miles of the A30 from Exeter to Bodmin on Sunday night.
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Some 82 people, including children and babies, had to be rescued by troops in 4x4s, with many spending a freezing night in a school in Okehampon.
'Beast from the East' could be linked to solar cycle Periods of extreme winter weather like the 'Beast from the East' could be linked to the solar cycle, research has suggested. The study revealed that when the solar cycle is in its 'weaker' phase, there are warm spells across the Arctic in winter and heavy snowfall across the Eurasian sector. Scientists observed that during periods when the winter solar sunspot number (SSN) falls below average, the Arctic warming extends from the lower troposphere to high up in the upper stratosphere. On the other hand, there is a cooling when the SSN is above average. Dr Indrani Roy, from the University of Exeter, said: 'In spite of all other influences and complexities, it is still possible to segregate a strong influence from the sun. 'There are reductions of sea ice in the Arctic and a growth in the Eurasian sector is observed in recent winters. 'This study shows those trends are related and current weaker solar cycle is contributing to that.' The research explored how the 11-year solar cycle - a periodic change in the sun's activity including changes in the levels of solar UV radiation and changes in the SSN - can be linked with the polar vortex and Arctic oscillation phenomenon, which affects winter Arctic and Eurasian climate. It can subsequently influence weather conditions in Europe and Asia. The study - Solar cyclic variability can modulate winter Arctic climate - is published in the journal Scientific Reports. Advertisement
Those rescued included newlyweds Sara and John Lund. They spent their wedding night in the emergency rest centre after becoming trapped by snow on their way to a honeymoon in Cornwall.
Yesterday, towns and villages including Ilfracombe, Lynton, Lynmouth and Combe Martin were effectively cut off by the snow for the second time in a month.
Police in Devon criticised motorists who abandoned their vehicles after heading out on non-essential journeys, saying they had 'added to the disruption'. Two officers said they spent 90 minutes digging their Land Rover Defender out of a snow drift.
There were fresh fears of a water shortage as residents in Tavistock, Devon, were asked to ration water after a burst main caused flooding and supply problems.
In the Lake District, a climber died on Saturday after he slipped on sheet ice beneath fresh snow and plunged 200ft from the summit of Helvellyn in Cumbria.
In Oxford yesterday, a 40-tonne juggernaut lorry skidded on ice and ploughed off a road bridge on the city's Eastern Bypass. Police said it was a 'miracle' no one was killed.
Meanwhile, at least 15 people had to be evacuated from 13 bungalows on a cliff top at Hemsby, Norfolk, after powerful winds and surging seas caused rapid erosion.
An emergency operation was launched over the weekend as a number of structures plunged over the edge, including a shed, tank and a wooden fence. All but four of Devon's 307 schools were closed yesterday, along with 97 in Cornwall, 163 in Somerset and 171 in Wales.
The cold weather also forced the cancellation of dozens of flights yesterday, but most airports were running as normal by the end of the day.
A yellow weather warning for ice was in place until 9am today. The alert covered the entirety of England and Wales except for a small part of East Anglia and the East Coast. Forecasters expect the risk of ice to be minimal, however, as milder temperatures are expected to cause rapid thawing.
Although it was a frosty start to today, temperatures are expected to climb to 9C (48F) during the day. It comes after Altnaharra in the Highlands fell to -10.3C (13F) yesterday.
The coldest temperature recorded over the weekend was -6.2C (21F) in Baltasound in the Shetlands on Sunday. The lowest on the mainland was -3.4C (26F) at Fylingdales on the North York Moors on Saturday.
Meanwhile Achnagart in the Highlands has seen a 17 degree range of temperatures in less than 24 hours, with the mercury falling from 10C (50F) yesterday afternoon to -7C (19F) last night.
Emmanuel Macron is launching a bid to make French the first language in Africa - and 'maybe even the world'.
The French president has impressed foreign audiences by giving speeches and interviews in near-flawless English, a language viewed with hostility by predecessors like Jacques Chirac.
But the 40-year-old is on a drive to expand global use of his native language, particularly in Africa - the world's youngest continent in terms of the age of its population - which he sees as a wellspring of future speakers of the language of Hugo and Moliere.
Today, on International Francophonie Day, he will set out his plan to improve the standing of French, the world's fifth most spoken language after Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic, according to the French foreign ministry.
Emmanuel Macron (pictured today with wife Brigitte in Paris) is launching a bid to make French the first language in Africa - and 'maybe even the world'.
On a visit to the west African country of Burkina Faso in November, he called on Africans to help make French 'the first language in Africa and maybe even the world in the coming decades!'
But ahead of Tuesday's speech at the Academie Francaise - the gatekeeper of the French language - his advisors said he would settle for third.
The philosophy graduate and literature lover will announce around 30 measures to improve teaching of French, reverse the decline in its use in international institutions and support francophone musicians and authors.
But at home his penchant for anglicisms and English slogans such as 'start-up nation' and 'Make our planet great again' have raised eyebrows.
The International Francophonie Organisation has forecast that because of explosive population growth in Africa, over one billion people will live in French-speaking countries by 2065, second only to countries that speak English.
In Africa, it predicts that French will overtake English by 2050, given stronger population growth in former French colonies that speak the language.
Critics say the statistics are misleading as not all inhabitants of countries that have French as an official language speak it.
Macron is treading carefully, aware that any attempt to foist more French on former African colonies where Paris has a history of propping up authoritarian regimes could backfire.
The French president has impressed foreign audiences by giving speeches and interviews in near-flawless English, a language viewed with hostility by predecessors like Jacques Chirac
In Burkina Faso, the 40-year-old president said he was 'from a generation that doesn't come to tell Africans what to do', and argued that 'the French language is no longer solely French but also, maybe even more so, African.'
One of the main components of his language plan is investment in education in developing countries, particularly in Africa.
On a visit to Senegal in February, he pledged 200 million euros ($248 million) towards the Global Partnership for Education.
But among African intellectuals, the linguistic ambitions of France's president, often nicknamed Jupiter, or god of gods, for his lofty style, have met with scepticism.
Franco-Congolese author Alain Mabanckou, a professor at the University of California-Los Angeles, turned down an invitation by Macron to help draft the plan, seeing it as a cover for continued meddling in former colonies.
His sentiments were echoed by Franco-Djiboutian author and scholar Abdourahman Waberi.
'If he really wanted to get away from the colonial past, he would have consulted more, listened more and engaged in more dialogue' with Africans, Waberi told AFP.
President Trump is preparing to lay down $60 billion in tariffs on China to counter what he says is intellectual property theft while China is urging the U.S. to 'act rationally.'
The president has rattled markets and sparked fears of a trade war with the threat of tariffs, which will hit products from Chinese-made or assembled electronics to clothing.
The Washington Post reported that Trump doubled a senior staff recommendation of $30 billion in tariffs.
JUST YOU WAIT: President Trump is preparing to lay down $60 billion in tariffs on China to counter what he says is intellectual property theft
But China is urging caution, and even signaling it will make concessions, albeit on its own time frame.
"What we hope is for us to act rationally rather than being led by emotions," said China's premier, Li Keqiang. "We don't want to see a trade war,' he said at a Tuesday press conference.
"If there is one thing that will be different from the past, that will be that China will open even wider," said Li, in one of several lines signaling flexibility.
He said Beijing plans to "further bring down overall tariffs," including removing tariffs on 'much-needed anti-cancer drugs.'
'There is still broad room for us to further open up,' said Li.
Workers wait for a container ship to berth at Qingdao Port on March 8, 2018 in Qingdao, China. Trump is preparing the tariffs to combat Chinese intellectual property theft
This photo taken on December 6, 2017 shows a loaded cargo ship at the Yangshan Deep-Water Port, an automated cargo wharf, in Shanghai
More than 100 products could get hit by the package of tariffs, that the administration will argue benefitted from trade secrets swiped from the U.S.
But any effort to counter intellectual property theft is limited both by China's ability to retaliate, and by complexities in the global supply chain.
Many products that get finished or assembled in China are actually owned or partially manufactured in other countries.
LOOKS FAMILIAR: Sculpture in the shape of a giant oil bubble, built near the first drilling well of the Karamay oil field, is the landmark of the city. Some people say it is a copy of Chicago's famous Cloud Gate
China has already threatened to hit back at U.S. products, including soybeans.
Concern about the tariffs have already caused market jitters in Germany and other third countries.
It isn't known whether Trump will scale back or otherwise back off, with the action expected Friday.
Trump followed through on threatened steel and aluminum tariffs, but then allowed countries to seek waivers.
The U.S. reports a record trade deficit with China of $375 billion.
A mother who stabbed her two children to death in a fit of rage after their father divorced her has been jailed for 120 years.
Brandi Worley, 31, murdered her seven-year-old son Tyler and three-year-old daughter Charlee at their home in Darlington, Indiana, in November 2016.
She stabbed herself in the neck afterwards then called 911 and told the operator: 'I just stabbed myself and killed my two kids.'
Worley's husband Jason had told her that he wanted a divorce just two days earlier.
When she called 911, the woman said she didn't want him to take the children away from her and that was why she killed them.
On Monday, she was sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison.
Brandi Worley, 31, murdered her seven-year-old son Tyler and three-year-old daughter Charlee at their home in Darlington, Indiana, in November 2016. She is pictured in her mugshot from the time when the gash in her neck from where she stabbed herself was covered by a bandaid
The family are pictured together above. Worley's husband Jason had told her that he wanted a divorce just two days earlier
Worley murdered her seven-year-old son Tyler and three-year-old daughter Charlee with a knife. She stabbed them both multiple times then called 911
During her trial, prosecutors described how she lured Tyler into his sister's bedroom for a 'sleepover' late at night once Jason had gone to sleep downstairs in their home.
She attacked Tyler first, straddling him as she plunged the knife into his small body.
It woke his sister up and she asked her mother what she was doing. Worley, prosecutors said, replied: 'Nothing'.
Charlee went back to sleep, unaware that her brother was being murdered. Her mother than attacked her, stabbing her multiple times before eventually turning the knife on herself.
She bought the weapon earlier in the day after telling her husband she was going to the store to buy pipe cleaners for her son's art project.
Worley's own mother was also in the house and it was her screams which alerted the children's father to the killings.
The woman told police she was trying to stop the children's father Jason from taking them away from her. He asked her for a divorce two days before the children were killed
Worley's lawyer said she cannot explain why she killed the children. She was emotionless throughout her sentencing hearing on Monday
Jason and other relatives attended his ex-wife's sentencing hearing on Monday but she sat emotionless throughout it. the family are pictured together above
When he ran upstairs to find them dead and their mother bleeding, she said: 'Now you can't take my children away from me.'
Jason and other relatives attended his ex-wife's sentencing hearing on Monday but she sat emotionless throughout it, according to The Journal Review.
Jason Worley took the stand to describe his two late children.
'For me, those children were my life,' he said.
He paid tribute to his son as 'very loving and energetic', saying: 'He was one those who could walk in to a room of strangers and walk out with 20 new friends.'
The woman's lawyer said she had never been able to explain why she carried out the murders.
The children's father described them lovingly as 'energetic' kids who were social and his 'life'
'Thats the only way she can deal with it at this point. She doesnt know why she did it,' he said.
Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty but asked for longer than the recommended 55 years each for murder.
Worley was sentenced to 65 years imprisonment for her son's killing and ten years fewer for her daughter's.
Her husband said he never wanted to see her be free again.
'All I care is to never see her again. Out of sight and out of mind,' he said.
Simon Chamberlain (pictured) reportedly 'dacked' fellow staffer Brett Chant
An advisor to Barnaby Joyce was fired after he 'dacked' a younger male staffer at the National Party of Australia's Christmas party.
Simon Chamberlain reportedly pulled National's media advisor Brett Chant's pants down at a 'life saving' themed party in December 2016.
Mr Chamberlain was disciplined and fired from Barnaby Joyce's party after a complaint was lodged, The Daily Telegraph reported.
However just months after he was fired for the 'dacking' incident, Mr Chamberlain was rehired.
The advisor was hired to work for the former Deputy Prime Minister's colleague Mark Couton.
Mr Chant was reportedly wearing swimmers when his pants were pulled down.
Many revellers reportedly wore swimmers at the 'life saving' themed party to celebrate the Nationals part in helping to 'save' the government in the 2016 election.
Mr Chant (pictured) was reportedly wearing swimmers when his pants were pulled down at the Christmas party
Mr Chamberlain, a former journalist, moved into a new job with the National party this week with New South Wales MP Kevin Anderson.
Mr Chamberlain refused to comment on the incident when approached by The Daily Telegraph this week, while Mr Chant said, 'As far as I'm concerned, the matter was dealt with back at the time'.
The 'dacking' preceded a tumultuous year for the National party, which saw its leader forced to step down.
Mr Joyce resigned as Nationals leader on February 23 after news of his affair with pregnant staffer Vikki Campion broke.
Mr Joyce resigned as Nationals leader on February 23 after news of his affair with pregnant staffer Vikki Campion (pictured) broke
Mr Joyce, who announced his separation from his wife in December, confirmed he was expecting a child with his former media advisor Ms Campion (pictured together)
Mr Joyce, who announced his separation from his wife in December, confirmed he was expecting a child with his former media advisor Ms Campion.
He was replaced by Michael McCormack as leader of the party. Mr Joyce moved to the backbench.
Mr Joyce is expecting a child with Ms Campion in mid-April.
A United States Department of Natural Resources employee finally located a cache of child pornography hidden in a ginger bread house style cabin out in a Washington national park.
The discovery led to the eventual arrest of Daniel M. Wood, 56, who was charged with child pornography charges in King County Superior Court.
FBI agents found additional pornographic images at Wood's Mill Creek home, approximately two hours south west of the Snoqualmie National Forest.
A United States Department of Natural Resources employee discovered a cabin in Snoqualmie National Forest that was linked back to Daniel M. Woods
The FBI reports that the staff member had looked for the house five times in 2016, finally stumbling upon the shrine on November 18, 2016.
The staff member scaled a ladder eight feet up, until he made it to the Hansel & Gretel style cabin.
Inside, he discovered child pornographic images on the wall and took some to the sheriff's office.
The cabin was linked back to Wood, who was charged with two counts of child pornography possession. He allegedly had images of young girls in the cabin and had a stock of several thousand photos and videos at his home, Seattle PI reports.
Inside the cabin - found in 2016 in the park (pictured) - were thousands of child pornographic images that depicted 'fairy girls'
Described as 'an elaborate tree house that resembled a fairy or gingerbread house,' by King County Sheriff's Detective Christopher Myers, the cabin also had a porch that surrounded the home, a pitched roof and a ladder to the porch.
'Fairy-like' girls were depicted in photos throughout the cabin and some were even naked, according to Myers.
An envelop contained more images and while some were fictional depictions, a majority were real.
Described as 'an eleborate tree house that resembled a fairy or gingerbread house,' by King County Sheriff's Detective Christopher Myers, the cabin also had a porch that surrounded the home, a pitched roof and a ladder to the porch
On April 7, 2017, an FBI agent claimed to find 'dozens' of pictures of young girls and seized those along with other items that contained fingerprints.
A search and rescue volunteer saw a Toyota FJ Cruiser traveling on a road near the cabin and reported its license plate to authorities.
Several items seized from the cabin contained DNA samples traced to Wood. Those were confirmed in October 2017.
Digital evidence was also taken from Wood's home in February 12, 2018. A SD card held 'thousands' of images and videos.
The SD included a series of images from inside the cabin and many were printed out, taped together and hung.
A single mother accused of putting her two youngest sons in a heated oven at their Atlanta home to conceal the causes of their deaths has pleaded not guilty at her arraignment.
Prosecutors believe that Lamora Williams from Atlanta, Georgia, may have burned Keyante Penn, two, and Jakarter Penn, one, to make it harder for investigators in October to work out how she killed them.
Family members have previously claimed that Williams, a single mother of four, suffered from mental health disorders. She initially claimed she had left her children with a carer.
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Lamora Williams denied four charges through her attorney Monday - the remainder of the charges will be addressed at her next hearing, scheduled for March 30
The boys' father, Jameel Penn said he's 'lost' now that his two sons's are dead, though his three-year-old son (left) survived as well as a daughter
According to the Atlanta police, the one and two-year-old boys 'received burn marks on their bodies at some point, possibly from the stove'
In February, a Fulton County grand jury indicted Williams on charges that included murder, aggravated assault and concealing a death, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
She denied four charges through her attorney Monday - the remainder of the charges will be addressed at her next hearing, scheduled for March 30.
Williams remained late Monday in the Fulton jail, where she has been held without bond since her arrest.
In October she was reported to be suffering from undiagnosed mental health problems brought on by her father's passing when she was 19 and being a single mother of four young children.
Police said the children has obvious injuries and burns on their bodies. Officers were seen removing an entire oven from Williams' home as evidence last year
Police say the boys had suffered horrifying burn marks when their bodies were taken from the apartment.
After she allegedly killed the children, she video-chatted the boys' father, Jameel Penn. He alerted the police immediately when he saw his motionless children on the ground and realized something wasn't right.
Williams told police the pair may have died while they were in the care of another person, but officers claim to have soon realized that wasn't true.
At a vigil in October while holding another one of his sons Jameel, three, Penn said: 'I ain't got no soul no more.'
The boy had been in the home when police arrived but was unharmed.
The mother's six-year-old daughter was with family and not at the apartment at the time of the deaths.
The mother was said to have quit her job around September because she was unable to find the kids a babysitter.
'Nobody could tell what she was going through,' said friend Neesa Smith.
A Chinese flight passenger was caught by customs officials for attempting to smuggle a 9.9lbs live ant colony from east Africa.
The unnamed man filled his red suitcase with an entire colony of ants and did not send declaration to the customs at a Chinese airport.
He claimed the golden-coloured ants had strong medicinal effects and he prepared to make wine using the ants.
A man smuggled a colony of live ants in his suitcase from Ethiopia to China on March 18
The ant colony weighs 9.9 lbs and carries hundreds of gold-coloured live ants
According to btime.com, the Chinese traveller took flight no. ET 636 of Ethiopian Airlines and landed at Shuangliu Airport in Chengdu, southwest China on March 18.
A customs officer caught the man's luggage appeared in a cluster of unusual shadows under the baggage scan.
The officer opened the luggage and shocked to find a colony of live ants filled in the compartment.
The colony weighed about 4.4 kilograms (9.9 lbs), stated the airport customs.
The passenger explained he dug up the ant colony during his visit in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
The man said he dug up the ant colony and thought to brew wine using the gold-coloured ants
He believed the ants had strong medicinal value and he planned to brew them into wine at home.
According to traditional Chinese herbology, ant wine is commonly use to alleviate pain caused by arthritis.
Shuangliu Airport customs claimed it was the biggest seizure involving live ants and ant colony.
It was not sure if the man has faced any charges.
The ant colony is now passed onto the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
California's Bonita High's school newspaper caused outrage for publishing cartoons depicting President Trump as a Nazi and an officer wearing KKK hood while aiming a gun at a black child.
The article that appeared in the student paper, The Pawprint, was addressing how powerful images open up dialogue on important issues- but instead parents were furious over the highly political imagery in the public school's paper.
In one drawing a swastika is revealed to be hiding under Trump's hair.
In another a small black child is holding a bag of skittles out to an officer who is wearing a KKK hood and pointing a gun at the boy, in a reference to Trayvon Martin who bought the candy before being shot by security guard George Zimmerman in 2012.
Bonita High's student newspaper, The Pawprint, caused parents to be outraged after they used highly political cartoons, such as this one, depicting the president with a swastika on his head
In another image in the article titled 'Artist and Activist' was of an officer wearing a KKK hood pointing a gun at a small black child holding out a bag of candy
The article in question was discussing how powerful cartoons can spark conversations- but the conversation that ensued was over the appropriateness of the images in a high school paper
The images were taken from Google.
One parent told Fox11: 'I don't want my son seeing an officer with a KKK hood on pointing a gun at a child's face.'
He added 'These kids are so impressionable they take these things at face value- they don't realize this is just an artist.'
Some students also questioned the appropriateness of the article, titled 'Artist and Activist.'
'Everyone has the right to their own opinion at the end of the day, but I feel like in school it should be a place where we don't have to talk about politics,' said one unnamed student.
However, another student said, while the article is controversial, it is still part of free speech.
'My son is beyond excited to become a bearcat next year, but this makes me wonder if we made the right choice,' Jacqueline DeMonaco Bradley wrote in a Facebook comment, referring to the mascot at Bonita High.
Even the mayor of Laverne weighed in on the issue. Mayor Don Kendrick said the article was the result of a 'very bad decision' by one teacher.
In the same issue of The Pawprint were articles on the school walkouts for gun control, abortion, rape and immigration enforcement.
This parent said he didn't want his son seeing the images that appeared in the Pawprint
Meanwhile this unnamed student said she believes school is a place where kids shouldn't have to discuss politics
Prestigious Bontia High (pictured) is under fire for printing highly political and controversial cartoons in it's student publication
The article has been pulled from the school's website, and the issue is no longer being circulated on campus.
In a statement the school district distanced itself from the article, but also added even high schoolers are permitted to free speech.
'There is a California Education Code that affirms the First Amendment rights of student newspapers,' Carl Coles, the interim superintendent of the Bonita School District, said in the statement.
'The student journalist's article does not represent the views of Bonita High School or the District.'
08:00 | Geneva (Switzerland), Mar. 20.
Moreover, he said ILO International Labour Standards Department Director Corinne Vargha saluted Labor and Employment Promotion Minister Javier Barreda's administration for fostering pay equity in the country , as well as for installing a module to help victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Jeremy Hunt today made clear that social care costs will be capped - as he admitted too many elderly people were being failed by an 'illness lottery' that punishes long-term conditions like dementia.
The Health Secretary gave a damning assessment of 'fragmented services' under 'unprecedented pressure' as he vowed radical reform.
In a landmark speech, Mr Hunt highlighted the contrasting fates of dementia sufferers, who see their savings eroded, and those who received hospital treatment for cancer.
'People's financial wellbeing in old age ends up defined less by their industry and service in their working lives and more by the lottery of which illness they get,' Mr Hunt said.
He also acknowledged that previous attempts to push through changes had 'stalled'.
But Mr Hunt pledged that things would be different this time and a Green Paper due this summer would propose a sustainable funding model.
The question of how to fund care for Britain's ageing population has proved politically toxic for years.
Theresa May was forced into an embarrassing U-turn on the issue during the general election campaign last year.
Health Secretary Jeremy gave a damning assessment of 'fragmented services' under 'unprecedented pressure' as he vowed radical reform in a speech today
Setting out his approach, Mr Hunt (pictured in Downing Street today) told an audience of health and social care leaders: 'Too many people experience care that is not of the quality we would all want for our own mum or dad.'
The Tory manifesto had set out plans to include the value of elderly people's properties when calculating how much they should pay towards the cost of care at home, as well as residential care.
But Mrs May caved in after a huge backlash with critics branding the move a 'dementia tax'.
In one of the key moments of the campaign, the Prime Minister then dramatically reinstated the option of an upper limit on people's liabilities - without specifying at what level it would be set.
She guaranteed no-one would see the value of their estate shrink below 100,000 as a result of care costs.
A ceiling on costs was the central recommendation of the 2011 Dilnot Report into care funding and was due for introduction at a level of around 72,000 in 2020 - but that commitment was dropped in December.
Setting out his approach, Mr Hunt told an audience of health and social care leaders: 'Too many people experience care that is not of the quality we would all want for our own mum or dad. '
He continued: 'We need a relentless and unswerving focus on providing the highest standards of care - whatever a person's age or condition.
'This means a commitment to tackle poor care with minimum standards enforced throughout the system, so that those using social care services are always kept safe and treated with the highest standards of dignity and compassion.
The key points in Jeremy Hunt's social care speech The Health Secretary gave a damning assessment of 'fragmented services' under 'unprecedented pressure' as he vowed radical reform. He acknowledged the financial pressures on the system since the Conservatives took office in 2010. He said funding was starting to rise in the wake of the credit crunch, but it was 'from a low base' and there were 'real pressures in the social care system'. Mr Hunt highlighted the 'illness lottery', contrasting fates of dementia sufferers, who see their savings eroded, and those who received hospital treatment for cancer. He confirmed that the government's plans would include a cap on costs, with society 'pooling the risk' of succumbing to different types of illness. He conceded that previous attempts to push through changes had 'stalled', but pledged that things would be different this time. Mr Hunt called for the integration of the health and social care systems, more control for individuals getting care, and better practical support for families and carers. Advertisement
'Resolving this will take time. But that must not be an excuse to put off necessary reforms.
'Nor must it delay the debate we need to have with the public about where the funding for social care in the future should come from - so the Green Paper will jump-start this vital debate.'
Mr Hunt told the audience of social work leaders in London: 'The way that our current charging system operates is far from fair.
'This is particularly true for families faced with the randomness and unpredictability of care and the punitive consequences that can come from developing certain conditions over others.
'If you develop dementia and require long-term residential care, you are likely to have to lose a significant chunk of your savings and the equity in your home to pay for that care.
'But if you require long-term treatment for cancer you won't find anything like the same cost.'
Mr Hunt said the system needed an'element of risk pooling'.
Asked if that meant a cap on costs would feature in the plans, Mr Hunt replied that it would.
He also acknowledged the financial pressures on the system since the Conservatives took office in 2010.
'I think we have to recognise that the social care system had a very, very tough time after 2010 when we had the financial crisis - the worst financial recession since the Second World War - funding was cut in an atmosphere where funding was cut in nearly all government departments,' he said.
'It's now starting to rise, but it's starting from a low base and that's created real pressures in the social care system.'
Other principles set out in the Green Paper include: the quality and safety of services, the integration of the health and social care systems, control for those receiving support, valuing the workforce, providing better practical support for families and carers and ensuring greater security for all.
Mr Hunt said too many people were being failed by the 'fragmented' social care system (posed file picture)
In one of the key moments of the campaign, the Prime Minister (pictured) dramatically reinstated the option of an upper limit on people's care liabilities - without specifying at what level it would be set
'Innovation will be central to all of these principles: we will not succeed unless the systems we establish embrace the changes in technology and medicine that are profoundly reshaping our world,' he said.
'By reforming the system in line with these principles everyone - whatever their age - can be confident in our care and support system.
'Confident that they will be in control, confident that they will have quality care and confident that wider society will support them.'
The Cabinet minister set out plans for a joint 10-year NHS and social care workforce strategy to align staff in both parts of the system.
He also announced a consultation to extend rights to integrated personal budgets to those with the greatest ongoing social care needs to put more control in the hands of individuals and their families.
And he set out plans for a 1million pilot scheme in Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to ensure users of adult social care are given a joint health and social care assessment and care plan.
A 15-year-old hospital patient received a galactic surprise when his doctor dressed up as Chewbacca to reveal that the teen was getting a new heart.
Dr Phillip Thrush knew that his patient Austin Eggleston, of Pontiac, Illinois, was a Star Wars superfan.
So the pair agreed five months ago that the cardiologist would shed his scrubs and transform into the Wookie warrior on the day that Austin's new heart finally came.
But Austin still had to make sure the news wasn't too good to be true when Thrush came into his room at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Saturday.
Austin Eggleston, 15, found out he was getting a new heart when his doctor dressed up as Chewbacca to surprise the Star Wars superfan
'Wait...wait...wait...we got a heart?' Austin asks his doctor. 'Do we seriously have a heart?'
Chewbacca grunts in agreement as the teen begins jumping around the room in excitement.
'Holy balls!' Austin screams as his mother and nurse laugh in the background.
He runs over to give Thrush a huge hug and high-five, as the doctor takes off his mask and tells Austin, 'I'm super excited'.
A video of the heartwarming moment has since been posted on Facebook, where it has received more than 70,000 views.
Mary Anglin, Austin's mom, said it was an incredible moment to witness.
Austin screamed 'Holy balls!' when Dr Phillip Thrush confirmed he was getting a new heart, and excitedly jumped up and down before giving his doctor a hug
Austin, who was born with three congenital heart defects, has been in the hospital since the beginning of November
'To see him knowing that he has a chance at life, that he has a chance to achieve so many things leaves you speechless,' she told ABC7 Chicago.
Anglin said she was also thankful to the donor's family for making the decision to donate their child's heart.
'He will make sure that he does remarkable things because of it,' she said.
Austin, who was born with three congenital heart defects, has been in the hospital since November.
He was put on the transplant list after his heart stopped responding to treatment and was admitted to the hospital to medically prepare his body for the operation.
Austin was put on the transplant list after his heart stopped responding to treatment and admitted to hospital to medically prepare his body for the operation
Mary Anglin said her son has kept his sense of humor through the tough ordeal, keeping the nurses and doctors laughing through the long hospital days
And Austin has also been trying to do some good, launching a Twitter campaign asking Marvel to screen the Avengers Infinity movie for children at the hospital
But before he left school, the eighth grade student council president was given a surprise send-off rally that lifted his spirits.
He hung every get well card and every picture he received on the walls of his hospital room, Anglin told the Teutopolis Press.
'When we got to the hospital, he had all of the items from the assembly hung up in his room, so that he always knew he was in good hands,' she said.
Anglin said her son has kept his sense of humor through the tough ordeal, keeping the nurses and doctors laughing through the long days in his hospital room.
And Austin has also been trying to do some good, launching a Twitter campaign asking Marvel to screen the Avengers Infinity movie for children at the hospital who won't be able to see it in a theater.
Michigan woman Lisa Rae Bryan, 32, accepted a plea deal on Tuesday during her court hearing in Emmet County
A northern Michigan woman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the suffocation of her infant daughter, her second criminal case in the death of a child.
Lisa Rae Bryan, 32, accepted a plea deal on Tuesday during her court appearance in Emmet County.
She was charged with second-degree murder in the 2016 death of her daughter, Isabella earlier this year.
A police report says Bryan changed her statement multiple times when questioned about her daughter's death.
Bryan still admits she was sleeping with Isabella close to her chest when the child died just weeks after birth.
Prosecutor Jim Linderman says it's a tough case, because there are no other witnesses to testify.
'Like all cases of this nature, it's tough,' Linderman said.
'It's a case where it's based on circumstantial evidence and statements made by the mother. It's a tough case to prove.'
Bryan pleaded guilty in court this week to involuntary manslaughter in the suffocation of her infant daughter, her second criminal case in the death of a child
Linderman said there is no sentencing agreement, although the maximum punishment would be 22 years and six months in prison. Bryan will return to court on April 24.
Bryan would be eligible for parole after serving whatever minimum sentence is ordered.
In 2010, her 50-day-year-old infant also died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while Bryan was taking a bath with her.
She was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in 2011 in Tulsa and served 15 months.
Donald Trump dialed up Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to offer congratulations on his suspicious but official landslide victory in a re-election bid for a fourth term.
'I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on the victory, his electoral victory,' Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to a race that the Russian strongman won with 77 per cent of the vote.
'We will probably get together in the not too distant future,' Trump said in the Oval Office during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters a few hours later that 'there are no specific plans made at this time' for a meeting.
Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain released a biting statement accusing Trump of 'congratulating dictators on winning sham elections.'
'By doing so with Vladimir Putin,' McCain continued, 'President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country's future, including the countless Russian patriots who have risked so much to protest and resist Putin's regime.'
It took Trump two days to phone Vladimir Putin after the Russian president's not-so-shocking landslide in his latest re-election
Putin captured about 77 per cent of the vote on March 18, an unlikely total in a democracy
Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain released a biting statement accusing Trump of 'congratulating dictators on winning sham elections'
Sanders pushed back but wouldn't say whether Trump agrees Putin was re-elected in a 'sham.'
'We disagree with the fact that we shouldn't have conversations with Russia. There are important topics that we should be able to discuss,' she said.
The president and the White House Press office both provided official confirmation that the call took place, a day after the White House declined to describe the election as 'free and fair.'
Sanders went further on Tuesday, saying the U.S. shouldn't pressure any other nation to choose its leaders in a more democratic fashion.
'We don't get to dictate how other countries operate,' she said. 'What we do know is that Putin has been elected in their country, and that's not something that we can dictate to them, how they operate. We can only focus on the freeness and fairness of our elections.'
'President Trump congratulated President Putin on his March 18 re-election,' the press office said.
Trump spoke about his call with Putin when reporters peppered him questions as he spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office
Trump described the conversation as 'a very good call.' He said the two leaders would most likely discuss the 'arms race' which he described as 'out of control.'
'We will never allow anybody to have anything close to what we have,' Trump said. Earlier this month, Putin revealed Russia has a new missile that 'can reach any point in the world.'
Putin boasted about the missile during his State of the Union address.
'It can attack any target, through the North or South Pole, it is a powerful weapon and no missile defense system will be able to withstand,' Putin said, CNBC reported March 1.
He said the missile 'can reach any point in the world.'
Trump said he and Putin would also 'discuss Ukraine, Syria and North Korea.'
Putin won the contest with about 77 per cent of the vote, drawing eye-rolls and few immediate congratulation calls from the West.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday that there was 'no scheduled phone call' between the two leaders.
Dictatorships and other authoritarian governments lined up to boost Putin's ego following his win, including the leaders of China, Venezuela, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Iran all Russian allies.
The silence from the rest of the civilized world is partly because of tensions related to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Sailsbury, England.
The United Kingdom has blamed the assassination attempt on Russia, and the Trump administration has said it shares that assessment.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the lack of a call from Trump was not seen as 'an unfriendly step.'
'Some cannot call him due to their schedule. There is no need to dramatize,' he said.
Asked Monday whether Trump believes the Russian election was 'free and fair,' Gidley shot back that 'we're not surprised by the outcome.'
Pressed on what that means, he repeated the same words a second time.
Gidley also took pains to insist that the administration would 'work to cultivate the relationship we have with Russia, and obviously we will impose costs when Russia threatens our interests.'
Russia's election was marred by what some international monitors saw as rampant fraud.
China's Xi Jinping (right) and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (left) led strongman governments from around the world in paying tribute to Putin while the West sat on its hands
Many observers were reportedly kept out of polling places, and there were reports of tempering with ballots that had already been cast.
Alexei Navalny, a leading opposition leader, was not permitted to run because of a past criminal conviction something his supporters believe was politically motivated.
It has been customary for U.S. presidents to call Putin after each of his election victories, but Trump may have approached the errand with caution.
He is under investigation by a special counsel and a Senate committee over unproven allegations that his presidential campaign colluded with Russians to meddle with the outcome of the 2016 U.S. election.
Trump and his spokespersons have dismissed the probe's mission over and over, and the president has sent signals that a closer relationship with Moscow would be in America's interest generally.
An Alabama man who hatched a plan to hire someone to kidnap a woman and her 14-year-old daughter and then sell the teen to a sex trafficker has pleaded guilty to federal charges.
A US Department of Justice statement says 48-year-old Brian David 'Blaze' Boersma, from Decatur, was arrested in October 2017 by undercover FBI agents.
The suspect believed the agents would kidnap the mother and child and had given them more than $3,000 for the job.
Boersma boasted to his co-worker that he would sell the girl to a pimp he knew in Memphis, Tennessee, who offered $8,000.
Wicked plan: Brian David 'Blaze' Boersma, 48, has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a plan to kidnap a mother and her 14-year-old daughter and sell the girl to a sex trafficker for $8,000
On Monday, Boersma pleaded guilty to charges of attempted kidnapping of a minor; attempted kidnapping; attempted sex trafficking of a child; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
The charges carry sentences of up to 65 years combined.
A sentencing date has not been set. US Attorney Jay Town says Boersma will likly spend the rest of his days behind bars.
'Boersma has revealed the worst parts of human depravity and his guilty plea provides little comfort to those who would have suffered unspeakable horrors, Town stated. He will spend most, if not all, of the remainder of his life in prisonand then he has hell to look forward to.
Boersma had outfitted a trailer with a mattress and restraints, and placed inside the a metal sex device to rape and beat the mother
The defendant worked at the Alabama Farmers Cooperative in Decatur shuttling trailers from the storage yard to the warehouse where they would be loaded with merchandise for shipment to other locations.
His plea agreement details his efforts in the fall of 2017 to encourage a co-worker at the co-op to find someone willing to kidnap a woman and her daughter for payment. Boersma, in installments, gave the co-worker $3,440 to hold for a kidnapping payment.
In mid-Sepember, the co-worker contacted the FBI and revealed Boersmas plan, prompting two agents to pose as would-be kidnappers.
According to Boersmas plea deal, he confided in his co-worker that he hoped to sell the 14-year-old girl to the Memphis pimp for up to $40,000 because she is a young, clean virgin. Ultimately, the potential buyer offered him only $8,000 for the girl.
Boersma had outfitted a trailer with a mattress and restraints for holding the mother and daughter. He also placed inside the trailer a metal sex device he had built so the woman could be tied to it, beaten and raped.
Boersma claimed that the womans ex-husband wanted the woman and child kidnapped as retribution for the woman divorcing him and taking him to court for child support.
He said the ex-husband wanted to beat the woman with a bullwhip and it would be a bloody mess in the trailer.
He said he put plastic down inside the trailer to help with clean up. Boersma also told the undercover FBI employees that once the woman was dead, he would have to go get 300lbs of lime and dig a hole.
He said he would get the lime from the co-op and bury the body under a nearby bridge.
On October 10, Boersma and his co-worker met at a Decatur hotel with the undercover FBI agents who Boersma believed would cary out the abduction.
Boersma told the agents what he wanted done, provided photos of the two intended victims and handed the agents $3,440. He then led the agents to the womans workplace, to her home and to the co-op, where he showed them the trailer he had prepared for holding the victims.
Shortly after returning to the hotel, police arrested Boersma as he approached his pickup truck. A loaded Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber pistol was recovered during a search of the truck.
Boersma was prohibited from possessing the gun because of a felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance conviction in Shelby County, Tennessee, in 1998.
A man and a woman are in a critical condition after being shot in a western Sydney home in what is believed to have been a drive-by shooting.
Shots were fired into a home on Kid Close, Bidwell, about 7.30pm on Tuesday.
The pair both received gunshot wounds and are now critical, a police spokesman confirmed.
A man and a woman are in a critical condition after being shot in a Western Sydney home
Emergency services crews and police rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting.
The man and woman were rushed to Westmead hospital in the Hawkesbury region of New South Wales, according to police.
'A crime scene has been established as investigations continue,' the spokesman said.
This is the moment a team of Good Samaritans worked together to flip over a burning car and help the driver escape after he plowed into a school parking lot.
Passersby rushed to lift the smoking vehicle while others ran over with fire extinguishers to stifle the flames during the shocking incident on March 14.
The driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed at the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 352 in Chester County's Westtown Township, Pennsylvania.
He plowed the white Honda CR-V into several parked and unoccupied vehicles in the parking lot of Saints Simon and Jude School.
A vehicle was hit so hard that it was propelled forward into the school building where children were in class.
Deputies said the car 'went airborne' into the parking lot - and praised brave bystanders for their 'compassionate and heroic actions'.
One helper can be seen leaping onto the side of the car carrying a fire extinguisher before shoving the car back onto its wheels with four other men.
Another helps the officer drag the driver to safety.
The Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department took the unusual step of publishing dashcam footage of the incident from their car on Facebook.
It has been viewed and shared more than 19,000 times.
They wrote: '[We] would like to thank all of the brave individuals who came to the assistance of the driver who was involved in the crash.
'Faculty members of the Saints Simon and Jude School were able to use numerous fire extinguishers to keep the fire from spreading until the driver could be extricated from beneath the vehicle.
'Additionally, numerous citizens came to the aid of officers in rolling the vehicle off of the driver.
The driver plowed the white Honda CR-V into several parked and unoccupied vehicles in the parking lot of Saints Simon and Jude School (pictured) in Pennsylvania
'Without their assistance, the incident could have ended in a tragic manner.
'It is our sincere hope that we will be able to identify those individuals who assisted at the scene and thank them for their compassionate and heroic actions.'
They added: 'Although the police department rarely releases video footage from our vehicle's mobile video recording, we wanted to share the courageous actions of the individuals (both officers and civilians) who responded to the scene that day.'
This Honda CR-V is the model of car the man was driving before the horrific smash happened (stock image)
Miraculously, the driver did not suffer serious injuries. He was treated at the scene and taken to Paoli Hospital.
No school students or staff were injured in the accident.
The crash scene is being investigated by the Traffic Safety Unit and Criminal Investigation Division.
A young couple were subjected to racist abuse on a packed train by a man who 'felt paranoid' because they weren't speaking English.
The pair, who are believed to be Asian, were chatting amongst themselves in their native language when the man flipped out in front of shocked onlookers.
Disturbing footage shows the culprit shouting and swearing at them on a train from Stratford to Romford, east London, on Friday at 6.45pm.
A man flipped out at a foreign couple for not speaking in English on a train in east London
Onlookers tried to step in and defend the couple but the enraged man told them he 'felt paranoid' by their foreign language
The man says: 'F****** ex army, put up with your f****** bla bla bla,' as he mocks their language.
Commuters step in to defend the couple and a woman is heard telling the man 'it's not your country, it's everyone's who is here as well'.
Another man then gets involved and tells the culprit to shut his mouth before saying: 'He's more English than you.'
But that annoys the shouting man and the pair argue back and forth. He proceeds to call the other man a 'f****** white boy'.
A white passenger confronted him but the man attacked him calling him a 'f****** white boy'
He called another bystander a dirty little black b****** during a barrage of abuse
He continues with more racial slurs and calls another man a 'f****** black b******'.
British Transport Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
@ArianneKlarisse posted the video on Twitter on Sunday with the caption: 'On the train, I witnessed racism and it broke my heart.
The man says: 'F****** ex army, put up with your f****** bla bla bla,' as he mocks the couple's language
'A young Asian couple were talking in their language and this man did not like it because it made him 'paranoid'.
'Such a disgrace that there are people like this in the world. Respect to the white boy that defended them.'
'The white boy was against him, the horrible man proceeded to call him names and shout insults like 'you dirty little black b******'.'
Donald Tusk (file image) today warned the apparent breakthrough on a Brexit transition deal may not yet have the support of all EU members
Donald Tusk today warned the apparent breakthrough on a Brexit transition deal may not yet have the support of all EU members.
The EU Council President said he still needed to secure the support of all 27 states ahead of a summit that begins on Thursday.
Reports from Brussels suggest Spain is one of the nations whose support still needs to be secured, amid continued concern over the future state of Gibraltar.
Mr Tusk's warning comes despite a triumphant press conference held by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday.
The pair revealed a Brexit transition deal had been struck between London and Brussels, with work progressing on the wider divorce deal.
Thursday's summit had been expected to rubber stamp the progress made so far and trigger full-blown trade talks on the future UK-EU relationship.
But in a letter to EU leaders today, Mr Tusk said: 'Yesterday our negotiators reached a solution on parts of the withdrawal agreement.
'Whether all 27 Member States can welcome this at the European Council remains open.
'I still need a couple more hours to consult with some of the most concerned Member States.
'To me, one thing is clear. We have achieved success when it comes to citizens' rights and the financial settlement.'
But he added: 'As regards the most contentious issue, namely Ireland, Prime Minister May has reassured me that she accepts all options agreed in December to be on the negotiating table.
'Including the option of full regulatory alignment between Ireland and Northern Ireland if there is no other possibility to avoid a hard border.'
Mr Tusk's warning came as Ireland's deputy premier warned the UK there will be no Brexit withdrawal treaty if there is any U-Turn on the 'backstop' solution to avoid a hard border on the island.
Mr Tusk's warning comes despite a triumphant press conference held by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday (pictured)
Mr Tusk (pictured with Theresa May in Downing Street earlier this month) insisted commitments by the UK would ease the next round of talks
Simon Coveney, the country's Foreign Affairs Minister and Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) insisted the UK government has provided a 'cast-iron guarantee' that will ensure no physical infrastructure, checks, or controls at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic post Brexit.
'Without that backstop agreement in place in the withdrawal treaty there will be no withdrawal treaty and there will be no transitional arrangements which are part of the withdrawal treaty,' Mr Coveney warned.
The draft text of a Brexit treaty includes an agreement between the EU and the UK that there must be a backstop solution to ensure that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions in the Dail (Irish Parliament) on Tuesday Mr Coveney hit back at claims that the Government had failed to make any progress on the Irish border issue.
Mr Tusk's warning came as Ireland's Simon Coveney (left yesterday with Michel Barnier) warned the UK there will be no Brexit withdrawal treaty if there is any U-Turn on the 'backstop' solution to avoid a hard border on the island
Fianna Fail TD Stephen Donnelly said he believed that what was agreed on Monday was a 'political fudge'.
He also said it was an attempt to 'kick the (border issue) can down the road.'
However, Mr Coveney said: 'Now what we have is an agreement from the British negotiating team to put that backstop in the withdrawal agreement first so that we know there is a floor below which we cannot fall.'
He added: 'And they have also agreed, as a matter of urgency, they would engage in negotiation to put a legally operational backstop in place in the withdrawal agreement and that negotiation would start as soon as next week.
'I think you should inform yourself in terms of what is progress and what's not,' he told Mr Donnelly.
A student was subjected to a horrifying ordeal when she woke up to find a robber holding a knife to her throat.
The man had climbed through Alice Twomey's bedroom window upstairs at around 2am on Tuesday in Annerley, Brisbane.
Along with a female accomplice, the armed intruder stole a phone and a car, but once they left the brave victim, 27, hopped on her bicycle to flag down a police car for help.
Alice Twomey, 27, who woke up in her bedroom in Annerley, Brisbane, to find a robber pressing a knife to her throat
Police officers talk down the phone after the victim flagged them down having hopped on her bicycle to alert them
The front door of the property is seen ajar after the robber - who had a female accomplice - left with a phone and Ms Twomey's car
It is thought the robber had climbed through an upstairs window at around 2am on Tuesday to gain entry into the student home
Ms Twomey told officers about the break-in, which detectives believe was a random attack.
With the blade pressed against her neck, the armed intruder told her to 'be quiet' before she was marched around the shared student house, according to 7 News.
The pair of robbers stole Ms Twomey's phone and car keys before making their getaway in the vehicle.
Queensland Police found the car ditched at Logan Central, but the criminals were nowhere to be seen.
Residents in the local area are now worried the same could happen to them after what they described as a 'shocking' and 'disturbing' invasion.
The incident has had such a profound effect on Ms Twomey that she is currently having counselling and has already planned to move out of the house in question, according to 7 News.
11:47 | Lima, Mar. 20.
"I'm confident the President will survive this impeachment . He is facing the same accusations as those brought in the previous process. Also, I think the Congress will act responsibly and will give it a thought," she told ATV local channel.
Billionaire casino-owner Steve Wynn brokered a settlement more than a decade ago with a second woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.
The Las Vegas-based tycoon recently reported her to the FBI, his attorneys say in court documents.
Wynn and one of his attorneys met FBI agents last month to accuse the woman of trying to extort him by threatening to go public with details from the 2006 settlement, according to documents received earlier this month in state court in Las Vegas.
In January The Wall Street Journal reported that several women had accused billionaire Steve Wynn (above) of harassing or assaulting them
Chomping at the bit: Wynn (above in 2014) has denied all the allegations being made against him, saying his former wife is out to get him
Viva: In a recent court filing, his ex-wife Elaine alleges that a $7.5 million payout was made in 2007 to a manicurist he forced into having sex with him at his Las Vegas property (above)
He has been accused of sexual misconduct by a number of female employees at his Las Vegas casino, though he denies the allegations.
In a recent court filing, his ex-wife Elaine alleged that a $7.5 million payout was made in 2005 to a manicurist he forced into having sex with him.
In January the Wall Street Journal spoke to 150 people who currently work for Wynn or have in the past, with a number describing in detail the lengths they would allegedly go to in order to avoid being alone with their boss.
Some scheduled fake appointments to make sure they would not be chosen to give Wynn spa treatments, while others went so far as to hide in bathrooms when he came into the salon.
Steve Wynn is seen here smiling during an interview in Macau, China, on August 15, 2016
Steve Wynn and former wife Elaine Wynn are seen here attending an event at Cirpriani Wall Street on September 23, 2008 in New York City; the two divorced in 2010
Steve Wynn may now sell his stake in Wynn Resorts, Limited, according to recent reports, after a judge agreed his shareholders' agreement with his ex is now invalid
Wynn resigned as chairman and CEO of Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts last month. He married second wife Andrea Hisson, 54, in 2011, and the pair are close friends with President Trump and the First lady.
He has vehemently denied the accusations reported by the newspaper and attributed them to a campaign led by his ex-wife. Her attorney has denied that she instigated the report.
The recent court filings do not provide details of the newly revealed settlement. The woman on Monday did not return a message seeking comment from The Associated Press, which generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual misconduct.
Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, said in an email that her client denies the extortion allegations.
'My client, who wishes to remain anonymous at this time, has never committed any act of extortion,' she wrote. 'To the contrary, she simply stated that she wanted to speak. Her emails did not seek any money. And that is surely why the FBI has not even questioned her about this, nor has she not been charged with any crime.'
The FBI declined to confirm Monday whether it has investigated the extortion accusations. A declaration by one of Wynn's attorneys, Donald Campbell, says the FBI notified him on Feb. 10 that it had 'concluded its investigation.'
Campbell identified the woman as a 'former Wynn employee' with whom the billionaire settled in December 2006, when she worked as a 'Playboy Bunny' at the Palms casino-hotel. Wynn Resorts has never owned that property. Its oldest casino-resort in Las Vegas opened in 2005.
Emails included in the court documents show the woman contacted an attorney who represented Wynn in the settlement, Barry Slotnick, the day after the Wall Street Journal story was published in January.
She said she understood her non-disclosure agreement banned her from speaking out but that she believed telling her story would be a good thing.
The woman wrote to the attorney again a few days later, saying she wanted to reveal the details of the settlement publicly and to consider the message notice of her intentions. The emails do not ask for money, and they don't appear to be redacted.
The emails 'clearly evidenced that she was engaged in an effort to 'shakedown'' Wynn, Campbell said in his declaration.
The settlement is the second between Steve Wynn and a woman who alleged sexual misconduct to be revealed during a protracted civil case that has involved the billionaire; his ex-wife, Elaine Wynn; and a former business partner.
The deal reported by the Wall Street Journal was previously referenced broadly in the civil case, which is scheduled for trial in April.
A large portion of the case was settled earlier this month when Wynn Resorts agreed to pay a Tokyo-based company $2.4 billion by the end of March. Elaine Wynn is fighting her ex-husband and Wynn Resorts over her removal from the company's board of directors in 2015.
Officials in western Michigan have ruled that a 16-year-old girl found dead in Kalamazoo in late January was strangled to death after being kidnapped on her way to school.
Mujey Dumbuya's cause of death was listed as 'asphyxia, including strangulation' on her death certificate.
Dumbuya's partially-clothed body was found January 28 in Kalamazoo, about 50 miles from her Grand Rapids home.
Her family last saw her alive on January 24 as she headed off to school.
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Cause of death: Mujey Dumbuya, 16, was strangled to death before her body was found in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in January. Quinn James, 42, who had allegedly raped Mujey in 2017, is considered a person of interest in her death
James is pictured at a court hearing on March 9. His rape case is set to go to trial in April
Quinn James, 42, currently faces trial in Kent County Circuit Court on criminal sexual conduct charges. James is accused of sexually assaulting Dumbuya last summer.
He was arrested in November 2017 but a judge allowed him to be released on bond.
Authorities picked him up on February 1 on an unrelated 2014 sexual assault charge also involving a teenage girl.
MLive.com says Dumbuya was scheduled to testify against James at his rape trial set for April. He is considered a person of interest but has not been charged in the girl's death.
Two months before she disappeared, Dumbuya told police James raped her in a parking lot near Ridge Park Charter Academy.
Star witness: Dumbuya (left and right) said James forced her to have sex numerous times in various places starting from when she was 15
James was arrested in November 2017 but a judge allowed him to be released on bond
'There is something about you. I could stop, but I just can't,' Dumbuya said he told her before the attack.
Court records show James admitted he had sex with the teenage girl inside his parked car outside the school, where his finacee's nephew, who is Dumbuya's boyfriend, was a student.
Daquarius Daymont Bibbs, 17, has been named as a material witness against James. He has been under house arrest for the past two weeks.
James told investigators his sexual encounters with Dumbuya were consensual, according to WWMT.
But Dumbuya said James, who despite his criminal history was employed as a groundskeeper by the Kentwood Public School District, forced her to have sex numerous times in various places starting from when she was 15, according to court documents.
He was charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor as was facing a mandatory 25-year sentence as prosecutors charged him as a habitual offender.
He was also ordered to stay away from Dumbuya.
James was hired to work on the school district's grounds and maintenance crew in 2011.
She was found wearing a black Columbia jacket, a T-shirt with a print of Cinderella's face on the front, blue jeans and pink Nike tennis shoes (pictured) but her right shoe was missing
He was a convicted felon at the time, with a criminal history that included convictions for armed robbery and possessing a weapon in prison.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office had tried to charge him with the 2014 rape, but prosecutors declined to pursue it at the time.
Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said Dumbuya and her family informed school district officials about the alleged assault in mid-November, Buzzfeed News reports.
He said officials weren't aware of James' criminal history, but he had 'very little contact with students and none as part of his responsibilities.'
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, which implements Islamic law, or Sharia.
Last year, two gay men who admitted having sex were flogged in Aceh, with each receiving 100 strokes of the cane, drawing heavy criticism from rights groups.
Gay sex is not illegal in the rest of Indonesia, which mainly follows a criminal code inherited from former colonial ruler the Netherlands.
The province of Banda Aceh began implementing Sharia law after being granted autonomy in 2001 an attempt by the government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.
Islamic laws have been strengthened since Aceh struck a peace deal with Jakarta in 2005.
People are flogged for a range of offences including gambling, drinking alcohol, gay sex or any sexual relationship outside marriage.
Jono Simbolon (front), an Indonesian Christian, grimaces in pain as he is flogged in front of a crowd outside a mosque in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, on January 19, 2018
More than 90 per cent of the 255million people who live in Indonesia describe themselves as Muslim, but the vast majority practice a moderate form of the faith.
The brutal and public beatings have become more prevalent this year with a number of reported incidents of those being punished collapsing in pain on stage.
Back in September 2014, Aceh approved an anti-homosexuality law that can punish anyone caught having gay sex with 100 lashes.
After a three-decade-old separatist movement, a peace agreement signed in 2005 granted special autonomy to Aceh, at the northern tip of Sumatra, on condition that it remained part of the sprawling archipelago.
As part of that deal, Aceh won the right to be the only Indonesian province to use Islamic sharia law as its legal code.
An Acehnese woman was also lashed as part of the public caning on Friday outside a mosque after prayers had finished
Anybody caught engaging in consensual gay sex is punished with 100 lashes, 100 months in jail or a fine of 1,000 grams of gold.
The law also set out punishment for sex crimes, unmarried people engaging in displays of affection, people caught found guilty of adultery and underage sex.
Religious police in Aceh have been known to target Muslim women without head scarves or those wearing tight clothes, and people drinking alcohol or gambling.
Over the past decade, the central government has devolved more power to regional authorities to increase autonomy and speed up development.
Engaging in homosexual acts is not a crime under Indonesia's national criminal code but remains taboo in many conservative parts of the country with the world's largest Muslim population.
The trend appeared to be slowing down after a string of worrying incidents at the turn of the new year, but the new pictures reveal the practice still looms large in Indonesia.
Men and women have collapsed in pain due to the severity of their injuries and people can be caned for something as innocent as standing too close to a partner in public or being seen alone with someone they are not married to.
An Islamic enforcer holds the rattan stick against the back of Simbolon, who was whipped 36 times for selling alcohol in the province
In the past two years or so, MailOnline has reported on the troubling rising trend of public lashings carried out in Aceh, Indonesia:
March 1, 2016: Woman whipped 50 times for spending time alone with a man at the age of 19.
March 24, 2016: Young woman carried from the stage on a stretcher after being lashed for sex outside marriage.
August 1, 2016: Another woman is lashed for going on a date in Aceh.
August 15, 2016: Elderly man caned for breaking Sharia law.
September 11, 2016: Man and a woman lashed for having an affair and among the gathered crowd is the mayor of Banda Aceh.
October 17, 2016: Muslim woman screams out in pain on stage after being lashed 23 times for standing too close to her boyfriend.
October 31, 2016: A woman, 20, caned in public for getting too close to a man she wasn't married to.
November 28, 2016: Man and a woman lashed 100 times each for adultery.
February 2, 2017: Enforcer lands 26 beatings across the back of a woman for having sex outside of wedlock.
February 10, 2017: Woman collapses in pain on stage as she is being caned.
February 27, 2017: Man collapses on stage as he is being whipped for having sex outside of marriage.
August 25, 2017: Ten Indonesians sentenced to up to 100 lashes of the whip for adultery.
September 12, 2017: Woman hospitalised after 100 lashes for being with a man who wasn't her husband.
November 17, 2017: Woman is caned for adultery.
January, 2018: Indonesian Christian man is publicly flogged 36 times for selling alcohol.
February, 2018: Man and woman, both also Christian, flogged six and seven times respectively for playing a children's entertainment game.
The father of a boy with Down syndrome and autism is suing the Boys Scouts of America for blocking his son from participating in its highest programme and revoking his merit badges.
Logan Blythe, 15, had been able to progress through the National Parks Council in Utah by taking part in a modified programme, allowing him to achieve more than 20 badges over four years.
Scout leaders approved Logan's application to join the Alternative Eagle Scout Programme in November 2017, but said a day later they had decided the allowances previously made for his disabilities meant he was no longer eligible.
Logan Blythe, 15, (pictured in his Scout uniform, left, and with his father Chad, right) had been able to progress through the National Parks Council in Utah by taking part in a modified programme
His father, Chad, from Payton, Utah, sued the Boy Scouts of America and the Utah National Parks Council for a nominal $1, citing 'outrageous and reckless conduct'.
Mr Blythe told DailyMail.com: 'Logan was so disappointed and upset when he heard he would not be able to get the badge.
'I don't understand - it makes no sense to me at all. If we had been told this fact up front before we began the whole process we would have of course acted differently.
'But to have the elation and the excitement of reaching all the way to the top and then that be yanked away from us is infuriating.'
Mr Blythe was angry the Scouts did not warn Logan he would not be able to complete the Eagle programme before he put in his application. Logan is pictured being awarded one of his badges
Mr Blythe was angry the Scouts did not warn Logan he would not be able to complete the Alternative Eagle Scout Programme before he put in his application.
The scheme aims to allow young people with disabilities to carry out alternative tasks where they are unable to achieve the standard badge.
When Mr Blythe asked if there were alternatives Logan could try, he was told that participants must do the requirements as written, including leadership responsibilities.
And in the future Mr Blythe wants the organisation to allow applicants to achieve the award if they meet its requirements as fully as they are physically able to.
'We just want to have them add a simple phrase to their requirements to say "to the best of the boy's ability",' he said.
'There are so many kids out there that are doing their dead level best.
'We understand there are things he won't be able to achieve with Down's syndrome and Autism.
'So when you find something that you believe he can achieve in, like the Boy Scouts, you really grab hold of it.
Mr Blythe said positive messages from supporters had persuaded him to continue with his legal bid.
'We've had support all across the country and from other countries, including Great Britain, he added. We've been thrilled to see the outpouring of compassion.'
Mr Blythe (pictured with Logan) told DailyMail.com: 'Logan was so disappointed and upset when he heard he would not be able to get the badge'
Logan's mother, Diane Blythe, shows the Boy Scout merit badges her son Logan earned during an interview in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Utah National Parks Council told KSL TV: 'We are moved by this young mans desire to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
'Weve worked closely with this young man and his family to attain the benefits of the Scouting program and are committed to continuing to do so. The Eagle Scout Award is a national award.
'Final decisions regarding the Eagle requirements are made at the National BSA level. Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has served youth members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.
'Through the Disability Awareness Committee, the BSA enables youth to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
'The Utah National Parks Council stands ready to assist all Scouts and their families who, despite extraordinary circumstances, have the desire to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.'
DailyMail.com has contacted the Boy Scouts of America for comment.
Mr Blythe said positive messages from supporters had persuaded him to continue with his legal bid. He is pictured left with Diane and Logan
Former Eurovision Song Contest host and actress Katie Boyle, Lady Saunders died 'peacefully at home' aged 91, her agent has said.
Lady Saunders, who was married to the late producer of The Mousetrap Sir Peter Saunders, was best known for presenting the music spectacular in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Italian-born television personality was well known for appearing on TV panel games such as What's My Line? and for presenting the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1960s and 1970s.
Katie Boyle, television personality and Eurovision Song Contest presenter, has passed away at the age of 91
In 1960 the UK hosted volunteered to host the competition despite never having won it and Katie Boyle began her reign as Britain's unofficial Queen of the contest.
She was born in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, to an Italian marquis and his English wife, Dorothy Kate Ramsden.
She arrived in Britain in 1946 and began a modelling career - which included work for Vogue.
She then appeared in a number of films including Not Wanted on Voyage (1957), The Truth About Women (1957) and Intent to Kill (1958) with Richard Todd.
Boyle then became an almost permanent fixture on British television during the 1950s.
A decade later she became a television personality, regularly appearing on panel games and programmes like Juke Box Jury.
In the 1960s she appeared in a long-running series of television advertisements for Camay soap.
She became the face of Camay soap in television adverts in which she compared the product to high end, expensive soaps. Amusingly, she was allergic to the product herself
In her capacity as a host she fronted shows such as the Ivor Novello Awards, and she had a long-running radio programme called Katie and Friends on BBC Radio 2.
A lover of dogs, she was a committee member of Battersea Dogs Home for more than 25 years and wrote Battersea Tales - stories of rescues from the dogs home in 1997.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where Boyle was a committee member for more than 25 years, paid tribute.
They wrote on Twitter: 'We're saddened to hear that Katie Boyle, one of our lifelong supporters, has passed away.
Lady Saunders (pictured left and right) died 'peacefully at home', her agent has said
Boyle appears with her two dogs in 1993. The television personality has passed away at 91
'Katie was a devoted dog lover and a much-loved TV personality who contributed so much time and energy to helping Battersea during her 25 years as a Trustee. She will be greatly missed.'
She married three times and wrote about her life in showbiz in 1980 in autobiography What This Katie Did.
In 1998 she told the Press Association: 'My whole career really started by accident. There was a time when I was on the BBC three times a week - it seems very strange to think of that now, but it was the only thing people watched.'
A Missouri man has been arrested and charged after he raped and impregnated an 11-year-old relative, who later gave birth.
Cornelius Lee Page, 32, had forced intercourse with the girl twice and additional sexual contact with her on two separate occasions in April and May 2017, according to O'Fallon police.
The girl told police that 'she tried either pushing or kicking' Page off during the alleged attacks but he was 'too heavy and tall'.
He would then 'push her down' so she could not get up and told her to stop or it would 'get worse', according to a probable cause statement obtained by KTVI.
Cornelius Page, 32 (pictured), of St Louis, has been charged with two counts of statutory rape and four counts of statutory sodomy for raping and impregnating an 11-year-old girl
Police say Page (left and right) had forced intercourse with the girl twice and additional sexual contact with her on two separate occasions between April 2017 and May 2017. The girl gave birth to a baby boy in January 2018 and paternity test results showed a 99.999 percent probability that Page was the infant's father
The victim, who is a relative and now 12 years old, gave birth to a baby boy in January 2018.
After a paternity test was conducted by police, results showed a 99.999 percent probability that Page was the infant's father.
Page has prior convictions for possession of controlled substances, stealing a motor vehicle, and assaulting law enforcement and resisting arrest, according to the St Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
He served five years in prison, from 2008 to 2013, in the Missouri Department of Connections.
Page (pictured) has prior convictions for possession of controlled substances, stealing a motor vehicle, and assaulting law enforcement and resisting arrest and spent five years in prison
Page is facing two counts of statutory rape and four counts of statutory sodomy. He is currently being jailed bail is set at $100,000, reported the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar said this case was similar to many cases that he's prosecuted.
'The sad reality is this case is very similar in many ways to most of our child sexual abuse cases,' he told KTVI.
Lohmar said this case exemplifies why parents should be careful of who they leave with their children.
He added that in this case, the mother of the 11-year-girl did not believe her when the girl first told her she was raped.
The mother has now written on Facebook that she hopes Page get raped in prison.
Lohmar said parents should teach their children to tell more than one adult if an instance like this occurs and to find someone who will listen and believe them.
Police officers searching for a suspect who was seen breaking car windows in a Sacramento neighborhood on Sunday shot and killed an unarmed black man in his own backyard.
Friends and family said the victim of the officer-involved shooting was 22-year-old Stephon Alonzo 'Zoe' Clark, a father-of-two who was living with his grandmother, grandfather and siblings.
Police said they shot and killed him because he was walking towards them holding an object, which they believed was a gun, and feared for their safety.
Investigators only found a cell phone near his body after he was gunned down.
Dozens of people carrying signs and calling for police accountability took to the streets on Monday night to protest Clarks shooting.
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Police officers searching for a suspect who was seen breaking car windows in a Sacramento shot dead Stephon Clark. The 22-year-old father of two boys died in his grandmother's backyard
The officer-involved shooting took place in the 7500 block of 29th Street of Sacramento on Sunday night
The mans aunt, Shernita Crosby, took part in the march organized by Black Lives Matter activists and told CBS13 she was 'mad as hell.'
According to a press release from the Sacramento Police Department addressing the fatal shooting, officers were called to the home at 9.18pm on Sunday after getting reports of a man breaking into vehicles.
This press release is a summary of the facts known at this time. This is an active investigation. The information provided in this press release is preliminary and subject to change. Additional details will be released as they become available.
The caller who summoned police said the male subject had broken car windows and was now hiding in a backyard. The suspect was described as a thin 6-foot-1 man wearing a black hoodie and dark pants.
The Sacramento Sheriffs Departments helicopter (STAR) was also on scene searching for the suspect.
At about 9.25pm, the helicopter crew communicated that they spotted the suspect, later identified as Clark, in a backyard and directed police officers to his location.
STAR then advised police that Clark had just picked up a 'toolbar' and broke a window to a residence, before running south towards the front of the residence, where he stopped and was looking into another car.
Police said officers commanded Clark to show his hands, and ultimately shot him out of fear for their safety because they mistakenly thought he was pointing a gun at them
Clark is pictured in this undated photo with his mother, who had lost another son to violence
The chopper crew continued to update the officers and guided them to the suspect in the backyard.
According to the news release, officers entered the front yard and observed Clark along the side of the residence. The ordered him to stop and show his hands.
The suspect immediately fled from the officers and ran towards the back of the home, the statement read.
Officers pursued Clark and tracked him to the backyard of his familys home. There, police say the 22-year-old turned and advanced towards the officers while holding an object which was extended in front of him, and which they mistook for a firearm being pointed at them.
Fearing for their safety, the officers fired their duty weapons striking the suspect multiple times, police stated.
Five minutes later, backup arrived and Clark was placed in handcuffs before officers began life-saving efforts. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His grandmother Sequita Thompson was at home that night and heard the gunshots. She said when police interviewed her, they made no mention of any fatalities.
She recounted to Sacramento Bee how she looked out the window a few hours later and saw her grandson lying dead in the yard.
No gun and no 'toolbar' was ever found, but police recovered a cellphone next to Clark.
Dozens of people carrying signs and calling for police accountability took to the streets on Monday night to protest Clarks shooting
'Mad as hell': Clark's aunt Shernita Crosby joined protesters on Monday, saying she was mad
A boy is seen at Monday's protest holding up a large sign demanding 'No more racist cops'
Relatives of Clark are seen embracing his grieving mother (center) at the protest in Sacramento on Monday
Police later identified at least three vehicles in the area with damage that is believed to have been caused by Clark. A nearby home also had had a sliding door shattered.
The two officers who shot Clark have two and four years with the Sacramento Police Department. However, both have four years prior law enforcement experience with other agencies.
As per department policy, both cops have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
Both officers were equipped with body cameras. There is also video and audio footage from the STAR helicopter that assisted on the call.
The police department is expected to release all the relevant footage within 30 days.
Clark leaves behind his two young sons, ages one and three, reported Fox40. His brother Stevante said the family wish to lay him to rest next to his other sibling who was killed a few years ago.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by a friend to help the family with Clark's funeral expenses
This is the driver who was behind the wheel of a self-driving Uber car when it hit and killed a pedestrian - in a mugshot taken when she was serving a felony sentence for attempted armed robbery.
Rafaela Vasquez, 44, was the 'safety driver' of the automated Volvo when it hit Elaine Herzberg, 49, on Sunday night in Tempe, Arizona.
She had two felony convictions when she was hired by Uber for its self-driving car trials in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.
Her January 2001 conviction for attempted armed robbery led to a five-year sentence of which she served more than four years, being freed in November 2004.
Vasquez attempted to rob a Blockbuster video store with an imitation firearm.
At the same time, Vasquez was convicted of unsworn falsification committed in 1999, meaning she made a false statement to a public officials, and received a concurrent one year sentence.
At the time she was known as Rafael and identified as male. It is not known when she transitioned to female.
Felon: Rafaela Vasquez, who was then known as Rafael, has two felony convictions of which she was found guilty when she identified as a man. Vasquez was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted armed robbery in January 2000, and given a one-year concurrent sentence for making a false statement. It is unclear when Vasquez began identifying as female
Victim: Elaine Herzberg, 49, was homeless and had a string of drugs convictions when she was killed walking in front of the Uber self-driving car on Sunday night
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators examine the self-driving Uber vehicle involved in the fatal accident in Tempe
Vasquez was supposed to act as a 'safety driver' and take control of the vehicle if anything went wrong.
She told police that Herzberg, who had herself spent time in prison for drug offenses, stepped out in front of her with a bicycle carrying multiple shopping bags and that she had no time to brake before it hit her.
She was traveling at 40 mph at the time, well within the 45 mph speed limit and insisted that she was alert but that nothing could have been done to stop the crash.
Her story was supported by footage from cameras fitted at the front and back of the Volvo SUV that Vasquez was in control of. Police have not yet revealed that footage.
At first, police wrongly described Vasquez as a man.
'The driver said it was like a flash, the person walked out in front of them,'
'His [sic] first alert to the collision was the sound of the collision,' Sylvia Moir, Tempe Police Chief, told The San Francisco Chronicle on Monday.
'It's very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode (autonomous or human-driven) based on how she came from the shadows right into the roadway,' Herzberg said.
Rafaela Vasquez was behind the wheel of the self-driving Volvo SUV which struck Herzberg. Police say she stepped in front of it with her bicycle (shown above next to the car)
The bicycle was laden down with shopping bags which contained the woman' belongings
Herzberg was taken to hospital but died of her injuries. She is shown (left) in a social media photograph and (right) in another mugshot
Crash scene: This is where the Uber self-driving car hit Elaine Herzberg, killing her as she crossed the road with a bike loaded with bags
Official crossing: Elaine Herzberg was jaywalking. The official crossing is 100 yards away
The accident prompted Uber to pull all of its self-driving cars in Arizona and in Pittsburgh and Toronto, where they are also being operated in test mode.
The fatal crash is the first of its kind since the cars were introduced to roads in 2016. A separate incident last year saw one vehicle flip onto its side.
Herzberg's death has sparked concern over whether the vehicles should be trusted in the same way as regular cars but police have since said that the company is not at fault.
It is not clear if or when Uber plans to return the vehicles to the road.
In a statement, an Uber spokesman told DailyMail.com on Tuesday: 'Our hearts go out to the victim's family. We are fully cooperating with authorities and investigations of this incident.'
Vasquez, 44, was found guilty of conspiring with a friend to rob $2,792.28 from the Scottsdale Branch of Blockbuster Video, and of using an imitation firearm to commit the crime, according to court records obtained by DailyMail.com.
Vasquez, who worked for the entertainment chain at the time, was with another employee Gil Knishinsky when Joshua Page held them up outside a nearby branch of Bank of America and relieved them of the day's takings, as well as Knishinsky's wallet.
It later transpired that Vasquez had plotted the attack with Page, who used a Hobby Bench model gun to carry out the attack.
After accepting a plea deal, Vasquez was sentenced to a five-year prison term on January 18 2001 which she served at ASPC Florence a mixed security jail.
Prison records show Vasquez worked as a landscaper, a cook, an education aide and as an administrative assistant during her time inside.
Vasquez, who is originally from Tucson, Arizona, is one of four children. and lost her mother at the age of three, according to letters of recommendation lodged with Maricopa County Superior Court.
Letters sent before sentencing paint a troubled picture.
Younger sister Cristina, 36, described Vasquez as a person 'who taught me to look on the bright side of things' and 'that to be different was a privilege and being different was what made the world so interesting'.
Vasquez' father, Rafael, 81, said his child was 'responsible and dedicated to his job' and begged Judge Louis Araneta to 'strongly consider the minimum possible sentence'.
But an uncle Richard Wall said Vasquez, known to the family by middle name 'Stuart' as a child, was 'a really mixed up young man' who needs help 'but not the kind you get in prison'.
He added: 'His father married again right after Stuart's mother died and they moved away and started another family. Stuart was only three years old, and I believe he was not given the love and attention he needed from a loving mother and father.'
A second aunt, Portress Caple, also told the court Vasquez had been badly affected by losing her mother aged three and said the family continued to call her Stuart 'contrary to what name he gives himself'.
Caple continued: 'We have been corresponding regularly with Stuart since he has been in jail. His letters are very disturbing. He talks about wanting to die.
'He is very remorseful and vows that he will never break the law again.'
Herzberg herself had a criminal history and had been in and out of custody for minor offenses.
Neither she nor the driver are thought to have been under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
No charges have been brought against Vasquez and Uber has been tight lipped about the matter, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
Mother Nature could be responsible for the third government shutdown of the year this one accidental as Washington, D.C. braces for its biggest snowstorm of the year.
On Tuesday morning, Politico Playbook reported that 'Hill insiders' were concerned that a snow day on Wednesday could interrupt lawmakers' last minute finagling causing them to miss Friday's funding deadline.
By Tuesday afternoon, the threat got more real, with the Capital Weather Gang the Washington Post's gang of forecasters saying that two to five inches are expected in downtown D.C., with 4 to 8 potentially falling in the city's northern suburbs.
Sen. John Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, told reporters Tuesday that Congress was going to get the spending bill done - though that may mean passing a quick continuing resolution and working through the weekend, especially if it snows
Senate Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (right), leave their policy luncheon on Tuesday. Lawmakers could close the government down for a third time this year if they don't get the details worked out on a massive funding bill by Friday
Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who caused the last government shutdown, is seen about to board the Senate subway on Tuesday. A snow forecast is currently worrying officials on Capitol Hill, as a snow day Wednesday would mean one fewer day to pass a spending bill
They dubbed the weather event 'Washingtons biggest snowstorm of the winter,' in a jurisdiction where one inch of snow, or sometimes even just a heavy rain, will bring the city to a halt.
'We just watched the new European model come in and our jaws dropped. We may not be done with (upward) adjustments to the snowfall forecast,' the Capital Weather Gang later said in a tweet.
Republicans have yet to post the $1.2 trillion omnibus spending bill, but they plan to do so tonight, Politico said.
There's substance still to be worked out in the huge package, including how much money should go toward border funding and immigration enforcement a top Trump priority.
Additionally, senators are still trying to hash out funding for Obamacare's cost-sharing payments, though Republicans want the Hyde Amendment a law that prevents federal dollars from funding abortions to be applied to the money.
After that there's not much room for feet-dragging, especially if Wednesday becomes a snow day.
The House could vote on the bill Thursday, with the Senate then picking it up before Friday night's deadline.
Congress could, of course, pass a short-term funding package, but Politico reported that there's not much appetite for that.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers could pass a 'cromnibus' too, according to the Hill, which would pull out the Department of Homeland Security measures, which are still being figured out, and have Congress pass a short-term funding bill for those, while funding the rest of the government.
'The CR mostly thats been talked about is if we cant do Homeland Security, we do that as the CR and the rest of the bill [separately],' she explained.
There could also be a quick weekend shutdown like the brief on in February the second one of the year caused by Sen. Rand Paul, who wanted to call out his own party for over-spending, saying they looked hypocritical because they moaned about the debt through the Obama years.
Sen. John Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, told reporters Tuesday that he could see Congress passing a days-long continuing resolution if the House stalls.
'It just means we're going to be here into the weekend perhaps and there may have to be some measures take to keep the lights on, but we'll get it done,' Cornyn said, according to the Hill.
If the Senate stays in session through Saturday lawmakers and staff will have to contend with not snow but hoards of protesters coming to town for Saturday's 'March For Our Lives' demonstration, organized by the student survivors of the Parkland, Florida mass shooting.
It's then expected to snow in D.C. again on Sunday.
Julian Assange claimed earlier today that he had accepted an invitation to testify on Cambridge Analytica - but now the MPs involved have said he actually offered to appear.
Assange, who has been holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012 after being accused in Sweden of rape and sexual assault by two women, tweeted earlier today about accepting the select committee's 'request'.
The Wikileaks founder wrote: 'I have accepted a request by the select committee of the UK parliament @CommonsCMS to give evidence, via video link, about Cambridge Analytica, and other matters, later this month.'
Julian Assange claimed earlier today that he had accepted an invitation to testify on Cambridge Analytica, the firm who allegedly tapped the Facebook profiles of 50million users without consent
He tweeted: 'I have accepted a request by the select committee of the UK parliament @CommonsCMS to give evidence, via video link, about Cambridge Analytica, and other matters, later this month'
But within half an hour of his tweet the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, who are running an inquiry into fake news, hit back at his claim.
The committee tweeted: 'Mr Assange has offered to appear before the DCMS Committee, but no formal invitation has been issued for him to attend.'
The 46-year-old would have to appear via videolink as he fears extradition to the U.S. where he is wanted over Wikileaks releases of US military documents. Sweden dropped the sex charges against Assange last year.
Assange claimed he was invited to testify on Cambridge Analytica, a firm who allegedly tapped the Facebook profiles of more than 50million users without their consent.
The parliamentary inquiry into fake news has already called on Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence earlier today about the data scandal.
Earlier today Elizabeth Dunham, the Information Commissioner, attempted to get a warrant to search CA's London officers and servers.
The parents of 22-month-old Alfie Evans, who has been at the centre of a life support treatment battle, have failed to persuade Supreme Court justices to analyse the case.
Alfie's parents, who come from Liverpool, wanted to stage a fight at the Supreme Court in London.
But Supreme Court justices have decided that the case is not worth arguing and have refused to give the couple 'permission' to mount a further appeal.
The parents of Alfie Evans have been refused permission to appeal
Alfie, who was born on May 9, 2016, is in a 'semi-vegetative state' and has a degenerative neurological condition doctors had not definitively diagnosed.
Mr Justice Hayden had analysed the case at hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London and Liverpool.
Specialists at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool previously said life support treatment could stop and the judge said he accepted medical evidence which showed that further treatment was futile.
Alfie Evans exists in a 'semi vegetative state', specialists have said
Father Tom Evans arrives with his mother at Liverpool Civil and Family Court.He and his wife Kate have been fighting against specialists who say their son should no longer be kept alive
Rules meant that Alfie parents could not simply ask Supreme Court justice to consider the case.
They first had to clear an initial legal hurdle by persuading justices that they had a case worth arguing.
A Supreme Court spokeswoman said that justices had rejected the couple's bid after analysing written arguments from everyone involved.
A Minneapolis cop who shot dead an Australian yoga teacher in her pajamas after he answered her 911 call has been charged with murder.
Officer Mohamed Noor turned himself in Tuesday morning and is being held on murder and manslaughter charges for gunning down 40-year-old Justine Ruszczyk Damond on July 15 while she was engaged to be married.
He shot Damond in the stomach when she approached his squad car minutes after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home.
Officer Mohamed Noor (right, in a police mug shot released today) turned himself in Tuesday morning and is held on murder and manslaughter charges for shooting 40-year-old life coach Justine Ruszczyk Damond (left) on July 15 while she was engaged to be married
Damond's family said in a written statement they are pleased that Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman decided to bring charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
They say they hope a strong case will be presented and Noor will be convicted.
Their statement says justice 'demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect'.
A statement from the Ruszczyk and her fiance, Don Damond, said: 'While we waited over eight months to come to this point, we are pleased with the way a grand jury and County Attorney Mike Freeman appear to have been diligent and thorough in investigating and ultimately determining that these charges are justified.'
Damond was unarmed and had called 911 caller to alert police to what she believed may have been a rape taking place in the alley behind her home.
Noor told friends he was 'startled' by his victim seconds before he opened fire.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one friend said the officer had opened fire when an unidentified figure emerged from the dark and ran towards the vehicle.
Noor poses for a file photo taken by the Minneapolis Police Department in May 2016
The officer said he was not sure what the person was carrying and momentarily opened fire through his driver-partner's open window.
It was confirmed that Damond's cell phone was found alongside her during the tragedy.
Noor told associates it was dark and the situation was already tense as the caller had been 'panicking' when making the 911 call reporting an assault in the alley beyond where Damond lived with her fiance and his son.
The squad car, driven by his partner Matthew Harrity traveled hastily down the unlit alley between Washburn and Xerxes avenues south from West 50th Street toward West 51st Street.
Neither officer's body camera was switched on, and there is no video of the shooting.
Crucially, the vehicle did not have its lights on and this may have been so as not to give any suspect notice that police had arrived and buy precious time to apprehend the target. That the car was unlit was disclosed by Harrity to the BCA.
Both Noor and the BCA's version of events agreed on the car's lights being off.
Mrs Damond with her fiance, Don, seen together in an undated photo posted on Facebook
Aftermath: Cops closed down the area around the shooting but lack crucial bodycam evidence because neither Noor or Harrity activated theirs, in breach of regulations
According to Noor's version when they reached the end of the alley, they came across a waiting, panicking figure.
It was dark, and the figure was moving around and approached their vehicle.
Noor said he did not know whether the figure who rushed towards their vehicle was the 911 caller or even if it was a man or woman.
He his weapon through Harrity's open driver's window hitting his victim once in the abdomen.
Both he and Harrity gave CPR to the victim before help and back up arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The charge of third-degree murder carries a maximum of of 25 years in prison, although the presumptive sentence is 12 years.
The second-degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, and the presumptive sentence is four years.
Noor's bail is set at $500,000, according to jail records.
Johanna Morrow plays the didgeridoo during a memorial service for Damond at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis on August 11
The 'twin cities' of Minneapolis and St Paul have been rocked in recent years by police shootings, putting the community and law enforcement on edge.
Last month a police officer was acquitted after he shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop while Castile's girlfriend live streamed the horrifying incident.
Violent protests also erupted after two officers fatally shot 24-year-old Jamar Clark in 2015 and were not charged.
Dinner or playtime? You decide.
This brave girl was nonplussed by a huge lion which pawed at her through a glass partition at the zoo in South Carolina.
It might be that she was unaware of the lion's true intention. And it's unlikely the great beast wanted to play.
More likely is that it was hoping dinner had been served a little early.
The footage begins with the looming creature pawing away at the glass partition. Seconds later it tries to knaw its way through the glass.
'Isn't it beautiful,' remarks a man, assumed to be the child's father.
The big cat stops and looks, bemused, at the small child grinning at it from safety.
'We should take it home,' suggests a woman, thought to be the mother.
The parents continue to allow the child to bang on the glass.
The regal animal then launches itself from its hind legs at the wall of its enclosure.
Finally, tired by its effort, the beast begins to lick the glass, hoping for just a taste.
The child continues to bang on the glass, much to the delight of its parents.
The child seemed utterly unfazed by the beast as it pawed from behind the glass
Cuddly or killer? Social media users disagreed over whether the lion wanted to play or hunt
Caity Finley, from Rock Hill, South Carolina, posted the video online last week along with the caption: 'Ever seen a lion so obsessed with a baby?'
But other social media users suggested the animal was more interested in eating the child than playing with it.
One said: 'This lion was trying to play with his food. They generally do that. I would have run!'
Another said: When you cant reach your snack!
The brother of Florida gunman Nikolas Cruz has fronted court after being arrested for trespassing at the same high school where his sibling shot dead 17 people.
Zachary Cruz, 18, was arrested at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Monday afternoon and charged with trespassing on school grounds.
His 19-year-old brother is charged with going on a murderous shooting rampage at the same school back on February 14.
Zachary was recorded by security cameras riding his skateboard at the school around 4.30pm even though he had allegedly received multiple prior warnings from school officials to stay away from the campus.
Zachary Cruz, 18, appeared in court on Tuesday after he was arrested at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida and charged with trespassing on school grounds
His bond was set at an unusually high $500,000 when he faced court on Tuesday.
Prosecutors argued that Zachary had expressed admiration for the fame his brother's actions had garnered in the wake of the deadly massacre.
Zachary was arrested at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Monday afternoon and charged with trespassing on school grounds
'Probably most concerning is his contact that he has had with his brother in the jail since his incarceration,' Assistant State Attorney Sarahnell Murphy said at Tuesday's hearing.
'He has been heard and observed discussing how popular his brother is now, that his face is everywhere and his name is national.
'There is discussion of starting some sort of pen pal or fan club and how many girls he is capable of attracting, referring to his brother Nikolas.'
Murphy said that just weeks after his brother had 'murdered, injured and terrorized' at the school, Zachary had gone back
'Many (parents) kept their children home today. They have again been terrorized,' Murphy said.
Prosecutors said it was the third time he had visited the campus even though he was warned to stay away.
He is now being held in the same Fort Lauderdale jail where his brother is.
His bond was set at an unusually high $500,000 when he faced court via a videolink on Tuesday. He is now being held in the same Fort Lauderdale jail where his gunman brother is
Zachary's brother, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz (left in court), has been charged with 17 counts of first-degree murder in connection with the February 14 shooting. Zachary (right) is pictured in crying court last week during his brother's arraignment
Joseph Kimok, who is representing Zachary Cruz, said the bond and conditions were far out of proportion to the trespassing offense.
'He is being held for who he is related to, not for anything he did,' Kimok said.
Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie has called Zachary's actions odd.
'I understand it does creep people out,' he said.
According to an arrest report, Zachary told officers he came to the school to 'reflect on the school shooting and soak it all in.'
He did not resist arrest and the report made no mention of any weapons.
Trespassing is a misdemeanor that usually carries only a $25 bond but Murphy asked for $750,000 and a host of conditions, most of which the judge approved.
Broward County Judge Kim Theresa Mollica ordered Zachary to wear a GPS ankle monitor and stay away from schools - particularly Stoneman Douglas High - if he is released.
The judge also ordered a search for weapons and ammunition at the Palm Beach County home where he is living with a family friend and he is not to visit his brother in jail.
Cruz, 18, was arrested at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and charged with trespassing on school grounds. He had been warned three times to stay away
Zachary and Nikolas, who are half-siblings, were adopted when they were younger by Lynda and Robert Cruz. Zachary (pictured leaving court) became emotional during his brother's hearing last weel and was spotted wiping away tears
Zachary and Nikolas shared the same biological mother but had different fathers. Both were adopted at very young ages by Roger and Lynda Cruz, who moved them into their Parkland home. Lynda died in November and their father died some years earlier.
Zachary, who turned 18 a week after the school shooting, has been living in Lantana, Florida, with a family friend, Rocxanne Deschamps, since their mother's death.
Deschamps was scheduled Tuesday to hold a news conference in New York City with her attorney, the well-known lawyer Gloria Allred, about why she took the boys in.
Nikolas was living with a different family when the Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. His attorney has said he will plead guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder if prosecutors will waive the death penalty, which they have refused to do.
Police records show Zachary has also had a troubled life, including a juvenile arrest record for theft. His mother, Lynda, made frequent calls to the Broward Sheriff's Office about him running away, refusing to go to school, being rude and disrespectful and attempting to break things in their Parkland home.
Some of the calls go back to when Zachary was 11 years old.
A Minneapolis police officer who shot dead an unarmed Australian yoga teacher in her pyjamas after responding to her 911 call has been charged with murder.
Officer Mohamed Noor, 32, turned himself in Tuesday morning and is held on murder and manslaughter charges for gunning down 40-year-old Justine Damond on July 15.
He shot Justine in the stomach when she approached his squad car minutes after she called police to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home.
Charging documents reveal Justine said 'I'm dead' or 'I'm dying' as she clasped her stomach after being shot. She was given CPR by the officers but died at the scene.
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Police officer Mohamed Noor has been charged with murder over the shooting of Justine Damond (pictured)
Noor (pictured) shot Justine in the stomach when she approached his squad car minutes after she called police to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home
State prosecutor and head of the County Attorney's office, Mike Freeman, said that there was 'no evidence' that Noor was threatened by Justine (pictured, right with her fiance Don)
Justine (pictured) said 'I'm dead' or 'I'm dying' as she clasped her stomach after being shot, charging documents reveal
State prosecutor and head of the County Attorney's office, Mike Freeman, said that there was 'no evidence' that Noor was threatened by Justine.
'In the short time between when Ms Damond-Ruszczyk approached the squad car and the time Officer Noor fired the fatal shot, there is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force,' he said.
'Instead, Officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun from the passenger seat in disregard for human life. Such actions violate the criminal law.'
Justine's family said in a written statement that they're pleased that Mr Freeman decided to bring charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
They said they hope a strong case will be presented and Noor will be convicted, calling the charges 'one step toward justice for this iniquitous act'.
'No charges can bring our Justine back,' Justine's father John Ruszcyzk and Mr Damond said in the joint statement.
Officer Mohamed Noor (left) turned himself in Tuesday morning and is held on murder and manslaughter charges for shooting 40-year-old life coach Justine Ruszczyk Damond (right)
Justine's family said in a written statement that they're pleased that Mr Freeman decided to bring charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter (pictured are Justine and Don Damond)
'However, justice demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect, and today's actions reflect that.'
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), which is investigating the shooting, said in a statement that he had declined to be interviewed and that his attorney had not said if or when an interview would take place.
However, many of the key parts of Noor's narrative gel with the version of events released by the BCA, who had interviewed his partner, Matthew Harrity.
Justine was unarmed and had called 911 to alert police to what she believed may have been a rape taking place behind her home.
Justine (pictured, left, with her fiance Don) was unarmed and had called 911 to alert police to what she believed may have been a rape taking place in the alley behind her home
Aftermath: Cops closed down the area around the shooting but lack crucial bodycam evidence because neither Noor or Harrity activated theirs, in breach of regulations
Justine Damond, 40, was a yoga teacher for Sydney's Northern Beaches and was engaged
Justine Damond (pictured) called 911 to report a possible rape and was shot by Mohamed Noor
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a friend of Noor's told DailyMail.com that the officer had opened fire when an unidentified figure emerged from the dark and ran towards the vehicle.
The officer said he was not sure what the person was carrying and momentarily opened fire through his driver-partner's open window.
It was confirmed that Justine's cell phone was found alongside her during the tragedy.
Noor told associates it was dark and the situation was already tense as the caller had been 'panicking' when making the 911 call reporting an assault in the alley beyond where Justine lived with her fiance and his son.
The squad car, driven by his partner Matthew Harrity traveled hastily down the unlit alley between Washburn and Xerxes avenues south from West 50th Street toward West 51st Street.
'No charges can bring our Justine back,' Justine's father John Ruszcyzk (pictured) and Mr Damond said in the joint statement
'Thrown under the bus': Mohamed Noor (pictured, right) says his fellow officers are not backing him
Justine (pictured) was shot as she approached Noor's squad car minutes after she called police
JUSTINE DAMOND SHOOTING - A TIMELINE OF EVENTS July 15 - 11.27pm - Justine Damond calls 911 to report hearing sounds of distress from a girl or woman behind her house. She says it may be a rape. A dispatcher says officers should arrive soon. 11.35pm. - Justine calls 911 again to ask why police haven't arrived yet. She gives the dispatcher the address again. 11.41pm. - Officers Matthew Harrity and Mohamed Noor arrive and drive south down the alley behind Justine's house. Harrity, who is driving, is startled by a loud noise near his squad car. Justine approaches the driver's side window immediately afterward, and Noor allegedly fires his gun past Harrity, striking Justine through that window of the vehicle, according to Harrity in an interview with state investigators. 11.42pm - Radio report of one person down, starting CPR. 11.50pm - Radio report of police doing CPR for 'last four minutes'. 11.51pm - Justine is pronounced dead in the alley at the south end of her block. A medical examiner later says Justine was shot once in the abdomen. July 16 - Hundreds gather in Justine's southwest Minneapolis neighborhood to mourn her death. Mayor Betsy Hodges visits scene, says she is 'heartsick' and 'deeply disturbed' by shooting. State investigators say the officers involved in the shooting had not turned on their body cameras and squad car video didn't capture the shooting. July 17 - An autopsy shows Justine died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Her fiance Don Damond says the family has been given no information about how the shooting happened. The officer who allegedly shot Justine is identified as Mohamed Noor, a Somali-American with less than two years of experience who became an officer after working in property management. In a statement from his attorney, Noor offers condolences to Justine's family. July 18 - State investigators say Noor declined to be interviewed. They say his partner, Matthew Harrity, told them Harrity was startled by a loud noise right before Justine approached the officers' SUV, and that Noor - in the passenger seat - shot her through the driver's-side window. July 20 - Police Chief Janee Harteau makes first remarks on shooting, says it 'should not have happened' but defends Noor's training. Harteau also says the city is reviewing its policy on body cameras and wants them to be used more often. July 21 - Harteau resigns at Hodges' request after the mayor says she no longer has confidence in the chief. Hodges names Assistant Chief Medaria Arradondo to take over. At a news conference to discuss the change, Hodges is shouted down by protesters who say she should resign, too. August 11 - Justine's family holds a public memorial service in Minneapolis. August 28 - Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says he expects to decide on charges by year's end. September 12 - Authorities announce that the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation has handed the case over to Freeman's office. November 18 - Council Member Jacob Frey defeats Hodges in the mayor's race. Much of the campaign focused on police-community relations. December 13 - Freeman is caught on video saying he doesn't have enough evidence to charge Noor and blaming investigators 'who haven't done their job'. December 28 - Freeman says he'll miss his self-imposed deadline of deciding on charges by year's end because he needs more time. January 24, 2018 - Attorneys say Freeman convened a grand jury and subpoenaed other officers to compel them to tell what they know. Freeman says he still intends to make his own decision on charges. March 20 - Noor turns himself in to the Hennepin County Jail on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Bail is set at $500,000. March 21 - Noor appears in court where bail is cut to $400,000 conditional on Noor surrendering his passport and not having contact with Harrity Source: AP Advertisement
Crucially, the vehicle did not have its lights on and this may have been so as not to give any suspect notice that police had arrived and buy precious time to apprehend the target. That the car was unlit was disclosed by Harrity to the BCA.
Both Noor and the BCA's version of events agree on the car's lights being off.
According to Noor's version when they reached the end of the alley, they came across a waiting, panicking figure.
It was dark, and the figure was moving around and approached their vehicle.
Noor said he did not know whether the figure who rushed towards their vehicle was the 911 caller or even if it was a man or woman.
He fired his weapon through Harrity's open driver's window hitting his victim once in the abdomen.
Johanna Morrow plays the didgeridoo during a memorial service for Damond at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis on August 11
Call for answers: Don Damond, Justine's fiance, fought back tears as he said earlier this week that the cops have failed to provide any explanation
The Australian women (pictured) was due to marry her fiance when she was shot dead last July
WHAT NOOR SAID IN PUBLIC THROUGH HIS ATTORNEY 'Officer Noor extends his condolences to the family and anyone else who has been touched by this event. He takes their loss seriously and keeps them in his daily thoughts and prayers. He came to the United States at a young age and is thankful to have had so many opportunities. He takes these events very seriously because, for him, being a police officer is a calling. He joined the police force to serve the community and to protect the people he serves. Officer Noor is a caring person with a family he loves and he empathizes with the loss others are experiencing. The current environment for police is difficult, but Officer Noor accepts this as part of his calling. We would like to say more, and will in the future. At this time, however, there are several investigations ongoing and Officer Noor wants to respect the privacy to the family and asks the same in return during this difficult period.' Advertisement
Both he and Harrity gave CPR to the victim before help and back-up arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The charge of third-degree murder carries a maximum of of 25 years in prison, although the presumptive sentence is 12 years.
The second-degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, and the presumptive sentence is four years.
Noor's bail is set at $500,000, according to jail records.
The friend said Mohamed believed he acted to protect himself and his colleague.
'It was over in seconds and it was a very tense moment. He is sorry for the woman and her family.
CPR was performed on Justice before help and back-up arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene
Mourners attend a march in honour of at Beard's Plaissance Park in Minneapolis last July
Justine was unarmed and had called 911 to alert police to what she believed may have been a rape taking place in the alley behind her home
'But he would never have opened fire without genuinely feeling in danger.'
The officer, who is now suspended form the Minneapolis P.D., feels he has been 'thrown under the bus' by his Minneapolis police colleagues, the friend said.
'He is aware that they normally come together at times like this and support each other with slogans like "Blue Lives Matter".
'But in this situation he has realized he is probably alone with his legal team and Somali police colleagues.
'He feels like he is being thrown under the bus and his colleagues are accusing him of not showing proper police conduct on Saturday night.
'His feeling is "I am an immigrant, a Muslim and not white... but that is OK as I know the Somalian community and friends will support me".'
Friends say they would soon be starting fund raising to help meet his legal bills among the Somali community.
John Ruszczyk, father of Justine Damond, holds a press conference with his family in Sydney after the shooting
Don Damond speaks to the media about his fiance, Justine Damond, who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police
They said the reason he had not given an interview to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is probing the shooting, was that he had been given legal advice not to.
Some of his friends have been shocked at some of the online abuse he has been receiving, however, with remarks claiming Justine would not have been shot by the Somalian-American officer if she had been 'wearing a burka or hijab.'
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodge said: 'We do have more information, though it's frustrating to have some of the picture but not all of it.
'We cannot compel officer Noor to make a statement; I wish we could. I wish that he would make a statement.'
Police said Harrity had indicated he heard a loud sound near his car, in the seconds before his partner Noor opened fire.
THE FATEFUL 911 CALL WHICH LED TO JUSTINE DAMOND'S DEATH Incident Number: 17-265936 July 15, 2017; 23.27:02 Time: 23:27:02 Operator: 911, what's the address of the emergency? Caller: Hi, I'm, I can hear someone out the back and I, I'm not sure if she's having sex or being raped. Operator: Give me the address. Caller: XXXX Washburn Avenue South. Operator: Washburn Avenue South. You said it's behind (inaudible)? Caller: And there's a (inaudible) out the back, yup, yup. And I think she just yelled out 'help,' but it's difficult the sound has been going on for a while, but I think, I don't think she's enjoying it. I think it's, I don't know. Operator: Okay, already got a call started and help on the way. Uh, you can't see anything, you're just hearing a female screaming then, is that what you're saying? Caller: Yeah. It sounds like sex noises, but it's been going on for a while and I think she tried to say help and it sounds distressed. Operator: Okay, I've already got an officer on the way. What is your name? Caller: JUSTINE. Operator: JUSTINE, what's your last name? Caller: JUSTINE. Operator: JUSTINE. Caller: Yeah. Operator: And a phone number? Caller: REDACTED Operator: Okay, we've already got help on the way. If anything changes before we get there just give us a call right back, but officers should be there soon. Caller: Thanks. Operator: Okay, not a problem. [DAMOND CALLS BACK AT 23.35:23] Operator: 911, what is the address of the emergency? Caller: Hi, I just reported one, but no one's here and was wondering if they got the address wrong. Operator: What's the address? Caller: XXXX Washburn Avenue South. It supposed to be Washburn Avenue South. Operator: Are you JUSTINE? Caller: Yeah, (inaudible). Operator: You're hearing a female screaming? Caller: Yes, along behind the house. Operator: Yup, officers are on the way there. Caller: Thank you. Operator: You're welcome, bye. Advertisement
Investigators are searching for a cyclist who may have important information about the shooting.
He was white, male and aged between 18-25 and may have stopped and seen the aftermath as medical assistance was applied.
The 'twin cities' of Minneapolis and St Paul have been rocked by police shootings in recent years, putting the community and law enforcement on edge.
Last month a police officer was acquitted after he shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop while Castile's girlfriend live-streamed the horrifying incident.
Violent protests also erupted after two officers fatally shot 24-year-old Jamar Clark in 2015 and were not charged.
The Cambridge Analytica chief executive secretly filmed appearing to suggest the firm use 'beautiful' Ukrainian sex workers to seduce politicians has been suspended.
Alexander Nix will be replaced by acting CEO Alexander Tayler, the firm's chief data scientist, who was also secretly filmed during the Channel 4 investigation.
Mr Nix was recorded boasting about the firm's work during the Donald Trump presidential campaign, saying: 'We did all the research, all the data, all the analytics, all the targeting, we ran all the digital campaign, the television campaign and our data informed all the strategy.'
Trump's campaign team have distanced themselves from the firm, telling Politico earlier today that they have no existing contracts with the firm, and have no plans to do so in the future.
Another executive, Mark Turnbull, was recorded saying the firm were behind the 'crooked Hillary' campaign during the 2016 election.
He said: 'The brand was "Defeat Crooked Hillary". Youll remember this of course?
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Cambridge Analytica chief executive Alexander Nix (pictured arriving at the office today) was recorded saying he could send Ukrainian women to a candidate's house
Mr Nix has since been suspended and will be replaced by acting CEO Alexander Tayler, who was also secretly filmed during the Channel 4 investigation
'The zeros, the OO of crooked were a pair of handcuffs ... We made hundreds of different kinds of creative, and we put it online.'
Earlier today Mr Nix claimed he was just 'humouring' undercover reporters and denied the London-based company used honeytraps or prostitutes.
Old Etonian Mr Nix faces a storm over footage where he appeared to suggest their election work included entrapping politicians with 'beautiful girls' from Ukraine.
But when asked about the alleged use of prostitutes last night he said: 'No not professionally or personally. I am embarrassed you asked me'.
He added: 'It's going to cost us a vast amount of money. But for the rest of history and for my children when they become teenagers they will read this stuff about dad getting in hookers to catch out politicians. I mean I cringe at the idea'.
One filmed meeting, Mr Nix (right) appears to suggest that CA could compromise politicians by sending 'beautiful' Ukrainian women to candidates' houses
The firm, who allegedly tapped the Facebook profiles of more than 50 million users, were involved in Donald Trump's election campaign. Mr Nix says this why they are being targeted
Mr Nix (pictured today) also said earlier today he would resign if it meant the company would survive
Explaining his version of events he told The Times: 'The guy starts saying we need to change the political landscape, I need to entrap the politicians and how can we do this? So I reeled off some examples and said you could do this, you could do that.
'There's an English thing about being slightly embarrassed when someone starts going off on one like this and you humour him a bit and then you leave'.
He added he believed that Cambridge Analytica was being targeted because they helped with Donald Trump's 2016 US Presidential campaign.
He said 'appearances can be deceptive' when asked if the firm had previously used entrapment following the disclosures on Channel 4 News.
When asked if CA would abandon its political work Mr Nix gave no reply but firmly denied he had misled parliament over its use of data, saying 'absolutely not'.
Mr Nix was also recorded talking about giving evidence to representatives on the House Intelligence Committee in 2017.
'Theyre politicians, theyre not technical. They dont understand how it works' he said. 'They dont understand because the candidate never, is never involved. Hes told what to do by the campaign team.'
The undercover reporter then asked, 'so the candidate is the puppet', to which Mr Nix replied 'always.'
Storage crates are removed from Cambridge Analytica's London headquarters today but it is not yet known who has ordered them to be taken away
Senior executives at the data analysis firm that allegedly tapped the Facebook profiles of more than 50 million users were secretly filmed boasting about using beautiful Ukrainian women to seduce politicians, according to an undercover television investigation.
A Channel 4 report features recordings of meetings with the firm that allegedly show staff saying they could use ex-spies to dig up dirt on political opponents.
The recordings are part of an undercover investigation by Channel 4 news into the data company that has credited itself with Donald Trump's presidential victory.
Mr Nix said the British firm have worked in more than 200 elections across the world, including in Nigeria and India, and that it uses front companies or sub-contractors to do so.
In one clip Mr Nix said they could 'send some girls around to the candidate's house' and added that Ukrainian girls 'are very beautiful, I find that works very well'.
He is also heard saying: 'We'll offer a large amount of money to the candidate, to finance his campaign in exchange for land for instance, we'll have the whole thing recorded, we'll blank out the face of our guy and we post it on the Internet.'
In a phone call Mr Nix is heard saying to Channel 4's undercover reporter: 'I look forward to building a very long term and secretive relationship with you.'
Reporters secretly filmed a series of meetings between November 2017 and January 2018 in which they posed as a fixer for a wealthy client hoping to get candidates elected in Sri Lanka.
Other staff recording in the meetings include Mark Turnbull, the managing director of CA Political Global, and the company's chief data officer, Dr Alex Tayler.
In the report Mr Turnbull says: 'We just put information into the bloodstream of the internet, and then, and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again like a remote control. It has to happen without anyone thinking, 'that's propaganda', because the moment you think 'that's propaganda', the next question is, 'who's put that out?''
It has to happen without anyone thinking: thats propaganda.
EXCLUSIVE: The art of disguising propaganda - Cambridge Analytica bosses discuss the subtle techniques behind hidden online political messaging. #CambridgeAnalyticaUncovered pic.twitter.com/NohiPJ3f11 Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 19, 2018
A Cambridge Analytica spokesman said: 'We entirely refute any allegation that Cambridge Analytica or any of its affiliates use entrapment, bribes, or so-called 'honey-traps' for any purpose whatsoever (pictured: Mark Turnbull and Alex Tayler in the Channel 4 news report)
Mr Turnbull is heard saying Cambridge Analytica can discreetly push damaging material gathered on opponents onto social media, and says that he knows people who used to work in MI5 and MI6.
He said: 'It's no good fighting an election campaign on the facts because actually it's all about emotion, it's all about emotion.'
Mr Turnbull added: 'We just put information into the bloodstream of the internet, and then, and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again like a remote control. It has to happen without anyone thinking, 'that's propaganda', because the moment you think 'that's propaganda', the next question is, 'who's put that out?''
In the footage, Mr Turnbull then talks about the Kenyatta campaign, which the company ran in both 2013 an 2017, and says they rebranded the entire party twice as well as writing their manifesto and doing 'every element' of his campaign.
A Cambridge Analytica spokesman said: 'We entirely refute any allegation that Cambridge Analytica or any of its affiliates use entrapment, bribes, or so-called 'honey-traps' for any purpose whatsoever
'Cambridge Analytica does not use untrue material for any purpose. We routinely undertake conversations with prospective clients to try to tease out any unethical or illegal intentions.'
Mr Nix was also recorded saying: 'We'll offer a large amount of money to the candidate, to finance his campaign in exchange for land for instance, we'll have the whole thing recorded, we'll blank out the face of our guy and we post it on the Internet'
Earlier this week whistleblower Christopher Wylie said the firm used the private social media activity of a large portion of the U.S. electorate to develop techniques that underpinned its work on President Trump's campaign in 2016
Earlier this week whistleblower Christopher Wylie told the Guardian that the firm used the private social media activity of a large portion of the U.S. electorate to develop techniques that underpinned its work on President Trump's campaign in 2016.
Mr Wylie claimed that in 2014 it advertised the This Is Your Digital Life app as a research programme used by psychologists.
Around 270,000 downloaded the app and gave permission for it to access data from their Facebook profiles including their likes and information about friends.
Facebook has since suspended Cambridge Analytica, University of Cambridge psychology professor Aleksandr Kogan who created the harvesting app in question, and Christopher Wylie of Eunoia Technologies (previously employed with Cambridge Analytica), who also allegedly received user data from the app.
In a blog post, Facebook explained that Cambridge Analytica had years ago received user data from a Facebook app that purported to be a psychological research tool, though the firm was not authorized to have the information.
Cambridge Analytica later certified in 2015 that it had destroyed the information it had received, according to Facebook, although the social network said it received reports 'several days ago' that not all the data was deleted.
The offices of Cambridge Analytica in central London today, which could be raided
Facebook has said it is investigating.
The social media giant saw 25billion wiped off its value yesterday as the backlash over harvesting the personal details of 50million accounts intensified.
Shares in the social media giant fell 6.7 per cent to their lowest level in five years as web users called for a boycott of the site.
MPs demanded the firm be brought to heel as Theresa May's spokesman said the allegations surrounding Facebook and British data firm Cambridge Analytica were 'very concerning'.
Mr Nix arrived at work as the Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham worked to secure a warrant to search computers and servers to investigate the firm's activities.
Ms Denham criticised CA for being 'uncooperative' with her probe as she confirmed the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) would apply for a warrant to help her examine the firm's activities.
Reverend Paul Wancura, 87 (pictured), was found beaten and robbed in Long Island home on Monday after he failed to show up for a Sunday morning church service
An 87-year-old priest was savagely beaten and robbed at his home.
Reverend Paul Wancura was found by a fellow priest who went to his Long Island, New York home at around 12.40pm on Monday after Wancura failed to show up for a church service on Sunday.
Wancura was airlifted from Shelter Island by a Suffolk County Police Department helicopter around 1pm on Monday to Stony Brook Hospital 'for injuries sustained during the incident', according to the police department.
A man who only identified himself as Kirk told CBS 2 that Wancura, who is a supply priest at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Central Islip, was supposed to be at Sunday morning worship, but he never showed up.
'We were here waiting for him and we called him several times and there was no response. So everybody was like: "What's going on?"' Kirk told the station.
Then Father Charles McCarron, who is the pastor at St Mary's Episcopal Church, received a phone call from the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island on Monday morning about Wancura being a no-show.
'It's remarkable, even at 87, he never missed a service, driving to Central Islip every Sunday,' Father McCarron told the Shelter Island Reporter.
He was asked to go check on the elderly priest and, when he arrived, he found Wancura tied up to a chair and injured.
Wancura's friend went to go check on him at his home (outside pictured) on Monday around 12.40pm and found him tied up and beaten. Wancura told his friend that he'd been tied up for two days
Wancura was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital 'for injuries sustained during the incident', according to the police department. Wancura's friend says the 87-year-old is 'looking at multiple surgeries' (Pictured, Episcopal Church of the Messiah)
'He told me he had been tied up for two days,' Father McCarron said. 'He was in pretty rough shape. Being immobile for two days and being tied up resulted in most of his injuries.'
McCarron subsequently called 911 and Wancura was taken to the hospital. Police have not released an update on his condition, but McCarron has checked up on his friend.
'I saw him Monday night, ' Father McCarron told the Reporter. 'He's looking at multiple surgeries.'
No arrests have been made in the case, but an investigation is underway. Shelter Island only has about 2,400 residents in the offseason and is only accessible by ferry.
Authorities are ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
World Down Syndrome Day is here to spread awareness about Down Syndrome, which affects hundreds of thousands of people annually.
The holiday was first recognized by the United Nations in 2011 and it's been growing ever since. In 2012, it began to be celebrated annually with recognition worldwide.
It's observed on March 21 each year because of the way the date correlates to trisomy-21, the condition that causes Down Syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day is being celebrated around the world on March 21, 2018 with events in various cities
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated with various events to mark the day. Those events include virtual races, panel discussions, dance events and more.
So what do you need to know about World Down Syndrome Day?
World Down Syndrome Day 2018 theme
The World Down Syndrome Day 2018 theme is 'Lots of Socks'. According to the website, those celebrating are being asked to wear official #LotsOfSocks socks or other brightly colored, long, printed and/or mismatched socks on March 21, 2018.
The hope in doing so is that someone will ask about your socks and you'll have the opportunity to discuss World Down Syndrome Day with them.
World Down Syndrome Day socks
To match their theme, World Down Syndrome Day was selling brightly colored socks with red, yellow, green, blue and purple circles all over them. The socks were to be worn on World Down Syndrome Day as part of the theme.
The World Down Syndrome Day store is officially closed, however. This means that no more official World Down Syndrome Day merchandise may be purchased, though people are still encouraged to wear odd socks.
World Down Syndrome Day activities and events
World Down Syndrome Day is a global holiday. As such, events will be taking place in various continents and countries.
United Kingdom
Three World Down Syndrome Day 2018 events are scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, those interested may attend an event called 'My contribution to community,' during which statements from members of the organization will share what people with Down Syndrome have brought to their lives.
A similar event is set to take place in England.
Also in England, those celebrating World Down Syndrome day can attend an open house at the Langdown Down Centre from 3pm to 5:30pm GMT.
The event will feature tours of the facility, activities, refreshments and merchandise for sale. Attendees will also have the chance to watch the WorkFit program take part in the World Down Syndrome Day conference held at the United Nations in New York, which will be live streamed.
United States
In the United States, World Down Syndrome Day will be celebrated with a virtual race called Racing for 3.21. Participants are asked to run, walk, bike, hike or swim 3.21 miles and share the accomplishment on social media with the hashtags #WDSD, #Racingfor321 and #TeamNDSS.
The Saphira & Ventura Gallery in New York City will be hosting an 'Inside Out' exhibition, which will focus on human relations, prejudice, beauty, fun and fears in an unconventional way, hopefully educating and enlightening viewers.
The opening of that exhibition will be at 6:30pm ET.
Australia
World Down Syndrome Day will be marked with a parliamentary morning tea in Australia. Politicians, Down Syndrome Australia staff and directors, family and friends of people with Down Syndrome and people with Down Syndrome will be in attendance.
World Down Syndrome Day conference
The World Down Syndrome Day conference will take place at the United Nations in New York City. Down Syndrome International will bring people with Down Syndrome together with their supporters and their advocates to meet with senior representatives of major employers, experts in disability employment, government and U.N. officials.
The goal of the conference is to reach out to key people to ensure they're aware of what disabled people bring to the workplace and encourage stakeholders to help spur positive change.
Those hoping to watch the event can stream it via U.N. Web TV here.
World Down Syndrome Day will also be posting snippets from the event on Facebook and Twitter.
World Down Syndrome Day viral video
An adorable video put together by a group of moms in England to showcase their children with Down Syndrome has gone viral.
The BBC caught up with Rebecca Carless, one of the moms featured in the clip.
She explained the premise of the video as this: 'The idea is, we are just normal moms, we love our kids, they love us, and they are just like other four-year-olds, we wouldn't change them.
'The video turned out even better than we had hoped and the response has just been mad,' she added.
Her son Archie, who's shown in the video, is equally thrilled about their newfound viral fame.
'Archie loves it, he spots himself straight away and grabs my hand to do the swaying bit,' Rebecca said.
The quick spread of the video can be contributed, at least partially, to support from Christina Perri, whose song A Thousand Years is featured.
The Mighty reported: 'In an attempt to avoid copyright issues, the group contacted the original artist, Christina Perri, via her husband, Paul Costabile, on Twitter. Within an hour, the [Los Angeles] based couple were declaring their heartfelt support for the idea, committing their multi-million social media following and waiving any copyright claim to the music in support of the campaign.'
James Cordon also showed support for the video, tweeting it out and calling it 'the most beautiful Carpool Karaoke ever'.
A 21-year-old man from Oklahoma has been arrested after officials say he hired an Uber to pick up a 14-year-old girl and bring her over to his grandparents' home for a threesome.
The investigation into Taylor Kilgore, from Oklahoma City, began on March 14 when he told an undercover investigator with the Canadian County Sheriffs Office that he would like to hook up for sex, thinking he was talking to the teenage girl, according to a press release.
Using social media, Kilgore also told the bogus teen that he would like to have group sex with her and one of her friends.
'Predator': Taylor Kilgore, 21, has been charged with facilitating sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology for allegedly trying to lure a 14-year-old girl to his home for group sex
The art school graduate allegedly sent an undercover deputy pretending to be a teen photos of his genitals before inviting her to his grandparents' home for sex
According to the sheriffs office, Kilgore sent the undercover deputy pretending to be the underage girl multiple photographs of his genitals.
Since Kilgore does not have a car, he allegedly arranged for an Uber driver to pick up the girl and drive her to his familys home in southwestern Oklahoma City, where he lived with grandparents, who were asleep in their bedroom.
Kilgore allegedly warned the teen in advance that if his grandparents woke up and asked for her age, she should lie that she was 18 years old.
Kilgore had no access to a car, so he hired an Uber as part of his plan, which was disrupted by sheriff's deputies who intercepted the driver
Kilgore was well aware that what he was doing was illegal, but his sick sexual fantasy to have sex with a little girl pushed him to having an Uber driver deliver her to him, said Canadian County Sheriff Chris West.
Deputies responded to the agreed upon pickup location and met with the Uber driver, who agreed to cooperate with the investigation and drove the undercover female deputy to Kilgores home, where they found him anxiously awaiting for the 14-year-old in the front yard.
When questioned by police, the 21-year-old graduate of Harding Fine Arts Academy admitted to planning to have sex with what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
He was taken into custody shortly before midnight on Friday and booked into the Canadian County Jail on a charge of facilitating sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology.
His bond was set at $50,000 and he remains behind bars.
You think youve seen it all, and then a child predator uses an Uber car to help facilitate his diabolical plan to rape a little girl, said West.
Outraged activists in India posed topless with watermelons after a college professor told students that they were displaying themselves like fruit at a market.
A professor at the Farook Teacher Training College in Kozhikode, Kerala, India, was filmed in a lecture criticising women for not covering up their breasts properly and displaying them like 'sliced watermelon' at a fruit stall.
Students held a 'watermelon march' through the college holding slices of watermelon in their hands and calling for action against the lecturer.
Students at an Indian college have been posting pictures of themselves posing with watermelons after a lecturer suggested many of them attended college showing too much cleavage
A professor at the Farook Teacher Training College in Kozhikode, Kerala, India, was filmed in a lecture criticising women for not covering up their breasts properly and displaying them like 'sliced watermelon' at a fruit stall
Model Rehana Fathima and her friend and fellow activist Diya Sana shared Facebook photos of Rehana holding two watermelons in front of her breasts, as well as an image where she is topless and hiding her face with the fruit.
Diya, who also posted a picture of herself holding half a watermelon in each hand, said: 'Women, too, should have the same freedom that a man enjoys with regard to his body.'
Another woman who posed topless and posted the pic to social media was 25-year-old Arathy SA.
She said: 'I am upset with hypersexualisation of breasts by people, whether it be professors in college or social media users seeing a model breastfeed and pose for a magazine.
'So I and my husband posted pictures of me nude.
'Just because people may find my breasts attractive, doesn't mean they are entitled to violate me or my body.'
Facebook removed the pictures and temporarily blocked the users' accounts.
The college is investigating the incident.
A pornographic actress who has hinted that she had a sexual fling with Donald Trump in 2006 and 2007 showed more leg than ever before on Tuesday, tweeting that the future president 'lied' and 'broke the law' to cover up their affair.
An online critic wrote that Stephanie Clifford, who appears in adult films and live strip-club shows under the name Stormy Daniels, should 'disappear' because '[n]o one cares you were a slut and slept with POTUS 12 yrs ago.'
She responded: 'Technically I didn't sleep with the POTUS 12 years ago. There was no sleeping (hehe) and he was just a goofy reality TV star.'
'But I digress...People DO care that he lied about it, had me bullied, broke laws to cover it up, etc.,' she added.
'And PS...I am NOT going anywhere. xoxoxo.'
Clifford's lawyer claimed earlier in the day that she had passed a polygraph exam in May 2011 on the subject of whether she had bedded Trump.
Scroll down for videos and the polygraph report
Porn star Stormy Daniels (real name: Stephanie Clifford) threw a brush-back pitch Tuesday at Donald Trump on Twitter, saying he had 'lied' and 'broke the law' to keep her quiet about a sexual fling she claims happened in 2006 and 2007
Daniels continued her weeks-long needling of Trump, saying that she's 'NOT going anywhere'
Trump has denied Daniels' claims, and others like them from a growing list of women
Polygraphs, commonly called 'lie detector' tests, don't measure the truth of what a subject says. Instead they track changes in heartbeat, breathing, perspiration, blood pressure and other indicators that proponents describe as evidence of deception.
NBC News reported Tuesday that Clifford was asked by 'Life & Style' magazine to submit to the test seven years ago when she offered to sell an exclusive story of her torrid affair with the future president.
The examiner who performed the test concluded that there was a 99 per cent chance she was telling the truth about having unprotected sex with the real estate tycoon.
The White House has said Trump denies every allegation of sexual misconduct against the president, including those lodged by Clifford.
Daniels' lawyer said Tuesday that this photo shows his client passing a polygraph test in 2011 in which she said she had a sexual affair with Donald Trump
Trump met 'Daniels' in 2006 at a Lake Tahoe golf tournament
She says she and Trump carried on their trysts for months just after first lady Melania gave birth to Barron Trump, who is now 12 years old.
The porn star herself at one point appeared to recant her story in a statement whose authenticity she hasn't directly denied.
She is now suing the president to be released from a nondisclosure agreement she entered into in 2016, just weeks before Election Day, claiming it's invalid because Trump never signed it.
Clifford, however, did accept a $130,000 payment form Trump attorney Michael Cohen in exchange for her silence.
The porn star accepted $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 presidential election but now is suing to be released from the nondisclosure agreement she signed
Cohen maintains that the money was his own and originated from a Home Equity Line of Credit, and that the president wasn't aware of his attempts to silence Clifford.
He has insisted that neither Trump's real estate company nor his presidential campaign organization reimbursed him, but hasn't denied that the president did personally.
The American Psychological Association casts doubt on the value of polygraph examinations, saying that '[m]ost psychologists and other scientists agree that there is little basis for the validity of polygraph tests.'
The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly found them to be unreliable, and ruled in 1998 that states can ban their use in legal proceedings.
Polygraphs are only admissible lower federal courts under limited circumstances, according to the U.S.Department of Justice.
In one scenario, attorneys on both sides of a dispute can agree on ground rules before the test is administered.
Attorney Michael Avenatti says Daniels should be allowed to tell her story
Trump lawyer Michael Cohen is demanding $20 million from Daniels for breaking the 2016 nondisclosure agreement at least 20 times so far
Daniels' 15 minutes of fame have been extended by a few months because of her emergence and the anti-Trump partisans who are championing her
In another, the opposing party must have the opportunity to have its own expert re-administer the test with the same questions.
Cohen and Trump have turned Daniels' lawsuit into a federal case and asked a judge to toss it into private arbitration a condition of the agreement that Clifford wants voided.
She is also the target of a cross-complaint from Cohen, demanding $20 million for speaking about the alleged affair despite signing the nondisclosure agreement that's $1 million for each time she's addressed the subject publicly.
That number is likely to grow on Sunday, when '60 Minutes is scheduled to air an interview with Clifford.
Cohen argues that in addition to violating the agreement itself, she's flouting a restraining order he quietly obtained against her form an arbitrator last month.
Clifford attorney Michael Avenatti played up the value of the polygraph test on Tuesday in a statement to NBC.
'Long before Mr. Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency, Ms. Clifford passed a lie detector test confirming her relationship with Mr. Trump,' Avenatti said.
'Where are his test results claiming otherwise? Where are Mr. Cohen's test results claiming otherwise? When this is over, the American people will know the truth about the relationship and the cover-up.'
The test asked her questions about whether she had 'vaginal intercourse' with Trump, whether it was 'unprotected sex' and whether Trump promised her a role on his show, 'The Apprentice.'
She answered 'yes' to all three.
Construction of the pedestrian bridge that collapsed and killed six people in the Miami area was behind schedule and millions over budget, in part because of a key change in the design of its main support tower.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show the Florida Department of Transportation in October 2016 ordered Florida International University and its contractors to move the bridge's main pylon 11 feet north to the edge of a canal, widening the gap between the crossing's supports and requiring new structural design.
The bridge tower was the focal point of an architectural centerpiece for the university that connected it to the nearby community of Sweetwater.
It is unclear if the design change contributed to the collapse, but documents show it pushed the project behind schedule, and some officials worried that delays could jeopardize federal funding.
Documents obtained by AP show the Florida Department of Transportation in October 2016 ordered Florida International University and its contractors to move the bridge's main pylon 11 feet north to the edge of a canal
Slide me FIU's pedestrian bridge (left) was on schedule to open to foot traffic in 2019. It was installed last Saturday (right) even though it had no central support tower or stay cables in place
The graphic above shows the missing parts of the bridge which were yet to be built
Engineering experts say investigators looking into the collapsed instant bridge in Miami will want to know why a central tower which is usually built to support a suspension bridge was not in place when it collapsed onto Tamiami Trail.
This is the latest revelation that has emerged from the investigation into the collapsed bridge, which began in earnest on Saturday.
FIU said on Saturday that engineers and state and university officials met hours before the pedestrian bridge collapsed, but concluded a crack in the structure was not a safety concern.
The meeting on Thursday involved FIGG, which is the private contractor for the overall bridge design, the school, Florida Department of Transportation officials and Munilla Construction Management, which installed the $14.2million bridge.
Married father-of-three Brandon Brownfield (pictured, right, with his wife) was the final victim named following the pedestrian bridge collapse in Miami on Thursday
Oswald Gonzalez, 57 (left), and Alberto Arias, 53 (right), friends and business partners, were on a drive to a travel agency to pick up airline tickets for their annual visit to their beloved homeland of Cuba
A FIGG engineer 'concluded there were no safety concerns and the crack did not compromise the structural integrity of the bridge,' the university said in a statement.
About three hours after the meeting ended, the 950-ton bridge collapsed, crushing vehicles stopped at a traffic light on the eight-lane roadway below.
Six people died, including five whose bodies were recovered on Saturday as workers pulled out vehicles from the rubble, officials said.
All six have been identified.
Married father-of-three Brandon Brownfield was the final victim named following the collapse on Thursday.
Police released names of the other five victims on Saturday: Rolando Fraga Hernandez, 57-year-old Oswald Gonzalez, 53-year-old Alberto Arias, 37-year-old Navarro Brown, and FIU student Alexa Duran, 18.
Brown was the only fatality who was pronounced dead after being rushed to a local hospital.
FIU student Alexa Duran, 18 (right), was giving her friend a ride to his doctor's office to pick up some medication when the bridge collapsed, killing her
Navarro Brown, 37 (left), was working with VSL Structural Technologies on the pedestrian bridge tightening cables when it collapsed. He died at the hospital. Rolando Fraga Hernandez (right) was also identified as being among the dead on Saturday
Police had feared the death toll could rise above six. But authorities found what they believe to be the last body on Saturday, Miami-Dade Police Department director Juan Perez told a news conference.
'Were going to go once again and make sure that theres nobody else down there, but were pretty confident that no ones left,' he said.
News of the meeting between engineers and officials followed a revelation late on Friday that the engineer overseeing the bridge, which linked the university campus with the city of Sweetwater, had called a state official two days before the collapse to report cracks.
However, the voicemail message from FIGGs lead engineer Denney Pate, including his assertion the cracking posed no safety issue, was not retrieved until Friday, a day after the tragedy, according to the state transportation agency.
Pate did not immediately respond to email queries.
Police and FBI agents descended on a FedEx outlet in the tiny Austin suburb of Sunset Valley on Tuesday in the belief that it could be where the two latest bombs were sent from.
Officers were seen swabbing down the door handles of the courier service store on Brodie Lane. They then went inside and covered the windows with paper.
FedEx said it had confirmed a man had sent two packages - the one that exploded near San Antonio on Tuesday, and one that was safely handed over to authorities.
This second package has now been confirmed to have contained a bomb, KVUE reported, bringing the total number of explosive packages to six.
'They're trying to figure out how to open the package without destroying it,' U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett said.
Investigation: Officers were seen swabbing down the door and handles of a FedEx outlet in Sunset Valley, Texas on Tuesday
FBI believe this FedEx location is where the latest bombs were sent from. One exploded after midnight on Tuesday while the other was safely handed over to authorities
The Sunset Valley store was closed and cops put up yellow tape and cleared parking lots, though they do not believe there are any dangerous packages still insid
'We are thankful there were no serious injuries from this criminal activity,' the company said in a statement.
The Sunset Valley store was closed and cops put up yellow tape and cleared parking lots, though they do not believe there are any dangerous packages still inside.
After several hours dusting down the Sunset Valley FedEx Office, agents from the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team left around 3.30 pm carrying four brown evidence bags, one of which held the counter mat from the store and loaded them into the trunk of a waiting rented white Toyota Corolla.
On early Tuesday morning, a package 'containing nails and pieces of metal' destined for Austin exploded and injured one person inside a FedEx facility in nearby San Antonio in the fifth bombing to rock the state this month.
The wounded employee was taken to hospital after suffering a mild injury in the explosion at the distribution center in Schertz, about 65 miles south of Austin, shortly after midnight.
The package detonated as it was moving from one conveyor belt to another and the female staff member, who was not hit by the contents, was treated after she reported feeling ringing in her ears.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told the KXAN TV station that the bomb had been mailed from Austin and was addressed to a home in Austin.
Federal agents say the package is likely linked to four other attacks this month in Austin, some 80 miles north-east of San Antonio, that have left two dead and four injured.
Authorities say a 'serial bomber' is at large and have warned that the devices appear to be getting more sophisticated.
Just hours after the package explosion in San Antonio, emergency crews were called to a FedEx facility in Austin following reports of a suspicious package. There were no immediate details available about that incident.
Schertz police Chief Michael Hansen said the intended target of the parcel bomb wasn't the facility or anyone who lives in Schertz. He wouldn't say where the package was sent to or from or give any other details.
After several hours dusting down the Sunset Valley FedEx Office, agents from the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team left around 3.30 pm carrying four brown evidence bags. Pictured above is the FedEx store on Brodie Lane
The package in San Antonio contained shrapnel made up of 'nails and pieces of metal', CBS Austin reports. About 75 people were working at the facility at the time of the explosion.
The latest blast follows a Sunday night explosion that was triggered along a street in Austin by a nearly invisible tripwire, suggesting a 'higher level of sophistication' than agents saw in three early package bombs left on doorsteps.
It means the carnage by the serial bomber that has terrorized Austin for weeks is now random, rather than targeted at someone in particular.
Authorities don't appear closer to making any arrests in the bombings.
FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee said although it is still early in the investigation, it was likely all five bombings are related.
She didn't have details about the size, weight, or description of the package that exploded.
It comes as President Donald Trump was criticized for his silence over the Austin bombings, where most of the victims have come from the city's historically black and Latino neighborhoods.
Unlike other attacks, such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida, which Trump was quick to label an act of terrorism, the president has remained silent about the Austin bombs.
The first two bombs killed black men and investigators believed that the third, which injured a 75-year-old Latina woman, may have been intended for a black family's home - raising the possibility they were a hate crime.
Sunday's trip wire bomb, which injured two white men on a sidewalk, went off shortly after police made a rare public call to the suspect to explain his motives.
The package at the FedEx facility (pictured above) detonated just before 12.30am, and the female staff member was treated in hospital for a headache, possibly caused by a concussion
A package 'containing nails and pieces of metal' destined for Austin exploded and injured one person inside a FedEx facility in nearby San Antonio just after midnight
An employee wrapped in a blanket talks to a police officer after she was evacuated at a FedEx distribution center where a package exploded on Tuesday morning
The trip wire explosion forced police to warn nearby residents to remain indoors overnight on Sunday as investigators looked for links to the three other package bombings in the city.
Timeline of Texas package bomb attacks March 2: Anthony Stephan House, 39, is killed when a package blows up at 6.55am at his home on the 1100 block of Haverford Drive. 6.44am on March 12: Draylen Mason, 17, is killed and his mother is seriously injured in a package explosion in their kitchen on the 4800 block of Oldfort Hill Drive. 11.50am on March 12: Esperanza Herrera, 75, is severely injured in a package explosion while visiting her mother's home on the 6700 block of Galindo Street. March 18: Two men in their 20s are seriously injured by a trip wire explosion on a sidewalk near the 4800 block of Dawn Song Drive. Around 12.01am March 20: One man is injured in a FedEx facility in San Antonio when a package 'containing nails and pieces of metal' bound for Austin explodes. Wounded employee is taken to hospital with minor injuries. 6.19am March 20: Bomb squad responds to a FedEx sorting facility at 4117 McKinney Falls Parkway. An unexploded package bomb is secured. Police confirm it is connected. Advertisement
Police have still been unable to determine a motive for the string of bombings, which have killed two people in Austin and put the city of nearly two million on edge.
'We're clearly dealing with what we expect to be a serial bomber at this point based on the similarities,' Austin police Chief Brian Manley said on Monday.
Manley said the latest attack, which injured the two white males, appeared 'random' and was triggered by a tripwire - raising the possibility the bomber has sophisticated knowledge.
'A trip wire doesn't necessarily suggest a military background,' Manley said.
'But it suggests that the suspect or suspects we are dealing with have a higher level of sophistication than we believed, as they're changing their methods to a more difficult device.'
Authorities haven't identified the two men injured on Sunday, saying only that they are in their 20s.
William Grote told The Associated Press on Monday that his grandson was one of them and that he had what appeared to be nails embedded in his knees. Police described the men's injuries as significant, and both remained hospitalized in stable conditions.
Grote said his grandson was cognizant but was still in a lot of pain. He said on the night of the bombing, one of the victims was riding a bike in the street and the other was on a sidewalk when they crossed a tripwire that he said knocked 'them both off their feet.'
'It was so dark they couldn't tell and they tripped,' he said. 'They didn't see it. It was a wire and it blew up.'
Previous victims: Anthony Stephan House, 39, (left) died on March 2 and Draylen Mason, 17, (right) died on March 12 when package bombs were left at their respective homes
Authorities don't appear closer to making any arrests in the five bombings that have occurred in the last 18 days
Residents in the Travis Country area were ordered to stay in their homes until late on Monday. Police kept residential streets on lockdown as they gradually expanded their barricades and closed off all roads into the neighborhood.
Before daybreak on Monday, Austin police pushed another alert to cellphones advising residents to continue staying indoors and to call 911 if they needed to leave their homes in the morning.
Authorities repeated prior warnings about not touching unexpected packages and also issued new ones to be wary of any stray object left in public, especially ones with protruding wires.
'We want to put out the message that we've been putting out and that is, not only do not touch any packages or anything that looks like a package, do not even go near it at this time,' Manley said.
He urged any residents with surveillance cameras to contact police.
Local and state police and hundreds of federal agents are investigating, and the reward for information leading to an arrest has climbed to $115,000.
Law enforcement consultant Clint McNear told CBS the change in behavior from the serial bomber was concerning.
'They've gone from targeting a specific individual to 'I just want to kill someone'. That's concerning,' McNear said.
Fred Burton, a chief security officer for Stratfor - a private intelligence and security consulting firm based in Austin - said the individual or people behind the bombings are likely to be highly skilled and methodical.
'This is a race against time to find him before he bombs again,' Burton said.
Austin Police have responded to more than 1,000 calls of suspicious packages since March 12
ATF agents inspected the scene in Austin on Sunday night with bomb detection dogs after two men were injured in the latest explosion
The first incident occurred on March 2 when a package bomb exploded at a northeast Austin home, killing a 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House.
Two more package bombs then exploded further south on March 12. Draylen Mason, 17, was killed and his mother was wounded after they opened a package in their kitchen.
A 75-year-old Hispanic woman named by family as Esperanza Herrera was severely injured when a package bomb exploded at her home a few hours later.
The trip wire explosion on Sunday came just hours after police made an unusual direct appeal to whomever was responsible for three package bombs that killed two in the past month.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Chief Manley called on whoever is responsible for the bombs to come forward and share their 'message.'
'These events in Austin have garnered worldwide attention, and we assure you that we are listening,' Manley said.
'We want to understand what brought you to this point and we want to listen to you.'
Manley appealed to the bomber to communicate with authorities by calling 911 and said that as yet the motive for the attacks has baffled investigators.
Seven school kids were scratched and bitten by a stray pit bull puppy that got loose and ran amok at their South Carolina school.
The incident took place on Monday just around 1.30pm at Lansdowne Elementary School in Charlotte, according to reports.
All of the victims - who suffered bite marks and scratches - had minor injuries but an ambulance was not called to the scene.
A 10-month old pit bull caused 'chaos' at Landsdowne Elementary School in Charlotte, South Carolina, on Monday
While the students - the school serves kindergarten through fifth grade - were outside, the dog came into the playground area.
Staff quickly attempted to escort the children into the school, but the dog - named Bro - managed to get inside and 'chaos' erupted.
'Some of the children were frightened and were reacting by running and making noise,' Animal Care and Control said in a statement, according to the Charlotte Observer.
'The canine then became overstimulated by this reaction and began to jump on and bite some of the children. A teacher was able to confine the canine.'
The dog has been labeled as 'hyperactive' rather than aggressive, according to Melissa Knicely with Animal Care and Control.
'I believe if that was the case, the level of the bites would probably be more severe than what they are,' Knicely added. 'It was probably one of those things where it was playing, it was jumping up...and it started biting at the legs and things like that.'
Most of the injuries sustained occurred on the children's lower legs and thighs, according to local authorities.
One child was scratched on the abdomen, however.
School personnel contacted the owner of the dog by phone, using information that they obtained from the dog's collar tag.
All of the victims had minor injuries but an ambulance was not called to the scene
Before Animal Care and Control could arrive on the scene, the dog's owner came and took the animal.
Since then, the owner has been contacted and confirmed that his dog's vaccinations are current.
At just 10 months old, the silver and white male bit dog was described as being medium-sized.
His owner had been visiting from Cumberland County, with the dog escaping just a few hours prior.
Bro's rabies shots were proven current, according to local officials.
While it is believed that it won't be euthanized, law
At just 10 months old, the silver and white male bit dog was described as being medium-sized.
BMW's headquarters were raided today by German prosecutors investigating the suspected use of illegal emissions control software capable of manipulating exhaust levels.
About 100 police and law enforcement officials searched the luxury carmaker's Munich headquarters and a site in Austria, prosecutors said, adding they had opened an investigation last month against unknown persons for suspected fraud.
Legal sources said the facility searched in Austria was BMW's engine plant in Steyr, where the company employs about 4,500 staff and assembles 6,000 engines a day.
About 100 police and law enforcement officials searched the luxury carmaker's Munich headquarters (pictured) and a site in Austria, prosecutors said, adding they had opened an investigation last month against unknown persons for suspected fraud
'There is an early suspicion that BMW has used a test bench-related defeat device,' prosecutors said in a written statement.
Rival German carmaker Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to using 'defeat device' software in the United States to cheat diesel engine emissions tests, plunging the company into the biggest business crisis in its 100 year history.
Since then, emissions irregularities have surfaced at several major carmakers, although none has proved as serious as at Volkswagen.
BMW, in a separate statement, said prosecutors were looking into 'erroneously allocated' software in about 11,400 vehicles of the BMW 750d and BMW M550d luxury models.
'There is an early suspicion that BMW has used a test bench-related defeat device,' prosecutors said in a written statement. Pictured: A stock image showing the interior of a BMW car
Having long denied its cars are equipped with software designed to game emissions tests, BMW said the findings did not reveal a 'targeted manipulation' of emissions cleaning.
BMW last month recalled 11,700 cars to fix engine management software after discovering the wrong programming had been installed.
A factory worker died when a colleague who he had helped get a job allegedly shoved a compressed airline into his pants and opened the valve causing massive internal damage.
The victim was named only as Ravinder, 40, an employee at a plywood manufacturing plant in the village of Nangloi Jat, in the Union Territory of Delhi in northern India.
Local media report that Ravinder, who was often mocked for wearing tattered clothes, was attacked when he bent down to pick something up.
Ravinder, left, died after a colleague insrted a high-pressure airline into his backside and pulled the trigger causing massive internal damage
His colleague Anjan Misra is alleged to have inserted the air hose into Ravinder's backside and turned it on.
The powerful air compressor was used at the factory to cut through blocks of wood.
After the attack, reported to have been met by gales of laughter from fellow workers, Ravinder is said to have stumbled and then collapsed.
Colleague Ram Kishan told local media: 'We alerted the manager and took Ravinder to the local dispensary and then to a government hospital, where he died during treatment later in the day.'
Ravinder is reported to have died of internal haemorrhaging and organ damage.
Local media report that attacker Misra's colleagues held him until police arrived.
It was also reported that Ravinder had helped Misra get his job at the factory two years ago, as they were both from the village of Arrah in the north-eastern Indian state of Bihar.
Police arrested Misra and are reportedly checking CCTV from the factory to see whether anyone else was involved.
After her marriage broke down, Princess Diana used every weapon in her arsenal to vilify her husbands mistress. Pictured: Charles and Camilla at the Ritz in 1999
After her marriage broke down, Princess Diana used every weapon in her arsenal to vilify her husbands mistress, an upper-middle-class housewife from Wiltshire.
She briefed media contacts against her, famously confronted her at a high-society party and then went on television, eyes dramatically rimmed with kohl, to denounce her as a marriage-wrecking adulteress.
And how did Camilla Parker Bowles react to this extraordinary barrage? She kept her head down, taking care to be neither seen nor heard in public. Yet behind the scenes, she was not only seething but preparing to launch a counter-attack.
Her friends, at least, were never in any doubt about what Camilla thought of her lovers young wife. In the early days of the marriage, shed dismissively called the Princess a mouse. Later, shed refer to her as that mad cow.
Indeed, Camillas true feelings about Diana could be gleaned simply by asking to use the guest lavatory at her home, Ray Mill, in Wiltshire. While Charless loo in nearby Highgrove featured cartoons of himself, her own was festooned with unflattering cartoons of his wife.
In the one and only confrontation between the two women, Dianas anger was evenly matched by the older womans fury but Camilla was better at hiding it.
Both she and her husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, had been among the guests invited to a smart birthday party in 1989 at Lady Annabel Goldsmiths house in Ham, near Richmond. Then, Diana had arrived unexpectedly.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend a welcome ceremony in Toronto at the beginning of their Canadian tour, October 1991
In private, Camilla let rip. Diana, she told friends, was poorly placed to complain. After all, Camilla herself had just one lover, while the Princess was working her way through the Life Guards. Pictured right: Diana and Camilla in 1980. Left: Diana at Christie's
The Princess was already well ahead in the battle for hearts and minds when her secretly recorded interview was shown on Panorama in 1995 (pictured)
Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded, she said in the interview (pictured). This devastating indictment effectively forced Camilla into seclusion for a year, while Charles doggedly continued with his scheduled appearances
Determined to emerge from the shadow of Diana whod conquered America in 1985 Camilla decided, with Bollands help, to make a solo trip to Manhattan. Pictured: Diana in South Korea, 1992
While the rest of the room fell suddenly silent, she challenged Camilla to leave Charles alone.
Anxious to avoid a public scene, Camilla controlled her emotions. Then, coolly, she took the Princess to task for unacceptable behaviour in a private house.
In private, however, she let rip. Diana, she told friends, was poorly placed to complain. After all, Camilla herself had just one lover, while the Princess was working her way through the Life Guards.
It was an astonishingly bitchy remark, but Diana was equally adept at underhand thrusts. Charles is obsessed by Camillas t**s, and I havent got t**s as big as Camillas, she told one journalist.
The Princess was already well ahead in the battle for hearts and minds when her secretly recorded interview was shown on Panorama in 1995. Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded, she said.
This devastating indictment effectively forced Camilla into seclusion for a year, while Charles doggedly continued with his scheduled appearances.
Soon after the Panorama programme, he visited a market in Croydon, South London, where he ate jellied eels and met locals in a pub. The media totally ignored his visit.
Yet, on the same day, spectators and journalists had besieged Diana at a Paris fashion show, and shed ended up dominating the worlds headlines. Dejected, the Prince ordered his private secretary to send him only cuttings with good news.
Mama down the road, he told a visitor, reads newspapers; I dont. It would drive me mad.
Instead, he listened to Radio 4s Today programme while on his exercise bike. Occasionally, enraged by an item, hed throw an object at the radio. The set frequently had to be repaired.
Unlike Charles, however, Camilla was gearing up for a battle. Her lovers approval ratings in the polls had crashed to less than 10 per cent, and she knew the future looked bleak.
The way things were going, she feared, Charles risked buckling under the pressure or even failing to inherit the crown.
Princess Diana wearing a deep red at a state reception in Melbourne, Australia in October 1988
So in 1996, she turned to Hilary Browne-Wilkinson, the solicitor whod recently handled her divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles, asking for advice on what could be done.
This led to a dinner at St Jamess Palace with Charles, Browne-Wilkinson and her husband. Camilla didnt hold back. Diana, she told her guests, was a wretched woman who was creating havoc by refusing to adopt a dignified silence.
Her solicitor agreed, talking sympathetically about Camillas frustration at being cast as a self-seeking adulteress while Diana basked in popular esteem.
Im not this awful person, Camilla complained. I just wish someone would do something about it.
It was Browne-Wilkinson who suggested hiring Mark Bolland, the well-connected 29-year-old director of the Press Complaints Commission, as a spin-doctor. Prodded by Camilla, the Prince agreed.
When the two men met, Bolland was offered the post of assistant private secretary. His sole purpose, Charles told him, would be to reverse Camillas image as his privileged, fox-hunting mistress, make her acceptable to the public and overcome the Queens hostility to them being together.
Later, Camilla took Bolland aside to offer some friendly advice. Never push Charles too hard, she said. Always remember his terrible childhood, and how he was bullied at school and by his parents.
Bolland took this advice on board. Although hed later be blamed for underhand machinations, he never embarked on a project without consulting Charles and Camilla. In fact, much of what he did would be at their suggestion.
It was Browne-Wilkinson who suggested hiring Mark Bolland (pictured with Charles), the well-connected 29-year-old director of the Press Complaints Commission, as a spin-doctor. Prodded by Camilla, the Prince agreed
Royal biographer Penny Junor, who has described herself as 'the most hated woman in Britain'
And it quickly became clear that Camilla was often the one pulling the strings. Just a few weeks into Bollands new job, she was contacting him as well as Browne-Wilkinson and Charless lawyer Fiona Shackleton up to six times a day to discuss the next steps in their campaign to improve her image.
And when Charles called Bolland with instructions, it would often be immediately after hed had an agitated exchange with Camilla.
You know, Mark, the Prince would say, in what became a familiar routine, I think people should be told about . . .
At other times, hed be fixated on the harm he felt his ex-wife had done to him, and make derogatory remarks about her sanity.
Diana, he would say, was badly educated, without any O- or A- levels, and lacked self-discipline; nor did she have any interest in theatre, poetry, music or opera. (In fact, she loved opera and ballet, and played the piano daily.)
Blair's breezy informality prompted a pained response Eeager to please, newly elected Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair wore a tweed suit on his first visit to Balmoral and instructed his wife Cherie, although anti-royalist, to be on her best behaviour. After meeting Charles, Blair judged him to be a mix of traditional and radical: both princely and insecure, nervous about the publics reaction towards him and uneasy about informality. Later, Blair wrote him a letter, starting Dear Prince Charles and signed Yours ever, Tony. This got a pained response. The Princes private secretary called Downing Street to stipulate that, in future, Charles wanted Blairs letters to start Sir and to end Your obedient servant. Blairs private secretary replied that he refused to ask the Prime Minister to change his style. Advertisement
Yet despite all Charles and Camillas best efforts, her star remained undimmed. At the end of 1996, in a poll of 3,000 people, Charles was voted the most hated royal, just above Camilla.
Media spin was not enough: something more had to be done. After some discussion, the Prince decided to co-operate with Penny Junor, a journalist who was planning to write a book sympathetic to Camilla. Bolland agreed to be the go-between on most issues, but excluding Diana.
And, to launch Camilla, she was to host a fundraiser on September 13, 1997, for the National Osteoporosis Society (her mother had suffered from the condition). And this would mark the start of a five-year campaign to transform her from adulteress into a suitable wife for the heir to the throne.
Invitations were duly sent to 1,500 people, including pop stars and other celebrities. Everything seemed set. Then came news of Dianas car crash in Paris.
Hours after Dianas death, Robert Higdon the chief executive of Charless charity foundation in America called an acquaintance at Balmoral, where the Royal Family was staying.
What shall we do? he asked.
Nothing, came the reply. Our worries are over.
Elsewhere in the castle, Charles was chanting: Theyre all going to blame me, arent they? The worlds going to go completely mad.
In the hours after the Princesss death, he was paralysed by guilt. One of the Queens courtiers claimed that even his sons were critical of him for what had happened to their mother.
According to some courtiers, Charles dithered about going to Paris until his mother told him: I think you should get out there.
Others recalled that he insisted, against the Queens wishes, on flying to France to bring back the body. The media, relying on Bolland, who was at Balmoral, reported that the Prince had taken control.
In the hours after the Princesss death, he was paralysed by guilt. One of the Queens courtiers claimed that even his sons were critical of him for what had happened to their mother. Pictured: Flowers outside Kensington Palace after Diana's death
Ten months after Dianas death, however, Camilla was heartily fed up with being left in the cold. Pictured: Mourners outside the palace after Diana's shocking death
As the nation mourned, Charles became increasingly angry about the status his ex-wife had gained in death. She was being mythologised, despite being a nutter.
As for Camilla, she retreated to Ray Mill. Shes a wreck, Charles told a friend.
In the past, he also remarked half-jokingly he would have been sent into exile and his lover committed to a dungeon.
To Camilla herself, he wailed that she shouldnt have to suffer all these indignities and tortures and calumnies. Both of them knew, however, that the campaign to make her acceptable had to be suspended.
Emphasise service, ones duties and contribution, Charles told his staff. And please keep pushing them.
Ten months after Dianas death, however, Camilla was heartily fed up with being left in the cold. She was mollified, however, when Charles arranged for Prince William to meet her in defiance of the Queen, who still disapproved of her.
William was assured that the meeting would remain private, but Camillas assistant accidentally leaked it. In the furore that followed, all bets were off: some even blamed Charless mistress indirectly for his wifes death.
This could not be tolerated. Orchestrating another fightback, Camilla and Bolland arranged for a journalist that Camilla knew to write a flattering article about her in The Sunday Times.
How Prince Charles dealt out his own Mafia kiss of death At Highgrove and St Jamess Palace, Prince Charles presided over what amounted to a feudal court. Long-term employees whom he valued were granted a home, to which Charles would then pay a visit a welcome sign of their place in the hierarchy. Other favoured retainers were invited for dinner or to a garden party at Highgrove. Lesser mortals received gifts, graded by his opinion of their importance. These would range from whisky glasses engraved with his motif to designer salt and pepper grinders. At Highgrove and St Jamess Palace, Prince Charles presided over what amounted to a feudal court A typed letter, signed by Charles, was viewed as a very good sign, but the greatest trophy of all was a handwritten message in black ink. What his employees feared the most was an expression of His Royal Highnesss displeasure. This was often signalled by the absence of a please or thank you. Worst of all was when the Prince blanked an employee. Everyone knew that like a Mafia dons kiss of death this amounted to an overt threat to the courtiers job, income, school fees and self-respect. After dismissal, there was nothing. And there were plenty of casualties from the Princes assistant private secretary, Mark Bolland, to the head of his charity foundation in America, Robert Higdon who found themselves cut off without even so much a Christmas card to acknowledge years of loyalty. Being blanked was so hurtful, I was told by many of them. It was Charless way of making it clear that they were no longer useful. For him, loyalty was a one-way street. Advertisement
Among other things, it revealed that, at a recent meeting at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Family had agreed as a priority to normalise Camillas position in the royal household.
In fact, her name hadnt even been mentioned during the meeting.
Next, Charles, Camilla and Mark Bolland met at Highgrove to construct another campaign. The first hurdle, they agreed, was to demythologise Diana by portraying her as a manipulative hysteric.
And, here, they were fortunate. Since Dianas death, Penny Junor had recast her book to portray the Princess as an unbalanced and unfaithful wife, suffering from borderline personality disorder, who had compelled Charles to return to his true love.
When told this, Charles agreed. We must get this out, he said.
Publicly, however, he claimed in a statement that he had not authorised, solicited or approved Junors book.
Although Charles was at last seeing Camilla openly again, few were aware of the peculiarity of their domestic arrangements.
Camilla in her official role as patron of the National Osteoporosis Society welcoming Prince Charles with a kiss
Day to day, she preferred to live 17 miles from Highgrove in Ray Mill, a slightly shabby farmhouse bought after her divorce for 850,000. The Princes home, she complained, was too tidy and perfect.
Its too small and too Charles, she told her friends. I cant touch a thing, adding that Charles is always working, working, working.
So Camilla alternated between staying overnight at Highgrove or St Jamess Palace, and returning to Ray Mill which also suited Charles. He even chose to sleep in a separate bedroom when they were under the same roof.
If she happened to be at Ray Mill when Charles had a sudden bout of melancholia or self-doubt, Camilla would be summoned by his valet, Michael Fawcett. Regardless of the hour of the day or night, shed drive to Highgrove.
Thankfully, she could always make him laugh or, in her words, jolly him along.
In return, Camilla no longer had to worry about surviving on the 20,000 a year she received in alimony. Charles paid off her overdraft, stabled her horses, provided a car and gave her increasing amounts of cash. Best of all, she didnt have to find a job.
She has never worked in her life, commented Bolland, and is terrified of being on public display. A member of her family described her to me as the laziest woman to have been born in England in the 20th century.
In the opinion of some courtiers, however, Camilla was not lazy in one respect. She was tireless in her quest to establish herself.
Determined to emerge from the shadow of Diana whod conquered America in 1985 Camilla decided, with Bollands help, to make a solo trip to Manhattan.
Propelling herself into the limelight was a gamble, but it was preferable to giving in to Buckingham Palace officials, who wanted her kept out of sight. The Dark Side, she called them.
On a green tour (in a jet chartered for 700,000) with the prince of hypocrisy All too often, Prince Charles has seemed oblivious to the contrast between what he preaches and what he practises. To the public, he presented himself as a worthy citizen, so concerned about making economies and saving the planet that hed ordered bricks to be put in all his cisterns to conserve water. This was all very well but a quick glance at just one year of his travels exposes him as something of a hypocrite. At the beginning of 2009, he chartered a jet for a ten-day environmental tour of Chile, Brazil and Ecuador. Leaving aside the contribution this made towards global warming, the cost was 700,000. Two months later, he flew in a chartered Airbus A319 to Italy and Germany to promote the British governments climate change policies. The cost was 80,000 considerably more than the 15,000 he would have paid for scheduled flights. As usual, his justification was convenience and his inordinate amount of luggage including his own organic beef and other special foods that hed brought along for himself. On his return, he used the royal train for a five-day green tour to encourage young people to tread more lightly on our planet. That journey cost 90,000. Soon afterwards, he travelled to a conference in Manchester on the royal train pulled by a steam engine that produced 90 times more carbon dioxide than a family car. His love of luxury travel is by no means Charless only Achilles heel when it comes to practising what he preaches. In a video broadcast in 2013, he extolled the countrysides spiritual dimension, waxing lyrical about the tractors in the fields, the skilled workers, the livestock, the growing crops and the landscapes biodiversity, now so much under threat from climate change, diseases and insensitive development. Shortly afterwards, he allowed the Duchy of Cornwall to sell 55 acres of prime farming land in the Tregurra Valley, east of Truro, for a housing development, a Waitrose supermarket and a huge car park. Prince Charles must have the skin of a rhinoceros not to recognise the hypocrisy of it, complained the farmers who grew winter feed and grazed their cattle on that land. Readers of Country Life magazine were also puzzled. In the November issue that year, hed written about the folly of losing agricultural land to developers, and condemned supermarket chains for squeezing the incomes of farmers. Yet self-interest appeared to overrule any sympathy that he might have felt for the farmers. In another video message, recorded for Earth Day (on April 22) and delivered on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund, he urged people to turn off their lights for the sake of the environment. That same day, he flew 80 miles from Highgrove in Gloucestershire to Ascot in Berkshire aboard a helicopter based at Farnborough in Hampshire a round-trip of 250 miles. Advertisement
Charles himself was dubious about the four-day trip in 1999, just two years after Dianas death. But he allowed Camilla to persuade him.
By the time shed arrived in New York, however, the Prince was wavering again. This time, it was because his friend Nicholas Soames had warned him the visit was generating too much publicity.
But when Charles told Camilla what Soames had said, she reacted with uncontrolled anger. I wont stop it. Its my life and its the right thing to do, she barked down the phone. Both Mark Bolland and Michael Fawcett were with her in her suite at the Carlyle Hotel at the time, but she didnt care who witnessed the argument. In truth, they admired her scathing dismissal of Charless doubts.
The trip had been meticulously planned. First, a three-hour flight on Concorde; then, as soon as shed touched down, shed been whisked off by a rich financier to spend two days recovering from the journey at his home in East Hampton on Long Island. A poor traveller, Camilla always insisted on acclimatisation after a flight even one that took only three hours.
From East Hampton, a helicopter flew her to Manhattan, where Robert Higdon chief executive of Charless charity foundation in America was waiting.
BBC boss who told Charles his taste was execrable At the Bath Festival in 1999, Prince Charles took exception to a concert of Bartok and Schoenberg compositions. The sound of them was like scraping a nail over a blackboard, he complained to John Drummond, the BBC music controller. After a pause, Drummond said cuttingly: Your taste in music is as execrable as is your taste in art and architecture. As the two men continued to argue, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, who had accompanied the Prince to the concert, became anxious. You must stop this, he urged one of Charless courtiers. Interpose your body between them. But the Prince was laughing. Im enjoying this, he said. I like John. No ones honest with me like that. Advertisement
After that, she plunged into a round of high-profile parties and charity events. Higdon arranged for the visit to be hyped in New Yorks society columns. Privately, he felt that Camilla would have been better off staying at home. It wasnt the right time, he concluded. It didnt feel right for Camilla; it was too soon. She was not great with Americans. Even worse, he claimed, she lacked get-up-and-go.
For her to get up in the morning and survive until nightfall is a major effort. It was even hard for her to get out of bed. She tries her best to do nothing during the day, he said.
The biggest problem was persuading her to dress up for a big occasion. The effort was overwhelming. Camilla was p****d off by the whole thing. It was horrible, a disaster.
But, gradually, Camillas battle was being won. As the years passed, she appeared at various high-profile parties with Charles and was snapped accompanying him to the theatre.
The public, meanwhile, were drip-fed positive stories. That brooch she was wearing? It was a love-token given to her by Charles. Even trivial details were helping to alter perceptions.
No expense was spared to transform Camillas rather dowdy appearance with designer clothes. And her wisest tactic of all was to keep her mouth shut. So successful was the campaign that by 1999, 17 months after the Paris crash, Charles felt sufficiently emboldened to order his spin doctor: Lets risk the biscuit.
After leaking details of where theyd be on a cold January night, they posed together for the first time, at the door of the Ritz Hotel in London.
Amid a thunderclap of flashing lights, more than 200 photographers and TV crews captured Camillas radiant smile.
She had good reason to be happy. Having once been one of the most hated women in the kingdom, she was now well on her way to becoming a queen.
REBEL Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles by Tom Bower is published by William Collins tomorrow, 20. Tom Bower 2018. To order a copy for 14 (30 per cent discount), visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640. P&P free on orders over 15. Offer valid to March 31, 2018. Plus, get an additional 5 per cent off this title when you redeem through MyMail.co.uk
Authorities in New Jersey say police fatally shot an armed man who holed up in a restaurant near Princeton University during a five-hour standoff with officers.
The attorney general's office says no one else was injured during the confrontation Tuesday at the Panera Bread restaurant across from Princeton's campus.
It was not clear what sparked the standoff that began around 10am.
Officials say police shot the gunman shortly before 3pm after negotiations to get him to surrender were unsuccessful.
Authorities in New Jersey say an armed man has been holed up in a Panera Bread restaurant across the street from Princeton University's campus
Police surrounded a Panera Bread on Nassau Street in Princeton, N.J., Tuesday morning, March 20, 2018
Armed officers were staged outside the restaurant with their weapons drawn during the negotiations
His identity was not immediately released.
Authorities shut down Princeton's downtown area, and two campus buildings were evacuated as a precaution though the university is on spring break.
Armed officers were staged outside the restaurant with their weapons drawn during the negotiations.
It wasn't immediately known if the gunman had any connection to the university.
Classes are currently not in session at Princeton University, which is on spring break.
The university has been posting updates about the matter throughout the day to Twitter as well as their official website.
Classes are not in session at the university because of spring break. An armored vehicle is seen above on the scene
The university posted updates about the matter throughout the day to Twitter as well as their official website
'@PrincetonPolice were called to the Panera restaurant on Nassau Street across from the #PrincetonU campus, and they have an armed man surrounded inside the building,' the first Twitter statement said.
'Some University community members received a PTENS telephone call that incorrectly said shots had been reported and a shelter-in-place order was issued. NO SHOTS WERE FIRED; THERE IS NO SHELTER-IN-PLACE order.'
A Chicago cop has been accused of sexually assaulting male suspect who was shackled in a hospital bed.
Carlyle Calhoun, 46, had arrested the male victim on February 3 on a misdemeanor charge when the suspect expressed suicidal thoughts, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Calhoun, and another cop, took the man to St. Bernard Hospital and stood guard him while he underwent observation, a court heard.
But when the other officer stepped out to get something to eat, Calhoun reportedly began to massage the mans bare foot while the suspect's left hand and foot were shackled to the bed.
Carlyle Calhoun, 46, has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and official misconduct and is held on $200,000 bail
Prosecutors say he grabbed hold of the victims genitals and took a photo of them on his cellphone.
Court records show that when the other officer, who has not been named, returned, Calhoun escorted the man to a bathroom down a hall.
There, he allegedly sexually assaulted the man against his will, and again took photos of his genitals.
Once the cop left, the victim immediately reported the abuse to the hospital who took a DNA swab - which matched to Calhouns DNA.
Photos of the victim were later recovered from the officers phone.
Carlyle Calhoun, 46, had arrested the male victim on February 3 on a misdemeanor charge when the suspect expressed suicidal thoughts. Calhoun, and another cop, took the man to St. Bernard Hospital (pictured)
Calhoun, a ten-year veteran, was placed on paid desk duty early last month after the allegations emerged and the department is moving to suspend him without pay.
He has since been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and official misconduct and is held on $200,000 bail.
If he posts bail, he must hand over his weapon.
His attorney, Tammy Wendt, stated in court that Calhoun is a hero police officer, who negotiated with a knife-wielding attacker for three hours to save a man's daughter in November, and has no previous criminal history.
Joel Pflum, 32, was killed by police on Tuesday in Georgetown, Kentucky
Police have fatally shot an armed man who barged into his ex-wife's home with two handguns and hunting knives while their six-year-old son was asleep inside.
Joel Pflum, 32, was killed by a single shot early on Tuesday on the porch of his ex-wife's home in Georgetown, Kentucky, about 15 miles northwest of Lexington, the coroner's office confirmed.
The horror scene unfolded at about 12.30am on Tuesday, when Pflum kicked in the door of a home on Echo Path, in a quiet development on the edge of town favored by retirees.
Inside the home were Pflum's ex-wife, their six-year-old son and another adult male whom police say Pflum was seeking.
The male escaped out of a rear window and ran away, cops said. Once outside he called 911.
The ex-wife also managed to call 911 in the confusion and whispered a plea for help.
Pflum (pictured) kicked in the door of a home, and inside were his ex-wife, their six-year-old son and another adult male whom police say Pflum was seeking
Police said Pflum (pictured) was armed with two handguns, four extra magazines and two hunting style knives, and had a semi-automatic rifle with additional magazines in his car
Police rushed to the scene. When they arrived, they confronted Pflum on the front porch of the home and ordered him to drop his weapon.
Instead, Pflum raised the handgun and pointed it at officers, police said. A Georgetown Police officer fired a single shot, hitting the suspect in the upper body.
Officers rendered first aid on the scene and Pflum was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Police said he was armed with two handguns, four extra magazines and two hunting style knives, and had a semi-automatic rifle with additional magazines in his car.
No police officers were injured in the incident and the woman and child were found safe inside the home. The child slept through the entire ordeal.
The shooting occurred on this block of Echo Path at around 12.30am on Tuesday (file photo)
Georgetown Police Chief Mike Bosse said at a press conference on Tuesday that the victims 'had made police reports in the past indicating their concerns with this individuals behavior and their safety', according to WKYT.
He said the ex-wife had sought an emergency order of protection against Pflum in another county, but the court denied it.
'The preliminary investigation indicates that the officers responded appropriately and that the use of force was justified, and we have every reason to believe that the actions of the officers saved the lives of at least two Georgetown citizens,' Bosse said.
The officer who shot Pflum has been placed on administrative leave pending a joint investigation with the Scott County Sheriff's department and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, as is department policy in all officer-involved shootings.
Pflum's body will be transported to his hometown of Brookeville, Indiana.
Hottest Major
As U-M students flock to computer science classes, wait lists are long and tempers short.
by Eve Silberman
From the March, 2018 issue
In 2012, computer science didn't even appear on U-M's list of the top ten undergrad majors. Now it's number one. In just five years, the number of students majoring in computer science, data science, and computer engineering nearly doubled, from 972 to 1,719 (this includes combined majors). In the same period, the engineering school's division of computer science and engineering (CSE) gained six instructors, for a total of fourteen, but added only three tenure-track faculty, to fifty-three--an increase in the teaching ranks of just 16 percent.
As a result, "most students have trouble every semester getting into classes," says senior Shahid Ahmad. Ahmad's luck was particularly bad. "I actually was planning on graduating last semester," he says. But a popular class he wanted, "User Interface," was full, so he had to enroll again in winter term to take it--and pay "about $4,000 [extra] in-state tuition," he complains.
Vamsi Nimmagadda, a senior, says he's been wait-listed for a number of math classes but eventually got into all but one or two. "You gotta just go with the flow," he says. But sophomore Isabelle Williams complained to the Michigan Daily that she couldn't even get into the "backup for the backup" of a class she wanted.
CSE chair Brian Noble says the division saw the "writing on the wall" when the enrollment surge began five years ago and is "constantly recruiting" teachers. But a lot of good colleges are competing for the limited number of computer science PhDs with companies that offer high-paying jobs even to grads with master's and bachelor's degrees.
Ahmad may have just fallen through the cracks. Noble says the department's "number one goal" is to make sure students graduate on time. If students let him know there's a problem, he says, he or others will make sure they can find a way to fulfill the graduation requirements. He notes that fire regulations limit the number of students in a classroom--and that students frequently
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And, yet, Georgia Tech offers a higher ranked MS in Computer Science for about $7000. UofM will cost you about four times that much. If there ever was a time and place for online higher education, it's probably a masters in computer science. I hope UofM can catch up and surpass others in what will no doubt be the future of education. Anything else looks like an entrenched money-grab.
complicate things by signing up for more classes than they intend to stick with, dropping the extras only after the term starts.U-M reflects a national trend; the Computing Research Association reports that the number of computer science majors has more than doubled since 2006. At Stanford and Princeton, computer and information science is also the top major.The appeal is obvious: CSE grads with bachelor's degrees report a median starting salary of $95,000, according to the U (liberal arts majors reported starting at $46,000 to $47,000). Computer science is "where the jobs are, and really good ones too," emails junior Steve Macpherson from Spain, where he's doing a semester abroad. Macpherson also mentions "the famous billionaires that have used their programming skills to make their money (Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page)."But CSE majors aren't a cakewalk, even for former high school math and science stars. Nimmagadda says that students frequently organize study groups, where they "bond over the difficulties of the class." But tough classes don't necessarily scare off students. Take the artificial intelligence class "Introduction to Machine Learning," taught by CSE assistant professor Jenna Wiens. On RateMyProfessor.com , students give Wiens a 3.9 on a four-point scale--but also grade the class's "level of difficulty" at 3.7.[Originally published in March, 2018.]On May 10, 2018, Matthew Esper wrote:
Jimmy Kimmel became one of the many men who can claim that Katie Couric was their first ... friend to take them for a colonoscopy.
The Stand Up to Cancer founder and Kimmel filmed the appointment in Los Angeles to air on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday in an effort to encourage men to go out and get screened.
It is a cause that has been incredibly close to Couric's heart ever since her first husband John Monahan tragically died at the age of 42 in 1998 of colon cancer.
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His first: Jimmy Kimmel get his first colonoscopy with Katie Couric (pair above) and filmed it for a segment that will air on his late night show on Tuesday
Funnyman: When Couric asks at one point why most men do not get screened, Kimmel jokes: 'Because they go up you ass'
In the segment, Kimmel jokes about wanting to get any possible polyps the doctor finds returned to him so that he may keep them on his bookshelf.
And when Couric asks at one point why most men do not get screened, Kimmel jokes: 'Because they go up you ass.'
Kimmel now joins a list of men that includes Al Roker, Matt Lauer and more who have undergone colonoscopies with Couric on live television.
The segment also marks the return of Couric to ABC, though just for the night.
Couric has had a number of high profile jobs since she left NBC's Today back in 2006 after 15 years on the morning news show, over which time she became known as America's Sweetheart.
She worked at CBS Evening News until 2011, while also doing segments for 60 Minutes, a job that earned her a reported salary of $15million a year, the most ever for a journalist at the time.
Her most famous interview came in 2008 when she sat down with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for a series of pieces that many believed doomed Palin and McCain's campaign.
In was during that interview that Palin famously talked about Alaska's proximity to Russia and was unable to name a single magazine she read on a regular basis, instead telling Couric; 'Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.'
Couric's husband John Monahan t(pair above in 1994)ragically died at the age of 42 in 1998 of colon cancer
Palin would later claim that Couric had a bias against her.
Couric left CBS in 2011 to go work as a special corespondent at ABC, where she did segments for Nightline and 20/20 and filled in on all their morning programs at some point: The View, Live with Kelly and Good Morning America.
Then, in 2012, she launched her own talk show, Katie, on ABC, which was cancelled after just two seasons in 2014.
After leaving ABC there were rumors she might rejoin Today as the show was struggling in the ratings.
And she did rejoin 'Today' last year for a week when she filed in for Savannah Guthrie, who was off on maternity leave.
She then came back in February to host the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics.
She marriued Jay Molner in June 2014 with a small, intimate ceremony at her home in East Hampton, New York.
The two dated for two years before Molner proposed in September 2013.
Couric has two daughters, Ellie, 23, and Carrie, 18, from her relationship with her first husband.
An Idaho dog owner was left shocked and worried when he arrived to the airport to pick up his eight-week-old puppy only to be handed the wrong dog.
Josh Schlaich vented about the experience on Facebook saying the dog, named Ren, was put on a Delta Airlines flight from Richmond, Virginia, to Boise and was supposed to arrive Saturday night but instead took an epic 3,700 mile journey spanning the U.S.
Schlaich went to Boise Airport to pick up Ren and was given the dog's brother, who had been traveling with Ren.
An Idaho man said his dog Ren was 'misrouted' on a Delta Airlines flight arriving nearly 24 hours after his scheduled time
This map shows Ren's 3,742 mile journey across the US before he landed in Boise
Josh Schlaich said when he went to the airport to pick up Ren, he was given the wring dog
Schlaich was given Ren's brother (the dog on the right) while his dog (on the left) had been put on the wrong flight
Delta told WGN 9 that Ren left Richmond, Virginia and was due to fly in into Boise on Saturday, connecting in Detroit and Minneapolis.
The airline said there was a mixup between Richmond and Boise and they are investigating what happened.
According to Delta, Ren took off Saturday from Richmond and was flown 623 miles to Detroit, where he was supposed to be put on a connecting flight to Minneapolis.
Instead, he had to spend the night in a kennel in Detroit.
On Sunday morning, the eight-week-old pup made the 695 mile journey to Minneapolis. At some point the dog was 'misrouted' Delta said, and Ren was put on a flight to Las Vegas, 1,658 miles away from Minneapolis.
From Vegas Ren was flown 421 miles to Salt Lake City, still not his intended destination.
It wasn't until late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after his scheduled arrival time, when the pooch was put on the correct flight and made it to Boise.
Schlaich told KTVB that Ren and his brother were put on the same flight by a breeder in Richmond. It remains unclear how one dog arrived on time, but Ren had to take a 3,742 mile journey across the country before making it home.
The marketing manager, said Ren's brother was for his friend who lives in the same area.
Schlaich told KTVB that he did not like how Delta handed the incident. He said on Saturday night he got a call from someone claiming to be a Delta employee informing him that his dog's flight had been delayed.
The worried owner said the person called from a 'No-Caller ID' number and gave him the contact information for a guy named Chris, who was supposed to be looking after Ren until Delta could put the dog on a flight.
'They said, 'Here's the number of a person who's going to take care of it, his name is Chris. You need to call them if you want anymore information, thanks, bye,'' Schlaich told KTVB.
He said the number for Chris was out of service, and Delta's customer service was no help.
'Tried calling Delta Cargo customer service, only to be yelled at by the rep and hung up on,' Schlaich posted on Facebook. 'No idea where my dog is, or what conditions he'll be placed under for the 24 or more hours. Don't know when he will come into Boise tomorrow. No idea who to call. Absolutely ridiculous customer service.'
Ren was supposed to arrive in Boise on Saturday night. Instead, the eight-week-old puppy was sent to Las Vegas and then Salt Lake City before arriving in Boise on Sunday night
The dog is now with his family and Delta said it is investigating how Ren ended up on the wrong flight
The airline said that it was investigating the incident, and Schlaich had been refunded.
'We know pets are important members of the family.'
Delta said Ren was fed and given water and was periodically let out of his crate during his journey.
While the incident was aggravating for Schlaich and his wife, he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that Ren 'is safe and home now'.
Unfortunately, pet disasters seem to be an issue for some airliners. A bulldog puppy suffocated to death in the overhead bin last Monday on a United Airlines flight and then one passengers pet pooch was shipped to Japan instead of Kansas, its actual destination.
On Thursday, the company faced another scandal when a flight from Newark, New Jersey to St Louis, Missouri had to be grounded after flight crew noticed a dog was mistakenly put onboard.
The animal was supposed to have been on a flight to Akron, Ohio.
Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer has never been far from controversy
2009: Mehajer is convicted of possessing or attempting to possess a 'prescribed restricted substance' and of possessing a police uniform. The convictions are later overturned on appeal.
March 2011: Mehajer unsuccessfully runs as an independent member of the Legislative Assembly for Auburn at the NSW state election.
He is subsequently investigated by the Election Funding Authority of New South Wales, which did not take any action against him.
January 2012: Mehajer loses control of his $300,000 Ferrari and injures a mother and daughter in Sydney's west.
He is convicted of negligent driving and sentenced to 150 hours community service. The conviction is later overturned on appeal.
September 2012: Mehajer is elected as an independent councillor for the City of Auburn and later elected to deputy mayor.
February 2013: His construction firm SM Project Developments is forced into liquidation by the ATO over unpaid taxes.
February 2014: A property owned by Mehajer in Lidcombe is damaged by a suspicious fire.
June 2014: He is suspended from civic office for a month by the Division of Local Government for failing to disclose his business and property interests.
The punishment is overturned in December.
August 2015: The then deputy mayor of Auburn marries his partner Aysha in the so-called 'wedding of the century'.
Mehajer is fined $220 by Auburn council over the closure of Frances Street, Lidcombe. A petition is launched to have him sacked over the wedding.
October 2015: Several contractors launch legal action over allegedly unpaid debts, including a stonemason who installed a staircase at his Lidcombe home.
The same month, he is pulled over twice in less than half-an-hour behind the wheel of an allegedly unregistered Ferrari.
September 2015: Mehajer is re-elected as deputy mayor of Auburn, despite the petition demanding his sacking.
October 2015: He reveals that he hopes to one day work his way to 'the top spot' in federal politics.
November 2015: Mehajer announces he wants to study medicine and become a mental health specialist - as he tells fellow councillors he had stood down as director from six of his seven development companies.
The same month, he is forced to defend allegations he intimidated the father of a Lindt Cafe siege survivor.
December 2015: The Australian Federal Police investigate Mehajer over allegations he forged documents to rig the 2012 Auburn City Council election.
January 2016: He is suspended from civic office for four months for failing to disclose his financial interest in a property.
It was found he voted on changes which added $1million to its value.
July 2016: Mehajer is reportedly investigated by police after he allegedly transferred $20million to Lebanon.
The same month, he is told he must stay at least 50 metres away from his wife Aysha until at least 17 August after police took out an AVO on her behalf.
August 2016: Mehajer refuses to reveal who videos allegedly containing threats of sexual abuse and death threats - made by him - were intended for.
September 2016: He is banned from managing corporations for three years after losing an appeal against a ruling made by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
November 2016: Mehajer is publicly arrested by local police in the Spanish party island of Ibiza after an argument with a taxi driver.
April 2017: Mehajer is arrested and charged after assaulting a taxi driver outside The Star casino in Sydney.
Just hours later, he is charged with assault after slamming Channel Seven reporter Laura Banks' hand in a car door.
June 2017: Mehajer's sister Fatima pleads guilty to 77 charges of electoral fraud relating to the 2012 Auburn City Council election.
The same month, his property development companies, Sydney Project Group and SET Services, are placed in the hands of administrators.
September 2017: Mehajer is accused of manipulating the courts over the approval of his plans for a western Sydney shopping mall and apartment block.
October 2017: He is hit with a $1million bill after allegedly failing to pay for work on his Lidcombe 'marble palace' home.
The same month, Mehajer is rushed to hospital after being involved in a car crash on his way to a court hearing over the taxi driver incident.
Also in October, a phone recording is leaked in which Mehajer allegedly threatens to rape a custom car mechanic.
November 2017: Police raid the Mehajer's home as part of an investigation into the alleged staging of the car crash on the way to court.
Mehajer is arrested and charged with breaching an AVO preventing him from seeing his estranged wife Aysha Learmonth.
February 2018: Mehajer is found guilty of assaulting female TV reporter Laura Banks with a car door outside a Sydney police station last year.
He is also handed a three-year good behaviour bond and ordered to undergo anger management counselling after pleading guilty over the taxi driver assault.
March 20, 2018: Mehajer is declared bankrupt by a Federal Circuit Court judge after one of his companies failed to pay a debt of over $200,000 to its creditors.
May 17, 2018: Mehajer is given an 18-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to intimidating his estranged wife.
June 22, 2018: Mehajer is ordered to serve 11 months behind bars for electoral fraud. His sister Fatima is given a two-month suspended sentence.
May 17, 2019: Mehajer is charged after allegedly falsely putting speeding tickets he received in 2016 into the names of other people
May 21, 2019: The property developer walks free from Cooma Prison after 11 months behind bars
Coopers Rock Mountain Lion Sanctuary in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, in February 2006
Cougars, also known as mountain lions, are the fourth-largest cat species. They are about 30 inches tall and 8 feet long.
Males weigh an average of 125lb and females 100lb.
Their powerful hind legs allow them to jump up to 30 feet horizontally from stand-still and reach speeds of up to 50mph.
Despite its fearsome size, the cougar is not typically classed as a 'big cat' as it is unable to roar. Instead, they scare away potential threats with low-pitched growls and hisses.
Their high-pitched screams are well known to hunters and are often confused with the cries of other humans.
Cougars are found across the western United States and Canada, although they shy and rarely seen by humans in the wild.
At least 20 people in North America were killed by cougars between 1890 and 2011, although the animals are usually afraid of humans.
Anyone who encounters a cougar in the wild is encouraged to stand tall, stay still and refrain from running away until the animal goes away.
Cementing Professor Stephen Hawking's reputation as one of the greatest scientists Britain has ever produced, his ashes will be interred near some of the most esteemed figures in history.
In recognition of his pioneering work in theoretical physics - particularly with black holes - Hawking's ashes will be laid to rest close to Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin in the nave of Westminster Abbey.
He will also be close to memorials or graves belonging to astronomers John and William Herschel, penicillin pioneer Howard Walter Florey, mathematician James Clark Maxwell and genius physicist Michael Faraday.
Below is a list of some of the excellent company Hawking will have in the abbey when he is interred there later this year.
Sir Isaac Newton
Newton is best known for his law of gravitation, which was set out in his hugely influential book Philosophi Naturalis Principia Mathematica
Newton, who was born in Lincolnshire in 1642, was Lucasian Professor at Trinity College Cambridge from 1669 to 1702 (Hawking held the same post from 1979 to 2009).
He is best known for his law of gravitation, which was set out in his hugely influential book Philosophi Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
He also made enormous contributions to mathematics, particularly with differential and intergral calculus and binomial theory.
In addition to those developments, he was a major figure in the areas of optics, mechanics and astronomy, and his invention of the reflecting telescope and studies of light put at the very forefront of scientists.
An engraving on his Westminster Abbey monument reads: 'Here is buried Isaac Newton, Knight, who by a strength of mind almost divine, and mathematical principles peculiarly his own, explored the course and figures of the planets, the paths of comets, the tides of the sea, the dissimilarities in rays of light, and, what no other scholar has previously imagined, the properties of the colours thus produced.
'Diligent, sagacious and faithful, in his expositions of nature, antiquity and the holy Scriptures, he vindicated by his philosophy the majesty of God mighty and good, and expressed the simplicity of the Gospel in his manners. Mortals rejoice that there has existed such and so great an ornament of the human race! He was born on 25th December 1642, and died on 20th March 1726'.
Charles Darwin
Darwin, a naturalist born in Shrewsbury in 1809, changed the world forever when he published On the Origin of Species in 1859
Darwin, a naturalist born in Shrewsbury in 1809, changed the world forever when he published On the Origin of Species in 1859.
The book is considered the foundation of evolutionary biology and introduced the theory that organisms evolved over generations through the process of natural selection.
Despite being an agnostic and the propagator of a theory that went on to damage the credibility of religions worldwide, he was buried in Westminster Abbey at the request of many holy men.
During a speech a week after his funeral, the Bishop of Carlisle, Harvey Goodwin, said: 'I think that the interment of the remains of Mr Darwin in Westminster Abbey is in accordance with the judgment of the wisest of his countrymen
'It would have been unfortunate if anything had occurred to give weight and currency to the foolish notion which some have diligently propagated, but for which Mr Darwin was not responsible, that there is a necessary conflict between a knowledge of Nature and a belief in God'
Michael Faraday
Albert Einstein greatly admired Faraday (pictured) and kept a painting of him in his study
Faraday was born in 1791 in London.
He contributed enormously to physics, chemistry, the study of electricity, magnetism and the construction of optical glass.
Albert Einstein greatly admired Faraday and kept a painting of the illustrious experimenter in his study.
Faraday's discovery of electromagnetic induction led to electricity being transformed from a curiosity into a usable technology.
He even helped coin words like 'ion', 'electrode' and 'cathode'.
While buried at Highgate Cemetery in North London, a memorial to the great man was installed at Westminster Abbey near Sir Isaac Newton.
The inscription on his memorial reads simply: 'The memorial of Michael Faraday 1791-1867. Buried elsewhere'.
James Clark Maxwell
Maxwell, a hugely influential mathematician and physicist, was born in Edinburgh in 1831
Maxwell, a hugely influential mathematician and physicist, was born in Edinburgh in 1831.
Before heading to the University of Cambridge, he submitted a paper to the Royal Society of Edinburgh at the age of 15.
He devoted his life to studying optics, colour vision, Saturn's rings, electromagnetics and thermodynamics.
His work on Saturn's rings determined that the mysterious planet was orbited by individual particles rather than a fixed ring.
When the Voyager space probe passed Saturn in the 1980s, he was proved correct.
After he died in 1879, he was buried in Kirkcudbright in Scotland, but a memorial was erected at Westminster Abbey near Newton.
He is considered second only to Newton in his contributions to mathematics.
July 15 - 11.27pm - Justine Damond calls 911 to report hearing sounds of distress from a girl or woman behind her house. She says it may be a rape. A dispatcher says officers should arrive soon.
11.35pm. - Justine calls 911 again to ask why police haven't arrived yet. She gives the dispatcher the address again.
11.41pm. - Officers Matthew Harrity and Mohamed Noor arrive and drive south down the alley behind Justine's house. Harrity, who is driving, is startled by a loud noise near his squad car. Justine approaches the driver's side window immediately afterward, and Noor allegedly fires his gun past Harrity, striking Justine through that window of the vehicle, according to Harrity in an interview with state investigators.
11.42pm - Radio report of one person down, starting CPR.
11.50pm - Radio report of police doing CPR for 'last four minutes'.
11.51pm - Justine is pronounced dead in the alley at the south end of her block. A medical examiner later says Justine was shot once in the abdomen.
July 16 - Hundreds gather in Justine's southwest Minneapolis neighborhood to mourn her death. Mayor Betsy Hodges visits scene, says she is 'heartsick' and 'deeply disturbed' by shooting. State investigators say the officers involved in the shooting had not turned on their body cameras and squad car video didn't capture the shooting.
July 17 - An autopsy shows Justine died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Her fiance Don Damond says the family has been given no information about how the shooting happened. The officer who allegedly shot Justine is identified as Mohamed Noor, a Somali-American with less than two years of experience who became an officer after working in property management. In a statement from his attorney, Noor offers condolences to Justine's family.
July 18 - State investigators say Noor declined to be interviewed. They say his partner, Matthew Harrity, told them Harrity was startled by a loud noise right before Justine approached the officers' SUV, and that Noor - in the passenger seat - shot her through the driver's-side window.
July 20 - Police Chief Janee Harteau makes first remarks on shooting, says it 'should not have happened' but defends Noor's training. Harteau also says the city is reviewing its policy on body cameras and wants them to be used more often.
July 21 - Harteau resigns at Hodges' request after the mayor says she no longer has confidence in the chief. Hodges names Assistant Chief Medaria Arradondo to take over. At a news conference to discuss the change, Hodges is shouted down by protesters who say she should resign, too.
August 11 - Justine's family holds a public memorial service in Minneapolis.
August 28 - Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says he expects to decide on charges by year's end.
September 12 - Authorities announce that the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation has handed the case over to Freeman's office.
November 18 - Council Member Jacob Frey defeats Hodges in the mayor's race. Much of the campaign focused on police-community relations.
December 13 - Freeman is caught on video saying he doesn't have enough evidence to charge Noor and blaming investigators 'who haven't done their job'.
December 28 - Freeman says he'll miss his self-imposed deadline of deciding on charges by year's end because he needs more time.
January 24, 2018 - Attorneys say Freeman convened a grand jury and subpoenaed other officers to compel them to tell what they know. Freeman says he still intends to make his own decision on charges.
March 20 - Noor turns himself in to the Hennepin County Jail on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Bail is set at $500,000.
March 21 - Noor appears in court where bail is cut to $400,000 conditional on Noor surrendering his passport and not having contact with Harrity
Source: AP
Elaine Herzberg, 49 (pictured), was killed after she was struck by an Uber vehicle in Arizona in the first pedestrian death via a self-autonomous car
Uber's automated car which struck and killed a woman at 40mph did not show significant signs of slowing down, a spokesman for police has now confirmed.
The firm has suspended all its self-driving tests after what is believed to be the first fatal pedestrian crash involving its vehicles.
Automated driving had been taking place in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto.
Police in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe say one of Uber's self-driving vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian on Sunday night.
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According to police, Herzberg was hit by an SUV (pictured) around 10pm on Sunday in Tempe when she was walking her bicycle outside of a crosswalk
Investigators said the Volvo SUV was in autonomous mode when the woman, 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, was hit.
She later died in hospital.
Police in Tempe say the victim was pushing a bicycle across the street, and 'may have been homeless'.
There was a safety driver behind the wheel of the vehicle, identified as Rafael Vasquez, 44. There is no sign that the driver was impaired, the force says.
Sergeant Ronald Elcock said in a press conference: 'The safety of our citizens here in Tempe is of the utmost importance.
'None of us ever want to go through this ever again, using the crosswalks will definitely limit this from happening again.'
In a statement, an Uber spokesperson said the company is aware of the incident and is 'fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation'.
Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi expressed condolences on his Twitter account and said the company is working with local police on the investigation.
The accident in suburban Phoenix could have far-reaching consequences for the development of self-driving vehicles, which have been billed as potentially safer than cars with humans at the wheel.
Uber's automated car which struck and killed a woman at 40mph did not show significant signs of slowing down, a spokesman for police has now confirmed. Cars go by the scene
The firm has suspended all its self-driving tests after what is believed to be the first fatal pedestrian crash involving its vehicles. Automated driving had been taking place in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto. Pilot models of the self-driving car developed by Uber
The testing has been going on for months as car makers and technology companies compete to be the first with cars that operate on their own.
The crash could be a setback for autonomous vehicle research and may lead to stricter regulations from states and the federal government, said Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina professor who studies the technology.
But he said more than 100 people die each day on US roads in crashes of human-driven vehicles.
'That's a real contrast that we should keep in mind about this,' he said. 'We should be concerned about automated driving. We should be terrified about human driving.'
The federal government has voluntary guidelines for companies that want to test autonomous vehicles, leaving much of the regulation up to states.
Many states, including Michigan and Arizona, have taken a largely hands-off approach, hoping to gain jobs from the new technology, while California and other states have taken a harder line.
Herzberg has been arrested at least six times, mostly for a number of drug charges and some probation violations, which included in October 2014 (left), November 2014 (center) and February 2015 (right)
The offenses continued and she was arrested in March 2015 (left) and twice in October 2015 (center and right)
Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. Were thinking of the victims family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened. https://t.co/cwTCVJjEuz dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) March 19, 2018
Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi expressed condolences on his Twitter account and said the company is working with local police on the investigation.
California is among those that require manufacturers to report any incidents to the motor vehicle department during the testing phase. As of early March, the agency had received 59 reports.
The Department of Transportation is considering other voluntary guidelines it says will help foster innovation.
Transportation secretary Elaine Chao has said technology and motor companies need to allay public fears of self-driving vehicles, citing a poll showing that 78 per cent fear riding in them.
The number of states considering legislation related to autonomous vehicles has gradually increased each year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In 2017 alone, 33 states introduced legislation.
The crash in Arizona is not the first involving an Uber autonomous test vehicle. In March last year, an Uber SUV flipped on to its side, also in Tempe.
No serious injuries were reported, and the driver of the other car was cited for a violation.
Ms Herzbergs death is the first involving an autonomous test vehicle but not the first in a car with automated control features.
The driver of a Tesla Model S was killed in 2016 when his car, operating on its Autopilot system, crashed into a lorry in Florida.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said driver inattention was to blame, not the vehicles autopilot system.
The agency said car makers should have safeguards that keep drivers engaged
Children in the US are equating the jobs of scientists with women more than ever before, a study has found.
Researchers at Northwestern University have concluded that children's stereotypical views linking men to scientists might have shrunk over the past five decades.
They analyzed 50 years worth of children's artwork depicting scientists for the study, which encompassed the views of upwards of 20,000 children in the US.
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A study from Northwestern University concluded that children in the US are associating scientific jobs with females more than ever before (file photo)
The new study marks the first time 'Draw-A-Scientist' literature has been systematically reviewed.
'Draw-A-Scientist' literature is based on what children produce when they are asked to create an illustration of their idea of a scientist.
The first study on the topic was conducted from 1966 to 1977, and the results revealed that not even one percent of the 5,000 children involved associated the concept of a scientist with a female.
Almost all of the children's drawings showed men working with lab equipment, and in many of the drawings the men had facial hair and wore in a lab coat and glasses.
But studies that took place from 1985 to 2016 indicated that the tide was turning, as an average of 28 percent of the children involved drew female scientists during that period.
Now, female scientists are being depicted more than ever, Northwestern researchers have said.
'This change suggests that children's stereotypes linking science with men have weakened over time...consistent with more women becoming scientists and children's media depicting more female scientists on television shows, magazines and other media,' the new analysis said.
The report said that both female and male children drew more female scientists as time went on but that girls drew female scientists more often than boys did.
The researchers who worked on the new report also looked at how children develop stereotypes about scientists over time.
The report was based on 'Draw-A-Scientist' studies from the past five decades. The studies represent how children's stereotypes of scientists have shifted over time (file photo)
They learned that children do not link science with men until they are in elementary school - at age five, the children involved in the study drew about the same number of female and male scientists.
But while the children were in elementary and middle school their tendency to depict male scientists 'increased strongly'.
Additionally, the researchers found that the older children were more likely to depict scientists as people wearing lab coats and glasses, and this led them to the conclusion that children develop multiple stereotypes about scientists as they age.
The artwork evaluated for the new report was produced by children in elementary, middle and high school.
WOMEN IN SCIENCE: THE FACTS Even though women are more equally represented in the entirety of the college-educated workforce, they make up just 29 percent of the engineering and science workforce, according to the Women's Museum of California.
Additionally, just 26 percent of women who have STEM degrees hold STEM jobs, while the corresponding figure for men is 40 percent.
According to the museum, the chance of a female STEM major working in education or healthcare is twice that of a male STEM major.
Fewer than ten percent of employed engineers and scientists are minority women.
Less than one-fifth of bachelor's degrees in computer science are awarded to women, despite the fact that 60 percent of bachelor's degrees go to female graduates.
Last year, 57 percent of girls said they had not considered a STEM career, according to the museum. Advertisement
Study author Dr David Miller said the new report highlights the potential that more women might, in the future, feel able to pursue a career in a scientific field.
Dr Miller said: 'Given this change in stereotypes, girls in recent years might now develop interests in science more freely than before. Prior studies have suggested that these gender-science stereotypes could shape girls' interests in science-related activities and careers.'
Northwestern Professor Alice Eagly echoed Dr Miller's thoughts.
She said: 'Our results suggest that children's stereotypes change as women's and men's roles change in society. Children still draw more male than female scientists in recent studies, but that is expected because women remain a minority in several science fields.'
David Uttal, a coauthor of the study, said that parents can play a key role in adjusting stereotypes that leave many children believing women cannot become competitors in scientific fields.
'To build on cultural changes, teachers and parents should present children with multiple examples of female and male scientists across many contexts, such as science courses, television shows and informal conversations,' Uttal explained.
The late Professor Stephen Hawking may have been misdiagnosed and was actually a victim of polio, a medical expert has claimed.
Dr Christopher Cooper, a physician at the University of California, thinks the famed physicist's symptoms don't align with those of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as motor neuron disease (MND) in the UK.
Hawking was diagnosed with the degenerative condition aged 21 and given two years to live, yet he survived the illness for 55 years.
Dr Cooper claims the probability Hawking had ALS is 'low' because his age at onset and prolonged survival 'do not match our understanding' of the disease.
Pointing to two outbreaks of polio in the UK and the US that occurred in 1916 and 1952, he suggests polio as a potential cause for the scientist's condition.
In a letter to the Financial Times, Dr Cooper says the physicist's neurological and motor system impairment could have been caused when he contracted polio shortly before he was diagnosed with ALS in 1963.
He says degeneration of the physicist's brain only affected the motor system, leading to weakness of peripheral muscles - symptoms typically seen in polio sufferers.
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The late Professor Stephen Hawking may not have suffered from motor neuron disease, he may have been afflicted with Polio, claims medical expert. Symptoms of the theoretical physicists illness align more with polio than MND, claims expert
Hawking, who died last Wednesday aged 76, was famous for his dependence on a wheelchair for movement and a computerised voice system for communications.
His long illness and early diagnosis confounded doctors - the average ALS sufferer is diagnosed after 40 and rarely survives longer than 20 years.
ALS is a sub-set of the motor neuron disease umbrella that makes up nearly 90 per cent of MND diagnoses, meaning the two terms are often used interchangeably.
The degenerative disease results in the loss of nervous tissue from the muscles, leading to progressive muscle paralysis and wasting and, ultimately, death.
In his letter, Dr Cooper outlined a number of anomalies regarding the condition of the great physicist.
He wrote: 'The affliction that Hawking suffered began when he was only 21 years old and his illness lasted 55 years.
'The age of onset and the clinical course do not match our understanding of ALS.
'The probability that Hawking had what we commonly call ALS is low.'
The University of California Professor Emeritus said he does not doubt the severity of Hawking's neuromuscular disease, but indicated that it may not have been ALS.
Diagnosed at 21 and living with motor neurone disease for 55 years, the brilliant scholar is a distinct anomaly in his battle with the neuromuscular condition
DID STEPHEN HAWKING SUFFER FROM POLIO? A medical expert has claimed that the late Professor Stephen Hawking may have been misdiagnosed and was actually a victim of polio. The physicist was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in 1963 aged 21. He was given just two years to live but survived with the disease for 55 years. But according to Dr Christopher Cooper, a physician at the University of California, Hawking may have instead suffered from polio. In a letter to the Financial Times, Dr Cooper says the probability Hawking had MNS is 'low' because his age at onset and prolonged survival 'do not match our understanding' of the disease. Typically MND sufferers are diagnosed with the disease above the age of 40, with the highest incidence occurring between the ages of 50 and 70. Survival rates vary with the individual but it is exceptionally rare for someone diagnosed with MND to live with disease for more than 50 years. Pointing to two outbreaks of polio in the UK and the US in 1916 and 1952, Dr Cooper suggests polio as a potential cause for Hawking's condition. Dr Cooper says the physicist's neurological and motor system impairment could have been caused when he contracted polio shortly before he was diagnosed with MNS in 1963. Dr Cooper says the physicist's 'neurological problem only affected the motor system leading to weakness of peripheral muscles', symptoms typically seen in polio sufferers. Advertisement
Pointing to two outbreaks of the poliomyelitis virus in the UK and the US that occurred in 1916 and 1952, Dr Cooper suggests polio as a potential cause.
Dr Cooper adds: 'Perhaps Hawking was unlucky to contract poliomyelitis or a similar viral infection a few years later in 1963.'
After 1952, effective vaccines were developed which helped prevent the spread of the lethal disease.
Despite this, large outbreaks continued throughout the world into the 1980s.
Since 1988, a global vaccination campaign was implemented.
Since then the world has made rapid progress against the disease and until 2016 the number of paralytic cases was reduced by 99.99 per cent.
In 2016, there were only 42 cases worldwide compare to 350,000 per year in the 1980s.
Whilst it would have been unfortunate for Professor Hawking to contract the human-to-human disease, it is not unreasonable to suggest.
Dr Cooper assumes in his theory that the 'neurological problem only affected the motor system leading to weakness of peripheral muscles'.
Whilst the speculation over his illness continues to circle, the nation continues to mourn the loss of one of the most brilliant and inspiring minds of the past century.
Just prior to his passing, the famed theoretical physicist, at the age of 76, finished his theory on the multiverse.
A grand theory, complete with complex equations, that hypothesise the existence of multiple universes stemming from multiple big bangs.
The existence of multiple big bangs was a troubling implication of his 1983 'no-boundary' theory.
The long-time Cambridge professor will leave a legacy behind of how one man's mind can tackle the most complicated and advanced issues of our era whilst simultaneously fighting his own personal battle against physical disability.
There is still no treatment for Polio. Those unfortunate enough to contract the illness are likely doomed. Much is the same for motor neurone disease, with an average life-expectancy after disgnosis of two to three years. Only 20 per cent of ALS patients live longer than ten years
Although prevention has improved markedly in the last half a decade or so, there is still no treatment for Polio.
Those unfortunate enough to contract the illness are likely doomed.
Much is the same for motor neurone disease, with an average life-expectancy after disgnosis of two to three years.
Motor Neurone Disease (ALS): No known cure and half of sufferers live just three years after diagnosis Treatment There is no cure for MND and the disease is fatal, however the disease progresses at different speeds in patients. People with MND are expected to live two to five years after the symptoms first manifest, although 10 per cent of sufferers live at least 10 years. History The NHS describes motor neurone disease (MND) as: 'An uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.' The weakness is caused by the deterioration of motor neurons, upper motor neurons that travel from the brain down the spinal cord, and lower motor neurons that spread out to the face, throat and limbs. It was first discovered in 1865 by a French neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot, hence why MND is sometimes known as Charcot's disease. In the UK, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is referred to as Motor Neurone Disease, while in the US, ALS is referred to as a specific subset of MND, which is defined as a group of neurological disorders. However, according to Oxford University Hospitals: 'Nearly 90 per cent of patients with MND have the mixed ALS form of the disease, so that the terms MND and ALS are commonly used to mean the same thing.' Symptoms Weakness in the ankle or leg, which may manifest itself with trips or difficulty ascending stairs, and a weakness in the ability to grip things. Slurred speech is an early symptom and may later worsen to include difficulty swallowing food. Muscle cramps or twitches are also a symptom, as is weight loss due to leg and arm muscles growing thinner over time. Diagnosis MND is difficult to diagnose in its early stages because several conditions may cause similar symptoms. There is also no one test used to ascertain its presence. However, the disease is usually diagnosed through a process of exclusion, whereby diseases that manifest similar symptoms to ALS are excluded. Causes The NHS says that MND is an 'uncommon condition' that predominantly affects older people. However, it caveats that it can affect adults of any age. The NHS says that, as of yet, 'it is not yet known why' the disease happens. The ALS Association says that MND occurs throughout the world 'with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries and can affect anyone'. It says that war veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS and that men are 20 per cent more likely to get it. Lou Gehrig was one of baseball's preeminent stars while playing for the Yankees between 1923 and 1939. Known as 'The Iron Horse,' he played in 2,130 consecutive games before ALS forced him to retire. The record was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995 Lou Gehrig's Disease As well as being known as ALS and Charcot's disease, MND is frequently referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Lou Gehrig was a hugely popular baseball player, who played for the New York Yankees between 1923 and 1939. He was famous for his strength and was nicknamed 'The Iron Horse'. His strength, popularity and fame transcended the sport of baseball and the condition adopted the name of the sportsman. He died two years after his diagnosis. Advertisement
Only 20 per cent of ALS patients live longer than ten years.
Experts have become more adept at diagnosing the disease, but the cause of the condition remains unknown.
Professor Hawking made his name and his impact in a theoretical field where pre-existing knowledge on the matter is minimal.
However, it seems just as little is known about the cause and treatment of both polio and motor neurone disease.
As Dr Cooper surmises: 'Hawking was a remarkable man whose existence shone a light on both of these mysteries.'
An out-of-control Chinese space station with 'highly toxic' chemicals on board could hit a number of major world cities, including New York, research suggests.
China's first prototype station, Tiangong-1, will come crashing back to the planet between March 30 and April 6, experts say.
It has the highest chance of crashing into cities along a narrow strip around latitudes of 43 degrees north and south.
This includes a number of highly populated cities including New York, Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Istanbul, Rome and Toronto.
It is most likely to hit these places because it is travelling parallel to the equator at the most northern and southern points of its orbit.
From our perspective on Earth it appears to be travelling more slowly above these regions, thanks to its geometry relative to the Earth, although its speed actually remains constant.
Because it takes longer to cross the surface of the Earth at these latitudes it has a higher risk of coming down here.
The doomed 8.5-tonne craft, which has been hurtling towards Earth since control was lost in 2016, is believed to contain dangerous hydrazine.
Scientists will only know the precise date it will impact and exactly where debris will fall during the finals weeks of its decline.
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Agencies around the world who have monitored an out-of-control Chinese space station's fall to Earth believe it has a higher chance of hitting parts of the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Cities at higher risk include Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Istanbul, Rome and Toronto.
Explaining why this is so Dr Hugh Lewis, senior lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Southampton, compared the geometrical processes at work to crossing the road.
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'The spacecraft is travelling around a more or less circular orbit, which is tipped with respect to the equator at 43.
'If you plot this path on a map of the Earth, it produces a sine wave pattern, with the slower curve of the wave in northern and southern latitudes and the faster straighter sections running from east to west.
'If you imagine the green low risk area on the map is the part of the road were trying to walk across, the quickest way is to go at 90 degrees straight across.
'When the spacecraft crosses the equator, its crossing the road at this point, and it does so really fast.
'When it goes across the red bands further north and south, its crossing at a steeper angle - almost parallel to the road.
'It takes longer to cross at these latitudes, which is why it has a higher risk of coming down here.'
Predictions of Tiangong-1's most likely point of impact come from Aerospace, a US research organisation based in El Segundo, California, that advises government and private enterprise on space flight.
It says the space station will enter the Earth's atmosphere on April 4, give or take a week, and debris will fall no further north than 42.7 N latitude or south of 42.7 S latitude.
These zero probability areas, marked safe as Tiangong-1 does not fly over them, constitute about a third of the Earths total surface area.
At particular risk in the northern hemisphere are northern parts of the US, including Boston, Des Moines, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City.
The Tiangong-1 space station (artist's impression) is hurtling towards Earth carrying a 'highly toxic chemical'. The doomed 8.5-tonne craft is believed to contain dangerous hydrazine
Florence, Italy, Monaco City and Sochi, Russia, are also in the higher risk region.
In the southern hemisphere, other cities which might be affected include Trelew, Argentina, Christchurch, New Zealand, and Sapporo, Japan.
Experts from the European Space Agency (ESA), based in Paris, are among those tracking Tiangong-1, which means 'heavenly palace'.
Their Space Debris Office in Darmstadt, Germany, made a revised re-entry prediction date of March 30 and April 6 in recent days.
This narrows down from their previous estimate of March 29 and April 9.
A TO Z LIST OF ALL THE CITIES IN THE MORE LIKELY TO HIT REGION Name of city Country Name of city Country Barcelona Spain Milwaukee USA Beijing China Monaco Monaco Bilbao Spain Naples Italy Boise USA New York USA Boston USA Nice France Boulder USA Philadelphia USA Buffalo USA Pittsburgh USA Cannes France Punta Arenas Chile Chicago USA Rochester USA Christchurch New Zealand Rome Italy Cleveland USA Salt Lake City Spain Concord USA San Sebastian Spain Des Moines USA Sapporo Japan Detroit USA Sioux Falls USA Florence Italy Sochi Russia Istanbul Turkey Stanley Falkland Islands Kushiro Japan Toronto Canada Madrid Spain Trelew Argentina Marseilles France Valladolid Spain
Exactly where it will hit is slightly harder to predict.
Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Lewis added: 'We cant say precisely where as we dont know which orbit it will come in on. At this point in time its very difficult to say.
'If you take how far in advance you make your prediction, the rule of thumb for error is around 10 per cent.
'At the moment, that's roughly 10 days, or 160 possible orbits.
'If we were to predict again with a week to go, this would narrow to less than one day, or 16 possible orbits.
'My expectation is that what little of the craft survives the atmosphere will impact the ocean.'
Agencies around the world have been monitoring the doomed craft's descent. Experts from the European Space Agency give a current estimate of between March 30 and April 6 for re-entry (pictured)
The new estimate (pictured) narrows down from the ESA's previous estimate of March 29 and April 9
While most of the satellite will burn up during re-entry, around 10 to 40 per cent of it is expected to survive as debris and some parts may contain dangerous hydrazine.
In recent months, the spacecraft has been speeding up and it is now falling by more than 6km (3.7 miles) a week. In October it was falling at 1.5km (0.9 miles) a week.
'Every couple of years something like this happens, but Tiangong-1 is big and dense so we need to keep an eye on it', Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist from Harvard University told the Guardian.
'It is only in the final week or so that we are going to be able to start speaking about it with more confidence.
'I would guess that a few pieces will survive re-entry. But we will only know where they are going to land after after the fact.'
Website Satflare, which provides online 3D tracking of more than 15,000 satellites, has calculated what it thinks are the chances of the space station entering the atmosphere during the next three months.
Aerospace Corp, a US non-profit corporation which provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions, says Tiangong-1 will re-enter the planet's atmosphere on April 4, give or take a week
Aerospace Corp has also issued its own forecast over the likelihood of being hit by falling debris - about one million times smaller than the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot. On this re-entry prediction graph, dotted lines indicate dates of probable orbital manoeuvres
According to its analysis of orbital elements gathered during the last months, the re-enter may occur in March (20 per cent), in April (60 per cent) or in May 2018 (20 per cent).
These predictions may also change as new orbital measurements become available.
Aerospace Corp has also issued its own forecast over the likelihood of being hit by falling debris.
In a written statement, a company spokesman said: 'When considering the worst-case locations, the probability that a specific person will be struck by Tiangong-1 debris is about one million times smaller than the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot.
'In the history of spaceflight, no known person has ever been harmed by reentering space debris.
'Only one person has ever been recorded as being hit by a piece of space debris and, fortunately, she was not injured.'
On September 14, 2016, China made an official statement predicting Tiangong-1 would reenter the atmosphere in the latter half of 2017.
WHAT IS THE 'HIGHLY TOXIC' CHEMICAL ONBOARD CHINA'S TIANGONG-1 SPACE STATION? A 'highly-toxic' corrosive chemical could land on Earth when parts of an out-of-control Chinese space station crash into our planet. The chemical, called hydrazine, is used in rocket fuel and long-term exposure is believed to cause cancer in humans. It is being carried aboard the Tiangong-1 space station which is hurtling towards Earth. The warning over exposure to the chemical came from Aerospace Corp, a non-profit corporation based in El Segundo, California, which provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions. Hydrazine is a colourless, oily liquid or sometimes white crystalline compound with a very highly reactive base. A 'highly-toxic' corrosive chemical could be spread over the planet when a Chinese space station crashes to Earth, experts have warned. The substance, called hydrazine, is used in rocket fuel and is believed to cause cancer in humans (stock image) It has a number of industrial, agricultural and military uses, including in rocket fuel. Symptoms of short-term exposure to high levels of hydrazine include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, dizziness, headache, nausea, pulmonary edema, seizures, and coma, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Long-term exposure can also damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system in humans. The liquid is corrosive and may produce dermatitis from skin contact in humans and animals. Increased incidences of lung, nasal cavity, and liver tumours have been observed in rodents exposed to hydrazine. The EPA has classified hydrazine as a Group B2, a probable human carcinogen. Advertisement
The Tiangong-1 spacecraft launched in 2011, with the aim of using the craft to set up a larger space station.
The craft is now at an altitude of less than 300 kilometres (186 miles) in an orbit that is decaying, forcing it to make an uncontrolled re-entry.
Holger Krag, head of ESA's Space Debris Office, said: 'Owing to the geometry of the station's orbit, we can already exclude the possibility that any fragments will fall over any spot further north than 43N or further south than 43S.
'This means that re-entry may take place over any spot on Earth between these latitudes, which includes several European countries, for example.
Website Satflare has calculated odds of re-entry in March (20 per cent), in April (60 per cent) and in May 2018 (20 per cent)
WHAT IS THE TIANGONG-1 SPACE STATION? The vehicle is 10.4 metres long and has a main diameter of 3.35 metres. It has a liftoff mass of 8,506 kilograms and provides 15 cubic metres of pressurised volume Tiangong-1 is China's first Space Station Module. The vehicle was the nation's first step towards its ultimate goal of developing, building, and operating a large Space Station as a permanent human presence in Low Earth Orbit. The module was launched on September 29, 2012. Tiangong-1 features flight-proven components of Chinese Shenzhou Spacecraft as well as new technology. The module consists of three sections: the aft service module, a transition section and the habitable orbital module. The vehicle is 10.4 metres long and has a main diameter of 3.35 metres. It has a liftoff mass of 8,506 kilograms and provides 15 cubic metres of pressurized volume. Advertisement
'The date, time and geographic footprint of the re-entry can only be predicted with large uncertainties.
'Even shortly before re-entry, only a very large time and geographical window can be estimated.'
Much of the spacecraft is expected to burn up in the atmosphere upon re-entry.
But owing to the station's mass and construction materials, there is a possibility that some portions of it will survive and reach the surface.
In the history of spaceflight, no casualties due to falling space debris have ever been confirmed.
The Chinese space agency has been tracking the space station (pictured before it was launched in 2011), and vowed to issue warnings if there are any potential collisions imminent. But not everyone is convinced by this
A major car crash has taken place Tuesday at around 9am, on an interstate highway in Russia.
March 20, 2018, 12:57 Armenia passenger van involved in major crash in Russia, there are dead and injured
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 20, ARTSAKHPRESS:A passenger van and a truck have collided, informed the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Armenia.
Drivers of the two vehicles have died, and there are injured.
According to shamshyan.com, there are eight victims.
The passenger van is registered under a company in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.
The MES Center for Crisis Management and Rescue Service are ascertaining the circumstances behind this accident, with their Russian counterparts.
This International Day of Happiness, consider giving up Facebook once and for all.
According to a new study from the Happiness Research Institute, giving up the popular social networking site may actually contribute to one's personal joy.
Gadgets 360 reported that researchers in Denmark took a group of 1095 volunteers, 94 per cent of whom said they visit Facebook daily, and divided them into two groups.
Quitting Facebook may contribute to your happiness, according to a new study from Denmark
One group carried on using Facebook as normal, while the other gave up checking the site for the duration of the week-long experiment.
By the end, 88 per cent of the group that quit using Facebook said they felt 'happy'. They also described feeling more enthusiastic, less lonely, less worried and more decisive, according to the study.
'After a few days, I noticed my to-do list was getting done faster than normal as I spent my time more productively. I also felt a sort of calmness from not being confronted by Facebook all the time,' Sophie Anne Dornoy, a volunteer in the study, said.
The non-Facebook users spent more time with their families in person and had an easier time concentrating, as well.
Researchers found that people who use Facebook often can begin to feel anxiety related to envy toward their Facebook friends from looking at their posts.
The authors of the study wrote: 'Instead of focusing on what we actually need, we have an unfortunate tendency to focus on what other people have.'
So what do you need to know about Facebook?
International Day of Happiness
International Day of Happiness is celebrated worldwide on March 20. The idea came from Jayme Illien, a well-known philanthropist, activist, and United Nations special adviser.
The goal of the celebration is to inspire others and push for happiness globally.
Day 2 of my post-deletion, Facebook-free life and it feels quite nice. Jamie O'Grady (@JamieOGrady) March 20, 2018
Illien introduced the idea to United Nations officials in 2011. He successfully campaigned and the day was added to the U.N. calendar.
The International Day of Happiness website encourages revelers to share happy moments on social media, invite kids to do things like stay active to promote happier, healthier lifestyles, and more.
How to quit Facebook
Quitting Facebook can be as simple as simply not logging in anymore, but if you find the allure of your unused account too strong, you can go the extra mile and deactivate the account.
To deactivate Facebook, you need to log in to your account and go to the drop-down menu in the top right corner of the page. Select 'Settings' from the menu and then click 'General'.
we are downgrading Facebook to "delete your account" StockCats (@StockCats) March 20, 2018
From there you'll need to select 'Manage account', where you'll see the option to deactivate your Facebook account. After clicking, Facebook will ask your reason for leaving. After you provide that information, Facebook will ask once more that you're certain you want to deactivate your account. Click 'yes' and you're free.
Deactivation can be reversed at any time, should you decide you'd like to return to the site at a later date.
How to delete Facebook
So you've quit Facebook, but the app is still sitting on your phone tempting you to return. No need to cave in deleting the app is also easy.
If you're an iPhone user, simply hold your finger over the icon until all of your apps begin to shake. An 'X' will be visible in the top corner of the icon. Click it and send the Facebook app packing.
A new way to think about money for the #InternationalDayOfHappiness. pic.twitter.com/xx2o7y6sYw Book Week Scotland (@BookWeekScot) March 20, 2018
Android users, fear not. Deleting Facebook off android devices only requires that you go into settings, open your application manager and select Facebook.
Once you click uninstall you can enjoy your Facebook-free life.
How to unfriend someone on Facebook
If you're not quite ready to quit Facebook, deleting people who bring undue stress into your life via the social network is a great place to start.
Deleting friends on Facebook is a relatively quick and painless process.
We're gonna spend the morning arguing over the definition of a "breach" but what i want to hear is that Facebook values my privacy as much, or more, than I do (@hunterwalk) March 17, 2018
Click onto the person's page and locate the Friends button, which should appear somewhere opposite their profile picture. A menu will appear with several options, including unfriend.
Select it and you'll then be asked if you're certain you're ready to part ways with this person. After clicking yes, you'll never see another update from them again.
How to block someone on Facebook
Blocking people on Facebook is another way to rid your timeline of people that stress or upset you. To do it, click the question mark at the top right of any page on Facebook and select privacy shortcuts.
From there, click 'How do I stop someone from bothering me?' and enter the name of the person in question. After you've entered their name, click 'block'.
Trainee guide dog Marlon did not get the memo about it being #InternationalDayOfHappiness
[Photo shows trainee guide dogs Diesel, Marlon and Jinny looking to camera. Marlon looks disinterested] pic.twitter.com/177NejPzgd Guide Dogs (@guidedogs) March 20, 2018
A list will appear and you'll need to click 'block' once more. You can also block someone on Facebook by clicking block in the '...' menu located under their profile photo.
Facebook Cambridge Analytica
Last week, Facebook suspended Cambridge Analytica, a data consulting company, for collecting data on users potentially millions of them without consent, the Washington Post reported.
The company worked with Donald Trump's campaign.
While the outlet reports that FarmVille, Tinder and even political consultants from President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign used similar tactics to harvest information and understanding about people's relationships and preferences, Cambridge Analytica broke the rules.
Google knows way more about you than Facebook, they just havent given it away yet. Eric L. Barnes (@ericlbarnes) March 20, 2018
They did so by obtaining the data under the farce that they were using the information they collected for academic purposes. Now they're being accused of using the data they collected to influence the 2016 election in favor of Trump.
Although Cambridge Analytica has been barred from buying any more ads on Facebook, they're said to still be in possession of the information they harvested.
Facebook fake news
After the 2016 election, Facebook came under investigation about potential Russian interference, according to Recode. The social network admitted that it sold more than $100,000 worth of ads to Russian propagandists, which may have influenced Facebook users to vote one way or another.
Facebook also admitted that users rigged their News Feed algorithm to spread false information throughout the election. Trump later claimed in a tweet that, 'Facebook was always anti-Trump', which prompted a response from Mark Zuckerberg.
Facebook was always anti-Trump.The Networks were always anti-Trump hence,Fake News, @nytimes(apologized) & @WaPo were anti-Trump. Collusion? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2017
The Facebook CEO said: 'Trump says Facebook is against him. Liberals say we helped Trump. Both sides are upset about ideas and content they don't like. That's what running a platform for all ideas looks like.'
He also initially called the notion Facebook contributed to the election results 'crazy', which he later apologized for: 'Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive.'
Facebook stock price
Facebook stock is currently being bought at $172.56 (123.35) per share.
For employees at one of FedExs shipping hubs in North Carolina, the rise of the machines is occurring right before their very eyes.
A new report by the New York Times has shed some light on the successful test run of five automated tuggers at FedExs Kernersville, North Carolina distribution hub that the company aims to utilize more in the future in its facilities. The news comes just as reports of an explosion were reported at FedExs shipping center in Schertz, Texas, just outside of San Antonio. In recent days, the city of Austin, Texas has been gripped by a series of explosions that officials have described as the work of an unknown serial bomber.
The RT 4500 autonomous tuggers, named Dusty, Lucky, Ned, Jefe and El Guapo, were constructed by Vecna Technologies, an advanced robotics company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. All five have worked with FedEx since 2017 and will eventually replace some 25 jobs in the facility.
FedEx successfully tested five robotic 'tuggers' at a Kernersville, North Carolina facility
FedEx officials have stated that the role of the robotic workers is to complement rather than compete with human employees for jobs at the companys facilities.
I understand people thinking this will take their jobs, the Kernersville shipping centers senior manager Galen Steele said. But over time, they realize that is not the case at all.
Steele also stated that: Everyone will have a job. It just might be in a different place.
FedExs push for automated tuggers at its facilities was reportedly spurred on by the rapid growth of e-commerce in recent years that forced the company to handle and ship out much larger, less traditional items such as canoes and car tires that dont always fit on standard conveyor belts.
Rather than have human employees handle these larger, cumbersome objects, theyre simply loaded onto a robotic tugger and automatically hauled around the shipping facility. New advancements have meant that workers who used to drive around the tuggers now simply have to pack them and press a button that sends the automated hauler on its way as it navigates the facility using cameras and sensors.
The robotic tuggers, while groundbreaking technology in their own right, are simply the latest technological innovation at FedExs Kernersville hub where over 80 per cent of all boxes are transferred around the facility using an automated system of advanced scanners, sorters and conveyor belts that dont require any human employees to run directly.
.@FedEx proves #robots can assist & not replace humans in the workplace. Continue reading to find out how the @VecnaLogistics tuggers help the employees with their jobs! #futureofwork https://t.co/Pz3SKLGJDD pic.twitter.com/Ftck3t4p4t Robert Payne (@RPayneIMAGINiT) March 20, 2018
The test run of the five automated tuggers is just the first step in FedExs plan to roll them out much more broadly. 20 additional robotic tuggers are being tested at the Kernersville facility, according to Geek.com, with the companys ultimate goal being to phase out its existing tuggers and replace them with the fully-automated version at the Kernersville hub. The program, if ultimately successful, may be rolled out to other FedEx distribution centers across the United States.
FedExs Kernersville shipping center spans some 630,000 square-feet (192,024 square meters). The facility employs some 1,300 people and creates approximately 100 new positions every year.
NASA has developed a new instrument to study the sun.
The Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) became fully operational this month, after it was installed on the International Space Station.
TSIS-1 was launched with SpaceX Falcon 9 in December from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
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NASA has developed a new instrument to study the sun. The TSIS-1 was launched with SpaceX Falcon 9 in December, but according to the space agency, it has now become part of the International Space Station. It can be seen getting extracted from the Dragon capsule above
After two weeks it was extracted and integrated onto the International Space Station, where it will remain permanently.
The TSIS-1 was then tested by the University of Colorado Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) for more than two months.
The LASP team first examined the TSIS-1's pointing platform, which directs solar instruments toward the sun, before testing the solar instruments themselves.
A statement from NASA explained the purpose the TSIS-1 will serve.
It said: 'TSIS-1 studies the total amount of light energy emitted by the Sun using the Total Irradiance Monitor, one of two sensors onboard.
'This sensor's data will give us a better understanding of Earth's primary energy supply and provide information to help improve models simulating the planet's climate.
'The monitor first started collecting science data - called "first light" - on January 11th after its doors were opened to fully view the Sun. The sensor extends a 40-year measurement of the sun's total energy to Earth.'
The instrument installed on the ISS directs toward the sun. According to NASA, it operates like a sunflower and follows the Sun from sunrise to its sunset, which occurs every 90 minutes, as shown. At sunset, it rewinds, recalibrates and waits for the next sunrise
The TSIS-1's other sensor, the Spectral Irradiance Monitor, can measure the distribution of the sun's energy over the visible, infrared and ultraviolet light regions.
This is significant because every light wavelength interacts with our atmosphere differently, the NASA statement explained.
It said: 'For instance, spectral irradiance measurements of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation are critical to understanding the ozone layer - Earth's natural sunscreen that protects life from harmful radiation.
'The sensor experienced first light on March 4th when full science data collection began. TSIS-1's Spectral Irradiance Monitor extends a 15-year record of spectral irradiance measurements.'
This diagram explains the role of the TSIS-1, which became fully operational this month and will be used to study the sun
WHAT IS THE EARTH'S 'RADIATION BUDGET?' NASA's Radiation Budget Science Project oversees space-borne instruments measuring reflecting sunlight in addition to thermal radiation that is emitted by earth. 'The Earth's Radiation Budget is a concept used for understanding how much energy the Earth gets from the Sun and how much energy the Earth-system radiates back to outerspace,' a statement from NASA explains. NASA uses instruments to measure reflecting sunlight and thermal radiation that is emitted by earth. File photo There are three basic components of the budget: Earth Emitted Energy, Solar Reflected Energy and Solar Incident Energy. The earth system is comprised of the atmosphere, oceans, the earth's surface and ice mass, and if it retains a higher amount of solar energy than the amount that it radiates to outerspace, the earth will, consequentially, warm up. In contrast, if the earth system receives less energy from the sun than the amount that it radiates to space, earth will cool down. In other words, 'absorbed sunlight raises the Earth's temperature. Emitted radiation or heat lowers the temperature. When absorbed sunlight and emitted heat balance each other, the Earth's temperature doesn't change - the radiation budget is in balance'. Advertisement
For the next five years the TSIS-1 will be operated by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
NASA scientist Dong Wu said that the TSIS-1 has the potential to help researchers learn more about 'the Sun's influence on Earth's radiation budget, ozone layer, atmospheric circulation, ecosystems and the effects that solar variability has on the Earth system and climate change'.
LASP was contracted by NASA to provide the solar irradiance measurements to Goddard Earth Science Data and Information Services Center.
LASP TSIS-1 lead scientist Peter Pilewskie said: 'All systems are operating within their expected ranges. A lot of hard work remains for the team to interpret and validate the TSIS-1 data.'
Toyota has suspended its 'Chauffeur' self-driving car tests on public roads in the US, following the first ever death involving a fully autonomous vehicle.
Citing Sunday evening's tragic incident, in which a Volvo SUV in autonomous mode struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, the firm says it is pausing the program with its test drivers' emotional well-being in mind, according to Bloomberg.
At the time of the crash, a human backup driver was sitting behind the wheel to supervise the self-driving Uber's operations.
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Toyota has suspended its self-driving car tests following the first death involving an autonomous vehicle. Rafaela Vasquez was behind the wheel of the self-driving Volvo SUV which struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg. Police say she stepped in front of it with her bicycle (shown above next to the car)
'Safety driver' Rafaela Vasquez, 44, was riding inside the autonomous vehicle when it fatally struck Elaine Herzberg, 49, on Sunday night.
According to Vasquez, the homeless woman abruptly stepped out in front of the car while it was traveling roughly 40 miles per hour.
While preliminary probes have shown Uber may not be at fault, the firm has since pulled all of its self-driving cars from public testing.
And now, Toyota is following suit.
'Because we feel the incident may have an emotional effect on our test drivers, we have decided to temporarily pause our Chauffeur mode testing on public roads,' Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons told Bloomberg in an emailed statement.
The firm had been doing tests on public roads in Michigan and California, and was even planning to join forces with Uber to further develop autonomous driving technology.
Without citing sources, Japanese business daily Nikkei said last week that the two firms were negotiating a possible deal for Toyota to use Uber's automated driving technology in one of the automaker's minivan models.
The report also claimed Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met with Toyota executives in the US this month.
But, the automaker hadn't yet made a decision on whether it would buy the software, according to Bloomberg.
So far, officials say it doesn't appear Uber is at fault in the accident. The videos have not yet been released.
'The driver said it was like a flash, the person walked out in front of them,' Sylvia Moir, police chief in Tempe, Arizona, told the San Francisco Chronicle .
'His first alert to the collision was the sound of the collision.'
Elaine Herzberg, 49 (pictured), was killed after she was struck by an Uber vehicle in Arizona in the first pedestrian death via a self-autonomous car
Based on the videos, Moir added, 'it's very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode (autonomous or human-driven, based on how she came from the shadows right into the roadway.'
Separately, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in Phoenix said it was awaiting the results of an investigation by Tempe police of the fatality before reviewing whether any charges should be filed.
Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also are investigating the accident.
The death of pedestrian Elaine Herzberg late on Sunday after she was struck by a Volvo sport utility vehicle operating in autonomous mode is the first such fatality for the nascent self-driving car industry.
The death is drawing fresh attention to questions about the safety of autonomous vehicle systems, and the challenges of testing them on public streets.
SELF-DRIVING CARS 'SEE' USING LIDAR, CAMERAS AND RADAR Self-driving cars often use a combination of normal two-dimensional cameras and depth-sensing 'LiDAR' units to recognise the world around them. However, others make use of visible light cameras that capture imagery of the roads and streets. They are trained with a wealth of information and vast databases of hundreds of thousands of clips which are processed using artificial intelligence to accurately identify people, signs and hazards. In LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanning - which is used by Waymo - one or more lasers send out short pulses, which bounce back when they hit an obstacle. These sensors constantly scan the surrounding areas looking for information, acting as the 'eyes' of the car. While the units supply depth information, their low resolution makes it hard to detect small, faraway objects without help from a normal camera linked to it in real time. In November last year Apple revealed details of its driverless car system that uses lasers to detect pedestrians and cyclists from a distance. The Apple researchers said they were able to get 'highly encouraging results' in spotting pedestrians and cyclists with just LiDAR data. They also wrote they were able to beat other approaches for detecting three-dimensional objects that use only LiDAR. Other self-driving cars generally rely on a combination of cameras, sensors and lasers. An example is Volvo's self driving cars that rely on around 28 cameras, sensors and lasers. A network of computers process information, which together with GPS, generates a real-time map of moving and stationary objects in the environment. Twelve ultrasonic sensors around the car are used to identify objects close to the vehicle and support autonomous drive at low speeds. A wave radar and camera placed on the windscreen reads traffic signs and the road's curvature and can detect objects on the road such as other road users. Four radars behind the front and rear bumpers also locate objects. Two long-range radars on the bumper are used to detect fast-moving vehicles approaching from far behind, which is useful on motorways. Four cameras - two on the wing mirrors, one on the grille and one on the rear bumper - monitor objects in close proximity to the vehicle and lane markings. Advertisement
Self-driving cars have been involved in minor accidents, according to reports filed with regulators.
Nearly all of them have been blamed on human motorists hitting the autonomous vehicle.
Arizona has welcomed companies developing self-driving vehicles with a light regulatory touch compared with other states and countries.
On Tuesday, Mark Mitchell, Tempe's mayor, issued a statement saying Herzberg's death 'was tragic,' and added he supports Uber's decision to suspend testing until 'this event is fully examined and understood.'
Mitchell's office said the mayor has not asked other autonomous vehicle companies to suspend testing in the city.
This summer, the US Air Force will begin testing a laser mounted on an F-15 warplane, an official said Monday.
The Pentagon last year awarded a $26 million contract to Lockheed Martin for a laser program called SHiELD (Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator.)
The idea is to put a laser system on aircraft with an output of about 50 kilowatts to test their ability to zap drones or cruise missiles.
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Air Force scientists hope to have a laser that can defeat drones and missiles ready to put on an F-15 by summer 2019. The Pentagon last year awarded a $26 million contract to Lockheed Martin for its development
'We have got tests starting this summer and the flight tests next summer,' Jeff Stanley, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for science, technology and engineering, told reporters.
'There are still some technical challenges that we have to overcome, mainly size, weight, power.'
Military laser beams are invisible to the naked eye.
By focusing a beam on a target, the technology rapidly heats it up inside, causing it to crash or explode.
It comes just weeks after it was revealed that Lockheed Martin is also developing a powerful pair of cannons that can shoot down drones using high energy laser beams.
Under a $150 million contract from the US Navy, the firm plans to develop, manufacture, and test the new weapons by 2020.
The goal is to demonstrate one on land, and the second aboard an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, according to Motherboard.
Lockheed Martin's newest weapons will come under a contract with the US Navy to build a High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with surveillance system, the Department of Defense says.
Under a recent contract, Lockheed Martin will develop the laser weapons for land and for an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. A file photo of tests on another laser, the Navy-sponsored Laser Weapon System (LaWS) is pictured above
The weapons will use as much as 150 kilowatts of power per shot, allowing them to take out, boats, and if upgraded, even missiles, according to Motherboard.
For the latter, however, the system would need to be boosted to 300 kilowatts.
In a recent announcement, the Department of Defense detailed the timeline and some of the requirements for the Lockheed Martin's new contract.
And, while it now stands at $150 million, the contract's value could increase dramatically.
'Lockheed Martin Aculight Corp. will develop, manufacture, and deliver two test units in fiscal 2020 (one unit for DDG 51 FLT IIA, and one for land-based testing),' according to the Department of Defense.
'This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $942,818,114.'
Lockheed Martin is working to develop a high-power fiber laser for fighter jets. Under a $26.3 million contract from the Air Force Research Lab, the firm will design and produce a directed energy system for aircraft, with plans to test it by 2021. Artist's impression pictured
The new High Energy Laser is just the latest effort by Lockheed Martin to harness directed energy for more efficient weapons.
The firm is also working to develop a high-power fiber laser for fighter jets, and has tested similar systems to be mounted on vehicles or fired from the ground.
Under another $26.3 million contract from the Air Force Research Lab, the firm will design and produce a directed energy system for aircraft, with plans to test the technology by 2021.
The move comes after a series of successful tests with similar systems in ground-based platforms but, the experts say developing a laser for a smaller, airborne design will be a challenge.
The AFRL awarded the contract last year as part of its Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator program.
This program includes three subsystems, addressing beam control to direct a laser to the target, a pod mounted on the jet to cool the laser, and the laser itself.
The new laser system would allow fighter jets to take down targets from the air, in contrast to previous systems, which were mounted on vehicles or ships.
'We have demonstrated our ability to use directed energy to counter threats from the ground, and look forward to future tests from the air as part of the SHiELD system,' said Dr Rob Afzal, senior fellow of laser weapon systems at Lockheed Martin.
WHAT IS LOCKHEED MARTIN'S ATHENA LASER? Lockheed Martin's laser is a beam combined fiber laser, meaning it brings together individual lasers, generated through fiber optics, to generate a single, intense laser beam. This allows for a scalable laser system that can be made more powerful by adding more fiber laser subunits. Athena uses Lockheed Martins company's 30-kW Accelerated Laser Demonstration Initiative (ALADIN). Its powered by a compact Rolls-Royce turbo generator. Army bosses hope the radical weapon will give protection against threats such as swarms of drones or large numbers of rockets and mortars. Advertisement
The Laser Advancements for the Next-generation Compact Environments (LANCE) aims to be a high energy laser that can be trained on, and disable, an enemy target.
The LANCE contract will build upon the technology used in other recent projects, including the Athena system and Aladin laser.
'Earlier this year, we delivered a 60 kW-class laser to be installed on a US Army Ground vehicle,' said Afzal.
'It's a completely new and different challenge to get a laser system into a smaller, airborne test platform.
'It's exciting to see this technology mature enough to embed in an aircraft.
'The development of high power laser systems like SHiELD show laser weapon system technologies are becoming real.
'The technologies are ready to be produced, tested, and deployed on aircraft, ground vehicles, and ships.'
The hair-raising footage shows the moment flames burst from the tails of the flying drones one by one before they plummet toward the ground, as the silent attack causes both loss of control and structural failure
Lockheed Martin has released new footage from tests with its laser weapon system, revealing how 'Athena' can deliver an invisible killing blow to take down an enemy drone. In the tests, the prototype weapon successfully shot down five unmanned Outlaw aircraft
In September, Lockheed Martin released footage from tests with its 'Athena' laser weapon system, revealing how it can deliver an invisible killing blow to take down an enemy drone.
In the tests conducted at New Mexico's White Sands Missile Range, the prototype weapon successfully shot down five unmanned Outlaw aircraft.
The hair-raising footage shows the moment flames burst from the tails of the flying drones one by one before they plummet toward the ground, as the silent attack causes both loss of control and structural failure.
Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command conducted the tests in August, using the 30-kilowatt class Advanced Test High Energy Asset (Athena) system.
Athena is a ground-based system that can be mounted atop tanks and other vehicles.
Last month's tests saw Athena up against five Outlaw unmanned drones, each with a 10.8-foot wingspan. Using its advanced beam control technology and fiber laser, it managed to take down all five in an invisible attack from below
But, one day, it could even be installed on military planes, helicopters, and ships.
Back in 2015, the company used the 30kW fiber laser weapon to disable a truck from a mile away.
And, this past March, Lockheed Martin completed the design, development and demonstration of a radical 60 kW laser weapon for the U.S. Army.
In testing earlier that month, the Lockheed Martin laser produced a single beam of 58 kW, representing a world record for a laser of this type.
Army bosses hope the radical weapon will give protection against threats such as swarms of drones or large numbers of rockets and mortars.
As many as one-fifth of people have a condition that causes them to 'hear' silent movements or flashes, according to a new study.
The report from City University London describes an incredibly common form of synaesthesia, a phenomenon that causes unusual sensory experiences.
The specific type examined for the new research affects a significantly large number of people, but less than five percent of people live with the other forms of synaesthesia.
The scientists behind the new analysis think that some people hear silent movement when information from the visual parts of their brains gets 'leaked' to auditory areas of the mind.
Does anyone in visual perception know why you can hear this gif? pic.twitter.com/mcT22Lzfkp Lisa DeBruine (@LisaDeBruine) December 2, 2017
As many as one-fifth of people have a condition that causes them to 'hear' silent movements or flashes, according to a new study. Among the popular examples includes the 'thudding' pylon, which went viral last year (above)
The report described the effect, called visually-evoked auditory response (vEAR) as 'barely known to science', and it claimed vEAR is more common than other types of synaesthesia that cause, for example, sounds to make people see a specific colors.
vEAR, by contrast, leads people who see flashing lights or motion to hear vivid sounds.
The report said: 'The survival of this association may explain links between sound and vision, such as why we like to listen to music synchronized with flashing lights or dance.
'The effect also provides a good way to learn about what's happening in the brain in people with synaesthesia, with vEAR's high prevalence making it easier to investigate the mechanisms behind such cross-sensory perception.'
For the new research, published in Cortex, scientists surveyed 4,128 people online.
The study was the first of its kind to analyze vEAR, and all participants watched 24 video clips that did not feature sound for the research.
The clips depicted non-abstract subjects engaging in 'slow, fast, smooth or sudden movements', the report said.
It continued: 'This included a ballet dancer performing a pirouette and a hammer hitting a nail. The survey also included additional multiple choice questions asking about demographics, experience of vEAR and other traits.'
Twenty-one percent of the participants said they had experienced vEAR before the time of the survey.
Synaesthesia does not negatively impact one's health. Rather, people with the condition tend to perform better on intelligence and memory tests (file photo)
The researchers also came to the conclusion that some abstract visual stimuli that is meaningless can evoke sounds.
The report said: 'It was seen that correspondents who had answered "yes" to experiencing vEAR were specifically sensitive to the pure motion energy present in videos such as swirling or patterns that were not predictive of sounds.
'The researchers also saw that vEAR was associated with phenomena such as tinnitus and also musical imagery. This suggests that physiological factors such as raised cortical excitability in the brain might jointly explain these phenomena.'
The vEAR effect has gained prominence recently because 'noisy GIFs' have become popular on social media.
A tweet from University of Glasgow psychologist Dr Lisa DeBruine that was posted in December went viral as Twitter users reported hearing sounds while watching a silent GIF in the tweet.
Dr DeBruine's tweet was referenced in the new study and cited as a possible reason this particular form of synaesthesia is becoming more widely discussed.
Study author Dr Elliot Freeman said: 'Some people hear what they see. Car indicator lights, flashing neon shop signs and people's movements as they walk may all trigger an auditory sensation.
Researchers from City University London surveyed more than 4,000 people to study a common form of synaesthesia. The condition causes people to have 'unusual' sensory experiences. (file photo)
WHAT IS SYNESTHESIA? Synesthesia causes people to have unusual sensory experiences. For example, people with the condition might hear a certain sound when they see a specific color. Additionally, specific tastes can be elicited by certain words for some people with synesthesia, according to WebMD. The name of the condition comes from Greek roots, and it means to 'perceive together' when translated. Synesthesia is not harmful; the condition does not negatively impact one's health. Rather, some research suggests that people with synesthesia perform better on intelligence and memory tests. The following are combinations of incidents that people with synesthesia can experience: tasting food when hearing or seeing a certain word
tasting food when seeing a certain shape
seeing patterns or shapes when hearing certain sounds
smelling specific scents when hearing certain sounds
tasting food when hearing certain sounds
hearing a sound when feeling an object in your hands Advertisement
'Ours is the first large-scale survey of this ability. We found that as many as 21 percent of people may experience forms of this phenomenon, which makes it considerably more prevalent than other synaesthesias.'
Dr Freeman also said that the researchers believe that the effect might be caused by a 'leakage' that occurs when information from visual parts of the brain gets transferred to areas that are normally devoted to hearing.
'In extreme forms of this cross talk, any abstract visual motion or flashing may be sufficient to trigger the sensation of hearing sounds,' he explained.
Another study author, Dr Christopher Fassnidge, said the study provides a fresh look at people's senses.
'This is an exciting insight into the different ways some of us perceive the world around us. The high prevalence of this phenomenon may make it easier for us to study and better understand the underlying mechanisms in the brain behind such synaesthetic effects. Our findings allow us to begin to build a picture of the types of people who may have this Visual Ear,' Dr Fassnidge said.
Chinese scientists have developed a robot that could be straight out of the Iron Man movies.
The two-legged bot is outfitted with small jet engines that are attached to its feet.
Robotics engineers at Guangdong University of Tech's School of Automation in China strapped two duct fans to the robot's feet which allow it to cross wider distances than it would have been able to previously.
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Robotics engineers at Guangdong University of Tech's School of Automation in China developed a bipedal robot that can cross wide distances, thank to two small jet engines
It also solves a major problem commonly experienced by robot developers.
Most bipedal robots are only capable of making static movements like walking forward in short, controlled steps.
When walking across a challenging terrain, or facing some kind of obstacle that they must step over, things become a bit more challenging and, at times, dangerous.
That's why many robots have been known to fall over when charged with more complex tasks or movements.
Humans are able to twist and contort their bodies in order to keep themselves from falling, while robots don't possess that capability.
But the Chinese robot, called Jet-HR1, isn't likely to fall because the jet engines are able to balance its center of gravity.
The robot, called Jet-HR1, is outfitted with two jet engines that are strapped to its feet. The jets only weigh 232 grams, but they can produce up to 2kg of thrust, according to scientists
Jet-HR1 is just 65cm, or roughly two feet, tall and weighs 6.5kg.
Its jet engines only weigh 232 grams, but they can produce up to 2kg of thrust, which is nearly a third of the entire weight of the entire robot, according to IEEE Spectrum.
So while Jet-HR1 is incapable of flying through the air just yet, the engines still pack plenty of power that allow it to complete more tasks at an even quicker pace.
The bipedal robot Jet-HR1 is just 65cm, or roughly two feet, tall and weighs 6.5kg
In a video, Jet-HR1 can be seen stepping over a large gap that's 37cm wide.
To get over the gap, the robot had to complete a step length that represented 80% of its leg, IEEE noted.
The robot extended a leg first, stretching it all the way to the other side, in a move that almost looks like a split.
Once it's anchored on the other side of the gap, the robot then pushes off with its other leg, which gives it enough momentum to stand up almost completely straight.
In all, it took the robot less than a minute to maneuver the gap, which is much faster than it would have taken previously.
Without the fans, Jet-HR1 would only be able to cross a distance that was 3.5-inches wide, according to Gizmodo.
Assisted by the jet engines, the robot could potentially cross distances that are up to 1.5 feet wide, which is roughly 97% of the robot leg's length.
The researchers believe that the findings could be applied to many robots that face more challenging scenarios, like search and rescue missions.
It could also lead to more futuristic applications, like flying robots powered by jet thrusters -- an image that inspired researchers involved in the latest study.
'We were more or less inspired by science fiction,' Zhifeng Huang, one of the researchers involved in the study, told IEEE.
A video shows the Jet-HR1 crossing a wide gap between two surfaces. It took the robot less than a minute to maneuver the gap, which is much faster than it would have taken previously
WILL HUMANOIDS SOON BE SENT TO SPACE? Currently, Valkyrie (R5) can walk on two legs and perform basic movements, such as holding and manipulating objects. The program is a joint effort between NASA and the University of Edinburgh. NASA hopes to equip Valkyrie - named after the female spirits of Norse mythology - to go to the red planet many years before astronauts are able to make the journey, for pre-deployment tasks and to maintain assets on Mars. Valkyrie's human-like shape is designed to enable it to work alongside people University scientists will seek to improve the robot's handling and walking capabilities, and use Valkyrie's sophisticated on-board sensors to help it make sense of its environment, and improve its manoeuvrability. Researchers will also aim to further develop the robot's ability to interact closely and safely with humans and other machines. Valkyrie's human-like shape is designed to enable it to work alongside people, or carry out high-risk tasks in place of people. They have Iron Man-style glowing chest emblems that contain linear actuators to help with waist movement. Their power source comes from a battery in a backpack that lasts for around an hour. Sensors include sonar and LIDAR, and operators can see what the Valkyries are doing on cameras attached to their heads, arms, abdomens, and legs. R5 is an update to its existing Robonaut, which currently on the 260-mile-high ISS, performing mundane cleaning chores and fetching things for the human crew. Each leg - 4 feet, 8 inches long - has seven joints. Instead of feet, there are grippers, each with a light, camera and sensor for building 3-D maps. NASA engineers based the design on the tether attachments used by spacewalking astronauts. Advertisement
'In fact, we considered this idea two years ago, when we noticed the mobility limitation of humanoid robots when going through rubble and debris in an earthquake aftermath scenario'
'...Thats why we think a new method that enables the robot to maintain a quasi-static balance and produces a less significant impact while it steps over obstacles is necessary'
'And our idea was utilizing the external force of the jets to maintain the balance of the robot,' he added.
Huang noted that the jet propulsion technique could lead to further advancements in how robots are able to jump, teeter on one leg, perform 3D movements and reduce impact during 'dynamic motion.'
With world-famous historic sights on almost every corner plus culture and cuisine to die for, theres a lot to fit in to a trip to Rome. Weve got the lowdown on how to make the most of your stay, how to get there and what to do, from visiting ancient ruins to finding the best places to eat and drink.
A picturesque street in the historic Trastevere district
Where past and present collide
Rome is arguably the most intoxicating city in Europe. Packed with art-filled palazzos, Renaissance architecture and archaeological treasures from the Roman Empire, its inhabitants have left their mark on the Eternal City over more than two millennia. But the Italian capital is more than a living museum. Its a vibrant, noisy, fascinating metropolis. Modern day Rome is full of hip boutiques, hotels and contemporary cultural spaces. Eating, drinking and promenading is elevated to an art form, and whole days are spent in pursuit of la dolce vita.
Most visitors to Rome will have a shortlist of sights they want to see, whether thats the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps or the masterpieces of the Galleria Borghese. But for a truly Roman experience, take as much time to wander the distinctive neighbourhoods as you spend delving into the citys history. Youll find authentic Roman-style pizza in the trattorias of bohemian Testaccio, street art and sizzling nightlife in the medieval squares of Trastevere, and great coffee and vintage stores in Monti.
Getting there and getting around
Rome is served by two airports. The main hub is FiumicinoLeonardo da Vinci, which lies southwest of the city near the coast. Most of the national carriers land here, including British Airways and Alitalia. Southeast of the city, single-terminal Ciampino is mostly used by budget airlines such as Ryanair. Both airports offer straightforward transport links into the city, including express and local trains from Fiumicino and a direct bus from Ciampino. All go to Romes Termini station.
If you have more time, taking the train to Rome is a viable option. The quickest route is via Eurostar to Paris, with connections to Turin or Milan and then onwards to Rome. The journey can be made in under 15 hours visit the Man in Seat 61 or the Trainline website for more information and route options.
Once in the city, getting around is a breeze. Many major attractions are within walking distance of each other but using public transport will save you time. Interchangeable tickets allow you to travel on the metro, buses and trams, with passes for 24, 48 or 72 hours available. Visit the ATAC website for more details.
Nature and architecture in Villa Borghese city park
Where to stay
Rome is awash with accommodation, so whether youre visiting on a budget or splurging for a special occasion, therell be something to suit your needs. Cheaper options range from hip hostels to no-frills hotels, along with simple bed-and-breakfasts within charming small villas. Youll also find numerous mid-range properties, including family-run establishments offering personal service and local knowledge. At the pricier end of the market, Rome is home to umpteen high-end hotels, so you should easily find something to reflect your tastes. Choices include intimate townhouses and cutting-edge design hotels, as well as grand five-star palazzos offering frescoed guest rooms, afternoon tea and butler service.
If you prefer the anonymity and flexibility of self-catering accommodation, consider a home-sharing website like Airbnb or HomeAway. You can book anything from a single room to an entire property, and many are located in interesting residential neighbourhoods where you can get a completely different feel for the city.
Dont miss
Few European capitals are as packed with treasures as Rome. While you wont see everything on a city break, a few days will certainly allow you to savour all the major highlights. The River Tiber bisects the city from north to south, and most of the best-known attractions are on the eastern side, including the Trevi fountain, the Spanish Steps and the iconic landmarks of the Roman Empire. Many travellers base themselves in this central core, which offers easy access to historic sites like the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Its also home to the extraordinary Pantheon rotunda, whose unsupported dome the largest in the world is a masterpiece of Roman engineering.
A short walk from the Pantheon is Piazza Navona, one of the citys loveliest and liveliest squares. Its lined with ornate palazzos and pavement cafes, and plays host to a revolving cast of street performers, portrait painters, gelato sellers and buskers. The sovereign state of Vatican City is across the river, centred around the awe-inspiring St Peters Basilica and its sprawling colonnaded plaza. Heres where youll find some of the most lauded artworks in the world, including Michelangelos Sistine Chapel and works by Caravaggio and Raphael. Just outside, in the neighbouring Borgo district, is the 2nd-century Castel SantAngelo, which offers far reaching views across the city.
Beautiful Piazza Navona in the early morning
Sample Roman cooking at its best
Rome is a paradise for food lovers, whether youre tucking into suppli (fried rice balls) and pizza bianca from a street stall or gorging on gourmet Italian cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant. One of the best ways to experience Romes food scene is on an Eating Italy food tour, where youll visit local markets and specialist delicatessens in neighbourhoods known for their culinary credentials. Try everything from olive oil and buffalo mozzarella to handmade gelato and tiramisu, and make a note of your favourite venues so you can come back and visit in your own time.
Theres an infinite number of mid-range eateries, from casual pizzerias and paninotecas to long-standing trattorias and osterias. Most will offer fixed-price menus at reasonable prices, which normally include two courses and house wine, plus a dessert. If youre only looking for a drink and a quick sit-down snack, try an enoteca (wine bar) as these usually serve a good range of finger foods at the bar, like tramezzini sandwiches or organic cheese and olives.
Dedicated drinkers who want to experience more than just wine will find Romes burgeoning craft beer scene worth exploring. You can now find microbreweries and craft beer pubs dotted throughout the citys trendiest neighbourhoods. Most offer decent selections on tap plus a good mix of bottled beers from around the world.
In terms of a late-night scene, Romes hippest hangouts range from plush hotel bars to underground speakeasies where its more about boozy nightcaps and conversation than wild nightlife. That said, a more upbeat vibe is easy to find, with dance clubs and live music venues drawing energetic visitors and locals alike. Current hotspots include Goa Club and Live Alcazar.
A Rome for all seasons
Rome delivers on every front. Looking for a whistle-stop itinerary with all major highlights included? Consider a walking tour, a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, or a Roma pass which allows you to skip the queues at major attractions. Ancient history buff? Admire the artefacts in the Capitoline Museums or visit the Colosseums underground chambers and follow in the footsteps of gladiators. If youre a committed epicurean, spend the entire time sampling street food specialities, then blow the budget on a night in one of Romes best restaurants. If youve an extra day to spare, you could even squeeze in a side trip to one of the capitals nearby beaches.
One of Prague's best-known tourist attractions is also a vital link between the Old Town and Mala Strana districts, and as such is almost always thronged with people. If you want to appreciate the historic landmark without getting lost in the crowds, stay in one of these great hotels within easy reach of Charles Bridge.
The Four Seasons Hotel Prague is both a five-star luxury hotel and a piece of history
Best for luxury - Four Seasons Hotel Prague
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On the Old Town banks of the Vltava, this five-star hotel offers stunning views of the bridge and Mala Strana. Its architecture is just as lovely, blending neo-renaissance, neo-classical, Baroque and contemporary across four buildings. With its chic Italian restaurant and a spa specialising in traditional Czech thermal bath treatments, the Four Seasons is the perfect choice for those looking to pamper themselves after a day of sightseeing.
Metro: Staromestska
Stay at the iconic Mandarin Oriental and enjoy the city life without the city noise
Best for peace and quiet - Mandarin Oriental
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In a former monastery dating back to the 14th century, this luxury option makes the most of its historic features, with the Baroque cloisters now housing a restaurant, lounge and terrace, and the renaissance-era chapel transformed into a sumptuous wellness centre. Tucked away on a cobbled Mala Strana street just five minutes' walk from the bridge, the Mandarin Oriental is far enough from the tourist hordes to offer some much-needed serenity in the heart of this bustling city.
Tram: Hellichova
Hotel Leonardo offers stunning views of the city
Best for budget - Hotel Leonardo
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If you're planning a low-cost getaway to Prague, this is a fantastic budget choice. Rooms feel elegant and intimate, with original wooden beams that highlight the building's 15th-century origins. In its Platina Restaurant, you can enjoy Czech or international cuisine in the airy courtyard or the art nouveau-inspired interior with its ceiling mural. Charles Bridge and the iconic Old Town Square are both within a five-minute walk.
Tram: Narodni divadlo
Best for seclusion - U Jezulatka
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If you fancy something a little more tranquil, stroll across Charles Bridge from the Old Town side to small strip of land cut off from Mala Strana by a narrow channel of water. This is Kampa Island, a picturesque stretch of historic buildings that is home to the U Jezulatka boutique hotel. Its six rooms have stylish Richelieu furniture and bathrooms with heated floors. In the shadow of Charles Bridge, the hotel is also a short walk from the iconic Lennon Wall.
Tram: Malostranske namesti
Hotel Clementin Old Town is a one-of-a-kind historic building situated between Charles Bridge and Old Town Square
Best for character - Hotel Clementin Old Town
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Less than 12ft (3.5m) wide in places, this characterful option in Prague's narrowest preserved building has an unusual layout and intriguing period features sure to fascinate history buffs, including a 14th-century Gothic cellar. But despite its medieval roots, the Clementin offers all the modern luxuries you'd expect of a four-star hotel.
Metro: Staromestska
Live like royalty during your stay at Charles Bridge Palace
Best for nightlife - Charles Bridge Palace
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Combining contemporary design with period architectural features, this is an undeniably impressive base from which to explore the Czech capital. As its name suggests, Charles Bridge is right nearby; the walk from the hotel to the Old Town Bridge Tower takes less than three minutes. This is also a fantastic location for soaking up the best and busiest of Prague's famed nightlife: Prague Beer Museum renowned for its vast range of ales is just around the corner, and the Karlovy Lazne nightclub is about 300ft (100m) from the hotel's door.
Tram: Karlovy lazne
Hotel Certovka is set in a Baroque building over looking the Vltava River
Best for bookworms - Hotel Certovka
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Named after the man-made channel that divides Kampa Island from the mainland, this Mala Strana hotel is in a beautiful Baroque building that was fully renovated at the turn of the 21st century, bringing a touch of contemporary style. As well as being a stone's throw from Charles Bridge, its a two-minute walk from the Franz Kafka Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into the life and works of the legendary Prague-born novelist.
Tram: Malostranske namesti
Enjoy the cosy luxury of Hotel U Zlateho Stromu
Best for location - Hotel U Zlateho Stromu
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The location of this hotel is hard to beat: step out of the front door and the Old Town Bridge Tower rises up to your left, while the historic Clementinum complex home to the Astronomical Tower and a beautiful Baroque library is directly opposite. Its Restaurant U Zlateho Stromu dishes up Czech and international cuisine, while its Caffe Charles Prague is a relaxing spot for excellent coffee and homemade macaroons.
Tram: Karlovy lazne
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After driving for some time over a run of arid, bumpy dirt tracks, we finally reached the outskirts of Ewaso village in northern Kenya, which is home to the colourful Samburu tribe.
I was being taken to meet a local family by 24-year-old Ambrose Letoluai who I'd met at the nearby Loisaba conservancy, where he works as a wildlife conservationist.
He was keen to introduce me to his grandmother - who lives a traditional way of life with ancient rituals still at the heart of what she does - and show me around the rural, cattle herding community where he grew up.
Ambrose Letoluai welcomed MailOnline Travel's Sadie Whitelocks into his grandmother's home in northern Kenya
Grandma Celine sits by the kitchen area, where a small fire continually burns
On parking up in Ambrose's 4x4, a gaggle of smiling children came to greet us. One had mismatched shoes on, while another little boy had no footwear and an accompanying tiny tot proudly pulled on a string of green beads around his neck.
'This is my grandmother's house,' Ambrose explained, as he ushered me towards a small hut clad with tree branches and bunches of dried grass on the roof.
Immediately, grandma Celine strode out of her home dressed in a beautiful outfit constructed out of lengths of pink cloth and an eye-catching mix of jewellery.
Around her neck she wore a large beaded collar in a rainbow of colour and she had multiple rings through her ears with gaping holes in her lobes.
Ambrose explained that all of the jewellery in Samburu culture has significance.
The bed in grandma Celine's home has been known to sleep up to ten people. Instead of a mattress, there are cow hides stacked up in a pile
Ambrose's uncle is seen perching on the bed, alongside one of the cow hides that he prepared after slaughtering the animal
Ambrose sits next to his grandmother holding a traditional Samburu milk container, which is fashioned out of wood
For instance, the rings in his grandmother's ears indicated that she's married, while longer lengths of beads around her neck showed that she has children who are warriors, also known as 'moran' in Swahili.
Celine (which is the elder's Christian name) ducked inside her hut and reappeared with an axe and dagger.
Ambrose explained that these are the tools she used to build her house with the help of other women in the community and it took them a few months to finish the construction job.
The traditional houses in the Ewaso community feature a wooden skeleton, which is then plastered with cow dung and strengthened with sturdier pieces of wood.
Leaves and foliage are then compressed to build the roof. Ambrose says these natural materials efficiently safeguard the inhabitants from rain during the monsoon season and there are rarely leaks.
After shaking hands with grandma Celine and admiring her jewellery, she welcomed me into her hut.
On walking into the rustic abode and ducking through a small porch, I was hit by the comforting aroma of wood smoke.
All of the jewellery in Samburu culture has significance. For instance, the rings in Celine's ears indicate that she's married, while longer lengths of beads around her neck shows that she has children who are warriors, also known as moran in Swahili
The traditional houses in the Ewaso community feature a wooden skeleton, which is then clad with cow dung and strengthened with sturdier pieces of wood. Above, a house build in progress
Ambrose pointed out that the hut's stove continually smoulders so that they can rustle up meals whenever they please.
I learn that there is no set meal time, and maize is the staple ingredient in most dishes. The Samburu tribe also drinks cow's milk throughout the day and on special occasions they feast on the animal's blood.
Ambrose showed me a traditional milk jug, which looked like a gourd but the vessel was actually made out of wood, of incredible thinness.
Next to the tiny cooking area in grandma Celine's house was the bed which I was invited to sit on.
Instead of a mattress, there were dozens of cow hides stacked on top of each other. They felt a little stiff and prickly to touch - not quite on a par with Egyptian cotton!
Some of the hides had stripes on them, which Ambrose revealed were prepared during ceremonies that see the young Samburu men embark on a path to become village elders.
The first step to gaining social status in the community starts at around the age of 15 when the Samburu men are circumcised. They are then given the title of 'junior moran' or 'warrior'.
To graduate to a senior moran and then on to an elder, they must complete various tasks, including killing a cow and getting married.
The remote village of Ewaso is located next to the Loisaba conservancy in northern Kenya
Ambrose told me he has put this 'coming of age' aspect of his life on hold as he decided to complete his schooling instead.
The nature fanatic completed his secondary education with support from the Loisaba Community Conservation Foundation and went on to graduate from the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute.
When he's not at work at the Loisaba conservancy the Kenyan returns home to stay with his family.
Back at his grandmother's hut, Ambrose pointed to the bed where I was sat. 'This is where the whole family sleeps,' he said.
He continued: 'Sometimes there's up to ten in the bed. Samburu have large families and many of the men have more than one wife. It's easy to lose count of your relatives!'
It was hard to think of ten people being in the tiny house but Ambrose reassured me that it worked okay.
I looked at Celine and she had an intriguing sense of wisdom about her, with twinkling eyes and a bald head. I wanted to ask her more questions but she only spoke Swahili and Ambrose had to translate as we went.
I asked how old Celine was and her grandson replied laughing: 'Grandma has lost count, she doesn't know how old she is. She can tell her children's age but to her, the years don't really matter.'
We bode farewell to Celine and exited the hut.
The visit to Ambrose's family made me ponder what we really need in life.
A roof over our head, a fire warming the room, our family by our side and food in our bellies.
There is an ever-present risk of escalations of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at various levels, says Alexander Iskandaryan, a Yerevan-based political analyst.
March 20, 2018, 15:46 Escalations on Artsakh frontline not absolutely ruled out Armenian analyst
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 20, ARTSAKHPRESS:The April [flare-up] did not come from nowhere: there were experts predicting it. The violence was escalating and reducing starting from 2009-2010. It emerged gradually, with the April events making part of that circle. It was [a result of] Azerbaijans strategy and was not coincidence at all, the analyst said, Panorama.am reported.
Then, it was possible to reduce violence. I would be happy to be mistaken but I think it is not possible to absolutely rule out frontline escalations.
Iskandaryan stressed it is Azerbaijans strategy to combine Karabakh peace talks with border incidents, with the level of tensions stemming from several factors.
In the experts words, large-scale military actions should not be expected at the moment, stating Azerbaijan is not ready for them given the fact that the countrys military budget has cut down by three times.
Iskandaryan states the tools of political pressure used by the OSCE Minsk Group and the super powers are not enough to tackle the conflict, while no other tools are applied.
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London has been named the second-best rated destination in the world and number one in the UK in TripAdvisor's tenth annual Travellers Choice awards for Destinations.
Paris takes the world title this year, with Rome rolling in at third place and Bali bouncing in in fourth. Interestingly, New York, a long-time favourite with travellers worldwide, slips down from fifth in 2017 to tenth place.
The award winners were determined using an algorithm that analyses the millions of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travellers worldwide.
London has been named the second best-rated destination in the world and number one in the UK in TripAdvisor's tenth annual Travellers Choice awards for Destinations
Other global destinations that proved popular with travellers included Crete, Barcelona, Prague, Marrakesh and Istanbul, which came in fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
For the UK category, the north continues to beat the south with six winning destinations.
Edinburgh, Liverpool, York, Glasgow, Blackpool and Belfast take second, third, fifth, sixth, ninth and tenth place respectively.
While in the south of the UK and Channel Isles, London, Jersey, the Isle of Wight and Bath come in first, fourth, seventh and eighth respectively.
Interestingly, New York, a long-time favourite with travellers worldwide, slid down from fifth to tenth place in the TripAdvisor awards. However, in the U.S. category, the Big Apple came out on top
Paris takes the world title this year as the top travel destination. The award winners of TripAdvisor's tenth annual Travellers Choice awards for Destinations were determined using an algorithm that analyses the millions of reviews collected in a single year from travellers worldwide
TRIPADVISOR'S TOP HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS FOR 2018 REVEALED The award winners of TripAdvisor's tenth annual Travellers Choice awards for Destinations were determined using an algorithm that analyses the millions of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions collected in a single year from travellers worldwide. Here are the results for 2018: World top ten 1. Paris 2. London 3. Rome 4. Bali, Indonesia 5. Crete, Greece 6. Barcelona 7. Prague 8. Marrakech, Morocco 9. Istanbul 10. New York City Europe top ten 1. Paris 2. London 3. Rome 4. Crete, Greece 5. Barcelona 6. Prague 7. Istanbul 8. Lisbon 9. Majorca 10. Santorini, Greece UK top ten 1. London 2. Edinburgh 3. Liverpool 4. Jersey 5. York 6. Glasgow 7. Isle of Wight, Hampshire 8. Bath 9. Blackpool 10. Belfast U.S. top ten 1. New York City 2. Maui, Hawaii 3. Big Island, Hawaii 4. Oahu, Hawaii 5. Las Vegas 6. Orlando 7. Chicago, Illinois 8. San Diego 9. San Francisco 10. Key West, Florida Advertisement
In the U.S. category, the state of Hawaii dominated the leader board with Maui, Big Island and Oahu coming in at second, third and fourth place just after New York.
Las Vegas came in at fifth place, with Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco and Key West rounding off the list.
Commenting on this year's Travellers Choice awards for Destinations, TripAdvisor spokesperson Hayley Coleman said: 'This years awards show that the UKs capital is still a firm favourite among global travellers as it maintains its position in the top two destination in the world.'
She revealed that budget-conscious travellers planning to visit one of the top ten destinations in the world should head to Istanbul.
The ancient city of Rome came third overall in the list released by TripAdvisor
Travellers gave Barcelona in Spain top marks for its hotel and restaurant scene, with it scoring sixth place on the global list
The average nightly rates for hotels in the colourful Turkish city come in at 78 on TripAdvisor.
To help travellers plan their next trip to the worlds top ten destinations, the site has identified highly-rated value hotels that cost less than the destination average.
In Turkey, the Dersaadet Hotel Istanbul - which comes in at 72 per night - is recommended, while in in Paris, TripAdvisor suggests the Hotel Bradford Elysees-Astotel, priced at 110 per night over the 166 average.
Over in London, The Piccadilly London West End is put forward as a suggestion, with the 176 price tag more reasonable than the 191 average.
MailOnline Travel would also recommend using the following websites to find great hotels in the destinations that have made TripAdvisor's lists -www.slh.com, www.lhw.com and www.designhotels.com.
For smaller, characterful lodgings, try www.sawdays.co.uk.
Laura Citron the CEO London & Partners, the Mayor of Londons official promotional agency, said she was delighted to hear about the British capital coming out on top.
She concluded: 'Its wonderful to see that visitors continue to be drawn in by Londons extraordinary mix of history and heritage, cutting-edge contemporary culture alongside an array of major events and festivities.
'This year promises another jam-packed programme of blockbuster exhibitions, shows and exciting new openings to tempt visitors of all ages, interests and budgets.'
From leopards staring into the camera lens to bolts of lightning flashing over the Ecuadorian Amazon, these are the incredible winners of the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards.
They are the top shots in the 'open' competition and 'national awards' and come from photographers in the U.S, Australia, Argentina, Cambodia, China, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Subject matter across the photographs could also not have been more diverse, with entrants choosing a variety of stunning landscapes, personal portraits, touching encounters and sporting moments as their inspiration.
One particularly striking shot, taken by Japanese photographer Zhaoting Wu, shows Tokyo bathing in rays of light after being hit by a typhoon.
A more colourful image, taken by Ingrid Vekemans from Belgium, shows a chimpanzee looking very human as it scratches its chin and looks up to the forest canopy in Uganda.
All award winners received a range of cutting-edge photography equipment from Sony. In addition, the winning work will be published in the 2018 Awards book and shown at the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London from April 20 to May 6. In the meantime, here is a selection of the winning images...
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The magical moment a diver and a boat full of tourists had a thrilling close encounter with a 45ft gray whale and her calf in Mexico has been captured on camera.
The thrilling encounter was filmed by diver Andrea Izzotti, 49, who said that he thought the whale's skin would be hard because of their barnacles, but when he touched the adult female's body, he said it was 'incredibly soft'.
The nature lover, from Genoa, Italy, captured the memorable scene last week with his GoPro camera.
This is the magical moment a boat full of tourists come face to face with a huge 45ft gray whale and her calf in Mexico
Touching on the chain of events, the lawyer said: 'I felt really fortunate to witness such an incredible moment, just inches away from the magical creature.
'It was like it was coming up to the surface to say hello to us all.
'To have the opportunity to see something so unique brought tears to my eyes.'
The whale stayed close to the surface for around 10 seconds while tourists gently stroked its body.
Andrea added: 'The mother approached while the calf swam underneath her.
The thrilling encounter, filmed by Andrea Izzotti, 49, shows the impressive mammal coming up to the surface to say hello
Andrea said that he thought the whale's skin would be hard because of the barnacles but when he touched the adult female's body, he said it was 'incredibly soft'
'She allowed the tourists to touch her head for a few moments.
'When it dived back underneath the water to join its calf, I decided to follow them and I'm glad I did.
'I could see their huge mouths and eyes - it was an incredible moment, but over in an instant.'
Andrea was photographing marine wildlife in Baja California, Mexico, where gray whales typically spend three months along the Pacific Coast after giving birth to calves.
The gray whale population in the Pacific is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Intensive whaling has drastically reduced the population, yet those in the Baja California region have an unusual tendency to approach whale-watching boats and allow holidaymakers to touch them and scratch their tongues, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
As a young actress she had more than her fair share of brushes with the law.
But Lindsay Lohan is turning her past wild behavior into a positive, as the new face of Lawyer.com.
The Mean Girls star pokes fun at herself in an advert promoting the free legal resource, in which she directs her fans to seek advice from the site.
'DUIs... let's not pretend I didn't get one!' Lindsay Lohan pokes fun at her past bad behavior as she's unveiled as the face of Lawyer.com
New role: The 31-year-old has been signed up for 12 months by the company
Spokesperson: She will front the website's adverts and promotional material
Talking to camera, the poised and professional redhead tells viewers: 'When Lawyer.com first reached out to me I was confused and a little worried as I thought I was in trouble.'
But Freaky Friday star Lindsay soon came to see the value of the site, which matches those in need with a local lawyer.
She tells her fans: 'I realized Lawyer.com is just about helping people, from getting a DUI... let's not pretend like I didn't get one... or two or three, or some others.'
Starring role: The Mean Girls star pokes fun at herself in an advert promoting the free legal resource, in which she directs her fans to seek advice from the site
Like many a former child star, Lindsay struggled to adjust to her fame as a young adult. She was in and out of court after a series of arrests for driving under the influence, among other offences, even serving a few hours in jail.
A few years on and Lindsay has turned her life around - this year she will return to acting with a recurring role on the British TV series Sick Note - and is obviously keen to turn her prior legal troubles into a positive.
The 31-year-old has been signed up for 12 months by the company, and will front its adverts, website and promotional material. She is also an investor in the website.
Having fun: Lohan lives in Dubai, where the ad was filmed, and was also pictured bonding with the Lawyer.com crew in a behind the scenes video
Back behind the wheel: Lohan joked about her DUI arrests in the new advert
She told DailyMailTV exclusively: 'Its a website to connect people to lawyers in whatever specialized field they are searching for. We shot a bunch of funny adverts for it. We actually filmed all of them in Dubai.'
Laywer.com's CEO Gerald Gorman: 'With Lindsay's help many more consumers can delight in the ease and speed of our services.
'Our team is already benefiting from Lindsay's world class experience and we have many exciting plans for the 12 month engagement.'
And it certainly seems as if Lindsay is enjoying her new job.
In behind the scenes video footage released by Lawyer.com she was seen wearing a turban as she bombed around the sand dunes in Dubai, bonding with her new colleagues.
To see this story on DailyMailTV - check your local listings for today's show at www.dailymailtv.com.
Jump to it: It's clear she was having fun as she jumped from a vehicle
Wheely good fun: In behind the scenes video footage released by Lawyer.com she was seen wearing a turban as she bombed around the sand dunes in Dubai, bonding with her new colleagues
She's expected to cause plenty of drama at the Married At First Sight reunion cocktail party later this week.
But Davina Rankin looked like she didn't have a care in the world on Tuesday, as she relaxed by the pool while on holiday in Byron Bay.
The 26-year-old, who is on a birthday getaway, flaunted her enviable physique in a colourful swimsuit at the luxury Pavilion 2 at Broken Head.
'Woke up in paradise!': Married At First Sight's Davina Rankin flaunted her slender figure in a colourful swimsuit while on holiday in Byron Bay on Tuesday
Davina posed by the pool of her villa wearing a figure-hugging pink, blue and yellow swimsuit, looking out into the distance with a glass of champagne in hand.
The raven-haired model accessorised her holiday look with a beige cap.
She captioned her post: 'Woke up in paradise.'
What drama? As part of the birthday celebrations, Davina also stopped by a local vineyard with her girlfriends
'I never thought that I would not be the centre of attention': It comes after Confidential revealed Davina is 'disappointed' that she is not the main focus of the cocktail party reunion
As part of the birthday celebrations, Davina also stopped by a local vineyard with her girlfriends.
It comes after Confidential revealed Davina is 'disappointed' that she is not the main focus of the cocktail party reunion.
'I never thought that I would not be the centre of attention,' Davina reportedly says during the soiree.
Shockwaves: The reunion, which was filmed just weeks after the final commitment ceremony, will see an attention-starved Davina try to 'stir the pot'
MAFS insiders alleged that Tuesday's episode was 'one of the most explosive filming sessions' and promised there would be 'multiple shockwaves'.
The reunion, which was filmed just weeks after the final commitment ceremony, will see an attention-starved Davina try to 'stir the pot'.
Married At First Sight continues Tuesday night from 7pm on Nine
They started the week in an organized fashion.
Amy Adams and husband Darren Le Gallo were spotted heading into a supermarket for groceries in Beverly Hills on Monday.
The couple, both 43, seemed in no hurry as they fed the parking meter and strolled away from their car.
Getting a jump on the week: Amy Adams and husband Phil Le Gallo were spotted out running errands in Beverly Hills on Monday morning
The actress and her German born actor husband were both casually dressed for their day out running errands.
Amy layered up in a baggy gray sweater that she wore over a dark T-shirt and black cropped leggings plus gray sneakers.
The smiling Justice League star, who plays Superman's love interest Lois Lane, carried a small black bag over her shoulder.
She smoothed her red tresses back into a high pony tail and she protected her eyes from the bright sunshine with a pair of shades.
Happy in each other's company: The pair, both 43, smiled as they strolled along
Laid back look: The Justice League star was casually dressed in a gray sweatshirt that she wore with cropped black leggings and sneakers
Amy walked next to Darren, who was equally laid back in a black hoodie that he wore over a gray T-shirt, khaki cargo pants and black sneakers.
Her handsome husband sported a salt and pepper beard and mustache
The couple first met in an acting class in 2001 and began dating the following year after working together on a short film named Pennies.
They got engaged in 2008 and welcomed daughter Aviana in May 2010. She and Darren finally tied the knot in Santa Barbara, California, in 2015, at Aviana's insistence.
Handsome hunk: Darren, who hails from Germany, was equally casual in a black hoodie that he wore over a gray T-shirt, khaki cargo pants and black sneakers
Trolley dolly: Amy headed for the carts as she and Darren hit up a supermarket
Meanwhile, Amy, who has often thanked Darren for being the primary caregiver in the family, has a busy year coming up with three projects on the go.
She will star in the HBO TV series, Sharp Objects, and the film, Backseat, about Dick Cheney, arguably the most powerful Vice President in history.
Christian Bale will play Cheney with Amy as his wife Lynne, and Sam Rockwell as President George W. Bush. Due out December 21.
She'll also reprise her roles as Giselle in Disney's fantasy comedy, Disenchanted, a follow up to 2008 hit Enchanted, which is in pre-production. It has yet to set a release date.
It's the radio rivalry that has been going on for months.
And Kyle Sandilands took yet another swipe at Em Rusciano on Tuesday, while mocking the 2DayFM host for being overshadowed on her own show.
In December, TV presenter Grant Denyer joined Em's breakfast show, which is now called Em, Grant & Ed and Kyle said it's strange that the Family Feud host is front and centre in all promos.
Taking a swipe: Kyle Sandilands (L) took yet another swipe at Em Rusciano (R) on Tuesday, while mocking the 2DayFM host for being overshadowed on her own show
'It must be the Grant Denyer show now!' he laughed on the Kyle and Jackie O show.
'I was surprised to see an advert up... because they've got no money.
He continued: 'It's been five years since we left there and they've had terrible ratings since we left.'
Overshadowed: In December, TV presenter Grant Denyer (C) joined Em's breakfast show, which is now called Em, Grant & Ed and Kyle said it's strange that the Family Feud host is front and centre in all promos
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to 2DayFM for comment.
Em and Grant are joined by former Triple M breakfast host Ed Kavalee on the morning show, which scored a ratings boost last week.
But with just 3.4 per cent of the Sydney breakfast radio market, 2Day FM is still well behind The Kyle and Jackie O Show - despite KIIS 106.5 dropping by 2.1 per cent.
In January, Kyle and Jackie O took yet another stab at their radio rivals on-air.
The KIIS FM hosts rewarded a caller who inadvertently dissed rival 2DayFM during a game of Five in 10, years after the duo abruptly left the network.
Cheeky jab: In January, Kyle and Jackie O took yet another stab at their radio rivals on-air
'In 10 seconds, name five breakfast shows that have been on 2DayFM since we've left,' Jackie said on the Kyle and Jackie O show drawing laughter from co-host Kyle.
The listener candidly replied: 'I don't even listen to 2DayFM. I only listen to you guys, I have no idea ... I'm a KIIS girl.'
Jackie then offered her a gift for her favourable response.
'Oh geez, I feel like just giving you the prize for that alone,' Jackie O replied - with Kyle adding his approval, 'I'm down.'
Jackie said: 'The fact that she didn't even know one ... it's all yours.'
It comes months after 2DAY FM's Em Rusciano slammed Kyle in an open letter on Facebook.
In a post that began 'Dear Kyle Sandilands,' Em slammed the shock jock and said karma would come back to bite him, after he labelled his radio rival's latest ratings 'disgraceful,' before offering to buy the ailing network for $20.
War of words: It comes two months after 2DAY FM's Em Rusciano slammed Kyle in an open letter on Facebook
The second last radio ratings for 2017 revealed that The Em Rusciano with Harley Breen Show dropped to 2.9% of the market.
At the time Kyle didn't hold back in slamming Em's show: 'It was on a 3.3%, which was (already) disgraceful.'
'They're terrible ratings. You can't make $1 with that rating. They're now down to 2.9% of the market.'
'2Day FM, I'll buy your licence for $20. I offered a million dollars recently, I'm now offering $20,' he concluded.
In a feud that has gone back-and-forth for months, Em decided that enough was enough.
'Dear Kyle Sandilands,' she began her Facebook post, 'I sold out the Opera house in 20 minutes last week, indeed my whole national tour sold out.'
'My audio book is number one in the country, and my radio show has twice the engagement levels online than yours does.'
'$20': It comes after Kyle, 46, labeled his radio rival's latest ratings (which saw them drop even further) as 'disgraceful,' before offering to buy the ailing network for $20
Referencing his brutal words directly, she continued: 'I don't feel humiliated or pathetic in any way shape or form.'
'The radio ratings will come, and the fact that you keep mentioning me on your show proves that you know it too..'
'All the best buddy, Em.'
Sold out! 'Dear Kyle Sandilands,' she began her Facebook post, 'I sold out the Opera house in 20 minutes last week, indeed my whole national tour sold out'
The marriage of Today show weatherman Steve Jacobs and his wife Rosie was on the rocks even before their much publicised move to Vanuatu in late 2016, friends claim.
Friends of the couple have told Daily Mail Australia that the decision to take their two young daughters overseas was a final attempt at saving their marriage of eight years.
'I think there were a few people who sensed something was up when they moved to Vanuatu,' a friend said.
'The sea change was basically a last ditch attempt to make things work, but it wasn't to be unfortunately.'
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Rosie Jacobs (left) has begun dating Canadian commando soldier Dylan Nash (right) following her split from Today show weatherman Steve
Steve (right) and Rosie (left) have called time on their marriage of eight years, it was revealed over the weekend
Rosie is now dating Dylan Nash (pictured), who she met while he was working with a Port Vila-based company, having previously fought the Taliban in Afghanistan
News of Steve and Rosie's separation made headlines on the weekend, months after they officially called time on their marriage in late 2017.
Daily Mail Australia revealed on Monday that Channel 7 presenter Rosie, 39, has since begun dating Canadian soldier Dylan Nash, who she met through friends in Vanuatu.
Rosie and Mr Nash are understood to have met in Port Vila, where he was working up until last month. The pair were pictured posing next to each other in a recent photo.
A Port Vila resident, where the Jacobs' moved in late-2016, said Rosie had 'become friendly with Mr Nash in the months since she split from Steve'.
'Rosie and Dylan were introduced through mutual friends towards the end of the year and struck up a friendship,' the friend said.
'They've been dating for a few months now and he has been rock solid support for her ever since the split.
'He's an exceptional human being and they're understandably taking things slow, but Rosie is over the moon.'
The Jacobs', who share two young girls, have not posted photos online together for a number of months and no longer follow one another on Instagram.
A source told Daily Mail Australia that Rosie (pictured) 39, has began dating Mr Nash in the months after she split from Steve, 51
After doing a tour of Afghanistan with the Royal Marine Commandos, Mr Nash (pictured) went on to work as a private security contractor in Afghanistan and North Africa
On one Instagram photo he wrote: 'Throwing back to my second tour to Afghanistan in 2008... the picture was taken shortly after a contact with the Taliban'
Rosie and Steve's move to the Pacific Island nation came in a bid to increase the time spent with their two young daughters.
THE JACOBS' FROM GO TO WHOA: 1989: Steve Jacobs marries wife Alison 2007: Rosie meets Steve while working on the Today show 2009: Steve separates from first wife Alison 2010: Steve and Rosie marry in Bali 2011: The couple welcome their first daughter Isabella in May 2013: Francesca, Steve and Rosie's second daughter, is born in April 2016: The couple move to Vanuatu in a 'last ditch effort to save their marriage' 2018: Steve and Rosie separate after eight years of marriage Advertisement
But the two have continued to regularly travel overseas, with Steve working in a part-time role with Weekend Today and Rosie for Channel 7 program Sydney Weekender.
On Instagram, Mr Nash details a tour of Afghanistan with the Canadian Royal Marine Commandos and says he then went on to work as a private security contractor.
On one Instagram photo he wrote: 'Throwing back to my second tour to Afghanistan in 2008... the picture was taken shortly after a contact with the Taliban'.
Leaving his full-time role with the Today show after 12 years, Steve continued on in a position with Weekend Today since moving to Port Vila.
At the time, he tearfully told his long-time friend Karl Stefanovic the move was what he and his family needed.
At the time of leaving his role with the Today Show after 12 years, Steve tearfully told his long-time friend Karl Stefanovic the move was what he and his family (pictured) needed
The pair welcomed their first daughter Isabella in 2011 and their second Francesca in April 2013
'For the past 12 years, I haven't been able to wake up once with my wife, haven't been able to get the kids to daycare,' Steve said.
The pair met on Today in 2007, where Steve was a star weatherman and Rosie one of the breakfast show's producers.
In 2010, after Steve finalised his divorce to wife of two decades Alison, he and Rosie tied the knot in Bali.
The pair welcomed their first daughter Isabella in 2011 and their second Francesca in April 2013.
Steve has put the couple's family home up for sale, which further fueled speculation about the breakup.
The Coogee home, located in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is listed for sale and is set to fetch between $4million and $4.4million.
The pair met on Today in 2007, where Steve (right) was a star weatherman and Rosie (left) one of the breakfast show's producers
The Jacobs' have put their four-bedroom home in Coogee (pictured) up for auction in April
The home has ocean views, a main bedroom with an ensuite, and a studio above the garage
The couple purchased the four-bedroom home in 2011 for $2.55million and had been renting it since moving to Vanuatu.
Featuring a modern design, the home has ocean views, a main bedroom with an ensuite, and a studio room above the garage.
Ballard Property Group Double Bay has listed the property for auction on April 7.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Rosie and Steve for comment, and also Mr Nash.
Made In Chelsea is increasingly beginning to resemble the Labour Party.
A theory that admittedly sounds absurdly implausible - like everything else about this programme.
But the second episode of the 2018 season confirmed that after fourteen series celebrating moral emptiness, change was taking place - from within.
Revolutionary: Made In Chelsea is increasingly beginning to resemble the Labour Party. A theory that admittedly sounds absurdly implausible - like everything else about this programme
This was thanks to a revolutionary faction of Corbynista-esque new members who had infiltrated the cast and were now attacking the old guard and actively decrying the stupidity of the storylines. Even the ones they were involved in.
This is not fun at all! Melody protested for example.
This is one of the most ridiculous situations Ive ever been involved in!
Welcome to MIC baby! viewers cried in the manner of Proudlock, Sam, Jamie et al.
Drama: The second episode of the 2018 season confirmed that after fourteen series celebrating moral emptiness, change was taking place - from within
The rebels were women mostly (outspoken non-blondes like Mimi, Melody, and Melissa), supported by modern/metrosexual men such as James Taylor and Muscle Mary gym bunny Ryan Libbey.
Their leader was Sophie Habboo, or Habbs as shes known by her followers, who completed a memorable hat trick on the night humiliating three of the shows most prominent, misogynistic, dinosaurs: Alik Fonzarelli-Alfus, Harry Dick Dastardly Baron, and Jamie Sex Pest Laing.
Made In Chelsea has spent fourteen seasons showing characters obliging when ANYONE has asked them on a date.
So no wonder Alik Alfus looked confused at Habbs response when he complimented her for looking lovely and said hed like to take her out for dinner despite the fact he resembled a 1970s Neanderthal/Medallion Man with his shirt buttons undone to reveal his hairy chest and he used the tragic chat-up line: I am single and ready to mingle!
Putting the boys to shame: Their leader was Sophie Habboo, or Habbs as shes known by her followers, who completed a memorable hat trick on the night humiliating three of the shows most prominent, misogynistic, dinosaurs: Alik Fonzarelli-Alfus, Harry Dick Dastardly Baron, and Jamie Sex Pest Laing
I can help you! Habbs responded commendably, taking pity on him, and offering to assist his search for a woman dumb (and orange) enough to replace Louise Thompson.
As for Harry Baron, Habbs branded him a slimeball when Frankie Gaff revealed hed sexted her from the airport as he was going on holiday with Melissa.
Urgh! That makes me feel sick! Habbs gasped.
When Harry denied it in front of his girlfriend Habbs then eviscerated him with the ruthless expertise of a QC at the Old Bailey.
Maybe its got twisted, she nodded. Have you ever texted anything inappropriate to Frankie?
Making a change: Made In Chelsea has spent fourteen seasons showing characters obliging when ANYONE has asked them on a date
No! blustered Baron.
Do you think he has? she put it to Frankie, leaving her choice but to tell Mel the truth.
Thats so gross! cried Melissa but without bringing herself to break up with him.
It was almost as if in the wake of the MeToo campaign, the show had shifted its position and was now taking the view that male stars like Harry and Alik were the sleazy sexist pigs wed always thought they were. Ryan and Habbs both mocked Alik with (suitably appalling) impressions and Harrys next indiscretion prompted Louise to join in the condemnation.
Thats just vulg-urgh! she sneered, trying to sound as posh as the other gals. Thats a filth-air thing to sair.
It was difficult to see how you could argue that calling your ex- at 4am and telling her Im feeling horny and have a hard on was being misconstrued and completely exaggerated in the wrong way.
Rightly so: It was almost as if in the wake of the MeToo campaign, the show had shifted its position and was now taking the view that male stars like Harry and Alik were the sleazy sexist pigs wed always thought they were
But impressively Harry gave it a try.
It was completely innocent. If a friend calls you at 4am then you call them back! he insisted nobly, before undermining his case somewhat by acting like a cross between a 7 year-old boy and Basil Fawlty.
Do you know what Im going to do?! Ill just not speak to any girls ever! he whined. It only gets misinterpreted the wrong way. Ill probably speak to my mum the wrong way. Somebody will be like Oh my god Harry Baron is chatting up his own mum!
It would sound ridiculous from anyone but frankly you wouldnt put it past him.
As for Jamie Laing, when the series resident lovable joker complained that Habbs hadnt said a good word to Melody about him she explained simply: there are no good things to say about you. If I was in Melodys position I would be thinking: this guys an a**ehole!
Weve been waiting for a girl on the show to tell him this for years.
Viewers werent alone in finding last weeks storyline about Jamie and Melodys bourgeoning romance confusing considering they hadnt slept together and Jamie said he didnt fancy Melody something of a first.
Confusing: Viewers werent alone in finding last weeks storyline about Jamie and Melodys bourgeoning romance confusing considering they hadnt slept together and Jamie said he didnt fancy Melody something of a first
James asked Melody if the relationship was a serious thing? and Frankie said she found it all weird.
The great thing is, its like a holiday romance on your doorstep! Its literally the best of both worlds ! Jamie enthused nonetheless to Proudlock Proudlock Proudlock III, ignoring the fact that one of the worlds (the romance itself) was literally missing.
I did not come here to visit you! Melody corrected Jamie. I literally come here all the time. I was excited that that I was going to spend more time with you because I thought you were a very fun person. But not anymore!
Jamie tried to explain that he had told everyone he didnt fancy her because when hed felt trapped and very claustrophobic about Melody staying in London.
But I am not your girlfriend. We have not got anywhere near that! raged Melody. So why the f**k would I move countries for you?! Honestly if you think that, your head must be so far up your arse you can probably smell your peroxide!
Ouch!
Her final shot at one of the series central figures (why cant you behave like a normal functioning member of society?!) surely symbolised a sea-change.
It was like one of Made In Chelseas oldest statues being toppled by the masses.
Fuming: But I am not your girlfriend. We have not got anywhere near that! raged Melody. So why the f**k would I move countries for you?!
Here are 15 more great moments from Episode Two.
1. Habbs impersonation of Alik Alfus
- Not remotely American - just in her own posh English voice but still brilliant
2. Ryan The Ry-Man impersonation of Alik Alfus (Hey you guys !)
- Almost as bad as Aliks Dick Van Dyke-esque attempts to do a Cockney accent but still brilliant
3. How were you attracted to that for two years?!
- Ryan enjoying mocking girlfriend Louise Thompson even more than Alik Alfus
4. Wait. I adapt to the people Im with ?!?
- Ryans understandable concern over Louises explanation for being with Alik Alfus
5. Id rather just look at the cars than talk about this to be honest
- Ryan to Louise about Alik Alfus and Louise endlessly reminiscing about the history between them. To be honest Ryan wed rather look at you looking at cars than listen to them
6. OK fine ! Are we going to re-hash it all again?
- Louise Thompson, also becoming bored by Alik Alfus droning on about their relationship
7. Youre basically a chauffeur. We can get a little cap for you !
- Louise Thompson, managing to patronise her boyfriend even though everything about her is little compared to The Ry-Man
8. That would be great. We can wing-man each other !
- Habbs giving Alik Alfus him the brush-off turning him asking her out to dinner into an offer of help finding him someone else. Definitely preferable
9. I do feel sorry for him because its not his fault hes the way he is !
- Louise defending Alik Alfus to Ryan, meaning its not his fault that he still loves me ! Who wouldnt?!
10. Whos going to this party?
- Harry Baron to Olivia about Digbys birthday bash. WHO DO YOU THINK?! The same people as every other party on MiC the cast and literally no one else !
11. Mimi is saying all these awful things to you. Im not shifting the blame, but she clearly is
- Harry Baron defending himself to girlfriend Melissa. No, you clearly are Harry
12. Im not going to promise. Im going to deliver. I wont let you down. I love you !
- Harry Baron appeasing Melissa by trotting out his new default seduction line
13. I just think coming over here and then extending her stay She must have quite strong feelings for him !
- Toff, as if the only reason Melody could possibly want to stay in London was JAMIE LAING !
14. What if moving in together ruins us?
- Olivia Bentley worrying about her relationship with Digby. Not really a concern given that it barely existed in the first place and no-one cares about them anyway
15. I definitely remember your character Alik. Im not an idiot
- Louise Thompson.
Discuss.
He touched down in Sydney on Monday ahead of his first Australian tour in more than 18 years.
And country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus says his large family loves making the trip Down Under, including his pop star daughter Miley Cyrus.
Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie 'O' Show on Tuesday, he said: 'She loves Australia!'
'She loves Australia!' Billy Ray Cyrus has addressed rumours his pop star daughter Miley could appear on stage as part of his current Australian tour
Miley, who is the fiancee Australian actor Liam Hemsworth, often visits Byron Bay with her hunky Hunger Games star beau.
Billy Ray's first tour in Australia in 18 years kicks off at The Palms at Crown, in Melbourne, before heading to the Hunter Valley and wrapping up at Brisbane on March 25.
According to The Herald Sun, Miley is expected to join her father on stage midway thorough the tour in the Hunter Valley on March.
'I think she's in LA right now, but you just never know': Billy Ray kept tight-lipped on whether Miley would join him on the tour, but said it was possible
KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands asked Billy Ray if the rumours were true: 'I heard maybe Miley is going to join you on this?'
'Ah, you never know... I think she's in LA right now, but you just never know,' he responded, keeping tight-lipped about the truth behind the rumour.
Co-host Jackie Henderson added in shock: 'What, does she just show up sometimes?'
Like father-like-daughter! Miley is a successful musician in her own right and also features on a track on Billy Ray's new album
'Yeah! She actually does sometimes, but she loves Australia,' he said as the hosts laughed with the musician.
'My other daughter Noah loves Australia too,' Billy Ray continued.
Proving the pair have a close bond, Miley's dad had no qualms in joking that his daughter had married her fiance Liam in Australia in a recent interview.
He told The Courier Mail: 'Oh, I was down there last month, for a wedding, didn't you hear about it. It was a joke, you didn't get it!'
I told her of my experience with seven West Papuan asylum seekers in 2013 who had raised the Morning Star flag in West Papua with the support of Australia activists. Raising the Morning Star is a crime in Indonesia, and the seven young men (one was a child) were pursued by the Indonesian military as a result.
I remember my prospective employer asking me during our early meetings what I thought would happen at the end of processing.
The processing of asylum seekers was of concern enough, but that the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments actually agreed that resettlement of those found to be refugees was possible in Papua New Guinea was astounding.
Initially, I was hesitant because I did not want to be part of an arrangement I believed was morally, if not legally, reprehensible.
They fled West Papua by trekking into PNG, where they spent less than 48 hours, before making it to the Torres Strait islands by boat.
The men handed themselves over to the Australian authorities on arrival and were subsequently sent to Port Moresby by aircraft. In PNG, they were given a week within which to either make an asylum claim or face deportation to Indonesia.
Australia stated that its actions were determined by a 2003 memorandum of understanding with PNG relating to migration, refugees, irregular migration, and people smuggling. That MOU allowed for irregular arrivals to be sent back to PNG if they transited in that country for more than seven days.
When it was put to the then Australian minister for immigration Scott Morrison that the young men were in PNG for less than seven days, he responded that, in this case, PNG had granted a concession.
Much effort and government funds were spent by both Australia and PNG to ensure that the seven West Papuans made their asylum claims in PNG and were not deported; however, the West Papuans refused to make asylum claims in PNG, and were flown by private charter to the remote East Awin refugee camp in PNGs Western Province.
Of course, once the young men got there, they realised there was no camp supervision, limited facilities and no accessible administrative or legal processes. It must have dawned on them that if they chose to leave the camp and go to other parts of PNG, or beyond, none would be the wiser, including PNG Immigration.
These young men are no longer in East Awin, and were never processed further by PNG Immigration. As is commonly the case in PNG, once the funding and heat behind the issue disappeared, so too did the ability to care. Australia, meanwhile, distanced itself from the men once they became PNGs problem.
I told my prospective employer that this was what I imagined would happen to the Manus Island refugees. Aside from the obvious social and cultural difficulties of resettlement in PNG, Australia would need to fund resettlement indefinitely for it to work, or to at least be prioritised by the PNG Government. Three years on, it seems that I was not far off the mark.
Very few refugees on Manus Island have been successfully resettled; most remain absolutely dependent on the accommodation and stipend provided by the PNG and Australian immigration departments.
Additionally, Australia and PNG have previously taken out several contracts with specialist resettlement agencies, and have now contracted Applus+ Velosi JDA Wokman, a job recruitment agency, to take over resettlement.
It has been at least three years since the costly resettlement program began, yet there has been limited success, and success in the future, for most refugees, seems unlikely. A few have done what the West Papuans did, disappearing into PNG communities, but unlike the Melanesian West Papuans, the Manus Island refugees are physically and culturally distinguishable by Papua New Guineans and can be easily traced when the funds and impetus dictate.
As in the case of the West Papuans, when the Australian funding and heat stops, PNG Immigration will be unable to do much for the Manus Island refugees. But it will be significantly more difficult for the Manus Island refugees to integrate on their own, without government support, than it was for the West Papuans.
Resettlement in PNG is never going to work for the majority of refugees, and exceptions are not the rule. The US has shown it is not willing to take many refugees.
The PNG Government would be wise to exercise its sovereignty and accept New Zealands offer to resettle Manus Island refugees, or to at least allow for an innovative resettlement program that creates pathways for resettlement outside PNG in cooperating countries.
The Spice Girls have hinted they will perform at Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding but could they be muscled out by an even more venerable British musical institution?
The Rolling Stones are leaving blank the weekend of the May 19 Windsor wedding on their UK tour itinerary.
A pal of the Stones tells me: Keith Richards isnt bothered about the royals. But Mick is probably expecting an invitation maybe thats the reason hes keeping the date free.
Sir Mick Jagger does have some reasons for optimism.
Prince Harry is said to be a fan of the band and was at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival, where he watched them with his then girlfriend, Cressida Bonas.
A pal of the Stones tells me: Keith Richards isnt bothered about the royals. But Mick is probably expecting an invitation maybe thats the reason hes keeping the date free
The Rolling Stones are leaving blank the weekend of the May 19 Windsor wedding on their UK tour itinerary (pictured: the start of their UK tour dates)
He met the band backstage and even warned guitarist Ronnie Wood, 70, not to make any passes at 29-year-old Cressie. He said it was great to see me again and then he introduced me to his bird, Wood disclosed.
I gave her a cuddle and he said: Oi, get your hands off. He was very funny. It was great to see him.
If Sir Mick, 74, is invited to St Georges Chapel, Windsor, it would not be the first time that he and Harry have been at the same wedding.
When the Princes stepbrother, Tom Parker Bowles, tied the knot with fashion journalist Sara Buys in 2005, both he and Jagger were among the congregation.
Teachers son Sir Mick has always yearned to be part of the establishment.
Ex-girlfriend Marianne Faithfull says he always craved a knighthood because he is a tremendous snob.
It was a view echoed by Rolling Stone guitarist and songwriter Keith Richards .
Hes such a snob, moaned Richards. He can come off that way even to me and the rest of the band.
Prince Harry is said to be a fan of the band and was at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival, where he watched them with his then girlfriend, Cressida Bonas
Queen of Shops and wife's tribute to kings of glam
Queen of Shops Mary Portas, 57, went to a fancy dress party at the weekend dressed as David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust days while her wife, Melanie Rickey, wore a sparkly top hat in the guise of Sir Elton John.
In 2012 Portas, who has two grown-up children with ex-husband Graham Portas, welcomed her first child with Melanie, a son named Horatio.
The couple used Marys brother, Lawrence, as the biological father. Portas said: Its amazing. Now, when I look at Horatio, he is a complete mix of Mel and me.
Queen of Shops Mary Portas, 57, went to a fancy dress party at the weekend dressed as David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust days while her wife, Melanie Rickey, wore a sparkly top hat in the guise of Sir Elton John (pictured)
Harvey Weinsteins career ended when he was accused of sex abuse and rape last year. But his estranged wife, fashion designer Georgina Chapman, is flourishing professionally.
The London-born couturier, whose Marchesa dresses are worn by the Duchess of Cambridge and Hollywoods elite, celebrated her label reaching two million followers on her companys social media account at the weekend. Every cloud . . .
Why do our foremost novelists have it in for the Duchess of Cambridge?
First, she was called a plastic princess made for breeding by Hilary Mantel; now Booker Prize-winning novelist Alan Hollinghurst has poured scorn on a painting of Kate. While being interviewed in the National Portrait Gallery for the New York Times, Hollinghurst describes Paul Emsleys painting of Prince Williams wife as one of the more ghastly recent accessions.
She's the social media star who is known for her in-depth beauty tutorials.
And on Tuesday, Pia Muehlenbeck flaunted her enviable figure, at Neutrogena's new product launch in Sydney's Rose Bay.
The 26-year-old opted for a slim-fitting white frock that featured tie detailing at the bust.
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White on the mark! Pia Muehlenbeck, 26, stunned in a busty frock at a product launch for Neutrogena in Sydney on Tuesday
The Instagram model donned a white silk front tie dress that highlighted her gym-honed physique.
Pia added a pop of colour to her outfit in the form of an animal print scarf that held back her brunette locks.
The blogger accessorised further with a straw bag and ensured comfort with a pair of polka-dot sandals.
Stunning: In an attempt to give her stature some height, Pia propped one leg up and pointed her toes to the ground
Trim: The influencer's front tie dress accentuated her lean physique
And in an attempt to give her stature some height, Pia propped one leg up and pointed her toes to the ground.
She capped off her laid-back resort look by donning a pair of cat-eye sunglasses and gold hoop earrings.
In true Pia fashion, her visage appeared blemish-free, and consisted of a sheer foundation, defined brows and a glossy lip.
The qualified lawyer showed off her killer side profile and extraordinary highlighter technique as she gazed into the distance.
Profile: The qualified lawyer showed off her killer side profile and extraordinary highlighter technique as she gazed into the distance
Effortless style: Pia capped off her laid-back resort look by donning a pair of cat-eye sunglasses and gold hooped earrings
The beauty was sure to post a series of shots and videos to her Instagram Story.
Pia gave fans a closer look at the luxurious flower-laden table settings and gourmet cuisine at the exclusive venue.
In one clip, the Sydney-sider revealed she nearly downed a glass of cleansing water.
'As it turns out this is miceller cleansing water, so I'm really glad I didn't jump the gun there and just shot these!' In one of the clips, Pia revealed she nearly downed a glass of miceller cleansing water
'Here's my water and then here are these [points to miceller water on table] and I nearly drunk them. And as it turns out this is miceller cleansing water, so I'm really glad I didn't jump the gun there and just shot these!' Pia revealed in the clip.
In October 2017, Pia announced her engagement to long-term boyfriend Kane Vato during a romantic French sojourn.
Aside from the couple's social media success, the pair also share SLINKII, an eco-friendly activewear brand that uses organic products, biodegradable packaging and fund reforestation.
Kate Moss did not shy away from controversy when she attended the wedding of Prince Christian of Hanover and Alessandra de Osma in Peru.
The 43-year-old supermodel also used the trip to show support for South American photographer Mario Testino, who was accused of 13 counts of sexual harassment which he denies earlier this year.
Taking boyfriend Count Nikolai von Bismarck, 30, as her wedding guest, Kate visited the Mario Testino museum in his home city, Lima. Sporting a leopard print top and summer hat, she posed for a photo next to her 2013 Vogue Paris shoot by Testino.
The image was posted on the museums Instagram account with the caption: Thank you, Kate, for your visit and for sending us a pic with one of our favourite portraits! Always a pleasure having you here.
Kate showed her support for South American photographer Mario Testino, who was accused of 13 counts of sexual harassment, by visiting the Mario Testino museum in his home city, Lima, and posting this photo on Instagram
Dame Joan Collins and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel actress Celia Imrie have made three films together.
But has Imrie drawn on Dame Joan as inspiration for her new novel, Sail Away? Suzy Marshall, the protagonist of Imries tome, had played the principal role in the multi-award- winning mid-1980s TV drama series Dahlias, which doesnt sound all that removed from Dynasty in which Collins starred as Alexis Carrington. Suzy ends up resorting to working on a cruise ship; Dame Joan is godmother of cruise ship SS Joie de Vivre. Imrie unkindly notes that although at the time Dahlias had been a worldwide hit, now, more than 30 years later, everyone had forgotten both the series and Suzy.
Lets hope she thinks more highly of Dame Joan in real life.
Princess Dianas playful niece Lady Kitty Spencer proudly attended the christening of the Marquess of Baths grandson this weekend.
The 27-year-old (left), single after splitting from property developer Niccolo Barattieri, was made godmother to Viscountess Weymouths second son, Henry, born to a surrogate in LA in 2016.
Emma, 31 (far left), who also has a four-year-old son, John, with her husband and heir to the Marquess, Viscount Weymouth, hosted the christening at their Longleat estate in Wiltshire, where Made In Chelsea star and fellow godparent Mark-Francis Vandelli shared this picture.
Lady Kitty Spencer (right) and Mark Francis Vandelli (centre)
Former Sex Pistol John Lydon, who caused outrage as Johnny Rotten with his punk anthem God Save The Queen, is looking forward to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and says he will be watching it on the telly.
I love all that feudalism and flag-waving and aeroplanes flying overhead. Pageantry, Im up for that.
God Save The Queen, released in 1977, was banned by the BBC as it compared Britains Royal Family to a fascist regime and claimed that the monarch is not a human being.
Bake Off star Prue Leith refuses to be intimidated by the use of a Russian nerve agent in Salisbury. Dont forget, I was around in the Sixties with all the Cold War horrors and we all thought we were going to get nuked then, says Prue.
So this Russian poisoning thing will blow over eventually. We do live in a frightening world. Somebody asked me if I would use a sex bot the other day and I said I dont even know what one of them is.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a family man through-and-through.
The 45-year-old superstar on Monday took to Instagram posting a picture of his father Rocky Johnson, 73, standing alongside a new Cadillac Escalade, explaining how he'd come to plunk down for the expensive vehicle.
The wrestler-turned-actor said that his dad, a former pro wrestler, was told by his doctor that a more expansive vehicle would come in handy following his recent hip replacement surgery.
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Hardly rock bottom: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 45, took to Instagram on Monday posting a picture of his father Rocky Johnson, 73, standing alongside a new Cadillac Escalade that he purchased for him to be more comfortable after a recent hip replacement surgery
He wrote: 'My pops just had his hip replaced and called me and said Hey Mr. D the surgeon really feels like I should have a bigger car since my hip rehab..
'I cut my dad off and just started laughing because I knew what he was hustling for,' said the 6ft5 action star. 'I said say no more..I got you.. just go down and pick out what you want then we hung up and hours later I get this pic. Lol.'
In the shot, the elder Johnson, a journeyman who wrestled in the NWA and WWE (then WWF) throughout the '70s and '80s, was posed next to a man outside of a Cadillac dealership with a cane in his hand, still on the mend from the operation.
'We all got daddy issues lol,' the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star said, looking back at how his father set forth his path to success.
Nice touch: Dwayne even had the dealership add a massive gold bow onto the front of the SUV
Generous: The inspirational actor shared his shot in which he bought a Cadillac for his mom Ata in 2016
Colossal connection: The Rock in 2016 bought a truck for his uncle Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita, who went under the names Haku and Meng during his pro wrestling career
'Hey my old man was a tough MF on me. Hed kick my ass from one side of the gym to the other for years,' he said. 'I hated it when I was a kid, but grateful for it as a man. [I'm] lucky I could do this and thanks for the a** kickins.'
The Ballers star showed off his trademark sense of humor in adding the hashtag, '#MyDoctorSaid.'
The Rock has shown in the past that he's very generous with family, past taking to social media to show off luxury vehicles he'd bought for his father, his mother Ata Johnson, and his uncle Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita, who wrestled as Haku and Meng during an impressive career in the WWE and WCW decades back.
Coronation Street fans described being moved to tears after David Platt struggled to come to terms with being raped on Monday night.
But Fern Britton took to Twitter to blast the dark storyline, pleading for producers to bring back the 'fun and laughter' following the harrowing episode.
The former This Morning presenter, 60, hit out at the devastating scenes in which David realised he had been drugged and sexually abused by villain Josh Tucker, claiming it was 'unsuitable for pre watershed'.
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Heartbreaking: Coronation Street fans described being moved to tears after watching David Platt struggle to come to terms with being raped on Monday night
She wrote: 'Is it looking for a post watershed slot? Not witnessing the graphic horror/degradation/shame/pain of sexual abuse is worse than seeing it. Unsuitable for pre watershed @ITV #SaveOurCorrie.'
When asked by a fan if she wanted more explicit scenes, she continued: 'It's the thought and imagination of something that makes something scary, it's a we'll own technique for creating drama without being explicit.
'But in this case, is that @itvcorrie? (sic)'
Annoyed: But Fern Britton took to Twitter to blast the dark storyline, pleading for producers to bring back the 'fun and laughter' following the harrowing episode
Outraged: The 60-year-old hit out at scenes in which David realised he had been drugged and sexually abused by villain Josh Tucker, claiming it was 'unsuitable for pre watershed'
Fern later hit out at the show for changing when replying to a follower who said the soap used to have 'warmth' and 'humour'.
Enraged, she penned: 'It did! Now its brain tumour, testicular cancer, kidney transplant, ms, and bipolar all in one dollop.
'Plus paedophile grooming, and now male sexual abuse. Not to mention heroin addicted vicar, serial killer and psycho child ...,,, I want fun and laughter, love and heart break.' (sic)
Harrowing: ITV producers focused on the aftermath of the terrifying rape in the episode, with David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) waking up to find himself in pain
ITV producers focused on the aftermath of the terrifying rape in the episode, with David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) waking up to find himself in pain as well as a note from Josh (Ryan Clayton) asking about breakfast.
The rapist then arrived at the Platt's household, acting as if nothing had happened.
Traumatised, David ran outside to throw up before returning to confront Josh.
'What are you doing coming here?' he said. 'I've had my last drink from you. Whatever you put in it you didn't knock me out completely. I know what you did, I can still feel it. You're twisted.'
No remorse: The rapist then arrived at the Platt's household, acting as if nothing had happened
Distressing scenes: Traumatised, David ran outside to throw up before returning to confront Josh
'Twisted': 'What are you doing coming here?' he said. 'I've had my last drink from you. Whatever you put in it you didn't knock me out completely. I know what you did, I can still feel it. You're twisted'
Josh tried to manipulate David, saying the sex was consensual and that they 'both wanted it'.
'You were all over me like a rash and now suddenly now you've gone all caveman,' he said.
'Just save the drama, we were both wasted, we both wanted it,' before claiming he was laying the blame on Josh because he was worried about Shona discovering what had happened.
Villain: Josh tried to manipulate David, saying the sex was consensual and that they 'both wanted it'
The soap's latest male rape storyline has caused outrage amongst show viewers after it received 122 complaints to Ofcom.
Defending the storyline on This Morning last Friday, Corrie boss Kate Oates suggested that the uproar has been caused due to it being a male rape.
She began: 'I think it's because it's a male rape it's in a different category. It's a double standard against male.'
Hard-hitting: The soap's latest male rape storyline has caused outrage amongst show viewers after it received 122 complaints to Ofcom
Despite the controversy, legions of fans praised the soap for shedding light on the subject of male rape, with hundreds of viewers taking to Twitter on Monday night.
One wrote: 'This David Platt storyline has got my hair standing on end man. Such a believable and realistic portrayal. Really is hard hitting stuff that needs to be addressed. Well done @itvcorrie.'
While another viewer tweeted: 'You're doing a great job so far, it's an absolutely heartbreaking story but it'd already raising so much awareness and helping so many people and that's what's important #Corrie.'
She spent three months in Australia with her husband Example and their two sons.
And after recently returning home to London, it seems like jet lag caught up with Erin McNaught when she embarked on her first gym session in almost two weeks.
The 35-year-old took to Instagram to share a post-workout selfie, revealing her arms were shaking so much she struggled to take the photo.
'This jet lag knocked me for six!' After recently returning to London, it seems like jet lag caught up with Erin McNaught when she embarked on her first gym session in almost two weeks
In her photo, a sweat-drenched Erin offered a glimpse of cleavage in her activewear.
She wrote in the caption: 'This jet lag - or more specifically, trying to unpack and sort the house after three months overseas while dealing with two very jet lagged kids on top of my own jet lag - absolutely knocked me for six.'
'In the first five days I averaged about three hours sleep per night,' she added.
Feeling better: Erin spent three months in Australia with her husband Example and their sons
'But after a seven hour total (of sleep) last night I felt good enough to hit the gym this morning and I feel so much better for it tonight!'
The former beauty queen - who is mother to Evander, four, and Ennio, six months - revealed she waited until she was well-rested before hitting the gym.
'Don't wanna risk getting run down in this weather! Its all about being sensible(ish),' she told her fans.
'In the first five days I averaged about three hours sleep per night': Erin revealed she struggled with jet lag - and her children's jet jag - after returning to the UK after three months in Australia
Erin's Instagram followers clearly appreciated her post, with one writing in the comments: 'You're def some inspirational lady.'
'I wish I had your motivation,' another wrote. 'I need to get to the gym but cant motivate myself off the sofa.'
A similar comment read: 'You are inspirational! I'm gonna do double session at the gym tomorrow!'
He's made a name for himself as the 'nice' chef on My Kitchen Rules.
But on Tuesday's episode, viewers are set to see a very different side to Manu Feildel.
A preview shows the French chef having a meltdown before a team is 'thrown out' of the competition.
'He's become the Terminator!' Manu Feildel throws out a My Kitchen Rules team after having a MELTDOWN during a restaurant takeover challenge on Tuesday's episode
Tuesday's episode will begin with Group Two dishing up popular lunchtime dishes as part of a restaurant takeover.
Assembling the contestants for a day of cooking, Manu issues a word of warning to the teams.
'It's getting hot in here,' Manu announces. 'Welcome to the real world of cooking!'
Touch times: Tuesday night's episode begins with group two dishing up popular lunchtime dishes as part of a restaurant takeover
'It's getting hot in here': Assembling the contestants for a day of cooking, Manu issues a word of warning to the teams
Whoops! In the firing line is Olga and Valeria, the Russian friends falling foul of Manu after trying to open a tin can with a knife
'He's become the Terminator!' Hadil says as Manu is shown rushing around the kitchen and barking orders.
In the firing line is Olga and Valeria, with the Russian friends falling foul of Manu after trying to open a tin can with a knife.
'He gets so impatient, that Frenchman,' Olga complains, before offering her impression of Manu: '"No, no, no you can't do that!"'
'He gets so impatient that French man': The contestants aren't happy about being singled out
'"No, no, no you can't do that!"' Olga complains and offers her impression of Manu
The trailer shows the nervous contestants getting a grilling from Pete Evans during an elimination, as the voiceover warns that one of the teams will be 'thrown out'.
Hopefully, Tuesday's action-packed episode of My Kitchen Rules will help it win back some viewers in the ratings war with Married At First Sight.
Around 1.525 million metro viewers tuned into the Channel Nine ratings juggernaut, compared to just 996,000 for My Kitchen Rules.
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Their blossoming romance began in 2015.
And it appears Bindi Irwin, 19, and Chandler Powell, 21, could be taking their relationship to the next level, with reports the lovebirds have moved into their own home.
The couple are believed to have moved into a luxury property in the affluent suburbs around the Sunshine Coast canals in Queensland.
Spreading their wings? It appears Bindi Irwin, 19, and Chandler Powell, 21, could be taking their relationship to the next level, with reports the lovebirds have moved into their own home in Queensland's Sunshine Coast
The property is equipped with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is perfect for the couple to entertain and accommodate their family and friends.
It also features two garage spaces for their cars and a jetty for their boat 'Croc One', which is also ideal for romantic cruises along the waterways.
Australia Zoo declined to comment on Tuesday.
Living it up! The property is equipped with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is perfect for the couple to entertain and accommodate their family and friends
Affluent suburbs: It also features two garage spaces for their cars and a jetty for their boat 'Croc One', which is also ideal for romantic cruises along the waterways
It comes after Bindi's mother Terri Irwin recently shared a cryptic tweet hinting at a possible engagement between her daughter and the American wakeboarder.
Appearing to give the young couple her blessing, the 53-year-old took to Twitter on Saturday to share a Saint Patrick's Day post.
Terri tweeted a picture of Bindi as a toddler alongside a recent photo of Bindi and Chandler. She wrote in the caption: 'After many years of @BindiIrwin kissing frogs it finally paid off.'
A family home? It comes after Bindi's mother Terri Irwin recently shared a cryptic tweet hinting at a possible engagement between her daughter and the American wakeboarder
Giving them her blessing? On Sunday, Terri tweeted a picture of Bindi as a toddler alongside a recent photo of Bindi and Chandler. She wrote in the caption: 'After many years of @BindiIrwin kissing frogs it finally paid off'
The tweet was later shared by Irwin family friend Russell Crowe and even by Bindi herself.
Throughout their relationship, the young couple have faced persistent engagement rumours.
They regularly shared loved-up tributes to each other on Instagram, leading fans to believe a proposal could be on the horizon.
They've become co-parenting models of success.
And Jennifer Garner and ex Ben Affleck proved worthy of the title as they were spotting taking turns picking up daughter Seraphina, 9, from school on Monday.
The Love, Simon actress and Justice League alum, both 45, cut casual figures as they made their way through the tony suburb of Brentwood.
The outing came after it was revealed Ben really does have a huge phoenix tattoo, something he dismissed it as a fake inking for a film role.
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Super mom: Jennifer Garner was spotted out in Los Angeles on Monday taking turns picking up her daughter Seraphina with her ex Ben Affleck
But two years on, the actor was spotted still sporting the colorful bird as he hit the beach on Saturday in Honolulu, Hawaii - leading to ridicule from fans.
Branding the inking a 'midlife crisis tattoo', Twitter users laid into the star, reviving the Oscars meme of Jennifer Garner's surprised face.
'When you realize the back tattoo is real and Ben Affleck was lying when he said it was for a movie,' wrote @alloveranthony.
Meanwhile on Monday, Jennifer showcased her enviable figure in a cute black tee and faded denim jeans.
She accessorized the casual chic style with a set of bright white sneakers and a set of retro shades.
Her trademark brunette tresses were left long and loose as they cascaded over her petite shoulders.
Ben wore his New England Patriots satin jacket and a grey graphic tee as he held hands with his adorable daughter.
Impressive: Daring to impress, Jennifer showcased her enviable figure in a cute black tee and faded denim jeans
Big fan: Ben wore his New England Patriots satin jacket and a grey graphic tee as he held hands with his adorable daughter
He stomped the streets in denim pants and a set of light green sneakers.
Their sighting comes after reports that Ben is considering giving their romance another go.
Jennifer and Ben split in June 2015 and filed for divorce in April 2017 but are yet to finalise their divorce.
Shoe game: He stomped the streets in denim pants and a set of light green sneakers
All smiles: Their sighting comes after reports that Ben is considering giving their romance another go
In the new issue of UsWeekly, a source claims they may still be dragging their feet as the Batman v Superman actor has told friends that he would like to get back together with the beautiful brunette.
'He had at one point been telling friends he wanted his ex back,' a source told the magazine, even though he has been dating SNL producer Lindsay Shookus, 37.
Jennifer and Ben - who also share daughter Violet, 12, and son Samuel, six - were last seen side by side in Los Angeles one week ago.
Secrets: Jennifer and Ben split in June 2015 and filed for divorce in April 2017 but are yet to finalise their divorce
Back again: In the new issue of UsWeekly , a source claims they may still be dragging their feet as the Batman v Superman actor has told friends that he would like to get back together with the beautiful brunette
They looked to be getting along well as they walked with their daughters.
But then another source told UsWeekly he has not been looking back: 'When they filed and decided they were moving on, that was it.'
Meanwhile, Jennifer posted a tutorial on how to make delicious and healthy beet chips on her Instagram account.
Cooking it up! Meanwhile, Jennifer posted a tutorial on how to make delicious and healthy beet chips on her Instagram account
Oil it up! She poured a little olive oil on the beets
Eye it up! She revealed how the tiny vegetables become roasted
He's one of Australia's most successful acting exports who enjoyed a weekend sojourn to London for the 2018 Empire Awards.
But on Monday, Hugh Jackman was seemingly back to the daily grind as he touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
The 49-year-old cut a cool silhouette in a dark ensemble consisting of a leather jacket, navy hoodie, black trousers and reflective aviator sunglasses.
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High-flying style! Hugh Jackman, 49, cut a cool silhouette in a leather jacket and reflective sunglasses, as he touched down in New York on Monday
Hugh looked every inch the movie star inside the terminal, opting for a pair of mirrored sunglasses.
The Greatest Showman actor completed his stylish jet-setter look by donning a pair of black lace-up sneakers.
Hugh looked effortlessly cool as he draped a black garment bag over his forearm.
Movie star look: The Greatest Showman actor shielded his gaze behind a pair of reflective aviator sunglasses
The husband of actress Deborra-lee Furness also held onto a number of documents, presumably his wallet and passport.
Hugh appeared to master the art of packing light as he wheeled a compact black suitcase through the busy airport.
The sighting comes after the X-Men star joked about the side effects of jet lag via an Instagram video.
On the go: The wife of actress Deborra-lee Furness looked effortlessly cool as he draped a black garment bag over his forearm
'These are the side effects of hunger, jet lag, no plan and none of us (ever) looking as good as Zac Efron,' Hugh wrote alongside the amusing Instagram clip.
Hugh seemed deliriously happy as he pretended to be hunky US actor, Zac.
'Hi, I'm Zac Efron! Everyone comes up to me and says do you know Zac Efron, so I'm just going to be Zac,' he joked in the clip.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo reiterated his support for tougher gun laws in the aftermath of the latest school shooting that left two students wounded in Great Mills, Maryland.
The shooting occurred Tuesday morning at Great Mills High School. Reports indicate the gunman, who has died, was a student at the school.
Cuomo, who has pushed for stricter gun laws in the aftermath of mass shootings and most recently after the shooting at Parkland High School in Florida, said the Maryland shooting is a reminder of the threat posed by gun violence.
"Thoughts and prayers are not enough," he said. "We need action."
New York adopted the SAFE Act in 2013 that sought to crack down on assault-style rifles and prevent individuals with serious mental illnesses from possessing firearms. Cuomo pushed for passage of the measure after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
This year, Cuomo is proposing additional gun control measures. He wants a state provision prohibiting domestic abusers from being able to buy or own guns. On Sunday, he announced his support for extending the background check waiting period to 10 days.
Last week, Cuomo joined students at a New York City school as part of a nationwide protest against gun violence.
She is set to make a dramatic return to Married At First Sight this week.
But Davina Rankin looked like she didn't have a care in the world on Tuesday as she was spotted jogging in Byron Bay, NSW.
The 26-year-old showed off her slim figure in activewear during an outdoor workout with her friend and business partner Gillian Godwin.
Running away from the drama? Davina Rankin flaunts her slender figure in activewear during an outdoor workout in Byron Bay - as she prepares for her Married At First Sight comeback
Davina highlighted her leggy figure in a pair of black workout shorts, which she teamed with a camouflage crop top and a white singlet.
Nike trainers ensured the reality TV star was light on her feet and she accessorised in style with a pair of gold-rimmed sunglasses.
Davina swept her brunette locks into a sleek ponytail and appeared to wear makeup for her exercise session, including a thick coating of foundation and pink lipstick.
Trim and terrific! Davina revealed her leggy figure in black workout shorts, which she teamed with a crop top and white singlet
The breakout star of MAFS' 2018 season looked glamorous despite have just finished a workout with her friend Gillian Godwin.
Gillian, who was also one of Davina's bridesmaids on MAFS, drew attention to her washboard abs in a black Calvin Klein crop top and leggings.
Taking fashion tips from Davina, the blonde entrepreneur also wore white sneakers and designer sunglasses.
Girls' day out: Accompanying the reality TV star was entrepreneur Gillian Godwin. The BFFs were seen checking out a Byron Bay swimwear store after their workout
Gillian's long locks were tied up casually with a fringe, framing her striking features.
After a quick sweat session, Davina and Gillian wandered into a local swimwear store but appeared leave empty-handed.
Davina made headlines last month when her 'affair' with Dean Wells was exposed on Married At First Sight.
She has since spoken about about the abuse she received on social media, describing the experience as traumatising.
Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
It's been a difficult month for Tommy Lee.
The 55-year-old rocker was snapped looking distressed in Los Angeles on Monday as he walked with his fiance, Vine star Brittany Furlan, 31.
The Motley Crue drummer has been in the headlines after he was punched by his 21-year-old son Brandon in a domestic dispute earlier this month.
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Out and about: Tommy Lee, 55, was snapped looking distressed in Los Angeles on Monday as he walked with his fiance, Vine star Brittany Furlan, 31, amid ongoing legal wranglings in his skirmish with his son Brandon earlier this month
The percussionist who provided the beat for songs such as Wild Side, Kickstart My Heart and Home Sweet Home wore a black T-shirt that read, 'Sunset Strip Club' with a graphic of a pair of legs in pantyhose and heels. He kept a pair of sunglasses on his shirt and wore jeans with a tousled black mane and wore red high-top sneakers.
Furlan was dressed in a style matching her 80s rocker beau, pairing a black leather jacket with black torn jeans and a white top. The social media stunner rounded out her ensemble with black boots with straps and sunglasses.
The duo was snapped days after TMZ reported that authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. have nearly concluded their probe into the skirmish between the veteran musician and his son with ex-wife Pamela Anderson.
The outlet reported that at this stage in the case - it's on the verge of reaching the District Attorney's office - Tommy will no longer be able to call off the potential prosecution of his eldest child in connection with battery in the incident.
Deep in chatter: Lee pointed to a spot on his face while he chat with the social media stunner
Tough time: The veteran musician has had a difficult go of things as of late, as his troubled relationship with his first-born son has made headlines
Tommy earlier this month posted on social media a shot of his busted, bloody lip that he suffered in the incident with his son, after a disagreement over a social media post Tommy wrote that was critical of Pamela.
'My heart is broken,' wrote Lee, was convicted of felony spousal battery against Pamela in 1998. 'You can give your kids everything they could ever want in their entire lives and they can still turn against you. Good job Brandon! Great son!'
Brandon claimed that he was defending himself in the encounter, saying in a statement to People that he was 'devastated' by the conflict - which he said was triggered by his father's drinking problem.
Damage: Lee took to Instagram earlier this month to show the injuries he suffered after his son punched him
Supportive: Pamela Anderson and Brandon Lee were snapped at a Beverly Hills bash last year. The Baywatch alum has spoken out in support of her son
'Ive worked tirelessly organizing an intervention and its incredibly upsetting that it never came to fruition,' Brandon said through his rep. 'I wanted my dads hopeful sobriety and recovery to be a private family matter but, as a result of his accusations on social media, I feel forced to speak out.
'I have and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as needed. I love my father and just want to see him sober, happy and healthy.'
Anderson has also chimed in on the situation, as she said on her blog that Brandon hit Tommy 'in the nose for all of us who he has hurt,' and that Tommy 'feels humiliated - and is attempting to destroy his own son.'
She's currently on assignment covering the bushfire crisis on the NSW south coast.
But the Today show's Georgie Gardner should quickly return to the studio and reunite with co-host Karl Stefanovic, according to one media analyst.
The move may help stem rumours of tension between the pair in the wake of the Ubergate scandal, where Karl was overheard making 'b**chy' comments about Georgie.
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How can they recover? Media analysts say Today show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Georgie Gardner need to reunite in the coming days in order to stem fallout from the recent Ubergate scandal
Speaking with News Corp on Tuesday, media analyst Steve Allen said the pair need to present their morning program as a duo within the next few days in order for the show to get back on track.
'I think they've got to do it this week. It will become a bit too obvious (the separation) if this just goes on until Friday,' he stated.
Georgie was noticeably absent from the breakfast show's panel on Tuesday as she was reporting from the town of Tathra, with Deborah Knight filling in as co-anchor.
On assignment: Georgie flew to the NSW south coast on Monday afternoon to cover the region's bushfires
Missing in action: Georgie was noticeably absent from the breakfast show's panel on Tuesday as she was reporting from the town of Tathra,
Media analyst Steve told News Corp that he thinks Channel Nine are 'trying to buy breathing space' to avoid any more 'awkward moments for the next few days'.
Georgie called Karl 'pathetic' during a light-hearted segment about dachshunds on Monday, but it was clear to viewers that she wasn't simply referring to Karl's 'fear' of the short-legged dogs.
On Tuesday, a Channel Nine representative denied claims that Georgie was 'sent to cover the fires today to avoid more discussion on air'.
'Pathetic': Georgie called Karl 'pathetic' during a light-hearted segment about dachshunds on Monday
Meanwhile, crisis management expert and former Channel Nine journalist, Peter Wilkinson, also weighed in on how the Today hosts should move on from Ubergate.
'The audience will watch the program for the next couple of weeks looking for some kind of rift.
You won't see a thing...If they're clever enough to make light of it, then people will move on pretty quickly.'
The estranged wife of Today show weatherman Steve Jacobs took out an interim AVO against him in their adopted homeland of Vanuatu following their marriage breakup, it can be revealed.
Rosie Jacobs applied for a 'restraining ex parte temporary domestic protection order' at Port Vila Magistrates Court on January 25 this year. It was granted immediately but no longer remains in place.
A courthouse employee told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday: 'The court received the application from the complainant and the application was assisted by the police.'
'Police assisted Ms Jacobs in filing an application for a family protection order.'
What prompted the AVO is unknown and Port Vila Magistrates Court could not reveal further details.
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Rosie Jacobs (right) took out an AVO against her husband Steve (left) following their marriage break-up
Rosie applied for a 'restraining ex parte temporary domestic protection order' against Steve at Port Vila Magistrates Court on January 25 this year
It is understood the standard conditions of the order were that Steve must stay up to 100-metres away from Rosie at all times.
He was still allowed full access to the couple's two young daughters.
Neither Steve or Rosie Jacobs responded to requests for comment about the AVO.
The pair split late last year although their marriage breakdown only became public at the weekend.
Friends of the couple said their marriage was on the rocks even before their move to Vanuatu in late-2016.
Friends claimed the decision to take their two young daughters overseas was a final attempt at saving their marriage of eight years.
'I think there were a few people who sensed something was up when they moved to Vanuatu,' a friend said.
'The sea change was basically a last ditch attempt to make things work, but it wasn't to be unfortunately.'
Rosie Jacobs (left) has begun dating Canadian commando soldier Dylan Nash (right) since her split from the Today show star
Despite separating last year Steve (right) and Rosie's (left) break-up was only revealed over the weekend
Rosie is now dating Mr Nash (pictured) who she met through mutual friends in Port Vila
Daily Mail Australia revealed on Monday that Channel 7 presenter Rosie, 39, has since begun dating Canadian soldier Dylan Nash, who she met through friends in Vanuatu.
Rosie and Mr Nash are understood to have met in Port Vila, where he was working up until last year. The pair were pictured posing next to each other in a recent photo.
A Port Vila resident, where the Jacobs' moved in 2016, said Rosie had 'become friendly with Mr Nash in the months since she split from Steve'.
'Rosie and Dylan were introduced through mutual friends towards the end of the year and struck up a friendship,' the friend said.
'They've been dating for a few months now and he has been rock solid support for her ever since the split.
'He's an exceptional human being and they're understandably taking things slow, but Rosie is over the moon.'
The Jacobs', who share two young girls, have not posted photos online together for a number of months and no longer follow one another on Instagram.
A source told Daily Mail Australia that Rosie (pictured) 39, began dating Mr Nash in the months after she split from Steve, 51
After doing a tour of Afghanistan with the Royal Marine Commandos, Mr Nash (pictured) went on to work as a private security contractor in Afghanistan and North Africa
On one Instagram photo he wrote: 'Throwing back to my second tour to Afghanistan in 2008... the picture was taken shortly after a contact with the Taliban'
Rosie and Steve's move to the Pacific Island nation came in a bid to increase the time spent with their two young daughters.
A TIMELINE OF THE JACOBS' MARRIAGE: 1989: Steve Jacobs marries wife Alison 2007: Rosie meets Steve while working on the Today show 2009: Steve separates from first wife Alison 2010: Steve and Rosie marry in Bali 2011: The couple welcome their first daughter Isabella in May 2013: Francesca, Steve and Rosie's second daughter, is born in April 2016: The couple move to Vanuatu in a 'last ditch effort to save their marriage' 2018: Steve and Rosie separate after eight years of marriage Advertisement
But the two have continued to regularly travel overseas, with Steve working in a part-time role with Weekend Today and Rosie for Channel 7 program Sydney Weekender.
On Instagram, Mr Nash details a tour of Afghanistan with the Canadian Royal Marine Commandos and says he then went on to work as a private security contractor.
On one Instagram photo he wrote: 'Throwing back to my second tour to Afghanistan in 2008... the picture was taken shortly after a contact with the Taliban'.
Leaving his full-time role with the Today show after 12 years, Steve continued on in a position with Weekend Today since moving to Port Vila.
At the time, he tearfully told his long-time friend Karl Stefanovic the move was what he and his family needed.
At the time of leaving his role with the Today Show after 12 years, Steve tearfully told his long-time friend Karl Stefanovic the move was what he and his family (pictured) needed
The pair welcomed their first daughter Isabella in 2011 and their second Francesca in April 2013
'For the past 12 years, I haven't been able to wake up once with my wife, haven't been able to get the kids to daycare,' Steve said.
The pair met on Today in 2007, where Steve was a star weatherman and Rosie one of the breakfast show's producers.
In 2010, after Steve finalised his divorce to wife of two decades Alison, he and Rosie tied the knot in Bali.
The pair welcomed their first daughter Isabella in 2011 and their second Francesca in April 2013.
The couple's family home was recently put up for sale, further fueling speculation about the breakup.
The pair met on Today in 2007, where Steve (right) was a star weatherman and Rosie (left) one of the breakfast show's producers
The Jacobs' have put their four-bedroom home in Coogee (pictured) up for auction in April
The home has ocean views, a main bedroom with an ensuite, and a studio above the garage
The Coogee home, located in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is listed for sale and is set to fetch between $4million and $4.4million.
The couple purchased the four-bedroom home in 2011 for $2.55million and had been renting it since moving to Vanuatu.
Featuring a modern design, the home has ocean views, a main bedroom with an ensuite, and a studio room above the garage.
Ballard Property Group Double Bay has listed the property for auction on April 7.
The couple purchased the home in 2011 for $2.55million, with it expected to sell for as much as $4.4million
Tziporah Malkah has just revealed that she's relocated to Sydney.
The ex-fiancee of billionaire James Packer - who was gifted a $2.7 million Bondi apartment by the Casino magnate after their split, which she sold - shared the news on her official Instagram page.
It comes after the former model, 44, announced in January, that she had moved to a run-down pink cottage in Yass, in NSW's Southern Tablelands.
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Bet she wishes she kept that $2.7 million apartment now! James Packer's ex-fiancee Tziporah Malkah relocates back to Sydney...after selling the Bondi pad the billionaire gifted her after their split
Tziporah - who was formerly known as Kate Fischer - wrote on Instagram this week: 'I now officially reside in Sydney.'
The comment was posted underneath a selfie which she took on an airplane, with her plush toys in tow.
Friends and followers had asked the brunette where she was going, and if she was back in Sydney.
Luxury digs: It was reported that James gave her a $2.7 million Bondi apartment after they split, however she later sold the apartment
Back in town! Tziporah - who was formerly known as Kate Fischer - wrote on Instagram this week: 'I now officially reside in Sydney,' underneath a selfie (pictured)
Like a local: Indeed Tziporah appears to be enjoying herself in the capital, having watched the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this month. She also recently enjoyed lunch with family at the Harbour View Hotel (seen)
Indeed Tziporah appears to be enjoying herself in the capital, having watched the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this month.
She also recently enjoyed lunch with family at the Harbour View Hotel.
In January, Tziporah revealed she had moved into a humble pink cottage in the Southern Tablelands of NSW.
She had been living between a rental property in Melbourne and a beachfront pad in South Australia with ex-boyfriend Guy Vasey, since May last year.
Country life: In January, Tziporah revealed she had moved into a humble pink cottage in the Southern Tablelands of NSW
Humble: Tziporah shared a photo to Instagram of the humble pink-hued property, situated on 162 hectares in her hometown of Yass, in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales
Early January saw Tziporah announce to Instagram that she's moving into an 'old cottage' in Yass that's in need of considerable renovation.
'The old cottage @ Yass. Needs a bit of work before I move in, Scottie Cam to the rescue?' the brunette wrote in the caption, referencing to The Block's host and handyman.
Tziporah shared a photo of the humble pink-hued property, situated on 162 hectares in her hometown in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.
A previous image on Instagram also saw the former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! contestant joke that she couldn't seem to work a dusty old washing machine in the cottage.
In the family: The property is owned by her mother MP Pru Goward (pictured) and her stepdad David Barnett
'Can't get the washing machine to work - any tips?' Tziporah asked her online fans.
The property is owned by her mother MP Pru Goward and her stepdad David Barnett.
Tziporah had been living part time in a beachfront pad in South Australia with ex-boyfriend Guy.
The $1.3 million property, opposite Boomer Beach, features a spacious balcony and modern neutral-hued interiors.
Numerous snaps on Tziporah's Instagram account had seen her living a relaxed lifestyle, enjoying morning walks on the beach.
After being arrested for biting Guy, she said she planned to relocate to Sydney.
Beach living: The former cover girl has been living between a rental property in Melbourne, and a beachfront pad in South Australia [pictured] with boyfriend Guy Vasey, since May last year
Relaxed lifestyle: The $1.3 million property, opposite Boomer Beach, features a spacious balcony and modern neutral-hued interiors
Meanwhile, the properties are all a far cry from the multi-million dollar beachfront home in Sydney's Bondi, ex-fiance James Packer once gifted her.
Tziporah made headlines in 1996 when she became engaged to the billionaire media mogul, however that union was not to last, with the pair calling off the engagement in 1998 after five years together.
It was reported at the time by The Daily Telegraph that James gave her a $2.7 million Bondi apartment, however she later sold the apartment.
Speaking to Woman's Day in 2016, Tziporah admitted that she sometimes regrets her decision to leave Australia after her relationship with James ended.
Headlines: Meanwhile the properties are all a far cry from the multi-million dollar beachfront home in Sydney's Bondi, ex-fiance James Packer once gifted her
'Sometimes I think I should have stayed in Australia and battled it out a bit,' she admitted. 'But I was devastated and I felt like he had all the cards.'
The former '90s model and budding actress moved from Australia to Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, where she converted to Judaism, changing her name to Tziporah Malkah Bat Israel.
But her once-large bank balance dwindled when she had been ripped off in a $2 million real estate scam some years ago.
Tziporah revealed to The Project last year that she found herself homeless upon returning to Australia in 2010.
'I didn't know anything about homelessness so I thought I had to sleep under a bush so I Googled "Homelessness Melbourne,' she said.
After keeping out of the limelight, Tziporah made a triumphant return as a contestant on last year's reality show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
She is set to make an explosive return to Albert Square this Thursday.
And it appears Kat Slater isn't going to return to EastEnders quietly, as she leaves residents shell-shocked by turning up to her own wake.
In scenes set to air next week, fans will see Kat - portrayed by Jessie Wallace - furious to discover Mo Harris (Laila Morse) has lied about her death, with residents also furious their fundraising efforts were all for nothing.
Look who's back in town! Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) leaves Albert Square's residents shell-shocked as she turns up to her own wake in EastEnders scenes due to air next week
Wearing her signature leopard print and red lipstick, Kat will make a sensational entrance into the Queen Vic pub, though her reason for returning remains shrouded in secrecy.
Mo told Kat's cousin Stacey (Lacey Turner) and the rest of her family that she had died in Ireland, leading the entire Square to come together to raise money for her funeral.
In Friday's show Mo told Stacey: 'She was on a boat... and then she fell off. It was at night weren't it. They could hear her, but they couldn't find her.
Burying the hatchet! Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Kat will bear the brunt of fury from Walford residents who raised money for her funeral
What's she doing here? Kat's return to Albert Square will be shrouded in secrecy, as she arrives back from Ireland furious to find out Big Mo has lied about her death
Reunited: Following Stacey's devastation at Kat's 'death' she will be left reeling to see her cousin is very much alive
'They was looking for her then all of a sudden they spotted her. It was too late.
'Alfie wasn't there, him and Kat had a bust up, he went off with the kids and no one's seen them since.'
Following Kat's return, the entire Slater family will face a backlash from the Square as they drummed up the cash to pay for her funeral, leaving the feisty beauty to try and smooth things over.
Tension: Kat will be furious to discover that Mo has lied about her death, along with Stacey's mum Jean (far left played by Gillian Wright) who will also return to the Square
Actress Jessie Wallace told The Daily Mirror: 'She turns up in a cab and sees a leaflet on the floor saying 'Kat Slater' about her own wake.
'So she's got to clear up all the damage a certain person has caused by saying Kat's dead.'
Fans will have to wait and see why Kat has decided to return to Walford, why Mo lied about her death, and most importantly, why she is without her children or husband Alfie Moon.
He's an Olympic gold medal swimmer who is currently in a red-hot romance with fashion designer, Desiree Deravi.
But on Tuesday Michael Klim, 40, flew solo at the launch of swimwear label Orlebar Brown in Melbourne.
With his fashion-forward lady nowhere to be seen, it was a boys' night for the swimmer.
Where's Desiree? Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Klim, 40, cut a composed solo figure while attending the launch of Orlebar Brown in Melbourne on Tuesday
Looking relaxed with a half-smile on his face, the father-of-three posed for the cameras with his hands in his pockets.
Enjoying a mild Melbourne night, the former swimmer opted to wear a pair of drainpipe black jeans.
Michael topped off his 'casual cool' attire with a tight white-specked black t-shirt, which hugged his muscular chest.
Casual cool! The Poland-born swimmer looked casual cool in a pair of black jeans and a grey bomber jacket
The Poland-born athlete completed his look with a light grey bomber jacket and Nike shoes.
Michael recently enjoyed an Indonesian holiday with his partner Desiree and his three children with Balinese princess ex, Lindy Klim.
During the break brunette Desiree shared a snap of the family, in it Michael can be seen neck deep in a hotel swimming pool surrounded by his children: Stella, 11, Rocco, 9, and Frankie, 6.
Exotic beauty! Michael and Desiree got together in 2016 after his high-profile split from Balinese princess Lindy Klim
Stunning Desiree captioned the image, 'Pool day with the fam bam,' adding the hashtags, #FamilyFun #Klimkids #WaterBabies
Things seem to have settled down for Desiree and Michael, after the swimmer's acrimonious split from Lindy.
In July last year, Michael and Desiree accused the Balinese princess of creating a fake Instagram handle @j_cross1, in order to troll the couple.
Family ties! In January, Michael and Desiree spent time with his children in Indonesia. Pictured are Stella, 11, Rocco, 9, and Frankie, 6
'We know it's you @lindyklim,' Michael posted on the social media site.
'So just stop with the trolling it's pathetic you're a grown woman and stop being so disrespectful.'
Former model Lindy, meanwhile, spoke publicly about how she felt 'blindsided' by her decade long marriage breakdown, and the relationship between Michael and Desiree.
It's not known if Michael and Desiree plan on marriage, but the Olympic medallist has spoken publicly after the kids 'absolutely,' approving of her.
The swimmer telling WHO magazine: 'We're not planning too far ahead. We're just enjoying what we have now.'
Breakdown: The former glamour couple, Michael and Lindy, had a ten year marriage, before things took a turn for the worse
The Beatles legend Ringo Starr followed in the footsteps of former bandmate Sir Paul McCartney by receiving a Knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning.
Accompanied by wife Barbara Bach, the iconic drummer, 77, offered his trademark peace-sign as he showed off his medal following a short ceremony conducted by the Duke of Cambridge.
Speaking afterwards, Starr admitted he was delighted to finally accept a Knighthood for his services to music.
Richly deserved: The Beatles legend Ringo Starr followed in the footsteps of former bandmate Sir Paul McCartney by receiving a Knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning
Take a bow: Starr, real name Richard Starkey, knelt before Prince William, who conducted the ceremony
He said: 'It means a lot actually. It means recognition for the things we've done. I was really pleased to accept this. I'll be wearing it at breakfast.'
The drummer joined a string of musicians, TV personalities and political figures, among them Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb, presenter Eamon Holmes, author Jilly Cooper and former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in receiving a title.
Starr, real name Richard Starkey, has been honoured after a career spanning more than half a century, during which he helped revolutionize pop and rock music with former Beatles bandmates McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison.
He accepted the award some 53-years after The Beatles received the MBE, an honour later rejected by Lennon in protest against the Nigerian civil war, America's continued involvement in Vietnam and the commercial failure of his 1969 solo single, Cold Turkey.
The move also comes 21-years after McCartney collected his own Knighthood in 1997, again for services to music.
Starr was later congratulated by his former bandmate's oldest daughter Mary, who shared a shot of their FaceTime conversation on social media.
Proud: The legendary drummer later posed with his medal outside the Palace
Finally: Starr is now officially a Sir after being named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list
Born on July 7 1940 in Liverpool, Starr would show a keen interest in music after being captivated by the American influenced skiffle craze sweeping across the United Kingdom.
Initially recruited by Al Caldwell's Texan's - later to become Rory Storm and the Hurricanes - as they looked to make the transition from skiffle to mainstream rock n'roll, Starr soon developed a reputation as one of the burgeoning Liverpool music scene's most sought after percussionists.
But after an approach by Lennon in 1962 he was the source of controversy after quitting the Hurricanes and joining The Beatles.
Then on the cusp of stardom after signing their first record deal with Parlophone, the band recruited Starr as they prepared to sack original drummer Pete Best - an unpopular move that prompted outrage from local fans.
In good company: Accompanied by wife Barbara Bach, the iconic drummer offered his trademark peace-sign
Here's mine: McCartney received his Knighthood at Buckingham palace in 1997
Main man: The musician has been honoured for his services to music after career spanning more than half a century
Well done Ringo! The star was later congratulated by Sir Paul's daughter Mary McCartney in a FaceTime message
But the move would be a life-changing moment, with Starr propelled to international fame and considerable fortune as the band achieved unprecedented success with groundbreaking albums including Rubber Soul, Revolver and the iconic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band.
While his vocal range was notably limited, Lennon and McCartney - the band's principal songwriters - were known to reserve one song per album for the drummer, among them Yellow Submarine and With A Little Help From My Friends.
The band split following the delayed release of Let It Be in 1970, with Starr promptly embarking on a solo career with the release of debut album Sentimental Journey that same year.
Honour: Starr joined a string of musicians, TV personalities and political figures, amongst them Bee Gees legend Robin Gibb, presenter Eamon Holmes and former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in accepting the honour
Previously: It comes 53-years after The Beatles were awarded the MBE for services to music (pictured L-R: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr)
Success: Starr was propelled to international fame and considerable fortune as the The Beatles achieved unprecedented success with groundbreaking albums including Rubber Soul, Revolver and the iconic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band
To date he has released nineteen studio albums to mixed critical and commercial fortune. His most recent, Give More Love, was released in 2017.
Away from music he has appeared in numerous films after cutting his teeth on Beatles musical dramas A Hard Day's Night and Help!
Fans of a certain age will also remember his storytelling work with hugely popular children's television show Thomas The Tank Engine.
Centre stage: To date he has released nineteen solo albums to mixed critical and commercial fortune. His most recent, Give More Love, was released in 2017
Old times: Fans of a certain age will also remember his storytelling work with hugely popular children's television show Thomas The Tank Engine
Starr worked on the show from its launch in 1984 to 1991, when he was replaced by American comedian George Carlin.
The musician's Knighthood follows his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2015. He was the last Beatle to win the accolade.
Posting a short message on social media shortly after being named in the Queen's New Year's Honour's list, he commented: 'Its great! Its an honour and a pleasure to be considered and acknowledged for my music and my charity work, both of which I love. Peace and love. Ringo.'
Paul LATER took to Twitter late last year to congratulate Ringo following the news he would be knighted.
He tweeted: 'Huge congrats Sir Ringo! Sir Richard Starkey has a nice ring to it. Best drummer best pal! X Paul (sic)'
All mine: Author Jilly Cooper also received a Knighthood on Tuesday morning
Special moment: Author Sir Michael Morpurgo was made a Knight Bachelor of the British Empire
Claims suggest that some of the Married At First Sight cast were placed in separate hotels over concerns that things could get heated.
But Ryan Gallagher and Nasser Sultan seemed more cordial than ever when the pair caught-up on Tuesday.
Taking to Instagram, fitness trainer Nasser shared a number of pictures of the 'bros' at a cafe.
Firm friends! Married At First Sight's Nasser Sultan and Ryan Gallagher enjoy a day out together... but the other grooms were nowhere to be seen
In the snaps, Ryan, who recently revealed he's interested in a career in stand-up comedy, pulled a number of funny faces.
'Having a catch-up with this bro,' Nasser captioned the shot.
Wearing a tan-coloured shirt, Ryan's bulging tattooed biceps were on show while he sat at a table at the cafe next to his co-star.
Good mates! Despite talk of trouble on the set between the grooms, Nasser and Ryan appeared to be on friendly terms
On Monday, it was revealed in NW magazine that producers of the reality show had 'massively boosted' security, due to Channel Nine bosses nervous their could be a little biff.
'There have been threats of violence between the boys with all the wife-swapping that happened,' the insider told the publication.
'Some of the cast were gunning so hard for a punch up that production had to intervene by pleading with one groom over text to take it easy.
Making faces! The reality stars were animated during their catch-up before the show's grand finale tomorrow night
The magazine claims that security on the show has been 'massively boosted.'
It comes after 'alpha male' Dean was dumped by his TV 'wife' Tracey Jewel on Sunday.
In an interview with The Fix the following day Dean said that he had gone into the ceremony with high hopes.
No Dean? 'Alpha male' groom Dean was nowhere to be seen while the guys were chatting
'I was really confident until she turned around and said: 'You don't deserve me,' he confessed.
'As soon as those words came out of her mouth, I was like: 'What's going on here? I wasn't expecting that at all.'''
The crestfallen rapper added that Tracey even tried to call him after she broke the news, but he was too heartbroken to pick up.
'Threats of violence': New Weekly magazine reported on Monday that Marred At First Sight producers have beefed-up security ahead of the show's reunion episode
'There have been threats of violence between the boys': An insider said that producers are fearful things could get heated between the cast
She has broken away from her legendary family tree to forge a career as an actress.
And Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough is again making her mark on Hollywood as she stars in new thriller Welcome The Stranger, in which she appears in an extremely steamy sex scene with co-star Caleb Landry Jones.
The 28-year-old superstar offspring left nothing to the imagination as she stripped off for the saucy scene in the movie centered around estranged siblings and the arrival of creepy ex-girlfriend Misty, played by Riley.
Oh my! Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough is again making her mark on Hollywood as she stars in new thriller Welcome The Stranger, in which she stars in an extremely steamy sex scene with co-star Caleb Landry Jones
Riley proved she has zero inhibitions when it comes to her craft as she stripped off for the scene during which she displayed her assets in their entirety.
The romantic scene saw the couple writhing around while Caleb also displayed his superstar-worthy physique for the steamy scene.
With her flame red tresses falling loosely over her shoulders, Riley oozed sex appeal while she wowed the screen alongside her hunky co-star.
Abbey Lee stars as Alice in the movie, in which she arrives at Ethan's home in an attempt at a reunion yet is faced with bizarre visions.
Steamy stuff: The 28-year-old superstar offspring left nothing to the imagination as she stripped off for the saucy scene in the movie centered around estranged siblings and the arrival of creepy ex-girlfriend Misty, played by Riley
Saucy star: Riley proved she has zero inhibitions when it comes to her craft as she stripped off for the scene during which she displayed her assets in their entirety
Stunner: Speaking to The Guardian last year, Riley spoke of her work ethic as she confessed: 'Im a workaholic. Very highly strung' (pictured at NYFW in 2016)
Playing his strange girlfriend Misty is Riley who only further fuels Alice's suspicions and paranoia - leading to further mystery between the siblings.
Speaking to The Guardian last year, Riley spoke of her work ethic as she confessed: 'Im a workaholic. Very highly strung.'
She has also discussed being constantly linked with her iconic grandfather's name - yet insisted she did not care about the link.
Ahem: The romantic scene saw the couple writhing around while Caleb also displayed his superstar-worthy physique for the steamy scene
Steamy: With her flame red tresses falling loosely over her shoulders, Riley oozed sex appeal while she wowed the screen alongside her hunky co-star
When asked if she cares about being referred to as his granddaughter all the time, she said: 'Why should I? Its a fact. And Im not ashamed of that in any way. (I knew) he was very, very famous. I knew the situation. I just didnt really think about it'.
Riley also touched on the benefits of her lineage, saying: 'Whatever you do, you have to work really or you wont be taken seriously...
'(But being a Presley's) been a huge help. Im very privileged. Like the normal story of moving to LA and it takes you three years to find an agent? I got one in a week.'
Cuomo added that with the findings they will "decide what further actions may be necessary."
Battilana, an Italian model, accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her following a meeting in 2015. Weinstein allegedly groped Battilana and reached up her skirt.
The New York magazine story, citing a source with knowledge of the investigation, detailed what happened next. Battilana reported the incident to police. Weinstein contacted her while she was at the police station and a call was scheduled that would allow detectives to record the exchange.
Detectives told Battilana to ask, "How did my breasts feel?" Weinstein responded, "They felt beautiful. They're great."
Weinstein admitted to groping Battilana again during a meeting the next day that was monitored by police, according to the New York magazine story.
But Battilana's account and the recordings weren't enough. Vance's office declined to prosecute Weinstein.
Vance and NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill released a joint statement in response to the New York magazine story claiming that it "does not accurately represent the strong partnership" between the police department and the district attorney's office.
She is one of the actresses of the moment after scooping an Oscar nomination for her moving portrayal of controversial ice skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya.
And Margot Robbie has weighed in on the #MeToo movement in Hollywood during a candid discussion on Australian broadcaster 7.30.
The 27-year-old I, Tonya star insisted men and women need to 'stand together' in order to achieve equality in the great and the good of the movie industry.
'Don't want to make this an us vs. them thing': Margot Robbie insisted men and women need to 'stand together' for equality as she reflected on #MeToo during 7.30 appearance
#MeToo has gone global as victims of sexual assault and harassment used the hashtag to share their harrowing experiences online, which then was shortly followed by the #TimesUp campaign.
On reflection of #MeToo, the Oscar nominated actress explained she didn't want to divide women and men fighting for the cause.
She said: 'There are a lot of men who fight for this cause as much as the women who fight for this cause. So I definitely dont ever want to make an us versus them thing.
'I think we will be so much stronger if we stand together. I mean, our company were half men half women. I would say were 100% feminist. Guys can be feminists too. I guess my message in all of this is that we need to stand together.'
'We need to stand together': The 27-year-old I, Tonya star insisted men and women need to 'stand together' in order to achieve equality in the great and the good of the movie industry
The Australian born beauty has a positive outlook as she believes women, people of colour and the LGBTQ community are not excluded in Hollywood consciously.
'I dont think most people in this industry are making a conscious decision to exclude women or people of colour or LBGTQ community.
'I just think a lot of their actions are unconscious. The more conscious we can make these issues the more people are gunna you know maybe Im an optimists I think people want to do the right thing and change.' (sic)
Shockwaves: #MeToo has gone global as victims of sexual assault and harassment used the hashtag to share their harrowing experiences online
Thinking out loud: On reflection of #MeToo, the Oscar nominated actress explained she didn't want to divide women and men fighting for the cause
Margot secured her footing on the acting ladder when she got her first role in Neighbours from 2008 to 2011.
The soap star became known as the schoolgirl Donna Freedman at the tender age of 17 after moving to Melbourne from the Gold Coast.
Although she secured a supporting role in About Time in 2013, it wasn't until later that year Margot got her breakthrough part in the Wolf of Wall Street.
After starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the film, she went onto secure leading roles in Focus, The Legend of Tarzan as well as Suicide Squad.
Logical thinking: She says, 'There are a lot of men who fight for this cause as much as the women who fight for this cause'
Priyanka Chopra gained global success after her leading role in the ABC thriller series Quantico, making the Indian actress the first South Asian to headline an American network drama series.
Priyanka is renowned as a leading star in Bollywood cinema and has received critical acclaim for many of her roles as well as establishing a music career alongside working with UNICEF for the past ten years.
As well as this, as the best friend of Meghan Markle, there is speculation surrounding whether Priyanka will be attending the Royal Wedding to Prince Harry and if she will be a bridesmaid. But what is Priyanka Chopras net worth?
Not only is Priyanka Chopra a leading star in Bollywood, she's also a singer and philanthropist
Who is Priyanka Chopra?
Born Priyanka Chopra on July 18, 1982 in Jamshedpur in Bihar, which is now referred to as Jharkhand in India, she relocated many times across India due to her parents occupations and at the age of 13, moved to the United States to study.
When Priyanka returned to India, she finished high school and went on to compete in several beauty pageants including Miss World 2000 and the Miss World Continental Queen of Beauty - Asia & Oceania at the Millennium Dome in London in November 2000.
She became the fifth Indian contestant to win Miss World and the fourth to do so in seven years. After enrolling in college, offers for film roles led to Priyanka dropping out and her mother, an established gynaecologist, gave up her practice to support her daughter in her new career.
Priyanka Chopra movies and TV shows
One of Priyankas first film roles was in the 2002 romantic thriller Humraaz but this fell through because of other commitments and her actual debut was in a Tamil film called Thamizhan. Her Bollywood debut was in The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, which was one of the highest-grossing films of the year and she received Filmfare Awards for her performance.
Although her first three films of 2004, Plan, Kismat and Asambhav, flopped, she starred alongside Bollywood greats Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar in the romantic comedy Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and then opposite Kareena Kapoor in Aitraaz.
Priyanka went on to star in Waqt: The Race Against Time, Yakeen, Bluffmaster!, Krrish and Don but the actress soon got leading roles in Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love and Big Brother, which were both unsuccessful. She also starred in the remake of Don alongside Shah Rukh Khan and later, Don 2.
In 2013, she lent her voice to the character of Ishani in the Disneys Planes and the film grossed at approximately $240 million worldwide. In the same year, she also appeared in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela for a musical number.
Priyanka Chopra is one of Indias highest-paid celebrities with a net worth of around $8 million
Priyanka starred in a biographical film of the Olympic bronze medalist Mary Kom, which premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and for which she received critical acclaim.
She went on to star in Dil Dhadakne Do before signing a talent holding deal with ABC Studios and was cast as Alex Parrish in Quantico. Priyanka won two Peoples Choice Awards for her role and became the first South Asian to receive this accolade.
After starring in Bajirao Mastani and Jai Gangaajal as well as producing Ventilator, she made her Hollywood live-action film debut in Baywatch in 2017 alongside Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron.
Priyanka also recently completed producing a film adaptation of Daniel Pearles play A Kid Like Jake and Todd Strauss-Schulsons Isnt It Romantic? She will also star as the astronaut Kalpana Chawla in a new biopic, is in the process of developing a sitcom on actress Madhuri Dixits life and will star as the lawyer Vanita Gupta in the courtroom drama Tulia.
Her first single In My City featuring will.i.am debuted in 2012 and was a commercial success, selling over 130,000 copies in its first week. Priyanka then became the first Bollywood actor to win a major record deal in the US and she was later featured on The Chainsmokers song Erase.
In 2013, she released Exotic, her second single that featured Pitbull and a year later, she came out with her third single, a cover of Bonnie Raitts I Cant Make You Love Me.
Priyanka has also dabbled in television presenting and hosted the Indian version of Fear Factor during her career. She is also known for her opinion columns in a range of publications including the Hindustan Times, The Times of India, The Guardian, The New York Times and Elle.com.
What is Priyanka Chopras net worth?
Priyanka Chopra is one of Indias highest-paid and most popular celebrities in the world and her net worth has accumulated to approximately $8 million (5.7m), according to Celebrity Net Worth.
She was also ranked as the 8th highest-paid TV actress in both 2016 and 2017, earning $11 million (7.8m) and $10 million (7.1m) is both years respectively, according to Forbes, which also revealed that she has seven-figure deals with Pantene, Lyf Mobile and Nirav Modi.
She's the former Channel V presenter who bravely spoke out against sexism earlier this month.
But Carissa Walford, 30, celebrated a victory closer to home on Monday, when she graduated from university with a degree in Journalism.
Taking to Instagram, the bubbly TV personality referenced Elle Woods from the 2001 film Legally Blonde with the caption: 'I did it.'
'I've never done things in the right order!' TV presenter Carissa Walford earns a degree in journalism
Dressed in a patterned frock with decorative cut-outs and a square academic hat, the blonde beauty reflected on her educational journey.
'Elle Woods would be so proud,' she exclaimed.
'I always wanted to further my skill in the current field I work in, so attending uni as a mature age student and via correspondence has been a rolacoaster [sic] ride,' she wrote in the caption.
First-hand: 'Yes I've experienced [sexism] on a smaller scale and know that my co-hosts have been paid more than me,' the Sydney-based journalist told The Daily Telegraph
The stunning TV presenter added: 'I have never done things in the right order and this was a big challenge for me, something I had deferred after high school so I could focus on performing arts and attending NIDA.'
The petite blonde added: 'Better late than never.'
It comes after Carissa bravely spoke out against sexism earlier this month, saying she's experienced it and been 'paid less than male colleagues.'
Positive: However Carissa went on to say that she's now feeling confident in conferring future contracts, with the gender pay gap a hot topic
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, she started: 'I've experienced it first-hand...you're kind of always second-best to the male co-host.'
'Yes I've experienced [sexism] on a smaller scale and know that my co-hosts have been paid more than me,' the Sydney-based journalist continued.
However Carissa went on to say that she's now feeling confident in conferring future contracts, with the gender pay gap a hot topic.
'It's a bizarre thing but I feel like now, more than ever, I've even got that extra confidence that when negotiating a deal, I'm wanting to have a platform that really helps other women.'
They recently launched their new dating app, This Is Luv.
And now steaming up the camera lens together, Yazmin Oukhellou, 23, and James Lock, 31, stripped down to their skivvies for sizzling new ad campaign for lingerie brand Horni Underwear.
The TOWIE duo highlighted their sensational physiques in the saucy stylised black and white photo shoot for the underwear brand while gazing into one another's eyes.
Strip that down: Yazmin Oukhellou, 23, and James Lock, 31, stripped down to their skivvies for sizzling new ad campaign for lingerie brand Horni Underwear
Oozing sex appeal, Yazmin accentuated her ample cleavage in a form-fitting black bra which boasted a plunging neckline.
The ITVBe star teamed her skimpy brassier with a pair of hip-hugging boy shorts that had the brand's name emblazoned across the waistband.
She worked her hair into a slicked back plait which fell down her back and highlighted her dramatic make-up for the shoot.
In another shot, Yazmin posed topless alongside her shirtless beau in a pair of white boy shorts that showcased her pert posterior while her long brunette locks fell down her back in a wet look.
Racy: Oozing sex appeal, Yazmin accentuated her ample cleavage in a form-fitting black bra which boasted a plunging neckline
Complementing her glowing look, James modelled a pair of patterned brief that highlighted his rippling abs in the saucy shot.
He worked his 'do into a similar sleek look off his face while he posed in another snap wearing a pair of form-fitting white boxers.
The couple's latest collaboration comes after they launched their own dating app This Is Luv.
Gazing: The ITVBe star teamed her skimpy brassier with a pair of hip-hugging boy shorts that had the brand's name emblazoned across the waistband
Mane attraction: She worked her hair into a slicked back plait which fell down her back and highlighted her dramatic make-up for the shoot
The pair have been going strong ever since, and even celebrated Christmas as well as their anniversary at her father's villa in Marrakech.
Yazmin recently revealed their romance first began in Morocco as she 'started talking' to James, after meeting him through her brother, during a month-long visit in 2016.
She told the Daily Star: 'Last year my family and I went out there for a month and that's when I started speaking to James.
Model behaviour: Complementing her glowing look, James modelled a pair of patterned brief that highlighted his rippling abs in the saucy shot
Business: The couple's latest collaboration comes after they launched their own dating app This Is Luv
'I'd known him a long time as he was close to my brother but we'd always been off-limits out of respect to my brother and because he had a girlfriend.
'We spoke everyday for a month. And look at us now!'
However, the brunette went on to admit a proposal was still 'a couple of years' away, and would only occur if he were to ask her father's permission.
He has a close relationship with his superstar daughter and her doting fiance.
And Billy Ray Cyrus, 56, confessed he even steals from Liam Hemsworth as he gave his stamp of approval to Miley's 'good' fiance in an interview with A Current Affair.
The Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker explained he 'picks up everything' from the Neighbours star including his clothes.
'I steal his clothes': Billy Ray Cyrus confessed to stealing from Liam Hemsworth as he gave his seal of approval his daughter Miley's fiance
'I pick up everything I can off Liam,' said Billy. 'Hes a good guy. I even steal his clothes sometimes.'
Billy is in Australia for his first world tour in almost 25 years and he will make his first appearance at The Palms at Crown, in Melbourne.
He was clearly a hit with Aussies, with his 90s track Achy Breaky Heart scoring triple platinum status Down Under after its release.
We're family now! The Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker explained he 'picks up everything' from the Neighbours star including his clothes (Miley pictured with Liam in Beverly Hills, March 2018)
And it seems he's also a bit fan of the sun-drenched paradise as he claimed he wished he had comeback more often.
He added: 'If I could change anything, I would've come back every year and maybe twice a year.'
The music icon will also perform in the Hunter Valley, where he is set to share the stage with his daughter, and then he will wrap up his tour in Brisbane on March 25.
Billy's working relationship with his daughter goes all the way back to her breakout role in Hannah Montana where the pair played on-screen father and daughter.
They have gone on to share the stage, ever since co-starring on the Disney Channel's show in March 2006.
The famous father and daughter went on to reunite on television once again when Billy joined forces with Miley on The Voice as her adviser in 2017.
Proving the pair have a close bond, Miley's dad had no qualms in joking that his daughter had married her fiance Liam in Australia.
Going strong: Billy's working relationship with his daughter goes all the way back to her breakout role in Hannah Montana where the pair played on-screen father and daughter
He told The Courier Mail: 'Oh, I was down there last month, for a wedding, didn't you hear about it. It was a joke, you didn't get it!
'The whole world's been chasing me wanting to know if Miley and Liam got married while they were down in Australia.
'I just say yes, what the heck, man, it's just so funny to watch people's faces and then I always say, "No I'm just kidding". You're the first person I ever did it to long-distance, forgive me for that.'
They have been at the centre of engagement rumours.
And coy Vanessa Paradis kept her ring finger firmly out of sight while heading to the grocery store with partner Samuel Benchetrit in Los Angeles on Monday.
The 45-year-old actress, who fell in love with the dashing French writer on the set of 2017 drama Chien, kept things low-key in a padded jacket with loose-fitting trousers while he kept things simple in a black coat and beanie.
Low-key: And coy Vanessa Paradis kept her ring finger firmly out of sight while heading to the grocery store with partner Samuel Benchetrit in Los Angeles on Monday
The couple's outing comes amid speculation in the French-speaking media that the pair are secretly engaged.
Vanessa and Samuel - who have been an item since 2016 - have yet to address the reports, but certainly looked at total ease as they strolled together out of the shop.
According to VSD, Vanessa and Samuel are set to marry on the ile de Re this summer in front of close friends and family.
Vanessa - who was in a 14-relationship with Johnny Depp, with whom she raises children Lily-Rose and Jack - has never been married before.
Heading off: The 45-year-old actress, who fell in love with the dashing French writer on the set of 2017 drama Chien, kept things low-key in a padded jacket with loose-fitting trousers while he kept things simple in a black coat and beanie
She previously said she had no interest in tying the knot in a 2011 interview - before she met Samuel.
The star explained: 'It's romantic and the party part is fun, but it's a bit like the idea of a soulmate: I can't picture it for me.
'I know so many married people who tear each other apart. Ceremonies don't matter to me, love is all I need.'
Vanessa never wed long-term partner Depp, who she parted ways from in 2012.
Way back when: Vanessa - who was in a 14-relationship with Johnny Depp, with whom she raises children Lily-Rose and Jack - has never been married before (pictured together in 2004)
The Hollywood actor discussed their split with Rolling Stone magazine at the time, explaining: 'Relationships are very difficult. Especially in the racket that I'm in because you're constantly away or they're away and so it's hard. It wasn't easy on her.
'It wasn't easy on me. It wasn't easy on the kids. So, yeah. The trajectory of that relationship - you play it out until it goes, one thing leads to another. '
Samuel, a director and screenwriter, was previously married to late actress Marie Trintignant, with whom he shared son Jules, 19.
He also has daughter Saul, 10, from his relationship with ex Anna Mouglalis.
She announced in October she was expecting her first child with boyfriend Dane Goodson.
And Casey Batchelor continued to showcase her blossoming baby bump as she soaked up the sun during an idyllic babymoon to Tenerife on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Celebrity Big Brother slipped into a blush-coloured bikini for her day on the beach which highlighted her growing stomach with a plomb.
Blossoming: Casey Batchelor continued to showcase her blossoming baby bump as she soaked up the sun during an idyllic babymoon to Tenerife on Tuesday
The reality star beamed on the beach and showed off the expectant mother glow as she teamed the chic swimwear with a matching sheer beach kimono which billowed in the wind.
Commanding attention, Casey displayed every inch of her pregnant figure along the shoreline as she dipped her toe in the water.
Enjoying the sunshine, she sported worked her dark locks into a tousled style while her oversized shades kept them in place.
Despite her glowing appearance, the model revealed on social media that she had been body-shamed over her blossoming pregnant figure.
Glowing: The 33-year-old Celebrity Big Brother slipped into a blush-coloured bikini for her day on the beach which highlighted her growing stomach with a plomb
Radiant: The reality star beamed on the beach and showed off the expectant mother glow as she teamed the chic swimwear with a matching sheer beach kimono which billowed in the wind
Holding on: She gently placed her hands on her bump while relaxing on the beach
Taking to Twitter, Casey revealed she had overheard fellow guests staying at the same hotel target her weight, even though she is heavily-pregnant with her first child.
She shared: 'When you over hear people say at the hotel Shes put on some weight since CBB..... Im heavily pregnant you idiot, what do you expect!
'Some people should really think before they speak! Fat shaming a pregnant lady is a different low!'
Mean: Despite her glowing appearance, the model revealed on social media that she had been body-shamed over her blossoming pregnant figure
Anger: Taking to Twitter, Casey revealed she had overheard fellow guests staying at the same hotel target her weight, even though she is heavily-pregnant with her first child
Casey announced that she was expecting in October, after she and long-term boyfriend Dane decided to originally keep the news a secret.
A keen yoga bunny, the flexible brunette has continued her intense exercise regime - and often shares a number of impressive snaps with her social media followers.
Despite her desire to keep this up though, the yoga instructor shared a candid post about her struggles with pregnancy via Instagram in January.
Sunshine: Enjoying the sunshine, she sported worked her dark locks into a tousled style while her oversized shades kept them in place
Joy: Casey announced that she was expecting in October, after she and long-term boyfriend Dane decided to originally keep the news a secret
She told her followers: 'I cant believe how hard it is to do just a tiny bit of exercise now. I'm still attempting gentle yoga and walking, but even just walking is getting me out of breath.
'The weight of my boobs and large bump I have combined definitely is a struggle, especially putting my balance off completely!'
She added: 'Water retention and swelling is kicking in now, the baby is growing, my boobs are growing, everything is growing, and its not like Im over eating Im just growing loads lol
Working it out: A keen yoga bunny, the flexible brunette has continued her intense exercise regime - and often shares a number of impressive snaps with her social media followers
Candid: Despite her desire to keep this up though, the yoga instructor shared a candid post about her struggles with pregnancy via Instagram in January
Casey qualified as a yoga instructor last year, after embarking on a 4,000 intensive three-week course in Spain.
She admitted at the time that her new-found flexibility not only reduced her stress levels, but also improved her sex life.
She cheekily confessed of Dane in July: 'My boyfriend loves it when I do yoga in a crop top and tiny shorts!'
He is famed for his role as brooding Jon Snow in Game Of Thrones.
Yet Kit Harington was far from his heartthrob character when he hit the streets of Paris during a recent lads' holiday, during which he was seen stumbling around the streets in front of oncoming traffic and leaning against a parked van.
The 31-year-old star certainly seemed to have indulged in the revelry of the French capital as he looked sleek in an all-black ensemble - yet ruined his edgy exterior with his failure to remain upright.
Oh dear! Kit Harington was far from his heartthrob character when he hit the streets of Paris during a recent lads' holiday, during which he was seen stumbling around the streets in front of oncoming traffic and leaning against a parked van
It seemed Kit had overindulged as he stood in the rain in just his T-shirt while putting on an extremely bleary-eyed display with his pals.
While his friend puffed on a cigarette, he seemed to use another of his pals for support while appearing bleary-eyed and hazy on the streets.
In January, Kit was caught on video getting kicked out of a New York City bar after a dispute around the pool table.
The video, shot in Barfly, a cozy dive bar in the otherwise upscale Gramercy Park neighborhood, showed the actor arguing with bouncers and patrons.
Here come the boys! The 31-year-old star certainly seemed to have indulged in the revelry of the French capital as he looked sleek in an all-black ensemble - yet ruined his edgy exterior with his failure to remain up right
The lads:It seemed Kit had overindulged as he stood in the rain in just his T-shirt while putting on an extremely bleary-eyed display with his pals
The context of the dispute was unclear, but Kit appeared at points to be attempting to locate his coat and belongings in a manner disruptive to the other revelers.
His leading-man charm didn't appear to impress one young lady, who tartly tells him 'Say excuse me' as he tried to jostle past her.
In September, London-native Harington announced he is engagement to his Game of Thrones co-star Rose Leslie.
Harington, along with his top billed co-stars on Game of Thrones, is among the highest paid actors on television.
Stunner: He and the other leading cast members make $500,000 per episode, according to a report this summer from Variety. He reportedly snapped up a 1.75million home with Leslie, 30, in East Anglia late last year
Working it out: The city is still under Lannister control; however the last episode also revealed Snow's true lineage and name to be Aegon Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne and his presence in the city might suggest him reclaiming it
He and the other leading cast members make $500,000 per episode, according to a report this summer from Variety. He reportedly snapped up a 1.75million home with Leslie, 30, in East Anglia late last year.
The couple met on set of the hit HBO show when she appeared as wildling Ygritte. They were previously believed to be on the house hunt in New York, but instead settled on a medieval 15th century timber home in the English countryside.
In the final episode of the penultimate GOT, Jon did make it as far as King's Landing with an undead wight in tow to prove to Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) they had a common enemy; but he never set foot inside the city.
The city is still under Lannister control; however the last episode also revealed Snow's true lineage and name to be Aegon Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne and his presence in the city might suggest him reclaiming it.
The scene showed the actor descending the steep steps, flanked by two guards who were wearing all black, possibly old brothers from Night's Watch.
In February, Stan Walker broke his silence on the personal health struggles he had faced and announced that he would reveal all on them in a feature-length documentary called 'Stan'.
And on Tuesday, the former Australian Idol winner released a preview clip of his film, which will cover the past nine months of his life and his battle with serious ill-health.
Part of the trailer, shared to Instagram, showed the artist lying in a hospital bed.
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' What if there's a complication and I die?' On Tuesday, former Australian Idol winner Stan Walker released a preview clip of his upcoming documentary
In another moment Stan is seen wearing a hospital gown and hair net while his mother rubs his back.
Both wear expression of pain and sadness in the scene.
'They're all expecting me to get up and walk around, but I'm scared,' he says.
His mum then speaks to camera: 'I'd rather I go before my children any mother and any parent would.'
Heart-breaking story: Wearing a hospital gown and hair net, Stan's mother is seen rubbing his back while an expression of pain and sadness is shown on both his and his mother's face
Stan goes on to say: 'It's been hard for my mum, she cries every day and she blames herself too.'
'What if there's complication and I die?'
Staying strong: Stan goes on to say: 'it's been hard for my mum, she cries every day and she blames herself too'
At the end of the clip, his mother speaks candidly to the camera, sharing: 'I just have to block it out, stay strong, be with Stan and help him.'
Captioning the clip on Instagram, Stan wrote: 'This Sunday night 8.40 pm on @threenewzealand watch my documentary Stan,' he wrote.
Adding: 'I bet half the people thinking I was on crack or whatever y'all were saying are feeling pretty dumb right now.'
Truth unveiled: At the end of the clip, his mother speaks candidly to the camera, sharing: 'I just have to block it out, stay strong, be with Stan and help him'
Continuing, he wrote: 'This is bigger than all the talkers talking. It's bigger than me. It's bigger than what's happened & is happening to me.'
'There is always someone worse off going through a lot worse. All im going to say is that I'm blessed to be alive and well.'
Referring to a native Maori language term for family, he added: 'God is good & I've been blessed with a back bone of whanaua and friends that go through the highs and the lowest of lows with me.'
Family first: Referring to a native Maori language term for family, he added: 'God is good & I've been blessed with a back bone of whanaua and friends that go through the highs and the lowest of lows with me'
Fans were quick to support him, with one writing: 'Thinking about you during this hardship.'
Another wrote: 'Thinking of you and hoping you have a speedy recovery.'
The production team behind The Crown have offered an apology to Claire Foy and Matt Smith for their controversial and widely-discussed wage disparity.
The Crown came under fire after producers revealed Matt was paid more than Claire for the first two seasons of the Netflix drama and in light of the revelation, a petition was launched for the actor to donate his wages to the Me Too campaign.
Since the news broke, Left Bank Pictures have issued a statement in which they apologised to the actors for the situation they have been left in.
Outrage: The production team behind The Crown have offered an apology to Claire Foy and Matt Smith for their controversial and widely-discussed wage disparity
The full statement, released to Variety, reads: 'We want to apologise to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, brilliant actors and friends, who have found themselves at the centre of a media storm this week through no fault of their own.
'Claire and Matt are incredibly gifted actors who, along with the wider cast on The Crown have worked tirelessly to bring our characters to life with compassion and integrity.
'As the producers of The Crown, we at Left Bank Pictures are responsible for budgets and salaries; the actors are not aware of who gets what, and cannot be held personally responsible for the pay of their colleagues.'
Just hours before, a petition was launched for Matt to donate the pay difference to the Time's Up movement.
'Do the right thing': The Crown came under fire after producers revealed Matt was paid more than Claire for the first two seasons of the Netflix drama and in light of the revelation, a petition has been launched for the actor to donate his wages to the Me Too campaign
The 35-year-old Doctor Who star, who plays Prince Philip in the biopic, has been called 'to make up for this sexist pay gap' after earning more than Claire, 33, despite her starring as the lead role, Queen Elizabeth.
The Care2 petition reads: 'You know gender pay gaps are a problem when even the Queen isn't paid fairly. Women in all industries are facing a struggle for pay equality, women in the US typically earn 80 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts for full time work.
'While it may be easy for some to dismiss gender pay disparity for already high-paid actors like Claire Foy, I believe that publically addressing high-profile cases of sexism will also help create greater opportunities for all women in all careers.
'This is critical moment for Netflix and Crown co-star Matt Smith to show that they stand with women and do the right thing.'
MailOnline has contacted Matt's representatives for comment.
The petition comes after fans took to Twitter in outrage after The Crown producers Suzanne Mackie and Andy Harries made the shocking revelation when they were asked about the stars' pay during a panel discussion about the series at the INTV Conference in Jerusalem last Tuesday.
They admitted that he did make more due to his Doctor Who fame, according to Variety. (He starred in the popular BBC series from 2010 to 2014.)
Shining star: Foy was awarded Best Actress in a TV Series for her work on season one of the show at the 2017 Golden Globes in January of last year
They didn't explain why Foy, who has significantly more screen time in the biopic, continued to earn less than Smith in the second season, after she eclipsed his fame with her award-winning performance.
However the Producers did tell Variety this will change as creative director Suzanne Mackie said: 'Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen.'
Claire gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of the monarch, earning a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actor's Guild Award for best actress following the first season as well as receiving nominations at the BAFTA and Primetime Emmy Awards.
Working relationship: Foy made $40,000 per episode, Variety revealed last year. It is not yet known how much Smith was paid, as they are pictured together at a premiere back in November
For the second season of the highly-popular program, the blonde beauty earned another SAG Award for outstanding actress and earned another nomination for the Golden Globes.
Matt also earned numerous award nominations for his portrayal, but has not yet won a major gong for his efforts.
Despite the accolades and acclaim for Claire, he kept his higher salary in season two.
Last year Variety revealed her salary, with the star earning $40K an episode. It is not yet known how much Matt was paid.
The producers insisted the pay discrepancy would be changed for future seasons - however, that will be of little consolation to the talented actress, who will no longer star in the show.
Moving on: The cast will change for season three of The Crown to allow for the fact the royals are getting older
Former National Economy Adviser to US Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama Gene Sperling even chimed in saying the show was high-quality television.
The Atlantic contributor wrote: 'Every fan knows Claire Foy was THE stand out performer that made it shine. Her portrayal as the young Queen Elizabeth is a very top tour-de-force acting performance. No one should have been paid more than her.'
The cast will change for season three of The Crown to allow for the fact the royals are getting older.
Olivia Colman will play the Queen, while the role of Philip has not yet been announced.
Netflix has renewed the series for a third and fourth season back in January.
It will be moving forward without Foy and Smith as it will move forward into the Camilla Parker Bowles years and will even introduce a young Princess Diana.
The state's water infrastructure needs are one reason why Elizabeth Moran, water and natural resources director for Environmental Advocates of New York, lauded Gillibrand's plan.
"We absolutely need our state and federal government to join together and invest more in water infrastructure if we are to catch up with modern-day needs," Moran said.
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The water infrastructure problems plaguing New York range from water main breaks in Syracuse and other cities to other water quality concerns, such as the presence of harmful algal blooms in New York waterways. Some pipes in New York City, Gillibrand said, date back to the Civil War era.
The program proposed by Gillibrand would fund sewer and water projects would be open to all communities that wish to apply. State and local governments could bundle applications to help projects in rural areas compete with larger proposals.
Gillibrand said she has heard from local government officials who have plans to upgrade water infrastructure systems, but they lack the necessary funding to advance the projects.
"No New Yorker should ever have to worry about whether their water is safe to drink," she said.
Rapper Fetty Wap has welcomed his seventh child.
The 26-year-old Trap Queen hitmaker is now proud dad to a baby boy with Lezhae Zeona who he also shares a two-year-old daughter, Zaviera Maxwell, with.
Zeona posted a video - obtained by The Shade Room - on Instagram Live that showed her in hospital holding the little boy wrapped in a blanket.
Happy news! Fetty Wap has welcomed his seventh child, a baby boy, with Lezhae Zeona
The rapper has not made any announcement or shared the news on any of his social media accounts.
It comes two months after his ex-girlfriend, Love & Hip Hop's Alexis Skyy Mcfarland, gave birth to a baby girl.
Alexis originally broke up with Wap after she claimed he cheated on her with video vixen Masika Kalysha (babymama to Khari, two) on her 21st birthday.
Fetty also has Aydin Maxwell, five, with former girlfriend Ariel Reese, Amani, one, with Elaynna Parker and Lauren (born late 2016) with exotic dancer Turquoise Miami.
Alexis welcomed her first child, daughter Alaiya, three months prematurely in January.
The 23-year-old new mother and the rapper - who publicly split in 2016 - welcomed their 2lbs 'happy princess' on January 4.
Blessing: Zeona posted a video - obtained by The Shade Room - on Instagram Live that showed her in hospital holding the little boy wrapped in a blanket
Blooming beauty: Fetty also shares a two-year-old daughter, Zaviera Maxwell, with Zeona (pictured)
The New York-born, Georgia-based exotic dancer shared a sweetimage of little Alaiya wrapped in pink and purple blankets with a tiny white-and-purple beanie on her head
She weighed just one pound and is still in the hospital but doing well with help breathing and using a feeding tube.
'I swear being your mother is the best thing that happen to me the countdown begins,' Alexis wrote on Twitter on Tuesday as news emerged of the arrival of Fetty's seventh child.
In an Insta-story from her delivery room in January, Alexis had revealed that both she and the two-time Grammy nominee were also 'preemies.'
Fetty (born Willie Maxwell II) was by Alexis' side throughout the birth of his sixth child.
'Princess': In January Love & Hip Hop's Alexis Skyy Mcfarland welcomed her first child - daughter Alaiya - with the rapper
The New Jersey born rapper confirmed he was to be a father of seven last year when he defended himself on social media against criticism that he was having too many children with different women.
'Actually my son is on the way so itll be 7 at 27 with 22 million so yeah I think my odds are better than you boyfriends and all my kids moms have moved on and living their life.'
He added: 'They allow me to be a dad so f**k everybodys opinion straight like thatIm fortunate enough to have been smart enough to invest my money so my kids will have money when Im gone.'
Doing ok: As news of Fetty's baby boy emerged on Tuesday Alexis gave an update of the preemie baby girl who should soon be able to leave hospital
Her water broke three months early: The 23-year-old new mother and the 26-year-old rapper - who publicly split in 2016 - welcomed their 2lbs 'happy princess' on January 4
She has graced some of the fashion world's most elite runways.
But on Monday, Candice Swanepoel hit the New York City streets with her mother Eileen by her side.
The 29-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel seemed to be covering her growing baby bump under a white fur jacket and grey scarf.
Bundled up! Victoria's Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel covered up her baby bump as she made her way to an NYC hair salon with her mother Eileen
Two of a kind: The mother-daughter duo dressed for the chilly NYC weather in a white fur coat and a black puffy jacket
Already a mother to one-year-old Anaca, Candice showed off her famous legs in a black polka dot dress with a thigh-high split.
The blonde beauty was spotted in the same trendy dress just last week, pairing it then with a black suede jacket with white fur trim.
Candice kept her feet comfortable in black Ugg boots and clutched a small black purse with a gold zipper.
Classic beauty! The South African stunner wore the same trendy black dress just last week in NYC
Her enviable blonde tresses were swept back in a tight bun and she shielded her eyes with large silver sunglasses.
The South African stunner has been spending a lot of time with her mom Eileen, who donned a black puffy jacket.
The supermodel's mom added some pops of color with a bright blue scarf and a crimson handbag.
Bonding: The supermodel and her mom have been spending a lot of time together ahead of the birth of her second child
Proud mama: Candice is already a mother to one-year-old Anaca, who she and her fiance, Hermann Nicoli, welcomed in October 2016
Like her daughter, she pulled her blonde hair back and wore dark sunglasses as the two headed to a hair salon.
In January, Candice revealed that her second child with fiance, Hermann Nicoli, would be a baby boy.
The exciting news was shared in an Instagram video for the model's 11 million followers, where her son Anaca was kissing her baby bump.
The star warmly captioned the post; 'My boys.'
'Christmas came early': The South African stunner first shared the news that she was pregnant with her second child in December
Candice first announced she was pregnant with her second child in December, just weeks after walking the Victoria's Secret runway in Shanghai.
She shared in an Instagram snap of herself, delighting fans with the caption, 'Christmas came early.. #2.'
The catwalk star and her model partner have been together since they met in Paris in 2005. The pair got engaged in August 2015 but have yet to announce wedding plans.
Long-term love: Candice and her Brazilian model partner have been together since they met in Paris in 2005. The pair got engaged in 2015
She is going to be heading down the aisle to marry her fiance DJ Ruckus.
And Shanina Shaik gushed over her phenomenal baby shower when she posted a heartfelt thank you to her close girl pals on Instagram on Tuesday.
Accompanied with the note, the 27-year-old model documented her gorgeous look for the swanky soiree as she donned a pretty floral dress.
Blossoming beginnings: Shanina Shaik gushed over her lavish bridal shower complete with signature cocktails and Tom Ford gifts on Tuesday as she prepares to marry fiance DJ Ruckus
Fans were given a further glimpse at her very plush party, which was complete with an impressive flower wall as well as a dessert bar and floral ice cubes.
The bride-to-be thanked her close girl pals for making her wedding send-off 'so beautiful and special'.
Shanina penned on social media: 'Thank you to everyone who made my Bridal Shower so beautiful and special! #SoonToBeMrsAndrews.' (sic)
Must be love: The stunning model, 27, is going to be heading down the aisle to marry her fiance DJ Ruckus
Blooming lovely: Fans were given a further glimpse at her very plush party, which was complete with an impressive flower wall as well as a dessert bar and floral ice cubes
On Sunday, the model gave her one million fans a glimpse into her very swanky bridal shower in Los Angeles.
The statuesque brunette documented her soiree, via Instagram, complete with Tom Ford gifts, signature cocktails, flower ice cubes and pink choc-dipped strawberries.
Before the bridal party had even commenced, the Victoria's Secret model posted a number of presents she had been gifted by American fashion designer Tom Ford.
Blooming love: The bride-to-be thanked her close girl pals for making her wedding send-off 'so beautiful and special'
A-list guest list: Shanina penned on social media: 'Thank you to everyone who made my Bridal Shower so beautiful and special! #SoonToBeMrsAndrews' (sic)
Alongside the assortment of high-end makeup products Shanina wrote, 'Morning presents. Thank you Tom Ford. My favourite. I'm a lucky girl'.
Shanina kicked off her lush bridal party by posting an Instagram video of her walking into the fancy rooftop affair, as her friends and family warmly welcomed the bride-to-be.
Meanwhile, another one of her stories showcased the brunette beauty's signature cocktail list, including the 'Bahama Bride, Rockin' Ruckus and Cheeky Chopper'.
Tom Ford gifts, signature cocktails, flower ice cubes and pink choc-dipped strawberries! Shanina documented her lavish bridal shower at the Highlight Room in Los Angeles
'I'm a lucky girl': Before the bridal party had even commenced, the Victoria's Secret model posted a number of presents she had been gifted by American fashion designer, Tom Ford
Fancy a Behama bride? The Australian-born beauty's signature cocktail consisted of Tequila, Malibu rum, Cointreau, orange and pineapple juice to evidently form a 'Bahama tequila punch'
The Australian-born beauty's signature cocktail consisted of Tequila, Malibu rum, Cointreau, orange and pineapple juice to evidently form a 'Bahama tequila punch'.
In the next clip she posted to her one million Instagram followers, the Melbourne-born model showcased the assortment of sweet treats on the dessert table.
Fans caught a glimpse of an array of decadent desserts, including edible personalised photo creations, strawberry iced donuts, pink choc-dipped strawberries and a three-tier cake.
In the next clip she posted to her one million Instagram followers, the Melbourne-born model showcased the edible personalised photo creations of her and DJ Ruckus
Fans caught a glimpse of an array of decadent desserts, including strawberry iced donuts with pink sprinkles
'OMG look at this': Decadent three-tier cake at Shanina Shaik's lavish bridal shower
Berry exciting! Pink choc-dipped strawberries a the Victoria's Secret models lush bridal shower
Towards the end of her Instagram story, the model showed off the decorative flower ice cubes which sat in the fancy ice-laden bottle cooler.
Earlier in the month the statuesque brunette revealed she is getting married to fiance DJ Ruckus in 'two months.'
A source close to the model told Daily Mail Australia that the striking siren, announced the wedding news on her private Facebook page in late February.
How pretty: Towards the end of her Instagram story, the model showed off the decorative flower ice cubes which sat in the fancy ice-laden bottle cooler
According to the source, the nuptials will likely take place in April or May this year.
'Wow the feeling has arrived! I'm getting married in two months,' she allegedly wrote on Facebook.
The Australian-born beauty - who is of Lithuanian, Pakistani and Saudi Arabian heritage previously told Daily Mail Australia she will most likely wed her fiance at a beach side 'location wedding.'
He's known across the globe for his love of cosmetic procedures, having spent almost 600k on reaching his perfect physique, and recently even had four ribs removed to slim down his waist.
And Rodrigo Alves - better known as the Human Ken Doll - took an emotional trip down memory lane as he returned to his home country of Brazil while filming a new documentary exploring extreme plastic surgery culture.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 34-year-old reality star - who also appeared on Brazilian show Super Pop with Luciana Gimenez - revealed he found his return to the country difficult as memories of childhood bullying came flooding back.
'I never fit into the beauty stereotype': Human Ken Doll Rodrigo Alves revealed he was 'nervous' to return to Brazil after being 'bullied and abused' for his appearance as a child
Rodrigo first left his hometown in Brazil 17 years ago to attend a British university, but still carried the weight of his childhood bullying and body insecurities with him, causing him to invest in numerous plastic surgeries.
Rodrigo explained: 'I used to be very much bullied when growing up in Brazil because I was fat, ugly and misshapen and I never fit in into the Brazilian beauty stereotype.
'It felt emotional when I landed here,' he continued. 'It is my home country and I have a lot of memories from here. The bad memories are that I used to be very much bullied and abused by the boys and school.'
Thinking back: The 34-year-old reality star - who also appeared on Brazilian show Super Pop with Luciana Gimenez - revealed he found his return to the country difficult
Changing perspectives: Rodrigo first left his hometown in Brazil 17 years ago to attend a British university, but still carried the weight of his childhood bullying and body insecurities with him
Insecurities: Rodrigo explained, 'I used to be very much bullied when growing up in Brazil because I was fat, ugly and misshapen and I never fit in into the Brazilian beauty stereotype
Cruel: It felt emotional when I landed here,' he continued. 'It is my home country and I have a lot of memories from here. The bad memories are that I used to be very much bullied and abused'
Despite being a target of cruel bullies, Rodrigo insisted that the pain of his school days only made him stronger - and spurred him on to reinvent himself through cosmetic procedures.
The TV personality confessed: '[The bullying] made me stronger and wiser leading me to want to reinvent myself with the help of plastic surgery.
'The bulling would leave me with marks and bruises which made me a stronger person. All that I could do growing up was to study and today I have a very good degree and also I speak 5 languages fluently.'
Crafted figure: Despite being a target of cruel bullies, Rodrigo insists that the pain of his school days only made him stronger - and spurred him on to reinvent himself
Making me stronger: The TV personality confessed: '[The bullying] made me stronger and wiser leading me to want to reinvent myself with the help of plastic surgery
Working the angles: Even with the crippling anxiety over his figure and appearance, Rodrigo asserted that his goal was never to look like a doll, but instead ran with the idea
Before the surgery: Rodrigo said he never fit the 'Brazilian beauty stereotype, adding: 'I used to be very much bullied when growing up in Brazil because I was fat, ugly and misshapen'
Even with the crippling anxiety over his figure and appearance, Rodrigo asserted that his goal was never to look like a doll, but instead ran with the idea once people started referring to him as the Human Ken Doll, and that his success was down to his hard work and persistence.
Rodrigo added: 'I never had plastic surgery to look like a doll but due to the fact that I had so much I became nicknamed as the human life ken doll 5 years ago and I just have fun with it.
'Everything that I have achieved was with my hard working, will power and determination, plastic surgery is just the 1/3 of what I represent.'
Smiles: Rodrigo appeared on Brazilian TV show Superpop to discuss his many surgeries
Confidence on screen: Rodrigo asserted: 'Everything that I have achieved was with my hard working, will power and determination, plastic surgery is just the 1/3 of what I represent'
Eye-catching: Rodrigo styled a glittering blazer over a sheer floral shirt and showed off his courset that helps his waistline after his drastic rib removal
Talkative: Rodrigo had much to talk about on the show as he donned a pair of maroon trousers
In discussion: Rodrigo said he was 'nervous to be on the show' in his home country but was soon put at ease by the host Luciana
The usually-confident Rodrigo said his TV moment in Brazil - in which he candidly discussed his own procedures and his upcoming documentary - was the first time he had been nervous for an onscreen appearance because of his experience growing up in the region and due to bad experience with local people via his Instagram, but insisted the majority of people he came across made him feel welcome.
Rodrigo added: 'For the very first time in my life I was nervous on tv, often I get attacked by people from Brazil on my Instagram and on the first 10 min on the show I'm very tense but Luciana made me feel really comfortable on the show.
'I felt moved yesterday on the live chat show when I had to remember and to talk about my childhood. In the other hand I feel so blessed and proud to have on tv in so many counties around the world and to get messages and love from people in so many languages.'
Mini-me: Rodrigo held up an actual Ken Doll to look at the similarities between the two, despite never actually wanting to be a human doll
Smiles: Rodrigo posed with host Luciana before they talked about the intricacies of plastic surgery
Swapping phones: Rodrigo made sure to make the most of his time on sceen, sharing a phone call with the host
Time for a selfie: Rodrigo confidently posed with host Luciana for a quick selfie
The gender fluid star is currently filming a documentary about his life as a 'human doll' and following the bizarre phenomenon that originated in Russia, with its popularity rising across South America.
Rodrigo said his aim for the documetnary was to explore 'plastic surgery culture' surrounding human dolls, and the star's notable rise to success also meant he could tick much more off his wish list.
The model concluded: 'My dream was to travel the world and to be a TV presenter and today I feel so blessed and lucky because I have achieved much more then what I could possibly which for.'
Rodrigo said he's excited to catch up with his family - namely his 94-year-old grandmother - while in his birth country, but will shortly move onto Argentina for more TV appearances.
Commanding attention: The reality star worked off his original nerves and enjoyed his on-screen appearance in his home country
Strike a pose! The TV personality had a bit of fun to liven the mood with Luciana
Ready Player One co-stars Olivia Cooke and Tye Sheridan admit they refused to discuss their salaries while shooting the new science fiction adventure as controversy regarding the hotly debated gender pay gap continues to grip Hollywood.
The actors take leading roles in director Steven Speilbergs latest film, in which members of a polluted, overpopulated Earth are able to escape the daily grind of their everyday lives and engage in an immersive, virtual-reality world called OASIS.
But while the project has won positive reviews, Olivia, 24, and Tye, 21, insist they veered away from discussing earnings after gender pay disparity overshadowed Ridley Scott's All The Money In The World and, more recently, Netflix Royal drama The Crown.
Taboo subject: Ready Player One co-stars Tye Sheridan (far left) and Olivia Cooke (second left) admit they refused to discuss their salaries while shooting the new science fiction adventure (pictured with Steven Spielberg and Lena Waithe)
'We didn't have any chats [about money],' Olivia told BBC News at the film's London premiere on Monday evening. 'I never discuss money because I've just been brought up like that, I think it's quite rude.'
Tye added: Yeah, me too, Olivia and I definitely never (discussed it).'
Despite their refusal to talk about money, Olivia admitted she was delighted that Hollywood's long-standing financial imbalance is finally being discussed.
Coming soon: The actors take leading roles in director Steven Speilbergs latest film, in which members of a polluted, overpopulated Earth are able to escape the daily grind of their everyday lives and engage in an immersive, virtual-reality
'But,I think it's wonderful, and I'm so glad there's a conversation about it now,' she said. 'I feel like this is for me, being an actress in this current moment, I've never felt so supported and passionate and riled up with my fellow sisters.'
Director Scott's All The Money In The World was mired in controversy after Kevin Spacey was fired due to sexual misconduct allegations, with both Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams called back to act opposite Spacey's replacement, Christopher Plummer.
Never happened: 'We didn't have any chats [about money],' Olivia told BBC News at the film's London premiere on Monday evening
Screen siren: Olivia Cooke oozed glamour as she chatted to Alex Jones ahead of her appearance on The One Show on Tuesday
Sophisticated: The actress slipped her incredible figure into a black a-line dress which showed off her tremendous pins as well as teasing a peek of her cleavage
Simply stunning: She styled her auburn hair in Hollywood curls and accentuated her natural beauty with a bold red lip and soft smoky eye
Williams was reportedly paid less than $1,000 for returning, while Wahlberg made $1.5 million for reshoots on the film.
Wahlberg later announced he would donate $1.5 million to a legal fund for victims of sexual harassment following a controversy over the massive pay gap between him and his female co-star.
"Over the last few days my reshoot fee for All the Money in the World has become an important topic of conversation,' he said in a statement.
Star-studded cast: Olivia was joined by fellow co-star Simon Pegg on the sofa as they talked about their new blockbuster film
Disparity: It was previously revealed that Matt Smiths portrayal of a young Duke of Edinburgh earned him more than Foys Golden Globe-winning performance as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown
'I 100% support the fight for fair pay and I'm donating the $1.5M to the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams' name.'
It was also revealed that Matt Smiths portrayal of a young Duke of Edinburgh earned him more than Foys Golden Globe-winning performance as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown.
Producers Suzanne Mackie and Andy Harries acknowledged to US news outlet Variety that Smiths previous starring role in Doctor Who meant he was paid more than Foy who had appeared in a number of smaller British dramas including the BBCs Wolf Hall prior to The Crown.
Mackie vowed that would not be the case in the third series, which sees Olivia Colman replace Foy as The Queen.
'Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen,' she said.
It was 35-years ago that her dad Michael Jackson rocked the Letterman in the most famous music video of all time, Thriller.
And on Monday night Paris Jackson paid homage with a jacket of her own as she dined in West Hollywood.
The 19-year-old wore the metallic purple-and-gold piece to dinner with friends at sushi hot spot Nobu.
Scroll down for video
Thriller outfit! Paris Jackson paid homage to her dad Michael in a wolf Letterman jacket as she dined in Weho on Monday night
Emblazoned on the chest was a ferocious wolf just like the one Michael morphed into in the epic Thriller video.
The model paired the jacket with three-quarter-length black skinny jeans, showing off her tummy in a black crop top.
She rounded out the ensemble with her trusty burgundy Doc Martin boots.
The blonde beauty accessorized with a matching golden doggie bag from the upmarket eatery.
Stylish: The model paired the jacket with three-quarter-length black skinny jeans, showing off her tummy in a black crop top
Paris's eye-catching fashion sense was inherited in part no doubt from her late father, who passed away in 2009 aged 50.
He died of a drug overdose, issued by his personal physician, when Paris was just ten years old.
Paris is Michael's daughter by his second wife Debbie Rowe, who was married to him from 1996 to 1999, succeeding Lisa Marie Presley.
The she has two siblings - elder brother Prince, 21, also Debbie's son, and younger half-brother Blanket, 16, who was born via a surrogate.
This month Paris made her film debut in Gringo, opposite David Oyelowo, Joel Edgerton, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried and Thandie Newton.
He wore it well: The hitmaker seen in the jacket in the music video for Thriller
Indie rock anthem Mr Brightside by The Killers has been doing just fine in the UK charts since 2004 and marked its 200th week in the UK top 100, making it the most-streamed song of any track since the start of this decade.
Featured on the bands debut album Hot Fuss, the Official Charts Company reported that Mr Brightside was streamed 45 million times in 2017 and has also averaged at 878,000 plays and 696 downloads per week in 2018 so far.
In 2017, the year of throwback memes, the song about jealousy, infidelity and paranoia became a way for fans of The Killers to stream and revisit the track that has become the ultimate party song. But, how did it end up like this?
Lead singer of The Killers Brandon Flowers is pictured at Lollapalooza on March 18th as their hit single Mr Brightside celebrates its 200th week in the UK Top 100 chart
I don't actually remember ever learning the lyrics to mr brightside?? Are we all born automatically knowing all the words??? amy (@weirdworld0famy) June 19, 2016
Who are The Killers?
As an American band that formed in Las Vegas, The Killers had a slow start in the music industry but soon became known as one of the biggest in 21st century rock, having sold 22 million records worldwide. Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. complete the group and they released five consecutive chart-topping studio albums, a live album from the Royal Albert Hall and a Christmas compilation called Dont Waste Your Wishes in 2016.
The Killers have won four NME Awards, a BRIT Award and an MTV Europe Music Award, and are the first international act to have a five-album streak of No.1 albums from their debut in the United Kingdom.
What is Mr Brightside?
The hit that is Mr Brightside has celebrated 200 weeks in the UK top 100 and is also the most-streamed song released before 2010, according to the British Phonographic Industry.
Written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, Mr Brightside was the first single to be released by The Killers and had two music videos made for the song: one in black and white and the second, based on the 2001 film Moulin Rouge.
MR. BRIGHTSIDE IS A LITERAL TIMELESS CLASSIC I WILL BE 90 IN A NURSING HOME AND HEAR "COMING OUTTA MY CAGE" AND CRAWL OUT MY BED AND TURN UP Don (@itsDonLeach) February 26, 2015
Absolute Radio and XFM named the track as the Song of the Decade and Last.fm revealed that it was the most listened to song since the launch of its music service, with over 12.2 million plays.
Total Guitar magazine also ranked Mr Brightside ninth in the Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century and Rolling Stone listed the track as the forty-eighth best song.
White people when Mr. Brightside starts playing at a party pic.twitter.com/vekw84DnGY jose (@abitchua) December 3, 2017
Mr Brightside memes
Despite failing to make an impact after its initial release in 2003, Mr Brightside became a sleeper hit after being released as a single off Hot Fuss in 2004 and reached no. 10 on the US Billboard charts. After this, the track became an unofficial national anthem in Britain and went viral.
Cameron Diaz was seen screaming along to the go-to party song in the Christmas classic film The Holiday and in March 2016, a video of man in an Irish pub leading a crowd in a rendition of the song to honour his late friend went viral.
Brian O'Sullivan, if Brandon ever needs a fill-in, we're calling you! May we all have friends like this #farmersrule https://t.co/mENU0pGfHr The Killers (@thekillers) March 27, 2016
By 2017, millennial humour led to the Mr Brightside lyrics being used in a variety of different memes.
cOMiN OUTTA MY CAGE ANF IVE BEEN DOIN JUST FINE pic.twitter.com/scDc0R0Mzg officiant of doom (@ileventeen) December 19, 2016
and im falling asleep
and she calling a cab
while he's having a smoke
and hes also a crab pic.twitter.com/ZMv4mwEaQn peperony and bease (@beesmygod) February 2, 2017
when you're falling asleep and she's calling a cab and he's having a smoke and she's taking a drag pic.twitter.com/XkQrnLHeTu I wont hesitate, Bitch! (@NECROMANClNG) July 29, 2016
IT STARTED OUT WITH A KISS HOW DID IT END UP LIKE THIS pic.twitter.com/a4wkVh7zDV alberico (@dyIsexic) November 30, 2016
The Killers tour dates
The Killers will be setting off on their upcoming UK and Ireland tour in June and July 2018. Here is a list tour dates and locations:
June 23 - Swansea Liberty Stadium, Swansea
June 24 - Isle of Wight Festival
July 8 - TRNSMT 2018, Glasgow
July 13 - Bolton Macron Stadium
July 14 - Latitude Festival
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.
Caitlyn Jenner was seen with a scab on her nose when out in Malibu on Sunday.
And two days later the Keeping Up With The Kardashians vet explained what was going on with her face.
The former Olympian, 68, posted a photo of a large, bleeding scab on her nose as she wrote in her caption, 'I recently had to get some sun damage removed from my nose. PSA- always wear your sunblock!'
Ouch: Caitlyn Jenner was seen with a scab on her nose when out in Malibu on Sunday. And two days later the Keeping Up With The Kardashians vet explained what was going on with her face
Painful: The former Olympian, 68, posted a photo of a large, bleeding scab on her nose as she wrote in her caption, 'I recently had to get some sun damage removed from my nose. PSA- always wear your sunblock!'
The TV star was sitting on her bed with her dog and laptop in the background.
Cait was makeup free and wearing a white robe as she stared into the camera.
Jenner is following in the footsteps of Hugh Jackman who also documented his battle with skin cancer on social media in hopes of raising awareness.
On Sunday Caitlyn was also seen with pal Sofia Hutchins.
During her day out and about, the ex spouse of Kris Jenner maintained a make-up free face, hoping not to disturb a spot of irritated skin on her nose.
First sign of her scar: Jenner was seen with a scab on her nose when out in Malibu on Sunday
Life in the fast lane! The reality persona caught up with NASCAR's Kurt Busch at the racetrack, where the annual Autoclub 400 race was about to take place
Cait went for a casual yet chic look in a buff leather jacket, burgundy top and blue jeans for her day on the town.
Though she opted for a makeup-minimal look, the Olympic decathlete maintained perfectly polished tresses which were blow-dried smoothly.
The parent of starlets Kylie and Kendall Jenner added a bit of glitz to her look with hearty diamond studs framing her face and a subtle nameplate necklace across her throat.
Caitlyn and pal Sofia Hutchins grabbed some sips from Starbucks before heading to Trancas Country Market for food.
Still close: The former athlete with Kendall and Kylie Jenner in June 2017
The Pepperdine undergrad looked lovely in a brown tank dress and tawny open-front cardigan which she styled with low chunk heels, black-out shades and diamonds adorning each ear.
Though the pair seem to be attached at the hip, the pair are just friends.
Last year, there was a swirl of rumors that Sophia and Caitlyn were an item - but Caitlyn shot them down to Us Weekly in November.
Earlier in the day the Secrets Of My Life author traveled about an hour inland from LA for some high-octane thrills at the Autoclub Speedway in Fontana, California.
Hot wheels! It looks like the auto-enthusiast got a chance to take a spin around the track as she shared video taken from inside one of the racecars on her Instagram story
The reality persona caught up with NASCAR's Kurt Busch at the racetrack, where the annual Autoclub 400 race was about to take place.
Caitlyn gave the Las Vegas-born driver a thumbs up as they posed for a selfie together, which the star captioned: 'Really excited to see @KurtBusch tear it up @NASCAR #AutoClub400! If youre not here you should definitely watch this guy!'
It looks like the auto-enthusiast got a chance to take a spin around the track as she shared video taken from inside one of the racecars on her Instagram story.
Caitlyn is an avid collector of classic cars, often seen riding her vintage vehicles around LA and Malibu.
She and husband of 14 years Eric Dane filed for divorce last month in Los Angeles.
But Rebecca Gayheart already seems to be enjoying single life.
The 46-year-old actress looked in fine form during a vacation in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on Tuesday.
Wow factor: Rebecca Gayheart looked in fine form during a vacation in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on Tuesday
She looked to be in fantastic shape as she rocked a multi-colored striped thong bikini while hitting the beach.
She showed off her fab figure in the cheeky swimwear as she accessorized with large designer shades and multiple bracelets.
Her brunette tresses were put up in a bun as she let her natural looks show by going make-up free.
Rebecca was not alone as she was joined by a gal pal in a red swimsuit as they enjoyed the day of fun in the sun together.
Cheeky: The 46-year-old actress looked to be in fantastic shape as she rocked a multi-colored striped thong bikini while hitting the beach
Hanging out: She was joined by a gal pal on the beach outing
This comes just four weeks after news that she and 45-year-old husband Eric Dane had filed for divorce wrapping up a 14-year marriage that produced two daughters.
Gayheart is seeking spousal support according to The Blast at the time and joint legal and physical custody of their two daughters, Billie, seven, and Georgia, six.
She and Dane were ensnared in a tabloid brouhaha nine years back when a scandalous video leaked of them with beauty queen Kari Ann Peniche was posted on the now-defunct site Gawker.
Rocking it: She showed off her fab figure in the cheeky swimwear as she accessorized with large designer shades and multiple bracelets
Vibes: Her brunette tresses were put up in a bun as she let her natural looks show by going make-up free
The split came as a surprise, as they were seen on a romantic holiday getaway in late December in Hawaii.
Both stars have had difficult stretches throughout the years, as Gayheart was involved in a car accident in Hollywood 2001 that left a nine-year-old boy named Jorge Cruz Jr. dead.
The actress, who was dating director Brett Ratner at the time, received three years of probation, a suspended license for a year, 750 hours of community service and $2,800 in fines in pleading no contest to a vehicular manslaughter charge.
Split: Eric Dane, 45, and Rebecca Gayheart, 46, filed for divorce Friday in their native Los Angeles, wrapping up a 14-year marriage that produced two daughters - Billie, seven, (R) and Georgia, six, (L). The family was snapped in LA last year
The Beverly Hills, 90210 star suffered more heartache last year when her younger sister Rachel Gayheart, 38, died in a Kentucky jail August 11 as she was in jail in connection with drugs.
'Life has not been easy for you sis but now you can be peaceful,' Rebecca wrote in an Instagram post following her sister's passing. '[I'm] so grateful that I was able to be with my family during this time and want to say thank you to everyone for all of the love and support you've sent to me and my family.'
Dane has been open about his woes as well, namely an ongoing battle with depression he candidly talked about last June on The Today Show.
Out and about: The couple was snapped in Malibu at an event last September
Last-ditch effort? The duo was seen in Hawaii late in December on a tropical holiday vacation
'I was dealing with some depression, which was kind of odd to me,' said the actor. 'I felt very conflicted about it, because I didn't feel like I had anything to be depressed about.'
'It's a very serious thing ... like I said, I felt very conflicted because I couldn't figure out what I was depressed about, but it's very real. And that was the scary thing - when you wake up and you're like, "I don't want to get out of bed."'
Dane revealed that he had went to multiple physicians in feeling there was 'something physically wrong' with him that fueled his doldrums.
'I'd dealt with depression throughout my life, and it was always manageable,' he said. I just felt, you know, everybody feels a little blue.'
He cheated and lied to 'wife' Tracey Jewel during their time together on Married At First Sight.
And now Dean Wells' actions are finally being exposed, with the whole cast being played footage of his 'affair' with Davina Rankin and the disrespectful wife-swapping jokes he made during boys' night.
A preview for Wednesday night's finale episode shows Tracey exploding with anger at Dean as the full extent of his behaviour is revealed.
'You're a LIAR!' Tracey Jewel explodes with anger as Dean Wells' lies are finally exposed during the explosive Married At First Sight finale, which airs on Wednesday night
The trailer shows Sarah Roza and Nasser Sultan reacting with shock as Dean and Davina's 'cheating' is played on a television.
Appearing to regret her past decisions, Davina covers her face with a cushion in embarrassment.
Later, controversial comments made by Dean during the boys' night are shown to the whole group.
Whoops! The trailer shows Sarah Roza (left) and Nasser Sultan (right) reacting with shock as the group is shown footage of Dean and Davina's 'affair'
Why so shy? Appearing to regret her past decisions, Davina covers her face with a cushion in embarrassment
During the boozy night out, Dean revealed he would like to 'wife swap' for Carly and asked if any of other husbands would like to 'bang' Tracey.
Looking furious that Dean had in fact said those things after previously denying it, Tracey blasted her 'ex-husband'.
'You don't know the full story,' Dean argued, before Tracey hit back: 'You're a LIAR!'
Not happy! Tracey is furious after seeing footage of Dean disrespecting her at the boys' night
During Tuesday night's episode, Tracey revealed she had moved on from Dean with another contestant, Sean Thomsen.
Dean and Sean went head-to-head in an awkward exchange, with Sean accusing Dean of harassing Tracey with text messages.
Dean defended himself, telling Sean: 'You're off the mark, mate. You're so off the mark, it's not funny.'
It was a response Sean clearly didn't agree with, as he responded: 'You're kidding, aren't you? You're taking the p**s!'
Married At First Sight concludes Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for men and women. The American Cancer Society estimates the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States for 2018 are 97,220 new cases of colon cancer and 43,030 new cases of rectal cancer. According to the November 2016 New York State Cancer Registry, 38 Cayuga County men and women are diagnosed annually with colorectal cancer. This disease takes the lives of 18 Cayuga County residents annually. With routine screenings colorectal cancer death rates can be reduced as this is one cancer that can be preventable, treatable and beatable! Colorectal cancers are thought to develop slowly, over many years. They result from changes in pre-cancerous growths (also referred to as adenomatous polyps) in the lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Polyps that are discovered early through routine testing can simply be removed before they become malignant. The simplest test for colorectal cancer is a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), a painless procedure you can do at home. Two stool samples obtained over a few days are examined using a special paper that detects the presence of human blood in the stool. Blood can be a sign of cancer, polyps or other benign disorders. Other tests for colorectal cancer include examinations of part of or the entire colon via flexible sigmoidoscopy (a procedure in which a doctor views the lower third portion of the colon) or colonoscopy, and X-rays of the colon following barium enema. During these two procedures, if polyps are discovered they are removed during these procedures. Doctors recommend that men and women ages 50 and older at average risk take the FIT kit every year. Flexible sigmoidoscopy or double contrast barium enema testing should be done every five years. Colonoscopy should be performed every 10 years. If a problem is not detected, continue routine screenings as recommended by a doctor. Depending on the screening methods and findings, follow-up testing may be needed. Colonoscopy is also recommended as a follow-up procedure to positive findings on any of the other tests. People at high risk for colorectal cancer should talk with their doctor about a different screening schedule. Those at increased risk include people who:
He has admitted that he hoped his production company will give opportunities to other hopeful actors from the same background as him.
And John Boyega continued his fledgling work commitments as he headed to the Build Series to discuss his new flick Pacific Rim Uprising at Build Studio, New York on Tuesday.
The Star Wars actor, 25, put on an undeniably stylish display in a khaki green jumper which boasted rips.
Trendy: John Boyega, 25, headed to the Build Series to discuss his new flick Pacific Rim Uprising at Build Studio, New York on Tuesday
Having emerged as a male style star, John looked in his element as he posed for photographers in the stylish jumper.
He teamed it with black skinny jeans and a pair of trendy black boots with white lace-up detailing.
John was also seen braving the bitter Big Apple chill with a matching padded khaki jacket.
He opted to prop the hood up for extra warmth as he signed autographs and mingled with fans.
Stylish: The Star Wars actor put on an undeniably stylish display in a khaki green jumper which boasted rips
Looking good: Having emerged as a male style star, John looked in his element as he posed for photographers in the stylish jumper
His sighting comes after John said he hopes his production company can give opportunities to other hopeful actors from the same background as him.
The Hollywood star, who rocketed to fame as stormtrooper Finn in The Force Awakens and sequel The Last Jedi, founded UpperRoom Productions with his friend and agent Femi Oguns and has produced his latest film Pacific Rim Uprising, a sequel to 2013s Pacific Rim.
He told the Press Association: 'Its a way of having creative freedom for yourself, I think its independently a good business move and then when you think about it long term also as an opportunity for others, it is also a great move as well.
'You create a safe haven of creative ideas that you like, you get to develop things yourself, be involved in the process from early.
Trendsetter: He teamed it with black skinny jeans and a pair of trendy black boots with white lace-up detailing
Wrapping up: John was also seen braving the bitter Big Apple chill with a matching padded khaki jacket
Famous: He opted to prop the hood up for extra warmth as he signed autographs and mingled with fans
'Its a good existence, rather than the normal actor for hire experience, it gives you an added knowledge.'
Boyega who grew up in Peckham, said he hopes the company will provide a platform for other actors like him.
He said: Growing up the way I did, being discovered the way I was discovered and having to work the way I worked and going through the thing of flying over to LA as a British actor and all that kind of stuff, its very important to have a homegrown place where people can get opportunities.
Boyega said he credits the part-time acting school he went to in London, Identity, for much of his success.
It is also where he met Black Panther star Letitia Wright.
Venture: The Hollywood star, who rocketed to fame as stormtrooper Finn in The Force Awakens and sequel The Last Jedi, founded UpperRoom Productions with his friend and agent Femi Oguns and has produced his latest film Pacific Rim Uprising
He said: 'I really credit it it was the best thing I could have ever hoped for because each week we were learning something new from various different incredible teachers who had great experience in theatre, film and TV.
'And then it was a place to meet other people who were going through the same exact dream, that is where I met Letitia, now Im in Star Wars and shes in Black Panther.
'Its crazy, what a way to live and be introduced to the hustle of what you want in life and so that place was incredible for me. I had a good old time.'
Treasurer Scott Morrison has urged his G20 counterparts to work together to ensure companies like Google and Amazon are properly taxed.
Mr Morrison is in Buenos Aires for the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors' two-day meeting, the first under Argentina's 2018 presidency.
He told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the meeting digital taxation - collecting tax from multinationals like Google and Amazon - will be one of the key issues for the gathering because there is a new economy which tax systems were not built for.
"I think it is important we work together with industry with other countries to ensure that our tax bases can move with the new economy," Mr Morrison said.
Otherwise, it will be "clunky", "clumsy" and won't be well targeted, potentially missing out on the potential growth of the new economy.
"The idea the new economy should be a tax-free environment I think is a nonsense ... it can't be a tax-free club," he said.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released its now-traditional Going for Growth report at the meeting on Monday, saying governments should use the global upswing in economic growth to implement structural reforms to "sustain stronger, greener and more inclusive growth".
The report assesses country-specific reform priorities and how policy measures can be packaged together.
But the 2018 report points to a further slowdown in 2017 from the already modest pace of reform observed in the previous two years and finds little sign of any imminent pick-up.
"With the major economies of the world all enjoying a widespread upswing, a window of opportunity has opened for ending the long period of stagnating living standards faced by a large share of the population in too many of our countries," OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said.
Among its recommendations for Australia, it again urges for greater efficiencies in the tax system by developing a package that raises the rate of GST and/or widens its base in combination with further cuts in direct taxation and the removal of inefficient taxes.
It also suggests following-up further on the Harper review into competition along with road construction and broadband upgrading while pursuing a national innovation and science agenda.
It also calls for improved opportunities and outcomes for indigenous communities.
An 11-year-old girl has been airlifted to a Sydney hospital in a critical condition after a crash between a truck and car in outback NSW.
Police are trying to piece together how the truck and a Mazda 3 hatchback came to collide on Monday morning in Walgett, badly injuring the young girl who was a passenger in the car.
The girl was airlifted to the Sydney Children's Hospital where she remains in a critical but stable condition, while the driver of the car, a 29-year-old woman, was taken to Walgett Hospital with minor injuries.
The truck driver - a 49-year-old man - escaped injury but was also taken to Walgett Hospital for mandatory testing.
TIMELINE IN THE HANSON-ASHBY AIRCRAFT SAGA
2014
Late-year - James Ashby telephones One Nation treasurer Ian Nelson offering cheap printing through his company, Coastal Signs and Printing.
2015
Early-year - Ashby joins One Nation as an advisor and executive member.
February - Victorian businessman Bill McNee emails Pauline Hanson saying he would "like to become a major financial supporter of your party".
April 11 - McNee attends a dinner at Hanson's home with Ashby and One Nation officials. Ashby reveals he is a pilot and the party should be flying Hanson to events. McNee says, "We'll have to get you a plane," according to Nelson.
April 13 - Electoral Commission of Queensland records show McNee's Vicland company gives $30,000 to One Nation.
May 8 - Hanson and Ashby test-fly a Jabiru at Caboolture Recreational Aviation. Ashby is understood to have contacted McNee from the airfield saying Hanson is comfortable with the small plane.
May 13 - McNee sends an email to Hanson and Ashby: "James, we will sort out the plane tomorrow..." Funds are transferred to Ashby, according to former party treasurer Nelson.
June 5 - Jabiru 230-D aircraft, registration number 24 8637, acquired and registered by Ashby from Jabiru Aircraft in Bundaberg.
June 29 - ECQ records show McNee gives One Nation $27,720, which pays for a year's rent on the party's Brisbane office.
July 16 - The Jabiru has its maiden flight from Caloundra airport, with Hanson telling reporters: "I am thankful to now have a plane as this will enable me to visit people around the state, and interstate, including those in small remote communities."
July 17 - Hanson and Ashby fly to Rockhampton ahead of a Reclaim Australia rally.
July-Dec - ECQ returns show $10,000 donation from Vicland. Plus four payments totalling $9533 from One Nation to Ashby's company Coastal Signs and Printing.
2016
January - Hanson tells Sky News: "I've still got my plane, well the party's plane, but all the trips I've done in that since the election I've filled it up myself."
July - Hanson elected to the Senate, bringing with her three other senators. Ashby takes up role as her chief of staff.
September - One Nation tells ECQ in disclosure form that in Jan-June 2016 the party paid $1187 to Jabiru Aircraft in Bundaberg for servicing aircraft. No other mention of other spending on aircraft. Same disclosure shows more payments made to Ashby's printing companies. Disclosure was prepared by Greg Smith, Hanson's brother-in-law, not Nelson.
2017
March-April - Media reports around Jabiru plane and questions about disclosure.
April - Labor senator Murray Watt refers issues of alleged disclosure breaches to Australian Electoral Commission, following an ABC Four Corners program.
May - AEC launches investigation using its coercive powers after unsuccessfully seeking the voluntary handover of documents from One Nation. AEC says it is already doing a "compliance review" of One Nation's financial disclosures. Australian Federal Police say they are "evaluating" allegations against party.
August - AFP finds no breaches of commonwealth law. Hanson describes AEC investigation as "hoo-ha" and suggests "incompetent" former One Nation staff were to blame for errors.
2018
March - Ashby investigated for allegedly flying the aircraft without the proper licence. Ashby says it's a political witch-hunt and he has no case to answer.
March 15 - One Nation updates AEC register for 2015/16 to specifically declare 243 flight hours in the Jabiru at a price of $125 an hour, not including fuel costs.
(Source: Media reports, AEC/ECQ returns)
A woman has been charged with dangerous driving after she hit a six-year-old boy and his mother on a pedestrian crossing in Sydney.
The boy has leg and shoulder fractures and cuts to his face after being hit by the woman's Toyota Camry in Bankstown on Monday morning.
His 30-year-old mother also suffered abdominal injuries with the pair taken to Westmead Hospital.
The driver, a 32-year-old woman, escaped injury but was taken to Bankstown Hospital for mandatory testing.
She was then taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, NSW Police said.
She will face Bankstown Local Court on April 18 after being granted conditional bail.
Another two people were hit by vehicles in Sydney within an hour of the Bankstown crash on Monday prompting NSW Ambulance to urge drivers to take greater care.
A woman in her 50s was hit by a truck in the CBD and an eight-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle in Artarmon.
White South African farmers would be a better fit for Australia than Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya ethnic minority, a senator claims.
Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm was responding to questions on Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's call for fast-tracked visa assistance for white South African farmers who he claims are facing persecution.
"Whether they're black, white or brindle, that makes them refugees," the NSW Senator told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"They would get jobs, pay taxes, contribute to society far more than, for example, Rohingya would."
His remarks come the day after Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi discussed solutions to the ongoing humanitarian crisis engulfing the Rohingya ethnic minority in her country with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Parliament House.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled targeted violence in Myanmar, crossing the border into Bangladesh.
Senator Leyonhjelm claimed Australians worried about "assimilation and integration" and had "a soft spot for farmers".
Whether they came as skilled migrants or on humanitarian visas, white South Africans "would integrate far more easily," he said.
"There's a good chance if it keeps going the way it's going at the moment there will be white refugee farmers from South Africa."
Australian Greens immigration spokesman Nick McKim said Senator Leyonhjelm's comments were racist.
"Discriminating against and making generalisations about people based on their ethnic background is racism, pure and simple," the Tasmanian said.
"You'd expect someone who calls themselves a libertarian to welcome more freedom of movement, especially for those fleeing persecution, without showing bias towards certain skin colours and ethnicities."
Labor immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said Australia's non-discriminatory migration program was vital to its vibrant multiculturalism.
"If people are facing persecution, regardless of where they are from or the colour of their skin, they are able to apply to Australia's humanitarian visa program which will be assessed on its merits," he told AAP.
The question of special treatment for white South African farmers first flared up when Mr Dutton said they "deserve special attention" for facing "horrific circumstances" last week.
South Africa is seeking changes that would allow the appropriation, without compensation, of farms for redistribution to black South Africans.
The policy has led to media reports that white South African farmers are being targeted by violence and are experiencing higher murder rates.
Mr Dutton's comments earned a sharp rebuke from the South African government.
They have also polarised the party room - with conservative Tony Abbot arguing for the proposal and senior figures Julie Bishop and Mathias Cormann arguing against.
Federal Labor is defending its school funding policy from its traditional allies after a public school parent body lashed out at what some see as a special deal promised to Catholic schools.
The stoush was sparked by Labor leader Bill Shorten writing to Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart ahead of the weekend's Batman by-election to outline what the party planned to spend on Catholic schools should it win government at the next federal poll.
The measures outlined in the letter are in line with what Labor has promised for nearly a year, with its pledge to restore the level of funding that schools were originally promised under the Gillard government in 2012.
Labor says the difference between what the Turnbull government is giving schools in 2018 and 2019 and its plan is $1.88 billion for public schools, $250 million for Catholic schools and $53.5 million for the independent sector.
Citing these figures, Mr Shorten wrote: "Catholic schools would be more than $250 million better off in our first two years of government alone."
But a public school parents group has taken aim at what it sees as a "spectacular special deal" for the Catholic sector.
"It appears that a small number of Catholic Bishops now hold sway over national party politics and policy," Australian Council of State School Organisations president Phillip Spratt wrote in his monthly newsletter to principals and parents on Friday.
Mr Spratt said the idea that Catholic schools were hard done by and underfunded was outdated, and likened the situation to George Orwell's novel Animal Farm, when some animals came to see themselves as more equal than others.
"For the sake of our public schools, its students, staff and families that support them, I hope this Orwellian dystopia remains a work of fiction."
On Tuesday, Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said parents and teacher should know the biggest threat to public schools comes from the coalition, not the opposition.
"Under Labor, the neediest schools will get the biggest funding increases, in the shortest time," she said.
"Most of the neediest schools are public schools. They will get the most funding by far."
Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has taken aim at Queensland and Western Australia for failing to commit to remote indigenous housing funding.
The NT senator fronted parliament on Tuesday after Labor called on him to explain his "failure" to engage in detailed negotiations with state counterparts about the future of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Housing.
"Queensland and Western Australia have not put a single dollar on the table when it comes to remote housing," Senator Scullion told parliament after rejecting the opposition's claims.
An ongoing turf war between Fire & Rescue NSW and rural volunteers contributed to the loss of homes in the devastating Tathra bushfire on the state's far south coast, unions say.
The Fire Brigade Employees Union criticised Rural Fire Service management on Tuesday for attempting to "deflect criticism" of its handling of the Tathra blaze.
The RFS waited about three hours to call for the help of the FRNSW as a raging bushfire tore through Tathra on Sunday afternoon, despite the FRNSW offering assistance more than once.
However, the RFS says the help offered by the FRNSW was a vehicle that would not have been able to gain access to the hilly terrain.
"As an urban structure firefighting vehicle, the pumper is not suitable for firefighting areas off established roads and does not have the correct safety equipment to be working in a remote bushland area," an RFS spokesman said in a statement.
But the union dismissed the RFS explanation as a "cover-up".
FBEU state secretary Leighton Drury said the dysfunctional, dangerous and competitive relationship between the two organisations contributed to the loss of nearly 70 properties at the seaside town.
"The excuses coming out of RFS head office today don't stack up," Mr Drury said.
"The competition between the state's two fire services is dysfunctional and dangerous.
"In this case, it has contributed to the loss of scores of homes that may have been saved had FRNSW urban crews been in Tathra. It has to stop."
Tuesday is the first time Tathra locals have been allowed to return to the township.
Those who lost property were given priority to board "site inspection" buses taking them into the blocked-off town during the morning.
Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman has unveiled the state's new cabinet, with Roger Jaensch given the task of solving Hobart's housing "crisis".
Mr Jaensch was on Tuesday made housing minister as part of the Liberal government's nine-person second-term cabinet.
A housing shortage is plaguing Hobart, with a lack of affordable accommodation forcing people to sleep in tents at the city's showgrounds.
The government last weekend announced a plan to release more than 200 hectares of crown land for residential development.
Long-serving MP Rene Hidding is the government's nomination for Speaker, after a controversial end to his reign as police minister.
Mr Hidding and the Liberal party copped criticism after a plan to water-down the state's guns laws was revealed on the eve of the March 3 poll.
The proposed changes were released to the gun lobby weeks before the vote but not published on the party's website.
Michael Ferguson has added the police, fire and emergency service management portfolio to the big role of health.
Jeremy Rockliff remains deputy premier and has picked up infrastructure.
Peter Gutwein continues as the state's treasurer, while Mr Hodgman has offloaded the role of attorney-general to Elise Archer.
Jacqui Petrusma has been stripped of the human services portfolio after last year being accused of misleading parliament over claims of neglect in the state's child protection system.
After covering Alcoholics Anonymous (for alcoholics) and Al-Anon (for family and friends of alcoholics) over the last couple of months, Id like to introduce you to Alateen, which is part of the Al-Anon Family Groups and a fellowship of young people whose lives have been affected by alcoholism in a family member or close friend. Members help each other by sharing their experiences, strength and hope. The core belief is that alcoholism is a family disease because it affects all members emotionally and sometimes physically. Young people, mostly teenagers, meet in over 1,700 groups worldwide to help each other cope with the issues that arise from another persons drinking.
At Alateen meetings young people learn that they did not cause their parents disease of alcoholism, they cannot control it, and they cannot cure it. As they attend meetings regularly and talk with other members, teens begin to accept the fact that no one can fix someone elses problems for them. It is best to concentrate on their own feelings and behaviors, detach themselves from negative thoughts, and concentrate on getting better themselves. Even if the alcoholic never stops drinking, their young relatives can have a better life, which is the only thing they are responsible for and have control over. They learn to live with their resentments towards their parents and realize that they are suffering too.
South Australia's corruption watchdog will brief the new government on issues of concern in public administration in a move prompted by the Oakden nursing home inquiry.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander says his office has a growing body of knowledge about integrity issues and it's important that information is passed on to senior officials and new ministers, including Premier Steven Marshall.
"As I said in my Oakden investigation report, I was astonished at the extent to which persons in senior positions were not aware of the systemic issues occurring at the facility," Mr Lander said on Tuesday.
Move over Houston, Melbourne has joined the space race, playing host to a giant Lego rocket.
The mighty 7.5-metre model, based on NASA's SLS rocket, comprises more than 450,000 individual bricks and is set to be revealed to Victorians on Wednesday as the Brickman Awesome exhibition blasts off in Melbourne.
The tallest Lego model in the southern hemisphere, along with 38 other models, is destined to captivate starry-eyed brickheads.
The Melbourne Museum Plaza exhibition, the work of Lego architect Ryan "The Brickman" McNaught, took more than 5000 hours and two million bricks to put together.
Also among the exhibits and making its debut in Melbourne will be an all-brick, eighth-generation Toyota Camry, weighing more than a tonne.
"(Melburnians) will be the first in the world to see my brand new Lego creation - a life-sized Toyota Camry," the self-admitted car fanatic said in a statement on Tuesday.
To further satisfy fellow rev heads, McNaught's full-scale Harley Davidson and Lego Caterpillar 797 dump truck, the largest of its kind, will be also be showcased.
Visitors can also partake in a piece of history, adding bricks to the belly of a giant snake to clinch an Australian record for longest Lego model.
The Senate has urged the government to scrap the GST on tampons and sanitary pads, with one crossbencher labelling the tax "demeaning to women".
Derryn Hinch threw his support behind a motion, moved by fellow crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm, which passed the upper house on Tuesday.
"It's demeaning to women," Senator Hinch told parliament.
"It is a disgrace that women are being put through this in this country. In 2018 that we're even discussing it is Noddyland."
Government frontbencher James McGrath said changes to the GST would need to be supported by all states and territories, as well as the federal parliament.
Labor Senator Anthony Chisholm said the opposition supported removing the tax on women's sanitary products, but wanted to work with state governments to ensure they were no worse off.
"The Liberals have little interest in making this a reality," Senator Chisholm said.
The Greens failed in a bid to remove the tax from sanitary products by amending government legislation last year.
A rescue helicopter despatched after an emergency beacon went off in NSW ended up finding the device stashed inside a boat parked in a rural backyard almost 200 kilometres from the ocean.
The old locator beacon had set itself off prompting a frantic - but unnecessary - inland search.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter spent an hour looking for the beacon between Singleton and Quirindi on Tuesday morning after its signal was picked up by a plane.
As the helicopter approached Murrurundi, the signal strengthened, leading rescuers to a backyard where they found the device inside a boat.
It was an older model which had set itself off, Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Barry Walton told AAP.
"These old beacons sometimes do go leg up," he said.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is called to two such "false" incidents each year on average.
Mr Walton urged anyone with an emergency beacon to check its use-by date. Those past their prime should be disposed of properly.
"(Otherwise) there's a whole range of bodies who get involved to find there's no one in danger," he said.
"You can't take these things lightly."
The mission was not entirely wasted, with the chopper serendipitously tasked with another job as it made its way back to its Belmont base on Tuesday - taking a 67-year-old man from Murrurundi Hospital to John Hunter Hospital after a suspected stroke.
A man has been acquitted of the murder of a Gold Coast 16-year-old boy during a botched drug deal.
Michael Brack died after he was stabbed in the neck at a Bundall shopping centre in November 2015.
Ryan John Howes, who was accused of murdering the youth, claimed during his Brisbane Supreme Court trial he'd been acting in self-defence.
Howes' legal team argued he heard "two clicks" of what he believed to be a gun when he tried to buy 14 grams of cannabis for $160.
Following a week of evidence from Michael's friends, investigators and people who found the teen, the jury on Tuesday accepted Howes was defending himself when he knifed Michael.
Central to the jury's considerations was whether a gun was drawn before the fatal stabbing.
It emerged during the trial that Michael's friend Reece Rowe, who was there during the incident, kept a replica pistol.
But the jury rejected his and his girlfriend's claims it wasn't present on the fateful night or pulled on Howes before the 16-year-old was stabbed.
The defence questioned several witnesses about whether they had arranged a drug deal or had in fact gone, armed with a gun, to rip off Howes.
During the trial, the jury was also shown texts between Michael and Mr Rowe where they appeared to celebrate acts of violence.
"Just sliced someone with a samurai sword bro," Michael wrote about a week before his death.
Members of Michael's family burst into tears as the not guilty verdict was read out, as others uttered "you're joking".
Howes was not released as the court was told he remained in custody on other matters.
A man has been charged after he allegedly attacked an Uber driver during a journey south of Perth.
Police say the 34-year-old male driver picked up two men and a woman outside a Mandurah hotel early on Sunday and had driven them a short distance when one of the men struck him in the back of the head, causing cuts and bruises.
A 25-year-old Lakelands man has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and is due to appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court in April.
Big businesses must promise to pass tax cuts on to workers' wages if key cross bench senators are going to vote for the government's planned changes.
Pauline Hanson says she has not yet been convinced on the tax cuts, which are before the Senate this week.
"Have we heard that big businesses say they are actually going to increase wages?" she told Sky News on Tuesday.
When asked if a guarantee from businesses would help her to vote for the cuts, Senator Hanson said: "It would."
Derryn Hinch also says he wants to see a guarantee from businesses that they will pass on tax cuts to increase wages.
"I'm worried that too much of it is going to be used for share buybacks or dividends," he said.
Both senators said they were still negotiating with the government on the corporate tax changes.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus said unions don't support the cuts because they are "trickle down economics".
"So much of this money ends up in offshore bank accounts," she said.
But Ms McManus said the government could increase the minimum wage to ensure the tax cut is passed on.
"Why isn't Malcolm Turnbull going and saying to the Fair Work Commission 'We support an increase to the minimum wage and we'll have a company tax cut'?" she said.
Labor and the Greens oppose the cut in the corporate tax rate for all-sized businesses from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, but the government can get a win with crossbench support.
Australia is chipping in an extra $3.4 million to help Papua New Guinean earthquake victims rebuild their lives.
More than 125 people were killed and the United Nations estimates 500,000 people have been affected by the 7.5-magnitude quake in the highlands region in late February.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced the extra assistance during her visit to Port Moresby on Tuesday.
The money will help communities re-establish their livelihoods, repair and rebuild infrastructure and restore water and sanitation.
There was also a special focus on the needs of women, girls, and people with disabilities.
Australia has also sent a three-person medical team to assess health needs and what extra assistance is required.
Australian Hercules aircraft and Chinook helicopters have been delivering food, water and medicine to remote communities.
Ms Bishop met some of the defence personnel assisting with the relief effort and thanked them for their service.
A Queensland politician has jumped into world champion boxer Jeff Horn's corner ... by taking apart his outspoken US challenger's grammar, punctuation and spelling on twitter.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart has taken the red biro to correct Terence Crawford's profanity-laced tweet that he posted to Horn last week.
Horn is due to defend his world title against the unbeaten Crawford in Las Vegas in May after their bout, originally scheduled for April 15, was postponed last week.
The confirmation of the date change was followed by Crawford's insulting tweet to former school teacher Horn.
"ima show you are a little princess come fight night you just keep training and keeping my belt warm because I'm f***ing you up on fight night you me and everyone know it," the American posted.
Mr Stewart, a former school principal, heavily edited the since-deleted tweet and posted the red-pen corrections on Tuesday, marking it: "Can do better. FAIL, Another QLD teacher".
However the Labor MP would not have received top marks himself after misspelling Crawford's Christian name in his riposte.
Labor has pounced on Pauline Hanson's move to save a welfare payment for low-income earners whose partners die, slamming her for being "shamed" into a Senate backflip.
The One Nation leader successfully altered the government's welfare reform package on Tuesday to stop the bereavement allowance from being axed.
Senator Hanson's amendment came a day after her party voted to scrap the bereavement payment and a range of other measures including the wife pension, widow allowance and partner allowance.
She insisted her changes would leave no one worse off.
"Although the One Nation party voted the way we did last night, on reflection of it, this is why we put this amendment forward today," Senator Hanson said.
"I don't want to cause any pain or undue stress on people going through this time."
Labor Senator Murray Watt said Senator Hanson and her colleagues had scurried back to the Senate to fix the mess they had created a night earlier.
"They have been shamed into coming back into this chamber to reverse cuts to pensions and cuts to allowances that they voted for only last night," Senator Watt said.
The overall welfare package includes a major overhaul of compliance measures, including a demerit-point system for people who persistently dodge job-seeking obligations.
The legislation also seeks to tighten exemptions for drug and alcohol dependence, increase wait times for unemployment payments and axe the wife pension.
Two One Nation senators missed a vote on Monday night.
NSW Senator Brian Burston and WA's Peter Georgiou apologised before siding with the government to scrap the bereavement payment and a suite of other measures in the retaken vote.
In the early 1970s, Martin "Marty" Stanton began to make a name for himself in Cayuga County, and he did so with an India ink pen and paper.
For 41 years, Stanton was the editorial cartoonist at The Citizen. During that time, he submitted daily drawings, which covered a wide range of topics such as local sports, history and politics.
An Auburn native, Stanton died Monday at 87. While he retired from cartooning in 2011, Stanton continued to submit sketches to the paper from time to time, and local leaders said they are saddened to hear of his passing.
Former Auburn Mayor Guy Cosentino said he was often inspired by Stanton's cartoons. A long-time political columnist for The Citizen, Cosentino was impressed by the sheer volume of Stanton's work, despite having been the "butt of those pieces."
"I always took it with great humor," Cosentino said. "In fact, I have a collection of (those cartoons) at home. ... Whether you liked what he drew or not, he made you laugh or smile."
Cosentino said Stanton was "terrifically prolific" and had a "great eye" for what was going on in the area. He noted that Stanton was often considered a cheerleader for the community, highlighting local fundraisers and achievements in his cartoons.
Today's Birthday, March 21: Australian comedian, television personality and writer Vince Sorrenti (1961 - ).
Comedian Vince Sorrenti recently stamped his trademark sense of humour on the public debate surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's affair with a former staffer.
While members of the parliament and media called for Joyce's head, the 57-year-old funnyman took a broader view, tracing the Nationals leader's downfall to his infamous 'Pistol and Boo' dog quarantine feud with Hollywood actor Johnny Depp.
"Things have really gone pear-shaped for Barnaby Joyce since he pissed off Johnny Depp," Sorrenti said on the Studio Ten breakfast program in February.
"It's all gone downhill from there... this is the 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse Of Jack Sparrow'."
Sorrenti was born in Sydney in 1961 after his Italian parents migrated to Australia in the 1950s.
In the early 1980s, the first-generation Australian played rugby union while studying an architecture degree at the University of Sydney and dabbled in comedy in a number of architecture revues.
After graduating in 1985, Sorrenti moved to New York City to continue to hone his craft and was picked up to host MTV's Big Blank Show.
The Australian then signed on to host a short-lived Network Ten remake of Let's Make a Deal in 1991.
Later that year, Sorrenti won a gold medal at the New York Film Festival for his co-written environmental documentary No Laughing Matter in which he portrayed all seven characters.
His co-written feature film script Gino, a comedy about second-generation Italian-Australians living in the harbour city, debuted in 1993.
But it is Sorrenti's work as an attention-grabbing television personality that has made him a household name.
Over the past 30 years, the down-to-earth stand-up comedian has appeared on The Great Aussie Cook Off, Sunrise, Wide Open Road, 20 to 1, Celebrity Apprentice and Studio Ten.
Outside of film and television, Sorrenti has also penned feature articles for publications including The Bulletin, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Weekend Australian.
The five-time Mo Award winner for Australia's best stand-up comic still regularly MCs for some of the nation's biggest sporting competitions and clubs.
He is married to Kate Sorrenti and the couple has four children.
Unions have detailed their vision to overhaul Australia's workplace laws, with a radical proposal to "change the rules" which they claim will ensure greater job security and better pay.
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus will address the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, in what the peak body has dubbed the most important speech by a union leader in a generation.
The ACTU is calling for a clear definition of casual work which it believes should be limited.
"Casual employees who have worked on a regular basis for six months, deserve the right to choose to convert to permanent work," Ms McManus said.
Ending the uncapped temporary working visa program, along with a major overhaul of labour hire and a shift in Commonwealth procurement rules will form part of the union's push.
"Labour hire companies simply rent out workers for lower pay and less job security. It's got to stop," the ACTU secretary said.
Ms McManus wants to create a national labour hire licensing system to ensure companies do not cut wages and conditions.
Temporary visas must have strong protections against abuse and only be used for genuine shortages, she said.
"The government is shipping in exploitation and taking job opportunities for locals through its temporary visa system, and it needs to end," the former NSW secretary of the Australian Services' Union said.
The ACTU's wishlist comes after it launched a major advertising campaign to "change the rules" last week.
Ms McManus says government procurement rules must be rewritten to ensure local businesses which pay fairly are not disadvantaged.
The ACTU is also taking aim at employers in the so-called gig economy, which includes platforms like Uber, Airtasker and Deliveroo.
It argues classing workers as individual contractors has denied basic rights.
Ms McManus says people are being paid below minimum wage and denied access to workers' compensation, sick leave, superannuation and unfair dismissal.
"We need to change the rules so everyone has basic rights, including the right to collectively bargain," she said.
Her speech will criticise the recently signed Trans-Pacific Partnership, which she says coupled with the China Free Trade Agreement, allows companies to ship in workforces.
"We must only enter into agreements which defend and improve wages and job security," Ms McManus said.
With hundreds of people returning to their homes and hundreds more with only smouldering ruins to return to, the NSW coastal town of Tathra is split by disaster.
But despite the hardship, it's a community united in its desire to recover.
The first residents were able to return to their homes on Tuesday night after authorities declared about 20 streets safe and the bushfire under control.
Among them was Eamonn Martin, who said his heart went out to his neighbours who had lost their houses to fires started by "indiscriminate" ember attacks.
"It'll take a generation for Tathra to recover," he told AAP after returning home on Tuesday.
"They'll be talking about the 2018 fire for years."
"It's a small town, people will pull together," his wife Yvonne added.
"We'll open our home to the people up the road. It's just us two and the dog here anyway."
But many more residents were denied access to their undamaged homes with downed power lines, emergency vehicles, asbestos and fallen trees cited as potential hazards in the wake of the fire.
Those who have it worst are the hundreds of people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the rapid moving bushfire. Their properties have been taped off while asbestos contamination testing is underway.
It could be days or even a week before they're granted access to the gutted structures and months or years to rebuild.
At final count, more than 100 houses, caravans and cabins had been destroyed or damaged by the bushfire which tore through the town on Sunday.
Most are forced to rely on friends or family for accommodation.
The Bega Valley Shire Council's Mayoral Appeal has been launched to collect money for those left homeless by the blaze.
More streets are expected to be cleared and opened to residents on Wednesday while emergency services remain on scene for support and clean-up.
An independent inquiry into the Tathra fire is set to be announced as the firefighters union calls for a merger of the two services blaming each other for the disaster.
The fire on Sunday destroyed 69 houses in the NSW coastal town with many residents saying they weren't given any warning or time to save their belongings.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant is expected to announce the inquiry on Wednesday. Former Australian Federal Police boss boss Mick Keelty will head it, according to News Corp Australia.
The NSW Rural Fire Service and the union representing professional firefighters Fire and Rescue NSW have criticised each other for their response to the blaze.
The RFS waited about three hours to call for the help of FRNSW as a raging bushfire tore through Tathra on Sunday afternoon despite Fire & Rescue NSW offering assistance more than once.
FRNSW has said many of the homes could have been saved if it had been called in earlier, a claim rejected by the RFS. The RFS said the help being offered was an urban pumper that wouldn't have been able to access the hilly terrain.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has called for a coroner's inquest into the tragedy.
"They are very comprehensive, very thorough, and very forensic," he told News Corp.
Meanwhile the Fire Brigade Employees Union has urged that the two services be merged to avoid a "turf war".
"The competition between the state's two fire services is dysfunctional and dangerous. In this case, it has contributed to the loss of scores of homes that may have been saved ... it has to stop," FBEU state secretary Leighton Drury said.
The same recommendation was made by former deputy coroner John Hiatt after the 1996 NSW bushfire, News Corp reports.
Labor says a $715 million coalition funding cut to public hospitals will result in longer emergency department wait times, delay surgeries and reduce the number of doctors and nurses.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's 2017-2020 funding cuts are equivalent to 2010 nursing jobs a year, 198,000 cataract extractions and 27,000 knee replacements.
In a joint statement on Wednesday with health affairs spokeswoman Catherine King, Mr Shorten said Mr Turnbull was happy to give big business a tax handout of $65 billion, but won't properly fund public hospitals and give Australians the health care they need.
Prince Charles has declined a cheeky invitation from the Australian Republic Movement to discuss why he should be the next Australian head of state.
The Prince of Wales will arrive Down Under next month to attend the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
ARM chair Peter Fitzsimons wrote to Prince Charles in December, inviting him to "address a friendly and respectful audience with complete candour and sincerity".
"We would be delighted to host Your Royal Highness for an address, at any convenient time during the coming visit, on why you, and not an Australian, should be Australia's next head of state," Mr Fitzsimons wrote.
"Should a different topic be preferred, we would be delighted to accommodate this."
ARM national director Michael Cooney said the prince had declined the invitation.
"Without constitutional change, there will be a once-in-a-lifetime transition and a new King of Australia within a few years. Yet today our people know nothing about what this change will look like," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The silence of the man (who) will become Australia's head of state about why he should have the job is hardly reassuring."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a former chair of the Republic Advisory Committee prior to an unsuccessful 1999 referendum, has previously said the topic was unlikely to be publicly debated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Defence Minister Marise Payne is standing by Australia's second-highest ranking military boss against suggestions he breached internal policies when he married a fellow naval officer after divorcing his first wife.
And she says there's no comparison to be made with the lengthy investigation and recent sacking of the Australian Border Force boss over a workplace affair.
Vice-Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs was cleared by two independent reviews, including one examining complaints from his former wife about the timing of the affair and promotions, the minister said on Wednesday.
"There have been two inquiries which were initiated through the Chief of the Defence Force, one by a former senior military officer, another by the Inspector-General of the ADF," Senator Payne told Sky News.
"Those matters have been dealt with and I'm not going to make any public comment."
Senator Payne was satisfied with the findings.
Chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin told a Senate inquiry last month the matter was "about family separation, it's deeply personal, it's emotive" and on advice provided to him, there was no breach of defence policy.
Earlier this month former Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg was sacked after a long investigation into whether he helped his girlfriend get a job at Sydney Airport.
"I don't think there's any comparison between the two circumstances," Senator Payne said.
The staffer who blew the whistle on Victorian Labor's alleged electorate office rorts says his life has been ruined by the scandal.
Jake Finnigan revealed in 2015 he was employed in the seat of Lara to do electorate work, but actually worked in the electorate of Bellarine, campaigning five days a week for the ALP.
"I don't know if I really feel vindicated, I think I've lost a significant part of my life in this process," Mr Finnigan told 3AW on Wednesday.
"It's caused me immense emotional turmoil. I've ended up institutionalised a couple of times as a result of the ongoing investigation into this. I've lost a significant amount of friends."
Mr Finnigan said he could no longer work as a journalist or in politics.
"Every time my name is Googled, what comes up is 'whistleblower talking to fraud squad'," he said.
Mr Finnigan was one of 26 campaign officers who ran Labor's Community Action Network, which was widely credited with targeting the marginal seats the party needed to win power in 2014.
"I was ostensibly campaigning for the Labor party on a full-time basis while being paid two days a week by the parliament," he said.
"I was based out of Police Minister Lisa Neville's office ... but I was being paid by Minister for Sport John Eren's electoral office in Lara."
A free meningococcal vaccine will be extended to Victorian teenagers to combat a rising number of cases of the deadly disease.
The Victorian Government has extended its vaccination program for year 10 students until December 31, as the number of meningococcal cases has risen, compared to five years ago.
Teenagers are at a greater risk of carrying and spreading meningococcal bacteria which can be passed on by intimate kissing and so far eight cases have been diagnosed statewide. Last year there were 89 cases, up from 78 in 2016, and 56 in 2015.
Facebook's chief of security Alex Stamos is said to be leaving the social network after internal clashes over how to respond to Russian disinformation
Facebook's chief of security said late Monday his role has shifted to focusing on emerging risks and election security at the global social network, which is under fire for letting its platform be used to spread bogus news and manipulate voters.
Alex Stamos announced the change in his work role after The New York Times reported he was leaving Facebook in the wake of internal clashes over how to deal with Russian actors using the platform to spread false or exaggerated stories to cause division among US voters.
"Despite the rumors, I'm still fully engaged with my work at Facebook," Stamos said in a message posted at his verified Twitter account.
"It's true that my role did change. I'm currently spending more time exploring emerging security risks and working on election security."
Stamos advocated investigating and revealing manipulation of news at the social network by Russian entities, to the chagrin of chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg and other top executives, the Times reported, citing unnamed current and former employees.
The Times said Stamos had decided in December he was done with Facebook, but remained at the social network as part of a plan to smoothly hand his job off to a successor.
Neither Facebook nor Stamos directly commented on how long he intended to remain at the company, referring to his tweet in response to queries.
The California-based social media giant is facing an onslaught of criticism at home and abroad over revelations that a firm working for Donald Trump's presidential campaign harvested and misused data on 50 million members.
The British data analysis company, hired by the 2016 Trump campaign, said the source of the accusations -- which it called a "former contractor" -- was "misrepresenting himself and the company".
"This Facebook data was not used by Cambridge Analytica as part of the services it provided to the Donald Trump presidential campaign; personality-targeted advertising was not carried out for this client either," it said in a statement.
- Camera on Cambridge Analytica -
Calls for investigations came on both sides of the Atlantic after Facebook responded to the explosive reports of misuse of its data by suspending the account of Cambridge Analytica.
Vera Jourova, the European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality, called the revelations "horrifying, if confirmed," and vowed to address concerns in the United States this week.
In Britain, parliamentary committee chair Damian Collins said both Cambridge Analytica and Facebook had questions to answer.
According to a joint investigation by the Times and Britain's Observer, Cambridge Analytica was able to create psychological profiles on 50 million Facebook users through a personality prediction app downloaded by 270,000 people, but also scooped up data from friends.
Facebook said it had hired a digital forensics firm to examine how the data leak occurred and to ensure that any data collected had been destroyed.
An undercover investigation of Cambridge Analytica by Britain's Channel 4 found executives boasted they could entrap politicians in compromising situations with bribes and Ukrainian sex workers, and spread misinformation online.
The executives claimed to have worked in more 200 elections across the world, including Argentina, the Czech Republic, India, Kenya and Nigeria.
The British firm said it "strongly denies" the claims from Channel 4 as well as reports on misuse of Facebook data.
Facebook shares skidded 6.8 percent by the close of the Nasdaq amid concerns about pressure for new regulations that could hurt its business model.
Shares slipped another percent or so to $170 in after-market trades.
Nikolas Cruz will continue to be held without bond, a judge ruled Friday, after a grand jury indicted him on charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder in connection with last month's shooting rampage that left 17 people dead at a South Florida high school.
Cruz appeared before the judge by video from jail, wearing an orange jumpsuit as he stood silently next to his attorney during the brief bond hearing.
A Broward County grand jury on Wednesday charged the 19-year-old gunman with 17 counts of premeditated murder in the first degree and 17 counts of attempted murder in the first degree.
Cruz gunned down students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, in one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern US history.
The suspect was identified from school security videos. A Coral Springs officer later arrested Cruz as he walked along the side of a road.
President Donald Trump is battling an obstruction of justice investigation
President Donald Trump's firing of FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe risks strengthening allegations that he is obstructing the Russia meddling investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller, legal experts say.
Trump could be making a calculated gamble by painting potential witnesses against him like McCabe and former FBI director James Comey as unreliable.
But increasingly, his derogatory tweets about both, making clear he wanted them fired, have stoked accusations that he is illegally interfering with Mueller's probe -- a charge that would threaten the viability of his presidency.
"Andrew McCabe FIRED, a great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI - A great day for Democracy," Trump tweeted Friday after McCabe was dismissed for allegedly lying in an in-house investigation.
"Sanctimonious James Comey was his boss and made McCabe look like a choirboy. He knew all about the lies and corruption going on at the highest levels of the FBI!"
Trump followed that with a Twitter attack on Mueller, who took over the collusion investigation after the president fired Comey in May 2017.
"The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime," Trump said, alleging that Mueller's team of investigators are all opposition Democrats. "Does anyone think this is fair?"
- Investigation still secret -
A billboard in West Palm Beach, Florida calls for President Donald Trump's impeachment
No one knows for sure what charges Mueller, the taciturn, 73 year old prosecutor -- and a former FBI director himself -- is studying.
But signs have increased that, in addition to his focus on possible Trump campaign collusion, he is building a case on obstruction of justice.
"At this point, it appears that Trump is unconcerned about potential liability, given his continued tweets attacking the FBI and DOJ," said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, on Twitter.
"It remains to be seen what the consequences of his actions will be, but he continues to build an obstruction case against himself."
McCabe's lawyer, former Justice Department inspector general Michael Bromwich, said "the tweets confirm that he has corrupted the entire process that led to Mr. McCabe's termination and has rendered it illegitimate."
The theoretical case of obstruction begins with Comey's allegations that Trump pressured him last year.
It could include false testimony by Trump aides, Trump's reported demands to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Mueller, possible attempts to cover up campaign contacts with Russians and other behavior, including McCabe's sacking.
And on Saturday, Trump's lawyer John Dowd, speaking to The Daily Beast, appeared to interfere when he called for "an end to alleged Russia collusion investigation manufactured by McCabe's boss James Comey."
- Obstruction used against Nixon, Clinton -
Obstruction of justice was one of the allegations arising from the Watergate investigation that forced Richard Nixon to resign in 1974 in the face of certain impeachment in Congress.
It was also one of the two articles of impeachment voted against Bill Clinton by the House of Representatives in 1998, in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
To make an obstruction case against Trump, Mueller would have to demonstrate the president had corrupt intentions in his actions.
That could be difficult, and is why legal experts are not convinced that the case can be made.
Constitutional law expert Alan Dershowitz says the obstruction statute requires concrete actions like destroying evidence, telling people to lie or paying them to perjure themselves.
"All the president did was engage in constitutionally authorized acts," he told Fox News on Friday.
The case would also have to be strong enough that the Republican-led Justice Department would dare charge the president, or that the Republican-dominated House would be willing to consider impeachment.
That would explain Trump's strategy. If he can convince lawmakers and the public that McCabe and Comey are untrustworthy, and that Mueller's team is innately biased against him, the House would be more willing to reject impeachment.
But Trump faces another risk -- if the case goes long enough, the Democrats could wrest back control of the House in November elections, and the evidence hurdle could be lower.
The drills were delayed to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics in the South
The United States and South Korea announced Tuesday that their annual joint military drills will go ahead next month, but the main exercise will be shortened by a month as a diplomatic thaw with North Korea gathers pace.
No aircraft carrier will take part in the large-scale exercises that involve tens of thousands of troops and which are a perennial source of tension between the two Koreas, with Pyongyang condemning them as provocative rehearsals for an invasion of the North.
With talks under way to set up a North-South summit, followed by a proposed face-to-face meet between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, there was speculation that this year's drills might be scaled back to avoid derailing the discussions.
A Seoul defence ministry spokesman Tuesday confirmed the main exercise, expected to resume on April 1, would be truncated.
"The Foal Eagle exercises will be held for a month in April due to a delay caused by the Olympics and as each military has its own schedule," the spokesman told AFP.
Last year the drills were conducted for two months through March to April. This year's exercises had already been delayed to avoid clashing with the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South last month.
The news came despite official statements Tuesday from both Washington and Seoul that this year's drills would be "similar" in size to previous ones.
"The UN Command has notified today the North Korean military on the schedule as well as the defensive nature of the annual exercises," Seoul's defence ministry spokeswoman told reporters.
The Pentagon added in a statement: "Our combined exercises are defence-oriented and there is no reason for North Korea to view them as a provocation."
"Foal Eagle" is a series of field training exercises with approximately 11,500 US service personnel taking part, together with 290,000 South Korean troops, while "Key Resolve" is a tabletop exercise using mainly computer-based simulations.
According to a senior South Korean envoy who made a rare visit to Pyongyang earlier this month, Kim had made it clear he "understands" the need for the drills to go ahead.
Such an acknowledgement is in stark contrast to the Kim regime's denunciations of the exercises in the past. The North has often responded to the drills with its own military actions, and last year fired four ballistic missiles close to Japan.
- 'Low-key' drills -
A spokesman at the US-South Korea Combined Forces Command (CFC) told AFP: "At this moment, there is no plan to deploy a US aircraft carrier and other strategic weapons" during Foal Eagle.
"I think both the South and the US are staging a relatively low-key exercise in a bid not to unnecessarily provoke the North in this mood of rapprochement," Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University.
Kim also noted the North's relatively quiet posture so far ahead of the drills -- unlike in the past when its army and state media issued a storm of angry denunciations before and during the exercises.
"It's really important not only to the North but also the US and the South to put the situation under control during the drills," he said.
"I think all sides will try to spend the next few weeks as smoothly and quietly as possible."
The US, as South Korea's security guarantor, has close to 30,000 troops stationed in the South -- a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended with an armistice instead of a peace treaty.
Following an extended period of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, last month's Winter Olympics provided the catalyst for a sudden and very rapid rapprochement that resulted in the announcements of the planned summits.
Those announcements were made by the South Koreans, who have been orchestrating the diplomatic preparations and acting as the messenger between Washington and Pyongyang.
Trump's administration is pushing ahead with plans for a summit before the end of May, but North Korea has yet to independently confirm it even extended an invitation to leadership talks -- maintaining a silence that has raised some concerns in Washington and Seoul.
According to the South Korean envoy who met with Kim in Pyongyang, the North Korean leader also offered to consider abandoning his nuclear weapons in exchange for US security guarantees, and flagged a halt to all missile and nuclear tests while dialogue was under way.
Kim Byung-yeon, an expert in North Korea's economy at Seoul National University, said the ever-growing layer of sanctions on the North was pushing its regime to negotiations.
"With the economic damage caused by the sanctions growing ... the North seems to have come forward for talks to curb potential frustration among its people," he said.
"I think the North will show more sincerity in upcoming negotiations than before."
Sixty-nine homes were incinerated in Tathra on the south coast of New South Wales, and another 39 damaged
Residents got their first look Tuesday at the devastation wrought by a bushfire that ravaged a town in Australia, but fears over asbestos and unstable structures mean even those with houses still standing cannot move back.
Sixty-nine homes were incinerated in Tathra on the south coast of New South Wales, and another 39 damaged, after a blaze fanned by gusty winds and hot, dry conditions swept through the picturesque seaside village on Sunday and Monday.
Another 30 caravans or cabins were also lost in the fire, which left scenes of burned-out cars, blackened trees and property reduced to rubble.
While some locals were able to return on a bus tour and see what was left, safety concerns over asbestos, fallen power lines, unstable structures and other hazards mean they must wait until at least Wednesday before being able to pick up the pieces.
"It's well known that asbestos dust, which arises after asbestos is burned, is very mobile and can get into the atmosphere," recovery coordinator Euan Ferguson told reporters, with testing under way to determine it was safe.
"It can get into the lungs and cause fatal diseases."
Asbestos cement or sheeting, a cheap and durable material, was widely used in the Australian building industry after World War II until the 1980s.
Hundreds of evacuated residents spent Monday night at a recovery centre at nearby Bega, under the care of charities and volunteers, as firefighters continued to tackle parts of the blaze.
"Overnight, crews have made good progress on the southern side of the fire, with containment on most of this part of the fire," the NSW Rural Fire Service said of the blaze that has burned out more than 1,000 hectares.
"Crews are continuing to focus on the northern side of the fire."
While the threat to homes had eased, authorities warned that "this may change quickly", depending on the weather. At least five schools remained closed.
"I totally feel for what they must be going through. They must just be in total limbo," a Tathra local identified only as John, whose house survived, told broadcaster ABC of his fellow residents.
But he said the town would "stick together and we'll rebuild and look after one another as we always have".
Some 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres) were also scorched in southwestern regions of neighbouring Victoria state as dozens of blazes swept through over the weekend, wiping out beef and dairy cattle.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the "unprecedented" force of the fires claimed at least 18 homes.
Despite the damage, authorities said there were no reports of serious injuries or deaths.
Experts said the infernos showed the bushfire season -- which usually occurs in the summer months of December-February -- was lengthening as climate change disrupts weather patterns.
The Weinstein Company declared bankruptcy months after its co-founder, Harvey Weinstein (above), was accused of a litany of sex crimes by scores of women
The Weinstein Company still owes money to a long list of creditors, including a motley crew of celebrities like Malia Obama and Robert De Niro.
The film production company founded by the disgraced Harvey Weinstein and his brother, Bob Weinstein, cited a long list of people still owed money.
The company filed for bankruptcy in a Delaware court on Monday.
A copy of the bankruptcy filing was obtained by Deadline.
According to documents, The Weinstein Company still owes money to businesses that were involved in day-to-day operations as well as charities and other entertainment entities.
But the court filing also lists the names of celebrities who are also due a check.
Aside from the former first daughter and the Goodfellas star, the firm also owes money to the late David Bowie, Jerry Seinfeld, actress Alexis Bledel, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, attorney Gloria Allred, and singer John Legend.
Malia Obama famously interned at The Weinstein Company, beginning an apprenticeship at its New York City office shortly after her father, Barack Obama, left the presidency in early 2017.
The Weinstein Company still owes money to a long list of creditors, including a motley crew of celebrities like Malia Obama (above), who famously interned at the firm's New York offices last year
Another creditor listed in the bankruptcy filing is singer John Legend (seen left with Weinstein in this October 2007 file photo)
The then-19-year-old, who went on to enroll at Harvard University this past fall, was reportedly more than just the average intern who gets coffee for staff.
Obama was 'ensconced in the production/development department' where she was assigned with 'reading through scripts and deciding which ones move on to Weinstein brass,' TMZ reported.
Harvey Weinstein's former production company announced late Monday it had filed for bankruptcy, less than six months after the Hollywood mogul was beset by avalanching sexual assault allegations.
The studio also said it was immediately releasing accusers from non-disclosure agreements which Weinstein had used to silence them, allowing women to speak up without fear of retaliation.
Weinstein's former production company announced late Monday it had filed for bankruptcy, less than six months after the Hollywood mogul was beset by avalanching sexual assault allegations. Weinstein is seen left with another creditor, Jerry Seinfeld (right)
'Even as the company heads into bankruptcy, the company remains committed to doing whatever it can to maximize value for its creditors and... continue its pursuit of justice for any victims,' it said.
The company announced a 'stalking-horse' agreement - an initial bid on a bankrupt company's assets from an interested buyer - with the affiliate of a Texas-based private equity firm.
Lantern Capital Partners will purchase assets - subject to conditions and approval from a bankruptcy court in Delaware, it said.
Weinstein's brother and company chairman Robert said the board was 'pleased to have a plan for maximizing the value of its assets, preserving as many jobs as possible and pursuing justice for any victims.'
Lantern co-founders Andy Mitchell and Milos Brajovic said they intended 'to reposition the business as a pre-eminent content provider, while cultivating a positive presence in the industry.'
The list of celebrities owed money by The Weinstein Company includes Robert De Niro (left), late rocker David Bowie (center), and actress Alexis Bledel (right)
Monday's announcement came two weeks after an investor group led by Maria Contreras-Sweet, a former Obama administration official, abandoned a reported $500million deal to buy assets of the studio.
The New York-headquartered film studio has teetered on the brink of bankruptcy since Weinstein's career went down in flames last October.
In February New York state attorney general Eric Schneiderman sued The Weinstein Company, fearing that imminent sale could leave victims of the mogul's alleged sexual misconduct without adequate redress.
On Monday he welcomed the agreement to release victims and witnesses from non-disclosure agreements as 'a watershed moment for efforts to address the corrosive effects of sexual misconduct in the workplace.'
'My office will continue to fight for victims' best interests throughout the bankruptcy proceedings,' he added.
'We welcome the parties' efforts to preserve jobs and pursue justice for victims.'
Weinstein had steered numerous films to Academy Awards glory including The Artist, The King's Speech and The Iron Lady.
A fisherman, casting his net along the Ubangi River, is one of hundreds to have fled the anti-Balaka militia
For a few months each year, the Ubangi, a tributary of the mighty River Congo, dries up and a cluster of ephemeral islands emerge from its torrents before the skies darken and seasonal downpours return.
The river, also spelled Oubangui, marks the border between Central African Republic (CAR) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and most of the islands are barren and deserted.
But a handful host temporary communities, with dozens of makeshift straw huts and tarpaulins stretched out along their sandy banks, as villagers, displaced from their homes in CAR, take refuge on their isolated, transient shores.
Fisherman Matthias Kongba is one of the hundreds to have sought sanctuary.
He comes from the Satema region 300 kilometres (186 miles) upstream but he moved to one of the temporary islands three months ago, tending to his nets and his battered wooden canoe because, he says, "the evil came back".
The evil he speaks of is a militia called the anti-Balaka, a band of Christian and animist fighters that rose up after mostly Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew the government of President Francois Bozize, a Christian, in 2013.
The Seleka's short-lived but brutal rule ended in 2014 after intense international pressure and a military intervention led by France, leaving the Muslim population to face bloody reprisals from the anti-Balaka.
Since then CAR has descended into further turmoil and thousands have been killed in inter-communal violence. Amid murder, rape and retaliatory attacks, the conflict has forced a million people to leave their homes, and more than half the population is in dire need of assistance.
"The anti-Balaka were robbing, torturing, committing crimes. We fled to Congo, it's a disaster," says Kongba, who left his wife and nine children in the DRC and now represents displaced fishermen on the island.
His family are among the almost 200,000 people from CAR who have registered as refugees in DRC, according to UN refugee agency figures.
Nearly 500 people have settled on the river islet, which faces the village of Bagobolong 2 (80 km east of the capital, Bangui), to escape the anti-Balaka.
"They gradually arrived between December and January. They settled between here and Zawara," says Francois Kokayeke, village head of Bagobolong 2, noting it is the first time fishermen have lived on the island.
- Scarification -
Hundreds of people now live in straw huts on an island along the Ubangi River
Along the Ubangi, traders and fishermen are routinely subjected to the racketeering of the anti-Balaka militia, that has posts along the length of its banks.
Many fishermen have stories of friends or family who have been kidnapped or ransomed. Others have been forced to join the militia, through a bloody scarification ritual that they call "vaccination".
The process involves scarring several parts of the body during a ceremony that can involve whipping and cutting -- it's supposed to make a person invincible to bullets.
"Anti-Balaka catch the fishing boats. They want to 'vaccinate' us. If you refuse, they 'vaccinate' you by force," says Kongba, his voice full of anger.
Another fisherman, Aran Bambindo, who is also living on the island after anti-Balaka forces looted and burned the houses of his village, Satema, says family members have been scarred.
"The anti-Balaka take our fish, they whip us and force us to be 'vaccinated'. It is to force us to fight with them," Bambindo says.
"Before the 'vaccination', they tie you down and give you hemp. This lasts three hours. Some people agree to fight with them and they are 'vaccinated' with their children."
"Others refuse and flee," he adds.
Bambindo points to his nephew, who does not speak, his eyes staring at the ground.
He has dozens of scars that have cut into the flesh on his arms, chest and back.
- Internally displaced -
Fisherman Matthias Kongba left his wife and nine children in Democratic Republic of Congo
As the numbers of displaced on the islands have grown, so too have the problems, including food shortages.
Village chief Kokayeke returns from a fishing trip but his nets are almost empty.
"The fishing is not good because there are too many fishermen now," explains Kokayeke.
"Some are using the small mesh nets that catch the small fish, so it reduces the reserves even further," he adds.
The local fishermen association says it has tried to distribute unused nets to new arrivals but that there are too many people.
In the dry season, the Ubangi runs at about five metres, but during the rains its swollen waters can rise up to 12 metres.
Unable to fish, the island inhabitants hang around the tiny entrances to their straw huts, aware that their temporary homes will submerge under the river once the rainy season returns in May.
"It's (because of) poverty," says Kongba, in a torn blue T-shirt.
"We can not eat well, we have no drinking water, no care, not enough fishing equipment," he says, before returning to his fishing net.
Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is being investigated by British and US police
Harvey Weinstein's former production company announced late Monday it had filed for bankruptcy, less than six months after the Hollywood mogul was beset by avalanching sexual assault allegations.
The studio also said it was immediately releasing accusers from non-disclosure agreements which Weinstein had used to silence them, allowing women to speak up without fear of retaliation.
"Even as the company heads into bankruptcy, the company remains committed to doing whatever it can to maximize value for its creditors and... continue its pursuit of justice for any victims," it said.
The company added that it "cannot undo the damage Harvey Weinstein caused, but hopes that today's events will mark a new beginning."
It announced a "stalking-horse" agreement -- an initial bid on a bankrupt company's assets from an interested buyer -- with the affiliate of a Texas-based private equity firm.
Lantern Capital Partners will purchase assets -- subject to conditions and approval from a bankruptcy court in Delaware, it said.
Weinstein's brother and company chairman Robert said the board was "pleased to have a plan for maximizing the value of its assets, preserving as many jobs as possible and pursuing justice for any victims."
Lantern co-founders Andy Mitchell and Milos Brajovic said they intended "to reposition the business as a pre-eminent content provider, while cultivating a positive presence in the industry."
Monday's announcement came two weeks after an investor group led by Maria Contreras-Sweet, a former Obama administration official, abandoned a reported $500 million deal to buy assets of the studio.
As that deal collapsed, The Weinstein Company's board of directors said they would pursue "an orderly bankruptcy process" while working to see if there were other viable options.
The New York-headquartered film studio had teetered on the brink of bankruptcy since Weinstein's career went down in flames last October.
In February, New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sued The Weinstein Company, fearing that imminent sale could leave victims of the mogul's alleged sexual misconduct without adequate redress.
- No charges laid -
On Monday Schneiderman welcomed the agreement to release victims and witnesses from non-disclosure agreements as "a watershed moment for efforts to address the corrosive effects of sexual misconduct in the workplace."
"My office will continue to fight for victims' best interests throughout the bankruptcy proceedings," he added. "We welcome the parties' efforts to preserve jobs and pursue justice for victims."
The fate of several finished movies, which have languished on the shelf since Weinstein's career imploded, with no release dates announced, is unclear.
They include historical drama "The Current War," starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison, "Mary Magdalene," a religious drama starring Rooney Mara, and "The War With Grandpa," a comedy starring Robert De Niro.
Weinstein, 66, was sacked as chairman in October after the first sexual abuse allegations emerged.
More than 100 women have since accused him of impropriety going back 40 years and ranging from sexual harassment to assault and rape.
His case triggered a US reckoning over harassment and abuse that has toppled a litany of powerful men in various sectors.
Weinstein, a twice-married father of five, is being investigated by British and US police, but has not been charged with any crime. He denies having non-consensual sex and is reportedly in treatment for sex addiction.
He had steered numerous films to Academy Awards glory including "The Artist," "The King's Speech" and "The Iron Lady."
"Pro-life" activists try to block the sign of a counter-protester asking to "Keep abortion legal" during an annual march against the Supreme Court's 1973 decision to legalize abortion
"Clinics" across the United States feature "caregivers" in white blouses accompanied by ultrasound gear, but one thing pregnant women will not get in these facilities is an abortion.
Calling themselves "Crisis Pregnancy Centers," they are at the heart of a sensitive case going before the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Christian and conservative groups are objecting to a California law which obliges such private anti-abortion agencies to tell pregnant clients they can get an abortion or contraception at other centers subsidized by the state.
Groups opposed to voluntary abortion argue that the 2015 law, backed by Democrats, violates their right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The fundamental right to abortion has become "more fundamental than is the fundamental right of freedom of speech," even though the latter has been established for 227 years in the Constitution's Bill of Rights, says a briefing filed by Liberty Counsel, a Christian group dedicated to defending human life "from the moment of conception."
Abortion, the group said, has only been recognized as a fundamental right for 45 years, a reference to the 1973 Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion throughout the country.
The US has seen an anti-abortion push since President Donald Trump took office in January last year, with his Republican Party that opposes abortion controlling Congress.
On Monday the Republican governor of Mississippi promulgated a law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, including in cases of rape or incest, down from a 20-week limit.
In the current national context the decision by the nine Supreme Court justices will likely have ramifications beyond California, the most populous state, which has about 200 "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" typically run by Christian conservatives.
The centers present themselves as assisting and advising women with unplanned pregnancies, but try to convince them not to go through with abortions.
They are "fake women's health centers," said Maggie Jo Buchanan, former associate director of the Women's Health and Rights Program at the Center for American Progress, a policy institute which describes itself as dedicated to "progressive ideas."
The centers "are sophisticated organizations that utilize misleading and manipulative tactics to lure women into their doors," Buchanan said.
California's law requires such centers to clearly tell their clients whether they are able to practice medicine and whether health care professionals are on hand.
Buchanan told AFP that, if the Supreme Court invalidates California's law, it "would be creating an unacceptable right for organizations to use medically inaccurate information and manipulative tactics to push a political agenda on people simply seeking good health care."
The Supreme Court will render its decision before the end of June.
Cardinal George Pell leaving court earlier this month
Fresh allegations have been made against Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell, an Australian court was told Tuesday during a hearing to determine if he should stand trial on historical sexual offence charges.
The 76-year-old, who is a top adviser to Pope Francis, is on leave and returned to Australia to fight the allegations which relate to incidents that allegedly occurred long ago.
The exact details and nature of the accusations have not been made public, other than they involve "multiple complainants".
The committal hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court, which kicked off on March 5, was told by Pell's barrister Robert Richter that a witness due to testify next week had made a second statement to police, The Australian newspaper said.
"We had no forewarning of this at all," Richter told the court, the newspaper reported, adding that the development was "more than troubling".
There were no details about the fresh allegations, but they were understood to be of a criminal nature, Melbourne's Herald Sun reported.
Richter said his legal team needed time to investigate the new claims, which he had received late Monday, and it was not yet known if they could lead to new charges against his client.
Richter applied for the witness to be removed from the police's brief of evidence and to be dealt with separately.
Prosecutor Mark Gibson said the witness' testimony could be part of another proceeding if needed, the Australian reported.
Up to 50 witnesses could be called during the committal hearing, where they will give their accounts and be cross-examined by Pell's legal team. The hearings are due to last four weeks.
Magistrate Belinda Wallington will then decide if there is sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial.
Pell, a former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop, is the highest-ranking Catholic official to be charged with historical sex offences.
The cleric has not had to enter a plea, although he instructed his lawyer from the outset to make clear he intended to plead not guilty.
Earlier this year award-winning Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui, who criticised the role of the military in Pakistan, managed to escape an attempted abduction in broad daylight on a busy Islamabad highway -- he has since left the country
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to resolve hundreds of cases of enforced disappearances for which "no one has ever been held accountable".
"Disappearances are a tool of terror... if committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack, they constitute a crime against humanity," a statement issued by the rights watchdog Monday said, calling on Pakistan to "take concrete steps to end impunity".
Pakistan has had a history of enforced disappearances over the past decade, mainly confined in the past to conflict zones near the Afghanistan border or to southwestern Balochistan province, where separatists are battling for independence.
However in recent years a growing number of such abductions have taken place brazenly in major urban centres such as Karachi, Lahore and even the capital Islamabad.
Earlier this year award-winning Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui, who criticised the role of the military in Pakistan, managed to escape an attempted abduction in broad daylight on a busy Islamabad highway. He has since left the country.
Reporting critical of security policies controlled by the powerful military is considered a major red flag, with Siddiqui the most high-profile recent example among the many reporters who have been at times detained, beaten and even killed. Security agencies routinely deny being involved.
Last year, five social media activists who had been critical of the military as well as extremism were also disappeared, with their abductions sparking nationwide protests. Four were released within weeks, but the fate of the fifth remains unknown.
Many other people are believed to still be in custody. According to Amnesty, the United Nations has more than 700 such cases pending in Pakistan, while a state commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances lists hundreds of additional cases.
Victims include bloggers, journalists, students, peace activists and other human rights defenders.
Few punishments, Amnesty said, are "as cruel and deliberate.... Families are plunged into a state of anguish, trying to keep the flame of hope alive while fearing the worst. They may be in this limbo for years".
According to the NGO, Pakistan has recently accepted UN recommendations that make enforced disappearances a crime but has refused to ratify an international convention protecting anyone from enforced disappearances.
A monitor says 36 pro-government fighters have been killed in a district of the Syrian capital overrun by Islamic State group jihadists in a surprise nighttime attack, including areas evacuated by Al-Qaeda's onetime Syrian branch on March 13, 2018
A monitor said Tuesday three dozen pro-government fighters were killed in a district of Syria's capital as Islamic State jihadists took control of it in a surprise nighttime attack.
There was no immediate comment from the government on the report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which could not provide casualty figures for the jihadists.
"IS took full control of Qadam, and 36 government troops and loyalist fighters have been killed," the Britain-based monitoring group said.
Dozens more were wounded or captured, or are still missing in action, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.
IS launched the attack from positions it holds in the adjacent Hajar al-Aswad district, Abdel Rahman told AFP.
"Regime forces are bringing reinforcements to the area around Qadam to try to retake it," he said.
Qadam lies in a southern part of Damascus and has for several years hosted a range of Islamist rebels and extremists, including IS and its arch-enemy, Al-Qaeda's onetime Syrian branch Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The Syrian government has used both military pressure and negotiated settlements to try to clear the area.
Last week, hundreds of HTS fighters evacuated the district under a deal with Damascus that granted them and their family members safe passage, with most heading northwest to Idlib province.
IS jihadists have even agreed to evacuate the district in the past.
The jihadist group put out a statement late Monday saying it had captured most of Qadam, including areas "surrendered" to regime forces by HTS.
The district is smaller than and not connected to Eastern Ghouta, an area east of the capital which is home to hundreds of thousands of civilians and rebels.
Syrian troops are waging a separate offensive there.
The U.S. has begun the mass expulsion of thousands of Haitian migrants from a Texas border town. See photos from the border:
Seventeen-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi, a well-known campaigner against Israel's occupation, arrives for the beginning of her trial in the Israeli military court at Ofer prison in the West Bank on February 13, 2018
Reform of Israel's military court system in the occupied West Bank has failed to stop "systematic violation" of Palestinian minors' rights, an Israeli NGO said on Tuesday.
Human rights group B'Tselem said that the 2009 launch of a designated military juvenile court with the stated aim of "improving the protection of minors' rights" had failed to deliver.
It said that introduction of the juvenile court rather resulted in only "technical changes (which) have not improved the protection of minors rights."
It gave as an example the goal of shortening the length of time that minors are held in custody while awaiting trial.
In practice, it says, this has generated a greater frequency of remand hearings but the military judges "almost always" grant prosecution requests to extend custody.
"The changes introduced to the military justice system... are superficial, and affect nothing more than form," the report says, citing studies by United Nations children's agency UNICEF and Defence for Children International, among others.
"The reports all point to the same factual findings which demonstrate that minors' rights are regularly and systematically violated."
A UNICEF report last year cited affidavits taken from 165 West Bank children held by Israel in 2016, saying that all had been subjected to ill treatment or breaches of due process, including not being properly advised of their rights.
Many reported "verbal abuse and intimidation during arrest, transfer, interrogation and/or detention," UNICEF said.
B'Tselem said that figures provided by the Israel Prisons Service showed that as of February 28, 2018 it held 356 Palestinian minors, nine of whom were serving sentences and 257 awaiting indictment or trial.
- Near 100% conviction rate -
B'Tselem's report says that young suspects are frequently advised to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced prison sentence.
"The conviction rate in Israel's military courts verges on 100 percent," it says.
"This is not an indication of how effective the prosecution is in proving guilt, but rather a result of the fact that the overwhelming majority of the cases are closed in a plea bargain."
Israel's military said it had not yet received the report and could not comment.
A Palestinian teen arrested in December for slapping two Israeli soldiers who entered the yard of her West Bank home has become a vivid symbol of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ahed Tamimi, who was 16 at the time, is being held in an Israeli prison until the end of proceedings against her.
She is hailed as a hero by Palestinians who see her as bravely standing up to Israel's occupation.
Israelis accuse her family of using her as a pawn in staged provocations.
She has been charged on 12 counts including assault and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted.
Her trial opened on February 21, behind closed doors, as is customary in the case of minors.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised the actions of Israeli authorities in the case.
Her December scuffle with the soldiers took place amid clashes and protests against US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
At least 32 Palestinians and five Israelis have been killed since Trump's December 6 announcement.
Palestinians too see the city as their capital and Trump's recognition broke with decades of US policy that its status should be negotiated between the parties.
Erdogan said the US had carried out "such a deception" against Turkey by arming the Kurdish People's Protection Units militia which had controlled the Afrin region.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday told the US to stop "deceiving" Turkey and start cooperation, after Washington said it was concerned by the Turkish-led offensive on the Syrian city of Afrin.
Erdogan's typically abrasive comments came after the US State Department reacted to the capture by Turkish forces of Afrin from Kurdish militia by sounding alarm over the fate of civilians and looting.
"If we are strategic partners, you must respect us and you must work with us," Erdogan told Turkey's NATO ally during a speech to ruling party lawmakers in parliament.
He said that the US had carried out "such a deception" against Turkey by arming the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia which had controlled the Afrin region.
Turkish troops supporting Ankara-backed Syrian opposition fighters captured Afrin city during a lightning assault on Sunday, with the YPG largely withdrawing without a fight.
Turkey says the YPG is linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency inside Turkey and is proscribed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.
But US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Monday said the US was "deeply concerned" after the assault triggered an exodus of Kurdish civilians from the city.
Nauert said Washington was also "concerned over reports of looting inside the city of Afrin", which AFP reporters had witnessed.
- 'How is this partnership' -
Erdogan hit back at the spokeswoman's comments: "Where were you when we shared our concerns? When we said 'let's clean terrorists together here', where were you?"
Turkey had previously suggested that it could clear the Islamic State extremist group in Syria with the US, but Washington chose to work with the YPG.
"On the one hand you will say to Turkey 'you are our strategic partner' and then after you are going to cooperate with a terror organisation? The reality is clear," he said.
Relations between Turkey and the US have been strained over multiple issues including Washington's move to supply the YPG with weaponry and the failure to extradite the Muslim preacher accused of ordering the July 2016 attempted overthrow of Erdogan.
"You attempted to deceive us. It was such a deception, I tell you, you sent 5,000 trucks of weapons there. You sent 2,000 ammunitions cargo there," Erdogan said.
But the president said Turkey was seizing the ammunition "little by little".
"We asked for weapons with our money, you didn't give it to us. But you gave terrorists weapons and ammunition for free. How is this partnership? How is this solidarity?" he thundered.
But Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu earlier said meetings with the US had not stopped. "They continue. In the coming days, the foreign ministry undersecretary (Umit Yalcin) will go to the US," Cavusoglu said, quoted by NTV broadcaster.
Syrians walk in a destroyed street in the Eastern Ghouta town of Saqba on March 18, 2018 as civilians return to the area after regime forces took control of the southern pocket held by the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group
Talal Sadek clutched his elderly mother's hand, helping her navigate the piles of rubble that snaked up to their front door in the battered town of Saqba, outside Syria's capital.
They were among hundreds of residents who returned Monday to the town's rubble-strewn streets, days after Syrian government troops rolled through the area as part of a month-old assault on rebels in the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus.
"My mother and I are returning to our hometown. Thank God it ended early," Sadek told AFP, grinning through his exhaustion.
As soldiers advanced on the town, they opened an escape route for civilians who were stuck there and Sadek, 50, rushed out with his family, convinced it would long be too dangerous to return.
But two days later, he was back.
"We left the town on Friday, then they told us that the people of Saqba could come back to their homes. We thought we would never come back," he said.
Gutted buildings lined Saqba's dusty streets, where hundreds of men, women and children could be seen returning to their homes on foot or on bicycles.
Some carried suitcases stuffed with household items. One man pushed an elderly woman in a wheelchair and another was seen trying to start a car stuffed with suitcases and blankets.
They trudged past tanks and soldiers taking a break from nearby fronts.
- 'Bombing was intense' -
On one side street, Hilal Abdulbaset squatted on the ground, cooking rice over a woodstove.
"The bombing was intense. It was hard but thank God, it turned out all right," said the Saqba resident in his fifties.
He too fled as the Syrian army advanced, but as soon as his family heard that clashes in the town had subsided, they hurried back.
"They told us it was all clear, so we packed our things and came back quickly. Here we are now, amongst our friends and neighbours," Abdulbaset told AFP.
Syria's army has captured more than 80 percent of Ghouta, splitting the rest of the rebel-held enclave into three isolated pockets, each controlled by a separate group.
Saqba lies in a southern pocket held by the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group and targeted most heavily in recent days by regime forces.
Tens of thousands of people have streamed out of the area. Some rebels even surrendered, a military source told AFP.
"Part of the armed factions handed themselves in, and another part fled to neighbouring areas," the source said.
"It became possible for the civilians that were trapped in basements to go back to their normal lives -- it's a new life."
For now, Saqba remains virtually uninhabitable. There is no electricity or water and mountains of rubble still block the roads.
- 'See the sun' -
Nonetheless, 35-year-old Moaz held out hope he would soon return to work as a carpenter.
Pointing to the shuttered workshops around him, he said: "We want to build the town so these shops can open again. We will restore it through the power of its people."
His wife Basma, 28, stood nearby and watched over their young children.
Many Saqba residents expressed relief they could simply be outside again.
Bassem Hammudeh, 67, stayed alone in Saqba after his wife and children fled several years ago to Damascus.
"The days that passed were hard -- darker than soot," he told AFP, donning a wool cap despite the day's warmth.
Syrian regime forces stand on a tank in the Eastern Ghouta town of Saqba after they took control of the enclave's southern pocket, as civilians return to the area on March 18, 2018
Hammudeh recalled spending days in Ghouta searching for medicine, after a crippling five-year siege made food, fuel, and health supplies almost impossible to access or afford.
"If you die, you rest. But if you get sick without medicine, what do you do? You die every single minute," he said.
His green eyes shone as he talked about what he could do now that he was no longer under siege: "Now we can visit our children, travel, smell fresh air."
Samya, 54, emerged from a nearby cellar that she and several families shared for weeks as shells rained down.
"We never left our town -- we stayed in the shelter for more than a month, during which we didn't see sunlight," she said.
"Now, we can finally see the sun."
Prosecutors are probing claims that Moamer Khadafi financed the presidential election campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy, pictured here, right, with the late Libya leader in July 2007
French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy was detained for questioning on Tuesday over allegations the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi financed his 2007 election campaign, including with suitcases stuffed with cash, a source close to the inquiry told AFP.
Sarkozy, 63, was taken into police custody early Tuesday morning and was being questioned by officers specialising in corruption, money laundering and tax evasion at their office in the western Parisian suburb of Nanterre.
His car left the parking lot at midnight, according to an AFP correspondent, but it was unclear whether he was inside. Under French law he can be held for 48 hours.
AFP's source said that Brice Hortefeux, a close ally and a senior minister during Sarkozy's presidency, was also questioned Tuesday. He was later released.
The case is France's most explosive political financing scandal and one of several legal probes that have dogged the rightwing politician since he left office after one term in 2012.
Since 2013, investigating magistrates have been probing media reports, as well as statements by Kadhafi's son Seif al-Islam, that claimed funds were provided for Sarkozy's run at the presidency.
Hortefeux, seen here on the left, was also questioned by police, as well as Sarkozy, pictured right
"Sarkozy must first give back the money he took from Libya to finance his electoral campaign," Seif told the Euronews network in 2011 as NATO-backed forces were driving his father out of power.
Sarkozy has dismissed the allegations as the rantings of vindictive Libyan regime members who were furious over France's military intervention in Libya that helped end Kadhafi's 41-year rule and led to his death.
He has also sued Mediapart, which has led media coverage of the Libyan allegations since 2012, publishing a document allegedly signed by Libya's intelligence chief showing that Kadhafi had agreed to fund Sarkozy to the tune of 50 million euros ($62 million).
The case drew heightened scrutiny in November 2016 when a Franco-Lebanese businessman admitted delivering three cash-stuffed suitcases from the Libyan leader in 2006 and 2007 as contributions towards Sarkozy's first presidential run.
In an interview, again with Mediapart, Ziad Takieddine claimed he dropped 1.5 to 2 million euros in 200-euro and 500-euro notes each time and was given the money by Kadhafi's military intelligence chief Abdallah Senussi.
When asked about the allegations during a televised debate in 2016, Sarkozy called the question "disgraceful" and said the businessman was a "liar".
The legal investigation is looking into these allegations, as well as a 500,000-euro foreign cash transfer to Sarkozy ally Claude Gueant, and the sale of a luxury villa in 2009 in the south of France to a Libyan investment fund for an allegedly inflated price.
Sarkozy's lawyer refused to comment but Gueant's lawyer Philippe Bouchez El Ghozi told AFP: "There are no elements in the case that justifies a spectacular measure like custody.
"After five years of investigations they haven't been able to prove that Nicolas Sarkozy received even a cent from Libya," he said.
- Ties to Libya -
Sarkozy, who takes a hard line on radical Islam and French identity, was nicknamed the "bling-bling" president during his time in office for his flashy displays of wealth.
He failed with a bid to run again for president in November 2016 and has stepped back from frontline politics since then, though he remains a powerful figure behind the scenes at the right-wing Republicans party.
Takieddine admitted delivering three cash-stuffed suitcases from the Libyan leader in 2006 and 2007 as contributions towards Sarkozy's first presidential run.
The Republicans party offered its "full and complete support to former president Nicolas Sarkozy" in a statement.
Seven months after his 2007 presidential victory, Sarkozy invited Kadhafi to Paris and clinched major arms and nuclear energy sales to the oil-rich north African country, which has since descended into civil war.
Tuesday's detention was not the first for Sarkozy: he became the first French president to enter police custody in July 2014 over a separate inquiry into claims that he tried to interfere in one of the several investigations targeting him.
- Other cases -
Investigating magistrates have recommended Sarkozy face trial on separate charges of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid.
The prosecution claims Sarkozy spent nearly double the legal limit of 22.5 million euros ($24 million) on his lavish campaign, using false billing from a public relations firm called Bygmalion.
He faces up to a year in prison if convicted, but he is appealing the decision to send him to trial, claiming he knew nothing about the fraudulent practices that Bygmalion executives have admitted to.
A child runs along a street in front of clouds of smoke billowing following a reported air strike on Douma, the main town of Syria's rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta on March 20, 2018
A rocket killed 35 people in a Damascus shopping district Tuesday, in one of the deadliest rebel attacks on the Syrian capital, as fire in the other direction left dozens of civilians dead in an opposition stronghold.
The rocket attack came as heavy bombardment killed 38 civilians in the shrinking rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus.
State media said the opposition fire hit the area of Jaramana, which residents said was full of shoppers -- including some buying presents ahead of Mother's Day.
A taxi driver, who asked not to give his name, said he was nearby when the rocket hit a street known for its cheap clothes and food shops.
"The place was full of people buying presents for Mother's Day," the 41-year-old said.
A nurse in her 30s, who asked not to be named, said the projectile hit a shopping area "next to a security checkpoint".
"The intensity of the blast was terrifying," she said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has brought swathes of territory back under his control since the war started in 2011, with help from Russia and allied forces, including Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia.
Damascus: Rebel rocket fire
He has recently focused efforts on flushing out the last pockets that escape government control in and around the capital, the largest of them being Eastern Ghouta.
- 'Love one' in a sack -
A month-long air and ground assault on the area, which was home to around 400,000 residents, has left more than 1,400 dead.
Regime and allied forces have retaken more than 80 percent of Eastern Ghouta and splintered the rump of the enclave into three pockets, each controlled by different rebel groups.
In images broadcast on Sunday, Assad congratulated soldiers in Ghouta, and told them Damascenes would "maybe tell their children in the coming decades how you saved the capital".
Clashes shook the various zones on Tuesday, with bombardment by the regime and its Russian ally killing at least 29 civilians in the main town of Douma, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Another nine civilians were killed in bombardment in other areas of the enclave, the Britain-based monitor said.
Washington has voiced concern that the chaos in Syria could allow a revival of the Islamic State group, whose "caliphate" collapsed late last year after three years of international military operations.
The jihadists launched a surprise nighttime attack in a southern neighbourhood of Damascus, the Observatory said.
Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the regime was sending reinforcements to retake Qadam, which was attacked from the adjacent IS-controlled neighbourhood of Hajar al-Aswad.
The jihadists also have a presence in the nearby Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk.
An AFP correspondent in Douma reported heavy bombardment through the night from Monday to Tuesday that left ambulances struggling to reach the wounded.
At the town's main hospital, a man walked the facility's halls with a sack. Medics said it held the human remains of a loved one killed in raids.
- 'War crimes' -
After a seventh day of medical evacuations on Tuesday, some 1,800 civilians including 375 patients had crossed over into government-held territory, a medical source said.
Tens of thousands of civilians have fled both the intense bombardment of Ghouta and the deprivations of a siege that lasted five years.
The ramifications are catastrophic, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein told the Security Council, accusing the Damascus regime of "war crimes" in Eastern Ghouta.
Civilians flee the Syrian Kurdish city of Afrin any way they can as Turkish troops and their Syrian Arab allies overrun it on March 18, 2018
But Hussein also warned of another humanitarian catastrophe unfolding hundreds of kilometres (miles) to the north in the Syrian border enclave of Afrin.
The Turkish army and its Syrian proxies -- a motley assortment of jihadists, former rebels and members of other armed groups -- seized Afrin from Kurdish forces on Sunday.
Turkish military police deployed across the city on Tuesday, as some civilians tried to return to homes and shops looted by Ankara's Syrian proxies.
The two-month offensive has displaced around 100,000 people, most of them to the town of Tal Rifaat further east, the UN has said.
On Tuesday, a convoy carrying food, blankets, and other aid was being delivered to thousands of families seeking refuge in Tal Rifaat, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The capture of Afrin, one the cantons in the self-proclaimed autonomous administration run by Syria's Kurds, has been a huge blow to the minority.
Israeli and international experts have started clearing thousands of wartime landmines that for half a century have prevented access to churches around Qasr al-Yahud in the occupied West Bank, where many Christians believe Jesus was baptised
Israeli and international experts have started clearing thousands of wartime landmines and explosive devices from one of Christianity's holiest sites, in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli defence ministry said Tuesday.
It said work began this week to clear about 3,000 pieces of ordnance believed to be scattered around the Qasr al-Yahud Greek Orthodox monastery, on the banks of the River Jordan, at the spot where many believe Jesus was baptised by his cousin John.
The mines date from the Six-Day War of 1967 in which Israel seized the West Bank from Jordan.
"Of the 3,000, some of them are Israeli, some of them are Jordanian and some of them we'll only know when we find them," defence ministry spokeswoman Arielle Hefez told AFP.
Britain-based HALO Trust, the world's largest humanitarian mine clearing organisation, is working with the Israel National Mine Action Authority (INMAA) to clear what the defence ministry described as "roughly one million square metres (10.8 million square feet) of land."
HALO said on its website that there are an estimated 2,600 anti-personnel and anti-tank landmines at the Qasr al-Yahud site, restricting access for the more than 400,000 pilgrims who visit each year.
"It is home to ancient churches and monasteries, which havent been safe to visit for nearly 50 years," it added.
It said that according to testimonies of former soldiers, an unknown number of booby traps were also laid.
"This makes the clearance of the site a complex task."
Workers of the UK-based HALO Trust, the world's largest humanitarian demining organisation, prepare to start clearing the area around one of Christianity's holiest sites, Qasr al-Yahud in the West Bank, an operation they estimate will take two years
HALO estimated that the clearance work would take two years and cost around $1.5 million.
The defence ministry said the site houses churches of eight different denominations.
"Once the clearance is complete and INMAA and HALO officials can assure the site is safe, the church plots will be returned to their respective denominations and visitors will once again be able to visit these holy sites."
Another site on the Jordanian side of the river -- Wadi al-Kharrar, or Bethany Beyond the Jordan -- is also venerated as the place of Jesus's baptism.
War has inflicted a devastating toll on Yemen's children
France may have broken international law by providing weapons and technical help to Saudi Arabia and the UAE which are fighting Huthi rebels in Yemen, a report commissioned by rights groups said Tuesday.
The report by Paris law firm Ancile said France was in all probability continuing to export arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with no guarantee that they will not be used in Yemen.
The exports would likely "constitute a violation by France" of the UN's Arms Trade Treaty and the EU's Common Position on Arms Export, said the report commissioned by Amnesty International and French anti-torture group Acat.
More than 9,300 people, many of them civilians, have been killed since 2015 in the brutal Yemeni war pitting Iran-backed Huthi rebels against the Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi Arabia is a major buyer of Western weapons and European governments have come under pressure from NGOs over fears their arms could potentially be implicated in war crimes in Yemen.
Norway has suspended arms exports to the United Arab Emirates, while in Germany, the coalition agreement of Chancellor Angela Merkel's new government says no weapons will be supplied to countries involved in the conflict.
France, one of the world's biggest arms exporters, has sold equipment to Riyadh and fellow coalition member the United Arab Emirates -- notably Caesar artillery guns and ammunition, sniper rifles and armoured vehicles.
A foreign ministry spokeswoman insisted Tuesday that "France has a robust and transparent system of controls on exports of weapons of war".
"Export decisions are taken under the prime minister with strict respect for France's international commitments," the spokeswoman added.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office said this month that French land weapons sold to Riyadh were "defensive" and being used on the ground in Saudi to deter Huthi attacks.
"The Emiratis are on the ground in Yemen with some French equipment but it is not these weapons that are implicated in the collateral damage which must stop," Philippe's office added.
"The surveillance measures around the Yemen question... has been strongly reinforced in recent months."
Amnesty blasted what it said was a lack of transparency over how French weapons end up being used by Arab importers, saying it was "imperative that parliament debates French arms sales and takes control of them."
Two other French NGOs, Aser and Droit Solidarite, will take the government to court for failing to respect international agreements if it does not suspend its export licences, Aser chief Benoit Muracciole said.
Facebook's shares dipped after the data breach revelations
The European Parliament on Tuesday invited Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to speak following revelations that a firm working for Donald Trump's US presidential campaign harvested data on 50 million users.
The parliament and the European Commission, the 28-nation EU executive, have already called for an urgent investigation into the scandal.
"We've invited Mark Zuckerberg to the European Parliament," its President Antonio Tajani tweeted.
"Facebook needs to clarify before the representatives of 500 million Europeans that personal data is not being used to manipulate democracy."
Facebook has faced worldwide criticism over the claims that Cambridge Analytica, the UK data analysis firm hired by Trump's 2016 campaign, harvested and misused data on 50 million members.
The European Parliament's Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt, a Belgian former prime minister, also called on the Facebook chief to personally answer the criticisms.
"When is Mark Zuckerberg going to explain what happened with our data? The data breach is an absolute scandal," tweeted Verhofstadt, who heads the parliament's liberal group.
"The European Parliament must start an investigation."
The EU parliament's civil liberties committee on Monday sent a letter to Facebook asking it to testify before the body, a parliamentary spokesperson told AFP.
British lawmakers on Monday also asked Zuckerberg to give evidence to a UK parliamentary committee on the data row.
EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, who has called the breach "horrifying", was seeking to meet with Facebook during her visit this week to Washington.
Her office said she had also called on independent European data protection authorities who are meeting Tuesday in Brussels to probe the growing Facebook scandal.
"Commissioner Jourova would encourage setting up a taskforce to investigate this case," as the authorities did last year with a similar breach by cab firm Uber, her office said.
Britain's Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham has already said her office would seek a court warrant on Tuesday to search Cambridge Analytica's computer servers.
Britain has voted to leave the EU but remains a member state until next year.
EU digital commissioner Mariya Gabriel told a press conference on Tuesday "we are constantly following this case as it unfolds."
Gabriel added that the EU will say "loud and clear" that "the protection of personal data is a core value for the European Union."
The shooting at a Maryland high school comes five weeks after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, shown here, which left 17 people dead
A shooting erupted at a high school in the eastern US state of Maryland on Tuesday, but the event was quickly "contained," officials said.
There were no immediate official reports of casualties in the shooting at Great Mills High School, located about a 90-minute drive southeast of the US capital Washington.
St. Mary's County Public Schools said on its website that the school was on lockdown and the incident had been "contained" but provided no further details.
It said law enforcement was on the scene.
"It happened really quickly, right after school started" after 8:00 am (1200 GMT), Jonathan Freese, a student at the school, told CNN.
"The police came and responded really quickly," Freese said. "They had a lot of officers respond."
"Right now, the police are going through classrooms," he said. "Soon we are going to be escorted from the school."
The Great Mills incident comes about five weeks after a shooting at a Florida high school left 14 students and three adult staff members dead.
Emergency responders are seen at Great Mills High School in St Mary's County, Maryland after a shooting that left two people and the gunman dead
A student armed with a handgun wounded two classmates at a Maryland high school on Tuesday, officials said, in an outburst of campus violence just days before a student-organized nationwide march for gun control.
The shooter, who was not identified, has died following the incident at Great Mills High School, St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron told reporters.
Cameron said the "school resource officer" responsible for security engaged the shooter after hearing gunfire at around 7:45 am (1145 GMT), shortly before classes were due to begin for the day.
"A male student produced a handgun and fired... wounding a female student and another male student in a hallway," Cameron said. The female student was in critical condition while the male student was in stable condition, he said.
"When the shooting took place, our school resource officer, who was stationed inside the school, was alerted to the event and the shots being fired," he said.
"He pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter -- during that engagement, he fired a round at the shooter," Cameron said. "Simultaneously the shooter fired a round as well."
"In the hours to come, in the days to come, through detailed investigation, we will be able to determine if our school resource officer's round struck the shooter," the sheriff said, suggesting the assailant may have instead taken his own life.
Following the shooting in Great Mills, located about a 90-minute drive southeast of the US capital Washington, students were evacuated to a nearby school where they were reunited with their parents, Cameron said.
"It happened really quickly, right after school started," Jonathan Freese, a Great Mills student, told CNN.
School buses and security are seen at Great Mills High School -- students were evacuated to a nearby high school
"The police came and responded really quickly," Freese said. "They had a lot of officers respond."
Mollie Davis, who identified herself on Twitter as a student at Great Mills, posted a series of tweets about the shooting.
"Now my school is the target," she said. "WHY DO WE LET THIS KEEP HAPPENING??? I'm so tired I'm so tired."
"You never think it'll be your school and then it is," Davis said. "Great Mills is a wonderful school and somewhere I am proud to go. Why us?"
- 'Together, we can stop this' -
The Great Mills incident comes about five weeks after a shooting at a Florida high school left 14 students and three adult staff members dead.
Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School launched a grassroots campaign for gun control following the shooting.
They have organized an event on Saturday called "March For Our Lives," which is expected to turn out large crowds in US cities, with the main event in Washington.
Maryland high school shooting
Emma Gonzalez, a Stoneman Douglas student, tweeted her support Tuesday for her peers at Great Mills.
"We are Here for you, students of Great Mills," Gonzalez said. "Together we can stop this from ever happening again."
Under the banner #ENOUGH, tens of thousands of US high school students walked out of classrooms around the country on March 14 to protest gun violence.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan pledged to provide assistance.
"Our prayers are with students, school personnel and first responders," Hogan said in a tweet.
WABC-TV(PRINCETON, N.J.) -- A gunman is dead after he engaged in a standoff inside a Panera restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, across the street from the Princeton University campus, a law enforcement official told ABC News on Tuesday.
The incident is being investigated by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office as a possible police-involved shooting, the official said.
Authorities earlier had been negotiating with the armed man, according to the university.
The situation was contained within the store which had been evacuated, Princeton police said.
The restaurant is steps from the Ivy League campus, but classes are not in session this week because it is Princeton's spring break, the university said.
Some neighboring buildings were shut down and two campus buildings near Panera were evacuated as a precaution, the school said.
Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Just when I think that Ive seen everything, and that things cant get more bizarre, Im proven wrong.
It was reported in the news on March 15, 2018, that Governor Cuomo, in an open letter, called on State Education Commissioner Elia to take action against school officials who tried to keep students from leaving schools to join a protest against gun violence. The report further stated that the Governor called upon Commissioner Elia to stop school officials from disciplining students and faculty members for leaving school to protest, for to do so is not only inappropriate, it is unconstitutional. Are you kidding me?
What is unconstitutional about keeping our students in school so that they can learn? We have an obligation to teach students in our schools during school hours thats what our taxpayers pay for. Of course, people, including students, have the right to express their points of view. And hopefully this is happening in our schools. There is plenty of time to protest, whatever the issue may be, outside of school hours.
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, foreground, opposed a bipartisan measure to end US support for Saudi-led coalition forces fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen
The US Senate on Tuesday rejected a bipartisan bid to end American involvement in Yemen's civil war, voting down a rare effort to overrule presidential military authorization.
The vote addressing American war powers had aimed to shut down US military involvement in Yemen within a month unless Congress formally authorized continued involvement.
Senators voted 55-44 to kill the bid after the Senate's Republican leadership and key figures from both parties on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee came out against it.
But the vote served to highlight US involvement in a three-year-old military conflict in the Middle East's poorest country, which the United Nations has described as the world's largest humanitarian disaster.
The US has provided weapons, intelligence and aerial refueling to the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government against Iran-backed rebels.
Some US lawmakers have long expressed concern about the conflict, where civilian casualties from coalition air strikes have drawn criticism from rights groups.
The resolution, sponsored by independent Senator Bernie Sanders and 14 others, forced the first-ever vote in the Senate to withdraw US armed forces from what sponsors labelled an "unauthorized" war.
"If Congress wants to go to war in Yemen or any place else, vote to go to war," Sanders said Tuesday.
"That is your constitutional responsibility. Stop abdicating that responsibility to a president."
Supporters of the Senate measure argued that Yemen was the latest hot spot where the Pentagon was engaged under an authorization to use military force (AUMF) that Congress first passed on September 14, 2001, three days after the deadly attacks on New York and Washington by Al-Qaeda hijackers.
Since then, presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and now Donald Trump have relied on the order's authority, along with a subsequent AUMF in 2002, as the basis for operations against armed Islamist groups.
While the vote failed, it put deliberations over a new AUMF into the congressional spotlight.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker said it was preferable to go through standard committee procedure rather than force an extraordinary floor vote.
"Let us work our will in the appropriate way," the Republican Corker told colleagues.
He explained that the committee would hold hearings on Yemen next month and on April 19 would consider a new AUMF that could authorize US involvement there.
"To me that's a much better route."
The US Senate rejected a measure to end US military engagement with the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war on the same day that US President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House
The vote could have caused deep diplomatic embarrassment as it came on the day Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
- Continuing 'Obama's war' -
"The current administration has continued Obama's war," Republican Senator Mike Lee said on the Senate floor.
Lee stressed it was important to understand that the resolution in question "would not impede the military's ability to fight terror groups like ISIS (the Islamic State) inside Yemen."
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis last week asked Congress not to interfere with America's role in the war, warning that restrictions could increase civilian casualties, jeopardize counterterrorism cooperation, and "reduce our influence with the Saudis."
More than 9,200 people have been killed and tens of thousands wounded in Yemen's three-year-old war, which is seen as both a civil conflict and a proxy war between regional titans Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opposed the measure, insisting that US forces "are not engaged in exchanges of fire with hostile forces" in Yemen.
He added: "The refueling of aircraft over the Red Sea does not equate to introducing US forces into hostilities, nor does intelligence sharing."
But Sanders disputed suggestions that the US was not engaged in conflict.
"Tell that to the people of Yemen, whose homes and lives are being destroyed by weapons marked 'Made in the USA,' dropped by planes being refueled by the US military, on targets chosen with US assistance," Sanders said.
Passengers board an Iraqi Airways plane at the airport in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, a week after Baghdad announced the lifting of a nearly six-month-old air blockade on Iraqi Kurdistan in response to an independence referendum
Direct international flights resumed Tuesday from Sulaimaniyah airport in Iraqi Kurdistan, a week after Baghdad lifted an almost six-month-long blockade on the region's foreign air links.
A cargo plane carrying electronic devices touched down from the United Arab Emirates, an AFP correspondent said.
It was followed by a Royal Jordanian plane, with 39 passengers on board, which took off for Amman, said Dana Mohammed, a spokesman for Sulaimaniyah airport.
They were the first international flights since Baghdad imposed a ban in late September on autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan's two airports -- in Sulaimaniyah and the regional capital of Arbil.
The federal government imposed the air blockade after Iraqi Kurdistan voted overwhelmingly for independence in a non-binding referendum rejected as illegal by Baghdad.
Baghdad lifted the ban last week "after local authorities in Kurdistan agreed to the central authorities taking control of both airports", Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.
The flight ban was part of a battery of penalties inflicted on the Kurds as Baghdad sought to nullify the poll.
Federal forces also retook swathes of disputed territory, wrestling back control of oil-rich regions held by Kurdish forces since 2014 in battles against the Islamic State group.
During the blockade, all flights between Iraqi Kurdistan and foreign countries transited through Baghdad.
Foreigners who previously did not have to apply for a visa to visit the Kurdish area must now do so through the authorities in Baghdad.
Iranian-Canadian environmentalist Kavous Seyed Emami seen here in a picture released by his family on February 11, 2018 after the academic died in an Iranian jail a fortnight after his arrest
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his foreign minister on Tuesday demanded that Iran allow the Canadian widow of an environmentalist who died in prison to leave the country.
In a Twitter message, the Canadian leader said: "Iran must allow Maryam Mombeini to leave the country and travel to Canada to be with her family."
He was echoed by Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who said in a statement: "We continue to call on Iranian authorities to immediately give Maryam Mombeini, a Canadian citizen, the freedom to return home."
As well, the pair renewed calls for the Iranian regime to explain how her husband, Kavous Seyed Emami, an academic and environmentalist, died in Tehran's Evin prison in February.
Canada is "gravely concerned" about Seyed Emami's death," Freeland said.
"The regime must provide answers in the death of her husband, Kavous Seyed Emami, in Evin prison," Trudeau said.
Seyed Emami was arrested in January and accused of spying for Israel and the United States. Iranian authorities said he committed suicide in his cell, but this has been disputed by the family.
Earlier this month, Mombeini and her two sons sought to leave Iran, but she was detained at the airport in Tehran.
Iran does not recognize dual nationalities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both vowed to improve fraught ties
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chinese President Xi Jingping on Tuesday to congratulate him on being re-elected, with both leaders vowing to work more closely to fix fraught ties.
China's parliament unanimously handed Xi a second term earlier this week, and cleared the path for him to rule the country indefinitely.
The diplomatic phone call comes at a time when relations between India and China have been tense after a tense border standoff last year.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a telephone call today to H. E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, to congratulate him on his re-election," a government statement said late Tuesday.
"The two leaders agreed that as two major powers growing rapidly, bilateral relations between India and China are vital."
"The two leaders also agreed to continue their close consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest."
Hundreds of Indian and Chinese troops faced off last June on the Doklam plateau, a small strip close to the intersection between China, India and Bhutan.
The two nations finally pulled back their troops from the disputed border area after more than two months in a stand-off, averting a full-blown crisis.
Last month, Beijing lodged an angry protest against New Delhi over a trip by Modi to the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, also claimed by China.
Arunachal Pradesh is a strategically important border district and came briefly under Chinese control during the 1962 war between the neighbours.
A Syrian woman, evacuated from rebel-held areas in Eastern Ghouta, seeks refuge at a shelter in the regime-controlled Adra district, on outskirts of Damascus. The UN says it is deeply concerned about the safety of civilians fleeing the battles
The United Nations said Tuesday it was "deeply concerned" over the safety of tens of thousands of civilians fleeing Syria's Eastern Ghouta as well as the security screening procedures for those trying to leave.
As Syrian government forces have advanced on the last opposition bastion outside Damascus, some 50,000 civilians have streamed out of the enclave into areas under regime control.
"The exodus is fairly chaotic... There is ongoing bombardment. It is a warzone," UN humanitarian agency spokesman Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva.
"We are deeply, deeply concerned for their safety," he said.
The UN refugee agency also urgently called Tuesday for the protection of those who have fled and for the hundreds of thousands of civilians still trapped by fighting who are in "dire need of aid".
UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters that "the shortage of appropriate shelter is a major concern."
The agency was working around-the-clock distributing aid at makeshift collective shelters where thousands of families were arriving, "exhausted, hungry, thirsty and sick," he said.
"The needs are overwhelming and growing by the hour," he added, warning that the shelters were overcrowded and lacked basic sanitation, with those displaced forced to wait for hours to use a toilet.
He stressed the need for humanitarian actors to be given unhindered access to civilians inside and outside Eastern Ghouta.
He also urged the "full respect of the civilians' freedom of movement."
Mahecic meanwhile said his agency was "aware of, but has no access to security screening reportedly taking place as civilians leave Eastern Ghouta."
AFP reporters on the ground said they had seen men and women being searched separately as they arrived at government checkpoints near the collective shelters, while some of the displaced said their mobile phones had been confiscated.
People who could demonstrate that they have influential relatives in Damascus or were related to someone within the Syrian security forces were ushered through more quickly.
Others are being subjected to a screening that takes around a week to see if their names were on lists of people wanted by security forces or for compulsory military service, according to AFP reporters.
Mahecic said that UNHCR's partners on the ground were registering people who lacked documents, in particular unregistered newborn children, in a bid "to tackle this major protection concern with the Syrian authorities."
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) speaks with US President Donald Trump (R) in the Oval Office
Saudi Arabia's crown prince received an effusive welcome Tuesday at the White House from US President Donald Trump, who hailed a "great friendship" with the kingdom -- but made no public mention of the sticking points in the burgeoning alliance.
In front of the cameras, it was all back-slapping, handshakes, smiles and warm words between Trump and the heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman, who was seeking to burnish his leadership credentials.
"It is an honor to have the crown prince of Saudi Arabia with us," Trump said as the pair prepared to have lunch in the Cabinet Room.
"The relationship is probably the strongest it's ever been -- we understand each other."
Prince Mohammed, 32, was making his first visit to the White House since he cemented his role as the kingdom's de facto political leader, and as he pursues economic and social reforms long sought by the West.
Trump, touching on the sensitive shaking-out happening inside the kingdom, said "some tremendous things have happened since your last visit to the White House."
"You were the crown prince, and now you are beyond the crown prince," he said, before adding that he misses Mohammed's father, King Salman, and hopes to see him soon.
Prince Mohammed's reformist message and the promise of Saudi investment in the United States has endeared him to the neophyte US president -- 39 years his elder -- and America's own political princeling Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.
Trump and MBS -- as he is known in Washington's corridors of power -- have seen eye-to-eye on concerns about Iran's military activism, Middle East peace, relaxing Saudi Arabia's deeply conservative laws and over their love for mega-investments.
"Saudi Arabia is a very wealthy nation and they are going to give the United States some of that wealth hopefully, in the form of jobs, in the form of the purchase of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world," Trump said.
- Ripples in the pond -
But an all-out PR campaign designed to burnish the crown prince's image, and declarations that "relations have never been better," mask several problems that could spoil the honeymoon.
As Prince Mohammed arrived in Washington, word trickled out that Saudi Aramco -- the kingdom's energy behemoth -- was cooling on the idea of a stock listing in New York, something for which Trump has publicly lobbied.
Trump ducked a question about the issue.
The news was accompanied by expressions of concern about a US law that exposes Saudi Arabia to legal action over the 9/11 attacks, which Riyadh would dearly like to see removed.
Saudi state oil giant Aramco may abandon plans for a New York stock listing over concerns that the country remains open to US litigation in connection with the 9/11 attacks
"The Trump administration will not be able to offer the necessary guarantees on any changes to US law that would reassure Saudi Arabia and the IPO is simply too important to place in jeopardy," said Ayham Kamel of the Eurasia Group consultancy.
Another point of friction is the war in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia leads a coalition fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
That devastating three-year-old conflict was an early proving ground for the prince, who is also the minister of defense, but it has been beset by allegations of atrocities against civilians, and strategic drift.
Just hours after the prince left the White House, the US Senate rejected a bipartisan bid designed to withdraw US intelligence and reconnaissance support for the war.
Senators voted 55-44 to kill the effort, which was aimed as a clear warning to the White House against signing a blank check.
Prince Mohammed later met with Republican Senators Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton, and Lindsey Graham, along with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, in talks which the Saudi embassy said showed the "multidimensional" nature of the kingdom's relations with the US.
Trump was also expected to press his guest to end a standoff with Qatar, which has wrecked Gulf Cooperation Council unity and put the US president's plans for a US-Gulf summit at Camp David in doubt.
But the most delicate discussions could be about Saudi Arabia's nuclear program, which is mooted as civilian-focused but could quickly become a platform for building a weapon.
"Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible," Prince Mohammed told "60 Minutes."
Saudi Arabia's nuclear program is "a massive contract that also has massive geopolitical implications," according to the Soufan Group, another political consultancy.
"Letting the deal go through without the prohibitions (on nuclear weapons) would be potentially disastrous," the group said.
But if these niggles turn into full disputes, it is likely to be only behind closed doors.
After his visit to Washington, Prince Mohammed will embark on a nationwide tour, visiting New York, Boston, oil hub Houston, Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. He is expected to remain in the United States through the first week of April.
US actress Olivia de Havilland (C) smiles as she attends the 36th Cesar awards ceremony on February 25, 2011 in Paris -- she is locked in a US court battle over how she was depicted in an FX drama series
Hollywood veteran Olivia de Havilland's court battle over how she was portrayed in "Feud: Bette And Joan" is set to resume Tuesday, with attorneys for FX Networks fighting for dismissal of the case.
The 101-year-old two-time Oscar winner, who came to embody the elegant glamour of Golden Age Hollywood, said she did not consent to the use of her likeness in the miniseries, nor has she received any remuneration for the use of her name and identity.
"Feud" focuses on the famous rivalry between Bette Davis, performed by Susan Sarandon, and Joan Crawford, as portrayed by Jessica Lange.
British actress Catherine Zeta-Jones portrays De Havilland -- Davis's friend -- in the show. Of the stars of yore seen in the miniseries, only De Havilland is still alive.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Holly Kendig ruled in September that the actress could move forward with her "right-of-publicity" lawsuit, despite the network's protestations that the show is protected by the First Amendment.
Kendig said that although the series was aired in the public forum of television and dealt with a subject of public interest, De Havilland still showed a likelihood of "prevailing on the merits."
Kendig also found that the star -- who under the law is a public figure -- showed that the network either knew that aspects of the series were false, or did not care whether they were.
The judge cited four examples, including a depiction of a 1978 Academy Awards interview in which De Havilland disparaged Davis and Crawford.
Kendig said the evidence showed the interview never took place, adding that De Havilland was falsely portrayed as someone who was a "gossip" and who used vulgar language against others, including her sister, Joan Fontaine, and that she had made disparaging remarks about Frank Sinatra's drinking habits.
"I believe in the right to free speech, but it certainly must not be abused by using it to protect published falsehoods or to improperly benefit from the use of someone's name and reputation without their consent," De Havilland told The New York Times by email earlier this month.
"Fox crossed both of these lines with 'Feud'."
Kendig said she disagreed with the defense that the series was "transformative" and said there was evidence the network benefited financially from the use of De Havilland's name.
De Havilland rose to fame in the 1930s playing ingenue roles alongside Errol Flynn, but moved on to more challenging fare, winning Academy Awards for the 1946 film "To Each His Own," and four years later for "The Heiress."
Legendary director Victor Fleming chose her for the role of Melanie Hamilton in the US Civil War epic "Gone With the Wind," (1939) and other notable films included "My Cousin Rachel" in 1953 with Richard Burton, and "Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte" in 1965 with Bette Davis.
"A key reason for the public's deep respect for Olivia de Havilland is that in her 80-plus year career, she has steadfastly refused to engage in typical Hollywood gossip about the relationships of other actors," her complaint reads.
African migrants hold signs Hebrew signs: "You come from the Bible, you too are refugees", during a demonstration in Tel Aviv on February 24, 2018, against the Israeli government's policy to forcibly deport African refugees and asylum seekers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that an electronic fence along the Israel-Egypt border has saved the Jewish state from jihadist attacks or what he believes would be worse -- a tide of African migrants.
"Were it not for the fence, we would be faced with... severe attacks by Sinai terrorists, and something much worse, a flood of illegal migrants from Africa," Netanyahu's office quoted him as telling a development conference in the southern Israel desert town of Dimona.
The interior ministry says there are currently some 42,000 African migrants in Israel, mainly from Sudan and Eritrea, and the government has ordered that thousands of them must leave or face indefinite imprisonment.
They began slipping into Israel illegally in 2007 through what was then a porous border with Egypt's lawless Sinai region.
The frontier with Israel's Negev desert has since been given a 200-kilometre (124 mile) hi-tech fence and the influx has halted.
Netanyahu said a tide of non-Jewish immigration would threaten the very fabric of Israel.
"We are talking about a Jewish and democratic state, but how could we assure a Jewish and democratic state with 50,000 and then 100,000 and 150,000 migrants a year," Netanyahu said.
"After a million, 1.5 million, we might as well shut up shop," he added. "We did not close down, we built a fence."
Today the mountainous Sinai is a battleground between the Egyptian army and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists.
The army launched a campaign on February 9 after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is standing in elections this month for a second term, gave it a three-month deadline to crush IS in the Sinai.
Sisi issued his ultimatum in November after suspected IS gunmen killed more than 300 worshippers at a Sinai mosque associated with Sufi Muslim mystics.
"During my trip, I will go to Kidal where for nearly six years there has been no state administration," Mali Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga told AFP
Mali's premier said Tuesday he will travel to cities in the restive north of the country this week, including ex-rebel-held Kidal, marking the first visit by a Bamako leader in four years.
"During my trip, I will go to Kidal where for nearly six years there has been no state administration," Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga told AFP.
In early 2012 Islamist extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and other armed groups took control of Mali's desert north, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.
Mali's government signed a peace agreement with some armed groups in June 2015, but the jihadists remain active, and large tracts of the west African country are lawless.
The Malian government has not set foot in Kidal since fighting broke out in May 2014 during a visit by then prime minister Moussa Mara, which ended with the army suffering a heavy defeat against the rebels.
Maiga said he intended to listen to the concerns of the locals in Kidal and learn about their needs, but he did not indicate whether the Touareg-led former rebel group that controls the city had set conditions for his visit.
The premier's tour will also include the northern cities of Gao, Tessalit and Timbuktu as well as towns in the centre of the country, where Maiga said "the deployment of the army and administration is having positive effects".
But in recent months jihadists have ramped up their activities in central Mali, targeting domestic and foreign forces in violence once confined to the country's north.
Four United Nations peacekeepers were killed and four wounded in late February when a mine exploded under their vehicle in central Mali.
The UN peacekeeping mission, known by the acronym MINUSMA, currently has more than 13,000 military personnel and 1,900 police in Mali.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- According to the data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), the PV sales in China reached around 1.45 million units last month, decreasing 8.6% year on year affected by the Spring Festival and the phase-out preferential policy of vehicle purchase tax.
Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the CPCA, said the overall sales decline was expected because there were only 17 workdays in February due to the Spring Festival. Besides, some automakers had lessened their sales targets on the account of the pretty small production outputs which indirectly lowered the total sales volume. Cui predicted that the production outputs and sales in March will regain prosperity to some degree.
Top 10 automakers by Feb. sales
According to the CPCA's data, compared to the January sales performance, the top 10 automakers by monthly sales last month remained unchanged. However, as to the ranking, some changes are quite noteworthy. SAIC-GM-Wuling climbed two places to the third with February deliveries of 119,043 units. Apart from SAIC-GM-Wuling, there were other four Chinese self-owned automakers entering into the top 10 sales list, including Geely Auto, Changan Auto, Great Wall Motor and SAIC Motor. It can be learnt that all top five automakers accomplished monthly sales exceeding 10 thousand units, among which three of them were from JVs.
Three self-owned automakers ranked among the latter five places. In terms of the sales performance, Changan Auto, ranking sixth on the list, only delivered 69,373 units last month which was clearly far behind the fifth automaker Geely Auto. However, the number of self-owned automakers included on the top 10 list was more than that of the same period in 2017.
Top 10 brands by Feb. sales
Besides, among the top 10 brands by February sales, five China's self-owned brands entered into the list, including Geely, Baojun, Changan, Haval and Wuling. In terms of the ranking distribution, Geely, Baojun and Changan occupied three places out of the top five brands, ranking the second, the fourth and the fifth respectively. Especially, the runner-up Geely achieved a year-on-year sales jump of 23.83% to 110,243 units last year, which was far ahead of the third brand Honda. Although Wuling ranked the tenth on the list, it had not been listed among the top 10 brands in January.
The US in December said North Korea was behind a large cyber attack known as WannaCry 2.0
US efforts to conduct offensive and defensive operations in cyberspace are falling short, a top general warned Tuesday amid ongoing revelations about Russian hacking.
General John Hyten, who leads US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), told lawmakers the US has "not gone nearly far enough" in the cyber domain, also noting that the military still lacks clear rules of cyber engagement.
"We have to go much further in treating cyberspace as an operational domain," Hyten told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"Cyberspace needs to be looked at as a warfighting domain, and if somebody threatens us in cyberspace we need to have the authorities to respond."
Hyten noted, however, that the US had made some progress in conducting cyber attacks on enemies in the Middle East, such as the Islamic State group.
His testimony comes weeks after General Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of NATO forces in Europe, warned that US government agencies are not coordinating efforts to counter the cyber threat from Russia, even as Moscow conducts a "campaign of destabilization."
And last month, Admiral Michael Rogers, who heads both the NSA -- the leading US electronic eavesdropping agency -- and the new US Cyber Command, said President Donald Trump had not yet ordered his spy chiefs to retaliate against Russian interference in US elections.
The US has accused Russia of actively interfering in the 2016 presidential election, stealing Democratic party communications and pushing out disinformation through social media.
It also accuses Moscow of stealing hacking secrets of the US intelligence community -- while US cyber security investigators have accused the Russian government of a sustained effort to take control of critical US infrastructure systems including the energy grid.
Hyten added the military needs clear authorities and rules of engagement so operators know when and how to respond to attacks.
"We need to have specific rules of engagement in cyber that match the other domains that we operate in," Hyten said.
"We need to delegate that authority all the way down so we can deal with threats that exist that challenge the United States."
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen in 2013 explaining his mission "to make the world more open and connected"
First it was "move fast and break things." Then it was "connecting the world" and "building a global community."
Mark Zuckerberg's ambitious vision for Facebook spawned one of the world's most powerful companies, but he now faces a moment of reckoning as it becomes clear the social network has been hijacked and manipulated for very different ends.
Snowballing revelations on the misuse of the Facebook platform to spread disinformation, and to harvest personal data in ways users had never imagined, risks undermining the very business model underpinning the social media giant.
Zuckerberg took an idea hatched in his Harvard dormitory and created a network connecting more than two billion people, crushing competing social networks while imagining new ways to connect friends to each other -- and for marketers to reach users.
The rise of social media fuelled a wave of optimism about empowering ordinary people, notably following the Arab Spring uprisings starting in 2010.
"I had the feeling in 2011 that digital technologies were inherently democratic and would fuel democratic revolutions around the globe," said Dannagal Young, a University of Delaware professor who studies social media.
Young said these networks did indeed help propel the Arab Spring, as well as social movements like Black Lives Matter or #MeToo -- but that the public had failed to grasp their darker side.
"People use these platforms and do not understand the economic model," Young said.
"They don't understand what is being commodified, as is everything they do and everything they share."
- Eliminating gatekeepers -
Facebook "likes" are part of data profiles which can be scraped by marketers and others
While social networks appear to empower individuals by doing away with "gatekeepers" -- such as the traditional mass media, or political authorities -- the selling of user data can have the opposite effect.
"If the business model is predicated on selling user data, it can seem as democratic as you want but it's serving a surveillance function that undermines democratic values," Young said.
Facebook's reputation has been tarnished ever since 2016, following disclosures of Russian-led efforts to influence the US election -- notably by spreading "fake news" and other forms of disinformation on social media.
But things got markedly worse following weekend revelations that data on 50 million users was culled by a British-based political firm working on Donald Trump's presidential campaign, prompting calls for investigations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Zuckerberg, who began touring the United States after the presidential election, sparking speculation he might run for top office, last year offered his vision of a "global community" as more people become disillusioned with troubled political institutions.
"The world feels anxious and divided, and Facebook has a lot of work to do," the 33-year-old wrote.
But first of all, Zuckerberg will need to focus on the more immediate mission he set himself earlier this year: to "fix" his embattled social network.
- 'Polluted by bad actors' -
Mark Zuckerberg said this year his mission is to "fix" the problems of the social network
Roger Kay, a technology analyst and consultant for Endpoint Technologies Associates, noted that Facebook is just one of many online firms that make use of detailed digital records on its users' activities, which can rarely be expunged.
"Facebook adds to this, but it's not the cause of the problem," Kay said. "The problem is your long-term digital footprint."
Young, of the University of Delaware, voiced optimism that users can regain better control over their Facebook data -- as more people learn about online privacy and how to determine what is shared about them.
"We as users have a lot more control than we think," she said.
"If enough users go in and change their settings Facebook will be forced to respond. I do think there is a fix but it requires a whole lot of learning."
Then comes the issue of disinformation -- which Facebook has been under mounting pressure to combat.
Emily Vraga, a George Mason University professor of communication, said Facebook has taken positive steps in ferreting out false information in recent months.
"But I would like to see even more of that," she said.
One way, she said, would be making Facebook's algorithm available.
"I do think the public should be more aware" of how the network operates, she said.
For Young, both Facebook and Zuckerberg appear to have assumed that "when you crowdsource things the truth will come out" -- a belief that appears naive in light of the "fake news" phenomenon.
"It could be that 98 percent of people on Facebook do it in good faith," she said, but "it doesn't take a lot to undermine that system."
Kay also voiced doubt over Facebook's ultimate ability to eliminate all malicious content without examining every item on its platform -- an impossible task.
"They can't curate something with two billion users, there aren't enough editors out there," he said. "And if they held up the content, the users would go away."
He also notes that Facebook is not the first digital firm to be manipulated in such a way.
"Social networks have come and gone," Kay said. "They are first seen as an amazing way to connect people and then they become polluted by bad actors."
Ahmet Uzumcu, director general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has received several allegations of chemical weapons use in the besieged Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta
The OPCW global watchdog has received several allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria's Eastern Ghouta enclave but a thorough investigation of these claims will be difficult, the head of the organisation said Tuesday.
A fact-finding mission set up by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had so far investigated more than 70 cases of toxic gas attacks in Syria since 2014, out of a total of 370 allegations, said Ahmet Uzumcu.
"There have been several" allegations of chemical weapons use in Eastern Ghouta, Uzumcu told reporters ahead of a closed-door meeting with the Security Council on the use of the banned agents in Syria.
"Our experts are looking at them, but clearly since this is an enclave, it's very difficult to have access to information and material," said the OPCW's director general.
The Syrian Observatory of Human Rights has said that chlorine was used as a toxic agent on villages during the government's offensive to retake rebel-held Eastern Ghouta.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters that Syrian forces had found stockpiles of chemical weapons in areas formerly held by rebels in Eastern Ghouta.
"What worries us is that in areas liberated from the rebels, the Syrian government discovered stockpiles of chemical weapons ready for use and that is very worrying," said Nebenzia.
Uzumcu said the experts were looking into allegations of chlorine use that were attributed to the Syrian army and to rebel groups.
The OPCW's fact-finding mission for Syria was established in April 2014 to determine whether toxic agents were used as a weapon, but it does not have the mandate to establish who is responsible for its use.
The Security Council in 2015 set up a panel to determine who was behind the attacks but that inquiry ended last year when Russia vetoed the extension of its mandate.
Russia maintained that the panel, known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), was biased and unprofessional after it concluded in a report that Syrian government forces had used sarin in an attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun in April last year.
Under a 2013 deal negotiated by the United States and Russia, Syria agreed to destroy all of its chemical weapons, but there have been questions about its declared stockpile.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterrres told the council in a letter this month that there were "remaining gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies" in the Syrian government's disclosure of its chemical program.
The tragedy has shone the spotlight on migrants' tough living conditions in Spain
A Spanish police union has filed a complaint against politicians they say falsely accused them of involvement in the death of a Senegalese street vendor that sparked violent clashes in Madrid last week.
The controversy has taken centre stage in the Spanish capital, with the ruling conservatives accusing the left-wing politicians, one of them a Madrid councillor, of stirring up discord while street vendors insist Mame Mbaye Ndiaye died after a police chase.
Mbaye, in his mid-thirties, collapsed in the central district of Lavapies on Thursday and emergency services were unable to resuscitate him, saying he had died of cardiac arrest.
One of many street vendors who illegally sell items like perfume or hats to try and make a living, reports emerged he had been intercepted by police along with others in the central Puerta del Sol square and chased down the streets.
Several politicians relayed the reports, including Juan Carlos Monedero, a prominent founder of far-left party Podemos.
Rommy Arce, a councillor, likened Mbaye's death to that of a Dominican woman murdered in 1992 in Madrid by a police officer.
Furious, street vendors and others gathered in Lavapies at night in what turned into a violent clash against security forces, with dustbins and bikes set alight.
But police deny this version of events.
One of their unions has filed a legal complaint against Monedero, Arce and Malick Gueye, a spokesman for a street vendors' association, said Esteban Tejedor, in charge of judicial services at the Municipal Police Union (UPM).
It accuses them of a "hate offence against police," he told AFP Tuesday.
Mbaye "wasn't being chased from Sol. He was walking, he joined a friend and he was going home because he said he wasn't feeling well," Tejedor said.
Police officers on patrol were called on to help when he collapsed and tried to resuscitate him before emergency workers arrived, in vain -- a claim backed up by city councillor Javier Barbero in a Friday press conference.
"One of the things we're denouncing is that the city hall knew about these facts way before the press conference," said Tejedor.
Tejedor acknowledged there was a police intervention in Puerta del Sol, but said Mbaye wasn't there.
This, however, is contested by fellow vendors.
Members of the vendors' association told reporters on Tuesday the victim was on the square when police intervened and ran away along with others before heading to Lavapies.
The tragedy has shone the spotlight on migrants' tough living conditions in Spain.
Barbero on Friday called for reflection on "the way they experience daily situations of fighting for survival... with the constant fear of being arrested."
Google, whose recently acquired New York building is seen here, unveiled a $300 million initiative to help news organizations and stem the flow of misinformation
Google on Tuesday launched a new initiative, committing $300 million to help news publishers get more paid subscribers while stemming the flow of misinformation.
The internet giant described the Google News Initiative as part of an "effort to help journalism thrive in the digital age."
The announcement in New York followed a series of commitments to help the troubled sector by Google, which has been accused by some in the news industry of sapping revenues from the digital ecosystem.
"I have always believed that the future of Google and the future of our publishing partners were linked,"Google chief business officer Philipp Schindler said in announcing the initiative.
"If you are not successful, we are not successful."
Google will enable its users to subscribe to news sites in as little as two clicks through their Google accounts, and will step up efforts to help news organizations add paying subscribers.
The initiative was developed with some 60 media partners including the Washington Post, Financial Times, French-based Le Figaro, Brazil's Grupo Globo and Italy's La Republica.
Objectives outlined by the initiative included raising the quality of journalism; strengthening business models of publishers, and helping news organizations capitalize on technological innovations.
Google has worked with the news industry for years, with moves ranging from getting pages to load faster on smartphones and making a YouTube player for publishers to creating a lab for newsroom training and a Digital News Initiative in Europe.
"We invested a lot time and energy in these collaborations," Schindler said.
"But the hard truth is -- all of this might not be enough. Its becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish whats true and whats not online."
The Google News Initiative is intended to consolidate the technology firm's efforts to support journalism, according to Schindler.
Google systems are being trained to recognize breaking news situations and adjust to give more weight to authoritative content as part of the initiative.
"Bad actors often target breaking news on Google platforms, increasing the likelihood that people are exposed to inaccurate content," Schindler said.
Google is also launching a lab devoted to finding ways to combat disinformation during elections or breaking news events.
The California-based technology firm also said it is teaming up with the Poynter Institute, Stanford University, and the Local Media Association in the US to launch a MediaWise project designed to help young people be savvy about evaluating news online.
Google also made it easier for people to subscribe to news outlets, and was testing how to use artificial intelligence to help publishers recognize and win over potential subscribers, according to Schindler.
Google also unveiled an "Outline" tool that news organizations can use to easily set up secure online connections using virtual private network (VPN) technology.
"We're also deepening our commitment to building products that address the news industry's most urgent needs.," Schindler said.
The new initiative comes as Facebook, Google and Twitter face are under tremendous pressure to prevent their platforms from being used for propaganda or malicious manipulation.
Emergency responders are seen at Great Mills High School in St Mary's County, Maryland after a shooting that left two people and the gunman dead
A 17-year-old student armed with a handgun shot and critically wounded a female classmate at a Maryland high school on Tuesday, officials said, in an outburst of violence just days before a student-organized nationwide march for gun control.
St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said the assailant, identified as Austin Rollins, died of a gunshot wound after a school security officer "engaged" with him at Great Mills High School in southern Maryland.
Cameron said the security officer fired a shot at Rollins, but it was not immediately clear if the officer struck the gunman or whether he had committed suicide.
The Great Mills shooting comes about five weeks after a massacre at a Florida high school left 14 students and three adult staff members dead and sparked a grassroots campaign for tougher laws on gun ownership.
St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron identified the gunman behind the shooting at Great Mills High School as Austin Rollins, 17
Cameron said Rollins produced the handgun, a Glock semi-automatic, in a school hallway shortly before classes were due to begin and shot a 16-year-old girl with whom he had a "relationship."
"There was a relationship prior to this event," the sheriff said. "As to how that shaped this event, we'll have to determine."
A 14-year-old male student at the school was also shot and wounded during the incident, Cameron said. He was in stable condition in hospital.
Cameron initially said the 14-year-old student was shot by Rollins, but he later indicated that the exact circumstances were still unclear.
Two students were shot and wounded by a 17-year-old fellow student at Great Mills High School in Maryland
The sheriff said that Blaine Gaskill, the deputy sheriff responsible for school security, had responded to the gunfire in the school hallway within "less than a minute" of the shooting of the 16-year-old girl.
"He responded exactly as we train our personnel to respond," Cameron said.
"He pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter," he said. "During that engagement, he fired a round at the shooter. Simultaneously the shooter fired a round as well.
"In the hours to come, in the days to come, through detailed investigation, we will be able to determine if our school resource officer's round struck the shooter," he said.
- 'I'm so tired' -
Following the shooting in Great Mills, located about a 90-minute drive southeast of the US capital Washington, students were evacuated to a nearby school where they were reunited with their parents, Cameron said.
School buses and security are seen at Great Mills High School -- students were evacuated to a nearby high school
"It happened really quickly, right after school started," Jonathan Freese, a Great Mills student, told CNN.
"The police came and responded really quickly," Freese said. "They had a lot of officers respond."
Mollie Davis, who identified herself on Twitter as a student at Great Mills, posted a series of tweets about the shooting.
"Now my school is the target," she said. "WHY DO WE LET THIS KEEP HAPPENING??? I'm so tired I'm so tired."
"You never think it'll be your school and then it is," Davis said. "Great Mills is a wonderful school and somewhere I am proud to go. Why us?"
Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida -- where 17 people were shot and killed on February 14 -- launched an emotional campaign for gun control following the shooting at their school.
They have organized an event on Saturday called "March For Our Lives," which is expected to attract large crowds in US cities, with the main event in Washington.
Maryland high school shooting
Emma Gonzalez, a Stoneman Douglas student, tweeted her support Tuesday for her peers at Great Mills.
"We are Here for you, students of Great Mills," Gonzalez said. "Together we can stop this from ever happening again."
Under the banner #ENOUGH, tens of thousands of US high school students walked out of classrooms around the country on March 14 to protest gun violence.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan described the Great Mills shooting as "tragic" and pledged to devote greater resources to school security.
"We've got to take action," Hogan said. "We need to do more."
French President Emmanuel Macron has impressed with his ability to speak near-flawless English
President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday unveiled plans to get more people speaking French, saying the "treasure shared by 700 million people" belonged to all and should be given more prominence in the EU ahead of Brexit.
France's youthful president has impressed foreign audiences with his near-flawless English, a language with which his predecessors -- and the wider French public - have had a famously fraught relationship.
Yet while himself opting for English when addressing investors in Davos or being interviewed by the foreign press, the 40-year-old literature lover wants to get more people speaking his native tongue, particularly in Africa, seen as a wellspring of potential new French speakers.
In an hour-long speech to mark International Francophonie Day, Macron acknowledged that French was still associated by some, particularly in Africa, with colonialism and the autocratic regimes that Paris propped up for decades after independence.
"It would be arrogant to say that France is only the language of liberty" he said.
"People have tortured in French and done wonderful things in French," he said, adding that the fact that some tyrants speak French "does not absolve them" for their deeds.
He also attempted to fend off accusations that France still acts as if it is the sole proprietor of a language spoken from Cameroon in west Africa to New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific.
French, he said, had "liberated itself from France" to become a "world language", he said.
- Scramble for Africa -
French is currently the world's fifth most spoken language after Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic, according to official French estimates based on the population of countries where French is an official language.
Some experts have questioned that figure and said an estimate by Ethnologue, a reference guide to world languages that ranks France 14th, may be closer to the mark.
On a visit to the west African country of Burkina Faso in November, Macron appealed to Africans to resist the lure of English and make French "the first language in Africa and maybe even the world in the coming decades".
But ahead of Tuesday's speech at the Academie Francaise -- the gatekeeper of the French language, famous for its purist approach -- his advisors said he would settle for third.
Hailing French teachers as "heroes" Macron -- whose wife Brigitte is a former French teacher -- announced 30 measures to improve the teaching of French, reverse the decline in its use in international institutions and support francophone musicians and authors.
They included more investment in French instruction in France's predominantly immigrant suburbs, expanding the capacity of France's overseas schools and more classes for refugees.
Refugees currently have the right to 250 hours of free tuition.
"I defy you to learn French in 250 hours," he said, pledging to increase their hours to 400 -- or 600 for those with little formal education.
He also announced plans to provide more French lessons for European Union officials, noting: "English has never been as present in Brussels at a time when we are discussing Brexit!"
- Dogged by the past -
The International Francophonie Organisation has forecast that because of explosive population growth in Africa, over one billion people will live in French-speaking countries by 2065, second only to countries that speak English.
In Africa, it predicts that French will overtake English by 2050.
But Macron's call to Africans to speak more French received a cool reception on the continent, with some intellectuals accusing him of neo-colonialism.
Franco-Congolese author Alain Mabanckou, a professor at the University of California-Los Angeles, turned down an invitation by Macron to help draft his "plan for French and multilingualism", seeing it as a cover for continued meddling in former colonies.
His sentiments were echoed by Franco-Djiboutian author and scholar Abdourahman Waberi.
"If he really wanted to get away from the colonial past, he would have consulted more, listened more and engaged in more dialogue" with Africans, Waberi told AFP.
To try defuse the criticism Macron put award-winning Franco-Moroccan author Leila Slimani in charge of rejuvenating French.
He also assured he had no desire to silence Africa's native tongues, saying French could easily cohabit with them.
A pro-abortion activist demonstrates in front of the US Supreme Court as the court hears a challenge to California law requiring anti-abortion pregnancy clinics to distribute information on family planning services
US Supreme Court justices from across the ideological spectrum reacted with skepticism Tuesday to a California law requiring private anti-abortion facilities to inform pregnant clients they can obtain the procedure elsewhere.
The case, brought by the Christian conservative group National Institute of Family and Life Advocates that runs so-called "crisis pregnancy centers," brings the hot-button issues of abortion and free speech to the fore once more at the highest court in the land.
Critics say the centers use deceptive tactics to trick women into thinking they are entering an abortion clinic -- in a bid to dissuade them from going through with the procedure.
The central question of the case is whether the state can provide women with basic information about their own reproductive rights and government-funded or subsidized options.
Anti-abortion groups argue that the 2015 California law, backed by Democrats, violates their right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
"There's at least a question that arises as to whether this statute has been gerrymandered" for only some providers, which would hamper free speech, the left-leaning Justice Elena Kagan said.
A provision of the law that requires unlicensed centers to indicate their status in large type and several languages is an "undue burden," said Justice Anthony Kennedy, who holds a critical swing vote. "That should suffice to invalidate the statute," he added.
Michael Farris, representing the state's centers, said the law was an unconstitutional violation of their free speech rights because it was forcing them to communicate messages that go against their beliefs.
"California took aim at pro-life pregnancy centers by compelling licensed centers to point the way to an abortion and imposing onerous advertising rules on unlicensed centers that do not provide ultrasounds or any other medical services," he said.
"The state then provided exemptions for all other medical providers who serve pregnant women," he said.
- 'Fake women's health centers' -
An anti-abortion activist demonstrates in front of the US Supreme Court
Women with unplanned pregnancies who attend the facilities are encouraged to parent or offer up their babies for adoption, rather than end their pregnancy.
California's law requires such centers to clearly tell their clients whether they are able to practice medicine and whether health care professionals are on hand.
The facilities must also post notices providing information about public programs offering free or low-cost contraception, abortion and prenatal care.
"If you're trying to educate a class of persons about their rights, it's pretty unusual to force a private speaker to do that for you under the First Amendment," commented Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President Donald Trump.
But Ilyse Hogue, president of reproductive rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America, dismissed the providers as "fake women's health centers," saying they "cannot operate without being dependent on lies and deception to get women to their doors."
California's legislature similarly found that the state's more than 200 centers use "intentionally deceptive advertising and counseling practices (that) often confuse, misinform and even intimidate women from making fully-informed, time-sensitive decisions about critical health care."
The case represents the court's first major test on abortion rights since Trump took office, and with Gorsuch sitting on the bench.
An anti-abortion push has swept the United States since Trump took office in January 2017, with his Republican Party that opposes abortion controlling Congress.
On Monday, Mississippi's Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed a bill that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, including in cases of rape or incest, down from a 20-week limit.
In the current national context, the high court's decision will likely have ramifications beyond California, the most populous state.
The Supreme Court's ruling is expected by late June.
Women wait anxiously in a hospital for news of loved ones after a rocket hit a busy shopping area in the Jaramana area of Damascus, in one of the deadliest rebel attacks on the Syrian capital
Inside a hospital in Syria's capital, Ilham slaps her head in grief after her daughter stepped out to buy her a Mother's Day present but never came back.
Ilham's daughter was among 35 people killed in a rebel rocket attack on a shopping area in a Damascus suburb on Tuesday, the eve of Mother's Day.
"I don't want a present. I don't want anything," cried the woman in her 50s, dressed in a long black robe.
"O Lord, I just want to hear back from her," she said, surrounded by mourning relatives.
The rocket was fired on a busy shopping area in Jaramana known for its stores selling affordable clothes and food.
It was one of the deadliest rebel rocket attacks to hit the capital in Syria's seven-year war.
It came as government forces press a deadly assault to retake control of the last rebel bastion on the capital's doorstep.
Mother's Day falls on March 21 in Syria like other parts of the Arab world to coincide with the start of spring.
But the Damascus hospital's corridors were covered in blood on Tuesday night, as the dead and wounded were rushed in.
Inside one room, forensic doctors examined bodies laid out on two dozen beds after they were unable to fit in the hospital's mortuary.
Outside, women wailed and hugged each other as they waited to hear confirmation that their loved ones had died or to see their faces for a last time.
The hospital's ground floor had been turned into an emergency unit, with a large number of doctors tending to the wounded.
A doctor looked after a half-naked man, covered in bloody bandages, as his relatives watched on.
- 'Lifeless corpse' -
Nearby was a skinny young boy in a red tracksuit, with his head and knee swathed in white gauze.
A nurse treats a wounded Syrian child at a hospital in Damascus after she was injured when a rocket hit a busy shopping area in Damascus on the eve of Mother's Day in Syria
A father tried to hold his child still as a member of the medical staff stitched his wound.
In the courtyard, a throng of civilians had clustered, panicked and looking for the missing.
Umm Hisham was out shopping with her son and daughter when the rocket ploughed down.
"May God never forgive them. The rocket fell as we were shopping... We were standing in front of the sweets shop," she said.
She still remembers what her son said as they headed out to the shops: "I want to make you happy," he had said.
But the shopping trip soon turned into a nightmare, as she had her leg amputated and has heard no news from her children.
Inside the hospital, Emadaddeen Masud was furious after his grandson whom he had not seen in a year had his life taken in the attack.
"I hadn't seen my grandson for a year. Now he's a lifeless corpse," he said.
The rocket hit near a security checkpoint, residents in Jaramana said.
One of the soldiers was at the hospital after helping to bring in the victims.
"There was a girl's body with a mobile phone," he said.
"We went through all the numbers until we reached her brother and told him what had happened."
In a corner, 60-year-old Umm Fahad wailed over the loss of her niece.
"Her family rang me up and asked if she was at my place. I said no and grief gripped my heart."
WASHINGTON (AP) - More Republicans are telling President Donald Trump in ever blunter terms to lay off his escalating criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller and the Russia probe. But party leaders are taking no action to protect Mueller, embracing a familiar strategy with the president - simply waiting out the storm.
Trump blistered Mueller and his investigation all weekend on Twitter and started in again Monday, questioning the probe's legitimacy with language no recent president has used for a federal inquiry. "A total WITCH HUNT with massive conflicts of interest!" Trump tweeted.
Mueller is leading a criminal probe into whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign had ties to Russia and whether there has been obstruction of justice since then.
President Donald Trump speaks about his plan to combat opioid drug addiction at Manchester Community College, Monday, March 19, 2018, in Manchester, N.H., even as more Republicans are telling Trump in ever blunter terms to lay off his escalating criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller and his Russia probe. But party leaders are taking no action to protect Mueller from possibly being fired, embracing a familiar strategy with the president _ simply waiting out the storm. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Trump was told to cut it out on Sunday by such notable Republicans as Trey Gowdy, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, and Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Then on Monday he was told that firing Mueller would be "the stupidest thing the president could do" by Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
But Hatch, on CNN, also said he didn't see any need for legislation to protect Mueller. And that sentiment was widely echoed by GOP leaders.
In recent months, bills to protect the special counsel have stalled, and Republican leaders have stuck to muted statements endorsing Mueller or denying he is in trouble. So far, that tactic has worked for them as Trump has lambasted the Russia investigation on Twitter but allowed Mueller to continue his work.
Democrats say legislation is needed.
"Immediately," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. And Arizona Republican Jeff Flake, a frequent Trump critic, said, "If you don't pick this fight, then we might as well not be here."
But GOP leaders saw no reason to leap to stop a firing they don't think is in sight.
"I don't think that's going to happen so I just think it's not necessary, and obviously legislation requires a presidential signature," said Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate. "I don't see the necessity of picking that fight right now."
Still, Cornyn said there would be "a number of unintended consequences" if Mueller were to be removed, and lawmakers had communicated that message to Trump "informally and formally."
White House lawyer Ty Cobb issued a statement Sunday tamping down the speculation, saying Trump is not "considering or discussing" Mueller's removal. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said Trump has "some well-established frustration" about the probe but insisted there is no internal discussion about removing Mueller.
Separately, Trump's legal team has provided documents to Mueller summarizing their views on key matters being investigated, according to a person familiar with the situation. That person insisted on anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
The records were given as Trump's lawyers negotiate with Mueller's team about the scope and terms of a possible interview with the president.
Also, Trump added a new lawyer. Joseph diGenova, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, will join his team later this week.
DiGenova has been outspoken in his defense of Trump, talking of a "brazen plot" to exonerate Hillary Clinton in an email investigation and to "frame" Trump with a "falsely created crime."
Multiple White House officials said Monday that they believe Trump is now acutely aware of the political - and even legal - consequences of taking action against Mueller. For now, they predicted, Trump will snipe at Mueller from the outside.
His sniping is getting more pointed.
Trump challenged the probe's existence over the weekend and strongly suggested political bias on the part of Mueller's investigators.
The tweets ruffled some GOP lawmakers. South Carolina's Gowdy admonished the president's lawyers, saying that if Trump is innocent, "act like it."
But House and Senate leaders remained quiet, and decidedly unruffled.
"As the speaker has always said, Mr. Mueller and his team should be able to do their job," said AshLee Strong, spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan.
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell referred to comments that McConnell made in January saying he wasn't worried that Mueller would be ousted.
Two bipartisan Senate bills introduced last summer, when Trump first started criticizing Mueller's probe, would make it harder to fire a special counsel by requiring a judicial review. But Republicans backing the bills have not been able to agree on the details, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has shown little interest in moving them. McConnell has said he thinks they are unnecessary.
Still, some of the White House officials acknowledged that Trump did once flirt with removing Mueller.
That came last summer, when Trump's legal team - then led by New York attorney Marc Kasowitz - was looking into potential conflicts of interest with Mueller and his team and planning to make a case to have him removed, according to people familiar with the strategy. Those people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversations.
As that strategy was being formulated, Trump directed White House counsel Don McGahn in June to call Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to raise the perceived conflicts and push for Mueller's removal, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.
McGahn put off making the call because he disagreed with the strategy, the person said. When Trump persisted in pressing the issue, McGahn told other senior White House officials he would resign if Trump didn't back off. Trump let the matter drop, the person said.
Trump cannot directly fire Mueller. Any dismissal, for cause, would have to be carried out by Rosenstein, who appointed the counsel and has continued to express support.
Trump has fumed to confidants that the Mueller probe is "going to choke the life out of" his presidency if allowed to continue indefinitely, according to an outside adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations with the president.
Likely contributing to Trump's sense of frustration, The New York Times reported last week that Mueller had subpoenaed the Trump Organization for Russia-related documents. Trump had said Mueller would cross a red line with such a step.
"Why does the Mueller team have 13 hardened Democrats, some big Crooked Hillary supporters, and Zero Republicans?" he tweeted Sunday.
Some of Mueller's investigators indeed have contributed to Democratic political candidates including Hillary Clinton, but Justice Department policy and federal service law bar discrimination in the hiring of career positions on the basis of political affiliation. Mueller is a Republican.
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Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Darlene Superville and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.
FILE - In this June 21, 2017, file photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington. President Donald Trump is questioning the impartiality of Mueller's investigation and says the probe is groundless, while raising doubts about whether a fired top FBI official kept personal memos outlining his interactions with Trump. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The State Council of China recently issued a notice that stipulates all-level Parties and governments should give favor to NEVs when choosing official vehicles. In order to promote the popularity of NEVs, China had made a variety of promoting plans for official vehicles of state-owned enterprises, schools and hospitals. In addition, buses, taxies, postal logistics vehicles and police cars are also recommended to use NEVs. By 2020, the NEVs should take up over 50% of Parties and governments' official vehicles.
Encouraged by a variety of policies, NEVs developed rapidly in 2017. This year is likely to see a reshuffle in NEV area. The industry would select the superior and eliminate the inferior in this segment. The subsidy policies for NEVs have released in 2018. The threshold for pure electric vehicles has uplifted, which means pure electric vehicles with longer range and more efficient battery will be eligible for larger amount of subsidies.
From the strategies released by key automakers, JVs will launch more NEV models, posing a great challenge to self-owned vehicle brands. It can be easily forecasted that the competition in NEV field will grow increasingly intensified.
LONDON (AP) - Britain's information commissioner plans to apply for a warrant to access the servers of Cambridge Analytica, which allegedly used data mined from Facebook to help Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election.
Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said in a statement Monday that she would request the warrant because Cambridge Analytica had been uncooperative with her investigation into whether the company illegally acquired and used Facebook data.
"This is a complex and far-reaching investigation for my office and any criminal or civil enforcement actions arising from it will be pursued vigorously," she said.
Denham launched her investigation after weekend reports that Cambridge Analytica improperly used information from more than 50 million Facebook accounts. Facebook has suspended the company from the social network while it investigates the claims.
Facebook said Monday that it has put its own audit of the claims on hold at the request of the U.K. information commissioner.
The New York Times and the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper reported that the U.K.-based company obtained Facebook account data without the users' knowledge and retained it after claiming it had been deleted. Chris Wylie, who once worked for Cambridge Analytica, was quoted as saying the company used the data to build psychological profiles so voters could be targeted with ads and stories.
Cambridge Analytica says the information was acquired from a contractor who was contractually obligated to comply with data-protection laws. None of the data was used in the Trump campaign, the company said.
"I'm not accepting their response so therefore I'll be applying to the court for a warrant," Denham told Britain's Channel 4. "We need to get in there, we need to look at the databases, we need to look at the servers and understand how data was processed or deleted by Cambridge Analytica."
The scandal has also triggered calls for further investigation from the European Union, as well as federal and state officials in the United States.
The head of the EU parliament said Monday that the bloc will investigate Facebook's role in the case.
"Allegations of misuse of Facebook user data is an unacceptable violation of our citizens' privacy rights," Antonio Tajani tweeted. "The European Parliament will investigate fully, calling digital platforms to account."
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, both Democrats, have sought written responses from Facebook. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, also a Democrat, promised an investigation.
U.K. lawmakers have already called on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before a parliamentary committee.
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Associated Press Writers Nick Jessdanun and Barbara Ortutay in New York contributed to this story
POTOMAC, Md. (AP) - Authorities say a teenager who deliberately jumped into the swift-flowing Potomac River near the nation's capital has been rescued after a near-drowning in treacherous currents.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer told news outlets the Virginia teen entered the water Sunday near Great Falls National Park in Maryland and was carried about a mile (1.6 kilometers) downstream, at times dragged under.
The spokesman says a Swift Water Rescue team found the teen clinging to rocks and in distress on the Virginia side of the river. The teen was hospitalized in serious condition, but Piringer says the injuries aren't life-threatening.
He says the teen is "very lucky that he survived" in deceptively strong, cold currents where many have drowned in past years.
Swimming is prohibited in the area.
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Romanian police say they are investigating the "suspicious" death of a well-known journalist who was found dead in his home near the Romanian capital.
Police spokesman Ciprian Romanescu said late Monday that Andrei Gheorghe had died in suspicious circumstances 12 hours earlier.
His body was found in the bathroom of his home in Voluntari, a suburb just north of Bucharest.
The 56-year-old Gheorghe made his career as a radio and television journalist after dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was overthrown in the 1989 anti-communist revolution. He was known for his acerbic comments about current events and politicians.
Police said they received a call Monday evening about his death and are investigating the case. They declined further comment.
HONOLULU (AP) - A former congressman from Hawaii said Monday he's leaving the Republican Party because of President Donald Trump and the failure of fellow party members to stand up to him.
Charles Djou, who represented Honolulu in the U.S. House from 2010 to 2011, wrote in an opinion piece published in Civil Beat on Monday he's disturbed that the Republican Party under Trump has become hostile to immigration.
Djou lamented Trump's desire to launch a trade war, his treatment of veterans like Sen. John McCain, his belittling of lawmakers and his recitation of conspiracy theories.
FILE - In this March 2, 2012, file photo, former U.S. Congressman Charles Djou poses for a portrait at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu. The former congressman from Hawaii says he's leaving the Republican Party because of President Donald Trump and the failure of fellow party members to stand up to him. (AP Photo/Kent Nishimura, File)
"I can no longer stand with a Republican Party that is led by a man I firmly believe is taking the party of Lincoln in a direction I fundamentally disagree with, and a party that is unwilling to stand up to him," Djou wrote.
Djou said he's most disappointed by the failure of the GOP to clearly and consistently condemn Trump's "childish behavior."
"Sadly today, too many Republicans either applaud Trump's tirades or greet them with silent acceptance," Djou said. "This leads to an implicit ratification by the GOP of Trump's undisciplined, uninformed and unfocused leadership as a core part of the Republican Party."
The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Djou served in the Honolulu City Council and in the state House. He is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2012 and 2014. He's not currently seeking public office.
Shirlene Ostrov, the chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party, said the party is disappointed but wishes Djou its best.
"He doesn't share the same values as the Republican Party of today, and I understand he has to part ways in order, perhaps, to go a different way himself politically," she said.
TOKYO (AP) - Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. But when is uncertain. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system.
Tuesday marked 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, killing 13 people and sickening thousands. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers were sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. Their sentences date back as far as 20 years.
Tuesday at 8 a.m. - around the time of the attack - uniformed subway employees lowered their heads in silence at Kasumigaseki station, a main target of the cult. Shizue Takahashi, the 71-year-old widow of an assistant stationmaster who died in the attack, and the current station master placed flowers on a temporary altar set up for offerings.
FILE - In this Sept. 25, 1995, file photo, cult leader Shoko Asahara, center, sits in a police van following an interrogation in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018, marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
"It seems the (legal) process has entered a next stage," Takahashi told reporters. "I hope (executions) are carried out in accordance with the law."
The relocation of seven of the cult members to five detention centers outside of Tokyo last week has sparked speculation that executions could be imminent. In Japan, accomplices in a crime are customarily hanged on the same day. Ten of those on death row were convicted for the subway attack, a number beyond the Tokyo detention center's daily capacity.
As with all executions in Japan, when and where they will be killed isn't being released, even to family members and lawyers. The executions won't be announced until they have already happened.
Takahashi recently asked the Justice Ministry for a chance to meet the convicts and witness their executions. "I want to follow through to the very end," Takahashi said at a recent news conference.
Her wish is unlikely to be granted.
Even prisoners sent to the gallows are not notified until guards come to their cells in the morning. After a chat with a chaplain, a last bite or a smoke, the prisoner is taken to the gallows.
If all 10 subway attack convicts are hanged, it would be the second-largest number executed on a single day in Japan's modern history. On Jan. 24, 1911, Japan hanged 11 political prisoners who allegedly plotted to assassinate the emperor.
Some survivors of the cult's crimes oppose the executions because that would eliminate hopes for a fuller explanation of the crimes.
Asahara talked incoherently, occasionally babbling in broken English, during his eight-year trial and never acknowledged his responsibility or offered meaningful explanations.
Born Chizuo Matsumoto, he has been on death row for nearly 14 years. His family says he is a broken man, constantly wetting and soiling the floor in his cell and not communicating with his family or lawyers.
His 34-year-old daughter, Rika Matsumoto, said he doesn't understand his punishment and needs treatment so he can recover and talk. "I just want to hear my father explain in his own words," she tweeted recently.
Some of the condemned have expressed regret and contributed to anti-terrorism measures. Shoko Egawa, a journalist who has covered the cult's crimes from early on, has proposed keeping them alive so they can provide lessons to a world facing the growing threat of extremism.
Experts on the cult also warn that if they are executed, the members would be glorified as martyrs by cult remnants, likely bolstering their worship of Asahara.
Founded in 1984, the group attracted many young people, even graduates of top universities, whom Asahara hand-picked as close aides.
The cult amassed an arsenal of chemical, biological and conventional weapons to carry out Asahara's escalating criminal orders in anticipation of an apocalyptic showdown with the government.
The cult claimed 10,000 members in Japan and 30,000 in Russia. It has disbanded, though nearly 2,000 people follow its rituals in three splinter groups, monitored by authorities.
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FILE - In this undated file photo, cult guru Shoko Asahara, left, of Aum Shinrikyo walks with Yoshihiro Inoue, then a close aid, in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018, marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
Toyohiko Otomo, head of the Kasumigaseki subway station district, offers flowers at Kasumigaseki station in Tokyo Tuesday, March 20, 2018, to mark the 23rd anniversary of sarin nerve gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. Members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars in 1995, sickening thousands and killing 13. (Yoshitaka Sugawara/Kyodo News via AP)
FILE - In this March 20, 1995 file photo, subway passengers affected by sarin nerve gas in the central Tokyo subway trains are carried into St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Chiaki Tsukumo, File)
FILE - In this May 9, 1995 file photo, two woman devotees to the doomsday cult, Aum Shinrikyo, watch a group of police search their building in Fujinomiya, central Japan. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami, File)
FILE - In this March 25, 1995, file photo, Aum Shinrikyo members look out from a window to observe the fourth-day of a police raid operation at No. 6 Satian, one of the doomsday cult's communes near Mount Fuji in Kamikuishiki, west of Tokyo. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Hiroshi Otabe, File)
FILE - This Aug. 27, 2010 file shows the main gallows of the Tokyo Detention Center in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2010, file photo, multiple push buttons for executioners to activate a trapdoor are seen on the wall of a room adjacent to the main execution chamber with a ceiling-mounted pulley and the trapdoor marked with red squares on the floor at the Tokyo Detention Center in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all.(Kyodo News via AP, File)
This March 15, 2018 photo, shows the Tokyo Detention Center in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
In this March 15, 2018 photo, people walk near the Tokyo Detention Center in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
FILE- This undated file photo, shows former senior Aum Shinrikyo member Kiyohide Hayakawa who was sentenced to death in 2000. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
The Jan. 7, 1990 photo shows Tomomitsu Niimi, a member of Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult who has been sentenced to death. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP)
The Jan. 7, 1990 photo shows Tomomasa Nakagawa, a member of Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult who has been sentenced to death. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP)
FILE - This 1990 file photo shows former member of Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult Kazuaki Okazaki who has been sentenced to death. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
FILE - This undated file photo shows A former Aum Shinrikyo cult member Masato Yokoyama who was sentenced to death in 1999. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
Subway staff members offer a silent prayer at a station in Tokyo Tuesday, March 20, 2018, to mark the 23rd anniversary of sarin nerve gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. Members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars in 1995, sickening thousands and killing 13. (Yoshitaka Sugawara/Kyodo News via AP)
The Dec. 3, 1996 photo shows a cutout of Yasuo Hayashi, a member of Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult who has been sentenced to death, near a local police station in Okinawa. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds Japan's death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (Kyodo News via AP)
Shizue Takahashi, the wife of a subway worker killed in the March 20, 1995 sarin gas attack, prays after laying flowers on the stand set up at Kasumigaseki subway station in Tokyo Tuesday, March 20, 2018, to mark the 23rd anniversary of sarin nerve gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. Members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars in 1995, sickening thousands and killing 13. (Yoshitaka Sugawara/Kyodo News via AP)
CLEVELAND (AP) - Federal prosecutors say the leader of a breakaway Amish group in Ohio convicted in hair- and beard-cutting attacks is pushing to get his sentence overturned using arguments already rejected in court.
An attorney for 72-year-old Samuel Mullet Sr. says Mullet's previous lawyer made mistakes during trial and in prior appeals.
In a Monday court filing, prosecutors say there were no errors that amounted to Mullet's rights to due process being violated, and a judge should reject his request.
In this Oct. 10, 2011 file photo, Sam Mullet Sr. stands in the front yard of his home in Bergholz, Ohio. Mullet, the leader of a breakaway Amish group in Ohio convicted in hair- and beard-cutting attacks, is pushing to get his convictions overturned using arguments already rejected in court. An attorney for 72-year-old Samuel Mullet Sr. says Mullet's previous lawyer made mistakes during trial and in prior appeals. In a Monday, March 19, 2018 court filing, prosecutors say there were no errors that amounted to Mullet's rights to due process being violated, and a judge should reject his request. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Defense attorneys say the 2011 hair- and beard-cutting attacks stemmed from family disputes. Prosecutors say the motive was religious, as hair and beards have spiritual significance in the Amish faith.
Mullet is serving an 11-year sentence. Of the 16 Amish community members convicted in the case, only Mullet remains imprisoned.
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This story has been corrected to show Mullet is asking the court to vacate his sentence, not convictions.
CHICAGO (AP) - The race for Illinois governor will be a battle between two deep-pocketed candidates who've already sunk more than $120 million of their own money into the contest, putting it on pace to become the costliest such campaign in U.S. history.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a wealthy former private equity investor, defeated conservative state Rep. Jeanne Ives on Tuesday for the GOP nomination.
"We are in a critical time, a critical turning point in Illinois," Rauner told supporters. "I am humbled by this victory. You have given me a chance to win the battle against corruption that plagues Illinois."
Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, right, celebrates winning the Democratic gubernatorial primary with lieutenant governor candidate Juliana Stratton, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
He will face Democratic billionaire J.B. Pritzker, an investor and heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune. Pritzker easily won the primary over Chris Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy; and Daniel Biss, 40, a state senator who campaigned as the "middle-class candidate."
Pritzker, 53, already has spent more than $70 million to bankroll his campaign, while Rauner has put in about $50 million and has received millions more from his wealthy friends in the business community. Combined they're expected to top California in 2010 as the nation's most expensive governor's race.
Pritzker pledged to defeat Rauner but told supporters "we have a real fight ahead of us."
"Tonight, we've taken the next step of beating Bruce Rauner and putting Illinois back on the side of working families," he told a cheering crowd at his campaign party. "I will fight today, and tomorrow, and every day of this election and every day after to get our state back on track."
Rauner, 61, took advantage of a national GOP wave four years ago to pull off a surprising victory in a state otherwise dominated by Democrats and win his first political office. Rauner's personal wealth is just shy of $1 billion, but Pritzker - an investor and one of the heirs to the Hyatt hotel chain - is worth several times more.
Ives raised just $4 million - less than any of the other prominent candidates. Once dismissed by Rauner as a "fringe" candidate, she gave him a tougher-than-expected race, attacking the governor's conservative credentials in edgy TV ads. One of them, which the chairman of the state GOP blasted as a "cowardly attempt to stoke political division," portrays actors mockingly thanking Rauner for not doing enough to restrict illegal immigration, abortion and transgender bathroom rights.
In other races on the Illinois primary ballot, former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn - whom Rauner ousted in 2014 - was locked in a tough competition with state Sen. Kwame Raoul for state attorney general. There also are numerous contested congressional primary races, including progressive candidate Marie Newman's challenge to seven-term Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski.
But none involved the kind of spending as seen in the governor's race. Personal wealth solidified Rauner and Pritzker's front-runner status but also made them frequent targets for opponent attacks. Even Kennedy spent $2 million of his own money on the race.
Biss, a Harvard-educated mathematician who gave up teaching to enter politics, set up a website to track what he says is a $171,000-a-day campaign by Pritzker. The Democratic front-runner has been advertising on television from nearly the moment he announced his candidacy 11 months ago.
Pritzker's opponents also have attacked his connections with overseas trusts in low-tax countries, though he maintains they're focused on charitable giving and that he has no control over them. In response, Biss has called him a "fraud" while Kennedy labeled him a "liar."
But far more damaging were ads that Rauner ran against Pritzker after wiretap audio surfaced of him talking with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The ads included a 30-minute infomercial-style ad with the full FBI recordings.
Rauner took on Pritzker again when more tapes surfaced from the Chicago Tribune. They revealed Pritzker describing Secretary of State Jesse White - a Pritzker backer - as the "least offensive" black officeholder to be considered for the Senate seat vacated by then-President-elect Barack Obama. Pritzker has apologized, and White continues to back him.
Although Biss has built his campaign around claiming to be the "middle-class candidate," he has faced criticism as the architect of a plan to cut the roughly $100 billion gap in pension funding for the cash-strapped state by reducing some of the promised retirement benefits. Although he says he has learned his lesson and won't support it again, Pritzker has repeatedly criticized his change of heart.
Biss and Kennedy have teamed up against Pritzker for his silence on whether Michael Madigan, the longest-serving state House speaker in modern U.S. history, should step aside because of criticism about how he handled sexual harassment complaints by campaign workers against two of his political aides.
Rauner also has invoked Madigan in his ads against Ives, calling her "Mike Madigan's favorite Republican and Illinois' worst nightmare."
Rauner rolled to victory in 2014 with a promise to "shake up" Springfield with a pro-business, anti-union agenda including lower property taxes and term limits on officeholders. But his ongoing spat with Madigan and other legislative Democrats left the state without a budget for two years while billions of dollars of debt piled up.
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O'Connor reported from Springfield, Illinois. Associated Press writers Don Babwin and Herbert McCann in Chicago and Sarah Zimmerman in Springfield contributed.
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Follow Sara Burnett at https://twitter.com/sara_burnett and John O'Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor .
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Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, center right, and Republican lieutenant governor candidate Evelyn Sanguinetti, left, cheer with their supporters on primary election night, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. Rauner is running against Republican primary challenger Jeanne Ives, with the winner going on to face the Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker greets voters at the CTA Roosevelt Orange and Green Line station in Chicago on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker greets voters at the CTA Roosevelt Orange and Green Line station in Chicago on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune via AP)
FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker participates in a forum with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2018 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner delivers his State of the State address at the Capitol, in Springfield, Ill. (Rich Saal/The State Journal-Register via AP File)
FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy participates in a forum with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss participates in a forum with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
FILE - In this Jan. 2018 file photo Illinois Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives, speaks to the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
Gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy speaks to the press after voting in the Illinois primary election at the Kenilworth Club Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Kenilworth, Ill. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy and his wife Sheila present their paper ballots to equipment manager Maria Escobedo as they vote in the Illinois primary election at the Kenilworth Club Tuesday March 20, 2018, in Kenilworth, Ill. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy and his wife Sheila leave a polling place after voting with their daughter Clare, at left, in the Illinois primary election at the Kenilworth Club Tuesday March 20, 2018, in Kenilworth, Ill. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker greets voters at the CTA Roosevelt Orange and Green Line station in Chicago on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, right, and his running mate, State Representative Juliana Stratton, wearing red scarf, greet voters at the CTA Roosevelt Orange and Green Line station in Chicago on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker greets voters at the CTA Roosevelt Orange and Green Line station in Chicago on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker hugs Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza at Manny's Deli on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (James Foster/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker poses for photos at Manny's Deli on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (James Foster/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Former governor and Illinois Attorney General candidate Pat Quinn holds up holds up an "I Voted" wrist band after voting, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Former governor and Illinois Attorney General candidate Pat Quinn holds up his ballot for the press after he finished voting, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Marie Newman, 3rd district Democratic candidate, waves to a supporter as she stands in front of Kolmar Elementary School in Oak Lawn, Ill., on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Newman is challenging seven-term Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski. (Leslie Adkins/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Marie Newman, 3rd district Democratic candidate, waits to greet voters outside Kolmar Elementary School in Oak Lawn, Ill., on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Newman is challenging seven-term Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski. (Leslie Adkins/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker, left, shakes hands with Brian Daly at Manny's Deli on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (James Foster/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Supporters watch a TV as they wait for Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on primary election night, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. Rauner is running against Republican challenger Jeanne Ives, with the winner going on to face the Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
REMOVES REFERENCE TO WHO PRITZKER WILL FACE AS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT THE TIME OF THIS PHOTO - Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, right, celebrates winning the Democratic gubernatorial primary with lieutenant governor candidate Juliana Stratton, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Supporters wait for Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner during the election primary, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. Rauner is running against Republican primary challenger Jeanne Ives, with the winner going on to face the Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, left, addresses the crowd with lieutenant governor candidate Juliana Stratton after winning the Democratic gubernatorial primary over a field of five others, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan is still mulling Afghanistan's recent overtures, including an invitation that Pakistani prime minister visit Kabul - an offer that analysts see as a good sign, underscoring that dialogue between the two often uneasy neighbors is key to defeating militants on both sides of the border.
Islamabad says it wants to consult the country's political and military leadership before accepting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's invitation, which followed a visit last weekend to Kabul by Pakistan's National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua and also last month's offer by Ghani of unconditional talks with the Taliban.
The Taliban have not responded yet but Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Moahmmad Faisal told The Associated Press on Tuesday the country's political and military leaders are carefully considering the invitation before drafting a proposal for Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2018, file photo, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, left, attends the integration ceremony of TAPI pipeline with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khan Abbasi in Herat, Afghanistan. Pakistan is still mulling Afghanistan's recent overtures, including an invitation that Abbasi visit Kabul. Pakistan, however, says it wants to consult the country's political and military leadership before accepting Ghani's invitation. (AP Photo/Hamed Sarfarazi, File)
"All stake-holders will consider the invitation in order to prepare a brief for the prime minister, who will decide about his possible visit to Kabul," Faisal said.
Ghani delivered the invitation for Abbasi during his meeting with Janjua, who also held talks with his Afghan counterpart, National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar.
The meetings were a bright spot in an otherwise acrimonious relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which routinely trade accusations that each country harbors militants who attack the other.
Since the beginning of the year, Pakistan has been under increasing U.S. pressure to end what Washington says are safe havens for militants, particular those of the Haqqani network, which is blamed for some of the most horrific attacks in Kabul. Pakistan denies the accusation but Washington still went ahead and suspended military aid to Pakistan that could total more than $2 billion.
The last time a Pakistani prime minister was in Kabul was in 2015 and a visit by Abbasi now would be hugely significant.
"It's an opportunity Pakistan should consider with an open heart," said Hasan Askari, a Lahore based analyst. "Improved relations with Afghanistan would be in Pakistan's interest and will help stabilize the region."
Moonis Ahmar, professor of international relations at the University of Karachi, said the gesture is welcome but that more trust is needed between the two countries.
Also, the decades-old dispute between Pakistan and India figures prominently in Islamabad's relationship with Kabul and finding a route to peaceful co-existence will have to take into account those sentiments, Ahmar added.
Pakistan is concerned over India's increased influence in Afghanistan and accuses New Delhi of using Afghan territory to foment unrest inside Pakistan, particularly in the restive southwestern Baluchistan province.
Ghani's invitation comes on heels of the Afghan president's peace offer to the Taliban last month, in which he offered unconditional talks. Pakistan, which lauded Ghani's offer, is considered to be the only party that can bring the Taliban to the negotiation table.
Pakistan's prime minister also held an unscheduled meeting with Vice President Mike Pence last Friday, causing some to suggest there could be a warming in the U.S.-Pakistani relations.
How that plays into Ghani's offer remains to be seen.
Imtiaz Gul, who heads the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, said Afghanistan's leaders see the dividends of burying the acrimony that has characterized past relations with Pakistan.
Still, Gul said, talks between Kabul and Islamabad can succeed only if India drops its opposition to the economic corridor China is developing jointly with Pakistan linking the Arabian Sea port of Gawadar to China.
Kabul-based analyst Waheed Muzhda says he is not optimistic of an early thaw, stressing that Afghans remain distrustful of their neighbor and that for Kabul, simply, "Pakistan is not honest."
Muzhda said the overtures were being made to Pakistan because both the United States and Afghanistan fear stepped-up fighting with the coming warm weather and would like to see Islamabad pressure the Taliban to talk peace rather than continue fighting. But Pakistan's influence over the Taliban is overstated, he added.
Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said Pakistan could acquiesce to talks with Afghanistan mainly because of international pressure.
"What we want from Pakistan is more evidence that they can be trusted," he said.
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Shah reported from Kabul, Afghanistan.
PARIS (AP) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with allegations that he received millions of euros in illegal campaign financing from the regime of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
A judicial source with direct knowledge of the case told The Associated Press that Sarkozy was being held at the Nanterre police station, north-west of Paris. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Sarkozy arrived at the police station early in the morning and remained there well into the night. It was unclear if he would be kept in custody overnight.
FILE - In this Dec. 10 2007 file photo, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, greets Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was placed in custody on Tuesday March 20, 2018as part of an investigation that he received millions of euros in illegal financing from the regime of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Sarkozy, 63, has vehemently and repeatedly denied wrongdoing in the case, which involves funding for his winning 2007 presidential campaign.
A lawyer for the former president did not respond to a message from the AP seeking comment.
While an investigation has been underway since 2013, it gained traction when French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told the online investigative site Mediapart in 2016 that he delivered suitcases from Libya containing 5 million euros ($6.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff, Claude Gueant.
Investigators are examining claims that Gadhafi's regime secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros overall for the 2007 French campaign. The sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time, 21 million euros. In addition, the alleged payments would violate French rules against foreign financing and declaring the source of campaign funds.
A former top aide of Sarkozy's, former minister Brice Hortefeux, was reportedly questioned Tuesday but not detained.
Sarkozy, who was president from 2007-12, had a complex relationship with Gadhafi. Soon after becoming winning the French presidency, Sarkozy invited the Libyan leader for a state visit and welcomed him to France with high honors.
But Sarkozy then put France in the forefront of NATO-led airstrikes against Gadhafi's troops that helped rebel fighters topple Gadhafi's regime in 2011.
In the Mediapart interview, Takieddine said he was given 5 million euros in Tripoli by Gadhafi's intelligence chief in late 2006 and 2007 and that he gave the money to Sarkozy and Gueant in suitcases on three occasions. He said the cash transfers took place in the French Interior Ministry, while Sarkozy was interior minister.
Takieddine has for years been embroiled in his own problems with French justice. They center mainly on allegations he provided illegal funds to the campaign of conservative politician Edouard Balladur for his 1995 presidential election campaign - via commissions from the sale of French submarines to Pakistan.
Takieddine made his claims when Sarkozy was campaigning to be the presidential candidate of the right-wing The Republicans party. Sarkozy lost in the first round.
According to Le Monde newspaper, investigators have recently provided magistrates with a report detailing how cash circulated within Sarkozy's campaign team.
In January, a French businessman suspected of playing a role in the financing scheme, Alexandre Djouhri, was arrested in London on a French warrant "for offenses of fraud and money laundering." Le Monde said French investigators are also in possession of several documents seized at his home in Switzerland.
It is not the first time that Sarkozy faced legal troubles. In February 2017, he was ordered to stand trial after being handed preliminary charges for suspected illegal overspending on his failed 2012 re-election campaign. Sarkozy has appealed the decision.
BRUSSELS (AP) - A German government official is doubtful that the European Union will be exempt from U.S. President Donald Trump's potentially damaging steel and aluminum tariffs.
Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Roth said Tuesday that "we are skeptical, but will hope to the end that there is a good solution."
Expressing concern about Trump's "dogmatic and ideological decision," Roth said that "we are at the moment - and the clock is ticking - a long way from a sensible solution."
His comments came as EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom headed to Washington to seek an exemption from the tariffs for the entire 28-nation bloc.
Trump's tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum enter force on Friday. He has temporarily exempted big steel producers Canada and Mexico.
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) - Two people died Tuesday in an explosion in a grocery shop in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, police said.
Moldova's chief police officer Alexandru Pinzari said an explosive device detonated after a man entered the shop at 11 am (0900 GMT), took 10 packets of cigarettes from the shop, and refused to pay for them.
As he was leaving, an explosive device fell out of his rucksack and went off. The blast killed him and a man who was on the street outside the shop. Both died immediately.
Investigators remove a man's body from a shop in Chisinau, Moldova, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Two people died Tuesday in an explosion in a grocery shop in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, police said. Moldova's chief police officer Alexandru Pinzari said an explosive device detonated after a man entered the shop at 11 am (0900 GMT), took 10 packets of cigarettes from the shop, and refused to pay for them. As he was leaving, an explosive device fell out of his rucksack and went off. The blast killed him and a man who was on the street outside the shop. Both died immediately. (AP Photo/Roveliu Buga)
Pinzari did not name the man. He said he was a resident of the Moldovan capital, born in 1968 and had a criminal record.
Reports said the device was a Soviet-made F1 defensive grenade, a remnant from a war between Moldovans and pro-Russian separatists in 1992 which left 1,500 dead.
The war broke out after Moldova declared independence in 1991. Separatists feared Moldova would seek reunification with neighboring Romania.
Police have sealed off the area. Prosecutors are investigating.
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This version corrects the name of the grenade to F1, instead of fl.
BANGKOK (AP) - A Thai court on Tuesday handed a life sentence to a Laotian drug kingpin who was notorious for a high-flying lifestyle and alleged social connections to celebrities and other VIPs.
Bangkok Criminal Court initially gave Xaysana Keopimpha a death sentence, but reduced his punishment because he cooperated with police.
The court said Xaysana led a gang that trafficked drugs from Laos into Thailand and Malaysia, using cars to hide the drugs and to scout for police checkpoints.
He was arrested on Jan. 19, 2017, after a group of traffickers arrested several months earlier identified him as the leader of their network. He was charged in connection with that case, involving the smuggling of 1.2 million methamphetamine pills from Laos into Thailand on Sept. 30, 2016.
The court said officials looked into Xaysana's phone and LINE app messaging records, which revealed that he discussed drug trafficking with other members of his group, while financial records showed that money was transferred to other drug syndicates.
Thailand's Narcotics Control Board said last year that there were at least four known cases in 2016 involving the network in which 5 million tablets were seized by the authorities.
It said three Thai nationals had been arrested in the operation against Xaysana, with about 100 million baht ($3.2 million) in assets seized from the group in Thailand. Thai and Malaysian officials announced other arrests said to be connected to the case.
Xaysana's case drew great attention last year as some notable Thai figures seemed to be implicated. Most prominent was Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, the husband of a well-known Thai actress, who pleaded not guilty after being charged with money laundering and aiding criminal activity. Suspicion focused on him after he was accused of owning a Lamborghini given to him by Xaysana.
Photographs of Xaysana pictured with other public figures, including police officers, circulated widely on social media.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) - Slovakia's president on Tuesday rejected a proposal for a new government amid a political crisis triggered by the killing of a journalist and his fiancee.
Prime Minister Robert Fico's three-party coalition resigned last week following street protests in the wake of the slayings, which shined a light on possible government corruption.
President Andrej Kiska asked Fico's deputy prime minister, Peter Pellegrini, to form a new government. But Kiska rejected Pellegrini's proposal, which involved the same three parties that were in the previous government.
Slovakian President Andrej Kiska arrives at the press conference at Presidential Palace in Bratislava on Tuesday March, 20, 2018. Slovakia's president has rejected a proposal for a new government following a crisis triggered by the killing of a journalist and his fiancee. Last week, the three-party coalition of Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned following massive street protests in the wake of the slayings that shone a light on possible corruption in the government. (Michal Svitok/TASR via AP)
Kiska said that tensions in Slovakia wouldn't be calmed by the offer, and gave Pellegrini until Friday to come up with a better plan. Pellegrini said he would make a new proposal as soon as Wednesday.
The president said the proposed interior minister, Jozef Raz, was a problem because of his ties to his predecessor, Robert Kalinak, who was previously linked to corruption scandals.
Before he was slain, Jan Kuciak was reporting on alleged Italian mafia ties to associates of Fico and corruption scandals linked to Fico's leftist Smer-Social Democracy party. Kalinak is Fico's close ally in the party.
Kiska said it was unlikely that Pellegrini's proposed government could "ensure an independent investigation into the slayings of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova and suspicions about the activities of organized crime (that Kuciak) was writing about."
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have rallied repeatedly across Slovakia since the bodies of Kuciak and Kusnirova were found on Feb. 25, in the biggest anti-government protests since the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution.
Organizers announced more protests for Friday. In a statement, they demanded a thorough and independent investigation into the shooting deaths, including the participation of international investigators, and the creation of a "trustworthy government."
FILE - In this Friday, March 16, 2018 file photo, people celebrate the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico and his government as a way out of the political crisis during a rally in Bratislava, Slovakia. It was report on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 that Slovakia's president Andrej Kiska has rejected a proposal for a new government amid a crisis triggered by the slayings of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A sheriff's deputy has shot and killed a man with a knife in South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis told news outlets the man was killed after he charged at deputies Monday afternoon.
Lewis says deputies had been called to a disturbance and found several people in a home who were "potential hostage victims."
Lewis says several minutes of negotiations and the use of non-lethal means failed to convince the man to drop the knife. An officer fired when the man came toward deputies.
The coroner's office said the suspect was 35-year-old Jermaine Massey of Greenville, a black man. State Law Enforcement Division spokesman Thom Berry said the officer was a white man. His name wasn't immediately released.
Lewis says the deputy has been placed on administrative leave.
VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican is planting 10 chapels in the woods of one of Venice's lagoon islands for its first-ever contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican's culture minister, unveiled plans for "Vatican Chapels" on Tuesday, saying the project was inspired by the "Woodland Chapel" in Stockholm by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund.
Ravasi has frequently condemned modern churches as ugly and inhospitable to prayer. But he said he hoped "Vatican Chapels" would help re-establish a dialogue between the sacred and architecture, which over centuries created majestic churches and cathedrals that changed public spaces around the globe.
It's the Vatican's second major foray into the world of the Venice Biennale after it staged pavillions for the 2013 and 2015 art biennales.
The Vatican, which spent 400,000 euros ($490,830) for the project, solicited designs from 10 architects - only two of them women - as well as contributions from construction firms to defray the costs. The biggest name in the group is Norman Foster, the Pritzker Prize-winning British architect.
The architecture biennale, which has "Freespace" as its theme this year, runs May 26-Nov. 25.
Ravasi told reporters that the Vatican didn't want to offer a traditional pavilion with miniature models and designs for its inaugural contribution. Rather, the Vatican decided to create an itinerary that will take visitors on a pilgrimage around the 10 unconsecrated chapels planted in the forest of San Giorgio island, located in the main basin of Venice's lagoon opposite St. Mark's Square.
Ravasi said the significance of the woods was key given the tradition of forests "as a place of silence, meditation, shade and light."
The curator for the project, Venetian architectural historian Francesco Dal Co, said no common theme unites the chapels, though they all have a pulpit and an altar. They're made of a host of different materials: wood, steel, iron, cement or ceramic.
The chapels can be taken apart, and there has already been a request for one of them to travel after the biennale ends. But no decision has been made as to what to do with the exhibit.
Dal Co said part of his agenda in curating the Vatican pavilion was to allow Venice to welcome even more visitors.
"I have always thought that the Biennale has done so much in the past to open up my city and provide more opportunities for people to have the right to visit it freely," he said.
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) - Nigeria's security forces failed to respond to several warnings that suspected Boko Haram extremists were on their way to a town where 110 schoolgirls were seized in a mass abduction last month, rights group Amnesty International said Tuesday.
The group cited security sources, parents and others as saying the military and police received at least five calls in the hours before the attack, which reminded many of the abduction of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram extremists in 2014.
Nigeria's government has said it has launched an investigation into the Feb. 19 attack in the northern town of Dapchi, which President Muhammadu Buhari has called a "national disaster."
FILE - This image taken from video on Thursday Feb. 22, 2018 shows the exterior of Government Girls Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Nigeria. Nigeria's security forces failed to respond to several warnings that suspected Boko Haram extremists were on their way to a town where 110 schoolgirls were abducted last month, rights group Amnesty International said Tuesday March 20, 2018. (AP Photo, File)
The military withdrew from the town in January, saying the situation appeared to be calm there.
Witnesses have told The Associated Press that armed fighters arrived in trucks in Dapchi shouting, "Show us where the school is! Show us where the girls' school is!" One witness said he knew the men weren't soldiers even though they wore military uniforms because their vehicles had Arabic inscriptions.
Parents and educators in Africa's most populous country have raised an outcry in response to the attack, demanding better security for schools in the vast region where Boko Haram's Islamic extremists have kidnapped thousands of people over nearly a decade.
Amnesty International said it interviewed 23 people, including local and security officials, witnesses and girls who escaped. They said about 50 suspected Boko Haram fighters arrived in a convoy of nine vehicles as villagers were attending evening prayers.
The first warning of the attack came hours earlier, when a phone call was made to the Nigerian army command about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away to say that suspected fighters had been spotted heading to a village near Dapchi, the rights group said. The military commander responded by saying he was aware and monitoring it, the sources told Amnesty International.
When the fighters later arrived in another village some residents called people in Dapchi to warn that the convoy was headed their way, and one villager said he told the police.
Villagers said the military did not arrive in Dapchi until after shortly after the attack, Amnesty International said.
Nigeria's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
"If the military disagrees let them come and say so," the parent of a 16-year-old schoolgirl abducted in the attack, Bashir Manzo, told the AP. He was among those interviewed by Amnesty International.
"If the military knew they were not going to act they should have informed us and we would have closed the school and asked all the girls to go home," Manzo said, adding that parents have presented their information to the committee set up by Nigeria's president to investigate. "There were security lapses which the military does not want to admit, but we shall speak the truth about what happened that day."
Amnesty International urged Nigeria's government to make public the results of its investigation.
"Regrettably, no lessons appear to have been learned from the terrible events at Chibok four years ago," said Osai Ojigho, Amnesty International's Nigeria director. "What happened in Dapchi is almost a carbon copy of what happened in Chibok, with the security forces failing to respond to warnings - and the same result for another hundred girls and their families."
BERLIN (AP) - Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that Ireland can rely on Germany in Brexit talks as the European Union and Britain look to maintain an open border after Britain's departure.
Merkel met with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in Berlin a day after EU and British negotiators said there had been no breakthrough on the Irish border issue, despite announcing progress on the outlines of a transition deal after Brexit day in a little more than a year's time.
"A solution must be found for this ... and Germany fully supports the Irish position," Merkel said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and the Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, left, address the media after talks at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Britain is due to leave the 28-nation EU in a little over a year, and how to keep the all-but-invisible border between Ireland and Northern Ireland open is proving one of the biggest headaches.
Varadkar stressed that a "backstop solution" under which Northern Ireland would remain part of the EU's tariff-free customs union while the rest of the U.K. leaves must "apply unless and until a workable alternative agreed solution is found."
He called for "more detailed written proposals" from the British government that can be made legally binding.
If London proposes "something that is very close to a customs union, then I think that would solve a lot of the problems related to the Irish border, but if it's something much less and much weaker than that, then it would not," he added.
Varadkar said that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" and that he's reassured by the depth of support from Germany, the EU's most populous country.
"Ireland can rely on us," Merkel said.
ROME (AP) - Milan and Turin are both in discussions with the Italian Olympic Committee about possibly bidding for the 2026 Winter Games.
Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino sent a letter of interest to CONI on Sunday despite divisions in her own party, the populist 5-Star Movement, on a candidacy. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala met with CONI president Giovanni Malago on Monday about his city's interest.
"I think Milan has everything required but we won't do anything without a government and its approval," Sala said Tuesday.
FILE -- A view of Turin, Italy, with the main city landmark, the Mole Antonelliana, at right, and the Alps in background are seen in this December 2005 photo. Milan and Turin are in discussions with the Italian Olympic Committee over a possible bid for the 2026 Winter Games. Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino sent a letter of interest to CONI on Sunday despite divisions in her own party, the populist 5-Star Movement, on a candidacy. (AP Photo/Massimo Pinca)
Italy awaits a new government in the next few weeks following a national election this month that yielded no clear majority.
The Veneto region that includes Venice, Verona and 1956 host Cortina d'Ampezzo is also interested in 2026, with region president Luca Zaia announcing Tuesday that interest will be formalized by next week.
Malago discussed the possible bids during a visit with IOC president Thomas Bach in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
"The IOC appreciates the growing interest within Italy for sport and the Olympic games," Malago said, while also expressing apprehension considering the state of the government.
CONI is still recovering from its dropped Rome bid for the 2024 Summer Games, which ended following staunch opposition from Mayor Virginia Raggi, who also represents the 5-Star Movement.
Among the other cities which have shown preliminary interest for 2026: Stockholm, Sweden; Calgary, Canada; Sion, Switzerland; and Sapporo, Japan.
Turin hosted the Winter Games in 2006. The 2026 host will be decided by the International Olympic Committee in Milan in September 2019.
BRUSSELS (AP) - The answer should be a no-brainer: Who can show a more unified front, the United Kingdom or the 27 disparate countries on the other side of the Brexit negotiating table?
In the topsy-turvy world of Britain's divorce negotiations with the European Union, it is the EU that has shown far more unity.
Twelve months on since the government of Prime Minister Theresa May triggered the two-year Brexit talks, the sides have finally made some progress ahead of an EU leaders' summit Thursday. It's clear that the EU has, so far, come out on top, putting paid to any hopes in Britain of using its old imperial "divide-and-rule" tactics.
European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, gestures as he meets with British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis at EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday, March 19, 2018. (Virginia Mayo)
"It is all for one, and one for all," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told the EU parliament last week, with a literary flourish straight from Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers.
By contrast, the divisions on the British side are numerous and have the potential to wreck May's government. One year before its planned departure, May's government has yet to present a detailed roadmap for departure lest it create more political chaos at home.
"The EU has set the Brexit agenda and timetable and has won at every stage so far," said Professor Simon Hix of the London School of Economics.
The bloc's secret for "winning united" goes back to the inception of the European Union over 60 years ago. Barely recovered from the devastation of World War II, the original six members rallied together around erstwhile enemies France and Germany, vowing to reach prosperity through unity and cooperation.
Britain was much less dependent on that sort of European teamwork and became a member of what was then the European Economic Community in 1973. Throughout its membership and until the 2016 Brexit vote, Britain was a less than enthusiastic member, securing opt-outs, most notably to the euro single currency, and resisting many of the calls for closer integration.
Over the decades, the EU has grown from a small grouping in western Europe to one that stretches towards the Arctic and Africa and borders Russia and Turkey. Its countries are led by a disparate mix of left-wing socialists and right-wing nationalists. It has built a legal and political system that ties everyone together even if there are disagreements.
And yet, it has managed to avoid any public disagreements in the Brexit talks.
"We pool our resources," Juncker said, "to strengthen one another and to give ourselves more serenity when dealing with the rest of the world. We see this with Brexit. We see this with trade. We see this across the board."
As a bloc, the EU has an economic might it can use to obtain leverage in the Brexit talks. It is the world's biggest trading bloc - with Britain in, it's a single market of around 500 million people. And the executive body, the Commission, has political control to instill discipline among the bloc's members. It provides tens of billions of euros a year in help for poorer member nations and it negotiates on behalf of all members on big issues like global trade.
"When you're negotiating with a big monster like the EU, you're in a very weak position," said Hix. "It seems remarkable to me the British government didn't seem to realize that. The EU has all the cards."
Many in the British government think a Brexit deal will be secured because of the economics involved. They note the scale of Britain's purchases of EU goods and services - 318 billion pounds ($445 billion) in 2016.
As Britain leaves the EU and its tariff-less single market, goods and services would face new duties, hurting companies on both sides. Brexit proponents say a no-deal scenario is a "lose-lose" situation and will lead the EU to agree on favorable new trade terms.
However, those close to the discussions have argued that the EU's main focus is to not undermine its single market by giving Britain preferential trade access without being a part of the EU. The risk is other countries could then be tempted to leave the EU and single market as well.
Stefaan De Rynck, senior advisor to Barnier, said businesses in the EU "are more concerned with maintaining the integrity of the single market than any loss of access to British markets."
The sides struck an agreement on a transition deal Monday that will keep Britain in the single market until the end of 2020, a full 21 months after Brexit is officially set to take place. The hope is that the transition will provide businesses on both sides some clarity to plan ahead.
David Davis, the British government's Brexit minister, says the progress made on the transition is a harbinger of things to come.
"This will be the biggest, most comprehensive, most effective trade deal ever," he said.
Ireland is in the front line of the Brexit discussions and could stand to be one of the biggest losers given that it exports some 14 percent of its goods to the U.K. and has a near invisible border with the U.K.'s Northern Ireland.
Ever since the referendum, EU nations have kept Dublin in the fold, and promised to do their utmost to keep the border as permeable as possible. Barnier and all top EU leaders have spent a lot of time trying to make sure Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is not wooed by May.
"The 27 are in solidarity, and the 26 are in solidarity with the Dublin government," the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has vowed.
"Don't lose your time imagining that there will be conflicts between the negotiator and the EU members. It will not happen."
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Pylas reported from London
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - An American pastor has been charged in Turkey with engaging in espionage and having links to terror groups, crimes that carry a potential sentence of up to 35 years in prison, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Tuesday.
An indictment accuses Andrew Brunson of working with U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen's network and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, to stir chaos in Turkey and divide the country, Anadolu Agency reported on Tuesday.
The news agency said the pastor faces 15 years for crimes committed in the name of Gulen's group and the PKK and another 20 years for obtaining state secrets for political and military spying purposes.
FILE - In this undated file photo, Andrew Brunson, an American pastor, stands in Izmir, Turkey. Brunson has been charged in Turkey with engaging in espionage and having links to terror groups, crimes that carry a potential sentence of up to 35 years in prison, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (DHA-Depo Photos via AP, File)
Brunson is originally from North Carolina, but has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years. He was arrested during the mass detentions and firings soon after a failed July 2016 coup attempt. He denies any wrongdoing.
The U.S. has demanded his release.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made Brunson's possible deportation contingent on Washington agreeing to extradite Gulen to Turkey.
"Give him (Gulen) to us, and we will try (Brunson) and return him," Erdogan said last year.
Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, has denied involvement in the coup.
Prosecutors in the western city of Izmir prepared the indictment, which was accepted by a court. It wasn't clear when Brunson's trial would begin.
"The Bishop's Pawn" (Minotaur), by Steve Berry
Before Cotton Malone worked with Stephanie Nelle and the Magellan Billet, he was a Navy lawyer who seemed to get cases that kept him busy, but weren't intellectually challenging.
When Nelle approaches him with a simple assignment, Malone cannot say no. A vessel containing a rare 1933 Double Eagle has sunk near Dry Tortugas National Park, just over 70 miles from Key West, Florida. His mission is to retrieve the case with the coin from the sunken ship and give it to Nelle. When he arrives, he quickly learns that he's not the only one trying to get the case.
The coin plays only a tiny part of a much bolder plot when he learns the case is somewhat heavy and actually contains classified files. The contents reveal what really happened on April 4, 1968, the day of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.
Since the story showcases Cotton Malone's first mission, it creates a lack of suspense regarding his safety because readers know he will come out just fine. So Berry has to create a compelling historical mystery with a terrific payoff to compensate - and he nails it. To further his experimentation, Berry writes Malone's story in first person rather than third person using multiple points of view. Narrowing it to just Malone's perspective makes the story tighter while providing a more insightful look into Berry's hero. It also makes it Berry's most personal novel to date.
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Online:
http://steveberry.org/
BRUSSELS (AP) - The Latest on migrant issues facing Europe (all times local):
2:20 p.m.
Rights groups have slammed a two-year deal between the European Union and Turkey that has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded in increasingly precarious conditions on Greek islands.
A coast guard vessel arrives with the bodies of migrants at the port of Pythagorio on the eastern Greek island of Samos, Saturday, March 17, 2018. Greece's coast guard said Saturday the bodies of fourteen people have been recovered from the sea off a Greek island in the eastern Aegean following the sinking of a suspected migrant smuggling boat. (AP Photo/Michael Svarnias)
Greek and international aid groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have described the deal as a failure by Europe to deal with the refugee issue adequately, saying its consequences are to leave people trapped in often hopeless situations.
The March 2016 deal aimed to halt the flow of tens of thousands of people from Turkey to nearby Greek islands, as they attempted to make their way to more prosperous European countries. It stipulated that those arriving after March 20, 2016 would be held on the islands and returned to Turkey unless they successfully applied for asylum in Greece.
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11:25 a.m.
The European Union's statistics agency says the number of people applying for asylum in Europe has dropped to levels similar to those recorded before the wave of migrant arrivals in 2015.
Eurostat said Tuesday that almost 650,000 people applied for asylum in the 28 EU nations for the first time last year, around half the applicants in 2015 when hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Syrians, arrived.
Over 102,000 were Syrians, 47,500 were Iraqis and 43,600 were Afghans.
Almost one in three people sought asylum in Germany in 2017, while 20 percent filed in Italy and 14 percent in France.
Few applied in Slovakia, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Estonia.
Almost 1 million applications were still being considered by national authorities at the end of last year.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Oscar Zeta Acosta, a volatile Mexican-American writer who was the real-life inspiration for Hunter S. Thompson's Dr. Gonzo in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," is the focus of a new VOCES/PBS documentary.
"The Rise and Fall of the Brown Buffalo" traces the life of the preacher-turned-lawyer-turned-writer who became a central figure in the Chicano Movement before disappearing without a trace in Mexico in 1974.
Using actors to recreate Acosta's own words and interviews from friends, the PBS documentary follows the evolution of a Baptist preacher in Panama while in the U.S. Air Force to "Robin Hood" lawyer who defended poor black tenants in Oakland, California, and radical Mexican-American activists in Los Angeles.
This 1970 photo released by Raul Ruiz shows attorney Oscar Zeta Acosta at a demonstration in downtown Los Angeles. Acosta, a volatile Mexican-American writer who was the inspiration for Hunter Thompson's Dr. Gonzo in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," is the focus of a new PBS/VOCES documentary airing March 23, 2018. (AP Photo/ Courtesy of Raul Ruiz)
Along the way, the El Paso, Texas-born Acosta ventured to Aspen, Colorado, where he befriended Thompson and other white countercultural figures of the late 1960s. The hell-raising pair eventually traveled to Las Vegas on a drug-fueled trip that Thompson recreated in his 1972 novel, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
The journalist would portray Acosta as a 300-pound Samoan who couldn't get enough food, drugs and danger - a portrayal that angered Acosta because it ignored his Mexican-American identity.
Following a legal fight, Acosta gave the OK to publish Thompson's book in exchange for publishing two of his own memoirs, "The Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo" and "The Revolt of the Cockroach People." Both became classics in Chicano literature.
Then, he disappeared.
Director Phillip Rodriguez said Acosta's colorful life made him a great subject. Unlike better-known Chicano activists like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, Rodriguez said everyone knew that Acosta was not a saint because of his public battles with addiction and mental illness.
"He was struggling with himself," Rodriguez said. "But he was a man of action and challenged the whole notion (of) what it means to be a Chicano hero."
Rodriguez said he opted to use actors to re-enact interviews and Acosta's writing since little archive footage exists.
In the documentary, actors portraying former activists spoke of Acosta using Bob Dylan lyrics in closing arguments, detailed how he brought drugs in the courtroom and talked about Acosta keeping the remains of his stillborn daughter in a jar to cope with her death.
"He was really crazy," Raul Ruiz, 70, the former editor of La Raza newspaper in Los Angeles who covered Acosta during his trials defending activists. "He had his flaws, but we all did. He was also a crusader, picketing with us."
After his second marriage fell apart and sales of his books fell flat, Acosta went to Mazatlan, Mexico, and disappeared.
Santiago Vaquera-Vasquez, a writer and Spanish and Portuguese professor at the University of New Mexico, said Acosta's books grew important after his disappearance as scholars and students sought more literature about the Mexican-American experience.
"His outrage and crazy lifestyle in the cities served as a counter to other works which were romantic and more rural," said Vaquera-Vasquez, who uses Acosta's work in his courses.
Vaquera-Vasquez said Acosta's books are even more relevant today because they cover the world of activism in a racist society - something many students can recognize. Vaquera-Vasquez said the "in-your-face" advocacy of Acosta helped give rise to Mexican-American cartoonists like Lalo Alcaraz and others.
The documentary airs on most PBS stations March 23 (check local listings).
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Associated Press writers Russell Contreras is a member of the AP's race and ethnicity team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras
MOSCOW (AP) - Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says his brother is being illegally kept in prison despite a European court decision.
Navalny said in a statement Tuesday that he has appealed to the Russian Supreme Court to seek his brother's release.
Oleg Navalny was sent to prison in 2014 on fraud charges seen by many as an attempt to punish Alexei Navalny, an opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny observes election progress, at his Foundation for Fighting Corruption office, in Russia, Sunday, March 18, 2018. Russians are voting in a presidential election in which Vladimir Putin is seeking a fourth term in the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in October that Russian courts handed down "arbitrary and manifestly unreasonable" decisions in the case.
Though disagreeing with the ruling, the Russian Justice Ministry is meant to abide by it.
It's unclear why Oleg Navalny has not been released.
Alexei Navalny was banned from Sunday's election which saw Putin win another six years in power.
MIAMI (AP) - The Latest on the Florida school shooting (all times local):
7:35 p.m.
Authorities are seeking to have the brother of a teen charged with killing 17 people at a Florida school involuntarily committed and prohibited from possessing guns.
Zachary Cruz, center, the brother of the Florida school shooting suspect, is displayed in a monitor via closed circuit television from the main jail as he as he makes his first appearance on charges of trespassing on the grounds of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A judge set an unusually high $500,000 bond on Tuesday and imposed a host of other restrictions. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)
A Broward Sheriff's Office news release says the agency filed for a risk protection order against 18-year-old Zachary Cruz in circuit court Tuesday under a new "red flag law" that was just signed by the governor last week.
If a judge approves the request, Cruz would be hospitalized for a mental health evaluation and barred from acquiring firearms.
Cruz was arrested and charged with trespassing Monday afternoon at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He is currently being held on $500,000 bail. His brother, Nikolas Cruz, is charged with a Feb. 14 shooting rampage at the school that killed 17 people.
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7 p.m.
Florida's governor is offering to station state troopers at the high school where 17 people were killed last month.
Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter Tuesday to Broward County Sherriff Scott Israel and Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie requesting that immediate action be taken to require an armed law enforcement officer to secure every point of entry at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School while students are on campus.
The letter says the state is willing to provide assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol until a more permanent safety plan can be put into place. Scott says he continues to hear from parents who lost their children in the Feb. 14 shooting, and they are still concerned about student safety at the school.
The younger brother of the teen charged in the shooting was arrested at the school on a trespassing charge Monday.
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6:45 p.m.
Authorities say a Florida deputy has been suspended for sleeping while on duty at a Florida school where 17 people were killed last month.
A Broward Sheriff's Office news release says Deputy Moises Carotti was suspended with pay Tuesday pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.
The release says a student approached a sheriff's office sergeant who was patrolling the interior of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shortly after 5 p.m. Monday and told the sergeant that Carotti was asleep in his patrol car. The sergeant reported finding the marked patrol vehicle and waking Carotti with a knock on the window.
Another deputy was sent to replace Carotti for that shift.
A telephone message left with the Broward Sheriff's Office Deputies Association wasn't immediately returned.
Earlier Monday afternoon, 18-year-old Zachary Cruz, the brother of the teen charged in the shooting, was arrested at the school on a trespassing charge.
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Authorities say a student at a Florida high school where 17 people were killed last month has been arrested for making threatening social media posts, while two others were arrested in separate, unrelated incidents for bringing knives to school.
The Broward Sheriff's Office announced the arrests in a news release Tuesday.
Deputies say they received a tip Tuesday that a male student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had posted pictures of a gun and bullets on Snapchat with threatening messages. The 10th-grader was involuntarily hospitalized for mental health reasons.
Deputies say a female student dumped cereal on a male student's head and pulled a 2-inch knife on him Tuesday morning after he made an obscene comment to her friend.
Deputies say they found a 9-inch knife in a male student's backpack Tuesday after another student had reported he was brandishing the weapon on the bus a day earlier.
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5 p.m.
A Florida commission formed to study mass shootings and school safety will contain three parents of students who died during the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The members of the 16-member commission were announced Tuesday. It was created under a school safety law passed as a response to the shootings that killed 17 people last month in Parkland.
Ryan Petty, Andrew Pollack and Max Schachter will serve on the commission. They are the fathers of victims Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack and Alex Schachter.
The commission will review what happened at Parkland and other mass shootings and make recommendations on how to prevent future attacks. The commission was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner will also serve on the board.
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4:45 p.m.
The Florida woman who watched over the teen suspected of killing 17 people at a Florida school says she did everything she could to warn law enforcement about him several months before the shooting.
Rocxanne Deschamps spoke publicly for the first time since the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during a Tuesday news conference in New York.
Deschamps described being neighbors with the Cruz family in Parkland and how her son played with Nikolas Cruz and his brother.
Just before Lynda Cruz died suddenly last November, Deschamps promised to take care of the boys.
Knowing Nicholas Cruz had mental issues and obsessions with weapons, Deschamps says she implored him to get professional help and take medication but he refused. Her calls to police about suspect behavior resulted in no action. He eventually moved in with another family when Deschamps said she told him to choose between his guns and her home.
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1:40 p.m.
A judge has set bond at $500,000 for the younger brother of suspected school shooter Nikolas Cruz after he was arrested for trespassing at the Florida high school where 17 people were gunned down.
Eighteen-year-old Zachary Cruz had a bond hearing Tuesday. The state sought a $750,000 bond, noting that he had admitted visiting the campus two other times since the shooting. Prosecutors also said he had been observed during an earlier jail visit with his brother saying that Nikolas Cruz is famous.
Judge Kim Theresa Mollica ordered Zachary to stay away from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School if he's released. She also said the home where he is living in Palm Beach County should be searched for weapons.
Deputies say he rode his skateboard onto the campus Monday afternoon, saying he was there to "reflect on the school schooling and to soak it in."
He is being held in the same jail where his 19-year-old brother is.
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11:15 a.m.
Police have told the Miami Herald that a gun buy-back program has taken 128 guns off the streets, including two assault weapons turned in by a father who lives near the Florida school where 17 people were killed.
Attorney Steve Hemmert says in a Facebook post shared 87,000 times that he has "eliminated the hypocrisy of these guns" from his house and can now "feel comfortable" calling on the government to ban them.
Hemmert says his 14-year-old daughter helped him build one of the military-style assault rifles from scratch. After the Florida shooting, she told her father that she plans to wear only sneakers to school, in case she has to run.
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8:20 a.m.
The brother of the 19-year-old who confessed to gunning down 17 people at a Florida high school spent the night in jail after he was arrested for trespassing on the campus.
Broward Sheriff's deputies arrested 18-year-old Zachary Cruz on Monday afternoon, saying he rode his skateboard onto the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School campus after being warned to stay away. They put him in the same Fort Lauderdale jail where his brother, Nikolas Cruz, has been housed since the Feb. 14 shooting.
Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie called Zachary Cruz's actions odd.
Survivors of the shooting are getting ready for Saturday's March for Our Lives in Washington. Some will join a panel discussion about guns Tuesday night at Harvard University.
This undated photo released by the Broward Sheriff's Office shows Zachary Cruz. Cruz, the brother of Nikolas Cruz charged with killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was arrested Monday, March 19, 2018 and charged for trespassing at the same school, authorities said. (Broward Sheriff's Office via AP)
Rocxanne Deschamps, left, is joined by her attorney Gloria Allred as she speaks to reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in New York. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooting suspect, lived with Deschamps for a while after his mother's death and was living with a different family when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Rocxanne Deschamps sheds tears while her attorney Gloria Allred speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in New York. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooting suspect, lived with Deschamps for a while after his mother's death and was living with a different family when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Rocxanne Deschamps sheds tears during a news conference, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in New York. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooting suspect, lived with Deschamps for a while after his mother's death and was living with a different family when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Rocxanne Deschamps, left, joined by her attorney Gloria Allred, speaks to reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in New York. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooting suspect, lived with Deschamps for a while after his mother's death and was living with a different family when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Rocxanne Deschamps sheds tears during a news conference, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in New York. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooting suspect, lived with Deschamps for a while after his mother's death and was living with a different family when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Rocxanne Deschamps, left, joined by her attorney Gloria Allred, speaks to reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in New York. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooting suspect, lived with Deschamps for a while after his mother's death and was living with a different family when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities ordered tens of thousands of people to flee their homes as a powerful storm headed toward California, where many communities on Tuesday face the threat of flooding and destructive debris flows from areas burned bare by huge wildfires.
An atmospheric river - a huge plume of subtropical moisture - took aim at the state's central and southern coast, where the wealthy community of Montecito near Santa Barbara is still trying to recover from a January storm that unleashed mudslides from a vast burn area, swamping homes and killing 21 people.
The storm was expected to arrive during the night and last through Thursday, bringing 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 centimeters) of rain to coastal areas and valleys, and 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) in foothills and mountains, the National Weather Service said.
Andrew Joos-Visconti protects his home from the upcoming rains with sand bags in the Sun Valley area of Los Angeles Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Authorities ordered tens of thousands of people to flee their homes as a powerful storm headed toward California, where many communities on Tuesday face the threat of flooding and destructive debris flows from areas burned bare by huge wildfires. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Authorities told as many as 30,000 people to leave communities on the south coast of Santa Barbara County, where mudslides from a Jan. 9 deluge destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes in Montecito, killed 21 people and left two children missing. Authorities also ordered evacuations in parts of neighboring Ventura County.
Kristine Sperling, her husband, their 11-year-old daughter and the family dog evacuated from Montecito on Tuesday ahead of the storm; it's the third time they've cleared out in two weeks because of weather warnings.
The Sperlings had stayed when Montecito was evacuated ahead of January's mudslide and said they'd never ignore evacuation orders again.
"It's a matter of life and death," Kristine Sperling said from Santa Barbara, where her family was staying with friends.
The Sperlings' home wasn't damaged by the mudslide but they needed to be rescued after losing electricity, gas and water, and all the roads out of town were destroyed. The mudslide killed a beloved family friend and several neighbors.
"We're just not willing to take that kind of chance anymore," Sperling said.
Like the Sperlings, many residents of both Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have faced repeated evacuations or advisories since December, when a wind-driven fire grew into the largest in recorded state history. It scorched more than 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers), destroyed 1,063 buildings and damaged 280 others.
That blaze and previous fires dating to mid-2016 set up the potential for extreme danger from storms.
Montecito resident Molly Rosecrance said she now keeps emergency rations and clothing in the trunk of her car.
"I'm tired of moving it," she told Santa Barbara news station KEYT-TV on Monday. "So if there is anything that comes down of any consequence, I might be out of my house for two weeks. I have groceries in the car to take to a friend's house and clothes."
The National Weather Service said forecasting models of the atmospheric river indicated the first 24 to 36 hours of the storm would target southern Santa Barbara County, western Ventura County and farther up the coast in San Luis Obispo County.
No evacuations were ordered elsewhere, but with burn scars scattered statewide, authorities urged people to be prepared for the storm and made sandbags available. Away from the coast, flash flood watches were to go into effect Wednesday for areas of the Sierra Nevada and mountains in the interior of Southern California.
Along with the hazards, the storm had the potential to help boost water supplies in the central coast region, where drought conditions have recently gone back to extreme or severe levels.
In the Sierra, where snowpack is a key portion of the state's water supply, U.S. Drought Monitor classifications range from abnormally dry to moderate drought. The most recent state measurement of the snowpack found its water content 39 percent of normal early this month, before storms brought blizzard conditions and even avalanche danger.
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Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers contributed to this report.
FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2018, file photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Capt. John Pepper, Fresno Fire Department, and Rescue Squad Leader RTF-5 searches homes off East Valley Road in Montecito, Calif. Authorities are urging people living in an area devastated by mudslides to evacuate ahead of a strong Pacific storm that forecasters say is likely to bring an extended period of rain and the threat of flooding and debris flows. Santa Barbara County issued a mandatory evacuation order Monday, March 19, 2018, affecting about 30,000 people, including the community of Montecito, where 21 people were killed by a massive mudslide in January. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2018, file photo provided by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, homes are destroyed along San Ysidro Creek near East Valley Road in Montecito, Calif. Authorities are urging people living in an area devastated by mudslides to evacuate ahead of a strong Pacific storm that forecasters say is likely to bring an extended period of rain and the threat of flooding and debris flows. Santa Barbara County issued a mandatory evacuation order Monday, March 19, 2018, affecting about 30,000 people, including the community of Montecito, where 21 people were killed by a massive mudslide in January. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2018, file photo provided by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Kerry Mann navigates the large boulders and mudflow that destroyed the home of her friend in Montecito, Calif. Authorities are urging people living in an area devastated by mudslides to evacuate ahead of a strong Pacific storm that forecasters say is likely to bring an extended period of rain and the threat of flooding and debris flows. Santa Barbara County issued a mandatory evacuation order Monday, March 19, 2018, affecting about 30,000 people, including the community of Montecito, where 21 people were killed by a massive mudslide in January. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP, File)
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - German prosecutors and police have searched offices at the Munich headquarters of automaker BMW in connection with an investigation into suspected manipulation of diesel vehicle emissions.
Munich prosecutors said the search Tuesday came after BMW employees admitted to Germany's motor vehicle authority on Feb. 22 that two models - the 750xd and the M550xd - had been equipped with impermissible defeat devices that turned off emission controls under certain circumstances.
The company has said that the 11,400 vehicles in question mistakenly received software intended for other vehicles during a post-sale update, worsening emissions performance. The company says it recalled and fixed the vehicles and is cooperating with the probe.
BMW's competitor, Volkswagen, has admitted using illegal software that turned off emissions controls in some 11 million vehicles.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Officials say a former Tennessee police officer has been sentenced to three years in prison on drug and gun charges.
A statement from U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey says U.S. District Court Judge J. Ronnie Greer sentenced 44-year-old Ronald Glen Shupe on Monday to 37 months in prison. Shupe was a lieutenant with the Mountain City Police Department when he was arrested last year.
The Johnson City Press reported Shupe pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone and the use of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
Officials said Shupe was arrested after purchasing oxycodone pills from an informant while in full uniform and driving a police cruiser.
NEW YORK (AP) - Longtime New York journalist Les Payne, whose career took him from the poppy fields of Turkey to the Soweto uprising in South Africa to the streets of American cities, has died. He was 76.
Payne's family confirmed his death to Newsday, where he worked for nearly four decades, rising through the ranks from reporter to associate managing editor. The newspaper reported Tuesday that Payne died unexpectedly Monday night at his home in Harlem.
Payne oversaw foreign and national coverage for Newsday, was an editor of New York Newsday and wrote a column. He retired in 2006.
This undated photo shows Les Payne, a journalist for nearly four decades with Newsday. The newspaper reported Tuesday, March 20, 2018, that Payne died unexpectedly Monday night at his home in Harlem. He was part of the Long Island newspaper's reporting team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1974 for a series titled "The Heroin Trail." (Ken Spencer/Newsday via AP)
"Les Payne spent almost four decades at Newsday establishing a standard of journalistic excellence that has been a beacon for all who have come after him," Newsday Editor Deborah Henley said. "His skill, his passion and his integrity were all elements in a distinguished career that, in his own words, led to 'journalism that brought attention to problems, and sometimes helped solve those problems.'"
"He appreciated the people who appreciated him: the readers," his wife, Violet, said.
Payne was part of a Newsday reporting team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1974 for a 33-part series titled "The Heroin Trail."
Payne, who was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and educated at the University of Connecticut, also was a founding member and former president of the National Association of Black Journalists and a Vietnam War veteran.
ATLANTA (AP) - Lawyers for a man seeking a new trial say west Georgia prosecutors purposely and systematically excluded black prospective jurors from the trials of black men facing the death penalty four decades ago.
An all-white jury in 1977 convicted Johnny Gates of raping and murdering a white woman and sentenced him to die. He has since been resentenced to life in prison without parole.
In a court filing Monday, his lawyers describe newly disclosed prosecution trial notes from capital cases tried in Muscogee County in the late 1970s. They say those notes, combined with the consistent striking of black prospective jurors, demonstrate systematic racial discrimination in jury selection.
Prospective jurors can't be eliminated because of their race, so Gates' lawyers argue that he is entitled to a new trial.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawyers for a longtime Guantanamo Bay detainee asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to intervene after the Trump administration disregarded a review board's decision clearing the man for release.
Moath al-Alwi has been held in Guantanamo for more than 16 years without charges. The Yemeni native was captured in Pakistan and originally believed to have been a bodyguard for Osama Bin Laden. Authorities later concluded he was a low-level cadre and may not have engaged in combat.
A ruling ordering al-Alwi's release by the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington could set a precedent for how the cases of some of the remaining 41 men held in Guantanamo Bay are handled. Al-Alwi's lawyer, Ramzi Kassem, said four other detainees have also been cleared for release by the Periodic Review Board but have languished in Guantanamo under the Trump administration.
The PRB system was set up by President Barack Obama's administration in 2011; the executive branch is not compelled to follow the board's recommendations, but Kassem said the Obama administration followed "most" of the board's decisions on releasing detainees.
Government attorneys told the court that al-Alwi remains a threat because of what it describes as his extremist ideology, making him a likely target for recruitment into another Islamic militant group if he was released.
YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP) - Former soldiers, health care workers and family and friends have celebrated the lives of three women killed this month by a combat veteran who barged into a farewell party for an employee at a veterans' care facility.
Hundreds of people packed a theater Monday on the sprawling campus of the Veterans Home of California in Yountville to honor Christine Loeber, Jennifer Gray Golick and Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba, the Napa Valley Register reported .
The women worked at the Pathway Home, which counseled veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome and brain injuries sustained in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
Yountville Mayor John Dunbar speaks at a Celebration of Life service, Monday, March 19, 2018, in Yountville, Calif., in remembrance of Dr. Jennifer Gray Golick, Christine Loeber and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba and her unborn child, who were all killed by a combat veteran earlier in the month at The Pathway Home building. (J.L. Sousa/The Napa Valley Register via AP)
Albert Wong, 36, fatally shot the women on March 9 and then killed himself. The women had tried to help Wong before he was expelled from the program two weeks before the attack, authorities said.
Gonzales Shushereba's father, Mike Gonzales, urged people to ensure war-damaged veterans get the help they need. His daughter was six months pregnant when she died.
"Year after year, we continue to send our sons and daughters all over the globe to protect and defend us. They've had to see unspeakable things. They've had to do unspeakable things. ... They need resources, they need attention. They need our help, and these women dedicated their lives to that," Gonzales said.
Earlier Monday, flags were flown at half-staff at the Veterans Home and over the Capitol in Sacramento in honor of Loeber, Golick, Gonzales and her unborn daughter.
"We honor these women for their dedication and service, for their bravery in the face of terror, for the compassion they brought to veterans and their communities, and for the joy and love they shared with their families and loved ones," said California Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat.
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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and various American Legion posts stand during a Celebration of Life service at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater at the Veterans Home of California, in Yountville, Calif., Monday, March 19, 2018. The service was in remembrance of Dr. Jennifer Gray Golick, Christine Loeber and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba and her unborn child, who were all killed by a combat veteran earlier in the month at The Pathway Home building. (J.L. Sousa/The Napa Valley Register via AP)
Members of the California Highway Patrol Color Guard present the colors at a Celebration of Life service, Monday, March 19, 2018, in Yountville, Calif., in remembrance of Dr. Jennifer Gray Golick, Christine Loeber and Dr. Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba and her unborn child, who were all killed by a combat veteran earlier in the month at The Pathway Home building. (J.L. Sousa/The Napa Valley Register via AP)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A federal judge on Tuesday freed a Kansas father fighting efforts by the U.S. to deport him to Bangladesh pending the outcome of his case.
U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark ordered the release of Syed Ahmed Jamal, 55, after a hearing in Kansas City, Missouri. He was being held in the jail in Platte County, Missouri, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Kansas City, and did not attend the hearing.
The ruling does not keep Jamal from being deported, and The Kansas City Star reported that his attorney, Rehka Sharma-Crawford, acknowledged that he faces difficulties in staying in the U.S. But she said she was thankful for the judge's ruling.
Jamal and his supporters have been battling his deportation since Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested him in January at his family's home in Lawrence, about 40 miles west (64 kilometers) of Kansas City. His three children are U.S. citizens.
"I made a promise to those kids to bring their dad home," Sharma-Crawford said.
ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer said in an email that the agency is complying with the judge's order but Jamal still faces a deportation order issued by an immigration judge. If the federal Board of Immigration Appeals rules against Jamal, Neudauer said, "ICE will carry out the removal order."
Jamal entered the U.S. legally in 1987 to attend the University of Kansas but twice overstayed his visa. He was ordered deported in 2011 but had been allowed to stay in the U.S. and check in regularly with immigration authorities. He has worked as an adjunct professor and researcher at Kansas City-area colleges.
U.S. immigration officials put Jamal on a plane bound for his native country last month before an immigration panel granted a temporary stay in the case. Jamal was taken off the flight when it stopped to refuel in Honolulu.
At the Platte County jail, Jamal has been cut off from his family except for Sunday visits behind glass. His possible deportation had prompted a backlash, with a protest march in Lawrence and more than 90,000 people signing a petition supporting him.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Missouri whose office was flooded with calls about the case, took up Jamal's cause. And Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Republican whose eastern Kansas district includes Lawrence, backed Jamal's efforts to have his immigration case reopened, and filed legislation to allow Jamal and his wife to stay in the U.S.
"With limited resources and violent, criminal illegal immigrants still in our country, the fact that our government would prioritize resources to attempt to deport Syed is offensive to our common sense and a fiscally reckless use of taxpayer dollars," Jenkins said in a statement issued after Tuesday's hearing.
Shortly after taking office last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that widened the categories of immigrants in the U.S. illegally who could face deportation. ICE has detained or deported people who had received reprieves from the agency during the Obama administration, which prioritized deporting violent, criminal immigrants.
The government argued unsuccessfully Tuesday that the federal court had no jurisdiction over Jamal's detention.
More than 100 supporters packed Ketchmark's courtroom, overflowing into a nearby one where a video feed of the proceedings was shown. Her courtroom erupted in applause shortly after she left the bench.
"I have so many people to thank, the whole community," Jamal's wife, Angela Zaynaub Chowdhury, said after the hearing.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on a Border Patrol agent's trial in a fatal shooting (all times local):
5:25 p.m.
A 16-member jury has been selected in Tucson, Arizona for the second-degree murder trial of a U.S. Border Patrol agent accused of shooting across the international border into Mexico and killing a teenager in 2012.
FILE - This April 2, 2017 file photo made with a drone, shows the U.S. Mexico border fence as it cuts through the two downtowns of Nogales, Ariz. A U.S. border patrol agent is going on trial for second-degree murder in U.S. District Court in Tucson on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in a rare Justice Department prosecution of a fatal cross-border Mexico shooting. (AP Photo/Brian Skoloff, File)
U.S. District Judge Raner Collins told the 11-woman, five-man panel late Tuesday afternoon that opening statements are set for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Lonnie Swartz is accused of killing 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. The teen was on the street in Nogales, in Mexico's Sonora state, just across the border from Nogales, Arizona.
An autopsy showed the unarmed youth was hit 10 times, mostly from behind.
Swartz's lawyers have said Elena Rodriguez threw rocks just before he was shot in an attempt to create a distraction for drug smugglers and that the officer was justified in using lethal force.
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11:30 a.m.
Jury selection is underway in the second-degree murder trial of a U.S. Border Patrol agent accused of shooting across the international boundary into Mexico and killing a teenager five years ago.
U.S. District Judge Raner Collins and attorneys on Tuesday began thinning a pool of 38 prospective jurors summoned to a courtroom in Tucson, Arizona, for the trial of Lonnie Swartz.
He's accused of killing 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. The teen was on the street in Nogales, in Mexico's Sonora state, just across the border from Nogales, Arizona.
An autopsy showed the unarmed youth was hit 10 times, mostly from behind.
Swartz's lawyers have said Elena Rodriguez threw rocks just before he was shot in an attempt to create a distraction for drug smugglers and that the officer was justified in using lethal force.
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12:05 a.m.
Prospective jurors have been called to federal court in Arizona for a rare second-degree murder trial of a U.S. Border Patrol agent accused of shooting across the international boundary into Mexico and killing a teenager five years ago.
Agent Lonnie Swartz is accused of killing 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. The teen was on the street in Nogales, in Mexico's Sonora state, just across the border from Nogales, Arizona.
An autopsy showed the unarmed youth was hit 10 times, mostly from behind.
Swartz's lawyers have said Elena Rodriguez threw rocks just before he was shot in an attempt to create a distraction for drug smugglers and that the officer was justified in using lethal force.
Opponents of U.S. border policies are expected to rally outside the courthouse.
In this Dec. 4, 2017 photo, a portrait of 16-year-old Mexican youth Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez, who was shot and killed in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, is displayed on the street where he was killed that runs parallel with the U.S. border. A U.S. border patrol agent is going on trial for second-degree murder in U.S. District Court in Tucson on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in a rare Justice Department prosecution of a fatal cross-border Mexico shooting. Lonnie Swartz is charged with firing multiple shots from the Arizona side of the border into Nogales, Mexico more than five years ago and killing Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Anita Snow)
In this Dec. 4, 2017 photo, a slogan asking for justice for 16-year-old Mexican youth Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez, who was shot and killed on a street in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, is displayed on the streets' border wall where he was killed. A U.S. border patrol agent is going on trial for second-degree murder in U.S. District Court in Tucson on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in a rare Justice Department prosecution of a fatal cross-border Mexico shooting. Lonnie Swartz is charged with firing multiple shots from the Arizona side of the border into Nogales, Mexico more than five years ago and killing Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Anita Snow)
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico's anti-monopoly commission has accused two companies of colluding to fix prices on condoms bought by public health care institutions.
The Federal Competition Commission of Mexico says Tuesday the companies manipulated prices so that one, Dentilab, would get 80 percent of orders.
The other company, Grupo Holy, agreed to get the remaining 20 percent.
FILE - In this July 14, 2007 file photo, people walk past a giant condom displayed at the Condoms Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico. On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, Mexico's anti-monopoly commission accused two companies of colluding to fix prices on condoms bought by public health care institutions. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias, File)
The commission says the alleged scheme was arranged to secure contracts from health care institutions in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
It says price-fixing on condoms and catheters cost the government about 177 million pesos ($9.5 million). Both companies have been fined.
CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on primary elections in Illinois (all times local):
12:45 a.m.
Deerfield computer consultant Douglas Bennett has won a three-way GOP primary in Illinois to challenge U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker participates in a forum with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
Bennett defeated physician Sapan Shah of Libertyville and Highland Park attorney Jeremy Wynes, who served as a local director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The Chicago-area 10th District includes wealthy and working-class communities along Lake Michigan and is a classic swing district with a large number of Jewish voters. The territory has often flipped from Democrat to Republican over the years, making it a priority for both parties.
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12:20
Seven-term Rep. Dan Lipinski has survived a Democratic primary challenge from a progressive newcomer who argued he was too conservative for the Chicago-area district.
Lipinski on Tuesday defeated small business owner Marie Newman, who had support from progressive and abortion-rights groups and some other Democratic members of Illinois' congressional delegation.
Known as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, Lipinski is anti-abortion and voted against President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. He argued he has delivered for the 3rd Congressional District, and criticized Newman and her supporters as a "tea party of the left."
Holocaust denier Arthur Jones was the only candidate in the GOP primary for the heavily Democratic district, which includes parts of Chicago's southwest side and its suburbs.
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11:15 p.m.
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan of Springfield, Illinois has won the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis.
Londrigan fought off four competitors to win the chance to deny Davis a fourth term. Davis was unopposed in the GOP primary for the 13th District.
Londrigan says she'll fight to protect affordable health care, inspired by a life-threatening illness that required her son to spend 24 days in a hospital before he recovered.
The Democrats were led in fundraising by Erik Jones, of Edwardsville, a former assistant attorney general. Also on the ballot were Bloomington physician David Gill, Jon Ebel, a University of Illinois religion professor and only military veteran in the race; and teacher Angel Sides of Springfield.
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11 p.m.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn has conceded the Democratic primary for Illinois attorney general to state Sen. Kwame Raoul.
The Chicago senator led seven other candidates Tuesday including Quinn. He'll face attorney and former Miss America Erika Harold, who won the GOP primary, in November. The race became an open seat following the surprise announcement Lisa Madigan would not run for a fifth term.
Raoul outspent competitors and received establishment backing from the Cook County Democratic Party. He touted endorsements from teacher and labor unions, saying he'll represent workers and families.
Raoul took over then-Sen. Barack Obama's seat in 2004.
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10:30 p.m.
Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will face Democrat J.B. Pritzker in November in what could be the most expensive governor's race in U.S. history.
Rauner, a wealthy private-equity investor, won the Republican nomination Tuesday over the insurgent candidacy of conservative state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton.
He will try to win a second term against billionaire Pritzker, who won the Democratic primary over five other candidates, including businessman Chris Kennedy and state Sen. Daniel Biss.
Pritzker has already poured nearly $70 million of his own money into the race. Rauner has spent more than $50 million from his own funds.
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9:50 p.m.
Voters in the Illinois county that includes Chicago have backed the recreational use of marijuana in a nonbinding referendum.
The question for Cook County voters asked if Illinois should legalize "the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products for recreational use by adults 21 and older."
Although the referendum is advisory only, the vote could help state lawmakers make their case in Springfield for the legalization of marijuana use.
Supporters of legalizing and taxing marijuana for adults contend it could boost revenue for state and local governments, as it has elsewhere. Opponents of legalized marijuana use have raised questions about the social cost and subversion of federal laws.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle supported the referendum.
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9:25 p.m.
Attorney and former Miss America Erika Harold has won the Republican primary for Illinois attorney general.
Harold beat out litigation attorney Gary Grasso Tuesday for the nomination. The Urbana lawyer in November will face the winner of the eight-candidate Democratic field.
Harold has GOP establishment backing and has received campaign contributions from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Despite those connections, she has positioned herself as a "reform-minded, political outsider" who wants to offer a bipartisan approach to criminal justice reform and other issues.
She also wants to take on what she sees to be a corrupt political machine run by Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat.
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9:05 p.m.
Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia has won the Democratic primary in the race to succeed longtime Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who is retiring after 26 years.
Garcia defeated two competitors on Tuesday's ballot. He will face Republican financial adviser and first-time candidate Mark Lorch of Riverside in November.
Garcia led community activist Sol Flores and longtime Chicago police officer Richard Gonzalez in name recognition, endorsements and fundraising. In 2015, he forced incumbent Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel into an unprecedented runoff election.
Key issues in the race were immigration, affordable housing, education and crime. The heavily Hispanic and Democratic district covers Mexican, Puerto Rican and Central American swaths of Chicago and several suburbs.
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8:20 p.m.
Billionaire J.B. Pritzker has won the Democratic primary for Illinois governor, setting up a general election that could be the most expensive governor's race in U.S. history.
Pritzker on Tuesday defeated five other candidates, including businessman Chris Kennedy and state Sen. Daniel Biss, to win the nomination. He'll face the winner of the GOP primary between Gov. Bruce Rauner and state Rep. Jeanne Ives in November.
The Chicago businessman and heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune put roughly $70 million into his campaign, spending heavily on advertising and staffing campaign offices across Illinois.
He had support from many in the Democratic establishment who see his wealth as a key to unseating Rauner, a multimillionaire.
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3:40 p.m.
Illinois elections officials say the state had more than 437,000 early votes cast before Tuesday's primary election.
Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich said Tuesday afternoon that the figure is more than double what the turnout was in the previous non-presidential primary year. Voters in Illinois are choosing Democratic and Republican nominees in what's shaping up to be the most expensive election for governor in U.S. history.
Jim Allen with the Chicago Board of Election says as of Tuesday afternoon turnout was at 21.7 percent. He says hopefully the city can inch toward 30 percent turnout.
In Sangamon County, home to the state capital city of Springfield, the clerk says voting was "smooth and steady" Tuesday morning. Clerk Don Gray says there's been "a nice flow of participation."
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1:55 p.m.
Democratic voters in Illinois' 3rd congressional district are deciding whether to continue supporting U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski or back political newcomer Marie Newman.
Lipinski is known as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress. He's seeking his eighth term.
Newman has the backing of progressive groups and lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The district includes parts of Chicago's south and west sides and southwestern suburbs.
Beauty shop owner Manuel Hernandez of Berwyn says he's going with Newman. The 46-year-old father says he doesn't think Lipinski "is enough of a Democrat."
Trucking company worker Joe Nowak of Summit says he voted for Lipinski because he's comfortable with him. He says Lipinski has been "a neighborhood figure my whole life."
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10:30 a.m.
Illinois voters headed to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the state's hotly contested Democratic and Republican primaries for governor.
Trucking company worker Joe Nowak of Summit in suburban Chicago says he voted for Democratic billionaire J.B. Pritzker, citing the need for change. He says Pritzker "has been knocking on doors his whole life."
Investment banker Suzanne Riordon from Brookfield says she cast her Democratic primary ballot for state Sen. Daniel Biss, who has touted himself as the middle-class candidate. She says she chose him because "we've gotten away from regular middle-class people being able to be elected."
Republican incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives. She got a vote from 59-year-old electrical contractor Robert O'Malley in suburban Chicago. He says he chose her because Rauner "went back on some of his promises."
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6:15 a.m.
Polls are opening across Illinois in a primary that is being widely watched because of the money being spent in the governor's race.
Among the leading Democrats in Tuesday's primary is billionaire J.B. Pritzker, who has put almost $70 million into his campaign fund already. Democrat Chris Kennedy has about $2 million in his. State Sen. Daniel Biss is campaigning as the "middle-class candidate."
The Democrats are looking to unseat wealthy Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in November. He is being challenged by conservative state Rep. Jeanne Ives.
Illinois State Board of Elections data show the number of voters casting early ballots for the Illinois primary has far exceeded the number who voted early four years ago.
Voters are also choosing nominees for the U.S. House, attorney general and other races.
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11:20 p.m.
Illinois voters are choosing nominees in what's shaping up to be the most expensive election for governor in U.S. history.
Two inordinately wealthy front-runners - Republican millionaire Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker - are trying to survive tough primaries. A self-described "middle class candidate," a member of a famous political family and an insurgent state legislator also are on the primary ballot.
Pritzker has already poured nearly $70 million of his own money into the race. Chasing him are businessman Chris Kennedy - son of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy - and state Sen. Daniel Biss, who touts his middle-class status.
Rauner has spent more than $50 million from his own funds. He has his own GOP challenge from state Rep. Jeanne Ives.
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2018 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner delivers his State of the State address at the Capitol, in Springfield, Ill. (Rich Saal/The State Journal-Register via AP File)
FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy participates in a forum with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2018 file photo, Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss participates in a forum with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in Chicago. (Rich Hein/Sun Times via AP File)
GENEVA (AP) - A Chinese diplomat repeatedly interrupted a speech by a prominent Chinese dissident to block him from addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council, a failed attempt that bared China's sensitivity on human rights.
Yang Jianli, a dissident in exile in the United States, was disrupted seconds into his remarks as he questioned the Chinese Communist Party's right to represent China at the U.N. body. Yang was invited to appear before the Human Rights Council meeting by U.N.-accredited advocacy group UN Watch.
Chen Cheng of China's diplomatic mission stepped in and insisted that Yang's intervention "seriously affected the reputation of council, and it should be firmly opposed."
Yang went on to cite events from decades of recent Chinese history, including the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and the crackdown on the Falun Gong and democratic movements.
"Millions of people have died," he said.
Chen interrupted again, appealing to the chair to "rule against his speaking."
Invited to continue speaking instead, Yang warned that China "will return to the road of personal dictatorship" to control speech and crackdown on activists, churches in Xinjiang and Tibet. He did not elaborate in the time-limited address.
Chen insisted that Yang was speaking outside the topic of the session. Both spoke in Chinese, and their comments were translated.
Yang participated in the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and served five years in prison in China.
Tuesday's conflict came during debate about the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, which says non-governmental organizations "should be free to carry out their human rights activities, without interference."
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Bill Cosby's lawyers want T-shirts, buttons and other slogan-filled items banned from his upcoming sexual assault retrial after some accusers were seen with them in the audience at his first trial.
Cosby's lawyers argued in court papers on Tuesday that slogans like "We Stand in Truth" could influence jurors. They also want to ban people from bringing in flowers, posters and other props.
Some women at Cosby's first trial carried bouquets of pink gladioli to express solidarity with other women who say the comedian drugged and molested them.
FILE- In this June 17, 2017, file photo, Bill Cosby exits the Montgomery County Courthouse after a mistrial was declared in Norristown, Pa. On Thursday, March 15, 2018, a judge agreed to let five additional Cosby accusers testify at his April 2 sexual assault retrial, giving prosecutors a chance to portray the man once known as "America's Dad" as a serial predator who made a habit of drugging and molesting women. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Cosby has pleaded not guilty to charges he assaulted a woman at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.
His first trial ended in a hung jury. Retrial jury selection is scheduled for April 2.
Prosecutors on Tuesday said jurors shouldn't hear why a district attorney declined to file criminal charges in 2005 because his opinion is irrelevant to the case at hand.
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For more on the Cosby trial, go to https://apnews.com/tag/CosbyonTrial
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - An angry Maine Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday ripped into a legislative committee over its inquiry into whether politics played a role in the transfer of logs from state-owned land.
The Republican governor chastised the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry committee for the tone of a letter posing questions, including whether he was behind the diversion of timber that favored one mill over another last month.
Decrying "outrageous accusations," LePage proclaimed that he had nothing to do with the diversion of lumber from state-owned land to a Canadian-owned mill in Stratton. The logs originally were supposed to go to Maine-owned mills.
"Folks, I had zero involvement. I have bigger fish to fry than to worry about what wood goes to any one mill. And I resent the fact that you're sitting there, sir, with a smile on your face," the governor fumed, looking directly at committee member Sen. Tom Saviello, a Republican from Wilton.
The committee's questions about transfers of lumber to mills and the sale of lumber in Canada came against a backdrop of new tariffs imposed on Canadian softwood lumber.
The governor wants the U.S. Commerce Department to exempt eastern Canada from the tariffs, while the Maine operator of two sawmills supports the tariffs.
LePage insisted that the 400,000 board feet of wood was diverted to the Stratton mill because a fire in Canada left it perilously close to running out of wood.
He said there was no political retribution against a pair of mills operated by the Brochu family. "At no time was I diverting wood to hurt the Brochus. Never," he said.
The governor acknowledged that lumber from state-owned land is sometimes sold in Canada, but he said that practice is not unusual. He said senior forestry officials told him that such Canadian sales have been happening since the 1980s.
He also said some lumber apparently was shipped to China, something that's under investigation.
Part of LePage's anger focused on protocol as well as the suggestion of wrongdoing.
LePage accused the committee of violating protocol by posing the questions to a state agency instead of directing the inquiry to his office. He said that delayed the questions from reaching him, and didn't give him adequate time to answer the questions.
He also suggested that the matter should be referred to the Government Oversight Committee, so it can be referred to a watchdog agency, because he didn't trust other committees.
WASHINGTON (AP) - When Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross held up a can of Campbell's soup in a CNBC interview to make the case that the Trump administration's steel and aluminum tariffs were "no big deal," the canning industry begged to disagree - and they were hardly alone.
President Donald Trump's strong-armed trade policies have set off an intense scramble among industry groups, companies and foreign countries seeking exemptions from tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on imported aluminum. The push comes ahead of an upcoming round of new penalties expected to be slapped on China by week's end.
The Can Manufacturers Institute, which represents 22,000 workers at manufacturers across the nation, estimates the steel and aluminum tariffs would harm their industry and consumers alike. The institute says there are 119 billion cans made in the U.S., meaning a 1 cent tariff would lead to a $1.1 billion tax on consumers and businesses.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross testifies before a House Committee on Appropriation subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
"Secretary Ross has made cans a poster child to dispel concerns about the costs of tariffs," said Robert Budway, the institute's president. He said his organization was concerned Ross "is already predisposed to deny our petitions."
Trump's one-two punch on trade has set in motion a deluge of requests to the Commerce Department for exclusions for certain steel and aluminum products. Foreign countries, meanwhile, complain the U.S. Trade Representative's office has not provided specific guidance on gaining exemptions before the steel and aluminum tariffs are implemented on Friday.
"Typically, the countries are determined before tariffs are announced," said Josh Zive, senior principal at the law firm Bracewell LLP. This time, countries don't know whether they will end up being targeted or exempted - "that's weird and no one knows what to make of it."
The Trump administration, which has said steel and aluminum imports threaten U.S. national security, has already given Mexico and Canada a reprieve - provided they agree to a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The European Union, South Korea, Australia and Brazil are among the countries seeking the exemptions.
Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said tariffs are "sometimes necessary tools" to protect national security or fight unfair trade practices. But he said the administration's approach is producing "chaos, uncertainty, and an alienation of our closest allies."
Emily Davis, a spokeswoman for U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, said the U.S "is engaged in discussions with several countries to determine if means other than tariffs can be arranged to address our national security concerns."
Companies that buy imported steel and aluminum can request tariff relief from the Commerce Department, especially if they rely on types of imported steel and aluminum that aren't available from domestic U.S. producers.
Expect a deluge: Steel and aluminum producers have 30 days to object to the exemption requests. Commerce expects 4,500 requests for relief and 1,500 objections - and it is supposed to reach decisions in 90 days.
Commerce has said it intends to reach decisions on a company-by-company basis, not by making across-the-board exemptions for individual steel and aluminum products. That decision has created anxieties that certain companies could get tariff relief while others would be forced to pay tariffs on the same product - perhaps because in the time between the two requests domestic U.S. production has ramped up to fill shortages.
"The big thing is, it's arbitrary," said Mary Lovely of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. "The government is becoming the matchmaker between the purchaser and the supplier."
"It's a real question to me whether they understand the magnitude of the requests they are going to get," Zive said of Commerce. "How they're going to get through them in 90 days is difficult to understand."
Industry officials said other aspects of the exemption process will burden companies. Manufacturers are unclear whether companies will qualify for refunds if they end up getting exemptions after they've begun paying the tariffs. And since Trump set no timeline for ending the tariffs, the companies will need to reapply for the exemptions on an annual basis.
Companies, meanwhile, have been trying to beat the tariffs by stocking up on imports. Steel imports rose 15 percent last year and another 17 percent in January.
The steel and aluminum tariffs may only be the opening salvo.
Administration officials said Trump is expected to announce $60 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports by Friday on a wide array of consumer goods, from apparel to electronics, and even on imported parts for products made in the U.S.
Ross, appearing before a House budget panel on Tuesday, faced questions about the trade moves, with lawmakers warning the tariffs could lead to retaliation from foreign countries and wreck economic havoc for consumers.
"I worry that now we're engaged in a trade war which is further going to alienate us from our adversaries," said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., noted that the decision to exclude aluminum and steel producers on a company-by-company basis - rather than by individual products - could create the possibility that some companies will gain a huge advantage over their competitors if they win exemptions.
Ross vowed that "the process will be open and transparent" and Commerce was working to "minimize the amount of inconvenience that any of the affected parties will suffer as a result of the process. We're gearing up to be fast, to be fair and to be practical."
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This story has been corrected to show that steel and aluminum producers have 30 days to object to requests for exemptions from forthcoming tariffs, not 30 days to seek the exemptions.
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On Twitter follow Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC and Wiseman at https://twitter.com/paulwisemanAP
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) - Authorities in New Jersey say police fatally shot an armed man who holed up in a restaurant near Princeton University during a five-hour standoff with officers.
The attorney general's office says no one else was injured during the confrontation Tuesday at the Panera Bread restaurant across from Princeton's campus.
It was not clear what sparked the standoff that began around 10 a.m.
Police surrounded a restaurant across the street from Princeton University's campus during a stand off with an armed man, on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in Princeton, N.J. Police say there are "no known hostages" in the Panera Bread, but it's not clear what sparked the standoff that began early this morning. (Michael Mancuso/NJ Advance Media via AP)
Officials say police shot the gunman shortly before 3 p.m. after negotiations to get him to surrender were unsuccessful.
His identity was not immediately released.
Authorities shut down Princeton's downtown area, and two campus buildings were evacuated as a precaution though the university is on spring break.
Armed officers were staged outside the restaurant with their weapons drawn during the negotiations.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate rejected Tuesday a resolution that would prohibit U.S. troops from helping a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Still, the unusual vote - coming as Saudi Arabia's crown prince was in Washington - amplified the continued unease in Congress with military endeavors abroad.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warned senators against the measure. But the GOP leader had little choice but to allow the vote that was forced by coalition of liberal and libertarian-leaning lawmakers, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. They argued Congress should not cede its wartime authority to the White House.
The resolution, which would halt U.S. military involvement in the Saudi campaign against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, was tabled, 55-44, effectively shelving it for now.
"The founding fathers gave the power to authorize military conflicts to Congress, the branch most accountable to the people, not to the president," Sanders said during the floor debate. "The time is long overdue for Congress to reassert that constitutional authority."
It's the latest attempt at a war authorization vote as lawmakers regularly raise questions about overseas military actions but have been unable to muster enough votes in Congress to halt, or approve, them.
Congress last authorized the use of military force in Afghanistan in 2003. This authorization has been used by President Donald Trump, and by President Barack Obama before him, to justify U.S. military intervention in Syria and other unstable areas where extremist groups operate.
Supporters had been pushing the resolution forward, but Tuesday's vote came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened a three-week tour of the United States in meetings with Trump at the White House and leaders on Capitol Hill.
The Pentagon opposed the measure, and briefed senators last week about the U.S. role, which is mainly involves refueling Saudi fighter aircraft and providing intelligence, military advice and logistical support. No U.S. troops are fighting Houthis directly, officials say.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has strongly defended what he calls U.S. non-combat support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
"New restrictions on this limited U.S. military support could increase civilian casualties, jeopardize cooperation with our partners on counterterrorism, and reduce our influence with the Saudis - all of which would further exacerbate the situation and humanitarian crisis" in Yemen, Mattis wrote in a recent letter to McConnell.
Both the U.S. and Saudis view the Houthis as Iranian proxies. Mattis said the withdrawal of U.S. support would embolden Iran to increase its support for the Houthis.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also urged senators against the resolution, promising a full debate on the use of force at an upcoming hearing in April.
"We're not shying away from this debate," Corker said. "The proper way to deal with these issues is to deal with them in committee."
The panel's top Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, met with the crown prince before the vote and signaled the tough debate ahead. While Menendez said he was not ready to abandon an ally, he expected to see diplomatic measures and alleviation of the humanitarian suffering in Yemen.
"My vote today is not a blank check for U.S. military support," Menendez said. Nor, he said, was it a "thumbs up" to Saudi Arabia for "business as usual."
Follow Mascaro on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LisaMascaro and Burns at https://twitter.com/RobertBurnsAP
The data watchdog is to apply for a warrant to search computers and servers used by Cambridge Analytica (CA) amid concerns at Westminster about the firms activities.
Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham criticised CA for being unco-operative with her probe as she confirmed the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) would apply for a warrant to help her examine the firms activities.
Meanwhile, further claims about CA included allegations the company offered to entrap politicians and used ex-spies to dig for dirt on potential targets.
But the firms boss Alexander Nix claimed CA was the target of media attacks because of its role in US President Donald Trumps successful election campaign.
"Send some girls around to the candidates house
EXCLUSIVE: This is how Cambridge Analytica bosses reacted when our reporter brought up the subject of digging dirt on political opponents. #CambridgeAnalyticaUncovered pic.twitter.com/5HTOw9XPgn Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 19, 2018
An undercover investigation by Channel 4 recorded CAs chief executive Mr Nix suggesting ways he could help a potential client.
A reporter posing as a fixer for a wealthy client hoping to get candidates elected in Sri Lanka met with Mr Nix and other senior figures from CA.
Asked about what deep digging could be done, Mr Nix told the reporter: Oh, we do a lot more than that.
I mean deep digging is interesting but you know equally effective can be just to go and speak to the incumbents and to offer them a deal thats too good to be true, and make sure that thats video recorded, you know, these sorts of tactics are very effective instantly having video evidence of corruption, putting it on the internet, these sorts of things.
Mr Nix said they could send some girls around to the candidates house, adding that Ukrainian girls are very beautiful, I find that works very well, Channel 4 reported.
Mr Nix told BBCs Newsnight the Channel 4 sting was intended to embarrass us.
We see this as a co-ordinated attack by the media thats been going on for very, very many months in order to damage the company that had some involvement with the election of Donald Trump, he said.
Mr Nix said he had a huge amount of regrets about the fact that we, maybe, undertook this meeting and spoke with a certain amount of hyperbole about some of the things that we do.
He added: I have some regrets about the way that I have represented what the company does. I certainly feel that the air of mystery and negativity that surrounds the work of Cambridge is misfounded and, as the CEO, I take responsibility for that.
CA was suspended from Facebook last week after it emerged that data on millions of users had not been destroyed as agreed.
Whistleblower Chris Wylie, a former research director at the UK-based company, told Channel 4 News a so-called data grab had been carried out on more than 50 million profiles in 2014.
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg (Chris Ratcliffe/PA)
Damian Collins, chairman of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has called on Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to appear before MPs to explain his companys actions and Downing Street has also said it has concerns.
Asked about the reports, Mrs Mays spokesman said: It is absolutely right that the Information Commissioner is investigating this matter.
We expect Facebook, Cambridge Analytica and all the organisations involved to co-operate fully.
The ICO is investigating the use of personal data for political campaign, including the activities of CA.
An investigation by Facebook at CAs London office was halted in order to allow the ICO to pursue its inquiry.
Facebook have confirmed that auditors and legal counsel acting on behalf of the company were in the offices of Cambridge Analytica this evening until they were told to stand down by the Information Commissioner. These investigations need to be undertaken by the proper authorities Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) March 19, 2018
An ICO spokesman said: On March 7, the Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham issued a Demand for Access to records and data in the hands of Cambridge Analytica.
Cambridge Analytica has not responded to the Commissioner by the deadline provided; therefore, the Information Commissioner is seeking a warrant to obtain information and access to systems and evidence related to her investigation.
On March 19, Facebook announced that it will stand down its search of Cambridge Analytica premises at the Information Commissioners request. Such a search would potentially compromise a regulatory investigation.
More than three-quarters of people see free-to-use ATMs as an essential part of their life, a survey has found.
Some 77% of people say it is either fairly or very essential for them to be able to access a cash machine free of charge, a survey of more than 2,000 people across Britain from campaign group Positive Money found.
Just over one in five (22%) believe such access is not essential, according to the research.
77% of people see free-to-use ATMs as essential, Positive Money has found (PA)
The survey, conducted by YouGov, was released following controversy over a planned shake-up of the ATM network.
Cash machine network Link has previously confirmed it will go ahead with proposals to cut the fees operators receive from banks when ATMs are used.
But some bodies have raised concerns that thousands of free cash machines could be at risk of being removed or changed to fee-charging.
Link has said its plans will include protecting cash machines in remote areas where they are really needed.
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has previously said it will continue to actively monitor developments.
Positive Money said it would like the PSR to be given new enhanced powers to stop closures.
David Clarke, head of policy and advocacy at Positive Money, said: This polling shows the huge extent to which Britons still rely on free ATMs.
Positive Money is a a not-for-profit research and campaigning body funded by charitable trusts and foundations.
Christopher Eccleston has suggested he was not asked to audition for the BBCs Hollow Crown series because of class prejudice.
The Salford-born actor said he was not asked to try out for the television film adaptations of Shakespeares history plays because theres an assumption being made there about my accent, and my background.
Eccleston, 54, also criticised the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), telling Radio Times magazine the organisation needs a revolution in its approach to diversity.
He said: When the BBC did The Hollow Crown series it was a huge investment in Shakespeare on the television.
Now, without sounding arrogant, Im a high-profile actor and I didnt get a call. Didnt get an audition.
Theres an assumption being made there about my accent, and my background. Or did they think Im a crap actor?
He continued: What was the social background of the people who got all the lead roles in that BBC Shakespeare? What schools did they go to and why didnt somebody like myself get offered a lead?
I can only think of Dave Morrissey that was in that, and he wasnt the lead!
So, whats going on there? And how many actors of colour were the leads? One, I think (Sophie Okonedo played Queen Margaret).
Eccleston is set to play Macbeth with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.
He said: My hackles always rise when I go to the National Theatre and the RSC, because I just see a sea of white faces.
And there are far more white males in our company now than there are people of colour, or women.
So, yes, this place has got to have a revolution. No more English Heritage. Its got to finish.
Russell T Davies (Ian West/PA)
Eccleston recently claimed he was blacklisted by the BBC when he quit as Doctor Who after one series.
He has now said his relationship with his three immediate superiors broke down irreparably during the first block of filming and it never recovered.
They lost trust in me, and I lost faith and trust and belief in them, he said.
He said he and former showrunner Russell T Davies no longer have a working relationship and would not do so in the future.
The Radio Times is out on Tuesday.
Scots are being urged to look out for suspicious behaviour as part of a UK-wide campaign to prevent terrorism.
The Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) initiative has brought together Police Scotland and other UK forces led by counter-terrorism (CT) policing to give a united message in raising awareness.
Research carried out by CT policing found three-quarters of people who live in Scotland are concerned about terrorism but many are unclear about what they should be looking out for.
Volunteers have joined police in the search for Mr Sim (Andrew Milligan/PA
Police Scotland said examples of suspicious activity could include hiring large vehicles for no obvious reason, storing a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons, taking notes or photos of security arrangements or inspecting CCTV cameras and looking at extremist material.
The ACT campaign features a 60-second film based on real-life foiled plots.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: We work tirelessly with security partners to identify and thwart the terrorist threat.
The public can also play a crucial role in helping to keep communities safe and we would encourage anyone with suspicions to report their concerns.
We want to provide people with all the necessary information they need to help them identify suspicious activity and, more importantly, keep themselves safe and secure.
Any piece of information could be vital in helping the police prevent terrorism and save lives. That co-operation between police and the public is Scotlands greatest defence against the terrorist threat.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: Public vigilance is key to help Police Scotland keep our communities safe from terror threats.
I very much welcome this campaign which highlights a number of ways in which members of the public can spot suspicious activity and how to make the authorities aware.
I would urge the public to note the kinds of activity to be on the lookout for. Anyone who feels they may have witnessed and anyone who feels they have witnessed suspicious behaviour should report it immediately.
Officers said suspicious activity can be reported to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or online at gov.uk/ACT.
Idris Elba has said his new comedy The Long Run reflects the less sensitive era he grew up in, when people were thicker-skinned.
The Luther actor stars as a father named Walter in the show, which is loosely based on his own childhood growing up in East London in the 80s.
The series displays a multicultural London and the scripts include some moments of casual racism evident at the time.
Idris Elba (PA)
Elba, 45, told Radio Times magazine: Its good that thats come across because in early, early talks that was something I wanted to be upfront about.
I wanted people to be reminded that, as PC as we all are now which is fine, its good we were thicker-skinned back then.
He added: Not that it makes casual racism right, but actually in the long run we all got along with it.
The star continued: At one point my characters wife says something like: Theyre English, they dont know any better.
And theres an Asian character who is casually racist towards Africans.
We wanted to make sure it was a full picture.
Elba said the series will appeal to viewers who want to step outside of dreary 2018 where everything is very sensitive and just laugh with a community of people that you can relate to, one way or another.
The Long Run starts on Sky1 on March 29.
The Radio Times is out on Tuesday March 20.
Theresa May has been warned that her concessions to Brussels will only be acceptable to Tory Eurosceptics if she delivers a proper Brexit.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the influential European Research Group of Tories, said the Government had given away too much in a very unsatisfactory agreement.
Britain and the European Commission reached agreement on a transition deal which will allow talks on the future trade relationship to be triggered later this week.
Brexit Secretary David Davis hailed the agreement as a significant step following talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels.
But there was fury in Tory ranks amid claims that there had been a betrayal of the UKs fishing industry and the transitional deal would leave Britain bound by rules from Brussels it no longer had a say in.
Mr Rees-Mogg told BBCs Newsnight: I make no bones about it, I think this transition agreement is a very unsatisfactory agreement not just on fish.
The only thing that makes it acceptable is the hope that it is leading to a proper Brexit at the end of 2020.
This agreement gives away almost everything and it is very hard to see what the Government has got in return.
He added: Somebody said to me the Government had rolled over but had not even had its tummy tickled.
Some issues remained to be settled, including the thorny question of the Irish border and the governance of the eventual withdrawal agreement.
Countdown to Brexit: key events (PA Graphics)
The European Commissions proposals for backstop arrangements for the Irish border remain in the new text, despite being angrily rejected by Mrs May when first published last month.
They will be the subject of intense negotiation in the months leading up to the deadline for a final agreement in October.
Under the controversial arrangements to be put in place if the UK fails to come forward with a better solution Northern Ireland would continue to be considered part of the customs territory of the Union, effectively creating a customs border along the Irish Sea.
In a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk following the Brussels breakthrough, Mrs May said she had made her position clear on aspects of the approach taken over the Northern Ireland issue.
But she added: I am committed to agreeing in the withdrawal agreement operational legal text for at least the so-called backstop option set out in the joint report, in parallel with discussions of these other scenarios.
On the key issue of fishing rights, the new text states that the UK will be consulted on the allocation of quotas during the transition period.
Good to see @simoncoveney again before my meeting with @DavidDavisMP this morning. Full support for Ireland. Backstop solution must apply unless and until another solution is found #Brexit pic.twitter.com/iV9aaNphHL Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) March 19, 2018
Mr Davis said this arrangement would apply only to 2019 and included a guarantee that the UKs share of the total catch cannot be changed, while through 2020 we will be negotiating fishing opportunities as an independent coastal state.
But Scottish Tory MP Douglas Ross said: There is no spinning this as a good outcome, it would be easier to get someone to drink a pint of cold sick than try to sell this as a success.
Meanwhile, Tony Blairs former chief of staff Jonathan Powell who played a major role in the Northern Ireland peace process warned the Irish border question could bring the Brexit negotiations crashing down.
He said Mrs May has committed the worst possible sin a negotiator can commit having boxed herself in, in an article for The Independent.
Hollywood veteran Dame Olivia de Havillands court battle over her portrayal in Feud: Bette And Joan is set to resume.
The British-American two-time Oscar winner, 101, sued FX Network over the docudrama, claiming it defamed her by falsely portraying her as a gossip, and breached her right to privacy.
Dame Olivia claims her portrayal by Catherine Zeta-Jones was inaccurate for showing her calling her sister Joan Fontaine a bitch and commenting on Frank Sinatras drinking habits.
Olivia de Havilland (left) and Bette Davis in a scene from their film Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (PA)
FX Network lost a bid to strike out the case and will appeal that decision in court in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The creators say they saw Dame Olivia had referred to her sister as dragon lady in an interview on her 100th birthday and used the phrase bitch sister as a more mainstream term.
But lawyers for the Paris-based actress said: She appears to be a hypocrite, who built a public image of being a lady, not speaking in crude and vulgar terms about others, including her sister, when in private she did the opposite by freely speaking unkindly of others. This is patently false.
They also claim the Gone With The Wind actress was not consulted over the show, which focus on the rivalry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, nor was she asked for permission for her to be depicted.
Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Dame Olivia in the show (Ian West/PA)
Producer Ryan Murphy said he did not contact Dame Olivia because he did not want to bother her, Dame Olivias lawyers said.
Lawyers for FX said the earlier ruling is damaging for freedom of speech and could hamper creativity.
Such a change inevitably would stifle the creativity of future Hemingways, Spielbergs, and Twains, with the nations literary discourse all the poorer for it, they wrote.
This is not the first time a major Hollywood company has been taken on by Dame Olivia, who won Oscars for 1946s To Each His Own and 1949s The Heiress.
She won a landmark victory over Warner Bros in 1943 which effectively ended actors contract servitude.
Dame Olivia is demanding damages from the network and for a permanent injunction preventing the shows broadcast.
The appeal hearing will be held at University of Southern Californias law school so students can watch the procedure.
Xi Jinping has said China will never allow one inch of territory to be separated from it in a strongly nationalistic speech.
The Chinese president was making a closing address to the National Peoples Congress, who had earlier abolished term limits on his rule.
Mr Xi declared that the Chinese people were now closer now than at any time in history to realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Maintaining national sovereignty, territorial integrity and complete unification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese, Mr Xi said.
In the face of national righteousness and the tide of history, all attempts or tricks aimed at dividing the motherland are doomed to failure, Mr Xi said to loud applause.
Mr Xi stressed the absolute leadership of Chinas 2 million-member armed forces (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
All will receive the condemnation of the people and the punishment of history, he added.
The Chinese people have the will and ability to foil all activities to divide the nation and are united in their belief that every inch of our great motherland absolutely cannot and absolutely will not be separated from China, Mr Xi said.
Referring to self-governing Taiwan, Mr Xi said the mainland would continue outreach to advance the cause of peaceful unification with the island, whose 23 million residents are strongly in favour of maintaining their de-facto independent status.
The session had earlier approved a range of new appointments, including that of a key ally of Mr Xi, Wang Qishan, as vice president.
New ministers were also appointed and a law passed establishing a powerful new anti-corruption body to oversee the civil service.
Mr Xi also invoked Chinas historical achievements in governance and culture and stressed the importance of national unity as it strove to reach new goals in poverty alleviation and economic development in coming years.
He stressed the absolute leadership of the ruling Communist Party of which he is head in all aspects of Chinese life, including over the 2 million-member armed forces.
Mr Xi pledged to would lead Chinas 1.3 billion people into a brighter future based on its own socialist system, saying, As long as we sincerely unite and work together, there will be no power that can stop the Chinese people from realising their dreams!
Mr Xi pledged to expand the Belt and Road, his signature foreign policy initiative of building ports, bridges and railways connecting Europe with Asia but in an apparent response to the projects critics, said China was not seeking hegemony.
Prime Minister Theresa May met Xi Jinping in January (P)
Chinas development does not pose a threat to any country, he said.
Only those who habitually threaten others will look at everyone else as threats, Mr Xi added.
This years session has been dominated by the rubber-stamp bodys historic move on March 11 to scrap a constitutional two-term limit on the presidency dating from 1982, enabling Mr Xi, already Chinas most powerful leader in decades, to rule indefinitely.
While delegates overwhelmingly supported the move, critics and some analysts say it raises concerns about a return to one-man-rule and greater political repression within an already highly controlled polity.
The broad strokes of what Mr Xi plans to do with these expanded powers were laid down over the weekend as he moved to appoint his trusted allies into key positions that appear, in part, set to further sideline Mr Li, officially Chinas No 2 leader.
One of them is Mr Wang, reportedly an early acquaintance of Mr Xis and former anti-corruption tsar who is expected to play a key role in managing trade tensions with the United States.
The vice presidency is normally a ceremonial post but Mr Wangs real standing can be seen in official events in which he is seated in eighth place in hierarchical order after the seven-man, all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee.
Another is longtime presidential adviser Liu He, who was appointed as one of four vice premiers and is expected to oversee a broad range of economic and financial issues.
Chief among Mr Xis priorities is controlling financial risk without derailing the economy. Regulators have been warning about ballooning debt that caused international ratings agencies to cut Chinas credit rating last year.
Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes.
When is uncertain, such is the secrecy that surrounds Japans death penalty system.
Tuesday marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13.
Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all.
An official offers flowers at Kasumigaseki station in Tokyo on Tuesday to mark the 23rd anniversary of sarin nerve gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult (Yoshitaka Sugawara/Kyodo News via AP)
cordance with the law.
The relocation of seven of them to five detention centres outside of Tokyo last week has sparked speculation that executions could be imminent.
In Japan, accomplices in a crime are customarily hanged on the same day. Ten of those on death row were convicted for the subway attack, a number beyond the Tokyo detention centres daily capacity.
As with all executions in Japan, when and where they will be killed is not being released, even to family members and lawyers.
The executions will not be announced until they have already happened.
Ms Takahashi recently asked the Justice Ministry for a chance to meet the convicts and witness their executions.
I want to follow through to the very end, Ms Takahashi said at a recent news conference.
Her wish is unlikely to be granted.
Even prisoners sent to the gallows are not notified until guards come to their cells in the morning.
After a chat with a chaplain, a last meal or smoke, the prisoner is taken to the gallows.
If all 10 subway attack convicts are hanged, it would be the second-largest number executed on a single day in Japans modern history.
Japan on January 24, 1911, hanged 11 political prisoners who allegedly plotted to assassinate the emperor.
Some survivors of the cults crimes oppose the executions because that would eliminate hopes for a fuller explanation of the crimes.
Born Chizuo Matsumoto, Asahara has been on death row for nearly 14 years. His family says he is a broken man, constantly wetting and soiling the floor in his cell and not communicating with his family or lawyers.
His 34-year-old daughter, Rika Matsumoto, said he doesnt understand his punishment and needs treatment so he can recover and talk. I just want to hear my father explain in his own words, she tweeted recently.
Some of the condemned have expressed regret and contributed to anti-terrorism measures.
Experts on the cult also warn that if they are executed, the members would be glorified as martyrs by cult remnants, likely bolstering their worship of Asahara.
Founded in 1984, the group attracted many young people, even graduates of top universities, whom Asahara hand-picked as close aides.
The cult amassed an arsenal of chemical, biological and conventional weapons to carry out Asaharas escalating criminal orders in anticipation of an apocalyptic showdown with the government.
The cult claimed 10,000 members in Japan and 30,000 in Russia. It has disbanded, though nearly 2,000 people follow its rituals in three splinter groups, monitored by authorities.
Bellway said it expects to sell a record 10,000 new homes this year as it posted another rise in profits after continuing to benefit from rising prices and the Government's Help to Buy.
The Newcastle-based housebuilder said it continued to be supported by a 'robust' housing market, propped up by low interest rates, the Government's Help to Buy loan scheme and lower stamp duty for first-time buyers.
Bellway's average selling price of homes rose by nearly 20,000, or 7.7 per cent, to 275,945 in the half year to the end of January. It also sold 4,741 homes in the period - 279 more than last year.
This helped push pre-tax profits 17 per cent higher to 288.7million in the six months, with revenues 15 per cent higher at 1.3billion.
Houses under construction on a new development (PA)
Given the double-digit rise in profits, Bellway decided to hike its dividend by 28 per cent to 48p per share from 37.5p in 2017.
Shares in the FTSE 250 firm rose 3 per cent, or 96p, to 3,146p in morning trading.
While the London housing market has proved a sticking point for some developers, Bellway sold 259 more homes at 560 for the half-year.
Looking ahead, Bellway expects volumes to pick up by around 600 homes at year-end, helping it reach an all-time high of 10,000 new homes per year.
It also expects its average selling price to rise further 'in excess of 280,000', but warned that 'prevailing economic uncertainty' meant it was 'unable to increase production beyond the business plan levels'.
Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index, said: 'Government policy is clearly supporting the construction business as Bellway figures point to 39% of their buyers using it.
'With the agreement of the Brexit transition deal, house builders could now find themselves on a more solid footing as the removal of some uncertainties could give buyers and sellers more confidence, boosting the market.'
British housebuilders have benefited from years of rising house prices and government incentives, although the sector has been criticised for not building enough affordable housing.
Last week another firm, Berkeley Group, announced it had no plans to increase its production of homes.
The FTSE 100 firm cited economic uncertainty, a decline in buy to let investment and increased planning red tape as the reason why in its latest trading update for the period from November 1 to February 28.
Annual US-South Korean military drills that infuriate North Korea will begin on April 1, the allies have said.
However, the drills are likely to be more low-key than past years ahead of two highly anticipated summits among the countries leaders.
This years drills were postponed during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which saw rare co-operative steps between the rival Korean nations after months of confrontation over the Norths weapons programmes.
US Air Force fighter jets land at a base in South Korea (Hong Gi-won/Yonhap via AP)
North Korea considers the exercises an invasion rehearsal and often conducts weapons tests in protest.
After post-Olympics talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean officials said Mr Kim indicated he would accept the drills.
Mr Kim also offered to meet personally with US President Donald Trump to discuss giving up his nuclear weapons on unspecified terms, and Mr Trump quickly agreed to meet Mr Kim by the end of May.
Mr Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are to meet separately in late April.
In a brief statement, the Pentagon said defence secretary Jim Mattis and his South Korean counterpart, Song Young-moo, agreed to go forward with the two sets of exercises, known as Foal Eagle and Key Resolve, at a scale similar to that of previous years.
North Korea has been notified of the schedule as well as the defensive nature of the exercises, the Pentagon said.
South Koreas defence ministry released a near-identical statement.
The exercises begin with Foal Eagle, a field training drill that will last about four weeks, compared with its typical two-month run.
The other drill, known as Key Resolve, is a computer-simulated command post exercise and is scheduled to start around the middle of April for a usual two-week run, a South Korean official said.
These are low-key drills. Now its a dialogue mode so they are trying to keep pace with that, said Choi Kang, vice president of Seouls Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
The planned summit meetings have raised hopes for a potential breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear crisis. But many experts say tensions will flare again if the summits fail to make any progress and leave the nuclear issue with few diplomatic options.
The European Court of Human Rights has rejected a request by Ireland to find that people detained by the UK during the Troubles in the so-called Hooded Men case suffered torture.
Dismissing the request by six votes to one, the ECHR said there was no justification to revise a 1978 ruling which found the treatment of the men was inhumane and degrading.
The court said new evidence had not demonstrated the existence of facts that were not known to the court at the time or which could have had a decisive influence on the original judgment.
Francie McGuigan (second left), one of the 14 `Hooded Men, speaks during a press conference in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)
The so-called Hooded Men were 14 Catholics interned detained indefinitely without trial in 1971 who said they were subjected to a number of torture methods.
These included five techniques hooding, stress positions, white noise, sleep deprivation and deprivation of food and water along with beatings and death threats.
The men were hooded and flown by helicopter to a secret location, later revealed as a British Army camp at Ballykelly, outside Londonderry.
They were also dangled out of the helicopter and told they were high in the air, although they were close to the ground.
None were ever convicted of wrongdoing.
The Irish Government first took a human rights case against Britain over the alleged torture in 1971.
The European Commission of Human Rights ruled that the mistreatment of the men was torture, but in 1978 the European Court of Human Rights held that the men suffered inhumane and degrading treatment that was not torture.
The UK did not dispute the finding.
But following the discovery of new evidence from the national archives in London and amid pressure from Amnesty International and other human rights organisations, Ireland launched new legal proceedings in December 2014.
It included a letter dated 1977 from then-home secretary Merlyn Rees to then-prime minister James Callaghan in which he stated his view that the decision to use methods of torture in Northern Ireland in 1971/72 was taken by ministers in particular Lord Carrington, then secretary of state for defence.
Mr Rees added that a political decision was taken.
However, in its latest ruling the ECHR found that the documents did not demonstrate facts which were unknown at the time.
And, even if it could be shown that misleading evidence had been provided about long-term psychiatric effects on the men, the court said it could determine whether such knowledge might have had a decisive influence leading to a finding of torture.
The ruling said: The original judgment had made no reference to the issue of such long-term effects and it was difficult to argue that the court had attached particular significance to that aspect of the case.
The original judgment had stated that the difference between torture and inhumane and degrading treatment depended on the intensity of suffering, which in turn depended on a number of elements.
It was not clear that the one element of long-term psychiatric suffering would have swayed the court into a finding of torture.
The judge elected in respect of Ireland issued a dissenting opinion.
The parents of a 22-month-old boy who has been at the centre of a life support treatment battle are waiting to hear whether Supreme Court justices will analyse the case.
A High Court judge has ruled that doctors can stop treating Alfie Evans, against the wishes of his parents Kate James and Tom Evans, and three Court of Appeal judges have upheld that decision.
Alfies parents, who come from Liverpool, now want to stage a fight at the Supreme Court in London.
Kate James and Tom Evans (Philip Toscano/PA)
The couple must first clear an initial legal hurdle and persuade Supreme Court justices that they have a case worth arguing.
A Supreme Court spokeswoman said justices have received a written application from lawyers representing Alfies parents, and written submissions from lawyers representing doctors, but have yet to decide whether the case is worth arguing.
The spokeswoman said justices might make that decision after considering written arguments or may stage a hearing where the merits of the couples case could be debated.
Judges have heard that Alfie, who was born on May 9 2016, is in a semi-vegetative state and has a degenerative neurological condition doctors had not definitively diagnosed.
Mr Justice Hayden had analysed the case at hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London and Liverpool.
Specialists at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool said life support treatment could stop and the judge said he accepted medical evidence which showed that further treatment was futile.
A man is in a critical condition after he was shot by a police officer in Hackney, east London.
The police watchdog has launched an investigation following the shooting on Monday night.
Scotland Yard said local and armed officers attended an address in Mandeville Street, Clapton, after receiving reports of an armed robbery of a vehicle at 10.50pm.
A forensic officer photographs cartridges in Mandeville Street (Victoria Jones/PA)
Man injured in Hackney following discharge of police firearm https://t.co/rrjJBP2yrk pic.twitter.com/NCbLHXC18R Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 20, 2018
The force said: A police firearm was discharged and a man was injured. He has been taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital. No reports of any other persons injured.
Scotland Yard said it referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), whose investigators are at the scene.
The watchdog tweeted: Were investigating a @metpoliceuk shooting in which a man has been injured in Hackney, London in the early hours of this morning.
The man was taken to the Royal London Hospital. Our investigators are at the scene and post-incident procedure making initial enquiries.
A new paint shade named English Sparkling has gone on sale as a rival to old favourites Champagne and Burgundy.
The Pantone Color Institute, which developed the off-white shade, described it as subtle and stylishly elegant with a creamy hue that quietly expresses effervescence and good taste.
The paint was created in partnership with Laithwaites Wine and comes as sales of English Sparkling rose by 36% in 2017, while the industry as a whole grew 89% in volume in the past five years.
The English Sparkling paint shade. (Laithwaites Wine/PA)
The colour is now available under the Valspar brand in B&Q stores nationwide.
The shade is based on the colour of Wyfold Vineyard Brut and takes its cues from the soft and natural creamy hues of English Sparkling, conveying feelings of freshness and modernity.
Laithwaites Wine chief executive David Thatcher said: Just as Burgundy and Champagne are very well-known terms for colours, its now time for English Sparkling to take centre stage.
Creating an official colour is a great way of acknowledging the ever-growing popularity of the English wine industry around the world.
English Sparking paint shade (Laithwaites Wine/PA)
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, said: We are honoured to be involved in the creation of this new unique off-white shade, Laithwaites Wine English Sparkling.
A colour of its time, the tastefully elegant Laithwaites Wine English Sparkling recognises and symbolises the growing prominence of the English wine industry.
Kasia Wiktorowicz, marketing communications manager at Valspar, said: The rise in popularity of English sparkling wine is undeniable, so we are really excited to bring this trend to the world of interiors by offering our customers a brand new paint colour.
A package bomb has exploded inside a FedEx distribution centre in Texas as the hunt for a suspected serial bomber continues.
The explosion happened at a facility in Schertz, just north-east of San Antonio, at around 1am local time, FBI special agent Michelle Lee told The Washington Post.
ATF spokeswoman Nicole Strong said that early indications are that no-one was injured.
The blast follows a Sunday night explosion that was triggered on a street by a nearly invisible tripwire, suggesting a higher level of sophistication than agents saw in three early package bombs left on doorsteps.
Investigators at the scene of a bomb explosion in Austin, Texas, that seriously injured two men on Sunday (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
It means the carnage by a suspected serial bomber who has terrorised Austin for weeks is now random, rather than targeted at someone in particular.
William Grote said Sundays attack left what appeared to be nails embedded in his grandsons knees.
Two people are dead and four injured and authorities do not appear closer to making any arrests over the five bombings.
Authorities have not identified Sunday nights victims, but Mr Grote told the Associated Press that his grandson was one of the two men wounded in south-west Austins quiet Travis Country neighbourhood.
They suffered what police said were significant injuries and remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Officials near the site of Sundays explosion (Eric Gay/AP)
Mr Grote said his grandson is conscious but still in a lot of pain.
He said that on the night of the bombing, one of the victims was riding a bike in the street and the other was on a pavement when they crossed a trapwire that he said knocked them both off their feet.
It was so dark they couldnt tell and they tripped, he said. They didnt see it. It was a wire. And it blew up.
Mr Grote said his son, who lives about 100 yards away from the blast, heard the explosion and raced outside.
Both of them were kind of bleeding profusely, Mr Grote said.
That was a departure from the three earlier bombings, which involved parcels left on doorsteps that detonated when moved or opened.
The tripwire twist heightened the fear around Austin, a town famous for its cool, hipster attitude.
Its creepy, said Erin Mays, 33. Im not a scared person, but this feels very next-door-neighbour kind of stuff.
Authorities repeated prior warnings about not touching unexpected packages and also issued new ones to be wary of any stray object left in public, especially one with wires protruding.
A police crime scene van near the site of Sundays explosion (Eric Gay/AP)
Were very concerned that with tripwires, a child could be walking down a sidewalk and hit something, Christopher Combs, FBI agent in charge of the bureaus San Antonio division, said in an interview.
Police originally pointed to possible hate crimes, but the victims have now been black, Hispanic and white and from different parts of the increasingly diverse city.
Domestic terrorism is among the variety of possible motives investigators are looking at.
Local and state police and hundreds of federal agents are investigating, and the reward for information leading to an arrest has climbed to 115,000 dollars (82,000).
We are clearly dealing with what we believe to be a serial bomber at this point, Austin police chief Brian Manley said, citing similarities among the four bombs.
While the first three bombings all occurred east of Interstate 35, a section of town that tends to be more heavily minority and less affluent, Sundays was west of the motorway.
The differences in where the blasts have occurred, the lack of a motive and other unknowns make it harder to draw conclusions about a possible pattern, further unnerving a city on edge.
Fred Milanowski, agent in charge of the Houston division of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said authorities have checked more than 500 leads.
A lorry driver has admitted knocking a Labour peer off his mobility scooter and killing him.
Kul Pandey, 56, from Feltham, west London, pleaded guilty to causing the death by careless driving of Lord Taylor of Blackburn.
The 87-year-old peer was knocked off his mobility scooter outside the House of Lords in November 2016.
Lord Taylor of Blackburn (PA)
He died nine days later.
Pandey entered his guilty plea during a hearing at the Old Bailey before Judge Anuja Dhir QC.
The defendant, who is on bail, will be sentenced on April 9.
The brother of the 19-year-old suspected of gunning down 17 people at a Florida high school has spent the night in jail after he was arrested for trespassing on the campus.
Broward sheriffs deputies arrested 18-year-old Zachary Cruz on Monday afternoon, saying he rode his skateboard on to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School campus after being warned to stay away.
They put him in the same Fort Lauderdale jail where his brother, Nikolas Cruz, has been housed since the February 14 shooting.
Nikolas Cruz (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Broward schools superintendent Robert Runcie called Zachary Cruzs actions odd, adding: I understand it does creep people out.
Survivors of the shooting are raising awareness of Saturdays March for Our Lives in Washington.
Some will join a panel discussion about guns at Harvard University.
Star Wars actor John Boyega has said he hopes his production company can give opportunities to other hopeful actors from the same background as him.
The Hollywood star, who rocketed to fame as stormtrooper Finn in The Force Awakens and sequel The Last Jedi, founded UpperRoom Productions with his friend and agent Femi Oguns and has produced his latest film Pacific Rim Uprising, a sequel to 2013s Pacific Rim.
The heart of the worlds greatest hero lives on. Gipsy Avenger reporting for duty! #PacificRimUprising pic.twitter.com/Wyjdy2GihP John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) February 13, 2018
He told the Press Association: Its a way of having creative freedom for yourself, I think its independently a good business move and then when you think about it long term also as an opportunity for others, it is also a great move as well.
You create a safe haven of creative ideas that you like, you get to develop things yourself, be involved in the process from early.
Its a good existence, rather than the normal actor for hire experience, it gives you an added knowledge.
Safe to say, Jakes got some daddy issues. #PacificRimUprising pic.twitter.com/i0Q39SbBEU Universal Pictures UK (@universaluk) March 20, 2018
Boyega, 26, who grew up in Peckham, said he hopes the company will provide a platform for other actors like him.
He said: Growing up the way I did, being discovered the way I was discovered and having to work the way I worked and going through the thing of flying over to LA as a British actor and all that kind of stuff, its very important to have a homegrown place where people can get opportunities.
Boyega said he credits the part-time acting school he went to in London, Identity, for much of his success.
It is also where he met Black Panther star Letitia Wright.
Letitia Wright (Ian West/PA)
He said: I really credit it it was the best thing I could have ever hoped for because each week we were learning something new from various different incredible teachers who had great experience in theatre, film and TV.
And then it was a place to meet other people who were going through the same exact dream, that is where I met Letitia, now Im in Star Wars and shes in Black Panther.
Its crazy, what a way to live and be introduced to the hustle of what you want in life and so that place was incredible for me. I had a good old time.
While Boyega still has another Star Wars film in the pipeline, he is already thinking about future projects.
He said: On average at my camp we aim two or three years in advance, because of how long these movies take to make.
So we are thinking about other genres, I love drama, I love drama just as much as I love sci-fi actually, they are two genres that I really love.
An action thriller would be cool, comedy would be nice, something nice and light. Seth Rogen, call me.
Pacific Rim Uprising is released in UK cinemas on March 23.
The so-called Hooded Men have expressed dismay and disappointment after a European court rejected an Irish request to find they suffered torture, but vowed to continue their fight for justice.
They also described the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights as a missed opportunity.
Speaking at a press conference in Belfast city centre, Francie McGuigan said: We are far, far, far from giving up.
The Hooded Men were 14 Catholics interned detained indefinitely without trial in 1971 who said they were subjected to a number of torture methods.
Francie McGuigan during a press conference at KRW Law in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)
These included five techniques hooding, stress positions, white noise, sleep deprivation and deprivation of food and water along with beatings and death threats.
The men were hooded and flown by helicopter to a secret location, later revealed as a British Army camp at Ballykelly, outside Londonderry.
Mr McGuigan added: While any one of us have breath left in our bodies we will fight it and we will keep on fighting it.
With the exception of two, the rest of us are now over 70 and I dont see a weakness in our determination yet.
He said the onus was now on the Irish Government to appeal.
At this stage the European Court has missed a great opportunity to try to stamp out torture beit here in Ireland or any corner of the world.
Torture must be stopped no matter where or by whom, it must be stopped throughout the world and the European Court have the responsibility of doing that.
I think there is a strong onus on the Irish Government to take this appeal and push it for all its worth, added Mr McGuigan.
Liam Shannon said the judgment was flawed.
He said: The European Court had an opportunity to outlaw torture all over the world and they have missed the opportunity. What a disgrace of a thing to happen.
Joe Clarke, who suffers from flashbacks, said: We are dismayed as to how they came to this decision.
But, we just have to keep fighting on.
I am the youngest and I will certainly keep going until we eventually get justice. We need justice, not just for ourselves but for everyone around the world.
Daragh Mackin, a solicitor from KRW Law who has been representing the Hooded Men, said: In circumstances where the Belfast High Court, the London Supreme Court has ruled that these techniques are torture, it is difficult to comprehend how the European Court has missed this opportunity.
It is deeply regretful that we are left with only the consideration that it is procedural gymnastics that have allowed for this ruling to continue and for this grave injustice that the Hooded Men suffer and continue to suffer.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, which has supported the Hooded Men, also described the ruling as disappointing.
Grainne Teggart, Amnestys Northern Ireland campaigns manager said: The Hooded Men have been denied justice for too long.
The UK Government must now urgently conduct an independent and effective investigation into what happened, and prosecute any state agents involved in sanctioning or carrying out these violations at the time.
This case underscores the need for a comprehensive means of dealing with historic human rights violations and abuses in Northern Ireland.
Private firms are being urged to submit plans for a new railway between Heathrow Airport and London Waterloo station without spending taxpayers money.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling wants firms outside of public sector body Network Rail to fund eight miles of railway to link the UKs busiest airport and Waterloo.
The project is estimated to cost up to 1.6 billion and the firms involved would earn revenue through fees paid by train operators.
Linking Heathrow and London Waterloo by rail is estimated to cost up to 1.6 billion (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
Calling companies - use your local expertise and submit proposals on how we could improve rail journeys, starting with southern access to #Heathrow https://t.co/UZ88dpqGD1 pic.twitter.com/GkNzk2sGU8 Department for Transport (@transportgovuk) March 20, 2018
Heathrow, which is planning to build a third runway, has no direct rail connections from the south, with existing lines running east to west.
A private company called Heathrow Southern Railway (HSR) has been set up to promote the project, and several firms are assessing possible options for the route.
HSR says the line could be open by 2025 and would be used by 33,000 passengers per day due to significantly reduced journey times from many locations.
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Grayling wrote: Governments do not have a monopoly on good ideas for the railways.
I have been clear that I want the knowledge and expertise of investors and local partners to contribute to delivering new connections, more services and better journeys for passengers.
Mr Grayling has already backed plans for private investment to pay for the reopening of a rail line between Oxford and Cambridge.
He called for proposals on other schemes around the country to be submitted.
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald described the Heathrow plan as optimistic to say the least given the private sectors poor record of investing in rail infrastructure, naming the collapse of Carillion as an example.
Royal wedding cakes are usually grand affairs, elaborately decorated and stretching over multiple tiers.
Rich fruit cakes have mostly been the traditional choice for royal brides and grooms.
But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are instead opting for a light, organic lemon elderflower cake by food writer and pastry chef Claire Ptak, owner of an east London bakery.
Claire Ptak, owner of Violet Bakery in Hackney, east London, who has been chosen to make Harry and Ms Markles wedding cake (Victoria Jones/PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had two cakes made for their 2011 nuptials.
The first was a magnificent eight-tiered iced traditional fruit cake featuring the language of flowers made by Leicestershire baker Fiona Cairns.
Fiona Cairns stands proudly next to the cake that she and her team made for William and Kate (John Stillwell/PA)
The confectionery masterpiece which took five weeks to make was covered in cream and intricate white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers.
It was centre-stage at the Buckingham Palace reception held in the picture gallery.
William and Kate had two cakes at their wedding reception (PA)
William and Kate saved the top two tiers of the cake for their future childrens christenings.
Their second cake was a childhood favourite of Williams an unbaked chocolate biscuit cake.
The wedding cake made by McVities for William (Clarence House/PA)
It was made by McVities to a recipe the firm received from Buckingham Palace kitchen chefs.
As well as a couple of secret ingredients, it featured dark chocolate and broken up rich tea biscuits.
McVitie and Price, as the firm was then known, also made Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbattens (the Queen and Duke of Edinburghs) official wedding cake in 1947.
It was nine feet high in four tiers and painted with panels of the armorial bearings of both families, and included the monograms of bride and groom, sugar-iced figures to depict their favourite activities, and regimental and naval badges.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburghs wedding cake (PA)
The cake was made using ingredients given as a wedding gift by Australian Girl Guides, as post-war food rationing was still in place in the wake of the Second World War.
When the Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, their official royal wedding cake was 5ft high and weighed 255 lbs.
It was made by the Royal Navys Cookery school, HMS Pembroke, at Chatham.
Charles and Dianas wedding cake made by the Royal Navys Cookery School (PA)
Queen Victoria and Prince Alberts white iced two-tier wedding cake in 1840 was 9ft in diameter and weighed 300 lbs.
It was decorated with the figure of Britannia in the act of blessing figures of the bride and groom dressed in ancient Greek costume.
Victorias cake is seen as the most influential of royal wedding cakes.
Queen Victorias wedding cake weighed 300 pounds (thats almost 21 stone!)#QueenVictoriaWeddingFacts pic.twitter.com/94fxXANvGV Leeds Centre for Victorian Studies (@LCVSLeeds) November 8, 2017
Prior to Victoria, wedding cakes were not an important feature at wedding receptions.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, weddings featured the bride pie, which was a meat-filled dish which formed part of the wedding banquet.
Princess Margaret the Queens sister had her monogram and coat of arms on the side of her large wedding cake.
It was made of hexagonal tiers and was finished with a large bow.
The stars of Loose Women have expressed sympathy for Declan Donnelly and how his own career may be affected following his TV partner Ant McPartlins arrest.
McPartlin has taken a step back from his TV commitments and is returning to rehab after being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Sunday, prompting the cancellation of his and Donnellys ITV programme Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
Loose Women, which airs on the same channel, addressed McPartlins recent troubles during Tuesdays broadcast.
Panellist Ruth Langsford spoke of McPartlin and Donnellys amazing partnership and incredible friendship, and Coleen Nolan added: Obviously were all talking about Ant, its a terrible situation, but as well, for me, I was thinking oh, poor Dec.
We're live and loose this Tuesday lunchtime! pic.twitter.com/Un1I5SZPLb Loose Women (@loosewomen) March 20, 2018
It must be so hard for him as well, hes out on a limb.
Presenter Nadia Sawalha said: I suppose there is this enormous pressure, they are these two squeaky clean stars, and theyve got to keep up that image.
It must be terribly taxing on Dec.
McPartlin and Donnelly first met in 1989 when they played PJ and Duncan on childrens soap Byker Grove.
They formed a double-act and released music together before becoming TV presenters, working on programmes such as SMTV Live, Friends Like These and Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, as well as Britains Got Talent later on and Saturday Night Takeaway.
McPartlin, 42, was involved in a collision with two other cars while he was driving his Mini in Richmond, west London, and was arrested at around 4pm on Sunday after failing a roadside breathalyser test.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said he was taken to a south London police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation and that inquiries continue.
Police previously confirmed that a number of individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and a child passenger from one of the cars was taken to hospital to be checked as a precaution.
On Monday, it was confirmed that McPartlin is stepping down from his TV commitments and will head back to rehab. He was first treated last year after struggling with an addiction to painkillers following a knee operation in 2015.
Ant and Decs Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV)
McPartlins publicist said in a statement: Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments.
He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future. As such, Saturday Night Takeaway will not be going ahead this Saturday.
In a statement, Japanese carmaker Suzuki which sponsors Saturday Night Takeaway said: ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Decs team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series (March 31 and April 7) which would not feature Ant, who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs.
Suzuki will remain in dialogue with ITV and advise media when appropriate regarding the last two episodes of the series. Please note that no further comment is available from Suzuki at this time.
This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby said McPartlin must take responsibility for his actions, as they addressed his recent troubles in Tuesdays episode of the daily programme.
Schofield said they were shocked and saddened by the news and that it was difficult for them to talk about because they were talking about a friend.
This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (Isabel Infantes/PA)
He added: The overwhelming feeling we believe has to be that, no matter who you are, no matter what you do, if you get into a car having had a drink the responsibility is entirely yours.
We wish Ant and all those involved in these sad events all the very best.
The presenters were criticised by fans on Twitter on Monday for not speaking of McPartlins arrest, despite it being covered on ITVs Good Morning Britain.
This has marked the latest in a string of personal setbacks for the star, who first entered rehab last year due to his addiction to painkillers.
In January, McPartlin confirmed that he and his wife Lisa were separating after 11 years of marriage.
At the National Television Awards a few days after the split, McPartlin referred to his tough year while picking up the presenting prize with Donnelly.
The producers of Netflix series The Crown have issued a statement apologising to Matt Smith and Claire Foy, saying the actors were not privy to the pay of their colleagues.
The apology follows the revelation by producers Suzanne Mackie and Andy Harries that former Doctor Who star Smith was paid more for his portrayal of the young Duke of Edinburgh than his leading lady and co-star Foy, who had the title role of the Queen in the series.
Claire Foy and Matt Smith in The Crown (Netflix)
American outlet Variety also quoted Mackie as saying that would not be the case in the third series, which sees Olivia Colman replace Foy as the Queen.
Left Bank Pictures said: We want to apologise to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, brilliant actors and friends, who have found themselves at the centre of a media storm this week through no fault of their own.
Claire and Matt are incredibly gifted actors who, along with the wider cast on The Crown, have worked tirelessly to bring our characters to life with compassion and integrity.
As the producers of The Crown, we at Left Bank Pictures are responsible for budgets and salaries; the actors are not aware of who gets what, and cannot be held personally responsible for the pay of their colleagues.
We understand and appreciate the conversation which is rightly being played out across society and we are absolutely united with the fight for fair pay, free of gender bias, and for a rebalancing of the industrys treatment of women, both those in front of the camera and for those behind the scenes.
We all have a responsibility to do what we can to ensure that these issues are tackled, and as a leading production company we want to make our contribution to the debate.
As company policy, we are engaged in conversations with ERA 50:50 and going forward are keen to talk to Times Up UK organisations which are working to ensure all women have a voice.
Following the comments, a petition was started urging Smith to donate the difference in their salary earnings to the Times Up movement.
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg donated 1.5 million dollars (1.1 million) to the movement after it emerged his All The Money In The World co-star Michelle Williams was paid a fraction of what he had earned for reshoots.
The film had to reshoot certain scenes to erase disgraced star Kevin Spacey and Wahlberg donated what he had earned for the reshoots.
Ending free movement of people following Brexit would land the Scottish hospitality industry in pretty serious trouble, the head of the industry body in Scotland has warned.
Willie Macleod, executive director for Scotland with trade body UKHospitality, told MSPs the impact on the workforce for hotels and guesthouse could limit growth.
Giving evidence to Holyroods Economy Committee, he said: The tourism industry has huge opportunity for growth, and certainly in hospitality, notwithstanding the well-publicised recent difficulties of some businesses in the casual dining sector.
MSPs were warned ending freedom of movement could hit the Scottish hospitality industry (Steve Parsons/PA)
I think we still see massive opportunity for growth but I think that growth has the potential to be constrained by the labour market.
He said that, on average, the hospitality sector in Scotland is about 18% non-UK workers, comprising both EU and non-EEA nationals, but in some city centre hotels staff from outside the UK made up 65% of the workforce.
To keep it in proportion, in hospitality weve got about quarter of a million people who are UK citizens employed in our industry but if, as seems likely, were going to see free movement ending, our industry is going to be in pretty serious trouble, he added.
Part of that is, if free movement ends, I think we have to look at UK-level at a fairly radical review of the immigration system.
The current tiered system of tiers one to five will not work for our industry given the way it is structured.
The committee also heard from James Withers, chief executive of Scottish Food and Drink Ltd, who said Brexit is a short-term hurdle we need to clear.
He said 30% of the workforce are EU nationals from outside the UK and 70% of food exports go to the EU, but he said the issue doesnt take away from an underlying view of huge opportunity for us over the coming years.
Marc Crothall, chief executive officer at the Scottish Tourism Alliance, told committee members that the workforce is the greatest challenge for tourism in the next decade.
He said: Workforce without question, I think, is the number one concern that comes through from the majority.
Of how do we get more people seeing tourism as a wider career of choice and there isnt this perception of it as being something quite narrow and something you do if you fail at school.
He urged a new approach to encourage people to see it as a career, starting by going into primary schools
A data analytics firm which worked on President Donald Trumps election campaign and has been linked to Brexit is embroiled in a storm over Facebook data and dirty tactics.
So what is Cambridge Analytica? And what exactly do they do?
Here are answers to some of the key questions about the British firm.
The Cambridge Analytica offices in central London (Kirsty OConnor/PA)
What is Cambridge Analytica?
Cambridge Analytica is a British company which uses personal information from social media users to help clients try to influence voters or consumers, crafting messages targeted specifically to peoples hopes, fears or desires.
The firm was founded as an offshoot of SCL Group, a strategic communication and military operations firm, in 2013.
It is largely owned by Robert Mercer, an American billionaire with a history of funding conservative political campaigns, who named Mr Trumps former campaign architect Steve Bannon as vice-president before he stepped into politics.
Mr Bannon even chose the company name, according to the New York Times, because it largely employed researchers from Cambridge University to construct its data-crunching software.
What do they do?
The firm describes itself as delivering data-driven behavioural change for its clients in both political and commercial fields, using large amounts of personal data from social media and other sources.
On a practical basis, the companys services are perhaps best described by chief data officer Alex Taylor.
If youre collecting data on people and youre profiling them, that gives you more insight that you can use to know how to segment the population, to give them messaging about issues that they care about, and language and imagery that theyre likely to engage with, said Mr Taylor, in a secretly filmed meeting with Channel 4 News, broadcast on Monday.
We used that in America and we used that in Africa. Thats what we do as a company.
It has to happen without anyone thinking: thats propaganda.
EXCLUSIVE: The art of disguising propaganda - Cambridge Analytica bosses discuss the subtle techniques behind hidden online political messaging.#CambridgeAnalyticaUncovered pic.twitter.com/CRmb3jdOQQ Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 20, 2018
Managing director Mark Turnbull went further.
The two fundamental human drivers when it comes to taking information on board, effectively, are hopes and fears, Mr Turnbull said in another secretly filmed meeting.
He added: Its no good fighting an election campaign on the facts, because actually its all about emotion.
Where have they worked?
Cambridge Analytica famously switched from working with Ted Cruz in the 2016 US election to aiding Mr Trumps team, but it had previously helped 44 congressional and Senate campaigns in the 2014 mid-term elections.
Both chief executive Alexander Nix and the leaders of the Leave.EU campaign boasted about working together on the Brexit campaign but have since retracted their claims, saying no contract was signed and no work was completed.
Leave.EU campaign brings in US voter data and messaging firm Cambridge Analytica via @prweek https://t.co/b3AdTqxMQs #LeaveEU Leave.EU (@LeaveEUOfficial) November 18, 2015
Employees talked of working on political and commercial campaigns around the world in the Channel 4 expose, from Mexico and Malaysia to Brazil, Kenya, Australia and China.
Are their methods effective?
The jury is still out on whether Cambridge Analyticas tactics have the effect they claim, mainly because it is so difficult to measure.
The company boasts about helping their clients by targeting small groups of individuals middle-aged men who live in Kent and are concerned about immigration, for example with psychographic political advertising which plays to their fears and influences their vote.
However, by definition, the targeted individuals would be the only people able to see the adverts on social media, and they may not even be aware of it.
Mr Turnbull said: It has to happen without anyone thinking thats propaganda because the moment you think thats propaganda the next question is whos put that out? So we have to be very subtle.
We strongly deny the claims recently made by the New York Times, the Guardian and Channel 4 News. Read our latest press release: https://t.co/G8cnv5G8oc Cambridge Analytica (@CamAnalytica) March 19, 2018
Politicians in the UK and US are growing increasingly wary of such dark advertising but marketing experts are often more sceptical, seeing the claims and boasts from executives as more sales pitch than reality.
Without the relevant data and research it is hard to be sure whether Cambridge Analytica influences elections in the ways they claim.
So what is the controversy?
Top of the list are topics raised by Mr Nix in a meeting with Channel 4 News journalists, in which he discussed deep digging on opposition candidates, and disinformation and entrapment as possible tactics for fighting elections, on top of its targeted messaging service.
"Send some girls around to the candidates house
EXCLUSIVE: This is how Cambridge Analytica bosses reacted when our reporter brought up the subject of digging dirt on political opponents. #CambridgeAnalyticaUncovered pic.twitter.com/ghtQkM4smL Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 20, 2018
Facebook banned Cambridge Analytica from using its platform on Friday, days before a whistleblower claimed the company had harvested and stored data about more than 50 million Facebook users without their permission.
We strongly deny the claims recently made by the New York Times, the Guardian and Channel 4 News. Read our latest press release: https://t.co/G8cnv5G8oc Cambridge Analytica (@CamAnalytica) March 19, 2018
The majority of those users were in the US but the UKs Information Commissioner has now issued a warrant to search the companys London offices after it failed to respond to a previous request about the possible illegal use of data.
Facebook have confirmed that auditors and legal counsel acting on behalf of the company were in the offices of Cambridge Analytica this evening until they were told to stand down by the Information Commissioner. These investigations need to be undertaken by the proper authorities Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) March 19, 2018
Mr Nix gave evidence to the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in February but chairman Damian Collins has now accused him of giving false statements and called Facebooks answers to repeated questions misleading in light of the recent revelations.
The Electoral Commission has previously faced calls from politicians to investigate links between Cambridge Analytica and Leave.EU, after the retracted boasts of working together in the EU referendum.
What happens next?
Facebook announced an independent audit of its relationship with Cambridge Analytica after suspending the companys accounts last week but has since been asked to stand down by the Information Commissioners Office.
Mr Collins has now written to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg requesting he give evidence to the fake news inquiry following the Cambridge Analytica revelations.
He has promised to write to Mr Nix to ask him to explain his previous comments to the committee.
In the US, a number of attorney generals have launched investigations into how Facebook data has been used. Mr Nix and Cambridge Analytica have denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Mr Zuckerberg said at the start of the year that he wanted to fix the issues which have plagued Facebook in recent years.
The past weeks developments have only added to his already lengthy list.
A man has been charged after police officers manning cordons put in place in Salisbury following the nerve agent attack were allegedly abused and assaulted.
Kim Rogerson, 56, of Wyndham Road, Salisbury was arrested on Monday afternoon in Castle Street, close to the cordon around Zizzis restaurant.
A force spokesman said: He has been charged with assaulting a police officer, assaulting a police staff member, being drunk and disorderly in a public place and a racially-aggravated public order offence.
He has been released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates Court next month.
Uniformed officers are assisting with the ongoing investigation into the poisonings of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia.
Hollywood star Michael Sheen has said working with people struggling on low incomes has been literally life-changing.
The actor spoke on Tuesday as he launched the End High Cost Credit Alliance to provide fairer alternatives to mainstream rent-to-own firms and payday lenders.
The umbrella group, involving 50 partners, was announced at the Responsible Finance 18 conference at Glasgow City Chambers.
Michael Sheen said the alliance will tackle `those who unfairly target the most vulnerable in society (Ben Birchall/PA)
Mr Sheen, who has appeared in Frost/Nixon, The Queen and the Twilight series, said the alliance will tackle those who unfairly target the most vulnerable in society.
He said: For the last seven or eight years I have becoming increasingly involved with a whole range of voluntary organisations, groups and projects and individuals from all across the UK working and supporting people who are going through a hard time.
Its been literally life-changing.
The actor decided to scale down his acting career and shift the focus of his life to help those struggling to get credit.
He said he was in this for the long haul and had stepped aside from the industry and invested his own money in the project.
Mr Sheen said one of the biggest challenges was tackling the increasing burden of household debt.
He said: People need affordable credit and lenders who are fair.
He said the scheme would focus on helping those excluded from mainstream credit and forced to turn to high-cost credit as an alternative.
The actor also told the BBCs Victoria Derbyshire programme he wanted to see a change in the sector that benefits borrowers and lenders.
The alliance wants to invest in not-for-profit organisations that provide fairer alternatives for low-income families helping them to compete with high-cost credit competitors.
Representatives of think tanks, public health bodies and credit experts, he said, will be brought together under the umbrella group.
On the day that @michaelsheen launches the new campaign to #endhighcostcredit, here is a re-cap on our lates research with @TheIFS on problem debt https://t.co/8tvf7XScHk pic.twitter.com/LjkxrY4KWw Joseph Rowntree Foundation (@jrf_uk) March 20, 2018
Mr Sheen said it aims to create a social movement that hopes to drive change to policy and regulation, and improve financial education for young people.
He financed the umbrella organisation after hearing of people using high-cost credit through his work with support organisations and charities.
The Financial Conduct Authority on Tuesday told the BBC programme it had engaged with a wide variety of groups, such as the End High Cost Credit Alliance, to ensure credit is sensibly available to those with lower incomes and means.
We want to see more options and the emergence of mid-cost credit.
An American pastor has been charged in Turkey with engaging in espionage and having links to terror groups, the countrys state-run news agency said.
An indictment accuses Andrew Brunson of working with US-based cleric Fethullah Gulens network and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to stir chaos in Turkey and divide the country, Anadolu Agency reported.
The news agency said the pastor faces 15 years for alleged crimes committed in the name of Mr Gulens group and the PKK and another 20 years for allegedly obtaining state secrets for political and military spying purposes.
Brunson is originally from North Carolina but has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years.
He was arrested during the mass detentions and firings soon after a failed July 2016 coup attempt. He denies any wrongdoing.
The United States has demanded his release.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Burhan Ozbilici/AP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made Brunsons possible deportation contingent on Washington agreeing to extradite Mr Gulen to Turkey.
Give him (Gulen) to us, and we will try (Brunson) and return him, Mr Erdogan said last year.
Mr Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, has denied involvement in the coup.
Prosecutors in the western city of Izmir prepared the indictment, which was accepted by a court.
It was not clear when Brunsons trial would begin.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that gaps still remain between the EU and the UK over Brexit.
He said while there has been progress in the Brexit negotiations nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
Mr Varadkar was speaking following a meeting with Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday.
The Irish border in the village of Bridgend, Co Donegal (Brian Lawless/PA)
This was his first visit to the German capital as Irelands premier.
Great meeting with Angela Merkel in Berlin. We talked about #brexit, Irish border, and this weeks @EUCouncil meeting pic.twitter.com/MCgeKnfDeo Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 20, 2018
I think we are seeing steady progress in the Brexit negotiations, but more needs to be done in the coming weeks and months to close the remaining gaps between the EU and the UK, Mr Varadkar said.
He added: I thank the Chancellor and German government for their ongoing and resolute support.
We will continue to support the EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier for his critical work.
We should all remember, we are proceeding on the basis that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and will be working closely
with partners to make sure this is faithfully respected.
Mrs Merkel described relations between Ireland and Germany as excellent.
She said Germany fully supported Irelands position on the Irish border issue.
A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales, the Ministry of Defence said.
It is understood two people were on board the Hawk aircraft which crashed at the Anglesey base used to train the UKs fighter pilots on Tuesday afternoon.
Here is a list of other air disasters involving fighter planes in Britain in recent years.
The Red Arrows perform daredevil stunts (Andrew Matthews/PA)
August 2015 Eleven men were killed when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet plummeted on to the A27 in West Sussex during a loop-the-loop stunt at the Shoreham Airshow. A further 13 people, including the pilot Andy Hill, were injured.
The disaster led to the cancellation of the Red Arrows performing stunts at the Farnborough Air Show for the first time in more than 50 years over safety fears.
The aftermath of the Shoreham air disaster (Steve Parsons/PA)
August 2015 RAF-trained fast jet pilot Kevin Whyman, 35, was killed when his Folland Gnat aircraft plummeted during an aerial display at the CarFest event in Oulton Park, Cheshire.
November 2011 Highly experienced Red Arrows pilot Sean Cunningham, 35, was fatally injured when he was ejected from the cockpit of a Hawk T1 aircraft while on the ground at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. A coroner ruled that the safety pin on the ejector seat had been entirely useless.
August 2011 Red Arrows Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33, was flying a Hawk T1 when it came down into a field after he pulled six times the force of gravity at an air show near Bournemouth Airport, killing him instantly.
The Red Arrows perform over Bournemouth beach (Andrew Matthews/PA)
September 2007 James Bond stuntman Brian Brown, 49, died when he crashed a Second World War Hurricane after carrying out an unplanned barrel roll at a re-enactment of the Battle of Britain at Shoreham Air Show, West Sussex.
The Red Arrows are a world-famous aerobatic team, performing stunts and daredevil displays in the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.
Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, their usual display covers an area over six miles, with jets flying as close as 15ft apart at more than 400 miles an hour, sometimes flying just 100ft above the ground.
Some 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley on Anglesey, which is also home to the militarys search-and-rescue, post-crash team.
Sir Patrick Stewart has called for medicinal cannabis to be legalised as he gave his support to a young boy hoping to receive the treatment for epilepsy.
Alfie Dingley, aged six, suffers from a rare condition and needs cannabis oil to help reduce his seizures.
Alfie Dingley, his sister Annie, parents Drew Dingley and Hannah Deacon and actor Sir Patrick Stewart at 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
His parents, Drew Dingley and Hannah Deacon, want the Government to let him use the medication, a banned substance in the UK.
They met with Prime Minister Theresa May and other ministers on Tuesday and handed a 380,000-strong petition to Downing Street.
Sir Patrick, who uses medicinal cannabis to treat his arthritis while living in California, joined Alfie and his family and gave his support to the campaign.
@SirPatStew met Alfie and his parents to give his support to the campaign pic.twitter.com/3kkxt4R59G Rachael Burnett (@ReporterRachael) March 20, 2018
He said: How could one not support Alfie? Hearing what his life has been and the benefits given to him by being able to use medicinal marijuana.
There has never been a stronger case for the legalisation of medical marijuana.
I have been registered for medical marijuana in California for over three years and have found it immensely beneficial for my arthritis.
I had to have eight steroid injections in my fingers and knuckles, which was about as painful as anything one could imagine, because medicinal cannabis is not available here.
Ms Deacon said the meeting was a success and ministers have approved in principle Alfie being issued with a special licence for the medicine.
We had a positive meeting, they accept the compassionate issuing of a licence for Alfie, she added.
Now we need our medical professionals to write the prescription and they will expedite the licence for him.
Alfie Dingleys family shouldnt have to break the law to get a medicine they need medicinal drug use shouldnt be a matter of criminal justice, but a matter of public health https://t.co/ivRuE49X8n @End_Our_Pain pic.twitter.com/Js0ArYhoN7 Richard Branson (@richardbranson) March 14, 2018
Alfie, from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, can have up to 150 potentially life threatening seizures a month.
He has been taken to hospital three times since returning from the Netherlands four weeks ago, where his symptoms improved after he was treated with cannabis oil.
A number of other high-profile figures have backed the campaign, including Joanna Lumley and Sir Richard Branson.
WATCH: Joanna Lumley supporting Alfie Dingley. Take action and write to your MP, urging them to meet Alfie and his family in Parliament on 20th March. CLICK HERE: https://t.co/95CkY6X7wz pic.twitter.com/o0Nz01OqHE End Our Pain (@End_Our_Pain) March 13, 2018
Mr Dingley described the support as amazing and added: Alfies condition is worsening, which is obviously a worry.
The steroids have side effects, they make people more aggressive and weve seen a change in his behaviour.
We just want our little boy back, our happy little six-year-old playing with his sister.
He added: This is our six-year-old son, were not going to put something into him thats in any way illegal.
What were asking for is a medical grade product, made under laboratory conditions, which is bottled and prescribed in the way any pain killer is.
Mrs Mays official spokesman said the PM had previously written to the Dingley family to express her sympathies and reiterate the Governments commitment to explore a range of options to find a solution for Alfie.
The spokesman added: That work is ongoing and is being led by senior clinicians.
What we have said is that it is important that medicines are thoroughly tested to ensure they meet rigorous standards before being placed on the market, so that doctors and patients are assured of their quality and safety.
The spokesman said that Mrs May was opposed to the decriminalisation of cannabis.
Asked whether decriminalisation was one of the options under consideration in the current work, he said: We have said when weve looked at this in the past that we are looking at specific solutions in relation to Alfie and what can be done to help him.
The United States and Saudi Arabia can tackle a lot of things together in the future, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said.
Prince Mohammed praised very deep relations between the two countries as he met US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House.
It is the first stop on a three-week tour of the United States by Prince Mohammed, son of King Salman and heir to the throne.
Donald Trump shows a chart highlighting arms sales to Saudi Arabia during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office (Evan Vucci/AP)
Speaking in English, Prince Mohammed pointed out significant Saudi investments in the US.
Mr Trump said the US has zero tolerance for funding of terrorism, adding that Saudi Arabia is working very hard to cut off that funding.
A union official has been appointed Labours new general secretary, becoming only the second woman to hold the post.
Jennie Formby, South East regional secretary of Unite, was chosen by Labours national executive ahead of her only rival for the job Christine Blower, former leader of the National Union of Teachers.
The job became vacant after the resignation last month of Iain McNicol, who said he was standing down to pursue new challenges after serving for a tumultuous seven years.
Ms Formby has been a Labour Party member for 40 years and has served on the national executive for the past seven years.
Ms Formby with the man she will succeed, Ian McNicol (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Jennie Formby said: I am honoured to be appointed Labours new general secretary. I would like to thank my predecessor, Iain McNicol, for his tireless dedication to the party over the past seven years.
Last years general election showed the strength of our movement when we are united, challenging this Governments failed and damaging policies and campaigning for real change, in the interests of communities across the UK.
Labour is preparing for government and I look forward to working with Jeremy Corbyn, our partys staff, Members of Parliament, members and affiliates to oppose the Conservatives destructive austerity programme inside and outside Parliament, and to win elections to build a society that works for the many, not the few.
Mr McNicol said: After seven years serving as general secretary and with the party now financially sound I am pleased to be handing over the reins to someone with such strong trade union experience. Im confident Jennie will build on our electoral gains last year, working with our talented and experienced staff to win the next general election, whenever it comes.
Ms Formby has been a Labour party member for 40 years (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
As someone who has dedicated her life to fighting for workers rights, equality and social justice, I know Jennie will put all the commitment, drive and organising talent into getting Labour into government and Jeremy into Number 10.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: I would like to congratulate Jennie Formby on her new role as general secretary of our party. Her talent, experience and commitment to the Labour and Trade Union movement makes me confident she will play a crucial role in building on last years inspiring general election advance and taking our party forward to victory.
The Labour Party is on the cusp of power and we are ready for a general election whenever it comes. We have the team, the passion and the policies to win the support of the British people, form a government and transform our society for the many, not the few.
Ms Formby worked her way through the union ranks after joining the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) in her first job at William Hill in Salisbury after leaving school.
She became a TGWU officer and later held national posts when the union merged to become Unite, including political director.
When she applied for the post of Labours general secretary, she said the party was more united than for years, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.
She stressed Labours links with unions, as well as a growing individual membership far bigger than any other British political party.
She is the first female general secretary of the Labour Party in a generation, following Margaret McDonagh, who served from 1998 to 2001.
Secret recordings have captured the chief executive of under-fire data firm Cambridge Analytica boasting of the firms pivotal role in securing US President Donald Trumps election victory.
Captured by a Channel 4 journalist posing as a fixer for a wealthy Sri Lankan family seeking to get candidates elected, Alexander Nix claims his firm ran all the elements of the Trump campaign.
He says: We did all the research, all the data, all the analytics, all the targeting, we ran all the digital campaign, the television campaign and our data informed all the strategy.
In the footage due to be broadcast on Tuesday night in the third part of Channel 4s investigation in to the company he reveals how his team used a self-destructing email system that leaves no trace.
He was recorded saying: No-one knows we have it, and secondly we set our emails with a self-destruct timer So you send them and after theyve been read, two hours later, they disappear.
Theres no evidence, theres no paper trail, theres nothing.
Cambridge Analytica executives boast that their activity is untraceable (Channel 4)
Mr Nix was also recorded explaining how Cambridge Analytica sets up proxy organisations to feed untraceable messages on to social media.
He mocks representatives on the USs House Intelligence Committee, to whom he gave evidence in 2017.
In the footage, he claims Republican members asked just three questions. After five minutes done.
He adds Theyre politicians, theyre not technical. They dont understand how it works, and claims that Democrats on the Committee are motivated by sour grapes.
He further claims the firm could avoid any US investigation into its foreign clients, saying: Im absolutely convinced that they have no jurisdiction Well say none of your business.
Mr Nix also states that the candidates are never told what is going on, agreeing that they are puppets in the hands of their campaign team.
The meetings involved Mr Nix, along with Mark Turnbull who is managing director of Cambridge Analyticas Political Global division, and Dr Alex Tayler, the companys chief data scientist.
They were recorded discussing their two-pronged approach to campaigning, such as putting out positive messages through the official Donald Trump campaign, while negative material was put out through other organisations.
Dr Tayler says: Campaigns are normally subject to limits about how much money they can raise. Whereas outside groups can raise an unlimited amount.
So the campaign will use their finite resources for things like persuasion and mobilisation and then they leave the air war they call it, like the negative attack ads to other affiliated groups.
The company states that their work with data and research allowed Mr Trump to win with a narrow margin of 40,000 votes in three states providing victory in the electoral college system, despite losing the popular vote by more than 3 million votes.
During a separate meeting, Mr Turnbull describes how, along with the official Trump campaign, the company created the Defeat Crooked Hilary brand of attack ads.
He said the ads were funded by the Make America Number 1 super-PAC and watched more than 30 million times during the campaign.
Hilary Clinton describes facing "a massive propaganda effort" during the 2016 election campaign (Channel 4)
In an interview with defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, which was filmed in 2017 while promoting her book, she described facing a massive propaganda effort.
She said: So youve got CA, youve got the Republican National Committee which of course has always done data collection and analysis and youve got the Russians.
And the real question is how did the Russians know how to target their messages so precisely to undecided voters in Wisconsin or Michigan or Pennsylvania that is really the nub of the question.
So if they were getting advice from say Cambridge Analytica or someone else about OK here are the 12 voters in this town in Wisconsin thats whose Facebook pages you need to be on to send these messages that indeed would be very disturbing.
She also questioned whether Cambridge Analytica was involved in Russias alleged attempt to influence the election something the company strongly denies.
A sixth teenager has been charged with the murder of a 19-year-old after a fracas at a party, the Met Police have said.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was allegedly part of a mob who chased down Lewis Blackman on February 18 following the gathering in Kensington.
The new defendant was arrested at 3.44pm at Heathrow Airport on Monday and taken to a west London police station.
Lewis Blackman, 19, who was stabbed to death after a party in Kensington, west London, on February 18 (PA)
He was charged with the murder of Mr Blackman and violent disorder in relation to the same incident.
Sixth person charged in Lewis Blackman murder investigation https://t.co/ePbUbGGS4g pic.twitter.com/NuGrWLHC5R Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 20, 2018
Blackman from Camden, north London, was found at around 3.20am in Logan Place, in Earls Court, west London, by police officers who had been called to investigate the disturbance nearby.
He died at the scene from multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Five other teenagers four aged 16 and one aged 17 have previously been charged with the killing.
Two of the five face a further charge of violent disorder, while one faces an extra charge of possession of a bladed article.
The sixth defendant is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Wild Geologic Tour at N. Oregon Coast Presentation Covers Spectacular Events, Disasters
Published 03/18/2018 at 5:35 PM PDT - Updated 03/18/2018 at 6:05 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff
(Seaside, Oregon) What is it exactly that were seeing as we drive through the north Oregon coast town of Seaside and surrounding Clatsop Plains? Theres a lot going on or that has gone on in this area, basically hiding in plain sight. The environs of this coastal hotspot is alive with a variety of forces and movements. (Above: the landscape at Seaside has changed enormously over the last 100 years).
Its a topography and geology that has formed over the past 4500 years. At the next History & Hops happening on March 29 - native son and famed geologist Tom Horning (pictured below) will take attendees on A Geologic Tour of Clatsop Plains sharing how this area was formed by slow, chronic processes punctuated by infrequent catastrophes.
Look around you and youll see that trees have gone, some areas have flooded, and various features of the land change over time. Look a bit deeper and youll find great storms and Magnitude 9 subduction zone earthquakes and tsunamis caused erosion and changes in vegetation patterns of forests and plains, rearranging landforms, and disrupting Native American communities.
Hornings presentation happens at 6 p.m. on that Thursday night, at Seaside Brewing Co. There, he will cover events such as Columbia River sands forming a storm-smashed delta, to landslides falling from Tillamook Head and how the rocks were transported around the Head to Seaside by storm waves. Hell delve into the regular depositing of silts, gravel, and peat by creeks and rivers flowing off the hills. He will explain how spectacular tsunami landforms sculpted Seaside and influenced how the town was developed, as well as why the Lewis & Clark Salt Works was sited near Avenue N.
In the early 80s, one of Seasides more spectacular and recent drastic changes took place. A massive landslide on one section of Tillamook Head dropped tons and tons of large rocks and boulders into the ocean, which then piled up at the Cove in Seaside. At first they created a large mound and an extension of the beach, with a gargantuan pool of sea water in between that became rather smelly for a time. Eventually, that land was all smoothed out the entire beach by Avenue U was extended by 100 yards or so.
This is some of what Horning will look at, as well as likely talking about his own experiences with the tsunami in Seaside in the early 60s.
Horning attended Seaside High School, and proudly shares that he set a record in discus throwing there, a stat which stood for 32 years. He has a masters degree in geology (with a minor in volcanology) from Oregon State University. After a career as an exploration geologist, he returned to Seaside in 1994 and became a natural hazards and geotechnical consultant doing business as Horning Geosciences. His volunteer work has included the North Coast Land Conservancy, Seaside Tsunami Advisory Group, Seaside Planning Commission, Seaside Parks Advisory Committee, Seaside Native American Project and he is currently a member of the Seaside City Council. He also speaks to groups and the media regarding tsunami preparedness.
History & Hops is a series of local history discussions hosted by the Seaside Museum on the last Thursday of each month, September through May, at Seaside Brewing Co., 861 Broadway. -- Lodging in Astoria/Seaside - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour
Preserving Seasides History since 1974, the Seaside Museum and Historical Society is a non-profit educational institution with the mission to collect, preserve and interpret materials illustrative of the history of Seaside and the surrounding area. The museum is located at 570 Necanicum Drive, Seaside and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information can be found at www.seasideoregonuseum.com.
Above: Seaside 100 years ago had a totally different landscape.
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The chief executive of the controversial British data firm at the centre of allegations of electoral interference has been suspended, the company has announced.
In a statement, the board of Cambridge Analytica (CA) said that Alexander Nix had been suspended with immediate effect, pending a full, independent investigation.
It said comments by Mr Nix recorded in secret filming by Channel 4 News and other allegations did not represent the values or operations of the firm and that his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation.
Alexander Nix has been suspended following comments to an undercover reporter (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
The Board has suspended CEO Alexander Nix pending a full independent investigation. https://t.co/HV9Mb5eXIR Cambridge Analytica (@CamAnalytica) March 20, 2018
On Monday Channel 4 News screened footage of Mr Nix apparently offering to entrap the political rival of a reporter posing as a wealthy Sri Lankan saying they could send some girls around to his home.
He also suggested making the rival candidate an offer thats too good to be true and then putting the video recording on the internet as evidence of corruption.
Previously Chris Wylie, a former research director at the company, told Channel 4 News that it had carried out a so-called data grab on more than 50 million Facebook profiles in 2014.
Earlier, the parliamentary committee investigating fake news announced that it was summoning Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence, accusing the company of giving misleading answers at a previous hearing on the issue.
I have today written to @facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg calling on him to give oral evidence to @CommonsCMS following recent reports in @guardian and @nytimes pic.twitter.com/y5xnGHzaNI Damian Collins (@DamianCollins) March 20, 2018
In its statement, the CA board said chief data officer Alexander Tayler had been appointed acting chief executive while an investigation was carried out by Julian Malins QC whose findings they would share publicly in due course.
In the view of the board, Mr Nixs recent comments secretly recorded by Channel 4 and other allegations do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation, it said.
The board will be monitoring the situation closely, working closely with Dr Tayler, to ensure that Cambridge Analytica, in all of its operations, represents the firms values and delivers the highest-quality service to its clients.
Earlier the Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, who is investigating the use of personal data for political campaigns, confirmed she was seeking a warrant to access CAs systems after the firm failed to respond to an earlier demand.
Arriving at CAs offices in New Oxford Street in London on Tuesday, Mr Nix told reporters that appearances can be deceptive when asked about the Channel 4 News filming.
Asked if CA would abandon its political work Mr Nix gave no reply but firmly denied he had misled Parliament when he gave evidence over its use of data, saying absolutely not.
On Monday, Mr Nix told BBCs Newsnight the firm had been the victim of a co-ordinated attack by the media because of its involvement in Donald Trumps presidential election campaign.
He said he had spoken with a certain amount of hyperbole in his conversation with the undercover reporter.
He added: I have some regrets about the way that I have represented what the company does.
I certainly feel that the air of mystery and negativity that surrounds the work of Cambridge is misfounded and, as the CEO, I take responsibility for that.
Meanwhile Damian Collins, the chairman of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said they wanted to hear answers from the very top of Facebook.
CA was suspended from the social media giant last week after it emerged that data on millions of users had not been destroyed as agreed.
Mr Collins accused the company of having given answers misleading to the committee at a previous hearing when it was asked whether information had been taken without users consent.
In a letter to Mr Zuckerberg, he wrote: It is now time to hear from a senior Facebook executive with the sufficient authority to give an accurate account of this catastrophic failure of process.
Given your commitment at the start of the New Year to fixing Facebook, I hope that this representative will be you.
Theresa May has been criticised by the official statistics watchdog for wrongly claiming the Government was providing an extra 450 million for policing.
Sir David Norgrove, the chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, said the Prime Ministers comments in the Commons could have led the public to conclude incorrectly that central government was providing the additional funding for police spending in 2018/19.
In a letter to Labour shadow policing minister Louise Haigh, who raised Mrs Mays claim, Sir David said previous statements from ministers had made clear that up to 270 million of the settlement would come from local council tax if mayors and police and crime commissioners chose to raise it.
Theresa May has been criticised for claims on police spending (PA)
He also criticised a Home Office tweet for making a similar claim, as well as implying the 450 million was guaranteed, and the Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, for stating the 270 million which councils could raise was on top of the 450 million.
While he acknowledged that complex funding arrangements were difficult to explain in the time- compressed context of Prime Ministers Questions, that did not apply to written comments, including tweets.
His comments came after Mrs May told MPs at Prime Ministers Questions on February 7, that the Government was not just protecting police budgets, but increasing them with an extra 450 million.
A Home Office tweet the same day stated: This year the government is providing a 450 million boost to #police funding.
In his letter, Sir David said: The Prime Ministers statement and the Home Offices tweet could have led the public to conclude incorrectly that central Government is providing an additional 450 million for police spending in 2018/19.
The Home Office tweet also implied that the 450 million sum is guaranteed.
He added: Complex funding arrangements are difficult to explain, particularly in the time-compressed context of Prime Ministers Questions. Written communications, including tweets, do not face this constraint.
We recommend that the Home Offices head of profession for statistics speak to communications colleagues about the importance of clear public statements about police funding and ensure they understand the structure of police funding.
Ms Haigh said: The Tories are not being straight with the public on police funding and now they have been found out. The Prime Minister should apologise for trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes on Tory cuts to policing.
A Home Office spokesman said: We endeavour to provide the facts on police funding as clearly as possible. Our chief statistician will carefully consider the suggestions the UK Statistics Authority has made.
Rajkot, (Hindustan Times), Mar 17, 2018 - An eleven-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by six persons,gave birth to a baby girl on Saturday at the government hospital in Rajkot.
While four of the accused were arrested earlier, remaining two were arrested on Saturday, police said.
Nanji Javiya (67) and Arvind Kubawat (60) were arrested in the case on March 13 on the basis of the complaint lodged by victims mother at Bhaktinagar police station.
Their questioning revealed that a total of six persons had raped the girl on separate occasions, police said.
Vijanand Ahir, who is visually impaired, and a 17-year-old boy were arrested two days ago, while Vipul Chavda (40) and Govind Sakariya (61) were arrested on Saturday, police said.
The girl, who was eight months pregnant, gave birth to a baby girl.
The victims condition is stable. The newborn baby had some health problems and has been admitted to a government-run childrens hospital, a police official said.
Dhaka, (Hindustan Times), Mar 19, 2018 - Bangladeshs Supreme Court on Monday stayed the release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia on bail in a corruption case under which she was sentenced to five years imprisonment, in a setback to her political ambitions in this years general election.
On March 12, the High Court here granted the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) a four-month interim bail. However, on Monday a full bench of the Appellate Division passed the order to stay until May 8 the High Court order which granted bail to Zia in the graft case.
Following the order, Zia will not be released from jail till May 8, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan was quoted as saying.
Zia, 72, was sentenced on February 8 in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned-politician.
Two migrants from Sri Lanka were part of a group attempting to get to the U.S. illegally when authorities found them in a small boat off Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard reported Monday.
A Coast Guard airplane crew spotted six men in an 18-foot center console about 5 a.m. Saturday.
The Coast Guard sector Miami deployed two crews to search for the boat and intercepted them east of Jupiter. The other migrants were from the Bahamas, Jamaica and Brazil.
The Coast Guard transferred the six men to the U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. (local10.com)
All our silences in the face of racist assault are acts of complicity- Bell Hooks, Killing Rage: Ending Racism
In the aftermath of the Digana incidents, there were various programmes on visual media where the clergy from all communities, Muslim and Buddhist in particular, made appeals from their respective followers to exercise calm and restraint in the circumstances. Phrases like the Sri Lankan identity, sons of Mother Lanka and harmonious living were bandied about in abundance. According to them, it was a simple matter of the clashing communities suddenly remembering they are all Sri Lankans, sons and daughters of Mother Lanka and living in harmony; a few who could not comprehend this causing mayhem.
Simmering Underneath the Surface
I wish it was so simple; I wish the rioters from both sides would pay heed to the counsel of their leaders and realise the folly they are engaged in. I am afraid that is not the case. The communal hatred and tension that flares up in violence leading to murder, assault, looting, arsonry and threats are merely expressions of a deep-rooted, racial and communal bigotry that simmers underneath the surface. The social media that has fallen into the hands of elements who are not good exponents either of society or media, has contributed to the explosion of incendiary hate speeches. Yet, that too has not appeared overnight. Casual observation would have revealed that social websites were increasingly being inundated with outrageous expressions of racial bigotry, particularly aimed at Muslims.
Came the 2014 Aluthgama riots, the wide margins of tolerance towards Sinhala racist elements on the part of the then government was all clear to see
When the government forces were warring against the LTTE and even after, it was the mantra of the Sinhala official media that it was not a war waged against the Tamils. But take a random example of social media conversations based on incidents like the death of Prabhakaran, fall of Kilinochchi or claims of war crimes. They fall nothing short of expression of utter hatred towards each other between the two communities. Present as well as the previous regime, which were quick to ban websites and online news portals criticizing them, were oblivious to this danger that was lurking online to the harmony, security and peace of the country. Either that or they were direct or indirect beneficiaries of hate speech in that they saw political mileage in the arousement of basic instincts of parts of the populace.
Looking the other way
Post independent local history is replete with periodical communal riots that remain as black spots in the national psyche among the three communities; 1958, 1977,1983, 2014 and now 2018, the latest! The sum total has brought the country to the verge of disintegration based on communal and sectarian lines.
Came the 2014 Aluthgama riots, the wide margins of tolerance towards Sinhala racist elements on the part of the then government was all clear to see. Hardly any perpetrator was taken to task and an attempt to whitewash the gravity of the brutality of the mayhem caused ultimately was one of the factors that contributed to the defeat of the Rajapaksa regime. The minority vote, if not 100% was predominantly against the regime. Just as the Black July made a split in the Sri Lankan society that has not yet been repaired even after the cessation of the thirty-year war, 2014 was a very clear fault line in Sinhala-Muslim relations which is now showing signs of deepening.
As always, we console ourselves with tales of the extremist few in either community who engage in this type of mischief. Hardly any soul searching is carried out in earnest. Propping the clergy on television to preach harmonious living and having calendar pages in January with children from all communities dressed in their national costumes hardly improves harmonious living. Admittedly, Sri Lankans do not take part in pogroms or ethnic cleansing in the classical sense; yet that is not necessarily an indicator of immunity from racial bigotry in our minds. In ordinary and mundane things as marriage, business and place of residence, a Sinhala supremacist attitude is common. If we were all children of Mother Lanka a Sinhala Buddhist mother would have no issue with her daughter marrying a Muslim youth from Walachchena; conversely a Hindu Tamil would not shudder at being proposed to a Buddhist from Matara. But we know things are not that rosy.
There are politicians who use these for political mileage and others who are by nature ethno-religious bigots
The Islamophobia that seems to have permeated some segments of the Sinhala society does not seem to be based on rational or tempered evaluation; for that matter, no racist sentiment ever is. That is what it is; a sentiment, one at the base plateau of the human being that could be whipped up more easily than any other such sentiment. Such base instincts are not uncommon even among developed civilizations and refined individuals; yet what stands out is the instant flaring up of violent and heated action that crystallizes into acts of assault, arson, intimidation and rioting. The difference is that there are politicians who use these for political mileage and others who are by nature ethno-religious bigots.
Sins of omission by the State
Communal rioters have the assurance of past examples where no action has been taken by the State to punish them, Black July being the glaring example. The legacy of impunity they enjoy encourages more such elements to have a free reign in situations of anarchy. As always, the lethargic and lacklustre response of the police and the security apparatus is mind-boggling. There always seems to be that reluctance to act swiftly and decisively when members of the majority ethno-religious block take the law into their hands. Racists do not need active or positive support from the authorities to get emboldened; lack of punitive action is all they need. That, in fact, is more than enough support and even a casual word by a political leader in playing down the gravity of such rioting is sufficient to send a green signal to them.
As always, a scapegoat was found in the social media and online groups which led to the banning of social websites such as facebook, twitter and whatsapp; no evidence has surfaced that any of the rioters were egged on by what they saw or read online. Rather it all seemed premeditated and a result of a very tense relationship the two communities have had in the recent past. None of the more violent riots of the past has been due to social media as there was no such thing until very recently. Hate speech, whether online or off, is just a symptom of a deep-rooted bigotry that has existed over generations; suppressing the symptom is no cure to those entrenched evils.
Spectators and cheerleaders
As far as I am concerned, and as I have written in this column before, the most disturbing part of the whole episode is not the brutality or violence committed by the rioters of either community, but the indifference of the many who were not part of it.
Were the non-rioting majority mere spectators or were they cheer leaders?
Dont become politicians who search for luxuries after coming to the field as paupers, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the newly elected members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday.
The Prime Minister came up with this advice during the swearing-in of new CMC members including the first woman mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake at Temple Trees last evening.
You are faced with a task of saving the city dwellers from Dengue, resolving the garbage issue and keeping the city clean. Therefore get on with these tasks, the Prime Minister said. Also, he said the members of CMC should remember that most of the dwellers in Colombo are poor.
Some politicians own only a push bicycle when they come to politics but later obtain Benz cars. Dont think of becoming such politicians, he added.
Also, he requested the UNP members of the CMC to help the government to carry forward its ten-year plan which it intends to implement shortly.
Ms Senanayake said she together with the other UNP members of the CMC would work as one family to make Colombo a smart and beautiful city. Also, she said she would strive towards bringing people of all races and religions in the city together. She said her task would be easier than her predecessors as she would be working with a UNP led central government. Ms Senanayake said the UNP has been able to get 29 women candidates elected to the CMC.
National Organizer of the UNP Bikkhu Front Venerable Ambanpola Gnanaloka Thera said politicians who begin their career from the CMC should work for the party rather than working with individual people. (Yohan Perera)
Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Awarding of Carbon Neutral Certification to (L) Arosha Perera CEO, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka by (R) Sanith de S. Wijeyeratne - CEO, The Carbon Consulting Company.
Leo Burnett Sri Lanka was recently awarded the Carbon Neutrality Certificate after a thorough analysis of the manner in which the agency conducts its business operations keeping in mind the natural environment. This prestigious certification reflects the agencys responsible approach to ensuring long term sustainability for itself and its stakeholders. The Certificate was handed over to Arosha Perera - CEO, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka. The CarbonNeutral Protocol guarantees the integrity and credibility of clients carbon neutral certification and enables them to be certified CarbonNeutral.
Leo Burnett was evaluated on factors such as Electricity Details, On-site Fuel Details, Fugitive Emissions, Inbound Third-Party Deliveries (Deliveries inward to the organization eg. Stationery, American Water, etc), Waste, Vehicles and Travel - Company Owned Vehicles, Vehicles and Travel - Leased Vehicles, Vehicles and Travel - Hired Vehicles, Foreign Travel and Employee Commuting Data Summary.
Commenting on the certification, the CEO of Leo Burnett, Arosha Perera, said, We are proud to have earned the Carbon Neutrality Certification as it underscores our sustainable business outlook. By interweaving our sustainability goals with our financial and operational goals, we are creating win-win conditions for the agency to thrive into the long term. I believe this certification also drives greater self awareness amongst our staff when it comes to minimizing impact to environment or society at large, besides affirming that the agency has reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We hope to build on this certification further by streamlining our systems and processes to eliminate waste and inefficiencies.
In addition, Sanith de S. Wijeyeratne - CEO, The Carbon Consulting Company, said, The award of the globally recognized CarbonNeutral certificate to Leo Burnett signifies that the organization has stepped upto the mark, by adopting a globally recognized protocol and methodology for the reduction of its carbo emissions to net Zero. Leo Burnett now joins an elite group of organizations that have meaningfully signified that they are working towards giving back to the planet for what they take out as a company. Being a leader and pioneer in the advertising industry, we firmly believe that Leo Burnett has set a new benchmark of environmental consciousness that other companies can emulate. We congratulate the entire LB team for their concentrated efforts.
Used by thousands of clients in 32 countries, CarbonNeutral certification is granted to businesses or organizations which have reduced their carbon emissions to net zero in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. The CarbonNeutral Protocol is the global standard for carbon neutral certification, providing the pragmatic guidance businesses need to build credible reduction solutions and offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero. The Protocol is revised and updated annually to reflect the changing requirements of both science and business.
The certification process is managed by Natural Capital Partners, which works with clients to combine business success with positive impact on the environment and society. Through collaboration with global project partners, the development of innovative solutions, and understanding the specific goals of its clients, the company delivers programmes for renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, enabling water stewardship and protecting biodiversity.
Mobitel Senior General Manager Information Systems Saman Perera exchanging the partnership agreement with IBM Security Asia Pacific Business Unit Executive (SaaS) Vaidyanathan R Iyer.
Mobitel, Sri Lankas National Mobile Service Provider, has announced a collaboration with IBM to enhance enterprise mobile security in Sri Lanka. Mobitel will offer enterprise customers IBM MaaS360 with Watson, a comprehensive mobile management solution that allows businesses to fully embrace mobile technology securely and quickly scale deployments throughout their organization.
IBM MaaS360 with Watson combines Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) and the integration of augmented intelligence and cognitive technology to provide a higher level of management functionality and far more effective security capabilities. It enables businesses to keep network resources and business assets more secure while still providing freedom to users on a platform that manages and protects devices and things (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, wearables and IoT); people and identity (authentication, authorization, Single Sign On, secure use access); and apps and content.
The collaboration will enhance Mobitels position in the local mobile service market and provide a stronger range of enterprise-grade Mobile Management solutions for their customers.
IBM MaaS360 with Watson provides a wide range of containerization options for mobile security that enable corporate and personal information to be separated. This gives customers the flexibility of tiered and layered mobile security to address their varied end-user needs and IT security requirements across users, devices, content and apps. IBM MaaS360 is available as a SaaS offering with options for multiple OS support Android, iOS and Windows.
Mobitel is committed to nurturing and promoting growth of businesses. Equipped with the latest technology, Mobitels goal is to enable the target population to access enterprise solutions that would help them increase their efficiency, productivity and re-engineer processes. Mobitels business solutions portfolio provides corporates with enterprise grade, tailor-made solutions with industry leading products and technologies to address all their technology needs.
Mobitel Business Solutions (MBS) is a dedicated division of Mobitel formulated to cater the corporate clients with unique ICT solutions embraced with mobile technologies to realize their fullest business potential. MBS could be contacted through the hotline 0711 717171 or email mbs@mobitel.lk
By Anton Troianovski, (c) 2018, The Washington Post Mar 19, 2018 -
MOSCOW - Vladimir Putin cruised to victory Sunday for another six-year presidential term after an election that was long on spectacle and short on suspense. From the Arctic to the International Space Station, Russia rolled out an elaborate presidential-election-day display designed to show the breadth of Putins public support as he extended his tenure for a fourth term to 2024.
Putins opponents on Sundays ballot included a nationalist, a Communist, and two liberals. But Putin barely campaigned, opposition activist Alexei Navalny was barred from the ballot, and reports of ballot-stuffing and people ordered to vote by their employers rolled in throughout the day.
With about two thirds of the ballots counted, more than 75 percent were for Putin, according to the Central Election Commission. The runner up was Communist Party candidate Pavel Grudinin with 12.7 percent. Success awaits us! Putin told supporters in central Moscow. Together, we will get to work on a great, massive scale, in the name of Russia.
Putin himself cast his ballot at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. Asked what result he was hoping for, he responded: Any that gives me the right to fulfil the duty of president.
RUTERS, 19th MARCH, 2018- Women in Saudi Arabia need not wear headcover or the black abaya - the loose-fitting, full-length robes symbolic of Islamic piety - as long as their attire is decent and respectful, the kingdoms reform-minded crown prince said.
With the ascent to power of young Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the kingdom has seen an expansion in womens rights including a decision to allow women to attend mixed public sporting events and the right to drive cars from this summer.
The changes have been hailed as proof of a new progressive trend toward modernization in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom, although the gender-segregated nation continues to be criticized for its continued constraints on women.
The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of sharia (Islamic law): that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men, Prince Mohammed said in an interview with CBS television aired late on Sunday.
The debate on the ban on social media is not so black and white. The ban itself was not black or white. Our reactions to it, however, was where we showed the least degree of humanity
The ban on social media was not the enemy. The enemy is the racism that we allow to remain on the streets, burning one shop after the other
It is not limited to the systematic racism and sexism that we unwittingly engage in on a daily basis. It is not even limited to the lack of substantive education, the reasoning expected of people beyond the achievement of literacy.
The wrongs of our country were instead brazenly laid bare in our collective reactions to the ban on social media, in the wake of the events in Digana and Teldeniya.
I need to dispel any misrepresentations of my opinion, at this juncture. I am a millennial, who was able to exercise the right to franchise for the first time on the 10th of February. I say this because there is an oversimplification of the arguments for and against the ban; in that its proponents are labelled as relics of a bygone era clinging to the values of an old society, who do not understand the need for social media in a modern democracy, and its opponents, the liberal academics of a Western-leaning Colombo, who focus on the normative over the positive.
The debate on the ban on social media is not so black and white. The ban itself was not black or white. Our reactions to it, however, was where we showed the least degree of humanity.
What needs to be realized is that the ban was the need of the hour. Anyone who spends any substantial amount of time on Facebook knows just how many pages dedicated to nationalism and religious supremacism exist.
What this further indicates is the often implicit approval of such material in Sri Lanka. Any persons social circle will have at least a single individual who either subscribes to this ideology or does not outright condemn the racist agenda that gripped the country in a vice on March 5
That is not a subjective observation. That is a fact. Any individual newsfeed will have, whether by actual association or a friends like/react/comment/share, the content of such pages. What this indicates is the scale to which social media is saturated with the inflammatory material in Sri Lanka, at the very least on Facebook.
What this further indicates is the often implicit approval of such material in Sri Lanka. Any persons social circle will have at least a single individual who either subscribes to this ideology or does not outright condemn the racist agenda that gripped the country in a vice on March 5.
The ban on social media was not an attack on the freedom of expression. It was in its action, if not the intention, the preservation of the right to life. In a day and age where information goes viral in moments, without any confirmation of its veracity, how much misinformation would have been spread around the country? Amparas embers were not even put out before events unfolded in the Hill Country. We would have seen emboldened rioters in all corners of the island.
At the least, the political discussion of whether the ban was legitimate or not was still built on the bedrock of calling out the rioters for what they were: racists proliferating and acting on hate speech in the country. What makes the worst of us seem real, however, is that a great many people were more concerned about their inability to access social media, over the events in Kandy.
People have had their livelihoods, their memories, their very way of life, burnt to ashes. If not for the ban, a great many of those people may have burnt to ash themselves. And yet the fury of many people was directed at the perceived threat to their Instagram stories, their Snapstreaks, and their meme pages.
When did we foster such apathy in our country? How could we begin to care so little for people who are conceivably only a three-hour car drive away from us? How could anyone who has ever made friends with a Muslim, studied with a Muslim, or taken the time to not eat in front of a Muslim who is fasting, not find the courage and the integrity to stand up for them, when their world seems to be catching fire?
The Muslims have lived in our country for longer than racism has been institutionalized in our culture.
Yet, what is seen is a desire to sweep everything that has happened under the rug, and continue on with our lives in the normalcy we were in before the ban was put in place.
People have had their livelihoods, their memories, their very way of life, burnt to ashes. If not for the ban, a great many of those people may have burnt to ash themselves
The ban on social media was not the enemy. The enemy is the racism that we allow to remain on the streets, burning one shop after the other.
We cannot begin to make a single thing different if we do not try to act against those root causes of extremism in our country. Racism does nothing for us. It simply provides an inexhaustible outlet for our frustration, again and again. We cannot give into a herd mentality, and that begins with each of us. If social media is the price of self-awareness, then please, charge its taxes. Maybe that will make us notice.
The writer in conversation with Yukiya Amano (Right)
Passing judgment on whether security is enough is not up to IAEA
IAEA is an organization in charge of the peaceful use of nuclear energy and Pakistan is not a member of NPT
After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident we have an additional function
With regard to North Korea we are very much concerned
We are an international organization with 169 member countries, which is an extensive membership
Our mandate is limited and clearly defined in the nuclear field. We are also delivering concrete results
Our mandate is for peace and development and we are concentrating our efforts on that area
We are not working abstract and are uplifting lives of the ordinary people through meetings
The Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano visited Sri Lanka on March 14 after concluding a two day visit to Pakistan. He was invited by the Government of Sri Lanka. The island nation is a member of the IAEA and has consistently obtained technical assistance from the IAEA for peaceful nuclear applications in Non Power areas. Dr. Harinda Vidanage , the Director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), sat down with Amano for a short interview facilitated through Dailymirror , which publishes Dr. Vidanages International Affairs bi weekly column Stratsight.
Q You are visiting South Asia and the region is experiencing a transformation in energy needs and energy security is an important factor. What is your take on Nuclear energy being a key source of Energy security in the region. Also are we doing enough regarding energy security in South Asia?
It isnt us who should decide. It is up to you to decide whether you have sufficient levels of energy security or not. If you find including Nuclear energy to create energy security it is up to you then. We are ready to assist you in using the Nuclear power safely, securely and sustainably. But making the decision is up to you. Passing judgment on whether security is enough is not up to IAEA. It is again up to you.
Q You visited Pakistan just before you arrived in Sri Lanka. There is concern about Indian-Pakistan nuclear rivalry. Should we be worried about Pakistans nuclear programme?
IAEA is an organization in charge of the peaceful use of nuclear energy and Pakistan is not a member of NPT (Nuclear Proliferation Treaty). We do not handle the area concerning nuclear weapons. As far as the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the production of electricity are concerned I have visited the construction of KANUPP (Nuclear Power Complex in Karachi) and the construction is making steady progress.
We established a small dedicated team for North Korea, last summer. Its a small team comprising ten and if there is a need we can expand it. We are ready for both monitoring and sending back inspectors to do the verification
They are paying a lot of attention on safety and security at all levels and when I was in Pakistan in 2014, I visited the Centre for excellence in nuclear security. With regard to the commitments on nuclear safety and security we are not a global authority. We do not say whether safety is enough or not. Even with regard to Sri Lanka, it is Sri Lanka that has to decide whether its security is sufficient. We can only help countries like you (Sri Lanka) or Pakistan.
Q With the expansion of Indias Nuclear power programme and the largest reactor in Kundankulam, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lankans are worried about dealing with nuclear accidents. From an IAEA perspective what kind of support can Sri Lanka get from this agency in case of a nuclear emergency?
There is an early notification convention on nuclear accidents. If there is an accident, the country in which such an event takes place is requested to report the incident soon as possible. In the event there is an accident that has a trans-boundary impact we can help countries, as a depository of this convention, to disseminate and share information to other countries.
In the first issue of monitoring we have had nuclear inspectors in Yongbyon, North Korea in 2009 April. We were asked to leave the country in April 2009. We do not have inspectors on the ground, but we continue to monitor the situation through satellite imagery and other means
After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident we have an additional function in analysing the situation and results that are to be shared with the country or countries that are affected. It is in the framework of the convention to make early notification of Nuclear Accidents.
Q You are aware that our region is experiencing a significant geo political rivalry; especially the role played by North Korea. Can you as IAEA mediate and intervene in situations arising from such geo political tensions?
With regard to North Korea we are very much concerned. We have two functions; one is to monitor the nuclear programme of North Korea and secondly we are ready to send back our nuclear inspectors when political development allows for such deployment.
In the first issue of monitoring we have had nuclear inspectors in Yongbyon, North Korea in 2009 April. We were asked to leave the country in April 2009. We do not have inspectors on the ground, but we continue to monitor the situation through satellite imagery and other means.
As we do not have inspectors on the ground we cannot state with 100 percent certainty about them stating that they resumed the operation of reactors and that they have expanded nuclear program and have constructed a 5MWsmall nuclear power plant in Yongbyon. We can monitor these activities when we find it necessary. We share the information we have with international community.
Another function is be ready to send back our inspectors, if verification is needed through a dialogue. North Korea is not a member of the IAEA. When we use our budget we need the consent of the member states. We make ourselves ready for such actions.
If there is an accident, the country in which such an event takes place is requested to report the incident soon as possible. In the event there is an accident that has a trans-boundary impact we can help countries, as a depository of this convention, to disseminate and share information to other countries
We should maintain the level of training for our inspectors, update our programmes of verification and procure necessary equipment. We established a small dedicated team for North Korea, last summer. Its a small team comprising ten and if there is a need we can expand it. We are ready for both monitoring and sending back inspectors to do the verification. Importantly, only IAEA can do verification regarding nuclear related issues.
Q Is that verification procedure relevant to the one that you have been doing in Iran and is it based on your recent comments on Iran?
I am cautious when comparing these two cases. Iran and North Korea are different. The situation in North Korea is much more serious. They have declared to withdraw from the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. They have expelled our inspectors and have detonated nuclear weapons. They are launching nuclear missiles and this is a very dangerous situation.
I do not compare these two cases. We are an international organization and we can discharge our duties impartially.
Q There is a shift in nuclear weapons development. Countries are talking about tactical nuclear weapons. Is this a setback when considering what the IAEA has achieved through promoting peaceful nuclear technology?
I am not the right person to answer this question!
Q You have kept on saying you are an international organization, but we are living during a time of a crisis of global governance. Should we be worried about the turbulence affecting global governance? Is that affecting you or would you still remain very relevant in the future?
We are an international organization with 169 member countries, which is an extensive membership I would say. IAEA is functioning very well and we are relevant. We have a very clear mandate and we help countries to prevent the spread and the use of nuclear weapon by verifying. We contribute towards the preventing of the spread of nuclear weapons. We provide assistance to develop by transferring nuclear technology.
As we do not have inspectors on the ground we cannot state with 100 percent certainty about them stating that they resumed the operation of reactors and that they have expanded nuclear program and have constructed a 5MWsmall nuclear power plant in Yongbyon
Our mandate is limited and clearly defined in the nuclear field. We are also delivering concrete results. Iran is a very good case and so is the cancer hospital in your country. Food security and safety laboratories in your country are examples of very concrete results that we have achieved.
Our mandate is for peace and development and we are concentrating our efforts on that area. We are not working abstract and are uplifting lives of the ordinary people through meetings. We do not assess our effectiveness by the number of meetings we hold, but do it by the concrete outcomes we have achieved.
By Philip Rucker, (c) 2018, The Washington Post -
President Donald Trump fired a barrage of angry statements Sunday railing against the Justice Department special counsels Russia investigation and attacking the integrity of former FBI Director James Comey and his former Deputy Andrew McCabe, charging that their notes from conversations with him are Fake Memos.
For the second straight day, Trump was unrestrained in his commentary about Robert Muellers expanding investigation, which is looking not only into Russias interference in the 2016 presidential race and possible links to the Trump campaign, but also whether the president has sought to obstruct justice.
In one of his tweets, Trump protested, Why does the Mueller team have 13 hardened Democrats, some big Crooked Hillary supporters, and Zero Republicans? Another Dem recently added . . . does anyone think this is fair? And yet, there is NO COLLUSION!
Mueller is a longtime Republican. He was nominated as FBI director in 2001 by a Republican president, George W. Bush, and was appointed special counsel by Rod Rosenstein, the Republican picked by Trump to be deputy attorney general.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, warned Trump that any interference in the Mueller probe would result in a very, very long, bad 2018.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned that a move by Trump to order the firing of Mueller would be a step too far for lawmakers. If he tried to do that, that would be the beginning of the end of his presidency because were a rule-of-law nation, Graham said on CNNs State of the Union.
WASHINGTON, 20 March 2018 -
Modern slavery and human trafficking have become the worlds third largest money spinning businesses and third fastest growing criminal industry.
Although modern slavery and human trafficking have so far not plagued Sri Lanka, this has become a serious global issue. Unless quick action is taken to combat these issues, rescue the victims and bring the traffickers to book, the number of men, women and children that are trafficked and forced into commercial sexual exploitation and modern slavery would continue to rise.
According to International Labour Organization statistics, approximately 25 million adults and children globally are in forced labour, held in debt bondage and are working under slave-like conditions.
This was revealed when foreign journalists had an audience with several high-profile US Government officials and non- governmental organizations in Washington DC, Houston TX and Los Angeles CA, recently. The tour was organized by the US Department of States.
When the personally had interviews with Senior Officers from the Diplomatic Security- US Department of State, US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Labour, Special Advisor to the Mayor of Houston and several non-profitable non-governmental organizations, it was brought to the notice how effectively they are rescuing the trafficking victims, providing them with medical care to overcome physical and psychological trauma they have undergone, rehabilitating them, providing shelter and their basic needs and even securing employment while the traffickers are brought to book and given the maximum punishment according to the crimes committed.
According to an official from the Houston Task Force, the police alone cannot combat slavery and human trafficking without the extended support given by the non-profitable, non-governmental organizations to crackdown the menace they are now facing. They are of the view that the traffickers should hold criminally accountable for engaging in human trafficking and the law enforcement authorities should not impose suspended sentences, fines or administrative penalties in place of prison sentences.
TREATED LIKE ANIMALS
The traffickers treat the victims not as humans, but like animals. Since trafficking is a money driven business, more and more who want to become rich without any hard work are getting involved in this racket. The biggest challenge we face is to find who the traffickers are, locate where adults and children are being held in slavery or sex exploitation and to rescue them. We give first priority to rescue the victims and get them out of danger and then arrest the traffickers and produce them for further legal action. The minimum prison sentence for sex trafficking is 15 years, the Houston Task Force official said.
According to the US Department of State, the use of children in the commercial sex trade is a punishable offence and sex trafficking has brought devastated consequences for children including long lasting physical and psychological trauma, HIV/ AIDS, drug addiction, unwanted pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism and even death.
According to International Labour Organization statistics approximately 25 million adults and children globally are in forced labour
Once victims are identified they are assured of receiving the support and resources they need
Meanwhile, Acting Deputy Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) of US Department of States, Laura Svat Rundlet told the that Prosecution, Protection and Prevention (3P model) effectively help to combat human trafficking. We employ an array of tactful individuals to fight against human trafficking and to implement effective strategies to confront modern slavery. In the annual Trafficking in Persons Report we have analyzed whether all forms of human trafficking have been criminalized. Investigations are carried out vigorously, traffickers are prosecuted, they are convicted and made to realize what heinous crimes they have committed. Trafficking in persons, human trafficking and modern slavery are interchangeable. Sex trafficking, forced labour and unlawful recruitment and the use of child soldiers are among other various forms of human trafficking which all amount to a crime involving exploitation, the Acting Deputy Director said.
According to her, once a victim is identified he/she is ensured that they receive the support and resources they need. After identifying the victims, the system has to ensure that their rights are met and needs are provided. They have to give them the opportunity to return to a life of their choice.
BAD IMMIGRATION POLICIES
Jean Bruggeman Executive Director, Human Trafficking Legal Center said that human trafficking takes place due to bad immigration policies and that the US is experiencing human trafficking. Unless the sex trade is criminalized in the US, trafficking cannot be stopped. From our studies we have noted that underprivileged and discrimination have driven people to be sex workers. Those who have been convicted, with their cases relating to sex exploitation or human trafficking, will see that the efforts taken to bring them back to the main stream would encounter difficulties. If the victims come out with the truth as to on whose instructions they were engaged in this illegal business it would be the quickest way for them to get out of jail. Although the children under 18 years- victims of trafficking, cannot be arrested, they can be prosecuted. We have to respect human rights of trafficking survivors, Bruggeman said.
Human trafficking is involved in recruitment, smuggling, abducting, transporting, harbouring, buying or selling of a person by means of force, fraud, threats or coercion for the purpose of labour or sexual exploitation which includes minors engaged in commercial sexual activities
-Ugarte
John Freeman, Supervisory Special Agent of the Diplomatic Security, US Department of State said how he coordinates human trafficking and other specialized investigations for the Criminal Investigations Division at the US Department of State Diplomatic Security Division and added that his office works hand in glove with the FBI and Homeland Security to apprehend those who are engaged in visa and passport frauds. We get lots of calls and e-mail daily and we investigate as to how the labour and sex traffickers have obtained visa for the victims in case they have been trafficked from a foreign country. If the victims provide us with what we are looking for, they can be freed, Freeman said.
When asked whether he or his office have ever received orders from the high-ranking officials to drop investigations against the traffickers, as it is said that the trafficking are taking place with the involvement of powerful individuals, Freeman told this newspaper that there is no trend as such in the US. No one comes to lay terms and conditions to us. We have been given a free hand to conduct investigations based on the information we receive. Labour and sex trafficking are not a menace only to the US, but to the entire world, Freeman affirmed.
Polaris is a non-governmental organization and a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery systematically and disrupts the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom.
HOTLINE
Director Polaris, Brandon Bouchard explained how they began operating the National Human Trafficking Resources Center hotline that helps not only those who are trapped in trafficking in the US, but other countries as well. Although the location of their organization is not revealed even to the visiting foreign media, all the media personnel were taken to their office and showed how their hot line is operated, calls are eternally received through the hotline numbers from trafficking victims right round the clock.
We started in 2002 with two employees and by now we have a staff of 50 to 60 who are working round the clock on the hotline. We get more than 4, 000 calls per week. There are more than 9,000 massage parlours across USA where sex exploitation is taking place. These places have to be scrutinized carefully to arrest the traffickers and to rescue victims. We have trained hotel and airline staffers how to identify the traffickers and victims from their movements. Over the past 10 years we have come across more than 35, 000 human trafficking cases. We are able to obtain details about the traffickers either from the victims or from the general public, Bouchard added.
Meanwhile, Executive Director Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, Marisa Ugarte told Daily Mirror how she has worked for more than 20 years in support of exploited men, women and children by assisting the risk through public awareness programmes that encourage national and international authorities to eradicate human trafficking.
Human trafficking is involved in recruitment, smuggling, abducting, transporting, harbouring, buying or selling of a person by means of force, fraud, threats or coercion for the purpose of labour or sexual exploitation which includes minors engaged in commercial sexual activities. We have round the clock emergency response teams for crisis intervention, trafficking assessment, identification and assistance in the US and Mexico. We advocate the rights of victims, provide emergency shelter and stable housing, Ugarte said.
THE MEXICAN BORDER
According to her, organ trafficking too has become an issue in the US and how children are trafficked through the Mexican border to San Diego, California. The Mexican border is the issue as the Mexican-US border is around 3218km in length. Millions of vehicles pass through this border every day and the US Government is yet to find a way to check these vehicles whether each and every passenger has a valid visa to enter US and to find out who the traffickers among them are, she added.
She further said how sex trafficking is taking place in Chinese and Japanese illicit massage parlours that have mushroomed in San Diego. The children are trafficked through sewerage passages. These children are forced to provide labour in agriculture and fishing industries. If we stop buying products from these places as child labour is involved with their production, we can put a stop to labour trafficking. Actions are being taken not only against the traffickers, but also against those who come to obtain the service from the vulnerable victims. As San Diego is a military town, the number one buyer in the sex trafficking business is Military personnel, Ugarte said.
The Childrens Assessment Center (CAC) in Houston Texas is one of the main places that provides a professional, compassionate and coordinated approach to the treatment of sexually abused children and to serve as an advocate for all children in the US. Up to now the CAC has provided services for over 50, 000 sexually abused children and services designed to meet the physical and emotional needs of sexually abused children and their siblings. Family advocacy services are also routinely available to support non offending caregivers as part of the multi- disciplinary team response. The statistics are staggering. According to the CAC, one in every five children are sexually forced while browsing the internet. The average age for reported abuse is nine years and over 30% of the victims never disclose their experience to anyone. Thirty percent to 40% of the victims are abused by their own family members and the worst is that the victims of child sexual abuse report more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, more sadness and more school problems than non victims.
Foreign sex workers in Sri Lanka
A higher official from Sri Lanka Police talking on conditions of anonymity told the how child soldiers had been recruited by the rebels during the three decade war and added that neither the Government of Sri Lanka nor the Police could take any action against the LTTE regarding forced labour. Child soldiering is also a crime as they are unlawful recruitment. Very young girls and boys had been recruited forcibly by the LTTE and in some cases the children themselves had joined the paramilitary organization to safeguard their families. There were many reported cases where these children had been sent to the battle field as human shields. But we do not know whether these children were sexually abused by the rebels. However after the war concluded we were able to rehabilitate the devastated child soldiers who were undergoing physical and psychological consequences over the years, the sources said.
Up to now we have deported most of them and we have also taken action against those who were managing these massage parlours
He further stated as to how traffickers are using underage children in begging, mostly in and around Colombo. We are handling a number of such cases and according to the victims, they are forced to beg on the streets to make money for the traffickers. These children are not allowed to leave, as rings of people are monitoring them. Though these children are provided with the basic meals, they are not paid for the jobs they do on behalf of the traffickers. They work as slaves and are not allow to leave their jobs. They are being held forcibly, sources claimed.
The sources further said how the Criminal Investigation Department of Sri Lanka Police opened an anti-trafficking unit in 2016 and legal action had been taken against an Uzbekistani lady who had trafficked two young girls from her country promising employment in Sri Lanka. She was married to a Sri Lankan and they have been engaged in trafficking over the past several years. The two victims had been forcibly exploited in the sex industry although they were promised jobs in restaurants. The CID has been notified about this brothel and once raided the husband and the wife were each given a nine-year jail terms, the sources said. According to the sources, the National Child Protection Authority, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau and the Department of Immigration and Emigration are working hand in glove to crackdown any trafficking cases. There are only a few cases that have been reported to us. We have forwarded these cases to the CID for further investigations and to take action against the criminals. The police have raided many massage parlours in the country, especially in and around Colombo. At these massage parlours Chinese and Russians were engaged in offering sex to customers. These foreign sex workers cannot be identify as victims as they have come to Sri Lanka to engage in sex trade and were working on tourist visas. Up to now we have deported most of them and we have also taken action against those who were managing these massage parlours. Even the owners of these buildings had been questioned and action had been taken against them as well, the police sources added.
The US yesterday said it was concerned about ongoing reports of human rights violations and abuses in Sri Lanka by members of the security services and recent attacks targeting members of religious minority communities.
In its statement to the 37th Session of the UNHRC, the Permanent Mission of the US in Geneva said it urges the Sri Lankan government to hold accountable all those responsible for human rights abuses and violations and to protect religious minorities and their places of worship.
We further urge the government to take additional steps to fully implement the commitments it made in HRC resolution 30/1 and reaffirmed in HRC resolution 34/1. We look forward to seeing Sri Lankas progress on implementing the UPR recommendations accepted by the government over the next five years as well, it said
The US welcomed the Sri Lankan Governments decision to accept USs recommendations on full implementation of HRC resolution 30/1 and on accountability for the governments, including the security forces, human rights violations and abuses, as well as accountability for those responsible for harassment and violence against members of religious minority communities.
We are pleased with the Governments support for these recommendations, it said.
Part A
Ranil Wickremasinghe (RW) corresponds closely in style to his Right-Royal classmate with a keener sense of impish humour amiable late Anura B (AB).
Two buddies were loyal to Royal, more than to their voters? Hallowed hollow traditions of overgrown masonic schoolboy networks are still alive.
RW wedged on the edge of a precipice from where none refuse to shove him down a bottomless pit.
Mahinda Rajapakse (MR) and his sycophants believe, for MR to win the next general elections RW is the best possible rival candidate as against other competing UNP aspirants; is it to leave the country in an unstable state for the next two years under RW.
Who cares for the country? A motion to oust RW comes belatedly after giving time for him to marshal his forces, long after the results were released. Any explanation for the inexplicable delay is not forthcoming?
MR carries a patriotic agenda originating from his days at Nalanda (A Peteritefor-life, H. L. de Silva opined his patriotic yearnings were lessons learnt in war time Nalanda College, moved to his home town in Minuwangoda). His father a valued Hayleys executive felt his lad needed a change of environment.
A socking for Sirisena; remains a President, by name and title, without a justified power pack, unable to retain his home district, while the public servants reads the results on the wall and is unlikely to carry his orders knowing his days are numbered. Is it the beginning of an end?
MR eliminated terrorism to regain the nation and made the country secure without much ado, from a seat of leisurely learning unlike the hectic brotherhood at
hyped Ananda.
Stay connected to RW and MR therein lies a mighty difference - in attitude and approach.
PM is likely to be pressurized by his UNP parliamentarians asking for his quick exit ahead of his intended leisurely departure. They are more likely to press for the exit of RW than MRs parliamentarians whose wistful thinking is to retain RW as his opponent for an easy return
AB, RW and MR were chums from a home-stirred fried pan. A bridge too far to cross, for ABs supposedly sophisticated convent educated sister - hostile to MR, for achieving fame that eluded her; was green-eyed of the authentic sophistication possessed by RW; unlike her pseudo stances to garner patriotic votes from well meaning elders; felt more at home as a Barbie doll in the local NGO chapters. Tried both avenues and fell flat in-between and was declared retired hurt. Many siphons around sling poison darts on behalf of her - odd bods get mowed down faster than her.
Mustang mates, AB and RW (Hi Undaya dodgy nickname in a shallow fellowship of a 3-day duration) failed dismally to read political winds emanating from the provinces, their contemporaries keeping a distance away, did so, to near perfection.
Who cares for the country? A motion to oust RW comes belatedly after giving time for him to marshal his forces, long after the results were released. Any explanation for the inexplicable delay is not forthcoming?
AB and RW were suited candidates for the post of Colombo Mayor - deemed a kitchen sink - soon will find able Rosie sidelined from the party. Get back to mainland, stupid sister. MR welcomes any rubbish in a recycled form and takes the greener lassies up, up and away, on his magic carpet. Bud party desperately needs a smart wordsmith as the Dons oft - repeated archaic phrases are outdated and hacked.
RW and AB should have searched for the common touch from those closer home - their strength came from their ancestors including parents, with feet firmly rooted to the soil.
Part B
Election results should cause no shock to RW or Sirisena (MS); both tried their utmost to postpone the local elections knowing the result were going to be unpleasant failed in the effort. On the campaign trail, instincts mislead them to assume, are on a winning streak. Lost the elections to expectation, placed themselves on a silent mode: regained sound bytes after USA and India assured assistance? They sure run on foreign instructions: factored to lose more votes knowing well it does not please the Sinhala Buddhist bulk voters show no desire to seek assistance from protectors of proclaimed terrorists. Face it, evangelists Sinhala Buddhist bulk vote is a principled one and is uniformly cast across political spectrum.
Shock waves developed, RW and MS realized the extent of their unpopularity only on the release of results: making a comeback government is a write off at the half way mark, in a coming season of elections. UNP in hindsight is bound to blame the leader for aligning with the adversaries of Sri Lanka, (USA and India) during terrorist activities? Out of touch with political realities is UNPs prime cause for many debacles. Diplomatic niceties will make the foreign powers ditch UNP the moment it dawns they are in a society of losers?
Blame more the wooly-headed author/s of the 19A that deprived democracies of most vibrant characteristics. A general election - stopped for 4 years (in a country deprived also of bye- elections) - virtual impossibility to secure unless a 2/3 majority is obtained, with MPs having to wait 5 years to qualify for a pension. RW need cohabit for two years with a shaky government with MPs prepared to take a leap to the opposition, helpless at their mercy. Sits an arrogant leader, awaiting ouster at the next election on present showings-unless UNP does something otherwise to save the grand old party to overcome the oncoming debacle.
Government lost expansively failing to reschedule the election process, carving it initially to a winning path [as did MR artfully]. Decision making were in the hands of bond scammed minds [emphasize: plural for accuracy] preoccupied with personal issues, lost the way to pick the easy districts for an early poll to build the momentum to reach an upsurge in the public mind, manipulated by the ruling party. (MR held on to the problematic Badulla district, until it was too late, to loose face and office). Opposition is lax to openly confront a government in local government elections so the ruling party is at great vantage that they failed to exploit.
Will Gota have a formidable opponent to run against him for the post of President? He is to enter the political arena in military style backed by a high-powered team drawn from the forces with an air of no nonsense nonchalance that will attract many law and order supporters
Uncoordinated RW and MS, should have first polled the city based Municipalities and Urban Councils, where urban and minority voters traditionally lean to the UNP and next looked at the Northern, Central Eastern and Uva Provinces where minority voters abound and normally swing with the UNP. A reasonable justification for disturbing the schedule: Desire to know- the newly evolved voting system needs time for processing and has to be handled gently as the system needs to have 25% of the candidates elected are women. Electorally rejected: statistically elected are the ladies.
A socking for Sirisena; remains a President, by name and title, without a justified power pack, unable to retain his home district, while the public servants reads the results on the wall and is unlikely to carry his orders knowing his days are numbered. Is it the beginning of an end?
PM is likely to be pressurized by his UNP parliamentarians asking for his quick exit ahead of his intended leisurely departure. They are more likely to press for the exit of RW than MRs parliamentarians whose wistful thinking is to retain RW as his opponent for an easy return. The creators of the legislative pandemonium good governance foot soldiers - are quartered in JVP safe houses as Strange Bed Fellows!
Where is MR the featherweight champ? The dustbin is still open, if corruption charges are relentlessly pursued and prosecuted; the voters that dispatched him home knows well the truth of a loaded prima facie case but need to be convinced of proof beyond reasonable doubt to find him guilty. Distance is short but it has to be traversed. MR holds a trump in hand? Will the feeble public servants attend to functions on directions given by superiors on his way home? Peoples perception requires the First Family to above the guilt line and exemplary leaves RW and MR in midstream with dodgy friends and scheming relatives. Why cannot they face charges head on, if innocent, it is only the guilty that tries to slink away?
Going on local government election results the return of MR as PM is a possibility and therefore it is a useful exercise to examine his facts file objectively:-
(a) He is genuinely patriotic and became beloved of the majority It can evaporate only in the company of wily cronies and kinsmen that make MR corrupt and naughty. Has to carry the bulk Sinhala Buddhist vote across party barriers to be in contention. That is his forte and fortune.
(b) Peaked in character at the height of terrorism and became a living legend in 2009 by eliminating terrorism; People spoilt a man with a simple mind by taking him to the realm of royalty. Remains disoriented still.
(c) With age depends heavily on others to do the hard work. Shy to read deeply and uncomfortable in English has failed to find bright sparks to replace the dead wood that still works closely with MR.. Last time high officials brought him down by failing to advice or warn him.
(d) Blessed with a realistic political sense and is the kindest of the Rajapakse brothers with genuine warmth and on show is a brilliant PR exponent.
(e) Skirts too close to comfort lines on allegations of corruption from his Help - in - Hambantota days but walks the straight line when well advised. Listens to good advice. His worst advisors are the fiendish public officers that carry out instructions, knowing it will place MR in peril but does not warn him in the fear of falling foul.
Advice that flows from genuine sources are appreciated and followed by MR a sterling quality, as he is smart to appreciate
Will Gotabhaya (GR) have a formidable opponent to run against him for the post of President? He is to enter the political arena in military style backed by a high-powered team drawn from the forces with an air of no nonsense nonchalance that will attract many law and order supporters. After two more years of RW and MS combine in office, it could be just the tonic Sri Lanka require to wipe out corruption. Dont be surprised if his opponents wave swastikas to bring back memories of a Hitler. Sure we need a disciplined autocrat but Gota must show he would keep the corrupt under control and he is no Yankee Doodle merely because he found easy passage to clear dual citizenship. Why ever was such a restriction written into the Constitution unless to suffocate the man destined to be the next President? Guess the names of the MR lads waiting to make the crossing at the first opportunity. Gota is too late and too slow to make the entry.
Ola built itself into India's leading ride-hailing company by catering to the particular needs of Indian customers, who often like to settle fares in cash and jump on cheap, three-wheeled auto-rickshaws for short trips.
Now Ola is expanding overseas for the first time, to Australia, in a major test of whether India's new breed of technology startups can survive in a developed country.
The company began service in the western city of Perth last month. Last week it extended into Sydney. In both cities, Ola is offering passengers free rides and giving drivers a larger portion of the fares, hoping to get more cars on the street and lure more riders to try it.
Some drivers said they were already suggesting that riders use Ola to build up a viable competitor to Uber, which has long had the Australian market to itself.
"Uber doesn't really have a great reputation for treating people fairly," said Oliver Ward, 39, a driver for Uber and Ola in Sydney. "It's good to see some new competition."
Ola's move into a wealthy developed country like Australia, where fares and customer expectations are much higher than in India, is a calculated bet by the company that it can adjust its model to the needs of global customers.
India is home to a raft of startups in e-commerce, mobile apps and other consumer internet businesses. But few of them have ventured beyond their home market successfully.
Zomato, a restaurant review site similar to Yelp of the United States, expanded aggressively overseas a few years ago, only to scale back and focus more on India and a few countries like the United Arab Emirates. Paytm, India's leading digital-payments company, has targeted its services to Indian immigrants in Canada, primarily as an experiment geared toward learning how to operate in developed countries.
For Ola, Australia could be a compelling international opportunity. For starters, the country offers room to grow. Fewer than 1 in 5 Australians who regularly buy things online used a ride-hailing service in the past year, according to June survey data analysed by eMarketer, an American research firm. And the typical fares are much higher than in India, meaning Ola could potentially make more money per ride.
"In the ride-sharing market currently, there are no real enemies," said Satish Meena, a senior forecast analyst with Forrester, a technology research firm. "Everyone is willing to share the pie." Australian laws also make it generally easy to set up a ride-share business. Taxify, an Estonian company, arrived in December.
"We welcome competition because it keeps us focused on delivering the very best product," said David Rohrsheim, Uber's general manager for Australia and New Zealand.
Experts say Uber has another incentive: Australia has tough labour laws that could require the company to treat drivers as employees deserving of retirement and other benefits. If its drivers also drive for other services, Uber could more easily argue that they are free agents instead.
Ola is mostly trying to win drivers over with a better deal. The company takes only 7.5% of drivers' fares, with plans to increase that figure to 15%. Uber collects 20-25%. Drivers said that with Ola they could make 50 Australian dollars ($39) an hour compared with only AU$30 an hour with Uber.
"It's a dramatic difference," said Cheri Gristwood, an Uber driver in Perth, who was an early adopter of Ola. "I work my butt off, and with Ola I come home with a lot more."
Rohrsheim said Uber had added incentives of its own last year, including paid wait time and a "no thanks" button that lets drivers refuse up to three rides in a row. "Uber isn't Uber without driver partners," he said, "and our success depends on their success."
Ola's discounted commission has helped the company sign up 7,000 drivers so far. That is nowhere near the roughly 82,000 who drive for Uber, but more than double what Taxify started with in Sydney in December. Taxify did not respond to requests for comment.
Many of the new Ola drivers help spread the word about the company. Cecilia Cornu, an Ola customer in Perth, first heard about the service when she asked an Uber driver about the two cellphones he had. One, he said, was for Ola.
"He told me my ride would have been cheaper if I had booked it through Ola, as they were running a promotion with free rides," she said. "As soon as I got to work," she added, "I downloaded the Ola app."
Ola has not explicitly marketed itself to drivers or riders of Indian origin, but the company does expect that the awareness of its brand among Indians will help. About 1.9% of Australia's population of 24 million was born in India, according to 2016 census data; many more are the children of Indian immigrants.
The Ola app still signals that connection: India sometimes shows up as the default country when someone in Australia signs up and adds his mobile phone number.
Imperfect beginnings
Ola's effort to shift from local to global remains imperfect. Some customers have reported problems with the app continuing to calculate rides after trips have ended. Ward, one of the Ola drivers in Sydney, said the company's registration process was less streamlined than Uber's.
Ola's expansion into Australia may also have a strategic goal beyond higher fares: protection against an unwanted takeover.
The Japanese conglomerate SoftBank is Ola's largest outside shareholder, and one of the largest shareholders in Uber. It has also invested in other ride-hailing companies around the world.
SoftBank executives have made it clear that they would like to see Uber's operations in some developing countries merge with local players to avoid a competitive bloodbath, allowing the company to focus more intensively on higher-profit, developed markets.
Ola recently changed its articles of incorporation to defend against any large investor from forcing a sale of the company. Bhavish Aggarwal, a founder of Ola and its chief executive, is busy trying to raise money from other investors to reduce SoftBank's influence over his company's destiny.
Aggarwal declined several interview requests. "We are very excited about launching Ola in Australia and see immense potential for the ride-sharing ecosystem in a country which embraces new technology and innovation," he said in a statement.
At times, Uber has been a seller. It has left the ride-hailing business in China and Russia, selling its operations in those countries in exchange for stakes in the dominant local competitors.
Meena predicted that Ola and Uber would eventually reach a similar arrangement in India, with the Australian operations of each company possibly added to the mix. Developing a robust Australian business could give Ola a bargaining chip in negotiations. "Everyone is looking at capturing market share," he said, "and then doing a deal with Uber."
China will not concede "a single inch of land" and guard its sovereignty, Chinese President Xi Jinping who was re-elected for the second five-year term with prospects of continuing as the leader for life asserted today.
Besides the border dispute with India, China claims rights over the disputed islands in the East China Sea under the control of Japan and vast stretches of the South China Sea, (SCS) where it is firmly asserting its control.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over the South China Sea.
"The Chinese people and the Chinese nation have a shared conviction which is not a single inch of our land will be and can be ceded from China," Xi said in a 30-minute-long speech at the end of the 18-day long parliament session.
During its session, China's National People's Congress has ratified the constitutional amendment removing decades-old two-term limit for President and Vice President paving the way for Xi to continue in power for life.
He also was re-elected by the 2970 deputies for the second five-year term as President and head of the military.
In October, last year he was elected as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC) for the second five-year term.
By heading the party, the military and presidency with no limit on tenure, he is regarded as the most powerful leader after party founder Mao Zedong.
In a departure from the past, Xi today addressed the closing session with rabble speech televised live all over the country.
"We should safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and achieve full unification of the motherland. This is the aspiration of all Chinese people. This is also in line with fundamental of the Chinese nation," he said in an apparent reference to Taiwan which China claims as part of it.
He also delivered a stern message to the separatists.
"Faced with this important question of our nation and history any action that separates the country is doomed to fail. These separatist actions will be met with the condemnation of the people and punishment of the history," he said.
"Chinese people have strong determination, full confidence and every capability to triumph over all the separatist actions," he said.
Besides Taiwan, China brands the Dalai Lama as "splitist". China is also carrying out extensive crackdown in the Muslim Uygur majority Xinjiang against the separatist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement, (ETIM).
Xi said any actions and tricks to split China are certain to meet with the people's condemnation and the punishment.
Seeking to allay fears about absolute powers enjoyed by him controlling all levers of power, Xi vowed to continue to serve as a servant of the people.
He also sought to allay the concerns of the world over the rise of China, saying that China's development does not pose a threat to any other country.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion. Only those who are accustomed to threatening others see everyone as a threat," he said, taking a dig at the US.
"The Chinese people's sincere wish and practical action to contribute to the peace and development of humanity should not be misinterpreted, nor should they be distorted," Xi said, adding that "justice will prevail!"
Xi said China will stay on the path of peaceful development and continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up.
He said China endeavours to uphold international fairness and justice. China advocates that all issues in the world should be settled through consultation with people around the world.
China will not impose its will on others, Xi added.
He said China will contribute more Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions and Chinese strength to the world, to push for building an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the trust placed on him by all deputies and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, he said, "It is a glorious mission and weighty responsibility to take on this great position of the President of the People's Republic of China.
"I will, as always, faithfully fulfil my responsibilities empowered by the Constitution, be loyal to the motherland and the people, perform my duty scrupulously, do all my best, be diligent at work, and stay devoted and dedicated," he said.
He also said all officials should subject themselves to people's supervision.
"No matter how high a position one holds, all personnel of state organs should keep firmly in mind that our republic is the People's Republic of China," Xi noted.
He asked all personnel of state organs to always put the people in the most prominent place in their hearts, always serve the people wholeheartedly, and always work hard for the people's interests and happiness.
Praising Chinese people's history, he said people are the creators of history and the real heroes.
"Today, the creativity of the Chinese people is being unleashed to an extent like never before, which has been enabling our country to develop rapidly and stride forward at the forefront of the world," he said.
"Our pursuit of progress has never paused, he said.
The Chinese people have been aware since ancient times that "we cannot sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others' work and happiness can only be achieved through great endeavour," he said.
Thirty-nine Indians, who were captured by the terrorist outfit Islamic State (formerly ISIS) in June 2014 in Iraq, have been confirmed dead, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj informed the Parliament on Tuesday.
She made the announcement on the basis of DNA test results that revealed cent percent DNA match for 38 out of 39 missing Indians whereas for the remaining individual, DNA match was only up to 70%, necessitating a second round of tests with bone DNA.
Their bodies had been found in a grave in Badush, located about 25 km northwest of Iraqi city Mosul that was under the control of IS. The tests were carried out by Martyr's Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in Iraq.
Out of 39, as many as 27 were from Punjab, four were from Himachal Pradesh, six were from Bihar and two from West Bengal. All of them were construction workers.
"On Monday, they told us that 38 samples had been matched and the 39th had a partial match as he didn't have any immediate family (parents or siblings)," Sushma said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
While the opposition leaders allowed her to make the statement on the floor and observed silence in an obituary reference, the Leader of the opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad reminded her that till last year, the government claimed these missing Indians were alive.
Swaraj said she had previously maintained that the abducted Indians would not be declared dead without substantive proof, which had come only now.
"I can understand the sentiments of the families who lost their near and dear ones. But it would have been irresponsible and a sin to declare someone dead without any proof. There is no falsehood," she said later at a press conference.
The minister said bodies were not found in the mass-graves in Mosul, but under a mount in Badush, about which junior foreign minister Gen V K Singh was informed when he visited Mosul in July 2017 after its liberation from the IS.
Subsequently, deep penetration radar was employed to search for human bodies under the mount. When the radar came up with positive results, bodies were exhumed to match their DNAs with their immediate families, for which samples were collected late last year.
The first proof was the presence of only 39 corpses. Secondly, some of them had long hairs, which indicated their Sikh ancestry and one kada (iron bracelet worn by the Sikhs) was recovered. Some non-Iraqi foot ware too were found. On the basis of these proofs, the samples were sent to Baghdad for DNA tests.
Swaraj said the first person with a 100% DNA match was Sandip Kumar and the only one with a 70% match is Raju Kumar Yadav, who hails from Bihar.
The Indian Embassy in Baghdad has now been asked to expedite the legal formalities after which Gen Singh will fly to Iraq once again to bring back the bodies.
Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for the day after parties from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh disrupted proceedings over their state-specific demands.
The protesting MPs from the AIADMK, DMK and TDP entered the Well soon after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement on the 39 missing Indians in Iraq and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad made brief remarks.
Yesterday also the House was adjourned for the day without transacting any business after parties from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh disrupted proceedings.
The TDP and TRS members were shouting slogans for special status for Andhra Pradesh while Tamil Nadu parties - DMK and AIADMK- raised the Cauvery water issue.
Amid the protest, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel today said the government was ready to discuss all issues.
Goel said the Narendra Modi-led government has done good work and "we are not afraid" of anything, amid thumping of benches by BJP members.
In an effort to bring order in the House, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said that he has been stressing from day one that all important issues, including banking scam and Cauvery issue, should be debated.
As the protesting members kept standing in the Well, Naidu adjourned the House for the day.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today said the agitation by students seeking permanent jobs in the railways was called off at 10.35 AM and appealed them to apply for the ongoing recruitment drive that ends on March 31.
With scores of agitating students bringing the rail service in the metropolis to a halt early this morning, the minister said all applicants should get a "fair and equal opportunity" to serve the country.
One of the major demands of the agitating job aspirants, mostly comprising those who have passed the Railway Act Apprentice exam, is scrapping the 20 percent upper limit for hiring.
Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference, Goyal said the 20 percent posts were reserved in keeping with the "various judgements pronounced by the Supreme Court from time to time and as per section 22(1) of the Apprentices Act".
This 20 percent posts are reserved for 'course completed act apprentices' who were already engaged in railway establishment under the Apprenticeship Act.
Indian Railways is currently in the midst of a massive recruitment drive to fill over 90,000 Group C and Group D posts and the minister urged them to apply for these jobs, the last date of which is March 31.
This is the single largest recruitment ever undertaken by the railways in India.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of agitated students blocked rail traffic, including suburban services between Matunga and Dadar stations, causing difficulties to lakhs of commuters.
The students blocked the rail track at 7 AM this morning, forcing railways to stop the suburban as well as express trains in the affected section between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Entire four lines were affected between Matunga and CSMT. Police and railways officials are having talks with them, an official said.
"There has been no recruitment for four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student, who was part of the protest, said.
"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday accused "eyewitness" Harjit Masih of making a "cock-and-bull" story on the execution of the 39 Indians construction workers in Iraq.
"The account given by Masih was not true. It was a cock-and-bull story," Sushma said in the Rajya Sabha flagging several loopholes in the narrative.
Nearly four years after they were captured by the IS, the minister confirmed that 39 Indians were dead.
Masih was one of the 40 Indian construction workers, captured by the IS (formerly ISIS) at the Iraqi town of Mosul. Later he managed to flee and reached Erbil where he was found by Indian officials.
After returning to India, the Punjabi migrant claimed he was an eyewitness to the massacre by the terror outfit.
Sushma rubbished the account, claiming Masih created a cock-and-bull story when he claimed he saw 39 others were gunned down and he received shots in the leg. "He kept on telling me that he didn't know how he reached Erbil. I asked him three-four times and every time he said he didn't know and requested me to take him out," she said.
The minister said Masih escaped along with a group of Bangladeshi using a fake name, Ali.
"He is just an individual, he could claim 39 others are dead, but we are the government, we can't say this so easily. We have to be responsible," Sushma said.
Asked about Masih's claim that he was being harassed by government officials for contradicting the government claims, the minister said. "These are baseless allegations. He was kept in protected custody. How can he be harassed in protected custody."
Masih had claimed that four days after the kidnapping, the Indians were asked to kneel down by the terrorists near a railway track and everyone was shot. He said he was wounded in the foot but survived by pretending to be dead until the terrorists left.
Goa Congress President Shantaram Naik today resigned from his post, saying he was "inspired" by Rahul Gandhi's speech at the party plenary about making way for younger leaders.
Naik, 71, is the first senior Congress leader to resign after Rahul Gandhi announced on Sunday in his concluding speech that he wants to give the younger generation a chance to come forward and lead the party.
Naik has sent his resignation to the All India Congress Committee this morning, ending his stint as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president since July 8, 2017, when he had replaced senior party leader Luizinho Faleiro.
"I have resigned from the post of Goa Congress chief to pave the way for the younger generation to come forward.
"I was inspired by party chief Rahul Gandhi's speech at the plenary session, where he said he wanted to give chance to the younger generation," he told PTI.
During the session, the entire stage was empty and only those who were delivering speech used to go up and do it from the podium, he said. "Everyone including Sonia Gandhi was off the dais," Naik told PTI.
"When Rahul Gandhi went to deliver the speech, he said the stage is kept empty so as to let the younger generation take over the reins. My resignation is to make way for the young leadership to take over," the former MP said.
Naik was elected to Lok Sabha in 1984 from North Goa constituency and twice to Rajya Sabha later.
Congress, with 16 legislators, is currently the main opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Naik said he was turning 72 and wanted the young to now lead the party.
"I only want to suggest that somebody who has put in at least 10 years in the party and has love and commitment for the party should be given a chance to come forward and lead the party in the country," he said.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was taken into police custody on Tuesday for questioning over suspected Libyan financing of his 2007 election campaign, a source close to the inquiry told AFP.
Sarkozy, 63, had until now refused to respond to a summons for questioning in the case, which drew heightened scrutiny in November 2016 when a businessman admitted delivering three cash-stuffed suitcases from the late Libyan ruler Moamer Kadhafi as contributions towards Sarkozy's first presidential bid.
Sarkozy's detention was first reported by the Mediapart investigative news site and French daily Le Monde and comes several weeks after a former associate, Alexandre Djouhri, was arrested in London and later released on bail.
Djouhri was returned to pre-trial detention in February after France issued a second warrant for his arrest, ahead of a hearing scheduled for March 28.
A source close to the inquiry also said that Brice Hortefeux, a top government minister during Sarkozy's presidency, was also questioned Tuesday as part of the inquiry.
Before his arrest in January, Djouhri, a 59-year-old Swiss resident, was well known among France's rightwing political establishment and had refused to respond to a summons for questioning in Paris.
He has been a focus of the inquiry opened in 2013 by judges investigating earlier claims by Kadhafi and his son Seif al-Islam that they provided funds for Sarkozy's election effort.
Sarkozy has dismissed the allegations as the claims of vindictive Libyan regime members furious over his participation in the US-led military intervention that ended Kadhafi's 41-year rule.
Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine said he had made three trips from Tripoli to Paris in late 2006 and early 2007 with cash for Sarkozy's campaign.
Each time he carried a suitcase containing 1.5 to 2.0 million euros in 200-euro and 500-euro notes, Takieddine claimed in a French media interview, saying he was given the money by Kadhafi's military intelligence chief Abdallah Senussi.
Billionaire Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal says all is forgiven after his three-month detention in an anti-corruption crackdown, dismissing speculation he had forfeited control of his assets in exchange for his freedom.
The prince, dubbed the Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia, was released from the now-notorious Ritz-Carlton hotel in early January after an undisclosed financial agreement with the government.
"I am not a person who is going to say I forgive but I don't forget. I say I forgive and I forget at the same time," Prince Al-Waleed said in an interview with Bloomberg News published today.
"It's business as usual. We are going to continue investing in Saudi Arabia. I was born in Saudi Arabia, I will die in Saudi Arabia."
The prince refused to divulge the terms of his release, which he described as a "confidential and secret agreement".
The agreement had, however, left him free to function normally with "zero guilt" and "zero conditions", he said.
Al-Waleed was the most high-profile detainee among 350 suspects rounded up since November 4, including business tycoons and ministers, who were held in Riyadh's luxury Ritz-Carlton.
The prolonged detention of Prince Al-Waleed, ranked among the richest men in the world, had sent shock waves across a host of companies that count him as a major investor.
A Saudi official told AFP that the prince's release came after a monetary settlement similar to deals that authorities struck with most other detainees in exchange for their freedom.
He revealed no figures.
Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb, however, has said that $107 billion has been recovered in the crackdown in various forms of assets handed over that included property, securities and cash.
Al-Waleed also denied reports he had been tortured or subject to mistreatment behind bars.
"I was never tortured," he said.
"Actually, I was given the best service. Doctors used to come twice a day. We had the best service, best food, best everything."
The prince asserted that he was firmly in control of his Riyadh-listed Kingdom Holding company and was working with advisers, including Goldman Sachs, to find investments as large as $3 billion.
"Some people in the business community will be doubtful, will say: 'What's going on?'
"However, I assure them that everything is normal and we are functioning as we were before and we welcome them to come here to see what we're doing in Saudi Arabia and life is back to normal."
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 32-year-old son of the king, is behind the unprecedented crackdown on corruption among members of the government and royal family, as he consolidates his grip on power.
Some critics have labelled Prince Mohammed's campaign a shakedown and power grab, but authorities insist the purge targeted endemic corruption as the country prepares for a post-oil era.
An Army jawan today allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district.
One Jawan Naresh Yadav was found dead with bullet injuries in the Maheswar area, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samba Anil Magotra said.
The body has been recovered and sent to post-mortem, he said, adding that initial investigation points towards suicide by him with his service pistol and an investigation is on.
Opposition leaders on Tuesday took the Modi government to task for misleading the families of 39 Indians who went missing in Iraq more than three years back by giving them false hopes of they being alive.
The angry Opposition attack came soon after External Affairs Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha that the 39 Indian nationals, mostly from Punjab, were dead and that their bodies have been exhumed from a mass grave in Badoosh in Iraq.
Swaraj wanted to make a similar statement in the Lok Sabha but could not do so due to noisy protests by the Opposition parties.
"It is sad that so many people lost their lives. But why did government mislead families and Parliament over the last few years? Why give false hopes of them being alive," senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor told reporters here.
"I'm shocked to hear that 39 Indians who were in captivity since 2014, in Iraq, are now confirmed dead. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have lived in hope, that their loved ones will return unharmed," Congress President, Rahul Gandhi said.
CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also wanted the Modi government to clarify why it kept giving the families of the abductees false hope of being alive for the past three years.
"Our condolences to the family members of the deceased. The question about why the BJP government kept giving them false hopes of being alive for past 3 years must be answered," Yechury said.
The leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad wanted the government to provide the aggrieved families financial assistance and employment.
Later addressing a press conference, Swaraj slammed the Congress for protesting in Lok Sabha while she was speaking on the death of 39 Indians in Iraq.
"In Rajya Sabha, everyone listened to me speaking very patiently and in peace. Everyone paid tribute, I thought same would happen in Lok Sabha. But unlike the past few days of ruckus, today Congress led the protests under Jyotiraditya Scindia ji," Swaraj said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday said it will examine in detail the Karnataka government's recommendation to grant religious minority tag to the Lingayat and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities as and when it receives the proposal.
The remarks came a day after the Siddaramaiah government decided to recommend that religious minority tag be granted to the numerically strong and politically-influential Lingayat and Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. It comes ahead of the Assembly polls.
A senior official said they are yet to receive the proposal and that they can comment only after examining it thoroughly. "Once we get it, we examine it. There is a process," the official said.
The MHA is likely is to forward the proposal to the registrar general and census commissioner for a detailed examination and suggestions. Only after this, the official said, a decision will be taken.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "insulting" the common man by claiming credit for India's progress, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today, as he embarked on this third visit of poll-bound Karnataka.
Gandhi accused the BJP of dividing people despite its talk of dharma.
The Congress leader also accused the prime minister of favouring big businesses by waiving their loans while ignoring farmers.
"Wherever Narendra Modi goes he says in the last 70 years nothing has happened. He is insulting your parents, poor farmers, labourers, small businessmen of India.
"If this country stands as equal to other countries of the world today, it has not happened in two years. It has taken years of time, sweat and blood of common people. Modi should stop insulting the common man," he told a party rally at Padubidre in coastal Udupi district.
No single person can take a country forward, he noted.
Gandhi spoke about social reformers to attack the BJP, which he accused of dividing people.
"BJP people talk about dharma, but wherever they go, they divide people by pitting one against the other. On one side they praise Basavanna and Narayana Guru (social reformers), and on the other every day they indulge in things that these two great people fought against," he said.
Gandhi, who visited the northern parts of the state during the previous two rounds, in now on a two-day trip of south coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions.
Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, which have a strong BJP presence, and Hassan, the home district of the former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Deve Gowda, are on his itinerary.
Noting that five major banks originated in Udupi district, Gandhi said the Congress party's idea behind that was to take banks to the people, and blamed the Modi government for mounting non-performing assets (NPAs).
"We took banks to villages, but if you see today there are NPAs worth lakhs of crore of rupees of rich people.
"About 10-15 rich persons of India have taken away your Rs 8 lakh crore. In the last few years, BJP has waived Rs 2.5 lakh crore loans taken by 15 rich people... but when a farmer asks for loan waiver Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister) say it is not our policy," he added.
Repeatedly invoking social reformers Narayana Guru and Basavanna, Gandhi said the two preached "we are all one". "Narendra Modi speaks about Basavanna and Narayana Guru. I want to ask him a question. You speak about Basavanna and Narayana Guru, then why do you differentiate between rich and poor?" he said.
Gandhi, who has been visiting religious places during his election tours recently, will pay obeisance at Gokarnatheswara Temple, Rosario Church, Ullal Dargah, Sringeri Sharadamba Temple and also Sringeri Mutt. He will also meet the Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Mutt.
The Assembly elections in the state are likely in April-May.
It's hardly eight months when Nitish Kumar switched sides and became an NDA ally to run his Government in Bihar. But three recent incidents in the State have not only made him unhappy with his alliance partner but also sown the seeds of discontent.
Call it a coincidence or a design, no sooner the byelection results in Bihar were declared, at least two junior Union Ministers and a party's state unit chief reportedly made an unsuccessful bid to fan communal tension in certain sensitive pockets here.
Those who are well adept in reading Nitish's mind argue that the Chief Minister was livid over an attempt by the BJP leaders to vitiate the communal harmony. Little wonder, the police lodged an FIR against Union Minister Ashwini Choubey's son Arijit Shashwat for trying to fan communal tension in Bhagalpur.
Shashwat reportedly led an unauthorised procession of the BJP and Bajrang Dal activists on the occasion of Hindu New Year on March 17. The unauthorised motorcycle procession, according to the police, crossed through sensitive zones where participants raised provocative slogans resulting in stone-pelting incidents. "Had the processionists sought our permission, we would have deployed cops and decided the route. This could have averted the clash," said DIG, Vikas Vaibhav explaining how and why Choubey's son had been booked.
Bhagalpur, a communally-sensitive district, had witnessed one of the worst riots in October 1989 when around 1000 people lost their lives.
Apart from Bhagalpur, the BJP has reportedly made attempts to vitiate amity in Darbhanga too where a 70-year-old man has beheaded allegedly for naming a chowk after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Though the DGP, KS Dwivedi, categorically denied the reason for killing and reiterated that it was a case of land dispute, the BJP leaders propagated their divisive agenda. In one such video which went viral, Union Minister Giriraj Singh is seen provoking processionists to raise slogans against the DSP.
This is the same Giriraj Singh, who despite Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi's denial (that Darbhanga killing was not a fallout over naming a chowk), has been charged by the Opposition for fanning trouble in Darbhanga. The Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai has also lent muscle to the Union Minister's reiteration that it indeed was a communal killing.
Thirdly, Nitish is also reportedly miffed with the duo (the BJP leaders) who last week allegedly tried to disturb communal harmony in Araria where an allegedly fake video (in which some youths are seen raising slogans in favour of Pak) went viral. The move came close on the heels of Giriraj and Rai warning voters that Araria could become an ISI hub if the RJD candidate won from there.
Pained over consistent attempts to disturb communal harmony, Nitish has issued a loud and clear message to his alliance partner: "I am as much against the divisive politics as I am against corruption."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be attending an opposition parties' meet convened by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar next week, a top source in the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) said on Tuesday.
She will be travelling to New Delhi on a four-day visit next week from March 26 to extend support to the emerging opposition alliance against the BJP, the source said.
"She is scheduled to attend Sharad Pawar's opposition parties' meet. She is likely to meet leaders of other opposition parties as well. Efforts are on to arrange a meeting with (UPA chairperson) Sonia Gandhi and (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi," the TMC source told PTI.
"Our leaders are in touch with the Congress leadership for fixing a meeting, but nothing is finalised as of now," he said.
Pawar has called a meeting of all opposition leaders, including those of the Congress, to discuss a strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
NCP leader Praful Patel had earlier this month met Banerjee here and invited her to attend the meet.
Banerjee, who has been a critic of the Narendra Modi-led government and its policies, had recently called for uniting all the anti-BJP forces to defeat the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
The TMC chief on Monday met Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, who visited her, and discussed the process of setting up a federal front against the BJP government at the Centre.
Four people were killed and 40 others injured today when their tractor-trolley fell from a railway overbridge in Para locality of the state capital, police said.
The deceased, hailing from Kannauj district, were returning home after paying a visit to Dewa Sharif Dargah in the neighbouring Barabanki district, according to the police.
Around 40 others were injured in the accident, police said, adding that they have been admitted to a hospital where the condition of some of them was stated to be serious.
The identity of those killed was being established, police said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the death of four persons in the accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the dependents of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those who were injured.
The chief minister prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed the officials concerned to ensure all possible help to them, an official release here said.
As they try to come to terms with the bitter reality, family members of the 39 Indians massacred years ago by terror organisation ISIS in Iraq question why the "Centre kept them in the dark" all this while.
Heart-rending scenes were visible outside the homes of the deceased in Punjab as wailing family members tried to give vent to their pain having heard on TV, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's statement that all 39 Indians in ISIS captivity were dead and their bodies had been recovered.
Several relatives of the killed workers said they were not officially informed about their loved ones by any government authority.
"What do we say now?," asked a dejected Sarwan whose 31-year-old brother Nishan was among those killed. "The government kept us in the dark all these years, Sarwan, who belongs to Amritsar, claimed".
Now after four years, they are making such a shocking statement, he agonised.
"We met the Union minister (Swaraj) 11 to 12 times and were told that as per their sources, the missing Indians are alive. They have been saying that Harjit Masih, the lone survivor, is a liar. If your sources have been saying they were alive and now suddenly what happened. The government should have told us they have no information about missing Indians rather than making false statements," said Sarwan, who last heard his brother's voice over a phone call in June 21, 2014.
With hopes dashed all of a sudden, anger seethes out.
"It is the government's biggest failure. Most of the missing Indians were from Punjab. When the government could save nurses from Kerala why it completely failed in saving other Indians," he asked.
We have been seeking time from the minister for the last several months but we were not given a chance to meet her, he claimed.
An inconsolable Gurpinder Kaur, whose 27-year-old younger brother Manjinder Singh was among the missing Indians also asked similar questions.
"Initially, they were saying the Indians are alive. Now the minister today made such a statement," Kaur said, her voice choking.
We were not even told about it; we came to know from the TV, she added.
Manjinder Singh, who was into farming, was pushed into Iraq by fraudulent travel agents, she claimed. Manjinder Singh wanted to go to Dubai, said Kaur.
"I am trying to know from the government how all this happened," she said.
The family of Gobinder Singh learnt about the shattering news also from TV channels.
"We have not received yet received any call from the Union ministry about the confirmation of death of 39 Indians," said Davinder Singh, the deceased's younger brother.
Gobinder Singh was a resident of Murar village in Kapurthala.
We now request the government to announce financial help and give a government job to the son of Gobinder Singh so he can take care of his family, Davinder Singh said.
"We just got false assurances from the government," said Dimplejeet Kaur, sister of Dharminder Kumar (27).
"All our hopes were dashed today," she said.
Kumar went to Iraq to earn for his family in 2014. He was a resident of village Talwandi Jhira in Gurdaspur district.
Last year, the government of India collected DNA samples of the family members of the missing Indians.
Among the 39 Indians who were missing, most were from different places in Punjab like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had told Parliament today that all 39 Indians, abducted by the ISIS in Iraq nearly three years back, were killed and their bodies were recovered.
As many as 40 Indians were originally abducted by terrorist organisation ISIS in June 2015 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a suo motu statement in Rajya Sabha.
The remaining 39 Indians were taken to Badoosh and killed, she said.
Search operations led to a mound in Badoosh where locals said some bodies were buried by the ISIS. Deep penetration radars were used to establish that the mound indeed was a mass grave, she said, adding that thee Indian authorities requested their Iraqi counterpart to exhume the bodies.
Swaraj said the mass grave had exactly 39 bodies, with distinctive features like long hair, non-Iraqi shoes and IDs. The bodies were sent to Baghdad for DNA testing.
DNA testing by Martyrs Foundation established the identity of 38 Indians while there has been 70 percent matching of the DNA for the 39th person, she said.
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh will be flying to Iraq to bring back the bodies on a special flight, she added.
New India Assurance Company on Tuesday launched a comprehensive world-wide mediclaim policy named 'New India Global Mediclaim Policy.' The policy will cover an insured's hospitalisation expenses for treatments like cancer, neurosurgery, heart surgery, organ transplant and bone marrow transplant in hospitals outside India.
New India Global Mediclaim is a Critical Illness product with two major plans, one covering hospitalisation with medical centres in Asian countries while the second plan offers the same service, worldwide.
The Asian countries medical coverage plan offers a lifetime cover of $1 million and the worldwide lifetime coverage insures an individual for $2 million.
The policy covers an entire gamut of services like medical second opinion for the covered illness of the insured to the expenses like travel, accommodation and treatment in a foreign land, a company release said.
G Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director, New India Assurance said, "Global Mediclaim policy has been designed to ensure that Indians will now get a choice to pursue the best medical treatment available anywhere in the world with a comprehensive insurance cover from an Indian insurer. Global Mediclaim Policy is a new milestone in Indian health insurance industry."
The entry age of Global Mediclaim Policy is between 18-65 years and will be issued only to Indian citizens residing in India.
The product is available to any person who already has a health insurance policy with sum insured of Rs 8 lakh and above. Global medical centres like Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, John Hopkins Medical Center and Kings College Hospital are among the 99 top notch hospitals worldwide who are a part of New India's empanelled hospitals.
The company, for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, has clocked a profit after tax of Rs 1,865 crore. The Asset base of the company has crossed Rs 78,000 crore.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), on Tuesday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to take steps to address the growing anxiety among minorities following attacks on them.
Gracias also discussed with Modi the possibility of a visit of Pope Francis to India.
During their meeting, the cardinal drew the attention of prime minister towards the "growing anxiety in certain sections of the community" because of the sporadic attacks on minority institutions and personnel in different parts of the country.
"If the message goes out that these acts of violence are against the law and harms the Country and will not be tolerated, (then) it will go a long way in allaying the fears of the community and will discourage the misguided people from creating mischiefs," the cardinal told the prime minister.
In a statement, the CBCI said the prime minister assured that welfare of people and eradication of poverty is his first priority.
Modi reiterated that he is the prime minister of all Indians, irrespective of their caste and creed, and told the cardinal that if there is any issue that is to be brought to his attention, he will be always available and willing to look into it, the statement said.
Nine out of every 10 incidents of Maoist violence happens in 35 districts of the country where they have an upper hand.
The latest figures provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday showed that 804 of the 908 incidents reported in 2017 took place in these districts.
Sukma, which is in Chhattisgarh, reported the highest number of incidents at 102 among the 35 districts declared the most Maoist-affected.
On March 13, a mine-protected vehicle had come under a Maoist ambush killing at least nine CRPF personnel in Sukma.
However, two districts Muzaffarpur in Bihar and Khammam in Telanganareported not a single incident last year.
Gadchiroli in Maharashtra had the second highest incident at 68 followed by Chattisgarh's Bijapur (60), Jharkhand's Latehar (59) and Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur (58).
According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the 35 most affected districts accounted for 88.5% of Maoist-related violent incidents.
Just 20 districts accounted for 80% of the violence. Maoist violence was reported from only 58 districts across the country in 2017.
"There is no plan to involve the army in the fight against Left Wing Extremism except for the ongoing training assistance. Helicopters made available for LWE affected states are used only for logistic purposes," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said.
While Maoist violence is on the wane, the MHA recently told the Committee on Estimates that the Maoists are now "targeting new states and are trying to carve out the base at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu."
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked all the high courts to follow the rules framed by the Centre under the RTI Act 2005 to ensure that no exorbitant fees are charged from people seeking information under the transparency law.
A bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit also said the high courts should not insist upon disclosing the motive from the information seekers.
The court asked the high courts and other authorities to ensure that except for information which are exempted under the law, all other details sought must be disclosed.
If the particular information is not available with the public authority, the application must be transferred to other authorities concerned as stipulated under the law, it said.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO - Common Cause - said the fees charged for filing an RTI application must be uniform and reasonable as the Centre has stipulated Rs 10 for it and Rs 2 per page for photocopying.
He pointed out the Allahabad High Court had earlier fixed Rs 500 as the rate for filing an application and Rs 50 as photocopy charge for each page.
"The rules framed by these high courts had got a deterring effect and acted as a disincentive to a fundamental right. The RTI Act and rules framed thereunder would have an overriding effect on any other rules," he said.
The counsel, appearing for the Allahabad and other high courts, submitted that the fees have been reduced to Rs 50 for an RTI plea and Rs 15 as charge for photocopying of each page.
Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu cancelled a dinner he was set to host for members of the Upper House on March 21, in view of the ongoing impasse in Parliament.
Naidu was anguished that protesting MPs from parties belonging to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu disrupted the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha soon after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj finished her statement on the 39 Indians killed in Iraq.
She was followed by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who made brief remarks on the issue.
Soon after that, leaders from the TDP, AIADMK and the DMK stormed into the Well of the House and shouted slogans for special status to Andhra and constitution of a Cauvery Water Management Board, respectively.
Azad blamed the government for the impasse, saying that 10 Opposition parties including the Congress, TMC, SP, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI and the CPM met on Tuesday morning and agreed that the House should function.
Agitated by the sloganeering, Naidu lamented the insensitivity of the parliamentarians and asked, "What is wrong with this House".
At a meeting with the floor leaders of various parties in his chamber on Tuesday, the chairman conveyed anguish over the ongoing stalemate in the House and informed them of his decision to cancel the dinner.
Naidu said it would not be appropriate to go ahead with the dinner with the House not functioning for over two weeks.
Four unidentified militants were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in north Kashmir's frontier district of Kupwara on Tuesday evening, the army said.
Sources said the encounter started after a joint team of the army's 41-Rashtriya Rifles and special operations group (SOG) of J&K police launched a cordon-and-search operation at Check Fatehkhan adjacent to forest area of Halmatpora in Kupwara at around 3 pm.
"The militants were offering prayers when they were spotted close to the forests by security forces team, who were acting on inputs about their movement in the area. Two militants guarding them opened fire triggering off a gunfight," they said and added the militants dispersed in different directions in the dense forest area after the firing started.
Srinagar based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia confirmed the killing of four militants in the encounter and said that the operation was ongoing to trace out the other ultras hiding in the area. However, he didn't divulge the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants.
Senior Superintend of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Shemsher Singh said that bodies of the slain militants have not been recovered, so far, as the area is a dense forest and firing was going on. "I can't confirm if four militants have been killed as bodies have not been retrieved so far," he said.
The SSP added that the operation might prolong as the militants have taken shelter in the forest area and are responding to the fire from the security forces intermittently.
Reports said para commandos have been rushed to the area to flush out the remaining militants. The security forces, sources said, have launched a cordon-and-search operation in the adjacent forest areas including Gulgam and Awoora- which is connecting the Halmathpora forests.
While south Kashmir remains the stronghold of local militants, northern parts of the Valley, being infiltration route, are dominated by foreign, especially Pakistani ultras. Over 70% of the operations in north Kashmir are taking place near the Line of Control (LoC).
"Contrary to what is being projected in the media that south Kashmir is hotbed of militancy, the figures reveal that north has more active militants. The militants in north are mostly Pakistanis," a senior police officer told DH.
The Congress-led Opposition on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Modi government for being "insensitive" towards the families of 39 Indians killed in Iraq by giving them false hope of their wellbeing for more than three years.
Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni also hit out at External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for "playing politics" over the death of the 39 Indian nationals who were abducted and killed by the ISIS.
"If anyone is responsible for not bringing the 39 Indians back safely, it is Sushma Swaraj and the Modi government," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters.
He said the Modi government has "crossed all limits of insensitivity" as it preferred to make the announcement on television rather than calling up every family and informing them individually.
Modi defence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying the government "left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul."
"Every Indian grieves with those who lost their loved ones in Mosul. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and pay our respects to the Indians killed in Mosul. Our government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas," the PM said.
He also defended his colleagues Swaraj and V K Singh.
The angry Opposition attack came soon after Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha that the 39 Indian nationals, mostly from Punjab, were dead and that their bodies have been exhumed from a mass grave in Badoosh in Iraq.
Swaraj wanted to make a similar statement in the Lok Sabha but could not complete due to the noisy protests.
Sushma hits out
At a press conference, Swaraj slammed the Congress for protesting in Lok Sabha while she was speaking on the issue.
"In Rajya Sabha everyone listened to me patiently and in peace. Everyone paid tribute, I thought same would happen in Lok Sabha. But unlike the past few days of ruckus, today Congress led the protests under Jyotiraditya Scindia ji," Swaraj said.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi expressed shock and offered his condolences to the family members of the deceased.
"I'm shocked to hear that 39 Indians who were in captivity since 2014, in Iraq, are now confirmed dead," Gandhi said.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also wanted the Modi government to clarify why it kept giving the families of the abductees false hope of being alive for the past three years.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad wanted the government to provide the aggrieved families financial assistance and employment.
Aditya Birla Group's UltraTech Cement is likely to get support from Committee of Creditors (CoC) of Binani Cement in the ongoing fight for control after the Birla company issued comfort letter worth Rs 7,266 crore to Binani group for 98.43% stake.
UltraTech had said that Binani Industries Ltd (BIL) - the promoter firm of BCL - had approached it for arranging funds to pay off the lenders.
"As a creditor, we support the UltraTech offer as it offers a better deal for us," an official from a lead creditor said.
This is despite the CoC's approval of the Dalmia Bharat's bid.
"Since, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code IBC proceedings initiated about 7-8 months back on Binani, a moratorium on interest had been imposed. The UltraTech offer allows the loan to a regular one and there will be no haircut even in the interest loss in the interim period," the official explained.
A revised bid after the CoC approval is perhaps a first instance and legal opinions remain divided on its sanity.
But, if the NCLT proceeding is challenged in the Supreme Court, CoC will support the move.
The bid by Dalmia Bharat Cement jointly with Bain Capital's Resurgent India Fund of Rs 6,350 crore has been to buy Binani Cement offering 20% equity in Binani to the lenders.
The total secured and unsecured debt of financial creditors is around Rs 6,265 crore, of which the largest exposure is from Edelweiss ARC with an outstanding of about Rs 2,775 crore.
The Dalmia offer covered the financial creditors but several small operational creditors (read MSMEs) have claimed their debt has not been taken care of properly and haircut of even 80% was sought, Rajesh Tibrewal, representing these operational creditors, said.
"We have also moved an intervention petition against the resolution professional (RP) for neglecting our interest and the same was listed for hearing on March 22, he said.
The MSME operational creditors' dues are about Rs 700 crore in Binani Cement, he added.
Tibrewal said that the insolvency law does not treat operational creditors at par with financial creditors which is lacunae in the law.
A Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-backed yatra aimed at mobilising support for a Ram temple in Ayodhya entered Tamil Nadu on Tuesday amidst opposition by DMK, pro-Tamil and some Muslim outfits which claimed it would disturb communal amity.
Hundreds of devotees and cadres of Hindu outfits welcomed the 'Ram Rajya Rath Yatra', by showering petals, as it entered Shencottah in Tirunelveli District from Kerala.
Some activists threatened to block the yatra which was flagged off from Ayodhya on Feb 13 and has traversed through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. It will culminate in Tamil Nadu.
Police said they arrested over 300 people, including Thirumavalavan of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Jawahirullah of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), for violating ban orders and proceeding to block the yatra.
Actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan criticised the permission granted to the yatra, saying it had been taken up with "a divisive political agenda". Superstar Rajinikanth struck a note of caution saying any kind of communal tension should be prevented.
DMK raised the issue in the state Assembly, stalling proceedings before its members led by Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin were evicted en masse as they continued to protest even after the chief minister's reply.
Stalin then protested along with party MLAs near the assembly, but police removed and briefly detained them in a marriage hall.
"The yatra has entered Tamil Nadu...permission has been given for yatra organisers who have planned to instigate communal riots," Stalin said.
"When the Supreme Court is hearing the Ram temple case, organising a yatra to construct the shrine "is contempt of the top court," he told reporters.
Defending permission for the yatra, Palaniswami told the assembly "As regards Tamil Nadu, all religions have equal rights. Nobody can ban it. This is a democratic country and no religion can be differentiated."
Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said if communally provocative or divisive words are used in the yatra, stern action will be taken. Pointing out that Left ruled Kerala and Congress governed Karnataka had allowed the yatra, he asked the Congress members to ponder if it was appropriate for them to join hands with the DMK on the matter.
Amid the US trade protectionist policies posing an apparent threat to the global commerce, the WTO member countries on Tuesday expressed concern about potential escalation of such a move but Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said dialogue was the only solution to trade related issues.
"The best way to address any issue, specially the trade related issues is to continue with the dialogue process. There is no substitute for dialogue. We will keep that channel open bilaterally as well as multilaterally, specially in the backdrop of what is happening globally on the trade front" Prabhu said, adding the meeting was the good beginning.
Tuesday's meeting was an informal one called by India in which over 50 WTO delegates, including US, brainstormed to explore options to reinvigorate the WTO after the US recently expressed concerns about the functioning of the trade body and wanted it to undertake some reforms.
But members discussed trade restrictions and related threat of its potential escalation. Recently, President Donald Trump announced 25% tariff on US imports of steel and 10% on aluminum, following which various other countries announced trade restrictive measures.
Prabhu said that India will raise the issue with the US, although the country is not the largest exporter of steel and aluminium to the US.
"We are not the largest exporters of steel and aluminium to the US. Still we are affected and we will take this up with them," he said at the press briefing after the two-day Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting here.
This was also the first gathering of WTO delegates after the WTO ministerial conference in Argentinian capital Buenos Aires in December.
Prabhu said India's food security concerns and issues related to agriculture were also discussed in the meeting.
WTO Director General Ruberto Azevedo expressed concerns about the potential escalation of trade protectionism measures by a certain country. He also called for a united front to respond to the US tariffs.
"We heard today, many, many countries saying we have a concern over this. There is a potential of escalation. We should try to work in the framework of WTO," Azevedo said.
China, also a member of WTO, which had confirmed its presence in the meeting, could not attend due to commitments back home. Prabhu said India and China will have a separate bilateral meeting next week on trade related issues, especially India's widening trade deficit with that country.
The Dalit family that was victim of public flogging by self-styled cow protection group in Una district of Gujarat state has now submitted a memorandum to district collector seeking permission to embrace Buddhism.
"We have today submitted a memorandum to district collector in Veraval informing him that about 20-25 family members will convert to Buddhism on April 29," Balubhai Sarvaiya, head of the family told DH. "We are Hindus but they do not consider us Hindus and that is why they have committed atrocities on us."
In July 2016, four young men from the Sarvaiya family of Mota Samadhiyala village of Gir Somnath district, were beaten mercilessly and paraded half-naked through the streets of Una by self-styled cow vigilantes, who spotted them skinning a cow that had apparently died a natural death. Their beating resulted in widespread protests across several parts of the country.
Now, other than Sarvaiya family, several other Dalits too are expected to convert to Buddhism on the same day. These include, father of one of the three victims of police firing on Dalits at Thangadh in 2012. Though the enquiry in this incident is complete, the state government is yet to make it public or place it before the Assembly.
Unkept promise
Interestingly, the news of Sarvaiya family seeking to convert comes amidst Chief Minister Vijay Rupani government claiming ignorance about predecessor Anandiben Patel making any promise of providing 5 acres land or a government job to a family member during her visit to the village on July 20, 2016.
"When she came to meet us at our home, she promised houses for weaker sections in the village, quality roads and jobs as per qualifications. Nothing happened since. No one has got a job," Balubhai said. She had even said that their cases would be disposed of by a special court within 90 days. They are still fighting the case for last two years.
The government pleaded ignorance in a written reply to a question raised by Dalit youth leader Jignesh Mevani in the Assembly.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Tuesday filed a case against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi for 'diversion' of duty-free diamonds and pearls worth Rs 890 crore from SEZ to domestic tariff markets.
The case registered by DRI Mumbai zonal unit pertains to alleged diversion of duty-free diamonds/pearls by the SEZ units of Nirav Modi's group companies a Firestar Diamond International Pvt Ltd, Firestar International Pvt Ltd and others situated in Surat in Gujarat and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
These units, which are into the business of import/export of diamonds, pearls and jewellery, are situated in the Special Economic Zone, where the goods are duty-free for export purposes, according to a DRI statement.
The DRI found discrepancy in the declared stock value of the diamonds/pearls in the SEZ units when compared with the ascertained actual value of the goods, clearly indicating that certain stocks were diverted to the domestic tariff area illegally.
A scrutiny of available documents showed that goods worth around Rs.890 crore, involving customs duty of Rs.52 crore, were apparently 'diverted' by the SEZ units of Modi's group companies to the domestic markets, it said.
The strike by Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology nurses crossed a week on Tuesday.
On the eighth day of the protest, 200 paramedical employees - 175 nurses and 25 lab technicians - came out seeking fulfilment of their various demands.
"We met the additional chief secretary (medical education) who said we have to apply through a proper channel. She also said if we continue our protest we would be removed from our posts," said Lingappa, staff nurse, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
Dr Linge Gowda, director of the institute said the nurses should withdraw their protest as additional chief secretary V Manjula has made it clear that they can only apply through the paramedical board.
"There is nothing that we can do about it. They have to apply through the board and clear the exams to be appointed on contract basis. The last date for the year is already over," said Dr Krishnamurthy, medical superintendent, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
The additional chief secretary said the protesting nurses would be allowed to complete their current contract period, he added.
However, the nurses say that as they have served for a long period in the hospital they should be hired permanently.
"The last hiring of nurses on the permanent basis was done in 1999. We need to be recruited on the permanent basis and not on contract," said Lingappa.
He added that most of the employees protesting have a service of up to seven years and have sufficient training.
"Why should we apply on the contract basis," he asked.
The protesters also demanded a raise in their salary from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 and issuance of identity cards among others.
Dr Krishnamurthy said the institute was ready to issue identity cards for the nurses provided they resume their work.
He said the institute had already sent a letter to the state department requesting a pay hike for the nurses, which was yet to complete its process.
However, the protesters said they would not withdraw the protest until they express their concern to the chief minister and health minister.
The Congress will launch the 'Namma Bengaluru, Namma Hemme' (Our Bengaluru, Our Pride) padayatra on Wednesday to highlight the state government's achievements in the past five years.
The foot march is essentially a counter to the BJP's 'Bengaluru Rakshisi' (Save Bengaluru) padayatra that targeted the "failures" of Congress government.
The Congress padayatra will be launched in KR Puram and will cover all the 28 Assembly constituencies in the city over the next 12 days.
Speaking to reporters, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George said the padayatra would also expose the "misdeeds" of the erstwhile BJP government. He stressed that the Congress government had strived to provide better infrastructure in Bengaluru in the past five years.
The state BJP is planning to tread cautiously and adopt a wait-and-watch approach on the issue of according religious minority tag for Lingayats as the matter can have huge political implications in the elections.
The party is waiting for clarity on the issue, especially on the stand the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha and various mutts take, before deciding on its next step.
The BJP is hoping that the government's move faces opposition from various quarters and is then planning to go for the kill, accusing the Siddaramaiah government of being "anti-Hindu." The Lingayat community, constituting an estimated 17% of the population, can impact 100 seats in the 224-member Assembly. The community has traditionally supported the BJP.
The Cabinet on Monday accepted the recommendation of an expert panel to accord minority status to the "Lingayat, Veerashaiva-Lingayat (believers of Basava philosophy)" faith. The BJP is also waiting to see how the government notifies the status under Section 2(d) of the Karnataka State Minorities Act, 1994. The party is waiting for the wordings of the notification - whether the words Lingayats, Veerashaiva-Lingayats, Basava tatva are used, sources said.
Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa, on Tuesday, objected to the inclusion of the term Basava tatva, while according Lingayat status and dubbed the government's decision as the height of injustice.
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru that the Mahasabha should convene a meeting of Mutt seers, community leaders and take a call on the government's decision. "This is a clever move by Siddaramaiah. It has to be discussed among community leaders and office- bearers of the Mahasabha," he said. The Mahasabha has convened a meeting in Bengaluru on March 23 to discuss the government's decision.
According to BJP sources, the government's move is sure to backfire as the community by and large views it as a poll gimmick. "We have already charged the Congress with trying to take over temples and mutts, repeatedly taking anti-Hindu stances. Besides, the Lingayats will get no reservation benefits under the 4% minority quota. We will hit the streets, accusing the Congress party of trying to divide the Hindu society," a senior party functionary said.
Yeddyurappa's residence at Dollars' Colony was a beehive of activity on Tuesday. Hampi Mutt seer Dayanandapuri Swami, Lingayat leader Revannasiddappa and Veerashaiva community leader Prasanna called on Yeddyurappa.
The BMRCL's failure to coordinate with other agencies is likely to cost crores of rupees to the rail company.
The median strip on Doddaballapur Road it had marked to erect the piers of the Rajanukunte metro line is now being used by the KPTCL to lay power cables.
Tenders for the 220-kV underground line were called in 2016 with December 2017 as the deadline to complete the Rs 229.16-crore project. The power lines would connect the Yelahanka DG (diesel generator) Plant with the substation at Singanayakanahalli, six kilometres away.
Officials said the project had been stalled over a series of issues and had begun only two months ago. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has been preparing Detailed Project Reports for seven new routes under the Phase 3 expansion, including the Rajanukunte-Kogilu Cross line connecting with the Nagawara-airport line.
A senior BMRCL official said Doddaballapur Road - with its width varying from 16 to 19 metres - is the ideal route for the section, which is likely to be elevated.
"Median strips are the best place to erect pillars without disrupting road traffic and incurring additional land acquisition cost," the official said.
KPTCL vs BMRCL
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) managing director Jawaid Akhtar said he was not aware of any communication from the BMRCL on its plans to use the median strip. "Our project is crucial to supply power to the city," he said.
Shifting power and utility lines that come in the way of the metro rail construction adds up to the project cost for the BMRCL, which spends Rs 192 crore per kilometre to put up the elevated line. If the agencies fail to communicate on the locations of their future projects, they would end up wasting public money.
BMRCL managing director Mahendra Jain admitted that he was not aware of the KPTCL's project and said he would take up the issue immediately. "Costs apart, shifting the cable and utility lines would take months and delay the project," he said.
Though the BMRCL is yet to conduct a feasibility study for the Rajanukunte line, Jain said he would consult with the officials since it was a possible route.
The UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh had, in 2013, rejected the demand for granting separate religion status to Veerashaiva-Lingayat, saying it is a sect of Hinduism.
The office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), in its communication, to then Home Minister (Sushil Kumar Shinde) on November 14, 2013, said, "the demand made by All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha for treating Veerashaiva-Lingayat as independent religion is apparently not logical and correct".
The Union home minister's office sought a reply from the RGI, following the plea by Shamanur Shivashankarappa, president, All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha. The Mahasabha made a request to the Ministry for separate code number/column/abbreviation for recording the religion of Veerashaiva-Lingayat in the census form and to recognise Veerashaiva-Lingayat community as an independent religion.
The Mahasabha said Veerashaiva-Lingayats had more than four crore followers, which was more than that of Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. While claiming that "Veerashaiva-Lingayat was a sect of Hindu and not an independent religion," the RGI clarified that a writ petition was filed by the Veerashaiva Mahasabha in the Karnataka High Court, seeking directions to instruct the Census Organisation to provide a separate code for Veerashaiva/Lingayat in the census.
It was decided by the RGI with the approval of the home minister that no separate code was required to be given to Veerashaiva/Lingayat, irrespective of whether they are a sect of Hindu or an independent religion, said the letter, a copy of which also sent to Shivashankarappa.
The RGI said, "If Veerashiva-Lingayat is treated as a separate religion by providing separate code/column, all Scheduled Castes professing the Veerashiva-Lingayat sect will lose their Constitutional status, since SCs can be only from Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh, along with their sects."
The letter said, "Standard ethnographic literatures also substantiate the fact that Lingayat/Veerashaiva is a sect evolved from Hindusim, but it rejects completely the traditional temple cult dominated by Brahmin priest. Instead, they worship a small abstract symbol of Shiva-the linga which every member of the family wears. As described by C B Brown (Jangams in Madras Journal Literature of Science, January 1840), Lingayats are anti-Brahminical worshippers of Siva known as Virshaiva or Lingadharis, who are easily recognised by their wearing small idol either hung on the breast or bound on the arm. They are disciples of Basava, whom they regard as a form of God Shiva. They pray to the images they wear, which they salute as Basava."
Thurstone (in Castes and Tribes of Southern India) has mentioned that Lingayats have been aptly described as a peaceable race of Hindu Puritans. Their religion is a simple one. They acknowledged only one God Siva and reject the other two persons of Hindu Triad, said the letter.
Bengaluru Metro union decided to defer its indefinite strike by a month after the BMRCL management submitted before the Karnataka High Court that they are ready to hold bilateral talks with the union to deliberate on their demands
The talks will commence from March 26 for a period of one month and the meetings will be held thrice a week.
Justice B Sreenivasa Gowda was hearing an interlocutory application (IA) filed by Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) seeking directions to vacate the stay granted by the court on invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
The BMRCL employees union had planned an indefinite strike from March 22 over several demands, including higher wages and recognition of the union.
Day-long meeting
On Monday, a day-long reconciliation meeting between BMRCL and the union mediated by the assistant labour commissioner (Central) had failed to break the deadlock. In the end, the union was firm on going ahead with the strike.
Petitioners' counsel Leelakrishnan submitted that if BMRCL is interested in reconciling the differences, then the petitioners are agreeable to defer the planned strike by one month.
The BMRCL counsel stated that the management is always open for reconciliation of disputes provided the union defers its strike.
The state government counsel stated that over four lakh commuters travel by the Metro everyday and the strike will adversely affect them.
Hence, the government welcomes the union's decision to call off the strike. The BMRCL employees union shared the names of four persons who will represent it in the bilateral talks with representatives of the BMRCL management.
These names include Udaya, Manjunath, Rakesh and Sagar, who are office bearers of the union.
Similarly, BMRCL also submitted before the court the names of M S Balakrishna, Gurudas Bhat and Deepa Kotnis who will represent the management.
The matter was adjourned to be heard in the last week of April.
Competing with more than 1.6 million students, Santa Fe Christian (SFC) seniors Paolo Pasco and Deine Shin were each recently named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Paolo Pasco came to SFC as a freshman, My parents had different ideas as to what they wanted for me in a high school. My mom wanted a strong Christian education, while my dad wanted a more established school. None of the schools we considered fit both categories until my mom chanced upon SFC.
Pascos favorite subject is math, I like the logic behind each problem, and how theres guaranteed to be a solution every time. Mr. Maxon, a math teacher at SFC, was the first SFC teacher I encountered. From the start, I could tell that he was different from the other math teachers-- most teachers taught which formulas worked, but Mr. Maxon wants his students to learn why they work, and to form problem-solving habits that go beyond rote memorization.
Outside of class, Pasco is co-president of the Math Club, and helps with National Honor Society tutoring sessions. Just recently he joined the SFC improv team. In his spare time, he enjoys writing crossword puzzles, I debuted in the New York Times in 2015 (on a Friday), and at the American Values Club Crossword, where I am now a regular contributor. Ive also constructed for crossword tournaments, like Lollapuzzoola (where I won both the Rookie and Local divisions in 2016) and The Indie 500. Since last summer, Ive been publishing puzzles on my own site, Grids These Days.
Deine Shin came to SFC her freshman year, It was important to my parents to have a faith-based component to a strong academic curriculum. SFC provided both.
Deine loves English and all the teachers who have helped in encouraging her creative side. The teachers are amazing in their subjects, but I love that they are open to talking about anything. They provide emotional support and advise too. Speaking three languages fluently, Deine finds language fascinating. She humbly states, I speak Korean, English and French.
When it comes to other activities, Deine enjoys using other creative expressions. She leads worship at Korean United Methodist Church, sings in SFCs Chamber Choral, and has played piano competitively for the past 12 years. In her spare time, she runs a homeless kids program called Gods Extended Hand.
In order to qualify, Paolo and Deine entered the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in their junior year. Due to the high score on the PSAT, both Pasco and Shin were selected as a semifinalist representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors.
To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, participate in school and community activities, demonstrate leadership abilities, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the students earlier performance on the qualifying test.
SFC Upper School Principal Matt Hannan enthusiastically states, I am extremely proud of both Paolo and Deine being designated as a National Merit Finalist. Their dedication to academics and pursuit of knowledge have separated them from 99.9 percent of all high school students and they are to be commended. Paolo and Deine represent all aspects of Santa Fe Christian well and I could not be more pleased to serve as their principal; I look forward to seeing the plans the Lord has for both of them in the future.
Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2018 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
One day after students across the nation walked out in protest of gun violence, the San Dieguito Union High School District Board (SDUHSD) of Trustees took steps March 15 to better ensure safety for students following the Parkland shooting and threats made to local schools.
The board voted four to one with member Marureen Mo Muir opposing to adopt a resolution in support of student safety and to prevent school violence.
District Superintendent Eric Dill emphasized the resolution was not in reaction to recent events but rather part of ongoing planning.
The resolution aimed to improve the physical safety of the districts five high schools by installing new fences at certain campuses, ordering new lockblocks for each campus, requiring visitor identification and updating emergency plans.
Board member Joyce Dalessandro also encouraged the inclusion of strong language against automatic weapons. She read similar resolutions from San Diego Unified School District and the City of Encinitas.
It doesnt have the teeth, Dalessandro said of the original SDUHSD document. We have a really unique voice here where we can take a stand.
The majority of the board agreed, adding the language to the resolution, and parents also cheered in support. Earlier in the meeting, parents encouraged the board to work with the nonprofit Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and to put pressure on Congress to enact a federal red flag law to block a person from having guns if theyve shown to be a danger to themselves or others. They also said the age for someone purchasing a gun should be raised.
Muir said she could not support the addition of the language because it was new information that she had not fully read through yet.
She did, however, encourage a stronger police presence on all district campuses. She said she wanted to see one officer for every school and suggested the matter be placed on a future board agenda.
Sergeant Wes Elbers, of the San Diego Police Department, who attended the meeting with representatives from the San Diego County Sheriffs Department and Carlsbad Police Department, said the SDPD as a whole is understaffed and has officers on rotation visiting the schools.
It just seems like youre spread kind of thin, and we want to make sure all our students are safe, Muir said to the public safety representatives.
Parents also said the school should take a stand against sexual harassment, referring to an SDA teacher who resigned in February after he received 14 accusations of inappropriate behavior with students. Parents criticized the board for allowing the teacher to resign rather than firing him, thus passing the trash to another school.
It appears the district is no better than the Catholic Church, one parent said, encouraging a review of the districts sexual harassment policies in April.
A Canyon Crest Academy student also said the district could do a better job helping students with mental health. The girl said she had a friend who attempted suicide earlier that week and that shes known other peers who have also attempted suicide recently.
Mark Miller, the districts associate superintendent of administrative services, said SDUHSD currently employs 31 counselors and plans to hold more student wellness workshops.
The district has $1.5 million set aside outside the general fund for perimeter fencing, said Tina Douglas, the associate superintendent of business services. She added that could start happening at Torrey Pines and San Dieguito Academy as soon as next month. The district also plans to check all doors and gates; look into an ID visitor management system, which would work by scanning a visitors drivers license; update comprehensive school site plans; and look at signage on school site buildings.
Douglas said the district is also looking into vendors for cameras and expects a first set of cameras to be installed prior to the start of the next school year at Torrey Pines High School.
Staff emphasized that Torrey Pines and San Dieguito Academy should be taken care of first, in terms of the cameras and updated fencing, because they are older campuses.
Board member John Salazar suggested more immediate action needs to be taken. He said the district should hire security guards, install bulletproof glass and position panic buttons on the campuses.
A bureaucratic answer isnt what these people want, Salazar said of the crowd of parents. They want immediate action. ... This resolution is great, but it really isnt going to do anything. We have the money. Lets spend it now.
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Salmon may return to upper Columbia
SEATTLE (AP) Officials say salmon soon could return to the upper reaches of the Columbia River for the first time in seven decades.
Northwest News Network reports Cody Desautel, director of natural resources for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville, says his group will trap and haul fish out of its hatchery and put them above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams in northeast Washington. He says there will be salmon above Grand Coulee Dam this year for the first time in 70 years.
Desautel says the plan hangs on one last federal permit from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
If the final permit is approved, Colville fish managers will trap salmon at their hatchery and drive them around the dam by truck, where they'll be released back into the Columbia River. The tribe will keep track of where those fish go.
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ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) A recent study by an Oregon State University researcher questions the effectiveness of some juniper removal and suggests it could be contributing to the spread of non-native grass species.
The Argus Observer reports postdoctoral researcher Jacob Dittel, in a story written by Chris Branam, of the Oregon State Extension Service, says his concern is instead of reducing competition to native shrubs and grasses with juniper by cutting it, removal may be swapping competitors by increasing invasive grasses.
. . .
Business students jetted into Hong Kong and headed straight for the famous financial district on the first day of the latest #DMUglobal mass trip.
As part of De Montfort University (DMU) Leicesters award-winning international experience programme, the second-year students from the Faculty of Business and Law wasted no time visiting the world-famous Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) for a behind-the-scenes tour and a talk on its history.
Sandra Kukula, an Accounting and Finance student from Poland, said: We only flew in this morning and have already been to HKEX, learning about dealing shares and the differences to how they do it in London. Hong Kong is lovely, I dont think one week will be enough for me. As well as all the other academic visits, Im particularly looking forward to seeing the night-time laser show over the harbour and visiting Victoria Peak.
Jay Nanudra, studying Accounting and Finance, said: The city is very beautiful. A trip like this helps your understanding of the global markets and how they work in different countries, while widening your knowledge of other cultures.
Business Management and Finance student Nandini Dhorajia added: Tomorrow we are going around the financial district and Bloomberg trading, then we have a chance to tour the island itself for a couple of days, which will be really exciting. A trip like this really helps your studies your eyes are opened to the real world of business, especially in Hong Kong as its a very fast-paced environment.
Raja Vasram, studying Accounting and Finance, said: Ive not seen much of Hong Kong so far, but I like what Ive seen and Im looking forward to everything we have planned. Trips like this give you the bigger picture.
Hundreds of students from across all four DMU faculties are going on the week-long #DMUglobal trip, enjoying a mix of activities related to their academic studies while soaking in the unique culture and atmosphere as they explore the city.
Dr Linda Hickson, the Faculty of Business and Law associate professor who is leading the Finance in Hong Kong trip, said: #DMUglobal is really important because it puts the theoretical, academic stuff into the real world.
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DMU in Hong Kong
GREAT Festival of Innovation
When were talking about derivatives, trading and the stock exchange, its very difficult to imagine what its actually like, unless you come and visit a place like this.
Tomorrow were doing a tour of the financial district. Its a huge hub here in Hong Kong and the architecture is just amazing its like the banks compete with each other to have the best building - and then well round off the day with a visit to Bloomberg, for a tour of their offices.
Weve got a great connection with Bloomberg. Weve just introduced a trading room at DMU, so Ive been to visit them in London, New York and now Hong Kong. Lets see where we can go next!
The #DMUglobal trip coincides with the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong, Britains biggest trade show where the very best of UK creativity, design and innovation will be on show to the rest of the world.
DMU has been chosen as the UKs higher education partner, representing British education at its best, and will stand alongside fellow GREAT partners such as BBC Worldwide, Jaguar Land Rover, PwC, British Airways and HSBC at the four-day festival.
In October 2016 and January 2017, the companies signed two long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) that enabled construction of two Dutch windfarm projects - Krammer and Bouwdokken. These windfarms, both of which are located in the southwest of the Netherlands, have a total capacity of over 140 MW, enough to power approximately 140,000 households.
It is the first time that a group of multinationals in the Netherlands have teamed up to negotiate long-term PPAs directly with project developers, bypassing the involvement of an energy utility company. The Rocky Mountain Institutes (RMI) Business Renewables Center, a leading independent authority on sustainability, says the consortium is among the earliest examples of aggregated corporate demand successfully participating in clean energy markets worldwide.
This marks the next big step towards a new way of supplying energy for Dutch industry, said Marcel Galjee, Energy Director at AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, on behalf of the consortium. We brought together a group of companies that is united in its sustainability leadership. We believe it is of utmost importance to join forces and come up with innovative partnerships to achieve the sustainability goals of our companies as well as those set out in the Paris climate agreement.
Harry Coorens, VP Procurement Sustainability at Royal DSM added: The collaboration and progress as shown in this initiative is well recognized outside the Netherlands. I receive questions from all over the world to explain this success story. It is a prime example to show an industry drive and collaboration that supports a mutual goal; creating a cleaner environment for people today and generations to come. Looking back historically, its interesting to note that this project was developed near the Delta Works, another visionary feat that is highly regarded outside the Netherlands.
Marc Oman, EU Energy Lead, of Google Global Infrastructure said: "In 2017, Google purchased enough renewable energy to match 100% of our consumption for global operations. Success with this consortium plays a meaningful part in our global clean energy plans, and as a company, we are continuing to push innovation for corporate renewable energy procurement.
Simon Braaksma, Senior Director of Group Sustainability at Philips said: As a purpose-driven health technology company, a healthy planet is central to our mission, and we are making good progress to decouple economic growth from our environmental impact. All our operations in the United States are already powered by wind energy, and through this unique consortium, also our operations in the Netherlands will soon be completely powered by green electricity.
All four companies are also members of the RE100, a collaborative global initiative uniting more than 100 businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity, working to massively increase demand for - and delivery of - renewable energy.
AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, which already sources some 45% of its energy from renewable sources, will use the green energy chiefly to produce chlorine, caustic soda and green hydrogen at its site in Rotterdam, all essential raw materials in the chemical industry.
DSM uses the renewable energy as an addition to its commitment to purchase electricity from renewable sources to manufacture products in health, nutrition and materials and create solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance.
Google will supply its datacenter in the Netherlands with energy from the grid on which the windfarms are producing electricity.
When both Dutch windfarms are fully operational, 100% of Philips activities in the Netherlands will be powered by Dutch wind energy, an important milestone in the companys ambition to become carbon neutral by 2020.
The Bouwdokken windfarm is owned and constructed by E-Connection on the Neeltje Jans artificial island, which is part of the so-called Delta Works - a series of construction projects that protect the southwest of the Netherlands from the sea. Wind Cooperation Zeeuwind is a 25% shareholder of the windfarm, which consists of 7 turbines of 4.2 megawatt each.
Leading tech accelerator BlueChilli will create 240 early-stage startups over three years with the aid of a US$125 million fund managed by Singapore-based VC firm Hatcher+.
[Related: Investors in BlueChilli startups automatically qualify for tax deduction after ATO ruling and Why the startup ecosystem needs more non-technical entrepreneurs, not stereotypes]
Commenting on what the partnership means for BlueChilli, founder and CEO, Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin said: In three years time, well have 353 startups this is what global scale looks like!
In conversation with Dynamic Business, Eckersley-Maslin discussed the value the partnership will generate for all parties, including BlueChillis startups.
DB: What is the scope of the partnership with Hatcher+?
Eckersley-Maslin: BlueChillis role will be to source, build and invest in 240 startups over a three-year period commencing in April, and feed them into the Hatcher+ VC fund. Meanwhile, the guaranteed supply of capital from Hatcher+ will enable us to invest in the engineers, the creatives, the UX professionals and the product people necessary to build all 240 companies. In this way, the partnership will completely remove the barriers our entrepreneurs face around finance, product and go-to-market strategy.
DB: Will BlueChilli leverage the global network of Hatcher+?
Eckersley-Maslin: Absolutely. The guaranteed underwriting from Hatcher+ will give us the ability to scale our operations globally from a strong foundation. In order to create support 240 new companies, BlueChilli will need to expand and open up office around the world, which well be doing this year watch this space. To this end, well be leveraging the global network of Hatcher+, which will also help us launch our accelerator program in various countries around the world.
DB: What value will the partnership generate for startups?
Eckersley-Maslin: The deal means that when BlueChilli founders raise seed capital they will receive US$200,000 funding from Hatcher+ and up to AU$250,000 in matched funding from the BlueChilli Venture Fund. So, if one of our startups is able to raise US$500,000 from angel investors, they stand to receive up to $500,000 in additional funding. This gives our startups the firepower they need to accelerate faster and double down on their success. It also gives them greater confidence in being able to raise because the investors who back a BlueChilli startup will know there are two funds supporting its growth.
Plus, the Hatcher+ investment platform boasts around 8000 investors, which means that when or startups do capital raises, theyll have exposure to a global pool of investors.
DB: How was the deal between BlueChilli and Hatcher+ struck?
Eckersley-Maslin: I was introduced to Hatcher+ partner and founder John Sharp around 18 months ago by a contact Id made through Young Presidents Organisation (YPO). Wanting to partner with an APAC-based accelerator program that was best-in-class, Hatcher+ essentially sought out BlueChilli. Following a year of due diligence, during which Hatcher+ interviewed our team and observed how we work and operate, both parties came to the conclusion that a partnership was worth pursuing, so we entered negotiations. The partnership contract was signed a couple of weeks ago.
DB: What sort of validation does the deal provide BlueChilli?
Eckersley-Maslin: Hatcher+ have partnerships with other accelerators, globally, but Ive been told well be their largest provider of startups. In three years time, well have 353 startups including the startups weve already invested in and the 240 startups well be building for Hatcher+. Im still pinching myself because those numbers sound crazy but this is what global scale looks like! We now have a global partner that thinks big like we do, so Im super excited by this.
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By Breitbart , Mar. 18, 2018
On March 14 and 15, agents patrolling along the Rio Grande River near Laredo stopped seven illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border in two separate incidents. Further investigation in both cases revealed the individuals were Bangladesh nationals.
Border Patrol officials stated that 122 Bangladesh nationals have been arrested in the Laredo Sector this fiscal year. Other officials said that number could be much higher.
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By Independent , Mar. 19, 2018
China said it will begin applying its so-called social credit system to flights and trains and stop people who have committed misdeeds from taking such transport for up to a year.
People who would be put on the restricted lists included those found to have committed acts like spreading false information about terrorism and causing trouble on flights, as well as those who used expired tickets or smoked on trains, according to two statements issued on the National Development and Reform Commissions website on Friday.
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By OC Register , Mar. 16, 2018
Los Alamitos might try to opt out of Californias new sanctuary law.
The City Council in Orange Countys second-smallest city is scheduled to vote Monday, March 19 on an ordinance that calls for exempting itself from the California Values Act, SB54, a new law that limits cooperation between law enforcement and immigration authorities.
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By ABC News , Mar. 17, 2018
Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Mary J. Blige says Ryan Seacrest is fighting for his life right now.
Speaking Sunday on the red carpet for the Academy Awards, Blige says that she loves Seacrest and that she doesnt know the whole truth of what happened. The E! host has been accused of sexual misconduct by his former personal stylist. Hes denied the allegations.
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19 March 2018, Gaza World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today called for urgent action to improve health conditions in Gaza after concluding his first visit to the occupied Palestinian territory.
During his visit to Gaza, Dr Tedros witnessed the challenges that many people face in accessing quality health services. Chronic electricity shortages in Gaza are hindering the provision of life-saving medical services, and emergency fuel supplies are only enough to keep generators running for another few months. More than 40% of essential drugs are completely depleted in Gazas Central Drug Store, including drugs used in emergency departments and other critical units.
Access for patients requiring health care outside the Gaza Strip has also been declining: only 54% of patient applications to access services outside Gaza were accepted by Israeli authorities in 2017 compared to more than 90% of applications accepted in 2012. Approximately one third of these are for access to cancer treatment and diagnostic services lacking in Gaza. WHO and its partners are working with the Palestinian health ministry to address these issues.
Dr Tedros visited Shifa hospital, Gazas largest, to deliver essential lifesaving medical equipment procured as part of WHOs emergencies programme. He also met with UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which is playing an essential role in providing primary care services for Palestinian refugees. Despite new funding of $100 million pledged at a ministerial conference in Rome on 15 March, UNRWA faces a critical funding shortage which may result in social services including primary health care being curtailed as soon as July.
Despite the best efforts of health workers, many of whom have not been paid in months, Gazas health services are at breaking point, Dr Tedros said. Shortages of electricity, fuel and essential medicines are putting lives at risk. I call on all parties and partners to alleviate the suffering of many people.
In separate meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and representatives from the Government of Israel, Dr Tedros emphasised the need to use health as a bridge to peace, and to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health for all, including for Palestinians living in the occupied Palestinian territory. Israeli representatives agreed to work with WHO to address the issues raised.
He raised concerns over access restrictions for vulnerable patients to exit Gaza for health care not available within the Gaza Strip and highlighted the need to address the humanitarian health needs in Gaza and to develop the capacities of the local health system, including, for example, by ensuring reliable energy infrastructure for hospitals and clinics.
In addition to addressing Gazas health challenges, Dr Tedros discussed how to strengthen the Palestinian health system and achieve universal health coverage. He visited the Palestinian National Institute of Public Health, which aims to strengthen the Palestinian health system, with technical support from WHO and funding from the Government of Norway.
WHO, the World Bank and the Palestinian Ministry of Health also agreed recently to establish a partnership to make progress towards universal health coverage by supporting work on health financing reform, health workforce planning, and to expand the family practice model of primary care. Work has already started to address critical gaps in cancer treatment.
A regular session of the international donor coordination group in support of the Palestinian economy, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), will convene on 20 March in Brussels. To help meet the most immediate challenges in Gaza, like the absence of drinking water, the EU will also host a pledging conference on the Gaza Central Desalination Plant to meet humanitarian needs and to contribute to the economic development of Gaza.
Note to editors
WHOs programme in the occupied Palestinian territory has offices in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza, with 59 staff. WHO works in partnership with the Ministry of Health, with programmatic priorities including health systems development to support universal health coverage, strengthening the core capacities for the International Health Regulations, management of noncommunicable diseases, health information and coordination, emergency preparedness and response, support to mental health, and advocacy for the right to health.
Afrin residents handed over 3 terrorists to Turkish Army
Residents of Afrin handed over three YPG terrorists captured to Turkish Armed Forces.
As Turkeys Operation Olive Branch that launched to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin and to establish security along Turkey's borders as well as to protect Syrians from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists continues, Turkish military forces had entered Afrin on Sunday.
Turkish Armed Forces cleaning Afrin region from terrorists within the scope of Operation Olive Branch, are being helped by Afrin residents.
Afrin residents on Monday handed over three YPG terrorists to Turkish troops carrying out efforts to normalize life in the region in the wake of the liberation of the town center.
Residents, who long for security and peace, are also helping the Turkish army, which is carrying out efforts to clear the town from explosives and mines planted by the terrorists in the region.
Amid divorce rumors, Tori Spelling and husband, Dean McDermott, celebrate St. Patrick's Day in unison with the children on a restaurant date.
The couple and their five children chose to spend the holiday at Brendan's Irish Pub in Agoura Hills, California, on Saturday. The family had corned beef and cabbage as part of their menu. The children were dressed in color-coordinated green dresses except for 6-year-old Hattie, who was even cuter in pink.
In an Instagram post, McDermott posted a snapshot of their family with the caption: "Had the best St. Patricks day with my brood today." He also used the hashtags #familyfirst, maytheroadrisetomeetyou, and #blessed.
In the same day, Spelling also posted a photo of her sitting cozily on a grassy lawn and dressed in black long sleeve top and green lace skirt. Her outfit, which she called haute leprechaun, was accentuated with green lipstick.
Police Patrons
McDermott's household recently has been the center of intrigues as police authorities have visited their residence a couple of times. On one occasion prior to Beau's first birthday, the police showed up at their residence after a 911 report of a verbal altercation.
"Our officers were cautious in approaching the residence since it was unknown whether or not there were any weapons present, but none were discovered," the Los Angeles Police said.
"At this point in time, there is a preliminary investigation ongoing at the residence and our officers are there at the moment taking statements and reviewing any information that they have received regarding this incident," the police's statement continued.
In another incident, it was McDermott himself who called the police to visit the house and inquire about Spelling's well-being. The feud did not end there because on March 10, authorities were forced to lead them out of a restaurant after a heated argument during a dinner.
A group of paparazzi immediately caught the story and photographed the family leaving the diner through a back door. It was reported that McDermott pleaded the photographers not to inquire about Spelling's health in front of their children.
Complicated Relationships
In a magazine interview, Candy Spelling said that her daughter is not happy with her marriage to Dean. However, the same report stated that Tori and her mother have a "really complicated, kind of horrible relationship."
The couple's marriage woes are not surprising to the public, as the events are documented in the reality show True Tori. The show revealed McDermott's infidelity, including a two-day affair with a woman named Emily Goodhand, and his rehab journey.
It may not be the usual tandem but Samuel L. Jackson is actually friends with legal celebrity Judge Judy.
Judge Judy, whose real name is Judy Sheindlin, was spotted having dinner with the Pulp Fiction actor on Friday night in Los Angeles. Jackson took to Instagram to share a snapshot of a rare dinner night with Judge Judy.
Visible in the photo are glassful of drinks and empty plates, suggesting the two had a good time apparently talking about life's wisdom.
Sheindlin is an American prosecution lawyer who is best known for his Daytime Emmy Award-winning courtroom series called Judge Judy. The show, which first ran in September 1996, had Judge Judy as the presiding officer typically for small claims disputes.
Reportedly Judge Judy is one of the highest paid legal personalities whose salary amounted to $47 million in 2013. Last year, reported noted that she scored $95 million for her appearances in her TV series. She is also the longest-serving judge in the history of television.
Fancy Befriending Judges
Judge Judy is not the only one who is friends with Jackson. On the same weekend when the Avengers: Infinity War actor was having dinner with the lady judge, Jackson caught up with another magistrate celebrity, Judge Greg Mathis.
The Hateful Eight actor snapped a photo with Judge Mathis during their attendance at the Wearable Art Gala at Waco Theater Center in Los Angeles. Judge Mathis also leads his own courtroom series taken after his name.
Jackson's Instagram photo with Judge Mathis has received more than 64,000 likes and an active thread of commenters. One user said that Jackson and Judge Judy's friendship is odd while another commenter praised the latter's words of wisdom.
In an interview with on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Jackson shared that his friendship with Judge Judy started when they met at a party hosted by Toni Howard.
The judge's no-nonsense attitude is particularly appealing to Jackson. The actor called her awesome as she was "straight clocking dollars." He also told Cohen that the reason he and Judge Judy became really close was when he decided to stop smoking out of her influence.
"And when Judy stopped smoking, she made me stop smoking. She sent me to her doctor in White Plains, who actually treats you with sodium pentothal and I quit smoking," Jackson said.
He also shared details of their travels, including tea sessions in Dorchester in London.
Actress Cynthia Nixon is running for governor in her hometown, New York, and already she is getting some love from her Sex and the City cast.
The 51-year-old actress recently expressed her desire to run for governor in the Big Apple via her social media account and through an attached video. In the clip, Nixon was stating how she basically grew up in the place. It was also shown that she was talking with her wife, Christine, and taking her child, Charles, to a public school.
"We are now the most unequal state in the entire country, with both incredible wealth and extreme poverty," Nixon stresses in the video.
Battle With Cuomo
Her supposed intention to run for governor had long been heavily rumored, though now is the only time she gave life to these. Nixon is set to go head to head with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
However, it should be noted that she is heading to a great political battle, as Cuomo is a two-term governor and is the child of a long-time governor as well. Furthermore, the incumbent is looking at a massive campaign funds.
If that would be the case, analysts are now looking at her fame and star factor to snatch voters. Truly, minutes after she had posted her video campaign on Twitter, Nixon had become the trending topic on the microblogging site.
"I'm not nervous about whoever runs. There'll be people who run. That's called elections, and that's fine," Cuomo said last week, seemingly downplaying rumors that were circulating.
If Cuomo had downplayed upcoming contenders, Nixon did not mince her words in her website when she called the incumbent "centrist." She had also made quite a promise, focusing on public transportation, which the actress had been studying for a time now.
History
If she will win, Nixon is going to make history, becoming the first openly gay and female governor in New York. However, it is still unclear and too early to speculate on how the elections would fare, if one considers the polls conducted.
But, Nixon is already getting a lot of support from her Sex and the City costars. Kristin Davis, who played Charlotte York Goldenblatt in the HBO series and in the movie, took to social media to give her utmost support for her friend.
"[N]o one cares more than she does about EVERY person getting a fair change and a good education. I know that she would be an excellent Governor !" Davis wrote.
Willie Garson, who portrayed Stanford Blatch, is also pushing for Nixon to take the governor seat. He echoed Davis's statements that nobody knows the issues than the award-winning actress and advocate.
There is still no statement from her other Sex and the City costars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall, who played Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones respectively. Nixon played Miranda Hobbes in both the film and series.
Jim Carrey is drawing serious backlash with his artwork that seems to depict Sarah Huckabee Sanders as a "so-called Christian" that he branded as monstrous.
Twitter Slams Jim Carrey
The painting, posted on Twitter, drew the ire of many social media users who criticized the actor's combative words and unflattering artwork of what's believed to be the White House press secretary.
This is the portrait of a so-called Christian whose only purpose in life is to lie for the wicked. Monstrous! pic.twitter.com/MeYLTy1pqb Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) March 17, 2018
"This is one more reason that I'm done with Hollywood," one Twitter user responded. "It's ok to be mean and hurtful as long as it's to someone you disagree with, right? Btw, this is a classic example of bullying. But again, it's ok as long as it's someone you disagree with, right?"
"Why did your girlfriend kill herself?" one fired to the actor, referring to his late girlfriend Cathriona White.
Sander's father Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, also clapped back against the Hollywood funnyman on Twitter, calling Carrey a "pathetic bully, sexist, hater, bigot, and 'Christaphobe'" for attacking the press secretary's faith.
Many slam the tweet for its criticism of Sander's religion.
"Jim, do not interfere with people's personal religious beliefs within their policies," one response reads. "Because then one must also mix politicians who have Jewish faith, Muslim faith and other religious beliefs in politics."
Carrey, 56, did not say who the subject of his painting was, but many find the resemblance to Huckabee too uncanny for it to be a coincidence. The image featured an angry-looking woman who seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument.
The caption also points to the identity of Huckabee as she is very open about her Christianity to the public.
There are a number of positive reactions to Carrey's tweet as well, praising the likeness to the controversial press secretary.
Art For Political Criticisms
It's not the first time Carrey used paintings to express his contempt for President Trump's administration, although it's one that has attracted the most attention.
The Truman Show star has also posted artworks of White House chief of staff John Kelly being run over by a carousel horse, Sen. Marco Rubio with blood in his hands, and House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes as a delivery boy. Like his cartoon of Sanders, these previous paintings were met with divisive criticism on social media.
Most Hollywood stars have their team of assistant, makeup artists, and stylists to help them look perfect at events, that is, apart from Blake Lively. The actress does everything by herself because she has control problems.
Her Own Stylist
Lively got candid about her preference to pick her own clothes and dress herself in an interview with WWD on Thursday evening at Barney's New York. Lively, who is married to Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, acknowledges that it is a lot of work to be your own stylist. She admits though that she finds it easy to do because it is just going through any daily routine of waking up and dressing yourself up.
"So once you have the clothes, you just pick out what to wear like any other human being does. But it's easier because you have access to clothes and so it's not that hard," Lively explained.
However, the hard part is picking out the clothes and calling them in. This is where her assistant comes along. The assistant helps her call in the clothes she has chosen to wear.
"The hard part is going through all the fashion shows and screenshotting all the looks you like and calling them in. I have an assistant who helps in calling in the looks," the mother-of-two adds.
The honest answer though is that the Gossip Girl alum has "control issues and a big ego." Lively admits that she would rather be her own stylist than hire a professional, because it helps express her creativity when it comes to her love of fashion and design.
Relationships
Likewise, the 30-year old reveals that she has relationships with the designers. She prefers to work closely with them for a wardrobe of her own liking. Case in point, she reveals that she has already gone over her MET Gala look with Christian Louboutin and Lorraine Schwartz. Lively says that they are customizing a special dress for her.
"So it's kind of nice, because I have a bunch of artists around me who I have direct relationships with. It's sort of a group effort with that. I rely on people who do that for a living rather than outsourcing it to someone else," Lively tells the publication.
Lively excels at being her personal stylist. She loves to take fashion risks and is a pro when it comes to matching everything from head-to-toe. She knows how to mix-and-match clothes with accessories and follows themes. She wears clothes according to the occasion. Lively has so far flaunted flawless fashion wears during press tours and grand events.
The Tribeca Film Festival has unveiled this year's Tribeca Talks lineup featuring cast of Schindler's List and Scarface. The films will also have their anniversary screenings at the annual event.
Anniversary Screenings
The screening of Schindler's List from filmmaker Steven Spielberg at the film festival marks the 25th anniversary of the movie. Cast of the seven-time Oscar-winning pic will be on-hand to celebrate, including Ben Kingsley, Liam Neeson, and Embeth Davidtz, to name a few.
A post-screening conversation will take place with Spielberg and the cast on April 26 at the Beacon Theater. New York Times critic Janet Maslin will moderate the conversation which will take place at 6:30 p.m.
Schindler's List won Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards. Twenty-Five years after its release, the film, which explores the human strife brought by the Holocaust, is still considered as one of the greatest films of all time.
Meanwhile, a reunion of sorts also happens for the cast of Scarface at the 17th annual Tribeca Film Festival. The cast of director Brian De Palma's cult classic will join the director at a panel conversation following the screening to celebrate the film's 35th anniversary. Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino will join De Palma at the Beacon Theater on April 19 at 7 p.m.
The modernization of Howard Hawk's 1932 classic garnered Pacino a cult following for his portrayal of fictional gangster leader Tony Montana.
Other Lineup
Aside from Schindler's List and Scarface, In the Soup from director Alexandre Rockwell will also celebrate its 25th anniversary at the film festival on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. The screening of the largely forgotten pic comes after a Kickstarter campaign urged the restoration of the remaining damaged print from the 1992 classic movie. The film stars Seymour Cassel and Steve Buscemi.
The Tribeca Film Festival will present the final restored pic. Festival attendees will see a screening of the 25-year-old classic indie drama restored in 4K resolution. A panel conversation with the director, cinematographer Phil Parmet, Buscemi, and costars Sam Rockwell and Jennifer Beals will take place after the screening.
Aside from the post-screening discussions for Scarface and Schindler's List, this year's Tribeca Film Festival also includes a lineup of filmmakers, artists, entertainers, and icons at the festival's different programs.
Directors Alexander Payne, Nancy Meyers, and Jason Reitman are among the attendees of The Tribeca Talks: Directors Series. Meanwhile, actors Robert De Niro, Spike Lee, Jamie Foxx, Bradley Cooper, and Alec Baldwin are slated to participate in the Tribeca Talks: Storytellers program.
Infamous killer Charles Manson has been laid to rest. It's been confirmed that Manson was cremated, a funeral held, and his remains scattered accordingly.
A Proper Burial
This final chapter in Manson's story comes after a lengthy court battle for his remains. His grandson, Jason Freeman, one of about 20 to 25 people who attended the memorial service Saturday, prevailed last week, gaining custody of his grandfather's remains.
Manson, the infamous cult leader, died in prison at the age of 83. His funeral was held in Porterville, California and attended by Freeman and his wife, along with a smattering of other mourners.
According to the Porterville Recorder, Manson follower Sandra Good, who served 10 years in prison for her part in his cult, attended the service alongside several other acquaintances. Afton Elaine Burton, a woman Manson took out a license to wed when he was 80 and she was just 26, also attended.
Manson was cremated after the service and his ashes were scattered. Pastor Mark Pitcher said he agreed to lead the service only due to Freeman and his wife being Christians. Freeman reportedly insisted on his grandfather having a proper burial in spite of his checkered history.
Although Pichter didn't concentrate on Manson's past misdeeds, he also didn't completely negate the man's crimes in his sermon on the day.
"There were many choices thrust upon him that brought about very challenging circumstances through his early years. But he also made choices that brought great consequence and negatively impacted other people for many, many years," he said of the notorious killer.
The body was handed over to a funeral and cremation center in Porterville on March 14. Freeman then contracted with them to take possession of it. A documentary cameraman was reportedly present when he officially did so.
A Checkered Past
Manson was sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating, via the so-called Manson Family, the 1969 murders of Sharon Tate and eight others, which took place during a bloody, two-night killing spree.
The ersatz hippie leader utilized drugs and charisma to control his followers, who slaughtered five of their victims at Tate's home alone. The actress was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. Prosecutors later divulged that Manson ordered the killings to kick-start a race war.
Quentin Tarantino recently confirmed that his next project will feature Tate and deal with her murder. Margot Robbie is currently in talks to play the iconic actress, alongside the high-profile likes of Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Since 1989, Manson was being kept in the Protective Housing Unit at California State Prison-Corcoran, where inmates who would be at risk among the general prison population are housed. He was hospitalized at least twice over the year leading up to his death.
Of the decision to give his grandfather a proper send-off, Freeman was reticent.
"[The service will put to rest] this so-called monster, this historical figure that shouldn't have been blown up as big as it was for all these years," he said.
Fans who thought Luke Skywalker is gone forever will be happy to learn it's not gonna be the case. Mark Hamill reprises the role in a short.
One Last Hurrah
Hamill voices a young version of his most iconic character in a new Star Wars Forces Of Destiny short. The animated series is currently playing on Disney's YouTube channel.
Luke Skywalker went out in a blaze of glory in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Fans were devastated by the loss of the character following Han Solo's untimely demise in predecessor The Force Awakens, and the real-life loss of Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher.
They can dry their eyes somehow, taking solace in the fact that Hamill returns as Luke Skywalker one last time for "The Path Ahead." In the short, Skywalker is still being trained to be a Jedi master by Yoda in Dagobah. The time period should be around The Empire Strikes Back.
Luke learns an important lesson about the Force in the typically unconventional Yoda way after climbing to the tops of some trees and attempting to navigate without falling down. This is fairly similar to the first lesson given to Rey in The Last Jedi.
"Struggling with his Jedi training, Luke is grateful for master Yoda's offer to join him on a sojourn through the trees and swamps of Dagobah, until he learns that Yoda will be riding in his backpack! Minding Yoda, Luke learns to trust what he feels instead of what he thinks he sees," reads the description for the episode.
Although Skywalker has been killed off in the series, there's still a chance he may return as a so-called "Force Ghost" in J.J. Abrams's untitled Star Wars Episode IX.
The final chapter in the new trilogy should tie up everything that began in The Force Awakens. Hamill recently joked it was up to Abrams whether or not Skywalker will be featured in the next movie.
Fleshing Out The Story
Fellow cast members Daisy Ridley, Felicity Jones, John Boyega, and Lupita Nyong'o all also lend their voices to Star Wars: Forces of Destiny.
The series, now in its second season, showcases the never-before-seen moments from the billion-dollar franchise's vast canon. It features all the fan-favorite characters that could never happen in the movies such as Rogue One hero Jyn Erso joining forces with Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebels.
This latest short fleshes out a beloved character whose trajectory from simple farm boy to Jedi master hasn't always been clear. It also gives fans something to assuage the pain of losing Luke Skywalker possibly forever in the movies.
Hamill is a successful voice actor in his own right, most memorably playing as The Joker several times over in the hugely popular Batman: The Animated Series.
It looks like Jim Carrey can now add two new roles to his resume as he is now a cartoonist and painter.
On Tuesday, March 20, the 56-year-old comedian took to Twitter to share his latest painting. This time, Carrey painted Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
The new painting features a black and white sketch of the internet entrepreneur along with the Facebook thumbs down button and an infamous quote from Zuckerberg.
"They trust me, dumb f -," the quote reads.
Carrey's latest drawing is reportedly a response to Facebook's latest error. On Sunday, March 18 it was discovered that the social media network unknowingly shared information of 50 million users with political research firm Cambridge Analytica, which is a company that worked for President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.
Of course, the incident prompted a debate of the improper handling of data as well as how much access should Facebook have to a users' personal information.
The episode is more than likely what led Carrey to pose a question as the caption of the drawing of Zuckerberg.
"Who are you sharing your life with? #regulatefacebook" the actor labeled the drawing.
Carrey Wants Everyone To Delete Facebook
The Ace Ventura star's latest image of Zuckerberg should come as no surprise as he announced that he was deleting his Facebook account back in February.
Carrey claimed that he was removing his account because the network was profiting from Russian interference in the elections. The actor later encouraged investors and those that use the app to do the same if they care about the future.
Is Drawing Carrey's New Hobby?
The Bruce Almighty star first stirred controversy when he shared his first artwork of White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders.
This is the portrait of a so-called Christian whose only purpose in life is to lie for the wicked. Monstrous! pic.twitter.com/MeYLTy1pqb Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) March 17, 2018
Then on Monday, the screenwriter released a new painting of President Donald Trump referring to him as the Wicked Witch of the West. In the sketch, President Trump appears green-faced as monkeys swarm around him.
MOSS POINT, Miss. -- Moss Point police arrested a man after he was seen attempting to break into car, according to Interim Police Chief Brandon Ashley.
On Sunday, police responded to a call for a suspicious subject attempting to enter a vehicle.
As officers arrived, the owner of the vehicle said he noticed a man attempting to burglarize their automobile parked in the driveway.
The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Larry Rostchild.
Rostchild led police on a pursuit by foot but was later found hiding in the rear of another residence in the area. Police arrested him without incident and charged him with automobile burglary.
He is currently being held in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.
Those who have any additional information about the crime are asked to contact Detective Vince Nye or the Moss Point Police Department at 228-475-1711.
You may also contact Crime Stoppers at 800-787-5898 or visit the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers website at mscoastcrimestoppers.com.
19 March 2018
Left to right: EPO President Battistelli with Bulgarias Deputy Economy Minister Lachezar Borisov and President of the Bulgarian Patent Office Petko Nikolov
The EPO joined the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in organising a conference on IP on 16 March in Sofia under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event was opened by senior Bulgarian officials including Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy Valeri Simeonov, Deputy Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov, and President of the Bulgarian Patent Office Petko Nikolov, EPOPresident Benoit Battistelli, and senior officials of WIPO and the EU Intellectual Property Office. Almost 100 participants from government and the IP profession attended, including representatives of national patent offices from 25 European countries.
In his opening address, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Simeonov underlined that the quality and potential of an economy strongly depend on the development of a strong scientific and technology base in the country, as well as on entrepreneurship.
EPO President Benoit Battistelli outlined recent developments in the European patent system and the importance of patents in supporting innovation and economic growth, which is set to be boosted by the Unitary Patent: "European SMEs expect the timely launch of the unitary patent system," he said. "It will offer a more efficient and cost-effective option for EU wide patent protection, helping to support our inventors and the European economy." He also thanked the Bulgarian government and the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria for putting industrial property at the centre of the EU Presidency agenda. The EPO President presented recent initiatives aimed at improving the Office's services and explained how careful control of costs has allowed the EPO to reduce some of its fees from 1 April. Together with other cost-saving initiatives, the move will generate savings of some 25 million euros every year for the EPO's users, directly benefitting European enterprises.
Co-operation with Bulgaria
In a separate meeting, the EPO President and Deputy Prime Minister Simeonov discussed the strengthening of the European patent system as a factor in boosting innovation and the economy. Mr Simeonov expressed the support of the Bulgarian government for the start of the Unitary Patent system.
Mr Battistelli also met the Deputy Economy Minister, Lachezar Borisov, who highlighted the importance of the close co-operation between the Bulgarian patent office and the EPO. Mr Borisov underlined the role of IP as an enabler of technology transfer and further R&D.
In bilateral discussions with Bulgarian Patent Office President Petko Nikolov, joint activities and projects were addressed. Co-operation in all three main co-operation areas, namely training, patent information and awareness, and IT services and tools, has intensified in recent years, with a bilateral co-operation plan signed by the EPO and the Bulgarian office in 2015. Bulgaria has been a member state of the European Patent Organisation since 2002.
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GULFPORT, Mississippi -- An Ocean Springs man has been sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison on a child pornography charge, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Monday.
U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden sentenced 45-year-old Steven Dedual Jr. to 159 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision. Ozerden also imposed a $5,000 fine, ordered restitution of $5,000 to each of three victims, and a $5,000 special assessment as allowed under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
Dedual pleaded guilty in November to charges he engaged in the use of child pornography via the Internet. He admitted that from November 2015 to May 2016, he used computers in both Ocean Springs and Gulfport to access the Internet and, through use of a file-sharing network, viewed "visual depictions" of minors engaging in sexually-explicit acts, including at least one image which included a minor not yet 12 years of age.
Dedual initially pleaded not guilty during a plea hearing in August. He faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of post-release supervision.
According to the Sun Herald, Ozerden received letters from both Dedual's wife of 23 years and his mother asking for leniency. The Gulfport newspaper had published a feature on Dedual and his wife after they opened a food delivery service called "We Dash - You Dine," now defunct.
Investigators said videos found on Dedual's computers, both at his home in Ocean Springs and at work in Gulfport, included some which depicted girls aged 9-10 engaged in sex acts with their fathers.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones was the prosecutor.
ezhejiang.gov.cn
International students pose with someone in a panda costume in front of the Zhejiang booth at the education exhibition in Barcelona, Spain on March 14. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]
A total of 29 universities and colleges from East China's Zhejiang province teamed up to attend an international education exhibition in Barcelona, Spain on March 14.
"So far, 63 students have come to ask for details and we have enrolled one," a teacher from the Admission Office of Hangzhou Dianzi University said with excitement.
"Spanish students are interested in fashion design, and we have high quality textile and clothing programs," said Chen Minzhi, deputy dean of the International Education College of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University.
The university developed an online application platform for overseas students. More than 40 students submitted applications online on the morning of the first day, according to Chen.
In addition to answering questions and conducting admissions interviews, cooperation agreements were also reached behind the scenes.
Spain's Universitat Jaume I and Jinhua Polytechnic signed a framework agreement to cooperate on disciplinary and research projects, as well as exchange teacher and student visits.
Hu Weikang, deputy head of Zhejiang's commerce department, said the development of education is vital to the province's opening-up, talent cultivation and innovation.
This is the third consecutive year that Zhejiang has attended overseas education exhibitions, and the purpose of the province's participation is not only to recruit international students but also to improve the schools' cross-cultural reputation, Hu explained.
Students are the best envoys of civilization between China and other countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, he added.
The Chinese cultural elements displayed by Zhejiang exhibitors, from the clothes they were wearing and the decorative style of their booth to on-the-spot demonstrations of traditional handicrafts, caught the attention of many Spanish visitors.
Chen Jianping, dean of the International College of Ningbo University, said that inter-disciplinary talents who have a good knowledge of foreign languages and business are urgently needed for international mergers and acquisitions, overseas listing, and foreign contracting projects. This exhibition is a major channel for enrolling overseas talents.
According to Chen, Ningbo University ranks second in the province in number of foreign students, and the university has been intensifying its efforts to globalize and promote intercollegiate cooperation.
As of 2017, more than 35,000 overseas students from 175 countries and regions had attended schools in Zhejiang. An increasing number of young people from developed countries in Europe and North America choose to come to Zhejiang to further their education.
Students' interests have expanded from Chinese language and culture to science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine, as well as cross-border e-commerce, said He Xingren, a provincial government official.
An Executive Member of Manitoba Pork's Board of Directors says it took a visit to Japan to understand how much his customers appreciate the product he produces.
Earlier this month, in observance of the signing of the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and to celebrate Canadian pork's ongoing relations with Japan, a delegation representing the sector travelled to Japan to meet with customers.
Scott Peters, a Steinbach area pork producer and Executive Director of Manitoba Pork, says it was only after arriving in Tokyo that he became aware of the significance of Canadian pork to the Japanese market.
Scott Peters-Manitoba Pork:
From the very first meeting in Japan until the day we left we were told how important and how great the quality of Canadian pork is to the people of Japan, specifically the marbling and the texture and the fact that there's no odor to it is specific to that market.
When the pork is sliced in Japan they want it extremely thin and that's actually called shabu shabu.
Because our product is firm and the fat is firm, it slices extremely well and so the people of Japan prepare their meat exactly like that just to get that full taste.
Right now for Canadian producers, we are nailing right on the head for that market.
Source : Farmscape
JACKSON, Miss. -- The state's governor will appoint Mississippi's first female member of Congress to fill the Senate vacancy that will soon be created when veteran Sen. Thad Cochran retires, three state Republicans told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Cindy Hyde-Smith, a 58-year-old Republican, has served as the state's agriculture commissioner since 2011.
Once appointed, Hyde-Smith will immediately be running for re-election for the nearly three years remaining in Cochran's term. That special election will be Nov. 6. Two of the sources said Gov. Phil Bryant was expected to announce his selection of Hyde-Smith as early as Wednesday.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement was not yet official.
Hyde-Smith is expected to be backed by the national and Mississippi GOP establishment against challenges from insurgent Republican state Sen. Chris McDaniel and Democrats who would like to nab a Mississippi senate seat as part of an effort to overturn a slim GOP majority.
The tea party-backed McDaniel, who narrowly missed knocking off Cochran in 2014, said last week that he would drop a primary challenge to Mississippi's other senator -- Roger Wicker -- to instead seek Cochran's seat. Mike Espy, a Democrat who served as President Bill Clinton's secretary of agriculture, said Monday he has a "strong intention" to run for Cochran's seat. In 1986, Espy became the first African-American in modern times to win a congressional seat in Mississippi. Other candidates could yet join the race. If no one earns a majority on Nov. 6, a runoff would follow on Nov. 27.
Bryant, who like McDaniel benefited from substantial tea party backing, declared open war on his onetime ally after he switched races. Bryant has said he was focused on naming someone who could hold the seat for years to come. By choosing Hyde-Smith and passing over the 70-year-old Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Bryant follows a long Mississippi tradition of seeking to place federal lawmakers who can stay in Congress for decades and build seniority and influence. Hyde-Smith could be able to call on support from agricultural interests, which are strong in Mississippi, one of the nation's most rural states.
Cochran announced March 5 that he would retire on April 1, citing health problems. The 80-year-old, first elected to the Senate in 1978 after serving six years in the House, was the first Republican elected to the Senate from Mississippi since Reconstruction ended. A mild-mannered Southerner, Cochran came to the Senate when it had a far clubbier atmosphere and he played an insider's game throughout his seven terms -- particularly as a member of the powerful Appropriations panel, which had long been a bipartisan powerhouse and way to funnel taxpayer dollars back home.
Hyde-Smith is a former colleague of McDaniel, having been elected three times to the state Senate from a rural southwest Mississippi district that includes her hometown of Brookhaven. She switched parties to become a Republican in 2010, and won a three-way GOP primary for agriculture commissioner in 2011 without a runoff. She beat Democratic opponents even more easily in the 2011 and 2015 general elections.
Hyde-Smith is Mississippi's first female agriculture commissioner and one of only four women ever elected statewide. Mississippi and Vermont are the only two U.S. states never to have elected a woman to Congress.
McDaniel, seeking an anti-establishment message, has been accusing Bryant of letting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell or other GOP leaders in Washington pick the state's next senator. Bryant has hotly denied any such influence, but has said he expected President Donald Trump and others to aid his choice.
Alexander Nix (Courtesy of Cambridge Analytica via Youtube)The top executive of a data firm was secretly filmed pitching bribery and honey pots to an undercover journalist posing as a Sri Lankan political operative during a dinner in London.
Cambridge Analytica Chief Executive Alexander Nix and the firms director of political operations, Mark Turnbull, were filmed by British broadcaster Channel 4 News in January.
In the video, they tell the supposed Sri Lankan fixer about their past experience sabotaging opposition candidates.
Nix describes bribing incumbents in exchange for damaging information, and using sex traps to film and compromise candidates.
He also explains how subcontractors from the UK and Israel are used as operatives, to keep Cambridges involvement secret.
The video was released Monday.
Two days earlier, a report by the New York Times and the Observer of London described how Cambridge Analytica harvested private information from Facebook profiles of more than 50 million users without their permission. That story was based on interviews with former Cambridge employees and on documents, the newspapers said.
The [Facebook data] breach allowed [Cambridge Analytica] to exploit the private social media activity of a huge swath of the American electorate, developing techniques that underpinned its work on President Trumps campaign in 2016, the New York Times said.
Cambridge Analytica has denied that the firms political division used the Facebook data as alleged.
The firm said Monday the Channel 4 video was edited and scripted to grossly misrepresent the nature of the conversations. The Cambridge executives were seeking to tease out any unethical or illegal intentions. They left the meeting with grave concerns, the company said.
Nix said he was playing along in the meeting. Cambridge Analytica, he said, doesnt engage in entrapment, bribes or so-called honeytraps.
Heres the Channel 4 report, starting at the London dinner meeting:
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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Despite the UKs rhetoric about wanting a world leading reputation for integrity as a financial center, it has never prosecuted a single company or bank for money laundering.
Given the scale of money laundered through the UK, this is pretty extraordinary.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that many hundreds of billions of pounds are laundered through UK banks and their subsidiaries every year. The NCAs 2017 risk assessment for the UK found that high-end and cash-based money laundering remain the greatest areas of money laundering risk to the UK, with retail and wholesale banking and private wealth management providing a crucial gateway for criminals to launder their funds. The UKs wealth management industry manages $800 billion of global wealth at particular risk of laundering.
London has long had a reputation as the Laundromat of choice for corrupt actors globally. Corruption Watch estimates that UK banks (whether banks headquartered in the UK or UK branches of banks headquartered elsewhere) have been publicly implicated in the laundering of at least 5.6 billion ($7.8 billion) worth of funds linked to corruption scandals alone since 2008. It is likely that the figure is far higher. In 2015, Deutsche Bank found strong evidence that the UK had received $93 billion in hidden inflows between 2006-2015 with a significant portion coming from Russia.
Light touch regulation the UKs forte. Despite official acknowledgement of the problem, recent figures show that the UKs regulator for the financial sector, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which has primary responsibility for prosecuting money laundering, only opened 24 investigations into companies for breaches of the UKs Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) since 2007 and has brought zero prosecutions.
In the past five years, the FCA imposed regulatory fines on just seven banks for money laundering failures, totalling 263.7 million (about $370 million). The highest of these was the 163 million (about $228 million) fine imposed on Deutsche Bank by the FCA in 2017 for breaching the FCAs own money laundering control rules by laundering $10 billion out of Russia in the mirror trade case.
The next highest fine was Barclays Bank in 2015 at 72 million (about $101 million) for deliberately breaching money laundering rules in relation to a transaction involving politically exposed persons. All the other fines have been less than 10 million (about $14 million). Startlingly absent is any fine against UK headquartered banks, HSBC and Standard Chartered which have both faced multiple fines for money laundering in the United States and elsewhere and have been implicated in numerous money laundering scandals.
The total lack of prosecutions and the low rate of even regulatory fines is surprising in light of the shocking inadequacies the FCA found in 2011 in banks anti-money laundering controls a third of banks accepted very high levels of money-laundering risk and three quarters were found to be failing to take adequate measures to establish the legitimacy of wealth they were handling. The acting head of financial crime at the FSA at the time, Tracey McDermott, who now works for Standard Chartered Bank, said at the time: The banks are just not taking the rules seriously enough.
One would have thought that some prosecutions, both of banks and of senior executives, would have helped ensure the rules were taken seriously. Yet, despite stating in April 2017 that it may start prosecuting companies and individuals for poor money laundering controls where there are serious or repeated failings, the FCA has yet to open a single criminal investigation under the new Money Laundering Regulations (MLR 2017) which came into effect on June 26, 2017.
The FCA is not alone in its zero prosecution strategy. The HMRC which supervises some of the very high risk sectors for money laundering, including company service providers, high value dealers, money service businesses and estate agents, and has the ability to prosecute, has likewise launched zero prosecutions against any company either under the 2007 or 2017 Money Laundering Regulations. In 2017, it imposed regulatory fines on 886 companies totalling 1.1 million (about $1.5 million) or effectively 1,290 (about $1,800) per company, but refuses to name those it has fined.
The HMRCs lack of transparency about who it has fined and the very low fines it imposes clearly undermines the deterrent value of sanctioning companies for breaches of the Money Laundering regulations (though it has said it is currently reconsidering its non-disclosure policy).
UK lags other jurisdictions. The government points to the fines imposed on Deutsche Bank as an example of sufficient regulatory fines for money laundering. Yet Deutsche Banks fine of 163 million ($228 million) the highest ever imposed in the UK is less than half of that imposed by the NYDFS (New York Department of Financial Services) which fined the bank $425 million despite the fact that it was the London branch that provided the primary route for the laundering out of Russia. Deutsche Bank still faces criminal investigation in the United States for the same conduct.
Compared to the FCAs total of 263.7 million ($369 million) in fines in the past five years, between 2009 and 2015, U.S. authorities imposed $5.2 billion worth of penalties ($3.6 billion of which were criminal) for breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. In the first three months of 2018 alone, U.S. regulators imposed combined penalties of $982 million (comprised of both civil and criminal penalties) on two banks for wilfully running defective anti-money laundering program.
Kleptocrats and high risk political exposed persons are potentially profitable customers for UK banks and businesses. Ensuring that the regulatory environment makes sure that banks think twice about taking on this business is crucial. The FCA claims that significant progress has been made by financial institutions, but in 2017 it still found ongoing weaknesses in governance, and longstanding and significant underinvestment in resourcing for control systems among the regulated sector and a mismatch between policies and practice in relation to money laundering.
What next? So what should the FATF reviewers be asking the UK? First and foremost, they should be probing what is behind the lack of prosecutions for money laundering in the UK. There is no doubt that the UK legal system is itself at fault the UKs corporate liability regime has been recognised by the Law Commission as inadequate for holding large global corporations to account. The UK has introduced new laws to tackle tax evasion and bribery to meet this gap, but is so far refusing to take steps to do so for money laundering and other economic crimes.
But there are also questions to be asked about political will of the regulators themselves to get serious about imposing serious penalties on a regular basis for money laundering and about who is the right body to prosecute money laundering.
In a report in 2015, Transparency International UK found that 73 percent of the UKs 27 supervisory bodies for AML at that time had institutional conflicts of interest, acting as both lobbyists for their industries and supervisors. While the FCA was not one those included in this category, the FCA is funded by fees paid by the bodies that it regulates.
The UK Parliaments Treasury Committee, meanwhile, has long questioned whether it is appropriate for the FCA to act as both a supervisor and an enforcer. The fact that the Chancellor can fire a FCA chief in circumstances where financial institutions are complaining that the regulator is being too tough, suggests that the FCA is not as independent as it needs to be.
Ultimately if the FCA and the HMRC are not prepared to prosecute, then that job needs to be given to another body which has the will to do so, and it needs to be given the resources to get on with it. The UKs zero prosecution strategy is no longer a credible response to the constant money laundering scandals implicating its financial institutions.
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Susan Hawley is Policy Director of Corruption Watch. She worked for six years at the Corner House on corruption issues, having previously worked in the policy team at Christian Aid on ethics and corruption issues. She was behind the successful judicial review by the Corner House of the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) for weakening new anti-bribery rules following secret lobbying by defense and aerospace companies.
Figures on UK banks involved in laundering compiled by Rahul Rose, Senior Researcher for Corruption Watch.
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OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Police are searching for a pair of suspects who they say robbed an Ocean Springs man at gunpoint outside his residence early Tuesday morning.
At 5:13 a.m., Ocean Springs officers responded to a call from a residence on Holly Street. Upon arrival, they learned that two men wearing ski masks had approached the male resident when he came outside to go to work.
The victim's wife came outside and was ordered to go back in the house by the suspects, who pointed their unidentified weapons at her. The wife complied, only to return with a shotgun a moments later. By that time, however, the suspects had fled on foot.
Prior to fleeing, the suspects threw the wallet onto the porch, with its contents still inside, but kept the cell phone.
No description of the suspects has been given.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 228-875-2211 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898 (or text CSTIP to 274637).
SHANGHAI, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --(DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR)- Universal Fibersfurther elevates the leading performance advantages of PrestivaPA6 carpet fiber with built-in encapsulated stain resistance. While the company also provides this technology for its PA66 products including Prisma Refreshand Thrive this latest advancement now expands the capability to both core chemistries. Universal Fibers offers Prestiva in its exclusive 600 denier building block answering industry demand for light weight high bulk fiber, while supporting market objectives for styling and ease of care and maintenance. Exacting solution-dyed color is also achieved with access to Universal Color an incredible palette of 284 trend setting hues scientifically developed as a base from which virtually any color may be created.
Universal Fibers' stain resist technology is inherent within the fiber and thus permanent. It cannot be worn off in foot traffic or cleaned off in maintenance. This outstanding innovation is environmentally safe, recyclable and supports extended product life since its performance will not diminish over time.
"We are extremely excited to further advance the features and benefits of Prestiva for our honored customers globally," says Roger Seow, Universal Fibers' Vice President of International Sales and Marketing. "Our mission is to help our customers win with leading fiber technology the market will value. Prestiva with permanent stain resistance supports this objective."
To see Prestiva on display visit Universal Fibers at China Floor, booth W3-D05. Learn more at universalfibers.com
About Universal Fibers, Inc.: Universal Fibers, Inc. is one of two business units within Universal Fiber Systems, LLC, with Premiere Fibers, Inc. the second business unit. Based in Bristol, Virginia USA with manufacturing facilities in Europe, Thailand and China, Universal Fibers, Inc. is a global leader in the production of high quality, solution-dyed synthetic filament-based fibers for the flooring, transportation and industrial fibers industries.
Universal Fibers| ISO 9001, 14001 | Bristol, Virginia USA | Taicang, China
For more information, contact; +1.276.669.1161, info@universalfibers.com www.universalfibers.com
Media Contact:
Denise Rushing
Tele: +1.423.752.4687, ext. 317
E: drushing@ndp-agency.com
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656222/Universal_Fibers_Logo.jpg
Public Affairs Division Global Communications Department Toyota Motor Corporation Tel: +81-3-3817-9926
Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mar 20, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - A prototype of the world's first hybrid flexible-fuel vehicle (Hybrid FFV), debuted in an event Toyota held today in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Stakeholders including the state government, universities, and the sugarcane association (the Sugarcane Industry Union: UNICA) attended the event. The prototype is the combination of a flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) that can be powered by both gasoline and alternative fuels such as ethanol, and Toyota's famous hybrid system which combines a combustion engine and an electrical powertrain.Hybrid FFV is a new powertrain system that Toyota is developing with an aim to popularize Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Brazil and contribute to the environment through reduction of CO2 emissions. Hybrid FFV has the potential to drastically reduce total CO2 emissions as it is built on Toyota's hybrid system that has high energy efficiency and low emission levels and it also leverages the CO2 reabsorption capacity of ethanol, a plant-derived 100% renewable fuel. The prototype uses the Toyota Prius as a base model, which is currently sold and becoming popular in Brazil.Toyota's initial studies indicate that Hybrid FFV has a great advantage in environmental performance compared to a standard FFV, when we estimate CO2 emissions starting with the extraction of the raw material, through its distribution at the fuel pumps to the ignition in the combustion process of the car. If it is fueled only by sugarcane-based ethanol (E100 fuel), the results are even better.The development of Hybrid FFV represents one of Toyota's efforts to achieve its "Environmental Challenge 2050" where it challenges itself to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions by 90% in comparison with 2010 levels, by 2050. Another objective of the Environmental Challenge is to completely eliminate CO2 emissions from the vehicle lifecycle, including materials, parts and manufacturing. In line with that goal, Toyota also targets to have more than 5.5 million electrified vehicles in its global new vehicle sales by 2030."I am very proud of our Toyota do Brasil engineers that worked closely with our engineers in Japan to develop the world's cleanest hybrid vehicle that uses ethanol for our Brazilian customers. The invention demonstrates our journey in providing a new mobility society," said Steve St. Angelo, Senior Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation serving as CEO of Toyota Latin America Region and Caribbean, as well as Chairman of Toyota do Brasil.Toward the commercialization of Hybrid FFV in Brazil, Toyota will collect various data through real-world road testing in Brazil going forward and evaluate the system's reliability, durability, and powertrain performance.About ToyotaToyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the global mobility company that introduced the Prius hybrid-electric car in 1997 and the first mass-produced fuel cell sedan, Mirai, in 2014. Headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, Toyota has been making cars since 1937. Today, Toyota proudly employs 370,000 employees in communities around the world. Together, they build around 10 million vehicles per year in 29 countries, from mainstream cars and premium vehicles to mini-vehicles and commercial trucks, and sell them in more than 170 countries under the brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.Source: ToyotaContact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - SandRidge Energy Inc. (SD) announced that its Board has rejected Midstates Petroleum's unsolicited public offer to combine the two companies in a stock for stock merger at a 60%/40% exchange ratio. After extensive analysis, SandRidge has concluded that the relative asset values of the two companies do not support a combination effected at current stock prices. The decision was primarily based on significantly differing opinions of Midstates' proven oil and gas reserves, largely related to the assessment of the number of economically viable drilling locations at current oil and gas prices, SandRidge said. SandRidge recognizes the combination would likely result in meaningful synergies given the expectation that SandRidge could efficiently absorb Midstates' assets and operations with limited incremental expense. However, the Company does not support Midstates' estimate that the combined business plan would result in generally flat production and free cash flow of $320 million to $400 million, over the four year period from 2019 to 2022. SandRidge said, 'For these and other reasons, SandRidge has concluded that accepting Midstates' proposal would be highly dilutive and not in the best long-term interests of SandRidge stockholders.' Following the receipt of Midstates' offer, SandRidge has received indications of interest regarding alternative transactions from other oil and gas companies. As a result, the Company announced today that it will undertake a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The process will include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of divestment or joint venture opportunities associated with its North Park Basin assets and potential corporate and asset combination options with other Mid-Continent operators, including Midstates, should it elect to participate in this competitive process. SandRidge will thoroughly evaluate all third-party proposals and will pursue options which add incremental shareholder value relative to its continued standalone option. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA / ACCESSWIRE / March 19, 2018 / In the 21st century, the world is changing faster than it ever has before. The global economy is expanding at an unprecedented rate as overall global wealth is increasing and extreme poverty decreasing. The number of people who have access to information regarding goods and services is growing, presenting a competitive challenge in terms of consumer choice. The landscape of financial services and technologies is rapidly changing as digitalization enters nearly every era of everyday life. Avalon Life, an innovative crypto community headquartered in Costa Rica, assesses the best methods to educating individuals about the sweeping changes that are occurring across the financial industry.
Following the emergence of blockchain technology and currency digitalization, the number of cryptocurrencies investors is rising. Consequently, so is the need for education among users and those interested in digital currencies. Due to the speed at which crypto development and adoption is advancing, there is a call for easily accessible, comprehensive education across the globe. The experts from Avalon Life asserted that peer-to-peer teaching, based on the premise that most people prefer to learn from individuals they know and trust, is the obvious choice. The concept dates back to ancient Greece, and later became known as the monitorial system in French and English schools in the 18th and 19th centuries. Peer-to-peer teaching is based on an instruction method by which one student teaches another in material that they are well-versed in, with the objective of transforming the second peer into another expert.
'This way of conveying information harbors numerous benefits, from direct interaction between individuals, to peer educators reinforcing their own learning by instructing others, and to the motivation brought forth by sharing similar discourse which results in greater understanding,' explained experts at Avalon Life. The crypto community offers education in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology that is continually adapted to meet industry developments. The content is engineered with the objective to provide the most up-to-date information in the form of video presentations, one-on-one talks, informal discussions and provision of ongoing support.
Based in Costa Rica, Avalon Life offers in-depth cryptocurrency education and innovative blockchain solutions. The company's product development places a focus on environmental sustainability, while merging new technology with an objective to foster social responsibility. In order to broaden participation with the alternative currency market, Avalon Life created a referral-marketing program, and later became the first provider to introduce mining packages with the X11 algorithm. Fueled by the fast evolution of blockchain technology, the company has cultivated strategic partnerships around the globe, and today offers unique blockchain products in numerous sectors within the industry. Their business model provides partners with extensive training, the opportunity for measured engagement in digital currency markets, and access to exclusive products.
Avalon Life - Blockchain Technology Solutions & Global Education Programs: http://avalonlifenews.com
Avalon Life Expands into the South American Market: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/avalon-life-expands-south-american-045500779.html
Avalon Life - Home - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvalonLifeOfficial/
Contact Information:
AvalonLifeNews.com
http://avalonlifenews.com
contact@avalonlifenews.com
SOURCE: Avalon Life
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --House of Rose Professional (HORP) Pte. Ltd. today announced that close to25 C Suite leaders from the world's most successful companies including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Coty Inc. would take the lead at the2018 Middle East Editionof itsBreak the ceiling touch the sky- the success and leadership summit for women/b>, to be held on April 11, 2018 at the Oberoi in Dubai, UAE.
The 2018 Middle East EditionofBreak the ceiling touch the sky is a one day forum of keynote addresses, panel discussions and mentoring sessions and will be led by25 C suite leaders includingDr.Dalya Al Muthanna,President & CEO of GE Gulf;Luciano Poli,President-- Dow Chemical India, Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (IMET);Shahzeb Mahmood, Regional Directorfor MENAP, Reckitt Benckiser;Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Senior Vice President -- Technology for Oracle, Middle East and Africa;Max Amen,General Manager, Coty Professional Beauty, Asia Distributor Markets, Middle East and Africa;Sanjiv Kakkar,Executive Vice President, Unilever MENA, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus; Carrie Niggli;Senior director of customer development for Middle East and North Africa, The Coca-Cola Company;Sheena Ganesh;Global Controller - Shell Business Operations, Country Controller - UAE, KSA;Banali Malhotra,Director, Marketing, RAKBANK;Bakr Darwish,Gulf HRAssociate Director and Arabian Peninsula Talent Management Leader, Procter & Gamble;Ada Perniceni,Partner, A.T. Kearney Middle East;Noha Hefny,Consultant, UN Women,Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Sarah's Foundation for Social Development;Soha Ellaithy,Senior Director, Gulf Area Office at Save the Children;Reem Alsalem, Consultant on Humanitarian and refugee issues,David Denman, Chief Operating Officer, Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla andMariam Farag,Head of CSR at MBC Group.
Break the Ceiling, Touch the Sky enables leaders attending the summit to learn, network and achieve and supports the advancement of women to higher levels of leadership. Participating Companies can enable gender diversity within their organizations and enhance the leadership skills of their women leaders at a fraction of the cost of other expensive training programs. Over 2200 leaders from 200 Organizations have been trained at the summit in the last two plus years. For the Middle East, it offers a unique opportunity for Companies to support their women leaders and learn best practices for success from the world's best companies.
AMCHAM Abu Dhabi and Food Industry AsiaandFrench Business Council, Dubai & Northern Emiratesare supporting askey Industry Partnersfor the Middle East Edition of the summit.Coca-Colais a world sponsor of the summit, andProcter & GambleandCotyInc. are Gold sponsors.
Theresa Weber, Executive Director, AmCham Abu Dhabicommented,"AmCham Abu Dhabi has always been a strong supporter of gender diversity. Our Women in Business Committee's mission is to empower women to be leaders in their fields, and to promote their participation in business. AmCham Abu Dhabi is glad to partner with Break the Ceiling Touch the Skyand support gender diversity which is a key business priority for the Middle East region and for our corporate members."
Max Amen, General Manager, Coty Professional Beauty, in charge of Asia Distributor Markets, Middle East and Africa,shared,"Women are our core consumers. We are honored to have the opportunity to not only serve women as our consumers but also play a role in supporting women leadership on our business as well. The opportunity to partner with Break the ceiling touch the skyis representing this commitment to gender diversity and its positive impact."
ConcludedAnthony A. Rose, Founder Chairman and CEO, House of Rose Professionaland best-selling author of the bookBreak the Ceiling, Touch the Sky: success secrets of the world's most inspirational womenwhich inspired the summit:"The2018 Middle East Edition of Break the ceiling touch the sky/b>is a unique opportunity for Companies in the Middle East to support gender diversity, learn and share best practices for success, grow their women leaders and benefit from the proven positive impact on business return on investment (ROI), innovation and social impact."
For full details on the 2018 Middle East Edition of Break the ceiling touch the skyplease visit www.houseofroseprofessional.com.
House of Rose ProfessionalPte. Ltd.is based in Singapore and operates across three segments -People,Public Relations and Publishing.
For clarifications/ inquiries contact:
Anthony A. Rose, House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd.
Email:anthony@houseofroseprofessional.comor call +65 83322017
Known mostly for their smart warfare systems Milrem Robotics is entering the commercial market with its firefighting and search and rescue unmanned ground vehicle being developed together with rescue services.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319005756/en/
Known mostly for their smart warfare systems Milrem Robotics is entering the commercial market with its firefighting and search and rescue unmanned ground vehicle being developed together with rescue services. (Photo: Business Wire)
The UGV known as Multiscope Rescue can be equipped with firefighting equipment such as a water tank and a remotely controlled water cannon. It can reach areas that are unreachable by human personnel or too dangerous for firefighters to go into like tunnels or other structures that may collapse at any time.
The search and rescue unit can also be equipped with thermal cameras and powerful lights to find missing people in harsh environments or remote forested areas.
"Innovative technologies make it possible to not only keep humans away from dangerous places but to relieve them from doing dull and dirty jobs," explained Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. "Multiscope Rescue is one of the first commercial UGVs from many others to follow, since we are starting to focus more and more on the commercial markets," said Vaarsi, adding that more attention will also be given to AI and autonomy development.
Mr Vaarsi also stated that collaboration with Estonian Rescue Board has great significance and value for the company to develop new user-friendly unmanned and autonomous products.
"It's an excellent innovation project, where the experience and needs of the rescue field come together with product development by Milrem Robotics," said Martin Lambing, head of the rescue department of the Estonian Rescue Board. "This kind of modern technology will allow rescuers to do their work more quickly and easily in rescue operations without putting themselves at risk. I can see rescue services of different countries implementing this kind of technology in the future," Lambing added.
Multiscope Rescue has been developed using know-how gained from designing and manufacturing Milrem Robotics' well-known defence oriented UGV the THeMIS that has been rigorously tested during several military exercises in different climates.
The Multiscope UGV has all the high technical capabilities of the THeMIS, such as a payload of 750kg, a diesel-electric drive and the ability to pass through difficult terrains.
Milrem Robotics is developing its commercial UGV Multiscope also for agriculture and mining.
Please have a look at the firefighting UGV here https://youtu.be/4F4l04nYnQo
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319005756/en/
Contacts:
Milrem Robotics
Gert Hankewitz
Export Director
Gert.hankewitz@milrem.com
+372 566 44416
Funding will support new manufacturing facility, commercial expansion, and development of new innovative products.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd, the company behind the only portable real-time DNA/RNA sequencer, MinION, has raised 100M ($140M) in new investment. Funds were raised from global investors including GIC (Singapore), China Construction Bank International (CCBI, China), Hostplus (Australia), and existing investors.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319006158/en/
Oxford Nanopore's novel DNA/RNA sequencing technology: the portable MinION is now being joined by other formats including high-throughput, on-demand PromethION and single-test Flongle (Graphic: Business Wire)
The funds will be used to support the Company's next phase of commercial expansion. This includes a new high-volume, high-tech manufacturing facility in Oxford to meet accelerating demand for Oxford Nanopore's sequencing technology, and growth of the commercial team that already serves more than 70 countries.
The funds raised will also support R&D as Oxford Nanopore expands its suite of nanopore analysis devices. The currently available pocket MinION and desktop GridION are being joined by high-throughput modular sequencing with PromethION and small, single-test sequencing with Flongle.
This expanded range is designed to address all parts of the existing DNA-sequencing market, as well as enabling new applications that can only be performed with a real-time, scalable, long-read technology. For example, Flongle is designed to enable the rapid real-time genetic analysis of infectious diseases, targeted analyses in precision medicine, food and/or water-safety surveillance, and science education. PromethION will enable large-scale, on-demand sequencing of human, plant, or animal genomes.
Oxford Nanopore technology also uniquely enables direct RNA sequencing, providing full-length transcript and viral genome profiling, precise quantification, the ability to identify modified bases in real time, and simplifying workflows.
Dr Gordon Sanghera, CEO, Oxford Nanopore, said: 'Our business is moving quickly, from personal sequencers into high-end sequencing and distributed analyses. In recent weeks, both Oxford Nanopore and our customers have shown very high yields of data from PromethION Flow Cells, demonstrating low-cost long-read nanopore sequencing at large scale. Meanwhile, we are driving a change in how scientists and industries access DNA information, by introducing smaller, accessible, low-cost formats, including our forthcoming smartphone sequencer SmidgION. Our investors are ambitious and support our long-term vision: to enable the analysis of any living thing, by anyone, anywhere.
'We would also like to thank the innovative community of nanopore users, who have been instrumental in driving new uses for our products.'
Theresa May, Prime Minister of the UK, said: 'I'm pleased that such a pioneering British business has obtained the investment they need to grow, creating thousands more jobs and continuing ground-breaking research in this field here in the UK.
'Through our modern Industrial Strategy we are making sure that Britain remains the natural choice for innovative firms to prosper investing in the future of our country.'
Bryan Yeo, Chief Investment Officer of Public Equities at GIC, said: 'Oxford Nanopore has a unique business model of providing accessible, real-time DNA-analysis technologies that can be applied to pocket-sized or industrial installations. We believe this will continue to drive growth in their user base as well as in new applications for DNA- or RNA-sequencing. This investment reflects our confidence in the global demand outlook for DNA information across many industries over the long term.'
A CCBI spokesperson said 'Our investment into Oxford Nanopore reflects our view that the high-growth sectors such as DNA sequencing have a promising future and is also underpinned by our strong belief that sequencing technology has the huge potential to enable new applications across life science research, healthcare, food and other industries in China. Following the global industrial development trend, CCBI will continue to focus its strategic investment on new economy sectors including biotechnology and AI, etc.'
David Elia, CEO of Hostplus said: 'We are excited by the possibilities of Oxford Nanopore technology to develop new applied markets and to revolutionise testing. This could be in oncology, infectious disease, reproductive health and blood screening.'
Oxford Nanopore is headquartered in the UK (Oxford and Cambridge) with a commercial presence in New York, Cambridge (US), China, Japan, France, and Germany. New headquarters recently opened in Oxford and new operations are now being opened in Shanghai and San Francisco.
Oxford Nanopore also announces the forthcoming construction of a new bespoke 34,000sqft manufacturing facility on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. This new facility represents a significant increase in Oxford Nanopore's manufacturing capabilities, replicating and growing the manufacturing processes developed over the years within the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) environment. Including high-specification clean rooms, laboratories, office space, and logistics areas, the new addition to Oxford Nanopore's operations will be used to manufacture and distribute our DNA/RNA sequencing products in one purpose-built facility. This facility has been made possible through the continued support of the STFC at Harwell, the use of the high-tech facilities managed by the Innovations Technology Access Centre (ITAC), and working with the Harwell Campus Joint Venture team.
Note: The placement of ordinary shares in the Company under this fundraising does not constitute an offer of the Company's shares to the public. No shares in the Company will be offered or sold to any person except in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public.
-ends-
Images available at: https://nanoporetech.com/about-us/for-the-media
B-roll available on request
About Oxford Nanopore
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd has developed the world's only portable, real-time DNA/RNA sequencer. The company is headquartered in Oxford, UK, with expanding global operations.
The MinION is a portable, real-time, long-read, low-cost device that has been designed to bring easy biological analyses to anyone, whether in scientific research or a range of real-world applications such as disease/pathogen surveillance, environmental monitoring, food-chain surveillance, self-quantification, or even microgravity biology. Commercially available since 2015, the MinION is in use by a thriving community of scientists in more than 70 countries, where it is enabling myriad applications within the traditional laboratory environment and in the field.
Nanopore sequencing technology is fully scalable. The GridION X5 is a desktop device that includes compute module and the ability to run up to five MinION Flow Cells. The high-throughput, high-sample-number PromethION has now been released in the PromethION Early Access Programme (PEAP).
PromethION is nearly 300 times more powerful than the MinION, but modular and on-demand. In early 2018, Oxford Nanopore is producing more than 150Gb per PromethION Flow Cell; PromethION is designed to run up to 48 Flow Cells. Customers are producing 70-100Gb per PromethION Flow Cell using clinical samples and plant samples as well as test samples. This shows that PromethION can deliver a sub-$1,000 human genome on long-read nanopore data alone.
Oxford Nanopore aims to make DNA-based analyses easy enough for any user and so we are focused on simple sample preparation and data-analysis processes. For sample preparation, this includes a 5-10-minute sample prep kit and VolTRAX, a rapid, programmable, automated USB sample-preparation device designed to prepare DNA for addition to a nanopore sequencing device. The Company is also developing a single-test nanopore sequencing adapter for MinION (Flongle) and a smartphone sequencer, SmidgION
About GIC
GIC is a leading global investment firm established in 1981 to manage Singapore's foreign reserves. A disciplined long-term value investor, GIC is uniquely positioned for investments across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. GIC has investments in over 40 countries and has been investing in emerging markets for more than two decades. Headquartered in Singapore, GIC employs over 1,400 people across 10 offices in key financial cities worldwide. For more information about GIC, please visit www.gic.com.sg.
About CCBI
CCB International (Holdings) Limited ("CCBI") is a financial and investment services company owned by China Construction Bank ("CCB"). Apart from its home base on the mainland and its headquarter in Hong Kong, CCBI manages its subsidiaries in the world financial centres such as New York, Singapore, and London, backed up by the CCB global network. CCBI provides a comprehensive financial and investment services value chain that offers a full range of products and services including sponsoring and underwriting, corporate mergers and acquisitions, refinancing for listed companies, direct investment, asset management, securities brokerage, market research, futures and commodities business.
About Hostplus
Hostplus is the national superannuation fund for those who live and love Australian hospitality, tourism, recreation, and sport. The Australian Hotels Association and United Voice jointly established the fund in 1987. Hostplus is one of the largest in the country with over one million members, 168,000 employers and AU$30 billion in funds under management.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319006158/en/
Contacts:
Oxford Nanopore
Zoe McDougall
media@nanoporetech.com
Website: https://nanoporetech.com/
Twitter @nanopore
WeChat: nanoporetech
MOSS POINT, Miss. -- The State's First Lady, Deborah Bryant was in Moss Point on Monday interacting with students at local schools as part of her Read Across Mississippi initiative.
Bryant said she started the initiative with the goal of encouraging students to pick up a book and become more enthusiastic about reading.
"I am so encouraged, the mayor is so energetic and progressive and that's what you need in a community to keep it moving forward," Bryant said.
Students interacted with Bryant as she read to them and answered any question she posed. Mayor Mario King said he asked Bryant to come because he felt her initiative was important to students within the district.
"I have built a relationship with her over the last couple of months and we always end up talking about children," King said. "My goal was to bring her here to read to the kids and for the young ladies to see a woman who stands on her own two feet, someone who is successful, and I wanted the children to see her in that capacity."
Moss Point School District Superintendent Shannon Vincent agreed with King's sentiments.
"Literacy is a key initiative for the Moss Point School District and First Lady Bryant's ability to convey the importance of reading for our students was very effective," Vincent said. "Her presence inspired our students and encouraged them to become better readers."
King said he hoped Bryant's visit encouraged the students to understand that literacy will impact them as they continue to progress through life and any career field they decide choose to impact.
"I hope that they are inspired to read more," King said. "We had different professionals here today such as lawyers, district officials, etc. I wanted them to know they can be anything they want to be, but the foundation starts with literacy."
Bryant's tour ended with the revealing of the rejuvenation station. The area will include exercise equipment, games, and a literacy program that will led by the mayor's wife, Natasha.
Regulatory News:
Sopra Steria Group (Paris:SOP) (SOP, Euronext Paris [Compartment A] ISIN: FR0000050809) relaunches the employee shareholding plan We Share 2018, for the third year.
Sopra Steria Group ("Sopra Steria") announces the launch of an employee purchase plan reserved for employees belonging to an employee savings plan, named "We Share 2018" (the "Offer").
This Offer is open to Sopra Steria Group employees in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland who are eligible and enrolled in Sopra Steria's group savings plan (PEG) or international group savings plan (PEGI).
Reasons for the Offer
With this Offer, Sopra Steria wishes to continue to associate its employees more closely in the Group's development and performance.
Framework of the Offer
The Offer will be carried out via the transfer of existing treasury shares bought back by Sopra Steria Group under a share buyback programme authorised by the shareholders at the General Meeting of the Company in accordance with Article L. 225-209 of the French Commercial Code. It will be executed in accordance with Article L. 3332-24 of the French Labour Code.
On 18 January 2018, the Board of Directors decided to implement this Offer and delegated the powers required to implement it to the Chief Executive Officer.
Maximum number of shares under the Offer
In accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors, the Offer will involve a maximum of 220,000 shares in the Company, corresponding to 110,000 shares financed by the employees and 110,000 free shares awarded as the employer's matching contribution.
Conditions of the Offer
Companies included in the scope of the Offer:
The scope of the Offer includes (i) Sopra Steria Group, a French Societe Anonyme with share capital of 20,547,701 euros, whose registered office is located at PAE Les Glaisins 74940 Annecy-le-Vieux (France), and (ii) Sopra Steria Group companies in which Sopra Steria directly or indirectly holds more than 50% of the share capital, whose registered offices are located in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland, and which are enrolled in the PEG or the PEGI.
Offer participants:
Eligible participants in the Offer are (i) employees who have had an employment contract with a company within the scope of the Offer for at least three months at the end of the Offer period (scheduled 10 April 2018); (ii) pensioners of companies that are within the scope of the Offer and are enrolled in the PEG, who hold assets in the PEG; and (iii) executive company officers at companies within the scope of the Offer whose usual workforce is between 1 and 250 employees (hereinafter referred to as the "Participants").
Purchase model for Sopra Steria shares:
Participants will be able to acquire Sopra Steria shares according to a "conventional" purchase model, either through an employee mutual investment fund ("FCPE") or directly, depending on the legal and tax local constraints. Detailed descriptions of the FCPE and the Offer are provided in the brochure, the purchase form and the Key Investor Information Document ("DICI") for the FCPE.
Employees will receive a matching employer contribution of one free share for every share purchased, up to a maximum gross value of 3,000 euros or the local currency equivalent.
Lock-in period for FCPE units and shares held directly:
Employees participating in the Offer must keep their FCPE units or shares held directly for a five-year lock-in period, except in cases where early release is possible as provided for in Article R. 3324-22 of the French Labour Code.
Outside France, the cases in which early release is possible may be restricted to comply with locally applicable legal and tax requirements.
Overall and individual limits of the Offer:
Overall limit
The Offer is subject to the overall limit of 110,000 existing shares financed by the employees and 110,000 free existing shares granted as the employer's matching contribution. If Participant demand exceeds this overall limit, the share purchase order amounts will be reduced according to a capping method, i.e. starting with the highest purchase order amounts, by successive iterations, until a level is reached at which the total number of available shares can be distributed. However, no purchase order can be reduced to an amount lower than one share, which is the minimum investment amount.
Individual limit
Participants may not invest more than one quarter of their gross annual remuneration for 2018 in the PEG or PEGI.
Purchase price
The purchase price will be equal to 100% of the Benchmark Price, corresponding to the average of weighted average prices for Sopra Steria shares on the Euronext Paris market over the twenty (20) trading days preceding the date of the decision by the Chief Executive Officer setting the dates of the Offer period, scheduled for 26 March 2018.
Characteristics of the shares
The shares purchased by employees and free shares granted under the Offer are ordinary shares admitted to trading on the Euronext Paris market (ISIN: FR0000050809).
Voting rights
Voting rights attached to shares will be exercised either by the FCPE Supervisory Board (for FCPE units) or directly by employees (for shares held directly).
Total amount of the Offer
The amount of the Offer will correspond to the number of Sopra Steria shares purchased by employees plus the number of free shares granted under the Offer, multiplied by the purchase price.
Provisional schedule for the Offer
Price determination date: 26 March 2018
Offer period: from 27 March 2018 to 10 April 2018 (inclusive)
Settlement-delivery of the Offer: 16 May 2018
These dates are provided for information purposes only and may change.
Specific disclosure for outside France
This present document does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy Sopra Steria shares. The Offer will only be implemented in countries where it has been registered with the local competent authorities or where said authorities have been notified of the Offer, and/or following the approval of a prospectus by the local competent authorities, or in accordance with an exemption from the requirement to prepare a prospectus or register or provide notification of the Offer.
More generally, the Offer will only be implemented in countries where all the required registration and/or notification procedures have been completed and where the necessary authorizations have been granted.
Specific disclosure concerning any "U.S. Person"
Units in this FCPE employee mutual investment fund ("FCPE") cannot be offered or sold, either directly or indirectly, in the United States (including its territories and possessions) to or for the account of any "U.S. Person", as this term is defined under the regulations of the United States and provided on the website of the management company: www.amundi.com.
The Offer is not proposed in the U.S.
Any individuals who wish to subscribe for FCPE units are understood to have certified, in the act of subscription, that they are not U.S. Persons. Any holder of FCPE units must immediately notify the FCPE's management company should he or she become a U.S. Person.
The management company is authorised to impose restrictions on (i) the holding of FCPE units by a U.S. Person, and in particular may proceed with the forced repurchase of the units held, or (ii) the transfer of units to a U.S. Person. This authorisation also pertains to any person who (a) is revealed as being directly or indirectly in violation of the laws and regulations of any country or of any governmental authority or (b) might, in the opinion of the management company, expose the FCPE to a specific damage that it would otherwise have neither endured nor suffered.
Contact details for employees
For any inquiries regarding the Offer, Participants can contact their Human Resources department and/or any other contact indicated in the documents provided to Offer Participants.
In France, this document constitutes the press release required by the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), in accordance with Articles 212-4 5 of the AMF General Regulations, Article 19 of the AMF circular of October 21, 2016 as amended on 15 January 2018 (DOC-2016-04) and Article 3.1 of the AMF Guidelines on the employee savings funds (Guide relatif aux fonds d'epargne salariale) (DOC-2012-10) as modified on 14 March 2016
About Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital transformation, provides one of the most comprehensive portfolios of offerings on the market, spanning consulting, systems integration, industry-specific solutions, infrastructure management and business process services. It provides end-to-end solutions to address the core business needs of large companies and organisations, helping them remain competitive and grow. Combining added value with innovative high-performance services, Sopra Steria excels in guiding its clients through their transformation projects to help them make the most of digital technology. With nearly 42,000 employees in more than 20 countries, Sopra Steria generated revenue of 3.8 billion in 2017.
Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809
For more information, please visit our website: www.soprasteria.com
Disclaimer
This document is a free translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319006171/en/
Contacts:
Sopra Steria Group
Investor Relations
Olivier Psaume, +33 (0)1 40 67 68 16
olivier.psaume@soprasteria.com
or
Press Relations
Simon Zaks (Image 7), +33 (0)1 53 70 74 63
szaks@image7.fr
Acquisition in the Sheet Metal Processing segment
Bystronic acquires TTM Laser S.p.A. Cazzago San Martino (Italy)
ZURICH / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2018 / Conzzeta (SWX: CON) has reported signing an agreement for the complete acquisition of the Italian technology company TTM Laser S.p.A., based in Cazzago San Martino, Brescia. TTM Laser has been operating since 2001; in 2017, its around 40 employees generated revenue of approximately EUR 14 million. The transaction is planned to be concluded in the coming weeks.
Bystronic, which is part of the Conzzeta Group, is a leading global provider of high-quality solutions for the sheet metal processing business. With the technologies provided by TTM Laser, Bystronic is deepening its existing offering in the process step "cutting". TTM Laser offers 3D-applications for processing tubes with a diameter between 12 and 815 millimeters and for profiles. The two companies had previously agreed to a sales partnership in November 2017.
Alex Waser, CEO of Bystronic and member of Conzzeta's Executive Committee, commented: "In addition to the automated and networked processing of sheet metal, the additional processing of tubes and profiles is an important element for our customers to position themselves against the competition. Now that Bystronic has come together with TTM Laser, our customers are set to gain access to a unique range of technologies for their sheet metal processing. Together, we want to promote innovative manufacturing solutions."
Inquiries and further information:
Michael Staheli, Head Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Phone +41 44 468 24 49
media@conzzeta.com
About Conzzeta
Conzzeta is a broadly diversified Swiss group of companies. It represents innovation and reliability with a long-term perspective. Conzzeta strives for leading positions in its target markets, above-average growth and long-term value creation. Over 4,700 employees at more than 60 locations worldwide are dedicated to offering customers innovative solutions in Sheet Metal Processing, Sporting Goods, Foam Materials, Graphic Coatings and Glass Processing.
Conzzeta AG is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX:CON).
SOURCE: Conzzeta
DGAP-Ad-hoc: Airbus SE / Key word(s): Share Buyback Airbus SE: Airbus discloses share buyback transactions 19-March-2018 / 18:02 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. *Ad-hoc release, 19 March 2018* *Airbus discloses share buyback transactions* Airbus SE reports the following share buyback transactions from 12 March 2018 to 16 March 2018 under Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse ("EU Market Abuse Regulation"). The transactions are part of the share buyback programme that started on 28 February 2018 for the sole purpose of covering Airbus' long-term incentive plan in shares. The repurchased shares will be redistributed to the beneficiaries of long-term incentive plans according to the relevant plan rules. The share buyback programme is expected to be completed by 2 May 2018. The share buyback is undertaken pursuant to the general authority conferred on the Airbus SE Board of Directors by the 13th resolution to repurchase up to 10% of Airbus SE's issued share capital by the Annual General Meeting of shareholders of Airbus SE on 12 April 2017. *Aggregate presentation (per day and market)* *Issuer's *Issuer's *Transaction *Identifying *Total *Daily *Market name* identifying code* date* code of daily weighte (MIC financial volume d code)* instrument* (in average number purchas of e price shares of )* shares* Airbus SE MINO79WLOO247M1IL051 2018.03.12 NL0000235190 19,400 97.0794 XPAR Airbus SE MINO79WLOO247M1IL051 2018.03.13 NL0000235190 19,400 96.5134 XPAR Airbus SE MINO79WLOO247M1IL051 2018.03.14 NL0000235190 19,400 95.9279 XPAR Airbus SE MINO79WLOO247M1IL051 2018.03.15 NL0000235190 19,400 96.3502 XPAR Airbus SE MINO79WLOO247M1IL051 2018.03.16 NL0000235190 19,400 96.5496 XPAR TOTAL 97,000 96.4841 Detailed reporting of share buyback transactions is available on the Airbus website at: http://company.airbus.com/investors/Share-information.htmlchapter-02 [1] This update on share buybacks contains inside information within the meaning of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. *About Airbus * Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of EUR 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide. *Contacts for the media* Martin Aguera +49 (0) 175 227 4369 martin.aguera@airbus.com Rod Stone +33 (0) 6 3052 1993 rod.stone@airbus.com 19-March-2018 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Language: English Company: Airbus SE P.O. Box 32008 2303 DA Leiden Netherlands Phone: 00 800 00 02 2002 Fax: +49 (0)89 607 - 26481 Internet: www.airbusgroup.com ISIN: NL0000235190 WKN: 938914 Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange End of Announcement DGAP News Service 665787 19-March-2018 CET/CEST 1: http://public-cockpit.eqs.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=bf59e993e8094666d469eb83ccb9c4ed&application_id=665787&site_id=vwd&application_name=news
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 19, 2018 13:02 ET (17:02 GMT)
LOUGHBOROUGH, England, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
A revolution in diabetic foot ulcer treatment and care
Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the EXPLORER [1] clinical trial is the first clinical study to demonstrate the efficacy of a dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. UrgoStartheals 60% more patients compared to a well-managed standard treatment, and reduces healing time by 60 days (compared to the average healing time of 180 days using a standard protocol) .
This represents a major therapeutic advance for diabetic foot ulcer patients as well as for health professionals dealing with the condition.
(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655775/Urgo_Medical_Logo.jpg )
Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the major complications of diabetes. Between 19% and 34% of all diabetics will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their lives[2]. This very high frequency is extremely concerning, especially bearing in mind that by 2040 some 640 million people throughout the world will suffer from diabetes[3].
With one amputation carried out every 20 seconds, diabetes is the world's leading cause of amputation[4]. Within the diabetic population in England, 7,000 people are affected each year[5]. Following amputation, life expectancy for these patients is below 5 years in around 70% of cases[2]. This survival rate is well below that of some cancers[6] .
These alarming figures reflect a genuine public health challenge, both for patients suffering from a potentially life-threatening condition, and for healthcare systems having to bear the costs. The estimated cost of this condition (diabetic foot ulcers requiring hospital admission and amputations) in 2014-15 was estimated at 1 billion per year[5].
Until now, no dressing with proven efficacy in healing these wounds existed.
THE EXPLORER STUDY, HOPE FOR DIABETICS
Conducted on 240 patients across five European countries, the Explorer study represents a clinical research first in the field of diabetic foot ulcers. The randomised, double-blind (neither patient nor doctor know which dressing is used to treat the wound) study compares the efficacy and tolerance of the UrgoStart (TLC-NOSF* matrix)dressing to those of a neutral dressing on neuro-ischaemic diabetic foot ulcers. These ulcers are the wounds with the poorest prognosis due to their simultaneously neuropathic and vascular component (they damage the peripheral nerves and arteries).
The results:
A significantly higher healing rate compared to a well-managed standard treatment, representing +60% more patients healed.
A significantly shorter healing time (reduced by 60 days) compared with the average healing time in the control group of 180 days.
When the UrgoStart treatment is initiated early, it significantly increases the chances of the patient being healed compared to a well-managed standard treatment.
"Each day that a patient with diabetes has a foot ulcer, there is the risk of infection and amputation. The Explorer study showed that UrgoStart healed more neuro-ischaemic foot ulcers than standard treatment and on average 60 days more quickly. Thisreduces the risk of infection and saves money," enthuses Dr. Michael Edmonds, Professor of Diabetic Foot Medicine at King's College Hospital (London).
"The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology is one of the most respected international scientific journals. Publication of the EXPLORER study in such a prestigious journal underlines the quality of the study and the significance of its results",specifies Gavin Ashton, Urgo UK Managing Director. "More than a dressing, it is a genuine treatment that has a full role to play in the protocol for chronic foot ulcers in diabetic patients."
Find out more about Urgo Medical:
Please visit http://www.urgo.co.uk
UrgoStart Indications: the treatment of chronic wounds (leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot wounds and acute wounds that have become chronic). Please read the leaflet carefully.
Class IIb medical device (GMed)
Manufacturer: Laboratoires URGO.
*TLC matrix impregnated with NOSF (Nano OligoSaccharide Factor) = KSOS (potassium sucrose octasulfate)
References:
Edmonds M, Lazaro JL, Piaggesi A, et al. Sucrose octasulfate dressing versus control dressing in patients with neuroischaemic diabetic foot ulcers (Explorer): an international, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 20 December 2017 . Online.(20th March 2018 in print) Armstrong DG, Boulton AJM, Bus SA. Diabetic foot ulcers and their recurrence. N Engl J Med 2017; 376: 2367-75 International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas 7th edition; 2015.http://www.diabetesatlas.org (accessed 9 June, 2016 ). Whiting, D. R., Guariguata, L., Weil, C., and Shaw, J. 2011. "IDF Diabetes Atlas: Global Estimates of the Prevalence of Diabetes for 2011 and 2030." Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 94 (3): 311-21. National Diabetes Foot Care Audit Report 2014-2016 - NHS Digital, https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB23525 (accessed 19 February 2018 ) Walsh JW, Hoffstad OJ, Sullivan MO , Margolis DJ. Association of diabetic foot ulcer and death in a population-based cohort from the United Kingdom . Diabet Med 2016; 33: 1493-8.
Press contact:
Urgo Medical UK
Gavin Ashton
+44-150-950-1028
g.ashton@uk.urgo.com
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Real estate firm Hammerson Plc (HMSO.L) said it signed a 1.5 billion secured revolving credit facility at an initial margin of 100 basis points with a syndicate of twelve of its relationship banks. The facility has a maturity of three years. This new facility, the Group said, can only be drawn on completion of the proposed acquisition of Intu Properties plc and will be used to repay selected Intu debt facilities. The terms of the new facility include Hammerson's standard unsecured financial covenants. Richard Sharp, Group Treasurer of Hammerson, said,'This new facility supports our acquisition of Intu and is illustrative of the future refinancing opportunities in bringing Intu's secured debt structure onto Hammerson's unsecured debt platform.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BERLIN, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 7 to 11, 2018, the annual ITB Berlin was successfully concluded in the Messe Berlin of Germany. As one of the largest comprehensive tourism enterprise groups in China, after the debut with its major brands in the trade show last year, Jin Jiang International Group attended this ITB Berlin again with all of its major brands at booth 119, Hall 9, such as Jin Jiang Hotel, Louvre Hotels Group of France, Plateno Group, Vienna Hotels Group and Jin Jiang Tourism, showing the abundant and high quality brand resources of Jin Jiang International Group to the global travel suppliers and audiences.
The first ITB Berlin was held in 1966. ITB Berlin is not only a pioneering international exhibition for global tourism industry, but also one of the most influential industry exhibitions of Europe and the world after over 50 years of development, playing an important role to drive the sustainable growth of global tourism market. According to statistics, more than 6 billion Euros of cooperative transactions are reached every year during ITB, and the high proportion of buyers with purchasing decision-making power highlights the value of the exhibition.
The booming tourism market of China is always regarded as a new growthpointof the global tourism market by the world tourism industry. As the largest market of tourist source in the world, the outbound tourism industry of China maintained steady development in the last year. At the same time, with the advantages in convenience provided by visa policies and mobile payment as well as efficient and comfortable transportation, China is increasingly favored by foreign tourists. The globalization strategy as well as investment and acquisition of Chinese tourism enterprises also show the increasing influence of Chinese enterprises on the world tourism industry.
The "Chinese Night" themed activity held during this ITB Berlin aims to give an opportunity for the Chinese tourism market to establish relationship and exchange ideas. As one of the important sponsors, Jin Jiang International Group provided full support. In that evening, nearly 200 industry partners, suppliers, experts and senior representatives of tourism industry from around the world gathered together to communicate and discuss the international tourism cooperation and express their insights.
In recent years, Jin Jiang International Group maintained its base in China and took the global-oriented approach, constantly integrating global resource allocation and accelerating the internationalization process. Firstly, it acquired the Louvre Hotels Group of France - the second largest hotel group in Europe, introducing this famous European brand to Asia; secondly, it made strategic investment in Plateno Group and Vienna Hotels Group. Currently, Jin Jiang International owns and operates 7,700 hotels and resorts in 67 countries and more than 550 cities with 800,000 rooms, becoming the fifth largest hotel group in the world.
Additionally, Jin Jiang International Group is also committed to promoting the deep historical culture and attentive service concept of Jin Jiang brand to the global tourists. As a high-star hotel brand of Jin Jiang International Group, Jin Jiang was created in the 1920s. Every Jin Jiang Hotel not only shows the local characteristic culture, but also tries to meet the increasingly diversified and personalized market consumption demand through continuous development. With the reappearance in this ITB Berlin, Jin Jiang International Group further strengthens its strategy of "Global Footprint and Cross-border Operation", accelerates the internationalization process, and will try todevelop the national brand "Jin Jiang" into a world-famous hotel group with core competitiveness.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656350/Jin_Jiang_international_at_ITB.jpg
TORONTO, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --DBRS, the fourth-largest global rating agency, announced the opening of an office in Frankfurt as a further step to strengthen its presence in Europe.
The establishment of an additional legal entity named DBRS Ratings GmbH marks the expansion of the global ratings provider and, upon registration with the European Securities and Markets Authority, will also ensure ongoing compliance with applicable regulation in the European Union and the United Kingdom post-Brexit.
"In recent years, DBRS gained significant momentum with both investors and issuers in some of the core European markets. The decision to further expand in Europe is simply a function of our successful European business strategy," said Stephen W. Joynt, DBRS Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to the United Kingdom's Brexit decision, DBRS already envisioned the opening of additional office locations in continental Europe. While the timing reflects the current Brexit timetable, DBRS's key business motivation is to serve its growing issuer base and to respond to the investors' needs in continental Europe.
DBRS chose Frankfurt in large part due to the city's impressive talent pool and proximity to current and prospective customers.
"The fact that Frankfurt is located in the heart of Europe, offers good infrastructure and has great communication links to other locations in the continent helped our decision on DBRS's second location in Europe," said Detlef Scholz, Head of Europe at DBRS and managing director of DBRS Ratings GmbH.
DBRS Ratings GmbH, located at Neue Mainzer Strasse in Frankfurt's banking district, already hired its first non-executive employee and is currently reviewing job applications for a full range of open positions in analytical areas, as well as compliance and support functions. Like London, DBRS rating coverage out of Frankfurt will ultimately include the analysis of banks, covered bonds, securitisations and corporate funding structures.
Frankfurt becomes DBRS's second office location in Europe and the sixth globally. Across all these locations DBRS employs nearly 500 people.
DBRS Career Website: https://dbrs.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers.
DBRS Communications: Dennis Ferreira, +44 20 3356 1555, dferreira@dbrs.com.
About DBRS
DBRS is an independent, privately held, globally recognised credit ratings agency with offices in Toronto, New York, Chicago, Mexico City, London and Frankfurt. Founded in 1976, DBRS is a rapidly growing, international ratings agency with deep roots in Canada. DBRS's four decades of experience and strong track record provide the foundation to seek out new opportunities and to make targeted investments that align with its core ratings operations.
As the world's fourth-largest rating agency, DBRS's approach and size allow it to be nimble enough to respond to its customers' needs in their local markets and large enough to provide the requisite expertise and resources.
DBRS Ratings GmbH
Neue Mainzer Strae 75
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Deutschland
Geschaftsfuhrer: Detlef Scholz
Amtsgericht Frankfurt am Main, HRB 110259
A German translation of this press release is also available at www.dbrs.com.
The DBRS group of companies consists of DBRS, Inc. (Delaware, U.S.)(NRSRO, DRO affiliate); DBRS Limited (Ontario, Canada)(DRO, NRSRO affiliate); DBRS Ratings Limited (England and Wales)(CRA, NRSRO affiliate, DRO affiliate); DBRS Ratings Mexico, Institucion Calificadora de Valores S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)(CRA, NRSRO affiliate, DRO affiliate); and DBRS Ratings GmbH (Germany). Please note that DBRS Ratings Limited was registered as an NRSRO affiliate on July 14, 2017. DBRS Ratings GmbH is not a registered credit rating agency and does not issue credit ratings. For more information on regulatory registrations, recognitions and approvals, please see: http://www.dbrs.com/research/225752/highlights.pdf.
2018, DBRS. All rights reserved. The information upon which DBRS ratings and other types of credit opinions and reports are based is obtained by DBRS from sources DBRS believes to be reliable. DBRS does not audit the information it receives in connection with the analytical process, and it does not and cannot independently verify that information in every instance. The extent of any factual investigation or independent verification depends on facts and circumstances. DBRS ratings, other types of credit opinions, reports and any other information provided by DBRS are provided "as is" and without representation or warranty of any kind. DBRS hereby disclaims any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose or non-infringement of any of such information. In no event shall DBRS or its directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, agents and representatives (collectively, DBRS Representatives) be liable (1) for any inaccuracy, delay, loss of data, interruption in service, error or omission or for any damages resulting therefrom, or (2) for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, compensatory or consequential damages arising from any use of ratings and rating reports or arising from any error (negligent or otherwise) or other circumstance or contingency within or outside the control of DBRS or any DBRS Representative, in connection with or related to obtaining, collecting, compiling, analyzing, interpreting, communicating, publishing or delivering any such information. Ratings and other types of credit opinions issued by DBRS are, and must be construed solely as, statements of opinion and not statements of fact as to credit worthiness or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities. A report with respect to a DBRS rating or other credit opinion is neither a prospectus nor a substitute for the information assembled, verified and presented to investors by the issuer and its agents in connection with the sale of the securities. DBRS may receive compensation for its ratings and other credit opinions from, among others, issuers, insurers, guarantors and/or underwriters of debt securities. DBRS is not responsible for the content or operation of third party websites accessed through hypertext or other computer links and DBRS shall have no liability to any person or entity for the use of such third party websites. This publication may not be reproduced, retransmitted or distributed in any form without the prior written consent of DBRS. ALL DBRS RATINGS AND OTHER TYPES OF CREDIT OPINIONS ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMERS AND CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. PLEASE READ THESE DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS AT http://www.dbrs.com/about/disclaimer. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING DBRS RATINGS AND OTHER TYPES OF CREDIT OPINIONS, INCLUDING DEFINITIONS, POLICIES AND METHODOLOGIES, ARE AVAILABLE ON http://www.dbrs.com.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
The globalpermanent magnet marketsize is expected to reach USD 38.53 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The industry is anticipated to grow, primarily on account of increasing performance efficiency requirements and miniaturization of various automotive parts including sensors and electronic systems.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160524/371361LOGO )
The growth of the industry is characterized by rising accessibility of quality magnets containing lesser content of hazardous elements such as dysprosium which is likely to drive the demand. The raw materials used for the production of permanent magnets are procured from low cost manufacturers located in China and other mineral rich regions to reduce the production cost.
The sudden shortage of rare earth elements led to the emergence of numerous research methodologies for developing alternatives to these elements. The focus of the research was particularly high in North America and Europe owing to the scarcity of rare earth element deposits in these regions.
The industry is also subject to various technological advancements such as the launch of "Lewis", a fast-track supermagnets manufacture project by the U.S. Department of Energy. The use of advanced technology programs coupled with the infusion of additional capital by the national governments to improve the production process is expected to drive the market growth.
Browse full research report with TOC on "Permanent Magnet Market Size, Share & Trend Analysis Report By Product (Ferrite Magnet, Rare Earth), By Application (Automotive, Electronics, Industrial) By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2013 - 2024" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/permanent-magnets-industry
Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest:
Rare earth magnet is expected to be the fastest-growing segment, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 9.3% from 2015 to 2024 owing to extensive usage of dense as well as bonded magnets in automotive applications
The use of ferrite magnets in automotive application is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment, registering a CAGR of 8.7% on account of its increasing usage in motors for fuel pump, door closing, antenna lift, engine starter and windshield washer
The industry in China is expected to account for a market revenue of USD 14.75 Million by 2024 on account of low magnet price coupled with high consumption by the automotive and industrial applications
is expected to account for a market revenue of by 2024 on account of low magnet price coupled with high consumption by the automotive and industrial applications The industry is comprised of industry players operating on price differentiation which is expected to drive the demand. Key manufacturers operating in the market lay extensive focus on integration from raw material supply to manufacturing process to reduce production cost
Browse related reports by Grand View Research:
Metal Packaging Market - The Global metal packaging market is anticipated to grow over the forecast period on account of increasing health awareness among consumers as well as nutrition retaining properties of metal packaging.
Solar Control Window Film Market - The global solar control window film market size was USD 505.1 million in 2015 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% from 2016 to 2024.
Lightweight Materials Market - The global lightweight materials market size was USD 104.8 billion in 2015 and is expected to witness growth at a CAGR of over 8% from 2016 to 2024.
Metal Aerosol Can Market - The global metal aerosol can market size was USD 2.82 Billion in 2015 and is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.
Grand View Research has segmented the permanent magnets market on the basis of product, application and region.
Permanent Magnet Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2013 - 2024) Ferrite Rare Earth
Permanent Magnet Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2013 - 2024) Ferrite Automotive Electronics Industrial Energy Aerospace Medical Others Rare Earth Automotive Electronics Industrial Energy Aerospace Medical Others
Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2013 - 2024) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Asia Pacific India Japan South Korea China Central & South America Brazil Middle East & Africa South Africa
Read Our Blog By Grand View Research: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/advanced-materials
About Grand View Research
Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. Thecompany provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
Contact:
Sherry James
Corporate Sales Specialist, USA
Grand View Research, Inc
Phone: +1-415-349-0058
Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519
Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com
Regulatory News:
Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
SWEDISH EXPORT CREDIT CORPORATION
Post-Stabilisation Notice
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (trading as NatWest Markets), (contact: Rom Balax TEL: 020 7085 6268) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2(d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014)), was undertaken by the Stabilising Manager(s)named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.
Issuer: SWEDISH EXPORT CREDIT CORPORATION Guarantor (if any): n/a Aggregate nominal amount: GBP 250m Description: Dec-22 Fixed Rate Bond Stabilising Manager(s) TD Securities (co-ordinating stabilisation manager) RBC Europe Limited
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (trading as NatWest Markets) Offer price: 99.971
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.
This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005686/en/
Contacts:
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Rom Balax
TEL: 020 7085 6268
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Two Ocean Springs teenagers, one a juvenile, have been arrested in connection with the burglary of a vehicle in the Pinehurst subdivision early Sunday morning.
Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said a deputy responded to a call of an auto burglary around 12:15 a.m. Sunday in the Pinehurst development, located southeast of Ocean Springs.
Arriving in the neighborhood, the deputy spotted two suspects -- one later identified as 18-year-old Kristian Killmer and the other a 16-year-old juvenile -- carrying a backpack as they walked through the neighborhood.
The deputy stopped the two teens and inspected the backpack, finding a handgun and a wallet were later identified by the owner of the vehicle that had been burglarized.
Both Killmer and the juvenile were charged with auto burglary, with Killmer additionally charged with directing a minor in the commission of a felony. The juvenile was taken to Jackson County Youth Court.
Killmer, meanwhile, was already free on bond from another auto burglary case in January. Judge T. Larry Wilson set bond on each of the two counts at $7,500, but revoked Killmer's bond from the January charge, with the end result being Killmer will remain incarcerated in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center.
Investigators will ask that the bond from Killmer's first auto burglary charge be revoked and he remain incarcerated until trial.
LIVINGSTON, Scotland, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Trusted Quid, the short-term loans provider, reports that there has been a theft of data from unauthorised access to the Trusted Quid website. The incident relates to data directly entered by people applying for a loan only on the Trusted Quid website between 1 July 2016 and 17 February 2018.Trusted Quid regrets this incident and notified law enforcement and regulatory authorities promptly upon discovery of this incident.
Upto 65,925 people may have been affected by the incident. The information does include name, phone number, date of birth, address, income information, loan information, employment information, and bank account information.
More information concerning who those may have been affected and further contact information can be found at the following site: https://www.trustedquid.co.uk/faq.php
Trusted Quid has made three previous efforts to contact individuals who have been affected and has provided information on the support and advice that is available to them, free of charge. This includes a free helpline where people can access advice from anti-fraud specialists. Through this service, they can also access assistance with identity fraud remediation should anyone become a victim of identity theft or fraud. They will be guided through the fraud resolution process and provided with access to insurance underwritten by Lloyd's of London for certain out-of-pocket expenses which may be incurred.
Trusted Quid is working with relevant agencies who are alerting financial institutions about this incident in order to help protect individuals' details. People are also being advised to contact their bank directly as well as visit Action Fraud (http://www.actionfraud.police.uk) for additional guidance. It is also reminding people of the three key points recommended by the authorities:
Requests to move money : A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by.
: A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by. C licking on links/files: Don't be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
Don't be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. Personal information: Always question any uninvited approach in case it's a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number
The company has been working with a team of experts who have assisted it in taking the necessary steps to ensure that its systems are secure.
This incident does not involve customer data stored on Trusted Quid's main systems (server). It also does not involve customers or applicants who have not applied for a loan directly via the Trusted Quid website or customers who first applied for a loan directly via the Trusted Quid website before July 2016 but who have since then logged into their accounts via the website for account management purposes.
Trusted Quid sincerely regrets what has happened and is fully committed to supporting those affected.
MALVERN, Pennsylvania, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Ocugen, Inc., a rapidly growing ophthalmology company developing a rich clinical pipeline of innovative therapies that address rare and underserved ocular diseases, today announced positive results from its Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial of OCU310, a novel combination of brimondine tartrate and a corticosteroid, loteprednol etabonate, being developed as a treatment for dry eye disease. The randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study met its primary endpoint of tolerability over a 12-week period. The study results also showed meaningful improvements across a number of endpoints related to the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease when compared to placebo. Based on these encouraging results, Ocugen remains on track to advance OCU310 into Phase 3 clinical studies in the third quarter 2018.
Daniel Jorgensen, M.D., MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Ocugen, stated, "We are pleased to have met our primary objective of showing tolerability and consistently greater reductions in key exploratory efficacy endpoints, especially potential sign and symptom endpoints for Phase 3 studies. We believe OCU310 can provide significant benefit to those suffering from dry eye disease, and we look forward to presenting the full results at a future academic meeting, and discussing with the FDA in the coming months."
Shankar Musunuri, Ph.D., MBA, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Ocugen, commented, "We are very encouraged by these results.We believe key potential differentiators for OCU310, such as rapid onset of action and the unique potential for OCU310 to relieve dry eye discomfort, as well as potentially enhanced tolerability to support its long-term use, will drive favor for OCU310 among prescribers and patients. We anticipate further differentiating OCU310 as we move into Phase 3 studies, utilizing our enhanced and proprietary nanoemulsion preservative-free formulation of brimonidine and loteprednol in single use vials."
About OCU310
OCU310 is a unique ophthalmic nanoemulsion/suspension product being developed as a treatment for dry eye disease. It contains a proprietary nanoemulsion of brimonidine tartrate (0.2%), an FDA-approved ophthalmic drug with unique anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, vasoconstrictive and analgesic properties, combined with a low dose of loteprednol etabonate (0.2%), an FDA approved corticosteroid for ophthalmic use. The fact that both active components of the OCU310 combination product are approved by FDA for ophthalmic use, significantly derisks OCU310 from a product safety and regulatory (505(b)(2) pathway) standpoint. These active components, which have complementary mechanisms of action, could result in an enhanced product profile compared to currently marketed products for dry eye. OCU310 is expected to have a more rapid onset of action, improved tolerability and more potent relief from dry eye signs and symptoms due to its novel nanoemulsion formulation of brimondine combined with loteprednol.
About the OCU310 Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept Trial Results
In this Phase 2, randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, patients with dry eye disease received 0.2% brimonidine tartrate alone or with 0.2% loteprednol etabonate (OCU310) or placebo. Patients were treated with eye drops twice daily (BID) for a period of 12 weeks. All patients were assessed for tolerability using a visual analog scale (VAS), and the results showed that tolerability was similar for patients receiving OCU310 or placebo at all post-baseline visits through week 12, fulfilling the study's primary endpoint. In addition, overall adverse event rates were low and similar to placebo, supporting the safety and tolerability of OCU310. The study was not powered to show statistical significance for efficacy, but prespecified exploratory efficacy endpoints to assess changes in key signs and symptoms of dry eye disease were evaluated. Of the symptom endpoints, the Symptom Assessment Questionnaire in Dry Eye (SANDE), which measured the frequency and severity of eye dryness/irritation, was the most relevant. SANDE scores improved from baseline at all subsequent time points, with consistently greater reductions in SANDE score for the OCU310 group compared to patients who received placebo, indicating a greater degree of relief from dry eye discomfort. As for sign endpoints, conjunctival staining with lissamine green (only measured at 12-week time point) showed a greater reduction from baseline staining for patients receiving OCU310 compared to the placebo group. Results were similar for corneal lissamine green staining, indicating greater improvement over placebo in a key sign of dry eye disease.
About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc., is a rapidly growing ophthalmology company developing a rich clinical pipeline of innovative therapies that address rare and underserved ocular disorders. The Company's lead programs in ocular graft versus host disease (OCU300) and dry eye disease (OCU310) are expected to enter pivotal clinical trials in 2018. OCU300 received the first and only orphan drug designation for ocular graft versus host disease, providing certain regulatory and economic benefits. Ocugen is also developing novel biologic therapies for retinitis pigmentosa (OCU100) and wet AMD (OCU200), as well as a groundbreaking modifier gene therapy platform with potential to address a broad spectrum of inherited retinal disorders (OCU400). For more information, please visit www.ocugen.com.
Contact:
Ocugen, Inc.
Kelly Morello
kelly.morello@ocugen.com
+1 484-328-4698
FELTON, California, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
The global Pressure Sensor Market size was valued at USD 7,096.7 million in 2015 and is anticipated to reach USD 11,396.3 million by 2024. The global pressure sensors market is expected to grow at a significant pace over the forecast period owing to their application in numerous industries. The integration of Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEMS) technology with the pressure sensors helped in diversifying the scope of their application. MEMS technology is mostly widely used in industrial processes, level measurements, control applications, and HVAC applications.
The nanotechnology and micro technology has witnessed significant development owing to the high demand for high performance, reliable and low in cost sensors. This has opened up huge opportunities for miniaturization, low power consumption, and mass production. These sensors are increasingly being merged with tablets and smartphones driving the growth of the global pressure sensors market. The regulation of installation of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) mandatorily in the U.S. has also led to the growth of the overall market. The growth in the number of vehicles being purchased all over world is forecasted to increase the global pressure sensors market demand.
The global pressure sensors market has seen a major shift from analog technology to digital technology in the recent past. This shift has led to an increase in their efficiency and sensing performance. The market is characterized base on technology into electromagnetic, piezoresistive, resonant, capacitive, and optical solid state sensors. In 2013, the global pressure sensors market was largely dominated by electromagnetic and piezoresistive sensors and are also forecasted to be the fastest growing segment over the next eight years. Piezoresistive sensors find application in the biomedical field, household appliances, and automotive industry. Optical sensors are utilized in risky distant environments having high radioactive emissions and high temperature zones, which is projected to increase the demand for pressure sensors in the global market.
Browse 70 page research report with TOC on "Global Pressure Sensor Market" at: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/pressure-sensor-market
Pressure sensors are used in consumer electronics, medical, oil & gas, automotive, industrial businesses. In the automobiles industry, pressure sensors are utilized for calculating the pressures of important components such as fuel, brake, transmission, oil, and brake. These are also used in tire pressure monitoring systems, barometric pressure measurement, gasoline direct injection systems, side airbags, and exhaust gas recirculation pressure measurement. The growing attractiveness of amusing events of racing including LeMans, NASCAR, and Formula One is anticipated to fuel the pressure sensors market.
Consumer Electronics is expected to witness a significant gain over the forecast period. The smartphones have sensors to have the features of altitude measurements, indoor navigation, and global positioning system (GPS). These features have increased the demand of smartphones. The medical sector of the global pressure sensors market is forecasted to be fueled by gadgets for monitoring health which include anesthetic control, catheters, implanted cardiac measurement, sleep apnea detection, air concentration, blood pressure monitoring devices, gastrointestinal pressure sequencing, and spirometers.
Asia Pacific accounted to be the market leader in the global pressure sensors market due to the high growth in its application sectors. The majority of the revenue was generated from India and China on account of the huge demand in those countries. Asia Pacific is also forecasted to generate the highest revenue over the next eight years. North America also contributed largely for generating revenue of the pressure sensors market. Continuous demand from the various manufacturing industries is anticipated to be a driving force for the growth of the market. Quick industrialization is also one of the factor driving the demand for the global pressure sensors market.
The new entrants in the pressure sensors market need to possess innovative strategies and huge capital investments for the production services to carve themselves a niche amidst the strong competition. The major industry participants are capitalizing largely on research & development initiatives for new product development covering various regional markets. The potential players of the market include Siemens AG, General Electric, Emerson Electric Company, Bosch, ABB Ltd., STMicroelectronics N.V., Infineon, Freescale Semiconductor Ltd., Delphi Corporation, and Analog Devices.
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FORM 8.3
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")
1. KEY INFORMATION
(a) Full name of discloser: Teleios Capital Partners LLC, on behalf of discretionary investment clients (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. N/A (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Fenner PLC (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 19 March 2018 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" No
2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security: 25p ordinary Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 10,502,969 5.41 (2) Cash-settled derivatives: (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL: 10,502,969 5.41
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form8 (Open Positions).
(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a) Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
(b) Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security Product description
e.g. CFD Nature of dealing
e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit
(c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
(ii) Exercise
Class of relevant security Product description
e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)
4. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"
None
(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"
None
(c) Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? No
Date of disclosure: 20 March 2018 Contact name: Carl Speck Telephone number: +41 41 506 56 59
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
Ripjar, a company that enables institutions to counter money laundering, cybercrime and other security threats, announces the appointment of former GCHQ Director Sir Iain Lobban KCMG CB as a Senior Advisor. Sir Iain will be providing strategic advice as Ripjar increase the pace and scale of its global operations in the highly competitive cyber security and anti-money-laundering sectors.
Sir Iain served at GCHQ the UK Government Communications Headquarters - for over 30 years, becoming Director in 2008, after having previously served as Director General for Operations from 2004. As Director of Britain's national signals intelligence (SIGINT) and information assurance capability, Sir Iain worked with his counterparts at MI5 and MI6 to defend the UK from terrorism and cyber attacks.
Notable among Sir Iain's achievements has been his role in raising the profile of cyber security at the national and international level. His leadership at GCHQ saw increases in capability within government and private sector to tackle threats to critical infrastructure in addition to countering terrorism, supporting military operations and detecting serious and organised crime.
Ripjar's world-leading strategic intelligence platform LABYRINTH supports analysts working in complex fields such as cyber security, anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorism to join the dots across the ocean of data sources, using automation and artificial intelligence to improve analytical efficiency.
"The role of intelligence is to shine a light into the corners that other information sources cannot reach," said Sir Iain on joining the Ripjar team. "RIPJAR's capability to illuminate unclear context and hidden linkages, radically transforming analytics, is a game changer."
Ripjar CEO Tom Griffin commented "Sir Iain brings decades of experience at the highest levels of the intelligence community, it's fantastic to bring that to bear at Ripjar as we develop our strategy and roadmap for the future."
"Intelligence agencies have had decades of experience sifting vast quantities of data to uncover new threats; to find the needle in the haystack. Large enterprises now face the same challenge in tackling a broad range of threats from financial crime to cyber security. Utilising Sir Iain's experience will be invaluable to Ripjar."
About Ripjar
Founded by former members of the UK's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), and backed by UK global investment management and data science company Winton, Ripjar develops software products that combine automation, artificial intelligence, and data visualisation to enable a new type of augmented analysis that can help tackle complex and new threats to society including money laundering, cybercrime and terrorism.
For more information or interview requests, visit www.ripjar.com or email media@ripjar.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005659/en/
Contacts:
Ripjar
Media@ripjar.com
or
Robin Pertusi, 347-719-4527
rpertusi@prosek.com
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Rio Tinto plc (RTPPF.PK, RIO.L, RIO, RTNTF.PK) said it will use some of its surplus liquidity to further reduce its gross debt. The company has launched a bond purchase and redemption plan for up to $2.25 billion equivalent.
Under the plan, Rio Tinto has issued redemption notices for about $1.4 billion of four series of its U.S. dollar-denominated notes maturing in 2021 and 2022, and commenced invitations to holders outside the U.S. to sell up to about $850 million equivalent of two series of its Euro-denominated notes maturing in 2020 and 2024.
Rio Tinto said it has issued notices of redemption for all of its 4.125 per cent Notes due May 2021 and 3.750 per cent Notes due September 2021 issued by Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited.
In addition, the company has issued notices of redemption for all of its 3.500 per cent Notes due March 2022 and 2.875 per cent Notes due August 2022 issued by Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc.
Rio Tinto Finance plc is making invitations to holders outside the U.S. in respect of its 750 million euros 2.000 percent instruments due 11 May 2020 and its 500 million euros 2.875 percent instruments due 11 December 2024, both guaranteed by Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited, to offer to sell up to approximately $850 million equivalent in aggregate principal amount of the Notes.
Following consummation of the tender offer, the notes that are purchased in the tender offer will be cancelled and no longer remain outstanding.
Rio Tinto noted that today's announcement is part of its ongoing capital management plan and follows the successful completion of a series of $10 billion U.S. dollar-denominated note redemptions and repurchases in 2016 and 2017.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") would like to address certain erroneous media reports from Mali regarding the development of a new mining code and reconfirm the Company's legal standing pertaining to the Fekola Mine under the 2012 Mali Mining Code. Statements attributed to a Government Minister at a recent joint news conference with the International Monetary Fund suggested that if compromises with mining companies are not achieved, amendments to the mining code may be unilaterally implemented. The full details of any proposed new mining code and the timing for its implementation are not known at this time. Government officials have advised the Company that the Minister's comments were taken out of context in such news report and should not be applied to all mining operations in Mali.
B2Gold's interest in its Fekola Mine in Mali is governed by a finalized and enforceable mining convention (as amended) with the State of Mali that includes stabilization provisions which provide that the Fekola Mine is subject to the Mali Mining Code (2012) for the duration of its operations and subsequent amendments to the Mali Mining Code are not applicable to it. As a result of these provisions, the Company believes its interests in Fekola are protected and that any contemplated amendments in a new mining code will not apply to Fekola without B2Gold's agreement. No Malian government representative has informed any B2Gold representatives in Mali or elsewhere that the government does not agree with the Company's position. B2Gold has developed an excellent relationship over the last three years with the Government of Mali. All negotiations between the Company's senior representatives and the Malian Government Ministries have been conducted and concluded in an environment of mutual fairness, respect and transparency.
As previously disclosed, including in our recent Management's Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2017, in August 2017, the Company finalized certain other agreements with the State of Mali including a shareholders' agreement for Fekola S.A., the holder of the Fekola Mine, and a share purchase agreement for the purchase by the State of Mali of an additional 10% participating interest in Fekola. These agreements have been signed by the relevant Malian government ministers and approved by the Malian Council of Ministers and are now subject only to final ratification by the Mali National Assembly, which is now expected at their next scheduled sitting in April 2018. Upon such ratification, the Company will transfer ownership of 20% of Fekola SA to the State of Mali.
About B2Gold
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is the world's new senior gold producer. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland.
B2Gold is well positioned in achieving transformational growth in 2018. With the planned first full year of production from the large, low-cost Fekola Mine in southwest Mali, consolidated gold production is forecast to be between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces. This represents an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces in 2018 versus 2017. B2Gold's forecast consolidated cash operating costs are expected to remain low in 2018 (between $505 and $550 per ounce) and all-in sustaining costs are expected to decrease by approximately 6% versus 2017 (between $780 and $830 per ounce).
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
"Clive T. Johnson"
President and Chief Executive Officer
For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:
Ian MacLean
Vice President, Investor Relations
604-681-8371
imaclean@b2gold.com
Katie Bromley
Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations
604-681-8371
kbromley@b2gold.com
The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including projections, guidance, forecasts, estimates and other statements regarding future financial and operational performance, events, production, mine life, revenue, cash flows, costs and the results of exploration, including, the potential new Mali mining code, the terms of any such new Mali mining code, the application and impact of any such new mining code or amendments on B2Gold and Fekola and the stability provisions in the Fekola mining convention protecting B2Gold from amendments in any new Mali mining code, and the ratification of the Fekola share purchase agreement and shareholder agreement. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks and assumptions associated with the volatility of metal prices and our common shares; risks and dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; risk of not achieving production, cost or other estimates; risk that actual production, development plans and costs differ materially from the estimates in our feasibility studies; risks related to hedging activities and ore purchase commitments; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations with the Government of Mali; risks related to environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; availability of financing; risks relating to financing and debt; risks related to operations in foreign and developing countries and compliance with foreign laws; risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks; risks related to reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; challenges to title or surface rights; dependence on key personnel and ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; changes in tax laws; community support for our operations including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; risks related to failures of information systems or information security threats; ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting as required by law; risks relating to compliance with anti-corruption laws; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
Drilling Continues on the Ogden Gold Project in Timmins Ontario
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (Metals Creek or the "company") is pleased to announce that an airborne time-domain electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic (MAG) geophysical system has been mobilized to its 100% owned Great Brehat Property (the "Property"). The survey is expected to commence Wednesday, 21 March, weather permitting.
The property is located on the Great Northern Peninsula, near St. Anthony, Newfoundland. The Claims being flown are contiguous to the south and to the west of White Metal Resources Corp's. new discovery where they recently announced highly anomalous gold values over approximately a 15 sq KM area in black sedimentary shale units (See WHM-TSX.V PR dated November 20, 2017). The Metals Creek claims were staked to cover favorable geology similar to that of White Metal Resources Corp. The company believes this could potentially be a very important new discovery in a unique geological environment similar to other large gold deposits hosted in black shale environments around the world. The company intends on flying 156.2 line kilometers of airborne EM and Mag.
The geophysical data will assist the Company in better understanding and delineating structural and stratigraphic features which might host gold, and possibly base metal, mineralization. Metals Creek will plan an exploration program to evaluate the targets generated by the airborne survey.
In addition, the company announces that drilling is continuing on the Ogden Gold Property in Timmins Ontario, 6 holes have been completed to date, of these 4 holes have been logged, sampled, and submitted to the laboratory for analysis. Assays will be released once they are received and compiled.
The Ogden Gold Property is held under a joint venture in which Metals Creek owns 50%, and Goldcorp Canada Ltd. ("Goldcorp") owns 50% (as manager and on behalf of the Porcupine Joint Venture, a joint venture between Goldcorp Inc. and Goldcorp Canada Ltd.) with MEK being the operator of the project. The Ogden claims cover eight kilometers of strike length of the Porcupine-Destor Fault between Goldcorp's >16.6 million ounce Dome Mine and Tahoe Resources West Timmins Mine. The vast majority of the Porcupine-Destor Fault on the property is underexplored, compared to other properties in the Timmins Gold camp.
About Metals Creek Resources Corp.
Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has a 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF) that stretches between Timmins, Ontario and Val d'Or, Quebec. Metals Creek also has an option agreement with Quadro Resources on Metals Creeks and Benton Resources Staghorn Gold Project in Newfoundland as well as two option agreements with Anaconda Mining Inc. on Metals Creek's Jacksons Arm and Tilt Cove Properties also in Newfoundland. The company have also signed a LOI on its Clarks Brook property with Sokoman Iron Corp. and is engaged in the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of other mineral resource properties, and presently has mining interests in Ontario, Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador including the recently acquired Great Brehat project on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. Additional information concerning the Corporation is contained in documents filed by the Corporation with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO
Metals Creek Resources Corp
telephone: (709)-256-6060
fax: (709)-256-6061
email: astares@metalscreek.com
MetalsCreek.com
Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes
Facebook.com/MetalsCreek
NEW YORK, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage
The proposed legalization of recreational cannabis this year is expected to mean huge growth in the Canadian cannabis sector, and companies are preparing to make the most of it. Choom Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTC: CHOOF) (CHOOF Profile) is creating a premium lifestyle brand backed by an integrated supply chain, while Hiku Brands Co. Ltd. (CSE: HIKU) (OTC: DJACF) (DJACF Profile) is applying for the final license to sell its handcrafted cannabis flower. Medical marijuana producer Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF) has obtained outside funding to explore the potential of cannabis-infused soft drinks, and Aphria, Inc. (TSX: APH) (OTC: APHQF) is using a strategy of collaboration and targeted investment to boost its cannabis production resources. For consumers concerned about the quality of their smokes, ABcann Global (TSX-V: ABCN) (OTC: ABCCF) (ABCCF Profile) is using a specially developed technique to ensure a consistently high-grade, premium organic cannabis.
Recreational Cannabis Coming to Canada
The imminent legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada is expected to lead to a huge boom in the broader cannabis industry. Even without recreational legalization, around 5 million Canadians consumed marijuana in 2017. According to Statistics Canada, 90 percent of the nearly $6 billion was spent for illegal, nonmedical purposes-suggesting that when the law changes, even more Canadians will give it a go. Canadians spend nearly as much on cannabis as on wine, and when recreational cannabis use gets the green light, those profits are expected to shift from criminal gangs and street dealers to businesses and high street vendors. The potential for profit is huge, with recreational cannabis forecast to quickly outpace the medical market.
The activities of cultivators taking steps to expand their production capabilities indicate faith in the massive consumer demand for retail cannabis. While the medical market established the roots of Canada's cannabis industry, first-comer recreational brands have a chance to take dominant places in this newly emerging sector.
A Relaxing Brand for a Relaxing Industry
For many consumers, the appeal of cannabis is its relaxing properties. This is the angle that Choom Holdings (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) is targeting with its carefully crafted recreational cannabis brand.
Though based in British Columbia, Choom has built its brand around a very different part of the Americas. By evoking the spirit of Hawaii, the company aims to tap into the ethos of surf, sand and chilled times for which the island is known. In fact, the organization's name is drawn from the slang of 1970s Hawaii and the story of a group of friends who loved to smoke weed-or "choom."
That youthful appeal is part of Choom's branding with deliberate imagery designed to attract consumers with a relaxed and laidback vibe. Recreational cannabis companies, like any company focused on recreational products, will need to tap into the disposable incomes of 20-somethings as both tastemakers and a source of profit. This approach may help the brand lay claim on a solid chunk of an expected $6 billion market.
Big Ambitions for a Big Market
Choom is going big on investment in the recreational cannabis market, and it's easy to see why. As cited by the Financial Post, Canaccord Genuity forecasts that there will be an estimated 3.8 million recreational and 500,000 medical cannabis users in Canada by 2021. That's more than eight times as many users as exist in the current already profitable and purely medical market.
This growth is predicted to create an industry significantly larger than the $5 billion industry in spirits and almost as large as the $7 billion wine industry. Choom's aim is to become a leading retailer within that industry. The company's early start, which includes years of planning and preparing branding, facilities and business strategy, could put it in a strong position to reach that goal.
Choom's tactic is to position itself as a purely recreational brand with a line of premium products. It will be a fully integrated company positioned to scale up as needed. As part of this, it intends to develop and acquire positions, brands and products focused specifically on this market. This approach provides contrast with competitors emerging from the medical market.
Building a Strong Production Base
License and production assets are a critical part of this strategy, allowing Choom to quickly grow in line with the market.
The company recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire Specialty Medijuana Products, Inc., which has submitted its evidence package as part of the Affirmation of Readiness to Health Canada. Upon successful review of this final stage, the company may expect to receive an ACMPR license to cultivate cannabis, which could be a significant value inflection point for the company.
This makes for a total of three ACMPR applicants to Choom's already dynamic strategy.
The company continues to develop its two other facilities for cultivation, which will also provide the company with the potential to expand to meet market needs.
The first facility, located in Vernon, B.C., has 6,800 square feet of space. When working at full capacity, this facility is anticipated to produce revenue reaching $6.6 million, excluding income from oils. A second phase of building, slated for completion by the end of 2018, could increase this potential to $15 million.
A facility at Chemainus on Vancouver Island provides a second source of cannabis. With 4,500 square feet of space, this location is expected to provide revenue up to $4.5 million, not counting oils. Like the Vernon facility, it is undergoing a refit and should be ready for production for legalization in 2018; a second phase of building is planned for completion by early next year. This expansion could increase this facility's potential revenue to $9 million.
Product and Placement
One of the pillars of Choom's strategy is ensuring that it has the right product and position to sell to its specific market. To this end, the company has been working on its retail program to put Choom-branded stores onto Canadian streets.
The look of the stores is cool and stylish in keeping with Choom's modern, young brand. Its custom-designed retail environment combines wood paneling with clean, white shelving and sofas where customers can relax to bring the Choom brand to life. Fitting with the aesthetic of popular modern brands, the stores will create a comfortable, familiar space for customers. The stores will also allow Choom to appeal to both existing cannabis users as well as those curious to try the product once it becomes legal.
With a complete and carefully branded supply chain that runs from cultivation to retail, Choom has laid the foundation for its goal to be a leader in the recreational-use cannabis industry.
Several other companies are also set to make the most of legalization through consumer brands and expansion strategies.
Hiku Brands (CSE: HIKU) (OTC: DJACF) is another cannabis lifestyle brand, with a focus on premium products in the form of its high-quality handcrafted cannabis flower. Hiku has a wholly owned subsidiary licensed to produce cannabis, which has requested a Pre-Sales License Inspection - the last step before licensing to sell cannabis under the ACMPR. Hiku recently closed on a $10 million strategic equity investment from Aphria (TSX: APH) (OTCQB: APHQF) to expand its product offering ahead of the recreational market.
As an established Canadian cultivator with a background in medical marijuana, Aphria continues to increase its production capabilities for the American cannabis market. The company recently received a license amendment under the ACMPR from Health Canada that will more than triple the company's production capacity of medical cannabis from 9,000 kg annually to 30,000 kg annually.
Canopy Growth's (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF) experience in developing and cultivating cannabis strains has set it up to produce for the newly expanding market. The company recently received a financial boost through a $191 million investment by Constellation Brands. This money from the company behind Corona, Modelo and Svedka will provide the money needed to develop cannabis-infused drinks, bringing the markets of the two companies together. This investment from a major player in the drinks industry shows the faith being placed in Canada's recreational cannabis sector.
ABcann Global (TSX-V: ABCN) (OTCQB: ABCCF) is a cultivator of premium quality organic cannabis. Its ABcann Advantage technique is a best-in-class standardized approach to growing cannabis that uses computer monitoring and the omission of pesticides to minimize the risks of variance in its yields and ensure a consistently high-quality product. This has led to a 4.7 percent customer retention rate and 30 percent month-over-month customer growth.
The Canadian recreational cannabis industry is heading to the starting line with a strong pack of recreational brands and cultivators geared up to meet rising product demand. And as the sector grows, these companies could take a substantial share of a market worth billions.
For more information on Choom Holdings, please visit Choom Holdings (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF).
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GULFPORT, Mississippi -- A 36-year-old Vancleave drug dealer was sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. sentenced Sharon Marie Stallone, who has used the aliases "Boss" and "Sharbear Boss", to 278 months in federal prison, followed by five years of post-release supervisions, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.
Last July, Stallone and several other suspects were arrested as the result of a joint effort from multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies to clean up an area of Vancleave known as "The Hill," an area behind Martin Luther King Park just north of Vancleave High School where drugs have been sold for more than three decades.
At the time the arrests were announced, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said dealers there were selling crystal meth, pills, cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as fencing goods for drugs.
Stallone pleaded guilty in November to distributing methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
SloanLED, leaders in light technology for over 60 years, today announces expansion plans to address increased demand in Mexico, and Central and South America. The expansion is driven by customer growth in the petroleum, hospitality and retail signage markets. With a global support network encompassing North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, SloanLED now supports customers in over 50 countries around the world.
SloanLED is partnering with Grupo Espinosa to capitalize on their market expertise and ensure the team is ready to deliver with local sales and distribution support. In Latin America, it is often a requirement that local distribution is used for stocking and shipping. "We are excited to bring SloanLED to our market, providing local support for our customer base," said Jorge Espinosa, owner of Grupo Espinosa.
"We are thrilled to serve the Latin America market and meet their unique needs and challenges. The team we have put in place is part of our overall plan to fuel our global footprint," explained Ervin Cash, SloanLED President CEO. "The Latin America market is growing quickly, and we plan to be the go-to company for their needs."
ABOUT SLOANLED
SloanLED is a pioneer in applied light technology solutions with a vision of enlightening the world. Our mission is to deliver innovative application-based light solutions to our customers in the signage, retail, sporting, hospitality, petroleum, and commercial markets. By working closely with our customers; we design, test, and deliver comprehensive solutions that factor in total cost of ownership requirements, maximize return on investment, and provide a positive experience. We collaborate with our industry-leading partners to leverage technology, focus on research, and continuously improve our organization, processes, and products. For over 60 years SloanLED has provided the best light technology and support, superior technical assistance, and unparalleled customer service. The company is headquartered in Ventura, Calif., with a European office in The Netherlands servicing the rest of the world. More information on our products can be found at SloanLED.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005464/en/
Contacts:
SloanLED
Jeremy Baker
jbaker@sloanled.com
CANARY ISLANDS, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
On the occasion of the World Day of Happiness, Canary Islands has conducted a survey in Spain, United Kingdom and Italy to measure what makes us happiest when we travel. The study shows sensitive differences among the participating countries.
The Tourism Board of Canary Islands, one of the most visited destinations in Europe, has carried out the first study on social networks that measures the happiness of travelers. This action has been carried out on the occasion of the World Day of Happiness, celebrated on March 20. The poll was done through PollStickers, a new Instagram application, innovative in format and content, that allows users to express their opinion quickly and dynamically.
The survey has been published in Spain, Italy and United Kingdom and has obtained more than 185,000 responses. The survey data has been collected through 16 specific questions.
The study has revealed coincidental data in all three countries: the clearest, with a revealing percentage of more than 85%, is that a holiday in a warm climate brings more happiness than the holidays spent in a cold weather destination. Also, accompanied vacations are preferred over the possibility of a few days of relaxation in solitude. In fact, 77% say it is more important who you travel with than where you travel.
Despite the fact that vacations are related to relaxation, 60% of participants say that they feel happy doing adventure trips while only 40% admit that their happiness lies in resting.
The study also reveals disparate preferences between countries. In United Kingdom almost half of the participants (49%) opt for nightlife, while in Spain and Italy the vast majority prefer to "live the day" - 78% of Spaniards and 72% Italians say they prefer daytime activities.
Regarding leisure time organization, the survey shows that Spaniards are the ones who feel happiest when improvising, as 54% do it, compared to the British who plan their free time the most.
And, does comfort makes people happy? Well it seems that this is the case in the United Kingdom and Italy. They are the ones who are most attracted to beaches with beach bars, while Spaniards (71%) love virgin beaches.
You can download survey results' video here.
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - White Metal Resources Corp. (TSXV: WHM) ("White Metal" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the airborne time-domain electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic (MAG) geophysical survey over the Gunners Cove Property (the "Property") will commence in the coming days and is on track to be completed in the next week. The geophysical survey will cover the entire Property (59,402 ha or 594 sq-km), which is located 20 kilometres north of St. Anthony on the Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland, and is easily accessible by means of local roads and trails.
The geophysical data will assist the Company in better understanding and delineating structural and stratigraphic features which might host gold, and possibly base metal, mineralization. Initial surface grab samples from the new discovery made in September 2017 (news release: September 25, 2017), and follow up sampling (news release: November 20, 2017), outline a large area of anomalous gold and base metals associated with pyrite-nodules and pyrite stringers, hosted by an extensive black shale unit.
To date, 133 surface grab samples have been collected from the 10 mineralized zones at the Property. The distribution of the samples containing anomalous gold values define an area roughly 5 km x 3 km. Approximately 50% of the grab samples collected in the Gunners Cove area assayed 100 ppb Au (0.1 g/t Au) or greater, with a maximum of 5.9 g/t Au (Mossberg Zone). Silver assay results are also elevated, ranging from less than 1 ppm Ag to a maximum of 9.1 g/t Ag (Cooey Zone) [note: grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to be representative of average grades]. Historically, this Property has seen very little exploration work and is a recent prospecting discovery, adding to its importance.
Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo.), Vice President Exploration and a Director of White Metal, who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by the National Instrument 43-101.
For more information in regards to the Gunners Cove Property you can visit the company's Web Page at www.whitemetalres.com.
About White Metal Resources Corp (TSXV: WHM):
White Metal Resources Corp is a junior exploration company exploring in Canada and currently has 39,855,240 common shares issued and outstanding.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of White Metal Resources Corp.
"Michael Stares"
Michael Stares, President and CEO
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projection
For further information contact:
Michael Stares
684 Squier Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, P7B 4A8
Phone: (807) 628-7836 Fax: (807) 475-7200
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company"), a gold and copper focused mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that, through its wholly owned Nicaraguan subsidiary, Nicaza S.A., it has entered into a collaborative agreement ("The Collaboration Agreement") with Nicaraguan environmental Non-Governmental Organization, the Centro de Entendimiento con la Naturaleza ("The CEN").
The CEN is one of Nicaragua's largest and most well-regarded Non-Governmental Organizations that, throughout its 33-year history, has conducted collaborative work and developed successful practices in favor of conservation and the restoration of ecosystems. The CEN coordinated the Inter University Commission for the Eradication of Mercury and the Restauration of Ecosystems in Nicaragua and also coordinated the Collaborative Management Committee of the Macizo de Penas Blancas Nature Reserve which is part of Nicaragua's Bosawas Biosphere Reserve.
The Collaboration Agreement provides for Royal Road and the CEN to work together to design and implement inclusive strategies involving different stakeholders in the Company's areas of influence and allowing the parties to put into practice, effective methods to protect biodiversity, water sources and soil. Under the terms of the Collaboration Agreement, the CEN will provide socio-environmental advice and Royal Road will ensure best-practices and favorable conditions for the execution of jointly-developed socio-environmental strategies.
Jenny Arias, Royal Road's Executive Director for Responsible Development said, "We believe that truly responsible exploration and mining can help relieve rural poverty and provide the educational and financial means for effective conservation and the restoration of ecosystems. We are excited by our agreement with the CEN and look forward to working with them on innovative solutions to the many problems facing communities and the environment in Nicaragua."
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary statement:
This news release may contain certain information that constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include statements regarding the use of proceeds from the private placement transactions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the inherent risks involved in financing transactions, exploration and development of mineral properties, the hiring and retention of directors and officers, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, permitting and licensing and other factors described above and in the Company's most recent annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors", which has been filed electronically by means of the Canadian Securities Administrators' website located at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Tim Coughlin
President and Chief Executive Officer
USA-Canada toll free 1800 6389205
+44 (0)1534 887166
+44 (0)7797 742800
info@royalroadminerals.com
SEOUL, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Master the arts of essence and sophistication. This is the simple yet powerful design philosophy of LG SIGNATURE, the luxury premium brand that is redefining the concept of metro classy lifestyle.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8288551-lg-signature-interior-designers-architects/
LG SIGNATURE has teamed up with leading interior designers, architects and related experts residing in major cities in different countries including UK, Germany, and Australia, where LG SIGNATURE has launched. Their use of LG SIGNATURE products at home seamlessly fit into spaces for metro classy living.
The campaign's latest focus is on interior, creation and design. But most instrumental in the promotion of this brand's message and philosophy are how the influencers incorporate LG SIGNATURE products at home.
LG SIGNATURE has helped shape the living spaces of the experts group to help them achieve more and do better in their professions and lives. The influencers offer keen insight into how the brand's products have livened up the influencers' living spaces.
Hadi Teherani of Germany, an influential architect, expressed part of the brand's philosophy when he said, "Good design must be functional on the one hand. On the other hand, you should be able to feel comfortable", this is shown by his use of LG SIGNATURE products at his residence. Compatriot Ashley Hicks, a fabulous English interior designer, said "The home should express its owner's personalities, reveal the loves and fascinations, and be comfortable and relaxing to live in, and beautiful to look at", something LG SIGNATURE strives for.
Similar sentiments were shared by the other experts taking part in this ambitious campaign, notably, Darren Palmer, an interior designer and TV personality in Australia; Stefan Diez, an industrial designer in Germany; Andrea Savage, Partner and Project Director at an interior design company in Singapore; Daphne Teo, Chief Investment Officer in Singapore; Jason Pomeroy, an Eco-architect, academic, author and TV personality in Singapore; and Khalid Shafar, an interior designer in the United Arab Emirates.
LG SIGNATURE's message and philosophy exercise a universal appeal as seen in the alliance with influencers in the five world regions. High sophistication and taste are appreciated irrespective of country, so explore the myriad of ways to explore the high life offered by LG SIGNATURE.
LG SIGNATURE
LG SIGNATURE is LG Electronics' first ultra-premium brand. By uniting the best of LG technology and design under a single brand, LG SIGNATURE offers consumers a collection that boasts subtle elegance and top-notch performance. The range of LG SIGNATURE products currently includes a door-in-door refrigerator, a TWINWash washing machine, a special air purifier and the award-winning OLED wallpaper TV "W7". All LG SIGNATURE products have one thing in common: uncompromising quality and a focus on the essentials. LG SIGNATURE products have won a number of industry awards for both technological innovation and sophisticated design such as: the 2017 CES Best of Innovation Award, the iF Gold Award 2016, and the Red Dot Design Award 2016.
Media Contact:
Caridee Kim
Email:Caridee.Kim@hkstrategies.com
D: +82 2 2287 0929
The two companies have formed a joint holding company which will develop a combination of 50% solar projects with government support and the remaining 50% without subsidies. The current French pipeline includes four PV projects totaling 69 MW.Chinese solar project developer Renesola has announced a strategic partnership with Green City Energy, a subsidiary of German based project developer and financier Green City c.V. to build solar power projects in southern France. The two companies said they will develop a combination of 50% solar projects with government support, in the frame of the current ...
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BoostLi is a revolutionary smart battery management system technology that offers high reliability and efficiency at a lower total cost of ownership
SANTA CLARA, California, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the DC power industry, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Huawei with the 2017 Global Technology Innovation Award for its next-generation smart energy storage system, BoostLi. The simple, reliable, and efficient system is deeply integrated with network equipment, making it a comprehensive end-to-end solution.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654539/Huawei_DC_Power_Award.jpg
"Huawei has demonstrated continuous determination in its pursuit of technology innovation, which the company clearly illustrated with its latest intelligent energy system, BoostLi," said Gautham Gnanajothi, Industry Principal. "Frost & Sullivan believes that this is a significant step forward in the evolution of energy storage, transforming the battery from a dumb component to a smart component."
BoostLi was designed to address three critical industry challenges: low reliability, high investment, and network evolution. It does so through three foundational pillars built into its advanced design:
Smart Protection : provides higher reliability through adaptive charging, current protection and an anti-theft component that includes a battery dysfunction feature;
: provides higher reliability through adaptive charging, current protection and an anti-theft component that includes a battery dysfunction feature; Smart Saving : lowers total cost of ownership (TCO) by allowing real-time remote monitoring for maintenance, optimized configuration to match customer needs, and maximized utilization; and
: lowers total cost of ownership (TCO) by allowing real-time remote monitoring for maintenance, optimized configuration to match customer needs, and maximized utilization; and Smart Adaptation: matches network evolution by offering voltage, power, and current adaptations, which provide the abilities to support larger loads and increased coverage, paralleling expansion capabilities, and optimized reuse of legacy battery to support network evolution, respectively.
Huawei places tremendous emphasis on three core aspects of its product development process: simplicity, efficiency and reliability. The company embeds its products with a wide range of features and unique functionalities that enhance end-user value multifold, such as its status of health (SOH) management, state of charge checks, and other central management tools. Huawei has played a crucial role in the development and evolution of battery technology. BoostLi represents Huawei's latest innovative achievement in the evolution of intelligent lithium batteries. Huawei's lithium batteries have had a profound impact on the industry as well as on the company's DC power revenue, having deployed more than 30,000 sets of lithium batteries globally.
Huawei's mega trend analysis revealed that 19% of telecom network site failures are caused by energy storage issues, with battery maintenance costs accounting for nearly 45% of TCO. Also, 70% of new logical sites added over the next 5 years will be legacy site expansions, which will likely face difficulty in reusing and expanding legacy batteries.
"Huawei was quick to identify these energy storage-related challenges in the telecom networks and develop a product, BoostLi, that addresses these pain points for customers," said Gautham Gnanajothi.
After conducting its independent analysis of the DC power industry, Frost & Sullivan found Huawei's BoostLi to be a revolutionary battery management system technology that is unique, visionary, and likely disruptive to existing technologies. For these reasons, Huawei has earned Frost & Sullivan's 2017 Global Technology Innovation Award.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.
Contact:
Andrea Steinman
P: 210.477.8425
F: 210.348.1003
E: Andrea.Steinman@frost.com
Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), a global leader in content management, copyright licensing, discovery and delivery solutions, and its subsidiary Ixxus, provider of data systems integration and knowledge engineering experts, today announced their sponsorship and participation in the 2018 London Book Fair. The event takes place April 10th 12th at the Olympia Conference Center in London.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005233/en/
CCC and Ixxus will be hosting and participating in talks and events throughout the week, including:
Tuesday 10 April 2018, 11:30 12:30
The Faculty (Stand 7A11), Hall 7, National Hall
Collaboration & Community: The Transition to Open Access
Featuring: Matthew Day, Cambridge University Press; Sven Fund, Knowledge Unlatched; Dr. Danny Kingsley Cambridge University Library; Chris Leonard, Emerald Group Publishing
This panel will assess the state of OA today and lay out a vision for a sustainable and integrated publishing workflow solution that minimizes costs, promotes transparency and supports a range of business models.
Wednesday 11 April 2018, 11:30 12:00
Research & Scholarly Publishing Forum
A Copyright Conversation on the Evolving Role of Rights and Licensing in Publishing
Featuring: Tracey Armstrong, Copyright Clearance Center (CCC); Caroline Boyd, The Copyright Hub
A conversation between two leading figures from the world of copyright on the issues and challenges arising as publishers evolve into technology companies and, likewise, tech companies begin to emerge as publishers.
Wednesday 11 April 2018, 11:30 12:00
The Faculty
Global Copyright Legislation: What you need to know
Featuring: Sarah Faulder, PLS; Roy Kaufman, Copyright Clearance Center (CCC); Ruth Tellis, RightsZone Rights2
Hosted by ALPSP, panelists will provide a roundup of recent and proposed amendments to copyright legislation in the US, Europe and Australia.
Wednesday 11 April 2018, 13:00 14:00
The Faculty (Stand 7A11), Hall 7, National Hall
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: The Digital Transformation Experience
Featuring: Jonathan Brett-Harris, Ixxus; Kathryn Earle, Bloomsbury Publishing; Dr. Junaid Mubeen, Whizz Education; John Newton, Alfresco; Kiren Shoman, SAGE London
A successful digital transformation project will rely as much on redefining and reimagining the experiences of customers, employees and other stakeholders as it does on the underlying solution. This panel will share stories of innovation in publishing, marked by changes in workflow and production as well as in markets and customer habits.
Thursday 12 April 2018, 13:00 14:00
The Faculty (Stand 7A11), Hall 7, National Hall
Aspirations and Anxieties: How Authors See Copyright Today
Featuring: Daniel Hahn, International Dublin Literary Award-winning translator; Nicola Solomon, Society of Authors; Christopher Kenneally, CCC
Tremendous public and policy pressures in the UK, across the EU and around the world are changing how copyright and intellectual property are governed and respected. This panel will explore how authors have responded to the threats and opportunities these changes present. What, in other words, do actual copyright-holders think about copyright?
On Monday, 9 April, CCC and Ixxus will host an invitation-only lunch with BookMachine and a networking reception with Byte the Book. CCC will also be debuting its new workflow tool, Content Kanban. For more information, or a demonstration, visit CCC and Ixxus at Stand 7C16 at the 2018 London Book Fair. To learn more about CCC's presence at the 2018 London Book Fair, go to http://go.copyright.com/london2018.
About Copyright Clearance Center
Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) is a global leader in content management, licensing, discovery and delivery solutions. Through its relationships with those who use and create content, CCC drives market-based solutions that fuel research, power publishing and respect copyright. With its subsidiaries RightsDirect and Ixxus, CCC provides solutions for millions of people from the world's largest companies and academic institutions.
About Ixxus
Ixxus are data systems integration and knowledge engineering experts. Ixxus solutions are trusted by business leaders at the world's leading corporations to accelerate their most challenging digital transformation initiatives. The company's unique expertise in storage, search, content modeling, semantic enrichment, editorial and distribution is applicable to all those who wish to maximize the value of their digital assets. Ixxus is a subsidiary of Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), a global provider of licensing and content solutions that make copyright work. For more information, visit www.ixxus.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005233/en/
Contacts:
fama PR for CCC
Allison Stokes, 617-986-5010
copyright@famapr.com
or
CCC
Lexie Winslow, 978-646-2480
Public Relations and Relations Analyst Coordinator
lwinslow@copyright.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - Generic Gold Corp. (CSE: GGC) ("Generic Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results of exploration activities completed at the Goodman and Seattle Projects (the "Project"), approximately 40 kilometres northwest of the village of Mayo and southwest of Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold project, Yukon Territory.
The work completed during the 2017 field season consisted of reverse circulation ("RC") drilling, induced polarization ("IP") geophysics, soil sampling, prospecting, and geological mapping. In addition, the land positions at the Project were significantly increased, and an NI-43-101-compliant technical report was completed. A summary of work completed and associated results can be seen in the accompanying map (link to figure 1).
Figure 1: Goodman Property
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3923/33593_a1521546720082_80.jpg
President and CEO of Generic Gold, Kelly Malcolm commented: "The past summer's exploration program was the first time that any drilling has ever been completed on the Goodman property, which is just 8 kilometres southwest from Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold project. We verified the gold in bedrock potential of the area and identified significant targets for follow up for the upcoming field season. In particular, basal till anomalies identified in RC drilling and our IP geophysical survey indicate a large target hosted within the felsic Murphy's Intrusion. We look forward to continued exploration of this highly prospective project."
The Project covers an area of roughly 19 x 5 kilometres, located 40 kilometres northwest of the village of Mayo, and is accessible by a government-maintained all-season road. The Project is in the Mayo mining district, and is contiguous with Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Project (Proven & Probable Reserves 2.67 Moz Au (Victoria Gold Corp. Feasibility Study, October 26, 2016)), along the interpreted extension of the Potato Hills Trend. The Project is also proximal to Alexco Resources' Keno Hill Silver District project and Golden Predator's Gold Dome project.
The 2017 work program consisted of:
Reverse Circulation Drilling
Eleven drillholes were completed for a total of 850 metres of drilling, targeting geophysical and geochemical anomalies within hornfelsed metasediments surrounding the Murphy's Intrusion.
Drilling identified several broad zones of low grade gold mineralization with an associated geochemical signature of Au-As-Cd-Mo-Sb-Zn, which is indicative of an intrusion-related system.
Basal till samples from the RC drilling indicate proximal mineralization, which potentially may be sourced from the Murphy Intrusion located uphill from the area of drilling.
Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Au (g/t) GGMQ-17-01 3.96 18.28 14.32 0.14 Including 15.24 18.29 3.05 0.33 GGMQ-17-02 35.05 38.1 3.05 0.11 GGMQ-17-03 NSV; Anomalous Mineralization
GGMQ-17-04 NSV
GGMQ-17-05 NSV; Anomalous Mineralization
GGMQ-17-06 NSV; Anomalous Mineralization
GGMQ-17-07 NSV
GGMQ-17-08 NSV; Anomalous Mineralization
GGMQ-17-09 NSV
GGMQ-17-10 3.96 16.76 12.8 0.13 GGMQ-17-11 NSV; Anomalous Mineralization
Soil sampling, prospecting, and geological mapping
Soil sampling and prospecting was undertaken in underexplored areas of this large property, while follow up grid sampling and geological mapping was conducted in areas identified as anomalous in previous exploration campaigns. A total of 71 rock samples and 333 soil samples were taken during the duration of the field program.
Soil sampling returned gold values up to 174 ppb Au in underexplored areas of the property, providing trenching targets for follow up work.
Prospecting returned gold values of up to 190 ppb Au.
Induced Polarization Geophysical Survey
A high-resolution IP survey was completed in the Murphy's Creek area of the Project. Eighteen chargeable anomalies were identified, some of which are directly coincident with geochemical anomalies identified in previous exploration campaigns.
NI-43-101 Technical Report
Carl Schulze, P.Geo, of Aurora Geosciences completed an independent technical Property of Merit report on the Goodman Project on October 13, 2017.
The report determined that the Goodman Project represents a "property of merit" due to widespread geochemical anomalies, potential geological setting, and proximity to the Eagle and Olive zones within the adjoining Dublin Gulch property held by Victoria Gold Corporation. Mr. Schulze determined that the results of geochemical sampling to date indicate a gold +/- silver bearing system, with an associated pathfinder element signature, typical of Intrusion-Related Gold mineralization.
The recommendations of the report included: ground-based geophysics, including magnetic, VLF, and IP; continued extension of existing soil sampling grid; geological mapping, prospecting, and trenching; a study on gold grains from proximal placer mining sites; and RC drilling.
This report was filed on SEDAR on February 28, 2018.
Staking
The land position at the Project was significantly expanded by 51 and 96 quartz claims, respectively, to cover the western extension of the Murphy's Intrusion and the eastern extension hill of Keno Hill quartzites.
The combined land package at the two properties is now roughly 12,000 hectares, or 574 Quartz claims.
References
JDS Energy & Mining Inc., 2016, NI 43-101 Feasibility Study Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada, effective September 12, 2016, p. 1-11
Kelly Malcolm, P.Geo, President and CEO of Generic Gold, is a Qualified Person, as that term is defined by Canadian regulatory guidelines under National Instrument 43-101, supervised the exploration program and has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release. Drilling was completed using a track-mounted reverse circulation drill, utilizing the ODEX DHH drill system and 2 7/8" diameter hole diameter. One third of each 5 foot drill run was taken for analysis. Analyses were completed at ALS Minerals, an ISO Certified lab, using industry standard methods. The Company's quality control checks include the insertion of standard reference materials and blank samples to monitor the precision and accuracy of the assay data.
About Generic Gold
Generic Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on gold projects in the Tintina Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The Company's exploration portfolio consists of ten projects with a total land position of 39,820 hectares, all of which are 100% owned by Generic Gold. Several of these projects are in close proximity to significant gold deposits with multi-million ounce NI 43-101-compliant resources, including Goldcorp's Coffee project, Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold project, White Gold's Golden Saddle project, and Western Copper & Gold's Casino project. Generic Gold's board of directors and management team is led by experienced mining industry professionals, with expertise in exploration, finance, capital markets, and mine development. For information on the Company's property portfolio, visit the Company's website at genericgold.ca.
For further information contact:
Kelly Malcolm, President and CEO
Tel: 647-299-1153
kmalcolm@genericgold.ca
NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon the current belief, opinions and expectations of management that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and other contingencies. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Balt USA announces today it has received 510(k) clearance for the Optima Coil System and completion of first clinical cases in the United States. The Optima Coil System consists of a state-of-the-art coil, a novel pusher and an instantaneous thermal detachment system. The clearance of the Optima Coil System marks the first Balt USA product to have been developed and cleared for use in the United States.
"The clearance of the Optima Coil system is a significant step towards Balt's vision of bringing our 40-year legacy of innovation to the US Market," said Nicolas Plowiecki, President of Balt. "This is the first of several Balt product approvals anticipated in 2018, which will enable US physicians access to unique, life-saving technologies that they have seen at international conferences for years, but have not been available in their practice," added Pascal Girin, CEO of Balt International.
More than 60 clinical cases utilizing the Optima Coil System were successfully completed with positive physician feedback during the limited market release in Europe. The Optima Coil System has now moved to full market release in Europe and a limited market release is now underway in the United States.
"The Optima Coil System provides physicians with an extremely soft coiling system and a rapid and reliable detachment system to aid us in the treatment of complex aneurysms," said Dr. Satoshi Tateshima, Professor of the Division of Interventional Neuroradiology at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. "The innovation in the pusher design provides significant improvements over other coils in the market place and will enable physicians to treat the most difficult cases with confidence."
The Optima Coil System is one first products being manufactured at Balt USA's new 60,000-square-foot headquarters in Irvine, California, which opened its doors in November of last year and completed validation of the new manufacturing facility in January of this year. The new facility will allow Balt to be the first neurovascular company to offer research and development and manufacturing in both Europe and the United States.
About Balt USA, LLC
Balt USA, LLC was established in 2017 as the US based division of Balt Incorporated and is based in Irvine, California. Balt USA's focus is on the commercialization of Balt products in the United States as well as continuing a tradition of physician inspired innovation through novel research and development.
www.balt-usa.com
About BALT
Since it was established in 1977, BALT has worked with interventional neuroradiologists to treat complex life-threatening conditions such as strokes, aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. A pioneer in its field, BALT designs, manufactures and distributes the 'Interventional Neuro Radiology' ('INR') devices such as catheters, stents and coils that are essential in treating such conditions. BALT is now entering with innovating solutions into the Interventional radiology area (space) with a comprehensive portfolio around embolization solutions with Liquid embolic agent and coils.
BALT is one of the leading pure play MedTech companies in Europe, and is a supplier to all major international hospitals practicing neuroradiology surgery. Headquartered in France, it boasts a number of proprietary, patent-protected products focusing on minimally invasive neurovascular techniques and recently peripheral diseases.
In 2017, the company generated 95% of its revenue outside France via its own sales network and over 100 distributing countries worldwide.
www.balt.fr
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005404/en/
Contacts:
Ryan Solomon
Vice President, Marketing
ryan.solomon@balt-usa.com
Balt USA
29 Parker, Irvine, CA 92618
tel 949.788.1443
fax 949.788.1444
or
Solenne CHARDIGNY
Director of Corporate Communications
Phone +33 1 39 34 90 88
solenne.chardigny@balt.fr
BALT
10 rue de la Croix Vigneron
95160 Montmorency, France
The New England Patriots released linebacker Shea McClellin Monday, according to a report from ESPN's Field Yates.
Source: the Patriots have released veteran LB Shea McLellin. Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 19, 2018
McClellin, 28, missed all of last season with a concussion, as reported by Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald. The linebacker had been designated to return off the IR midseason, but suffered a setback during his road back to the playing field. Yates reported that McClellin was released with a failed physical designation.
By releasing McClellin, the Patriots freed up $2.35 million in cap space for this offseason.
A 2012 Bears first-round pick, McClellin played 14 games for the Patriots in 2016, starting four of them. He had 41 total tackles and one sack that season, and made a memorable play to block a field goal after jumping over the offensive line. That play was later outlawed by the league.
With McClellin released, the Patriots currently have Dont'a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Harvey Langi and Nicholas Grigsby listed as linebackers on the roster.
BAE Systems contributed $982 million to the local economy in New Hampshire in 2017, measured by aggregate employee salaries, subcontracts, and charitable donations. The total impact combines $842.5 million in payroll and benefits to more than 5,400 New Hampshire-based employees; $138.1 million awarded for subcontracts and purchase orders to 251 suppliers in the state, including $86.2 million to 190 small businesses; and $1.4 million in charitable funds to assist various causes in the region.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005189/en/
2017 Economic Impact in New Hampshire (Graphic: BAE Systems)
Of the $1.4 million in charitable funds, BAE Systems donated $730,000 and company employees donated directly more than $738,000.Included in the company's donations in New Hampshire was $436,000 in financial support to higher education, high schools, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. Additionally, New Hampshire employees volunteered nearly 2,500 hours to organizations that support armed forces and their families, first responders, education, and health.
"We are committed to supporting our local communities and the larger economy in the New Hampshire region and beyond," said Terry Crimmins, president of BAE Systems' Electronic Systems sector, which is based in Nashua. "In 2018, we're poised for growth and remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge capabilities in areas including electronic warfare, threat management, precision munitions, undersea, space, cyber, and autonomy to keep our warfighters safe."
In 2017, BAE Systems hired more than 1,000 people into the sector in New Hampshire and other locations. To further meet customer needs around world, BAE Systems plans to hire additional employees in 2018, including at its facilities in Lexington and Burlington, Massachusetts. The company currently has more than 600 active job openings in engineering, operations, manufacturing, and other key areas, in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Those interested in applying are encouraged to visit www.baesystems.jobs.
BAE Systems in New Hampshire is part of BAE Systems, Inc., a $10 billion global company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with major operations in 38 states. The company, which is a wholly owned United States subsidiary of London-based BAE Systems plc, employs more than 28,000 in the U.S. BAE Systems also holds more than 2,100 U.S. and foreign patents across numerous technology areas and serves multiple market segments, including electronics, maritime and land platforms, and intelligence and support services.
Additional data to be used for regional media pitching
Other key stats/talking points for New Hampshire:
More than 580 job openings
Other key stats/talking points for Massachusetts:
More than 330 employees
More than 320,000 square feet of facility space
Total payroll disbursed was $43 million
$159.6 million awarded for subcontracts and purchase orders to 385 suppliers, including $104 million to 314 small businesses
More than 55 job openings
$50,000 in charitable funds donated directly by BAE Systems; $50,000 Run to Home Base/Mass General
$56,000 charitable funds donated directly by employees
More than 580 volunteer hours
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005189/en/
Contacts:
BAE Systems, Inc.
Meghan Locke
Office: +1 603-885-5791
Mobile: + 1 603-318-4750
meghan.locke@baesystems.com
www.baesystems.com/US
@BAESystemsInc
Daily Litecoin News UpdateA surprising report from Congress has just cemented our faith in cryptocurrencies and Litecoin. I say "surprising" because, believe it or not, one whole chapter in the report was dedicated to cryptocurrencies. Yes, you read that right.The report, published by the Joint Economic Committee Congress of the United States, discussed matters of macroeconomic growth, tax reforms, and U.S. trade, among others. A good 27 pages toward the end were devoted to blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and their potential.Here are a few key takeaways from the report we found interesting.The report illustrated the merits of blockchain at great length, saying the.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Annual Conference Brings Together Global Leaders in Infrastructure Design, Construction, and Operations to Learn Best Practices for Going Digital
Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing infrastructure, today announced that the Year in Infrastructure 2018 Conference will be held Oct. 15 through 18 in London at the Hilton London Metropole.
Presented by Bentley Institute, the conference is a global gathering of leading industry executives and prominent thought leaders in the design, construction, and operations of the world's infrastructure. The theme of this year's conference is Going Digital: Advancements in Infrastructure
The conference features nearly 70 speakers and more than 50 informative sessions, including keynotes by leading industry experts, interactive workshops, forums, panel discussions, and product demonstrations. Attendees can visit the Technology Pavilion, which features exhibits and presentations from Bentley Systems and its strategic partners Microsoft, Siemens, Topcon, and Bureau Veritas.
On the first day of the conference, Bentley Institute will host Digital Advancement Academies, featuring presentations and interactive discussions with subject matter experts who provide insights and best practices in their areas of expertise including reality modeling, BIM strategy, and constructioneering.
The conference also includes the selection and announcement of the winners of Bentley's Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards (formerly known as the Be Inspired Awards), which honors the extraordinary infrastructure projects by users of Bentley software throughout the world.
During six industry-focused forums featured during the conference Buildings and Campuses, Digital Cities, Industrial Infrastructure, Rail and Transit, Roads and Bridges,and Utilities and Water -more than 55 awards finalists will present their projects to independent panels of jurors, more than 100 members of the press, and conference attendees.
From those presentations, winners are selected by the jurors, and will be announced at the conclusion of the conference on October 18 during an evening ceremony and gala.
Aret Garip, technical director for WSP, attended Bentley's conference last year in Singapore to represent WSP's One Blackfriars project in London, which was chosen as an awards finalist. Garip said, "The conference has been truly inspiring and educational. It's a great event to learn about the latest tech in engineering design software and an opportunity to meet the creative, intelligent people who develop new tools to make it easier for us to design buildings."
In October 2019, the Year in Infrastructure Conference will return to the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.
To learn more about the Year in Infrastructure 2018 Conference and Awards, visit https://yii.bentley.com.
Images
Caption for use with any of the following images: Bentley Systems' Year in Infrastructure 2018 Conference will be held in London, October 15 through 18.
London Eye
London Night Skyline
Big Ben
Video
Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards Overview
About Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems is a global leader in providing engineers, architects, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets. Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modeling,ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure complemented by comprehensive managed services offered through customized Success Plans.
Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,000 colleagues in over 50 countries, more than $600 million in annual revenues, and since 2011 has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions. For more information about Bentley, visit www.bentley.com.
About the Year in Infrastructure Awards Program
Since 2004, the Year in Infrastructure Awards program (formerly known as the Be Inspired Awards) has showcased excellence and innovation in the design, construction, and operations of more than 3,200 infrastructure projects around the world. The Year in Infrastructure Awards program is unique the only competition of its kind that is global in scope and comprehensive in categories covered, encompassing all types of infrastructure projects. In the awards program, which is open to all users of Bentley software, independent panels of industry experts select finalists for each category. Visit the Year in Infrastructure Awards website to learn more about the awards program.
Bentley, the "B" Bentley logo, AssetWise, MicroStation, and ProjectWise are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005217/en/
Contacts:
Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Press Contact:
Jennifer Maguire
+1 610-458-2695
jennifer.maguire@bentley.com
Follow us on Twitter:
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YII2018
Opporty Accelerates Mass Adoption of Cryptocurrency Payments by Introducing Smart Widgets that Enable On and Off Platform Transactions in Cryptocurrency; First Transactions Already Received
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2018 / Opporty, a business-oriented, blockchain-powered startup from Delaware, is pleased to announce that the first crypto-based transactions via its innovative smart widgets have been made. The widgets are implemented at third-party websites, with no development activities required on the part of website owners. They enable on and off platform payments using BTC and ETH for offerings listed at the Opporty marketplace.
Several weeks ago, Opporty onboarded its first companies opting to list their crypto-based offers at the marketplace. Universal Accounting Systems became the first accounting firm in New York to officially accept payments in cryptocurrency.
As its next step, Opporty has developed and implemented smart widgets that enable third-party websites and platforms to display their crypto-based offerings and accept payments in ETH and BTC. Universal Accounting Systems and Hudson Law Group opted to install the widgets at their websites in a bid to stimulate mass adoption of cryptocurrencies and broad global application of blockchain technology.
This week, Universal Accounting Systems received a couple of crypto-based orders, with the first transactions using Ethereum successfully processed through Opporty's smart widgets at the client's website.
"The first off-platform transactions through our smart widgets have been made," says Mr. Grybniak, Opporty Founder. "This fact alone proves that consumers are ready to start using cryptocurrency to pay for services, something that was previously deemed to be 'out of crypto reach.' I am positive that Opporty's smart widgets will shake up the status quo."
Smart widgets allow users to put cryptocurrency and blockchain into practice on any website. Opporty's verified providers can choose to place widgets on their websites after posting crypto-based offers at the marketplace.
The company plans to improve its smart widgets by displaying a provider's rank, calculated by Opporty's business scoring system, in the widget. To overcome the problem of lack of technical knowledge about blockchain, Opporty promises to enable the semi-automatic creation of cryptocurrency wallets in user accounts at the platform.
About Opporty:
Opporty International Inc. is a Delaware-based startup and the managing company of Opporty.com. A business relationships ecosystem consisting of Proof-of-Expertise protocol and a B2B platform for business transactions, Opporty aims to become a global business marketplace and an expertise validation provider on the blockchain, establishing and growing trusted business relationships globally.
Contact:
Andrey Khakhariev
Opporty International Inc.
pr@opporty.com
SOURCE: Opporty International Inc.
MCLEAN, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/20/18 -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) announced today the next stage of its initiative with LoanBeam: simplifying and automating the process for calculating income for a self-employed borrower when underwriting a mortgage through Freddie Mac's automated underwriting system, ultimately reducing the amount of time it will take to process the request.
LoanBeam's technology will be integrated with Freddie Mac Loan Product Advisor and provide significant operational efficiency for lenders. It will execute automated interpretations and calculations based on the income on tax returns supplied by the self-employed borrower, in alignment with Freddie Mac's guidelines. The offering is expected to be available to Freddie Mac's lender clients this summer.
"In the current competitive purchase market, lenders who better serve the expanding self-employed borrower market will have a competitive advantage and be able to grow their businesses," said Dave Lowman, executive vice president of Freddie Mac's Single-Family Business. "Our partnership with LoanBeam is another example of how Freddie Mac is reimagining the mortgage experience to meet the needs of the growing self-employed community. We are helping qualified borrowers on the leading edge of the changing workforce realize their dream of homeownership by focusing on how to enable our clients to do more business in a more efficient manner."
According to the Pew Research Center, about 44 million working Americans are either self-employed or working for the self-employed. LinkedIn predicts that by the year 2020, 43 percent of the U.S. workforce will be made up of freelance workers--that includes younger workers who want more flexibility and older workers looking to assert more control over their careers.
"Our collaboration with Freddie Mac is going well and we are excited for the next phase of fully integrating our solution through Loan Product Advisor," said Kirk Donaldson, LoanBeam's president. "We encourage lenders to build LoanBeam's existing solution into their processes now so they will be ready once it is integrated with Freddie Mac's offering later this summer."
Lenders can visit LoanBeam.com to get started today and visit Freddie Mac at the Ellie Mae Experience18 conference (booth 314/316) to learn more.
About Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for approximately one in four home borrowers and is the largest source of financing for multifamily housing. Additional information is available at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac's blog.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Chad Wandler
703-903-2446
Chad_Wandler@FreddieMac.com
ROCKVILLE, MD / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2018 / You can not see radon gas. It does not have color or smell, but it can kill you. If inhaled, radon gas decay products (polonium-218 and polonium-214) can penetrate the cells of lungs and increase the risk of lung tumors. The alpha radiation from radon decay chain have become a concern for The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which is the part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Based on sufficient information and research data IARC classifies Radon as a "carcinogenic to humans" since its progeny can cause lung cancer.
According to the Maryland Department of Public Health and Environment lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in MD, accounting for 26.9% of all cancer deaths. Everybody knows that smoking may lead to lung cancer. However, exposure to radioactive radon gas in the home is the leading cause of lunge cancer in non-smokers. That said, at least 60 percent of lung cancers diagnosed today occur in those who either have never smoked or quit smoking in the past. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Surgeon General and all major health organizations agree that radon causes 15,000 to 22,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths a year. Radon gas is a problem in 1 in 15 U.S. homes, the EPA said.
American nation loses numerous amount of people due to lung cancer every year. Despite the sad statistics mentioned above, this is a time of hope for people. Cancer prevention programs are among the highest priorities for Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Moreover, government of Maryland encouraging Radon proactive behavior of all Marylanders. Therefore, as of October 1, 2016, Radon law Montgomery County MD requires that "a single-family home located in the County must be tested for radon before completing a sale of the home."
Kate Reddy is checking radon levels. Photo by www.ceradontesting.com
Kate Reddy Realtor and certified by NRPP Radon Measurement provider recommends always to have a radon inspection contingency in real estate purchase offer contract.
Short-term radon test will be performed in the property to make sure that house does not hide health hazard for your family and Radon level is below "Action" level. If elevated level of radioactive gas is detected the purchaser can ask the seller to install radon mitigation system. Radon Test clause allows the buyer to walk away from the deal, void the contract and get back the EMD money if the seller is not cooperating. The good news is that in most cases the seller will agree for remediation since the test results must be disclosed to any next buyer. Even if the seller reject to mitigate radon, the buyer can ask for an extra credit towards closing or reduce the radon levels in a home through a 203(k) mortgage loan.
Having the Radon testing done in Maryland is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are at risk of high radioactive radon exposure. If you think you don't need to test, think again. Every home, in every neighborhood has the potential to harbor the silent killer. The levels of radon in buildings depend on the characteristics of the rock and soil in the area. Geological map of Maryland especially Montgomery county shows lots of Metamorphic rocks: slate, quartzite, marble, gneiss. These types of stone have higher than average uranium contents. Radon is forms naturally when uranium breaks down. The higher the uranium level is in an area, the greater the chances are that house will have elevated level of radon gas.
Red zone has highest radon level in Maryland. Information by ceradontesting.com
Radon level map Maryland Montgomery county has been designated as a Zone 1 area which means there is a predicted average radon level at or above the EPA's 4.0 pico-Curies per liter (pCi/L) Action level. The risks of lung cancer from radon exposure of at list 4.0 pCi/L is equal to the risk of dying in a car accident.
"Radon gas is a silent killer. It creates a health risk you can do something about! The first step is a test. You don't need to flee your home if elevated level of radon is discovered, but EPA recommends to install a mitigation system and vent out radioactive gas from your home," said Mike Calamus the CEO of Calamus-Enterprises.com and "Safe Home for the Family" radon awareness program manager.
CONTACT:
240-308-5434
SOURCE: Radon Testing Maryland
BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - A group of major American companies in the retail sector has made an appeal to the U.S. President to reconsider imposing tariffs against China, saying they could hurt American families. They wrote a letter to Donald Trump in the wake of reports that the Government is preparing to impose annual tariffs amounting to $60 billion on goods imported from China. The signatories, which include Walmart, Target, JC Penney, American Eagle Outfitters, and Costco, account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales and tens of millions of American jobs. They warned that a broadly applied tariff remedy on imports from China will hurt American households with higher prices and exacerbate a U.S. tariff system that is already stacked against working families. The letter points out that the U.S. levies the highest tariffs on basic consumer goods, which force families shopping in American stores pay higher prices because America already levies import taxes as much as 32 and 67 percent on basic clothes and shoes. 'Applying any additional broad-based tariff as part of a Section 301 action would worsen this inequity and punish American working families with higher prices on household basics like clothing, shoes, electronics, and home goods,' the companies said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Public disclosure of inside information according to article 17 MAR LA Waalre (pta026/20.03.2018/12:30)
CATALIS SE Initiates Delisting La Waalre, 20 March 2018
At today's shareholder meeting, the shareholders of Catalis SE ("Company") approved the proposed delisting. As a consequence, the Board of Directors resolved to terminate the inclusion of the shares of the Company for trading in the Basic Board segment of the Regulated Unofficial Market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The Company will today file a corresponding termination letter with Deutsche Borse AG. Pursuant to sec. 30 para. 1 sentence 1 of the General Terms and Conditions of Deutsche Borse AG for the Regulated Unofficial Market on Frankfurter Wertpapierborse, the period until the termination becomes effective is three months. It must be assumed that the Frankfurt Stock Exchange will cease trading the shares of the Company immediately following the expiry of the notice period. Therefore, the last day of trading of the shares of the Company is expected to be 20 June 2018. As a result of this, the Company anticipates that the other stock exchanges on which shares of the Company are traded (Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin and Dusseldorf) will also cease trading such shares. (end)
emitter: Catalis SE
address: Laan van Diepenvoorde 3, 5582 LA Waalre
country: Netherlands
contact person: Peter Biewald
phone: +31 40 213 7735
e-mail: peter.biewald@catalisgroup.com
website: www.catalisgroup.com
ISIN(s): NL0012293955 (share)
stock exchanges: basic board in Frankfurt, free market in Stuttgart, free market in Munich, free market in Dusseldorf; open market in Berlin.
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Facebook stock is plunging due to self-inflicted wounds. What was once America's favorite social media site is being a accused of turning into a cesspool of misinformation and narcissism. Facebook Inc.'s security chief, Alex Stamos, plans to step down from the company amid questions over Russia's role in the U.S. election, according to the Wall Street Journal. U.S. and European officials are up in arms over Facebook's handling of user data. The social network said it is investigating whether a firm linked to the 2016 Trump campaign improperly kept user's personal data for years despite saying it had destroyed those records. 'Allegations of misuse of Facebook user data is an unacceptable violation of our citizens' privacy rights. The European Parliament will investigate fully, calling digital platforms to account,' the parliament's president, Antonio Tajani, said on his official Twitter account. 'It's clear these platforms can't police themselves,' Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said Saturday on Twitter. 'They say 'trust us.' Mark Zuckerberg needs to testify before Senate Judiciary.' Shares are down sharply Tuesday, extending Monday's drubbing. FB has tumbled 12% in the past few days, but is up 16% over the last year, so there may be more room to fall. Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said the drop 'shows that people are scared. The stock will go down if investors believe the experience will be impaired.' CNBC's Jim Cramer says, 'The headline risk is too great' for this stock. Some analysts are calling for CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the genius behind Facebook since the start, to step aside. 'I think it's time for maybe thinking about somebody stepping up and taking Zuckerberg's slot,' Jim Calcanis of Inside.com told CNBC. 'If you look at Zuckerberg, he is MIA. When was the last time we heard Zuckerberg talk about this? It's a...failure of leadership.' 'I think Sheryl Sandberg should run the company,' he added. 'She is a better communicator [and] she is better at understanding how to manage these issues. She should run Facebook. Zuckerberg has done a horrible job handling this crisis.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
4th International Symposium on Sustainability
"Global Warming and Decarbonization" was the focus of the fourth International Symposium on Sustainability organized by Alcantara in partnership with Venice International University (VIU).
The intensive two-day program recently held on Venice's San Servolo Island (March 1-2) brought together scientists, economists, academics, corporate executives and journalists from around the world, as well as representatives from leading governmental and public interest organizations. Discussion centered on the impact global warming is having on corporate behavior and the way people live, as well as the role that technology and innovation can play to bring about positive change.
Speakers and panelists included:
Prof. Massimo Inguscio President of the Italian National Research Council noted: "Science and researchers have a key leading role to create the correct background and awareness to share knowledge and address future choices and behaviours for citizens, policy makers, institution and business leaders and other stakeholders involved."
Dr. Georg Kell founder and former executive director of the UN Global Compact and chairman of Arabesque, said: "To overcome the current dilemma of inaction in facing global warming and decarbonization, we have to create convergent goals between business and society."
Onorevole Giovanna Melandri- Founder and chairman of the Human Foundation and chairman of the MAXXI Foundation said: "The achievement of ambitious goals in terms of decarbonization and reduction of global warming requires close collaboration between policy makers, companies and investors.
Dr. Hermann Pengg Head of Project Management e-fuels, Audi AG, said: "Cradle-to-grave analysis shows sustainable transport needs sustainable electricity, green hydrogen, or green gaseous or liquid fuels."
Mr. Alex Kasprak Science writer and digital expert at Snopes.com, noted that miscommunication is a problem that "is growing within the internet age. I suggest an effective way to fight scientific mis-communicators and combat their fake news: present and explain actual science going into details in order to educate the public."
Alcantara's Chairman and CEO Andrea Boragno concluded that it was clear that there is a major gap between what science and research have shown and what society at different levels understands about climate change and decarbonization.
"The world is not on track to meet the two-degree goal and unilateralism is growing," he said. "For this reason, Alcantara and Venice International University have decided to launch a project aimed at closing the gaps in understanding."
Alcantara S.p.A. www.alcantara.com
Founded in 1972, Alcantara is a prime example of Italian-produced quality. As a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A. and the result of a unique and proprietary technology, Alcantara is a highly innovative material, offering an unrivalled combination of sensory, aesthetic and functional qualities. Since 2009 Alcantara has been certified "Carbon Neutral," having defined, reduced and offset all of the CO 2 emissions derived from its activities.
NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution photos from the symposium are available from AutoCom Associates or the Alcantara website.
Press Material: http://www.alcantara.com/en/press_area/index.do
User:press
Password: alcantara
Venice International University (VIU) www.univiu.org
Venice International University is a consortium of 17 universities from all over the world with an autonomous campus on the island of San Servolo, Venice, Italy. The VIU TEN Program on Sustainability develops research and capacity-building activities to promote Sustainable Development at a global level.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320006268/en/
Contacts:
Alcantara Company Contact:
Press Office
Alcantara S.p.A.
Phone: +39.02.580.304
E-mail: S.p.A.press@alcantara.com
or
Media Contacts for Alcantara:
Larry Weis or Thom Cannell
AutoCom Associates
Phone: +1.248.647.8621
E-mail: lweis@usautocom.com or
tcannell@usautocom.com
or
Venice International University
Alessandra Fornetti alessandra.fornetti@univiu.org
Media relations: ale.morgagni@gmail.com
The people of Austin are being deluged with package bombs. Within a few weeks, there have been packages left on doorsteps, connected to tripwires and early this morning exploding in a FedEx facility in Schertz, Texas. So far, two people are dead and four others have been injured.
Police have told residents to stay indoors. Obviously, if you dont leave your house, you need to order online. The packages you receive however could be bombs. How does one know if a package is safe?
Thankfully, technology has become inexpensive enough to solve this problem. IoT sensors embedded in packages can verify the authenticity of the sender. A central authority could manage a registry or alternatively blockchain can be used.
Once a package is delivered, the smarthome or smartbuilding can notify the proper person if it does not have a proper tag. Motion detection is built into smart doorbells and some have AI as well. This means they can scan for package sensors to ensure anything left is legitimate.
It is possible for a would-be bomber to reuse a tag but blockchain could be used to mark a tag as used and thus nonfunctional. It could also be embedded with specific geographic information, making it non-functioning if is used elsewhere. A sensor can also be stolen but LPWAN or NB-IoT can be used to monitor these tags to ensure they can be tracked if stolen.
The smart city of the future will need to have AI and analytics built-in to ensure packages are authorized or at least non anonymous as they move throughout the supply chain. Civil libertarians may be horrified by the thought but for the most part, companies and governments already have access to what ships where.
IIoT solutions are currently tracking virtually all components in a similar manner but we may need to take this one step further. Companies like Comcast are building out large-scale LoRa networks thanks to tech from Actility. Semtech too is a strong player in the LP-WAN space. The next step is to bring the sensor technology used in factories to the final product. In fact, the same sensors can likely be used to track from factory floor to home.
Unabomber Ted Kaczinski was said to have sent bombs due to hate of technology but he said this wasnt really true. Still, he lived his final free days in the wilderness almost hiding from technology which could have been used to catch him. It seems fitting then that technology advancements like smarthomes, smartcities, smartfactories, big data and AI are the exact things which will hopefully make it very difficult for future bombers to send anonymous explosive-laden packages.
One last point is Amazon, with its purchase of Jamie Siminoffs Ring is in a perfect position to monitor packages from origin to destination and ensure a package is legitimate. Once again Jeff Bezos is years ahead.
Stay up to date with targeted events!
The Blockchain Event, May 16-17, 2018 Las Vegas
The SmartCity Event, June 4-5, 2018 Atlanta
The IIoT Conference, June 6-7, 2018, Atlanta
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) (the "Company" or "PEMC") is pleased to announce today the closing of an initial public offering (the "Offering" or "IPO") of 10,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a purchase price of $0.20 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,000,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable for one Common Share at a price of $0.30, for a period of three years following the closing of the Offering.
The TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has accepted the Company's listing application as of March 20, 2018 (the "Listing Date") and the Company's Common Shares are expected to resume trading on the TSXV on or about March 22, 2018 under the trading symbol "PEMC".
The net proceeds of the Offering (the "Net Proceeds") will be used to fund exploration work on the Company's portfolio of copper-gold projects, most notably the Wildcat Project in central British Columbia situated 9 km from Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine, and for general working capital requirements. In addition, PEMC will be taking delivery of a custom-built reverse-circulation drill (the "RC drill"). The RC drill will provide a means to cost-effectively and rapidly advance and add value to the Company's portfolio of copper-gold projects.
"The successful completion of our IPO represents a pivotal step for the Company," commented Brad Peters, President and CEO of PEMC. "After five years as a private company focused on the acquisition and exploration of gold-rich copper projects, we are well positioned to rapidly advance our portfolio and take advantage of British Columbia's position as an important copper jurisdiction."
Additional information on the Company, the IPO and its projects, can be found in the Company's Amended and Restated Prospectus, dated January 10, 2018 as filed on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com), and on the Company's website at www.pemcorp.ca.
Haywood Securities Inc. (the "Agent") acted as an agent in connection with the Offering. For its services the Agent received corporate finance fee, a cash commission equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering in addition to compensation options to purchase up to 700,000 Units at an exercise price of $0.20 exercisable within 36 months from the listing of the Company's Common Shares.
No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia) or any other jurisdiction outside Canada. This news release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction outside of Canada. The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. Persons absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States.
About Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.
PEMC is an exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, that employs the "prospect generator" business model and is currently focused on the acquisition, funding and exploration of its Wildcat Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims covering an area of approximately 5,826 hectares in the Omineca Mining Division of British Columbia.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Brad Peters"
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.
Tel: +1-604-356-6246
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the date of resumption of trading of the Company's Shares and its future business plans; anticipated use of proceeds and delivery of the RC drill. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those set out in the Company's amended and restated final prospectus dated January 10, 2018 and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the Company's ability to raise additional capital; actual results and timing of exploration activities; actual results and timing of mining activities; future prices of silver, gold, lead, zinc and other commodities; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; First Nation rights and title; continued capitalization and commercial viability; global economic conditions and. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at the time they are made. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the assumption that the Company will be able to raise additional capital on reasonable terms; that the proposed exploration program will proceed as planned, and that market fundamentals will result in sustained silver, gold, lead and zinc demand and prices. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Company's Chief Evangelist Officer, Rock Legend Gene Simmons On Hand as Trading Opened
INVICTUS MD STRATEGIES CORP. ("Invictus" or the "Company") (TSXV: GENE) (OTC: IVITF) (FRA: 8IS1)is pleased to announce that today, Gene Simmons, Chief Evangelist Officer for the company and its management team opened the trading day at the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). The appearance coincides with the company changing its share ticker from IMH to GENE.
"To have a cannabis company like Invictus open the trading at TSXV, one of the world's best trading communities, is truly inspiring," said Invictus Chairman and CEO Dan Kriznic. "With our footprint in Ontario and Alberta on track for full production over the next 12 months, and poised to help supply Canada's dynamic consumer marketplace with a wide variety of strains and extracts."
Invictus changed its TSX Venture symbol from IMH to GENE, effective immediately for trading commencing on March 20, 2018, to reflect the importance of the company's new partnership with rock icon and branding genius Gene Simmons, anticipating that Simmons will play a vital role as the company marches into this historic year for Canada and cannabis.
Simmons will be involved on a variety of different areas.His key focus will be on helping the company forge its public awareness strategy. Additionally, he will make appearances at the annual general meeting, investor meetings, and trade shows, and will serve as a media spokesperson. His efforts will be performed in accordance with the strict regulations of Health Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR).
Simmons explored a number of potential cannabis partnerships before deciding to work with Invictus.
"As I learned more about the changing sentiment of the public and investors, I was enthusiastic to invest in the Cannabis space. Idid my due diligence with the available information on the top 10 Licensed Cannabis Producers in Canada, including a number of face-to-face interviews," said Simmons. "They have a leadership that has the potential to change that and a solid plan for growth."
About Invictus
Invictus operates cannabis companies in Canada with the vision of producing a variety of high quality and low cost cannabis products and strains to the global market place as regulations permit. Gene Simmons, music legend and media mogul, conveys the vision of Invictus as the Chief Evangelist Officer.
Invictus operates two cannabis production sites under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR ") in Canada and has over 95,000 square feet of cannabis production capacity at the licensed production sites.The Company's wholly owned subsidiary Acreage Pharms Ltd. ("Acreage Pharms "), located in West-Central Alberta on 150 acres, has approximately 40,000 square feet of cannabis ready production with its recently completed Phase 2 expansion.The Company intends on expanding to 120,000 square feet by the end of 2018 once Phase 3 is complete.
Invictus also owns 50% of AB Laboratories Inc. ("AB Labs"), a licensed producer under the ACMPR located in Hamilton, Ontario. AB Labs currently operates in a 16,000 square foot facility and recently acquired a facility adjacent to the existing property that will allow for a total of 56,000 square feet of cultivation space ready for production by June 2018. During the first quarter of 2018 AB Labs submitted a secondary license to Health Canada for a nearby property on 100 acres under the name AB Ventures Inc. ("AB Ventures"). Invictus has committed $5.5 million in cash to AB Ventures to secure its 33 1/3 percent ownership and allow AB Ventures to build its first 20,000 square foot facility on the 100-acre property.
Combined, the licensed producers owned by Invictus expect to have approximately 200,000 square feet of cannabis production capacity by the end of 2018 and 520,000 square feet of cannabis production capacity by the end of 2019.
In addition to the ACMPR licenses, the Company has an 82.5% investment in Future Harvest Development Ltd. a high quality Fertilizer and Nutrientsmanufacturer based in Kelowna, British Columbia that has been in operation for over 20 years under the brand Plant Life Products and Holland Secret.
For more information, please visithttp://www.invictus-md.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws or forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including the potential production capacity of AB Labs, the completion of AB Ventures and Acreage Pharms' production facilities, the granting of regulatory approval and anticipated timing of AB Labs reaching full production capacity, the granting of AB Labs secondary license, the granting of a sales license under the ACMPR to Acreage Pharms, expected sales of inventory and the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana in Canada in 2018 are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including the potential production capacity of AB Labs, the completion of AB Ventures and Acreage Pharms' production facilities, the granting of regulatory approval and anticipated timing of AB Labs reaching full production capacity, the granting of AB Labs secondary license, the granting of a sales license under the ACMPR to Acreage Pharms, expected sales of inventory and the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana in Canada in 2018. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, AB Labs will not be successful in reaching its potential production capacity, AB Ventures and Acreage Pharms' production facilities will not be completed as anticipated, regulatory approval will not be granted as anticipated and therefore, the anticipated timing of AB Labs reaching full production capacity will be delayed, AB Labs not be granted their secondary license, Acreage Pharms will not be granted its sales license under the ACMPR, expected sales of inventory will not be met and the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana in Canada will not occur at all or as expected. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
On Behalf of the Board,
Dan Kriznic
Chairman & CEO
Larry Heinzlmeir
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Invictus MD Strategies Corp.
+1-604-537-8676
In the United States
Terry L. Wills
President
Wills Communications, Inc.
+1-310-877-1458
Rose Petroleum's share prices fell over 10% on Tuesday as the company updated shareholders on its attempts to advance the competitive partnering process for its Paradox Basin, Utah asset. The company holds a 75% working interest in the 90,000 net acre oil and gas asset and, while it commented that it is "encouraged by strong interest" shown in the project by prospective partners, a collaboration deal has yet to be confirmed. The Paradox project was exhibited at the NAPE summit in early February ...
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will release US$ 2.5 million to help to finance the humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans in Colombia. 'The influx of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans has put to the test the medical and social services of the Colombian border communities and other regions throughout the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, this crisis in Venezuela, which is now spreading to the region in general, is human-made, as a result of continued political mismanagement and corruption by the [Nicolas] Maduro regime,' said the USAID in a statement. The agency said that the U.S. Government will continue supporting the people of Venezuela. 'We are proud to our partnership with Colombia, the Pan American Health Organization and the United Nations World Food Program to help alleviate the suffering of the people and communities affected by this deterioration of the humanitarian situation,' the statement said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LONDON, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/20/18 -- Editors Note: A photo for this release is available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwire.
Crafty Elk Distillery Ltd., today announced the formation of a Canada-wide distribution and sales partnership for its Crafty Elk hard juice beverage with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, North America's largest wine and spirits distributor.
"We are very excited to partner with Southern Glazer's in Canada," said Greg Gilliland, CEO and founder of Crafty Elk. "We are looking forward to a long-lasting, fruitful relationship."
A unique product, Crafty Elk offers a clean beverage that is certified organic with no preservatives and no artificial flavours. With beneficial super-ingredients such as goji berry, turmeric, ginger and prickly pear and significantly less sugar and calories, it has high appeal to today's health-conscious consumer.
Crafty Elk is made with an organic premium vodka, sourced from Piedmont Italy, where the manufacturing practice is unparalleled. Crafty Elk maintains the highest possible quality control and manufacturing protocols. With distinctive flavour combinations such as cranberry/blueberry & acai, and mango & honey, Crafty Elk aims to strike the perfect balance between fresh aroma and taste profile, capturing the essence of nature's miracles.
"This agreement will allow us to get Crafty Elk into the hands of our customers more easily, and grow the brand across the country," said Gilliland. Crafty Elk has plans to expand into California and Florida in the near future.
"We are very excited to partner with Crafty Elk Distillery in Canada," said Allison Graham, Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development for Southern Glazer's in Canada. "The brand fits well within our portfolio of premium brands and expands our business within the popular ready-to-drink category in Canada."
Crafty Elk earned Southern Glazer's attention through its aggressive and highly successful market introduction in Ontario in the summer of 2017, where it sold out at numerous craft beer, wine and spirit festivals.
"Ontario has been our proving ground, but we're just getting started," Gilliland said. "Having established pathways for manufacture, distribution and retail, we plan to expand immediately into Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia."
About Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is North America's largest wine and spirits distributor, and the preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Canada, and the Caribbean, and employs more than 20,000 team members. Southern Glazer's urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly.
About Crafty Elk
Crafty Elk Distilling Ltd., based in London, Ontario, Canada was founded in January, 2017 by Greg Gilliland, a pharmaceutical scientist and a health advocate of complementary and alternative medicine. Crafty Elk is a ready-to-drink craft alcohol beverage that provides the customer with smart alternatives, while still allowing them to enjoy alcohol. It's market introduction in Ontario in the summer of 2017 was a great success, with an average pull rate of 20 cases per week while selling only online in the exclusive Products of the World online market of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
Visual Elements
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnRWdO0AR5E
craftyelk.com
southernglazers.com
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CPiCraftyElk0320.jpg
Contacts:
Contact: Greg Gilliland
CEO & Founder
Crafty Elk Distillery
Phone 647-968-5192
greg@craftyelk.com
http://craftyelk.com
Contact: Allison Graham
VP-Marketing & Bus, Development
Southern Glazer's
Phone 647.984.6169
Allison.graham@sgws.com
http://southernglazers.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2018) - Maritime Resources Corp. (TSXV: MAE) ("Maritime" or the "Company") confirms that it is aware of the announcement by Anaconda Mining Inc. ("Anaconda") that it intends, subject to a number of conditions, to make an unsolicited takeover bid for the outstanding common shares of Maritime ("Common Shares").
Maritime cautions that no formal offer has been presented to Maritime or its shareholders and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made or that a transaction will take place. Maritime's board of directors (the "Board") will consider and evaluate Anaconda's offer if and when received and will respond in due course. Shareholders should await the results of the review and recommendation of the Board before making any decisions with respect to the offer from Anaconda. After a formal bid document is received from Anaconda, Maritime will issue a directors' circular that will contain important information for shareholders, including the Board's recommendation regarding the offer. Since the initial offer was received on January 29, 2018, Anaconda's share price has retreated from a January high of $0.55, following their 4:1 share consolidation, to a March 19, 2018 close of $0.375. The Company advises shareholders not to deposit any Common Shares to the Anaconda offer and not to take any other action concerning the offer until shareholders have reviewed and considered the directors' circular.
In its press release dated March 19, 2018 announcing its intention to acquire Maritime, Anaconda asserted that Maritime has been unwilling to engage with Anaconda in connection with its acquisition proposal made on January 29, 2018. Maritime is disappointed with Anaconda's tactics and has consistently expressed its willingness to consider Anaconda's unsolicited approach. In this regard, Maritime has taken great pains to make clear to the management of Anaconda that without reviewing in detail Anaconda and its assets and liabilities Maritime cannot consider a transaction with Anaconda. In its response to Anaconda's initial proposal on February 5, 2018, and in a second written request to Anaconda on March 16, 2018, Maritime requested the opportunity to access the relevant information to enable the Board to responsibly assess the merits of a transaction. Such requests have been ignored by Anaconda.
Maritime has retained McMillan LLP as special legal counsel, and Primary Capital Inc. as financial advisors to assist it in responding to Anaconda's unsolicited approach.
Update on Code Loan
The Company confirms that it has been advised by Anaconda that Anaconda has acquired an outstanding $500,000 loan originally made to the Company by Code Consulting Limited in April of 2017 (the "Code Loan"). The Code Loan was previously announced on April 27, 2017, was due April 25, 2018, and bears interest of 8% per annum. The Code Loan included provision for early repayment in certain circumstances, including where the Company had raised CAD$2 million or more in equity or debt financing. With the closing of its private placement announced March 1, 2018, the Company has raised more than CAD$2 million. Subsequent to Anaconda's acquisition, Anaconda has elected to accelerate the Code Loan, such that the Company will repay the Code Loan approximately 3 weeks before its original expiry. With the repayment of the Code Loan in full, Maritime will be debt free and will continue its aggressive development and exploration season already well underway on both the Hammerdown and Whisker projects. The work will consist of geophysical surveys that are underway followed by a 3000-metre drill program which is expected to begin shortly. Permitting is also well underway on the dewatering program that is expected to start early summer of 2018.
About Maritime Resources Corp.
Maritime Resources holds 100% of the Green Bay Property, located near Springdale, Newfoundland. The property hosts its principal asset, the past producing (during its operation by Richmont, between 2000-2004, a total of 291,400 tonnes of ore were mined and milled, at an average grade of 15.83 g/t Au, recovering a total of 143,000 ounces of gold) Hammerdown gold mine, as well as Orion gold deposit separated by a 1.5 km distance that sits within an overall strike length of 4000 metres.
The Company recently announced a PFS (March 2nd, 2017) that successfully demonstrated a viable mining operation with low upfront capital and short time line to the start of gold production. The engineering design optimizes a small foot print within the historical mine area as well as utilizing some of the existing underground infrastructure where possible. The operation is scheduled to run at a capacity of approximately 400 metric tons per day ('mtpd') over a five-year mine life and produce on average 35,000 ounces per year at cash costs of $558 CDN per ounce with all in sustaining costs of $955 CDN per ounce of gold.
The results show positive economics, strong internal rate of return, short payback period and significant cash flow under reasonable commodity price assumptions. Based on a gold price of $1,250 USD per ounce; exchange rate of 80 US cents per $1 CDN, a mill recovery of 97% (based on the historical treatment of the ore at the nearby Nugget Pond gold mill from 2000 to 2004), the project pre-tax NPV8% is $71.2M with an IRR of 46.8%, and $44.2M with an IRR of 34.8% on an after- tax basis.
In addition, there remain numerous opportunities to expand the reserve, annual production and mine life and to reduce the development and capital costs as outlined in the PFS. Maritime will continue to evaluate these opportunities with a goal to fully optimize the returns from the mining operation.
Further information on the Green Bay Gold Property can be found on our website at www.maritimeresourcescorp.com. along with the NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report and Prefeasibility Report filed on SEDAR.
Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Bernard H. Kalhert, P. Geo, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Doug Fulcher
President, CEO
For further information, please call:
DOUG FULCHER - PRESIDENT, CEOTelephone: (604) 336-7322
info@maritimeresourcescorp.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Maritime to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements or information relates to, among other things, the receipt of a takeover bid from Anaconda (if at all) and our consideration of such bid, notification to shareholders of the Board's recommendation in respect of an Anaconda takeover bid, the repayment of the Code Loan and the realization of Maritime's stated goal to be debt free, and the continued development and exploration of the Hammerdown and Whisker projects. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by applicable securities laws.
DUBAI, UAE, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Russian enterprises presented their products at the international woodworking industry exhibition Dubai WoodShow 2018. The exhibition was held from 12 to 14 March in Dubai - a joint stand, organized by Russian Export Center, was visited by more than a thousand participants and guests from three dozen countries, including the states of the Persian Gulf, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.
(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655864/Russian_Export_Center_Woodshow.jpg )
"The products of the Russian timber industry are of high quality, thanks to which they compete with the best world standards on equal terms. In general, according to experts, in 2017, the volume of exports of goods of the Russian timber industry amounted to 673 billion rubles, which is 19 billion rubles more than for the previous year. We aim to continue work to develop the export potential of the timber industry," said Victor Evtukhov, the State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
To discuss the prospects of the investment potential and export of Russian products of the timber industry complex, representatives of Russian enterprises met with Mohammed Hamdan al-Zaabi, Director of the Trade Promotion and Investment Department at the Ministry of Economy of the UAE. The representative of the UAE stated about the interest they have in cooperation with Russia; the parties planned a joint round table on investments and visit of partners to Russian enterprises for detailed study of products lines.
Russian companies presented the latest samples of plywood, chipboard, OSB and MDF, glued and LVL-beams, wall panels, furniture panels and components, andsawmill products. Interest in the Russian line of modern wood processing products is high - the enterprises held more than one hundred and fifty negotiations. An agreement was reached on the supply of flooring for the scaffolding to Kuwait by Modern Iumber Technology Ltd. (Utralam TM) to the amount of $ 500,000; preliminary applications were received for the products of other Russian exhibitors.
As Elena Smirnova, Head of timber industry export of Russian Export Center, said: "Russian participation in Dubai WoodShow 2018 shows mutual interest of Russian and foreign timber enterprises in effective cooperation. Our manufacturers have managed to get new ways to foreign markets having successfully agreed on various formats of joint venture."
"There is safety in numbers"
Russian companies note the benefits of working as part of a joint stand. Kraslesinvest JSC: "The products of Russian enterprises are difficult not to be recognized even against the background of hundreds of other participants. We feel big interest and loyalty of foreign partners thanks to the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation". "100 business cards have already been distributed on the first day, and new ones were ordered in Dubai," notes arepresentative of Forestry Holding "Altailes" Ltd.
Participation in the exhibition Dubai WoodShow 2018 is aimed at promoting Russian timber construction materials in the international market, developing the export potential of Russia, the priority of which is to increase the share of non-resource exports.
Federal Press Center programlesprom.ru
A renewed push higher in energy futures helped to more than offset weakness in base metals ahead of weekly updates on the state of US oil inventories and a key US central bank policy meeting. Acting as a backdrop, traders were carefully monitoring the headlines coming out of the G-20 finance ministers' meeting in Buenos Aires. Thus, as of 1753 GMT, Bloomberg's commodity index was holding 0.21% higher at 86.71 even as the US dollar spot index jumped 0.61% to 90.32. Crude oil futures were seeing ...
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Silkeborg, 2018-03-20 21:22 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This is to give notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Jyske Bank A/S, which will be held on Tuesday 17 April 2018, at 10.00 a.m. at Vestergade 8-16, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark. At the Annual General Meeting held on 20 March 2018, the motions to amend the Articles of Association were adopted. However, the members in general meeting with a right to vote represented less than 90% of the share capital, wherefore the final adoption of the amendments to the Articles of Association is subject to adoption at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The AGENDA for consideration and final adoption: 1 Consideration of motions proposed by the Supervisory Board: 1 Article 14(5) of the Articles of Association to be amended to read "Eligible for the body of Shareholders' Representatives shall be personally registered shareholders of the Bank who are of age and have the right of managing their estate. " 2 Article 15(5) of the Articles of Association to be amended to read "Members in general meeting shall determine the remuneration of members of the Shareholders' Representatives and of honorary offices at the Shareholders' Representatives. " 3 Current Art. 15(6)-(1) of the Articles of Association to be discontinued. 4 New Art. 16(9) of the Articles of Association to read as follows: "Members in general meeting shall determine the remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board and of honorary offices at the Supervisory Board. " 5 Art. 18(2) of the Articles of Association to be discontinued. As a consequence, Arts. 18(3) and (4) will change into Arts. 18(2) and (3). 2 In connection with the proposed amendments to the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board proposes that the members in general meeting authorise the Supervisory Board to make such amendments as may be required by the Danish Business Authority in connection with registration of the Articles of Association. Reference to Jyske Bank's website for further information Where in this notice of an extraordinary general meeting, reference is made to Jyske Bank's website for further information, this link can be used: investor.jyskebank.com/investorrelations/generalmeetings. Size of the share capital and the voting rights of the shareholders Jyske Bank's share capital is DKK 891,590,440, comprising shares at a face value of DKK 10. Each share amount of DKK 10 shall carry one vote, provided always that 4,000 votes are the highest number of votes any one shareholder may cast on his own behalf. Voting rights can only be exercised by shareholders or their proxies. For the voting right of a share to be exercised, the share shall be registered in the name of the holder in the Bank's register of shareholders not later than on the day of registration, which is 10 April 2018, or the title to such share shall be notified and documented to the Bank within that same time limit. Proxy and postal vote Shareholders may as from 23 March to 13 April 2018 give voting instructions, appoint Jyske Bank's Supervisory Board or a third party as proxy either electronically or by means of the Power of Attorney form. Shareholders may attend the General Meeting by proxy and cast their votes by proxy. In addition, shareholders may as from 23 March to 16 April 2018, at 10.00 a.m. cast postal votes either electronically or by means of a form. Proxies may be appointed or postal votes may be cast electronically at the Investor Portal via Jyske Bank's website. A form for the appointment of proxies or for casting postal votes is available at one of Jyske Bank's branches or can be downloaded from Jyske Bank's website. Where the form is used, please forward the completed and signed form either by post to VP Investor Services A/S, Weidekampsgade 14, DK-2300 Copenhagen S or by email to vpinvestor@vp.dk. The form must reach VP Investor Services A/S by the above-mentioned deadlines, and proxies must have been appointed or postal votes must have been cast electronically by the same deadlines. Custodian bank Jyske Bank's shareholders may choose Jyske Bank A/S as their custodian bank in order to exercise their financial rights through Jyske Bank A/S. Questions from shareholders Shareholders may ask questions in writing about the items of the agenda or Jyske Bank's financial position. Please send questions to Jyske Bank A/S, Juridisk Afdeling, Vestergade 8-16, DK-8600 Silkeborg or by email to Juridisk@jyskebank.dk. Questions and answers will be presented at the general meeting. At the General Meeting, the management will also answer questions from the shareholders about matters of importance for the financial situation of Jyske Bank and questions for consideration at the General Meeting. Additional information The following documents can be downloaded from investor.jyskebank.com or can be ordered from Jyske Bank's branches from 23 March 2018: 1. Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting. 2. The total number of shares and voting rights at the date of the notice. 3. The agenda and the full wording of motions, including the proposed amendments to the Articles of Association. 4. The forms to be used when voting by proxy or by postal vote. Admission card Shareholders who wish to attend the General Meeting and cast their votes must acquire an admission card. Admission cards for the General Meeting can be ordered at the Investor Portal via Jyske Bank's website or from any of Jyske Bank's branches from 23 March 2018 and must be ordered by Friday 13 April 2018 at the latest. Jyske Bank will, as was the case in connection with the Annual General Meeting, send admission cards via email. Therefore, you must register your email address at InvestorPortalen when you order your admission card. After registration, you will receive an electronic admission card which you may simply show on your smart phone or tablet when you attend the general meeting. Unless you have appointed a proxy you will receive your voting card upon presentation of your admission card. If, when you order your admission card, you do not choose to receive this via email, you will instead receive it by post. For the sake of good order, we point out that no refreshments can be expected to be served at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Silkeborg, 20 March 2018 The Supervisory Board Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=669415
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos sparred with House Democrats over the Trump administrations proposed budgets support for private school choice, and its cuts to programs related to civil rights, safety, and after-school.
In the Tuesday House appropriations subcommittee hearing , DeVos said the administrations fiscal 2019 budget proposal would maintain its support for disadvantaged students, while also attempting to ensure greater opportunities for them through a new, $1 billion school choice program. She also highlighted $200 million in funds for science, technology, engineering, and math education, made available through the current Education Innovation and Research program, as well as level funding for the Title I program focused on disadvantaged sudents ($14.9 billion), as well as for special education ($12.8 billion).
The budget proposed by the Trump administration would cut $3.6 billion from the Education Department , a 5.3 percent reduction that would lower the departments total spending to just over $63 billion.
President Trump is committed to reducing the federal footprint in education, and that is reflected in this budget, DeVos told committee members.
Republicans were largely supportive of the budget but also expressed concerns.
Rep.Tom Cole, R-Okla., the subcommittee chairman, indicated that the proposed Trump budget for fiscal 2019 was better than its fiscal 2018 pitch when it comes to students with special needs. But he also told DeVos, I am concerned about the administration continuing to request cuts that Congress has rejected. (The fiscal 2018 omnibus budget Congress is due to roll out very soon could ignore Trumps big ideas for education, particularly the expansion of choice.)
Democrats were more blunt. They declared that the budget proposal would rob public schools to support vouchers, take funds away from programs and personnel that support school safety such as counselors, and ultimately leave students, teachers, and schools without the resources to succeed.
You cant do more with less. You do less with less, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the subcommittees top Democrat, told DeVos.
You Just Dont Care Much
At times, the exchanges became heated and personal. Towards the end of the hearing, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., and DeVos argued over a $1 million cut the budget would make to the office for civil rights, down to $108 million, as well as DeVos attitude towards Obama-era discipline guidance to schools.
DeVos said that the civil rights office has become more efficient in investigating and closing complaints, and that it has delegated more power to the field. Discussing her review of Obama school discipline guidance from 2014 that was designed to address racial disparities in discipline policies, the secretary said, Clearly the stated goal of the guidance is one that we embrace, to ensure that no child is discriminated against. DeVos also indicated to Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., that she had seen data showing that students of color were disproportionately disciplined.
But Lee said the proposed office for civil rights cut, combined with DeVos potential decision to reconsider the discipline guidance as well as Obama-era guidance on students of color in special education, revealed the secretarys true position.
Your head is in the sand about racial bias and racial discrimination, Lee said. You just dont care much about the civil rights of black and brown children. This is horrible.
Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., came to DeVos defense on the Obama guidance, saying it has made school officials in his district worried about backlash if they take action to rein in disruptive students: Theyve just stopped disciplining people. Theyre just afraid to do it. (Harris did not cite statistics to demonstrate this.)
Awkard Timing
Like its previous budget proposal for fiscal 2018, the Trump team seeks to eliminate Title IIs $2 billion in teacher grants for professional development. It would also get rid of federal funding for the $1.1 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which pays for after-school programs.
The budget also contains a $1 billion proposal for expanding school choice. The money could go to private school choice programs, as well as to districts seeking to participate in a weighted-funding pilot for public schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act. (More here .) Theres also a boost to federal charter school aid of roughly 50 percent, up to $500 million, in the proposal.
The timing for Tuesdays subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2019 budget proposal took place under somewhat awkward circumstances, given that Congress is slated to begin officially considering an omnibus spending bill for fiscal 2018 this week, ahead of a March 23 deadline to fund the government for fiscal 2018.
Cole acknowledged as much, telling DeVos that, Weve put you in a very difficult spot by not getting our work done in a timely fashion.
But Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., also criticized DeVos staff for not working more closely with committee staff on budget and spending matters, telling DeVos, Im concerned that we have sort of a disconnect here.
Pressure On
Its been a rough couple of weeks for DeVos, ever since she struggled at times during an interview with 60 Minutes with questions about test scores, school choice, and more. Her supporters say that the CBS program treated her unfairly, but her detractors say she merely showed her weak grasp of the issues. And last weekend, Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live mocked DeVos in a brief skit.
Democrats tried to keep the pressure up.
They quizzed her about the administrations proposal to eliminate Title IV, a $400 million block grant for districts that can be used to pay for school counseling and related activities, asking how such a cut would help school safety. (The budget also cuts School Safety National Activities program from $68 million to $43 million, and refocuses it on stemming the opioid criss.)
The secretary actually indicated she wouldnt oppose the idea of Title IV surviving in the budget in some form, saying, I encourage Congress to revisit this program.
Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House appropriations committee, pressed DeVos on what she thought should be an active role of the federal government with respect to information parents get about special education vouchers. DeVos responded that while her department was committed to enforcing federal special education law and wanted parents to be well-informed, states offering those vouchers had their roles and responsibilities outside Washingtons control.
She also defended the Trump administrations work on school safety. DeVos is leading a federal commission that will examine a variety of issues potentially impacting school safety, but she did not provide much in the way of her own positions on the subject. DeVos has previously said that arming school staff might be the right move for some districts, but shouldnt be mandatory.
In announcing her role as leader of the White House school safety task force over a week ago, DeVos stressed that schools should explore efforts to support students and help them feel connected. She told reporters about a teacher who regularly asked her students to name a list of people they want to sit by in class and to list a few peers who would want to sit by them. The exercise helped her identify students who may be socially isolated, she said.
At the hearing, she did concede to Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., that if she had a do-over of her 2017 confirmation hearing statement that guns might be in schools to protect against grizzly bears, she would pick a different eample.
And she addressed backlash to her statement on 60 Minutes that she had not intentionally visited low-performing schools. She said she was open to the idea, but added, I think it would be important to visit some poor performing schools, I think the question is: will they let me in?
Photo: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos leans over to listens to U.S. Department of Education staffer Bill Cordes as they wait to testify before a House Committee on Appropriation subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 20. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
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BizVibe, a smart B2B networking platform for global B2B buyers and suppliers, announced today the next generation of its B2B networking platform for the top titanium dioxide manufacturers in China.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320006553/en/
Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers in China BizVibe Announces a New B2B Networking Platform for Titanium Dioxide Industry in China (Graphic: Business Wire)
With the update, businesses can establish a faster and more efficient path from company discovery to getting better quotes and building long-lasting profitable business partnerships with the leading titanium dioxide manufacturers in China.
Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring oxide of titanium, well-known for its extremely high refractive index. Industrially processed titanium dioxide is also one of the whitest materials on earth. Various commercial and industrial sectors, such as paints and coatings, plastics, paper, building materials, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, use titanium dioxide powder as a pigment to provide maximum whiteness and opacity. The growing demand from around the world is facilitating the growth of the global titanium dioxide industry year on year, while China has been leading the global titanium dioxide production and exports since 2009. BizVibe's latest update connects businesses to the top titanium dioxide producers, suppliers, and exporters in China and helps users discover thousands of opportunities daily. BizVibe has innovated the modern networking platform to make your sourcing process faster, smarter and more hassle-free. Connect and network with China's leading titanium dioxide companies on BizVibe now, and help your business grow to another level.
View more about this market: How BizVibe is helping buyers connect with leading titanium dioxide producers, suppliers, and exporters in China
Why Connect with Companies from China's Titanium Dioxide Industry?
The global titanium dioxide market continues to expand in 2018, as the recent market report suggests that the global titanium dioxide (TiO2) market size was valued at around US$ 13.2 billion in 2016, and it is expected to witness a substantial growth of a CAGR of over 8.9% from 2016 to 2025, owing to increasing demand from end-user industries. The global market has been mainly led by the significant increase in titanium dioxide output in China over the recent years. China is now the world's largest titanium dioxide producing country, with the total titanium dioxide output of 2.6 million tonnes per year. Moreover, China is also the world's largest titanium dioxide exporter. In 2016, China exported over 750,000 tonnes of titanium dioxide to the global market. Since global titanium dioxide demand particularly as pigments in paints coatings formulation continues to surge, China's production and export of titanium dioxide is expected to grow further over the next few years, and so do the business opportunities in China's titanium dioxide market.
Looking for more information on this market? Check BizVibe's detailed breakdown of the titanium dioxide industry in China
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BizVibe's New Networking Platform Helps You Find
Top titanium dioxide manufacturers in China
Valuable product quotes that convert
Relevant business chatter in China's titanium dioxide market
China's Top Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers on BizVibe
HENGXING MINERALS.Ltd
China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co Ltd
Noval Industrial Group Co.,Limited
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Connecting on BizVibe
BizVibe has been specifically designed to help industry professionals connect with like-minded businesses, providing them with a seamless, efficient, and easy-to-use platform. Using cutting-edge technology and advanced match-making algorithms, BizVibe has launched the smartest networking platform on the planet, something that can truly help companies find the right matches.
With extensive feedback from communities across multiple industries, BizVibe was able to identify the core problems and uncertainties when finding potential trade partners. Using this feedback, BizVibe developed an efficient networking platform dedicated to buyers, sellers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, and suppliers, helping thousands of users to connect, engage, and make business deals daily.
About BizVibe
The single-minded focus of BizVibe's platform is to make networking easier. Over the years, we've searched far and wide to figure out how businesses connect and enable trade. That first interaction is usually fraught with the uncertainty of finding a potential partner vs. a potential nightmare. With this in mind, we've designed a robust set of tools to help companies generate leads, shortlist prospects, network with businesses from around the world and trade seamlessly.
BizVibe is headquartered in Toronto and has offices in London, Bangalore, and Beijing. For more information on the BizVibe network, please contact us.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320006553/en/
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Causeway Sensors, a Belfast, Northern Ireland-based developer of a platform for rapid accurate diagnosis, raised 1.2m in funding.
The round was led by the Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Growth Fund (NI) with participation from Qubis and private investors and further funding secured from Innovate UK.
The company will use the funds to grow the team, develop the technology and explore new market opportunities.
Led by Dr. Bob Pollard, CEO, Causeway Sensors has developed a novel method of distinguishing between a viral and bacterial infection in a real-time point-of-care setting, enabling a reduction in the ineffective use of antibiotics for viral infections. Its nanostructure chip platform allows high levels of sensitivity and specificity in the detection of infectious diseases without the high cost infrastructure and expertise of a modern pathology laboratory.
The company is a Queens University Belfast (QUB) spin-out.
FinSMEs
20/03/2018
Eight Roads Ventures, a London, UKbased venture capital firm, has launched a $375m third fund for scale-ups in Europe and Israel.
ERVE III will provide funding for fast-growing technology companies across enterprise, consumer, fintech and healthcare IT sectors.
The London-based team led by Davor Hebel, Managing Partner and Head of Eight Roads Ventures Europe will work to fill the resource gap which exists for many growth stage technology companies in Europe, and continue to help founders with key priorities from building out sales and marketing to geographic expansion.
They will look for scale-up companies across Europe and Israel, backing a total of 15 to 20, with an average investment size of $10m to $30m.
Since launching its first European fund in 2010, Eight Roads Ventures has backed over 20 companies including AppsFlyer, Compte Nickel, InnoGames, Made.com, Neo4j, Treatwell and Wallapop. Globally, the firm has an extensive network of investors and operators in offices across China, Japan, India, the UK and the US and a near 50-year history of investing in global success stories such as Alibaba, Nuance Communications and Xoom.
Eight Roads is the proprietary investment arm of Fidelity International Limited.
FinSMEs
20/03/2018
CBI filed charges against a former chairman of Canara Bank and others over allegations that officials helped a company defraud bank of about $10.5 million
New Delhi/ Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed charges on Monday against a former chairman of state-run Canara Bank and others over allegations that the officials helped a company defraud the bank of about $10.5 million taken in loans over four years ago.
The CBI also said it had arrested seven people - including two former managers of the countrys top lender, State Bank of India, a former manager of Canara Bank and directors of a Kolkata-based private company - in a separate bank fraud case of about 150 million rupees ($2.3 million).
The government has cracked down on shady loans in its mammoth state banking sector after a more than $2 billion fraud was uncovered at state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) earlier this year.
As of last September, state banks held about 87 percent of the Indian banking systems 9.46 trillion rupees (about $147 billion) of soured loans that are non-performing, restructured or rolled over.
In the December 2013 case, the CBI, the federal investigating agency, said charges were filed against five former Canara Bank officials including former chairman and managing director RK Dubey, two former executive directors of the bank and a current bank official.
A Delhi-based private company and its directors were also charged, the CBI said in a statement. Canara Bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dubey was not immediately available for a comment.
The CBI, which had first registered the case in 2016, said a 683.8 million rupee loan to the Delhi-based jewellery company, Occasion Silver Pvt Ltd, turned bad within a year of the bank giving it the loan.
The funds were siphoned off through a chain of alleged bogus transactions facilitated by fake sister concerns, family members and bank officials including the top executives, the CBI said.
It was also revealed during investigation that there was an alleged nexus between the bank officials with the private persons which led to the perpetration of the fraud, the agency said.
Reuters could not immediately locate contact details of Occasion Silver Pvt Ltd.
In the alleged PNB fraud - the biggest in Indias banking history - the bank has accused two jewellery groups, one controlled by diamond tycoon Nirav Modi and the other by his uncle, Mehul Choksi, of colluding with rogue bank employees to secure credit overseas.
The key accused in that case have denied any wrongdoing.
Telangana, which was carved out of united Andhra Pradesh in June 2014 after decades of protests and agitation, has seen its public debt rising to 1.8 lakh crore.
Four years after their bifurcation, Andhra Pradhesh and Telangana are staring at mounting public debt with the former even splitting with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ruling at the Centre over the issue of special category status to the state.
According to this report in the Hindu Business Line, APs public debt has increased to Rs 2,25,234 crore in the fiscal year 2017-18. Many key players in the state attribute this tremendous rise in public debt to absence of any special assistance from the Centre.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has been at the forefront of years old agitation demanding a special category status for Andhra Pradesh. So far the demand has not been met which has also caused rift between TDP and NDA with the former severing the ties with the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Telangana, which was carved out of united Andhra Pradesh in June 2014 after decades of protests and agitation, has seen its public debt rising to 1.8 lakh crore over the past few years.
Akbaruddin Owasi, floor leader of the All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Telangana assembly, while starting a debate on budget this year said that the total expenditure for the 2018-19 financial year was pegged at Rs 1.74 lakh crore.
With this the debt burden of the state was expected to rise to Rs 1.8 lakh crore, Owasi has been quoted in this The Hindu report as saying. According to Owaisi, the debt was apart from Rs 41,539 crore outstanding guarantees given by the government, The Hindu report further said.
The two southern Indian states allege that the Central government has turned a deaf year to their demands and despite they contributing large amount of money to the Central ex-chequer, they get little in terms of devolution from the Centre.
The special category status is given to a state that is demographically and historically at a disadvantageous position. Jammu and Kashmir was the first state which was accorded the special category given the state's history and terrain. After that the central government allotted 10 more states the same special category tag.
The Chandrababu Naid-led Andhra Pradesh while arguing in favour of the demand says that it was at the receiving end of the bifurcation as the common capital of Hyderabad now has gone to Telangana. Hyderabad has been a major source of revenue for the undivided Andhra Pradesh as the city has international reputation and a major tourist destination for domestic as well as foreign travellers.
Days after the Union Budget 2018 was presented in Parliament in February this year, Telangana had expressed its dissatisfaction over the way the Budget had dealt with various demands in the state. Telangana Finance Minister E Rajender had said the Union Budget 2018 does not address the needs of the state. He, however, welcomed the initiatives in the budget, such as minimum support price to farmers, health insurance to poor people and allocations to some of the agricultural allied fields, according to this PTI report.
"We sought funds for irrigation projects. We also sought financial assistance for Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya. There was no mention of them in the budget speech. We are thoroughly disappointed," Rajender has been quoted by the news agency as saying.
While India's air passenger traffic rose to 1.07 crore in February 2018 airlines have reported an exceptional jump in technical glitches in past few days
Indian's are flying a lot more these days. But with carriers reporting an exceptional jump in technical glitches, alongside alleged safety violations, questions over passengers' safety are doing the rounds.
India's domestic air passenger traffic grew 24.14 percent in February over the year-ago period, logging its fastest pace in 13 months, reported BloombergQuint. This, despite the fact that February is a lean month. However, airlines have recorded an uncommon jump in technical glitches over the past few days, raising questions over passengers' safety ahead of the peak summer season.
Data furnished by regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revealed carriers flew 1.07 crore passengers in February. But, according to The Economic Times, the weekend saw IndiGo reporting five technical glitches, while SpiceJet and Jet Airways logged three each. Air India recorded two technical snags.
IndiGo has been grappling with problems with A320neo jets powered by Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines for a while now, with as many as 12 A320neo grounded. Last week IndiGo and GoAir had to cancel around 50 flights as almost a third of their A320new aircraft fleet remained grounded following a safety directive by the DGCA.
The Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on 13 March told the Rajya Sabha that technical snags in airlines have gone up from 15,048 in 2014 to 21,500 in 2016. "Snags have increased due to increase in number of aircraft in the airline and increased number of flight sectors," he said.
Are carriers flouting safety norms?
That apart, as many as 54 cases of violations of air safety norms, by Air India and private airlines, have been reported in the first two months of 2018.
Sinha, on 8 March, told the Lok Sabha that "there were 352 safety violations by Air India and private airlines in the year 2016 whereas the number of violations in the year 2017 was 269."
According to Sinha, the DGCA has taken various measures to ensure the safe operation of aircraft and high international standards.
Airlines riddled with technical snags
Airlines reported over 24,700 technical snags in 2017, with Jet Airways alone accounting for 9,689 of them, followed by SpiceJet which reported 4,903 snags and the Air India group at 4,563. GoAir reported 1,888 snags, AirAsia (1,367), Vistara (1,225), Blue Dart (793), IndiGo (340) and Zoom Air (23), the data showed.
Jet had reported 6,535 snags in its Boeing fleet, 831 in its Airbus fleet and 1,333 in its ATRs. In the case of SpiceJet, 2,910 snags were reported with respect to the Boeing 737 and 1,993 related to the Bombardier Q400. As per DGCA data, Air India reported 337 snags in its Airbus fleet. The number was 48 in the case of its Boeing fleet.
What are technical snags?
A technical snag (defect) refers to a problem in an aircraft, or aircraft components, arising from any cause other than damage, which would preclude it or another aircraft component from performing their intended functions. The DGCA has regulations and procedures for monitoring snags encountered during aircraft operations. These include conducting spot checks, analysing engineering statistical reports and advising aircraft operators to take corrective actions if there is any adverse trend.
The years 2017, 2016 and 2015 were, according to a Huffpost report, the worst three-years for aviation safety in India.
With inputs from agencies.
Modi govt should first acknowledge unemployment problem, else a crisis is in the making
Does India actually have a job crisis? Or is it a non-existent problem cooked-up by opposition parties to tarnish the Narendra Modi administration? Forget the politics of it, if you are a serious observer and are tired looking for missing government data, or are tired of surveys on employment/unemployment trends, you should probably look at whats happened in Mumbai, which suffered local train chaos earlier in the day.
Police were caning students, who, in retaliation, were throwing stones at policemen, and were shouting slogans demanding a meeting with Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. They are seeking an assurance on jobs. There is no better example to understand and assess how serious the jobs problem is in the country. Hundreds of youngsters thronging streets seeking jobs and livelihood assurance is something one typically observes in countries ravaged by war, terrorism or racial madness or, lets say, failing economies. Which of these problems is India facing at this juncture?
If one looks closer at the issue, what happened in Mumbai earlier today isnt unique to Mumbai but is present elsewhere in the country. According to reports, this round of protest is being carried out by activists of the All India Act Apprentice Association (AAAAA), demanding scrapping of the 20 percent quota, and jobs for all local candidates who clear the All India Railway Act Apprentice Exams. The protesters claim that they had taken up their demands with the Railway Minister Goyal, who met them. But there has been no progress in the matter.
But there is a larger issue here, as this Economic Times report shows, the Indian railways alone has received 1.5 crore applications this year for 90,000 railway jobs, which also includes 63,000 jobs in the Group D, a category that is reserved for gangmen. What does it tell us? Had Indias private sector companies, start-ups, SMEs or MSMEs done their part in absorbing the new workforce, we wouldnt have seen such a large number of students desperately thronging for government jobs, including group D jobs. This is nothing but fact. Indias unemployment problem isnt a non-existent one. It is present and real. As columnist Vivek Kaul points out in his piece, citing a recent estimate made by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, in 2017, two million jobs were created for 11.5 million Indians who joined the labour force during the year.
One of the biggest concerns for any observer looking at the economy is to not have enough data on whats happening on the ground. When you talk about jobs, that fear may be coming true for India. The last time the labour bureau released job data, it showed that unemployment rose to a five-year high of five percent in 2015-16. This rate was actually 4.9 percent in 2013-14. In 2015-16, the unemployment figure stood at 8.7 percent for women as compared to 4.3 percent for men, 5.1 percent in the rural sector and 4.9 percent in the urban sector. According to this report in the DNA, which cites a recent reply by Minister of State for Labour and Employment (independent charge) Santosh Kumar Gangwar in Parliament, the Labour Bureau under the ministry has not conducted any survey to find out the actual data of employment in the country since 2016.
India's unemployment rate in % under the usual principal status (UPS) approach Year In % Male Female Rural Urban 2009-10 9.3 2011-12 3.8 2.9 6.9 3.4 5.0 2012-13 4.7 4.0 7.2 4.4 5.7 2013-14 4.9 4.1 7.7 4.7 5.5 2015-16 5.0 4.0 8.7 5.1 4.9 Note: Labour Bureau did not bring out any such report for 2014-15. Source: Fifth annual employment-unemployment survey 2015-2016 at all-India level
If this is indeed the case, the government doesnt even have an account of the job situation on the ground. But there are important signals coming in, like what happened earlier today in Mumbais suburbs. The bigger danger is when unemployment becomes the subject matter of protests; it easily connects with the unemployed youth across state boundaries. There is no caste, religion or demographic divide when it comes to a fight for jobs. Protests can spread like wildfire. A bigger problem is in the making then. Particularly, in the context of the Mumbai student protests, there have been cases of suicides in connection with the job issue. This is evident from what the protesters said. There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," one of the protesting students has been quoted as saying.
If one looks at the job scenario in the country today, one can safely say that Narendra Modi's biggest opponent in the 2019 general elections will not be Rahul Gandhi, or a united Opposition that the Congress vice-president has been talking about it will be the lack of jobs for youth in India. In August, 2017, An India Today-Karvy Insights Mood of the Nation poll, conducted among a sample of 12,178 people across the country, provided some warning signals to Modi. It said 53 percent of the voters polled believe that the grim jobs scenario signals a deeper economic crisis. The scepticism on jobs is 17 percent higher than a similar survey by the same surveyor six months ago. Failure to give jobs could turn the 133 million first-time voters Modi is targeting in 2019 against him. The signals of this are already evident.
This means if this government fails to generate sufficient jobs (which is largely the case so far), the biggest challenge Modi and his campaigners will have to face will be the possibility of the same 133 million - the new workforce - turning against the government. The warning signals were present all along.
The 2016-17 Economic Survey authored by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian said, "Employment in India poses a great challenge in terms of its structure which is dominated by informal, unorganized and seasonal workers, and is characterised by high levels of under employment, skill shortages, with the labour markets impacted by rigid labour laws, and the emergence of contract labour. In four years of Modi rule, the unemployment rate in India has actually gone up, going by the available data so far. The government has attempted to counter this problem through various schemes such as Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAYNULM) and Mudra loans, but what these have achieved is too little compared to the targets facing the government. The regime should first acknowledge the problem at hand, else a crisis is in the making.
Budget carrier IndiGo's woes have further compounded with as many as five of its aircraft facing glitches in the last 24 hours
Mumbai: Budget carrier IndiGo's woes have further compounded with as many as five of its aircraft-three A320 Neos and two A320 Ceo (current engine option) planes-facing glitches in the last 24 hours, resulting in the grounding of an A320 Neo.
With this, IndiGo now has as many as 12 A320 Neos on the ground.
As of now, the Gurugram-based carrier has been grappling with problems in A320 Neos powered by Pratt & Whitney engines since last June, with 11 of them already grounded due to safety concerns.
IndiGo in a statement on Monday said it detected five technical snags in five planes and of these only one aircraft has been grounded. The rest four aircraft are back in operations.
An A320 (non-Neo) aircraft with VT-INZ registration and operating on Cochin-Mumbai route and another A320 (non-Neo) aircraft bearing VT-IFU registration operating on the Mumbai-Goa sector, had technical snag detected during departure, IndiGo said.
Both these aircraft were immediately withdrawn for rectification and are now back in the sky, it added.
In another incident, another A320 Neo plane, which was to operate on the Jammu-Srinagar route on Sunday was grounded in Jammu due to a hydraulic leakage from one of the engines.
"The aircraft remained on ground till this afternoon. The fault could be fixed only after the spares were flown in from New Delhi and it was put back into operations," a Jammu airport source said.
Earlier on Sunday, the airline had to pull out one of its A320 Neos from operations after landing in New Delhi from Bengaluru after metal chips were detected in the engine oil and another aircraft reported hydraulic leakage at the Srinagar airport.
These five incidents in within 24 hrs come days after the aviation regulator DGCA had grounded 11 A320 Neos fitted with P&W engines of a particular series, belonging to IndiGo and GoAir.
The regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had on March 12 ordered the grounding of 11 A320 Neos fitted with P&W1100 engines of ESN 450 series due to recurring problems, including mid-air shutdowns.
Of these, eight are of IndiGo and the rest GoAir's. Another three A320 Neos of IndiGo are already on the ground since February.
Pop scientist into an image search and youre likely to see people in goggles and white coats, swirling liquids in Erlenmyer flasks or peering into microscopes. A new study finds the older students get, the more their image of a scientist comes into line with that stereotypical view.
In the past 50 years, girls and boys alike have become more willing to picture women in scientific fields, according to a new meta-analysis in the journal Child Development. Northwestern University researchers scrutinized the results and drawings of 78 studies of more than 20,000 K-12 students since 1966. In each of these studies, students across grades and states had been asked to draw a scientist at work.
Overall, students have drawn about 73 percent of scientists as male, but women have gained a lot of ground over time. In the studies conducted before 1983, only .6 percent of all drawings depicted a woman as a scientist. In more recent studies, women are drawn as scientists 28 percent of the time.
Both boys and girls have become more likely to draw female scientists during the 50-year span of the analysis, though David Miller, a postdoctoral psychologist and the lead author of the study, noted that boys still overwhelmingly draw scientists as male.
If you ask children to draw a person, they are more likely to draw their own sex than the opposite sex, Miller said. Its not that boys stereotype scientists more than girls because you have to account for boys incorporating their own gender identity into their drawings.
Science Identity Gap Widens as Students Age
And in fact, girls were more likely to envision scientists as their own gender, tooat least at first. At age 6, girls drew about 70 percent of their scientists as women. But by the time they were 16, girls depicted scientists as male 75 percent of the time.
That didnt surprise study co-author Alice Eagly. The change toward more men being drawn as children age merely reflects that they are more aware of their society as they get olderthat is, more aware that more men than women are scientists, Eagley said.
In notes accompanying some of the studies, some students specifically mentioned famous scientists such as Marie Curie or Albert Einstein, or popular characters such as Bill Nye, the Science Guy, or Miss Frizzle of The Magic School Bus as shaping their view of what a scientist looks like.
But students views of scientists also became more stereotypical in concept as they got older. The researchers found, for example, that older students were more likely to draw a scientist as older, with a white coat or with goggles, and they were also more likely to depict a scientist inside, in a lab, rather than outside. Younger students were also more likely than older students to draw scientists outside, rather than inside a lab. (And its worth noting that while the researchers did not dig much into racial differences, 79 percent of all of the drawings depicted scientists as white.)
I think that result suggests that children learn multiple stereotypes about scientists as they mature, not just stereotypes about gender, Miller said. The developmental changes about lab coats and eyeglasses could likely reflect childrens increasing exposure throughout development to scientists dressed in archetypal laboratory attire.
Images: Elementary students drawings of scientists. Sources: David Miller, Northwestern University; Richard Jones, University of Hawaii, West Oahu, and Lori Fulton, the University of Hawaii, Manoa
WEP to disseminate information about government schemes, programmes and other initiatives in the private sector to promote women entrepreneurship.
The NITI Aayog recently rolled out a Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) to provide opportunities to women, to help them realise their entrepreneurial aspirations, scale-up innovative initiatives and chalk-out sustainable, long-term strategies for their businesses.
WEP has been established under the leadership of Anna Roy, Adviser (Industry), NITI Aayog. There are two bodies that have been constituted. The first one is chaired by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog and has advocates like Chetna Gala Sinha from the Mann Deshi Foundation, Mira Kulkarni from Forest Essentials and Ronnie Screwvala of UpGrad. There is a management committee that is chaired by Anna Roy which includes Dr Som Dutta Singh, Trustee, Digital Leadership Institute, Yatin Thakur, MD, GEN Asia, Anjana Menon, Founder, Content Pixies, the internal NITI Aayog team, among several others.
Digital Leadership Institute (DLI), a trust, will serve as the knowledge partner for the WEP by providing free training to 1,000 women. Somdutta Singh, the founder of the DLI and a member of the WEPs core management team, spoke to Firstpost about the initiative.
Excerpts from the interview:
What activities at the WEP help promote women entrepreneurship?
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) aims to become an aggregation platform, to encourage women across diverse enterprise initiatives to come on-board, and thereby substantially increase the number of women entrepreneurs. The mission is to enable collaborations among peers, enablers, partners and industry professionals. WEP will act as a point of dissemination of information about existing government schemes, programmes and various other initiatives in the private sector to promote women entrepreneurship. WEP wants to evolve as a knowledge portal, addressing information asymmetry whilst offering services such as credit rating for new businesses, mentorship, apprenticeship opportunities and industry linkages.
How will this be carried out?
WEP has tied-up with a range of partners including SIDBI, FICCI, CII, the Digital Leadership Institute, Facebook, ShopClues and DICE Districts to name a few. SIDBI has identified five centres, viz. Pune, Chennai, New Delhi, Lucknow and Guwahati where existing nodal officers of MUDRA/Standup India will respond to finance-related queries raised by women entrepreneurs, and mentor them via their me4WE mentoring pool.
DLI will provide free training to 1,000 women through the WEP platform in the areas of beauty and wellness, fashion, health, accounting and taxation, competitive strategy, patent and company registration, PR and communication and digital marketing. DLI will collaborate with partners based in different cities to provide offline training and workshops, and the goal is to conduct at-least 12 workshops -- one offline workshop per month -- in different cities, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities.
FICCI, through its Centre for Innovation, Science & Technology Commercialisation will support both the domestic and international outreach activities of the WEP by connecting women entrepreneurs, leaders, venture capitalists, academia, angel investors, among others from across the globe. They will also undertake five national and three international outreach and networking events annually.
Facebook will provide ad credits to 100 women entrepreneurs who are selected through the WEP, to help them grow their businesses. Through Facebooks own properties and supporting pages of partner organisations of the WEP, Facebook endeavours to spread awareness of 25 inspirational stories of women entrepreneurs from India, who have changed their lives and improved communities around them by leveraging technology and resources available to them
DICE Districts has announced a Rs 10 crore fund for deserving women enterprises at the Women Transforming India Awards, by means of equity investments, through its accelerator. Up to 15 seats will be earmarked at the co-working space at DICE Districts Mumbai for a period of three to six months for the finalists of the Women Transforming India Awards, and they will also launch its training program in association with DLI, through their platform, to empower women entrepreneurs.
The Women Transforming India Awards in association with the United Nations and DICE Districts celebrates stories of exceptional women who are breaking the glass-ceiling and challenging stereotypes through entrepreneurial initiatives which address key development challenges through innovative solutions and/or impact their communities.
What is the selection process?
The first batch will be selected through the Women Transforming India Awards. This is not an accelerator or incubation program. WEP is an enabler and a platform wherein entrepreneurs will have the liberty to apply through the year; the first step to this is the Women Transforming India Awards. The awards will not just provide funding support, but also support them with mentoring, acceleration, partnership and all other attributes required to drive a successful entrepreneurial venture.
What ails women entrepreneurship in India?
Women entrepreneurs represent a tremendous, largely untapped pool of talent for economic growth and prosperity not just in India, but in any nation the worldover. However, they often face barriers to building businesses that their male counterparts do not encounter. While they may be making headlines in every aspect of our society, be it art, education, politics or business, they still end up donning several hats and playing multiple roles at home and away and are constantly faced with pitfalls that they have no choice but to contend with. India still remains largely patriarchal. And there's no escaping it.
Women entrepreneurs will constantly have to battle male egos and mental barriers. Entrepreneurship has been seen as a male-dominated bastion, and while the scenario is changing, there is still a long way to go. India has the third-largest ecosystem in the world with over 1,000 new start-ups added to the list in 2017. Yet the percentage of female start-up founders in India is a measly 11 percent. Comparisons based on gender are unavoidable in the business space, and often when a woman starts a business, even family and friends view it as a hobby or a side project to keep herself busy. They are left with no option but to buckle down and prove them wrong with their work than trying to do so in a verbal exchange.
Lack of funding, a crucial factor in entrepreneurship, is a huge hindrance. Women entrepreneurs suffer from a shortage of finance on two counts. Firstly, women do not generally have property on their names to use them as collateral for obtaining funds from external sources. Thus, their access to the external sources of funds is limited. Secondly, banks also consider women less credit-worthy and discourage them from borrowing on the belief that they can at any time abandon their business. In such a situation, women entrepreneurs are bound to rely on their own savings, if any, and loans from friends and relatives that are often meagre.
The indefinite strike by drivers of app-based cab aggregators Ola and Uber continued on Tuesday in Mumbai with office commuters suffering the most
The indefinite strike by the drivers of app-based cab aggregators Ola and Uber continued in Mumbai on Tuesday, with office-goers, who use the app-based service every morning, suffering the most.
Cab hailing times were longer than usual all thanks to the strike. The worst-hit were people looking for cabs to or from the airport and railway stations. Cab fairs surged early Tuesday morning, and some office-goers in the city had to pay almost double the usual fare for a ride to their workplaces.
In Mumbai alone, there are over 45,000 such cabs but a slump in business has seen a drop of about 20 percent in their numbers. Cab-hailing companies have so far maintained their distance from the issue.
However, the strike had little impact in southern India. In cities like Cochin, Chennai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad there was no impact of the strike and fleets were operating normally, according to The Indian Express. In Karnataka, there are about 70 lakh taxi drivers of which 30 lakh operate with online aggregators like Ola and Uber, The Indian Express reported.
According to The Economic Times, the current strike is expected to end within a week.
On Monday, commuters in Pune too faced difficulties when looking to hire cabs. According to the Hindustan Times, there are as may as 25,000 cabs affiliated with app-based aggregators in Pune.
The strike was called by the transport wing of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. The party said the strike was called because drivers are struggling to cover costs due to falling business. The Mumbai Taximen's Union, the biggest taxi union in the financial capital, said they will not support the strike.
Earlier, the MNS appealed to commuters to make alternative arrangements and "support the fight for justice" for Ola and Uber drivers.
Driver-demands include deciding fares according to the cost of the vehicle and reinstating blacklisted drivers who were given low ratings by passengers.
With inputs from agencies.
Can a nation of one billion people build a global tech giant even as new frontiers of technology arrive?
Editors note: As India stands at the cusp of a new era in economic growth, it is time to ask a big question: Can a nation of one billion people build a global tech giant as new frontiers of technology arrive? The answer involves understanding global economic dynamics, innovation, ownership, management, competition, regulation, finance and intellectual property rights. Firstpost will publish a series of stories, beginning today, that will seek to address these issues in a manner that helps entrepreneurs, policymakers and ordinary citizens understand what it takes to reach new highs without losing one's ground in a world where threats are as real as opportunities. Here's the first piece in the series:
Twenty years ago, globalisation was the flavour in India as the country slowly shed its inward-looking Nehruvian Era outlook on the economy. The US was then globalisations leading evangelist. Things have changed. This season seems to be one in which even technology explosion is viewed with a protectionist mindset. US President Donald Trump has just rejected a bid by Singapore-based Broadcom to acquire wireless chip-maker Qualcomm on grounds of national security because it may slow down 5G technology investments by Qualcomm in the race with Chinas Huawei.
In India, a video by media entrepreneur Raghav Bahl going viral says policy-makers are half asleep as startups like online retailer Flipkart, Ola Cabs and mobile money leader PayTm are essentially controlled by Chinese entities such as Alibaba and Tencent, New York-based Tiger Global and/or Japan's Softbank because the private equity investors own the stakes that determine voting power although the smart guys who founded these companies try their best not to be tied down by a dominant investor.
There is a problematic situation because Indian entrepreneurs need capital to build their businesses, and if the colour of money is any indication, defensive policies may be needed to fortify them as they build giant "unicorns" (billion-dollar valuation companies). Options to do this include China-style regulatory bulwarks and capital controls, separate classes of equity that will offer economic ownership but less voting rights to foreign owners. India can also consider regulatory intervention on senior management appointments (as it has done in the case of media companies in the past).
However, one problem remains: he who pays the piper calls the tune or at least sets the tone. Typically, smart startup founders get rich fast because they get high valuations from venture capital companies that pump in big amounts. But this, in turn, is tied to milestones and/or effective management control. Online retailer Flipkart is going through a not-so-quiet management churn with co-founders Sachin and Binny Bansal for all practical purposes having gone hands-off as Kalyan Krishnamurthy, seen as hedge fund Tiger Global's blue-eyed boy runs day-to-day operations amid an exodus of senior managers of the kind Bansals favoured.
Is this becoming a case of "Our Indians" versus "Their Indians" as the likes of Amazon, Alibaba, Tencent, Facebook and Google hire local talent even as effective control stays in non-Indian hands? It seems so. But it is better to view it as a management issue in the pursuit of profit in which neither the colour of the people nor the colour of money matters.
Deeper questions lurk beyond: Why should be we be nationalist when the world is shrinking? How do we ensure fair competition and effective regulation of competition? What kind of a company is truly "Indian" -- is it in control, employment or the creation of intellectual property held by Indian entities?
Let us take two companies: Infosys and Zoho. IT services giant Infosys is considered an Indian company but if you look at the stakes held by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) or overseas entities, it is not even 50% Indian. On the other hand, Chennai-based Zoho, which is not discussed often enough in Indian media, is a world-class cloud-based software product company that sells worldwide to 30 million users and competes with the likes of Microsoft and Oracle. It has intellectual property of the kind India can be proud of and a catchy tagline, Made In India, Made For the World. Its CEO sits in the US but most of its 5,000 employees are in Chennai and it has even opened a software centre in rural Tamil Nadu.
Reliance Jio, a new digital age Internet services provider, is Indian in ownership as it is controlled by Reliance Industries Ltd but is not really a global player. Google, Amazon, Facebook and Reliance Jio are all changing the lives of ordinary Indians for the better by empowering them. Or else, they are creating millions of jobs in India for everybody from research scientists to app developers and e-commerce delivery girls.
Should ownership be an issue at all when hundreds of millions of Indians get better lives? Is Digital India about homegrown tech giants or is it about technology-empowered lives in backward districts?
India needs to be a fair player in the world market -- but not a fool. It can and should build its own multinationals. Zomato is one already, even though it is a startup, with a presence in 24 countries. On the other hand, India needs to be on the guard against those who may use financial muscle to stifle competition. Ola and Flipkart moan about the need for a level-playing field and "capital dumping" -- a not-so-discreet potshot at Amazon and Uber, even as Flipkart holds talks to sell stakes to the original American retail giant, Walmart, which wants to charm the Indian market. ANI Technologies, the company that owns Ola Cabs, recently entered the Australian market, even as it takes on Uber in India. Telecom giant Airtel is a big name in Africa, though it faces the biting pressure of Jio in the domestic market.
It is time for us to take stock of technology nationalism so we know the hows and whys of cultural pride on the one hand, and socio-economic welfare and capital efficiency on the other. The answers are not easy. The questions are tantalising and challenging.
The author is a senior journalist. He tweets as @madversity.
Part 2: Facebook crisis holds lessons for India and Aadhaar: we need multi-pronged regulation to ensure fair play and innovation
Part 3: Visionaries or 'employeepreneurs'? India's tech unicorns hide weaknesses that deserve a hard look
Part 4: Tech nationalism is a complex game; a swadeshi index may support the right Indian startups
Part 5: Tech needs a MAD formula: It is time for India to make the transition from 'dukandar' to disruptor
Part 6: True tech power comes from harvesting patents: ISRO, Cipla and Biocon show the way for future entrepreneurs
Part 7: Engineered in India: Technology transformation must provide solutions for sustainable development
Thirty-nine Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul three years ago have died, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament on Tuesday.
Thirty-nine Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul three years ago have died, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament on Tuesday.
"Deep penetration radar confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed," Swaraj said, adding that the mortal remains of the persons were sent to Baghdad. "For verification of the bodies, DNA samples of their relatives were sent there. Four state government Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar were involved in the process," she said.
Yesterday we got information that DNA samples of 38 people have matched and DNA of the 39th person has matched 70 per cent: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #RajyaSabha on 39 Indians kidnapped in Iraq's Mosul pic.twitter.com/almEfDANlz ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
General VK Singh will travel to Iraq to bring back the mortal remains of the Indians killed, the foreign minister said. "The plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata."
The search for the missing persons carried on for most of 2017, with the external affairs ministry claiming no knowledge of their location.
In July 2017, after ruckus in the Lok Sabha over the issue of the 39 Indians missing in Mosul, Swaraj said that there is no evidence to substantiate the claim that they have died. "And declaring anyone dead without proof is a sin that I won't commit," she had said.
Earlier, the Punjab Congress had accused the external affairs minister of "misleading" the country on the fate of missing Indians abducted in Iraq, and asked her to provide "credible information" on the issue.
The group of Indian labourers, mostly from Punjab, was taken hostage by the Islamic State when it overran Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, in 2014. The workers were reportedly trying to leave Mosul when they were intercepted.
With inputs from agencies
Follow LIVE updates of the Parliament sessions here
Mosul was declared liberated from Islamic State in July 2017. A month later, when Indian officials arrived, they found that 39 Indians, taken hostage by the terrorists of the so-called caliphate, were missing. The Indian authorities were informed about mass graves in Badush, a village northwest of Mosul, which had a prison cell operated by the Islamic State terrorists.
New Delhi: Mosul was declared liberated from the Islamic State in July 2017. A month later, when Indian officials arrived, they found that 39 Indians taken hostage by the terrorists of the so-called caliphate were missing. The Indian authorities were informed about mass graves in Badush, a village northwest of Mosul, which had a prison cell operated by the Islamic State terrorists.
One mass grave had exactly 39 bodies and Indias worst fears came true. Around 700 people taken hostage by Islamic State at Mosul were taken to Badush prison and executed. A missive was sent to New Delhi, which contacted the state government to arrange DNA samples of family members of 39 missing Indians. The process was finally completed with the help of respective district magistrates in October- November 2017.
Pappu Singh, brother of Santosh from Bihar, who went to Iraq in 2011, confirmed to Firstpost that he, his sister and mother gave the samples at district magistrate office in Bihar's Siwan. The family members met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in January 2017 in New Delhi. When they were called for DNA samples, the family was not informed whether Santosh, 28, was dead or alive.
We were told this was to ascertain certain identification process, but we were not told that Santosh is dead. We had no means to question the district authorities further. At least they should have told our mother, Pappu said.
The hunt for the missing Indians began in June 2014 when Indian embassy in Baghdad informed Ministry of External Affairs that they lost contact with 40 construction workers in Mosul. Friendly intelligence services informed Indian counterparts that after capturing Mosul, Islamic State carried out mass executions in the city and barring Sunni hostages, others may not have survived.
Sources in the intelligence agencies said National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and then Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Asif Ibrahim made a trip to Baghdad sometime during the last week of June to coordinate the operation to evacuate Indians stranded in war-torn nation as well as carry out discussions with officials from Iraqi interior ministry on the whereabouts of missing Indians.
Intelligence became a rare commodity after fall of Mosul and Tikrit. Some inputs were received from fleeing residents and prisoners who escaped executions. Harjit Masih, the Indian who managed to escape along with Bangladeshis claimed all 39 had been killed but there were inconsistencies in his statement, prompting the Indian government to continue search for missing Indians instead of declaring them dead. In December 2014, an intelligence input suggested that the missing Indians may not have survived, sources said.
Months later, an intelligence report quoting an unidentified humanitarian worker claimed that missing Indians were killed in June 2014, however, Indian government wanted to plug all the loopholes through proper inquiry. In late 2015, reports suggested that 39 Indians were working as labourers in Islamic State-controlled territory.
It was a war-like situation and any input trickling in from Iraq was vetted and forwarded to top officials in the government. Although some of us in the intelligence agencies believed that all 39 were killed, it could not be officially confirmed to the families because it would been wrong on the part of the government, intelligence sources said.
Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) VK Singh made two trips to Iraq after Mosul was liberated and visited Badush where mass graves including that of 39 Indians were discovered.
Former CBI forensic expert doctor SC Mittal told Firstpost that DNA test was only option to ascertain the identity of missing Indians after deep penetration radar showed bones lying beneath rubble.
If the DNA sample of next of kin is available, it takes couple of days to confirm the identity. In the present case, after first confirmation, Iraq's Martyrs Foundation started conducting test on other bodies. The cells remain alive for 10 to 15 years and in some cases, for a longer period. There was no doubt about the information which came from Iraq because in DNA testing, even if you have a tiny piece of tooth and hair, the identity can be easily established, Mittal said.
Sushma Swaraj told Parliament that she declared them dead only after getting concrete evidence. The Opposition slammed the government for giving hopes to the families and delaying announcement of deaths. However, former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal told Firstpost it would have been wrong on the part of the government to declare them dead before mounting a search in liberated Mosul.
The government did its job properly. Initially, there was no reason for us to believe that Islamic State could kill Indians the way they were targeting Yazidi and Christians, because India has not been in direct confrontation with them. By attacking the government, Opposition is diminishing the importance of the issue. It is not about BJP and Congress. What would anybody gain by withholding such information? I think the announcement has been made after a thorough investigation, Sibal told Firstpost.
Iraqi authorities have found the bodies of 38 Indian construction workers abducted when Islamic State militants overran the northern city of Mosul more than three years ago, officials said
Baghdad: Iraqi authorities have found the bodies of 38 Indian construction workers abducted when Islamic State militants overran the northern city of Mosul more than three years ago, officials said Tuesday.
The bodies were buried near the village of Badush, northwest of Mosul, in an area that Iraqi forces recaptured last July.
The killing was a "heinous crime carried out by Daesh terrorist gangs," Iraqi official Najiha Abdul-Amir al-Shimari told reporters. Daesh is the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.
The bodies are "citizens of the friendly Indian state. Their dignity was supposed to be protected, but the forces of evil wanted to defame the principles of Islam," said Najiha, the head of Iraq's Martyrs Establishment, a government body dealing with people killed in the fight against the Islamic State group.
The abducted workers, mostly from northern India, had been employed by a construction company near Mosul when militants captured wide swaths of the area. Relatives said they received phone calls from some of the workers five days after Mosul was captured, asking for help.
Around 10,000 Indians worked and lived in Iraq at that time.
Search operations led to a mound near Badush where local residents said bodies had been buried by the IS, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament.
Iraqi authorities used radar to establish that the mound was a mass grave, she said, and then exhumed the bodies. Indian authorities then sent DNA samples from relatives of the missing workers.
Swaraj said 39 bodies had been found in the grave, but the DNA on one had yet to be fully confirmed.
Follow news updates of 39 Indians killed in Mosul here
Sushma Swaraj deserves praise for doggedly pursuing the case of 39 Indians who went 'missing' after being kidnapped by the IS in Iraq's Mosul in 2014.
The Narendra Modi government deserves praise for doggedly pursuing the case of 39 Indians who went "missing" after being kidnapped by the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq's Mosul in 2014. The four-year search for truth ended on Tuesday when external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj informed both Houses of the Parliament that the kidnapped Indians were indeed killed by the retreating IS.
It is unfortunate that a controversy has erupted over the government's efforts to gather concrete evidence before declaring the missing persons as "dead". The Opposition has targeted the government for its "delay" in announcing the deaths implying that instead of searching for and obtaining conclusive proofs, the government should have jumped the gun based on unverifiable and competing accounts.
A more regressive argument is hard to find. In any other country, a government is expected to do what the Indian government did look for the missing individuals, try relentlessly to find out the truth in a war zone, seek the help of foreign agencies and sovereigns, get conclusive evidence of death and bring eventual closure for affected families. In India, such an effort evidently invites charges of "misleading the nation" and "giving false hope".
Is waiting for confirmation of death "false hope"? Is refusal to declare the "missing" as "dead" without proof "misleading the nation"? One has to ask, can any government worth its oath presume the "missing" as "dead" without an honest effort?
Harjit Masih, the survivor who ostensibly escaped from the clutches of IS and later held that his compatriots have been murdered, can stick to his statement despite lack of evidence because the burden of proof is not on him. But that cannot be said of an elected government which is accountable to people. Governments must necessarily assume that those missing are alive until conclusive evidence proves otherwise.
Harjit Masih is just an individual, he could claim 39 others are dead, but we are the Government, we can't say this so easily. We have to be responsible: EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/vuiE4vtlf6 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
It is no less a tragedy that this actually needs to be clarified.
The Malaysian government, for instance, has still not called off the search for the passengers of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 that had disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014 with 239 people on board. It is inconceivable that there are any survivors but unless any concrete evidence is found, it is incumbent on the government to carry on with its efforts.
Consider, for argument's sake, that Swaraj takes Masih's words as gospel, abandons the search for missing Indians, declares them as "believed to be killed" and informs their families accordingly. It would have been easy for the government to wash its hands and shake off all responsibility. There was no need to move heaven and earth, liaison with foreign governments, international agencies and look for hope and confirmation amid a mountain of corpses that the terrorists had left behind.
However, that would have been dangerous, unethical and illegal. To declare "missing" nationals as "deceased" without verification and failing to observe due diligence in such a complex, sensitive issue would have been nothing less than dereliction of duty. The government would have failed its people and also the families who would have been denied closure. It would have also made itself vulnerable to criticism had there been any more survivors.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha last year, Swaraj had said: "There is no concrete evidence that the 39 Indians abducted from Mosul in Iraq have been killed" and added that the government would continue its efforts to trace the Indians. "This file will not close till there is proof that the 39 Indians are dead. I will not commit the sin of declaring them dead without any evidence". She said she was in touch with the Iraq foreign minister on this issue.
The Opposition should have demanded to know whether the government had been scrupulous in its efforts to find the truth. It should have asked of the government to give a detailed account of its efforts. Instead, in an instance of shameful behaviour, the lawmakers not only failed to observe the decorum of the House but were found wanting even in paying respect to the deceased. In the snake pit of Indian politics, nothing is left untouched. Not even a grim tragedy.
Swaraj's attempts to deliver a statement on the deaths of the Indians in the Lower House was foiled amid loud protests by the Congress, leading to the Speaker calling for an adjournment.
Loud slogans raised by opposition as EAM Sushma Swaraj seeks permission from Lok Sabha Speaker to deliver statement on death of 39 Indians in Iraq's Mosul, says, 'It is something sad that I want to tell the house and it cannot be done in this ruckus.' pic.twitter.com/dQ7k2ZdLWH ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
#MosulTragedy -- Sushma Swaraj speaks in Lok Sabha over 39 Indians killed in Mosul Get #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/lvfm0ZuV8E pic.twitter.com/awH9yl3tA9 News18 (@CNNnews18) March 20, 2018
In the end, the bodies were eventually located in a mound in Iraq's Badush. Forensic evidence has now proven conclusively that these were the mortal remains of the missing Indians. New Delhi had waited till the civilian government in Iraq with some help from the Martyr's Foundation exhumed the bodies from the site in Badush and took the remains to Baghdad to verify the DNA samples. The final results were conveyed to India on Monday night.
"Yesterday (On Monday), we got information that DNA samples of 38 people have matched and DNA of the 39th person has matched 70 percent," Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha. The news confirms the worst fears of the families of the deceased who have been swinging between hope and despair for four years.
Between apprehension and confirmation lay an agonising wait that was spent waiting to collect information from a war zone, seeking help from a civilian government after transfer of power, painstaking collection of proof involving multiple foreign countries, international agencies and states in India from where the samples were sourced. Four years might seem a long time, but not when one considers the odds that were involved.
In between, the minister had met the families of the deceased multiple times. At a news conference held later in the day, she clarified that she had to maintain protocol and inform the Parliament instead of speaking to the kin first because the House was in session. It is not always that the government carries out duties that are expected of it with dogged determination. The minister and her colleagues deserve a word of praise for their tireless effort in handling a tricky, sensitive and tragic issue. The departed won't return but the confirmation is expected to bring a sense of closure.
Sushma Swaraj's comments give rise to the suspicion that the MEA is reading from a script and has very limited knowledge of what happened in Mosul and how.
It could not have been easy for Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to be so upfront and outspoken about the killing of 39 Indian workers, who were kidnapped by the Islamic State in Iraq's Mosul in June 2015. For three years, India appeared to be lost in the woods, going about things based on sheer rumours and conjecture aware, that these men had been kidnapped while trying to get out of the region but unaware, where they had been held.
Hurtful as it is, such hostage situations are very difficult to negotiate and the gentlest interpretation one can give is that the families have been given closure after 36 months of faint hope a state of agony underscored by every telephone ring, every knock on the door.
Clearly, we had no boots on the ground, either militarily or from the intelligence network. While it is salutary that India is sending General VK Singh to Iraq to escort the remains back home and does edify this government for being sensitive, it is necessary for Swaraj to go one step further and share with the country what steps exactly were taken over these three months to negotiate a release after the kidnapping.
That we were so utterly devoid of strategy, that we had to depend on the Iraqi government to lead us to the mass grave does not cut it. Were we dithering in the dark, is the question?
It is incumbent upon the Indian government to inform the public that the post-discovery good manners and etiquette are not mere window dressing and a cover drenched in concern for three years of casual indifference and inability to make any moves to rescue them.
We all agree that the Entebbe syndrome is a rare one and rescuing civilians from remote areas is impossible. The point is that the Indian people had pretty much forgotten these 39 victims and being so stunningly reminded of them through the uncovering of their remains generate a national guilt. The least we need now is a reassurance from Swaraj that the government was not equally guilty and had actually been pursuing this case over this period of their disappearance.
Her statement that, "Deep penetration radar confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed" is superfluous, pointless and borders on the absurd. Of course, they are dead if their bodies have been exhumed.
It is comments like these that not only detract from the correct steps that are being taken but give rise to the suspicion that the foreign ministry is reading from a script and has very limited knowledge of what happened and how.
If that is the case then we need to ensure that the Indian diaspora of 35 million has a very large blue-collar element and there has to be a blueprint to protect them, especially when the lure of money compels them to enter dangerous territories. That they do go is a given and the more New Delhi uses this great and grievous loss of life as a start for a more practical and valid support system, the less they will have been sacrificed in vain.
Follow news updates on 39 Indians killed in Mosul here
Karnataka HC initiated an enquiry on a complaint forwarded to him by the law ministry against Principal District and Sessions Judge P Krishna Bhat
In an unprecedented move, Karnataka High Court's chief justice Dinesh Maheshwari initiated an enquiry on a complaint forwarded to him by the Ministry of Law and Justice against Principal District and Sessions Judge P Krishna Bhat, media reports said. In April 2017, the Supreme Court Collegium had already cleared Bhat for elevation to the Karnataka High Court.
Although the law ministry does not usually communicate directly with high courts for any complaints once the Supreme Court Collegium recommends a name for elevation, the norm was broken in this case as Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra was not informed of the complaint that was directly forwarded to Maheshwari by the ministry, The Indian Express reported. Maheshwari, who took charge as chief justice in February, started proceedings against Bhat on his own without first referring the case to Misra.
In the event that the Supreme Court collegium reiterates a name, it is incumbent upon the law ministry to issue warrants for appointment of the concerned person, the report said. Despite the Supreme Court Collegiums reiteration of Bhats name, the law ministry has not issued any warrant for his appointment to Karnataka High Court, pending which, the collegium has also not made fresh appointments to the Karnataka High Court.
Bhat is, however, not alone. The Central government has also not shown an inclination to process the transfer of Kerala High Court judge Dama Seshadri Naidu back to his parent high court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, The Print reported.
"This government is trying to stall or delay several proposals cleared by us without assigning any reason. This is completely unacceptable," the report quoted a senior Supreme Court judge as saying. "We expect the Chief Justice of India to raise the issue more forcefully and make it clear to the government that as per the system in place, once a name has been reiterated, the government has no option but to process it."
Even after Kejriwal tendered apologies to BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, in an effort to escape the slew of defamation cases against him, over a dozen other cases await resolution
Days after apologising to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday tendered apologies to BJP leader Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Kapil Sibal's son Amit, in an apparent effort to escape the slew of defamation cases from his political opponents.
Both Gadkari and Sibal accepted the apology, and said they will submit applications in the court to request withdrawal of their respective cases.
Even after the withdrawal of these cases, Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders currently face 20-odd civil and criminal defamation cases in various courts in Delhi, Varanasi, Amethi, Punjab, Guwahati, Mumbai and Goa, most of which require personal appearances.
"In tendering an apology to Majithia, and with indications that he would be doing the same in all defamation cases, is Arvind Kejriwal saying that he is no longer a political challenger and is part of status quo? Or is he making a decision not to get trapped into the politics of bullying-by-defamation that will drain his time, money and attention?
While every political observer would have to decide this for themselves, Kejriwal seems to have made up his mind: that he will live to fight another day and to use his political energy to battle vested interests rather than caught into their trap of a draining politics of bullying-by-defamation. The people most upset by this move would be those who thought they could ring-fence him by occupying him in courtroom battles instead of political ones," senior AAP member Atishi Marlena wrote.
Here are some of the defamation cases against the chief minister and his party that are yet to be resolved:
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
Jaitley filed a Rs 10-crore defamation suit against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai for accusing him of the irregularities, and has denied all the allegations. A civil defamation case was filed in the Delhi High Court, and a criminal defamation case was filed at a lower court in Delhi. A separate case of defamation was also filed against Kejriwal after remarks that Ram Jethmalani Kejriwal's former lawyer made during the trial.
In February, the Delhi High Court directed Kejriwal to wind up the cross examination of Arun Jaitley by 12th of the month.
Subhash Chandra, Rajya Sabha MP
The Delhi High Court in December 2017 exempted Kejriwal from personal appearance before a trial court in a criminal defamation case filed by Rajya Sabha MP and Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra.
Chandra had sought Kejriwal's prosecution for allegedly defaming him by levelling false allegations in the wake of demonetisation. Chandra had said in his petition that Kejriwal made "false, fabricated and defamatory allegations" against him while addressing a press conference on 11 November 2016. Chandra sought Kejriwal's prosecution under Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Ramesh Bidhuri, BJP MP
Bidhuri had filed a criminal defamation case, alleging that Kejriwal had falsely claimed in a television interview that Bidhuri was not being arrested even though there were serious cases pending against him. In 2016, a court granted exemption from personal appearance to the Delhi chief minister.
Bidhuri told the court that Kejriwal's defamatory statements had maligned his image.
Ankit Bhardwaj, BJP youth leader
Ankit Bhardwaj, a state executive member of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), had filed a criminal defamation petition against Kejriwal and AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh, claiming he was wrongly projected as the person who had assaulted former minister Kapil Mishra.
The plea said that due to the publication of "false and defamatory" remarks and statements of Kejriwal and Singh, the reputation of Bhardwaj has been tarnished in the minds of party leaders, relatives, friends and public at large, whosoever has seen the news.
The remarks were "deliberately made with a malafide intention" to defame the plaintiff and it was also "re-tweeted by defendant No 2 (Kejriwal) from his Twitter account," it said.
Pawan Khera, former political secretary to Sheila Dikshit
In the first defamation case against Kejriwal, then political secretary to former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, filed a defamation suit for alleged derogatory remarks in connection with the increase in power tariffs, during protests in 2012.
Khera had earlier sent a legal notice to Kejriwal, asking him to withdraw the remarks he had made against Dikshit (Kejriwal referred to her as a dalal). He alleged that the remarks were intended to "maliciously defame the chief minister and thus all those working in close proximity with her". After Kejriwal refused to withdraw the statements, Khera went ahead with the legal proceedings.
With inputs from agencies
One in five teachers who were physically or verbally victimized at school did not tell their administrators, a new study finds .
The study, which included responses from 2,505 K-12 teachers across the country who had experienced an incident of violence at school, found that some teachers who were victimized also didnt tell their family (24 percent) or their colleagues (14 percent). Only 12 percent received counseling.
Most of the teachers said they were victimized by a student, but some said they were victimized by a parent or a colleague .
In the 2015-16 school year, 5.8 percent of the nations 3.8 million teachers were physically attacked by a student, according to federal education data. Almost 10 percent were threatened with injury. Past research has found that these assaults can have negative consequences for teachersranging from performing poorly at their jobs to quitting the teaching profession.
See also: When Students Assault Teachers, Effects Can Be Lasting
Violence against teachers isnt talked about a lot, said Eric Anderman, the lead author of the new study and a professor of educational psychology at The Ohio State University. He was surprised that thousands of respondents were so willing to be candid: This is one of the only times in my career that people came flocking to us and said, Yes, we want to tell our stories, we want to talk about this, he said.
The study was published in the journal Social Psychology of Education and was funded by the American Psychological Associations Center for Psychology in Schools and Education. The two major teachers unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, assisted with the online survey, which was disseminated three times over a five-month period.
Researchers asked teachers to describe the most upsetting incident at school in which they were the target of students verbal or physical aggression or intimidation. One-quarter of the teachers reported actual physical abuse or assault, 20 percent reported threats of physical violence, and 37 percent described verbal insults, disrespectful language, or inappropriate sexual advances.
Physical abuse or assault was more likely to occur among elementary teachers, while more middle and high school teachers reported receiving threats of physical violence or verbal abuse.
Eight percent of teachers were most upset by a perceived lack of support from school leaders and colleaguesfor example, when a student who threatened to harm a teacher received only a trivial punishment.
That really surprised us, Anderman said. We didnt see that coming.
When he was a high school teacher, a student threatened him. I went to the administration, and I was not supported, Anderman said. I was very bitter and angry.
Past research has found that teachers who feel supported by their administrators and think that their colleagues enforce the rules consistently are less likely to be the victims of threats or attacks.
Additional Questions
In this study, respondents were asked to describe how they felt after the incident. Teachers who reported feeling upset (scared or crying) were less likely to tell anyone else about the incident, but teachers who felt angry were more likely to tell their colleagues or their family. Anderman said he wasnt sure why that ispossibly because teachers who felt upset were worried the incident would make them look weak or ineffective at their job.
When teachers blamed their own behaviorbelieving they could have avoided the incident had they did something differentthey were much less likely to tell their colleagues, which Anderman attributed to probable feelings of embarrassment.
The study opened up many future research questions, he saidincluding about the long-term effects of violence against teachers and strategies teachers can use to avoid attacks.
We need to pay more attention to [violence against teachers], Anderman said. We need to give teachers a place to talk about this.
He and his colleagues are exploring setting up a national registry where teachers can report their experiences, even if they are anonymous.
Some state legislators across the country have introduced bills to increase punitive measures toward students who attack teachers. Those bills are typically controversial within the education community, with educators and researchers saying that more effective teacher training and administrative support would be better tactics.
Image: Teacher Michelle Andrews says she was assaulted by a student in 2015. She ended up pressing charges, was fired, and then settled with the school board for nearly $200,000. Daryl Peveto for Education Week
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has dismissed as 'baseless' the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's allegation that he was 'inciting terrorists and anti-social elements.'
Lucknow: Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has dismissed as "baseless" the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's allegation that he was "inciting terrorists and anti-social elements."
"I was shocked and saddened to note that the board thinks I am inciting terrorists and anti-social elements. I strongly object to this baseless accusation," said the spiritual guru in a letter to AIMPLB general-secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani on 12 March.
"You are aware that people currently resort to crime at the drop of a hat, not just in India but all over the world. I have always strongly condemned any kind of violence irrespective of its nature or location, said the Art of Living founder in his letter.
"For 61 years of my life, I have never by word, thought or action wished ill or hurt anybody and for 41 years of my public life, I have always worked for amity, peace and spiritual uplift," he added.
Ravi Shankar's wrote to Maulana Wali Rehmani following his recent statement that "Ravi Shankar's comment that after court's decision, the situation in the country can become like that of Syria and that the Muslims should leave their claim on Ayodhya is a threat to Muslims and the court both. This is an attack on the country's well being."
Rebutting the AIMPLB general-secretary's statement, Ravi Shankar said, "For your information, two most eminent and respected Supreme Court judges, former chief justice PN Bhagwati and Justice VR Krishna Iyer have been the founding trustees of our organisation. We uphold very high moral and ethical values.
"There is no question of dishonouring or disrespecting the Supreme Court order. In fact, my whole effort is aligned with the Supreme Court's suggestion, given by erstwhile Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar that 'an amicable settlement of the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute was a better course than insisting on judicial pronouncement'."
The Art of Living founder said, "I will also like to bring to your attention that the Ram temple is not a property of one person or an organisation, but a matter of faith for the entire community. An emotional issue like this should be viewed from a realistic point of view."
Elaborating upon his stand, Ravi Shankar said, "I have to honestly express my apprehensions regarding this issue and (I) would like to convey that I am in no way one-sided or in any way encouraging anti-social elements. Kindly understand my intention. I only want to create goodwill for both communities."
On 7 March, a day after Ravi Shankar pitched for an out- of-court settlement of the Ayodhya issue (6 March), the AIMPLB had said that only a court order on the matter was acceptable to it.
The board also took exception to a recent reported statement made by the Art of Living founder on the Ayodhya issue.
Asked about a letter written to the AIMPLB by Ravi Shankar in which he had suggested that Muslims should gift one acre at Ayodhya site to Hindus who, in turn, would provide five acres for a mosque, Rehmani had said that he would comment on it only after discussion with the board members.
On Ravi Shankar's concerns regarding communal violence, Rehmani had said, "If he has any such apprehension, he should find a way out to avoid a situation of communal clashes."
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday saw tumultuous scenes as the main Opposition party, the DMK, protested against the entry of Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Ram Rajya Rath Yatra'
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday saw tumultuous scenes as the main Opposition party, the DMK, protested against the entry of Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Ram Rajya Rath Yatra' to the state and its MLAs were evicted from the House en masse for disrupting its proceedings.
However, Chief Minister K Palniswami accused the DMK of trying to gain political mileage over the issue.
DMK legislators raised slogans against the AIADMK government and were evicted from the Assembly en masse after they did not heed to repeated appeals of Speaker P Dhanapal to cooperate in running the House.
Soon after Question Hour, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly MK Stalin opposed the entry of the yatra into the state. His speech on the issue was later expunged by the speaker.
In a reply, the chief minister said the yatra did not face any opposition in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala through which it had passed before entering Tamil Nadu, and it would proceed to Thiruvananthapuram on 23 March.
Asserting that he did not see any problem in this respect, Palniswami said, "You and some other political party leaders are trying to gain political mileage out of it and that is quite visible. It is not correct to give a political colour to the issue."
He said the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra began from Ayodhya on 13 February and entered Shencottah in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday from Punalur in Kerala.
It would reach Rameswaram on Wednesday after covering various places, including Madurai and Rajapalayam, the chief minister said, adding on 22 March, the yatra will move to Thiruvananthapuram and the next day would cover various districts, including Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.
Referring to Opposition to the yatra from quarters who had submitted petitions to the police urging that permission not be given for the yatra, he said, "All religions have equal rights. Nobody can ban it. This is a democratic country and no religion can be discriminated."
After the chief minister's reply, DMK members raised slogans even as Speaker Dhanapal urged them to facilitate smooth functioning of the House. To this, Stalin said his party was not satisfied with the chief minister's reply.
"If you are not satisfied with the reply, you can register your opposition and you have done that," the Speaker said, adding that they should allow the House to function.
As the DMK MLAs did not budge, he moved on to the next item on the agenda and asked Health Minister C Vijayabaskar to introduce the Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which was done amid the din.
As the DMK legislators continued to raise slogans, Dhanapal again urged them to be seated, but eventually ordered the watch and ward staff to evict the them from the House.
AIADMK's ally Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi MLA M Thamimun Ansari also opposed the yatra. He got up from his front bench seat, walked towards the Speaker raising slogans and sat in front of his podium for a while after which he too walked out.
Advising the Delhi Chief Minister to change his name to Arvind Sorry Kejriwal, the Congress on Monday said that this is what happens when 'one does politics for sensationalism'.
New Delhi: Advising the Delhi Chief Minister to change his name to Arvind Sorry Kejriwal, the Congress on Monday said that this is what happens when "one does politics for sensationalism".
"There is a sorry Chief Minister in the country. He should change his name to Arvind Sorry Kejriwal. This is just the beginning of his trail of saying sorry, and not the end. He also has to apologise to the people of Delhi and the country, whom he has deceived," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjwala.
"He also has to apologise for poor governance. When you do politics only for sensationalism, and not for balance, then this going to be the consequence. The propaganda which was spread by him and his associates in collusion with BJP-RSS at Ram Leela Maidan during UPA rule, the truth of it has come out.
"Delhi is sorry to have Kejriwal and his government," he added.
Kejriwal has apologised to BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Kapil Sibal for making unverified allegations of corruption against them, following which they withdrew their defamation cases against the Aam Aadmi Party leader on Monday.
Delhi Police has registered eight FIRs against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Atul Johri of alleged sexual misconduct, it was announced on Tuesday
New Delhi: Delhi Police has registered eight FIRs against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Atul Johri of alleged sexual misconduct, it was announced on Tuesday.
"A notice has been issued to the professor to cooperate in the police investigation. He had failed to appear on Monday. We have summoned him today (Tuesday)," a senior police officer said.
"We have recorded the statements of the complainants. A few more female students have approached the police and levelled similar allegations against Johri. It is being examined. Legal action will be initiated. The investigation is being closely monitored by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bhardwaj," Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary said.
The students have accused the police of shielding Johri from arrest.
"We are protesting at the Vasant Kunj police station demanding action against professor Johri. There are cognisable and non-bailable offences against him, but he has not been arrested yet because the Delhi Police is shielding him," protesting student Priyanka Gupta told IANS.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting with the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee on unauthorised constructions in Delhi on Wednesday.
New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold an all-party meeting with the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee on unauthorised constructions in the national capital on Wednesday to find a solution to the ongoing sealing drive.
A government official said the chief minister has invited leaders of the Congress and the BJP to attend the meeting to be held with the committee at the Delhi Secretariat.
Last week, Kejriwal had sought an appointment with the Supreme-Court appointed panel to discuss the sealing issue.
"Following recent request of the chief minister, the committee representatives will come to Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday for a meeting over sealing issue. The chief minister has also invited BJP and Congress to attend this meeting," the official said.
Earlier in March, Kejriwal had held an all-party meeting to find a solution to the ongoing sealing drive being carried out by municipal corporations against commercial establishments for violating civic norms since December, following the directions of monitoring committee.
During the meeting held at Kejriwal's residence on 13 March, the AAP and the Congress had agreed to raise their voice in Parliament through their MPs against the drive.
Traders have been affected by the move to shut down commercial establishments.
The appointment of Dash, an Indian Revenue Service officer of 1988 batch, was cleared by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday, according to an official order.
New Delhi: Simanchala Dash, former private secretary to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, was on Tuesday appointed to the newly-created post of Principal Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate.
The appointment of Dash, an Indian Revenue Service officer of 1988 batch, was cleared by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday, according to an official order.
It said that the ACC has approved the proposal, based on the recommendation of the Selection Committee, for appointment of Dash to the post of Principal Special Director of Enforcement.
Dash served as private secretary to the finance minister till July 2017 before he was shifted to Income Tax department. He will have a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of charge.
The order said that the remainder of his current cooling-off period, which is up to May, 2020, will commence after completion of his new assignment.
Every all India service officer is sent back to the cadre after successful completion of his or her tenure at the Centre. The officer can apply again for central deputation only after completion of the cooling-off period which varies from three to five years.
The ED has a sanctioned strength for six Special Directors out of which five KR Uday Bhaskar (South), Yogesh Gupta (East), Sanjay Shrinet (North), DK Gupta (Administration and Coordination at the headquarters) and and Vineet Agarwal (West), are already filled.
The organisation, which was set up in 1956, had never had the post of Principal Special Director and it was likely that Dash would be coordinating on various important cases being handled by the Directorate, some officials felt. The organisation is being headed by Karnal Singh, an IPS officer of 1984 batch from the Union Territory cadre.
In her book, Ornit Shani examines the role adult franchise played in India, in connecting the people to a popular democratic imagination
Editor's note: Ornit Shanis 'How India Became Democratic: Citizenship And The Making Of The Universal Franchise' tells the fascinating story of independent Indias first general election. The Indian Constitutional Law and Philosophy Blog is discussing the book in a four-part series that we're republishing here. In part two, political philosopher Professor Anupama Roy, author of 'Gendered Citizenship', examines some of the books central claims.
***
It is not often that one comes across a book which is an outcome of meticulous spadework in the archives, opening up for scholarly attention a lesser known aspect of the making of the Indian Republic and democracy. Ornit Shanis book on the preparation of the electoral roll for the first general election in India, which followed for the first time, the principle of universal adult franchise, is remarkable quite like the feat Shani has studied in the book both in terms of the enormity of the task and fortitude in the face of the labour involved.
Through an examination of the bureaucratic processes of the preparation of the electoral roll, Shani seeks to establish two points, both of which are of significance to the way in which scholars have thought about citizenship in India. Shani argues that Indians became voters before they became citizens (p.5). Indeed, it was in the course of the preparation of the preliminary electoral rolls from November 1947, set in motion by the the note sent from the Constituent Assembly Secretariat to the various provinces and states of India that the process of inserting the people into the administrative structures of the state was initiated. Indeed, it was the quest for a place in the roll, argues Shani, which prepared the ground for the conceptions and principles of democratic citizenship that were produced in the process of constitution making from above (p.7).
A second point that Shani makes is about the relationship between democracy and the political imagination of the people of India, arguing that it was the implementation of universal franchise that elicited both a sense of Indianness and commitment to democratic nationhood (p.2). Moreover, she argues that it was in the contestations and the language of interaction that was produced at the ground level, in the process of making the roll, that political imagination itself was democratised (p.6).
These points are made painstakingly through a study of archival sources drawn primarily from the Election Commissions internal records, which Shani was fortunate to access for two years before they were shifted to the National Archives in Delhi, Constituent Assembly Debates, and other official sources along with newspaper archives and interviews with Election Commissioners. Each of the six chapters which comprise the book, work out an aspect of the preparation of the electoral roll, and together they cover roughly the period between 1947-48 and 1949-1950. This was broadly the period from the beginning of the preparation of the electoral roll to the time the Election Commission started functioning as an integrated institution, under Sukumar Sen, the first Chief Election Commissioner of India.
In my discussion of these points, I will tease out some of the broad arguments which emerge in the book to show their complexity, but also how in each case there could be space for another argument, or an argument different from the one Shani makes.
1. Genealogy of the people:
The concept of the people is central to the universalist imaginings of modernity. It is abstract but also historically specific and can be traced through many genealogies, in which it assumes diverse forms. If one were to trace a particular genealogy of the people, one has to work out its formation in specific historical contexts, the meanings that are attributed to it, and the manner in which it operationalises itself. In the postcolonial context in India, the people were constituted at a pan-Indian scale of anti-colonial struggles for self-determination, but also in, and through specific sites where struggles took place against local power formations. The people were also constituted as the repository of sovereign power when they gave themselves the constitution on 26 November 1949 a Constitution that they had enacted (through the Constituent Assembly). That the people also held constituent power was stated emphatically in Article 395 of the Constitution, which repealed the Indian Independence Act, severed all relations with colonial authority, and rejected the chain of validation which required that the Indian Constitution be placed before the Crown-in-Parliament for validation. The electoral domain was another space where the people acquired meaning and form the people were constituted through a collective act of voting simultaneously in a manifestation of unfettered popular sovereignty, achieved through the deferral of political authority, which is concentrated in the apparatus of the state.
The meaning of the people communicated through these diverse forms is identified with a specific action, which when expressed, constitutes the people as a collective body emblematic as well as physical and corporeal. Ornit Shani makes a significant argument about the way in which universal franchise inserted the principle of equality in the electoral roll and consequently a democratic disposition (p.18) among the people who were responsible for preparing the roll. On the other hand, in the process of acquiring a place on the roll, adult franchise played a role in connecting the people to a popular democratic imagination (p.19). I was curious how the big connection between a bureaucratic process and democratic imagination could be made. If one were to read the documents and communications among the administrators as accounts of how they managed to achieve the impossible task of registering Indians as voters, as a prelude to the next step of actually voting in an election (described by Sukumar Sen as a massive act of faith), it could appear to be a problem of administering an election efficiently, rather than making people feel equal, and make the leap to a horizontal camaraderie of equals.
In chapter 3 on the electoral roll as a serialised epic, Shani suggests that preparation of the electoral roll on the basis of universal adult franchise became part of the popular narrative. This narrative played a role in connecting people to a popular democratic imagination, referring to manner in which it became not merely a system of rules that were to be observed but also part of the normative world of people and the stories, individuals make of it themselves (p.86). In the conclusion (p.253) Shani takes the argument further to say that through a process of consultation, the Constituent Assembly Secretariat engaged public officials, people and citizens association in the details of voter registration and citizenship, mentoring them into both the abstract principle and practices of electoral democracy. So much so, that people and administrators began using the draft constitution to pursue their citizenship and voting rights, and they linked its abstract text to their everyday lives (p. 252-53). Most of the material Shani discusses concerns the humungous ask of enrolling the entire adult population, in which awkward categories the refugees, displaced persons and women presented challenges of different kinds. This took place in an absence of an electoral law on the modalities of elections, without a precise legal-constitutional framework on citizenship, and the provinces were beset with specific problems pertaining to registration. In this literature it is difficult to find a corresponding pervasive popular narrative on franchise, which according to Shani was of an order which communicated substantially and therefore convincingly, Indias movement towards becoming a democracy (p.89). One would assume that such a narrative did exist, but a tangible and substantial expression of that is not present convincingly in what Shani calls the serialised epic.
2. Chronosophy of citizenship:
Immanuel Wallerstein cautioned against a linear narrative of historical change, to argue that historical transformations do not take place sequentially in ascendant or descendant forms, but are uneven and undulating, punctuated by conscious decisions made along the way. When Shani makes the point about Indians becoming voters before they became citizens, she is perhaps referring to the fact that the legal affirmation of citizenship happened only with the commencement of the Constitution. While there was a legal vacuum on who were Indian citizens (there were in fact two periods of such vacuum between 1947 and 1949 and then again between 1949 and 1955, when the Citizenship Act of India was passed by the Parliament), it did not mean that questions of legal citizenship were not being addressed in problem cases through instructions from the CAS. Indeed, the questions of legal citizenship were coming up and were being addressed primarily in the context of preparing the electoral roll, since only citizens could vote. Indeed, rather then a sequential development, one could perhaps see them as overlapping and simultaneous, taking shape through documentation practices of the state, and alongside the development of the institutions of the state and their functional differentiation. Indeed, over the years, (and controversially so) resolution of the contest over citizenship in the preparation of electoral roll has come within the purview of the superintendence and control of elections function of the Election Commission of India (under Article 324).
An important point that Shani seems to be making is that in the process of finding a place on the electoral roll, a political community organised on the principle of horizontal camaraderie of equals could now be imagined. We may see the imagination of a community of equals marking the transcendental moment of independence, the emphatic rupture from the past, and the triumphal democratic imaginary, which is a component of democratic citizenship. This imagination can, however, exist independent of the constitutional/legal frameworks of citizenship, as well as the statutory frameworks determining who can vote. Indeed, the peculiarity of the electoral roll and the legal and conceptual association/dissociation of the two voter and citizen is evident in the contests over the electoral roll in Assam. In the National Register of Citizens being prepared in Assam, a citizen-resident of Assam is required to trace his/her lineage to the electoral roll of 1971 in Assam, and then buttress it with the legacy data going back to the 1951 NRC of the state.
3. Constitutionalism, State Formation and Anticipatory Citizens:
The period 1947 to 1950 is replete with polyrhythms of the democratic imaginary, one of which Shani writes about, i.e., the preparation of the electoral roll. The framing of the Constitution was another rhythm of democracy being produced at the time. As a deliberative body which was entrusted with the task of making the higher order rules from which all future governments would draw their authority and legitimacy, the debates in the Constituent Assembly enacted a space for the public, where questions concerning the future polity were debated and resolved. Baxi sees this process as following the imperative of locating the legal sovereign amidst prior [and continuing] histories of power and struggle. These struggles shaped the project of writing the Constitution, the specific modes of governance and production of juridical norms, and also the relationship between the constitution, law and the ongoing state formative practices (Baxi, 2008, 93). The process of enrolling electors broke free from the colonial practice of what Shani calls the guided democracy disposition of the colonial bureaucracy (p.34) to instill a new set of bureaucratic attitude in the bureaucracy based on the procedural equality of voting. While agreeing that the enrollment practices marked a rupture from the colonial past, is it possible to see the registration of electors as part of another tendency, which has to do with state formation? Indeed, as a body framing the Constitution, the Constituent Assembly also alternated as the Legislature and the government, taking decisions, which were percolating down to officials at the local levels. The various flows of communication between the government functionaries, across ministries and departments, the Constituent Assembly and the Legislative Assembly, give an insight into the innards of the state, the manner in which the separation of powers among institutions, their own understanding of these powers, the problem of drawing boundaries between and among institutions, and more generally the emergence of broad patterns of settling in of institutions and institutional practices, and the governmentalisation of the state was taking place through deliberations.
The governmental regime of enrolling voters, for example, involved working with a new principle of registration (procedural equality) but at the same time it was also a task of sifting and sorting, of devising administrative and legal categories e.g., displaced persons, refugees, evacuees, abandoned women, classifying and categorising those occupying the liminal spaces of citizenship, to include them in different ways. The excision of descriptive women from the universal roll is one example. The other example is how displaced persons continued to pose a problem for the Election Commission when the electoral roll was being finalised before the first general election, after the Representation of the People Acts came into existence. As Shani has mentioned, the Constituent Assembly had decided that the names of all displaced person be included in the voters list on the strength of their oral declaration. According to the narrative report of the Election Commission of India on the first general election, the states were instructed to enroll all such persons in the electoral rolls and a distinguishing mark be placed against their names, so that their citizenship status may be confirmed later after the Constitution came into force. In finalising the electoral roll, the marked voters presented and also experienced problems. In Delhi, for example, which had a large number of displaced persons who resided in temporary shelters when the electoral rolls started being prepared, had by September 1951, when the rolls were published and publicised, shifted to colonies and townships set up for their rehabilitation. These voters were then not entitled to vote in the polling stations, which were set up in the localities in which they came to finally reside. The localities in which they were originally resident and had enrolled to vote, now formed a part of another constituency. The displaced persons experienced their enrollment as voters differently, therefore, and aspired for natural constituencies based on shared interests, rather than constituencies following a territorial grid. On page 129 Shani does argue that the preparation of the electoral roll was a state building project of the largest possible scale in terms of its population and territorial reach. This argument would then indicate a logic of state building in terms of reaching to its population spread over a definitive territory (embracing and encompassing functions of the modern state, as John Torpey would say) pointing towards an imperative different from that of a democratic imaginary. Read with the earlier argument on enrollment practices contributing towards making a democratic imaginary of a people, this argument presents a paradox, which inheres in all democracies.
I learnt a lot from Shanis work and Im looking forward to her next work on the first general elections in independent India.
This post originally appeared on ICLP and is reproduced here with due permission.
Also read Part I, Part III and Part IV of this series.
India issued yet another diplomatic note to Pakistan protesting continuing incidents of 'harassment and intimidation' of its officials in Indian mission in Islamabad, government sources said
New Delhi: India on Tuesday issued yet another diplomatic note to Pakistan protesting continuing incidents of "harassment and intimidation" of its officials in Indian mission in Islamabad, government sources said on Tuesday.
The note, which was 15th such communication in less than three months, specifically mentioned tailing of the vehicles of India's deputy high commissioner, a military attache, air attache and naval attache on Tuesday.
The vehicles were aggressively tailed on motorcycles in close proximity within a threatening distance, while coming from residence to Chancery and going back from Chancery to residence, they said.
The sources said staff members of the high commission received unsolicited and objectionable calls from Pakistan registered numbers on their phones five-six times since Monday.
They said another diplomat of the mission, who was going to Australian High Commission for a meeting, was aggressively followed by two people in a Mehran Suzuki car.
"We have requested Pakistan to immediately investigate all these incidents and direct the relevant authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur. Results of the investigations may kindly be shared with the High Commission," said a source.
The note verbale was sent on Tuesday to Pakistan Foreign Ministry by the High Commission.
The sources said the website of the High Commission of India continues to be intermittently blocked and it is causing inconvenience and has affected the normal functioning of the mission.
They said such incidents of harassment, intimidation and threats to the physical security of diplomats and officials are in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, and a threat to the security and safety of the personnel of the High Commission of India.
Pakistan has also been accusing India of harassing its diplomats and releasing videos of alleged intimidation of its officials. However, the veracity of these videos could not be ascertained.
Islamabad has also called its High Commissioner to India back home for consultations on the issue.
An Indian Air Force trainer jet has crashed in Mahuldangri village in n East Singhbhum district in Jharkhand near the Odisha-Jharhkhand border on Tuesday.
An Indian Air Force trainer jet has crashed in Mahuldangri village in East Singhbhum district in Jharkhand near the Odisha-Jharhkhand border on Tuesday. The pilot of the aircraft was injured and has been shifted to a nearby hospital, India Today reported.
#BREAKING -- IAF trainer jet crashes in Odisha-Jharkhand border; pilot survives with injuries pic.twitter.com/tbPmQhffPc News18 (@CNNnews18) March 20, 2018
The Hawk aircraft had taken off from Kalaikunda Air Force station in Kharagpur, The Times of India said. Local newspaper reports said that the crashed aircraft fell near Subarnarakha river on Odisha-Jharkhand border at around 12.45 pm.
Hawk is an advanced trainer jet.
Eyewitnesses said that the plane went up in flames after it crashed on the banks of Subarnarekha river and its debris lay scattered at the site, police said.
The pilot managed to evict in time but received some injuries following which the locals rushed him to Bahadaguda health centre for treatment, Odisha Sun Times reported. The reasons behind the crash are not yet known. A court of inquiry has been ordered into the accident, sources said.
A rescue team from Kaleikundua has reached the site in a helicopter to take stock of the situation, the IIC said, adding the trainee pilot was sent back in a helicopter.
Last month, two Air Force pilots lost their lives in a plane crash in Majuli in Assam on 15 February. The Microlight Virus SW-80 had crashed after getting airborne from Air Force Station Jorhat, for a routine sortie. The pilots attempted an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in a sand bar in the northern part of the district and went up in flames.
With inputs from agencies
The lone survivor who had managed to flee from Islamic State's captivity in Iraq's Mosul in June 2014 said he had been maintaining for the last three years that all others had been killed.
Chandigarh: Harjit Masih, the lone survivor who had managed to flee from Islamic State captivity in Iraq in June 2014 following his abduction along with 39 other Indians there, on Tuesday said he had been maintaining for the last three years that all others had been killed.
"I had been saying for the last three years that all 39 Indians had been killed (by Islamic State militants)," Masih said on Tuesday.
"I had spoken the truth," asserted Masih, resident of village Kala Afghana in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
Masih was one of the 40 Indian workers abducted by Islamic State militant outfit.
His statement came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj informed the Parliament on Tuesday that all the 39 Indian workers, abducted by Islamic State in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies have been recovered.
Masih said they were killed in front of his eyes and that he had been saying all these years, wondering why the government was not accepting what he had said earlier.
Giving details of the incident, Masih said that Indians were working at a factory in Iraq in 2014.
"But we were kidnapped by militants and kept hostage for some days," he said.
On the fateful day, they were made to sit on their knees and the militants then opened fire upon them.
"I was fortunate to have survived though a bullet hit my thigh and I fell unconscious," he said. He, however, managed to return to India after giving a slip to the Islamic State militants suffering gun wound.
As many as 39 Indians, who had gone to Iraq to earn their livelihood, had been missing since 2014. Among them, several were from Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar in Punjab.
Hacked Law Firm Shuts Down -- for Good
The fall of Mossack Fonseca, a Panamanian law firm caught in an international tax scandal, is the stuff of movies.
Founded 40 years ago, it became one of the largest providers of offshore services in the world. It served more than 300,000 company clients in more than 40 countries.
It started to fall apart after hackers exposed tax liabilities for its wealthy clients who hid money in offshore accounts. Then there was a government investigation. Oh wait, that was a movie.
Taxes and Bribes
Panamanian authorities raided the offices of Mossack Fonseca last month, looking for links to a Brazilian construction firm. Oderbrecht, the largest engineering company on the continent, has admitted to bribing officials for contracts in the region.
Mossack Fonseca has denied any connection to the bribery, but could not escape the tax questions. The scrutiny has plagued the firm for two years, ever since the publication of the "Panama Papers."
According to reports, more than 11 million of the firm's client files were leaked on the internet. The repercussions from the data breach were too much to handle.
"The reputational deterioration, the media campaign, the financial circus and the unusual actions by certain Panamanian authorities, have occasioned an irreversible damage that necessitates the obligatory ceasing of public operations at the end of the current month," the firm said in a statement.
Skeleton Crew
The firm said it would keep a skeleton staff working to cooperate with authorities and others.
German attorney Jurgen Mossack founded the firm in 1977. Panamanian lawyer Ramon Fonseca and Swiss lawyer Christoph Zollinger later became principals in the firm. The founders are facing money laundering charges.
Until the data breach, Mossack Fonesca operated in relative obscurity. The law firm was the world's fourth-largest provider of offshore services when the Panama Papers hit the internet.
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The Delhi Police have arrested professor Atul Johri of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by students
The Delhi Police have arrested professor Atul Johri of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by students, according to several media reports.
Delhi Police has arrested Professor Atul Johri of JNU after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against him by students pic.twitter.com/wI8wj9K75d ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
"A notice has been issued to the professor to cooperate in the police investigation. He had failed to appear on Monday. We have summoned him today (Tuesday)," a senior police officer said before the professor was arrested and the questioning took place.
"We have recorded the statements of the complainants. A few more female students have approached the police and levelled similar allegations against Johri. It is being examined. Legal action will be initiated. The investigation is being closely monitored by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bhardwaj," Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary said.
Dependra Pathak, Chief Spokesperson, Delhi Police said Johri was arrested after three hours of questioning at the Vasant Kunj police station.
The students have accused the police of shielding Johri from arrest. Some students told News18 that the professor has still not been suspended from his post at the university and it took the police over 72 hours to act.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) said in a statement on Monday, "The Delhi Police postponed the recording (of the statement) of Atul Johri till tomorrow. This (recording) could have been done today itself. We believe that the postponement was done to give him more time. Since an FIR has been registered, he should be interrogated in custody and not given time to protect himself. By giving him more time, the Delhi Police is actively protecting him."
Besides the students, JNU professors have also been demanding action against Johri. Women rights organisations including All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) and All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan even held protests against Johri on Tuesday demanding the arrest of the professor.
Action against Johri was taken after clashes broke out between Delhi Police and JNU students in front of Vasant Kunj police station, where students were protesting against the professor on Monday. The protesting students blocked the highway, breached police barricades, and refused to attend classes until action is taken against the teacher.
According to News18, the police have pressed charges against Johri under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman). The report added that the sections under the Indian Penal Code are non-bailable offences with a punishment of over three years or above.
The Department of Life Sciences professor has been produced before a Delhi court. He was produced before duty magistrate Ritu Singh, where he moved a bail plea, saying sending him to jail would spoil his career.
With inputs from agencies
No untoward incident was reported on Monday in Rajasthan's Tonk district where tension escalated after unidentified miscreants on Sunday pelted stones at a 'Bhagwa Rally'.
Jaipur: No untoward incident was reported on Monday in Rajasthan's Tonk district where tension escalated after unidentified miscreants on Sunday pelted stones at a 'Bhagwa Rally'.
Mobile internet services although remained suspended and will continue to remain so till tomorrow afternoon as a precautionary measure, police said.
One person has been arrested and more arrests are likely as people are being identified, additional director general (law and order) NRK Reddy said.
Additional forces were deployed in Tonk as a security measure, he said.
Tonk superintendent of police Yogesh Dadhich said that no untoward incident was reported on Monday.
The two injured people who were referred to Jaipur were out of danger now, he added. 11 persons, including three policemen, were injured on Sunday when unidentified miscreants pelted stones at a "Bhagwa Rally" being carried out in Tonk to mark the Nav Samvatsar (Hindu New Year).
Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits assembly of more than four people, was imposed in the area and additional police was pressed into service to maintain law and order, an official said.
Two motorcycles were torched after the stone pelting incident, they said.
Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam on Tuesday demanded stringent action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for damaging Gujarati signboards of some commercial establishments in the city and neighbouring Vasai.
Mumbai: Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam on Tuesday demanded stringent action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for damaging Gujarati signboards of some commercial establishments in the city and neighbouring Vasai.
"Mumbai is the only city which has accepted people of different social, economic and cultural backgrounds and it is known for its diversity. We want a Modi-Mukt India but not at the cost of hurting Gujaratis. Stringent action needs to be taken against those who carried out these acts of violence," Nirupam said in a statement.
While the MNS activists broke a shop in suburban Kandivali and six hotels in Vasai, the fact that only four arrests were made in Kandivali raises serious questions on the functioning of the Mumbai Police, it said.
"If the culprits are not punished now, such mindset will be encouraged to commit more violence which can do no good to the city," he said.
Nirupam said repetitive indulgence in violence by MNS cadres proves that they don't fear the law.
Suspected MNS workers had damaged the Gujarati signboards on the intervening night of 18 and 19 March, hours after party president Raj Thackeray called for a "Modi-mukt Bharat" and appealed to all like-minded parties to unite to defeat the BJP in 2019 polls.
10:33 (ist)
No provision of giving jobs to apprentices: Central Railway
The Central Railway has released a statement on the protest and has said: "There is no provision of giving jobs to the apprentices as per the Apprentice Act."
"They are given only training of a specified period to improve their skills and experience of having worked in the field. However, Ministry of Railways have taken a decision and reserved 20 percent of the seats filled through direct recruitment."
"The notification is already issued with last date of submitting application as 31.3.2018. Apprentices can apply against this notification and Special Examination will shortly be held for Apprentices who have done training in Railway Workshops under Apprentices Act."
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday issued a statement on the rail roko protest by students in Mumbai held a few hours earlier and said that 20 percent of the posts in railways were already reserved for apprentices.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday issued a statement on the rail roko protest by students in Mumbai held a few hours earlier, and said that 20 percent of the posts in railways were already reserved for apprentices.
"We have already reserved 20 percent posts for 'Course Completed Act Apprentices', who were engaged in railway establishments under the Apprenticeship Act. This has been done as per Section 22(1) of the Apprentices Act and the various judgments pronounced by the Supreme Court from time to time. Applicants who completed the apprenticeship course have also been given an age relaxation equal to the period of apprenticeship," Goyal said in his statement.
"Indian Railways is currently in the midst of a massive recruitment exercise. Indian Railways has come out with a policy to ensure a fair, transparent and competitive recruitment process that follows the law and the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court," he added.
"This is the single largest recruitment ever undertaken by any organisation in India and also the largest opportunity for all sections of youth, including the apprentices, to join the Indian Railway in a very transparent and fair manner," Goyal said.
Goyal's statement came after hundreds of students blocked rail traffic, including suburban services, between the busy Matunga and Dadar stations, over a demand for jobs in the railways.
The protest was eventually called off after the government promised action on this issue.
Around 400 to 500 students from several states, who have done apprenticeship with the Indian Railways and want permanent jobs, sat on the railway tracks at about 6.45 am.
The disruption forced the Central Railway (CR) to stop suburban as well as express train services on the affected section between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST), the transport wing of the city's civic body, was running additional bus services to help the stranded passengers and office-goers reach their destinations.
The protesters, who have passed their apprentice exam, are demanding full-time jobs in the Indian Railways and scrapping of the rail general manager's quota (GM quota) of filling in 20 percent vacancies. The protesting students also held placards displaying their demands.
In view of the agitation, the Central Railway authorities swung into action and said a fresh round of exams to recruit the apprentices will be held soon. "31 March is the last date to fill up forms for these apprentices, for the examination to be conducted shortly," said SK Jain, the divisional railway manager (DRM) of the CR's Mumbai division.
One of the protesting students said, "We want full-time absorption of the successful students in the railways, and scrapping of the GM quota. There has been no recruitment for the last four years. We are running from pillar to post. About 10 to 15 students have committed suicide."
Meanwhile, speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded the Railways for the move. "The Railways are the first body to take the decision to reserve 20% of the seats for the apprentices. This would help everybody, because this would also stop back-door entry to these posts," he said.
Fadnavis denied using excessive force on the protesters and said things have concluded peacefully. "There was lathi-charge this morning only when there was stone-pelting. But nobody is wounded grievously. But talks have since progressed peacefully," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Chinese president Xi Jinping to congratulate him on his re-election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Chinese president Xi Jinping on Tuesday to congratulate him on his re-election for a second five-year term, People's Daily reported.
#BREAKING: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates #XiJinping on election as Chinese president in phone talk, pledges closer exchanges, deepened ties pic.twitter.com/SB3bSAkG8D People's Daily,China (@PDChina) March 20, 2018
People's Daily further reported that Xi told Modi that China is willing to maintain a good momentum of bilateral cooperation with India.
According to ANI, the two leaders agreed that bilateral relations between India and China are vital for realisation of 21st Century as Asian Century.
The 64-year-old Chinese leader was unanimously elected by the 2,970 deputies of Chinese Parliament the National People's Congress (NPC) last week.
On Monday, in a message posted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Modi congratulated Xi, saying he is looking forward to work with him to further develop India-China relations.
Dear President Xi Jinping, congratulations on getting re-elected as the president of the People's Republic of China," Modi wrote. I look forward to working with you for further development of our bilateral relations," he said.
Modi, who currently has over one lakh followers on Weibo, opened his account during his visit to China in 2015.
Earlier, China's National People's Congress also ratified a proposal to remove the two-term limit for president Xi, essentially paving the way for him to become leader for life.
India and China are currently making diplomatic efforts to improve the relations following the 73-day standoff at Doka La in Sikkim.
Modi and Xi are expected to meet in June, on the side-lines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at Qingdao.
With inputs from PTI
A statue of social reformer and Dravidian movement icon EV Ramasamy, popularly know as 'Periyar', was found damaged in a village on Tuesday, the latest in a series of similar incidents of vandalism.
Pudukottai: A statue of social reformer and Dravidian movement icon EV Ramasamy, popularly know as "Periyar", was found damaged in a village on Tuesday, the latest in a series of similar incidents of vandalism.
Unidentified persons cut off the head of the statue using a chisel and placed it near the roundtana, police said. On receiving information, police and revenue department officials rushed to the spot.
The district authorities swung into action on hearing about the incident, carried out repair works and restored the statue to its original state by 8 am, they said.
Tamil Nadu: Periyar statue being reinstated in Pudukkottai, the statue was earlier which vandalised by unidentified persons. Case has been registered and investigation is on. pic.twitter.com/mUsmT9qWEs ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
The statue unveiled by Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani in 2013 is maintained by the district unit of the party.
A large contingent of police has been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident.
A case has been registered, police said. Earlier, on 6 March, a statue of the Dravidian leader was allegedly vandalised in the Vellore district and two persons were arrested.
The incident assumed political significance as it came after senior BJP leader H Raja indicated that statues of the rationalist leader could be the next to be pulled down after a statue of Communist icon Lenin was razed by suspected BJP workers in Tripura.
After coming under fire from political parties for his comments on Periyar, Raja had sought to blame his "Facebook administrator" for the gaffe and had expressed regret over the same.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also strongly condemned the incidents of vandalism of statues across the country and had said that stern action would be taken against those found guilty.
With inputs from PTI
The enforcement of the stringent Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) on the 'Anganwadi' workers was essential to deter them from going on strike, the state government said on Tuesday.
Mumbai: The enforcement of the stringent Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) on the 'Anganwadi' workers was essential to deter them from going on strike, the state government said on Tuesday.
State Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde said in the state Legislative Council that the Anganwadi centres were required to function for the lactating and pregnant women, and the malnourished children.
The state government had last week invoked the MESMA against strikes by workers of Anganwadi, the stare-run women and child care centres, after consultations with the law and judiciary department.
"If the Anganwadi workers go on a strike for a month, the children and women are not fed for the same period. Is it wrong to ensure the well-being of malnourished children?" Munde asked in the Upper House.
She sought the opposition's support on the government's decision to invoke MESMA for the sake of women and malnourished children.
Munde said if others like the police, doctors and sweepers could be brought under the Act to ensure law and order and health of citizens, then it could also be applicable on the services of Anganwadi workers.
"Hence, it is essential that there is a law in place for them. However, this law (MESMA) was brought in after all their demands were fulfilled," the minister said.
Meanwhile, Munde also said that the government has revoked its earlier decision of bringing down the retirement age of the Anganwadi workers from 65 to 60, and that the law will only be applicable on new recruits and not those already working at these centres.
The minister further said as soon as she took charge of the department concerned, the honorarium of the Anganwadi workers was increased by Rs 1,000 and last year it was further raised by Rs 1,500.
"The decision for increasing the honorarium by Rs 1,500 was taken in October last year and an outlay of Rs 126 crore was made in this year's budget (for it).
"All, except 6,222 workers, whose Aadhaar cards were not linked to their bank accounts have been given this hike from retrospective effect," Munde said.
She added the workers will be given a further hike of 5 percent in their honorarium from 1 April this year.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde and Shiv Sena member Anil Parab demanded that if MESMA cannot be revoked on the workers, then they should be brought under the ambit of government employees and get all facilities being provided to them.
They also demanded that the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission be applicable to the Anganwadi workers.
Responding to them, Munde said their demands do not come under the scope of her department.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is 'insulting' the common man by claiming credit for India's progress, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday, as he embarked on this third visit of poll-bound Karnataka.
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Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives in Mangalore for his third visit to Karnataka ahead of polls
This is the itinerary of Rahul Gandhi's third visit to Karnataka
Gandhi, who visited northern parts of the state in the earlier two rounds, will be touring the south coastal and Malnad regions during his two-day visit. Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru that has strong BJP presence, and Hassan, the home district of the former prime minister and Janata Dal Secular supremo HD Deve Gowda will be part of the Congress president's visit this time. Continuing with his visit to religious places, as done in the last two rounds, Gandhi will visit Gokarnatheswara temple, Rosario church, Ullal dargah, Sringeri Sharadamba temple and also Sringeri mutt.- PTI
BJP like the Kauravas will do everything for power, Modi will continue to lie for it: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul slams Modi on note ban, says unlike BJP Congress party has taken banks to every village
We didn't make grand promises but when we thought farmers need us, we went out of our way to help them: Rahul Gandhi
We didn't wait to win polls and then give you Indira canteen, says Rahul
Rahul Gandhi attacks Amit Shah, says, "Today BJP's president is accused of murder and the whole country knows this. These things are expected from a party like BJP, whereas the people hold the Congress party at a high standard."
BJP president is accused of murder, whole country knows this: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi attacks Prime Minister Narendra Modi on note ban and says, "During Demonetisation PM Modi helped his industrialist friends to turn their black money into white when the common people had to stand in queues to exchange their hard-earned money."
In 2019, when we return to power, we will waive off all farm loans: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi says, "During my campaign in Gujarat, students told me that they had to spend around 15 lakh for their graduation. But in Karnataka, a girl child gets free education from KG to PG."
We will defeat our political opponents with love and truth: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally in Chikamagaluru in Karnataka. Today is the last day of the third phase of Rahul's Jana Aashirwada Yatre.
Speaking at the rally here Rahul said that he was thankful to the people for supporting his grandmother Indira Gandhi when she was facing a tough time in politics. "I humbly request you to bless me with your support like you supported my grandmother," he said while adding that he will channel all the support and power he gets from the people to stop the BJP and the RSS from dividing the nation.
Will channel all energy to stop BJP, RSS from dividing the nation: Rahul
"Even a 14 year old child knows his dharma. Even a 14 year old says Satyamev Jayate, but the country's prime minister doesn't' understand what that means. He said he will put 15 lakh in every account when elected to power, where is that money. Modi talks of Basvanna but doesn't understand his teachings of truth," Rahul Gandhi said.
He then cited the example of Anna Bhagya scheme, under which each person from a poor family is eligible to 7 kg free rice.
"Narendra Modi ji speaks so much but is always silent on the issues of importance, whether it is joblessness, farmers' crisis, or any other issue. But we don't make promises like them We just deliver," Rahul said.
"He comes here and speaks of corruption. But his own party here is led by someone who has spent time in jail. He doesn't see corruption there. When he himself changes the Rafale jets' contract to give benefit to his friends, he doesn't see corruption. He doesn't see corruption when Amit Shah's son Jay Shah suddenly becomes rich," Rahul said.
"Narendra Modi says nothing was done in India since 70 years. Does this means that all your forefathers, the poor farmers in India have not done anything for their growth? Has no one done anything for India before him?" Rahul asked.
"Here in Karnataka, from kindergarten to PG, every girl child gets free education and the cost is borne bu the state government. If you go to Gujarat, you will find that 90 percent of the educational institutes have been privatised by Modi ji and his party. They have handed over schools and colleges to the richest men there," Rahul said.
"The whole of India knows that Kauravs fought for the truth while the Pandavs fought for the truth. We are fighting for the truth but BJP can do anything for power. They bought power in Arunachal Pradesh, purchased MLAs in Goa. They will do whatever it takes o snatch power." Rahul said.
"Guru Narayandas and Basvanna's teachings runs in Congress' blood. And the same teachings run in the blood of every person in Karnataka. Prime Minister Modi speak of their teachings but they don't understand it," Rahul said.
He also said that the Siddaramaiah government spends half of what the Centre spends across the entire nation on welfare of dalits and tribals.
Rahul Gandhi recounted the welfare schemes by the Karnataka government. He said that the government ensured free education from KG to PG for girls, gave out free 7 kg rice to each and every poor person and opened Indira canteen for subsidised food.
"Because Modi ji has raised the issue of corruption, even I will add two words. Modi ji talks of corruption but is accompanied by those (BS Yeddyurappa) who have been to jail. While Congress party made banks accessible for people, Modi ji made you stand in lines by implementing note bank," Rahul said.
Modi's talk on corruption hollow; PM was flanked by those who spent time in jail
"JD(S) is nothing but BJP's B-team. They have decided, they are here to make BJP win. They are helping BJP through the backdoor, thinking that the people of Karnataka don't understand what is happening. I want to say that let them bring in A-team, B-team or C-team, only Congress party will win, because it represents everyone from Dalits to backwards to tribals," Rahul said.
He then cited the example of Anna Bhagya scheme, under which each person from a poor family is eligible to 7 kg free rice.
"Narendra Modi ji speaks so much but is always silent on the issues of importance, whether it is joblessness, farmers' crisis, or any other issue. But we don't make promises like them We just deliver," Rahul said.
"He comes here and speaks of corruption. But his own party here is led by someone who has spent time in jail. He doesn't see corruption there. When he himself changes the Rafale jets' contract to give benefit to his friends, he doesn't see corruption. He doesn't see corruption when Amit Shah's son Jay Shah suddenly becomes rich," Rahul said.
"Narendra Modi says nothing was done in India since 70 years. Does this means that all your forefathers, the poor farmers in India have not done anything for their growth? Has no one done anything for India before him?" Rahul asked.
"Here in Karnataka, from kindergarten to PG, every girl child gets free education and the cost is borne bu the state government. If you go to Gujarat, you will find that 90 percent of the educational institutes have been privatised by Modi ji and his party. They have handed over schools and colleges to the richest men there," Rahul said.
"The whole of India knows that Kauravs fought for the truth while the Pandavs fought for the truth. We are fighting for the truth but BJP can do anything for power. They bought power in Arunachal Pradesh, purchased MLAs in Goa. They will do whatever it takes o snatch power." Rahul said.
"Guru Narayandas and Basvanna's teachings runs in Congress' blood. And the same teachings run in the blood of every person in Karnataka. Prime Minister Modi speak of their teachings but they don't understand it," Rahul said.
He also said that the Siddaramaiah government spends half of what the Centre spends across the entire nation on welfare of dalits and tribals.
Rahul Gandhi recounted the welfare schemes by the Karnataka government. He said that the government ensured free education from KG to PG for girls, gave out free 7 kg rice to each and every poor person and opened Indira canteen for subsidised food.
"Because Modi ji has raised the issue of corruption, even I will add two words. Modi ji talks of corruption but is accompanied by those (BS Yeddyurappa) who have been to jail. While Congress party made banks accessible for people, Modi ji made you stand in lines by implementing note bank," Rahul said.
Modi's talk on corruption hollow; PM was flanked by those who spent time in jail
"JD(S) is nothing but BJP's B-team. They have decided, they are here to make BJP win. They are helping BJP through the backdoor, thinking that the people of Karnataka don't understand what is happening. I want to say that let them bring in A-team, B-team or C-team, only Congress party will win, because it represents everyone from Dalits to backwards to tribals," Rahul said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "insulting" the common man by claiming credit for India's progress, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday, as he embarked on this third visit of poll-bound Karnataka.
Rahul accused the BJP of dividing people despite its talk of dharma. The Congress leader also accused the prime minister of favouring big businesses by waiving their loans while ignoring farmers.
"Wherever Narendra Modi goes, he says 'nothing has happened in the last 70 years'. He is insulting your parents, poor farmers, labourers, small businessmen of India.
"If this country stands as equal to other countries of the world today, it has not happened in two years. It has taken years of time, sweat and blood of common people. Modi should stop insulting the common man," he told a party rally at Padubidre in coastal Udupi district.
No single person can take a country forward, he noted.
Rahul spoke about social reformers to attack the BJP, which he accused of dividing people.
"BJP people talk about dharma, but wherever they go, they divide people by pitting one against the other. On one side they praise Basavanna and Narayana Guru (social reformers), and on the other every day they indulge in things that these two great people fought against," he said.
Rahul, who visited the northern parts of the state during the previous two rounds, in now on a two-day trip of south coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions.
Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, which have a strong BJP presence, and Hassan, the home district of former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda, are on his itinerary.
Noting that five major banks originated in Udupi district, Rahul said the Congress party's idea behind that was to take banks to the people, and blamed the Modi government for mounting non-performing assets (NPAs).
"We took banks to villages. But if you see today, there are NPAs worth lakhs of crore of rupees of rich people.
"About 10-15 rich persons of India have taken away your Rs 8 lakh crore. In the last few years, BJP has waived Rs 2.5 lakh crore loans taken by 15 rich people... but when a farmer asks for loan waiver Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley say it is not our policy," he added.
Repeatedly invoking social reformers Narayana Guru and Basavanna, Rahul said the two preached "we are all one".
"Modi speaks about Basavanna and Narayana Guru. I want to ask him a question. You speak about Basavanna and Narayana Guru, then why do you differentiate between rich and poor?" he said.
Rahul, who has been visiting religious places during his election tours recently, will pay obeisance at Gokarnatheswara Temple, Rosario Church, Ullal Dargah, Sringeri Sharadamba Temple and also Sringeri Mutt. He will also meet the Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Mutt.
The Assembly elections in the state are likely in April-May.
The students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who have been demanding legal action against Professor Atul Johri, accused of sexual misconduct, said it was a 'step towards victory' after he was arrested
New Delhi: The students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who have been demanding legal action against Professor Atul Johri, accused of sexual misconduct, said it was a "step towards victory" after he was arrested on Tuesday.
"Our major demand was his arrest and the second demand was his suspension from all the academic positions which he holds, including his professorship. We will continue to protest if he is not suspended from all the academic posts he holds," JNUSU President Geeta Kumari told IANS.
Professor Atul Johri of School of Life Science has been accused of sexual misbehaviour by several JNU students.
"He (Johri) has been arrested on Tuesday over the allegations of sexual misconduct and is being produced in the Patiala House court," Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary told IANS.
Kumari said that the arrest was a hope for them and it will set an example that one cannot go easy with sexual harassment within the campus irrespective of the position an individual holds.
On Monday, scores of JNU students protested outside Vasant Kunj police station near the varsity demanding the arrest and strict legal action against the professor.
"Salute to the JNU students who have been protesting all day long, it is a step towards women empowerment. This is just the beginning of our movement," one of the complainant added.
On 15 March, seven students from JNU lodged a complaint of sexual misbehaviour at Vasant Kunj police station against the professor but police had registered the complaints with only one name.
Following the protests, police on Tuesday registered eight FIRs against Johri on the separate complaints of nine students who alleged that he sexually harassed them in School of Life Sciences lab.
"The struggle is complex and long. It is a very sensitive and a politicised case, so we are careful because many influential people off and on the campus are looking into it. So the struggle is going to be difficult," Bhupali, a JNU student said.
After three hours of protesting, student protesters in Mumbai called off their rail roko agitation on Tuesday on the Central Line.
After three hours of protesting, student protesters in Mumbai called off their rail roko agitation on Tuesday on the Central Line after the government assured them that their demands will be met.
A protester also said that the government had promised a discussion on this issue within two days.
A flash agitation by job-seekers over issues pertaining to railway recruitment had culminated in a rail-blockade, police caning and retaliatory stone-throwing. This led to a virtual paralysis of the Central Railway (CR) suburban train services in Mumbai on Tuesday.
For nearly three hours, the services were severely disrupted as the protestors squatted and laid on the railway tracks between Matunga and Dadar on the CR.
The agitation led to a cascading effect even on the Western Railway with all trains running packed to capacity.
More than 4.5 million commuters were affected for the second consecutive day following a strike called on Monday by drivers of cab aggregators and app-based taxis that disrupted in Mumbaikars' schedules.
Attempting to restore normalcy, the local police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the protestors. Some retaliated by pelting stones at the police.
Several persons and police personnel were injured in the fracas even as top police and railway officials rushed to the site to control the situation. The officers and constables injured in stone pelting by agitators include Nitin Bobade, PI Satav, PSI Mane, WPC Sanap, WPC Puralkar, Sachin Mor, Satendra Kumar, Manoj Yadav, Jasvir Rana, Dharmendra Kumar, Prakash Landage.
The protests were carried out by activists of the All India Act Apprentice Association (AAAAA). It demanded scrapping of the 20 percent quota for direct recruitment and jobs for local candidates in all states who have cleared the All India Railway Act Apprentice Exams.
They claimed they had taken up their demands right upto the Railway Minister Piyush Goyal who met them but there was no progress in the matter.
Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai Rahul Shewale met top CR officials to resolve the situation and later said that the railways would hire over 12,400 candidates who have cleared their apprenticeship exams.
A CR spokesperson earlier said that there was no provision of giving job to apprentices as per the Apprentice Act who are only trained for a specific period to hone their skills and gain experience.
"However, the Ministry of Railways has taken a decision and reserved 20 per cent of the seats filled through direct recruitment. The notification is already issued with the last date of submitting application on 31 March. Apprentices can apply against this notification and Special Examination will shortly be held for apprentices who have done training in Railway Workshops under the Apprentices Act," the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the BEST had deployed extra buses to ferry commuters to and fro from various points like Dadar, Matunga, Kurla, Sion and other stations.
The protests threw out of gear the entire suburban and long distance railway schedules in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune with commuters stranded for hours.
The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party demanded a discussion on the issue in the Maharashtra Legislature on a priority basis.
With inputs from IANS
Follow all the updates here
Sushma Swaraj said that till Mosul was freed in July last year from the IS, the government was trying to ascertain if these 39 people were alive.
All 39 Indians who went missing in war-torn Iraq in June 2014 were confirmed dead by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday. The identity of 38 of the Indian nationals, earlier reported missing, was confirmed through DNA tests while a 70 percent match has been established for the last body.
Twenty-seven of the victims hailed from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh, six from Bihar and two from West Bengal. The revelation made in Parliament by Swaraj, unraveled a day of bizarre politicking in the face of the tragedy.
While the Congress accused the government of heartlessly handling a sensitive matter, Swaraj flayed the Opposition party for leading the protests in Lower House while she was making the condolence speech on such a grave matter. But amid all remained the plight of the victims' families, who learnt of the death of their loved ones abruptly through TV channels, after a long three-year wait.
The day's developments:
In her speech in Rajya Sabha, Swaraj said that the Indians were first kept at a textile factory in Mosul where Bangladeshi workers were separated and sent to the city of Erbil. Originally, 40 Indians were abducted by the Islamic but one of them, a man named Harjit Masih, managed to escaped. When next day, a count of Indians found one of them missing, they all were moved to a prison in Badosh, she told the Upper House.
In Lok Sabha, however, Swaraj's speech was interrupted by agitated members protesting in the Well due to various issues. Swaraj blamed Congress and said she was forced to conduct a press conference as the MPs in Lower House did not allow her to speak on such a grave matter.
Swaraj said that she had received assurances from the agitating members that they won't disrupt her speech, but Congress members started creating ruckus out of nowhere. The minister later held a press conference.
How did India retrace its dead?
Facing a volley of questions after she first confirmed the death of Indian nationals in Iraq at a press conference, Swaraj reconstructed the procedure undertaken by her ministry to trace the missing. She said that within a day after the fall of Mosul, she sent her deputy General (retd) VK Singh to Iraq to ascertain the fate of missing Indians. Singh visited Iraq three times after Mosul was freed, while Swaraj also made an incognito visit to Turkey.
She said that till Mosul was freed in July last year from the Islamic State, the government was attempting to ascertain if these 39 people were alive. But, she said after Mosul was freed and there was no word from these workers for 15 to 20 days, even more efforts were put in to trace them. "It was then that we decided to start looking among the dead and requested family members for DNA samples to ascertain whether Indians were buried amid the lakhs of bodies being exhumed from the mass graves."
She said that it was only later that the Martyrs Foundation informed about a mound being found in Mosul with the possibility of bodies being buried there.
"We sought a deep penetration radar of the mound and when it was confirmed that there were bodies buried there, we had them exhumed," Swaraj said. She said that when exactly 39 bodies were found, it became more or less clear these were those of the missing Indians. The bodies, which were exhumed with help from Iraqi authorities, were then sent to Baghdad for DNA testing.
"Bodies with long hair and karas on arms showed that these were Sikh people," she said. Stating that the Martyrs Foundation does not confirm any person's death till 100 percent identification has been done through DNA samples, she said that it was on Monday that reports came of 100 percent identification of 38 of the bodies.
What next?
Singh said that it may take up to 10 days to bring back the bodies as there will be legal processes involved. The mortal remains will be brought back to India on a special plane which will land either in Amritsar or Jalandhar in Punjab, and handed over to their relatives.
Swaraj did not give a direct reply to the volley of questions on when the Indians were killed, saying it was irrelevant as the bodies could have been recovered only after Mosul was liberated from the Islamic State.
'Why did she keep saying they were alive?'
The family of Gobinder Singh, one of the 39 victims, found themselves a shattered lot. Despite his disappearance years ago, they were hopeful that, one day, he would walk through the entrance of their residence in Murar village in Kapurthala district. Gobinder is survived by a 19-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter.
The family came to know about Gobinder's death from news channels. "We have not received yet received any call from the Union ministry about the confirmation of death of 39 Indians," said Davinder, Gobinder's younger brother. "We met the Union minister 12 times but every time we were told the 39 Indians were alive," the family claimed.
The financial position of the family is not good. Gobinder's son Amandeep had to leave school and now works in a local factory to support the family, said Davinder.
Other affected families, who all are from poor backgrounds, also lost their breadwinners and the hope of a loved one's return in one moment as they watched media channels go into a frenzy after Swaraj's speech in Rajya Sabha, or had relatives and friends telephone them to give the tragic news. And now with hopes suddenly dashed, anger seethed out.
Gurpinder Kaur, the sister of Manjinder Singh, was angry and shocked at the way the victim' relatives received the news: Through national TV television or through the incessant calls of media persons as the list of names of the deceased was released.
"Why did she keep saying they're alive and she'll bring them back? She could've said she'll bring them back only if they're alive. I want to see DNA reports. We'll get answers only after meeting her," Gurpinder said. "We should have been contacted as soon as they received the information. Had that been done it would not have been such a huge blow. We feel betrayed from all sides," she added.
Sarwan Singh, whose 31-year-old brother Nishan was among those killed, looked dejected. "What do we say now?" he wondered. "The government kept us in the dark all these years. Now, after four years, they are making such a shocking statement."
Sarwan, who belongs to Amritsar, said his family met Swaraj 11 to 12 times. "We were told that as per their sources, the missing Indians are alive. They have been saying that Harjit Masih, the lone survivor, is a liar. If your sources have been saying they were alive, what happened so suddenly? The government should have told us they have no information about missing Indians rather than making false statements."
Congress, BJP trade barbs
Amid allegations and counter allegations, Swaraj claimed that she was duty-bound to inform the Parliament first as the House was in Session, even as the Congress claimed that the decision to finally acknowledge the truth was taken in haste as the Martyrs Foundation decided to hold a press conference.
"Modi government has crossed all limits of insensitivity. When whole world was saying they have died, the Indian government assured the country and the kin seven times that they are alive. The question is why did the Modi government mislead the nation and the family members of those Indians kidnapped by Islamic State?" Randeep Surjewala asked, as he accused Swaraj of playing politics.
LIVE: On Modi Governments statement in Parliament today on declaring 39 Indians Kidnapped in Iraq as dead. https://t.co/vNHjA9eS7F Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 20, 2018
"Today, Martyrs Foundation announced they will hold media briefing on the issue, so as a result the government panicked and announced the news before them," he added. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also criticised the government for its "heartlessness":
Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 20, 2018
However, defending her move, Swaraj said she followed parliamentary procedures and claimed that she wanted to be absolutely sure before she declared the missing people dead.
In an indirect dig at the Congress, she said there were governments that would interpret missing persons as "believed to be killed" but she wanted to rule out any doubts before she went public.
"I never gave any false hope to anyone. I was not involved in any falsehood," she said, referring to her statements in Parliament in 2014 and 2017.
"I very clearly said that I will declare them dead if I get conclusive proof. I kept my word. I will get my closure when the families receive the bodies," the minister added. India was probably the first country which managed to bring back all the bodies of its citizens from war-torn Iraq, she stated.
'They were made to kneel, and were shot dead,' lone survivor relays account
Masih, the lone survivor who had managed to flee the Islamic State, said he had been maintaining for the last three years that all the other Indians had been killed. He said they had all been held for a number of days, then taken outside and ordered to kneel. Then, the militants opened fire.
"They were killed in front of my eyes,'' he told reporters. Masih also alleged that the government was harassing him by registering a case of human trafficking, which he wanted withdrawn. He also claimed that the government agencies kept him in custody for a year in Delhi, Bangalore and Gurgaon when he returned to India.
"The government told me not to tell anyone that they (other Indians) were dead. They asked me to say that I did not know about them and that I had run away," he told media.
The background
Thousands of Indians living in Iraq fled the country in 2014 after Islamic State started making inroads. However, as many as 40 Indians were abducted by the Islamic State in June 2014 and the Indian High Commission later confirmed losing touch with those lost. Later, Masih from Gurdaspur managed to escape after posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh.
He came back and claimed that all 39 Indian nationals who were taken hostage on 11 June, 2014 in Mosul town had been killed. However, the external affairs ministry maintained that his was a "cock and bull story" and that they had no confirmation over the fate of the missing Indians. The abducted workers, most from northern India, had been employed by a constructfion company operating near Mosul when militants captured wide swaths of northern Iraq in the summer of 2014.
With inputs from agencies
The Congress on Tuesday demanded that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj should apologise to families of the 39 Indians, killed in Iraq
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday demanded that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj should apologise to families of the 39 Indians, killed in Iraq, for "misleading" them and also demanded that the Narendra Modi government compensate them.
The party also accused the government of crossing all limits of "insensitivity, inhumanity, and being merciless" as well as politicising the issue.
"The 39 Indians were kidnapped in June 2014. The entire world and the neighbouring countries had confirmed that they were not alive," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
However, the government had however assured the country and the families seven times from 2014 till July 2017 that they were and being provided basic amenities and food, he said.
"When Indian media went to Mosul in July 2017 and reported that the Indians were not alive, Sushma Swaraj and Modi government rejected it. When an eyewitness came forward said that the Islamic State have killed the Indians, they rejected it too.
"Sushma Swaraj had said when Iraqi prime minister comes to India, the government will confirm it from him, but didn't do anything," he added.
"Did the government think about the families even once, when they were desperately waiting for their dear ones for four years.
"Now they are blaming us for politicising it. 39 Indians have died, but the minister is praising the government and thanking the PM and her junior minister," he said.
Surjewala also asked what was the need to give the statement in a hurry. "Was it not because Iraq's Martyrs Foundation was going to hold a press conference in the afternoon today (Tuesday) and was about the reveal the truth about the killing of 39 Indians? She, therefore, gave the statement in a hurry.
"She gave the statement when the issue of no-confidence came up. Sushma Swaraj and Modi government should not have done politics with this. Unfortunately, even today they are politicising it."
"We demand, if there is slightest of humanity left, the minister should visit all the families and apologise to them for misleading them. Modi government must also compensate the families respectfully for the long wait of four years," he demanded.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday approved full autonomy for 62 higher educational institutions, including JNU, BHU, AMU, TERI and University of Hyderabad, which have maintained high standards of excellence.
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday approved full autonomy for 62 higher educational institutions, including JNU, BHU, AMU, TERI and University of Hyderabad, which have maintained high standards of excellence.
The decision was taken at a UGC meeting on Tuesday where five central universities, 21 state universities, 26 private universities besides 10 other colleges were granted autonomy under the Autonomous Colleges Regulation.
Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar hailed as "historic" the UGC move which will enable the selected institutes to decide their admission procedure, fee structure and curriculum, among others.
"Today is a historic day for higher education in India. These quality institutions will get complete autonomy by which they can start new courses, new departments, new programmes, off campuses, skill courses, research parks, appoint foreign faculty, take foreign students, offer variable incentive packages, introduce online distance learning," Javadekar told reporters.
He said these institutes can also get into academic collaboration with top five hundred universities of the world.
"And for all of this, they will not have to come to the regulator again and again for seeking permission because they have maintained quality and achieved a benchmark of 3.26 and above NAAC (National Accreditation and Assessment Council) ranking," he added.
The central universities which have been granted autonomy include Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University of Hyderabad and the English and Foreign Languages University, Telangana.
The state universities which have been granted the autonomous status are Jadavpur University, Andhra University, Algappa University, National University of Law, Utkal University, Kurukshetra University, Osmania University, Guru Nanak Dev University, University of Jammu, University of Mysore, Anna University, Panjab University and University of Madras, among others.
OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat and Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University, Gujarat are among the private institutions selected by the UGC for the autonomous status.
The 10 colleges which have been granted autonomy will have full freedom but not degree-awarding powers, Javadekar said.
"The colleges will be free to conduct admissions, decide curriculum, conduct exams on their own and evaluate them and declare the results. However, the degrees which will be awarded will have the university name along with theirs," he added.
The UGC also decided to issue show-cause notice to three deemed-to-be universities for not meeting the required standards.
Anguished over disruptions in the working of the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday cancelled a dinner he was to host for members of the Upper House
New Delhi: Anguished over disruptions in the working of the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday cancelled a dinner he was to host for members of the Upper House on Wednesday.
According to sources, preparations for the dinner were completed last week. Naidu had even spoken to the president, the prime minister, the leader of the House, the leader of Opposition and floor leaders of various parties whom he had invited.
Invitation cards were kept ready.
Naidu had expected the House proceedings would normalise by Tuesday.
At a meeting with the floor leaders of various parties in his chamber on Tuesday, the RS Chairman conveyed anguish over the ongoing stalemate in the House and informed them of his decision to cancel the dinner.
Naidu was of the view that it would not be appropriate to go ahead with the dinner with the House not functioning for over two weeks, the sources said.
He had planned an Andhra Pradesh special dinner, with specialist cooks called from the state.
It is learnt that he also refused to inaugurate a badminton tournament for members of Parliament at the Constitution Club last week.
Husband of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, M Natarajan, died on Tuesday at a hospital in Chennai, an official said
Chennai: Husband of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, M Natarajan, died on Tuesday at a corporate hospital in Chennai, an official said.
He was 74.
"It is with profound grief and sorrow that we announce the sad demise of Natarajan Maruthappa at 1.35 am today," an official release issued by Shanmuga Priyan, chief operating officer of Gleneagles Global Health City, said.
Natarajan was admitted to the hospital on Saturday with severe chest infection and was put on ventilator support.
In 2017, he underwent a kidney transplant.
Natarajan's body was later kept at his Besant Nagar residence for people to pay homage.
Sources close to him said that his body will be taken later in the day to his native village in Thanjavur district for the final rites.
However, it was not immediately known when the final rites will be held as the family anticipates a possible parole for Sasikala.
Convicted in the Rs 66.6 crore disproportionate assets case, Sasikala is serving a four year jail term in Bengaluru Parappana Agrahara prison since February last.
She was granted an emergency parole in October last year when Natarajan underwent the kidney transplant.
Natarajan was an avid Tamil activist and was also running a vernacular magazine called 'Puthiya Paarvai'.
He was formerly a Public Relations Officer with the state government.
In 2011, he was one of the family members of Sasikala who were expelled by late chief minister and then AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa from the party.
Though Jayalalithaa expelled Sasikala, her close aide, she later re-inducted her.
Decades after a meteorite crashed through the roof of Ann Hodges' home in Alabama, injuring her, photographer Regine Petersen fascinated by the story decided to investigate it, and other similar cases, further
Oak Grove, Alabama, United States. 30 November 1954. A meteorite crashes through the roof of a farmhouse at two in the afternoon. It bounces off a radio cabinet and hits a napping Ann Hodges, severely bruising her.
Although not remarkable in size, the meteorite crash becomes one of the only few recorded episodes in the history of an extraterrestrial object injuring a human being. The incident receives worldwide publicity and sparks an ownership conflict over the rock itself.
The Hodges meteorite (as it is commonly known) would later be donated to the Alabama Museum of Natural History. And decades after that eventful afternoon, the incident would spark the imagination of German photographer Regine Petersen, eventually becoming the first chapter in her project, Find a Fallen Star an exploration of stories of meteorite falls around the world.
Petersens continent-spanning work was recently displayed in Jaipur, India, at the 18th-century astronomical observatory, Jantar Mantar, as part of the JaipurPhoto festival, curated by Aaron Schuman.
Apart from the Hodges meteorite (officially known as Sylacauga meteorite), Petersens project explores two other meteorite falls one in Ramsdorf, Germany in 1958, and another in Kanwarpura, India in 2006. The project, however, goes far beyond just documenting the facts about the incidents or photographing the rocks themselves: It tells stories Complex narratives of human nature, remembrance, cultural similarities and differences, and how a rock from outer space can alter ones life in some cases, forever.
Regine was in Arizona for an artist residency when she encountered people who lived in the area and were very interested in meteorites meteorite hunters, scientists. There, she photographed meteors that were in private and museum collections. She also heard of the Alabama incident, and that as Regine says set the ball rolling. When I read about the incident, I thought: This is impossible. It was so weird! she says.
Regine adds shes fascinated by meteorites themselves, their sculptural aspects, the otherworldliness and the things that many people find interesting, I guess. But the Alabama incident exemplified what Regine was most enthralled by: (This) moment when a rock from space collides with our everyday lives.
Researching more such witnessed falls, Regine finally chose the three cases she would focus on, in her book. And as much as the project is about the meteorites, it is also (if not more so) about the lives of people entangled with these falling stars.
I was curious about what happened [to the people], says Regine, explaining how she visited each site and spoke with people there. Things [were a bit] complicated because I am not a documentary photographer in a traditional sense. I call my work documentary, but at the same time, it is very much about my associations and thoughts So, when I was in these places, it was not my aim to reconstruct the story, but use the story as something that initiates thought.
When a collision takes place, you start to question a lot of things human existence, life on earth, where do we come from You start to see things maybe differently. At the same time I am interested in the specifics: A meteorite just falls to earth and hits something its totally random. Im interested in looking at these very random places, seeing what happened, what I learned from being in these places, what it tells me maybe about the place that these people lived in, or their personal stories.
Not all places she looked at, visited, or researched, made it to the final cut of her project. One of the reasons she chose these three particular stories was because she wanted to explore instances in very different places, as meteorite falls are a global phenomenon and look at the similarities and differences of these places as also how she positioned herself differently in these places.
I realised that [these] stories are quite complex, explains Regine. Maybe the German chapter is the best example. Because in the beginning, there was this official story of five children witnessing this meteorite fall, and they thought it was Sputnik. It was in the 1950s when the Sputnik satellite came down [the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, which broke into flames while reentering the planet's atmosphere in 1958].
They hit the meteorite with an axe or hammer it's not quite clear broke it into pieces, and shared the pieces among them. This is the official story. But while I was there, I came across other people who also claimed to be witnesses to the fall and every one of them remembered the incident differently. I got a feeling of how people misremember or subjectively filter things.
Different cultures respond in varied ways to essentially the same event a meteorite crash. For instance, Regines book A Brief History of Meteorite Falls (100 eyewitness accounts spanning different time periods) highlights how some people thought a meteorite was a gift from God, or a demon that fell from the skies, or even a thing to be venerated. Indians would dip their arrows into water that filled craters formed after a meteorite crash, believing they could then defeat their enemies. Or more contemporarily, an Australian who thought a meteorite crash was a 9/11 anniversary attack, or in Japan, where someone thought a meteorite was radioactive because news of the Chernobyl disaster had recently been reported.
You always see traces in these stories of the history and politics of the place it gives you a little bit of a mirror of the times, says Regine.
Working retrospectively the German and American chapters both take place in the 1950s, while the Indian chapter unfolds in 2006 had its own challenges, but Regine wove these into the project. In the chapters on Alabama and Germany, the idea of memory is quite important. In India, the language barrier was more of an obstacle for me to get the information that I wanted. I tried to use these obstacles and incorporate them in the work in order to show that sometimes its difficult to access what we call truth, she says.
In the Indian chapter, lack of information about the fallen meteorite was also an issue. What little was available, wasnt of much help. There was an article in The Hindu that said the meteorite fell close to an atomic power plant. There were two shepherds who beat the meteorite with sticks and then drowned it in water because they were frightened, she recounts. And I thought that maybe they were superstitious or thought [the rock] was a demon, and that is why they hit it and drowned it. But in the end, they had really pragmatic reasons: They thought the meteorite was hot so they dragged it with their sticks and tried to cool it down in the water. So the article itself was suggesting something that wasnt really there.
Coming back to the present, Regine says while she doesnt really intend to add another segment to her project (although she has done a couple of smaller chapters one online and the other as part of a magazine commission), she will always be interested in meteorites.
She is, however, two years into a new project which is currently in its research phase. And while she cant divulge the details just yet, Regine says this too, will take her to different places.
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said he was 'shattered at the heart-wrenching news' that 39 Indians, kidnapped by the Islamic State, had been killed in Iraq
Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said he was "shattered at the heart-wrenching news" that 39 Indians, kidnapped by the Islamic State, had been killed in Iraq.
His Congress colleague Partap Singh Bajwa and Aam Aadmi Party's Kanwar Sandhu also expressed their grief and targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for misleading the families of those who had died.
Sandhu also asked for the minister's resignation.
Swaraj on Tuesday said 39 Indians, who were abducted by the Islamic State in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies recovered.
As many as 40 Indians were abducted by the terrorist organisation in June 2015 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
"Shattered at the heart-wrenching news from @SushmaSwaraj that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead. My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by Islamic State in 2014. Prayers with all of them," Amarinder Singh said on Twitter.
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa added that he was saddened by the news confirming the deaths of those missing in Iraq and his thoughts and prayers are with their families.
It is my appeal to the Government of India & Punjab Government to provide all possible help and financial aid to families of 39 Indians killed in Iraq. pic.twitter.com/NkiSVg9Spg Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) March 20, 2018
"Why did Sushma Swaraj mislead the families for more than 3 years.This is complete failure of MEA & GOI," he tweeted.
I raised this issue many a times in Rajya Sabha that why is the Government playing with emotions of families by giving them false hopes.Can there be anything more shameful than this? https://t.co/Q6lr1aZYZ4 Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) March 20, 2018
Bajwa appealed to to the government of India and Punjab government to provide all possible help and financial aid to the families.
AAP leader and Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu demanded the resignation of the union minister.
"Sushma Swaraj should resign as external affairs minister taking responsibility for the lies she spread about the 39 missing Indians in Iraq," Sandhu said in a tweet.
Follow updates on the story here
One ally after another is accusing the BJP of not considering them worthy of being taken into confidence, even on issues which concern them directly.
Om Prakash Rajbhar, chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (BJP's ally in Uttar Pradesh) has been making noises against his senior alliance partner in government ever since Yogi Adityanath took charge of the chief minister's office.
No one outside of his core supporters, however, cared for his supposed grievances. It seemed that his public rants against the government, of which he is a part, emanated more out of his hurt ego than any substantive issue of governance or popular concern.
But, this time around, he has become a national newsmaker owing to the fact that his comments come at a time when the BJP is under intense scrutiny given the party's defeat in the recent bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur; TDP's exit from BJP-led NDA; Shiv Sena making it clear that it would contest the 2019 General elections separately; and some other alliance partners urging the BJP leadership to address their concerns, and take them into confidence on political and government issues.
More so, because Rajbhar has threatened that his party's MLAs may not vote for the BJP's ninth candidate, Anil Agrawal, in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election. Votes from Rajbhar's party MLAs are critical to that 'extra' candidate's win.
The timing of Rajbhar's outpouring has had its desired effect. He has been invited by BJP chief Amit Shah to come to Delhi to have a 'chai pe charcha'.
Rajbhar's angst
Now let's take a look at Rajbhars profile. He founded the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, named after his caste icon, who they now call 'Chakrabarti Samrat Rashtraveer Rajbhar Maharaja Suheldev', in 2002. He tried his luck in the 2007 and 2012 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Almost all his party candidates forfeited their deposits. He also fielded candidates in the 2009 and 2014 parliamentary elections but couldn't make his presence felt.
Ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections, Shah brought him under the NDA fold to broaden the base of BJP's social support and appeal. The BJP won the elections with a brute majority of 314 seats on its own in the 402 member Assembly. Rajbhar's party won four of the eight seats it contested.
As first time MLA and ally of BJP, he got a cabinet berth but got a relatively less significant portfolio, the Department of Backward Classes Welfare and the Department of Disabled People Development. During the campaign, the BJP had promised that even if it wins a majority on its own, it would accommodate allies in the government. And, it kept its promise during the government formation. But on part of allies like Rajbhar, there was a mismatch between the expectation and reality of portfolio allocation.
It's true that some of the demands made by BJP's present allies in different states are outlandish and unrealistic. And even though some of them are a part of the government, they are acting as if they are a part of the Opposition. Demands made by erstwhile ally TDP special category status for Andhra Pradesh were completely unreasonable and unrealistic. But then, in politics, rhetoric and step-brotherly treatment often become a major talking point against the senior alliance partner.
The likes of Rajbhar may be living with inflated egos but the spiral effect of their outburst is that one ally after another is accusing the BJP of not considering them worthy of being taken into confidence, even on issues which concern them directly.
Allies like Ram Vilas Paswan and Nitish Kumar have voiced their concern that the BJP leadership should take their concerns into account. The crux of the matter is simple, the BJP leadership should talk to its allies more often than they presently do.
Unlike NDA-I, there is no structured mechanism for alliance partners in NDA-II. In NDA-I, George Fernandes used to be the convener of the ruling coalition; later, Sharad Yadav took over as convener even as Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani were its chief patrons. The NDA-II, meanwhile, does not have a convener of the coalition. Shah acts as the unofficial convener as and when a meeting of alliance partners is called. There is no interface, from among the allies or from the BJP, to take the message back and forth from an ally to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah and vice-versa.
Allies' anger concern for BJP
A senior minister in the Modi government conceded to Firstpost that Modi and Shah were not engaging enough with the alliance partners. A case in point was the party leadership's dealing with TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. Though the BJP did address the issues raised by Naidu and gave whatever central assistance it could give to Andhra Pradesh, the leadership didn't go out with the kind of backroom dialogue that was required under the circumstances.
Shiv Sena's public criticism of Modi and the BJP was not taken seriously by the public at large or even BJP rivals. But Naidu's, Rajbhar's, Upendra Kushwaha's, and Udhav Thackeray's words are music to the ears of BJP's rivals.
With one ally after another flagging the low confidence issue against the BJP, the party leadership should be concerned. Until a few months ago, it seemed like the BJP was strengthening its support all across the nation, opening new frontiers by stitching new alliances and at least making a move to make prospective alliances.
Modi's visit to DMK patriarch Karunanidhi's home in Chennai was one such move. Around that time, both TDP (then official partner in NDA in Andhra and at the Centre) and YSRCP (unofficial ally in NDA at the Centre) were with BJP and Andhra Pradesh seemed secure on the allied front. Same was the case in Telangana; TRS, TDP, YSRCP all were with BJP, officially or unofficially. In Bihar, Nitish had returned to the NDA fold and the BJP was on an expansionist move in West Bengal, Kerala, Orissa and in the North East.
But, as they say, one week is a long time in politics. Things have changed a bit for the BJP. That is not to say that Modi's popularity has taken a hit. He continues to top the popularity rating charts. But there are issues that he needs to sort out with the BJP allies.
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After pretending to be a man of principles with a spine of steel and principles cast in platinum, Arvind Kejriwal has revealed himself to be a coward without a spine.
Once upon a time, sometime before the Delhi Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal would not be seen in any TV interview without Bhagat Singhs picture adorning the background. For his audience, Kejriwal would choose pictures of the martyr that had some resemblance to himself, especially the curve of the moustache.
His I-am-Bhagat-Singh phase was followed by the I-am-Mahatma-Gandhi phase, captured famously by Kejriwals decision to prefer a term in the Tihar instead of posting a bail bond in a defamation case filed by Nitin Gadkari. The inspiration, his loyalists said, was the Mahatmas refusal to apply for bail when a British magistrate refused to release Gandhi in Champaran.
Had Gandhi and Bhagat Singh been alive today, they would have been ashamed of Kejriwal. After pretending to be a man of principles with a spine of steel and principles cast in platinum, Kejriwal has revealed himself to be a coward without a spine. His spate of apologies has shown him up as a chicken who prefers flight over flight.
To Kejriwal should go the credit of propounding a new principle of political warfare: Apology is the better part of valour.
So far Kejriwal has said sorry to Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Nitin Gadkari and Kapil Sibal & Sons. At the rate he is going, Kejriwal may soon apologise to anybody who prefers to look him in the eye. His apologists argue that Kejriwal is down on bended knees for the survival of his government. They argue that court cases are distracting him from serving the people who elected him to run the Delhi government, so he is stooping to conquer.
Truth is, Kejriwal had long ago set himself on a path that was bound to lead him to this sorry spectacle. Since his entry into politics, he had made it a habit to betray everyone who had once been part of his success story. Now, with nobody left to betray, he is betraying himself. After attacking everybody around him, and thus becoming immune to moral and verbal violence, he has now launched a perfidious attack on his own conscience. After turning against everybody, out of sheer habit, Kejriwal has finally turned against Kejriwal.
Politics is the art of doing exactly what you swore not to do yesterday. U-turn is the preferred direction of all politicians. So, Kejriwal may somehow benefit from making apology his stock-in-trade. But, those who can see through his capitulation would never take anything he says seriously. Henceforth, every fight he starts, every battle he joins would be predicted to go end just one waywith an apology. He would be dismissed as a man who acts in haste and regrets at leisure. Somebody who opens his mouth only to eat crow.
After his meek surrender, how would he look into the eyes of those who fought alongside him, thinking he would never quit even when the going gets tough? Next time he threatens to pick up his arms again, with what face would he ask others to join the battle?
By rubbing his nose in the ground, Kejriwal has erased his own legacy. Forget Bhagat Singh and Gandhi, today Kejriwal doesnt even resemble the man he once claimed to be.
BJP MLA Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday filed a police complaint against former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi for reportedly accusing Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of being involved in a number of financial and criminal cases when he was a minister in his cabinet.
Guwahati: BJP MLA Pijush Hazarika on Tuesday filed a police complaint against former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi for reportedly accusing Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of being involved in a number of financial and criminal cases when he was a minister in his cabinet.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dispur) Sujit Saikia confirming the filing of the complaint, told PTI that Hazarika has complained against Gogoi alleging that if the reported statements made by him at a press conference in New Delhi are true, then he (Gogoi) colluded with Sarma and saved him after he committed a series of crimes.
He said a case has not been registered as yet. "It is kept for enquiry before registering the FIR ... It is difficult to register a case in Dispur police station because the original cases, which are mentioned in the complaint, were all registered in different other places. The investigation of those is on."
Talking to reporters after filing the complaint, Hazarika told reporters that Gogoi had taken an oath of office secrecy and for safeguarding the constitutional values after becoming the chief minister.
"Gogoi said that there were irregularities committed by Sarma, who was in the Congress government for 15 years. Now if that has happened, it means Gogoi is also a culprit and did not fulfil his constitutional obligation. It is an abatement of the crime then," said the BJP MLA, who was also a Congress legislator in Gogoi's period.
Last week, after Sarma charged Gogoi on the floor of the House for practising 'hit-and-run' inside Assam Assembly by not listening to the replies after making allegations, the former chief minister reportedly told a press conference in the national capital that he had saved the BJP minister on a number of occasions.
Gogoi had also reportedly alleged that Sarma had joined Congress from AASU to save himself from a TADA case and later joined BJP to be free of Saradha ponzi scheme cases and Louis Berger bribery cases.
The former chief minister had also reportedly claimed that he had overlooked Sarma's involvement in the Rs 1,000 crore North Cachar Hills scam.
The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the government for the stalemate saying it was not making an effort to engage with all parties to ensure that issues like banking fraud are debated in the House.
New Delhi: With Parliament continuing to remain paralysed for the 12th day on Tuesday, the Congress hit out at the government for the stalemate saying it was not making an effort to engage with all parties to ensure that issues like banking fraud are debated in the House.
Minutes before Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day amid ruckus by Tamil and Andhra parties, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said they want the House to function and debate on three pressing issues as well as the budget and other legislative business.
He made the brief comments soon after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj informed the House of the death of 39 missing Indians in Iraq.
While most of the Opposition wanted Azad to make the statement, Tamil parties DMK and AIADMK as well as those from Andhra Pradesh including TDP trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans for the constitution of a Cauvery Water Management Board and special status to Andhra Pradesh.
Azad first tried to persuade them to stop shouting slogans so that he can speak, but went on to make his submission when they refused to relent.
He said 10 Opposition parties including Congress, TMC, SP, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI and CPM met this morning and agreed that the House should function.
Three major issues which are agitating the minds of people are "irregularities in banks where billions of rupees have been looted", special category status for Andhra Pradesh and Cauvery water, he said.
"We want that the House functions and discussions take place on the three issues," he said.
The government is "responsible for the impasse" as it is not engaging with all political parties, he alleged, adding no effective steps have been taken to ensure that the House functions.
While law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad countered him saying the government is prepared for a debate on all issues including the banking fraud, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government has since day one stated that it is prepared for any discussion.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he had on the very first day said that banking issue needs to be discussed and the government has also agreed to it.
"I don't find any reason" for disruption, he said. "What is happening. This is no good."
Minutes later he adjourned the proceedings for the day. Rajya Sabha hasn't transacted any substantial business since 5 March, when the second half of the Budget Session of Parliament resumed, due to protests by parties on various issues.
Goa Congress president Shantaram Naik submitted his resignation to party president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday
Goa Congress president Shantaram Naik submitted his resignation to party president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, media reports said.
Naik said to ANI that he was inspired by Rahul's speech at the 84th Congress plenary session, where the party chief said that he wanted the younger generation to come forward and take leadership. "Rahul Gandhi had pointed out to the empty stage and said that this space has been kept for the younger generation and he made a fervent appeal for the younger generation to come forward," Naik said to News18.
"I thought at that moment that I should tender my resignation and give way for the younger generation...but it wasn't proper to tender resignation then and there, therefore, I came to Goa and drafted my resignation letter," he added, saying that he sent the letter to Rahul as well as a copy to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
At the plenary session on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi had promised to break the "walls" in the party between workers and leaders and promised to give more tickets to the youth in the forthcoming elections to defeat the BJP.
The 71-year-old Congress leader also spoke to India Today about his decision, saying that his commitment to Rahul and Sonia remains, and whenever they require his services, he would be there for them. "I will continue to work for the party even after stepping down," he said.
PTI reports that Naik had a suggestion for the party. "I only want to suggest that somebody who has put in at least 10 years in the party and has love and commitment for the party should be given a chance to come forward and lead the party in the country," he said about the future leaders of the party.
According to Hindustan Times, the Naik had replaced Luizinho Falerio as the Goa Congress chief on 7 July last year. Congress, with 16 legislators, is currently the main opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Indian Express reports that Naik may not be the first Congress leader who has tendered their resignation. The report states that Bharatsinh Solanki is also speculated to have resigned as Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president. However, a statement released by his office late on Monday said, There is no truth in the talks about my resignation. Hindustan Times adds that Solanki may have resigned to keep with the Congress tradition of a state unit head offering to quit after the partys defeat in Assembly polls.
With inputs from agencies
The Aam Aadmi Party announced on Tuesday its first list of 18 candidates for the coming Assembly polls in Karnataka and said it intended to field its nominees in all the 224 constituencies.
Bengaluru: The Aam Aadmi Party announced on Tuesday its first list of 18 candidates for the coming Assembly polls in Karnataka and said it intended to field its nominees in all the 224 constituencies.
"We intend to field 224 candidates, but it all depends on resources and availability of good candidates. In any case, we will field at least 112 candidates," AAP national executive member Prithvi Reddy told reporters.
Reddy, who is also the state AAP convener, said the party would release more list of candidates in the coming days.
Talking about the candidates in the first list, Reddy said they are ordinary people with extra-ordinary background.
"If our Shanti Nagar candidate Renuka Viswanathan has been a stellar IAS officer who was instrumental in launching National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the Shivajinagar candidate Ayub Khan is an auto-rickshaw driver working for the welfare of fellow drivers. I am fighting against the Bengaluru development minister KJ George from Sarvagna Nagar," said Prithvi Reddy.
He ruled out any setback to AAP's prospects in Karnataka and elsewhere in the wake of party chief Arvind Kejriwal tendering apologies in some defamation cases filed against him.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday sought the Opposition's cooperation for development issues
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday sought the Opposition's cooperation on development issues.
Vijayan made the remarks after Congress legislator VD Satheesan warned that violent protests similar to those in Nandigram in West Bengal could be repeated in Taliparamba in Kannur district.
Locals in Kannur are up in arms against a project to align a proposed bypass on the National Highway.
"Yes, even a section of our party is opposing the construction of National Highway in the village. New roads are a must for development, but we will under no circumstances buckle under pressure," Vijayan said.
"It's quite natural that people will oppose when they see their land being taken away, but that can be taken care of through appropriate rehabilitation programmes. I call upon the Opposition to join us when it comes to the development of the state... We should all be one," he said.
For over a year, a group of people owing allegiance to the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) have been protesting against the road project. They are said to be upset over police action against them on 14 March.
Janaki, 73 and a CPM activist, has been leading the protest. The village is a known CPM hub.
"The project was taken up without conducting proper studies. To break the protest, the CPM sacked 11 protesters from the party... We will see that under no circumstances Nandigram is repeated here," the Congress MLA said.
PWD Minister G Sudhakaran pointed out that three alignments were considered, but the present alignment was chosen as it called for least displacement.
"The problem is the protests are being led by a section of so-called 'intelligentsia' who have no other work but to create trouble. A large number of protesters are outsiders. A total of 11.50 acres of land is being taken and all except four people have agreed to it. No one needs to be worried as not a drop of blood will be shed," Sudhakaran added.
Santosh Hegde slammed the Siddaramaiah government's decision to recommend the Centre of granting religious minority tag to Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community, saying the government has no business to recognise any community as a religion
Bengaluru: Former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde on Tuesday slammed the Siddaramaiah government's decision to recommend to the Centre, grant of religious minority tag to Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community, saying the government has no business to recognise any community as a religion.
In a scathing write-up, which has gone viral in the social media, Hegde, a former Karnataka Lokayukta, sought to know from Siddaramaiah "when he would divide himself as Sidda and Ramaiah."
"Sir, I am not a politician. I am not interested in who will win the next elections, but sir where will politics stop dividing us ordinary people?" he said in a poser to the chief minister.
Hegde also queried if Siddaramaiah would recognise either Digambar or Shwetambar as backwards, Shias or Sunnis as separate religions for recognition as backward, or Protestants or Roman Catholics as separate religions for offering backward status.
"Or which of left or right SC's as more backwards. Or which of Bunts or Nadavas as a different religion and amongst them who is more backward and among Brahmins who will it be Vaishnavas or Shiva's or will you divide Siddaramaiah to Sidda and Ramaiah?"
Speaking to PTI, Hegde said he would agree if the community wants itself to divide, but that the government had no business to recognise any community as a religion.
"We are having a government under the constitution of India, a secular government. No political party, no government has any business to interfere in the internal affairs of any community," Hegde said.
In a sarcastic remark to the chief minister, Hegde sought to know if a chief minister can interfere between a husband and wife.
"Can a chief minister say between husband and wife you divorce him and come and I will find a better groom for you? Yes, I am very much hurt... that's why I wrote. I have been a judge at the Supreme Court. I know my limitations. How low can you get in?" asked Hegde.
In a major political move ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls, the state cabinet on Monday decided to recommend to the Centre according religion status to the numerically strong Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community.
The move was seen as an attempt by the Siddaramaiah government to cut into the vote bank of BJP, as Lingayats/Veerashaivas are considered its traditional supporters.
Four years into Narendra Modi's rule, bureaucratic manoeuvres continue to derail the corruption clean-up drive as far as tainted babus are concerned.
New Delhi: When Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, his government decided to clean up the deadwood in the bureaucracy, punish corrupt officers and put the brakes on the nexus in Lutyens' Delhi that compromises the official machinery.
Four years down the line, as far as timely and exemplary action against tainted babus is concerned, it is a sense of deja vu. Due to bureaucratic manoeuvres, the clean-up drive has a long way to go before its intended target.
Firstpost has reviewed documents that show in certain high-stakes departments, action against dishonest babus is being taken at snail's pace. In the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), the most important arm for indirect taxes, vigilance cases have not been able to overcome the roadblocks.
"At present, 263 officers are facing departmental action for a major/minor penalty, including in non-vigilance cases, which constitute 6.38 percent of the total strength of the service. The strength of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Custom and Central Excise Group 'A' officers is approximately 4,122," the CBEC note reviewed by Firstpost revealed.
Group 'A' officers are executive officers at the level of chief commissioners, commissioners, additional/joint commissioners, deputy and assistant commissioners. What is shocking is that some vigilance cases are pending for the last 10 years.
A CBEC note regarding alleged corrupt officers said: "... the government servant is required to submit his written statement of defence within a period of 15 days, which may be further extended to a period not exceeding 15 days at a time.
Subsequently, after a month, "inquiry authority is required to conclude the inquiry and submit his report with a period of six months from the date of receipt of the order of his appointment as inquiry authority.
So, why there is a delay of almost a decade in tackling certain cases of corruption and ensuring clean up in the system?
A senior officer on the condition of anonymity said the matter was taken up by CBEC chairman Vanaja N Sarna after she took charge last year and directed to expedite the cases to punish delinquent officers.
Firstpost reviewed a note by Sarna, who warned that serious action would be taken in case of delays in disciplinary cases against corrupt babus. Sarna's letter dated 30 August, 2017, said: "... the board will be taking a serious view where the departmental proceedings are allowed to prolong till the superannuation of the charged officer without valid reasons."
According to vigilance watchdog the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), the CBEC, involved in indirect tax collection, is a sensitive department and carries out one of the most potent instruments of policies available with the government.
Cases caught in a bureaucratic cobweb
A note prepared by the CVC said: "Tax administrators deal with revenue collection and since the stakes involved are often very high, possession of assets, disproportionate to known sources of income can be expected with a higher degree of probability. It is inherent in the nature of the taxpayer to avoid paying taxes that he can evade without too much risk. The importer/exporter/manufacturer has a tendency to misdeclare quantity, value or the rate applicable. The smuggler may like to import/export prohibited goods,"
"Effectively, the forces of vigilance can be unleashed only if a customs officer is apprehended while abetting a smuggler or duty evader. Any act of a tax collector related to the recovery of duty or penalising smugglers is adjudicatory and of wide discretion; the scope for misuse is immense but the scope of scrutiny is also limited."
Despite repeated attempts, Sarna and Director General Vigilance RK Barthwal could not be reached for comment. A detailed questionnaire sent to Barthwal yielded no response.
N Vittal, who headed the CVC between 1998 to 2002 admitted that the concerned departments are not taking action against the corrupt officers and ultimately the efforts to eliminate corruption is being defeated. Speaking to Firstpost, the former CVC said the vigilance watchdog must be empowered by the government to take action in the cases where ministries and departments are sitting on the file and pushing the cases towards infinite delay. Vittal said a government could earn huge public support if the officers involved in dishonest dealings are held accountable.
"All the corrupt people know the rule better than anyone else and misuse it to the hilt. It is not the guidelines, which are important, but the people who administer it. If the department heads are scared to take action, the government must hand over the job to the CVC and it could swiftly go ahead with the appropriate action," he said.
Hiding beneath a rubble of rulebook
It is pertinent to mention the PC Hota Committee that was formed by the UPA government to look into the issues related to discipline and vigilance inquiry against allegations of corruption in the bureaucracy. The Committee's report was examined by a panel of secretaries and it had recommended that the government machinery must take immediate and prompt action.
One of the recommendations accepted by the government on 14 October, 2013, said: "As far as practicable, an inquiry officer should conduct the hearing on a day-to-day basis to complete the inquiry expeditiously. Each inquiry officer should be required to maintain an order sheet to record proceedings of the inquiry on the day of inquiry and other relevant matters. If the inquiry cannot be conducted on a day-to-day basis, the inquiry officer should record in the order sheet the reason why the inquiry could not be held on a day-to-day basis."
Even under the NDA government, the Ministry of Personnel on 15 March, 2017, had directed through File No 106/7/2015-AVD that, "under no circumstances, the extension to complete the inquiry shall exceed 45 days from the date of receipt of the article of charge."
But, what happens when the inquiry and CVC recommendation become another side of the sordid tales of the bureaucratic system. A CVC report in October last year revealed that 31 cases against babus seeking sanction for prosecution were pending since June 2017. The list included five IAS officers from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the Ministry of Coal and Mines and an IAS officer serving in the home cadre of Andhra Pradesh.
In one case the sanction was solicited in September 2014 (Case No RC-12 A-/2011, AC-II) but the action against the tainted officer was thrown into the dustbin and no action was taken by the government machinery. A branch manager of Punjab National Bank (PNB) was found guilty (RC-6S/2015, EOW) and action was proposed on 10 November, 2016, but the government-owned bank now caught in a massive fraud turned a blind eye.
The CVC report further revealed that till 31 January, 2018, at least 28 cases seeking sanction for prosecution were pending for the last four months. The highest existing anti-corruption body said a file related to one officer, who was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has already retired (File No. RC-55 (A)/2012, ACB, Chennai). Action against six tainted senior level officers from State Bank of India (RC-4-E/2015, BS&FC, Mumbai and RC-1-E/2015 BS&FC, Mumbai) and 13 officers under the Ministry of Defence (File No RC-2-A/2016, ACB, CBI, Hyderabad) is also pending.
The vigilance chiefs of State Bank of India and defence ministry could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. A questionnaire sent to SBI's Shiva Kumar remains unanswered.
There are also suggestions from the CVC that honest officers, taking decision for the benefit of the common man must be protected.
Vittal asserted that intent of the officer under the scanner is another aspect, which has to be examined before taking disciplinary action. "We must protect honest officers but not spare those working with corrupt motive and contaminating the entire system," he said.
In January this year, the CVC advised initiation of major penalty proceedings against 135 officials of various ministries and departments, including maximum 20 from Syndicate Bank followed by 15 officers of the Ministry of Railways. The vigilance body processed 3,072 complaints including 46 whistleblower complaints and sought investigation report in 30 complaints from the concerned organisations.
According to the CVC, it has directed the Department of Coal to initiate major penalty against six officials and five from the Ministry of Defence. In January, prosecution sanctions were issued by the competent authorities against 11 officials of various ministries, including three from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and two officers each from the Ministry of Railways and Commerce.
N Gopalaswami, a 1966 batch IAS officer and former Chief Election Commissioner of India, told Firstpost that the system has become lax and cases go on for years.
"We have unfortunately built a system that helps the corrupt. Until we tackle the issue at the grassroots level, corruption will not go away. Consciously, the government needs to look for ways to avoid interaction with the applicant. Everybody from politicians to officers feels that even if they are caught, they will not be punished for at least 10-15 years. Start rewarding performance and start punishing the corrupt," Gopalaswami said.
Recent bypoll results boost the chances of a 'mahagathbandhan' type grand alliance to upset the BJP's applecart, but given the Congress' miserable performance in the bypolls, SP and BSP will wonder if the Congress is an ally
Telenagana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday, and the two agreed to work towards a federal front comprising other regional forces. Rao will call on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar later this month, and in the weeks that follow, is expected to meet leaders of other regional parties as well, in order to garner more support for his idea.
As the nation approaches 2019, political parties hostile to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are gearing up to realise their objective of a Narendra Modi-mukt Bharat.
Perhaps knowing fully well that the anti-BJP camp is still amorphous, Banerjee said after meeting KCR that they are not in any hurry and the process of garnering support for the idea will continue.
Sources in the know of things told Firstpost that while Rao and Banerjee discussed the prevailing political situation at length, differences in the approach adopted by the two parties were more than evident. While Banerjee felt that no anti-BJP front is possible without support from the Congress, Rao is totally averse to the idea of aligning with the Congress.
Even though his critics have called him a BJP proxy for this stance, the fact remains that TRS is pitted against the Congress in Telangana. And Rao is keen on ensuring that any anti-BJP consolidation doesn't benefit the Congress, a TRS leader explained. On the other hand, Mamata faces a surging BJP in Bengal and needs support from the Congress to keep the saffron party at bay.
TRS secretary general and parliamentary party leader K Keshava Rao said there is no question of the party holding parleys with Congress in its effort to rally forces against Modi. "We will focus on regional forces who have a federal agenda," he said.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar has prime ministerial ambitions of his own. He too would love an anti-BJP front without the Congress. But Pawar is a seasoned politician, and he knows his limitations. He isn't ready to snap ties with Congress just yet, though he is exploring the possibility of emerging as the face of a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance.
The BJP reportedly changed its strategy in Odisha for 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah said the golden period in the BJP's history will come when the saffron party is able to gain power in states like Odisha, Bengal and Kerala. But with the exit of TDP and discontent coming to the fore among allies like Shiv Sena, PDP, etc., the party is being extra cautious. The party cannot sacrifice its national ambitions for the sake of state-level aspirations. It would have to strike a balance between retaining power in New Delhi and forming governments in individual states.
So while the BJP pursues its objective of winning Assembly elections, the ruling NDA started facing negative political currents. The anti-BJP consolidation in Uttar Pradesh inflicted a severe loss in Gorakhpur and Phulpur by-elections, indicating to the party what is in store if it continues to display political arrogance.
Sources in BJP told Firstpost that the party will not upset Naveen Patnaik in 2019 and would wait for 2024. Given this assurance, the BJD may not be keen on supporting the no-confidence. Especially after the Tamil Nadu fiasco, the BJP wants to be extra cautious in meddling with regional politics.
With the BJP aggressively hunting down its rivals, the resolve to frustrate the saffron brigade's chances in 2019 is gaining momentum. The RJD and AAP, for instance, are both fuming with rage at the treatment meted out to them by the central investigation agencies.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is visibly annoyed over the alliance's failure to wrest the Parliament seat from RJD despite a change in the electoral arithmetic in the state. More such failures would widen the gap between BJP and JD(U), something that isn't too far-fetched given that a climate of mutual suspicion exists between the two allies even today.
Given the Shiv Sena's stance on the no-confidence motion, it can only be surmised that the party wants to strike at the BJP but not wound it.
Recent bypoll results boost the chances of a 'mahagathbandhan' type grand alliance emerging in Uttar Pradesh, but not without some caveats. An alliance between Samajwadi Party and BSP for the bypolls upset the BJP's applecart, but it isn't good news for the Congress. Given the party's miserable performance in the two bypoll seats, the SP and BSP will wonder if the Congress is an ally or a liability to have around.
Seat-sharing talks would make this dilemma tougher. Any such chinks will make pre-poll arrangements difficult, though a post-poll tie-up between SP, BSP and Congress cannot be ruled out.
Though the electoral arithmetic and political chemistry between SP and BSP are fine, seat-sharing talks will certainly cause many irritants. But the urgency to defeat the BJP may act as incentive enough to make them bury the hatchet.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who first toyed with the idea of a Third Front, is now talking about a federal front. Sources in the TDP, meanwhile interpret this as an acknowledgement of the party's successes in consolidating anti-BJP forces. Whether one calls it a Third Front or a Federal Front remains to be seen, and depends on which parties do end up joining the alliance.
An anti-BJP front at this moment cannot be possible without the Congress in it. However, a lot depends on the Congress' performance in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, etc. where it's a direct fight between Congress and BJP. Karnataka too will be critical for the Congress.
Results of this round of Assembly elections will decide whether the Congress will end up leading or supporting other parties in their bid to topple the BJP. It will also decide where the so-called non-Congress, non-BJP fence sitters ultimately find themselves.
The Parliament on Monday could not transact any business as the Opposition parties continued to stall proceedings over their demands.
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Amid the outrage over the Nirav Modi scam and Karti Chidambaram's arrest in the INX Media case, the NDA government is possibly staring at a stormy second half of Budget Session which begins from Monday. The first part of the budget session was held from 29 January to 9 February, while second half of the session will come to a close on 9 April.
The Congress is also likely to denounce the government over the arrest of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti by the CBI in the INX Media alleged bribery case. The Congress has termed the CBI action "political vendetta".
The Opposition is also likely to corner the government over the tussle between Prasar Bharti and the Information and Broadcasting ministry. It is likely to raise issues concerning farmers, the Rafale deal, Staff Selection Commission "job scam", loss of life and property due to ceasefire violations on the LoC and increase in cost of petroleum products.
Meanwhile, YSRCP MPs from Andhra Pradesh are likely to hold a dharna against the Centre in the Parliament premises. The party is also expected to initiate a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on 21 March, reported Livemint.
BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe calls for suspension of today's session under rule 267 of the Parliament in order to discuss allegations of corruption indulged by family members of former ministers under the tacit protection of ministers.
D Raja of the CPI too has issued an adjournment notice in the Rajya Sabha in order to discuss the Punjab National Bank scam. This is the third adjournment motion on the issue.
CNN-News18 is reporting that the BJP president will be meeting a delegation from the TDP to discuss the issue of special status to the state of Andhra Pradesh. According to the report, TDP is currently adamant on the 19 demands for the state. On the other hand, the YSRCP is also pressurizing the government over the same issue.
The bill to target economic offenders was approved by the government following the escape of diamond merchant Nirav Modi and other accused in the over Rs 12,700-crore Punjab National Bank scam.
The passage of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which seeks confiscation of assets of absconding fraudsters and loan defaulters, and the triple talaq bill will be high on the government's agenda.
The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill 2017 and The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill 2017 will be tabled in the Lower House of the Parliament, reported PTI.
TDP MPs prtoest outside the Parliament over the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh
Today has been the day of adjournment motions. A notice for an adjournment motion can be issued under rule 267 of the Parliament. It is generally utilised by an MP to discuss a matter of public importance. Three of the adjournment motions have been issued to discuss the Nirav Modi scam, while Pappu Yadav has issued an adjournment motion to discuss the alleged scam in the SSC exams. On the other hand, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has issued an adjournment notice to discuss the allegations of corruption by relatives of former ministers.
While the Opposition is expected to target the government over financial scams in the recent past, the BJP is likely to pin the blame on the Congress-led UPA regime. The BJP has already claimed that the PNB scam had begun when the UPA was in power and its government has acted with alacrity after the fraud came out in the open. The party, energised by the win in Tripura and impressive performance in Nagaland and Meghalaya elections, is likely to be aggressive in Parliament and rake up scams that happened on the Congress watch to pin it down, party sources said.
However, Opposition created a ruckus in the House as soon as the session began.
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu is saying that everyone who issued an adjournment notices under rule 267 will get a chance once he holds a discussion with Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Rajya Sabha. He added that many of the members have to look at some other rule in the Parliament rule book to talk in the Parliament. On the issue of Cauvery water, Naidu said that the adjournment notice issued by AIADMK MP Navneethakrishnan will be discussed in Zero Hour.
According to Financial Express, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah are scheduled to meet a TDP delegation, and more importantly the Andhra Pradesh finance minister, over the issue of granting Andhra Pradesh with special category status.
"Don't create hungama," said Venkaiah Naidu as Opposition continued to create ruckus over PNB scam, 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh and other issues. This forced Naidu to adjourn the Upper House of the Parliament till 2 pm.
However, the Opposition continues to create ruckus. The Opposition has also walked into the Well of the House to protest against the government.
The resignation of Neiphiu Rio, who was elected to the Nagaland Assembly unopposed, and who is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Nagaland, has been accepted by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
The Rajya Sabha has resumed operations, with PJ Kurien seated at the Chair. However, MP's continued there agitation even as the Speaker took his seat. Slogans of "Nirav Modi vapas lao" raged in the Parliament while Kurien urged the MPs to maintain decorum of the House.
PJ Kuries, in an attempt to calm down the agitated members, acknowledged that the issues raised by them were important and agreed to allow discussion on them one by one. For today, he granted permission to conduct a debate on the frauds in public sector banks. However, Opposition MPs refused to vacate the Well and continued raising slogans. There demand was that the prime minister must explain why he could not keep his promise to bring back Nirav Modi and other people alleged scamsters.
In the Rajya Sabha, ministers are laying the papers on the table
Members of the Opposition come to the Well of the House to protest against Nirav Modi. Slogans of "Nirav Modi ko wapas lao" are being heard. Meanwhile, Venkaiah Naidu has adjourned Rajya Sabha till 11.30 am.
Times Now is reporting that Lok Sabha will be holding a marathon four-hour-long discussion on the issue, starting at noon.
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the much talked about Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) Bill, 2018 which will be tabled in the remaining Budget session in Parliament. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said that the government has also decided to set up an independent body NFRA (National Financial Reporting Authority) to crackdown on big scams and avoid Nirav Modi-like situation in future. For the purpose the government will amend Companies Act.
While the ministers have tabled their papers, the Opposition continue raise slogans against the government. The Opposition is raising slogans like "Chota Modi, bada Modi Murdabad".
"The second half of the Budget Session is important for passing financial bills. I request the Congress, TDP, TRS and other parties to calm down and let the Hosue continue its work," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said.
While speaking in the Parliament, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said that Arun Jaitley will be making a statement on the issue. However, he also took the opportunity to target the Congress and the previous UPA government. "No one involved in the Congress-led UPA era corruption scandals will be spared," he said.
According to News18, MPs from four parties storming the Well to protest for different demands. While the Congress and the Trinamool Congress want debate on the PNB scam, the AIADMK is protesting over the Cauvery issue. The TRS wants the Constitution amended to skirt the 50% ceiling for reservation in jobs and education, while the TDP wants special status for Andhra Pradesh.
"We have to look at the importance of passing the women's reservation bill," Kanimozhi said.
"Families want to abort and kill the girl child. There are so many dowry deaths. Domestic violence is on the rise. When is all this going to stop?" she further said.
"Men are celebrating us today as mothers, sisters, daughter. I think it's time for women to say, 'enough of that'. We don't want to be celebrated for our sacrifices. We want to be celebrated for our identity," Kanimozhi said in the Rajya Sabha.
Women don't want to be celebrated for their sacrifices, they want to be celebrated for their identities: Kanimozhi
"I find it strange that we celebrate Women's Day. But men don't celebrate any particular day. I am not in favour of this tokenism. I request all the men to stop throwing crumbs at us and treat us with respect throughout the year," Anu Aga said in the Rajya Sabha.
"Earlier, people used to say, 'behing every successful man, there is a woman'. But now, the saying has become 'behind every successful man, there is a nationalised bank," said Derek O'Brien in the Rajya Sabha, clearly taking a dig at the Modi government over the PNB scam.
"Everyone should promise that the restrictions imposed on women by men will be abolished. On Valentine's Day, girls and couples should not be beaten up. In the name of anti-Romeo squad, women were beaten up in UP," AAP's Sanjay Singh said in the Rajya Sabha.
"On other hand, there are crimes against women which bring about shame to us. Which is why this day is one on which we should take a pledge to end such crimes," Swaraj said. "This should be a movement," she added.
"India is a country where a woman became president, prime minister, twice became the Speaker of a House," she said. "Today, women are doing combat duty in the army, flying planes in the air force," she added.
"International Women's Day gives us an opportunity to look at the requirements for gender equality," Sushma Swaraj said in the Rajya Sabha. "Women's reservation bill is important. But there are achievements by women even without reservation," she said.
We should take a pledge this day to end crimes against women: Sushma Swaraj
The Opposition parties protested against the passage of the budget without debate, as the session is slated to continue till 6 April.
The Finance Bill as well as the Appropriation Bill were passed in a matter of 25 minutes during which Opposition parties and ruling NDA ally TDP shouted slogans and created a din. The Lower House was adjourned for the day immediately thereafter.
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the crucial Finance Bill 2018 and a Rs 89.25 lakh crore spending plan for the next fiscal year without discussion amid ruckus, which led to the adjournment of both the Houses of Parliament for the eighth day.
The Rajya Sabha began Thursday's session with an obituary of former MP Hamida Habibullah. The members observed a minute of silence for the same.
Lok Sabha MPs could be heard protesting in the background even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tries to conduct the Thursday's session. Congress and other Opposition party members stormed the Well. Ministers speaking can hardly be heard over the din.
Even as Opposition party members stormed the Well in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the Centre is willing to discuss the Cauvery issue and special package to Andhra Pradesh but it cannot be done so with protests in the Well.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan was forced to adjourn the Lower House till 12 pm on Thursday within less than 10 minutes of the session's beginning.
Former Union minister and TDP MP YS Chowdary speaks on why he resigned from the BJP-led Centre in Rajya Sabha
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, former Union MoS for Science and Technology YS Chowdary said that the Andhra Pradesh bifurcation was done unjustly and unscientifically. "The division could have been done after taking care of employment potential, development in both states. Both states must have been developed equally for 10 years by the government in power at the time," he said. Following his opening remarks, other members of the House began to clamour and protest, creating a din.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu was forced to adjourn the House due to loud protests over former Union minister and TDP MP YS Chowdary's remarks on why he resigned from the Council of Ministers of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.
Opposition MPs continued to storm the Well of the House even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan resumed the session.
The Rajya Sabha was earlier adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid sharp exchanges between former Union minister from the TDP, YS Chowdary, and the Congress members over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 under the UPA government.
If accepted, it will be the first no-confidence motion moved against the Modi-government.
The motion can be accepted only if it has the support of at least 50 members in the House. YSR Congress has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha.
The YSR Congress's MP YV Subba Reddy gave the notice to the Lok Sabha secretariat for including the motion in Friday's list of business, his office said.
The YSR Congress on Thursday gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led NDA government following the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh and found unlikely support from its arch-rival Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
YSR Congress Party MP YV Subba Reddy submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General Snehalata Shrivastava for moving a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the house.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has become the first BJP ally to break away from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Follow LIVE updates on the same here.
After announcing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulls out of the NDA, party MP Thota Narasimhan told ANI that the TDP will be moving a no-confidence motion on Friday. "We have decided... we are out of the NDA," he added.
"TDP withdrew support from the NDA, which did injustice to Andhra Pradesh. TDP president Chandrababu Naidu took this decision in an emergency teleconference with party politburo members and MPs, which was unanimously supported. TDP to also introduce no-confidence motion against NDA government," ANI quoted the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office as saying.
"TDP's decision to quit was inevitable after its mischievous propaganda against Centre. People of Andhra Pradesh have now realised that TDP is resorting to lies to cover up its inert governance. TDP's exit is a timely opportunity for the BJP to grow in Andhra Pradesh," BJP national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao tweeted.
Speaking to ANI , BJP MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi commented on the TDP-NDA break up saying that every year before actual elections, there is always a rehearsal in Parliament. "We will see what happens in Parliament, which party chooses to go which way. In a way it is election year, and every state has demands and issues. It is not right for us to comment on it. It is a custom, before actual elections there is always a rehearsal in Parliament," he said.
Sarfaraz Alam (Araria, Bihar), Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel (Phulpur, Uttar Pradesh), Pravin Kumar Nishad (Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh), who won the recent bypolls held in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, took their oath as Lok Sabha MPs on Friday.
Supporting the no-confidence motion against the NDA government, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted: "Its (BJP's) betrayal of the promise of special status for Andhra Pradesh is inexcuseable. Its all-round failure and evasion of parliamentary accountability needs to be highlighted."
After the obituary references were read out, Opposition parties' MPs created a ruckus over the no-confidence motion against the NDA government. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12 pm.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi said his party will support the no-confidence motion against the NDA government in the Lok Sabha. "MIM party will support the no confidence motion in Lok Sabha, not only for failure of Modi government to implement State Reorganisation Act but their failure to fulfill their promise to provide employment to youth ans for injustice to Muslim women and minorities," CNN-News18 quoted him as saying.
"We have no confidence in their no-confidence motion, so we have decided to go on our own," he said. - PTI
TDP MP CM Ramesh added that YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy was seen making attempts to meet the prime minister and this hinted at a nexus between both parties.
Andhra Pradesh's ruling party had on Thursday offered to back the YSR Congress' no-confidence motion but has now said it withdraws the support as it smells a nexus between it and the BJP.
TDP decided to move its own no-confidence motion after suspecting nexus between YSRCP and BJP
Speaking to ANI , BJP national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao claimed that the Andhra Pradesh government and TDP are wary of the BJP's rise in the state. "The state government and TDP are feeling the pinch of the public opinion going against them and BJP will use this as an opportunity to grow as a political party and emerge as a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh. For us it will prove to be the next Tripura," Rao said.
Even as Opposition MPs continued to chant slogans in the House, with TRS, TDP MPs storming the Well of the House, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan began with business for the day. She also said that she is duty-bound to introduce the two no-confidence motions but asked protesting MPs to sit in their places. As she said this, Opposition protests began to get louder.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after Telagana Rashra Samithi (TRS) MPs stormed the Well. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot introduce the two no confidence motions by YSRCP and TDP if House members continued to disrupt proceedings as she needed to check if there are 50 members to support each motion. Protesting MPs created more ruckus in response, forcing her to adjourn Lok Sabha till Monday.
The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 273 seats. When one adds the allies the BJP does have by its side Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP the tally rises to 312. If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 328, a comfortable majority.
The TDP has 16 MPs, and it said it would move a no-confidence motion against the Central government. In doing so, it would be following in the footsteps of rival Andhra Pradesh party, the YSR Congress, which has also said it would be moving a no-confidence motion against the Centre. The two Andhra parties have been miffed with the BJP following the latter's inability to grant special status for the state.
As some other Congress members were on their feet trying to join the issue simultaneously, Naidu adjourned the House till 2.30 PM.
"Do you want this sort of a thing to continue? ... Is that your suggestion. This is your party view," he said.
To this, Naidu asked if somebody committed a mistake in the past, does it mean that he should also do the same.
As he was making the appeal, Congress member Satyabrat Chaturvedi stood up and said he agreed with the Chair, but sought to know whether it was for the first time that he is witnessing such a scenario in Parliament.
"I am very much pained that the Upper House of Parliament is not able to transact its business for last two weeks. Dont't test my patience...We are meeting, greeting and not doing anything and adjourning," the Chairman said.
Before adjourning the House till 2.30 PM, Naidu said there were larger issues like banking scam, Cauvery river water sharing, demand for a special package to Andhra Pradesh and sealing in the national capital, which were agitating the minds of people and needed to be discussed.
After tabling of the listed papers, Naidu expressed his anguish saying the House has not functioned ever since it resumed on March 5 after recess during the Budget session.
The Rajya Sabha today witnessed an abrupt adjournment following a brief argument between Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and some Congress members soon after the House assembled for the day.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha told Chowsary to resume his speech from yesterday, which was interrupted due to the disruption of the House. He, however, added that Chowdary must stick to the speech approved by the Chairman and resist making any allegations.
Chowdary said that the former prime minister Manmohan Singh has promised that Centre's hand-holing to Andhra. He then added that both the national parties were responsible for the secession of Andhra Pradesh and a certain help was promised to us at the time. Chowdary further said that the new constitutional restriction being cited by the Centre should not be applicable retrospectively to what was promised to Andhra.
The deputy chairman, however, expunged those remarks as he said the Chairman had seen and vetted the speech but Chowdary had deviated from the approved version.
In the course of his speech, Chowdary quoted the Opposition MP Venkaiah Naidu requesting special status for Andhra for at least 10 years. This elicited an objection from Railway Minister Piyush Goyal who said that Chowdary was trying to cast aspersions on the Chair (Venkaiah Naidu). This was met with sharp opposition from the Congress members who requested the quotes to be repeated.
It is expected to be a stormy day in the Parliament on Monday, especially for the Lok Sabha where the two no-confidence motions against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party are likely to be taken up.
However, equations with the existing allies aren't particularly rosy. In particular with Shiv Sena, the largest non-BJP constituent of the NDA. If the Sena follows TDP by backing out, the figure of 314 will go down to 296, just 23 more than the magic figure of 273, and the BJP can no longer be certain of its future.
The NDA had stormed to power with 336 seats in 2014, of which the BJP alone claimed 282 seats. However, a series of bypolls that went against the saffron party meant that its tally in the Lok Sabha currently stands at 274 seats. When one adds the 11 allies the BJP still has by its side Shiv Sena, JD(U), Apna Dal, LJP, SAD, RLSP, PDP, PMK, SWP, NPP and AINR Congress the tally rises to 314 . If the TDP can be persuaded to come around once again, this could rise to 330, a comfortable majority.
RECAP: With TDP quitting NDA, Centre's strength comes down to 314 from 336 in Lok Sabha
RJD's JP Yadav gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha on Monday over the recent "communal incidents of violence in Araria, Bhagalpur and Darbhanga", reported ANI .
Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the party will "wait and watch" what happens in the Parliament on Monday. He said: "We will also have to see if the Speaker allows the no confidence motion or rejects it. TDP has its own state issues and we welcome them. As of now we have not decided yet on no confidence motion. Uddhav ji (Thackeray) will take a call."
The Parliament secretariat received three separate notices for a no-confidence motion against the BJP government on Monday, two of which were from TDP and one from the YSR Congress, reported ANI . Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan is likely to take up the notices after Question Hour if the House is in order.
CPI leader Duraisamy Raja said that the Left parties will be supporting the no-confidence motion in the Parliament on Monday. "People have started expressing their no confidence in the Modi government, it is time the Parliament does it too," ANI quoted him as saying.
He had earlier also said the BJP enjoys support "inside and outside" the Parliament, according to Business Standard . "I want to tell the Congress and other Opposition members that there is confidence inside and outside the House. That's why the BJP is ready to face the no-confidence motion," said Kumar.
Ahead of Monday's Parliament session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the saffron party was ready to face the no-confidence motion as it is sure it has the necessary support.
In less than two minutes of being in session, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm. As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan entered the House, loud protests and sloganeering dominated the scene, making it impossible for any business to be conducted amid the din.
Slogans of "We want justice" could be heard as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said, "This is not in the interest of the country, and Parliament. I am willing to allow also these discussions. How long should we continue like this?"
The Upper House of the Parliament was adjourned till tomorrow after TDP and AIADMK MPs began protesting in the Rajya Sabha.
He also said that the TDP also increased the state's budget by Rs 1100 crores. "We will strive to do the same in future. We are moving to work to move forward in skill development to help the people of Andhra Pradesh," he said.
He also claimed that the YSR Congress Party is only 'playing politics' and has no interest in the state's welfare. Trying to assuage people's sentiments, Naidu said that the "TDP government is undertaking multiple irrigation projects to ensure the state's development is not stalled amid all this."
Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said that the state is being cheated by the Central government. "We are being cheated by the government. The BJP is making false allegations against me," he said.
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant told ANI that the party will abstain from the no-confidence motion. "We will neither support the government nor the Opposition. We will abstain," he said.
As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from these parties trooped into the Well holding placards. While members from the TDP, YSR Congress, TRS and AIADMK were in the Well raising slogans and holding placards, MPs from the TMC and Congress were seen standing at their seats. This forced the House to be adjourned till 12 pm.
The Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the 11th day on Monday as the TDP, YSR Congress, TRS and AIADMK continued their noisy protests over various issues, including the banking scam and special status for Andhra Pradesh.
Even as the Lower House resumed its proceedings, sloganeering dominated the scene as TDP, AIADMK MPs could be heard shouting "We want justice". However, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan began with day's business, asking ministers to lay their papers on the table.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: "We want discussion on the no-confidence motion. I request all MPs to maintain decorum so that we can discuss it. We are ready to discuss any issue with any member."
Following continuous uproar in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till Tuesday. TSR, YSRCP MPs trooped into the Well, while chanting slogans such as "We want justice". Mahajan tried to introduce the no-confidence motion notices but requested all MPs to sit at their designated spots so that a quorum could be established. Opposition members and other parties' MPs continued to create a ruckus, forcing the House to be adjourned for the day.
The Samajwadi Party on Monday accused the government of egging AIADMK to stage protests in the Lok Sabha to avoid a no-confidence motion even as Tamil Nadu's ruling party warned that it would not allow business in both the Houses of Parliament till the Centre gives an assurance on the constitution of the Cauvery River Management Board.
MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government is ready discuss all issues. However protests cause Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the Rajya Sabha till 21 March.
Sushma Swaraj starts speaking about the Indians in Mosul. She had spoken about the issue in the Rajya Sabha earlier.
The Bills have already been passed in the Lok Sabha
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to move Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill gives the government power to confiscate the assets of such defaulters.
"Let us all protest and, if required, sit on hunger strike at every place, sport black badges during working hours in offices. Let us awaken the people," party chief N Chandrababu Naidu said at a meeting of women self-help groups.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) held protests in Vijayawada on Thursday about the Andhra Pradesh special status row, reported CNN-News18. The TDP had decided to extend support to the National Highways blockade programme called by the Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh seeking special category status to the state.
As the deadlock in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha continued on Wednesday, here is a look at how both the Houses spent their time while in session ( as per PRS ):
What has the Parliament been spending its time on?
Protests and sloganeering marked the day's proceedings in the Lok Sabha as it began on Thursday. Opposition MPs could be heard chanting "We want justice" in the background, even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to conduct the day's business. As the protests grew louder, she said, "Nobody wants to listen, nobody wants to run the House." She then adjourned the Lok Sabha till 12 pm.
"At the time of passing the AP Reorganisation Act, they (government) gave some provisions under it. People are suffering in Andhra Pradesh," said TDP's CM Ramesh.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that several leaders had approached him personally and let the the amendment Bill be passed.
MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said, "The government wants to discuss everyone's issues. I request we discuss and pass other Bills."
Just as the House passed the Gratuity Bill, AIADMK and TDP MPs trooped into the Well of the House holding placards and created ruckus. To this, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said " People want to know why the Chairman is adjourning the House? I would like to tell the people that I don't want these ugly scenes to be seen by them. Each day, some or the other party troops into the Well." Nearly 20 MPs stood in the Well surrounding Naidu, and chanting loud slogans.
As the Opposition refused to back down, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu adjourned Rajya Sabha for the day.
"I would like to request all the MPs to go back to their places and let the House function. We are ready to talk about all issues, including the no-confidence motion notices that are being brought to the House," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, even as AIADMK and TDP MPs continued their sloganeering near the Well of the House.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot act upon the no-confidence motion notices until there is order in the House. "I can't see anybody. I need to count heads (to establish a quorum of 50 members)," she said.
After 14 days of low productivity in the second edition of the Budget Session of the Parliament, the Centre is likely to make a fresh push to pass pending bills even as the Opposition remain vehement to corner the government over issues like the Punjab National Bank scam, the murder of 39 Indians in Iraq by Islamic State among others.
The Congress has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs in the Rajya Sabha asking them to be present in the House at 11 am in full strength on Friday and support the party's stand, PTI reported.
The Parliament is lagging behind in terms of finishing scheduled tasks with productivity level really low. The Budget Session of Parliament, which reconvened after a brief break on 5 March, has been marred with protests, with the daily functioning in both Lok Sabha and Rajya well below 0.1 hours (six minutes), according to PRS data.
With TDP's no-confidence motion notice still pending before the Lok Sabha, Chandrababu Naidu's party, which recently exited the NDA alliance, has appealed to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to hold an all-party meeting on special status to Andhra Pradesh as well, reports said.
"I request the leaders of the parties to come to the chamber of the chairman," Naidu also said.
"This is totally undemocratic, totally unbecoming of Members of Parliament. You are weaking your cause. Please, you are all members. You must uphold the dignity of the House," Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said before adjourning the House for 15 minutes.
"Madame Speaker, you have always asked the House to be conducted in order. The government is ready for a discussion...Congress has become a marginal party," said Union minister Ananth Kumar in response.
"There are more than 50 members here who want to move a no-confidence motion," said Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
As the ruckus in the Lower House continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for the day.
Narendra Modi to retiring Rajya Sabha MPs: I am sorry Parliament failed you in this last session
Modi also said that the doors of Parliament and his Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will always remain open to them, and they are welcome to visit him whenever they like.
While bidding the departing MPs goodbye, Modi also took a sarcastic jibe at protesting Opposition MPs, saying they nearly ensured this Session didn't take place and nearly denied this vote of thanks.
Opposition ensured this Sesssion didn't take place and nearly denied this vote of thanks: Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi also added that it was unfortunate that they didn't get a chance to pass important legislations in their final session, but may look back at their tenure gladly given the passing of landmark bills like the Triple Talaq bill.
Unfortunate that you didn't get chance to pass important legislations in their final session: Narendra Modi
"People have been agitating for special status, for their water, for their poor farmers and labourers. The MPs have been fighting on their behalf. If the people get what is rightfully theirs, it's not their parliamentarians who will stand to benefit," Azad said.
He added that it's unfair to say MPs have been fighting and disrupting Parliament, because they are sent to Parliament to represent the needs of the people.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, meanwhile, said the Central Hall of Parliament is full of former MPs and he looks forward to seeing many of the retiring MPs at the same place in the future.
Unfair to say MPs have been disrupting Parliament, because they are sent to Parliament to represent needs of the people: Ghulam Nabi Azad
The second part of this session has 22 sittings, and is scheduled to conclude on 6 April. Five more sittings are slated.
This is the final week that the Houses are functioning in the Budget Session
Members from the Congress, the Left, the TDP and some other parties stood up holding the blue placards, apparently to show her that there were 80 members supporting the no-confidence motion
After a brief discussion on scams in public-sector banks, Bills such as the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill and the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today
Arun Jaitley to move Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill in the Lok Sabha today, which is a Bill to deal with economic offenders who leave the country
"Most MPs are already seated. If everyone stops shouting and goes back to their seat, I can see how many support for the no-confidence motion. the House must be in order," Sumitra Mahajan said.
Day 19 of Parliament's Budget Session is likely to get underway shortly, but MPs from various Opposition parties have already begun protesting inside Parliament premises, drawing attention to various causes.
With Opposition parties slamming the central government over atrocities being committed on Dalits, Union minister Ananth Kumar has said the government is "committed" towards protecting the rights of Dalits. "Whenever Congress is in power, they are responsible for inciting people and spreading violence," Ananth Kumar said.
Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon within six minutes of starting proceedings, with Tamil Nadu MPs launching their demand the formation of a Cauvery Management Board.
Congress MPs from Punjab have climbed on to the roof of Parliament
When Lok Sabha reconvenes at noon, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to address the House. Rajnath is expected to talk about the violence that singed large parts of the country of Monday.
As Opposition MPs kept up noisy protests, Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses Lok Sabha over violence that singed large parts of the country on Monday. "The government has not diluted the provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act. In fact, we have strengthened the act. We have introduced provisions for the protection of victims, who are already suffered enough. Moreover, if officials are found lacking in their response to a complaint filed by anybody, we want action initiated against them as well," Rajnath Singh said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to address Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but noisy protests kept her from speaking. She was responding to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's speech earlier in the day. Faced with unrelenting Opposition protests, Mahajan adjourned Lok Sabha for the day.
Within minutes of proceedings beginning, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm after MPs raised slogans of 'We want justice, we want Cauvery board'
Amid loud protests, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien adjourned the Rajya Sabha for 30 minutes, after having pleaded with protesting MPs to go back to their seats.
New members who took oath on Wednesday, have not been given division: Anand Sharma
Announcing the decision, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said it has been decided that the NDA MPs would be giving up their salary and other allowances for 23 days "for which parliament was not allowed to function by the Congress".
BJP and NDA party MPs announced on Wednesday night that they will take a pay cut for the 23 days wasted in the second phase of the Budget Session as they accused the Congress party of playing negative politics.
Congress issues three-line whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to be present in Upper House, reports ANI
Over a dozen Opposition parties had appealed to Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday for holding discussion on key matters like the SC/ST Act, PNB bank fraud, CBSE paper leak and Cauvery issue. Opposition leaders, including from the Congress, BSP, SP, DMK, NCP, TMC and the Left parties, had met in Parliament to discuss the lack of debate.
Leaders of several Opposition parties are holding a demonstration inside the Parliament premises over various issues.
Congress had said on Wednesday that it would not mind if Parliament session was extended by a day or two, but a debate on key issues should take place. "We want to hold discussions on key issues of national importance and we also want to pass legislation. The government should take the lead in doing so. We are not averse even if the session is extended by a day or two," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had told reporters.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi have joined the Opposition protest in New Delhi against the Centre.
Asserting that he attended the House proceedings daily, Subramanian Swamy said that it isn't his fault if the Parliament didn't function. "Anyhow, I'm the president's representative. Until he says so, how can I say I'll not take my salary?" ANI quoted him as saying.
Both the Houses of the Parliament were adjourned within minutes of reconvening on Thursday amid protests by the Opposition parties.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to take up the no-confidence motion as the AIADMK continued protesting in the Lower House.
Kurien went on to read the rules of the Rajya Sabha. "You are all eligible for suspension," he said.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said that he has an alternative to deal with the protests in the Upper House. "As per rule. I will see that a motion is moved to expel all protesting members. Thereby, you will lose all your voting right," he told the protesting MPs.
LS Speaker reminded the MPs that today was the last day of the second leg of the Budget Session, even though the MPs continued shouting.
"This Sabha is for a platform the raise issues for the welfare of the people. I understand that MPs have several issues they want to raise but they should keep in mind that the country has a variety of issues which need to be focused on," said Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
"I make an appeal to all of you to appear here next time to do what we were given to do at the time of Independence," said Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
BJP works for connecting people, Congress works for dividing people. Congress indulges in divisive, negative politics. It didn't let the House function. We'll sit in protest against the negative attitude of Congress during last 23 days: Ananth Kumar,Parliamentary Affairs Minister pic.twitter.com/T710ENwveX
BJP MPs to observe fast on 12 April to protest the impasse in Parliament caused by Congress: Union minister Ananth Kumar | PTI
"Congress has become a marginal party, even in the Parliament," he said. "They don't have their own parliamentary strategy for both the Houses. They don't have parliamentary logic," he added.
"From 5 March to 27 March, why did the Congress not allow business to happen?" said Union minister Ananth Kumar. "On 15 and 16 March, the YSRCP and TDP motions of no-confidence were brought up. Congress brought it up on 27 March? Why did they bring it up so late?" he added.
Latest updates on Parliament's Budget Session
Proceedings start in the Upper House without any audible protests.
Lok Sabha adjourned within 2 minutes. House stands adjourned till 12 noon.
The AIADMK MPs have continued protests in the Parliament premises over the Cauvery issue.
The Opposition MPs held a meeting and will meet the Rajya Sabha chairperson to state that they want the House to function.
The Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress have asked all their MPs to be present in Parliament for a vote on a motion of no-confidence against Narendra Modi's NDA government.
The Parliament on Monday could not transact any business as the Opposition parties continued to stall proceedings over their demands, resulting a wash out of the second part of the budget session for eleven consecutive days.
In Lok Sabha, no-confidence motions tabled by arch rivals Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress against the Modi government were not taken up in the Lok Sabha as the logjam continued amid no signs of thaw between the opposition and the government.
No substantive business could be transacted in last 11 days except for the passage of the Finance Bill, 2018 and relevant appropriation bills in the Lok Sabha.
After the House was adjourned for an hour and when it met again at 12 noon, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan sought to put the notices of the motion for leave of the House so that a discussion could be initiated. At least 50 members should back the motion for it to be admitted. But as has been happening for the last two weeks, AIADMK and the Telangana Rashtriya Samithi members raised slogans and walked to her podium, shouting slogans in support of their demands, creating a din.
The TRS members were demanding the increase in the reservation quota for jobs in Telangana while AIADMK members wanted the setting up of a Cauvery Management Board.
Several opposition parties including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Samajwadi Party, the AIMIM and Rashtriya Janata Dal have expressed their support for the notices.
The Speaker called the members to stand up so that the numbers could be counted to see how many supported it. But with members from the TRS and AIADMK holding placards and surrounding the Speaker's dais, Mahajan said she could not count the members who were standing. "Please go back to your seats. If the House is not in order, I will not bring the notices," she said, before adjourning the House for the day.
Minutes before Mahajan made her comments, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government was ready to face the motion. "We are ready for any discussion... We are also ready for a discussion on the no-confidence motion. I appeal to all political parties to cooperate," he pleaded.
Earlier, the Lower House started with disruptions and was adjourned till noon within a couple of minutes amid noisy protests by AIADMK and TRS members.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters before the House met that the government had the numbers to defeat the motion. "We are ready to face the no-confidence motion as we have support in the House. We are confident."
Telugu Desam Party MP RM Naidu said they were trying to gather as much support as possible from all the opposition parties in Parliament knowing fully that the motion would fall because the government has enough numbers.
At present, the Lok Sabha has 539 members. The BJP has 273 more than the half-way mark of 270. It also has the support of several allies like the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal. But the Shiv Sena has said it would abstain. "We will support neither the government nor the Opposition," said party MP Arvind Sawant.
Meanwhile, TDP MPs protested in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament, demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh. They were joined by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury.
Scenes were no different in Rajya Sabha and amid the din the House was adjourned for the day within minutes after protests by TDP members. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House as opposition members trooped near his podium immediately after tabling of papers.
Objected to the display of placards in the House he said the chair was willing to allow the discussion but members are not allowing the House to run. "How long the disruptions will continue," he said before adjourning the House.
The first two weeks of the last phase of the Budget session have been virtually washed out due to protests by several parties on different issues. The government has, however, managed to get some key bills and the budget passed amid the din through a voice vote without a debate.
The protests have been over wide ranging issues, including the Punjab National Bank fraud, special category status for Andhra Pradesh and constitution of Cauvery management board to solve water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Another day passed by with little legislative business being conducted in Parliament as parties from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh continued their protests.
Another day passed with little legislative business being conducted in either House of Parliament on Tuesday, as parties from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh continued their protests.
The Rajya Sabha was first adjourned for the day after parties from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh disrupted proceedings over their state-specific demands. The protesting MPs from the AIADMK, DMK and TDP entered the Well soon after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement on the 39 missing Indians in Iraq and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad made brief remarks.
The TDP and TRS members were shouting slogans for special status for Andhra Pradesh, while Tamil Nadu parties DMK and AIADMK raised the Cauvery water issue.
Swaraj informed the House that all 39 Indians, who were abducted by Islamic State in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies have been recovered. As many as 40 Indians were originally abducted by terrorist organisation Islamic State in June 2015 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said. The other 39 Indians were taken to Badoosh and killed.
Amid the protest, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government was ready to discuss all issues. Goel said the Narendra Modi-led government has done good work and is "not afraid of anything", amid thumping of benches by BJP members.
In an effort to bring order in the House, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said that he has been stressing from day one that all important issues, including the banking scam and the Cauvery issue, should be debated. As protesting members kept standing in the Well, Naidu adjourned the House for the day.
The Lok Sabha then followed suit as members created a din to prevent Swaraj from making her statement.
As the protests continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan repeatedly asked the House for decorum. When the noise refused to die down, she said that notices of no-confidence motion cannot be taken up as the House was not in order. She then adjourned the House for the day.
On Monday as well, Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day without transacting any business after parties from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh disrupted proceedings.
With inputs from PTI
Congress president Rahul Gandhi brought in the Mahabharat analogy again at a Mangaluru rally comparing BJP to Kauravas lusting for power while Congress seeks out the truth.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi brought in the Mahabharat analogy again at a Mangaluru rally as he compared BJP to Kauravas lusting for power. Earlier on Sunday during the 84th plenary session of Congress, Rahul invoked the epic Mahabharata in his address to thousands of Congress workers.
Following a roadshow on the streets of Mangaluru, the Gandhi scion accompanied by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah reached the rally venue where he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on note ban, Rafale deal, alleged corruption and farmers' crisis. On note ban, Rahul said,"During demonetisation, prime minister Modi helped his industrialist friends to turn their black money into white when the common people had to stand in queues to exchange their hard-earned money." He also said that unlike BJP, Congress party has taken banks to every village.
Mentioning the Rafale deal, Rahul said, "Rafale deal was taken away from a public sector enterprise in Bengaluru and given to Modi's friend. This stole the jobs from Bengaluru youth. This is called corruption."
Reiterating his scathing attack on BJP president Amit Shah, he went on to say that today BJP's president is accused of murder and the whole country knows this. These things are expected from a party like BJP, whereas the people hold the Congress party at a high standard.
The Congress leader also accused the prime minister of favouring big businesses by waiving their loans while ignoring farmers.
Promising voters that they would waive off all farm loans if they come to power in 2019 general elections, Rahul said, "Modi waives loans of rich corporates, we will do it for our farmers as it is their right." Later, he visited the Rosario Church and Sri Gokarnanatheshwara temple in Mangaluru .
Earlier, Rahul had said that Modi is "insulting" the common man by claiming credit for India's progress, as he embarked on this third visit of poll-bound Karnataka.
Rahul accused the BJP of dividing people despite its talk of dharma.
"Wherever Narendra Modi goes, he says 'nothing has happened in the last 70 years'. He is insulting your parents, poor farmers, labourers, small businessmen of India.
"If this country stands as equal to other countries of the world today, it has not happened in two years. It has taken years of time, sweat and blood of common people. Modi should stop insulting the common man," he told a rally at Padubidre in coastal Udupi district.
No single person can take a country forward, he noted.
Rahul spoke about social reformers to attack the BJP, which he accused of dividing people.
"BJP people talk about dharma, but wherever they go, they divide people by pitting one against the other. On one hand they praise Basavanna and Narayana Guru (social reformers), and on the other hand every day they indulge in things that these two great people fought against," he said.
Rahul, who visited the northern parts of the state during the previous two rounds, in now on a two-day trip of south coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions.
Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, which have a strong BJP presence, and Hassan, the home district of former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda, are on his itinerary.
Noting that five major banks originated in Udupi district, Rahul said the Congress party's idea behind that was to take banks to the people, and blamed the Modi government for mounting Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in public sector banks.
"We took banks to villages. But if you see today, there are NPAs worth lakhs of crore of rupees of rich people.
"About 10-15 rich persons of India have taken away your Rs 8 lakh crore. In the last few years, BJP has waived Rs 2.5 lakh crore loans taken by 15 rich people... but when a farmer asks for loan waiver Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley say it is not our policy," he added.
Repeatedly invoking social reformers Narayana Guru and Basavanna, Rahul said the two preached "we are all one".
"Modi speaks about Basavanna and Narayana Guru. I want to ask him a question. You speak about Basavanna and Narayana Guru, then why do you differentiate between rich and poor?" he said.
Rahul, who has been visiting religious places during his election tours recently, will pay obeisance at Ullal Dargah, Sringeri Sharadamba Temple and also Sringeri Mutt. He will also meet the Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Mutt.
The Assembly elections in the state are likely in April-May this year.
With inputs from PTI
The Left and the TMC accused the government of 'orchestrating a din' in the Lok Sabha to stop discussions on the no-confidence motion.
New Delhi: Refuting allegations of disrupting the House, the Left and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday accused the government of "orchestrating a din" in the Lok Sabha to stop discussions on the no-confidence motion.
The Left and the TMC, who are supporting the no-confidence motion brought in by the YSR Congress and the TDP, on Tuesday held the ruling BJP responsible for not letting the House run properly.
"The rules can not be selectively implied. If the House is not in order, whose responsibility is it? Din is been orchestrated by the government. Whenever the government wants, they go silent," CPM leader Mohammad Salim said.
The TMC accused the government of putting up lame excuses for not holding discussions on the no-confidence motion.
"The Speaker is duty-bound to take up the no-confidence motion, whether the House is in order or not. There is no rule saying that motion can not be taken up if the House is not in order," TMC leader Derek O'Brien told reporters.
The TMC also attacked the parliamentary affairs minister for not been able to bring the House to order.
"We have not received a single phone call from him or the ruling party. There is no serious attempt to reach out to the Opposition. It is his responsibility to run the House," O' Brien said.
In their morning meeting on Tuesday, all Opposition parties had decided to work out a floor coordination to put pressure on the government to take up the no-confidence motion in the House.
tech2 News Staff
An 18-year-old girl, a resident of Kheriakani village in Odisha was killed when her smartphone exploded while she was talking on the phone.
According to a DailyMail report, Uma Oram, the deceased was simultaneously charging her phone and using it to talk. The report states that the smartphone that exploded was the Nokia 5233 that released in 2010. Meanwhile, the victim received injuries on her chest, hand, and legs. She fell unconscious and was declared dead in the hospital.
According to her brother, Durga Oram Prasad, she was talking to her relative. When the phone's battery was drained, she plugged the phone to charge and continued speaking on the phone. Following this, the explosion occurred.
The reason for the explosion is yet to be confirmed. It is unclear if the user was using a standard battery and Nokia charger to charge the device, the reasons that usually contribute to such cases.
Reportedly, the Nokia spokesperson expressed condolences for the death. However, he said that the phone was not an HMD Global product which is the current manufacturer of Nokia smartphones.
Nokia has joined the infamous league of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, Lenovo K4 Note, and Samsung Galaxy Note 7 that have exploded in the past due to various reasons. As previously reported, Redmi Note 4 caught fire in Andhra Pradesh where the users sustained injuries near his thighs.
PTI
While social media has been linked to a negative impact on children, most parents believe that it also helps them keep track of their teens, a US poll has found.
"The teen stage brings new challenges for parents as they often must balance their child's desire for more freedom and independence with supervision. Its not an easy balancing act," said Sarah Clark from University of Michigan in the US.
The CS Mott Childrens Hospital National Poll found that nearly all parents of teens aged nine to twelve years agree that social media makes it easier for kids to get in trouble.
However, 61 percent also felt that social media helps parents keep track of teens.
The survey found that 55 percent of parents read their teens texts or social media pages to learn more information if their teen was invited to a boy-girl party at the home of an unfamiliar family.
It also found that 39 percent parents track their teens location on their cell phone during the party.
Mothers were more likely than fathers to say they would use technology to monitor their teens.
"Social media has opened another door of questions about what parents should be keeping tabs on," said Clark, co-director of the poll.
"Establishing family rules around the use of social media, and discussing the reasons for those rules, is an important part of parenting teens," Clark said.
The majority of parents still wanted to learn more about what their kids were up to the traditional way, with 91 percent saying they would talk with a classmates parents when dropping their teen at a party if they did not know the family.
Seventy-six percent would call ahead to make sure the classmates parents would be supervising the party, researchers said.
About one in four parents in the survey were very concerned about their teens experimenting with sexual activity, marijuana or other drugs, beer or liquor, and guns or other weapons.
Parents reported greater concern about tween boys experimenting with guns, but otherwise had similar levels of concern for their tween boys and girls.
Many polled acknowledged the push and pull between allowing children reasonable space while still monitoring their activities.
Two-thirds of parents agreed that teens need some freedom to make mistakes.
Reuters
Cambridge Analytica, the UK political consultancy at the centre of Facebooks election manipulation scandal, ran the campaigns of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2013 and 2017 Kenyan elections, according to video secretly recorded and broadcast by Britains Channel 4 News on Monday.
The company denied all allegations made by Channel 4 News regarding its business practices. The news channel said it mounted a sting operation in which it said had secretly recorded top Cambridge Analytica executives saying they could use bribes, former spies and Ukrainian sex workers to entrap politicians around the world.
The New York Times and the British Observer newspaper reported on Saturday that Cambridge Analytica had acquired private data harvested from more than 50 million Facebook users to support Donald Trumps 2016 presidential election campaign.
Mark Turnbull, a managing director for Cambridge Analytica and sister company SCL Elections, told Channel 4s undercover investigative reporting team that his firm secretly stage-managed Kenyattas hotly contested campaigns to run the East African nation.
We have rebranded the entire party twice, written the manifesto, done research, analysis, messaging. I think we wrote all the speeches and we staged the whole thing - so just about every element of this candidate, Turnbull said of his firms work for Kenyattas political party, known as the National Alliance until 2016, and subsequently as the Jubilee Party.
Kenyatta came to power in 2013 and won a second and final term last August, defeating opposition leader Raila Odinga by 1.4 million votes. The Supreme Court nullified the vote citing procedural irregularities and ordered a second election.
Last September, former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called the second election a project of Cambridge Analytica. The Jubilee Party has not commented.
Odinga did not contest the repeat vote on Oct. 26, saying it would be unfair because the election commission had failed to implement reforms and Kenyatta won with 98 percent of the vote.
At a prior meeting, Turnbull told the reporters: Our job is to really drop the bucket further down the well than anybody else to understand what are these really deep-seated fears, concerns. It is no good fighting an election campaign on the facts, because actually it is all about.
A 3D-printed Facebook dislike button is seen in front the Facebook logo, in this illustration taken October 25, 2017. Reuters
Cambridge Analytica officials were recorded saying they have used a web of shell companies to disguise their activities in elections in Mexico, Malaysia and Brazil, among various countries where they have worked to sway election outcomes.
Chief Executive Alexander Nix is recorded boasting: We are not only the largest and most significant political consultancy in the world but we have the most established track record. We need to operate through different vehicles, in the shadows.
I look forward to building a very long-term and secretive relationship with you, he tells the reporters.
Cambridge Analytica denied all allegations made by Channel 4 News regarding its business practices. The company said in statement it was humouring the undercover reporters and trying to gauge their motives by actively encouraging them, to tease out any unethical or illegal intentions.
Channel 4 noted that their last meeting with Cambridge Analytica had taken place in January at a London hotel and that company employee had continued to email them seeking to strike a deal to work on a Sri Lankan campaign up until recently.
Cambridge Analytica acknowledged in a statement that, its CEO had misjudged the situation. Nix said: I must emphatically state that Cambridge Analytica does not condone or engage in entrapment, bribes or so-called honeytraps, and nor does it use untrue material for any purpose.
IANS
NASA is targeting April 16 for the launch of its next planet-hunting spacecraft on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Prior to the launch of the mission, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the US space agency on Tuesday said it would reveal more about the mission at a media event on March 28.
TESS is expected to find thousands of planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, orbiting the nearest and brightest stars in our cosmic neighbourhood.
The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. TESS will survey 200,000 of the brightest stars near the sun to search for transiting exoplanets.
According to a NASA overview of the mission, TESS scientists expect the mission will catalogue more than 2,000 planet candidates and vastly increase the current number of known exoplanets.
Of these, approximately 300 are expected to be Earth-sized and super Earth-sized exoplanets, which are worlds no larger than twice the size of Earth. Powerful telescopes like NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope can then further study these exoplanets to search for important characteristics, like their atmospheric composition and whether they could support life.
Stormy Daniels passed a 2011 polygraph test in which she said she had unprotected sex with President Donald Trump, Wall Street Journal is reporting.
The Trump White House is toiling hard to block all avenues for porn star Stormy Daniels from talking on the top rated CBS 60 minutes show Sunday, March 25 as news came in that Daniels passed a lie detector test in 2011 about her alleged affair with Trump. Michael Avenatti, lawyer for Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has tweeted a picture of himself, Clifford and CBS interviewer Anderson Cooper in preparation for Sunday prime time. There's still no official date for the CBS 60 minutes with Stormy even as a Playboy model Karen McDougal is suing today to break her silence on Trump. Legal experts on TV are saying this case imperils Trump in a far greater way than Stormy's. Reason is that McDougal claims that she was hoping to write and share her story and was misled by Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen into silence. So, why is Micheal Cohen involved in hush agreements with so many women who are gunning for Trump and why is Trump scared are among the top talking points across panels Tuesday.
Stormy Daniels launches fundraiser to cover legal costs to break confidentiality agreement https://t.co/SsusAhgoIE Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 14, 2018
NEW: In 2011, Stormy Daniels told a polygraph examiner that she had unprotected sex with Donald Trump in 2006. The exam concluded she was being truthful, according to copy of report obtained by @NBCNews on Tuesday. https://t.co/lRaabJ1C8e pic.twitter.com/8plef08qeP NBC News (@NBCNews) March 20, 2018
Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, stars in and directs pornographic films. She is suing Donald Trump to dissolve a hush agreement, which she signed on October 28, 2016, about an affair she says she had with him in 2006, shortly after Trump's wife gave birth to their son Barron. Trump's legal challenges mount as a Wall Street Journal report out Tuesday says Daniels passed a lie detector test in 2011.
If youre following the Stormy on CBS story, heres all the latest:
Stormy passed lie detector test, reports WSJ
Stormy Daniels passed a 2011 polygraph test in which she said she had unprotected sex with President Donald Trump, Wall Street Journal is reporting. "Daniels answered "yes" when asked whether she had sex with Trump, and her answer was deemed "truthful" by the investigator conducting the test. She also said her encounter with Trump had been unprotected, an answer that was also deemed "truthful."", reports Business Insider
Might Trump stop the Stormy interview from airing?
CBS News President Rhodes, in remarks reported by Variety magazine, said he could not "imagine" on what basis Trump's team may take legal action against the network for the Stormy interview. BuzzFeed has reported that Trump's lawyers were thinking of an injunction to stop the airing. Expect Trump's massive phalanx of lawyers to throw everything they've got at stopping the Stormy talkfest until the 11th hour.
Court date set for July 12
Porn star Stormy Daniels will go to court on July 12 in a bid to dissolve an agreement stopping her discussing an affair she says she had with President Donald Trump, according to court papers published Wednesday. Lawyer Michael Avenatti filed a lawsuit on behalf of Daniels last week seeking to toss out the confidential settlement she signed just days before the November 2016 election. The lawsuit alleges that Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, began an "intimate relationship" with Trump in the summer of 2006 that continued well into 2007.
Trump lawyer says Stormy liable for $20 million
Donald Trump's lawyer claims porn actress Stormy Daniels is liable for at least $20 million for violating a nondisclosure agreement she says prevents her from discussing an affair with the president, according to a court filing. A lawyer for Michael Cohen's Essential Consultants limited liability company - which paid Daniels $130,000 under the agreement - made the filing, and said that Daniels violated the deal "at least" 20 times.
US president Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order making it illegal for Americans to purchase any cryptocurrency issued by Venezuela.
Washington: US president Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order making it illegal for Americans to purchase any cryptocurrency issued by Venezuela.
The order prohibits US entities from engaging in any financial transactions involving the Venezuelan state digital currency, the Petro, on or after 9 January 2018, and builds upon the one that the President signed in August 2017, a senior administration official said, after Trump signed the executive order.
Specifically, this executive order prohibits transactions and dealings in the Petro and Petro gold, as well as any similar future efforts by the Maduro regime to issue a digital currency, digital coin, or digital token by US persons or within the US.
The Petro is a desperate effort by a corrupt regime to defraud international investors, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"At face value, the Petro is a scam ripe for exploitation by corrupt regime insiders seeking to defraud international investors and ordinary Venezuelans. Investing in the Petro should be viewed as directly supporting this dictatorship and its attempts to undermine democratic order in Venezuela," the official alleged.
Instead of launching or attempting to launch the Petro, the Maduro regime should reverse the crisis that it has caused and take concrete steps to alleviate the unnecessary human suffering in its country, the official said.
The Maduro dictatorship continues to defraud the Venezuelan people of food and medicine, imprison the democratically elected opposition, and violently suppress freedom of speech. They've also exacerbated a humanitarian situation that has become the worst in the Western Hemisphere," the official added.
Concurrently, the Treasury Department announced individual targeted sanctions against four Venezuelan government officials involved in corruption and economic mismanagement.
These individuals include a Venezuelan state bank director, who allegedly took payments from Odebrecht in 2013; the head of the agency responsible for imposing price controls in Venezuela; the head of the Office of National Treasury; and the former president of the board of directors on the Venezuelan Social Security.
According to the official, the president has made very clear that all options are still on the table, in terms of US actions regarding Venezuela.
"We are continuing to research and look into the issue of oil sanctions, whether as a monolithic entity or in very specific, surgical applications," the official said.
Senator Marco Rubio welcomed the move.
This move against corrupt officials in the Maduro regime targets their ability to use cryptocurrencies to circumvent US and international sanctions," Rubio said.
I commend the president and his administration for continuing to take action against efforts by the illegitimate Maduro regime to exploit illicit financial lifelines, and encourage additional sanctions in the weeks to come," he said.
India has called this meeting to explore options to reinvigorate the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
New Delhi: Delegates from as many as 52 countries, including the US and China, are participating in the informal meeting of the WTO being held here today amid increasing protectionism in global trade. India has called this meeting to explore options to reinvigorate the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Welcoming the participants, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu hoped that the meeting will provide opportunity to the participating countries to engage in free and frank discussions. The ministry said in a statement that delegations from 52 countries including WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo are participating in the discussions. Ministers and Vice Ministers from 27 countries are part of the delegations.
"All heads of delegations appreciated the Commerce Minister's initiative in calling this meeting and providing political guidance for the work in the WTO," it added. Informal discussions will continue through out the day and the delegates will explore in detail the option for reinvigorating the WTO.
Expressing concerns over increasing protectionism, Azevedo has said: "There was the announcement by the US of new tariffs on steel and aluminium. In response, we also heard announcements of other potential trade restrictive actions by numerous other economies. This is of real concern. The risk of escalation is clear." He said that instead of escalating tensions, the WTO member countries need to find ways to resolve issues hampering global trade constructively.
The meeting assumes significance as the global trade appears fragile with certain developed countries threatening to retaliate the duty hike on steel and aluminium products by the Trump administration.
An envoy says Maldives will not extend the state of emergency that is due to expire on Wednesday amid criticism of the government over the recent political turmoil
Colombo and Male: An envoy says Maldives will not extend the State of Emergency that is due to expire on Wednesday amid criticism of the government over the recent political turmoil.
Mohamed Hussain Shareef, ambassador to neighboring Sri Lanka, said the government "has no intention of extending" the emergency when its 30-day period expires, "barring very unusual circumstances such as widespread violence."
Maldives declared an emergency in February due to turmoil following a Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of several of the president's jailed political opponents. Under the emergency law, President Yameen Abdul Gayoom had two Supreme Court judges arrested for alleged corruption and the remaining three judges annulled the order to release Yameen's opponents.
The emergency regulations gave Maldives' security forces sweeping powers, including to make arrests and search and seize property.
Later, the Maldives' parliament approved a 30-day extension of the State of Emergency, ignoring a plea from India not to extend it.
The opposition had criticised the move saying that the emergency extension was illegal because there was no constitutionally required quorum in Parliament. According to the constitution, one fourth of the members are required for an ordinary vote to be taken and at least half the number of the members should be present in affairs "requiring compliance by the citizens." The constitution does not specify such instances.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was being held in police custody for questioning by magistrates looking into allegations of Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign, an official in the French judiciary said
Paris: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was being held in police custody on Tuesday for questioning by magistrates looking into allegations of Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign, an official in the French judiciary said.
A lawyer for Sarkozy could not be reached immediately for comment.
France opened a judicial inquiry in 2013 into allegations that Sarkozys successful 2007 election bid benefited from illicit funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
A former minister and close ally of Sarkozy, Brice Hortefeux, was also being questioned by police on Tuesday morning in relation to the Libya investigation, another source close to the probe said.
Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has always denied receiving any illicit campaign funding and has dismissed the Libyan allegations as grotesque.
In January a French businessman suspected by investigators of funnelling money from Gaddafi to finance Sarkozys campaign was arrested in Britain and granted bail after he appeared in a London court.
Sarkozy has already been ordered to stand trial in a separate matter concerning the financing of his failed re-election campaign in 2012 when he was defeated by Francois Hollande.
Vladimir Putin on Monday said he would address disputes with the West after an election that saw him return to the Kremlin with a record vote share, as Moscow faces increasing isolation
Moscow: Vladimir Putin on Monday said he would address disputes with the West after an election that saw him return to the Kremlin with a record vote share, as Moscow faces increasing isolation.
International leaders were slow to congratulate the Russian president after a Sunday election that saw him take almost 77 percent of the vote, as monitors reported ballot stuffing and other alleged cases of fraud.
The poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain along with fresh sanctions from Washington over allegations of meddling in the US 2016 election have isolated Moscow to an extent not seen since the Cold War.
The president, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, on Monday denied he was driving a new arms race with Washington after he unveiled a range of "invincible" nuclear weapons this month.
"From our side, we will do all we can so that the disputes with our (international) partners be resolved by political and diplomatic means," he said during a meeting with the seven other candidates he resoundingly defeated on Sunday.
"It goes without saying that not everything depends on us as with love, both sides have to be involved, otherwise there can be no love at all," he said.
Putin said he would focus on "increasing the well-being of the residents of this country" through investments in healthcare, education and infrastructure during his next term.
Carrot and stick
With Putin's most vocal opponent Alexei Navalny barred from running for legal reasons, the outcome of the weekend election was never in doubt, and most of the suspense lay in how many people would turn out to vote.
The Kremlin pushed for high participation to give greater legitimacy to a fourth term for Putin, who is already Russia's longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin.
But Navalny called on supporters to boycott the vote and sent out more than 30,000 monitors to voting stations.
Navalny's movement and the non-governmental election monitor Golos reported ballot stuffing, repeat voting and Putin supporters being bussed into polling stations en masse.
Fewer irregularities were reported than in previous years, however. An OSCE observer mission said that although the election was marred by a lack of "genuine competition", it was generally well conducted.
Authorities used both the carrot and the stick to boost engagement in the polls.
Selfie competitions, giveaways, food festivals and children's entertainers were laid on at polling stations to entice voters.
But employees at state and private companies, as well as students, said they had come under other pressure to vote.
'Modernising Russia'
Analysts said Putin used tensions with the West to rally support and suggested that armed with a strong new mandate, he could push through further punitive measures against dissenters.
Putin's campaign spokesman Andrei Kondrashov said that turnout, which was above 67 percent, was eight to 10 percentage points higher than expected. He claimed that was "thanks to Britain."
London this month implicated Putin in the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in England with a Soviet-designed nerve agent.
Most of the voters AFP spoke to said they had backed Putin despite Russia's problems of poverty and poor healthcare, praising his foreign policies.
Muted Western reactions
Western leaders were slow to publicly acknowledge Putin's landslide win.
German chancellor Angela Merkel "warmly congratulated" Putin while stressing in a message she wrote the need to continue dialogue "to address important bilateral and international challenges and find viable solutions."
French president Emmanuel Macron wished Vladimir Putin success in "modernising Russia" after his re-election, but urged Moscow to shed light on the "unacceptable" attempted assassination of an ex-spy in Britain.
Macron also expressed concern over the war in Syria, in which Moscow plays a key role as the regime's closest ally, in a carefully-worded statement that steered clear of congratulating Putin directly.
Citing a report by independent observers, Britain's Foreign Office on Tuesday noted "restrictions on fundamental freedoms... resulted in a lack of genuine competition in the election".
And 24 hours after the election, there has been no public comment from US president Donald Trump.
Japanese prime minister Shinzo called Putin to congratulate him on his victory as did Chinese president Xi Jinping, who has just gained a path to indefinite rule.
Grim mood
Among liberal Russians the mood was grim.
"Have you been thinking about emigrating for a long time? This really is the ideal moment," remarked Stanislav Kucher, a journalist for Kommersant FM radio.
Putin polled well ahead of his nearest rival Pavel Grudinin, the Communist Party candidate, who described the elections as "dishonest".
With 99.84 percent of ballots counted, Grudinin had secured 11.8 percent.
Ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky took 5.66 percent, former reality TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak was on 1.67 percent, while veteran liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky received just over one percent of the vote.
Al-Waleed bin Talal says all is forgiven after his three-month detention in an anti-corruption crackdown.
Riyadh: Billionaire Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal says all is forgiven after his three-month detention in an anti-corruption crackdown, dismissing speculation he had forfeited control of his assets in exchange for his freedom.
The prince, dubbed the Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia, was released from the now-notorious Ritz-Carlton hotel in early January after an undisclosed financial agreement with the government.
"I am not a person who is going to say I forgive but I don't forget. I say I forgive and I forget at the same time," Prince Al-Waleed said in an interview with Bloomberg News published on Tuesday.
"It's business as usual. We are going to continue investing in Saudi Arabia. I was born in Saudi Arabia, I will die in Saudi Arabia."
The prince refused to divulge the terms of his release, which he described as a "confidential and secret agreement".
The agreement had, however, left him free to function normally with "zero guilt" and "zero conditions," he said.
Al-Waleed was the most high-profile detainee among 350 suspects rounded up since 4 November, including business tycoons and ministers, who were held in Riyadh's luxury Ritz-Carlton.
The prolonged detention of Prince Al-Waleed, ranked among the richest men in the world, had sent shock waves across a host of companies that count him as a major investor.
A Saudi official told AFP that the prince's release came after a monetary settlement similar to deals that authorities struck with most other detainees in exchange for their freedom.
He revealed no figures.
Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb, however, has said that $107 billion has been recovered in the crackdown in various forms of assets handed over that included property, securities and cash.
Al-Waleed also denied reports he had been tortured or subject to mistreatment behind bars.
"I was never tortured," he said.
"Actually, I was given the best service. Doctors used to come twice a day. We had the best service, best food, best everything."
The prince asserted that he was firmly in control of his Riyadh-listed Kingdom Holding company and was working with advisers, including Goldman Sachs, to find investments as large as $3 billion.
"Some people in business community will be doubtful, will say: 'Whats going on?'
"However, I assure them that everything is normal and we are functioning as we were before and we welcome them to come here to see what were doing in Saudi Arabia and life is back to normal."
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 32-year-old son of the king, is behind the unprecedented crackdown on corruption among members of the government and royal family, as he consolidates his grip on power.
Some critics have labelled Prince Mohammed's campaign a shakedown and power grab, but authorities insist the purge targeted endemic corruption as the country prepares for a post-oil era.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas labelled the US ambassador to Israel David Friedman a 'son of a dog' during an attack on Donald Trump's policies
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas labelled the US ambassador to Israel David Friedman a "son of a dog" on Monday during an attack on Donald Trump's policies.
The scathing comments come with US president Trump still expected to launch a plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians despite Abbas boycotting his administration over his controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
"The US ambassador in Tel Aviv is a settler and a son of a dog," Abbas said in comments to Palestinian leaders in Ramallah.
The White House later Monday slammed Abbas's "insults", saying he must choose between hate and peace.
"The time has come for president Abbas to choose between hateful rhetoric and concrete and practical efforts to improve the quality of life of his people and lead them to peace and prosperity," top Trump aide Jason Greenblatt said in a terse statement
Relations between Abbas's government and Trump's administration have broken down since the White House recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December.
The Palestinians also see the disputed city as the capital of their future state and have refused to meet with Trump's envoys since.
Friedman, who was Trump's personal lawyer before being appointed last year, is a longstanding supporter of settlement building in the occupied West Bank, considered illegal under international law.
In response to Abbas, Friedman, who is Jewish, told a conference that Abbas's comments could have anti-Semitic connotations.
"His response was to refer to me as the son of a dog. Is that anti-Semitism or political discourse? I leave that up to you," he said, according to a US embassy spokeswoman.
Abbas's comments appeared to be in response to a tweet by Friedman earlier on Monday.
In it he referred to an attack in the West Bank as "in the north", raising questions over whether he views it as part of Israeli territory, and accused Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA) of failing to condemn it.
"Such brutality and no condemnation from the PA!" he tweeted, referring to a Friday car ramming that killed two soldiers and a Sunday stabbing in Jerusalem that left an Israeli dead, both carried out by Palestinians.
Tragedy in Israel. 2 young soldiers, Netanel Kahalani and Ziv Daos, murdered in the North, and father of 4, Adiel Kolman, murdered in Jerusalem, by Palestinian terrorists. Such brutality and no condemnation from the PA! I pray for the families and the wounded so much sadness. David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) March 19, 2018
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later denounced Abbas's remarks on Twitter. "For the first time in decades, the US administration has stopped pampering Palestinian leaders and tells them 'that's enough'. Apparently, the shock of the truth has caused them to lose their mind," he said.
Abu Mazen's verbal attack on U.S. Ambassador David Friedman says it all. For the first time in decades, the U.S. administration has stopped spoiling the Palestinian leaders and tells them: enough is enough. Apparently the shock of the truth has caused them to lose it. Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 19, 2018
Israel has militarily occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem since 1967.
Abbas's government has limited autonomy in parts of the West Bank, while the Jewish state annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.
All countries currently have their embassies in Tel Aviv and view the future status of Jerusalem as a matter to be negotiated between the parties.
But in December Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and in May Friedman will become the first US ambassador in the city as the embassy is moved.
Bomb attack
Separately during the speech, Abbas accused rival Palestinian faction Hamas of a bomb attack targeting his prime minister Rami Hamdallah last week and threatened fresh sanctions against the Islamist movement.
Abbas had previously said Hamas was responsible as it controls security in the Palestinian enclave, but Monday evening said it was "behind the attack".
Hamdallah was uninjured in last Tuesday's attack, which saw a roadside bomb explode as his convoy entered Gaza in what Palestinian officials have called an assassination attempt.
Six of his security guards were lightly hurt.
In the speech to Palestinian leaders in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Abbas said if the attack had succeeded it would have "opened the way for a bloody civil war".
Hamas condemned what it called Abbas's "provocative positions," saying its security services were still investigating the explosion.
The Islamists and Abbas's secular party Fatah have been at odds since 2007 when Hamas seized control of Gaza in a near civil war.
Abbas controls the internationally recognised Palestinian government, based in the occupied West Bank which Hamdallah leads.
Abbas has previously taken a series of measures, including reducing electricity payments for Gaza's two million residents, in what analysts said was an attempt to punish Hamas.
Hamas and Fatah agreed on a reconciliation agreement in October but it has collapsed.
The White House stopped short of congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, saying his re-election victory was no surprise and that there was no congratulatory phone call scheduled with President Donald Trump
The White House stopped short of congratulating Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday, saying his reelection victory was "no surprise". But it added that there was no congratulatory phone call scheduled between Putin and US president Donald Trump.
Spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters on Air Force One, which was carrying Trump to New Hampshire, that the US will work with Russia wherever it can.
"We will work to cultivate the relationship with Russia and we will impose costs when Russia threatens our interests, but we will also look for places to work together when it serves our interests," Gidley was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"We're not surprised by the outcome," he said of the Russian election, according to Reuters.
Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, had congratulated Putin after he cruised to victory in Russia's presidential election, giving him at least another six years in power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Putin to congratulate him. "Conveying his compliments on Putin's success, the prime minister expressed the hope that under Putin's leadership, the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia will continue to grow from strength to strength," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.
Chinese president Xi Jinping congratulated his Russian counterpart on his reelection, saying Beijing was willing to work with Moscow to take ties to a "higher level". "Currently, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is at the best level in history, which sets an example for building a new type of international relations," Xi had said in a congratulatory message to Putin.
With inputs from agencies
The United States and South Korea announced that their annual joint military drills would go ahead in April, with no significant downsize in scale
Seoul: The United States and South Korea announced on Tuesday that their annual joint military drills would go ahead in April, with no significant downsize in scale despite an ongoing diplomatic thaw with North Korea.
The large-scale exercises involving tens of thousands of ground troops are a perennial source of tension between the two Koreas, with Pyongyang condemning them as provocative rehearsals for an invasion of the North.
With talks under way to set up a North-South summit, followed by a proposed face-to-face meet between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, there was speculation that this year's drills might be scaled back to avoid derailing the discussions.
They had already been delayed to avoid clashing with the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South in February.
But Washington and Seoul said the exercises would kick off on 1 April and be "similar" in size to those of previous years.
"Our combined exercises are defence-oriented and there is no reason for North Korea to view them as a provocation," the Pentagon said in a statement, adding that Pyongyang had been informed in advance of the dates and nature of the drills.
According to a senior South Korean envoy who made a rare visit to Pyongyang earlier this month, Kim had made it clear he "understands" the need for the drills to go ahead.
Such an acknowledgement is in stark contrast to the Kim regime's denunciations of the exercises in the past. The North has often responded to the drills with its own military actions, and last year fired four ballistic missiles close to Japan.
"Foal Eagle" is a series of field training exercises with approximately 11,500 US forces taking part, together with 290,000 South Korean troops, while "Key Resolve" is a command post exercise using mainly computer-based simulations.
The United States has close to 30,000 troops permanently stationed in South Korea.
Following an extended period of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, the Winter Olympics provided the catalyst for a sudden and very rapid rapprochement that resulted in the announcements of the planned summits.
Those announcements were made by the South Koreans, who have been orchestrating the diplomatic preparations and acting as the messenger between Washington and Pyongyang.
Trump's administration is pushing ahead with plans for a summit before the end of May, but North Korea has yet to independently confirm it even extended an invitation to leadership talks maintaining a silence that has raised some concerns in Washington and Seoul.
According to the South Korean envoy who met with Kim in Pyongyang, the North Korean leader also offered to consider abandoning his nuclear weapons in exchange for US security guarantees, and flagged a halt to all missile and nuclear tests while dialogue was under way.
China will not cede a 'single inch' of its territory to others and is ready to wage a 'bloody battle' to assume its due place in the world, a belligerent President Xi Jinping, now enjoying a life-long tenure, asserted on Tuesday.
Beijing: China will not cede a "single inch" of its territory to others and is ready to wage a "bloody battle" to assume its due place in the world, a belligerent President Xi Jinping, now enjoying a life-long tenure, asserted on Tuesday.
In a 30-minute fervently nationalistic speech at the close of the National People's Congress, the Communist nation's rubber-stamp Parliament, Xi said "since modern times, rejuvenation of the great Chinese nation has become the biggest dream of our nation".
"The Chinese people and the Chinese nation have a shared conviction which is not a single inch of our land will be and can be ceded from China," Xi said, addressing the closing session of the NPC, the first by a president in recent years.
Though Xi made no mention of any territorial issues, the country has been involved in a number of disputes with some of its neighbours.
Besides the border dispute with India, China claims rights over the disputed islands in East China Sea under the control of Japan and vast stretches of the South China Sea where it is firmly asserting its control.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the strategic South China Sea.
Xi said China has all the capabilities to take its due place in the world.
Every year, Chinese annual parliament season ends with a press conference by the Premier. This is the first-time a president addressed its valedictory session.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who addressed his customary annual press conference also spoke about China's determination not to cede territory.
"China is resolute in upholding its territorial integrity and will not abandon single inch of its own land. China also pursues peaceful development and in the same vein China will not occupy an inch of land of others," he said.
"I want to emphasise China will not seek expansion", Li said.
Xi, 64, last week altered the course of history of China after the NPC besides re-electing him for a second five-year term also ratified a constitutional amendment scrapping the two-term limit paving the way him to remain in power for life.
He has emerged as the most powerful leader after Mao Zedong as he headed the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the military and the presidency.
Seeking to allay fears about absolute power enjoyed by him controlling all levers of power, Xi vowed to continue to serve as a servant of the people.
"The Chinese people has been indomitable and persistent. We are resolved to fight the bloody battle against our enemies and on the basis of independence we are determined to recapture the relics," he said in a nationally televised speech.
"We have strong capabilities of taking our due place in the world. We have fought for that big dream for about 170 years. Today more than ever the Chinese people are close to that dream, ever more confident and capable of realising the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said.
"I am convinced once the 1.3 billion Chinese people carrying on such big dreams we will certainly translate into a reality," he said, drawing loud applause from his audience inside the Great Hall of the People.
"We should safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and achieve full unification of the motherland. This is the aspiration of all the Chinese people,"
Xi said in an apparent reference to Taiwan which Beijing claims as part of it.
In his speech, Xi also delivered a stern message to the separatists, saying "any action that separates the country is doomed to fail. These separatist actions will be met with the condemnation of the people and punishment of the history."
"Chinese people have strong determination, full confidence and every capability to triumph over all the separatist actions," he said.
Besides Taiwan, China brands Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama as "splitist". China is also carrying out extensive crackdown in the Muslim Uygur majority Xinjiang against the separatist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement.
Xi said any actions and tricks to split China are certain to meet with the people's condemnation and the punishment.
He also sought to allay the concerns of the world about rising China as well as his multi-billion dollar pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying that China's development does not pose a threat to any other country.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion. Only those who are accustomed to threatening others see everyone as a threat," he said, taking a dig at the US.
The BRI has special implications for India as the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of it. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
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Microsoft and BlackBerry today announced a strategic partnership with an aim to offer enterprises a solution that will make it easy to integrate BlackBerrys expertise in mobility and security with Microsofts cloud and productivity products.
Both the companies have teamed up to bring a new BlackBerry Enterprise BRIDGE solution which will provide a highly-secure way for their joint customers who includes worlds largest banks, healthcare providers, law firms, and central governments to use native Microsoft mobile apps from within BlackBerry Dynamics seamlessly.
This solution ensures that enterprise users will now have a consistent experience when opening, editing, and saving a Microsoft Office 365 file such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word on any iOS or Android device. It also lets users work anytime, anyplace, with rich file fidelity. On the other hand, corporate IT departments benefit with the added assurance that their companys data and privacy is secured to the highest standards.
The companies also said that BlackBerry Secure platform for connecting people, devices, processes and systems is integrated with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. BlackBerry UEM Cloud, BlackBerry Workspaces, BlackBerry Dynamics, and BlackBerry AtHoc are now available on Azure.
Commenting on the partnership, Carl Wiese, president of Global Sales at BlackBerry said:
BlackBerry has always led the market with new and innovative ways to protect corporate data on mobile devices. We saw a need for a hyper-secure way for our joint customers to use native Office 365 mobile apps. BlackBerry Enterprise BRIDGE addresses this need and is a great example of how BlackBerry and Microsoft continue to securely enable workforces to be highly productive in todays connected world.
Judson Althoff, executive vice president of Worldwide Commercial Business at Microsoft said:
In an era when digital technology is driving rapid transformation, customers are looking for a trusted partner. Our customers choose Microsoft 365 for productivity and collaboration tools that deliver continuous innovation, and do so securely. Together with BlackBerry, we will take this to the next level and provide enterprises with a new standard for secure productivity.
Source 1, 2
John Oliver may have gone too far with his latest viral stunt mocking Mike Pence and a childrens book written and illustrated by his family. The late-night host saw some backlash on social media for going after a book that wasn't written by the vice president himself.
During his latest episode of HBOs Last Week Tonight, the comedian dedicated a 20-minute longform segment to slamming Pence and his views on gay marriage and other LGBTQ rights. He concluded by noting that he had one nice thing to say about the vice president, and that was that he liked the Pence family's pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo.
Pences daughter, Charlotte, released a childrens book about the rabbit titled Marlon Bundos A Day in the Life of the Vice President, showcasing a day in the life of her father from the pets point of view. Pences wife, Karen, did the watercolor illustrations as well. Proceeds from the book will go to A21, a nonprofit dedicated to stopping human trafficking, as well as an art therapy program at Riley Hospital for Children.
Oliver, meanwhile, released a parody book titled Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo. The story features Marlon Bundo meeting a boy bunny and deciding to get married. However, their path is blocked by a stink bug that declares boys have to marry girls. For the audiobook version, celebrities such as Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer and RuPaul stepped in to do some voice acting.
Proceeds from Olivers book go to The Trevor Project, a crisis intervention and suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth, as well as AIDS United. As of Monday, Olivers parody book is number one on Amazons best sellers list, while the Pence family story only reached fifth place.
Despite the mostly positive reviews from people who support Oliver, a few have come forward on social media to denounce the situation.
John Oliver is an a------. VP Pence is a better man than him. Oliver has no morals and is a disgusting human being. Pences wife and daughter are wonderful people and do not deserve the treatment they are getting from the animals on the left, one Twitter user wrote.
Yuck, John Oliver. Pence is fair game, but an innocent childrens book written by his (apolitical) daughter is not. Punching down is not funny, another noted.
Even left-leaning fans took note that the entire campaign seemed like a mean-spirited gesture on Oliver's part.
If we won't call out bullies because they are on 'our side,' what does that say about us? John Oliver should be ashamed of himself for setting a mob out to hurt Mike Pence's daughter and her book as a way to punish the Vice President, another Twitter user wrote.
It's unfortunate that anyone would feel the need to ridicule an educational children's book and turn it into something controversial and partisan, a spokesperson for Regnery Publishing, which released the Pences' book, told CNN.
Meanwhile, the Amazon page for Oliver's book has been inundated with negative speech about Pence himself, with several refering to him as a homophobe and calling him disgusting and vile while simultaneously encouraging people to buy Oliver's book and boycott Charlotte Pence's.
Former Glee star Mark Salling reportedly had alcohol in his system when he took his own life in January 2018. The star reportedly hung himself after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
As previously reported, the star was found hanging in the woods near Californias Tujunga-Sunland area. The death was soon deemed a suicide by the Los Angeles County Coroners Office. On Monday, The Wrap reported the stars autopsy found Salling had .08 percent alcohol in his femoral blood, just on the liner of legal intoxication.
The stars heart blood reportedly measured .095 percent alcohol. He did not, however, seem to have an drugs in his system.
Salling was perhaps best known for his acting and music on the hit Fox show Glee, where he played Noah Puck Puckerman. He became the subject of controversy when he plead guilty to possessing approximately 25,000 images of children engaging in sexual conduct. He was facing four to seven years in prison at the time of his death. However, because of his suicide, a judge dismissed the case.
In addition to the alcohol-related information, E! News reports the autopsy report gave a chilling account of the stars final night. He was reportedly last seen alive while watching television with his father. His mother noticed that his vehicle went missing around midnight, which was unusual as he was on monitored house arrest. His roommate found Sallings tracking device down the street from the residence. Sallings body was found around 9 a.m. the following morning.
A Russian model is reportedly in custody after she jumped from a sixth floor hotel room in Dubai to escape an alleged rapist.
Ekaterina Stetsyuk, 22, reportedly broke her spine from the fall after she turned down an American businessman's proposition for sex, the Siberian Times reports.
The Siberian Times confirmed to Fox News that Stetsyuk told the outlet she was threatened with a knife by her alleged attacker, which prompted her to jump out of the window to escape.
"To save her life and dignity, she jumped from the sixth floor. She survived by a miracle," the model's friend Irina Grossman told the Siberian Times. "She cannot walk or move by herself, but doctors are giving good forecasts because her spinal chord is intact."
However, the alleged attacker told authorities the young model attacked him and she reportedly remains in custody in a Dubai hospital.
The unnamed man was reportedly detained at the airport in Dubai after he attempted to flee the country. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison, according to the Siberian Times.
Stetsyuk's mother denied claims that her daughter is an escort and claimed to the outlet that her daughter is in Dubai on a modeling contract.
"My daughter is a well known model in Irkutsk. On 15 February she left for Dubai for a month, where she had a contract," the model's mother told the Siberian Times. "They want to make her guilty."
The model recorded a video from her hospital bed assuring her mother "do not worry."
"I am doing well, do not worry about me. People from the [Russian] consulate visited," she said in the video obtained and translated by the Siberian Times. "My surgery was postponed. Well see how it goes... All is fine mummy, I love you. Kisses. I have got everything."
Gocha Buachidze, of the Russian Consulate in Dubai, told the Siberian Times they are "thoroughly studying the situation" and "providing all necessary support to [Stetsyuk]."
"The investigation is in progress. The Consulate cannot give any more details of the accident due to the request of the citizen herself," Buachidze told the outlet.
Posted 3/20/18
The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments has contracted with the State Emergency Management Agency and the Dallas County Commission to prepare a five-year update to the Dallas County
New York City is reportedly experiencing a massive Frito-Lay shortage after the company cut pay to delivery drivers, prompting many to quit, but the company claims all its snacks are being delivered as scheduled.
Last year, Frito-Lay, which is owned by PepsiCo, began decreasing drivers pay by as much as 33 percent, according to the New York Post. This change meant many employees would lose $30,000 a year.
MCDONALDS CUSTOMER TURNS VIOLENT AFTER RECEIVING WRONG BREAKFAST ORDER
The change came as part of a more salary-driven structure, which nearly eliminated commission opportunities. This is a national initiative with the aim of aligning all sales associates, a Frito-Lay spokesman told the Post. Participating sales representatives have on average seen an increase in overall compensation.
While drivers in other regions may have benefited from the pay adjustment, the Post reports this isnt the case in New York. Add that to the fact that the company is already facing a national truck driver shortage and the result is many stores across the city left without Doritos, Cheetos, Lays, Ruffles and other products produced by Frito-Lay.
At the Brooklyn depot, about 35 of the 140 drivers there have quit since the pay changes were announced last August, and 12 of 105 drivers at the Bronx depot have done the same, according to the Post.
Business owners wondering why they havent received their orders in months arent having any luck reaching out to the company, either. I call the distribution center and no one answers, the owner of the lobby newsstand at a Park Avenue office building told The Post.
Drivers on other routes say some desperate store owners have gone so far as to intercept them and ask to buy extra bags of snacks. Bodega owners with a few stores are asking for my help, but I wont if it is not on my route, one driver in Brooklyn told The Post.
The pay cut has forced many drivers who still work for the company to pick up other jobs on the side to subsidize their income. Some have turned to freelancing as Amazon drivers while others are working for Uber on the weekends, the Post reports.
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Fed up with the interruption in delivery, one local businessman, Han So, who owns 33 delis in Midtown Manhattan, said he was told to order his products online as a work-around. But So isnt happy with this option. Im done with them, he said of Frito-Lay.
A spokesperson for PepsiCo told Fox News: "We have the city of New York's snacks ready to go. All sales routes are running as planned over the course of the week. As usual we work with retailers to address any service needs."
Five death row inmates in Arizona whose executions were put on hold in 2014 have died since, according to a report in AZ Central.
They all died from natural causes related to Hepatitis C infections, their relatives and lawyers told the outlet.
The most recent case happened to inmate Brian Dann, who died on March 1st. He sued the director of the Arizona Department of Corrections last year alleging he never received antivirual drugs for his infection.
The medical director of Eyman Complex, the prison that until last year housed the majority of death row inmates in Arizona, recently testified that up to 80 percent of the inmates there were infected with Hepatitis C.
However, the Official Arizona Department of Corrections statistics show the number is lower.
In his handwritten complaint, Dann wrote Plaintiff has suffered documented irreparable damage to his liver, with corresponding, severe joint pain, debilitating fatigue and cognitive/physical impairment that curb (sic) daily function. Without prompt treatment, these symptoms will exponentially progress in an imminently premature death.
UTAH RESIDENTS PANIC OVER HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK FROM
7-ELEVEN, HUNDREDS FEARED IMPACTED
Dann eventually received treatment but then required surgery to allow blood to flow past his liver. He died on the operating table.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can lead to serious liver damage. The virus spreads through contaminated blood from sharing needles, infected piercing or tattoo needles, or through sex, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can be treated with oral medications taken every day for two to six months.
According to Dr. Rena Fox, a San Francisco-based physician who has studied Hepatitis C in prison populations, if the Hep-C is left untreated and it progresses to cirrhosis, it can kill a person, cause liver cancer and kidney failure, and compromise the immune system.
A Yale and Harvard University joint study shows that 10 percent of inmates in state prisons across the country have Hepatitis C, and that a 12-week course of drugs to treat the infection can cost from $43,000 to $94,500.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
The other five death row inmates who died in Arizona from hepatitis related disease are:
George Lopez died Oct. 12, 2016, of liver cancer, liver and kidney failure and cirrhosis, complications of Hepatitis C. Lopez was on death row for killing his infant son in Tucson in 1989.
Albert Carreon died Sept. 8, 2017, of a strep infection that he could not fight off because his immune system had been compromised by Hepatitis C and cirrhosis. He was in prison for killing two people in Chandler in 2001.
Shawn Lynch died Nov. 4, 2017, of complications from Hepatitis C. Lynch was in prison for killing a Scottsdale man in 2001.
Graham Henry died February 9, 2018, of liver and kidney failure, complications of Hepatitis C. Henry murdered a Las Vegas man in Mohave County in 1986.
Brian Dann died March 1, 2018. Dann was sentenced to death for killing three people in Phoenix in 2001.
A Springville, Utah woman is in the hospital recovering after having both her arms and legs amputated.
Tiffany King has a condition that required her to take a medication weakening her immune system.
When she came down with pneumonia in January, she went into a comaand her doctors gave her only a 15 percent chance to live.
King said she woke up one night in mid-January unable to breathe.
The next thing I knew, I was in ICU and I was coming out of a coma, she said.
She was diagnosed with pneumonia, which led to a blood infection. Doctors were forced to give her a medicine that took the blood flow away from her arms and legs. Even then, King was given a slim chance to survive.
MOM HAS ARM, FINGERS, BOTH LEGS CUT OFF AFTER DOCTORS FAILED TO SPOT DEADLY DISEASE
I know how tough she is, said Moale Fonohema, Kings fiance. I was like, all right: shell pull through.
That medicine saved her life, but the lack of blood flow to her arms and legs for several days forced a quadruple amputation.
I just have to go with it, King said. I have to be happy about it. We have six kids. We gotta be here, and so Im going to be happy about it.
Her fiance has stayed by her side every night.
Its frightening to be honest, but we got it, he said. "We got it," Tiffany echoes.
Soon, King will begin therapy.
Im going to work hard, she said. Im going to work hard, because I have a family I need to get back to.
BOY WHO HAD LEGS AMPUTATED MEETS QUADRUPLE-AMPUTEE DOG
She hopes to get prosthetic arms and legs, but the out-of-pocket expense is thousands of dollars. She is ready for her life to return to some form of normalcy.
As soon as I can I am going to work hard in therapy," she said. "It all depends on therapy, he fiance added.
Tiffany and Moe plan to get married once she has those prosthetics and can walk down the aisle.
Tiffanys family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the medical expenses.
Twin brothers in Texas are faced with dramatically different life paths after only one received a life-saving liver from a transplant list.
Devin Coats, 18, is forced to prepare for a future without his identical twin, Nick, whose health declined to the point that a new liver could no longer save him, news station KHOU reported.
The brothers, who are from Slidell, were both diagnosed last year with stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver caused by a genetic mutation.
Each twin was placed on a list for the life-saving transplant, but only Devin received a call that he would receive a new organ.
MASSACHUSETTS BABY GETS LIFE-SAVING LIVER TRANSPLANT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE POLICE OFFICER
Nicks now in the dying stage, their mother, Margi Coats, told KHOU.
With his health in question, the family says they worry future memories like watching the twins walking together at their high school graduation this spring will be stolen from them.
Nicks 18 years old, hes a senior in high school, the mom told KHOU. And that was his big dream when his doctor asked what he wanted in life, he wanted to graduate. I see its not going to happen now.
His brother, Devin, has struggled to accept each of their fates.
[Devins] trying to heal through this too, the mom said. Hes got his life and yet his brother doesnt. Its been very very hard for both of them.
OREGON HOSPITAL DENIES ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT A LIVER BECAUSE OF HER STATUS, THEN TERMINATES ITS POLICY
Their mom has created a GoFundMe page for their medical bills since the family does not have life insurance. More than $5,000 had been raised as of Monday through the campaign.
Thank you all for following along on our journey of trials, truth and triumph, the mom wrote. We are going to stand and fight, and we know God is with us every step of the way.
While being in a relationship has many advantages, it turns out theres an unhealthy downside, as well.
According to a new study, which analyzed over a decades worth of data from more than 15,000 adults, couples are more likely to gain weight than those who are single.
NEW YORK CITY EXPERIENCING FRITO-LAY SHORTAGE DUE TO DELIVERY ISSUES
Researchers at Central Queensland University in Australia assessed the data to determine whether relationship status would affect a persons ability to lead a healthy lifestyle. Interestingly, while those in relationships were overall healthier for instance, eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking less alcohol they tended to weigh 12.7 pounds more on average, The Sun reports.
Stephanie Schoeppe, the lead researcher on the team, hypothesized this could be due to a number of factors, including the likelihood that those in a relationship worry less about how they look, or are impacted by having children.
When couples dont need to look attractive and slim to attract a partner, they may feel more comfortable in eating more, or eating more foods high in fat and sugar, she told New Scientist, per The Sun.
Those with a significant other also pack on an average of 3.9 pounds a year, according to the report.
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Marriage (or de-facto relationships) comes with spousal obligations such as regular family meals, the researchers said. While they may include more healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and less fast food, people often consume larger portion sizes and more calories in the company of others than they do alone, resulting in increased energy intake, the report states, per The Sun.
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Targeted attacks on Christians are increasing in parts of the world where they are the minority faith including long-time U.S. allies India and Saudi Arabia, whose Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with President Trump on Tuesday at the White House.
While most Americans are understandably focused on news about developments in our own country, its critically important that we pay attention to this growing anti-Christian persecution abroad.
Just as he has met with the Saudi crown prince, President Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila last November. The presidents press secretary reported that their meeting discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and India, and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
We cooperate with Saudi Arabia and India, as well at others, despite the fact they are the places where Christians are being persecuted. Of the 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted today, as noted in the 2018 Open Doors World Watch List, India is No. 11 and Saudi Arabia is No. 12.
Its time for people of faith in this country to let their interest in human rights shine a light on Christians facing persecution in every part of the world. Yes, persecution will always exist, but the Bible calls us to support our brothers and sisters as they face these challenges.
In India, for example, a variety of radical Hindu groups including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are responsible for persecuting Christians. Christians are seen as outsiders and traitors to the native culture. The BJP and RSS have announced their intent to cleanse the nation of both Islam and Christianity.
M.S. Golwalker, founder of the RSS, is seeking to unite Indias population into one Hindu nation. Non-Hindu people, he announced, must be wholly subordinated to the Hindu nation, claiming nothing, deserving no privileges, far less any preferential treatment not even citizens rights.
Persecution in Saudi Arabia is built on a rigid interpretation of Islam. The government maintains a tightly knit Islamic system that treats Christians as second-class citizens. Culturally, Christians are seen as infidels, and apostasy is punishable by penalties as severe as death.
So why arent Christians speaking up? Why isnt there a movement of Christians rising up to defend their suffering brothers and sisters in other countries who risk their lives to follow Jesus?
It may come down to bad theology. Some pastors preach that persecution will always be present an observation that can be supported by Scriptures like 1 Peter 4:12, which warn believers not to be surprised by trials that arise, but to rejoice in sharing in Christs suffering. These sermons sometimes present a one-dimensional view of persecution, as if it is part of the unchangeable nature of the world.
But in packaging persecution this way, these theological positions often fail to emphasize how Christians are called to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters.
Hebrews, for example, talks about the need to care for those in chains for the name of Jesus. Galatians instructs Christians to bear one anothers burdens. 1 Thessalonians commands believers to encourage on another.
Yet very few American Christians see it as part of their faith to challenge persecution.
Given the outrage Americans express over discrimination in our own country, our apathetic reaction to persecution abroad feels ironically weak. After all, our attention to human rights has dramatically increased in America since the civil rights movement. And thankfully, as a result, widespread efforts continue to confront and work against the sexism and racism that impact our society today.
In the U.S., government and watchdog agencies monitor the conditions in our workplaces, schools and communities to ensure everyone is granted the same rights. Religious discrimination is illegal as it should be around the world.
Some days, our interest in rights absorbs nearly every interaction we have. In some places, its even seen as a human rights violation for Christians to share their faith with others in their networks. Dont violate someone elses rights by forcing your beliefs on them.
Yet few speak up when Christians across oceans are being discriminated against, attacked, raped, imprisoned and even killed in rights violations far more severe than the verbal critiques mentioned above.
Its time for people of faith in this country to let their interest in human rights shine a light on Christians facing persecution in every part of the world. Yes, persecution will always exist, but the Bible calls us to support our brothers and sisters as they face these challenges.
Given the current circumstances, now is the time to write, email or call your members of the U.S. House and Senate and let them know the American people care more about human rights violations in India than lucrative trade deals. Insist that any future defense or business partnerships must include provisions that protect religious minorities in India.
And if India is not committed to protecting the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their worship practices, then demand our government representatives re-examine the close relationship between India and the United States.
Similarly, Americans can ask their government officials to hold Saudi Arabias crown prince accountable for recent shock reforms in his country. Although the prince insists his actions are improving Saudi society, the severity of an anti-corruption crackdown where he ousted his cousin from power at the end of 2017 raises important questions.
There continues to be a need for political pressure to both address human rights concerns and limit executive powers in Saudi Arabia going forward. President Trump should withhold support from the Saudis unless standards are put into place to protect the rights of all that nations residents, regardless of political or religious affiliation.
We can do better. Press for extended freedom of religion for the people of India and Saudi Arabia today.
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It may surprise many people to realize that there is a remarkable bond of mutual respect between the military leaders of many countries. Occasionally this relationship goes beyond respect and develops into genuine friendship; a friendship which, in turn, extends to close families.
We the recent professional heads of the armed forces of the U.S., the United Kingdom and France are fortunate enough to enjoy such a relationship.
In part, our friendship derives from the fact that in recent times we often shared, with each other, the otherwise lonely burden of our national responsibilities. In particular, those responsibilities that involved the custodianship each of our nations military capabilities and our professional duty to advise our governments on the threats we faced and the risks we ran.
The three of us met recently in the inspiring surroundings of the Tower of London and, although now relieved of those responsibilities, we all knew that our professional concerns endured and were, if anything, deepening. We thought we might share three of those concerns more widely.
The first concern is the need to recognize that the world has, quite suddenly, become a less certain, less stable and more dangerous place. The symptoms of this are easy to see: terrorism, mass migration, revanchist states.
The best way to enhance military capability is through alliances built on trust. And the worst way to solve global challenges is to militarize them.
The causes, however, are not so straightforward to recognize, partly because they lay in societal fault lines among and within countries. Simply put, mankind continues to generate a massive maldistribution of wealth and opportunity across the world and, at the same time, tries to sustain a world order in which many nations believe that history entitles them to particular advantages.
For too many people, the world is not a fair place in which to live, and the proliferation of globally connected social media feeds that awareness.
The second concern adds to the danger of the first. There appears to be a continuous decline in the effectiveness of international institutions. This creates an absence of empowered mechanisms by which to resolve these global problems; a lack of appreciation that it is only through collective action that, in a dynamic and changing world, stability can be sustained while beneficial change is accommodated.
And our third concern completes the piece. A lack of commitment to collective and collaborative leadership means that there is an absence of any truly effective international will to resolve these global challenges. International leaders look increasingly inward, their focus firmly on domestic popularity. Yet the nature of power is changing, and the desire to remain in control is producing sub-optimal, expensive, temporary solutions to our problems.
Although were sure our successors would appreciate a bit more support and predictability in the budgeting process within each of our countries, none of what is written above is an appeal for defense spending or military solutions. Indeed, the best way to enhance military capability is through alliances built on trust. And the worst way to solve global challenges is to militarize them.
All we wish to emphasize is the very grave risk that now exists to global security unless the dangers are recognized, leadership steps forward with an instinct to be inclusive, and collective solutions are identified.
Pierre de Viellers was the Chief of the general staff headquarters of the French Armies from 2014-2017. General John Nicholas Reynolds Houghton was Chief of the Defense Staff of the British Armed Forces from 2013-2016.
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Police Officer Christopher Morton and two other officers were dispatched to the wrong address March 6 to respond to a disturbance call in tiny Clinton, Missouri. When the three entered the home, a man inside shot them all. Morton was killed and the two other officers were wounded.
Just three days later, Pomona, California, Police Officer Greggory Casillas attempted to stop a car for reckless driving. The driver crashed and fled into a nearby apartment. When Casillas and a second officer attempted to contact those in the apartment, they were struck by shots fired through the door. Casillas, who was only 25 and who had served in uniform for just six months, lost his life.
Morton and Casillas became the 14th and 15th police officers killed in the line of duty by fatal gunfire this year. Their deaths helped drive the almost 130 percent rise in police fatalities by gunfire so far this year.
Whats behind the increase in killings of police?
The man charged in the death of Casillas was reported to have suffered depression. The man accused of killing Morton James E. Waters had a well-documented history of felonious activity that put him in and out of prison for decades.
These two killings of police over 1,000 miles apart show the risk to the public and the police when people with mental illness and convicted felons have ready access to firearms.
A broader look at these tragic deaths reveals more of what police encounter hundreds of times in America every day.
Collectively, the accused killers of police in 2018 had police contacts, arrests and convictions for offenses big and small. They ranged from minor traffic violations to domestic violence, unlawful drug and weapons possession, and robbery. One man was believed to have just murdered his ex-wife.
The deputies and police officers whose names will be carved into the stone walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington were, in many of the deadly cases, not alone in being violently attacked. On multiple occasions this year, news has broken of several law enforcement officers shot often seriously but not fatally by a single attacker.
It seems counterintuitive that an armed attacker would resist arrest or use a firearm against several officers. Logic suggests that a rational person would understand that multiple officers will be more successful than a single officer in arresting or stopping him by force if necessary.
But logic isnt always a meaningful factor when dealing with someone who is enraged from a fractured relationship, under the influence of drugs, determined not to go to jail or prison under any circumstances, or mentally ill. And sometimes, attackers have a toxic combination of these factors.
The incidents that brought police into contact with their killers vary. They include hang-up 911 calls, pursuit of suspects, domestic violence calls and other seemingly routine investigation.
Therein lies the danger.
So often, many times a day, police are engaging in routine responses. They often know only what a dispatcher conveys. That can be the barest information there was a 911 hang-up, there was screaming in the background, theres a suspicious person.
Police then arrive and face the unknown. And then the frantic activity begins when theyre engaged by hostile gunfire through a closed door or a darkened window.
The DNA of a cop killer isnt always readily detectable before police arrive; its too seldom clear enough to warn police to respond with a SWAT team and an armored truck instead of a single patrol officer with a handgun.
Meanwhile, as law enforcement officers and their families periodically recoil in horror at another senseless killing of one of their own, we do know some things about the officers killed in the line of duty this year.
The officers who lost their lives protecting their communities included military veterans who served their nation in overseas battles; officers decorated for keeping streets in their cities and towns safe; and sons, husbands and brothers.
And they were fathers who, so far this year, left behind 25 children 26 if you count the son of Georgia Police Officer Chase Maddox, born four days after his father was killed.
These officers were heroes when duty called, they answered. One last time.
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What if the government required all Alcoholics Anonymous groups to recite an advertisement for a local bar before every single meeting? Imagine a group of people, struggling with alcohol abuse, trying hard to leave their addiction behind, being forced to endure a message about happy hour specials. And all thisdelivered by an organization whose purpose is to aid people in overcoming alcohol dependency.
You might wonder: How can a government force private organizations to speak a message that is directly at odds with their reason for existing? That would be ridiculous, right?
This is exactly what California is requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to do.
The Reproductive FACT Act requires that pro-life pregnancy centers providing medical services to pregnant women in need must advertise for abortion. These centers must post a sign stating that public programs provide free or low-cost abortion, along with the relevant phone number to call for more information. Those calling that number are then referred to abortion suppliers, such as Planned Parenthood.
Only pro-life centers are subject to this law. Abortion providers are largely exempt from it. The state has decided to target pro-life centers simply because they speak a message that the state opposes.
Pro-life pregnancy centers exist to provide medical assistance, support, and counseling to women experiencing crisis and unplanned pregnancies. They exist to support a woman in choosing life for her unborn child. But the state of California is forcing them to deliver a message that directly conflicts with their reason for existing.
To make matters worse, only pro-life centers are subject to this law. Abortion providers are largely exempt from it. The state has decided to target pro-life centers simply because they speak a message that the state opposes.
The Constitution does not tolerate such discrimination. The state cannot force its citizens to promote government-mandated messages that contradict their religious and moral convictions. We are very hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will agree.
The Supreme Court has continually held that requiring citizens to speak a government-compelled message is held to the highest constitutional scrutiny under the First Amendment, because mandating a message necessarily alters the content of ones speech. Moreover, the lopsided requirement that forces pro-life centers to speak the governments message, while exempting pro-abortion speakers constitutes blatant viewpoint discrimination. This kind of message favoritism is routinely held to be unconstitutional.
California attempts to justify its unconstitutional law by arguing that pregnancy centers are deceptive because they dont offer or counsel for abortion. But the state never introduced any objective evidence to support the law.
Pregnancy centers arent deceptive: They offer vital support, medical care, material assistance (such as diapers, clothing, and other baby supplies), and parenting classes to women who are experiencing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. They do this because of their pro-life view, which supports both the woman and her unborn child.
The state argues that abortion information is vital to pregnant women, yet the state does not even advertise these abortion services itself. Instead, they seem very concerned with getting the word out through the local pro-life pregnancy centers.
The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, a member organization of pro-life pregnancy centers, as well as two pro-life pregnancy centers, challenged this law as a violation of the guarantee to free speech. A California federal court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit have both agreed with the state and allowed this unconstitutional law to stand.
On March 20, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case and could reverse that within weeks. Courts have already declared similar laws in New York City; Baltimore; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Austin, Texas unconstitutional. Now the highest court in the land has the opportunity to invalidate these types of unconstitutional laws once and for all and protect the right of all citizens not to be forced to speak or promote messages that violate their beliefs.
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Editor's note: Adapted from the book "Inside the Atheist Mind: Unmasking the Religion of Those Who Say There is No God"
Theres no polite way to say it. Atheists today are the most arrogant, ignorant and dangerous people on earth.
Weve all seen how these pompous prigs get offended by the slightest bit of religious imagery in public and mortified if even a whisper of Merry Christmas escapes the lips of some well-meaning but naive department store clerk during the holiday season.
To cite a few recent examples: Last December, the group American Atheists launched its annual billboard campaign with the slogan: Just Skip Church -- Its All Fake News. In February, the American Humanist Association became furious when President Trump had the gall to mention Christianity and Jesus Christ without also mentioning atheistsat the National Prayer Breakfast! (How dare he!) And just this month, the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised holy hell because the Reverend Billy Graham was laid out in state in the Capitol Rotunda before his burial.
Yes, these atheists are loud, nasty, unapologetic and in-your-face.
But while their arrogance is annoying, its nothing compared to their ignorance. Atheists believe that the vast majority of human beings from all periods of time and all places on the Earth have been wrong about the thing most important to them. They basically dismiss this vast majority as being either moronic or profoundly naive. What they dont seem to know or wont admit is that the greatest contributions to civilization have been made, not by atheists, but by believers.
Too many Christian authors have tried to be kind and amiable in an effort to demonstrate that believers dont have to sink into the mud in order to defend the faith. That tact is very charitable, but unfortunately, it just doesnt work with bullies.
Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Isaac Newton all believed in God. Nobel-prize winner Wilhelm Rontgen, the discoverer of X-rays; Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry; William Keen, the pioneer of brain surgery; rocket scientist Wernher von Braun; and Ernest Walton, the first person to artificially split the atomall believed in God.
And speaking of pioneers of science, who do you think coined the term scientist in the first place? William Whewell, an Anglican priest and theologian! He also came up with words physicist, cathode, anode and many other commonly used scientific terms. Essentially, the very language used by scientists today comes from the brain of a believer.
Even the Big Bang Theory itself which atheists mistakenly think bolsters their arguments against God was proposed by Fr. George Lemaitre, a Belgian astronomer and Roman Catholic priest! And the father of geneticswhich provides the basis for the whole theory of evolutionwas Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk!
Yes, the new atheists have an ignorance of history bordering on madness.
But are they really dangerous, too?
You bet they are. The truth is, the atheist position is incapable of supporting any coherent system of morality other than ruthless social Darwinism. Thats why it has caused more deaths, murders and bloodshed than any other belief system in the history of the world.
Atheists, of course, are always claiming hysterically that Christianity has been responsible for most of the worlds wars, but thats just another example of atheistic ignorance. The main reasons for war have always been economic gain, territorial gain, civil and revolutionary conflicts. According to Philip Axelrods monumental Encyclopedia of Wars, only 6.98 percent or all wars from 8000 BC to present were religious in nature. If you subtract Islamic wars from the equation, only 3.2 percent of wars were due to specifically Christian causes. That means that over 96 percent of all the wars on this planet were due to worldly reasons.
Indeed, in the last 100 years alone, upwards of 360 million people were killed by governmentsand close to half of those people were killed by atheist governments!
Yes, there is a profound and frightening connection between atheism and death. Atheist leaders like Stalin, Mao Zedong, Hideki To jo , Pol Pot and many others bear the blame for the overwhelming majority of deaths caused by war and mass murder in history. And while many atheists make the preposterous claim that Adolf Hitler was a Christian, his private diaries, first published in 1953 by Farrar, Straus and Young, reveal clearly that the Fuhrer was a rabid atheist: The heaviest blow that ever struck humanity, Hitler stated, was the coming of Christianity. Bolshevism is Christianitys illegitimate child. Both are inventions of the Jew Our epoch will certainly see the end of the disease of Christianity.
The facts are incontrovertible. Between the years 1900 and 2017, approximately 150 million people were killed by atheistic political regimes. 150 million!
And it makes perfect sense, doesnt it? Atheists dont believe in God, so they dont believe in any transcendent, objective moral law. Nor do they believe that human beings are made in the image of God, and so they dont believe humans possess infinite value and dignity. When you put these two beliefs together, you have a deadly recipe that makes killing problematic human beings quite easy and defensible.
One has only to look at the growing numbers of abortions, suicides, homicides, and cases of state-sponsored euthanasia, and infanticide, to see the atheist-death connection. As a thoroughly secular and functionally atheistic culture, we are fast becoming accustomed to killing our problems rather than dealing with them in a compassionate, loving, and sacrificial way.
So yes, the modern breed of atheist is arrogant, ignorant and dangerous. Too many books written in response to these pseudo-intellectual hatemongers have been altogether too nice. Too many Christian authors have tried to be kind and amiable in an effort to demonstrate that believers dont have to sink into the mud in order to defend the faith. That tact is very charitable, but unfortunately, it just doesnt work with bullies.
And thats exactly what modern-day atheists arebullies; bullies who are doing their best to intimidate the rest of us into silence.
Well, we cant allow that to happen. As I say in my book, Inside the Atheist Mind: Unmasking the Religion of Those Who Say There is No God, there is only one way to deal with bullies, even in this politically correct worldand that is to stand up to them and fight them; to fight them in a bold, aggressive, and fearless way, and to fight them now.
This article was adapted from the book "Inside the Atheist Mind: Unmasking the Religion of Those Who Say There is No God" (Thomas Nelson, March 20, 2018).
Posted 3/18/18
An Easter egg hunt for all ages new walkers to high schoolers will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Buffalo United Methodist Church, which is at Pine and Madison streets in
Former Attorney General Eric Holder criticized Jeff Sessions Monday night for his role in the firing of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe -- saying that Sessions must "have the guts to look at the president every now and again and say 'no.'"
Sessions fired McCabe on Friday, two days before McCabe's scheduled retirement date. McCabe, a regular target of President Trump's ire, has suggested that his departure was part of what he described as the administration's "war on the FBI."
Speaking at Georgetown University, Holder accused Sessions of rushing to fire McCabe at Trump's behest.
It may be that at the end of the day [McCabe's] termination is appropriate," Holder said. "But you know, you dont rush that component of it to meet a deadline that I think the president essentially set. You're the Attorney General of the United States. You run the damn Justice Department. You know? And youve got to have the guts to look at the president every now and again and say 'no.'"
Trump had repeatedly condemned McCabe over the last year as emblematic of an FBI leadership he contends is biased against his administration. On Saturday, hours after McCabe was dismissed, Trump tweeted that it was a "great day for Democracy" and a "great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI."
Holder said Trump's verbal assaults on McCabe were "unconscionable" and "punching down."
"Youre the president of the United States and youre going after a career deputy FBI director ... who doesnt really have the capacity to defend himself, certainly while he was in that position," he told Mo Elleithee, the executive director of Georgetowns Institute of Politics & Public Service.
Holder also gave his thoughts on special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 election.
The former attorney general said it was "entirely possible" that Trump could order Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to fire Mueller.
"I think this investigations proceeding along three tracks," Holder said. "Theres the whole question of conspiracy and stop calling it collusion. Theres no such thing as collusion its conspiracy. Theres obstruction, and then theres the question of what happened with the Trump businesses, enterprises, entities in Russia that I think Bob Mueller has to look at to try to, if nothing else, get context for the other parts of the investigation.
"And I think it is that third strand that could lead the president to terminate Bob Mueller."
Trump has said that Mueller would cross a red line if the special prosecutor sought financial information from his family business.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Pentagon announced Monday that despite a recent thaw in tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, the U.S. will resume joint military exercises with the South next month.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his South Korean counterpart, Song Toung-moo, agreed to resume the drills known as Foal Eagle and Key Resolve at "a scale similar to that of the previous years."
North Korea has been notified of the schedule "as well as the defensive nature of the annual exercises."
NORTH KOREA TO SEEK PEACE TREATY WITH US AT TRUMP MEETING: REPORT
The drills, which were put on hold during the 2018 Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will start back up again on April 1, according to the Pentagon.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that a spokesperson for North Korea's foreign ministry said the joint drills between the U.S. and the South would harm reconciliation efforts on the peninsula, and that the North would be forced to "counter" the U.S.
If the U.S. finally holds joint military exercises while keeping sanctions on the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea], the DPRK will counter the U.S. by its own mode of counteraction and the U.S. will be made to own all responsibilities for the ensuing consequences, the spokesperson said.
The timing of the annual military exercises are particularly sensitive this year because of heightened tensions regarding North Korea's accelerated work on a nuclear-armed missile potentially capable of reaching the United States followed, unexpectedly, by prospects for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis.
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The White House recently announced that President Trump will meet with the North's Kim Jong Un, possibly by May. Kim offered to meet personally with Trump to discuss giving up nuclear weapons on unspecified terms.
It had been widely expected that the joint military drills would go ahead, despite new prospects for diplomacy. Some have speculated that the maneuvers would be scaled back, but the Pentagon said they would be conducted at "the same scale, scope and duration" as in previous years.
The larger of the two exercises, Foal Eagle, is a field training exercise with about 11,500 U.S. troops and about 290,000 South Korean troops, according to a Pentagon spokesman, Marine Lt. Col. Christopher Logan. The other, known as Key Resolve, will involve about 12,200 U.S. troops and about 10,000 from South Korea.
The U.S. has about 28,500 troops permanently stationed in South Korea and is obligated by treaty to defend the South in the event it is attacked by the North. The two Koreas are still technically at war because their 1950-53 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Compelled speech vs. states rights.
A double header of hot-button issues played out at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, with abortion-related services the even hotter backdrop.
At issue in a lively hour of oral arguments is a California law governing "crisis pregnancy centers," which provide counseling-related services with the goal of helping women make choices other than abortion.
These pro-life facilities challenge government requirements that they prominently post information on how potential clients can obtain a state-funded abortion. They also challenge a requirement that unlicensed centers provide disclaimers to potential clients that they are not a licensed medical facility.
The court is not directly revisiting the right to the procedure, but instead the case is framed as a broader free speech dispute.
An expected ideological divide developed among the nine-member bench. Justice Sonia Sotomayor cited one non-licensed pregnancy center she found online that she said showed a nurse in front of an ultrasound machine in an exam room.
"If you're giving people advice about pregnancy when you are not a licensed facility, please explain to me what is both misleading, incorrect or suggestive in any way that a person has to do something like go to a doctor," she asked. "How is it doing anything other than telling people that, despite how the picture looks on the website, this is not a medical facility?"
Justice Anthony Kennedy then rebuked Sotomayor, saying, "I didn't go beyond the record to look on the Internet because I don't think we should do that." He added that a "Choose Life" billboard from a pregnancy crisis center be required to include a state-mandated disclaimer in a similar size font would be problematic.
"It seems to me that means that this is an undue burden in that instance and that should suffice to invalidate the statute," said Kennedy.
The centers, incorporated mostly as religious-based institutions, argue they are being forced to act as a billboard: told what to say -- and what not to say. But the state labels the requirements similar to workplace regulation of other "professional" businesses it licenses.
Among the services provided by the licensed centers might include ultrasounds, parenting classes, pregnancy tests, and birth control counseling. The centers operate nationwide, but the 130 or so regulated in California are at issue here.
The Supreme Court offered a limited but fundamental right to abortion in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. But in 2014, the justices overturned a Massachusetts law mandating a 35-foot buffer zone around clinics that perform abortions, designed to keep demonstrators apart from patients.
That defense of free speech in a variety of contexts was central to the current case.
In arguments, Michael Farris, the lawyer for the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, which has ties to 1500 or so pregnancy centers nationwide, said the state was imposing "onerous advertising rules."
"If the state law were that all women's health providers that perform abortions would have to tell the patients, if you would like to carry the pregnancy to term, you will have access to a clinic that will assist them, provide adoption facilities they might contact, or provide instruction on how to care for infants?" Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked. "Suppose that were the statute. Would that be unconstitutional?"
When told no by Ferris, Ginsburg was incredulous. "But why isn't this also informed consent?" similar to the California law, she asked.
Joshua Klein, a lawyer for California, told the justices the 2015 Reproductive FACT Act "empowers women" by having what he called a neutral statement of fact displayed at the clinics.
Justice Neil Gorsuch said the law was narrowly targeted at certain smaller centers.
"If it's about just ensuring that everyone has full information about their options, why should the state free-ride on a limited number of clinics to provide that information?" he wondered. "If you're trying to educate a class of persons about their rights, it's pretty unusual to force a private speaker to do that for you under the First Amendment."
The Trump administration is splitting the difference, believing the FACT Act violates the rights of licensed centers, but was not opposing the law's effects on non-licensed facilities.
Legal analysts predict a ruling in a few months could be particularly divisive.
"This isnt really compelled speech. It's simply, as the government does in other instances, a notification of rights to the citizenry," said Elizabeth Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center. "And we know that people can't exercise their rights if they don't know about them. That's why we have posted placards about your rights in the workplace and the military. It's something the government does all the time."
Wydra's group filed an amicus brief on behalf of members of Congress supporting California.
But some conservative commentators said politics was at play here.
"In California, the abortion lobby has a lot of strength, so they are the ones able to use the government to shut down the voices on the other side," said Carrie Severino, chief counsel at the Judicial Crisis Network. "That's what the First Amendment is here to protect, to make sure groups that have the ear of the government arent able to shut down the speech of the other side. We still need to be able to have that debate."
Justice Stephen Breyer in court sought a compromise, saying such on matters concerning abortion, perhaps a law on disclaimers for both crisis pregnancy centers and abortion clinics might be in order.
"There are millions of people in this country who have views on this subject that are absolutely opposed, one to the other. So that, to me, suggests the law should keep it as simple as possible. And that's why sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander," he said.
Continuing, he said: "I mean, if the law is permissible which says, Doctor, you must tell the woman about adoption, then why shouldn't the law say, Family Planning Center, you must tell the woman about abortion? Sounds even-handed, sounds as if everybody in the same business is under the same rules."
The case is National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra (16-1140). A ruling is expected by early summer.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise have joined the House Republicans calling for a special second counsel to investigate the Department of Justice and FBIs actions related to the Hillary Clinton and Trump-Russia probes.
I agree with the many others who have called for the appointment of an additional special counsel, Scalise said in a statement.
During an interview on Fox News "Justice With Judge Jeanine" on Saturday, McCarthy said we need a second special counsel.
We need somebody to look at this, and not from the inside, because you can't trust what's happening right now, McCarthy said.
In his statement, Scalise referenced the infamous, unverified anti-Trump dossier that was written by former British MI6 agent Christopher Steele, funded by Democrats and used by the FBI to obtain a warrant from the FISA court to spy on Trump adviser Carter Page.
Scalise said a second special counsel -- unlike Special Counsel Robert Mueller -- should have the "authority to look into the potential abuses of the FISA system that allowed the Democrat-funded Steele Dossier to serve as the basis for the initial FBI investigation."
On Tuesday, New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin, who is among the House Republicans calling for a second special counsel, celebrated McCarthy and Scalises comments as huge news.
House Speaker Paul Ryan has not joined the calls.
GOP LAWMAKERS RENEW CALLS FOR SECOND SPECIAL COUNSEL
Last month, 13 House Republicans wrote a letter to Sessions saying the appointment of another special counsel was of the utmost importance.
As you know, evidence has come to light that raises serious concerns about decisions and activities by leadership at the highest levels of the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding how and why the Clinton probe ended and how and why the Trump-Russia probe began, the letter stated.
After that, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Rep. Trey Gowdy also announced support for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate conflicts of interest and decisions made and not made by current and former Justice Department officials in 2016 and 2017.
Earlier this month, Sessions was asked about the calls for a second special counsel, and told Fox News Shannon Bream: I will consider the request.
Fox News Chad Pergram and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
After declaring the nations opioid epidemic a public health emergency in October, President Trump revealed his plans to crack down on the health crisis.
His plan, which he discussed in March, includes harsher penalties for drug traffickers and lowering the amount of drugs needed to trigger mandatory minimum sentences for dealers.
These are terrible people and we have to get tough with those people, Trump said of traffickers and dealers. This isnt about committees ... this is about winning a very tough problem.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 115 Americans die daily from opioid-involved deaths. Opioids, including prescriptions and heroin, killed 42,000 people in the U.S. in 2016 the highest on record.
Its important that the full weight of the federal government with each Cabinet department determining their role in the crisis is involved in tackling the epidemic, said Tom Coderre, a former official with the Obama administrations Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The opioid crisis is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. Its not like there is a secret weapon out there, Coderre, recently hired as a senior adviser to Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to help combat the opioid crisis, told Fox News.
Heres a look at what the Trump administration has proposed to deal with the crisis.
Death penalty
Trump has often mused that certain countries such as Singapore have fewer issues with drugs because of the harsh penalties dealers can face if caught. He has argued that a person in the U.S. can receive the death penalty or life in prison for shooting one person, but a drug dealer who potentially kills thousands spend little to no time in jail.
When the president unveiled his plan to combat the epidemic, he brandished the death penalty as a fitting punishment for traffickers.
Drug traffickers kill so many thousands of our citizens every year, Trump said. That's why my Department of Justice will be seeking so many tougher penalties than we've ever had and we'll be focusing on the penalties that I talked about previously for big pushers, the ones that are killing so many people, and that penalty is going to be the death penalty.
He added, Other countries don't play games ... But the ultimate penalty has to be the death penalty.
"The ultimate penalty has to be the death penalty." President Trump
The Justice Department said the federal death penalty is already available for several limited drug-related offenses, including violations of the drug kingpin provisions of federal law.
Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions issued guidance to all U.S. attorneys, urging them to "hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for unlawful practices."
"[T]his should also include the pursuit of capital punishment in appropriate cases," he said. "Congress has passed several statutes that provide the Department with the ability to seek capital punishment for certain drug-related crimes."
Sessions added, "I strongly encourage federal prosecutors to use these statutes, when appropriate, to aid in our continuing fight against drug trafficking and the destruction it causes in our nation."
Mandatory minimum sentencing
Trump has called on Congress to pass legislation which would lower the amount of drugs needed to trigger a mandatory minimum sentence for dealers who knowing distribute illicit opioids.
Congress already has plans to weigh a range of bills targeted at curbing the epidemic.
Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have put forth a bill that includes lowering the amount of fentanyl needed to invoke mandatory minimum sentences in certain distribution cases.
Fentanyl is a high-risk type of opioid used by doctors to treat pain.
Its past time the punishment matched the crime when it comes to opioid distribution and trafficking, Cotton said in a statement.
Graham added, Increasing these mandatory minimums is well-justified.
More research, less prescriptions
Part of Trumps plan to attack the nationwide crisis is to increase research and development through public-private partnerships between the federal National Institutes of Health and pharmaceutical companies.
With the public health emergency declaration, officials are able to more easily deploy state and federal workers, secure grants for the unemployed and shift funding from certain programs such as HIV or AIDs programs to provide substance abuse treatment for certain individuals.
Trump wants to see the number of opioid prescriptions cut by one-third within three years. He also called for expanding access to proven treatment and recovery efforts.
Awareness campaign
Trumps plan includes broadening education and awareness as well something he called for last fall when he declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency.
This awareness campaign includes broadcasting great commercials to scare kids from dabbling in drugs. Trump also announced the creation of a new website, CrisisNextDoor.gov, where people can share their stories about addiction.
Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Shatterproof, said the crisis needs more attention and awareness, which the president can provide. An emergency declaration, he told Fox News, creates recognition ... and awareness around the country that this epidemic needs right now.
Past declarations
In October, Trump declared the crisis a national public health emergency, short of the national state of emergency sought by a presidential commission he put together to study the issue. It was renewed in January.
HHS has issued public health emergency declarations in the wake of natural disasters as well as the spread of diseases.
The agency issued its first declaration for the Zika virus in Puerto Rico in August 2016. It was last renewed in April 2017.
Public health emergencies were also declared in New York following Hurricane Sandy in November 2012 and in Missouri following a series of storms and tornadoes in May 2011.
Fox News' Elizabeth Llorente and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Three illegal immigrants, who avoided capture after Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf blew the whistle on a raid by federal immigration authorities last month, have since been re-arrested for new crimes including robbery and spousal abuse, ICE officials said.
Schaaf tweeted out a warning ahead of the raid in northern California last month, infuriating Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and the Trump administration.
How dare you! Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in California this month, addressing Schaaf. How dare you needlessly endanger the lives of our law enforcement officers to promote a radical, open borders agenda.
ICE officials eventually caught 232 illegal immigrants, many of them criminals, in the four-day sweep but said that hundreds more escaped because of Schaafs warning.
But on Tuesday, officials said that at least three of those who were targeted in the raid, but were not apprehended, had since been arrested for additional crimes.
One was a Mexican national arrested for robbery and gun crimes, who was released back into the community for a prior offense despite an ICE detainer request in November.
Another Mexican national was arrested for a DUI, despite having been deported three times and prior convictions for false imprisonment, DUI and battery of a spouse.
The third was a Mexican national who was arrested for corporal injury of a spouse, despite being deported twice and criminal convictions including drug possession, hit-and-run, DUIs, possessions of narcotics equipment and a parole violation.
Acting ICE Director Tom Homan mentioned the three cases at a roundtable on sanctuary cities at the White House on Tuesday. He also expressed frustration at the mixed messages coming from politicians in sanctuary states.
We are told on one hand to focus efforts on criminals but those same folks who want to focus on criminals dont let us into the county jails, he said. It just defies logic.
'ANGEL FAMILIES' WANT TO SEE OAKLAND MAYOR PROSECUTED FOR THWARTING ICE RAIDS
While Homan has blamed Schaafs actions for the escape of as many as 800 illegal immigrants, it is unclear exactly how many evaded capture directly because of her actions. A DHS official told The New York Times that ICE agents typically find only about 30 percent of their targets during a sweep, meaning that many of those who evaded capture may not have been caught either way.
Schaaf has stood by her actions, saying the community is safer because of sanctuary city policies
I do not regret sharing this information, she said last month. It is Oaklands legal right to be a sanctuary city and we have not broken any laws. We believe our community is safer when families stay together.
Last week an Oakland community organizer told Fox News that she was being supported by members of the community.
"People are really supportive of her because she took a stand," Emma Paulino said. "She is serving the people who elected her."
The Justice Department, which is also suing California over its sanctuary city policies, has said it is reviewing Schaafs actions, but has yet to make an announcement.
Its Primary Day in Illinois and several races have politicos inside and outside the state fired up.
From the governors race to local elections, this year's primary became a test, of sorts, of just how far a candidate can stray from his or her party while still holding onto a seat.
For Illinoiss 3rd Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski faces a more progressive challenger as members of his party seem frazzled by his anti-abortion stance. And Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, faces a conservative challenger who has accused him of having betrayed our partys values.
Read on for a look at what to watch as Illinois primaries get under way and whats at stake.
Abortion and the Democratic Party
Rep. Dan Lipinski isnt necessarily a conservative Democrat but his stance on abortion has left him at odds with some of the more progressive voters in his party.
Lipinski, 51, assumed his congressional seat in 2005, and is being challenged by political newcomer Marie Newman for the 3rd District.
Newman, whose campaign website says she has true Democratic principles, is backed by progressive politicians and organizations, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She has called Lipinski a full-on Republican with a far-right record.
Lipinski, initially snubbed by his partys own campaign arm, has garnered support from some conservatives, particularly those who are anti-abortion.
Lipinski called Newman and her supporters a Tea Party of the left. He said their intolerance for differing viewpoints within the party could end up hurting Democrats.
Rauners ability to hold onto his seat
Governor Rauner, a Republican, has made a conscious effort to distance himself from President Donald Trump, especially during the primary. Hes also pushed through controversial legislation including an abortion bill, that has drawn criticism from those in his party.
In the primary, Rauner, 61, faces challenger Jeanne Ives, a state representative with a litany of fiscal and social conservative viewpoints. Ives, 53, has received endorsements from conservative publication National Review and local elected officials.
More so than Rauner, Ives has embraced the president and referred to Rauner as lyin' eyes, lyin' mouth and hands on the campaign trail.
He's been very unreliable, Ives told WGN-TV ahead of the election. He's betrayed our party's values. Outside of that he's just not good on policy. He's made terrible decisions for this state.
As for the Democratic nomination, the field includes: businessman J.B. Pritzker; Chris Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy; and state Sen. Daniel Bliss.
Battle of the billionaires
If Pritzker wins the Democratic primary, and Rauner wins his, it could set up the gubernatorial general election to be the most expensive governors race in history.
The Pritzker family, including J.B., made Forbes 400 richest people in the U.S. list. The political candidate has an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion, according to Forbes.
As for Rauner, hes not on the list, but his 2016 tax returns showed he made $91 million last year, WTTW-TV reported. In 2015, he took in $188 million.
Rauners top outside contributer, Ken Griffin, has an estimated net worth of $8.5 billion, according to Forbes making him the wealthiest person in Illinois, WTTW reported.
Dr. Bruce Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois, told Fox News that a Pritzker-Rauner matchup would also result in a really negative campaign.
It will be a good experiment in just how negative you have to go before you drive voters away from the polls, he said.
Democrats enthusiasm translates into turnout
As already evidenced in special elections such as Pennsylvania, Democrats enthusiasm in the second year of Trumps presidential term is high.
Theres a real indication of where the enthusiasm lies right now that were seeing in special elections since Trump won, Gaines said. Democrats are mobilizing and feel like they have to get out to vote.
For example, in Marshall, Ill., about an hour south of Chicago, the Clark County Courthouse saw a record number of early voters, according to local media reports.
But dont expect high turnout to necessarily remain staunch in the general election, Gaines warned.
The primary vote is a good omen, for Democrats, he said. But its too early to say thats whats going to happen in the general election.
The AG race could become very interesting
Erika Harold, a former Miss America titleholder, is running for attorney general as a Republican and shes just what the GOP needs, Gaines said.
Harold is a minority female; a win for her in the primary and general elections could show that the Republican Party, even on a national level, isnt just a party of old, white males, Gaines said, predicting that shell beat out Gary Grasso, the other GOP candidate in the primary.
A Harvard Law School graduate, Harold serves on the board of Prison Fellowship, a Christian ministry that provides outreach to those in jail. She found herself mired in controversy during the election after it was reported that she said she would prefer to give a foster child to known child abusers over a same-sex couple while competing for Miss Illinois in 2000. Her campaign said Harold did not recall making such a comment.
On the Democrats side, the race is more crowded but it includes former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.
A Harold vs. Quinn matchup in the general election could make it an unusually newsworthy and interesting race, even on the national level, Gaines said.
But in order for that contest to happen, Quinn must beat out seven other Democrats: state Sen. Kwame Raoul, state Rep. Scott Drury, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, former Civilian Office of Police Accountability administrator Sharon Fairley, former Illinois State Board of Education chairman Jesse Ruiz, MSNBC legal contributor Renato Mariotti and Aaron Goldstein, a member of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's defense team.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A former contestant on The Apprentice will have her day in court after a New York judge Tuesday ruled her defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump can proceed.
Summer Zervos, who appeared on the NBC reality show in 2006, filed a lawsuit against Trump alleging that he defamed her during the presidential campaign after slamming her sexual harassment complaints as "fabricated and made-up."
She has accused the president of aggressively kissing and grabbing her at a hotel where they met to discuss a potential job with the Trump Organization a year after she appeared on The Apprentice.
Zervos, a restaurant owner in California, argues that Trumps denials have hurt her credibility and affected her ability to earn a living.
TRUMP SLAMS DISGRACEFUL AND FAKE SUBPOENA FROM GLORIA ALLRED, EX-APPRENTICE CONTESTANT
Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Schecter ruled Tuesday that the lawsuit can proceed despite attempts by Trumps lawyers to dismiss or delay the lawsuit until Trump is no longer president.
In July, Trumps lawyers called for the dismissal of Zervos complaint on the basis that the president can only be sued through the federal court system while in office and any state action should be dismissed or postponed until after he leaves office.
TRUMP LAWYERS PUSH TOHAVE DEFAMATION SUIT THROWN OUT
Schecter, however, believes the president has no immunity and said he is subject to the laws for purely private acts.
She cited as precedent a civil rights lawsuit against then President Bill Clinton that was ordered to proceed.
Fox News Barnini Chakraborty and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mississippis Gov. Phil Bryant will reportedly appoint the state's first female member of Congress by picking the states agriculture commissioner to fill the vacancy to be left by Sen. Thad Cochrans upcoming retirement.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Cindy Hyde-Smith, who has served as the states agriculture commissioner since 2011, will step into the veteran Republicans seat. That announcement could come as soon as Wednesday.
Should Hyde-Smith be appointed, she will hold the seat for the special election on Nov. 6, when she would be backed by the GOP establishment against both Democrats and a challenger from the right in the form of grassroots-backed state Sen Chris McDaniel.
McDaniel was going to challenge incumbent Sen. Roger Wicker, but last week announced his intention to run for Cochrans seat instead.
By announcing early, we are asking Mississippi Republicans to unite around my candidacy and avoid another contentious contest among GOP members that would only improve the Democrats chances of winning the open seat, McDaniel said in a statement Wednesday. If we unite the party and consolidate our resources, we can guarantee Donald Trump will have a fighter who will stand with him.
Cochran resigned from the Senate last week amid health challenges after serving for 40 years. His seat would not have been up for re-election. His current term began after the 2014 midterm election cycle, and would expire in 2020.
The Associated Press reports that Hyde-Smith could be able to call on support from agricultural interests, which are strong in Mississippi.
But with McDaniel challenging from the right, the situation is making establishment figures nervous about a repeat of last years Alabama special election, in which the populist Judge Roy Moore nudged out establishment-backed Luther Strange, only to lose to Democrat Doug Jones in the general election.
Sources told Fox News last week that the GOP establishment was pushing for McDaniel to compete against Wicker instead, rather than for Cochrans seat, as some members are fearful that it could lead to a Democratic victory.
CONSERVATIVE MCDANIEL SWITCHES RACES IN MISSISSIPPI'S DOUBLE-BARRELED SENATE CONTEST
But McDaniel used a statement last week to blast Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,for trying to pick the states next senator
"Mitch McConnell wants to hand-pick our next Senator. I understand why, he said in a statement. It's because they know that I won't be answering to them [GOP establishment], I'll be answering to the voters of Mississippi and putting Mississippi first."
Fox News Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Top Senate Intelligence Committee lawmakers on Tuesday called Russia relentless in its attempt to meddle in the 2016 U.S. elections and warned that state election officials need to strengthen their safety nets against future cyberattacks ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the panel, previewed some of the committee's recommendations for improving the nation's election infrastructure at a bi-partisan news conference.
Weve got to get some standards in place, Burr said.
Among other things, the committee recommended that Congress "urgently pass" legislation to boost assistance to states and establish a voluntary grant program. It also recommended that Washington "clearly communicate" that attacks on elections are hostile and to "respond accordingly."
The recommendations also include creating a voluntary state election security grant program, and urges states to rapidly replace outdated and vulnerable voting systems.
At a minimum, any machine purchased going forward should have a voter-verified paper trail and no WiFi capability, the draft summary states.
The news conference took place moments after the White House confirmed President Trump congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent re-election win. The victory raised some eyebrow after video emerged of what appeared to be people stuffing ballot boxes.
At Tuesdays press conference, both Republicans and Democrats were united in their belief Russia tried to influence the U.S. elections.
"The Russians were relentless in their attempts to meddle," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told reporters.
Russian agents targeted election systems in 21 states ahead of the 2016 general election, the Department of Homeland Security has said, and separately launched a social media blitz aimed at inflaming social tensions and sowing confusion.
Top U.S. intelligence officials have said they've seen indications Russian agents are preparing a new round of election subterfuge this year.
DHS took nearly a year to inform the affected states of hacking attempts, blaming it in part on a lack of security clearances. Lawmakers in both parties have pressed the department on why it took so long.
One of the most frustrating things is that in the aftermath of the hacking, it took the Department of Homeland Security nearly nine months nine months to notify the top election officials that their states and systems had been messed with, Warner said.
On Wednesday, the lawmakers are scheduled to hold a lengthy public hearing looking into attempted hacks on state elections systems in 2016 and the federal and state response to those efforts.
The committee has prepared a larger report on the issue, one of what could be several reports to come out of the committee's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Overall, experts say far too little has been done to shore up vulnerabilities in 10,000 U.S. voting jurisdictions that mostly run on obsolete and imperfectly secured technology.
However, there is no evidence that any hack in the November 2016 election affected election results, but the attempts spooked state election officials who sought answers about how their systems had been potentially compromised.
Warner has said he thinks the process to prevent such hacking needs to be more robust, especially since Trump has not addressed the matter as an urgent problem.
"We've got bipartisan agreement we have to do something on this," Warner said earlier this year.
The Senate intelligence panel has put off making any assessments about whether Trump's 2016 campaign in any way coordinated with Russia. Though that is one part of the panel's investigation, Burr and Warner have decided to focus on less controversial issues where all members agree.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As fish was eaten and toasts raised by the Jewish leadership of Tomsk, the quiet central Siberian citys Jewish community chairman Baruch Ramatsky suddenly produced a small, ancient Torah scroll.From the looks on the faces of Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, and Tomsks local rabbi, Levi Kaminetsky, this was not part of the planned celebrations heralding the return of a historical synagogue once appropriated by the Communist authorities.Called the Cantonist Synagogue, the returned building is a rickety wooden structure one of just a few of its kind still standing that was built over 110 years ago by a group of veteran conscripts, or Cantonists, who were forced to serve over 25 years in the tsars army as child conscripts.A small but dedicated number of Jewish Cantonists resisted systemic pressure to convert while enlisted. But ironically, they were shunned as uncouth by their community upon their return home decades later and were often segregated into a separate section in the back of the synagogue. In response, the Cantonists of Tomsk formed a congregation of their own.Torah-wielding Ramatskys grandfather was the last caretaker of that synagogue before it was taken over by the Soviets in 1930.Weve been safeguarding this Torah in my family for 90 years, Ramatsky said. And now it is time for it to come out of hiding.Together with the belated return of the Cantonist synagogue, the revelation of the existence of the scroll was an apt metaphor for the greater Russian-Jewish community, which even decades after the fall of the Iron Curtain is still cautiously emerging from its shell. And, like the Cantonists themselves, it was a unique symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.On that subzero afternoon, members of Tomsks small but stalwart community danced with the Torah in front of the Cantonist synagogue after a ceremony in which the citys mayor, Ivan Klyayn, symbolically handed over the buildings keys to Lazar.From yesterday to tomorrowWhile the Jews of Tomsk celebrated in front of the ancient wooden synagogue, just 25 kilometers (15 miles) southward some 160 young adults excitedly converged at the launch of an annual three-day long weekend aimed at fostering a sense of Jewish community and identity among a cohort in their late teens and early 20s.The venue was a sprawling campus in the middle of the Siberian forest that impossibly gave off a sense of lushness, even from beneath a heavy blanket of snow and ice. The numerous dormitories that comfortably housed hundreds formed a circle around a main building. There, in addition to the administrative offices, was found a kosher cafeteria and an auditorium that was soon to double as a dance studio.Part of the Russian Jewish communitys greater Yachad youth initiative which includes the Eurostars program, this group for young adults, called ZOOM, holds weekly activities across Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Like many parallel North American youth groups, it is divided into regions, where participants take turns gathering in different host cities. Tomsk falls into the sparsely populated Siberia region geographically the largest by far.
Cynthia Nixon, known as Miranda Hobbes by fans of HBOs Sex and the City series, officially is challenging incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York's Democratic primary.
New York is my home. Ive never lived anywhere else, Nixon said in a campaign video. New York is where I was raised and where Im raising my kids. Im a proud public school graduate and a prouder public school parent.
I love New York. Ive never wanted to live anywhere else, but something has to change, Nixon said, adding that the government should fix the states problems with healthcare, mass incarceration and the subway system.
Nixon, 52, is no stranger to politics. Shes often butted heads with Cuomo over issues pertaining to public education. Shes advocated for an increase in funding for public schools, breast cancer awareness and gay rights, among other things. Shes protested President Trump and campaigned for former President Barack Obama.
Nixon also received the endorsement of the Working Families Party (WFP), an influential, progressive third party in New York.
In the primary, Nixon has been credited with pushing Cuomo to the left on some issues, including his executive order granting paroled felons the right to vote in the state.
Heres a look at Nixons political advocacy and some of the issues shes passionate about.
Public schools
Along with her wife, Nixon has championed causes related to New York Citys public schools, including an effort to reduce public school classroom sizes. It was during this campaign that Nixon met her future spouse Christine Marinoni, according to a profile in The Advocate.
Nixon was once arrested during a protest at City Hall aimed at increasing funding to public schools.
We marched on up, sat down and blocked the entrance, she told The New York Times. The police very politely asked us to move, and we declined. They pulled up the police van and put us in.
The Tony Award winner is also a spokeswoman for the Alliance for Quality Education, a New York-based organization that advocates for high quality academic opportunities.
Cynthia is a public school mom who is extremely sincere and knowledgeable and has consistently been outspoken on the need for fair and adequate funding for our public schools. Billy Easton, executive director of Alliance for Quality Education
Cynthia is a public school mom who is extremely sincere and knowledgeable and has consistently been outspoken on the need for fair and adequate funding for our public schools, Billy Easton, executive director of AQE, told Fox News.
Shes been a very clear advocate, not just in a sort of self-interested, Im just trying to take care of my kids [way], but more from the standpoint of every kid deserves a great opportunity, he said.
In an op-ed for The Journal News, a New York newspaper, Nixon criticized the Trump administrations support for charter schools and implored New York to put more resources into public schools.
Gay rights
Nixon was honored with the Human Rights Campaigns Visibility Award in February 2018 because she is a fearless and outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people, HRC President Chad Griffin said.
Cynthia uses her talent and public platform to speak out for equality in this country and around the globe, and in the process, she is changing countless hearts and minds, Griffin said in a statement.
CYNTHIA NIXON RELEASES MIRANDA-THEMED CAMPAIGN GEAR ON SHOW'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
A year before she was awarded the honor, Nixon protested Trumps immigration ban at a rally held outside New York Citys Stonewall Inn, an important historical site for gay rights. She criticized Vice President Mike Pence, calling him the poster boy for anti-LGBT rhetoric, legislation and conversion therapy.
As LGBT people, we know how important coming out is, but I would argue that our coming out has never been more important than it is right now, Nixon said.
Nixon has been married to activist Marinoni since 2012. The pair lobbied to legalize gay marriage in Washington, where Marinoni is from.
Breast cancer awareness
After battling breast cancer herself, Nixon became a spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
Nixon kept her own diagnosis quiet while she received treatment, telling ABC News she didnt want paparazzi at the hospital. After hearing the news from her doctor, she said she felt scared and didnt want this to be happening.
The cancer was found early, in 2006, and Nixon was able to beat it. She also had some prior experience with breast cancer; her mother successfully battled it when Nixon was a child, according to ABC News.
To treat it, Nixon had a lumpectomy and underwent more than six weeks of radiation, Fox News previously reported.
Access to abortion
Nixon has long been a supporter of Planned Parenthood and abortion rights, attending protests in Washington, D.C., and penning editorials in support of the reproductive health organization.
I am convinced that abortion rights are human rights not only because of compassion for my mother but also because I am a mother of three, Nixon wrote in an op-ed for Time, detailing her mothers own abortion. Many of us who made the decision to become parents have experienced a unique desire for parenthood. But that in no way mutes our desire for abortion to be safe, legal and available.
Women must have the right to determine whether and when to have children. That is what reproductive rights are all about, she continued. Abortion, like parenthood, is a deeply personal and sometimes complex decision for a woman, and no one can make that decision for her. Decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy or raise a child must be left to the woman and her family to determine based on their faith with the counsel of their medical provider.
CYNTHIA NIXON EMBRACES 'UNQUALIFIED LESBIAN' LABEL IN NEW YORK GUBERNATORIAL RUN
Nixon was a keynote speaker at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas awards luncheon in Dallas in March. And shes also participated in the Womens March, a nationwide women-led rally that advocates for women's rights, as well as other hot button issues such as immigration reform and LGBTQ rights
Mayor de Blasios campaign
Nixon was able to get another big-name celebrity to endorse Bill de Blasio in the Democratic primary when he ran for mayor in 2013: Alec Baldwin.
According to a New York Times profile, Nixon sent Baldwin an email, encouraging him to publicly pick de Blasio over Christine Quinn, then the speaker of the City Council.
Baldwin responded to Nixons email, ensuring her that he would support de Blasio and apologizing for lamely assuming that she was supporting Quinn as both women are lesbians, according to The Times.
She would also get other celebrities on board with de Blasio including fellow Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and organized a fundraiser for him.
She is listed as one of de Blasios advisors. And for her own campaign, she's assembled a staff that includes veteran operatives who have worked for de Blasio, according to NY1.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Southern California town council rebelled Monday night and voted to reject the states sanctuary law.
Los Alamitos Council members voted 4-1 to opt out of a state law that limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents.
The law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and became effective on Jan. 1, includes prohibiting state and local police agencies from informing federal authorities in cases when illegal immigrants facing deportation are released from detention.
Los Alamitos adopted ordinance claims the new state law may be in direct conflict with federal laws and the Constitution. The council, therefore, finds that it is impossible to honor our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, if they do not opt out of it.
The vote caused diverse reactions among over 150 people participating in the council meeting.
They are asserting their right to ensure the constitutional remains the main law of the land, Arthur Schaper, who supported the motion, told Fox Los Angeles.
Moti Cohen, an immigrant from Israel, said he came to the U.S. legally and that everyone should follow that path too. He became a legal resident after marrying his American wife.
"The law is the law and has to be enforced all over the country," he told The Los Angeles Times. "The country is a law-and-order country and you have to come here legally."
Others, upset that a council in California chose to decide whether to ignore state laws aimed at protecting illegal immigrants, showed up to protest the vote causing a temporary delay.
What we dont understand what we fear we kill. And thats what were doing were killing the spirit of this nation which is American, Joanne Abuqartoumy told the newspaper.
The only dissenting voice on the council, Mark Chirco, wrote on Facebook after the vote that I could not see how the ordinance proposed tonight would benefit our city and will instead place our city in danger of a costly and uphill battle with the State of California.
But many believe the example of the Los Alamitos Council may be a game-changer in California, where state officials have positioned themselves as against the immigration policies of the Trump administration.
"Perhaps it could be the leader. We are heartened that body politics is taking an action that supports federal laws," Robin Hvidston, executive director of pro-immigration enforcement group We the People Rising, told the LA Times.
"We're just calling on the federal government to stand up on behalf of the city," she said, hoping the U.S. Department of Justice will support the city.
The newly passed law will have to have a second reading in a month. It is expected that the ordinance will pass again.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday tore into Democrats who back so-called sanctuary cities," saying at a White House roundtable on the subject that their priority is to protect criminals, not law-abiding Americans.
Democrats' priority is to protect criminals, not to do what is right for our country, Trump said at the law enforcement roundtable.
He accused Democrats of blocking Republican efforts to end "catch-and-release" and other measures sanctuary cities use in refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement officers.
During the event, Trump was one of a number of participants to praise Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the Department of Justices work in securing the border and pushing to enforce federal immigration law. Sessions announced this month that Justice is suing the state of California over sanctuary policies that hinder federal immigration authorities.
"Jeff, I will say the level of strength of the Justice Department on this issue and on other border issues has been fantastic, so we appreciate it very much," Trump said.
Trump has repeatedly lambasted Sessions on a number of issues, particularly over his decision to recuse himself from investigations relating to the Trump campaign and Russian meddling. Trump has said he would not have hired Sessions if he knew what he was going to do.
But Sessions and Trump are on the same page when it comes to immigration and border enforcement, and both men have repeatedly used tough language on the topic of sanctuary cities.
Sessions returned the praise, saying Trump had led on the issue from Day 1 and describing sanctuary policies as a knife in the heart in the relations between state and federal officials.
They are irrational, they make no sense, they are radical really at their fundamental basis, he said of such policies. Its a radical policy that they are executing.
At bottom these policies of these sanctuary jurisdictions call for open borders; it is an affront to the fundamental federal immigration law in America, he said.
Democrats have claimed that such policies prevent the splitting up of families and encourage those in the country illegally, but otherwise following the law, to work with authorities to stop criminals.
PELOSI SLAMS CALIFORNIA ICE RAID AS 'UNJUST AND CRUEL'
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has accused the Trump administration of terrorizing "innocent immigrant families" with "unjust and cruel" raids in California. She also took aim at the lawsuit from the DOJ.
"The people of California will not be bowed by the Trump administration's brazen aggression and intimidation tactics, Pelosi said. Californians will continue to proudly keep our doors open to the immigrants who make America more American. We will fight this sham lawsuit and will fight all cowardly attacks on our immigrant communities."
But at Tuesday's roundtable, there was little diversity of opinion on the subject, with well-known pro-immigration enforcement voices slamming liberal enforcement policies.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., described sanctuary jurisdictions as outlaw cities while Rep. Martha McSally , R-Ariz., warned that if California continued its policies, we might need to build a wall between California and Arizona as well."
President Donald Trump says he wants to meet with Russia's Vladimir Putin in the "not too distant future" to discuss the "arms race" between Russia and the U.S.
Trump says he also wants to discuss Ukraine, North Korea, and Syria with the Russian leader.
Trump's comments in the Oval Office come after what he says was a "very good call" with Putin Tuesday morning to congratulate him on his re-election Sunday to a fourth six-year term as Russia's leader. The election was tainted by reports of voting irregularities.
It's the moment warm weather fans have been waiting for: the first day of spring is set to officially arrive in the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday, though some states may not believe it.
Winter weather may still be lingering, but that hasn't stopped people across the country from celebrating what's known as the vernal equinox.
Here are 5 things you should know about the annual March event.
What is the vernal equinox, and why do we have it?
Equinoxes occur twice a year, in March and September, to mark the onset of spring and autumn. During an equinox, which in Latin translates to "equal night," both day and night are equal.
"Today the length of night and day are nearly equal," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said early Tuesday. "The days will now become longer at the higher latitudes because it takes the sun longer to rise and set."
On this day, the sun crosses the celestial equator "the imaginary line in the sky above the Earths equator from south to north," the National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi explained in a tweet.
When does the equinox officially occur?
The sun will be directly overhead at approximately 5:58 p.m. ET on Tuesday, according to Time and Date.
Does the vernal equinox fall on the same day each year?
No. The first day of spring can arrive anywhere from March 19 to March 21, depending on the year.
"Due to time zone differences, the equinox may occur a day earlier at locations that are behind UTC," Time and Date adds.
Why? Our calendar year doesn't always have an even number of days. Every four years, an extra day, known as Leap Day, is added in the month of February.
"The March equinox would occur on the same day every year if the Earth took exactly 365 days to make a complete revolution around the Sun. But this is not the case," Time and Date explains. "It takes the Earth about 365.25 days on average to go around the Sun once."
Why do people try to balance eggs on this day?
An ancient myth claims an egg can balance on its end only during a vernal equinox. And every year, people gather together to attempt the challenge.
"The myth was popularized in the United States following a LIFE article in 1945, which explained the old spring adage," AccuWeather reports.
But that myth has proven to be false.
"The vernal equinox brings no special egg-balancing properties with it," fact-checking website Snopes.com confirmed in a post online. "Standing an egg on its end is something just about anyone can do any day of the year; the feat simply takes the right egg and a little trial and practice."
Why do people flock to Chichen Itza on this day?
During the equinox, people often turn to Chichen Itza, an ancient complex constructed by Mayans located in central Mexico, to watch the sunset. They're hoping to witness a very special shadow that's cast on the structure.
"Incredibly, twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent," National Geographic states. "As the sun sets, this shadowy snake descends the steps to eventually join a stone serpent head at the base of the great staircase up the pyramids side."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stephen Hawking died March 14, leaving behind a massive legacy of work as an astrophysicist, science communicator, activist, and figure of pop culture admiration. And on the day of his death, a question he raised and worked on until the last years of his life remains unanswered: Can information really be lost to the universe?
Hawking's most famous paper, "Black Hole Explosions?," published 44 years ago in 1974, took a hatchet to the whole notion of black holes as physicists had previous understood them. And it was Hawking's first whack at that basic question.
"Classically, a black hole should be 'perfectly cold' in the sense that it absorbs everything but emits nothing. This is how they were understood in the early 1970s," Robert McNees, a physicist at Loyola University in Chicago, wrote in an email. [Stephen Hawking's Most Intriguing Quotes on Humanity, Aliens and Women]
A black hole like that would radiate no energy, and no matter could escape from it. It would just exist, cold, silent, and eternal. Hawking's paper made the black holes alive and possibly mortal.
"When Stephen considered quantum mechanical effects in the mid-70s, he discovered that black holes should, in principle, radiate as if they were thermal objects with a temperature," McNees told Live Science. "If they radiate energy then their mass will decrease. And he found that as this happens, as they shrink, their temperature goes up and they radiate even faster."
Eventually, perhaps, the black hole would disappear entirely, or shrink to a little nubbin. Without fully reconciling relativity and quantum mechanics in a robust theory of "quantum gravity" (what physicists call a "theory of everything"), the final stage of that black hole evaporation remains a mystery.
"The problem is that, according to his calculations, the radiation is perfectly thermal. It doesn't retain any information about the state of the material that formed the black hole, and this would violate a fundamental rule in quantum mechanics," McNees wrote.
Quantum physics requires that the whole future and past of every particle should be, in principle, possible to figure out and link through a series of chained, causal, probabilistic events. But if a black hole release an undifferentiated soup of particles with their information their histories unrecoverably erased, then that requirement is fundamentally broken. [Stephen Hawking's Most Far-Out Ideas About Black Holes]
"[Physicists call this] the 'black hole information paradox,' and attempts to resolve it have driven much of the work in quantum gravity since it was first articulated," McNees wrote.
Hawking was already an accomplished physicist by 1974. And many brief biographies imply that, following the publication of his 1988 popular science book "A Brief History of Time," his most important scientific work was behind him. But Hawking continued to produce significant and controversial scientific papers until as recently as this decade, wrangling with the paradox he introduced decades earlier.
The most dramatic late-career paper Hawking wrote suggested the black holes as they've classically been understood don't exist at all.
In "Information Preservation and Weather Forecasting for Black Holes," published in 2014, he suggested that the "event horizon" around black holes, the point beyond which even light could not escape, doesn't really exist. Instead, he wrote, there's simply an "apparent" horizon of trapped light which could fade away and allow the light to escape.
"The absence of event horizons mean that there are no black holes in the sense of regimes from which light cant escape to infinity," Hawking wrote.
He also suggested some fundamental conceptual problems with a number of features physicists had attributed to black holes, like "firewalls" around their boundaries that destroy observers who try to enter.
That wasn't Hawking's final word on science. As recently as 2016, Hawking published a paper with the University of Cambridge physicist Malcolm Perry and Harvard University physicist Andrew Strominger called "Soft Hair on Black Holes."
The research team argued that black holes are surrounded by "soft" or zero-energy particles, which they call hair. That hair, they wrote, stores the lost information of particles emitted by black holes on "holographic plates" beyond the black holes' boundary regions. So the information, while displaced, is never truly lost.
"A complete description of the holographic plate and resolution of the information paradox remains an open challenge, which we have presented new and concrete tools to address," they wrote.
Even near the end of his life, Hawking remained very much a working scientist, presenting ideas that advanced his field, and ideas his colleagues rejected.
"It's my impression that the 2014 paper is not widely accepted. The 2016 paper, on the other hand, which is work with Perry and Strominger, is a direction that people are still actively working on," McNees wrote.
"The black hole information paradox has been one of the defining questions for people working on quantum gravity. And, as it remains unanswered, I think it remains the most interesting question that [Hawking] raised."
Originally published on Live Science.
Sudan, the worlds last male northern white rhino, died after age-related complications, researchers announced Tuesday.
The 45-year-old rhino was euthanized Monday after his conditions worsened significantly and he was unable to stand any longer, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya said in a statement.
There are now only two northern white rhinos left in the world both are female.
"He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity," said Richard Vigne, the groups CEO.
The last male northern white rhino had been born in Sudan, taken to a Czech zoo and then transferred in 2009 to Kenya, where had become a bit of a celebrity.
Last year, Sudan was listed as The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World on the dating app Tinder.
Sudan "significantly contributed to the survival of his species as he sired two females," the conservancy said. "Additionally, his genetic material was collected yesterday and provides a hope for future attempts at reproduction of northern white rhinos through advanced cellular technologies."
"He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity." Richard Vigne
Hopes of saving the species now lie with Najin, 27, and her daughter, Fatu 18 which are both at Ol Pejeta. A fourth female northern white rhino died in the San Diego Zoo in 2015.
Najin and Fatu are both capable of reproducing but the surrogacy process is complicated and pricey. The rhinos also get 24-hour anti-poaching security in Kenya, a country where poaching is a big problem.
The animals are poached for its horns, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars because some believe it has medicinal value. The illegal rhino horn trade has even helped finance the terrorist group al-Shabab, which has made millions slaughtering rhinos and elephants for ivory.
Giving birth to just one rhino wont save the species, Elodie Sampere, communications manager for the conservancy, told Fox News earlier this month. We need at least 10 babies.
Fox News Paul Tilsley and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
The wreck of the USS Juneau, which was sunk by a Japanese torpedo and lost 687 sailors in 1942, has been discovered by billionaire Paul Allens crew.
Five brothers from the Sullivan family were famously lost on the USS Juneau. Their story, which attracted widespread attention, was depicted in the 1944 movie The Fighting Sullivans. Two USS Navy ships have been named The Sullivans in memory of the brothers.
The brothers wanted to serve on the same ship, despite naval policies preventing siblings from serving together.
USS LEXINGTON DISCOVERED BY BILLIONAIRE PAUL ALLEN'S CREW 76 YEARS AFTER WWII SINKING
The USS Juneau was found on St. Patricks Day resting on the seafloor near the Solomon Islands. An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) from the research vessel Petrel first identified the wreck using sonar on March 17. The following day, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) was deployed from Petrel to verify the wreckage, capturing video footage of the Juneau.
We certainly didnt plan to find the Juneau on St. Patricks Day. The variables of these searches are just too great, said Robert Kraft, director of subsea operations for Paul Allen, in a statement. But finding the USS Juneau on Saint Patricks Day is an unexpected coincidence to the Sullivan brothers and all the service members who were lost 76 years ago.
Juneau was sunk on Nov. 13 1942 during the Battle of Guadalcanal. When a second torpedo hit her port side, an explosion cut the ship in half, killing most of the crew. The light cruiser sank in just 30 seconds. Around 115 of Juneaus crew are believed to have survived the sinking, including, possibly, two of the Sullivan brothers. However, with U.S. forces concerned about the risk of further Japanese attacks, rescue efforts did not take place until eight days later. Only 10 men were rescued from the water.
STUNNING PICTURES REVEAL THE WRECK OF US WORLD WAR II-ERA SUB
The first ship named after the brothers, USS The Sullivans (DD-537), was commissioned in 1943 and is now a museum ship in Buffalo. The second ship to bear the family name (DDG-68) is in active service as a guided missile destroyer.
As the fifth commanding officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), a ship named after five brothers, I am excited to hear that Allen and his team were able to locate the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL 52) that sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal, said Vice Adm. Rich Brown, commander, Naval Surface Forces, in a statement. The story of the USS Juneau crew and Sullivan brothers epitomize the service and sacrifice of our nations greatest generation.
Expeditions led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen have discovered a host of historic military shipwrecks, such as the USS Lexington, which was located earlier this month, 76 years after it was lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
INCREDIBLE IMAGES OFFER FIRST GLIMPSE OF SUNKEN WWII-ERA AIRCRAFT CARRIER
Last year Allens crew found the long-lost wreck of the USS Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea. The sinking of the Indianapolis, which delivered the Hiroshima bomb and is mentioned in the movie "Jaws," in 1945 resulted in the greatest single loss of life at sea in the U.S. Navys history. Of 1,196 crew aboard the heavy cruiser, only 317 survived.
Fox News Christopher Carbone contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Cambridge Analytica announced it has suspended CEO Alexander Nix pending the results of an ongoing investigation that it improperly accessed 50 million Facebook accounts.
"In the view of the Board, Mr. Nixs recent comments secretly recorded by Channel 4 and other allegations do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation," the company said in a statement.
The U.K. firm describes itself as a data-driven communications and marketing agency.
ZUCKERBERG, SANDBERG SILENCE DURING FACEBOOK SCANDAL LIKE PUTTING 'GASOLINE ON THE FIRE'
In the recording, Nix is heard saying that the company could use unorthodox methods to wage successful political campaigns for clients.
He said the company could "send some girls" around to a rival
candidate's house, suggesting that girls from Ukraine are beautiful and effective in this role.
Cambridge has denied any wrongdoing in the Facebook data scandal. As a result, Facebook said it is looking into forensic audits to investigate Cambridge's claims.
In the statement, Cambridge added Dr. Alexander Tayler will serve as the acting CEO while the independent investigation is ongoing. It has also asked, Julian Malins, QC, to lead the investigation. The company's board of directors will share the findings publicly in due course.
The U.K. firm has come under fire in recent days after it was suspended by Facebook for improper access to 50 million Facebook accounts. The company, which has ties to the 2016 Donald Trump campaign, said it had deleted the data in a legal document to Facebook, but the facts have been disputed.
Fox News' Shira Bush and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia
This years keynote speaker for the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga 5th Annual Entrepreneur Power Luncheon will be Dr. Randall Pinkett, founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners. EPL is a fiscally charged business luncheon designed to empower Chattanoogas small, minority and women-owned business owners and entrepreneurs, said officials.
Dr. Pinkett is an entrepreneur, speaker, author and scholar, and as voice for his generation in business and technology. BCT Partners is a multimillion-dollar management consulting, research and evaluation, information technology, and data analytics firm headquartered in Newark, NJ.
Dr. Pinkett has received numerous awards for business and technology excellence including the Information Technology Senior Management Forums Beacon Award, the National Society of Black Engineers Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the National Urban Leagues Business Excellence Award. He has been featured on nationally televised programs such as The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Michael, Nightline and CNN.
Dr. Pinkett is the author of Campus CEO: The Student Entrepreneurs Guide to Launching a Multimillion-Dollar Business and No-Money Down CEO: How to Start Your Dream Business with Little or No Cash and co-author of Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness, which was named one of The Best Books of 2010. He holds five degrees including: a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University; a M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Oxford in England; and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering, MBA, and Ph.D. from MIT. He was the first and only African-American to receive the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship at Rutgers University. He was inducted to the Academic All-America Hall of Fame, as a former high jumper, long jumper, sprinter and captain of the mens track and field team.
The luncheon will be held Tuesday, May 15, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg was a no-show at the social media giants Tuesday internal briefing for employees about its role in an widening data breach scandal, according to reports.
According to The Daily Beast, Facebook held a question-and-answer session for employees about the data leak, which may have provided the company known as Cambridge Analytica access to 50 million accounts to try to sway elections.
The U.K. firm came under fire in recent days after a suspension by Facebook for improper access to users private data. The company, which has ties to the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign, said in a legal document to Facebook that it had deleted the data, but the facts have been disputed.
Whistleblower Christopher Wylie, who once worked for Cambridge Analytica as a contractor, was quoted as saying the company used the data to build psychological profiles so voters could be targeted with ads and stories.
Cambridge Analytica the firm suspended CEO Alexander Nix pending results of an ongoing investigation has denied any wrongdoing in the data scandal. As a result, Facebook said it is looking into forensic audits to investigate the data-mining firms claims.
The Verge originally reported that the Tuesday-morning session for employees would be led by Paul Grewal, the companys deputy general counsel.
From employees to lawmakers internationally, Zuckerberg is facing mounting criticism about his silence concerning the data breach.
The prevailing sentiment is, why havent we heard from Mark? a Facebook employee told The Verge.
Arielle Argyres, a spokeswoman for Facebook, told Fox News about the report of Zuckerberg being AWOL: Thanks for reaching out sorry, dont have anything to share.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Alex Stamos, Facebooks chief security officer who helped track down how Russia harnessed the network for its 2016 disinformation campaign, is under a spotlight and reportedly set to resign later this year amid fallout over the social network's work with a data mining firm used by the Trump campaign.
The social network is reeling from revelations that data for 50 million users was harvested by Cambridge Analytica, and facing renewed scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic, putting Stamoss future at Facebook in doubt.
If he does leave in August of this year, as the New York Times reports he will, Stamos would be the first high-ranking Facebook employee to depart since the Russian disinformation controversy began.
In a statement to the Times on Monday, Stamos said, These are really challenging issues, and Ive had some disagreements with all of my colleagues, including other executives. On Twitter, however, Stamos said he was fully engaged with his work and announced that his role had changedbut didnt give any more specifics.
Alex Stamos continues to be the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Facebook," said a Facebook spokeperson, in a statement emailed to Fox News late Monday. "He has held this position for nearly three years and leads our security efforts especially around emerging security risks. He is a valued member of the team and we are grateful for all he does each and every day.
According to sources in the Times, Stamoss daily responsibilities were assigned to other people in December. At that point, he wanted to leave the company but was reportedly persuaded to stay by colleagues who feared it would look bad. Stamos has been overseeing the transfer of his security team to Facebooks product and infrastructure divisions, reports the Times, and his group has gone from 120 people to three.
Meanwhile, Facebook announced in a blog post Monday that it has hired a digital forensics firm to conduct a full audit of Cambridge Analytica.
SILENCE FROM ZUCKERBERG, SANDBERG ON FACEBOOK DATA SCANDAL LIKE 'POURING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE'
This is part of a comprehensive internal and external review that we are conducting to determine the accuracy of the claims that the Facebook data in question still exists, Facebook said in the statement. This is data Cambridge Analytica, SCL, Mr. Wylie, and Mr. Kogan certified to Facebook had been destroyed. If this data still exists, it would be a grave violation of Facebooks policies and an unacceptable violation of trust and the commitments these groups made.
Stamos had also recently deleted a series of Facebook PR-approved tweets defending the company over its handling of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal by arguing that the data-mining firm didnt breach Facebooks systems, but simply used data its affiliates were given access to. However, as the Times Nicole Perlroth noted, the companys public relations department apparently didnt anticipate the blowback Stamos would receive on Twitter.
The scandal hits at the heart of the firm's business model: making as much money as possible from the data of its 2 billion monthly users. In the wake of these revelations, the company's stock price suffered its largest one-day drop since September 2012 on Monday.
Fox News Chris Ciaccia contributed to this report.
As the controversy over Cambridge Analyticas alleged misuse of Facebook data grows, other groups use of the social network have also been thrust into the spotlight, including President Barack Obamas 2012 presidential election campaign.
Reports emerged over the weekend that data mining firm Cambridge Analytica, which has ties to Donald Trumps 2016 presidential election campaign, improperly used information from more than 50 million Facebook accounts. Facebook has suspended the company from the social network.
The U.K. firm, which describes itself as a data-driven communications and marketing agency, denies any wrongdoing.
The Washington Post reports that in 2007 Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg invited developers to build businesses using Facebook data, effectively letting them tap in to users lists of friends, likes and interests. At the company's 2010 developer conference, Zuckerberg took it a step further, saying the company was loosening up the grip on storing user data. "Weve had this policy where you cant store or cache data for any longer than 24 hours, and were going to go ahead and get rid of that policy," Zuckerberg said.
While the social network tightened its policy in 2015, the current scandal has shone a light on how Facebook data has historically been used.
SILENCE FROM ZUCKERBERG, SANDBERG ON FACEBOOK SCANDAL LIKE PUTTING 'GASOLINE ON THE FIRE'
On Twitter, Carol Davidsen, the former director of integration and media analytics at Obama for America, explained how the 2012 campaign harnessed Facebooks Application Programming Interface (API) to access the companys "social graph that maps users connections. This enabled the campaign to access information on users friends when they used the Facebook log-in button to access the campaigns website, according to the Washington Post.
Facebook was surprised we were able to suck out the whole social graph, but they didnt stop us once they realized that was what we were doing, Davidsen tweeted.
They came to office in the days following election recruiting & were very candid that they allowed us to do things they wouldnt have allowed someone else to do because they were on our side, she added, in a subsequent tweet.
Davidsen also tweeted an example of how the campaign used the Facebook data in its email lists.
The data expert, who worked on the campaign from November 2011 to November 2012, added that she felt uncomfortable about the project. I worked on all of the data integration projects at OFA. This was the only one that felt creepy, even though we played by the rules, and didnt do anything I felt was ugly, with the data, she tweeted.
Davidsen has not responded to a request for comment on this story from Fox News. Facebook has denied that there was any favoritism toward the Obama campaign. "Both the Obama and Romney campaigns had access to the same tools, and no campaign received any special treatment from Facebook," it said, in a statement emailed to Fox News.
FACEBOOK DATA SCANDAL: SOCIAL NETWORK'S SECURITY CHIEF IN SPOTLIGHT, REPORTEDLY LEAVING THIS YEAR
The brouhaha over the Cambridge Analytica data scandal is intensifying. Facebook announced Monday that it has hired a digital forensics firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of the data miner.
Nonetheless, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg have been slammed for their silence over the controversy.
There are also calls for tighter controls on the social network. Recent revelations about the abuse of Facebook's user data screams for regulation, said Marty P. Kamden, chief marketing officer of cybersecurity firm NordVPN, in a statement emailed to Fox News.
LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS FROM FACEBOOK AFTER CLAIM THAT ANALYTICS FIRM SNATCHED USER DATA FOR TRUMP CAMPAIGN
Fox News has confirmed that Facebook officials will meet with aides from the House Judiciary Committee as early as Wednesday to discuss the data mining controversy.
NordVPN recommends that users revoke access to Facebook applications that are no longer in use, as well as suspicious apps that offer users to get likes, followers or view private accounts on Instagram, which is owned by Facebook.
This story has been updated with Facebook's response.
Fox News Chris Ciaccia, Chad Pergram and the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
The phrase "silence is golden" originated in the English language in 1831. But when the silence involves a self-described "breach of trust" from a $500 billion technology giant and its highest profile executives, it could be described as none other than deafening.
Since news broke that Cambridge Analytica, a data research firm, allegedly improperly accessed 50 million Facebook user profiles, there has been a strong reaction from lawmakers, users, media consultants and nearly every person on the planet with an opinion. Facebook has worked to try and get ahead of the story, issuing multiple press releases, including one late Friday night before multiple stories were set to be published concerning the matter.
LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS FROM FACEBOOK AFTER CLAIM THAT ANALYTICS FIRM SNATCHED USER DATA FOR TRUMP CAMPAIGN
Yet Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder, CEO and man who said his personal challenge for 2018 was to fix Facebook, has been completely silent. Sheryl Sandberg, the company's normally loquacious COO, especially when it comes to advertising examples, has also been silent.
"Gasoline on the fire"
"They've put gasoline on the fire in terms of the growing worries [regarding] how this Cambridge Analytica fiasco could ignite further regulatory and or other changes to the company's business model," Dan Ives, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Technology Research at GBH Insights told Fox News.
"The lack of a response, especially from Sandberg with Zuckerberg front and center has been a frustration, and the longer they take to respond, the broader the situation will get from a regulatory perspective in Washington and in the EU, as politicians get frustrated," he added.
Some of Facebook's top executives, including Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos, whose role in the company has changed, and Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, the current vice president of virtual and augmented reality and former vice president of Ads, have taken to social media to try and help shape the narrative that the company is working to fix the problems. (Stamos later deleted his tweets on Cambridge Analytica, saying he "should have done a better job weighing in.")
Zuckerberg, who regularly takes to his Facebook page to discuss topics ranging from company policy updates to sharing photos of his children, has been silent since March 2. That day he posted a photo of he and his wife, Vanessa, baking hamentashen for the Jewish holiday of Purim.
FACEBOOK EXPLORING FORENSIC AUDITS TO INVESTIGATE CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA CLAIMS
Like Zuckerberg, Sandberg also uses her Facebook page quite frequently to discuss company-related issues and to share life updates. Her most recent post was on March 17, showing off photos from "kid debate day."
A committee of U.K. lawmakers have written to Zuckerberg asking him to personally address the issue in front of them in London. Zuckerberg has yet to issue a formal response as of the time of this writing.
Sandberg, who previously worked in government, serving under then Treasury Secretary Larry Summers during the Clinton administration, has not yet been asked to formally appear by lawmakers on either side of the Atlantic.
Facebook did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News whether Zuckerberg or Sandberg would be publicly addressing the matter.
(Update: Facebook did not respond to Fox News, but it has issued a statement on Zuckerberg and Sandberg's wherabouts, saying: "Mark, Sheryl and their teams are working around the clock to get all the facts and take the appropriate action moving forward, because they understand the seriousness of this issue. The entire company is outraged we were deceived. We are committed to vigorously enforcing our policies to protect people's information and will take whatever steps are required to see that this happens.")
Fox News has confirmed Facebook officials will meet with House Judiciary Committee staff as early as Wednesday to discuss the third-party data access and storage issue.
Perhaps justifiably, reaction towards Zuckerberg has been swift and overly negative.
Spreading like a brush fire
Ives noted that the public faces of the company are Zuckerberg and Sandberg and anyone else is just background noise. "The longer this goes on and the longer this brush fire spreads, it goes from a background noise to a more front and center risk for the company and investors," he said.
Robert Seamans, an associate professor of Management and Organizations at New York University said there may be a good reason why Zuckerberg and Sandberg have yet to comment, noting they might be trying to still collect all of the information needed rather than "say something quickly for the sake of saying something."
However, Seamans added that he is surprised that Facebook "hasn't taken a more active role in policing or regulating itself, especially in light of the changes we know are happening in Europe, and in light of the FTC's 2011 consent decree."
Goverment concerns
Early Tuesday morning, media reports said that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, an independent government agency charged with "protecting consumers," is probing the company's use of personal data.
The company has come under fire from lawmakers after it announced over the weekend it was suspending Cambridge Analytica, which has ties to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
In Washington, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee told ABC News' "This Week" that Cambridge Analytica's work deserved further scrutiny by the panel.
"We need to find out what we can about the misappropriation of the privacy, the private information of tens of millions of Americans," Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said.
Schiff pointed out that the committee had only done one interview with Alexander Nix, the head of the U.K.-based firm. "Even then it was by a video conference at the GOP's insistence," he said.
In a separate statement, Schiff said Facebook must "answer important questions about why it provided private user information to an academic, how they have informed users in advance of these kinds of data transfers, and whether it can demonstrate that this data has indeed been destroyed. They must also answer questions about how they have notified users about this breach of their personal data."
FACEBOOK APOLOGIZES FOR SEARCH SUGGESTIONS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY VIDEOS
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., told CNN's "State of the Union" that it was important to find out "who knew what when?"
"This is a big deal, when you have that amount of data," Flake said. "And the privacy violations there are significant. So, the question is, who knew it? When did they know it? How long did this go on? And what happens to that data now?"
"The lack of transparent, honest, communication from big tech executives is nothing new and totally expected when it comes to issues of user abuse," added Bill Ottman, CEO of social network Minds.com, in an email to Fox News.
What's next
For now, the world awaits comments from both Zuckerberg and Sandberg. It's imperative the two biggest people at the world's largest social network get it right or risk a further erosion of trust.
"At the end of the day, Facebook and other social media platforms are entrusted with our data and they need to ultimately answer for this in the eyes of users, politicians and investors," Ives said. "If they don't make sure the situation is contained, then this will be a much bigger issue."
This story has been updated to note Facebook will meet with Congressional leaders. Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia
An Idaho family was feeling no puppy love for the carrier after a Delta flight mix-up delivered the wrong dog, and sent their new puppy on a cross-country adventure across three cities.
KTVB reported that on March 18 Josh Schlaich went to pick up his new pet, Ren, at the Delta cargo area of the Boise Airport and was shocked to receive another canine from Rens litter from a Virginia-based breeder instead.
70-YEAR-OLD MAN REMOVED FROM PLANE FOR 'RACIAL ABUSE'
After contacting Delta to find his 8-week-old white-and-brindle puppy, Schlaich soon learned that Rens plane, which had departed on March 17, did not travel from Virginia to Minneapolis then to Boise, as planned, CNN reports.
Instead, the plane flew from Virginia to Detroit for an overnight before jetting to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and finally landed in Boise on Sunday night.
For his part, Schlaich claims that several attempts to call Delta resulted in him being hung up on.
"We went for a couple of hours not really knowing where this dog was. We didn't really know how it would be taken care of at the boarding facility. The dog has been in a crate for two days," he told KTVB. "It's a culmination of uncaring customer service and bad logistics."
WHY THE UNITED STATES DOESN'T HAVE A NATIONAL AIRLINE
The Atlanta headquartered airline returned Fox News request for comment with the following statement:
"We know pets are important members of the family and apologize for the delayed shipment of a dog, which is in the hands of its owner, after it was routed through the incorrect connecting points on its way to Boise," company spokesman Michael Thomas confirmed via email. "Delta teams worked quickly to reunite the dog and his owner, while remaining in constant contact with the customer throughout the process to update him on the status of his pet. We have fully refunded the shipping costs and have initiated an immediate review procedures to understand what happened."
Thomas added that the dog was provided food, water and additional care throughout the travel process and allowed out of his crate periodically. "We are doing everything we can to make this right," he added.
Whether or not air travel has gone to the dogs, this is the fourth canine-related incident in the high skies to make headlines through the last week.
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On March 12, a French bulldog died after being erroneously placed by a flight attendant in an overhead bin for the duration of a trip from Houston to New York, though its owners carried the pet onto the aircraft TSA-approved carrier that they should have been able to keep at their feet for the duration of their flight. United has since apologized for the matter and accepted full responsibility for the incident, though the company could face a criminal probe in Texas for the animal's death.
On March 13, the carrier accidentally sent a German shepherd to Japan instead of Kansas. The pet has since been reunited with his family.
On March 15, a United Airlines flight was diverted after dog was loaded on the wrong plane
Walt Disney World has finally reopened its popular Pirates of the Caribbean attraction minus the controversial Bride Auction sequence.
The scene, which appeared in the Pirates rides at Disney World, Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, had originally depicted a group of women bound to an auction block, with a banner reading Auction: Take a wench for a bride hanging above their heads. A group of nearby pirates could also be heard requesting the redheaded wench, who was the most prominently displayed woman on the block.
DISNEY ANNOUNCES OPENING DATE FOR 'TOY STORY LAND'
As of the rides reopening on March 19, however, the whole scene has been redesigned as a chicken auction, with the auctioneer boasting about the egg-laying capabilities of his hens, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The animatronic redhead has also been recast as a pirate herself named Redd whos just pillaged the towns rum supply and has something to say about it, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
Quit your cluckin, Redd now tells the auctioneer, redirecting her fellow pirates attention to her own wares, according to footage posted by Attractions Magazine. The gentlemen wants the rum dontcha, boys? she hollers.
Redd will also be holding a rifle in her new role a far cry from the helpless wench of the rides previous incarnation.
DAD AND DAUGHTER RIDE ALL 49 DISNEY WORLD RIDES IN ONE DAY
Our team thought long and hard about how to best update this scene, said Kathy Mangum, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, in a statement to The O.C. Register when the changes were announced in June 2017.
We think this keeps to the original vision of the attraction as envisioned by Marc Davis, X Atencio and the other Disney legends who first brought this classic to life.
This isnt the first time Disney has modified its Pirates rides to become more family-friendly. In 1997, Disney redesigned a scene in which pirates were chasing women, and changed it so the pirates looked to be chasing the women for the trays of food they carried. They had also augmented a scene with Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
Disney World is the second Disney theme park to rid its Pirates ride of the bride action sequence after Disneyland Paris in July. A similar makeover is slated for Disneylands Pirates attraction beginning in April.
Deputies in Florida were able to nab a suspect in a months-old robbery case after his DNA was found on the front doorbell of the house he allegedly robbed.
Jason Braun, 41, of Edgewater, was arrested last week in connection with an Oct. 9 robbery, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.
Braun allegedly broke into a senior couple's home, but was thwarted when one of the homeowners, an 81-year-old man, grabbed his .22-caliber pistol and "fired several shots" at the suspect as he broke in through a window in the living room, Fox 35 reported.
The suspect was able to escape, and police couldn't figure out who he was as "several tips didn't pan out."
However, officials said that before Braun allegedly broke into the home, he rang the front doorbell without any gloves on to see if anyone was home.
A detective swabbed the doorbell and sent the DNA sample to a lab for analysis, police said.
More than five months later, the lab results were returned to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office on March 12. The DNA sample swabbed from the doorbell matched Braun's, police said.
Braun was already in custody at the Volusia County Jail in Daytona Beach at the time, but law enforcement served him with an arrest warrant charging him with one count of burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Zachary Cruz, the brother of the suspect who killed 17 people on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was arrested Monday for trespassing on the school's property.
Cruz, 18, "unlawfully entered the school grounds" around 4:50 p.m. on Monday, according to a report from the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said that despite warnings not to enter the Stoneman Douglas campus, Cruz went through locked doors and gates and rode his skateboard throughout the property -- all of which was captured on security footage.
Cruz, according to the arrest report, wanted to "Reflect on the school shooting and to soak it in." He was charged with trespassing.
After Cruz's brother, 19-year-old Nikolas, carried out one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history, he was committed to a mental health facility.
He was put under a mental health evaluation after reportedly saying that he didn't "want to be alive. I don't want to deal with this stuff," according to the Palm Beach Post. Cruz denied wanting to harm himself.
Austin police are reminding residents to remain "vigilant" after announcing a suspected "serial bomber," identified as a 24-year-old white male, died after a confrontation with police overnight Wednesday. Officials warn the suspect could have set up other explosive devices prior to his death.
Over the past three weeks, a string of package deliveries left at least two people dead and several others injured after explosions rocked their homes.
The first explosion unfolded on March 2, killing 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House after a "device" exploded on the front porch of his Austin home. The blast was investigated initially as a suspicious death, and later as a homicide.
Ten days later, a similar incident was reported just 12 miles from House's home. A 17-year-old, identified as Draylen Mason, was killed and his mother was injured after a package exploded inside their home.
Hours after the second explosion occurred, police reported a third blast, confirming that at least one elderly woman was injured.
The night of March 18, around 8:30 p.m., a fourth explosion -- possibly triggered by a trip wire -- occurred. Two men in their 20s suffered non-life threatening injuries in the blast, including one who had nails in his leg, according to KVUE-TV.
"If this explosion was the result of a bomb using trip wire technology, that is showing a different level of skill above that we were already concerned that this suspect or suspects may possess," Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told ABC's "Good Morning America" on March 19.
Another device exploded early March 20 at a FedEx ground distribution facility in Schertz, Texas, injuring one person.
Schertz Police Lt. Manny Casas told Fox San Antonio a medium-sized package, which was heading to Austin, was on the conveyor belt when it exploded. A female employee was treated for a possible sound injury and was released.
All of the explosions are believed to be linked, according to investigators, and officials said they were not ruling out any possible motives.
Here's a timeline (in Central Daylight Time) of the deadly package explosions shaking Austin -- and what police are advising residents as they continue to investigate the incidents.
March 2
6:55 a.m.
Austin police receive reports of an explosion and find a critically-injured House. The 39-year-old victim is then transported to nearby Round Rock Hospital.
7:48 a.m
House is declared dead at the hospital nearly an hour later. Authorities announce House's death is being investigated as "suspicious."
10:45 a.m.
The Austin Police Department holds a news conference in House's neighborhood.
10:50 a.m.
Austin police say they've determined the device was inside a package, and are working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to reconstruct the item and learn who may have created it.
Right now, we're trying to determine how did the package get there and who was the intended target? We do feel that this was targeted at somebody. We're still trying to figure out whether that was the individual who died or not, Assistant Chief Joseph Chacon with the Austin Police Department tells reporters at a news conference.
Police say it is "an isolated incident and that there is no continuing threat to the community," adding that there is no reason to believe it is terror-related.
Anytime we have a bomb go off like that and somebody dies, the first thing people think is terrorism. While we cannot completely rule it out at this point, we do not believe that terrorism is a motive in this death, said Chacon.
House had also faced previous charges in Travis County, according to Fox 7.
March 12
6:45 a.m.
Austin Police received a call about an explosion in a neighborhood on the northwest side of the city after a 17-year-old resident found a package on the front step, brought it inside and opened it in the kitchen, where it exploded.
9:30 a.m.
Authorities confirm a teenager is dead and a woman in her 40s is seriously injured after a package explodes at a home in Austin, marking the second such explosion in the city within two weeks.
Police say the teen died at the scene, while the woman was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The FBI offers to assist Austin police with the investigation.
10:45 a.m.
The Austin Police Department holds a press briefing in the neighborhood where the second package bombing occurred.
10:50 a.m.
Authorities say they believe the package bomb that killed the teenager and wounded the woman is linked to the deadly package sent to House's home earlier this month because they were both left on the front doorstep and not delivered by a mail service.
Manley said the U.S. Postal Service does not have a record of delivering a package to the Austin home where the explosion occurred Monday.
Police reclassify House's death as a "homicide investigation," instead of a "suspicious death," as the two incidents may be related.
Manley says investigators hope to collect surveillance video and evidence from nearby homes to identify a suspect.
"We're doing a canvas of the neighborhood right now," Manley says.
11:50 a.m.
Another explosion is reported in the Montopolis neighborhood, located southeast of downtown Austin.
The Austin Police Department confirms police are reponding to an "urgent" call.
12:08 p.m.
Austin-Travis County EMS officials declare a "trauma alert," announcing they are transporting at least one patient to the hospital following a reported explosion.
12:16 p.m.
Austin-Travis County EMS confirm in a tweet that a woman in her 70s has "serious, potentially life-threatening" injuries. A second woman from that address had an unrelated medical issue and was not taken to the hospital.
2:45 p.m.
Police hold another press briefing to update reporters on a third blast in Austin.
2:50 p.m.
Police identify the victim of the third bombing as a 75-year-old Hispanic woman, who is currently in "critical, but stable condition."
Based on evidence gathered at the scene, police say they believe the third incident is related to the two previous ones involving package bombs.
"We do not have a specific victimology ... at this point, we are willing to investigate any avenue that may be involved behind these attacks," Manley says.
Manley says it's not yet clear whether these victims were "intended targets," but asks the community to be vigilant.
"We are having innocent people getting hurt across the community," he adds.
March 18
8:32 p.m.
Austin police are dispatched to a southwest Austin neighborhood after reports of a "bomb hotshot" explosion.
9:16 p.m.
Austin police confirm two males were injured after another explosion -- possibly triggered by a trip wire -- occurred in an Austin neighborhood known as Travis Country.
10:27 p.m.
Police hold a news briefing to update residents on the latest explosion, which officials believe may be related to the three others.
"Not only do not touch any packages or anything that looks like a package -- do not even go near it at this time," Manley warns.
March 19
1:33 a.m.
Austin police hold another news briefing, with Manley at the mic.
"There have been reports in the media that this device was triggered by a trip wire, and we're here to say that's a possibility," Manley says. "So that changes things."
Manley then asks community members to have an "extra level of vigilance."
4:05 a.m.
Police ask residents in the Travis Country neighborhood to remain in their homes until the area has been properly cleared.
6:43 a.m.
Emergency alerts are sent out to residents in Travis Country, asking them to stay in place until police clear their neighborhood of "any hazards."
10:00 a.m.
During a morning press conference, Manley warns residents to look for "anything that looks out of place," including suspicious bags, backpacks or packages, especially if they notice a wire poking out.
"We [are] not willing to classify this as terrorism, as hate, because we just don't know enough," Manley says.
Manley says officials have noticed a change in the method this suspect is using, which reveals a "higher level of sophistication."
However, Manley adds, there are "similarities" between all of the recent explosions.
March 20
12:30 a.m.
A device explodes at a FedEx ground distribution facility outside of San Antonio, injuring one person. The pacakage was apparently addressed to Austin and is likely linked to a string of bombings that have rocked the state's capital this month, federal officials said.
6:07 a.m.
Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirm they are at the scene of the explosion.
March 21
4:57 a.m.
The suspect in the bombings blew himself up during the early morning of March 21, Manley said at a news conference.
Authorities had tracked down the suspect to a hotel parking lot in Round Rock, Texas about 20 miles north of Austin. The suspect drove away from authorities before the car stopped in a ditch on the side of the road, according to the police chief. When a SWAT team approached the vehicle, the suspect then detonated an explosive device inside of the car, he said.
One officer suffered minor injuries in the blast, while a second officer fired his weapon, Manley said.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 24-year-old white male. Officials did not say if he is from Austin or reveal a motive.
ATF agent Fred Milanowski said it was hard to say if the suspect acted alone.
Manley encouraged the community to be alert -- authorities arent sure of the suspects whereabouts before his death and he could have left behind more packages.
5:28 a.m.
In a tweet, President Trump acknowledged the suspect had died and praised law enforcement officials for tracking him down.
Great job by law enforcement and all concerned! Trump said.
Police warn residents to beware of suspicious packages
Federal law enforcement officials told Fox News the packages were made to look like mail.
Police warned residents who found any suspicious packages to call 911, and to send tips to Austin Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477 or Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-8477.
Fox News' Nicole Darrah, Travis Fedschun, Kaitlyn Schallhorn and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lake Ingle, a religious studies major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was kicked out of Christianity class earlier this month for saying there are only two genders. He is now allowed back in.
IUP President Michael Driscoll announced at a press conference Monday his decision to go against Professor Alison Downies controversial request to ban Ingle from class for disruptive behavior."
Ingle told Fox News he was booted out of Downies classroom for challenging the feminist theology professor on the biology of males and females and the gender wage gap during a Feb. 28 lecture in which she allegedly asked only women to speak following a TED Talk by transgender ex-pastor Paula Stone Williams. Williams discussed the reality of mansplaining, sexism from men, and male privilege.
COLLEGE STUDENT KICKED OUT OF CLASS FOR TELLING PROFESSOR THERE ARE ONLY TWO GENDERS
Downie kicked him out of class and asked him not to come back, which would have postponed his graduation if not for the college presidents decision.
Driscoll said he is disappointed in how the university handled the situation, adding it had fallen short of devotion to the First Amendment.
Ingle considers the end to his 18-day exile a victory.
Im happy I can get back to class and graduate on time, Ingle told Fox News. I was surprised the president stepped in before the ruling but glad he made the right choice.
Ingle was supposed to receive a ruling from the Academic Integrity Board Monday on whether he would still be barred from Downies upper level Christianity 481: Self, Sin, and Salvation class, but Driscoll said he paused the formal process indefinitely without any consideration from AIBs ruling.
Driscoll notified the IUP community that specialized faculty members including Assistant to the President for Social Equity Dr. Pablo Mendoza will be facilitating Ingles return to class, but if these steps do not yield positive results, I reserve the option to restart the universitys formal processes.
The IUP president also took the opportunity to address another issue on campus how one student group, Turning Point USA at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was attacked for inviting a conservative speaker to the campus.
Driscoll said students labeled invited speaker, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and their campus chapter members as Nazis and fascists.
In a free society, people with opinions you dont like are allowed to exist, are allowed to speak, and can call you names, he said. People are even allowed to write essays that use violent metaphors to describe their feelings about a challenging situation without fear of punishment.
Driscoll hopes both issues can be resolved, in what he calls, the IUP Way.
I am hopeful that what we all learn in the weeks ahead will inform a thorough review and revision of the underlying university policies to make sure that we are meeting our educational mission in the IUP Way, while complying with the law of the land, he said.
WAYNE STATE REVERSES SCHOOLS DECISION TO BOOT CHRISTIAN GROUP OFF CAMPUS
Ingle is now set to graduate and hopes to one day become a professor.
When you see that kind of misuse of intellectual power, you want to be the person that comes back and does it responsibly and with morals, Ingle said. Instead of being the purveyor of your ideology, you can be an educator.
Downie did not respond to request for comment.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives approved a State Board Programming Regrant Award in the amount of $2,300 to the Etowah Historical Commission and City of Etowah to support EHCs Archives Digitization Project. State Board Programming Regrants are funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, a division of the National Archives. The grants are administered by the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board and the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The grant funds approved for Etowah will support the cost of scanning EHC documents and photographs into digital formats.Jim Caldwell, Etowah Historical Commission Chair, said, Historical materials stored in the Etowah Depot Museum Archives range in age from the late 19th century through the 20th century.We appreciate the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board and the National Archives, for supporting our efforts to preserve important documentation of Etowahs heritage.The Etowah Historical Commission was created by the City of Etowah in 1978 to raise funds for acquisition of the Depot and to oversee the initial restoration. The organizations current mission is to preserve and share the history of Etowah through preservation of the Etowah Depot, educational programs for the public, advocacy and collaboration with other organizations and the City of Etowah to achieve shared community objectives.
A fourth grade teacher was not in class at Laurel Elementary in Poinciana on Monday, because she had been jailed on accusations of child neglect and marijuana possession, authorities say.
According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, the arrest of Marsha Dolce, 26, came after a 4-year-old child in her custody was found wondering alone outside her home on Village Way in Davenport on Saturday morning.
Deputies responded to the apartment complex just before 7 a.m. after it was reported that the child was outside, crying and asking for help, wearing only a T-shirt and underwear. An arrest affidavit states that Dolce returned home at about 7:51 a.m., and she told deputies that she left the house to help a friend whose car broke down.
MODEL REPORTEDLY JUMPED FROM 6TH-FLOOR HOTEL ROOM TO ESCAPE US BUSINESSMAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO RAPE HER
During a search of Dolce's home, deputies say they discovered marijuana. A search through her cell phone revealed a text message sent to her at 2:32 a.m. that morning that gave an address in Winter Haven and a text from Dolce's phone to that number at 3:21 a.m. which read, "I'm here."
After confronting Dolce about her text messages, deputies say she admitted she fabricated the story about a friend with a broken-down car. According to investigators, she told them that she wanted to get some marijuana, and the child was asleep, so she assumed she could go to Winter Haven quickly to meet the friend. Deputies say she and the friend returned to her home, had consensual sex, and she then took him back to Winter Haven.
Deputies say Dolce has been teaching at Laurel Elementary since January. District officials say she has no disciplinary issues in her file. They tell us they are in the process of firing her.
Read more from Fox 35 Orlando.
An Ohio family is demanding answers after their beloved puppy was reportedly found decapitated along nearby railroad tracks.
Vermilion police are investigating the disturbing death of Harley, a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, FOX8 Cleveland reported.
Harleys family said they're devastated by the shocking death.
Theres no fur, theres no blood, it looked weird, the dogs owner, Jeremy Stefan, said. I couldnt put my finger on it, but definitely didnt look like a train barreled by and hit him.
Harleys 40-pound body was found fully intact, but his decapitated head was left lying beside it, along with his dog collar.
There was no damage to the collar, Stefan said. Theres nothing smashed, nothing scraped, no blood on there -- nothing.
Harley reportedly disappeared while the family was out of town celebrating the birthday of one of their children. A family friend who was entrusted to look after the dog reportedly let him out of the house accidentally.
Theres no fur, theres no blood, it looked weird, Jeremy Stefan, Harley's owner.
Stefan said Harleys death leaves more questions than answers.
My dog was a scaredy-cat, he said. My dog would be gone, let alone lay his head on the tracks, thats making a lot of sound and vibrating, not gonna happen. Hes not gonna just lay there.
Stefan added: He was a great dog and didnt deserve this."
The Vermilion Police Department said it wants to determine whether the dogs death was the result of a train strike or if criminal action occurred.
Harleys remains have been ordered examined by a local veterinarian. The report will be sent to the dog warden for further review.
A gunman who opened fire at Great Mills High School in Maryland was killed Tuesday after engaging an armed school resource officer, authorities said.
The shooter, Austin Wyatt Rollins, 17, was the only fatality. Police said Rollins used a handgun to shoot a 16-year-old female student, who was identified by family members as Jaelynn Willey. She remains in the ICU with life-threatening, critical injuries.
A 14-year-old male student was also shot and is in stable condition.
St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said there were indications Rollins and the female victim had a prior relationship, which police are investigating as a possible motive for the incident.
The school resource officer, Deputy Blaine Gaskill, was alerted of the shooting, immediately responded and engaged the shooter. Gaskill, who is also a SWAT team member, was not injured in the shooting.
"Our school resource officer was alerted to the event. He pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter, fired a round at the shooter," Cameron said. "The shooter fired a round as well. In the hours and days to come, we'll be able to determine if our school resource officer's round struck the shooter."
Cameron said police were investigating if the shots fired killed Rollins or if he committed suicide.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called the shooting "tragic" and accused the Democrat-led legislature of failing to take action on "one of the aggressive school safety plans in the country."
"We need more than prayers, we gotta take action," Hogan said. "We got one of the most aggressive school safety plans in America that we introduced a few years ago. We've got to take action. We're going to try to get something done in Annapolis."
Cameron said the entire incident played out in about a minute Tuesday morning and Gaskill did everything he was supposed to do in an active shooting situation. Police are currently reviewing surveillance video from the school to determine the exact timeline of the incident.
Cameron said officials were looking into Rollins' phone, social media and room but have not yet found any warning signs the shooting was imminent.
Earlier, the school was placed on lockdown and students were evacuated to Leonardtown High School to be reunited with their parents.
The Maryland State Police along with the FBI and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are on the scene assisting with the investigation. The scene at the school, which has about 1,600 students and is near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, was said to be "contained."
President Trump was notified of the shooting, press secretary Sarah Sanders told Fox News.
Ziyanna Williams, a student at the school, said her fellow students were cowered in classrooms as police came inside the room to evacuate the building.
"They came in with guns, and they probably thought there might be another shooter, of course," she said. "About an hour or two later they came -- more police came -- and told us they would search us and search our bags and stuff." Eventually, the students were escorted outside.
Terrence Rhames, 18, a student at the school, told the Baltimore Sun he was standing with friends before class began when he heard a gunshot. He said he started to run and believed he saw a girl fall nearby.
I just thank God Im safe, Rhames said. I just want to know who did it and who got injured."
Willey, the student in life-threatening condition, remains in the intensive care unit at the University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center, Fox 5 DC reported. A YouCaring fundraising page raised more than $26,000 as of 8 p.m. Tuesday night.
Just last month, the school's principal, Jake Heibel, told parents in a letter posted on the local news site The Bay Net that two students were interviewed after they were overheard mentioning a school shooting. They were later found to pose no threat. Heibel said the school increased its security nevertheless after social media posts about a possible school shooting "circulated quite extensively."
Also last month, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's office said it arrested two teenage boys for "Threats of Mass Violence" and a 39-year-old man on related charges after the teens made threats about a potential school shooting at Leonardtown High School, a high school about 10 miles from Great Mills. Police said they obtained a search warrant that led to them finding semi-automatic rifles, handguns and other weapons, along with ammunition.
The school is located about 60 miles from Washington, D.C. The St. Marys County Public Schools tweeted counselors and support staff would be on hand at Leonardtown High School.
The incident comes more than a month after the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. That massacre, carried out by a former student, left 17 people dead. The shooting also comes days before some 500,000 people were expected to march Saturday in Washington, D.C. to protest gun violence and push for gun control legislation.
Fox News' Nicole Darrah and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Kentucky jury has recommended a 20-year sentence for an Indiana dialysis nurse convicted of assaulting a man and two children but found him not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of the children's 6-year-old brother.
News outlets report the Fayette County jury recommended the sentence Tuesday for 34-year-old Ronald Exantus. He was also found not guilty by reason of insanity on a burglary charge Monday.
Exantus' defense team didn't dispute that he killed Logan Tipton in December 2015.
Exantus drove from Indianapolis to Versailles and went inside the home before dawn. Logan was stabbed in the head.
Logan's mother, Heather Pujol Tipton, said she didn't feel justice was served.
Public defender Bridget Hofler says "there is no victory here for anybody."
A Washington State Department of Natural Resources worker searching for a long-rumored gingerbread treehouse in the Snoqualmie National Forest found the house and inside of it a cache of child pornography that led to a mans arrest.
Daniel M. Wood, 56, is facing child pornography charges in King County Superior Court after an FBI investigation tied him to the treehouse and dug up more child pornography in his Mill Creek home, according to court documents.
A summons was issued for Wood to appear in court March 26, and hes been ordered not to have contact with any minors.
According to court documents, the DNR employee said hed heard about the treehouse for years, and tried to find it five different times. Finally, in November 2016, he found what he described as "an elaborate treehouse that resembled a fairy or gingerbread house" about eight feet off the ground. It was built illegally on federal land in the Snoqualmie National Forest.
Screwed to the walls inside the treehouse were framed pictures of young naked girls. There was also an envelope with more pictures of naked and scantily clad underage girls who appeared to be as young as eight.
He reported it to the King County Sheriffs Office and set off an investigation that would eventually involve the FBI.
A search and rescue volunteer who knew the area well told investigators that he had come across the cabin several times, and that hed seen a Toyota FJ Cruiser parked nearby. He had the license-plate number for the Toyota, and investigators tracked that to Woods house.
Click for more from Q13Fox.com.
A New Jersey man reportedly sexually assaulted his then-teenage daughters and threatened to have them deported if they ever told authorities.
The unidentified 53-year-old Guttenberg man was charged with sexual assault of his now 31-year-old and 29-year-old daughters, NJ.com reported Wednesday, citing a criminal complaint. The man allegedly sexually assaulted the girls when they were between 15 and 17 and 13 and 15 years old respectively.
Guttenberg police contacted the Huston County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit on Jan. 31, after they received a report from the mans daughter claiming she had been sexually assaulted by her biological father when she a teen, NJ.com reported. She reportedly added that her sister was also abused.
The sisters, who moved to the U.S. from Colombia to live with their father, claimed that he threatened "he would plant drugs in their book bags, call police and have them deported, if they ever tried to report the alleged abuse to authorities, NJ.com reported, citing the complaint.
The woman also reportedly alleged the man would be physically abusive with them, with one claiming that he fractured her nose.
A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday as the state is attempting to hold the man in custody for the duration of his prosecution, according to the paper.
The operator of a self-driving Uber vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian in suburban Phoenix Monday was a convicted felon who served almost four years in prison on an attempted armed robbery charge, according to court records.
The Volvo was in self-driving mode with Rafaela Vasquez, 44, at the wheel when the car hit 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg as she was walking a bicycle outside the lines of a crosswalk, police said. Herzberg later died at a hospital.
Court records obtained by the Arizona Republic show Vasquez has a criminal record in Arizona under a different legal name, and was released from prison in 2005.
The 44-year-old served three years and 10 months in a state prison for convictions on attempted armed robbery and unsworn falsification.
Tempe police Sgt. Ronald Elcock said local authorities haven't determined fault but urged people to use crosswalks. He told reporters at a news conference Monday the Uber vehicle was traveling around 40 mph when it hit Helzberg as she stepped on to the street.
Neither she nor the backup driver showed signs of impairment, he said.
"The pedestrian was outside of the crosswalk, so it was midblock," Elcock said. "And as soon as she walked into the lane of traffic, she was struck by the vehicle."
SELF-DRIVING UBER CAR KILLS ARIZONA PEDESTRIAN, POLICE SAY
Uber immediately suspended all road-testing of such autos in the Phoenix area, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto after the deadly crash. The ride-sharing company has been testing self-driving vehicles for months as it competes with other technology companies and automakers such as Ford and General Motors.
The San Francisco-based company did not return an immediate request for comment from Fox News, but declined to comment to the Arizona Republic on the conviction and the company's hiring policies, citing an active investigation. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed condolences on his Twitter account and said the company is cooperating with investigators.
UBERS SELF-DRIVING CAR ACCIDENT LATEST HIT TO RIDE-SHARES REPUTATION
Uber was hit with a $9.8 million fine in November 2017 by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission after investigators determined the company hired nearly 60 drivers with previous felony convictions, The Denver Post reported at the time.
Colorado state law prevents people with felony convictions, alcohol or drug-related driving offenses, unlawful sexual offenses and major traffic violations from working for rideshare companies.
We have determined that Uber had background-check information that should have disqualified these drivers under the law, but they were allowed to drive anyway, PUC director Doug Dean said in a statement at the time. These actions put the safety of passengers in extreme jeopardy.
Uber said at the time the hirings were due to a "process error that was inconsistent with Colorados ridesharing regulations and proactively notified the Colorado Public Utilities Commission."
This error affected a small number of drivers and we immediately took corrective action," spokeswoman Stephanie Sedlak told the Post. "Per Uber safety policies and Colorado state regulations, drivers with access to the Uber app must undergo a nationally accredited third-party background screening. We will continue to work closely with the CPUC to enable access to safe, reliable transportation options for all Coloradans.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Police and parents in California were reportedly outraged after students at a high school magazine published cartoons depicting President Donald Trump as a Nazi and an officer wearing KKK garb while aiming a gun at a black child.
"The Pawprint," a student publication at the prestigious Bonita High in LaVerne, featured two provocative cartoons that were apparently pulled from Google Images, Fox Los Angeles reported.
One drawing shows a swastika hiding underneath Trump's hair. Another portrays a uniformed police officer in a white hood pointing a pistol at a baby-faced black child holding a bag of skittles, in an apparent reference to Trayvon Martin the teen who bought the candy before being shot by George Zimmerman in 2012.
La Verne Police were fuming at the cartoons and several parents also objected, according to Fox Los Angeles. The article featuring the images has since been pulled, both online and on campus.
The author of the piece was reportedly making a larger point about the usefulness of artwork to broach controversial topics, but on social media, parents voiced their concerns about the tone and message of the cartoons.
"My son is beyond excited to become a bearcat next year, but this makes me wonder if we made the right choice," Jacqueline DeMonaco Bradley wrote in a Facebook comment, referring to the mascot at Bonita High.
Don Kendrick, the mayor of La Verne also said that the article was the result of a "very bad decision" by one teacher, according to the station
In a statement, the school district distanced itself from the cartoons.
"There is a California Education Code that affirms the First Amendment rights of student newspapers," Carl Coles, the interim superintendent of the Bonita School District, said in the statement. "The student journalist's article does not represent the views of Bonita High School or the District."
Click for more from Fox Los Angeles.
At one point, it was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Two years after 49 people were massacred inside a crowded nightclub in Orlando, the wife of the gunman responsible was put on trial -- with families of the victims looking for justice.
Omar Mateen opened fire with a Sig Saur semi-automatic rifle on June 12, 2016, killing dozens of people before he was fatally shot hours later by police. The trial of his widow, Noor Salman, was the only criminal prosecution for the incident.
Testimony began on March 14. After deliberating for three days, the jury announced on March 30 that Salman was found not guilty of obstruction and providing material support to a terrorist organization.
In light of the verdict, here's what you need to know.
What was she being accused of?
Salman pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding and abetting Mateen's allegiance to the Islamic State. She was also charged with obstruction of justice, as FBI agents say she lied to them during questioning hours after the attack.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Mandolfo said Salman gave conflicting statements to FBI agents. In one conversation with authorities, before they informed her of any details of the attack, she said, "My husband is safe with guns."
"No one ever told her about guns," Mandolfo said.
FBI agents interviewed Salman three times after the attack. They said she was aware Mateen was planning to do something and that texts to her husband prove it.
"She knew he was going to conduct the attack," federal prosecutor Roger Handberg told a judge during a hearing in Oakland on Jan. 17, 2017.
One text recovered from Salmans phone reads, If ur mom calls say nimo invited you out and noor wants to stay home. Another reads, She asked where you were xoxo. Love you.
Nimo, or Nemo, is the name of one of Mateens friends, whom defense attorneys said Mateen often used to cover his tracks when he went out to cheat on his wife.
She shopped with her husband at Walmart the night before the attack when he bought five containers of ammunition, a source close to the investigation previously told Fox News.
A law enforcement source also told Fox she had driven her husband to Pulse nightclub at least once before the deadly shooting.
What was her defense?
The family and Salmans lawyers denied she had anything to do with Mateens plot.
In a November 2016 interview with The New York Times, Salman apologized for her husband's act and claimed she was unaware of his plan.
"I don't condone what he has done," she told the newspaper. "I am very sorry for what has happened. He has hurt a lot of people."
Defense attorneys described Salman as a simple woman with a low IQ, who was abused by her husband and was in constant fear for her life. Her attorneys also claimed she wasn't given proper Miranda warnings, which tell suspects they have a right to remain silent and have an attorney present, before she made statements.
I knew when he left the house he was going to Orlando to attack the Pulse Night Club, Salman confirmed in a signed statement written by an FBI agent, according to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.
Defense attorney Linda Moreno argued that this confession was coerced and, therefore, should not be admissible in court.
"Noor Salman denied any knowledge of Omar Mateen's plans for hours," Moreno said, claiming agents told Salman that she could go to jail and not see her child.
What about her family?
FBI agents arrested Salman in January 2017 inside her California home, where she had been living with her young son, whom she shared with Mateen.
The now 5-year-old boy, who lives with his maternal grandmother in California, has since learned about his father's act and hasn't had any contact with Mateen's side of the family, Susan Clary, spokeswoman for Salmans family, told the Orlando Sentinel.
Salman reportedly calls the boy daily.
"They talk about what he learned in his kindergarten class that day and what his favorite toys are," according to the Florida newspaper.
What were the highlights of her trial?
U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron, federal prosecutors and defense attorneys picked 12 jury members and six alternates on March 12.
Opening statements started in federal court on March 14 in downtown Orlando.
On the first day of the trial, jurors listened to a witness who hid under a dead body for three hours as shots were fired and an Orlando police detective who choked up on the stand. They also watched a video taken during the shooting by a survivor inside the club.
Jurors watched graphic videos of the massacre the next day. Salman shielded her face as the videos and images were displayed on screen, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
One video showed Mateen opening fire shooting people already lying motionless on the dance floor. He then walked toward the restroom where he began targeting people hiding in the bathroom stalls.
On March 18, Salman's defense team filed a motion, asking the judge to ban the prosecution from using any damning statements the widow may have made to an FBI agent about Mateen's plan, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The next day, FBI Special Agent Ricardo Enriquez took the stand to reveal the statement Salman had given him the night he questioned her about the mass shooting.
I am sorry for what happened, Enriquez read Salman's note, according to the Orlando Sentinel. I wish Id go back and tell his family and the police what he was going to do.
Salman's defense attorneys argued those statements weren't accurate.
On March 20, the mother of Mateen's friend, known only by the nickname "Nemo," testified in court. She discussed the pair's relationship, and told the court her son was working that night in Washington, D.C., and had not been with Mateen.
Jurors got a deeper look into Mateen's past on March 21 as they searched through his browser history, which included ISIS propaganda and beheading videos. They also flipped through photos taken inside his Florida home.
Final text messages between the couple were then read aloud in court.
Salman texted Mateen twice during his hours-long standoff with police, asking, "Where are you?"
Mateen responded, "You heard what happened."
"????" Salman replied. "What happened?!" Salman texted.
"I love you babe," Mateen wrote in his last text message at 4:29 a.m.
"Habibi what happened?!" Salman wrote, using an Arabic term of endearment. "Your mom said that she said to come over and you never did."
On March 22, jurors watched security footage of Salman standing by her husband's side -- with their young son close by -- as Mateen bought ammunition at Walmart.
"I knew Omar was preparing for Jihad when he bought the rifle, was going to the range to shoot, was spending a lot of money and bought the ammunition, Salman said, according to a transcribed statement jurors were given earlier, the Orlando Sentinel reported. I saw these things as a green light for Omar to do an act of violence."
On March 24, lawyers revealed that Mateen's dad was a secret FBI informant for more than a decade -- a revelation that led to immediate calls by the defense for a mistrial.
"Seddique Mateen was a FBI confidential human source at various points in time between January 2005 and June 2016, the defense lawyers, in a court document, quoted United States Attorney Sara Sweeney as saying in a letter.
Salmans lawyers, who denied she had anything to do with the attack, added: Moreover, the defenses questioning of the Governments witnesses has also been hindered by the Governments actions. During the cross-examination of Shahla Mateenshe denied any knowledge of a relationship between Seddique Mateen and the FBI. This was either false and the Government knew it since Seddique Mateen had been working with the FBI for eleven years or Seddique Mateen had kept this information from his wife a situation ripe for cross-examination.
U.S. District Judge Paul Byron rejected the defense's motion for a mistrial on March 26, saying it had little bearing on the trial.
"This trial is not about Seddique Mateen. It's about Noor Salman," Byron said.
Sweeney told the 12 jurors on March 28 that Mateen's initial target was not Pulse, but Disney Springs.
The target of that terrorist attack was not the Pulse nightclub. ... The target of his attack was Disney, Sweeney argued during closing arguments, showing the jury photos of a baby stroller and doll she believed Mateen planned to use to hide his weapons and get into Disney, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Salman's defense lawyers said Sweeney's information didn't make the incident "any less tragic" and argued that it had nothing to do with his wife's knowledge of an attack.
"It's a horrible, random, senseless killing by a monster. But it wasn't pre-planned," defense attorney Charles Swift said. "And if he didn't know, she couldn't know."
Deliberations began following the closing arguments around 2 p.m. on March 28.
On March 30, after deliberating for three days and 12 hours, the jury in Salman's case reached a not guilty verdict on all counts. The widow was found not guilty of obstruction and providing material support to a terrorist organization.
Fox News' Phil Keating and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
During the last year, multiple schools across the U.S. have been impacted by shootings, which have resulted in the deaths of both students and faculty members.
Read on for a look at school shootings that have taken place within the last year.
Noblesville West Middle School, Indiana
A male student fired shots at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana on May 25, critically injuring another student and a teacher at the school.
The alleged shooter, who has not yet been identified, was taken into custody shortly after the incident occurred at roughly 9 a.m.
Sources told FOX 59 the suspect walked into a science classroom with a gun and opened fire, hitting a female. A science teacher was able to tackle the student who fired shots inside the classroom, student Ethan Stonebraker told The Associated Press.
The victims were taken to a local hospital. The extent of their injuries is unclear.
Santa Fe High School, Texas
At least eight people were killed and several others were injured following reports of an active shooter at a Texas high school on May 18, local affiliate KTRK reported. The suspected shooter was taken into custody.
"Personnel treating the injured. Info is still preliminary, but there are multiple casualties," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed.
Police officers responded to Santa Fe High School around 8 a.m. CDT after reports that a shooter opened fire inside a first-period art class. Details of the incident were not immediately available.
"Details will be released as we receive updated information. Law enforcement will continue to secure the building and initiate all emergency management protocols to release and move students to another location," the school district said in a statement.
Highland High School, California
A 14-year-old student was taken into custody after allegedly shooting a classmate at Highland High School in Palmdale, California on May 11.
The suspected gunman shot a fellow student in the arm, police said. The shooting stemmed from a dispute between the shooter and the victim, according to authorities.
The injured student is expected to make a full recovery.
Forest High School, Florida
A suspected gunman, later identified as 19-year-old Sky Bouche, allegedly opened fire at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, on April 20. The shooting occured on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting.
At least one student was injured after the gunman shot through a classroom door, hitting a 17-year-old student in the ankle, authorities said. The student was later taken to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.
A school resource officer, James Long, was hailed a hero after arresting Bouche just three minutes after he opened fire.
Bouche, a former student at the school, allegedly carried the weapon in a guitar case inside the school, authorities said.
Great Mills High School, Maryland
On March 20, a gunman, identified as 17-year-old Austin Rollins, shot 16-year-old sophomore Jaelynn Willey at Great Mills High School in Lexington Park, Maryland, authorities said. Willey died days later from her injuries.
Investigators believe the shooting was not random as the gunman and Willey had recently ended their relationship.
Rollins was fatally wounded during a confrontation with Deputy Blaine Gaskill, an armed school resource officer who doubles as a SWAT team member.
"Our school resource officer...pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter, fired a round at the shooter," St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said. "The shooter fired a round as well. In the hours and days to come, we'll be able to determine if our school resource officer's round struck the shooter."
Gaskill was praised because he reportedly contained the situation in under a minute, Cameron said.
Willey's parents announced on March 22 that their daughter was brain dead and that they would be taking her off of life support. She died later that night.
Jaelynn's mother, Melissa, told reporters her daughter had "no life left in her."
"On Tuesday ... our lives changed completely and totally forever. My daughter was hurt by a boy who shot her in the head and took everything from our lives," she said.
A 14-year-old boy, later identified as Desmond Barnes, was also injured in the shooting. Authorities said he was shot in the thigh but was later released from a local hospital.
Police are still investigating if the boy was shot by Rollins or Gaskill while the two exchanged gunfire.
Huffman High School, Alabama
A 17-year old girl is dead and one other person was left injured from a March 7 shooting at Huffman High School in Birmingham, Alabama.
Courtlin Arrington, 17, was killed when shots were fired in a classroom, Birmingham Police Chief Orlando Wilson told WBRC. A 17-year-old male student was wounded. He was taken to the hospital and released.
Birmingham Police Department announced March 8 that a student was taken into custody in the investigation into the deadly shooting. Police said evidence, surveillance video and statements were reviewed throughout the night.
Police initially called the shooting accidental, but later reviewed a video that captured the deadly incident.
"We're not saying he shot her, we're not saying he didn't shoot her," the chief said. "We're asking those questions ourselves so we can determine exactly what happened."
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida
Police responded to reports of shots fired at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., around 3 p.m. on Feb. 14. Seventeen people lost their lives and 17 others were injured.
The day after the shooting, the suspected gunman, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, told authorities he arrived at the school with an AR-15 rifle, adding that he shot "students that he saw in the hallways and on school grounds," according to an arrest affidavit.
Cruz may plead guilty to avoid the death penalty, his lawyer reportedly said Feb. 16.
Cruz was formally charged March 7 with 17 counts each of premeditated murder and attempted murder.
A 12-year-old girl was taken into custody after police said the loaded gun she brought to Salvador B. Castro Middle School in Los Angeles accidentally discharged on Feb. 1, shooting a 15-year-old boy in the head and a 15-year-old girl in the wrist.
Police interviewed the 12-year-old student and agreed the shooting was accidental. She was booked in a juvenile detention center on suspicion of negligently discharging a firearm on school grounds.
It is unclear where the girl got the gun or why she decided to bring it to her school.
Doctors said both students who were shot are expected to recover.
Additionally, an 11-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl were treated at the hospital and released while a 30-year-old woman, who is a school staff member, had only minor injuries, Los Angeles city police said in a statement.
Marshall County High School, Kentucky
A shooter opened fire at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky., on Jan. 23, killing two people.
Students Bailey Nicole Holt and Preston Ryan Cope, both 15 years old, died.
Suspected shooter Gabriel Ross Parker, 15, was arraigned on Feb. 16, according to Kentucky State Police.
"A Marshall County Grand Jury returned an indictment on Tuesday, charging Parker with two counts of Murder and fourteen counts of First Degree Assault," KSP said.
Marshall County Circuit Clerk Tiffany Griffith told Reuters a judge entered a not guilty plea on the teen's behalf.
Italy High School, Texas
A 15-year-old girl was hurt in a Jan. 22 shooting at Italy High School in Italy, Texas. A 16-year-old male student was taken into custody, Ellis County police told Fox News.
In the school's cafeteria, the suspect "engaged the victim" and fired several shots with a semi-automatic handgun, Ellis County Sheriff Chuck Edge said during a press briefing.
The suspect was confronted by an Italy Independent School District staffer in the school cafeteria and took off, Edge said. Law enforcement later apprehended the suspect on school grounds.
The suspect was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the Ellis County district attorney's office announced.
Aztec High School, New Mexico
Gunman William Atchison, 21, disguised himself as a student to get inside Aztec High School in Aztec, N.M., on Dec. 7, 2017, according to authorities. Atchison was also a former student.
State police said that Atchison killed students Francisco I. Fernandez and Casey J. Marquez.
Officials said Atchison eventually shot himself, adding that the students killed were not targeted, but were at the "wrong place at the wrong time."
Rancho Tehama Elementary School, California
A man in Northern California went on a random shooting rampage on Nov. 14, 2017, killing five people and wounding at least a dozen adults and children before authorities shot and killed him.
The gunman, who was later identified as Kevin Neal, 44, rammed a car into the gates of Rancho Tehama Elementary School and shot at its portable classrooms. He repeatedly tried to get into a kindergarten classroom but quick-thinking staff locked the school down, and he eventually stormed off.
Neal reportedly targeted the elementary school as part of a long-running feud with neighbors.
Mattoon High School, Illinois
A male student shot and injured a fellow student at a central Illinois high school on Sept. 20, 2017. The shooting unfolded in Mattoon High Schools cafeteria around 11:30 a.m., officials said at the time.
One female teacher intervened and successfully subdued and disarmed the gunman -- a move Mattoon Police Chief Jeff Branson said at the time was pivotal.
The gunman was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
Freeman High School, Washington
A 15-year-old student opened fire on fellow classmates at a Washington state high school on Sept. 13, 2017, killing one, investigators said. Caleb Sharpe, the suspected gunman, said the student who died had bullied him.
The slain student tried to stop the teen's rampage when the gun jammed, according to The Associated Press. A school janitor was hailed a hero after he was able to subdue the alleged shooter.
Three other students were wounded in the attack. According to court documents, Sharpe told officials that he brought the two guns to school to teach everyone a lesson about what happens when you bully others.
North Park Elementary School, California
A special needs teacher and a child, 8, were killed in what police said was a murder-suicide at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino, California.
Police said Cedric Anderson walked into the school on April 10, 2017, and shot his estranged wife, Karen Elaine Smith. Two other students were also struck before Anderson killed himself, although law enforcement officials said they do not believe they were intended targets.
Jonathan Martinez was identified as the 8-year-old killed at the elementary school. A 9-year-old was injured.
Liberty-Salem High School, Ohio
Two high school students were injured after a fellow student allegedly fired a shotgun inside Liberty-Salem High School in Ohio on Jan. 20, 2017.
Logan Cole, who was 16 at the time, was shot twice but survived. Another student was grazed by a bullet. Champaign County Sheriff Matthew Melvin said the gunman intended to harm more students than he did.
Ely Serna, the accused gunman, was 17 at the time of the shooting but is being tried as an adult in Champaign County court. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Fox News' Nicole Darrah, Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Elizabeth Zwirz, Katherine Lam, Lucia I. Suarez Sang, Samuel Chamberlain, Kathleen Joyce, Shira Bush and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sheriff Jim Hammond and Judge Russell Bean, along with several members of the HCSO staff, conducted a Sheriffs LAWS Program at the Chattanooga School for the Creative Arts Monday.
The HCSO School LAWS Program is an initiative started in 2016 and stands for Law Enforcement Actively Working in Schools. This new and unique program was created by Sheriff Jim Hammond to increase law enforcements presence in local schools in cooperation with the many programs already underway as part of the HCSO School Resource Officer Program.
The Sheriffs School LAWS Program focuses on cultivating lines of communication between students and law enforcement by enabling Sheriff Hammond and Command Staff personnel to personally visit and tour local schools and speak to students about the mission of the HCSO, the importance of being law abiding citizens and staying in school, and any serious issues students may be facing at that particular school. The program also allows the sheriff time to personally discuss individual school issues with the SRO and each schools principal.
The LAWS Program on Monday included mock exercises that allow students the opportunity to learn how proper vehicle stops are made and how to act appropriately when pulled over by law enforcement.
Judge Russell Bean also spoke to students about the importance of safe driving and the negative, legal repercussions of not obeying traffic laws.
Special thanks to CCA SRO, Rodney Brown, Sergeant Eric Merkle, and Lt. Shaun Shepherd for their assistance in making Monday possible. Also in attendance were Director Gino Bennett and Public Information Officer, Matt Lea.
The older sister of the New York City nanny who butchered two young children testified Monday that the parents were to blame for their kids deaths.
Miladys Garcia, Yoslyn Ortegas sister, said Kevin Krim and his wife Marina should have recognized that Ortega was unraveling, and given her a vacation before she slaughtered the children in the Krims Manhattan apartment in October 2012, according to the New York Post.
Why didnt those parents realize and take her out themselves they were seeing it, Garcia said, according to the newspaper.
When asked by a Manhattan prosecutor to clarify her statement that the Krims should have seen the warning signs, Garcia responded, Yes, because they were the ones seeing her.
Give her a vacation if you see shes losing weight, say Yosie, youre not yourself. Even a week of vacation. Say, Go, Yosie, youre very thin, she added, as the childrens father sat in the gallery listening, reported the paper.
Garcia also said she spoke to her sister just hours before the horrific killings, in which she said Ortega sounded as if she had become something evil and that it was like talking to a demon, the New York Daily News reported.
When pressed on why she didnt seek help after the troubling phone call, Garcia said she didnt think it was that serious.
Why didnt those parents realize and take her out themselves they were seeing it Miladys Garcia
Raquel Perez, a friend of Ortegas said in testimony that she was very sad and cried a lot prior to the killings, the Daily News reported.
No one denies that Ortega murdered 2-year-old Leo Krim and his 6-year-old sister Lucia, who went by Lulu, on that day. The key question of the trial is why she did it and whether she was too mentally ill to be held responsible.
Prosecutors have said Ortega planned the killings, waiting until she was alone in the apartment and carefully selecting two knives from the kitchen before dispatching her charges. But they also have admitted that they have no clear motive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A sheriff's deputy has shot and killed a man with a knife in South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis told news outlets the man was killed after he charged at deputies Monday afternoon.
Lewis says deputies had been called to a disturbance and found several people in a home who were "potential hostage victims."
Lewis says several minutes of negotiations and the use of non-lethal means failed to convince the man to drop the knife. An officer fired when the man came toward deputies.
The coroner's office said the suspect was 35-year-old Jermaine Massey of Greenville, a black man. State Law Enforcement Division spokesman Thom Berry said the officer was a white man. His name wasn't immediately released.
Lewis says the deputy has been placed on administrative leave.
An armed man who engaged in a five-hour standoff at a Panera Bread near Princeton University in New Jersey on Tuesday was fatally shot by police, the state attorney general's office said in a statement.
The suspect, whose name was not released, was shot shortly before 3 p.m. after attempts by police to negotiate with him were unsuccessful, officials said.
The individual "was pronounced dead at the scene," the attorney general's office said in the statement, and no one else was reportedly injured during the incident.
It was not clear what sparked the standoff that began around 10 a.m. Officials said they are investigating.
Princeton police said the unidentified man armed with a gun reportedly entered the chain eatery on Nassau Street, issuing threats inside. Employees and customers fled as police swarmed the location.
Police said just after 2 p.m. that the situation remained contained and they continued to ask residents to stay away from the area near the Ivy League university campus.
Police Chief Nick Sutter earlier told Planet Princeton that authorities were trying to negotiate with the gunman. The man could be heard on the police scanner saying no one is coming through those doors.
Sutter said at the time that police did not know if anyone else was still inside the building. He said the situation was contained.
Armed officers were staged outside the restaurant with their weapons drawn while negotiations continued.
The local newspaper reported police believed they found the man's vehicle - a Ford Focus with Pennsylvania license plates.
The university sent out an alert to students and faculty. On its website, officials said two nearby campus buildings - Henry House and Scheide Caldwell House - were being evacuated.
"It is not known whether the gunman has any connection to the University," the university said. "Classes are not in session, as this is the week of spring break."
A second alert sent out to the Princeton University community saying there was a shelter-in-place and shots fired was sent out as a mistake.
"Some University community members received a PTENS telephone call that incorrectly said shots had been reported and a shelter-in-place order was issued," the university tweeted. "NO SHOTS WERE FIRED; THERE IS NO SHELTER-IN-PLACE order. Continue to avoid the area."
Princeton public schools were sheltering in place due to the incident.
PHS is monitoring situation in town and we are in shelter-in-place status as a precaution, Gary Snyder, principal at Princeton High School, tweeted. 'Shelter-in-place' keeps us secure indoors, instruction able to continue and on stand-by for updates.
Tom Morrison, a retired sheriff's deputy from Kern County, California, told NJ.com he was at a Starbucks nearby on Nassau Street when he saw the police arrive.
"I ran outside to get some of the people who came to look behind the perimeter," Morrison said. "The police were operating with efficiency. They were putting up the perimeter pretty fast."
Fox News' Elizabeth Zwirz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The person responsible for a string of bombings in Texas this month is "very sick," President Trump said from the White House on Tuesday as he vowed to "get to the bottom of it."
Trump's comments come on the heels of a package exploding at a FedEx plant in Schertz, Texas earlier in the morning and authorities probing a second Texas FedEx facility, in Austin, due to a report of a suspicious package. There have been five blasts in March four in Austin that have killed two people and injured several others.
Authorities said the parcel bombs appear to be linked to the Austin explosions.
FBI's San Antonio office said no second package was found at the Schertz facility, however, Austin police were investigating a suspicious package at a separate Fedex facility. Earlier in the day San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus misspoke and said another device was found at the Schertz facility.
In a statement, FedEx said the person responsible for the package that detonated at the facilty also shipped a second package "that has now been secured and turned over to law enforcement."
"We are thankful that there were no serious injuries from this criminal activity," the company said. "We have provided law enforcement responsible for this investigation extensive evidence related to these packages and the individual that shipped them collected from our advanced technology security systems."
The president said authorities are working hard to find the person, or people, responsible.
"The bombings in Austin are terrible," Trump said. "Local, state, federal are working hand-in-hand to get to the bottom of it. This is obviously a very, very sick individual and maybe individuals. These are sick people, and we will get to the bottom of it."
Trump's comments come as law enforcement appeared to be making progress in the bomb probe.
The Sunset Valley Police Department told Fox News in an emailed statement that the FBI is investigating a "confirmed link" between packages involved in the Austin bombing investigation and a mail delivery office in Sunset Valley, an Austin suburb south of downtown.
"It appears that the source of the suspect packages was a private package delivery office in Sunset Valley," police said in that statement that was also sent to residents. The department said officers are assisting with traffic control in the area, but at this time there are "no known public safety threats to Sunset Valley residents, visitors or shoppers."
EXPLOSION AT FEDEX FACILITY IN TEXAS PROBED FOR CONNECTION TO AUSTIN BOMBINGS
The report of the suspicious package at the FedEx facility in Austin came in at 6:19 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Austin Police Officer Destiny Wilson.
Wilson said "due to the nature of the incident," federal law enforcement partners are investigating the suspicious package. Wilson did not elaborate on what the package may have contained, but warned members of the public to report "anything out of the ordinary" to police.
The blast in Schertz, located about 70 miles south of Austin, came a day after authorities said a "serial bomber" is likely responsible for the explosions this month, the latest of which injured two people Sunday night after they crossed a trip wire possibly made with fishing line.
The men injured Sunday night in the explosion in the southwestern Austin neighborhood of Travis Country, ages 22 and 23, are white, unlike the victims in the three earlier attacks, who were black or Hispanic. A family member of one of the latest bombing victims in Austin told the AP on Monday the blast left what appeared to be nails stuck below his grandson's knees.
While authorities have not yet identified the victims of Sunday's explosion, William Grote said his grandson was one of the two people hurt in the blast.
"Well he and his friend were riding a bicycle about a block from their house and one of them was off the curb right in the street. The other one was on the sidewalk walking and it was so dark they couldn't tell and they tripped and set off this explosion, didn't see it," he told the AP. "It was a wire and it blew up."
Sundays explosion was the fourth to rock Austin in less than three weeks. However, the three previous blasts occurred on the east side of the city.
AUSTIN PACKAGE BOMB ATTACKS TIMELINE
The first was a package bomb that exploded at a northeast Austin home on March 2, killing 39-year-old Anthony Stephen House. Two more package bombs then exploded farther south on March 12, killing 17-year-old Draylen Mason, wounding his mother and injuring a 75-year-old woman.
As of Monday, the reward for information leading to an arrest in the deadly explosions had risen to $115,000. Manley said more than 500 officers, including federal agents, are involved in the investigation.
Austin Police said on Tuesday they have responded to over 1,200 suspicious calls since March 12.
Fox News' Cody Derespina, Shira Bush and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The leader of an American military mission in Niger that ended in the ambush killings of four soldiers reportedly voiced concerns that he didnt have the proper intelligence or equipment to head into the border area where the attack happened, but was ordered to anyway.
Defense Department officials told the New York Times that the leader of Operational Detachment-Alpha Team 3212, Capt. Michael Perozeni, originally planned a daylong civil reconnaissance trip on Oct. 3 to meet with tribal elders in the African country.
However, prior to leaving his base in Ouallam, Perozeni received an order for his team to join in on a kill-or-capture mission involving Doundoun Cheffou, an Islamic State-linked militant believed be behind the kidnapping of an American in Mali, the officials said.
The order came from a junior officer who is the same rank as Perozoni filling in for a regional commander who was on paternity leave.
Perozeni fought back against it, saying his troops didnt have the proper intelligence and equipment to assist in the raid, the New York Times reported. Despite his concerns, Perozeni didnt want to resist the orders and pressed on anyway, the officials added.
That mission ended up getting scrapped over weather-related issues and Perozenis team headed to their original destination of Tiloa. But then members of the team were ordered to switch routes and go near the border with Mali to collect information on a desert encampment that intelligence officials claimed Cheffou had recently left.
After searching the camp, the American troops were ambushed the next day by Islamic militants with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns while stopping in Tongo Tongo for water, the New York Times reported.
Perozeni and Sgt. First Class Brent Bartels, a radio operator, were wounded in that attack and Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson and Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright were killed.
A preliminary investigation of the ambush indicated that senior officers and leaders of the Africa Command and its Special Operations division in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Special Operations regional command in Chad were not informed of the change in routes, according to the New York Times.
Two Defense Department officials said Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. are concerned that low-level officers are being blamed for the ambush instead of senior-level staff. But one of the officials added that the results of the investigation could change.
The New York Times report comes nearly a week after U.S. Africa Command revealed that American forces in Niger were the targets of yet another terrorist ambush in December.
U.S. Africa Command said the Dec. 6 ambush, in which 11 ISIS fighters were killed and no U.S. or Nigerien troops were injured, happened in the Lake Chad Basin area during a mission to set the conditions for future partner-led operations against violent extremist organizations in the region."
A combined force of Nigerien and U.S. military members came under fire from a formation of violent extremists, Africa Command said in a statement to Fox News. We assessed 11 enemy killed in action, including two wearing suicide vests, and one weapons cache destroyed during this mission.
Lee University Department of Communication Arts hosted film scholar Dr. Terry Lindvall, who presented on his knowledge of the parallels between film and societys view of prayer.
Dr. Lindvall, The C. S. Lewis chair of communication and Christian thought at Virginia Wesleyan College, presented Hollywood Teaches Us to Pray: A Century of Exemplary and Revelatory Prayers in Hollywoods Comedy Films. His lecture was the first of Lee Universitys Centennial Lecture Series.
Seeing a film isnt usually a spiritual experience, but Dr. Terry Lindvalls observation of the number of prayers in film has made us much more aware of the sacred over what tends to be profane, said Dr. Michael Ray Smith, professor of public relations at Lee.
Dr. Lindvall showed clips from a compilation of films from the silent era of cinema to present day. Throughout his lecture, he explained his observed parallels between the films and potential takeaways of society concerning prayer.
Prayers are frequently answered more directly in films than they are in real life, said Dr. Lindvall. Society can anticipate their prayers to be answered more imminently on account of what certain films display.
Clips were played from movies such as Bumping into Broadway, directed by Hal Roach, The Kid, directed by Charlie Chaplin, Little Annie Rooney, directed by William Beaudine, Blazing Saddles, directed by Mel Brooks, Home Alone, directed by Chris Columbus, and O Brother, Where Are Thou? directed by Ethan and Joel Coen.
Lindvall gave a different perspective on prayer through the lens of Hollywood films over the past century, showing us what we are really praying to: love, money, survival, and happiness, said Chloe Grabeman, senior public relations student at Lee. It was a tough truth with a hopeful spin, and he had a very informative and creative approach.
In addition to his role as professor, Dr. Lindvall writes and speaks on film around the nation. He is the author of six books, including Celluloid Sermons.
An ordained Congregational minister, Dr. Lindvall has taught at Duke University School of Divinity, College of William and Mary, Fuller Seminary, among others. He received his Doctor of Philosophy from University of Southern California.
The Centennial Lecture Series, sponsored by Lee University Office of Academic Affairs, will take place throughout 2018 as the university celebrates its 100th year. Dr. Mikeal Parsons, of Baylor University, will continue the series on Thursday.
A New York police hate crime unit is investigating the beheading of a Virgin Mary statue at a church and is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The incident at the Church of Saint Gerard Majella in Port Jefferson Station happened sometime between Friday and Sunday, Suffolk County police told Fox5NY.
It happened about a week after a life-size statue of Jesus was found smashed outside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island church in Manorville, about a half-hours drive away.
The crimes so far have not been linked, Fox5NY reported.
Russia used a procedural vote to halt a United Nations Security Council meeting from taking place Monday on the human rights crisis in Syria -- but other members including the United States outmaneuvered the Russians by calling for an informal meeting.
Russia, which has consistently protected its ally Syria in the council chamber, claimed that the issue of human rights was not a subject on the councils agenda and forced a vote. The council could not reach nine votes for the meeting to proceed; China, Kazakhstan and Bolivia voted with Russia while the three African members on the council abstained.
While obviously angered by the Russian vote, France, Britain, Sweden and the U.S. called for an informal Security Council meeting where all who wanted to listen to a briefing on the human rights situation in Syria could do so.
At the informal meeting, the U.N. Human Rights commissioner, Prince Zeid Raad Al Hussein, criticized the Security Council for not doing enough for Syria. The Security Council has not lived up to the sacrifice of these heroes in Syria, it has not taken decisive action to defend human rights and prevent further loss of life despite the absolutely shameful conduct that has marked this conflict from the outset, he said.
Al Hussein said the Syrian regimes siege of Eastern Ghouta involved pervasive war crimes, noting the use of chemical weaponry, enforced starvation as a weapon of warfare and the denial of essential and life-saving aid.
French Ambassador to the U.N. Francois Delattre, who chaired the meeting, said that just three convoys had gotten through to those in need since U.N. Security Council resolution 2401 passed last month, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.
U.S. Representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council Kelley Currie responded, The depth of depravity to which the Syrian government and its backers will sink is unfathomable. Of course, for a regime that is willing to systematically torture its own people, its own children, starving them is nothing.
She continued, The Assad regime, along with its backers in Moscow and Tehran, should immediately adhere to the Resolution 2401 ceasefire, cease their hostilities, and allow unfettered humanitarian access.
Britains U.N. Ambassador Jonathan Allen said Russias claim that Human Rights was not a topic for the Security Council was wrong and noted that the ceasefire resolution specifically referenced the importance of human rights and international human rights law.
Allen said he was not surprised that Russia did not want the Security Council to meet on Syria, saying, The truth of what is happening in Syria is deeply uncomfortable for all who protect Assad.
One Security Council diplomat from France, which sponsored the informal meeting, tweeted, @RussiaUN and 6 other countries blocked @UNHumanRights Chief #Zeid delivering his briefing on violations of human rights in #Syria in the Security Council chamber but did NOT stop him from briefing the Security Council members anyway, in a different room, with all 15 members present.
Earlier Monday, seven members of the Security Council including the U.S., France, the U.K. and Kuwait wrote a letter to the Security Council president expressing their profound concern about the lack of implementation of Security Council resolution 2401.
The letter threatened action if there was no immediate change. It said, If Member States do not implement this resolution, it is imperative that this Council immediately pursue decisive action to achieve a full cessation of hostilities throughout Syria, to facilitate humanitarian access, and to protect the Syrian people.
Since Security Council Resolution 2401 was passed, some 1,700 civilians have been killed in Eastern Ghouta, according to Syrian monitoring groups. On Monday, opposition groups reported that napalm was unleashed on civilians killing up to 60 people.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced last week that the U.S. has been working on a new draft resolution that would seek to implement an immediate ceasefire. So far that draft resolution has not been put up for a vote but diplomats tell Fox News it could come up for a vote sometime this week.
Members of a Russian motorcycle club known for its allegiance to President Vladimir Putin are touring the Balkans, the volatile European region where Moscow wants to expand its influence.
About 20 bikers from the Night Wolves club entered the Serb-controlled region of Bosnia from Serbia on Tuesday.
The group says it wants to study the history and heritage of Russia in the Balkans.
Bosnian officials have alleged the tour is aimed at intimidating non-Serbs in a country that was split by a bloody ethnic war during the 1990s.
The leaders of the Night Wolves had been banned from entering Bosnia, but could have crossed the border at a Serb-controlled checkpoint.
Serbia is officially seeking European Union membership, but has strong ties with Russian.
Chinese President Xi Jinping took a veiled shot at President Donald Trump on Tuesday during his nationalistic address to parliament regarding Taiwan.
Xi, speaking to nearly 3,000 members of the rubber-stamp National Peoples Congress, declared that the Chinese people were closer than at any time in history to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
"In the face of national righteousness and the tide of history, all attempts or tricks aimed at dividing the motherland are doomed to failure. All will receive the condemnation of the people and the punishment of history, he said.
The Chinese people have the will and the ability to "foil all activities to divide the nation" and are unified in their belief that "every inch of our great motherland absolutely cannot and absolutely will not be separated from China," Xi added.
"All will receive the condemnation of the people and the punishment of history." Chinese President Xi Jinpin
The confrontational comments came just days after Trump signed a new law allowing high-level officials visits to Taiwan a move now condemned by Beijing at the highest levels of government.
China is strongly opposed to that, The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement on Saturday, according to AFP. We urge the US side to correct its mistake, stop pursuing any official ties with Taiwan or improving its current relations with Taiwan in any substantive way.
The Taiwan Travel Act, signed by the White House on Friday after it passed through Congress, encourages visits between US and Taiwanese officials at all levels.
Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979 because of the one China policy. China sees Taiwan as its territory and has expressed a desire to reunify.
Xi, who convinced parliament to scrap term limits for the president and paved a way for him to rule indefinitely, also dismissed on Tuesday any accusations that China is a threat and seeks domination.
"China's development does not pose a threat to any country," he said. "Only those who habitually threaten others will look at everyone else as threats.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
On a cold and windy morning, Saed Mohammad was busy organizing his possessions on the ground in a village not far from the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.
He returned home to Afghanistan in November last year, after spending 20 years as a refugee in neighboring Pakistan. His is one of many families -- also former refugees -- who have returned home to the restive Nangarhar Province, where the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in recent years, its clashes with the Taliban and the targeting of both by U.S. airstrikes have destabilized the area.
Mohammad 35, who was 15 when he left Afghanistan, has had a difficult time adjusting to life back in his native country. Recalling his days in Pakistans city of Peshawar, where he worked as a shopkeeper, he said: I spent a really good time in Pakistan, even as a refugee. The situation is worse in Afghanistan, and its a difficult for us to live here with security threats looming all the time.
"While we were in Pakistan," he said, "my children were going to school and we were happy.
Mohammad said he and his family received scant assistance after returning to Afghanistan, despite promises by authorities to help. Here," he said, "my children have not adequate food, shelter and clothes, no money to buy firewood, to save my family from the cold winter.
Pakistan remains home to at least 1.38 million registered Afghan refugees, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). At least another million are estimated to be living outside the formal refugee registration system.
Refugees from Afghanistan have flooded into Pakistan through various periods of turmoil since the Soviet invasion in 1979, with many arriving after U.S. intervention in Afghanistan in 2001. The refugee issue has been a persistent one here, with no apparent end in sight.
But the question has gained new urgency recently, as President Donald Trumps has called on Pakistan to do more in the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan responded to those calls to get tougher with new regulations on refugee arrivals, telling some Afghans they had one month to return to their homeland. And last month, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Pakistans minister of states and frontier regions, urged the United States to chalk out a framework for the successful repatriation of Afghan refugees.
Speaking to U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Nancy Izzo Jackson in Islamabad, Baloch said Pakistan has faced multiple and complex problems as a result of the Afghan refugee situation.
The problems are also complex for returnees from Pakistan like Mohammad. Among the great complexities of trying to rebuild their interrupted lives: finding shelter, and securing jobs in a difficult environment.
The refugees returning from Pakistan are facing major challenges regarding resettlement and livelihood," said Javed Noorani, an independent researcher and board member of the Afghanistan Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.
Pakistans government recently extended the stay of Afghan refugees until March 31, a shorter-than-recommended timeline that revives fears Islamabad is preparing a forced return of hundreds of thousands to violence-plagued Afghanistan. Fraught relations between Islamabad and Kabul have prompted concern that Pakistan might indeed retaliate by pushing back Afghan refugees, particularly since official permission to stay was extended for just 30 days at the beginning of this year.
Throughout 2016, Afghanistan accepted over 370,000 returnees, mostly from Pakistan and Iran," said Hafizullah Maikhil, spokesman for Afghanistans Ministry of Refugees. "The Kabul government, along with the international community, aided refugees financially. But 2016 was a tough and challenging year for the Afghan government in terms of returnees, in massive numbers."
Qaisar Afridi, a UNHCR spokesperson in Pakistan, told Fox News: UNHCR continued to advocate in resolving the long-term pragmatic solutions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We appreciate the people and government of Pakistan, which served the high volume of Afghan refugees for last four decades,
Afridi continued: On the call of the international community, UNHCR provides refugees targeted development assistance to support sustainable repatriation. We have been providing $200 to each registered refugee once they cross the Torkham border and enter into Afghanistan.
Liaqat Khan 32, who, like Mohammad, is from Nangarhar, left Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, and grew up in Pakistan. My district is under militants control at moment," Khan said. "Due to the insecurity, I am unable to go there, and living here in [Jalalabad city] in a rented compartment with no income."
Refugee officials are concerned about the prospect of grappling with a large number of forced returns to Afghanistan. An increase in the number of forced returnees from Pakistan will likely result in significant humanitarian impact in Nangarhar, Kandahar and Kabul Provinces, not only for returnees but also for existing internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, straining existing response capacities, said a report by ACAPS, a nongovernmental group that provides information and analysis to the humanitarian community.
"Armed clashes between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic State of Khorasan over the past month have boiled over into brutal change of territorial control, from which thousands of Afghan families are desperately fleeing for their lives," said Will Carter, head of programme for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
And there's no quick fix in sight, experts on the situation say.
"There are 2.3 million refugees in Pakistan; this is a huge number and it is impossible for all of them to go back immediately," said Baryali Miankhel, president of an Afghan refugee welfare organization in Pakistans northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, home to many refugees. "We have told the Pakistani government this."
Miankhel said refugees are fleeing Pakistan due to shorter deadlines from the government of Pakistan. That is the main reason."
The problem, he added, is that "security in Kabul is deteriorating, and still there is no peace in the war-torn country. People have no economic opportunities, or even a place to live and educate their children."
A total of 590 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through the Torkham (Nangarhar) and Spin Boldak (Kandahar) border crossings from Jan. 28 Feb. 3, according to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Afghanistan.
A U.N. humanitarian response study has recently found Afghanistan continues to face immense humanitarian, social and political challenges. In 2017, ongoing conflict has displaced as many as 360,000 people from their homes and resulted in 8,019 civilian casualties -- two-thirds of these women and children.
"The intensification of the conflict, combined with a surge in sectarian violence, has led to extremely high numbers of war wounded on both sides of the conflict.
Abdul Ghani 65, lived in the northwestern Pakistan city of Jehangira for almost 39 years, and moved his family to his native Kunar Province in Afghanistan October. Now he finds himself and his family caught up in the struggled that go along with a homecoming.
"Look at the situation of house, a hut in a tent colony for refugees. We have no safe drinking water and our children have not enough clothes. I never expected to face this condition in my native country, Ghani told Fox News.
An ex-Russian spy and his adult daughter were critically injured after they were poisoned by a nerve agent back in March and now Russia is paying for the attack.
Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia were found unconscious March 4 on a bench in a shopping mall in Salisbury, about 90 miles west of London. The pair were released from the hospital two months later and moved to a private, secure location.
On Aug. 8, the U.S. announced it was imposing sanctions on Russia for using a chemical weapon in violation of international law, though the Kremlin repeatedly denied involvement. Following a 15-day congressional notification period, the sanctions took effect on or around Aug. 22, according to a statement from the State Department.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said days after the poisoning that it was highly likely Russia was responsible. And the U.S., Germany and France all appeared to back her.
2 RUSSIANS CHARGED OVER NOVICHOK POISONING OF EX-SPY, USED FAKE PERFUME BOTTLE, BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY
Since the March attack, a British couple with no ties to Russia have also been poisoned by the substance in Salisbury.
Dawn Sturgess, 44, died more than a week after authorities believe she was exposed to Novichok the military-grade nerve agent also used in an attempt to assasinate Skripal. Charlie Rowley, 45, was also exposed to the agent and remains in critical but stable condition.
On Sept. 5, authorities in Britain charged two Russian men, identified as Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, with the poisoning of Skripal and his daughter, as well as Sturgess.
The nerve agent used to poison the Skripals was smuggled to Britain in a counterfeit Nina Ricci perfume bottle and applied to the front door of their house, according to Metropolitan Police. Police believe the couple later found that same bottle, thus exposing them to the toxic nerve agent.
Heres what we know about Skripal, and the incident that nearly killed him.
His background as a spy
Skripal served with Russias military intelligence, often known by its Russian-language acronym GRU, and retired in 1999. He then worked at the Foreign Ministry until 2003, and later became involved in business.
Skripal was arrested in 2004 in Moscow and later confessed to having been recruited by British intelligence in 1995. He also said at the time that he provided information about GRU agents in Europe, receiving over $100,000 in return.
WHAT'S THE GRU, RUSSIA'S MILITARY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY? 3 THINGS TO KNOW
At the time of Skripals trial, the Russian media quoted the FSB domestic security agency as saying that the damage from his activities could be compared to harm inflicted by Oleg Penkovsky, a GRU colonel who spied for the United States and Britain. Penkovsky was executed in 1963.
In 2006, Skripal was convicted on charges of spying for Britain and sentenced to 13 years. However, he later was pardoned and released from custody in July 2010 as part of a U.S.-Russian spy swap, which followed the exposure of a ring of Russian sleeper agents in the U.S.
Skripals wife and son have both died in recent years.
Prior to his wifes death, however, she reportedly told police she feared for her husbands life, the New York Daily News reported.
How world leaders responded to the attack
On March 15, world leaders said in a joint statement they "abhor" the attack against Skripal.
"It is an assault on U.K. sovereignty and any such use by a State party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all, the statement, signed by British Prime Minister Theresa May, President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, read.
The leaders called on Russia to "live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council to uphold international peace and security."
May had given Russia until midnight on March 13 to respond to the charges. When Moscow failed to respond, May expelled 23 Russian diplomats from the U.K. They were given a week to pack their belongings and head back to Russia.
This will be the single biggest expulsion for over 30 years and it will reflect the fact that this is not the first time the Russian state has acted against our country," May said at the time.
The U.S. also ordered 60 Russian diplomats to leave and announced it would close the Russian consulate in Seattle. In response, Russia then said it would expel 60 U.S. diplomats and close the U.S. consulate in St. Petersburg.
Two dozen countries, including the U.S., ordered more than 150 Russian diplomats out within a one-week span in a show of solidarity with the U.K.
How Russia reacted to the allegations
On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would cooperate with the U.K. in an investigation of the poisonings, calling them a "tragedy." However, Putin said if the claims they were poisoned by the Soviet-designed nerve agent were true, the victims would've died instantly.
"Russia does not have such [nerve] agents," Putin said, according to The Guardian. "We destroyed all our chemical weapons under the supervision of international organizations and we did it first, unlike some of our partners who promised to do it, but unfortunately did not keep their promises.
Putin added that he thought "any sensible person would understand that it would be rubbish, drivel, nonsense, for Russia to embark on such an escapade on the eve of a presidential election."
Putin's remarks came after Russia earlier retaliated against the U.K.: Moscow announced March 17 that it also would expel 23 British diplomats, among other diplomatic measures.
Fox News' Travis Fedschun, Zoe Szathmary, Madeline Farber, Kathleen Joyce and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nearly two dozen Russian diplomats expelled by the British government after a military-grade nerve agent attack on an ex-spy in London left for Moscow on Tuesday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said all 23 diplomats ordered to leave Britain were expected to leave Tuesday.
Several dozen people, including children, emerged from Russias west London embassy Tuesday morning carrying suitcases, bags and pet carriers. Russian embassy workers waved to the diplomats who were leaving and their families as three buses with diplomatic plates pulled away.
EX-RUSSIAN SPY SERGEI SKRIPAL POISONED: WHAT TO KNOW
Ahead of their departure, Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko hosted a reception for the diplomats and their families.
The world is much bigger than the United Kingdom, he said during the reception, according to a statement. Your knowledge and experience gained at the Embassy will always be valued in the Russian diplomatic service.
Last Wednesday, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May ordered 23 Russian diplomats whom she said were undeclared intelligence agents to leave Britain within a week.
The order prompted Russia to retaliate with its own expulsion of 23 British diplomats. They are expected to leave Moscow in the coming days.
Tension between the two nations spiked after the March 4 poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, in the English city of Salisbury. The two remain hospitalized and in critical condition.
British authorities have said the pair were poisoned with a Soviet-developed form of a nerve agent known as Novichok. Western powers see the attack as a sign of increasingly aggressive Russian meddling abroad.
IN JOINT STATEMENT, WORLD LEADERS AGREE RUSSIA BEHIND NERVE AGENT ATTACK ON FORMER SPY
While Russia denies any involvement, May said it was highly likely the Kremlin is responsible for the attack.
President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, insisted Tuesday that Russia has no stocks of chemical weapons of any kind.
Asked why Russia isnt showing proof of innocence, Putin said, lets stay sober-minded and first of all wait for proof from Britain that Russia is to blame.
Britains National Security Council was meeting Tuesday to consider further measures against Russia.
The EU on Monday condemned the poisoning and called on Russia to address urgently the British questions over the Novichok nerve agent program.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called Britains accusations speculative and baseless.
The British military and police are continuing to search for clues around Salisbury into what happened. International chemical weapons experts are due to take samples of the nerve agent used.
ANOTHER RUSSIAN HIT? MURDER INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED FOR EXILE FOUND WITH NECK CRUSHED IN ENGLAND
Police said the investigation may take months to complete with the widening inquiry.
Adding further strain to the already tense relations, police launched a murder investigation into the suspicious death of London-based Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov. Authorities said Friday that he died from compression to the neck.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was reportedly placed in custody Tuesday as part of an investigation regarding illegal funding for his 2007 presidential campaign from former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.
Sarkozy was being held at Nanterre police station, west of Paris, a judicial source told The Associated Press.
The investigation has been ongoing since 2013, but didnt gain momentum until 2016 when Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told Mediapart, an online investigative site, that he handed over suitcases of $6.2 million in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff Claude Gueant on three occasions.
Takieddine who has a history with the French justice system over allegations of providing illegal campaign funds in the past -- said he received the money from Qaddafi's intelligence chief in 2006 and 2007 and that the deliveries took place in the Interior Ministry, while Sarkozy was interior minister.
Investigators are looking into whether Sarkozy secretly received $61.6 million in total for his 2007 campaign from Qaddafi's regime which would be more than twice the legal funding for the campaign at the time.
The alleged payments would also be in violation of French rules against foreign financing and declaring the source of campaign funds.
Both Sarkozy and Gueant have denied any wrongdoing.
Sarkozy and Qaddafi have had an interesting dynamic in the past, as the former French president welcomed the Libyan leader to France for a state visit, before placing France at the forefront of NATO-led strikes against Qaddafi's troops that helped rebel fighters topple his regime in 2011.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Germanys government has refused to agree to a key U.S. demand to designate the entire Lebanese Islamic militia Hezbollah -- and not just a piece of it -- a terrorist organization as part of talks to rein in the nuclear program in Iran.
Two sources familiar with the U.S. talks with Germany, France and the United Kingdom over remedying defects in the Iran nuclear deal told Fox News of Berlin's stance, saying that German Chancellor Angela Merkels administration is the least cooperative of the three European powers.
Germany is resisting the U.S. negotiating team appeal---and President Donald Trump's position-- to outlaw all of Hezbollah because that demand, say German diplomats, is linked to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The sources said Germany views the Trump administration as too pro-Israel. As a result, Germany does not want to ban all of Hezbollah, specifically its political wing, within its territory, where 950 Hezbollah members raise funds and are recruiting members.
Hezbollah is Irans strategic partner in the Middle East and is said to have played a crucial role in the murders of over 500,000 people in the Syrian civil war. After a 2012 Hezbollah-organized terrorist attack in Bulgaria, in which five Israelis and a Bulgarian national were killed, the E.U. extended a ban only to the group's so-called military wing.
U.S. officials have met with European officials in London, Berlin and Paris over the last few weeks as part of efforts to improve the atomic deal with Iran, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
When asked about Germanys position, a U.S. State Department spokesperson reiterated Trumps demands from January, telling FoxNews on Monday, They should designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.
They should designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization. U.S. State Department spokesperson to Fox News
The spokesperson said that we are working closely with our European partners to address our shared concerns with the JCPOA and Irans malign behavior.
The State Department official added that the U.S. has discussed the six non-nuclear/regional issues that the president also identified and called for stronger steps from our European allies.
In addition to proscribing Hezbollah as a whole as a terrorist entity, the spokesperson said Trump wants the Europeans to cut off funding to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC], its militant proxies, and anyone else who contributes to Irans support for terrorism.
Trump designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in October.
The spokesperson said U.S. allies should join us in constraining Irans missile development and stopping its proliferation of missiles, especially to Yemen.
European countries should join us in countering Irans cyberthreats and should help us deter Irans aggression against international shipping, the official added.
Lastly, the spokesperson said that the European powers should pressure the Iranian regime to stop violating its citizens rights. And they should not do business with groups that enrich Irans dictatorship or fund the Revolutionary Guard and its terrorist proxies.
Germanys foreign policy toward Irans regime is widely considered to be beneficial to the ayatollahs who rule the Islamic Republic there. In March, Berlins ambassador to Tehran, Michael Klor-Berchtold, praised Ali Larijani, the head of Irans quasi-parliament, who is infamous for his denial of the Holocaust.
Writing on his ambassador-to-Tehran Twitter feed, Klor-Berchtold said in English and Persian, Good discussion with the Speaker of Iranian Parliament, Mr. Ali Larijani.
According to the German magazine Spiegel, Larijani engaged in Holocaust denial at the 2007 Munich security conference when he said his country had different perspectives of the Holocaust.
In the mass-circulation tabloid BILD, Ambassador Klor-Berchtold was declared loser of the day for his meeting with Larijani and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. BILD wrote, No dialogue with Jew-haters.
Amir-Abdollahian is an assistant to Larijani and the director general of international affairs for Irans parliament. In February, he called for the destruction of the Jewish state.
Growing economic relations between Tehran and Berlin may also be an impediment to Merkel's making concessions on the Iran nuclear deal. German exports to the Islamic Republic of Iran climbed to 3.5 billion in 2017, or about $4.3 billion, from 2.6 billion in 2016.
The U.S. spokesperson said that America "continues to have productive talks with our European partners. We have discussed the areas the president identified in January where we wants to see improvements including ensuring Iran never comes close to a nuclear weapon and addressing our concerns with the sunset dates, taking strong action if Iran refuses IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspections, and preventing Iran from developing or testing a long-range ballistic missile.
The spokesperson added that the deals greatest flaw is that its restrictions sunset over time, leaving Iran free in the future to pursue industrial scale nuclear fuel enrichment, an important step in achieving a rapid nuclear weapons breakout capability.
Trump announced in January that the European would have until May 12 to work with the U.S. to improve the Iran deal. If the major powers in Europe do not meet Trumps ultimatum, the U.S. will pull out of the nuclear pact and likely reimpose sweeping economic sanctions on Irans clerical regime.
The State Department spokesperson said: This is a last chance. In the absence of a commitment from our European allies to work with us to fix the deals flaws, the United States will not again waive sanctions in order to stay in the Iran nuclear deal. And if at any time the president judges that agreement is not within reach, the United States will withdraw from the deal immediately.
A German foreign ministry spokeswoman told Fox News by email that Foreign Minister Heiko Maas had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about "important regional questions." The German foreign ministry declined to answer detailed questions about its alleged recalcitrant behavior during the Iran talks or any desire to punish Israel.
Benjamin Weinthal is a Berlin-based journalist and reports on human rights in the Middle East. He is a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow him on Twitter @BenWeinthal
University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson fired back at a far-left columnist who called him a fascist.
In a profanity-laced tirade, Peterson tweeted that Pankaj Mishra who wrote a scathing review of his book was a sanctimonious prick and an arrogant, racist son of a b***.
If you were in my room at the moment, Id slap you happily, Peterson tweeted as he ripped into Mishras column called Jordan Peterson & Fascist Mysticism.
Mishra, a novelist and essayist, was highly critical of Petersons new book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, in a column in the New York Review of Books published Monday. The book, an Amazon bestseller, seeks to answer 12 practical and profound rules for life.
Peterson told Tucker Carlson earlier this month he believes the ideological policies in America that focus on de-emphasizing masculinity are only hurting men, not helping them, something he highlights throughout his book and which Mishra takes him to task for.
It is imperative to ask why and how this obscure Canadian academic, who insists that gender and class hierarchies are ordained by nature and validated by science, has suddenly come to be hailed as the Wests most influential public intellectual, Mishra wrote in his column. For his apotheosis speaks of a crisis that is at least as deep as the one signified by Donald Trumps unexpected leadership of the free world.
Peterson fought back. He attacked Mishra for questioning whether Peterson had actually been inducted into an indigenous tribe in British Columbia.
He called Mishra a peddler of nasty, underhanded innuendo, you dealer in lies and halftruths for saying Peterson claims that he has been inducted into the coastal Pacific Kwakwakawakw tribe
Just what do you mean by claims? Peterson asked.
F*** you, he said, adding that he was inducted into the tribe in part because of his work with Joseph on the Kwakiutl Nation totem pole being put up in Montreal, Quebec.
Is that a claim, too, and something brought about by the romance of a fascist with a noble savage? he tweeted.
Peterson ended the tweetstorm by trashing the site that published Mishras piece.
Apparently, when youre the premier literary-intellectual magazine in the English language you can justify publishing libelous, racist tripe @nybooks, he wrote.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College Culinary Arts students had a chance to work directly with a renowned Irish Chef last week from Monday to Friday as part of an ongoing international partnership between the Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland and the Technical College System of Georgia.
Four Irish chefs from WIT were assigned to four different technical colleges for the week to train students and faculty how to prepare traditional Irish cuisine. All four colleges ended the week with a gala reception and dinner in celebration of St. Patricks Day. The three other colleges that participated were Albany Technical College, Columbus Technical College and North Georgia Technical College.
Chef Judith Hickey was assigned to GNTCs Culinary Arts program on the Floyd County Campus in Rome.
I have been having great fun with the students, said Chef Hickey. We have actually learned a lot from each other.
Chef Hickey began her culinary career more than 30 years ago. She has a degree in pastry and confectionary, a diploma in management from the Irish Management Institute, and a masters in adult education. Chef Hickey has lectured at WIT for several years on various culinary arts and hospitality management programs including culinary skills and operations, food safety, nutrition, and food security and sustainability. WIT is in Waterford, Ireland, just outside of Dublin.
Prior to her career at WIT, Chef Hickey has 12 years experience working for Faite Ireland, the Irish Tourism Authority, in its training division as a culinary arts lecturer. During that time, she was also involved in the design and evaluation of training programs as an external examiner for the Education and Training Board.
The relationship between WIT and the Technical College System of Georgia began in 2012 when the International Affairs division of TCSG began collaborating with WIT on several projects.
In 2016 a group of GNTC culinary arts students studied abroad at the Waterford Institute of Technology. The 10-day course Irish Food and Culture, was a culinary seminar on the preparation of Irish Cuisine. Ten students took part in the course, which also included field trips to various markets, restaurants, butcheries, fromage (cheese) shops, famous landmarks, castles and beaches. Georgia Northwestern was the first college in the Technical College System of Georgia to take part in the international agreement between the Waterford Institute of Technology and the TCSG.
Chef Hickey was one of the WIT chefs that presented to the GNTC students that went to Ireland in 2016.
My background is in pastry, so I went through a lot of different desserts with them, said Chef Hickey. They also got to see the social life in Ireland and what it is like to live in Ireland.
During her visit to GNTC and Rome, Chef Hickey had a busy itinerary, which included meals at several Rome-area restaurants with chefs that are GNTC Culinary Arts graduates. She also was given a tour of the research and development department of Southeastern Mills by R&D Chef Jordan Evans, a graduate of GNTC.
I have eaten in so many restaurants here in Rome and the food is exceptional, said Chef Hickey. The traditional Southern cooking has really been brilliant and the chefs have been great.
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The Latest on the closing session of China's ceremonial legislature (all times local):
12:30 p.m.
A Taiwanese official rejects comments by Chinese President Xi Jinping about Taiwan's future and welcomed a U.S. law encouraging more official exchanges between Washington and Taipei.
Foreign ministry spokesman Andrew Lee said Tuesday that Taiwan will continue to play an important role in regional peace and won't be affected by interference from Beijing.
Lee said, "We further hope to act even more actively in peaceful regional development and stability as well as prosperity."
Xi at the closing session of the National People's Congress reiterated China's approach of seeking peaceful unification with the island. He warned that any attempt to separate any part of China implicitly including Taiwan from the nation would be "doomed to failure."
Lee said the signing of the Taiwan Travel Act is a proof of Washington's strong determination to strengthen its relations with Taiwan.
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12:15 p.m.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says he will give "positive consideration" to attending a meeting of leaders from Japan, South Korea and China held in Japan during the first half of this year.
Responding to a question from a Japanese reporter at his annual news conference, Li said Beijing's ties with Tokyo have been improving but suffered from a weak foundation. He said visits by the national leaders showed a return to normalcy but they can't count on a "one-off deal" to continue the momentum.
China dislikes Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for what it sees as his government's encouragement of right-wing Japanese scholars and politicians who seek to minimize Japan's guilt for its brutal World War II invasion and occupation of much of China.
The sides have also been at loggerheads for years over ownership of uninhabited East China Sea islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China.
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The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the United States to "show respect" and "walk with" its NATO ally. His remarks are the latest criticism by the Turkish leader of Washington over its engagement with Syrian Kurdish militia.
Erdogan's comments on Tuesday came in reply to statements from the U.S. State Department expressing concern over Turkey's cross-border offensive in the northwestern Syrian enclave of Afrin, which Turkish troops and allied Syrian forces captured from the Syrian Kurdish militia on Sunday.
Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish militia as extension of outlawed Kurdish rebels fighting inside Turkey.
Addressing ruling party legislators in Ankara, Erdogan said: "On the one hand you say you're our strategic partner, and then you go collaborate with terrorists... If we're going to be strategic partners, you have to respect us and walk with us."
Erdogan said the Turkish operations in Afrin would continue "for a while longer" as Turkey's military and Turkish-backed opposition fighters clear the region of booby traps and other explosives.
The Turkish leader said 46 Turkish security force members and 269 Syrian opposition fighters were killed in the eight-week offensive.
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11:05 a.m.
A Syrian war monitoring group says Islamic State militants have captured a largely vacant neighborhood in Damascus following intense fighting with pro-government forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says militants seized Qadam late on Monday, a week after Syrian rebels had surrendered the neighborhood to the government
The Observatory says 36 pro-government fighters were killed in clashes, and dozens more wounded or captured. It says the Syrian government has sent reinforcements into the area.
Earlier, IS claimed to have captured Qadam in a statement circulating on Twitter.
There was no immediate comment from the government.
The fighting in Qadam, which is south of Damascus, came as Syrian forces are focused on recapturing the rebel-held eastern Ghouta suburbs of the country's capital.
A human rights group accused Nigerias security forces Tuesday of failing to respond to warnings that Boko Haram extremists were planning to abduct more than 100 schoolgirls last month.
Amnesty International, citing credible sources, said the army and police received multiple calls up to four hours before the attack in the northern town of Dapchi where 110 school-aged girls were abducted.
The group said authorities did not take effective measures to stop the attack or to rescue the young girls.
The Nigerian authorities have failed in their duty to protect civilians, just as they did in Chibok four years ago, Osai Ojigho, the groups director in Nigeria, said in a statement. Despite being repeatedly told that Boko Haram fighters were heading to Dapchi, it appears that police and military did nothing to avert the abduction.
Boko Haram horrified the world when it abducted 276 girls from a boarding school in Chibok more than four years ago. While some escaped and many others were released as part of negotiations, about 100 remain with their captors.
On Feb. 19, Boko Haram fighters invaded Dapchi, forcing residents and students of Government Girls Secondary school to flee into the bushes.
Police and the state ministry of education initially denied claims that students were seized, but acknowledged that young girls were unaccounted for.
Nigerias government has said it has launched an investigation.
Amnesty International demanded the government make public the results of the investigation, adding that no lessons have been learned since the Chibok attack.
The Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed this abduction to take place without any tangible attempt to prevent it, Ojigho said. As an even greater priority, the government must use all lawful means at its disposal to ensure that these girls are rescued.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Officials in Bermuda on Tuesday revealed new details about a missing U.S. college student's disappearance after his body was found Monday night at the bottom of a "significant drop" on the British island territory.
Mark Dombroski, 19, was found dead in Bermuda after disappearing around midnight on Sunday, the Bermuda Police Service said. Dombroski had traveled to the island to compete in a tournament with the Saint Joseph's University rugby team.
Sean Field-Lament, superintendent of the police unit, said Tuesday during a news conference that security camera footage captured Dombroski "walking alone" around 1:30 a.m. Sunday along a road in Devonshire, "immediately south to where his body was found."
His body, along with his wallet and cell phone, was found "near the base of a significant drop" at Fort Prospect in a wooded area known as The Arboretum.
The superintendent added that recent posts on social media speculating Dombroski's body was found bound or tied up are false, and that officials are awaiting a forensic pathologist's report regarding injuries the college freshman may have sustained in the drop.
The owner of The Dog House, the bar Dombroski was last seen at on Sunday night, told The Associated Press the rugby player "was not sober, but was not intoxicated" before he went missing.
Frank Arnold said that Dombroski's parents, who traveled to Bermuda with their two other sons, had been to the bar to watch hours of surveillance footage.
Investigators have said that they aren't ruling out foul play in Dombroski's death, and officials are still looking for witnesses or others who have information on Dombroski "no matter how insignificant."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bermuda Police Service.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Hamilton County Emergency Communications District has joined with CHI Memorial and Parkridge Health System to bring PulsePoint, a potentially lifesaving app, to Hamilton County. This free app alerts registered users who are trained in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when someone in a nearby public place suffers sudden cardiac arrest. Dispatchers at the 911 Center will send an alert through the app when they dispatch first responders. The app will also give the location of the nearest available automated external defibrillator (AED).
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. Death can occur within minutes after the heart stops. It is possible for cardiac arrest to be reversed when CPR is performed and a defibrillator is used to shock the heart, and a normal heart rhythm is restored within a few minutes.
More than 300,000 people across the United States experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting each year, says Vimal Ramjee, M.D., cardiologist at The Chattanooga Heart Institute at CHI Memorial. A victims chance of survival can double, or even triple, when hands-only CPR is performed until first responders arrive.
The American Heart Association estimates only 46 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims received bystander CPR in 2016, the latest data available. Even fewer receive a potentially lifesaving therapeutic shock from an AED.
Every second counts when were dealing with cardiac arrest. Each minute without CPR decreases the chance of survival, says Barry Bell, director of cardiovascular services, Parkridge Health System. We encourage everyone who is CPR certified to be a part of this program.
We are proud to partner with CHI Memorial and Parkridge Health System to bring this cutting-edge technology to the citizens of Hamilton County, says John Stuermer, executive director of Hamilton County Emergency Communications District. This app allows us to alert people who can start CPR before an ambulance arrives, helping us save more lives.
Anyone with a smartphone can download the free PulsePoint Respond app through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Once the app is installed, select Hamilton County Emergency Communications District.
PulsePoint is currently active in more than 2,500 cities across the country.
The Southern Adventist University Wind Symphony invites the public to a concert on Sunday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
With the theme World Tour, Ken Parsons will conduct the performance in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Dr. East in Collegedale.
The ensemble will present works such as Michael Markowskis joyRiDE; Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakovs Variations on a Theme by Glinka, featuring oboe soloist Michelle Nieb, senior music education and mathematics double major; Johan de Meijs African Harmony: Songs from Mama Africa; Heshen Wengs Beautiful Evening of Prairie; and Yasuhide Itos Gloriosa.
Admission is free. For more information, call Southerns School of Music at 423-236-2880.
Dr. Marjorie Yambor, an associate professor of communication at Dalton State, will read from her Dada manifesto, The Spirit of 16: A Dada Manifesto in Support of Subversive Supremacy, on Monday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Derrell C. Roberts Librarys media lab.
"Much like the Dada art movement of the early 1900s, Dr. Yambor seeks provocation, subversion and inspiration wherever she can," officials said.
The Dada movement began in 1916 in a beer parlor in Zurich, Switzerland. It featured subversive art, demonstrations and manifestos which were expressions of revolt of the individual against art, morality, and society. Dadaism promotes free thinking for art and life. Yambors work explores and celebrates 100 years of Dadaism.
Our goal is to provide a stimulating environment that will empower our community of learners to discover and engage with the worlds collected knowledge, said Melissa Whitesell, director of the library. We want to encourage critical and imaginative thinking and creative artistic expression.
The event is free and open to the public.
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Cleveland State Community College will be hosting an upcoming Career/Job Fair on Wednesday, March 28 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium on CSCCs main campus.
The Career/Job Fair will provide students, graduates and community members with an opportunity to explore the different career options in the area and network with over 60 different employers.
This year, employers will be grouped together based on the seven different Career Communities offered at Cleveland State Community College. The seven Career Communities consist of majors in advanced technologies, business, education, fine arts & humanities, social services, health professions, and STEM.
"This will allow our students and the community to gain valuable insight on each of the career communities. Participants will receive important information and make contacts that could be very beneficial in obtaining a job," officials said.
Companies to be present at this years event are:
HRH the Prince of Wales has praised the efforts of local farmers and rural businesses who co-operated to save Louth mart in Lincolnshire last year the sole remaining auction mart in the county.
The prince was visiting the site as part of a tour of Lincolnshire, which also included a visit to Boston vegetable business Freshtime UK and National Trust property, Tattershall Castle.
See also: Duchy of Cornwall creates opportunities for new entrants
Louth Livestock Market, which has been at its current site since 1983, was earmarked for closure by East Lindsey District Council, which argued it was underused on a site that was ripe for development.
But farmers said the mart was used on a regular basis and its closure would mean they would have to send their livestock excessive and unsustainable distances.
This led the council to launch a consultation last summer, which culminated in the site being saved, with 84% of 4,078 locals polled wanting the council to refurbish the site at a cost of 700,000 and withdraw any plans for its sale.
Addressing a gathering of farmers, auction staff and other businesses based at Louth mart on Monday (19 March), HRH the Prince of Wales said he was thrilled the market had been saved and thanked the rural community for their efforts.
The fact that my Countryside Fund was able to assist a little bit in this campaign has given me enormous pleasure, he is reported in the Louth Leader as saying.
Apart from anything else, it shows how important these sorts of livestock markets are in helping to maintain the rural community and the farming community and the whole life of an important part of the world like this.
Simon Williams, a partner with Louth Market Auctioneers, described 2017 as a tumultuous year for the market, and thanked the prince for his help.
A man who hid a cannabis factory in the middle of stacks of straw at a farm in Staffordshire has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.
Mitchell Nicholls, 46, of Tyebeams, Shard End, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis on the first day of his trial at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday (14 March). He was jailed for 38 months.
Mr Nicholls had been on the run in mainland Europe since July 2015, refusing to hand himself in or return to the UK. He was arrested last November at Heathrow Airport on a European arrest warrant when he flew in from Switzerland.
See also: Ultimate guide to farm security kit
He had been forensically linked through fingerprints to a highly sophisticated hydroponic cannabis-growing production, which had been professionally concealed in a large barn at Brackenhurst Farm, Newchurch, Burton-upon-Trent.
The judge said Nicholls played a significant role in the cannabis production.
Two other men were imprisoned last January for their part in the offence.
Ian Locke, of Newport, Shropshire, and Martin Young, of Telford, Shropshire, admitted producing cannabis and possession with intent to supply.
Mr Young, 52, rented the farm to breed shire horses.
During their trial the court heard tractors were needed to move the bales and reveal the entrance to the factory.
Mr Young was sentenced to 38 months in prison. Mr Locke, 64, was jailed for two years and three months.
Police raid
During a search at the farm in March 2015, detectives seized 5,000 in cash and 16kg of skunk-flowering cannabis worth approximately 133,000.
Officers also found a series of secret rooms which were completely concealed by straw bales and contained hundreds of cannabis plants.
Forensic scientists estimated that the plants could produce 60.5kg of skunk cannabis a year, which equated to a street value of 432,142.
A proceeds of crime hearing will be held on 1 June 2018. A restraining order was placed on Mr Nicholls assets property and high-value items including a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Detective Inspector Lesley Fowler, of Staffordshire Polices major and organised crime team, said: I am pleased with todays sentencing.
The arrest and subsequent conviction of Nicholls are the result of a thorough and meticulous investigation. We are determined to rid our communities of drugs and those intent on their production.
Kaitlyn McAfee of Ooltewah, a senior at Collegiate High, will be presented with an engraved bronze medallion to recognize her selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Tennessee in the 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
The presentation will be made on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the school board meeting at Hamilton County Department of Education board room, 3074 Hickory Valley Road in Chattanooga.
Ms. McAfee has raised more than $65,000 for the National Scoliosis Foundation over the past five years by organizing the Color the Curve 5K/1-mile fun run, and also leads a support group serving people with scoliosis and their families.
About the award:
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), represent the United States largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. All middle and high schools in the U.S., along with all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Lights HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award last November. Two State Honoreesone middle and one high school studentplus a select number of Distinguished Finalists from each state and the District of Columbia were selected based on criteria such as personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.
The three-day event is scheduled from Friday to Saturday, Sept. 24-26, though there are some opening events the day before.
If you stop to visit Samantha Eatons kindergarten class, her students might be found learning outside of Red Bank Elementary as often as inside. The Hamilton County Schools Teacher of the Year starts her young learners early in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education with her forest kindergarten program. The innovative learning experience for the Red Bank Elementary children has vaulted Ms. Eaton to the next level in the Tennessee Teacher of the Year program as she is as a Regional-level finalist.
Samantha Eaton has taught at Red Bank Elementary for the past five years, and she has nine years of teaching experience. She considers herself a researcher and loves to search for answers to help her students learn. Six years ago, she asked her school leader the question that started a new adventure for Red Bank Elementary and her kindergarten children. She asked, Have you ever heard of STEAM? That simple question was a launching point for innovative learning.
"Leaders from across the nation have visited our little school to see the amazing things happening here because of the adventure of learning that began that day, Ms. Eaton said.
She is now using the concepts of STEAM education in her forest kindergarten to teach her young learners. Reading performance has been a consistent high point for student progress in her classroom. At the beginning of the year, 14 of her students were reading below grade level, four were reading on grade level, and one was above grade level. December benchmarks showed those numbers completely flipped. Now, only two students are below grade level, six are reading on grade level, and 12 are reading above grade level.
As I developed my forest kindergarten model, I found significant research on the impact that it would have on my students socially, emotionally and academically, but I never thought I would see the impact so quickly, Ms. Eaton said.
We spend half of the day inside doing traditional kindergarten activities at an accelerated pace and the rest of the day is spent outdoors with natural experiential learning, Ms. Eaton said. Outside, the children are following their passion projects or what they are excited about learning.
In forest kindergarten, the young learners explore the world around them building social skills, creativity, and collaboration. The children are encouraged to be problem solvers and to develop critical thinking. They develop reading and writing skills using journals to record their scientific observations and field guides to become active researchers. The students look for evidence of the past searching for fossils in the creek near the school. The class also cleans-up around the creek and they talk about why taking care of resources is important.
For one project, the class discussed building a community outside of the school. The group built an electric station as part of the lesson.
It is amazing to see the level of thought they put into these projects, Ms. Eaton said. While building the electric station, they requested to build working solar panels these are five-year-olds.
The students have built a dam, designed and built a boat to send an adventure slug on a trip, and worked to engineer a solution for a bridge over the creek that floats away when the water gets high.
I feel like the most rewarding part of outdoor learning is seeing the passion for learning it ignites in my students and how far they take it, Ms. Eaton said. Its amazing!
Lula Lake Land Trust announced Tuesday that Matthew Hubbard has joined the staff as the director of development and communications. Mr. Hubbard joins Lula Lake after seven years in nonprofit development. He graduated with a B.S. in marketing from Jacksonville State University and holds additional degrees in English and psychology.As a native of Northeast Alabama, Mr. Hubbard moved to the Chattanooga area in 2011. His love for conservation was sparked during a fourth grade field trip to the Tennessee Aquarium, where he went on to begin his career.Hes an outdoor enthusiast who seeks out coast to coast adventures ranging from the Appalachian Trail to Muir Woods. In addition to working in nonprofit fundraising, Mr. Hubbard is also a best-selling novelist whose young adult novels have received acclaim.Conservation is my passion, Mr. Hubbard said. Last year at this time, I was visiting Lula Lake for the very first time. There was something magical about the core property that kept me coming back and donating. It strengthened my passion and led me on the path to where I am today.Mr. Hubbard joins the Lula Lake team of Patrick Kelly, land manager, and Mike Pollock, executive director. "Mike and the selection committee were highly impressed by Matthews in-depth knowledge, awareness of Chattanoogas non-profit culture and eagerness to make a sincere impact on conservation," officials said.He has expertise in all areas of fundraising that are important to Lula Lake from event planning to corporate support to managing our annual campaigns, Mr. Pollock said. His depth will allow the rest of the staff and the board to focus on the mission objectives with more comfort and flexibility.
Star Line Books will host memoirist Victoria Price with her book, The Way of Being Lost: A Roadtrip to My Truest Self. Ms. Price will be at Star Line Books for a discussion and signing of her memoir on Thursday from 6-7 p.m.Ms. Price delves into her childhood with a doting, famous father and a detrimental, unloving mother. At the age of 49, despite having an outwardly wonderful life, Ms. Price could tell that something was still not right in her life, so she set out to figure out exactly where her anxiety and and self-doubt stemmed from."Join Victoria and Star Line Books for a thoroughly engrossing discussion and a chance to look into the Price family," officials said.About the author:Victoria Price is the author of the critically acclaimed Vincent Price: A Daughter's Biography.A popular inspirational speaker on topics ranging from art collecting and design to creativity and spirituality, as well as the life of her famous father, Price has appeared on Good Morning America, A&E's Biography, and NPR's Fresh Air and Morning Edition. Her work has been featured in USA Today, People, Travel & Leisure, Art & Auction, and The New York Times.Reviews for Victoria Prices The Way of Being Lost: A Roadtrip to My Truest Self:Heartfelt testimony of an arduous search for self-affirmation that will appeal to fellow seekers. -Kirkus ReviewVictoria Prices journey is a truly inspiring one. She looks both outward and inward to find joy all around her. -Melissa Etheridge, Grammy and Oscar Winning musician and activist
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Education Commissioner Candice McQueen Tuesday announced a comprehensive initiative to transform the leadership of Tennessees schools by improving the preparation, retention, and development of school principals, said officials.
The Transforming School Leadership initiative leverages both state and private dollars to improve school leader preparation programs, reward and retain individuals effectively leading the states lowest performing schools, and provide networking opportunities and support for principals in rural communities.
I firmly believe that one of the most important things we can do to help our schools succeed is make sure they are led by strong principals, Governor Haslam said. School leaders have a tough job, and as a state we need to support their dedication with resources that will ensure every teacher and student in Tennessee has a transformational principal.
Governor Haslam has dedicated more than $3.5 million in the FY 2018-19 budget to advance this work. Additionally, the Ayers Foundation, Scarlett Family Foundation, and the State Collaborative on Reforming Education have invested a combined $600,000 to advance leader preparation.
The initiative consists of three elements designed to both address the pipeline of new leaders and well as the development of existing leaders:
Effective preparation of new school leaders
In conjunction with the State Board of Education, the Tennessee Department of Education is revising policy to ensure that the 19 traditional preparation programs within many of the states higher education institutions are held accountable for the performance of their graduates. To accelerate performance, this effort will provide funding for 50 fellowship positions to support high-quality preparation programs and 50 district partnership grants for leadership development.
Recruitment and retention of turnaround school leaders
In addition to training new leaders to fill the annual estimated 270 school leader vacancies, this effort will leverage the talents of top principals by incentivizing them to lead the states lowest-performing schools.
Development opportunities for rural school leaders
Principals in rural schools are often unable to take advantage of leadership development due to the cost of registration and travel and have few networking opportunities to learn from other school leaders. This program creates a professional network for 50 rural principals and scholarships for rural principals to attend state-led conferences and training opportunities.
This proposal underscores the states commitment to excellent school leaders and reinforces our belief that school leaders are incredibly important, Commissioner McQueen said. No school can be successful without a successful principal, and every single child and teacher deserves to be in a school led by a highly effective leader.
Each year, the state hires approximately 270 new principals across 1,819 public schools.
kacylee at 20-03-2018 08:47 AM (3 years ago) (f)
A Nigerian man identified as Marley Biose, has died in Helsinki, Finland, while on the phone with his wife in Nigeria.
A Nigerian man identified as Marley Biose, has died in Helsinki, Finland, while on the phone with his wife in Nigeria.
According to diasporareporters, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Biose was speaking with his wife about her relocation to Finland, when, all of a sudden, she couldnt hear what he was saying again and later on, the communication went off. At the break of dawn, she called one of his friends to go and check on him. The friend alerted the police, who found Biose lying lifeless, after his door was forced open. The police is yet to release the result of the autopsy carried out on the deceased.
According to diasporareporters, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Biose was speaking with his wife about her relocation to Finland, when, all of a sudden, she couldnt hear what he was saying again and later on, the communication went off. At the break of dawn, she called one of his friends to go and check on him. The friend alerted the police, who found Biose lying lifeless, after his door was forced open. The police is yet to release the result of the autopsy carried out on the deceased.
Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 20-03-2018 08:47 AM (3 years ago) | Addicted Hero
felicilin at 20-03-2018 10:44 AM (3 years ago) (f)
Management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, has detained a 59-year-old woman, Mrs. Josephine Nwokolo, for her inability to settle her N600,000 bill. Unfortunately, Nwokolo, an employee of the Edo State Waste Management Board, was on duty when she was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. Her waist and leg were broken in the accident. She is currently being detained at the female Orthopaedic Ward of the hospital. However, yesterday, Nwokolo cried out to the state government, individuals and organisations to come to her aid to enable her to offset her medical bills and be released by UBTH.
Management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, has detained a 59-year-old woman, Mrs. Josephine Nwokolo, for her inability to settle her N600,000 bill. Unfortunately, Nwokolo, an employee of the Edo State Waste Management Board, was on duty when she was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. Her waist and leg were broken in the accident. She is currently being detained at the female Orthopaedic Ward of the hospital. However, yesterday, Nwokolo cried out to the state government, individuals and organisations to come to her aid to enable her to offset her medical bills and be released by UBTH.
The woman, who lamented her plight in an interview with our correspondent on her hospital bed at the UBTH, said she was by a hit-and-run driver on Sapele Road on November 17 last year. Nwokolo said she was employed by the state Waste Management Board as a street sweeper and was sweeping on the busy Sapele Road about 5.30a.m., near NITEL Junction, when a truck hit her and flung her to the other lane of the dual carriage way. She said: I was sweeping Sapele Road when a vehicle hit me and threw me to the other side of the road. I didnt know how my son brought me to this hospital.
My husband, Peter, who is a wheelbarrow pusher, has been paying all medical bills. Her eldest son, Chukwuka, who had assisted her to sweep the other end of the road when the ugly incident occurred, took her to two different hospitals with the assistance of other sympathisers. She was later referred to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the UBTH. Nwokolo explained that her monthly salary was N18,000. She therefore begged the state government and others to assist her as she could not pay the over N600,000 incurred as medical bills. The woman said she wanted to reunit with her children and other members of her family.
Nwokolo claimed that her employers still owe her three months salary arrears. Reacting to the story, the UBTH Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Joshua Uwaila, said like any other person admitted by the hospital, Nwokolo was expected to pay her bills as a patient treated by the hospital. Besides, he noted that where she was unable to pay, she should get the attention of her employer to pay the bills in line with the law since she was still working for her organisation as at the time of the accident. He said: People should show us some reciprocity for services rendered to them before asking for such gesture.
We are having so many issues like this. We know that things are hard, even for us as an organisation we cant continue to sustain the tempo. When contacted on the phone, the Acting Chairman of the state Waste Management Agency, Mr. Akonofua Aiyamenkhue, said the agency was aware of Nwokolos plight in the hospital. However, Aiyamenkhue said that Nwokolo and others were employed by the waste manager and that the sweepers were not working directly with the board.
The woman, who lamented her plight in an interview with our correspondent on her hospital bed at the UBTH, said she was by a hit-and-run driver on Sapele Road on November 17 last year. Nwokolo said she was employed by the state Waste Management Board as a street sweeper and was sweeping on the busy Sapele Road about 5.30a.m., near NITEL Junction, when a truck hit her and flung her to the other lane of the dual carriage way. She said: I was sweeping Sapele Road when a vehicle hit me and threw me to the other side of the road. I didnt know how my son brought me to this hospital.My husband, Peter, who is a wheelbarrow pusher, has been paying all medical bills. Her eldest son, Chukwuka, who had assisted her to sweep the other end of the road when the ugly incident occurred, took her to two different hospitals with the assistance of other sympathisers. She was later referred to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the UBTH. Nwokolo explained that her monthly salary was N18,000. She therefore begged the state government and others to assist her as she could not pay the over N600,000 incurred as medical bills. The woman said she wanted to reunit with her children and other members of her family.Nwokolo claimed that her employers still owe her three months salary arrears. Reacting to the story, the UBTH Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Joshua Uwaila, said like any other person admitted by the hospital, Nwokolo was expected to pay her bills as a patient treated by the hospital. Besides, he noted that where she was unable to pay, she should get the attention of her employer to pay the bills in line with the law since she was still working for her organisation as at the time of the accident. He said: People should show us some reciprocity for services rendered to them before asking for such gesture.We are having so many issues like this. We know that things are hard, even for us as an organisation we cant continue to sustain the tempo. When contacted on the phone, the Acting Chairman of the state Waste Management Agency, Mr. Akonofua Aiyamenkhue, said the agency was aware of Nwokolos plight in the hospital. However, Aiyamenkhue said that Nwokolo and others were employed by the waste manager and that the sweepers were not working directly with the board.
Post Reply Posted: at 20-03-2018 10:44 AM (3 years ago) | Hero
kacylee at 20-03-2018 09:32 PM (3 years ago) (f)
Onoseta Oribhabor, a 30-year-old Nigerian man has killed himself after murdering his 27-year-old girlfriend, Essozinam "Martine" Assali, in Toronto, Canada.
Onoseta Oribhabor, a 30-year-old Nigerian man has killed himself after murdering his 27-year-old girlfriend, Essozinam "Martine" Assali, in Toronto, Canada.
According to reports, police were called to a condo building in the north end of the city, on March 6, and found Oribhabor dead on a balcony. After a further search, they found a woman inside a unit with obvious signs of trauma.
She was treated for injuries, but ultimately died. Oribhabor graduated from Babcock University, Ogun State, before leaving for Canada.
Police characterize the case as a murder-suicide and have listed 27-year-old Essozinam Assali as the citys 10th homicide victim of the year. Police describe the deaths as a domestic incident and say no other suspects are being sought. According to reports, police were called to a condo building in the north end of the city, on March 6, and found Oribhabor dead on a balcony. After a further search, they found a woman inside a unit with obvious signs of trauma.She was treated for injuries, but ultimately died. Oribhabor graduated from Babcock University, Ogun State, before leaving for Canada.Police characterize the case as a murder-suicide and have listed 27-year-old Essozinam Assali as the citys 10th homicide victim of the year. Police describe the deaths as a domestic incident and say no other suspects are being sought.
Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 20-03-2018 09:32 PM (3 years ago) | Addicted Hero
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN:BTG) (NSX:B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") would like to address certain erroneous media reports from Mali regarding the development of a new mining code and reconfirm the Company's legal standing pertaining to the Fekola Mine under the 2012 Mali Mining Code. Statements attributed to a Government Minister at a recent joint news conference with the International Monetary Fund suggested that if compromises with mining companies are not achieved, amendments to the mining code may be unilaterally implemented. The full details of any proposed new mining code and the timing for its implementation are not known at this time. Government officials have advised the Company that the Minister's comments were taken out of context in such news report and should not be applied to all mining operations in Mali.
B2Gold's interest in its Fekola Mine in Mali is governed by a finalized and enforceable mining convention (as amended) with the State of Mali that includes stabilization provisions which provide that the Fekola Mine is subject to the Mali Mining Code (2012) for the duration of its operations and subsequent amendments to the Mali Mining Code are not applicable to it. As a result of these provisions, the Company believes its interests in Fekola are protected and that any contemplated amendments in a new mining code will not apply to Fekola without B2Gold's agreement. No Malian government representative has informed any B2Gold representatives in Mali or elsewhere that the government does not agree with the Company's position. B2Gold has developed an excellent relationship over the last three years with the Government of Mali. All negotiations between the Company's senior representatives and the Malian Government Ministries have been conducted and concluded in an environment of mutual fairness, respect and transparency.
As previously disclosed, including in our recent Managements Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2017, in August 2017, the Company finalized certain other agreements with the State of Mali including a shareholders' agreement for Fekola S.A., the holder of the Fekola Mine, and a share purchase agreement for the purchase by the State of Mali of an additional 10% participating interest in Fekola. These agreements have been signed by the relevant Malian government ministers and approved by the Malian Council of Ministers and are now subject only to final ratification by the Mali National Assembly, which is now expected at their next scheduled sitting in April 2018. Upon such ratification, the Company will transfer ownership of 20% of Fekola SA to the State of Mali.
About B2Gold
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is the worlds new senior gold producer. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland.
B2Gold is well positioned in achieving transformational growth in 2018. With the planned first full year of production from the large, low-cost Fekola Mine in southwest Mali, consolidated gold production is forecast to be between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces. This represents an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces in 2018 versus 2017. B2Golds forecast consolidated cash operating costs are expected to remain low in 2018 (between $505 and $550 per ounce) and all-in sustaining costs are expected to decrease by approximately 6% versus 2017 (between $780 and $830 per ounce).
On Behalf of B2GOLD CORP.
Clive T. Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:
Ian MacLean Katie Bromley Vice President, Investor Relations Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations 604-681-8371 604-681-8371 imaclean@b2gold.com kbromley@b2gold.com
The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.
This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including projections, guidance, forecasts, estimates and other statements regarding future financial and operational performance, events, production, mine life, revenue, cash flows, costs and the results of exploration, including, the potential new Mali mining code, the terms of any such new Mali mining code, the application and impact of any such new mining code or amendments on B2Gold and Fekola and the stability provisions in the Fekola mining convention protecting B2Gold from amendments in any new Mali mining code, and the ratification of the Fekola share purchase agreement and shareholder agreement. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as expect, plan, anticipate, project, target, potential, schedule, forecast, budget, estimate, intend or believe and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could, should or might occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Golds control, including risks and assumptions associated with the volatility of metal prices and our common shares; risks and dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; risk of not achieving production, cost or other estimates; risk that actual production, development plans and costs differ materially from the estimates in our feasibility studies; risks related to hedging activities and ore purchase commitments; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations with the Government of Mali; risks related to environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; availability of financing; risks relating to financing and debt; risks related to operations in foreign and developing countries and compliance with foreign laws; risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks; risks related to reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; challenges to title or surface rights; dependence on key personnel and ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; changes in tax laws; community support for our operations including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; risks related to failures of information systems or information security threats; ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting as required by law; risks relating to compliance with anti-corruption laws; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading Risk Factors in B2Golds most recent Annual Information Form and B2Golds other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the Websites). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Companys forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. The Companys forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. The Companys forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Companys ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
English Danish
COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT
No. 20/2018
Tvis, 20 March 2018
The annual general meeting of TCM Group A/S will be held on the 12th of April 2018 at 4 p.m. (CET) at Skautrupvej 22b, Tvis, 7500 Holstebro, Denmark.
The notice and the agenda for the annual general meeting are attached to this announcement. The latter shows that Carsten Bjerg, former CEO of Grundfos and member of the board of directors of Vestas Wind Systems, Rockwool International and MT Hjgaard, as well as Sren Mygind Eskildsen, CEO of Louis Poulsen and with an extensive management career at the Danfoss Group, Exhausto and Logstor, are being proposed as new Board Members by the Board of Directors of TCM Group. In relation hereto the chairman of TCM Group A/S Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae states:
We are very pleased to announce that two such competent and experienced profiles like Carsten Bjerg and Sren Mygind Eskildsen are willing to join the Board of Directors of TCM Group A/S.
Carsten will contribute with his international CEO background and extensive board experience, while Sren with his deep insight in operation and supply chain will contribute to ensure that efficiency and profit continue to follow the growth.
For further information please contact:
Ole Lund Andersen, CEO, TCM Group A/S, +45 97 43 52 00
About TCM Group
TCM Group is Scandinavias third largest manufacturer of kitchens and furniture for bathrooms and storage. The products are Danish design, produced in Denmark and rooted in a proud tradition of good quality and good craftsmanship. TCM Group pursues a multi-brand strategy, under which the main brand is Svane Kkkenet and the other brands are Tvis, Nettoline and kitchn. Combined, the brands cater for the entire price spectrum, and are sold through c. 125 dealers in Denmark and the rest of the Scandinavia. In addition, TCM Group sells private label kitchens through DIY stores in Denmark and independent kitchen stores in Norway. See www.tcmgroup.dk for more information.
The marine environment is critical to Grenadas economy and closely linked to the islands income generating tourism sector. Grenadas tri-island ocean state is not just a hub of maritime activity, but also home to unique marine biodiversity
When I was deputy mayor of New York City, young companies would come to me with new approaches to service delivery -- often driven by cutting-edge technologies -- that they wanted the city to try. They would earnestly promise impressive results, and I would ask, "Where have you successfully done this before?" That's the big question on everyone's mind in public procurement: Nobody wants to get burned on an idea that turns out to be too good to be true, to wind up in a lawsuit or on the front page of the local newspaper.In an effort to grapple with this problem, in 2016 the New York Mayor's Office of Technology and Innovation launched Marketplace.nyc, in collaboration with the White House. The public facing website aggregated information about vendors seeking contracts with the city. Companies, large and small, would set up profiles detailing their technology as well as successful deployments to answer that "Where have you done this before?" question. And while there's no way to eliminate the inherent risk of trying a new technology even if it has a successful prior application, Marketplace.nyc gave the city easy, centralized access to essential information and credentials.Jeff Merritt, former director of innovation at the Office of Technology and Innovation and now head of the World Economic Forum's Internet of Things initiative, noted that inspiration for the project struck in an unlikely place. "The need for this platform first occurred to me in 2014 at the Smart Cities Expo in Barcelona," Merritt said. "There was this massive hall with hundreds of companies and thousands of products. I realized there was no way to systematically research, compare and keep track of all of them."Working with a local design company, Fictive Kin, the Office of Technology and Innovation built a prototype funded as a public-private partnership. The site signed up a hundred companies in the first few weeks, and many other cities expressed an interest in joining.After a year of running the Marketplace.nyc prototype, the positive response from users encouraged the team to launch Marketplace.city as a standalone company with global reach. Chris Foreman and Andrew Watkins were recruited to help expand the site and transition the prototype into a new, sustainable, independent venture. "New York identified a major problem that a lot of cities face," said Foreman, who is Marketplace.city's CEO. "They want to innovate, but there's only so much bandwidth to do so, and they can only focus on so many projects at a time. They are bombarded by news, information and sales pitches from startups and multi-national companies with new products and solutions."The functionality that Marketplace.city adds includes two-way direct connections, verified validations of deployments, technology specifications and Q&A capability. Additionally, cities from around the world publish their profiles along with their requests for information, qualifications and proposals onto the site, and vendors can check to make sure that they don't miss new opportunities. That, Foreman pointed out, is particularly valuable for smaller municipalities: "Some of the greatest benefits will be realized by smaller cities that do not attract as much attention and do not have the resources to find and validate new technology." In fact, the idea to host city profiles on the website came from Cary, N.C., a midsize city currently undertaking the development of a smart corridor. Marketplace.city has increased the city's visibility to new vendors and provided a new tool for officials to search and source innovative companies.Eventually, Marketplace.city plans to aggregate and organize similar requests from multiple cities, so that, for instance, a company can see all of the ongoing street-light solicitations happening around the world. This feature will not only make life easier for vendors but also allow cities to compare solicitations and write better RFQs and RFPs.Cities are finding creative uses for the online system. As part of its entry in the $50 million prize category of the Canadian government's Smart Cities Challenge competition, for example, Vancouver is asking companies vying to be part of the application to register through Marketplace.city. That way, noted Foreman, the city "can gather information and also see case studies the companies have published in addition to who else has used their product. Vancouver then has a place where they can find all of these people without having to catalog them on their own."So where does Marketplace.city go from here? Foreman said this year has been about getting cities and companies on board and using the platform. The future, however, will likely bring new features to the site. "We've been getting a lot of requests to start publishing pricing and doing transactions in the marketplace as well," he said. "That's the next big thing for us." He's hopeful that Marketplace.city will be able to handle transactions sometime next year. For cities looking for better ways to procure critical goods and services, that would be a big thing indeed.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday required Arizona to continue to issue drivers licenses to the young adult immigrants known as Dreamers, refusing to hear the states challenge to an Obama-era program that protects hundreds of thousands of people brought into the country illegally as children.The case centred on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program created in 2012 under Democratic former President Barack Obama that Republican President Donald Trump already has sought to rescind. Those who signed up for DACA are shielded from deportation and given work permits.The high court refused to hear Republican-governed Arizonas appeal of a lower court ruling that barred the state from denying drivers licenses to people protected under DACA.Mark Brnovich, Arizonas Republican attorney general, expressed disappointment that the justices sidestepped the issue of whether Obama had the authority to create DACA.
Assault Weapons Ban Backtrack
'Its Like a Parent-Child Relationship'
After the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., last month left 17 teenagers and school staff members dead, local politicians have had enough with the state telling them what they can and can't do.Under Florida law , cities and counties are prevented from enacting their own gun laws. Officials who try to enforce local gun legislation face up to a $5,000 fine and removal from office.In response to the shooting, which sparked a nationwide push for gun control, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill two weeks ago that bans rapid-firing bump stocks, raises the age limit for gun purchases to 21, allows some teachers to carry guns and institutes a three-day waiting period for gun purchases. Notably absent from the bill, however, was a ban on assault weapons, which is gun control advocates' biggest priority since most mass shootings involve them With no power to pass their own gun laws, local officials who want stricter gun laws are turning to the ballot box and the courts to get them.Skip Campbell, the mayor of Coral Springs, Fla., is leading a campaign withother mayors to pass an amendment to the Florida constitution that would ban assault weapons. He's trying to get the amendment on the 2020 ballot.Meanwhile, the city of Weston plans to sue the state over its preemption law and is inviting others to join the lawsuit. Miami could be next, since the city's commissioners directed the city attorney to look into the constitutionality of Floridas preemption law.But even if they support stricter gun control laws, some local officials will be hesitant to take on the state.Case in point: The city of Coral Gables was expected to ban the sale of assault weapons in the jurisdiction on Tuesday but backtracked at the last minute. Fully aware of the potential financial, legal and political repercussions of passing local gun laws, the city's commissioners unanimously voted last month to push forward with the ordinance in the wake of the Parkland shooting.Maybe there will be a legal challenge or a fine. The governor might remove us. I dont know whats going to happen, but we are ready to confront whatever happens, Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, who proposed the ordinance, toldlast monthIf this brings a legal challenge, that gives us the opportunity to look at the state statute and see whether such a preemption, whether an exceedingly broad preemption of local rules, is constitutional, Coral Gables Commissioner Patricia Keon said last month.Fast forward a few weeks, and, while Valdes-Fauli and Keon maintained their position, the three other members of the city commission ultimately decided to vote no on the assault weapons ban."We need to be about establishing laws and enforcing laws, whether we like it or not ... this is an elected body," Commissioner Michael Mena said at the meeting. "As frustrating as it may be, I can't support this ordinance moving forward."Commissioner Frank Quesada expressed concern over the part of Florida's preemption law that would make the city responsible for any plaintiff's attorney fees if they were sued. He said that while he was willing to risk paying a $5,000 fine and even being ousted from office, he could not risk putting such a large "financial burden" on the city's residents.In fact, a citizen showed up at Tuesday's meeting threatening to sue if the ordinance passed. The ordinance was also likely to attract a lawsuit from the National Rifle Association, which already sued Florida for its bill.The Coral Gables city attorney, for her part, supports the commission's new outlook. The ordinance moved forward at last month's meeting against her recommendation. She consistently said she could not sign the ordinance as legal even if it passed because it would have been preempted by state law.Although the commissioners backtracked on their decision to put their jobs in jeopardy, they did vote on Tuesday to join Weston's lawsuit against the state and to research a potential ballot measure that would change the Florida constitution to ban assault weapons, much like Mayor Campbell.Weston and Coral Gables aren't the first cities to challenge Florida's restriction on local gun laws. In 2017, the mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum, defended the city in a lawsuit the state brought over two ordinances banning guns in public parks. Gillum argued that because the city was not enforcing the laws, they were not violating state law.The court eventually agreed with Gillum but declined to rule on the state laws constitutionality since no municipal officials in Tallahassee had actually been removed from office. The court hinted, however, that a city officials removal would raise constitutional questions.The most recent conflict in Florida mirrors a trend happening around the country : Conservative state legislatures are increasingly passing laws to keep more liberal cities from enacting their own ordinances on everything from gun control to the minimum wage.In just the last three years, Missouri has enacted a law preventing cities from setting their own minimum wages and from banning plastic bags; North Carolina has blocked Charlottes anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people; Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has moved to prevent local fracking bans; and Arizona just last week signed a bill that outlaws soda taxes on the local level.Unfortunately for cities, courts tend to rule in favor of state supremacy."Courts rarely or never find in favor of localities when theres a question of home rule , says Dr. Lori Riverstone-Newell at Illinois State University. Most often the courts have said something like, this is an issue between states and localities. Its [interpreted to be] like a parent-child relationship.
The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below.
On Monday, in the morning, at the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey met the Australian Consul-General, Mr Graeme Meehan and Ms Karen Surmon, Trade Commissioner Consul (Commercial) for a briefing on the diplomatic and trade relationship between Australia and the Peoples Republic of China.
Following, at the Shanghai Tower, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey undertook a guided tour.
In the afternoon, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey were met by the Deputy Director, Chinese Academy of Science Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Professor Jiang Lubin, and received a briefing on the joint research project between the Institute and Griffith University on a vaccine for malaria and a delivery system for the vaccine.
Following, at 200 Peoples Avenue, Shanghai, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey, with the Australian Consul-General in Shanghai, Mr Graeme Meehan, met with Mr Xu Kunlin, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, and Mr Zhu Weimin, Deputy Director General, Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, and reaffirmed Queenslands commitment to the Sister-State relationship with Shanghai.
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GIS 20 March 2018: The Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, of the Republic of India, Ms Preeti Saran, met the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, this afternoon at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.
In a statement, Ms Saran highlighted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss about the on-going preparations in regard to the 11th World Hindi Conference that will be held in Mauritius from 18 to 20 August 2018. She recalled that Mauritius has hosted the conference on two occasions previously.
Ms Preeti Saran pointed out that the Government of India attaches considerable importance to the conference which focuses on the Hindi language. It is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and some 100 Hindi scholars, writers and journalists from different countries are expected to attend the event, she said.
She also added that she had fruitful discussions with Prime Minister Jugnauth who conveyed the full support of the Government in organising the conference.
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GIS 20 March 2018: " Unleashing the power of women entrepreneurship is one such qualitative initiative that can have a positive effect on any countrys economy", said the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives this morning at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebene.
Speaking at the launch of the Entrepreneurship Expresso, Mr Soomilduth Bholah said that Government, with the help of public and private stakeholders, is determined to support women and help them achieve sustainable growth in entrepreneurship endeavours. The Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus, was also present at the event.
The Minister encouraged women to fully tap their potential to become entrepreneurs and develop a sense of autonomy as regards decision-making in their businesses. Women, he underlined, should be provided with more opportunities to progress in the entrepreneurship field and encouraged to achieve sustainable growth in their business activities.
He underscored the importance of technology in the field of entrepreneurship while recalling that technology opens up new opportunities for entrepreneurial networking by eliminating temporal, geographic, and gendered social constraints which might limit womens access to information and resources.
With regard to the SME Mauritius Ltd, Mr Bholah pointed out that the execution of the 10-Year Master Plan and the promotion of networking facilities are among its priority missions. He urged women entrepreneurs to avail themselves of the different financial schemes proposed by SME Mauritius Ltd and to brave the challenges that can hinder the growth of their enterprises.
He called on women entrepreneurs attending the workshop to seize the opportunity to interact with established businesswomen from the National Women Entrepreneur Council and Association Mauricienne des Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises who will, as mentors and facilitators, address the various challenges and daily hurdles pertaining to women entrepreneurship.
According to Mr Bholah, the workshop will pave the way towards the establishment of a sustainable support and collaborative network for the benefit of women entrepreneurs who will then embark on a virtuous circle of success.
For her part the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus, outlined that women are the bedrock of the Nation and that they have a major role to play in ensuring the socio-economic welfare of the country. Government is committed to promote the economic empowerment of women, as well as encourage the development and growth of women entrepreneurs, she said.
On this score, she emphasised that women should be appropriately guided in order to improve their skills and aptitudes in entrepreneurship. She reiterated that women should not be victims of the Pull Her Down syndrome but should rather work together to eradicate discrimination from root level. Minister Jadoo-Jaunbocus also pointed out that starting an entrepreneurial venture can be very easy but that ensuring sustainable growth for the business is a great challenge that can only be overcomed with determination, dedication and hard work.
(TNS) WASHINGTON Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and other social media executives came under pressure from both sides of the political aisle Monday to testify in the U.S. Senate on how a political consulting firm gained access to the data of millions of Facebook users during the 2016 presidential campaign.Sens. John Kennedy, R-La., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., wrote to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee demanding that top executives from Facebook, Twitter and Google be brought in for questioning about their efforts to police their own platforms for abuse and interference in U.S. elections.The senators demand followed the revelation over the weekend that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm used by President Trumps 2016 campaign, had employed quizzes and other methods to obtain personal information from 50 million Facebook users without permission. The company has touted its use of psychological profiling as a way to predict voter behavior.Facebook, Google and Twitter have amassed unprecedented amounts of personal data and use this data when selling advertising, including political advertisements, the senators wrote. The lack of oversight on how data is stored and how political advertisements are sold raises concerns about the integrity of American elections as well as privacy rights.In a statement Monday, Facebook said it has hired a digital forensics firm, Stroz Friedberg, to conduct a comprehensive audit of Cambridge Analytica, and that Cambridge Analytica has agreed to comply.We remain committed to vigorously enforcing our policies to protect peoples information, Facebooks statement said.The three large Bay Area technology companies have lost some of their luster in Washington amid revelations that the Russian government used their platforms to interfere in the last presidential election, and warnings that misuse in future elections is likely.Last fall, Kennedy and other senators sharply questioned executives from the three giant social media platforms after the companies revealed that the Russian disinformation campaign had reached many more users than they initially disclosed.Both of Californias senators sit on the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is its top-ranking Democrat, and Sen. Kamala Harris is the committees newest member. Neither joined the Kennedy-Klobuchar letter.Feinstein and Harris also sit on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which scheduled an open hearing Wednesday on threats to elections and voting systems, with testimony planned from administration officials and state organizations representing election officials.In the House, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, the Intelligence Committees top Democrat, reiterated his call for testimony from officials of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook, saying the Menlo Park social media company must explain the long delay in suspending its relationship with the consulting firm and how they will ensure the protection of users from malicious access to their personal information.
Thirteen months after it was announced , Indianas first Internet of Things lab will open on March 21 in the burgeoning Indianapolis suburb of Fishers.Fostering technology and innovation has been a focus for Gov. Eric Holcomb, who visited Fishers in February 2017 to announce the Indiana IoT Lab; and officials close to the project toldthat interest levels are so high that theyre confident it will quickly generate significant value.Mayor Scott Fadness said the labs eight office suites are entirely leased and more than 700 people had RSVPed to attend the opening as of March 16 an indicator of curiosity that, in situations like this where touring the lab may be the most effective way to communicate its purpose, could also drive future commitments.Originally targeted for opening as early as the summer of 2017, the 24,562-square-foot lab is designed to house a combination of maker areas, development labs and testing spaces for companies to experiment in designing new IoT devices and applications. It also includes a design thinking studio, where teams and clients will be able to work through the creative process.The lab is expected to be a major driver of innovation and tech for the city, already home to Indianas largest co-working space , and for the state. Holcombs Next Level Fund, part of a legislative agenda with the same name, is intended to invest a quarter-billion dollars over the next decade into venture capital, a potential stimulus for startups.The facility, in the former home of Bates Technology, a maker of honing stones and machine shop tooling, will feature resources including a laser cutter, a 3-D printer, a stereolithography 3-D printer and a pick-and-place printed circuit board maker.The lab is propped up with a long list of sponsors. It will include a wood shop and a metal shop supported by a Stanley Security sponsorship that includes a donation of DeWalt tools, according to John Wechsler, chief executive officer and founder of the nearby co-working space Launch Fishers.Another sponsorship from Arrow Electronics, a large distributor of IoT-related components, will likely deliver devices like Arduinos and Raspberry Pis, Wechsler said. Others on the list of 35 sponsors include Indiana University, KSM Consulting, AT&T and Allegion.That list of sponsorships, which Wechsler said is well into six figures, also includes the city of Fishers, which the mayor said contributed $150,000. Going forward, the city will pay for the buildings lease; and Launch Fishers, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will fund daily operations through memberships and sponsorships. Around 50 members have paid $1,000 each to join, which entitles them to work from the facility.Tenants include ClearObject, an IoT systems integration business whose CEO John McDonald joined Wechsler and Fadness in guiding Launch Fishers; Flexware Innovations, which centers on what Fadness termed machine-to-machine IoT; and Rook Security, which helps companies with IoT challenges guard against cyberattack.Then, theres a lot of additional space in the back for more free space, more open space. And were to the point now that its so in demand that were creating office suites even back there. Im really excited about the initial group of talent that weve aggregated into that facility, Fadness said.We think that if we can create the critical mass of workers and IoT engineers and innovators, were going to see not only companies from Indiana but from across the country and probably around the world look to be part of this thing long-term, Wechsler said, noting that lab officials have already consulted their architect about a possible expansion.During an interview with, the Launch Fishers CEO shared details of an email from a California-based utility that had contacted him to express an interest in using the lab remotely; and contact from a Toronto entrepreneur weighing a move to Fishers.The mayor said people that have toured the lab include representatives of companies like Chrysler, John Deere, Rolls-Royce, IBM and Eli Lilly and Co. Officials met recently with representatives of a smaller Minnesota company interested in relocating to Fishers.They havent made their decision on where theyre going to go, but what I do know is without having this IoT lab, Fisher, Indiana isnt on [the] list. This is an example of, by demonstrating your willingness to build these environments in an intentional way, attracts the type of entrepreneurs youre looking for in your community, said Fadness, the citys first-ever mayor.Rook Security relocated from California to Indiana in 2009, and CEO J.J. Thompson said he believes it has had the opportunity there to find the right team with the right talent. The company is in line to get office space in Fishers, the CEO said, and is also a founding dedicated suite member at the lab.This is going to be something that changes the way that Indianas economy fundamentally operates in the future. We wanted to jump in with both feet and be a part of this from the ground up. For us, its going to be all about getting closer to the problems, Thompson said of the lab, referring to its all-encompassing capability to support problem-solving.Officials dont intend to get in the middle of deals, Wechsler said. But they do plan to make sure the lab is closely connected to academia and key local producers like southern Indianas plastic injection molding industry not only looping in industrial specialties but also avoiding duplication by using area resources.Discussions are already happening around potential use cases including an automation challenge from a global automotive company that could become a Masters-level project for Indiana University students; and later this spring, the lab will host its first hackathon on public safety solutions.But, the mayor said, this has not been a quick endeavor, and he cautioned other state officials contemplating standing up their own IoT labs to circle in local tech types and businesses, and be deliberate.Do not try to create this out of a purely government-based lens. It needs to be led by entrepreneurs, Fadness said. This vision of an entrepreneurial city was never going to be a one-and-done project. Were in this for the long haul.
(TNS) FRAMINGHAM, Mass. After pledging to create new financial transparency tools for the public, Framingham has yet to launch a resource that will allow residents to look up salaries, spending records and other city data online.As part of a two-year agreement with the state, Framingham established a plan in February 2016 to adopt new high-tech tools to give residents more insight into municipal finances.While much of that work is complete, the city is still months away from finishing a key component: an open data portal that will host employee salary data, 311 requests, records of payments to vendors and other information.The platform was set to debut last year, but the project stalled amid staffing shortages, said Carly Premo Melo, the city's director of technology services. Melo said staff from other departments and the mayor must still sign off on the initiative, which will require cooperation from a variety of employees."We're fairly close to being able to go live with it," she said Friday, putting the launch date three to six months away. "We just need some stakeholder buy-in."The project comes amid a global push to enhance transparency in the public sector by moving government data online. In 2013, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that made open and machine-readable data the new default for information produced by the federal government. In Massachusetts, state expenditures and payroll are now tracked through an online platform call CTHRU, operated by the state comptroller's office. A compilation of public databases can also be found on the state's open data page, located at mass.gov/opendata.Framingham's data portal will be powered by Seattle-based technology company Socrata, which hosts similar repositories for Somerville, Cambridge and other municipalities. The city has been paying maintenance fees to Socrata for at least two years while it gets the website up and running.A draft version of the project is available on the city's website, though access to resources such as the Open Checkbook a database of all city expenditures remains password protected.Some data sets are loaded into the new open data portal, but don't appear intended for public use. Information about Fire Department emergency calls and building permits was updated as recently as March 2018, for example, but other data sets date back to 2017 and 2016.Launching the data portal was one of two major initiatives the city spelled out in its Community Compact agreement with the state, though Framingham's efforts to develop the new data portal date back as early as 2015.The town's annual report from that year notes the Technology Services department was working at that time to launch a Socrata website, which would present "not only financial data but also metrics for services like permitting & certification, requests for service, Public Safety calls and inspection activity."Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito then traveled to Framingham in February 2016 to sign the town's Community Compact. The compact program, launched by Gov. Charlie Baker's administration, offers grant money and technical assistance to communities that adopt best practices in one of several areas.In its compact agreement, Framingham committed to increasing financial transparency by launching the new data portal, and also loading information about the municipal budget into a Web resource developed by ClearGov.At a joint meeting Wednesday of the City Council and School Committee, Framingham's finance chief demonstrated the ClearGov application, which is accessible on the city's website.The interactive tool, which went live last spring, allows users to find high-level views of revenues, expenses and other budget data.Residents can also input their tax bill to see how tax dollars are spent in the municipal budget, and drill down in greater detail into some budget categories. For example, users can navigate through the site to discover that the town budgeted $122,279 to pay the salary of Brophy Elementary School's principal last year.However, the records available on ClearGov omit many relevant pieces of information, such as the names of individual employees, or data showing the components that made up their annual salary, such as base pay, overtime and stipends.In the past two years, the city has released that information in response to public records requests, but the information was provided in spreadsheets, making it more cumbersome to analyze.During Wednesday's meeting, no mention was made of the unfinished data portal, which would allow residents to access granular data about how the city functions. State records indicate the program is already complete, even though it isn't yet open to the public.A two-page summary of Framingham's transparency initiatives available on the state's website notes the measures will be particularly useful during Framingham's transition from town to city."In times of change, information becomes especially vital," the summary reads. "It allows residents to understand what's going on and allows them to make informed decisions. Providing interactive tools, rather than traditional documents can greatly improve the ability of residents to interact with their local government."Discussing the delay in getting the site running, Melo said it took time to train staff on methods to update data automatically, rather than manually loading new figures into the data portal. With only one or two staff members assigned to the project over the past year, it was also difficult to get it off the ground, she said.In the future, the data portal will host data on building permits, inspections, financial information, payroll information, spending, the budget and other records of interest, such as dog licenses."I think the residents will really appreciate the information that they'll be able to see," she said.
(TNS) A reckoning on public preparedness long in the making is underway in California after a year that saw unprecedented death, destruction and loss from disasters set off by extreme weather.Though California has long experienced natural disasters tied to weather, the last year recorded a staggering human toll more than 40 dead in wine country fires and more than 20 in Santa Barbara County mudslides.The disasters revealed gaping holes in the state's county-controlled warning systems a mix of services from multiple vendors, subscriber programs with low participation rates, outdated landline lists, and a federal cellphone alert system so imprecise some emergency managers are afraid to use it. Public warnings failed to reach most of those in harm's way, or understated the risk.California emergency managers have released a critical review faulting Sonoma County emergency managers for failing to use all means possible to warn residents in October's deadly fire siege. Evacuation orders went to only a fraction of the residents in limited areas, and managers quickly lost track of the fast-moving blazes, leaving entire communities in the dark about their danger.But they warn that the weaknesses found in Sonoma County are not unique, and it is time for the state to wade into what has historically been a local matter."Some are better. Some are worse," said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Office of Emergency Services, the state's disaster agency. "We have seen a lot of inconsistencies."State Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), whose wine country district was hit hard by the October fires, is pushing legislation that would mandate up-to-date warning systems. And Senate Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson, from fire- and mud-ravaged Santa Barbara County, promises a bill that would override state privacy laws to automatically enroll residents in emergency notification systems, leaving it to residents to opt out."We have to do a statewide movement on preparedness, response and recovery," said James Gore, Sonoma County's chairman. "We don't have to be quaking in our boots that Armageddon is coming, but what we do have to do is get on our toes and manage into our future."The county last month received an independent report from the state Office of Emergency Services that found its ability to alert and warn its constituents before and during October's deadly firestorm was "uncoordinated and included gaps, overlaps and redundancies," exacerbated because administrators at the central emergency management center were cut off from commanders on the fire lines, and were unaware of how quickly the danger was spreading, and where."During the early hours of the disaster, the county lacked reliable, timely and coordinated situational awareness as to the scale, size and scope of the fire's growth, character, and movement," the report stated. Among significant changes Ghilarducci seeks is giving incident commanders a greater role in alerting the public.But most of the state review is focused on Sonoma County's failure as fires swept over mountain ridges in the middle of the night and into sleeping suburbs to use the national Wireless Emergency Alert system to broadcast loud warnings to every cellphone in reach of a tower. Sonoma Emergency Manager Chris Helgren, who was removed from the job days before release of the critical state review, said he was afraid a mass alert would trigger mass evacuations and block the narrow roads that firefighters needed to access.Other disaster-struck counties also opted to not send mass cellphone warnings and relied instead on private vendor systems. In addition,found, public warnings were delayed or underplayed. In Mendocino County, dispatchers held up alerts for a supervisor to drive in from home to eyeball the fires firsthand, and public warning sirens at a volunteer fire station were never sounded. In Napa County, only a small percentage of the population was registered to receive the county's warnings, and firefighters went door-to-door trying to wake sleeping residents. In Santa Barbara County, emergency managers ignored the danger shown on their own in-house risk maps and told residents living in high-danger zones they were only under a voluntary "watch."Public anger over the failures has charged the debate."People didn't die from the smoke. People didn't die from the fire. People died because they didn't know something was coming," said Joseph Solis, a former 911 dispatch employee and police officer in Sebastopol. A friend and his daughter died in the Sonoma County fires. Solis' brother and family barely escaped, and they lost their home.The state review said Sonoma County officials decided long before the fires not to trust the WEA system, even as they agreed to pay $14,500 for a private vendor to add WEA capability to the county's automated phone dialing system.Without explicitly naming Helgren, the state report and Ghilarducci blamed Sonoma County emergency management for failing to keep up with technical improvements to the cellphone alert system and accused it of relying on private vendors for information on the alert system's capabilities."This was a misconception, I guess I would say, on the part of the policymakers and the leaders there, that it wasn't worth, from their opinion at the time, of investing in the effort to incorporate [the national alerts] into their system," Ghilarducci said.However, he and other state officials were unable to cite the specific advancements to those systems. Requirements for increased message length and precise targeting of who gets those messages are not mandated to take place before 2019. Even then, coverage will be incomplete. Lobbyists for the cellphone carriers succeeded in persuading the Federal Communications Commission to relax the proposed rule to cover "100% of the target area" rather than 100% of the cell devices in that area, and to delay the rollout of Spanish-language alerts.In the interim, emergency managers can request a targeted alert, but carriers can default to a county-wide blast, a loophole that FCC records show was requested by lobbyists for the cellphone industry. Earlier this year, Sonoma County officials joined emergency managers across the country, and in California, voicing their concern."Improvements to WEA have yet to be enacted by the FCC and wireless carriers to render the system more practical. ... " Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Shirlee Zane wrote to the FCC on behalf of the county. "We need to be able to utilize WEA to alert only those who may be impacted to avoid the negative consequences of over-alerting people who are not the intended audience."Sonoma County used its vendor services to send calls to a small population of residents who had registered in advance for warnings, as well as to landline numbers provided by telephone companies. The phone lists turned out to be outdated.analysis of the first warnings shows those calls reached less than 10% of the households in peril and less than a third of even those calls were answered."Every year that landline [list] gets smaller," said Robert Lewin, director of Santa Barbara County's Office of Emergency Management.Lewin also distrusts the WEA system and hesitated before using it in January when a once-in-200-year storm cell bore down on Montecito and dissolved the hillsides into a river of mud, debris and boulders, killing at least 21 people.Authorities sent only one WEA message during the debris flow just before 4 a.m. because they were concerned about how well it could target a specific area and its effectiveness given its limited message length.In a letter to the FCC dated Jan. 4, Lewin criticized the federally backed tools that operate under the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System as "seriously deficient."The county instead relied on its subscription-based program in the days and hours ahead of the storm to send out information via thousands of texts, email and robocalls.But the limited reach of those warnings and their failure to instill urgency in residents has other agencies looking inward to see if what they have in place is enough.In Los Angeles County, emergency management officials recently tested their subscription-based program NotifyLA with a Topanga Canyon community group. Of the 3,779 phone numbers that opted into the system, about 13% did not connect. The system has the ability to send WEA notifications, but those aren't a "silver bullet," said Helen Chavez, assistant director of L.A. County's Office of Emergency Management.She pointed out how the WEA notifications can create panic if mishandled, as they did in Hawaii in January when an emergency management employee intending to send a test message erroneously broadcast an alert saying the state was under a missile attack."It's one tool in the toolbox," she said.In Santa Barbara County, only about 10% of residents were subscribers to that area's alert program, Aware and Prepare, when the January debris flow struck."We were using so many methods including social media, regular media, we were texting," Lewin said. "It'd be pretty hard not to know that something was going on."But according to the county's own estimates, only about 15% of residents in the mandatory evacuation zone left the area. The ones who stayed received their first WEA notification from the county after the storm and debris flow had already hit. The county didn't even attempt to use the emergency broadcast system that hits TVs and radios because it's so unreliable, Lewin said.The county took a markedly different approach on Thursday when a rainstorm rolled in.Not only did it launch evacuations on a broader scope than it did in January, it sent out a WEA message before 2 p.m. an estimated 12 hours before the storm was forecast to arrive telling people an evacuation was underway and that they should visit the county website for more information.At the state level, Office of Emergency Services officials will look to fill what they call "unintentional gaps" in public warnings, said Kelly Huston, deputy director of crisis communications for the agency. The decision marks a change for an office that previously left public warnings to the locals."We're going to be checking with the counties to be more sure they have capabilities to issue the alerts they need. The whole thing has raised up the issue statewide," Huston said.Southern California residents saw a taste of that last fall when the state used its own WEA authority to send a seven-county alert warning residents of wildfire conditions so extreme the National Weather Service's normal "red flag" warning was broadcast as "purple."The message went out in the evening, when residents were most likely to be home and able to tune in to local television or radio for more information. It served the purpose of preparing them, too, to receive local blasts from their county in the middle of the night should there be a fire, Huston said.Ghilarducci said fire weather warnings in particular deserve more attention, "a signal that everyone should put their head up and pay attention to what's going on.""This is a lesson learned for everybody," he said. "If you get a red flag condition and you are in an area with small roads and a lot of trees and a high-fire area, that requires action whether you are an individual or a government entity."paige.stjohn@latimes.comjoseph.serna@latimes.comFor breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.2018 the Los Angeles TimesVisit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) - Police in the southwest Austin suburb of Sunset Valley think that a package that exploded early Tuesday at a FedEx sorting facility in Schertz, Texas, may have been shipped from their local FedEx Office store.The Brodie Lane store in a popular Sunset Valley shopping center has been roped off by authorities, including about 15 to 20 federal agents who have been investigating a string of four bombings this month in Austin. The store has been closed but surrounding businesses are still open.Sunset Valley city officials said in a statement that there was no known public threat to residents or shoppers.The FedEx store in Sunset Valley an independent municipality surrounded by the city of Austin is just two miles from where a bomb exploded in a residential subdivision Sunday night, injuring two men.Sunset Valley Police Chief Lenn Carter said the store has no drop-off point, so whoever delivered (the package) had to have come inside the store.About 12:25 a.m. Tuesday, a package that investigators think was destined for Austin exploded on an automated conveyor belt at a FedEx ground facility in Schertz, about 60 miles south of Austin. That package is believed to have been shipped from Sunset Valley.Hours after the Schertz explosion, Austin police and fire crews began investigating reports of a suspicious package around 8 a.m. Tuesday at a similar sorting facility in Southeast Austin near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Authorities are using a working theory that the package that exploded in Schertz was bound for Austin, interim Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told members of the Austin City Council during a work session Tuesday morning.We do believe that these incidents are all related. That is because of the specific contents of these devices, Manley said.Four bombs placed in neighborhoods across Austin have killed two people and injured four others since March 2.The first three appeared to be targeting a particular resident or address, I should say, the chief said, adding that a fourth device which used a trip wire and was placed in the open was very different and altered investigators focus.Shortly after Manley briefed council members, Austin police announced that the department has responded to more than 1,200 calls about suspicious packages since 8 a.m. March 12, including 420 calls between 8 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.2018 Austin American-Statesman, TexasVisit Austin American-Statesman, Texas at www.statesman.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) Two students were injured and a third, the gunman, has died after a shooting at Great Mills High School in Southern Maryland on Tuesday morning, according to the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office.A school resource officer fired at the student gunman, who fired back with a handgun, Sheriff Tim Cameron said. The school resource officer was not injured, Cameron said."He pursued the shooter and engaged the shooter," Cameron said of the school resource officer, whose identity has not been released.The two students who were injured a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were being treated at local hospitals, officials said. Neither their identities, nor the shooters, were released Tuesday morning.The boy is in good condition and is being treated at MedStar St. Marys Hospital. The girl was initially brought to MedStar, officials said, but was later stabilized and transferred to University of Maryland Prince Georges Hospital Center.The shooting happened just before 8 a.m. at the school at 21130 Great Mills Road, county spokesman Tony Jones said from the emergency operations center. The St. Marys County school was placed on lockdown and students were evacuated, Jones said.Cameron said multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments assisted in the "mass response" at the school."This is what we train for. This is what we prepare for and this is what we pray we never have to do," Cameron said. "And on this day we realized our worst nightmare that our greatest asset our children were attacked in a bastion of safety and security, one of our schools."Senior Terrence Rhames was standing with his friends outside their first-period class around 8 a.m. when he heard a shot. He said he knew instantly what the loud crack meant.He started running, heading to a first-floor bathroom before thinking to himself, This is a dead end. He turned to instead sprint toward the nearest exit. Out of the corner of his eye, Rhames said, he saw a girl fall.I just thank God Im safe, said Rhames, 18. I just want to know who did it and who got injured.Great Mills, which enrolls about 1,600 students, is about 90 miles outside of Baltimore. Parents were asked to meet their children at a reunification site on the Leonardtown High School campus, where counselors and other support staff are on hand.Lexington Park resident Shonita Somerville said her daughter heard a gun shot, but did not see anything and is not hurt. She's since reunited with her daughter.Im so happy to see her face, Somerville toldin a Facebook message, as she waited with several dozen other parents inside the Leonardtown High School auditorium.The Great Mills shooting comes just over a month after a deadly rampage in a Florida high school. Seventeen people died in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, catalyzing a national conversation about gun violence in schools.Last Wednesday, Great Mills students participated in a nationwide school walkout on the one-month anniversary of the Parkland shooting. The students called for an end to gun violence and more school safety measures, according to local news reports.One of the student activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas tweeted her anger about the Great Mills incident.Less than a WEEK ago Great Mills High School students walked out with us to protest gun violence...now theyre experiencing it for themselves, Jaclyn Corin wrote. The state of our country is disgusting - Im so sorry, Great Mills.Gov. Larry Hogan said he was closely monitoring the situation at Great Mills. Maryland State Police troopers, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Hyattsville offices, and FBI agents are working with county officials on the investigation.School safety has been a prominent topic in the deliberations of the Maryland General Assembly since the Parkland shooting.Less than a month ago, after the Parkland shooting, Hogan proposed spending $125 million next year to enhance security at schools in the state, including by reinforcing doors and installing panic buttons to prevent and react to shooters.He also suggested $55 million for two ongoing spending initiatives, including $50 million for school safety grants that could pay for armed school resource officers, technology and counselors at public schools, and increased funding for the states Center for School Safety, which would include money to hire social media experts to scour the internet looking for threats.The proposals are currently being considered by lawmakers in Annapolis, who have already given initial approval to three tougher gun-control laws.Sen. Steve Waugh, a Republican who represents St. Marys County, said his Annapolis office had become a clearinghouse for information in the hours after the incident.Waugh, with the support of the Senates Democratic leadership, recently introduced a package of four bills dealing with school security. He said hes sure Tuesdays shooting will focus attention on it.It certainly adds urgency to it, Waugh said. Im just grateful we have a vehicle for us to begin the decision.Waugh said the legislation is a bipartisan effort and that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller is a co-sponsor of the four bills. Waugh said the number of co-sponsors is growing. We have a bipartisan consensus that things need to be done, he said.The Maryland House of Delegates opened their session Tuesday with a moment of silence for the shooting victims in St. Marys County.But Del. Matthew Morgan, who represents St. Marys County, said Tuesday he was pessimistic about whether proposed legislative actions, such as a ban on bump stocks, would make a real difference. The shooter at Great Mills used a handgun, according to the sheriffs office.I dont know if there is a policy fix, he said, calling on parents of troubled teens to step in to counsel their kids. Parents: Take the opportunity to connect with your child.U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin was giving a speech in Washington about water infrastructure when he learned of the Great Mills shooting. He said his immediate reaction was "shock, anger, just frustration that now it happened in Maryland."He said this latest school shooting underscores the need for more gun control. Cardin added that while school resource officers play an important role in schools, he remains opposed to the idea of arming school teachers as President Donald Trump has advocated.Education Secretary Betsy DeVos called the incident at Great Mills a horrifying situation, and said her agency stands ready to help.Our hearts and prayers are with those impacted, and our deep appreciation goes out to the first responders, she wrote on Twitter.Since the Parkland shooting, many districts around the country have seen an spike in threats made against schools. In late February, local media reported that police were investigating a social media threat against Great Mills, warning of an upcoming school shooting.Police increased their presence at the high school, according to TheBayNet.com, though the threat was not substantiated. There has been no indication that Tuesdays incident is related.This weekend, thousands of Maryland students are expected to flood Washington for the March for Our Lives, a national protest to demand an end to mass shooting in schools.2018 The Baltimore SunVisit The Baltimore Sun at www.baltimoresun.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A federal program moves closer to making connections in rural America
High-speed connections being made in Ralls County
(TNS) Broadband internet access is more crucial now than ever before for ranchers and farmers in Northeast Missouri, and finding ways to reach underserved rural areas in the region are top priorities for stakeholders from the local area all the way to Washington, D.C.Marion County Farm Bureau President Joe Kendrick said farmers and ranchers depend on internet access for various tasks every day, including Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance for farm equipment and vital data collection and transmission. For organizations and providers at the local and state levels, expanding high-speed internet is mentioned as a top priority. But stakeholders differ on what speed level is suitable and which methods would work best for each region doing without access.Farm Bureau members appealed for more emphasis on rural broadband during a recent Capitol Connection. Kendrick said Representatives and Senators were receptive to the topics that affect agriculture and residents in rural areas."I was impressed," Kendrick said. "When we said we were from Farm Bureau, we had their attention."Expanding access to high-speed internet in rural areas is among the top three priorities for the Missouri Farm Bureau. Kendrick said that the actual data speeds are a point of contention, because there is a wide discrepancy between available service in metropolitan areas compared to some proposals for rollouts in rural areas.Some discussions called for a 10-megabyte download, one-megabyte download speed, which Kendrick compared to traveling 25 mph down the highway; Missouri Farm Bureau is advocating for a faster 25-megabyte/three-megabyte option which he said is still measurably slower than the service available in metropolitan areas.In the field, Kendrick and other farmers regularly collect data like soil conditions, dew points, temperature and wind speed before sending it to a cloud-based system. From there, they make real-time decisions regarding factors like seed population and fertilizer rates Kendrick said the data needs to be collected and accessed quickly for successful production in a global agricultural economy."It's very important because more and more of what we do is internet-based," he said.In 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the Connect America Universal Services program aimed at identifying and connecting rural regions of America lacking high-speed broadband internet service. Mark Wigfield, with the FCC, said the second phase of the Connect America program will consist of a nationwide auction in July that will cover regions commission officials selected based on weighted criteria like associated costs, individual need for services and efficiency.Providers from those regions will compete with one another to determine which regions will receive voice and broadband internet service. Wigfield stressed that while there are more areas in need of access than available funds, a second auction will follow in 2019. The FCC determined in 2013 that about 23 million Americans did not have the infrastructure necessary to support high-speed broadband internet. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has been dedicated to moving the project forward, following a successful year of collecting data accurate down to a census or "city-block" level, Wigfield said.Lynn Hodges, CEO/Manager with Ralls County Electric Cooperative, said that Ralls Technologies has been focused on bringing high-speed internet access to customers for more than 15 years. He said wireless and satellite solutions are sometimes the most viable option due to terrain limitations. Ralls Technologies offers high-speed internet, high-definition TV and digital phone services throughout Northeast Missouri, and Hodges said they are focused on leveling the playing field for high-speed internet access in rural regions with metropolitan areas."There are providers [in urban areas], there's competition for providers, but there's a lack of both providers and competition in rural America," he said.Hodges was recently elected to the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) Board of Directors during its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., pointing out the group works to lower energy costs, develop infrastructure for rural customers across the nation and work on new technologies for internet, power and TV customers. He said his experience in bringing a fiber-optic system to rural customers that's designed for the next 40 or 50 years influenced his decision to run for the NRTC board seat."We have been a nationwide leader in pushing fiber out," he said. "We actually are in our ninth year of providing fiber optic services. ... My focus is trying to help them with what I know about fiber deployment in rural settings."Although some regions and terrain make fiber optic installations cost-prohibitive, NRTC provides satellite and wireless services. Hodges said he recognized the importance of ensuring high-speed internet access for ranchers and farmers in the area for present-day commerce and for passing down the tradition of agriculture to future generations."They're trying to market their goods to more of a world economy instead of a local economy, so that broadband access means a lot to them regarding their business, but it's also about quality of life," he said. "Their ability to access the world of the internet goes a long way toward helping retain those folks and keep them in a rural setting."
McLaren has sorted its problems in time for this weekend's 2018 season opener.
Despite dumping Honda and switching to Renault, the once-great British marque remained the team with the most problems in winter testing.
"We didn't have the reliability we had hoped for in winter testing," team boss Eric Boullier admitted before the first race in Melbourne.
"But all the issues we faced have since been addressed back at the factory."
Some have said podiums and wins might be on the cards for the newly orange-liveried car this year.
But Boullier warned against high expectations so soon after the three difficult Honda seasons and a less than smooth winter.
"We're not expecting miracles to be worked overnight -- far from it," said the Frenchman.
"But what we do know is that we'll give it our all this weekend."
(GMM)
Toto Wolff admits Haas may be 'best of the rest' in Melbourne.
It is clear that Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari will lead the way as the 2018 season begins.
But many think it will be the small Ferrari-linked Haas team in front of Renault and a densely packed midfield.
"From our statistical data they (Haas) seem very fast," Mercedes boss Wolff told Brazil's Globo.
"But if someone is 20kg lighter, the difference is eight tenths. I really hope they are there.
"Gene Haas is a real entrepreneur and has taken some risks, and Gunther Steiner is the crazy guy giving his all. He knows what he's doing," Wolff added.
Former F1 driver and GPDA president Alex Wurz agrees that Haas may be the fourth force in 2018.
"Based on the tests, it is Haas," he told Der Standard newspaper.
"Otherwise it would be Renault, because they are a factory team on the uptrend. But basically the midfield is almost too close together for predictions."
(GMM)
Toro Rosso has confirmed rumours Honda made a big step forward over the winter after the Japanese engine manufacturer got more 'freedom'.
One analysis of the big improvement made by Honda since the McLaren split is that it now has more room to breathe at its new partner, Toro Rosso.
Technical boss James Key confirms: "We told them 'Do whatever you need to do with your engine'.
"'Don't worry about the chassis. If it means a little more weight or size, we'll find a way. We just didn't want to put pressure on them," he told Auto Motor und Sport.
Key said the outcome of that was good reliability and driveability in the winter tests.
He added: "I don't know how much better Renault has got, but we are not far from what we were used to in 2017.
"I think the differences that were talked about last year were a little over the top."
(GMM)
Mark Webber says he would be "flabbergasted" if Ferrari quits formula one.
Mercedes is also unhappy about Liberty Media's plans for a budget cap and new engine regulations, but Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has threatened to pull the Maranello based team out of the sport after 2020.
"It's a bit of a chess match at the moment in the background," former F1 driver Mark Webber told the Melbourne newspaper The Age.
But he thinks Ferrari will ultimately decide to stay on the grid.
"They want to showcase their technology," said the former Red Bull driver.
"It's an incredibly high-end, high-technology sport and there is a glamorous (element). I would be absolutely flabbergasted if Ferrari aren't there in '21 but never say never."
(GMM)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray shared the secret to her stellar performance at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant Sunday night.
In an instagram post on Monday, the beauty queen revealed despite the high-pressure environment onstage, she never got nervous and just had fun with the competition.
"After months of preparation and guidance and prayers, I kept waiting for a wave of nerves to hit me but it never came. Maybe it was God's gift to me that night, or maybe I just knew I had done everything to be ready, now it was just time for me to enjoy and have fun," she said.
Catriona, an early crowd favorite, bagged the coveted Miss Universe Philippines 2018 title at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, in addition to a slew of other special prizes.
Fresh from her win, the new Miss Universe Philippines shared how thrilled she is to represent her country.
"Just to think that Im going to be able to say Catriona Gray PHILIPPINES gives me the chills all over again," she said.
Gray, however, also acknowledged she couldn't have made it on her own.
From her pageant team to her co-candidates, Gray thanked all those who dedicated their time to helping her achieve the "once in a lifetime opportunity."
"How do I begin to thank all of the beautiful souls who have been so generous and kind with their time, effort and resources? Truly, I would not have been able to realise this dream without you all," she said.
Gray was also full of thanks for her fans, the Catrionans, for being with her throughout the "amazing journey."
"Through the highs and lows you've never left my side. For your love, dedication and ceaseless support...I'm am forever grateful that you've chosen me as your queen," she said.
Prior to winning Miss Universe Philippines, the 24-year-old stunner was also crowned Miss World Philippines in 2016.
She finished in the top 5 of the Miss World competition.
Air Products signed an agreement with state-owned Shenhua New Energy Co. Ltd. (New Energy), a subsidiary of Chinas energy conglomerate China Energy Investment Group Co., Ltd. (China Energy), to provide two hydrogen dispensers to China Energys first commercial hydrogen fueling station project in Rugao City of Jiangsu Province, eastern China.
Air Products SmartFuel hydrogen dispenser will be supplied for the project for fueling the hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles. The fueling station is expected to be one of the largest in China in terms of fueling capacity when it becomes operational in mid-2018.
China Energy was established in November 2017 by the merger of Shenhua Group, a world-class energy company, and Chinas power giant China Guodian Corporation. With assets exceeding US$270 billion, China Energy has set a number of world records including being the largest producer of coal, thermal power, renewable energy, and coal-to-oil and coal chemical products. Clean energy, including hydrogen, is a key focus of the Group.
Air Products has participated in several of Chinas demonstration projects, such as powering the official shuttle buses for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 Asian Games and 2011 Shenzhen Universiade. The hydrogen fueling station in Beijing has continued to serve local vehicles since the events concluded.
As part of its efforts to support Chinas hydrogen energy industry, Air Products also announced it has joined the National Alliance of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (NAHFC) organization, which was co-initiated by China Energy and officially established in Beijing in February.
The alliance is a government-backed national platform to develop the hydrogen and fuel cell industry by consolidating resources and innovative technologies from key industry players and institutes. It also serves as a think-tank to form the national hydrogen energy strategy and development roadmap. As a key member in the alliance, Air Products will leverage its leading expertise in hydrogen production, storage, transportation and dispensing infrastructure to support the hydrogen energy blueprint outlined in Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan.
As the leading global supplier of hydrogen to refineries to assist in producing cleaner burning transportation fuels, Air Products has rich experience in the hydrogen fueling industry. The company has been involved in more than 200 hydrogen fueling projects in more than 20 countries.
Several sites for certain hydrogen fueling applications are currently fueling at rates of more than 75,000 refills per year. Use of the companys fueling technology is increasing and accounts for more than 1,500,000 hydrogen fills per year. Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes, cell towers, material handling equipment, and even submarines have been fueled using Air Products technologies.
Daimler is pursuing strategic research partnerships in the field of quantum computing, and has signed a cooperation agreement with Google in this area. The design of Googles recent 72qubit Bristlecone chip features the highest number of quantum bits yet used in a quantum computer. Qubits are the smallest possible unit of data storage and serve as a unit of measurement denoting the performance capability of quantum computers.
Bristlecone is Googles newest quantum processor (left). On the right is a cartoon of the device: each X represents a qubit, with nearest neighbor connectivity. Source: Google. Click to enlarge.
This cooperation agreement allows specialist teams from Daimler Group Research and IT to use quantum computers from Google in order to pursue concrete issues relating to the future shape of mobility. The initiative is fully in line with Daimlers vision of serving customers in future not only as a vehicle manufacturer, but as an all-embracing provider of mobility services.
Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize the entire IT sector and, in turn, all other areas of industry. This technology is as yet still in the early stages of research and developmentbut it harbors vast potential. Our aim is to acquire experience with this new technology at an early stage. To this end, we are contributing concrete use cases from the automotive and mobility fields to the research partnerships. Jan Brecht, CIO at Daimler
In contrast to present-day computers, a quantum computer does not operate solely in a binary numeral system (0 or 1), but also knows other states, called superpositions. These intermediate states, which cannot be modelled using traditional computers, vastly expand the scope of computing capabilities, enabling complex calculations to be performed at previously inconceivable speeds.
The numerous potential applications for quantum computers include:
The selection of new materials based on quantum chemistry, e.g. for the development of battery cells.
The efficient and convenient provision of individual mobility. Autonomous vehicles can be deployed here in urban environments and mega-cities, at the same time relieving the strain on the transport infrastructure.
Logistics planning in the vans segment. Routes require to be planned here and updated in real time by reference to numerous variables.
The optimization of production planning and production processes.
Deep learning to advance the development of artificial intelligence.
The broad-ranging research activities in the field of quantum computing form part of the CASE strategy and underscore Daimler AGs transformation from vehicle manufacturer to mobility services provider. CASE stands for connectivity (Connected), autonomous driving (Autonomous), flexible use (Shared & Services) and electric drive systems (Electric). The aim is to shape intuitive mobility for our customers through intelligent dovetailing of the CASE topics.
Construction of a quantum computer. Click to enlarge.
Bristlecone. Researchers from Googles Quantum AI Lab previewed the new Bristlecone quantum processor at the annual Americal Physical Society meeting in Los Angeles earlier this month.
The gate-based superconducting system will provide a testbed for research into system error rates and scalability of Googles qubit technology, as well as applications in quantum simulation, optimization, and machine learning.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has awarded New Flyer a contract for 82 Xcelsior compressed natural gas (CNG) forty-foot, heavy-duty transit buses (82 equivalent units).
The contract, which supports new services beginning in Spring 2019, includes 41 firm orders with options to purchase an additional 41 compressed natural gas (CNG) forty-foot, heavy-duty. The buses were funded by grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
These buses add to DARTs 639 clean, low-emission CNG buses. This order is part of a plan to reduce current fleet NO x (nitrogen oxides) emissions by 90% over conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
DART serves more than 67 million passenger trips per year in 13 cities total, a combined area of 700 square miles.
Desktop Metal, a company developing end-to-end metal 3D printing solutions, announced $65 million in new financing led by Ford Motor Company, with participation from existing investor Future Fund. Since its inception, Desktop Metal has raised a total of $277 million in financing to further accelerate the companys rapid business growth and adoption of its end-to-end metal 3D printing systems.
According to Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal, the strategic partnership with Ford will continue to fuel the companys growth and R&D, as well as enable Desktop Metal to accelerate its momentum in delivering scalable metal 3D printing technologies across the globe.
The company also announced Dr. Ken Washington, vice president of Research and Advanced Engineering and chief technology officer at the Ford Motor Company, will join Desktop Metals board of directors and play an important role in Desktop Metals mission to become a global leader in metal 3D printing.
The age of metal 3D manufacturing is here and this strategic partnership with Ford, along with our portfolio of investors, validates our vision to transform the way metal parts will be designed and mass produced. The continued support of our investors underscores the power of our metal 3D printing solutions to help engineers and manufacturers, for the first time, apply metal 3D printing for the entire product development lifecyclefrom prototyping to mass producing complex, high performance metal parts in a cost-effective way. Ric Fulop
Founded in 2015, Desktop Metal pioneered the development of the first metal 3D printing systems to cover the full product lifecyclefrom prototyping to mass production. The Studio System is the first office-friendly metal 3D printing system for rapid prototyping and is 10 times less expensive than existing technology.
To manufacture metal 3D printed parts at scale, Desktop Metal also debuted the only 3D printing system for mass production of high resolution metal parts, the Production System. Using new, proprietary Single Pass Jetting (SPJ) technology, the Production System is 100 times faster than todays laser-based additive manufacturing systems, with speeds of up to up to 8200 cm3/hr.
The Ford Motor Company joins a portfolio of strategic partners and investors, including New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Future Fund, GV (formerly Google Ventures), GE Ventures, BMW iVentures, Techtronic Industries (TTI), Lowes, Lux Capital, Vertex Ventures, Moonrise Venture Partners, DCVC Opportunity, Tyche, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Shenzhen Capital Group (SCGC), Saudi Aramco, and 3D printing leader Stratasys.
Editor's note: Jan Gabriel Melendrez Castaneda is currently the Program Associate of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, a regional network of LGBTIQ human rights defenders in Southeast Asia. He is also a member of the LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group of the Psychological Association of the Philippines.
Manila (CNN Philippines Life) A week into Womens Month, conservative religious groups rallied at the Senate to protest the anti-discrimination bill, which was approved by Congress and is now awaiting deliberation by the upper house. Specifically, they protested the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity, calling it an attack on Filipino values and an unjust infringement on their freedom of religion.
They claim that such a law was not needed and that LGBT Filipinos are already protected by existing laws a claim not supported by evidence. And while some laws do have provisions on sexual orientation, such as the Magna Carta for Women of 2008, what data we have gives us a picture of a country where LGBT people are more likely to contemplate suicide or be denied healthcare and public housing. And as a recent publication on LGBT persons in Southeast Asia reports: their existence is marked by stories of stigmatization, violence, and exclusion within the social, economic, and political lives of their communities and nations.
Sadly, the evidence does not always factor into peoples understanding of these issues in this case, a proposed law that does little more than ask citizens to be more circumspect about the responsible use of our freedoms.
Those active early on in the Philippine womens movement will find these justifications an unwelcome throwback to even more unpleasant times, where such freedoms of religion and belief were used to justify the physical abuse of a wife by her husband and the exclusion of women from positions of leadership. And the rhetoric is certainly familiar to advocates of womens reproductive and sexual rights, which reached its peak during the battle for the Reproductive Health Law enacted in 2012.
There is a more obvious reason why LGBT issues should matter to women: lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women are, in fact, women.
Both the assault on womens ability to decide what happens to their own bodies and on LGBT persons very identities are grounded on the same mix of dangerous cultural tropes and the fabricated moral dangers claimed by those who, for whatever reason, feel threatened by marginalized groups. Between advocates for womens rights and LGBT peoples rights, the fight is essentially the same.
As Toni Gee Fernandez, a transgender woman from MUJER-LGBT Organization in Zamboanga City puts it: Women's liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man, and the masculine in the woman. At the end of the day, we will be judged as a generation who have given emphasis and have fought for the rights of humanity, regardless of race, class, and gender.
While the roots of discrimination targeting women and LGBT people can be traced to the same sources, there is a more obvious reason why LGBT issues should matter to women: lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women are, in fact, women.
This is why you find groups like GALANG, an organization in Quezon City working mostly with urban-poor lesbian, bisexual, and transgender men, actively participating in the womens movement. Such has been the case from the earliest days of the womens movement, with lesbian and bisexual women leading the way long before the rainbow flag had taken its place as a distinct movement. (The term transgender had yet to really enter into the popular consciousness, but they were also there, no doubt.)
As far as they were concerned, the two advocacies are inseparable: womens issues and LGBT issues cannot advance separately, and to leave one behind constitutes a failure of the other. Irish Inoceto, a lesbian woman from the Iloilo Pride Team in Iloilo City who has herself identified for many years with the larger womens movement, affirms this: There is a continued need to fight for women's rights even inside the LGBT struggle.
But there are important reasons why that distinction of advocacies exists. The violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women are simply different, both in kind and in circumstance.
The abuses lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women face can be more insidious and less obvious than murder.
In the case of violence, a 2015 report by the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity observed that the violence motivated by homophobia and transphobia is often particularly brutal, and in some instances characterized by levels of cruelty exceeding that of other hate crimes including but not limited to deep knife cuts, anal rape and genital mutilation, as well as stoning and dismemberment.
In the case of transgender women, a 2014 interactive map, which documented at least 1,509 murders from 2008 until the time of the reporting, shows us that such levels of cruelty are not unknown in our country of supposed Filipino values. And the abuses lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women face can be more insidious and less obvious than murder. Another report summarizes how this manifests more broadly, from same-sex couples being denied maternity leave or child custody to being blackmailed by law enforcement officers when their sexual orientation or gender identity is revealed.
For Rhye Labrador Gento of Side-B Philippines, an organization focused on equality in the workplace, the mission of the larger womens movement is to amplify the voice of every woman, protect them, and provide a safe space for them. And in a post on their Facebook page from two months ago, there is news detailing the suicide of a 17-year-old bisexual woman just months before her high school graduation which gives us a sense that this mission needs to take seriously its obligation to the voices of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women.
As ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, an organization working on LGBT rights in Southeast Asia, writes in their statement for International Womens Day: Today, we call on all LBTQ women to keep claiming their spaces in our #PressForProgress, and to make #HerStory a story that captures the true spirit, diversity, and vigor of LBTQ womens struggles. And we call on the larger womens movement to embrace this same energy as their own, and to assert that every woman is included in the story that we write.
Daimler Trucks has handed over the first all-electric FUSO eCanter trucks to customers in Great Britain. The company is thus bringing its electric light-duty truck (7.5 tonnes) to a further major market following the market launches in New York, Tokyo and Berlin.
In London Daimler handed over the FUSO eCanter vehicles to the courier service DPD; the logistics company Wincanton; and the baked goods manufacturer Hovis. DPD, Wincanton and Hovis are initially starting with a total of nine FUSO eCanter vehicles in their fleets. The vehicles have a range of around 100 km and are used in urban short-radius delivery in and around London.
DPD is an international courier service which delivers 4.8 million parcels a day in more than 200 countries. In Great Britain DPD employs over 6000 employees and drives 2340 vehicles. DPD will use two FUSO eCanter for an initial period of two years.
Wincanton PLC is Great Britain's largest logistics service provider and employs around 17,500 employees at more than 200 sites. The company plans to use five FUSO eCanter trucks in its fleet.
Hovis is a company specialising in baked goods and has its headquarters in High Wycombe. It employs around 3200 people in Great Britain. Hovis is starting out with two FUSO eCanter trucks.
The FUSO eCanter was developed by the Daimler subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. (MFTBC). Production for the European and USA market is in Tramagal (Portugal). The FUSO eCanter models for customers in Asia come from the MFTBC plant in Kawasaki. Following its global market launch in September 2017 in New York the first eCanter went to companies such as UPS in the USA, Yamato and 7-Eleven in Japan as well as DHL, DB Schenker, Rhenus and Dachser in Germany.
The eCanter has a gross vehicle weight of 7.49 tonnes anddepending on the body and area of applicationa load capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes. The vehicles electric drive system comprises six high-voltage lithium-ion batteries with 420 V and 13.8 kWh respectively.
With a permanent-magnet motor it delivers 129 kW (180 hp) of power to the rear axle via a single-speed transmission. One battery charge facilitates a range of around 100 kilometers. This range exceeds the distance usually covered per day in light-duty distribution haulage.
Toyota unveiled a prototype hybrid flexible-fuel vehicle (Hybrid FFV) during an event Toyota held Sao Paulo, Brazil. Stakeholders including the state government, universities, and the sugarcane association (the Sugarcane Industry Union: UNICA) attended the event. The prototype is the combination of a flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) that can be powered by both gasoline and alternative fuels such as ethanol, and Toyotas hybrid system.
The Hybrid FFV is a new powertrain system that Toyota is developing with an aim to popularize hybrid electric vehicles in Brazil and to contribute to the environment through reduction of CO 2 emissions. The prototype uses the Toyota Priuswhich is currently sold and becoming popular in Brazilas a base model.
Toyotas initial studies suggest that a Hybrid FFV has an advantage in environmental performance compared to a standard FFV on a well-to-wheels basis. If the Hybrid FFV is fueled only by sugarcane-based ethanol (E100 fuel), the results are even better.
Toyota will collect various data through real-world road testing in Brazil going forward and evaluate the Hybrid FFV systems reliability, durability, and powertrain performance, with an eye toward commercialization.
Manila (CNN Philippines Life) As the sun went down, a sea of rainbow-colored flags filled up the People Power Monument on Saturday, March 17. A sign sparked to life, spelling out EQUALITY but missing the I. Ikaw yung I sa equality, said the hosts. The gathering, attended by allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community, was a rally for the passing of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
Previously known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill, the SOGIE Equality Bill has finally reached the Senate after nearly 20 years of being put on the backburner. But the bill has met staunch opponents in legislators like Manny Pacquiao, Tito Sotto, and Joel Villanueva, who often cite religious rights as reason for barring it from moving forward.
Photo by BARDO WU
At the rally, leaders and representatives of various LGBT groups took center stage, often calling out the lawmakers in their speeches. Performers such as drag queens and spoken word artists also got the crowd roaring. The air buzzed with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
CNN Philippines Life talked to various people at the rally and asked them why it was important for them to join, and what the passing of the SOGIE Equality Bill meant to them.
Below are edited excerpts from the interview.
Photo by BARDO WU
Atty. Claire De Leon, human rights lawyer, Babaylanes, Inc.
We're just really fighting for equality. What we want is equality protection of our rights, assurance na we would be able to exercise our rights, our rights na we have because we are human, because we are Filipinos. We just need the protection from the law that we can actually exercise these rights and that we will be protected from discrimination. Ang dami nang kinuha ng discrimination from us na opportunities our childhood, our dreams, our youth, our time in this advocacy, in this activism.
Ang dami nang na-spend na lives, lives ng advocates, lives ng iba't-ibang tao na pinagpasa-pasahan na itong adbokasiya na to dahil hanggang ngayon ang tagal-tagal na [pero] hindi pa rin napapasa. At ang dami nang tinake na lives ng discrimination. Ang dami nang namatay, ang dami nang pinatay because of discrimination and stigma, and I think it's about time that the state, that the laws, actually, categorically protect our rights.
Photo by BARDO WU
Pat Bringas, Babaylanes, Inc.
As a transgender woman, I feel like my support means a lot because a lot of our stories are not heard or not understood very well. I think by just coming here we get to tell our stories, we get to tell people how we live to better understand what we're going through and how important it is to fight for the bill such as the anti-discrimination bill.
A lot of people assume that it's a privilege that we're asking for when it's not. We really do live a not-so-equal life with others. We experience discrimination that's reality, it's not something we make up and a lot of people think [that] because they do not experience these kinds of injustices or inequality, it doesn't exist. So by just coming here, I am proof that it does exist and it needs to be addressed.
Photo by BARDO WU
Brigiding Gigi Aricheta, drag performer
Importante kasi na merong visibility. Especially sa mga drag queens, hindi naman siya laging nakikita sa labas. Usually nakikita mo sila sa gabi lang or sa mga clubs. Hindi alam ng mga tao na merong mga ganitong klase ng tao na ginagawa nila yung craft nila, yung art nila in a performance.
And masaya mag-participate kasi napaka-liberating. Parang, I feel so proud na nandito ako, na I can contribute to a performance. I can share my talent. Ano ba naman yung isang number na magpapasaya sa mga tao, ma-u-uplift mo yung spirits nila to fight for their right ... Iba yung nagagawa ng performance na nakakamove ka ng tao.
Hindi lang siya spiritually, emotionally, na-uuplift ko sila na hindi tayo kailangan sumuko ... And I think na I represent the voices na yung hindi man kami makipag-act, makipagwelga-welga araw-araw, pero kami ginagamit namin yung art namin, yung talent namin to voice out a message na we're also crying for equality.
Photo by BARDO WU
Jamie Montilla Doble, U.P. Babaylan
Personally, it's important for me to be here because I know that as an out member of the LGBT community, I can give people who aren't out, who don't have the same privileges as I have, a voice. I know that even though we are in 2018 and we are getting there in terms of progress, in terms of acceptance, in terms of visibility, when we look outside our respective bubbles as individuals, there are a lot of people who are still suffering because they are LGBT. They experience discrimination, they experience SOGIE-based violence on an everyday basis and, yun nga, it's not safe for them to be out. It's not safe for them to be LGBT, to express who they are, to tell people who they love, who they desire.
One of the aims of the SOGIE equality bill is to protect LGBT people from SOGIE-based discrimination and I have to stress that hindi lang naman LGBT people ang may SOGIE everyone has SOGIE. It's just that LGBT people are the most vulnerable to SOGIE-based discrimination, which is why it's important for this bill to be passed.
Photo by BARDO WU
Evan Tan, Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce
I represent the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, so we are basically pushing for LGBT [protection] in Philippine business. We think that the SOGIE Equality bill is actually a strong act to ensure that LGBT professionals and businesspeople are not discriminated. They're not deprived of economic opportunities. They're not rejected by companies and all those things so we think that it is necessary to also support. I mean who else would go here but us, right?
Personally, as a member of the LGBT community, I think this bill is really important for me as well. I think that discrimination actually prevents the LGBT community from contributing a lot to society. A lot of straight people, like the majority, think that this is actually gonna impede on whatever it is that they're experiencing, but it's actually more of creating inclusivity. That's one thing that I want a lot of people to realize. This is not to take away anyone's rights but more of actually uniting with them as well, and helping make a better country for all of us.
Photo by BARDO WU
Ian Carandang, ice cream maker
I represent the Bear community I've personally encountered a lot of my friends, a lot of associates, a lot of people I know who are closeted. And I came out late. I came out when I was 27, but there's some people, some of my dearest friends that are still not out to their family, to their workmates. And I've been there. I would never force anyone. To come out is one of the most personal decisions one can make for themselves and no one stays in the closet for fun.
A lot of people still choose to stay in the closet because of discrimination, because they don't want to deal with it and I think it's just a sad thing. Like, I'm out but I recognize my privilege in the sense that I came from a family that is supportive of me, I have my position where I don't have to worry about my career being at risk. I don't have to worry about being attacked. But I recognize that a lot of people don't have that. And from a personal point of view, I see my friends where you know it's like they don't live fully and I find that so sad.
Support for the anti-discrimination bill is a valuable step for that to happen where you know it could help them to come out, and maybe to get them even more to live fully. To live their lives honestly and openly.
Photo by BARDO WU
Louise Meets, spoken word performer, Words Anonymous
On a personal note, I am here because I am an out lesbian and I have been discriminated against all my life by my own family, by my peers in school, in the workplace, in public spaces. And I see the same thing happening to other LGBT members of the community. And some of our brothers and sisters get killed or are harmed physically, emotionally, or mentally because of their SOGIE and I don't think that's right.
Understanding that I am a femme-lesbian, I understand that it is easier for me to pass in public spaces than it is for other people. But even [the fact that] I can't hold my girlfriend's hand in public, [or that] when my girlfriend is being a little too touchy or showy in public I have to tell her to back off a little, [or that] I can't hold her hand in an Uber or in a taxi because you never know when your love may turn into a weapon in someone else's hand, [is proof of why we need the bill.]
I'm here because I want to be able to hold my girlfriend's hand in public. I want everyone to have that. I want my gay cousin to be able to get work at a fast food chain and not get rejected just because he has long hair.
Photo by BARDO WU
Tintin Lontoc, Metro Manila Pride
[Im here because] there are only three senate sessions left, so right now talagang it's really crucial to show, not just the senate, [but also] the public, especially yung anti-SOGIE opposition how important it is, how crucial it is.
For people who are silent, it's especially important now to really let them know that it's urgent. It's weird kasi dapat urgent na to nung nagka-reports of trans people dying. The fact na merong news of somebody getting bullied in school. And that's what the bill is about. That's what the bill is supposed to protect. Yung misconception, parang most of the conversation has been about yung misconceptions of the bill na it's about [the idea that] may hidden agenda siya, [like] marriage equality, but it's not even about that.
Sana tumanda ako in a world na merong SOGIE equality because right now, putting things into law is just the start of shifting worldviews, it's just the start of getting people to have an open perspective. I'm past my formative years so it's more of like a dream for younger people to grow up in a world na may equality. Like the world that I didn't have growing up.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19) The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill creating a national identification system in the country to facilitate transactions with government agencies and the private sector.
Senate Bill No. 1738, or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act of 2018, was passed with 17 votes in favor of the bill, two votes against, and no abstention.
The proposed measure, sponsored by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, integrates and interconnects various government-issued identification cards (IDs) into a single official identification system for all citizens.
Lacson said there are currently 33 different forms of functional IDs issued by various government agencies, which result in "duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches."
As proposed, the national ID system will have three components, the PhilSys number, the PhilID, and PhilSys Registry.
"An important feature of this proposed legislation is the concept of authentication or the process of verifying, whether online or offline, the identity of an individual against the registry information in the PhilSys or the PhilID," Lacson said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority would set up the registry and act as a repository and custodian of all registered data.
In September 2017, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 6221, or the Filipino Identification System Act.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said he will not resign and denied speculations President Rodrigo Duterte wants him out of the Cabinet.
"There's no reason why I should resign kasi wala naman akong kasalanan [I did nothing wrong]," he said.
Aguirre said he talked to Duterte regarding the dismissal of the drug charges against alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.
On March 12, a panel of prosecutors at the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended the dismissal of the police's complaint against Espinosa and other alleged drug lords due to lack of evidence.
"I could not feel that whiff of corruption as perceived by him," he said, adding he has not lost the trust of the President.
On Monday, Duterte expressed his unhappiness with his Cabinet and hinted at a possible reshuffle.
But should Aguirre feel distrust from Duterte, he said he is ready to leave his post.
"If the President says so, o nakaramdam ako na kulang na ang pagtitiwala sa akin, mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro, resign tayo,'" he said.
[Translation: If at the slightest I feel that the President has lost confidence in me, I will resign right away.]
He said the case against Espinosa and the others was used by his political opponents.
"Before this, meron nang nakisawsaw diyan, nadagdagan na ng mga politicians," he said.
[Translation: Before the Espinosa case, there were those who have called for my resignation; other politicians soon after joined the call.]
Aguirre earlier said he was not involved in the issuance of the dismissal of charges, adding he did not even see the resolution before it was released.
He has since created a new panel to look into the case, and has ordered a probe on the prosecutors who handled the case.
READ: DOJ chief: Dismissal of case vs. alleged drug lords still up for review
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is optimistic President Rodrigo Duterte will still support the Absolute Divorce bill despite a previous statement saying otherwise.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Alvarez said he believes the President keeps an "open mind."
"Yes naman, kasi si Presidente naman keeps an open mind, pero siyempre kailangan dumaan muna sa Senado yan bago natin idudulog kay Pangulo," he said.
[Translation: Yes, because the President keeps an open mind, but of course this needs to go through Sentate before we give it to the President.]
Alvarez' statement comes after Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Monday that the President is against the bill as it would be disadvantageous to the children.
READ: Malacanang: Duterte against divorce bill
The House of Representatives approved the Absolute Divorce Bill on the same day, with a vote of 134-57-2.
Alvarez said the bill's sponsors may just need to explain to the President the measure takes into account the children's welfare.
"Well, yung concern naman ni Presidente, maganda, yung tungkol sa mga bata. Ngayon, kung kinakailangang magpaliwanag kami, lalong-lalo na yung mga principal sponsors at saka yung committee na concern," said Alvarez, who is living separately from his wife Emelita Apostol Alvarez of almost 30 years
"Matagal po na napag-usapan ito at naiayos nang maganda ng committee para ma-ensure yung welfare ng mga bata," he said.
[Translation: The President's concern for the children is good. We-- especially the principal sponsors anc concerned committee -- can explain if we need to. We've already talked about this before, and the committee has sorted things out to ensure the children's welfare. ]
For his part, bill principal author Edcel Lagman said he has yet to hear any categorical statement from the President opposing the divorce bill.
He believes Roque only made the statement as a last-minute attempt to derail the bill's approval.
"Most probably on the part of Harry Roque, it was a last minute attempt to derail the approval of the bill because some members of the house were asking why the change of heart of the President," he said.
Lagman explained the divorce bill aims to bail out the children from the agony and distress of being with constantly bickering parents.
He added the bill also aims to assist the helpless spouse from a battered relationship.
Meanwhile, Alvarez revealed that the church pressured some congressmen to vote against the bill.
The Catholic church has been vocal against the bill. Last February, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issued a statement calling the bill "Anti-marriage and anti-family."
While he said he did not receive any call from the church, Alvarez said other lawmakers informed him they were called by the church to discuss the issue.
He said had there been no calls from the church, more lawmakers would have voted for the bill.
"Hindi ko alam, kasi, so far sa akin wala namang pressure, pero I understand yung mga ibang miyembro tinawagan din para huwag bumoto Siguro kung walang mga tawag na ganoon, baka mas malaking boto pa yung nakuha natin," he said.
[Translation: I don't know because there hasn't been any pressure put on me, but I understand other members were called so they wouldn't vote Maybe if there weren't calls we would've gotten more votes.]
As for Lagman, he said if it would appease the church, he is amenable to calling it the Dissolution of Marriage bill, as named after Alvarez' original bill, instead of Absolute Divorce Bill.
He said it was a matter of semantics, as absolute divorce is effectively dissolution of marriage.
"The absolute divorce is effectively the dissolution of marriage. And if they would like to deodorize the proposed legislation because they would like to appease the Catholic church, so be it. What is important is the core of the legislative proposal," Lagman said.
Is this ad deceptive?
The urge to have a beer with natures finest raw materials is almost certainly not a reason anyone picks Pabst. But its supposedly what drew a 37-year-old Sacramento man to purchase some of Pabsts Olympia brand beer at a store recently. Brendan Peacock tried the brew which advertises using pure mountain water, and whose vintage-style bottles and cans actually contain the words Its the Water and was upset to find the H2Os provenance was pretty lackluster. He discovered its not from an artesian spring in Tumwater, Washington, as the company suggests, but rather from one of Americas most polluted industrial areas outside of Los Angeles. The Sacramento Bee says that last week, he filed a lawsuit accusing the brewery of false advertising.
Peacocks suit says its unclear where the water is actually from, but notes water in the Irwindale area (where Olympia is currently brewed) has been contaminated by industrial solvents in the past. Olympia, founded in 1896, has made classic American-tough-guy lager for generations. (Clint Eastwood drinks it in at least five of his movies.) The brewery was built by a German immigrant named Leopold Schmidt on the Deschutes River and became an iconic product in Washington state. But in 1982, Pabst acquired the company; it shut down the Tumwater brewery years later, and partnered with MillerCoors to contract-brew Olympia at the companys giant Irwindale brewery.
Historically, Irwindales water has been a problem. Today its supposedly free of chemicals, but around the time Pabst took over Olympia, the underground aquifer that supplies 90 percent of San Gabriel Valleys drinking water was declared Americas largest Superfund site by the EPA. Decades worth of dangerous chemicals had leached in from nearby Cold Warera bomb-making factories. The government found trichloroethylene (a degreasing agent linked to cancer and liver damage) and perchlorate (a rocket-fuel component and likely human carcinogen), among others. A cleanup effort was undertaken, but MillerCoors still mines its water reportedly several hundred million gallons a year from this source.
Peacock says if hed known any of this, hed have avoided buying Olympia. A self-described beer, and craft beer, consumer, hes brought false-advertising suits like this before: He filed a class-action recently against the brewery 21st Amendment too, alleging it was duping consumers into believing all of the brewerys beers are made in San Francisco, when some actually get brewed in an old [Minnesota] brewery known to make kind of crappy beer. 21st Amendment agreed to settle that case, though the terms are unknown.
With multiple straw bans soon to go into effect, bubble-tea vendors will be forced to become environmental pioneers. Photo: Kimberlee Reimer/Getty Images
With its hot, humid climate and venerable street-food tradition, Taiwan is home to an on-the-go beverage culture that is among the best in the world. Fresh fruit juices, soy milk, and beautiful smoothies are readily available, while the countrys most popular culinary export is boba, or bubble tea the sweet tea drink studded with bouncy tapioca balls that fans slurp up through famously oversize, technicolor straws. Now, however, that plastic bubble is about to burst because Taiwan and other regions have vowed to ban plastic straws in the next few years. That puts boba shops around the world at a unique precipice: Without plastic straws, how will people actually drink bubble tea?
The move to eliminate straws which invariably end up in our waterways, choking wildlife and mixing with our food supply is happening more quickly than you might realize: In Taiwan, plastic straws will be gone by 2020. The islands EPA rolled out an aggressive new plan to eradicate all plastic waste. The first step: straws. The plan is to ban them from most fast food by 2019, before eliminating them completely the following year. The EU has pushed its members to eliminate disposable plastic products (including straws) by 2030. California is contemplating a statewide measure, and plastic straws are now outlawed in parts of Florida.
Taiwans ban is nevertheless the clearest sign of the impending plastic strawpocalypse, and boba vendors all over the world are watching to see how it plays out. The ban all but guarantees that a steady supply of biodegradable-straw innovation will have to hit the market. And that means, interestingly, that this small, straw-dependent segment of the beverage market could end up being environmental pioneers; they simply have no other choice. Its not like everyones just going to stop selling boba, says Terry Hung, an owner of Tapio tea bar in Charleston, South Carolina. Someones going to come up with a solution.
Environmental impact has been an important issue for the people in Taiwan for some time now, says Jenny Hung, the founder and vice-president of Shiny Tea, a shop with two locations in Flushing, Queens. Many vendors understand the environmental problem with disposable plastic cups and straws, but also dont have any alternative.
The main hurdles are that ecofriendly straw solutions either dont work for boba or are too costly to be a realistic option for most vendors. It pains me to have to use plastic cups and straws for everyone, but right now its the only economic solution for my business, explains Elton Keung, founder of Labobatory in San Gabriel, California. He says that, because he is an independent operator with one location, he simply cant afford to explore more sustainable options.
Biodegradable plastic straws arent available in boba-size options; paper straws are problematic because they become saturated with moisture too quickly. Reusable options, like silicone and metal, are prohibitively expensive at around $1 apiece, and niche products like bamboo boba straws can cost twice that. (And at least one shop that explored the idea of asking customers to bring their own reusable boba kits discovered that cleanliness is an issue, as customers often bring back kits that are unusably dirty.) No single boba shop or manufacturer is going to take on the risk of converting over to compostable when the price premium is so high, says Andrew Chau, a co-owner of Boba Guys, which has nine locations in San Francisco and New York.
Chau says his company pays about 3.5 cents per straw, and that theyd be willing to pay double that for a suitable replacement. Keung, of Labobatory, says he would be very interested in options that cost less than ten cents apiece. Meanwhile, a representative for Kung Fu Tea which has 150 locations around the world says that in addition to price, they would need to thoroughly vet any new technology: Its all about remaining aware of potentially harmful products and conducting proper research to determine the right alternatives for the public and the environment.
At the same time, the popularity of boba is growing worldwide. According to Joe Garber at Datassential, a food-business consultancy that tracks menu trends, the term boba has grown more than 200 percent on menus over the last four years; bubble tea has jumped more than 150 percent in the same time. And when it comes to Taiwanese food as a whole, this cuisine has been broadly pegged as one to watch by the American media in recent years. In other words, whoever solves the straw problem stands to become an incredibly important part of the boba economy.
Right now, the most promising player in the biodegradable-boba-straw business just might be Loliware, a U.S.-based start-up that introduced compostable seaweed-based cups in 2015, and launched a successful Indiegogo campaign in January for the worlds first edible, hypercompostable straw aimed at replacing plastic straws. (Loliware, however, is not to be confused with Lollicup USA, the countrys biggest supplier of boba drinkware; there is also a major U.S.-based boba chain called Lollicup.)
Loliware co-founders Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker say that boba-straw replacements have been part of their plan from the beginning, and in fact, theyre aiming to replace the entire boba-tea architecture: the cup, straw, and the plastic film application on the top of some vendors cups, or a plastic top. (They will also offer the straws in multiple flavors, and say they were inspired by Asian ingredients: Yuzu-citrus and matcha are two options.)
Whether they actually work, however, remains to be seen. Samples of the product, to be called Lolistraws, wont be available until June. Still, in Taiwan, EPA Minister Lee Ying-yuan has recently recommended Loliware in outlining the islands plans to go plastic-free. And Loliwares founders told me that theyve set a goal to replace 1 billion plastic straws, cups, and lids by 2020, the same year that Taiwan has pledged that the plastic straw will go the way of the dodo.
For vendors not affected by Taiwans ban, opting for nonbiodegradable plastic would be optional. But from the boba-shop owners I spoke with, thats an option theyd eagerly take. This could mean that when, or if, U.S. lawmakers decide to seriously challenge plastic straws, there will be a strong precedent for its replacement already. If boba-tea vendors in the U.S. start using affordable biodegradable alternatives, then maybe other retailers will follow in their footsteps.
Taiwan and its manufacturers are generally pretty savvy when it comes to consumer preferences, said Chau, of the Boba Guys. After all, they invented boba.
Squatters At Railway Site In Wau Appealing To Government To Allocate Land For Their Relocation
Squatters residing next to the Wau railway station is urging the Ministry of Infrastructure to offer them a place to relocate to and not order them to immediately leave the area.
20 March 2018
Haiti - Social : Peguy R. Chavannes Champion of singing contest inter Lycee of the Caribbean
Saturday at the Georges Theolade Omnisport Regional Palace in Matoury, Guyana, Peguy Roberto Chavannes at the final of the new edition of the singing contest inter Lycee of the Caribbean "Podium lyceens" won the competition by brilliantly interpreting the song "Incroyable" of the Harmonik group
Regine Lamur, the Minister of Youth was proud of the exploit and performance of Peguy, the first Haitian to win the "Podium lyceens" in Guyana, recalling once again, how young Haitians are talented and determined to float our two-color in international competitions.
Vice-champion of "Podium Ecoliers 2017" and Champion 2018, Peguy Roberto Chavannes student of the Canado-Haitian College outperformed 12 candidates from different countries of the Caribbean. His exceptional interpretation of "Incroyable" forced his competitors from Suriname to take 2nd place on the podium and Guyana the 3rd.
On April 6, 2018, it will be the turn of Merlanka Silencieu, champion of the 7th edition of the "Podium des ecoliers 2017", to promote Haitian culture in the inter-school song contest "Podium Ecoliers" in Guadeloupe. Minister Lamur firmly believes that the talent and determination of our song star will once again make the difference by emphasizing, "Our young people are full of talent. Just give them an opportunity to achieve great things."
See also :
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23818-haiti-news-zapping.html
S/ HaitiLibre
Haiti - News : Zapping...
Agriculture: Promises of the Minister
Carmel Andre Beliard, the Minister of Agriculture promises to act quickly to prepare the spring rice production campaign in the Artibonite Valley and ensure the availability of seeds and fertilizer for plantations.
Jean-Charles Moise, announces 2 days of demonstrations
The leader of the "Pitit Dessalin" platform, Jean Charles Moise announces two new days of anti-government demonstration, Friday, March 23, in the North and Saturday, March 24 in Port-au-Prince. It will be of continuing to demand the departure of the Head of State and the arrest of the squanderers of the PetroCaribe funds...
Canada : 8 recipients of scholarships
Canada congratulates the 8 2018 Haitian Recipients of the Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program (CFSP) for strengthening institutional capacity in Haiti. Recall that since 1987, 156 Haitian professionals have benefited from the Canadian Scholarship Program.
Diaspora : 7th annual convention of the ANA
Officials from the Haitian-American Nurses Association (HANA), touring the country, have informed the organization of the 7th Annual Leadership Convention, which will take place in Haiti, at Royal Decameron, Cote des Acardins, July 11-12-13-14.
4 agreements for the integration of disabled people
This Tuesday morning took place the signing ceremony of 4 partnership agreements for a better social integration of disabled people between the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (BSEIPH) and World Vision Haiti, the Montfort Institute for Deaf children, Christian Blind Mission and "Heifer Project International Haiti".
Fight against Diphtheria
Monday Marie Greta Roy Clement, Minister of Public Health revealed that between January and mid March 2018 "The authorities have identified 60 [probable] cases of diphtheria. Of these, 20 cases were positive including 60% women; of this percentage, 58.3% were not vaccinated," recalling that diphtheria is part of notifiable diseases See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23839-haiti-flash-canape-vert-hospital-the-ministry-denies-the-rumor.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23802-icihaiti-diphtheria-emergency-situation.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22483-haiti-health-disturbing-return-of-diphtheria-in-the-country.html
HL/ HaitiLibre
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) The Consultative Committee is looking into requiring lawmakers to have a college degree under the proposed federal government.
In its achievement report Tuesday, the 19-member panel revealed one of its subcommittees voted to require members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to hold a college degree or its equivalent.
According to the 1987 Constitution, senatorial aspirants must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 35-years-old on the day of election, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for at least two years preceding the election day.
It also states that a member of the House of Representatives must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 25-years-old on the day of election, able to read and write, a registered voter in the district where they seek to be elected - excluding party-list representatives, and a resident of the Philippines for at least a year preceding the election day.
Of the 23 incumbent senators, only Sen. Manny Pacquiao is not a college degree-holder. Previous senators who did not have a college degree include Senators Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Sergio Osmena III, and Bongbong Marcos.
In 2013, the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago had also suggested amending the Constitution to require elected government officials to hold a college degree.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he is in favor of the Consultative Committee's proposal.
"Dito sa legislative branch ng gobyerno, siguro kinakailangan din naman talaga na mayroon tayong educational requirement para maging legislator ka," Alvarez said.
Alvarez said the educational requirement is important because lawmakers need to be able to understand the measures they are going to defend in the committee and plenary.
He added legislators should also be required to pass the civil service eligibility examination.
The Constitutional Committee has until the end of April to finalize its draft, as the regional public consultations start in May.
The final draft is due for submission to Malacanang in June. President Rodrigo Duterte could present the draft constitution during his State of the Nation Address.
CNN Philippines' Correspondents Makoi Popioco and Joyce Ilas contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) The termination of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) should be here to stay, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.
"I think [this] is for good," Lorenzana told CNN Philippines' The Source about whether the halt to negotiations was permanent.
When asked whether it was time to say goodbye to peace talks, the former military lieutenant said it was the best path to take.
"We have been talking to them for the longest time, hindi naman nagpro-progreso [it doesn't progress]," said Lorenzana. "I've always maintained that the CPP-NPA, when they come to negotiating table... they are not actually talking peace. They are after advantages."
The New People's Army (NPA) is the armed wing of the CPP, while the National Democratic Front (NDF) is its political arm, which represents the party in the negotiations.
Lorenzana had from the start doubted talks would prosper since the administration reopened the negotiating table in 2016.
Despite initially warm relations between President Rodrigo Duterte and the Left, the President called off talks in November 2017, citing violent attacks by the NPA.
It was the first time in 18 years the on-off negotiations were terminated.
Lorenzana estimated about 4,000 NPA members and supporters have surrendered or laid down their arms.
However, CPP founder Joma Sison believes the surrender could be staged.
On February 20, the President said he would reconsider peace talks with the CPP.
However, he has since ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to declare the party and its members terrorists.
Lorenzana maintained a terrorist tag for the CPP and its members would help authorities catch those who are hiding.
"Remember 21 of their leaders were set free during the peace talks," said Lorenzana. "The tag of terrorists will help us give more teeth in our effort to capture them."
The controversial DOJ list enumerating about 600 names for a terrorist tag has been slammed as inaccurate.
Related: UN human rights experts slam inclusion of rapporteur in DOJ 'terrorist' list
The Duterte government is the sixth administration to try to end the rebels' 48-year-old armed insurgency, the longest-running in Asia.
CNN Philippines senior digital producer Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) There is no terror threat in Metro Manila, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.
However, he said this did not mean runaway terrorists are not present.
"We believe some of the Mautes who escaped from Marawi may have come here to Manila to hide. (But) I don't think they are here to create trouble," Lorenzana told CNN Philippines' The Source.
The statement comes as a leaked confidential memorandum from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region 10 listed Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Manila, and cities in Northern and Southern Luzon as potential targets of "ISIS bombers."
While the document was confirmed to be authentic, the PNP said the information has yet to be validated. Lorenzana believes the inclusion of Manila on the list may be inaccurate.
Related: Security expert: 23 armed groups fused, forming 'ISIS Philippines'
He said the densely populated city makes it hard for authorities to go track terrorists down.
"Takot sila e [They're afraid]. They're being hunted everywhere in ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). It's easy to hide here in Metro Manila," Lorenzana said.
"For as long as you don't bring attention to yourself, you can hide forever here," he added.
Lorenzana also revealed police authorities were trying to tap jailed family matriarch Ominta "Farhana" Romato Maute to reel in any remaining followers of the group.
"That's why we are trying... to get her to cooperate with us para sabihan niya ang mga kamag-anak niya na [so she can tell her family to] please cooperate with government," said Lorenzana.
The Maute mother survives her husband Cayamora, who died in August. Their sons were at the forefront of the five-month long Marawi crisis last year.
She is under government custody and faces charges of rebellion.
Watch the full interview with Lorenzana here.
Grassroot Institute: Bond plan for rail a bad sign for taxpayers, would violate city ordinance
From Grassroot Institute, March 19, 2018
HONOLULU -- Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwells plan to use $44 million in bond debt is an ill-founded, potentially illegal attempt to payoff administrative costs related to the construction of the over-budget, behind-schedule Honolulu rail system, according to the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
Kelii Akina, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute, said the plan is a sign of poor financial management, and, unless current law were changed, would be illegal.
Caldwells proposal is not a good sign for the rail project or taxpayers. Bond financing of the rail to cover administrative costs is unwise because were already going into debt for the acquisition of the rail, and piling on more debt at this time might be risky, Akina said.
This move could set a dangerous precedent as a funding mechanism for budgets in future years, Akina said.
Not only that, he added, the mayor seems to be putting the cart before the horse, since city law doesnt allow city funds to be used for the project.
Ordinance 07-001 Section 3, says rail expenses shall be paid entirely from general excise and use tax surcharge revenues, interest earned on the revenues, and any federal, state, or private revenues.
The ordinance does not say city revenues can be used, which is why some members of the Council have been seeking for some time to change the law.
Using debt to pay for administrative expenses is a poor financial management strategy thats likely to sink us, Akina said.
Caldwells bond proposal was part of his fiscal 2019 executive and capital programs budget that was submitted to the Honolulu County Council on March 2. The $44 million is being requested to help pay for $214 million in funding that the city assured the Federal Transit Administration it would pay.
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The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational institution devoted to promoting individual liberty, economic freedom and accountable government.
Leaving GOP, Djou Eyes Council, Mayoral Races
by Andrew Walden
Reading Charles Djous Why Im Leaving The GOP statement published today, one might think Djous decision was all about Trump.
But buried in paragraph six and seven, something else pops up.
Djou writes:
Most of all, I have long believed that our government leaders must lead by example. Character counts. This is why I made the lack of ethics at City Hall and abuse of power by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell a key issue in the last mayors race. This is why I fought so hard to clean up the corrupt City Liquor Commission..
A February 11, 2018 Hawaii Free Press article, Former Cocaine Dealers Wife Running for Honolulu Council , focuses on Heidi Tsuneyoshis Council District 2 campaign vs Robert Bunda. It drew a sharp emailed response from Djou which he did not ask to be kept off the record:
Im absolutely backing Heidi 100% because shes honest and a good person and can win. This race is a proxy fight between myself and Caldwell. Kirks people are running Bundas campaign. They owe Bunda for ramming rail down when he was HART chair. Because the Hawaii GOP isnt putting up candidates this year, my team is all in with Heidi. Again, Heidi isnt a felon and has no criminal record. So you understand, 2018 is about the City Council. The GOP has nothing for any races. 2018 is a rerun of Kirk and myself. My team is helping Heidi, re-elect Trevor Ozawa against Tommy Waters and Kelly Kitashima to oust Brandon Elefante. Kirk is in with Bunda, Waters and Elefante. If my team wins, with Kobayashi on my side we maybe can take control. Kirk wins and he will have super majority control over the City Council.
Just a few hours after Djous resignation statement was posted online, Ernie Martin re-took the Chairmanship of the Honolulu Council. The new council majority questions Mayor Caldwells proposal for Honolulu County funds to be spent on rail.
In the 2016 mayoral race Djou's favorable poll numbers were ground away by hundreds of Caldwell TV and radio commercials reminding voters that Djou is a Republican.
Djou won't have that problem in 2020.
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2018s Most & Least Federally Dependent States
Wallet Hub, Mar 20, 2018
One big point of difference among state economies is the tax burden of the average citizen. This number varies greatly. But what are the reasons behind why some states tax their residents more or less?
If a state can afford not to tax its residents at high rates, there are multiple explanations. One is that their economic policies are sound and the state economy is doing well. But another is that the state gets disproportionately more funding from the federal government than states with harsher tax codes.
Americans have looked at federal assistance programs with growing scrutiny. According to a 2018 Rasmussen report , 61% of American adults think there are too many people receiving government financial aid. On the other hand, only 9% think not enough people are receiving funds. Regardless of overall trends, though, it is true that some states receive a far higher return on their federal income-tax contributions than others.
Just how big is this difference? And to what extent does it change our perception of state and local tax rates around the country? WalletHub sought to answer those questions by comparing the 50 states in terms of three key metrics.
read Dependent
Hawaii
A princess, a former French spy, and a Finnish Woman are on board Nostromo, a US registered luxury yacht in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The yacht is getting close to Goa, India. The princess contacts an NGO in London and asks for help. She says she is S heikha Latifa Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai the middle daughter of the ruler of Dubai, I am the one skydiving, not to be mixed with the other two daughters, both also called Latifa!
This story could be the stuff of weirdest Hollywood thrillers, but it seems to be true and unfolding right now.
In a Video sent to Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai, she says she could not cope with all the restrictions imposed on her by her family and is escaping the Golden cage she lived in. Her aim is to get to India, take a flight to the United States and seek asylum. Helping her in her escape are a former French intelligent officer, Herve Jaubert, and a friend, who later is confirmed to be a Finnish woman.
Since the first contact, the trio maintains frequent communication with Radha, until on Sunday the 4th of March 2018, when the story takes an even more thrilling turn. Herve informs Detained in Dubai, that they were within 50 miles of Indian shore as of 11:00 GMT, with the plan to disembark and fly to the US from Mumbai. Seven hours later, a distress call is made from Sheikha Latifa to Radha Stirling. Latifa tells Radha that she was hiding with her friend, that men were outside, that she didnt know what was happening and that she was hearing gunshots. Then contact with the trio ceases immediately and permanently. This was two weeks ago and there is no trace of the three and the yacht since.
Detained in Dubai knew that in addition to Herve, there was a third person; a friend on board the yacht, but her identity was unknown until today. It turned out the person in question is a 41-year-old Finnish woman called Tiina Johanna Jauhiainen who has now been reported missing by her family. All three have been officially reported as missing in France, the UK, the USA, India, Finland and the UAE.
According to the Jauhianen family, who has released a statement through Detained in Dubai, Tiina was a close friend of Sheikha Latifa Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, known for her skydiving, a sport that Tiina was also passionate about and they had bonded over the years, becoming close confidants.
Sheikha Latifa had confided in Tiina that she had been imprisoned and abused as a result of a prior escape attempt and, since her release, was working on a plan to flee the country. Tiina had in turn, told her family of the situation and Latifas ideas to leave the country. The two friends found public figure and French ex-secret service agent Herve Jaubert, who is famous for his book Escape from Dubai.
Tiinas family was contacted by Tiina from the yacht and they maintained communication with her. The last time Tiina was seen online was a few minutes before the distress call was made from Latifa to Radha.
We have a US flagged yacht that has disappeared, a US/French national, a Finnish national and the daughter of the ruler of Dubai missing after reporting gunfire. We now have the daughter of the ruler of a country making serious allegations of criminal actions against her father. States Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai. The UAE has such strong commercial, trade, media and diplomatic ties, that this incident is likely to have a snowballing effect on the political and economic stability.
So far, Authorities in UAE, Finland, and France have been silent.
Social media users are using hashtags #FindLatifa #FindHerve #WhereisLatifa? #WhereisHerve? #EscapefromDubai#WhereisNostromo? to source information and raise awareness. #WhereisTiina?
Tiina left our small town for the world, first to London in 1997, later settling in Dubai. She had always wanted to see the world, and she cares very little for material wealth or possessions. Says Tiinas brother Oku Jauhiainen in the familys statement released today. Since 2001, Tiina has lived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, working mainly in real estate and fitness industries. In mid-2000s Tiina became an avid enthusiast of capoeira, a Brazilian martial art. In 2010 the sport also connected Tiina with Sheikha Latifa Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai when Tiina became her instructor and personal trainer. They became close friends, with a particular passion for skydiving. Sheikha Latifa referred to Tiina as my angel and the only person I can talk to about anything.
Jauhiainens familys last contact with Tiina was on Saturday 3rd of March. They were contacted by a friend the next day and heard about the possible raid on the yacht. The family contacted the Finnish Police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and filed a missing persons report.
We appeal to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as a father and to the Crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as a brother, like us, to investigate this matter urgently, to contact Detained in Dubai and to make a public statement, says Oku.
Since the incident, parties who had known the missing persons have confirmed their identity and last known location. Close friends have confirmed that the woman in the video is indeed Sheikha Latifa who explained that there are three Sheikha Latifas and that she was the middle one known for skydiving, with the Instagram account latifa_1.
It has been reported to Escape from Dubai that UAE authorities have rounded up at least ten people who were known to be in communication with Tiina after the duo went missing in late February. Detained in Dubai is seeking further information on those who may currently be in CID custody.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland have confirmed to Detained in Dubai, that they are seeking any information that may assist their investigation and that the Finnish Embassy in Abu Dhabi is following the case.
Detained in Dubai is a UK based NGO specializing in helping foreigners who are detained in Dubai. Escape from Dubai was founded in response to this incident to act as a central information point.
Helsinki Times could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video and the facts surrounding these events and is quoting statements from Detained in Dubai and the Jauhiainen Family which were published through detained in Dubai.
HT
Photos: Detained in Dubai
A BLUES rock group have released their debut EP under a new name following a chance meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May in Henley.
Cafe Chaos had met up at Caffe Nero in Bell Street in January when the first lady walked in and ordered herself a coffee and sat at a table next to them.
The musicians had previously played under the name KAOS but were advised to drop it as it was similar to other bands so were thinking of an alternative.
Nick Brown, who plays keyboard, explained: We were exploring a name change so we went down to Caffe Nero and in walked Theresa May. She sat down at a table next door to us and even asked us if she could sit there.
We had a look round to see where her security team was, because you can sort of tell who they are, and that gave us the inspiration for our new name.
The group, which formed in 2016 and is now a four-piece following the departure of tenor sax player Bryan McRae, also comprises Peter Terry (drums), Pete Krueger (bass) and Steve Blackall (guitar).
They spent November and December recording Blues in Seven at the Henwood Studios in Benson. The EP has four tracks and lasts about 15 minutes. The opening track, Maharajah Blues, pays homage to the well in Stoke Row while track two, All Your Love, is the only one to feature lyrics and singing.
Nick says: We recorded the rhythm section first, then laid down the solos and the melody lines. It was all very professionally done and it was great fun.
The group have had 500 copies of the EP made available on CD to buy for 5 and they will be supporting it with a concert at Nettlebed village club on March 24. Doors open at 7pm for an 8pm start. Tickets are 10 on the door of 11.07 from www.cafechaos.net
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said the dismissal of drug charges against alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and others are still up for review.
"I issued an order yesterday vacating the dismissal of the case, so much so that there is no dismissal anymore, and I ordered that the case be ordered wide open for both parties," Aguirre said in a Malacanang briefing Tuesday.
He said he issued the order following the backlash on the dropping of charges against alleged drug lords Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Lim, convicted drug lord Peter Co, and more than 20 other drug suspects.
"Because of the backlash caused by some people with ill motives coupled with politics, nagkaroon po ng di magandang perception ang public, dito sa isyu na ito [the public developed a negative perception of this issue," he said.
In a 41-page resolution made public on March 12, the Task Force on Anti-illegal Drugs under the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended the dismissal of the police's complaint against the suspects due to lack of evidence.
"The prosecution still has the chance to strengthen its evidence by securing a copy of the transcript, stenographic notes, and submitting it to the panel," Aguirre said.
During the Senate hearings on the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison last year, Espinosa said he gave millions of pesos in drug money to police officers, generals, and other government officials, including then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, in exchange for the protection of his illegal drug trade business.
The son of slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, he also told the Senate he was a drug dealer from Eastern Visayas.
Aguirre also said the DOJ will study the motion for reconsideration of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against the DOJ ruling.
The dismissal of the case was signed on December 20, 2017 by assistant state prosecutors and approved by Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan.
Aguirre said the case has been reassigned to a new set of prosecutors. He added the prosecutors who earlier handled the case should have been impartial and they are now under investigation.
Meanwhile, Lim is a Cebu-based businessman who, together with Co, were included in President Rodrigo Duterte's drug matrix. He has since denied the allegations and vowed to help in the drug war.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Two top government officials on Tuesday denied giving legal advice to the camp of alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles.
Napoles' lawyer Stephen David said on Monday Malacanang played a role in its plea to move her a regular jail to a safehouse after she was provisionally placed in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Witness Protection Program (WPP).
The lawyer claimed he met and consulted with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, but this was denied by the Palace executive.
"Why would I give a legal advice to a lawyer for his client. If I were his client I will fire him," Medialdea said in a text message.
DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, who was also in the meeting, supported Medialdea's statement.
"It's not giving legal advice. He (was) just giving his opinion," he said in a media briefing Tuesday.
Aguirre said he refused David's plea for the DOJ to order the transfer of Napoles from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig to a DOJ safehouse. Then the lawyer supposedly tried to appeal this through the Executive Secretary, but to no avail.
"Gusto niya i-overrule ako ng seeming representative of the Office of the President kasi ayaw kong pumayag na kukunin ko na lang si Janet Napoles sa kulungan at ilalagay ko sa WPP. Hindi kako pupwede 'yan. Mag-file ka ng motion sa Sandiganbayan. Ganun din ang opinion ni ES so 'yun ang ginawa niya," Aguirre said.
[Translation: He wanted the representative of the Office of the President to overrule me because I did not want to agree that I will take Napoles from jail and place her under WPP. That's not allowed. I told him to file a motion before the Sandiganbayan. That was also the Executive Secretary's opinion, so that's what David did.]
The camp of Napoles, who has been placed under state protection since February 27, filed an urgent motion before the Sandiganbayan on March 16 to request for her transfer.
To be transferred, Napoles needs the approval of Sandiganbayan because she faces several plunder and graft charges for her alleged involvement in a P10-billion pork barrel scam.
Napoles' provisional entry into the WPP has stirred speculation that the administration may have forged a compromise deal with the pork barrel scam prime suspect, but Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque denied this.
"Attorney David was there to appeal that Secretary Medialdea should reverse the position of the DOJ Secretary. He did not succeed so that's proof that Malacanang is not behind anything as far as Napoles is concerned," Roque said.
The DOJ is looking into Napoles' affidavit where she promised to "tell all."
Her lawyers have said she is prepared to reveal big personalities involved in the scam.
CNN Philippines senior correspondent Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Embattled Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Monday defended her supposed incomplete Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
In her 130-page comment and annexes on Solicitor General Jose Calida's petition seeking to oust her, Sereno said the submission of SALNs to the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) was not an "absolute requirement" for those vying for chief justice.
Sereno said she was not the only candidate for the position who did not submit all asset declarations to the Judicial and Bar Council. Despite this, they were found by the JBC to have been in "substantial compliance" with that documentary requirement.
Calida is questioning Sereno's appointment over her alleged failure to file complete SALNs when she taught at the University of the Philippines from 1986 to 2006.
In her response, Sereno specifically named fellow justices, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, and retired Justices Arturo Brion and Roberto Abad among those who failed to submit one or more SALNs. They were all included in the SC Chief shortlist.
Both De Castro and Brion testified against Sereno at the House impeachment hearings.
Sereno also pointed out that of the 20 candidates considered for the Chief Justice post in 2012, 14 failed to submit all of their SALNs while in government service.
"Nevertheless, they were reconsidered to have 'substantially complied' with the SALN requirement, and hence were interviewed for the position," she said.
Sereno pointed out it's within the discretion of JBC to determine whether an applicant had complied with the requirement to submit SALNs.
"Moreover, the mere failure to submit SALNs to the JBC would not automatically have disqualified an applicant, especially if she could explain the reason for the non-submission," she added.
While a June 2012 JBC announcement said that applicants with incomplete or out of date papers will not be interviewed or considered for nomination, her response said the JBC later tasked the executive committee with determining whether an applicant had substantially complied with the submission of SALNs.
It also cited minutes of a July 20 JBC meeting where acting ex-officio Chairman Diosdado Peralta and Senator Chiz Escudero, who was then part of the JBC, tackled non-submission of documents.
During the meeting Peralta had said that in case of non-submission of documents "the JBC could ask the nominees during the interview as to the reason for their non-compliance."
Meanwhile, Escudero manifested that the candidates should inform them of their reason for failing to comply.
Escudero also mentioned Abad's name during the meeting, saying the retired justice had substantially complied with the requirement "for the reason that even if he lacks SALN for certain periods in the 80s, he submitted the rest of them."
"He [Escudero] commented that there is at least an attempt to comply with the particular requirement and it could be a parameter," it recounted.
Sereno said the JBC, whether in writing or orally through a follow-up or in the public interviews, never raised with her the matter of having submitted only three SALNs.
She added, based on JBC records from 2010 to 2012, the council had 300 candidates shortlisted for judicial posts despite their incomplete documentary requirements.
She said she submitted SALNs for 2009, 2010, and 2011 to the JBC as one of the nominees for the top magistrate post.
She also wrote to the JBC explaining why she could not submit her previous SALNs, considering that most of government records are more than 15 years old.
Sereno, however, has since renewed efforts to locate the rest of her SALNs she filed as UP professor.
"The Chief Justice has since then renewed earnest efforts to locate the rest of the SALNs she filed as a U.P. Professor. She has recovered most of the missing SALNs and will continue to look for the others," the comment read.
As for the details, Sereno said she would present all her recovered SALNs before the Senate impeachment court.
She appealed to her colleagues that ruling on her quo warranto case and preempting the impeachment process would be tantamount to overthrowing the Constitution.
The Chief Justice is on indefinite leave to prepare for the expected Senate trial. In a one-on-one interview with CNN Philippines, Sereno said she is ready to answer the issue of her SALNs and face the Senate impeachment court.
When asked about her preparations, Sereno said in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines her team was "quite advanced [and] ready to go."
The House Committee on Justice, voting 33-1, approved on Monday the articles of impeachment against Sereno.
If at least one-third of the members of the House of Representatives vote to impeach Sereno, the complaint would go to trial at the Senate.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Billions of pesos lost in smuggling can fund basic social services, Senator Richard Gordon said Tuesday.
Gordon cited a University of Asia and the Pacific study which stated that P905 billion was lost from 2012 to 2016 due to smuggling and value-added tax leakage.
"Kung makokolekta, mawa-wipe out natin yung shortage ng classrooms at masu-swelduhan natin ang teachers," Gordon said.
[Translation: If these can be collected, we can wipe out the classroom shortage and we can add to the salaries of our teachers.]
Gordon, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman, posed a question on the pay of teachers and uniformed personnel.
"Ano bang mas mahalaga satin, sundalo o teacher? Well, parehong mahalaga yan, pero ako sa tingin ko mas kailangan ang teachers," Gordon said, adding teachers can perform better if they are compensated well.
[Translation: Who are more important, soldiers or teachers? Well they are both valuable, but I think we need more teachers.]
President Rodrigo Duterte in January approved the pay hike for soldiers, policemen, and other uniformed personnel.
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno assured teachers will also get a pay increase, a week after he drew flak for saying it is not the government's priority.
Aside from funding the education sector, Gordon said the billions lost in taxes and smuggling can fund national health insurance, immunization program, pension for indigent citizens, and address food security.
Gordon advised the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to coordinate to avoid undercollection of taxes.
Gordon cited companies that paid duties and taxes much less than what they are supposed to pay.
He cited EMT trading, the company behind the P6.4-billion shabu smuggling. Despite importing P195 million worth of goods, EMT only paid more than P3,500 in taxes, Gordon said.
Gordon cited another company that only paid half of its supposed P330-million tax for more than P833 million worth of imports.
The senator also said Customs brokers issue fake receipts.
"So meron ngayong pumapasok sa Customs, yung mga player o broker. 'Kailangan mo ba ng resibo? Bayaran mo ako ng 2 percent ng binabayaran mo, bigyan kitang resibo. Para mapakita mo sa BIR pag tinanong ka ng BIR.' So may mga fake receipts sila. Pag pinakita sa BIR at sinita ng BIR, meron namang resibo," Gordon said.
[Translation: There are people in the Customs, the players or brokers. They say, 'Do you need receipts? Pay me 2 percent of what you are supposed to pay, I will give you a receipt you can show the BIR.' So they have fake receipts which they can show the BIR if the Bureau asks for one.]
He said the Filipino people are the ultimately losers in the process.
"Kung maccollect yung nawawalang tax, hindi na kailangang magdagdag ng tax sa TRAIN (If we can collect these tax, there will be no need to add more tax in the TRAIN," Gordon said, referring to the new tax reform law.
He urged the Customs and BIR to coordinate and identify discrepancies.
"We'll talk to the BIR, we will ensure that what is due the government will be given to the government," Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena said.
On March 5, the BIR and the BOC entered into an agreement to share information to run after smugglers.
BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay said the bureau will create a "strike team" to go after smugglers and those who counterfeit locally-produced goods.
CNN Philippines' digital producer Yvette Morales and correspondent Rex Remitio contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) After a year of investigation into a bribery scandal involving immigration officials, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday recommended that Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre must explain his meeting with Macau gambling tycoon Jack Lam.
Committee chair Senator Richard Gordon said Aguirre must explain why he consented to meet with Lam and alleged fixer Wally Sombero.
"This is going to be a very bad habit. Secretary Aguirre has to explain... immigration and as you know, once again, in the case of Marcos, he dismissed it. Then in the case of Faeldon, he dismissed it again. And then again, he has initially dismissed another case that has gotten the ire of the national community," Gordon said.
Lam was accused of bribing then Immigration commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles with P50-million in exchange of the release of Chinese workers.
The business tycoon's Casino Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga was raided in November 2016 for illegally employing over 1,300 undocumented Chinese workers
Gordon said Aguirre should have been more prudent in dealing with the situation.
He also said the Justice Secretary should have not privately met with people who have pending cases with the Justice Department.
Meanwhile, the panel also recommended the filing of graft, bribery, and plunder charges against Argosino and Robles.
"When we look at the evidence of the videotape, you see them waiting, you see them receiving initial bags of money and then they continue to wait and they get the last tranche of the money, and they all went out together with the brother of Robles and others carrying the money and putting it in their vehicle," Gordon said.
"And when the money is in the vehicle, Mr. Argosino came out and picked up his share right away. So it cannot be denied that this was really not an entrapment operation but an enrichment operation," he added.
The committee report also said Sombero must face corruption and plunder charges. Lam is currently out of the country, and his lawyers said he has no plans of coming back.
During a Senate hearing on February 2017, Sombero denied bribing the immigration officials and instead accused them of extorting money from Lam.
Sombero also revealed Lam's group gave 60 million for the release of the Chinese detainees, and admitted he still has the remaining 10 million.
Argosino and Robles maintained it was Lam's group who bribed them through Sombero.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Malacanang has announced the suspension of classes in Metro Manila due to "actual and/or imminent threats" posed by some transport groups.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said they will suspend classes for the safety of the students.
"The President has instructed that he will suspend classes even with the slightest threat of a strike to ensure the protection and well-being of students," Roque said. "We reiterate that the government remains steadfast to modernize our public utility vehicles and will not be bullied or held hostage by some transport groups."
Roque added the decision to suspend classes outside Metro Manila will be left to the discretion of local government units.
The Palace spokesperson, in his regular press briefing at noon, expounded on the alleged "threat."
"Yan pong mga threat na yan nanggagaling kapag walang masakyan ang ating mga kabataan. So yun po ang ating iniiwasan," Roque said. "Kapag walang masasakyan ang mga kabataan, posible na kinakailangang maglakad. At kapag ika'y naglalakad, maraming possibleng aberya," he added.
(Translation: The threats are due to the possible lack of public transportation. That's what we are trying to avoid. If there's no public transportation, students may need to walk. And when they walk, a lot can happen.)
But the suspension was announced midday, when most students were already in school.
No transport group also announced they will hold a strike.
Transport group PISTON chair George San Mateo said the class suspension today due to a strike is "fake news."
San Mateo added, it is the Palace who caused the inconvenience, adding that even the police said there is no imminent threat.
"We denounce Malacanang for demonizing the legitimacy of the drivers' fight against jeepney phaseout. Malacanang is maliciously creating an atmosphere to crackdown legistimate protests of drivers and the public," San Mateo said in mixed English and Filipino.
The transport group leader added the President should instead listen to the plight of the drivers.
Several transport groups held a nationwide transport strike on Monday due to the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. The Metro Manila Development Authority said the strike had little to no impact on commuters.
San Mateo said yesterday they had no plans of holding a strike on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Palace said if PISTON would push through with its threat to continue the strike, they will call for class suspensions up until March 23, Friday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 21) Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano flew to China on Tuesday evening to discuss the possibility of joint explorations in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
He will be meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for talks on the matter.
In a press conference Tuesday, Cayetano said he and Yi would be talking about issues concerning the South China Sea but "in the context where we can improve the situation."
"We are trying to find a legal framework acceptable to the Philippines and that will pass the requirements of the Philippine Constitution, and is also acceptable to the Chinese people and Chinese leadership, in where we can jointly explore areas where there is a dispute in the South China Sea," he said.
Cayetano clarified however, that while he would be talking to China on this trip, discussions with other claimants of disputed areas would also be happening.
"We will talk to all the claimants in areas where there are multiple claimantsIn the areas where there are also claimants lets say Vietnam and Malaysiawe will also talk to them. So it makes no sense for us to talk to just one side. We have to talk to everyone," he said.
Exploration and further research would be the top items for the discussions, Cayetano said, as where resources from disputed areas would go should be made clear.
"Usually you have to pay for this research. But if we can find a legal framework and maybe our companies can work together then it will be at no cost to the government...may even lead to large deposits of oil and gas in the area," he said.
In February, Cayetano said the Philippines and China would aggressively pursue the joint exploration for oil and gas reserves in disputed waters.
READ: PH aggressively pursuing joint oil and gas exploration with China
The government wants to finalize a legal framework for the joint exploration by the middle of the year, paving the way for critical projects like in the Reed Bank soon after.
"I can tell you we are pursuing it aggressively because we need it," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a press briefing on Friday.
"To give you a more reasonable timeframe, [we will have a framework] in the next three months. The President wants it, the Chinese agreed to it, and it's beneficial to the country."
There is historical precedent for the joint oil and gas exploration, Cayetano argued, pointing to the joint seismic study undertaken by Vietnam, China and the Philippines in the South China Sea in 2004. The legality of the deal, though, is still in question at the Supreme Court to this day.
The territorial dispute between the Philippines and China has put on hold attempts at oil exploration, particularly in the Reed Bank. Manny Pangilinan's PXP Energy Corp. holds the rights to drill in that area, but the government issued a moratorium back in 2014 to make way for international arbitration.
Cayetano said, "Once we have the legal framework [for the joint exploration], the Reed Bank project will move swiftly."
CNN Philippines senior digital producer Pia Garcia contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) President Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to debate with lawyers who insist that the International Criminal Court (ICC) can continue its preliminary examination on the country's drug war.
Speaking at the League of Municipalities General Assembly Tuesday night, the President stressed his position that the ICC has no jurisdiction over him because the Rome Statute which created the Court is not even a valid law in the Philippines.
He said, Id like to debate with you. Paunahin ko pa kayo ng isang oras [I'll let you go ahead by an hour]. We can continue with the investigation. Based on what? Why are you here? Why are you f*****g in my country? What is your power? What vests you, the treaty? The treaty was not published, when it is not published, it is as if there is no law at all.
The President also criticized the qualifications of ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda who moved to begin a preliminary examination on him.
He took exception to the fact that Bensouda, who is now supposedly verifying facts in his drug war, is an expert on maritime issues.
Sino ba naman gago ngayon na papayag na itong maritime law...You know, just to learn the definition of crime and the numerous, kaya mga abogado tayo, it took us four years to...And the multiple application of the law. Tapos bigyan mo ako ng maritime expert..Itong si Fatou? he said.
[Translation: What kind of fool would allow this maritime law...You know, just to learn the definition of crime and the numerous, that's why we lawyers, it took us four years to...And the multiple application of the law. And then you will give me a maritime expert...this Fatou?]
Duterte said he was withdrawing the country's membership in the ICC after it said it would begin preliminary investigations on the war on drugs.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the ICC was free to conduct the probe, but that it should not expect the Philippines to cooperate.
READ: Roque: PH won't cooperate in ICC probe on drug war
T he 1st Texas Infantry earned a macabre place in history at the Battle of Antietam, suffering 186 casualties out of 226 men engagedan 82.3 percent loss rate considered the highest for a single regiment not only at Antietam, but also the entire war. New evidence suggests, however, that another Confederate regimentthe 6th Georgiamight have incurred a higher level of devastation than the 1st Texas that day. We may well never know for sure, but it is a valid possibility.
The 6th was one of four Georgia regiments, as well as the 13th Alabama, in Colonel Alfred H. Colquitts Brigade, part of Maj. Gen. D.H. Hills Division in the Army of Northern Virginia. How many men the 6th took into the battle remains in question. One member of the regiment recorded its strength at 320, but others had the total at about 300, and another estimate was as low as 200. In his studies of the battle, Antietam scholar Ezra Carman decided to go with the average: 260.
Colquitts Brigadestill referred to by some as Rains Brigade, a nod to former commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Rainsspent a night of September 16 in Sharpsburgs soon-to-be-immortal Sunken Lane. At about 7:30 a.m. on the 17th, Colquitt received orders from General Hill to reinforce the fighting around the Miller Cornfield and the East Woods. The brigade marched quickly in the face of sweeping Union artillery fire. It passed the burning Mumma Farm buildings and pushed north across a plowed field toward the East Woods. Wounded soldiers from the fighting ahead were returning in a fairly steady stream. Some encouraged their swiftly moving comrades to give em hell boys. One of Colquitts men never forgot the irony. In the coming hour, he would write, we went in and got hell ourselves.
When the brigade reached the Smoketown Road, it was met by Hill, who directed Colquitt to form into line and advance. Up front, the battle was raging fiercely. Colquitt hurried through the southwestern corner of the woods, then formed his brigade into line. When the formation was complete, the 6th Georgia was on the far right and at first entirely within the woods. The brigade had double-quicked nearly a mile, and the men were winded and the regiments strung out. Even though the 6th came under fire almost immediately, its commander, Lt. Col. James N. Newton, was displeased with the ragged line his regiment formed and ordered it to halt. Newton sent out guides to mark the right and left flanks, then had the regiment dress on these human markers until its line was as cool as on dress parade.
The 6th hurried to catch up with the rest of the brigade. Their movement brought the left of the regiment out of the woods into a meadow directly south of the Cornfield. All outside the woods were firing at the infantry of Maj. Gen. Joseph K. Mansfields 12th Corps, standing on a ridge north of the corn. Colquitt ordered his brigade to advance and drive the Federals off. The men responded by pushing into the Cornfield, loading and firing as they advanced. Many were struck as they moved, among them Major Philemon Tracy of the 6th, who was shot in the thigh. A lieutenant paused to bandage the wound and try to get the major to some cover but was shot in the side. Tracy bled to death. Despite what one of the 6th described as a most terrific fire, the left of the regiment reached the northern edge of the Cornfield. The right of the regiment remained in the woods.
It was at this moment that Lt. Col. Hector Tyndales brigade of the 12th Corps arrived opposite the Georgians right front and flank, its approach concealed by the East Woods. Most members of the 6th had their attention focused on the Federals in the open north of the corn, but Captain John G. Hanna, commanding a company on the far right flank, saw Tyndales unit approaching and dashed over to warn Colonel Newton that they were flanked. He delivered his message, but was killed as he turned to head back to his company, and Newton would be mortally wounded by a volley from Tyndales men.
That left the 6th with no field officers. Though the regiment held its position and fought stubbornly, it was soon confronted by the 800-man 28th Pennsylvania, part of Tyndales brigade, which had moved up through the woods on their right. Some of the Georgians saw them coming and unleashed into them what one Federal called a withering fire that somehow failed to check their advance. The Pennsylvanians responded by delivering a murderous volley of their own, mowing down members of the 6th literally in rows.
Ben Witcher was along the Cornfield fence, unaware of the calamity engulfing his regiment. A comrade advised him that it was time to get out. Seeing a line of men still lying down along the Cornfield fence around him, Witcher defiantly said no and to let them come. His friend shook several of the men to show Witcher they were all dead or wounded. Suddenly aware of the disaster sweeping toward him, Witcher started off with his friend and two other men. Union bullets cut down all of them except Witcher. The survivors of the 6th fled, along with the rest of Colquitts Brigade.
When they had a chance to assess the damage, it was staggering. All but two commissioned officers were dead or wounded, leaving the regiment in command of a lieutenant. In Company E, 13 were killed and 17 wounded. In Company K the carnage was 16 killed, 15 wounded, and 5 captured from 40 present. All told, 84 men were killed or mortally wounded, 115 were wounded and 30 captured. If the regiment had 300 in action this was a loss of 75 percent. But it is possible the loss was higher, for Corporal Robert Johnson wrote that only 40 men could be accounted for on September 18, which would mean a loss of 87 percent.
Playing the percentage game here can be problematic, for the number carried into battle was often not known with absolute certainty. And some units suffered such catastrophic losses that their casualties were imperfectly reported by surviving officers. Others did not even bother to report slightly wounded men. The first two are true for the 6th Georgia, and the third might be. The only thing we can know with certainty is what Ben Witcher wrote years later; This battle was the most disastrous to my Regt of any in the war.
Scott Hartwig writes from the crossroads of Gettysburg.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) President Rodrigo Duterte says he will support whatever recommendation will be made by Interior Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Ano regarding Boracay.
In his speech at the League of Municipalities general assembly Tuesday night, the President said Ano told him that it may take about six months to fix the island.
It's unclear though, if Duterte has officially received Ano's formal recommendation on the matter.
"Si Ano, sabi niya sa akin...Boracay he thinks will take a little bit longer. And I answered him. Sabi ko, 'General, nandiyan ka, I placed you there. Whatever is your decision, I will support you. Bahala ka. You just make the recommendation. And if I find everything that is alright and in consonance with the... Derecho na."
Duterte previously said he would put the island under a state of calamity to allow the quicker disbursement of funds needed to fix the island which he earlier called a "cesspool," and that local officials who refuse to cooperate could face charges.
He said, "Kung ayaw nila mag-cooperate and they begin to protest, eh kayo naman may kasalanan dyan, pati yung mga local officialsaarestuhin ko kayo lahat. If you put up a fight then I'll charge you for sedition, preventing government to do what is good for the Filipino."
[Translation: If they don't want to cooperate and they begin to protest, well you're the one at fault in this, even the local officials...I will arrest all of you. If you put up a fight, then I'll charge you for sedition, preventing government to do what is good for the Filipino.]
RELATED: Duterte: Officials who refuse to cooperate in Boracay rehab will be arrested
The Tourism Department sees the island shutting down between June and September to give way to a massive cleanup effort of the vacation hotspot that the President dubbed a "cesspool."
Tourism Undersecretary Ricky Alegre on Tuesday said the date range was recommended by tour operators and hotels because it was the lean season.
Just recently, the government tapped urban planner Jun Palafox to come up with an initial masterplan for the rehabilitation of Boracay island.
CNN Philippines correspondent Rex Remitio and multi-platform writer Regine Cabato contributed to this report.
Do Union icons John Reynolds and John Sedgwick deserve their reputations?
M ajor Generals John Fulton Reynolds and John Sedgwick died in striking circumstances that undoubtedly burnished their reputations as successful Union corps commanders. On July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Reynolds accompanied the leading units of his 1st Corps into action. Positioned behind the Iron Brigades 2nd Wisconsin near the eastern fringe of McPhersons Woods, he urged his troops to stop the approaching Confederates. Forward men, he shouted, forward for Gods sake, and drive those fellows out of the woods! Turning to look back toward Seminary Ridge, he went limp in the saddle after a Minie ball entered the back of his neck. He was dead before hitting the ground. Sedgwicks story on the second day of the Battle of Spotsylvania could be conjured from a novelists imagination. Steadying a portion of his 6th Corps line opposite Laurel Hill on the morning of May 9, 1864, he noticed men dodging as Confederate musket rounds struck nearby. I am ashamed of you, he told them: They cant hit an elephant at this distance. He repeated those words, with a good-natured laugh, after a sergeant dropped to the ground for safety. A moment later, an unmistakable thud told observers that Sedgwick had been hit, incurring a mortal wound just below his left eye.
William Swinton, who covered the Army of the Potomac for The New York Times, anticipated the tenor of many subsequent evaluations of the two generals. Reynolds death, wrote Swinton in Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac (1866), was a grievous loss to the Army of the Potomac, one of whose most distinguished and best-loved officers he was; one whom, by the steady growth of the highest military qualities, the general voice of the whole army had marked out for the largest fame. As for Sedgwick, the loss of this lion-hearted soldier caused the profoundest grief among his comrades, and throughout the army, which felt it could better have afforded to sacrifice the best division. Edward J. Nichols, whose Toward Gettysburg: A Biography of General John F. Reynolds (1961) remains the most detailed biography, quotes Winfield Scott Hancock, the Comte de Paris, Joseph Hooker, and others proclaiming Reynolds the best soldier in the army. In General John Sedgwick: The Story of a Union Corp Commander (1982), Richard Elliott Winslow III pronounces his subject a steadfast soldier who contributed much to ultimate Union victory in the course of playing a crucial role during the Civil War.
Did Reynolds and Sedgwick merit such praise? As corps chiefs, the answer must be no. At Fredericksburg, Reynolds initial battle as head of the 1st Corps, the commanders penchant for overseeing details relating to his artillery rendered him ineffectual in directing the activities of key subordinates such as George G. Meade. One careful student of the battle concludes that Reynolds dallying among the guns made him completely ineffective when Meade sought critical reinforcements. At Chancellorsville, Reynolds and his corps saw almost no action, suffering fewer than 300 of the armys more than 17,000 casualties. His actions at Gettysburg on July 1 were solid but scarcely sufficient to warrant extravagant praise.
Sedgwicks terrible wound in the West Woods at Antietam, where his division was butchered, kept him out of the Fredericksburg Campaign. Promoted to command of the 6th Corps, he played an important role at Chancellorsville, where his corps absorbed the heaviest casualties in the army. Sedgwicks actions on May 1-5 certainly lacked aggressiveness and have inspired a good deal of criticism. Edward Porter Alexander, the most astute of all Confederates who wrote about the war in the Eastern Theater, pulled no punches: I have always felt surprise that the enemy retained Sedgwick as a corps commander, for he seems to me to have wasted great opportunities, & come about as near to doing nothing with 30,000 men as it was easily possible to do. At Gettysburg, Sedgwicks corps, the armys largest, played only a minor part in the fighting and lost just 212 men killed or wounded.
Sedgwick put in a mixed performance during the Battle of the Wilderness, earning praise from U.S. Grant for his bravery but receiving harsh critiques from others for allowing John B. Gordons successful flank attack on May 6 against the 6th Corps. This stampede, wrote Theodore Lyman of Meades staff regarding Gordons routing of two Union brigades, was the most disgraceful thing that happened to the celebrated 6th corps during my experience of it. Lyman also thought some of Sedgwicks other actions amounted to nothing.
Both Reynolds and Sedgwick unquestionably inspired a good deal of admiration. A pair of officers, one from each generals staff, offer useful testimony on this point. Stephen Minot Weld met the ambulance carrying Reynolds on July 1, which triggered a surge of emotion. He was the best general we had in our army, wrote Weld in his diary: Brave, kind-hearted, modest, somewhat rough and wanting polish, he was a type of the true soldier. I cannot realize that he is dead. Sedgwicks nicknameUncle Johnrevealed the degree to which his soldiers thought of him as a leader who looked after their welfare. Thomas W. Hyde referred to Sedgwick as our friend, our idol. Hyde described the feeling when news of the generals death settled in: Gradually it dawned upon us that the great leader, the cherished friend, he that had been more than father to us all, would no more lead the Greek Cross of the 6th corps.
Such heartfelt tributes should not obscure that neither Reynolds nor Sedgwick crafted a sterling record as a corps commander. Both fit comfortably within the culture George B. McClellan created in the Army of the Potomac. That culture prized caution, seldom sought a killing blow to the enemy, and accepted, almost preferred, inaction to any movement that might yield negative results. Yet, their dramatic deaths lifted Reynolds and Sedgwick to a special position in the pantheon of Union generals. As Edward J. Nichols admitted in his biography of Reynolds, A heros death sits well with posterity.
We need to get more veterans in the House and Senate.
For many years, Vietnam veteran Keith Harman resisted entreaties to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Today he is the national commander of the 1.2 million-member organization, which helps former service members obtain veterans benefits, lobbies the government on veterans issues and offers programs such as emergency financial assistance to military families and scholarships.
After his discharge in November 1969, the former crew chief of a UH-1 Huey helicopter in the Armys 101st Airborne Division worked at truck-maker Fruehaufs factory in Delphos, Ohio. In 1983, Harman finally decided he would give the VFW a try and joined the Delphos post of the organization, based in Kansas City, Missouri.
Three years later, he was elected post commander, a position he held until he became a district commander in 1990-91. Harman was Ohios state commander in 2004-05. He also was the veterans services officer for an Ohio county from 1991 until his retirement in 2011.
In July 2017, Harman was elected national commander of the VFW for 2017-18. In his acceptance speech, he said, Every member of our organization has walked the talk, and every member of our great Auxiliary has lived the fear of having a loved one downrange. I believe in what the VFW stands forto take care veterans, service members and their familiesand I am proud to be a part of it, and honored to help lead it.
About half of the VFWs members are Vietnam veterans, but Harman also addressed veterans of todays military who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq: Sixteen years ago, no one would have thought it possible for America to fight a nonstop, two-front war for so long without restarting the draft, but we havethey haveand they continue to do so magnificently, which is a testament not only to their patriotism but also to their character.
Harman talked with Vietnam magazine Editor Chuck Springston about his days as a draftee manning a machine gun in the door of a Huey and his service with the VFW after the war.
What was it like to learn that you had been drafted? I had gone to Giffin Junior College in Van Wert, Ohio, for two years and then transferred to Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia. I thought I wanted to be a school teacher, but after I had been there a while I came to the realization that whatever I wanted to do, I was going to go home and marry my high school sweetheart. I let the draft board know that I was no longer in school and thought I would immediately get my draft notice.
It never came. I just kept getting questionnaire after questionnaire. I filled them out immediately. At the time there was talk of drafting 19-year-olds first. I turned 21 on the 21st of September [1967]. We got married the 23rd of September. We got back from the honeymoon. I went right to the draft board and said, Im 21, Im married. In late October, early November, I got my letter from the government saying youve been selected.
How did you become a helicopter crewman? I took my basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then they sent me to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for aviation training. I was an aircraft mechanic. From there, I was sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, sometime in 1968, to be part of a new air cavalry unit that was to be formed. It took them a while to determine what our unit was going to be called. Finally, they decided we were Alpha Troop, 2nd [Squadron], 17th [Cavalry Regiment]. I did aircraft maintenance.
After we got to Vietnam, during the assault on Hamburger Hill in May of 69, a friend of mine, Rob Morris from California, who was a crew chief, got shot down. Fortunately, nobody in the aircraft was injured. Two days later he was in a brand-new aircraft, and first mission out the aircraft got shot up pretty badly. Again, fortunately nobody got injured. He said, I dont want to do this anymore. Somebody want to trade places with me? I said, Ill switch.
My maintenance sergeant, Sgt. Osborne, told me, The life expectancy of crew chiefs is not very long. Youre married, and youre going to go out there and get yourself killed. I said, Sarge, my heart is telling me this is something I need to be doing. I was a door gunner and crew chief for the rest of my tour.
What were your responsibilities as a crew chief? Know every nut and bolt and screw that was on that aircraft, to make sure it was flyable every day. The aircraft never left the ground unless I was aboard.
How many others were on the crew? A pilot, co-pilot and door gunner [a second machine gunner in addition to Harman].
Is there any particular flight that sticks out in your mind? Oh, absolutely. The very first one. We had hovered down into a big opening in a bunch of trees to insert an infantry platoon. We came back up to take off and they [the enemy] unloaded on us. You could feel the rounds coming, hitting the aircraft, coming up through the belly of the aircraft. They missed the center hub on the tail rudder by about less than an inch. If theyd have hit that, we would have been down.
How many combat flights did you make during your time in Vietnam? I dont know how many flights, but probably 550 hours flight time.
You were home from the war almost 15 years before you joined the VFW in 1983. Why that long gap? My father was a World War II veteran. He and my mother were charter members of the VFW and the Auxiliary at Post 5803 in Van Wert. I grew up as a young boy in the VFW. Why did it take so many years to join? When I returned home, I went back to work and started a family. Our two children were in all types of school activities, including sports, and I wanted to be a part of them growing up. We had a small travel trailer and would go camping as often as possible. But every time my wifes brother saw me, he had a membership application, and said, Go fill this out. I didnt. And the next time Id see him, he would say, Did you fill it out? Heres another application. And then another one and then another. So I just said, OK, youve worn me out. I filled out the application and got accepted. I started attending meetings, and the more I became involved the more I fell in love with the organization.
Some Vietnam veterans have said they felt that initially VFW posts didnt want them, that some World War II vets saw them as psychologically troubled druggies who didnt win their war. I did not experience any of that, but friends that belonged to VFWs in the surrounding communities did experience it. I probably didnt experience it at my post because my brother in law was well-established there. We used to go together quite frequently. The only incident I had was when I separated [was discharged from the Army] at the airport in Oakland, California. Im standing in line to get my airline ticket, and a lady comes up to me and says, Are you just returning from Vietnam? I said, Yes, and she said, Why? I said, I dont understand. She said, Why are you coming home? My son didnt. There is no answer for that.
Do you think anything could have been done that would have brought a better ending to the war? Keep the politicians out of it. Let the military do what they do. We would go out on what they called sniffer missions. Another company would put in our Huey a machine that picked up body odor. We would attach flexible hoses to it and run them out on the skids. Then we would go to an area where they said there were no friendly troops. We would set the aircraft just above the treetops and follow the contours, while this machine picked up body odors [indicating possible enemy locations, information that would be provided to U.S. commanders].
The first time I went on one of those missions my pilot told me that if we take fire I was not permitted to return fire until he called our CO [commanding officer], who called our flight operations, who called the flight operations of the AO [area of operations] we were flying in, who called the CO over that AO. I thought he was joking and laughed. He said, No, Im serious. I said, Well, the stripes that are on my shirt, you might just as well take them right now because Im telling you if someone shoots at me I dont care where were at. Im going to return fire.
The 1960s and 70s are marked not just by the Vietnam War but also by the music of the times. Is there a song from that period that you particularly remember? We Gotta Get Out of This Place [by The Animals in summer 1965]. Thats absolutely at the top of the list.
Any clothing styles from those years that you would be embarrassed to wear today? Oh golly, the bell-bottoms. I remember my wife and I went to an amusement park with her sister and boyfriend. I had on a pair of red, white and blue bell-bottoms. My hair was a little longer than it is now, and it was a heck of a lot redder. I had a natural red beard as well. We walked into a bar to have lunch, and boy did I get some strange looks. I was 25 at the time, probably.
Is there a military or civilian leader you especially admire? Colin Powell. There used to be a number of politicians who were veterans and extremely supportive of veterans issues. The vast majority of the House and Senate used to be veterans. Very few are today. And we need to get more veterans in the House, in the Senate, somebody that understands whats going on in the military.
A staggering 6.8 % of the total value of Facebook shares was wiped yesterday, cutting its market value by nearly $40 billion.
The unprecedented dive in stock prices follows investors concerns about claims of a collusion with Cambridge Analytica in using 50 million Facebook profiles for political purposes, which they fear could grievously damage the company's advertising business.
This new controversy presents a fresh threat to Facebook's already damaged reputation from claims that Russia used the social media outlet to influence US voters in the election with "fake news", as Trump would put it himself.
Facebook usually sends lawyers to speak on its behalf whenever its called upon to to face a grilling by US Senators, but this matter is so serious that Mark Zuckerberg is now facing calls to explain in person in front of the US Congress how a consultancy firm that worked on US President Donald Trump's election campaign gained improper access to Facebook data of 50 million Facebook users.
It's being reported that Cambridge Analytica harvested the private data of Facebook users to develop techniques to help influence the 2016 US presidential election.
Authorities in the US, the EU and the UK have all said they will investigate the matter. And senior US politicians are calling for Mark Zuckerberg to testify about privacy breach, amongst rumours that there could be new legislation introduced to stamp out such practise.
The heat has been ever further turned up with new revelations by Channel 4 News that certain powers-that-be within Cambridge Analytica even bribed people and also used former spies and Eastern European prostitutes to entrap politicians!
Claims that are obviously all being strenuously denied by the company.
Facebook revealed yesterday that they've now contracted digital forensics firm Stroz Friedberg to conduct a "comprehensive audit" of Cambridge Analytica.
The social media giant claims that the Facebook profiles were leaked by an assistant professor from Cambridge University who lied and violated their policies by passing on the data with the help of a psychology testing app he had built.
Cambridge Analytica has stated that it deleted the data when they discovered that it was not obtained in line with Facebooks terms of service.
The Facebook Chief Executive will now hold an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis with its staff this morning, it's being reported by US media outlets.
Theyve got problems. They may have defences but I think theyre going to be subject to very, very intense scrutiny, says David Vladeck, who is a former director at the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that oversaw the 2011 user privacy settlement with Facebook.
He said what happened was a a clear violation of the agreement made in 2011.
Facebook could face fines of $40,000 per affected user if it violated its agreement with the FTC.
But Facebook says it rejects any suggestion that it violated the consent decree. We respected the privacy settings that people had in place.
Also this morning, the internet is full of stories about Facebook's security chief Alex Stamosis stepping down from his post. It's being claimed that he was unhappy with how the Russian crisis was handled.
According to the New York Times this morning, several Facebook employees are saying that Stamos personally told them that he had planned to leave the company back in December, but was persuaded by management to stay until August.
In a tweet, he stated: "Despite the rumors, I'm still fully engaged with my work at Facebook. It's true that my role did change. I'm currently spending more time exploring emerging security risks and working on election security".
Despite the rumors, I'm still fully engaged with my work at Facebook. It's true that my role did change. I'm currently spending more time exploring emerging security risks and working on election security. Alex Stamos (@alexstamos) March 19, 2018
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He also added: "There are a lot of big problems that the big tech companies need to be better at fixing. We have collectively been too optimistic about what we build and our impact on the world."
He also wrote on Twitter: "I have always felt that the individuals who actually work on these problems should be engaged publicly. Doing so means balancing one's personal beliefs with their responsibility to their co-workers and employers. I don't know how to do that in this media environment."
Dylan, Dylan and Me tells Hayden's story of how he discovered the work of Dylan Thomas through music icons such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon, both of whom found Thomas to be a great influence in their work.
His talk will explore the connections and images between Thomas' poetry and the lyrics of Bob Dylan, following Bob Dylan receiving a Nobel Prize for Literature.
An accomplished writer himself, Hayden has penned several books such as My Boy which discusses the life of Phil Lynott. Other titles include Love and Theft? Bob Dylans Celtic Odyssey and A Map of Love - Around Wales with Dylan Thomas.
Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio is being heavily criticised after he proclaimed this year St Patrick's Day as a "Gerry Adams Day" in New York
He stated: I, Bill de Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim March 17 2018 in the city of New York as Gerry Adams Day.
This has naturally infuriated Unionists. The proclamation was a kick in the teeth for the victims of terrorism and brings shame on the office which he holds," said Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken.
He added: "His eulogy of Adams then rubbed their noses in the dirt and has caused further pain and hurt.
"The truth played little role in his oration and is instead an attempt to rewrite history. The fact that he tried to tie St Patrick`s Day into it is an insult to the law abiding majority on these islands who celebrate the day.
It is hard to believe that the Mayor of New York City, a city which has suffered so grievously at the hands of terrorists could grovel at the feet of a man who continues to be an apologist for the terrorist death squads of the Provisional IRA."
Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin, has said it was both "unfortunate and inappropriate".
Mr Howlin also said it was even more inappropriate that the Mayor should maker such a proclamation in the presence of the Taoiseach, the democratically elected leader of the Irish nation.
Deputy Howlin commented: "Mr Adams was directly involved in an organisation responsible for almost 1,700 deaths during the troubles.
"We are all pleased that that killing was brought to an end and while Mr Adams is entitled to his share of the credit for that it, it does not wipe out his culpability for the IRA's murderous campaign. Nor is the mayor of New York or anybody else entitled to rewrite our history.
If we are to have a serious conversation about a united Ireland with unionism it will be all the stronger if we have ceased glorifying this murderous campaign and those that conducted it."
He added: The Taoiseach has questions to answer too. Did he know that Mr Adams was to be presented this award?
"He certainly should have been informed by the Mayor's office that he was intent on making this announcement. If not it is a breach of protocol. If Mr Varadkar remained knowing what was taking place it is the latest in a series of errors of judgement."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) After its crackdown on erring Boracay establishments, the Environment Department now turns its attention towards international surfing destination Siargao.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it has given 49 of the island's 148 businesses notices of violations (NOVs) for violating either the country's Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, or the Environmental Impact Statement System.
The DENR ordered the erring businesses -- mostly resorts and restaurants-- to "address environmental problems" to ensure responsible ecotourism in the Surigao del Norte island.
The establishments' violations include failing to secure required environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) from DENR, and the absence of sewage treatment facilities.
The Department aims to finish serving violations by the end of March, after which it will conduct associated technical conferences and determine if it will elevate the case to the Pollution Adjudication Board.
"Siargao is still one of the country's best tourist destinations, but if we want to sustain its viability as an international surfing capital we must show that we are all helping to protect and conserve its environment." Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.
Aside from establishments with violations, regional environmental officers noted inconsistent water quality, issuances of business permits without an ECC, absence of sewage treatment facilities, and coastal encroachment in the island.
It also cited improper solid waste management, inadequate drainage systems, and "inadequate utilization" of the island's environmental fee.
Siargao, which is home to many endemic flora and fauna, is protected under Proclamation No. 902, signed by former President Fidel Ramos in 1996. It is home to endemic flora and fauna, including the Mindanao tarictic, Rufous hornbill, Philippine magpie-robin.
Tourism on the island has boomed in the recent years as it gained fame as a premier surfing destination.
To help address environmental issues on the island, DENR-CARAGA officials have asked for the fast-tracking of the approval of a 10-year solid waste management plan by local government units, support for the construction of sanitary landfills, and coordination on sewage collection and disposal, among others.
"This should be the template by which other regions should conduct their inspection and monitoring activities. We want to be fast, but follow the law at the same time," Cimatu said.
The crackdown on Siargao's establishments comes amid the heightened government scrutiny on popular tourist destinations, especially Boracay.
Last month, the government served 81 Boracay establishments notices of violations after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Cimatu to clean up the world-famous island.
READ: DENR issues notices of violation to 81 erring Boracay establishments
O'Callaghan is one of the most loved radio presenters in Ireland and her working life reflects this in a near-constant stream of opportunities, programs and personal tasks.
This year, she has announced that in order to accommodate her professional life she will not be hosting her summer chat show this year.
"I have too much to do and too little time", she reveals in an interview with RTE Guide. "I will be busy with the referendum up to June and then we have the visit of Pope Francis in August and then this documentary" - a documentary to mark the 50th anniversary of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The Tivoli has spoiled us with some great metal gigs in the months past, and tonights show is no different. Featuring three support acts that are at the forefront of their respective genres, its to no surprise that the venue is sold out with elated fans. In support of their latest album Machine Messiah, Sepultura once again play on Irish soil to a frenzied and unified audience. Unusually for a tour such as this, each supporting act are as impressively diverse as the next, each meriting their own headline slot.
Opening the nights proceedings are deathcore outfit Fit for an Autopsy. Performing their first Irish show, the band kick off the evening with a pulverising blow. Commanding every bit of the stage, using it as a podium to preach their brand of musical brutality. FFAA are the heaviest band on the card, with their latest album being hailed as one of the most inspiring heavy albums of the decade. Finishing with the politically charged Black Mammoth, the New Jersey band are a hard act to follow. In step Goatwhore, with a somewhat incapacitated Louis Benjamin Falgoust, having to perch himself on an equipment case due to a leg injury. This however, does not stop him completely taking charge of both the stage and the audience. Leading the crowd into a charge with Chaos Arcane, aided by Zach Simmons powerhouse drumming. German death metal outfit Obscura are well loved for their unfathomable ability and technical talent on their instruments. Playing their guitars at incredible speeds while looking effortless is something in itself worth witnessing. Enjoying every second on stage, Obscura had a surprising amount of smiles on their faces - somewhat of a rarity for a death metal act!
The sense of anticipation for our headliners to take the stage is almost tangible. Bursting onto the stage with new song I am the Enemy, vocalist Derrek Green towers over the audience - who lose their collective minds at the sight of the four Brazilians. Playing live for 30+ years, Sepultura still possess the relentless energy and passion that brought them to their legendary status. Demanding that same energy from the audience, the crowd in the Tivoli respond with frenzied appreciation. While performing chugging anthem Resistant Parasites, a crowd-surfer emerges from the audience brandishing his smartphone - on fire. Its quite a sight, much to the delight of some onlookers. Axe man Andreas Kisser announces that this year marks the 20 year anniversary of Derrick Green in Sepultura, followed by a brutal rendition of Against.
It looks like no news is bad news anymore as a majority of companies remain pessimistic about their performance when announcing expected results. Alcoa Inc (NYSE: AA ), a Pittsburgh-based aluminum producer, might be a good example of how worsened expectations actually help out the company.
Alcoa announced their first quarter financial results on Tuesday, shortly after the US markets closed. On Wednesday, the company's stock had plummeted only some 1.5% amid the day. Considering the announced $497 million loss for the quarter, the stock's reaction was really conservative. That was the effect of the company's realistic point of view and reasonable anticipations.
Their performance has been negatively impacted by a decline in aluminum prices and a decline in demand. The company's revenues for the quarter dropped an astonishing 44% and were only $4.15 billion compared to $7.38 billion for the same period a year ago. However, considering the loss incurred, it seems Alcoa's efforts at cost reduction were somewhat successful after all.
As many others in the market, the company reduced its work force, sold several business units and cut production rates. All of this action took place at the beginning of the year, shortly before Alcoa announced it first quarter of losses. The amount lost for the Q4, 2008 was nearly $1.2 billion, more than double the current quarter loss.
In the earnings call which took place on Tuesday, Alcoa's CEO Klaus Kleinfeld expressed belief that the economic stimulus programs could show results in the near term, increasing demand for aluminum. He also pointed to China for potential continued growth in demand over an even longer period. That would favor Alcoa; however, industry analysts remain rather negative about the subject, stating that the market decline might last longer than Alcoa anticipates.
References:
Alcoa Q1 2009 earnings call transcript
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Zamboanga del Sur (CNN Philippines, March 20) A fire which razed a public market in the Municipality of Bayog on Monday morning left a million pesos worth of damages.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Abraham Capayas said the fire in the Bayog Public Market began at around 12 midnight, starting from the vegetable section before hitting the dried fish section and other food stalls.
Fire volunteers put the fire out at 4:30 a.m. No casualties were recorded in the incident.
Bayog Mayor Jun Babasa said they plan to build temporary structures so vendors can continue their livelihood. The town council will also meet to decide on a budget allocation for the rebuilding of the public market.
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Songwriter, Music Publisher Relationship Examined
In this piece we explore the details of a publishing agreement between a songwriter and and a music publisher, as well as looking at some of the clauses which are typically included in such agreements.
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Guest post by Justin M. Jacobson of Soundfly's Flypaper
We will now examine the music publisher and its exclusive publishing agreement with a songwriter. In addition to the standard exclusive publishing agreement explored below, there are other types of related agreements a songwriter could potentially sign with a music publisher, including a co-publishing, sub-publishing, or administration arrangement; however, these will not be explored in this article.
Music publishers, which include Sony/ATV Publishing, Universal Music Publishing, and Warner Music Publishing, are companies that manage a songwriters rights in a track. This may be typically referred to as an administration right in the composition. This provides the publisher with the right to license the music to others, as well as to collect payments from any third party for their uses of the songwriters work.
The publishing company also handles the paperwork associated with the composition, including registering the copyrights in the songs, indexing the track with the appropriate performing rights organization (PRO), as well as accounting and distributing the collected funds. A publisher may also shop a songwriters tracks in order to obtain licensable placements for its signed talent. An individual responsible for this task is sometimes referred to as a song plugger.
In most instances, the songwriter and publishing company equally split all of the proverbial publishing monies. In reality, this means that fifty (50%) percent of the total amount earned is allotted for the writers share of the composition, and the remaining fifty (50%) percent is allocated for the publisher share of the composition. Since a single track can have several co-writers, this means that several publishing companies and other individuals may also be entitled to a part of the writer or publisher share of the track. For instance, if a song has two co-writers, the writers share of the composition could be split equally with each writer receiving fifty (50%) percent of the entire tracks writer share.
The streams of income generally subject to an exclusive publishing agreement include mechanical royalties, public performance royalties, synchronization fees, and print incomes. Mechanical royalties are paid for the use of a musical composition on CDs, vinyl, cassettes, and as MP3 downloads. In the United States, the Harry Fox Agency is generally responsible for collecting and distributing mechanical royalties. Print income is also subject to these agreements and applies to any funds earned from the sale of the printed musical work, such as in lyric and musical score folios, individual sheet music, and when the same is displayed or sold as sheet music on the Internet.
Public performance royalties are also subject to a publishing agreement. This income is due when a musical composition is publicly performed, including when it is played on the radio, at a nightclub, a concert hall, or a stadium. These funds are collected by performing rights organizations. In the United States, the PROs are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. A songwriter must become a member of a PRO in order to receive their public performance royalties. Additionally, each country has their own PRO, so a foreign citizen should become a member of the organization in their country of citizenship.
+ Learn more on Soundfly: Heres a video that we made with DIY music biz guru Ari Herstand further explaining songwriter royalties. Its taken from our free course, How to Get All the Royalties You Never Knew Existed. Sign up for free access to the full course content.
Finally, synchronization income, referred to as sync monies, are subject to the same publishing deal. This income is paid when a composition is displayed with a visual image, such as in a motion picture, in a television program, in a music video, or in a video game. There is income here that may also be collected by the owners respective PRO.
As is standard with most exclusive recording agreements, the deal is usually cross-collateralized with any other agreements between the same parties. Again, this means that any advance and any other funds expended on behalf of the writer, whether under a recording contract or a publishing contract, are recouped against any royalties earned from either agreement. If possible, it is prudent to limit or prevent the cross-collateralization of the agreements; however, most companies will not permit this.
In addition, some publishing companies attempt to cross-collateralize the royalties earned by one co-writer in a composition with that of any other co-writers of the same track. This permits the publisher to credit any royalties earned by any co-writer of a composition toward the outstanding royalty balance of any other co-writers of a song, even if they are not attributable to this particular co-written song. It is prudent to ensure that each writers royalty account is not cross-collateralized with any other co-writers of a track by ensuring that only tracks written by one writer are credited toward that writers outstanding balance without permitting the cross-collateralization of accounts with any other co-writers.
Another point to be aware of is that an artist should try to ensure that if they are signed to both a recording and publishing agreement with the company, and if the company wants to extend one of the deals, the other deal is also not automatically extended. This prevents the artist from being dropped from the label while still being signed to the publishing company.
One final matter that should be addressed in this arrangement is the songwriters creative control and approval for the uses of its compositions. In particular, a writer should try to include a limitation on the types of works that their composition can be licensed to or included in. For instance, a kid-friendly pop star may not want their composition featured in a commercial that contains drug, alcohol, or tobacco use, features sexual content, or violence. In addition, an artist should have a right to approve any changes to their finished music. This includes ensuring that any song or lyric alterations conform to the artists mood or style of music. For example, a publisher should not be able to take a dance track created by a dance artist and edit it so that it is now a heavy metal record.
We will now examine a few standard clauses included in an exclusive songwriter publishing agreement:
SERVICES During the Term, Writer shall furnish to Publisher, Writers exclusive services as a songwriter and composer and shall deliver to Publisher, for exclusive exploitation hereunder, all of Writers interest in and to all of the Compositions.
(a) New Compositions Musical works that are written, composed, created, owned and/or acquired, during the Term, by Writer, alone or in collaboration with another or others (hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as New Compositions)
(b) Old Compositions Musical works that are written, composed, created, conceived, owned, controlled and/or acquired, in whole or in part, prior to the Term, by Writer, alone or in collaboration with another or others (hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as Old Compositions). The New Compositions and the Old Compositions are individually and collectively referred to as the Compositions.
As described above, the publishing agreement usually signs the writer to an exclusive agreement for their publishing rights in all of their Compositions. This means that the agreement applies to any existing compositions that the writer has created and owns, as well as any new material they create or acquire during the term of this agreement. It may be advisable to attempt to exclude certain existing tracks from the agreement in an effort to prevent the publisher from receiving income from those compositions. This is especially true, if those tracks are already under a prior exclusive publishing deal. This is not the easiest goal to achieve, as most of the time, the artist is only receiving the publishing deal due to an interest in all of their existing material, as well as any new material they create going forward.
GRANT OF RIGHTS (a) Writer hereby irrevocably assigns and grants to Publisher and its successors, all rights and interests of every kind and nature in and to the results of Writers songwriting and composing services, including, the Compositions, the copyrights therein and any and all renewals and/or extensions thereof throughout the Territory, all for the full term of copyright protection and all extensions and renewals thereof throughout the Territory.
(b) Administration Publisher shall have the sole and exclusive right to administer one hundred percent (100%) of Publishers and Writers respective interests in and to the Compositions, whether now in existence or hereafter created, including the following:
(i) To perform the Compositions publicly, by means of public or private performance, radio broadcasting, television, or any and all other means, whether now known or which may hereafter come into existence.
(ii) To substitute a new title or titles for the Compositions, and to make any adaptation or translation of the Compositions, in whole or in part, and to add new music or lyrics to the music of any Composition.
(iii) To make and to license others to make, master records, tapes, compact discs, and any other mechanical or other reproductions of the Compositions, including the right to synchronize the same with sound motion pictures, radio broadcast, television, tapes, compact discs and any and all other means or devices, whether now known or which may hereafter come into existence.
(iv) To print, publish and sell, and to license others to print, publish and sell, sheet music, orchestrations, arrangements, including, without limitation, the inclusion of any or all of the Compositions in song folios, song books or lyric magazines.
(v) To collect all monies earned during the Term with respect to the Compositions.
The above language explores the various rights granted to the publisher by the songwriter in the agreement. The clause affords the publisher the exclusive right to administer one hundred (100%) percent of the songs publishing. Under this provision, the publisher has the right to license the work for inclusions on CDs, as MP3 downloads, and as sheet music. They also have the right to collect all the monies earned on the contracted for compositions.
Additionally, the publisher has the right to license the work on the radio, on television, in motion pictures, and by . . . all other means or devices, whether now known or which may hereafter come into existence. This language permits the publisher to apply its current publishing deal to any new technology or means of distributing music that may come into existence at a later date. Furthermore, the publisher is granted the right to translate into another language, as well as add new lyrics to any composition created by the songwriter.
ROYALTIES Provided that Publisher has recouped any and all monies payable to Writer under this Agreement, Publisher shall pay to Writer the following royalties with respect to the exploitation of the Compositions:
(a) Mechanical Income fifty percent (50%) of Publishers Net Receipts derived from the license of the Compositions.
(b) Synchronization Income fifty percent (50%) of Publishers Net Receipts derived from the license of the Compositions for use in commercials and synchronized in audiovisual works.
(c) Print Income fifty percent (50%) of Publishers Net Receipts derived from the licensing of the right to print, publish or sell printed editions or other printed reproductions of the Compositions.
As the paragraph heading states, the above language describes the royalty rate that the writer earns. It is important to note that similar to most agreements in the music industry, the music publisher must first recoup any and all monies already paid to the writer, such as advances or other costs or expenses incurred on behalf of the songwriter, prior to the songwriter earning any of the above listed royalties. This means that until the writers account is balanced, they will receive no additional funds from the publisher. However, once the songwriter recoups the outstanding balance, they will begin to earn royalties based on the above listed percentages. For instance, under the above language, the writer is entitled to fifty percent (50%) of the mechanical income (CDs, downloads), fifty percent (50%) of the sync income (song used in motion picture or television show), and fifty percent (50%) of the print income (printed or digital sheet music).
The listed percentages are fairly standard and are applicable to most exclusive publishing deals. Nevertheless, it is prudent to at least attempt to negotiate for higher percentages or better provisions; ultimately, the publisher may not agree to any increase.
Writer warrants he is a writer member and publishing member in good standing of ASCAP, BMI or SESAC. In the event that Writer is in breach of Writers warranty of being a member in good standing of ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, Writer hereby warrants he will become a member in good standing of ASCAP, BMI or SESAC.
In addition to the above listed clauses, most standard publishing deals require the songwriter to be a member in good standing with their respective countrys PRO. This is typically due to the publisher requiring the PROs assistance in collecting the public performance royalties due for the licensing of compositions. If a writer is not in good standing or is not a member of a PRO at all, it could potentially cause issues in the publisher receiving payments, which they want to avoid. The above language helps obviate the issue by requiring that the songwriter warrant they are in good standing with their PRO and will stay as such.
OPTION TO PURCHASE In the event that Writer desires to grant, sell, license or otherwise transfer any right, title or interest in or to any of the Compositions, for a period of thirty (30) days, Writer hereby agrees to negotiate in good faith exclusively with Publisher, and to exert best efforts to reach an agreement with Publisher for Publishers acquisition of such rights in and to the Compositions. In the event that Publisher and Writer fail to finalize the terms of such agreement by the end of the thirty (30) day period, then Writer shall thereafter be free to negotiate with any third party for the sale, license or other transfer of such rights, but only on terms and conditions that are no less favorable to Writer than those last offered by Publisher. Furthermore, if Writer receives an offer from a third-party at any time (the Third Party Offer) to purchase all or any portion of Writers interest in the Compositions, or any one of them, and Writer desires to sell such interest, Writer agrees to first offer in writing to sell such interest to Publisher (the First Offer). The First Offer must specify all of the terms and conditions of the Third Party Offer. In the event Publisher does not agree to match the First Offer within fifteen (15) days after Publishers receipt thereof, then Writer will have the right to accept the Third Party Offer. However, any sale to such third party must be consummated upon terms no less favorable to Publisher as those contained in the First Offer. If such sale is not so consummated, Writer will not sell all or any portion of Writers interest in the Composition(s) or any one of them without again offering such interest to Publisher as provided hereinabove.
One way a publishing company ensures that they can potentially retain rights to lucrative materials after the expiration of the agreement is through a right of first refusal, or a matching right. As described above, a right of first refusal provides the publishing company with the option to purchase a composition and/or all of the compositions, if the writer is attempting to sell the rights to the material.
This language provides the publisher with a proscribed time period (30 days) where the writer must present any third-party offer they receive for the material to the original publisher. The publisher then has a specified time period (15 days) to either match the third-party offer or to pass. If the publisher matches the offer, then a deal will be finalized on those terms; however, if the publisher fails to match the third-party offer, the writer is free to enter into a new arrangement with the third party on the same terms as those presented to the original publisher.
The above specific language requires that the deal must be consummated no later than a specified period of time (15 days). If the deal with the third party is not finalized by the end of this time period, the original publisher has an additional opportunity to purchase the composition(s) for the same terms as those offered by the third party to the writer.
Since publishing money is one of the most lucrative and consistent streams of income in the music business, and music publishers are the top facilitators of licensing in this space, it is prudent to fully understand how they function and the best way to approach them. Overall, most standard deals are negotiable and should be viewed as so.
This article is not intended as legal advice, as an attorney specializing in the field should be consulted. Some of the clauses have been condensed and/or edited for content purposes, so none of these clauses should be used verbatim, nor do they act as any form of legal advice or counseling.
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Citizens are as important to a successful smart city programme as technology and must be convinced of the benefits and security such initiatives offer, Barcelona City Halls chief technology and digital innovation officer explained.
Francesca Bria (pictured) told Mobile World Live data is the core of Barcelonas smart city push. Encouraging citizens to share their information is equally as important as deploying technology to deliver smart initiatives covering healthcare, education and transportation, among others.
Describing the technological revolution as the political challenge of the century, Bria said it is not just about building gadgets and new technology. Instead, smart city initiatives must deliver a more sustainable economic system which is accessible to all people living in the city.
So far around 40,000 citizens of Barcelona are contributing data to the smart city programme. Bria noted 90 per cent of the data that cities produce today didnt exist three years ago, which presents challenges in terms of handling the influx of information, not least of which is addressing concerns about privacy, surveillance, the right to access data.
While data is key to improving public services, Bria noted Barcelona City Halls smart city programme also improves the democratic process itself by enabling people to see how the city council functions, from decision making to spending.
Bria also pointed out cities cannot go it alone in terms of smart city rollouts. She said Barcelona is partnering with cities including New York, Amsterdam, Berlin, Moscow and Dubai to create this digital marketplace of solutions that really respond to citizens challenges. The technology available today is part of the solution to such a response, along with leveraging the real talent housed in Barcelona, including academia, start-up companies, and citizens.
Click here to view the full interview.
Source: https://www.mobileworldlive.com/featured-content/home-banner/smart-cities-cannot-rely-on-technology-alone/
In his speech at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, London Mayor Sadiq Khan cautioned the world about the perils of the ongoing tech revolution: Social media has helped proliferate fake news, popularized online hate speech, and created ideological silos. Tech companies seeking to disrupt the status quo have had negative, unintended consequences, he said.
Theres been a dereliction of duty on the part of politicians and policymakers to ensure that the rapid growth in technology is utilized and steered in a direction that benefits us all, he said.
He outlined his vision for a smarter, better-connected London. The city has had the Smart London plan in place since 2013, but what Khan laid out was Smart London 2.0. In this vision, the city will encourage and guide innovation and make public services more efficient, he said, but it will also guard the interests of the most vulnerable, and ensure that the benefits extend to all residents.
Four months ago, he hired the citys first chief digital officer, Theo Blackwell charged with implementing its new vision. At SXSW, CityLab caught up with Blackwell for a conversation, the highlights of which are below. Mayor Khan read out some of the many hateful tweets he receives, as a way of making a statement about the dire need for digital protection. He also mentioned penalties Germany has imposed to get social media companies to remove hate speech from their forums. What role do cities play in the fight against internet hate? The metropolitan police [in London] have invested quite a lot of resources into hate crime, but what Sadiq did ... was that he showed digital leadership by saying to social media platforms that they haven't been responsible enough. This is something Sadiq is reflecting from the parliament itself, which has looked into the issue and is clear how much it can do. We know that there are protocols with social media platforms where they take down, for example, images of breastfeeding and stuff like that or copyright infringement. So the question is: How have we drifted into a territory where it's alright to basically threaten and intimidate people constantly and to break civil discourse without due consideration by these companies? That's the question Sadiq was really asking. Nations can decide laws around freedom of speech and around privacy. Cities have a special role to serve citizens in the diverse populations that we have. And so we do have a role, as those who provide services, and [Londons leaders] are under obligation to ensure good community relations. If we're seeing something acting against that, also based out of our city, we have the moral duty to say, Hang on just a second, you've got to check yourself on this.
Are there specific plans you are excited about implementing? In addition to the kind of traditional innovation around smart citiesthings like smart mobility, sensors for air quality, which are being progressed in any casethere's a need to link together innovation that happens to respond to things all across the city: better data sharing, better adoption of common standards across citywide services, and emphasis on service design. When we create something from Londoners' data, it's made by London. But we want to make sure that that concept is morally owned by Londoners. Were looking to design services around the needs of every citizen by bringing technologists in the room, using systems thinking, and agile approaches. Through that, we hope to make services that are much more respectful of the diversity of the cityin line with the themes that the mayors set out. His big campaign, Behind Every Great City, emphasizes the centenary of the first votes for women. Within the technology sphere, it means us working within our own public services and the tech community to ensure that the services that we design are not designed with one sort of consumer in mind, but designed around the diverse needs of our citizens. We think that's a very important opportunity to use design principles to make our services available and responsive to everyone. That's no easy stepit involves investment in human beings, not just systems. We're taking the concept of smart city away from the idea of these faceless systems designed by engineers to make dumb traffic lights smarter. We're expanding it, and putting it into the debate about how we build the human capability for the use of data for civic benefits.
One big discussion that's happeningcertainly among American citiesis about privacy of vulnerable populations in the data revolution. How are you thinking about that? There's a really interesting debate going on in U.S. cities, which have a different approach to data and they have different national data laws. In Europe and the U.K., we're about to introduce new data laws, that are going to come in on the 25th of May. They include things like the right to be forgotten, getting consent for data maintenance from companies, new rules for sharing with third parties, and new rules for privacy by design and new technologies. There's really interesting safeguards that we're building into the systems. So, it's right that we talk about privacy. But what I'm concerned about to some extent is that criticisms of smart cities that happen in one jurisdiction don't leach into another that has a different set of laws [alluding to the differences between the U.K. and the U.S.]. And there's an element of hypersensitivity to privacy [by smart city critics], which I think needs to be addressed by city leaders. Cities are, after all, big bundles and agglomerations of data which could be used for civic benefit. If we only adopt the approach which has the precautionary principles because we are afraid of corporate takeover or those arguments, we miss an opportunity for the full use of data to benefit the most vulnerable in our society.
As Sadiq said in his speech: If you're a political leader and you sit on your hands during the digital and data revolution, you're letting your citizens down. We need to have a full and active role for governmentoversight, accountability, transparency and the delivery of services. It's not just the private sector creating products for consumers, it's us serving our citizens. So we have the role to explain the benefits of what people can do with their data. It's almost like: When we create something from Londoners' data, it's made by London. But we want to make sure that that concept is morally owned by Londoners. It's their data; and they can see the benefits of it when we make sure the health care system is better or the transport system is better. One aspect of Mayor Khans vision is an investment in digital skills and workforce development. Could you talk about that? We can't talk about how a city can be smart unless we first talk about investment in skills for those people who are left behind. That program, in particular, is aimed at minority groups and women. We start off with a substantial investment in digital talent. And that's just the start. We also want to work with schools on their new computing curriculum, so that kids get immersed in an exciting curriculum from an early age. One of the main challenges, of course, is that girls in particular because of the way they were taught were turned off from computer science from the age of 10 or 11. We need to make sure that we teach the curriculum, we invest in pedagogy, we work with the tech sector to really make the way we teach subjects as inclusive as possible.
There's also a demand from our other city leaders. They see these big companies and start-ups happening, and they think, well, how can our kids get access to those jobs? So our deal with them is to start with investment in skills. And on that basis, we win trust and consent to talk about issues that we think are important as well: common standards, designthings that are really important business-to-business characteristics of a smart city. But we've got to start with something which is really important to Londoners first, which is access to jobs. Mayor Khan talked about the role of London in the post-Brexit world as a city open to talent and innovation. How do you see your work contributing to that vision? Look, it's well known that during Brexit, London and Scotland voted in an outward fashion and the other areas of the country voted in an inward fashion. Other cities also voted in an outward way, and some lost only narrowly. Nevertheless, London is a source of a major amount of economic growth for the countryit needs to be open. Because smart cities for public services rely on international talentthe health service, universities, which have a large number of non-U.K. European nationals and internationals. To maintain our status as a world hub, the traditional view would be that you can go offshore and you can have lower taxes, but with the tech community, that doesn't quite land. Because if you want to make good products, you go, great, I want to create a world class team. If you can't create a world class team, people will start voting with their feet. The number one issue is access to talent. The tech community has told us [this] and it's something that we've told the government. We know they're listening, there's obviously a moment of negotiation to happen still. But London's future relies on that.
I would also say to the tech companies, and this is really really important: Their investment in London is a vote for maintaining openness. They also have a role to play in our journey to make sure that London remains open. Being here, being with London, is also them exercising their own agency to basically say, Yeah, We're pointing outwards to the world. In the future, we're going to have increasing tie-ups with what I call the great technology cities of the world: San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New York, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Berlin. These cities, especially in Europe and North America, will increasingly work together. The disputes between nations that happen at conferences with prime ministers will not play out with those [city leaders] charged with the actual delivery of public services and growth. We have a different agenda, and it's much more collaborative.
Mayor Khan emphasized the role of local regulations in the gig economy. How do you see that aspect of a citys relationship with tech companies? We're the creator of new rules. When we talk about the creation of common standards, we don't think about it in abstract terms: We're just basically saying, the great innovations of the world happen both because they're disruptive, but they've also happened because someone sat down and went, We need to have some basis for innovation. Sometimes I think in the tech community, we get too carried away almost with the neoliberal idea of regulation must be disrupted, the state is standing in my way. No doubt, some old rules need to be changed. The alternative view is that active government and the active role of the state to create those discussions around common standards will be the fuel for future innovation and growth. So, instead of letting a thousand flowers bloom and waiting for one to grow into a massive tree and block out all the shade for everythingto use a terrible analogyyou've actually got a situation where you create a competitive market, with products that can compete for the customer or citizen's attention to serve them better. So its not disruption to create dominance, but disruption to create competition, choice, and public service. Cities have a really important role to play in those things by developing standards. People are talking about autonomous vehicles; those won't happen without smart streets. And smart streets won't happen without having sensors that can securely share information in a way that is useful. And those things will come from people thinking about rules. We have a really important role to create the framework for the digital revolution to truly be a public benefit. Increasingly, the role of the chief digital officer in cities is to talk about that agenda.
Source: https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/03/can-london-become-a-people-centric-smart-city/555704/
Against a backdrop of revolution and protests on Barcelonas streets over the last 18 months, Francesca Bria has been conducting her own battle to tear up the strategy of her predecessors and put citizens at the head of the Catalan capitals new smart city strategy. It is a fight not only about rights to privacy but also to protect the jobs of her fellow citizens in the new digital economy.
Francesca Bria , Chief Technology and Digital Innovation Officer, Barcelona is leading a backlash against technology vendors and big tech as she seeks to give citizens a right to control their data. Richard Forster reports from Barcelona on why one of the worlds so-called smartest cities is moving in a very different direction
Before she became the citys Chief Technology Officer, Bria had been a long-term advocate of what she calls e-democracy. Having completed a PhD in Innovation Economics at Imperial College London, she worked for the UKs innovation foundation Nesta and led the EUs D-CENT project, to show how data needs to be protected for citizens and used for their benefit.
She had laid out the benefits of such a strategy in a special briefing for the city government of Madrid only for it to fall on to the desk of the new mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, who promptly hired the Italian to develop a new digital strategy for her city. Not for the first time, the Catalans foreign stars had outplayed their closest rivals.
The problem of the smart city has been that when you start with technology without a strong idea of why you are deploying the technology and for what kind of needs, then you only end up solving technology problems. Bria
The new mayor was looking to appoint a figure with a different strategic mind on smart cities and someone to rethink what that means in Barcelona, says Bria. My brief was to look at how technology can serve people.
She peppers her passionate discourse with references to the democratisation of data, digital empowerment and technology for the people but is backing her beliefs with critical changes to how the citys procurement and data management services operate.
The first pillar of the new strategy is digital transformation: how a city government should work with technology or whether it even should. Bria is spearheading a fundamental change in the relationship between the public sector, private sector and citizens to move away from a technology-led agenda.
The problem of the smart city has been that when you start with technology without a strong idea of why you are deploying the technology and for what kind of needs, then you only end up solving technology problems, says Bria. Every vendor has a vertical business model so in Barcelona we ended up with problems such as sensors in the pavement that didnt talk to the lighting or connect with other sensors so there was inoperability, yes, but we also had business model lock-in. You end up outsourcing critical urban services to big providers without being able to shift from one provider to another and without being able to be in control of the data, and even knowing who owns what.
Bria says such lock-in not only threatens the solvency of citiesbecause you are tied in to maintenance contracts for systems which cannot be scaledbut it also stifles innovation particularly in terms of the local economy. Digital innovation and support for Barcelonas 13,000 tech companies is the second pillar of Brias strategy.
We are creating an open digital marketplace to make procurement more transparent so small companies should be able to come on board and compete in a fair way with the big players, explains Bria.
This has also meant reworking procurement agreements to reflect that data is a public right for the common good. Bria envisages a situation where a partner company will transfer good quality data to the city so that the municipal government can reuse that in its open data platform, with privacy assured, so citizens and local companies can create value out of it. She cites the example of Transport for London which has done an amazing job providing a single API for transport which allows for the optimisation of data for business and citizens.
This is a battle not only to open up city procurement beyond a few established IT players but also to take on the unicorn companies dominating the sharing economy. If cities do not take on such companies, then not only is data under threat but also the future of local jobs.
This is the next generation platform which is fairer than Ubers model for example, says Bria. Data for me is a public infrastructure and a common good and on top of it you can create your new Uber that can innovate according to local rules, create better living standards locally and that can involve companies locally. [But] if you start having market power where it is winner takes all then there is nothing left for us, for the local economy.
Cutting out the middleman
In Brias opinion cities have a duty to experiment with new models that respect the fact that the resources they have come from taxpaying citizens. Barcelona is working alongside Amsterdam to drive home the importance of e-democracy through the DECODE initiative, a grouping of 14 European city, business and academic partners.
DECODEs collaborators are seeking to take on big tech and allow citizens to enjoy services such as peer-to-peer ridesharing or homesharing without the middleman owning or exploiting their data. Arcade City based on local community networks has emerged in the US to challenge ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft (see box).
The aim with DECODE is to develop open hardware, software and business models to take on the quasi-monopolies being promoted through centralised web services. Blockchain is being used to allow users of services the opportunity to control who accesses their data rather than just handing it over to online providers. Pilot projects open to all residents of Amsterdam and Barcelona will take place this year.
We are developing a distributed blockchain-based architecture on top of which we put a cryptographic layer to guarantee privacy and we are experimenting with the entitlements for citizens so they are the ones who can decide what data they want to share, with whom, on what basis, and for what purpose, explains Bria.
To be fair to Uber it has started to share some of its datasets on traffic mobility for cities such as Boston, Manila, Sydney and Washington DC as Andrew Salzberg revealed in Cities Today (March 2017). But Bria believes protecting personal data through blockchain will actually give European cities (and their businesses) a competitive advantage over the US particularly with the entering into force of the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May.
We cannot just be mimicking the US model, says Bria. In a world of IoT and artificial intelligence where security is a big issue if we can make this [data] GDPR-compliant with a legal guarantee, as a European standard, it give us an advantage.
Governance of the connected city
Even if data is democratised and a robust strategy is in place, cities are still unable to make the best use of data without the right systems of governance. Bria agrees that organisational structures will be key to the success of her new model.
When I got here the city hall had bought seven different dashboards with complex analytics on top but they were not integrated and the data did not talk to each other. This I because it was an organisational problem and you are never going to resolve it with technology.
In January, she appointed the citys first chief data officer, Marius Boada, and is centralising data collation for the government.
We are shifting the statistical office of Barcelona into a modern data analytics office and trying to incorporate new data scientists and adding 70 new people so it is a great opportunity to get new blood.
Am important part of bringing data systems together has been the development of Sentilowhich means sensor in Esperantothe name reflecting the open, global aspirations for this platform that can be used by any citys IoT architecture to analyse the data from different sensors employed in different capacities across a city. The platform was launched at the beginning of 2014 to help Barcelona and subsequently, through its open source license, other cities to break out of reliance on siloed technologies for data collation. Cities can integrate data from the sensors of any manufacturer without purchasing the proprietary platform of a particular manufacturer.
Sentilo is open stack, open source and open standards which makes it fantastic for cities because they can reuse it and adapt it for their own needs and it saves a lot of resources and makes for more efficient collaboration, observes Bria.
Barcelona has also developed City IOS, a standardised ontology for data that integrates with Sentilo.
With City IOS you can have single APIs for services to start building AI and machine learning and the analysis of the data and this is also what we are doing with Turin. Barcelona is leading the way in the description of ontologies because we were very early in thinking about urban services which have technology built into them.
Social impact
As well as transforming the city-business relationship to drive local economic growth and allow citizens to control their own data, the background of Barcelonas mayor as an activist for affordable housing has driven a third pillar of the Barcelona strategy: digital empowerment of residents.
Participatory budgeting is in the DNA of our city and we look at how to integrate citizens into our decisions, says Bria. We are running 16 participatory processes in parallel from culture through mobility to urbanism and have four public FabLabs where we are prototyping new educational programmes for the digital age. If you dont give people capabilities then it is very hard for the technology revolution to go beyond technology agencies.
Societal needs are the cornerstone of Brias strategy for Barcelona which has announced a partnership with Paris-based DataCity that seeks to first define the challenges of a city then to seek data-driven solutions from a global network of start-ups. DataCity has been launched by French accelerator Numa, that has offices in Barcelona and seven other tech hubs globally, and which is seeking to drive forward sustainable urban development with solution-led initiatives rather than vendor-led approaches. Barcelona will begin its programme with DataCity in April.
When we started to talk to Numa about their programme we found a very strong synergy, comments Bria. We already have the Urban Innovation Lab where cities define challenges and then companies can come together to help the city to solve those challenges and now we have moved it to a city challenge which we launched with New York on mobility on city to city rather than data but it was part of the same roadmap. So when Numa explained what they were doing, their mindset was exactly what we are working towards.
Barcelona will follow the Paris model, through which the French capital defined specific challenges in the areas of mobility, energy efficiency and waste (among others) and opened up relevant datasets for start-ups to utilise. Numa worked with corporate partners such as Engie, Suez and La Poste to fund pilots for the winning start-ups, which were chosen for each defined challenge.
As with the formation of Barcelonas digital strategy, the key element for Bria with DataCity is that the local ecosystem is involved including big corporates.
We need to get the start-up talent to work in partnership with the city, says Bria. In the crisis of democracy which we are living through now, we need to innovate in the public sector, and to get the private sector to understand that they should be partners in this.
Source: https://cities-today.com/power-to-the-people/
Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.
Numerous residents on Monday had a chance to air their complaints to representatives of Spectrum. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said local lawmakers are demanding an investigation into Spectrum's practices. A resident holds up a piece of cardboard to show how black lines are shrinking his picture on several channels. PreviousNext
Pittsfield Residents Air Grievances With Spectrum Changes
George Doin, field operations manager for Spectrum, and Anna Lucey, director of government affairs, tried to answer some of questions raised during the two hours. PITTSFIELD, Mass. A very large crowd of angry Spectrum customers vented their frustrations for more than two hours Monday at two representatives of the cable company.
Complaints ranged from convoluted bills, poor customer service, nonfunctioning cable boxes that were difficult to hookup to shifting channels and confusing packages all topped off by hiked prices and extra fees.
"There are a lot of angry, angry people here in the Berkshires," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. "My husband actually threw the box out the window."
Nearly 200 people crowded into the auditorium in the Berkshire Athenaeum to express their displeasure with change in enacted by Charter Spectrum in its takeover of Time Warner Cable in the area.
The public hearing was called and facilitated by Mayor Linda Tyer, who invoked a clause in the city's contract with Spectrum requiring it to attend.
"Unfortunately the city has very little control ... what we can do is hold them accountable to the contract that they have with tbe city of Pittsfield," she said. "Our contract doesn't prevent them from changing the channel lineup or going digital ... but the people and the customers have a lot of influence over what the company is going to do."
The contract also states the city can call for a report from the company. Spectrum has 60 days to respond and Tyer expects the presentation to the City Council to occur before the end of April.
The report is expected to include the status of the company's transition as well as responses to the many complaints brought to the attention of Spectrum's representatives who attended the hearing.
The list of grievances was long, and often punctuated by applause from the crowd. City Council President Peter Marchetti said it was the issue that he has received the most comment on in all his years of public service.
"We need our channels," said City Councilor Peter White. "We can't get local news out here except through NECN ... We need to connect our people with what's going on in Boston and, personally, I want to see our Red Sox games and our Celtics games."
The complaints mainly fell into three categories: the loss and movement of channels, including moving Pittsfield Community Television channels to higher numbers and dropping WWLP; forced rental of digital cable boxes at $11.47 a month per television; poor customer service, such unresponsive technicians, broken boxes, and inconsistent and complicated information and instructions.
Nancy McNabb brought props to show how difficult it was for her husband to watch television now after having a stroke. She wore mittens to show how hard it was to manipulate the complex remote that comes with the boxes and evoked laughter when she pulled out a magnifying glass for the tiny print on the channel list.
A number of residents spoke to the isolation of the Berkshires from Boston news because of the loss of WWLP out of Springfield. The areas "local" channels are all located in Albany, N.Y.
"I'm sick and tired of [NY Gov. Andrew] Cuomo," one woman said. "I don't want to be a New Yorker ... I want to live in Massachusetts and I chose the Berkshires."
Another woman reminded the Spectrum representatives that television was not a luxury for the elderly or disabled.
"The TV is the only connection some of us have with the outside world," she said. "These are elderly people who have nothing else to do."
In addition to the charges for the cable box, and a separate charge for the online TV guide, it cost "a bargain" $34.99 for a technician to hook up it up for her $34.99 that can come out of food and medical budgets for those on limited or fixed incomes. "That's shameful," she said.
State Sen. Adam Hinds said, "I have not seen a good explanation" for why the boxes cost so much.
Shawn Serre, executive director of PCTV, said his issue was with the corporation's decisions and how they have affected the local public station. Spectrum has moved the station's channels from 16,17 and 18 to 1301-3, he said, "where most viewers never look for their programming.
"You cearly don't understand what is important to your customers in pittsfield," he continued, scoffing at an explanation he had gotten that "clustering" was to the viewers benefit. "You moved the channels for your own benefit not the benfit of your costumers. ...
"I can guarantee that no one in this room tonight feels that what you have done has made our channels easier to find."
Several people asked why they couldn't buy the boxes outright, rather than spending almost $140 a year to rent them; others why the package prices jumped so much from basic.
"I see discrimination in every pricing structure and I am particularly concerned with the callous disregard for local news and Massachusetts-based news," Kermit Goodwin said. "I think they are discriminating at us ... if you don't want to be here leave. Tell us how much it's going to cost to buy you up, buy the infrastructure and go start our own community television Service."
George Doin, field operations manager for Spectrum, and Anna Lucey, director of government affairs, tried to answer some of questions raised during the two hours.
State Sen. Adam Hinds says 'it's just one thing after another we're getting hit by.' Lucey said the pricing was the same for all Charter Communications customers across the country. The national pricing model was designed to be competitive and improve customer service, including bringing 200,000 call center jobs back to the United States.
"We continue to provide an option for people in legacy Time-Warner packages that do not want to move to Spectrum packages," she said, explaining why bills and packages may still vary. However, from now on, "there's no bargaining with our customer service representatives."
Doin said technicians are doing the best they can to keep up with the rollout and encouraged those having difficulty to call. He said larger button remotes are available but "the demand is very high right now."
Farley-Bouvier, however, said state Rep. John Barrett III is already leading the call for a full investigation of the Spectrum's "unfair and deceptive business practices" by the attorney general's office.
"Spectrum probably didn't understand what it is like to anger former mayor and current Rep. John Barrett. He is furious and when he gets furious it's not pretty," she said.
Tyer said she's had preliminary talks about reopening the 10-year cable contract that expires in 2024. And she's open to working with other communities affected by the changes or considering developing the city's own cable utility.
"I would be open to any ideas that would provide better service to our city," she said.
iciHaiti - Diaspora : A Haitian, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Miami
The Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami (UM) announces that Dr. Henri R. Ford of Haitian origin has been appointed as the School's new dean.
Learn more about Dr. Henri R. Ford :
Dr. Ford is a pediatric surgeon of Haitian descent who has close ties to his home country. In 2010, he traveled to Haiti after the earthquake to provide surgical care to injured children. Since then, he has returned regularly to provide care to residents. In May 2015, he made the first successful separation of join twin in Haiti, saying it was "extremely rewarding" to be able to perform the operation in his country alongside Haitian surgeons he helps to train.
He is currently the senior vice-president and chief of surgery at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), vice-dean of medical education, and professor and vice chair for clinical affairs in the Department of Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Dr. Ford was professor and chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and surgeon-in-chief at the Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine prior to joining CHLA in January 2005.
Dr. Ford will join the University of Miami on June 1st.
SL/ iciHaiti
IEA for EU4Energy held a week-long training event on monthly energy data in Odessa Ukraine from 12-16 March. The event, which was combined with the 16th Regional JODI Training Workshop, featured a series of training sessions aiming to promote the importance of monthly data to support energy policy making at the national level, in particular in the field of energy security.
Each of the 10 participating EU4Energy focus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) sent five representatives including three from the national statistical office and two from either the ministries in charge of energy or state agencies in charge of oil stocks. Statistics Odessa also participated actively in the event.
In his opening speech, Mr Ihor Verner, Chairman of the State Statistical Service of Ukraine, highlighted the crucial importance of data to support evidence-based policies.
Ihor Verner, Chairman of the State Statistical Service of Ukraine, Photograph: European Commission
The practical training provided a rare opportunity for IEA experts to share expertise on monthly data collection outside of OECD countries monthly data supports the core energy security mission of the Agency and serves as a basis for the Oil Market report.
In parallel with the statistics training, IEA for EU4energy also organised policy discussions on Sustainable Transport and Renewable Energy Policy Recommendations, each attended by 42 participants. The Sustainable Transport Forum brought together statisticians and training participants for interactive activities and country-specific brainstorming sessions.
The five-day programme also featured the 16th regional workshop of the Joint Organisations Data Initiative, jointly organised with IEF and the support of the JODI partners: APEC, Eurostat, GECF, IEA, OPEC, OLADE and UNSD. Participating organisations joined together to highlight the multiple benefits of energy data transparency. The latest manual of the JODI initiative, JODI Gas, was translated for the event.
The IEA is leading the implementation of the EU4Energy Programme funded by the European Union (EU) for 11 Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Central Asian countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
The programmes aim is to work with these countries to improve energy data capabilities, enhance data collection and monitoring, and assist with evidence-based energy policy design relevant to the countrys needs.
70 Years of Israeli Achievement
The Fellowship | March 20, 2018 70 Years of Israeli Achievement
Seven decades ago, a miracle occurred when the modern state of Israel was born. But while Israels very existence is miraculous, many other amazing things have occurred in the Holy Land over those 70 years. Our friends at ISRAEL21c take us on a fantastic journey through the Jewish states history as a creative and innovative nation, telling us the following facts and many, many more:
Israel is founded on May 14, 1948, a few hours before the British Mandate is due to expire. Eleven minutes later, the United States becomes the first country to recognize the Jewish state when it grants Israel de facto recognition. On May 15, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Syria invade Israel. The War of Independence lasts 13 months.
The Supreme Court of Israel is inaugurated, the Israeli lira replaces the Palestinian pound, the Israeli flag becomes the states official flag.
El Al, Israels new national airline, operates its maiden flight, bringing Israels first president, Prof. Haim Weizmann, home from a diplomatic visit to Geneva.
The new countrys population numbers 806,000
Terror Victim to UN: What If I Paid to Butcher Your Fathers?
The Fellowship | March 20, 2018
In 2015, an Israeli-American man named Richard Lakin was murdered during a Jerusalem terror attack. And now, The Jerusalem Posts Tovah Lazaroff reports, Lakins son has confronted the UNHRC in order to condemn the Palestinian policy of paying terrorists and their families:
Members of this council, what if I were to pay 300 million dollars to have all of your fathers butchered, would you report on that? Micah Lakin Avni asked the council.
Avni spoke as part of a debate on five anti-Israel resolutions and seven reports tabled under the UNHRCs Agenda Item 7, which began to be debated Monday evening.
Avnis father, Israeli-American Richard Lakin, was killed at the age of 76 by a terror attack on an Egged bus in the Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem in October 2015.
Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon visited Lakin, a Jerusalem educator who was known for his commitment to Israeli-Palestinian co-existence, in the hospital prior to his death.
In 2016, Avni asked the council to condemn his fathers murder. This time, Avni told the body its silence on the issue of PA payments to terrorists makes it an accomplice to murder.
In his statement, Avni described how his father was first shot in the head and then stabbed.
Those who killed his father and their families were given $3 million over the course of their lives by the PA and its President Mahmoud Abbas
Imperial Valley News Center
Denial of Reality and Responsibility Is Widespread Disease
Tucson, Arizona - After being fired by Attorney General Sessions on March 16, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe claimed: "This attack on my credibility is one part of a larger effort not just to slander me personally, but to taint the FBI, law enforcement, and intelligence professionals more generally."
The Washington Post quoted McCabe saying: "The big picture is a tale of what can happen when law enforcement is politicized, public servants are attacked, and people who are supposed to cherish & protect our institutions become instruments for damaging those institutions and people. Though blaming Trump, in reality, McCabe is describing his own behavior at the FBI.
The view through the lens of McCabes victimhood mentality is quite different from reality. His own FBI Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) concluded that he had lied to internal investigators, a recognized firing offense, and recommended to the Attorney General that McCabe be fired. Does McCabe think that the FBI code of conduct does not apply to him?
McCabes loss of his taxpayer-paid pension is a consequence of his own choices and actions. Even so, he has already reaped a hefty return on his investment of 20 years working for the government. Although only 49 years old, he has amassed a net worth of a reported $11 million on a government salary of roughly $180,000.
McCabes blame-casting is just one example of a widespread diseasethe mindset of victimhood, denial of reality, and denial of responsibility for his individual actionsthat is weakening America from within, like a cancer. He displays the common liberal delusional belief that he did nothing wrong, others are to blame, and that an attack on him is an attack on whole FBI. He accuses President Trump of attacking him personally and depriving him of a pension to which he feels entitled.
We see many other examples in recent news:
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, still blaming others for her loss in the 2016 election, took her victimhood speech to India while ironically calling for empowerment of women.
Broward County Sheriff Israel went on national television and social media blaming the National Rifle Association and Republicans for the Parkland shooting, when his own Obama-era policies had led to ignoring Nikolas Cruzs violent behavior history, enabling him to pass a criminal background check and purchase a firearm. Moreover, his own four deputies, trained and armed, had failed to enter the school and protect innocent lives.
Former President Obama spent eight years blaming his predecessor for the mess he inherited, and now shifts the blame to President Trumpnever mentioning his own responsibility in Benghazi, Fast and Furious, Uranium One, the surge of illegal border crossers, the rise in crime in his own city of Chicago, the rash of cop-killings, the surge in targeting of conservatives and Christians, or policies that destroyed middle class jobs and diminished economic growth.
Governor Jerry Brown of California refuses to admit that his own policies, such as creating a sanctuary state (i.e. a state that harbors fugitives from the U.S. immigration laws) and expanding social benefits for illegals, are the primary cause of Californias rise in crime, financial crisis, public health threats, and high taxes.
Democrats continue to push for government-controlled health care, blaming insurance companies and Republicans for ObamaCares completely predictable cost escalations and patients loss of doctors.
Liberal progressive ideology no longer values individual responsibility to follow rules, obey laws, or be held accountable for consequences of our actions. Liberals have permeated America with the mindset that everyone is a victim. That someone else is to blame for what happens to us. Their worldview is now pervasive in healthcare, banking, immigration, school policies, all levels of government, law enforcement, and the judiciary.
This victimology mentality, running rampant through our culture, denies reality and overturns the principles on which America was founded: Individual responsibility, self-reliance, and equality under the law. Governmental officials who violate the law should face the same consequences as ordinary Americans. They should be held to the same standards and face the same level of scrutiny.
The reality is that liberalsocialistpolicies have consistently failed:
Collectivized agriculture (socialism) failed at Jamestown Island, Virginia and led to the Starving Times of 1609-1611, long before the spectacular global failures (Soviet Union, China, Cambodia, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela and others).
Single-payer government controlled free medical care has already failed in America with the Indian Health Service and the Veterans Administration, both with long delays, substandard medical care, and premature deaths.
Gun control (banning guns) failed at the infamous O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, in the early 1880s, long before gun-free zones (schools, colleges, churches, movie theaters, nightclubs, some offices) have become the killing field of choice for disturbed fanatics today.
McCabe, Clinton, their cronies are the tip of the iceberg of those who chose to violate the rules and are now trying to cast the blame on others. Now coming to light is the enormity of abuse of the public trust under the previous Administration:
the weaponization of federal agencies targeting political opponents,
the merger of leftism and lawlessness creating a Marxist monarchy instead of our Constitutional Republic.
Liberty is not just the freedom to act as we please and then shift blame to others when we dont like the consequences of our actions. Liberty involves principled realism built on the foundation of a moral authority, personal integrity, and self-responsibility.
Good physicians help patients take responsibility for their health. Speaking as a physician, the prescription for the victimology disease infecting our country is a large dose of individual responsibility and accountability, with a return to equal justice under the law.
Congressman Juan Vargas Leads Bipartisan Effort to Fund the U.S. - Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program
Washington, DC - Congressman Juan Vargas is leading a bipartisan effort to request funding for the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) U.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program and the EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs, which supports vital programs such as the Border 2020 environmental program. These programs are integral to making improvements on both sides of the border to protect public health and improve wastewater infrastructure.
It is critical to fund infrastructure improvement programs along the U.S.-Mexico border to protect public health, keep our beaches and waterways free from pollution, and prevent more sewage spills from impacting our communities, said Congressman Juan Vargas. I urge the Appropriations Committee to make the funding of these programs a priority.
In a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations, a bipartisan group of Representatives from San Diego, New Mexico, and Texas are requesting the inclusion of $10 million in funding for the U.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The Representatives are also requesting robust funding for the EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs, which supports vital programs such as the Border 2020 environmental program and other related projects.
The full text of the letter:
The Honorable Ken Calvert The Honorable Betty McCollum
Chairman Ranking Member
House Committee on Appropriations House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on the Interior, Subcommittee on the Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies Environment, and Related Agencies
B-308 Rayburn House Office Building 1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
March 16, 2018
Dear Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member McCollum:
We write in strong support of the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) U.S. - Mexicos border programs, and respectfully request you include $10 million in funding for the U.S. Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Additionally, we urge you to provide robust funding for the EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs which supports vital programs such as the Border 2020 environmental program and other related projects.
We recently marked the 30th anniversary of the La Paz Agreement which defines the EPAs US-Mexico Border work to advance our priorities of protecting the environment and public health along the US-Mexico Border. EPA addresses these trans-boundary issues through both the US-Mexico Border water infrastructure program and the US-Mexico Border 2020 environmental program.
The two thousand mile border between the United States and Mexico is one of the most complex and dynamic regions in the world, with a growing need to address trans-border environmental issues. This region accounts for three of the ten poorest counties in the U.S., with an unemployment rate 250-300 percent higher than the rest of the United States. Additionally, 26 U.S. federally recognized Native American tribes are located in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The La Paz Agreement and the adoption of the Border 2012 program in 2003 have gone a long way to protect and improve the health and environmental conditions along a border that extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. Building on the successes of the Border 2012 program, the Border 2020 program lays out a roadmap for continued environmental cooperation over the next eight years.
The Border 2020 Program addresses border-wide air pollution, access to clean and safe water, material and waste management, emergency preparedness, and compliance assurance. Projects funded address the greatest environmental health issues in the areas of greatest need in the US and the trans-boundary issues along Mexicos US border. The US-Mexico Border 2012 Program improved access to actionable information to increase compliance with water and air quality standards; reduced contamination through cleanup and proper disposal of 560 tons of used electronics and more than 12 million scrap tires from the largest tire piles; increased joint readiness for environmental response through enhanced training and equipment exchanges; and improved enforcement through coordinated communication and training.
The EPAs Border Water Infrastructure Program is unique among federal funding programs. It is the only federal program that can fund projects on both sides of the border, with all projects benefiting communities on the U.S. side of the border. The EPA investments in these wastewater projects are protecting public health from waterborne diseases and have been a key factor in significant water quality improvements in U.S. waterbodies, such as the Rio Grande (Texas and New Mexico), Santa Cruz River (Arizona), New River (California), and Tijuana River and Pacific Ocean (California). Since the program began in 1997, it has provided over 60,000 border homes with access to safe drinking water and more than 550,000 homes with adequate wastewater collection and treatment services. Most border communities have received access to these services for the first time. The programs funding has made significant progress addressing the public health and environmental impact of inadequate drinking water and wastewater infrastructure along the US-Mexico border.
We appreciated your consideration and strongly urge the Committee to provide adequate funding for the EPAs US- Mexicos border programs at the requested amount. Underserved border communities are still challenged by existing infrastructure gaps and would greatly benefit by continued support for these programs.
Sincerely,
Congressman Juan Vargas
Congressman Will Hurd
Congressman Scott H. Peters
Congressman Beto ORourke
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez
Congresswoman Susan A. Davis
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan
Costly accidents
Imperial, California - A treasure trove of precious metals fell out of the cargo hold of a Russian plane as it took off at an airport near the Siberian town of Yakutsk recently. Millions of dollars worth of gold, platinum and diamonds were spread over a 16-mile path before the plane could return to the airport, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens.
Officials said that the original cargo was worth $378 million and that the planes cargo ramp was damaged on takeoff. Meanwhile, sanitation workers in Hall County, GA discovered some $100,000 worth of jewelry that had apparently been accidently thrown out with the trash by an unidentified woman who wasted no time in calling the authorities when she discovered her loss.
1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
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Dr. Kiran Patel (right) of the Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel Family Foundation recently presented Tina Swain (center), CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County in Florida, with a $171,500 check to help build two Habitat homes in the area. (habitathillsborough.org photo)
Rep. Ro Khanna was one of 15 lawmakers who urged DHS not to revoke work eligibility of H-1B holders' spouses. The Indian American congressman signed a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which read in part: In many areas where these high-tech professionals live, such as Silicon Valley, it is nearly impossible for a family to live on one income. (Facebook photo)
Home Search ICH By Chris Hedges March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, along with 18 members of the House of Representatives15 Republicans and three Democratshas sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions demanding that the Qatari-run Al-Jazeera television network register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The letter was issued after Al-Jazeera said it planned to air a documentary by a reporter who went undercover to look into the Israel lobby in the United States. The action by the senator and the House members follows the decision by the Justice Department to force RT America to register as a foreign agent and the imposition of algorithms by Facebook, Google and Twitter that steer traffic away from left-wing, anti-war and progressive websites, including Truthdig. It also follows Decembers abolition of net neutrality. The letter asks the Justice Department to investigate reports that Al Jazeera infiltrated American non-profit organizations. It says that the content produced by this network often directly undermines American interests with favorable coverage of U.S. State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaedas branch in Syria. American citizens deserve to know whether the information and news media they consume is impartial, or if it is deceptive propaganda pushed by foreign nations, the letter reads. Are You Tired Of B ull*hit And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The ominous assault on the final redoubts of a free press, through an attempt to brand dissidents, independent journalists and critics of corporate power and imperialism as agents of a foreign power, has begun. FARA, until recently, was a little-used regulation, passed in 1938 to combat Nazi propaganda. The journalists Max Blumenthal and Ali Abunimah do a good job of addressing the issue in this clip on The Real News Network. Those who challenge the dominant corporate narrative already struggle on the margins of the media landscape. The handful of independent websites and news outlets, including this one, and a few foreign-run networks such as Al-Jazeera and RT America, on which I host a show, On Contact, are the few platforms left that examine corporate power and empire, the curtailment of our civil liberties, lethal police violence and the ecocide carried out by the fossil fuel and animal agriculture industries, as well as cover the war crimes committed by Israel and the U.S. military in the Middle East. Shutting down these venues would ensure that the critics who speak through them, and oppressed peoples such as the Palestinians, have no voice left. I witnessed and was at times the victim of black propaganda campaigns when I was a foreign correspondent. False accusations are made anonymously and then amplified by a compliant press. The anonymous site PropOrNot, replicating this tactic, in 2016 published a blacklist of 199 sites that it alleged, with no evidence, reliably echo Russian propaganda. More than half of those sites were far-right, conspiracy-driven ones. But about 20 of the sites were progressive, anti-war and left-wing. They included AlterNet, Black Agenda Report, Democracy Now!, Naked Capitalism, Truthdig, Truthout, CounterPunch and the World Socialist Web Site. PropOrNot charged that these sites disseminated fake news on behalf of Russia, and the allegations became front-page news in The Washington Post in a story headlined Russian propaganda effort helped spread fake news during the election, experts say. Washington Post reporter Craig Timberg wrote in that article that the goal of a sophisticated Russian propaganda effort, according to independent researchers who have tracked the operation, was punishing Democrat Hillary Clinton, helping Republican Donald Trump and undermining faith in American democracy. To date, no one has exposed who operates PropOrNot or who is behind the website. But the damage done by this black propaganda campaign and the subsequent announcement by Google and other organizations such as Facebook last April that they had put in filters to elevate more authoritative content and marginalize blatantly misleading, low quality, offensive or downright false information have steadily diverted readers away from some sites. The Marxist World Socialist Web Site, for example, has seen its traffic decline by 75 percent. AlterNets search traffic is down 71 percent, Consortium News is down 72 percent, and Global Research and Truthdig have seen declines. And the situation appears to be growing worse as the algorithms are refined. Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post and the founder and CEO of Amazon, has, like Google and some other major Silicon Valley corporations, close ties with the federal security and surveillance apparatus. Bezos has a $600 million contract with the CIA. The lines separating technology-based entities such as Google and Amazon and the governments security and surveillance apparatus are often nonexistent. The goal of corporations such as Google and Facebook is profit, not the dissemination of truth. And when truth gets in the way of profit, truth is sacrificed. Google, Facebook, Twitter, The New York Times, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed News, Agence France-Presse and CNN have all imposed or benefited from the algorithms or filtersoverseen by human evaluators. When an internet user types a word in a Google search it is called an impression by the industry. These impressions direct the persons making the searches to websites that use the words or address the issues associated with them. Before the algorithms were put in place last April, searches for terms such as imperialism or inequality directed internet users mostly to left-wing, progressive and anti-war sites. Now they are directed primarily to mainstream sites such as The Washington Post. If you type in World Socialist Web Site, which has been hit especially hard by the algorithms, you will be directed to the sitebut you have to ask for it by name. Searches for associated words such as socialist or socialism are unlikely to bring up a list in which the World Socialist Web Site appears near the top. There are 10,000 evaluators at Google, many of them former employees at counterterrorism agencies, who determine the quality and veracity of websites. They have downgraded sites such as Truthdig, and with the abolition of net neutrality can further isolate those sites on the internet. The news organizations and corporations imposing and benefiting from this censorship have strong links to the corporate establishment and the Democratic Party. They do not question corporate capitalism, American imperialism or rising social inequality. They dutifully feed the anti-Russia hysteria. An Al-Jazeera report on this censorship begins at 14:07 in this link. The corporate oligarchs, lacking a valid response to the discrediting of their policies of economic pillage and endless war, have turned to the blunt instrument of censorship and to a new version of red baiting. They do not intend to institute reforms or restore an open society. They do not intend to address the social inequality behind the political insurgencies in the two major political parties and the hatred of the corporate state that spans the political spectrum. They intend to impose a cone of silence and the state-sanctioned uniformity of opinion that characterizes all totalitarian regimes. This is what the use of FARA, the imposition of algorithms and the attempt to blame Trumps election on Russian interference is about. Critics and investigative journalists who expose the inner workings of corporate power are branded enemies of the state in the service of a foreign power. The corporate-controlled media, meanwhile, presents the salacious, the trivial and the absurd as news while fanning the obsession over Russia. This is one of the most ominous moments in American history. The complicity in this witch hunt by self-identified liberal organizations, including The New York Times and MSNBC, will come back to haunt them. When the voices for truth are erased, they will be next. The steps to tyranny are always small, incremental and often barely noticed, as Milton Mayer wrote in They Thought They Were Free: The Germans 1933-1945. By the time a population wakes up, it is too late. He noted: But the one great shocking occasion, when tens or hundreds or thousands will join you, never comes. Thats the difficulty. If the last and the worst act of the whole regime had come immediately after the first and the smallest, thousands, yes, millions would have been sufficiently shocked. If, let us say, the gassing of the Jews in 43 had come immediately after the German Firm stickers on the windows of non-Jewish shops in 33. But of course this isnt the way it happens. In between come all the hundreds of little steps, some of them imperceptible, each of them preparing you not to be shocked by the next. Step C is not so much worse than Step B, and if you did not make a stand at Step B, why should you at Step C? And so on to Step D. And one day, too late, your principles, if you were ever sensible of them, all rush in upon you. The burden of self-deception has grown too heavy, and some minor incident, in my case my little boy, hardly more than a baby, saying Jew swine, collapses it all at once, and you see that everything, everything has changed and changed completely under your nose. The world you lived inyour nation, your peopleis not the world you were born in at all. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves; when everyone is transformed no one is transformed. Now you live in a system which rules without responsibility even to God. The system itself could not have intended this in the beginning, but in order to sustain itself it was compelled to go all the way. Despots, despite their proclaimed ideological, national and religious differences, speak the same language. Amoral, devoid of empathy and addicted to power and personal enrichment, they are building a world where all who criticize them are silenced, where their populations are rendered compliant by fear, constant surveillance and the loss of basic liberties and where they and their corporate enablers are the undisputed masters. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the Qatari government is seeking to improve relations with the Trump administration by forging alliances with right-wing Jewish organizations in the United States. It has promised Jewish leaders, the paper reported, not to air the Al-Jazeera documentary about the Israel lobby. Al-Jazeera in 2016 shut down Al-Jazeera America, which broadcast to U.S. audiences. With no broadcaster in the U.S., the program would have reached few American viewers even if Al-Jazeera had put it on the air. Haaretz reported that Jewish organizational leaders who have visited Qatar in recent months include Mort Klein of the Zionist Organization of America; Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; Jack Rosen of the American Jewish Congress; Rabbi Menachem Genack of the Orthodox Union; Martin Oliner of the Religious Zionists of America; and attorney Alan Dershowitz. What these leaders share is that none of them are considered critics of the right-wing Netanyahu government in Israel or the Trump administration in Washington, Haaretz correspondent Amir Tibon wrote in the newspaper. The despotism of the United States and the despotism of Israel have found an ally in the despotism of Qatar. Professed beliefs are meaningless. Israel is bonded with the regime in Saudi Arabia and the Christian right in the United States, each of which is virulently anti-Semitic. Dissidents, including Jewish and Israeli dissidents, are attacked as self-hating Jews or anti-Semites only because they are dissidents. The word traitor or anti-Semite has no real meaning. It is used not to describe a reality but to turn someone into a pariah. The iron wall is rising. It will cement into place a global system of corporate totalitarianism, one in which the old vocabulary of human rights and democracy is empty and where any form of defiance means you are an enemy of the state. This totalitarianism is being formed incrementally. It begins by silencing the demonized. It ends by silencing everyone. You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand, Bob Dylan sang in Ballad of a Thin Man. You see somebody naked and you say, Who is that man? You try so hard but you dont understand just what you will say when you get home. Because something is happening here, but you dont know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones? Building the Iron Wall Chris Hedges, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. https://www.truthdig.com/author/chris_hedges/ The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House. ===== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. 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March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The geopolitical focus of the still young 21st century spans the Indian Ocean from the Persian Gulf all the way to the South China Sea alongside the spectrum from Southwest Asia to Central Asia and China. That happens to configure the prime playing ground, overland and maritime, of the New Silk Roads, a.k.a. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The epicenter of global power shifting East is rattling US Think Tankland to the core with a proliferation of parochial analyses ranging from Chinese imperial overstretch to Xi Jinpings Chinese Dream provoking nightmares.
The basic argument is that Emperor Xi is aiming for a global power grab by mythologizing the New Silk Roads.
Whats actually happening is BRI giving a new meaning to Mackinders dictum that controlling the World-Island means controlling Eurasia the drive behind the late Zbigniew Grand Chessboard Brzezinskis whole career.
Are You Tired Of B ull*hit And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter
BRI is certainly about Chinas massive foreign exchange reserves; the building know-how; the excess capacity in steel, aluminum and concrete production; public and private financing partnerships; the internationalization of the yuan; and full connectivity of infrastructure and information flows.
Yet BRI is not a matter of geopolitical control supported by military might; its about added geopolitical projection based on trade-and-investment connectivity.
BRI is such a game-changer that Japan, India and the Quad (US, Japan, India, Australia) felt forced to come up with their own alternative, much-reduced mini-BRIs whose collective rationale essentially lies in accusing BRI of revisionism while emphasizing the need to fight against Chinese global domination.
The basis of the Trump administrations Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, introduced in October 2017, was to define China as a hostile existential threat. The National Security Strategy (NSS) and the National Defense Strategy (NDS) amplified the threat to the level of a new doctrine.
The NSS states that, China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity. The NSS accuses China and Russia of wanting to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests. It also accuses Beijing of seek[ing] to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region and of expand[ing] its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others.
The NDS states that Beijing seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the United States to achieve global preeminence in the future.
Thats the new normal as far as multiple layers of the US industrial-military-surveillance-media complex are concerned. Dissent is simply not permitted.
Time to talk to Kublai Khan
Revisionist powers China and Russia are regarded as major double trouble when one delves into the direct link between BRI and the Russia-led Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU). The EAEU is itself one step ahead of the Russia-China strategic partnership announced in 2012, crucially a year before Xi announced BRI in Astana and then Jakarta.
At the BRI forum in Beijing in May 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin solidified the notion of a greater Eurasian partnership.
The Russian pivot to Asia started even before Maidan in Kiev, the referendum in Crimea and subsequent Western sanctions. This was a work in progress along multiple sessions inside the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the BRICS and the G-20.
Kazakhstan is the key link uniting BRI, EAEU and the SCO. Russia and Kazakhstan are part of one of the top overland connectivity corridors between East Asia and Europe the other going through Iran and Turkey.
Xinjiang to Eastern Europe by rail, via Kazakhstan and Russia, currently takes 14 days, and soon will drop to 10. Thats a major boost to trade in high value-added merchandise paving the way to future BRI high-speed rail able to compete head on with low-cost maritime transport.
As for Moscows drive to be part of BRI/EAEU economic connectivity, thats only one vector of Russian foreign policy. Another one, as important, is enhanced German-Russian trade/investment relations, a priority also for German industrialists.
China for its part is now the top foreign investor in all five Central Asian stans. And its crucial to remember that Central Asia is configured not only by the five stans, but also by Mongolia, Xinjiang and Afghanistan. Thus the SCO drive to solve the Afghan tragedy, with direct participation of major players China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Iran.
The BRI strategy of forging a pan-Eurasian connectivity/logistical grid naturally poses the question of how Beijing will manage such an open-ended project. BRI is not even in its implementation phase, which officially starts next year.
Its useful to compare the accusations of revisionism with Chinese history. When Marco Polo reached the Yuan court in the late 13th century he saw a multicultural empire thriving on trade.
It was the Silk Road trade routes and not the projection of military power that epitomized Pax Mongolica. The 21st century Pax Sinica is its digital version. Is Xi is a new emperor, hes a post-modern version of Kublai Khan.
The Yuan dynasty did not control Persia, Russia or India. Persia, a superpower then, linked the Nile, Mesopotamia and the Indus with trade with China. During the Tang Dynasty in the 8th and 9th centuries China also had projected influence across Central Asia all the way to northeastern Iran.
And that explains why Iran, now, is such a key node of BRI, and why the leadership in Tehran wants the New Silk Roads solidified. A China-Russia-Iran alliance of Eurasia integration interests cannot but rattle Washington; after all the Pentagon defines all those geopolitical actors as threats.
Historically, China and Persia were, for centuries, wealthy, settled agricultural civilizations having to deal with occasional swarms of desert warriors yet most of the time in touch with each other because of the Silk Road. The Sino-Persian entente cordiale is embedded in solid history.
And that brings to what lies at the heart of non-stop BRI dismissal/demonization.
Its a sort of Mackinder revisited. Its all about preventing the emergence not only of a peer competitor, but worse: a New Silk Road-enabled trade/connectivity condominium featuring China, Russia, Iran and Turkey as powerful across the East as the US still remains across the much-troubled Western Hemisphere.
That has nothing to do with Chinese neo-imperialism. When in doubt, invoke Kublai Khan.
Home Search ICH Portonblimp Down A Tale By Boris Johnson By Craig Murray March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Comrade Putin, we have successfully stockpiled novichoks in secret for ten years, and kept them hidden from the OPCW inspectors. We have also trained our agents in secret novichok assassination techniques. The programme has cost hundreds of millions of dollars, but now we are ready. Naturally, the first time we use it we will expose our secret and suffer massive international blowback. So who should be our first target? The head of a foreign intelligence agency? A leading jihadist rebel in Syria? A key nuclear scientist? Even a Head of State? No, Tovarich. There is this old retired guy I know living in Salisbury. We released him from jail years ago WARNING If you harbour any doubts at all about the plausibility of Mr Johnsons story, you are a crazed conspiracy theorist and a traitor. Plus you will never, ever get employed in the BBC or corporate media. Boris Johnson Issues Completely New Story on Russian Novichoks By Craig Murray March 18, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Boris Johnson has attempted to renew the faltering case for blaming Russia ahead of the investigation into the Skripal attack, by issuing a fundamentally new story that completely changes and very radically strengthens the government line on what it knows. You can see the long Foreign and Commonwealth Office Statement here. This is the sensational new claim which all the propaganda sheets are running with: The Foreign Secretary revealed this morning that we have information indicating that within the last decade, Russia has investigated ways of delivering nerve agents likely for assassination. And part of this programme has involved producing and stockpiling quantities of novichok. This is a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. This is an astonishing claim and requires close investigation. If this information comes from MI5 or MI6, there is a process of inter-departmental clearance that has to be gone through before it can be put in the public domain even by a Minister which is known as Action-on. I have been through the process personally many times when working as head of the FCO Section of the Embargo Surveillance Centre, monitoring Iraqi arms acquisitions. It is not, unless actually at war, a Saturday night process it would have had to have been done on Friday. So why is this essential information being released not to Parliament on Friday, but on Andrew Marrs sofa early on a Sunday morning, backed up with a Sunday morning official statement? This is very unusual. Furthermore, it is absolutely incompatible with what I was told last week by FCO sources they did not know this information, and one of them certainly would have if it was based on MI6 or GCHQ reporting. I can see only two possible explanations. One and the most likely depends on looking yet again extremely carefully at what the statement says. It says we have information indicating that within the last decade. If does not say how long we have held that information. And within the last decade can mean any period of time between a second and ten years ago, Very tellingly it says within the last decade, it does not say for the last decade. Within the last decade is in fact the exact same semantic trick as sale price up to 50% off. That can mean no more than 0.1% off and its only actual meaning is never better than half price. The most likely explanation of this sentence is therefore that they have since last week when they didnt know this just been given this alleged information. And not from a regular ally with whom we have an intelligence sharing agreement. It could have come from another state, or from a private source of dodgy intelligence Orbis, for example. The FCO are again deliberately twisting words to convey the impression that we have known for a decade, whereas in fact the statement does not say this at all. There is a second possible explanation. MI6 officers in the field get intelligence from agents who, by and large, they pay for it. In my experience of seeing thousands of MI6 intelligence reports, a fair proportion of this Humint is unreliable. Graham Greene, a former MI6 officer, was writing a true picture in the brilliant our Man in Havana, which I cannot strongly recommend enough to you. The intelligence received arrives in Vauxhall Cross and there is a filter. A country desk officer will assess the intelligence and see if it is worth issuing as a Report; they judge accuracy against how good access the source has and how trustworthy they are deemed to be, and whether the content squares with known facts. If passed, the intelligence then becomes a Report and is given a serial number. This is not a very good filter, because it still lets through a lot of rubbish, but it does eliminate the complete dregs. One possible source of new information that has suddenly changed the governments state of knowledge this weekend is a search of these dregs for anything that can be cobbled together. As I have written in Murder in Samarkand, it was the deliberate removal of filters which twisted the Iraqi WMD intelligence. In short, we should be extremely sceptical of this sudden new information that Boris Johnson has produced out of a hat. If the UK was in possession of intelligence about a secret Russian chemical weapons programme, it was not under a legal obligation to tell Andrew Marr, but it was under a legal obligation to tell the OPCW. Not only did the UK fail to do that, the UK Ambassador Sir Geoffrey Adams was last year fulsomely congratulating the OPCW on the completion of the destruction of Russias chemical weapons stocks, without a single hint or reservation entered that Russia may have undeclared or secret stocks. On the Andrew Marr programme, Boris Johnson appeared to say for the first time that the nerve agent in Salisbury was actually made in Russia. But this is a major divergence from the published FCO statement, which very markedly does not say this. Boris Johnson was therefore almost certainly reverting to his reflex lying. In fact the FCO statement gives an extremely strong hint the FCO is not at all confident it was made in Russia and is seeking to widen its bases. Look at this paragraph: Russia is the official successor state to the USSR. As such, Russia legally took responsibility for ensuring the CWC applies to all former Soviet Chemical Weapons stocks and facilities. It does not need me to point out, that if Porton Down had identified the nerve agent as made in Russia, the FCO would not have added that paragraph. Plainly they cannot say it was made in Russia. The Soviet Chemical Weapons programme was based in Nukus in Uzbekistan. It was the Americans who dismantled and studied it and destroyed and removed the equipment. I visited it as Ambassador to Uzbekistan shortly after they had finished I recall it as desolate, tiled and very cold, nothing to look at really. The above paragraph seeks to hold the Russians responsible for anything that came out of Nukus, when it was the Americans who actually took it. Craig Murray Radio 5 Interview on Skripal Attack By Craig Murray
Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010. https://www.craigmurray.org.uk The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House. ===== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Damascus has taken a series of measures to prepare for an anticipated US military strike, Western diplomats told Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.
The measures were decided on Saturday during a meeting of the National Security Council, chaired by President Bashar al-Assad, which included military and security leaders.
As part of the government's preparations, letters were sent to Russia and Iran to request additional protection and Russian army troops have reportedly already been deployed to "critical locations" in order to deter Washington, one diplomat told the paper.
Russian troops may also be sent to protect civilian and military government institutions. It was also reported that the United Nations has moved staff, including diplomats, from particular areas of concern.
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The Secret Yacht Summit that Realigned the Middle East By David Hearst March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - George Nader, the Lebanese-American businessman and convicted paedophile, who is co-operating with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Donald Trumps campaign funding, organised a secret summit of Arab leaders on a yacht in the Red Sea in late 2015, Middle East Eye can reveal. Nader proposed to the leaders gathered on the yacht that they should set up an elite regional group of six countries, which would supplant both the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the moribund Arab League. 'If you agree to this, I will lobby for this in Washington' - George Nader to Arab leaders Nader said this group of states could become a force in the region that the US government could depend on to counter the influence of Turkey and Iran, according to two sources briefed on the meeting. Are You Tired Of The B ull*hit And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Nader brought together Mohammed bin Salman, who was then deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia; Mohammed bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi; Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, president of Egypt; Prince Salman, crown prince of Bahrain; and King Abdullah of Jordan onto the yacht. Their respective states, plus Libya which was not represented at the secret summit, would form the nucleus of pro-US and pro-Israeli states. Nader is reported to have told the leaders: If you agree to this, I will lobby for this in Washington, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told MEE. Those who attended liked the idea. MEE can also reveal that Nader has had frequent contact in the last two years with Irans Revolutionary Guards, which is the subject of a bill in the US Congress promising a new set of sanctions and blocking Tehrans entry to the World Trade Organisation. Nader established this link through the help of the Iraqi Shia leader Ammar al-Hakim and his group. The IRGC is thought to have used Nader to pass messages to Middle East states, sources told MEE. How Trump was key to plans The secret summit on the Red Sea took place towards the end of King Salmans first year in power, when his son MBS was only deputy crown prince. His chief obstacle to the Saudi throne lay in the form of his elder cousin Mohammed bin Nayef, who was crown prince and a favourite of Washingtons security establishment. MBS would become crown prince in June 2017, only after his father deposed Bin Nayef.
In 2016, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz with then Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (AFP) Trump had only announced his candidacy months before in June 2015 when the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was leading in all the polls. She was thought by the Saudis and Emiratis to be more likely to ring fence the nuclear deal Barack Obama made with Iran, and to be generally more sceptical of their plans for a push back in the region. Significantly, these Arab leaders decided in late 2015 that a wildcard presidential candidate in the shape of Trump could be the key to their plans to become the new regional hegemons. Months later, in January 2016, King Abdullah of Jordan briefed US Congressional leaders that Turkey presented the main threat to regional security. As MEE reported, the king told US congressmen in a closed meeting that Turkey exported terrorists to Europe, comments he was to deny publicly later. But Jordan then fell out dramatically with the group which had gathered on the yacht: Saudi Arabia decided that Amman did not go far enough in enforcing the blockade against Qatar, which was imposed in June last year. The split between Saudi and Jordan widened further when Jordan voted against Trumps move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which threatens Jordans role as custodian of the Holy Places in the city. Nader the go-between Nader has recently emerged as a key back channel between Bin Zayed and Trump. The New York Times has reported that Mueller is actively chasing financial links in order to establish whether the Emiratis illegally contributed funds to Trumps presidential campaign. It reported that in recent weeks Muellers investigators have questioned Nader and pressed witnesses about any possible attempts by the Emiratis to buy political influence by directing money to Trumps presidential campaign. On Friday, reports emerged of a slew of convictions that Nader had on charges of sexually abusing underage boys and possessing child pornography. Newsweek reported that Nader had been sentenced to six months on child pornography charges in Virginia. According to federal court records seen by Newsweek, Nader was convicted of bringing child pornography into the US from Germany. This was in addition to a conviction on 10 counts of sexually abusing underage boys in the Czech Republic for which he served one year in prison in 2003. Despite this criminal history, Nader was actively used by Trump. He attended a meeting with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, and Steve Bannon, his chief political strategists at Trump Tower in New York in December 2016. A month later Nader, Erik Prince, the former head of Blackwater, and a Russian banker all attended a meeting in the Seychelles with Bin Zayed. Nader has long-standing connections with Israel. During the presidential elections bin Zayed sent Nader to meet Israeli officials to discuss how the two states can co-operate, a source told MEE. Nader established ties with Israel through an American Jewish fundraiser, Elliott Broidy, who is close to the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the NYT, Broidy owns a private security company with hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts with the UAE. Broidy was removed as chairman of the Tel Aviv-based Markstone Capital Partners after admitting paying nearly $1m in bribes to pension fund managers in New York State. Broidy became deputy chairman of Trumps fundraising campaign. Citing a memorandum made by Broidy, and passed to the newspaper by someone critical of the Emirati influence in Washington, the NYT reported that Broidy lobbied Trump to meet Bin Zayed in an informal setting, to back the UAEs policies, and to push him to fire his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson. In response to the leaking of his memorandum, Broidy accused registered and unregistered agents of Qatar for the hacking. Broidy made the accusation through his press spokesman and in a letter to the Qatari ambassador in Washington: MEE approached Nader, the Saudi and the Emirati embassies in London for comment. No reply was forthcoming. This article was originally published by "MEE " - The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House. ===== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section.
March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - US empire is in decline. Reports of the end of the US being the unitary power in world affairs are common, as are predictions of the end of US empire. China surpassed the United States as the world economic leader, according to Purchasing Power Parity Gross National Product, and Russia announced new weapons that can overcome the US defense systems.
What is happening in the United States, in response, is to do more of what has been causing the decline. As the Pentagon outlined in its post-primacy report, the US plan is more money, more aggression and more surveillance. Congress voted nearly unanimously to give the Pentagon tens of billions more than it requested. Military spending will now consume 57% of federal discretionary spending, leaving less for basic necessities. The Trump administrations new nominees to the State Department and CIA are a war hawk and a torturer. And the Democrats Blue Wave is composed of security state candidates.
The US is escalating an arms race with Russia and China. This may create the mirror image of President Reagan forcing Russia to spend so much on its military that it aided in the break-up of the Soviet Union. The US economy cannot handle more military spending, worsening austerity when most people in the US are in financial distress.
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This is an urgent situation for all people in the world. In the US, we carry an extra burden as citizens of empire to do what we can to oppose US imperialism. We must be clear that it is time to end wars and other tools of regime change, to become a cooperative member of the world community and to prioritize the needs of people and protection of the planet.
There are a number of opportunities to mobilize against US empire: the April 14-15 days of action, the Womens March on the Pentagon in October and the mass protest planned against the military parade in November.
Turmoil in Foreign Policy Leadership
This week, President Trump fired Secretary of State Tillerson, nominated CIA director Mike Pompeo for the State Department and chose Gina Haspel to replace Pompeo at the CIA. As we write this newsletter, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster is on the verge of being fired. The deck chairs are being rearranged on the Titanic but this will not correct the course of a failing foreign policy.
The Pompeo and Haspel nominations are controversial. Pompeo believes torturers are patriots. He is a war hawk on every conflict and competing country, including Russia and especially Iran. And, unlike Tillerson, who stood up to Trump on occasion, Pompeo kisses-up to Trump, defending his every move. Haspel led a CIA black site torture center and ordered destruction of evidence to obstruct torture investigations.
The Democrats record on torture is not good. President Obama said he would not prosecute Bush era torturers, infamously saying, we need to look forwards as opposed to looking backwards. John Brennan who was complicit in Bush-era torture, withdrew under pressure from becoming CIA director in 2008, instead becoming Deputy National Security Adviser, which did not require confirmation. After Obamas re-election, Brennan became Obamas CIA director.
Brennan was inconsistent on whether torture worked. He tried to elevate Haspel, but the controversy around her prevented it. When the CIA spied on the US Senate Intelligence committee over their torture report, Brennan originally lied, denying the spying, but was later forced to admit it. He was not held accountable by either the Democrats or Obama.
Haspel headed a black site in Thailand where torture was carried out. She ordered the destruction of 92 secret tapes documenting torture even thoughthe Senate Judiciary requested the tapes, as had a federal judge in a criminal trial. According to a federal court order, the tapes should have been turned over to comply with a FOIA request. Counsel for the White House and CIA said the tapes should have been preserved. Haspels actions should lead to prosecution, not to a promotion as head of the agency, as CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, who exposed torture and served time in prison for it, reminds us.
The Trump nominations leave the Democrats on the cusp of a complete surrender on torture in an election year. Caving on torture by approving Pompeo and Haspel will anger Democratic voters and risk the high turnout need for their anticipated 2018 Blue Wave.
Republican Senator Rand Paul says he will oppose both nominees. If all the Democrats oppose, the Senate will be split 50-50, requiring one more Republican to block the nominees. Fifteen Democrats supported Pompeos nomination as CIA director, so Democratic opposition is not ensured. Will Democrats oppose torture or be complicit in normalizing torture?
Democrats Security State Blue Wave
Militarism and war are bi-partisan. When Trump submitted a military budget, the Democrats almost unanimously joined with the Republicans to increase the budget by tens of billions of dollars. But, that is not all, a series of investigative reports by the World Socialist website reported the Democratic Party is becoming the party of military and intelligence candidates.
The series identifies more than 50 military-intelligence candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in 102 districts identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as targets for 2018. The result, as many as half of all new congressional Democrats could come from the national security apparatus. An example is the victory in Pennsylvania by Conor Lamb, an anti-abortion, pro-gun, pro-drug war, ex-Marine, which is being celebrated by Democrats.
The Sanders-Democrats, working to make the Democratic Party a progressive peoples party, are being outflanked by the military-intelligence apparatus. In the end, Democratic Party leadership cares more about numbers than candidates policy positions.
Patrick Martin writes:
If on November 6 the Democratic Party makes the net gain of 24 seats needed to win control of the House of Representatives, former CIA agents, military commanders, and State Department officials will provide the margin of victory and hold the balance of power in Congress. The presence of so many representatives of the military-intelligence apparatus in the legislature is a situation without precedent in the history of the United States.
Just as Freedom Caucus Tea Party representatives hold power in the Republican Party, the military-intelligence officials will become the powerhouse for Democrats. This takeover will make the Democrats even more militarist at a dangerous time when threats of war are on the rise and the country needs an opposition party that says no to war.
What does this mean? Kim Dotcom might be right when he tweeted, The Deep State no longer wants to rely on unreliable puppets. They want to run politics directly now. What does it mean politically? There is no two-party system on militarism and war. Those who oppose war are not represented and must build a political culture to oppose war at home and abroad.
US Foreign Policy Elites in Denial About Russias New Weapons
There is dangerous denial among US foreign policy elites about the Russian weapons systems announced by Putin in his state of the union speech last week. Military-intelligence analyst the Saker compares the US reaction to the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. US elites are in the first two stages.
The US does not have an adequate defense to the weapons announced by Putin. As the Saker writes, Not only does that mean that the entire ABM [Anti-Ballistic Missile] effort of the USA is now void and useless, but also that from now US aircraft carrier battle groups can only be used against small, defenseless, nations! US leadership cannot believe that after spending trillions of dollars, Russia has outsmarted their military with ten percent of their budget.
Former Secretary of Defense William Perry exemplifies this denial, claiming Putins weapons are phony, exaggerated and do not really exist. Then he blames the Russians for starting an arms race. Of course, in both the National Security Strategy and Nuclear Posture Review, published before the Putin speech, the US announced an arms race.
US political and military leadership brought this on themselves. The US leaving the SALT treaty in 2002 and expanding NATO to cover the Russian border led to Russias development of these new weapons.
Further, Obama, and now Trump, support spending more than a trillion dollars to upgrade nuclear weapons. Perry falsifies history and blames Russia rather than looking in the mirror, since he was defense secretary during this era of errors.
The new Russian weapons systems do not have to lead to an unaffordable arms race. The US should re-evaluate its strategy and find a diplomatic path to a multi-polar world where the US does not waste money on militarism. We can divest from the military economy and convert it to civilian economic investment, as the US has many needs for infrastructure, energy transition, health care, education and more.
US global dominance is coming to an end. The issue is how will it end? Will the US hang on with an arms race and never-ending wars, or it will it wind down US empire in a sensible way. The Saker writes:
The Russian end-goal is simple and obvious: to achieve a gradual and peaceful disintegration of the AngloZionist Empire combined with a gradual and peaceful replacement of a unipolar world ruled by one hegemon, by a multipolar world jointly administered by sovereign nations respectful of international law. Therefore, any catastrophic or violent outcomes are highly undesirable and must be avoided if at all possible. Patience and focus will be far more important in this war for the future of our planet than quick-fix reactions and hype. The patient needs to be returned to reality one step at a time. Putins March 1st speech will go down in history as such a step, but many more such steps will be needed before the patient finally wakes up.
As of now, the Pentagon and US leadership are in denial and not ready to face reality. The people of the United States, in solidarity with people of the world, must act now to end the war culture and convince US leadership that a new path is necessary.
Join the days of action!
April 14-15 National Days of Action to End the Wars at Home and Abroad.
October 20-21 Womens March on the Pentagon
November 10 12 No Trump Military Parade
Finally, Some Good News
By Paul Craig Roberts March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Washingtons gratuitous raising of tensions with Russia that we have been witnessing for many years is so reckless and irresponsible that we need some relief from the depression of it all. Perhaps I am grasping at straws, but here are some hopeful developments. An establishment journalist, Michael Goodwin, the chief political columnist for the New York Post and a former bureau chief for the New York Times, has blamed the New York Times and Washington Post for the destruction of journalistic standards in the United States. James Kallstrom, an Assistant Director of the FBI, told Fox News that high-ranking people throughout the US government coordinated a plot to help Hillary Clinton avoid indictment: I think we have ample facts revealed to us during this last year and a half that high-ranking people throughout government, not just the FBI, high-ranking people had a plot to not have Hillary Clinton, you know, indicted. I think it goes right to the top. And it involves that whole [Russiagate] strategythey were gonna win, nobody would have known any of this stuff, and they just unleashed the intelligence community. Look at the unmaskings. We havent heard anything about that yet. Look at the way they violated the rights of all those American citizens. Are You Tired Of The B ull*hit And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Kallstrom goes on to name names : Senator Rand Paul vows to block the appointments of Mike Pompeo and Gina Haspel as Secretary of State and Director of the CIA. Read and rejoice : It is possible that the firing of Deputy FBI Director McCabe has opened for public exposure the plot hatched by the CIA, FBI, Departments of Justice and State, Hillary Clinton, and the Democratic National Committee to cover up Hillarys felonies and to falsely accuse Donald Trump of conspiring with Russian President Putin to steal the US presidential election. If Trump doesnt chicken out, it is possible to put Brennan, Comey, McCabe, Hillary, and many others in prison for their egregious and bold assaut on American democracy and the rule of law. These prosecutions would break the power, of much of it, of the secret national security state, and, thereby, make it possible for Trump to return to his campaign promise to normalize relations with Russia. If these relations are not normalized, war will be the result. But at least now there is a chance. British Ambassador Craig Murray has successfully exposed the deception practiced by the utter corrupt British government in its false allegation that the Russian government used a nerve agent to poison two people on a bench in England. The British governments scientists have far more integrity than the British government and flatly refused to sanction the governments claim about the nerve agent. This forced the corrupt May government to use the wording of a type developed by Russia. Amb. Murray goes on to establish that there is no evidence that Russia ever developed such a nerve agent and that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) found no such agent when it oversaw and verified Russias destruction of Russian chemical weapons. Amb. Murray reports that the only known synthesis of what is being called Novichok occurred in 2016 by Iran in cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in order to test whether formulas published in a book many years ago could actually produce such an agent. Amb. Murray exposes the utterly corrupt presstitutes that comprise the Western media for never once asking the corrupt UK government about its hedge words, of a type developed by Russia and for their efforts to silence him with libel and slander. As important as Amb. Murrays factually uncontested findings are, the main point is that no laboratory has reported any finding that such a nerve agent was used on Skirpal and his daughter. We dont even know if any attack occurred on Skirpal. The corrupt British government has provided no evidence of any attack and no evidence of any nerve agent. What is the real reason for the British governments completely obvious blatant lies? What is the real reason for the complete failure of the media to investigate and report an alleged event? How much more evidence does the world need that the Western media is nothing but a collection of liars devoid of all integrity who serve as a Propaganda Ministry for undeclared government agendas? The Skirpal Affair is the final nail in the coffin of the Western media. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order . The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House. ===== Paul Craig Roberts: Can Nuclear War Be Avoided?
March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Unveiling a long-awaited plan to combat the national scourge of opioid drug addiction, President Donald Trump called Monday for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, including embracing a tactic employed by some of the global strongmen he admires: the death penalty.
"Toughness is the thing that they most fear," Trump said.
The president traveled to New Hampshire, a state ravaged by opioids and which is also an early marker for the re-election campaign he has already announced. The president called for broadening awareness about drug addiction while expanding access to proven treatment and recovery efforts, but the backbone of his plan is to toughen the punishment for those caught trafficking highly addictive drugs.
"This isn't about nice anymore," Trump said. "This is about winning a very, very tough problem and if we don't get very tough on these dealers it's not going to happen folks. ... I want to win this battle."
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The president formalized what he had long mused about publicly and privately: that if a person in the U.S. can get the death penalty or life in prison for shooting one person, a similar punishment should be given to a drug dealer who potentially kills thousands.
Trump has long spoken approvingly about countries like Singapore that have fewer issues with drug addiction because they harshly punish their dealers. During a trip to Asia last fall, he did not publicly rebuke Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who authorized extrajudicial killings of his nation's drug dealers.
Outside a local firehouse that Trump visited before the speech, someone compared the leaders with a sign that said: "Donald J. Duterte."
"Drug traffickers kill so many thousands of our citizens every year," Trump said. "That's why my Department of Justice will be seeking so many tougher penalties than we've ever had and we'll be focusing on the penalties that I talked about previously for big pushers, the ones that are killing so many people, and that penalty is going to be the death penalty."
He added: "Other countries don't play games. ... But the ultimate penalty has to be the death penalty."
The Justice Department said the federal death penalty is available for limited drug-related offenses, including violations of the "drug kingpin" provisions in federal law.
It is not clear if the death penalty, even for traffickers whose product causes multiple deaths, would be constitutional. Doug Berman, a law professor at Ohio State University, predicted the issue would be litigated all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
John Blume, a professor and director of Cornell Law School's death penalty program, said the Federal Drug Kingpin Act has yielded few "kingpins" or major dealers, mostly ensnaring mid- to low-level minorities involved in the drug trade.
Opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin and synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, killed more than 42,000 people in the U.S. in 2016, more than any other year on record, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump has declared that fighting the epidemic is a priority for the administration, but critics say the effort has fallen short.
Last October, the president declared the crisis a national public health emergency, short of the national state of emergency sought by a presidential commission he put together to study the issue.
Trump called for a nationwide public awareness campaign, which he announced in October, to scare kids away from dabbling in drugs. He announced a new website, www.crisisnextdoor.gov , where members of the public can share stories about the dangers of opioid addiction.
Trump said the administration will work to cut the number of opioid prescriptions that are filled by one-third within three years.
The president also discussed how his policies, including a U.S.-Mexico border wall and punishing "sanctuary" cities that refuse to comply with federal immigration authorities, would help reduce the flow of drugs and help end the addiction epidemic.
Monday was Trump's first visit as president to New Hampshire, which has long occupied a special place in his political rise. He captured his first Republican presidential primary here in 2016, though he narrowly lost in the general election to Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Trump drew criticism last year after leaked transcripts of a telephone conversation with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto showed he had described New Hampshire as a "drug-infested den." The Washington Post published the transcripts.
Though the 2020 election is more than 30 months away, early jockeying is already happening in states that play an outsized early role in choosing a party's nominee. Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a persistent Trump critic, visited New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first presidential primary, last week. He told Republicans someone needs to stop Trump and it could be him if no one steps up.
Meanwhile, the president's daughter, White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump, spent Monday discussing infrastructure and workplace development in Iowa, which traditionally holds the first presidential nominating caucus.
The Danger of Neutrality By Anna Baltzer
Staying neutral in controversial situations is the moral high ground, right? Wrong. It's the exact opposite.
Author and inspirational speaker Anna Baltzer explains how neutrality is a dangerous trap -- and an illusion. Taking a side, not impartiality, is what really helps resolve conflicts. Not only is it the right thing to do, but your own liberation depends on it. Posted March 19, 2018 Anna Baltzer is an award-winning lecturer, author, and organizer for freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people. She is Director of Organizing & Advocacy at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) At USCPR, Baltzer specializes in organizing boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaigns targeting institutions complicit in Israel's violations of international law, as well as connecting the dots between oppression of communities from the U.S. to Palestine, and beyond. Learn more about Baltzer at www.AnnaInTheMiddleEast.com . This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Are You Tired Of The B ull*hit And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of Information Clearing House. ===== Join the Discussion It is not necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. We ask that you treat others with respect. Take a moment to read the following - Comment Policy - What Or Who is Information Clearing House and Purpose and Intent of this website: It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section.
March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - What prompted former CIA Director John Brennan on Saturday to accuse President Donald Trump of moral turpitude and to predict, with an alliterative flourish, that Trump will end up as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history? The answer shines through the next sentence in Brennans threatening tweet: You may scapegoat Andy McCabe [former FBI Deputy Director fired Friday night] but you will not destroy AmericaAmerica will triumph over you.
It is easy to see why Brennan lost it. The Attorney General fired McCabe, denying him full retirement benefits, because McCabe had made an unauthorized disclosure to the news media and lacked candor including under oath on multiple occasions. There but for the grace of God go I, Brennan must have thought, whose stock in trade has been unauthorized disclosures.
In fact, Brennan can take but small, short-lived consolation in the fact that he succeeded in leaving with a full government pension. His own unauthorized disclosures and leaks probably dwarf in number, importance, and sensitivity those of McCabe. And many of those leaks appear to have been based on sensitive intercepted conversations from which the names of American citizens were unmasked for political purposes. Not to mention the leaks of faux intelligence like that contained in the dubious dossier cobbled together for the Democrats by British ex-spy Christopher Steele.
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It is an open secret that the CIA has been leaking like the proverbial sieve over the last two years or so to its favorite stenographers at the New York Times and Washington Post. (At one point, the obvious whispering reached the point that the Wall Street Journal saw fit to complain that it was being neglected.) The leaking can be traced way back at least as far as the Clinton campaigns decision to blame the Russians for the publication of very damning DNC emails by WikiLeaks just three days before the Democratic National Convention.
This blame game turned out to be a hugely successful effort to divert attention from the content of the emails, which showed in bas relief the dirty tricks the DNC played on Bernie Sanders. The media readily fell in line, and all attention was deflected from the substance of the DNC emails to the question as to why the Russians supposedly hacked into the DNC and gave the emails to WikiLeaks.
This media operation worked like a charm, but even Secretary Clintons PR person, Jennifer Palmieri, conceded later that at first it strained credulity that the Russians would be doing what they were being accused of doing.
Magnificent Diversion
On April 6, 2017 I attended a panel discussion on Russias interference in our democracy at the Clinton/Podesta Center for American Progress Fund. In my subsequent write-up I noted that panelist Palmieri had inadvertently dropped tidbits of evidence that I suggested could get some former officials in deep kimchi if a serious investigation of leaking, for example, were to be conducted. (That time seems to be coming soon.)
Palmieri was asked to comment on what was actually going on in late summer/early fall [2016]. She answered:
It was a surreal experience so I did appreciate that for the press to absorb the idea that behind the stage that the Trump campaign was coordinating with Russia to defeat Hillary Clinton was too fantastic for people to, um, for the press to process, to absorb.
But then we go back to Brooklyn [Clinton headquarters] and heard from the mostly our sources were other intelligence, with the press who work in the intelligence sphere, and thats where we heard things and thats where we learned about the dossier and the other story lines that were swirling about; and how to process And along the way the administration started confirming various pieces of what they were concerned about what Russia was doing. So I do think that the answer for the Democrats now in both the House and the Senate is to talk about it more and make it more real.
So the leaking had an early start, and went on steroids during the months following the Democratic Convention up to the election and beyond.
As a Reminder
None of the leaking, unmasking, surveillance, or other activities directed against the Trump campaign can be properly understood, if one does not bear in mind that it was considered a sure thing that Secretary Clinton would become President, at which point illegal and extralegal activities undertaken to help her win would garner praise, not prison.
But she lost. And a month ago, House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes (R-CA) threw down the gauntlet, indicating that there could be legal consequences, for example, for officials who misled the FISA court in order to enable surveillance on Trump and associates. His words are likely to have sent chills down the spine of yet other miscreants. If they need to be put on trial, we will put them on trial, he said. The reason Congress exists is to oversee these agencies that we created.
John Brennan is widely reported to be Nuness next target. Does one collect a full pension in jail?
Unmasking: Senior national security officials are permitted to ask the National Security Agency to unmask the names of Americans in intercepted communications for national security reasons not for domestic political purposes. Congressional committees have questioned why Obamas UN ambassador Samantha Power (as well as his national security adviser Susan Rice) made so many unmasking requests. Power is reported to have requested the unmasking of more than 260 Americans, most of them in the final days of the administration, including the names of Trump associates.
Deep State Intimidation
Back to John Brennans bizarre tweet Saturday telling the President, You may scapegoat Andy McCabe but you will not destroy America America will triumph over you. Unmasking the word America, so to speak, one can readily discern the name Brennan underneath. Brennans words and attitude are a not-so-subtle reminder of the heavy influence and confidence of the deep state, including the media exercised to a fare-thee-well over the past two years.
Later on Saturday, Samantha Power, with similar equities at stake, put an exclamation point behind what Brennan had tweeted earlier in the day. Power also saw fit to remind Trump where the power lies, so to speak. She warned him publicly that it is not a good idea to piss off John Brennan.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post is dutifully playing its part in the deep-state game of intimidation. The following excerpt from Sundays lead article conveys the intended message: Some Trump allies say they worry he is playing with fire by taunting the FBI. This is open, all-out war. And guess what? The FBIs going to win, said one ally, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to be candid. You cant fight the FBI. Theyre going to torch him. [sic]
The Post, incidentally, waited until paragraph 41 of 44 to inform readers that it was the FBIs own Office of Professional Responsibility and the Inspector General of the Department of Justice that found McCabe guilty, and that the charge was against McCabe, not the FBI. A quite different impression was conveyed by the large headline Trump escalates attacks on FBI as well as the first 40 paragraphs of Sundays lead article.
Putting Down a Marker
It isnt as though Donald Trump wasnt warned, as are all incoming presidents, of the power of the Deep State that he needs to play ball with or else. Recall that just three days before President-elect Trump was visited by National Intelligence Director James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and NSA Director Michael Rogers, Trump was put on notice by none other than the Minority Leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer. Schumer has been around and knows the ropes; he is a veteran of 18 years in the House, and is in his 20th year in the Senate.
On Jan. 3, 2017 Schumer said it all, when he told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow, that President-elect Trump is being really dumb by taking on the intelligence community and its assessments on Russias cyber activities:
Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you, Schumer told Maddow. So even for a practical, supposedly hard-nosed businessman, hes being really dumb to do this. Did Maddow ask Schumer if he was saying President of the United States should be afraid of the intelligence community? No, she let Schumers theorem stand.
With gauntlets now thrown down by both sides, we may not have to wait very long to see if Schumer is correct in his blithe prediction as to how the present constitutional crisis will be resolved.
Ray McGovern works for Tell the Word, a publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. He served as a CIA analyst under seven Presidents and nine CIA directors and is now on the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).
March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The onslaught of western Russia bashing in the past days, particularly since the alleged poison attack by a Soviet-era nerve agent, Novichok (the inventor of which, by the way, lives in the US), on a Russian double agent, Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, has been just horrifying. Especially by the UK. Starting with PM May, who outright accused Russia of using chemical weapons (CW) on UK grounds, without delivering any evidence. Strangely, there is no indication where Skripal and his daughter are, in which hospital the pair is being treated, no poison analysis is being published, they cannot be visited; there is absolutely no evidence of the substance they allegedly have been poisoned with do Sergei and Yulia actually exist as victims of a poison attack?
As a consequence, Theresa May expels 23 Russian diplomats, who have to leave the UK within a week. Then came Boris Johnson, the Foreign Minister clown, also an abject liar. He said no, he yelled at his fellow parliamentarians that it was overwhelmingly likely, that Putin personally ordered the spy attack. This accusation out of nothing against the Russian President is way more than a deep breach in diplomatic behavior, it is a shameful insult. And no evidence is provided. Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, in fact, said that Johnsons personal attack on President Putin was unforgivable.
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Not to miss out on the bashing theatre, UK Defense Secretary, Gavin Williamson, got even more insolent. Russia should go away and shut up. In response to all this demonizing Russia for an alleged crime, for which absolutely no proof has been provided, Russias Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that the undiplomatic comments meant that the British authorities are nervous and have something to hide,. Lavrov also strongly objected, wanted to initiate a joint UK-Russia investigation into the case is he dreaming? and responded to a question of diplomatic retaliation, yes, that Russia will also expel UK diplomates soon.
There is no doubt that the UK acted as Washingtons poodle. In the course of this anti-Russia tirade, Trump twittered that he fully supported UKs position. Indeed, the European puppets, Macron, Merkel, May and their chief, The Donald, signed a joint statement blaming Russia for the nerve gas attack on the former double agent, There is no plausible alternative explanation than that Russia was to blame for the attack. Bingo, that says it all. The presstitute picks it up and airs it to the seven corners of this globe and the western sheeple are brainwashed once again: The Russians did it.
Well, we know that. But the real point I want to make is that Russia always reacts to such nonsensical and outright false accusations; Russia always responds, rejects, of course, the accusations but usually with lengthy explanations, and with suggestions on how to come to the truth as if the UK and the west would give a shit about the truth why are they doing that? Why are you, Russia, even responding?
That is a foolish sign of weakness. As if Russia was still believing in the goodness of the west, as if it just needed to be awakened. What Russia is doing, every time, not just in this Skripal case, but in every senseless and ruthless attack, accusations about cyber hacking, invading Ukraine, annexing Crimea, and not to speak about the never-ending saga of Russia-Gate, Russian meddling and hacking into the 2016 US Presidential elections, favoring Trump over Hillary. Everybody with a half brain knows its a load of crap. Even the FBI and CIA said that there was no evidence. So, why even respond? Why even trying to undo the lies, convince the liars that they, Russia, are not culpable?
Every time the west notices Russias wanting to be a good neighbor, about which the west really couldnt care less, Russia makes herself more vulnerable, more prone to be accused and attacked and more slandered.
Why does Russia not just break away from the west? Instead of trying to belong to the west? Accept that you are not wanted in the west, that the west only wants to plunder your resources, your vast landmass, they want to provoke you into a war where there are no winners, a war that may destroy entire Mother Earth, but they, the ZionAnglo handlers of Washington, dream that their elite will survive to eventually take over beautiful grand Russia. Thats what they want. The bashing is a means towards the end. The more people are with them, the easier it is to launch an atrocious war.
The Skripal case is typical. The intensity with which this UK lie-propaganda has been launched is exemplary. It has brought all of halfwit Europe and there is a lot of them under the spell of Russia hating. Nobody can believe that May, Merkel, Macron are such blatant liars that is beyond what they have been brought up with. A lifelong of lies pushed down their throats, squeezed into their brains. Even if something tells them this is not quite correct, the force of comfort, not leaving their comfort zone not questioning their own lives is so strong that they rather cry for War, War against Russia, War against the eternal enemy of mankind. I sadly remember in my youth in neutral Switzerland, the enemy always, but always came from the East. He was hiding behind the Iron Curtain.
The West is fabricating a new Iron Curtain. But while doing that, they dont realize they are putting a noose around their own neck. Russia doesnt need the west, but the west will soon be unable to survive without the East, the future is in the east and Russia is an integral part of the East, of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), that encompasses half the worlds population and controls a third of the worlds economic output.
Mr. Putin, you dont need to respond to insults from the west, because thats what they are, abusive insults. The abject slander that Johnson boy threw at you is nothing but a miserable insult; you dont need to respond to this behavior. You draw your consequences.
Dear President Putin, Dear Mr. Lavrov, Let them! Let them holler. Let them rot in their insanity. Respond to the UK no longer with words but with deeds, with drastic deeds. Close their embassy. Give all embassy staff a week to vacate your country, then you abolish and eviscerate the embassy the same way the US abolished your consulates in Washington and San Francisco a bit more than a year ago. Surely you have not forgotten. Then you give all Brits generously a month to pack up and leave your beautiful country (it can be done thats about what Washington is forcing its vassals around the globe to do with North Korean foreign laborers); block all trade with the UK (or with the entire West for that matter), block all western assets in Russia, because thats the first thing the western plunderers will do, blocking Russian assets abroad. Stealing is in their blood.
Mr. Putin, You dont need to respond to their miserable abusive attacks, slanders, lies. You and Russia are way above the level of this lowly western pack. Shut your relation to the west. You have China, the SCO, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Russia is part of the OBI President Xis One Belt Initiative the multi-trillion development thrive, emanating from China, connecting continents Asia, Africa, Europe, South America with infrastructure, trade, creating hundreds of millions of decent jobs, developing and promoting science and culture and providing hundreds of millions of people with a decent life.
What would the west do, if suddenly they had no enemy, because the enemy has decided to ignore them and take a nap? China will join you.
Everything else, responding, justifying, explaining, denying the most flagrant lies, trying to make them believe in the truth is not only a frustrating waste of time, its committing political suicide. You will never win. The west gives a hoot about the truth they have proven that for the last two thousand years or more. And in all that time, not an iota of conscience has entered the wests collective mind. The west cannot be trusted. Period.
March 19, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - There have been some interesting developments in the alleged poisoning case of the British-Russian double-agent Sergej Skripal and his daughter.
The British governments standing on the issue is getting worse as more inconsistencies and doubts on its statements come to light. The international support for its claims is weakening.
On March 4 the Skripals collapsed on a public bench in Salisbury in England after they had visited a pub and a restaurant. They were brought to the local hospital. A local policemen was probably also affected. (See our previous posts, liked at the end, for many additional details.) A week later, on March 12, the British government said that a nerve agent was the cause of the incident and accused Russia of being responsible for the act:
Mr Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with Novichoka military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia. Based on this capability, combined with Russias record of conducting state-sponsored assassinationsincluding against former intelligence officers whom it regards as legitimate targetsthe UK Government concluded it was highly likely that Russia was responsible for this reckless and despicable act.
Novichok is not a nerve agent but supposedly a group of chemical substances investigated in the Soviet Union for their nerve agent potential. Only recently have some of these substances been synthesized.
Former ambassador Craig Murray reported that the formulation "... a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, ..." was a compromise negotiated between the British government and its chemical weapon specialists in its Porton Down laboratory. Note that the statement does not implicate at all that Russia is involved in the current case.
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The British government demanded a Russian response within 24 hours without presenting any evidence of Russian involvement. Russia rightly pointed out that such a demand is in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) procedures as supervised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and rejected it.
The U.S, Britain, France and Germany issued a common supporting statement which repeated the British formulation:
This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War.
...
We share the United Kingdoms assessment that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russias failure to address the legitimate request by the government of the United Kingdom further underlines Russias responsibility. We call on Russia to address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury.
Since then many questions and doubts about the British government's Noviochok drama have been raised. Bit by bit the case is falling apart.
Consider for example this picture which shows Mr. Skripal and his daughter Julia presumably in the pub or the restaurant they visited before they collapsed. Who is the third person, visible in the mirror between them, who took the picture?
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Monday ordered the immediate withdrawal of personnel attached to private companies and individuals. This decision may be as a result of the aforementioned criticism. Well, it seems many Nigerians are however not amused with the move saying its not the first time the the police boss will make sure orders and nothing will happen. here are some reactions from Nigerians below:
Same old stories
Like no more road blocks, meanwhile officers are out there collecting bribe with impunity chris imoh (@chrixtoimoh) March 19, 2018
Its nt d first time weve heard this. It wont work. One time,he said no more Road Blocks, infact, thats when RoadBlocks where intensified. Sometime ago, they said no Police attached to any VIP should be carrying their bags,it bcame worse.Lets b honest with ourselves joor. Dynamite (@DavidIndia2) March 19, 2018
He likes to dish out orders and never bothered if they were obeyed or not. Please see road blocks everywhere you go. Scala (@lakaas123) March 20, 2018
Thats how it should be. Why would a poorly manned & equipped police force use 80% of its personnel to protect less than 10% of the population? Thats the job of private security contractors. @nassnigeria can arrange that through its budget also banks & individuals Engr. Aliyu Jari (@Aliyujari) March 19, 2018
Should anything happens to anyone within this time, get ready to take the blame and prosecution. This shouldnt have been announced, unless there is some hiding underground gigi (@GigiKofarmata) March 19, 2018
Its a very welcomed development if its done with sincerity of purpose and with the masses at heart. The Nigerian masses are under policed because of VIPs and private organizations. Marcus Mark (@MarcusMark77) March 19, 2018
BBNaija 2018 housemate Miracle has emerged as the new head of house for this week, beating Nina, Cee-c, Teddy-A, Lolu, Rico, Bambam, Alex and Tobi in a game they all played today.
Miracle was cheered on by other housemates, as Big Brother congratulated him for winning the challenge.
The pilot is to enjoy the rights of being the head of house this week as he also enjoys the luxury room with Nina.
He was indeed geared up and ready to fight tooth and nail for the coveted Head of House title.
Following the order by the IGP, Ibrahim Idris that all police men guarding VIPs be withdrawn with immediate effect, Nigerian senator, Ben Murray-Bruce takes credit for the move, says it was his advice that was heeded by President Muhammadu Buhari.
2 weeks ago my #commonsense video advised @MBuhari to withdraw the 150,000 policemen guarding VIPs and send them to guard schools in the Northeast, like the #DapchiGirls school. Today, he listened to me https://t.co/M5eSEqh6gO Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) March 19, 2018
Well, Nigerians say first, he talked about NSCDC not police and secondly, the IGP acted unilaterally as this is not the first time that order was given and it will imminently be disobeyed as usual.
He didnt listen to you rather he wants these individuals to re-apply for police guards with payments in millions. This is not the first order by Police IG. You cant beat them just like that. Paul Omasy Omamegbe (@Pomamegbe1) March 20, 2018
He is not listening to you. The statement is from his IGP and its not the first time he is making such statement with no follow up action. @MBuhari Has not spoken yet and even when he speaks, more chances that he will not be obeyed than he will be obeyed. Olushola Olufolabi (@olushola_shola) March 20, 2018
D order wont be obeyed just d same way d IG disobeyed him about relocating to Benue State & nothing happened.This isnt d first time an IG will giv such a order & they were never obeyed.D order its just 4 record https://t.co/xhOX332Mkc d long run ur common sense talk is a nullity UGBIYOBO (@UGBIYOBO) March 20, 2018
And your colleague and friend @dino_melaye said this was targeted at him. I pity both of una Isa Yusuf (@Iysa_Yousuph) March 19, 2018
He didnt listen to u. The IG acted unilaterally. Remember your president demonstrated he has no power or control over his people.. Chudy (@Chudy61941764) March 19, 2018
You and Reno are claiming credit. So who really deserves it pic.twitter.com/M8tclOIC6q Great (@greatnnamani) March 19, 2018
NSCDC are now policemen ! @benmurraybruce always always try so hard to prove his #commonsense point in a funny way ! Hope someone still know the difference between police and Civil defense Don de Octopus (@HenryOnweani) March 19, 2018
Congratulations sir. Let your #CommonSense video return or reject the excess 13 million Naira monthly stipend you and your fellow senators charged Nigerians for just talking. Will appreciate it if it happens in 2 weeks too Prestige (@IIkeezenwa) March 19, 2018
Joe Parkinson, an award-winning journalist who has covered revolutions, conflicts, and economic crises in more than 40 countries in a recent Twitter post made deep revelations about the abduction of the Dapchi school girls. Parkinson, of The Wall Street Journal, (the Wall Street Journal, based in New York City, is Americas most circulated newspaper with more than 2 million copies daily) in a series of tweets yesterday revealed that Dapchi girls abduction not carried out by Boko haram. See thread below;
Last month's kidnap of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi appeared a carbon copy of Boko Haram's abduction of the Chibok Girls Only it wasn't the same Boko Haram. Our latest report from Nigeria: https://t.co/R7LU4oWzUV Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
1) An Islamic State-backed faction led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi& not Boko Haram leader Abubakr Shekau was responsible for the Dapchi kidnap. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
2) We reviewed encrypted comms showing Barnawi's faction in regular contact with Islamic State emirs in Syria, Iraq and Libya. They have their own slickly-produced news channel (al-Hakik or "credible") distributed on Telegram. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
3) Shekau has been shunned by Islamic State since 2016 he sent eight letters to Al-Baghdadi through emissaries that were ignored. His unpredictability and use of child suicide bombers was too much, even for ISIS. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
4) One reason the factions were at odds was over the Chibok girls. Shekau, paranoid about a coup, repeatedly refused Nigerian govt deals to release top commanders, infuriating Barnawi and his allies. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
5) IS began to cultivate Barnawison of Boko founder Muhammad Yusufwho had risen to senior commander and propaganda chief. He had backing of many seasoned commanders who felt sidelined by Shekau. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
6) In August 2016 the split became formalized: IS publicly declared Barnawi as leader of Lake Chad jihad (ISIS-West Africa) and began helping the group with military / comms training / opsec. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
7) In the months that followed, the factions turned their guns on each other: more than 400 people were killed in intra-Boko fighting. At one point Barnawi's group tried to wrestle Shekau's most prized asset the Chibok girls. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
8) Under pressure, Shekau ransomed 103 Chibok girls for millions of euros and five loyal, more junior, commanders. His group has increased attacks, particularly suicide bombings. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
9) From the end of last year, the Barnawi faction also launched more brazen attacks kidnapping oil workers, teachers and UN employees. Also launching assaults on police and military bases. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
10) On February 19th militants loyal to Barnawi drove up to the Dapchi Science and Technology College, and kidnapped 110 girls, the youngest aged 10. Nigeria and its political leadership is stunned. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
11) Nigeria's government say they want a negotiated solution understood to mean an exchange &/or ransom. Backchannel talks have already begun. Dozens more schools across the north have been closed. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
12) One only hopes the kidnapping of schoolgirls which offers jihadists a route to money, profile and political leverage does not happen again. Joe Parkinson (@JoeWSJ) March 19, 2018
Meanwhile, Amnesty says that between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on February 19, at least five calls were made to tell the security services that Islamist fighters were in the Dapchi area. Locals spotted about 50 members of the Islamic State group affiliate in a convoy of nine vehicles in Futchimiram, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Dapchi, then at Gumsa. Amnesty, whose researchers spoke to about 23 people and three security officials, said the army command in Geidam had told callers they were aware of the situation and were monitoring.
Nollywood actress, Omotola Ekeindes husband, Captain Mathew Ekeinde is one of Nigerias most senior and respected pilots.
People who have met him are often surprised to find he is a man who has no airs around him, despite his accomplishments as one of Nigerias most popular and successful pilot.
He has been married to Omotola for 22 years and the marriage is blessed with four wonderful kids.
How has marriage been with a celebrity like Omotola?
What are the challenges and issues he has had to contend with?
How did they meet 24 years ago?
These and several other questions were answered in the interview below:
Excerpts from the Interview culled from City People by Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL:
Lets start by congratulating you on that spectacular birthday celebration you put together for your wife, how did you feel with the way everything turned out, seeing your wife being celebrated that way?
It was an honour. It was a very humbling experience to find the caliber of the Esama of Benin and his chiefs, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and a lot of people from the music and movie industry, as well as captains of industries, turning up to come celebrate my wife.
Yeah, I was quite impressed and happy, it just shows me that truly, a lot of people do love her and thats why they all came out.
Everyone saw on the night how happy you were for your wife. How much pressure was it for you supporting her during the preparations leading to the 5-day celebration of her birthday?
Three weeks to the day, she had been planning the whole event with her team.
All through that time, her activities in the house was zero, so I got to do all the shopping, I got to do the cooking, the cleaning, and a whole lot of things that she wouldve done.
But I had to help her out to enable concentrate fully on her preparations.
Her routine then was to wake up in the morning, take her bath, then her team comes about 9 oclock and they stay in the office.
Sometimes, they would go out to the various event venues and may not return until about eleven in the night.
So, I was just there the whole three weeks ensuring I give her whatever support she needed, both financial and moral support.
Tell us, how has it been for you being married to a super star of your wifes status?
You know, I believe our getting married is Gods doing. I say this because I think it really takes one who is understanding to be able to get married to someone like Omotola.
For me, yes, sometimes, the pressure gets to me, especially when shes in demand by a lot of people for different reasons.
Personally, for me, its not a big deal, I just see it as part of life and I advice her the best way I can.
And thankfully, shes a very focused person whos always determined to achieve whatever she wants to achieve without getting distracted by people, either by money or whatever, and money has never been the issue.
So, people of wealth and status offering her money for one reason or the other has never made her lose her focus in life.
Yes, definitely, the pressures are there, pressures of fans, pressures of the fact that we cant really go out and do what we want to do like regular families.
Anytime we step out of our gates, its all eyes on us. And thats why we really cannot go out in public that much.
For instance, we cant go watch the movies like everyone else. To go watch a movie, we have to call the owners or the managers of the movie house.
We usually go to Silver bird because were used to Guy Bruce, so well call and theyll arrange a back door for us and put security for there for us.
So, sometimes its stressful, but Ive gotten used to it, on the 23rd of this month (March) were going to mark our 22nd wedding anniversary and Ill be turning 50 years old that same day.
Do you guys plan to celebrate that? Its definitely worth celebrating..
You know, after the Omotola4point0 celebrations, I think weve done enough celebration for the next 10 years because I know what it really took out of us.
It was physically draining and financially as well. Thank God for all her sponsors who came to support her brand.
For me, Im not one that wants to be out there in the public, mine is going to be very quiet.
I dont know what Im going to do yet, Ill probably be on duty that day.
But most likely Ill ask to take the day off, just sit down with her, we might travel out, I dont know yet. Really, Ive not made any plans.
Can you recall for us the very first time you set your eyes on your wife?
Yes, the very first time was in church. I have this sister whos 51 years old, just a year older than me, she lives in Europe now, her names Theresa.
Over the years, Ive been telling her, look, organize your friends, I want to marry.
Go and find me one of your friends that I can get married to. So, she had met Omotola in a church in Iyana- Ipaja called Solid Rock headed by Pastor Tessy.
My sister was attending the church at the time. It was a small but nice, youthful church.
My sister now came home one day and said, yes, you have been disturbing me all this while to get you a wife, I just found somebody.
Come to the church next service (it was a mid-week service) and Ill introduce her to you.
So, on my way from work that Wednesday, I drove down to the church, went inside and sat at the back.
I signaled to my sister to let her know I was in the church. So, after service, she now introduced me to Omotola.
I looked at her and I was like, hey, cute, fine, small girl!
But when I found out then that she was just sixteen years old, I was surprised. She looked a lot older than her age. I was like, Kai! This one is a misfire! I was like almost twenty six then.
So, I said, okay, well just be friends. And that was how we were friends for like two years and by the time she turned eighteen, I just saw her differently because all the while, I just saw her as a cute, fine young girl that was a friend of the family.
That was it, there was nothing more than that. It was at her 18th birthday that things took a different turn.
She had told me to get her a birthday gift, it was like a week to her birthday then and I wasnt in the country, I was based in the United States then, and was only coming down to Nigeria once in a while.
A week after her birthday, I returned to Nigeria and got her a gift and left her a message to come to the house. I remember that day very clearly.
The house where I was staying had a sliding glass door and you had to move the glass door to come in.
And when she slid the door and came in, it was like the scales just fell off my eyes.
I now saw her differently from the way I used to see her. This time, I saw her as a wife material.
So, immediately she walked in, I said happy birthday, sorry Im just giving you your gift one week after, but I also want to tell you, I want to marry you!
She just hissed and said, abeegi! Thats what you guys say. Of course, within those two years that I knew her, I also knew her mum and the family.
So, when she left, on my own, I went to see the mum and told her that I was going to marry Omotola.
She was like, okay, fine, but why dont you let her finish her university. Then, she just got admission to the University of Ife.
I was like, well, to wait four years wont be easy for me because its very risky.
Its either guys would give her a hard time in that Ife or put her under pressure and shell probably give in.
No, I wasnt willing to risk that. Shes still a virgin now and I want to marry her a virgin, so thats it. I told her I couldnt wait for four years and she said, fine, you have to go and see the family.
I went to see them and told them my intentions and the rest is history.
You wife practically became a star right in your hands, under your watch. How has it been for you, seeing someone you known since her youth, transforming into the accomplished woman she is today?
Ive always believed, and I think its my background as well, my parents have always encouraged us to be who we want to be.
They will do their best humanly possible to support us and I grew up with that upbringing.
So, when I got married to her and I knew she wanted to act, for me, it wasnt a problem.
As long as you conduct yourself properly and respectfully, Ill give you all the support.
And that was exactly what I did. I gave her all the support she needed, I was there for her and I advised her accordingly.
Whenever she wanted to go from one level to the other, I was always there giving her all the support.
I think that was what encouraged her to go all the way.
Was she already acting when you met her?
No, she just started. Her first movie, I think, was Venom of Justice, and I was there with her on location. Most of her early movies, I joined her on set.
Those days I had a lot of free time on my hands because we werent flying as much as we do these days. I would go on set with her, I would sit with her.
And when we had the baby, I would help her carry the baby, so, yeah, it was fun back then, it was really fun.
How also did you get to deal with picking up the papers and reading negative stuffs about your wife, especially in those early stages of her career?
Look, shes my wife and I know my wife. She doesnt live a double life, shes very open. Shes also very straight forward. Theres nothing that shes doing that she doesnt tell me.
When I see stories like that, I just ignore them. I mean, they were very few and far between, shes really done well and has been able to have a scandal free career.
When people try to come up with stories just to rock the marriage, they misfire because they dont know that were a lot stronger than that.
I remember one story that was published one time, I cant remember the name of the magazine.
It said Omotolas husband has a baby by a white woman, and Im thinking, where did all these come from?
So, when you see such stories it just becomes obvious that these guys just sit down and ask, how do we sell our papers this week, and they come up with stories that they believe will make people buy their publication. Really, it wasnt an issue for us.
How about when shes playing romantic scenes and stuffs like that, how do you cope with watching your beautiful wife wrapped up in the arms of another man?
Honestly, Ive never had any problems with it. The thing is, before she takes up a romantic role, of course she gets the script first and we discuss it.
She tells me, this is what they want me to do. They want this guy to hug me or kiss me on the lips, is that okay with you?
And Ill say, yes, thats not a problem, as long as it doesnt go any further than that, like him trying to remove your dress or rubbing his hands all over your boobs or your bum and all that.
There were some movies that directors wanted her to do stuffs like that and she just tells them, no, its not going to happen.
In fact, I was on set with her one particular occasion and there was this popular actor who was supposed to carry her in a romantic scene to the bed, hug her, give her a peck, and I was there.
The guy was feeling very nervous and the director just said to me, ah, Captain, please, can you please just excuse us this one scene (laughs).
He saw that the guy was uncomfortable because of my presence and me, I was just laughing. So, for me, its not a big deal at all.
It definitely couldnt have been all smooth sailing. What other challenges would you say comes with marrying a woman of your wifes status?
The most challenging thing, that makes us argue a lot, is her schedule. Sometimes, especially back then when she was shooting back to back, it was crazy.
And then, when shes had a busy schedule back to back, she falls sick. Its standard. She gets Malaria and when my wife is down with Malaria, its not fun to be around her.
Shes always in pain and all that. So, anytime I see her schedule, like the very hectic three weeks she used to prepare for her birthday, I could see the stress on her face and one day I had to tell all her team to leave the house.
They were hoping to stay till like twelve mid-night and were supposed to be somewhere very early the following day.
I told them dont come back to this house until eleven tomorrow morning because she needs to sleep. I could see she was already sneezing and coughing.
I knew those were her malaria signs. And for those days when she was acting back to back, it was tough, and dont forget the kids were still young then.
It was quite stressful then because I would have to go to the office and see how I would manipulate my schedules and swap my flight with another pilot so I can be home with the kids while shes away.
And there were times she would be away for two weeks. I had to make sure the flights that I do are not international flights that would make me sleep outside, they would be local flights where I could go and return.
There were times when I could not juggle my flights and the kids had to stay all alone in the house all through the night, But weve been able to deal with it. I thank God and give Him the glory.
A lot of people see Omosexy in movies, read about her in the papers and have different perceptions of her. You are the closest person to her, what kind of person is she? What are the things we dont know about her that only you, and perhaps few members of the family know about?
(Breaks out laughing) Well, shes stubbornly driven. Shes somebody that, when she wants something, shes hell bent on getting it.
Theres nothing wrong with that, if you want to achieve something and youre driven to do it, but sometimes, she can be so stubbornly driven about it that she doesnt want to listen to anyone else.
Even when shes hurting those around her, she wont know. Like when she and her team would come here to make preparations for her birthday, they would be here all day and Omotola would not remember they havent eaten.
Because she can cope, she thinks everyone else is like her. I would be the one to ask them, have you guys eaten? And theyll all answer, no, Captain, were very hungry.
And I will cook for all them. Thats why I said shes so driven she forgets that not everybody can cope with her energy level.
But apart from, I cant complain about her. Im really proud of her and the fact that shes a go-getter, which is not what you find in some women.
They are just comfortable with status quo. Omotola always wants to stand out.
I think it runs in the family, were early achievers. In my family, we like to achieve things early in life and do things that are totally different from everybody else.
To wrap this up, what kind of wife and mother would you say Omotola has been?
Well, shes been a wonderful mother to the kids, that I know for sure.
As a wife, well of course, I gave her the name Omosexy, you should know why I gave her that name (bursts into laughter) Shes sexy, shes beautiful, shes a turn-on.
Shes a woman any man would want to have as his wife any day.
A US-based evangelical radio host, Linda Harvey, has claimed that God makes children gay as a punishment for all the abortions committed in the world.
Harvey, who is known for preaching against same sex relationships and telling religious parents to reject their gay children and try and cure them, made the assumption on abortion and gay children when she spoke at the Bringing America Back to Life Convention recently.
In her speech, Harvey suggest the LGBT community was created by God as a punishment for all the abortions.
You may have thought these were separate issues, but they are foundationally connected. One has to consider, first of all, the horrifying possibility that this complete sexual and human identity meltdown could be an aspect of Gods judgment on us for aborting millions of our children. We wont know until we see him, but it is very possible that as an instrument of Gods judgment, he is using the punishment to come on us through our children, the corruption of our children. Even more horrifying, we are letting it happen. she said
Nigerian music is already pushing towards a global ubiquity, and now, one of the most successful rappers of his time will be performing on Nigerian soil, just like old days. But, there is no need to imagine and all of this is happening real-life.
South African beer company, Castle Lite, is setting up shop in Nigeria later this year and to launch, the company is hosting J.Cole at Eko Hotels next month. Alongside the Dreamville top dog, J.Coles show will be accompanied by performances from Wizkid and Davido.
Castle Unlocked is set to hold on the 27th of April. Though ticket details have not been unveiled, it is expected to be part of the general promotions for Castle Lite, the beer to begin sales in Nigeria. Other artists that have featured on Castle Lites South African events include Wiz Khalifa, Travis Scott, Kanye West, Drake and many others.
Nollywood actress, Lola Margaret, who is now an ex-convict because of her incident with the US Police over alleged fraud case she was involved in.
The actress who was arrested over a strong surveillance was placed on her account after huge sums were being withdrawn consistently before she was napped.
Hints has it that the actress has since been released and deported back to Nigeria and considering the gravity of her actions, the actress has decided to relocate to Ibadan from Lagos where she formerly resided.
Currently the actress is maintaining a low profile as she is yet to attend any public function as she hopes to rebrand herself and stage a strong come back to the industry.
You simply cant help but like him, even if you were meeting him only for the first time. Its not his youthful, dashing look that immediately endears him to people (hes fifty but doesnt look it) its his disarming smile and humility. People who have met Captain Mathew Ekeinde, one of Nigerias most senior and respected pilots, and husband to Africas biggest movie sensation, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, are often surprised to find hes a man who has no airs around him, despite his accomplishments as one of Nigerias most popular and successful pilot. He has been married to Omotola for 22 years and the marriage is blessed with four wonderful kids. How has it been, to be married to a big celebrity like Omotola? What are the challenges and issues that he has had to contend with? How did they meet 24 years ago? These and several other important questions were some of the things City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL, got this very private gentleman to respond to when this writer was a guest of the Ekeindes at their magnificent Oniru estate home in Victoria Island. These are excerpts of the interview.
Lets start by congratulating you on that spectacular birthday celebration you put together for your wife, how did you feel with the way everything turned out, seeing your wife being celebrated that way?
It was an honour. It was a very humbling experience to find the caliber of the Esama of Benin and his chiefs, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and a lot of people from the music and movie industry, as well as captains of industries, turning up to come celebrate my wife. Yeah, I was quite impressed and happy, it just shows me that truly, a lot of people do love her and thats why they all came out.
Everyone saw on the night how happy you were for your wife. How much pressure was it for you supporting her during the preparations leading to the 5-day celebration of her birthday?
Three weeks to the day, she had been planning the whole event with her team. All through that time, her activities in the house was zero, so I got to do all the shopping, I got to do the cooking, the cleaning, and a whole lot of things that she wouldve done. But I had to help her out to enable concentrate fully on her preparations. Her routine then was to wake up in the morning, take her bath, then her team comes about 9 oclock and they stay in the office. Sometimes, they would go out to the various event venues and may not return until about eleven in the night. So, I was just there the whole three weeks ensuring I give her whatever support she needed, both financial and moral support.
Tell us, how has it been for you being married to a super star of your wifes status?
You know, I believe our getting married is Gods doing. I say this because I think it really takes one who is understanding to be able to get married to someone like Omotola. For me, yes, sometimes, the pressure gets to me, especially when shes in demand by a lot of people for different reasons. Personally, for me, its not a big deal, I just see it as part of life and I advice her the best way I can. And thankfully, shes a very focused person whos always determined to achieve whatever she wants to achieve without getting distracted by people, either by money or whatever, and money has never been the issue. So, people of wealth and status offering her money for one reason or the other has never made her lose her focus in life. Yes, definitely, the pressures are there, pressures of fans, pressures of the fact that we cant really go out and do what we want to do like regular families. Anytime we step out of our gates, its all eyes on us. And thats why we really cannot go out in public that much. For instance, we cant go watch the movies like everyone else. To go watch a movie, we have to call the owners or the managers of the movie house. We usually go to Silver bird because were used to Guy Bruce, so well call and theyll arrange a back door for us and put security for there for us. So, sometimes its stressful, but Ive gotten used to it, on the 23rd of this month (March) were going to mark our 22nd wedding anniversary and Ill be turning 50 years old that same day.
Do you guys plan to celebrate that? Its definitely worth celebrating..
You know, after the Omotola4point0 celebrations, I think weve done enough celebration for the next 10 years because I know what it really took out of us. It was physically draining and financially as well. Thank God for all her sponsors who came to support her brand. For me, Im not one that wants to be out there in the public, mine is going to be very quiet. I dont know what Im going to do yet, Ill probably be on duty that day. But most likely Ill ask to take the day off, just sit down with her, we might travel out, I dont know yet. Really, Ive not made any plans.
Can you recall for us the very first time you set your eyes on your wife?
Yes, the very first time was in church. I have this sister whos 51 years old, just a year older than me, she lives in Europe now, her names Theresa. Over the years, Ive been telling her, look, organize your friends, I want to marry. Go and find me one of your friends that I can get married to. So, she had met Omotola in a church in Iyana- Ipaja called Solid Rock headed by Pastor Tessy. My sister was attending the church at the time. It was a small but nice, youthful church. My sister now came home one day and said, yes, you have been disturbing me all this while to get you a wife, I just found somebody. Come to the church next service (it was a mid-week service) and Ill introduce her to you. So, on my way from work that Wednesday, I drove down to the church, went inside and sat at the back. I signaled to my sister to let her know I was in the church. So, after service, she now introduced me to Omotola. I looked at her and I was like, hey, cute, fine, small girl! But when I found out then that she was just sixteen years old, I was surprised. She looked a lot older than her age. I was like, Kai! This one is a misfire! I was like almost twenty six then. So, I said, okay, well just be friends. And that was how we were friends for like two years and by the time she turned eighteen, I just saw her differently because all the while, I just saw her as a cute, fine young girl that was a friend of the family. That was it, there was nothing more than that. It was at her 18th birthday that things took a different turn. She had told me to get her a birthday gift, it was like a week to her birthday then and I wasnt in the country, I was based in the United States then, and was only coming down to Nigeria once in a while. A week after her birthday, I returned to Nigeria and got her a gift and left her a message to come to the house. I remember that day very clearly. The house where I was staying had a sliding glass door and you had to move the glass door to come in. And when she slid the door and came in, it was like the scales just fell off my eyes. I now saw her differently from the way I used to see her. This time, I saw her as a wife material. So, immediately she walked in, I said happy birthday, sorry Im just giving you your gift one week after, but I also want to tell you, I want to marry you! She just hissed and said, abeegi! Thats what you guys say. Of course, within those two years that I knew her, I also knew her mum and the family. So, when she left, on my own, I went to see the mum and told her that I was going to marry Omotola. She was like, okay, fine, but why dont you let her finish her university. Then, she just got admission to the University of Ife. I was like, well, to wait four years wont be easy for me because its very risky. Its either guys would give her a hard time in that Ife or put her under pressure and shell probably give in. No, I wasnt willing to risk that. Shes still a virgin now and I want to marry her a virgin, so thats it. I told her I couldnt wait for four years and she said, fine, you have to go and see the family. I went to see them and told them my intentions and the rest is history.
You wife practically became a star right in your hands, under your watch. How has it been for you, seeing someone you known since her youth, transforming into the accomplished woman she is today?
Ive always believed, and I think its my background as well, my parents have always encouraged us to be who we want to be. They will do their best humanly possible to support us and I grew up with that upbringing. So, when I got married to her and I knew she wanted to act, for me, it wasnt a problem. As long as you conduct yourself properly and respectfully, Ill give you all the support. And that was exactly what I did. I gave her all the support she needed, I was there for her and I advised her accordingly. Whenever she wanted to go from one level to the other, I was always there giving her all the support. I think that was what encouraged her to go all the way.
Was she already acting when you met her?
No, she just started. Her first movie, I think, was Venom of Justice, and I was there with her on location. Most of her early movies, I joined her on set. Those days I had a lot of free time on my hands because we werent flying as much as we do these days. I would go on set with her, I would sit with her. And when we had the baby, I would help her carry the baby, so, yeah, it was fun back then, it was really fun.
How also did you get to deal with picking up the papers and reading negative stuffs about your wife, especially in those early stages of her career?
Look, shes my wife and I know my wife. She doesnt live a double life, shes very open. Shes also very straight forward. Theres nothing that shes doing that she doesnt tell me. When I see stories like that, I just ignore them. I mean, they were very few and far between, shes really done well and has been able to have a scandal free career. When people try to come up with stories just to rock the marriage, they misfire because they dont know that were a lot stronger than that. I remember one story that was published one time, I cant remember the name of the magazine. It said Omotolas husband has a baby by a white woman, and Im thinking, where did all these come from? So, when you see such stories it just becomes obvious that these guys just sit down and ask, how do we sell our papers this week, and they come up with stories that they believe will make people buy their publication. Really, it wasnt an issue for us.
How about when shes playing romantic scenes and stuffs like that, how do you cope with watching your beautiful wife wrapped up in the arms of another man?
Honestly, Ive never had any problems with it. The thing is, before she takes up a romantic role, of course she gets the script first and we discuss it. She tells me, this is what they want me to do. They want this guy to hug me or kiss me on the lips, is that okay with you? And Ill say, yes, thats not a problem, as long as it doesnt go any further than that, like him trying to remove your dress or rubbing his hands all over your boobs or your bum and all that. There were some movies that directors wanted her to do stuffs like that and she just tells them, no, its not going to happen. In fact, I was on set with her one particular occasion and there was this popular actor who was supposed to carry her in a romantic scene to the bed, hug her, give her a peck, and I was there. The guy was feeling very nervous and the director just said to me, ah, Captain, please, can you please just excuse us this one scene (laughs) He saw that the guy was uncomfortable because of my presence and me, I was just laughing. So, for me, its not a big deal at all.
It definitely couldnt have been all smooth sailing. What other challenges would you say comes with marrying a woman of your wifes status?
The most challenging thing, that makes us argue a lot, is her schedule. Sometimes, especially back then when she was shooting back to back, it was crazy. And then, when shes had a busy schedule back to back, she falls sick. Its standard. She gets Malaria and when my wife is down with Malaria, its not fun to be around her. Shes always in pain and all that. So, anytime I see her schedule, like the very hectic three weeks she used to prepare for her birthday, I could see the stress on her face and one day I had to tell all her team to leave the house because they were hoping to stay till like twelve mid-night and were supposed to somewhere very early the following day. I told them dont come back to this house until eleven tomorrow morning because she needs to sleep. I could see she was already sneezing and coughing. I knew those were her malaria signs. And for those days when she was acting back to back, it was tough, and dont forget the kids were still young then. It was quite stressful then because I would have to go to the office and see how I would manipulate my schedules and swap my flight with another pilot so I can be home with the kids while shes away. And there were times she would be away for two weeks. I had to make sure the flights that I do are not international flights that would make me sleep outside, they would be local flights where I could go and return. There were times when I could not juggle my flights and the kids had to stay all alone in the house all through the night, But weve been able to deal with it. I thank God and give Him the glory.
A lot of people see Omosexy in movies, read about her in the papers and have different perceptions of her. You are the closest person to her, what kind of person is she? What are the things we dont know about her that only you, and perhaps few members of the family know about?
(Breaks out laughing) Well, shes stubbornly driven. Shes somebody that, when she wants something, shes hell bent on getting it. Theres nothing wrong with that, if you want to achieve something and youre driven to do it, but sometimes, she can be so stubbornly driven about it that she doesnt want to listen to anyone else. Even when shes hurting those around her, she wont know. Like when she and her team would come here to make preparations for her birthday, they would be here all day and Omotola would not remember they havent eaten. Because she can cope, she thinks everyone else is like her. I would be the one to ask them, have you guys eaten? And theyll all answer, no, Captain, were very hungry. And I will cook for all them. Thats why I said shes so driven she forgets that not everybody can cope with her energy level. But apart from, I cant complain about her. Im really proud of her and the fact that shes a go-getter, which is not what you find in some women. They are just comfortable with status quo. Omotola always wants to stand out. I think it runs in the family, were early achievers. In my family, we like to achieve things early in life and do things that are totally different from everybody else.
To wrap this up, what kind of wife and mother would you say Omotola has been?
Well, shes been a wonderful mother to the kids, that I know for sure. As a wife, well of course, I gave her the name Omosexy, you should know why I gave her that name (bursts into laughter) Shes sexy, shes beautiful, shes a turn-on. Shes a woman any man would want to have as his wife any day.
***
Source: CityPeopleMagazine
CARMEL, Ind. - March 20, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) TradeRev, a digital platform that facilitates live, dealer-to-dealer vehicle auctions, announced they will unveil H, the company's newest suite of artificial intelligence capabilities at next week's National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) Show 2018 in Las Vegas. TradeRev is a business unit of global remarketing and technology solutions provider KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE:KAR). H leverages data and technology from across the KAR platform and uses TradeRev's machine learning and proprietary algorithms to deliver clear, easy, actionable intelligence to dealers. At NADA, TradeRev will demo H's AI-driven automated condition report visualization tool and several recently released data and predictive analytics capabilities.
"There's a lot of artificial intelligence out there, but we created H to be hyper-focused 'auction intelligence' for dealers," said Mark Endras, co-founder of TradeRev and KAR chief innovation officer. "H's machine learning instantaneously analyzes real-time mobile device camera video frames and systematically classifies them into standard condition report image categories. In other words, dealers can now get a complete set of images in just seconds with increased accuracy, clarity and reliability of the resulting vehicle condition report."
H's automated visualization tool was developed internally by TradeRev's machine learning and data science team. Over the past several months, H was fed condition report data and thousands of images from across KAR's portfolio of whole car, salvage and online auction marketplaces and ancillary services providers.
"H isn't some plug-and-play add-on; it's an organic capability we developed over several years with meaningful input and testing from our dealer customers," said Endras.
The unveiling of H follows the North American release of TradeRev 4.0, a suite of data analytic and machine learning capabilities that streamline and simplify the auction experience for dealers. TradeRev 4.0 introduced several industry-first capabilities including scheduled events for sellers, data-driven buyer vehicle recommendations, and bid assist price predictability.
"TradeRev continues to push the boundaries of cloud computing to deliver a better, faster, smarter auction experience for dealers," said Becca Polak, president of TradeRev and chief legal officer for KAR. "And we're already teaching H new capabilities, including how to auto-detect vehicle damage and even predict the severity and potential economic impact of that damage from vehicle images alone."
The name H for TradeRev's suite of AI capabilities was inspired by Grace Hopper, a computer programming pioneer and rear admiral in the U.S. Navy. Hopper led the team credited with creating the first compiler for computer languages, a precursor for the Common Business Oriented Language, or COBOL. She was also a recipient of the National Medal of Technology in 1991.
"In a world of trendy tech-names, we wanted our AI to have meaning for our customers and our employees," said Polak. "Grace Hopper was a true trailblazer and remains an inspiration for women in computing everywhere. Her drive and innovative spirit are characteristics shared and celebrated by all TradeRev employees."
Dealers can demo TradeRev's condition report visualization tool powered by H at NADA booth #3040C March 23-25, 2018.
KAR Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Tobin Richer
(317) 249-4521
tobin.richer@karauctionservices.com
Analyst Inquiries:
Mike Eliason
(317) 249-4559
mike.eliason@karauctionservices.com
About KAR Auction Services
KAR Auction Services (NYSE:KAR) provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. KAR's unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, salvage, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services, including the sale of more than 5 million units valued at over $40 billion through our auctions. Our integrated physical, online and mobile marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers in 110 countries. Headquartered in Carmel, Ind., KAR has approximately 17,600 employees across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. www.karauctionservices.com.
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Scottsdale, AZ - March 20, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The Dash Core Group, which leads development and maintenance of Dash, the top digital currency for payments, today announced that it has hired financial industry veteran Glenn Austin as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Austin will be in charge of financial operations for Dash Core Group, including budgeting, planning, risk management, investor relations, and accounting for the team.
"My interest in the cryptocurrency space has spanned several years, and in that time I've found Dash to be one of the most promising projects in the space," said Austin. "Dash's unique decentralized governance and treasury model has positioned it to be a dominant force in the cryptocurrency space, and I fully believe within the next decade it will become the primary digital currency for payments at retailers globally."
Austin possesses an A.B. in Economics from Harvard and an M.B.A. in Finance and Management from Columbia Business School. Austin has spent most of the past 20 years in the financial services industry, starting as an Associate at Citigroup before moving on to Morgan Stanley. After advancing to the role of Vice President at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Austin took on a Director role at UBS. Most recently he held a number of senior leadership positions at Chain IQ, a consulting firm spun out of UBS.
The Dash network's unique treasury system requires Dash Core Group - and all other entities serving the Dash network's needs - to submit proposals to, and gain sufficient votes from, the network to continue receiving funding. Austin will manage the proposal requests from Dash Core Group, among other responsibilities.
"Glenn is a highly-skilled financial professional with well-rounded experience spanning strategy and operations, and after an extensive search we're confident that he is the right person to enable Dash's continued growth," said Dash Core Group CEO Ryan Taylor. "His role will help the Dash Core Group optimize its growing operations and manage financial risks within the decentralized governance system that has set the Dash project apart. I'm looking forward to working with Glenn in the years ahead."
Austin's role as CFO for Dash Core Group is effective immediately.
Dash Core Group CEO Ryan Taylor and CFO Glenn Austin are available for interview.
About Dash:
Dash is the leading e-commerce and payments-focused digital currency, and the rising alternative to bitcoin. With over 1000% year over year growth in both value and trading volume since 2015, Dash has been consistently ranked in the top ten digital currencies by market capitalization and only one of the few offering safe, decentralized financial solutions to real world problems. Dash offers a form of money that is portable, inexpensive, divisible, and fast. It can be spent easily and instantly online at merchants across the globe, at much lower fees than credit and debit cards. With over 50 members on the development team and a unique blockchain mining and treasury model, Dash is the only major self-funded, self-governed organization in the cryptocurrency industry. This allows for constant development and funding for the entire project so community members can upload and vote on proposals, and if they are approved, they are paid for directly from the blockchain. Dash plans to unveil their landmark product Dash Evolution, the industry's first easy to use decentralized payments platform in 2018.
Allison Simon
Account Coordinator
Wachsman
40 Exchange Place
New York, NY 10005
P: +1 (917) 900-5749
E: allison@wachsman.com
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Toronto, Ontario - March 20, 2018 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (Metals Creek or the "company") is pleased to announce that an airborne time-domain electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic (MAG) geophysical system has been mobilized to its 100% owned Great Brehat Property (the "Property"). The survey is expected to commence Wednesday, 21 March, weather permitting.
The property is located on the Great Northern Peninsula, near St. Anthony, Newfoundland. The Claims being flown are contiguous to the south and to the west of White Metal Resources Corp's. new discovery where they recently announced highly anomalous gold values over approximately a 15 sq KM area in black sedimentary shale units (See WHM-TSX.V PR dated November 20, 2017). The Metals Creek claims were staked to cover favorable geology similar to that of White Metal Resources Corp. The company believes this could potentially be a very important new discovery in a unique geological environment similar to other large gold deposits hosted in black shale environments around the world. The company intends on flying 156.2 line kilometers of airborne EM and Mag.
The geophysical data will assist the Company in better understanding and delineating structural and stratigraphic features which might host gold, and possibly base metal, mineralization. Metals Creek will plan an exploration program to evaluate the targets generated by the airborne survey.
In addition, the company announces that drilling is continuing on the Ogden Gold Property in Timmins Ontario, 6 holes have been completed to date, of these 4 holes have been logged, sampled, and submitted to the laboratory for analysis. Assays will be released once they are received and compiled.
The Ogden Gold Property is held under a joint venture in which Metals Creek owns 50%, and Goldcorp Canada Ltd. ("Goldcorp") owns 50% (as manager and on behalf of the Porcupine Joint Venture, a joint venture between Goldcorp Inc. and Goldcorp Canada Ltd.) with MEK being the operator of the project. The Ogden claims cover eight kilometers of strike length of the Porcupine-Destor Fault between Goldcorp's >16.6 million ounce Dome Mine and Tahoe Resources West Timmins Mine. The vast majority of the Porcupine-Destor Fault on the property is underexplored, compared to other properties in the Timmins Gold camp.
About Metals Creek Resources Corp.
Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has a 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF) that stretches between Timmins, Ontario and Val d'Or, Quebec. Metals Creek also has an option agreement with Quadro Resources on Metals Creeks and Benton Resources Staghorn Gold Project in Newfoundland as well as two option agreements with Anaconda Mining Inc. on Metals Creek's Jacksons Arm and Tilt Cove Properties also in Newfoundland. The company have also signed a LOI on its Clarks Brook property with Sokoman Iron Corp. and is engaged in the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of other mineral resource properties, and presently has mining interests in Ontario, Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador including the recently acquired Great Brehat project on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. Additional information concerning the Corporation is contained in documents filed by the Corporation with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO
Metals Creek Resources Corp
telephone: (709)-256-6060
fax: (709)-256-6061
email: astares@metalscreek.com
MetalsCreek.com
Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes
Facebook.com/MetalsCreek
More Info:
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Lahore Cambridge School & Colleges Jobs 2018
Latest Cambridge School System Teaching Posts Lahore 2021 Cambridge School & College Lahore, Pakistan required candidates for the posts of Principal, Vice Principal, Director Studies, Deputy Director Academy, Teachers, Administrator, Coordinator/ Deputy Director Administration and Niak Clerks.
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Mason and Labors Job in Qatar Famous Company
Latest AGT Institute of Technical & Professional Education Construction Posts Qatar 2021 Mason and Labors are required in Qatar in Qatar Famous Company Through AGT Institute of Technical & Professional Education Bank Road Saddar Rawalpindi.
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Pakistan Ordnance Factories POF Public Sector Jobs 2018
Latest Pakistan Ordnance Factories POF Engineering Posts Wah Cantt 2021 Pakistan Ordnance Factories POF Public Sector Industrial Complex requires the Service of Technical Officer Boilers, Nursing Sisters, Assistant Technical Officer Boilers, Chargemen Chemical, Chargemen Engineering, Chargemen Civil, Chargemen Fire Fighting, Chargemen Paramedics and Draguhtsman in Wah Cant.
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Company Address: Managing Director POF Welfare Trust Quaid Avenue The Mall, Wah Cantt
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Security Guards Job in Qatar Security Company
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University of Engineering and Technology UET Peshawar
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Amenesty International [advocacy website] on Tuesday warned [press release] that Chinas new Supervision Law is a systemic threat to human rights.
The stated purpose of the new law is to centralize local and provincial supervision bodies in order to limit corruption. However, Amnesty expressed its concerns over the new supervision body, the Liuzhi system, which creates a body that has the authority to detain government officials with no oversight. The Liuzhi system will run separately from the Chinese judicial system.
Prior to approving the new law, the National Peoples Congress amended the Chinese Constitution to create a national level Supervision Commission ranked higher than Supreme Peoples Court and the top prosecutors office. The law does not include a pathway to challenge detentions made by the supervision body.
Under the new system, supervision bodies can detain and interrogate Communist Party members or public sector personnelvirtually anyone working directly or indirectly for the government. Judges, academics, and personnel of state-owned enterprises could all face up to six months detention without charge or legal process, and without guaranteed access to lawyers or their families being told.
In August Amnesty submitted a draft report [text, PDF] to the Chinese government on the Supervision Law, recommending its withdrawal. In addition, Amnesty urged the Chinese government to ratify the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights [text].
[JURIST] Golos [advocacy website], a Russian organization which advocates for fair elections, reported [text, in Russian] numerous, large-scale instances of electoral fraud at Sundays election, in which Vladimir Putin was reelected. In addition to members monitoring the voting facilities in person, the organization received 2,000 written reports of violations on election day and six thousand calls to the organizations hotline.
Issues spotted by the organization include, but are not limited to, limited competition, falsifications by the state-controlled media, and eligible voters being excluded from voting lists. The organization also observed violations in counting the votes, and authorities restricting observers from polling places. Video cameras revealed instances of ballot box stuffing, rendering the results at some of the polling places to be declared invalid.
Golos stated:
[W]e regretfully have to state that we can not recognize these elections as truly honest fully consistent with the Constitution, the laws of the Russian Federation and international election standards, since these the results were achieved during the unfree, unequal and uncompetitive election campaign. This does not allow us to assert that the real will of voters was formed as a result of a free election campaign.
However, according to opposition politician and activist Alexei Navalny [BBC feature], fewer Russians voted [blog, in Russian] for Putin or voted at all.
In November Russian lawmakers approved [JURIST report] a law requiring foreign media agents to label their materials as the work of foreign agents. In October a court sentenced [JURIST report] Navalny to 20 days in jail. In July the US and the UK urged [JURIST report] Russia to further the investigation for an activists murder.
A three-judge panel of the Inner House of the Scotland Court of Session [official website] on Tuesday ordered [text, PDF] a hearing on whether a referral may be made to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) [official website] on the revocability of the UKs notice of intention to withdraw from the EU.
In so ordering, the court rejected the lower courts conclusion that there is no real prospect of success of such a petition seeking judicial review of the UK governments position on the matter.
The provision invoked by the petitioners in the case is Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) [text, PDF], which provides that: 1) Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements, and 2) A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention.
In refusing to permit a hearing on referring to the ECJ the revocability of the Article 50 notification, the lower court stated that there was no need to look deeper into what the UK governments policy was on the revocation of the Article 50 notice because Neither Parliament nor Government sought to have the notification withdrawn. In these circumstances the issue, which the petitioners wished the court to determine, was hypothetical and academic.
In a similar case last month, the Outer House of the Court of Session, which represents the court of first instance, refused to make a preliminary reference [JURIST report] to the ECJ on the very same question, although the court did grant a hearing on the matter. Here, the lower court refused to even permit a hearing on the matter, which the appeals court found to be a reversible error because the test of real prospect of success of a case was met in this situation:
The words real prospect of success mean what they say. They were designed to set a higher hurdle than that which was described in EY [v Secretary of State for Scotland] as low. The new test is certainly intended to sift out unmeritorious cases, but it is not to be interpreted as creating an unsurmountable barrier which would prevent what might appear to be a weak case being fully argued in due course. Of course the test must eliminate the fanciful, but it is dropping the bar too low to say that every ground of review which is not fanciful passes the test. It is not enough that the petition is not manifestly devoid of merit In short therefore, having regard to all the circumstances, the court is of the view that the Lord Ordinary erred in holding that there is no real prospect of success in this petition, as that phrase has been explained above. There is a point of substance, albeit one heavily concealed by the averments, which should be argued in the normal way. The courts decision, having heard full argument, may ultimately reflect the Lord Ordinarys view, but that is for another day.
The UK has been slowly progressing on its plans to withdraw from the EU since the Brexit vote [JURIST report] in June 2016. The UK House of Commons voted 324-295 [JURIST report] in January to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, also known as as the Brexit bill. The House of Lords began deliberations on the bill on January 30.
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SHADY COVE, Ore. Police across Southern Oregon are looking for a young woman who has been reported as a runaway. 15-year-old Nouara "Lili" Rose Yahiaoui (first and last names pronounced New-ARE-uh Yeah-he-owie) was last seen Friday, March 9, at her grandmother's house in Shady Cove.
Detectives believe that Yahiaoui may have headed for Josephine County or Redding, California with an adult male that weekend. Yahiaoui's grandmother last heard from the missing girl on Sunday, March 11, via text message.
Yahiaoui's current whereabouts are unknown.
Yahiaoui is described as a white female, 5'5" tall, and about 160 pounds. She has long brown hair, bleached blond on the ends, and brown eyes. She wears 2-centimeter gauge earrings. She was last seen wearing a white short-sleeve t-shirt with pink roses, green khaki pants, and a tan backpack with white stripes. She was also carrying a green duffle bag.
Yahiaoui also has gone by the following names: Lili Rose Cheever, Lili Rose Yahiaoui, and Nouara Rose Cheever.
Anyone with information regarding Yahiaoui's whereabouts is asked to call dispatch immediately, at (541) 776-7206.
The Instagram app is shown on an iPhone in Toronto on Monday, March 19, 2018. Instagram is expanding its shopping feature to Canada. The social media giant will allow businesses to tag products in their posts, which users can tap to purchase or learn more about. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Government offices at the MALAMPA Provincial Headquarters on Malekula have been closed since March 5. (File photo)
Up to 1,000 homes were planned for this hilly patch of land, known as Diamond Mountain, south of the Kelowna dump. Council voted 5-2 Monday not to approve the project, citing concerns about nuisance impacts from the landfill.
A signboard advertising IREO stands in front of buildings being constructed by the real estate firm in Gurgaon, India, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The Indian company that is partnering with the Trump Organization on an office tower project has been accused of running an elaborate real estate swindle that cheated investors out of nearly $150 million, according to complaints filed with Indian authorities. The documents make no mention of the Trump Organization, and focus largely on two real estate deals that began years before the organization signed a 2016 agreement with IREO to partner on an office tower in Gurgaon, outside New Delhi. (AP Photo/Oinam Anand)
In this photo taken Friday, July 28, 2017, wildlife ranger Zachariah Mutai poses for a photo with Sudan, the world's last male northern white rhino, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia county in Kenya. The world's last male northern white rhino, Sudan, has died after "age-related complications," researchers announced Tuesday, March 20, 2018 saying he "stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength." (AP Photo/Joe Mwihia)
FILE - In this June 30, 2017, file photo, Pitbull performs in concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. The organization Clean Water Here announced on Monday, March 19, 2018, that the international pop star will be named Clean Water Here Ambassador on March 22, when he visits the U.N. in New York City. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Vaccine requirement makes its way to Highmark Stadium If youre 12 or older, youll now need at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to see the Buffalo Bills play in person. In a Sept. 14, press conference,...
Experience the Ghostlight Theatre like never before Engage with the spooky spirits of the Ghostlight Theatre for one weekend only from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday Sept. 24 through Sunday Sept. 26 at the Ghostlight Theatre...
Towns of Amherst, Tonawanda to experience Interstate 290 lane and road closures The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) advised motorists to expect continuing lane closures on Interstate 290 in the Town of Amherst, Erie County, weeknights from 7 p.m. to...
Voting open for proposal projects in Tonawanda The Town of Tonawanda is asking residents to cast in their votes for finalist projects funded by the Tonawanda Community Environmental Benefit Program. This program grants funds for proposal projects...
City of Tonawanda Fire Department to receive more than $106,000 in federal fire grant Congressman Brian Higgins and City of Tonawanda Mayor Rick Davis announced a federal fire grant totaling $106,145 awarded to the City of Tonawanda Fire Department through the Department of Homeland...
Jonas Cullwick, a former General Manager of VBTC is now a Senior Journalist with the Daily Post. Contact: [email protected]. Cell # 678 5460922
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EUGENE, Ore -- According to University of Oregon Police, two serious crimes occurred involving UO students recently in neighborhoods close to campus. UOPD found out about the incidents on Monday, March 19.
Police say a student was abducted and sexually assaulted on Saturday night, March 17. The survivor said he was near 19th Ave. and Agate St. when someone grabbed him from behind, dragged him into a car, and then drove to an unknown location. Police say the suspect sexually assaulted him and ran off.
KEZI spoke with one woman who lives near 19th Ave. and Agate St. She said the neighborhood is usually friendly and safe. But said after the recent crimes that may not be the case anymore.
"Nobody's safe, nobody gets to walk around and feel like it's fine and this is Eugene, Angela Jackson said.
In the second incident, police say a UO student reported that three men tried to rob her on Thursday, March 15. Just after 12pm, she says she was walking down 15th Ave. between Alder and Kincaid Streets when three men she did not know approached her. Police say one man grabbed her and pushed her against a car while the other two men pulled out knives and tried to cut the strap of her backpack.
She said the men did not threaten her with the knives. She was able to get out her cell phone and told the men she had called the police. They ran away in separate directions.
KEZI spoke with one UO student who lives at Alpha Chi Omega, which is on the same block of where the crime happened. She said her and her friends are sick of the recent crime spree.
"Every day it's like something new just pops up and it's almost becoming normal, to just hear about these incidents which is not something a college campus should have to deal with. Gracie Goodenough said. So my friends and I are definitely freaked out and just trying to find rides to go home and to get to class."
Police are currently investigating these latest crimes. Officials say anyone with information about either of these two incidents should contact UOPD.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Members of the Greek community are taking extra precautions walking near the University of Oregon campus, now that the number of robberies in Eugene has reached double digits.
KEZI spoke with Emma Sugar, who is a member of Delta Gamma. She said her sorority and a handful of other sororities are informing their members about ways to stay safe.
Sugar said they are telling members to travel in large groups, carry pepper spray and to pay attention to their surroundings while they are walking. She also said that each sorority is implementing their very own ride share program so members can get a ride to their destination instead of walking.
She said because of the rash of robberies that have been happening recently, she and many others are afraid to go out.
"I do not want to walk alone, let alone leave this house honestly, Sugar said. A lot of them are taking place right across the street or even next to our house. So it's a scary thought for sure."
On March 17th, at 12:50 a.m. police said a 21-year-old woman saw two men hiding behind the dumpsters just outside of Delta Gamma, with one man holding a handgun.
Police said the woman called a friend and then went into a nearby bar before one of her friend's reported it to police.
They said it is that type of delay in reporting crimes that have made it difficult to find the suspects. Police said the longer it takes to report the crime, the more difficult it is for them to find the suspect. If you are a victim or if you see something suspicious, you are asked to contact police immediately.
I heard about this yesterday on NPR. Sounds like a wonderful woman, activist and politician. Gunned down along with her driver. Rest in power Marielle.
I sometimes listen to Mark Levin's radio show & usually when he's discussing domestic policy stuff we're in agreement; sometimes when he's discussing foreign policy I disagree with him, in which case I'm listening to him to monitor enemy transmissions. B)Anyways, as his radio show was nearing the end today, he mentioned something about Mueller that I didn't know. He was the one investigating the Anthrax attacks back in 2001 and was going after the wrong guy.I decided to do an online search about it and found this, which I thought was rather interesting:
MASON CITY, Iowa A man facing a burglary charge in Worth County is now accused in Cerro Gordo County.
Joshua Thomas Teeter, 20, of Mason City has been booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $20,000 bail. Authorities say hes the second man charged with stealing two snowmobiles in Mason City on Feb. 24. Police say Teeter, 26-year-old Levi Shackleton of Rudd, and a third unidentified suspect cut the lock off an enclosed trailer in a parking lot and stole the two snowmobiles worth more than $10,000 each.
Levi Shackleton Levi Shackleton
Teeter is charged with one count of first-degree theft while Shackleton had already entered not guilty pleas to first-degree theft, conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, and third-degree burglary. Shackletons trial is set for April 17.
In addition, Teeter is accused of breaking into another trailer in the 3600 block of South Federal Avenue on Feb. 14 and stealing more than $3,500 worth of property. Authorities say they found a stolen minibike and a large amount of stolen tools at Teeters home. Hes charged with second-degree theft and third-degree burglary in that case.
Teeter is also accused, along with Channing Greer of Manly and Jeremy Mulford of Mason City, of stealing a safe from a home in Worth County on March 4. The three were charged with third-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit a felony.
MASON CITY, Iowa - One driver is taken to the hospital after a three-vehicle collision early Monday evening.
It happened a little before 7 pm at the intersection of 1st Street NW and North Washington Avenue in Mason City. Authorities say a westbound Jeep driven by Leslie Coe, of Mason City, ran a red light and was hit by a southbound truck driven by Michael Lavite of Illinois. Before landing on it's side, the Jeep rolled over the hood of a car driven by Todd Campbell of Mason City.
Coe had to be cut out of the vehicle before being taken to Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa. She is charged for disobeying a traffic signal.
MCINTIRE, Iowa - A reward of $5,000 is now being offered for information related to the damage at Pinicon Alders Cabin.
Pictures showing massive damage to Pinicon Alders Cabin have been released, showing extensive damage to one of the cabins as well as an outhouse which the sheriffs office says is completely destroyed.
Those with the Mitchell County Conservation Board said they are unable to rent out the cabin for an extended period of time because of the extent of the damage.
Those with the sheriffs office say they are looking for a Ford F-250 between the years of 1999-2004. They say the person driving the vehicle may be responsible for the damage.
Daniel Hockens lives across the street from the campground and says its a shame someone would cause such damage to this area.
I just hope that they fix it up and put some security setup on it, he said. They have been talking a lot about doing that.
Those with the conservation board said they are offering a $1, 000 reward for information leading to the individuals arrest.
AUSTIN, Minn. Its 20 years of probation and a $5,000 fine for a Mower County man caught with drugs near a school.
24-year-old Brandon Michael Zarate of Austin pleaded guilty to 3rd degree drug possession methamphetamine in a school zone. He was charged after law enforcement said he delivered meth to a confidential informant in May 2017. Authorities said they believe the drug was kept at Zarates home, which is close to Sumner Elementary School.
In addition to his probation and fine, Zarate was ordered Monday to perform 40 hours of community service.
CHARLES CITY, Iowa Narcotics-related items were seized after the execution of two search warrants Monday.
Multiple charges for multiple individuals are pending as officers continue the investigation, police said Tuesday.
The search warrants were executed at a residence in the 600 block of S. Jackson St. at 2:20 p.m. Monday and in the 1000 block of S. Johnson St. at 5:31 p.m.
The State Fire Marshal Division assisted in the operation.
ROCHESTER, Minn. A man who was charged with murder before being released has been arrested for allegedly strangling a family member.
Deante Stanifer, 24, was arrested this month in connection to the killing of a 40-year-old father of two, Ahmed Muafaq Abdulhu Al Naddf, who was shot dead outside a Rochester residence.
RELATED: Residents react to Rochester murder of father of two.
Stanfier was released in the case but was arrested at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday after police say he came home drunk and upset with a family member. He allegedly grabbed the female and prevented her from breathing.
When arrested, Stanifer kicked and banged his head against the law enforcement car in the 900 block of 41st St. NW., police say.
Stanifer is facing charges for domestic assault by strangulation and domestic assault against a family member.
ROCHESTER, Minn.- Senator Amy Klobuchar held a conference on Sunday March 18 to discuss a federal bill that will tackle the opioid crisis.
Senator Klobuchar discussed revamping the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act better known as C.A.R.A. It would be called C.A.R.A.2.0.
We spoke to a recovering opioid addict who later became a clinical director for a outpatient treatment center called Common Ground. Eric Spagenski said hes in support for the bill that would help fund treatment programs for people who are dealing with addiction.
I thank programs in Minnesota for helping me.
He said more programs now are treating addiction like its a choice.
You don't choose to be addicted to opioids, said Spagenski Theres more to it
He also adds that treating Opioid addiction should be like how people treat illnesses.
When you have heart disease or diabetes, you don't just do treat it in one sitting. You change things for the long term.
Below is the information about the new bill from Klobuchars website.
CARA 2.0 Policy Reforms:
Imposes three-day limit on initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with exceptions for chronic pain or pain for other ongoing illnesses.
Makes permanent Section 303 of CARA which allows physician assistance and nurse practitioners to prescribe buprenorphine under the direction of a qualified physician.
Allows states to waive the limit on the number patients a physician can treat with buprenorphine so long as they follow evidence-based guidelines. There is currently a cap of 100 patients per physician.
Require physicians and pharmacists use their state PDMP upon prescribing or dispensing opioids.
Increases civil and criminal penalties for opioid manufacturers that fail to report suspicious orders for opioids or fail to maintain effective controls against diversion of opioids.
Creates a national standard for recovery residence to ensure quality housing for individuals in long-term recovery.
CARA 2.0 Authorization Levels:
$10 million to fund a National Education Campaign on the dangers of prescription opioid misuse, heroin, and lethal fentanyl (up from $5 million in the original CARA).
$300 million to expand evidence-based medication-assisted treatment (up from $25 million in the original CARA).
$300 million to expand first responder training and access to naloxone (up from $12 million in the original CARA).
$200 million to build a national infrastructure for recovery support services to help individuals move successfully from treatment into long-term recovery (up from $1 million in the original CARA).
$20 million to expand Veterans Treatment Courts (up from 6$ million in the original CARA).
$100 million to expand treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, including facilities that allow children to reside with their mothers (up from $17.9 million in the original CARA).
$60 million to help states develop an Infant Plan of Safe Care to assist states, hospitals and social services to report, track and assist newborns exposed to substances and their families (no authorization in the original CARA).
$10 million for a National Youth Recovery Initiative to develop, support, and maintain youth recovery support services (no authorization in the original CARA).
Find more information about the bill here.
Francesco Canepa
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - France expects the European Union to obtain a full exemption from new U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel that are due to kick in on March 23, the French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday after meeting his U.S. counterpart.
The proposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, seen as the first major step toward protectionism by U.S. President Donald Trumps administration, are chiefly aimed at shutting out excess production from China but apply to all countries unless they get an exemption.
With time running out, Le Maire said he had sought to convince his U.S. counterpart, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, that the EU should be exempted, during a bilateral meeting at a G20 summit in Buenos Aires.
Ive been clear with Steve Mnuchin that we are waiting for a full exemption from these new American tariffs for the European Union as a whole, Le Maire told reporters after the first day of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires.
I think we should reach that goal. Its difficult (but) its not out of reach, he added.
The European Commission has said that, if the EU is not exempted, it should set duties of 25 percent on a range of U.S. products, whose annual imports to the EU are worth 2.8 billion euros ($3.45 billion).
Le Maire added that a separate EU tax on companies with digital revenues - which could hit companies like Google (GOOGL.O), Apple (AAPL.O) and Facebook (FB.O) - could become effective as soon as next year.
I hope that the directive on digital taxation might be adopted by the end of this year or by the beginning of 2019, he said.
The proposal, due to be presented this week, will see large companies with significant digital revenues face a 3 percent tax on their turnover, according to a draft seen by Reuters.
The EUs Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said in a letter to Mnuchin last week that the tax was not aimed at U.S. tech companies but was intended as a first step toward harmonized international rules on the new economy.
($1 = 0.8109 euros)
Reporting by Francesco Canepa and Luc Cohen, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien
SEOUL (Reuters) - Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said steel tariffs will be discussed at the upcoming Group of 7 summit in June, South Koreas presidential office said on Tuesday after Trudeau had a phone call with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Trudeau was cited as saying Canada had been granted a temporary waiver on U.S. steel import tariffs and does not believe trade issues involving the United States have been resolved yet, the Blue House said. Reporting by Christine Kim; Editing by Kim Coghill
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Gold is on the defensive as traders await the outcome of a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee that is expected to result in a 25-basis-point U.S. interest-rate hike, says George Gero, managing director with RBC Wealth Management. As of 10:01 a.m. EDT, Comex April gold was down $9.10 to $1,308.70 an ounce. Gold sellers return as Fed meeting [begins] and rate hike is apparently the reason for pullback, Gero says. This is a snapback dollar result, waiting for results of the Fed notes and expected hikes, which could now be four not three [for 2018]. The euro was down to $1.22706 from $1.23340 late Monday.
By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com
Commerzbank: 66 Tonnes Of Feb. Swiss Gold Imports Go To China
Commerzbank reports that 45% of the gold exported out of Switzerland last month went to China. Analysts cite data from the Swiss Federal Customs Administration showing that Switzerland exported 146 tonnes of gold last month, with 113 going to China, Hong Kong and India. Sixty-six tons were exported directly to China, the largest quantity since December 2016, Commerzbank says. A lot of gold was already exported to China in January, presumably because of the Chinese New Years festival. At just shy of 28 tonnes, gold exports to India in February were almost twice as high as in January, but well below last Februarys level. The data tally with the weaker figures already released by the Indian Ministry of Finance.
By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com
MKS: Chart Support, Net Positioning Could Underpin Gold
Gold sits around key chart support at a time when bullish speculative positioning has declined, which may help the metal stem further losses for now, says Sam Laughlin, senior trader with MKS (Switzerland) S.A. Gold net-long positioning [in Commodity Futures Trading Commission data] has lightened in recent weeks to now sits toward the lowest level this year, which should provide room for further top-side gains over the near term, the trader says. As of 9:59 a.m. EDT, spot gold was $7.35 lower to $1,309.35 an ounce. As we head toward Wednesday's FOMC [Federal Open Market Committee] rate decision, bullion has managed to edge away from the early March low of $1,303 and the 100 DMA [100-day moving average] of $1,305; however, both continue to act as strong supportive levels should the greenback see interest dependent upon interest-rate rhetoric that comes out of the FOMC.
Hyonhee Shin, Idrees Ali
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and South Korea will resume joint military drills next month, Seoul and Washington said on Tuesday, exercises that will go ahead despite U.S. President Donald Trumps planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Seoul and Washington said in January they would delay the annual exercises until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics held in South Korea last month, helping to create conditions for a resumption of talks between South and North Korea.
The reclusive North routinely denounces the drills as preparation for war.
The Foal Eagle field exercise is scheduled to begin on April 1 and go on for a month, while the computer-simulated Key Resolve will be held for two weeks starting in mid-April, a South Korean military official told reporters in Seoul on Tuesday.
There has been a flurry of diplomatic activity across Asia, the United States and Europe since the North sent delegations to the Winter Olympics, moves that culminated in North Koreas planned summits with the South and with the United States.
The South Korean and U.S. militaries usually stage the two drills in March for about two months but the period of this years field exercise was cut by half, mainly due to the Olympics, said the South Korean official, who asked not to be identified.
The exercises will be of a scale similar to that of the previous years and are meant to improve our readiness against various North Korean threats, the official said.
North Korea is pursuing nuclear and missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council sanctions and has made no secret of its plans to develop a missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
Such plans, and the exchange of insults between Kim and Trump, had led to increased fears of confrontation on the Korean peninsula in recent months before the diplomatic contacts. China, North Koreas main ally, says it is happy to see an easing of tensions.
DEFENCE-ORIENTED
The Pentagon said the North Korean military had been notified about the schedule for the drills by the United Nations Command.
Our combined exercises are defence-oriented and there is no reason for North Korea to view them as a provocation, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan said in a statement.
The South Korean official said consultations were underway over whether U.S. strategic assets such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers or bombers would be deployed for the drills.
Logan said the two joint drills would involve about 23,700 U.S. troops and 300,000 South Korean forces.
He said they were not in response to any specific North Korean actions or the current situation on the Korean peninsula.
The Key Resolve simulated exercises would likely overlap with a summit between the two Koreas, planned for late April, the South Korean official said.
After the postponement of the drills was announced in January, Pyongyang agreed to hold the first official talks with Seoul in more than two years and then sent athletes and officials to the Winter Olympics.
Those talks led to a visit this month by a South Korean delegation to Pyongyang for a meeting with the North Korean leader. Delegation leader Chung Eui-yong, South Koreas national security adviser, said Kim committed to denuclearization and expressed eagerness to meet Trump as soon as possible, an offer the U.S. president quickly accepted.
Chung said Kim was expected to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April before meeting Trump by the end of May.
The two Koreas held working-level talks on Tuesday at the border village of Panmunjom over Seouls plan to send an artistic troupe for a concert in Pyongyang.
Despite the Norths denunciation of past drills, Chung said Kim understood that the allies must continue their routine joint military exercises.
Pyongyang has not confirmed the exchange and threatened earlier this month to take counteraction if the United States and South Korea went ahead with the exercises.
The joint drills ran from March 1-April 30 in 2017 and included the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no U.S. aircraft carriers would take part this year, which he said was according to plan and not related to the political situation.
Reporting by Idrees Ali in WASHINGTON and Hyonhee Shin in SEOUL; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Peter Cooney and Paul Tait
LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia expects to produce more than one million tonnes of copper this year after revising its 2017 copper production upwards on the back of stable power supply, a senior ministry of mines official said on Tuesday.
Rising copper prices were also expected to boost revenue collection in Africas No.2 producer of the metal, which ranks exports of the metal as its biggest export.
Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda said the copper production figure was revised upwards to 800,000 tonnes from 786,731 tonnes announced by the central bank last month.
The southern African country produced 774,290 tonnes of copper in 2016.
We actually hit 800,000 tonnes last year and we anticipate with certainty that we are going to reach a million tonnes or more this year, Chanda told Reuters in an interview.
With electric cars whose major ingredient is copper coming on the market, demand for the metal is expected to remain high and this is a big incentive for mining companies, Chanda said.
Chanda said projects such as a new shaft by Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) owned by Glencore and an expansion project by China Non-Ferrous Africa Mining (NFCA) would start production this year and further boost copper output in 2018 and beyond.
Other mining companies operating in Zambia include Canadas First Quantum Minerals, Barrick Gold Corp and London-listed Vedanta Resources.
Incheon Free Economic Zone Commissioner Kim Jin-yong speaks during an interview at his office in Incheon. / Courtesy of Incheon Free Economic Zone
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Commissioner Kim Jin-yong said Incheon is transforming into a safer and more convenient city with its vision for the future.
To mark the 15th anniversary since the city was designated a free economic zone, the IFEZ will introduce a new vision and goals for future.
Under the theme "Global Business Frontier," the IFEZ vowed to become a business hub for Northeast Asia while playing a pivotal role in helping introduce the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
It said it will announce detailed plans for the future on the day of its anniversary.
Incheon is considered the nation's most rapidly changing city with the IFEZ-integrated Smart City project, and is preparing for another promising 15 years to come, Kim said.
"The IFEZ-integrated Smart City is considered the world's top-tier technology. The project will be upgraded one step further to make Incheon citizens' lives more convenient," he said during an interview.
"I will also do my best to contribute to make the city safer and more convenient."
The IFEZ introduced the project platform by itself, and has so far acquired three patents in related technologies. Global market research company International Data Corporation also named the IFEZ-integrated Smart City Operation Center as the best project in city administration for two consecutive years since 2016.
The center also received the GeoSpatial Application Excellence Award from GeoSmart Asia, a leading geospatial conference organizer in the Asia-Pacific region.
Now exported to five countries, the IFEZ-integrated Smart City technology is attracting foreign direct investment, including metal giant Amada and Daedong Hi-Lex, which built an R&D center in Incheon.
Separate from its Smart City project, Kim said Incheon will lead the nation's future growth engines in artificial intelligence, information, biotechnology and nanotechnology.
"FDI into the city reached $991.5 million last year, 157 percent of the city's targeted goal of $630 million. Samsung Biologics also built its third production plant in Incheon in November to make it one of the world's largest biomedicine producing cities," he said.
Kim added, however, it could be tough to continue the city's success this year due to external factors.
"The European Union included Korea on its blacklist of tax havens last year. The government managed to get itself delisted earlier this year, but it could be a hurdle," he said.
Unlike other commissioners in major local governments who have mostly spent their careers in central government, Kim has only worked for Incheon.
Recognized for his deep understanding about the city, Kim was appointed IFEZ commissioner in September last year.
Hwang Il-soon, center, a professor at Seoul National University's department of nuclear engineering, speaks during a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Park Jae-hyuk
A civic group composed of nuclear experts, businesspeople, journalists and students has called for the export of nuclear power plants, Tuesday, saying the Moon Jae-in administration should abandon its anti-nuclear policies.
The group stressed exporting the nation's technical know-how is the only way to overcome economic problems.
"The size of the global energy market has already surpassed $15 trillion since 2009, so having a 1 percent market share will increase Korea's total exports by 30 percent," said Prof. Hwang Il-soon at Seoul National University's department of nuclear engineering in a press conference on the launch of the group.
"Nuclear plants in Korea have allowed 700 firms to post 25 trillion won ($23 billion) in sales and to create 35,000 decent paying jobs. If the country has a 1 percent worldwide market share, the number of jobs in the industry will be six times larger than before."
Despite the government-driven anti-nuclear measures, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Un-gyu has vowed to provide full support for Korea to clinch construction orders from countries in the Middle East. He visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia this year to meet government officials there, amid fierce competition among global powerhouses for orders to build nuclear plants in those countries.
The government's double standard has caused doubt among potential clients and they may exclude Korea from bidding on their nuclear projects in the future. Also, some activists have urged the government to stop building both domestic and overseas nuclear plants.
The civic group regarded the anti-nuclear policy as a false belief resulting from an unscientific approach. Its members said the administration and its supporters must scrap the policy soon because they will realize the necessity of nuclear energy.
"Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who promoted Korean nuclear plants with the UAE, also regarded exporting nuclear plants under the anti-nuclear policy as a weird policy," said the former Prime Minister's Press Secretary Kim Chang-young. "Our future depends on nuclear power plants, and we demand the government foster technologies for both renewable energies and nuclear power."
Mentioning the construction of a nuclear power plant in North Korea after the Agreement Framework signed in Geneva in 1994, the civic group also said South Korea's technology will be able to serve as a bargaining chip for North Korea's denuclearization.
"North Korea has absolutely been short of electricity, so building nuclear plants will improve the inter-Korean relationships," said Lee Byung-ryung, a nuclear expert from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.
The civic group plans to hold a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul next month to persuade more citizens to support the export of nuclear plants. Thirty thousand people are expected to participate, according to the group.
A shareholder speaks at the Hyundai Motor annual shareholder meeting of at its headquarters in southern Seoul on March 16. / Yonhap
By Yoon Ja-young
Reforms in the shareholder voting system are troubling businesses because it has become difficult to make a quorum at general shareholders' meetings. The regulator is encouraging businesses to adopt electronic voting but only a few are doing so.
"A total of 1,768 companies listed on the bourse will be holding shareholders' meetings over the next two weeks. Among them, 102 asked for support so they can make a quorum," said Financial Services Commission Vice Chairman Kim Yong-beom at a task force meeting, Monday.
"We will strengthen support so the shareholder meetings can go smoothly," he said. He called on the Korea Financial Investment Association to help by contacting shareholders and encouraging asset management firms to exercise their voting rights.
The task force was formed amid growing concern that businesses will fail to get approval for key issues at shareholders' meetings following the abolition of shadow voting.
Also called mirror voting, shadow voting allows the Korea Securities Depository to exercise proxy voting procedures on behalf of shareholders. The ratio of approvals and non-approvals of voters who attended the shareholders' meetings was applied to all shareholders.
The system was introduced in the early 1990s when a wide base of small investors joined the bourse. These companies had trouble getting approval for key issues at meetings because there were not enough shareholders to reach a quorum.
The measure was welcomed, especially by businesses with high ratios of small shareholders. However, regulators decided to abolish it in 2013 amid criticism that large shareholders were abusing it to undermine the rights of small shareholders. This year is the first without the shadow voting system, after a grace period.
The concern is turning into a reality. A pharmaceutical company failed to get approval to appoint an auditing director because less than 25 percent of shareholders were at the meeting.
Instead of shadow voting, the financial regulator wants listed companies to use electronic voting, so shareholders can have their say even if they do not attend the meetings.
However, not many businesses are adopting the system. According to the Korea Securities Depository, only 24.8 percent of listed companies that settle accounts in December said they would use electronic voting. Shareholders are increasingly using electronic voting, but the ratio is still low. Among listed companies that held their general shareholder meetings this year, the ratio of shareholders who used the electronic voting system represented a mere 3.45 percent of all shares issued.
"Businesses should actively engage themselves in IR efforts while shareholders should change their perceptions," said a Korea Securities Depository official. "Only then will the abolition of shadow voting lead to a new culture at general shareholder meetings."
By Yoon Ja-young
Amid deteriorating job market conditions, an increasing number of young people are giving up looking for work, which experts say will increase the government's fiscal burden.
Park, a 34-year-old man in Seoul, has given up searching for a job. After majoring in fashion design at college, he looked for a job at major fashion brand companies. After years of failed attempts, he started working at a garment shop in Gangnam, Seoul, however, he quit as the stress of dealing with customers led to a health problem. A couple of years have passed since then, and now he says he doesn't know where to start his search for a job.
Statistics show that the country's young people are increasingly giving up looking for jobs. According to Statistics Korea, the number of unemployed people who have been looking for jobs for less than three months stood at 826,000 last month. This is 116,000 fewer compared to a year ago and the biggest fall since March 2012.
However, this also doesn't mean that conditions in the job market are improving. While the number of short-term jobseekers decreased, the number of people who've been looking for work for more than six months stood at 154,000, a 33,000 increase from a year ago.
The economically inactive population, who are not employed but not counted in the unemployment figure, also increased. Among them, 542,000 quit looking for jobs, up 45,000 from the previous year.
"Some of the short-term jobless people may have shifted to long-term jobless due to prolonged unemployment, or they may have given up searching for jobs," an official at the statistics office said.
Lee Geun-tae, an economist at LG Economic Research Institute, said that worsening youth unemployment will lead to a "lost generation."
"On top of the officially unemployed people, there are unofficial figures of those who are virtually jobless, including NEET or those preparing for jobs," he pointed out. NEET refers to those not in education, employment or training. The number of such potential jobseekers in their 20s surpassed 1 million in 2016, more than double the official jobless rate, according to Lee.
"There are many young people currently not categorized as unemployed as they have no intention of seeking employment for now. But they will enter the job market if they think there is a chance."
The number of young NEETs stands at 840,000, growing 100,000 during the past decade. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the ratio of NEETs stands at 18 percent in Korea, far higher than the 10.1 percent of Japan.
He noted that an increasing number of college graduates are becoming NEETs following the global financial crisis. While the number of college graduates rose only 2.4 percent, the NEETs with college diplomas surged 11.2 percent.
Lee expressed concern that the young generation will suffer decreasing income due to the "scarring effect." As they spend a long time without jobs, they lose opportunities to build up expertise through work, which leads to smaller incomes. According to an analysis by LG Economic Research Institute, those who succeed in landing jobs after spending four years of being unemployed got 40 percent less income compared to their peers.
By Yun Suh-young
Kim Sa-in, newly appointed president of LTI Korea, speaks in front of the press Tuesday at a restaurant in Seoul. / Yonhap
Kim Sa-in said Tuesday the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) would seek a greater role under his leadership.
"What is Korean literature?" he asked in a prepared speech to the press in his first public appearance at a press conference in Seoul.
"We're no longer satisfied with our passive, technical role of supporting translators and exchange programs for writers. As an organization similar to the literary circle's version of a foreign ministry responsible for all Korean content, LTI Korea will redefine its role."
He cited the progress made so far, including last year's Man Booker Award given to Deborah Smith's translation of "The Vegetarian" by Han Kang.
"For the past 20 years, our institute has been striving to place Korean content on the global stage. The efforts have paid off, such as the winning of the Man Booker Award by a Korean author. However, it's time to reflect on ourselves and question what Korean literature really is and what it should be. Without asking this existential question, despite the increase in translated publications, I'm afraid we may end up failing to create an image about Korean literature as a whole."
The new president plans to expand the realm of Korean literature in both space and time -- spatially expanding to include the entire Korean Peninsula including North Korean literature; and temporally to traditional literature including musical lyrics such as pansori, sijo and hyangga. Kim plans to create a new department for Korean literature to carry out such endeavors.
"I think it's a viable way to diversify the pool of Korean content which has been constrained until now. I believe we have been neglecting the question of what really constitutes Korean literature in terms of form and content and therefore there's a need to establish that. If we don't mull deeply over our tradition, I believe it will be difficult for Korean literature to settle in world literature," he said.
Kim's plan to redefine the role of Korean literature seems to stem from his background. He is the first president of LTI Korea to have majored in Korean literature, unlike his predecessors who had various foreign literature backgrounds. His immediate predecessor was Kim Seong-kon, who was an English literature major. Kim Sa-in has a bachelor's degree from Seoul National University and a master's degree from Korea University in Korean language and literature. He completed the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa and served as an exchange professor at Harvard University's Korea Institute. He is a poet and literary critic, and a professor at Peking University before being appointed to the position.
One of LTI Korea's biggest projects this year is the release of the Korean Literature Anthology published by the Cornell East Asia Program. The publication has been in the making for the past 10 years and will finally be published during the second half of this year. The anthology will include 30 to 40 representative Korean literary works from over the past century.
When asked whether he put more emphasis on liberal translation or literal translation, along with what he thought of the criticisms posed against the creative translation of Deborah Smith for "The Vegetarian," Kim said this is something to be thought over.
"There needs to be more discussion on the essence of translation," he said. "We're used to the dichotomized categories of literal and liberal translations, but I think it's less about transferring the dictionary meaning of a word and more about transferring the heart of the original piece. We definitely need to talk more about this."
Kim also plans to increase residential and work spaces for translators as there is a desperate need for them.
"There needs to be more spaces for translators and writers to work together because translation requires collaboration and concentration. We also plan to establish an information platform to search Korean literature in various languages," he said.
He also called for local publishers to push their efforts to export Korean literature overseas.
"Maybe they're having difficulty because they haven't tried exporting. If they can pioneer in the business sector to open an overseas market, our institute will support it in all ways."
Despite all of these ambitious plans, however, Kim said the budget allocated to the institute was way too low to carry out more than a handful of projects.
"Our budget is 9 billion won and of that, 2 billion won to 3 billion won is operating costs. Our institute has long operated under an extremely tight, low budget. We need two or three times this. We definitely need help and will actively ask for more," he said.
A customer tries a new product by a cosmetics manufacturer in Seoul. / Yonhap
By Rachel Lee
The Korean capital, the epicentre of the beauty world, has become a popular destination for dermatology care, with more and more foreign tourists flocking to Seoul for the best treatment.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, nearly one third of the total amount spent by travellers on medical care was on plastic surgery and dermatological treatment, which was about 270 billion won in 2016. In terms of number of visitors, over 47,340 people visited a dermatologist during the same period while 47,881 underwent plastic surgery.
Khloud, a 40-something woman from Dubai, has been staying in Gangnam for two months with her family for her husband's medical treatment as well as her skincare at a dermatologist. She told The Korea Times last week that she was impressed by Korean women's glowing skin and their multi-step skincare routine.
"I have had dark marks on my face caused by acne-prone skin, like spots left following irritation of the skin, and I am getting better after getting laser treatment that is helping my skin rejuvenate," Khloud said.
The doctor advised her on ways to deal with her skin if it breaks out, and she stopped her bad habit of picking at every pimple that appears, the tourist added.
Even when foreigners visit Seoul for a business trip or a holiday, skin care clinics are a must-visit place even if they have fairly good looking skin.
Sally, a 32-year-old woman from the United States, chose to stay in Gangnam for beauty shopping and dermatological treatments during her vacation with friends in Seoul.
She said she wanted to see how the beauty-conscious women in Korea take care of the skin and find out more about their lifestyle.
The American travellers visited a clinic in the area after searching for recommendations on Google.
"I was really impressed by the great customer service offered via their Facebook. They were fluent in English so I was able to ask questions about my skin troubles and the location. Their reply was also prompt," Sally said.
What she liked the best about the Korean dermatologist was that the doctor gave her more in-depth treatment and information about her skin troubles than a dermatologist in the U.S. who just gave her some cream. To reduce her main concern, redness, the doctor at the clinic recommended a nine-step laser treatment that started with cleansing and ended with LED therapy.
"My friends told me that my skin looked much smoother after one session," she said.
They were also busy with beauty shopping in Seoul for themselves and gifts _ when she told her family and friends that she was flying to Seoul for vacation, her sister and friends asked her to buy Korean facial sheet masks in bulk and get other new skincare products.
"We were overwhelmed by Seoul's beauty offerings," the tourists said, expressing their hope to have "glass skin," meaning crystal clear as glass and seemingly transparent skin.
By Matt VanVolkenburg
While the occasional drug bust of entertainers results in nationwide condemnation today, few remember the largest such case in 1975. At that time, over 50 entertainers were arrested for smoking marijuana at the height of Park Chung-hee's Yushin dictatorship. One reason so many were caught was that few realized it was even illegal.
The reason for this can be traced back to a loophole in the 1957 Narcotics Law which banned only "Indian marijuana," but ignored the use of Korean hemp. In the early 1960s it was sold around U.S. bases in Korea as "happy smoke," and in mid-1966 U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) authorities brought this up for the first time, asking Korean authorities to remove the legal loophole allowing its sale.
Korean authorities had little interest in their request, however. Although marijuana's active ingredient, THC, was added to a bill to control the habit-forming drugs in mid-1968, years went by without the bill being passed. In the meantime, arrests of GIs for marijuana use by USFK authorities increased from eight in 1966 to 635 in 1969.
In early March 1970, a drug-related murder of a Korean couple in Dongducheon by two U.S. soldiers led to a flurry of media reports on the drug problem around U.S. bases, but that quickly died down.
The Korea Times featured coverage of the "Pot Problem" which quoted a letter home from a soldier ("It is really out of sight trying to park a huge aircraftwith aGen[eral] on board when I am high") and reported on lab tests confirming the potency of Korean marijuana.
Korean authorities' disinterest in marijuana ended on June 8, 1970, on which day two things happened. First, it was reported U.S. troops would withdraw from Korea. Second, amid reports on the spread of Westernized youth culture like rock music and go-go dancing among Korean youth, JoongAng Ilbo reported university students were smoking marijuana in secret clubs. The next day every newspaper duly reported marijuana had become a problem.
Which of the two events was more important in prompting the government to act is unclear. The Korean-language media focused on the students and barely mentioned the dormant habit-forming drug control bill or U.S. pressure to pass it. The Korea Times, on the other hand, reported that "The absence of a law governing Korean hemp has created friction between Korean and American authorities," and that USFK authorities had "asked the Kyonggi-do provincial government to tighten control of marihuana" and "asked the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs to hasten the passage of a bill on habit forming drug control to check marihuana traffic." The bill was passed in mid-July 1970.
That the use of marijuana by students may have been exaggerated, and that the true focus of the bill was U.S. soldiers, is suggested by the fact most marijuana arrests reported in the Korean-language media over the next four years took place in U.S. military camp towns, not university areas. This lack of publicity about marijuana's illegality helped it spread among musicians, artists and students in the early 1970s.
This ended abruptly in December 1975. Amid the growing militarization of universities and society as a whole following the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975, the government suddenly began enforcing the Habit-Forming Drug Control Law beyond U.S. camp towns. Lifetime bans followed for many performers, and, along with increased censorship, the crackdown brought to an end the first flowering of folk and rock music in Korea. Ironically, the law the U.S. had pressured Korea to pass allowed the government to expel from the public sphere performers connected with U.S.-influenced youth culture.
on March 27, at the second-floor lounge of Somerset Palace in downtown Seoul. All are welcome. Non-members pay 10,000 won and students pay 5,000 won. Visit raskb.com for more information.
Matt VanVolkenburg has a master's degree in Korean studies from the University of Washington. He is the blogger behind populargusts.blogspot.kr . He will lecture on the rise and fall of Korea's 1970s-era youth culture for the Royal Asiatic Society
Na Hyang-wook, right, former chief of the education ministry's policy planning, keeps his head down while his boss Lee Joon-sik, left, education minister, answers lawmakers' questions at a congressional hearing on Na's "dogs and pigs" comment in this July 2016 file photo. /Korea Times file
Education ministry to allow Na Hyung-wook to return to work
By Kim Se-jeong
In 2016, Na Hyang-wook, 49, then chief of the education ministry's policy planning bureau, pushed the entire nation into an uproar with a comment that people are "dogs and pigs" which only need to be fed.
This week, he was back in the news, upsetting the public again.
On Monday, the ministry said it will reinstate him as a public official, adding it decided not to appeal the recent court's decision on him that although his language was inappropriate, firing him was too much _ dismissal is the harshest punishment available for a public official.
Angry citizens went on Cheong Wa Dae's website to sign an online petition. "Having him back in office makes no sense. I'd like him to be fired for good _ if not at least demoting him to an entry-level position where he will learn what it means to serve citizens," one petitioner wrote on the website.
Na's scandal was a case in point where people in the position of serving the public abused power and neglected the public.
It also came after the 2014 sinking of the ferry Sewol where more than 300 people died. The government was accused of negligence in its response. The incident also coincided with boiling anger at former President Park Geun-hye and her authoritative style of management. Park was later accused of corruption and ousted from power. Soon after, the liberal Moon Jae-in was elected in, vowing to prioritize restoring public trust in the government.
The ministry dismissed Na two years ago after his comment caused the national uproar and Na challenged the decision in court. The ministry explained the court had already ruled in favor of Na twice and the chances are low for the ministry to win at the highest court.
During a dinner with journalists from the progressive Kyunghyang Shinmun in July 2016, Na started off saying "Korea needs to solidify the caste system," which got the journalist to laugh.
He went on to reiterate his point using a quote from the 2015 film "Inside Men," in which a character says "The people are like dogs and pigs and should be treated as such. It's just enough to feed them and keep them alive."
Asked whom he meant by "the people," the former chief said "99 percent of people."
Asked to comment on the death of a 19-year-old part-time worker who was hit by an oncoming subway train at Guui Station in Seoul which was making headlines nationwide, Na answered the incident was a reflection of growing inequality and income disparity in Korean society, which is an unavoidable social ill.
He added those who regarded the victim as their own child were "hypocrites."
His comment went public as the news outlet ran the story, kindling a public firestorm.
He apologized for his comment, saying he was drunk and careless, but his behavior won little sympathy from the public. The ministry dismissed him, citing his misconduct hurt the integrity of civil servants and tarnished public trust in the government.
/ Korea Times file photo
South Korea and the United States will kick off their large-scale combined military exercises April 1 that have been delayed amid an Olympics-driven peace mood, the defense authorities here announced Tuesday.
But it stopped short of revealing when they will finish and how many troops will be mobilized.
The defense chiefs of the allies have agreed to hold the annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills that have been postponed on the basis of the Olympics spirit, the Ministry of National Defense said.
"The practice is slated to begin April 1, and it will be conducted on a similar size in previous years," it added without providing details on the timetable in a three-paragraph press release.
The United Nations Command (UNC) informed North Korea's military of the schedule and the allies' position that it's nothing more than regular training that's defensive in nature, according to the ministry.
By Jung Min-ho, Kang Aa-young
A man has been detained for allegedly threatening to bomb a major hospital in Seoul, police said Tuesday.
The man in his 30s, whose identity is being withheld, told police Monday night (at around 8:45 p.m.) that he had planted a bomb that "will go off in 10 minutes" at the Severance Hospital in Sinchon, according to the Seodaemun Police Station.
Police immediately sent their bomb disposal unit there and told everyone, including patients and their families, to be prepared for evacuation.
After searching seven hospital buildings and apprehending the caller at a hotel in the city, police stopped their search at around 11:45 p.m.
Police said the man was drunk when he called. They are investigating why he made the threats.
By Park Ji-won
Rival parties are expected to engage in heated debate over a constitutional revision bill President Moon Jae-in will submit March 26.
However, a referendum for the bill will be impossible if the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) rejects it.
President Moon Jae-in has set March 26 as the deadline for the rival parties to come up with an agreement on the constitutional revision, saying otherwise he will submit his own bill. The presidential office announced the government-led bill can be withdrawn if the rival parties have their own bill.
Moon's move likely came to keep his election pledge to hold a referendum coinciding with the local elections on June 13. Also, it is likely a move to put the legislature under pressure so it will discuss the bill.
The rival parties have one week to submit the legislature-led revision bill. However, the parties have shown different views toward the bill.
Cho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, speaks on the Cheong Wa Dae bill for constitutional revision, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Choi Ha-young
Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, unveiled part of President Moon Jae-in's constitutional revision bill that had an emphasis on fundamental human rights and democratic values.
The opposition parties, however, voiced concern en masse over some ideologically controversial elements, signaling a tough battle ahead over the constitutional amendment.
This was the first of a series of presentations the presidential office will have over three days on the revision bill, which Moon will submit to the Assembly, March 26.
Cho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, spoke about the preamble to the new Constitution as well as revisions to enhance basic rights and the people's sovereignty.
"The latest attempt for constitutional revision should focus on the freedom, safety and quality of life for citizens," Cho said.
In the preamble, Moon stipulated historic pro-democracy movements the April Revolution in 1960 which removed the dictatorship of President Syngman Rhee; the Busan-Masan Democratic Protests in 1979 against then President Park Chung-hee's Yushin regime; and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising in 1980 against general-turned-president, Chun Doo-hwan.
The existing Constitution only mentions the April Revolution. However, Cheong Wa Dae didn't add the 2016-17 candlelit protests that ousted former President Park Geun-hye, saying the movement was still making changes.
The revision bill replaced "citizen" with "people" for better rights for foreigners.
"Considering 2 million foreigners are staying here, as well as international standards for human rights, the bill expanded the subject of natural rights," Cho added. However, it set limits to subjects of social rights and some civil liberties that are relevant to the economy and national security.
F-16 fighter jets land at the Osan air base in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. The defense ministry announced the same day that the annual US-ROK Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills will begin on April 1, after the exercises were delayed for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. /Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
The upcoming joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea will minimize the deployment of U.S. strategic assets such as nuclear subs and strategic bombers.
In a brief statement, the defense ministry said on Tuesday the drills, which had been delayed until after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, will begin on April 1, on "a scale similar to previous years."
It did not provide details on what assets will be deployed or state how long the drills will last in comparison to previous years.
The United Nations Command notified the North Korean military of the plan the same day, and that the drills would be held as a regular exercise for defense purposes, the ministry said.
The Foal Eagle exercise will reportedly be held for one month compared to the usual two-month duration. The Key Resolve drills have usually been held for two weeks.
By Anne-Marie Slaughter and Elizabeth Radin
Anne-Marie Slaughter Elizabeth Radin
In the fall of 1607, a blacksmith named James Read was sentenced to hang for striking a representative of King James I in the Jamestown colony in Virginia. But at the top of the ladder that led to the gallows, he offered up details about a supposed mutiny in the making.
Shortly thereafter, he was back at work and George Kendall, the putative leader of the plot, was tried, convicted, placed before a firing squad and shot. He was shot rather than hanged because of his higher social standing.
With that, Kendall became the first person executed after a legal proceeding in what would become the United States of America, and we've been wrestling with the practice ever since including the fundamental questions of whether there is ever any justification for taking another life, and if so, how to do the deed.
Oklahoma took the latest stand in the absurd, never-ending debate over the latter question when it announced that it would create a protocol for a new execution method that it could use if it became impossible to procure the necessary drugs for its preferred lethal injection regimen. (Procuring such drugs has become increasingly difficult; some manufacturers have refused to do business with states.)
The fallback: "nitrogen hypoxia," in which the condemned would be locked in a sealed chamber and the air would be replaced with nitrogen, sending the person to sleep and then death.
At least that's the theory. No one has ever used the method, and there is no ethical way of studying whether it would work or not. In short, Oklahoma will be conducting human death experiments.
This is the level of madness the nation has reached in its efforts to kill people. The Supreme Court has injudiciously determined, for now, that capital punishment does not violate the Constitution's ban on "cruel and unusual punishment." It also has said that "because some risk of pain is inherent in any method of execution, we have held that the Constitution does not require the avoidance of all risk of pain."
What is the threshold for too much pain? A pin prick? Repeated jabs into a man's legs and groin in a vain and bloody effort to place a catheter to carry the killing drugs, as occurred earlier this month in Alabama?
The history of executions is gruesome. The electric chair had a nasty tendency of setting people on fire, so that was abandoned. The sight of a body swinging at the end of a rope made hanging distasteful, though three states still technically allow it.
Cyanide gas, the favored method in California for decades, caused intense pain as prisoners struggled for breath and seemed to suffer heart attacks; it was finally dismissed by a federal judge as having "no place in civil society."
Firing squads, while efficient, also fell out of favor primarily because of the vulgar spectacle, though some states have recently added them to the list of alternatives should lethal injections become impossible.
Yet isn't there something ludicrous (and macabre) about trying to dress death up so prettily? Even if we could find a way to execute people with a minimum of mess and spectacle and coughing and groaning, it wouldn't make the process civilized or humane or, for that matter, fair.
There remains an unacceptably high risk that the condemned person might not be guilty. There remain the reams of studies that make it clear that the death penalty falls disproportionately on people of color and the poor.
There remains the fact that capital punishment is meted out arbitrarily, depending more on the county in which the crime occurred than on the severity of the crime itself.
There are no persuasive arguments in favor of the death penalty, and a menu of solid arguments against it. But it is debates such as this how best to kill someone that point up the inherent absurdity and inhumanity of an act that, if committed by any of us individually, would be a crime. No government should have that power of life and death over its citizens.
The above editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Times. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By Frank Ching
Last October, China raised its leader, Xi Jinping, to dizzying heights when it wrote "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" into the Communist Party constitution.
Now, the National People's Congress, China's parliament, has incorporated the thought into the state constitution. It has also shed some light on what the "new era" holds. It will be an era when Xi, who was formally elected to a second five-year term as president March 17, would be able to serve in office indefinitely, since term limits were lifted by the congress.
At the same time, he holds two other key positions leader of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission making him by far the most powerful person in the country, without real curbs.
In China, term limits have a special meaning. The U.S. introduced term limits after Franklin D. Roosevelt had been elected to four consecutive terms as president, and there was a feeling that that was too long a period for any person to have so much power.
In China, term limits were introduced after the death of Mao Zedong to ensure that no future leader could emerge who would be in a position to bring about the massive abuse of power, including the calamity known as the Cultural Revolution, that characterized Mao's 26-year autocratic rule.
In doing so, China is taking a huge risk with its future. It seems to have forgotten the adage, "Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely." No matter who good and wise a leader may be, he is human. Is it wise to give any human being such untrammeled power?
The party's propaganda organs have been busy defending this seemingly retrograde action. The China Daily in an editorial applauded the development, saying that China now has "a resolute helmsman to guide its journey of rejuvenation and lead it to the realization of its dream of becoming a prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful modern socialist country."
This is the realization of the China Dream, which Xi Jinping articulated in November 2012, when he became leader of the Communist Party. According to the schedule he has laid out, it will be fully realized in 2050. By that time, Xi will be 97 years old.
Before his formal assumption of power in 2012 as the party's general secretary, he served five years as heir apparent, during which time he evidently planned the moves he would make to consolidate his power, including the anti-corruption campaign and One Belt, One Road.
One indication of Xi's attitude toward China and the rest of the world was provided when he visited Mexico as vice president in 2009, during the global financial crisis.
Concerns rise over re-election of leaders in Russia, China
An era of strongman rule has dawned upon powers surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
Russia's Vladimir Putin won a fourth term Monday after winning a record number of votes in the presidential election, setting the stage for another six years in power after having already ruled Russia for almost two decades. Putin recorded his best election performance ever, taking almost 77 percent of the vote and extending his presidency until 2024.
Putin's astounding victory came on the heels of the re-election of Chinese President Xi Jinping and a constitutional amendment to pave the way for Xi to remain in power indefinitely.
Both leaders justify their extended leadership by stating it will maximize economic development and fully establish their countries as superpowers.
The re-election of Putin and Xi come amid mounting concerns of a new Cold War as conflict grows between their countries and the West.
Relations between Russia and Britain have been tense since Prime Minister Theresa May announced last week the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from Britain over the poisoning of a former Russian spy with a nerve agent in the English town of Salisbury. It is the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats from Britain in more than 30 years. The U.S., France, Germany and Britain issued a joint statement denouncing Russia for the attack.
U.S.-Russia relations have been tense as well, with Russia facing fresh sanctions from Washington over interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Xi's indefinite rule is also not regarded positively by much of the international community. Amid intensifying China-U.S. rivalry, the Trump administration recently angered China by signing a U.S.-Taiwan travel bill, aimed at promoting exchanges between U.S. and Taiwanese officials. Friction on urgent issues such as trade is also hurting their relations.
These international conflicts mean additional challenges for Korea's diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs.
The revival of one-man rule in Russia and China, two countries that have a pivotal role in the security of Northeast Asia, calls for new diplomatic strategies.
China and Russia have a profound impact on North Korea. These two countries oppose North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, but are even more reluctant to see growing U.S. influence in the region and abrupt changes in the North Korean regime. They will be more assertive in pushing their positions in upcoming occasions for diplomacy with North Korea.
It is important for Korea to keep close relations with both Russia and China while properly managing Korea- U.S. ties.
By Jun Ji-hye
KT's artificial intelligence (AI) capability will be applied to the insurance and healthcare sector so customers can use relevant services more conveniently, the company said Tuesday.
Toward that end, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lina Korea at the latter's head office in Seoul the previous day.
Lina Korea is the Korean unit of U.S. insurance giant CIGNA.
Based on their MOU, the two companies plan to diversify the insurance firm's healthcare services.
KT, the nation's biggest fixed-line internet operator and second-largest mobile carrier, will also help Lina develop a system to simplify insurance management and innovate its call center through AI technology.
In particular, KT's GiGA Genie AI speaker will be incorporated into Lina's healthcare services, KT said, noting this will make such services easier and more entertaining. AI services to be provided include the explanation of difficult medical terms and the management of children's dental care.
KT will also apply its speech-to-text technology which automatically converts customers' voice to text, and text analysis technology which automatically categorizes topics and keywords, to Lina's call center. Through those technologies, Lina will be able to analyze client information in real time based on big data and offer distinguished services such as recommending tailored insurance products for individuals.
KT said the number of GiGA Genie users has reached 600,000, stressing the firm has actively strengthened business cooperation with other companies in various areas including ice cream, burgers and travel products to nurture the competitiveness of its AI platform.
"KT and Lina Korea will take the lead to innovate the insurance and healthcare sector and offer new services," said Ku Hyeon-mo, KT's president and chief strategy officer. "KT will make use of its advanced AI technologies and make efforts to achieve Lina's digital innovation together."
Twitter is set to join Facebook and Google in banning cryptocurrency advertisements. / Korea Times file
By Jung Da-min
Twitter is expected to ban cryptocurrency advertisements in two weeks. Facebook has maintained a blanket ban since the end of January, while Google will apply a similar ban in June.
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Park Yong-maan speaks at a conference for inter-Korean relations at the chamber's office in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap
FKI again left out of Moon's foreign tour delegation
By Nam Hyun-woo
Yoon Boo-keun
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Koo Ja-yeol
LS Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin
Shinsegae Vice Chairman
Kendallville, IN (46755)
Today
Rain. Potential for flooding rains. High around 55F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..
Tonight
Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 45F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Kendallville, IN (46755)
Today
Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 54F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..
Tonight
Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 45F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Reggio Calabria, March 20 - Police on Tuesday executed an arrest warrant for an alleged boss of Calabria's 'Ndrangheta mafia who is accused of trying to kill six Romanians. He is suspected of starting a fire at a home in the south of Reggio Calabria in February that could have killed the six, including two children. The group managed to save themselves by getting out of the home via a window.
Brussels, March 20 - Italy was second-top in the European Union for the number of first-time asylum applicants registered in 2017 behind Germany, Eurostat said on Tuesday. Italy had 126,550 requests last year, 19.5% of the total. That was a rise of 4% on the 121,185 registered in 2016. Last year the top country of origin of asylum seekers in Italy was Nigeria with 24,950 applications. With 198,300 first-time applicants in 2017, Germany accounted for 31% of the total in 2017, although the figure was down by 73% on the previous year. Last year 650,000 first-time asylum seekers applied for international protection in the EU, down on 46% on the 1.2065 million of 2016. In the table for last year, Italy was followed by France (91,100 applications), Greece (57,000), the United Kingdom (33,300) and Spain (30,400).
Sydney, March 20 - A 15-year-old was arrested in Perth, in Western Australia, in connection with the stabbing of an Italian woman from Bologna, the Italian-language programme of Australian broadcaster SBS reported. It said the teen tried to rob 27-year-old Stella Trevisani, who has lived in Perth for two years, and that he stole her cell phone and stabbed her in the arms and legs. Trevisani is in serious but stable condition, and doctors at Royal Perth Hospital said she is expected to make a full recovery. The teen fled on his bicycle following the attack, but police arrested him shortly thereafter, finding him "in a confused state". He pled guilty in an appearance in juvenile court, and his defence attorney said he suffers from a mild intellectual disability and may not fully understand the seriousness of his situation.
Rome, March 20 - Anti-migrant Euroskeptic League leader Matteo Salvini, one of the two winners of the March general election, will meet US Ambassador Lewis Eisenberg on Wednesday afternoon, ANSA sources said Tuesday. The ambassador, embassy sources said, plans to have talks to all major Italian political leaders in the wake of the general election, which produced a hung parliament. Salvini's rightwing populist League scored 17.5% in the election, passing its centre-right ally Forza Italia of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi which got 14%. Salvini thus became the centre-right premier candidate. The centre right coalition was the top alliance, getting 37%, but not enough for a majority. The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) led by Luigi Di Maio was the other big winner in the vote, getting 32% to become the top individual party, again without a majority. Di Maio and Salvini have been holding talks to try to overcome the parliamentary stalemate.
Rome, March 19 - Pope Francis has said young people must never accept corruption in a new book, excerpts of which have been released ahead of its publication in Italy on Tuesday. "The corrupt are the order of the day," the pope says in the book-interview with Thomas Leoncini entitled 'Dio e Giovane' (God is Young). "But the young must not accept corruption as if it were a sin like others, they must never get used to corruption, because what we let pass today will be repeated tomorrow, until it will become a habit for us and we too will become an indispensable cog".
Florence, March 20 - Florence prosecutors have opened an investigation into comments made by former Red Brigades (BR) terrorist Barbara Balzerani on March 16, the 40th anniversary of the kidnapping of former premier Albo Moro and the murder of his security detail, sources said Tuesday. Moro, a leading member of the once-dominant Christian Democrat party, was murdered by the BR 55 days later. During a presentation of her latest book at a leftwing centre in Florence, Balzerani caused outrage by saying "being the victim has become a job". Balzerani was part of the gang that kidnapped Moro and killed his five bodyguards. She has been free since being paroled in 2006 and her sentence definitively expired in 2011.
Sydney, March 20 - A 15-year-old was arrested in Perth, in Western Australia, in connection with the stabbing of an Italian woman from Bologna, the Italian-language programme of Australian broadcaster SBS reported. It said the teen tried to rob 27-year-old Stella Trevisani, who has lived in Perth for two years, and that he stole her cell phone and stabbed her in the arms and legs. Trevisani is in serious but stable condition, and doctors at Royal Perth Hospital said she is expected to make a full recovery. The teen fled on his bicycle following the attack, but police arrested him shortly thereafter, finding him "in a confused state". He pled guilty in an appearance in juvenile court, and his defence attorney said he suffers from a mild intellectual disability and may not fully understand the seriousness of his situation. Trevisani's Australian boyfriend has started a drive to cover her medical costs.
Palermo, March 20 - Italian police on Tuesday impounded a holiday home of former Palermo prosecutor Antonio Ingroia in a graft probe. The home was seized because the ex-magistrate did not have enough in his bank account to pay for the seizure of 151,000 euros in the misappropriation probe linked to his spell as the administrator and then liquidator of a Sicilian IT firm. Ingroia reacted by demanding his seized current accounts should be immediately de-sequestered, saying the country home was worth some one million euros. Italian finance police on Friday seized the over 151,000 euros in assets from the high-profile former magistrate. The investigation regards the role the former chief prosecutor of Palermo had for Sicilia e Servizi, an agency providing IT services for the region of Sicily. Ingroia, who also had a brief and unsuccessful political career, was a liquidator for the agency and then became its administrator for a spell. The assets seized are equivalent to a 117,000-euro payment for Ingroia's duties as liquidator and around 34,000 in travel and expense reimbursements - money that Ingroia was allegedly not due, the sources said. An auditor for the agency is also under investigation. "I learned about the measure taken against me in the press, even before I was notified," Ingroia said. "My conscience is clear because I know I have always respected the law, as I have already clarified and as I will show in the competent forum".
Rome, March 20 - Italy's media watchdog AGCOM on Tuesday asked Facebook for information on the use of data analytics for the purpose of political communication by third parties, the watchdog said in a statement. The move came amid the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Facebook is under investigation in the US and the UK on the suspected vote-influencing profile harvesting scandal over Brexit and the US presidential elections. Mark Zuckerberg has been summoned by a British parliamentary panel and the European Parliament.
Rome, March 20 - Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels Thursday and Friday, sources said Tuesday. The sources did not say what was on the agenda.
Vatican City, March 20 - Pope Francis will wash the feet of 12 inmates of Rome's Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, March 29, the Vatican press office said Tuesday. The pope has washed the feet of inmates including female Muslim migrants on the feast day, commemorating Jesus' washing of his apostles' feet at the Last Supper, throughout his pontificate. The press office said Francis would also meet sick inmates, and speak to a group of other inmates. This will be the fourth time in Francis' six Holy Thursdays that he has visited a detention centre and washed inmates' feet. He will be the fourth pope to visit Regina Coeli Prison. Francis washed inmates' feet in another Rome jail, Rebibbia, in 2015. In 2013 he visited a juvenile detention centre at Casal del Marmo; in 2014 the disabled centre Fondazione Don Gnocchi - Centro Santa Maria della Provvidenza; in 2015 Rebibbia; in 2016 the refugee and asylum seekers' centre at Castel Novo di Porto; and last year Paliano prison near Frosinone south of Rome.
Rome, March 19 - Rome prosecutors are investigating a deadly attack on an Italo-Egyptian girl in Nottingham last month. Mariam Moustafa, an 18-year-old girl who was born and grew up in Ostia near Rome, moved with her family to the English city in the hope of becoming an engineer four years ago. She was allegedly attacked by a group of local girl bullies and died after three weeks in a coma. Prosecutors will view CCTV footage of the attack, which allegedly started at a bus stop and continued on the bus. The prosecutors' European warrant will also try to establish if the attack was racially motivated. According to media reports, the bullies shouted "Black Rose" at Moustafa before attacking her, and the family home had been the target of an alleged racist attack. "She was the victim of a racist attack," her father told reporters. Prosecutors are also looking into the fact that Moustafa was sent home after being treated after the attack only to return to hospital allegedly suffering from a brain haemorrhage the day after. Moustafa's family said the hospital underestimated the case and made a mistake. Rome prosecutors have obtained files from Rome's Bambino Gesu Hospital where Noustafa was treated for a heart conditions a few years ago and are going to share them with their British counterparts. The Italian embassy in London is following the case.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Ralph Peters, a longtime analyst for Fox News, told colleagues he is done with the network he says has become a propaganda machine for President Trump.
Peters said in an email first reported Tuesday by BuzzFeed that he chose not to renew his contract as a paid contributor with Fox News on March 1 because he was ashamed of the network.
He said the 21st Century Fox-owned cable channel has gone from being a valuable conservative voice to assaulting our constitutional order and the rule of law, while fostering corrosive and unjustified paranoia among viewers.
Peters comments directly targeted the networks opinions hosts which include Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham for their consistent attacks on special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russias interference with the 2016 presidential election. Mueller is also looking into whether Trump obstructed justice when he fired James B. Comey from his post as FBI director.
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When prime-time hosts who have never served our country in any capacity dismiss facts and empirical reality to launch profoundly dishonest assaults on the FBI, the Justice Department, the courts, the intelligence community (in which I served) and, not least, a model public servant and genuine war hero such as Robert Mueller all the while scaremongering with lurid warnings of deep-state machinations I cannot be part of the same organization, even at a remove, Peters wrote. To me, Fox News is now wittingly harming our system of government for profit.
Peters missive is the second time in a week Fox News top-rated conservative opinion hosts have been subjected to internal criticism. While not nearly as harsh, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith said in an interview with Time magazine that some of the networks opinion programming is there strictly to be entertaining, which led to some blowback from Hannity and Ingraham on social media. (Hannity called Smith clueless about the reporting done on his program).
But Peters remarks are noteworthy because as a Fox News national security analyst for 10 years, he has been a foreign policy hawk who frequently criticized the Obama administration. He was once suspended from the network for a week in 2015 after an appearance on the Fox Business Network in which he used a vulgar term to describe former President Obamas fortitude in combating terrorism by Islamic extremists.
Peters email notes that his condemnation of Fox News does not include the hard news reporters at the operation whom he called talented professionals in a poisoned environment. He also excluded the Fox Business Network, where numerous hosts retain a respect for facts and maintain a measure of integrity.
A Fox News representative did not comment on Peters contract but defended its on-air talent.
Ralph Peters is entitled to his opinion despite the fact that hes choosing to use it as a weapon in order to gain attention, the network said in a statement. We are extremely proud of our top-rated prime-time hosts and all of our opinion programming.
stephen.battaglio@latimes.com
Twitter: @SteveBattaglio
Dick Wolfs Chicago franchise is about to get some competition in Seattle when Greys Anatomy spins off Station 19.
Revolving around a team of fire fighters stationed just a few blocks away from the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Station 19 focuses on firefighter Andrea (Andy) Herrera (Jaina Lee Ortiz), who is also the station captains daughter, and how she navigates her professional andpersonal life. Which, this being a Shondaland production, includes a love triangle between her high school sweetheart and her boyfriend, who also happens to be the stations lieutenant.
One of the stations rookies is married to Greys Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and when the station must bring patients to the Grey Sloam Memorial Hospital, .Ellen Pompeo, Wilson and other Greys Anatomy stars are there makeoccasional cameos.
Station 19 premieres March 22, and a few days before, ABC hosted a set tour and Q&A. Heres what we learned from the cast:
1. There are some badass women on Station 19, both on screen and behind the scenes
Ortiz is in good company with Barrett Doss and Danielle Savre playing Victoria Hughes and Maya Bishop, two strong female leads in a male-dominated profession. The three women are not afraid of running into burning buildings, orstanding up for themselves, especially when they are underestimated.
Doss said she drew from her experience being undervalued as a woman in playing Huges and enjoyed being able to hang with the guys.
Its fun to be a part of a show where that experience is valued, Doss said. If [creator] Stacey [McKee] writes a character that talks down to one of us, we're going to be able to clap back. Its the perfect opportunity to prove those people wrong.
Ortiz added its the first show where she has had all female bosses, including McKee, who worked on all 13 seasons of Greys Anatomy. Its also the first time she has worked with a female camera operator.
2. The cast did many of their own stunts
From hosing down fires to swinging an ax, the cast members didnt shy away from getting their hands dirty.
The 10 year old in me is having a blast with the big kid toys, said Jason George, who plays Ben Warren. We're jumping on ladders, climbing over stuff. Insurance says we can only do so much...
Doss jumped in, But we all want to do more.
Though there was some physical preparation beforehand, a lot of training happened on the job, making for sore muscles at the end of each day, Doss said. Jumping off a building in flames, however, was one stunt the cast wasnt allowed to perform.
3. Greys Anatomy fans and non-fans will get something out of the show
As someone who doesnt follow Greys Anatomy, Okieriete Onaodowan, who plays firefighter Dean Miller, said he thinks viewers will still enjoy learning about what goes on in fire fighters lives, personally and on the job.
For lovers of the hospital drama genre, Station 19 will complete the picture, added Alberto Frezza, who plays a police officer.
You get the best of both worlds, Frezza added. You get to see what doctors do and how they respond to calls and now you get to see fire fighter and how they live their day to day lives, not only in work environment but also on a personal note.
Savre said Greys fans wont be disappointed; or the most part, Station 19 follows the Shondaland method.
There's drama every turn there's love triangles, the cliffhangers, she said. How each episode is kind of a lesson, it starts off with a problem and at the end, Jainas character Andy has an answer to that problem.
4. The show moves quickly
If you look away, you might miss something. Miguel Sandoval, who plays captain Pruitt Herrera, said the shows quick pace speaks to McKees writing abilities.
Oftentimes I see shows [that] take time to reveal whats going to happen, Sandoval said. You can go to the refrigerator, make a snack, come back and you wont miss anything. Not with this show.
5. The characters are three dimensional in more ways than one
The fact that the lead character of Station 19 is from a largely underrepresented community is an added bonus to an already diverse cast Ortiz said.
Ortiz grew up speaking English, and though her characters fluency in Spanish was a bit difficult; found speaking Spanish on the show uncomfortable, she felt it was a way for her to pay respect to her culture and shine a light on the Latino community.
Sandoval called the casting crew colorblind, because they cast for talent that will push their stories forward.
They were looking for a kickass person to come in and play the part of Andy, Sandoval said. I think they found her and then they decided her last name was Herrera. That is a completely organic way to do it.
alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com
Twitter: @r_valejandra
Police say a video from the Uber self-driving car that struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Ariz., on Sunday shows her moving in front of the car suddenly before it hit her, a factor that investigators are likely to focus on as they assess the performance of the technology in the first pedestrian fatality involving an autonomous vehicle.
The Uber had a forward-facing video recorder, which showed the woman was walking a bike at about 10 p.m. and moved into traffic from a dark center median. Its very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode, Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The driver said it was like a flash, the person walked out in front of them, Moir said, referring to the backup driver who was behind the wheel but not operating the vehicle. His first alert to the collision was the sound of the collision.
An Uber self-driving car kills a pedestrian in Arizona. Will it slow deployment of the technology?
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The police chiefs account raises new questions in the investigation, which holds importance to the future of the burgeoning autonomous vehicle industry. Uber Technologies Inc. halted autonomous vehicle tests in the wake of the accident, and officials in Boston asked that similar tests in that city be suspended too.
Its too soon to draw any conclusions from the preliminary information that has emerged, said Brian Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina who has studied autonomous vehicle liability.
Its possible that Ubers automated driving system did not detect the pedestrian, did not classify her as a pedestrian, or did not predict her departure from the median, Smith said in an email. I dont know whether these steps occurred too late to prevent or lessen the collision or whether they never occurred at all, but the lack of braking or swerving whatsoever is alarming and suggests that the system never anticipated the collision.
Police later said in a statement that the department would defer to county prosecutors on whether to bring charges, but didnt dispute any of the information released by Moir.
No conclusions
In a news conference Monday, police Sgt. Roland Elcock said authorities had not come to any conclusions about who was at fault. Decisions on any possible charges will be made by the Maricopa County attorneys office. Neither the victim nor the backup driver showed any signs of impairment, Elcock said.
The driver, Rafael Vasquez, 44, served time in prison for armed robbery and other charges in the early 2000s, according to Arizona prison and Maricopa County Superior Court records. Uber declined to comment on Vasquezs criminal record.
The victim, Elaine Herzberg, 49, was walking her bike outside a crosswalk. The car was most likely going about 38 miles per hour, Moir said. The speed limit where the accident occurred is 35 mph, police spokeswoman Lily Duran said.
The department expects to give a further update later Tuesday but has no plans to release video footage while the investigation is underway.
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In Boston, self-driving startup NuTonomy Inc. halted its tests after city officials requested a pause following the Arizona crash.
We are working with City of Boston officials to ensure that our automated vehicle pilots continue to adhere to high standards of safety, a NuTonomy spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. We have complied with the City of Bostons request to temporarily halt autonomous vehicle testing on public roads.
Pittsburgh has not suspended testing programs there, according to a spokesman for Mayor Bill Peduto.
Sensors on self-driving cars which may include laser-based technology, radar and video are designed to sense pedestrians and other obstructions, even in the dark.
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The National Transportation Safety Board is opening an investigation into the death and is sending a team of four investigators to Tempe, just east of Phoenix. The Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dispatched a special investigation team.
The NTSB opens relatively few highway accident investigations each year, but it has been closely following incidents involving autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles. Last year it partially faulted Tesla Inc.s semiautonomous Autopilot system for a fatal crash in Florida in 2016.
UPDATES:
2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with information about driverless-car testing in Boston and Pittsburgh and about the Arizona Uber drivers criminal record.
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This article was originally published at 10:35 a.m.
As the Trump administration barrels ahead with its plan to apply stiff tariffs on imported metals starting Friday, governments and businesses across the globe are in a fog as to what is happening and are bracing for at least a short-term hit because of what many criticize as the administrations slapdash process.
When President Trump made his official announcement of the tariffs March 8 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum he exempted Mexico and Canada, at least temporarily, and said that other nations could negotiate with the White House to get out of paying duties on tens of billions of dollars of imports.
But the administration still has not spelled out in any detail what trading partners must do to secure a country exemption. And with just a few days before the tariffs take effect, the void has left many companies and governments frustrated and concerned that the trade action could spiral into a global crisis.
Trade ministers from Europe and other countries have been scrambling to meet with Trump officials in recent days, even as they and business groups in the U.S. and abroad have been waiting for the administration to clarify what it will take for nations to get tariff exemptions. Clear as mud, said one diplomatic official in Washington of the process.
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If we want to negotiate something, we need more time, said Gabriel Felbermayr, director of Ifo Center for International Economics in Munich. Some people in Germany, he said, are so baffled by whats happening that they hope the whole undertaking by Trump can be postponed.
The entire process, the tone, time schedules all these elements are annoying people here and harming the image of the United States in an unnecessary fashion, he said.
It isnt winning fans at home, either. Late Sunday night, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced procedures on how U.S.-based importers or users of foreign steel and aluminum could apply for tariff waivers on specific products that may not be available domestically. In the past, companies have been able to get product waivers before such tariffs were implemented.
Thats impossible this time around. It was only on Monday that an online form was made available for companies to file for product exclusions, and the Commerce Department said it would take 90 days to review the detailed application meaning that U.S.-based car producers, appliance makers and other firms will have to pay the hefty tariffs and hope that they will get reimbursed if they later receive exemptions.
Theres just too many questions on retroactivity, said Brett Guge, an executive vice president at California Steel Industries, which processes imported steel from Brazil, Mexico and Japan. Guge said his Fontana company will work on the product-exclusion application this week. It is what it is, as far as the timeline, he said. Doesnt matter what we think. We dont have a lot of time.
In issuing the tariffs, Trump moved to fulfill a campaign promise to aid domestic steelworkers and get tough on trade rivals, whom the president blames for Americas industrial and economic troubles. He surprised his own staff in previewing the tariffs March 1, saying they would apply to all countries, only later to temporarily exclude Canada and Mexico on the condition that they renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement to Trumps satisfaction.
Trump charged ahead with the formal tariff orders, which he justified on the basis of national security, even before his administration could prepare the necessary rules and procedures for countries and companies seeking exemptions for steel and aluminum products.
Trump assigned his chief trade official, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, to negotiate requests from other countries for exemptions. But theres been little information released on what the USTR is seeking, beyond the tariff proclamations general clause indicating that a country must provide a satisfactory alternative.
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On Monday, the USTR office declined to comment on whether such clarifying rules would be forthcoming. Nor would it confirm that Australia had been granted a countrywide exemption. Australias prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, tweeted a week ago that he had received a commitment from Trump that the duties would not apply to Australia.
But Australia accounts for only a tiny share of all U.S. imported steel $380 million, or just 1.3%, in 2017. The U.S. imports about triple that amount each from Japan, South Korea and Germany also countries with military agreements with the U.S.
All three countries, as well as others, have called on Trump to exempt their countries from the tariffs. And many have urged Trump to work cooperatively with other nations to address a steel problem rooted in massive overproduction in China, instead of pushing through blanket tariffs and then looking for bilateral negotiations with countries wanting out of them.
Analysts, however, doubt that wholesale tariff waivers for any single nation will be provided, apart from Canada and Mexico. And whats more, Germany along with the United Kingdom, Sweden and others in Europe are trying to negotiate an EU-wide exemption.
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China accounts for only about 2.5% of U.S. steel imports, but Trump administration officials and tariff supporters have argued that Chinese-made steel makes its way to America through other nations. U.S. officials and industry representatives suspect that such circumvention is happening particularly through Turkey, South Korea and Vietnam, but theres been no definitive study confirming that.
Imports make up about one-fourth of U.S. steel consumption. Trumps tariff orders affect semifinished steel, such as ingots and slabs, as well as many kinds of finished steel products, including pipe and tubes, cold and flat rolls, bars and rods.
Analysts say its hard to know which specific products will qualify for tariff exemptions. Guge of California Steel Industries said the slabs that his company needs are not routinely available or are prohibitively expensive. He reckons the company will seek exemptions for most of what it imports.
The Commerce Department regulations indicate that product exemptions would be based on availability, quality and national security considerations. Dan DiMicco, the former chairman of steel maker Nucor who served as a trade advisor to Trump during the campaign and is familiar with the administrations thinking, doesnt see the Commerce Department granting tariff exemptions on many products.
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Its going to take a lot to get an exclusion, DiMicco said.
The procedure for obtaining an exclusion may be a hurdle in itself. The five-page online form made available Monday shows companies will have to file a laborious application for each type of product, listing in detail aspects of the imported metal, whether there might be a suitable substitute, and why an exclusion should be granted, among other information.
After a form is submitted and publicly available, any individual or organization also can file an objection to that exclusion request within 30 days.
The Commerce Department said it would take 90 days to review an application, including any objection.
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Over the course of a year, the agency said, it expects to receive an estimated 4,500 applications for product exclusions and 1,500 forms filed objecting to them.
The departments procedures and regulations on product exclusions that were promulgated Monday in the Federal Register were called an interim final rule to allow for a 60-day public comment period on these rules. Trade lawyers said that typically, public comment and a final rule are issued before tariffs are implemented. But there wasnt enough time because the administration bypassed the normal process, and now the duties are set to take effect Friday.
The key thing is you should have done this in advance, said a Washington trade lawyer, referring to the rules and process for exclusions, who did not want to be identified criticizing the administration.
He added that its going to be very difficult for the Commerce Department to process 4,500 exclusion petitions in a timely manner.
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This is designed to make it hard to get an exclusion, he said.
don.lee@latimes.com
Follow me at @dleelatimes
Many Facebook users rely on the social network to figure out whats going on in the world. But what if the world Facebook shows them is wildly distorted?
Thats the question raised after a former employee of a data mining firm that worked for Donald Trumps presidential campaign alleged the company used Facebook to bombard specific individuals with misinformation in hopes of swaying their political views.
The accusations raised alarm across the Atlantic on Monday, sparking an investigation into the firm, Cambridge Analytica, by the United Kingdoms Information Commissioners Office. In the U.S., Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter asking Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg whether the social media giant was aware of other data violations on its platform, and why it failed to take action sooner.
The controversy drove Facebooks stock price down nearly 7% on Monday, suggesting that investors are feeling skittish about the regulatory liabilities of a company that has spent the last year dogged by questions of fake news and Russian propaganda.
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The scope of Facebooks problems ballooned after Christopher Wylie, a political strategist who used to work for Cambridge Analytica, alleged on NBCs Today show Monday that the firm believed that if it could capture every channel of information around a person and then inject content around them, you can change their perception of whats actually happening.
By mining Facebook user data, Wylie said, the company could tailor the ads and articles individual users would see a practice he calls informational dominance.
In a video secretly recorded by Britains Channel 4, Mark Turnbull, managing director of Cambridge Analyticas political division, suggests users targeted by the firm wouldnt know their online experience was being manipulated.
We just put information into the bloodstream of the internet ... and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again like a remote control, he said. It has to happen without anyone thinking, thats propaganda, because the moment you think thats propaganda, the next question is, whos put that out?
Turnbull, according to Channel 4, also bragged about the firms practice of recording politicians in compromising situations with bribes and sex workers.
In a statement sent to The Times, Cambridge Analytica accused Channel 4 of entrapment and rejected the allegations made in the report. In a separate statement, also issued Monday, the firm said it did not carry out personality targeted advertising for President Trumps campaign.
The company obtained the Facebook data linked to 50 million accounts through a Cambridge University psychology professor who had permission to gather information on users of the social media platform, but violated Facebook guidelines by passing it on to a third party for commercial purposes. Although Cambridge Analytica said in a news release over the weekend that it deleted the data as soon as it learned it had broken Facebooks rules, Wylie alleged that the firm continued to use the information.
Whats worrisome about Cambridges alleged practice, say social media and psychology experts, is that it works on even the most rational of people.
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Attribution theory teaches us that if you hear the same thing from multiple sources, then you start believing that it might be true even if you originally questioned it, said Karen North, a social media professor at USC who has also studied psychology.
In Cambridge Analyticas case, Wylie on Monday accused the firm of going beyond simply serving targeted ads to people on Facebook. He alleged that the firm works on creating a web of disinformation so that unwitting consumers are confronted with the same lies and false stories both on and off Facebook.
Even if you thought it was just one biased person or one paid ad, when you start to see it everywhere, you start thinking theres a critical mass of people or experts that buy into the same position, North said. You start to believe there must be a groundswell of support for it.
The ability to target ads at individuals isnt unique to Facebook. But what makes the social media giants role profound is the breadth and depth of information it collects and the sheer number of people who use the service. Last year 67% of Americans told Pew Research that they get at least some of their news on social media. In 2016, 64% of those who got their news from social media got it from only one source most commonly Facebook.
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Since the 2012 presidential campaign, Facebook has been the number one destination for digital media strategists looking to influence politics, according to Laura Olin, a digital strategist who ran social media strategy for former President Obamas reelection campaign.
Prior to that election, campaigns spread their focus among Facebook, Twitter and traditional media outlets, she said. But in 2012, three things became clear:
People were spending more of their online time on Facebook than anywhere else.
It reached a broader demographic than its competitors.
Ads could be targeted more effectively on Facebook than on other platforms.
The Obama campaign that year was able to aim advertisements and messages at voters based on gender, location and existing political beliefs.
We showed people what it could look like, said Olin, who ran Obamas Facebook pages during the campaign. From there, people realized they could use paid advertising to reach voters in a targeted way. I feel some guilt over any potential part I might have played in that.
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Digital media experts such as Olin worry that the growing influence of misinformation on Facebook is likely to get worse before it gets better.
In 2013, 47% of Americans used Facebook as a source for news, according to research from Pew. In 2016, that number had grown to 63%. Facebook itself has nearly 2.2 billion people who visit its website and app every month, and its subsidiaries continue to grow, with Instagram commanding nearly a billion monthly active users, WhatsApp recording more than a billion users, and Messenger at more than 900 million users.
The social network has pledged to more than double its current team of 10,000 content moderators by the end of 2018 to keep false and misleading information in check. But with hundreds of millions of photos, videos and articles uploaded to Facebook every day, safety and security experts question whether this will be enough.
Despite the rampant misinformation on the platform, users flock to it, North said. Policing its platform will be especially hard for Facebook, she said, because the tools used for propaganda the wealth of information it collects and its micro-targeted advertisements are the same ones Facebook uses to generate revenue.
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Gathering and selling access to that kind of granular data helped increase Facebooks advertising revenue last year by 49%. Advertising accounted for more than 98% of Facebooks total revenue in 2017, according to company filings.
And so despite Facebooks share price dropping $12.53 on Monday to $172.56 after the Cambridge Analytica allegations, multiple analysts maintained a buy rating on the companys stock.
Whats important to understand is that all social media platforms can be weaponized, so this is not limited to Facebook by any means, analysts at Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. said in a note to investors.
Or, as Olin put it: No one thinks of themselves as a fake news consumer. We all assume were smarter than that.
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To read this article in Spanish click here
tracey.lien@latimes.com
Twitter: @traceylien
A data mining firms alleged misuse of Facebook user data is ballooning into one of the highest-profile crises that the social media giant has ever faced. Yet Facebooks highest-profile executives have so far been noticeably absent from the conversation.
Since Cambridge Analytica was accused this weekend of misappropriating data linked to 50 million accounts in an attempt to sway users political opinions, Facebook has faced questions from Congress and the Federal Trade Commission and has seen its stock price drop by around 10%.
But the companys chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, and chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, have remained silent. Neither has issued a public statement, and neither addressed employees at a company meeting about the controversy Tuesday.
In their place, high-ranking managers with much less name recognition have taken to Twitter to defend the company with mixed results.
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Its a tactic that Eden Gillott Bowe, president of crisis management firm Gillott Communications, likened to a really expensive, high-stakes game of chess.
In times of scandal, its not unusual for a company to send out a lower-ranking official with knowledge on the issue to speak rather than a top executive, Gillott Bowe said. The hope is that lower-ranking staff can quell concerns without risking more valuable pieces.
If you start bringing in the king and queen, then it sends the message that this is a much bigger story than we thought it was going to be, it elevates the issue, and it creates a whole new news cycle, she said.
When this practice works, the news cycle moves on and people quickly forget that there was ever an issue to begin with. But if the mounting pressure on Facebook and the companys falling stock price are anything to go by, the companys efforts at explaining away the controversy have so far failed to calm regulators and investors.
The day before news broke of Cambridges alleged activities, Facebook released a statement, attributed to deputy general counsel Paul Grewal, announcing that it had suspended the data mining firm for violating company guidelines.
Facebooks head of hardware, Andrew Bosworth, added on Twitter that Facebook was committed to vigorously enforcing its policies and will take whatever steps are required to see that this happens. A day later, he tweeted to clarify that the violation was not a data breach and on Monday posted on his Facebook page a lengthy explanation of Cambridge Analyticas violations and the steps he says his company is taking to protect user data.
Alex Stamos, Facebooks chief security officer, took to Twitter on Sunday to reiterate that Cambridge Analyticas violation of Facebook guidelines did not constitute a data breach. Hours later, he deleted those tweets, and wrote that he did so not because they were factually incorrect but because I should have done a better job weighing in.
He went on: Im going to step away from this one. I really care about privacy and security, as well as platform openness, freedom from censorship and stopping authoritarians who use the internet as a weapon. I just wish I was better about talking about these things in the reality of 2018.
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On Tuesday, Stamos was again on Twitter, disputing reports that he plans to leave Facebook because of disagreements with Sandberg over how the social network can halt the spread of misinformation.
Throughout all this, Zuckerberg and Sandberg stayed mum.
Despite being prolific Facebook users, Sandberg last posted on Saturday about being at a kids debate day, and Zuckerberg last posted on March 2, commemorating Passover.
Neither Stamos, Bosworth, nor Facebook responded to a request for comment. It is unclear whether Facebook encouraged or was aware of the employees tweets before they were published.
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Executive silence after a scandal can help or hurt a company, according to crisis management experts. Speaking too soon and claiming too much responsibility can potentially put an executive on the hook when it comes to litigation and depositions.
Dan Hill, the chief executive of communications strategy firm Hill Impact, gave the example of Mary Barra, who became CEO of General Motors around the time it issued safety recalls because of deadly ignition switches. After claiming full responsibility for the companys problems, she was never able to get away from it, Hill said.
She became the centerpiece of it. She was the spokesperson for the company. On the one hand it may look like youre showing leadership, but if youre the spokesperson during the crisis, it can also be hugely distracting, he said.
Zuckerberg might be familiar with the downside of a knee-jerk response. Days after the 2016 presidential election, he dismissed concerns that the dissemination of fake news on social media influenced the outcome of the election, telling an audience at a technology conference that it was a pretty crazy idea. A year later, he expressed regret at his comments and admitted that Facebook played a far bigger role in this election.
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Facebook announced Monday that it had hired a digital forensics firm to investigate the Cambridge Analytica matter. The firm paused its efforts at the request of the British Information Commissioners Office, which is now conducting its own investigation.
In a statement sent to ABC News, Facebook said: Mark, Sheryl and their teams are working around the clock to get all the facts and take appropriate action moving forward, because they understand the seriousness of this issue.
But staying silent for too long especially when other communication efforts have failed to quell the controversy can also do damage.
The longer you stay silent, the more guilty you look, said Gillott Bowe. Its not always fair, but thats the way it works.
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Its not just a matter of looking guilty, either. Andrew Gilman, founder of the CommCore Consulting Group, said that executives with the power and influence of Zuckerberg and Sandberg have a responsibility to show that they care about their users and are taking steps to address the issue.
It sounds like a playbook answer, but people really care about that kind of thing, Gilman said.
He likened their silence to going to church and not hearing the standard prayers; audiences are quick to realize that something is missing.
Theres no such thing as no comment, Gilman said. No comment, or lack of comment, can be perceived as damaging. And given that Facebook is all about communication, one would expect something.
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tracey.lien@latimes.com
Twitter: @traceylien
If you want to be at the center of a Venn diagram where Cannabis Enthusiast overlaps with History Buff, then download the new podcast Great Moments in Weed History with Abdullah and Bean, which aims to turn your next couch-surfing session into a time-traveling, THC-trivia-packed adventure by focusing on the relationship between pot and cannabis-culture heroes such as Willie Nelson, Maya Angelou, Carl Sagan and Jesus. (Yes, that Jesus.)
The podcast was created by veteran cannabis journalists David Bienenstock, a former head of content for High Times and author of How to Smoke Pot (Properly): A Highbrow Guide to Getting High, and Abdullah Saeed, former host of the Bong Appetit TV series and a recurring guest star on HBOs High Maintenance. The co-hosts bring a combined quarter-century of cannabis coverage experience to the table.
The L.A.-based Great Moments in Weed History series launched March 13 with a nearly hour-long deep dive into country music legend Willie Nelsons well-known affinity for flaring up. The inaugural episode managed to touch on, in no particular order, historical slang words for marijuana (tea and boo, among them), the Carter Administration and the pivotal role a guy named Fred Lockwood played in Nelsons life.
While the well-researched and thoughtfully stitched together stories would be interesting on their own, what makes each episode actually fun to listen to (Who listens to anything for an hour straight these days?) is the easy-going stoner rapport between the co-hosts. They previously worked together on the web-series version of Bong Appetit, and they begin each episode by getting high and encouraging listeners to do likewise. The result is that, even if youre stone-cold sober, youll feel as if youve got a contact high about halfway through the episode.
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Were generally a two-joint show, Bienenstock said. We fire one up at the beginning of every episode, and I tell people to hit pause if they need the chance to roll [one] up and then usually around the 42-minute mark most shows are a little under an hour we go for a booster rocket.
Available for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and Soundcloud, weekly episodes will drop on Tuesdays, Bienenstock said.
Episode 2, available now, focuses on author and poet Maya Angelou. Easter weeks episode will be about Jesus Christ and the idea that his healing miracles involved THC-infused anointing oils.
I dont want to make too much of the divine intervention, Bienenstock said, but we didnt realize it was timed for Easter week until it happened.
adam.tschorn@latimes.com
For more on cannabis commerce and culture, follow me at @ARTschorn.
Robert Haas, one of the leading lights of the American wine industry, died Sunday from complications of pneumonia at his home in Templeton, Calif. He was 90.
As a wine producer, importer, marketer, prognosticator and industry sage, Haas was instrumental in shaping the countrys wine tastes, elevating the quality of wines imported, lending sophistication to the countrys buying efforts and most importantly expanding the market with new regions, varieties and flavors, many of which were all but unexplored here until he introduced them.
For the record: An earlier version of this story said that Haas died in Chester, Vt., and that Tablas Creek Vineyard was founded in 1985.
With his pioneering import company, Vineyard Brands, he created an unflaggingly inclusive, cooperative, open-armed business model, reestablishing industry connections between Europe and the United States that Prohibition and the World Wars had all but obliterated. Few had a more thoughtful, canny and generous vision of the industry and its future. His advocacy for the wines of Burgundy, the Rhone, and Alsace changed the stature of those wines in this country irrevocably.
We will miss him greatly, wrote Francois Perrin of Chateau de Beaucastel in the Rhone Valley, whose family had a partnership with the Haases for more than 50 years. He accompanied us throughout our lives, and helped us to understand what great wine is, a product of its terroir and the men who produced it. For everything, we are extremely grateful to him.
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Haas was born in Brooklyn in 1927, and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y. After completing studies at Yale in 1950, his intention was to pursue engineering, but his father, a New York wine and spirits retailer, had other plans. Sidney Haas owned Lehmann Bros., one of the first Manhattan retail shops to be granted an alcohol sales license after Prohibition (its known today as Sherry-Lehmann). Haas sent his son off to France to seek out wines and producers they could work with in their Manhattan shop.
For 20 years, Robert Haas served as his fathers envoy in France, establishing relationships with producers whose wines they could bring in to their store, where interest in wine was inexorably overtaking interest in spirits.
It was definitely a buyers market, from 1936 to 1955, Haas told me in an interview in 2009, not an affluent business. You had great Bordeaux like [Chateau] Lafite selling for $3.50 a bottle; if you were from some other part of France, what could you do with prices so deflated?
Haas established relationships then that were groundbreaking at the time he was the first to import Chateau Petrus, the legendary Bordeaux producer, after World War II.
But Bordeaux was competitive, so he set his focus on Burgundy and, eventually, the Rhone Valley. When he founded his import company, Vineyard Brands, in 1973, he established the market for what are now considered to be some of Frances most important, iconic producers, including Dauvissat in Chablis; Henri Gouges, Etienne Sauzet and Mongeard Mugneret in Burgundy; and Domaine Weinbach in Alsace.
But perhaps his most important partnership was with the Perrin Family, owners of Chateau de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape, in Frances southern Rhone Valley. In 1966, Haas met Jacques Perrin, the regions great innovator. They maintained a close relationship until the Perrins death in 1977.
By the mid-80s, the Perrin sons, Jean-Pierre and Francois, were making frequent visits to California, selling wine and touring the nascent wine regions of the Central Coast; eventually the discussion wended to the prospect of launching a California wine project with Haas.
In 1989, they found a property in Paso Robles and called it Tablas Creek. It would focus on the grape varieties the Perrins employed in the southern Rhone Valley; grapes like Grenache, Roussanne, Mourvedre, Counoise, Grenache Blanc and Syrah. They believed these would thrive in Californias climate, which they took to be similar to their own in the southern Rhone. It was the first French investment of the American Rhone movement and became a signal validation for the category.
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At the time there were pockets of Rhone varieties in the United States, but neither the Perrins nor the Haas families were confident the plant material was good enough.
Right from the beginning, said Haas, We knew we were going to bring in our own material, and our own rootstocks. All of this material was selected by the Perrin family from the best that French nurseries had to offer often it was even more pristine than that found in the vineyards of Beaucastel. They propagated vines to sell to neighbors, to friends, to competitors, contributing not only to the availability of exceptional clonal material, but to the reputation of the Rhone plantings across the country.
Less than a decade later, in 1991, Haas organized the International Colloquium on Rhone Varieties, an unprecedented meeting between French Rhone producers and the dozen or so producers of Rhone varieties on American soil, to compare notes, methods and markets. It led to lasting transatlantic friendships and channels of cooperation that continue to this day.
Short and soft-spoken, Haas was an incisive, deceptively shrewd businessman. From his first visits to California wine country he saw opportunities, and he was the first to sell the wines of many then-new California brands on the East Coast, including Clos du Val, Freemark Abbey, Chappellet and Joseph Phelps. In 1997, Haas sold Vineyard Brands to its employees; his son Daniel still manages that business, while Jason, his youngest son, serves as general manager for Tablas Creek.
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In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo at fpacslo.org.
food@latimes.com
USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias departure By Harriet Ryan USC appointed a retired aerospace executive as interim president and laid out a detailed plan for selecting a permanent leader Tuesday, ending speculation about whether outgoing President C.L. Max Nikias might remain in the post. Nikias, embattled over his administrations handling of a campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients, relinquished his duties after a meeting of USCs board. The trustees tapped one of their own, Wanda Austin, an alumna and former president of the Aerospace Corp., to temporarily run the university. The trustees also approved the formation of a search committee and the hiring of firm Isaacson, Miller to coordinate the selection of a successor. A second search company, Heidrick & Struggles, will also advise trustees. Read More Facebook
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Ex-student sues elite Brentwood School after teacher is charged with sexually abusing him By Richard Winton A former student sued the elite Brentwood School on Monday in the wake of a female teacher being charged with repeatedly having sex with the minor, alleging that other faculty members encouraged the unlawful behavior and failed to report it to authorities. The lawsuit accuses the private school, whose students include the children of many of Hollywoods elite and L.A.s powerful, of acting negligently and allowing Aimee Palmitessa to abuse and batter the teenager sexually. The suit alleges that the student was abused in summer 2017 after one of the schools counselors offered words of encouragement to the then-17-year-old, identified in the suit as only John Doe, to engage in an illegal relationship with the teacher. Read More Facebook
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Civil jury vindicates fired Montebello school executives in whistleblower case By Howard Blume The Montebello school district is in dire straits at risk of insolvency and under apparent criminal investigation. An outside audit in July found some teachers earning more than $200,000 a year, as well as improper raises, excess paid vacation time and inappropriate overtime, sick leave and car allowances. Fixing the district and pinpointing blame could take time. Read More Facebook
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L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns By Howard Blume After the mass shooting at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Los Angeles school officials reassured parents that much had been done to keep local schools safe. California had tougher gun laws, after all, and the school district paid close attention to students mental health. But a new report issued Monday by a panel convened to take a close look offers some cause for concern, flagging inconsistent campus safety measures, thinly spread mental health staff and inadequate coordination between the school district and other public agencies. With the stakes this high, we must strive to do better, said L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, who assembled the panel. Read More Facebook
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L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it By Howard Blume The L.A. Unified School District has hopes of continuing its winning streak this year with another record graduation rate, but the official numbers may not show it. A senior district administrator warned the board Tuesday that graduation rates were likely to decline 2% to 3% across the state, even though L.A. Unified is likely doing better than ever in producing graduates, he said. The issue is that the state will now count high school students who transfer to adult school as dropouts, said Oscar Lafarga, who heads the districts office of data and accountability. Previously, schools treated these students as though they had simply enrolled in another high school, he said. Read More Facebook
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Betsy DeVos to California: Not so fast on that federal education plan By Joy Resmovits Education Secretary Betsy DeVos (Erik Lesser / European Pressphoto Agency) In April, Californias top education officials breathed a sigh of relief. After months of debate and back-and-forth with Betsy DeVos staff, they had finalized a plan to satisfy a major education law that aims to make sure all students get a decent education. The state focused on aligning its plan to fulfill the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act with Californias Local Control Funding Formula, which gives extra money to districts to help students who come from low-income families, are in the foster system or are English learners. But this week, DeVos team said not so fast. Jason Botel, the U.S. Department of Educations principal deputy assistant secretary, sent California education officials a letter asking for more information in such areas as measuring student progress, graduation rates and English learners. In an unsigned statement, the California Department of Education declared itself surprised and disappointed because officials thought after a meeting with federal officials in Washington that they were on the right track to get approval. Now the Every Student Succeeds Act plan will be up for discussion once again at the July meeting of the State Board of Education. The U.S. Department of Education has already approved most state plans. Every Student Succeeds is the Obama administrations 2015 replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act. Facebook
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L.A. school board sets a new goal: prepare every grad to be eligible to apply for Cal State or UC By Sonali Kohli Last month, Los Angeles school board president proposed a spate of highly ambitious mandates aimed at ensuring that every district graduate be eligible to apply to one of the states public four-year universities by 2023. By the time the L.A. Unified school board unanimously approved the resolution Tuesday, the original language had been watered down. The goal is no longer that in five years 100% of students meet the long list of benchmarks, which include not just college eligibility for graduates but first-grade reading proficiency and English fluency by sixth grade for all students who enter the district in kindergarten or first grade speaking another language. The original college-readiness goal, for example, called for 100% of all high school students to be eligible to apply to one of the states four-year universities. Now the goal seems to offer more wiggle room: Prepare all high school graduates to be eligible to apply to a California four-year university. Read More Facebook
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We have been hurt. More women say they were mistreated by USC gynecologist By Richard Winton USC student Anika Narayanan says she vividly recalls her first appointment with Dr. George Tyndall at the campus health center, alleging that he made several explicit comments during an examination she felt was inappropriate and invasive. When she came back for a second visit in 2016 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter, he allegedly chastised her, she said in a civil lawsuit and at a press conference Tuesday. He asked me if I had forgotten to use a condom again, said Narayanan, 21. At one point, she said, Tyndall asked if I did a lot of doggy style, she said. Read More Facebook
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L.A. Unified gives inspector general brief contract extension By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school board on Tuesday extended the contract of Ken Bramlett, its inspector general, by three months, though his job is far from secure and questions remain about the future direction of his watchdog office. Board members also unanimously promoted Vivian Ekchian, who had been the runner-up for the superintendents job, to deputy superintendent the districts No. 2 position. Both moves had elements of peacemaking between different factions on the board. Read More Facebook
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USCs handling of complaints about campus gynecologist is being investigated by federal government By Harriet Ryan The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into how the University of Southern California handled misconduct complaints against a campus gynecologist, the latest fallout in a scandal that has prompted the resignation of USCs president, two law enforcement investigations and dozens of lawsuits. In revealing the inquiry by the departments Office of Civil Rights, officials rebuked USC for what they alleged was improper withholding of information about Dr. George Tyndall during a previous federal investigation. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has been criticized for taking a less vigorous approach to examining sexual misconduct than predecessors, called for a systemic examination of USC and urged administrators to fully cooperate. Read More Facebook
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Judge to sentence woman and her boyfriend for the murder of an 8-year-old that led to L.A. child welfare reforms By Marisa Gerber A woman and her boyfriend are expected to be sentenced Thursday for the torture and murder of an 8-year-old boy whose killing in 2013 provoked public outrage, prompted sweeping reform of Los Angeles Countys child welfare system, and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the childs case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her son, Gabriel. A jury decided last year that her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be executed. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. Read More Facebook
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L.A. Unifieds spending out of step with similar school systems, task force says By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school district is out of step with similar school systems, spending more on teachers pay and health benefits and less on activities that could enhance student learning, according to a new report by an outside task force. The L.A. Unified School District Advisory Task Force did not make specific recommendations, but instead posed a series of questions it said the district needs to answer to make sure its funding is aimed at providing a full opportunity for all students to succeed. What were trying to say is: Lets put the data on the table. Lets look at the truth. Lets be transparent and here are the numbers, said task force member Renata Simril. This is not to say that we should cut teachers salaries. Read More Facebook
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Top USC medical school official feared dean was doing drugs and alerted administration, he testifies By Paul Pringle A former vice dean of USCs Keck School of Medicine testified Tuesday that he feared the schools then-dean, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, could be doing drugs and expressed concerns about his general well-being to the universitys No. 2 administrator before Puliafito abruptly left his job in 2016. Dr. Henri Fords testimony at a hearing of the state Medical Board marks the first suggestion that any USC administrator had suspicions about Puliafitos possible drug use before he stepped down. A Times investigation in 2017 found Puliafito led a secret second life of using illegal drugs with a circle of young criminals and addicts. Puliafito testified about his behavior at the hearing Tuesday, saying he took drugs with one young woman on a weekly basis. Ford said that he decided to alert USC Provost Michael Quick after receiving reports in early 2016 that Puliafito was partying in hotels with people of questionable reputation, and that he came to worry about his mental stability. Read More Facebook
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Why L.A. Unified may face financial crisis even with a giant surplus this year By Jessica Calefati With more than half a billion dollars socked away for next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District hardly seems just two years from financial ruin. Its a scenario that is especially tough to swallow if youre a low-wage worker seeking a raise or a teacher who wants smaller classes. But budget documents show that todays $548-million surplus cannot be sustained and that even basic services face steep, seemingly unavoidable cuts because of massive problems barreling the districts way. Theres a disconnect between the rosy short-term picture and what we know is coming, said board member Kelly Gonez. Read More Facebook
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We have failed: Top USC officials try to reassure students amid gynecologist scandal By Joy Resmovits Top administrators at USC are reaching out to students in the wake of misconduct allegations against the universitys longtime gynecologist, acknowledging failings and vowing reforms as they try to address growing outrage over the revelations. Several USC deans have sent out messages trying to reassure students and faculty that the university is committed to changing. We have failed, wrote Jack H. Knott, dean of USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy, in a May 24 letter. What happened is antithetical to everything we know is right. Read More Facebook
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Rick Caruso is named chair of USCs trustees, vows swift investigation of gynecologist scandal By Thomas Curwen The University of Southern Californias board of trustees has elected mall magnate Rick Caruso to be the new chair of the board, giving fresh leadership as the university navigates a widening scandal involving a longtime campus gynecologist. The move marks the latest effort by USC to address the case, which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of civil lawsuits. More than 400 people have contacted a hotline that the university established for patients to make reports about their experience with Dr. George Tyndall. In his first act as chairman, Caruso announced that the white-shoe L.A. law firm OMelveny & Myers would conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the gynecologists conduct and reporting failures at the clinic. He set an ambitious timeline for the review, pledging it would conclude before students return for the fall semester. Read More Facebook
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UC Berkeley students persistence helps win more liberal rules for in-state tuition By Teresa Watanabe Ifechukwu Okeke thought shed be a shoo-in for in-state tuition when she was admitted to UC Berkeley for fall 2016. She had moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2012 to go to Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. By the time she got her acceptance to transfer to UC to study molecular and cell biology, she had lived in California four years. She had a California drivers license, bank account and rental records as proof. UC Berkeley, however, ruled she was a nonresident which meant she would have to pay nearly $27,000 more. Read More Facebook
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State medical board calls former County-USC doctor a sexual predator, suspends his license By Matt Hamilton A UCLA cardiologist has been temporarily stripped of his medical license after state regulators described him as a sexual predator who assaulted three female colleagues when he was working and training at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Read More Facebook
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Global California 2030' aims to get more students learning more languages By Joy Resmovits Tom Torlakson (Andrew Seng / Associated Press) Outgoing state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday announced a new statewide effort to encourage students to learn more languages. Called Global California 2030, its goal is to help more students become fluent in multiple tongues. Torlakson said that by 2030, he wants half of the states 6.2 million K-12 students to participate in classes or programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages. By 2040, he wants three out of four students to be proficient enough to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. Torlakson announced the initiative at Cahuenga Elementary School, which offers a dual-language immersion program in English and Korean. Californias public school students speak more than 60 languages at home, and 40% come to school with knowledge of a language other than English. Torlakson called his plan a call to action that invites parents, legislators, educators and community members to pool resources to expand language offerings in schools and get more bilingual teachers trained. He said the state already is working with Mexico and Spain to expand a teacher-exchange program. Fluency, the plan argues, can help students succeed economically and language acquisition can help their overall critical thinking. The initiative builds on Proposition 58, a ballot initiative passed in 2016 that undid an earlier requirement that English learners be taught in English-immersion classes unless their parents signed waivers. Torlakson recently visited Mexico and met with that countrys education secretary. They later signed a pact to increase collaboration, particularly in language education. This [Global California 2030] is great follow-through on Toms part and very important, Patricia Gandara, a UCLA education professor who hosted the Mexico meeting, said in an email. It hands over a plan to move forward in an area in which California has a unique advantage, but must seize the opportunity. Facebook
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Jury convicts man of murder in 2015 slaying of UCLA student found inside her burning apartment By Marisa Gerber A jury on Tuesday convicted a man in the 2015 slaying of a UCLA student found dead inside her burning apartment a gruesome stabbing case that led to a fierce rebuke of the police response amid concerns that the killing could have been prevented. The panel deliberated for about six hours before finding Alberto Medina, 24, guilty of murder, arson, burglary and animal cruelty. On Sept. 21, 2015, firefighters found the charred body of Andrea DelVesco inside her apartment after responding to the complex a block from campus. The 21-year-old student an Austin, Texas, native known to her sorority sisters as a fearless giver who befriended others with ease was stabbed at least 19 times, authorities said. Read More Facebook
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LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook
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At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook
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Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups unrestricted by contribution limits a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook
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2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook
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For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook
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Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook
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UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook
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USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook
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Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook
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UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook
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State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe Cal State students protest against a tuition increase outside the chancellors office (Irfan Khan) After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook
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Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook
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Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook
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6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook
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Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook
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This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner is greeted by Van Nuys High School principal Yolanda Gardea. (Melissa Barales-Lopez) Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education. What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook
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USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook
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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook
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On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook
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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook
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Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions longtime stalwarts of the party and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook
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Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ( Incoming L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner talks to students at Belmont High School.) Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans saying repeatedly, stay tuned but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook
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Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook
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The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook
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Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook
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School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook
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Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook
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UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook
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We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook
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Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook
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Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe Sen. Kamala Harris (Chris Dekmas) California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook
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School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist who has agreed to modify the artwork to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook
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New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook
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More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook
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New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event his first speech and news conference with a photogenic background of students. His message that he would put those students first seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook
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In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene (Phalaen Chang) At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook
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Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, superintendent from 2006-2008. (L.A. Times file photo) L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook
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Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook
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Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook
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L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook
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Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook
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Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook
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Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook
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Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook
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UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook
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A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook
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After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman who also was black that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook
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El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook
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Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume L.A. schools superintendent candidate Andres Alonso got an endorsement Friday, but Austin Beutner and Vivian Ekchian also have supporters. (Elizabeth Malby) The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged and pressured the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members enough to control the outcome were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook
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Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook
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L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits (Los Angeles Times) Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people 12 students and one teacher killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook
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Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends a 16-year-old boy made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook
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Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus which the president said is less than 55% white that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook
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The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces an arch and a garden after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook
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L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook
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Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook
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Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook
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Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook
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Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook
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Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook
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Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies better known as CAVA had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook
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School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook
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Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook
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Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook
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Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook
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New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook
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Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits National test scores for fourth- and eighth-graders were generally flat from 2015, but eighth-grade reading scores showed some improvement. Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results out Monday night were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook
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Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook
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Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook
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L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she
California is raising and educating more and more qualified Cal State applicants but the system cant put all of them on the campuses where they want to be.
Trustees of the public university system will focus on the problem during their two-day meeting in Long Beach.
Cal State campuses are so oversubscribed that 32,000 fully qualified students were left out in the cold last fall because the locations or programs they wanted could not accommodate them.
Six of the systems 23 campuses Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego, San Jose and San Luis Obispo are in such high demand that each of their programs has more qualified applicants than can be accommodated by current space and staffing levels.
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Meanwhile, the system, according to administrators, is strapped for cash, to the point where trustees are considering raising tuition for the second year in a row. The state funds a smaller piece of Cal States costs than it used to. Gov. Jerry Browns 2018-2019 budget proposal included a $92 million increase for Cal State, but it was $171 million less than what the systems trustees said they needed.
Cal State currently has to work within the budget framework Brown shaped last year, when he gave the university an additional $20 million to boost enrollment. University officials have until May to come up with a way to redirect applications from campuses with no more space to those that still have room, and to give local students priority.
Trustees are expected to evaluate plans to do both at their meeting.
The redirection proposal would have the enrollment system inform eligible applicants rejected or wait-listed from campuses because of oversubscription that they have the opportunity to apply to other campuses. Such students would be sent surveys asking for their first- and second-choice campuses with remaining open slots.
For about a month, the system would send text message and email reminders to applicants to respond. Those who do not answer after that time would automatically be admitted to an alternate campus.
The trustees also are slated to discuss new degree programs, which offer a window into how Cal State campuses try to evolve with the economy. In a memo, the chancellors office described Cal State as an engine of social mobility, educating many students who are the first in their families to attend college.
Graduates mid-career salaries, the memo states, are on average more than $8,000 higher than those of graduates from other public universities. The system awards about 100,000 bachelors degrees each year.
About 3.4 million CSU alumni are in Californias workforce, and the system responds to the states changing needs. The chancellors office received 23 proposals for new programs this year, and has approved 17. Four are in computer sciences, three are in business and four are in health professions. Sixty percent of all the states nursing degrees are earned at Cal State.
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Three campuses want to create new construction management programs because that field, the memo says, is one of the states 50-fastest growing professions. New programs would also address the growing need for substance abuse counselors.
On Wednesday morning, the trustees also plan to announce new presidents for Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Dominguez Hills.
A livestream of the meetings open sessions can be viewed here.
Joy.Resmovits@LATimes.com
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@Joy_Resmovits
After months of investigating, a handful of criminal cases involving Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein are now in the hands of two veteran but cautious prosecutors: Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey and Manhattan Dist. Atty. Cyrus R. Vance Jr.
In Los Angeles, the investigation is focused on an Italian actress allegation of rape in 2013. In New York, detectives have turned their attention to a student-actress accusation she was forced to orally copulate the producer in 2004 and another actress allegation of rape in 2010.
Both teams of detectives say they could move forward with charges against the movie producer, who since last fall has been accused by more than 85 women of sexual misconduct stretching back four decades.
Vance is getting pressure as the New York City Police Department has gone public with its hopes that prosecutors file charges.
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Ive spoken with the police, and I can tell you we are working very hard with them to complete the investigation, Vance said last week. Well take the time it will take to get it done right.
NYPD detectives have publicly said they are close to making an arrest and would do so if Weinstein was in New York City.
We are still accumulating evidence. Its going very, very well, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told reporters recently. We have a lot of information. We have people who are getting ready to go to grand jury.
Weinsteins representatives say the accusations are not supported by evidence in either New York or Los Angeles. Mr. Weinsteins criminal attorneys Blair Berk and Benjamin Brafman have said that a fair investigation of the allegations of criminal wrongdoing will prove they are without merit, a statement for this article said.
Brafman rebuffs any suggestion that a prosecution is coming soon in New York. I have been assured the filing of criminal charges in New York against Mr. Weinstein has not been authorized and his arrest is not imminent, he said in a statement.
Vances office said it had insufficient evidence to charge Weinstein for a misdemeanor sex crime. Ambra Battilana Gutierrez reported to police that Weinstein groped her without her consent. She then wore a wire for the NYPD on which Weinstein can be heard to say, I wont do it again.
Vance, the son of the former secretary of State under President Carter, is a well-connected political player whose ties to the citys elites have caused some to question his decisions in celebrity and high-profile cases.
In the 2015 Weinstein investigation, the movie moguls attorneys included Elkan Abramowitz, Vances former law partner and a donor to his campaign. Vance has denied any connection between the donations and his actions. Times Up, a defense fund and pressure group acting as a voice for victims of sexual harassment, has called for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to investigate Vances handling of the case.
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Vances handling of high-profile cases was tested early in his tenure with the 2011 indictment for sexual assault of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a French politician who until his arrest on suspicion of attacking a hotel maid headed the International Monetary Fund. With worldwide media attention, Vance, however, dismissed all of the charges with his office, saying it was unable to prove her version of events beyond a reasonable doubt, whatever the truth may be about the encounter.
Since a New York Times expose last fall of Weinsteins sexual behavior, Annabella Sciorra, Asia Argento and Rose McGowan have all accused Weinstein of brutal sexual assaults while many of his leading actresses have told of his sexual misconduct and their fear. It spawned the #MeToo movement of women coming forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment that have seen dozens of Hollywood and media executives lose their jobs and status and face criminal investigations.
But much of Weinsteins alleged behavior is shielded from prosecutors by statutes of limitations on sex crimes that meant some allegations are too old to charge. For Los Angeles or New York prosecutors, only a few investigations have emerged as the most viable for criminal charges.
In New York City, the investigation involves former aspiring actress Lucie Evans, who alleges Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004 while she was a senior at Middlebury College. Evans had gone to the Tribeca offices of Miramax for a potential casting.
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I said over and over. I dont want to do this, stop, dont, she says of the attack in an interview with the New Yorker. She told the magazine the incident which began when she met Weinstein at the Cipriani Upstairs nightspot, where he offered her professional guidance.
Evans allegations are one of five separate sexual assault allegations against Weinstein. Special Victims Unit detectives are also investigating accusations levied by actress Paz de la Huerta that she was raped twice by Weinstein in 2010. De La Huerta told Vanity Fair that Weinstein raped her at her apartment in November and then again the following month.
Vance has also spent months examining Weinsteins finances regarding his use of nondisclosure agreements to hide his alleged attacks and his use of covert operatives to dig into his accusers.
Weinsteins representatives have repeatedly said that the producer did nothing more than ensure that the facts are presented fairly.
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In Los Angeles, an experienced sex crimes deputy district attorney from a special task force recently spent more than three hours interviewing the actress who alleges Weinstein raped her at Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel in February 2013 as part of a heavy vetting process by prosecutors, according to several sources.
Lacey, the Los Angeles district attorney, is a career prosecutor who rose up through the ranks to be elected the countys first female and African American prosecutor in 2012. She is known for being cautious and far less outspoken than her predecessor and mentor, Steve Cooley.
Lacey, nonetheless, established a special sex crime task force for the celebrity cases as the allegations against Weinstein and others expanded. In contrast to Vance, Lacey has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the progress of the investigation last week.
Her offices highest-profile cases involve murder charges against real estate heir Robert Durst and music producer Marion Suge Knight. The L.A. district attorney has a mixed record in high-profile celebrity prosecutions. Failed murder cases against O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake were considered black eyes. But L.A. prosecutors did win a conviction against music producer Phil Spector.
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LAPD Capt. Billy Hayes, who oversees the departments elite Robbery-Homicide Division, which has been handling the Weinstein matter, said the investigation and review are about thoroughness, not speed, but his detectives are in contact regularly with counterparts in New York, London and Beverly Hills.
According to law enforcement sources, L.A. detectives say the evidence is promising because the woman told her story to three people, including her priest, relatively soon after the alleged attack. LAPD detectives also have obtained bills showing she was at the hotel at the time, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
In October, the actress, now 38, provided LAPD detectives with what she said was a moment-by-moment account of how Weinstein had bullied his way into her hotel room in 2013 and attacked her. She repeated that for a prosecutor last month.
The actress, who has asked not to be publicly identified because she was fearful of retaliation and concerned about protecting her childrens privacy, told The Times last year that she and Weinstein had spoken briefly on the evening in question at the Los Angeles Italia Film, Fashion and Art Fest. Later, she said, he showed up without warning in the lobby of her hotel which surprised her because she didnt tell him where she was staying. He asked to come up to her room. She said she told him no and offered to meet him downstairs, but soon he was knocking on her door.
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He ... bullied his way into my hotel room, saying, Im not going to [have sex with] you, I just want to talk, the woman told The Times. Once inside, he asked me questions about myself, but soon became very aggressive and demanding and kept asking to see me naked.
She said Weinstein repeatedly bragged about his power and influence and told her not to fight him. She tried to show him pictures of her children as she cried and begged him to go away, she said.
He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to do something I did not want to do, she said. He then dragged me to the bathroom and forcibly raped me.
She did not tell authorities about the incident at the time, so no rape kit was taken. As a result, the law enforcement source said, there is little physical evidence in the case.
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Of the three Weinstein cases submitted by the LAPD to the district attorney, two are outside the statute of limitations. One is a rape accusation and another a lewd acts allegation. But the accusers stories could be used if the producer were charged in another case.
richard.winton@latimes.com
Twitter: @lacrimes
The Los Angeles City Council pledged Tuesday to support a minimum number of housing units for homeless people in each of the districts they represent.
Under the pledge, each council member will back the approval of at least 222 units of supportive housing in his or her district before July 1, 2020, including any units approved since last July.
The City Council resolution is not binding, but lawmakers said it is important that they publicly make a shared commitment to build homeless housing across the sprawling city.
LA Family Housing President and Chief Executive Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, whose group provides housing and homeless services, said political will can be one of the key obstacles to building supportive housing.
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Your vote is a public statement that you are committed to being part of the solution, Klasky-Gamer told the council.
More than a year ago, Los Angeles voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.2-billion bond to fund new housing with supportive services.
Councilman Paul Koretz, who represents some of the citys wealthiest communities, vowed not to cave in to constituents who might complain about homeless housing sites in their communities. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )
Such homeless housing projects have historically been concentrated in areas of L.A. with higher levels of poverty and racial segregation, according to a recent analysis by the city housing department.
That has spurred concern about fairness and equity, with council members from poorer districts calling for the entire council to help address the need for homeless housing.
The pledge is also meant to help politicians withstand pressure to turn down such projects. Despite strong L.A. voter support for the bond measure, council members can face vocal opposition when homeless housing is proposed in local neighborhoods.
The challenge is this question of NIMBYism not in my backyard, Councilman Gil Cedillo said. Everybody wants this problem solved. Everybody does. But ask if you can do it down the block and people are up in arms.
Councilman Paul Koretz, who represents some of the wealthiest areas in the city, said his constituents might be among the most likely to balk at proposed sites for homeless housing, but Im not going to cave in to those objections.
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But Koretz added that it has been difficult to find possible sites for supportive housing in his Westside district because of high property values.
Im 100% committed to it, but we definitely will need some help finding workable sites, the councilman said.
Council members wield significant power over homeless housing projects in Los Angeles: Before a proposed project can get bond funding, it must have a letter of acknowledgment from the local council member. If a council member refuses to provide that letter, the application is rejected.
If all members of the council adhere to the 222-unit pledge, that would ensure that at least 3,330 units are approved over three years, bringing Los Angeles close to its stated goal of building 10,000 units for homeless residents over a decade.
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The council voted 14-0 for the resolution Tuesday with Councilman Jose Huizar absent. Huizar was one of the lawmakers who proposed the 222-unit pledge and voted for it at a recent committee meeting.
emily.alpert@latimes.com
Twitter: @AlpertReyes
One man was killed and two women were injured in a shooting at an Inglewood home early Tuesday morning, police said.
Officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress around 12:30 a.m. in the 3700 block of West 106th Street, according to Inglewood Police Sgt. Brigette Villavicencio. The officers heard shots as they arrived, Villavicencio said.
The man was found dead inside the home. The injured women were taken to a hospital and are in stable condition, authorities said.
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Two suspects were found several minutes later, Villavicencio said.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts told KTLA the shooting was gang-related.
The attackers were yelling a gang slogan that they were after another gang, Butts said.
An investigation is ongoing.
sarah.parvini@latimes.com
For more California news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini
Authorities ordered more than 30,000 Santa Barbara County residents and workers, and about 2,400 Ventura County residents to flee their homes Tuesday afternoon as a massive storm lumbered out of the eastern Pacific Ocean and plotted a collision course with Southern Californias fragile, fire-scarred coast.
The storm a bloated atmospheric river of tropical moisture known as a pineapple express should make landfall Tuesday night. By Friday, the system is predicted to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain along the coast and up to 10 inches in the mountains and foothills above Montecito, Carpinteria and Ojai.
Right now its taking a bulls-eye shot at Santa Barbara County, the Thomas fire and Ventura County, said Stuart Seto of the National Weather Service.
Of the 30,000 people ordered to flee Santa Barbara County, 21,000 are residents, according to spokeswoman Amber Anderson. The remaining 9,000 are people who work in the area during the day, she said.
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In Ventura County, about 32,200 more residents were in voluntary evacuation zones, said Deputy Chad Anderson of the Sheriffs Department.
The water vapor image shows the "atmospheric river" of tropical moisture heading to CA.#cawx #LArain #CAstorm pic.twitter.com/ECbOZ95zYA NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) March 20, 2018
The rain comes just months after the largest fire on state record scorched more than 440 square miles of land in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, reducing thick forest and chapparral to ash and making steep hillsides susceptible to mud and debris flows.
Flash flood watches were issued in both counties Tuesday ahead of the rain.
Thomas fire-scorched hillsides will start to dissolve into mud flows if it rains at a rate of more than a half-inch an hour, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This storm is expected to drop rain at up to three-quarters of an inch an hour for the better part of a day starting Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning over some of those areas, Seto said.
Authorities hope to avoid a repeat of Jan. 9, when mud and debris flows roared through Montecito neighborhoods in the middle of the night, killing at 21 people. Many of the victims never expected to be affected by the rains.
Once those rain intensities start they could block the roads and they wouldnt be able to leave, Seto said. Thats whats different with mudslides. Once they hit their threshold, theyre going to go. Theyre not going to wait and give you time to think about it.
Where are the recent burn areas? Most concerning: Thomas, Whittier, La Tuna, Sherpa, Fish, and Sand burns. If you are near these burns, DEBRIS FLOWS ARE LIKELY, stay alert to the weather and heed messages/evacuations from emergency officials. #larain #cawx #thomasfire #Montecito pic.twitter.com/UiEIltKpGi NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) March 20, 2018
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Montecito resident Wendy Fehr said she hasnt been able to stop reading the news since she first heard the storm forecast on Saturday. Every hour she checks different weather websites on her phone.
Ive gotten so good at understanding weather patterns and tracking storm developments, she said as she walked her golden retriever along San Ysidro Road Tuesday morning.
Youve got to be good at it in order to stay safe.
Her friend and neighbor, Ashley Mayfield, stood next to her.
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Both Mayfield and Fehr finished packing Tuesday morning and planned to leave in the afternoon.
Ive gotten to the point where I just leave all my important documents in a zip-lock bag, ready to take at a moments notice, Mayfield said.
At around 10 a.m., police came knocking at their doors, advising them to evacuate.
This is the fourth time Mayfield and Fehr have had to leave their homes since the Thomas fire.
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Despite the constant disruption to their lives, they said they are happy to oblige.
Evacuating is the fair thing for us to do, Mayfield said. Its not fair to put the lives of emergency responders at risk by staying.
Mayfield and Fehr said emergency communication and assistance from the county has improved since Januarys mudslides.
Theyve provided us with so many services, even for our animals, that theres no reason not to leave, Mayfield said.
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1 / 29 Lompoc Firefighter Chris Martinez scouts Montecito Creek at the East Valley Road crossing near Parra Grande Lane on Wednesday March 21, 2018. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 29 Loreen Zakem and dog Holly go for a daily walk along Camino Viejo Rd. past one of dozens of homes destroyed in a January debris flow along Montecito Creek. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 29 A Ventura County utility vehicles splashes through a flooded section of Creek Road near Oak View on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 29 A muddy Montecito Creek runs into the ocean in Montecito Wednesday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles TImes) 5 / 29 Signs of water ponding along East Valley Road near San Ysidro Creek Wednesday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 29 Montecito resident Keith Hamm checks out San Ysidro Creek and the bridge at East Valley Road in Montecito Wednesday afternoon as water levels rise but no major flooding or slides have been reported. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 29 Rain clouds envelop hills along a charred stretch of Highway 33 near Ojai on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 29 Santa Barbara County Sheriffs patrol the Glen Oaks Drive area near East Valley Road and San Ysidro Creek Wednesday as the mandatory evacuation remains in place. (Al Seib / Los Angeles TImes) 9 / 29 Tommy Varlokostas, of Burbank, walks in the rain with his nine daughter Antonia while beach combing at the Carpinteria Creek Lagoon at Carpinteria State Beach. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 10 / 29 Amanda McBroom walks her dogs Rosie, Charlie and Duffy past Ventura County firefighters who clean out flooding inside The Pantry Restaurant in Ojai. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 11 / 29 A sign of warning where a muddy Montecito Creeks runs into the Ocean Wednesday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles TImes) 12 / 29 Coast Village Road is closed at Olive Mill Road and Montecito looks like a ghost town under mandatory evacuation orders. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 29 Heavy rain falls along a stretch of Highway 33 near Ojai on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 29 Jim Dewey with the Santa Barbara Streets Operations and Infrastructure Division checks on an evacuated and quiet Coast Village Road closed at Olive Mill Road. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 29 Brian Miller, with Los Angeles County, inspects the drainage flow on a culvert in La Tuna Canyon as heavy rains caused street flooding. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 29 A resident walks along a mud filled street off La Tuna Canyon Road as heavy rains caused street flooding and debris flow on March 21, 2018 in Sun Valley, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 29 Harbor Boulevard in Ventura is closed to traffic due to flooding from Wednesdays storm. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 18 / 29 Highway 101 is open in Montecito. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 29 Coast Village Road in Montecito is empty under mandatory evacuation orders Wednesday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 29 Marit ter Mate-Martinsen and her daughters Evelina, 8, and Lulu, 4 pack their van to leave their home in the mandatory evacuation zone in Carpinteria, Calif., as Tuesdays storm moves in. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 29 Residents and volunteers fill sandbags at Manning Park in Montecito, Calif., as people prepare for Tuesdays storm. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 29 Browning Allen packs up his truck to leave the mandatory evacuation zone in Carpinteria, Calif., as a storm, forecast to be the biggest of the season, approaches Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 29 Luis Orta throws sandbags into a truck at Manning Park in Montecito in preparation for Tuesdays storm. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 29 A person overlooks debris and destroyed homes along Montecito Creek from the January mudslide as a new storm threatens the area. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 29 Jacob Ascencio, 18, left, helps his father, Polo Ascencio, line sandbags in front of their garage to protect their home in the mandatory evacuation zone in Carpinteria, Calif., as Tuesdays storm approaches. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 29 Peter Morris walks past one of numeous damaged homes on Olive Mill Rd. as rain begins to fall on the flood ravaged area of Montecito. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 29 Jacob Ascencio, 18, stacks sandbags in front of his familys Carpinteria, Calif., home before Tuesdays storm. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 29 A beachgoer shelters from drizzling rain as storm clouds blow ashore at the Ventura Pier. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 29 Alexis Hunter picks up sandbags at Manning Park in Montecito, Calif., to protect her home before Tuesdays storm. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain described the approaching system as the strongest storm of the year for Southern California.
Although threatened Santa Barbara County residents were given until noon to evacuate, an interactive map the county presented of high risk areas suddenly became inaccessible Tuesday morning. The county and contractors restored access to the map after several hours.
By then, Montecito had already begun to clear out.
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As Richard and Colleen Stewart gassed up their car at a station on Coast Village Road, the couple reminisced about how their lives have changed since the January slides damaged their home on Glen Oaks Drive.
The couple are originally from Canada and bought a house in Montecito where they spend their winters. Tuesday was the sixth time theyve had to evacuate since November.
We have evacuation fatigue, Richard Stewart said. If we have to evacuate one more time we will leave and go back to Canada.
His wife has an art studio in the house, but she hasnt seen much of it lately.
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I cant get work done. Its hard to constantly have to leave, she said.
The couple say they are still haunted by memories of smashed homes and cars crushed by boulders, and say one of their neighbors died in the January rains.
We dont drive on the main street to get to our house anymore, Richard Stewart said. Its too difficult to look at the damage.
Their dog, Sammy, nestled in the back seat of their car by a handful of suitcases, pictures and other belongings.
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The couple said they decided to evacuate because of the constant communication from officials who stressed the potential danger.
I received emails and it was followed up with phone calls, Richard said.
An evacuation center will be opened at Earl Warren Showgrounds, Warren Hall, at 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara. For help evacuating large and small animals, call the Santa Barbara County Animal Services hotline at (805) 681-4332.
Rob Lewin, director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, said in a statement that the storm could be intense enough to cause flooding even without the recent fires.
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We could experience localized flooding and road closures which are not isolated to the burn areas, Lewin said. The threat of rock falls, mudslides and debris flow is high.
UPDATES:
9:25 p.m.: This article was updated with more details about the number of people affected by evacuation orders.
2:50 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from residents and forecasters and details of the evacuations.
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This article was originally published at 10:25 a.m.
Sacramento police fired 20 times at an unarmed man fatally shot in his own backyard, authorities said.
Police shot 22-year-old Stephon Clark Sunday night in the backyard of a home he shared with his grandparents and some of his siblings, Clarks brother told the Sacramento Bee.
Twenty rounds were fired, Sacramento Police Sgt. Vance Chandler told KCRA-TV on Tuesday afternoon. Each officer fired 10 rounds.
Officers responded to the 7500 block of 29th Street around 9:15 p.m. after receiving a call that a six-foot-one man wearing a black hoodie and dark pants was breaking into vehicles. The caller said the man had broken car windows and was hiding in a backyard, according to the Sacramento Police Department.
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A Sacramento County Sheriffs Departments helicopter circling overhead found a man in a backyard at about 9:25 p.m. and directed police officers toward him, authorities said. Deputies told police that the man had picked up a toolbar and broke a window to a home.
The helicopter then spotted the suspect running south, toward the front of the house, where he stopped and was looking into another car, police said. Following deputies directions, officers entered the frontyard of a home and observed the suspect along the side of the residence.
Police said the officers gave the man commands to stop and show his hands, but he immediately fled and ran toward the back of the home. They chased him to the backyard, where authorities say he turned and advanced toward the officers while holding an object which was extended in front of him.
The officers believed the suspect was pointing a firearm at them. Fearing for their safety, the officers fired their duty weapons striking the suspect multiple times, the police department said in a news release. The involved officers held their position for approximately five minutes, until additional officers arrived. Officers approached the suspect, handcuffed him and began life saving efforts.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Monday, police said investigators did not locate any guns after an exhaustive search and that the only item found was a cellphone.
Police later said two items that may have been the toolbar deputies in the helicopter saw were recovered from near the broken sliding glass door in the neighbors yard, according to the Sacramento Bee. Authorities found a cinder block and a piece of aluminum that looked like it could be used for a gutter.
Authorities said they identified at least three vehicles that Clark may have damaged. A nearby home also had a sliding glass door shattered, they said.
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The two officers involved in the shooting have two and four years with the Sacramento Police Department, authorities said, and both have four years of prior law enforcement experience with other agencies before joining the Sacramento police.
Both were wearing body cameras. Police said they plan on releasing images from those cameras along with video and audio from the law enforcement helicopter.
Neither officer was injured. Police said the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy.
sarah.parvini@latimes.com
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Twitter: @sarahparvini
UPDATES:
March 21, 9:10 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details.
This article was originally published on March 20 at 10:15 a.m.
In 2016 North Dakota was one of Trump's strongest states. He beat Hillary 216,794 (62.96%) to 93,758 (27.23%). Libertarian Gary Johnson took 21,434 votes (6.22%). Only West Virginia, Wyoming and Oklahoma were redder. And only New Mexico, where he had once served as governor, gave Johnson a bigger share of its votes than North Dakota. Clinton won just two of North Dakota's 53 counties counties, Sioux and Rolette. 73% of Rolette County and 85% of Sioux County are populated by Native Americans, in fact, all of Sioux County is encompassed by the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The last time North Dakota gave its 3 electoral votes to a Democrat was in 1964, when LBJ beat Goldwater. The state's PVI is R+17, the 5th worst in the country. In North Dakota's caucuses Bernie crushed Hillary 64.2% to 25.6%.
This year, the race that everyone is watching in North Dakota is the Senate race, where the Senate's most conservative Democrat, Heidi Heitkamp will be defending her seat from Republican Kevin Cramer, who is leaving his safe Senate seat to challenge her. The most recent poll (late February), by Republican firm Gravis Marketing, shows a dead-heat, Heitkamp leading 43-40% with 17% undecided. But what about the at-large House race to replace Cramer?
The primary is June 12, but the state party had its convention on Saturday . The main events were to endorse candidates for attorney general and agriculture commissioner. Convention endorsements are important because they come with a guaranteed spot on the June 12 primary ballot and party support that includes access to lists of previous Democratic campaign donors. Endorsements don't protect a candidate from a primary challenge, but they are rare within the Democratic party. And, indeed the 3 Democrats running for Congress had all agreed to withdraw for the endorsed candidate. The candidates were Jamestown state Sen. John Grabinger (assistant minority leader) and former state lawmakers Ben Hanson of Fargo and Mac Schneider of Grand Forks. Schneider won after having just entered the race a couple of weeks ago. He's well-known to state Democrats because he had represented Grand Forks from 2009 until his defeat for re-election in 2016.
The last Democrat North Dakota sent to the House was Earl Pomeroy, a Blue Dog. Schneider used to work for him as a press secretary. Is he a Blue Dog too? Well, when he announced his interest in running, he said he would be "honored to work with President Trump." So I'll guess yes. By the way, Biden was there looking for support for his presidential run from the same kind of establishment Democrats who backed Hillary but saw grassroots voted go overwhelmingly for Bernie. The North Dakota Democratic Party hasn't figured that out yet.
The Republican field includes former GOP Chairman Kelly Armstrong, a state senator from Dickinson, and Tom Campbell, a potato farmer and state senator from Grafton, who has already self-funded $745,000 into his campaign.
UPDATE: And About Tomorrow In Illinois
The above fun and catchy music video highlights some of the stakes, in tomorrows Illinois primaries, for #Medicare4All and many other issues, and the role of an unsung villain in whipping for the wants of big money rather than the needs of the American people.
In majority-Democratic IL-03, Nancy Pelosi recently stumbled in allowing public visibility of her support for Dan Lipinski, the anti-ACA, anti-reproductive rights, anti-LGBTQ, anti-DREAMer, anti-#FightFor15, anti-gun control incumbent (originally installed by the local machine through a sneaky late resignation by Lipinskis father). This money-over-principles support suddenly looks lonely after many other incumbent Democrats took the rare step of endorsing a primary challenger: Marie Newman.
More typical is Illinois purple IL-13, where Pelosi has personally avoided visibility while her appointed leadership of the DCCC continues its vendetta, against a longtime leader of the single-payer movement, Dr. David Gill, for continuing to demonstrate that he is a much stronger candidate, than the DCCCs series of under-performing, donor-focused puppet-candidates, against the vulnerable Republican incumbent.
Charles Manson was cremated and his ashes scattered following a brief, private funeral four months after the death of the man who gained worldwide infamy for the 1969 Los Angeles killings he hoped would spark a race war.
The memorial occurred Saturday at a funeral home in Porterville, said Mark Pitcher, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene.
Pitcher, who presided, told the Associated Press on Monday that about 20 to 25 people attended, among them Mansons grandson, Jason Freeman, and Freemans wife, Audrey.
TMZ.com first reported that the funeral and its story included a photo of Manson in an open casket.
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Pitcher said he agreed to a request from the funeral home to conduct the memorial after he was told Freeman and his wife are Christians and that Freeman wanted his grandfather to have a proper burial despite his notoriety.
The pastor declined to reveal who else attended, but said some were friends of Mansons, the ersatz hippie leader who inspired, with drugs and charisma, a ragtag band of young followers to murder actress Sharon Tate and six others during two bloody nights in August 1969 that terrified Los Angeles.
The Manson Family, as his followers were called, killed five of its victims on Aug. 9, 1969, at Tates home. They included the actress who was eight months pregnant, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring, Polish movie director Voytek Frykowski and Steven Parent, a friend of the estates caretaker.
The next night, a wealthy grocer and his wife, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, were stabbed to death in their home across town.
During Mansons funeral service, Pitcher said he quoted from Scripture both meaningful to him and Freeman. Although he discussed Mansons past briefly, Pitcher added that he did not shy away from relating what he had done.
There were many choices thrust upon him that brought about very challenging circumstances through his early years, he said of Manson, the son of a prostitute who never knew his father. But he also made choices that brought great consequence and negatively impacted other people for many, many years.
Pitcher said he exhorted Freeman and his family to see Saturdays funeral as an opportunity to establish a new beginning of making good choices.
Freeman, whose own father killed himself under the burden of being Mansons son, has said he only learned of his connection to the mass killer a few years ago.
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After Mansons death in November at age 83, Freeman fought a months-long legal battle to gain the right to his remains.
Freeman, who couldnt be located for comment Monday, has said he wanted his grandfather cremated and his remains scattered to finally put to rest this so-called monster, this historical figure that shouldnt have been blown up as big as it was for all these years.
About 2,000 former soldiers, healthcare workers and family and friends celebrated the lives of three women killed more than a week ago by a combat veteran who barged into a farewell party for an employee at a veterans care facility.
The somber crowd packed a theater Monday on the sprawling tree-lined campus of the Veterans Home of California in Yountville, to honor Christine Loeber, Jennifer Gray Golick and Jennifer Gonzales Shushereba.
The women worked at the Pathway Home, which counseled veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome and brain injuries sustained in deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Authorities say 36-year-old Albert Wong fatally shot the women and then killed himself. The women at the Napa Valley facility had tried to help Wong before he was expelled from the program.
Richard Herrington was near the window in his television room Sunday night when he heard a sound in the distance that took him back to his Army days: the distinctive thump of a mortar detonating.
His first thought: Its the bomber.
He was right. The explosion was the fourth in a series of attacks this month that authorities believe are connected and have many in the Texas capital feeling terrorized. But the latest blast came with two twists that have increased anxiety here, and forced authorities to reconsider some of their hunches in the investigation.
While the earlier devices were package bombs placed on doorsteps, this bomb was apparently set for random passersby, employing a tripwire that police said demonstrated a higher level of sophistication.
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And the bombing occurred southwest of the city in a predominantly white suburb known as Travis Country in contrast to the earlier blasts on the east side, an area whose large minority population had suggested a possible racial motive.
The two people killed in the earlier bombings Stephan House, a 39-year-old construction worker, and Draylen Mason, a 17-year-old high school senior were relatives of prominent African Americans. The two people injured in the previous attacks were Masons 40-year-old mother and a 75-year-old Latina woman, Esperanza Herrera.
The two victims in Sundays blast were white men in their 20s. The Austin American-Statesman newspaper reported that they were Will Grote and Colton Mathis and had gone to high school together.
Grotes grandfather, William Grote, told the Associated Press that one of the men had been riding a bicycle in the street and the other was on the sidewalk when they crossed a tripwire they couldnt see in the dark.
He said it knocked them both off their feet and left them bleeding profusely. The men were hospitalized and listed as stable, authorities said.
The attack spurred police departments in Houston and San Antonio to send bomb technicians, bomb-sniffing dogs and other resources to assist the investigation. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced $265,500 in emergency funding Monday for seven portable X-ray systems to quickly assess packages.
I want to ensure everyone in the Austin region and the entire state that Texas is committed to providing every resource necessary to make sure these crimes are solved as quickly as possible, Abbott said in a statement.
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said investigators are compiling and screening surveillance video from all of the bombing sites for clues to the identities of potential suspects and their vehicles. He asked anyone with cameras near their homes to share footage with authorities.
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As for the motive behind the bombings, he said terrorism and hate remain possibilities.
We dont know if theres a message theyre trying to send until we sit down with the person or persons, he said late Monday as he stood near police tape.
Manley appealed for dialogue with whoever is responsible to bring this to a resolution without anyone else being harmed.
Asked whether he thinks the bombings will continue, Manley said: We dont have any reason to believe that they wont.
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He described the tripwire used in the latest bombing only as a filament and said it marked a significant change because it targeted the general public and entailed a higher level of sophistication, a higher level of skill.
Still, he said there was little doubt that the bombers were the same. Based on material recovered from the debris field after Sundays blast, Manley said, Were seeing similarities in the components used to construct the device.
Authorities were still processing the scene late Monday and planned to ship evidence to a federal lab run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Quantico, Va., for forensic analysis, he said.
Earlier in the day, federal agents canvassed the neighborhood known as 5000 Mission Oaks, interviewing Herrington and his neighbors. The only unusual thing they reported was a homeless camp in nearby woods that had been broken up before the explosion Sunday.
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Investigators instructed residents to stay indoors early Monday and call 911 if they needed to leave, but by late afternoon many were out walking, discussing the attack with each other.
Richard Herrington said he was sitting in his chair when he heard the explosion late Sunday. He woke his wife and started watching the news. Officials placed the area on lockdown, then the FBI came to question them. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times )
Herrington, 75, lives less than a half-mile from the explosion and hours before the blast had walked past the site with his two granddaughters. He said most residents dont bother to lock their doors.
We just think we live in a safe community well, not so, he said.
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At a briefing near the scene, Austin Mayor Steve Adler said the latest bombing increased anxiety citywide.
That concern is legitimate and real, Adler said, That anxiousness is going to continue until we can find the answer.
Afterward, Adler paused to chat with Herrington, who he has known for years.
He said we have an army of 500 [investigators], and we want to bring this to an end as quickly as possible, Herrington said. Its bad publicity for Austin.
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The attacks came during the citys South by Southwest music festival, which draws thousands to the area. A bomb threat forced the musical group the Roots to cancel a concert Saturday night, but police said they had arrested a suspect, a local 26-year-old college student named Trevor Weldon Ingram, who they said had a history of making similar threats.
At the University of Texas at Austin, police warned students returning from spring break to be wary and to tell classmates about what was happening.
Austins school district announced that buses wouldnt be going to Travis Country Monday and that any absences due to the attack would be excused.
Herringtons neighbor, Ana Rie, kept her 11-year-old son home Monday. He usually walks to his bus stop a block from the bombing site. From now on, she plans to drive him.
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Rie, 35, grew up in Nicaragua accustomed to conflict, but became more relaxed after she moved to Austin in 2009 to raise three children with her husband, a physician.
Here its a democracy so you dont have your guard up, she said. It could have been anybody my husband rides his bike there.
The explosion in Austin came hours after authorities raised the reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible to $115,000.
The money being offered, I really hope that makes a difference, retiree Lonni Swanson said as she walked her two golden retrievers in Mission Oaks near the site of the latest blast. Anybody associated with this could be a snitch.
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But she also worried the latest attack could be a copycat or a ruse designed to throw investigators focused on hate crimes off track.
Neighbor Jeannette Peten felt the same way.
Peten, also a retiree, is African American and was already on alert for suspicious packages after the earlier bombings. On Monday, she canceled a neighborhood walk with a friend and fielded a worried phone call from her daughter in Zurich who urged her to stay inside. Peten has started locking her door and garage and carrying her cellphone whenever she steps outside.
We all have to be a little more careful, she said.
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Serial bombers can be difficult to track and profile, experts said.
Mike Bouchard, a retired assistant ATF director, said investigators can trace types of explosives, component parts and similarities to devices used in previous attacks using the ATFs bomb data center.
Bouchard, chief security officer for Janus Global Operations in Washington, said the bomber may have used a tripwire to avoid having to place a package on someones porch and getting caught on security cameras.
Switching neighborhoods may be part of keeping people on their toes, to make the whole city be on edge, he said.
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Some bombers target victims based on a certain ideology, such as notorious Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski, 75, who killed three people and injured 23 between 1978 and 1995 in a nationwide bombing campaign that targeted those involved in modern technology.
Other serial bombers strike at random. When theyre doing it randomly or for vanity, theyre more difficult to stop, Bouchard said.
molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com
@mollyhf
Last week, Noah Christiansen walked out of school, along with thousands of other students across the country, as a part of the nationwide protest to bring about gun control legislation.
During those 17 minutes out of class at Robert McQueen High School in Reno, he called the office of his congressman Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) to urge him to do his part and got a staff member on the phone. Christiansen made his case and, in a moment of frustration, he used an expletive. Yes, it was the big one. No, the staffer didnt like it.
A few hours later, Christiansen learned hed been suspended for two days. For being disrespectful and insubordinate, he said by phone Monday from Reno. Turns out, Amodeis staffer had contacted the school to tell the principal about Christiansens choice of words.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada wrote a letter to the school asking that the suspension be scrubbed from his record and that Christiansen be reinstated as student body secretary-treasurer, arguing the discipline violated Christiansens First Amendment rights.
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Holly Welborn, policy director for the ACLU in Nevada, said constituents should not have to worry congressional offices reporting them to schools or employers for expressing their views and that the action taken by Amodeis staffer could have a chilling effect on their contact with elected representatives.
It really took a lot of courage for the students to participate in these protests and in our democracy only to see it be undermined by the congressmans staff, she said. Its very much against the First Amendment.
The ACLU also wrote a letter to Amodei seeking an apology.
Christiansen said he had been sickened by the high school shooting in Parkland, Fla., last month. Now 17, he was born after the massacre at Columbine High School. Hes grown up seeing school shootings in the news in Newtown, Conn., and at Virginia Tech, as well as mass shootings in Orlando, Fla.; Las Vegas and Aurora, Colo.
He said he was inspired by the protests that followed the killings of 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and that he was frustrated by the lack of action by Congress.
Which led to him dropping the vulgar word. He said Congress needed to get off their [expletive] asses and take action on gun violence. He said he wasnt threatening anyone.
Amodei said it isnt his offices policy for staffers to contact schools or employers when a constituent voices opinions or concerns, and he said this was not a case of retribution. But, he said, the staffer had 17 years of experience taking calls from the public and made a decision to let the school know about it. He said no action was requested by him or the staffer to punish Christiansen.
Amodei, who is up for reelection in November and is a strong supporter of gun rights, said he wouldnt apologize to the student. However, he said his office would review protocols for taking calls from constituents. And he acknowledged Christiansens frustration.
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Sometimes Im one of the people who gets frustrated, Amodei said. Look, Im not going to be the language proctor for the U.S. House of Representatives, but I am going to allow a senior staffer who deals with all of that stuff if they think a situation was such that it warranted saying something up the line.... Well, you know what, Im responsible for what Im saying right now. Welcome to the world where words have impact.
The Washoe County School District, where Christiansen is a junior, issued a statement Monday, saying it supported students rights to free speech noting walkouts on March 14 at several of its campuses and that no students were suspended for that action.
The statement also said that while it couldnt discuss specific discipline of individual students due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the district expects students to act appropriately and with decorum. Some students were disciplined for breaking student conduct codes or participating in other inappropriate behavior.
Christiansen said he plans to keep raising the issue of gun violence and speaking out for tighter gun laws. He also said he plans to speak at the ballot box in November, when he votes for the first time.
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He said he wont be voting for Amodei.
david.montero@latimes.com
Twitter: @davemontero
A 17-year-old student pulled out a handgun at a high school in southern Maryland on Tuesday morning and wounded two classmates before being killed in an exchange of gunfire with a school resource officer, authorities said.
The gunman, Austin Wyatt Rollins, was confirmed dead at 10:41 a.m., St. Marys County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron said at a news briefing.
One of the victims, a 16-year-old girl who authorities said had a prior relationship with the shooter, was in critical condition after being taken to a hospital from Great Mills High School, about 60 miles southeast of Washington. She was identified late Tuesday as Jaelynn Willey by her family on the crowdfunding site YouCaring, which had raised more than $30,000 for her medical expenses.
The other victim, a 14-year-old boy, was in stable condition at a hospital.
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On this day we realized our worst nightmare, Cameron said. Our greatest asset, our children, were attacked in a bastion of safety and security, one of our schools.
The notion of it cant happen here is no longer a notion, he said.
The shooting happened at 7:55 a.m. in a school hallway. The resource officer, Blaine Gaskill, a 34-year-old sheriffs deputy, responded immediately, exchanging fire with the shooter, Cameron said. Gaskill was not injured.
After a brief lockdown, students were evacuated by bus to a vocational center to be reunited with their families.
The Maryland shooting comes just over a month after a gunman rampaged through Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., killing 14 students and three staff members with an assault rifle.
The Feb. 14 massacre spurred the formation of a movement of teenagers across the country to push lawmakers for stricter gun control measures. Hundreds of Great Mills students participated in a national school walkout last week to protest gun violence.
On Monday, Marylands Senate followed the House in passing a bill banning the manufacture, sale, possession and use of bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to mimic fully automatic weapons.
The Maryland House has also passed bills that would force people convicted of domestic violence or deemed mentally ill or dangerous by a judge to surrender their guns.
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At a news briefing Tuesday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said legislators should do more to bolster school security.
After the Parkland shooting, Hogan proposed investing $125 million to heighten school security to reinforce doors and windows and install panic buttons, security cameras and metal detectors. An additional $50 million, he suggested, should be funneled into new school safety grants to fund school resource officers, counselors and additional safety technology.
We need more than prayers, said Hogan, a Republican. Weve got to take action. Weve got one of the most aggressive school safety plans in America that we introduced several weeks ago as emergency legislation, and the Legislatures failed to take action on it. To me, its outrageous we havent taken action yet on something so important as school safety.
Student activists from Stoneman Douglas High, who are planning a national demonstration and rally in Washington on Saturday for gun control, posted messages to the Maryland students on Twitter.
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Less than a WEEK ago Great Mills High School students walked out with us to protest gun violence now theyre experiencing it for themselves, Jaclyn Corin, 17, junior class president at Stoneman Douglas, posted on Twitter. The state of our country is disgusting Im so sorry, Great Mills.
UPDATES:
7:50 p.m.: This story has been updated with the name of one of the victims.
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2:50 p.m.: This article has been updated throughout with Times staff reporting
8:40 a.m.: This article has been updated with officials saying the shooter is dead.
7:20 a.m.: This article has been updated with a report of three people injured.
6:45 a.m.: This article has been updated with reports that the situation is contained.
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6:10 a.m.: This article has been updated with information from the county sheriff and a congressman.
This story originally published at 5:54 a.m.
Just as Los Angeles officials were finally acknowledging, and correcting, their blunt misuse of gang injunctions, a federal court said in essence that the fixes were too little, too late. Chief U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips last week enjoined the city from enforcing its injunctions court orders that restrict the activity of particular people in designated neighborhoods in the name of curbing gang violence.
Now L.A. lawyers and police have to decide whether to give up on injunctions entirely. Gangs are a more manageable challenge than they were in the violent 1980s and 1990s, and police and city officials have found less-intrusive tools to fight gang violence. Besides, the city badly overstepped constitutional bounds in the past by barring alleged gang members, many of whom had been neither charged with crimes nor convicted, from gathering together, wearing particular clothing or engaging in otherwise perfectly legal activity without giving them a chance to defend their liberties in court. That practice left the whole system tainted.
But its not too late.
The court did not bar gang injunctions, which can be crafted with sufficient care and creativity to respect the constitutional rights of innocent people while still protecting communities from thuggish gang behavior. The task is to see the injunctions as the useful tools they can be, and not as what they too often became a policing shortcut and a weapon of oppression against individuals that restricted their behavior based not on what they did but on who they were.
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Gang injunctions were pioneered by Los Angeles County officials but mushroomed under their L.A. city counterparts in the 1980s and 1990s during a historic increase in deadly youth violence.
There is no reason for the city not to keep its crime-fighting tools well honed and up to date.
The theory was based on the well-established law of nuisance. Individuals or groups whose actions interfere with the ability of others to reasonably carry out their daily lives in health and safety can be blocked in a lawsuit, as opposed to a criminal case. Those who are subject to the complaint have to modify their activity or else be penalized.
But injunctions too often allowed police on the street to determine who was a gang member and thus who was subject to the court order. A person who had never joined a gang could too easily discover that he had been added to an injunction, and that he would be subject to criminal sanctions for activity such as wearing a Dodgers jacket or chatting on the front steps with a cousin.
Opponents argued that in addition to injunctions being unconstitutional, they were ineffective. But effectiveness is subject to some serious dispute. The grip of gangs in some neighborhoods was loosened. It became more difficult for gangs to target large gatherings of rivals.
By 2013, Los Angeles had 45 gang injunctions, naming hundreds of people, and was about to add one more in Echo Park. Community debates were fierce, with opponents arguing that gang injunctions were a tool not to fight crime but to further gentrification by harassing longtime residents and pressuring them to leave their homes, to be replaced by wealthier and generally whiter newcomers. Other longtime residents pushed back, arguing that they had long been intimidated from speaking out by their more aggressive, gang-affiliated neighbors.
The Echo Park injunction was added, but in the meantime new City Attorney Mike Feuer took office and brokered an agreement to allow people named in injunctions to be removed if they could show they did not deserve to be on the list. It was a step in the right direction but still was too timid and allowed the worst excesses of gang injunctions to continue operating.
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Last year, Feuer went further and agreed to drop enforcement against more than three-quarters of the people covered by city injunctions. Finally, the city had moved close to a proper balance but it remained the case that some alleged gang members had their activity restricted based on court orders that had taken effect before they had a meaningful chance to challenge them. Judge Phillips ruling last week means in essence that the city has to start over or forget gang injunctions altogether.
A constitutional gang injunction would provide adequate prior notice to its target and would establish in court, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person is involved in gang activity. It would be time-limited and would provide adequate opportunity for the subject to seek removal, by following criteria approved in court.
Ending injunctions would send the pendulum swinging too far in the other direction. There is no reason for the city not to keep its crime-fighting tools well honed and up to date. Nor is there any reason to believe that they cannot craft those tools carefully, so that they comply with the Constitution and respect the dignity and the civil rights of the people to be covered.
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The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in the case National Institute of Family and Life Advocates vs. Becerra, which challenges a California law requiring reproductive healthcare facilities to inform women of state programs that might assist them. It should be an easy issue to decide in favor of the California law but it is not because it arises in the context of abortion.
Four justices John G. Roberts Jr., Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch are hostile to abortion rights and have voted to uphold every related regulation that has come before them. A fifth justice Anthony M. Kennedy has a more mixed record, but he too has often voted to restrict a womans right to choose. Californias statute is at risk, and striking it down could have significant implications far beyond the abortion context.
The Reproductive FACT Act requires that licensed healthcare facilities post or distribute a notice that states, California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women. To determine whether you qualify, contact the county social services office at [insert the telephone number]. A nonmedical facility that counsels women about reproductive health must post or distribute the same notice, adding an acknowledgment that it is not licensed as a medical facility by the state of California.
If the regulation is struck down it will call into question the myriad of other areas where the government requires disclosures.
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The California statute was enacted so that women would receive accurate information about the existence of state healthcare programs. It mandates only that the notice be made available to patients. The words can be printed out and handed to patients or clients, or the notice can be posted on a wall. No one is required to say anything. Nor is there any requirement to provide additional information; for instance, specifics about contraception or a referral to a clinic that performs abortions.
The preamble of the FACT Act explains the Legislatures goal: access to reproductive health services for all California women, regardless of income. Lawmakers were concerned that many women with a surprise or unwanted pregnancy might choose to go to crisis pregnancy centers that pose as full-service womens health clinics, but aim to discourage and prevent women from seeking abortions, which interferes with womens ability to be fully informed and exercise their reproductive rights. The Legislature found that these licensed and unlicensed centers employ intentionally deceptive advertising and counseling practices [that] often confuse, misinform, and even intimidate.
Under traditional legal principles, the Supreme Court would acknowledge that there is an important state interest in letting women know of programs available to them. Moreover, because of the factual nature of the notice and the ways it can be disseminated, the 1st Amendment burden on the crisis pregnancy centers the extent to which the statute restricts free speech or freedom or religion rights is extremely minimal.
Its quite possible, however, that with four justices who have in the past voted to uphold any restriction on abortion, and a fifth who often joins them, the FACT Act will be condemned as compelled speech and declared unconstitutional. The burden on 1st Amendment rights will be found to be too heavy.
If the regulation is struck down it will call into question the myriad of other areas where the government requires disclosures. Healthcare professionals are routinely required to inform patients of the range of treatment options available to them and of possible side effects to medical procedures. Businesses that sell products and services are frequently required to provide information to consumers, ranging from the disclosure of calories in fast-food restaurants to the risks from tobacco and alcohol. Employers are required to post notices for employees about workplace rights. Courts consistently have rejected claims that making such disclosures crosses a constitutional red line; NIFLA vs. Becerra could change that.
For anyone who supports a womans right to know and exercise all her reproductive healthcare options, there is a silver lining in the attack on the FACT Act. Should the acts foes prevail, it will make it easier to challenge laws in states including Texas, Louisiana and South Dakota that require pregnant women to be shown pictures of fetuses and told often inaccurate information about abortion before they can terminate a pregnancy.
Erwin Chemerinksy is dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law.
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I dont usually dispense relationship advice in this column. But the adage about marriage is often true of politics: What is not said is more destructive than what is said.
For example, over the last 18 months the president has said and done a number of things that warranted dissent from Republicans not just party leaders, but from rank-and-file legislators, pundits and other commentators. But the dogs did not bark, opting to stay silent.
We need not take up too much space quibbling over specifics. All one need do is play the What if Obama said this? game to see that the moral arc of the GOP has bent toward President Trump.
Then, a few weeks ago, the president proposed sweeping steel and aluminum tariffs and heaped praise on the benefits of trade wars. Suddenly, Congress and much of the conservative commentariat rose up in protest.
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Trumps top economic advisor, Gary Cohen, who reportedly almost resigned last summer over the presidents morally equivocating response to a neo-Nazi rally, apparently found tariffs a nobler hill to die on.
As a free-trader, I welcome this response. But just imagine youre a run-of-the-mill Democratic congressional candidate looking to unseat a Republican who never spoke up about Trumps shithole countries remark, the unfolding drama over Stormy Daniels, his endorsement of Roy Moore, his attacks on the 1st Amendment or his flirtation with cutting off aid to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico because of a spat with the mayor of San Juan.
Not objecting to something sends as clear a signal as objecting does.
How easy it would be to say: My opponent never objected to these things, but when Trump tried to save manufacturing jobs, he leapt to his feet to protest at the bidding of the same fat-cat free-traders and globalist big businesses that outsourced so many of your jobs. My opponent is OK with the president endorsing and campaigning for an accused child molester, but he will fight to the death to keep cheap Chinese steel from pouring into this country.
Yes, its a dumb economic argument steel tariffs would cost more American manufacturing jobs than theyd save but its a great political one.
This is just one illustration of the Republican dilemma. The president divides the right while he unifies the left. Praise Trump on his controversial statements and you risk alienating suburban Republicans, particularly women. Criticize Trump and you risk not only his wrath, but also the wrath of the portion of his base that demands rhetorical fealty to Trump in all things. Because this constituency has disproportionate influence in conservative media and GOP primaries, the safest course of action is often silence, or some clever dodge, like, I dont respond to tweets.
The GOP has created a kind of collective-action problem for itself. By making these decisions out of self-interest in the moment, the party ends up getting pulled in a direction not of its own choosing.
Voters dont judge parties by their lists of principles, but by their real-world priorities. Not objecting to something sends as clear a signal as objecting does. Its fun to listen to Republicans vent off the record, but most Americans dont get to hear any of that. They do hear the silence, however.
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And so does Trump. Over the weekend the president (and his lawyer John Dowd) floated a fairly obvious trial balloon, tweeting that The Mueller probe should never have been started and calling it, in all caps, a WITCH HUNT!
Its not shocking that the president wants special counsel Robert S. Mueller III fired, but he has never attacked him directly before. The usual suspects cheered Trump on, while most of the party was silent.
One exception was Sen. Lindsay Graham, who said firing Mueller would be the beginning of the end of his presidency. House Speaker Paul Ryan offered a lackluster response through a spokesperson: Mr. Mueller and his team should be able to do their job. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said nothing.
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Off the record, Republicans often say theyre afraid Trump responds to being told not to do something by doing it out of spite. Thats a real concern. But its not an excuse.
If Trump does fire Mueller, and a constitutional crisis ensues, the previously silent, suddenly angry Republicans will be asked why theyre speaking up. That is, if they speak up at all.
jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com
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To the editor: We can still do more to thank Hugh Thompson, the U.S. Army helicopter pilot who prevented even more murders of Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers in My Lai 50 years ago. (A forgotten hero stopped the My Lai massacre 50 years ago today, Opinion, March 16)
The thanks we as a nation should give him would include these words: conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Thats right: These are the words used for every recipient of the Medal of Honor. Thompson deserves no less.
Daniel Connell, Moorpark
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To the editor: I never heard the story before of how this courageous young helicopter pilot brought his chopper down in front of hundreds of innocent women, men and children who were about to be slaughtered, demanding that the American soldiers stop the killing.
Thompson was a true American hero in a time of incredible national shame.
Sam Platts, Sylmar
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To the editor: Please thank UC Irvine historian Jon Wiener for reminding us of the heroic and historic act of courage performed by Thompson during the Vietnam War.
I wish that Thompson was still alive so that we might fully honor him. However, we can take comfort in the fact that he lived his life knowing that he did a courageous thing.
Sometimes doing the right thing is its own reward.
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Brad Lund, Santa Barbara
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To the editor: Dave Seminara fails to take into account that backlash against immigrants has also occurred under Democratic leadership. (Liberals say immigration enforcement is racist, but the group most likely to benefit from it is black men, Opinion, March 16)
In the 1930s, there were millions of deportations under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and as a child I remember the roundups in Los Angeles that created fear and panic under President Carter. And how can we forget President Obama, who promised immigration reform, but instead earned the title deporter in chief?
Complaints about immigrants tend to fade during economic boom times, but when the economy goes south, immigrants are scapegoated. In California, we have made progress in moving beyond blaming immigrants for the lack of opportunities for other minorities.
I await Seminaras continued dispatches in which he will hopefully show how millions of Americans are flocking to take manual labor jobs in the agriculture and service sectors that are being vacated by immigrant labor.
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Salvador Jimenez, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Seminaras courageous piece reminds us how a policy that benefits one segment of society may hurt another.
At a time when the issue of homelessness is under examination, it is important to take into account all variables that directly or indirectly contribute to the problem. Statistics show that although African Americans make up about 13% of our countrys population, they account for about 40% of its homeless population.
Are our current immigration policies aggravating black homelessness? Addressing this question should be part of a bipartisan effort to better understand the complexity of the problem. Like it or not, sanctuary cities are not excluded from the responsibility of acknowledging the problem and taking steps to address it.
Berta Graciano-Buchman, Beverly Hills
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To the editor: Immigration enforcement should not be a matter of which group benefits. It should be a matter of law enforcement.
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Robert L. Shaw, Deland, Fla.
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To the editor: You dont like whats going on in Sacramento? Go there. Lobby. Make change. The way not to be politically irrelevant is to sell your positions in the marketplace of ideas. (In Californias rural, conservative north, there are big dreams for cleaving the state, March 17)
California bought the so-called state of Jeffersons ideas when we enacted Proposition 187 a generation ago. Were not going back to that. Jefferson is never going to happen.
I and the millions of other Democrats in this state wont allow the tyranny of rural America to get any worse. Instead, putative Jeffersonians can look forward to actual political irrelevance in 2020 when Democratic legislatures around the country tear down the undemocratic voter suppression regime that Republicans have constructed over the last decade.
Branden Frankel, Encino
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To the editor: The state of Jefferson seems like a good idea.
I would, however, suggest that instead of including only several breakaway counties in Northern California, the 51st state draw its borders south along the Sierra Nevada, the San Bernardino Mountains and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the Mexican border.
Residents of these inland and northern areas, their families and their communities are damaged and disenfranchised by their association with California.
Tim Bradley, Irvine
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To the editor: In the mid-1980s, the San Francisco Chronicle published a letter to the editor by yours truly ridiculing the state of Jefferson as economically nonviable. That criticism still stands.
Californians should fiercely oppose the creation of what in effect would be a West Coast Mississippi, yet another economically depressed red state that would leech off of the wealth generated by states like California and New York. But then again, these welfare ranchers already benefit from federal water subsidies and state largesse for highways and other infrastructure they could not afford on their own.
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Making matters worse, the Jefferson residents interviewed in this article repeat the tiresome (and tacitly racist) anti-immigrant litany that betrays an unwillingness to compete in the modern economy.
Residents of Jefferson should be thankful that their wagons are hitched to one of the most productive and innovative economies on Earth. If they feel left out, they should adapt and join the productive ranks of Californians.
Chris Ford, Phoenix
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To the editor: If Jefferson is to succeed in splitting itself from California, it should include the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. Doing so would distribute Californias Democrats, who are underrepresented in the United States Senate, more fairly.
Creating a large-area, low-population rural state would exacerbate whats already wrong with this country: the many states with small populations that are over-represented in the Senate.
Dave Koepke, West Hills
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To the editor: If Jefferson becomes the 51st state, why not make the San Fernando Valley the 52nd?
Think about it: The state and even the city of Los Angeles have been very lax in fixing the roads and bridges in the Valley. It floods even when it drizzles, many roads dont have adequate lighting, and the traffic is terrible. Plus, Sacramento is really far away.
Well call it the state of San Fernando. Well get two senators and representation in the House, and we already have a commercial airport. Why not?
Mike Cohen, Studio City
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Congressional negotiators laboring to write a trillion-dollar plan to fund the federal government are caught up in last-minute partisan disputes over abortion rights, healthcare costs and the fate of a Northeastern railway tunnel that President Trump has sought to derail.
House and Senate leaders must agree on a package before Fridays deadline to avert another government shutdown, which would be the third this year.
On Monday, when the spending plan was scheduled for release, negotiators expressed confidence that they would meet the deadline. But some leaders raised the possibility late Tuesday that another short-term spending bill might be needed to keep the federal government running.
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) acknowledged disagreement on some key points. There are some unresolved issues, he said. Were working through them as we speak.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) insisted the measure would be approved by weeks end, although he did not contradict a deputys assertion that action could be delayed until Saturday.
Were going to do it this week, he said. As long as that takes, thats the time well put in to get there.
In February, leaders announced a two-year budget deal that added tens of billions of dollars to both defense and non-defense spending. That agreement called for new spending levels to begin on March 23 if the House and Senate approved an appropriations bill.
The complications stem in large part from the fractured Republican majorities in Congress. Because they are not expected to vote unanimously, due to disputes over policy and spending levels in the mammoth bill, Republicans must seek Democratic votes to ensure passage.
Not surprisingly, Democrats were optimistic about the package as negotiating wore on. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York heralded the measure as one that robustly funded the military and provided substantial investments to benefit middle-class Americans.
Not everyone is going to be happy; thats the nature of a compromise, he said. But I believe in the end it will be a fair compromise.
One of the disputes raging Tuesday centered on a move Democrats saw as Trumps effort to punish Schumer.
Weeks ago, Trump ordered Republicans to omit federal funding for the proposed Gateway Program railway tunnel between New Jersey and New York. Advocates from both parties consider a new Hudson River crossing crucial since existing tunnels and bridges are aging.
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Under a deal made during the Obama administration, state and local agencies would pay half the estimated $30-billion cost of the project. Trump administration officials say no deal exists and have demanded a higher buy-in from local governments.
Schumer called Gateway one of the most important infrastructure projects on the Eastern Seaboard.
If the old tunnels fail, he said Tuesday, well have not just a recession in the Northeast but a national recession. This is a needed project, and I hope Congress rises to the occasion.
Another heated dispute centered on what had been a bipartisan effort, led by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), to bolster the Affordable Care Act health insurance markets by infusing billions of federal dollars into the system.
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The money would help pay for insurance for poor Americans and those requiring expensive care. Democrats said they were shocked Monday to find out that Alexander had approved restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions that would, they said, make it impossible for women to purchase abortion coverage under the Affordable Care Act, even with their own money.
Those restrictions were not in an Alexander-Murray measure released in 2017, they said. The new wording also expanded the ability of insurance companies to sell policies with limited coverage, Democrats said.
I am disappointed that Republicans are pushing a partisan bill that includes an unacceptable last-minute attack on womens health on what should be bipartisan work to lower healthcare costs, Murray said.
Alexander contended that the measure simply invoked the Hyde Amendment, the 42-year-old rule that bars use of federal funds to pay for abortions. He also threatened to use the issue against Democrats this fall.
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If you are running for U.S. Senate or U.S. House in November, do you really want to stand up and say, Im going to vote not to lower insurance rates by 40%? he said.
But Republicans were split as well, with some reluctant to vote for anything that extended Obamacare. House negotiators were expected to strip the measure from the bill.
Also up in the air were immigration measures, including a solution to the fate of young immigrants who have lived in the country illegally since they were children. Trump terminated the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, though federal courts have kept it in place for now.
Trump has refused to support multiple attempts in Congress to protect young DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, from deportation unless the measure also dramatically reduces legal immigration. He also has insisted that any protection be tied to funding for the wall he has pledged to build along the southern border.
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The Republicans are totally in favor of doing something substantial for DACA, but the Democrats like it as a campaign issue, so they dont get it approved, Trump argued Monday in New Hampshire.
On Tuesday, lawmakers failed to come up with immigration measures that could win approval from Democrats, divided Republicans and the president, and chances for negotiating a deal appeared slim.
Another measure under fire was a long-fought effort to force government agencies to supply information to the background checks system used to guard against gun purchases by people who should be disqualified from ownership, an issue that regained attention after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a high school in Florida.
The House last year passed a measure that bolstered the system but teamed it with regulations allowing concealed guns to be carried across state lines, which Democrats opposed. A separate version without the concealed-guns component has been caught in the Senate over objections by both Republicans and Democrats.
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Asked if stiffer background checks would be included in the spending bill, Ryan said, Thats something were discussing with our friends on the other side of the aisle.
For more on politics from Cathleen Decker
cathleen.decker@latimes.com
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Twitter: @cathleendecker
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UPDATES:
4:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details and for clarity.
9:05 a.m.: The article was updated with comments from House Speaker Paul D. Ryan.
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The article was originally published at 4:45 a.m.
The Supreme Court sounded ready Tuesday to strike down a California disclosure law that requires pregnancy centers including those that are faith-based to notify women that the state offers subsidies for abortion.
The state Legislature adopted the disclosure rule three years ago based on concerns that more than 200 crisis pregnancy centers sometimes used deceptive advertising and counseling practices that often confuse [or] misinform pregnant women about their options.
Under the law, the nonprofit centers must post a prominent notice if they have no licensed medical provider available. Centers that are licensed must go further and notify clients that the state offers free or low-cost contraception, prenatal care and abortion.
The states lawyers defended the law on the grounds that warnings and disclosures are routine for hospitals, doctors and prescription drugs. They noted that the Supreme Court in the past has upheld the principle of informed consent, including in abortion cases.
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But during Tuesdays argument, most of the justices took sharp issue with all or parts of the California law. They said it was unfairly targeted at the faith-based centers. Doctors and for-profit clinics were exempted from the law.
If it has been gerrymandered, thats a serious issue, said Justice Elena Kagan. Agreeing, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said the law has a lot of crazy exceptions. What youre left with is a very strange pattern, and, gee, it turns out just about the only clinics that are covered by this are pro-life clinics.
Others said it violated the 1st Amendment by requiring these private clinics put out the states message. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy described the required notice as mandating speech that alters the content of the message.
Justice Neil M. Gorsuch agreed the state would want people to have full information about their options, but why put the burden on these centers? The state has other means to provide messages. Its pretty unusual to force a private speaker to do that for you under the 1st Amendment, he said.
Still others voiced concern over the advertising burden put on small, nonprofit centers. Michael P. Farris, a lawyer for the centers, said advertisements, including billboards, would have to include disclosures in large print and in 13 languages.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told the states lawyer she found that troubling. If you have to say that, those two sentences in 13 different languages, it can be very burdensome, she said.
What would happen if an unlicensed center just had a billboard that said, Choose Life. Would they have to make the disclosure? Kennedy asked.
Yes, your honor, Farris replied.
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It would be 29 words, in the same size font as Choose Life? Kennedy continued.
Yes, Farris said, and in the number of languages required by that county.
Kennedy said he had heard all he needed to hear. It seems to me that means that this is an undue burden. And that should suffice to invalidate the statute, he said.
Only Justice Stephen G. Breyer spoke strongly in defense of the state law, and he did so based on a high court ruling from 1992. Then, the justices upheld a Pennsylvania law that required doctors who performed abortions to tell patients about agencies that helped with adoptions or with prenatal care.
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Breyer said the same principle calls for upholding the California requirement. In law, whats sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, he said. If a pro-life state can tell a doctor you have to tell people about adoption, why cant a pro-choice state tell a doctor, a facility, whatever it is, you have to tell people about abortion?
Farris was ready with an answer. He said the Pennsylvania law applied to doctors who were about to perform an abortion, a medical procedure. Informed consent is triggered by a doctor proposing to perform a particular medical intervention, he said. By contrast, he said, the California disclosure law applies to centers that will only discuss pregnancy with clients.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked skeptical questions of Farris, but said she, too, was not convinced California could impose strict disclosure rules for advertisements by nonprofit clinics that do nothing but offer counseling to pregnant women.
A pro-life unlicensed facility has an ad that says pro-life and puts its name. Does it have to give the notice? Yes or no?
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Yes, if it meets the other criteria, said Joshua Klein, a deputy solicitor general from San Francisco.
That seems to me more burdensome and wrong, Sotomayor said, because its not tied to an advertisement that is promoting medical services.
By the hours end, it appeared the justices would vote to strike down all or at least most of the laws mandatory disclosure provisions.
Tuesdays case marked the third time in recent months that the justices weighed a conservative groups claim that a liberal state law amounts to unconstitutional compelled speech.
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The National Institute for Family and Life Advocates represents 110 pregnancy centers in California that are strongly opposed to abortion. They sued, arguing the disclosure laws could turn them into abortion referral services.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law on the grounds that the disclosure was professional speech subject to regulation by the state.
But in their appeal to the Supreme Court, the anti-abortion centers described the disclosure law as ideological speech involving a matter of fundamental public debate. They argued that the 1st Amendment forbids the government from telling private entities what they must say or disclose.
In response, lawyers for California argued that the government has broad authority to protect patients and to require they are fully informed of their options for care.
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The required notice says: California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care and abortion for eligible women. The court will also consider a second provision that requires clinics that are unlicensed to inform patients that they have no licensed medical professional on staff. These notices must be posted in the clinic or printed and given to the clients.
Lawyers for the Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom represent the pregnancy centers. The same lawyers appeared before the court in December, urging the justices to rule for a Colorado baker who is asserting a free-speech right against making a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
The justices will issue a written opinion in the case, NIFLA vs. Becerra, by the end of the term in late June.
Major questions before the Supreme Court this year
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david.savage@latimes.com
Twitter: DavidGSavage
UPDATES:
1:45 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the argument.
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9 a.m.: This article was updated after the arguments.
The article was originally published at 3 a.m.
A bipartisan group of senators Tuesday said the nations election systems, targeted by Russian intelligence operatives in 2016, are badly in need of federal funds and expertise to prevent cyberattacks that could impede or distort future elections.
The Senate Intelligence Committee, as part of its investigation into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential campaign, faulted the governments lackluster response to the Russian hacking at the time, and said states need help in replacing vulnerable voting systems.
Let me say this with a great deal of confidence it is clear the Russian government was looking for vulnerabilities in our election system and highlighted some of the key gaps, said Sen. Richard M. Burr of North Carolina, the committees Republican chairman, outlining some of his panels findings before a hearing Wednesday.
As part of Moscows scheme to disrupt the 2016 campaign and help elect President Trump, Russian hackers attempted to penetrate computerized voting systems in at least 21 states, and succeeded in penetrating the Illinois voter registration database, officials said.
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Theres no evidence that any ballots were sabotaged or changed, and U.S. intelligence officials quickly detected the activity by foreign hackers. But they didnt provide real-time warnings to election officials in the states and counties under digital attack, senators said.
Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia, the committees top Democrat, said it took Homeland Security officials nine months to notify the 21 states about the intrusions.
We were all disappointed that states, the federal government and the Department of Homeland Security was not more on their game in advance of the 2016 election, Warner said.
At the time, intelligence officials were reluctant to share classified information with county and state election officials who didnt have security clearances.
Since then, many state election administrators have obtained or have applied for clearances but some say they still dont get the information they need. The committee urged the administration to expedite the process.
When the federal government has access to intelligence information, its really important that they have a way of getting that information out in timely ways, said David J. Becker, executive director for the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research.
Becker said federal-state cooperation is light-years ahead of 2016 but the states remain badly in need of federal money to replace outdated election systems. Most states use voting machines and other equipment more than a decade old, with outdated software.
Five states use voting machines that dont produce an auditable paper trail of ballots, which the committee said should be the minimum security standard. And the panel said all state election systems should have two-factor security authorization to operate, making it more difficult for hackers to access or sabotage the data.
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With some 2018 primary races already underway, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said time is of the essence to fix security gaps before the first ballots are cast.
The urgency is there on our part, he said. I dont see the urgency coming out of the Oval Office. Im hoping Congress can overcome that.
Burr said the Senate should provide more money to assist states, possibly in the next spending bill, but the report falls short of specific recommendations for funding.
The consensus on the Senate committee about the danger of the Russian intrusion, and the failure of the White House to respond to it, stands in sharp contrast to squabbling on the House Intelligence Committee.
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The Republican majority in that committee recently ended its inquiry with a finding that Moscow had not sought to help Trump win the White House a conclusion at direct odds with the U.S. intelligence agencies.
In two declassified reports, the intelligence community said sophisticated hackers backed by Russian intelligence had penetrated computers used by top Democrats and then leaked thousands of internal emails to undermine Hillary Clintons campaign.
Moscow also allegedly created a campaign to spread disinformation to U.S. voters on social media using stolen and fake IDs. The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, recently obtained criminal indictments against 13 Russians and three entities who were allegedly involved in that campaign.
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the gravity of the Russian operation by insisting that it didnt change votes.
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But the senators, echoing concerns from U.S. intelligence chiefs, warned that the nation is still at risk.
It may not be the Russians next time, said Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). It could be the North Koreans. It could be the Iranians. It might be a domestic hacktivist group that uses that same playbook to try to seed chaos.
joseph.tanfani@latimes.com
Twitter: @jtanfani
A former Playboy model who says she had an affair with President Trump has filed a lawsuit to break her confidentiality agreement, saying she was duped into it by a supermarket tabloid working to protect Trump.
Karen McDougal, Playboys 1998 Playmate of the Year, sued the parent company of the National Enquirer to extract herself from the nondisclosure pact.
The company, American Media Inc., or AMI, paid McDougal $150,000 in 2016 for the rights to her story about the alleged affair in a deal that bars her from sharing it elsewhere. AMI, led by a close friend of Trumps, never published the story.
AMI worked secretly with Trumps personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to buy McDougals silence, according to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in state Superior Court in Los Angeles.
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The suit says AMI has threatened McDougal, 46, with financial ruin if she talks with the news media.
AMI lied to me, made empty promises, and repeatedly intimidated and manipulated me, McDougal said in a written statement. I just want the opportunity to set the record straight and move on with my life, free from this company, its executives and its lawyers.
McDougals suit, first reported by the New York Times, offers lurid details of the normally hidden world of tabloid maneuvering over salacious celebrity stories.
Her lawsuit also added to Trumps growing political troubles from his alleged extramarital affair with porn actress Stormy Daniels and a defamation lawsuit by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice who says he sexually assaulted her at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Trumps request to dismiss the Zervos suit was rejected Tuesday by a New York judge.
Cohen, who has long served as Trumps fixer, did not respond to an email seeking comment.
McDougal, now an Arizona actress and fitness model, says she and Trump had a 10-month romance in 2006 and 2007, including a sexual encounter at the same Lake Tahoe golf event where he is accused of striking up his affair with Daniels.
McDougals suit says that Keith Davidson, the Beverly Hills entertainment lawyer who bargained with AMI on her behalf, was secretly colluding with Trump representatives during the 2016 campaign.
Davidson assured her that the rights to publish her story were worth millions, but was secretly advancing Trumps interests while pretending to advocate on McDougals behalf, the complaint alleges.
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Davidson introduced McDougal to AMI and falsely told her that the publisher had deposited $500,000 in an escrow account toward a seven-figure contract that never came to pass, the suit says.
Trump loses bid to kill lawsuit of woman who says he sexually assaulted her
McDougal says she met in Los Angeles with Dylan Howard, AMIs chief content officer, and told him in a four-hour interview about her affair with Trump.
Afterward, Davidson told McDougal that AMI had no interest in purchasing her story, but failed to mention that he and AMI had relayed to Trumps representatives the details she had shared.
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McDougal turned to investigative journalists at ABC News, who signed a confidentiality agreement as they were preparing a report on the affair, the complaint says.
Davidson then told her that AMI wanted to buy the story after all, but would not publish it because the companys owner, David Pecker, was a close personal friend of Trump.
McDougal went ahead and signed the confidentiality agreement with AMI. Davidson took a 45% cut of her $150,000 payment, the complaint says.
A Davidson spokesman released a statement saying, Mr. Davidson fulfilled his obligations and zealously advocated for Ms. McDougal to accomplish her stated goals at that time.
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Michael Cohen in Washington in September 2017. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP )
The suit accuses AMI of catching and killing unfavorable stories about Trump because of the presidents friendship with Pecker, the companys chairman, president and chief executive.
AMI released a statement saying McDougal had been free to respond to media inquiries about Trump since 2016, so any suggestion it had tried to silence her was completely without merit.
AMI has a valid contract with Ms. McDougal and we look forward to reaching an amicable resolution satisfactory to her and to AMI, the statement said, making no reference to the part of the deal that gave AMI exclusive rights to her story of any sexual relationship she has ever had with a then-married man.
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In February 2018, the New Yorker published excerpts from eight pages of McDougals handwritten notes recalling her alleged affair with Trump. AMI then threatened her with lawsuits and financial ruin if she elected to break her silence, the complaint says.
From Trumps standpoint, one of the suits most troubling accusations is that the $150,000 payment to cover up the affair was illegally designed to influence the 2016 presidential election. It echoed allegations that it was an undisclosed, illegal corporate contribution to the Trump campaign as outlined in complaints that ethics watchdog Common Cause has filed with the Justice Department and the Federal Election Commission.
Because the payment was part of an illegal scheme, McDougal says, her confidentiality agreement is invalid. AMI, the complaint alleges, is trying to use the agreement to silence a person from publicly disclosing information that is critical of the president.
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michael.finnegan@latimes.com
Twitter: @finneganLAT
UPDATES:
5:20 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Keith Davidson and AMI and more details from McDougals lawsuit.
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12:35 p.m.: This article was updated with details from Karen McDougals lawsuit.
11:40 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Karen McDougal.
This article was originally published at 11 a.m.
Trying to persuade President Trump to back down from his increasingly public battle with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, Republican leaders turned Tuesday to the approach that has worked for Fox News personalities: They talked to him through the television screen.
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stepped up to microphones in the Capitol to try to dissuade Trump from firing Mueller, a move that most Republicans here believe would be catastrophic for his presidency.
They did so with the tactics they have used since Trumps presidency began: light on criticism of the president, but heavy on positive reinforcement of the behavior they want to see him follow.
The special counsel should be free to follow through with his investigation to its completion without interference, absolutely, Ryan (R-Wis.) told reporters Tuesday morning. I am confident he will be able to do that. I received assurances that his firing is not even under consideration. We have a system based on the rule of law in this country. We have a justice system, and no one is above that justice system.
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Asked who had given him those assurances, Ryan replied: Oh, Im not going to get into that.
The suggestion was that it was Trumps lawyers, who publicly insisted after the president maligned Mueller over the weekend that Trump was not considering firing the man leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. McConnell (R-Ky.) directly cited the lawyers comments as proof that Trump did not plan to lean on his Justice Department to fire Mueller.
I heard the presidents lawyers say that Bob Mueller should be allowed to finish his job, McConnell said to a bank of television cameras. He went on to praise Mueller, a former FBI director with broad bipartisan support. I think he will go where the facts lead him, and I think he will have great credibility with the American people when he reaches the conclusion of this investigation.
McConnell said that, given the lawyers assertions, legislation protecting Mueller was not necessary.
I dont think Bob Mueller is going anywhere, he said. Its a widespread feeling, and the presidents lawyers obviously agree, that he ought to be able to finish the job. Hes a thoroughly credible individual and I think an appropriate appointment.
The possibility that the president might make a move against Mueller stemmed from two weekend developments. The first was Trumps decision to tweet criticism of Muellers effort using the special counsels name, which he had avoided before.
The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime, Trump said, calling it a WITCH HUNT!
One of his lawyers, John Dowd, also raised the prospect of the end of the special counsel investigation.
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Dowd at first said he was speaking for the president, then said he was not. Another of Trumps lawyers, Ty Cobb, later told reporters that the president was not planning to fire Mueller.
The expression of support for Mueller among legislators who have been publicly deferential to the president was not lost on Democratic Senate leader Charles E. Schumer, who interrupted a planned discussion about a giant spending bill to highlight McConnells words and the very public way in which he made them.
I want to salute his statesmanship, Schumer (D-N.Y.) said. That was the right thing to do, and I certainly hope President Trump is listening.
Seconding what Republicans have said privately and publicly since Trumps weekend broadside against Mueller, Schumer said Muellers firing would create havoc, a disaster, a constitutional crisis in this country.
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I think leader McConnells statement was a real shot across the bow, and I hope the president heeds it, Schumer said.
For more on politics from Cathleen Decker
cathleen.decker@latimes.com
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Twitter: @cathleendecker
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President Trump recounted for reporters on Tuesday his very good call to congratulate newly reelected President Vladimir Putin, drawing a searing blast from Sen. John McCain, who said Trump had insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election.
An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections, McCain (R-Ariz.) said in a statement and on his Twitter account.
News of the Trump-Putin call came first from the Kremlin foreign governments often disclose contacts with Trump before the White House, and with more information prompting reporters to question the president about the call during a brief session in the Oval Office.
We had a very good call, Trump said, and I suspect that well be meeting in the not-too-distant future to discuss the arms race, which is getting out of control.
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White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders offered little clarification about a future meeting of the two presidents. There are no specific plans made at this time, she told reporters.
Trump spoke to reporters as an Oval Office visitor, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, looked on. His conversation with Putin came as the president is coming under increasing and widespread criticism for his refusal to confront Putin about Russias hacking and disinformation efforts to destabilize U.S. politics and, more recently, about its alleged assassination attempt in Britain using a military-grade nerve agent against Russian expatriates there.
Though some Republicans have joined the criticism of Trumps rapport with Putin, few have been as outspoken as McCain, the longtime Senate Armed Services Committee chairman who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer. More typical of Republican reaction was a comment from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was noncommittal on Trumps call to Putin, saying, The president can call whomever he chooses.
Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, implicitly rebuked Trump on Twitter, writing: Putin does not deserve congratulations for his sham reelection. He made the outcome inevitable by silencing and disqualifying any credible opposition.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is McCains close friend but less publicly critical of Trump, echoed McCains critique of Putins reelection on Sunday without mentioning Trump. He tweeted: Congratulations to Russian President Putin on his Fake Victory in the Fake Election. Heaven help the 25% who didnt vote for him!
Putin was reelected on Sunday with more than 77% of the vote against a weak field of opposition candidates.
Trump told reporters that he and Putin discussed matters related to North Korea, Syria and Ukraine. He made no mention of Russias election meddling or its alleged attack in Britain March 4.
Later, asked whether Trump raised the subject of Moscows U.S. election interference, Sanders said, I dont believe it came up.
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Sanders sidestepped a question from reporters about whether the Russian election was free and fair. We dont get to dictate how other countries operate, Sanders said.
Asked about McCains criticism, Sanders said the administration is tough when necessary on Russia, but must maintain a dialogue with Moscow.
Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats because of the nerve-agent attack, and Putin retaliated in kind. The United States has not taken similar action against Russia for the attack, though the Trump administration last week sanctioned 19 individuals and five entities for their roles in the 2016 campaign meddling.
The administration also officially joined Britain, France and Germany to condemn the nerve-agent attack. Trump has not personally weighed in, however.
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noah.bierman@latimes.com
Twitter: @noahbierman
Drop into a political gathering almost anywhere in America, and you can usually name the party just by looking: Democrats increasingly reflect the racially mixed demographics of the nations cities; Republicans remain overwhelmingly white, older and more rural.
That hasnt always been true a generation ago, the voters supporting the two parties were far more alike.
Now, a new, large-scale study has documented how much the mix of voters who support each of the two parties has changed. The conclusion: The two party coalitions are now more different than at any point in the past generation.
The Democrats have changed the most, as the mix of voters who support them has grown less white, less religious, more college-educated, younger and more liberal over the past decade, according to the study by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.
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Republican voters, by contrast, more closely reflect the demographics of an earlier, mostly white, Christian America. In one regard, the partys voters have actually stepped slightly back in time Republicans are less likely today than a decade ago to be college graduates, Pew found. Thats a striking fact in a country that has steadily grown more college-educated.
Republicans have not changed as the country has changed, said Carroll Doherty, Pews director of political research.
The numbers, drawn from 10,000 voter interviews that Pew conducted last year, paint a detailed picture of the coalitions behind each of the two major parties. They underscore an important point about the polarization that so dominates national politics: Although Americans often blame politicians for not compromising, elected officials represent voter bases that each year have less and less in common.
(Los Angeles Times )
Overall 50% of registered voters identify as Democrats or as independents who lean Democratic, Pew found. By contrast, 42% either identify as Republicans or lean toward them.
A much smaller group identifies as independent and does not lean to either party.
The 50% figure marks an uptick for Democrats. Its the first time since 2009 that half of registered voters in Pews surveys have identified as or leaned toward the Democrats. The 8-percentage-point margin over the GOP is the largest the Democrats have enjoyed since then and is consistent with other polling data showing the Democrats gaining ground since President Trumps election.
(Los Angeles Times )
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But the share of voters overall who support each party has changed just a little. By contrast, the types of voters behind each party has changed a lot.
The changes among Democrats have shifted the party to the left. A decade ago, the largest group of Democrats, 44%, described their views as moderate. Today, the largest group, 46%, identifies as liberal, with 37% calling themselves moderate and 15% conservative.
Republicans have been a mostly conservative party for years and continue to be so, with about two-thirds identifying themselves as conservative, 27% moderate and just 4% liberal.
Democrats have benefited from two of the biggest shifts in recent years the movement of women and college graduates in their direction.
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On the other side, Republicans have gained loyalty among white voters without a college degree. They now hold a bigger advantage among that group which remains the largest demographic group in the electorate than at any point in more than two decades. Republicans have also gained in rural areas.
Trumps winning campaign in 2016 took advantage of those trends driving up turnout among non-college white voters in some key states. But his emergence as the face of the GOP also appears to have accelerated shifts away from the party, endangering its hold on Congress this year.
(Los Angeles Times )
Trump almost certainly has contributed to the movement of women toward the Democrats, a long-term trend that gained strength in the past two years. More than half of women, 56%, now side with the Democrats, compared with 37% for the Republicans, Pew found.
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By contrast, the partisan split has not changed much among men: 48% identify with the Republican Party or lean Republican, while 44% are Democrats or lean Democratic.
The president also seems to have energized the educational divide. Voters with a college degree, who now make up a third of the U.S. electorate, increasingly cast Democratic ballots.
As recently as the George W. Bush administration, most college graduates favored Republicans. Today, the share of college-educated voters who either identify as Democrats or lean to them, 58%, is the highest its been since Pew began studying the data in 1992.
By contrast, the share of college graduates who either identify as Republicans or lean toward them has fallen to 36%.
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Because minority voters of all educational levels heavily side with the Democrats nonwhites make up nearly 40% of Democratic voters but only 14% of Republican voters the divide by education level is most noticeable among whites.
White college graduates side with the Democrats 53%-42%. As recently as two years ago, white college graduates were evenly split.
But even as they have lost ground among college graduates and especially those with post-graduate or professional degrees Republicans have gained with those who did not get a college degree.
The two trends have dramatically reshaped the party coalitions. When Bill Clinton began his second term as president in 1997, more than half of the voters who sided with the Democrats were whites without a college degree. Today, blue-collar, white voters make up only about one-third of those who identify as or lean toward Democrats.
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Thats a big shift over 20 years, Doherty said.
By contrast, non-college-educated whites continue to account for about 6 in 10 of those who identify as or lean toward Republicans.
The parties also divide notably by generation and by religion.
Almost 6 in 10 millennials side with the Democrats, a figure that rises to an eye-popping 7 in 10 among millennial women.
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By contrast, those now in their 70s and older side with the GOP. Just over half of that generation either identifies with the GOP or leans toward it, while just over 4 in 10 side with the Democrats.
The generations in between are closely divided. Younger Americans are far more likely than their elders to have no religious affiliation. The religiously unaffiliated now make up about one-third of Democratic voters, but only about one-eighth of Republicans.
By contrast, about two-thirds of Republicans are white Christians, especially white evangelical Protestants. Among Democrats, only about 3 in 10are white Christians, and white evangelical Protestants make up only a small share.
Over the long run, the generational difference could be a big problem for Republicans. For now, however, they benefit from older voters tendency to turn out more regularly, especially in nonpresidential elections.
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One of the big questions for U.S. politics, said Doherty, is when this generational tide starts to really impact elections.
David.Lauter@latimes.com
For more on Politics and Policy, follow me @DavidLauter
Get the latest news from the nations capital on Essential Washington >>
A New York judge ruled Tuesday that an Orange County woman who accused President Trump of sexually assaulting her at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007 can move forward with her defamation suit against him.
Justice Jennifer G. Schecter of New York state court in Manhattan rejected a request by Trumps lawyers that she dismiss the suit filed last year by Summer Zervos, who was a contestant on his reality television show The Apprentice.
No one is above the law, Schecter wrote, saying nothing in the Constitution suggests that the president cant be called to account in a state court for wrongful conduct that bears no relationship to his White House duties.
The ruling exposes Trump to potentially embarrassing court proceedings that could drag on for months, if not years.
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Ex-Playboy Playmate sues to speak publicly about alleged affair with Trump
At the request of Zervos lawyers, Trumps campaign agreed in March to preserve all documents it might have concerning allegations that Trump touched Zervos and nine other women inappropriately.
Now the campaign might be forced to give those and other documents related to accusations of sexual misconduct by Trump to the Zervos legal team, led by Gloria Allred.
A few weeks before Trump was elected president, Zervos alleged that he tried to force himself upon her in 2007 at a dinner in a bungalow at the hotel.
Trump responded by charging repeatedly that Zervos and other women accusing him of sexual misconduct were lying. He threatened to sue them after the election but never took them to court.
Zervos, however, sued Trump a few days before his inauguration, saying he defamed her and the other women he branded as liars. She is seeking a retraction, an apology and unspecified damages.
Trump knowingly, intentionally and maliciously threw each and every one of these women under the bus, with conscious disregard of the impact that repeatedly calling them liars would have upon their lives and reputations, her complaint said.Trumps lawyers argued that his comments during the campaign were fiery rhetoric and hyperbole protected by the 1st Amendment, not defamation.
In the ruling on Tuesday, Schecter cited the U.S. Supreme Courts 1997 opinion that President Clinton was not immune from litigation in a sexual harassment suit that Paula Jones filed against him in federal court. Schecter rejected arguments by Trump lawyers that the Jones case did not apply to state courts.
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State courts can manage lawsuits against the President based on private unofficial conduct just as well as federal courts, Schecter said.
She also turned down Trumps request to postpone the case until the end of his presidency, saying there was absolutely no authority for doing that.
Michael Cohen, one of Trumps personal lawyers, did not respond to an email requesting comment. Trump can appeal the ruling, a process that could ultimately extend the proceedings well into his 2020 campaign for reelection.
Zervos, 43, is one of three women whose lawsuits will distract the White House in the months ahead. Porn actress Stormy Daniels has sued Trump in an attempt to void a hush-money contract that requires her to keep quiet about her alleged affair with him in 2006 and 2007.
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Technically I didn't sleep with the POTUS 12 years ago. There was no sleeping (hehe) and he was just a goofy reality TV star. But I digress...People DO care that he lied about it, had me bullied, broke laws to cover it up, etc. And PS...I am NOT going anywhere. xoxoxo https://t.co/Js9sEnanIk Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 20, 2018
Former Playboy model Karen McDougal filed a lawsuit Tuesday to nullify a confidentiality agreement that bars her from talking about an alleged romance with Trump around the same time.
The week before Zervos went public with the allegations in October 2016, Trump apologized for saying during the taping of an Access Hollywood episode that he could grab women by their genitals whenever he wanted because he was a celebrity.
But Trump denied allegations that he actually engaged in sexual misconduct.
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After appearing on The Apprentice in 2005 and getting fired on the show, Zervos sought real-life work at the Trump Organization. On a visit to his Trump Tower office in 2007, he kissed her on the lips without her consent, she said.
Soon after that, he invited her to dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel. When she arrived, Trumps security guard led her to Trumps bungalow, where he kissed her aggressively, put his hand on her breast and pressed his genitals against her, she said.
Zervos said she spurned his advances, leading Trump to get angry.
Zervos, a Republican, did not go public with her allegations until the week after he denied engaging in the kind of conduct he described in the Access Hollywood tape.
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I felt that I had to speak out about your behavior, she said. You do not have the right to treat women as sexual objects just because you are a star.
To read this article in Spanish click here
michael.finnegan@latimes.com
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Twitter: @finneganLAT
UPDATES:
3:20 p.m.: This article was updated with a reference to Michael Cohen not responding to an email seeking comment.
3 p.m.: This article was updated to add that Zervos is seeking a retraction, apology and damages from President Trump.
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1:20 p.m.: This article was updated with quotes from the judges ruling.
This article was originally published at 11:20 a.m.
A few months before the state Senate confirmed Lucy Dunns reappointment to the California Transportation Commission in 2013, she made a political contribution to the president pro tem of the state Senate, whose support was crucial to her staying on the panel.
Last year, Dunn, the president and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, was confirmed for a third term on the influential transportation panel. Three months later she contributed to a political campaign for the current Senate leader, Kevin De Leon.
Dunns contributions are allowed by state law, but some believe such payments undermine public confidence in the appointment process. That concern is behind a new proposal by Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) to outlaw contributions to senators by political appointees for up to a year between the time they are chosen by the governor until their required confirmation by the Senate.
The state Legislature should safeguard the publics confidence in our government institutions, said Gray, chairman of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization.
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We have adopted a number of limitations and transparency measures in other areas, but the contribution activities of political appointees who have a personal financial interest at stake to state senators during the confirmation process remains almost entirely opaque, Gray added.
The legislator said he came up with the bill after becoming concerned about reports from Washington that presidential appointees have given large sums of campaign contributions to senators involved in their confirmation.
Anti-corruption measures like these maintain the publics trust in our democracy, said Jack Blattner of government watchdog group California Common Cause, adding the proposed restrictions would [ensure] that conflicts of interest do not arise through the appointment process.
Campaign donors have long received political appointments at the state Capitol.
Banker Mark Ferron and attorney Wylie Aitken each contributed the maximum $25,900 to Gov. Jerry Browns election in 2010 before he gave them coveted appointments to the state Public Utilities Commission and California Arts Council, respectively. Mary Nichols, an environmental activist, contributed $5,000 to Browns campaign before he re-appointed her as chairwoman of the state Air Resources Board.
Nichols later contributed thousands of dollars to candidates for the state Senate including $1,000 to former Agoura Hills Sen. Fran Pavleys re-election campaign before the vote on her confirmation.
Dunn contributed $1,000 to Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers campaign before he first appointed her to the Transportation Commission in 2008, and she gave to Browns campaign before he twice reappointed her to the panel.
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Updates from Sacramento
Grays proposal does not regulate contributions to the governor, focusing instead on donations to senators involved in the confirmation process.
The prohibition would also apply to a contribution or gift to a candidate for the Senate if that persons term would begin within 365 days of the appointment. It would include in the ban fundraising events held in the home of an appointee.
The measure does not apply to appointments made by Assembly and Senate leaders, most of which are to panels that dont pay more than a stipend. But an aide to Gray said the intent is to eventually apply the measure to any appointment requiring Senate confirmation.
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Dunn contributed $2,500 to former Senate leader Darrell Steinbergs campaign committees, including $500 in September 2012 to his campaign for lieutenant governor, which was later abandoned.
The last contribution was made after Brown reappointed her, but less than four months before Steinberg, then chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, recommended that her reappointment be confirmed. The full Senate later voted unanimously to confirm her.
The commission, for which Dunn has served as chairman, decides how the state spends billions of dollars annually on transportation projects in California.
Dunn declined to comment. Steinberg, who is now the mayor of Sacramento, said Dunn was infinitely qualified for her appointment, and he was not influenced by political contributions when making decisions on confirmations.
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Still, he supports Grays bill.
Political contributions have no bearing on the Senates confirmation process, Steinberg said. That said, I think the Gray bill is a good idea because it gets at reducing even the appearance of impropriety. Establishing and maintaining the publics trust in the integrity of government and elected officials is paramount to successful governing and appearances matter.
patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com
Twitter: @mcgreevy99
U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat who represents a district stretching from north of San Francisco to the Oregon border, has released a statement identifying himself as a humanist who doesnt necessarily believe in God.
The Congressman had declined to state his religious beliefs on questionnaires in the past, saying theres too much religion in politics. Taken aback by negative expressions of religion made by members of the Trump administration, he says he made the decision to open up about his own beliefs and lack thereof to counter what he fears are efforts by government officials toward maligning some faiths and celebrating others.
Huffman grew up in a religious home and says he isnt hostile to religion. I dont believe my religion is necessarily relevant to the work I do. But I do think it doesnt quite feel right to just take a pass on the question, because your religious views can speak to your moral and ethical framework on the world, Huffman said. And that is something I think the public is entitled to know.
Q. Could Rep. Huffmans announcement that he is a humanist and nonbeliever put his political career at risk? How important are politicians religious beliefs to you as a voter?
Unfortunately, in this country, demonstrating religiosity, whether sincerely or not, is extremely important to many voters. Most polls show that people would sooner vote for a criminal than an atheist. As a matter of fact, we have many criminals in office now. Although we have some legislators in Washington who are supposedly not of faith, there is not a single openly nontheistic legislator on Capitol Hill. Thankfully, at the state and city levels, there are a few who are out and proud.
I believe the capacity for truly rational thought, even in the face of criticism, is an asset to a politician. If someone is qualified for office and I agree with them politically, the fact that they are an unabashed atheist would incline me even more to vote for them.
Our founders made it very clear that religion should be completely separate from politics. Our constitution even goes so far as to state plainly there should be no religious test for office, a clause which is mostly disregarded in this country. That is truly to our detriment.
Joshua Berg
Humanist Celebrant
Glendale
..
We should commend Rep. Jared Huffmans honesty in saying that he is a humanist. Most people who claim to be of strong religious moral bent, then claim that a belief in God gives them the right to do immoral things to other humans, are neither religious nor moral. Honesty and a good reputation are the most precious commodities one can possess. The founder of the Hasidic movement is known as the Baal Shem Tov, which translates as the master of the good name.
There is a section in the Jewish Ethical code, which states a mans deeds should exceed his piety. Its meaning is that how a person deals with his fellow human is more important than how he deals with God.
I agree, as we are created in the image of God, by being more pro-us, you are in fact being more pro-God.
How much more religious can you be than to be Pro-God?
As to the second question, acting positively towards Gods creations humans even without couching it in religious terms, is still the highest form of religiosity. The reason why one does something is not as important as the act of doing it. The Torah says it best, when we stood at Mt. Sinai and God asked us to do his/her commandments we said, Naaseh vNeshma (we will do and then we will hear of its value). The act of doing is more important than the why is for the action brings results, the why just gives us discussions to talk about it.
Rabbi Mark Sobel
Temple Beth Emet
Burbank
..
Though Rep. Huffman made his statement from the comparative safety of left-leaning California, I applaud him for his bravery, as no measurable good can come from a politician avowing anything other than a Judeo-Christian belief set in America. That is sad because the expression of religious belief in politics is often a distraction from the very non-Biblical things a pol is doing on the side. Our Founders, Unitarians and agnostics and deists and different flavors of Protestants alike, advocated a separation of church and state as an acknowledgment that public piety often gets in the way of public good.
I wish more politicians would lay claim to a humanist worldview, as the words of the Bible and Koran and other sacred texts are pretty clear and easy to find. When a politician who claims to be a believer goes against those beliefs in public and private, it is a blow to religion that engenders a breakdown in trust for the politician. Perhaps the world would be a better place if religion didnt make it so easy for a politician to be proven a hypocrite.
Marty Barrett, Vice President
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills
..
The percentage of voters in the United States who say they would be willing to consider voting for an atheist for president is at an all-time high at over 50%, according to some polls, and I doubt Rep. Huffmans job in Congress representing a liberal northern California district is in danger either.
I couldnt agree more with Huffman that there is too much religion in politics nowadays. It doesnt seem to be going that well for the countries with theocratic governments. Surely you dont have to be an atheist to recognize that.
This doesnt mean that I disapprove of those who freely exercise and live their beliefs, as I certainly try to do myself. But imposing religion on the rest of us is not democratic, and is not what freedom of religion is supposed to mean. Furthermore those who talk one moral line and walk another are contemptible to me.
After our deadline but before this weeks In Theory is published we will have seen if voters in Alabama, almost 90% of whom identify as Christian, would rather be represented in the U.S. Senate by a child molester than by a Democrat. Rationality is what I most strive for in my voting choices, but I am not hopeful that Alabama voters will do so.
Roberta Medford
Atheist
Montrose
..
They say a pictures worth a thousand words, and knowing someones religion is a similar shortcut to knowing the greater scheme of their morality and life. If a person professes Christianity, for example, we know at the outset that they have a high view of the specialness of humanity and a dim view of immoralities such as adultery, lying, stealing, cheating, etc. If I am to vote for a leader, and my choice is between a Christian and a non-Christian, the likelihood is that I will choose the Christ follower rather than his crucifier (which is essentially any person who rejects him). The Bible teaches that we should do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Gal 6:10 NIV). In other words, we should especially attend to those who are faithful to God and aid them, as this only aids ourselves and promotes the divine good generally. In the case of a politician, a Christian would naturally lean toward the Christian candidate. The candidate that clearly affirms his rejection of God (therefore is bound to no greater morals than those of his own design) paints a picture of himself that is unsavory and weak.
The caveat to the above is that while many people profess to be Christian, they may only be identifying with the culture, their family of origin, or defaulting to the norm. Its not awfully hard to spot these, but in the case that a self-avowed Christian is a fraud, the opposition candidate might be the better and more moral governor; the lesser of two evils must be decided. So yes, Rep. Huffmans announcement could potentially harm his career, but he is sly enough to be a Democrat and live in California and he enjoys some measure of fraternity here that safeguards him. Nevertheless, Christmas is upon us, the time when Americans, including California Democrats, celebrate Christmas. Our prayer should be that Christ be seen for who he truly is this season, and that our representatives fall on their faces before him in genuine worship.
Rev. Bryan A. Griem
Tujunga
UPDATES:
2:07 p.m. Dec. 19, 2017: Joshua Bergs response was updated per the panelist.
Saturday morning I decided to sit in on Judge David Carters homeless hearing for a brief period. I have been working with Judge Carter as a liaison with the state and its efforts to find funding for the homeless.
I have recently met with Elaine Howle, the state auditor, to review her most recent audit report on the status of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) created by Proposition 63 in 2004.
This past week, as a follow up, I also met with Toby Ewing, the executive director, of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, to corroborate the audit findings.
The audit report found some $2.5 billion in unspent funds to assist those with mental illness has accumulated since the passage of Proposition 63 in 2004.
This is the case for all 58 counties and the state. There has been a paralysis and lack of leadership by the Department of Health Care Services as to what and where these funds can go, frustrating all parties.
Both of these meetings were disconcerting. I am no longer an executive who can provide guidance and direct staff to get something accomplished. I am now a legislator in a state so large that managing it is next to impossible. You thought Caltrans was messed up.
Well, serious improvements can also be made to the Department of Health Care Services, which directs MHSA funding.
I now must provide directives through legislation. Fine, but I am only allowed 20 bills per year. And my executive brain is screaming in a legislators body. So one of my bills this year is to establish an executive position to help run this state, Senate Bill 1297, but more on that at another time.
I dropped by the hearing after it had been proceeding for about an hour, but Judge Carter brought me up front, and I listened to his reactions to various components of the state auditors MHSA audit report.
He also provided PowerPoint slides showing various pages. His lecture also included available locations, with Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa being the most prominent one of which he was aware.
Judge Carter had invited mayors and city managers to be present and then, around 11 a.m., took them for a tour of the nearby bus depot, a location that I worked to provide as a roof for the homeless while still a county supervisor. In the meantime, it has been made available and currently has some 400 residents.
Due to other commitments, I left midway through the walk. The Voice of OC provides their take in Federal Judge Expands OC Homeless Housing to Include Longtime Santa Ana Civic Center Camp, (March 17).
It was a federal judge who may have started this dilemma with the mandate for the state of California to reduce its inmate population.
Instead of building more prisons, which is cost-prohibitive, thanks to the high cost to staff them with the providing of public safety-defined benefit pensions and other employee benefits, the governor in 2011 backed and signed Assembly Bill 109, Public Safety Realignment, which released supposed nonviolent inmates prematurely to the 58 counties.
The ironies continue. But, I digress.
As you know, after reviewing my recent 10-volume series, cities are not flush with the cash needed to address this immediate housing requirement for the homeless.
The MHSA provides a funding opportunity, and I worked side-by-side with Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon in 2016 on the passage of AB 1618, No Place Like Home, to securitize this tax revenue source. We announced the initiative at Skid Row in Los Angeles.
De Leon even allowed me to provide input on constructing the bill. It passed and was signed into law, but has not been implemented because it is tied up in Sacramento County Superior Court on validation concerns.
Senator de Leon is trying to request $2 billion from the governor, which would be replaced once the bonds are issued. This would start the process of counties submitting grants for immediate housing construction now. I also informed the president pro tem to tell the governor that there are $2.5 billion in funds that can be used as collateral for the cash advance
JOHN MOORLACH (R-Costa Mesa) represents the 37th District in the state Senate.
Re: La Canada High students stand together against gun violence, March 15. The Valley Suns headline referring to La Canada Flintridge students standing together against gun violence indicates a different perspective from other demonstrating students. Students across the country came together to protest our governments failure to enact meaningful gun control legislation. Did the La Canada students not get that message or did they and the Valley Sun choose not to mention gun control?
Bob Lemchen
La Canada
--
Re: Proposed Oakmont Senior Living project on Foothill Boulevard at Woodleigh Lane: Opposition to the Oakmont Senior Living project is not anti-senior. It is anti-awful. Its being described to us as active senior living when it is just a 72-bed moneymaker for Oakmont. Thousand Oaks just rejected Oakmonts proposal. They consistently underestimate their staff parking, underestimate the true impact upon our traffic, and way overestimate the benefit to local merchants when they make their proposals. With no parking for residents, all centralized purchasing for food and supplies, and in-house dining and beauty care, this is no boon to the merchants. And how long will it take ambulances to realize Foothill can already be impassable during our rush hours, to start screaming down side streets south of Foothill to get to the freeways and hospitals faster? We need to put our feet down hard on this now.
Lauren Oakes
La Canada
--
As a longtime resident of La Canada I was interested in the proposed Oakmont Senior Living project until I looked into it. It is not what it is being sold as. It is not active senior living with no kitchens, no living rooms, no parking spaces for residents. With a small room/bath, an in-house dining room and beauty parlor for people who can no longer get out to drive, shop, cook, or go get their hair done. It is, in other words, a convalescent home.
This rule-breaking proposal violates almost every rule and guideline our elected city officials and we citizens have spent the last 30 years putting into place to prevent just such a massive, out-of-scale, out-of-place proposal such as this.This is not what La Canada seniors want to move into when we are ready to let go of our high-maintenance homes.
A little research into Oakmonts situation in Northern California reveals they are being sued for wrongful deaths in the Tubbs fire, asserting they had only three employees on duty the night of that fire, not enough vehicles to get all the residents out, and no real evacuation plan. The suit alleges one-third of their guests were left behind when the employees fled. Family heroically rescued the rest but two died as a result of the experience. We are a fire area so this alone is reason enough to deny this company any place in our town. But all in all it is unbelievable this project ever made it in front of the La Canada Flintridge Planning Commission. They should reject it completely.
Cathi Beauclair
La Canada
--
When watching television or reading the newspaper, were being inundated by tragedies caused by both man and nature, information that will soon have you in a state of depression. The TV anchor will open the program with Ah! Yes, theres good news today and then proceed to inform you of all that isnt good.
So, I thought Id relate a few stories that might bring a smile to your face.
My wife and I had the privilege of baby-sitting our two granddaughters from the time they were 3 months old until they were 10 and 12 years old. Both parents worked, so we had them five days a week, early morning until late at night. I kept a diary and recorded what transpired during their stay with us.
Heres the first granddaughterism: When the younger one was about 4 or 5, we were watching cartoons on TV. She was sitting on my lap, looked up at me and said, I love you, Grandpa, forever. I replied, Someday I wont be here anymore. Then what will you do? She answered, Ill get a new grandpa. I said, Pray tell me where you will get a new grandpa? Without any hesitation, she said, At the lost and found.
Heres another ism:
At about the same age, one of them was playing in the yard. I was doing something in the house. I heard the back door open and she came in, running for the bathroom. A few seconds later she hollered, Grandpa, I need help. I went in the bathroom and said, Whats the problem? She replied, I had an accident. I reassured her that people of all ages have accidents. I cleaned her up. She said, I love you, Grandpa, and from now on you take care of the back and Ill do the front.
Sgt. George Kritzman, U.S. Army (Ret.)
La Canada
In 1982, homeless men living under a Los Angeles freeway overpass nicknamed themselves The Troll Family.
In the Nov. 21, 1982, Los Angeles Times, staff writer Jerry Belcher reported:
With wry humor, they call themselves the Troll Family, after the mysterious, cranky creatures of Scandinavian legend that haunted out-of-the-way places.
They are part of the growing tribe of homeless men and women who dwell in the concrete caves formed by the thousand or so bridges [over] the freeways of Los Angeles. Others camp out in the thousands of acres of shrubbery along the freeway landscape.
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No one knows for certain how many of them there may be freeway trolls come and go without signing registers.
But Norm Brinkmayer, California Department of Transportation maintenance chief for freeways in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, estimates that they may number in the hundreds. California Highway Patrol Capt. Dick Kerri says there is a Ho Chi Minh Trail of camps stretching from Ventura to Los Angeles.
Tom Kammer, at 29, is one of the elders of the tribe. He says he has been living under one or another of the Hollywood Freeway overpasses on and off for the last five years.
Chris Lichtsien, at 19, is a comparative newcomer to the lifestyle Kammer knows so well. He has been living under an overpass less than a mile from Kammer for the last month and a half. He has never lived this way before.
Kammer cant remember exactly how he drifted into the life. Lichtsien recalls vividly: When he stepped out of the bus depot in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 23, he was robbed of his $1,000 savings by two gunmen. He had no place to go until someone told him about the free lodging under the freeways.
The younger man shares his place with four or five others, the oldest in his 30s. Occasionally a couple of young women move in for a few days 10 different women since Lichtsien has been here, a statistic celebrated by a graffito that reads: Oh, Baby #10.
The place is dusty, dim, cavern-like. Pale smoggy sunlight filters in from the open sides of the arching 70-foot-wide bridge. Three ancient cast-off mattresses, several tattered foam rubber cushions and [an] imitation leather couch make up the furnishing.
The mattresses, each with a frayed, aromatic blanket, are laid out just beneath the overpass arch on a narrow, flat shelf of handpicked earth.
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The beds are set back about 15 yards and are 30 feet above the freeway surface. The trolls, who usually come in to their shelter after nightfall and leave by 9 or 10 a.m., are invisible to passing motorists. But from the couch, the freeway squatters can look down and watch the cars and trucks speed by.
They also can smell and hear them. The stink of exhaust fumes is heavy. Conversation must be shouted to be heard above the roar of traffic.
The chambers walls are decorated with pasted-on porno pictures and spray-scrawled graffiti. One reads: The Troll Family.
Nov. 8, 1982: People living under a Hollywood Freeway overpass spray-painted The Troll Family on a wall. (Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times )
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Nov. 8, 1982: Chris LIchtsien peers out from under his blanket in his living spot under the Hollywood Blvd. overpass over the Hollywood Freeway. (Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times )
Lichtsiens place is larger and marginally more comfortable but less clean than Kammers, which is sometimes swept by winds so strong they blow his blanket away. In fact, Lichtsiens dwelling is a spot Kammer had deserted to move into his present niche.
I lived up there, under that other overpass when I first came here in 78, Kammer recalls. Then I lived there again after I lost my last job. Ive lived under em all, all these overpasses, whenever Im out of work. I came to this place here because its the only one thats uncrowded now. Only two other guys are here now. All the other bridges have tons of people under em now.
This post was originally published on May 25, 2016.
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Nov. 8, 1982: A freeway underpass resident sits on a loveseat reading the Wall Street Journal. He and fellow residents, living under Hollywood Boulevard overpass over Hollywood Freeway, carried the loveseat to the site. (Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times )
Nov. 8, 1982: Homeless person sleeping on mattress under Sunset Blvd. overpass above the Hollywood Freeway. He didnt want to talk to reporter and photographer. (Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times )
See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here
President Xi Jinping offered an assertive vision Tuesday of a proud and capable China, culminating an unusual legislative session that endowed him with indefinite power and sparked rare public dissent including one extremely famous eye roll.
Today, the creative spirit of the Chinese people is being realized in an unprecedented way, Xi said in a televised address at the close of the National Peoples Congress. We are making big strides to the front of the world.
Xis speech the equivalent of an inaugural address for his second term played up themes of tradition and nationalism that underscored a Chinese dream of restored global prominence. His words capped a legislative session at which the party sought to present China as strong, stable and open a foil, experts say, to President Trumps Washington and his claims that China violates fair trade.
Theres a whole lot of politicking happening in Beijing, said Yanmei Xie, a senior China policy analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics, a Beijing research firm. But the whole picture, its one of long-term strategic vision, of a team with continuity and stability, and with competent management. Basically every single aspect is the opposite of Washington, D.C., right now.
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Premier Li Keqiang reinforced that distance on Tuesday by responding to Trumps threats of steep tariffs with a vow to further open Chinas markets. He stressed the global ramifications of a trade war and encouraged everyone to act rationally instead of being led by emotions.
Delegates applaud as Chinas President Xi Jinping walks past after he delivered a speech during the closing session of the National Peoples Congress on Tuesday. (Nicolas Asfouri / AFP/Getty Images )
Li insisted China would protect the intellectual property of foreign companies that operate in the country. His comments followed media reports that the White House may slap China with $60 billion worth of tariffs for stealing trade secrets or forcing U.S. companies to give them up. The administration already has announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, although those are likely to have a less punishing effect on China than on Americas allies.
The trade deficit with China reached a record $375 billion last year, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, a figure Trump often highlights.
A large trade deficit is not something we want to see, Li said at an annual news conference to mark the legislative sessions end. What we want is balanced trade, otherwise bilateral trade would not be sustainable.
The reality is more complicated. China remains one of the worlds most protectionist nations, and American businesses have complained that the environment is only getting tighter.
Lis reassurances offered yet another twist in an annual conclave that stretched more than two weeks. The National Peoples Congress filled with hours-long speeches and the dulling certainty of a rubber-stamp legislature rarely makes actual news. This year was different.
All but two of the 3,000 delegates voted to erase presidential term limits, allowing Xi to extend his tenure indefinitely. The move set the tone for a sycophantic show of political pageantry that tossed aside decades of collective leadership in favor of one man.
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Officials agreed to enshrine Xis main ideology in the constitution and unanimously approved his second term as president. They also elevated some of his closest associates, including Wang Qishan, the 69-year-old former head of the powerful anti-corruption agency, to vice president.
The gathering of Chinas political elite military generals, local party chiefs, business leaders framed the changes as assurances of stability. Delegates voted to overhaul Chinas regulatory agencies, stripping away bureaucracy and planting the party at the center of society.
They also approved a new, national anti-corruption agency more powerful than the nations judiciary. It will be responsible for tackling graft but also imposing the partys ideology and instilling staunch loyalty to Xi.
In the 80s, the term we used was small government, big society, said Zhang Lifan, a Beijing historian whose father was persecuted during the Cultural Revolution. Right now its the opposite: big government, small society.
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Xi already has entrenched the party more deeply into Chinas economy, military and universities, and sought to minimize dissent. Authorities worked diligently to ensure a mundane congress, from screened questions to canned responses. But it was a single eye-roll that pierced the pretense of democracy.
About midway through the congress, state media caught a Chinese reporter expressing pure disgust at her colleagues lengthy, obsequious news conference question. Liang Xiangyi, from the financial news company Yicai Media, rolled her eyes and turned her head in such an instinctual, visceral way that the image went viral.
Censors blocked it by nightfall, but not before citizens sent around GIFs and created cellphone cases with the epic eye roll.
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The questioner, Zhang Huijun, said she was affiliated with the L.A.-based American Multimedia Television U.S.A., which partnered in the past with Chinese state television. A petition appeared on the White House website soon after, asking the administration to investigate the California companys ties to the Communist Party.
This incident has now turned into a meme, which is going to be here for some time to come, said Manya Koetse, who runs Whats on Weibo, a site that tracks social media trends. For many people, the eye roll has also come to represent a critique of the media dynamics in China a feeling many netizens have with these type of rehearsed, stylized, safe and somewhat uninteresting questions.
Citizens also pushed back against the term-limit decision, a surprising public outcry in a largely apolitical society. Chinese students abroad reportedly papered campuses with a head shot of Xi and the phrase Not My President. Censors in China quickly blocked words such as emperor and I disagree. Winnie the Pooh, a favorite stand-in for Xi on social media, also disappeared.
Xi is trying to exploit the constitution to fulfill his dictatorship purpose, said a Chinese college student who studies law and requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive subject.
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State media stepped in to shift the narrative. The state-run broadcaster showed images of officials tearing up with joy as Xi took the oath Saturday for his second term.
The state-affiliated English-language China Daily said Xi was steering China to greater prosperity.
It referred to him as the helmsman, a title reserved for the republics authoritarian founder, Mao Tse-tung.
In any other country, even one of the congressional changes would be far-reaching, said Xie, the Gavekal analyst. Xi managed to accomplish all of them in five short years. And that takes a lot of skill and political capital.
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Meyers is a special correspondent. Gaochao Zhang in The Times Beijing bureau contributed to this report.
jonathan.kaiman@latimes.com
Twitter: @jessicameyers
Trump wants to punish China on trade, but his latest tariffs strike Asian allies instead
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Its official: Xi Jinping can now rule China for as long as he wants
Chinas parliament opens amid possibility of lifelong rule by President Xi Jinping
India said Tuesday that 39 of its citizens who were abducted by Islamic State militants had been found dead in northern Iraq, ending a four-year mystery that had gripped the South Asian nation.
Indias foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj, told Parliament that Iraqi authorities found 39 bodies buried under a mound near a village northwest of Mosul, the city that Iraqi forces freed from Islamic State control last July.
For the record: An earlier version of this story said the bodies were found near a village northeast of Mosul. The village is northwest of Mosul.
Swaraj said DNA testing confirmed that 38 of the victims were Indian construction workers most from the northern state of Punjab who were employed by a company operating near Mosul when the militants overran northern Iraq in 2014. The workers were taken that year in June.
Tests were still being conducted on the 39th victim, who is believed to be part of the same group, she said.
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Amarinder Singh, the top official in Punjab, said he was shattered at the heart-wrenching news.
Shattered at the heart-wrenching news from @SushmaSwaraj that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead. My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them. Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 20, 2018
Indian and Iraqi officials did not disclose details of when and how the victims were killed. Swaraj said Iraqi authorities used radar to locate the bodies outside the village of Badush last September, and the Indian government sent DNA samples from relatives of the missing workers to Iraq for testing.
Many of the victims wore the long hair and simple bracelets identified with followers of the Sikh faith, which is widely practiced in Punjab, Swaraj said.
There were approximately 10,000 Indians working in Iraq in 2014, according to the Indian government, many drawn to the turbulent Middle Eastern country by relatively high-paying jobs as construction workers, oil field engineers and medical professionals.
Swaraj said the Indian government had worked tirelessly to locate the missing workers, who were captured as they attempted to flee Mosul. In the days following their disappearance, some placed distressed cellphone calls to family members back in India, pleading for help.
India said it had no contact with the workers after that. But in several public statements and meetings with family members, Swaraj said the government had information suggesting that the workers were still alive.
Last July, she said six sources had told her the workers were being held in a jail in Badush and that she had sent an envoy to Iraq to try to evacuate our people.
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She and other officials repeatedly dismissed the account of Harjit Masih, an Indian national who was also captured in Mosul and escaped, who said in November 2014 that the other workers had been shot and killed.
I have been saying what Sushma-ji said for three years, but nobody was ready to believe me, Masih said in a phone interview Tuesday, using an honorific for Swaraj. I saw them dead with my eyes.
Opposition politicians and some victims family members who said they were not told the news before Swaraj addressed lawmakers Tuesday morning criticized the minister for raising hopes that the workers could have survived.
For the past four years, the minister had told me that they were alive, Gurpinder Kaur, sister of one of the slain workers, told Indias NDTV. I dont know what to believe anymore.
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Swaraj accused the opposition of politicizing the incident and said it would have been irresponsible to declare the workers dead without evidence.
I understand the anger of the families. It is a natural reaction, Swaraj told a news conference. But I didnt give anyone false hope or keep anyone in the dark. I was consistent in my statements over the last three years that I dont have proof to declare them alive or dead.
Parth M.N. is a special correspondent.
shashank.bengali@latimes.com
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Twitter: @SBengali
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was being held by police Tuesday and questioned by authorities investigating whether he received millions of dollars in illegal campaign funds from the late Libyan dictator Moammar Kadafi.
The investigation dates back seven years, and the right-wing politician who led France between 2007 and 2012 has repeatedly denied the allegations, which nevertheless have refused to go away.
It is the first time Sarkozy has been officially questioned over the scandal, possibly the most incendiary of the allegations leveled against him and members of his team.
Sarkozy, who was being held at the police station in Nanterre, west of Paris, has described the accusations to French journalists as grotesque and a crude manipulation.
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French detectives first opened an inquiry into possible corruption, influence peddling, forgery, misuse of public funds and money laundering without naming any specific suspects in 2013, one year after Sarkozy left office when he was beaten by Socialist rival Francois Hollande.
Since then, the allegations have become more specific and Sarkozys name has surfaced, mainly as a result of reporting by the investigative website Mediapart that has made the case a cause celebre.
Until now, Sarkozy, 63, has refused to answer the investigating magistrates summons to turn up for questioning.
The investigation centers on claims that Kadafi and his supporters secretly handed over almost $61.4 million in illegal donations to Sarkozys 2007 election campaign, more than double the $25.8 million candidates were allowed to spend at the time. Any such donation would also contravene French regulations banning foreign financing of campaigns and requiring donations to be declared.
We financed his campaign, and we have proof Said Islam Kadafi, son of Moammar Kadafi
One of Sarkozys former ministers and a close friend, Brice Hortefeux, also was being questioned by detectives on Tuesday. Another ally and former minister, Claude Gueant, is already under official criminal investigation for fraud in the same inquiry.
In 2012 Mediapart published a document signed by Moussa Koussa in 2006 when he was head of Libyas external intelligence services indicating that Kadafi had agreed to send 50 million euros ($61.4 million) to help Sarkozys campaign. A French expert ruled in 2015 that the document was authentic.
In 2016, Ziad Takieddine a wealthyLebanese-French businessman close to Kadafis government, told Mediapart that he had personally traveled from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to Paris on three occasions to deliver suitcases containing a total of $6.2 million in cash to fund Sarkozys campaign in 2006 and 2007.
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Takieddine, who is under formal investigation in France for a number of alleged offenses, including receiving illegal kickbacks on French arms deals to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in 1993-95, also told investigators that Libya had agreed to fund the campaign to the tune of 50 million euros.
Shortly after his 2007 election victory, Sarkozy invited Kadafi to Paris and feted him with honors, most famously allowing the Libyan leader to sleep in a Bedouin tent pitched near the Elysee Palace. Three years later, the leaders had a falling-out after Sarkozy backed airstrikes led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that helped rebels overthrow Kadafis government in 2011.
After the Libyan dictator was killed, his son Saif Islam Kadafi told the news channel Euronews that Sarkozy should give back the money. We financed his campaign, and we have the proof, he said. The first thing we are demanding is that this clown gives back the money to the Libyan people.
Sarkozy has been implicated in a number of political scandals in France but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In a separate case, a judge has declared he must appear in court over allegations relating to the funding of his failed reelection attempt in 2012. His campaign team is accused of using a system of false accounting to hide an enormous overspend on electioneering.
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UPDATES:
12:55 p.m.: This article was updated with additional background information and a comment from Nicolas Sarkozy.
This article was originally published at 4:20 a.m.
An uptick in violent incidents in the West Bank and Jerusalem devolved into a sharp war of words Monday between the United States and the Palestinian Authority, culminating in a rare and undiplomatic vulgarity aimed at the U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.
In an angry speech in Ramallah, the de facto Palestinian capital in the West Bank, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas made two of the harshest insults in the Arabic language, calling Friedman a settler and a son of a dog.
It was the latest volley in a steep deterioration in the U.S.-Palestinian relationship since President Trumps announcement in December that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as Israels capital and would transfer its embassy here, a move scheduled for mid-May.
On Monday, as the third Israeli victim in a spate of Palestinian violence was buried, Friedman took to Twitter to voice his anger at the Palestinian Authority for failing to condemn a car ramming attack in the West Bank and a stabbing in Jerusalems Old City.
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Tragedy in Israel. 2 young soldiers, Netanel Kahalani and Ziv Daos, murdered in the North, and father of 4, Adiel Kolman, murdered in Jerusalem, by Palestinian terrorists. Such brutality and no condemnation from the PA! I pray for the families and the wounded so much sadness. David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) March 19, 2018
Friedman, a Trump bankruptcy lawyer before he was appointed to the delicate diplomatic post, is a longtime donor to Israels West Bank settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. He has championed the embassys move to Jerusalem, part of which is claimed by Palestinians as the capital of a future state.
Abbas Fatah party tweeted a lurid red-and-black hand-drawn portrait of Friedman captioned Settler, Son of Dog, a crass insult in Arabic.
In an unusually fiery speech, Abbas attacked Friedman for stating that the Jewish settlements in the West Bank are part of Israel.
Son of a dog. They [the settlers] are building on their land? You are a settler and your family are settlers, Abbas said.
At an Israeli Foreign Ministry conference titled the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism, Friedman implied that Abbas remarks amounted to an anti-Jewish slur.
Three young Israelis were murdered over the weekend, he said at the Jerusalem forum, in cold blood, by Palestinian terrorists, and the reaction from the Palestinian Authority was deafening. No condemnation. I saw his response on my iPhone. His response was to refer to me as son of a dog. Is that anti-Semitism or political discourse? I leave that up to you.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reacted to Abbas remarks, using the nickname by which the Palestinian leader is known in the region. In a statement, he said that Abu Mazens attack on the U.S. ambassador, David Friedman, says it all. For the first time in decades, the American administration has stopped pampering the Palestinian leaders and tells them, Thats it. Apparently the shock of the truth has caused them lose their cool.
The State Department termed Abbas remarks outrageous and unhelpful.
Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent.
A Bethlehem man chased a car with his ex and son inside, and then "tapped" the car's bumper three times, police said.
Hector Cruz-Santiago, of the 400 block of Buchanan Street, is charged with four counts each of reckless endangerment, simple assault and harassment, as well as single counts of disorderly conduct, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and running a red light.
The 41-year-old Cruz-Santiago is free after posting 10 percent of $15,000 bail on Monday.
Police said on March 10th the victims, including Cruz-Santiago's ex-girlfriend, their son, the ex's boyfriend and a fourth person, were stopped in front of Donegan Elementary School on East Fourth Street with car trouble.
Cruz-Santiago reportedly called his son during this time, and confirmed the boy was with his mother. Police said a short time later, Cruz-Santiago drove up in a blue GMC Jimmy next to the victims' vehicle; the victims believed he was trying to box them in.
Cruz-Santiago got out of the SUV and retrieved something from the trunk, when the victims drove away, police said.
What followed was a chase on South Side Bethlehem at about 35 mph, according to police. Cruz-Santiago drove close to the victims during the chase, and tapped the car's bumper three times, police said.
The victim, with Cruz-Santiago following, drove through at least one red light, police said. The victims called police, who arrived as they were in the McDonald's parking lot off Wyandotte Street.
Cruz-Santiago drove away, police said. Charges were filed against March 12, but he was not arraigned in the case until Friday.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A call to check on a Berks County couple's children led to the discovery of a baby's body preserved in kitty litter in a closet, the district attorney said.
The baby's mother, Samantha Trump, collapsed when officers arrived at the Spring Township home, and she was taken to Reading Hospital, Berks County District Attorney John Adams said.
It was reported Trump is currently pregnant, Adams said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Shaun Oxenreider (Courtesy photo for lehighvalleylive.com)
The child's father, Shaun Oxenreider, was arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, concealing the death of a child and conspiracy counts for both offenses.
The 25-year-old Oxenreider was sent to Berks County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.
#UPDATE on case of baby found dead in container of cat litter: Bail for father set at $250,000; mother remains hospitalized. https://t.co/bde320PErX pic.twitter.com/QIMEOrWvXR WFMZ-TV 69News (@69News) March 20, 2018
Trump is under sheriff's deputy guard at the hospital until she can be arraigned on the same charges, the district attorney said.
The body of the baby, which authorities estimate was about six months old, was also taken to the same hospital as the mother, and was awaiting an autopsy to try to determine the cause and manner of death.
Adams said officials do not know how long the infant had been dead, but that the girl named Harper was last seen alive in January.
The couple's 18-month-old child has been placed in the custody of the county's children and youth division.
"We intend to get to the bottom of this situation, and we are hopeful we can find out what caused this child's death," Adams said. The investigation is ongoing, but "I am certain this is not the last you will hear of the unfortunate incident."
Concerned family members contacted Spring Township police, after the mother reported to family members that Harper died, Adams said. Spring Township police could not find any records with area hospitals or coroners regarding the infant's death.
Spring Township police tried to do a welfare check on the family. The couple, who are not married, lived in a township apartment for the past few months, authorities said.
Officers were told the family went away to New Jersey for the Easter holiday, but police were called last Monday night after a family member reported seeing lights on at the couple's apartment, Adams said.
After Trump collapsed, police began checking the apartment, according to Adams. They found a locked door to what Adams described as a closet or crawl space.
When officers were able to open the door, they found a picture of the baby, used diapers and baby clothing, and what the district attorney described as a large Tupperware container.
Officers opened the container and saw kitty litter; Oxenreider reportedly said litter shouldn't be in that area of the home.
The baby's body was eventually discovered in the litter, Adams said.
At that point, police stopped the search and applied for a search warrant, which was granted. Officers returned to the home early Tuesday morning with district attorney's office detectives.
Adams called the case "shocking" and credited Spring Township police with finding the baby's remains.
"Needless to say this is an unbelievable find. The facts are ones that make one's stomach churn," Adams said.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Keith Transue was a school resource officer working for the Bushkill Township Police Department, a volunteer firefighter, EMT and Mount Pocono Borough councilman.
Robin and Keith Transue (Courtesy photos | For lehighvalleylive.com)
Robin Transue is the mother of their four children. In court Tuesday, a close friend described her as "fantastic. We all love her."
For all their neighbors knew, the Transues were living the American dream.
"We all know it wasn't," said Robin Transue's attorney, Gary Asteak. "We all know her life was a deep, dark torment."
The 43-year-old Mount Pocono man admitted he found out his wife was having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Rather than report her as was his mandate as a police officer, he blackmailed her and told her he'd keep it a secret as long as she agreed not to leave him.
His 43-year-old wife, in turn, went to a family friend and hatched multiple plots to kill her husband.
"Someone who could have been Donna Reed is now facing wearing a jumpsuit," Asteak said.
In fact, Robin Transue was sent to don a prison jumpsuit. Monroe County Judge Stephen M. Higgins sentenced her Tuesday to a year and a half to four years in prison for solicitation to commit aggravated assault and statutory sexual assault.
Keith Transue was sentenced to two years of probation for failing to report his wife's sex with the minor.
"This is almost like a Lifetime movie," said Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso.
Asteak said Robin Transue never seriously intended to kill her husband. In fact, Keith Transue still loves her and wants her back, according to Keith Transue's attorney, Thomas Sundmaker.
She talked with a friend about shooting her husband, killing him with chemicals to make it look like a heart attack and killing him in a house fire. But she didn't realize the friend she was talking to was wearing a wire during the conversations in October 2016.
Asteak described Robin Transue as mentally ill and lonesome and said the discussions about killing her husband were just flirtatious banter to get attention from the friend.
Robin Transue said she's endured a lifetime of sexual, physical and emotional abuse including abuse before her marriage and at the hands of her husband. Her therapist told the judge that after 18 months of treatment, Transue is getting better.
"I have tried everything I can do to be a better person and get help," Robin Transue told the judge through tears.
Keith Transue leaves court in Stroudsburg on March 20, 2018. He was sentenced to two years of probation for failing to report his wife's sexual encounters with a 14-year-old boy. (Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com)
"You see a woman who is deeply flawed, tormented, lonely with all sorts of baggage she's been carrying since childhood," Asteak told the judge, later adding, "It was words and crying out for help that brought her here today."
All her discussion about killing her husband amounts to "just words," Asteak said.
"If words were weapons, Mr. Transue would be dead," Mancuso countered.
The prosecutor played several minutes of conversation Robin Transue shared with her friend over the merits of a .22 caliber gun over a hunting rifle as a murder weapon. She said she didn't want to have to ditch the gun, even though it might be a smart move to hide possible evidence.
"I have no problem killing people," Robin Transue said in the recording. "I have no heart."
In different interviews with authorities she denied having sex with the teen, then admitted it but said he drugged and raped her, then later said she loved the child, Mancuso said.
"It appears she gives whatever version who she's in front of wants to hear," Mancuso said. She had sex with the boy in 2014, police said.
The judge acknowledged the progress Robin Transue made in treatment and the need for her to be with her children but balanced that against the seriousness of the crime. He didn't believe her discussions about killing her husband were just "banter," he said.
Keith Transue told authorities he didn't report his wife because he wasn't absolutely sure she had sex with a minor and only suspected it. There's no way he didn't know what his wife did, the judge said. Sundmaker said it remains difficult for Keith Transue to come to terms with what happened.
"He's torn. This is the mother of his children. This is his wife," he said. At one point while they were waiting for their court hearing to start, Keith Transure turned around and winked at his wife in the row behind him.
Judge Higgins said Keith Transue should have known better than to hatch the plot against his wife, especially since he was a police officer.
"He totally dishonored the whole profession," Higgins said.
The judge decided not to sent Keith Transue to prison so he could be home for his four children while his wife serves her prison sentence.
Sundmaker said Keith Transue has suffered plenty despite being spared prison.
"He lost his job. He lost his wife. He lost everything," Sundmaker said.
Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
Five dozen blighted properties in Upper Mount Bethel Township could see their taxes slashed for a decade on new improvements.
Northampton County Council on Thursday gave the final approval needed for the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or LERTA, program.
Township supervisors approved the program last December, following approval in November from the third agency that levies a property tax on the properties, the Bangor Area School District.
"Upper Mount Bethel is Northampton County's northern connection to New Jersey and New York, via Interstate 80," county Executive Lamont McClure's administration said in a news release Tuesday on the program. "This area has the largest remaining regions for commercial and industrial development, and plays an important role in the county's economic future."
The 53 properties comprising 1,188 acres are clustered along North Delaware Drive (Route 611) and River Road south of Portland and along Route 611 in the village of Mount Bethel.
This map shows the areas of Upper Mount Bethel Township, in dark cross-hatched shading, where 53 properties comprising 1,188 acres are eligible for a tax break on new improvements under a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program adopted March 15, 2018, by Northampton County Council. Click through to see the county law authorizing the LERTA initiative and a listing, under Exhibit "B," of the eligible properties' parcel identification numbers. (Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com)
LERTA aims to create jobs by improving deteriorated industrial, commercial and other business-owned property, McClure's statement says.
McClure at his state of the county address earlier this month said the Slate Belt is the focus of his administration's economic development efforts.
"I think it's a positive for the area," Bangor Area schools Business Manager Mark Schiavone said, "in that having a tax incentive plan in place is going to help market our area to businesses to relocate to the Slate Belt area, to help promote job growth and good-paying jobs."
The taxing agencies don't lose any revenue they now receive, Schiavone noted.
"Ultimately if we can market our area to businesses and give them an incentive to relocate here, over the long-term that's going to help the district," he said. "That's going to help the residential taxpayers. We probably have 75 percent of our revenue come from residential taxpayers. We don't have a lot of business, we don't have a lot of industry up here in the Slate Belt."
Each property owner must apply for the property tax exemption on improvements such as new building structures, new additions to existing structures or substantial renovations that "result in an increase in assessed valuation of the deteriorated property," according to the county law authorizing the tax breaks.
How it works is, for the first year after the improvement becomes assessable, 100 percent of the eligible assessment is exempt from property taxes. The exemption drops by 10 percent yearly until it ends after the 10th year.
A county assessor will review the improvements made to each property to calculate the eligible exemption.
The exemption stays with a property if it is sold, according to the county. Property owners are eligible only if their real estate taxes are paid on time. The county law authorizing the tax incentive takes effect April 15 and is retroactive to Jan. 1.
Even though the potential tax incentive lasts for 10 years, the county scheduled the LERTA to expire Dec. 31, 2022. A report is due at that time on how the program is doing, from the chair of the Upper Mount Bethel Township Board of Supervisors. County council could then decide to extend the offer for an additional five years.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The massive evacuation operation in Kabul, described Friday by Joe Biden as one of the most difficult in history, has
Business Keystroke Now Exclusive Worldwide distributor of Stonefield Query for Act!
Reporting4Act! - Powered by Stonefield Query
20.03.2018 09:02:24 - Stonefield Software is pleased to announce that Keystroke Quality Computing is now the exclusive worldwide distributor of Stonefield Query for Act! reporting solution.
(live-PR.com) - Stonefield Software is pleased to that Keystroke Quality Computing: effective March 15, 2018, Keystroke is the exclusive worldwide distributor of our Act! reporting solution. "Stonefield Query for Act!" has been rebranded to "Reporting4Act! - Powered by Stonefield Query" and is available in three new tiers: Pro, Premium, and Ultimate, designed to fit all budgets (see the product tier details at - Stonefield Software is pleased to that Keystroke Quality Computing: effective March 15, 2018, Keystroke is the exclusive worldwide distributor of our Act! reporting solution. "Stonefield Query for Act!" has been rebranded to "Reporting4Act! - Powered by Stonefield Query" and is available in three new tiers: Pro, Premium, and Ultimate, designed to fit all budgets (see the product tier details at
This partnership combines the distribution reach of the world's #1 Act! Reseller with the technology of the best Act! reporting software on the market, and completes Keystroke's suite of CRM add-on products including reporting, database design, and workflow automation.
For more details, see Keystroke's blog post at:
Here are answers to some common questions about this deal.
What happens to my Stonefield Query for Act!?
Nothing: you can continue to use it as you did before. When you upgrade to a new version, you'll be upgrading to Reporting4Act!, as it replaces Stonefield Query for Act!. Speaking of which, you'll want to upgrade to version 7.0, because it adds a lot of new features, including support for custom tables added in Act Premium Plus version 20.1 and later.
How does support work?
The same as it did before: Stonefield Software continues to provide support for both Stonefield Query for Act! and Reporting4Act!. You continue to request support by creating a support ticket on our web site (
How does software maintenance work?
If you purchased Stonefield Query for Act! from Stonefield Software, we will contact you when your software maintenance is due for renewal as we did before. If you purchased Reporting4Act! from Keystroke, they will contact you. Software maintenance works the same regardless who you purchase it from: you continue to receive updates, technical support, and use of subscription licenses as long as your software maintenance is current.
Why did Stonefield do this?
Keystroke is a world-renowned Act! reseller with a much bigger global reach than Stonefield. They also have a larger marketing and sales team. As a result, they can reach more resellers and end-users than Stonefield could ever hope to. We feel that this partnership makes both companies better and allows us to put our reporting solution into the hands of more people than ever.
Specializing in CRM software for small to medium sized businesses, through expert counsel, deployment, hosting, support, and development services.
Delivering fruitful CRM solutions since 1994, Keystroke is the #1 Act! Reseller in the World and Master Act! Distributor for Canada.
Stonefield Software Inc., the makers of the award-winning Stonefield Query, has been developing Ad Hoc database reporting solutions since 1991.
With the end-user in mind, Stonefield Query enables businesses to deliver end-user self-service ad hoc reporting to customers and/or internal users. Stonefield Query can report on virtually any database, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Microsoft Access, Visual FoxPro, Pervasive, IBM DB2, MySQL, and more.
Stonefield has partnered with over 800 OEM and ISV partners to deliver BI reporting solutions to more than 225,000 users in over 65 countries globally to date. Our customers span all sectors and industries from: public to private, military to non-profits, Fortune 500 to SME's.
www.keystroke.ca/en/reporting4act.html) . All tiers of Reporting4Act! include hundreds of built-in Act! reporting templates and support the custom tables in the new Act! Premium Plus 20.1 right out of the box.This partnership combines the distribution reach of the world's #1 Act! Reseller with the technology of the best Act! reporting software on the market, and completes Keystroke's suite of CRM add-on products including reporting, database design, and workflow automation.For more details, see Keystroke's blog post at: www.keystroke.ca/en/keystroke-blog/post/keystroke ....Here are answers to some common questions about this deal.What happens to my Stonefield Query for Act!?Nothing: you can continue to use it as you did before. When you upgrade to a new version, you'll be upgrading to Reporting4Act!, as it replaces Stonefield Query for Act!. Speaking of which, you'll want to upgrade to version 7.0, because it adds a lot of new features, including support for custom tables added in Act Premium Plus version 20.1 and later.How does support work?The same as it did before: Stonefield Software continues to provide support for both Stonefield Query for Act! and Reporting4Act!. You continue to request support by creating a support ticket on our web site ( stonefieldsoftware.com/helpdesk/index.php?a=add) How does software maintenance work?If you purchased Stonefield Query for Act! from Stonefield Software, we will contact you when your software maintenance is due for renewal as we did before. If you purchased Reporting4Act! from Keystroke, they will contact you. Software maintenance works the same regardless who you purchase it from: you continue to receive updates, technical support, and use of subscription licenses as long as your software maintenance is current.Why did Stonefield do this?Keystroke is a world-renowned Act! reseller with a much bigger global reach than Stonefield. They also have a larger marketing and sales team. As a result, they can reach more resellers and end-users than Stonefield could ever hope to. We feel that this partnership makes both companies better and allows us to put our reporting solution into the hands of more people than ever.Specializing in CRM software for small to medium sized businesses, through expert counsel, deployment, hosting, support, and development services.Delivering fruitful CRM solutions since 1994, Keystroke is the #1 Act! Reseller in the World and Master Act! Distributor for Canada.Stonefield Software Inc., the makers of the award-winning Stonefield Query, has been developing Ad Hoc database reporting solutions since 1991.With the end-user in mind, Stonefield Query enables businesses to deliver end-user self-service ad hoc reporting to customers and/or internal users. Stonefield Query can report on virtually any database, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Microsoft Access, Visual FoxPro, Pervasive, IBM DB2, MySQL, and more.Stonefield has partnered with over 800 OEM and ISV partners to deliver BI reporting solutions to more than 225,000 users in over 65 countries globally to date. Our customers span all sectors and industries from: public to private, military to non-profits, Fortune 500 to SME's. Press Information:
Stonefield Software Inc.
Contact Person:
kkupchyk
Sales Manager
Phone: 1-800-563-1119
eMail: eMail
Web: http://www.stonefieldquery.com
20.03.2018 09:02:24 -
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Crafts, Arts, Hobbies OpenArtCode contemportary arists exhibit in the cradle of the Italian Renaissance
Trond Are Berge - In the beginning
19.03.2018 19:59:15 - After the success of the 2017 exhibit at the Grand Palais in Paris and at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 50 artists from OpenArtCode will show their works in the Salone di Donatello, from 19th April to 8th May 2018
(live-PR.com) - The Mediceo Laurenziano Complex, (that unites amongst others, the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Salone di Donatello, Michelangelos Laurentian Library and the Medici Chapels) that is visited by thousands of people each year from all over the world, will host the international artists of the OpenArtCode Group. From 19th April to 8th May 2018 in the Salone di Donatello - The Mediceo Laurenziano Complex, (that unites amongst others, the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Salone di Donatello, Michelangelos Laurentian Library and the Medici Chapels) that is visited by thousands of people each year from all over the world, will host the international artists of the OpenArtCode Group. From 19th April to 8th May 2018 in the Salone di Donatello of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, contemporary art enters the spaces where Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati and Vasari were working during the Renaissance.
An installation by Sandra Muss stands out: seven wooden doors, washed away by history, blown in the wind, with lines of LED light behind logs that have been corroded and whitewashed by saltiness. The passing of time and the mutation of everything are evident in the rusty metal plates and in the objects returned from the sea or found by the artist on her journeys to distant places. Although following another artistic journey and with a different view on society, we also find corroded wood and rusty metals in the works by Stefano Sanna. Here the artist engraves, overlaps, scrapes and stratifies with a process similar to that of nature, which deposits sediments, cancels and recreates. The natural materials used by the interior designer Susanne Sjogren have an entirely different end. Despite the rationality that characterizes the Swedish school in which she trained, her furniture reveals a delicate artistic sensibility in the soft forms of her phytomorphic furniture sculpture. Design, which this time comes from the most advanced engineering experimentation, is the protagonist in the works by David Wiener. Designer for Ferrari amongst others, he devotes much of his art to Formula 1 (it is no coincidence that his collectors include Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Jean Todt) and offers the viewer works on aluminum that seem to have their roots in Op Art for their reiterated and serial construction with an illusionistically kinetic vision that explores the effects of human perception. With great sensitivity, Sumio Inoue expertly works with infinite shades of black and white in his photographic shots that he impresses on thick washi paper (a Japanese rice paper which he makes himself), through a delicate and long process with an end result of low relief sculptural photographs. His silent images are impressed with a dense and penetrating black in the paper, which evaporates in indefinite rarefactions on a wrinkled and creased support
In addition to highlighting the rich and diverse variety of styles and techniques typical of the OpenArtCode artists, their works take us to many different places in the world, as in the photos of Etienne Pierart who has documented the war in Syria and Iraq on behalf of the United Nations, but also in his travel photos he reveals the magnificent peace of Antarctica, or the curious faces of distant lands, which he has chosen to exhibit in Florence. In the photographs of Trond Are Berge, the great Norwegian forests that plunge into the blue waters of the fjords alternate with flames that burn on a rock overlooking a sea at sunset, or stones smoothed by the icy north wind are magically suspended in a clear sky. He does not use Photoshop, but cleverly overlays images so that for example, the intense face of a woman is confused into the wood of a tree trunk. The magic of digital manipulation dominates in the assemblages on aluminum and plexiglass by Jane Sager, in which signs and metaphors emerge, like the flamboyant voracious crocodiles pursuing graceful light-colored butterflies. The vivid colors are also present in the intense paintings of William Braemer, known above all for his famous coin sculptures, busts and torsos covered with various materials, headless like archaeological finds from the future, which have an ironic and amusing element to them too. Fame also accompanies Carolina Gynning, actress and TV presenter, winner of the Swedish edition of Big Brother, without distracting her from her female portraits with large eyes, windows of the soul, with their dark and deep tones accompanied by watery transparencies, using colors that deliberately do not correspond to reality. Strong primary colors are diluted in a variegated palette, but always chromatically decisive, in Tirils abstraction. Each work is charged with pathos, which has been emotionally intuited through Tirils fertile inspiration of an enlightened moment, allowing the viewer to perceive the works transcendental nature. The installations by the Dutch artist Marianne Jansen are related to the magic of dance and theater. The installation that she is making for Florence is dedicated to Syrian ballet dancer Ahmad Joudeh (protagonist of Dance or die, documentary by journalist Roozbeh Kaboly), who danced an ethereal messenger of peace in a war-torn Syria, in the ancient Roman amphitheater at Palmira.
These and other great artists who form the OpenArtCode group for many years, such as David Harry, Sara Palleria, Max Werner, Evelyne Huet, Marco Aurelio Rey, Sinae Lee and Marybel Gallegos, will all be meeting and exhibiting in Florence in April.
Reliving these spaces today means creating a dialogue between the culture of the Renaissance and the search for languages and styles that are typical of contemporary art. The Mediceo Laurenziano complex is undoubtedly a fascinating and exciting place. It unites different structures, each rich in historical, cultural and artistic references, including: the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Old Sacristy, entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi and Donatello carved the pulpits; the crypt houses the Treasure of San Lorenzo, Cosimo the Elders monumental tomb and Donatellos tomb (hence the name Salone di Donatello); the Medici Chapels with the Medici family mausoleum; the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo and the Laurentian Library, begun by Michelangelo and completed by Vasari and Ammannati.
OpenArtCode Florence
Exhibition curated by Vito Abba
19th April- 8th May 20128.
Salone di Donatello, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm (last admission at 5pm), Sunday 1.30pm to 5.30pm (last admission at 5pm).
Free admission.
OpenArtCode.com/florence
of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, contemporary art enters the spaces where Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati and Vasari were working during the Renaissance.An installation by Sandra Muss stands out: seven wooden doors, washed away by history, blown in the wind, with lines of LED light behind logs that have been corroded and whitewashed by saltiness. The passing of time and the mutation of everything are evident in the rusty metal plates and in the objects returned from the sea or found by the artist on her journeys to distant places. Although following another artistic journey and with a different view on society, we also find corroded wood and rusty metals in the works by Stefano Sanna. Here the artist engraves, overlaps, scrapes and stratifies with a process similar to that of nature, which deposits sediments, cancels and recreates. The natural materials used by the interior designer Susanne Sjogren have an entirely different end. Despite the rationality that characterizes the Swedish school in which she trained, her furniture reveals a delicate artistic sensibility in the soft forms of her phytomorphic furniture sculpture. Design, which this time comes from the most advanced engineering experimentation, is the protagonist in the works by David Wiener. Designer for Ferrari amongst others, he devotes much of his art to Formula 1 (it is no coincidence that his collectors include Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Jean Todt) and offers the viewer works on aluminum that seem to have their roots in Op Art for their reiterated and serial construction with an illusionistically kinetic vision that explores the effects of human perception. With great sensitivity, Sumio Inoue expertly works with infinite shades of black and white in his photographic shots that he impresses on thick washi paper (a Japanese rice paper which he makes himself), through a delicate and long process with an end result of low relief sculptural photographs. His silent images are impressed with a dense and penetrating black in the paper, which evaporates in indefinite rarefactions on a wrinkled and creased supportIn addition to highlighting the rich and diverse variety of styles and techniques typical of the OpenArtCode artists, their works take us to many different places in the world, as in the photos of Etienne Pierart who has documented the war in Syria and Iraq on behalf of the United Nations, but also in his travel photos he reveals the magnificent peace of Antarctica, or the curious faces of distant lands, which he has chosen to exhibit in Florence. In the photographs of Trond Are Berge, the great Norwegian forests that plunge into the blue waters of the fjords alternate with flames that burn on a rock overlooking a sea at sunset, or stones smoothed by the icy north wind are magically suspended in a clear sky. He does not use Photoshop, but cleverly overlays images so that for example, the intense face of a woman is confused into the wood of a tree trunk. The magic of digital manipulation dominates in the assemblages on aluminum and plexiglass by Jane Sager, in which signs and metaphors emerge, like the flamboyant voracious crocodiles pursuing graceful light-colored butterflies. The vivid colors are also present in the intense paintings of William Braemer, known above all for his famous coin sculptures, busts and torsos covered with various materials, headless like archaeological finds from the future, which have an ironic and amusing element to them too. Fame also accompanies Carolina Gynning, actress and TV presenter, winner of the Swedish edition of Big Brother, without distracting her from her female portraits with large eyes, windows of the soul, with their dark and deep tones accompanied by watery transparencies, using colors that deliberately do not correspond to reality. Strong primary colors are diluted in a variegated palette, but always chromatically decisive, in Tirils abstraction. Each work is charged with pathos, which has been emotionally intuited through Tirils fertile inspiration of an enlightened moment, allowing the viewer to perceive the works transcendental nature. The installations by the Dutch artist Marianne Jansen are related to the magic of dance and theater. The installation that she is making for Florence is dedicated to Syrian ballet dancer Ahmad Joudeh (protagonist of Dance or die, documentary by journalist Roozbeh Kaboly), who danced an ethereal messenger of peace in a war-torn Syria, in the ancient Roman amphitheater at Palmira.These and other great artists who form the OpenArtCode group for many years, such as David Harry, Sara Palleria, Max Werner, Evelyne Huet, Marco Aurelio Rey, Sinae Lee and Marybel Gallegos, will all be meeting and exhibiting in Florence in April.Reliving these spaces today means creating a dialogue between the culture of the Renaissance and the search for languages and styles that are typical of contemporary art. The Mediceo Laurenziano complex is undoubtedly a fascinating and exciting place. It unites different structures, each rich in historical, cultural and artistic references, including: the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Old Sacristy, entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi and Donatello carved the pulpits; the crypt houses the Treasure of San Lorenzo, Cosimo the Elders monumental tomb and Donatellos tomb (hence the name Salone di Donatello); the Medici Chapels with the Medici family mausoleum; the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo and the Laurentian Library, begun by Michelangelo and completed by Vasari and Ammannati.OpenArtCode FlorenceExhibition curated by Vito Abba19th April- 8th May 20128.Salone di Donatello, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence.Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm (last admission at 5pm), Sunday 1.30pm to 5.30pm (last admission at 5pm).Free admission. info@openartcode.com +39 340 577 9080 Press Information:
Studio Abba
Via di Santa Maria a Marignolle 30 b
Contact Person:
Vito Abba
Phone: +39 055292082
eMail: eMail
Web: http://www.studioabba.com
19.03.2018 19:59:15 -
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Commodities: WTI, Brent push higher ahead of updates on stockpiles 20-03-2018 18:52
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Don't judge Trump by 'your theory about what might be his results', says commerce secretary 20-03-2018 15:26
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FCA ready for 'fundamental reform' of unarranged overdraft fees 20-03-2018 11:47
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FTSE 250 movers: Fenner surges on Michelin deal; Sophos slumps again 20-03-2018 14:40
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JP Morgan sees Barclays's shares closing valuation discount 20-03-2018 10:35
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Michelin to buy Fenner in 1.3bn deal 20-03-2018 07:29
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Mincon expands in Sweden with Driconeq acquisition 20-03-2018 13:51
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Arayik Papikyan: March 20 is the day of the death of justice (video)
Theatrical performance. This is how advocate Arayik Papikyan described the court's decision on "Zhirayr Sefilyan and others". "It was an obvious political order. It is a revenge. March 20 is the day of the death of justice. The Armenian flag should be hung on all courts, with a black ribbon on it," the advocate said. Commander of the Shushi Special Battalion Zhirayr Sefilyan was accused of organizing mass riots, illegally attaining weapons, preparing for taking buildings. "They forgot the article on the murder of Kennedy since the rest of the articles belonged to the same genre. The person was to be silenced as he was a threat to the current authorities, the regime is afraid of Zhirayr Sefilyan," the advocate added. In his words, there were only two testimonies against Zhirayr Sefilyan, which were proved to be wrong in the court.
Global Citizen Ambassador French Montana has got those God's plan vibes one year since after visiting Uganda.
French initially donated $100,000 to help the healthcare hardships during his visit. He then partnered up with non-profit organisations and became a Global Citizen Ambassador for his efforts.
The Weeknd gave $100,000 and $200,000 from Diddy; they started building a hospital, and now it's open and ready to serve over 300,000 people.
Rustam Makhmudyan: The next question is whether the parents of the victims of March 1 have applied to the relevant bodies and have been rejected (video)
The draft on "Events of March one and two", suggested by the Yelk faction, was discussed at the National Assembly today. Head of the Yelk faction Nikol Pashinyan mentioned in his speech that there was neither preliminary investigation nor investigation taking place at the moment. "Let them prove the opposite if they can. I challenge the law enforcement system." MP of the Yelk faction Edmon Marukyan, addressing him a question, noted that after the NA hearings of the draft Robert Kocharyan made some announcements. "How do you comment on that? As for compensation to the parents of the victims of March 1, it seems as if everyone agrees, but so far only owners of damaged property received compensations, but not the parents of those ten victims or the injured ones." Nikol pashinyan said "Mr Kocharyan felt bad for the hearings organized by the opposition. Time has passed, now he is restored, so, he is able to answer the questions of the preliminary investigation body. For that reason he must be called for interrogation." Another MP of the Yelk faction Artak Zeynalyan asked "Does the draft have any legal consequences or is it just a political program? Will it influence the case that is studied by the European Court?" "The NA statements only state the political will. I cannot say what impact this project will have on the cases of the European Court in the future, but this project reflects that the Armenian law enforcement bodies have not made enough effort to reveal the killings of March 1, which should lead to concrete consequences." The Co-Rapporteur, the HHK (RPA) MP Rustam Makhmudyan stated in his speech that the voting of the MPs would be conditioned by whether that document was needed or not. "The next question is whether the parents of the victims of March 1 have applied to the relevant bodies and have been rejected. The answer to this question changes the direction." The Yelk MP Edmon Marukyan, asking him a question, noted that the Government had made a decision and paid AMD 600 million to the owners of damaged shops and property. "If you present the opposite settings, I will listen to you very carefully. Let us record that there is a clear regulation in the Civil Code," said Rostam Makhmudyan. Edmon Marukyan noted that he did not raise a legal issue, but an issue of a political approach. "The Government has decided to compensate to the owners of the damaged shop owners, but there has not been such a will for the compensation of the victims and injured of the March 1 events. As a lawyer, I am aqcuainted with legal institutes very well." "Our discussions should be in the legal field," said Rustam Makhmudyan from the podium.
WB-Armenia 2018-2022 partnership framework discussed in government
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received a delegation led by World Bank Yerevan Office Head Sylvie Bossoutrot. During the meeting Ms. Bossoutrot presented the partnership framework between WB and Armenia for 2018-2022 and the proposed reform agenda, based on the Governments five-year plan. She underlined that the World Bank is ready to build on the ties of effective cooperation with the Government of Armenia in a number of areas, including public administration, infrastructure, export promotion, human capital development, sustainable environment and natural resource management. The WB Yerevan Office Head appreciated the ongoing transformations in Armenia and complimented the Prime Minister for achieving high rates of growth. Highlighting the successful course of constitutional reforms, the completion of our countrys transition to the parliamentary system, the signing of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the high rates of economic growth and the rising tide of Diasporas involvement in various spheres of the economy, Silvie Bossoutrot noted their positive impact on the ongoing reform process in Armenia. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan attached importance to the deepening and expansion of bilateral cooperation, welcomed the draft partnership program and the proposed reforms. The head of the Armenian government suggested continuing discussions on various projects with the government agencies and thanked the World Bank for supporting the reform of the water resource management system. Karen Karapetyan noted that his government will continue to reform this sector and take further steps towards its optimization. We have started implementing a large package of projects in the field of agriculture, aimed at directing farmers to engage in a more efficient, modern and intensive agriculture. In this regard, it is important for us to continue the reforms in the sphere of water resource management so that it becomes a logical business, which in turn will lead to higher efficiency, discipline and cost-effectiveness, the Prime Minister said. A number of other issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed during the meeting.
One decade on from the onset of the Great Recession, and British society is undergoing a series of crises: economic, political, and social. The status quo has broken; the centre ground has collapsed; political polarisation and radicalisation is taking place everywhere.
Britain, which was once one of the most stable countries in Europe, has become an incredible source of instability and volatility. From the Scottish independence referendum to the Brexit vote and the rise of the Corbyn movement: the UK has experienced one political earthquake after another.
It was against this backdrop that the Marxists in Britain met for this years national conference of Socialist Appeal supporters and activists.
Around 140 students and workers attended the 2018 Socialist Appeal conference / Image: Socialist Appeal
Over the weekend of 16-18 March, around 140 workers and students met in London to discuss the political situation globally and in Britain, as well as the pressing tasks that are required to prepare for the revolutionary events that lie ahead.
The mood at the conference was one of optimism and enthusiasm. This was reflected in the impressive conference collection, which raised a record 16,000 for the Socialist Appeal fighting fund.
This feeling of optimism sits in stark contrast to the doom-and-gloom of the capitalist establishment and their apologists, who can see no way out of the crisis. Unlike the cynics and sceptics, the Marxists are filled with revolutionary hope and energy inspired by the mass movements that are breaking out in Britain and internationally.
A decade of crisis
Alan Woods, editor of In Defence of Marxism, opened the conference on the Friday evening with an analysis of the world situation.
Never before has there been so much to discuss, Alan noted. Everywhere you look there is crisis and radicalisation taking place. For this reason, Alan focussed on providing an overview of the precarious economic picture globally.
Alan Woods gave a balance sheet of a decade of crisis and radicalisation / Image: Socialist Appeal
Alan explained the causes for the 2008 financial crash, emphasising that none of these fundamental contradictions had been resolved. Indeed, with Trump acting like a bull in a china shop, declaring a trade war against the rest of the world, there is a very real danger that the world economy will soon be plunged into a new deeper slump.
Alan discussed how the heightened economic tensions were spilling over into world relations particularly those between the USA and China. At the same time, the vote for Brexit and the crisis in the Middle East have created yet more flash points that threaten the stability of the entire system.
Above all, Alan stressed that it is the change in consciousness that we as Marxists are interested in. This sharp shift is demonstrated by the rise of Corbyn and Sanders, the militant events in Catalonia (and now also in the rest of Spain), and by recent elections in Italy and Germany.
Contributions elaborated on these examples, with comrades providing more in-depth analyses of events in China, Europe, Iran, and South Africa.
Above all, as several comrades noted, it is important to understand that these are not isolated or accidental events. Rather, they are all reflections of the same general process: a break up of the old order, with the masses searching for an alternative.
Political earthquakes
This discussion on world perspectives provided an essential context to understanding events in Britain.
Rob Sewell, editor of Socialist Appeal, introduced the discussion on the political situation in Britain on the Saturday morning.
Rob spoke passionately about the devastating picture facing workers and youth in the UK after eight years of Tory austerity. On top of this, Rob explained, there are the scars from decades of deindustrialisation, privatisation, and attacks on the working class.
Rob Sewell introduced the discussion on the political situation in Britain / Image: Socialist Appeal
Now the country is at breaking point, however, as reflected by the political earthquakes that have shaken society over the past few years.
Above all, the Brexit vote has thrown the UK into the eye of the storm. All of the confidence of the British establishment has been shattered and turned into its opposite. The Tories, the traditional First XI of British capitalism, are at war with themselves, with figures like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson prepared to lead the country over a cliff.
As Lenin and Trotsky explained, Rob stated, revolution always begins with splits at the top.
It is clear that the ruling class has lost control of their political representatives not only in terms of the Conservative Party, but also within the Labour Party, as the Blairites find themselves on the backfoot.
Following a series of scandals and crises, Theresa May is hanging on by a thread. Her government could topple at any moment, Rob stressed, with the unelectable Corbyn coming to power.
Nevertheless, Rob emphasised, a Corbyn Labour government would find itself under attack from day one. Economic sabotage and Blairite backstabbing would be on the order the day.
In every aspect, the trend for the British comrades is upwards! / Image: Socialist Appeal
Out of desperation, the ruling class might attempt to maintain control through a national government. But this would only serve to radicalise the movement even further to the left, putting socialism back on the agenda. Under these conditions, Rob explained, the ideas of Marxism could become a rallying point for thousands of workers and youth.
A number of comrades spoke in the ensuing discussion, developing a number of key points. A couple of UCU members, for example, highlighted the militant strike action by lecturers and academics over the past month.
Elsewhere, several young workers talked about the horrific conditions they face in modern-day workplaces (such as the NHS, Amazon, and McDonald's). These precarious and exploitative conditions, comrades noted, are contributing towards a feeling of intense anger and radicalisation amongst young people.
Many comrades analysed Labours position on important questions such as Brexit and the economy, discussing how only a bold socialist programme could provide a genuine alternative for the working class. The task for the Marxists in Britain is to build a force capable of showing the way forward in this respect.
Building the forces of Marxism
Saturday ended with a brief overview from Niklas Albin Svensson of the IMT about the successes of the Marxists internationally. From Canada to Pakistan, the International Marxist Tendency is seeing a strong growth in interest for the ideas of Marxism across the globe.
This was a fitting basis for Sundays discussion about how to build the forces of Marxism in Britain.
Ben Gliniecki, a Socialist Appeal activist and national organiser for the Marxist Student Federation (MSF), introduced the session with an overview of the work and activity that Socialist Appeal supporters have been involved in over the past year.
In every aspect, the trend is upwards. The MSF was present at 32 universities for this years freshers fairs. Three Socialist Appeal supporters and MSF activists have been elected as delegates to the upcoming conference of the National Union of Students. And student comrades have been consistently and enthusiastically showing solidarity and support on picket lines across the country for the recent UCU strikes.
Elsewhere, comrades in the labour movement have taken in the initiative of launching the Labour4Clause4 campaign, which has hit the headlines with its calls for the Labour Party to restore its commitment to nationalisation and common ownership. This provides clear evidence of the appetite for socialist policies that exists amongst the working class.
Various comrades spoke about Socialist Appeal's extraordinarily busy year! / Image: Socialist Appeal
James Kilby, national organiser of the Socialist Appeal newspaper, spoke about the success of the fortnightly paper, which has seen increased sales in all areas of the country. With events moving at a faster and faster pace, there is a need for an even more frequent paper. At the end of the day, nobody in the mainstream billionaire press is going to provide a voice for the struggles of workers and youth.
Various comrades spoke about the activities that local Socialist Appeal supporters groups have been involved in over the past 12 months. From strikes and campaigns, to reading groups and occupations: it has been an extraordinarily busy year, reflecting the extraordinary times that we are living through.
Revolutionary times
Alan Woods closed the conference by noting that we are in a year of anniversaries. 2017 marked the centenary of the Russian Revolution the greatest event in human history. This year, in turn, is the 50th anniversary for the revolutionary events of 1968; in particular, the inspiring mass movement of workers and students in France.
Most importantly, this year (on 5 May) we will be celebrating the 200th birthday of our movements founder: Karl Marx. Just over a month ago, Alan also noted, saw the 170th anniversary of the Communist Manifestos publication, written at the beginning of 1848 by Marx and Engels.
Despite their age, however, the ideas of Marxism have never been more relevant, Alan asserted. There is an obsession these days with new ideas, Alan joked, but an idea is not correct because it is novel. Indeed, universities these days, Alan complained, are full of all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas that play no positive role for the movement.
Our task is to turn Marxist ideas ideas into a material force capable of emancipating humanity / Image: Socialist Appeal
With turbulent events violently shaking consciousness, the revolutionary ideas of Marxism are increasingly gaining an echo amongst workers and young people. It is our task, in the words of Marx, to turn these ideas into a material force capable of changing society and emancipating humanity.
This is the task that Socialist Appeal and the International Marxist Tendency are fighting to achieve. We encourage and invite our readers to join us in this fight.
KB Toys, the Pittsfield-based chain that once branded itself simply as "The Toy Store in the Mall," may be headed for a comeback thanks to the California entrepreneur who's resurrected classic brands like Hydrox cookies, Astro Pops and Farts candy.
Ellia Kassoff, founder at Strategic Marks, KB Toys and Leaf Brands announced this week that he has plans to bring back KB Toys with mall stores in time for Christmas 2018.
Kassoff also owns the names of a number of defunct department store chains like Jordan Marsh.
KB Toys declared bankruptcy and liquidated itself in 2008 and early 2009 after years of cutbacks and store closures. The last owners of KB Toys sold the name, logo and other intellectual property to Toys "R" Us in 2009 for $2.1 million, according to published reports.
Now bankrupt itself, Toys 'R' Us allowed the trademark to expire in June 2016, according to a search of a federal database. Kassoff's company picked up the trademark in December 2016.
"We're received so many calls, emails, and private messages of support as we try to #savethetoyindustry," Kassoff wrote in a message on the social media site LinkedIn. "Due to the overwhelming response, we can't commit to replying back immediately but we will get to all messages as fast as we can. Many of you asked what our plans will be and all we can say is we spent the last six months working on a sustainable model to bring back KB Toys the right way so it can compete with not only the big box stores but on-line as well."
Kassoff's companies focus on bringing back experiences consumers loved as children, just as folks remember them. He said his team has been looking at the toy store business model for months with plans to bring KB Toys back. He said they are close to revealing a business plan.
"When we're ready, you will be very happy with the results and we believe our model can withstand both online as well as other large competitors for not only the short-term but long-term as well," he wrote.
KB had about 200 employees at its corporate headquarters in Pittsfield at the time of its demise.
At the end, KB had 277 mall-based stores, 40 KB Toy Works stores which were mainly in strip malls, 114 outlet stores and 30 short-term holiday stores. It had 4,400 full-time employees and 6,515 seasonal employees.
In Western Massachusetts, KB had stores in the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, in Springfield at 270 Cooley St. and at the Eastfield Mall, and in Westfield at 617 East Main St. in the Little River Plaza.
Donald Trump can't dodge a lawsuit by a former "Apprentice" contestant, who says he defamed her after she accused him of sexual assault, just because he is too busy being president, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Trump's lawyer had argued he is shielded by the U.S. Constitution because it's too much of a distraction for the nation's commander-in-chief to face civil claims in state court.
A Manhattan Supreme Court judge disagreed.
"In Clinton v Jones the United States Supreme Court held that a sitting president is not immune from being sued in federal court for unofficial acts," Justice Jennifer Schecter wrote in a ruling released Tuesday, citing the sexual harassment suit that led to the 1998 impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton for lying under oath about his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. "It left open the question of whether concerns of federalism and comity compel a different conclusion for suits brought in state court. Because they do not, defendant's motion to dismiss this case or hold it in abeyance is denied."
Trump could be asked under oath about his past treatment of women. There have been accusations made by other women against Trump, who once boasted on tape about kissing women without their approval and grabbing them by their genitals.
The suit was filed in a state court in Manhattan last year by Summer Zervos, a contender on "The Apprentice" in 2005 who alleges Trump ambushed her on more than one occasion starting in 2007, kissing her on the mouth, touching her breast and pressing his genitals against her.
Trump suggested Zervos made up the allegations for "ten minutes of fame."
The national leader of the MS-13 "Molinos" clique admitted he ordered the murder of a 15-year-old on an East Boston beach in 2015 as part of his plea in U.S. District Court in Boston on Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.
Oscar Duran, known as "Demente," entered a guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy and racketeering under the RICO, or racketeering conspiracy, statute. He faces the potential of life in prison when he is sentenced June 8.
Duran was one of 61 people named in the fifth superseding indictment handed up by a federal grand jury. The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2016, members of MS-13 were responsible for six murders, 20 attempted murders and robberies and drug trafficking in and around Massachusetts.
Duran is considered the leader of the Molinos clique nationally as well as his home area of East Boston. prosecutors said Duran encouraged his members to commit crimes, including murder. One of those was the stabbing death of a 15-year-old, identified by the Boston Globe as Wilson Martinez, in East Boston.
Duran is the 35th defendant to be found guilty under the indictment, and the sixth person found guilty of the murder of Martinez.
Six months ago, on Sept. 20, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, leaving destruction in its wake and causing residents to flee the islands.
Many storm evacuees, particularly from Puerto Rico, arrived in Massachusetts by the thousands, leaving behind family, friends and damaged homes in hopes of finding shelter and work.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, Tuesday issued a post on the social media blogging platform Medium to bring awareness to the issues facing those who chose to remain on the island, from lack of clean water and food to limited or no electricity.
"Six months after Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are still U.S. citizens without food, water and electricity," she said. "I won't give up until they get the relief they need and deserve from the federal government. We have not forgotten our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico - they can count on us."
Warren, along with U.S. Sens Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, recently sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking for updates on the status of the effort to restore Puerto Rico's electric grid. Some people, particularly in the mountainous regions of the island, still remain without power.
In the Medium post, Warren says there are more than 300,000 people living in Massachusetts with ties to Puerto Rico. Many of them have taken in relatives from the island while many Puerto Ricans remain in hotels.
FEMA has extended the deadline for Puerto Rican evacuees to continue receiving temporary shelter benefits to May 14. In that time, evacuees must find permanent housing or return to the island.
Warren, who was in Springfield on March 9, has met with residents as well as public officials in the city, which according to a study issued by the Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy at UMass Boston, has 55,970 Puerto Rican residents. During the event she assured Puerto Ricans here that she will continue to advocate for their relatives and friends still living on the island.
Over the past six months Warren has worked with other senators to introduce legislation detailing a recovery plan for the island, met with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and other officials for briefings on the current humanitarian situation and most recently traveled to Puerto Rico to visit a children's hospital, a community health center and meet with residents.
"I'm fighting for federal assistance to restore the island's electrical grid, and for additional housing for people who lost their homes in the storm," Warren wrote on Medium. "I'm fighting for accessibility to mental health services, and college students who are trying to continue their education. I'm fighting to ensure that every penny of federal disaster relief goes to those in need ..."
The troopers accused of skipping overtime shifts conducting enforcement on the Massachusetts Turnpike missed as few as one shift and as many as roughly 100, authorities announced Tuesday.
Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin said a total of 21 troopers ranging in rank from trooper to lieutenant were investigated for overtime traffic patrols.
The patrols on the Massachusetts Turnpike were part of the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort patrols, known as AIRE patrols. Troop E, made up of four barracks across the state and a headquarters, conducted the enforcement.
A startling number of missing shifts was discovered by an audit of the AIRE patrols.
"The number of missing shifts range from as few as one to as high as 100," Gilpin said.
The number of troopers who hit the high mark of roughly 100 missed shifts was not disclosed by State Police officials during a Tuesday news conference at the Framingham headquarters.
Gilpin did not have a dollar amount given to the troopers as well. A total of 19 troopers, including those in the sergeant and lieutenant ranks, will have duty status hearings in the upcoming days.
A Troop E member who would have had a hearing retired last year, prior to the completion of the AIRE audit. Another member of the same trooper would have also been subject to a hearing, but he is currently suspended without pay as the result of a separate matter under investigation.
Former Col. Richard McKeon started the initial audit and it uncovered "apparent discrepancies between overtime paid and actual patrols" worked by some members of Troop E.
McKeon resigned amid the Alli Bibaud scandal, which involved his order to have the arrest report of the judge's daughter redacted.
The initial audit was then expanded by Gilpin to include all department members who were paid for working the overtime shifts on the Massachusetts Turnpike in 2016.
"It is important to note that last year, when this issue first came to light, we eliminated the AIRE patrols," Gilpin said. "The Department has also taken measures to increase accountability and oversight of remaining overtime shifts."
The funding for the specialized patrols came out of state money and involved having troopers work overtime shifts on the Massachusetts Turnpike to look for any type of motor vehicle violation.
The troopers facing duty status hearings could be suspended without pay, but could also be fired once further investigations are completed.
Results of the audit were sent to Attorney General Maura Healy, who could decide if criminal charges will be filed.
Newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea hands credentials
Today, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Armenia, Woo Yoon-keun (residence in Moscow) presented his credentials to Serzh Sargsyan. Congratulating the Ambassador on assuming office, the President of Armenia wished him success and expressed the hope that during his tenure of office, Woo Yoon-keun would give fresh impetus to Armenian-Korean relations. Serzh Sargsyan assured that Armenias State agencies stand ready to assist the newly appointed Ambassador in his activities. Serzh Sargsyan complimented the Republic of Korea on successful holding of the 23rd Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang that helped shape an atmosphere of solidarity in the spirit of these games in the Korean peninsula which, according to the President, is crucial not only for Korea, but also for the entire world. Stressing that last year Armenia and South Korea marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Serzh Sargsyan noted that the achievements in bilateral relations recorded during these years have not yet fully reflected the great potential of cooperation between the two countries. In terms of boosting the interstate dialogue and multifaceted cooperation, Serzh Sargsyan highlighted the role of reciprocated high-level visits, close inter-parliamentary ties, and the steps aimed at promoting effective cooperation between the two countries within international organizations. Thankful for the reception and congratulatory remarks, the Korean Ambassador conveyed warm greetings and best wishes on behalf of his countrys President. Woo Yoon-keun assured that he would spare no effort to build on the Armenian-Korean relations, promote mutual awareness between the two nations, establish active contacts between business communities and legislatures, enhance interaction in economic, humanitarian and other spheres. The Ambassador appreciated Armenias decision to exempt Korean citizens from visa requirement, noting that it will facilitate and foster bilateral exchanges.
The office of Attorney General Maura Healey will pick up on the investigation of 21 Massachusetts State Police troopers who were discovered billing for overtime hours without actually showing up for their patrols.
Col. Kerry Gilpin announced Tuesday from the Massachusetts State Police headquarters that duty status hearings would be held for 19 troopers, all of whom are assigned to Troop E.
An internal audit found that some troopers assigned to patrol shifts for Accident Injury Reduction Effort, or AIRE, billed for overtime hours but did not actually appear for the patrols.
Missing shifts ranged from as few as one to as high as 100, Gilpin said.
Two other troopers would have been the subject of duty status hearings, but one has since retired and another who is currently suspended without pay for an unrelated incident that remains under investigation.
Gilpin said that it will be determined if the troopers should face criminal charges.
Now that the audit is complete, State Police will hand over its findings to Healey's office.
"We expect that her office will review the information and take whatever action they determine to be warranted," Gilpin said.
State Police may take further action, ranging from suspension without pay to termination.
The AIRE patrols were eliminated in fall after the issue came to light, Gilpin said.
RUSSELL - A person whose body was found on railroad tracks late Tuesday morning appears to have been fatally injured by a train, investigators say.
The body was discovered about 11:30 a.m. to the west of the Pochassic Road crossing.
Russell Fire Chief Michael Morrisey told WWLP the body was discovered by neighborhood residents.
State police, including troopers attached to the Hampden District Attorney's office and Russell police are participating in the investigation.
A CSX spokesperson released the following statement:
"On Tuesday, March 20th at approximately 11:30 a.m. EST, it was reported to CSX that there was a body near CSX railroad track west of the Pochassic Rd crossing in Russell, MA. Local law enforcement reported the person appears to have suffered fatal injuries from a train. CSX is working with state and local authorities as they investigate this incident. CSX appreciates the swift response provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Russell police departments. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragic event."
This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.
WESTFIELD - The city is one step closer to solving its elementary school problems.
Last night the Westfield School Committee unanimously approved submitting a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority to study the feasibility of renovating Franklin Avenue School.
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski intends to make the request once the City Council approves. That vote is on the April 5 agenda.
Schools Chief Financial Officer Ronald R. Rix said the School Building Authority suggested the city withdraw its already-approved request for a new 600-student school at Ashley and Cross streets. That project has been delayed several years due to a lawsuit filed by neighbors.
"The process we've gone through is long," said Mayor Brian P. Sullivan. "We are the first community that has gotten as far as we did in the process and to come out of the process."
Sullivan said last week that the School Building Authority was in "unchartered territory" with the Westfield situation.
"The MSBA has strongly pointed to a renovation and addition as opposed to flat-out new construction," the mayor said.
School Committee member Cindy Sullivan stressed that the main reason the city is able to renovate versus build new is because of the redistricting of the schools. The elementary schools, starting this fall, will be kindergarten through grade four, with all grade five and six students attending what is now North Middle School and grades seven and eight attending the current South Middle School. Most students currently attending Russell Elementary School will move to Highland Elementary. With a renovation and addition, this creates room for Franklin Avenue to absorb students from Abner Gibbs.
Regardless of what plan the city takes moving forward, the mayor said Abner Gibbs must close. The school is more than 100 years-old and has numerous costly maintenance issues, cannot handle new technology and is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"So a child living across the street from Abner Gibbs who is in a wheelchair cannot attend Abner Gbbs," said Cindy Sullivan.
If the submission is approved, the School Building Authority would partner with the city and conduct a feasibility study of Franklin Avenue School. The study would determine whether a complete renovation is necessary, what additions are needed and could be made, or if another site is more appropriate.
"Everything is back on the table, including the Ashley-Cross street site," said Cindy Sullivan.
Rix said approving the statement of interest was the first step.
"This is our first line of interest for our priority level elementary project," Rix said.
Potential renovations at Franklin Avenue could include new heating, air conditioning and electrical systems, additional space, reconfiguring existing space and a new entrance. The study will also determine how close the school can be to the neighboring Army National Guard site and whether flooding is a concern.
Rix said an addition could add another 120 students to the school.
Cindy Sullivan said the bottom line is that city students need a school.
"The downtown kids deserve a 21th century, updated facility," she said. "These kids need it desperately."
Updated at 9:04 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018: video added
This story elaborates on an article published at 5:34 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018: Gunshot through Morgan School window prompts community meeting in Holyoke
HOLYOKE -- Some were afraid after a gunshot hit Morgan School. Others said gunfire was normal in South Holyoke.
Confidence was expressed in police and school officials while others were left sad or confused, they said at a community meeting Monday prompted by discovery last week of a bullet hole through a window at Morgan School, 596 South Bridge St.
"I was kind of worried, really worried about it. That's a lot of kids. Thank God it was at night and not in the morning," said Jannette Diaz, of Chestnut Street, who said her niece attends Morgan School.
The hole in the window caused by a fired bullet was found Thursday morning at the 596 South Bridge St. school. No one was injured. Police recovered the bullet and the window has been replaced, said Holyoke Police Sgt. Joseph Garcia, who is assigned to the public schools.
"My grandson said, 'Oh, Mom,' to my daughter, 'Close the door, I need you to sleep with me'" because he was scared, said Ramona Cotto, pastor of nearby Inglesia Pentecostal Labranza de Dios Inc., whose two grandchildren attend Morgan.
Principal Alyson Lingsch said Morgan has 450 students in grades kindergarten to eight.
The bullet was fired through a window in a middle-school classroom, said Stephen K. Zrike, state-appointed receiver in charge of managing the Holyoke public schools.
Nelson R. Roman, Ward 2 city councilor, who organized the meeting, divided the gathering of 40 people into tables with each assigned to list concerns on big posters that were then shared with the meeting.
"It's important that we're here today as a community, a big community, to really take ownership of our own neighborhood to make ourselves feel safe. The fact that we heard that nobody called in the shootings, or gunshots, that they heard is really critical for us. So we're here to day to have the community come up with those solutions," Roman said.
Julie Drohan, a Morgan teacher and parent, was at a table with Holyoke Police Chief James M. Neiswanger and Rosalee Tensley Williams, Ward 2 School Committee member. Drohan said the gunshot made her feel sad.
"Yeah, I was sad, because this is like our safe place for our little loves," she said.
Cotto said the gunshot highlights the need for schools to get involved with students' home lives, to learn which families need food, which students live in single-parent households.
"When this child is 10 years old or 20 years old, he goes to the streets because as a child, he needed attention. Maybe he needed a mentor," Cotto said.
Zrike and others said a concern was that no one in the neighborhood stepped forward to report hearing a gunshot or anything about it.
An information table included stacks of "Text-A-Tip Help Solve a Crime" cards people can use to send information about a crime anonymously: Text "SOLVE" plus message to 274637 on a cell phone.
Among comments participants listed on the posters were:
"I felt safe and prepared and a little confused about what the new normal is."
"As a Mom I felt sad. The situation was handled very well."
"I don't feel that Morgan was targeted in any way."
"I feel like this is normal behavior in this neighborhood."
"Scare(d) for all the students and the safety of her siblings."
"Just getting ready for class again."
Also attending the meeting were Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Przekopowski, Edward W. Caisse, project manager with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and Massachusetts Trooper Andrew Canata. Canata said he showed up Garcia's request.
"I work with the sergeant on the school emergency planning," Canata said.
Update published at 8:14 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018: Fear, indifference, call for community expressed after gunshot hits school in Holyoke (photos)
HOLYOKE -- Nearly 40 parents, teachers, officials and police attended a community meeting Monday prompted by discovery of a bullet through a window at Morgan School last week.
"It's important that we're here today as a community, a big community, to really take ownership of our neighborhood to make ourselves feel safe," said Nelson R. Roman, Ward 2 city councilor, who organized the meeting.
The hole in the window caused by a fired bullet was found Thursday morning at the 596 South Bridge St. school. No one was injured. Police recovered the bullet and the window has been replaced, said Holyoke Police Sgt. Joseph Garcia, who is assigned to the public schools.
The meeting included table discussions, with groups talking about how the gunshot made students, parents and staff feel and what needs to happen to foster community instead of violence.
Among those at the meeting were Holyoke Police Chief James M. ,Neiswanger, Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Przekopowski, Stephen K. Zrike, the state-appointed receiver in charge of managing the Holyoke public schools, Edward Caisse of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and Massachusetts Trooper Andrew Canata.
Check back with The Republican and MassLive.com for more about this community meeting at Morgan School, including photos and video.
A package exploded at a FedEx facility in Texas early Tuesday morning, marking the fifth explosion in the state this month.
Police in Schertz, Texas -- a city more than 60 miles south of Austin -- say a package exploded in the sorting area of a FedEx facility early shortly before 1 a.m. on Tuesday. At least one person was treated and released following the blast. Officials reportedly say the package was en route to Austin.
Law enforcement officials tell media they are investigating whether Tuesday's incident is linked to a string of four explosions in Austin over the past three weeks.
Early this morning, Schertz Police responded to the Fedex facility in the 9900 block of Doerr Lane for a report of an... Posted by Schertz Police Department on Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Two people were killed and two others injured after a fourth bomb went off in Austin Sunday night, when a tripwire set off a device tied to a home's for-sale sign. The first three blasts occurred in front of homes in minority neighborhoods in eastern Austin, where explosive devices were disguised as hidden packages.
According to the Washington Post, the series of attacks is under investigation by more than 350 special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The use of a tripwire in the fourth attack marked a dramatic shift in the tactics used by a terrorizing "serial bomber," a former FBI official told the Post.
The blast at the FedEx facility overnight on Tuesday is the first to occur outside of Austin. Law enforcement reportedly said a link between the Schertz explosion and the multiple Austin explosions "is definitely a concern," according to the Post. Authorities have offered rewards of $115,000 to anyone with information on the mysterious case.
Police in Austin are alerting residents to stay away from potentially suspicious packages as the investigations continue.
APD is asking the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious. If you come across ANYTHING that looks suspicious, DO NOT touch, handle or disturb it. Keep a safe distance and call 9-1-1 immediately. pic.twitter.com/eNl9f3C9nJ Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 20, 2018
This is a developing story.
In New Hampshire to talk up his approach to dealing with the opioid epidemic, President Donald Trump laid blame on Lawrence, Mass. and prompted a pointed response from the city's mayor.
Trump claimed it was time to "get tough" on drug dealers through the death penalty and said cities like Lawrence and Boston, "sanctuary cities" for undocumented immigrants, shield and release "criminals." Lawrence is source of drugs for New Hampshire, he added.
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera started a televised news conference later Monday by saying "shame on the president."
"He's trafficking in pain and divisiveness, creating boogeymen when we need solutions," Rivera said.
"You know what beat the crack epidemic and the cocaine epidemic? It was police practicing community policing, jobs for inner city kids and treatment, treatment, treatment," the mayor said.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also criticized Trump, saying in a statement that the president has "criminalized both our immigrant community and those suffering from substance abuse all in one speech today."
"It's time to stop painting all undocumented immigrants as criminals," Walsh said. "Our immigrant community makes positive contributions to our city each and every day. And this epidemic is not something we can arrest our way out of--we need actual investments in prevention and treatment programs and policies, not just talk."
The head of the State Police Association blamed former Massachusetts State Police Col. Richard McKeon for the turmoil and creating customs and a culture that compromised the public's perception of troopers.
Dana Pullman, the president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, released a statement Tuesday after current Col. Kerry Gilpin announced 21 troopers were under investigation during an overtime pay audit.
The audit involved the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort patrols, known as AIRE patrols. The specialized overtime shifts concentrated on enforcement on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Troop E conducted the enforcement. Nineteen troopers ranging in rank from trooper to lieutenant will now have duty status hearings. Another two would have had similar hearings but one retired last year and another is currently suspended without pay as the result of a separate matter under investigation.
"The Department has been in turmoil over the last several months. We believe the customs and culture that was allowed to flourish under the previous State Police leadership has compromised the public's perception and calls into question the integrity of the hard-working men and women of the Massachusetts State Police," Pullman said. "Colonel Gilpin has been given the unenviable task of dealing with a myriad of untenable issues. SPAM will continue to seek resolution of these issues and work with her to earn back the public's respect and trust."
McKeon resigned amid a scandal involving Alli Bibuad, a judge's daughter. McKeon ordered Bibaud's arrest report be redacted and some records destroyed.
Pullman said the State Police Association of Massachusetts "does not condone any of the alleged actions of SPAM union members or commissioned officers that may have violated the public's trust."
The union members will be provided legal representation to appropriately address any allegations, he said.
SPRINGFIELD -- A 21-year-old city man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a case in which he was charged with shooting four times at a 15-year-old boy, wounding him in the hand.
Julien Rivera was sentenced to three years in state prison followed by a year of probation by Hampden Superior Court Judge Tina S. Page. That was the agreed-upon sentence recommendation by prosecution and defense.
Rivera pleaded guilty to assault and battery with a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.
Assistant District Attorney James M. Forsyth said Rivera was arrested by police searching the area after gunshots were fired at Commonwealth Avenue and Washington Streets on June 1.
He said although the victim would have testified if there was a trial, he is "very happy just to move on."
Defense lawyer Daniel D. Kelley said his client will have no problem staying away from the victim, which is one of the conditions of probation.
Kelly and Forsyth, in response to a question from Page, said they didn't know what led Rivera to shoot the victim.
SPRINGFIELD -- A Springfield man charged with drunken driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated has been released on $1,000 cash bail.
Jorge Santana, 27, pleaded not guilty Monday in Springfield District Court to operating under the influence of liquor, carrying a firearm while intoxicated and two motor vehicle charges following his arrest early Monday.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper saw Santana's BMW sedan roll through a red light at Dwight and State streets and pulled the vehicle over on Maple Street, according to the arrest report filed by Trooper Katherine Radebaugh.
Santana had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and a loaded 9 mm Ruger pistol on the floor by his foot, the report said. He performed poorly on a field sobriety test and refused to take a Breathalyzer test after being transported to state police headquarters, the report said.
Santana, who has a license to carry a firearm, was eventually released on $1,000 cash bail.
Judge Bruce Melikian set bail at $1,000 on the recommendation of lawyers for the prosecution and defense.
Santana, who is listed in court documents as an employee of the Springfield Water and Sewer Department, is due back in court on May 22
People on Zhirayr Sefilyan's imprisonment (video)
There was no fair trial on the case of commander of the Shushi battalion Zhirayr Sefilyan. Otherwise, according to Yerevan residents, he would not be condemned for 10 years and 5 months of imprisonment. "Ten years is a very long period, it's not fair, he should be released," said one of the citizens. "It's not fair, he should be released, instead of being imprisoned for 10 years, he is a good man, they condemn such people to leave Armenians," said another. One of the residents of Yerevan has a special opinion on the criminal case. "I think we need to take into consideration the person's actions; condemning him for 10 years only because of weapons, if we check all the cars here we will find weapons in each; shall we arrest everyone now? I do not think that the weapons found at Zhirayr Sefilyan would work for robbery or attack against people. It must be taken into account." However, some of the citizens who have participated in our survey hope that Zhirayr Sefilyan will be released early. "I hope our political figures will forgive him, forgiving is right. Of course, there is the possibility, there is need for people's support - personally I will support him first."
SPRINGFIELD - A 13-year-old who allegedly made an online bomb threat against a city school has been arrested, police said.
Ryan Walsh, spokesman for Springfield police, stated in a Twitter post late Monday night the threat, made on Instagram, was not credible. The juvenile was charged with making a false bomb threat.
Azell Cavaan, spokeswoman for Springfield schools, told Western Mass News the threat was made to STEM Middle Academy. Officials became aware of the threat on Monday, she said.
Western Mass News is television partner to The Republican and MassLive.com.
The Massachusetts State Police troopers who allegedly skipped overtime shifts, in one of several scandals rocking the law enforcement agency in the last five months, will have to "face the music," Gov. Charlie Baker said.
The governor said the State Police should be considered a "strong, good, well-trained unit."
An audit uncovered that some troopers billed for overtime shifts as part of Accident and Injury Reduction Effort patrols -- known as AIRE patrols -- but did not actually work the shifts.
State Police have referred the matter to Attorney General Maura Healey, who could bring criminal charges.
"Clearly there are some people here who broke the rules, allegedly, got way beyond the bounds of what we consider, what anybody would consider to be appropriate behavior and for those who are found to have committed what's been alleged they should face the music," Baker said while in Haverhill for an unrelated event, according to a transcription provided by his office.
Asked whether that includes members of the State Police who were allowed to retire, Baker said, "I think anybody who's part of this investigation, whether you're retired or not, if the investigation determines that you were part of this then you're going to get sent back to the retirement board and the retirement board is going to take a second look at your retirement."
Baker praised the head of the State Police, Kerry Gilpin, who announced findings indicating that troopers assigned to patrols did not show up to them.
"What she's done today with this announcement and the referral to the attorney general I think has made a pretty clear statement that this sort of activity and this sort of behavior is not going to be tolerated," Baker said, according to his office.
Baker appointed Gilpin as head of the State Police in November after Col. Richard McKeon stepped down. McKeon admitted to ordering the altering of the arrest report of a judge's daughter, Alli Bibaud.
Two troopers are suing over the changes, saying they were forced by supervisors to undertake a scrubbing of the arrest documents.
AGAWAM - A woman who was rescued by police from her burning apartment on Suffield Street early Tuesday has been transfered to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for treatment of injuries, said Fire Chief Alan Sirois.
The woman suffered serious burns and smoke inhalation in the fire at 204 Suffield St. Her name was not disclosed to the press.
The fire, reported at about 12:30 a.m. broke out in her apartment, which was part of a residential house. The first call to the fire department was made by a passerby who spotted the flames.
Agawam police officers who arrived at the scene before the fire department, found the woman trapped in her burning apartment on the second floor. They rushed and were able to carry her outside.
The woman was initially taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield but during the day was transferred to Massachusetts General.
Sirois said one of the police officers was treated for a minor case of smoke inhalation.
The fire caused damage to the apartment, while other parts of the residence received smoke and water damage.
The cause is under investigation.
By State Sen. Eric P. Lesser
Massachusetts is on the cusp of an energy revolution that could serve as a model for the nation in addressing climate change while creating new 21st century jobs.
For the first time, New England's electrical grid operator is proposing that the region produce more electricity from wind power than natural gas. The market for renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, has exploded in the region, meaning gas will soon be a thing of the past for New England.
This is good news, not only for the environment but for thousands of manufacturing and engineering workers across Massachusetts.
The clean little secret about renewable energy sources is that they create jobs. And not just any jobs, but a multitude of high-paying careers ranging from engineering and construction to scientific research and sales.
Clean energy also helps companies and local cities and towns save money on energy bills each year.
Companies like Secure Energy, with an office in East Longmeadow, assists businesses in becoming more energy efficient, from retrofitting their buildings to finding and using electricity providers that can cut the cost of keeping their lights on.
Meanwhile, the town of East Longmeadow struck a deal with Altus Power America to purchase "net metering credits" in a solar farm in neighboring Hampden and sell back the energy created by the farm to the electric grid. The town is expected to save up to $125,000 a year on its energy bills as a result.
The deal, known as a Net Metering Credit Purchase Agreement, was made possible by pioneering directives from the Department of Public Utilities as far back as 1981 and ultimately enacted by our state legislature in the 2008 Green Communities Act.
Massachusetts has long been at the vanguard of state-level actions to address climate change, and that leadership is more important now than ever before. When President Trump pulled America out of the Paris Agreement, Massachusetts joined California, New York, Washington other states in the U.S. Climate Alliance to commit to meeting the emissions reductions in the Agreement.
The state Senate will soon be voting on an omnibus energy bill, crafted under the leadership of Senators Marc Pacheco and Mike Barrett, that makes those commitments concrete. Among many ambitious objectives, the bill sets aggressive new goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, establishes a statewide clean fuel standard and creates a Clean Energy Workforce Development Fund to increase access to jobs in the clean energy sector.
Fighting climate change and growing our economy are not two conflicting goals. In reality, one supports the other.
Researching new technologies at UMass-Amherst and WPI and MIT -- and building the parts for future solar panels and storage batteries in Ludlow and Chicopee and Springfield -- will not just set an example for the country on how to fight climate change.
It will help Massachusetts retain its leadership in the high-tech economy, providing opportunities for economic growth and development for decades to come.
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Eric P. Lesser, of Longmeadow, is senator for the First Hampden & Hampshire District, serves as co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies, and leads Millennial Outreach for the state Senate.
BOSTON -- Massachusetts lawmakers released a bill Tuesday that would revamp the state's civics education curriculum.
Although the bill has been in the works for years, it was released by leaders in the Senate and House soon after a day of action in which students, spurred by a recent school shooting, protested around the country and in Massachusetts in support of more gun control measures.
"Those students were motivated by violent tragedy, forced into advocacy by a need for safety and reassurance," said Senate President Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, who led work on the bill. "But what if we could inspire students to advocate for themselves and their communities every day, beginning in the classroom?"
Massachusetts already has a civics requirement. But state Rep. Alice Peisch, D-Wellesley, chairwoman of the Education Committee, said there have been concerns about its depth, quality and what is being taught.
"A group has been working hard ... to come up with legislation that would ensure all students across the commonwealth get the same exposure to high quality civics education so they become valuable, contributing members of our democratic society," Peisch said.
The bill would require that every public school provide a civics education that includes teaching about the constitutions of the U.S. and Massachusetts, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. flag, local history and government and the importance of participation in the electoral process. Schools would have to teach about U.S. and Massachusetts history, the composition of the branches of government, the electoral process, the roles and responsibilities of citizens and media literacy.
The curriculum would include community diversity, the ways civic participation has been restricted through history and "opportunities to identify and debate issues relative to power, economic status and the common good in democracy."
Every public school student would have to participate in at least two student-led civics projects as a requirement for graduation.
A new Civics Project Trust Fund, which would need to be funded through the state budget process, would pay for professional development and curriculum development.
The bill would authorize a civics project competition among eighth graders and a challenge that would encourage students to hold voter registration drives to pre-register students who are at least 16 years old.
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said the bill will help take the passion students showed advocating for gun laws and turn "that genuine concern into actual results."
Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, a member of the working group, said while it is "trendy" to point to the 2016 election as "the straw that broke the camel's back" in the need for civic engagement, "The reality of it is this challenge in our democracy has been brewing for a very long time."
Lesser said many young people feel politics are not solving the country's problems. "For a lot of us, we just haven't been taught how the timbers and pieces of our democracy actually work and fit together," Lesser said.
Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose, I-Amherst, said he first started thinking about state politics in sixth grade when he got to meet his state representative. "That hands-on engagement led me to run for office," Goldstein-Rose said. "That made me feel connected to the government system."
Members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation and other state leaders this week cautioned that the Trump administration's focus on law enforcement actions and strict criminal penalties "won't work" at reducing rates of opioid addiction, and instead called for the White Hose to prioritize treatment and behavioral health efforts.
Massachusetts Democrats raised concerns about various provisions included in the White House's opioid plan, which President Donald Trump unveiled during a stop in Manchester, New Hampshire Monday.
They took specific issue with a policy that would allow the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty for some drug dealers -- a measure that Trump argued is needed to cut down on opioid-related deaths, which topped 42,000 in 2016 alone.
Pointing to his experience as the former Norfolk County District Attorney, U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, D-Bourne, argued that the president "has it all wrong" when it comes to addressing the opioid crisis.
Keating, who noted that he started an opioid task force in the early 2000s, argued that the issue of drug addiction "is much more a public health issue" than criminal one and requires an approach focused on medically assisted and behavioral health treatment.
"While interdiction and law enforcement have a place, the narrow approach that dominated the president's remarks ... simply won't work," he said in a statement. "President Trump is taking us backwards."
Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, argued that "the president could learn from Massachusetts, which has led the way nationwide in prevention and treatment."
"We have strategies that are working and need more support," he said in a statement. "The president's proposal completely ignores the fact that his administration has called for dramatic cuts to Medicaid, the Centers for Disease Control and mental health and substance abuse funding. If the president was serious about fighting this problem, he could start by restoring funding to these critical programs."
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, meanwhile, contended that the United States "will not incarcerate or execute our way out of this epidemic."
The senator, who previously praised Trump for signing legislation aimed at addressing fentanyl and other opioid trafficking, rejected the president's Monday call for law enforcement and prosectors to "get tough" on the drug crisis.
He pointed to efforts underway across New England, where law enforcement officials have partnered with the treatment and recovery community to ensure those with opioid addictions "are provided compassion, not a cell," as an example of how the country should respond to the issue.
"They know we need more treatment, not more toughness," he said in a statement. "This country urgently needs a comprehensive strategy that treats opioid addiction like the national public health emergency it is and focuses on effective solutions, not the failed policies of the past."
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey also touted the work being done in the state to combat opioid addiction, noting that officials have made overdose reversal drugs available to first responders, worked to change the culture of over-prescribing, brought prevention education into schools and investigated opioid manufacturers and distributers.
Healey, a Democrat, told The New England Council Tuesday that while she welcomes the Trump administration's focus on opioids and believes it's important states receive federal help when it comes to addressing the issue, the United States "cannot arrest our way out of this problem."
"Look, some of the ideas (Trump) talked about are indeed promising and necessary, and if the administration is serious about getting involved here we desperately need their help," she said. "But that's not what I heard yesterday. I head this is a president that wants to spend millions on scare tactic TV commercials that we know don't work. ... Despite the pleas of every fire and police department, and every city and town in this region, we didn't hear much about local funding. We heard a lot of talk, but really no answers on who is going to pay for what's actually needed."
Trump's "Stop Opioid Abuse" plan focuses on three main areas: reducing drug demand through education, awareness and ending over-prescription of opioids; cutting off the flow of illegal drugs across America's borders; and expanding treatment opportunities.
It, among many things, calls for launching a new nationwide campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of opioids, implementing a Safer Prescribing Plan, securing U.S. borders against drug smuggling and ensuring first responders are equipped with overdose reversal drugs.
Trump said his administration is also looking to strengthen criminal penalties for dealing and trafficking fentanyl and other opioids, including allowing DOJ to seek the death penalty "when appropriate under current law."
The president further called on Congress to pass legislation reducing the threshold amount of drugs needed to invoke mandatory minimum sentences for drug traffickers who knowingly distribute certain opioids that can be lethal in small amounts.
Several hundred retired Massachusetts teachers could see massive health insurance price spikes next year, if lawmakers do not act.
Currently, up to 955 retired teachers who are insured through the state's Group Insurance Commission will have to switch plans and could see premium increases of 20 percent to 80 percent.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday introduced a bill that could mitigate the price spikes, and the House and Senate are likely to take it up at an unusually fast pace.
"We'll try to get it done as soon as possible," said Rep. Jerald Parisella, D-Beverly, chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Service.
The Group Insurance Commission was recently forced to backtrack on planned changes to public employees' health insurance after a public backlash to a proposal that would drop three of its six insurance carriers.
Now, after some changes to plan design and pricing, of the GIC's 440,000 members, around 84 percent will see their premiums either increase by less than 2 percent or decrease.
But the GIC also covers approximately 10,000 retirees, mostly teachers, in a separate pool, referred to as "Pool 2." They are a generally older population, which means they tend to have higher health care costs. A 1972 state law requires them to be covered separately. This group of retirees comes from 46 towns and school districts, with the last ones having joined in 1996. The separate pool was established before municipalities began to be allowed to join the GIC in 2007.
This year, only one health insurance company -UniCare - bid to cover that population. UniCare already covers the majority of these individuals. All of the other plans have dropped out, including Harvard Pilgrim, Fallon, Tufts, Health New England, and Neighborhood Health Plan.
"The evolving dynamics of our health insurance marketplace have created a situation in which having a relatively small group of retirees pooled separately from the rest of our members is no longer financially viable," said Roberta Herman, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission.
Retirees and their families in this pool who are today insured by the Springfield-based Health New England would see some of the biggest price spikes, an increase of around 74 to 80 percent.
Baker's bill would let the retirees join the general GIC pool. Baker wrote in a filing letter that because there are only 10,000 retirees, adding them to the GIC pool would not materially affect premiums. Adding this group is estimated to cost other members between 0 and .03 percent, Herman said. The move would let most of these Pool 2 retirees keep their current plans, avoiding price spikes.
Going forward, municipalities would no longer be able to join this risk pool, which none have done anyway for more than 20 years.
Lisa Adams of the Massachusetts Municipal Association said Tuesday, at a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Service, that municipalities support the change as a way to lower health care costs. Communities that pay part of the cost for retirees' health insurance will be hit with additional costs if the insurance premiums go up.
Shawn Duhamel, legislative director of the Massachusetts Retirees Association, said "there is no downside" to passing the bill, from the perspective of improving choice and affordability for these retirees.
Sean King, of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said the move would provide "much needed financial relief and choice" to the retired teachers.
Open enrollment begins April 4, 2018 for the GIC, so lawmakers must act quickly if they want to alleviate the premium increases. The GIC has delayed communicating with these members about open enrollment until GIC officials know whether lawmakers intend to act.
Parisella said he expects the committee to vote to recommend the bill on Tuesday. Leaders in both the House and the Senate appear supportive. But the timeline for acting on the bill will depend on when lawmakers hold formal sessions, which could get postponed due to this week's impending snowstorm.
"The testimony today is a good sign that it seems like all interests and parties are supportive of it," Parisella said. "We'll try to poll it out today and try to expedite this just because we know how much of a financial impact this could have on retirees."
SPRINGFIELD -- John Kingston, a Winchester businessman looking to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren this fall, will meet with local Republican voters and delegates in Springfield Thursday.
Kingston, who is among a handful of Republicans running for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts in 2018, will discuss his campaign's platform and make his pitch to Springfield's MassGOP 2018 convention delegates during an event at The Student Prince restaurant.
The Republican hopeful's "meet and greet," which is expected to run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will come nearly one month before Massachusetts GOP leaders and delegates are set to gather at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Kingston said he's "very excited to meet" with Springfield's nearly 40 GOP delegates and explain why he's the best candidate to take on Warren in November.
"I'm sure that, with help from the proud people of Springfield, we can work together to retire the establishment politicians and finally elect a leader that will put the citizens of Massachusetts first," he said in a statement.
Delegates attending the April 28 convention will endorse various statewide candidates for nomination ahead of Massachusetts' September primary election, including those running for U.S. Senator, governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor, attorney general and secretary of the commonwealth.
Those who receive a majority of delegate votes will be the party's endorsed candidate, according to MassGOP officials. Candidates must receive at least 15 percent of the delegates' vote to qualify for ballot access in the state primary.
Kingston, who formally entered the U.S. Senate race in late October, previously told The Republican that his campaign will offer a "new Republican vision" focused on liberty, dignity and ending division in Washington.
The U.S. Senate hopeful added that, if elected, he plans to legislate in a way that brings people together on high-profile issues, like tax policy and health care.
Aside from Kingston, Beth Lindstrom, a former aide to Mitt Romney and manager of Scott Brown's 2010 Senate bid; State Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman; Allen Rodney Waters, of Mashpee, Darius Mitchell, of Lowell, and Heidi Wellman, of Braintree, have also announced bids to unseat Warren.
Shiva Ayyadurai, an entrepreneur who filed to run as Republican, meanwhile, announced in November that he would cut ties with the GOP and run as an independent.
BOSTON -- Josh Zakim, a Democrat challenging Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, on Tuesday proposed a series of reforms aimed at boosting voter turnout - including requiring weekend elections.
"As your secretary of state, I guarantee you turnout will increase," Zakim said at a press conference outside the Statehouse.
Galvin, a Democrat, was first elected Secretary of the Commonwealth in 1994 and has won six successive four-year terms.
Galvin shot back that he has a record of accomplishing the things that Zakim, a Boston city councilor, is advocating. "It's great to stand outside on the steps," Galvin said. "Why don't you come in and talk to the Legislature? He's never been at a hearing for same-day (voter registration). I have a same-day proposal. ... He's never run an election or administered an election."
Rep. Jay Livingstone, D-Boston, filed a bill Tuesday to require state primaries and presidential primaries to be held over two days, with voting on both Saturday and Sunday. The two days would be established because both days come with religious conflicts. His bill would also establish mandatory early voting for primaries so people could vote on weekdays.
Livingstone, who endorsed Zakim's campaign, said he developed the idea together with Zakim, and after working in the Northern Mariana Islands, where election day was on Saturday. Livingstone said the goal is "to allow for more flexible schedules."
"In Massachusetts, you would get a higher percentage of people voting if you had weekend voting, but then also early voting to go with that," Livingstone said.
Zakim said he supports weekend elections. "In the last nearly quarter century since Secretary Galvin's been in office, a lot has changed in our lives," Zakim said. "People are busier, they have busier lives, they're working longer hours, commuting further, and it's not always easy for people to get to the polls on Tuesday. There's no reason to have this arbitrary date be the only time you can vote."
Galvin said Massachusetts already has weekend voting through the state's early voting law, which was implemented for the first time in 2016. Galvin's office provided grants to cities and towns to open the polls on weekends. But he said weekend voting may not work for every town because of the need to use public buildings, which are generally closed on weekends.
Zakim also supports same-day voter registration. A lawsuit pending before the Supreme Judicial Court challenges the state's voter registration cutoff. Zakim criticized Galvin for appealing that lawsuit.
Zakim said he would withdraw the appeal and work with the Legislature on instituting same-day voter registration. "We should not be fighting these old-time delay tactics to continue to keep these barriers in place," Zakim said.
Galvin in January offered a proposal for same-day voter registration, which would include electronically connecting each polling place so poll workers can check whether someone is registered or already voted elsewhere.
Galvin said he has always supported same-day voter registration, as long as money is set aside to pay for it.
Zakim said he believes the state can ensure voting security the same way other states do, by requiring same-day registrants to show photo identification and proof of residency. Zakim estimated that allowing same-day voting registration would cost the state $1.5 million.
Massachusetts held early voting for the first time in 2016, and Zakim wants to expand that. He also wants to allow any voter to cast an absentee ballot. Current law requires someone requesting an absentee ballot to state that they will be out of town on Election Day or they have a disability or religious reason why they cannot vote on Election Day.
"Who are we to say to someone you have to have a legitimate excuse not to be here?" Zakim said. "If you have a right to vote, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier, not putting up these barriers."
Galvin said no-excuse absentee voting already exists, since the state's new early voting law lets people vote early by mail.
Zakim called the proposals "commonsense voting reforms" that have all been implemented in other states.
Although some proposals have been introduced before in the Legislature, Zakim said he thinks having a more activist secretary of state pushing for the reforms could make a difference. "When we have a secretary who is reluctant at best to support many of these issues, that's an important signal to many of other elected officials," Zakim said.
Galvin responded that unlike Zakim, he knows how to work with lawmakers. "If you're serious about these things, you go to hearings, participate in the process," Galvin said. "I am serious. I have actually achieved such things as early voting, online voter registration because I know how to work the Legislature and make my case, which is why I'm here."
Zakim also criticized Galvin for setting the date of the 2018 state primary for the Tuesday after Labor Day. Galvin said he chose that date with public input to avoid conflicting with Jewish holidays. Zakim says that will depress turnout.
Massachusetts lawmakers are currently considering implementing automatic voter registration, in which people are automatically enrolled to vote when they complete a transaction at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Galvin is expected to come out in favor of that effort at a press conference scheduled for later this week.
Zakim supports the proposal.
Advocate and actor Cynthia Nixon, best known for starring in "Sex and the City," has officially announced that she will run for governor of New York. Many have expressed support for Nixon's candidacy -- she's a lifelong New Yorker who has advocated for LGBT rights, public education, and income inequality. Some believe anyone would be better than Andrew Cuomo. But others are sick of seeing celebrities get into politics. We should have learned our lesson that expertise trumps fame. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
Actor Cynthia Nixon officially announced her candidacy to be governor of New York.
I love New York, and today I'm announcing my candidacy for governor. Join us: https://t.co/9DwsxWW8xX pic.twitter.com/kYTvx6GZiD Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) March 19, 2018
Many have expressed their support of Nixon. She's had a long career as both an actor and progressive advocate.
CYNTHIA NIXON FOR GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK ! #myFULLsupport - she is one of kind - brilliant - brave bold and so smart - a true leader #NIXON4NY pic.twitter.com/5hSeCDzzer ROSIE (@Rosie) March 19, 2018
Cynthia Nixon! Proud of you my friend, for having the courage to run for Governor of New York.
You are a remarkable human being, who has always been a progressive champion for the people. Good luck! Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) March 19, 2018
Others feel anyone would be better than Cuomo.
Glad to see Cynthia Nixon is running. So sick and tired of the corruption in New York. We should expect better. Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) March 19, 2018
But others are tired of celebrity candidates. Nixon has never held public office and now she thinks she's qualified to govern one of the largest, most complex states in the union?
I don't care if Cynthia Nixon and I agree on most issues--being governor of New York is not a job for an amateur.
We need to fight back against celebrities' sense of entitlement and support more knowledgeable, experienced candidates. David Edward Burke (@DavidEBurke) March 19, 2018
Such a big task to handle with zero experience. How will she respond when a huge snow storm hits, Or if there's a a train accident, or God forbid a terror attack? As we're seeing with POTUS, you need experience. Mario Paredes (@MParedes4) March 19, 2018
But others point out many celebrities have run for office and gone on to make good politicians.
One thing I'm curious about with Cynthia Nixon's candidacy-- lots of men have jumped from showbiz to politics (Reagan, Schwarzenegger, Franken, Trump.) Will voters allow a woman to to the same? Charlotte Alter (@CharlotteAlter) March 19, 2018
And the attacks on Nixon are sexist more than anything.
Cynthia Nixon is like Arnold Schwarzenegger except with a degree from Barnard and without a secret love child so check the sexism at the door. Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) March 19, 2018
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The opposition group also demanded that Sheikh Qassims nationality be reinstated and for the regime to halt its campaign against Bahrains Shiite majority.
(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Bahrains Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society called on Manama to free the countrys highest religious authority Sheikh Isa Qassim, who marked 300 days under house arrest on Monday.
The opposition group also demanded that Sheikh Qassims nationality be reinstated and for the regime to halt its campaign against Bahrains Shiite majority.
The 80-year-old cleric was arbitrarily stripped of his citizenship in June 2016 and confined to Bahrains northwestern village of Diraz.
Security forces stormed his residence last May and placed him under house arrest. He has been deprived of adequate medical care for months leading to numerous health complications.
Al-Wefaq described the measures against Sheikh Qassim as a message to all his followers, opposition activists, and their supporters.
The group added that Bahrain continues to be gripped by repression at a time when the vast majority of its people are demanding justice and democracy.
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LCCDC is happy to report that we were awarded a $15,000 Tourism Grant
through the Montana Department of Commerce, Office of Tourism & Business
Development to help Restore the Ronan Arch. This iconic arch that serves as the gateway into the City of Ronan was built by the senior class of 2002 and is starting to deteriorate. With the help of the senior class of 2018, LCCDC participates in this community project as part of a larger downtown revitalization effort for Ronan.
Full Newsletter: http://mailchi.mp/bed982e4c2fc/march-into-spring-with-lccdc
Silk fashion garments on display at "In Praise of Silk, Fashion with Tradition in China" at the Chinese Cultural Center in Tel Aviv. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]
On March 13, the opening ceremony of a silk fashion exhibition In Praise of Silk, Fashion with Tradition in China was held at the Chinese Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, to officially wrap up the country's "2018 Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations.
Zhan Yongxin, Chinese ambassador to Israel, and many Chinese and Israeli officials attended the event, along with nearly 100 guests.
The exhibition, running through March 25, displays 27 silk garments carefully selected by the China National Silk Museum and the cultural center.
In a perfect fusion of tradition with fashion, the exhibit showcases the exquisite silk weaving techniques from ancient China, as well as the inheritance of this intangible cultural heritage in modern society.
Zhan addressed the ceremony, saying the event is an important part of the center's cultural program in 2018. Cooperating with East China's Zhejiang province, home to Chinese silk, the cultural center held this silk-themed exhibition to add some color to Sino-Israeli cultural exchanges.
In 2009, Kesi, a technique in Chinese silk tapestry that weaves intricate pictures onto silk, was given Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity status by UNESCO.
Secretary Nhan and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Kono (Photo: VNA)
They included Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Kono, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii, and President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Shinichi Kitaoka.
During the meetings, Secretary Nhan appreciated the Vietnam - Japan relations in general and the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh city and Japanese localities in particular, confirming that the relations were developing better than ever.
Introducing the Vietnamese citys outstanding characteristics, Secretary Nhan said that the citys population increased to 10 million at present from 5 million in 1991, and the figure is expected to be increased to 13-15 million by 2030. Although its population accounts only for 9% of the nation, it contributes 22% of Vietnams GDP, he asserted, adding that the citys current obstacles for development are traffic infrastructure and water sewerage. Therefore, Japans assistance in infrastructure is very important, he said.
Japan has become Vietnams biggest investor and provider of official development assistance (ODA) funding. According to Secretary Nhan, two important infrastructure constructions typical of the cooperation between Vietnam and Japan are Can Tho and Nhat Tan bridges which play an important role in Vietnams economy.
He expressed his hope that Japanese investors would continue to support and invest in Ho Chi Minh city, especially in high quality infrastructure.
Appreciating the role of Ho Chi Minh city, the Japanese Ministers and JICA President said that they would be willing to support it building high quality infrastructure.
On the same day, Secretary Nhan visited Ibaraki prefecture./.
The Fintech Challenge Vietnam (FCV) is organized by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Mekong Business Initiative, the program is funded by the Government of Australia and the ADB. In addition, the Viet Nam Bankers Association (VNBA) and the Viet Nam Fintech Club (VFC) are co-organizers of the program. Program Partners include 7 commercial banks (BIDV, Vietcombank, VietinBank, Shinhan Bank, TP Bank, VIB, VP Bank) as well as FPT, Vietnam Silicon Valley, and VIISA.
The program aims to spur innovation in financial services that promote greater financial inclusion in Viet Nam, focusing on five fintech verticals that are critical for financial inclusion, including e-Payments, e-KYC, Peer-to-peer Lending, Open APIs, and Blockchain.
Photo: CPV
By the application closing date of January 31, 2018, FCV received 141 fintech applications, including 45 from Viet Nam and 97 from 27 countries in 5 different continents. The program successfully attracted applications in all five verticals.
Applications have been systematically evaluated and scored by program organizers, co-organizers and partners. Corporate and investor partners assessed each applicant based on commercial criteria (Innovation and Relevance; Management Capacity; and Scalability & Investment Readiness) while the State Bank of Vietnam, ADB, VNBA evaluated the potential impact on financial inclusion of each fintech solution.
The following 16 FCV Finalists represent the fintech applicants with highest overall scores as agreed by all the evaluators (in alphabetical order):
No. Name of Fintech Vertical Country of Origin
1 ALTERNATIVE CIRCLE LIMITED P2P lending Kenya and Mauritius
2 ATI JSC Payment Vietnam
3 Bluechain Payment Australia
4 CHEKK API Hong Kong SAR
5 Enablecode E-KYC Vietnam
6 Fin2B P2P lending Republic of Korea
7 Finsify Hub API Vietnam
8 Instant.vn P2P lending Vietnam
9 InstaReM PTE Limited API Singapore
10 Kiu Global Payment Vietnam and USA
11 Tradle Blockchain United States
12 UltraCash Technologies Payment India
13 VayMuon JSC. P2P lending Vietnam
14 Vi Mo Technology JSC. Payment Vietnam
15 WECASH E-KYC/payment China
16 Weezi Digital Corp. Payment Vietnam
Additional information about the FCV program and the Finalists can be found at fintech.mekongbiz.org.
Successful FCV applicants will present their business models in the Showcase Pitch Day scheduled for March 28th 2018 at the CMC Innovation Center. After this initial Pitch Day, Finalists will be matched with FCV Partners who will serve as their mentors. Finalists will participate in a six-week incubation and mentoring program that will help them to refine and sharpen their business models to fit with local market context.
In a final competitive Finalists Pitch Session, all of the FCV Finalists will present their financial technology solutions to a panel of banking industry players, financial experts, and potential fintech investors. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best overall fintech, and to other vertical category winners (see website for more prize details).
The best solutions will have the opportunity to demo their products and services the day before the 2018 Vietnam National Fintech Day, tentatively scheduled for May 28th 2018.
The SBV Fintech Steering Committee was established in March 2017 to enhance the financial ecosystem, including the legal framework for facilitating the development of fintech in Viet Nam.
Email: fintech@sbv.gov.vn; Website: www.sbv.gov.vn.
About the Mekong Business Initiative (MBI) The MBI was launched in 2015 to catalyze private sector development in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets, focusing on Cambodia, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, and Viet Nam. The program aims to improve the business-enabling environment in these four emerging ASEAN markets with particular focus on innovation, alternative finance, and business advocacy. MBI is supported by the Government of Australia and Asian Development Bank./.
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover
Early on in the investigation, the Tempe Police Department is reporting that it does not appear Uber was at fault when one of its self-driving vehicles hit and killed a pedestrian.
The Associated Press reports Tempe police Sgt. Ronald Elcock said that the pedestrian stepped into the street outside of the crosswalk and was immediately struck by the vehicle. The crash reportedly occurred Sunday night, March 18 in Tempe, Arizona and is the first death involving an autonomous vehicle being tested on public roads.
The woman killed in the collision has been identified by police as 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg. AZCentral reports the woman was homeless and died from her injuries at a nearby hospital.
A self-driving Uber vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian in a late-night accident in Tempe, Arizona, police said. Preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle was traveling at approximately 40mph, with no significant signs of slowing down.
MORE: https://t.co/VkFvFDwkNT pic.twitter.com/Q1lUw4qmg0 NBC News (@NBCNews) March 19, 2018
A.P. reports she was walking a bicycle outside the lines of the crosswalk before the fatal collision with Uber's self-driving Volvo. While the vehicle was in autonomous mode, there was a human backup safety driver.
"There will no doubt be an exhaustive investigation of the tragic incident involving an Uber self-driving vehicle and a pedestrian," Akshay Anand, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, said in an emailed statement.
"What is clear is that this has the potential to severely impact public perceptions of autonomous technology, and should be handled with utmost prudence by regulators, authorities, and the industry alike."
A.P. reports there were more than 6,000 pedestrians in the U.S. killed by a vehicle in 2016.
Uber confirmed the news in a Monday afternoon tweet, in which it said it was fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in the investigation. In the aftermath of the Sunday incident, Uber suspended testing its self-driving cars on public roads in Tempe, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto, just as it did following a crash last year.
Back in March 2017 in Tempe, one of Uber's was involved in a crash that didn't result in any serious injuries. Much like this one, police said the self-driving vehicle was not to blame. Tempe police pointed to the car with the actual human driver inside as the culprit and not the self-driving Uber.
Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. Were thinking of the victims family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened. https://t.co/cwTCVJjEuz dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) March 19, 2018
Uber first launched its self-driving car program onto public roads in Pittsburgh back in September 2016. In Michigan, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill allowing the testing of autonomous vehicles on Michigan roadways in late 2016.
Before coming to Arizona to test its autonomous technology, Uber ran into some issues with California's Department of Motor Vehicles regardings its permits. The ride-hailing company said it didn't think it needed to obtain permits, because they never had and didn't feel like it was necessary to conduct its tests.
After the brush up with California in 2016, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey stepped in to get the company to test its vehicles in his state. Ducey took the state's first self-driving Uber ride in February 2017, and added the line that "California may not want you, but Arizona does."
This message wasn't the only welcome mat Arizona put out for Uber, as the state only requires minimum liability insurance policies to operate self-driving cars and does not require the company to report crashes or testing information.
Michigan and Arizona share very similar laws when it comes to testing self-driving cars while California requires a $5 million insurance plan, and that the company must report any crashes within 10 days in addition to an annual report detailing the company's test drivers' training.
UPDATE:
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI - One man is in police custody after a fatal shooting Monday evening at an Ypsilanti Township subdivision.
Authorities were dispatched at 3:18 p.m. Monday, March 19 to the 6800 block of Maplelawn Drive for a reported disturbance, said Sgt. Eugene Rush of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.
That disturbance later developed into a shooting.
That's located at the Rosewind subdivision along Tuttle Hill Road in Ypsilanti Township.
A 28-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene outside the home and sheriff's deputies arrested another man, who reportedly fled the scene, shortly afterward, Rush said.
Rush said the victim did not live at the home near the scene and it was unclear if the suspect did either.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities were investigating the incident and no further details were immediately available, Rush said.
Neighbors claimed to have heard shouting and believed a fight was taking place before they heard the gunshots.
James Gatewood, who said he has lived at Creek Side East for 11 years, thought the gunfire was coming from his TV, before he turned it off and heard more shots.
"The noisiness took over and I came out to see what happened and people told me a guy was shot," he said. "We've had some craziness in this neighborhood, but nothing like that."
ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor officials have OK'd shutting down streets near Pioneer High School for a march against gun violence.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday night, March 19, to approve street closures for the March For Our Lives taking place Saturday, March 24.
"The applicant, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, is holding this event in recognition of lives lost in multiple cities, most notably Parkland, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Bernardino and Newtown," states a city staff memo provided to the council. "All members of the public are invited to participate."
The Ann Arbor march is one of many taking place across Michigan and the United States.
"On March 24th, students, parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to lend their voice and support will be peacefully protesting nationwide," states a Facebook event page.
"We're doing this for the lives lost in Parkland. Las Vegas. Orlando. San Bernardino. Newtown. The list goes on, and on. We're marching in hopes this won't keep happening, #NeverAgain. We're marching for common sense gun control. We're Marching For Our Lives."
The event page includes this schedule for the march/rally:
10:30 a.m. -- begin gathering at Pioneer
11 a.m. -- official start time
11-11:30 a.m. -- live music from Gemini, tabling (merchandise, organizations, voter registration, petitions)
11:30 a.m. -- speeches begin
12:30 p.m. -- speeches end
12:30-1:30 p.m. -- march
1:30 p.m. -- re-group for closing speech
The street closures will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The council approved closing the southern lanes of Stadium Boulevard between Seventh and Main streets, and the eastern lanes of Seventh Street between Stadium and Scio Church.
"The Ann Arbor Police Department will monitor this event for crowd size and will determine hard or soft closures for this event and will open the streets as appropriate for crowd size," the staff memo states.
"The event is being coordinated with all relevant city service areas for the purposes of traffic control and for the protection of the health and safety of the participants and the general public."
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Ann Arbor City Council has appointed 11 people to a citizen-led advisory task force that will help draft bylaws for a new police review board.
Mayor Christopher Taylor put forward his nominations Monday night, March 19, drawing a mix of praise and criticism, with some residents suggesting there wasn't enough black representation.
In response, Taylor said by his count there are two black men, three black women, one Asian woman, three white women and two white men. He said at least one identifies as LGBTQ.
Taylor said that means the task force, while not perfect, is both majority female and majority minority, and he thinks it is capable of accomplishing the task ahead.
The task force is expected to work with city officials to outline the roles and responsibilities of a new police review board, establishing a new layer of citizen oversight of the Ann Arbor Police Department. The recommendations are due to council by Sept. 4.
The city's Human Rights Commission reviewed task force applicants and recommended 15 people for the mayor to consider, and most of them are now on the 11-member task force.
But the HRC's list included longtime activists Shirley Beckley and Lefiest Galimore, who are black, and Taylor decided against putting their names forward. That was raised as an issue Monday night.
Taylor said there were more qualified people interested in serving than there were spots to fill, but for those who didn't get appointed there will be other opportunities to serve the city and stay involved.
The council-confirmed appointees, as nominated by the mayor, are Richard Friedman and Lori Saginaw, who will serve as co-chairs, and Anna Gersh, Monica Harrold, Janet Haynes, Anna Lemler, Richard Soble, Robin Stephens, Lauren Tatarsky, Dwight Wilson, and Keyshon Cotton.
City Council Members Sumi Kailasapathy and Graydon Krapohl will serve as non-voting members of the task force.
Members of the activist group Transforming Justice Washtenaw urged the council to change the mayor's list and add Beckley, calling her a longtime advocate for police accountability and fairness.
Ypsilanti-area resident Maria Ibarra-Frayre read a statement from the group, saying TJW reviewed Taylor's list and is encouraged in many ways, as he drew heavily on the "excellent suggestions" of the HRC and included black residents with longtime roots in the area.
But she said the group was concerned the mayor's list excluded two black residents on the HRC list. "Most disturbing," Ibarra-Frayre said, was Beckley's absence from the task force, saying it will sorely undercut the credibility of the eventual task force recommendations and undermine community trust in the process.
Council Member Jack Eaton, who recently announced he's running against Taylor for mayor this year, proposed an amendment to add Beckley to the task force, but it was voted down 8-3, with support only from Eaton, Anne Bannister and Sumi Kailasapathy.
Taylor said he preferred not to get into a public critique of why certain people weren't on his list, as he believed it could have a chilling effect on residents volunteering to serve on boards and commissions.
But pressed to explain his reasons for not nominating Beckley, the mayor defended his decision.
He cited a time when Beckley demonstrated with others at city hall during a City Council meeting in November 2015, around the one-year anniversary of the death of Aura Rosser, a 40-year-old black woman who was shot by an Ann Arbor police officer.
After a state police investigation, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office concluded Officer David Ried was justified in shooting Rosser when she came at officers with a knife in November 2014.
Taylor noted Beckley, as she spoke publicly at the 2015 meeting, said "let's string him up" in reference to the officer who shot Rosser, and Beckley's remarks drew applause from other demonstrators. Taylor said issuing a call for violence against a police officer, in his opinion, disqualifies Beckley from serving on the task force.
While acknowledging he has found some of Beckley's remarks to be "a little over the top," Eaton argued Beckley has "a historic grasp of why this community needs to have a civilian review process."
"It's quite understandable to me why a person might be a little harsh or a little impatient when they've waited their whole life for us to talk about justice," Eaton said in Beckley's defense.
After much debate over her exclusion from the task force, Beckley spoke out at the end of Monday's meeting.
"I'm not going to apologize for my statement back then," she said of her call to string up the officer who shot Rosser.
"It was very hurtful to see a black woman killed and not helped, especially since she was a mental health patient," Beckley said.
"I'm not going to apologize for my ancestors who have been strung up, lynched, run over, babies cut out of their bellies, families separated," she continued. "We're still looking for (family members) in my family and several other families. I'm not going to apologize for that.
"I'm not going to apologize for my anger. Yes, I'm angry. Yes, I've been here 75 years. No, I haven't seen you make much progress. You have made progress to have a task force and I'm happy about that."
Beckley said it doesn't really matter whether she's on the task force, but she took issue with Taylor's remarks about her.
"You're a white man. I'm a black woman," she said, arguing Taylor had no idea where her 2015 remarks came from.
"It shows your white privilege and your white supremacy," she told the mayor publicly. "And I will, as long as I can live, be in the city, come to this meeting, and still oppose you and anybody else that carries those feelings. That's all I have to say to you tonight."
Taylor didn't offer a direct response Monday night other than to thank Beckley for her remarks, though earlier in the meeting he acknowledged his white privilege and denounced white supremacy, saying the United States was "quite literally" founded on it.
"The result of that original sin in our country is still with us," he said. "It means that people like me have privilege that we sometimes vaguely perceive and sometimes do not perceive, and it's my obligation to strive to be aware of that and to move forward on that basis."
Taylor said he believes white people in the U.S. are beneficiaries of privilege and the legacy of white supremacy.
"I am no exception," he said. "It takes incredible strength to survive as a person of color in our society. I honor people of color in our society as survivors, as people who have both the wisdom and undeserved scars of struggle. It is my job to listen, with an open heart and no ego, to all members of our community and to work to lead Ann Arbor to a place where all people feel, and are, safe, respected, and welcome."
Galimore, another black resident who didn't get appointed to the task force, also spoke out Monday night, saying he had concerns about the composition of the task force, suggesting it lacked diversity.
In particular, he argued there weren't enough black males on the task force and he considered that a weakness.
Taylor said he considers the formation of the task force an important step for the city.
"I'm particularly excited that this is going forward," he said. "We live in a time where law enforcement and community relations is of plain and obvious interest and tremendous importance, and we haven't had a place for this conversation, a place for this review in Ann Arbor."
Taylor said a strong policing commission will be a good place for those conversations, and a place for police and members of the public to learn about, engage with and critique each other.
"This is a place where we need to have a constructive, engaged conversation, and that doesn't mean conversation that does not come from anger," he said.
Taylor offered his rationale for nominating the people who are now on the task force, mostly following the HRC's recommendations.
He believes the task force will have strong leadership with Friedman and Saginaw as co-chairs. He acknowledged his initial plan was to nominate Friedman, a University of Michigan law professor, to serve as chair, but he heard from others who supported Saginaw.
"I chose Mr. Friedman as an initial matter because of his service as an attorney. He is a criminal procedure attorney here at the University of Michigan," Taylor said. "He has argued in the United States Supreme Court in favor of defendants to extend Fourth Amendment rights and others that I might not be aware of, and has served as chair of the university's policing commission.
"And in my communications with him, he's assured me that if I'm looking for someone who is not interested in an independent and active commission, then I've turned to the wrong person."
Saginaw is a member of Transforming Justice Washtenaw, which lobbied for her to become chair of the task force. The group's statement that was read Monday night described her as "a woman of color with deep relationships in every demographic corner of Ann Arbor" and someone who "has earned a strong reputation as a skilled, inclusive facilitator of group deliberations."
"I know the great work that she does in the community," Taylor said of Saginaw, saying he's delighted she's on the task force.
"I'm delighted that we were able to find a solution, I think, that meets the goals of ensuring that there are people with history in policing commissions ... but also meets the goals of having folks who are known and honored in the activist community."
Taylor received applause from residents in the audience when he made those remarks.
Keyshon Cotton is a youth representative on the task force, having been recommended by the Neutral Zone teen center. He attends Ann Arbor Pioneer High School but resides in Ypsilanti.
Taylor said other members of the task force bring attributes that include backgrounds with the HRC, the LGBTQ community, restorative justice, clergy roles, counseling and mental health services, education, social work, public defense of people charged with crimes, mediating civil rights and police misconduct cases, working with family court and people who are incarcerated, the Democratic Party's Black Caucus, street law trainings to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline, the Michigan Juvenile Justice Youth Advisory Board, Community Action Network, and other roles in the community.
"It is a group that I believe will ably serve, that will do the job that we ask of it," he said.
Though he had hoped to see Beckley added to the task force, Eaton thanked the mayor for all of the consideration he put into the nominations, saying it wasn't an easy job. He said he talked to the mayor over the weekend and Taylor agreed to nominate Saginaw as co-chair, which Eaton considered a reasonable compromise.
After the 8-3 split over whether Beckley should be added, the council unanimously confirmed the task force appointments.
"I do believe that the mayor has taken the time to carefully consider all the appointments," said Council Member Jane Lumm, an independent from the 2nd Ward, who said it was nice to see so many people interested in serving on the task force.
"His recommendations do, for the most part, follow those of the Human Rights Commission. That's appropriate. There are a couple of differences, but that is the mayor's prerogative, and I am confident that he has thoroughly thought this through."
ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor is taking a position against a proposed federal gun law that would require each state in the United States to honor concealed carry permits from other states.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday night, March 19, to call on Congress to oppose the pending legislation.
Council Member Chip Smith, D-5th Ward, brought forward the resolution, saying guns have no place in civil society.
"I bring this forward based on the fact that we as a council have been fairly vocal in voicing our support for the Ann Arbor Public Schools' position opposing firearms on school property," Smith said, saying it's the city's responsibility to speak loudly on matters that impact public safety and the ability to make local decisions to keep people safe.
"We have been very adamant in our (position) that firearms really don't have a place in civil society," Smith said.
"They are, quite frankly, instruments of death, and that's what they're intended to be, and it has been this body's position that the greater regulation of these tools is in the public's best interest."
The bills in question are House Resolution 38, known as the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which passed in the U.S. House by a 231-198 vote on Dec. 6, and Senate Bill 446, known as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, introduced in February 2017 and heard in committee last week.
The National Rifle Association called the 231-198 vote in December a watershed moment for Second Amendment rights and the culmination of a 30-year movement to recognize the right of Americans to defend themselves and their loved ones when they cross state lines. The NRA believes Americans who can legally carry a concealed firearm in one state should be able to legally do so in every other state.
Ann Arbor officials are concerned the law would overrule state laws by forcing each state in the U.S. to honor concealed carry permits from any other state, even if one state has stricter limits on concealed carry weapons than the home state in which the permit was issued.
Ann Arbor officials argue state protections against the proliferation of guns in public would be undermined, and it would endanger law enforcement officers and vastly complicate their jobs. They also argue it would weaken attempts to stop illegal gun trafficking.
While every state allows concealed carry of firearms under some circumstances, they note, each state has different requirements on who is permitted to carry, what requirements are appropriate, and what type of training should be required of permit holders.
Monday night's council resolution was co-sponsored by Smith, Mayor Christopher Taylor and Council Members Zachary Ackerman, Chuck Warpehoski, Julie Grand and Kirk Westphal.
"Generally we don't have much ability to influence legislative decisions in Washington, D.C., but what compelled me to pull this language together and to move forward with this is the growing body of communities that have come out in opposition," Smith said.
A memo accompanying the resolution states local resistance has been increasing and the U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Bar Association have passed resolutions in opposition.
"It is deplorable that we cannot work together as a country to pass sensible gun legislation at the national level, so we must act locally to combat this public health issue," the memo states.
Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, urged residents to contact Michigan's Republican representatives in Congress "and remind them that the Republican Party is the party of state's rights, it's the party of local control, and if they want to live their values ... they have to ensure that states have the ability to regulate the use of firearms to the degree they believe keeps their citizens safe."
Ackerman added, "Now if the federal government wants to decide to keep people even safer through commonsense legislation, I'm going to change my tune."
Other council members said it's unfortunate that the city even has to be discussing this matter.
"Unfortunately this is just the latest bad idea from the party of more guns in more places," said Westphal, D-2nd Ward. "And this is going in exactly the opposite direction that this country needs to go."
Grand, D-3rd Ward, encouraged residents to attend a march and rally against gun violence this Saturday, March 24, in Ann Arbor.
"I would be remiss ... if I didn't take this opportunity to thank all of the young people in our community who came out and showed leadership," she said of recent demonstrations by school students.
"And you know, it's a wonderful and terrible thing at the same time when we're asking our middle schoolers and high schoolers to tell adults how they should be behaving, and what commonsense regulation should look like, and why they're responsible for keeping them safe when they can't vote themselves yet," Grand said.
"And I hope that many of you will join me and others on March 24 to march at Pioneer High School."
CHELSEA, MI - A 29-year-old man accused of exposing himself at the Chelsea Public Library was sentenced to a year jail on Thursday, March 15, according to court records.
Benjamin Bridges pleaded no contest to one count of indecent exposure in January. The count is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
Judge Richard Conlin, of Chelsea's 14A-3 District Court, sentenced Bridges to the maximum sentence allowed by state law.
Bridges was accused of exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl at the library, located 221 S. Main St. in Chelsea, on Oct. 5.
Sara Hammig, of Lima Township, told MLive that her daughter was in a second-floor study room with friends when a man appeared at the window. Hammig said her daughter told her the man was holding his erect penis in his left hand and his phone in his right hand, as if he was taking a picture of the incident.
Hammig said her daughter was the only juvenile who saw the entirety of the incident and that the man fled when they made eye contact.
The girl told Chelsea police nearly an identical version of the story, according to the police report.
In April 2015, Bridges was suspended for six months from the library for watching pornography there, according to the report. Bridges was caught looking at pornography on library computers again in November 2016, but stopped when verbally warned, the report said.
Police interviewed Bridges about the library incident on Oct. 11, but the content of the interview was redacted from the police report. Bridges was charged with the count of indecent exposure in 14A-3 District Court on Nov. 6.
He currently is suspended from the library, as well.
Bridges' Ann Arbor-based attorney, Douglas Mullkoff, declined to comment.
LANSING, MI - A legal battle involving two Michigan school districts' efforts to ban weapons on school grounds is headed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
The court has agreed to hear oral arguments in the cases involving gun rights groups versus Ann Arbor Public Schools and Clio Area School District. The justices will consider the Ann Arbor and Clio schools cases together at a hearing scheduled for April 11.
Ann Arbor Public Schools enrolls about 17,800 students in Washtenaw County, and Clio Area School District enrolls about 3,000 students in Genesee County.
David Comsa, deputy superintendent and general counsel for Ann Arbor Public Schools, said the Supreme Court has asked each side to argue supplemental briefs on three specific points before the justices will decide if they will grant leave to appeal.
"They're focusing on the preemption issue - whether or not the board of education's policies are preempted by state law and case law," Comsa, who is one of the attorneys representing AAPS in the case, told the board of education during a March 7 meeting.
In April 2015, Ann Arbor Public Schools adopted policies that designate all school district property as "dangerous weapon and disruption-free zones" and say no person in possession of a dangerous weapon is allowed to remain on school property.
In a lawsuit against the district filed 12 days after those policies were adopted, Ulysses Wong, whose children attend Ann Arbor Public Schools, and Michigan Gun Owners Inc., a nonprofit that advocates for gun rights and responsible gun ownership, argue Ann Arbor Public Schools is preempted by state regulations on firearms from enforcing its weapons ban.
Related: A round-up of MLive's coverage of Ann Arbor Schools' gun ban
Michigan law says people who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon may have a weapon in a vehicle with them when they are picking up or dropping off a student at school, and people with a concealed weapon license may openly carry their weapon on school property.
Ann Arbor Schools argues it has the power and duty under Michigan's Revised School Code to provide for the safety and welfare of students, which includes regulating visitor access to schools.
Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Carol Kuhnke dismissed the lawsuit against Ann Arbor Public Schools in September 2015, affirming the school district's right to prohibit people from carrying weapons on school property.
Michigan Gun Owners appealed the ruling, and the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a decision in December 2016 that upheld Kuhnke's decision and also sided with Clio School District in the related case.
In March 2015, Kenneth Herman, whose daughter attended a Clio elementary school at the time, and Michigan Open Carry Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes the lawful open carry of handguns, filed a lawsuit against Clio School District over its gun ban.
Since 1996, Clio Schools has implemented a policy that prohibits visitors from possessing weapons on school district property, at district-sponsored events or in district-owned vehicles. Herman was denied access to school property several times in 2013 and 2014 while openly carrying a pistol with him, according to court documents. Herman has a concealed pistol license.
In September 2015, Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Archie Hayman sided with Herman and Michigan Open Carry, but the Michigan Court of Appeals did not agree.
Similar to Ann Arbor Schools, Clio School District argues it has the authority to regulate the posession of guns on school property.
After the Supreme Court hears the arguments on April 11, the justices could decide to let the Court of Appeals decisions stand, to reverse the lower court decisions or to grant leave for the appeal, which would lead to further briefings and the Supreme Court issuing a decision on the case, Comsa said.
There's no set timeframe for when the justices would decide how to proceed, he added.
"It will be a critical and crucial day ... when the court hears arguments on those three points," he said.
Three entities have filed amicus briefs siding with Ann Arbor Public Schools in preparation for the Supreme Court hearing, including: Michigan Association of School Boards; City of Ann Arbor; and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that aims to reduce the number of gun deaths.
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes safe use and ownership of firearms, filed an amicus brief stating its support for Michigan Gun Owners Inc. and Michigan Open Carry Inc.
"There's a lot of interest across the country, essentially, on this case, and they're allowing all these amicus briefs to be filed," Comsa said.
GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP, MI - Police have identified a motorcyclist killed in a crash Sunday, March 18 in Livingston County's Green Oak Township.
Alexander E. Cessna, 23, of South Lyon was killed when his motorcycle struck the side of a Jeep Cherokee SUV about 1:10 p.m. on Nine Mile Road, according to a release from Green Oak Township police.
Police believe Cessna and two other motorcyclists were traveling westbound on Nine Mile from Dixboro Road when Cessna and another motorcyclist hit the Jeep as it pulled out from a residential driveway.
The other motorcyclist, a 23-year-old Taylor man, remained in critical condition on the afternoon of Monday, March 19, police said.
The driver of the Jeep, a 63-year-old New Hudson man, and the third motorcyclist, who was leading the group, were not injured. All the motorcyclists were wearing helmets at the time, police said.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
Further information on the incident was not immediately available.
ANN ARBOR, MI - From Barack Obama's visits to Zingerman's to Michigan Stadium cameos from Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Jordan, there is always a buzz in the air when a celebrity makes an appearance in Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus.
Social media was lighting up on Tuesday afternoon, March 20, for the latest alleged celebrity sighting on the Ann Arbor campus: Hollywood star Steve Carell of "The Office" fame.
In the words of Michael Scott: "OK it's happening, everybody stay calm," the legendary character once yelled during the famed, "Fire Drill" episode before proceeding to freak out.
Fittingly, UM students did the same as things reached Threat Level Midnight, setting off a firestorm of tweets, while a few lucky students were able to grab a photo of Carell.
STEVE CARELL IS AT UMICH THIS IS NOT A DRILL pic.twitter.com/sCoVoIO3WV Noelle Liston (@noelle_liston) March 20, 2018
Steve Carell is at the University of Michigan touring the campus with his daughter and here I am stuck at work pic.twitter.com/0DoWUstInp Jessica (@JessaFer94) March 20, 2018
According to students at the University of Wisconsin, Carell was visiting campus on Monday, March 19, WMTV Channel 15 in Madison reported.
Steve Carell with a fan at the University of Wisconsin campus on March 19, 2018 pic.twitter.com/fLaztOuVja Steve Carell Updates (@scarellnews) March 20, 2018
We'll let you know if there are any more sightings of the famed actor in Ann Arbor. In the meantime, enjoy some more excellent .gif reactions from people excited about the Carell sighting.
@SteveCarell come to the Michigan Union I have so many questions! pic.twitter.com/yznOxLd2VS Tony Brown (@brown_tony1) March 20, 2018
Sources: @SteveCarell is on the University of Michigan campus pic.twitter.com/XfcbQ6O5mo #5 (20-1) Barstool Blue (@BarstoolUofM) March 20, 2018
YPSILANTI, MI - A man wanted in connection with the beating and stabbing death of an Ypsilanti woman is in custody in Detroit on unrelated charges.
Demetrius Montgomery, 38, was sought for questioning after Latisha Bargaineer, 29, reportedly his girlfriend, was found dead June 18, 2017 in his vehicle in Detroit.
The crime scene was found at the couple's Ypsilanti apartment, in the 300 block of West Cross Street, and Montgomery was suspected of fleeing in a cousin's vehicle, according to police.
Montgomery was arrested on June 25, 2017 in Lincoln, Alabama for attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, and using a false identification to obstruct justice, Talladega County Jail records show.
After being returned as a fugitive in February, Montgomery was arraigned March 6 in Wayne County in one felony case involving assault with intent to murder and armed robbery and several misdemeanor cases, Talladega and Wayne county records show. The assault case was dismissed March 19 when the complaining witness failed to appear.
Montgomery's court-appointed attorney in the since-dismissed case, Eric Goze, said he'd been told by Montgomery that he may be wanted for information in an Ypsilanti matter, but was unaware of further details.
Montgomery has a pending warrant in Washtenaw County for receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle on June 18 - the same date Bargaineer was found.
Authorities in Washtenaw County were in touch with Wayne County officials and planned to seek Montgomery's transfer to their jurisdiction ahead of any release on bond, Yuchasz confirmed.
Montgomery on Tuesday remained held in Wayne County on $1,200 bond for six low-level cases - involving charges of driving without insurance and driving an unregistered or untitled vehicle, court and jail records show.
BAY CITY, MI -- A little more than a month after launching a campaign to open a building where veterans can develop new skills, obtain counseling and enjoy each other's company, the Bay Veterans Foundation has secured more than $100,000 and has a purchase agreement on some real estate for the venture.
To date, the foundation, led by Keith Markstrom, has raised $108,000 for the veterans activity center and makerspace. It also has an agreement to purchase the building at 1009 N. Madison Ave., where the Wings and Things bird store is currently located. The sale is pending environmental studies and raising enough money. Markstrom said the foundation needs $150,000 to close on the building -- $140,000 for the property and another $10,000 for insurance and other incidentals related to the sale.
Of the money raised to date, $75,000 came from Bay County's Soldiers and Sailors Relief Commission, which is funded through a countywide millage. The commission typically helps veterans when they're short on utility and rent bills.
Last week, Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1098 presented the foundation with a $2,500 donation.
"Donations like this are a way for Local 1098 and our signatory contractors to give back to the community while supporting an important community resource for Bay Area veterans," said Jeff Pilarski, business agent for the union.
Markstrom said the donation goes beyond a monetary gift.
"The unions recognize this could potentially be a feeder for some folks to come into their trades," he said. "It's tough to find people interested in skilled trades right now, so if we can train some people, maybe we can also get them employed."
Markstrom has enlisted former Delta College skilled trades professor David Bledsoe to help develop a curriculum for veterans to learn everything from basic wood working technique to more advanced skills, like using CNC machines.
"We want to provide that introductory education and be a motivator to encourage them to try something new," Bledsoe said. "Maybe some of these guys will carry on, use their G.I. Bill and go pursue further education."
Markstrom plans to submit grant applications to at least five major foundations in the area. Those interested in donating to the venture can send checks made out to the Bay Veterans Foundation, P.O. Box 1513, Bay City, Michigan, 48706.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, March 22, the Bay Veterans Foundation is hosting an informational meeting about the veterans center at the Dow Bay Area Family Y, 225 Washington Ave.
FRANKENLUST TWP, MI -- A 73-year-old Saginaw man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 on St. Patrick's Day morning, and police believe alcohol was involved.
Bay County Sheriff's deputies at 1:49 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, were dispatched to the crash site on southbound I-75 near Hotchkiss Road in Frankenlust Township. They arrived to find a black 2007 Jeep Liberty overturned in the median and a tan 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche nearby, said Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham.
Investigators determined the Jeep had been driven by David M. Halm, of Saginaw. The Jeep was struck from behind by the Avalanche, driven by 25-year-old Bay City resident Jared W. Martlock, causing it to overturn and leave the roadway, Cunningham said.
Halm was not breathing and appeared to have suffered a broken neck, according to deputies' reports in court files. Responding paramedics pronounced Halm dead at the scene.
Martlock was uninjured and was still sitting behind the wheel when deputies arrived. Martlock told deputies the Jeep had cut him off and he had been unable to stop. He added that he had consumed a couple of beers at Castaways, 3940 Boy Scout Road in Bangor Township.
At 2:37 a.m., Martlock submitted to a preliminary Breathalyzer test, the results of which indicated his blood alcohol level was at 0.159, according to deputies' reports. Deputies arrested him and took him to McLaren Bay Region hospital, where a phlebotomist took two vials of his blood for testing.
Michigan State Police troopers and Frankenlust Township firefighters assisted at the scene.
After spending the weekend in jail, Martlock on Monday, March 19, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly for arraignment on one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence causing death. The charge is a 15-year felony.
Martlock, who is free on a $100,000 bond, has retained Bay City defense attorney Matthew L. Reyes to represent him.
Halm is survived by a wife, a daughter, and three grandchildren. He retired from Saginaw Steering Gear after more than 40 years of service, according to his obituary.
"He was a hardworking family man and enjoyed helping others," his obituary reads. "His Christian belief and helping hands often found him doing missionary work in places like Jamaica where he built homes and churches."
Martlock is to appear for a preliminary examination at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3.
A Detroit police commander is suspended with pay after an altercation while working as a bouncer during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade that left a man in a coma on March 11.
Patrons of Ottava Via restaurant on Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown called 911 after the incident involving Detroit Police Commander Timothy Leach and patron Michael Karpovich, 41, of Washington Township.
When Detroit police arrived, they were waived off and told Karpovich slipped and fell, Detroit Police Chief James Craig said during a press conference on Tuesday, March 20.
"When I hear 'cover up,' I want to make it certainly clear -- crystal clear -- that this department does not engage in that, and when we find out, we address that issue," the chief said. "Now that doesn't mean that an individual may attempt to cover up their misdeeds."
Craig says the hospital didn't initially report the injuries as possibly being caused by an assault. It wasn't until several days later that the police administration learned of Leach's involvement. He was suspended on Thursday, March 15.
The police chief says he's watched two surveillance videos that show Leach did use force against Karpovich, but he declined to elaborate about what he saw in the video.
Chief Craig gives statement regarding Commander Leach. Posted by Detroit Police Department on Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Detroit police policy requires officers report any use of force, even if it occurs while off duty, Craig said. Leach did not report a use of force, nor had he obtained authorization to work at the bar.
The chief said, "as a matter of practice, I do not authorize officers to work inside taverns and bars."
Leach, in addition to working as a Detroit police commander, operates a security business. Up to six employees providing security and door services during the St. Patrick's Day parade were working for Leach, according to Craig.
At least one other Detroit police detective was working with Leach and is likely to face internal consequences for violating policy.
Medical staff had to remove portions of Karpovich's skull to remove pressure caused by swelling following the incident and he remained unconscious Tuesday, the Detroit News reported, based on a statement made by Jennifer Damico of the Mike Morse law firm, who is representing the Karpovich family.
"I will tell you that the investigation is ongoing, but there was certainly an encounter between Leach and the subject," Craig said during a nearly 40-minute press conference. "There are allegations that the subject was under the influence of alcohol and at some point the commander used force.
"At this point I'm not going to address if the force was appropriate or not."
The police chief said restaurant staff have remained consistent in their claims that Karpovich slipped and fell.
The response to this incident "certainly brought significant discredit to the department," Craig said.
Detroit police are asking any witnesses to contact Detroit police at 313-596-2200.
A 23-year-old pizza delivery driver from Dearborn Heights has unsuccessfully appealed a five-year sentence he received after being convicted of making false statements on a gun application.
While the conviction carries a possible punishment of up to 10 years in prison, sentencing guidelines, which offer federal judges a recommended sentence based on the defendant's prior record and other factors, called for Khalil Abu-Rayyan, 23, to spend between 15 and 21 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh III said several factors justified his lengthier sentence, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a ruling issued Monday, March 19, said it would not overturn the judge's sentence, which it called "strict" but "reasonable."
While Abu-Rayyan was never charged with making terrorist threats, much of the federal government's case focused on his pro-terrorist, sometimes threatening messages and social media activity.
Abu-Rayyan's attorneys argued on appeal that he was essentially being punished for utilizing his First Amendment right to free speech.
The court says that speech "shed light on what sort of danger Rayyan presented to the public, how severe his conduct was, and what kind of sentence would be needed to deter other individuals from heading down the same path."
Appeals court opinion:
Steeh said, in addition to sending and sharing graphic pictures and messages in support of the Islamic terrorist group known as ISIL, Abu-Rayyan took actions that amounted to specific threats.
In messages to an undercover FBI agent who posed as a love interest, Abu-Rayyan said he wanted to kill a police officer who'd previously arrested him, and expressed a desire to "shoot up" a large Detroit church near his place of work. He also visited a gun range and attempted to obtain guns.
After making the threats, Steeh says Abu-Rayyan proceeded to lie on a federal application for a gun, denying he smoked marijuana, when in fact he did so regularly -- 10 to 15 "blunts" per day, the judge said. He also visited a gun range to practice firing with an AK-47 and AR-14, after which he took a photo while making an ISIL hand gesture.
Before being charged with federal crimes, Abu-Rayyan already had a brush with the law in 2015. He was stopped by Detroit police and charged with marijuana possession and carrying a concealed firearm. He'd later accept a plea deal and be sentenced to probation.
The officer who stopped Abu-Rayyan in that case was later hospitalized for a heart attack, and prosecutors said Abu-Rayyan, in text messages to the undercover agent, threatened to attack the hospital and kill the officer.
Steeh said he hoped the sentence would send a message to others with terrorist thoughts who "may be contemplating their own martyrdom," that, even in the first steps, they face serious penalties.
FLINT, MI -- A man accused of trying to buy a young child for sex has been deemed incompetent to stand trial after an evaluation shows he believes he is mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation initiated a juvenile sex trafficking investigation in November after getting information that Josh Michael Waldrop was sending text messages to an undercover officer with the Flint Area Narcotics Group attempting to purchase a girl between the age of seven and 10-years-old, according to a criminal complaint filed in Flint U.S. District Court.
He was charged with attempted manufacture of child pornography and attempted enticement.
Waldrop was ordered temporarily detained by the court in November and his attorney asked for a psychological exam.
The exam found that Waldrop was suffering from mental disease or defect that would impact his ability to help his attorney, according to the court order that committed him to treatment.
The court ordered Waldrop to be hospitalized for treatment for no more than four months in order to determine if he will regain competency.
Doctors discovered that Waldrop had grandiose delusions, including the belief that he is McGregor and that he was born in Dublin, Ireland, according to court records.
He allegedly told doctors he purchased Waldrop's identity so he could travel in and out of the United States more easily, the order for commitment read.
Waldrop sent messages to the undercover investigator seeking a girl for $100 per month so he could have continued access to her for sex, so she would be his wife and have his children when she gets older, the criminal complaint alleges.
He later asked for nude photographs of a young girl and wanted her delivered to a hotel in Burton, according to court records.
A search of the room by the FBI led them to Waldrop and the cellphone that was used when Waldrop messaged the undercover officer to solicit the girl, the criminal complaint said.
Waldrop admitted he sent the text messages to the undercover officer when he was interviewed by the FBI, according to the complaint.
FLINT TWP., MI - Police in Flint Township are saying no shots were fired and no injuries reported during a fight at Genesee Valley Center despite a social media post to the contrary spread over the weekend.
Officers with the Flint Township Police Department were called out Sunday, March 18, for a disturbance at the Jimmy Jazz clothing store inside the shopping center off South Linden Road.
It was later learned by law enforcement that one of the people involved tossed a step ladder that struck a metal frame around the door and made a loud noise in the immediate area.
A Facebook post by a shopper stated, which is being shared, claimed multiple shots were fired and it was overheard that two people died during the incident, which police have said is untrue.
All persons involved in the incident were gone prior to township police arriving at the scene, approximately one minute after the 911 phone call was received by a dispatcher.
No arrests were made following the scuffle, police said.
A spokesperson for the shopping center declined to comment Monday afternoon.
GAINES TOWNSHIP, MI -- Steelcase has a potential buyer for 97 acres in Gaines Township where a 1 million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center would be built.
The facility would be a distribution center for online retail giant Amazon, according to a report by MiBiz, citing unnamed sources.
Gaines Township officials declined to confirm if Amazon is connected to the potential development. The proposed facility in Kent County would be about 10-15 miles south of downtown Grand Rapids.
Project Rapids, listed as the developer on the project, is requesting the property change from part of Steelcase's planned unit development to its own PUD, according to documents filed with Gaines Township. The property, at the corner of 68th Street SE and Patterson Avenue, is located near Steelcase's wood plant.
The township's planning commission will discuss the project during its 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 meeting. A decision on the zoning request is expected to be made in April.
The request indicates the facility would be used for the shipping and distribution of food, grocery and liquor items.
Steelcase also declined to talk about the potential buyer, but did release this statement: "Steelcase is occasionally approached by outside organizations or individuals looking to purchase its real estate holdings, but we do not comment on the existence or status of potential or pending transactions."
The Right Place previously led the effort to interest Amazon in building its second headquarters in West Michigan with incentives worth up to $2 billion. The region didn't make the finalist list.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A Grand Rapids man was sentenced to 15 years, eight months in prison for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
Ralph Lamont Blevins was considered a danger to the community, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Lewis said in court documents.
"The defendant's maintenance of a heavily guarded drug operation in the middle of Grand Rapids could have easily led to the loss of life by officers, innocent bystanders, or even the defendant himself," Lewis wrote.
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney sentenced Blevins on Monday, March 19, in Kalamazoo. Once the prison sentence ends, Blevins will be on supervised release for four years.
The federal prosecutor said police used a search warrant Aug. 17 at Blevin's home, two days after police did a controlled buy of cocaine at the residence. Police found a shotgun, two handguns and ammunition in his bedroom.
Police also found packaging materials for drugs, digital scales, cash, and two ounces of marijuana.
Blevins said he had the shotgun "because he had 'some problems with people in the past,'" Lewis wrote.
He told authorities he was holding the handguns for a friend.
"The defendant is a 39-year-old with adult convictions for drugs, violence, and illegal possession of a firearm. Unfortunately, his prior convictions and periods of incarceration have not deterred him from further criminality," Lewis wrote.
The lengthy sentence had a devastating effect on his family, a step-daughter wrote.
She said she waited all of her life for her mother to find happiness. She thought she had it with Blevins.
"Now I feel my mom was robbed of her happiness from someone who just didn't want to see her happy. I've lost so many of my family members to prison. It's just terrible. I just had a little sister not too long ago. All from my stepdad he gave me a happier mom, beautiful baby sister, and a better look at life. ... To think my sister's dad has to miss out on 15 years of her childhood hurts me. Those are the most important years of her life that she needs her father."
She said she wanted her mother to be happy.
"Instead, of crying trying to figure out how she's going to raise 6 kids on her own for the next 15 years."
Blevins, who has seven children, regrets the example he has set for them, Sean Tilton, an assistant federal public defender, wrote in court documents.
Blevins did not consider the consequences of his latest offense, and does not want to spend the rest of his life in prison, his attorney said.
He said Blevins wants to stay in his children's lives, even from prison. He intends to gain a skill and lead a productive life once out of prison.
"Mr. Blevins states that the penalties in this case have sent a message that he has received loud and clear," Tilton wrote.
CALHOUN COUNTY, MI - A firefighter accidentally shot himself in the groin while battling a grass fire off westbound 1-94, authorities said.
The Athens firefighter had a concealed-pistol license, police told WWMT Newschannel 3.
Emmett Township on Monday, March 19, called for an ambulance to the 100 mile marker of I-94 to a report that a firefighter had been shot in the groin area. The gunshot was self-inflicted, Calhoun County Emergency Network said.
It said state police responded to the incident.
WWMT said the firefighter was hospitalized.
Several fire departments were called to help to put out the large brush fire.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Ford CEO Jim Hackett got a bit of good natured ribbing on Monday, March 19, from business leaders when he returned to Grand Rapids to speak to the Econ Club.
He was introduced by his good friend, Amway chairman Steve Van Andel, who joked he doesn't plan to follow Hackett's example when he retires at the end of the year.
Since retiring from Grand Rapids office furniture-maker Steelcase in 2014, Hackett has only gotten busier.
That same year, he joined his alma mater, the University of Michigan as interim athlethic director. As he soon as he finished the 2 year assignment, Ford Motor tapped him to lead a unit responsible for experimenting with car-sharing programs and self-driving ventures. Last year, Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford hired Hackett to lead the company.
There seems to one constant about Hackett's unusual career path, he observed.
"I find my life is about blue," he said. "Steelcase is known as Big Blue. Michigan is known as Go Blue and Ford is known as the Blue Oval."
Hackett even spoke to the lunch crowd from a blue Steelcase chair. His recent hip surgery made it difficult to stand for long periods of time, he explained.
He credits Van Andel for giving him sound advice when he was thinking about his next step after U-M.
Knowing Hackett's penchant for figuring out future trends, Van Andel told him: "What you need to do is get yourself in an industry where the future is foggy."
The timing was good. That same week, Ford approached Hackett about his future plans.
When talking about what's ahead for Ford, Hackett says the company is working on adding hybrid engines to its bigger vehicles so customers don't have to choose between more room and saving money at the gas pump.
"It allows customers to go into larger silhouettes and not pay a penalty for fuel efficiency," Hackett said.
The company continues to put a priority on research of driverless cars. Perfecting the technology is more about car mechanics than software, Hackett said.
He sees a future self-driving transit vans that can carry up to 10 people.
"We think we will deploy more people in the chariot system internationally than we have in the U.S.," said Hackett, adding that he expects micro transits to start getting more attention as a form of ride sharing.
Another issue that Ford is working on is WiFi in cars so several people can use their devices at the same time without headphones, he added. All Ford vehicles will be wired with 4G service by 2020.
Hackett says he is humbled to be leading the 115-year-old Michigan company that changed the world.
Company founder Henry Ford worked with his mentor and inventor Thomas Edison in the early 1900s trying to figure out how to power a car with electricity. They eventually had to go with gas because the fuel provided more power, Hackett said.
"These folks were changing the world of their day. They were akin to the tech giants of today," Hackett said.
Hackett says his new job is to figure out where the industry is going. There's lessons to learn from once thriving companies like Blackberry and Toys 'R Us that didn't see how disruptors like Apple and Amazon were changing their industries.
"What is that curve for us that we don't see?" asked Hackett. "It's where I want to spend time as a CEO."
One area Ford needs to improve is how long customers are waiting for their new cars after placing an order.
The Mustang he ordered for his wife, Kathy, took 81 days -- which is the same amount of time it took in 2003.
"There's no business in the world that can stay in business when 81 (days) 15 years ago is 81 (days) today," Hackett said. "Everyone has had to improve speed."
He acknowledged that reducing the waiting period will be a challenge because the automotive supply chain is one of the most complex in the world.
After his speech, he took questions from the audience, which were fielded by Franco Bianchi, president of the Econ Club, and CEO of Steelcase competitor, Haworth.
The ribbing between the two executives drew the biggest laughs during the lunch attended by more than 600 people at the JW Marriott hotel in downtown Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids School Board voted 8-0 to give Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal an overall evaluation rating of highly effective at its Monday, March 19, meeting.
Neal, hired in 2012, has only received highly effective ratings. There was no board discussion before the vote or remarks made during the meeting.
"I think what highly effective says most about me and my cabinet, because we lead as a team, is that we are creating a district that we would want to send our own kids and grand-kids to school,'' said Neal, noting there is a more work to do.
''I really want us to continue to get better because I don't for one second fool myself that we have arrived. It is hard when you're fighting for change for children.''
Neal was evaluated on eight performance indicators: student achievement, teacher performance, achievement gap reduction/elimination, overall progress on the district's school improvement plan, leadership, systems alignment, processes and capacity building.
The board did not make changes to her existing contract, which expires June 30, 2019, but is expected to revisit it next school year.
Last July, school leaders and the teacher teachers union agreed on a new contract with a revamped salary schedule that boosts the starting salary of teachers more than $3,400 and provides salary hikes for mid-career educators.
Neal earns a base salary of $199,980. Last year, she received the 1 percent increase given to all non-teachers union staff. The board contributes $50,000 to a tax deferred annuity. She receives $15,000 annual longevity payments for the remainder of the contract term, following a $20,000 lump sum in 2016.
Grand Rapids is using a new evaluation tool, the School ADvance evaluation system.
"The evaluation piece is not about 'I gotcha,' it's about trying to ensure that the employee that you are supervising is in position to do the best job that they can do,'' said Raynard Ross, vice president of the school board, who coordinated the evaluation changeover.
"This tool enables her to provide us consistent feedback on a regular basis about her progress on the indicators and allows us to give her feedback. This enables us as a board to have a pulse on the progress throughout the evaluation period.''
Ross said Neal has the district moving in the right direction. He said she has been able to mobilize her team effectively to respond to challenges that arise.
He also said she's been proactive about getting the board to invest in critical improvements such as replacing the outdated student management system.
But looming over this year's evaluation is ongoing criticism by parents and educators, the teachers union (Grand Rapids Education Association), and the Michigan Education Association about the special education department.
There have been repeated calls for program improvement and the removal of executive director Laura LaMore.
Just like at the previous board meeting, concerns were raised about the program and its leadership during public comment. The board heard from 15 people, who pleaded for change.
For example, Lily Schulting, a district special education parent and founder of Disability A-TEAM of West Michigan, reminded the board they had not acted on the the 847 special education teachers and staff who signed the MEA petition for the removal of LaMore. She said they deserved an answer.
Mary Bouwense, president of the teachers union, said she does not think Neal is highly effective, citing as an example how she's handled the special education turmoil. She said she was surprised there were no dissenting comments from board members.
"I think they (school board) needed to save some face, acknowledging there were some issues that needed to be dealt with related to special education,'' Bowense said.
"There should have been some acknowledgement that things are perfect because highly effective for a teacher means you're darn near perfect.''
Bret Laubaugh, the MEA representative assigned to GRPS, said the union is connected with advocates ,who are willing to work with parents to help them navigate the system to file complaints about the district's alleged special education violations at the state and federal level.
Prior to the school board meeting, Laubaugh said the union met with parents about that process.
"We have every intention of encouraging and helping parents and guiding them along in the process if they are willing to proceed and file more organized formal complaints regarding special education violations,'' he said.
He repeated one of several allegations raised at a February press conference that some district staff have altered students IEPs or Individualized Education Programs in order to place them in a larger classroom that does not require a certified teacher.
Neal said she and her staff are prepared to address any specific cases of wrongdoing brought to their attention but the union hasn't shared any for review.
Over the last few weeks, she has expressed support for LaMore's leadership and said some unpopular changes she implemented were on her orders to comply with state and federal regulations.
Neal maintains that an independent program review by special education attorney Jeff Butler "debunked'' many of the allegations. She said the district continues to implement his recommendations.
Butler did meet with school board members prior to the meeting.
Board member John Matias described the public comment as sobering. Ross told the audience the board does care about the concerns being raised.
"Just as there is passion on the other side of the table, there is passion on this side of the table,'' Ross said. "I think communication is the way to bring those passions together to have some productive and positive results.''
Board member Katherine Downes Lewis also told those who spoke that the board cares and they are being heard.
In a February statement, after given the petition, the board said "the governance role of the board is not to assess and evaluate leadership beyond that of the superintendent. We do not have the authority to direct the superintendent to remove any employee for reasons of performance."
Sharron Pitts, assistant superintendent for human resources and general counsel at GRPS said that Butler review will be placed on the district's website.
HOLLAND, MI - After weeks of community meetings, the Holland School Board Monday, March 19, approved a district proposal to restructure to right-size, according to Superintendent Brian Davis.
Davis said the changes to a traditional school structure would take effect the 2018-19 school year. He said the changeover would save the district between $1.3 and $1.5 million per year and prevent program cuts.
"The decision this evening positions the district to move forward with the best possible conditions given the many contributing factors impacting our school district,'' said Davis, about the fourth restructure in 15 years.
"The decisions in 2003, 2006, 2009 and now, have established a pathway for us to continue without program reduction. Each time we have gotten better at what we do and we have added unique programs and partnerships along the way.''
The 6 to 1 vote by the board triggers the following changes:
Transition back to traditional K-5 buildings, rather than the K-7's created under the 2009-10 restructure. Specifically, Holland Heights, Holland Language Academy, Jefferson and West would be K-5 schools.
Transitional kindergarten would continue to be provided at K-5 buildings. Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) and Early Childhood Special Education will transition from Maplewood to K-5 buildings. Maplewood ECC will continue to be leased to and serve the Head Start Program.
Holland High School would return to serving students in ninth through 12
The Holland Early College Program would transition to Holland High campus, in addition to the alternative high school program.
East would become a traditional middle school serving grades sixth through eighth.
The district has been dealing with a $1.2 million deficit annually. However, this move is expected to end that deficit spending. The 3,514-student district has battled declining enrollment, losing nearly 900 students over the last decade.
Davis cites multiple reasons contributing to the latest restructure including: the rise of charter schools, Schools of Choice, inadequate state funding, declining birthrates, and lack of affordable housing.
Layoffs will accompany the changes. No specific numbers have been released by the district but it could be as many as 20 positions between central administration and instructional support.
Board member Lisa Whiteman voted no on the proposal. However, she encouraged the future work to engage the many parents and voices that came together to share their investment and support in the school district, according to Davis.
"I was encouraged by the voice of community members, staff, parents and students,'' said Davis, about the engagement process this year.
He said there is a passion for Holland Public Schools that provides the drive and commitment for excellence. He said it will take all of them working together in this next chapter of the district to continue this excellence.
"We have completed our heavy lift,'' he told MLive. "It is now time for our legislators to invest in study and research of the Michigan School Finance Research Collaborative and address the funding challenges facing schools across our state.''
EMMET COUNTY, MI -- A Northern Michigan woman charged with murder in the death of her infant daughter pleaded to a lesser charge.
Lisa Bryan, 32, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as a second-offense habitual offender Tuesday, March 20. As part of the plea deal, she will have charges of second-degree murder and obstructing police dismissed at sentencing.
Involuntary manslaughter as a habitual offender is punishable by up to 22.5 years in prison, while the murder charge could have been a life offense.
Emmet County Prosecutor James Linderman said Bryan knowingly disregarded safe sleep practices when she fell asleep while nursing her infant daughter, Isabella Powrozek, on Nov. 1, 2016.
When the mother awoke, her 1-month-old daughter was not breathing.
"Like all cases of this nature, it's tough," Linderman said. "It's a case where it's based on circumstantial evidence and statements made by the mother. It's a tough case to prove."
For more than a year, Emmet County Sheriff's deputies investigated Bryan in the child's death. In January 2018, she was charged with second-degree murder after police said she changed her statements multiple times before admitting to falling asleep with Powrozek held close to her chest.
Bryan was previously convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the death of her first infant child in May 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to police.
She was sentenced to four years in prison for that case, but served about 15 months before being released, according to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records.
Bryan is scheduled to be sentenced April 24 in Emmet County Judge Charles Johnson's courtroom.
WYOMING, MI -- A church in Wyoming is calling itself the first sanctuary church in the metro Grand Rapids area.
The Rev. Justo Gonzalez II said his church is opening its doors to anyone and everyone who feels that they need a safe and sacred place, including "anyone who feels harassed or threatened by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids or deportation."
"Immigrants always have been and will be welcome here," Gonzalez said. "Let it be known that this community of faith celebrates diversity, experiences immigrants as a blessing, and will always uplift the dignity and worth of God's creation."
Gonzalez, southwest area minister for the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ, moved to West Michigan from Buffalo, New York, in fall 2017. Through conversations with the West Michigan Immigrant Coalition, he quickly learned the area lacked a designated sanctuary church.
The United Church of Christ has spent seven months creating "strategic partnerships" with other churches, community groups and activists to gather resources, including funding, to be able to assist people in need.
The church, located on Havana Avenue near Lee High and Middle School, has eight beds available, with another two to be added in the coming days. It has individual dorm rooms, as well as two family rooms, a shower facility, a commercial kitchen and a space for children.
The church will provide sanctuary, free of charge, to those who need it, and for as long as they need it. Its first sanctuary-seeker is expected to arrive next week.
"People are there as long as they choose to be," Gonzalez said. "In Buffalo, it was a border town and we had a partner agency that knew how to navigate the immigration systems in Canada. So we had an exit strategy. The reality is different cities have different situations."
Asked if he was worried about drawing extra attention as a sanctuary church, Gonzalez said being a potential target is irrelevant.
"I serve God and it's clear to me that my faith impels me to stand in the gap of injustices," he said. "It's an injustice to have the president of the United States label people like me, who are Latino, as MS-13, and to make it sound like every person who is under-documented in this country or every Latino is a gang member, a drug dealer, or is going to murder people.
"It's unacceptable that ICE continues to separate families and not provide information. If people want to scream and yell, God love them. But this is part of our biblical mandate."
Gonzalez called for "the war on immigrants" to end immediately. He said the majority of immigrants entered the country through lawful means, but stayed due to gang brutality, drug violence, human trafficking, a lack of employment opportunities and poor economic situations in their native countries.
The pastor added that he will not allow officers from ICE, The Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Customs and Border Protection into his church without a warrant for a specific individual.
"We're covered in a memorandum of understanding that ICE will not enter into sensitive locations and churches are defined as that," he said. "But we also know all of the rules changed Jan. 21, 2017, with this administration.
"We won't be foolish or take unnecessary risk, but we won't let others define for us what God is calling us to do."
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The main north-south highway running through Grand Rapids will be closed to southbound drivers this weekend.
The closure of southbound U.S. 131 at Burton Street is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Friday, March 23, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Transportation. All lanes are expected to reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, March 26.
It is the second such closure of the highway this month. Last weekend, crews closed all northbound lanes at 28th Street.
MDOT staff explain the closures are necessary to accommodate $300,000 of work being done on the U.S. 131 bridges over Plaster Creek. The creek crosses under the highway between the 28th Street and Burton Street exits.
During the closures, crews will replace rocker plates along the bridges, which allow for expansion and contraction during shifts in temperature. The process involves using jacks underneath the bridge beams to raise the bridge about a half inch, according to MDOT spokesperson John Richard.
Richard explained that process is the reason for the total closure, since the bridges should carry no weight or experience any major vibrations while jacked up.
Through traffic headed south on U.S. 131 this weekend is asked to take the downtown exit for westbound Interstate 196 (I-196), then follow the Paul B. Henry Freeway (M-6) east before merging back onto southbound U.S. 131 south of Grand Rapids.
The highway will be closed at 28th Street, but the exit ramp from southbound U.S. 131 onto Burton Street will remain open.
The U.S. 131 bridge work is not the only Grand Rapids highway project planned for 2018 that will result in closures.
Work also began this month on a $10 million project focused on a busy stretch of Interstate 96 (I-96) in Grand Rapids.
Closures of I-96 between U.S. 131 and Plainfield Avenue (M-44) are planned for the spring and summer months. MDOT expects to close eastbound I-96 to traffic from mid-April through mid-June, and the highway's westbound lanes from mid-June through mid-August.
A "serial bomber" is terrorizing residents in Austin, Texas, with explosions targeting prominent members of Austin's African American community. Many feel authorities haven't done enough to stop the bombings because they have been targeting people of color, and President Donald Trump has yet to acknowledge the incidents. But others argue authorities are doing the best they can. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
A "serial bomber" has been terrorizing Austin residents, with a fifth explosion occurring in a FedEx shipping facility in Texas headed for Austin. The bombings have already killed two people and injured many others, and authorities believe the bombs are targeting prominent African Americans.
Some believe the Austin bombings haven't been getting the attention they deserve in part because the victims have been people of color. Trump has yet to comment on the attacks.
The #AustinBombings are domestic terrorism and so far it looks like minorities are being targeted. A real President would make solving this a top priority Marcus H. Johnson (@marcushjohnson) March 19, 2018
But others point out authorities have in fact stepped up their search for the bomber.
Were told more than 500 agents from ATF, FBI and other organizations are involved in the package explosion investigations in Austin. The reward for information in the bomb attacks is now $115,000. #ATX Quita Culpepper (@QuitaC_KVUE) March 19, 2018
Talked to Police Chief Brian Manley to offer support in investigation of 4 bombings in Austin. Local, state, and federal law authorities are working together and will bring perpetrator(s) to justice. Call Austin police at 512-974-5210 w information. @Austin_Police @MayorAdler Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) March 19, 2018
And officials have asked the community to stay vigilant in helping authorities locate the bomber.
Please continue to remain vigilant. pic.twitter.com/uvQrBqdCeU Chief Brian Manley (@Chief_Manley) March 20, 2018
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U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos offered some new details on how she and other cabinet members plan to address gun violence in schools Tuesday, but lawmakers expressed frustration at the lack of explicit policy positions coming from her office.
At a U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the Department of Education's budget, DeVos was pressed for more information on what she felt was the best path forward as school shootings continue to happen.
DeVos testified that the commission on school safety she's chairing would be meeting in the next few weeks to tackle that subject. She said the commission would be made up of herself and three other members of President Donald Trump's cabinet: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
"We have a cultural violence in this country that we have got to help identify solutions for and root causes to," DeVos said.
Democrats at the hearing were skeptical of DeVos' ability to make meaningful change, calling into question heavy proposed cuts to the Department of Education's budget and President Donald Trump's support of arming and training some teachers.
"We're sort of moving beyond platitudes at this point...we have students' lives on the line," U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., told DeVos.
DeVos said the administration is supportive of strengthening background checks and preventing young people from getting guns. DeVos wouldn't take a stance on arming teachers, saying that the issue "needs to be discussed more broadly."
"I think it is an important matter for discussion in addition to many other factors that play into a culture of violence," DeVos said. "This is very much a matter for states."
In response to a line of questioning from U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., DeVos said: "If there are guns in schools, they should be in the hands of the right people to protect students and their safety."
Since she was nominated for the position, DeVos has been one of Trump's most controversial cabinet appointments. Her position on guns in schools during her Senate confirmation hearing in January 2017 was one of the first to earn her national scrutiny.
Referencing a case cited by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyoming, where a school is surrounded by fencing because grizzly bears are common in the area, DeVos said: "I would imagine that there is probably a gun in the schools to protect from potential grizzlies."
Asked about that comment Tuesday, DeVos said she "probably would have used a different example" if she had that hearing to do over again.
Michigan U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, said during Tuesday's hearing that he appreciated DeVos not giving her opinion on "all the gun issues that are politicizing the country."
"You are on a commission to look at ways to keep students safe," he said. "If you had all your conclusions before the commission, you wouldn't have a commission."
Lawmakers aired other concerns when questioning DeVos at the hearing, including issues with underperforming schools, proposed cuts to impact aid and programs relied on by low-income school districts and a proposed $1 million cut to the department's Office of Civil Rights, which U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., called "a slap in the face" to minority students.
"You just don't care much about civil rights of black and brown children," Lee told DeVos. "This is horrible."
Some lawmakers also brought up DeVos' comments in a recent 60 Minutes interview, which inspired criticism when DeVos -- a West Michigan native who spent considerable time and money supporting school choice in the state -- said she didn't know how Michigan schools were doing.
She also admitted that she hadn't visited underperforming schools during her time as Secretary of Education. When CBS News correspondent Lesley Stahl suggested that maybe she should go look at underperforming schools, DeVos replied, "Maybe I should, yes."
Referencing the interview, Pocan asked about whether she was making plans to visit underperforming schools. DeVos said she has made a point of schools doing things creatively or exceptionally well so far, but wondered whether underperforming schools would be open to a visit from her.
"I think the question is, will they let me in?" she said.
MACKINAW CITY, MI - As far as things we swoon over in Northern Michigan, Dustin Dilworth captured a trifecta in one shot early this morning: The glow of the Northern Lights unfurling over the blue ice that's been stacking up around the Mackinac Bridge.
He's calling the composition "Blue Ice, Green Sky."
It's a shot he's always wanted, but wasn't sure he'd ever get. And he got it all because he woke up from a nap at just the right time.
"I just feel very privileged," said Dilworth, who runs the Gaylord-based D3 Imagery, which offers photo and video service. "This photo is one that I've had in my mind. It's an elusive shot that I didn't know if I would ever get."
When he set out for Mackinaw City last night, Dilworth said his goal was to get multiple exposures to create a time-lapse. He went to the park area near the bridge, scouted out a good spot, but conditions weren't right for the shot. So he took a nap.
When he woke up around 2 a.m., he could see a very faint glow from the aurora with his eyes. The Kp index - which measures how far south the Northern Lights could be visible, was slightly higher than a 4. You typically need a solid 5 to see lights in the Straits of Mackinac.
But Dilworth knew there was at least some aurora showing. Light pollution from the bridge made it hard to tell how much. Then he took the shot.
His camera showed the brilliant curtain of green across the sky.
I didn't last long. The aurora disappeared a short time later.
"If I would have been five minutes later ... ."
When he captured the image, Dilworth was about 50 yards out on the frozen Straits, standing on a mound of ice to get a nice array of blue ice in the foreground.
The blue ice has drawn photographers and tourists to the Straits in the last three weeks. This year, it's lasted longer than in the past.
Dilworth got some great video of the phenomenon earlier this winter. He typically drives to the bridge area a couple times a month to work on his photography skills, a hobby-turned-business he started two years ago.
A technical adviser for Apple, the cameras feed his need to get outside. And for someone who grew up downstate, the beauty of the Mackinac Bridge never gets old.
"The bridge even now is still a kind of special place to me. I never get tired of going up and visiting it."
To see more of Dustin Dilworth's work, check D3 Imagery on Facebook and Instagram.
SUMMIT TWP., MI - One of Jackson's most accomplished products is returning to her hometown to empower young women of color at the 2018 Women of Color Leadership Conference at Jackson College.
Jackson native Heather Harding, senior program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will give the keynote address at the conference, titled "Taking It to Another Level and Cultivating Greatness."
The free event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, in Bert Walker Hall on Jackson College's main campus, 2111 Emmons Road. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.
Before ascending to a prominent career in education, Harding grew up humbly on Jackson's south side, she said. She called her childhood in the city "challenging but happy."
She is the daughter of Lauretta Harding and has multiple family members still living in Jackson.
Harding graduated from Jackson High School in 1988 and went on to study journalism at Northwestern University.
While a career in journalism was her goal, life called Harding in a different direction, she said.
After taking a teaching internship in rural North Carolina, Harding knew her true love was education, she said.
For more than 25 years now, Harding has been an active voice in education at the national level - often advocating for equal education for all students.
"It's incredibly important that all children have access to a quality education," she said. "We can't leave all that talent left un-developed. My work on behalf of students of color and low-income students has been the most important and the most personal."
Harding has served as executive director of Teach For America-North Carolina, a foundation that works to end education inequality, in addition to various other roles. She earned a Master's degree and a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Harding said she is humbled and excited about the chance to talk to young women of color at Jackson College.
"I'm especially excited to talk to young women of color because their leadership is key to current movements nationally and so often women of color are discounted instead of being recognized as powerful leaders," she said.
She intends to discuss methods of finding unique individual talents that will lead to success, she said.
"I believe that we all have special talents," Harding said. "We just have to recognize and develop them."
After Harding's lecture, attendees can participate in two breakout sessions, titled "Developing the Leader Within," and "Essentials of a Successful Relationship."
The conference is hosted by the Jackson College Sisters of Strength, a service and leadership initiative with the mission is to inspire members to stay in college, advance academically and serve their community.
A light continental breakfast is included.
The conference is free and open to community members. Call 517-796-8480 to RSVP.
For additional information, contact Kelly Crum at CrumKellyA@jccmi.edu.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Funds are pouring in to help Kalamazoo address poverty, racial equity and affordable housing issues in the city.
Monday, the City Commission accepted a $1 million donation for a new fund to research efforts to reduce poverty in Kalamazoo and track progress. Earlier this month, the city accepted a $20,000 grant to advance racial equity in affordable housing practices.
Timothy Light, former provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Michigan University, gifted the $1 million donation. Under an agreement approved Monday, the city will use it to monitor the work of Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo and research new poverty reduction strategies.
Light articulated the city's problems best, commissioners said, during a June 2017 Rotary Club banquet. Light and his wife, Joy, were being awarded the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo's 2017 Red Rose Citation decades of work in the community.
That night, Light said there are "two Kalamazoos" -- one that provides opportunities to enjoy high quality art, music, theater, supported by personal philanthropy and volunteer hours, and another marked by poverty, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, school failure and health problems.
Timothy Light attends a Rotary Club meeting in this MLive.com file photo.
Commissioner David Anderson found himself in another "surreal moment" where a generous person stepped forward to make a large gift to the city. Gifts like Light's -- and the $70.3 million which helped create the Foundation for Excellence -- is creating a "rolling ball of good energy" improving the city.
Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo is an initiative to make economic opportunity possible for all residents. It's one expression of multiple government strategies to reduce poverty.
Earlier this month, the city approved an SPK action plan, which outlines short and long-term goals focused on increasing access to good jobs, ensuring the healthy development of youth and creating strong families.
In February, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation selected Kalamazoo as one of a handful of American cities to receive a 2:1 funding pilot program. The partnership will leverage $43.5 million toward programs by 2022.
Use of the new $1 million Light Grant Fund will be overseen by a three-person oversight committee composed of Light, Randall Eberts and Stephen Denenfeld.
Partnering with the United Way and unnamed community groups, the city will visit places across North America that showed a measurable reduction in poverty. Information from site visits will be used to develop and enhance services that increase opportunity across the city.
Commissioner Don Cooney said there is important work going on across the country, as cities take action to fight "the scourge of inequality." The Light Grant Fund will help Kalamazoo learn from successes and mistakes made elsewhere, he said.
Light's donation will also create a publicly available database designed to measure and align the work of community partners. W.E. Upjohn Institute and the United Way will help design the system, expected to be launched within one year.
It's typically difficult to obtain grant money that evaluates programs, noted Commissioner Jack Urban.
As a condition of the grant agreement, the city will commit to support and maintain the data system after the grant principal and income has been expended.
RACIAL EQUITY GRANT
The Government Alliance on Race and Equity awarded the Michigan Department of Civil Rights a $20,000 grant to advance racial equity in the city of Kalamazoo.
Efforts will focus on the Edison, Northside and Eastside neighborhoods. The results of this work will be incorporated into the city of Kalamazoo's Housing and Urban Development Consolidated Plan for 2019-2024.
Earlier this month, the city released its HUD Action Plan for a 30-day public review.
The GARE grant is designed to provide flexible resources for projects focused on eliminating structural racism. Funds will help the city adopt a racial equity framework in both its internal and external operations.
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing provides an effective planning approach to take meaningful actions to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, and foster inclusive communities that are free from discrimination.
Agustin Arbulu, executive director of MDCR, said there is "growing concern" from Kalamazoo residents about quality affordable housing and homelessness.
"Looking at this concern through a racial equity lens, we see low rates of home ownership for people of color, high rates of concentrated poverty in neighborhoods where African Americans and Latinos live, and the legacy of redlining and segregation," she said in a release. "This grant award enables us to bring together multiple efforts in a comprehensive and sustained way to help foster actionable change."
The grant aligns with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation process. Last year, Kalamazoo was one of 14 cities across the country that will began a racial healing initiative through a $24 million W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant.
Other partners in the effort include the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan, the Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and Eliminating Racism and Claiming/Celebrating Equity.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Mujey Dumbuya, the Kentwood teen found dead in Kalamazoo, was asphyxiated, her death certificate showed.
The cause of death was listed as "asphyxia, including strangulation."
Police have not released the cause of her death, which previously had been listed as "pending" on her death certificate.
Her body was found Jan. 28 in a wooded area near North Prairie Avenue in Kalamazoo.
She was reported missing four days earlier after she failed to get on the bus to East Kentwood High School.
James was free on bond at the time.
No one has been arrested but Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids police detectives have looked at James, who was accused of raping Dumbuya, 16, last year while she dated the nephew of James' fiancee, Tiara Burnett.
Burnett is expected in Grand Rapids District Court on Tuesday, March 20. She is charged with perjury in a Kent County prosecutor's investigative subpoena concerning statements by James or other information "regarding Quinn James with the circumstances involving or leading up to the homicide of Mujey Dumbuya."
Burnett, who faces up to life in prison if convicted, is free on $50,000 bond.
Meanwhile, James, 42, was arrested in a 2014 sexual assault shortly after Dumbuya was identified as a homicide victim.
Prosecutors declined to file charges in 2014. Defense attorney Jonathan Schildgen thinks the charges were filed to hold James while police investigate the slaying.
Dumbuya was to testify against James for allegedly sexually assaulting her last summer.
Her boyfriend, Daquarius Daymont Bibbs, 17, who allegedly held her hand while James raped her, has been named as a material witness and is under court supervision.
He is on house arrest and monitored by a GPS tether.
Neither Dumbuya nor her boyfriend testified about the allegations because James waived his right to a probable-cause hearing in Kentwood District Court and had his case sent to trial court.
He was free on $100,000 bond when Dumbuya was killed. His attorney said James can account for his whereabouts while Dumbuya was missing.
As James awaited trial in Kent County Circuit Court on the sex-assault allegations, prosecutors asked that the case be remanded to Kentwood District Court for a probable-cause hearing to get Bibbs' testimony on the record.
Prosecutors say James, while in jail, used another inmate's name to send a letter discouraging Bibbs from testifying against him.
"The People are concerned about a witness's safety, and by preserving his testimony, the incentive to intimidate or harm the witness will be diminished," Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Andrew Lukas wrote in a motion.
The probable-cause hearing on the alleged sex assaults on Dumbuya is Wednesday, March 21.
PAW PAW, MI -- A 15-year-old boy accused of making a credible threat against Paw Paw High School was arraigned Monday, March 19.
The teen was arraigned on charges that include possessing short barrel shotguns, possession with intent to use Molotov Cocktails, larceny of firearms and making a terrorist threat, Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said.
The Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office has requested the teen be tried as an adult. The teen's name has not been released.
Abbott said the teen might have followed through with an act of violence Monday had authorities not received a tip.
The teen was brought to the sheriff's office Sunday. The sheriff's office and Paw Paw Police investigated the incident and obtained a search warrant for the teen's residence in the 100 block of Oak Street in Paw Paw.
Abbott said the teen was found to be in possession of two guns stolen from a family member, material to make pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails. The teen was arrested Sunday and lodged at the Allegan County Juvenile Home.
The teen's family was cooperative during the investigation, Abbott said.
"If it wasn't for family, he might have been able to follow through," Abbott said. "I can't say how grateful we are for the family."
School administrators were notified of the threat Sunday and a safety search of the school was conducted.
Paw Paw Public Schools were closed Monday, however, there is no ongoing threat at this time and schools were determined to be safe.
Abbott stressed the importance of calling authorities if someone has information about a threat or other crime.
People can call the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at 269-657-3101 or submit an anonymous tip online on the Sheriff's Department's website.
MUSKEGON, MI - Mercy Health is hoping to open a new urgent care, occupational medicine and radiology facility in Muskegon at the former Old Country Buffet restaurant.
The 10,000-square-foot building at 1670 E. Sherman Blvd. just east of U.S. 31 would allow the medical provider to offer more services and swifter care from doctors or on-site specialists, said Linda Burpee, director of real estate for Trinity Health Michigan - Mercy Health's parent company.
A new location would also help decongest its Hackley and Mercy campuses and alleviate traffic demands on the emergency departments at both locations, Burpee added.
Burpee and other representatives from Mercy Health recently presented the proposal to the Muskegon Planning Commission, which voted unanimously to recommend the plan with a few amendments to the Muskegon City Commission.
The building needs to be rezoned for a medical use and is currently zoned for retail only. Muskegon City Planner Mike Franzak suggested the building be rezoned but the rest of the property stay available for retail.
Another stipulation would require greater traffic controls within the retail mall. The exit designated for Mercy Health's proposed facility comes into conflict with traffic leaving Panera Bread's drive-thru window, Franzak said.
When staff reviewed traffic patterns leaving Panera, Franzak said he and several others witnessed crashes at the intersection. That situation could become more dangerous once Mercy Health moves in.
City staff want a stop sign in the eastbound travel lane or a curb funneling drive-thru traffic east as a necessity for approval.
Franzak said the property owner has been notified of possible changes but has yet to receive feedback.
City Manager Frank Peterson said Thursday that he and Franzak were supportive of Mercy Health's new location, adding that it would help the remaining retail stores in the Sherman retail corridor and bring more people into the area.
SAGINAW, MI -- Gladwin police are investigating an incident involving a teacher who resigned after fraternizing with at least one student on social media.
Gladwin Community Schools Superintendent Rick Seebeck said the Gladwin Junior High School teacher was initially placed on administrative leave sometime last week, but on the morning of Tuesday, March 20, the teacher submitted a letter of resignation.
Seebeck said the teacher violated the school board's social media policy.
He said teachers aren't allowed to "fraternize" with students online unless it's directly related to the school's curriculum or activities.
Gladwin Police Chief Duane Bean said he couldn't comment on the matter because it's an ongoing investigation.
SAGINAW, MI -- During the Saginaw Public School District's upcoming Board of Education action meeting, board members will vote on a proposal to rescind a previous extension to the superintendent's contract.
Nathaniel McClain, the district's top administrator, was granted a one-year extension in 2016 that pushed his employment contract through June of 2019.
Board President Rudy Patterson, at the special meeting on Monday, March 19, mentioned that the board will discuss rescinding the Dec. 16, 2016, vote for McClain's extension.
During the Feb. 13 meeting, board members voted 4-3 to not offer McClain a one-year extension, and 4-3 against offering McClain a three-year extension.
Patterson, Vice President Jason Thompson, Treasurer Mattie Thompson and Secretary Kim "Tody" Hamilton voted in the majority on both motions while trustees Joyce Seals, Tamara McRae and Ruth Ann Knapp showed support for McClain.
McClain's contract was set to expire on June 30 and the board had to act on it on or before March 30, Patterson said at the Feb. 13 meeting.
However, meeting minutes from the Dec. 7, 2016, meeting say that board members voted 6-0 to extend McClain's contract through 2019 after he received a favorable evaluation. Mattie Thompson was not present for that meeting.
There has been an outpouring of support for McClain from district employees and community members. At Monday's meeting, most of those who attended sported "We support Mr. McClain" pin buttons.
More people are expected to attend the 5:30 p.m. action meeting on Wednesday, March 21, at the Administration Building, 550 Millard.
He became the superintendent in August 2015 with an initial contract through 2018.
WASHINGTON -- Karen McDougal, former Playboy Playmate who grew up in Michigan is suing the company who bought the rights to her story about an alleged affair with President Donald Trump, according to The New York Times.
McDougal, who grew up in Sawyer, MI and lived in the state until the late 1990s when her modeling career took off. She claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006 after she met him while he was filming an episode of "The Apprentice" at the Playboy Mansion.
In November 2016, McDougal signed a publishing rights contract with American Media, Inc., to share her story about the affair. However, no articles about the alleged affair have been published by American Media and now McDougal is suing to be released from a clause in the contract requiring her silence on the issue.
American Media is the parent company of the tabloid magazine The National Enquirer.
Knowledge of the affair became public last month when The New Yorker published a story featuring McDougal where she confirmed letters she'd written to a friend about the alleged affair were authentic. Those letter were written long before she signed a contract with American Media.
In the letter, McDougal says after she and Trump began a physical relationship shortly after they met and he offered to pay her, but she declined. She would then fly to events all over the country to see Trump and continue the affair.
She would pay for her own flights, hotel and travel accommodations but Trump would then reimburse her for the costs. McDougal says Trump did not want to leave a paper trail of their meet ups.
McDougal says she ended the relationship nine months after it began. Trump was married at the time to his current wife Melania. The White House has declined to comment on the alleged affair.
[March 20, 2018] Banca Transilvania Partners with Personetics to Deliver AI-powered Banking to Consumers and Small Business Customers LONDON, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Personetics' Cognitive Banking Brain will enable bank customers to receive real-time personalized financial guidance Banca Transilvania, the second largest bank in Romania, is partnering with Personetics, the leading provider of Cognitive Banking applications, to make AI-powered financial guidance an integrated part of the bank's digital customer experience. The Cognitive Banking application provided by Personetics will be integrated to the new version of BT24 Internet Banking and Mobile Banking, which will be launched this year. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/466622/Personetics_Logo.jpg )
(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656086/Banca_Transilvania_Logo.jpg )
Powered by Personetics' Cognitive Banking Brain, Banca Transilvania, via BT24 Internet and Mobile Banking, will offer timely and relevant insights and advice - providing forward-looking guidance to help customers control and manage their finances towards their financial goals. In addition to the bank's retail customers, small busiess owners and managers will get access to relevant insights that can help them gain greater visibility into their business accounts, optimize cashflow, and simplify everyday money management tasks. "We aim to offer a superior banking experience to our customers by employing the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Working with Personetics allows us to shorten time-to-market with pre-built content and knowledge that are embedded into the solution and can be readily applied across our retail and small business segments. This is a new and strategic step regarding our digital focus and proof of our commitment to offer convenient and reliable services to our customers," said Omer Tetik, CEO, Banca Transilvania. "We are excited to work with an innovative institution such as Banca Transilvania with a strong presence in both retail and small business banking," said David Sosna, Personetics' Co-founder and CEO. "With the move towards open banking and PSD2 compliance, the ability to utilize data assets to deliver personalized service and guidance will become a key competitive differentiator for financial institutions in Europe and elsewhere." About Banca Transilvania Banca Transilvania is the second largest bank in Romania, in terms of assets and the core of Banca Transilvania's Financial Group. The Bank's strategy is supported by international shareholders, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and IFC - World Bank. Its activity focuses on three main business lines: Retail, SME and Corporate Banking. BT has over 2,2 million clients, about 500 branches and over 7,000 employees. BT is the leader of the Romanian cards' market and 40% of the start-ups founded in 2017 chose to work with Banca Transilvania. It is the only Romanian banking brand part of the Brand Finance 500 ranking, made by Brand Finance in 2018. The story of Banca Transilvania began in Romania, in Cluj-Napoca, 24 years ago, with a team of 13 people and a branch. For more information, visit https://www.bancatransilvania.ro/. About Personetics Personetics' Cognitive Banking Brain is used by the world's largest financial institutions to transforms everyday banking into personalized interactions that help customers take control of their finances and reach their financial goals. Featuring a unique combination of built-in financial intelligence and advanced cognitive capabilities, Personetics solutions make AI-powered banking a reality for over 45 million customers today - providing real-time personalized guidance, automating financial decisions, and simplifying money management. Led by a team of seasoned FinTech entrepreneurs with a proven track record, Personetics has been named a Gartner Cool Vendor, a Top Ten FinTech Company by KPMG, and a Top Ten Company to Watch by American Banker. For more information, visit http://personetics.com.
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Cherie Howie, from New Zealand, has shared her incredibly simple budgeting plan which helped her squirrel away enough cash for a first home in Auckland in just three years.
Writing on the Facebook page Cheaper Living, she explained: "I know lots do this stuff already, but I wanted to share a plan that I wrote for a friend a couple of months ago. She wanted to save money. This is exactly how I saved to buy a home by myself in Auckland."
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State Changes Impacting Lenders and Banks; Business Opportunities
The first day of Spring! Converting empty warehouses, grain elevators, under-utilized shopping malls, or Toys-R-Us stores to new housing? Perhaps. There is certainly a lack of buildable land in many areas and builders, recognizing that lots of people want to own their own home, are utilizing land as much as possible. How much cleverness can you put into a tiny home, agency approved if there are comps? It turns out, quite a bit. Am I missing the point if I wonder where I would put all my stuff?
State News
It is expensive to be a multi-state lender, and potentially doing business in different ways and using different policies in various states. And different states have different demographics. Last year IL was the state where the most residents moved out, followed by NJ, NY, CT and KS. Meanwhile, the states seeing the biggest inbound activity were VT, OR, ID, NV and SD.
From Texas, Tom Black sent, The Finance Commission and the Credit Union Commission have both adopted final rules with respect to the recent constitutional amendments dealing with Texas cash-out loans. The final rule represents some significant wins for both lenders and consumers.
Recall that in Washington last summer, a Seattle law was approved that restricts landlords from checking the criminal history of potential tenants.
In California, is the high price of housing in the Bay Area bringing back the 19th century concept of the company town? Google has been buying apartments for temporary housing for its employees. Interesting issue, where builders won't take the risk on building new housing, but companies need the housing for their employees.
As goes California, so goes the nation? California is mulling over state-owned bank for the cannabis industry. As one might expect, legal uncertainty limits financial options for suppliers and retailers.
New Jersey is also considering a state-owned bank to provide transportation project loans, student loans, small business loans, and be able to purchase mortgages from commercial banks. The bank would also be able to purchase, lease and construct buildings, and would even have the power of eminent domain. And it would be able to buy and sell federal funds.
Pennsylvanias Department of Banking and Securities has effectively incorporated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's mortgage servicer regulations as required by Act 81 of 2017. The regulations can be viewed here. The Department will begin accepting applications to be licensed as a mortgage servicer through the NMLS on April 1, 2018. Anyone engaging in the mortgage servicing business in Pennsylvania without applying for a license by June 30, 2018, will be considered unlicensed and subject to enforcement action. This information can also be viewed on The Department of Banking and Securities page under the Did You Know? section.
The New York Department of Financial Services released a memorandum, published by the MBA, indicating that the Department will be enhancing its supervisory oversight and examination process of regulated financial institutions by adding a number of specific questions relating to cyber security to its first day letters. These will be issued by the Department in connection with its examinations starting this month. The memorandum goes on to say that the Departments intent is to assist companies in identifying and managing risks by adopting measures to protect them consistent with its 2017 cybersecurity regulation.
The commonwealth of Virginia amended its provisions relating to foreclosure that include notice of sale requirements when the owner is deceased. These provisions are effective on July 1, 2018. The amendment provides requirements of the notice as it pertains to all the parties to receive the notice at the last known address per records recorded with the circuit court where the property is located. Additionally, the amendment describes the process to ensue whenever the grantor or his successor in title dies prior to a trustees sale held pursuant to the deed of trust and the deed of trust contains no definite provision for the distribution of any surplus in the event of the death of the grantor or his successors.
The state of Nebraska modified its provisions relating to consumer protection under its Financial Data Protection and Consumer Notification of Data Security Breach Act of 2006 (FDP). These provisions are effective on July 17, 2018. The amendment prohibits certain fees under the Credit Report Protection Act; changes provisions relating to the FDP; requires additional reasonable security procedures and practices regarding personal information; provides applicability for certain provisions; harmonizes provisions; and repeals the original sections.
Regarding the MFA's single-family program, New Mexico Lenders Association posted: Participating lenders may charge an Origination Fee, to the borrower, of no more than 0.500% on applications dated March 1, 2018 and thereafter. No discount fee may be charged. New program policies will be available on the MFA website by March 1, 2018. MFA also requests that participating lenders inform the appropriate staff within their organization of the upcoming changes. Contact MFA's Homeownership Department with any questions or for further clarification.
Capital Markets
If only markets could hold their breath before the FOMC meeting. Treasuries prices were up Monday, stocks fell across the board, mostly in technology as it was revealed 50 million Facebook users had their data harvested sans consent. On the demand side of the equation the NY Fed provided some late session support, just ahead of the settlement close, when they purchased $798 million of 30YR conventional 4% ($505 million) and 4.5% ($193 million). More today!
Today sees another light economic calendar. The Philadelphia Fed Nonmanufacturing Surveys for March has been released, the Redbook Same-Store Sales Index will be released, and the Treasury will auction $65 billion 1-month T-bills at 11:30am ET. Finally, at 1:00pm, day one of the two-day FOMC meeting will kick off look for an increase tomorrow. The 10-year is currently yielding 2.88% and agency MBS prices are worse .125 versus Mondays close.
Products
We love our brokers, so weve updated our Lock Policy to better serve them. Stearns Wholesale has lowered their extension costs to just 1.5 bps per day much cheaper than a 6 bps per day extension! What else has changed? For starters, our hours: 6:30AM PT to 11:59 PM PT. The market doesnt sleep, why should we? If youre up late worrying about expirations, rest easy. Weve lowered our relock charges to a worse case pricing + .125 bps and we will give you your original lock term back. Todays market is volatile, but weve got your back. Use current market pricing up to 30 days after lock expiration. But why wait when you can extend it free? Just ask for a FREE 7-Day extension when you lock the first time. We know you have a choice in lenders, and we like you. Lets lock this down!
Originally released exclusively to Rob Chrisman subscribers a few weeks ago, 3 Steps to Profitable Growth outlines key focus areas for lending managers to drive profitability in a challenging purchase heavy market. The mortgage industry continues its dramatic shift into a purchase-heavy market and along with it, a decline in profitability for many lenders across the nation. Toward the end of 2017 lenders were averaging around 42 bps of profitability with Q1 of 2017 reaching a low of only 10 bps. To put this in perspective, in Q3 2012 the industry averaged 119+ bps! These numbers should not be surprising, but it doesnt mean you cannot achieve greater profitability by focusing on the right elements and metrics of your business. A must read for all mortgage managers: Download your free copy here!
Jobs
Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions is pleased to announce the opening of its new operations center in Las Colinas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The new facility will replicate the functions of Angel Oaks headquarters in Atlanta, GA. With its strong service-based culture, AOMS has hired Travis LaLonde, an industry veteran with 15 years of experience, to lead the operations center. To provide services to its clients as it grows throughout Texas and the West Coast, AOMS will be hiring up to 30 professionals in the next 90 days. Visit JoinAngelOak.com to learn more about a career with the leader in non-Agency lending.
Caliber Home Loans, Inc. and its National Builder Division recently achieved another top 10 ranking among lenders for home builder production in 2017, according to housing market intelligence firm Metrostudy. Caliber has proudly risen thru the ranks of national lenders in the competitive home building industry from 33rd in 2014 to 14th in 2015 and now to 8th based on 2017 volume. Caliber ensures that builders homebuyers are provided with the ideal loan product one that complements their financial situation and personal preferences. One example is the recently introduced Builders Choice Extended Lock. Builder-focused loan officers should contact Jeremy DeRosa or Michael Brown to learn about career opportunities at Caliber.
Brad Hoke has joined Pacific Union Financial as Chief Human Resources Officer. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Brad brings a wealth of HR knowledge with specific focus on recruiting and employee experience. With continued growth in 2018, Brad will be instrumental in providing an experience that allows Pacific Union employees to maximize their success. Are you a salesperson looking to join a winning team? If so, contact Pacific Union today for more details.
PrimeLending opens its newest branch in Fayetteville, N.C., home to the largest U.S. Army installation at Fort Bragg. With Fayetteville serving as a top place to live for active and retired military, Branch Manager JR Williams made operating under a new lender with military-friendly products a top priority. Thats why PrimeLending was a no-brainer decision for JR and team PrimeLendings Home Loans for Heroes program offered VA No Lender Fee and VA Renovation Loan options that truly rose above the competition. Now equipped with an additional 400+ home loan products, first-class processes, personal support and 5-star customer service track record, the Fayetteville branch has become a leading lender for not only heroes, but for all local home buyers. If youre a top-tier LO looking for the products, processes and support to be all you can be in your hometown, contact Dudley Strawn (469.737.5743) today.
Bonds entered the domestic session feeling a bit down on their luck. There was some general weakness early in the overnight session, but just before 8am, European Central Bank (ECB) sources were quoted (anonymously) as generally approving of the market's consensus for policy tightening. Specifically, the sources didn't push back on the view that the ECB should stop buying bonds later this year or that it should execute its first rate hike of this cycle some time in 2019.
Granted, that wasn't huge news (after all, it was the market's "consensus" that the ECB sources were responding to in the first place), but it was enough of a development to leave 10yr yields several bps weaker to begin the day.
Relief came from heavy losses in stocks which pulled bond yields lower as investors sought safer havens. Headlines focused on Facebook--something I only bring up to suggest a certain absence of permanence or fundamental significance behind this particular sell-off. Bonds may agree with that cautious assessment as they broke away from stocks around noon and refused to move any lower in yield after 10yr Treasuries began edging into positive territory on the day.
Bonds then sold off modestly into the close with 10yr yields ending around 1bp higher and MBS down less than an eighth of a point. Due to the timing of morning rate sheets, most lenders ended up repricing for the better with the late morning gains.
In the bigger picture, all of the above fits nicely into the same old narrative of "consolidation ahead of Wednesday's FOMC events."
In Focus with Allison Walker is a 30-minute public affairs program, featuring a roundtable of newsmakers representing a range of perspectives, including local officials and expert analysts as they tackle topical issues of importance to Floridians.
In Focus airs Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., right after Political Connections.
The Harry Potter concert series returns to the Straz Center with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
"Harry Potter" concert series returns to Straz Center
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
Performances set for Oct. 13-14
Performances are scheduled for Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.
The Florida Orchestra will perform the Oscar nominated score composed by John Williams.
The music will accompany the third film in the franchise, which finds Harry, Ron and Hermione learning the truth about escaped prisoner Sirius Black.
The Harry Potter film series is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon that continues to delight millions of fans around the world, said Justin Freer, president of CineConcerts. It is a great pleasure that we bring fans for the first time ever an opportunity to experience the award-winning music scores played live by a symphony orchestra, all while the beloved film is simultaneously projected onto the big screen.
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series was first announced in 2016. Since then performances have been held in 38 countries around the world.
Tickets for the Straz Center shows cost between $58.75-$98.75 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
For more information call 813-229-STAR (7827) or visit www.StrazCenter.org.
Attention Marvel fans, Disneyland Resort in California is getting its own superhero-themed land.
Marvel-themed land announced for Disneyland in California
Experience will feature Spider-Man and The Avengers
New land opens in 2020, with more experiences to follow
RELATED: Disneyland Paris to get Marvel, 'Star Wars' areas in multi-year expansion
Disney shared the news Tuesday, along with a preview of what guests can expect.
The new land will be located in Disney California Adventure Park, opening in phases starting in 2020.
A Bugs Land will close in late summer to make way for the expansion.
The immersive superhero universe will be anchored by Guardians of the Galaxy-Mission: Breakout!, and will include experiences featuring Spider-Man and the Avengers.
Disney has not yet announced what those experiences will be. However, the company said more experiences will follow once the land opens.
A teaser poster released Tuesday includes images of Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Gamora and a Quinjet.
Marvel-themed areas have already been announced for Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland.
In Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park is getting a new Iron Man ride in what used to be Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Hong Kong, which already has its own Iron Man attraction, will add an attraction themed to Ant-Man and The Wasp.
Walt Disney World isn't completely left out of the Marvel expansion. Epcot is set to get a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster in the next few years.
Due to legal restrictions with Universal Studios, Disney is limited on what Marvel properties can be introducted into its theme parks east of the Mississippi.
 
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By PTI
NEW DELHI: Accusing the Congress of indulging in "cheap politics", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said she did not keep anyone in the dark over the killing of 39 Indians in captivity in Iraq or give the families "false hopes".
Defending herself against a barrage of criticism, the minister said she had kept her word that she would declare them dead if she gets conclusive proof.
Swaraj had said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day that 39 Indians, who were abducted by ISIS in Iraq about four years go, were killed and their bodies recovered from Mosul in Iraq.
As many as 40 Indians were abducted by the terrorist organisation in 2014 but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said.
Swaraj dismissed the allegations that the lone survivor, Harjit Masih, who escaped from Iraq's Mosul, was harassed and kept in a protective custody.
Swaraj further said, "Masih is just an individual, he could claim 39 others are dead; but we are the Government, we cannot say this so easily. We have to be responsible."
READ: Ministry of External Affairs releases list of 39 Indians killed in Iraq
Masih had escaped with a group of Bangladesh colleagues under the assumed name of "Ali" and was found by Indian officials at Erbil.
Swaraj added that the DNA samples of 38 people had been matched by the Iraqi authorities.
In the case of the 39th person, the matching was 70 per cent.
The external affairs minister said two heads of states in that region had conveyed to India that the 39 Indians were not killed.
She did not take any names.
Swaraj, who could not make a statement in the Lok Sabha because of an uproar from the Congress, addressed a press conference later in the day and said 27 of the 39 were from Punjab, six from Bihar, four from Himachal Pradesh and two from West Bengal.
ALSO READ: Indians killed in Iraq: Left slams government for not informing families first
WATCH live from Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj addresses the media on the issue of 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul. https://t.co/4S4yK3yAA2 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
In an indirect dig at the Congress, she said there were governments that would interpret missing persons as "believed to be killed".
Referring to criticism from some opposition members and families of the deceased who said they got to know about death of their loved ones through television, Swaraj said she followed parliamentary procedures.
"It was my duty to first inform the House about (it)," Swaraj said, "I never gave any false hope to anyone. I was not involved in any falsehood she said, referring to her statements in Parliament in 2014 and 2017.
"I had very clearly said that I will declare them dead if I get conclusive proof. I kept my word. I will get my closure when the families receive the bodies," the minister added.
India was probably the first country which had managed to bring back all the bodies of its citizens from war-torn Iraq, she said.
The effort the government had put in to get the concrete details of the 39 Indians had never been made in the country, the minister asserted.
Swaraj did not give a direct reply to the volley of questions on when the Indians were killed, saying it was irrelevant as the bodies could have been recovered only after Mosul was liberated from the ISIS.
Mosul city was liberated from ISIS in June last year.
Taking on the opposition Congress, she wondered why the party, which was not involved in any disruptions in Lok Sabha, led the ruckus today.
"In Rajya Sabha everyone listened to me patiently. I thought the same would happen in Lok Sabha. However, the Congress led the disruptions under Jyotiraditya Scindia ji."The Congress indulged in very cheap level of politics and crossed the limit. Will we indulge in politics over death as well," Swaraj said.
The government has rejected the claims of Harjit Masih of Gurdaspur, who had managed to escape the kidnappers, that he had witnessed the massacre of the 39 Indians.
Swaraj also dismissed as baseless allegations that Masih was harassed by the government.
Asked whether the government would consider compensation to the families of the victims, Swaraj said she would talk to the concerned state governments.
ALSO READ: Unpardonable that kin of Indians killed in Iraq learnt about it from TV, says Omar Abdullah
She further said that the mortal remains were sent to Baghdad. For verification of bodies, DNA samples of the deceased relatives were sent in the Iraqi capital.
"We used a deep penetration satellite to see a mass grave. It had exactly 39 bodies with distinctive features like long hair, non-Iraqi shoes, and IDs. We requested that the bodies be brought out exhumed. This confirmed the death of all 39 Indian nationals," Swaraj informed.
ALSO READ: Government not keen on ending Parliament impasse, says Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad
The minister said she has directed the Indian envoy in Iraq to impress upon the Iraqi authorities to expedite the process to hand over the bodies to India.
The first person whose death was confirmed through DNA matching was a person called Sandeep.
She said the 39th person whose DNA matched only 70 per cent had lost his parents and matching was done with his other family members.
"The Martyr Foundation does not declared anyone as confirmed death if the DNA matching is not 98 per cent," she said.
Iraq's Martyr Foundation, which was handling the issue of the 39 Indians, also held a press conference in Baghdad.
By ANI
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj has dismissed the allegations that the lone survivor, Harjit Masih, who escaped from Iraq's Mosul, was harassed and kept in a protective custody.
While addressing the media on the issue of 39 Indians killed in Mosul, Swaraj on Tuesday said, "It is baseless that Harjit Masih was harassed, he was kept in protective custody. I had said this in Parliament earlier."
The EAM earlier confirmed that all the 39 Indians, who went missing in Mosul in the year 2014, were killed by the Islamic State (IS).
Swaraj further said, "Masih is just an individual, he could claim 39 others are dead; but we are the Government, we cannot say this so easily. We have to be responsible."
READ: Did not keep anyone in dark, it was not falsehood but tireless effort, says Sushma Swaraj; slams Congress for disrupting Lok Sabha
Masih had escaped with a group of Bangladesh colleagues under the assumed name of "Ali" and was found by Indian officials at Erbil.
The EAM also said that Minister of State (MoS) External Affairs General V.K. Singh will go to Mosul in Iraq to bring back the mortal remains of the 39 Indian nationals killed there.
Swaraj explained that the plane carrying the mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and Kolkata.
ALSO READ: Unpardonable that kin of Indians killed in Iraq learnt about it from TV, says Omar Abdullah
When she was asked whether the government will give compensations to the families of those killed in Mosul, Swaraj said, "It is premature to answer this question. We have to talk to the state governments also," adding, "Let us hand over the bodies first."
In July last year, Swaraj had firmly said in the Parliament that she would not declare the 39 Indians dead without concrete proof or evidence.
Earlier, India had asked Iraq for help in locating the missing Indians after Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul from IS.
The 39 persons, most of whom hailed from Punjab, were working on projects near Mosul when they were kidnapped during their evacuation.
By PTI
AMRITSAR: Fighting off their tears, family members of the eight people from Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts confirmed dead in Iraq today, recounted their struggle over the past nearly four years for authoritative information about them.
The eight people from the two districts in Punjab were among the 39 Indians abducted by the Islamic State terrorist group in 2014.
Their whereabouts had remained uncertain until now and the families had hoped they would see them alive.
That hope unexpectedly shattered today.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed in the Rajya Sabha today that the 39 Indians were killed in the Iraqi city of Mosul, liberated from the dreaded group in June last year.
ALSO READ: Hard to believe Khokhon is no more, say family members
Following the confirmation, a pall of gloom descended on the bereaved families.
Gurwinder Kaur's eyes were moist as she unsuccessfully tried to hold off her tears.
For past 4 yrs EAM was telling me that they were alive,don't know what to believe anymore.I am waiting to speak with her,no information was given to us,we heard her statement she made in Parliament: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq pic.twitter.com/fwNqRoRPUG ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
A resident of Mehta village, she said her brother Manjinder Singh had gone to Iraq for employment.
"One day, I got a telephone call from my brother from Iraq, informing he was stuck and it seemed difficult to come out of the unpredictable circumstances due to terrorist activities," she said.
The Union government, she said, offered her empathetic words over the years "but nothing was done by the government.
" In October last year, relatives of the eight Punjabi-origin people had visited the Government Medical College in Amritsar to provide DNA samples for matching with the Indians stuck in the war-torn country, if required.
At that time, they possibly did not know their biggest fear would come true within the next five months.
We had got information that that my brother was abducted by terrorists, after that nothing was know about his whereabouts. My DNA test was done twice, but we received no information: Brother of an Indian national who was killed in Iraq's Mosul #Jalandhar pic.twitter.com/rouCGmxInt ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
"I had an intuition when the government asked us to go for DNA tests.
I knew something serious has happened to my brother, but the government was not willing to (disclose the purpose of collecting the DNA samples).
This news has crushed everything to the ground," Kaur said.
My husband went to Iraq in 2013 and he was kidnapped in 2014. We don't demand anything from the government. I have a small child, I have no support: Wife of Surjit Kumar Menka who was killed in Iraq's Mosul #Jalandhar pic.twitter.com/2AdMq6yhXJ ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Balwinder Kaur from Manochahal village in Tarn Taran district too struggled to hold back her tears.
Her son, Ranjit Singh, is among the 39 Indians declared dead.
"Being a mother, it is difficult to bear the permanent separation from my son. Nobody from the Indian authority was in a position to tell me the plight of my son," she rued.
My husband went to Iraq in 2011&I spoke to him last on 15 June'14. We were always told us that they were alive. We don't demand anything from the government: Manjeet Kaur wife of Davinder Singh, who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul #Jalandhar pic.twitter.com/Vq983kCkSb ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Gurmeet Kaur from Jallalusma village in Amritsar district said she was informed via a telephone call that her brother Gurcharan Singh was "stuck in bad circumstances" in Iraq.
He left for Mosul in 2013-14. They had been saying that all of them are alright and now they say this. I don't even know what to say: Harjit Kaur, wife of Gurcharan Singh, who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul. #Amritsar pic.twitter.com/YMN2PxGATC ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
She said nobody informed her about whether he was dead or alive, and today she was told her brother was killed by ISIS.
I don't know what to say. Since 2014 I had been pleading with the govt to bring him back somehow and today they say that he is no more: Puroshottam Tiwari, Uncle of Vidya Bhushan Tiwari, who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul (#Bihar, Siwan) pic.twitter.com/FoHDYvV6hH ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
According to the two district administrations, the eight persons declared dead in Iraq were Nishan Singh, Ranjit Singh, Harsimran Singh, Manjinder Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Sonu, Jatinder Singh and Harish Kumar.
He had left for Iraq in 2013. He used to talk to me every Friday. Govt kept saying that they are all safe. What demand do I make from them? I have already lost him.: Rajesh Chand, father of Aman who was among the 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul (#HimachalPradesh's Kangra) pic.twitter.com/FfUGTUxnVg ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Addresing the media soon after her statement in Rajya Sabha, Swaraj did not give a direct answer to when the 39 Indians were killed.
She said it was irrelevant as the bodies could have been recovered only after Mosul was freed from the ISIS.
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor today slammed the government for 'encouraging' the families of the 39 Indians kidnapped in Iraq to believe they were alive, a charge countered by Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal who said it was important to verify the facts.
Giving falsehood to people is actually cruel and suggests a certain level of lack transparency on part of the government, Tharoor said.
It is better to be honest, he added.
"My prayers for the families who have lost their near ones after being really encouraged by the government for four years to believe that these people were alive," he told reporters outside Parliament.
Hitting back, Union Food Processing Minister and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused the opposition leaders of playing politics over an unfortunate incident.
READ: 39 Indians kidnapped by IS in 2014 in Iraq's Mosul were killed: Sushma Swaraj; MoS VK Singh to bring back the bodies
Defending the government, she said it took every measure to verify if even one of those kidnapped was alive.
"Do you not think that it is the job of the government and especially the external affairs ministry to carry on looking for even one proof, even one person being alive until the all doors have been shut," the minister told reporters.
Tharoor's tweet:
Sad news of the confirmation of the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq. Thoughts & prayers are w/their families. But why did the Govt give false hope to the nation for three and a half years that the people were still alive? That was disappointing behaviour. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 20, 2018
Defending External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Badal said the former 'carried on the fight' trying to look for those who had been kidnapped.
"She (Swaraj) went on to the extent of having DNA sent over there and had proper proof that yes they are dead. She stood up in the Parliament and said yes I tried but I could not and today we have a proof", the minister added.
Swaraj said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha that all the 39 Indians abducted by the terror outfit in Iraq's Mosul about four years ago are dead and their bodies have been recovered.
Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with the families
of some of the Punjabi workers abducted in Iraq in June, 2014.
( PTI file Photo)
While it was not immediately known when the Indians were killed, their bodies were recovered from Badosh, a village northwest of Mosul, and their identities established through DNA testing, she said.
The mortal remains, which were exhumed from a mass grave in Badosh, will be brought back to India on a special plane and handed over to their relatives, she said.
Many of those in the group of 39 are from Punjab.
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The CPI (M) today lashed out at the government and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for not informing the families of the Mosul victims before informing Parliament.
Reacting strongly against the government, CPI (M) member of Lok Sabha Mohammad Salim said it showed how "insensitive and inhuman" the government is.
"It is a farce. The government should have contacted the families of the victims first before Parliament was informed. Earlier, the government had always claimed that it was in touch with the families. So many times we see that policies of the government are announced outside Parliament even though the House is in session," Salim told reporters.
He also added that the government could not call the opposition insensitive as it had not been able to perform its own duty.
ALSO READ: Unpardonable that kin of Indians killed in Iraq learnt about it from TV, says Omar Abdullah
A group of 40 Indian workers, mostly from Punjab, were taken hostage by ISIS when it overran Iraq's second largest city Mosul in 2014.
One of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
The other 39 are dead and their bodies have been recovered, she said.
While it was not immediately known when the Indians were killed, their bodies were recovered from Badosh, a village northwest of Mosul, and their identities established through DNA testing, she said.
The mortal remains, which were exhumed from a mass grave in Badosh, will be brought back to India on a special plane and handed over to their relatives, she said.
"I had said that I will not declare anyone dead without substantive proof today I have come to fulfil that commitment," she said.
Refuting allegations of disrupting the House, the Left and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) today accused the government of "orchestrating a din" in the Lok Sabha to stop discussions on the no-confidence motion.
The Left and the TMC, who are supporting the no-confidence motion brought in by the YSR Congress and the TDP, today held the ruling BJP responsible for not letting the House run properly. Read story HERE.
By IANS
MUMBAI: A flash agitation by job-seekers over issues pertaining to railway recruitment has culminated in a rail-blockade, police caning and retaliatory stone-throwing leading to a virtual paralysis of the Central Railway suburban train services here on Tuesday.
For nearly three hours, the services were severely disrupted as the protestors squatted and laid on the railway tracks between Matunga and Dadar.
GALLERY | Railway Apprentice Agitation halts Mumbai temporarily
According to the latest information, the services are now resumed. After the intervention of top CR officials and the Railway Ministry with a written assurance to the protestors, the agitation was finally withdrawn at around 10.45 a.m.
However, the agitating railway job aspirants are still present at the spot where they have been protesting, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station.
#WATCH: Railway traffic resumes between Dadar & Matunga, agitating railway job aspirants still present at the spot where they have been protesting, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/J72KIhc38b ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Confirming that agitators have called off their protest, Railway minister Piyush Goyal told ANI that further discussions will be held. "Recruitment in Railways is underway at a large scale. On directives of the Supreme Court, Indian Railways has made a recruitment policy that is unbiased and transparent," he said. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis was quoted by ANI as saying, "Was in continuous touch with officials. No rules have changed, 20 per cent seats are reserved for apprentices but they are demanding more. Lathi-charge was done after agitators started pelting stones, no one was injured."
Trains Rescheduled on 20.3.2018
10103 CSMT-Madgaon Mandvi Exp (sch 0710 hrs) at 1000 hrs
11301 CSMT-KSR Bengaluru Udyan Exp (sch 0810 hrs) at 1015 hrs
12534 CSMT-Lucknow Pushpak Exp (sch 0825 hrs) at 1030 hrs
11029 CSMT-Kolhapur Koyna Exp (sch 0840 hrs) at 1045 hrs Central Railway (@Central_Railway) March 20, 2018
More than 4.5 million commuters were badly hit for the second consecutive day following a strike called on Monday by drivers of cab aggregators and app-based taxis that disrupted in Mumbaikars' schedules.
"There is no provision of giving jobs to the apprentices as per the Apprentice Act. They are given only training of a specified period to improve their skills and experience of having worked in the field. However, Ministry of Railways have taken a decision and reserved 20% of the seats filled through direct recruitment. The notification is already issued with last date of submitting application as 31.3.2018. Apprentices can apply against this notification and Special Examination will shortly be held for Apprentices who have done training in Railway Workshops under Apprentices Act," the Central Railways stated in an official communique.
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH VIDEO:
Meanwhile, in an attempt to restore normalcy, the local police had to resort to a mild lathi-charge to disrupt the protestors. Some retaliated by pelting stones at the police.
At least five persons and a couple of police personnel were injured in the fracas even as top police and railway officials rushed to the site to control the situation.
What is the protest about?
The protests were carried out by activists of the All India Act Apprentice Association (AAAAA). It demanded scrapping of the 20 per cent quota in favour of a higher one and sought jobs for locals in all states to those candidates who clear the All India Railway Act Apprentice Exams.
#UPDATE #Mumbai: Railway traffic affected as 'rail-roko' agitation by railway job aspirants, continues, between Matunga & Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. pic.twitter.com/BgqdfOXR1G ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
They claimed they had taken up their demands right upto the Railway Minister Piyush Goyal who met them but there was no progress in the matter.
A Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai Rahul Shewale met top CR officials to resolve the matter and later said that the railways would hire over 12,400 candidates who have cleared their apprenticeship exams.
Meanwhile, the BEST has deployed extra buses to ferry commuters to and fro from various points.
The agitation on the Central Railway had a cascading effect even on the Western Railway with all trains running packed to capacity.
The protests disrupted the entire suburban and long distance railway schedules in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Pune with commuters stranded for hours.
College students who started their University of Mumbai's BA, B.Com and B.Sc. examinations on Tuesday were also affected. The university permitted an hour's extension for students to reach the exam halls.
The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party have demanded a discussion on the issue in the Maharashtra Legislature on a priority basis.
Mumbai's famous Dabbawalas were also stranded at various CR stations right from Kalyan in Thane to Dadar in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Rail Yatri Parishad chief Subhash Gupta attacked the railways for "complete intelligence failure" and for the absence of railway officials.
(With inputs from Express News Services and agencies)
By IANS
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha for the 12th day in a row saw continued disruptions within minuted after it met for the day.
Protests started as soon as the House met, and several members trooped near the Speaker's podium raising slogans and displaying placards.
In the din, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to run the Question Hour, but as the din continued, the House was adjourned.
The session started on March 5 and will conclude on April 6.
After the House resumed, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attempted to deliver an elaborate statement on the killings of 39 Indians abducted in Iraq by the dreaded terror outfit Islamic State (IS). However, the Opposition continued to indulge in sloganeering and interrupt the proceedings of the House,.
An angry Sumitra Mahajan while pleading to MPs said, "This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics!"
On the no-trust notices moved by TDP and YSRC MPs over Andhra special status, Mahajan said, "The country has never seen such a sorry state, this is not proper. You are insensitive for your own people: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, adjourns the house saying, House is not in order & so no-confidence motion cannot be moved."
Even the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid pandemonium created by the opposition parties over different issues soon after Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu took up Zero Hour.
As soon as the House met for the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement confirming the death of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, who were abducted by the Islamic State in 2014.
As she completed her statement, members from the TDP, AIADMK and some other parties trooped near the chair's podium.
For Subscribers Family of Newport teen killed in 2018 await arrest; police confident
Police said Zacary Medina was not the intended target, and a detective The Daily News spoke with recently, whos working the case, reiterated that.
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Copenhagen's chances of joining the Formula 1 calendar in the future have been dealt a blow by negative comments from one of the city's deputy mayors.
Earlier this year, F1 CEO Chase Carey visited Denmark's capital and held meetings with potential promoters for a Copenhagen Grand Prix, after which he expressed a fair amount of optimism about the country's chances of landing a deal with F1.
However, Ninna Hedeager Olsen, the deputy mayor for Copenhagen's technical and environment department, told Politiken newspaper that an F1 race in the city is "completely unrealistic".
Todt encourages expansion of F1 calendar and inclusion of new races
"The organisation of an event like Formula 1 is so extensive and requires so many resources that it is completely unrealistic for Copenhagen by 2020," she said.
Hedeager Olsen also underlined the inevitable disruptions the city would suffer if F1 set up shop in the center of Copenhagen.
"My administration estimates that Formula 1 could affect central parts of the city for up to nine weeks," she said.
"This is of course completely unacceptable."
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Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau speaks at the Hong Kong: Your Partner in Exploring New Business Opportunities luncheon in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia can partner with Hong Kong to explore new business opportunities.
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau made the comment at a business luncheon in Phnom Penh today.
He said the relationship between Hong Kong and Cambodia can be strengthened through trade, investment, business ventures and cultural exchange.
He added Hong Kong offers the most accessible, safe and secure gateway into the Mainland.
"There is one single and simple advantage - the 'one country, two systems' principle that Hong Kong is operating under.
"Through our free trade agreement with China, companies in Hong Kong, including Cambodian ones if they are established in our city, enjoy greater market access and easier inroads into the world's biggest and fastest-growing market."
Mr Yau said Hong Kong has open and business-friendly systems which include a common law legal system, an internationally convertible currency, free flow of capital and business and professional services that follow international standards and practices.
He said the Central Government fully recognises Hong Kong's distinctive advantage under the Belt & Road Initiative.
"If the Belt & Road Initiative is something that could help drive better economic opportunities between Cambodia and China, Hong Kong is the gateway, the springboard and the crucial link you can tap into."
Speaking to the media after the luncheon, Mr Yau said Cambodia's economy continues to grow with many developments in infrastructure.
Leading a delegation of Hong Kong investors and professionals, Mr Yau met Minister for Public Works & Transport Sun Chanthol to discuss potential collaboration opportunities under the Belt & Road Initiative.
Some delegation members also visited the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone to find new locations for expanding or relocating their manufacturing facilities.
Vice premiers, state councilors and secretary-general of the State Council take oath of allegiance to the Constitution after the seventh plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2018. Nominated by Premier Li Keqiang, Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He were endorsed as vice premiers, while Wei Fenghe, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie and Zhao Kezhi were endorsed as state councilors and Xiao Jie was endorsed as secretary-general of the State Council at the seventh plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th NPC. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, decided on the new lineup of the State Council at the seventh plenary meeting of its first session Monday morning.
Chinese leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishanattended the plenary meeting.
Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies voted to endorse vice premiers, state councilors, secretary-general of the State Council, ministers, governor of the central bank, and auditor-general, who were nominated by Premier Li Keqiang.
Among them, Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He were endorsed as vice premiers, while Wei Fenghe, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie and Zhao Kezhi were endorsed as state councilors.
They were officially appointed after President Xi Jinping signed a presidential decree.
Legislators also voted to approve the chairpersons, vice chairpersons and members of eight special committees of the 13th NPC at the meeting.
All of them took oath of allegiance to the Constitution afterwards.
[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Photo taken on March 19, 2018 shows the empty Security Council chamber at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The UN Security Council on Monday failed to convene a meeting on Syria's human rights situation after the provisional agenda failed to be adopted. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
UNITED NATIONS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday failed to convene a meeting on Syria's human rights situation after the provisional agenda failed to be adopted.
Dutch ambassador to the United Nations Karel van Oosterom, who is president of the Security Council for March, had to abort the meeting, requested by France and six other members of the Security Council, after its provisional agenda had to be put to vote and failed to be adopted.
The provisional agenda was put to vote after the Russian representative expressed opposition to it, arguing that human rights issues should be discussed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, not by the Security Council.
The provisional agenda was rejected as only eight members of the council were in favor. Four members voted against and three others abstained. Adoption required at least nine votes.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein was supposed to brief the Security Council.
[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government yesterday released the long-awaited list of companies and individuals alleged to have failed to return $827 million stashed abroad following the expiry of a 14-week-long amnesty, the Daily News can report.
The list, which reads like a housewifes grocery checklist, has over 1 800 companies, with their dollar values dwarfed by diamond mining companies and Chinesnationals. But Mnangagwas name-and-shame strategy has fallen short of expectations.
It has been met with widespread condemnation for leaving out the big fish in his administration, previously reported to have funnelled millions of greenbacks abroad.
Last Friday, former president Robert Mugabes nagging wife Grace widely speculated to be the main target of Mnangagwas call for funds to be returned told a South African weekly publication that she had nothing to hide.
We are honest people. We have no money outside she was quoted saying.
Legal experts were yesterday scathing in their criticism of Mnangagwas naming and shaming gimmick, saying it violates the rule of law and presumption of innocence.
Fundamentally, the list contains companies that shut down years ago, among them Eaglemoss Enterprises, Coppleridge, Remington and Hubert Davies.
Some of the listed corporates are under judicial management, for example Apex Corporation, while River Ranch a private diamond company owned by late Saudi billionaire Sheikh Adel Aujan who was in a partnership with former vice president and now opposition National Peoples Party leader Joice Mujurus family is currently under liquidation.
Critics told the Daily News yesterday that its compilation betrays a factional agenda by leaving out functionaries in the Team Lacoste camp, who have unfinished business with rivals in the Generation 40 (G40) faction, linked to Mugabe and his wife, Grace.
The biggest culprit, according to the list, is African Associated Mines (Private) Limited a subsidiary of SMM Holdings (Private) Limited, linked to South African-based businessman Mutumwa Mawere.
Maweres businesses came under government control through a presidential decree in 2003 amid reports that the businessman had fallen out with Mnangagwa.
African Associated Mines, which topped Category 1, is said to have externalised $62 049 622, but it was not clear when this money was externalised.
SMM, based in Zvishavane and Mashava, ground to a halt in 2008, three years after the government seized them from Mawere, under a controversial reconstruction law that allowed the State to take over assets of businesses deemed to be insolvent and incapable of servicing loans and charges owed to State institutions and agencies.
The mothballed mines were placed under the State-run Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), which has been running them through Mnangagwas proxy, Afaras Gwaradzimba.
Diamond mining firms ranked high up the list, with numerous Chinese retail companies also dominating the table.
Also prominent in Category 1 illicit financial flows externalised through non-repatriation of export proceeds are almost all of the nine diamond mining firms that operated in the Marange fields in the eastern part of the country before they were evicted ostensibly because their licences had expired.
These include Marange Resources ($54,2 million) Canadile Miners ($31,3 million Mbada ($14,7 million) and Jinan ($11 million).
Canadile, which operated in the Marange diamond fields in 50-50 partnerships with ZMDC was kicked out from the fields over 10 years ago on fraud allegations.
Its said to have externalised $31 350 554.
The company which took over from Canadile Marange Resources which is government-owned, reportedly externalised $54 238 249.
Going by the list, government firms were the biggest culprits.
They were mentioned together with Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited which is a manufacturer and distributor of non-carbonated still beverages under licence from the Coca-Cola Company, giant cooking oil manufacturer United Refineries Limited, PG Industries (Zimbabwe) Limited a major manufacturing company; the distribution unit of light manufacturing business Innscor; TN Harlequin Luxaire the largest household furniture manufacturer and retailer in Zimbabwe, Adam Bede, a manufacturer of top end furniture; and auctioneer Hammer and Tongues.
Category 2 include funds externalised through payment of goods not received in Zimbabwe amounting to $124,8 million from 1 403 companies that include Ekusileni Medical Centre a private specialist hospital in Bulawayo funded by State pension fund, the National Social Security Authority built in honour of the late vice president Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
Ekusileni Medical Centre a non-operational hospital in the second largest city Bulawayo, is alleged to have sent out $3 million out of the country.
The specialist hospital was built by Nssa but has never been operational since its inception 14 years ago.
The hospital was part of Mnangagwas 100-day pledge when he came into office through military assistance but nothing has been done to open it.
Also under Category 2 is Anjin Investments, a joint venture between the Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co Ltd and Matt Bronze Enterprises, a Zimbabwe Defence Forces company; Mbada Diamonds; Hwange Colliery Company; textile company Qingshan Investments (Private) Limited; Puzey & Payne, a major player in the Zimbabwes motor industry; Intratek linked to Wicknell Chivayo, a businessman who rose to prominence after winning large Zimbabwean government contracts; Zimbabwes largest gold producer, Metallon Gold; Sable Chemicals, Zimbabwes sole manufacture of Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser; Harare City Centre Adventist Church; E Munenzva Bus Co P/L; Bindura Nickel Mine T/A Trojan Nickel Min; National Blood Service Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe Red Cross Society; the Heritage School and Mukonitronics P/L.
Category 3, listing funds externalised to foreign banks in cash or under spurious transactions amounts to $464 million from 157 companies and individuals.
It includes Zanu PF-linked businessman Agrippa Masiyakurima, popularly known as Bopela and a host of Chinese players.
Zimbabwe has over the last few years courted investors from Asian countries such as China under a Look East policy, but analysts say the drive has not really yielded much in terms of real cash flows into Zimbabwes economy. Daily News
FORMER President Robert Mugabes confidante and ex-pilot, Robert Mhlanga, has accused the deposed Zanu PF leader of conning Grandwell Holdings chairperson David Kassel of his multi-million-dollar investment in Chiadzwa.
Mhlanga, who used to chair Mbada Diamonds Company, made the disclosure yesterday when he and Kassel appeared before the Temba Mliswa-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and narrated how their firms were elbowed out of Chiadzwa in 2016 mafia style by heavily-armed police officers.
Mhlangas statement also came as former Zimbabwe Mining Development Company (ZMDC) chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa rubbished Mugabes claims that $15 billion worth of diamonds went missing from Chiadzwa.
Kassel told the committee that Mugabe initially allowed him to mine in Chiadzwa in 2009 and later unilaterally cancelled his contract in 2016.
Kassel and Mhlanga said diamonds worth millions of carats went missing when they were forced out.
When we signed the contract we were told that Grandwell was to mine in perpetuity and that Marange Resources was to pay for everything and ensure that the licences were made available, but that did not come to pass. Mugabe gave us a guarantee that no one would touch our investment, but Kassel was conned by ZMDC and by the Head of State, Mhlanga said.
Kassel said they invested $50 million in mining equipment and spent an additional $40 million on exploration.
Then in February 2016, without our knowledge police arrived at the mine, abused people, acted like cowboys, opened our diamond vaults, broke fences and put our people in a room as if we were criminals. It was an unruly process. They broke our safes and took whatever diamonds there were and our containers, he said.
Mbada Diamonds chief security officer Jabulani Mukoko said the 200 armed police officers ordered security personnel to shut down the CCTV and vacate the area.
Mukoko said on February 24, 2016, he sealed the diamond vaults and recorded their serial numbers before leaving and on the 27th, some of the vaults had been tampered with and diamonds went missing. The vaults were later welded by the police, but they were empty.
He said consolidation was used as a Trojan horse for looting and to bring in individuals with ulterior motives.
Masimirembwa told the committee that the Zimbabwe Republic Polices company Gye Nyame was in a joint venture with a Ghanaian company, Bill Minerals.
He, however, denied claims that $15 billion worth of diamond revenue went missing under his watch.
I want to emphasise that there is no way we as Zimbabwe sold $15 billion. People went to Marange for alluvial diamonds and there was no scientific or geological survey, and when the alluvial diamonds were depleting, we got into panic mode and gave all sorts of figures.
He also told the committee that before ZMDC took over, there was chaos in Chiadzwa and some Lebanese and Mozambicans were camped there looting. Newsday
Lava Moving 400 Feet an Hour
as It Makes Way to the Sea
(Newser) The cast of Stranger Things will be making a lot more for the third season of the hit Netflix show. Sources tell the Hollywood Reporter the adult stars, Winona Ryder and David Harbour, will make up to $350,000 per episode (up from $100,000 and $80,000, respectively), while the four male child actors (Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp) will be making about 12 times more than they were$250,000 per episode. The final tier of stars, Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), and Joe Keery (Steve), are making about $150,000 per episode, according to the sources. It's not clear how much child star Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, is making; some sources suggest she's also making $350,000 per episode, while others say she's at $300,000. Production of the third season is set to begin April 23. (Read more Netflix stories.)
(Newser) The search for missing American student Mark Dombroski came to a tragic end Monday when police and soldiers in Bermuda found the 19-year-old's body. Police say the body of Dombroski, a student at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia who was in Bermuda for a rugby tournament, was found in a moat near a colonial-era fort around a mile from the bar where he was last seen early Sunday, NBC News reports. Friends saw Dombroski leave the bar and restaurant just after midnight. He was captured on surveillance footage around an hour later, walking by himself and talking on his phone. Police have not disclosed a cause of death but they say foul play has not been ruled out.
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Police say they do not believe alcohol was a factor in his death. Mother Lisa Dombroski, who made an emotional plea for her son's safe return earlier Monday, said Mark had hurt his shoulder and wasn't feeling well, the AP reports. "He wasn't in a celebratory kind of mood," she said. "He wanted to get back." Acting Commissioner James Howards said an autopsy is planned and forensic experts are still processing the scene. Dombroski's body was found after a massive search effort involving many local volunteers, including every rugby club on the island, reports the Royal Gazette. (Read more Bermuda stories.)
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that he will consider paying an official visit to Japan while attending the China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting in the first half of this year.
"There have been signs of improving relations and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has invited me to visit Japan on several occasions," Li told the press following the conclusion of the annual session of China's top legislature.
"We may now have a spring in China-Japan relations, but we also need to watch out for any possible return of chills," Li added.
China expects Japan to contribute more to the sustained and steady development of bilateral relations, according to the premier.
"The improvement of bilateral relations requires not just the right atmosphere. It also calls for commitment and vision," he said.
Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Li called on both sides to honor the spirit and consensus of all the four bilateral political agreements.
The premier added that, while the exchange of visits at the leadership level helps to get the relationship back on track, consolidating the foundation for bilateral relations matters more.
"We should not aim at making any one-time deal," he said.
[ Editor: Xueying ]
(Newser) The Weinstein Company has filed for bankruptcya move that could bring yet more sexual misconduct allegations against co-founder Harvey Weinstein to the surface. The movie and TV studio says that as part of the filing, all employees will be released from nondisclosure agreements. "Today, the Company also takes an important step toward justice for any victims who have been silenced by Harvey Weinstein," the company said in a statement, per the Guardian. "Since October, it has been reported that Harvey Weinstein used nondisclosure agreements as a secret weapon to silence his accusers. Effective immediately, those 'agreements' end." The statement thanked those "courageous individuals who have already come forward."
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The Lantern Capital Partners private equity group has entered an agreement to buy the company's assets, but other companies will be able to bid at auction, the Hollywood Reporter notes. An earlier attempt to buy the company collapsed after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against the company last month, then collapsed again earlier this month amid debt issues. The New York Daily News reports that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered Schneiderman to investigate whether Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. properly handled allegations against Weinstein in 2015. "It is of great concern that sexual assault cases have not been pursued with full vigor by our criminal justice system," the governor said Monday. (Read more Harvey Weinstein stories.)
(Newser) Melania Trump is hosting executives from major online and social media companies to discuss cyberbullying and internet safety, more than a year after saying that would be her issue as first lady. The meeting Tuesday marks her first public event on the topic, a choice some observers have questioned given that her husband often berates people on Twitter. Amazon, Snap, Facebook, Google, and Twitter are among the companies that are expected to attend the meeting, per the AP; the Internet Association said it will also be represented. All the major tech companies have strict policies prohibiting harassment and other bullying behavior on their services, but they primarily rely on users to report abuses and weed them out. They try to clearly spell out the kinds of remarks and other posts that won't be tolerated in special sections such as one Facebook, the largest online social network, has set up.
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But the efforts so far have fallen short, leading to rampant abuses that even some of the companies concede have driven away or tormented parts of their audience. The companies are also struggling to balance preventing harassment and other abuses and maintaining a commitment to freedom of expression. Mrs. Trump announced in a speech near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign that her priority as first lady would be to fight cyberbullying. A Slovenia native, she at the time lamented a US culture she said had grown "too mean and too rough"a curious speech for a woman whose husband uses Twitter to dismiss people as losers and taunt them with unflattering nicknames. She recently asked the spouses of US governors to help promote values such as kindness and respect in kids. She has also spoken about limiting the amount of time kids spend online. (Read more Melania Trump stories.)
(Newser) Scott Janssen hoped to win the world's most famous sled-dog race across Alaska. Instead, the 56-year-old took home a sportsmanship award for spending a chilly night with a friend in a sleeping bag he feared would become a body bag. Some 45 miles from the Iditarod finish line, Janssen saw his dogs' ears perk up before they pulled his sled off course and onto the frozen Bering Sea. At least two other racers had taken the same route with 50mph wind gusts creating blizzard conditions, per the Washington Post: Janssen's friend and mentor, 77-year-old Jim Lanier, whose sled was stuck on a piece of driftwood, and another racer who'd passed by without noticing him. "For some reason, say the grace of God, I looked to my left and saw Jim," Janssen tells KTVA. "At that point Jim said, 'I'm not going to make it out of here.' He says, 'You need to keep going.'"
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Janssen didn't. Losing his gloves in the process, he freed his friend's sled, then used a satellite phone to call for help since Lanier's dogs were too tired to continue. Janssen then huddled with Lanier to battle frostbite and hypothermia. "The guy is a mortician, so he made a joke about how if they found us frozen to death, he would make sure we had the right sized coffins," Lanier tells the Post. "I told Jim that American society should be like what we are now, a Democrat and a Republican helping each other out," says Janssen. Had the Republican not seen his friend, a Democrat, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself," Janssen adds. But "I knew I was going to die if someone didn't come along." After five hours, rescuers arrived early Friday to find the men safe, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Their dogs, rescued a short time later, were in good condition, per KTVA. (Read more Iditarod stories.)
(Newser) Another remarkable find for Paul Allen: The billionaire Microsoft co-founder funding the search for missing warships has discovered the USS Juneau resting 2.5 miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Solomon Islands, reports the Guardian. Japanese torpedoes sank the ship in November 1942 during the Battle of Guadalcanal, killing 687 men, including the five Sullivan brothers (George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert) from Waterloo, Iowa, who would later have two warships named in their honor. One torpedo is believed to have struck the ship's weapons magazine, leading to a massive explosion that ripped the Juneau in two, reports the Navy Times. The brothers were posted together after refusing to serve in separate Navy units.
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"We certainly didn't plan to find the Juneau on St. Patricks Day," says the director of Allen's oceanic searches. Allen's website explains that an autonomous underwater vehicle first spotted the wreck, before a remotely operated underwater vehicle confirmed its identity. A video notes "Juneau" is seen on the ship's stern. After the Juneau went down 76 years ago, the Sullivans became war heroes. The first ship to be named in their honor is now a museum in Buffalo, NY. The second, USS The Sullivans, remains in operation. A commander of that ship celebrated the discovery, saying "the story of the USS Juneau crew and Sullivan brothers epitomize the service and sacrifice of our nations greatest generation." (Allen has also found the USS Lexington and USS Indianapolis.)
(Newser) Japan may be readying itself for a mass hanging. The Guardian reports that signs suggest the long-awaited executions of the doomsday cult members behind the infamous 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway may soon come to pass. The two big indications: It reports the country typically holds off on executing multiple people for one crime until all the cases are completed, which in this instance happened in January. Second, seven of the 13 members of Aum Shinrikyo who have been sentenced to death were last week moved to detention facilities outside of Tokyo, which spurred the local media buzz.
The attack: The news comes on the 23rd anniversary of the March 20, 1995, attack, which killed 13 and sickened 6,300; 10 of the condemned were sentenced for this attack, the rest for other crimes. Japan Today reports the attack, for which other Aum members are serving prison sentences, involved bags containing liquid sarin being deposited on five trains and then punctured with pointed umbrella tips.
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The transfer: The Japan Times reports cult founder Shoko Asahara was not among those who were moved from the Tokyo facility that all 13 had been housed in. It reports there are execution facilities located in Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, but authorities didn't say where the seven now are.
The Japan Times reports cult founder Shoko Asahara was not among those who were moved from the Tokyo facility that all 13 had been housed in. It reports there are execution facilities located in Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, but authorities didn't say where the seven now are. The hangings: It's another secretive aspect to what is a very secretive process. The AP reports Japan will not announce the executions until they are finished; even family members and attorneys aren't informed in advance, and those who are hanged are generally told the morning of.
It's another secretive aspect to what is a very secretive process. The AP reports Japan will not announce the executions until they are finished; even family members and attorneys aren't informed in advance, and those who are hanged are generally told the morning of. Historically: The AP reports the country typically hangs accomplices on a single day, and if it does so with the 10 convicted in the sarin attack it would mark the second-most in more than a century: Eleven people accused of plotting to take down the emperor were hanged Jan. 24, 1911. The Guardian notes that in 2008, Japan hanged 15 people, the highest total number in one year in "recent history."
The AP reports the country typically hangs accomplices on a single day, and if it does so with the 10 convicted in the sarin attack it would mark the second-most in more than a century: Eleven people accused of plotting to take down the emperor were hanged Jan. 24, 1911. The Guardian notes that in 2008, Japan hanged 15 people, the highest total number in one year in "recent history." The leader: Asahara, 63, never provided a motive for the attack, and talked "incoherently, occasionally babbling in broken English" during a trial that spanned eight years, per the AP. His family describes him as broken and in need of help, saying he defecates on the floor of his cell and has ceased talking to them or his lawyers.
Asahara, 63, never provided a motive for the attack, and talked "incoherently, occasionally babbling in broken English" during a trial that spanned eight years, per the AP. His family describes him as broken and in need of help, saying he defecates on the floor of his cell and has ceased talking to them or his lawyers. Pleas: His family members aren't the only ones looking to stop the executions. The Japan Times reports the Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery thinks all but Asahara should be spared, saying Monday, "Asahara was the brain and the others were merely the limbs." The Guardian adds that Amnesty International also wants the hangings stopped, and suggests that if they do go forward, it's part of the government's attempt to have the news forgotten before upcoming banner events, like the emperor's April 2019 abdication and the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
(Read more Aum Shinrikyo stories.)
(Newser) The latest school shooting has left two students wounded and the gunman dead at Great Mills High School in Maryland's St. Mary's County, reports the Baltimore Sun. The shooting happened about 8am, and details are beginning to emerge: Sheriff Tim Cameron says a male student fired at a female student in a hallway, and he apparently struck her and a male student nearby, reports USA Today. A school resource officer arrived on the scene and fired at the shooter, says the sheriff, and "that stopped any further attack or assault."
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The unidentified gunman is dead, says Cameron, but it was not immediately clear whether it was the shots fired by the school resource officer that killed him, per the AP. The Sun lists the 14-year-old boy as being in good condition; the 16-year-old girl was said to be hospitalized in critical condition but has been stabilized. FBI agents were on the scene to assist deputies. No word yet on a possible motive. (Read more school shooting stories.)
(Newser) It's the first day of spring, and to celebrate, the Northeast is getting its fourth nor'easter in three weeks. New York is expected to get as much as 14 inches of snow when it starts falling Tuesday night; Washington, DC, could get 4 to 8 inches and Boston is likely to get 11, Bloomberg reports. Rain has already started in Washington and Baltimore; it's expected to turn to sleet and freezing rain before heavier snow begins late Tuesday. Snow will then move into New York in time for Wednesday morning's commute, and will hit Boston later Wednesday.
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Winter storm warnings are in place from Massachusetts all the way down to western North Carolina, and the AP reports the storm is also expected to wallop New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of eastern PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia could get more snow than New York. Wind gusts of up to 35mph are expected, and power outages could ensue. As of 7am, 268 Tuesday flights had already been canceled (Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are the main airports affected). Meanwhile, on the West Coast, thousands are under evacuation orders as a storm threatens California starting Tuesday. (Read more nor'easter stories.)
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The 2018 International Agricultural Expo is held at Inner Mongolia International Convention and Exhibition Center in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region on March 17. [Photo/hhhtnews]
The 2018 International Agricultural Expo commenced at Inner Mongolia International Convention and Exhibition Center in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region on March 17.
More than 760 agriculture and animal husbandry enterprises from 19 provincial regions across the country, and eight foreign countries including the United States, Germany, Israel and Brazil attended the expo.
Vegetables on display at the expo, March 17 [Photo/hhhtnews]
The expo covers an exhibition area of 26,000 square meters, displaying various products including 102 high-tech products and 430 products with patented technologies.
Li Yanchao, manager of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) company exhibited three kinds of drones designed for agriculture.
The three kinds of drones are mainly used for land surveys and spraying pesticides, and they will greatly reduce the burden on farmers, said Li during the expo.
Farmers from Urad Front Banner of Bayannuur attend the expo to promote their products on March 17. [Photo/hhhtnews]
A group of farmers from Urad Front Banner of Bayannuur also attended the three-day event to promote their local agricultural products.
They came to learn about some leading agricultural technologies during the expo, according to the leader of the group.
The expo, which was first held in 2007, is a distinguished gathering of Inner Mongolia agricultural brands.
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) did not reveal any violations during the searches at the offices of Nova Poshta on March 16, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko assured Nova Poshta co-owner Viacheslav Klimov.
"The funds of customers of Post Finance [the Forpost system] seized during the search will be returned. The legal service of the Nova Poshta group of companies will answer all questions of the Prosecutor General's Office and will provide all the necessary materials that will allow making a lawful decision on the case," the group wrote on Facebook.
At the same time, it notes the prosecutor general expressed concern about the use of carriers in schemes for transportation of illegal goods.
"The parties agreed to develop a joint action plan to prevent possible cases of transportation of illegal goods," Nova Poshta stated.
PGO Speaker Andriy Lysenko, in turn, wrote on Facebook that during a meeting of Yuriy Lutsenko and Viacheslav Klimov, the parties expressed interest in the lawful organization of work of the leader of the Ukrainian express delivery market.
"The prosecutor general and the Nova Poshta representative agreed on cooperation to improve the company's work, minimize the risks of carrying prohibited goods and prevent possible illegal financial services in order to evade taxation. For this the working meetings of Nova Poshta lawyers and financiers with the representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office will be held, as well as control purchases of goods and services will be made," the speaker said.
He also said that Lutsenko informed Klimov about the numerous facts of violations, which were revealed in work of the Nova Poshta branches. In particular, this concerned the transfer of non-excise alcoholic drinks and narcotic substances in large quantities. The investigators also received information from the Interior Ministry regarding possible tax evasion in the course of money transfers.
As reported, with reference to Lutsenko's press secretary Larysa Sarhan, the Prosecutor General's Office suspects officials of the companies affiliated with Nova Poshta LLC of non-payment of taxes in especially large amounts, and therefore on March 16 it conducted searches in the central office in Kyiv and other offices of the company in Poltava, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Lviv.
Later it became known that Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman instructed the Ministry of Justice, the Business Ombudsman Council, the Ukraine Investment Promotion Office to analyze the cases of searches at the enterprises and prepare a meeting of the special commission formed in the framework of monitoring the implementation of the law on business protection "stop masks-show."
Fairbanks, AK (99707)
Today
Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. High 43F. Winds light and variable..
Tonight
A few passing clouds. Low around 25F. Winds light and variable.
New Delhi:
The Delhi police on Tuesday arrested Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Atul Johri for alleged sexual harassment of several female students.
The police produced professor Johri before Delhi's Patiala House Court, where he was granted bail after the police said that they did not need his custodial remand, according to a leading news channel.
The lawyer of the accused professor moved a plea in the court on Tuesday, saying that sending him to jail would spoil his career.
Earlier in the day, the police detained professor Johri for interrogation after registration of eight FIRs of molestation against him.
Also Read | Wheres your sorrow: Kin of 39 Indians killed in Iraq slams Sushma Swaraj
As many as eight girl students have filed complaints of sexual harassment against Johri, who is a professor in JNU's School of Life Sciences.
According to the police sources, the FIRs against Johri were registered under the sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 509 of the Indian penal code.
Johri's arrest came a day after JNU students' protest in front of Delhi's Vasant Kunj Police Station demanding his immediate arrest.
Mumbai:
Actor Madhuri Dixit Nene has been signed on for the part in "2 States" fame director Abhishek Varman's next that was earlier supposed to be played by Sridevi.
Sridevi's daughter, Janhvi, shared the news through an Instagram post, wherein she also mentioned that this film was very close to her mother's heart.
"Abhishek Varman's next film was very close to mom's heart ...Dad, Khushi and I are thankful to Madhuri ji for now being a part of this beautiful film...," Janhvi wrote alongside a picture of Sridevi and Madhuri.
Sridevi died of accidental drowning in Dubai last month at the of 54.
Last year in October, filmmaker Karan Johar announced he was reuniting with Abhishek on a project that would be co-produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.
No other detail, including the film's title and the primary cast, was, however, revealed. The film is slated to release on April 19, next year.
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New Delhi:
After the stupendous success of Bigg Boss in Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu versions, the makers are all set to bring in a new version of the popular reality show.
We are talking about Bigg Boss Marathi that will be featuring celebs from the Marathi industry fighting for the winner's trophy.
According to the media reports, the Marathi version of the popular reality show will be hosted by actor Mahesh Manjrekar.
The show will be launched on March 25 and will be aired on Colors Marathi.
In fact, the makers have even released a promo of Bigg Boss Marathi on micro-blogging site Twitter featuring Manjrekar.
Interestingly, the previous versions of Bigg Boss have been a big hit amongst the audience.
While superstar Salman Khan winded the eleventh season of Bigg Boss early this year, Sudeep had hosted Bigg Boss Kannada season 5 which ended in January 2018.
Now it will be interesting to see if Bigg Boss Marathi will be able to have a similar impact on the audience like its other versions.
Mumbai:
Scores of agitated students demanding jobs in railways on Tuesday blocked rail traffic, including suburban services between Matunga and Dadar stations, causing difficulties to lakhs of commuters, a Central Railway official said.
The students blocked the rail track at 7 am in the morning, forcing railway to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT.
Entire four lines are affected between Matunga and CSMT. Police and railway official are having talks with them, the official said.
"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.
"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.
"Mumbai police along with GRP and RPF jawans are having talks with the students and railway's first priority was to clear the track first," Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi said.
Students shouting slogans against railways held placard in their hands demanding one time settlement from GM quota and said that they demand jobs from government.
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New Delhi:
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that 39 Indians who were abducted in Iraqas Mosul have died. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Swaraj said, a39 Indians who were kidnapped in Iraq have died. Deep penetration radar confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed.a
Swaraj said that the mortal remains of those 39 Indians were sent to Baghdad, and for verification, the body DNA samples of the relatives were sent to Iraq. Four Indian states, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar were involved in the process.
She also added that the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) had got the information on Monday saying that DNA samples of 38 people had matched, but the DNA of the 39th person matched only 70 per cent.
Swaraj said that India will send General VK Singh to Iraq so that the mortal remains of the 39 Indians will be brought back to the country. The plane in which the mortal remains will be brought back will first go to Amritsar, then Patna, and finally to Kolkata.
Here are the live updates:
#04:07 PM:A It would have been a sin had we handed over anybody's body claiming it to be those of our people, just for the sake of closing files: EAM Sushma Swaraj
#04:03 PM:A We had been saying that we neither have the evidence of them being alive nor the evidence of them being dead. We maintained this in 2014 and 2017. We did not keep anyone in dark. We gave no false hopes to anyone: Swaraj
#03:57 PM:A DNA samples of 38 people have been matched, verification of 1 victim is under process: EAM Sushma Swaraj
#03:55 PM:A It would have been a sin had we handed over anybody's body claiming it to be those of our people, just for the sake of closing files: EAM Sushma Swaraj
#03:53 PM:A Today Congress indulged in a very low level of politics, probably Congress president thought how did no uproar happened in Rajya Sabha and decided to ask Scindia Ji to lead protests in Lok Sabha. Playing politics on deaths:A EAM Sushma Swaraj
#03:50 PM:A In Rajya Sabha everyone listened to me speaking very patiently and in peace. Everyone paid tribute, I thought same would happen in Lok Sabha. But unlike the past few days of ruckus, today Congress led the protests under Jyotiraditya Scindia ji. Very unfortunate: EAM Sushma Swaraj
#03:45 PM:A Sushma Swaraj is addressing a press conference on the death of 39 Indians abducted in Iraq's Mosul.
#WATCH live from Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj addresses the media on the issue of 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul. https://t.co/4S4yK3yAA2 a ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
#01:00 PM: General VK Singh will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains of Indians killed in Iraq.
General VK Singh will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains of Indians killed in Iraq. The plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata: EAM on 39 Indians who were kidnapped in Mosul pic.twitter.com/A0p6UaUMtp a ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
In July last year, Swaraj, along with Gen VK Singh, had met the family members of all the 39 Indians missing. She told the families that the fight is going on and that the Indian authorities were informed that the missing citizens were last located in a prison in Badush.
Swaraj told the reporters then, aI have already met them several times, but this time the situation was different as Iraqi Prime Minister recently announced that Mosul has been liberated from the ISIS. The very same day I asked VK Singh ji to go to Erbil and personally oversee where are the missing Indians and how can they be rescued. Sources there told V.K. Singh ji that the missing Indians are most probably in a jail in Badush where the fighting is still going on. Once fighting stops in Badush and the area is cleared, we can probably find out about the whereabouts of the missing nationals.a
On March 11, 2017, the Al-Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces, announced that it had found the remains of 500 prisoners executed by the IS in Badush prison. Sources in the Iraqi armed forces said it was likely that the abducted Indians were killed by the IS in the Badush prison already. The sole Indian who managed to escape was Harjit Masih, who told several media outlets that the others were gunned down in the desert near Badush on June 15, 2014.
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New Delhi:
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that he was 'shattered at the heart-wrenching news' that 39 Indians, abducted by the ISIS, had been killed in Iraq. He wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing his shock and demanded the BJP-led NDA government to announce ex-gratia for families of the killed.
I am very sorry to learn from your statement today in Parliament regarding the 39 Indian hostages in Mosul have been declared dead, Singh wrote to Swaraj in a official communique.
The chief minister further said that the news came as a great shock for their families as well as all of us who were hoping and praying for their well-being.
Singh requested the external affairs minister to provide all necessary assistance to the families of the deceased to carry out the last rites.
Indian government should also announce ex-gratia relief to the families of the 39 deceased, the Punjab chief minister added.
Punjab chief minsiter also informed Swaraj that 24 out of 39 Indian killed in Iraqs Mosul by ISIS are from Punjab. The state government has been providing a monthly assistance. I would be grateful if the Indian government to provide due assistance to the families of the killed.
A group of 40 India workers, mostly from Punjab and Bihar, were taken hostage by the ISIS when it invaded Iraqs second largest city Mosul in 2014. Only Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur managed to escape by faking his identity as a Bangladeshi Muslim. He claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the 39 Indians.
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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a meeting with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed the prospects of bringing Qatari liquefied gas to the Ukrainian market.
The presidential press service said Poroshenko expressed gratitude to the Qatar emir for his country's consistent position on supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and informed him about the situation in Donbas in connection with the ongoing aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
"The parties noted the growth of figures of bilateral trade and expressed mutual interest in further expansion of cooperation in trade and economic, investment, agricultural and defense spheres, as well as in energy, transport, medicine, education and tourism," the report says.
During the talks the sides discussed strengthening cooperation in agriculture, energy and transport infrastructure, in particular the port sector.
"The parties discussed the prospects of bringing Qatari liquefied gas to the Ukrainian market. They agreed to hold an intergovernmental economic commission in 2018," the statement reads.
Poroshenko invited the emir to visit Ukraine.
Patna:
The BJP was yet to recuperate from the shock of it allies TDP and YSR Congress parting their way from the NDA alliance over Special Category Status (SCS), on Tuesday Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attacked the saffron party leaders by saying will not compromise on issue of social harmony.
Referring to the allegations of corruption against Lalu Prasad Yadavs family without taking any name, the Bihar chief minister said, I had asked them to clarify about the corruption charges in public but they failed. We took our own decision. We did not compromise with corruption and in the same way we will not compromise on social harmony,
Some people are creating disturbance in the society by issuing meaningless statements. Such people should be aware of the fact that I will not tolerate any attempt to disturb social harmony in Bihar, Kumar said, while addressing a youth program organised by his party at SK Memorial Hall in Patna.
The Bihar chief minister without taking names of state BJP president Nityanand Rai and Giriraj Singh, who recently made statements contrary to the state governments stand on the murder of a BJP leader, said, There was a murder in Darbhanga district recently due to a land dispute and some started saying that the murder was carried out because a square was named PM Narendra Modi chowk.
Bihar deputy CM himself tweeted about the murder. Police officers investigating the murder also said that the incident happened because of land dispute, Kumar added.
If any political leader goes to Darbhanga and meaningless statements, it is wrong, the CM added.
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New Delhi:
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that the bodies of 39 Indians abducted by Islamic State three years ago were recovered from a mound in Iraqs Badush area and not from mass graves as reported.
The bodies were not recovered from mass graves. We got these bodies when VK Singh went to Badush, Swaraj told the media.
The external affairs minister earlier said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha that their bodies were recovered from a mound in Badush and their identities were established through DNA testing.
"When our team visited the mound in Badush, they found strands of long hair and kada. We requested the Iraqi officials to conduct DNA of the bodies recovered from the mound first, Swaraj added.
The minister further asserted that she did not keep anyone in dark. I informed the House first, she said, adding, It is yet not clear when the Indians were killed.
Swaraj also told the media that the DNA of 38 Indians matched with the remains of the bodies found and a body was a 70 per cent match.
The external affairs minister said that it was her duty to inform the House, since Parliament is in session.
A group of 40 India workers, mostly from Punjab and Bihar, were taken hostage by the ISIS when it invaded Iraqs second largest city Mosul in 2014. Only Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur managed to escape by faking his identity as a Bangladeshi Muslim. He claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the 39 Indians.
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Kupwara:
Security forces have gunned down four terrorists in an encounter at Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, said defence spokesperson.
According to an senior IPS officer of Jammu and Kashmir, encounter between joint security forces including the Indian Army and state police and militants broke out around 3:30pm at Halmatpora forest.
aThe militants opened fire at the joint security forces at Kupwara district while they were in an combing operation at Halmatpora forest,a the IPS officer added.
The officer added that the soldiers retaliated swiftly to the ambush and gunned down four terrorists. aNo security personnel was injured in the encounter,a the IPS officer said.
According to the IPS officer, the combing operation was launched on intelligence input.
New Delhi:
The government of India has not even set any target for employment generation, Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Responding to a question asked in the Lok Sabha, Gangwar said, No target has been set by the government for job creation.
The minister, however, asserted that employment generation was the priority concern of the government.
He also said that the government has taken several steps to generate jobs for countrys youth by encouraging the private sector and pumping more money into the schemes like Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
Also Read | Wheres your sorrow: Kin of 39 Indians killed in Mosul slams Sushma Swaraj
Gangwar was responding to a question asked by Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MP Dushyant Chautala referring to an International Labour Organisation report.
According to the report titled World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2018, Indias unemployed population will rise from 18.3 million in 2017 to 18.6 million in 2018 and 18.9 million in 2019.
According to governments annual labour report, the unemployment rate in the country rose rapidly with Himachal Pradesh seeing the sharpest increase from 1.18 per cent in 2014-15 to 10.2 per cent in 2015-16.
In his response to Chautalas question, while the labour minister failed to provide unemployment data for 2016-17 and 2017-18, he furnished the number of jobs created under PMEGP at 2.31 lakh in 2017-18, down from 4.07 lakh in 2016-17.
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Jammu:
Taking a dig at the centre for its alleged failure to ensure peace along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, opposition National Conference (NC) on Monday suggested that New Delhi should start a dialogue with Pakistan to end hostilities in the region.
While showing sensitivity to the suggestions of engaging Pakistan in a meaningful dialogue for the sake of peace on the borders, the BJP has not even attempted to carry out its much-touted hot pursuits, NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana said during a tour of his Nagrota Assembly constituency here.
He asked the BJP as to what was done in the past four years to de-escalate tension along the Line of Control (Loc) and International Border (IB) and batted for initiating talks with Islamabad to put an end to the hostilities.
Also Read: National Conference MLA Akbar Lone shouts 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans in J&K Assembly
The NC leader accused the BJP of exploiting the sentiments of Jammu for votes and said the promises made during poll campaigning turned out to be a hoax as there is nothing to show as far as delivery is concerned.
Except for emotive slogans, the BJP has nothing to offer to Jammu. It has been exploiting the sentiments of Jammu for the past nearly seven decades, but when the moment of reckoning came, it betrayed and back-stabbed the people, Rana alleged.
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New Delhi:
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the country doesn't run on false promises and speeches and the PM should start working as only one year of his term is left.
The country doesn't run on false promises and speeches. Modiji, start providing employment to youths and right price to farmers. Still one year left, said Rahul while addressing a rally in Karnatakas Mangaluru during his Jana Aashirwada Yatre.
During his rally in the poll-bound South Indian state, the Gandhi scion also accused PM Modi of corruption and snatching jobs from Karnatakas youth.
Rafale deal was taken away from a public-sector enterprise in Bengaluru and given to PM Modi's friend. This stole the jobs from Bengaluru youth. This is called corruption, he said.
Also Read | PM Modi symbolises corruption, says Rahul Gandhi at Congress plenary session
The Congress president also alleged that the Prime Minister helped his industrialist friends to turn their black money into white during demonetisation.
PM Modi helped his industrialist friends to turn their black money into white when the common people had to stand in queues to exchange their hard-earned money, he said.
During his visit, Rahul also visited a Rosario Church and sought blessings at Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple in Mangaluru. He also visited Ullal dargah in the port city.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also accompanied the Congress President during the visit.
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New Delhi:
The family members of 39 Indians killed in Iraq on Tuesday slammed External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj for giving false assurance of them being alive and demanded their DNA reports.
Why did she keep saying they're alive and she'll bring them back? She could've said she'll bring them back only if they're alive. I want to see DNA reports, said Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh, who was among the 39 Indians killed in Mosul.
She said Swaraj only cared about her reputation and not the feeling of family members of the victims by keeping them in the dark.
The foreign minister, however, said that she didnt keep anyone in dark as her government neither had the evidence of them being alive nor the evidence of them being dead.
On families saying that the government should have informed them before confirming the deaths in Parliament, Swaraj said, it was my duty to inform the House first.
Also Read | Why did government give false hopes: Congress on death of 39 Indians in Iraq
Reacting to her statement, Kaur said, Yes, she was supposed to announce this in Parliament first but he was part of our family. All she cared about was her reputation. She used to say they're like her children, if that's the case where's her sorrow.
Another Swaran Singh, whose kin was among the 39 abducted and killed by the Islamic State in Mosul echoed similar sentiments.
This is nothing less than brutality to the families who were waiting for the safe return of their boys. The minister should have called us before exploding the bomb on us, Singh said.
The families may file a case against the Central government for keeping them in the dark, he added.
In 2014, as many as 40 Indians were taken hostage by the Islamic State when they took control of Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. One of them escaped posing as a Bangladeshi Muslim.
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New Delhi:
The Congress on Tuesday slammed Modi government for giving false hopes to the nation by hiding the news of the death of 39 Indians abducted in Iraqs Mosul.
Why did the Govt give false hope to the nation for three and a half years that the people were still alive? That was disappointing behaviour, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said condoling the deaths.
Shashi Tharoors reaction came after the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj in Parliament confirmed that all the 39 Indians who were abducted in Iraq have died.
39 Indians who were kidnapped in Iraq have died. Deep penetration radar confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed, Swaraj informed the house.
Meanwhile, shocked by the news, Congress President Rahul Gandhi expressed his deep condolences to the families of the deceased.
Highlights | 39 Indians abducted in Iraq killed, Sushma slams Congress for playing politics
shocked to hear that 39 Indians who were in captivity since 2014, in Iraq, are now confirmed dead. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have lived in hope, that their loved ones will return unharmed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you today, Rahul tweeted.
In 2014, 40 Indian construction workers, mostly from Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Bengal, were taken hostage by the ISIS in Iraqs largest city Mosul.
In July last 2017, the EAM along with MoS Gen VK Singh had met the family members of all the 39 Indians who went missing.
She told the families that the fight is going on and that the Indian authorities were informed that the missing citizens were last located in a prison in Badush.
"We had been running from pillar to post since four years and now we're being told via TV that we lost one of our own," said Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh, who was among the citizens killed.
"He had left for Iraq 7 years ago. We last talked to each other in 2015. They had taken DNA samples 2-3 months back. I don't know what to say," said Kamaljeet Kaur, said the wife of another victim.
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Ottawa :
Canada will deploy an infantry unit and military trainers along with attack and transport helicopters to Mali for 12 months in support of an ongoing UN peacekeeping mission, the government announced on Monday.
"The task force will include two Chinook helicopters to provide much-needed transport and logistics capability, as well as four armed Griffin helicopters for armed escort and protection," Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan told a press conference.
A date for Canada's first deployment in Africa since its troubled mission to Rwanda in 1994 and the exact number of troops that will be sent have yet to be decided, he added.
The pledge comes after Ottawa last November said it would send a Hercules aircraft to the UN regional support center in Entebbe, Uganda, which backs UN operations throughout Africa, as well as make available to the UN a rapid response force of 200 soldiers.
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, meanwhile, said the unit heading to Mali would include women soldiers to meet a demand for gender perspectives in securing peace and security in hotspots.
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New Delhi:
Pakistan on Monday protested against India denying visas to over 500 pilgrims seeking to visit Ajmer Sharif. The visa denial by India has led to further intensifying the diplomatic standoff between the two South Asian nations.
India defended the denial of visas saying that prevailing circumstances and absence of security clearances were the reasons for its decision.
While not denying that visas had been withheld, an official source said, Such visits are facilitated and promoted following due processes.
However, from time to time, such visits cannot take place in view of prevailing circumstances and absence of security clearances. There have been instances in the past when such visits did not take place from both sides.
The Pakistan foreign office said, Pakistan notes with deep disappointment the non-issuance of visas by India for the visit of 503 Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) to participate in the urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer Sharif, India, from 19-29 March 2018.
The decision not to grant visas indicates India is ready to suspend travel, usually seen as part of people-to-people contact and a consideration extended to visits to places of religious significance, in view of allegations of harassment of diplomatic staff and shelling of civilian areas in Jammu & Kashmir by the Pakistani army.
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The EU Foreign Affairs Council has discussed the EU's relations with Ukraine, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has said.
"We then had a point on Ukraine - a very important discussion, also in view of our strong non-recognition policy of the annexation of Crimea. And we discussed, in particular, the two tracks that I have also expressed to the President [of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko], the Prime Minister [of Ukraine, Volodymyr Groysman] and the Foreign Minister [of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin] in Kyiv last week," she said at a press conference in Brussels on Monday, March 19, after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
"First of all, our support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and our full commitment to support and help on the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. Secondly, but not less importantly, our support to the reform process inside Ukraine," Mogherini said.
She said that she had discussed this approach with the foreign ministers and that they had fully agreed with such EU policy towards Ukraine.
Speaking about the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, Mogherini noted a 30% increase in Ukraine's exports to the EU countries. She said that these were "concrete benefits for the people of Ukraine" from cooperation with the EU.
When asked about the discussion of EU support for reform in Ukraine, she said that the EU Foreign Affairs Council had noted the implementation of a number of reforms in Ukraine, but added that "we would like to see more determination."
According to her, the EU understands that encouraging reforms is one thing, but doing reforms back home is a different thing, and "it is more difficult especially in a country that is facing a conflict on its own territory and that is entering an electoral year."
"But still, we expressed - and I personally expressed very openly both to the President [of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko] and the Prime Minister of Ukraine [Volodymyr Groysman] the need that especially the anti-corruption work continues with the establishment of a High Anti-Corruption Court, with the lifting of the necessity for NGOs and civil activists to do the e-declaration and several other steps that we see are necessary to consolidate reforms that are not needed for the European Union, but are needed and asked for by the Ukrainian citizens," Mogherini said.
"This is also a way to invest in the Ukrainian resilience, because the stronger results Ukrainian citizens will see in the fields of anti-corruption, rule of law, in the economic development of the country, the stronger the institutions will be in the face of the conflict in the east," Mogherini added.
She confirmed EU support for reforms in Ukraine and recalled that the Ukraine Reform Conference would be held in Copenhagen on June 27.
Beirut:
An air strike on a school in Syrias Eastern Ghouta has killed 15 children and two women who were using its basement as a bomb shelter, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bombing raid hit Arbin, a key town in the dwindling rebel-held enclave of Ghouta that has been under attack by government troops for over a month.
Three missiles from a single air strike hit the school, where the underground level was being used as a shelter, said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based monitor.
Rescue workers are still searching for survivors, he told AFP.
The Observatory, which identifies air strikes based on flight patterns, munitions used, and aircraft, said Monday nights raids were suspected to have been carried out by Russia.
Moscow has said it is helping Syrias government finish off fighters in Ghouta but has denied carrying out air strikes against civilians.
Since February 18, Syrian troops and allied militia have been waging a ferocious ground and air assault to oust rebels from Ghouta, just east of Damascus.
They have captured more than 80 per cent of the former opposition and have splintered the remaining territory into three sections, each held by a separate rebel group.
Also Read: Syria army cuts off main rebel town in Ghouta as death toll tops 1,000
The pocket where Arbin lies is held by the Faylaq al-Rahman Islamist faction.
Syrian troops have made sweeping advances against them in recent days, opening a corridor for terrified civilians to flee into government-controlled territory.
Other residents have opted to flee deeper into the shrinking rebel-held areas.
The White Helmets rescue force, which works to extract people out from the rubble after air strikes, said Monday its teams in Arbin were responding to a strike on a basement there.
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Washington:
US senator has introduced a legislation in the Congress that would require call centre employees in countries like India to disclose their location and give customers the right to ask to transfer their call to a service agent in the US.
The legislation introduced by Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown proposes to create a public list of companies that would outsource call center jobs and give preference in federal contracts to companies that havent shipped these jobs overseas.
The bill also guarantees US customers the right to ask to transfer their call to a customer service agent who is physically located in the US.
For far too long, US trade and tax policy has encouraged a corporate business model that shuts down operations in Ohio, cashes in on a tax credit at the expense of working Americans, and ships production to Reynosa, Mexico or Wuhan and China, he said.
Jobs at call centres are some of the most vulnerable to offshoring. Too many companies have packed up their call centers in Ohio and across the country, and moved to India or Mexico, he said.
Brown said the constant threat of outsourcing hangs over workers like Renee Rouser of Youngstown, who he talked with last week. Renee has worked at a Youngstown call center for 13 years and knows call center jobs are where people build careers.
So many companies wouldnt be able to function without their customer service staff. Ohio workers like Renee contribute to their businesses and bring ideas to make it work better. We need to value their contributions not end their careers and ship their jobs overseas, Brown said.
According to a study by the Communications Workers of America, the largest communications and media labour union in the US, India and the Philippines are the top two destinations for US companies off-shoring call center jobs. American companies also have opened call centers in countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China and Mexico, the study noted.
According to National Association of Software and Services Companies estimates, the Business Process Management industry in India is a global leader with revenues of over USD 28 billion annually.
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Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has called on Russia to grant access to the Ukrainian consul to Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov, illegally imprisoned in the prison colony of the city of Labytnangi, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in Russia's Tyumen Oblast, MFA spokeswoman Mariana Betsa has said.
"In connection with the information about the deterioration of Sentsov's health, we demand that the Russian Federation immediately grant the consul access to Oleh #FreeSentsov," she wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
Earlier, Sentsov's sister, Natalia Kaplan, reported she had received a letter from the brother who writes about the deterioration of his health.
"A letter from Oleh has arrived. He sends greetings to everyone and says that everything is fine with him, although he writes that his teeth are crumbling and his hair is falling out. He notes he is losing health slowly, but irretrievably," Kaplan wrote on Facebook.
As reported, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Russia's Rostov-on-Don in August 2015 sentenced Sentsov to 20-year imprisonment in a high-security penal colony. He was found guilty of creating a so-called terrorist organization in Russian-annexed Crimea.
Police said Monday they have arrested three Taiwanese women for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth around 50 million yen ($470,000) into Japan in their bras.
Each of the three women carried two bowl-shaped pieces of gold hidden in pockets attached to their bras, the police said. The smuggling attempt was uncovered when the women arrived at Hakodate Airport in Hokkaido from Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport in November and they were arrested on Feb 28.
Each piece of gold was 11 centimeters in diameter and weighed around 1.75 kilograms.
The women have admitted to the smuggling charge, saying a man introduced by an acquaintance abetted them, according to the police.
Gold smuggling attempts have been on the rise in Japan since the consumption tax was raised to 8 percent from 5 percent in 2014, with smugglers seeking to evade the higher tax on gold imports worth over 200,000 yen before selling it at shops at a tax-inclusive price. - Japan Today
A 23-year-old female police officer has been sent to prosecutors on Monday after it was learned that she leaked information related to investigations to her boyfriend, who is a member of a criminal syndicate, reports the Sankei Shimbun.
On Monday, the woman, an officer at the Shinjuku Police Station, was suspended from duty for six months. However, she instead chose to tender her resignation.
That same day, she was also sent to prosecutors for violating the Local Public Service Act regarding confidentiality.
In July of last year, the woman joined the anti-organized crime division of the station. Through her work, she met a gangster, aged in his 30s. Their relationship started at the end of November, according to police.
At the time, the gang member was the target of an investigation into a dispute between rival criminal organizations that was conducted by the Shinjuku Police Station, a fact that she was well aware of.
In December, the gang member asked her about the status of the investigation. Though reluctant at first, she did provide him with information, police said.
The relationship ended after he began pestering her for money at the end of January. The following month, rumors of the relationship began spreading through the department.
During a subsequent inquiry, she admitted to conveying the status of the investigation to the gang member. An examination of her mobile phone showed that mentioned to him that she may be forced to resign if the correspondence were not kept a secret.
"Punishment was the result of an act that reduced the trust of the police. Through management of human resources and business affairs, well will strive to prevent a recurrence," said police representative Akitsugu Tsuchiya. - tokyoreporter.com
A 44-year-old man was sentenced on Monday to life in prison for the murders of two women at his apartment in Kitakyushu.
The Fukuoka District Court's Kokura branch handed down the ruling to Kenji Mihara for killing acquaintances Hiroe Saiki, 45, and Kimiko Mizutani, who was in her 40s, matching the sentence demanded by prosecutors.
Presiding Judge Shinichi Suzushima said Mihara "lost his temper over trivial matters and killed the two" by stabbing them "with a strong intent to kill."
Defense lawyers had argued during the trial that Mihara, who has a history of abusing stimulants, was in an abnormal mental state when he committed the crime, but the judge ruled that the influence of drugs was limited. - Japan Times
The G7 Ambassadors in Ukraine have announced that e-declarations requirements for anti-corruption activists in Ukraine are not in line with Ukraine's international obligations.
"E-declaration requirements for anti-corruption activists and international SOE supervisory board members are not consistent with Ukraines international obligations and best practices, negatively affect international assistance and obstruct the fight against corruption," the Twitter account of the Canadian Chair of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv has said on Tuesday, March 20.
"G7 firmly stands behind the recommendations of the Venice Commission to cancel the requirements and looks forward to a legislative solution that implements these recommendations or postpones application of the law by April 1," it said.
As reported, the Verkhovna Rada on March 23, 2017, approved draft law No. 6172, which exempt privates, sergeants and junior officers from the obligation to file e-declarations, but obliged anti-corruption organizations to do this (leaders or members of the supreme management body of public organizations engaged in activities on countering corruption), along with members of public councils under state agencies, candidates for elected offices.
On July 10, 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko introduced a package of bills concerning e-declaration exemptions for anti-corruption public organizations.
On March 16, the Venice Commission published recommendations saying that the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR recommend that Ukraine "cancel the e-declaration requirements for anti-corruption activists introduced by Law No. 1975-VIII of 23 March 2017, as foreseen by draft law No. 6674, and ensure that the cancellation enters into force before the deadline of 1 April 2018 for submission of the first e-declarations by anti-corruption activists."
Draft laws No. 6674 and No. 6675 are designed to replace previously imposed and criticized e-declaration requirements for anti-corruption activists by a regime of burdensome tax reporting and enhanced public disclosure of detailed financial information, to be submitted by civil society organizations (public associations) whose total annual income exceeds 300 subsistence minimums (currently approximately EUR 14,350) and individual beneficiaries of international technical assistance. The new financial disclosure regime would conflict with human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely, the freedom of association, the right to respect for private life and the prohibition of discrimination. The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR cannot see a need for such amendments and recommend that they be reconsidered in their entirety. If the authorities nevertheless maintain their plans to introduce new financial reporting and disclosure obligations, it would be necessary to clearly substantiate the need for such amendments and to significantly improve the existing draft provisions so as to ensure their legitimacy and proportionality.
"In their current form, the stringent disclosure requirements, coupled with severe sanctions in case of non-compliance, are likely to have a chilling effect on the civil society and may even jeopardize the very existence of a number of civil society organizations which may lose their non-profit status as a sanction," it said.
Three young sisters suffered injuries Sunday after being attacked by two boar-hunting dogs which had escaped from their breeder in Tokushima City.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 3:30 p.m. in a residential area in Kamihachiman-cho. The three girls, who are sisters aged 12, 10 and eight, had been playing outside their house when two dogs approached and bit them on their legs and arms, Fuji TV reported.
The 10-year-old girl suffered major injuries to her arms and legs, while her 12- and 8-year-old sisters were bitten on their legs, police said. Their injuries are not life-threatening, police said.
According to police, the dogs are owned by a 77-year-old hunter who lives in the same area. On Sunday, he had gone hunting boars in a nearby village, when two of his dogs ran away.
The dogs were captured by police later on and their breeder is currently being questioned in relation to the incident, authorities said. - Japan Today
International students that are learning English have several techniques available to them to increase their efficiency. For instance, when it comes to listening, teachers frequently let students listen to songs or watch movies.
Similarly, reading exercises are abundant within ESL curriculums . However, there is one skill that sorely overlooks within the ESL arena.
I'm talking about the writing of course. These days, there aren't many opportunities to express you via book, save for emails or chat messages. The problem with these formats is that they don't cement the English language within the mind of the student as the internet lingo is void of grammar and spelling.
Today, we'll be going over a few tips that you as a teacher or student can use to increase your writing skills in English.
Why is writing important?
The other two skills (listening and reading) helps the student to better their conversation skills. While this is important, writing provides a different perspective by letting the student carefully select the words they will use to express themselves. They have to use more critical thinking, and the tactile experience of writing down creates a deeper connection with the words itself.
It means that every time you write, you will become better in reading and in listening because you'll have a more intimate understanding of the words used.
Find the right motivation
Unless you're a born writer, most people don't like to sit down and write unless they have a purpose. Thus, it's essential that we find the right motivation to keep us engaging in the activity. For instance, business ESL students might need to work on proposals, briefs, memos and so forth. Perhaps, they need to carefully craft out an email that will send to potential investors.
Based on the demand of their vocation, align the writing exercises around their sector of interest. Let them write dummy proposals and briefs. Practice writing regular emails utilizing the most vocabulary possible.
When a student sees the inherent value of this skill, they will be self-motivated to become better.
Make a habit out of it
The adage "practice makes perfect" couldn't be more accurate than when it comes to writing custom assignments. You need to cultivate a habit of writing. Furthermore, a book takes more time than the other skills such as listening and reading.
You'll have to keep on hammering in the lessons to make it become a natural response. After all, English speaking people have had at least 12 years of this from first grade until their senior year. Not to mention the extra practice they got in college.
Thus, as an ESL student, you will need to make it a habitual activity you do at least once a week. You can try different writing styles, genres and so forth to keep it interesting.
Have an official guide
If you're studying by yourself, you will need to have someone check your work. It won't matter if you practice all the time if you're exercising wrong. Have an English teacher or a fluent English speaker guide you periodically.
They will help you hone your skills, correct your mistakes and keep you on the right path. If you're the ESL teacher, you'll have to be their guide.
Don't instruct, but let them figure out what they are doing wrong and make the correction themselves. If a student discovers his or her own mistake, they will hardly ever make the same mistake again. Thus, guiding them is the key and not instructing them. They need to discover the answers for themselves.
Learn with a little help from your friends
In most cases, people learn ESL in groups. Peer review is a great way for everybody to help cement the concepts, learn from everyone's mistakes and makes the job more comfortable for the teacher. It is most accurate in Business English; it allows the student to feel in control of their learning, which is fundamental to becoming a better student.
Keep it a positive experience
The reason why most people stay away from writing is that throughout their academic career the idea of a book was associated with "big projects" There's a lot of stress related to the activity
If you keep the experience positive, you'll not only motivate the student to enjoy the activity; you'll make learning a more fun experience as well.
Writing is a brilliant skill and no matter how much technology changes; the book will never go out of style. It's one of the oldest technologies of humanity and allowing ESL students to understand the importance of dominating this skill will help them advance in all areas of their lives.
Scott Olson/Getty Images(AUSTIN, Texas) -- As a suspected serial bomber or bombers has the city of Austin, Texas on edge, authorities are scrambling to find out if a fifth explosion in the San Antonio suburb of Schertz is connected.
The bombings in Austin, which appear to display increasing complexity, began March 2 and have left two dead and four injured.
Steve Gomez, a former FBI special agent in charge and current ABC News contributor, said that the investigating agencies are likely proceeding with the expectation that all five incidents are connected.
"The agencies have to assume that the explosion in Schertz is connected to the serial bomber in Austin until proven otherwise, based on the timing and the circumstances," Gomez said.
Here is the timeline of events that have led hundreds of investigators on a manhunt.
Friday, March 2
About 6:55 a.m., police received calls about an explosion at a private residence.
The victim in this explosion, Anthony Stephan House, died from his injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
House's death was initially investigated as suspicious, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said that after the subsequent bombings it was reclassified as a homicide investigation.
Monday, March 12
The first blast of the day, reported about 6:44 a.m., killed a male teenager, later identified as Draylen Mason, and injured a woman in her 40s.
The blast occurred at a single-family home in the northeast section of the city and was caused by a package that had been placed on the porch of a home rather than being delivered, police said. Police believe the explosion happened after residents took the package inside to open it.
The explosion was "very similar to the incident that occurred in Austin back on March 2, and if youll remember, that incident also occurred in the morning hours when the victim, in that case, went out front and found a package on their front steps that exploded causing that individuals death," the Austin police chief said at a news conference.
Police received calls about the second explosion of the day at 11:50 a.m. The blast injured a 75-year-old woman who Manley said "came outside of her residence and found a package out front and picked up that package."
Sunday, March 18
Authorities made a direct appeal to the bomber, with Manley saying that he hoped the bomber was watching and would "reach out to us before anyone else is injured or killed."
That didn't stop the carnage, however.
Hours later, the fourth blast was triggered when two victims either stepped on or kicked a tripwire as they were walking on a sidewalk in the Travis Country neighborhood of Austin. The tripwire set off the explosive device that was placed near a fence at 8:32 p.m. on Sunday March 18, police said.
Manley said the use of a tripwire to detonate the device is different than the package bombs used in the other attacks that occurred on March 2 and March 12, and signaled that whoever is responsible has "a higher level of sophistication, a higher level of skills" than previously suspected.
The victims, ages 22 and 23, were in stable condition at a hospital with "significant injuries."
Police issued a safety alert in the wake of the bombing, urging people located within a half-mile radius of where the incident occurred to stay indoors until 10 a.m. local time.
Tuesday, March 20
A fifth explosion happened in the early hours this morning, but the distance and nature of the blast differ from the earlier instances.
The latest explosion occurred about 12:30 a.m. at a FedEx facility in the San Antonio suburb of Schertz, about 65 miles southwest of Austin, where two men were injured Sunday night in the fourth bombing in 17 days to rock the Texas capital.
A medium-sized box containing nails and metal shrapnel exploded on a conveyor belt, according to police, who spoke with ABC San Antonio affiliate KSAT-TV.
The injuries to the worker were "possibly from the sound of the device going off," Lt. Manny Casas of the Schertz Police Department said. The worker was treated at the scene and did not have to be hospitalized, officials said.
Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine does not believe that Hungary can block the development of Ukraine-NATO bilateral relations.
"I do not think that Hungary can block bilateral relations at the NATO level ... It is unfortunate that before the elections in Hungary the pre-election rhetoric wins over bilateral relations and their positive components," Foreign Ministery's spokeswoman Mariana Betsa said in a comment to the Interfax- Ukraine on Tuesday.
At the same time Betsa added that the Ukrainian side is open to dialogue.
"It's a conscious political manipulation and a frank twist of reality. We are sorry, because we are constructive about dialogue on any issues ... We're constantly trying to interact with our Hungarian colleagues through the embassy and at various international venues," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman said.
Betsa added that the deployment of a battalion of Ukrainian troops in Zakarpattia is possible for security reasons and to avoid provocation.
"The deployment of certain battalions of Ukrainian soldiers in the territory of a sovereign state is a personal matter of this state and the sovereign right of this state. Of course, we are concerned about the increasing provocations in the territory of Zakarpattia," the diplomat said.
The evolution of the rhino
Sudan's death is a terrible tragedy. But to understand its real significance it is necessary to examine rhinos' evolutionary history.
The earliest members of the rhinoceros family appeared in the fossil record about 50 million years ago, comparatively recently in geological terms. Over time, rhinoceroses became a very diverse group, growing to huge sizes and living in a variety of environments.
Richard says, 'Nowadays, people think of rhinos living in hot countries. But it wasn't always this way. For example, woolly rhinos - as their name suggests - had thick, woolly coats and became adapted to life in much colder, drier climates.
'Now we have just five living rhino species left, a poor remnant of their former diversity.'
The five surviving species of rhino are the white and the black rhinos in Africa, and the greater one-horned, the Sumatran and the Javan rhinos in Asia.
Sudan was a northern white rhino, a subspecies of the white rhino.
Other rhinoceros species died out over millions of years, mostly because of changing climates and environments. But human activity is having the greatest impact on the final few species.
For instance, the poaching crisis of the 1970s and 80s wiped out the northern white rhino populations in Uganda, Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad. It was fuelled by demand for rhinoceros horn for use in traditional medicines in Asia and ceremonial dagger handles in Yemen.
The last remaining wild population of northern white rhinos, made up of between 20 and 30 individuals in Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were killed during fighting in the region in the 1990s and early 2000s. By 2008, the northern white rhino was considered by most experts to be extinct in the wild.
Chief Military Prosecutor of Ukraine Anatoliy Matios has said that an investigation into 'tax platforms' of former income and tax minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Klymenko has been completed.
"We have done it! ...my subordinates first in the modern history of Ukraine successfully investigated into a large business case about a criminal group," Matios wrote on his Facebook page and posted a document on the completion of the investigation.
According to the document posted by Matios, on March 14, 2018, Main Military Prosecutor's Office finished the investigation in a criminal case about 'tax platforms' opened against Klymenko and other 52 officials of the former Income and Tax Ministry of Ukraine.
The criminal case has hundreds of volumes. Twenty five out of 52 persons who are notified that they are suspected under Part 1 of Article 255, Part 4 of Article 25, Part 2 of Article 264 and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine are on the wanted list. Some 96 lawyers are defending the suspects.
"The total amount of the losses established by investigators amounted to more than UAH 104 billion. The total amount of bails paid by the suspects amounted to more than UAH 74 million. During the investigation two deals on admission of guilt were signed with the suspects, who refunded losses of UAH 26 million. In order to provide compensation of loss to the state investigators and court arrested property of the suspects for the amount of UAH 6.9 billion, including 40 houses, 117 flats, 95 land parcels, 137 nonresidential premises, 162 cars, 1,000 wagons, corporate rights with a face value of some UAH 400 million, and 194 accounts," the investigators said in the document posted by Matios.
In addition, cash amounting to $4.4 million, UAH 9.8 million, EUR 7,200 was seized during raids, and another $5 million was arrested in the accounts of the suspects.
"The investigators of the Main Military Prosecutor's Office thanks to close cooperation with the economy protection department of the National Police of the Interior Ministry in less than 10 months lawfully collected ample evidence of the existence and functioning of a criminal group led by Klymenko consisting of high-ranking officials of the Income and Tax Ministry," Main Military Prosecutor's Office said.
The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has called on federal government to free the EFCC from all form of external influence in order to win the war against corruption.Ribadu made the call on Monday at a special Town Hall meeting organized by Shehu Yar Adua Foundation in conjunction with MacArthure Foundation in Abuja.The former EFCC boss, who spoke as the special guest of honour at the occasion, said for Nigeria move forward in the ongoing fight against corruption, the anti-corruption institutions such as the EFCC and ICPC must be encouraged and supported with adequate funding and independence to function optimally in the discharge of their duties without undue external interference.The institutions that are saddled with the responsibilities and duties to fight corruption, our soldiers in the battle of war against corruption must be encouraged do their work. We want them to be honest themselves, we want them to be just, fairly, competent and transparently.The institutions must be encouraged and supported. How do we do that? By giving them independent, let no one interfere with the way they run their affairs. This issue about the leadership of the EFCC and the National Assembly.It is only fair and proper to remove institutions like that from control of others. If they are going to do this work on behalf of Nigerians, they must be free.Just like the Inspector General of Police, the constitution says, he does not need any clearance from the national Assembly because the constitution recognizes that the work he is doing requires him to stand alone, independently. The same thing with the NSA and Director of DSS. They do not go to the senate for clearance, the same with the Chief of Army staff. Then, why are we saying the EFCC should go to Senate for clearance? If EFCC is going to handle cases involving members of National Assembly and the same EFCC is going to pass through them. How on earth is that going to be possible? Some of these things are critical if we want to win this war against corruption.These are some of the little things that have to be addressed. The independence of these institutions matters a lot. ICPC do not have leadership today because those who are nominated must go through the national Assembly. And they are doing a very important work. Fighting corruption is more important than anything anybody can do in this country today.So, give them enough funds and provide them with the resources to this work unhindered because they are getting back our money. They need to be given enough support to succeed. The EFCC alone has 3800 cases they are prosecuting today. One single organization having these cases, when they go to court, it is like burial ground, they cannot get justice. These things are things Nigerians need to know and hopefully they will wake up and do something about it.We need to encourage them to do their work and begin to get proper good convictions. They are very important to the war against corruption.On whether it requires a constitutional amendment to stop the EFCC chairman from seeking senate clearance, he said, It will not require any amendment for now. Because it is a constitution issue due to the law enforcement work he is doing. If the constitution says, the NSA, IGP, Comptroller General of Customs should not go to NASS, why then should you take another agency like EFCC to them for clearance because when you are fighting corruption, you need to be free from control of others.How on earth is that possible, imagine a senator being taken to court and he has before him the chairman of the agency brought before him to clear. He will not. So, the constitution anticipated that. It made such issue clear that such responsibility should be taken away from anybodys control. So, I feel we do not need to amend that section of the constitution provision because the spirit of the constitution says we do not need that. On the rating of the EFCC performance, Ribadu said the anti-graft agency had done well, stating that by available records the agency had placed Nigeria as the country with 3,800 cases in court, the highest in the world.First of all, it will be better for us to recognize and appreciate the fact that we are not doing that badly in the fight against corruption. Nigeria more than any country today in the world and indeed in Africa is doing something visible in the war against corruption.Nigeria is the only country in Africa today that has two, three anti-corruption agencies, actively working. Today, EFCC alone has 2800 cases going on right now. With few number of operatives and with 3800 cases ongoing. There is nowhere in the world you can get this type of record.But that does not mean that we should be complacent, we need to do more. If the tree is standing, the axe cannot rest. We must do more simply because of the damage corruption has done to us.Corruption is extremely dangerous and it has to be stopped for this country to survive. Corruption is like a hidden robber robbing is 24 hours a day. Corruption is staking our resources, money that ought to be used to address our problems is taken by very few people. There has to be a way to stop it because if we do not get it, we are not likely going to get peace and security in this country."
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has solicited the support of the United States, US, in bringing an end to the crisis between farmers an...
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has solicited the support of the United States, US, in bringing an end to the crisis between farmers and herdsmen in his state.
Ortom said the US should assist in the realization of the move for establishment of ranches across his state and the country.
He spoke while receiving the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi, the state capital.
According to Ortom, assisting in the establishment of ranches was one reliable way of guaranteeing peace in his state and the country.
Ortom said, Let me on behalf of the government and people of Benue State welcome you to the Presidential wing of the Benue Peoples. I appreciate your visit. We were glad when we learnt that you are coming to visit us because we look up to America for a lot of things. Today the Presidential system of Government that we practice, we borrowed it from America.
I have been advocating for ranching which I know America for the rearing of cattle instead of the grazing that we have in Nigeria today. Because of the shortage of land, the issue of grazing has become a major security challenge, especially in my state. Frequently, there are clashes between farmers and herdsmen because the land is not there and my people are mostly farmers so they find the herdsmen encroaching and trespassing on farmlands and thus destroying their crops and when they are confronted, it will become a fight and we have lost so much.
I have been calling for the establishment of ranches just like it is done in America. Most of us look forward that our Government at the Federal level and the state level will come together and find a lasting solution because this crisis is not only peculiar to Benue State. There are other states too that are affected. But to me, I see that ranching as it is done in America can solve the problem permanently because the land is not increasing but the population is increasing.
When there were grazing routes in the fifties, the total population of Nigeria was less than forty million. Today, by the 2012 projection, we are over a hundred and seventy million and by 2017, I am sure we will be hitting two hundred million. So it is a big challenge. While we want to support the herdsmen to graze and to rear cattle, it should not be at the detriment of lives and property of our people. And so you are welcome.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has urged politicians that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to seek Gods forgiveness for the ...
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has urged politicians that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to seek Gods forgiveness for the untold hardship in the country.
He lamented that Nigerias economy had become worse under the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, which he noted had no solution to the myriads of problems facing the country.
The governor spoke on Monday at a meeting of the Osoko Mass Movement attended by representatives of labour unions, civil servants and public institutions in the state.
He said, People that voted Buhari must seek repentance. People thought he was coming to make a difference but he has caused more economic hardship. We are being ruled by fiat. Unemployment is second to none. The Transparency International said corruption had become worse among Nigerians.
The governor urged the people to vote for a well educated candidate in the election and not to sell their votes.
He said his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola was the most educated and suitably qualified aspirant to rule the state.
If you say Im not educated now I have presented a professor. We are not supposed to retrogress, we should progress. A professor is higher than doctor and supervises him. By all standard Im presenting the most suitably qualified aspirant.
Our interest was somewhere else but his name kept reappearing. Ekiti needs continuity, I have put in my best in the circumstance and I know he will do it better, he said.
Fayose said the APC government had not benefitted the Ekiti people in anyway despite having a former governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
He said, There are many mineral deposits in Ekiti which have been left untapped despite our son being the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for listening to his cou...
Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for listening to his counsel on withdrawing policemen from very important personalities (VIPs).
Last week, Omokri had criticised the current administration for not condemning attaching of 150,000 policemen to VIPs.
In a statement on Monday, Omokri said he was glad that the IGP ordered police officers attached to VIPs to return to core police duties.
According to him, the treatment the president received in London for an ear infection in June 2016, has made him better able to listen to Nigerians.
I am glad to report today that the inspector-general of police announced the withdrawal of those officers and ordered their return to core police duties, Omokri said.
Apparently, the ear infection he complained about and for which he received medical treatment in London at Nigerian tax payers expense has made him better able to listen to Nigerians.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on her re-election for another term.The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement said Buhari has conveyed his congratulatory message to Merkel in a letter.Adesina quoted the President as saying in the letter that he was most delighted to learn of the successful conclusion of the inter-party negotiations to form a new government after the last election in Germany.Buhari further told Merkel that her victory is a testimony of your hard-work, competence and trust of the German people, qualities which are much admired in many parts of the world especially here in Africa.Buhari said Nigeria greatly valued Merkels humanity and concern for refugees, while wishing her and her new cabinet a successful new term of office.We look forward to greater cooperation between our two countries as we strive to confront shared challenges, Buhari said.
Ten Niger Delta militant groups, including the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, have given the federal government four weeks to reinstate the sacked Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Retired General Paul Boroh.The militants warned that they would unleash fresh attacks on oil installations and facilities across the Niger Delta region if the sack of Boroh was not reversed.The Leader of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers RNDA, General Johnmark Ezonbi, said in statement on Monday that that it had become obvious that the federal government was toiling with the destiny of the region.The federal government will hear from us at the expiration of the four weeks ultimatum as no single stone will be left un-turned as the administration preferred to go back to the recession period where Boroh played a major role by visiting the creeks with other stakeholders to prevail on the boys to drop their armsand embrace peace.Boroh, they said, had succeeded in setting a template for the smooth operation of the amnesty office.The group said that all its striking units across the Niger Delta have been put on red alert to commence operation zero oil to cripple the economy.They said they would embark on a well- coordinated destruction of all major delivery oil pipelines after the expiration of the four weeks ultimatum without looking back.I want to warn that any intruder into our planned action in four weeks time if the federal government fails to reinstate General Paul Boroh will be severely dealt with without mercy because our attack will make security agencies in the creek very small."We are fully ready to take on anybody as we have the instrumental of warfare that will make the biggest military might to marvel at our coordinated attacks. We are ready to dirty our rivers and creek with our oil, it is better we spill it than allow government use it to develop other parts of the country.They stated that Boroh had made concerted efforts to put the Amnesty programme back on track with the regular training of ex militants and payment of monthly stipends without delay.Professor Charles Dokubo was last appointed to replace Boroh.
The state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, on Monday, insisted on the one-year elongation of the tenure of the partys national officers.The tenure of the APC national officers was extended by one year, with effect from June 30, at a joint meeting of the partys National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee, in Abuja, on February 27, 2018.Some members of the APC, who are not happy with the development, have gone to court to challenge the decision.However, the APC State Chairmens Forum is insisting on the extension of the tenure of the partys national officers.The National Secretary of the APC State Chairmens Forum, and chairman of the party in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who made the forums position known, while addressing journalists on Monday, said the decision to elongate the tenure of the national officers was in the best interest of the party and the nation.Speaking at the APC secretariat in Enugu, Nwoye said those who went to court to challenge the decision had automatically expelled themselves from the party, according to the APC constitution.Nwoye described the litigants as fifth columnists who were hired by the so-called third force to destabilise the party.The Enugu APC chairman noted that the state chairmen had met and agreed on a two-year extension of the tenure of the national officers, before the NEC and NWC decided on a one-year elongation.Nwoye said, Some people have been critical of the decision of the NEC to extend the tenure of the national officers, but speaking as the National Secretary of the APC Chairmens Forum, I want to state that the development was in order. It was in the best interest of the party and the nation.Before the NEC meeting in Abuja, the forum met and unanimously agreed to advocate and advance tenure elongation for the national officers. We felt it would harm the party to go into congresses in an election year.The chairmen, at the meeting, agreed on two years extension.The chairmen, in a resolution, passed a vote of confidence in Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari; in the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; in the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and in the reconciliation committee.Nwoye added that the NEC eventually approved a one-year tenure extension for the national officers.Nwoye argued that aggrieved members of the party, who were in the minority, ought to have channeled their grievances through the internal mechanisms of the party, including the Tinubu-led reconciliation committee.He said, They now want to overturn what the majority has done; those who have issues with the elongation should have gone to the reconciliation committee to submit their grievances, instead they went to court.It is either that they are not APC members or they dont know the partys constitution.No true party member will look at what is happening and decide to go to court. There is no limit to the grievances that can be brought before the reconciliation committee.Those who went to court are being used by the so-called third force to destabilise the APC, Nwoye added.He described the anti-tenure elongation suit as an anti-party activity.Nwoye said, According to the APC constitution, you cannot take the party to court. So, those who filed lawsuits stand expelled from the party.You are automatically expelled from the party when you file a lawsuit without exhausting the available remedies provided within the partys internal mechanisms you just cant file a lawsuit because you disagree with the decision of the NEC.Asked whether he was calling for the expulsion of all those challenging the decision in court, Nwoye said, I am not calling for their expulsion, the constitution says they should be expelled.According to constitutional provisions, they have automatically expelled themselves. They can also recall themselves by withdrawing the suit.You cease to be member of the APC once you decide to go to court.
Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has said he intervened in the crisis that rocked the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti recently even though it is a federal institution because of the need to defend the interest of the people.According to the governor, corporate interest must be placed above personal or even political consideration.He stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday when members of the board and the management team of the hospital paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.In a press release by the governors Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor also reiterated the call that the Federal Government should include nominees of host state governments in the boards and councils of federal institutions, saying that would facilitate flow of information and cooperation.What is important is Nigeria and our people. Public interest is the ultimate and we must protect it. The Federal Government should find states important to include them on the boards and councils of federal institutions located in those states. Political differences must not stop us from doing the right thingsPolitical parties are mere vehicles to get to some destinations and even the vehicles can be changed as well as the driver. We need people who are gadfly, who will put those in authority on their toes for effective performance, he said.On the clamour for restructuring, Fayose noted that the process could start gradually and issues taken one after the other.He opined that the results of restructuring would eventually come to bear on the polity and the coming generations.In his remarks, the Chairman of the board, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, thanked the governor for his intervention and efforts at resolving the crisis that rocked the hospital some months ago.The Chief Medical Director, Dr Kunle Ajayi, said the hospital was ready to contribute more to the development of the state.
Ukrainian Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko believes that the Verkhovna Rada's resolution on non-recognition of presidential elections in Crimea will be an additional argument of Ukrainian diplomacy for imposing additional sanctions on Russia.
"This is one of the arguments that we will provide to our partners in the United States and the European Union about imposing additional sanctions against the Russian Federation, since we absolutely do not recognize these pseudo-elections that took place on the territory of the annexed Crimea," Petrenko told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, answering the question about what legal consequences of the adoption of the Verkhovna Rada's resolution on non-recognition of the presidential elections will have.
The minister stressed that such a resolution would be "an additional argument for Ukrainian diplomacy that they apply to impose sanctions on those individuals who were involved in organizing the electoral process in the Ukrainian Crimea."
Aristide Economopoulos
By: Sara Jerde | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: The names of some of the persons interviewed have been changed to encourage openness in sharing their stories.
It's one thing to know the opioid epidemic exists. And to know how bad it is. To hear statistics, like the number of heroin-related overdose deaths nationwide has more than quadrupled since 2010, and to recognize that that's a problem.
But it's different to see it up close, on the face of someone who doesn't want to stop using, or on another who gave it up and is trying to get her life back together.
NJ Advance Media spent two days on a ride-along with the Bergen County Prosecutors office, during which people in various stages of addiction and recovery shared their stories.
A reporter and photographer documented the county's Operation Helping Hand week-long program where drug treatment is offered to Bergen County residents who were caught making transactions in open-air drug markets in nearby areas. It's a program that Attorney General Gurbir Grewal wants to take statewide.
Here's what we saw:
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The homeless man
Some people dont want help.
Ethan, a 32-year-old, originally from Lyndhurst, has been homeless for about five years and typically sleeps on a covered porch of a boarded up home in Paterson.
He talks candidly about his drug use, sitting on top of a blanket he and his girlfriend -- who is lying on her side with her back to us as we talk -- use as a mattress.
He started using Percocet about 11 years ago to combat pain from a shoulder injury, got hooked on the high and switched to heroin after a while.
Its a shitty life, but its not easy to stop getting high, Ethan says.
He speaks clearly and eloquently, but any emotion he might feel in reaction to what he's saying doesn't seem to reach his bright blue eyes.
Addiction is crazy, crazy, crazy, he says, as he trails off and stares off into the distance.
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He has a 2-year-old daughter who lives in Clifton with a family member -- a fact he shares as frankly as he admits that he uses about 10 bags of heroin a day. The pathway to his bed on the covered porch is littered with drug use -- orange needle caps and empty baggies.
He sleeps there under a few thin blankets with his girlfriend, who is also addicted to heroin. They each keep their hood, hat and coats on, most of their bodies disappearing under the covers even as the sun comes up and shines.
They sleep steps from where Ethan spends time panhandling for money to fund his addiction.
He makes $20 to $100 every day, and at $3 a bag for heroin, that can go far.
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Crime is also an issue.
Ethan recalls that a few weeks ago, he was walking around at 2 a.m. when about 10 kids jumped him. They took the money he had, and left a bruise on his eye that was still healing.
But if he would've had any drugs on him, "they would've snatched that too," he says.
He has tried to get sober before. It goes OK for a while, but you end up right back where you started, he says.
Ethan has also considered going into the homeless shelter, he says, but it requires them to not bring any drugs in with them or use. That has kept him away, sleeping on the porch under plunging temperatures. He lives next door to a home where a child played on the front porch last Wednesday as adults around her cleaned.
Come on brother, this isnt a life, Sgt. Jason Hornstra, an officer with Operation Helping Hand, urges him.
Definitely not, Ethan says, staying put on the porch.
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The teacher
Stephanie (not pictured) was a teacher with two masters degrees. She had never been arrested before when she was brought in during Operation Helping Hand about six months ago.
Her drug use, she says, started in the early 2000s when she first had a string of surgeries in her early 20s that put her on an absurd amount of painkillers with a "ridiculous amount of leftovers."
It was then that she realized she enjoyed pills a little too much, Stephanie says.
She started dating a man, a drug user, and began taking pills with him. At first, it started by taking pills every other week, then every week, then every day. She realized she needed to get clean and admitted herself into, and completed, a rehab program in Florida.
When she got home, she got back to work, got pregnant, had a baby and had a decent amount of clean time. But, she turned to pills again after a stressful year. She had been using them for about five months when she was laid off from her job as a teacher in New Jersey.
"Stress is a big trigger for me," Stephanie says.
But pills are expensive. And, at 10 pills, she was blowing about $300 every day, $30 a day was a lot cheaper.
She knew what she was taking with pills she knew exactly what she was ingesting. With heroin, you never know what it could be laced with.
I hated heroin. Unfortunately, thats not what I wanted to do, Stephanie says. But I didnt want to get sick.
She had to take care of her son, she had to get up and make him food and function. She needed the heroin, she explains. She never injected it into her veins, she says, only sniffed it. And while others, she says, used it seemingly on a suicide mission, that was never her.
"In order to have fun, and to feed my child, I would use to get back to normal and not feel like shit," she says. "I have a child, I'm not trying to die."
Her dependance on heroin lasted about seven months.
She had just moved into a new apartment and had the cable guy there in the middle of an installation. But he was taking too long and she needed a fix. Her regular drug providers were away and wouldnt be available later in the day and her mom wasnt around to watch her 4-year-old.
She decided, telling the cable guy shed be right back, that shed run into Paterson and make the purchase. She took her son with her.
Rolling down her window, the dealer approached her car and gave her a bundle (10 bags). She handed back $30 and put it in her wristlet, zipping it up and putting it under her seat where her son couldnt get to it. She drove off, stopping for a coffee for herself and a donut for her son at Dunkin Donuts.
As soon as she re-entered Bergen County, officers in the unmarked car behind her put their lights on and pulled her over.
She says she was scared, shocked, nervous, and at the same time, relieved.
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Stephanie says its the people, like Sgt. Jen (Sgt. Jennifer Rueda, right), and Connie, who got her into recovery.
That day, six months ago, when officers brought her in for processing, she sat down with counselors and they explained to her the detox and rehab programs they could provide.
She was starting to withdraw and was feeling something similar to, "the worst possible flu you could imagine." She was hot, then cold, weak, nauseated.
Constance "Connie" Rizzo, a recovery specialist, sat and talked with her and got her cigarettes to calm her down. Rizzo has stayed close with Stephanie in her recovery.
She was rescued, Rizzo says. She wouldnt have done it on her own.
Rizzo later visited Stephanie while she was going through detox, bringing her new clothes, makeup and magazines.
A lot of people were pulling for me and believed in me, Stephanie says. They make you feel good about what youre doing. That meant a lot to me because you might have someone in your family who doesnt.
Stephanie, now 39 and originally from the Hackensack area, has spent the last six months getting clean, diligently attending her rehab programs, working enough to get a car and put the pieces back together.
Obviously, I wish it hadnt gone down the way it did, but Im so grateful for it, Stephanie says.
Ultimately, she pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession of narcotics paraphernalia instead of an indictable, third-degree possession charge. She was fined and got one year of probation.
Next on her list is to obtain housing, get her son back and hopefully start working in the recovery field. Her son knows that his mommy was sick and went to the hospital to get better. Someday, she'll probably tell him the story, she says.
Despite the resolution of her legal issues, she probably won't be back in the classroom. "I believe I lost my passion for teaching," Stephanie says. "Maybe my purpose here is to help others through addiction."
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The reluctant
Juan is an example of what experts say is a common behavior among those addicted to drugs -- making excuses for not getting help.
He has arthritis in his back and is missing the bottom half of his left leg. He tells Hornstra, who has pulled over on a Paterson street to talk to him, hes afraid to stop using heroin or enter a drug treatment program because of the pain he knows will meet him on the other side.
Hornstra says hes arrested this man three times.
Juan is excited to see him and he reaches through the passenger-side window to shake Hornstras hand and share a bit of news.
The beautiful thing is I stopped smoking crack, Juan tells him.
But still on heroin, about 10 bags a day.
I told you, I want to get you help, Hornstra says, Youll go tomorrow if I get you in?
Juan says yes, if theres a doctor or medical staff that can help control his pain.
Ill go, I swear to God Ill go, Juan says on Tuesday, before exchanging phone numbers, as they had done before, the last time Hornstra offered him help.
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The program
Operation Helping Hand works like this: Detectives with the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and officers with local law enforcement patrol areas with known open-air drug markets outside of the county, such as in Paterson, Newark and Passaic.
They wait and watch until they catch someone purchasing drugs, verify that his or her vehicle is registered to Bergen County, then follow the car back into the county, pull them over and bring them in for processing.
After they've been processed, theyll sit down with clinical professionals and recovery specialists who will talk them through detox or rehab options and ask if theyre willing to accept help for their addiction.
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Its a really good segue into treatment, Sue A. Marchese-Debiak, program coordinator for the countys Office of Alcohol & Drug Dependency, said.
Marchese-Debiak's team, which is constantly applying and receiving grants to fund its programs, will work with them to provide county-sponsored detox for free and beds are made available specifically for this week-long program at New Hope and New Bridge Medical Center.
They tell them they can do it. They tell them theyre worth it.
You cant shame somebody into recovery, you have to empower them, Ben Kimmel, a recovery specialist, said.
And if they dont want to enter treatment that day, but give their contact information, officials will follow up with them in the coming days, weeks and months to see if they are ready.
Were attacking this fight from literally every angle 'cause thats the only way were gonna win, Kimmel said.
If they do accept help, their charges arent dropped, but that effort will be shared with his or her sentencing judge, Elizabeth Rebein, chief of the community affairs unit in the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, said.
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There were 38 arrests made last week during this fourth iteration of Operation Helping Hand. Andy, from Elmwood Park, (pictured) was arrested twice. He was first pulled over on Tuesday in his hometown after he was seen purchasing drugs.
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Officers found him with a car seat and childrens book in the back as well as heroin and crack cocaine (used together to maintain the high). Andy lives with his girlfriend and five-year-old, he told police.
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He was arrested again on Wednesday and was taken to a detox program at New Bridge. But, he soon left the hospital. He was to go back this Monday. Of the 37 people arrested last week, one went through detox, 11 went through detox and proceeded with treatment, seven received treatment only.
Only two refused any sort of treatment or follow-up and 16 agreed to share their contact information for further contact with recovery specialists.
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Operation Helping Hand was previously developed under then-Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal. Now, as attorney general, he's working with at least six other county prosecutors to develop a statewide Operation Helping Hand this summer, he said in a statement.
"You cannot arrest a disease," Grewal said in the statement. "... By bringing together law enforcement officers, social workers, treatment providers, and recovery specialists under one roof, we can work together to offer low-level drug offenders, who are suffering from the disease of addiction, real treatment and recovery options."
Last week, representatives from the prosecutor's offices from Union and Morris counties rode along to see how Bergen County does it. In a snapshot, here's what Bergen is up against: In 2017, (pending medical examiner's final ruling), there were 131 fatalities, 507 overdoses and 245 Narcan saves by local law enforcement in Bergen County alone. By the beginning of March 2018, there were 13 fatalities, 92 overdoses and 52 Narcan saves by local law enforcement.
The county prosecutor's office offers programs to educate high school students on drug use and addiction, walk-in hours at police stations where drug users can turn in their drugs and get help as well as a response team that will meet with a person who has had a Narcan reversal to talk treatment options.
As someone who fought it and has come out on the other side, Stephanie has some advice.
To the "addicts," Know that youre worth it and give yourself a chance. Anyone can do recovery if they use the resources that are provided. And to the "non-addicts," It doesnt matter if youre from Park Ave. or park bench, addiction can touch everyone. Dont be so judgmental.
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Read more health news:
These special interests spent millions to sway your politicians on N.J.'s hottest issues
2 N.J. hospital chains will explore a merger
Here's where all the rabid animals were last year
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Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.
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Days after coming under fire for the death of a dog forced to ride in the overhead bin aboard a United flight, the airline announced Tuesday that it will temporarily stop accepting new reservations to fly pets in cargo while it reviews its procedures.
Reservations that have already been placed will still be honored, United Airlines said in a statement.
Pets that fly in the cabin will still be allowed aboard aircraft. United Airlines is the largest carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport.
In the meantime, United says it is "conducting a thorough and systematic review of our program for pets that travel in the cargo compartment to make improvements that will ensure the best possible experience for our customers and their pets."
United says it expected to complete its review by May 1. The airline will contact customers who booked their pets to fly between Tuesday and May 1. It already said beginning in April it will issue bright colored bag tags to help better identify pets.
The death of the French bulldog flying from Houston to New York City was the worst of a series of mishaps involving dogs this month. In that instance, a flight attendant instructed the dog's owner to place the pet in an overhead bin instead of keeping it in its carrier under a seat.
Days later, a German Shepherd bound for Kansas was mistakenly placed on a flight to Japan, according to WashingtonPost.com.
In addition, a United Express flight from Newark to St. Louis landed in Akron, Ohio, to bring a pet to its proper destination. The dog was mistakenly loaded on the plane but was later safely delivered to its owner.
While those two pets eventually got to their destinations safely, United reported more than half of the 147 injuries and deaths for animals of all U.S. carriers over the last three years, according to Department of Transportation statistics.
The airline also reported transporting the most animals during that three-year span, but the incident rate remains more than twice as high on United Airlines than the average for the 18 airlines and regional carriers that provided data to the DOT.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Three South Jersey men were among four sentenced this month to years in federal prison for their roles in a criminal network prosecutors said trafficked dogs across state lines for bloody pit fights.
In the course of a sprawling multi-state investigation, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement, federal agents discovered the basement of a defendant's home caked in blood, evidence it had been used as a fighting pit. One man admitted his dog died on the way home after losing a fight.
Of the four defendants, Vineland residents Anthony "Monte" Gaines and Lydell Harris received sentences of 42 months and 17 months, respectively, for charges that included conspiracy and possessing a dog with the intent to use it in a dog fight. At least one of the dogs used in fights
Frank Nichols, of Millville, was sentenced to 57 months on charges that included being a felon in possession of a firearm. The fourth defendant, Pedro Cuellar of Willow Springs, Illinois, received a year in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.
All four of the men previously had pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper in Trenton.
Prosecutors said their arrests stemmed from Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort targeting dog fighting in across multiple federal districts
Court records show agents seized at six pit bulls when they served a search warrant at Gaines' home in November 2015, and federal authorities have said a total of 44 dogs were recovered in New Jersey as part of the investigation. Investigators said they also seized treadmills, heavy chains and breeding stands -- meant to restrain female dogs -- as they built their case against the men.
Prosecutors said a fifth defendant, 42-year-old Asbury Park resident Mario Atkinson, has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2018. Other defendants remain awaiting trial.
Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty.
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JERSEY CITY -- Teachers are not happy with the host of a popular morning radio show after he slammed the Jersey City school district and its educators last week, calling the city's school system "trash."
During Hot 97's "Ebro in the Morning" show on Friday, host Ebrohim "Ebro" Darden was critical of the teachers after they walked off the job Friday morning to strike for a new contract with lower health costs.
Darden, a Jersey City resident for 15 years, received voicemails and angry social media posts about his comments, prompting a Tuesday morning discussion about the strike -- which ended Sunday night -- and the city's school district.
"Jersey City public schools is trash ... and I was pissed that they was on strike," he said during Tuesday's show when talking about the backlash. "Are we striking and our schools is trash?"
Performance reports from the state education department say Jersey City students overall showed progress in English and math in 2016-17. The district's graduation rate was 78 percent, up from 67 percent in 2014 (state average is 91 percent). The city's McNair Academic High School is widely considered one of the best in the nation.
Kristen Zadroga-Hart, an official with local teachers union the Jersey City Education Association, told The Jersey Journal she didn't listen to the show but based on the transcript Darden "is grossly misinformed" about Jersey City's public schools.
"We have some of the finest educators and brightest students in the state," she said in an email. "I would invite him to visit any of our schools to see the fine work our district does. Perhaps he can come speak to some of our students who are interested in careers in radio broadcasting to discuss his college experience and the job requirements for the field."
Darden, whose argument didn't get much support from co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez, said the schools underperform and blamed teachers, district officials, and even Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.
"Jersey City teachers went on strike, they deserve a contract, they deserve better health benefits they say. I don't disagree," Darden said. "I don't know all your health benefits but look, anyway to make it better I'm for it but dammit, the school system in Jersey City is not good. It's trash, basura. So that makes everyone involved trash, and those of us that live in Jersey City, same, it's a reflection of all of us."
A Jersey City teacher named Silvia called and told Darden he was doing everyone a "disservice" by only pointing to the ratings of 29,000-student district as an overall reflection of how teachers do their jobs.
"You can't compare our students to students that are you know are in Cranford, New Jersey that come from middle class America, that speak English, that travel, to kids that have been in the country for less than five years, don't speak English, or you know come from a very troubled home you know where they don't have both parents or you know they've seen violence in street," she said.
The station also aired a voicemail left by another teacher who said she was "absolutely disgusted" by Darden's comments. A teacher from Newark also jumped to the defense of Jersey City teachers, saying in poorer districts, teachers often pay more out of their pocket for their students to succeed.
A secretary for the school district's spokeswoman said they hadn't heard the radio conversation and declined to comment. A request for comment from Hot 97 was not immediately returned.
However, Jersey City Board Education President Sudhan Thomas said in a statement that he was "was deeply disappointed" by Darden's comments on Friday and today. He said while there areas the district can make improvements, it does not mean schools and teachers are trash.
"We are very proud of the 3,000 teachers in 40 schools who teach our 30,000 children, of whom 3,100 have special needs or are autistic," Thomas said. "Mr. Darden's radio ratings equivalent in the education world are graduation rates, attendance rates, and PAARC scores, which are all trending positive in Jersey City. Our high school dropout rates have decreased in the last five years. "
Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- Police say it wasn't a Betty Crocker recipe being used at the home of a Jersey City man who, along with another man, was charged with having 15 pounds of marijuana-laced brownies.
Corey D. Herring, 27, of Cator Avenue, and Michael M. Simeus, 24, of Bidwell Avenue, were arrested Saturday and charged with possession of 15 pounds of marijuana, the criminal complaint says. The 15 pounds is the entire weight of the brownies, an official said.
Michael M. Simeus, 24, of Bidwell Avenue, appears in court in Jersey City yesterday, March 19, 2018, on charges related to 15 pounds of brownies containing suspected marijuana.
They are also charged with possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of School of School 20, at 239 Ocean Avenue, and within 500 feet of Bayside Park, the complaints say.
Officers conducting a narcotics investigation saw Simeus leave Herring's home and when they stopped him they found he had 69 brownies on him, the complaint says.
They then searched Herring's home, leading Herring to be additionally charged with operating a drug manufacturing facility, and possession of drug paraphernalia which in this case was baking supplies, the complaint says.
The pair made their first appearance on the charges in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City yesterday via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.
At the hearing, the state moved to detain Herring through the course of his prosecution. A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.
JERSEY CITY When Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico six months ago, the devastation was especially emotional for Rosemary Guerrero.
The 33-year-old's grandfather had been sick before the natural disaster, but the limited number resources and lack of electricity and running water fatally exasperated his condition. A month later, her grandmother died from an infection.
"That just made me a wreck," the senior sociology major at New Jersey City University said.
So when the university announced in January its Alternative Spring Break program would be heading to Puerto Rico, Guerrero told her job and family that if she were to be accepted she was dropping everything to spend her week off aiding in recovery efforts.
Of the 91 people who applied to go on the mission trip, 15 were selected to participate, including Guerrero.
Robert Quinones, assistant director for activities and coordinator at NJCU's Center for Community Service and Volunteerism, said students from the school have been working to help the people of Puerto Rico since the days following the storm.
Students volunteered in Jersey City's efforts to ship containers full of goods to the island, so it came as no surprise there was a 30 percent increase of applications.
The cost for each student to go to Puerto Rico was about $1,500, but through donations and fundraising the cost was cut by two-thirds. Some of the work they did included rebuilding a homeless shelter and community center and rehabbing exotic plants.
"It was just so beautiful to see how resilient everyone is," Sandy Checo, a junior from West New York, said of her emotional journey. "From the people to the plants."
Other colleges across the state have also gone to Puerto Rico to help with recovery. NJCU is also hoping to strengthen its relationship with the University of Puerto Rico to temporarily bring some of its students to New Jersey.
Many of the students who went on the mission trip say they have built strong relationships while on the trip with people they hadn't even known before leaving. Emma Lopez-Binachi, 19, said the mission was "humbling and motivational."
Rahma Eliwa, 20, said the visit solidified her decision to pursue a career as a humanitarian.
"What these students did was above and beyond," said Nancy Gomez, who works in the Career Planning Department and is working with her CWA union, to continue to send donations and money to Puerto Rico.
Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
A former Jersey City cop will not go to prison for his role in a scam that netted him more than $12,000 in corrupt payments.
David Ortmann, 53, was sentenced in a federal courthouse in Newark today to three years' probation six months of that in home confinement and was ordered to pay $17,620 in restitution to Jersey City and to forfeit $12,617. Ortmann pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.
He is the fourth cop sentenced for taking part in the scheme, which has resulted in 11 guilty pleas so far. He is the third to avoid jail time, along with Christopher Ortega and Victor Sanchez. On Friday, Michael O'Leary was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
"Mr. Ortmann has expressed true remorse for his actions and accepted true responsibility and hopefully he'll be able to move past this and on with his life," said his attorney, Michael Koribanics.
Ortmann was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez. The former cop, first hired in 1989, admitted he submitted phony vouchers to get paid for off-duty jobs he never performed, with the help of an unidentified co-conspirator who approved the vouchers.
Records obtained by The Jersey Journal show Ortmann collected $79,480 in off-duty work between 2013 and 2016. In 2015, the year he admitted he started participating in the scheme, he collected $30,105.
His annual salary was $116,342, payroll records show.
Mayor Steve Fulop last month said he is eliminating the program that allowed officers to work off-duty for private companies, saying it is largely unnecessary and rife with opportunities for corruption.
Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
Tradition has triumphed over clearing up confusion in one of the 6 N.J. municipalities with Franklin in their name.
The proposed renaming of Franklin Township, in Hunterdon County, to Franklin Hills drew little support in a month-long, online survey and the mayor says no further discussions are planned.
Only 74 residents who responded to the non-binding survey hosted by PlanetCivic said they would support a new name, while 131 were opposed, Mayor Craig Repmann said Monday.
The 205 responses represented only a small fraction of the township's 3,000 residents.
There are four Franklin Townships in N.J, including municipalities in Somerset, Warren and Gloucester counties. Moreover, there is a Franklin Borough in Sussex County and a Franklin Lakes in Bergen County.
Repmann, via an email on Monday, said he did not take a position on the proposal. It originated from a presentation at a Franklin Township Committee meeting in December 2016.
Dozens of N.J.'s 565 municipalities share the same name. There are five Washington Townships -- a sixth was in Mercer County until a decade ago when voters approved a new change to Robbinsville.
PlanetCivic, which conducted the Franklin Township survey, is a 2-year-old company whose selling point is that relatively few attend municipal meetings and additional outreach is needed to form conclusions.
It was awarded a one-year, $499 contract in November 2017 by the Township Committee, with an expectation of gauging public interest on a wide range of topics.
The proposed name change raised nearly a year earlier was the first question asked, which Repmann previously said caught him by surprise.
Participation in the survey was limited to Franklin Township residents and business owners.
Repmann said no decision has been made on whether to pursue additional survey questions.
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A Guttenberg man is accused of sexually assaulting his daughters some 15 years ago and threatening to plant drugs on them to have them deported if they reported the abuse, authorities said.
The 53-year-old is charged with the sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault of his now 31-year-old daughter when she was between the ages of 15 and 17 years old, according to a criminal complaint.
He is also charged with sexual assaulting his now 29-year-old daughter when she was between the ages of 13 and 15 years old, the complaint says.
On Jan. 31, the Guttenberg Police Department contacted the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victim's Unit saying officers had been contacted by the 31-year-old who told them she had been sexually assaulted by her biological father when she was 15, according to the court document.
She also said her 29-year-old sister was sexually assaulted by their father after the pair moved from Colombia to live with him, the complaint alleges.
Both women said their father told them that if they ever disclosed the alleged abuse, "he would plant drugs in their book bags, call police and have them deported," the complaint states, adding that he told them he was teaching them how to be with a man. The women said their father was also physically abusive, with one alleging he once stuck her in the face hard enough to fracture her nose, according to the complaint.
The man was interviewed Wednesday and taken into custody. He made his first appearance on the charges on Thursday in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.
A detention hearing is scheduled for today in Hudson County Superior Court.
Michael A. Maltese is headed back to prison, nine and a half years after he strangled his father to death in front of his mother, and then did the same to her.
A jury convicted Maltese, now 29, of manslaughter on Tuesday after a month-long trial that featured evidence that he and his girlfriend buried the bodies in a shallow grave and then went on a shopping spree that included purchasing a diamond engagement ring.
It was not the first time Maltese heard a Middlesex County Superior Court jury deliver a guilty verdict.
In 2011 he was convicted of murder in his mother's death and manslaughter for killing his father, but the state's Supreme Court overturned the convictions in 2015, ruling that police had improperly obtained his confession.
This time around, the jury did not find that Maltese committed murder when he killed the couple in the Monmouth Junction Mobile Home Park in South Brunswick, but instead found the crime a case of "passionate provocation" manslaughter, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said.
Maltese's 18-year-old girlfriend at the time of the crime, Nicole Taylor, agreed to testify against him and admitted that she helped him kill and bury his parents, Michael J. and Kathleen Maltese, on Oct. 8, 2008.
She tearfully told the court in 2009 that she heard Maltese arguing with his father, as he often did, and then saw them on the ground wrestling with Kathleen Maltese trying to pull them apart.
Nicole Taylor
Taylor admitted she pulled his mother away and held her, and they watched as Maltese strangled his father until he stopped moving. Then Maltese "went for his mom" and choked her as Taylor watched, she told the court.
She said they cleaned the bodies in the bathtub, wrapped them in blankets, carried them to the car, brought them to Beech Woods Park and buried them.
Authorities said Maltese soon used his mother's credit card to buy food, sporting goods and a ring for Taylor, and Taylor tried unsuccessfully to cash a check made out to Maltese's parents.
Taylor got a 10-year sentence in exchange for her testimony against Maltese, and was released from state prison last April, state records show.
Maltese is now facing a sentence of up to 20 years, though he is likely to get credit for the time he's already served.
When the Supreme Court overturned Maltese's murder conviction in 2015, it left in place the convictions on charges including disturbing, moving or concealing human remains, tampering with evidence, hindering apprehension, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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KYIV. March20 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Nova Poshta group of companies finds it difficult to determine the reason for the opening of criminal proceedings against it by the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) and intends to contest the improper actions of PGO officials in court, the company's management said this at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.
"In essence, remarks to the protocol were made immediately and the protocol indicated the violations that were revealed during the searches. As for complaints, and whether they will be filed - the company is now finalizing all the protocols that were compiled, since the searches were conducted in six cities, and afterwards a complaint will be filed," Nova Poshta director for legal issues Inna Homych said.
She said that at present the losses incurred by the company have not been assessed. She stressed the company observes a pre-trial investigation secret and cannot voice all the information available to it.
At the same time, Nova Poshta co-founder Volodymyr Popereshniuk noted that computer equipment, telephones were confiscated from the employees, the possibility of their movement was limited.
"Computer equipment was arrested, but we did not allow it to be seized. It was withdrawn for five hours, and then files were downloaded. They downloaded about 1,000 files from my computer, which contained, in my opinion, valuable commercial information. I'm not sure now that this information will not come to someone's hands," he said.
When asked about the reasons for the appearance of such a claim against the company, Popereshniuk stated it is difficult for the company to determine them.
UPDATE: Police have shot and killed the man who took over the Panera Bread in Princeton.
Police have surrounded a Panera Bread across the street from Princeton University's campus Tuesday morning in a standoff with an armed man inside the eatery, authorities said.
The situation began unfolding about 10 a.m. when officers arrived with guns drawn and crouched behind vehicles on Nassau Street, a block from Princeton University's Nassau Hall.
"We're currently negotiating with an armed subject (inside Panera)," Princeton Police Chief Nick Sutter said. He said the FBI and State Police were assisting.
Asked if there were hostages in the building, Sutter declined to comment.
Nassau Street was shut down between Washington and Witherspoon, as nearby businesses were evacuated. Princeton University evacuated Henry House and Scheide Caldwell House, the two campus buildings closest to the restaurant.
"It is not known whether the gunman has any connection to the University," Princeton University said in a statement on its website. "Classes are not in session, as this is the week of spring break."
Some members of the university received an erroneous phone call indicating that shots have been fired, but Princeton officials issued an update to clear up the confusion. "NO SHOTS WERE FIRED; THERE IS NO SHELTER-IN-PLACE order. Continue to avoid the area," Princeton University tweeted.
Princeton police keep people away from the Panera Bread on Nassau Street as they negotiate with an armed man in the eatery.
Tom Morrison, a retired sheriff's deputy from Kern County, California, said he was in Starbucks nearby on Nassau Street when he saw the police arrive.
"I ran outside to get some of the people who came to look behind the perimeter," Morrison said. "The police were operating with efficiency. They were putting up the perimeter pretty fast."
Troy said she saw people leaving the Panera.
"I did see one elderly man exit Panera bread he was OK but he looked confused and then more and more police came and the area still blockaded," Troy said.
Princeton New Jersey Nassau Street opposite the entrance of Princeton University Paneras bread theres a man with a shotgun they blocked off Nassau Street at the intersection of Washington Road and also on the other side of Paneras Suzannah B. Troy (@suzannahbtroy) March 20, 2018
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
GREAT MILLS, Maryland -- A sheriff's spokeswoman says three people have been injured in a shooting at a high school in southern Maryland, including the shooter.
St. Mary's County Sheriff's spokeswoman Cpl. Julie Yingling says there have been no fatalities in the Tuesday morning shooting at Great Mills High School.
Yingling says the two victims were shot, but she doesn't know how the shooter was injured. She also didn't have the identities of the any of the three injured.
She says all three had been transported to hospitals.
Video shows police officers responding to shooting at Great Mills High School in Maryland. The event is contained, according to the school district. https://t.co/p6ZPCw44RZ pic.twitter.com/m9TMfrSjyi ABC News (@ABC) March 20, 2018
Authorities said the situation was "contained" as deputies and federal agents converged on the crime scene.
The Baltimore Sun reported that a student said the shooting happened around 8 a.m. Terrence Rhames, 18, told the Sun that he heard a gunshot and saw a girl fall as he ran for an exit. "I just thank god I'm safe," Rhames said. "I just want to know who did it and who got injured."
The St. Mary's County Public Schools said the situation was "contained" after the shooting at Great Mills High School, which has about 1,600 students and is near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, about 65 miles southeast of Washington.
Agents with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined deputies at the scene. The county sheriff said parents or guardians should stay away, urging them to go instead to Leonardtown High School to reunite with Great Mills students there.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Rep. Steny Hoyer tweeted that they're monitoring reports and urged people to follow the instructions of local law enforcement at the scene.
This latest shooting happened as many students are calling for action against gun violence in schools, leading up to Saturday's March For Our Lives rally in the n
ation's capital. Protests have been spreading around the nation since a teenager with an assault rifle killed 17 people at a Florida high school on Valentine's Day.
The scenarios tend to play out along similar lines: A student takes to social media, or turns to a peer, and makes a vague statement about bringing a weapon to school.
Panic, and a police investigation, ensue.
And then it happens again somewhere else in the state. And again. Sometimes it even happens again in the same district, as it did in both Evesham and Lumberton.
Threats in New Jersey and around the country have forced lockdowns, ominous-sounding shelter in place orders, evacuations and even closures.
The incidents are taken seriously, with at least two dozen kids arrested in New Jersey for what are usually hoaxes, all rooted in the desire of law enforcement to send a clear warning: Joking or not, the behavior won't be tolerated.
The zero tolerance approach, however, hasn't quashed the problem.
The hoaxes have created a game administrators can't really win. If they leave students open to risk after hearing a whispered joke about guns, could they possibly become the administrator who missed all the signs?
Or do they call police to put cuffs on children as young as 10, as happened in Franklin Township in Gloucester County, just to be safe? And when do they need to alert parents to the vague threat?
What is clear is that the one-size fits all punishments aren't working, experts say.
And repeated hoaxes can take a toll on the rest of a student body, leading students to miss valuable class time -- which has happened in Nutley, Bayonne and Harrison Township in Gloucester County.
"Really, what you're trying to do is balance the individual's right to an education with the school's [priority] for people there to be safe," said Amy Klinger, the director of programs at the Educator's School Safety Network. "Educators are caught in a really bad position of trying to strike the right balance of investigating [and] reacting to these threats, but making the reaction appropriate."
Often, some would argue, it seems administrators have rushed to have students charged, repeatedly saying they will investigate and prosecute the hoaxes to the extent of the law.
That, experts say, might only bolster bad behavior.
"If it's too much of a reaction, it creates more" threats, she Klinger said.
A sudden spike in threats
Threats have swelled at schools over the past month, amounting to more than 700 across the country after a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., allegedly brought a gun to the school and fatally shot 17 students and faculty members.
One school, Klinger said, might receive a barrage of hoaxes if students see a chaotic response that leads to disruption, and rationalize that an evacuation is more fun than their third period class.
So when an administrator cancels class out of safety concerns, they're also giving in to the threat, experts caution.
And some students can't imagine they'll get caught.
"Even when those [arrested] are close to us, teens see it, and the natural brain reaction is, 'it happened to them, but it's not going to happen to me'," said Kenneth Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, a consulting firm. "All threats have to be treated seriously, and all threats have to be investigated thoroughly. ... Where you have flexibility is with the consequences that occur as a result."
In a study of 800 school threats conducted over four months in 2014, Trump's firm found that 30 percent of threats resulted in evacuations, while another 10 percent led administrators to close schools. These cut class time at schools, while also tying up law enforcement resources.
And of course, arrest records and punishments for the individuals, many of whom are young teens.
"Those consequences will hit them like a ton of bricks," Trump said. "It's that point that they realize, 'uh, oh.' From a preventative standpoint, it's too late."
The impact of threats
Lumberton Township Middle School held an assembly last week to talk through the issues with students.
Principal Bud Wrigley "was very pointed about, any threat that's made is going to be taken as a credible threat," said Betsy Link, a spokeswoman for the district. "You have to really watch what you're saying. Sometimes they get mad at somebody else, say something they don't mean."
"We have to act like they do mean it," she said.
For many schools, that means ramping up enforcement of policies and jumping at murmurs of shootings.
"There's the kid who says, 'I said something stupid, kidding, doing whatever. And six weeks ago, nobody would've said anything. And now, I'm in cuffs and being charged'," said Klinger, of the Educator's School Safety Network.
At Cherokee High School in the Lenape Regional School District where two arrests took place after students allegedly made shooting threats on Snapchat, Superintendet Carol Birnbohm said through a spokesperson that the arrests did not disrupt class time, but did divert resources for investigations.
How should schools respond?
The best approaches are nuanced and driven by education, rather than defaulting to punishment, experts say.
"We see that when we see schools say, 'we are always going to do X,' " Klinger said. "'No matter what, we're going to evacuate.' It needs to be situational."
But that can only happen if school administrators and emergency responders have the right tools to handle the threats, she said. She suggests schools have a threat assessment management team, consisting of police, administrators and mental health professionals that can evaluate student behavior and come up with a tailored solution to handle the incident in the least disruptive way.
"Are you going to have so-called zero tolerance and not have any discretion? No, that doesn't always make sense." said Trump, who agrees that a team on hand to assess such threats can benefit schools, as well as having a crisis communication plan at the ready to inform parents.
It's hard to say if New Jersey schools are seeking a unified approach, or how administrators are grappling with the issue. NJ Advance Media reached out to a dozen superintendents in districts where multiple arrests had been made or reactions had prompted school closures and early dismissals for comment.
Some gave brief statements through spokespeople, but none agreed to speak on the issue.
"We have to make a shift in the culture," Klinger said. "We know that we can't stand in line at the airport and make a joke about having a bomb. We know that is not the venue. Kids have to understand, it's not funny."
Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Angered by word of the disciplining of two Lacey High School students for a gun-related social media post, 200 parents, community members and other supporters of the Second Amendment on Monday let the Board of Education know they don't want the district trampling on their rights or meddling in their home lives.
"You guys are reaching into our private life, the private life of our children," said one parent, Lewis Fiordimondo, who has twins in pre-kindergarten and a daughter at the high school. "It's not your place. It's not the school's place."
Another dad, Frank Horvath, whose son is a senior at Lacey High, put things in blunter terms.
"It's none of your damn business what our children do outside of school," Horvath told the seven board members toward the end of a four-hour meeting, most of it occupied by speaker after speaker venting anger and frustration at school officials largely unable to respond due to confidentiality rules.
The unusually large turnout for Monday night's board meeting in the high school auditorium was prompted by a five-day in-school suspension of two senior boys after one of them posted a photo of themselves with guns at a local shooting range, away from school property and not during school hours.
The crowd was encouraged by one organizer to applaud as the board walked back into the high school auditorium after an executive session.
The photo, which showed four rifles, ammunition magazines and a duffel bag, was shared by one of the students on Snapchat with the caption "fun day at the range," said Amanda Buron, whose daughter is a friend of one of the boys. Buron said the suspension was dropped after four days following a public outcry.
The two boys have not been publicly identified, and Buron declined to name them. She said neither the boys nor family members were at the meeting, and that the parents of her daughter's friend did not want to talk about the case.
"They're not ready," Buron said in a brief interview.
District officials have declined to comment on the incident. After the meeting Monday night, Board President Robert Klaus, Vice President Shawn Giordano and Board Attorney Chris Supsie all refused even to characterize the status of the situation, including whether it remained under investigation.
This after the language of a district policy in the student handbook was quietly amended last week following a local uproar in the Lacey community and the threat of a lawsuit by the Association of Rifle and Pistol Clubs of New Jersey, whose lawyer, Daniel Schmutter, was at Monday's board meeting.
Before the policy was changed, it had stated that, "any student who is reported to be in possession of a weapon of any type for any reason or purpose whether on or off school grounds," would be subject to penalties including up to a one-year suspension.
Now, the policy omits any mention of possessing a weapon off school grounds or the length of a suspension. The revamped policy also adds a note about school buses.
"Students are forbidden to carry any type of weapon or simulated weapon to school," the revamped policy states. "Strict disciplinary action and legal actions will result if this occurs. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any imitation firearm in or upon any part of the building... without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution, or while on any school bus is a disorderly person."
Before enduring Monday night's three-hour tongue lashing from the public, Klaus, Supsie and Wigley told the crowd that the policy had been tweaked to address concerns that had been raised over the past several days. And in an effort to assure angry Second Amendment supporters that he was one of them, Klaus told the crowd that he himself was a gun owner and a member of the National Rifle Association, as is Giordano.
"I have guns, I grew up in a family with guns," said Klaus. "We learned about guns, we respect guns."
Klaus also insisted several times that he would have liked to answer speakers' questions about what happened and the district's response, but he was bound by confidentiality rules.
"Nobody in the room would want us talking about their children in public," Klaus said early in the meeting, in a rare instance when a district official drew even a smattering of applause.
One speaker, former Lacey school board member Regina Discenza, defended the district's actions, which were prompted by a report of the photo from a concerned parent, after 17 students and adults were shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
"In light of what happened in Parkland, Florida, how can anyone say this board did not do its job?" said Discenza, whose remarks were booed by some and prompted one man to stand up and walk out.
Few in the crowd were in a conciliatory mood, and some said the two boys' punishment was just one more example of how traditional values and the people who hold them were denigrated by liberals in education, the media and government.
"People like us are under attack," John Pinto, a 32-year-old property manager who was at the meeting with his wife and two sons, said in an interview.
Ken Pelican, a 59-year-old union pipe fitter and gun owner who was at the meeting with his 27-year-old son, Corey, said board members were hypocrites for standing with the crowd to face the flag, hands on hearts, at the start of the meeting, after having denied the two boys their First and Second Amendment rights.
"They had the audacity to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance but they don't want to support the Constitution?" Pelican said.
Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
By Steven Delarge
Too many people still believe that a traditional four-year college degree is the only road to success.
They don't recognize that lucrative careers in plumbing provide stability, job security, flexibility and work-life balance. They don't realize the average annual salary for New Jersey plumbers is $69,360, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This has never been more apparent than over the last few years as storms named Sandy, Harvey and Maria have turned the lives of families upside down.
Journeyman plumbers from all over the country came together to help people in disaster-impacted communities get back to having safe drinking water, a clean shower and proper sanitation. These unsung heroes "Protect the health of the nation." The sentiment of American Standard from 90 years ago that still rings true today.
This work is so vital to the health and prosperity of our communities yet plumbing and other trade crafts are on the decline.
While our nation once had a thriving public vocational-technical educational system, Americans' career aspirations, as well as its funding streams, have championed a traditional four-year college over a trade apprenticeship. In fact, federal funding for career and technical education has declined nearly
.
As a result, millions of stable, highly lucrative jobs remain unfilled and our communities pay the cost. Competition for "traditional four-year college" degree jobs may be fierce. But in New Jersey, there are more than 1,700 openings for plumbers, according to a quick search on Indeed.com.
In a world where jobs are rapidly being replaced by technology, overlooking trade careers means that many young people miss an opportunity to carve an alternative career path. Plumbers have considerable job security. Getting the water to flow is always going to be a basic necessity and something that can't be outsourced or replaced by automation.
In order to attract a new generation of skilled tradesmen and plumbers in particular, we need to boost support for apprenticeship and vocational program options for our young people. Currently, skilled senior tradespeople are retiring at a faster rate than they can be replaced by younger generations.
In New Jersey, candidates can jumpstart their career paths by fast-tracking current four-year apprenticeship programs to reach "Journeyman" status once they complete four years of vocational high school training. After one year of "Journeyman" status, they can apply for a Master Plumber license, which yields the highest earning potential averaging $115,000 in New Jersey. For Master Plumbers who choose to start their own business, earning potential is much higher.
Licensing requirements vary from state to state, which is why we advocate for the establishment of a national plumbing license, that could establish uniformity, simplify training, and encourage portability across state lines for employment opportunities. For example, a plumber in New Jersey must get licensed in New York and Pennsylvania separately. This limits their ability to work in the region.
The biggest change we need to make is how we view plumbers, and how we teach our children to view the plumbing industry. Many teens researching career options have no idea just how much technology is part of today's plumbing industry. It is exciting and stimulating to bring water innovations to life in homes and buildings.
In short, a career in plumbing is not just Plan B. It is a solid Plan A. And now more than ever, we need to push harder to communicate the benefits of a skilled trade career. As we seek to invest in our infrastructure, we will not be successful if we don't invest in skilled trades.
Steven Delarge is CEO of LIXIL Americas, makers of American Standard, GROHE and DXV.
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Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
Veteran Jersey Journal columnist Earl Morgan is fond of that adage and with good reason. Decades of working as a journalist affirm that open government is vital to a free society and a functioning democracy.
For that reason, we applaud the state Supreme Court's decision forcing Bayonne on Friday to finally release the terms of its settlement with a local family who had filed a police brutality lawsuit against the city, its police department and individual officers.
The Journal, in the interest of informing the public about the highly newsworthy deal, is proud to have pushed the issue in state and federal court for nearly a year. Rather than let Bayonne and its insurer bully us into de facto complicity in their quest to keep the public in the dark, we kept the pressure on. Court decision after court decision confirmed that we and the public had - and have - the right to know the contents of this settlement.
Bayonne's continual stalling tactics and shallow arguments should be cause for concern for local residents and taxpayers.
The city and its insurance provider, the New Jersey Intergovernmental Insurance Fund, clearly thought they could wear us down. But they were wrong.
We persisted as a matter of principle because this case wasn't just any public records case.
First, it involved a potentially precedent-setting case of abusing the federal courts in an attempt to do an end-run around the state Open Public Records Act. The case, a U.S. civil rights lawsuit, had proceeded in federal court, where the parties attempted to seal the outcome.
According to OPRA, the public has the right to see all taxpayer-funded settlements. The danger of using a federal court to seal something the state has said should be open is obvious.
Second, beyond individuals' rights being trampled on, Brandon Walsh vs. the City of Bayonne involved broad issues of police brutality and covering up at least one cop's crime. What the city stipulated to in its settlement and how much that officer's crime would eventually cost taxpayers deserve to be examined in the sunshine. Only then can residents hope to move forward and demand progress, not sweep these egregious events under the rug.
Another lesson of this case is that it's time for a fresh look at the policies and practices of New Jersey's municipal joint insurance funds.
Thirty years ago, these funds provided an imaginative, effective answer to a crisis facing local government. Insurance that protected taxpayers from the risks of fire, fender-benders, injuries, and litigation was becoming out of reach. So, New Jersey allowed towns, counties and school districts to form their own insurance funds, cushioning each other against an unexpected loss.
Over the years, however, these joint insurance funds have retreated into the shadows, where they're largely controlled by attorneys, insurance experts and municipal officials. In the Walsh case, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis says, it was a joint insurance fund that led the fight to keep the settlement hidden.
The argument for lack of transparency goes that disclosing large insurance settlements encourages fraud and gives trial lawyers a leg up in negotiations. But that's not the established public policy in New Jersey. For more than a generation, our Legislature and our courts have held that taxpayers have the clear right to know how their money is spent, especially when it's used to bail out a municipality for the egregious actions of its employees.
It's unconscionable that a public entity spent tens of thousands of dollars to hide the truth from voters.
Gov. Murphy should have Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver, who doubles as the state's commissioner of community affairs, lead a cabinet-level inquiry that sweeps away the cobwebs of time and brings the sunshine back into joint insurance funds.
President Donald Trump yesterday proposed tougher penalties on drug dealers, saying he supports the death penalty for some drug traffickers.
During a surprise appearance in Manchester, New Hampshire, Trump unveiled a long-awaited plan to combat the national opioid drug addiction.
The Justice Department said the federal death penalty is available for limited drug-related offenses, including violations of the "drug kingpin" provisions in federal law.
Some drug dealers "will kill thousands of people in their lifetimes," Trump said at Monday's event. "They'll be jailed for 30 days, or a year, or they'll be fined. And yet if you kill one person, you get the death penalty or you go to jail for life. If we're not going to get tough on drug dealers who kill thousands of people and destroy so many people's lives, we are just doing the wrong thing."
But his call for the death penalty immediately drew condemnation from treatment advocates, law enforcement officials and civil liberty organizations.
"Drug trafficking is not an offense for which someone can receive the death penalty," said Jesselyn McCurdy, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington office, referring to a Supreme Court precedent that puts constraints on using the penalty when the person convicted did not commit murder.
Doug Berman, a law professor at Ohio State University, predicted the issue would be litigated all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin and synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, killed more than 42,000 people in the U.S. in 2016, more than any other year on record, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to a 2015 article by The Economist, 33 countries and territories impose the death penalty for drug smuggling, but only 6 really carry it out.
Does getting tougher on drugs and traffickers include employing the death penalty?
Vote in our informal and unscientific poll and tell us why in the comments section.
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WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency plans to step up efforts to get the companies who dumped toxic waste at New Jersey's Superfund sites to pay to clean them up, administrator Scott Pruitt said.
Pruitt on Monday blamed a lack of urgency, not a lack of funding, for the lack of progress in cleaning up the sites. New Jersey has 114 designated Superfund sites, the most in the nation, including three of Pruitt's 21 highest-priority locations.
"I'm going to get accountability with whomever it is on these Superfund sites and we will use every means of enforcement to do so," Pruitt told a group of Washington-based reporters from local news outlets, including NJ Advance Media. "I don't think we've done it as well as we should have historically and we're going to do better going forward."
While President Donald Trump has proposed cutting EPA's budget, Pruitt said the agency will have the money it needs by ensuring that the companies responsible for the contamination clean it up.
"Most of our sites across the country have a responsible party," Pruitt said. "We have very few orphan sites."
The three high-priority sites in New Jersey, again more than any other state, are in Bridgewater, Bergen County and Newark.
"I don't think we've been as aggressive in using our strength and our authority to get accountability at some of these sites and, moreover, to get it done timely," Pruitt said. "The New Jersey sites, we have several of those and we're going to work hard and diligently to get accountability into those areas."
Environmentalists, though, said they're concerned that the EPA won't really force companies to pay to clean up the sites.
"Will he go after them sue them and compel them to clean, or will be just do clean up on paper and just get them off the list," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "We think he wants to take them off the list without having the sites cleaned up."
Tittel, who said Pruitt is undercounting the orphan sites, said companies responsible for the pollution fight EPA's efforts to make them pay, and it remains to be seen what the agency will do to force them to open their wallets.
"The responsible parties drag their feet because they don't want to spend a lot of money," Tittel said. "The question becomes: What will they do to make them spend their money?"
The company responsible for some of New Jersey's Superfund sites is Dow Chemical. Dow's senior attorney, Peter Wright, has been nominated to run the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management, the agency the oversees Superfund cleanups.
Pruitt said that career employees are responsible for determining whether an EPA official must recuse himself from particular projects.
The administrator also called for renewed efforts to replace pipes that are leaching lead into water supplies. A report last year said 300 schools in 95 New Jersey districts had fountains with lead exceeding federal standards.
Pruitt said states and localities, with some federal help, need to borrow money for repairs. Pruitt said Trump's proposed infrastructure plan, which includes $200 billion in federal funds, could supply some financial assistance, though the plan caps the U.S. share at 20 percent.
"It's going to require investment in infrastructure," Pruitt said. "We know what needs to be done. We need to replace those service lines, corrosion control measures. This is infrsturcture at its core. There needs to be an investment made by these states and cities across the country."
The cost of replacing all those lines now leaching lead is $40 billion to $45 billion over 10 years, Pruitt said.
"We can truly eradicate lead from our drinking water if we want to invest that kind of money," he said. "It's a clear and present danger to our citizens and we need to act urgently to address it."
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Gov. Phil Murphy warned Tuesday the new winter storm expected to slam New Jersey over the next few days could leave the state with another rash of downed power lines, only weeks after a pair of storms left thousands of people without electricity.
But, Murphy said, utility companies have assured him they're lining up extra workers to tackle outages.
The governor also said he's considering declaring a state of emergency for around midnight.
Speaking at a news conference about NJ Transit at the Madison train station, Murphy said his administration's "concerns" over the impending nor'easter "have somewhat intensified."
Forecasters say two storm systems are headed for the state in the next 24 to 36 hours, with one arriving later Tuesday and another, more intense system hitting overnight through Wednesday morning. It could leave large swaths of the state with up to 18 inches of snow.
"We are closely watching the situation, and we have the personnel and equipment ready to move to get us through this," Murphy said.
The governor said Tuesday's evening commute could be dry, but he cautioned that slippery conditions are possible. He added that Wednesday's conditions will likely be more dangerous.
"Please do not head out into the snow unless you absolutely have to," Murphy said. "Please give the local, county, and state crews the chance to work unimpeded to get our roads and highways clear."
Murphy said that the state Board of Public Utilities has "been in touch" with the four private utility companies who provide power to New Jersey homes and businesses.
Hundreds of thousands of customers were left without power -- many for more than a week -- in the wake of back-to-back nor'easters earlier this month.
On Tuesday, Murphy said the incoming storm could bring a combination of "gusty winds and wet snow" that is prone to bring down power lines again.
But, he said, the state is "preemptively trying to nudge" the utility companies to be better prepared this time. Murphy said the companies are already organizing line workers from utilities in other states to help restore power if the new storm causes outages.
Murphy said Jersey Central Power & Light -- the company with the most outages the last two storms -- is prepared to bring 800 people in to help.
"God knows, we certainly hope that is sufficient," the governor said.
Because private companies provide the state's power, it's up to them, and not the state government, to restore electricity. But the state BPU can put pressure on the companies and levy fines if there are issues.
Murphy ordered a state investigation into the handling of the last two storms that battered the state this month. He said Tuesday it's still "to early" to say what penalties the state might lay on the companies.
.@GovMurphy said its still too early to say what kind of penalties @JCP_L could face over its handling of the last winter storms. He said the focus is making sure power companies are prepared for the coming storms. pic.twitter.com/h1QlPpTXRw Brent Johnson (@johnsb01) March 20, 2018
Murphy said if you experience a power outage, "please report it immediately" to your power company.
"Don't assume your neighbor or somebody else is going to do it for you," he said.
Murphy also noted that there were two deaths in the last storm, both related to downed power lines -- one man who touched a downed wire, and another who drove over one and was incinerated in his car.
"Please God, if you see a downed line, stand clear and report it so it can be handled by experts," Murphy said.
New Jersey residents may consult the state's emergency preparedness website, www.ready.nj.gov for further information about the response to the storm.
Information about road conditions will be available at the New Jersey Department of Transportation website: http://www.511nj.org/.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
New Jersey Transit officials have met officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak and Conrail as they seek to meet a year-end deadline for installing an automatic speed control system designed to make trains safer.
"We went line by line and car by car and what we need to do," NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett said Tuesday.
If the rail system doesn't meet the deadline to install the speed control system on its tracks and in its engines., NJ Transit trains could be banned from the tunnels under the Hudson River, Richard Anderson, Amtrak president and chief executive, has said.
NJ Transit reported installing just 11 percent of the necessary hardware as of Dec. 31, 2017. Just five rail systems across the United States were further behind. The Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative agency, has said any rail system below 65 percent is as risk of missing the deadline for installing positive train control.
In all, 41 rail systems are subject to the congressional mandate to have positive train control in place by Dec. 31, and federal railroad officials said Tuesday they have met with every one of them to discuss their efforts to meeting the deadline or making enough progress to qualify for a two-year extension.
"The FRA is committed to doing its part to ensure railroads and suppliers are working together to implement PTC systems," Administrator Ronald L. Batory said.
NJ Transit has received FRA permission to begin testing speed control equipment on a track on the Morris and Essex lines between Morristown and Denville, which will simulate conditions found on most of its rail lines, Corbett said.
The commuter rail system has a $320 million contract with Parsons Transportation to design and install PTC equipment. The railroad and the FRA have had to adjust the installation plan to deal with a subcontractor's problems getting the equipment into the trains.
NJ Transit was awarded a $10 million federal grant in May to help pay for positive train control installation.
Positive train control is one of the National Transportation Safety Board's most wanted safety improvements.
The NTSB said the lack of a speed control system on the tracks at Hoboken Terminal contributed to the September 2016 fatal train crash there, and the absence of PTC contributed to the May 2015 derailment of an Amtrak train in Philadelphia that killed eight people.
Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Dedication to work for the good of the country, first of all, can guarantee the security of people's deputies. Head of the Socialist Party of Ukraine Illia Kyva gave his opinion on Oboz-TV, responding to the question of strengthening security measures in the Verkhovna Rada.
"Deputies should faithfully perform their duties and not play up the country. This will be the main guarantee of their security," Kyva said.
The politician also said that the incumbent Verkhovna Rada is apparently trying the patience of the people.
"You say "terrorist attack," "explosives." Explosives are the people of Ukraine. And if the patience of the people runs out, no police, no National Guard will be able to stop people's anger. The most terrible thing is that today's people's deputies with their inaction, their corruption, betrayal and surrender of the country's interests only fuel public hatred of the parliament. And first of all, they endanger not their lives, but the life of these National Guard officers who guard them," the SPU leader said.
Kyva also denied a possibility of a terrorist attack that could be organized in the Verkhovna Rada inspired by Russia.
"There are so many traitors in the Rada that Russians would have no intention to destroy them, no way. In general, I believe that the parliament already has enough security measures. But it clearly has not enough good faith, honesty and patriotism," he said.
A man who pleaded guilty to robbing seven banks, attempting to rob another and attempting multiple carjackings, carried a note with him, federal prosecutors said Monday.
The note, which Plainfield man Marlon Peek handed to a teller at the TD Bank in Edison on March 17, 2015, read in part: "I have gun will shoot to kill you have 3 seconds."
Marlon Peek
Peek, 41, would go on to rob six more banks, before he was caught after an attempted armed robbery at a Bank of America where he took a hostage, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark said in a statement.
In at least six of the robberies, he handed a similarly threatening note to tellers.
Peek robbed or attempted to rob the following banks in New Jersey:
TD Bank, Edison, March 17, 2015
Magyar Bank, Edison, March 31, 2015
Investors Bank, Dunellen, April 9, 2015
Wells Fargo, South Plainfield, April 14, 2015 (aiding and abetting)
Unity Bank, Middlesex, April 15, 2015
PNC Bank, South Plainfield, April 21, 2015
TD Bank, Springfield, April 21, 2015
Bank of America, Linden, May 6, 2015
At each bank, Peek would hand tellers the note demanding cash and indicating that he had a gun and would shoot them.
Between the robberies of the PNC Bank in South Plainfield and the TD Bank in Springfield, Peek committed a carjacking in Plainfield, prosecutors said.
Peek was caught on May 6 of that year after attempting to rob a Bank of America in Linden, in which he pointed a gun at a bank teller. While fleeing, he attempted three carjackings before entering a warehouse, grabbing a hostage, and putting the gun to the hostage's head, the statement said.
Police arrived and told Peek to drop the gun. He did, and was arrested. While at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Rahway, he slipped out of his handcuffs but an officer guarding the room tackled him in the hallway.
Another man, Nathaniel Brown, pleaded guilty to involvement in the Wells Fargo robbery with Peek, and will be sentenced May 30.
Peek faces as much as 20 years on a robbery charge alone, prosecutors said, but any time from the charge of using a firearm during a crime of violence would be consecutive to other sentences. The latter charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison.
Peek is scheduled to be sentenced June 11.
Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Dangerous storm to slam N.J. with heavy snow, strong winds
Mother Nature has a present for New Jersey to kick off the start of spring -- more snow!
That's right. Winter may be gone, but its weather is still here. How much snow are we getting, when is it going to start and when will it end?
Here's everything you need to know about the snow from the latest March coastal storm -- the fourth one in three weeks.
Here are the latest snowfall projections from the National Weather Service, issued Tuesday afternoon.
Snowstorm timing
Here is the timing, as explained by the National Weather Service's regional office in Mount Holly in its storm briefing Tuesday afternoon:
* A mix of rain, light snow and sleet is expected to continue in parts of the state into Tuesday night, with some pockets of freezing rain possible.
* Mixed precipitation should start to change over to all snow throughout the overnight period Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
* Snow should be falling across most of New Jersey during the Wednesday morning commute, but it will get heavier as the afternoon arrives.
* The heaviest snow from this storm is expected to fall late Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour possible at times as the storm system strengthens off the New Jersey coast.
* The snow should begin to taper off Wednesday night and be completely over by early Thursday morning.
Snow accumulations
* Snow totals should range from 6 to 8 inches around Atlantic City to 8 to 12 inches in the northwest and southern regions of the state. The central and northeast regions of the state can expect 12 to 18 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
* The weather service also anticipates 12 to 18 inches of snow in New York City and across much of Long Island, with 8 to 12 inches expected in eastern Long Island.
Here's the latest snow forecast map, issued by the National Weather Service's regional office in New York at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Storm hazards
* Roads are expected to be slick from snow and sleet, making driving hazardous during the morning and afternoon commutes on Wednesday.
* Heavy, wet snow and gusty winds are likely to cause power outages because the snow will stick to trees and power lines.
* Because the snow will be so heavy, it will be difficult to shovel.
* Coastal flooding is possible through the next three high tide cycles. Minor coastal flooding is expected Tuesday night. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected with the high tide cycles Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.
"It's going to snow all day" on Wednesday, said Patrick O'Hara, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's office in Mount Holly. "It will get worse throughout the day."
His advice to drivers: "Just stay home."
For updated storm warnings, advisories and forecasts, visit weather.gov/phi and weather.gov/nyc.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report. Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
TAMPA -- Giancarlo Stanton had a look of frustration on his face as he walked slowly from his Steinbrenner Field locker to the showers Monday night during the eighth inning of the Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees' designated hitter for this final-week-of-spring-training game, Stanton was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, a high flyball to deep center and a popup to first before departing, and he probably wouldn't think twice about this night if this evening hadn't been the continuation of a tough stretch.
His Grapefruit League average is down to .205 due to a 1-for-18 slump in his last six games since March 12.
The Major League leader with 59 homers last season, Stanton has just one this spring in 39 at-bats, his first swings since he was traded by the Miami Marlins to the Yankees last winter.
What's his manager seeing?
"In and out a little bit," Aaron Boone said. "(Sunday) he had two walks and a hit. I think he's close. I think it's just a little bit of finding that timing kind of perfect to where he starts really clicking.
"I thought his first at-bat against (Rays left-hander Blake) Snell where he struck out on the high changeup ... I thought it was a really good at-bat. He just missed a ball (hit to) center. So I just think he's been a little bit in and out so far.
"Big guy like that, I think it's just about getting in that rhythm and finding that good timing. And once he does, he'll take off."
Stanton's track record definitely suggests he'll be great again this year because, for the most part, that's what he was during his eight seasons with the Marlins.
But there never was pressure to win playing for the Marlins, who have had eight losing seasons in a row, and now he'll playing in New York for the Yankees on a club that is a World Series favorite after losing Game 7 of the ALCS a year ago.
Stanton already may be feeling pressure, and if he isn't, he probably will be soon.
"Sure, I think it's natural to feel those kinds of things, but I think he's equipped to handle it," Boone said. "I think he's at a place in his career where it's about winning and I think that's why he's so excited to be here.
"I think that's why he's been embraced so well in that (clubhouse) ... because they see the work ethic, they see the unselfishness he's shown in coming over here and being willing to go learn another position and kind of willing to do anything for what makes the most sense from a lineup standpoint."
Stanton will be the Yankees' primary DH and play some left field this season after playing right with the Marlins.
"That kind of unselfishness that we've seen in these initial days for an MVP, I think he understands where he's at and all that comes with it," Boone said. "But I think he's in such a good place from a focus standpoint of it really being about winning and I believe that will carry him."
Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
President Donald Trump's proposal to use the death penalty on some convicted drug dealers as part of his plan to combat opioid addiction and overdose deaths is worth considering, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said.
Speaking a press conference Tuesday (March 20) at the New Orleans Police Department's Gentilly station, Landry said the idea "is certainly up for debate." The attorney general joined leaders from the NOPD, St. Bernard Sheriff's Office, New Orleans Health Department and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana at NOPD's 3rd District station to speak to reporters about the placement of new drug drop-off boxes throughout the New Orleans metro area that allow residents to dispose of unused prescription medication.
Landry stopped short of endorsing capital punishment for drug dealers, but said traffickers who peddle drugs that cause fatal overdoses, are "basically" committing an offense akin to murder. Now is the "time and place" to debate if current or proposed penalties fit their crimes, he said.
Drug addiction, specifically opioid addiction, has started to receive the attention the problem deserves, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann said. After noting this week's media coverage about the death penalty as applied to drug dealers, he said, "I'm not quite sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing," adding, "But I do remember the days when you got a life sentence for distribution of heroin and I don't remember heroin being (as) big a problem when that was in place.
"Does that have something to do with it? Maybe," Pohlmann said. "I think we need to sort all that stuff out."
The sheriff did say he supports life sentences for people convicted multiple times of drug trafficking.
Besides harsh penalties for drug dealers, Pohlmann said, other elements required to fight drug addiction are education and accessible treatment for addicts.
"People with drug problems shouldn't be turned away (from treatment). People with drug problems shouldn't be in our jails, that's not where they belong," the sheriff said. "We can take all the drug addicts out of jail, (and) make plenty of room for drug dealers.
"I don't care what level you're dealing drugs: if you're selling a pill, a joint, a pound, a kilo - if you're selling drugs you should find a place in our jails," Pohlmann said. "And if you continue to do it, you should spend a lot of time in our jails."
'I know what parents go through,' sheriff says
Pohlmann's three-pronged approach to fighting the opioid crisis -- harsher sentences, education, and treatment -- is informed by his 35 years in law enforcement, during which he said he has been a "champion" of combatting drug addiction. In the last 15 years, though, the sheriff said after the press conference ended, he has also personally dealt with the wrath of addiction.
Pohlmann's 30-year-old son, James Pohlmann, died of drug overdose Sept. 5, 2016, in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward.
"I know both sides of the coin," Pohlmann said, referring to the impact of drug addiction from a public safety angle, in law enforcement, and as the loved one of someone suffering from addiction. "I know what parents go through, what families go through."
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Drug drop-off boxes at nearly every NOPD district station
White metal drug drop-off boxes, about the size of a mailbox, will eventually be at every one of NOPD's eight district stations, as well as at the department's Mid-City headquarters, said Landry and NOPD Specialized Investigation Division Commander Jimmy Scott. Each NOPD district will responsible for disposing of the medicine that's dropped in the boxes. The 2nd District station, however, will not have a drop-off box, for now, because of renovations.
Residents using the drop boxes should dispose of medicine contained inside their labeled bottles, Scott said.
New Orleans Health Department Director Dr. Joseph Kanter said 75 percent of people who inject heroin or heroin mixed with deadlier fentanyl "began their opioid addiction with oral opioids -- pain killers." More than half of those who took oral pain killers last year "obtained that pill from a relative or friend."
Opioids are especially addictive, Kanter said, because higher dosages become necessary to obtain the same effect through continued use. When a prescription runs out, he said, some turn to heroin, "which is easily accessible on the street."
Turning in unused prescription medicine prevents pills from possibly getting into the hands of an addict, who could be a neighbor, house guest, or even someone in one's own household, Pohlmann said.
Landry said his office obtained $1 million worth of naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effect of an overdose, through a court settlement, and is working to get the antidote in the hands of law enforcement officers across the state. Authorities noted residents can buy naloxone, which is often referred to by a common brand name, Narcan, at a pharmacy to have on hand in the event of an overdose.
The state attorney general's office has launched www.EndtheEpidemicLa.org, a website with instructions for using the drop boxes and other information and resources related to opioid addiction.
Some NOPD officers have been carrying naloxone, which the department purchased on its own, on their uniform belts since last year. Scott said the two most recent recruit classes were trained how to administrate the overdose remedy. The form NOPD carries is administered as a nasal spray. About 400 NOPD officers carry the drug, according to city officials. EMS and other first responders are also trained to administer and carry the remedy.
Since NOPD officers started carrying naloxone, NOPD spokesman Beau Tidwell said, it has been used to help 20 people in the throes of an overdose.
After the press conference, Pohlmann repeated that he is glad drug addiction and the problems it poses to public safety and community is finally getting the public's attention.
"It's long overdue," he said.
So far, roughly 20 Vietnamese tech companies have opened branches in the worlds third largest economy. According to VINASA, the association of Vietnamese IT firms, the value of Vietnams software exports could rise from the current US$300 million to US$1 billion by 2020. The number of developers working for the Japanese market could also rise from 10,000 to 300,000.
It has become a growing trend for Vietnamese enterprises to make outbound investments and for foreign countries to attract Vietnamese companies.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment attributed the boom in Vietnamese outbound investment to a Government resolution in August 2006, which details the regulations on Vietnamese investment in foreign countries.
To date, Vietnam has nearly 1,200 investment projects in 70 countries and territories, with total pledges reaching an estimated US$22 billion, 30% of which has been disbursed.
A survey by Vietnam Report shows that up to 45% of the 500 largest Vietnamese companies in 2016 said that they want to invest abroad over the next five years.
In Cambodia, approximately 190 Vietnamese-invested projects, with a total capital of nearly US$3 billion, are providing tens of thousands of jobs, helping to increase Cambodian agricultural exports to Europe, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as boosting socio-economic development in both countries, especially in border provinces.
In Laos, many of Vietnams 270 projects, for which disbursements have reached US$1.5 billion out of US$5.12 billion in total pledges, are also performing effectively in the fields of agriculture, telecommunications, mining and energy.
Vietnam is among the 10 largest foreign investors in Myanmar, while Vietnams investment in Russia currently stands at US$2.47 billion, compared with a mere US$100 million in 2008.
Vietnams outbound investment is becoming diversified (with industry accounting for nearly 55%, agriculture 25% and services 20%); larger in value (with many projects worth billions of US dollars by TH Milk, PVN, Viettel, Vietnam Rubber Group, Song Da and Hoang Anh Gia Lai) and directed towards projects that utilise a higher content of technology.
In addition to investment by major State-owned enterprises, investment from the private sector is also increasing.
The nature of international integration is creating an equal, favourable and balanced environment for both the inflow and outflow of goods, services, investment and labour. Overseas investment has great potential and is appropriate to Vietnams integration efforts, especially within the frameworks of free trade agreements in which Vietnam has participated and will participate.
Investing abroad is anticipated to help domestic enterprises increase their opportunity to access new markets, respond more swiftly to market and policy developments, technical barriers, trade disputes and differences in business and investment activities.
It is also expected to create and strengthen distribution chains, expand markets, open new business opportunities, create jobs and new sources of income, thereby contributing to Vietnams enhanced position in the international arena.
The scheme on boosting Vietnamese investment abroad was approved by the Prime Minister in February 2009 and now requires revision in order to match the current situation, which includes fine-tuning laws, enhancing state management capacity, developing institutions, increasing the responsibilities and support of embassies, trade representatives, trade associations and the Vietnamese diaspora.
In addition, it is necessary to develop information, consulting and legal services, while action is needed to prevent money laundering and other crimes in the name of overseas investment.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a Metairie bank Monday morning (March 19). No one was injured.
The unidentified man entered the Gulf Coast Bank & Trust branch located at 1825 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, around 9:30 a.m., according to Lt. Jason Rivarde, spokesman for the department. He pulled out a firearm and demanded cash from two tellers.
The employees handed over a small amount of money, and the robber ran out of the business. The suspect left the scene in a maroon, mid-2000s Chevrolet pick-up truck with an extended cab, Rivarde said.
The robber is described as being about 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a slim build. He is in his late 30s to 40s and was clean-shaven with tattoos on his hands, authorities said.
. . . . . . . .
Anyone with information about the identity of the robbery is asked to call the Sheriff's Office investigations bureau at 504.364.5300. The public can also call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 877.903.7867. Tips can be texted to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637); text TELLCS then the crime information. Callers or texters do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an indictment.
Kenner police arrested a 58-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
John Paul Landry was booked Sunday (March 18) with second-degree rape, sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile, said Lt. Brian McGregor, spokesman for the Kenner Police Department.
Landry is accused of abusing the girl between January and March. He is an acquaintance of the victim's family, according to McGregor. The girl told officers Landry had raped her and touched her under her clothing.
Authorities opened an investigation after someone called in a complaint to the state Department of Children and Family Service. The agency looked into the matter and forwarded the details to police, McGregor said.
Landry was being held without bond at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna Monday.
. . . . . . . .
Anyone with information about John Paul Landry is asked to call the Kenner police at 504.712.2252. The public can also call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 877.903.7867. Tips can be texted to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637); text TELLCS then the crime information.
A man is accused of murder in connection with a double shooting in a Hollygrove home Friday (March 16) that left one man dead and another wounded.
Joshua Brown, 24, was booked into Orleans Justice Center jail Saturday afternoon, after a witness told police the victim was fatally shot during a fight with Brown, according to his warrant.
The warrant identified the man fatally shot as Calvin Powell. The Orleans Parish Coroner's office confirmed Powell's identity Wednesday. Powell was 24-years-old.
The warrant states the witness and Powell got into a fight before the shooting, which became physical when the witness slapped Powell, who then punched the witness in the face. The witness then called Brown, told him about the fight and asked him to come over, the warrant said.
When Brown arrived at the home in the 8800 block of Stroelitz Street, he and Powell began fighting and the argument quickly turned physical. According to the warrant, a third man came into the apartment during the fight and tried to break it up.
During the fight, the witness said they heard more than one shot fired before hearing the third man yell out, "you shot me." Brown then carried the third man out of the apartment and drove him to University Medical Center, according to the warrant.
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At UMC, the man was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and Brown was treated for injuries he sustained during the fight, the warrant states.
According to the warrant, police got to the home just after 3:30 p.m., and found Powell lying on the living room floor with a woman "by his side." Powell had more than one gunshot wound, the warrant states. EMS tried to treat Powell, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Brown was booked into Orleans Justice Center jail Saturday afternoon on one count of second-degree murder, according to online court records. He appeared in court the same day, where Orleans Parish Magistrate Commissioner Albert Thibodeaux set his bond for $325,000, court records show. Attorney information was not immediately available.
As of Tuesday afternoon, it was not clear if investigators believe Brown is also responsible for the man who was shot in the leg, but his charges indicate Brown is currently only accused in the fatal shooting. NOPD did not immediately respond Tuesday to questions regarding whether investigators believe Powell also fired a weapon during the shooting.
Note: This story was updated Wednesday to include Powell's age and the coroner's confirmation of his identity.
They like us. They really like us. First, The New York Times declares New Orleans the No. 1 destination for 2018. Now, Southern Living has said that the Crescent City is "The South's Best Food City" for 2018.
The city "has almost become a victim of its own resilience with new restaurants, pop-ups, coffee shops, bakeries, cocktail lounges, food halls, and delis opening at a dizzying pace," according to Southern Living. "The boom has turned New Orleans into arguably the most fascinating food destination in the country."
The magazine advises everyone to "...book the trip. Don't put off your first visit to New Orleans any longer and be sure to go all in."
Let's help those who heed Southern Living's advice: If you were to guide someone on how to "go all in" when visiting New Orleans, where would you tell them to eat and drink and why? Which dishes or restaurants or cocktails or bars would you declare to be on their "must-visit" list?
Find out more about Southern Living's other best-in-the-South winners here. It features lots of love for New Orleans, including naming The Joint the best barbecue spot in Louisiana; Commander's Palace bread pudding as among the best desserts in the South...
The forecast was made by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) in its report announced on March 20.
The report stated that Vietnam is likely to surpass the United States to become the RoKs second biggest importer by 2020, thanks to the implementation of the Vietnam-RoK free trade agreement (FTA).
Last year, Vietnam outstripped Hong Kong (China) to become the RoKs third largest export market, after China and the US, up three notches compared to 2014, it recalled.
The RoKs exports to Vietnam have continuously been on the rise over the past decade, with the proportion of RoK products rising from 8.5% in 2007 to 22.1% of Vietnams imports in 2017.
The report attributed the growth in bilateral trade exchanges to the fact that the FTA between the two countries came into effect in December 2015. In the two consequent years, the RoKs exports to Vietnam increased 60.5%, while its imports also jumped up more than 61%.
Despite the fall in the RoKs total export volume to Vietnam in 2015 and 2016, its export revenues to the Southeast Asian country rose 24.2% and 17.5%, respectively. In 2017, the RoK posted a trade surplus of US$31.6 billion with Vietnam.
Jefferson Parish is headed toward a 35 percent voter turnout in Saturday's (March 24) monumental election for sheriff. That could go higher, depending on late news and advertising about the candidates, or lower if election day weather is bad, Registrar of Voters Dennis DiMarco said Tuesday.
DiMarco based his view on early voting figures: 11,204 people cast ballots in person last week, and his office has received 2,290 mail-in ballots. The 13,494 total roughly equals the advance voting in the 2015 race for parish president, when Mike Yenni defeated Elton Lagasse and three other candidates.
"I think it could be about the same," DiMarco said.
Retired Col. John Fortunato and Sheriff Joe Lopinto III are scraping to be Jefferson's top law enforcement officer, perhaps the most powerful political job in the parish and one with no term limits. Some see it as the closest and most consequential Jefferson election in a generation, since Paul Connick Jr. edged Jack Capella for district attorney by 359 votes - barely 0.002 percent of the total -- in 1996.
Lopinto, the chief deputy, moved into the job when incumbent Newell Normand resigned last year. Fortunato retired about the same time, after a long stint as the agency's public information officer.
Also on Saturday's ballot are races for Kenner mayor and four City Council seats, and the position of constable in 5th Justice Court.
. . . . . . .
Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and Louisiana interests in Congress, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach.
Phillips 66, the 40-percent owner of the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, wants to build another 94-mile crude oil pipeline from what it calls the St. James oil market hub to its Alliance Refinery in Plaquemines Parish, with the pipeline crossing the Mississippi River to also serve refineries in St. Bernard Parish.
A significant part of the path of the proposed pipeline would cross through wetlands in the Barataria Basin and Breton Sound Basin, and across Lake Salvador, according to a map accompanying a brief summary provided to local officials by the company earlier this month. However, the proposed route would be within existing pipeline corridors.
"The pipeline would provide Louisiana refineries with new access to U.S.-produced crude oil, reducing reliance on foreign crude and keeping them competitive in the global market for energy projects," says a one-page "Ace Pipeline Summary" that's been sent to a number of local government officials.
"Phillips 66 is in the early stages of evaluating a proposed new crude oil pipeline project that would connect crude supply in St. James to refineries in the region," said spokesman Dennis Nuss, when asked Monday about the proposal.
"The evaluation process includes right-of-way agents and surveyors working in the parishes along the potential route in the coming weeks and months," he said.
The project would "follow existing pipeline corridors through six south Louisiana parishes," to limit environmental damage, said the written summary. Those parishes are St. James, Lafourche, St. Charles, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard.
The St. James hub is the endpoint of several multi-state crude oil pipelines, including the controversial Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which is 40-percent owned by Phillips 66. The Bayou Bridge pipeline has been challenged by several environmental groups in lawsuits filed in federal and state courts over allegations that its construction will harm wetlands in the Atchafalaya Basin.
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed construction of the pipeline continue across the basin while the appeal is heard in federal court.
"Survey and rights-of-way acquisition work will begin in the spring of 2018 with a target date for permit submittal in mid-2018," said the Phillips 66 pipeline fact sheet. Both the Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Natural Resources confirmed Monday that no permit requests have been submitted yet for the pipeline.
"The expected in-service date of the pipeline would be 12 to 18 months after permits are acquired," the fact sheet said. It also said that the project would use labor and materials from Louisiana.
"Any additional details such as mitigation or hub tie-ins would be premature at this point," Nuss said, responding to a question about what kind of mitigation the company would do to offset any environmental damage involved in crossing wetland areas, and to a question of whether the pipeline would connect to the Bayou Bridge pipeline.
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Officials did not say how much the pipeline construction project would cost. The 163-mile-long Bayou Bridge pipeline was expected to cost $670 million until its progress was interrupted by lawsuits.
Anne Rolfes, founding director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, one of the organizations that has opposed the Bayou Bridge pipeline, raised questions about this latest proposal, including the failure to inform the public about the pipeline plans.
"This is what corruption looks like: our government helping an out-of-state oil company to secretly expand," she said. "They have done this out of the public eye, with no input, and there's a reason for it: they are polluters, they should be ashamed, they should be banned from Louisiana. Instead our so-called leaders roll out the red carpet.
"Nothing about the Bayou Bridge process has been honest - from the secret meeting our governor had with Bayou Bridge employee Mary Landrieu to the claims of providing jobs for locals," Rolfes said. "Up-and-down the pipeline route the license plates of the construction workers are from out of state. It will be the same with this additional section."
She said a major concern is the accident record of pipelines in which Phillips 66 is an owner or major investor.
In February 2017, a Phillips 66 natural gas liquids pipeline station exploded and burned near Paradis, killing one worker, injuring another, and forcing evacuations of some St. Charles Parish residents.
Accompanying the company's fact sheet sent to local officials was a copy of a statewide telephone poll of Louisiana voters conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research between Feb. 20 and Feb. 22, that found that 74 were in support when asked, "Do you support or oppose the construction of new oil and gas pipelines in Louisiana."
There's no indication that those polled were provided information about the Phillips 66 proposed pipeline, its route, or its potential to run through wetlands.
In the New Orleans area, 68 percent expressed support, while 19 percent were opposed and 13 percent were undecided. In the Baton Rouge area, 74 percent expressed support, 15 percent were opposed, and 11 percent were undecided. In south central Louisiana, 77 percent were in favor, 12 percent opposed and 11 percent undecided. The poll also showed that 58 percent of those identifying themselves as Democrats were in support, compared to 81 percent of independents and 91 percent of Republicans.
The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, and included 625 registered voters contacted by land line and cell phones.
Fletcher Anderson was a younger man then, around 25 years old, but old enough to realize the gravity of the day. The year was 1965 and Anderson had joined with other African-American men to form a Deacons of Defense and Justice group in Washington Parish.
Their mission: Protect the area's civil rights leaders and their homes.
"We had to do what other people wouldn't,'' he said.
Anderson was among the crowd gathered Tuesday morning (March 20) at one of the homes he and other deacons had once defended, the Robert "Bob'' Hicks house, to celebrate another civil rights milestone in Bogalusa.
Members of the Robert "Bob'' Hicks Foundation gathered under the breezeway at the house to announce that the home and an adjacent "mill house'' from 1906 have been chosen to receive a $500,000 preservation grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. Foundation members hope to soon see the Hicks house, which has sat empty in recent years on Robert "Bob'' Hicks Street, opened as a museum to highlight the region's civil rights and African-American history.
Hicks, who died in 2010 at the age of 81, was one of the leaders of the civil rights movement in Bogalusa and Washington Parish. Born in Mississippi, Hicks moved to Bogalusa and was a member of the NAACP and the Bogalusa Voter and Civic League.
He organized marches and filed lawsuits to desegregate the city's public schools and challenged the hiring and promotion practices of the area paper mill. His challenge led to him becoming the mill's first African-American supervisor.
The Hicks home was a gathering place in the town's civil rights movement. It, and the people inside, often found themselves the targets of threats. At one point, there was talk in the town that the Hicks family had become a target of the Ku Klux Klan.
"It was a terrible time,'' said Anderson, a longtime friend of Hicks who worked with him at the paper mill and was recruited by him to join the local chapter of the Deacons of Defense. "But the grace of God has brought us to this point.''
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Valeria Hicks, Robert Hicks' widow, said the grant money is the answer to a prayer.
"I believe in prayer,'' she said. "I know that prayer changes things. I'm just so grateful. I said 'Thank God, thank God.'''
The federal grant comes three years after the Hicks home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mill house next door was built in 1906 by the Great Southern Lumber Co., the foundation said in a news release.
Barbara Hicks Collins, Robert and Valeria Hicks' daughter and the executive director of the Hicks Foundation, said the grant from the federal government not only will go a long way in preserving and restoring the house and a cottage next door, but also validates the foundation's push for a museum.
The house, she told a reporter after the event, sits on land once designated as a place to segregate black residents. And now, more than five decades later, the federal government thinks it's historically significant enough to merit a preservation grant, she said.
She said the grant is a culmination of years of work by the foundation to get the museum off the ground. "Persistence prevailed,'' Collins said, adding that she hopes to one day see adults and children walking the property and learning about the area's civil rights movement.
Collins and several others who spoke at the ceremony, including Washington Parish President Richard "Ned'' Thomas Jr., Washington Parish Sheriff's Randy "Country'' Seal, and Bogalusa Mayor Wendy O'Quin Perrette, said the proposed museum is more evidence of the region's evolving civil rights story.
The parish's often-turbulent past is being acknowledged, Collins said, and remembered. "A change is taking place in our city and parish,'' she said.
Collins said the foundation hopes to be able to open the museum in a couple of years.
He expressed his wish at his meetings on March 19 with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko; Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii and President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Shinichi Kitaoka, as part of his trip to the East Asian nation.
Speaking highly of the Vietnam-Japan relations as well as the ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Japanese localities, which are in the most flourishing period ever, Secretary Nhan thanked Japan for backing Vietnam and its southern hub in the past years.
He noted that Japanese support in infrastructure is crucial to Ho Chi Minh City, a city which is expected to be home to 15 million people by 2030 and contributing 22 percent of the national gross domestic product, as transport and water drainage facilities are hampering the citys development.
After the two countries become strategic partners, they have seen thriving cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that Can Tho and Nhat Tan bridges are vivid illustrations of the tight collaboration.
Lauding Ho Chi Minh Citys role in the national economy, the Japanese officials said that Japan stands ready to help the city build high-quality infrastructure.
The same day, Secretary Nhan went to Ibaraki prefecture, where he visited Tsukuba University and Tsukuba science city.
Former Pearl River Mayor James "Jimmy" Lavigne, who held public office in the eastern St. Tammany Parish town for 36 years, died Saturday (March 17), according to a post on the government's Facebook page. He was 78.
Mr. Lavigne was first elected to the Pearl River Board of Aldermen in 1978 and served in that capacity for 12 years before being elected mayor in 1991. He held the mayor's job for 24 years and sought re-election in 2014 despite his indictment on theft and malfeasance charges in October of that year.
The indictment stemmed from a legislative auditor's report in May of 2014 that said he used public money for personal purchases. In a 10-page response signed by the three town officials, Lavigne maintained the audit was "purely political" and instigated by disgruntled officials and community members.
He finished third in the mayor's race, and the following year pleaded guilty to five of the seven counts levied against him. He was sentenced to five years of probation.
The Pearl River government Facebook post said Mr. Lavigne "took pride in his town by developing our beautiful playground and creating a splash pad for the children in our community." He also created a new community center for the elderly and started the annual community Easter egg hunt, according to the post.
In his many years as chief executive of the town of about 2,500 residents, Mr. Lavigne gained a reputation as a hands-on mayor who personally handled the majority of city business, from approving permits to cleaning ditches, on his own.
Services for Mr. Lavigne will be held at Wednesday (March 21) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at to at Williams Funeral Home, 67525 Louisiana 41 in Pearl River.
Diamond and Silk, frequent guests on Fox News and President Donald Trump cheerleaders, will bring their "Chit Chat Tour'' to New Orleans on Mother's Day at The Westin at Canal Place, the duo announced on Twitter.
General admission is $50 and VIP admission is $150, which gets you a meet-and-greet with Diamond and Silk, a photo with them and snacks.
Who are Diamond and Silk? "Diamond and Silk are biological sisters from North Carolina standing with the silent majority. As American women they are voicing their opinions about media bias, political babble, and repetitive political tactics that they feel the average American is tired of being subjected to,'' they write on their website. "Diamond and Silk are commentators on their YouTube channel 'The Viewers View' where they candidly tell you exactly how they view modern day topics.''
Buy your tickets on their website, where you can also purchase a Trump bling pin to wear for $15.95, along with a lot of other Trump merchadise.
The Cambodian official joined the Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh for a visit to several Vietnamese rubber companies operating in the province on March 19.
Sok Lu said that such Vietnamese companies have been established in Kampong Thom and other parts of Cambodia under an agreement between the two Governments. They have complied with the laws and regulations when investing in Cambodia.
According to Sok Lu, since being founded in 2007, rubber companies have remained in good standing with local authorities and people, contributing to the local budget and attracting a large number of local labourers, as well as building schools, medical stations, and pagodas for their workers and locals.
Ambassador Vu Quang Minh highly praised the efforts of Vietnamese rubber companies in overcoming difficulties to achieve impressive results in the neighbouring country, adding that they have successfully implemented the Vietnamese Government's offshore investment policy to not only contribute to the economic development of both nations but also strengthen the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.
According to Phung The Minh, General Director of Ba Ria - Kampong Thom Rubber Company, Vietnamese rubber companies have planted more than 52,915 ha in Kampong Thom province, of which more than 21,715 ha have generated a commercial output, with the expected output for 2018 being 23,700 tonnes. The area the delegation visited covers more than 20,296 ha and is cultivated by the three companies of Ba Ria - Kampong Thom, Phuoc Hoa - Kampong Thom and Tan Bien - Kampong Thom.
Phung The Minh said that the three companies have attracted 3,100 local workers with an average salary of US$200 per month. They have built three primary schools with nearly 300 students who are the children of their labourers, in addition to health stations at cultivation areas, and 1,708 houses for workers with sufficient living requirements. The companies also built a temple for Cambodian workers in the area at a total cost of US$180,000.
On the occasion, Governor Sok Lu and Ambassador Vu Quang Minh presented gifts to workers families, teachers, and students at the Ba Ria - Kampong Thom Friendship Primary School.
Ba Ria - Kampong Thom Friendship Primary School funded by Ba Ria - Kampong Thom Rubber Company on its rubber planting sites.
Host and guest affirmed that coordination in dealing with the aftermaths of war is among the areas of priority for cooperation between Vietnam and the US as well as a motivation for defence affiliation between the two countries.
They underlined that the search for servicemen missing in action is of humanitarian significance, helping to create trust and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
Vietnams Defence Ministry welcomes all appropriate initiatives to raise the efficiency of search and cooperation activities between the two countries in overcoming the consequences of war such as Agent Orange/dioxin detoxification and the clearance of wartime bombs, mines, and explosives, stated Vinh.
He also expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to promote communications to help people of both countries understand the difficulties and achievements in the effort to overcome the after effects of war in Vietnam over the past years.
A delegation of the Lao Party and State, led by Politburo member and PM Thongloun Sisoulith, paid tribute to former PM Phan Van Khai at the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane.
The delegation also included Secretary and Mayor of Vientiane Sinlavong Khutphaythoun; Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Bounpon Bouttanavong and Foreign Minister Saleumsay Kommasith.
Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith writes in the funeral book to pay respect to former PM Khai.
In the funeral book, the PM expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of former PM Phan Van Khai, who had made great contributions to the cause of national protection, construction, development and the Doi Moi (renewal) process in Vietnam, as well as strengthening the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
On the morning of the same day, delegations of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Committee, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and adjacent agencies, as well as overseas Vietnamese in the country, also came to bid farewell to the former PM.
At the ceremony in tribute of former PM Phan Van Khai, at the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing, China, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi read a funeral oration to pay his respects.
The Ambassador highlighted the great contributions made by the former Government leader to the countrys development and peoples happiness, as well as to the neighbourly relations and cooperation between Vietnam and China.
At the tribute-paying service in Japan (Photo: VNA)
A funeral for former PM Khai was also held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan. Officials and employees at the embassy and Vietnams representative offices in Japan, as well as Japanese organisations and friends offered incense in memory of their former leader.
The Vietnamese Embassies in Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia also held services to pay their respect for the former PM, receiving many international delegations and overseas Vietnamese.
A service in tribute of former PM Phan Van Khai in Thailand (Photo: VNA)
Mar 20, 2018 JB
The Tamil film industry has announced a major shut down from the 16th of March. As it is there are no new film releases from the 1st of March. Added to this, is the unified strike called for by Producer Council, Theatres Association and other unions.
However, it had been brought to light by producer J Satishkumar through his social media page that shooting of Vijay 62 being directed by AR Murugadoss is happening in Victoria Hall in the city. He had tweeted, Actor #Vijay s shooting is happening now at Victoria Hall. Where is our unity? How can our council give spl permission? I strongly oppose this decision. Dont split up..
There were both pro and anti-comments for his tweet. One of the PROs for the film had responded to this with #Thalapathy62 shooting continues.. @sunpictures have got proper permission.. Most technicians are frm Hyd Involved in set work & not available for a month.. So 2 days permitted.. Permission given for #Nadodigal2 & 2 other movies.. Since their demands were genuine & acceptable. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Sarkar
Vijay Pictures
The Bratislava regional governor said that Slovakia and Bratislava have paid great attention to the socio-economic achievements of Vietnam over the past few years and also see the cooperation potential for boosting their bilateral relations in various areas.
Juraj Droba noted that his visit to Hanoi aimed to establish a framework to strengthen the relations between the two localities, particularly in the tourism sector.
He also suggested the exchange of students following 6-12 month-courses in order to promote cultural exchanges.
Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Van Suu agreed with the suggestions made by Juraj Droba, adding that the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia visited Vietnam and Hanoi in 2017 which contributed to fostering the cooperation between localities of the two countries.
Suu also emphasised the necessity of expanding cooperation with the Bratislava region in the areas of economics, culture, society, tourism and urban development as Hanoi has a large population of over 10 million and rapid urbanisation.
He proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides as a basis for closer cooperation in the future.
I had the chance to work with him directly since the 1990s, when he moved to Hanoi to assume the posts as chairman of the State Planning Commission and later Deputy Prime Minister. My contact with him was even closer when he was elected Prime Minister.
In my mind, Brother Khai was not a blazing flame but a quiet and persistent furnace of fire that nourished the Doi Moi reform and Vietnams international integration.
As a member of the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams largest economic hub, he and his colleagues kindled the first fire, which later burnt fiercely and spread to the entire nation. As head of the State Planning Commission and later the Government, he was given even more power to push for this great cause, which would transform the nations socio-economic situation and position on the international arena.
It is extraordinary that he was educated on the planned economy in the former Soviet Union but was one of the early adopters of market mechanisms as the way forward for economic reform in Vietnam.
While working with him directly and during informal conversations, I understood that his approach came from a combination of foundational knowledge, Vietnams economic realities and international experience. He was one of the few Vietnamese leaders who had learnt about the market economy in a number of regional countries in the early years of the Doi Moi economic reform and at a time when Vietnam remained isolated from the world.
But he demonstrated his abilities. Brother Khai became Prime Minister in 1997 when the regional economic crisis broke out, putting Vietnams economy under threat. Based on his foundational knowledge and the experience of other countries, he paid close attention to maintaining macroeconomic balances between money supply and goods, revenue and spending, and exports and imports.
I still remember the image of him meticulously analysing balance sheets, discussing with Government members and experts, and talking with the leaders of China, Japan and Singapore on how to respond to the crisis. Vietnam managed to overcome the crisis and move forward thanks in large part to his contributions.
Fully aware that internal strength is the key factor to economic growth, Brother Khai helped shape major policies and take practical actions to reform State-owned enterprises and unbind the strings that tied up the private sector. Under his direct leadership, the Law on Enterprises 1999 and the amended Law on Investment 2002 were born, creating an impetus for the development of the private and foreign-invested sectors. He also worked hard to carry out state enterprise reform through equitisation, although what was achieved fell short of his expectations.
As a modest man, who was never satisfied with what he had done, he always thought about what he had yet to achieve. In private talks, he always felt a sense of unease about the fact that Vietnam was still a poor country, with the farmers and those living in remote areas still facing a lot of hardships. When I was in the Government, I was responsible for ethnic affairs and was able to witness his close attention to poverty reduction and his willingness to provide funds to support people in remote regions.
As head of the Government, it was his inherent duty to take care of social issues. For me, I was particularly impressed by his approach in dealing with territorial issues, including the East Sea dispute, and religious issues, which were my responsibilities while working at the Foreign Ministry and in the Government.
As a highly critical issue, the negotiations and measures to safeguard territorial integrity always received direct instructions of the Politburo, but the guidelines and implementation were all under the direct instructions of the Prime Minister. Thanks to both his cautious and visionary instructions, Vietnam was able to resolve the issues on land border and the Gulf of Tonkin with China during his premiership.
He also introduced many key policies to protect the Vietnamese border, sovereignty and sovereign rights on the East Sea, to improve the life of residents in border and island areas, and build the border patrol road and defence economic unit.
Another complex issue was the sabotage of a number of forces under the cloak of religion. In order to prevent these activities, Brother Khai adopted a rather open policy, under which the authorities needed to take active and proactive actions to take care of the peoples spiritual life so as to prevent wicked forces from exploiting the religious issue, thereby foiling their plots and maintaining political stability.
During Brother Khais premiership, Vietnam took a wide range of actions to integrate with the world for the first time, such as hosting the ASEAN Summit, joining APEC and hosting a summit, hosting the ASEM Summit, signing the Vietnam-US bilateral trade agreement, as well as the first visit to the US by a head of the Vietnamese Government and joining the World Trade Organisation. Each of these major events saw a strong mark of the former PM.
At the ASEAN Summit in 1998, the member countries accepted his solution of allowing Cambodias entry into the bloc in principle, while the admission ceremony would be held in the following year, paving the way for expanding ASEAN membership to the whole region.
At the ASEM Summit, Vietnam and the European Union agreed on the conclusion of Vietnams negotiations on WTO accession and a bilateral trade agreement which would open a huge market for Vietnamese goods. His visit to the United States elevated Vietnams relationship with the worlds largest superpower to a new height, while at the same time opened the way for the conclusion of negotiations on Vietnams accession to the WTO and the granting of the permanent normal trade relations to Vietnam.
Behind such major events are Brother Khais physical and mental efforts as head of the Government, who took personal responsibility for every task, big or small.
His working style was very special. He worked diligently, seldom boasted about himself, rarely got angry and always listened attentively to the opinions of his colleagues, experts and international friends.
As a modest man, when offering to resign early, he frankly admitted what he failed to achieve, such as the economys poor performance and low competitiveness, a low-quality education system, the degradation in cultural life, social relations and the environment, the life of residents in mountainous areas, as well as the delays and flaws in building a rules-based state, administrative reforms and the promotion of democracy. He was deeply troubled by rampant bureaucracy, wastefulness and embezzlement in the civil service.
Another feature of his style was the trust in his colleagues and subordinates, which would encourage them to think out of the box, take action and responsibility, and create an atmosphere of unity and eagerness in the workplace.
In his private life and personal relationship, Brother Khai was a humble and unpretentious man who never put on airs. His personality was also reflected is his strong bond with both his Vietnamese and Russian teachers and with the local residents where he used to work and live in both the north and south.
The success of the Doi Moi reform and Vietnams international integration is the effort of many, of which Brother Khai made a substantial contribution in many aspects. Like the renowned musician Trinh Cong Son wrote in one of his songs To live ones life, one needs a heart, former PM Khai also had a heart for his people, country, Party, comrades, colleagues and friends. His kind heart will remain in everyones minds even though he has gone to his resting place.
Kipoi and five others appeared at the Makindye based General Court Martial chaired by Lt General Andrew Gutti.
Tonny Kipoi in the dock with his co-accused Dressed in a checkered shirt and a pair of jeans, Kipoi was charged alongside five soldiers all dressed in their military attire. The soldiers include Sgt Albino Okeng, Sgt Adams Mawa, Sgt Yumusu Lemeriga, Corporal Rogers Meru and Private Ijosiga Dodola all attached to the Masaka Armoured Brigade.
The six suspects were charged with undermining national security contrary to Section 130 (1) of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Act to which they pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutions alleges that between 2012 and December 2013, the suspects together with others still at large held meetings in different districts including Kampala, Jinja, Masaka, Wakiso, Nakasongola, Ntoroko and others to plan for the overthrow the government.
The five soldiers charged with Kipoi were in 2014, charged with treason and other charges to which they have been out on court bail. They were however re-arrested a week ago when they appeared at the Court Martial and remanded to Makindye Military Barracks. Former Bubulo East MP, Tonny Kipoi Nsubuga has been arraigned before the General Court Martial on charges of attempting to overthrow the Museveni government.Kipoi and five others appeared at the Makindye based General Court Martial chaired by Lt General Andrew Gutti.Dressed in a checkered shirt and a pair of jeans, Kipoi was charged alongside five soldiers all dressed in their military attire. The soldiers include Sgt Albino Okeng, Sgt Adams Mawa, Sgt Yumusu Lemeriga, Corporal Rogers Meru and Private Ijosiga Dodola all attached to the Masaka Armoured Brigade.The six suspects were charged with undermining national security contrary to Section 130 (1) of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Act to which they pleaded not guilty.Prosecutions alleges that between 2012 and December 2013, the suspects together with others still at large held meetings in different districts including Kampala, Jinja, Masaka, Wakiso, Nakasongola, Ntoroko and others to plan for the overthrow the government.The five soldiers charged with Kipoi were in 2014, charged with treason and other charges to which they have been out on court bail. They were however re-arrested a week ago when they appeared at the Court Martial and remanded to Makindye Military Barracks.
The five, together with Kipoi have once again been remanded and will appear on April 24 when trial is expected to begin.
This is the second time Kipoi is being charged since he was extradited from Botswana on March 3, where he had been arrested for allegedly obtaining money by false pretence after he defrauded people pretending to be a witch doctor.
About a week ago, he was charged in Nakawa Magistrates Court with human trafficking.
Latvian performance artist Arturs Berzins has managed to spark a heated debate about the ethics of his latest project, where he sliced bits of flesh from two peoples bodies, cooked them in a frying pan and fed it back to them.
Berzins controversial performance, named Eschatology, was staged on March 6th, at the Museum LV un Grata JJ, in Riga. As promised, those in attendance were treated to something they had most likely never seen before. The artist, wearing a white forensic suit, practiced his surgical skills on two models a man and a woman slicing bits of flesh from their backs, then frying them in a hot pan and feeding the meat back to them.
It was definitely not a performance for the faint of heart, so the fact that it was also broadcast on Facebook Live and that a recording of it can still be found on YouTube has sparked some controversy in the Baltic country. Some people even notified the police about it, asking if they planned to take any action against Arturs Berzins, but si foar the authorities have exercised caution, arguing that even though the ethical aspect of having this sort of performance broadcast online is questionable, the event itself does not constitute a crime.
No formal complaints against the artist have been made so far, but the police promise that if they end up receiving one, they will investigate to the best of their abilities.
As for the meaning of Arturs Berzins unique performance, Latvian website Satori does a great job of explaining it. Unfortunately, Google Translate does NOT do a very good job translating it. If the name of the performance is any indication, cannibalism is just one of the things human will resort to as they face extinction.
A word of advice dont watch the YouTube video if you have a weak stomach.
The Fintech Challenge Vietnam (FCV) aims to spur innovation in the financial services sector that promote greater financial inclusion in the country, focusing on five fintech verticals that are critical for financial inclusion, including e-Payments, e-KYC, Peer-to-peer Lending, Open APIs, and Blockchain.
The competition was co-organised by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the Mekong Business Initiative - a programme funded by the Government of Australia and the ADB, along with support from the Vietnam Bankers Association (VNBA) and the Vietnam Fintech Club (VFC).
As of the application closing date on January 31 this year, FCV had received 141 fintech applications, including 45 from Vietnam and 97 from 27 foreign countries and territories. Additional information on the FCV programme and the finalists can be found at fintech.mekongbiz.org.
Applications sent to the FCV were systematically evaluated and scored based on commercial criteria (Innovation and Relevance; Management Capacity; and Scalability & Investment Readiness), in addition to being evaluated on the potential impact on financial inclusion.
The successful FCV applicants will present their business models in the Showcase Pitch Day scheduled for March 28. After this initial event, the finalists will be matched with FCV partners who will serve as their mentors. They will participate in a six-week incubation and mentoring programme that will help them to refine and sharpen their business models in order to fit the local market context.
In the final competitive Finalists Pitch Session, all of the FCV finalists will present their financial technology solutions to a panel of banking industry players, financial experts, and potential fintech investors.
The best solutions will have the opportunity to demo their products and services the day before the 2018 Vietnam National Fintech Day, tentatively scheduled for May 28.
The event is part of the activities to mark the 45th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords (January 27, 1973-2018) and the 50th anniversary of the 1968 My Lai massacre in Quang Ngai province (March 16).
The exhibition features 80 photos, posters and articles covering the US soldiers and veterans who actively joined in with movements and campaigns for ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.
Through the event, the organising board aims to send a message of peace and affirm that the relationship between Vietnam and the US has been improved and developed across all fields.
Vice President and General Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) Nguyen Van Manh said that, in the 20 years since the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries, numerous American veterans have returned to Vietnam for reconciliations, healing the wounds of war and joining humanitarian activities.
The exhibition, co-organised by HUFO, the City's Peace and Development Foundation, the US Veterans for Peace (VFP) and the War Remnants Museum, will run until April 15.
Thang, a former Politburo member and PVN chairman, was charged with economic mismanagement when making the investment in an ailing bank despite being well aware of its poor performance.
In addition to Thang, PVN deputy general director Nguyen Xuan Son and four board members also face charges of deliberate violation of State economic management regulations, leading to serious consequences.
According to court documents, Thang was the biggest culprit for the investment loss as he signed an agreement with Oceanbanks then chairman Ha Van Tham without informing the board of directors.
He also signed orders on additional investments in the lender without the approval of the Prime Minister and failed to comply with the Finance Ministrys requirements.
The trial is expected to last for ten days.
Li Zhanshu, executive chairperson of the presidium of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 11th meeting of the presidium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The presidium of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) decided to put several important documents, including the government work report, for vote Tuesday.
The decision was made at the presidium's 11th meeting Monday afternoon, presided over by Li Zhanshu, the presidium's executive chairman.
Six other documents will also be voted. They include the draft supervision law, the report on the national economic and social development plan, the report on the central and local budgets, and the work reports of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Before the presidium meeting, executive chairpersons held their eighth meeting, also chaired by Li.
The first session of the 13th NPC will conclude Tuesday morning.
Vice premiers, state councilors and secretary-general of the State Council take oath of allegiance to the Constitution after the seventh plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2018. Nominated by Premier Li Keqiang, Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He were endorsed as vice premiers, while Wei Fenghe, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie and Zhao Kezhi were endorsed as state councilors and Xiao Jie was endorsed as secretary-general of the State Council at the seventh plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th NPC. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
Talented, experienced officials also chosen as vice-premiers and for other roles, experts say
The 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, decided on the new lineup of the State Council at the seventh plenary meeting of its first session on Monday morning.
Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies voted to endorse vice-premiers, State councilors, the secretary-general of the State Council, ministers, the governor of the central bank and the auditor-general, who were nominated by Premier Li Keqiang.
Among them, Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He were endorsed as vice-premiers, while Wei Fenghe, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie and Zhao Kezhi were endorsed as State councilors.
They were officially appointed when President Xi Jinping signed a presidential decree.
Han, born in 1954, joined the Communist Party of China in 1979. He served as Shanghai's mayor for nine years before becoming the municipality's Party secretary in 2012.
Sun was born in 1950 and joined the Party in 1973. She was head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee from 2014 to 2017. Before that, she served as Party secretary in Tianjin municipality and in Fujian province.
Hu, born in 1963, joined the Party in 1983. He graduated from Peking University and worked for 19 years in the Tibet autonomous region. After that, he served as governor of Hebei province, Party secretary of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and the Party secretary of Guangdong province.
Liu, born in 1952, joined the Party in 1976. Liu graduated from Renmin University of China. He is also director of the General Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs.
The vice-premiers have diverse academic backgrounds and political careers, said Li Junpeng, a public management professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance.
For example, Han has great experience in building pilot free trade zones, and Sun can help promote innovation and regional integration, Li Junpeng said.
Hu knows how to manage regions inhabited mostly by ethnic groups, build a world-class business environment and encourage public service after years working in Tibet and Guangdong, Li Junpeng said.
With strong expertise in financial and economic issues, Liu can help promote financial reforms and guard against systemic risks, he added.
The new vice-premiers have served in key posts, including Party secretaries in developed and less-developed regions, to accumulate experience in social and economic management, said Zhu Lijia, another public management professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance.
He said new vice-premiers will help the State Council, China's Cabinet, in social and economic management with their well-structured academic backgrounds and insights into overall national development.
Peng Shou, an NPC deputy from Anhui province, said he expects the new Cabinet members will bring thorough, concrete efforts to the restructuring of the State Council.
"I have been an NPC deputy for 10 years, and I think the State Council restructuring this year has been the most thorough," he said, adding that he has high hopes for the new Cabinet.
Zhu Ning, deputy director of the National Finance Research Institute of Tsinghua University, said he expects Vice-Premier Liu He to play an important role in financial regulation, especially in preventing and addressing financial risks.
"He is both an academic and an official, and was very well trained as an economist," said Zhu, who recently spoke to Liu and has known him for years. "He has been very sensitive about financial risks and fluctuation. He has also done a lot of field research on finance."
Zhu said in the past year, the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, where Liu serves as director of the General Office, has made tangible achievements in developing the real economy and promoting economic reform from the supply side against the backdrop of a changing world economy.
Zhu said Liu's working experience in the country's development planning commission may give him a better grasp of China's economic system and help him recommend proper steps in reform and economic upgrading.
Legislators also voted to approve the chairs, vice-chairs and members of eight special committees of the 13th NPC at the meeting.
All took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution.
Xinhua contributed to this story.
Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:
Singapore-based APS Asset Management's flagship APS Japan Alpha Fund gained 6.60% (gross) in January, ahead of its benchmark by 2.31 percentage points. The TOPIX Net Index return was 4.29%.
The hedge fund said that it continued to exploit perception gaps in January between APS' and the market's assessment of specific stocks. It added that they initiated positions in stocks such as Takara Bio, where research indicated that they were trading far below their intrinsic value.
On the other hand, APS liquidated positions that reached its target price and will continue to pare down positions with narrowing perception gaps.
The hedge fund said, "We expect volatility to increase in the Japanese market as the recent rally was not only driven by strong corporate performance but also because of global liquidity. However, domestic macroeconomic factors have been stable which should offer support for the market. APS will remain focused on fundamentals and valuations while paying less attention to trends in global flows.
"Heightened market volatility presents opportunities for us to initiate or increase positions in companies that have significant upside potential over a longer horizon based on our bottom-up research. In addition, the Japanese market remains in a stage of a corporate renaissance and we believe that we can continue to find structural growth opportunities in the years to ......................
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Opalesque Industry Update - Hedge funds declined 1.62% in February and were up 0.37% year-to-date with total AUM growth still in the green despite losses in February which eroded the solid gains in January. Investor redemptions stood at US$5.0 billion in February while performance-based losses of US$34.2 billion were recorded. Almost 35% of the fund managers are in the red for the year in what is turning out to be the toughest start to the year for fund managers since 2016. While hedge fund capital allocations were in the red for the month of February, investor subscriptions have favoured CTA/managed futures and event driven strategies which have seen inflows of US$0.8 billion each followed by long/short equities and arbitrage strategies with inflows of US$0.4 billion each. Hedge funds managing in excess of US$1 billion reported their highest monthly performance-based decline on record, totalling US$25.5 billion while net outflows of US$4.6 billion were recorded. In contrast, sub-billion dollar hedge funds have fared relatively better with outflows of US$0.3 billion and performance-based losses of US$8.6 billion. The Eurekahedge Billion Dollar Hedge Fund Index was down 1.77% in February, its steepest monthly loss on record since the infamous May 2010 flash crash when the index lost 2.01%. The US$264.3 billion CTA/managed futures mandated hedge funds reported their biggest monthly performance-based losses since June 2004, totalling US$19.4 billion in February bringing their 2018 year-to-date performance-based figures down to the red, with losses totalling US$9.2 billion. Meanwhile, investors allocated US$0.8 billion into the mandate during the month and US$3.9 billion year-to-date. The US$1.66 trillion North American hedge fund industry posted the steepest performance-based losses of US$25.9 billion among regional mandates during the month while investor redemptions of US$1.1 billion were recorded. Asset base for the North American hedge fund industry grew by US$23.5 billion over the year with most of this growth attributed to net investor inflows of US$18.2 billion year-to-date, while performance-based gains totalling US$5.3 billion were recorded over the same period. Asia ex-Japan mandated hedge funds posted the steepest decline among regional mandates during the month, down 2.30% with underlying Greater China and Indian hedge fund managers losing 3.49% and 1.76% respectively. Performance-based losses of US$1.8 billion were recorded while investors redeemed US$0.8 billion from the mandate during the month. The average performance fee charged by North American hedge funds jumped to 18.49% in 2017 from 17.60% in 2016, before dropping to a historic low of 14.17% as of January 2018. Currently, the average management fee charged by North American hedge funds stands at 1.38%. For more details, please refer to the 2017 Overview: Key Trends in North American Hedge Funds report. The Eurekahedge Crypto-Currency Hedge Fund Index declined 16.83% in February, bringing its year-to-date losses to 22.47%, barely ahead of the price of bitcoin which declined 26% in the first two months of 2018.
Who can love an odd dome home that's been ridiculed as a perfect shelter for a Smurf, hobbit or Yoda? A bargain hunter?
The 1.4-acre wooded property at 1850 Carriage Way in West Linn was on the market for $775,900 in 2016. But then it was being sold through bankruptcy court at $450,000. That's a 42 percent, or $325,900, cut.
On March 19, the price fell again to $400,000.
Always quirky, the well-known dwelling once still had its charm. But in bankruptcy, it has withered into a forlorn state. It's crushing to compare photographs from 2015 to today (see gallery above).
Perhaps it would attract an artist, suggests Lynnette May of Knipe Realty NW, Inc, who represents the bankruptcy court in the sale.
Even in its glory days, the planetarium-shaped house built by a mime in 1978 out of WWII aircraft carrier parts and other salvaged materials could best be enjoyed by people who appreciate theatrical curves and the unconventional.
Nine domes are linked together by flat roofs, 3 1/2-inch iron ribs and a turtle shell-like foam covering.
Passersby call it the Smurf Home. Hobbit House. Mushroom Abode. Flintstone Shelter. Dome Home. Yoda's Place. Something out of a "Star Wars" movie. Or worse, said former owner Peter Einstein, who lived in the eye-catching dwelling during its halcyon days.
He heard the nine mounds nestled in the ground referred to as dinosaur poop.
But how did it feel to live underneath those cave-like, concave structures?
"We loved it and it made us happy," said Einstein, a software consultant and independent contractor who lived here for 15 years. He sold the property in April 2015 for $330,000, about what he paid for it, to a buyer who promised not to tear it down.
"In the swoopy living room, we'd play with laser pointers against the 18-foot-high ceiling," he said in an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive last year. "I remember lying on the couch and feeling wonderful in that enormous space."
When the maintenance of 19 leaky skylights and an exterior that often needed to be patched with polyurethane got too much for him, Einstein packed up and moved to Portland. "Over the years I had to solve a lot of problems myself or with creative contractors," he said when reached Monday.
Still, he misses the idyllic setting on a creek, and windows and sliding glass doors that frame views of Douglas fir trees. He laments that he doesn't still have beautiful hardwood kitchen counters, or blueberries and grape vines growing wild outside. He even longs for nights when heavy rainfall would beat down on the uninsulated roof and sound like Brazilian rainsticks.
Einstein bought the house in 2001 from the widow of the original owner, Francisco Reynders, an artist, musician, actor, mime, designer and founder of the Oregon Mime Theatre.
Born in Holland in 1929 or 1930, Reynders learned to mime with Marcel Marceau in Paris, France. He then worked in New York as a theater set and costume designer, and an art director for commercials.
In 1967, he accepted a position as assistant professor of theater at Lewis & Clark College and worked for the Portland Opera and what is now the Oregon Ballet Theater.
In the mid-1970s, while at the Zidell Explorations salvage yard on the Willamette River, Reynders found discarded gun turret shrouds pulled from the USS Bunker Hill, a WWII Essex-class aircraft carrier.
With these, he could build a home that would look like an extension of the hilltop. The dome forms also granted him an alternative to living in a traditional rectangle house. He never liked sharp right angles and distrusted corners, according to friend, Lake Oswego-based realtor Valarie Ross, who visited the house while it was being erected.
When building inspectors couldn't picture the bubble-like shapes on the blueprint, Reynders created small-scale models of his envisioned dome home.
In real life, the 30-foot-wide hemispherical living room and mega master bedroom occupy most of the 2,400 square feet of living space. The shrouds were used for two smaller bedrooms, waterbed nooks and bathrooms. Holes needed for the aircraft carrier's 55mm cannons serve as skylights in the bathroom.
He called his house "organically sensuous" and painted satyrs above the giant sauna off the 625-square-foot master bedroom.
There are secret passageways and other dramatic surprises such as ceilings and arches painted blue to mimic the sky. He liked to point out that the curve of the dome makes the top kitchen cabinets more narrow than bottom ones.
To cut costs and avoid the right angles of drywall, Reynders had shredded editions of The Oregonian newspaper treated with a fire-retardant chemical and mixed with adhesive. This spongy material was then blown onto the walls and makes it so "you can literally bounce off the walls," recalled Einstein.
After Reynders died in 1996, his widow sold the house through Ross to Einstein, who sold it to the third owner.
Einstein declined offers from developers who wanted to tear down the house and put up more dwellings on the 1.4-acre lot. He's hopeful a new owner feels the same way, but he recognizes it's not easy to find a buyer.
"The house itself appeals to a very small market," he said in 2017.
When reached Monday and told the property was in bankruptcy court, Einstein said: "The house requires stewardship, not a cynical flipper attitude."
He added: "I love to talk about the dome house. [It represents] 15 very important years in the life of my family."
-- Janet Eastman
jeastman@oregonian.com
503-799-8739
@janeteastman
With apologies to Looney Tunes, it appears the eagle on the U.S. Presidential Seal in the oval office has been replaced by Tweety Bird. Some of us pay more attention to these "droppings" rather than the newsprint at the bottom of the cage. I believe we can't ignore what this administration does but we can ignore the nonsense.
I would like to coin a new term and call it "nonsense news." For the next couple years I would avoid social media and other forms of immediate news that involves talking heads or tweeting. I would spread this helpful advice to others whenever they mention they are overcome with confusion regarding the current chaos in the nation's capital.
Chaos seems to be the normal operating procedure for this president. This chaos has caused a historic number of staff (contestants?) to leave the show in the first 14 months. For those of you who prefer the swamp analogy, it appears the rats are leaving this ship of state as it sinks deeper into the muck.
Sting once wrote some great lyrics about politicians, "They all seemed like game show hosts to me." Who knew how prophetic that might be. We now have a true game show host politician as a president. We Americans can only decide for ourselves whether this poor quality programming should last much longer and vote to change the channel in 2020.
Darrell Anderson, Battle Ground
The sex-trafficking of minors is getting worse in Portland and the rest of the United States. According to KPTV, more than 80 underage victims were recovered nationwide in 2017 and 120 traffickers were arrested in Oregon.
The Jonah Project, based in Spokane, helps victims of minor sex- trafficking. According to the group's website, out of three minor victims, one will be a boy and two will be girls. The victims, no matter the age, will die on average seven years after being sold. They are more likely to die from STDs, malnutrition, overdose, suicide, abuse and other issues.
The laws against sex-trafficking minors explains the sentencing for individuals by force, fraud or coercion. If the victim is under 14, the penalty is not less than 15 years. Between the ages of 14 and 17, the penalty is not less than 10 years. I believe that the penalty should be longer for the perpetrator, because it causes children to lose the chance of having a fulfilled life.
I need help. I can't stop this alone. I need help from the community. If you see this happening contact the police. Keep an eye out for families because they can put their children up for sex trafficking. We can stop this if we try. We can lower the chances of this happening again.
Madison Berto, Spokane
Oregon State Police are asking for the public's help in apprehending whoever killed several snow geese in rural Malheur County and left the birds to waste.
On March 12, a trooper responded to call about the animals on private property near the town of Nyssa on Oregon's eastern border. The officer found several birds that had been harvested and left to rot in a drainage ditch.
OSP is seeking #PublicAssistance in the waste investigation of several Snow Geese in Malheur County https://t.co/DC6jtk8K9g Anyone with info is encouraged to contact Trooper Wickert 541-889-6469 Ext. 4771. or T.I.P. 1-800-452-7888 pic.twitter.com/NfzLhYsmz1 Oregon State Police (@ORStatePolice) March 20, 2018
Investigators believe the birds were killed a few days before they were discovered.
Anyone with information was asked to call the "Turn-In-Poachers," or TIP, hotline at 1-800-452-7888.
-- Kale Williams
kwilliams@oregonian.com
503-294-4048
In Netflix's landmark six-part documentary "Wild Wild Country," longtime investigative reporter Les Zaitz talks about a 20-part series he co-wrote for The Oregonian about Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and how his followers took over an Oregon town in the early 1980s. The series revealed the religious sect's secrets, paranoia and criminal actions.
The Oregonian series goes into great detail about many of the events covered in "Wild Wild Country," including the poisoning of many people in The Dalles, attempts to rig Wasco County elections by busing in homeless people to vote, and murder plots against public officials and Zaitz himself. The series also includes many details not covered in the documentary. The story of the Rajneeshees is that complex.
The reporting by Zaitz and other Oregonian writers was done in the pre-internet era, but you don't have to search historical archives or microfilm to read the series. Here are links to all 20 parts. It's an epic tale of sex, lies, corruption and crime that unfolded against the sleepy backdrop of Antelope, Oregon.
Ma Anand Sheela poses in front of the Antelope sign in 1982.
Part 1: How followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh came to Oregon from India, and transformed eastern Oregon's Big Muddy Ranch into Rancho Rajneesh.
Part 2: How a small-town Indian boy became a religious guru that followers compared to Jesus Christ, Buddha and Krisna.
Part 3: Before coming to Oregon, the Bhagwan built his following in Poona, India, attracting disciples from around the world.
Part 4: What are the real reasons the Rajneeshees left India for Oregon? Rising tensions with the Indian government and police, and a lot of unpaid taxes.
Part 5: Tales of smuggling gold, money and drugs dogged the Rajneesh movement since the late 1970s, and continued when they arrived in the United States.
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh gestures to his disciples during his daily drive at Rancho Rajneesh.
Part 6: Somewhere between India and Oregon, the life-or-death melodrama surrounding Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's failing health dissipated like a contrail against a summer sky.
Part 7: How Ma Anand Sheela used family ties to help purchase the land for the Rajneeshees' Oregon commune.
Part 8: Ma Anand Sheela was much more than the guru's personal secretary. She was a tigress of the two-minute TV interview, and wielded words like weapons.
Part 9: To turn Racho Rajneesh from farmland to a city, the Rajneeshees needed to incorporate. It was a blurring of church and state that caught the eye of Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer.
Part 10: While followers talked about free love, the Rajneeshees armed themselves with assault weapons, grenade launchers and submachine guns, turning Rajneeshpuram into one of the most-heavily armed places in the state.
Part 11: Followers of the Bhagwan saw their ranch as a place of peace, but the universal bliss was laced with threats of violence and threads of paranoia.
Part 12: Antics by the Rajneeshees during legal proceedings including making faces and obscene gestures confounded lawyers and judges.
Followers welcome the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's motorcade during a daily driveby.
Part 13: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh hardly led a humble life, with his diamond-encrusted Rolex watches and fleet of 74 Rolls-Royces.
Part 14: The Rajneesh financial machine reached around the globe, and channeled millions of dollars to its Oregon headquarters.
Part 15: How a lust for money propelled the Rajneesh movements into the arms of Big Business.
Part 16: Ma Anand Sheela and other ranch officials kept a tight grip on followers.
Part 17: Rajneesh used various techniques some of them strong-armed to separate followers from their cash, property and jewelry.
Part 18: Rajneeshees bristled at the word "cult," but it was clearly one according to religious experts.
Part 19: Of all the threats to the Rajneesh movement, an immigration fraud investigation that was four years in the making loomed the largest, and focused on arranged marriages and fake relationships.
Part 20: The Rajneeshees took advantage of sleepy immigration officials to sneak followers into the United States. The government then bungled cases, and irritated potential witnesses to the point that they no longer cooperated.
On the 25th anniversary of the demise of the Rajneesh movement, reporter Les Zaitz revisited the story with a five-part series that told the story of what happened after the original 20-part series was published.
-- Grant Butler
503-221-8566; @grantbutler
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order prohibiting U.S. transactions with Venezuela's digital currency, a move to further block the South American country's access to U.S. financial market.
The United States blocked "all transactions related to, provision of financing for, and other dealings in, by a United States person or within the United States, any digital currency, digital coin, or digital token," which have been issued by the Venezuelan government since January 9, said the White House in a statement.
Washington said the new measure has been introduced to counter the latest attempt from the Maduro administration "to circumvent U.S. sanctions."
In late February, Venezuela launched the presale of its own cryptocurrency, a type of digital or virtual currency, backed by its crude oil reserves, as a new financing option against financial sanctions imposed by Washington, which forbid U.S. businesses from lending to the Venezuelan government or the state-run oil and gas company PDVSA.
The U.S. Treasury Department said earlier that the digital currency could violate the sanctions against Venezuela, warning investors who acquire it of legal consequences.
Venezuela had over 3 billion U.S. dollars blocked in the international financial system due to U.S. economic sanctions, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said in December.
The Venezuelan government has been the subject of increased pressure and sanctions from abroad, including the United States and the European Union, for allegedly electoral fraud, corruption and causing widespread poverty.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro vowed in February that his government was ready to receive international observers to oversee presidential elections on April 22.
Three victims' rights advocates have filed complaints with the state concerning Multnomah County Circuit Judge Kenneth Walker's behavior during a domestic abuse sentencing hearing.
On Jan. 29, Dana Parks appeared in Walker's courtroom to deliver a victim's impact statement she had prepared for the sentencing of her ex-boyfriend, who had pleaded guilty to felony assault IV, attempted assault and coercion. It was the second time he had been sentenced for assaulting her.
But while Parks attempted to read her statement, Walker interrupted three times and ultimately walked out of the courtroom without allowing her to finish, according to a recording of the hearing.
Complaints about Walker's actions were filed with the Oregon Judicial Fitness Commission over the last few days by Anne Pratt, vice president of Crime Victims United; Mary Elledge, Portland chapter leader of Parents of Murdered Children; and Danielle Tudor, a rape survivor and victims advocate.
Such complaints are generally confidential, but the three women released theirs to the public.
"If Judge Walker's actions are not challenged and addressed, we risk setting a precedent for future victims that they can expect to be interrupted, treated with contempt and disrespected," Tudor wrote in her complaint. "Judge Walker publicly demeaned Ms. Parks in the presence of her abuser and, in so doing, minimized the crime of domestic violence, whether he intended to or not."
Walker said he had received no notice of the complaints that were filed and could not speak to them. But he did say that during Parks' statement, he did not intend to upset her.
"After listening to the tape, I could have been, I think, a little more courteous to Miss Parks, but I was thinking in my own mind that I was redirecting her to say things that would have an impact on the court," he said. "I wanted her to talk about how she felt and what impact it had on her and what impact it was going to have on her future and how the crime she affected her. And each time that she went off, talking about what her friends were writing on Instagram or what charges that were not before us or saying something about the defendant's mother, I thought (those) were inappropriate comments and I thought I was trying to redirect her."
At one point during her statement, when she began to describe an alleged sexual assault for which her boyfriend had never faced charges Walker had cut Parks off by saying, "I don't want to hear that."
"I probably should have said 'Ma'am, that's not appropriate, would you please direct your comments more directly to the issues of how you felt.' The words that I used, I think, certainly, could have been changed," Walker said. "And it was a reminder, to me, that this is the most important day of her life, and she's been struggling to get up in public and say something. ... I think all judges should be reminded that even though we do a lot of cases and it's pretty routine for us, we must consider in every case that it is the most important thing happening in that person's life, and 99.9 percent of the time I do, I think."
All three complaints claim Walker violated the Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct which states, in part:
A judge shall not engage in conduct that reflects adversely on the judge's character and competence temperament or fitness to serve as a judge.
A judge shall accord to every person who has legal interest in a proceeding the right to be heard according to the law.
"I have been a victim advocate for over 18 years, held many hands in the courtroom as the victim readies themselves to face the court and the accused. I have never experienced this kind of disrespect for a crime victim," Pratt wrote. "It is outrageous behavior, unbecoming of a judge and an action that ultimately re-victimizes an already very wounded victim. If this judge were to act similarly towards a defendant while they were giving an allocution under identical circumstances, the sentence would likely be reversed."
Tudor was 17 when she was raped in 1979 by serial rapist Richard Troy Gillmore. There were no victims rights laws when her offender was sentenced, so she didn't have the opportunity to give an impact statement. But in 2010, she was able to speak at Gillmore's parole hearing.
Her statement lasted close to an hour, she said.
Parks' statement took about 20 minutes to read.
"There is a healing process that takes place when you get to speak your truth," Tudor said.
The Oregon Crime Victims Law Center has filed a request for a new sentencing hearing on Parks' behalf, and has also filed a claim of violation of crime victims' rights because Parks has a Constitutional right "to be heard at the pretrial release hearing and the sentencing."
A show cause hearing for the motion is scheduled for March 30.
"And if Miss Parks wants to make an additional (victim's impact) statement, I will allow her to do that," Walker said.
-- Samantha Swindler
@editorswindler / 503-294-4031
sswindler@oregonian.com
A Latina elected official says she spent several hours in jail last week after an encounter with police that began over an alleged TriMet fare evasion and ended with a charge of providing a false name to officers.
In a Facebook post, Ana del Rocio said she was stopped by officers March 13 after exiting a MAX train and forgetting her annual TriMet pass.
"They spelled my last name incorrectly while searching for me in their systems. They then accused me of lying when their search results turned up nothing," del Rocio wrote in a Facebook post now shared more than 900 times. "Their behavior revealed their lack of understanding: of Latinx culture, our names, common spellings, and naming traditions. My name is Ana and they did not believe me."
Latino naming traditions often include two surnames in this case, Ana del Rocio Valderrama. Her legal name is listed as Rosa Valderrama, though she told the Portland Mercury she has never gone by Rosa.
Portland police arrested her on charges of theft of services and providing false information to an officer. The theft of services charge was later dropped.
"I know that it is my responsibility to carry proof of payment with me, and I take ownership that I did not," del Rocio wrote. "Yet this honest mistake escalated from a simple citation to a violent arrest; six hours in jail; missed work; a missed presentation to the Latinx Student Union of David Douglas High School; missed storytime with my toddler; and not being able to take my son to his first school dance. This isn't justice served. This is over-policing."
Del Rocio is a member of the David Douglas School Board. She won a three-way race for the board's Position 1, running on the ballot in 2017 as Ana del Rocio.
She is also the state director for Color PAC, a political action committee focused on equity issues. A statement on the Color PAC website described del Rocio's arrest as "overreach by the police that was unnecessary, demeaning, and racialized."
"What happened to Ana has happenedand happensto so many people of color, people in poverty and people with disabilities across Oregon," the statement read. "Everyday missteps become crimes. Our trip-ups become life-changing events."
Records show del Rocio, under the name Rosa Valderrama, received a no fare citation and no arrest on March 1. The citation notes it will be dismissed with proof of yearly pass.
In a statement, TriMet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt said, "We regret that Ms. del RocIo Valderrama had a negative experience on our system. TriMet leaders and staff are committed to providing transit service that is safe and reliable for all."
-- Samantha Swindler
@editorswindler / 503-294-4031
sswindler@oregonian.com
State workplace regulators have fined the Unity Center for Behavioral Health $1,650 for failing to take steps to prevent future assaults on employees by patients struggling with mental illness.
The 1-year-old center has been celebrated as the metro area's go-to location for people in mental crisis -- a round-the-clock psychiatric hospital in Portland's inner core. But an investigation by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA) has found that Unity has violated four safety rules and regulations. Some of those violations are considered serious.
Among the centers alleged lapses, OSHA found that Unity has failed to properly log, document or investigate some of the roughly 300 assaults suffered by employees in the first seven months of operation, according to the state investigation. The purpose of investigating assaults, OSHA wrote, was to find ways to prevent future assaults from happening.
State regulators analyzed assaults at the center from its opening on Jan. 31, 2017, to September 2017, which was the date an anonymous person filed a safety complaint.
The center was created by four health-care systems: Legacy Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Adventist Health and Kaiser Permanente -- with the goals of improving patient care and ending the practice of warehousing people in hospital emergency rooms while they are in mental crisis. The center has about 450 employees and 102 patient beds.
Brian Terrett, a spokesman for Legacy Health, offered the following statement about the OHSA findings:
We recently received the results of the investigation conducted by Oregon OHSA. Our staff are reviewing the letter to better understand the findings and will determine a response based on that review.
OSHA documented an uneasy culture at Unity. During interviews, some employees told OSHA investigators they wouldnt report minor assaults such as a punch in the face because they didnt want to appear to be complainers or feared that they might be viewed negatively by administration. Others said they hadnt noticed safety changes after previous reports of assaults were made, so they didnt bother reporting new assaults, according to the OSHA report.
A few employees stated that they realize where they work and it was dangerous, and its OK to get hurt, the report said.
Employees suggested ways to improve safety, including installing more panic buttons that would summon help during emergencies. Currently, there is one panic button at the front desk, the report said.
Employees also asked for more staff to be on duty -- and noted sometimes two employees need to be assigned to one patient at a time, according to the report.
Unity has 30 days to appeal OSHAs findings. If it doesnt, it must pay the fine and make changes to fix the violations that investigators noted.
OSHA's findings come on the heels of a pair of $1 million lawsuits filed in February. In those suits, two former Unity nurses claim they were fired from their jobs after complaining about their safety.
-- Aimee Green
Perry George Nicolopoulos
A Washington man who Lincoln City police say earlier this month used his car to intentionally ram a man who was visiting the coast with his family now faces a "motivated by bias" enhancement to the charges.
Oregon on Monday notified the Lincoln County Court in Newport it would add the enhancement, along with several others, to the charges against Perry Nicolopoulos, 68, of Puyallup.
Police say Nicolopoulos intentionally rammed Mohammad Fawad Mohammadi of Portland, who friends say was an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan before immigrating to Oregon. The other enhancements include "use of a weapon" and "permanent injury."
Those enhancements could lead to a longer sentence for Nicolopoulos if he is found guilty in the attack. He is charged with 12 felonies, including attempted murder, and four misdemeanors.
Initially, Lincoln City police said they had yet to determine a motive in the incident, in which witnesses say an older man in a gray car intentionally rammed Mohammadi and his vehicle multiple times outside a Walgreens, at one point pinning him between the two cars.
Mohammadi was flown to Portland, where he had part of his leg amputated. A GoFundMe page set up by a Mohammadi co-worker had raised nearly $85,000 as of Tuesday morning.
Mohammadi "came to the U.S. a little over three years ago from his native Afghanistan, where he served as an interpreter for the U.S. Military for four years, often in the thick of battle," wrote the page's creator, Stephanie Ballard Agramonte.
Mohammadi's wife and young son, who were with him at the time of the attack, were uninjured.
Nicolopoulos remains in the Lincoln County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court again for an Early Resolution Conference on April 30.
Nicolopoulos' attorney and the Lincoln County district attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
-- Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052
lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
The leaders of more than 125 private independent schools in the Washington, D.C., area are calling on President Donald Trump and Congress to enact "vigorous" gun-control measures and warning that arming teachers - an idea the president supports - is "dangerous and antithetical to our profession as educators." Participating in the plea is the Maryland school attended by Trump's son Barron.
The school leaders took out a full-page advertisement in Sunday's editions of The Washington Post that refers to the Feb. 14 shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. The assault, allegedly carried out by a 19-year-old former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, has sparked national protests by young people and unprecedented action by the Florida legislature to restrict some gun sales. The Florida lawmakers also funded a program to arm teachers, an idea that has been widely rejected by educators and by Florida's Republican governor - but is supported by Trump.
The newspaper ad lists the names of the schools in the Washington region, as well as the names of their leaders, under a message that says in part:
"For years now, citizens of the United States have endured mass shootings in public venues, neighborhoods and communities, houses of worship, colleges and universities, and our schools. Children, our most vulnerable citizens and our hope for the future, are dying from gun violence, again and again.
"Statistics from countries around the globe show that it is possible to minimize gun deaths through common-sense legislation. Here in the United States, we see that easy access to weapons, particularly those of military-style design, results in significantly higher levels of gun violence.
"We urge our President, our Congress, and our state leaders to enact specific, vigorous measures to reduce gun violence in our society, particularly in our schools. We need a robust system of registration and background checks, with a particular eye toward weapons capable of rapidly firing a vast number of deadly shots. We need stronger mental health services and more effective communication among agencies responsible for the well-being of children, adults and families. What we do not need is to arm our teachers with guns, which is dangerous and antithetical to our profession as educators."
The ad also was placed in other newspapers.
St. Andrew's did not respond to an inquiry from The Washington Post about why it participated in the advertisement.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the advertisement.
Independent schools are nonprofit private schools run by independent boards that are not operated by the government or a religious organization or church.
President and Melania Trump enrolled their son Barron in St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, last fall.
The school, where tuition is about $40,000 a year, is known for its pioneering use of brain-based research to help students of all abilities to succeed and for providing extra support for students who need it.
Class sizes are usually 11 to 13 students, and the school says that every graduate attends college, including Ivy League schools, small liberal arts colleges, state schools and schools of art, engineering and design. The school's website says it offers "an inclusive environment that embodies the faith and perspective of the Episcopal Church."
It also says it "seeks a broadly diverse community to promote educational excellence" and that its programs "are designed to serve students of varied interests and abilities capable of achievement in a challenging academic environment."
--The Washington Post
Cambridge Analytica, the controversial data firm used by Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, has suddenly leapt back into the spotlight thanks to the revelation that it lifted data from more than 50 million Facebook users without their permission.
Now more revelations are coming out. Great Britain's Channel 4 News spent four months on an undercover investigation during which its reporters posed as a potential Cambridge Analytica client.
The report, which aired Monday in the U.K., makes the company sound like an operation straight out of a John Le Carre novel, insisting the firm uses bribes and sexual seduction to get the results it promises. "Sex, secrets and spies -- old-style tactics wedded to the new," the report's narrator states.
The heart of the firm's business, however, is its use of data to scare voters and bring out their worst instincts.
In the Channel 4 News report, Cambridge Analytica managing director Mark Turnbull, on hidden camera, tells the undercover reporters about how his company targets "unspoken and even unconscious [hopes and fears]. You didn't know that was a fear until you saw something that just evoked that reaction from you. And our job is to drop the bucket further down the well than anybody else, to understand what are those really deep-seated underlying fears, concerns."
Turnbull continues:
"It's no good fighting an election campaign on the facts, because actually it's all about emotion."
Watch a segment from the report below:
-- Douglas Perry
Stephanie Cadd bends her body in ways unfathomable to the average human being while stretching on the gym floor at Fitness 1440 in Forest Grove. Occasionally people will stare, maybe even take a photo.
Cadd's contortion partner Sydney Nagy is with her and together they make abnormal flexibility look natural. They also make it look fun. The two stop to laugh or goof around between practicing tricks for their next gig.
It's taken time, a lot of determination and passion for Cadd to get back to this.
Nearly two years ago Cadd was seriously injured in a car crash that took her younger sister's life.
The now 20-year-old Forest Grove resident is still going to physical therapy after the April 2016 crash resulted in a broken jaw, arm, dislocated shoulder and torn shoulder labrum.
But Cadd isn't letting the emotional and physical trauma of the incident keep her from pursuing her dream of becoming a professional contortionist. In fact, she's sharing her personal journey on national television.
Cadd was pursued by Lifetime's new television reality series called "This Time Next Year" hosted by Cat Deeley. The show interviews people striving to make drastic changes in their lives and overcome obstacles in a year's time.
"It was extremely emotional for me," Cadd said.
"I think it helped my open up and I think it actually was a little bit of a therapy process for me."
An episode featuring Cadd has been produced but a Lifetime spokeswoman said an air date hasn't been determined yet.
While overcoming emotional and physical obstacles, Cadd is also meeting professional goals.
Cadd and Nagy, also known as the "Twisted Sisters" took home third place at Circus Star USA 2017, a prestigious national circus arts competition in Hollywood with judges from Cirque du Soleil. The duo won a free website. Their first booking: The Ellen Show.
"It was really crazy. We were both super excited about it," Cadd said.
Cadd plans to continue pursuing contortion professionally. She and Nagy practice several days a week together between the gym, Nagy's house or Pedulum Aerial Arts in Portland, where the two met.
Sometimes the Twisted Sisters will perform at corporate parties or other events in the Portland area.
Nagy is cautious when performing tricks with Cadd, making sure she isn't hurting her. She occasionally check's Cadd's form, making sure her shoulders look even and nothing seems out of place when doing a handstand.
Cadd says she can still feel her injuries almost two years later. She has the date "4-6-16" tattooed in white ink on her rib cage, a day that will always be a part of her.
Her sister Samantha was 14 when she died in the crash. "I think about her every day," Cadd said.
--Jessica Greif
BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Housing prices remained largely stable in major Chinese cities in February amid the government's tough purchase restrictions, official data showed Monday.
As the government maintained purchase restrictions aimed at containing speculative demand, new home prices softened in the country's biggest cities and recorded slower increases in other major cities monitored by the government, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
On a monthly basis, new home prices declined in 12 of the 15 first-tier cities, while those in another 55 major cities surveyed posted slower or flat growth in February.
Average prices for new homes in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen all fell from the previous month, down 0.3 percent, 0.2 percent, 0.4 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, according to the NBS data.
On a yearly basis, the 15 first-tier cities saw their average new home prices edge down 0.1 percent last month, but growth of average new home prices in the other 55 cities accelerated.
Prices for existing homes in first-tier cities have declined for the 17th straight month last month.
This came after the NBS data showed last week that growth in property development investment rebounded in the first two months, rising 9.9 percent from one year earlier and accelerating from an increase of 7 percent registered in 2017.
During previous years, rocketing housing prices, especially in major cities, had fueled concerns about asset bubbles. To curb speculation, local governments passed or expanded their restrictions on house purchases and increased the minimum downpayment required for a mortgage.
This year's government work report reiterated that "houses are for living in, not for speculation."
"We will support people in buying homes for personal use, and develop the housing rental market and shared ownership housing," it said.
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China will make utmost efforts to facilitate denuclearization and peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
Li made the remarks at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's top legislature.
GAMEDAY: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-3) at Ottawa Redblacks (1-4) FIVE THINGS to WATCH: KENNYS IN CFL veteran receiver Kenny Stafford, signed by the Redblacks two weeks ago, steps into the lineup. Stafford played for Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton and Saskatchewan from 2013 to 2019. In 2018, with Edmonton, he had 55 catches for 781 yards. The Elks released him in the middle of training camp earlier this season. Asked about getting up to speed in the Redblacks offensive playbook, he said: Ive been in training camp with (Redblacks head coach/offensive co-ordinator Paul) LaPolice before in 2017. So Ive been around his playbook. A curl is a curl, its just called differently in different offences. Once you get the concepts down from different formations, its just like riding a bike. THE KICKING GAME The Redblacks have the edge here, with plenty of CFL experience. Kicker Lewis Ward and punter Richie Leone are veterans and theyre elite. Ward is 12-of-14 in field goals so far this season. Leone is averaging 47.2 yards per punt, backed by a good group of special teams tacklers. Former Carleton kicker Michael Domagala punts for Hamilton and is averaging 42.6 yards per punt. American Taylor Bertolet is 5-of-7 in field goals. PROVE YOURE VACCINATED As you get to the gate to get into the stadium, youre going to be asked for proof youre fully vaccinated. And you will also be asked for ID. So there are going to be holdups, dont get flustered. Yes, this is new. If youre not vaccinated, dont bother to show up youre not getting in. And, because youre vaccinated doesnt mean you should put the masks away in your back pocket or purse for the night. Be safe, eh? RAINY-DAY FEELING Yeah, its supposed to rain on another football Game Day in Ottawa. Adjust and adapt is important for both sides. Maybe Ottawas a better snow team. SIMONIS ON A ROLL Simoni Lawrence just keeps on ticking. Already this season, the Ticats all-star linebacker has scored two touchdowns both on interceptions. The 32-year-old is tied with running back Sean Thomas Erlington for the team lead in TDs. KEY MATCHUP: THE QUARTERBACKS It seems likely the Ticats wont ask third-string QB David Watford (Dane Evans is injured and Jeremiah Masoli is banged up) to do too much. Just try to grind it out and eat up time on the clock. Count on a heavy dose of the ground game, coming at the Redblacks from all angles, with some passes thrown in to keep them off guard. Redblacks QB Dominique Davis has won the job from Matt Nichols and has to avoid making big mistakes. Like Watford, he has the ability to use his feet to pick up yards. NOTEWORTHIES: The Redblacks will start eight Canadians, one more than the mandated seven. Four of those Mark Korte, Jakub Szott, Andrew Pickett and Nolan MacMillan are on the offensive line. Two Canadians Anthony Coombs and Nate Behar are listed as starting receivers. Then, theres Cleyon Laing (defensive line) and Antoine Pruneau (safety) Worth noting that former Laval offensive lineman Ketel Asse (an eighth-round selection in the 2020 CFL Draft) is listed as a backup Ottawa has allowed 18 sacks, only Hamilton is worse (22) It makes sense: If you have the ball less than your opponent, your chances of winning decrease. Ottawa has the CFLs worst Time of Possession average, with 28:07. Hamilton is next worst at 28:53 Ottawa is best at a couple of things. The Redblacks have the least penalties (39) and least penalty yardage (347) OUR TAKE: Ticats 22, Redblacks 13 Tough to pick the Redblacks until they show they can hang with anybody. Theyre coming off a bye week, but that was preceded by two blowout losses. Hamilton is about as banged up as it gets missing three elite receivers and their No. 1 and 2 QBs. But their defence is relentless and caused Calgary all kinds of problems last week. Can Ottawas offence step up? STATS PACK: t Ottawa Points For 16.0 Points Against 31.0 Yards Passing 226 Yards Rushing 71 Net Offence 275 Net Offence Against 409 Hamilton Points For 18.7 Points Against 18.7 Yards Passing 208 Yards Rushing 84 Net Offence 268 Net Offence Against 315
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China will open even wider to the rest of the world, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday, stressing opening up is a two-way movement.
Chinese economy is so integrated into the global economy that closing the doors would only block China's own way, he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session.
Li said China still has much room for further opening up its market and will lower overall tariffs on imports. Tariffs on popular consumer goods, including drugs, will be slashed, while the much-needed anti-cancer drugs might phase in zero tariffs.
Despite a deficit in service trade, China will increase efforts in relaxing control over market access to the service sector, including old-age care, medical care, education and financial services, according to him.
China will gradually relax and even scrap foreign-owned equity limits in some sectors and shorten the negative list for foreign investment, Li added.
No compulsory technology transfers will be imposed on foreign investment in the general manufacturing sector and intellectual property rights will be protected, he said.
"We aim to make the vast Chinese market a fair place for both domestic and overseas firms with all kinds of ownerships to compete to offer more options for about 1.3 billion Chinese consumers, expediting upgrading of Chinese products and services," Li said.
Li said China's opening-up is a gradual process and should be perceived in a long-term and holistic view, as some seemingly minor reform steps might produce impressive dividends later, citing China's booming overseas tourism market thanks to streamlined private visa application procedures.
"Like rowing a boat, opening up is a two-way movement entailing mutual efforts," Li added.
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday China is capable of forestalling systemic financial risks, ruling out the possibility of such risks in the country.
"The fundamentals of the Chinese economy are sound and the financial sector is stable," Li told a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's national legislature.
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday that the joint exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle between the United States and South Korea will restart on April 1 "at a scale similar to that of the previous years."
The United Nations Command has notified Pyongyang on the schedule as well as "the defensive nature of the annual exercises," said the Pentagon in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and South Korean Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual war games, the statement said.
The military drills, which were postponed this year during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic period, come amid signs of a growing rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula.
Over a week ago, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to meet top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un by May "to achieve permanent denuclearization," a big step forward following the announcement that the third inter-Korean summit is expected to be held in late April.
A high-level South Korean official, after briefing Trump on the outcome of a meeting with Kim earlier this month, told reporters in Washington that Kim said he "understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the United States must continue."
Amid detente on the peninsula, uncertainties remain whether the leaders of the DPRK and the United States can finally meet each other in May.
Analysts say that the two sides need to initiate working-level consultations at first. If their positions are too divergent, the face-to-face meeting may not be held as scheduled.
Donatella Versace has been on our minds lately even more than usual, in large part due to Penelope Cruz's portrayal of the platinum-haired icon in Ryan Murphy's unauthorized Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
A new GQ profile explores the enduring appeal of the Italian fashion brand, in which Donatella reveals things like her espresso obsession (eight shots a day) and why she loves millennials.
Related | Versace Is Going Fur-Free
The designer also shared an interesting conversation she had with close friend Prince at the Boom Boom Room in New York before his death. "He decided to be the face of the Black Lives Matter movement that's what he wanted and he said, 'You need to be with me,'" Donatella said. "I was ready to do it."
If only.
Image via Getty
The Guardian has conducted a deep dive into how the Alt-Right mined data of millions of Facebook profiles to win the 2016 U.S. election. Unsurprisingly, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon was at the helm, but, unpredictably, a young Canadian gay man created the (in his own words) "psychological warfare mindfuck tool" that allowed them to do it.
Christopher Wylie is the whistleblower behind Cambridge Analytica, described in The Guardian's piece as a "mercenary market research company." Cambridge Analytica spent millions developing Facebook applications, like viral personality test mypersonality, to obtain users' psychological data in order to target them with political advertisements accordingly. Here's an example:
The idea arose from the concept that culture, like fashion and music trends, directly impacts politics and can be used as warfare. "[Bannon] got it immediately," Wylie told the Guardian. "He believes in the whole Andrew Breitbart doctrine that politics is downstream from culture, so to change politics you need to change culture. And fashion trends are a useful proxy for that. Trump is like a pair of Uggs, or Crocs, basically. So how do you get from people thinking 'Ugh. Totally ugly' to the moment when everyone is wearing them? That was the inflection point he was looking for."
Similarly, Wylie says Bannon saw the gay population in particular as an asset when it came to shifting the cultural consciousness. "He saw us as early adopters. He figured, if you can get the gays on board, everyone else will follow. It's why he was so into the whole Milo [Yiannopoulos] thing."
Not only were users allowing Cambridge Analytica access to their own personal data, but also allowing the company to mine that of 160 of their closest friends. Wylie claims after discovering they'd been compromised, Facebook did next to nothing to recover stolen information, nor did they announce the breach to their users many of whom would have started to see this kind of ad:
According to Swiss data expert Paul-Olivier Dehaye, Facebook is "abusive by design" a soft power that has been subtly impacting what we see and the way we think, to big results.
"It has misled MPs and congressional investigators and it's failed in its duties to respect the law," Dehaye says. "It has a legal obligation to inform regulators and individuals about this data breach, and it hasn't. It's failed time and time again to be open and transparent."
Many have since taken to Twitter to announce they are deleting Facebook in protest of the role it played in the presidential election, as well as Brexit, in the wake of Wiley's revelations. As one user claimed: "If you don't pay for the product you ARE the product. Facebook sells all of your information to the highest and lowest bidders. Why sell yourself so cheaply?"
If you're one of the millions looking to part ways with Facebook, they're not going to let you go easy. The site continues to track users 90 days after they deleted their account, as well as non-users across the web. Not to mention deleting Facebook would mean also ridding yourself of Facebook-owned Instagram and Whatsapp, so if you're really trying to remove yourself from the matrix, you're going to have to say goodbye to the lot and even then, it might not be enough.
Image via Getty
BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China is building the world's fastest hypersonic wind tunnel to help with the development of spaceplanes.
"The 265-meter-long tunnel can be used to test hypersonic aircraft that can travel at speeds of up to Mach 25 (30, 625 kph), 25 times the speed of sound," Han Guilai, a researcher with China's State Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), told China Central Television over the weekend.
Han said the current wind tunnel could simulate flights ranging from Mach 5 to 9. Researchers from CAS in Beijing have successfully tested one hypersonic plane in a wind tunnel at such speeds.
The research was published in the journal "Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy" in February. It unveiled the "I Plane" model, which is capable of transporting people and payloads from Beijing to New York within two hours, beating any commercial airline flight.
Wind tunnels move air around objects, making it seem like the objects are really flying. Spacecraft engineers use them to test ideas for various spacecraft designs. Long after the design work is finished, wind tunnels help make spacecrafts better and safer.
The new tunnel will help China to take the lead on wind tunnel building, though competition from other countries is still fierce, according to Han.
"The new tunnel will aid the engineering application of hypersonic technology by duplicating the environment of extreme hypersonic flights. Once issues are discovered during these ground tests, they will be ironed out before test flights begin," Han said.
Kayla Tange, a Korean-American performance artist who was adopted by a Japanese-American family, is fascinated by trans-cultural identity. After she tracked down her biological mother, they arranged to meet in Seoul, Korea. But an hour before they were scheduled to meet, Tange's mother cancelled, saying the encounter was too emotional for her. Afterwards, Tange made the film Dear Mother as a way of reaching her mother and parsing her complicated emotions about her family history.
The film captures Tange's work as a conceptual stripper, a job she describes as part therapist to her customers and part performance artist, "drawing on the legacy of performers like Yoko Ono and Marina Abramovic." The darkly-lit film splices together home footage, shots of Tange dancing, and driving sequences over a voiceover addressed to her biological mother. She traces the trajectory of her childhood and career, her adoptive mother's death, and her process of identifying love in her life. Ultimately, Tange concludes that she forgives her birth mother, words she says not so much for her mother's benefit, but for her own healing process.
Tange says the film is an "attempt to reach her [biological mother] after she ceased contact. But it's not just that, it's a love letter to my real family, and to my adoptive mother, an art teacher and mentor, who passed away when I was a teenager. I have so much respect for my father for raising my sister and I alone."
The film's director, Matthew Kaundart, also described the filming process, saying, "We shot Dear Mother whenever we could for over a year. We ended up with some beautiful images and scenes that I then intercut with Kayla's old home movies paired with her letter. The two visuals combat each other in a way, and I think it's nice way to depict Kayla's competing identities: one as an adoptee with a complex family history and one as a performer and artist pioneering a new way of making art and interacting with audiences."
Watch the PAPER premiere, below:
Lindsay Lohan knows a thing or two about dealing with the legal system, and now she's putting her wild past to good use with a tongue-in-cheek new campaign for Lawyer.com.
The Mean Girls star appears in a new advertisement promoting the free legal resource, clearly poking fun at herself.
"When Lawyer.com first reached out to me I was confused and a little worried as I thought I was in trouble," Lohan says in the ad. "I realized Lawyer.com is just about helping people, from getting a DUI... Let's not pretend like I didn't get one...or two or three, or some others."
Lohan is an investor in the service, and will reportedly appear per DailyMailTV in several different ads and promotional materials over the next year.
Lohan currently lives in Dubai and has been keeping herself busy. She'll appear on British TV series Sick Note in a recurring role, is planning to star in a Saudi Arabian movie made by an all-female crew, and is working on Lohan Island, which will include a Lohan-branded nightclub. Fun!
Update, 12:19pm EST:
The armed student who shot two other students at Great Mills High School in Maryland Tuesday morning has died, St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron says.
The school resource officer reportedly engaged the shooter in a hallway just before classes began. The officer fired a round at the shooter, with the shooter firing a round back, Cameron said. The officer was not injured and the shooter was later pronounced dead. A 14-year-old male student is in stable condition and a 16-year-old female student is in critical condition.
"On this day we realized our worst nightmare," Cameron said. "The notion of 'it can't happen here' is no longer a notion."
This is the 17th school shooting in the US since January 1.
---
Great Mills High School in St. Mary's County, Maryland is on lockdown after a shooting, authorities say.
Three people were injured, possibly including the shooter, according to Andrew Ponti, an official with the county's public information office. No fatalities have been reported yet. The students were on lockdown but are now being evacuated from Great Mills to a reunification center at a nearby high school, CNN reports.
Here's a look from the scene outside Great Mills High School in Great Mills, Maryland, which is currently on lockdown after a shooting at the school, St. Mary's County Public Schools says https://t.co/O0tm9C2l8X pic.twitter.com/2dJ05pghF6
CNN (@CNN) March 20, 2018
Jonathan Freese, a student at Great Mills High School, says he's currently on lockdown inside his math class. https://t.co/kHK10M95df
Meg Wagner (@megwagner) March 20, 2018
the bell hasn't even rung for 1st and the whole great mills is on lockdown
JOAN (@MELANINROE) March 20, 2018
Just six days ago, students at the high school had joined the nationwide walkout to protest gun violence in schools following the deadly Stonemason High shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Students @GMHS_SMCPS Great Mills High School joined tens of thousands of students nationwide for the #NationalSchoolWalkout to protest gun violence. @thebaynetcom will have the full story. pic.twitter.com/1TsG0T1EnO
Joy Shrum (@JoyShrumTBN) March 14, 2018
"I didn't really expect for this to happen. I do always feel safe, though, because they always have police at the school," Great Mills student Jonathan Freese told CNN.
Elected officials, including the state's governor, have reacted on Twitter:
We are closely monitoring the situation at Great Mills High School. @MDSP is in touch with local law enforcement and ready to provide support. Our prayers are with students, school personnel, and first responders.
Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 20, 2018
I'm closely monitoring reports of an incident at Great Mills High School in St. Mary's County. My prayers are with the students, parents, and teachers. Please follow instruction from local law enforcement responding on the scene. https://t.co/1zsRh8W7n8
Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) March 20, 2018
This post will be updated with new developments.
Image via Getty
Time's Up, a legal defense fund that works to eradicate workplace sexual harassment, recently published an open letter to New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo. In the letter, which was published on The Cut, the organization urges Cuomo to launch a private investigation of New York County district attorney Cyrus Vance and his office.
The open letter follows a New York Magazine article that was published on Friday outlining the mishandling of a 2015 sexual assault case involving Harvey Weinstein and model Ambra Battilana. Though Battilana accused Weinstein of sexual assault and had a recorded admission of the events, Weinstein was not prosecuted.
The letter argues that Vance, who may have been swayed by Weinstein and his powerful team of lawyers, attempted to intimidate Battilana into silence. Given this information, the letter urges an independent investigation into, "the full decision-making process in this case, including a full review of the correspondence within the office and with any representatives for Mr. Weinstein... to ensure that prosecutorial integrity was maintained and to restore faith in the DA's office."
The letter goes on to assert that a positive relationship between the District Attorney's office and the Special Victims Unit is necessary for women to feel safe, saying, "We are concerned that what appears to be the negative relationship between the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Special Victims Unit of the NYPD makes it even less likely that victims who have been assaulted by rich or powerful men will be willing to come forward and that their assailants will be prosecuted and convicted."
Read the entire letter here.
Update: Andrew Cuomo has released the following statement:
It is of great concern that sexual assault cases have not been pursued with full vigor by our criminal justice system. Specifically, there are questions about the handling of the 2015 sexual assault case of Ms. Ambra Battilana against Harvey Weinstein. The Manhattan District Attorney is currently in the midst of a separate investigation, which involves witnesses and facts from the 2015 case. The Manhattan District Attorney at this point believes this current investigation will be completed within approximately 45 days. It is critical not only that these cases are given the utmost attention but also that there is public confidence in the handling of these cases. Therefore, I have directed the Attorney General to begin a review of the 2015 case in a way that does not interfere with the current investigation and, at the conclusion of the Manhattan District Attorney's current investigation, to review the entire matter and report to me on its findings. Based on these findings we will decide what further actions may be necessary. The recent revelations about sexual assault and harassment pervasive in our society are most disturbing. We are leading the way forward with the nation's most comprehensive reform package. This behavior must end.
Photo via Getty
As a technology leader, Apple thinks about new technologies years ahead of time as Apple's SVP of Hardware Technologies Johny Srouji confirmed back in November. Scrouji noted that "Apple is about focus. We focus on the things where we're going to just double-down and deliver." Scrouji further noted that Apple was already working on their iDevice chip for 2020. Apple's Israeli based PrimeSense team developed the TrueDepth camera for iPhone X and had been working and patenting their technologies aggressively over the years.
When Apple decided to introduce Face ID and Animoji, Apple wanted to make sure that it would have sufficient supply of key components to make this happen, such as VCSEL lasers for 3D sensing. They worked with industry's key suppliers like Lumentum and Finisar.
In December Apple announced their investment in a new Finisar plant in Sherman Texas. Finisar's VP and General Manager Curtis Barratt revealed earlier this month that their VCSELs will be used for facial recognition, like Apple's Face ID, and beyond to gesture recognition and autonomous vehicles.
Apple will be able to secure VCSEL lasers because of the Finisar plant to ensure that their premium iPhones will be able to provide key features like Face ID and Animoji to more iPhones. Apple could also possibly introduce gesture recognition over the next year of two that is another area of technology that their Israeli team is deeply experienced in.
A few of their patents on this could be found in our 3D Archive. PrimeSense technology was originally used in Microsoft's Kinect so we know that the technology already works. Miniaturizing the cameras has led to Face ID and Animoji thus far and is likely to lead to a 3D gesture recognition feature down the road.
Because Apple thinks so far ahead and secures its supplies accordingly, we're now learning from Reuters that "Most Android phones will have to wait until 2019 to duplicate the 3D sensing feature behind Apple's Face ID security, three major parts producers revealed, handicapping Samsung and others on a technology that is set to be worth billions in revenue over the next few years.
The development of new features for the estimated 1.5 billion smart phones shipped annually has been at the heart of the battle for global market share over the past decade, with Apple, bolstered by its huge R&D budget, often leading.
The 3D sensing technology is expected to enhance the next generation of phones, enabling accurate facial recognition as well as secure biometrics for payments, gesture sensing, and immersive shopping and gaming experiences.
Gartner analyst Jon Erensen told Reuters that "This kind of functionality is going to be very important for AR. I think that is something where you don't want to get left behind." Apple introduced ARKit last year supporting iPhone X.
Reuters further noted that "According to parts manufacturers Viavi Solutions Inc, Finisar Corp and Ams AG, bottlenecks on key parts will mean mass adoption of 3D sensing will not happen until next year, disappointing earlier expectations." This will allow Apple to expand on AR and introduce other features like gesture recognition before the competition can challenge them.
That means that China's Huawei, Xiaomi and others could be a total of almost two years behind Apple. In particular, Android producers are struggling to source vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, or VCSELs, a core part of Apple's Face ID hardware.
"It is going to take them a lot of time, the Android-based customers, to secure capacity throughout the whole supply chain," said Bill Ong, senior director of investor relations from Viavi, seen as the only major supplier of optical filters needed for the 3D sensing modules.
Apple's effort to get ahead with the technology is the latest evidence of an aggressive approach by the Cupertino-based company to making the most of the technological advances its financial firepower can deliver.
The iPhone maker's $390 million deal in December to secure supplies from VCSEL-maker Finisar was one such move. Another is Apple's discussions with major cobalt producers to nail down supplies for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that power its mobile phones.
Gartner's Erensen added that "Apple is always very focused on its supply chain. When it comes to new technologies like this and implementing them to new phones, it's one of the ways that Apple can really be aggressive, differentiate and take advantage of the position they have in the market. For more on this read the full Reuters report here.
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said any actions and tricks to split China are doomed to fail.
Xi said at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress that it is a shared aspiration of all Chinese people to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and realize China's complete reunification.
Xi said any actions and tricks to split China are certain to meet with the people's condemnation and the punishment by history.
He said the Chinese people have resolve, confidence, and ability to defeat secessionist attempts in any form.
"The Chinese people share a common belief that it is never allowed and it is absolutely impossible to separate any inch of our great country's territory from China," Xi added.
EU plans no additional sanctions against Iran: Foreign Policy Chief
03/20/18
Source: Press TV
The European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, says the bloc has no plans to impose more sanctions on Iran after reports emerged that European signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have proposed fresh sanctions against Tehran under the pressure of Washington.
#IranDeal "We attach strategic importance to the full implementation of the agreement by all parties. For us it's a matter of security for Europe and the rest of the world" @FedericaMog #JCPOA pic.twitter.com/PdWgnMjAoi European External Action Service - EEAS (@eu_eeas) March 19, 2018 The European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini
"There is no proposal of additional sanctions against Iran. It is clearly not a matter of adding sanctions - no proposal in this respect today and clearly, no decision," Mogherini told reporters on Monday upon her arrival at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.
She added that the EU foreign ministers would focus on "continuing the full implementation of the nuclear deal," officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015 amid constant US threats to withdraw from it.
Britain, France and Germany have proposed new EU sanctions on Iran over its missile program and its regional role, a confidential document said on Friday, Reuters reported.
The joint paper was sent to the EU capitals to sound out support for such sanctions as they would need the backing of all 28 member states of the bloc, Reuters quoted two people familiar with the matter as saying.
The proposal is allegedly part of an EU strategy to appease US President Donald Trump and preserve the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump has repeatedly described the JCPOA, which was negotiated under his predecessor, Barack Obama, as "the worst and most one-sided transaction Washington has ever entered into," a characterization he often used during his presidential campaign, and threatened to tear it up.
The US president said America's European allies must agree to tougher measures and new conditions until May 12, otherwise Washington would pull out of the deal.
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani on Saturday warned European countries against playing into the hands of the United States and the Israeli regime.
"Defense capabilities, particularly the missile program, of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which have a deterrent nature, will firmly be continued based on national security necessities," Shamkhani said in a meeting with Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi in Tehran.
Mogherini further pointed to the "very good" meeting of the Iran-P5+1 Joint Commission in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Friday and said all the participants acknowledged that the JCPOA "is being implemented and that we all stay committed to its full implementation."
Nowruz The Persian New Year at the spring vernal equinox in IRAN, Central/West Asia and in Diaspora is commemorated
03/20/18
By Davood N. Rahni
EPOCH Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 12:15:28 pm New York Time
The flower buds of yellow, violet, red and white crocuses of saffron bulbs, intermingled with the blossoming daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and the Persian violets, herald the arrival of Nowruz (Norooz). The Persian New Year, signaling the rebirth, rejuvenation and reconciliations, appropriately arrives on the spring vernal equinox. Spring in Iran and the wider region is the harbinger of jubilation with the flowing pristine streams percolating down the snowcapped mountains, the greening of the prairies and pastures, the flowering of fruit trees, and the luscious green germinating of staple crops. Hence, it is surmised that the Nowruz celebration must have been observed at one level or the other since the inception of agriculture and domestication of animals of as far back as 10,000 years ago on the Iranian Plateau stretching between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, Mesopotamia, the Caucuses, and Central Asia. This is reflected in the mythological story of King Jamshid the first Nowruz celebrant of Pishdadian Dynasty, & as cited in (Paradiso) Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, the epic 30,000 Poem Book of the Persian Kings. Hence, in Paradise, Ferdowsi has eternally resided since.
Nowruz ( ) aka Norooz, Navroz, NowRooz et. al. (diverse dialectic pronunciations) in Persian literally translates to the first day [of the New Year]. It is the most prominent seasonal celebration of the solar calendar that has persisted since prehistoric era. It was conceived by the agricultural people north of the Tropic of Cancer who have revered the sun (Sol Invictus,) and fire and light ever since. This contrasts with lunar calendars as followed by the southern and western neighbors of Iran. In addition to Iran, Nowruz as a national holiday transcending class, color, creed, ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin, is currently commemorated by well over a dozen countries of nearly five hundred million inhabitants in central, south and west Asia, northwestern China, Asia Minor, and the Caucuses.
In fact, the commoners and serfs in Europe and later the pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock in today's Massachusetts also observed a New Year beginning at the beginning of spring until the mid-18th century. This jubilees holiday was acknowledged in the Gregorian calendar as well; the month of March coincides with the first month of the Julian calendar when Europe was still under the influence of Persian Mithraism from the 1st through the 4th centuries CE. Nowruz, according to the Zoroastrian Mazdayasni calendar is at 3757. Nowruz commences with the prelude festival of Chaharshanbe Suri on the last Tuesday night of the exiting year. At this Zoroastrian fire ritual, everyone jumps over fire, singing a Middle Persian poem that translates as
"O' sacred Fire, take away my yellow sickness and give me in return your healthy red color!"
The Haft-Seen spread at the annual Nowruz gathering in Mahwah, New Jersey hosted by Mehrangiz and Isfandiar Sayadi:
The most symbolic manifestation showcased at Nowruz is the sofreh haft-seen. Onto a table covered with an antique hand-woven termeh silk cloth are laid seven plant-derived items whose Persian names begin with the letter "S": sabzeh- wheat and lentil germinations symbolizing rebirth; senjed- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree symbolizing love; seer-garlic symbolizing medicine; seeb-apples symbolizing beauty and earth; somaqh-sumac berries symbolizing sunrise; samanu- cooked germinated wheat for affluence, and serkeh-vinegar symbolizing ripeness, longevity, and perseverance. A round, ticking clock, signifying the passage of time, a fishbowl with two gold fish (added later, due to influences from China) signifying companionship and life, decorated eggs for fertility, and a saucer of coins from the five continents to reflect prosperity are also on display. The haft-seen table is completed with daffodils, tulips and hyacinths, a triple flag of Iran's colors green, white, and red flickering candelabra and an ancient book of poems, Ferdowsi's Shahnameh the Persian epic book of the Kings, Rumi's Mathnawi, Divan Hafez, or the Omar Khayyam's Quatrains, illustrated by the poem The Nightingale Bemoans. In the U.S., presidents release annual Nowruz best wishes message and in recent years an all-day extravagant Nowruz celebration that concludes with Persian music and dance and exquisite Persian food has been in the past hosted at the White House. The UN has for some time declared the International Day of Nowruz. Spring vernal equinox 2018 is also rightly declared as the International Forest Day!
The celebration of Nowruz by 5,000 Iranians abroad before 1979 is now commemorated by 5 million in diaspora, where in every major city as New York, there are hundreds of Nowruz congregations, each with 100-1000 guests, to choose from. Among the several we have attended for decades each year, the grand one with 600 guests and organized and hosted by Mehrangiz and Isfandiar Sayadi at the Sheraton Hotel in Mahwah, New Jersey with its most exquisitely expansive sofreh haft-seen and highly inclusive dance and music has remained dour most favorite! It is serendipitously fortuitous that their noble Persian names means the one who pushes the last old month of the year behind, while she heralds the reverence of the loving sun forward! The nostalgic music and dance from every corner of Iran and south/west Asia including Armenian, Jewish, Tajiki, Afghani and of course American will abate any preference for the best Persian food for the night!
Anchored on trilogy of good thoughts, good words and good deeds, everyone reaffirms their commitment to by one or more of the following virtues, namely, to volunteerism, altruism, philanthropy, benevolence and above all, to advancing humanism as the pinnacles of life. The belief in the golden rule of "treating others as you would expect to be treated" anchored on the tripartite pedestal of good thoughts, good words and good deeds, conjures up in mind with the acclaimed Persian poem by the 13th century Sa'adi:
All humans are members of one frame,
Since all at first, from the same essence, came.
When by hard fortune one limb is oppressed,
The other members lose their desired rest.
If thou feel'st not for others' misery,
A human is no name for thee.
A Nowruz holiday cycle is concluded at the Sizdah Bedar Picnic (at bear Mountain State Park in New York, ) which falls on the 13th day, aka April Fool's Day. Every family spends the full day outdoor in parks, crop fields, or the orchards, when they play, sing, dance, eat and drink. Unmarried celebrants tie knots with grass blades to wish for a soulmate; the elders nostalgically compare this Nowruz with those past while remembering the deceased, and the children look forward restlessly to many more Nowruz celebrations to follow.
About the author: Davood N. Rahni, was raised in Shemiran (Evin) north of Tehran IRAN and graduated in chemistry from the National University. After earning his PHD/post doc, he has since served as professor of (bio-electro-analytical) chemistry at Pace University. Davood has written prolifically on history and archaeology, arts and sciences, poetry and prose, and culture of Iran and southwest Asia. As a Fulbright senior research scholar in Denmark and with visiting professorships at the Universities of Oxford, Florence and Rome, Rahni's extensive publications on biosensors, nano-engineering, environment and forensics, asymmetric synthesis, and neuro-psycho-pharmacology and biological psychiatry as typified by his book Bioimaging in Neuordegeneration, that are well cited.
Photos Farhang Foundation.
An earlier abridged excerpt of this essay was published in National Geog. Magazine, under D. Rahni Copyright 2018
Peacefmonline can confirm that the Bank of Ghana has taken up oversight responsibilities of Unibank, an indigenous private bank.
Peacefmonline.com sources say the Central Bank has appointed KPMG as Official Administrator to take over control of UNIBANK because its "Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) has fallen below 50% of the required minimum of 10%".
It is understood that UNIBANK is insolvent.
A statement issued by the Central Bank and sighted by Peacefmonline says the appointment of an "official administrator is aimed at saving UNIBANK from immiment collapse".
The take-over comes a few weeks after Unibank announced a purported takeover of ADB after some shareholders of the latter, pledged their shares in the bank.
The BoG at the time, dismissed the reports explaining that it had not approved any such agreement.
The top management of Unibank are Dr. Kwabena Duffuor II who is Chief Executive Officer, Ekow Nyarko Dadzie-Dennis Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director Owusu-Ansah Awere, Executive Clifford Duke Mettle, Director of Risk Management Kwesi Nkrumah Pimpah.
They are expected to give way to the official administrator to run the bank.
The Bank of Ghana (BOG) announced the appointment of KPMG over Unibank takes immediate effect from Tuesday, March 20, 2018.
"In exercise of its powers under Sections 107 and 108 of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) the Bank of Ghana has effective today 20th March 2018, appointed KPMG as Official Administrator for UniBank Ghana Limited (UniBank).
"Section 107 of Act 930 empowers the Bank of Ghana to appoint an Official Administrator to take official control of a bank when its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) has fallen below 50% of the required minimum of 10% (i.e. below 5%). Under section 108 of Act 930, the Official Administrator is authorized to exercise a variety of powers to rehabilitate and return the bank to regulatory compliance within a period of six months, at the end of which the bank will be returned to private ownership and management", the statement read.
"It will prevent losses to depositors and other creditors, and ensure that the financial condition of the bank does not create further risks for the entire financial system. KPMG as Official Administrator will assume control of the bank and all its branches and carry out the responsibilities of the shareholders, directors, and key management personnel of UniBank with effect from today. In line with its powers under Act 930, KPMG will ascertain the state of the banks assets and liabilities, and exercise a variety of powers under Act 930 to rehabilitate and return the bank to regulatory compliance and viability within a period of six months, at the end of which the bank will be returned to private ownership and management".
It is also "paramount to state that Unibank is not closed and liquidated".
Citing reasons for the takeover, the Central bank further disclosed that "UniBanks problems are part of the legacy issues in the financial sector attributed to weak economic growth and poor corporate governance and risk management practices. It will be recalled that UniBank was one of nine banks identified after the asset quality review exercise undertaken in 2016, to be significantly undercapitalized with a CAR of 4.75%. As part of efforts to recapitalize the bank, it submitted capital restoration plans to the Bank of Ghana which it implemented to build up its capital to 7.7% in August 2017. Subsequent reviews of UniBanks books by Bank of Ghanas supervision teams showed that the bank had not reported the state of its loan book accurately. Consequently by October 2017, its CAR was estimated at negative 12.5 %, making it technically insolvent. By December 2017, its CAR had dropped further to negative 24%. The bank has failed to submit its monthly returns to the Bank of Ghana for January and February 2018, and as a result Bank of Ghana has no evidence to suggest that its CAR has been restored to the regulatory minimum of 10%.
"The appointment of the Official Administrator", according to BOG, has become necessary due to the fact that UniBank has among other things:
a) Persistently maintained a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) below zero (currently negative 24%), making it technically insolvent. This contravenes section 29 of Act 930 which requires a minimum CAR of 10% to be maintained at all times.
b) Persistently suffered liquidity shortfalls and consistently breached its cash reserve requirement. As a result, UniBank has relied extensively on liquidity support (over GHS 2.2 billion) from the Bank of Ghana over the past two years to meet its recurring liabilities. Among other things, a key shareholder of the bank managed to obtain liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana using third party banks as its agents. The Bank of Ghanas exposure to the bank was therefore underestimated by nearly GHS 400 million, as this amount was not reflected in its books.
c) Conducted its credit administration in a manner that has jeopardized the interests of depositors and the financial sector as a whole.
d) Failed to comply with a directive of the Bank of Ghana dated 26th October, 2017 under section 105 of Act 930, prohibiting the bank from granting new loans and incurring new capital expenditures.
e) Failed to comply with several other regulatory requirements, including:
Lending to a number of borrowers in excess of its regulatory lending limit (single obligor limit) under section 62 of the Banks and SDIs Act, 2016 (Act 930);
Borrowing from the inter-bank market without the written approval of the Bank of Ghana when its CAR was less than the prescribed ten percent (10%), in breach of section 66(1) of Act 930.
Outsourcing a number of services such as those of tellers, receptionists, and security, to affiliate companies without the prior approval by the Bank of Ghana, contrary to section 60 (12) of Act 930.
Refusing to cooperate with the Bank of Ghana in the performance of its supervisory responsibilities, including deliberately concealing some liabilities from its balance sheet, and failing to submit documents and records for supervisory inspection.
Poor corporate governance and risk management practices which rendered the bank vulnerable to macroeconomic shocks.
Generally conducting its affairs in a manner detrimental to the interests of depositors and the financial system as a whole.
The statement also revealed that "Unibank has deteriorated despite measures by the Ministry of Finance to absorb debts of Government contractors owed to the bank to a tune of Gh428,817,961.
"...the bank engaged in significant transactions with its parent company and affiliate companies including connected lending and other related party transactions without sufficient controls as required by law. Allowing the continuation of UniBanks activities in their current form would be detrimental to the interests of depositors and the banking system as a whole".
BOG however has allayed fears of the customers of Unibank stating emphatically that the bank will remain open for business under the management and control of KPMG with oversight responsibility from the Central Bank.
"The Bank of Ghana takes this opportunity to reassure customers of UniBank that all deposits they have with UniBank are, and will remain, safe and that they can continue to do business at any of its branches. NO DEPOSITOR OF THE BANK WILL LOSE ANY MONEY".
Source: Peacefmonline.com
Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
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A worker is producing photovoltaic parts at a factory in Jiujiang, eastern Chinas Jiangxi province. The factory has helped build 217 power stations to reduce poverty, increasing income for 2,860 impoverished households. (Photo by CFP)
As Chinas human rights development has become a focus on the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the figures and facts released during Chinas ongoing annual sessions of national legislature and top political advisory body can offer a glimpse into the countrys achievements in this undertaking over the past 5 years.
Thanks to the huge economic and social progress in the past 5 years, China has made remarkable accomplishments in protecting the rights to survival and development.
Chinas GDP has risen from 54 trillion ($8.5 trillion) to 82.7 trillion yuan ($13.1 trillion), registering average annual growth of 7.1 percent, said the report on the work of the government delivered at the first session of the 13th National Peoples Congress.
The country has moved forward in ensuring peoples economic, social and cultural rights as well. The countrys social old-age pension schemes now cover more than 900 million people, and the basic health insurance plans cover 1.35 billion people, forming the largest social safety net in the world, said the government work report, adding that life expectancy has reached 76.7 years on average.
Besides, China has given its best-of-all-time performance on poverty alleviation with a decisive progress. Over the past five years, more than 68 million people have been lifted out of poverty, including a total of 8.3 million relocated from inhospitable areas, and the poverty headcount ratio has dropped from 10.2 to 3.1 percent, according to the report.
The impoverished population of the country dropped to 30.46 million in 2017 from 98.99 million in 2012, which was equivalent to an annual reduction of 13.7 million. The report added that China will further reduce the poor rural population by over 10 million this year.
In terms of employment, the biggest concern for peoples livelihood, China managed to keep a low unemployment rate in the past five years. The work report noted that more than 66 million new urban jobs have been added, and China, with its population of over 1.3 billion, has achieved relatively full employment.
The unemployment rate in urban China stood at 3.9% in 2017, a record low since the outburst of the global economic crisis in 2008. The International Labour Organization believes that Chinas employment policy is a great combination of modern employment theories, global experiences and Chinas reality.
As a result of Chinas all-round efforts to deepen judicial reform, judicial protection of human rights has been progressing as well.
Over the past 5 years, 31,527 prisoners were granted amnesty across the country, and a total of 2.67 billion yuan ($420 million) of judicial subsidies have been granted to victims who failed to get compensations to help them continue with their life, said the work report of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), adding that the number of juvenile crimes has been on a fall for 5 consecutive years.
Keeping to the principles of legality, judgment by evidence, presumption of innocence, and exclusion of unlawful evidence since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has improved its defense system, established national judicial assistance system, and promoted judicial transparency, resulting in a significant improvement in the judicial protection of human rights.
A wide range of international exchanges and cooperation on human rights were launched by China as well. Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi said previously that with a full engagement in international human rights cooperation in the past 5 years, China has pushed for the establishment of a just and equitable international system for human rights.
Medical insurance can be settled through mobile payment service in some of Shenzhens hospitals since May 31th, 2016. Shenzhen is Chinas first city to launch such pilot program. (Photo by CFP)
China has held more than 50 dialogues on human rights with over 20 developed and developing countries, enlarging its circle of friends to include as many countries as possible, according to the minister.
China has made unprecedented achievements on human rights in the history, by lifting more than 700 million people, or over 70% of the worlds total impoverished population, out of poverty in only 30 years, said Piotr Gadzinowski, chief editor of Polish newspaper Tribune and former member of the Polish parliament.
He said that the huge achievements, as well as the development path chosen by the Chinese people deserve respect from every country and government.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has given the answer to such remarkable achievements in his congratulatory letter to the international symposium on the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations' "Declaration on the Right to Development" on Dec. 4, 2016.
For years China has put the people first during its development, increasing their benefits, ensuring the people are their own masters and supporting development in an all-round way, Xi said in the letter, adding that these are both the starting points and the goals of development.
China has effectively safeguarded the peoples right to development and carved out a human rights development path with Chinese characteristics, he added.
Details behind the charges levelled against former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni, and businessman Seidu Agongo have emerged.
The details explain why COCOBOD cancelled contracts of four companies, resulting in arbitration hearing as the four companies challenge the cancellations.
All the four contracts are said to belong to Seidu Agongo. COCOBOD has also withdrawn the certificates issued for the supply of fertilisers.
COCOBOD has also dismissed one staff and suspended another for three months.
These actions emanated from the recommendations of a committee set up to investigate alleged malpractices in the testing of some agro-chemicals at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) Tafo.
The committee identified fabrication of reports recommending purchase of fertilisers that have not been tested or have not gone through the full trial as some of the reasons for the action.
COCOBOD has terminated the appointment of Alex Asante Afrifa, principal research scientist, for misconducting himself in several ways, which led to the procurement of millions of dollars worth of fertiliser which had not been properly tested for use on cocoa.
Dr Richard Adu-Acheampong, principal research scientist, has also been suspended for three months on grounds that he allegedly misconducted himself when he recommended the product to be used on cocoa at the time he knew that Residue Analysis had not been done.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), on October 4, 2017, constituted a four-member disciplinary committee headed by Dr Yaw Adu-Ampomah, Deputy Chief Executive (A&QC).
Other members of the group were J.D. Clottey-Sefa, Director of Legal Services; Francis Akwasi Opoku, acting Solicitor Secretary; and George E. Ferguson Laing, Deputy Legal Manager. The committee held sittings at Cocoa House on October 9, 12, and 20, 2017 to conduct the inquiry.
The contract of companies supplying Akati Power, Duapa Cocoa, Metacide and Lithovit fertilisers were cancelled based on allegations that their testing trials were compromised.
Akati Power did not go through full trial
According to the report, Akati Power fertiliser, distributed by Alive Industries Limited, did not go through full trial because Dr Stephen Opuni, the then CEO of COCOCOD, instructed the lead scientist, Dr Richard Adu-Acheampong, to shorten the trial process.
It said the product was submitted on April 24, 2014 and a report was issued on October 13, 2014, which means the trial lasted for six months.
It noted that the October 13, 2014, report was not the final report from the scientist because Residue Analysis had not been done.
However, the report said a certificate was issued for the product at the time a Residue Analysis had not been done and a final report not issued.
The committee concluded that the lead scientist, Dr Adu-Acheampong misconducted himself when he recommended the product to be used on cocoa when he knew that Residue Analysis had not been done.
In addition, Dr Adu-Acheampong was accused of misconducting himself when he allegedly ignored the Ghana Standard Authority report indicating that the concentration in the chemical product was too high.
Contract for Akati Power abrogated
The contract between COCOBOD and Alive Industries Limited should be abrogated on the point that the product did not go through the full trial.
The principal research scientist, Dr. Adu-Acheampong, who was in charge of the testing, should be suspended for three months and certificate issued in respect of the product withdrawn.
No field trials for Duapa fertiliser
The committees report noted that that there were no field trials of the Duapa fertiliser, supplied by Sarago Limited, since no samples were submitted to CRIG.
It accused Afrifa of fabricating the report on Duapa fertiliser as the other scientists named in the report as co-authors Dr Alfred Arthur, soil science division; Jerome Dugbatse, research scientist; and Dr Ofori-Frimpong denied knowledge of the reports.
Consequently, the report said the claim that trials were conducted in various parts of the country is false; therefore, the recommendation in the report that Duapa fertiliser could be used on matured cocoa has no scientific basis.
In the report, Dr Opuni was accused of insisting that Afrifa shorten the process of certifying the product, and as a result, the only basis of the recommendation is that the product shared similar properties with other already approved products like Asasewura and Cocoafeed.
Abrogation of Duapa fertiliser contract
The committee recommended abrogation of the contract between COCOBOD and Sarago Limited and the certificate issued in respect to the product withdrawn.
It described as gross misconduct by Afrifa, the issuance of a report claiming that field trials for Duapa fertiliser had been conducted when in fact no such trials had been conducted.
He also recommended that the product be used on matured cocoa.
Afrifas contract terminated
In view of the above, the committee recommended that the appointment of Afrifa be terminated for gross misconduct.
Lithovit fertiliser not tested
The committee stated that the report on Lithovit, distributed by Agricult Gh Ltd, was written by Afrifa without any input from Mr Jerome Dogbatse and Dr Alfred Arthur, even though Lithovit liquid fertiliser was not tested.
According to the committees report, the samples submitted were not liquid, but rather powder, adding that the trials that were conducted did not go through the full cycle, and it was only on two-month-old seedlings.
The recommendation to use Lithovit on matured cocoa trees has been described as without scientific basis since no trials were conducted on matured cocoa trees with Lithovit fertiliser.
The committees report accused Afrifa of grossly misconducting himself when he issued a report claiming that field trials for testing on Lithovit and Duapa fertilisers had been conducted when in fact they had been done.
Test report from the Chemistry Department of University of Ghana
The committee explained that the sample test report from the Chemistry Department of University of Ghana clearly indicated that the samples of Lithovit submitted might be the fertiliser Lithovit, which was highly diluted.
The test report from the Chemistry Department of the University of Ghana also stated that the amount of the Lithovit found in the sample examined was very small and might compromise the outcome of its application.
GSA report indicates that Lithovit was adulterated
The final test report from Ghana Standards Authority stated that the sample could not be classified as pesticides, fungicide or fertiliser, the committee said.
The report of the committee noted that the sample had been adulterated and did not meet the specifications of the standard, and the sample is also not recommended for the intended purpose.
The committee said that the GSA report concluded that the sample cannot be used as foliar nutrient on cocoa from nursery, growth and yield stages, and that is harmful to human and animal, as well as hazardous to water.
The report said the application of Lithovit on cocoa farms from nursery, growth and yield stages remains experimental because there is currently no evidence in relation for Lithovit application on cocoa plants.
In view of the above, the committee said that the certificate issued for Lithovit was not for liquid fertiliser.
Dr Opuni, in a letter dated February 25, 2014, requested Agricult to quote 700,000 litres of Lithovit fertiliser (i.e. liquid fertiliser), and in March 2014 signed $19.2 million ($19,250,000) when Lithovit liquid fertiliser had not been tested and approved.
The committee said Agricult Company Limited submitted a quote for Lithovit liquid fertiliser when they knew that they had not submitted Lithovit liquid fertiliser for testing.
Lithovit contract terminated
The committee recommended that the contract for the purchase of Lithovit liquid fertiliser should be abrogated and the certificate withdrawn.
Consequently, the committee asked that the conduct of Dr Opuni and Afrifa, the scientist who issued the report on the Lithovit and Agricult Limited, the supplier, should be reported to the state investigation bodies for investigations regarding the approval and procurement of millions of dollars worth of the product, which had not been properly tested for use on cocoa.
Review of testing system at CRIG proposed
It also proposed a review of the system of testing at CRIG to make it more stringent and independent of the individual scientists who conduct the testing.
Overhaul of Committee on Testing Chemicals and Machinery
The Committee on Testing Chemicals and Machinery (CTCM) must be overhauled to bring in randomly selected experts from academia, as well as scientists from the institute, as pertained in the past.
Metacide contract abrogated and certificate withdrawn
The report observed that even though there was no final report issued on Metacide, distributed by USICO Limited, an order was placed.
As a result, the committee said there was no basis for the issuance of the certificate, and there was also no evidence that the product works on cocoa. It recommended that the contract for the purchase of Metacide should be abrogated and the certificate withdrawn.
Source: The Finder
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Ghanaian social media has been shaken by the sudden death of Dr. Prosper Yao Tsikata, a Ghanaian professor in America.
Believed to be in his forties, Dr Tsikata is reported to have died while undertaking a routine exercise at a gym.
According to unconfirmed reports, a metal fell on him in the gym and he was immediately rushed to the hospital where he, unfortunately, died.
Dr Tsikata who teaches at the Valdosta State University in Georgia was very popular on social media, especially on Facebook, where he often shared his opinion on matters of national interest.
Since news of his death broke many have taken to social media to eulogise him.
Prominent among them is that of former BBC journalist Ben Dotsei Malor who described Dr Tsikata as Crusader, Sharp mind, Intelligent, Principled-to-a-fault, hardworking, [and] unique
Dr Tsikata who graduated from the University of Cape Coast in 2001 with a B.A. in Arts, Classical History and Sociology has three Masters degrees in various fields.
Source: yen.com
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Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has disclosed that the National Identification Authority (NIA) will begin the issuance of the new National Identification Card in April this year.
The national ID card dubbed Ghana card according to government would help to modernise and formalise the Ghanaian economy through the establishment of a credible national database.
Speaking at the Ghana-Norway Business Forum in Accra on Monday, 19 March 2018, Dr Bawumia said a lot of work has been done and all things being equal, we expect a rollout of Ghanas National ID system next month [April].
This means we are going to provide unique identification to everybody in Ghana, whether you are a foreigner or a citizen. Well have unique ID numbers and this will automatically transform into your tax identification number so when you dont file your taxes, we know.
The new ID card will phase out the one previously issued in the John Agyekum Kufour era.
The nationwide registration of Ghanaian citizens for the new ID card is expected to begin soon following the assurance from the Vice president.
Source: Class FM
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Outspoken former Spokesperson at the Office of the President during the first three years of the Atta-Mills administration has revealed he has no explanation as to why then President John Mahama didnt offer him a place in his government following the demise of the late President Atta-Mills.
He was speaking exclusively to Ghanaweb.
The Bull as Mr Anyidoho is known in political circles, said the only person who can answer why he didnt serve in government was the one man who could have made him serve, John Mahama.
Asked why he didnt play much of a role in John Mahamas government, Koku replied pointedly: You can ask him (John Mahama) that question.
But Mr Koku Ayidoho was quick to add that though he didnt get to serve in government, he served John Mahama within the NDC party. He used just one word to describe his relationship with Mr Mahama: 'Smooth.'
From the party perspective I served him(John Mahama). Comfortable lead, who was I working for? Is it not John Mahama? Whose name did I mention in the press conference
Asked if he organized that presser so people could mock Mr Mahama, he said it was untrue and attributed it to a certain entrenched mindset orchestrated by those who want to do it.
Mr Koku Anyidoho, had in the past shed some light on his relationship with former President John Mahama, saying it was mostly borne out of a call to duty.
Mr. Anyidoho was however known to have a very warm relationship with John Mahamas predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills, almost to a father-son relationship.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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NDC Member of Parlaiment for Bolgatanga Central, Hon Isaac Adongo has described the impending trial of former CEO of COCOBOB and two others, as nothing short of "naked persecution" of the opposition party.
He says the matter could have been best handled by the office of the Special Prosecutor who was recently sworn in by the president, and thus considers the A-G's decision to lead the trial on behalf of government as a "waste of taxpayer's monies".
CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo and AgriCult Ghana Company Limited, are facing 27 charges of willfully causing financial loss of GHS217 to the state, through three separate fertiliser supply contracts between 2014 and 2016.
The contracts were GHS43.1million (2013/2014 cocoa farming season), GHS75.3million (2014/2015 cocoa farming season) and GHS98.9million (2015/2016 cocoa farming season) totaling GHS217million through sole-sourcing; the state claimed, adding that procurement procedures for sole-sourcing were not properly followed.
According to the charges, the consignments of Lithovit Foliar were produced locally, contrary to an agreement between COCOBOD and AgriCult Ghana Company Limited that it be sourced from Germany.
Also, the Attorney General claims the fertilizers were manufactured without registration, thereby, flouting the Plants and Fertilizer Act 2010.
According to the state, Dr Opuni also took a bribe of GHS25,000 from Mr Agongo in October 2014 to facilitate the award of one of the contracts by misrepresenting facts to the Public Procurement Authority.
The state also said the 2014 contract was awarded without any price quotation.
Speaking on Okay fm's Ade Akye Abia Programme, the Bolga Central law maker described the trial as politically motivated as the NPP government intends crippling the opposition party with such planned and sustained politically-motivated trials.
Today, we are running parallel systems: Martin Amidu is sitting there and Attorney General is in court doing Martin Amidus work. Why waste taxpayers money? That is exactly what is happening.
The Attorney General is roaming there, Martin Amidu is also roaming in the same court on different matters. We are wasting taxpayers money. Go and give this case to Martin Amidu. In fact, they should transfer this case to Martin Amidu to do his work.
"If what the attorney general is not deliberate, why does she want to pursue this matter herself when the special prosecutor who has the mandate to deal with this issue has been left with other issues to handle? Why then do we create the Office of the Special Prosecutor?" he asked.
He avers that if the NPP believes it has no ulterior motive in the A-G's trial of the trio, and that the cause of their action is "fair", then they should leave the prosecution in the hands of Martin Amidu, the Special Prosecutor
"If this government wants us to believe that what it is doing is fair and not a political witch-hunting exercise, then he should just do the right but until then, I believe the New Patriotic Party is just trying to politically undermine the opposition, National Democratic Congress," he added.
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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Minority MP Sam Nartey George has said his caucus will do everything legally possible to stop President Nana Akufo-Addo from selling Ghanas sovereignty to the United States of America, since, in his view, a leaked military contract between the two countries, essentially makes Ghana Americas mistress and side-chick.
The defence contract gives U.S military forces unfettered access to some Ghanaian resources.
Among other things, Article 5.1 of the contract says:
1. Ghana hereby provides unimpeded access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to United State forces, United States contractors, and others as mutually agreed. Such agreed facilities and area: or portions thereof, provided by Ghana shall be designated as either for exclusive use by Unite States forces or to be jointly used by United States forces and Ghana. Ghana shall also provide access to and use of a runway that meets the requirements of United States forces.
2. United States forces are hereby authorised to exercise all rights and authorities that are necessary for the use, operation, defense, or control of agreed facilities and areas, including taking appropriate measures to protect United States forces. United States forces intend to coordinate such measures with the appropriate authorities of Ghana.
3. United States forces and United States contractors may undertake construction activities on, ant make alterations and improvements to, agreed facilities and areas. United States forces may carry out construction works and other services with military personnel and civilian personnel.
4. United States forces are hereby authorized to control entry to agreed facilities and areas that having been provided for exclusive use by United States forces, and to coordinate entry with the authorities of Ghana at agreed facilities and areas provided for joint use by United States force and Ghana, for purposes of safety and security.
5. United States forces shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance, construction, and development costs of agreed facilities and areas provided for the exclusive use of United State: forces unless otherwise agreed. The Parties shall be responsible on the basis of their proportionate use for the operation and maintenance costs of agreed facilities and areas provided for joint use byUnited States forces and Ghana. Ghana shall furnish, without rental or similar costs to United States, all agreed facilities and areas, including those jointly used by United States forces and Ghana.
6. United States forces and United States contractors shall be afforded priority in access to and use agreed facilities and areas that have been provided for joint use whenever United States forces are conducting exercises or other activities in connection with this Agreement in Ghana. Access to and use of agreed facilities and areas by others may be authorized with the express consent a both Ghana and United States forces.
7. From time to time, representatives of the Executive Agents shall conduct joint inspections of agreed facilities and areas, for instance at the start and completion of each period during which United States forces are physically present at the agreed facilities and areas. Each inspection shall be documented by written report, prepared by representatives of the Executive Agents, an: including the date, time, names of inspectors, and conditions identified. Copies of the report shall be provided to each Executive Agent within seven-1days of the completion of each inspection.
In Mr Georges view, This is AFRICOM. What is in it for Ghana? Nothing. So what is President Akufo-Addo gaining from this? Because Ghana is not gaining anything from this, so for him to give his approval, it means he is gaining something from this. He has to tell the Ghanaian people, he said on Accra-based Starr FM.
The Minority in parliament, he said, will fight it in every way: You cant tell me this makes logical sense to sell your sovereignty. What are we selling our sovereignty for? Nothing. They are going to lay it before parliament this morning. They will hear the Indian belly, gumbe, more gumbe will flow on the floor of the house, because you cannot bring this to us, this is an insult to the people that we represent and I expect every properly minded Ghanaian to stand up and speak against it.
I expect to see civil society rise up against this. We need to rein our president in. Now some of us are beginning to understand when he went and stood in America and promised to help America fight terrorism. Even Invincible Forces, we cannot control them and now you want to incur the wrath of al Qaeda, al Shaba and Boko Haram on your doorstep? And is our president aware that Ghana has a foreign policy position and that Ghana is part of the non-aligned movement? And being a member of the non-aligned movement means that you are taking no sides and that is why Ghana has always taken position in support of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. We are not an ally of the US, We are friends of the US, we are friends of East, we are friends of the West, we are no an ally of the West. This basically changes our foreign policy position. Does the president have the power to do that? To take us out of the non-aligned movement? Change our entire foreign policy position? Basically what weve become now is the mistress of the US, the side-chick.
If it means pouring out onto the streets, I will personally go out on the streets and let the president know that this country is not his, hes holding it in trust for the people of Ghana, and he cannot continue to behave in a very irresponsible manner. He cannot sell our sovereignty and we will make that known to him and if it means that we have to go to the court for a pronouncement on this, we will. We will explore every legal action, every position defiance action that is available to us to let president Akufo-Addo know that Ghana is an independent nation, we will not become the 51st state of the US. We are a sovereign nation, the shining star of Africa, we cant be made the mistress of Uncle Sam. Ghana is not Uncle Sams mistress, Mr George noted.
To him, Ghana will become a prime target for terror attack just as has happened to Mali, Niger, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia if such an agreement is allowed to pass.
Source: classfmonline.com
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The people of Ghana must be grateful to the American government for spending resources to train Ghanaians military officers and police personnel, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, has said.
According to him, the current agreement approved by cabinet will ensure that the US government moves into Ghana with its military to provide, among other things, training for Ghanaian security officers. This agreement he said is not to establish a US military base in the country.
He explained to Accra FM on Tuesday March 20 in parliament that the partnership between the two countries has become necessary given the growing incident of terrorism around the world.
On Tuesday news emerged that Ghanas Cabinet has approved an agreement granting access to the United States of America to establish a military base in Ghana. It also indicated that Ghana has also agreed to bear the cost and take primary responsibility for securing U.S. military facilities in the country.
According to the contract, Ghana has also granted U.S contractors tax exemption. According to sources, the negotiation started in 2017 but was approved on Thursday, 8 March 2018.
This news attracted mixed reactions from a section of the Ghanaian public. Minority MP Sam Nartey George has said his caucus will do everything legally possible to stop President Nana Akufo-Addo from selling Ghanas sovereignty to the United States of America.
In Mr Georges view, This is AFRICOM. What is in it for Ghana? Nothing. So what is President Akufo-Addo gaining from this? Because Ghana is not gaining anything from this, so for him to give his approval, it means he is gaining something from this. He has to tell the Ghanaian people, he said on Starr FM.
The Minority in parliament, he said, will fight it in every way: You cant tell me this makes logical sense to sell your sovereignty. What are we selling our sovereignty for? Nothing. They are going to lay it before parliament this morning. They will hear the Indian belly, gumbe, more gumbe will flow on the floor of the house, because you cannot bring this to us, this is an insult to the people that we represent and I expect every properly minded Ghanaian to stand up and speak against it.
But Mr Nitiwul said : This is not establishment of a US military base in Ghana, the minority should stop lying to the people of this country. It is an agreement that will see the US military providing training for our soldiers and police officers.
We should be grateful to the American government for spending their hard earned resources to come and upgrade our soldiers so that tomorrow, God forbid if anything happens the Armed Forces can defend us.
They are training the Police as well, is not just the soldiers. The best we can do in this era of terrorism we need partners across the world. In Ghana today we have partners in the US, with China and other countries.
Source: classfmonline.com
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The Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an Australian woman last summer has been charged with murder and manslaughter in the shooting, which caused international outrage and forced out the city's veteran police chief.
Mohamed Noor is charged with third-degree murder for "perpetrating an eminently dangerous act and evincing depraved mind" and second-degree manslaughter for "culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk," according to charging documents unsealed Tuesday afternoon.
Noor was booked into jail at 11:16 a.m. on a warrant on those charges, according to charging documents. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Justine Damond, 40, was fatally shot July 15 after summoning police to what she said was a possible rape near her home.
Precisely what happened the night she was killed, however, has remained a mystery. There is no video footage of the shooting, even though both officers who responded were wearing body cameras at the time. Mohamed Noor, the officer who fired at Damond, declined to speak with investigators, who said they cannot compel him to be interviewed.
In this May 2016 file photo provided by the City of Minneapolis, police Officer Mohamed Noor poses for a photo at a community event welcoming him to the Minneapolis police force.
The charges against Noor line up with what police learned during their initial investigation in July - that Matthew Harrity, who was driving the squad car and did speak to investigators, was startled by a loud noise in the moments before Damond approached his side of the vehicle. Noor fired a single shot from the passenger seat, striking Damond through Harrity's open window, according to authorities.
Both officers got out of the car to provide her medical aid, authorities said, but she ultimately died of the wound.
"There is no evidence that ... Officer Noor encountered, appreciated, investigated or confirmed a threat that justified the decision to use deadly force," the charges said. "Instead, Officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun from the passenger seat, a location at which he would have been less able than Officer Harrity to see and hear events on the other side of the squad car."
After Noor was identified as a Somali-American police officer on the force, some in the region's Somali community expressed concerns about a backlash. Shortly before Christmas, a small memorial to Damond appeared outside a Minneapolis police precinct's headquarters, and a white nationalist group claimed that it had put that together and referred to Noor's Somali background.
Noor came to the United States when he was very young and took the shooting "very seriously because, for him, being a police officer is a calling," Thomas C. Plunkett, his attorney, said this year. Noor joined the Minneapolis police in 2015.
Plunkett said in a recent statement that "this case is about an officer that followed procedure and training." He described Damond as "a very fine person" and called her death "a horrible tragedy, but not a crime."
Damond had moved from Australia to Minneapolis and had taken on the last name of Don Damond, her fiance, before their wedding. Don Damond has pleaded for information about her final moments, saying it "would be a small comfort as we grieve this tragedy." The shooting was widely covered in Australia, where family members and news outlets described it as a nightmare.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges decried Damond's death and described it as avoidable. She also questioned why no body-camera footage existed despite every patrol officer in the city being equipped with such a device.
Hodges, who last month lost her re-election bid, had ousted Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteau in July, saying she had "lost confidence in the chief's ability to lead us further." Authorities in Minneapolis also changed their body-camera policies for police, mandating that they must be activated for more calls for service and other work.
Police records show that Damond had twice called 911 to contact officers about what she thought was a woman sounding "distressed." In her first call, Damond told police that she could hear a woman either having sex or being raped, but said it was difficult to hear for sure. In a second call, eight minutes later, Damond said no officers had arrived yet and worried that police may have gotten the address wrong.
Within two minutes of that second call, the two officers had arrived at the scene, and not long after, the shooting was reported.
Since July, little had been made public about the shooting. But Noor's charging documents reveal additional details about the events of that night.
When Harrity and Noor arrived in the alley, their car's headlights were off and the computer screen was dimmed. The spotlight, however, was on so that the officers could look for people on the driver's side of the car, the documents said. Harrity, who was not wearing a seat belt, removed his holster's safety strap over his gun before turning the car into the alley. He heard what he thought may have been a dog before reaching the back of Damond's home, the documents said, but didn't get out of the car to look around.
The car slowed to 2 mph but never stopped behind Damond's home. The officers did not see any people in the alley, according to the documents.
About two minutes after they arrived in the alley, Noor entered "Code 4" into the car's computer, indicating that the officers were safe and did not need assistance. Harrity later said that before the shooting, the officers cleared the call and were waiting for a bicyclist to pass before responding to another call, according to the documents.
About 10 seconds later, Harrity heard a voice and a thump somewhere behind him on the car, "and caught a glimpse of a person's head and shoulders outside his window." He does not know what the noise was or how loud it was, or what the person sounded like or said. He called the noise a "muffled noise or a whisper," according to the documents.
He said he thought the person was about two feet away, but couldn't see their hands or whether they had weapons. According to the charges:
"Officer Harrity said he was startled and said 'Oh sh*t' or 'Oh Jesus.' He said he perceived that his life was in danger, reached for his gun, unholstered it, and held it to his rib cage while pointing it downward. He said from the driver's seat he had a better vantage point to determine a threat than Officer Noor would have had from the passenger seat.
Officer Harrity then heard a sound that sounded like a lightbulb dropping on the floor and saw a flash. After first checking to see if he had been shot, he looked to his right and saw Officer Noor with his right arm extended in the direction of Officer Harrity."
Harrity said he didn't see Noor's gun, but that when he looked out his window on his left, he saw Damond, according to the documents.
"The woman put her hands on a gunshot wound on the left side of her abdomen and said, 'I'm dying' or 'I'm dead,' " the charges said.
Once he saw Damond's hands, Harrity determined that she wasn't a threat and got out of the car. Noor got out of the car and was still armed. Harrity told him to reholster his weapon and turn on his body camera, the documents said.
The charges do not say whether Damond was the woman who thumped or slapped the police car. Authorities have said that no weapons were found at the scene. A cellphone was found near Damond.
Damond was one of at least 971 people fatally shot by an U.S. police officer in 2017, according to a Washington Post database.
Australia native Justine Damond, 40, who was set to marry her fiance in August, was fatally shot by a police officer on Saturday, July 15. Few details have been revealed about the incident. Here's what we know. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)
Charges against officers for on-duty shootings are rare and convictions are even less common. During one week in June, three officers who stood trial after being charged in high-profile shootings captured on video were not convicted. Two were acquitted, including one officer from the Twin Cities area, and a mistrial was declared in a third case.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated Damond's shooting and gave its findings to Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman's office in September. Once that happened, Freeman and prosecutors in his office said they were going to "carefully review the case file to determine what, if any, charges might be brought."
Freeman spoke critically of the state investigators in remarks this month that were recorded and posted online, saying that he did not have the evidence to charge Noor and blaming investigators who he said "haven't done their job." He later apologized for his comments.
Officials in Minneapolis have said they were bracing for a public backlash to Freeman's announcement regardless of what he decided. Recent fatal shootings by police in the Twin Cities region - including the November 2015 shooting of Jamar Clark in Minneapolis and the July 2016 shooting of Philando Castile in a nearby suburb - have prompted intense, extended protests.
After Clark was killed, Freeman said officers involved would not face criminal charges because the shooting was justified, while the Justice Department said the officers would not face federal civil rights charges.
Castile's shooting, meanwhile, resulted in a manslaughter charge and other felony charges against Jeronimo Yanez, the officer who shot Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, a suburb near Minneapolis and St. Paul. Yanez was ultimately acquitted after a trial last summer.
That fatal encounter was among the most high-profile police shootings in recent years because Castile's girlfriend, sitting in the passenger seat next to him, began streaming the aftermath on Facebook Live, and the footage quickly went viral.
Yanez said later that he feared for his life and thought Castile was reaching for a gun in the car, a claim Castile's girlfriend disputed. In June 2017, a month before Damond was shot, Yanez was acquitted on all charges by a jury. He formally left his department not long after, an announcement the city of St. Anthony made days before Damond's death again pulled attention to a fatal police shooting in the region.
The charges against Noor were applauded by Damond's fiance, Don Damond, and other members of Damond's family. They called the charges in a joint statement "one step toward justice for this iniquitous act," according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The Minneapolis Police Union and the Somali Police Officers Association could not be immediately reached for comment.
(c) 2018, The Washington Post. Mark Berman and Marwa Eltagouri wrote this story.
Update: At least two students were injured
A shooting has been reported at a high school in Maryland Tuesday morning.
Time magazine said deputies have received reports of a shooting at Great Mills High School in Great Mills, Md., but did not supply details.
Cpl. Julie Yingling, a spokeswoman for the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, told the Washington Post at 8:15 a.m. that officials "have a shooting at Great Mills High School" and that the situation is "fluid."
NBC news in Washington says "multiple" injuries have been reported.
The school tweeted that the incident is "contained."
Heres a look from the scene outside Great Mills High School in Great Mills, Maryland, which is currently on lockdown after a shooting at the school, St. Mary's County Public Schools says https://t.co/O0tm9C2l8X pic.twitter.com/2dJ05pghF6 CNN (@CNN) March 20, 2018
There has been a Shooting at Great Mills High School. The school is on lock down the event is contained, the Sheriff's office is on the scene additional information to follow.
Parents/Guardians should go to Leonardtown HS for reunification with GMHS students SMCPS_MD (@SMCPS_MD) March 20, 2018
We are aware of the situation at Great Mills High School. GMHS parents, please report to our auditorium. Leonardtown High School students are safe. Leonardtown HS (@LHS_SMCPS) March 20, 2018
UPDATE: Great Mills High School in Maryland is on lock down after a reported school shooting.
Sheriff's office is on the scene
School says the "event is contained"
ATF officials are responding to the shooting. pic.twitter.com/xFnVjZSA78 MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 20, 2018
United Airlines won't take new reservations for transporting pets in cargo after recent incidents involving animals dying in-flight or going to the wrong place.
CNBC reports:
The airline will honor reservations made by Tuesday for pets scheduled to fly in the cargo hold but will not accept new reservations, pending a review.
United said it expects to complete the review by May 1.
"We are conducting a thorough and systematic review of our program for pets that travel in the cargo compartment to make improvements that will ensure the best possible experience for our customers and their pets," said United spokesman Charlie Hobart. "To achieve this outcome, we will partner with independent experts in pet safety, comfort and travel."
A United flight from Newark, New Jersey, to St. Louis was diverted Thursday after the airline learned it had an unauthorized passenger onboard: a dog. The pet was bound for Akron, Ohio, but was mistakenly loaded onto the St. Louis flight, company spokeswoman Natalie Noonan told The Washington Post.
Two days before that, a Kansas-bound German Shepherd wound up in Japan before reuniting with its family two days later.
On March 12, a puppy died on a United flight after a flight attendant insisted it be in an overhead bin instead of under a seat.
The new policy with not affect in-cabin pet transports.
In 2017, United Airlines had 18 pets die aboard its planes, while Alaska Airlines -- closest to United in terms of total animals transported -- had just two, according to Transportation Department statistics. Delta and American Airlines had just four combined.
The combined blockchain patents by three branches of PBOC reach 68, topping global enterprises and well surpassing Alibaba, who holds 43 patents in total. (Photo from VCG)
Chinas central bank topped the world in the number of patents published for blockchain technology in 2017, according to a top 100 ranking co-released recently by IPRdaily and incoPat, an innovation
index research center.
The ranking shows that blockchain patents from China-based enterprises account for 49 percent, followed by the US who contributed 33 percent. Seven Chinese companies were included into the top 10 list, much more than the two from the US.
According to the 2017 Global Enterprises Blockchain Patent Ranking (Top 100), three branches of the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) topped the list with a combined 68 patents, surpassing the 43 ones held by e-commerce giant Alibaba.
The three branches include PBOCs digital currency research institute, institute of printing technology and its subordinate enterprise ZhongChao Credit Card Industry Development Co., Ltd, who ranked in the 3rd, 8th and 18th place with 33, 22 and 13 patents, respectively.
The central bank started to organize symposiums on digital currency three years ago, and set up a research institute on it later, disclosed central bank official at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National Peoples Congress.
Yao Qian, director-general of the research institute, proposed to establish a well-functioning digital currency ecosystem when talking about the banks plan at the end of 2017.
He added that in the future, the legal digital currency system will have its own ecosystem, which will be central bank- commercial banks- end users.
Early on Jan. 20, 2016, the central bank announced that its research team would focus on key technologies in order to roll out its digital currency as soon as possible.
The central banks attitude sends a signal that currency digitalization has become a trend, said Huang Zhen, director of the research institution of financial laws in the Central University of Finance and Economics.
Industrial insiders pointed out that the blockchain technology will help banks improve service quality and lower operating costs.
In addition, the technology, featured by decentralization, ensures equal rights and obligations of all nodes in the blockchain, which means no institution will be able to change the total amount of money as it wants if the technology is applied into digital currency, they added.
After announcing a statewide ban of certain vehicles, officials with the Pennsylvania Turnpike have since announced a speed limit reduction in western Pennsylvania.
Speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph on the east-west mainline (I-70/76) from the New Stanton Interchange (#75) to the Breezewood Interchange (#161).
"Heavy snowfall is expected to continue in the area for several hours; numerous crashes have already been reported," according to an email from Turnpike officials. "PA Turnpike maintenance crews continue to treat the roadway. During a weather emergency, the objective is to keep roads passable, not totally free of snow or ice. Turnpike crews will continue to treat until precipitation ends and roads are clear."
For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources.
Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here.
Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.
A student of Penn State Harrisburg was fatally shot Sunday in West Philadelphia after an argument escalated inside a bar.
Dominique Oglesby, 23, was shot once in the back outside the Galaxy West Lounge in the 5200 block of Market Street at 4:20 p.m. Sunday, Philly.com reports.
Oglesby's father was shot in the foot, and her grandfather was shot in the arm. They are each listed in stable condition, according to the report.
I want to give our condolence to my cousin Daniell and her husband for their daughter my cousin Dominique Oglesby she... Posted by Naji Muhammad on Sunday, March 18, 2018
Police told Philly.com the shooting happened after Oglesby was involved in an argument with another woman and man inside the bar. The man attempted to stop the argument twice, but Oglesby's family members arrived and the fight escalated.
Police have not provided further details on the source of the dispute.
A Penn State spokesperson told Philly.com Oglesby was scheduled to graduate this spring.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP - The Cumberland Valley School Board might have filed a declaration to obtain 116 acres of historic, preserved farmland through the eminent domain process, but appalled and concerned members of the public aren't sitting idly by.
Along with the Cumberland County Commissioners, who earlier this week urged the school board to not go through with the plans, district residents turned out at Monday night's school board meeting to again express their dismay at the board's actions and beg them to consider other sites.
The school district has pursued this property off Carlisle Pike in Silver Spring Township to meet future needs for its continually increasing enrollment numbers. The board's resolution included plans for a future school, access drives, parking lots and related facilities.
But those against the plans have concerns about environmental impact, traffic increases, and more than anything, an act that would destroy a farm with high historic value and some of the richest soil you can find in Pennsylvania. In a 2013 referendum, the majority of Silver Spring Township residents voted in favor of raising taxes in order to preserve the area's farmland through easement purchases.
The McCormick Farm is currently protected by an easement held by National Lands Trust, which has announced it has "retained legal counsel and intends to do everything in our power to protect the integrity of the easement."
Several residents on Monday night called the school district's tactic as "bullying" and questioned whether this was the lesson they wanted Cumberland Valley students to learn.
A Monroe Township resident said conservation easements is "a relief from zoning wars" and that open space in the area is seen as being the highest value for land use.
"Preserving farmland is in our collective interest," she said.
Others defended the honor and wishes of the McCormick family, who were top business and political figures in the area, and the country. Cyrus McCormick became famous for his invention of the mechanical reaper.
READ MORE: Cumberland County commissioners weigh in against school district taking farm
One woman described the family as billionaires who later relocated to Chicago, but that two of the brothers returned to the farm to dedicate it as a conservation easement.
"They trusted it would be safe from urban development," she said. "They gave this land in good faith, and that should be honored."
"It would be a travesty to do otherwise," she added.
Christine Musser, a local historian, shared some detailed history about the McCormicks and showed them two books that featured Cyrus McCormick as well as Vance McCormick, a politician and businessman who was a leader in the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I.
New Kingstown resident Kathi Pifer announced that a meeting, open to the public, will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 29 at the New Kingstown Fire Company, in which Natural Lands Trust will provide information about the easement and the land.
While the school board has shared that it performed an extensive search for land to continue expanding before settling on this tract, there is at least one school board member who is against the land acquisition.
During the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting earlier Monday evening, Pamela Long said she did not support a preliminary 2018-19 budget plan, which includes $1.6 million set aside for the 116-acre McCormick farmland purchase, because of this issue.
"I don't support the land purchase, so I'm not supporting the budget," she said.
However, district administrators continue to stress the burgeoning class sizes and schools being above their student capacity levels (The highest is Sporting Hill Elementary at 129 percent capacity).
Two new schools along Lamb's Gap Road, Winding Creek Elementary and Mountainview Middle, are slated to open in 2019-20. With those openings, according to district business manager Mike Willis, 1,000 students will be redistricted there.
Superintendent Dr. Frederick Withum said the redistribution with new attendance boundaries will bring down the levels in the elementary schools to an average 91 percent to capacity. And the middle schools to 87 percent. But how long it will be until capacity levels are stretched again, nobody knows for sure. If trends continue, it might not be long, he said.
The budget, which will be preliminarily adopted next month, totals about $129 million. A 2.4 percent tax increase is being considered, which is the most the district would be allowed to raise taxes within the Act 1 Index. That increase would equate to $55 per year for the average homeowner in the district (a home priced at approximately $243,000). Even if the increase is approved, the district reports it will still be the lowest millage rate of all school districts within the surrounding region.
During the Finance & Facilities Committee meeting, school board member Bob Walker expressed concern that the board is considering a tax hike, which would bring in about $1.7 million, while the district currently has a $2 million surplus.
"I really can't support a tax increase until I start to see where we run a budget with a deficit," he said. "I'm still suspicious of our numbers."
But Michelle Nestor said having a surplus is a good thing. "I think we were just fiscally responsible in managing our money," she said. "Anything extra is going to be a benefit this year."
Board president Mike Gossert added that with the building of two new schools, which adds an eighth elementary school, the surplus next year is necessary to fund the teachers and staff necessary for those new buildings.
"To me, this is a last piece of the puzzle," he said.
However, a tax increase next year will be hard to justify, according to a couple of board members.
Knowing that the plans had been made for the building of these schools, and that the money would be needed this year, board member Brian Drapp said he supports the tax increase this year, but that "next year, if I see a surplus, I doubt I would be able to support a tax increase another year."
Member Heather Dunn said she will also support the increase this year, but only because she knows new staff will be needed at the new schools.
"This is our fifth consecutive year [raising taxes]," she said. "I would be very hard-pressed to do a tax increase next year. Six years in a row is going to be tough to swallow."
WILLIAMSPORT - A 14-year old Williamsport Area Middle School student has been charged with terrorist threats in connection with a cyber threat made March 8.
The girl, who has been petitioned into juvenile court on the city police charge, is alleged to have admitted making the threat, the school district says.
The student has been suspended and is facing an expulsion hearing, a district spokesman said.
She has not been detained on the criminal charge, Ed Robbins, Lycoming County chief juvenile probation officer, said Tuesday.
"The district takes any kind of threat against our community seriously and we will enforce the necessary consequences up to and including criminal charges," Superintendent Timothy S. Bowers said.
On any given day, the Dauphin County jail houses nearly 1,200 inmates.
And chances are, after they get out, they'll be back.
That's because the jail has a "staggering" recidivism rate of 80 percent, Warden Brian Clark, told an audience at a League of Women voters event Tuesday night.
Dauphin County calculated that rate by counting which inmates at the jail each month have been incarcerated before.
A 2013 statewide study of recidivism across the Commonwealth showed Dauphin County ranked first in the number of inmates who returned to jail within three years. The county's rate was 67.3 percent, topping Philadelphia, which had 65.5 percent.
About 40 people attended a League of Women Voters event Tuesday night about crime and justice in Dauphin County.
But Clark has plans to reduce the recidivism rate in Dauphin County, he told the audience Tuesday night at Widener University's Harrisburg campus, his first public speaking engagement since accepting the jail's top job last summer.
First off, Clark announced plans to start a licensed outpatient treatment program that would operate inside the walls of the prison. That would allow inmates to attend rehab while incarcerated or in the work release program.
It would be first program of its kind in Dauphin County, he said, designed to send inmates back out into the world with tools for success. The program also would continue through the entire system of probation and parole and re-entry, he said.
"We know we cannot continue to bring inmates into the prison with these drug and alcohol issues, keep them incarcerated and return them to the community where they have access to the same drugs, the same alcohol and the same social issues that they faced and expect a different outcome," Clark said. That "is ridiculous. For that reason, we feel that this program is very important."
This January alone, Clark said the jail had 138 inmates detoxing from serious drug addictions, mostly heroin but a large group of alcoholics as well.
Mental health issues are another strain on jail staffing and a reason behind high recidivism rates, Clark said.
The staff at Dauphin County now has undergone crisis intervention training to help them better serve this population, Clark said.
A lack of state psychiatric hospital beds, however, strands many would-be patients inside the Dauphin County jail.
"We've become the new asylums," Clark said, where inmates commonly wait four to five months for a treatment bed to become available. Some inmates languish in jail as they wait up to a year.
The addiction and mental health issues of inmates require additional skills and attention by correctional officers, Clark said.
Many affected inmates require checks every 15 minutes. And some, require constant supervision, which can be a strain on manpower.
If constant supervision is needed, the jail will have "one correctional officer sitting with one inmate, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Clark said, "which gives some insight on why our prison systems are so expensive to operate."
Clark also would like to see more attention paid to children of incarcerated parents.
"Over my career of nearly 20 years in the field of corrections," he said. "I've seen way too many children who I used to watch go in for visits with their mothers and fathers later return as young adults into the criminal justice system."
As a member of the Dependent Children of Incarcerated Parents Workgroup, commissioned by the Pennsylvania State Roundtable in 2011, Clark studied the effects and has seen "first-hand the true damages done to children."
That's why Dauphin County must "work to end the criminal thinking of those entering the system," and work to strengthen families and proper parenting techniques.
"We must end the vicious cycle of generation after generation of families falling victim to incarceration," he said. "These are some of the many hopes I have for the Dauphin County prison."
Clark previously worked at the Adams County and Bedford County prisons. In Bedford, he instituted new programs but then watched as few inmates joined. He couldn't understand why, until he overheard an announcement on the public address system one day for "all of the drunks to report to class."
"It's no wonder no one wanted to attend," he said.
That's when he realized the correctional officers weren't being supportive of the new programs. He said he is always looking to educate staff members on the medical and educational aspects of their jobs, in addition to simply security.
One strength of Dauphin County's system is the support of county administrators to reduce recidivism, Clark said. He said they have given him permission to create new treatment space.
Clark also expressed a desire to work with community members and groups, which members of the audience Tuesday night said wasn't the case with the previous warden.
"Warden Clark is a man of change," said Kevin Dolphin, founder of the reentry group, Breaking the Chainz, who attended Tuesday night's event.
Angel Fox, a legislative assistant to state Rep. Patty Kim, told the audience she reached out to the new warden about a week ago at 10:30 p.m. on a weekend after receiving a complaint from the family of an inmate who heard their loved one may have been hurt inside the jail.
Clark called back within an hour, she said, after looking into the situation and said, "it was not what it appeared to be." He also sent the inmate to the medical department again to be checked out, just in case.
Before Clark arrived, "we didn't have a prison warden who was as involved or as community based as we needed him to be so again we appreciate you," Fox said.
Juanita Edrington Grant, who runs the Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, or CRAM program in Harrisburg, told PennLive Wednesday that there are nonprofits in the city willing and able to help ex-offenders and reduce recidivism. But those nonprofits need financial help from the government.
Her organization runs a rental assistance program, for example, that helps ex-offenders who are facing homelessness or who have lost utility service, "but I can only serve 10 people a year, she said. "There needs to be more funding."
The cost of preventing crime and reducing recidivism by linking with nonprofits is cheaper than continually re-arresting and re-incarcerating people, she said.
John Wetzel, the state's Department of Corrections secretary, told PennLive that Dauphin County consistently logs among the highest recidivism rates. He said the reasons behind that are complex.
"With crimes in general, you have to look at the educational system and school district performance and economic opportunities," he said. "Another contributor is lead exposure. Harrisburg has had some struggles."
The good news, Wetzel said, is that the city of Harrisburg saw declining crime rates in recent years. He also applauded Clark's efforts in trying to bring attention to recidivism rates.
"The only way to start moving forward is to look at shortcomings," he said. "I applaud Brian for putting that out there. That takes some guts to do that."
The costs of incarcerating so many people for so long can eat up as much as 75 percent of homeowners' property taxes.
"No matter what county you live in," Wetzel said, "You're going to run into someone who's been a county inmate. Do you want that experience to have made them better or worse? Because they're not going to stay the same."
By Geoffrey A. Fowler
Melania Trump set off a nationwide eye roll when she announced she would fight cyberbullying as first lady.
Taking a hammer to the Tweeter-in-chief's smartphone would certainly send a message.
Geoffrey A. Fowler (Washington Post photo)
Irony aside, what if she's actually being earnest? After a year of little more than speeches and school photo ops, the first lady is finally doing something. On Tuesday, which happens to be her son Barron's 12th birthday, she's convening Amazon, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Snap to discuss online harassment and promoting Internet safety.
Here's the truth she might not hear from the tech giants: Websites have had bully-reporting tools and states have had bullying laws for more than a decade - but the problem isn't getting much better. As of late 2016, a third of U.S. students say they've been the victim of cyberbullying at some point, according to the Cyberbullying Research Center. Last year, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine said bullying had become a "serious public health problem."
So what can be done? I visited a public elementary school teaching kids as young as kindergarten how to deal with the dark side of the Internet. And I spoke with students, educators, parents and researchers. They showed me that some of the most promising solutions for this online problem have their roots in the offline world.
In this first major push, Mrs. Trump isn't expected to unveil proposals, but rather to ask the companies about how they're addressing problems such as trolls and promoting kindness, according to people invited to the meeting.
"We need much, much more," Parry Aftab, a lawyer and founder of WiredSafety, one of the oldest cybersafety groups, told me. More resources for parents, more help for schools, and more coordination on solutions, she said. "But very little of it has to do with new laws."
Many parents struggle to keep up with apps, and many kids can't figure where the line is between rudeness and bullying. It's also not totally clear who's responsible for policing bad behavior. State laws often say schools have to deal with the problem, but only about a dozen specify schools have authority over off-campus behaviors. Some schools are forced to just add anti-cyberbullying efforts onto the job of an already-overworked counselor, and zero-tolerance policies sometimes lead to underreporting of incidents.
I'm not hopeful that anybody - even the first lady - can control the President's name-calling Twitter persona. But her experience as a mother, her life in the spotlight as a model and even the nastiness emanating from her own White House certainly give Mrs. Trump a unique vantage point on bullying.
Here's five ideas the first lady could get behind.
- Make "digital citizenship" education the new normal.
In Jennifer Thor's second and third grade class at Greenbrook Elementary in Danville, California, the final lesson on Friday was about the power of online communication. In one exercise, the students compared how each might have different reactions to the same emoji icon.
In another, they made cartoons about a time someone was made to feel bad online - and how they could get a happy outcome by first cooling down and then talking to a trusted adult. "It's important to teach kids to monitor their own behavior as well as filter all the stuff that's out there," says Thor. Even at age 8, some of these students shared personal experience with being attacked online.
This school uses so-called digital citizenship curriculum created by the nonprofit Common Sense Media. And it's hardly alone: Some 54,000 schools - half of American schools - now use Common Sense's free Kindergarten through 12th grade programs, and other organizations offer similar programs. Last year Washington state mandated a more systematic public education effort for digital citizenship and media literacy, and several other states, including California, are weighing similar laws. Next year, Common Sense plans to overhaul its lessons with even more of an emphasis on digital drama and hate speech.
- Focus on bystanders.
America might be able to learn from Finland. There, a national anti-bullying education program called KiVa has been shown to greatly benefit the kids who experienced the most bullying. Its secret: a focus on increasing the empathy of bystanders, who can keep bullies from gaining status and power.
KiVa asks students to do role-playing exercises and computer simulations to think about how they would intervene to reduce bullying. Anti-bullying programs usually seek to reduce the overall rates of bullying, but KiVa's focus on bystanders showed a significant mental health boost - reducing depression and improving self-esteem - for the victims of bullying.
Finnish culture may not translate exactly to diverse American kids, but researchers are now studying how to the ideas might work here.
- Make an ideas clearinghouse.
The Obama administration convened a group of experts and created the website stopbullying.gov, but not much change followed. What's missing is a place to help everyone share ideas and research on what works. We can't expect teachers and parents to do dig through academic and legal literature on this stuff.
"The government can lead efforts to help clarify for schools what works and then possibly even provide funding to implement those things," says Justin Patchin, a professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. "We don't know a lot about what works because we haven't been able to evaluate programs."
- Demand more of the tech companies.
The worst-case scenario from this week's White House meeting is that the tech companies just walk away with a photo opp. We could insist on much more. That starts with making bully reporting systems easier to use, and parental control tools easier to find - perhaps even a selling point for their products. (Apple last week introduced a website with info on how to find all its parental controls, but didn't take any steps to make them more powerful or intuitive.)
"I would love to see just-in-time messages pop up," suggests Stephen Balkam, the CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, who was invited to the White House meeting. (He also serves an adviser to Facebook and Twitter and his organization gets some funding from tech companies.) He says the apps themselves could ask parents: "Have you checked yours and your kids' privacy settings? Do you know how many hours per day your fourth grader is online?"
But other solutions could be difficult: Should having a Facebook account under the age of 18 require a parent's email address? And could social networks draw a firmer line on unacceptable behavior? "They need to start shutting down accounts of kids who are engaging in this stuff," says Aftab. Game companies, she says, often take away accounts for trolling - but social networks tend to focus only on the most-egregious cases.
- Get kids in the room.
One lesson from the survivors of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, is that teenagers who have grown up with social media are more skilled at using these tools than adults to build movements for issues they care about.
And the most effective voice to say bullying has gone too far is probably going to come from peers. "We've all dealt with it," Ulysses Bergel, a 13-year-old from Wyckoff, New Jersey, told me. He's now working with Aftab's organization to develop an anti-cyberbullying app. "I think the kids in my generation are crucial the solution, and this isn't just Gen Z pride speaking."
Geoffrey A. Fowler is The Washington Post's technology columnist based in San Francisco. He joined The Post in 2017 after 16 years with the Wall Street Journal writing about consumer technology, Silicon Valley, national affairs and China.
Republicans couldn't hide their frustration Monday over federal court rejections of requests to block new congressional maps drawn by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
The question now is, can they convert their anger into useful political energy in the 18 new U.S. House districts overlaying the Keystone State?
The final maps were set Monday afternoon, when the U.S. Supreme Court, in a one-sentence order, opted not to insert itself into a bitter state court redistricting case in which Pennsylvania's high court found the degree of voter-sorting that went into the current map here violated state constitution guarantees of "free and equal" elections.
After state lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf failed to take advantage of a short window to produce a remedial plan, the state court imposed a new map that most analysts see as injecting much more political balance into most of Pennsylvania's 18 Congressional districts.
Add that shift onto what some are already see as a potential "wave" year for Democrats, and some see Pennsylvania as the tip of the spear in this year's battle for majority control of the U.S. House.
Republicans, in the most-recent campaign cycle, won 13 seats here, to the Democrats' five.
Democrats already had a shot at flipping two to four seats, in the view of David Wasserman, top national House political analyst for the Washington D.C.-based Cook Political Report.
The new map, he said, elevates that to four to six.
"Pennsylvania was always going to be a key element of the Democrats' national House takeover strategy," Wasserman said after Monday's ruling. "It's doubly true now."
Of course, we will all know much more about that battlefield at 5 p.m Tuesday, when congressional hopefuls from all over the state are required to submit the 1,000 voter signatures needed to get on primary ballots.
Top Republican legislative leaders fumed over the Monday's results: Just hours before the Supreme Court issued its terse, one-sentence order, a separate three-judge panel also denied a second stay request.
"We still believe these issues in this case are vital constitutional questions that deserve to be heard, including the Pennsylvania Supreme Court taking on the role of creating legislation," Senate GOP leaders Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Jake Corman, R-Centre County, said in a joint statement.
"The state court's decision to draw maps takes us down a path for the creation of another legislative body in Pennsylvania."
But other party sources conceded they no longer held great confidence in their ability to stop the court-drawn map, further appeals were seen as unlikely, and candidates across the state were starting to pivot toward the realities of making races in the new lines.
"It seems that the decision is essentially final, and I think everyone has turned their attention to running in the districts created by the (state) Supreme Court," said Republican campaign consultant Ray Zaborney.
Here's proof:
Five of the seven GOP Congressional incumbents who were part of one of the pending legal challenges have already filed for ballot spots under the new district lines.
"The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's actions are unconstitutional and set a dangerous national precedent," said one of those incumbents, U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a York County Republican who will run in the new 10th district.
"Regardless, I'm honored to serve the people of the 4th Congressional District, and I'd be honored to serve the people of the 10th Congressional District. I'll continue to work tirelessly to earn their trust and faith."
The other two GOP incumbents in the suit, Reps. Ryan Costello, R-Chester County, and Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster County, are expected to follow suit Tuesday, the last day for candidate filing.
All told, 49 candidates had thrown their hats into Pennsylvania's 18 reconfigured rings through Monday.
Democrats saluted the courts' decisions through the day, Monday, but for the most part they praised the new maps' "fairness," and avoided counting election wins.
"I applaud these decisions that will allow the upcoming election to move forward with the new and fair congressional maps," Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement.
"The people of Pennsylvania are tired of gerrymandering and the new map corrects past mistakes that created unfair Congressional districts and attempted to diminish the impact of citizens' votes."
Wolf also pledged that his Department of State will work vigorously with county elections officials over the next two months to make sure that voters understand what congressional district they are voting in.
The primary election is set for May 15.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who now directs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said "this November, Pennsylvanians wil finally have the opportunity to vote for a Congressional delegation on a fair map."
Republicans, meanwhile, were conceding nothing.
"Look, we have a track record of winning seats that we shouldn't win, in good and bad years," Zaborney said Monday night.
"I think the Democrats and the governor and the (state Supreme) court have tried to stack the deck on this, but in some ways I think it's energized our base... and I think they're going to be disappointed again."
The Pennsylvania case arose from a lawsuit filed last summer by 18 registered Democrat voters and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, who alleged that partisan cutting of the Congressional lines after the 2010 census amounted to "viewpoint discrimination" against Democratic voters.
In a December trial, they presented evidence that a series of 500 maps built on traditional redistricting principles and past vote counts never replicated the current 13 Republican. five Democrat split in Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation.
Defenders of the 2011 map - drafted by a Republican-controlled General Assembly and then-Gov. Tom Corbett - countered that it checks all Constitutional requirements, and argued the Democrat plaintiffs were simply seeking guarantees of proportional representation that do not exist.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in favor of the voter plaintiffs in January, with a separate 4-3 majority holding that new maps were required for the 2018 campaign cycle.
There are worries about voter confusion in the wake of Monday's decisions by federal courts to stay out of the legal wrangling over the makeup of Pennsylvania's Congressional districts.
So, as a reader / voter service, PennLive is seeking out answers to some of the pressing questions you may have about what this means for you today, and on election day.
It really doesn't have to be that bad.
Who is my Congressman today?
Don't be thrown off by all the talk about the 2018 elections. While they play out, everyone in Pennsylvania continues to be represented by the Congressmen that were elected in 2016 through the end of this year.
His or her term will actually expire, according to the terms of the U.S. Constitution, at noon on Jan. 3, 2019.
When do the new lines take effect?
For the purposes of selecting your Congressman for the term that starts in 2019, they are in effect now.
So while you continue to be represented by the Class of 2016 for the purposes of making your opinions known on federal issues or doing business with the federal government, as you think about who you want to represent you next year, that's where the new lines come in.
You need to know about the changes so you can make an informed decision about next year.
Where can I find out which of the new districts I live in?
A good starting point is this interactive map produced by PennLive's Nick Malawskey. Just insert your street address, town, and state (because of shared names), hit the return and see where you pop up.
Map by Nick Malawskey. Data source: Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Remedial Plan
There is also the Pennsylvania Department of State's website.
They have both images of the maps, if you're good at eyeballing where you live, and text descriptions of what counties, municipalities and, in some cases, voting precincts, are in which.
Where it gets hairy are in place where voting precincts have been split by census blocks in order to even out populations. There, most county elections offices have already posted maps of the municipal splits on their sites.
If all else fails, you can call your county elections or voter registration office, provide your address, and they'll get you squared away.
Do I still vote at the same place?
Yes.
Nothing about this changes your polling place.
If you live in one of the split precincts, elections judges will have separate ballots for the different Congressional districts, and make sure that you get the proper ballot.
If I'm confused, will the elections officials be ready to go?
Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres said Tuesday that his office "expects to be 100 percent ready for voters on May 15."
In fact, the state has been working with the new maps since last month, when it formally opened the period in which candidates could gather signatures to get on the primary ballot.
Why is this happening now?
This kind of shift of district lines happens regularly every 10 years, after the federal census. We're getting an extra shuffle of the deck chairs this year, and here's why.
Democratic voters who felt their views were being discriminated against by Republican gerrymandering after the 2010 federal census went to court last year to challenge the existing maps.
To the surprise of many, the voters - with a major assist from the Philadelphia-based Public Interest Law Center and its legal allies- won their case, and the state Supreme Court ordered the creation of corrective maps for the 2018 elections.
Will these maps govern the 2020 elections, too?
They are intended by the court to serve as a permanent fix until the next census.
It is conceivable the legislature and the governor could adopt another plan before then, in the interest of preserving the legislative and executive branch supremacy in the process.
But they would have to weigh the practicality of that against the knowledge that everything would be changing again for 2022.
China has expressed its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition after US President Donald Trump on Friday signed the "Taiwan Travel Act" that encourages visits and exchanges between the US and China's Taiwan at all levels.
The US has not only severely violated the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between China and the US, but also interfered in Chinas domestic affairs.
By playing Taiwan card at this crucial moment of the China-US ties, the US intends to reap some unfair gains, but it will swallow the bitter fruit ultimately.
The Taiwan issue bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and touches Chinas core interests. Chinese government has reiterated on plenty of occasions its firm resolution and determination in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity are indestructible.
China has also urged the US to avoid disturbing and damaging to overall bilateral ties by handling Taiwan-related issues properly and cautiously .It requires the US to stop pursuing any official ties with Taiwan or improving its current relations with Taiwan in any substantive way, and to never send wrong signals to the "pro-independence" separatist forces in Taiwan.
However, the US stubbornly continues to challenge the bottom line of the one-China principle with the "Taiwan Travel Act". The ill-conceived bill, which seriously disturbs China-US relations as well as the situation across the Taiwan Strait, will never be accepted by the Chinese people.
The one-China principle, which has been recognized by the world, serves as the cornerstone to ensure the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The US has many times assured that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait serves its long-lasting interests, but continues to make slap-in-face by actions.
The US House of Representatives and the Senate have submitted dozens of Taiwan-related bills since 2016. Last July, the US State Department approved an arms sale to Taiwan, the first such deal with Taiwan since Trump took office.
Last December, Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2018 fiscal year into law, some clauses of which also encourage stronger military exchange between the US and Taiwan.
As an attempt to lift the ban on mutual visit exchanges between officials of the US and China's Taiwan, the bill not only undermines Chinas sovereignty, national integrity and security interests, but also harms the political foundation of China-US relations.
But facts will finally prove that the US will take equal or even worse consequences brought by any incorrect actions to damage the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Some politicians in the US, a place now penetrated by conservatism, isolationism and populism, are again trying to paint China as a threat. Some who hold twisted psychology or hegemonic mentality towards Chinas prosperity still dreamed to contain China.
Such Cold War mentality does not work as it is unacceptable in the 21st century. Any Americans with political wisdom will draw the same conclusion.
Evan Medeiros, a former senior director for Asian Affairs at the White House's National Security Council, and Ryan Hass, a former security advisor under the Obama administration, strongly recommended the Trump administration steer clear of efforts to use Taiwan as a tool to put stress on China in a signed article published previously.
One-China policy is uncompromisable. China has unshakable willpower to guard its bottom line on Taiwan issue, and unswerving determination to achieve the great cause of its peaceful reunification.
The Chinese mainland recently released a total of 31 new measures on economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan, receiving applause from Taiwan businesses and public.
It is an inevitable historical trend that China will march towards reunification, and any stupid attempt to resist it is doomed to be a waste of effort.
Attaching importance to its friendly cooperation with the US, China is always ready to develop a healthy and stable relationship with the US on a basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
What the US should do is to respect Chinas sovereignty rather than flying a kite on Chinas bottom line, and to seek to maximize interests of both sides by following previous consensus rather than turning back the wheel of history in an unwise way.
A sound and healthy relationship between China and US is conducive not only to the interests of the two countries, but also to that of Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.
Against such a backdrop, the US should get a clear understanding of the current situation, handle Taiwan-related issues properly and cautiously, maintain the overall China-US ties and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait with concrete actions, and shoulder its responsibility as a major country.
The Peace Tower is framed through a gate on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on January 21, 2016. The Liberal government has proposed strict new rules to govern harassment in federal workplaces -- including on Parliament Hill -- but political staffers are split on whether the changes will make a difference. "Legislation is one thing," wrote one respondent to a recent survey of political staffers by The Canadian Press. "Hearts and minds is another." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A grey 2003 GMC Sierra 4 X 4 pickup truck is shown in this RCMP handout image. Police have released pictures of a truck suspected to have been involved in a fatal hit-and-run death that has left a New Brunswick First Nation grieving and seeking justice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP
Acadia University is seen in Wolfville, N.S. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015. The Canadian Association of University Teachers is launching an inquiry into the case of outspoken East Coast professor under investigation following complaints over his polarizing views.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
British police investigating the death of a female engineering student attacked by a group of women in the city of Nottingham city have said the assault on the teenager was not racially motivated, despite initial claims to that effect, and that a number of suspects have now been identified.
Eighteen-year-old Mariam Moustafa Abdel Salam was left in a coma after an attack on 20 February and died from her injuries on 14 March.
Chief Superintendent Rob Griffin of Nottinghamshire Police said in a press conference on Monday that the incident was reported as a racially motivated assault, but that investigations have revealed otherwise.
We had recorded a hate incident. However, the investigation has progressed really well... we have been able to establish what happened on 20 February, and all the evidence indicates that this incident is not in any way hate-related, he was quoted as saying by British newspaper The Guardian.
He added that investigators have identified a number of suspects.
We now know that a group of six girls were involved in the incident and we believe that we have identified all six of those girls," he said.
Mariam was "punched several times" while waiting for a bus outside the Victoria Centre in Parliament Street in the centre of Nottingham, according to the police.
She had got on a bus but was followed "by the same group of women who were threatening and abusive towards her before they got off," police said in a statement.
Three weeks after the attack, she died at Nottingham City Hospital.
The case has sparked alarm in Egypt, with Egyptian authorities calling on British officials to provide more information about the police investigation.
Following the February assault, Mariam's family said the teenage girl was attacked by the same group of girls in August 2017 and that police had done nothing at the time, saying the CCTV cameras in the area were not working.
Regarding that incident, Graffin said, "The level of investigation at that time was appropriate, and unfortunately no suspects were identified at the time.
As to whether the August incident was connected to what happened in February, he said, "We are open-minded, and these investigations continue, and hopefully that picture will continue to become clearer.
Abdel Salam held both British and Italian citizenship, and prosecutors in Rome have opened their own investigation into her death. They have asked the UK authorities to share details of their police investigation.
Griffin said he would remain in touch with both the Egyptian and Italian embassies throughout the week.
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A vehicle passes by the entrance to the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is currently Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Abortion law experts say House Bill 1510, which passed the Mississippi House on Thursday and the Senate on Tuesday, and would ban most abortions after 15 weeks, could be the nation's most restrictive if signed into law. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A mother walks her daughter, a student from Great Mills High School, to the car as she picks her up from Leonardtown High School in Leonardtown, Md., Tuesday, March 20, 2018. A teenager wounded a girl and a boy inside his Maryland high school Tuesday before a school resource officer was able to intervene, and each of them fired one more round as the shooter was fatally wounded, a sheriff said. St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said the student with the handgun was declared dead at a hospital, and the other two students were in critical condition. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
In this March 15, 2018 photo, people walk near the Tokyo Detention Center in Tokyo. Thirteen Japanese cult members may be sent to the gallows any day now for a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other crimes. Or they might not. Such is the secrecy that surrounds JapanAos death penalty system. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 marks 23 years since members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult punctured plastic bags to release sarin nerve gas inside subway cars, sickening thousands and killing 13. Cult leader Shoko Asahara and a dozen followers have been sentenced to death for that and other crimes that killed 27 in all. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Vice Premier Han Zheng attends a press conference after the closing session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang appealed to Washington on Tuesday to "act rationally" and avoid disrupting trade over steel, technology and other disputes, promising that Beijing will "open even wider" to imports and investment. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Neighbors and earthquake victims raise their fists during a memorial ceremony on the six month anniversary of the Mexico City earthquake, Monday, March 19, 2018. People who lost their homes and businesses inside heavily damaged buildings have been protesting the slow rate of progress with demolitions and repairs. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A farmer works in a field near high rise buildings of IREO Corridors, developed by the real estate firm IREO, in Gurgaon, India, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The Indian company that is partnering with the Trump Organization on an office tower project has been accused of running an elaborate real estate swindle that cheated investors out of nearly $150 million, according to complaints filed with Indian authorities. The documents make no mention of the Trump Organization, and focus largely on two real estate deals that began years before the organization signed a 2016 agreement with IREO to partner on an office tower in Gurgaon, outside New Delhi. (AP Photo/Oinam Anand)
This photo released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, Civil Defense workers putting out a fire following airstrikes and shelling in Douma, in the eastern Ghouta region near Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, March. 20, 2018. The U.N. refugee agency says 45,000 Syrians have left their homes in the besieged region of eastern Ghouta in recent days, amid a Syrian government-led offensive against the rebel-held area. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met on Tuesday in Cairo with Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias to discuss boosting bilateral relations, regional and international issues, as well as enhancing cooperation between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus, especially in the field of energy in the eastern Mediterranean.
Egypt's presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady said that El-Sisi expressed appreciation for Greeces support of Egypt and its people in the wake of 30 June revolution, praising bilateral relations between the two countries within the framework of the tripartite cooperation mechanism with Cyprus.
The meeting was attended by Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry.
The Greek foreign minister expressed his country's interest in developing historical relations with Egypt given its pivotal role in the region and in countering terrorism and extremism.
He also expressed admiration for Egypt's success and progress in achieving security and stability and witnessing an unprecedented leap in all fields, especially in infrastructure and the mega projects carried out during the past four years.
The two sides also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in investment and trade.
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Perryville football coach Brent Roth is already trying to erase the game from his memory. It is probably for a good reason, too.Perryville struggled to do anything well as Park Hills Central handed
The Pirates finally put together what Perryville softball coach Lilly Pecaut called a complete game.Everything came together as Perryville got the offense and pitching to come away with
The Perryville boys soccer team was able to show its resiliency in multiple ways as it got back into the win column. The Pirates bounced back from a lopsided loss to Notre Dame the week before, to
St. Vincent makes Valle Catholic play in loss St. Vincent football coach Tim Schumer didnt want his team to look at the scoreboard following the game. The score may have said that the Valle Catholic Warriors won in a lopsided game, but
Indians take advantage of miscues to claim first victory St. Vincent found itself down two scores midway through the third quarter, and despite the deficit, coach Tim Schumer was calm.The game was not over at that point, you have to play four
Rushing attack leads Pirates to win over Owls The Perryville football team is quickly turning into a M.A.S.H. unit. With several players already nursing injuries from the previous week, they also threw in other players who were in quarantine.
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If you can't manage gas stations properly, how can you manage Guyana's Oil sector?
By Kaieter News
GEORGETOWN
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018 If the Ministry of Energy has been doing an unsatisfactory job in managing gas stations in Trinidad and Tobago , then what confidence can one have that it has managed the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) business any better?
This was the question TT's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley posed to his attentive audience at the recently held Spotlight on Energy Conference in Port of Spain last week.
There, the Prime Minister said, When we reach the point where we bring up gas, produce it, sell it in a market where profits are being made and the return is negative meaning you get nothing, meaning you have to pay the person to take it from you something is radically wrong and we just can't accept that as the way of doing business.
In this regard, Dr. Rowley said he was speaking about the responsibilities of the Ministry of Energy in managing a billion dollar business.
A simple thing like licensing and managing gas stations in Trinidad saw the Ministry of energy falling down on the job. I wonder if you recall the El Pecos explosion that killed somebody and then next thing, a few days or weeks later, a similar explosion took place in another place. It turned out to be the same truck, the same man doing the same thing. And then we discovered that the Ministry of Energy had not even been issuing licenses to gas stations, a requirement under law for gas stations.
The TT Prime Minister said that those two explosions could have made world news had they gone the way they could have gone, fortunately they didn't.
I tell you this to say, if that is how we manage the gas station business in Trinidad and Tobago, what confidence do you have that we have managed the LNG business any better? Are we relying on luck and good graces ?
Dr. Rowley called on his attentive audience to ask themselves if they are ready to say that the time has come to talk and to work more professionally and more effectively because this is serious business.
GUYANA'S SITUATION
Like Trinidad and Tobago, authorities here have struggled with the effective management issues in the petroleum sector.
In fact, a 2015 forensic audit report on the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) shows that it adopted a free-for-all' approach in its management of the billion dollar sector as it allowed a chain of gas station services to operate without licences.
The report prepared by Nigel Hinds Financial Services found that GEA issued invoices for licence fees to three of the seven service stations belonging to Two Brothers Corp.
But based on its examination of GEA records, the auditors revealed that there was no evidence that any of the three service stations were issued retail licenses for the period under review.
The auditors were basically facing a situation where GEA gave the impression that Two Brothers paid for the licences but the company never got the licences.
The team concluded in no uncertain terms that none of the Two Brothers Corp. service stations were operating with retail licences for the review period. The auditors even elaborated further on this front.
They said that based on the documents obtained and examined from the Two Brothers Group of Companies and/or any of its directors, no evidence could be found that Two Brothers Corp. had ever been issued with any licence, with the exception of two.
One was a Bulk transportation licence issued to Javed R. Ali, a director of Two Brothers Corp. for vehicles GHH 5738 and GHH 6682. The other was a retail license issued to Two Brothers Variety Shop located in Kumaka Water Front, North West District.
Additionally, the forensic auditors discovered that GEA's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahender Sharma had issued a letter dated August 17, 2015, captioned Petroleum License Fees to Mr. Javed Ali, along with invoice # 1507/002 for retail licensing fees. The total amount of that invoice was $1.4M.
But what baffled the auditing team was the fact that not a single shred of evidence could be found to prove that Two Brothers Corp. paid the invoiced amount as of October 26, 2015.
The auditors stressed that Two Brothers Services Stations should not be allowed to operate without GEA retail licences. They recommended in 2015 that this be corrected. Since the revelation of this matter, it has not been publically stated by the GEA if any corrective action has been taken.
Story from Kaieter News
Kaieteurnewsonline.com 03 19 2018
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Not everything is cozy with ExxonMobil Guyana's partners
By Kaieter News
GEORGETOWN
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018 All companies, whether incorporated locally, or incorporated abroad but registered locally, are required to file an annual report together with financial statements.
Such financial statements should provide reliable information for users, including regulators.
ExxonMobil is represented by three companies as the contractor for the Stabroek Block: Esso, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, and Hess.
Chartered accountant and Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram, said that at a minimum, before accepting the pre-contract costs of US$460,237,918, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman should have verified it with the December 2015 audited financial statements of the three companies. He said that these documents should have been filed with the public authorities.
Ram said that he had already gone down the road in checking for these statements. However, his attempts were impeded when he could not have found a single financial statement for Hess. Ram said that he is now assured that the government made no attempts at cross checking the pre-contract costs submitted by the contractor.
It is difficult to see how this could have been done since the public records show that only Esso and CNOOC had complied with the requirement for the filing of records. What Trotman would have realised was that the other Contractor Hess Corporation has never filed a single financial statement or annual report with the Commercial Registry! Surely, this is elementary stuff, which requires basic knowledge and common sense, said Ram.
Ram said too, that, The 2016 financial statements of Esso reported that in 2014 it had entered into farm-out arrangements with Hess and CNOOC/Nexen and that Government approval was still pending, i.e. two years later. CNOOC reported the relationship differently, describing it as Joint Arrangement.
To complicate matters further, Hess which did not make any local filings, reported to its international stockholders that it had acquired a working interest', which is another term for farm-out. To add further to the complexity, in 2008, Esso had entered into an Assignment Agreement and Farm-out Agreements, which would have also had financial implications.
Story from Kaieter News.
Kaieteurnewsonline.com 03 20 2018
Copyright 1999-2018 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved.
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New bpTT boss Claire Fitzpatrick waiting on work permit
By TT Guardian
POR SPAIN
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
With fewer than two weeks to go before the departure of the Norman Christie, regional president of the country's largest oil and gas company, bpTT has not yet received a work permit for his successor, Claire Fitzpatrick.
The company has released the name of the person to take over from Christie but the T&T Guardian can confirm that the company has written to the Ministry of National Security seeking a work permit for Fitzpatrick.
It has been more than a month since the announcement was made that Christie would be moved from his long standing position as regional head responsible for the company's operations in T&T to the London Head Office of BP PLC Group's CEO Bob Dudley.
In a press release on February 14, bpTT announced the departure of Christie but was quick to say it could not announce a replacement until it had received a work permit for the incoming president.
The delay in granting the work permit comes at a time when Government has criticised energy companies for not hiring enough young people to take over the sector and said there needs to be a re-look of the work permit approval process.
Fitzpatrick is at present the managing director, BP Australia Upstream, BP Developments and Production Ltd and should Government grant her a work permit will be the next regional president headquartered in Port of Spain.
Fitzpatrick has a financial background and is expected to be crucial as bpTT continues challenging negotiations with Government on several issues including negotiation of a train 1 contract and possible renegotiation of LNG contracts as is being demanded by the Rowley administration.
While Fitzpatrick has not been able to take up her posting she has been in T&T and has been to the company's fence line community of Mayaro where a reception was held in Christie's honour.
OPEC hopes for oil market stability this year - Barkindo
By Reuters
BAKU
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said on Monday he hoped a global deal to reduce oil production would help restore stability to global oil markets in the course of the year, he told Azeri TV station Real TV in an interview.
We are beginning to see that the stability is gradual but still returning to the market, Barkindo said during a visit to the Azeri capital of Baku, adding that oil producing countries participating in the deal members are currently focused on extending the deal to December 2018.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other large oil producers lead by Russia agreed last November to extend the deal to cut their combined oil output by almost 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of 2018.
At the moment we are focused on achieving our objectives and Inshallah in the course of the year we would be able to restore stability to the market, Barkindo told Real TV.
The next meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC oil ministers, including from Azerbaijan, is set for June where ministers may adjust the agreement based on market conditions.
Barkindo said he will meet Azeri Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov to continue their dialogue on the role of Azerbaijan.
The future, the strategic interest of Azerbaijan lies within OPEC, Barkindo said.
Azerbaijan's oil production stood at 806,000 bpd in February, compared to 814,600 bpd in January.
Norway on vote that may trigger change of government
By Terje Solsvik
OSLO
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
Norway's parliament votes on Tuesday on a motion of no confidence in the justice minister, and the centre-right government is expected to resign if it is passed.
Sylvi Listhaug, of the right-wing Progress Party, has caused a political storm by accusing the opposition Labour Party - the target of a 2011 massacre - of putting terrorists' rights before national security.
The outcome of the vote will depend on the small Christian Democratic Party (CDP), traditionally a supporter of the government, which on Monday held meetings to decide its position.
Snap elections are not allowed, and Norway's next is not due until 2021. Conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg might be able to form a new cabinet, but the task could fall to Labour leader Jonas Gahr Stoere if the CDP switches sides.
Below is a summary of key policy issues:
SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND: REFORM DELAY?
With more than $1 trillion saved from Norway's oil and gas industry, parliament faces key questions over how to organise the fund and whether to allow investments beyond the foreign stocks, bonds and real estate it currently holds.
The government is due to present a white paper on the fund in April but a change of power would almost certainly lead to a postponement.
Parliament must also decide on whether to back the fund's wish to drop the shares of oil and gas companies from its benchmark index, though this issue is unlikely to come to a vote until 2019 or later.
PRIVATISATION OR NOT?
The Conservatives are open to reducing the state's stakes in several companies, notably in telecoms firm Telenor, where it has permission from parliament to cut its holding to 34 percent from 54 percent.
Labour said ahead of last year's election it would ask parliament to reverse the Telenor sales permit.
A plan to change the name of oil firm Statoil could be at stake. The current oil minister backs the board's plan to rename the company Equinor, but Labour has voiced scepticism.
TAXES: UP OR DOWN?
The Conservatives seek cuts in taxes for corporations, on personal incomes and in wealth and property taxes. They want tariff cuts to promote free trade.
Labour vowed in last year's general election to raise taxes for above-average earners and the wealthy by up to $2 billion to improve public services and reduce reliance on the sovereign wealth fund.
It blamed its defeat partly on the tax strategy, and said it might be more reluctant to hike income taxes in the future. The party has backed a government plan to cut corporate taxes.
OIL AND GAS: TO DRILL OR NOT?
In return for support from the centrist Christian Democrats and the Liberals, Solberg agreed last year to extend a moratorium on oil and gas exploration around the Arctic Lofoten archipelago for another four years.
If the government collapses, the agreement will be void, and the fate of drilling in the area, thought to hold vast resources, will ultimately be decided by parliament.
If the Conservatives were to rule alone, Solberg could seek the support of Progress and Labour to move towards exploration.
This would further sour relations with the two centrist parties, so Solberg may instead use the question of drilling as leverage to win continued support.
Labour has sought a compromise that could see some of the area opened for drilling, but faces a tricky dilemma because opposition within the party to Lofoten exploration is growing.
Europeans and Chinese construction firms eye projects - Panama VP
By Reuters
SAO PAULO
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
Construction firms from Spain, Italy and China are interested in public works in Panama, Vice President Isabel Saint Malo told Reuters, filling a gap left by Brazil's Odebrecht, which is banned from tendering in the wake of a graft scandal.
Latin America and Panama needs companies to understand that my country will no longer permit corruption in public works. There will be consequences, Saint Malo said in an interview last week.
Odebrecht has maintained a presence in Panama for many years but we want new companies to arrive, she said. And companies are arriving ... There are Spanish companies, Italian companies, Chinese companies with a lot of interest. She declined to name the companies as conversations were ongoing.
China Construction America Inc stepped in to complete the Amador convention center in Panama City, which should be ready by year-end, Saint Malo said.
However, the Chan II hydroelectric power plant is in limbo because Odebrecht won the contract but had not started work, she said.
Panama was due to start negotiations with China soon over a trade deal that could open the world's second largest economy to more Latin American goods, the vice president said.
We think that Panama's geographic position and its port, air and maritime connections make it an ideal place to consolidate Latin American production for export to Asia, she said.
The government of Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela has allowed Odebrecht to complete projects already underway in Panama to minimize job losses and the economic impact of the scandal, drawing criticism from political opponents.
Odebrecht agreed in August to pay $220 million in fines to Panama and to cooperate with investigators probing bribes of Panamanian officials, but was suspended from tendering for new projects while the investigation continued.
Odebrecht admitted in a 2016 leniency deal with Brazilian, Swiss and U.S. authorities that it had paid hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes since 2002 for infrastructure projects in 12 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela and Panama.
Egypt's Administrative Court on Tuesday issued an order banning taxi-hailing services Uber and Careem from operating in the country, with lawyer representing taxi drivers saying the government may take up to a month to implement the decision.
The case against the two companies was filed in February 2017 by a group of traditional taxi drivers, who accused the services of violating the traffic law by using privately-owned vehicles for commercial purposes. The case was filed against the two operators as well as the government.
Judicial sources had told Ahram Online on Tuesday that the court decision would immediately go into effect and that companies must cease their services pending a final ruling.
The verdict can still be appealed before Egypt's Higher Administrative Court.
Abdellatif Waked, Uber Egypts general manager, said in comments emailed to Ahram Online on Tuesday that the San Francisco-based company intends to appeal the court decision.
We respect the rulings of the Egyptian judiciary, and cannot comment in detail on ongoing legal proceedings. However, we will appeal this decision, and continue to be available in Egypt," he said.
"It is important to clarify that todays verdict does not mean suspending the operations of Uber in Egypt," Waked added.
Hours earlier, the Dubai-based Careem said in a brief statement on Facebook that it has not officially been notified about the ban, and that its operations in the country are continuing as normal.
Khaled El-Gamal, a lawyer representing the taxi drivers, said on Wednesday that the government may take around a month to put the court decision into effect.
"The court must issue an official document on the ruling, signed by judges, to be presented to the government, to move accordingly to suspend the companies' operation and ban their apps, which might take around four weeks," he said.
The ride-hailing smartphone applications had sparked several protests from cab drivers in Cairo over their use of private vehicles to transport commuters, which they say violates traffic regulations.
Taxi drivers have been angered because they are losing clients to both services, as many people are opting to use the two apps to commute in the capital and other cities.
Uber, first launched in San Francisco seven years ago, began operating in Egypt in November 2014. The service is now operating in more than 80 countries.
Its rival Careem operates across 13 countries and more than 90 cities in the Middle East and Asia. It also launched in Egypt in 2014.
Uber Egypt's General Manager Waked said on Tuesday that his company has provided "more than 150,000 economic opportunities in Egypt in 2017 alone," and has over the past two years been working with the Egyptian government to set up a "ridesharing framework."
"We will do all we can to ensure millions of Egyptians can continue to enjoy the benefits of on-demand transportation," he said.
Last year, Egypt's cabinet approved a transportation bill allowing and regulating the operations of the two ride-hailing companies. The law has been passed on to Egypt's State Council for a final legal review.
In late 2017, Uber announced it would make investments of $20 million over the next five years in its support centre in Cairo, saying Egypt is one of its fastest-growing markets.
Uber had 2 million users and employed 60,000 drivers in Egypt in 2016, the company's Middle East and Africa chief Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty told Reuters in October.
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Trump actively looking into Venezuelan oil sanctions - official
By Reuters
WASHINGTON
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
The Trump administration is actively exploring options to impose sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, after the White House issued an executive order barring the use of Venezuelan cryptocurrencies.
We are considering all options, including oil sector sanctions options, a senior administration official told reporters on a conference call. We are actively considering what steps we want to take and what the best timing is to maximize the effect of our actions.
The official said oil sanctions would not only have an impact on the government in Caracas, but also ordinary Venezuelans, countries in Central America and the U.S. economy.
Venezuela's regime arrests ex-PDVSA refining boss Jesus Luongo for alleged graft
By Mircely Guanipa
PUNTO FIJO, Venezuela
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
Venezuela has arrested the former refining boss of state oil company PDVSA for alleged corruption, two sources told Reuters on Monday, extending a crackdown on the OPEC nation's ailing oil sector.
Veteran oil executive Jesus Luongo joins a list of dozens of oil managers who have been arrested over the last few months for alleged graft in crisis-wrought Venezuela. Former oil minister Eulogio Del Pino and former PDVSA President Nelson Martinez are the most high-profile prisoners of the sweep that began late last year.
Authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Luongo and four other oil executives, the two sources with knowledge of the detention said. Luongo turned himself on Monday in the northwestern Paraguana peninsula, home to Venezuela's biggest refining complex, which he once led, one of the sources said. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, the other source added.
PDVSA and the Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Luongo. Luongo did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Whatsapp. The messaging system said he had not logged on since Sunday.
Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has promised a vast anti-corruption purge to cleanse the oil industry of mafias. At least 70 executives have been detained so far, panicking PDVSA workers, depriving Venezuela's oil industry of much of its top brass and stalling decision-making in the company overseeing the world's biggest crude reserves, insiders have said.
The opposition dismisses the probe as a power struggle within the government, noting that the industry has been under tight control of the Socialist Party since early in the late President Hugo Chavez's 14-year rule.
State prosecutor Tarek Saab, a former ruling party governor, has blasted those accusations as an opposition effort to discredit what he calls a crusade against graft. His office has called a press conference on Tuesday to make announcements about the fight against corruption.
As Saudi Arabian prince visits U.S., shale transforms oil relationship
Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
Mohammed bin Salman
By Javier Blas
LONDON
Petroleumworld 03 20 2018
From Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush, American presidents saw oil as the cornerstone of the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. -- a steady supply from the Middle East's largest exporter was considered crucial to the economy's well-being.
As Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman travels to America this week, the Texas-to-North Dakota shale boom has transformed the equation. While strong relations are considered crucial to the national security of both countries, energy will probably be lower down the agenda when the prince visits President Donald Trump's White House
In October, the U.S. imported just 563,000 barrels a day of Saudi crude, the smallest amount since June 1986 and down 75 percent from a peak of 2.24 million barrels a day in 2003.
The dramatic drop in U.S. net oil import needs will "have profound implications on energy geopolitics," said Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency.
"The U.S. secretary of state today, in international discussions, must be sitting in his negotiation chair more comfortably compared to his predecessors representing a country becoming an energy exporter," Birol said in an interview earlier this year.
Saudi Arabia only started to cut shipments into the U.S. in the second half of last year, so the annual average didn't reflect fully the drop. On average, the U.S. bought 943,000 barrels a day in 2017, the lowest since 1988.
The drop was part of a wider campaign by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to fight a global glut that has weighed on oil prices. Saudi Arabia has been targeting the U.S. because investors pay more attention to American inventories than anywhere else.
"The U.S., still holding ample stocks and seeing impressive growth in domestic production, seems an obvious choice for Saudi cutbacks," the IEA said earlier this month. "Indeed, over the past year, shipments nearly halved.
The freedom from Saudi oil that's been a rhetorical aspiration for generations of American politicians is within reach.
If you were to ask residents of East and West Mount Airy, they would tell you, apparently, that their neighborhood ranks above most others when it comes to quality of life.
At least, that's according to a new survey tool from the real estate website Trulia that launched in the last week, aiming to give house-hunters nationally better insight into neighborhoods where they are looking to buy or rent. Called "What Locals Say," the tool provides crowdsourced statistics on everything from how noisy a neighborhood is to how easy it is to park there. Think of it as "Yelp" for neighborhoods.
Those findings are based on polls that, so far, have been answered by more than six million people nationwide. They're presented under property listings on Trulia's website as both long-form reviews and percentages for example, "77 percent of Fishtown and Northern Liberties residents feel comfortable walking alone at night."
Which brings us back to East and West Mount Airy, the two Philadelphia neighborhoods that sit side-by-side in the Northwest, divided by Germantown Avenue. While certainly different, both enclaves often lauded for their economic stability, diversity, and history of tolerance have emerged from "What Locals Say" as among the city's preeminent neighborhoods, ranking among the highest in many categories that Trulia offers thus far.
For example, when it comes to Trulia's "Easy Parking" category, West and East Mount Airy rank second and third, respectively, out of 60 neighborhoods, with 78.9 percent of West Mount Airy respondents and 73.7 percent of East Mount Airy respondents saying they can easily find parking in the evenings or on weekends. (East Parkside in West Philadelphia claimed the top spot, with 84.6 percent responding they can find parking.)
Similarly, both Mount Airy neighborhoods top Philadelphia's list for "Residents who plan to stay in the neighborhood for five years or more." Taking first and second place, 73.8 percent of West Mount Airy residents and 71.4 percent of East Mount Airy residents say they plan to stay.
Of course, Trulia's tool is by no means definitive and has its limitations. As of Saturday, two days before the product publicly launched, each of the Mount Airy neighborhoods had received only slightly more than 100 responses each. Across Philadelphia, 12,832 responses had been collected at the time.
Still, like Wikipedia, Yelp, or TripAdvisor, "What Locals Say," even while in beta version, has the potential to grow into a large, continuously evolving platform that anyone can use even if only a smaller number of people contribute each day. The service also offers Trulia a chance to differentiate itself from its ever-growing market of competitors, as services including Facebook and Amazon have recently taken steps to join the crowded real estate listings market that Trulia, Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com have long dominated.
"What Locals Say" is free.
To collect data, Trulia's neighborhood polls are surfaced to people on Trulia's website at any time and on the mobile app between 7 p.m. and midnight when a for-sale listing is nearby periods when people are more likely to be home. Users can contribute long-form reviews at any time. A spokeswoman said the company has a "fraud check" in place, aiming to prevent users from answering a poll multiple times, or, ideally, from falsely answering the questions. Neighborhoods are listed as soon as 10 reviews are submitted.
To answer poll questions or view results for a particular neighborhood, participants can pull up any listing in the neighborhood, and scroll about halfway down the page.
So what do Trulia's polls reveal about Philadelphia so far? Based on data provided by Trulia on March 15, here's how Philadelphia neighborhoods stacked up in some categories.
Philadelphia's quietest neighborhoods: Trulia asked respondents whether they could regularly hear street noise from inside their homes. Here are the five quietest neighborhoods.
Wynnefield Heights: 23.8 percent reported hearing street noise West Mount Airy: 34 percent East Mount Airy: 41.2 percent East Falls: 41.4 percent Fitler Square: 41.9 percent
Philadelphia's kid-friendliest neighborhoods: Trulia asked whether respondents regularly see kids playing outside. Here are the five neighborhoods where that most frequently happens.
Bridesburg: 90.9 percent reported seeing kids regularly playing outside South Philadelphia East (Philadelphia's stadiums area): 77.8 percent Fitler Square: 75 percent Port Richmond: 74 percent East Germantown: 73.6 percent
Philadelphia's most festive neighborhoods: Trulia asked whether respondents had attended a community event in their neighborhood, such as a block party or a barbecue. Here are the five neighborhoods where people most frequently had.
West Mount Airy: 64.4 percent had attended a community event Port Richmond: 62.1 percent Overbrook: 61.9 percent Cobbs Creek: 60.7 percent Bridesburg: 59.1 percent
Philadelphia's permanent residents: Trulia asked whether respondents plan to live in their neighborhoods for five or more years. Here are the five neighborhoods where the most residents to do so.
West Mount Airy: 73.8 percent plan to stay East Mount Airy: 71.4 percent Queen Village/Pennsport: 68.1 percent Bella Vista/Passyunk Square: 67.4 percent Graduate Hospital: 67.3 percent
Philadelphia's best-lit sidewalks: Trulia asked respondents whether their neighborhood's sidewalks had good lighting. Here are the most illuminated neighborhoods.
Libyan military officers representing the army of Libyan General Khalifa Haftar and the Al-Sirraj government agreed on Tuesday during meetings in Cairo on the importance of preserving the unity and sovereignty of the Libyan state, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.
The meetings, which started on Friday, were hosted by the Egyptian committee on Libyan affairs, which has hosted previous four rounds of meetings.
The Libyan delegations also agreed on the importance of ending the current polarisation within the Libyan military in order to ensure its effectiveness as a professional and national force.
Cairo continues to promote dialogue between rival factions in Libya.
Egypt has been calling for the implementation of the Skhirat agreement signed in December 2015, which calls on Libyas rival governments in Tobruk and Tripoli to establish a national unity administration.
Tuesday's meeting, which was sponsored by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, aimed to discuss unifying the Libyan military to ensure that it can act as a guarantor of Libyan unity and sovereignty.
On Sunday, Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said during a press conference with his UAE counterpart that Egypt is supporting a political solution in Libya, combating terrorism and facilitating elections. As such, the FM said, Egypt supports the unification of the Libyan military.
The officials attending the meeting also stressed the need to unify the Libyan military in order to face the challenges of terrorism, irregular migration and organised crime.
Libya descended into civil war following the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed in a joint operation by militants and US special forces. The country is now divided between rival governments in the east and the west.
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Exterior of the D.G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville, Pa. The brewery recently announced a new pilsner. Read more
For the first time in 17 years, D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. is adding a beer to its year-round lineup.
The Pottsville, Pa.-based brewery, known as America's oldest, recently announced Yuengling Golden Pilsner. The beer will show up in some parts of the country as early as April. Philly, however, will have to wait a few more months before getting a taste.
The pilsner, which has 4.7 percent ABV and combines pale and specialty malts as well as Hallertau and Saaz hops, will be added to the brewery's other core brands, including Traditional Lager, Light Lager, and Black & Tan.
With Golden Pilsner, the company was looking to offer something a bit more refreshing, said Jennifer Yuengling, the family-owned company's vice president of operations. It took about 18 months to develop.
"Consumers are looking for and gravitating toward beers in refreshment category," she said.
So why now? Yuengling simply noted that the "timing was right" to finally mix up its core group. It's also not the first time in the recent past that the nearly 190-year-old company has switched up tradition the design labels for its Lager, Light Lager and Black & Tan brands got a facelift for the first time in 30 years just last March. The Light Lager was the last brew added to Yuengling's full-year line-up, in 2001.
The Golden Pilsner will roll out in cans and bottles in parts of Central Pennsylvania starting April 1 and will become available to Philadelphians come July.
Yuengling's latest brew comes about a month after the company revealed that it filed a trademark application to possibly use "Philly Special" for an existing or new beer. While the company didn't follow through with the idea, it said that a "Philly Special Pilsner" wasn't necessarily what it had up its sleeves.
"Yes, Yuengling had filed a trademark application for the term 'Philly Special,' specifically for beer, but we withdrew that application when we learned that the Philadelphia Eagles were looking to own exclusive access to the term," a Yuengling spokesperson said in a statement. "Also, we hadn't made a decision about what to do with the trademark had we been successful."
Though the meeting was in Fox Chase, well north of the Kensington epicenter of the opioid crisis in Philadelphia, residents were deeply worried about how they could be affected by city plans. Here, a homeless man waits under the bridge on Kensington Avenue near Lehigh earlier this month. Read more
Midway through a community meeting in Northeast Philadelphia on the opioid crisis Monday, a man stood up at the back of the room and yelled out a question to city Health Commissioner Thomas Farley: "Doctor, where do you live? Can we put a safe injection site next door to you?"
The crowd of 150 in the Fox Chase community center applauded and burst into shouts in a display that vividly showed the tough sales job the city is facing as it tries to fulfill a promise to allow a place where people in addiction can use drugs under medical supervision. As heroin has been adulterated with the deadlier opioid fentanyl, often without the user's knowledge, the overdose death rate has soared. Quick administration of a reversal medicine can save lives.
Health Department officials who all said they live in Philadelphia were in Fox Chase to talk about the overall plan to fight the epidemic, 18 recommendations that include expanding access to medication-assisted treatment and housing for people in addiction. But the only point anyone wanted to talk about was green-lighting a safe injection site.
"The hot one," said Mary Doherty, the director of government and strategic partnerships at CORA Services Inc., the community center that hosted the meeting.
Monday night's meeting was the first of eight that will be held around Philadelphia over the next month. But it was also the first time city officials held a sustained conversation with residents about safe injection sites since announcing in January they would allow one to open if a nonprofit offered to undertake the project without city funding.
The crowd was incensed about the site and frustrated that the city has taken so long to talk to residents about it. And they were alarmed by a false rumor that the city was putting a safe injection site nearby.
Advocates for boosting the city's response to the drug crisis said they were glad for the opportunity to set the record straight.
"It's about educating the community and dispelling stigma," said Brooke Feldman, a harm-reduction advocate who has been in recovery for 13 years and grew up in the Northeast. Drug use might not be as visible in her neighborhood as it is in Kensington, its neighbor to the south, which has long borne the brunt of drug epidemics. Still, she said: "I used drugs, I sold drugs, in Northeast Philadelphia, and I understand the concern about attracting people using drugs to the community. But people are using drugs and selling drugs and dying right here in Northeast Philadelphia."
After the meeting, she said she wasn't surprised her neighbors had not supported a safe injection site: a proposed methadone clinic several years ago faced a similar backlash, and Councilman Bobby Henon sued to keep it out of the district.
On Monday night, residents listened to a presentation explaining the city's opioids plan, residents lined up to speak to the crowd or submit questions on note cards. Some questions came from people in addiction living at an encampment on Emerald Street in Kensington, who watched the meeting on a live stream set up by advocates.
Some residents used the opportunity to ask questions about recovery and treatment. City officials fielded skeptical comments on the efficacy of medication-assisted treatment, explaining that the treatment keeps more people in recovery than counseling alone.
Others spoke of children and relatives who had died of overdoses or were struggling with addiction. One woman said she was frustrated that she scrimped to afford medications for her son, who has diabetes: "Where's the help for the people who work hard in this community?"
Still others said they felt a safe injection site would enable drug use, but some seemed more open to the idea just not in a residential neighborhood, they said. "Why can't they go to a controlled environment in a hospital?" one woman suggested to Farley. "That's your best bet." Farley said her comment was "fair input."
Jeff Landsmann, a lineman from Fox Chase who attended the meeting after getting a text an hour earlier from a neighbor, said later that he was still opposed to a safe injection site, and hadn't heard anything that convinced him otherwise.
But Elise Schiller of Germantown took the microphone and said her daughter died of a heroin overdose in 2014. "I understand this very well. And I don't like the stigma. Please don't be judgmental," she said. "Rock bottom for opioid addiction is death. We can't wait until they hit rock bottom for treatment."
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump look over a helmet he received from Manchester City Fire Chief Daniel Goonan during a visit to the Manchester Central Fire Station in Manchester, N.H., Monday. Read more
Addressing a crowd in New Hampshire, one of the states hit hardest by the opioid epidemic, President Trump on Monday called for some drug dealers "the big pushers" to be sentenced to death, railing against "sanctuary cities" like Philadelphia for harboring what he deemed dangerous criminals.
His speech was light on specifics he didn't say exactly which drug crimes he thinks should warrant the death penalty, which already may be applied to charges involving murder committed while trafficking drugs. But his rhetoric echoed the tones of the tough-on-crime tactics adopted during the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, even as Philadelphians coping with the opioid epidemic have been agreeing on the failures of that earlier approach.
In otherwise heated debates about the city's decision to green-light a safe-injection site, City Council members, health officials, and community members alike have agreed on one thing: Harsh sentences clogged the city's prisons, decimated communities of color, and left a legacy still felt in neighborhoods like Kensington, which is now shouldering the brunt of an opioid crisis that contributed to an estimated 1,200 overdose deaths last year.
Public health experts said deploying the death penalty in drug cases would serve only to drive the drug crisis further underground, making it even tougher to stem.
Increasing access to treatment something Trump also pledged Monday and cracking down on drug dealers are "conflicting strategies," said Scott Burris, a public health law professor at Temple University.
"The more you crack down on drug sellers, the more you're cracking down on drug users because police will go after users to find dealers, and that drives people away and underground," he said. "Probably the greatest tragedy of the Trump approach is that all the easy solutions are over with. We've got a bunch of things that require thought, cooperation, and evidence, and all he's coming up with is more dumb, easy solutions."
Ben Waxman, a spokesman for District Attorney Larry Krasner, who has said he would not seek the death penalty in any case, said harsh measures like demanding death for dealers "fly in the face of trends in modern prosecutorial conduct."
"Saber rattling might look good on a TelePrompTer, but it has nothing to do, day to day, with what Philadelphia is facing in terms of law enforcement," he said.
During a half-hour speech in Manchester, the president also touched briefly on more widely accepted measures to stem an overdose crisis that killed more than 64,000 people nationwide last year: easing barriers to treatment; decreasing prescriptions for opioid painkillers; and distributing naloxone, the overdose-reversing spray, to first responders and private citizens.
But Trump appeared most comfortable, and least scripted, when he talked about "getting tough" on drug dealers, who he said are "killing so many thousands of our citizens every year." It's a move that plays well to his political base, he acknowledged.
"Lot of voters in this room," he quipped after his death penalty comment won applause.
He lauded other countries with tough drug-sentencing laws (though he didn't name names Monday, he has praised the Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte, whose anti-drug campaign has led to the killings of more than 12,000 people without benefit of due process). Trump blamed Boston and Lawrence, Mass., both sanctuary cities, for the influx of the deadly synthetic fentanyl in surrounding counties. He repeated his frequent call for building a wall along the southern border. And he spoke with disdain of "committees" that he said were not sufficiently focused on law enforcement in efforts to deal with the drug crisis.
"We can have all the blue-ribbon committees you want, but if we don't get tough on the drug dealers, we are wasting our time. This isn't about 'nice' anymore, this isn't about committees, this isn't about, 'Get everyone and have dinner' and everyone gets a medal," he said. "This is about winning a very, very tough problem, and if we don't get very tough on these dealers, it's not going to happen, folks."
In a memo issued before the speech, the White House touted the funding it has proposed and the grants it has pushed to fight the epidemic over the last year. But health officials in Philadelphia said the federal government's response to the crisis has been lacking. (Politico reported Monday that in several states, hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds aimed at stemming the opioid crisis have gone unspent because funding wasn't guaranteed beyond two years, making it difficult to start new programs. Another factor: The Trump administration hasn't set clear priorities for how to fight the epidemic.)
At Community Behavioral Health, the Philadelphia agency that handles Medicaid claims for substance-abuse treatment, Geoffrey Neimark, the agency's chief medical officer, said the federal response so far has gone mostly to federal agencies. On the ground in Philadelphia, the effort has "felt much more like talk than action."
The city Health Department agreed.
"Philadelphia is in the grip of the worst epidemic in a century, and the city and State of Pennsylvania have taken real, concrete actions to try to stem the tide of death and disaster," a Health Department spokesman said in a statement. "The federal government, however, after issuing an extremely thorough and thoughtful report on how to best combat the epidemic, has done nothing since; a public health emergency declaration with no action or funding tied to it is as good as doing nothing at all."
Mollie Michel of South Philadelphia keeps her children inside some days because of air pollution, so she's particularly irked by a long delay by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to say officially whether Philadelphia has a smog problem. That designation could mean more regulation to help clean up the dirty air, she said.
"You have a city with a childhood asthma rate twice as high as the national average," Michel said to bolster her argument. A member of Moms Clean Air Force, she gathered Tuesday with a few dozen other activists and local officials at City Hall to mark the first day of spring by protesting Trump administration policies.
Whether Philadelphia is violating the federal Clean Air Act remains in bureaucratic limbo. Despite deadlines, the EPA has refused to say whether Philadelphia and some other cities, including Pittsburgh, have met a 2015 benchmark of 70 parts per billion or less of ground-level ozone in the ambient atmosphere. Being out of compliance, or in "nonattainment," has a real-world impact on the state, city, businesses and industry, and even motorists through increased regulation and funding.
The EPA was supposed to state whether Philadelphia was in compliance by last Oct. 1. Last week, a federal court ruled that the EPA, under its administrator, Scott Pruitt, broke the law by missing the deadline, and gave the EPA until April.
On Monday, Pruitt's office said it would meet the deadline.
Pruitt said during a meeting with reporters at EPA headquarters in Washington that the scope of monitoring required to answer the smog question had caused the delay.
"The agency has been running behind for a number of years," said Pruitt, who took office a year ago.
Pruitt, who said he didn't have data specific to Philadelphia in front of him, also took issue with how the monitoring program has been carried out in the past, saving money by "modeling" using data from one area and applying it to another.
"Real data is terribly important," Pruitt said. "When we go forward, we need to focus more on monitoring as opposed to modeling You shouldn't get data from one monitor and extrapolate it over a whole area because you're not dealing with real data at that point."
He said his office is "exploring ways" to pay for monitoring.
If Philadelphia is declared to have a smog problem, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection would be responsible for crafting a plan to reduce ground-level ozone. Ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides created by burning fossil fuels, and power plants and other industries combine in sunlight. Long, hot, humid days act as smog factories, so smog is expected to increase as the climate warms up.
James Garrow, a spokesman for the city's Department of Public Health, said, "Philadelphia is indeed out of compliance" as of March 1. He said the trend for ground-level ozone has been going down for years and Philadelphia expects to meet requirements within a few years.
At the protest, Flora Cardoni, an organizer with PennEnvironment, joined Democratic State Reps. James R. Roebuck Jr. and Brian K. Sims, as well as members of Deep Green Philly and the Clean Air Council, in speaking out. Cardoni said it's already been too long a wait for action.
"Philadelphians want to walk along the Schuylkill, play in Fairmount Park, and wander the historic city without worrying about choking on smog and soot," she said.
The art still at the Barnes Foundation in Merion is not going anywhere. It's not being sold. It's not being given away. Nor is the Merion property itself being readied for sale in the near or distant future, according to officials.
"Selling Merion is expressly disallowed" by the foundation's charter documents, said Barnes president and chief executive Thomas Collins.
Even though St. Joseph's University next door is taking over much of the management and use of the 12-acre arboretum property just off City Avenue, the Barnes' purpose is not to shed art or property, Collins said.
St. Joe's signed a 30-year lease on the historic property in November 2017, renewable in three 20-year increments, with the express purpose of establishing a horticulture program in partnership with the Barnes. And the Barnes is seeking to enhance its own horticultural education program.
That the Barnes has just hired a collections assessment project manager whose duties will include determining what to keep and what to sell or donate from its properties is not a prelude to art sales, officials said.
Collins emphasized that the assessment project will largely evaluate household
items around the Merion property and at Albert C. Barnes' Chester County country house, Ker-Feal.
None of the art now in storage art that was not on the walls of the Merion gallery at the time of Barnes' death in 1951 will be sold. In fact, said Collins, under the Barnes Foundation's trust indenture, the art whether it was in the galleries in 1951 or not cannot be sold without approval of Montgomery County Orphans' Court.
The governing indenture stipulates that after the death of Barnes and his wife, Laura, who died in 1966, "the furniture, the rare and valuable collection of rugs, together with the Chinese vases and other objects of art, but exclusive of the paintings, that are located in the administration building, shall be sold as expeditiously as may be found necessary at public auction."
Collins said this language means no art paintings, prints, watercolors may be sold without the court's imprimatur.
There are fewer than 200 works of art that are not part of the gallery wall ensembles at the new Barnes Foundation galleries on the Parkway, he said. Probably the best-known painting is the 1926 portrait of Barnes by Giorgio de Chirico, which hung in the office at the original Barnes in Merion.
Something that we would never unload
Paintings aside, Collins said the arboretum is a core mission issue for the foundation.
"It's in the original foundation documents," he said. "We've continued to maintain the arboretum and grow the arboretum and its educational program. So it's something that we would never unload. In fact, this whole relationship with St. Joe's is about enhancing that part of the educational mission and bringing it to a bigger audience."
Of course, the same trust indenture that expressly forbids moving the Merion wall ensembles and the foundation's desire to do so, announced in 2002, led to one of the epic legal battles in American art history. And the art moved, trust indenture notwithstanding.
Collins maintained that there was no plan, not even one contemplated for the far future, to sell the Merion property.
"Absolutely not," he said.
Joseph Neubauer, chair of the Barnes board of trustees, could not be reached for comment. No other board member would comment on future plans for Merion or Ker-Feal. A Barnes spokewoman said, "The board felt they don't have anything to add to the information we've already shared with you."
St. Joseph's will plow at least $5 million into Merion over the next decade and a half and pick up maintenance costs, removing a drain on the Barnes finances. But what about Ker-Feal? Is there a longer-range plan to sell that property, which Barnes filled with decorative art and Pennsylvania Dutch ironwork?
Whither Ker-Feal?
"What I'd like to do is get through this assessment project and figure out what we have at Ker-Feal," said Collins. "There's no art there. It's very different from the program that we offer here. So the question is what pieces of that do we want to present? How do we present them? What kind of resources are there, and what can we do with them in terms of public access?"
The lease arrangement with St. Joseph's provides an opportunity to expand and strengthen the Barnes horticulture curriculum, which Collins said continues to grow, while St. Joseph's assesses how best to proceed toward its own goal of offering a horticultural curriculum.
The lease bars St. Joseph's from constructing or demolishing any buildings. And external changes to building facades, including changes involving the stone reliefs by Jacques Lipchitz that Barnes commissioned in 1922, must be approved by the foundation.
St. Joseph's must also seek approval for any interior changes affecting the Roy Larson frieze in the main gallery room. (Larson was a student of and then partner with Paul Cret, who designed the building.)
Barnes general counsel and secretary Sara Geelan said the foundation was committed to "maintaining the Lipchitz bas reliefs, the African art-inspired metal work and tile mosaics as well as the frieze in the main gallery" in Merion.
The collections assessment project will examine every object still held at Merion and Ker-Feal.
"This really is about stewardship of resources, in the sense that we don't even know the extent of what we have, what shape it's in, what it might mean in terms of our program moving forward," said Collins. "I think the likelihood is that we'll keep some things that Dr. Barnes never would have expected that we would keep. The paintings, for example, that aren't on view, we regularly lend them. That's an important asset for us for all the obvious reasons. It's the only thing we can lend in reciprocal lending programs."
Customers wait in line amid snow and freezing rain for free ice to celebrate the first day of spring at Rita's Water Ice in Olney on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Read more
Despite the snow flurries, ice pellets, and freezing conditions, Sidney Davis stopped by Rita's Italian Ice at 21st and South Streets on Tuesday afternoon to pick up a free cup of water ice. Bundled up in a scarf, parka, and boots, Davis wandered over to the windows to watch the snowflakes as she dug into her frozen treat.
"I've been coming to get Rita's on the first day of spring since I was 10, so for the past 11 years or so," Davis said. "It started as a family thing, so I had to come today despite the awful weather. Free is free, after all."
As Philadelphia braced for its fourth winter storm this month, Rita's locations around the city opened dutifully for a beloved tradition free water ice on the first day of spring despite the absence of sunshine and warmth. Lines usually stretch out the door when the weather cooperates. Last year, the chain gave out nearly a million cups of water ice, according to its website.
That likely will not be the case this year.
"Last year, there was a teacher who brought her entire class," Mike Chow, one of the owners of Rita's at 21st and South, said. "We had 30 kids lined up outside before we even opened, and we wound up taking their orders in bulk."
Not so much this year.
During the first hour, only about 20 customers braved the chill for free water ice. One even left the store double-fisting her water ice and a huge cup of steaming coffee. An incredulous employee watched her leave.
"Who are these people?" she asked. "Even I wouldn't get water ice today."
Kelly Piasecki stopped by with her sons, Miles, 4, and Owen, 2, after a run and an outing to the playground. The cold didn't stop the boys from devouring the treats, although Owen was sorely disappointed that the mango flavor wasn't more yellow.
The regulars were pleasantly surprised by the lack of lines. They asked Chow how many customers had been around, curious about who else was braving the weather.
"We try to come if we're nearby on the first day of spring," Scott Parsons, a paramedic who was among the store's first customers of the day, said. "If there's a line, we'll usually skip it. But there's no line today, so this is great."
Chow said he had no idea what to expect Tuesday. "We're probably not going to open tomorrow," he said as he watched the snow fall outside. (The shop at 15th and Spruce Streets was a little busier, but business slowed as ice began to collect on the sidewalks.)
For some, getting water ice was an act of devotion. John Freeman stopped by for a cup of wild cherry for his wife, brushing snow from his gloves and beanie. Asked whether he wanted anything for himself, he shook his head adamantly.
"Eating water ice when it's this cold outside just doesn't seem right to me," he said, gesturing to the snow outside. "I'll be back when it's warmer."
*As the world celebrates the World Water Day on 22 March the Ahram Online republishes the latest issue of the UNChronicle (Vol. LV No. 1 2018). The Quest for Water focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water for all. This issue of the United Nations digital magazine marks the launch of the International Decade for Action, Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028.Waterpolicies, programmes and people
In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This new development agenda propagates an all-of-society engagement and partnership as a main driver for transformation. It is a collective action plan that unites State and non-State actors, whereby adequate opportunity and space is given to all major groups in society. While youth is considered as a vulnerable group that warrants specific attention (para. 23), young people are also viewed as important actors who should be educated and enabled to reach their full potential (para. 25; SDG 4, targets 4.4 and 4.6).
Specific attention is given to the promotion of youth employment for inclusive and sustainable economic growth (para. 27; SDG 8, targets 8.6 and 8b) and to developing the capacity of youth to effectively contribute to climate change-related planning and management (SDG 13, target 13.b).
Young people have the potential to be effective agents of change. But unless the need is acknowledged to provide an enabling environment for youth to thrive in, this remains an empty catchphrase. The transition of youth from a target group to full partner lacks traction in many fields of the development domain. Engaging youth in the water sector is particularly challenging due to its complex nature.
In the international water community, bottom-up youth engagement comes through a variety of civil society networks. While many youth initiatives may exist around the world, structured and meaningful involvement of youth is generally hampered due to various reasons that range from the lack of widespread support to the absence of proper platforms that sustain youth participation.
In the last few years, youth have been targeted by many leading international organizations in the water sector. In fact, youth engagement has become a fashionable trend. Most organizations have their marketed youth strategies promoting an image of youth inclusion and engagement. However, these good intentions rarely reflect the reality on the ground. In practice, youth engagement sometimes simply means inviting youth representatives to participate in events. Furthermore, many initiatives led by water institutions aimed at engaging youth take place in an ad hoc manner and lack consistency.
At present, the potential of youth has been only marginally realized. Knowledge and data on how to effectively engage stakeholders, including youth, is generally deficient. While stakeholder engagement is a priority to most organizations, analysis of the factors that enable their meaningful engagement is usually not high on the agenda.
Programmes to strengthen their capacity and ability to engage are generally insufficient.
In comparison with other civil society stakeholder groups, youth has an additional complicating factor. While youth take on the initiative to drive change in their communities through different actions under the umbrella of voluntarism, this is often unsustainable. Most youth begin their engagement as students and by the time they graduate they shift their focus to entering the job market and starting their careers. If their voluntarism continues, this will be carried out in other segments of civil society, such as academia, non-governmental organizations, or associations that focus on womens issues and indigenous peoples.
Consequently, it is imperative to move past the convenient logic of voluntarism and recognize that sustained efforts and resources are needed to encourage, equip and support the continuous growth of young people.
Stakeholder participation is at the core of effective water and sanitation management. A considerable number of countries83 per cent of 94 countries surveyed in 2013-2014now have stakeholder participation included in policies and/or laws. Therefore, investing in an enabling environment for youth as key stakeholders in the water sector is a prerequisite to successful engagement and will ensure the achievement of SDG 6.
Empowering youth and defining mechanisms to enable their engagement and integration in different political processes is critical to getting their voices heard and their needs and demands met. Many experiences demonstrate that youth engagement originates as a bottom-up effort in the form of youth networks. In June 2017, in Kyrgyzstan, I took part in the launch of the Central Asia Youth Water Forum, a network of young water professionals that was established to support and strengthen youth participation in the regional water sector. The creation of this network is a result of a two-year coordination process led by engaged youth from the region and supported by the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) programme at the German-Kazakh University. This example shows that even in one of the most politically complex regions of the world, youth are eager to shift mindsets and contribute to sustainable water resources management.
While education, awareness-raising and capacity-building are important enablers of youth engagement, social movements come from within and are rarely sustainable when organized top-down. It is critical to break out of this narrow understanding and make space for youth-owned initiatives to actively engage society on a policy level and in the decision-making process. Failure to acknowledge such social movements will result in distrust and frustration among young people, repelling them from the water sector.
Youth inclusion in different processes in the water sector should be sustainable and needs to rely on the willingness of older generations to teach, mentor and share knowledge with the younger and eager generations. Youth cut across all sectors of society as a standing multi-stakeholder platform by itself that should be utilized. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for a society of engagement and partnership, and youth will have a decisive role to play in the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs.
By now, everyone is convinced of the valuable contribution that youth can offer in the decision-making process in the water sector. It is time to persuade decision makers to invest in an enabling environment to strengthen the participation of youth.
*Asma Bachikh is President of the World Youth Parliament for Water.
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The 12-year-old girl awoke just before 3 a.m. to the sound of her mother screaming.
Then, in those early hours of Feb. 19, the girl walked into the bedroom of her pregnant mother, Eboney White, and watched White's boyfriend, Tristian Jones, stab White to death, according to charging documents released Tuesday.
The girl yelled at Jones, trying to persuade him to stop hurting her mom. But it was in vain. Knife in hand, Jones allegedly lunged at the girl. So she ran to the bathroom of the Elkins Park apartment, locked herself inside, and dialed 911.
Jones, 35, of Philadelphia, was charged Monday with the slaying of the 31-year-old White and the couple's unborn child, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said. Jones told authorities he had kept White's pregnancy a secret from his family, including his wife.
"I committed a sin. And I can't let the kids think that part was okay," Jones had written in a text message, according to the charging documents.
"Domestic violence and intimate partner violence like this senseless killing are all too often a hidden crime until it's too late and police arrive to investigate a murder," District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said in a statement.
Cheltenham Township police responded to the apartment on Mather Way around 3:20 a.m. They found White, who was 7 months pregnant, dead in her bedroom with multiple stab wounds. An autopsy said the cause of death for White and the male fetus was homicide.
Besides the 12-year-old girl, White's 7-year-old daughter was also in the apartment at the time, authorities said.
Cheltenham police and Montgomery County detectives launched a joint investigation into the killing.
In an interview, Jones told them that earlier that day he and White had discussed introducing their children to each other, and in text messages, the couple talked about how to talk about the pregnancy with the children.
"Yes it's best to introduce you to kids but I do have to accept that it does highlight the sin I made," Jones wrote in text messages, according to charging documents.
After sending those texts, Jones was captured on surveillance footage buying an Imusa paring knife and cutting board from a Burlington store in Wyncote. From there, he walked to a nearby Wendy's, where he was also seen on security cameras, and then went to White's apartment, authorities said.
White's 12-year-old daughter told police she woke up around 2 a.m. and saw a man whom she recognized as her mom's boyfriend "Mr. Tristian" in the apartment. At first, she didn't think much of it, the girl told police, as Jones often visited White in the early morning. About 45 minutes later, she awoke again to screaming.
Jones was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and murder of an unborn child. He is being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail, awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 29.
No attorney for Jones was listed on court documents as of Tuesday morning.
Four men, including two brothers, are dead following a pair of double shootings in Philadelphia in less than 24 hours.
The most recent occurred about 5:40 a.m. Tuesday, when two brothers in their 50s were shot in what police called an ambush on the 6500 block of Kingsessing Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.
One victim, who was shot in the head, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he died at 6:22 a.m., police said.
Police said they were seeking two men who waited for the men to leave their home to go to work before approaching and opening fire multiple times.
In the earlier shooting, police responding to a call about a person with a gun about 4:10 p.m. Monday found two men with bullet wounds inside a Mazda 6 on the 2900 block of Wishart Street in North Philadelphia, police said.
Both men were taken to Temple University Hospital, where they died.
The victims were identified Tuesday as Bryant McCoy, 39, and Charles Williams, 25, both residents of the nearby 2900 block of Allegheny Avenue.
No arrests have been made. Police did not disclose if they had established a motive in either killing.
If there's Civil War gold in them thar hills out in Western Pennsylvania, the feds couldn't find it.
Again.
Last week, the FBI, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DNCR), and some die-hard treasure hunters converged on state land in Elk County, about 250 miles northwest of Philadelphia, to search for a cache of gold that was lost, so the legend goes, during a shipment in 1863.
The FBI, in a brief statement issued Monday night, said the crew came up empty after two days of looking and had packed up last Wednesday. It did say the investigation was "ongoing," so perhaps some small mystery remains.
"As this is related to an ongoing investigation, any additional comment would be inappropriate at this time," FBI spokeswoman Carrie Adamowski said in the statement.
According to legend, a special detachment of Union soldiers was tasked with transporting 26 gold bars, each weighing 50 pounds, from West Virginia to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in the summer of 1863.
Based on today's value of an ounce of gold, the lost load would be worth more than $27 million.
According to one version of the story, Sgt. Jim Connors staggered into Lock Haven, in north-central Pennsylvania, claiming to be the lone survivor of an ambush. The gold, he said, was gone. The Army doubted Connors' story and interrogated him, and sent Pinkerton detectives to find the gold, but they came up empty.
The story remained firmly in the land of myth until 1975 when someone gave Dennis Parada a map. Parada started a treasure-hunting firm called Finders Keepers and has spent four decades looking for the gold. Finders Keepers stumbled upon artifacts on state land but claims Pennsylvania's Historical and Museum Commission dismissed its findings.
"We believe that we found the gold at the Dents Run site and that the state is doing everything that they can to stop us from telling our story," the firm wrote on its website.
Parada, on his website, said high-powered metal detectors proved the story was true. He could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning. Last week, Parada said he could not comment about the Dents Run site.
The Finders Keepers site also includes a 2005 letter from the DCNR addressed to the district forester at Elk State Forest, where Parada, of Clearfield County, had apparently been digging. The letter stated that Parada could not dig on state land.
In 2008, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profiled Parada's "obsession."
"I told DCNR I'm not going to quit until it's dug up, and if I die, my kid's going to be around and make sure it's going to be dug up," Parada told the newspaper. "There's something in there, and I'm not giving up."
Parada wouldn't disclose all the details, particularly about the map, saying he was saving the "good parts" for the movies.
The Post-Gazette interviewed a Civil War historian at the time, who dismissed the legend and also, perhaps, Parada.
"Legends tend to be formulated around wishful thinking," the college professor said. "You don't want to be a citizen of an area where nothing ever happened."
According to WJAC-TV in Johnstown, the FBI set up off Route 555 in the Dents Run section of Benezette Township on March 13. That's nine miles from Driftwood, where Connors said the shipment was attacked.
At the time, FBI spokeswoman Adamowski said the crew at Dents Run was conducting "court-authorized law enforcement activity."
Connors, according to the legend, used to get drunk and boast about the gold's whereabouts deep in the hills of Western Pennsylvania. Connors later died in a "western outpost."
Philadelphia's jail population has fallen 27 percent from what it was two years ago, to about 5,700 inmates and, for the first time in years, is holding consistently below the jails' 6,900-person capacity.
Yet overtime costs at the Philadelphia Department of Prisons have not followed a similar trajectory. They climbed to around $26 million for the year ending Jan. 31, according to internal reports obtained by the Inquirer and Daily News.
Staffing shortages, according to the reports, also led to frequent lockdowns at the city facilities on State Road a condition that one man recently incarcerated at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the city's largest jail, said meant he was frequently trapped in his cell all day long, a few times for 48 hours at a stretch.
The correction officers' union blames mismanagement and insufficient hiring, but Commissioner Blanche Carney said the real problem is widespread abuse of sick leave.
The situation appears to reflect a clash between an administration that's managing the largest downsizing in the history of Philadelphia jails and union workers who have not bought in.
A new union contract finalized Monday will resolve many of the issues that led overtime costs to spiral, according to Carney. She's also hiring cautiously and working to redeploy staff from the 91-year-old House of Correction as it is depopulated; closing that facility, the oldest of the city's five jails, is a longer-term goal.
Lorenzo North, president of AFSCME Local 159, is not satisfied. He wrote to Mayor Kenney on March 5 asking him to replace Carney, who in 2016 became the first woman ever to lead the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
"She has lost the support and respect of both supervision and staff," North wrote. "At the House of Corrections, the Warden is systematically understaffing the facility because Commissioner Carney refuses to permit use of overtime. Short on staff, many housing units are in a state of constant lockdown. This angers inmates, engendering conflict with other inmates and the officers who guard them."
Brian Abernathy, the city's first deputy managing director, dismissed the letter. What's happening, he said, is "the commissioner has disrupted the status quo."
Though he acknowledged that the prison had been short a cadet class last year, he said the problem has been resolved with two new classes adding 80 officers to staffing rolls. Staffing fluctuates, but in January 2018, there were 5 percent fewer correctional officers and supervisors than there were in December 2016, according to the internal reports.
"We're balancing and leveling out. We're not going to have the staffing levels we had for a 9,000-person population," Carney said.
They said the arbitration award, to replace a contract that expired June 30, 2017, will resolve ongoing issues around abuse of leave. According to the arbitrators' decision, those included corrections officers calling in sick at the end of their shifts when assigned to stay on for mandatory overtime, and/or invoking family and medical leave when they were late to work. Over the last year, according to Philadelphia Department of Prisons internal reports, corrections officers took 14 sick days on average, 14 vacation days, and 18 days of family and medical leave (a type of leave intended for occasions such as a serious illness or the birth of a child.)
But North said it was on Carney to manage staff more effectively. He pointed to Super Bowl Sunday, when so many workers called in sick that "we had people that worked 24 hours that day 24 hours straight. She let it happen."
The result of the situation has been overtime costs that often exceeded $50,000 per day and, according to internal reports, widespread use of restricted movement.
For instance, in January, most areas of Curran-Fromhold were locked down for at least 130 hours; that adds up to about five days.
One man, Billy Bentley, estimated he'd been locked in his cell all day long at least 10 times in 2 months at Curran-Fromhold. "You're always locked in. The guards don't even come to work. If it's raining outside, you're not getting on the phone. You're not getting in the shower."
The new contract might alleviate such conditions.
It includes clauses to rein in family and medical leave use, tie attendance to promotion opportunities, and create new disciplinary measures for staff who abuse sick time. In the past, they were suspended, but that only created further staffing shortfalls. (The contract also provides for a 3 percent raise effective July 1, 2017, and 3.25 percent raises for each of the next two years.)
Still, North said the problem runs deeper, citing friction from the top levels of management on down, insufficient hiring, and rock-bottom morale. Deputy Commissioner Robert Tomaszewski is engaged in a federal lawsuit against the Department of Prisons, contending that the city discriminated by passing him, a white man, over for the job in favor of Carney then retaliated against him for filing a complaint.
The administration takes a different view. Carney said she's deploying a "holistic approach," one that will hopefully better serve inmates, staff, and the city going forward.
The city is initiating two studies, one to plan the use of space on State Road and another to look at areas for cost savings in the prisons. This year, the city will start to see the financial impacts of a declining inmate population, saving $2.6 million as the Department of Prisons ends its outside housing contract.
Critics such as City Councilman Allan Domb have demanded larger reductions to the department's $256 million budget. In an interview, he said he thought that, at the least, food and health-care costs, should decline.
"I'm saying to the prison and the administration: Renegotiate whatever contracts you have based on this dramatic change in population."
Abernathy said more significant savings would come if the city can close the House of Correction. To do that, he said, the population will have to fall below 4,800.
"So many of our costs are fixed," Abernathy said. He tried to put it in terms the Condo King, as Domb is known, would understand: "Just because you have an apartment that's empty, doesn't mean you don't have a doorman."
Bill Green has abruptly abandoned his campaign against U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle. Read more
It was poised to be one of the most riveting campaigns in the Philadelphia region, pitting a young congressman against a member of one of the city's storied political families.
But a match between School Reform Commissioner Bill Green and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle wasn't meant to be.
On Monday, Green dropped his bid to unseat Boyle.
Green, a Democrat, said he didn't think he had enough time to build a serious primary campaign in Pennsylvania's new Second District, whose boundaries were imposed by the state Supreme Court only a month ago.
"It was too late to mount a credible bid when the districts came out if you were not already geared up," he said.
Green also said that "one consequence of pursuing this was that a private-sector professional opportunity popped up" that he is "very excited about." He declined to elaborate.
Green, a former city councilman whose father and grandfather were members of Congress, filed paperwork this month with the federal government to campaign against Boyle.
He also obtained a legal opinion from the School District stating that he could run for the House of Representatives while sitting on the SRC. Gov. Tom Wolf and three independent election analysts disagreed, saying state law bars SRC members from seeking political office.
In order to get on the ballot, Green would have needed to submit at least 1,000 signatures supporting his candidacy by Tuesday at 5 p.m.
While explaining on Monday why he was dropping out of the race, Green took a parting shot at Boyle. Green said that several city wards were going to support him perhaps even enough to win the local Democratic Party's endorsement.
"I think I had 362 divisions, which is the caucus," he said. "But then you never know in Philly."
Asked for comment, Boyle spokesman Ken Snyder said "it would have been awfully difficult to beat" the incumbent.
"He had lined up endorsements from environmental groups, anti-NRA groups and Planned Parenthood, and he had the resources to tell his story," Snyder said.
Michele Lawrence, a former regional vice president of Wells Fargo, has also announced that she is running against Boyle.
The Pennsylvania congressional map for the 2018 elections, imposed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Read more
Nearly 100 people filed to run for Congress in Pennsylvania by the deadline Tuesday, a surge that reflected the political volatility in the state and nation.
Democrats across the country have been raring to send a political message to President Trump in November, and the landscape is especially wide open in Pennsylvania, where a wave of incumbents are leaving office and new congressional maps increased the number of competitive battlegrounds.
In all, 59 Democrats and 35 Republicans filed to run for the state's 18 House seats as of 5:40 p.m., or 40 minutes after the deadline, according to the Department of State. That was a few dozen more than the peak of the last major election wave, the 75 candidates who registered to run in what became the GOP landslide of 2010.
As during that midterm election, incumbents this time around also face stiff challenges including many from within their own parties and open seats have drawn swarms sensing opportunity.
"You pair the redistricting and the enhanced competitiveness in the new districts with a number of open seats, and you have the recipe for a flood of candidates giving it a shot," said Christopher Borick, a pollster at Muhlenberg College.
The surge of Democrats came as the party tries to build off a special election upset in Southwestern Pennsylvania last week and looks to the Philadelphia suburbs as a key to winning control of the House.
But the large roster of candidates also foreshadows an unpredictable and potentially divisive primary season in a party where pragmatists and fiery liberals have vied for influence. Fourteen Democrats and two Republicans filed to run for one seat based in Delaware County, where the longtime incumbent, Republican Rep. Pat Meehan, is retiring after using taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment claim from a former aide.
"Primaries could be messy, especially crowded ones, and they could end up with candidates who may not be the best general election candidate for a party," Borick said.
Republicans, meanwhile, face stiff headwinds, due to Trump's poor poll numbers and a history of midterm losses for the party in power. Their road got even tougher when the Democratic-controlled state Supreme Court imposed new congressional maps just last month.
"Our president has inspired the Democratic Party base and even more broadly independents and independent-thinking Republicans," said Jack Hanna, the party's interim chair in Pennsylvania. "More and more people within the party are involved and want to challenge the status quo, and that's being reflected by the number of candidates running in the primary."
In a the most visible sign of the GOP's uncertain footing, Rep. Ryan Costello of Chester County filed petitions to get on the ballot Tuesday, but has not committed to actually running for reelection. He has warned GOP leaders in recent weeks that he is considering retiring, but has not decided.
Costello, a two-term incumbent, represents one of the country's most hotly contested districts, the newly reconfigured Sixth, and is facing a challenge from Democrat Chrissy Houlahan. If he were to retire, election analysts say, the GOP would likely lose the seat.
"Congressman Costello's going to have to make a final determination, and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," said Val DiGiorgio, chair of both the Pennsylvania and Chester County Republican Parties. "I have not heard definitively one way or the other. I know he's filing his petitions and doing all the things a candidate would do, so I'm proceeding under the assumption that he's running."
If Costello wins the May 15 primary and then drops out, Republicans could replace him with a choice picked by the state party. He also faces a primary challenge from Chadds Ford lawyer Gregory Michael McCauley Sr., which could complicate that scenario.
Conor Lamb, the Democrat who apparently scored a major upset in the special election outside Pittsburgh, filed to run another difficult race, against Rep. Keith Rothfus in the new Pennsylvania 17th even though Lamb has not yet been sworn in to the seat he likely won. Lamb's home is in the new district.
While a matchup with Rothfus could be one of the fall's most competitive, Lamb, who defied Democratic orthodoxy on issues such as guns and the minimum wage, first faces two primary opponents.
Other incumbents, including Philadelphia Democrats Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle and Bucks County Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, drew primary challengers. Democrats also have a primary fight for the nomination to challenge Fitzpatrick.
Boyle, however, avoided one primary challenger: Almost exactly 24 hours before Tuesday's deadline, School Reform Commission member Bill Green told the Inquirer and Daily News that he was dropping his campaign against the incumbent.
Much of the chaos stems from congressional departures affecting six of 18 seats: One, Republican Tim Murphy, resigned last year, four others are retiring, and one, Republican Lou Barletta, is running for U.S. Senate.
In the Lehigh Valley-based Seventh District, six Democrats and two Republicans filed to run to replace Rep. Charlie Dent, another retiring GOP congressman.
Four Democrats and one Republican filed in a new district centered on Montgomery County.
The new congressional boundaries, imposed Feb. 19 by the state Supreme Court, changed the political landscape. The court dismissed a previous map, drawn by Republicans, as unconstitutionally slanted to favor the GOP, and later imposed a new version that resulted in a more even split statewide, turning several GOP-leaning districts into ones likely to favor Democrats.
"The chaos that the Supreme Court has sown is more than a little troubling," DiGiorgio said. "People don't know who represents them and candidates are still deciding at this late date if they are running."
On Monday, a day before the primary filing deadline, the U.S. Supreme Court and a federal court in Pennsylvania rejected Republican challenges to the new map.
The fallout continued Tuesday, when the majority leader of the Pennsylvania House, Republican Dave Reed of Indiana County, announced that he was dropping a bid for Congress and leaving leaving elective politics. He blamed his decision on the new lines that put him in the same district as an incumbent Republican congressman, Glenn Thompson.
The new configuration has added to GOP concerns as they face what could be a brutal election environment, given the long history of midterm losses for the party in power and Trump's poor approval ratings, particularly in the competitive suburbs.
"The party's got to be unified," DiGiorgio said of the GOP. "There was not unity in that race in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and we have to be unified given this year given the challenges we face with a midterm election."
He said Republicans would emphasize that they are up against "a far-left Democratic Party that is for socialism, sanctuary cities, and single-payer health care."
He also predicted that the GOP tax cut from last year will gain in popularity and help at the polls.
This story contains information from the Associated Press.
Lt. Gov. Mike Stack kicked off his reelection campaign at City Hall in the Mayor's reception room in Philadelphia, PA on November 21, 2017. DAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer Read more
HARRISBURG He no longer owns a residence in Philadelphia and often stays in hotels when he returns, but Lt. Gov. Mike Stack says he has a right to call the city "home" as he runs for reelection.
"I'm a Philadelphian," Stack testified Tuesday during a Commonwealth Court hearing, trying to fend off a legal challenge that could end his bid for another four years as lieutenant governor even before voters have a chance to weigh in.
Where Stack actually lives is at the heart of a dispute that could block him from appearing on the May primary ballot for lieutenant governor. At issue is Stack's decision to list his mother's home address in Northeast Philadelphia in his nominating papers filed earlier this year.
A group of Democratic voters disputes that his mother's house is his primary residence. They say Stack and his wife, Tonya, live in the lieutenant governor's mansion outside Harrisburg.
A decision by Commonwealth Court President Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt could land as early as this week. Among the options, the judge could order Stack to amend the county of residence listed on the ballot.
Stack is facing a crowded field of Democratic challengers in the primary: Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, Craig Lehman of Lancaster County, Montgomery County's Raymond Sosa, Chester County's Kathleen Cozzone, Philadelphia's Nina Ahmad, and Westmoreland County's Aryanna Berringer.
Ahmad is supporting and helping fund the legal challenge to Stack's residency claim, according to her campaign spokesman, Ken Snyder.
A lot is at stake. In a statewide primary, a candidate's county of residence is listed next to his or her name, and Philadelphia is worth plenty of votes. In the 2014 primary, Stack captured 83.2 percent of the vote in the city.
"Philadelphia is not his domicile his domicile has to be where he lays his head at night not a place where one has hoisted a flag of convenience," Elizabeth Roggio, a Kleinbard LLC lawyer representing the group of voters, said at Tuesday's hearing, adding that Stack has "misled the voters of the commonwealth."
Roggio and lawyer Shohin Vance, also of Kleinbard, argued that after Stack took office as lieutenant governor in 2015, he and his wife moved furniture and many of their belongings into the taxpayer-funded residence outside Harrisburg for lieutenant governors. The Stacks sold their Philadelphia house in early 2016.
Stack, said Roggio, does not pay rent or a mortgage at his mother's Philadelphia house.
Under questioning by his lawyer, Clifford Levine, Stack testified that his mother's home is the "family nerve center."
"It's the headquarters. It's where we all go," said Stack, who hails from a well-known political family in Philadelphia and who represented a portion of the city in the state Senate prior to being elected lieutenant governor.
Stack's chief of staff, Matt Franchak, testified that shortly after Stack took office as lieutenant governor, he contacted state elections officials for guidance on whether he could register to vote in Philadelphia and that he was told he could use his mother's home address.
Stack said that he has since renewed his driver's license using his mother's address and that he paid the city's wage tax in 2016 and 2017. (It was not clear whether Stack also paid the wage tax in 2015.)
Levine said that once Stack leaves the lieutenant governor's office, Philadelphia is the home to which he will return.
"The reality is that Michael Stack is a Philadelphian," said Levine, of Cohen & Grigsby in Pittsburgh.
Penny Gerber was a delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco, where she voted to nominate the ticket of Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro. Read more
Penelope Gerber, 78, of Whitpain, the longtime vice chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, died Wednesday, March 15, in hospice care at the Quadrangle retirement community in Haverford after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Mrs. Gerber, known as "Penny," advised mayors, governors, and U.S. senators, and her support was considered crucial to winning the Democratic Party's endorsement. Her friendships transcended political rivalries and partisanship, and many of her mentees saw her as a motherly figure.
"She really set a tone, not just for women but for any Democrat. She was truly a Democratic warrior," said U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Pa.). "The mother of the Democratic Party she could have that title."
Mrs. Gerber and her husband, A. Richard Gerber, were close with prominent Pennsylvania political families such as the Caseys and Lambs.
She worked on Ed Rendell's campaigns for district attorney, mayor, and governor, and was close with other Philadelphia elected officials such as former Mayor Michael Nutter and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady.
"You name a statewide Democrat or any prominent local Democrat, she played a role in their lives in one way or another, either as friend or consigliere, or someone who paved the way," said her son Michael, a former state representative. "She was like everyone's second mom."
Mrs. Gerber wrote in her resignation letter to fellow state committee members that while "we may have come short in our effort to elect the first woman president our opportunity to make a difference and elect women at all levels of government has never been better."
She added, "And to the men in the room, I encourage you to get on board. It will be good for our country and our commonwealth, and will lead to a greater number of Democratic victories."
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) said Mrs. Gerber's encouragement of women was "one of several legacies she'll leave our party."
Gov. Wolf said Monday that Mrs. Gerber "led the way for women, communities, and causes in her professional and private life."
"We were fortunate to have her be our champion on issues that benefit so many Pennsylvanians," he said in a statement. "We will miss her."
Penelope Anne Moses grew up in Winnetka, Ill., in the Chicago suburbs. She went to New Trier High School and moved east to attend college at Vassar, and ultimately graduated from Hood College in Maryland.
She moved to New York and became the first woman to participate in Chase Manhattan Bank's management training program. While there, she met her husband.
The couple moved to Lower Gwynedd in the 1960s, and Mrs. Gerber became assistant dean of admissions at Penn Law School. She retired to raise their three children, and in the early 1980s became chief executive of a unionized school bus company, which she later sold.
Thereafter, her focus shifted to politics and civic life, serving on the township planning commission and the Pennsylvania Public Television Network Commission. Mrs. Gerber was also involved in the Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show, which raises money for Penn Medicine.
She was named vice chair of the state party in 2010.
"Her exuberance and zest for life transcended color, religion, anything," said Karen Farmer White, chair of the state Board of Education. "She was just out to help really underserved people."
Even in her last days, Mrs. Gerber wanted to leave a lasting impact. Amid a shakeup in state party leadership, she became interim chair of the state party last month and insisted that Democrats adopt new rules regarding the reporting and investigation of sexual harassment. The party agreed to do so.
"How about that, I'm dying and I'm still relevant," she said from her bed at hospice, according to Michael Gerber.
In addition to her son, Mrs. Gerber, who moved to Whitpain after her husband's death in 2008, is survived by children Peter and Courtney; a nephew, Malcolm McAtee; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 6, at St. Thomas' Church, 610 Church Rd., Flourtown.
Donations may be made to the Abrahamsohn Christmas and Easter Committee, Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104-3309.
Islamic State (IS) militants holding a small district in Damascus have gained some ground after driving out Syrian army units that moved into a neighbouring area that rebels abandoned last week, a war monitor said.
In fighting that lasted 24 hours, the ultra-hardline militant group killed 36 Syrian soldiers, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Syrian army could not immediately be reached for comment.
The district of al-Qadam lies in the Syrian capital's southern suburbs and has not been part of the month-long offensive waged by the army against rebels in eastern Ghouta.
It is located next to the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, a scene of fierce fighting early in the seven-year conflict.
Last week, rebels that had held part of Qadam for years quit the district for opposition areas in northern Syria under an evacuation deal with the government, allowing the army to move in.
However, the IS that had held a separate part of Qadam, and had sporadically fought the rebels there, launched an assault to take the area they had vacated.
IS has lost almost all its territory in Syria after two rival offensives last year by the Syrian army, backed by Russia and Iran, and an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by the United States.
It now controls only the small pocket in Qadam, a patch of territory in southwest Syria near the borders with Jordan and Israel, and two small areas of desert on each side of the Euphrates near the border with Iraq.
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Congressional districts in southeastern Pennsylvania, changed significantly for this years elections, are only part of a broader, ongoing gerrymander tale. Read more
HARRISBURG One day after federal courts declined to block the new congressional map from taking effect, a Republican state representative introduced resolutions to impeach the four Democrats on Pennsylvania's Supreme Court who ruled to impose the map in time for the May 15 primary.
Rep. Cris Dush, of Jefferson County, introduced the measures against Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, Debra Todd, and David Wecht.
The justices, along with fellow Democrat Max Baer, voted to strike down the old map of congressional districts, ruling they were unconstitutionally drawn to favor Republicans. But a second vote by the four imposed a new map for the May 15 primary. Baer dissented on that second plank in the ruling; Republican Justices Sallie Updyke Mundy and Thomas Saylor dissented on both decisions.
Political analysts say the new design is expected to boost Democrats' chances to regain control of the U.S. House.
How far Dush's bill could go is unclear. First, the full House would have to find the justices had committed impeachable offenses, and then the justices would face a trial before the state Senate. Convicting and removing them from office would require the approval of two-thirds of senators present. Republicans hold a 34-16 majority in the chamber.
Sen. Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) declined to comment Tuesday, noting that if articles of impeachment were to pass the House which would require only a simple majority he and other senators would act as jurors. "We, obviously, are supposed to be impartial listening to that evidence," he said.
Dush, who began promoting the idea of impeachment in early February, said he waited until the legal challenges to the maps were resolved "because we did not want to be seen as trying to influence the court." That closure came Monday, when both the U.S. Supreme Court and a federal District Court in Harrisburg rejected petitions from Republicans to overturn the new map.
Republicans have repeatedly argued that the Democratic-led Pennsylvania Supreme Court overstepped its bounds when it imposed a new congressional map. Dush says he thinks the state high court's actions violated the principle of separation of powers established under the state constitution. "This is basically junior high civics course material," he said.
"If the court is willing to overstep on this element to their benefit, at some point, when the court shifts, there will be probably a willingness on the part of the court to go the other way and cite this action on the part of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as precedent in order to do it," he added later.
Asked Tuesday about the impeachment resolution, House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin said: "We will have to review the evidence and check whether all of the leaders and 102 members of the House want to pursue that remedy. It is not a decision to be made lightly, and we have not had those discussions."
Dush's resolutions drew a quick rebuke from Democrats. House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D., Allegheny) called the resolutions "an absurd attack on common sense."
"It's an attack on the independence of every judge in our state, one of the bedrock principles of our democracy," Dermody said in a statement. "If pursued, this would be a clear and present danger to the administration of justice in Pennsylvania."
But Democrats don't control the chamber. Among the 200 sitting representatives three seats are vacant Democrats account for only 81.
A Feb. 13 confrontation between sanctuary leaders and ICE agents helped lead three New Sanctuary Movement organizers to demand the dismissal of their boss, executive director Peter Pedemonti. Read more
The New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, a builder of robust resistance to Trump administration immigration policies, has erupted in conflict after three immigrant organizers said they were fired last week after demanding the ouster of the agency director, whom they called "incompetent."
The three described executive director Peter Pedemonti, the group's co-founder, as disconnected and unaccountable and said he exposed one of them to personal risk at a February protest, when he summoned her to speak to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents despite knowing her immigration status was unsettled.
"If he was careless enough to put one of us whom he had regular contact with in direct and ongoing danger," wrote Sheila Quintana, Jazmin Delgado, and Cynthia Oka in a public letter, "then what would stop him from being careless with immigrants that he does not know personally?"
Their letter described Pedemonti as a white male citizen of the United States, while the dismissed workers are "immigrant women, gender nonconforming and queer organizers."
Pedemonti referred questions to the agency board when contacted Monday.
The dismissals halve New Sanctuary Movement's staff, calling into question the viability of a front-line, interfaith agency that has built an esteemed reputation over the last decade. Since President Trump's election, NSM, as it is known, has worked on overdrive, mounting street protests, engaging new partners, and providing legal assistance to immigrants.
The firings also create uncertainty around a contentious church sanctuary case in North Philadelphia, where an undocumented Mexican family of five has sought to avoid deportation by taking refuge inside the Church of the Advocate. Two of the dismissed workers, Quintana and Delgado, have been especially close to Carmela Apolonio Hernandez and her four children, serving as their key links to the outside world.
Oka, the third worker, led NSM's effort to organize the region's growing Indonesian population. Oka brought clergy and cultural leaders together with NSM to assert immigrant rights.
The workers' letter and its call for donors to judge NSM anew roiled the world of immigrant-justice-and-assistance agencies, especially at a time when the administration is pushing hard against legal and illegal immigration to the United States.
"New Sanctuary does great work, and I have real concerns for their clients," said a leader at one major support organization, who did not want to be named discussing another agency. "This is not the time for us to be splitting apart. We are under siege at all levels."
The NSM board on Monday assigned assistant director Blanca Pacheco to speak for the agency. She declined to comment on whether Pedemonti might step down.
"He has been an effective leader, who has actually used his privilege to bring [forward] the voices of immigrant leadership," she said. "He made an unfortunate mistake once in his 10 years. We acknowledge the need to take serious measures to make sure we prevent that in the future."
The facts of the matter are complicated, multifaceted, and painful for all involved, she said. Much of the blame, she said, lies with the Trump administration's relentless pressure on immigrant communities, which has left NSM staffers weary, overworked, and traumatized.
It was the board, the three workers wrote, that fired them Thursday. That was slightly more than two weeks after a Feb. 27 meeting at which the staffers say they went to the board and were promised confidentially, nonretaliation, and a response to their complaints about Pedemonti.
They wanted assurance that any legal fees resulting from ICE enforcement action against a coworker would be paid by NSM. The three did not identify which of them carried uncertain immigration status. They asked the board to fire Pedemonti within three months, to allow for a reasonable transition.
That didn't happen. Instead, they wrote, they were informed by the board that the conflict "is beyond resolution. and your termination is the best thing for the organization."
The three said "it felt like we were being essentially 'deported' on the spot [by] an organization whose stated mission is to 'end injustices against immigrants regardless of immigration status, express radical welcome for all, and ensure that values of dignity, justice and hospitality are lived out in practice and upheld in policy.'"
Quintana declined to comment on Monday. Efforts to reach Delgado and Oka were unsuccessful.
Pedemonti co-founded NSM a decade ago to oppose immigration raids and deportations that were happening then. A first-generation U.S. citizen, son of English and Italian immigrants, he has been active in social justice movements since 2001.
From its offices in Kensington, NSM serves mostly Latino and Indonesian communities. Less than a year after Trump's inauguration, NSM's caseload had doubled to about 100 people, and it had signed on nine new member congregations, raising the total to 28.
Quintana, Delgado and Oka were key to that work.
Among other duties, Delgado worked as "accompaniment coordinator," helping with translations and serving as support and witness for immigrant families called to court.
Oka, an immigrant from Indonesia and Canada with experience in justice campaigns, held the title of community organizer, as did Quintana, a Mexican immigrant who grew up in Chester County and worked with groups including the Migrant Power Movement.
In their letter, they called on NSM's board members to step down.
They described the breaking point with Pedemonti as occurring during a Feb. 13 demonstration outside the Center City offices of ICE, an immigration enforcement arm of the Homeland Security Department.
About 40 singing, sign-waving demonstrators massed on the sidewalk, demanding that Hernandez and her children be allowed to leave the church and live freely while pursuing their legal case for asylum. Church leaders and elected representatives were to help present ICE officials with 3,220 signatures on petitions supporting the family.
The plan, the three former workers said, was for Pedemonti to take the lead, because he was safe as a U.S. citizen. But just before the protest began, they said, he called out a staffer's name and beckoned her to come into the ICE offices.
There he introduced her to an ICE executive and explained her relationship to the sanctuary campaign, the workers said. The ICE official wrote down her name.
"We believe the executive director's failure to minimize exposure of immigrant staff to the agency perpetrating harm against our communities is unconscionable," the three wrote.
They said the board told them Pedemonti's sharing of the name was an unintentional mistake.
"That is not the point," they wrote. "We were never interested in punishment, but in removing a leader who put one of his own team members in danger. Intention does not mitigate impact."
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has set back an effort to reduce it in size from 203 seats to 151 but the state Senate can get that back on track. Read more
Some Pennsylvania legislators pulled off a devious little trick last week, appearing to support a governmental reform measure while actually setting back that effort.
The state House voted, 109-80, to reduce its size from 203 members to 151. That's a sensible reform. since Pennsylvania has the largest full-time legislature in the country.
But Tuesday's vote may stall such a reduction for two years, unless the state Senate undoes the House's cynical maneuver.
Reducing the size of the House requires a change to the state constitution. To do that, the House and Senate must pass identical bills in two consecutive two-year legislative sessions. The proposed change is then placed on a ballot for voters to approve or reject.
The House and Senate in the 2015-16 session overwhelmingly approved a bill to reduce the House to 151 seats, which was proposed by State Rep. Jerry Knowles, a Republican from Schuylkill County.
The House on Tuesday again approved that legislation, but State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, a Bucks County Republican, added an amendment to also reduce the Senate from 50 seats to 38.
That's known as a "poison pill" amendment, designed to kill or stall an effort. Since the legislation is no longer identical to the 2015-16 version, the clock on this reform has been set back to zero.
Efforts to reduce the House or the Senate have popped up for years, but Knowles' House Bill 153 had a better chance of becoming law. Pennsylvania's House and Senate have been this size since 1874. And each year, they get more expensive.
Representatives and senators receive a base salary of $87,180, with leadership positions adding tens of thousands of dollars to that. With 2,524 employees, the General Assembly's combined budget for this fiscal year is $325 million.
Pennsylvania, the fifth-largest state in the nation, outpaces all others in the size of its legislature, except for New Hampshire, which has a part-time "General Court" with 424 members who receive $200 per year.
If the Senate passes the altered version of Knowles' bill, the House and Senate would have to approve it again in the 2019-20 session before voters could have a say.
The good news here is that the Senate can take the House's derailed effort at legislative reform and put it back on track by stripping out DiGirolamo's poison pill. The Senate should have more than enough votes to easily pass it this year.
That's what Knowles says he is hoping for. That would send the bill back to the House.
There, House members would have just two options support the original version or reject it. No more tinkering with poison pills. Any legislators who flip their votes from support in 2015-16 to rejection in 2017-18 would have to explain why they changed their minds. Any member who has consistently opposed the legislation can explain why Pennsylvania needs the largest legislature in the country for what amounts to a part-time job, with legislators reporting to Harrisburg for voting sessions only about one day out of five.
So, the Senate must act. Strip out the poison-pill amendment. Pass the legislation and send it back to the House. Let's call the vote.
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On Thursday, Cal Poly engineers wrapped LightSail 2 in anti-static electronics bags, placed the spacecraft in a Pelican Case, and flew to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Albuquerque to meet up with Prox-1.
Cal Poly commonly flies CubeSats as carry-on items aboard commercial airplanes, and that's how LightSail 2 travelled to Albuquerque. Engineers Ryan Nugent and Alicia Johnstone told me they fly out of San Luis Obispo's small airport, and the TSA agents there are used to seeing spacecraft.
"We do it semi-regularly," Nugent said. The agents usually require a CubeSat to go through manual screening, but the engineer-handlers are allowed to stay with the spacecraft. LightSail 2 was no exception, and the TSA asked that the Pelican Case be opened to swab the outside of the anti-static bags for explosives. All in all, the screening was benign compared to what LightSail 2 will go through on launch day, and then in outer space.
During a layover in Phoenix, Nugent said an airport employee noticed the case, which bore LightSail and CubeSat logos, and asked, "Is that a real CubeSat?" Upon learning that it was, he proceeded to ask all about the mission, and was extra excited to learn the spacecraft would be flying on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.
In a clean room at AFRL, LightSail 2 met Prox-1 for the first time. Just two of Prox-1's six sides are currently assembled; the other four have to be installed around the P-POD with LightSail 2 inside. Here are two pictures:
Related Amendments to Egypt Capital Markets Law credit positive for banks: Moodys Egypt parliament approves major amendments for Capital Market Law Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has signed the amended Capital Market Legislation into law in a presidential decree published by the Official Gazette, according to a Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation statement issued on Monday.
The amended Capital Market Law aims to encourage investment and offer financing opportunities for public and private projects, Investment Minister Sahar Nasr said.
The legislation allows also investors to hedge risks by introducing futures trading, a practice in which to two parties agree to trade an asset at a future time at a determined price.
The House of Representatives had approved in February amendments to 45 articles of the law, which were presented to the House by the ministry.
The amendment is the largest and most comprehensive since the law was issued 26 years ago, Minister Nasr said.
Amendments include a reorganization of the issuance and trading of sukuk (bonds that generate returns in a way that complies with Islamic Sharia) as a financial tool in the capital market, effectively canceling the old sukuk law.
In addition, the changes stipulate a reduction of listing fees for securities to 0.002% from 0.005% to help small and medium enterprises find new sources of funding by listing on the Egyptian Exchange.
Amendments also protect the rights of minority stakeholders in cases of acquisitions and increase penalties for financial crimes including violations of acquisition regulations and trading based on insider information.
The newly-ratified law also establishes a federation for securities companies for the first time in Egypt, to replace the Securities Workers' Syndicate first established in 2012.
In February, credit rating agency Moodys hailed the law as credit positive for banks.
The amendment is credit positive for banks because the increased capital markets activity will raise banks income from their debt capital markets business while also providing funding options, Moodys had said.
The law helps Egypts economy reach global competitiveness, achieve financial inclusion and activate the role on the non-banking financial sector to boost economic growth, Minister Nasr said.
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The World Bank agreed a $600 million loan and grant to Ethiopia on Tuesday to fund roads and other infrastructure projects in urban areas.
The Washington-based bank said the funds would "help strengthen the capacity and performance of local urban governments, expand sustainable urban infrastructure and services, as well as promote local economic development".
Ethiopia's urban population is growing by 3.8 percent annually on average, one of the fastest rates in sub-Saharan Africa and presenting challenges to infrastructure, services and jobs, the bank said.
"To successfully manage urbanisation ... cities are likely to require fiscal transfers for the foreseeable future. This programme will help cities to realise their revenue potential," Abebaw Alemayehu, the World Bank's team leader for the project, said in a statement.
The programme will also support projects in 73 towns across the country and benefit more than 6.6 million people, he said.
Under a 2015-2020 development plan, Ethiopia plans to set up less than 10,000 "rural development centres" in a bid to ease the influx of people to its capital Addis Ababa.
Earlier this month, the World Bank also approved a $375 million loan to Ethiopia to fund a national electrification project.
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Whether youre an experienced cook, one who doesnt cook that much, or just wanting to hone a few kitchen skills, there are tips from both professionals and home cooks that can help us all.
Talking to local chefs, friends who cook, out-of-towners and even a chef from a B&B in New Mexico, here are some thoughts and tips that maybe can help us all up our game a little:
Read the recipe. Yes, it seems so simple and straightforward, but sometimes it isnt. Read it through several times so you dont miss something, like the meat needs to marinate an hour and you are already putting the recipe together. By going through it a few times, you can avoid mistakes and surprises.
Also, though the internet is the source of most recipes these days, dont forget the old ones, handwritten by your grandmother and your mother. Those oldies but goodies are treasures. Use them.
Pay attention to seasoning. Chef Sean Fulford, formerly at Four Daughters, now executive chef at Pescara, feels this is the most important step in cooking.
"Dont be afraid of salt that is the flavor-enhancer and it should be used on everything and not just a little sprinkle," he said.
An effective way to salt foods is to get a good pinch between your fingers and then sprinkle it about 6 inches above, like snow. That gets the salt more evenly into what you are cooking, rather than just in one spot. He also suggests a 50/50 mixture of salt and pepper as a seasoning on steak, "better than any commercial blend you can get."
Fulford advises us to try different vinegars as seasonings in soups and stews. And use herbs. Also taste what you are cooking as you go along several times, not just once.
Always use butter, especially when baking.
Keep your knives sharp. Have them sharpened twice a year. Hy-Vee only at the Barlow location can do it for you and it doesnt take long. A sharp knife is much safer than a dull one.
Think seasonally when youre planning meals and pay attention to pairing flavors. Flavors should complement each other, for example, basil and tomatoes in summer.
Make your own salad dressings. "What you can make in no time in the blender or with a whisk is much better and healthier than what you get in a bottle," Fulford said. "There are so many recipes for you to put together and they will add so much more to your salads."
An important skill to do correctly is searing meat. Let a cast iron skillet (the best to use) get very hot, add butter and oil and just when they start to smoke, add the steak. Dont overcrowd the pan or the meat will steam in its own juices. Flip it over after about 3 minutes. This method also works well with scallops.
Find yourself a killer chocolate chip cookie recipe. The gold standard is the one on the back of the Nestle package, but there are others equally as good, some would say better.
To keep from crying when youre peeling an onion, put it in the freezer for 15 minutes(dont forget you put it there set a timer). This slows the release of the irritant that makes your eyes water. There are also onion goggles you can buy if you dont mind looking like a weirdo for a few minutes.
Make better hard-boiled eggs. Last summer I made a total mess of peeling two dozen hard-boiled eggs. Chef Omar Feyen says this is the way to avoid shells sticking like glue to the eggs: Simmer eggs in water for 8 minutes, then cover for 8 minutes off the heat, drain, then cover with cold water, even adding ice for another 8 minutes. Then peel.
Practice the technique the French call "mise en place,"which literally means "everything in place." Plan ahead have everything measured, peeled, sliced, grated, the equipment you need out, the oven on, pots, pans at the ready. This is how chefs are able to survive in crazy busy kitchens, but this can also make cooking in your space more efficient.
So there are dozens more, but these should help and maybe allow you to do what you thought you couldnt.
For Monica Calle, her husband Cesar had something a bit more personal in mind for their 23rd wedding anniversary his kidney.
The five-hour, life-saving donation happened Feb. 19 at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. According to the hospital, this was the first kidney transplant at the affiliated and new Memorial Transplant Institute.
In September, the Memorial Transplant Institute received federal approval from United Network for Organ Sharing to open its adult and pediatric kidney transplant program at Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital in Hollywood.
The Institute also received approval to establish a living donor kidney recovery component.
"You guys got us back into shape, you got us strong ready to tackle the next adventure of our lives," Monica, who works at the hospital in scheduling patients surgeries, told the surgical team in a video posted on the Memorial Healthcare Systems Facebook page.
In the hospitals release, surgeon Dr. Juan Arenas, chief of the Transplant Institute said: "We are so glad we finally accomplished what we set out to do. It was a long road to get here, but we had an incredible match, an incredible choice of patient and donor recipient and everything went as planned."
Before the operation, Monica, 39, was on nightly dialysis for three years due to polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder she said came from her mother. She was diagnosed 10 years ago, The Sun-Sentinel reported.
"This is an amazing, amazing gift. God put this man into my life for a reason," Monica said in the hospital release of her husband Cesar, 52, who is a computer network technician.
"He really did. Twenty-three years ago he came into my life for a reason," she said. "He knew what he was doing, and he saved my life."
Egypt's Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Kabil will participate on Wednesday in an extraordinary African Union Summit in Rwandas capital Kigali to sign the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) including 55 countries, the ministry said on Tuesday.
The agreement would establish the worlds largest free trade area through an agreement that covers the trade of goods and services, investments and intellectual property rights.
Kabil said that the signing is an "important step towards creating a common African market, achieving African economic integration, and placing the continent back on the world trade map," according to a statement from the ministry.
The main objective of the CFTA is to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African customs union, according to the AU website.
It also aims at boosting intra-trade, as trade among African countries accounts for only 13 percent of Africas total trade, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa said last year.
The CFTA covers African countries with a combined population of over 1 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion, according to the Unions website.
In January 2012, the African Union summit adopted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the decision to establish a Pan-Africa Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and an Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) by an indicative date of 2017.
The BIAT focuses on trade policy, trade facilitation, productive capacity, trade related infrastructure, trade finance, trade information, and factor market integration and targets doubling trade flows by 2022.
The agreement is the first step in the implementation of the African Union Commissions Agenda 2063 framework endorsed by Egypt.
Africa 2063 is a strategic framework targeting inclusive growth, sustainable development, and optimising the use of Africas resources for the benefit of all Africans, according to a 2015 framework document.
Egypt has been adopting a policy of consolidation of its political and economic relations with African countries since 2014.
A Federation of Egyptian Industries delegation is currently in Rwanda to meet with business representatives, the first in a series of visits to African countries to boost trade relations.
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When the Democrats say, Hes not my president, they arent kidding. Most Democrats still refuse to accept the result of the 2016 election, and their party consistently refuses to extend to President Trump the routine cooperation that makes our democracy function. The most blatant example of this is the Democratic minority in the Senate. The Democrats under Chuck Schumer have abused longstanding Senate rules and courtesies in a way that we have never seen before.
On Friday Marc Short, the administrations Director of Legislative Affairs, joined Sarah Sanders at a White House press briefing. He laid out the facts regarding the Democrats unprecedented obstructionism, beginning with a description of the nomination process:
The Senate, obviously, has the constitutional responsibility for advice and consent. So what that looks like in real life is the President selects a nominee, they then undergo an entire FBI background check, they work with the Office of Government Ethics to de-conflict financial issues and thats a process that takes a good amount of time, a good amount of resources. Only then, after cleared through an FBI background check and the Office of Government Ethics, is a nominee submitted to the United States Senate. When they get to the Senate, they go through several additional evaluations, including meetings with staff, meetings with the members on both sides of the aisle. The nominee then undergoes a hearing and the committee then votes on the nominee to get out of that committee. At that point, the nominee moves to the Senate floor for full confirmation. Traditionally, the Senate routinely confirms the administrations nominees once out of committee. It is there to respect the will of the American people and the election for an administration to fill out its roles under a new President. Instead, what Senator Schumer has done is to require cloture votes to essentially slow down the process and to obstruct.
How bad has the Democrats obstruction been? It has violated all historical norms:
At this point, in the past four administrations combined the last four administrations the Senate had conducted 17 cloture votes combined; cloture vote, in essence, being a filibuster on a nominee. Seventeen cloture votes in the last four administrations combined, at this point. Today, the Senate has had 79 cloture votes in the first 14 months of our administration. Seventeen, over the last four administrations, versus seventy-nine in the first 14 months of our administration. That is roughly five times the number of the last four administrations combined.
Whats the point? If a cloture vote is demanded (i.e., the Democrats filibuster), under Senate rules there must be 30 hours of debate. Which means that the Senate grinds to a halt:
Senator Schumer is essentially weaponizing a Senate procedure and demanding cloture votes on our nominees that he even eventually supports. Eleven of the Presidents nominees have been approved without a single dissenting vote, yet still forced to go through a 30-hours of debate to essentially slow down the Senate calendar simply for the purpose of obstruction. Even Senate Democrats have begun to call this out and to say it is getting to the point of ridiculous. At this rate, the United States Senate would take eleven and a half years to confirm our nominees. Eleven and a half years to confirm our nominees.
So, contrary to all precedent, the Democrats are determined to prevent President Trump from ever staffing his administration. Short offered more on the numbers. There can be no doubt that what Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are doing is a brand new phenomenon:
In the first entire term of the George H.W. Bush administration, his entire four years, he faced one cloture vote. In the entire four years of the Clinton administration, he faces 10 cloture votes. Under the George W. Bush administration, the entire first term, he faced four cloture votes. Barack Obama faced 17 in his first entire four years. We have faced 79 in our first 14 months. That adds up to 32 combined in the entire first four years of those administrations, relative to 79 in our first less than a year and a half.
Short also cited specific examples of important executive branch positions that are vacant because Chuck Schumer has abused Senate rules to slow-walk all nominations. If you were really naive, you might think that the reporters attending the press briefing would be shocked by the numbers Short laid out and would respond with sympathetic questions.
Just kidding. We all know the political sympathies of the White House press corps. So here are the questions that reporters asked in response to the facts that Marc Short laid out:
Q Thanks a lot, Marc. Thanks for coming out. You mentioned the plight of your nominee at the State Department for the Arms Control position, and you mentioned the need for having that person for the upcoming negotiations with North Korea, yet you still do not have a nominee to be the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Why is that? When will you have that nominee? And is that position also important for your efforts?
This one I think is particularly funny, from a reporter who apparently wasnt listening:
Q Marc, thanks. You know well what goes on on the Hill. This is part of the toxic nature thats been going on for several years. I mean, the Democrats pushing back because of Republicans. What are you doing to ease or water down that toxicity? What can you do? And secondly, explain to those who dont understand how it is that a minority party when you control both the Congress you know, both the House and the Senate how youre unable to get it through, because that is one of the big stumbling blocks for people to understand why youre complaining.
More from another Democratic Party reporter, not to be redundant:
Q Do you see it as a reflection of, for example, when Obama was in office and the Republicans said they were going to make it their prime concern not to pass any legislation that Obama favored. Dont you see that as part of the problem?
More:
Q And the Republicans dont bear any of the blame?
***
Q Marc, has the President had any personal conversations with Senator Schumer about this obstruction, in your words specifically, as hes been having conversations about infrastructure and other matters. Has he has Senate Democrats over here? And why havent we heard more from him talking about this?
***
Q Marc, is there the possibility that the President could offer something make a deal where not everyone gets what they want? But has he offered anything to Senator Schumer in exchange for helping get some of these nominations through?
Marc Shorts answer to this one is worth reproducing:
MR. SHORT: I guess its hard for me to understand what it is that we should be offering when the American people elect a President elect a new administration to come in and the expectation is they should be able to fill out their administration. The Senate has an advise-and-consent role but why should we be offering making a deal on something that should be the normal process of the United States Senate? For us, that would be kind of hard to understand.
The Democratic Party reporters continue:
Q I mean, in his conversations on DACA, has there been any suggestion you know, we would make some concessions on DACA if you help get some of nominations through?
***
Q On DACA, is there room for a smaller deal? Are you working a smaller deal now one that doesnt have all four pillars but that might be part of the omnibus?
***
Q Just to be clear, Marc, do the challenges of getting personnel cleared through the U.S. Congress prevent the President from changing the makeup of his Cabinet right now if he wanted to?
After this there were a number of generally-hostile questions about foreign and domestic policy, some relating to changes in the Trump administration. The briefing ended on this ignominious note:
Ms. SANDERS: Ill take one last question. Jeff. Q So we are about to enter the 15th month of this administration. Why is it that there is still a need for change inside the Presidents Cabinet or among his circle of advisors?
As though there had been no personnel changes in prior administrations! Did this reporter just fall off the turnip truck?
MS. SANDERS: Look, as weve said many times before, you want the right people for the right time, and as policy priorities change, that means that sometimes youre going to have personnel change. Thats not different for this administration as it has been in any other administration, and were going to continue to add new staff regularly. Ill take one last question. Q Does the President enjoy the drama?
There you have it. If there is a reporter in Washington concerned about the Democrats unprecedented effort to block the executive branch from operating, he didnt attend Fridays press briefing.
Probably not. I doubt that anyones job is safe in the Trump administration.
However, the Washington Examiner reports that the attorney general has received assurances from the White House that his job is safe. Thats the good news. The bad news is that John Kelly, who gave Sessions the assurances, may not be safe for long in his job of chief-of-staff.
There are good reasons why Sessions may not be in serious danger of being sacked in the short term. The Examiner notes that Sessions has faithfully executed President Trumps agenda. Does that matter to Trump? I hope so.
A better reason why Sessions job may not be in danger is that the administration would almost surely be unable to get a replacement confirmed this year. By next year, the Senate may be in Democratic hands.
Last July, when Trump seemed to be on the verge of sacking Sessions, Sen. Chuck Grassley made it clear that the Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, would not move to confirm a successor any time soon. When Sessions opposed Grassleys efforts at lenient sentencing legislation, the Iowa Senator called Sessions an ingrate and hinted that he might not stand up for him the next time Trump attacks. However, Grassley seemed more supportive during an interview last week with Bret Baier, saying that Sessions should not be fired.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who appeared with Grassley, told Baier that firing Sessions would blow up the Judiciary Committee. To CNN, Graham said its a tough time right now to confirm somebody in a job like that.
With Sessions out and no replacement confirmed, Rod Rosenstein would run the Justice Department. Hes the guy who decided to appoint a special counsel and to select Robert Mueller for the job.
I suppose Trump could also fire Rosenstein. Who would be in charge of DOJ then? Rachel Brand, who is the number three official, left for a big job at Walmart. I think the Solicitor General, Noel Francisco, would be next in line. Francisco is a terrific lawyer and a very solid conservative. But he would face a huge learning curve transitioning from SG to Attorney General.
In any event, I dont believe Trump wants a replay of Nixons Saturday Night Massacre. It would bring the Russia probe back to the fore and confirm the Democrats chaos narrative. It would thus be a gift to Democrats heading into the mid-term elections.
So maybe Sessions job is fairly safe until November.
Johns Hopkins University wants to form its own police department with armed, sworn police officers to patrol its university and hospital campuses. The University already has its own security personnel, approximately 1,000 strong. Even so, last Fall there were 16 gunpoint robberies around its main campus in Baltimore.
Thus, the Baltimore delegation to the state general assembly will propose legislation to enable Hopkins to have its own police department. The plan has the support of Baltimores police chief and its mayor.
Activists and some local politicians are wary of the idea, though. So, apparently is the Washington Post. Reporters Ian Duncan and Talia Richman write darkly about a new force of uniformed, armed and sworn officers controlled by an institution with a historically troubled relationship with Baltimores African American community, at a time when policing in Baltimore is under federal scrutiny.
As far as I can tell, the historically troubled relationship refers to unhappiness with practices of the Universitys hospital. Most of the events that gave rise to the unhappiness are ancient, none is current, and none appears to have anything to do with policing. They form no valid basis for preventing Hopkins from protecting students and staff, via a police force, from armed robbery and other crimes.
The fact that the Baltimore police department is under federal scrutiny is relevant, but not in the way the Post suggests. The attack on Baltimore police officers that began with Freddy Grays death and produced a deeply flawed report by the Obama Justice Department is a major reason why violent crime has soared, and thus why Hopkins needs its own police force.
Baltimores police force is about 1,000 officers short of what it needs to effectively police the city, according to the mayor. As we noted two years ago, this problem stems to a considerable degree from the demonizing of the police after Grays death, which demoralized officers and caused them to seek work elsewhere.
It isnt just Johns Hopkins that has responded by looking beyond the government to meet its security needs. According to the Post, several communities are turning to private guards to supplement [the] police department.
This is the legacy of the pandering by local politicians and the Obama Justice Department to the Black Lives Matter movement following Grays death: violent crime at record highs and private communities and institutions scrambling to form their own policing forces to cope.
It cant come as any surprise to those who have followed the killing of Justine Damond by Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor this past July 15 in Minneapolis that Noor has been charged. Our many posts on the case are accessible here. Early in the case, for example, I reached out to a trusted source in the Minneapolis police department for comment. He told me that if there werent some sort of mitigating circumstances (and he said he was struggling to imagine what they could be), the case represented the most egregious police shooting in his lifetime, if not longer.
Based on all the known evidence, the conclusion that Noor would be charged seemed unavoidable. The circumstances are suggestive at best of gross negligence on Noors part. Noor himself refused to talk. No innocent explanation was ever publicly offered. Only the long delay raised a question. Today at long last comes word that charges have been filed against Noor:
Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor has turned himself in on murder and manslaughter charges related to the July shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. A warrant was issued Tuesday for Noors arrest on charges filed in Hennepin County District Court. Noor was booked into Hennepin County jail at 11:16 a.m., according to jail records, on a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension warrant for third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Bail was set at $500,000. Jail officials declined to release his booking photo. The charging documents, which have been filed under seal, have not yet been made public. According to jail records, Noor is charged with third degree murder perpetrating eminently dangerous act and evincing depraved mind and second-degree manslaughter, culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman convened a grand jury to take additional evidence in the case but reserved the charging decision to himself. He has announced a 2:30 p.m. news conference this afternoon to discuss the case. We will have more to say as is warranted.
In its September 2009 number GQ carried an interesting article by Scott Anderson on the September 1999 apartment bombings in Russia that left hundreds dead and led to Vladimir Putins rise to power. The piece profiled former Russian FSB officer Mikhail Trepashkin and collected evidence suggesting that the bombings were perpetrated by the FSB rather than by Chechen terrorists.
It was the kind of intriguing investigative piece that most publications would have featured prominently, but GQ buried it. Purchasing a copy of the magazine, I first spent several minutes trying to find the issues table of contents (I gave up), and then the article itself, afraid Id blown $4.50 on the wrong issue of the magazine. I found the article at page 246 of the September issue. NPR explained the mystery behind GQs treatment of the story.
I had wondered about the story over the years. In his most recent book, David Satter the scrupulous former Financial Times Moscow correspondent turned his attention to the subject in The Less You Know, The Better You Sleep (now available in paperback). I read the book and found it excellent. Indeed, I recommend it to Power Line readers.
Satters National Review article The unsolved mystery behind the act of terror that brought Vladimir Putin to power provides a good summary. David Pryce-Jones reviewed the book for National Review in Russia moves toward a reckoning.
You may recall that Putin had Satter banned from Russia in December 2013. Satter is therefore the first American journalist to be accorded the expulsion treatment since the fall of the Soviet Union. Satter now holds appointments as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a fellow of the Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Yesterday the Wall Street Journal published Satters insightful column (behind the Journals paywall) on the attempted murder of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain. Satter addresses the question of culpability, which I attributed to Putin based on the circumstantial evidence as well as Putins contemptuous response to Prime Minister Mays demand for an explanation. Satter adds this:
In the Skripal case, the Russians are eager to take credit. Kirill Kleimenov, an anchor on the official government station Channel One, observed that traitors rarely live to a ripe old age and advised them: Dont choose Britain as a place to live. Against the background of furious denials on the rest of Russian state-controlled television, this was, in the lexicon of the Russian security services, a direct hint that the attack on Mr. Skripal was an official act. Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesman, responded to a demand for answers by saying that Britain should not threaten a nuclear power. That suggests a dual motive for the attack: It was undertaken to murder a former double agent and to assert Russian power and defiance of Western efforts to restrain Moscows lawlessness. The Skripal attack is also a sign that Russia has expanded the category of persons targeted for murder. Mr. Skripal was one of four double agents Russia released in 2010 in exchange for 10 Russian spies in the U.S. Since the first spy swap in 1962when KGB Col. Rudolf Abel was exchanged for Capt. Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 spy plane pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Unionit has been understood that swapped spies are not subject to retribution.
Today comes word that President Trump has congratulated Putin on his reelection. Here is the White House readout of the call:
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. The two leaders discussed the state of bilateral relations and resolved to continue dialogue about mutual national security priorities and challenges. President Trump congratulated President Putin on his March 18 re-election, and emphasized the importance of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders confirmed the need for the United States and Russia to continue our shared efforts on strategic stability.
President Obama earned Putins royal contempt many times over. I can only hope that President Trump had more to say than is intimated in the readout.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman held a press conference this afternoon to explain the charges brought against Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor in the shooting death of Justine Damond. He said that they have now been able to reconstruct the events in the minutes around the shooting virtually down to the second. He reviewed the facts in some detail and answered pointed questions from the press reflecting the intense local interest in the case. For reasons that remain unexplained, police officers declined to cooperate voluntarily with the investigation.
Early in his prepared statement Freeman reviewed the testimony of Noors partner Matthew Harrity. He quoted Harrity saying that they were spooked when Justine approached the drivers (Harritys) side of the car, but that they were unable to make her out. They couldnt tell her age or sex. They couldnt see her hands. Noor himself has so far refused to speak to investigators or to testify to the grand jury.
Freeman rightly made the point that Noors right to use deadly force depends on a standard of objective reasonableness. The defense will certainly draw on Harritys testimony, but I would be surprised if Noor himself doesnt have second thoughts about standing on his Fifth Amendment right at trial.
The Star Tribune story quotes Harrity as forth in the criminal complaint: Officer Harrity said he was startled and said Oh sh*t or Oh Jesus. He said he perceived that his life was in danger, reached for his gun, unholstered it, and held it to his rib cage while pointing it downward. He said from the drivers seat he had a better vantage point to determine a threat than Officer Noor would have had from the passenger seat.
The criminal complaint alleges: There is no evidence that Officer Noor encountered, appreciated, investigated or confirmed a threat that justified the decision to use deadly force. Instead, Officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun from the passenger seat, a location at which he would have been less able than Officer Harrity to see and hear events on the other side of the squad car.
Freeman emphasized and explained that, despite his use of the grand jury to gather evidence, he is responsible for the charging decision. Toward the end of the press conference Freeman identified Assistant County Attorney Amy Sweasy as the lead prosecutor in the case. He said she would be assisted by Deputy County Attorney David Brown. His office is clearly all in on the case.
The video below was posted here by the County Attorneys office. I thought that readers who have closely followed the case might be interested in taking a look.
Freemans father was former Minnesota Governor and Kennedy administration Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. From 1946-1948, back from his service in World War II, Orville Freeman rendered indispensable assistance to then Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey taking back control of the DFL from the Communists and throwing them out of the party. By my lights Freemans father holds an honored place in Minnesota political history. John Haynes tells the story in his valuable book Dubious Alliance: The Making of Minnesotas DFL Party.
UPDATE: I have embedded the criminal complaint against Noor via Scribd below. It is accessible online here via the Office of the Hennepin County Attorney. The text of Freemans opening remarks is also accessible online here.
Criminal Complaint Against Mohamed Noor by Scott Johnson on Scribd
Egypt and South Korea are making plans to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and South Korea on May 13 April, with a range of cultural and artistic events in the offing.
The foreign-relations sector at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture is working with the Egyptian Embassy in Seoul to prepare a range of events to take place in Seoul.
These include folk arts, musical performances, and a series of lectures and cultural seminars on Egypt. There are also plans for visual arts exhibitions that reflect the development in modern Egyptian art.
Last week, Hisham Mourad, head of the Foreign Cultural Relations Sector at the Ministry of Culture, met with Yang Sang Keun, director of the Korean Cultural Centre, for discussions on the programme of events.
Mourad said the initiative reflects the eagerness of Ines Abdel-Dayem, Egypt's minister of culture, to boost Egypt's presence in most of the artistic and cultural forums around the world.
The South Korean authorities have invited Egypt to participate in various cultural festivals, tourist and promotional events in 2018.
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This visit shows that Polish-German contacts are very good and that Chancellor Angela Merkel pays a lot of attention to them, President Andrzej Duda said during a Monday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Warsaw.
Welcoming Chancellor Merkel at the Belvedere Palace, the President expressed his satisfaction about the success of coalition talks in Germany and the appointment of a new government. "We are happy that the situation has stabilised," Andrzej Duda said. See also: Polish President and German FM for Europe's unity He also thanked his guest for coming to Warsaw, which is - as he stressed - the second capital after Paris visited by Angela Merkel. "I am happy as this shows that Polish-German contacts are very good and that Chancellor Angela Merkel pays a lot of attention to them," he added. The Polish head of state also stressed that "the question of good relations with Poland was included in a German coalition agreement." "This is an important signal for us to build them in the best possible way," he concluded.
President's top aide Krzysztof Szczerski added after Andrzej Duda's meeting with the German Chancellor that Polish President and Angela Merkel spoke about the "geopolitical conditions of the world today, the security of our region and the security of the entire Euroatlantic community."
Other topics included the development of defence co-operation in Europe, the future of the EU and NATO and relations with the US.
"(...) there is a question regarding the future of economic co-operation and trade between the US and the EU; both Poland and Germany, which are the defenders of free trade, want "transatlantic ties to be strong in the economic and political dimension."
Referring to the EU's future, minister Szczerski stressed the point was to find out how to build it on the basis of unity.
"The two politicians emphasised that "there are many players who want to divide Europe, there is much internal disappointment in Europe, and those who want to build their political future on divisions of Europe," Krzysztof Szczerski added.
"The stable governments of Warsaw and Berlin should do everything to prevent Europe from being divided, either from the outside or from the inside," he declared.
Minister Szczerski also said that the President and the Chancellor agreed that "Europe must have social support."
While in Warsaw, Angela Merkel met with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
Poland is the second country, after France, visited by the newly-elected German chancellor, who will serve her fourth term as the head of government. Merkel's new cabinet was sworn in nearly six months after the parliamentary election. Angela Merkel has served as German Chancellor since 2005. (PAP/BZ)
The 4th Arab Arts Focus (AFF) event will take place in Cairo from 22 to 26 March, within the framework of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF), which runs from 8 to 29 March.
Arab Arts Focus was launched in 2014, providing a biennial event focussing on Arab artists the issues of the Arab artistic practicice, with the aim of actively supporting the development of the sector in the region.
"Now in its fourth edition, AAF is building on its experience of having provided dozens of artists from the larger region with quality opportunities to showcase their work to industry professionals and international audiences alike," reads the AAF material provided by D-CAF.
The AAF took place in Cairo in 2014 and 2016, with a 2017 edition taking place in Edinburgh, in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival.
In 2016, more than 80 programmers from five continents came to Cairo to see seven original theatrical performances, two music concerts, and an exhibition by young Arab visual artists. This traction inspired Orient Productions, the company organizing D-CAF and AAF.
In Edinburgh, the AAF showcased 10 theatre and dance productions by artists from Palestine, Morocco, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Tunisia. AFF performances won six nominations and four international prizes in Edinburgh.
"This programme, curated by an international committee, successfully offered the diverse audiences in Scotland an intense presence of Arab art," says the D-CAF website.
"It revealed to many people for the first time the diversity within the arts in the Arab region, and allowed for a wider understanding of the area and its people. This became evident by the overwhelming positive reactions that were received, but also based on the high demand for tickets and the large number of people that came to see the performances, reaching well over 5,000 attendees."
The AFF is going from strength to strength this year, providing an impressive array of talent from across the region.
"In its fourth edition, the AAF again invites festival programmers and producers from all over the world to immerse themselves in art works and performances specifically from the region, many of them being shown for the first time.
"The Arab Arts Focus is an opportunity for audiences to see these works, but it also creates a space for these handpicked artists to show their amazing talents to the international community and gain the exposure they deserve," the organisers reveal.
Check the AAF's full programme below:
For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
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Related Independent Egyptian theatre troupe The Storm to perform at Serbian festival
Senior Serbian officials and Arab and African Ambassadors attended on Sunday in Belgrade the Egyptian theatre play The Visit, which is set to participate in the annual Salvjia International Theatre Festival, the Egyptian Embassy in Serbia said in a statement.
The play was performed by the independent Alexandrian theatre company The Storm.
"The presence of a large number of senior Serbian officials, including the assistant foreign minister for security and protocol affairs, the assistant minister of culture and information, and the chiefs of Arab and African diplomatic missions, reflects the interest in learning about the latest developments in Egyptian culture," Egypt's envoy to Belgrade Amr Aljowaily said.
Aljowaily praised The Storm's decision to perform the play in the classical Arabic language, even though the story is a contemporary one, as it facilitated communication with the Arab communities living in Belgrade.
The Alexandrian troupe greeted the audience from Arab countries and students of the Center of Arabic Culture in Belgrade, and made a point of voting in the Egyptian presidential elections at the embassy in Belgrade.
The Egyptian envoy said that the play was included in the activities of Francophonie month in Serbia, which extends throughout March. He added that the play also featured a direct text translation to Serbian, helping it reach the larger Serbian community.
The statement added that the participation in the Slavjia Festival was the result of an initiative by the director of the troupe, engineer Mohammed Algamassy, to apply to the festival, where the evaluation committee selected the Egyptian play, later supported by the embassy and the Ministry of Culture.
"Aljowaily called on other youth teams to do the same by looking for available opportunities for cultural activities in Serbia, stressing that the embassy will support any serious projects in this regard," the statement said.
The play, an adaptation of the Greek writer Lola Anagnuskys book The City, had its troupe approved by Egyptian culture minister Inas Abdel-Dayem last week.
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NEW DELHI, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
The 4th edition of India Smart Grid Week (ISGW), the five-day long event was attended by veterans from across the globe. The conference and exhibition was inaugurated by AK Bhalla, Secretary, Ministry of Power. Other dignitaries present at the inaugural ceremony were Ajay Mathur, Director General of TERI; Upendra Tripathy, Interim Director General of International Solar Alliance; Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd; His Excellency Ambassador Klas Molin, Ambassador of Sweden to India; Richard Schomberg, IEC Ambassador for Smart Energy; N Venu, Senior Group President, Power Grids Division of ABB for South Asia, Middle East and Africa; Matt Wakefield, Director, Electric Power Research Institute, USA; Mahesh Ramanujam, CEO, US Green Building Council; Debashis Banerjee, CEO, Reliance Infrastructure; Patrick Santillo, Minister-Counsellor for Commercial Affairs, US Embassy; Christopher Jones, Deputy Director General - Energy, European Commission; and Reji Kumar Pillai, President of ISGF and Chairman of Global Smart Grid Federation.
(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/643762/India_Smart_Grid_Forum_Logo.jpg )
(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/655701/India_Smart_Grid_Week_2018.jpg )
More than 2,000 delegates and visitors attended the event which was held at Manekshaw Center in New Delhi scheduled from 05-09 March, 2018. Experts from 38 countries from the power sector discussed about the advanced solutions for grid modernization, e-mobility and renewable energy integration at the event.
This year the event included bilateral workshops with European Commission, Sweden, USA and France. Special workshops on Blockchain for Utilities attracted interest from a large number of stakeholders. Full-day parallel sessions were conducted on Smart City Gas Distribution and Smart Water. The participants of the event also got the opportunity to attend the technical tour of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), Northern Region Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) and the recently commissioned, Smart Grid Pilot Project at UHBVN, Panipat with support from NEDO, Japan.
During the conference, MoUs were signed between India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) and Think Smart Grids - France for collaboration; USTDA and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) for the Business Case for Distributed Energy Resources in India Phase 2 Technical Assistance. PEER System by GBCI/USGBC was launched during the ceremony and a special announcement was made by USTDA for Behavioural Energy Efficiency Program with BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and Oracle Utilities, also Energy Storage Roadmap Project by ISGF, IESA and MacArthur Foundation was announced. Another special announcement was on the collaboration between TPDDL, SAP and Choice, Brazil for the launch of a new solution in India for the prevention of theft of electricity.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Reji Kumar Pillai, President, India Smart Grid Forum commented, "India Smart Grid Week 2018 offered an excellent platform for Utility Leaders, Regulators, Government Officials and Technology Providers for networking and experience sharing with their peers from over 38 countries. With increasing focus on making city gas distribution and water distribution smart, next year ISGW will be held in an enhanced format as India Smart Utility Week."
About India Smart Grid Forum
ISGF is a public private partnership initiative of Govt. of India with the mandate of accelerating smart grid deployments across the country. With 170+ members comprising of ministries, utilities, technology providers, academia and research, ISGF has evolved as a think-tank of global repute on Smart Energy and Smart Cities. The mandate of ISGF is to advise government on policies and programs for promotion of Smart Grids in India, work with national and international agencies in standards development and to help utilities, regulators and the industry in technology selection, training and capacity building.
ISGF works closely with government institutions such as CEA, CPRI, CERC, NSGM and NCIIPC; ministries such as MNRE, DoT, MoUD, MoHI, etc. and other stakeholders like state governments, electric utilities and electricity regulatory commissions.
Media Contact:
Sneha Tibrewal
[email protected]
011-41057658
India Smart Grid Forum
SOURCE India Smart Grid Forum
PUNE, India, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Accops hires Brightstar as national distributer to strengthen its channel partner network across India
Accops, the Global leading technology provider of application and desktop virtualization and remote access solution, has announced that it has appointed Brightstar as its National Distributor for India. Brightstar will market, sell and support the complete range of Accops software and hardware products.
(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656426/Accops_Logo.jpg )
Organizations are moving towards centralized computing to meet the need for fast and reliable computing solutions. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is an emerging concept across industries. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global market for Desktop Virtualization market in India will grow at a CAGR of 37.8% during 2017-2022.
Accops provides tailor-made solutions for organizations to consolidate their IT infrastructure using their proprietary application and desktop virtualization (VDI) and secure remote access solutions. With more than 400+ customers in India and 100+ globally, Accops has enabled organizations to get faster ROI from VDI projects by integrating all required functions into a single product suite. Accops' customer sees 50% reduced TCO compared to other leading products. Accops product suite includes application and shared hosted desktop virtualization, virtual desktops over VMWare vSphere and Hyper-v, SSL VPN gateway for remote access, multi-factor authentication for stronger authentication and thin clients and zero clients.
A subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp., Brightstar is the world's leading mobile services company for managing devices and accessories across the wireless ecosystem. Brightstar in India distributes a wide range of innovative enterprise solutions and products in IT peripherals, mobile handsets, lifestyle audio and fixed line telephone. Brightstar's distribution reach across India includes more than 500 channel partners and 10,000 retailers.
"For us to grow and compete at the global level, channel network enablement and growth is a crucial factor, Brightstar is fully equipped in terms of industry knowledge, operational excellence and customer orientation, a highly professional sales, marketing and support organization. Partnering with Brightstar will enable us to increase our channel footprint across India and accelerate the market penetration," said Mohan Bhat, Co-founder, and MD, Accops.
"Workspace Virtualization and having remote access to business data anytime, anywhere and on any device, is the need of the hour. In addition, keeping data secure at an affordable cost is the biggest challenge faced by most of the companies, especially in the mid-market segment. Accops - a one-stop shop for workspace virtualization, understands this growing sentiment and brings together the performance, management, and functionality essential for enterprise remote access together. At Brightstar, we foresee a tremendous growth in demand for virtual desktop infrastructure segment. This in return assures a strong business opportunity for our channel partner in the ecosystem through this new partnership," added Deval Parikh, CEO, Brightstar India.
Accops and Brightstar plans to add more value resellers and system integrators to Accops partner network in the year 2018, enabling the partners with right sales, marketing, and technical support. Accops and Brightstar are conducting monthly enablement programs for partners which include technical and sales training and hands-on sessions. The right partners to join Accops shall be partners focused on latest technologies like Virtualization, Infrastructure Automation, Microsoft technologies, Cloud service providers and Security focused partners.
Accops has recently rebranded itself by launching a new logo and has refreshed its website.
About Brightstar
Brightstar Telecommunications India Ltd, A subsidiary of Softbank Group Corp. is a leading distribution and manufacturing company in India offering a wide range of innovative products in mobile handsets and accessories, fixed line telephone, enterprise solutions and IT peripherals. Brightstar India creates long-lasting relationships with customers by offering the latest technology, products and solutions at the most competitive prices.
http://www.brightstarcorp.in
About Accops
Accops is a global leading technology provider, enabling organizations to consolidate and secure their IT infrastructure using proprietary VDI and remote access technologies. Using Accops products, organizations can virtualize their business applications and corporate desktop environments and deliver the same from a central location to distributed workforce. The centralized enables organizations to cut IT management overheads by 5X, increase overall IT infrastructure security and enable seamless access to business applications anywhere anytime. Headquartered in Pune, Accops operates in more than 10 countries through its distributors and channel partner network.
http://www.accops.com
Media Contact:
Akhil Yadav
[email protected]
+91-9545822503
Marketing Head
Accops Systems Private Limited
SOURCE Accops
Exclusive two-way licensing deal promises to accelerate growth for both companies
FREDERICK, Maryland, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Akonni Biosystems Inc. and Chinese in vitro diagnostics company, Righton, announce a commercial agreement that enables Righton to sell Akonni's products for nucleic acid purification and molecular diagnostics to researchers, clinical laboratories, and hospitals in China. The products to be sold include TruTip, Akonni's best-in-class sample preparation technology, which is low-cost and simple, yet highly effective at purifying DNA and RNA from the most difficult sample types. In addition, for diagnostic applications, Righton plans to commercialize Akonni's TruDiagnosis system based on the proprietary TruArray multiplexed diagnostic solutions. Righton has made an equity investment of $7.5 million USD in Akonni's series D fundraising round bringing the total investments in the Series D round to $13.9 million USD.
The two-way license agreement also grants Akonni exclusive rights to Righton's extensive molecular diagnostic product portfolio outside of China. Righton has established itself as a major player in the >$1 billion USD molecular diagnostics industry in China, with 28 CFDA-approved diagnostic tests, a well-established customer base, distribution and manufacturing infrastructure, and 2017 annual revenues exceeding 180 million RMB. Righton's established diagnostic tests utilize a combination of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next-generation sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technologies, etc., focusing on applications such as Leukemia, Lymphoma and solid tumors in Oncology, and 30 different infectious diseases. They have an established customer base in more than 400 tertiary hospitals in 29 provinces in China.
"Righton has developed an impressive, well-established menu of reliable, affordable diagnostic tests and an outstanding reputation in China," said Dr. Charles Daitch, CEO of Akonni Biosystems. "We see a lot of value in their products that we believe can offer significant improvements to healthcare communities, and we are very excited for the opportunity to expand access to these products globally." Daitch pointed out that the companies share great synergies in their mission, vision, company culture, products and technologies, which both companies believe will enable them to expand their customer reach and accelerate revenue growth. The companies plan to initiate joint development projects for applications such as liquid biopsy testing in Oncology, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), companion diagnostics and multiplexed panel testing for infectious diseases. "The investment from Righton provides us the financing we need to further our commercial goals outside of China, including the submission of our first US FDA application for our TruDx 2000 platform. In addition, the partnership will lead to significant commercial revenues from China for both Akonni and Righton in the near-term," Daitch said.
Dr. Xiong Hui, founder and CEO of Righton, said, "While we have developed an extensive product portfolio and very successful business, we see a great opportunity to partner with Akonni. The attributes and flexibility of Akonni's platform, combined with its low cost, should allow us to break into a very large segment of the China market." Righton sees particular value in being able to use and adapt Akonni's products in China, highlighting that the two companies will work together on design and development, ensuring that the products meet the particular needs of Chinese customers and patients.
Akonni believes the strategic partnership will help it achieve further cost savings in raw materials, manufacturing and production costs. "Whereas many small diagnostic companies choose to sell direct, we believe that our strongest path forward to commercialize Akonni's products and provide the most value to our customers is through a strategic partnership with an established company in China," said Michael Reinemann, Director of Business Development for Akonni. "Righton knows the customers, and the intricacies of the Chinese market segments, local geographies and regulatory and reimbursement environments, and can help us achieve a much more favorable cost of goods in a timely manner."
In addition to supporting Righton's core Oncology business, Righton will support the China launch of Akonni's highly anticipated Tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic product lines. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite significant improvements in TB control efforts recently, China still represents one of the largest TB burdens in the world. China has an estimated 1 million new cases of tuberculosis each year more than any other country except India including an estimated 63,000 cases of the highly dangerous, costly and deadly multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). China currently accounts for nearly one third of the MDR-TB globally. Akonni has invested heavily in its TB and MDR-TB diagnostic tests and is a major player in this market through grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), and collaborations with TB experts at Harvard University, the University of California San Diego (UCSD), and Johns Hopkins University.
About Akonni Biosystems
Akonni Biosystems was founded in 2003 and has been issued 21 US and 37 International patents primarily covering sample preparation, microfluidic devices, bioinstrumentation, and integrated systems. Product development has been supported by a series of government grants and contracts from NIH, CDC, DOE, DOD, NIJ, and NSF. The company significantly advanced the original technology by improving the system's capabilities from sample preparation to test result. Commercial products in Akonni's near-term pipeline include rapid sample preparation technologies for nucleic acid extraction and multiplex panel assays for detecting clinically relevant genotypes for pharmacogenomics, human chronic diseases, and genotypes for infectious diseases such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), upper respiratory infections, viral encephalitis, and hospital-acquired infections (MRSA). Based on its recent analysis of microarray-based applications in the molecular diagnostics (MDx) market, Frost & Sullivan recognized Akonni Biosystems with the prestigious 2017 North American New Product Innovation Award. For more information visit: www.akonni.com.
About Righton
Righton, founded in 2010, is a high-tech company devoted to R&D, manufacturing, sales and third-party clinical examination services for clinical molecular diagnostic products. Product lines address leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors, angiocardiopathy, infectious diseases, and forensic medicine. Righton employs an end-to-end business model of complete diagnosis and treatment procedures including initial diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, treatment effect monitoring, course change and other special treatment regimen assessments. After 8 years of development, Righton has established a top-ranking clinical business for blood and tumor molecular diagnostics, and now has 28 CFDA approved products. Its sales distribution network covers the country's 29 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, generating income of more than a billion RMB. Righton was included in the 100 best companies of precision medicine for 2 consecutive years as a Chinese Venture Enterprise in the Chinese Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition of outstanding enterprises.
Contact:
Michael Reinemann, Director of Business Development
301-698-0101
[email protected]
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Related Links
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SOURCE Akonni Biosystems
The report " Bio-Lubricants Market by Base Oil Type (Vegetable Oil, Animal Fat), Application (Hydraulic Fluids, Metalworking Fluids, Chainsaw Oils, Mold Release Agents), End Use (Industrial, Commercial Transport, Consumer Automobile) - Global Forecast To 2022 " published by MarketsandMarkets, the Bio-Lubricants Market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 2.47 Billion in 2017 to reach USD 3.36 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 6.4% between 2017 and 2022. Increasing environmental regulations, such as the Vessel General Permit (VGP) and Ecolabels in developed markets, such as the US and European countries, and new and upcoming firms involved in the R&D of bio-lubricants are projected to drive the bio-lubricants market during the forecast period.
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Browse 212 market data Tables and 60 Figures spread through 207 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Bio-Lubricant Market"
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Hydraulic fluids - major application of bio-lubricants
The hydraulic fluids application accounted for the largest share of the market, in terms of value, in 2016. These are used in both, stationary and mobile equipment, such as hydraulic elevators, sweepers, garage trucks, forklifts, motor graders, and front-end loaders. High degree of biodegradability and low toxicity is essential for hydraulic fluids to be environmentally safe. Bio-lubricants as hydraulic fluids are preferred in areas where contamination can harm the environment. The demand for environment-friendly hydraulic fluids is driven by several stringent regulations in sensitive areas, such as marine and forests.
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Industrial segment - largest end-use segment of bio-lubricants
The industrial segment accounted for the largest share in terms of value, of the overall bio-lubricants market in 2016. A number of environmental legislations have been implemented in developed European countries, such as Germany, Italy, and Scandinavian countries, where awareness regarding environmental hazards of mineral oils is high. Increasing environmental awareness is causing a shift in consumption patterns to the use of bio-lubricants for industrial applications.
Commercial transport is projected to be the fastest-growing end-use segment of bio-lubricants during the forecast period. Concerns raised due to the disposal of mineral-based lubricants into the environment are leading to the higher demand in this sector. Approximately 20%-30% hydraulic fluids used in the commercial transport sector are released into the environment through leakages or hose ruptures.
North America and Europe accounted for approximately an 84% share of the bio-lubricants market in 2016
Europe is the prime consumer of bio-lubricants, globally, and accounted for the largest share of the bio-lubricants market in 2016. The bio-lubricants market in North America is projected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2022, backed by stringent regulations, such as Vessel General Permit and BioPreferred Program. North America is expected to lead the bio-lubricants market by 2022, due to high investments by manufacturers for new product launches and the expansion of production capacities to increase market leadership.
The major players covered in the report are Fuchs (Germany), Panolin (Switzerland), Cargill (US), Total (France), BP (UK), ExxonMobil (US), Binol Lubricants (Sweden), Kluber Lubrication (Germany), Emery Oleochemicals (Malaysia), and Albemarle (US).
Know more about Bio-Lubricant Market:
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About MarketsandMarkets
MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.
Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.
MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.
Contact:
Mr. Salgarkar
MarketsandMarkets INC.
630 Dundee Road
Suite 430
Northbrook, IL 60062
USA: +1-888-600-6441
Email: [email protected]
Visit Our Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical
Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets
SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
The report " Biorational Pesticides Market by Source (Botanical, Microbial, Non-organic), Type (Insecticides, Fungicides, Nematicides), Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil Treatment, Trunk Injection), Formulation, Crop Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2022" , published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated at USD 2.78 Billion in 2017 and projected to reach a value of USD 5.02 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2017. The market is driven by factors such as evolving farming technologies & practices, consumer demand for organic fruits & vegetables, and increasing promotion by government organizations for the adoption of environment-friendly pesticides. As demand for organic fruits, vegetables, and crops is increasing globally, the market for biorational pesticides is expected to grow. The area under organic crop cultivation is expected to rise because of the growing demand for organic food, a result of increasing health-consciousness among consumers. This indicates that there is immense scope for growth of the biopesticides market, globally.
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Browse 71 market data Tables and 53 Figures spread through 162 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Biorational Pesticides Market"
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The botanical source segment accounted for the largest share in the Biorational Pesticides Market in 2016
The major biorational pesticides under the botanical segment include pyrethrin, azadirachtin & neem oil, and rotenone, among others. The increase in demand for natural biorational pesticides can primarily be attributed to the stringent regulatory framework regarding MRLs (Maximum Residue Levels), an increase in the cost of agricultural inputs such as seeds, and the decreasing proportion of cultivable land.
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The foliar spray segment accounted for the largest share in the Biorational Pesticides Market in 2016
Biorational pesticides are widely used in fruit orchards particularly for apples and oranges. The foliar spray mode of application of biorational pesticides is one of the most popular ones for maximizing production capacity. Foliar spray is suitable for destroying a large number of unwanted grasses, herbs, and shrubs. It is an excellent short-term solution for plants witnessing pest attacks.
North America dominated the Biorational Pesticides Market in 2016
The North American market for biorational pesticides is driven by the simple registration process of biorational products, increasing consumer preference for organic products, and growing consumer awareness about the ill-effects of synthetic pesticides on human health. The rigorous regulatory system in the US and Canada regarding the environment and human health has compelled manufacturers to develop biorational pesticides with low risks to consumers. The market in Europe is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the near future owing to the stringent regulations for pesticides and increasing demand for organic products. Developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, and Argentina are showing a significant increase in the demand for biorational pesticides.
The report Biorational Pesticides Market includes a study of marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolios of the leading companies. It includes profiles of leading companies such as Valent Biosciences (US), Bayer (Germany), Monsanto BioAg (Germany), BASF (Germany), DowDuPont (US), and Syngenta (Switzerland). Apart from these, other biorational pesticide companies profiled include Isagro SPA (Italy), Koppert (The Netherlands), Marrone Bio Innovations (US), Russell IPM (UK), and Gowan Company (US).
Know more about the Biorational Pesticides Market:
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/biorational-pesticide-market-57324225.html
About MarketsandMarkets
MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.
Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.
MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.
Contact:
Mr. Salgarkar
MarketsandMarkets INC.
630 Dundee Road
Suite 430
Northbrook, IL 60062
USA: +1-888-600-6441
Email: [email protected]
Visit Our Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/agriculture-industry
Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets
SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
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Suvo Sarkar, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Emirates NBD Group said:
"Emirates NBD Asset Management has continually expanded its EM range, debt and equity, and firmly believes that now is the right time for investors in the GCC to increase their exposure to Emerging Markets. Around 60% of the global GDP comes from EM economies and they are the engine for global growth, with the differential in projected 2018 growth rates between EM and Developed markets expected to be around 3%."
The exchange of ideas and sharing of expertise by senior figures and fund managers from the three leading asset managers included panels covering distribution, views from CEOs and opinions from specialised portfolio managers. Regional thought leadership from Emirates NBD Asset Management was complemented by international insights from Jupiter Asset Management and UTI International.
Maarten Slendebroek, Chief Executive Officer of Jupiter Asset Management commented:
"Jupiter has an established pedigree in Emerging Market investing, and a long history of allocating to third party Emerging Market managers through our successful multi-asset solutions. We have had a strong presence in the region since 2013, when we were sub-delegated to manage four funds for Emirates NBD Asset Management. This local exposure enables us to explore new opportunities for more diverse investment allocation, and new inflows to our funds."
Leo Puri, Managing Director of UTI Asset Management Co. Ltd. said:
"India's high level of macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline saw the country achieve a recent sovereign ratings upgrade by Moody's - the first in fourteen years. Indian equities are becoming an increasingly attractive asset class amongst most global asset allocators. Our collaboration with Emirates NBD Asset Management in managing their Shari'a compliant Indian Equity Fund is the central pillar that we seek to build further products around for the region."
Media enquiries
Andrew Berridge
Instinctif Partners
Tel: +971-58-265-0522
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Emirates NBD Asset Management, Jupiter Asset Management and UTI International
Over 40,000 peer reviews for Taylor and Francis have been tracked after a successful pilot
LONDON and OXFORD, England, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the peer review platform Publons announced an extended partnership with Taylor & Francis following a successful pilot. Through Publons' Reviewer Recognition Service, they will provide automated recognition to peer reviewers for up to 250 academic journals.
To-date, more than 18,500 peer reviewers have used the Publons platform to track over 58,000 peer reviews for Taylor & Francis journals. Over 70% of these reviews were added following the announcement of a 30-journal pilot in April 2017, showing remarkable engagement and demand for the service from the research community.
With the expanded partnership, up to 250 Taylor & Francis journals will offer peer reviewers verified and actionable evidence of their past and present peer review contributions to research. Evidence of previous work can be downloaded from their Publons profile and used as evidence of their service and standing for promotion and funding applications.
Leon Heward-Mills, Global Publishing Director at Taylor & Francis, said: "Publons harnesses the power of peer review, giving reviewers the opportunity to get credit for their crucial contributions to research, and at the same time helps journal editors recognize peer review activity on their journals. Our extended partnership this year means even more journals will benefit from the innovative technology Publons provides."
Andrew Preston, Co-founder, Publons: "Our expanded partnership with Taylor & Francis highlights that the community wants recognition for peer review. We know that reviewers are keen for the service, and publishers want to provide a better reviewing experience. This partnership further signals the broader sea change in scholarly communication the community is paying greater attention to research outputs that bring about better research outcomes, such as peer review."
Publons mission is to speed up research by harnessing the power of great peer review. By working with publishers, institutions, and researchers, Publons is turning peer review into a measurable output that can be used to demonstrate a researcher's standing, impact, and influence in their field.
For more details on the partnership and to see a list of participating journals, visit the Taylor & Francis-Publons partnership page ( https://publons.com/in/tandf/ ).
About Publons
Publons works with researchers, publishers and research institutions to speed up science and research by harnessing the power of peer review. Publons Reviewer Recognition Service integrates with journals' review submission systems to offer researchers evidence of their previously-hidden review contributions. Publons, founded in 2013 and now part of Clarivate Analytics, has offices in Wellington, New Zealand and London, UK. For more information, please visit: publons.com.
Follow Publons on Facebook and Twitter:
https://twitter.com/publons
https://www.facebook.com/publons
About Clarivate Analytics
Clarivate Analytics is the global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics to accelerate the pace of innovation. Building on a heritage going back more than a century and a half, we have built some of the most trusted brands across the innovation lifecycle, including Web of Science, Cortellis, Derwent, CompuMark, MarkMonitor and Techstreet. Today, Clarivate Analytics is a new and independent company on a bold entrepreneurial mission to help our clients radically reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing innovations. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.
About Taylor & Francis Group
Taylor & Francis Group partners with researchers, scholarly societies, universities and libraries worldwide to bring knowledge to life. As one of the world's leading publishers of scholarly journals, books, ebooks and reference works our content spans all areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Science, and Technology and Medicine. From their network of offices in Oxford, New York, Philadelphia, Boca Raton, Boston, Melbourne, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, Stockholm, New Delhi and Cape Town, Taylor & Francis staff provide local expertise and support to their editors, societies and authors and tailored, efficient customer service to their library colleagues.
Media Contact:
Jo Wilkinson
Head of Communications
[email protected]
Related Links
http://publons.com
SOURCE Publons
"MTPV has revolutionized the waste heat recovery market by introducing its core technology, micron-gap thermophotovoltaics, into its EBLADE Power Platform, which converts waste heat directly into electricity and provides end users with energy savings, emissions reductions, and clean, reliable power generation," said Chirag Rathi, Consulting Director at Frost & Sullivan.
The platform uses state-of-the-art photovoltaic semiconductors placed less than a micron away from an emitterreducing energy loss between the emitter and receiverand cost-effectively converting infrared light into electricity. Each EBLADE device uses semiconductor chips as its building blocks, and arrays of devices can be deployed to meet customer power needs. The solution's exceptional modularity allows end users to scale the platform to their needs, providing both a cost-effective and space-efficient solution. Unlike traditional heat engines that require a large infrastructure footprint, the EBLADE platform can be housed inside existing waste streams, such as exhaust tunnels, thermal oxidizers, and flares. This solution allows for easy retrofits that do not interrupt upstream processes. In addition, depending on the number of MTPV devices employed, the power output from the platform can generate multiple megawatts of electricity to create significant energy savings.
MTPV's EBLADE Power Platform is suitable for a spectrum of industries that would benefit from high-temperature waste heat recovery, such as glass, steel, and flaring from landfills, as well as refinery processes and drilling operations. The company is deploying commercial pilots today and anticipates full commercialization within the next 12 to 18 months and expects to be highly competitive in low-cost power markets within the first four to five years of commercial operation. MTPV can deliver power as a service in addition to product sales. In the glass production sectora mature, highly commoditized spacethe platform's ability to recover waste energy and the subsequent cost savings offer users a significant competitive advantage.
"MTPV's disruptive technology is the only commercialized high-temperature waste heat recovery solution on the market and is generating significant industry interest," said Rathi. "Looking ahead, MTPV's second generation technology targeting lower temperatures can be combined with its existing high-temperature (600-degrees or above) EBLADE platform, offering operators a compelling hybrid waste heat recovery solution."
"MTPV is honored to receive Frost & Sullivan's Technology Leadership Award for Global Waste Heat Recovery Solutions," said David Mather, President & CEO of MTPV Power Corporation. "Two thirds of the world's energy usage today is lost as waste heat, and MTPV's innovative approach to recovering that energy as clean electric power has compelling economic and environmental benefits."
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Technology Leadership Award to the company that demonstrates uniqueness in developing and leveraging new technologies that deliver significant customer value.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About MTPV Power Corporation
MTPV is a clean energy semiconductor company using its breakthrough technology to harness the world's heat and convert it to electricity. For more information, visit https://www.mtpv.com.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.
Contact:
Samantha Park
P: 210.348.1001
F: 210.348.1003
E: [email protected]
Colin Lacey
P: 512.246.1988
F: 512.246.1978
E: [email protected]
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Related Links
http://www.frost.com
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
One key event during the show is the 2018 GAC Motor dealer gathering, which is scheduled on March 23 in the Four Seasons Hotel exclusively for dealers. As a premier marketplace of auto products, services and technologies, the NADA Show provides a platform for automakers to connect with dealers.
"In light of our announcement to enter the U.S. market in 2019 at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), coming to the NADA Show is a perfect start for GAC Motor to build partnerships and develop our dealership network in the North American market," said Yu Jun, President of GAC Motor.
"We hope to enhance GAC Motor's reputation, lay a solid foundation for a future sales network and further demonstrate our determination to enter the U.S. market at the NADA Show. We've been negotiating with a lot of local dealers, and we welcome more to join us in Las Vegas."
For the first appearance on NADA show, GAC Motor is well prepared to bring four premium vehicle models, all of which have showed solid performance in the international market.
The GS8 SUV has become hugely popular both in the domestic and global market. Since its release in October 2016, the Vehicle has ranked No.1 in the domestic 7-seat SUV market segment, which made a historic breakthrough for Chinese brand high-end SUVs.
The GM8, the brand's first minivan released only two months ago, has highlighted GAC Motor's latest achievements in independent research and development (R&D) and cutting-edge technologies. At the 2018 NAIAS, GAC Motor released its latest sedan, the GA4, which was developed on the company's G-CPMA platform, a model that has enabled the automaker to enter the A-level market.
GAC Motor's best-selling SUV model, the GS4, has ranked among the top three in the SUV market with 841,410 cars sold since April 2015.
GAC Motor, China's fastest-growing automaker, has established a world-class manufacturing system, as well as a global R&D network and supply chain. The company sold 508,600 vehicles in 2017, a 37 percent year-on-year growth rate. In the first two months of 2018, GAC Motor made history again with 95,136 cars sold, a 20.3 percent year-on-year increase that got the brand off to a flying start.
"By participating in NADA, we hope to speed up the building of our global dealership network. GAC Motor has always insisted on building high-end, world-class products with a craftsman's spirit," Yu said.
About GAC Motor
Founded in 2008, Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor CO., LTD (GAC Motor) is a subsidiary of GAC Group which ranks the 238th among the Fortune Global 500 companies. The company develops and manufactures premium quality vehicles, engines, components and auto accessories. GAC Motor has now ranked the first among all Chinese brands for five consecutive years in J.D. Power Asia Pacific's China Initial Quality Study SM (IQS), demonstrating the company's quality-centric strategy from innovative research and development (R&D), manufacturing to supply chain and sales & services.
For more information, please visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GACMotor
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Media Contact:
Sukie Wong
+86-186-8058-2829
[email protected]
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SOURCE GAC Motor
PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE, India, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
According to a recent report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Airport stands equipment Market by Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the global airport stands equipment market was valued at $1,096 million in 2016, and is projected to reach at $1,547 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.20% from 2017 to 2023.
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Continuous rise in global freight and passenger traffic, modernization of airports, and high demand of new aircrafts drive the growth of the global airport stands equipment market. However, long shelf life of airport stand equipment and dearth of skilled workforce hampers the market growth.
Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1080
Based on type, the boarding bridges segment led the airport stands equipment market in 2016, and is projected to maintain its dominance in the future. However, the preconditioned air unit segment is expected to witness the highest growth, owing to its increased adoption due to different initiatives taken by countries to reduce the carbon emission of aircraft on the ground.
North America generated the highest revenue in 2016; however, Asia-Pacific segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period.
For Purchase Enquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1080
Key Findings of the Airport Stands Equipment Market:
The preconditioned air unit segment is expected to exhibit significant increase in the global airport stands equipment market during the forecast period.
In 2016, the boarding bridge segment accounted for the highest revenue among the other end user.
North America generated the highest revenue in 2016.
generated the highest revenue in 2016. Asia-Pacific is projected to exhibit substantial growth during the forecast period.
Some of the key players operating in the airport stands equipment market that are profiled in the report include Aero Specialties, Inc., Airport Equipment, FMT Aircraft Gate Support Systems AB, Textron Inc., JBT Corporation, Cavotec SA, ThyssenKrupp AG, ADELTE Group S.L., HDT Global, and ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd.
Access KNOWLEDGE TREE (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/knowledgetree
Knowledge tree is a cloud-based intelligence platform that offers more than 2,000 selective, off-the-shelf reports on niche markets to enable our clients gain deep insights on the latest trends, dynamic technologies, and emerging application areas.
About Us
Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.
We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.
Contact:
Shriram Dighe
5933 NE Win Sivers Drive
#205, Portland, OR 97220
United States
Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285
UK: +44-845-528-1300
Hong Kong: +852-301-84916
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Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com
SOURCE Allied Market Research
"Huawei has demonstrated continuous determination in its pursuit of technology innovation, which the company clearly illustrated with its latest intelligent energy system, BoostLi," said Gautham Gnanajothi, Industry Principal. "Frost & Sullivan believes that this is a significant step forward in the evolution of energy storage, transforming the battery from a dumb component to a smart component."
BoostLi was designed to address three critical industry challenges: low reliability, high investment, and network evolution. It does so through three foundational pillars built into its advanced design:
Smart Protection : provides higher reliability through adaptive charging, current protection and an anti-theft component that includes a battery dysfunction feature;
: provides higher reliability through adaptive charging, current protection and an anti-theft component that includes a battery dysfunction feature; Smart Saving : lowers total cost of ownership (TCO) by allowing real-time remote monitoring for maintenance, optimized configuration to match customer needs, and maximized utilization; and
: lowers total cost of ownership (TCO) by allowing real-time remote monitoring for maintenance, optimized configuration to match customer needs, and maximized utilization; and Smart Adaptation: matches network evolution by offering voltage, power, and current adaptations, which provide the abilities to support larger loads and increased coverage, paralleling expansion capabilities, and optimized reuse of legacy battery to support network evolution, respectively.
Huawei places tremendous emphasis on three core aspects of its product development process: simplicity, efficiency and reliability. The company embeds its products with a wide range of features and unique functionalities that enhance end-user value multifold, such as its status of health (SOH) management, state of charge checks, and other central management tools. Huawei has played a crucial role in the development and evolution of battery technology. BoostLi represents Huawei's latest innovative achievement in the evolution of intelligent lithium batteries. Huawei's lithium batteries have had a profound impact on the industry as well as on the company's DC power revenue, having deployed more than 30,000 sets of lithium batteries globally.
Huawei's mega trend analysis revealed that 19% of telecom network site failures are caused by energy storage issues, with battery maintenance costs accounting for nearly 45% of TCO. Also, 70% of new logical sites added over the next 5 years will be legacy site expansions, which will likely face difficulty in reusing and expanding legacy batteries.
"Huawei was quick to identify these energy storage-related challenges in the telecom networks and develop a product, BoostLi, that addresses these pain points for customers," said Gautham Gnanajothi.
After conducting its independent analysis of the DC power industry, Frost & Sullivan found Huawei's BoostLi to be a revolutionary battery management system technology that is unique, visionary, and likely disruptive to existing technologies. For these reasons, Huawei has earned Frost & Sullivan's 2017 Global Technology Innovation Award.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.
Contact:
Andrea Steinman
P: 210.477.8425
F: 210.348.1003
E: [email protected]
Related Links
http://www.frost.com
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
FORT LEE, New Jersey, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Siklu Inc., the global market leader in mmWave wireless solutions, announced today that it has signed a Technology Partnership Agreement with Genetec Inc., a leading technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions. This arrangement will greatly expand both companies' reach to security integrators and cities globally.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmUFgz4ZEwo&feature=youtu.be
The technology integration between these solutions ensures the information received from video surveillance cameras, and transported on Siklu's mmWave radios, support a clear, jitter free video stream. The purpose of the agreement is to offer a complete best-of-breed solution for integrated security applications - a combination that has proven success in the past by the two companies in a number of video surveillance projects, including the City of New York; Wichita, Kansas; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and the Super Bowl LIVE event in Houston, Texas.
Solutions supported in the partnership include Siklu's mmWave line of 60, 70/80 GHz radios, which are considered to be the leading enterprise wireless solution for security networks, especially when fiber is not an option. The combined technologies will enable cities and system integrators to connect as many HD or 4K surveillance cameras as needed to the Genetec security management system. Siklu radios are used to deliver faster, reliable and more affordable connections, leveraging narrow beam interference free mmWave wireless to ensure uninterrupted video streaming with no packet loss even in dense urban areas.
"We're pleased to add Siklu as our wireless network connectivity partner," said Georges Tannous, Director of Strategic Alliances at Genetec. "Siklu expands the infrastructure capabilities for Genetec partners, giving them a scalable and reliable wireless solution with plenty of bandwidth and creating a network which is ready for the next generation of IOT."
"We are very pleased to be partnering with Genetec, one of the global leaders in security management systems, as we can cooperate together on projects such as Smart Cities and bring the best-of-breed to our customers," said Alex Doorduyn, Director of Business Development, Security & Smart Cities at Siklu.
Siklu's End-to-End solution will be showcased at Smart City Connect, Kansas City, March 26-29, innovation stands 8T-8W and at ISC West, Las Vegas, April 11-13, Axis booth #14051.
About Siklu
Siklu delivers multi-gigabit wireless fiber connectivity in urban, suburban and rural areas. Operating in the mmWave bands, Siklu's wireless solutions are used by leading service providers and system integrators to provide 5G Gigabit Wireless Access services. In addition, Siklu solutions are ideal for Smart City projects requiring extra capacity such as video security, WiFi backhaul and municipal network connectivity all over one network. Thousands of carrier-grade systems are delivering interference-free performance worldwide. Easily installed on street-fixtures or rooftops, these radios have been proven to be the ideal solution for networks requiring fast and simple deployment of secure, wireless fiber. www.siklu.com.
About Genetec
Genetec Inc. is an innovative technology company with a broad solutions portfolio that encompasses security, intelligence, and operations. The company's flagship product, Security Center, is an open-architecture platform that unifies IP-based video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), communications, and analytics. Genetec also develops cloud-based solutions and services designed to improve security, and contribute new levels of operational intelligence for governments, enterprises, transport, and the communities in which we live. Founded in 1997, and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Genetec serves its global customers via an extensive network of resellers, integrators, certified channel partners, and consultants in over 80 countries. https://www.genetec.com/
Press Contacts
Shiri Butnaru Dave Sumi Marketing Manager, Siklu VP Marketing, Siklu [email protected] [email protected]
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmUFgz4ZEwo
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656400/Siklu_logo.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656401/Genetec_Logo.jpg
Related Links
http://www.siklu.com
SOURCE Siklu
NEW DELHI, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
Trimble Solutions India announced the appointment of Mr. Harsh Pareek as the Regional Sales Director for India and SAARC region. In this role, Harsh will be responsible for developing the sales strategies and operations for Trimble Buildings franchise, (which includes Architecture, Structures and GC-CEC), identifying new market opportunities and executing Trimble's business strategy in the region.
(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656390/Harsh_Pareek_Trimble.jpg )
(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/559480/Trimble_Solutions_India_Logo.jpg )
Harsh brings over 19 years of expertise in Building Information Modelling, Cloud Computing, Advance Surveying Techniques, Transportation Planning, Constructability and Project based software implementation in the AEC industry. Prior to joining Trimble, he worked with Bentley Systems and Autodesk in various capacities for well over a decade. He will report to Mr. Paul Wallett, Regional Director for India and Middle East.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Paul Wallett said, "India's continuing focus on building the next-generation of public and housing infrastructure makes it an important growth driver for Trimble. Harsh brings outstanding credentials to power our journey ahead in India, as we look forward to not only expanding Trimble's presence in the country, but also playing a meaningful role in the building of a new India."
Mr. Harsh Pareek said, "I am very optimistic about the role Trimble can play in the ongoing transformation of Indian construction industry. The Indian subcontinent offers a tremendous growth opportunity riding on a strong government commit to infrastructural and housing growth. This is also an opportunity for us to help our customers grow and make an impact by leveraging best-in-class construction software solutions."
Harsh holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from NIT, Calicut. His unique portfolio of industry experience, skills and passion is an asset to a rapidly expanding presence of Trimble in the Indian Subcontinent.
About Trimble Buildings
Trimble Buildings, a part of Trimble's Engineering and Construction segment, is focused on solutions that optimize the complete Design-Build-Operate (DBO) lifecycle of buildings. Trimble is dedicated to transforming the industry - increasing productivity, reducing waste and optimizing schedules, budgets and real estate portfolios - with powerful solutions that streamline communication and collaboration. These targeted solutions enable architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and occupiers to realize greater agility, efficiency and insight. Used in over 150 countries around the world, Trimble Buildings' solutions are transforming the way the world designs, builds and operates infrastructure and buildings. For more information, visit: buildings.trimble.com .
About Trimble
Trimble is transforming the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Core technologies in positioning, modelling, connectivity and data analytics enable customers to improve productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. From purpose built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble software, hardware and services are transforming a broad range of industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation and logistics. For more information visit, www.trimble.com .
Additionalinformation
Tanya Mishra
[email protected]
+91-9004438498
Pratishtha Wadhwa
[email protected]
+91-7985252619
PR Consultant
Evoc Communications Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
SOURCE Trimble Solutions India Pvt Ltd
The company helps traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises re-imagine customer engagement in a new, real-time, high-touch, digital world
MILPITAS, California, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ZineOne today announced that it has raised $2.5 million in a Series A round led by Omidyar Network, the Silicon Valley-based impact investing firm established by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. ZineOne is a next generation customer engagement hub that uses machine learning algorithms to provide banks and retailers with the ability to engage with their customers real-time, in a highly contextual and personalized manner. The platform is redefining the brand-user interaction paradigm by helping enterprises not only connect the dots between their different customer data streams, but also create actionable insights that can be used while customers are interacting with their brand in real timesuch as in a branch or store, at their e-commerce website or mobile app.
"More and more enterprises around the world are recognizing the need to move their customer engagement efforts beyond e-mails and call centers into an immediate, contextual, and real-time world," said Debjani Deb, ZineOne CEO. "2018 presents an inflection point in the industry, and with this new funding, ZineOne is well positioned to lead the market in this emerging segment."
The emerging category of customer engagement hubs is expected to disrupt an estimated $10 billion currently spent on marketing automation and customer experience software worldwide, by moving the industry away from batch emails, push messaging, and call centers, to "in the moment" interactions.
"We are excited to see how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other new technologies are coming together to personalize and enhance the consumer experience," said Ken Miller, venture partner at Omidyar Network and ZineOne's newest board member. "ZineOne delivers on this promise and benefits banks and retailers who are looking to better serve their clients, but most importantly consumers, who now have products and services tailored to meet their unique needs and delivered when they need them."
The company intends to use the newly raised funds to aggressively accelerate sales, marketing, and execution of a product roadmap that is focused on building the most intelligent system within this category, with significant investments toward securing top talent in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Other investors in this Series A round include Harvard Business School Alumni Angels, Touchstone Equities, as well as existing investors Hyderabad Angels and Golden Seeds. Anthill Ventures was an advisor to this round. The Series A round of investments brings ZineOne's total venture capital received to date to $5 million.
Value Proposition
ZineOne is a leading player in the emerging segment of next generation customer engagement hubs, which bring together event-driven, streaming technologies to power real-time personalization. The company's mission is to help traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises re-imagine customer engagement in a new, real-time, high-touch, digital world.
ZineOne currently enables more than 100 million users, processing over 5 billion events a year, and generating 100 gigabyte of data every hour worldwide. In the US, the company works with one of the top five retailers in the country, connecting all its digital and physical channels and delivering three to five times more sales conversions through highly personalized, contextual messaging with customers through various touch points.
In India, ZineOne is enabling financial institutions to provide a seamless digital experience to their customers by using personalized context to nudge consumers to better financial behaviors, such as increasing savings. On average, the company has helped its client-banks increase transaction completion rates up to 20 percentcapturing transactions that were previously abandoned when users moved from channel to channel. HDFC Bank, India's largest private bank, is leveraging ZineOne's value proposition across all its digital channels and experiencing significant gains in customer engagement, including 3 times the click through rate than with traditional methods.
ZineOne provides enterprises with a dynamic platform for agile experimentation, with no impact to their existing release cycles and without changing legacy systems. The company analyses data that consumers have already opted-in to provide to their bank or retailer in a anonymized manner, ensuring consumer's privacy and data security.
About ZineOne, Inc.
ZineOne is a real-time, stream-processing based customer engagement hub. It empowers brands and enterprises to enable a paradigm shift in the way they interact with their customers. It helps the enterprise move from a legacy batch world to a real time, event-driven world, where reactions to each customer's actions are sub-second versus a long phone call or an impersonal email. ZineOne is set to disrupt the worldwide $10 billion marketing automation and customer experience markets. To learn more, please visit www.zineone.com or follow on Twitter @zine_one.
Media Contacts
ZineOne
Leo Merle, ZineOne, +1 (916) 501-8126, [email protected]
Omidyar Network
Claudia Parazzoli, Omidyar Network, +1 (650) 482-2504, [email protected]
In the US: Gena Madow, FleishmanHillard, +1 (415) 318-4230, g[email protected]
In India: Upasana Sarkar, The PRactice, +91 (858) 707-6270, [email protected]
Related Links
http://www.zineone.com
SOURCE ZineOne
LONDON, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
MedShr - the app for doctors - will receive a World Summit Award in recognition of its global impact for social good in Vienna this week. Founder and CEO of MedShr, Dr Asif Qasim says: "We are thrilled to be recognised by the WSA for our achievements in supporting doctors to improve healthcare for patients around the world."
(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/535939/MedShr_Logo.jpg )
The WSA Global Congress will award MedShr a trophy for the best health and wellbeing product at Vienna City Hall on 22nd March, in front of UN representatives and ICT ministries. Dr Qasim will present MedShr to an international Grand Jury for a chance to win the overall health and wellbeing category. The WSA recognises the part that digital innovation plays in creating sustainable social change and impact worldwide.
MedShr will also join the London Mayor's International Business Programme's B2B Life Science and FinTech Mission which is also in Vienna this week. The programme helps ambitious high-growth companies from London's technology, life sciences and urban sectors to expand their businesses internationally.
MedShr works with a range of educational partners such as Health Education England and BMJ Case Reports, as well as a number of medical device and pharmaceutical companies. MedShr offers an unrivalled digital channel for these companies to support physicians through sponsored medical education.
The London startup, which was founded in 2015, provides a private, professional platform for doctors to discuss clinical cases, share knowledge, and improve patient care. The app and web platform now has over 500,000 members in 180 countries, with cases in all specialties.
About MedShr
MedShr is an app and platform for the medical community to share and discuss clinical cases. To date, there are half a million members on MedShr engaged in active learning through case discussion.
About the WSA
The World Summit Award is a global initiative within the framework of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). WSA is the only ICT event worldwide, that reaches the mobile community in over 180 countries.
About The Mayor ' s International Business Programme
The Mayor's International Business Programme invites Life Science and Health Tech businesses to join them for a One Day Trade Mission to Vienna. This Mission aims to assist high-growth companies seeking to identify partnerships and to explore business opportunities.
Press contact:
Stefania Gancitano, Marketing Executive
+44(0)7795421245
SOURCE MedShr
Today, 20 March 2018, skating legends and Olympic Champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean cemented their global celebrity skating status by adding their handprints to Wembley Park's iconic Square of Fame.
(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656489/Wembley_Park_Logo.jpg )
(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/656488/Wembley_Park_Torvill_and_Dean.jpg )
The handprints have been commissioned for the duo to commemorate their all-time record of a landmark 130 performances at The SSE Arena, Wembley, more than any other artist to date.
The Square of Fame situated in Arena Square, outside The SSE Arena, Wembley, holds one of the UK's largest collection of handprints from famous artists and performers, all to have played at the legendary venue including Madonna, George Michael, Status Quo and Dolly Parton.
The addition of Torvill & Dean's handprints comes just days before the start of the Dancing On Ice UK tour, at The SSE Arena, Wembley, on which the pair will host in their new role as Head Judges.
The Dancing On Ice UK tour will take place across 20 dates in venues up and down the country, starting in Wembley Park.
Speaking at the event, Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean, said:
"This is such an honour. We're thrilled to be joining so many iconic artists at the Wembley Park Square of Fame at The SSE Arena, Wembley. The Arena has always held such a special place in our hearts, so can't wait to be back performing here once again for the opening shows of the Dancing On Ice Live UK tour."
James Saunders, Chief Operating Officer of Quintain (behind Wembley Park), said:
"Torvill & Dean are national treasures and we are ecstatic to have added their handprints to the Square of Fame. It is fitting that as Olympic Champions they are starting their tour here in Wembley Park, the host venue used in both 1948 and 2012 Olympics games. Wembley Park is currently undergoing a huge transformation but these handprints in the Square of Fame will serve as an historic reminder of the amazing artists who have visited and performed here."
Adding to this John Drury, VP and General Manager, The SSE Arena, Wembley, added:
"We're delighted to honour Jayne and Chris for a monumental run of shows. Over the years they've probably entertained over a million people here at Wembley - we look forward to the next million!"
For images and NTEs visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nqwt6f8jj1a4nh/AACjRbXq8D_6zH8LkJa5gL79a?dl=0
SOURCE Wembley Park
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this
Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
New Delhi, March 15 : A 26-year-old female Ph.D student of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, who went missing from the campus a few days ago, has been found in Lucknow, police said on Thursday.
"Pooja Kasana had left her hostel on the JNU campus on her own. She was found roaming in Lucknow and has since returned to Delhi. She has not joined the police investigation," Deputy Commissioner of Police Milind Mahadeo Dumbere told IANS.
As for her comments on her guide Professor A.K. Johri's conduct, there has been no complaint on the issue. "We will conduct a probe if she complains to police," Dumbere said.
Kasana had left the campus on March 10 after talking to her family that she was going out for dinner with friends. Her mobile phone was found switched off since then, the officer said.
"Her father Sheeshpal Singh and brother Pradeep, residents of Ghaziabad, visited her hostel and found her room locked on Sunday. On Monday, they complained to police that they suspected she was kidnapped."
Kasana, a first-year research scholar in the School of Life Sciences, told police that she had left her hostel of her own will after sending in her resignation through an email to Professor Johri.
San Francisco, March 18 : After suspending Strategic Communication Laboratories (SCL), along with its political data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica, for violating its policies and commitments, Facebook has denied any data breach as claimed by some media reports.
"The claim that this is a data breach is completely false," Paul Grewal, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Facebook said on Saturday.
On the same day, the Guardian reported that in one of the tech giant's biggest ever data breaches, the data analytics firm that worked with Donald Trump's election team harvested millions of Facebook profiles of US voters and used them to build a powerful software programme to predict and influence choices at the ballot box.
Owned by the hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, Cambridge Analytica was headed at the time by Trump's key adviser Steve Bannon.
A whistleblower revealed to the Observer how the firm used personal information taken without authorisation in early 2014 to build a system that could profile individual US voters, in order to target them with personalised political advertisements.
"We exploited Facebook to harvest millions of people's profiles. And built models to exploit what we knew about them and target their inner demons. That was the basis the entire company was built on," Christopher Wylie, who worked with a Cambridge University academic to obtain the data, told the Observer.
Explaining why it suspended Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group from Facebook, Grewal on Friday said, "In 2015, we learned that a psychology professor at the University of Cambridge, Aleksandr Kogan, lied to us and violated our platform policies by passing data from an app that was using Facebook Login to SCL/Cambridge Analytica."
"He also passed that data to Christopher Wylie of Eunoia Technologies, Inc.," Grewal added.
But it did not amount to data breach, according to Facebook.
"Aleksandr Kogan requested and gained access to information from users who chose to sign up to his app, and everyone involved gave their consent," Grewal said in an upate.
"People knowingly provided their information, no systems were infiltrated, and no passwords or sensitive pieces of information were stolen or hacked," he added.
Like all app developers, Kogan requested and gained access to information from people after they chose to download his app.
His app, "thisisyourdigitallife," offered a personality prediction, and billed itself on Facebook as "a research app used by psychologists".
Approximately 270,000 people downloaded the app.
"In so doing, they gave their consent for Kogan to access information such as the city they set on their profile, or content they had liked, as well as more limited information about friends who had their privacy settings set to allow it," Grewal said in late on Friday.
"By passing information on to a third party, including SCL/Cambridge Analytica and Christopher Wylie of Eunoia Technologies, he violated our platform policies," Facebook said.
When Facebook learned of this violation in 2015, it removed the app.
"Cambridge Analytica, Kogan and Wylie all certified to us that they destroyed the data. But not all data was deleted," said the social networking giant, adding that it is suspending SCL/Cambridge Analytica, Wylie and Kogan from Facebook, pending further information.
"We are committed to vigorously enforcing our policies to protect people's information. We will take whatever steps are required to see that this happens.
"We will take legal action if necessary to hold them responsible and accountable for any unlawful behaviour," Facebook said.
New Delhi, March 19 : Discussions at the WTO's ongoing mini-minsterial meeting here will be useful for the global trade body to progress on issues like the earlier Doha Round of negotiations and its dispute settlement system, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo said on Monday.
Representatives from 50 countries invited by India are meeting here informally for a World Trade Organisation (WTO) mini-ministerial meeting over March 19-20.
"The Delhi meeting will be informal as well as important. I hope it will be directed and the inputs here will be useful for our meeting in Geneva, to take the negotiations forward on items in the Doha Round and on other issues," Azevedo told reporters here at a briefing organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
"We have very significant challenges before us. The WTO dispute settlement system by a blockage in the appointment of appelate body members and this will be a focus of our conversations in New Delhi," he said.
Following the collapse of WTO Buenos Aires ministerial talks last December, India has called this informal meeting of ministers, without a pre-announced agenda, to facilitate an exchange of views on various challenges facing the multilateral trading system "with the hope that it will lead to political guidance on some major issues".
This is the second WTO mini-ministerial meeting being hosted by India, after the first in 2009.
The talks at the 11th ministerial conference at Buenos Aires broke down as the US reneged on its commitment, along with other countries, to find a permanent solution to the issue of public food stockholding by WTO members. The US representative to declared in a small group meeting that a permanent solution to the food stockholding issue was not acceptable to America.
Under WTO norms, a member-country's food subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent of the value of production based on the reference price of 1986-88.
India has been seeking amendments to the formula on stockholding, fearing that full implementation of its food security programme could result in breaching the WTO subsidy limit.
At the Buenos Aires ministerial, India continued to press for the reduction of farm subsidies by developed countries and resisted inclusion of new issues on the negotiating table like e-commerce and investment facilitation into the ongoing Doha Round of talks that have a developmental agenda in case these dilute the commitment to complete the existing agenda.
Protectionism and the US President Donald Trump slapping import tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium last week, unfolding the prospect of an all-out global trade war, are among other issues likely to be discussed at the New Delhi meeting.
"It is a moment of many challenges inside the WTO and outside. The trade environment is very risky at this point," Azevedo said.
Noting that the US has reiterated various times its support for the WTO, Azevedo said that it also has concerns, but about the functioning of the multilateral body.
The US feels that conditions have changed much since the WTO's inception in 1995 and that "some upgrades and reforms are in order", he added.
Washington, March 20 : President Donald Trump has said that he would ask for the death penalty for certain "really bad" convicted drug traffickers and will try to toughen sentencing guidelines in an attempt to fight the opioid epidemic that takes 175 lives per day in the US.
On Monday, Trump travelled to New Hampshire to present his plan to deal with the opioid crisis that will have the Department of Justice request the death penalty for drug traffickers although current law does not allow it, reports Efe news.
"This scourge of drug addiction in America will stop," Trump said in a speech in Manchester.
"It will stop. Failure is not an option. We will raise a drug-free generation of American children."
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were accompanied by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and several cabinet members to launch the administration's "Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse" at the Manchester Community College.
"We have to get tough on these people," said Trump.
"These are terrible people, and that toughness includes the death penalty. They will kill thousands of people in their lifetime, and yet they get caught and go away for 30 days.
"This isn't about nice anymore... No more 'let's have everyone go to a blue ribbon committee and get a medal.' This is about a very tough problem. If we don't get tough on these dealers, we are not going to win this battle. I don't want to leave at the end of seven years and still have this problem," he said.
Trump said that it was "possible" that Americans might not be prepared to impose the death penalty on all drug traffickers, as some other nations do.
The event was attended by more than 250 community members, law enforcement officials, first responders and local families affected by the opioid crisis.
Also in the audience were New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.
Sessions confirmed in a statement that his department will utilise federal law to seek the death penalty "when appropriate".
US law permits applying the death penalty only in cases of murders linked to drug trafficking or drugs, according to the independent Death Penalty Information Centre.
The Trump administration also had considered imposing capital punishment on people who traffic even small quantities of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid used as a painkiller.
Current anti-drug law establishes penalties of up to 20 years behind bars for small traffickers and reserves a term of life in prison for especially serious cases.
According to US Centres for Disease Control figures, 64,000 people died of opioid overdoses in in 2016.
Washington, March 20 : The Pentagon has announced that the annual military drills between the US and South Korea will start from April 1, the media reported on Tuesday.
"US Secretary of Defence James N. Mattis and the South Korea Minister of National Defence Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual combined exercises including Foal Eagle and Key Resolve which were de-conflicted with the schedule of the Olympic Games" Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said in a statement issued late Monday.
"The exercises are expected to resume April 1, at a scale similar to that of the previous years."
Manning added: "The UN Command has notified the Korean People's Army (North Korea's army) on the schedule as well as the defensive nature of the annual exercises."
This year's Foal Eagle field training exercises will involve about 11,500 US forces and some 290,000 South Korean troops, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Logan.
The exercise was originally supposed to take place during the Winter Olympics, which were held last month in Pyeongchang, South Korea, CNN reported.
However, US and South Korean officials opted to postpone it until after the Olympics and the Paralympics, which ended on Sunday.
South Korea has said the postponement was part of an effort to reduce tensions with North Korea and help ensure a successful Olympics, while US officials have maintained that the postponement was due to logistics and a need to "de-conflict" the exercise with the Olympic Games.
Monday's announcement comes as US President Donald Trump readies for a potential major summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which could take place in May.
Seoul, March 20 : Envoys from North and South Korea on Tuesday began a new working-level meeting on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to discuss cultural exchanges and strengthen ties ahead of a historic inter-Korean leader summit in April.
The meeting is taking place at the Tongilgak Pavilion on the northern side of DMZ, Efe news quoted a Unification Ministry spokesman as saying.
It will focus on the upcoming visit to Pyongyang of a group of artists and a South Korean Taekwondo exhibition team to perform in public in the North Korean capital.
The Unification Ministry said the exchange would also include a South Korean pop music concert in Pyongyang, something that has already happened twice in the North Korean capital, in 1985 and 2000, in previous occasions of rapprochement.
This trip responds to a similar one earlier in February, when North Korean musicians and wrestlers visited South Korea as part of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, an occasion which has led to a historic detente on the Korean peninsula.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally told South Korea's envoys to Pyongyang that he would meet with their President Moon Jae-in, in April and at the same time invited US President Donald Trump to hold a joint summit on North Korea's nuclear disarmament in May.
The April summit will be the first meeting of leaders from the two Koreas in 11 years, while the summit with Trump will be the first in history where the top leaders of these two countries meet face-to-face.
New Delhi : The 180 km-long march of Maharashtra's farmers from Nashik to Mumbai that swelled to about 40,000 in number by the time it reached the state capital is a potent reminder of the burgeoning problem of agrarian distress in India. It is also indicative of how this segment of the Indian population -- which comprises about 60 percent of the total -- has found itself repeatedly short-changed in the country's developmental process.
Farmers in Maharashtra have gone through a particularly bad phase, with agricultural growth turning negative in the last three of four years. A spate of droughts and pest attacks -- combined with the disruptions in cash flow due to demonetisation and the cow slaughter ban -- have had an inimical impact on the state's agricultural sector.
Thus, the march centred on a few major demands: A complete farm loan waiver, the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and revision of the minimum support price (MSP) as per the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. The government agreed to relax the eligibility criterion of loan waivers and address implementation issues for clearing land titles and setting the MSP.
There remain numerous fiscal and administrative difficulties in the actual fulfilment of these commitments, which themselves need to be explored in detail. However, the fact of the matter remains that these are by no means a sustainable long-term solution to the problem which arises each year across the country.
This year's Economic Survey pointed out that the level of real agricultural GDP and real agricultural incomes has remained constant over the last four years. During the same period, the gross capital formation (or investment) in agriculture has also declined from 2.9 per cent of GDP in 2013-14 to 2.17 in 2016-17. Therefore, a more effective mechanism needs to be adopted to address these problems by increasing the productivity yield of farms and reducing their vulnerability to seasonal variability, price shocks and pests.
There is also a strong economic logic behind the need for agrarian reforms. The World Development Report of 2008 surveyed several developing countries over 25 years and found that growth in agriculture by one percent reduces poverty by two to three times more than a similar growth in non-agricultural sectors. In China's case, it was 3.5 times more effective and for Latin American countries, it was 2.7 times more effective. Given that more than half of India is engaged in agriculture and that almost 75 per cent of poverty is concentrated in rural areas, the economic gains from reforming the sector are self-explanatory.
The Chinese experience with agrarian reforms holds a few lessons for India. Unlike India, when China enforced economic reforms, it began by focussing on the agricultural sector. The commune system was dismantled and replaced with the household responsibility system and much of the stifling price controls were removed from agricultural goods.
Following the reforms, the sector grew at over seven per cent per annum between 1978 and 1984 as compared to a paltry 2.3 per cent in the pre-reform period of 1952-77. Also, due to this growth spurt, real rural income rose at 15.5 per cent per year during the same period, bringing poverty levels down from 33 per cent in 1978 to 15 per cent in 1984. The reduction in poverty increased the purchasing power of the masses and created a demand for industrial goods that paved the way for manufacturing reforms and the eventual revolution that brought about its historic growth phase for the next three decades.
In contrast to China, Indian reforms were less strategic and more by stealth. They were undertaken to resolve an economic crisis by adjustments in trade policy and delicensing of the industrial sector. Agriculture was kept out of these reforms and only later were piecemeal attempts made by tinkering with the agricultural policy. The reforms did help in ushering in macro-economic stability within the economy and boosting the overall rate of economic growth, but it only impacted the rural masses through shaky dynamics that resembled a trickle-down approach.
Most of the benefits that accrued to the sector came primarily either through indirect reforms of the exchange rate or from the transmission of rising global prices between 2004 and 2011. As a result, India managed to halve its poverty rate in over 18 years (from 45 per cent in 1993 to 22 per cent in 2011) as compared to merely six in China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed to double the income of farmers by 2022 when he came to power, but maintenance of status quo can hardly make such goals a reality. Quite a few structural changes are necessary to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
First, the incentive structure for the farmers needs to be corrected. There is a consumer bias in agricultural policies to provide food security and price stabilisation, which often comes at the detriment of farmers who end up bearing the brunt. Ad hoc and unpredictable export bans are a case in point. Such trade-restricting policies should be avoided to provide a similar incentive structure as provided to the industries.
Second, considering that more than half of Indian agriculture is still rain-fed, a higher proportion of investment needs to be devoted to improving the agricultural infrastructure. In the total agricultural budget for 2018-19, merely 12 per cent has been allocated for investment while the rest is meant to be utilised for subsidies and safety nets.
Finally, there is practically no attempt at research and development (R&D) in agriculture. India spends merely 0.46-0.6 per cent of its agricultural GDP on R&D of the sector against a recommended norm of at least one percent for developing countries. With such a lopsided policy intent, where is the scope of doubling farm incomes?
(Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in and tweets @kautiliya. Manisha Kapoor, senior researcher, Institute for Competitiveness, has contributed to the article)
New Delhi : Book: Why I Killed the Mahatma -- Uncovering Godse's Defence; Author: Koenraad Elst; Publisher: Rupa; Pages: 251 "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it," Winston Churchill had bragged with his trademark flourish, underlining the significant role which victors play in scripting the histories of their respective eras.
Koenraad Elst's provocatively titled book "Why I killed the Mahatma...", is a dissertation examining Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse's defence in court during his trial, which eventually led to his hanging. And with this book, Elst, a Belgian Indologist, walks a path rarely trod on by other mainstream Indian historians, which involves the sensitive and precarious task of intellectualising Godse's rationale, which eventually led to the assassination.
This is essential, according to Elst, who claims that a section of Indian historians have, for long, monopolised views on Gandhi's assassination, thereby eclipsing any other aspects linked to the saga which led to the Mahatma's killing, like Godse's point of view.
"The fact that he murdered the Mahatma has eclipsed every other fact in his fairly long and detailed statement. We hope that this study will enable the readers to see Godse with their own eyes rather than through the eyes of those who have thus far monopolised the discourse on the Mahatma's murder," Elst says, while pointing out to the significance of Godse's insistence on taking the absolute onus for the assassination, in an attempt to absolve his friends and other alleged conspirators.
Elst also attempts to bring out similar traits between the nearly anonymous (at the time) killer and his larger-than-life victim, like the similarities in their respective childhoods, when both believed in a supernatural sense. Godse, Elst says, as a child acted as the oracle of the family goddess, while Gandhi had invoked his inner voice to rational considerations right from a younger age.
"Logically following from the conviction, common to both Gandhi and Godse, that 'the problem of India was basically the problem of the Hindus', if there is another importance parallel: both were hard on their own Hindu society, not on Muslims," the author states in the book, which is bound to raise more than a few eyebrows.
Much like Gandhi, Elst maintains, Godse too refused to let Hindus lay the blame for their sufferings in the era preceding Independence and Partition elsewhere, but on themselves.
"It is remarkable that Godse, who profiles himself as a secular nationalist, puts a decisive part of the blame for the Pakistan movement on the British. He makes no attempt to link the contemporary phenomenon of Islamic separatism with the fundamental doctrines of Islam," a passage in the book reads.
Interestingly, the book also attempts to train the spotlight on what Elst prefers to call the secular side of Godse. The author claims that Godse swore by genuinely secular and democratic principles, so that all Indians should enjoy equal rights and complete equality on the basis of democracy and no special privileges on the basis of communal identity such as weightage in parliamentary representation of Muslims, something the "so-called secularists" of the era were in favour of.
"Congressites and leftist secularists, by contrast, supported communal representation and weightage back then, and still support separate Personal Law systems for different communities defined by religion today. If words still have a meaning, Godse's vision of independent India's polity was more secular than that of self-styled secularists," Elst claims in his book.
Elst also points out to what he suggests is an inconsistency in Gandhi's usage of fasting as a tool for bringing about peace, alleging that the Mahatma used the tool to good effect only with people who admired and loved him, and never against his opponents.
"For instance, he did not use this weapon in order to compel the Muslim League to give up its demand for Pakistan. Indeed, breaking a solemn promise, he failed to stake his life for the sake of India's unity," the book claims.
Elst's book is an attempt to provide an intellectual rationale for Godse's actions, while at the same time, not underlining the rights or the wrongs of the act of pumping bullets into the Mahatma, the first major and perhaps the most significant assassination in free India.
As contemporary India's political history changes course, such revisiting of past phenomena, occurrences and recording of an alternative discourse/s around them, may well trigger a new round of ideological churning.
(Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan.n@ians.in)
Latest updates on Gandhi Jayanti 2019
Washington, March 20 : NASA is targeting April 16 for the launch of its next planet-hunting spacecraft on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Prior to the launch of the mission, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the US space agency on Tuesday said it would reveal more about the mission at a media event on March 28.
TESS is expected to find thousands of planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, orbiting the nearest and brightest stars in our cosmic neighbourhood.
The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits.
TESS will survey 200,000 of the brightest stars near the sun to search for transiting exoplanets.
According to a NASA overview of the mission, TESS scientists expect the mission will catalogue more than 2,000 planet candidates and vastly increase the current number of known exoplanets.
Of these, approximately 300 are expected to be Earth-sized and super Earth-sized exoplanets, which are worlds no larger than twice the size of Earth.
Powerful telescopes like NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope can then further study these exoplanets to search for important characteristics, like their atmospheric composition and whether they could support life.
New Delhi, March 20 : Diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, co-accused in the Rs 13,540 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, has said that "exaggerated" allegations by multiple investigating agencies has left him "completely defenceless" and that he feared for his safety to return home.
In a two-page March 16-dated letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Choksi denied he was a partner of Diamond R US, Stellar Diamond and Solar Exports.
These firms have been accused of conducting fraudulent transactions with Firestar International and Firestar Diamond International owned his nephew Nirav Modi, who is also an accused in the PNB fraud.
The companies were named by the CBI in an additional FIR filed on February 14. Choksi was summoned to appear before the CBI on March 16 for questioning in the case.
Reiterating that it was "impossible" for him to return to India, Choksi said his health condition was not conducive and that his passport remained suspended.
"Till date, the Regional Passport Office (in Mumbai) hasn't communicated with me and my passport remains suspended. I have the deepest respect for your offices and assure you that I am not making any excuse, whatsoever, to travel to India.
"I reiterate that I am abroad and have earlier also responded to your notices. Surprisingly, the issues raised remain unaddressed, making my fear of safety rise to extreme levels."
He questioned the CBI move to name him in another case related to the bank fraud "knowing fully well that I have no concern whatsoever" with Diamond R US, Stellar Diamond, Solar Exports.
"I am neither a partner (of these firms) nor do I have any kind of association with the three concerns."
He said various actions by multiple agencies taken against him and "the manner in which the allegations have been exaggerated has left me completely defenceless".
"In any case", he said, "I am extremely held up in my business abroad and am working hard to resolves the issues it is facing due to the unnecessary closure of business in India due to untenable allegation." Choksi had left the country along with his nephew and other family members in January this year.
He said doctors had advised him "not travel for a period of four to six months".
"I am unable to travel to India due to my persisting health condition. In February 2018, a cardiac procedure was conducted and medical follow ups still remain and as the entire procedure could not be completed. The situation still remains," he said.
Washington, March 20 : US President Donald Trump's lawyers have provided special counsel Robert Muellers team written descriptions that chronicle key moments under investigation in hopes of curtailing the scope of a presidential interview, a media report said.
Trump's legal team recently shared the documents in an effort to limit any session between the President and Mueller to a few select topics, informed sources told The Washington Post on Monday night.
As part of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Mueller is probing whether Trump's campaign coordinated with Russia and whether the president obstructed justice by trying to block the investigation.
In particular, his team is focused on Trump's firing of his National Security Adviser Andrew McCabe and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey.
The President has denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation a "witch hunt".
The written materials provided to Mueller's office include summaries of internal White House memos and contemporaneous correspondence about events Mueller is investigating, according to the sources.
The documents describe the White House players involved and the President's actions.
The lawyers are worried that Trump, who has a penchant for making erroneous claims, would be vulnerable in an hours-long interview, the sources said.
The decision to share materials with Mueller's team is part of an effort by Trump's lawyers to minimise his exposure to Mueller, whom the President recently attacked in a series of tweets.
Trump has told aides he is "champing at the bit" to sit for an interview, the sources said.
But his lawyers, who are carefully negotiating the terms of a sit-down, recognise the extraordinarily high stakes.
In preparation, Trump on Monday brought on another lawyer, hiring former US attorney Joseph diGenova to join his personal legal team, The Washington Post reported.
John Dowd, an attorney for the President, declined to comment on any records provided to the special counsel.
Chandigarh, March 20 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State in Iraq's Mosul in 2014.
"Shattered over the heart-wrenching news that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead," the Chief Minister said in a tweet.
"My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them."
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha that their bodies were spotted using deep penetration radar. The bodies were exhumed from mass graves and their identities confirmed by DNA tests.
Mumbai, March 20 : Filmmaker Aanand L. Rai, busy shooting his upcoming film "Zero", says he will ensure the movie will deliver more than what it promises.
Rai interacted with the media at a special screening of "Baa Baaa Black Sheep" here on Monday.
His film "Zero" features Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif.
On the response received for the film's teaser, Rai said: "I am getting really good feedback but this time. I am trying to give the audience things which are coming from my heart and with Shah Rukh sir, I think, I am being able to achieve that.
"The kind of fun we all are having while making this film is what I always look for... I still require two months for the completion of the shoot, but I will ensure that the film delivers more than what it is promising."
The film's actors keep sharing social media posts to keep fans abreast on the fun they are having while shooting the film. In fact, Shah Rukh recently referred to Katrina as his 'media manager' in a photograph he posted on his Twitter page.
"Katrina is having fun doing all this. I think 'Zero' is technically and emotionally a difficult film, so it required that kind of individuals who can create fun atmosphere on the film set and that is what Katrina is doing.
"It is so nice of her and entire team to have this kind of atmosphere all around."
"Zero" is a romantic drama written by Himanshu Sharma and directed by Rai. It is set to release on December 21.
In the last few months, Rai has produced films including "Happy Bhaag Jayegi", "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" and "Mukkabaaz", which received a positive response from the audience.
"I always wanted to associate myself with those films which could give audience a different kind of light," he said on his success.
Among Rai's upcoming co-productions is also "Manmarziyaan", which brings Abhishek Bachchan back to the screens.
"I don't know why people are terming it as his comeback film. He was always there. I think it is good for actors also to take gaps as per their wish.
"He is a talented actor. I always wanted to collaborate with Abhishek and with this script, we are working together under Anurag Kashyap's direction."
Kolkata, March 20 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of 39 Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State terror group in Iraq's Mosul in 2014.
"Deeply saddened and shocked with the very sad news from #Mosul. Words are not enough to console the 39 grieving families. Our thoughts and prayers with them," Mamata tweeted.
The deaths of the 39 Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq's Mosul in 2014 were confirmed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
The minister said the mortal remains will be brought back to India by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh.
She said the bodies were spotted using deep penetration radar and were exhumed from mass graves.
Their identities were confirmed by DNA tests.
New Delhi, March 20 : Delhi Police has registered eight FIRs against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Atul Johri of alleged sexual misconduct, it was announced on Tuesday.
"A notice has been issued to the Professor to cooperate in the police investigation. He had failed to appear on Monday. We have summoned him today (Tuesday)," a senior police officer said.
"We have recorded the statements of the complainants. A few more female students have approached the police and levelled similar allegations against Johri. It is being examined. Legal action will be initiated. The investigation is being closely monitored by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bhardwaj," Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chaudhary said.
The students have accused the police of shielding Johri from arrest.
"We are protesting at the Vasant Kunj police station demanding action against Professor Johri. There are cognisable and non-bailable offences against him, but he has not been arrested yet because the Delhi Police is shielding him," protesting student Priyanka Gupta told IANS.
New Delhi, March 20 : Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday announced online ticketing platform bookmyshow.com as the ticketing partner for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The tickets for the home matches starting April 11 to be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur have gone live for sale on the portal. Over 20,000 tickets priced between Rs 500 to Rs 15,000 will be up for grabs for fans ahead of the first home match, a statement from the franchise said.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajasthan Royals co-owner Manoj Badale said: "We're proud to be working with one of the leaders in the Indian ticketing solutions market. We have aligned in our approach of keeping the fans on priority and will work together to give the fans the most hassle free and progressive ticketing services."
Rajasthan Royals will host Delhi Daredevils in their first home match on April 11.
Latest updates on IPL 2020
Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday sought the opposition's cooperation for development issues.
Vijayan made the remarks after Congress legislator V.D. Satheesan warned that violent protests similar to in Nandigram in West Bengal could be repeated in Taliparamba in Kannur district.
Locals in Kannur are up in arms against a project to align a proposed bypass on the National Highway.
"Yes, even a section of our party is opposing the construction of National Highway in the village. New roads are a must for development, but we will under no circumstances buckle under pressure," Vijayan said.
"It's quite natural that people will oppose when they see their land being taken away, but that can be taken care of through appropriate rehabilitation programmes. I call upon the opposition to join us when it comes to development of the state... We should all be one," he said.
For over an year, a group of people owing allegiance to the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist have been protesting against the road project. They are said to be upset over police action against them on March 14.
Janaki, 73 and a CPI-M activist, has been leading the protest. The village is a known CPI-M hub.
"The project was taken up without conducting proper studies. To break the protest, the CPI-M sacked 11 protesters from the party... We will see that under no circumstances Nandigram is repeated here," the Congress MLA said.
PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran pointed out that three alignments were considered, but the present alignment was chosen as it called for least displacement.
"The problem is the protests are being led by a section of so-called 'intelligentsia' who have no other work but to create trouble. A large number of protesters are outsiders. A total of 11.50 acres of land is being taken and all except four people have agreed to it. No one needs to be worried as not a drop of blood will be shed," Sudhakaran added.
Washington, March 20 : Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the US on Tuesday on a state visit.
The Crown Prince was received at the airport by Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Chief of Protocol at US State Department Sean P. Lawler, Saudi Gazette reported.
Upon the Crown Prince's arrival, Prince Khalid tweeted: "On behalf of the Saudi Embassy in the US, we are delighted to welcome Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US.
"His official visit represents a continuation of the strategic cooperation and friendship between our two countries," Prince Khalid said.
Lucknow, March 20 : Five persons were killed and over 50 injured when a tractor-trolley fell on to a road from a railway overbridge which did not have railings here on Tuesday, police said. The mishap that took place at the Ghuhar bridge in Lucknow, claimed the lives of three women, a man and a child.
A total of 55 people were travelling in the vehicle.
Officials told IANS that the injured have been admitted to the trauma centre at the King George's Medical University (KGMU). Two persons, including a child, were in a very critical condition, the officials added.
The tractor-trolley was from Bachrajpur in Kannauj and was returning to their village from Barabanki.
Chandigarh, March 20 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday expressed grief over the death of Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State in Iraq's Mosul in 2014 while the AAP demanded the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for misleading the families of the dead.
"Shattered over the heart-wrenching news that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead," the Chief Minister tweeted.
"My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them."
Earlier in the day, Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha that their bodies were spotted using deep penetration radar. The bodies were exhumed from mass graves and their identities confirmed by DNA tests.
She said the mortal remains would be brought back to India by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh.
Legislator of main opposition AAP, Kanwar Sandhu, slammed the Union Minister.
"Sushma Swaraj should resign as External Affairs Minister taking responsibility for the lies she spread about the 39 missing Indians in Iraq," Sandhu said in a tweet.
State Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa said he was saddened by the news.
"It is my appeal to the Government of India and the Punjab government to provide all possible help and financial aid to families of 39 Indians killed in Iraq," he tweeted.
He accused the Central government of playing with the emotions of the families by giving them false hope. "Can there be anything more shameful than this?" he asked.
New Delhi : Title: The Crazy Untold Story of Bollywood's Bad Boy; Author: Yasser Usman; Publisher: Juggernaut; Pages: 256; Price: Rs 499 The book's cover itself tells a story about Sanjay Dutt. Searing eyes, unbuttoned colourful shirt, his trademark long hair from his heydays, a lit cigarette in the mouth -- all screaming his "I am what I am" demeanour and attitude that has kept him sailing through a life with a film-like quality with its twists and turns.
Screen icons Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt's 'Presley Junior', Sanjay's life has been marked by conflicts, mistakes, tragedies and some triumphs.
The story of how he coped with life in boarding school, the tragedy of his mother's death, his relationship with his father and sisters, his drug addiction, de-addiction, his very public love life and breakups, his interactions with the underworld, the tryst with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and his present image as the 'reformed goon' much like his role in his beloved role as "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", has been told via a compelling narrative.
Biographer Yasser Usman's exploration about Sanjay's roller-coaster life makes you explore the vulnerable side of the star, whom the writer calls "the man-child who never grew up".
The book takes you through unknown anecdotes about Sanjay, who has come a long way from being an "incompetent actor" to becoming an "entertainer beloved by millions".
"Did you know that almost a decade before the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, Sanjay was involved in a shooting spree in posh Pali Hill for which he was even arrested? Or that he once smuggled heroin into the US?
That it was a tape recording of his late mother Nargis that ultimately helped Sanjay turn a corner in his fight against drugs?
Sanjay also once apparently stripped and tied up a man for flashing his then girlfriend
Tina Munim. And a director of one of his and Madhuri Dixit's films said, "He was always following Madhuri around and whispering 'I love you'."
It is such stories and more which make you find out more about an actor, whose "stupidity" and "foolishness" got the better of him, but who continues to be adored by fans more for his personal image and life story than his acting ability.
Usman, in the third of his planned biographical trilogy on Indian superstars (after Rekha and the late Rajesh Khanna), delves into various chapters of Sanjay's life based on not just some past interviews, but also drawn from interactions with his filmmakers, co-stars, friends, teachers, police officers, co-inmaters and politicians.
When you come across some of Sanjay's own admissions quoted in the book, you realise how brazenly honest -- but also perhaps apologetic -- he is about his thoughts, mistakes and goof-ups.
The book wraps up on Sanjay's road to freedom after having served a 42-month prison-term for illegal possession of arms during the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
It would have been interesting to know a little more about the actor's post-prison life, where he is enjoying the bliss of spending time with his wife Manyata and their twins as well as his comeback to the screen.
But for now, the book raises the intrigue about how many aspects of Sanjay's life will Rajkumar Hirani's upcoming and much-awaited biopic on Sanjay touch upon.
(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in
New Delhi, March 20 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday attacked the Congress government in Karnataka for promoting minoritism by recommending religious minority status for the Lingayat community and said all rights given to the minorities in the country should also be given to the members of the majority community.
"Minoritism is dangerous for the country. Karnataka Congress is trying to cut out Lingayat community from Hindu religion just before the elections as it wants to divide the people for votes," said VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain.
The Karnataka cabinet had on Monday granted the long-demanded status of a separate religion to Lingayat community that forms 17 per cent of the state's population. Lingayats are followers of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and his teachings.
"We stand for same rights for all citizens in the country. In India, no one is a minority or a majority. Every citizen is a child of Mother India," Jain said in a press statement.
"VHP is of the opinion that all rights meant for minorities should also be given to the members of majority community," he added.
The VHP leader said the Congress is reflecting its "conspiratory mindset" again, as it did a similar thing with the Jain community before the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. "But, Congress lost the elections despite its divisionary politics. It will lose again," he said.
Jain said minoritism is against the Constitution and the Supreme Court has warned against it several times. The apex court had, in fact, made the National Minorities Commission responsible to wipe out minoritism from the country, he added.
"While the minority commission is silent on the issue, Rahul Gandhi is dreaming of another division of the country for elections," the leader of right-wing pro-Hindutva organisation said.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 : The CPI(M)-led LDF government on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Vayalkilikal, the collective of local residents and farmers protesting against a bypass project at Keezhattur, terming the agitation unlawful.
Responding to a notice for an adjournment motion moved by congress legislator V D Satheesan alleging that the LDF government was suppressing the protests at Keezhatur using force, PWD minister G Sudhakaran said that the agitation was being staged by a group of outsiders bent on thwarting development.
Sudhakaran came down on Vayalkilikal, describing them as vultures hovering over the paddy fields.
The protests were the handiwork of a group of outsiders assembling unlawfully, he said, adding that those staging the protests had nothing to do with paddy farming and had never done a hard days labour in their lives.
However, V D Satheesan hit back at the minister, pointing out that the protesters were CPI(M) workers.
The protests are being carried out by 11 CPI(M) workers, not vultures. The party has expelled them, Satheesan said and exhorted the state government not to unleash violence upon them.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala took exception to Sudhakarans comment that the protests were being spearheaded by a group of outsiders.
The minister is saying that only those from Keezhattur could stage protests, Chennithala said, caustically asking Sudhakaran whether CPI(M) leaders Vijoo Krishnan and K K Ragesh who participated in the farmers long march to Mumbai were farmers from Maharashtra.
Wading into the debate, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan repeated the CPI(M)s stock argument that the agitators at Keezhattur were anti-development.
Mr. Vijayan reiterated that 56 of the 60 families whose land is to be acquired for the project had given consent letters for giving up their land.
The chief minister also took exception to the Keezhattur stir being compared to Nandigram and Singur agitations in West Bengal and asserted that the state government would not be cowed down by pointless agitations.
Mr. Vijayan also ruled out changing the alignment of the proposed bypass, saying that even the protestors could not suggest an alternative alignment.
The CPI(M) leadership in Kannur and the Vayalkilikal have been at loggerheads with each other over the issue of the proposed bypass for several months with latter alleging that the bypass project would endanger the paddy fields at Keezhattur.
New Delhi, March 20 : India on Tuesday said it will bilaterally take-up the issue of recent trade protectionism measures imposed by the US.
Addressing a press conference after the Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting here, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu said: "Every country will have a different response to it. We are obviously not the largest exporter of steel or aluminium to the US...."
"We will take it up with the US, with whom we have a huge trade surplus and we have a very good political relationship. We will take up this with them bilaterally."
The assertion by the minister assumes significance as recently the US slapped import tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, unfolding the prospect of an all-out global trade war.
According to WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo, the recent trade protectionist measures by the US have major potential for escalation.
"I have said very publicly, that I am very concerned and I think the institution itself could say the same, because these measures, for whatever reason, have a very major potential for escalation because of the possibility of responses from other partners with trade restrictive measures as well and that, I think, is something we should avoid," Azevedo said.
"That's what I heard today, many many countries saying we have a concern with this. We have to proceed very carefully and try to work within the framework of WTO... because I think that's the only way we can avoid a very disruptive and unpredictable scenario in global trade."
Further, Minister Prabhu said that "food security" issue was also discussed at the meeting during which "talks were held in a free and frank" manner.
The minister had earlier said that India is a strong supporter and believer in the WTO framework and is strongly committed to see the organisation being strengthened.
New Delhi hosted the largest Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting which began on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by delegates from 52 countries, including WTO Director General Azevedo, who participated in the discussions.
This is the second WTO mini-ministerial meeting being hosted by India, after the first in 2009 and it took place after the collapse of the WTO Buenos Aires ministerial talks in December last year.
The talks at the 11th ministerial conference at Buenos Aires broke down as the US reneged on its commitment, along with other countries, to find a permanent solution to the issue of public food stockholding by members of the multilateral trade body.
The US representative to the WTO talks declared in a small group meeting that a permanent solution to the food stockholding issue was not acceptable to America.
Under the WTO norms, a member-country's food subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent of the value of production based on the reference price of 1986-88.
India has been seeking amendments to this formula, fearing that full implementation of its food security programme may result in breaching of the WTO subsidy limit.
At the Buenos Aires ministerial, India continued to press for the reduction of farm subsidies by developed countries and resisted inclusion of new issues on the negotiating table like e-commerce and investment facilitation into the ongoing Doha Round of talks that have a developmental agenda, if in case these dilute the commitment to complete the existing agenda.
Mumbai, March 20 : A few hundred railway job-seekers caught Central Railway (CR) by surprise, resulting in a virtual paralysis of Mumbai's lifeline, the suburban train service, for over three hours here on Tuesday morning. The agitation also turned violent as some protesters pelted stones, leading to a police baton charge to disperse them.
The morning peak hour suburban and long-distance train services were severely disrupted as hundreds of protesters squatted on the railway tracks between Matunga and Dadar on the CR to press for their demands pertaining to railway apprentices' recruitment.
Rattled by the sudden crisis, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal held emergency meetings and announced that 20 percent posts in railway establishments are already reserved for those who have cleared the All India Railway Act Apprentice Exams.
"This has been done as per the various judgements by the Supreme Court from time to time. Applicants who completed the apprenticeship course have also been given an age relaxation equal to the period of apprenticeship," he announced in New Delhi.
Goyal added the Indian Railways was in the midst of a massive recruitment exercise and had "come out with a policy to ensure a fair, transparent and competitive recruitment process that follows the law and the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court".
In Mumbai, a CR spokesperson said that there was no provision as per the Apprentice Act of giving job to apprentices who are only trained for a specific period to hone their skills and gain experience.
"However, the Ministry of Railways has taken a decision and reserved 20 per cent of the seats filled through direct recruitment. The notification is already issued with the last date of submitting application on March 31. Apprentices can apply against this notification and Special Examination will shortly be held for apprentices who have done training in Railway Workshops under the Apprentices Act," the spokesperson said.
After the intervention of the top CR offiials and a written assurance, the protesters withdrew the agitation around 10.45 am and the highly-vulnerable system started limping back to normal.
The agitation's cascading effect led to massive overcrowding on the Western Railway (WR), as trains ran packed, traffic jams on roads linking Mumbai with the mainland and the Eastern Express and Western Express Highways slicing through the country's commercial capital.
More than 4.5 million commuters were badly hit for the second consecutive day following a strike called on Monday by drivers of cab aggregators and app-based taxis.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the assembly that as the agitators became violent and pelted stones, police resorted to a "mild" baton-charge to control them.
At least five of the protestors and 11 police personnel including some women officers, were injured in the fracas as helpless Mumbaikars watched the unfolding drama.
The protests were carried out by activists of the All India Act Apprentice Association (AIAAA) who demanded scrapping of the 20 per cent quota for direct recruitment and jobs for local candidates in all states who have cleared the AIRAA exams.
Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai Rahul Shewale met top CR officials to resolve the situation and later said that the railways would hire over 12,400 candidates who have cleared the AIRAA exams.
The protests disrupted the entire suburban and long distance railway train schedules in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Pune with commuters stranded for hours as the BEST chipped in with extra buses at various points to clear the rush.
The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party demanded a discussion on the issue in the legislature on a priority basis and the circumstances leading to the baton charge on the protesters, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray held a meeting with the agitation leaders.
The protests hit college students who started their University of Mumbai's BA, B.Com and B.Sc. examinations on Tuesday, but the authorities permitted an extra hour to enable the candidates reach their exam centres.
The agitation threw the schedules of Mumbai's famous Dabbawalas, whose army of tiffin-carriers were stranded at various CR stations right from Kalyan in Thane to Dadar in Mumbai, though deliveries continued normally on the WR, said Mumbai Dabbawalas Association spokesperson Subhash Talekar.
Meanwhile, Rail Yatri Parishad chief Subhash Gupta attacked the railways for "complete intelligence failure" to anticipate the agitation that left CR crippled for over three hours.
According to some reports, the agitation was being planned since December and over 25,000 aspirants were contacted all over India on social media networks.
Chandigarh, March 20 : The lone Indian who managed to escape from the Islamic State in Iraq's Mosul in 2014 on Tuesday reiterated that all the 39 Indians who were seized were killed long ago and wondered why the government didn't believe him all these years.
"I had spoken the truth," survivor Harjit Masih said.
His assertions came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament that the bodies of the 39 Indians were spotted using deep penetration radar. These were exhumed from mass graves and their identities were confirmed by DNA tests.
"I had been saying for the past three years that all 39 Indians had been killed by ISIS militants," Masih, a resident of a village in Gurdaspur district, told reporters.
He said they all were killed in front of his eyes. "I am wondering why the government was not accepting what I had said earlier."
However, Sushma Swaraj dismissed his claims during her statement in the Rajya Sabha. "He was not willing to tell me how he escaped," she said.
Narrating the incident, Masih, 28, said the Indians were kidnapped by the militants and they were kept hostage.
After some days, the militants indiscriminately fired at them.
"I was fortunate to manage to escape from the clutches of the militants despite getting a bullet injury," he said.
The 39 who went missing in Iraq were all from poor families, mostly from rural areas of Punjab.
Their families were asked in October last year to provide their DNA samples.
Sushma Swaraj had earlier assured the families, who met her several times, that all efforts were being made to trace the missing men.
But the minister maintained all these years that there was no information confirming that the Indians were dead.
Shillong, March 20 : Prominent Right to Information activist Poipynhun Majaw, who exposed misappropriation of public funds in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in Meghalaya, has been murdered, police said on Tuesday.
The body of Majaw, who was the President of Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), was found on Tuesday morning near a bridge in Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills.
He was last seen riding a motorcycle near the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner's office on Monday night.
"A wrench was found next to the body. Preliminary inquest suggests the victim was hit on the head leading to his death," Deputy Inspector General of Police A.R. Mawthoh said.
Majaw had recently through a RTI enquiry exposed huge misappropriation of public funds in the JHADC and also revealed that cement companies in Jaintia Hills were mining without permission from the Council.
East Jaintia Hills is home to over a dozen cement companies operated by corporates from outside the state.
Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) President Agnes Kharshing condemned the murder. "We strongly condemn his killing and demand immediate arrest of those responsible," she said.
New Delhi, March 20 : The Supreme Court was told on Tuesday that the parting of personal biometric and demographic information by transgenders and sexual minorities under the Aadhaar Act exposes them to "violence, surveillance and harassment by the State and private persons".
"Once the personal demographic details of transgenders and sexual minorities is declared, it exposes them to surveillance, violence, and discrimination including infringement of their fundamental right to life and liberty, equality, free speech and movement," NGO Swatantra told a constitution bench.
The five-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justices A.K. Sikri, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, is hearing a batch of petitions including by former Karnataka High Court Judge K.S. Puttuswamy, Magsaysay awardee Shanta Sinha, feminist researcher Kalyani Sen Menon and others challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act.
Appearing for Swatantra, advocate Jayana Kothari told the court that agencies collecting demography information for Aadhaar could not insist on the disclosure of gender identity as it is covered under privacy.
Pointing to the Supreme Court granting transgenders the legal status by recognising them as the third gender, Kothari said the compulsory disclosure of gender identity while parting with biometric and demographic information was violative of the Constitution's Article 14.
Referring to the top court judgment upholding right to privacy as a fundamental right, Kothari said this would also include the right to informational privacy which permits individual control over the dissemination of personal information including gender identity.
Mentioning past and prevailing laws, including the Karnataka Police Act and Telangana Eunuchs Act, Kothari said "these laws continue to enable the State to target and prosecute (people from the) transgender community solely on the basis of their gender identity".
Kothari told the court that Telangana Eunuchs Act is a "draconian colonial legislation" which empowers the State to make arrests solely on the basis of gender identity.
"A brief review of existing legislation, ongoing litigation and State action (and)prosecution confirms that wherever the State has been permitted to aggregate information about transgender community it has often led to systematic discrimination and oppression of the community in India," Kothari said.
Bengaluru, March 20 : A senior Karnataka Minister on Tuesday termed the state cabinet's decision to grant religious minority tag to only Lingayat and Veerashaiva followers of 12th century social reformer Basava as an injustice to the entire community.
"The state government's decision to provide religious minority to only those who believed in Basava's philosophy is wrong and the height of injustice," state Horticulture Minister S. Shivasankarappa told reporters at Davangere.
Admitting that initially he expressed happiness over the decision, the 86-year-old veteran Lingayat leader said he realised that it (decision) was one-sided after he went through the details of the cabinet note.
The minister, however, was not present at the cabinet meeting where the recommendation was deliberated and approved unanimously.
Refuting the observations of the committee that recommended the recognition, the minister said claims of its report that Veerashaiva faith did not exist before 12th century or Basava was incorrect, as Panchacharyas founded the Veerashaiva, which is an ancient religion.
"We still stick to our stand that both Veerashaivas and Lingayats are one and the same. We will never approve the government's decision," he reiterated after the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha opposed to the rider that only those who believed in Basava philosophy would get the recognition.
The state government had set up an expert committee, headed by former Karnataka High Court Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das under the Karnataka State Minorities Commission to consider the community's demand for a separate religious tag.
The committee submitted the report to the state government on March 2, favouring The committee submitted its report on March 2, 2018 recommending religious minority status for the community.
Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats, who worship Hindu deity Shiva as their universal god, are the largest community (17 per cent) in the state, whose votes could influence the outcome of the state assembly election in April-May.
"The Mahasabha will meet in Bengaluru on March 23 to discuss the decision and chalk out the next course of action," said Shivashankarappa as its head.
The Siddaganga Mutt, however, welcomed the decision to accord the recognition to those who follow Basava's philosophy.
"We always stressed the all-inclusive attitude regarding the issue. We are happy as the government has included Lingayats and Veerashaiva in its recommendation," Mutt's junior pontiff Siddalinga Swami told reporters at Tumakuru.
The decision is expected to benefit the community academically and industrially.
"Jains follow certain rituals of Hinduism. Yet, Jainism was recognised as an independent religion. The status of an independent religion to a faith won't affect the existence of Hinduism," added the ponitiff.
New Delhi, March 20 : The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday appointed a team to find cause of border dispute between Assam and Mizoram in the context of recent incidents earlier this month.
The team, comprising Home Ministry's Joint Secretary, North-East, Satyendra Garg and Principal, Secretaries, Home of both Mizoram and Assam, will visit the area within a week and submit its report to the Home Ministry.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba here in the presence of Assam and Mizoram's Chief Secretaries T.Y. Das and Arvind Ray respectively.
According to a Home Ministry statement, the team will be assisted by officials of Survey of India in its work.
"The team will submit its findings to the Union Home Secretary which will be discussed in a follow up meeting with the Chief Secretaries of the two states. Thereafter, a meeting will be convened by the Union Home Minister with the Chief Ministers of Assam and Mizoram," it said.
The Chief Secretaries of both the stats shared the position of their governments on the issue of construction of a shed at Kachurtal near Bairabi in the meeting.
It was decided in the meeting to maintain "status quo" at the spot and both state governments reiterated their commitment to take all measures to maintain peace and resolve the issues amicably, it said.
Both the governments assured the Union Home Secretary that they will not allow "assembly of people at the site".
The meeting was the outcome of a letter written by Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 12 seeking his intervention in the dispute.
The dispute between the two states started on February 27-28 when Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), a Mizo international student body, was constructing a rest house at the disputed site at Bairabi, a reserved forest area, between Assam's Hailakandi in Assam and Mizoram's Kolasib district.
The clashes then occurred on March 8 and 10 when a journalist was beaten up and a Mizo student injured in firing on a group by the Assam Police at Zopui, according to Mizoram. Assam Police however denied the charge and claimed that the protesters were only pushed back when they tried to intrude into their state.
Assam claims the area as its own, said a Home Ministry official, adding Assam and Mizoram have a long-standing boundary dispute, and there had been tension in the Hailakandi-Kolasib region several times in the past too.
Rome, March 20 : Italian politics are "in a transitional phase" and it is crucial to keep "the general interests of citizens" to the fore at this time, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Tuesday.
"We are in a phase of political transition and it is essential to always keep the general interests of citizens centre-stage," Gentiloni said during the presentation at Italy's lower house of parliament of an annual environmental report.
"Citizens are asking two at least two things: firstly, not to waste the efforts made in these years by families and companies to emerge from the economic crisis.
"They also want us to use the good results achieved to heal society's still-open wounds and to look to the future - the coming years, not the next few days," he said.
A new government has yet to be formed in Italy after a national election on March 4 failed to produce an outright winner. The populist Five-Star Movement, which won the largest share of votes, and the far-right League - the leading party in a conservative coalition that won most parliamentary seats - both say they have the right to govern.
About the report, Gentiloni said that growing evidence exists that climate change is affecting Italy and its rulers need to know the "enormous" opportunities that the green economy offers in combatting this threat.
"It is increasingly clear that climate is not merely a global issue impacting Africa or the Artic but is impacting our own country," he said.
"It is important that those who have the responsibility of governing Italy - at all levels - be aware of this threat and of the enormous opportunities it presents," Gentiloni said, adding that a low-carbon economy plays to Italy's strengths and can boost rather than cause unemployment.
"The green economy doesn't take away jobs and has the potential to create new ones. This is a sector in which Italy is highly competitive," he said.
Damascus, March 21 : At least 35 people were killed in a rocket attack on a crowded marketplace in the Syrian capital Damascus, media reported on Tuesday.
The rocket hit the Kashkoul marketplace located in east of Damascus, leaving several others wounded, Xinhua news agency reported.
This was one of the few other attacks in which four people were killed by mortar shells in separate parts of the capital city.
The attacks come at a time when the Syrian army is advancing in the depth of the rebel bastions in Eastern Ghouta in the countryside of Damascus.
The state TV on Tuesday said the Syrian forces reached the farmlands of the Ayn Tarma area, a key bastion of the Failaq al-Rahman rebels responsible for most of the mortar and rocket attacks on the capital.
The Syrian army has already taken control over 80 per cent of Eastern Ghouta.
New Life Smile, the non-profit arm of Brighter Image Lab, was founded with the sole purpose of giving smiles to those who really need them.
Each year in the United States, more than 10 million people are victimized by domestic violence in the time it takes to read this, 100 people will be assaulted by their partner. These victims can be found amongst all education levels, all professions, and in every corner of the socioeconomic spectrum. Thankfully, some of those people find the strength to get up, get out and get help. However, the physical, mental and emotional effects of this abuse often stunt their efforts as they work towards a better life. Such is the case with Sandra, a Charlotte resident who lost her teeth 6 years ago when she was attacked by her (now) ex-husband. Sandras story is what brought Brighter Image Labs Director, Bil Watson, to North Carolina to bring her something he hoped would help as she moves on from her past.
Brighter Image Lab is an international brand providing No Dentist Smile Makeovers. By focusing on a small but effective product offering, including pro-series Teeth Polishers, professional quality Dental Cleaning Tools, a proprietary Teeth Detox Serum, and their flagship products the PressOn Veneer and BIL Veneer. Brighter Image has set itself apart as the leader in Lab-Direct smile solutions. This reputation is what originally caught Sandras interest. Although substantially more affordable than the treatment plan shed been offered by her dentist, she couldnt afford the solutions Brighter Image had to offer.
Sandra's perspective shifted, however, when she found the New Life Smile program. This non-profit arm of Brighter Image Lab was founded with the sole purpose of giving new smiles to those who really need them.
It was something we knew we had to do, Mr. Watson said when asked about the New Life Smile program. We just had hundreds of people coming to us, with need. Real need. And so we created a way for them to tell us their stories, and we review them as a team and try to select the most compelling cases. When asked what makes a case compelling, Mr. Watson replied, We look for the potential. We ask ourselves if this person was given a second shot if they had a perfect smile today what would they do with it? Go back to school, get a new job, socialize differently, date differently? Whats the potential for a truly life-changing transformation? Those are the cases we try to pick.
All of this is what brought a CEO from Dallas and a shuttle driver from Charlotte to meet on a cold rainy day. The short meetingfilled with stories of hard times, and hope for the futurewas recorded for Brighter Images YouTube channel, which showcases many more stories similar to Sandras. The conversation culminated with the presentation of Sandras new, No Dentist Smile which completely overwhelmed both her, Bil and the even the behind-the-scenes crew.
After such an emotional transformation, Sandra was asked why she looked to Brighter Image Lab for help, and said, Its not like this was my first choice, yknow? I tried to do it the right way. Dentists had their shot with me. I begged them, I pleaded with them to help me and there was just nothing they could do. Nothing I could afford. But these people right here, these people are a blessing to me. To everyone, really. I just thank God for them, and what theyve done for me.
Brighter Image Labs trip to North Carolina and their meeting with Sandra marks the beginning of a new initiative within the organization to promote the cause of helping women and children who are struggling to recover from domestic violence. Along with the launch of the latest New Life Smile promotional video featuring Sandra, Brighter Image also announced their first donation to My Sisters House, a local Charlotte shelter that provides help to those escaping abusive environments as well as offering services dedicated to transitioning people to a safer and more stable path.
Mr. Watson explains, We just want people to know they have a choice. Whether you need a safe place to sleep, a warm meal or someone to put a smile on your face, we want them to know there are people out there, ready to help you, and that you dont have to live in fear, or shame, or embarrassment..
Devin Leahey hired as a Warehouse Associate at Stertil-Koni Stertil-Koni continues to achieve very strong growth in the marketplace and to support this level of business activity ... Were confident he will make a strong addition to our already robust team.
Stertil-Koni, the leader in heavy duty vehicle lifts notably bus lifts and truck lifts has announced that Devin Leahey has joined the company as a Warehouse Associate.
In his new role, Leahey is dedicated to ensuring that all incoming and outgoing deliveries are loaded and unloaded properly, safely and efficiently at the Stertil-Koni warehouse in Stevensville, MD. His other responsibilities include organizing, examining and repackaging parts, materials, and lifts.
In making todays announcement, Stertil-Koni Director of Operations, Kevin Hymers, noted: Stertil-Koni continues to achieve very strong growth in the marketplace and to support this level of business activity, we are pleased to welcome Devin who has the energy and dedication -- to help us continue delivering world-class customer support. Were confident he will make a strong addition to our already robust team.
Leahey has related construction industry experience as a carpenter and as an insulation installer. In his spare time, he enjoys skateboarding and playing guitar.
About Stertil-Koni
Stertil-Koni is the market leader in heavy duty vehicle lifts, notably bus lifts and truck lifts, and proudly serves municipalities, state agencies, school bus fleets, major corporations, the U.S. Military and more. Stertil-Koni's breadth of products meets all ranges of lifting needs and includes portable lifts such as mobile column lifts, 2-post, 4-post, inground piston lifts, platform lifts, and its axle-engaging, inground, scissor lift configuration, ECOLIFT. The companys innovative, inground telescopic piston DIAMONDLIFT is now available with an optional Continuous Recess system, ideal for low clearance vehicles. Stertil-Koni USA is headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland with production facilities in Europe, The Netherlands, and in Streator, IL.
CharmDate.com Where love is borderless
A March 10 survey conducted by CharmDate, an online dating website that helps foreigners meet Russian and Ukrainian women, reveals that people who call online dating a scam may be frustrated due to rejections and their lack of success at scoring dates.
Tens of thousands of messages are exchanged on CharmDate and other online dating sites every single day. Statistics show that about 59 million people have resorted to online dating at least once, and that number is constantly growing.
But it does not change the fact that many other millions of people still consider online dating a scam, and think that all single Russian women looking for foreigners online are scammers.
CharmDate has sent one of its customer service ambassadors to visit Ukraine and interview the local ladies. The questions were as follows: Why do so many Ukrainian ladies treat online dating as their primary source to find love? Why do so many people still consider online dating a scam or fraud? And how do you ensure safety while browsing Russian dating sites?
Firstly, CharmDates customer service ambassador found Anastasia, a 22-year-old college student at one of Ukraines best universities, for a small interview. Anastasia said that she has been online dating for years, and her experience has been mostly good. The Ukrainian girl also admitted that she is a long-time member of Charmdate.com.
Anastasia said that she had better time in online dating than in traditional dating, which she had given up entirely years ago. Most of her female friends also have dating profiles online, and many of them found their life partners online.
Another girl, Natasha, 28, met the customer service ambassador in a cafe in downtown of Kiev. Natasha said she has been called a scammer on online dating sites many times. In many cases, she was called SCAM after rejecting male suitors and turning down their proposals to go on a date.
Just because you had no luck on CharmDate or any other online dating site does not mean that its a scam, Natasha said. If virtual dating doesnt work for you, maybe the problem is in how you approach it.
Although online dating is considered safe, there are certain precautions every user should take in order to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of scam. The most common mistake users make is giving away their personal information, including their address and even credit card info, too soon.
CharmDate has gone the extra mile to ensure that the platform is scam free and user friendly. This has been done by installing a premium system that verifies users and rules out the possibility of fake profiles.
The problem of fake profiles on online dating sites is not new, as it creates a perfect environment for fraudsters to carry out their scams. On most websites, any user can pretend to be anyone else, and many scammers have taken advantage of it by creating profiles of beautiful Russian women to steal money from the users.
With CharmDate, however, it is nearly impossible to carry out scams due to the sites advanced security and verification systems. Charmdate.com has no tolerance for scammers and other individuals who harm other users and make it impossible to truly enjoy the experience of online dating.
More often than not, users who accuse online dating sites of scam either dont fully understand the meaning of the word scam, or try to justify the rejections by blaming someone else for their lack of luck.
The third Ukrainian woman CharmDates customer service ambassador interviewed was Olga, a 31-year-old manager from Kiev. She revealed what online dating really is despite many people believing that it is all a big scam.
Most of my friends of all ages and all professions go online to find dates, and this makes perfect sense, Olga said. After all, you have plenty of time to chat with the person before escalating things and going on a first date. With the traditional dating, people have to go on those awkward first dates, and sit there to figure out their dates.
Olga explained that even though scam is common, an online dating user can still easily spot it by simply taking a look at the profile photos and bio. Once youve browsed through hundreds of people on online dating sites, and chatted with a handful of them, you start seeing a pattern: perfect people dont exist. We all have our own flaws, and online dating liberates us. It makes us feel loved at times when we need it most. Thats the beauty of it.
Inger Ellen Nicolaisen, Founder of Nikita Hair "I inspire my team to always focus on development."
Known for her prize-winning leadership, with resounding endorsements including Entrepreneur of the Year, Nikita Hair's entrepreneur and founder, Inger Ellen Nicolaisen, is expanding her business to allow you to join what is known as the greatest adventure in hair and beauty history! If you have a passion for the hair and beauty industry, you might have just come across the perfect opportunity to collaborate with a team that is seeking dedicated, ambitious team members.
Inger Ellen Nicolaisen has worked for over 34 years to ensure that the Nikita concept focuses on the customers, the support of its professional hairdressers, and a strong corporate culture where they take responsibility for strengthening each other, making it quite a unique franchise offering. Nikita Hairs franchise program was developed by Franchise Creator, a Miami-based franchise consulting firm led by Hossein Kasmai, a well-recognized name in the franchise industry. This concept has been developed and tested for more than 34 years of the companys history, ensuring clients leave with great hair and an even greater feeling. Although I personally had no hair industry experience, I was able to grow a successful hair salon chain with my entrepreneurial skills I inspire my team to always focus on development and make all customer visits unique. encouraged Inger. Nikitas concept and Academies provide a unique opportunity to partner with an industry leader and has always been in the forefront of this development; their focus is innovation and creativity. mentions Mr. Kasmai.
The hair and beauty industry has a proven record of strong and steady growth. In the US alone, hair services create an annual revenue of over 62 billion dollars. The hair dressing business is constantly developing; Nikita Hair focuses on fashion and trends that are ever changing to ensure its salons remain the most innovative leaders in the industry.
About Nikita Hair
Inger Nicolaisen, the founder of Nikita Hair began this business as her personal adventure 34 years ago in a small town in Norway, Scandinavia. Despite not having any hair industry experience, Inger successfully grew a hair salon chain with over 150 salons, 6 Academies and over 1,000 employees.
Nikita Hair is unlike any other hair salon because its team members have real passion for hair; Nikita Hair offers modern services and products inspired by international trends to a broad group of clients, giving its clients an exceptional overall experience. As a result, Nikita Hair is a leading hair salon in Europe and has achieved continent-wide recognition and respect while building a vast market share. Additionally, the salon carries the exclusive Salon Signature Collection, Eleni and Chris, a Scandinavian luxury hair care brand.
About Franchise Creator
Franchise Creator provides a complete line of services that assist businesses in franchising their concept. Franchise Creator, led by Mr. Hossein Kasmai, has helped in converting over 100+ businesses into well recognized franchise brands. Mr. Kasmai has also started many successful concepts of his own that have been ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine among the top 500 franchises for six years in a row, as well as ranked amongst the top 100 fastest growing franchises for two years in a row. For more information about Franchise Creator, please visit the company website at http://www.franchisecreator.com or call (305)-592-9229.
Innovation Norway has awarded a grant to Data Gumbo AS. The purpose of the grant is to fund an innovative extension of Data Gumbo's Industrial Data Platform and Blockchain.
"As more and more companies start to adopt the Data Gumbo Industrial Blockchain, it's important to stay in front of customer requirements" said Andrew Bruce, CEO of Data Gumbo. "This grant from Innovation Norway is an enormous boost to our ability to deliver new capabilities".
"Stavanger is an important hub for innovation with an incredible pool of talent. With easy access to European markets, we're excited to get support from Innovation Norway" said Ove Sandve, CTO of Data Gumbo. "This grant provides funds to hire Norwegians to help fulfill our vision."
For busy executives tasked with making/saving their company hundreds of millions of dollars, Data Gumbo provides an Industrial Blockchain. Efficiency increases from the Industrial Blockchain make the company more profitable and recognized as an industry leader.
Current use cases are:
Remove massive expense from contract execution (inter & intra company)
Gain access to performance improvements between companies
Enable resource sharing between companies eg. Offshore vessels
Pay for what was actually delivered - today.
Actually get paid for improvements delivered - today
About Data Gumbo
Data Gumbo provides a Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) to industry. Data Gumbo Corporation is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Data Gumbo AS is a subsidiary with offices in Stavanger, Norway.
For more information, contact Andrew Bruce at andrew.bruce@datagumbo.com or call +1-281-909-0781. Ove Sandve can be reached at ove.sandve@datagumbo.com or +47-900-64-016
Tapatio Ramen: Instant Ramen Noodle Cup Product Featuring Tapatio Hot Sauce The Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine phenomenon, which can be attributed to Roy Chois launching of his Kogi BBQ truck...has taken on a life of its own. Tapatio Ramen is an extension and direct representation of the continuing fusion trend. This new product is a nod to that trends Los Angeles roots.
Tapatio Ramen (http://www.tapatioramen.com), a new-to-the-marketplace instant ramen noodle bowl product featuring Tapatio Hot Sauce, has begun an initial West Coast release of the product lines first three flavors: Original, Chicken, and Beef. The new food items, now available in select Southern California retail locations, will soon be launching nationwide and online, with a fourth flavor Shrimp scheduled to launch in the second half of 2018.
The two Los Angeles-based, family-run businesses behind the new fusion-inspired product mashup, created the Tapatio Ramen product in part, due to the continuing, global rise in popularity of ramen dishes and products. Tapatios own Dolores McCoy, daughter of Tapatio founder Jose-Luis Saavedra Sr., was one of the two female driving forces behind the food project, while Carol Choi of United Exchange Corp. (UEC), the products licensing partner, helped ferry the line to market.
We realized an opportunity in the food market after witnessing the trend of consumers adding hot sauce to their instant ramen cups. So we decided to join forces, combining the Saavedra familys legendary hot sauce background, with the Choi familys inherent ramen expertise. Per capita, South Koreans consume the most ramen noodles in the world, explained Carol Choi, Founder of United Exchange Corporation.
Choi continued, The Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine phenomenon which can certainly be attributed to Roy Chois launching of his Kogi BBQ truck in Los Angeles, in 2008 has taken on a life of its own. Tapatio Ramen is an extension of, and direct representation of, the continuing fusion trend. This new product, and the collaboration between these two families, is a nod to that trends Los Angeles roots.
The Tapatio Hot Sauce company will be celebrating its 47th anniversary of founding this year, while UEC will mark 25 years in business. Founded by Carol Choi, UEC started with a line-up of soap and bandages. Today, Carol and her husband, Eugene, have constructed an impressive array of products comprised of health, beauty and food items.
Tapatio Ramen is currently available in select retail locations in California. An updated listing of retailers is available on the brands web site (http://www.tapatioramen.com), and an e-commerce platform for on-line product purchases is in the works.
More information is available at: http://www.tapatioramen.com. To reach the company (UEC) directly, please call 1.562.977.4500.
For further information about Tapatio Ramen, or to request samples for review, please contact Anna Ferguson-Sparks, Stiletto Marketing, at 1.877.327.2656 or info [at] stilettomarketing [dot] com.
About United Exchange Corporation
United Exchange Corporation, headquartered on the border of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, is a privately-held, minority owned company (Certified Womens Business Enterprise; WBENC). Established in 1993, the company has been providing health, beauty, personal and household care products to retailers throughout the world for more than 20 years. United Exchange partners with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities domestically and overseas, to bring innovation and technology to their customers. With three domestic distribution centers throughout the country, an office in South Korea and partners overseas, United Exchange provides a speedy and efficient turnkey solution for consumer packaged goods needs.
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The acquisition of T.A. Roberts Oil Company illustrates our growing footprint and strength in the Southeast, especially within the state of Louisiana.
RelaDyne, one of the nations leading providers of lubricants, fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and industrial reliability services, has acquired T.A. Roberts Oil Company, a Northern Louisiana regional distributor of lubricants, DEF and related products. This acquisition strengthens RelaDynes geographical footprint in the Southeast region.
Founded in 1954, T.A. Roberts Oil Company primarily serves the automotive and commercial industries with its wide portfolio of fueling products and services as well as a premium selection of multi-industry lubricant products.
Our partnership with RelaDyne is an exciting and welcome venture for T.A. Roberts, said Rhonda Roberts, Vice President of T.A. Roberts Oil Company. RelaDyne has a huge array of premium, industry-leading products that we are thrilled to have the opportunity to serve our customers with. The national brands of RelaDyne - DuraMAX and ALLFLEET - will be welcomed product lines for our customers throughout the Northern Louisiana region.
The acquisition of T.A. Roberts Oil Company illustrates our growing footprint and strength in the Southeast, especially within the state of Louisiana, stated Larry Stoddard, RelaDyne President and CEO. With the existing capabilities of our Louisiana operations and the services and footprint that T.A. Roberts provides, we will continue to grow together.
RelaDyne continues to be the Acquirer of Choice in the lubricants, fuel, and reliability segments. The acquisition of T.A. Roberts Oil Company is our second acquisition of 2018, said RelaDyne CSO, Jeff Hart. We are continually looking to acquire leading businesses with great people and great customers T.A. Roberts is a great example of this. RelaDyne has made significant investments in acquiring great companies and in our ability to integrate and grow these companies once they join RelaDyne. This dedication to integration and growth at RelaDyne has allowed us to accelerate our acquisition pace as we continue to create a national distribution platform.
About T.A. Roberts Oil Company
T.A. Roberts Oil Company was established in 1954, providing superior-quality fuel and lubricants to the Northern Louisiana market. T.A. Roberts is a proud third-generation, family-owned company specializing in the automotive, aviation, logging, and commercial industries. Those interested in more information can contact the Columbia, Louisiana and Grayson, Louisiana offices to learn more about the lubrication products, services and equipment offered.
About RelaDyne
RelaDyne, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the nations leading providers of lubricants, fuels, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and reliability services for industrial, commercial, and automotive businesses in the United States. RelaDyne was formed in 2010 by the combination of four well-established industry-leading companies and has since grown to more than 60 locations by strategically acquiring other industry leaders in the lubricant, fuel distribution, and industrial service segments. For more information, visit http://www.RelaDyne.com.
Trestle is an exceptional company with a strong reputation and so we felt confident that the integration of the two companies would be seamless and successful for all concerned.
MarWest Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC, Californias leading commercial property management firm, announced today that it has expanded its market-leading commercial property management business in California with the acquisition of Trestle Property and Association Management, LLC, Inc., a full-service commercial association company based in Costa Mesa, Calif. The acquisition adds more than 25 commercial owners associations to the companys management portfolio and expands its regional footprint in Orange and the Inland Empire Counties. The partnership became effective March 1, 2018.
We felt really good about this acquisition for a number of reasons. First, because we believe that expansion through smart and strategic acquisition can be a productive element of our companys growth. And second, Trestle is an exceptional company with a strong reputation and so we felt confident that the integration of the two companies would be seamless and successful for all concerned, said Blake Hite, Vice President of MarWest Commercial.
Founded in 2011, Trestle was established by Luke Rutherford and Matt Ellis, both industry professionals with deep industry backgrounds. The two principals, who have grown the company to what it is today, decided to sell the company in order to pursue other career goals full-time. All other Trestle associates have joined MarWest.
About MarWest Commercial
MarWest Commercial is Californias leading manager of commercial associations, specializing in the formation, management, and repair of Commercial Property Owners Associations. Managing over 200 associations consisting of commercial condominium, office, industrial, medical and master planned common interest projects, MarWest Commercial provides institutional level management with the attention and dedication of a boutique firm.
MarWest Commercials mission is simple; enhance property values by providing specialized management solutions built upon our core values. With expertise ranging from new development to distressed association repair; MarWest Commercial is a valuable resource to existing Boards of Directors, brokers, investors, and developers. The MarWest Commercial team of industry experts employs active management practices offering Boards of Directors full service, consultative association management services.
About FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential is North Americas largest manager of residential communities and the preferred partner of HOAs, community associations and strata corporations in the U.S. and Canada. FirstService Residentials managed communities include low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and cooperatives, single-family homes, master-planned, lifestyle and active adult communities, and rental and commercial properties.
With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit http://www.fsresidential.com.
Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. is proud to announce that Sierra Pacific Mortgage Branch Manager, Franco Manueli, has been named as part of the top 1% of mortgage originators in America for 2017. Based on total "personal" production, this list of the country's best loan originators is compiled annually by Mortgage Executive Magazine.
On being recognized in the top 1% of mortgage originators in America, Franco said, "Owning a home is the American dream we all have in common. There is no better job than helping people achieve that dream"
Joining Sierra Pacific Mortgage in 2008, Franco has been a perennial top producer for the company. He is dedicated to his customers and providing a great mortgage experience for them.
Located in Henderson, NV, Franco is ready to work with homebuyers in Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas. To get started on the mortgage process with Franco, please visit: https://www.spmc.com/franco.manueli
Don Durand, Vancouver based partner with Insigniam "Joining Insigniam's corps of partners is an opportunity not only for myself and the firm, but the decision also enables my commitment to making a big contribution to business in Canada."
Insigniam, an international management consulting firm that specializes in enterprise-wide transformations, breakthrough performance and innovation, recently added Don Durand to its partner ranks, further reinforcing its position in Canada.
"Insigniam is making the difference inside some of the largest corporations from Vancouver to Hong Kong," said Don, "Joining Insigniam's corps of partners is an opportunity not only for myself and the firm, but the decision also enables my commitment to making a big contribution to business in Canada. Our companies are being disrupted, face uncertainty with NAFTA and need to create breakthroughs in performance and productivity if they are going to remain relevant in the world. Being able to offer Insigniam's capability in cultural transformation and breakthrough more broadly in Canada is exciting for me."
Don's experience in leadership positions in the Canadian and British Army, and both the public and private sector have taught him that it is people, rather than plans and strategies, that produce unprecedented business results.
"Don's addition to the firm a few years ago was one of the best hiring decisions we've ever made," said Shideh Sedgh Bina, founding partner, Insigniam, "And our mutual decision to add him to our already rock solid group of partners only further solidifies that statement. Don's expertise in transformation, practical approach to business, and unique perspective makes his contribution to the body of partners, and the firm, invaluable."
Prior to joining Insigniam he led the operations and financing of large infrastructure projects in Europe and in West Africa. Notably, Don worked with the Prime Minister of Cameroon to invent that country's public transportation; and worked with the President of Liberia to reestablish Liberia's rubber and energy sector. The transportation company in Cameroon won the US State Department's company of the year and the project in Liberia was written about in Time Magazine.
Don holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Royal Military College of Canada.
About Insigniam
Insigniam has over 30 years of experience consulting with large, complex organizations in generating breakthroughs in strategic results-topline growth, strategy implementation, improving profitability, strategic innovation, or cultural transformation. Insigniam pioneered the fields of organizational transformation and strategy innovation by marrying breakthrough performance and innovation, creating services and solutions that are unparalleled in their potency to quickly create dramatic growth and market leadership. Clients have documented, in aggregate, more than 50x ROI in results considered critical and essential to the success of their enterprises. Among Insigniam's solutions are: Enterprise Transformation, Breakthrough Projects, Transformational Leadership, and Managing Change. Offices are located in Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris and Philadelphia.
The Algebra lessons, now included in our app, are designed to teach difficult algebra topics in a new format of rich instruction, practice, and remediation. We want learners to make a breakthrough in algebra so they can move on to academic success.
To provide users with a fully mobile math curriculum, Learning Upgrade (http://bit.ly/LUappK12), an innovative edtech company providing digital, differentiated literacy curriculum designed to support both children and adult learners during learning breakthroughs, has added 60 new Algebra lessons to the Learning Upgrade app (http://bit.ly/LearningUpgradeApp). Designed by educators, each standards-aligned lesson integrates exciting songs, video, and games that engage even the most reluctant students.
Aimed to serve students in Algebra 1 classes and those working to achieve a GED or high school diploma, the Algebra Upgrade course guides users through a series of interactive, differentiated, step-by-step lessons to help them meet the rigors of state and College and Career Readiness (CCRS) standards. Each lesson provides practice problems accompanied by immediate intervention and remediation with multimedia supports. Students can repeat lessons until they master them, earning a gold certificate when they are proficient on each of the standards benchmarks. Each full course takes students 2025 hours to complete.
Algebra is a gatekeeper, often preventing students from earning a diploma or GED, going to college, or passing an entrance exam, said Vinod Lobo, the co-founder and CEO of Learning Upgrade. The Algebra lessons, now included in our app, are designed to teach difficult algebra topics in a new format of rich instruction, practice, and remediation. We want learners to make a breakthrough in algebra so they can move on to academic success.
The Learning Upgrade app was recently named a top eight semifinalist in the $7 million Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE (http://bit.ly/ALXprize) presented by Dollar General Literacy Foundation, a global competition challenging teams to develop mobile applications for adult learners that result in the greatest increase in literacy skills in just 12 months.
Lobo added, We know a majority of low-literate adults (http://bit.ly/LUappAdultEd) own smartphones, which is why the Learning Upgrade app is a great option for students looking to enhance their math skills. The app provides students the freedom to learn on the go and at their own pace until they reach mastery.
The Learning Upgrade app is available now on the Google Play Store (http://bit.ly/LUandroid) and iTunes (http://bit.ly/LUiOS). For more information please visit, LearningUpgradeApp.com.
About Learning Upgrade
Founded in 1998 by educators, musicians, artists, and programmers in San Diego, Learning Upgrade designs innovative, engaging lessons to support struggling students in reading and math. Through the incorporation of songs, video, games, and educational research, Learning Upgrade has helped more than 1 million students make learning breakthroughs. For more information, please visit LearningUpgrade.com.
iRel8.org We believe iRel8 is a technology that can bridge the gap between immediate mental assistance and professional help. We must protect the minds of those that protect our country.
The agreement allows The Green Beret Association to confidentially provide the iRel8 mobile application to current and former Green Berets as well as their families. The agreement provides secure, private access to vetted Green Berets ensuring access to individuals who can relate to one another. Green Berets will also have full access to iRel8's civilian platform of services for all users, including Rooms, Groups, and Messages. More information on the Green Beret Association can be found at https://www.greenberetassociation.org/
As mental wellness challenges continue to impact individuals and communities across the globe, new solutions are needed to provide access to help 24/7/365 in a safe, confidential way to ensure there is no stigma associated with the need for mental help. Suicide, substance abuse, and PTSD are at epidemic levels. According to the VA, in 2016 alone, 887,899 PTSD claims were approved. "Every day Green Berets are tasked with the most challenging missions of the global war. Green Berets are some of the strongest most resilient people in the world, but after 17 years of war even the strongest will start to falter. If we are to be successful in accomplishing what our country needs of us, we must take care of our greatest asset, our people." said Ignacio Garza, Executive Director of The Green Beret Association.
In a shared statement, Co-Founders of iRel8, Jeff Dorchester and Dion Gonzales said: "There are inherent problems with our mental health system today and we're losing valuable individuals who have honorably served our country. We believe iRel8 is a technology that can bridge the gap between immediate mental assistance and professional help. We must protect the minds of those that protect our country."
The core functionality of iRel8 focuses on providing an anonymous, peer-to-peer platform where users can help and heal, much like anonymous, in-person recovery groups have done for decades, but in a confidential and immediately accessible format - people's smartphones. For users, the technology allows anonymity, which encourages open dialogue without fear of the stigma often associated with mental health needs. iRel8 also maintains strict terms of use ensuring conversations are safe and appropriate. Together, the Green Beret Association and iRel8 plan to extend the platform to other branches of the armed forces.
About the Green Beret Association
The Green Beret Association (GBA) is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, national non-profit that serves and supports members of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and their families. We provide a range of programs aligned with the United States Special Operations Command Preservation of the Force and Family Program, designed to address the "fraying" of the force after over 17 years of combat. Our programs contribute to the maintenance of the mind and body, provide acute and ongoing support in resolving physical, psychological, emotional and relationship problems before they become chronic. During times of tragedy, the Green Beret Association provides immediate financial relief and offers counseling and services to those left behind and the Special Operations community. The Green Beret Association also helps warriors transition from military service to civilian life by providing career counseling, support and mentorship. For more information visit: https://www.greenberetassociation.org
About iRel8
iRel8 is a mental wellness social network, leveraging technology from Microsoft, that gives users an open and anonymous platform to receive mental health assistance, provide relevant help to others, and relate to a larger community of their peers. iRel8 is accessed through a mobile application allowing immediate and convenient access for individuals chat with their peers and obtain real-world, relevant advice and serves as a bridge to professional mental health care providers. For more information visit https://irel8.org.
Contact:
iRel8.org
Tel: 833.iRel888 (833.473.5888)
Email: info@iRel8.org
Web: https://irel8.org
Harsh Dangaria, M.D. joins Physician Partners of America
As part of its growth and commitment to serving a wider patient sector in Florida, Physician Partners of America (PPOA) is pleased to announce that Harsh Dangaria, M.D., has joined its newest interventional pain management clinics in Jacksonville and Orange Park, Fla. The practices were acquired from Sunshine Spine and Pain in January.
Dr. Dangaria is double board-certified in pain management as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation. His expertise is treating many types of pain conditions through nonsurgical interventional treatments. He has contributed to a wide variety of peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, and presented at academic meetings.
He is equally recognized for treating patients with compassion and individualized care. In fact, he was honored with a civilian recognition award by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.
Dr. Dangaria earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin and his medical degree with honors from St. Georges University School of Medicine in Grenada. He completed his residency and fellowship training at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York, Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, and Georgia Pain Physicians/National Pain Care.
Born in Gujarat, India, Dr. Dangaria speaks English and Hindi.
Patients can make appointments with Dr. Dangaria at two convenient locations by calling (904) 292-2700. The Jacksonville clinic is located at 11705 San Jose Blvd, Suite 110, Jacksonville, FL 32250. The Orange Park clinic is located at 2021 Kingsley Avenue, Suite 109, Orange Park, FL 32073. Same-day appointments are available.
About PPOA:
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Physician Partners of America (PPOA) is a fast-growing national healthcare company that manages a wide range of medical practices and service lines. These include including interventional pain management, laser-assisted minimally invasive spinal procedures, orthopedics, psychology, personal injury, Workers Compensation, and AAAHC-accredited ambulatory surgery centers and procedure suites. Its ancillary division includes imaging, a medical supply distributorship, pharmacies, a COLA-accredited high-complexity quantitative toxicology lab and a COLA-accredited pharmacogenomics lab.
PPOA was founded on the idea of strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and improving patient outcomes by acquiring medical practices and employing partner physicians so they can focus solely on the practice of medicine.
PPOA and its affiliates share a common vision of ensuring the safety and well-being of patients, and combating the opioid crisis through interventional pain management modalities. For information about Physician Partners of America, visit http://www.physicianpartnersofamerica.com.
QuisLex SIFMA has provided enormous value to the financial services industry for generations...I look forward to discussing critical issues facing its members.
QuisLex, a leading legal services provider, announced today that it will host a Lunch & Learn panel discussion at SIFMA's 2018 Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar. QuisLex's Senior Vice President Joe Polizzotto and Chief Operating Officer Sirisha Gummaregula will be joined by Kelli Stenstrom, Director & Associate General Counsel at Deutsche Bank and Kelly Carrero, Partner at Jones Day in leading a session titled Protecting Your Legal Department: eDiscovery Hot Button Issues. The session will help senior in-house counsel and law firm partners address topics that are significantly impacting cost, risk, and results, such as complying with evolving data privacy regulations, risks from failing to maintain data security, dealing with new and more complex sources of data, and whether artificial intelligence is part of the solution.
SIFMA has provided enormous value to the financial services industry for generations and I congratulate the organization on its 50th Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar, said Polizzotto, who is also the former General Counsel Americas at Deutsche Bank. I look forward to discussing critical issues facing its members with my colleagues on the panel.
QuisLex is again a Presidential Sponsor of the Annual Seminar, which is the premier event for compliance and legal professionals working in the financial services industry. Now in its 50th year, the 2018 Annual Seminar provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders and regulators to gather for three days of information sharing, collaboration and networking.
The event will be held at the JW Marriott Marquis Orlando from March 18 - 21, 2018. Learn more at https://www.sifma.org/event/clannual/.
About QuisLex:
QuisLex is an award-winning legal services provider that specializes in managed document review, contract management, compliance services, legal spend management, and legal operations consulting. We employ operational excellence, Six Sigma based quality processes and ISO certified data security to support complex legal projects for companies and law firms. Our full-time highly trained attorneys, process experts, statisticians and linguists work closely with our clients to help reduce cost, mitigate risk and maximize efficiency. QuisLex is regularly acknowledged as a leader in the legal services industry, and is proud to be recognized by Chambers & Partners as a Band 1 Legal Process Outsourcing Provider, the New York Law Journal as a Top Managed Document Review Services Provider, and the IACCM as its Outstanding Service Provider for contract management solutions. To learn more, visit http://www.quislex.com.
Indonesias Directorate General of Highwayscalled Direktorat Jenderal Bina Marga, or Bina Margahas chosen to implement AgileAssets enterprise software to improve the countrys pavement, bridge, and safety management programmes. AgileAssets will provide the development and maintenance of the integrated infrastructure asset management system, andin partnership with Indonesian technology consulting firm Global Tekno Tritamawill serve as Bina Margas implementation partner.
A new era is dawning for Indonesias Road Management System and we want to make things better, said Nazib Faizal, Head of Bina Margas Data Analysis and Systems Sub-Directorate. With the advanced analytical capabilities of AgileAssets software, we are modernizing our asset management programmes to focus on data-driven decision-making, which will enable us to improve safety, reduce costs, and maximize the performance of our roadways.
As part of Indonesias Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Bina Marga maintains a national network of nearly 47,000km (30,000 miles) of roads and about 18,000 bridges on the countrys more than 17,500 islands. With over 261 million inhabitants, the Republic of Indonesia is the worlds fourth most populous country.
We are proud to participate in this groundbreaking project with the excellent teams of Bina Marga and Global Tekno Tritama, said Pascal Laumet, AgileAssets Director of Operations for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia (EMEA). Our commitment is to deliver a solution that will help improve Indonesias return on infrastructure investments and boost road transportation quality for its people.
This project marks AgileAssets first major collaboration with a client in the Asia Pacific region. The relationship has been facilitated by Esri Indonesia, local distributor of Esris mapping and spatial analytics technology and a longtime business partner of AgileAssets. At Bina Marga, the AgileAssets system will be fully integrated with Esris ArcGIS Enterprise platform, enabling stakeholders to analyse visual data and share location-based insights.
As ministry leaders take a more systematic approach to managing the national road network, we will help them apply geospatial reasoning to quantify the impact of their decisions, said Gilang Widya Wisaksana, Esri Indonesias Head of Sales.
About Direktorat Jenderal Bina Marga
The role of Direktorat Jenderal Bina Marga (Directorate General of Highways, or Bina Marga) is to realize a sustainable national road network with adequate mobility, accessibility, and safety, including serving local, regional, and national strategic activities centers. Bina Marga reports to Indonesias Minister of Public Works and Housing.
About AgileAssets
AgileAssets is a leading global provider of infrastructure asset management software for public and private organisations. AgileAssets proven solutions enable a systematic process for the complete lifecycle management of infrastructure assets, including optimisation of the decision-making process, allowing agencies to more effectively allocate funding. With more than 28 years of experience and research-based expertise, AgileAssets helps agencies throughout the world maximise asset condition, maintenance budgets, and long-term lifecycles to achieve the highest possible return on investment.
Vector Structural Engineers New Headquarters The proprietary systems we developed over the past fifteen years, says Alworth, have enabled us to meet our clients time constraints.
After two years of spectacular growth in its Solar Engineering Services Division, Vector Engineers has emerged as a national leader in certifying residential solar power installations. One of our divisions, says Vector Principal Engineer Roger Alworth, performs structural solar engineering services. In 2015, we prepared just over four thousand certification letters. By 2017, that number jumped to over twenty-three thousand.
Vectors approach, which has resulted in the company's success in the nation's Telecom sector, notes Alworth, helped Vector be prepared to meet the solar communitys needs. The company spent five years becoming familiar with requirements of both residential and commercial solar installers before hiring James W. 'Jamey' Johnston to grow the new solar division. By that point, Vector was licensed in every state, and had built the software necessary to track and assign jobs in a high-volume, rapid-throughput environment. "The proprietary systems we developed over the past fifteen years, says Alworth, have enabled us to meet our clients time constraints.
To accommodate its rapidly expanding customer base, less than a year ago the company completed construction of a new, expanded headquarters facility in Draper, Utah. We allotted significant space for our solar cell, says Alworth, and we are rapidly filling it up. Over the past two years, we have hired 32 new full-time and part-time engineers to support our solar practiceand the next major phase of solar growth hasnt even started yet.
Industry experts agree. Solar project developer Sol Systems projects that over the next year, the solar industry will develop, construct, and finance $25 to $30 billion in solar assets, build 20% to 25% of the countrys new electrical capacity, and continue to employ hundreds of thousands of people. It is widely predicted that by 2020, solar will be the dominant source of new electricity generation in the United States.1
"This next phase of solar development," says Alworth, "will come as a result of the experience gained by a young, but rapidly maturing industry and the resulting streamlining of industry processes." His own company, in fact, has played a significant role in the streamlining of one essential industry process, the issuance of residential structural solar certification letters.
Before a household solar system can be installed, the designer and installer must submit engineering drawings and a building permit application letter to the building department. In many cases, a structural engineering firm licensed in the state where the system is to be installed must first must provide a structural solar certification letter. Vector, which is licensed in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, is able to help its clients stay on schedule by executing these certification letters quickly, often in 1 to 2 business days.
As we do that, says Alworth, we adhere to the same high engineering standards we apply to everything we do. We are proud to be part of the American solar sectors explosive growthand proud to be ready to continue to meet the industrys needs in the years ahead.
About Vector Engineers:
Vector Solar is a division of Vector Structural Engineers.
Founded in 2002, Vector Engineers is a full-service structural engineering firm with over 2,500 clients throughout the United States. The companys areas of expertise include multi-family, residential, commercial, telecom, bridges, industrial, and solar. Services include the design of new structures, the analysis and redesign of retrofit and repairs of existing structures, as well as residential and commercial solar structural certifications. Expert witness experience includes structural defects, foundation settlement, building code analysis, and soil and structure stabilization. Vectors team includes thirty engineers, a full drafting division, and support staff. The company is headquartered in Draper, Utah, with satellite offices in Mesa, Arizona, Layton, Utah, St. George, Utah, and Tustin, California.
1. Horwitz, Yuri, Why Solar Is on a Path to Dominance, Green Tech Media, February 15, 2018.
This event series is designed to highlight the critical role that women have played in shaping New York City real estate and inspire both and male and female real estate professionals to reach the top.
The Fordham Real Estate Institute is pleased to announce the launch of a new breakfast series featuring the most powerful women in New York City real estate. Open to any real estate professional looking to grow their careers, She Builds will focus on how these powerhouses made their way to the top, their impact on real estate development and finance, the challenges they faced along the way and triumphed over, and their advice for the next generation.
The inaugural event, The Dealmakers: Lessons Learned on the Front Line from Iconic Women in Real Estate, will take place on Wed., April 25 from 8:00am-10:00am at Fordhams Lincoln Center campus. The panel will be moderated by real estate legend MaryAnne Gilmartin, CEO at L&L MAG and former CEO of Forest City Ratner. Gilmartin will lead an inspiring discussion amongst some of the top female minds in the industry, including:
Kathleen Donovan, Managing Director, Real Estate Finance Group, UBS
Jacky Teplitzky, Leader of the Jacky Teplitzky team, Douglas Elliman
Joan Sapinsley, former Head of Capital Markets and Portfolio Manager, CMBS, Resource Real Estate Funding
Christina A. Smyth, Esq., Owner, Smyth Law P.C. and President of RESA
The esteemed panelists will discuss the top real estate transactions, construction projects and investments they have been involved with, along with the developments they oversaw that have helped design New York Citys skyline. They will also touch on their experiences climbing the ranks, lessons learned from both success and failure, current trends, their predictions for real estates future and how women will play a pivotal role.
This event series is designed to highlight the critical role that women have played in shaping New York City real estate and inspire both and male and female real estate professionals to reach the top, said Anthony R. Davidson, PhD, MBA, dean of Fordhams School of Professional and Continuing Studies. We are honored that MaryAnne and all of the esteemed panelists will help launch what is sure to be an eye-opening and thought-provoking event series which will prove beneficial for all the attendees.
She Builds: The Dealmakers - Lessons Learned on the Front Line from Iconic Women in Real Estate will take place on April 25 at Fordhams School of Law, 150 West 62nd Street. Registration for the event is $25. To register, visit: https://www.fordham.edu/info/26670/real_estate_institute_events.
The Real Estate Institute is a part of Fordhams School of Professional and Continuing Studies. For more information, visit http://www.fordham.edu/realestate.
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About the Fordham Real Estate Institute
The Fordham Real Estate Institute currently offers a Master of Science in Real Estate, a graduate certificate, and a comprehensive array of professional certificates at its campuses in Lincoln Center and Westchester, New York. Serving professionals and owners/investors of all stripes, the certificate program has seven specialized tracks: Real Estate Finance and Investment, Real Estate Financial Modeling, Commercial Real Estate Credit Analysis, Real Estate Development, Construction Project Management, Commercial Property Management and Residential Property Management. The MSRE curriculum presents the essential elements of real estate finance, investment, development and management. Both programs developed and taught by leading industry practitioners are centered on imparting real-world professional skill sets. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks: classes can be taken in-person, online, and at various paces. The Real Estate Institute is a part of Fordhams School of Professional and Continuing Studies. For more information, visit http://www.fordham.edu/realestate.
"We're excited to introduce Tunstall Americas to our hospital members," said HAP President and CEO Andy Carter. "Our partnership enables Tunstall to rapidly disseminate its success story to Pennsylvania hospitals so that they may take advantage of specialty pricing offered through this endorsement.
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), through its for-profit subsidiary HAPevolve, has selected Tunstall Americas as an endorsed partner to exclusively support Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems in the improvement of patient access solutions to engage patient populations.
"We're excited to introduce Tunstall Americas to our hospital members," said HAP President and CEO Andy Carter. "Our partnership enables Tunstall to rapidly disseminate its success story to Pennsylvania hospitals so that they may take advantage of specialty pricing offered through this endorsement.
Carter said that Tunstall sets itself apart from competitors through its commitment to operational improvement, the skills and health care experience of its contact center teams, and the quality controls in place to achieve maximum return on investment.
Working with Tunstall, many hospital clients have achieved positive results, including:
Increased patient satisfaction
Reduced no-show rates
Reduced number of walk-ins
Increased fill rates
Increased reimbursement
Improved management of outpatient populations
Excellent time to answer, resulting in reduced call abandonment rates
Tunstall joins six other endorsed companies in the HAPevolve portfolio, including Alliant Employee Benefits, Commerce Bank, SUNRx, Truven Health Analytics, VisiQuate, and Vizient. HAP has provided innovative, specially priced solutions for member hospitals through its Endorsed Partner program since 2007. Thirty percent of HAP member hospitals currently participate with one or more endorsed partners.
ABOUT HAP: HAP is a statewide membership services organization that advocates for nearly 240 Pennsylvania acute and specialty care, primary care, subacute care, long-term care, home health, and hospice providers, as well as the patients and communities they serve. Additional information about HAP is available online at http://www.haponline.org.
ABOUT HAPevolve: Established during 2017 by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), HAPevolve offers consulting and custom education specific to the challenges of understanding and implementing health care legislation and regulation. Leveraging HAPs unparalleled expertise and strategic business partners, the HAPevolve menu of services includes on-demand solutions to alleviate legal, regulatory, fiscal, and operational obstacles within hospitals and health care organizations. For more information, visit http://www.hapevolve.com
ABOUT TUNSTALL AMERICAS: Tunstall Americas is a division of Tunstall Healthcare Group, which was founded in 1957 in the UK, and just celebrated its 60th anniversary. Tunstall Americas has provided 24/7/365 support and care to tens of millions of people, through both its Connected Care Division, (by way of Personal Emergency Response Systems devices and Medication Management) and its Connected Health Division, which houses the innovative Patient Access Solutions now available to HAP members. Most recently, Tunstall Americas has partnered with a leading global telecommunications company, to provide remote patient monitoring and telehealth solutions to Canadians using Tunstalls world-leading ICP Integrated Care Platform. Collectively, Tunstalls products and services deliver a seamless patient experience and help to empower people to take a more active role in their health and wellbeing. For more information, visit http://www.americas.tunstall.com.
Naples Hotel Group announced today that its Naples Office has moved to a new address of 1865 Veterans Park Drive Suite 304, Naples, FL 34109. The Naples office of Naples Hotel Group houses the Hotel Development & Construction, Marketing, Accounting and Administrative departments.
This move supports Naples Hotel Group's continued growth as a top Hotel Management Company as it continues to grow its managed hotel portfolio in Florida and the Southeast US. The company also has a regional office in Orlando, FL.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact Brittany Bou-Sliman at brittany(at)napleshotelgroup(dot)com or 239-206-4273.
About Naples Hotel Group
Naples Hotel Group is a hotel development and management company founded in 1999. NHG has achieved superior results and has a proven ability to enhance the performance of hotels using their experience, responsiveness and extensive resources. NHG, based in Naples and Orlando, prides itself on building long-term relationships with quality people and organizations. To learn more visit, http://www.napleshotelgroup.com.
Tom Eller, IAC SVP of Operations North America, stated, AS9100 and ISO9001:2015 certification builds on IACs proven track record within the aerospace community. This milestone further demonstrates our continued commitment to be an industry leader in quality and reliability on a global scale.
IAC International Aerospace Coatings announces today that it has received AS9100 and ISO 9001:2015 certification at seven of its paint facilities globally. AS9100 is an internationally recognized aerospace industry standard for maintaining a Quality Management System (QMS).
IAC pioneered the industry in 2011, becoming the first aircraft painting company in the world to achieve AS9100 certification under its flagship Victorville, California location. Since that time, IAC has added more of its facilities into the standard, while also keeping updated to the standards latest revisions. Today, IAC has six locations updated to AS9100s newest revision D, with a seventh location receiving revision D status within the next 30 days. Now, IAC boasts locations globally with both AS9100 and ISO9001:2015 certification including:
North America
Fort Worth, Texas
Spokane, Washington
Victorville, California
Europe
Shannon, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Ostrava, Czech Republic
Rome, Italy
By achieving AS9100 and ISO9001:2015 certification, aerospace and defense providers across the globe are assured that IAC practices a Quality Management System that consistently drives compliance and continual improvement in a measurable way, and has been verified by third party auditors.
Tom Eller, IAC SVP of Operations North America, stated, AS9100 and ISO9001:2015 certification builds on IACs proven track record within the aerospace community. This milestone further demonstrates our continued commitment to be an industry leader in quality and reliability on a global scale.
To achieve the certification, IAC was required to participate in a rigorous, multistep review process. The initial application included written documentation that highlighted the quality management system and processes. Once the written application was approved, a physical on-site assessment was conducted at each location. Auditors validated each facilities compliance, reviewed the process implementation strategy, and determined the effectiveness of the processes. Since achieving the initial certification, audits are scheduled for regular surveillance to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
For more information on IACs certifications, visit our website at http://www.iac.aero.
About International Aerospace Coatings
IAC, comprised of three legacy companies Eirtech Aviation, Leading Edge Aviation Services and Associated Painters, has global headquarters in Shannon, Ireland with 13 state-of-the-art facilities throughout USA, Europe and Asia, including 8 wide body hangars. The company boasts the largest global footprint in the aircraft painting industry. IAC serves the commercial, military, VIP and OEM aviation markets and has worked on nearly every make and model aircraft in modern existence. Currently, IAC refinishes over 1000 aircraft per year throughout its global network. For more information, visit our website at http://www.iac.aero.
For more information, contact Nikki Thomas.
Nikki Thomas, Director of Marketing
Nikki.Thomas(at)iac.aero
+1 714-881-1887
Anterra invests in companies bringing proven science and technology breakthroughs into the global food system.
Anterra Capital, a specialist venture firm that backs the entrepreneurs who are transforming the global food system, today announced a $75 million extension to its fund. The total of the fund is now $200 million.
Anterra invests in companies bringing proven science and technology breakthroughs into the global food system.
The global food system is the largest employer in the world, has the greatest impact on the environment, and represents a massive portion of consumer spend. The value of innovation within it cannot be ignored, said Adam Anders, Managing Partner of Anterra Capital. We extended the fund to capitalize on this overlooked but incredible opportunity and to expand our team.
Anterra has begun investing the new monies with previously unannounced investments including Agriconomie, a marketplace for farmers and their suppliers, and Voltea, a water technology company capable of desalinating water in applications from the farm to consumers homes. Anterra also founded Enko Chem, a company discovering novel crop protection chemicals. Enko Chem is led by Anterra venture partner Jacqueline Heard with Tom Meade, formerly Dow AgroSciences global seeds discovery research leader, recently joining as CSO.
Anterra has brought invaluable new agriculture connections to our company and also an international perspective to our business, said Paolin Pascot, CEO and co-founder of Agriconomie. They have also supported us in setting up a farmer finance product for our ag inputs marketplace.
With this announcement, Axel Wehr and Dan Harburg join the firm as investment professionals focusing on software, digital commerce, robotics and automation. Before joining Anterra, Axel spent 5 years at Bain Capital Private Equity and then was a partner at Firestartr, a London based seed-stage investment firm. Dan previously ran business development at a venture-backed agtech robotics company and holds a PhD in this field.
Anterra also welcomes Michelle Haven and Juergen Horn to the team as special advisors, with a focus on animal health. Michelle has been a leader in the animal health industry for over 20 years, most recently as the senior vice president of corporate development, strategic alliances and solutions at Zoetis. Juergen has over 15 years of sector experience having held senior executive positions at Nexvet Biopharma, Novartis Animal Health and Elanco.
Building world class companies requires world class talent, said Philip Austin, partner and co-founder of Anterra Capital. We are thrilled that Anterra continues to be a destination for industry experts as they seek to engage with the emerging food and agriculture start-up community and launch their own businesses.
Backed by Rabobank and Eight Roads, Anterra provides patient venture capital, a global network of investors and corporate partners, and deep sector expertise across the food value chain.
To learn more, please visit http://www.anterracapital.com.
About Anterra Capital
Anterra Capital is a specialist venture firm. We back the entrepreneurs who are transforming the global food system.
There is an overlooked but valuable opportunity in translating technology and science breakthroughs from other industries into our food system. Anterra provides patient venture capital, an international network of investors and corporate partners, and deep sector expertise across the food value chain.
Anterra is backed by Rabobank, the world leading food and agriculture bank, and Eight Roads, the proprietary investment division of Fidelity International Limited. The firm has offices in Amsterdam and Boston.
To learn more, please visit: http://www.anterracapital.com.
Over the past two decades, Search Optics has established a global reach unlike any other automotive digital marketing firm, with support today for 43 OEM programs across the globe, along with 25 leading Asian, European and domestic brands. -- David Ponn, CEO, Search Optics.
Search Optics, a leading global digital marketing provider with expertise in the automotive industry, today announced it has secured a new round of private equity funding to fuel continued worldwide expansion and strengthen U.S. operations. Financial terms of the funding, which also included management as co-investors, were not disclosed.
Celebrating 20 years in business in 2018, Search Optics boasts a client base of 3,000 customers worldwide and maintains 13 offices in North America, APAC, EMEA and LATAM. According to Search Optics CEO David Ponn, the funding will enable the company to expand service to global clients in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Panama and deepen support for strategic client initiatives in the U.S.
Over the past two decades, Search Optics has established a global reach unlike any other automotive digital marketing firm, with support today for 43 OEM programs across the globe, along with 25 leading Asian, European and domestic brands, said Ponn. As we celebrate our remarkable 20-year milestone, were very proud of our longevity and accomplishments, and pleased to earn our investors continued confidence as we build upon our success.
The companys flagship technology offerings include the Blueprint Platform, a truly responsive website solution built for all screen sizes, and UPTRACS, a reporting platform that measures digital campaign effectiveness in real-time to improve ROI. Available in multiple currencies and languages including Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, two versions of French and six versions of English, both platforms have been globalized to optimize the way Search Optics serves brands worldwide.
Using these platforms, our talented team continues to focus on creating a synergistic, unified brand presence for our clients, who represent the biggest names in the automotive business, said Ponn. Were very excited to further extend our global business reach and add new depth and resources to our worldwide operations.
The new round of funding follows a year in which Search Optics accelerated its international growth. In November, the company announced new expansion in the APAC region, following strong business development across Australia and New Zealand. It also bolstered its success in North America and Europe, launching new digital marketing campaigns for a variety of customers. For more information, visit the Search Optics website.
About Search Optics
Search Optics is a leader in global digital marketing that specializes in custom, integrated solutions with an emphasis on outstanding measurable results. The company uses an uncommon blend of class-leading technology backed by real people. Founded in 1998, Search Optics has offices in the North America, APAC, EMEA and LATAM regions. For more information, please visit http://www.searchoptics.com. You can follow Search Optics on Twitter, LinkedIn, G+ and Facebook.
After surviving two blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan that almost killed him, one leaving him without arms and legs, Marine Sgt. John M. Peck is a survivor and an inspiration. Despite his injuries, Peck never gave up on himself or his fellow warriors.
His story of survival and triumph will be documented in new book titled, Rebuilding Sergeant Peck: Putting Body and Soul Back Together After Afghanistan by co-authors John M. Peck, Dava Guerin and Terry Bivens. The book, which features forewords by Actor/Humanitarian Gary Sinise, Founder of Gary Sinise Foundation and Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin, will be released by Skyhorse Publishing in March 2019. Guerin has also co-authored two others published by Skyhorse, Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed and Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal.
After Sgt. Peck researched hospitals across the country with expertise in performing bilateral arm transplants, he found a surgical team at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston that agreed to take his case. In 2017, Peck was one of only two of patients in the nation to receive a double arm transplant above the elbows. Since the groundbreaking surgery, Sgt. Peck has endured grueling physical therapy and, luckily, is able to move his new arms; his dream of becoming a chef is now within reach.
Sgt. Pecks resilience and determination includes his efforts to help his fellow wounded warriors. In 2012, he worked with a company to design customized all-terrain wheelchairs, then assembled a team to raise funds to provide the chairs to any veteran who wanted one. To date, more than 1,400 veterans now have the customized Track Chair wheelchairs. He also is working on a program called, Honors Food Truck, to give wounded warriors the tools they need to start their own businesses. Sgt. Peck also does random acts of kindness in his community.
For more information on Sgt. Peck, visit his Facebook page-John Pecks Journey-or Skyhorse Publishing-http://www.skyhorsepublishing.com.
TEKLYNX 2018 Barcode Software Solutions Infographic TEKLYNX approach to product development and innovation is both thoughtful and pragmatic. Weve invested heavily in product development resulting in barcode labeling solutions that will not only benefit end users today, but well into the future. TEKLYNX Vice President, Alex Guderzo
TEKLYNX International, the worlds leading barcode and RFID labeling software developer and solutions provider, today announced its 2018 launch of LABEL MATRIX, LABELVIEW, CODESOFT, LABEL ARCHIVE, and SENTINEL. Featuring smart interactions designed to enhance the end user experience, the TEKLYNX 2018 barcode labeling software solutions are built to improve labeling efficiency, accuracy and automation for manufacturers of all sizes.
According to a recent TEKLYNX survey, an overwhelming percentage of barcode labeling software end users indicated an opportunity to improve labeling efficiency, accuracy and automation.
45% of end users do not have a standardized labeling environment
60% of end users said they have manual steps in their label printing process that could be eliminated with the use of labeling print automation
70% of end users spend more than 30 seconds generating a single print request
Todays manufacturing environment demands reliability, stability and ease-of-use as companies of all sizes look to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, states TEKLYNX General Manager Doug Niemeyer. Its the driving force behind TEKLYNX 2018 product launch as we introduce our most-intuitive, feature-rich barcode labeling solutions to date to better support our customers growing demands.
The TEKLYNX 2018 barcode labeling software solutions offer compatibility with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016. Some additional highlights by product offering include:
LABELVIEW and CODESOFT 2018:
Updated GS1 barcode creation wizard with added search function, enabling continued GS1 compliance
Platform foundation has been completely updated to help companies label smarter, print faster and operate more efficiently
Brand new user interface thats easier to understand and use
Enhanced formula creation tool makes writing formulas easier and faster than ever before
Native drivers added and updated for easy install and a continued seamless What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) printing experience (also available in LABEL MATRIX 2018)
Smart interactions make enhanced variables easier to see and use
Print colors can now be defined in CMYK format to support more accurate color printing
SENTINEL 2018:
User interface features increased flexibility to better support organization-level needs
Users can now set priority levels for print requests
Users can now specify a unique label directory for each watch making it easier to serve a decentralized business from a centralized location
Interface and documentation is now available in Spanish
In addition to feature-rich end user driven enhancements, TEKLYNX 2018 product launch is historic because several of its product platforms have been completely updated, paving the way for future innovations in barcode labeling. Our approach to product development and innovation is both thoughtful and pragmatic, comments TEKLYNX Vice President Alex Guderzo. Weve invested heavily in product development resulting in barcode labeling solutions that will not only benefit end users today, but well into the future.
Click here to download a free 30-day demo of TEKLYNX 2018 LABEL MATRIX, LABELVIEW or CODESOFT. To request a demo of SENTINEL or LABEL ARCHIVE, click here. To learn more details about TEKLYNX 2018 product launch, download TEKLYNX new 2018 product launch fact sheet and the TEKLYNX 2018 barcode software solutions infographic. TEKLYNX offers tiered solutions to meet the needs of companies of all sizes and industries and is uniquely designed to grow with companies over time. Today, TEKLYNX is the only barcode labeling solution provider to offer subscription licensing, allowing companies to start using TEKLYNX at a low cost of entry. Learn more at teklynx.com.
About TEKLYNX International
TEKLYNX International is the worlds leading barcode and RFID labeling software developer and solutions provider. An industry innovator for over 30 years, TEKLYNX helps companies operate smoothly and efficiently by implementing labeling solutions that streamline operations while staying ahead of industry-specific compliance and emerging regulations. TEKLYNX is world-renowned for its customer service; offering flexible purchase options, unparalleled service and support, and a comprehensive product offering that grows with companies over time. With operations in the United States, Europe, Japan, Latin America, China and Singapore, more than 630,000 companies in over 120 countries look to TEKLYNX integrated software solutions for their standard of success. Learn more by visiting teklynx.com, LinkedIn, Twitter @Teklynx, and Facebook.com/TEKLYNXInternational or call 888-629-4444.
"A laid-back comedy show seemed like the way to go. We love doing it, and I think thats obvious to the listener.
Critics are calling it the funniest thing since sliced bread. Well, thats what they would say if they were reviewing it. Actually, they probably wouldnt because it makes no sense. The Prattlefield, a new podcast from Justin Barnett and Chad Martin, is an unscripted comedy show discussing a variety of topics. What makes a real man? At what point does a do-it-yourselfer need to acknowledge his limitations? Who decides whats fashionable and what isnt, and hows a guy supposed to know the difference? All this and more on The Prattlefield! (http://www.theprattlefield.com)
Barnett and Martin close friends for twenty years started the podcast in October of 2017. Barnett has a history of making his friends laugh until it hurts, and Martin is a cynical audio geek, so co-hosting a podcast eventually became a no-brainer for them.
Weve been prattling on and on for years, and we tend to get a kick out of each other, so we figured we might as well record it, Martin says.
Barnett continues, We love telling stories and making people laugh. No notes or scripts, just a couple of funny people telling stories and talking about stuff people deal with every day.
The podcast was initially just a hobby, a fun diversion from the daily grind. It still is, but as they continued to release episodes, they couldnt help but think about how much fun it would be to have a substantial audience.
Its one thing for your friends to tell you how much they enjoy the show, Martin says, but when a complete stranger reaches out and gives the same type of feedback, thats awesome.
Those bozos already know were a couple of idiots, so obviously theyre going to like the show, Barnett says of their friends. But our hope is that the allure of our show will extend beyond our friends.
It already has, to some degree. Were seeing some plays nationally and internationally, so the show is being heard, Martin says. But we realize were still small fry.
As podcasts become increasingly popular, its easy for any show especially one in its infancy to get lost in the shuffle. The Prattlefield is no exception.
Yeah, there are plenty of adult comedy podcasts out there already, Martin says, but given our personalities, a laid-back comedy show seemed like the way to go. We love doing it, and I think thats obvious to the listener.
The Prattlefield does seem like a podcast worth checking out, even if it isnt the funniest thing since sliced bread.
Whatever that means.
D2 TEAM-Sim, the provider of the Distributed Instruction Framework (DIF) for the United States Army, and The DiSTI Corporation, a leading global provider of Virtual Training Solutions announce a partnership agreement to address the growing demand for high fidelity 3D virtual training solutions for the US Army and other DoD customers. DiSTI and D2 TEAM-Sim are collaborating to develop and integrate new interactive 3D content within D2 TEAM-Sim's DIF Platform to increase learner engagement across the US Army enterprise.
The value proposition of the DIF platform is the enterprise approach to rapid development and scalable delivery of multi-level Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) by leveraging one centralized content library. The approach ensures standardization across the enterprise, maximizes reuse and simplifies accreditation management with SCORM-compliant integration for both the Army Learning Management System (ALMS) and the Enterprise Lifelong Learning Center (ELLC).
According to President of D2 TEAM-Sim, John Lau, "Since the US Army has purchased our DIF platform, we have experienced increased demand for expanding the use of the platform with new engaging, interactive simulation relevant to the diverse training and learning objectives required by the Army subscribers. D2 TEAM-Sim's partnership with DiSTI will fill that gap."
Joe Swinski, President of DiSTI adds, "We look forward to partnering with D2 TEAM-Sim to address the growing demand in the defense industry for 3D training curriculum. Over the past 20 years DiSTI has developed technology and methodologies which dramatically reduce the time and cost of developing 3D training content delivered to desktop, mobile and virtual reality devices simultaneously. By leveraging the DIF platform with VE Studio content, US Army course developers will be able publish courses that incorporate interactive 3D content without having to write software code and deliver the training to soldiers anytime, anywhere and on any device."
John Lau continues, "We have already begun integration of DiSTI WebGL assets into the DIF platform, and will be demonstrating the joint capability during the AUSA Global Force 2018 in Huntsville, Alabama from March 26th to March 28th. Please contact Walt Rant COL, USA Ret at 732-757-8252 to see the solution in action."
https://www.disti.com/press/
# # #
The DiSTI Corporation is the world's leading provider of 3D virtual training solutions and graphical user interface software.
Our flagship product, GL Studio, delivers advanced high-performance 3D user interfaces to the aerospace, automotive, medical, and training industries. Leading global manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin choose GL Studio for its performance, fidelity, and reliability in interface development and deployment. Whether for avionics, instrument clusters, infotainment systems, medical devices, or flight simulators, GL Studio exceeds the developer's interface demands.
DiSTI's user interface technology also expands into 3D virtual maintenance training solutions. DiSTI's VE Studio is the world's leading platform for managing the development of complex 3D virtual environments for use on desktop, mobile, and virtual and mixed reality training applications. VE Studio manages the entire development process including requirements analysis, content development, and automated software builds and regression testing.
For more information on The DiSTI Corporation contact Kevin Mikalsen at kmikalsen@disti.com
About D2 TEAM-Sim
D2 TEAM-Sim, an Appliedinfo Partners division and a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) based out of Somerset, NJ, is a leading developer of enterprise learning and training tools and content. One of their tools, Distributed Instruction Framework (DIF), has been purchased and re-named the Enterprise Content Development Capability (ECDC), by the US Army TRADOC. D2 TEAM-Sim trains activities across the Army enterprise in the use of DIF to design and develop virtual learning products, including the new Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). DIF provides the Army's only enterprise platform for virtual learning development, the ability to collaborate across departments including PEOs' New Equipment Training, Army Materiel Command's Maintenance Training, TRADOC's Institutional Training and FORSCOM's Home Station/Sustainment Training. DIF has a central repository of reusable content, authentic training with content that proponents can quickly update from any location and one-click packaging to easily deploy learning content as education, training, lessons learned and TTPs.
For more information on D2 TEAM-Sim and DIF contact Walt Rant COL, USA Ret. at +1.732.757.8252 wrant@d2teamsim.com.
Three years ago Patzi Gil, Americas Book Lover, launched a radio program for writers and those who dream of writing. Joy on Paper (http://www.radio-joyonpaper.com) is now on nearly 50 stations; the most recent is 1100-KFNX, which reaches nearly 5 million people throughout Arizona.
Its exciting to be on such an important and dynamic station, Patzi said. KFNX-1100 has an impressive roster of talent.
KFNX (1100 AM) is a news-talk radio station broadcasting out of Phoenix, AZ. It has one of the largest signals in the state with 50,000 watts, reaching from Sedona to Tucson and Yuma. The stations line-up includes Laura Ingraham, Michael Savage, Lars Larson, and Joe Walsh.
Im thrilled that my program has attracted more than a hundred best-selling authors who come back to Joy on Paper whenever they have a new release, Patzi said. I could never have imagined three years ago that that I would one day speak to my favorite authorsLee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, Sara Paretsky and C.J. Boxjust to name a few.
Heres what Douglas Brunt, who penned Ghosts of Manhattan, had to say: Joy on Paper is always a favorite stop on my book tour. Patzi is intelligent, prepared and engaging, and we always have a fun time. She truly appreciates books and the breed who writes them.
Laura Resnick, author of Doppelgangster, calls Patzi a charming, welcoming, and enthusiastic host. Sara Imm, author of How I Survived the Killing Fields," describes Patzis show as inspiring! But Lawrence Block, named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, put it best: Patzi Gil is every writer's dream interviewer. Not only does she read the book, but she gets it, and champions both it and its author. I've grown to hate interviewsbut not when it's Patzi on the other end of the phone line.
To her credit, Patzi welcomes newbies as well as veteran writers: Although I love talking to best-selling authors, I am particularly proud of giving Indie authors a platform for promoting their books, she said.
In addition to authors, Patzi has interviewed heavy-hitters in the publishing industry, including top literary agents like Irene Goodman, Donald Maass and Mark Gottlieb as well as famed publishers such as Claiborne Hancock, founder of Pegasus Books.
Spicing up the program are Book Buzz segments with guest contributors Robert K. Tanenbaum, best-selling author of the Butch Karp-Marlene Ciampi series, and Rita Moreau, author of Feisty Nuns. Tanenbaum reviews the essential books one should not miss; Moreaus segment focuses on The Best of Mysteries.
Joy on Paper is produced at WTAN 1340-AM (http://www.tantalk1340.com) in Clearwater, FL. The program is also on Starcom Radio Networks 42 stations across the United States, including California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maine, Oklahoma, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio.
For more information about Patzi Gil and her popular radio program, visit http://www.radio-joyonpaper.com or on Facebook: radiojoyonpaper.
Our work as an IT firm led us to branch out and create a separate company to develop these products, based on what weve seen in the way of what our clients need.Al Alper, CEO
CyberGuard 360 (http://cyberguard360.com), a firm which develops and markets a solution set of products designed to detect and mitigate threats from cyber attacks, today announced that their latest product, the first-to-market CG360 SMM (Security Management and Mitigation) tool, is about to enter its alpha testing phase.
CyberGuard 360 founder and Chief Executive Officer Al Alper said that they have selected 20 IT firms throughout New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the US to alpha test the new tool and provide feedback. The CG360 SMM will be alpha tested for four weeks, during which time the participating IT firms will put the tool through its paces, evaluate it and provide a list of must haves and must includes. Once the alpha phase is completed, the SMM tool will be beta tested and Alper anticipates that it will go to market during the second quarter of the year.
The CG360 SMM is proactive platform designed to monitor, mitigate, remediate, and provide protective barriers to prevent cyber attacks, Alper said, adding, While considerable research and planning has gone into the development of this tool, we are excited for the feedback we will receive and anticipate building in additional functionality over the first iteration. This is much bigger than SIEM (Security Information and Event Management). The CG 360 SMM will become what every MSP and Enterprise IT department will use.
Alper, who is also the CEO of Absolute Logic (one of the firms which will alpha test the SMM tool), said that the CG360 SMM is the latest evolution in a suite of cybersecurity solutions that CyberGuard 360 has brought to market in part to meet the stringent compliance requirements for businesses and organizations impacted by the recent New York State Department of Financial Services Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR 500).
He said, Our solution set incorporates products that detect and mitigate threats from cyber attacks under a single-pane-of-glass. These products are available on the market to end users across a wide range of industries, including IT firms. But these products are disparate in nature; with unique interfaces, terminology and require a huge learning curve for each one of them to be effective. Whereas today MSPs and Enterprise IT departments need to master and use many interfaces to monitor and mitigate threats, CG360s SMM brings them together under a single pane of glass. And our powerful management engine can launch mitigation and remediation actions automatically, or with the click of a mouse. And because Cybersecurity is front and center for compliance, CG360s SMM includes a comprehensive audit trail to meet these high standards.
With each new product or tool that we design, we know that seconds count, as do details, and having the latest information available, said Alper. We believe that when we conclude both phases of testing we will deliver a product to market that is second to none.
The tool will incorporate all of the traditional SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) components, designed to further protect businesses from the growing and dangerous threat of cyber attacks on their infrastructure. But, Alper said, it will go much further. This is bigger than just SIEM. CyberGuard 360s SMM incorporates all of the traditional SIEM tools with real-time information monitoring, management, audit and compliance reporting. And more. It will have top-level scripting, protection, mitigation and remediation functionality, and will be the standard for every MSP and/or Enterprise IT department. This will provide single pane of glass visibility into their environment and the real-time treat landscape that they struggle to defend themselves against, and point-and-click capabilities to mitigate and remediate them. Moreover, the management component goes above and beyond the traditional SIEM to incorporate powerful scripting and automation that have long been the domain of RMM tools that MSPs and Enterprise IT departments have used for decades. CyberGuard 360 is revolutionary in its approach; it is a mash up of SIEM and RMM to empower technology and security professionals in real-time.
One of the challenges of SIEM platforms has been the time and distance between storing and analyzing data and the ability to do something meaningful to combat the threats they identify (and sometimes miss), said Alper, who said that the SMM tool incorporates the very latest in techniques to be an effective deterrent against threats. Most SIEM systems have faced challenges keeping up with real-time and immediate investigations of threats; and acting upon them requires a second or third level of effort. SIEM tools have more to contend with than ever before, and our research and development team has come up with what we believe is the best solution on the market.
He continued, Our work as an IT firm led us to branch out and create a separate company to develop these products, based on what weve seen in the way of what our clients need. And now we will learn from the best and brightest in the industry and together we will develop a product unlike any that has been brought to market before.
The CG360 SMM will be an analytics-driven tool which provides real-time monitoring of threats across the entire technological domain, an organized means of reporting incidents, the ability to analyze large quantities of data to determine where the issues/incidents are occurring and the specific tools to confront and deal with threats immediately.
About CyberGuard 360
CyberGuard 360 is cybersecurity company and a sister company to Absolute Logic (http://absolutelogic.com), which has 25+ years in providing Fortune 500-style security and IT services, technical support and technology consulting to businesses of up to 250 employees. Founder and CEO Al Alper launched this separate company, 360, to address a need he has seen in the market a need for a strong cyber security protection suite of technology services that can be managed within a single-pane-of-glass; obviating the need to use 5 or more systems to protect an enterprise. The company was also designated as a Champion of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2017 and has expansive experience with and knowledge of cyber regulations such as New York States Department of Financial Services new cyber security regulations (23 NYCRR 500). CyberGuard 360 maintains offices in Wilton, CT and Larchmont, NY, as well as other satellite locations throughout the region. For additional information, please call 844-315-9882 or contact via the web at http://cyberguard360.com.
Carsten Maschmeyer Over the past few years, ITC has proven to be one of the most important events in the industry.
InsureTech Connect, the largest insurance industry event covering innovation and transformation, returns this fall, October 2nd and 3rd, 2018, to the MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. ITC brings together technology entrepreneurs, investors, and insurance executives from around the world. For the 2018 conference, ITC is excited to announce a partnership with Maschmeyer Group Ventures (MGV), the investment entity of the German investment company Maschmeyer Group, to expand the conferences European involvement by leveraging the expansive network of MGVs founder, Carsten Maschmeyer.
The partnership enables ITC to deepen its network in Europe through MGV-founder Carsten Maschmeyer. Carsten has a broad network across the European insurance sector and is one of Germanys leading investors. On October 1st, Carsten along with the MGV team will host a pre-conference workshop to facilitate connections between European and U.S investors, founders, and insurance executives. Carsten will also join the group of industry professionals speaking at the conference with an address covering his experiences in the insurance industry and lessons learned from helping new financial technology companies grow.
Carsten Maschmeyer: Over the past few years, ITC has proven to be one of the most important events in the industry. Each time I have attended the conference I have been impressed by the quality of the attendees and have walked away with meaningful new relationships and a better understanding of change coming to the industry. I am proud to support ITC and look forward to expanding its reach with my European InsureTech Network."
Caribou Honig and Jay Weintraub, Co-Founders of ITC: "MGV is an ideal partner for ITC 2018. InsureTech is global in character, and ensuring attendance of insurance leaders from around the world is a key priority for this conference. We are excited to have the support of Maschmeyer Group, and of Carsten himself, to make this a great experience for executives, entrepreneurs and investors from throughout Europe. This partnership affirms ITC as the leading, global InsureTech conference."
About ITC | InsureTech Connect
InsureTech Connect is the worlds largest insurtech event, offering unparalleled access to the largest and most comprehensive gathering of tech entrepreneurs, investors and insurance industry incumbents from across the globe. Founded by Jay Weintraub and Caribou Honig in 2016, ITC has grown to more than 6,000 attendees, hosting 200 speakers, and representing 45+ countries worldwide. InsureTech Connect 2018, presented by Oliver Wyman, will be held October 2-3 at MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
About MGV | Maschmeyer Group Ventures
MGV is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco investing in early stage companies with high growth potential. MGV launched in October of 2017 and is the U.S. based investment vehicle of the Maschmeyer Group.
About Carsten Maschmeyer
Carsten is a German businessman, investor, speaker, author and TV-investor in the German version of the reality television series Shark Tank and in his latest television show "Start up: Who will be Germany's next best Founder?". Carsten is the founder and CEO of the Maschmeyer Group, an umbrella for his three investment vehicles: Seed+Speed Ventures (Berlin, Germany), ALSTIN Capital (Munich, Germany) and MGV | Maschmeyer Group Ventures (San Francisco, USA).
The Law Office of Shannon Hennessy Pulaski is pleased to announce that Shannon Hennessy Pulaski has been selected to the 2018 New Jersey Rising Stars list, an annual list that recognizes the state's top up-and-coming lawyers. Ms. Pulaski had previously been named to the New Jersey Rising Stars list in 2017 and 2015. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Candidates must be 40 years old or less or in practice for ten years or less. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area.
Ms. Pulaski concentrates her practice in the areas of business law, contract law, and intellectual property law and has extensive experience with trademark prosecution. Ms. Pulaski received her B.A. from Boston College and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law where she completed a concentration in intellectual property law. Ms. Pulaski is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. For more information visit http://www.shpulaskilaw.com. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit http://www.superlawyers.com.
Emrah Celik, Ph.D. (left) and Daniel Delgado Camacho named as recipients of the 2018 AMUG scholarships. They will be bringing fresh ideas and perspectives on how to grow additive manufacturing in new dimensions through education of our next generation and new applications in industry.
The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) today announced the recipients of its scholarships. Emrah Celik, Ph.D., an assistant professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Miami (UM), has been awarded the Randy Stevens Scholarship. Daniel Delgado Camacho, who is pursuing a masters degree in Structural Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), has been awarded the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship. With these recognitions, Dr. Celik and Mr. Delgado Camacho will engage with additive manufacturing (AM) users at the AMUG Conference, which will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 8-12, 2018.
Brett Charlton, AMUG Scholarship Committee chair, said, Each year, the scholarship committee accepts the challenge of selecting two individuals that show great promise for contributing to the growth and advancement of AM; individuals that will bring the spirit and passion of Mr. Randy Stevens and Mr. Guy E. Bourdeau to the AMUG Conference. This year, we had an impressive group of applicants, which made the job of selecting the best quite a challenge. Charlton continued, Our committee is excited to award these scholarships to two promising individuals in the AM community. Congratulations to both Dr. Emrah Celik and Mr. Daniel Delgado Camacho. They will be bringing fresh ideas and perspectives on how to grow additive manufacturing in new dimensions through education of our next generation and new applications in industry.
Dr. Emrah Celik is an assistant professor, researcher and academic with a passion for AM, both as a user and as a developer of technology. He integrates AM into his engineering courses to teach students this new manufacturing platform and give them hands-on experience. Victoria Coverstone, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Miami, said, Dr. Celik is the leading professor in promoting applications of 3D printing/additive manufacturing in teaching. Teaching 3D printing technologies and hands-on work of our college students stimulated their interest and understanding in this course.
In his research laboratory, Advanced Nano Systems Laboratory (ANSyL), Dr. Celik investigates novel 3D printing methodologies for fabrication of energy-harvesting materials and reinforced composites for strong, yet lightweight, structural components. He works closely with federal agencies including NASA, U.S. Airf Frce, and Army Research Laboratory. Dr. Celiks aim is to develop state-of-the-art AM technologies that leverage this research.
Dr. Celik stated, Although I have extensive experience with the 3D printing techniques, my interaction with the additive manufacturing community has been very limited. I envision that attending the AMUG Conference will give me the opportunity to initiate long-lasting interactions with the additive manufacturing community. Dr. Coverstone added, This scholarship will greatly benefit Dr. Celiks academic career, our departments vision on continuous improvement of teaching, and lead to new research projects in his laboratory.
Daniel Delgado Camachos research for his masters degree is on the application of AM in the construction industry. Patricia Clayton, Ph.D., assistant professor in UT Austins Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, is Mr. Delgado Camachos co-advisor for his research. Dr. Clayton said, I believe that Daniels research investigating large-scale construction applications for AM will provide innovative architectural and structural design and construction solutions that are only made possible by AM. I know that Daniel will be a true leader in our field, providing a much-needed excitement for technological innovation in a field (infrastructure construction) that often lags behind the innovation curve.
In 2016, Mr. Delgado Camacho began his research on the current state of AM in the construction industry, becoming the first to do so at UT Austin. This led to his research of AM for fabrication of connections using the material extrusion process. He also foresees leveraging his knowledge and research to accelerate the advancement of concrete 3D printing for construction projects. Following his May 2018 graduation, Mr. Delgado Camacho will join ExxonMobil, a company that has enjoyed his contributions as an intern over a three-year period and sponsored him for the prestigious GEM Fellowship.
Dr. Clayton said, I strongly believe that Daniel has the intelligence, drive, and ingenuity to develop and market pioneering applications for AM in construction. Attending the AMUG Conference will provide him opportunities to connect with and learn from the best in the field. Recognizing the information gap between industry, users and researchers, Mr. Delgado Camacho said, This is knowledge I could gain by attending the AMUG Conference. The conference can provide a better picture of how far advancements in AM have come and all the benefits and potential applications that AM can offer.
The Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship, founded by Guy's wife, Renee Bourdeau, is awarded annually to one college student. The Randy Stevens Scholarship, founded by Randy's employer, In'Tech Industries, is awarded annually to one educator that emphasizes or focuses on additive manufacturing. The AMUG Scholarship Committee members are Brett Charlton (BD), Kevin Zaras (DSM Additive), Jim Harrison (The Solid Experts), Sheku Kamara (Milwaukee School of Engineering), Clay Guillory (Titan Robotics), and Claire Belson (Emerson Automation Solutions).
ABOUT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USERS GROUP (AMUG)
AMUG is an organization that educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. AMUG members include those with industrial additive manufacturing/3D printing technologies used for professional purposes from companies such as Stratasys, DSM Additive Manufacturing, SLM Solutions, GE Additive, ExOne, Renishaw, HP Inc., 3D Systems, Carbon, EOS, Formlabs, Desktop Metal and Additive Industries. AMUG meets annually to provide education and training through technical presentations on processes and new technologies. This information addresses operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the applications that use the parts they make. Online at http://www.amug.com.
I Love My Windows!
Universal Windows Direct was recently awarded the 2017 Angies List Super Service Award, demonstrating excellence in customer service for local homeowners. The company focuses on improving homes by creating a more comfortable and energy efficient place to live. Using exterior remodeling products of incredible value and quality, Universal Windows Direct is proud to be recognized as the newest Super Service Award recipient.
The Angies List Super Service Award is an honorable recognition for any home improvement company. Recipients of this award are viewed as top-performers in the industry in terms of customer service. Universal Windows Direct ensures complete satisfaction with every step of the customer service process, providing a no-pressure and customer-centric approach to exterior remodeling.
Angies List updates company ratings daily, where they are graded on a scale from A to F. Home improvement companies that qualify for the Angies List Super Service Award are required to meet strict eligibility requirements. This includes straight-A ratings for overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The companies must also be in good standing with Angies List, pass a background check, and submit a current trade license attestation. The performance rating covers the period from November 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017.
This award gives customers confidence in choosing Universal Windows Direct for their customer service as well as quality UniShield products. Angies List is a leading online review platform that helps homeowners decide which contractor to choose for remodeling projects. With over 10 million reviews and 700 categories on Angies List, Universal Windows Direct is honored to be recognized for excellence in customer service to Cleveland homeowners.
About Universal Windows Direct:
Universal Windows Direct is an exterior remodeling company located in Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded by Mike Strmac and William Barr in 2002. The company is experiencing exponential growth in Cleveland and throughout the nation. In addition to the 2017 Angies List Super Service Award, UWD is number 7 on Qualified Remodelers Top 500 list and number 7 on Remodeling Magazines 550 list. The company is focusing on homeowner satisfaction and offering quality products through 2018 and beyond.
Harlem EatUp! (HEU) festival co-founders Marcus Samuelsson and Herb Karlitz are pleased to announce the festival line-up and that tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual festival, May 14 May 20, 2018: http://www.harlemeatup.com. Tickets to Harlem EatUp! range from free and pay-as-you-go in the Marketplace and Harlem Stroll to ticketed Dine In dinners. Photographs available here.
As part of its mission and dedication to Harlem, the festivals net proceeds will be donated to Harlem Park to Park, Citymeals on Wheels and Historic Harlem Parks, and will be disbursed by the Harlem EatUp! Foundation, whose mission is to strengthen the community by supporting the people, cultures and non-profit organizations that empower Harlem. Harlem EatUp! is a celebration of Harlems rich and rapidly expanding culinary, culture and art communities. The multi-day festival takes place throughout Harlems diverse neighborhoods, with new and returning events throughout the week.
Harlem EatUp! combines the spirit of a block party and a family reunion where everyone is invited, says co-founder Marcus Samuelsson. We created Harlem EatUp! to celebrate one of the most storied neighborhoods. From the food and drink to music and culture, theres nothing like it, says co-founder Herb Karlitz.
This years Dine In Harlem dinner series will again showcase local and guest chef culinary mash-ups at some of Harlems most beloved restaurants, featuring menus paired with wines from Bordeaux. Harlem EatUp! will also include the annual Harlem EatUp! Luminary Award Dinner honoring Dapper Dan & Bevy Smith. New to the HarlemEatUp! line-up is a free, early-morning yoga session, Mantras & Mimosas, featuring Harlems own Land Yoga and DJ Taela. Guests can meditate to a funky beat and enjoy tastings of delicious Prosecco cocktails.
The festival will also showcase The Harlem Stroll, a two-day outdoor event at Morningside Park, one of the neighborhoods most celebrated parks, consisting of the Ultimate Grand Tasting (ticketed), and the Harlem Marketplace (free admission). Harlem restaurants and culinary stars will welcome their peers from New York City and across the country for a delicious, dynamic and memorable week. Citi is returning for its fourth year as a founding partner of Harlem EatUp!
"Harlem is one of the most vibrant, culturally diverse and delicious communities in the country, says Andrew Zimmern. I can't wait to cook alongside some of the neighborhood's pioneers and most iconic culinary voices, including the inimitable Melba Wilson, and eat my way around the globe without leaving the island of Manhattan."
This years Harlem EatUp! line-up includes: Yvette Leeper-Bueno (VINATERlA); Carlos Swepson (BLVD Bistro); Karl Franz Williams (Solomon & Kuff Rum Hall); Melba Wilson (Melbas); Leticia Skai Young & Chef Raymond Zamanta Mohan (LoLos Seafood Shack); as well as Janine Booth & Jeff McInnis (Root & Bone); Laila Ali (author of cookbook, Food for Life: Delicious & Healthy Comfort Food from My Table to Yours!); Daniel Boulud (Restaurant Daniel); Josh Capon (Mercer Street Hospitality); Floyd Cardoz (Top Chef Masters winner, Bombay Bread Bar); Maneet Chauhan (CHOPPED judge); Dapper Dan (Dapper Dans Boutique); Leah Cohen (Pig & Khao); Jose Garces (Ortzi); Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat, Chicago); Bevy Smith (SiriusXM Radio Andy); Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolates); Jernard Wells (The Chef of Love); Jarobi White (chef and founding member, A Tribe Called Quest); Andrew Zimmern (TV personality and author); and more.
Among the many restaurants to be featured this year include: BLVD Bistro, Chaiwali, Clay, Ginnys Supper Club, Harlem Shake, Harlem Tavern, Lady Lexis Sweets, LoLos Seafood Shack, Melbas, Settepani, SpaHa Soul, Tastings Social presents Mountain Bird, The Edge Harlem, and more. Participating local vendors from the Harlem Park to Park Local Vendors Program and Harlem Business Alliance include Aromas Boutique Bakery, Clean Plate Co., Essie Spice, Limation Beverages, Mamas One Sauce, The Egg Roll Queen, The Little Hot Dog Wagon as well as Uptown Grand Central (NHEMA) and East Harlem Community Alliance members AFineLyne, Sprinkle Splash, Uptown Roasters and more.
Additional festival programming, participating chefs & restaurants and local vendors will be announced throughout the spring.
DINE IN HARLEM DINNER SERIES
Have dinner at some of Harlems hottest restaurants, each hosting visiting guest chefs from NYC and abroad, during the Dine In Harlem Dinner Series, Wednesday, May 16 Thursday, May 17. Each Dine In will offer a collaborative multi-course culinary experience featuring a breadth of cuisine, from Northern Italian to Southern soul. Each course will be paired with wines from Bordeaux, beer and cocktails. Dynamic performances from Harlem artists will round out the experience.
Im excited to spend the weekend in Harlem, says Dine In participant, chef Stephanie Izard. It's a part of New York City that I don't know well, but a place that I have heard such great things about. Of course, cooking and hanging out with a bunch of fun chefs is a nice bonus, too!
The Dine In Harlem Dinner Series tickets are priced individually, available via http://www.harlemeatup.com, and are scheduled to include:
Wednesday, May 16: Chef Gustavo Lopez of Clay (553 Manhattan Avenue at 123rd Street) with guest chef Leah Cohen of Pig & Khao - New to the Harlem food scene, Clay is serving seasonal, locally sourced food in a modern and monastic space that was formerly Harlems Perks Jazz Club. Chef and co-owner Gustavo Lopez welcomes chef Leah Cohen of Pig & Khao and Piggyback Bar into his kitchen for a Spanish-Italian-Southeast Asian collaborative menu.
Wednesday, May 16: Chef Melba Wilson of Melbas (300 West 114th Street (114th Street and F. Douglass Blvd) with guest chef Andrew Zimmern - Melba Wilson, who was born, bred and buttered in Harlem hosts Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channels Bizarre Foods to throw down in the kitchen at Melbas. This Dine In promises to offer delicious and unconventional comfort food with a party that only Melbas throws. Bring your dancing shoes!
Wednesday, May 16: Chefs Nino Settepani & Leah Abraham of Settepani (196 Lenox Avenue, New York (at 120th Street) with guest chef Floyd Cardoz of Bombay Bread Bar - Two originals walk into a kitchen one from the Lenox Avenue contemporary Harlem food scene, the other a legendary Indian-American chef. Settepani owners, chef Nino Settepani and Leah Abraham, welcome chef Floyd Cardoz of newly opened Bombay Bread Bar into their Northern Italian kitchen. Come taste what happens when these dynamic cultures collaborate!
Wednesday, May 16: Host Karl Franz Williams, owner & chef Christopher Faulkner of Solomon & Kuff Rum Hall (2331 12th Avenue at 133rd Street) with guest chef Maxcel Hardy of Detroits River Bistro - The West Indies meets West Detroit at this Dine In when Solomon & Kuff Rum Hall owner Karl Franz Williams welcomes Motor Citys finest, chef Max Hardy of River Bistro. Together with S&K chef Christopher Faulkner, the evening promises to deliver a pan-Caribbean soul-food-filled meal. It might be so cold in the D, but it will be red hot in Harlem!
Wednesday, May 16: Hosts, Chef Carlos Swepson & Markisha Swepson of BLVD Bistro (239 Lenox Avenue at 122nd Street) with guest Chef Maneet Chauhan, CHOPPED Judge - If you are a fan of Food Networks Chopped and wondered what it would be like to meet a judge AND taste their food, this Dine In at Harlems BLVD Bistro is your jam. Owners Carlos and Markisha Swepson are hosting Nashville chef Maneet Chauhan at their intimate brownstone soul food eatery. No need to yell, get it on the plate! These chefs promise that each dish will show up just right!
Thursday, May 17: Chef Jelena Pasic of Harlem Shake East Harlem (2162 Second Avenue at 111th Street) with guest chef Josh Capon, Mercer Street Hospitality - Harlem EatUp! Grand Tasting favorite Harlem Shake joins the Dine In series for the first time at the East Harlem location. Owner Jelena Pasic welcomes guest chef Josh Capon of Lure Fishbar and Bowery Meat Company to create a classic all-American menu, with that Harlem twist!
Thursday, May 17: Host Leticia Skai Young & Chef Raymond Zamanta Mohan of LoLos Seafood Shack (303 W. 116th Street between F. Douglass Blvd. & Manhattan Avenue) with guest chefs Janine Booth & Jeff McInnis, Root & Bone
Its couples night in the kitchen when LoLos Seafood Shack owners Leticia Skai Young and chef Raymond Zamata Mohan host chefs Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis of Root & Bone. This foursome will be talking shop and creating a menu fit for everyone from the northeast to the south to the Caribbean.
Thursday, May 17: Host Yvette Leeper-Bueno of VINATERlA (2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 119th Street) with guest chef Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat - Vinateria is the only Dine In restaurant to have participated every year of Harlem EatUp! This year, proprietor Yvette Leeper-Bueno blends her Italian-Spanish perspective with that of Top Chef winner, chef Stephanie Izard of Girl & The Goat in Chicago. Together they will create an experience filled with bold, globally influenced food and the je ne cest quoi of Vinateria that we cant get enough of! Salud! Saluti! Cheers!
"We at Vinateria are so excited to be participating in Harlem Eat Up for the fourth consecutive festival, says Yvette Leeper-Bueno. Each year we look forward to May when the entire neighborhood comes together for a week of amazing food, drinks and camaraderie. It just gets better and better every spring! This year, we're particularly excited to welcome Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard who will join our very own Chef Mimi Weissenborn for an incredible female-driven dinner (including wines from female producers in Bordeaux!). Its not to be missed!"
HARLEM EATUP! LUMINARY AWARD DINNER
On Thursday, May 17, join host chef Marcus Samuelsson with guest chefs Adrienne Cheatham (Sunday Best Pop-up and season 15s runner up on Bravos Top Chef) and Geoffrey Zakarian (The Lambs Club), for the third annual Harlem EatUP! Luminary Award Dinner at Ginnys Supper Club honoring legendary fashion designer Dapper Dan of Dapper Dans Boutique and Bevy Smith, host of SiriusXM Radio Andy. The Luminary Award was established to recognize and thank distinguished culinary, arts or cultural leaders in the Harlem community. Ginnys Supper Club (310 Lenox Avenue, between 125 & 126 Streets) will host this intimate and magical celebratory dinner. Tickets are $250 per person and available at http://www.harlemeatup.com.
FREE YOGA IN MORNINGSIDE PARK
Lara Land of Harlems Land Yoga turns up the volume on morning yoga in Morningside Park to the beats and rhythm of DJ Taela while event sponsor, Cavicchioli Prosecco 1928, serves up tastings of your favorite brunch cocktails. Tree pose amongst the trees with a mimosa and get your life in Lotus position. Its all in you. Namaste. This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is required at http://www.harlemeatup.com. Limited capacity and all guests must be 21 years or older.
THE HARLEM STROLL
Featuring the Marketplace & EatUp! Performance Stage + the Ultimate Grand Tasting Experience the best of Harlem in one place at The Harlem Stroll on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. This outdoor event brings together a wonderful sampling of the sights, flavors and sounds of Harlem from artists of the kitchen, canvas and stage. On Saturday, May 19, The Harlem Stroll is presented by Citi, and throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy a seating area and surprise giveaways presented by Citi in the Harlem Marketplace, as well as special card offers and an exclusive lounge for all Citi cardmembers at The Taste.
The Harlem Stroll offers the following:
The Marketplace (Free Admission with pay-as-you-go options) features an a la carte selection of food from notable Harlem restaurants, food vendors, a wine and beer garden and the EatUp! Main Stage presented by Macys, where you can catch local and visiting chefs cooking up live demos, as well as performances from musicians; and a Kids Zone presented by Whole Foods Market offering fun and games for the family. Attendees will have the option of purchasing a Marketplace Package for $25 (a $30 value) good for food and beverages purchases at the Marketplace. The Marketplace Package is available for purchase onsite and does not give guest entry to the Ultimate Grand Tasting. Food and beverages are subject to availability.
The EatUp! Main Stage presented by Macys: Join an eclectic and acclaimed group of culinary and musical artists for interactive demos on the EatUp! Main Stage presented by Macys, located in the Marketplace (free admission) at Morningside Park, including: Leticia Skai Young & chef Raymond Zamanta Mohan (Lolos Seafood Shack) with guest chef Jose Garces (Ortzi); chef Darryl Burnette (Belle Harlem) with guest chef Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat); Melba Wilson (Melbas) with guest chef Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolates) on Saturday, May 19. On Sunday, May 20, catch demos from: Jernard Wells (The Chef of Love) and Melba Wilson (Melbas); Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem, Ginnys Supper Club) with Jarobi White (chef and member of A Tribe Called Quest); and Adrienne Cheatham (Sunday Best Pop-up) with cookbook author Laila Ali.
The Ultimate Grand Tasting (Ticketed $85-$110) is a taste-around of over 20 of Harlem's favorite restaurants accompanied by an assortment of fine wines, beers and cocktails, in an all-you-can-eat format. 21+ years required to enter.
The Harlem Stroll is located at Morningside Park (112 Street & Manhattan Avenue). General admission runs 12:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Citi offers early access at 12:00 noon each day exclusively for Citi cardmembers and one adult guest. Guests must have admission tickets to enter the Ultimate Grand Tasting at the Harlem Stroll. 21+ years required to enter The Ultimate Grand Tasting.
The 2018 Harlem EatUp! Festival is made possible, in part, by Founding Sponsor, Citi; and Platinum Sponsors: Bordeaux Wines, EY and Macys. A full list of Festival sponsors is below.
Tickets are available for purchase starting Friday, March 16, 2018. For a list of free and ticketed events, please visit http://www.HarlemEatUp.com, where additional festival programming announcements will be made throughout the spring.
For media credentials or more information, please contact heu(at)baltzco(dot)com.
Twitter: @HarlemEatUp // Instagram: @HarlemEatUp // Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlemEatUp
About Harlem EatUp!
The fourth annual Harlem EatUp! festival, taking place in Harlem, New York, celebrates the food, culture, arts and spirit of Harlem from Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20, 2018. This highly anticipated weekend festival represents the spirit of Harlem while paying homage to its roots. Founded by award-winning chef and cookbook author Marcus Samuelsson of Ginnys Supper Club, Marcus B&P and Red Rooster Harlem, and Herb Karlitz, President of the event marketing firm, Karlitz & Company, Harlem EatUp! is committed to highlighting the distinct culinary experiences, music, history, culture and art of Harlem. A variety of events, both free and ticketed, will be held throughout the weekend. Website: http://www.HarlemEatUp.com
Harlem EatUp! Foundation
The Harlem EatUp! Foundations mission is to strengthen community by supporting the people, cultures and non-profit organizations that empower Harlem.
Citymeals on Wheels
Citymeals on Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to New York Citys homebound elderly. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers, Citymeals prepares and delivers over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals for more than 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors each year. Last year, over 21,000 volunteers gave nearly 68,000 hours of their time.
Since its founding in 1981, Citymeals has relied on the generosity of its Board of Directors, the City of New York, sponsors and other designated gifts to cover administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all public donations will be used entirely for the preparation and delivery of meals.
Harlem Park to Park
Harlem Park to Park (HP2P) is a social enterprise representing 200+ entrepreneurs committed to cultural preservation, small business and economic development in Central Harlem, NYC's premiere cultural, dining, shopping, lifestyle and nightlife hub north of 110th Street. Formed in September 2009, HP2Ps membership is comprised of premiere businesses located within the geographic area of Central Park North to 145th street and Morningside Park to Marcus Garvey Park. Our mission is to encourage commerce that successfully sustains small businesses; promotes the community and culture of the Village of Harlem and celebrates the neighborhoods historic CHARM.
Historic Harlem Parks
Shaped by the steep and irregular topography of northern Manhattan, Jackie Robinson Park, Marcus Garvey Park, Morningside Park, and St. Nicholas Park are collectively known as Historic Harlem Parks. Venerable members of the NYC parks system that range in age from 75 to 150 years old, the four parks total over 85 acres and make up more than 40% of the open space in Harlem. The parks are much needed public spaces and each unique for its vibrant history, spectacular natural landscapes, recreation facilities, and historic landmarks.
Founding Sponsor
CITI
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transactions services and wealth management. Additional information may be found at http://www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/citi.
Platinum Sponsors
Bordeaux Wines
The Bordeaux Wine Council, Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), was created in 1948 as the official inter-professional body representing the Bordeaux wine industrywinegrowers, negociants (merchants) and brokers. It has four main missions: marketing and promotion of Bordeaux wines, technical development, economic and statistical data collection and analysis (production and sales of Bordeaux wines worldwide) as well as the protection against counterfeiting of the Bordeaux wine brand and its diverse terroir.
Macys
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 670 locations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $54 million each year, plus 180,000 hours of volunteer service, to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.
Platinum Sponsors
Bordeaux Wine Council
Macys
Gold Sponsors
Savencia Cheese USA
Manhattan Beer Distributors
Bronze Sponsors
Barilla
Dynamic Productions
Great Performances
Whole Foods Market
Hendricks Gin
Media Sponsors
Food Network Magazine
iHeartmedia
NY Amsterdam News
NY Daily News
O, The Oprah Magazine
Univison
USA Today
WABC - TV
Festival Friends
Absolut Art
Con Edison
Fresh Origins
HBO
Mama Foundation for the Arts
Sofitel New York
Weinberg Zareh Malkin Price LLP
We are excited to be able to offer these services to our customers and partners. You can learn more about this service and see Solvent Web's portfolio at qag3d.com, said Dan McCarty, QA Graphics President.
QA Graphics is proud to announce its new partnership with Solvent Web. Both businesses will team up to create QA Web, a company devoted to providing unique web development and design services for small to medium-sized businesses. Their end goal: to offer affordable, well-built websites that help other companies stand out.
After eight years on my own, Im excited to be teaming up with QA Graphics. Working and talking with Dan in late 2017, I immediately saw that this was a great fit, said Andrew Cox, owner of Solvent Web.
QA Graphics will capitalize on eleven years of experience by serving as project manager and offering various marketing solutions. Solvent Web will focus on providing high-quality web development and maintenance services, ensuring that clients receive a complete, one of a kind digital marketing service.
We are excited to be able to offer these services to our customers and partners. QA Graphics has been developing web-based applications for over a decade, so this partnership fits into our process perfectly. We used Solvent Web to help with various websites, and we referred several projects to Andrew that went very well, said Dan McCarty, QA Graphics President.
About Solvent WebSolvent Web has specialized in web development over the past eight years, offering solutions for responsive websites, cloud management, software development, IT consulting, e-commerce, and custom WordPress websites. Visit http://www.solventweb.com to learn more.
About QA GraphicsQA Graphics specializes in BAS graphic development services, system graphics, floor plan graphics, and Energy Efficiency Education Dashboards (EEEDs). The company also provides custom marketing solutions such as interactive applications, 3D design and animation, UX design, and videos. In addition to everything else, remaining vendor-neutral allows QA Graphics to specialize in creating top-quality graphics at affordable rates. Visit http://www.qag3d.com to learn more.
PracticeMatch, a leading physician database for healthcare employers, is hosting a physician recruiting and career fair on March 20, 2018, at the InterContinental Cleveland. The event will take place from 5:00pm until 8:00pm local time (Central). Healthcare administrators, executives, and recruiters from Ohio and the surrounding Midwest region will attend the Cleveland career fair to network with physicians and advanced practice clinicians interested in exploring employment opportunities.
"We look forward to hosting our recruiting event in Cleveland, where several top healthcare systems from the state and region will be represented," states Mike York, CEO of PracticeMatch. "Healthcare professionals will have a unique opportunity to meet with people from hospitals and health systems from across the state of Ohio and surrounding areas. Our onsite career fairs provide a comfortable, professional environment for physicians and clinicians to network with multiple potential employers in a single afternoon, saving valuable time and money," York adds.
Some of the healthcare employers represented at the PracticeMatch Career Fair in Cleveland include the renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation, as well as other top systems such as HCA, Ohio Health, Sanford Health, SSM Health, and many more. Complimentary dinner and drinks will be provided to attendees. In addition to physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and employers, candidates' significant others are welcome to attend as well.
"Cleveland is an excellent location for a career fair, as it is home to several top health systems, and there are hundreds of residents and fellows in the state of Ohio seeking employment," York states. "Along with our numerous other services such as job boards and online resources, our career fairs enable PracticeMatch to serve as a key resource for employers and job seekers, providing invaluable assistance along every step of the recruiting and job search processes."
PracticeMatch Career Fairs provide candidates an opportunity to network and engage directly with multiple healthcare employers in a convenient, professional atmosphere. The size and scope of the fairs has grown significantly over the past eight years, and now includes 15 onsite recruiting events, and 13 virtual career fairs annually, plus several regional and national virtual (online) career fairs. Employers and candidates can streamline their searches and connect with multiple professionals within just a few hours.
Event Details:
What: PracticeMatch Physician and Advanced Practice Career Fair - Recruiting, Networking, Dinner, and Drinks.
Where: InterContinental Cleveland - 9801 Carnegie Ave Cleveland, OH 44106
Who: Physicians, residents, fellows, NPs, PAs of all specialties who are interested in networking with healthcare employers in Ohio and surrounding areas. Significant others are welcome to join.
When: March 20, 2018, 5:00-8:00pm Central Time
How: Register online, PracticeMatch website.
About PracticeMatch:
PracticeMatch is one of the most established companies serving healthcare employers with recruiting resources, including one of the nation's largest pre-interviewed physician databases. Other services and products include job boards, career fairs, a scholarship, among many other resources for healthcare job seekers and employers. Established more than 25 years ago, its Pinpoint physician database includes over 345,000 interviewed, pre-screened physicians. Based in St. Louis, MO, the company hosts more than 30 physician career fairs annually, across the country. For media inquiries, or to schedule an interview with a PracticeMatch executive, please contact Andrea Clement - aclement@usa.M3.com. For more information regarding healthcare recruiting resources provided by PracticeMatch, please contact Mike York (800) 489-1440, or email mike.york@practicematch.com.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Andrea Clement, Media Relations at 404.990.3614 or email at aclement@usa.m3.com.
End to End Loan Origination Solutions Jim Leighton, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for MEFA, stated As the focal point of interaction for all MEFA loan applicants, the Entech solution and newly established call center operation has allowed MEFA to provide an efficient journey for successful customer engagement.
Entech (http://www.entech.com), today announced Originate, a turnkey solution for consumer, student, and education refinance loan providers. Originate enables lenders to respond faster to changing market demands, accelerate the loan experience for their customers, and lower operational costs.
The digital loan origination lifecycle is complex and requires advanced technology and highly skilled personnel. In todays world, banks, credit unions, and student lenders need to rapidly respond to dynamic market conditions to provide customers with seamless, high quality loan origination services. Entechs Originate solution combines AppWorks, the most extensive loan origination technology currently available, with expert customer care and loan processing services delivered through our secure, state-of-the art loan operations center. For one low cost, lenders can now deliver loan products quickly and easily, without the need for a large upfront investment in technology or operations.
Lending institutions are facing tough challenges related to competition, CFPB regulations, and the relentless pace of technology change. Originate will deliver on the needs of our clients putting consumers back into focus by eliminating technology and service hurdles, said Jeffrey Milne, CEO of Entech.
Originate offers lenders a full range of turnkey loan lifecycle options for all types of consumer lending from loan application through funds disbursement. Originate solution services include, but are not limited to, loan application customization and branding, credit check, fraud detection, customer care, electronic document management, flexible underwriting configurations, branch support, voice response system, mail services, check writing, disclosure management, loan disbursement, reporting, and loan analytics. Loan origination services are tailored, with pricing optimized to meet any client needs.
Massachusetts Education Finance Authority (MEFA), an Entech AppWorks customer since 2002, has recently transferred their loan origination services to Entechs new Loan Originations Operations Center. Jim Leighton, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for MEFA, stated As the focal point of interaction for all MEFA loan applicants, the Entech AppWorks solution and newly established call center operation has allowed MEFA to provide an efficient journey for successful customer engagement in our lending program. With a corporate goal of leveraging technology to optimize the customer experience, realizing high levels of application pull-through rates, achieving scalable and efficient underwriting practices and minimizing regulatory operating risk, the Entech AppWorks solution has been highly customizable with flexible technology to meet the increasing expectations of customer engagement and mitigating risk in the customer acquisition process.
For additional information, email sales(at)entech(dot)com or call us on 484-493-1496.
About Entech
Entech is a global software and systems integration company delivering a full suite of loan origination platforms and processing services for the lending industry. Our innovative technologies and services help clients acquire customers, connect their enterprise, and increase their loan portfolios. Entech is headquartered in Malvern, PA with offices in San Dimas, CA and London, United Kingdom.
About MEFA
For more than 30 years, MEFA unmatched expertise, comprehensive guidance, and diverse services have been helping Massachusetts students and families plan for the future. Everyone at MEFA is dedicated to work closely with families and schools, and focused on fulfilling the mission of helping students and families reach their goals.
Media Contact
Entech Sales & Marketing, +1 484-493-1496, mblunt(at)entech(dot)com or disaacson(at)entech(dot)com
North American Title Insurance Co. adds Laun as regional underwriting counsel in SE Kelsea's extensive litigation and curative experience offers our agents a knowledgeable partner for their underwriting needs. She will be a perfect fit for the underwriting team at NATIC.
North American Title Insurance Co. (NATIC) has hired Kelsea Laun as vice president, regional underwriting counsel for the Southeast region, supporting the existing counsel, Mike Bates. Together, they will provide legal and underwriting support to NATIC agents throughout Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Kelsea is connected to our markets in Atlanta, across Georgia, and in Tennessee and the other southeastern states, said Valerie Jahn-Grandin, NATIC executive vice president and chief underwriting counsel. Her extensive litigation and curative experience offers our agents a knowledgeable partner for their underwriting needs.
As someone who is both practical in her approach as well as committed to the highest level of customer service, Kelsea will be a perfect fit for the underwriting team at NATIC, added Jahn-Grandin.
Laun began her legal career representing individuals in landlord-tenant disputes and later co-founded an Atlanta residential real estate firm. Laun previously handled all aspects of consumer bankruptcy at a large, metro Atlanta bankruptcy law firm, including petition filing and adversarial litigation. Prior to joining NATIC, she was managing attorney for the litigation department of The Gilroy Firm. She is licensed to practice law in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee and is board certified as a consumer bankruptcy specialist.
My background in real estate transactions, bankruptcy and title curative litigation gives me the foundation needed to help NATIC agents keep abreast of existing and emerging risks and trends, said Laun. I look forward to applying my knowledge to help NATIC agents prosper and grow with the company.
Laun is a member of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University. Laun serves as co-chair for the Georgia Network of the International Womens Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation.
Located in Atlanta, Laun may be reached via NATICs state underwriting email: (two-letter state abbreviation)underwriting@natic.com or telephone number (770) 990-2694, or via NATIC headquarters, 760 NW 107th Ave., Suite 401, Miami, FL 33172, telephone number (800) 374-8475.
About North American Title Insurance Co.
North American Title Insurance Co. (NATIC) is a seasoned title insurance underwriter, helping title agents achieve the goal of true business success for over 50 years. The company operates in 39 states and the District of Columbia. NATIC earned the reputation as the underwriter next door because its decision makers and associates are easy to reach and their processes are quick and straightforward, including a one-hour underwriting response guarantee that is unparalleled in the industry. The NATIC agency application process is fast and transparent for qualified agents.
NATIC is in Peer Group 1, which groups companies with total assets of greater than $100 million as determined by Kroll Bond Rating Agency Inc., and is ranked 6th by The Performance of the Title Insurance Underwriters in terms of cash or cash equivalents. NATIC generated more than $230 million in agency premiums in 2016 and maintains a policyholder surplus of approximately $82 million as of Dec. 31, 2017.
NATIC earned a rating of: A' (A Prime) Unsurpassed from Demotech, Inc., A- from Kroll and B++ (Good) from A.M Best. NATIC is headquartered in Miami, Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.natic.com.
As a company, we have long since been committed to the people and businesses of Puerto Rico, through the good times and the challenging ones, this response is an extension of that.
It has been six months since Hurricane Maria crashed into Puerto Rico leaving a path of destruction and misery. And since then, Crowley Maritime Corporations liner services and logistics teams, working with government and commercial customers, have played and will continue to play an integral role in the recovery.
Crowley has provided a constant transportation and logistics pipeline to the island since the storm made landfall Sept. 20 unloading more than 200 vessels in 182 days, with cargo consisting of nearly 40,000 commercial loads and 8,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) loads. This new video recaps some of the successful work to date, while capturing the emotion of those dedicated Crowley employees who have worked so hard to help the island most of them call home begin to heal.
In addition to food, water and other basic humanitarian and commercial supplies, Crowley has transported and delivered a combination of more than 40,000 power poles; 7,000 electrical transformers, 10 million miles of wire and cable; platforms and utility reconstruction equipment and vehicles to help rebuild the electrical infrastructure, which was devastated beyond repair in some areas. The company also handled multiple bridge sections and a 119,000-pound drill to support the roadway reconstruction efforts in the Utuado region.
I am very grateful for the extraordinary work of our teams in San Juan, Jacksonville and in other parts of the country, said Tom Crowley, chairman and CEO. Many of our employees have friends and family that were directly affected by the disaster and many are residents of Puerto Rico themselves. Their tireless commitment and focus on finding solutions that make an impact continues to be truly impressive and deserving of our respect and appreciation. As a company, we have long since been committed to the people and businesses of Puerto Rico, through the good times and the challenging ones, this response is an extension of that.
To handle the influx of government relief cargo while still servicing the needs of its contracted commercial customers, Crowleys Puerto Rico Services team expanded the companys vessel fleet from nine to 16, including the addition of two company-owned and retrofitted, heavy-lift, flat-deck barges. The larger fleet helped to ensure almost daily vessel arrivals and upped carriage capacity by 67 percent.
Its not just the fact of working a vessel, of opening a terminal, its the fact that every time a load was delivered, it meant food on the table of the people of Puerto Rico, said Jose Pache Ayala, vice president, Puerto Rico Services. It really meant that Crowley was part of a big effort to save lives.
The logistics group also secured additional warehouse space, doubling its square footage in Puerto Rico, to help process and expedite delivery of needed supplies, and dispatched 50 relief trucks to deliver only relief supplies at various distribution centers around the island right after the storm. They also added 5,000 extra containers and hundreds of additional chassis to the Puerto Rico equipment fleet.
Crowley Fuels, the companys Alaska-based petroleum transportation, distribution and sales group, also spent several months supporting the mobilization of Foster Fuels, an emergency response fuel supply contractor for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Crowley carried more than 130 fuel trucks aboard a Crowley liner services vessel, with multiple follow-up deliveries in subsequent sailings to provide additional material and resources. And, due to the overwhelming demand for CDL/HAZMAT-certified fuel truck drivers in the area, six qualified fuel truck drivers from the companys Alaska operations were dispatched to the island where they performed a combined total of 2,200 hours distributing fuel to businesses and residents.
Crowley, which has about 300 Puerto Rico employees, has served the market since 1954, longer than any other Jones Act carrier in the trade.
We will continue to work with our customers in Puerto Rico and stateside, including FEMA, to provide them with reliable services to meet the recovery needs of Puerto Ricos businesses and residents, said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico services. We will be with the people of Puerto Rico for as long as it takes to bring the island back. We are fully invested with new ships coming on line this year, new port terminal facilities, cranes and the like, so people need to know that we will be with them far into the future.
As a full supply chain services provider, we understand that services from the port onward- including warehousing and final-mile deliveries - are crucial to meet the needs of the people and businesses of Puerto Rico, said Frank Larkin, senior vice president and general manager, logistics and commercial services. From containerized relief cargo to oversized, breakbulk shipments utilizing multiple transportation modes and meeting all permit requirements, weve been able to develop the most efficient solutions to help start restoring the island.
Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 126-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Six operating lines of business provide logistics and supply chain management, including liner container shipping; government services; contract marine towing and transportation; ship assist and tanker escort; offshore engineering and upstream project support; deep sea petroleum and chemical transportation; liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation, distribution, engineering and consulting services; Alaska fuel sales and distribution; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture through its Jensen Maritime subsidiary, and salvage and emergency response through its 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com.
MV Transportation, Inc., a recognized leader in passenger transportation services, today announced that the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) will honor Lisa Winston Hicks, Chairman of MVs Board of Directors, with a Women Who Move The Nation award during its 7th annual Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) breakfast on Thursday, March 22 in Washington, DC. Held annually in observance of Womens History Month, the CWWMN awards recognize and salute outstanding women for their contributions to the transportation industry.
An accomplished lawyer in practice for 25 years, Lisa has held many leadership roles in corporations, private practice, and the federal government. She joined MV in 2012 as the companys General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, providing legal, compliance, and strategic guidance to the Company and to the Board. Lisa joined the Companys Board of Directors and was appointed as its Chairman in 2014, where her business acumen, integrity, and strategic insights are enormous assets to the organization and have helped contribute to the companys growth and success.
Prior to joining MV, Lisa served as Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Secretary at Energy Future Holdings (formerly known as TXU Corp.); Shareholder, Winstead Sechrest & Minick; Associate Counsel to the President of the United States; Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; Acting Chief of Staff for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice; and Associate at Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum.
Lisa received her law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School and her undergraduate degree with honors from Stanford University.
I am humbled and honored to be recognized by COMTO and to be among such a distinguished list of honorees, said Hicks. COMTOs commitment to create opportunities for, and to showcase the strong presence of, women in transit sets an important example for others in the industry that should be encouraging, particularly to young women joining transit today.
COMTO inaugurated its Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation awards in 2012, starting a new tradition of recognizing the accomplishments and influence of today's outstanding women in transportation. 2018 recipients join a long list of honorees who represent a broad cross section of the industry.
2018 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Honorees
Barbara Arens, Senior Vice President, WSP USA
Heather Barry, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, SSP America
Rosa Beckett, Chief Administrative Officer, Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Alice Bravo, Director, Miami Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works
Jill Chen-Stober, Manager, Service Performance & Analysis, TriMet
Kim Day, CEO, Denver International Airport
Christy Hall, Secretary, South Carolina Department of Transportation
Ryland McClendon, Assistant General Manager of Communications and External Affairs, MARTA
Donna McNamee, Trustee, Laketran; Chair of Transit Board Members Committee, APTA
Diana Mendes, Senior Vice President, HNTB
Michelle Pourciau, Director, Baltimore City Department of Transportation
Leslie Richards, Secretary, PennDOT
Stephanie Wiggins, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, LA Metro
K. Jane Williams, Deputy Administrator; Acting Administrator Federal Transit Administration
Lisa Winston Hicks, Chairman of the Board, MV Transportation
Diane Woodend Jones, Chair, WTS International Chairman and Principal, Lea+Elliott, Inc.
About COMTO
Founded in 1971, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) was created to provide a forum for minority professionals in the transportation industry. COMTO's mission is to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, businesses, and communities of color, through advocacy, information sharing, training, education, and professional development. The organizations membership includes individuals, groups, transportation agencies, private sector corporations, non-profit organizations, and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs).
About MV Transportation, Inc.
MV Transportation is the leading provider of paratransit services and the largest privately-owned passenger transportation contracting services rm in the United States. In addition to paratransit services, the company provides fixed-route, campus and corporate shuttles, and student transportation services. Founded in 1975, MV provides freedom for over 110 million passengers each year across 28 states and three Canadian provinces with a team of more than 20,000 dedicated transit professionals. For additional information, please visit http://www.mvtransit.com.
This test can save hundreds of patients' legs each year and help prevent significant consequences associated with undiagnosed PAD.
Newman Medical, a leading designer and manufacturer of diagnostic products and accessories for the medical industry, is pleased to announce that it has released an ABI with Exercise study to help physicians evaluate and diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). While PAD effects more than 20 percent of adults over the age of 65, it remains an under diagnosed and under treated disease since many patients with PAD are asymptomatic. If untreated, one in four patients with PAD will suffer a heart attack, stroke, amputation, or death within five years.
Newman Medicals portable simpleABI Systems perform a myriad of tests to quickly and accurately diagnose PAD. Newman Medicals ABI with Exercise Study can help physicians detect PAD in patients with intermittent claudication or whose resting ABI is not sufficient to diagnose PAD. The diagnostic system includes all of the necessary testing equipment and produces detailed reports on-site that include information necessary for reimbursement. SimpleABI Systems include an option to be connected to PACS systems via DICOM reporting or configured to communicate via HL7 to EMR/EHR systems.
Our new and unique ABI with Exercise Study is an unparalleled clinical diagnostic tool, said Spencer Newman, Founder and President of Newman Medical. From a single page report, a clinician can assess pre- and post-exercise PAD results. This simple test improves the diagnostic assessment of PAD by helping to identify moderate PAD in patients that might otherwise not show up in a resting ABI. This test can save hundreds of patients' legs each year and help prevent significant consequences associated with undiagnosed PAD. Our simpleABI Systems are designed for physicians in a variety of specialties, including cardiologists, interventional radiologists, podiatrists, internists, and primary care physicians. We understand that many physicians have overloaded patient schedules, which is precisely why we designed our testing to be quick, accurate, and cost effective.
Newman Medical has more than 40 years experience in vascular diagnosis. The family business began in 1976 when Dennis and Patricia Newman started Imex Medical Systems with the introduction of the Pocket-Dop Doppler. For the next two decades, Imex served as the leading domestic Doppler manufacturer. That same commitment to product development, innovation, and customer service is what led Spencer Newman, son of Dennis and Patricia, to launch Newman Medical in 2005.
For more information about Newman Medicals simpleABI Systems, including those with ABI with Exercise studies, please call 800-267-5549 or visit https://newman-medical.com.
About Newman Medical
Newman Medical, headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, is a leading designer and manufacturer of diagnostic products and accessories for the medical industry. Founded by the Newman Family in 2005, Newman Medical specializes in vascular systems, dopplers, and vascular cuffs. All Newman Medical products are made in the U.S. and sold and distributed domestically and internationally. For more information, please call 800-267-5549 or visit https://newman-medical.com.
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Media Contact:
Spencer Newman, President, 303-974-7689, spencer.newman@newman-medical.com
Accel at Golden Ridge scored in the top 15% across the nation, securing a Best in Class distinction based on average ranking of resident experience. To be recognized less than a year after opening really speaks to the fact that we work hard to create a culture of outstanding customer service.
Accel at Golden Ridge, a StoneGate Senior Living award winning property, announces it is the recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insights 2018 Customer Experience Award.
Opened in July 2017, Accel at Golden Ridge qualified for the award in the categories for cleanliness, dining services, laundry services, professional therapy services and safety and security. Accel at Golden Ridge is recognized by Pinnacle Quality Insight for continued dedication to provide Best in Class healthcare and customer services. The facility scored in the top 15% across the nation, securing a Best in Class distinction based on average ranking of resident experience.
The team at Accel at Golden Ridge is excited to learn that we have earned this prestigious award, says Karla Baum, Administrator with Accel at Golden Ridge. To be recognized less than a year after opening really speaks to the fact that we work hard to create a culture of outstanding customer service. We want for our patients and their loved ones to feel confident in the care that they are receiving while we help them on their road to recovery.
Accel at Golden Ridge staff aims to place a strong emphasis on ensuring the individual needs of every resident are met. Over the course of the past six months, a sampling of Accel at Golden Ridges residents and their families participated in monthly telephone interviews that included open-ended questions, as well as the opportunity to rate the facility.
From the monthly feedback, Accel at Golden Ridge gathered real-time survey results which led to a better understanding of the residents needs which in turn allowed them to adjust and make improvements when necessary.
For more information, visit: http://accelgolden.com/.
About Accel at Golden Ridge
Accel at Golden Ridge opened in July 2017 in Golden, Colorado to serve Jefferson County. The new facility offers in-patient transitional care, outpatient rehabilitation services and a state-of-the-art wound care facility with trained personnel. The 60,000-square-foot facility offers two rehabilitation gyms, modern equipment, technologies and programs that are designed to help patients recover as quickly as possible and return to their prior lifestyle.
Accel at Golden Ridge provides pulmonary, cardiac, wound recovery, infectious disease, physiatry and orthopedic care. http://accelgolden.com/.
About StoneGate Senior Living:
StoneGate Senior Living is an award-winning full-spectrum senior care and housing company with 44 properties across Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Recently ranked as the nations 31st largest transitional and long-term care company by Provider magazine, StoneGate is a fully-integrated post-acute health care company, with service-lines and business units that offer transitional care, long-term care, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, wellness, pharmacy, care navigation and post-acute analytical services.
Learn more at http://www.stonegatesl.com/.
About Pinnacle Quality Insight
A customer satisfaction measurement firm with 22 years of experience in post-acute healthcare, Pinnacle conducts over 150,000 phone surveys each year and works with more than 2,500 care providers in all 50 US states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
KnowBe4 A SOC 2 is the industry standard for demonstrating the integrity of our data security standards.
KnowBe4, the worlds largest provider of security awareness training and simulated phishing, has successfully completed a rigorous third-party audit of its data security procedures and processes under the Service Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) standards.
The examination that led to compliance with the demanding data security standards was administered by the professional IT compliance and audit staff at 360 Advanced, a national HITRUST CSF, Qualified Security Assessor, and Certified Public Accountant firm based in St. Petersburg, FL.
We are pleased to provide assurances to our customers that we are executing all necessary actions to totally protect their data, said Brian Jack, Chief Information Security Officer for KnowBe4. A SOC 2 is the industry standard for demonstrating the integrity of our data security standards. It is the third party assurance that validates our dedication to privacy and protection of client information at all levels of our operations.
ABOUT KNOWBE4
KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds most popular integrated new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 16,000 organizations worldwide. Founded by data and IT security expert Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud, and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to security awareness training. Kevin Mitnick, internationally recognized computer security expert, and KnowBe4s Chief Hacking Officer helped design KnowBe4s training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Thousands of organizations trust KnowBe4 to mobilize their end-users as the last line of corporate IT defense.
Number 231 on the 2017 Inc. 500 list, #50 on 2016 Deloittes Technology Fast 500 and #6 in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500. KnowBe4 is headquartered in Tampa Bay, Florida with European offices in England and The Netherlands. For more information, visit http://www.knowbe4.com and follow Stu on Twitter at @StuAllard.
ABOUT 360 ADVANCED
Services provided by 360 Advanced include HITRUST CSF, SOC 1 (SSAE 18), SOC 2, SOC 3, PCI DSS, HIPAA Security/HITECH, Microsoft Vendor Policy and other security and compliance services for a variety of industries and business verticals nationwide.
The Best Team of the Year Awards will award those who are transforming construction within infrastructure, heavy highway, residential, and commercial.
The construction workforce crisis is far too big for any one entity to address on its own. Enter the Constructech Best Team of the Year Awards, which will celebrate the transformation of the workforce throughout the construction industry as it occurs.
The Constructech Best Team of the Year Awards will be awarded to those that demonstrate how emerging technologies, as well as skills required for craft positions, will help solve the construction workforce shortage. There are four different categories to submit in.
Best Team by Region Award: This award will recognizes one company within each industry within infrastructure, heavy highway, residential, and commercial that leverages emerging technologies as well as skills required for craft positions to solve the construction workforce shortage. The award will be presented and broken out by region, for four total awards, Midwest, Northeast, South, and West.
Educational Program Award: The University Ideas Award was created to recognize a college, trade, or university for their programs to address the industrys talent crisis by encouraging the education and development of the construction workforce within their individual programs. One award will be presented in this category.
Individual Ideas Award: This was created to recognize a High School and/or student that creates new ideas and fosters new thinking to encourage students to enter the field of construction to improve efficiency, productivity, safety, and cost savings. One award will be presented in this category.
Lifetime Achievement Award: The award was created to recognize an individual who has focused on new ways to spark construction to become more productive, as a result this leader's efforts have resulted in a strong community and earnings. One award will be presented in this category.
Education is the key to solving the skilled labor shortage, says Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Constructech magazine, and president, Specialty Publishing Media. The Best Team of the Year Awards will award those who are transforming construction within infrastructure, heavy highway, residential, and commercial.
The Constructech Best Team of the Year Awards will be announced at a dinner following the Constructech Technology Day conference, which will be held in Chicago, Ill., this August. Companies can submit for the awards online.
About Constructech magazine: Constructech magazine is where construction and technology converge. The publication influences construction professionals to unleash the business value of technology. constructech.com.
About Constructech TV: Constructech TV is an educational show that helps contractors and builders recognize how to leverage emerging solutions to better business. constructech.tv
John Leroy John truly deserves this recognition. He is an incredibly successful litigator due to his dedication to his clients business interests, and his creative problem-solving approach to complex issues, said Brooks Kushman President Mark Cantor.
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Managing Intellectual Property has recognized Shareholder John LeRoy as Michigans Outstanding IP Litigator of the Year. This award is based on rigorous and impartial research, as well as nominations from both within an attorneys firm and from outside competitive firms.
With over 15 years of software and electrical patent litigation experience, LeRoy was awarded for his brilliant litigation strategies and work in the courtroom. LeRoy leverages his electrical engineering and legal background to create efficient solutions to complex legal issues in the computer industry. He also started the firms Open Source Software Compliance practice, where he has been working with corporations to navigate the proper use of open source software in todays products. He has been recognized for his commitment to pro bono service and his history of success in federal courts nationwide.
John truly deserves this recognition. He is an incredibly successful litigator due to his dedication to his clients business interests, and his creative problem-solving approach to complex issues, said Brooks Kushman President Mark Cantor. His commitment to the legal profession and to expanding our practice into new emerging areas has been crucial to the development of the firm. We are very proud to see John honored as Michigans IP Litigator of the Year.
The award is given each year during the publications Americas Awards dinner. Brooks Kushman members attended the ceremony honoring the recognized attorneys in New York City on March 15, 2018.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman P.C. is a leading intellectual property (IP) and technology law firm with offices in Michigan, California and Washington, D.C., and represents clients nationally and internationally with respect to protection, enforcement and monetization of IP, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. The firm has more than 90 intellectual property professionals specializing in various technical disciplines, and has a reputation for providing leading IP counseling with a focus on the business objectives of their clients.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 companies across a variety of industries among its clients. The firm is also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including Corporate Counsel magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, and Intellectual Property Today. For more information, please visit http://www.BrooksKushman.com.
I'm going to continue to come back to Elevate every year because of all of the changes that Experlogix is putting into their CPQ software
Experlogix, Inc., a global leader in Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solutions announced today that its next Customer Conference, Elevate 2018, will be held in Park City, UT at the 5-Star Stein Eriksen Lodge from Oct 24, 2018. The Elevate Customer Conference will provide educational sessions and networking opportunities for all levels of Experlogix CPQ product experience.
Elevate 2018 will bring customers, partners and sponsors together for a three-day event designed to deepen customer knowledge and enable users to share their respective configure, price, quote implementation experiences with their peers. Conference details and registration can be found at: https://www.experlogix.com/elevate.
"I'm going to continue to come back to Elevate every year because of all of the changes that Experlogix is putting into their CPQ software, said Ken Kelly, President or Kelly Roofing. It's a great way to stay on top of the enhancements and then leverage that immediately into our own organization."
Elevate 2018 will include:
Educational tracks for new users, business users, and technical users
Product roadmap and keynote sessions
One-on-one consulting sessions with product experts
Peer-to-peer networking opportunities with fellow users
Customer presentations of their implementation successes
Complementary solution sponsor sessions and exhibits
Were looking forward to another great conference, said Christian Stepien, President of Experlogix. As with previous Elevate conferences, both new and longtime customers will benefit from the diverse range of sessions and networking opportunities. We also plan to announce and showcase some very exciting new product enhancements.
About Experlogix
Experlogix offers One CPQ in the Cloud for Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite and Salesforce, providing a complete quote-to-order-to-manufacture experience across the enterprise. Experlogix empowers reps to deliver complex proposals consisting of thousands of potential product and pricing rules with the option to automate multi-level production orders when the business is won. Experlogix is recognized worldwide as a global leader in Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) technology with hundreds of customers in a variety of industries, including Allegion, Analogic, Assa Abloy Hospitality, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, Husky Injection Molding Systems, Jayco, Inc., Malibu Boats, Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift, Nikon Instruments UK, Okuma America Corporation, Otis Elevator, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. For more information, visit experlogix.com.
It is an honor to be recognized as a leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 Services provider by Forrester Research. We are passionate about helping organizations compete and thrive. Microsoft Dynamics allows us to deliver the digital transformation organizations need to evolve with a digital-first world.
Hitachi Solutions, a leading provider of global industry solutions built on the Microsoft Cloud, is pleased to announce that Forrester Research recognized it as a Global Leader in the 2017 Forrester Wave Report: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Services.
The report ranks Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners on how they measure up on key digital transformation initiatives, including driving positive customer experiences and modernizing applications while offering quick time-to-value.
It is an honor to be recognized as a leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 Services provider by Forrester Research, said Keiho Akiyama, SVP, Global Business at Hitachi Solutions Co., Ltd. We are passionate about helping organizations compete and thrive. Microsoft Dynamics allows us to deliver the digital transformation organizations need to evolve with a digital-first world.
Out of 13 vendors named in the report, Forrester described Hitachi Solutions as a specialist among the Leaders.
Its ERP-heavy Microsoft Dynamics practice has nearly 1,000 practitioners one of the largest contingents, the report said. Consider Hitachi Solutions particularly when the request is deep and technical and the appetite for customization is high. Hitachi' Solutions reference customers spoke highly of the quality of its personnel and its ability to get things right the first time. Hitachi's clients often push the limits of what can be achieved with the Microsoft Dynamics platform, such as with the xRM framework.
Recognized most recently by Microsoft as the 2017 Global CRM Partner of Year, the innovation that Hitachi Solutions has contributed to further developing Dynamics 365 products is what separates the company from its competitors.
The team at Hitachi Solutions works to deliver tailor-made industry solutions that enable digital transformation for customers. This high-quality delivery team, coupled with a tight relationship with Microsoft and a global market presence are the driving forces behind Hitachi Solutions continued commitment to providing excellent CRM and ERP solutions built on Dynamics 365.
We are excited to see Hitachi Solutions named as a Leader in the Forrester Wave for Dynamics 365 Services report, and for the recognition of their track record delivering transformative Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure-based, industry-centered, solutions to customers globally, said Hayden Stafford, Vice President, Microsoft Business Applications. It is this global reach and high-quality staff that has established Hitachi Solutions as a leading Microsoft Partner in our joint quest to achieve digital transformation for our customers.
For more information about Hitachi Solutions Microsoft Dynamics solutions, contact us here.
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About Hitachi Solutions, Ltd.
Hitachi Solutions, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a core member of Information & Telecommunication Systems Company of Hitachi Group and a recognized leader in delivering proven business and IT strategies and solutions to companies across many industries. The company provides value-driven services throughout the IT life cycle from systems planning to systems integration, operation and maintenance. Hitachi Solutions delivers products and services of superior value to customers worldwide through key subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, China, and Asia Pacific. For more information on Hitachi Solutions, please visit: http://www.hitachi-solutions.com.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer societys challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The companys consolidated revenues for fiscal 2016 (ended March 31, 2017) totaled 9,162 billion yen ($81.8 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the companys website at http://www.hitachi.com.
Working with a market leader like Ellie Mae to deliver on the promise of digitization is very exciting and will have significant impact on the origination process.
Finicity, a provider of real-time financial data aggregation and insights, and Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI), the leading cloud-based platform provider for the mortgage finance industry, today announced an integration agreement to provide Finicitys digital Verification of Assets (VoA) solution through Ellie Maes Encompass digital mortgage solution.
The mortgage origination process has increased in cost over the past several years, reaching almost $8,000, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, doubling the cost since 2009. Additionally, consumers have increasing expectations for a fast and simplified experience. To address this, Finicity is leading the delivery of digital verifications that can help speed the process up to 11 days. First to market is the Finicity VoA report, providing a streamlined digital experience that rapidly and accurately validates a borrower's assets and will be accessed through Encompass.
Increased access to financial data is changing the way lenders look at underwriting and is playing a major role in moving lending to a fully digital experience, said Steve Smith, CEO and co-founder of Finicity. Working with a market leader like Ellie Mae to deliver on the promise of digitization is very exciting and will have significant impact on the origination process.
Finicity is one of the largest financial data aggregators and uses consumer-permissioned financial data for its credit decisioning solutions. Through a digital verification process, lenders can shorten the time to close and reduce personnel and financial resources. Utilizing transaction data direct from financial institutions also improves accuracy and reduces fraud. Additionally, it provides borrowers a paper-free, hassle-free experience.
Ellie Mae is offering a true digital mortgage experience covering the entire loan lifecycle, so lenders can originate more loans, lower origination costs and reduce time to close. Ellie Maes connected community includes 230,000 users and thousands of service providers, and the Ellie Mae Network processes millions of transactions every month, touching approximately 30 percent of the residential loans originated in the United States. Finicity will leverage Partner Connect as part of the early partner program to offer income and asset verification to Ellie Mae customers.
Through the integration, lenders will be able to request an asset verification report in a single click. Once requested, a borrower will be prompted to complete a simple online process that identifies the financial information they want included and permissions the creation of the report. Lenders can review reports with bank-validated data in near real-time, shortening the verification process to minutes -- instead of days.
At Ellie Mae, our mission is to provide our lenders with innovative solutions to automate the entire loan lifecycle for a true digital mortgage, said Parvesh Sahi, senior vice president of business development for Ellie Mae. We will continue to embrace technology partners like Finicity to change the way lenders and consumers engage in the loan manufacturing process. Were happy to partner with Finicity to provide solutions through our Encompass NG Lending Platform and our Encompass Connect product suite to help realize the vision of a truly digital mortgage.
Finicity is an authorized asset report provider as part of Fannie Maes Day 1 CertaintyTM initiative. Finicity is also part of the Single Source Validation (SSV) pilot, meaning Fannie Mae will utilize transaction data from Finicity reports to validate assets, income and employment. A broader rollout of SSV is planned later this year and will build on Fannie Maes Day 1 Certainty initiative. Finicity is also an authorized Freddie Mac asset validation report provider, and Freddie Mac and Finicity are partnering on new methods to validate income from payroll deposit data from bank statements.
To stay up to date on all Finicity company and product announcements, visit the website at http://www.finicity.com.
About Finicity:
Finicity enables a financial data-sharing ecosystem that is secure, inclusive and innovative. Through its real-time financial data aggregation and insights platform, Finicity provides solutions for financial management, payments and credit decisioning. It is also leading the development and promotion of industry standards. The company has developed more than 16,000 bank integrations, with the vast majority through connections that provide access to formatted bank data, improving information access and accuracy. Finicity is the winner of API Worlds 2016 Finance API of the Year.
About Ellie Mae:
Ellie Mae (NYSE:ELLI) is the leading cloud-based platform provider for the mortgage finance industry. Ellie Maes technology solutions enable lenders to originate more loans, reduce origination costs, and shorten the time to close, all while ensuring the highest levels of compliance, quality and efficiency. Visit http://www.EllieMae.com or call 877.355.4362 to learn more.
Research into consequences of, and solutions to mitigate, low health literacy are widely available but underutilized. Nurses are uniquely positioned to minimize the gap that often exists between patient skills and abilities and the increasingly complex demands of health care systems.
The American Academy of Nursing released its policy brief urging nurses to have an increased role in enhancing health literacy for patient populations.
Health literacy is a precursor to health, and is broadly defined as an individuals ability to have control over their health. It also includes a patients ability to access, comprehend and understand, and use health information for this purpose. Patients that have low health literacy are more likely to experience poorer overall health status, and health literacy is acknowledged as one of the social determinants of health. Lower health literacy is prevalent among the elderly, poor, chronically sick, as well as ethnic minorities. Despite the linkages between low health literacy and poorer health outcomes, promoting health literacy for patients has not been a priority.
The Academy publishes this timely policy brief to call on nurses to engage in health literacy activities for patient empowerment, said Academy President Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FAAN. Health literacy activities are well-aligned with the Academys mission and strategic plan, and aids in our work with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and others on creating a Culture of Health.
The Academys policy brief, Call for Action: Nurses Must Play a Critical Role to Enhance Health Literacy, was published in the January/February 2018 issue of the Academys journal, Nursing Outlook.
Research into consequences of, and solutions to mitigate, low health literacy are widely available, but seriously underutilized, said Lori A. Loan, PhD, RN, FAAN, a member of the Academys Expert Panel on Quality Health Care. Nurses as leaders are uniquely positioned to minimize the gap that often exists between patient skills and abilities and the increasingly complex demands of health care systems by implementing a health literacy universal precautions approach with every patient, every time and in every health care encounter.
The Academy recommends focusing on three major domains to reduce health literacy disparities, and to increase empowerment of patients: practice (communications between provider and patient to increase the patients health literacy, including using tools such as the Health Literacy Universal Precaution Toolkit); systems of care (having health care systems provide information for their patients to better navigate, understand, and use health information); and partnerships (increase collaboration with other organizations, including other health specialties).
Read the full policy brief at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.11.003
The American Academy of Nursing (http://www.AANnet.org) serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. The Academy's more than 2,500 fellows are nursing's most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary contributions to nursing and healthcare.
Our approach is carried out by a great team that delivers exceptional service and tailored electricity packages to our customers. This recognition fittingly caps a great year for the company.
Discount Power (Texas), a Houston-based retail electricity provider, today announced that the company has been named Energy Marketing Conferences 2017 Retail Energy Provider (REP) of the Year. The company was recognized at the ninth semi-annual Spring Energy Marketing Conference in Houston on March 14.
In 2017, Discount Power (Texas) was ranked 52nd fastest growing private company and as fastest growing retail energy provider in the country by Inc. Magazine, won the Pinnacle Award from the Better Business Bureau (Houston) and ranked the No. 1 fastest growing private company in Houston among Houston Business Journals Fast 100.
We have built a unique market segmentation-based business model to attract and retain customers, said Neville Ravji, Chief Executive Officer of Discount Power (Texas). Our approach is carried out by a great team that delivers exceptional service and tailored electricity packages to our customers. This recognition fittingly caps a great year for the company.
In addition to leading the industry in growth and performance, Discount Power (Texas) implemented various initiatives throughout 2017 to do the right thing by all its stakeholders. During and in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the company stepped up to provide much needed support to its customers and employees and the city at large.
Discount Power is a pioneer and leader in the REP space, as well as a tremendous community partner, said Jack Doueck, Co-Founder of Advanced Energy Capital, LED Plus and Energy Marketing Conferences. I applaud Discount Power and all 2017 REP of the Year applicants and nominees for the advances and successes made this past year and am encouraged about the future of our industry.
The Energy Marketing Conference occurs twice a year and is the largest gathering of retail energy executives in the country. More than 550 retail energy professionals and over 40 panelists and speakers attended the 2018 Spring Conference.
About Discount Power
Discount Power is a retail electric provider based in Houston, Texas. The team at Discount Power has been involved in all the business elements of the energy market since the beginning of retail deregulation in Texas and has collectively served hundreds of thousands of residential and commercial customers. The company was ranked in the top 100 of Inc. Magazines Fastest Growing Private Companies in America in 2016 and 2017 and the fastest growing retail energy provider in the country in both years. It was recognized as the Fastest Growing Private Company in Houston for 2017 by the Houston Business Journal. It won the Pinnacle Award for 2017 from the Houston Better Business Bureau. For more information, visit http://www.discountpowertx.com.
Titan with PowerWave Blower Technology Zephyr's new Titan pro-style hood is the ultimate workhorse in the kitchen. Featuring the groundbreaking new PowerWave blower technology, Titan includes a 750 CFM blower with the option to combine two blowers together to achieve 1,300 CFM - the most powerful internal blower on the market today.
For more than 20 years, Zephyr has been transforming the kitchen through design, discovery, and care. The industry leader in kitchen ventilation returns as an exhibitor to the 2018 Architectural Digest (AD) Design Show in New York City from March 22nd - 25th at booth number 377. This year, Zephyr will showcase unexpected new products and technology, which include the most powerful pro-style hood on the market, small space solutions, and bold new finishes.
"We're excited to return to New York for the AD Show, which always draws an excellent design crowd," says Luke Siow, Zephyr President. "This is a big year for us at Zephyr as we launch new technology and products that continue to elevate kitchen design; we're eager to receive feedback from this prestigious design community."
Zephyr's new Titan pro-style hood is the ultimate workhorse in the kitchen. Featuring the groundbreaking new PowerWave blower technology, Titan includes a 750 CFM blower with the option to combine two blowers together to achieve 1,300 CFM - the most powerful internal blower on the market today. Its 3-phase motor design and unique aerodynamic blades improve performance with unparalleled quiet operation. Titan is available in five size options from 36-inches up to 60-inches with pro baffle filters and directional LED lighting. Available Spring 2018.
Also on display at the AD Show is Zephyr's 63-inch Lux Island with a sleek integrated design that mounts directly into the ceiling above the island cooktop. Lux Island is available in stainless steel and white and features three tri-level LED light strips, Perimeter Aspiration, multiple blower options and a capacitive touch remote control. Its extended size and superior power make Lux Island the ultimate in-ceiling hood.
The 24-inch Anzio is ideal for kitchens where space may not be a luxury with its low-profile, stainless steel chimney-style design. Anzio does not sacrifice on design or performance with BriteStrip LED Lighting, ICON Touch Controls, and a 600 CFM blower.
Black Stainless Steel continues to gain popularity in kitchen design and Zephyr responds to this trend with the introduction of Ravenna Island and Ombra Wall hoods. A sleek alternative to traditional stainless, Ravenna Island features a delicate curved smoke-gray glass canopy with an anti-smudge Titanium coating for extra durability and easy cleaning. Ombra is the perfect combination of form and function with Black Stainless Steel, capacitive touch controls, and optional hybrid baffle filters. The most affordable black stainless steel hood on the market, Ombra will make a bold statement in the kitchen without breaking the bank. Zephyr will also showcase its Limited Edition Okeanito in Black Mirror Stainless Steel designed by Fu-Tung Cheng.
About Zephyr
Founded by a family in 1997, San Francisco-based Zephyr continues to pioneer design and innovation to create unexpected experiences in the ventilation category and beyond. The company has challenged the perception of what ventilation means in kitchen design and created a new awareness of the importance of a high performing ventilation system. With acclaimed talent such as artistic visionary Fu-Tung Cheng, and industrial designer Robert Brunner, Zephyr is able to create cutting-edge residential range hoods unlike any other company. As a direct result of its commitment to elevating range hood design and technology, Zephyr is the recipient of several prestigious awards including Consumer Digest Best Buy Rating, Chicago Athenaeum Good Design, ADEX (Awards for Design Excellence), Appliance Design 'Excellence In Design' and the Architectural Products 'Product Innovation Award.' For more information, visit zephyronline.com.
Susan Lord MD -- AMI Faculty Speaker AMI Meditation and its allied disciplines optimize physiologic function from the cellular level on up, building health and resilience. -- Susan Lord MD
Holistic physician Susan Lord MD will join the faculty of The American Meditation Institute (AMI) for a 32-credit hour mind/body medicine CME conference for physicians and other health care professionals, October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. Entitled The Heart and Science of Yoga, this 10th annual comprehensive training, accredited through the American Medical Association and Albany Medical College Office of Continuing Medical Education, is designed to help identify, prevent and relieve physician stress and burnout.
At the upcoming conference, Dr. Lord will present two CME lectures entitled East Meets West and Food as Medicine. In both talks Dr. Lord will explain how Yoga Science can help physicians understand how the body works, why illness occurs, and what the body needs to reestablish optimal balance and function. According to Dr. Lord: This non-profit educational organization has been bringing together accomplished, dynamic medical professionals in support of physician wellness for 10 years. Collectively, we have taught thousands about how Yoga Science helps heal the physical, mental and emotional imbalances in the mind-body-sense complex. The practice of AMI Meditation and its allied disciplines optimize physiologic function from the cellular level on upbuilding health and resilience. As Hippocrates taught long ago, food actually is medicine. For most people, when they choose what to eat, they choose their state of health.
Dr. Susan Lord graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and is in private practice in Great Barrington, MA focusing on prevention and treatment through mindful living and lifestyle changes. From 1996-2007, she served as Course Director for the Food as Medicine program at the Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington, DC.
The entire Heart and Science of Yoga CME curriculum provides quality, comprehensive and evidence-based education to physicians and other health care providers on Yoga Science as mind/body medicine. In addition to Food as Medicine, topics this year will include a comprehensive overview and instruction on AMI Meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, mantra science, yoga psychology, alleviating trauma and PTSD, resiliency, mind function optimization, Ayurveda, easy-gentle yoga, lymph system detoxification and the chakra system as a diagnostic tool. New this year, dedicated courses on addiction and pain management, a frequent conference discussion topic and growing global issue, have been added to the curriculum.
The dedication, enthusiasm, and teaching methodology of the entire AMI faculty create a dynamic and interactive course for their students. Each faculty member is committed to the advancement and training of Yoga Science as holistic mind/body medicine. In addition to Dr. Lord, other presenters will include Leonard Perlmutter, AMI founder; Mark Pettus MD, Director of Medical Education and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems; Anthony Santilli MD, board-certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD, Director of Research for the Kundalini Research Institute, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Jesse Ritvo MD, Assistant Medical Director, Inpatient Psychiatry, University of Vermont Health Center; Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, Medical Director of the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center; Joshua Zamer, MD, Medical Director for Addiction Medicine at Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center and Chairman of the Department of Family Practice; Beth Netter MD MT, holistic physician and acupuncturist, Albany, NY; Prashant Kaushik MD, board-certified Rheumatologist; Anita Burock-Stotts, MD, board certified in Internal Medicine; Gustavo Grodnitzky PhD, Chair of the AMI Psychological Education Committee; Jenness Cortez Perlmutter, faculty member of The American Meditation Institute, and Lee Albert, NMT, acclaimed neuromuscular therapist and gentle yoga instructor.
According to AMI founder and program director Leonard Perlmutter, By attending the Heart and Science of Yoga conference, physicians and other healthcare providers can learn first-hand how the daily practice of AMI Meditation and its allied disciplines can positively improve or eliminate the challenging symptoms of stress related burnout and chronic complex diseases. Joel M. Kremer, MD, who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology in Albany, New York and a recent AMI conference participant, is in full agreement. This teaching has been an enormous benefit in my personal and professional life. I have less stress, more focus, and am able to serve my patients with greater clarity. It becomes surprisingly easy now to recognize the many clinical situations in which patients with somatic manifestations of 'dis-ease' could greatly benefit from Yoga Science.
In addition to Dr. Kremer, numerous medical pioneers and healthcare professionals such as Dean Ornish MD, Mehmet Oz MD, Larry Dossey and Bernie Siegel MD have also endorsed AMIs core curriculum. Previous conference attendees have also noted that the material presented has made a beneficial impact toward their personal and professional efforts at self-care.
About the American Meditation Institute
The American Meditation Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization devoted to the teaching and practice of Yoga Science, meditation and its allied disciplines as mind/body medicine. In its holistic approach to wellness, AMI combines the healing arts of the East with the practicality of modern Western science. The American Meditation Institute offers a wide variety of classes, retreats, and teacher training programs. AMI also publishes Transformation a bi-monthly journal of meditation as holistic mind/body medicine. Call 518.674.8714 for a mail or email subscription.
Media Contact:
Robert Washington
60 Garner Road
Averill Park, NY 12018
Tel: 518.674.8714
Fax: 518.674.8714
AvePoint, a leader in accelerating digital transformation success, gained a new Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) among its team today Robert Mulsow. As a Vice President of Technical Solutions Professionals in EMEA, Mulsow leads a team of technical experts who advise customers on how to best align Microsoft and AvePoint products and services to fill technical and business process gaps. Mulsow is an Office Servers and Services MVP.
As part of Microsofts commitment to supporting and enriching technical communities, the company recognizes exceptional, independent community leaders who share their passion, technical expertise, and real-world knowledge of Microsoft products with others through its MVP awards.
Our growing number of Microsoft MVP designations complements our recognition as a Microsoft Gold Partner. It signals to us that our company has a world-class team that advises on and deploys the best products and services in the market, said Dr. Tianyi Jiang, AvePoint Co-CEO and Co-Founder. We are proud to have another MVP who adds to our exceptional group of company and Microsoft experts.
Mulsows designation increases the number of Microsoft MVPs to five, including two Microsoft Regional Directors at AvePoint. Microsoft Regional Directors are an elite group of approximately 150 top technology visionaries from around the world who are honored for their technical expertise and for actively engaging with the Microsoft community:
Fabrice Di Guilio, Microsoft MVP for Business Solutions and AvePoint Senior Technical Services Professional, France
Shelley Liu, Microsoft MVP for Office Servers and Services and AvePoint Vice President, Changchun, China
Paul Olenick, Microsoft MVP for Office Servers and Services and AvePoint Director of Product Strategy
John Peluso, Microsoft Regional Director and AvePoint Public Sector Chief Technology Officer
Dux Raymond Sy, Microsoft Regional Director and MVP for Office Servers and Services, and AvePoint Chief Marketing Officer
This award makes me proud, of course, said Mulsow, MVPs have a very high reputation, because they constantly deliver a huge added value to the community and simply help others to succeed and achieve more. Being an official member of this small group of very talented technical ninjas is simply awesome.
Visit the AvePoint blog to learn more about Mulsow.
About AvePoint
AvePoint accelerates your digital transformation success. Over 16,000 companies and 6 million SharePoint and Office 365 users worldwide trust AvePoint software and services for their data migration, management, and protection needs in the cloud, on-premises and hybrid environments.
A four-time Microsoft Partner of the Year, AvePoint is a Microsoft Global ISV Partner and has been named to the Inc. 500|5000 six times and the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 five times. Founded in 2001, AvePoint is privately held and headquartered in Jersey City, NJ.
AvePoint Media Contact
Vanessa Copeland Senior Public Relations Manager
Tel: +1 (804) 438-2213
Email: vanessa.copeland@avepoint.com
MA-3000 Direct thermal decomposition mercury analyzer
Nippon Instruments Corporation (NIC) has published a new informational video describing measurement of mercury in liquids, solids, and gases using direct thermal decomposition. The video highlights the capabilities and operation of the NIC MA-3000 mercury analyzer.
The MA-3000 analyzer is a dedicated direct mercury analyzer that selectively measures total mercury by thermal decomposition, gold amalgamation and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy, on virtually any sample matrix. It was developed to meet the need for equipment that is easy to use and does not require wet pretreatment, offering a state-ofthe-art solution for rapid, complete ultra-trace quantitative determination of mercury.
The video presents the principle of cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy, where monochromatic light is attenuated by mercury vapor in a measurement cell, and describes the technological innovations and operational features that enable the instrument to analyze mercury down to levels of less than one picogram.
The video is currently available on the NIC YouTube channel.
About Nippon Instruments Corporation
Nippon Instruments produces a broad line of Hg monitors suitable for surveying for vapor-phase elemental mercury in air, and elemental and mercury compounds including methylmercury, in gases, liquids and solids. Materials analyzed include fuels coal, lignite, crude oil, natural gas; liquids such as waste, drinking and river water; incinerator stack gases; animal products; human tissue and blood and solid waste streams.
For further information, contact:
Alvin Chua
TEL: 81-3-3479-6014
chua-nic(at)rigaku(dot)co(dot)jp
NewAir joins Forbes Communications Council Our company has some of best talent in their respected areas of expertise, and they have a lot of knowledge and insights they can share with Forbes readers," says Luke Peters, Founder & CEO of NewAir.
NewAir, one of the most trusted names in compact home appliances, has been accepted into the Forbes Agency Council, an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies.
NewAir joins other Forbes Agency Council members, who are hand-selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought leadership articles and short tips on industry-related topics for publishing on Forbes.com.
Forbes Councils combines an innovative, high-touch approach to community management perfected by the team behind Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) with the extensive resources and global reach of Forbes. As a result, Forbes Council members get access to the people, benefits and expertise they need to grow their businesses and a dedicated member concierge who acts as an extension of their own team, providing personalized one-on-one support.
Were honored and excited that Forbes has asked us to be a part of this exclusive members only community. Our company has some of best talent in their respected areas of expertise, and they have a lot of knowledge and insights they can share with Forbes readers," says Luke Peters, Founder & CEO of NewAir.
Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, says, We are honored to welcome NewAir into the community. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry, creating a vetted, social capital-driven network that helps every member make an even greater impact on the business world.
About NewAir Appliances
California-based NewAir Appliances is a family-owned manufacturer and distributor of specialty compact home appliances, including everything from beverage/wine coolers to portable laundry solutions. Its wide range of products is carried by the largest retailers in North America, and NewAir is dedicated to exceptional customer service at its responsive in-house call center. NewAir's focus on value and quality over the past 15 years makes the company one of the most trusted names in compact home appliances. See all of NewAir's products at http://www.newair.com.
Follow NewAir Appliances on Facebook
Tweet us @NewAirUSA
Follow us on Instagram @NewAirUSA
Watch us on YouTube @NewAirUSA
Media Contact: Andrew Stephenson, Director, Product Marketing
Email: press(at)NewAir.com
Tel.: (657) 257-4326
Website: http://www.newair.com
About Forbes Councils
Forbes partnered with the founders of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) to launch Forbes Councils, invitation-only communities for world-class business professionals in a variety of industries. Members, who are hand-selected by each Councils community team, receive personalized introductions to each other based on their specific needs and gain access to a wide range of business benefits and services, including best-in-class concierge teams, personalized connections, peer-to-peer learning, a business services marketplace, and the opportunity to share thought leadership content on Forbes.com. For more information about Forbes Agency Council, visit https://forbesagencycouncil.com/. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.
Happinest announces to the world that were not just a mortgage company anymore were a full-service homeownership partner.
TMS unveils Happinest, a total homeownership platform, on International Happiness Day to shatter the outdated way the mortgage industry communicates to borrowers and redefines it as a lifelong partnership with our members. Happinest provides members a suite of tools and services to Find, Finance and Protect their dream home through a national buying and selling search engine, competitive mortgage products, multiple insurance options to lock in low-rates and so much more.
The new platform moves the fintech companys mission beyond mortgage lending to a one-stop shop for homeownership, creating an online home base for members to continuously use as go-to resource for all their questions.
Our goal is to have a relationship with homeowners well before and well beyond the closing table, said TMS CEO Darius Mirshahzadeh. By being the go-to source for all things home, were going to dial up the joy of owning a home and dial down the angst of homeownership to make it a truly happy experience.
Members join the Happinest platform for free and are able to search for property listings across the country. From choosing a Happinest-certified local agent to financing a home with one of the TMS dedicated loanologists, a licensed loan originator, the platform features all the tools a borrower needs in one happy place.
Easing one of the biggest barriers to homeownership, Happinest also includes an added financial benefit. For members who choose to list and/or purchase their home from the platform, they have the opportunity to receive up to $13,000 in cash-back rewards.
Once members find their dream home, they can go through the Happinest Finance feature to pre-qualify for a mortgage in as fast as 15 minutes. Along with finding the ideal loan for a borrower, the Finance feature is designed to showcase the various product options borrowers can take advantage of with TMS. Plus, unlike most competitors, TMS services its loans so homeowners wont be surprised that their loan is sold to another lender just weeks after closing.
The Happinest platform rounds out the homeownership process with its Protect feature. From shopping for homeowner insurance, mortgage protection or flood insurance, Happinest provides customers multiple free quotes to ensure they are getting the lowest rate possible. You can even insure your car or truck.
In our commitment to Grow Happiness and position ourselves as a fintech partner to homeowners, said Mirshahzadeh, Happinest announces to the world that were not just a mortgage company anymore were a full-service homeownership partner.
About TMS
TMS (The Money Source Inc.) is a different kind of company that does business in a different kind of way. Founded in 1997, with a mission to Grow Happiness, TMS is a fast growing fintech company that provides products, technology, speed of service and a unique customer experience to borrowers, clients and team members in their pursuit of happiness. With more than 650+ team members, TMS is a national lender and servicer licensed or exempt from licensing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit TheMoneySource.com. NMLS# 6289.
EKU is ranked among the best schools for online degrees by U.S. News & World Report and Military Times. By offering an online degree in the broader criminal justice discipline, we hope to introduce students to job opportunities they may not have thought about.
Eastern Kentucky University will offer an online criminal justice degree in fall 2018. The bachelors degree program will prepare students for a range of careers in the justice and safety field.
By offering an online degree in the broader criminal justice discipline, we hope to introduce students to job opportunities they may not have thought about, explained Dr. Vic Kappeler, dean of the EKU College of Justice and Safety. The degree will address a need for well-educated professionals in law enforcement, corrections, the court system and social service jobs."
The new online degree is for those working in criminal justice, criminology and related occupations who are seeking advancement, as well as for those looking to get into the field. The EKU Online criminal justice degree offers:
Online learning from an accredited brick-and-mortar university
8-week terms, as opposed to the traditional 16-week terms
Dedicated advisors who work with students from application through graduation and help them make the most of their transfer credit
A university ranked among the best schools for online degrees by U.S. News & World Report and Military Times
A student-centered learning environment
The EKU College of Justice and Safety, which is recognized as one of the best justice studies programs in the United States, offered its first courses more than 50 years ago. In 2006, they introduced the universitys first online degree programs.
Applications are now being accepted. Classes will begin in August. To learn more, visit http://www.go.EKU.edu/CJ18.
Consistently recognized as having some of the nations best online degree programs, EKU strives to make quality education accessible to everyone. EKU is an accredited, brick-and-mortar institution that has offered online degree programs since 2006. Today, more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree options are available in a variety of fields.
Ginger Gold is a strong, intelligent, passionate woman with a frailness and insecurity to her. I think most readers will find something that they relate to that pulls at the heartstrings as well as tickles the intellect as they try to figure out whodunit. --Lee Strauss
Brown Books Publishing Group is proud to announce the publication of books one through four of Lee Strauss cozy historical mystery series, The Ginger Gold Mysteries, on March 20, 2018. Murder on the SS Rosa, Murder at Hartigan House, Murder at Bray Manor, Murder at Feathers & Flair release today, and these titles will be followed by book five in April and book six in June. Strauss first venture into the cozy historical mystery genre delivers a charming array of murders, suspects, and potential suitors.
Strauss transports readers to an almost magical decade bookmarked between two major wars. Post-WWI was a time of letting go of pre-war social restraints, and for the youth it was a time to seize the day. The war made everyone aware of how short life could be. By living large and embracing the outrageous, this generation of youth meant to forget the horrors of when the bombs fell. The Ginger Gold Mysteries series paints a beautiful yet thought-provoking image of the Roaring Twenties, with its lavish descriptions of the fashion along with discussions of the social norms of the time. During the 1920s there was more money and more social freedom, especially for women, than ever before. It was the age of revolution, from electronics to social constructs.
Main characters Ginger Gold and Haley Higgins push these boundaries, as their feisty spirits and sense of adventure help them to rise above some of the limitations bestowed upon women of their time. By combining history and fashion, Strauss creates a fun and lively series that entertains both historians and fashionistas alike.
About Brown Books Publishing Group (BBPG)
Founded in 1994 as an Entrepreneurial Publisher for Entrepreneurial Authors, Brown Books Publishing Group was established to fill a need in the publishing world by allowing authors to have a voice in the publishing process while retaining the rights to their intellectual property. Applying this innovative Relationship Publishing model, Brown Books has cultivated a prestigious stable of authors, from New York Times bestsellers to Pulitzer Prize winners and more. Boasting hundreds of high-quality books across genres, Brown Books is a fiercely independent publisher that encourages author empowerment. In 1994, Brown Books ushered in A New Era in Publishing, and more than two decades later, continues to be a successful innovative leader in the publishing industry. For more information, please visit http://www.BrownBooks.com.
About The Agency at Brown Books (ABB)
As a sister company of Brown Books Publishing Group, The Agency at Brown Books is backed by more than 20 years of publishing excellence, leveraged in the first full-service public relations, marketing, branding and distribution provider within a publishing house. The Agency provides high-level public relations, marketing and distribution services for not only Brown Books authors, but also non-affiliated authors, all within the same house. For more information, please visit http://www.TheAgencyatBB.com.
High Swartz has been awarded a 2018 Top Workplaces honor by Philadelphia Media Network. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC (formerly WorkplaceDynamics), a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.
Top Workplaces is more than just recognition, said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement.
We are pleased to be named a Top Workplace for the second year in a row, said Joel D. Rosen, Managing Partner. We believe that our firms success is because of our employees, our culture and our ability to attract and maintain talented professionals with a healthy work/life balance and a strong sense of giving back to our communities.
Becoming a Top Workplace isnt something organizations can buy, Claffey said. Its an achievement organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. Its a big deal.
About High Swartz LLP
High Swartz is a full-service law firm serving clients in the Delaware Valley and throughout Pennsylvania from offices in Norristown and Doylestown. Established in 1914, High Swartz serves the needs of businesses, municipalities, government entities, nonprofits and individuals. With offices in Bucks County and Montgomery County, the firm provides comprehensive counsel and legal support to individuals and business entities of all sizes across a broad spectrum of industries throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information, go to http://www.highswartz.com.
About Energage, LLC
Headquartered in Exton, Pa., Energage (formerly known as WorkplaceDynamics) is a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools that help leaders to unlock potential, inspire performance, and achieve amazing results within their organizations. The research partner behind the Top Workplaces program, Energage has surveyed more than 47,000 organizations representing well over 16 million employees in the United States.
Project 24 aligns perfectly with our values at Medical Solutions as well as our philosophy of working hard to make the world a happier, healthier, better place. We are incredibly honored to help support this important effort.
Medical Solutions, one of the nations largest Travel Nurse staffing companies, is proud to sponsor Planet Water Foundations Project 24 on World Water Day, Thursday, March 22, 2018, as part of its Medical Solutions Gives initiative.
Established in 1993, World Water Day is an opportunity to celebrate water and make a positive impact in the lives of global community members who suffer from a lack of clean, safe water and other water-related issues.
In response to staggering statistics like the fact that one in eight people worldwide do not have access to safe, clean drinking water, the mission of Project 24 is to move the hands of time forward in 24 impoverished communities by installing and commissioning 24 clean water filtration systems in just 24 hours.
As a nurse, I believe that Project 24 is an amazing effort because it saves and improves lives worldwide by creating healthier conditions in these communities, says Amber Barna, BSN, RN and Clinical Director of Nursing at Medical Solutions. Statistics show that half of all the worlds hospital beds are occupied with people suffering from waterborne diseases that with better availability of sanitary water in their communities should be otherwise easily preventable.
At 4 p.m. (PHT) on Thursday, March 22, the Medical Solutions-sponsored clean water filtration system will go up at the Buntog Elementary School in the Philippines, where the only water source is a dirty, deep well nearly a mile away. The Medical Solutions water tower will provide access to clean water for bathing, cooking, drinking, and cleaning to 237 students and 489 households in the village of 2,000 people.
Medical Solutions previously sponsored the implementation of clean water filtration systems in Cambodia and Indonesia in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Our team is very proud to support Planet Waters efforts to bring safe, clean water to the village of Buntog, says Craig Meier, Medical Solutions CEO. Project 24 aligns perfectly with our values at Medical Solutions as well as our philosophy of working hard to make the world a happier, healthier, better place. We are incredibly honored to help support this important effort.
Click here to learn more about Project 24 and Planet Water.
ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS: Medical Solutions L.L.C. is a healthcare staffing firm that specializes in placing registered nurses in temporary travel assignments throughout the nation. The company is the third-largest Travel Nurse staffing agency in the United States, with locations in Omaha, San Diego, Cincinnati, Denver, and Tupelo, MS. Medical Solutions was one of the first Travel Nursing and Allied Healthcare staffing companies to be certified by the Joint Commission and has been continuously certified since January 2005. Medical Solutions was named one of Modern Healthcares 2016 Best Places to Work in Healthcare, named among Staffing Industry Analysts 2017 Best Staffing Firms to Work For, has been named 10 times to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, and its flagship Omaha office won the 2014 Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. A nationwide network of qualified healthcare providers allows Medical Solutions to help its client hospitals continue to provide excellent patient care amidst a nursing shortage. Medical Solutions has contracts with 2,200+ client hospitals nationwide and is one of the fastest-growing companies in the Travel Nursing industry. Visit MedicalSolutions.com to learn more.
ABOUT PLANET WATER: Planet Water is a U.S.-based, non-profit international development organization focused on bringing clean water to the worlds most disadvantaged communities through the installation of community-based water filtration systems and education programs on water-health & hygiene. Our projects are focused on schools, children, and rural communities who lack access to clean, safe water. Learn more at Planet-Water.org.
With this first-in-a-series webinar as well as our CCC podcast, Torchlight is stripping away all the noise to get HR professionals easy access to timely information about the latest compliance issues, legislation and litigation affecting the HR industry.
Torchlight, the only digitally powered, employee family caregiver benefit solution for the full age continuum, announced today a complementary educational webinar for human resources professionals on The Intersection of Caregiving and Compliance on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 12 p.m. Eastern. The Torchlight webinar is the first in a series of webinars throughout 2018 with industry experts.
During the webinar, attendees will learn firsthand from guest expert Jeff Rosin, Esq. of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP, what human resources professionals need to know about employee caregivers and federal and state employment discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. This webinar is designed for attendees who want to:
-- Support the caregivers in your workforce to be productive, loyal, and engaged employees
-- Understand unlawful caregiver stereotyping based on association
-- Assess your internal policies and procedures for necessary employee-caregiver compliance
-- Protect your company from gender-based complaints by both male and female
Each day HR professionals are juggling multiple priorities from addressing employee matters to recruitment and training, to benefits management, said Carolyn Romano, Esq., Torchlight VP of Product. "With this first-in-a-series webinar as well as our CCC podcast, Torchlight is stripping away all the noise to get HR professionals easy access to timely information about the latest compliance issues, legislation and litigation affecting the HR industry.
WHAT: The Intersection of Caregiving and Compliance Webinar for Human Resource Professionals
WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 2018 at1 2 p.m. Eastern. Available for on-demand viewing for registrants.
REGISTRATION: Registration is available online at [http://www.torchlight.care/caregiving-employer-compliance-webinar
WHO: MODERATOR: Attorney Carolyn Romano, Torchlight VP of Product
GUEST SPEAKER: Jeff Rosin, Esq. of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP
For over 20 years, Rosin has served as a trusted advisor to employers in their efforts to comply with various federal and state employment and labor laws. He counsels employers daily on the management of their workforce, responding to government audits on wage/hour issues, and litigation avoidance. He also assists employers, including franchise entities, in investigations and in adversarial proceedings initiated by the U.S. Department of Labor and state government auditors.
About Torchlight
Torchlight is a pioneer in caregiver benefit solutions, a new approach to managing the costs and complexities of caregiving for employers and employee caregivers today. With Torchlight, employers have an ROI-driven model for managing family caregiving -- a $38.2 billion challenge in the US alone -- so that they can be both compassionate and competitive in the competitive labor market where more than one in three employees today is a caregiver. Based in Boston, the company was founded by caregiving pioneer Adam Goldberg, M.Ed. For more information, contact sales (at) torchlight (dot) care, phone 844-693-3477, or visit Torchlight.care.
Destruction Following Katrina Our team truly rose to the occasion to rebuild and remain successful in this area, said Mac Freeman, Vice President and General Manager of Tindalls Mississippi Division. We are proud to be leaders in our industry and look forward to what the next 10 years have in store.
Tindall Corporations Mississippi Division will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility this month. This location has overcome major obstacles over the last decade, most notably a rebuild following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
The Mississippi plant was originally located on the back bay in Biloxi, MS. The production facility suffered considerable damage after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. A storm surge close to 35 feet carried nearly 50 boats, casino barges and debris onto the property. Thanks to the support of the surrounding community, the plant was able to get back up and running quickly. Employees ate military MREs (meals ready to eat) and lunches provided by the American Red Cross during the massive cleanup. With the help of Tindalls other plants, no customer production schedules were impacted.
Following Katrina, Tindall chose to relocate to higher ground in Moss Point, MS. There they were able to rapidly construct a new state-of-the-art facility on a 100-acre site. Features included a batch plant and under roof manufacturing, both of which provide mix control for more sophisticated architectural products. A new automatic concrete delivery system was also a new amenity. This system brings concrete directly to product forms, enabling Mississippi team to complete projects with greater efficiency.
With more capacity and improved product capabilities, the team went straight to work reestablishing their presence in the surrounding states. The Mississippi Division earned multiple PCI Design Awards, diversified the markets they serve and completed many impressive projects across the region including the Armed Forces Retirement Home and the Walk of Champions at the LSU Tiger Stadium.
Our team truly rose to the occasion to rebuild and remain successful in this area, said Mac Freeman, Vice President and General Manager of Tindalls Mississippi Division. We are proud to be leaders in our industry and look forward to what the next 10 years have in store.
The Moss Point plant continues to flourish and was rebuilt to be stronger than before despite the adversity of Hurricane Katrina. With an abundance of accolades over the past decade and many projects on deck for 2018, the future of Tindall in Mississippi is promising.
About Tindall: Headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, Tindall Corporation is one of the largest precast concrete manufacturers in North America. With five production facilities located throughout the Mid-Atlantic to the South Central United States, Tindall provides engineering, manufacturing, shipping and installation of precast, prestressed concrete systems, and underground utility structures.
Poppar Code Screen Poppar, the latest Augmented Reality App announces that it has entered into a strategic marketing agreement with Glendale Hyundai to create a more immersive customer experience for its existing and prospective customer base.
Poppar, the latest Augmented Reality App announces that it has entered into a strategic marketing agreement with Glendale Hyundai to create a more immersive customer experience for its existing and prospective customer base. Poppar will leverage its innovative App technology by incorporating augmented reality into Glendale Hyundai's marketing communications. Poppar's marketing strategy will also embody reward gamification to further engage the customer, enhance the overall experience, and boost lead generation and sales conversion.
The Poppar Augmented Reality App changes the marketing dynamics for Glendale Hyundai by making the experience fun and inclusive for all family members. Using the Poppar App, Parents can easily see detailed car information such as specials, inventory and financing, all while their kids hunt in the Glendale dealership for prizes similar to the augmented reality experience of Pokemon Go(R).
"Glendale Hyundai is committed to offering real prizes, not virtual ones like other Apps," says Jae S. Park, General Manager of Glendale Hyundai. "We will be awarding multiple grand prizes each month that include 'Free 1 Year Leases' on selected Hyundai vehicles to users that play one of Poppar's Augmented Reality games and win. You have the ability to drive away in a free car just for playing our free game on your cellphone." *
Poppar Codes are like an evolution of QR codes applying Augmented Realty to deliver real time instant information where a user doesn't need to leave the app or visit a 3rd party site. The entire user experience is controlled within the app, allowing a user to scan an advertisement from the newspaper, or directly from a window sticker. Poppar offers a frictionless experience of providing key details directly presented on the Poppar App.
"Today's consumers are bombarded with several thousand advertisements on any given day across numerous marketing channels, creating sensory overload and diluting the effectiveness of traditional marketing communications," says Jason K. Bordbar, MBA, Chief Marketing Officer for Poppar. "Technology like the Poppar Augmented Reality App can combat such fatigue based on the immersive user experience which serves to engage the consumer with more emotional connections, all of which can ultimately lead to a stronger return on marketing investment via increased website traffic, generated leads, conversion rates and sales."
The ubiquity of cell phones combined with fast Internet promises significant growth in the Augmented Reality field. Poppar has a clear strategic plan in place to be a leading Augmented Reality content provider for businesses around the world.
"Poppar's Augmented Reality App offers a more exciting way for companies to increase brand awareness and interact with consumers on a new platform merging the digital and analog world into one," says Benik Hovsepian, President of Poppar. "And our analytical data shows that our clients not only have higher success rates compared to traditional advertisements, they also reduce their marketing budgets and generate better results."
For more information on Poppar's strategic Augmented Reality marketing campaign services, email pr(at)popparapp(dot)com or visit http://www.popparapp.com. The Poppar App is available for immediate download at the Apple and Google Play store.
About Poppar
Poppar is a new Augmented Reality solution that delivers content via a Poppar code. The Poppar code is analogous to a more advanced QR code. Traditional QR codes only present minimal information or a redirect to a 3rd party website. Poppar codes provide a friendlier, more aesthetic looking code tied with a user experience that is next generation. Using a phone or tablet a user scans a Poppar code, the code then displays via the Poppar App a wealth of rich content and media directly on the App. The user never leaves the app, and the experience is frictionless, instant and informative. For more information visit http://www.popparapp.com.
About Glendale Hyundai
Glendale Hyundai is a new and used car dealership in Glendale, CA serving Burbank, Pasadena, Arcadia, and Santa Clarita drivers. Glendale Hyundai features an extensive inventory of brand new models, like the versatile Hyundai Elantra or the durable Santa Fe, as well as financing options. Glendale Hyundai is committed to proving the best customer experience possible for all your automotive needs. For more information visit our website at: http://www.glendalehyundai.com
Pokemon(R), and Pokemon Go(R) are registered trademarks of NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC. No endorsement has been made by NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC.
*Restrictions apply. No purchase necessary. Win up to 12 free months off of a 36-month lease based on the national ad for all models advertised. All based on a 36-month lease at 10k miles per year with all applicable rebates and designated down payment depending on the model. Visit poparapp.com/spin/rule.htm for full terms and conditions.
It is an adventure, an investigation, and a manhunt. It divulges the real reason for the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and leads the reader toward identifying the people responsible for causing it.
Deepwater Deception, by Robert Kaluza and Maryann Karinch, is being released on the eighth anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, causing 11 rig workers to perish and doing untold damage to the Gulf of Mexico. That tragedy that occurred on April 20, 2010 was blamed on two BP well site leaders, Kaluza and Don Vidrine, who died last year.
The book will premiere at the National Press Club at two, one-hour media events the afternoon of April 20, 2018.
On November 14, 2012, Kaluza was indicted on 11 counts of Seamans Manslaughter, 11 counts of Involuntary Manslaughter, and a violation of the Clean Water Act. Both sets of manslaughter charges were later dropped, but Kaluza did not get his days in court to fight the final charge until February 2016. After six days of hearing evidence, the jury declared him not guilty in less than two hours.
That was not the end of the story, however. Kaluza set out to discover and reveal documentation of crucial statements by BP and the US Department of Justice he knew to be falseand uncovered even more dramatic evidence than his trial had addressed. Teaming up with bestselling non-fiction author, Maryann Karinch (How to Spot a Liar), Kaluza set about telling the true storyand truly dramaticstory of the Deepwater Horizon blowout.
It is the story of a rig supervisor on a five-day assignment being scapegoated by his employer, BP, as part of a corrupt cooperation-for-leniency deal the company made with the US Department of Justice. It was a deal that allowed BP to return to business as usual after the worst oil-spill disaster in US history and gave accountable executives free passes. The narrative moves from the offshore rig to the courtroom, taking the reader on the life-altering journey of Bob Kaluza, an innocent man who was swiftly acquitted, yet carries the scars of being accused of causing the deaths of eleven men and contamination of the Gulf of Mexico.
It is an adventure, an investigation, and a manhunt. It divulges the real reason for the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and leads the reader toward identifying the people responsible for causing it.
Title: Deepwater Deception
Subtitle: The Truth about the Tragic Blowout and Perversion of American Justice
Authors: Robert Kaluza and Maryann Karinch
Publisher: WND
Cover Price: $16.99
ISBN (Print): 978-1-946918-16-1
To request an advance copy of the book, contact William Cunningham: info@creativeinvest.com
To attend one or both events at the National Press Club, please email info@deepwaterdeception.com and info@creativeinvest.com
MoneyTrac Technology, Inc. (MTRAC, the Company) is pleased to announce that it has engaged NisonCo, a Public Relations firm that specializes in the cannabis industry. The engagement provides for NisonCo to provide consulting and management services in the areas of public relations, media relations, and consulting on cannabis industry trends.
NisonCo has built a strong reputation as a leading provider of such services to the Cannabis industry. In addition to their strong reputation in consulting services, Evan Nison has been engaged as a consumer advocate of Cannabis for many years. He is currently the youngest board member of NORML National Board of Directors, sits on the Board of Directors for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, CoFounded Whoopi & Maya and was active in the push to pass Prop 19 in California to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. The Company believes that NisonCo is the right choice to advocate for MTRAC because they have such a strong dedication to moving the cannabis industry into the mainstream.
NisonCo will provide MTRAC with marketing guidance needed to flourish in the cannabis industry, said MTRAC CEO Vanessa Luna. They have a solid track record in promoting companies like ours and are well versed in this very unique and highly regulated market sector. They have the tools to navigate us through the forest and we are excited to be working with them for the foreseeable future.
Even Nison, CEO of NisonCo said, The portfolio of new technologies MTRAC is working on to help increase transparency and compliance in the industry, such as blockchain, is exciting. I'm happy to help get their voice out to members of the media to talk about the wide variety of tech solutions theyre helping to build.
About MoneyTrac Technology
MoneyTrac Technology, Inc. (MTRAC) is a New Age Technology Holding Company offering a full-service solution for alternative banking and electronic financial marketplace with technology offerings including Payment Platform, Blockchain, Crypto-Commodity Exchange, Compliance, POS, E-Wallet, Mobile Application and Digital Payment Solutions for businesses and companies in various high-costs of banking industries. MTRAC offers additional suites of services ranging from business development, sales and marketing, to digital and print advertisement. We are One Network disrupting the status quo. It is MTRACS creative vision to create a The New Age of Currency by bringing innovative technology solutions to various industries and providing the means for Banking the Unbankable
About NisonCo
NisonCo specializes in building relationships with reporters who cover cannabis, maintaining a current database of reporters who cover marijuana from all over the country and world, and staying up to the minute relevant on current events involving marijuana legalization and the cannabis industry to be sure we are the first to get relevant news to the right reporters to further establish our clients as industry leaders and experts in their fields.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainty and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release should be considered in light of all filings of the Company that are contained in the Edgar Archives of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
Public Relations and Media Contact:
Global Payout
http://www.GlobalPayout.com
619.795.5810 Office
Information(at)GlobalPayout.com
Author and founder of GiGi's Playhouse, Nancy Gianni Self-publishing provides a unique path for nonprofits to promote their cause." - Mitch Black, Author Solutions CEO
Nancy Gianni, author of #GenerationG A True Story of Miracles, Hope & Unconditional Acceptance, was invited to launch her book this week on the Today show in honor of her daughter, GiGi and World Down Syndrome Day. Published by iUniverse, an imprint of supported self-publisher Author Solutions, the book tells how Gianni started and grew GiGis Playhouse nationwide to help special-needs children and their families.
Author Solutions is the largest global self-publisher, having helped more than 225,000 authors bring their books to market around the world. Chief Executive Officer Mitch Black has noted a new trend in books: nonprofits are increasingly turning to self-publishing as an advocacy tool to speak directly to their audiences, raise funds and educate the public about their mission.
Self-publishing provides a unique path for nonprofits to promote their cause, said Black. Publishing a book creates something tangible for them to promote and sell, while garnering increased support through elevated credibility.
Giannis self-published inspirational memoir was featured yesterday on the Today show, including a segment about GiGis Playhouse, which provides play, therapy, education, advocacy and support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. http://on.today.com/2FV8qTh
I think self-publishing is an outstanding option for any founder of a nonprofit, said Gianni. I was able to control my story, message and timeline, and speak directly to my readers.
All profits from the sale of #GenerationG will go toward GiGis Playhouse to further their mission of global accepatance for all through Generation G.
Upon request, Black and Gianni are available for interviews.
About Author Solutions, LLC
Based in Bloomington, Indiana, Author Solutions, LLC, is the world leader in supported self-publishing. Author Solutions imprints AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Palibrio, Trafford Publishing and Xlibris have helped authors self-publish, promote and bring to market more than 300,000 new titles. For more information, please visit http://www.authorsolutions.com. For the latest news, follow @authorsolutions on Twitter and Like us at facebook.com/AuthorSolutions.
About iUniverse
iUniverse, an Author Solutions self-publishing imprint, is a leading book marketing, editorial services and supported self-publishing services provider. For more information call 1-800-AUTHORS or please visit http://www.iUniverse.com and for the latest news follow @iUniverse on Twitter.
Interview Requests & General Inquiries:
LAVIDGE Phoenix
Lauren Dickerson
480-306-7117
ldickerson(at)lavidge(dot)com
LAVIDGE Phoenix
Danielle Grobmeier
480- 648-7557
dgrobmeier(at)lavidge(dot)com
In this time of great turmoil in the health care industry, its more important than ever to recognize the institutions and individuals who are doing so much to make Washington state among the best places in the nation to receive health care.
InDemand Interpreting, a technology-enabled medical interpreting company, is proud to announce the company was honored with a Gold Award for Achievement in Medical Technology at the 2018 Seattle Business Leaders in Health Care Awards. More than 20 of Washingtons most accomplished health care leaders were honored at Seattle Business magazines 2018 Leaders in Health Care Awards gala March 1 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle, recognizing organizations that are pioneering the effort to advance healthcare in Washington.
InDemand partners with healthcare organizations throughout Washington and nationwide to bridge the communication gap between limited English proficient (LEP), Deaf and hard of hearing patients and their clinicians. InDemand immediately connects healthcare professionals to medically qualified interpreters 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in more than 200 languages, including American Sign Language (ASL) and Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs).
In this time of great turmoil in the health care industry, its more important than ever to recognize the institutions and individuals who are doing so much to make Washington state among the best places in the nation to receive health care, said Leslie Helm, Executive Editor of Seattle Business magazine.
InDemand Interpreting VRI devices are used throughout many Washington healthcare facilities. A few of those facilities include: Swedish Medical Center, Seattle Childrens, MultiCare Health System, Confluence Health, International Community Health Services and many others who are connecting patients and providers with immediate access to medically qualified interpreters at the touch of a button.
Todays health systems are facing the challenge of meeting the communication needs of an ever-growing, diverse patient population while delivering higher quality and more efficient patient care, said InDemand Interpreting Chairman and CEO Cecil Kost. This recognition validates our mission to ensure every patient, regardless of language, culture or disability, receives access to the highest quality care.
To see the full list of Seattle Business Leaders in Health Care award winners, visit: http://seattlebusinessmag.com/2018-leaders-health-care-awards.
To see a full list of the PSBJ Innovation Awards winners that inspire, innovate and make an impact on the region and beyond, visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2018/01/23/psbj-innovation-award-recipients-2018.html.
About InDemand Interpreting
InDemand Interpreting was founded in 2007 with the vision of ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality healthcare, regardless of language, cultural background or disability. By delivering the most experienced medical interpreters and highest quality video technology InDemand Interpreting provides doctors, nurses and clinicians the language access they need to provide the best possible care. Visit InDemand at http://www.indemandinterpreting.com
About Seattle Business
Seattle Business is an award-winning monthly magazine read by thousands of business executives across the state. It delivers insight into the key people, enterprises and trends that drive business in the Pacific Northwest, providing perspective on the regions ever-changing economic environment.
We are extremely excited to launch our new IP-Bridge 2.0 at the ISC West show this year as well as our latest integration partners, states Rob Mossman, CEO at ISONAS
ISONAS Inc., a leading Pure IP access control manufacturer, today announced that the company will be unveiling its new IP-Bridge 2.0 at booth #11121 at the ISC West trade show, the largest security event in the world. The ISC West show will take place on April 11th 13th at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, NV. At the show, ISONAS will be featuring its Pure IP family of hardware and software products along with the launch of the next generation of the access control encoder; the new IP-Bridge 2.0. ISONAS has continued to expand their integrated community and will introduce additional partners at ISC West; further expanding the power of choice for customers.
As IP technologies and IoT devices proliferate the security market, the IP-bridge has been the tool to migrate old legacy systems into the IP era. Just like the video encoder transitioned the analog video surveillance market to IP, the new IP-Bridge 2.0 delivers this same simple path for the access control market. With more processing power and additional functionality local to the device, the IP-Bridge 2.0 expands on the core benefits of its predecessor allowing users to avoid a rip and replace scenario. Paired with the ISONAS R-1 Wiegand readers, the IP-Bridge 2.0 provides access to Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities giving legacy system takeovers access to mobile credentials along with a straightforward road to IP technology.
In addition, ISONAS plans to reveal two new integration partners at ISC West, expanding the functionality of its software and hardware platforms. The newest integration with Entrust Datacards software, TruCredential, brings a flexible badge printing solution to Pure Access and delivers an easy-to-use card design, issuance and management system. The second integration is with a leading, global access control software company that will utilize the ISONAS hardware SDK to drive the benefits of Pure IP hardware with their enterprise level access control software platform. This new partner will be revealed at the ISONAS media event taking place on Wednesday, April 11th at 4 p.m. We are extremely excited to launch our new IP-Bridge 2.0 at the ISC West show this year as well as our latest integration partners, states Rob Mossman, CEO at ISONAS. Our business is committed to the continued growth of our integrated partners and becoming the defacto standard for IP Access Control hardware. We look forward to educating our customers on the benefits of our IP solution at our annual media event and keeping the Pure IP revolution moving forward.
For live product demonstrations at the ISC West show and to see first-hand these new ISONAS integrations, visit booth #11121. Attendees can also stop by the ISONAS media event on April 11th at 4 p.m. for a review of the entire product line. For further information on ISONAS, please visit http://www.isonas.com.
About ISONAS Inc.
Since 1999 ISONAS has been revolutionizing access control with one simple solution and is todays leading manufacturer of Pure IP Access Control hardware. When paired with their industry leading cloud hosted software solutions or 3rd party full featured access control software, a complete access control platform is formed. An ISONAS system provides the perfect product solution for securing facilities while reducing costs and providing all of the advantages that Pure IP technology brings to the door. ISONAS is based in the global technology hub of Boulder, Colorado, and has one goal; to change the global access control market, and provide a product solution that is secure, reliable, trusted, and more technologically advanced than anything before. Today, the company is realizing that vision with the ISONAS solution installed globally in over 30 countries in a wide variety of vertical markets. ISONAS has been recognized as one of Boulder Countys fastest growing companies as well as by industry partners such as Milestone Systems, year after year for its powerful video and access control integration. For more information, visit: http://www.isonas.com or call 800-581-0083.
ISONAS Company Contact:
Melissa Stenger, VP of Product Management & Marketing
ISONAS Inc.
Phone: 303-951-7216
Email: melissas(at)isonas(dot)com
ISONAS PR Contact:
Monique Merhige, President
Infusion Direct Marketing & Advertising, Inc.
Phone: 631-846-1558
Email: monique(at)infusiondirect(dot)com
4-Tell today announced the release of its Smart Commerce Platform, which optimizes data-driven personalization for businesses and offers first-of-its-kind collaboration tools, such as digitally-curated product boards that are specific to each unique customer. The Smart Commerce Platform provides unprecedented access into consumer buying behaviors, allowing businesses to customize the shopping experience and engage with customers in real-time, both online and in-store.
The Smart Commerce Platform unifies real-time data from online and offline systems and applies machine-learning to determine detailed customer buying patterns and preferences. Revenue-driving insights are presented to merchants through comprehensive customer profiles, predictive recommendations and segment analytics to empower personalized interactions with every customer and build loyalty and long-term value.
In the age of Amazon, driving customer loyalty has never been more critical for survival and long-term sustainability, said Tom OKeefe, president and chief executive officer of 4-Tell. A personalized and collaborative omnichannel experience is the currency consumers are demanding in exchange for their loyalty.
The Smart Commerce Platform supports digital transformation by elevating data-driven insights to employees at every level of the business, enabling companies to make informed merchandising, marketing and sales decisions while creating a seamless consumer brand experience across multiple channels. Ultimately, these tools help companies increase revenue and customer lifetime value while decreasing employee turnover.
4-Tells products have always mastered two things: gathering customer insights and generating real-time recommendations based on that behavior, said Ken Levy, chief data scientist and co-founder of 4-Tell. Now, were surfacing that intelligence to every facet of the organization and giving them the tools to execute these personalized insights across multiple channels and through every employee, creating a seamless digital transformation for businesses.
With the Smart Commerce Platform, merchants will also have access to Your Store a proprietary tool that allows sales representatives to manually curate product boards for each unique customer. The platforms customer intelligence also fuels automated ecommerce product recommendations and enhanced site search, while enabling the flexibility to digitally collaborate with buyers.
About 4-Tell
4-Tell is an innovator in digital commerce technology that provides personalization and data analytics solutions. 4-Tell enables merchants to build long-term relationships with customers and increase revenue through its digital commerce solutions, including real-time product recommendations, digitally-curated product boards, comprehensive customer profiles, segment analytics and enhanced site search to fuel personalization in retail. For more information, visit http://www.get4tell.com.
EDETEK Life Science The Annual Data Integration and Management Conference is a perfect venue to share Erics expertise with our industry colleagues and to continue deeper conversations about the dynamic nature of digital clinical trials.
EDETEK, the premier provider of digital clinical trial platforms, today announced that the company is presenting at the 7th Annual Data Integration and Management Conference in Princeton, New Jersey.
Eric Hillaert, Senior Director, Product Development, Analytics at EDETEK joins the conference speaking faculty to present, End-to-End Continuous Data Integration in Clinical Trials. In his presentation, Eric will discuss how clinical trial sponsors can analyze event-driven information, simplify information exchange processes and implement real-time data integrations to optimize their digital clinical trials.
The Conference attracts senior level clinical data professionals interested in topics that span the clinical data lifecycle. Data strategies for improving processing speed while maintaining data quality and compliance continue to be important themes. Technologies and best practices that facilitate these strategies dominate this years conference agenda.
Jian Chen, EDETEK President, commented, Eric has a wealth of knowledge about data and how it moves throughout the clinical data lifecycle. He also understands the emerging nuances of the digital clinical trial and the many opportunities for greater efficiency that it brings to the table. The Annual Data Integration and Management Conference is a perfect venue to share Erics expertise with our industry colleagues and to continue deeper conversations about the dynamic nature of digital clinical trials.
The 7th Annual Data Integration and Management Conference is being held March 20-21, 2108 at the Princeton Westin Hotel in Princeton, New Jersey. Eric Hillaerts presentation is scheduled for 2:45 PM, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The EDETEK team will be talking with delegates about digital clinical trials throughout the conference at the EDETEK Exhibit Booth.
ABOUT EDETEK
EDETEK, Inc. is an innovative clinical solutions company that provides high-quality technology and services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. We utilize our clinical platforms, Panther CTMP and CONFORM, to fulfill our clients data engineering and business analytics needs. Our comprehensive metadata driven solutions offer unparalleled advantages in data quality, time to completion, and cost efficiency. Visit our website at http://www.EDETEK.com.
Lexmark is proud of our supply chain and services teams for once again achieving this recognition as a manufacturing industry leader.
Lexmark, a global imaging solutions leader, today announced it has been honored with three 2018 Manufacturing Leadership Awards from the Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership Council. These awards recognize companies and individuals that are shaping the future of global manufacturing.
Lexmark won awards for outstanding achievement in three categories:
Smart Products and Services Leadership
Winning project: Auto Configuration & Debrief Tool
Lexmark built a tool to improve the device installation process for our Managed Print Services customers, automating device configuration and data collection. The Auto Configuration & Debrief Tool reduces implementation time and the need for a customer resource.
Data and Analytics Leadership
Winning project: Overall Equipment Effectiveness Automation
Lexmark implemented an automated tracking system that gathers, charts and enables analytics of data produced during hardware manufacturing. The tools analytics capabilities provide faster access to more detailed information, enabling a quicker reaction by the engineering team.
Operational Excellence Leadership
Winning project: Technical Support Center Lean Transformation
The Lean Transformation project was initiated to implement a single Lean management system to govern all global Technical Support Center practices, eliminating the need for geographic teams and optimizing agent utilization. The results include improvements in call center productivity and customer satisfaction.
Lexmark is proud of our supply chain and services teams for once again achieving this recognition as a manufacturing industry leader, said Tonya Jackson, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. Our ongoing efforts to evaluate and continuously improve our processes result in tremendous benefits for both Lexmark and our customers and partners, and help us continue to lead in the industry.
This marks the sixth straight year Lexmark has won the maximum number of Manufacturing Leadership Awards a company is eligible to receive in a calendar year.
Lexmark will be recognized at the 14th Annual Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, which will conclude the Manufacturing Leadership Summit, June 13 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa in Huntington Beach, California.
Supporting Resources
2018 Manufacturing Leadership Award Winners.
About the 14th Annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit.
About the Manufacturing and Leadership Council.
About Frost and Sullivan.
Follow Lexmark on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the Manufacturing Leadership Awards
The Manufacturing Leadership Awards, now in their 14th year, honor manufacturing companies and individual manufacturing leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. For more information on the Manufacturing Leadership Awards or the Manufacturing Leadership Summit, please go to http://www.mlsummit.com.
About Frost & Sullivan
For more than 50 years, Frost & Sullivan has been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. http://www.frost.com.
About Lexmark
Lexmark creates innovative imaging solutions and technologies that help customers worldwide print, secure and manage information with ease, efficiency and unmatched value.
Lexmark and the Lexmark logo are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Allant is excited to partner with True Influence to solve the complicated problem of identifying the best decision maker.
True Influence, the market leader in fact-based B2B account marketing technology and data services announced today that it has partnered with the Allant Group,a nationally recognized data and analytics firm, to provide a consolidated view of business prospect data. True Influences proprietary intent monitoring platform, InsightBASE, already delivers third party data and insights for its B2B customers and with the addition of Allant, it will be able to enhance that data for our customers.
The addition of the Allant Groups data solutions enables True Influence to leverage their business keying services. Allant also offers additional assistance in the identification of key decision makers, their locations, and precise contact information. In addition, Allants address hygiene and standardization capabilities enable True Influence to further identify high targets for InsightBase customers.
Brian Giese, CEO of True Influence, said in the following statement, We are extremely excited about our partnership with the Allant Group. Because intent signal monitoring is a critical part of the marketing engine, it specifically signals buying interest and purchase acceleration. Our partnership with Allant further enhances this process, setting a new standard for our industry.
Experienced marketers understand the importance of identifying who is in the buying cycle. Intent and behavioral data primarily come from three sources, including: activity on social networks, content consumption across publishing networks, and engagement with digital display advertising. Therefore, it is especially important for B2B marketers to realize who the high value targets are, and when to contact them. When this information comes together in real-time, marketing and sales can work together to accelerate their sales cycle.
Allant is excited to partner with True Influence to solve the complicated problem of identifying the best decision maker. In the past, being able to identify and connect with key decision makers within a company was not an exact sciencetoday that has changed because of the availability of meaningful data such as what True Influence offers said Tim Finnigan, Chief Marketing Officer, Allant Group.
About True Influence and InsightBASE
True Influence is the market leader in B2B targeting and innovative fact-based account marketing. Its customers include Google, IBM, Time Warner, and Oracle among others. Its proprietary Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) intent monitoring platform, InsightBASE, monitors and curates online behavioural signals to help marketers identify and engage customers when they are ready to buy - and before they have taken their first steps in the buying journey.
To learn more about True Influence and read its several case studies proving the efficiently of InsightBASE, visit http://www.trueinfluence.com where you may also request a product demonstration.
About Allant Group
Allant Group is a marketing technology services provider that delivers end-to-end omni-channel marketing services. Allants expertise and market knowledge enables the delivery through faster customer and 3rd party data integration, improved analytical insights, and effective campaign management execution to enable personalized communication by marketers to acquire, retain and win back customers. Allant Group is a privately-held company headquartered in the Chicago area with clients across the United States. To learn more about Allant go to http://www.allantgroup.com where you can request contact.
Today, PointSource, a Globant Division, releases its newest data report, 2018 Digital Transformation Report, uncovering the rash technology investments organizations are making amid pressures to achieve true digital transformation in 2018. The report found that while decision makers are well aware that digital transformation is essential to their future, many are still jumping into new technologies that do not align with their current digital transformation pain points.
All too often, company decision makers invest in technologies without taking a step back and assessing how those technologies fit into their larger digital strategy and business goals. While the majority of such companies perceive these investments as a fast track to the next level of digital maturity, they are actually taking an avoidable detour.
To better understand the state of digital transformation across todays organizations, PointSource surveyed more than 600 senior-level decision makers on their 2018 technology investments, the motives behind those investments and how ready they really feel for these new technologies.
PointSource found that the majority of companies are investing in technology that they dont feel confident in using. In fact, at least a quarter of companies plan to invest more than 25 percent of their 2018 budgets in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, voice-activated technologies or facial-recognition technologies. However, over half (53 percent) of companies do not feel prepared to effectively use AI, blockchain or facial-recognition technologies, with senior managers saying theyre most ready for voice (55 percent).
Were finding that many organizations are making the same mistakes twice when approaching digital transformation. Theyre rushing to make huge investments in technologies that are perceived to have high ROI, and then failing because they arent prepared leaving them with technologies that dont work as intended or conflict with existing systems, said Greg Ng, VP of Digital Transformation at PointSource. Its important that when organizations feel the pressure to go digital, they take time to make sure theyre making rational technology choices rather than just investing based on hype or what their competitors are doing. History doesnt have to repeat itself if organizations are proactive about these technology investments.
The key findings of the report include:
Companies are actively focusing on digital. Ninety-four percent have increased focus on digital growth within the last year, and 90 percent say digital plays a central role in their overarching business goals.
Regardless of company age, existing technology isnt cutting it anymore. Fifty-seven percent of senior managers and above are unsatisfied with one or more of the technologies their organizations employees rely on. Younger companies arent immune to these pain points either 65 percent of companies with less than a decade of experience report this issue as well.
The majority of companies feel digitally outdated. Nearly half (45 percent) of decision makers feel that their companys digital footprint is outdated compared to that of their competitors.
Investments dont align with perceived benefits. At least a quarter of companies plan to invest more than 25 percent of their budgets in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, voice-activated technologies or facial-recognition technologies. Yet those investments dont align with what their senior managers and above consider to be their biggest differentiator, top initiatives, or whats needed to help drive internal growth in 2018.
Technology purchasing decisions arent democratic across the c-suite. CTOs lead the purchasing process just 11 percent of the time. Likely a key factor in why over half (53 percent) of companies dont feel prepared for the technologies theyre investing in.
Technology difficulties are taking a toll on employee collaboration and motivation. Sixty percent of decision makers dont feel confident that their organizations key audiences are accurately defined. Meanwhile, departments are fighting one another over budget and resources (60 percent), and constantly wasting time tracking down/sharing digital information internally (90 percent).
Decision makers considering digital investments should begin by acknowledging a problem or identifying an opportunity, using data to guide and validate, and then map the right solutions, furthered Stephanie Trunzo, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Digital Officer at PointSource. Too often companies attempt to start a transformation journey with technology first, or in a silo of a single department. Starting with small incubators is frequently a necessary and practical way to start; however, those incubators need to use success as a spark to blaze a bigger fire. Eventually, companies need to collaborate across departments, focus on where they are going, and then allow technology decisions to be the subplot supporting their primary narrative.
To download the full report and learn how organizations can make more prepared technology buying decisions, visit http://www.pointsource.com/digital-transformation-report.
About PointSource
PointSource, a Globant Division, is your first step in digital transformation. They bring business, marketing and technology together to create transformative digital solutions. Successful digital strategies combine enterprise expertise and user engagement knowledge. PointSource blends the creative energy of an agency with the technology savvy of a development firm to build digital solutions that solve complex problems and change businesses. For more information, please visit http://www.pointsource.com.
Media Contact
Meg Avril
Walker Sands Communications
meg.avril(at)walkersands(dot)com
312-648-6007
Our partners and customers love the half-day format and definitely leave these events with new information about what they can do with DocLink now, and what they can expect from the solution in the future.
Altec, a leader in enterprise document management and process automation solutions, is continuing its successful DocLink 2018 Evolution Roadshow with four stops on the North American East Coast this month. The company is in New York City today at the Microsoft Technology Center in Times Square, meeting with users, partners and prospects for a half-day complimentary event with Altec personnel detailing the DocLink product roadmap and updates, training, enhancements to business process configurations, advanced feature education, and the inside scoop on how DocLink will evolve next.
Don Howren, President and COO for Altec comments, Weve hosted two sessions so far in California and Washington and we have received overwhelmingly positive responses from attendees. Our partners and customers love the half-day format and definitely leave these events with new information about what they can do with DocLink now, and what they can expect from the solution in the future. Our team is invigorated by the positive feedback and excited for the additional events we have planned moving forward.
The remaining 2018 DocLink Evolution Roadshow schedule is as follows:
March 21 - Philadelphia, PA
March 23 - Orlando, FL
March 27 - Toronto, CA
April 17 - Chicago, IL
April 18 - Indianapolis, IN
April 20 - Dallas, TX
To review the agenda and register for one of these free events, click here.
DocLink
DocLink allows users to fully utilize and enhance their ERP solutions to go paperless in any department accounts payable, accounts receivable, human resources, legal, or across the entire enterprise. DocLink streamlines any business process and provides improved visibility and control to the entire document lifecycle. DocLink offers a secure, single repository to store, search for, retrieve and send all documents, effectively eliminating the need to file paper documents while improving organizational efficiency and reducing costs associated with human errors.
About Altec
Altec is a leading provider of integrated document management and process automation solutions. Its flagship product, DocLink, helps companies connect people, processes and data providing them with the ability to store, search, retrieve and send any document securely. DocLink effectively eliminates the need for paper while automating processes that improve organizational efficiency and reduce costs associated with human errors. With thousands of customers globally, Altec also enjoys strong, collaborative partnerships with ERP solution providers such as Sage, Microsoft, Acumatica, Intacct, Key2Act, SAP B1, AmTech, and Epicor to provide the most comprehensive enterprise solution. Learn more at http://www.altec-inc.com.
Companies are able to save as much as 50% per month with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), as calls are much less expensive than those made on the publically switched telephone networks (PSTN).1 Typically, a landline phone system incurs monthly costs of around $50 per line, but generally only covers local and domestic calls.2 Monthly VoIP plans tend to be available for less than $25 per line.2 Due to the perceived value of VoIP, businesses have adapted it in leaps and bounds for the past several years.1 VoIP is the wave of the future and we consistently see our customers able to cut their phone bills by about 20% to 50% each month, stated Amr Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer for ULTATEL.
VoIP is being found to be a cost-effective communication tool all over the world. From advanced world economies to countries with underdeveloped infrastructures, VoIP is growing exponentially.1 For example, Zimbabwe, an underdeveloped country in Africa, is moving in line with global trends and adopting VoIP technology.1 Companies in Zimbabwe are seeing savings as high as 50% on their monthly telephony bills.1 In addition, companies like Dell are saving money and lowering carbon pollution with telecommuting programs, such as its Connected Workplace program.3 A 2014 study found that Dells Connected Workplace program saved $12 million and prevented 6,700 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.3 Since then, the program continues to grow and Dell has prevented an estimated 25 million kWh of energy and 13,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and has also saved a whopping $39.5 million.3 VoIP plays a central role in bringing telecommuters together with their customers and with each other, making programs like this one possible.
As of 2016, the global VoIP market was valued at $43.3 billion.4 It is estimated that the compound annual growth rate will increase by 10.2% for the VoIP market between 2017 and 2024, which means by 2024 the global revenue will more than double to $93.9 billion.4 VoIP systems level the playing field for small and medium business, as their features offer the mobility and flexibility needed to remain competitive.5
The rapid acceptance of VoIP as the new global standard for voice communications, as opposed to traditional telecommunication methods, is predominantly fueled by its innovative capabilities and cost savings.1 VoIP allows customers to make voice calls via a broadband Internet connection, instead of an analog phone line.1 Due to its ability to integrate with other Internet applications with calling features, VoIP is an attractive option for many organizations.1 The allure comes from being able to use a singular interface to simultaneously chat, transfer files, share screens and email to facilitate the ease of communication.1
Not only does ULTATELs total solution include a significant cost reduction when compared to traditional telephone systems, it also provides unified communication with 99.999% reliability, as well as advanced PBX features and an intuitive permission-based dashboard. We, at ULTATEL, consult with businesses to simplify their telephone systems by streamlining the infrastructure, notes Ibrahim. Communications are centralized and stored in the cloud allowing companies to maximize savings.
ULTATELs cloud is able to seamlessly connect all of a companys locations, as well as remote users locally, nationally and globally. As a company grows, ULTATEL is able to size the system to accommodate the needs of the business and can easily expand without tying them down with long-term commitments or massive fixed costs. By choosing ULTATELs innovative telecom solutions, businesses and service providers benefit from being able to minimize or eliminate CAPEX, along with operating and IT expenses, while maximizing responsiveness, increasing productivity and improving customer satisfaction.
About ULTATEL
ULTATEL is a leading provider of cloud-based phone system solutions. Through its unified communications platform, companies can have all their voice, video, fax, SMS and audio conferencing services on one affordable system. ULTATEL Business clarity with more than 40 enterprise grade features -helps companies to operate from a single location or multiple locations seamlessly using desktop phones, softphones or mobile apps. ULTATEL Contact Center solution satisfies the need for call center features like advanced Interactive Voice Response (IVR), call queuing, skilled/time based routing and advanced call analytics.
ULTATELs vision is to completely change how companies conduct business by delivering the most comprehensive suite of unified cloud-based telephony services that dramatically improve responsiveness, increase productivity, enhance globalization efficiencies, and reduce operating costs so that businesses can most effectively compete both today and in the future. Visit https://www.ULTATEL.com/.
1Enterprise VoIP: Future of Global Telecoms. The Herald, Zimpapers Digital, 7 Mar. 2018.
herald.co.zw/enterprise-voip-future-of-global-telecoms
2Just the Facts, Please: Your Go-To List of Cold, Hard VoIP Statistics. The VoIP Report, 22 July 2017.
thevoipreport.com/article/cold-hard-voip-stats
3Hardcastle, Jessica Lyons. Dell's Connected Workplace Program Cuts Carbon Pollution. Environmental Leader, 30 Jan. 2017.
environmentalleader.com/2016/06/17/how-dell-saved-39-5-million-cut-carbon-pollution-via-telecommuting
4Global VoIP Market Continues to Grow for Tech Companies | Markets Insider. Business Insider, Business Insider, 8 Aug. 2017.
markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/global-voip-market-continues-to-grow-for-tech-companies-1002240545
5Chatterley, Bruce. Debunking the Top Five VoIP Myths. ITworld, IDG Communications, Inc., 30 July 2009.
itworld.com/article/2767456/small-business/debunking-the-top-five-voip-myths.html
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP elevated David R. Eastlake, Elizabeth Ross Hadley, Bina Palnitkar, and David Parker to shareholder, and Adelaida Vasquez to of counsel in Texas where the firm has more than 125 attorneys, serving clients from offices in Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
We are proud of the accomplishments of this talented group of individuals, said Mary-Olga Lovett, Greenberg Traurig co-regional operating shareholder of Texas based in Houston. These lawyers represent the future of our firm and we look forward to seeing them carry on our unique culture of global collaboration with their colleagues in the years ahead.
Firmwide, Greenberg Traurig elevated 42 attorneys to shareholder from 21 of the firms offices and 14 practice areas. Female attorneys make up 50 percent of the firms 2018 new shareholder class.
These elevations reflect Greenberg Traurigs ongoing commitment to developing and advancing lawyers so that they become tomorrows business and legal leaders, said Demetrius McDaniel, co-regional operating shareholder Greenberg Traurig in Texas based in Austin. We congratulate each of them and wish them much success in their new roles.
Austin Office
Hadley focuses her practice on government law and policy and litigation matters. Her government law and policy practice focuses on legislative, regulatory, and policy issues, including insurance regulation, economic development, technology, health care policy, and campaign finance compliance in Texas. In addition to representing clients before the Texas legislature, she has legislative and agency experience having worked previously in the U.S. Senate, the Texas State Senate, and the Texas Department of Agriculture. Hadleys litigation experience includes the representation of pharmaceutical and medical device companies in products liability matters, insurance companies, financial institutions, health care providers, public and private corporations, and state governmental entities. She has wide-ranging trial experience in state and federal courts in Texas and Mississippi, including first and second chair in jury and bench trials, motions practice, discovery and mediation.
Dallas Office
Palnitkar is an accomplished trial lawyer whose practice focuses on resolving complex business and intellectual property disputes through litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. She has a national and international practice that is tailored to the needs and expectations of her clients. She has broad experience handling breach of contract, trademark infringement litigation, anti-counterfeiting enforcement, international FCPA compliance matters, medical malpractice defense for health care entities, fraud, tortious interference, and theft of trade secrets. Palnitkars practical experience and approach to dispute resolution covers a number of disciplines and industries, including health care, start-up firms, and technology.
Houston Office
Eastlake focuses his practice on the representation of debtors-in-possession, official and ad hoc committees, significant creditors and secured lenders in complex Chapter 11 reorganization cases, Chapter 7 liquidations, out-of-court restructurings, and commercial and bankruptcy-related litigation matters. His experience includes representing purchasers and sellers of assets of Chapter 11 debtors and financially distressed companies, negotiating debtors-in-possession financing, and drafting reorganization plans and disclosure statements. In addition, he has experience in corporate transactions and corporate governance, including commercial financings, oil and gas transactions and other general corporate matters. Eastlakes representations have ranged across a wide array of industries, including energy, oil and gas, retail, manufacturing, real estate, financial services, telecommunication and cable.
Parker focuses his practice on real estate development, leasing, and the acquisition, disposition, construction, and financing of various real estate projects. His representative clients vary widely across numerous industries, including oilfield services, health care, retail, and industrial, residential, office, and mixed use developments. His leasing practice involves the representation of both lessors and lessees in commercial leases, including office and industrial. Parkers clients vary in size and scope from individuals and start-ups to multibillion-dollar corporations, and he has handled numerous transactions regionally as well as nationally.
Vasquez focuses her practice on international compliance matters, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act. Vasquez assists clients in designing and implementing anti-corruption compliance programs and assists in compliance investigations. She also provides comprehensive compliance training to management, employees, and third parties. Her experience includes conducting in-country risk assessments and compliance program enhancements around the world, including Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2017 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.
Dr. Leisa Easom Dr. Easom is a nationally renowned expert in the field of caregiving, said Sandra Daniel, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) will offer a Bachelor of Science in Long-Term Care Management (LTCM), the first-of-its-kind in the nation, beginning this fall. The new degree program will bring Leisa Easom, Ph.D., to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences as the associate dean. Easom currently serves as executive director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, a unit of GSW.
A better prepared workforce is needed to care for our nations aging and disabled populations, said Easom. There is a national crisis with Alzheimers and related dementias. Every 66 seconds someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimers, according to the Alzheimers Association. Georgia is the 11th state with the fastest growing 65 and older population. In addition, one in six children have developmental disabilities while one in 68 children have autism spectrum disorder, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Numerous years as a geriatric nurse and working directly with caregivers over the past eight years uniquely prepare me to lead our new initiative, Easom stated.
The LTCM degree, offered online and the classroom, will prepare graduates to assist patients and families to connect with community resources, transition from hospital to home, and manage the care of residents in an institutional setting.
As a four year interdisciplinary degree, students will take courses from a variety of disciplines nursing, caregiving, psychology, sociology, and business. They will become knowledgeable in palliative care, hospice, gerontology, family issues, caregiving support, counseling, health promotion, business management, health funding, and cultural competency.
Employers today express the need for a new skill set and are looking for individuals who are compassionate, culturally sensitive, able to communicate well with others and have managerial skills, said Easom. Graduates will be fully equipped to help patients and their families better navigate todays complicated health care system.
Dr. Easom is a nationally renowned expert in the field of caregiving, said Sandra Daniel, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. I have full confidence that our new long-term care management degree program will undergo substantial growth very quickly as a result of the expertise that she brings in this field.
I am proud that Georgia Southwestern is the first university in the nation to offer this exciting and relevant degree program, said GSW President Neal Weaver. It is evident to us through our discussions with employers across the country that the time is now for such program and we are excited to expand our current academic offerings to include what we believe will become a highly sought after degree.
Organizations in the region looking to employ GSW graduates with this degree include hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, Area Agencies on Aging, home health care agencies, state department of aging services, and more.
About Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University, located in Americus, Ga., is a public, four-year unit of the University System of Georgia with more than 3,000 students. Georgia Southwestern offers outstanding professional programs of study as well as degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences and graduate programs in business, computer science, education, English, and nursing. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southwestern is recognized as one of the best value colleges in the South.
For more information about Georgia Southwestern State University, visit http://www.gsw.edu.
Lisa Simon, CEO, SPRYTE Communications I couldnt be more enthusiastic about connecting with pharmaceutical companies that recognize the high operating standards we must meet to maintain our WBENC certification.
SPRYTE Communications, a healthcare communications agency, is proud to announce national re-certification as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Womens Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-SNJ, a regional certifying partner of the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
We are delighted to maintain our national certification as a woman owned business, said SPRYTE Communications CEO Lisa Simon. As I head to Dallas this week to participate in WBENCs Summit & Salute conference, I couldnt be more enthusiastic about connecting with pharmaceutical companies that recognize the high operating standards we must meet to maintain our WBENC certification.
WBENCs national standard of certification implemented by the Womens Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-SNJ is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.
About WBENC
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nations leader in womens business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 13,000 certified Womens Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and over 300 Corporate Members. More than 1,000 corporations representing Americas most prestigious brands as well as many states, cities, and other entities accept WBENC Certification. For more information, visit http://www.wbenc.org.
About SPRYTE Communications
SPRYTE Communications specializes in healthcare and industries touched by healthcare. Its seasoned team of professionals have years of institutional and agency healthcare experience. SPRYTE actively seeks bright new opportunities with provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, foundations, health advocacy groups, healthcare associations, healthcare law firms, social service agencies, healthcare educators and government. The firm is known for its creativity, tenacity and drive in the areas of media relations, reputation management, public affairs, referral marketing and digital content and social marketing. For additional information, visit http://www.sprytecom.com or call (215) 545-4715.
I had met Paul many years ago and have been a huge admirer of his success. I am honored that Paul has agreed to join the Board. Hes the perfect addition.
MDI Group, a leading privately held IT staffing and recruiting firm, today announced the addition of Paul Citarella to its Board of Directors. Formed five years ago, the Board provides valuable support and insight to the executive leadership team as they continue to position the company for extensive growth and expansion.
The six-person Board has evolved over the last five years, collaborating closely with executive leaders and providing oversight and feedback on financial and budgetary decisions, investment strategies, industry trends, employee development and retention, and sales and marketing.
The Board has, over these last five years, become a value-add to senior management, comments Board member Charles Modlin. Given the fact that MDI is a privately held company focused on growth, the individual strengths and experiences of each Board member are key to identifying issues and providing support as the Company grows. We encourage members of the management team to reach out to Board members and maintain an ongoing dialogue.
MDI Group closed out 2017 in a strong position, having focused on aligning the leadership team, growing revenue, and capturing market share across all regional markets. In 2018, as the Company enters its 30th year in business, the leadership team and Board of Directors are focused on two strategic imperatives; namely, the hiring and development of internal talent and the growth of enterprise accounts. Citarellas vast experience will be highly valuable in helping to achieve these objectives.
To say I had been conducting a search for quite some time would be a huge understatement when I reconnected with Paul Citarella and realized what an amazing opportunity it would be for MDI Group to have Paul join the board, comments Ella Koscik, CEO and owner of MDI Group. I had been looking for someone who complemented the existing Boards wealth of financial, IT, legal, and staffing knowledge and could bring a very specialized background of executive-level strategic sales and marketing expertise as well entrepreneurial expertise to the table. I had met Paul many years ago and have been a huge admirer of his success. I am honored that Paul has agreed to join the Board. Hes the perfect addition.
Citarella is the Chief Commercial Officer for PEOPLEASE, an HR and Risk Management solutions provider to the trucking and logistics industries. Prior to this position, he held the role of SVP Sales & Marketing for a $2.4B corporation, where he accelerated sales revenue by 30% and expanded the sales organization team to over 400 people.
After attending my first Board meeting a few months ago, I was incredibly impressed by the vast range of skill sets and experience that everyone on the Board brings to the table, comments Citarella. Its truly a scenario where the Board as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and thats a very exciting part of joining the team. In a competitive marketplace like IT staffing, achieving high growth requires a company to be nimble, deploying different approaches and strategies to avoid becoming stagnant. Im honored to help provide value and guidance on which way to go.
As a member of MDI Groups Board since its inception, Im pleased to welcome Paul as our newest member, comments Board member Theresa Senter. Paul brings a wealth of experience and will provide valuable insights as we continue to lead this Company forward. The Board has a very active role in helping with the strategic direction of the Company, and we are excited about what the future holds.
About MDI Group
MDI Group is an innovator among IT staffing and recruiting agencies, providing a full range of recruitment services to help in-house resources tackle whats next in terms of emerging technology projects and challenging business objectives since 1988. Services range from contract and contract-to-hire placements to project teams and end-to-end processes that maximize the engagement and management of contract labor. MDI Group has placed more than 10,000 technology consultants with mid-sized to Fortune 500 organizations across the country and has offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Greenville, South Carolina; and Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit http://www.mdigroup.com and follow @MDIGroup.
Back by popular demand, the Hartford Business Journals dynamic breakfast program, 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes, will take place Tuesday, April 3 at the Hartford Club in Hartford, Conn. In just 90-minutes, attendees will learn the top ten business tips of some of the regions leading executives and entrepreneurs.
We are excited to bring back the popular 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes networking breakfast, Joe Zwiebel, president and publisher, Hartford Business Journal, said. Last years event was our first and the feedback we received from attendees was overwhelming. This event is a great way for professionals to learn a lot of actionable tips in a short amount of time from some of the best and brightest in our community.
The second annual event will offer Connecticut professionals and business owners access to nine of the regions top thinkers and most successful executives. Each will share their 10 best ideas that have helped make their businesses thrive. In just 90 quick minutes, attendees will walk away with over 90 proven practices, programs, or philosophies that can help strengthen their own business.
The 90-minute master class will be comprised of nine individual presentations. This years presenters include:
Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner, Cantor Colburn LLP
Patrick Dempsey, President & CEO, Barnes Group Inc.
Jeff Flaks, President, Hartford HealthCare
Rohan Freeman, Founder & President, Freeman Companies
Joe Gianni, Market President for Hartford, Bank of America
Bonnie Malley, Vice President, Finance & Administration, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Felix Rappaport, President & CEO, Foxwoods Resort Casino
Curtis Robinson, Owner, C&R Development Co., and Philanthropist
Carla Squatrito, Founder & President, Carlas Pasta
Presentations will be preceded by networking, registration and breakfast. Tickets for the program are $60 per person. All attendees must register in advance. To register, visit http://www.hartfordbusiness.com.
The Education Leadership Sponsor for 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes is UConn School of Business. Event sponsors are Comcast Business, Cox Business and Emcor Services / New England Mechanical. Event partners include: The Hartford Club, Merritt Graphics, J. Fiereck Photography, Rider Productions, and Co-Communications, Marketing and Public Relations.
About Hartford Business Journal
Hartford Business Journal is the only audited weekly, subscription-based business publication in Connecticut. Whether its market trends, the latest merger news or an update on state government, this award-winning weekly is the must read for area business leaders. Hartford Business Journal has a total readership of 31,000 affluent and educated business decision makers in the 61 towns that make up Metro Hartford. For more information, please visit http://www.hartfordbusiness.com or call 860.236.9998.
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In October 2006, a Chinese Song-class diesel-electric submarine capable of carrying torpedoes and antiship missiles surfaced within firing range of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk.
"Some navy officers interpreted it as a 'Gotcha!' move," journalist Michael Fabey wrote in his 2017 book, "Crashback." It was "a warning from China that US carrier groups could no longer expect to operate with impunity."
Almost exactly nine years later, China again demonstrated its growing naval prowess, when a Kilo-class diesel-electric attack sub shadowed the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan near southern Japan.
One defense official told The Washington Free Beacon that the sub's appearance "set off alarm bells on the Reagan," though there was no sign of threatening behavior.
The US still "owns the undersea realm in the western Pacific right now and is determined" to maintain it, Fabey told Business Insider in a February interview. But "China has grown in terms of maritime power, maritime projection more quickly than any country in the region," he added. "The growth has been incredible."
Armed to the teeth
"You're seeing Chinese submarines farther and farther and farther away" from China, Fabey said. "Chinese subs now make routine patrols into the Indian Ocean ... This is a very big deal, just in terms of what you have to think is out there."
Driving the Chinese absolutely crazy
A sub shortfall was expected in the mid-2020s, as production of new Virginia-class attack subs was reduced after production of new Colombia-class ballistic-missile subs started in 2021. But the Navy has said US industry can continue to build two Virginia-class subs a year, even after starting to build one Columbia-class sub a year in 2021.
The 2018 budget included also money for increased production of Virginia-class subs which are "the creme de la creme," Fabey said.
China's neighbors are also racing to add subs, looking not only for a military edge, but also to keep an eye on their turf.
Diesel-electrics are relatively cheap, and countries like Russia and China are willing to sell them, Fabey said. "So you have this big proliferation of diesel-electric subs, because with just the purchase of a few diesel-electric subs, a nation can develop a strategic force."
"All those countries, they're the home team, so they don't need to have nuclear subs necessarily to go anywhere [and] project power," he said. "They want to just project power in their little neighborhoods, and that's why diesel-electrics are so amazingly good."
The next two Kalvari-class subs, built by a French firm, have already arrived. The six and last Kalvari-class sub is due to join the fleet in 2020. In July 2017, New Dehli contacted foreign shipyards with a request for information about building its next six nonnuclear subs.
India's efforts have been plagued by delays, however. The Kalvari was supposed to be delivered in 2012 but was four years late. Mistakes have also set India back the Arihant, for example, has been out of service since early 2017, when it flooded because a hatch was left open as it submerged.
India has expressed considerable concern about Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean, which includes submarine patrols, as well as its efforts to court countries in the region.
Beijing has sold subs to Bangladesh, which has bought two, Pakistan, which has bought eight, and Thailand, which may buy up to four.
Countries buying Chinese subs rely on China's naval officers and technicians for support and maintenance which extends Beijing's influence.
"I believe that's a counter to the increasing encroachment by Chinese forces," Fabey said of India's naval activity
"What the two countries have established on land, they're now looking to establish in the ocean, India especially," he added. "It's not about to let China encroach just willy-nilly."
All these countries are likely to face challenges developing and maintaining a sub force, Fabey said, pointing to the case of Argentina's ARA San Juan, a diesel-electric sub lost with all hands in the South Atlantic last year. But subs are not the only military hardware in demand in East Asia, and the buildup comes alongside uncertainty about the balance of power in the region.
Apprehension about China's growth has been tempered by increasing economic reliance on Beijing. And the current and previous US administration have left countries in the region, including longtime allies, unsure about what role the US is willing to play there.
"Everyone out in Asia is on one hand scared of China, and the other hand, they need China for trade," Fabey said. "Also there's a real sense of, 'China's right here, America's on the other side of the world.'"
"And there's a sense of reevaluating China," he added, "because if you don't have the 500-pound gorilla from the West, t hen you've got to worry about the 500-pound dragon in the East a little bit more."
An expansive facial recognition network in the southwestern Chinese city of Guiyang have reportedly enabled police to detect and apprehend criminals in as little as two minutes.
The surveillance cameras are set up in more than 10,000 public places across the city, which is larger than the state of Delaware, reported the state-run newspaper Global Times this week. The cameras stream real-time footage back to a huge LED screen monitored by police.
The system, which has a 90% accuracy rate, simultaneously checks faces against a nationwide database and can almost immediately provide a person's name, age, gender, ethnicity, as well as information including family members, people they regularly meet, and places they've recently been.
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The development is part of Skynet, a nationwide monitoring programme launched in 2005 to increase the use and capabilities of surveillance cameras.
But as quick as Guiyang's police response times are, the number of cameras is lagging behind Beijing, which achieved 100% coverage of the city in 2015.
Police are also developing AI-powered systems that, aside from recognizing faces, can identify people from their repeated behaviours or even gait. Officials want to use this information to predict crime before it happens.
China has begun hitting back at human rights concerns over its expanding surveillance and facial recognition technologies.
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The Global Times reported the system in Guiyang, like those across China, "
sharing among government agencies and companies is common," the report said.
Uma Oram from the village of Kheriakani in the eastern Indian state of Odisha was reportedly talking to a family member when the deadly incident happened.
Her hand, chest and leg severely got injured and she fell unconscious instantly.
Uma was hushed to the hospital for treatment, but pronounced dead on arrival.
Brother of the deceased, Durga Prasad Oram told Daily Mail that: As the battery of the mobile phone was draining out, she plugged it for charging while talking over it simultaneously.
The cell phone... was put on charging when she started talking to a relative.
Before we could know what exactly happened, Uma fell unconscious. She was declared dead at the hospital.
Though the Nokia branded phone is disfigured due to the explosion, reports say it looks like Nokia 5233 which was released in 2010.
While police have reportedly gone to the scene to gather information to help in investigation, MailOnline quoted a spokesperson of Nokia as saying: We are deeply saddened to hear of the unfortunate incident involving a 19-year-old girl that has been reported.
While we have not been able to independently verify the facts of any of these reports, we can confirm that the mobile phone in question was not manufactured or sold by HMD Global, the new home of Nokia phones, set up in 2017 to create a new range of Nokia devices.
The Vatican pontiff added that: This isn't making love. This is torturing a woman. Let's not confuse the terms.
He was speaking to 300 young people who were invited by the Vatican to Rome for a meeting aimed at helping church leaders understand the attitudes of the youth towards the Catholic Church.
In that meeting, a Nigerian lady, Blessing Okoedion who was reportedly forced into prostitution, but escaped questioned Pope Francis why under his watch male Catholics are among those that patronize girls trafficked to Italy and forced into prostitution.
She said: I ask myself, and I ask you: Is the male chauvinistic church able to truthfully ask itself about this high demand by clients?
Pope Francis responded by charging the youth to be advocates against human trafficking and forced prostitution.
He said: This is one of the battles that I ask you young people to do,
Pope Francis then asked for forgiveness on behalf of male Catholics who join the rest of society to engage in exploitation of women.
Charles Nii Armah Jr. popularly known as Shatta Wale in the showbiz industry has made internet moments better with his what might be best selfie shot. The head shot has already generated lots of comments and we couldnt help but be a part of this conversation.
The selfie was taken of him in a men winter headgear mostly referred to by many as trapper hat and vintage shades looking all cozy clothed in winter jackets.
READ ALSO:Musician to be honoured at 2018 IRAWMA
It was taken in the United States of America, Chicago to be precise for the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) where he was honored at Logan Center for Arts, University of Chicago, Illinois. This award was for his outstanding contributions to Reggae in Ghana and at the global level.
The Ayoo hitmaker was adjudged BEST AFRICAN SONG/ENTERTAINER at the 2016 edition of the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA).
The Bank of Ghana said they have appointed an administrator for Unibank because it is insolvent.
The central bank insists that uniBanks challenges have been ongoing for the past two or so years. Bank of Ghana said Unibank has been on life support for a while now.
"This is no liquidation, but we are saving the bank and hand it over to competent management. The new management will assess the bank and give way forward," the Bank of Ghana said in a statement.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Kwabre East Municipality who doubles as the Chairman of the District Security Committee (DISEC), Nana Osei Asibey said journalists in the region must be blamed for the clashes.
He blamed journalists for exaggerating the renewed clashes.
READ MORE: One dead in fresh clashes at Kwabre East District
"You are not being fair and helpful to the situation at all.if you start reporting that the Zongo and Akan youth have clashed it is just that you are not telling the truth," he said.
According to him, the issue is not serious as being reported in some media outlets.
"As reporters do your investigations and assessment before you come to me for my side. You dont have to report any untruth.
"You are just exaggerating and I will plead with you to report accuracy," he added.
This is the second time the Zongo youth and the Akan indigenes clashed which has left one dead and scores injured.
In February, there was a bloody clash between indigenous Ashantis and members of the Zongo community which resulted in dozens being injured while several properties were destroyed.
That action angered the Ashantis who stormed the Zongo community and destroyed properties. The Zongo youth earlier had also staged a reprisal attack on the indigenes with guns, machetes and other weapons.
According to reports, he had grabbed the woman from the back, and threw her on the ground violently.
Before the woman could recover, the young man torn her fabrics and had sex with her.
After the damage, the woman gathered her belongings and proceeded home.
READ MORE: Court orders rape suspect to produce BECE certificate
Though she had recognised the man, the woman kept mute in fear of shame.
Fearing that her husband and others would find out, she decided to report the case at Kibuye Police Station.
To prove her claim, she presented her knickers that had been ripped up in the middle as an exhibit.
She was examined by a doctor assigned by the police and there was no evidence of forceful penetration.
However, the doctor noted the scratches the woman had sustained around the neck.
Upon the report, the police arrested the suspect and locked him at the Kibuye Police station.
No evidence was found on the suspect to incriminate him in the alleged rape; no unusual tears or scratches on his body. A detective who examined Lutaaya said "We did not take him for DNA examination."
According to him, DNA is a new thing. Though there had been forensic science, it was not something everyone embraced.
READ ALSO: Social media circulation of nude photos condemned
In his statement to the police, Lutaaya maintained that he had not raped the complainant, claiming that he had had a love affair with her.
The complainant, after hearing the suspect's case realised that she could actually lose her marriage.
She then knelt down at the police station and begged her husband for forgiveness.
"We did not expect that; but we later understood her point...She felt she was going to be accused of infidelity; she denied having an affair with Lutaaya," the detective said.
The visibly unhappy judges openly questioned the lawyers why they had delayed despite a one year hold of the case.
READ MORE: Lawyer files suit to get Montie 3 back in jail
In the consolidated suit the plaintiffs Nana Asante Bediatuo, Elipklim Agbemeva and Alfred Yeboah contend that Mahama cannot arrogate unto himself powers exclusively within the bosom of the judiciary by the constitution of Ghana.
They further are pleading with the court to declare as null and void and of no effect, the purported pardon granted by former President Mahama of a remission of the punishment of a 4-month jail term imposed on Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Masse.
In the agreement, it's been reported that the US will have unrestricted access to a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions to the United States Military.
The agreement will permit the U.S. Military to use Ghana as a base for staging and deploying forces.
The deal is said to have been on cabinet's agenda for the past 8 months, however, they only approved it on March 8.
The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul is quoted in the memo advising cabinet to sanction the agreement because the Ghanaian military will benefit in trainings and logistics.
According to the agreement Ghana will provide unimpeded access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to the U.S. forces and Contractors.
It also allows U.S. forces and their Contractors to undertake construction activities on and make alterations and improvements to agreed facilities and areas.
The U.S. forces are also authorised to control entry to the facilities meant for the exclusive use of their forces.
READ ALSO: US troops in Syria prepare for more Russian attacks after crushing up to 300 mercenaries in February battle
The agreement also states that aircraft, vehicles and vessels operated by or at the time, exclusively for the United States Forces may enter exit and move freely within the territory and territorial waters of Ghana.
The U.S. Forces can also use Ghanas radio spectrum free of charge.
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The two, were engaged in a strong exchange of words with Kwesi Pratt accusing the Minister of being economical with the truth.
Dominic Nitiwul has categorically denied that the cabinet has approved an agreement.
A memo sighted by various media houses on an agreement by cabinet to allow the US to establish a military base in the country is expected to be tabled before Parliament.
The agreement grants the US Military unfettered access to "a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions."
In the agreement, it's been reported that the US will have unrestricted access to a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions to the United States Military.
The deal is said to have been on cabinet's agenda for the past 8 months, however, they only approved it on March 8.
The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul is quoted in the memo advising cabinet to sanction the agreement because the Ghanaian military will benefit in trainings and logistics.
According to the agreement, Ghana will provide unimpeded access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to the U.S. forces and Contractors.
It also allows U.S. forces and their Contractors to undertake construction activities on and make alterations and improvements to agreed facilities and areas.
The US forces are also authorised to control entry to the facilities meant for the exclusive use of their forces.
READ ALSO: US troops in Syria prepare for more Russian attacks after crushing up to 300 mercenaries in February battle
The agreement also states that "aircraft, vehicles and vessels operated by or at the time, exclusively for the United States Forces may enter exit and move freely within the territory and territorial waters of Ghana."
The U.S. Forces can also use Ghanas radio spectrum free of charge.
But Kwesi Pratt said "That is a source of worry" adding that the whole agreement "is a surrender of our sovereignty."
He said the agreement was disappointing and most unfortunate.
Dominic Nitiwul in rebuttal said questioned the integrity of Kwesi Pratt indicating that if he [Pratt] had read well enough, he would know Ghana is not the only country the US is partnering with in this regard.
READ ALSO: Minister of Defence denies US military base in Ghana reports
He revealed that it began with Senegal as the first African country and now Ghana.
He disputed Mr Pratt's claim about "surrendering sovereignty" with the fact that the US Military operations in Ghana will be limited to only the Airport.
"This agreement is not the first time" and that similar ones were agreed between the countries in 1997 and 2007. And it is going to Parliament because any foreign agreement must go to Parliament, besides requests for tax waivers can only be granted by Parliament.
Pulse reported on a memo sighted by various media houses on an agreement by cabinet to allow the US to establish a military base in the country.
The report says the agreement, expected to be tabled before Parliament sometime this week, grants the US Military unfettered access to a host of Ghanaian facilities and wide-ranging tax exemptions.
READ ALSO: Cabinet approves agreement for a US military base in Ghana
But, the Minister of Defence has said the reports are not true and the memo is just an agreement between Ghana and the US for a joint military partnership.
The Defence Minister said Ghana and the USA have been involved in joint exercises over the years and what they seek to do now, including the use of two buildings in the Kotoka International Airport area, is no different.
READ ALSO: US troops in Syria prepare for more Russian attacks after crushing up to 300 mercenaries in February battle
This agreement is not the first time and that similar ones were agreed between the countries in 1997 and 2007. And it is going to Parliament because any foreign agreement must go to Parliament, besides requests for tax waivers can only be granted by Parliament."
According to him, the NDC was formed on the principles and ideals of the former President.
His reactions come at the back of former spokesperson for the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolution Council (AFRC), Major Boakye Gyan (rtd) who has charged his former colleague to comport himself, advising him to stop talking what he described as rubbish.
He said Rawlings is not a serious member describing him as an enemy of the NDC.
Boakye Gyan in an interview on Kumasi-based Abusua FM, he said "I released him from prison only for him to be talking rubbish. He has no moral right to be talking of shedding blood. There are people who have sacrificed so much for the party that he claims to have done.
"He was in bed with NPP to defeat the NDC. He is now rich and out of poverty. If he has graduated from social democratic values and now hanging out with his new friends he should go. Why will Nana Addo thank him... He should either be with us or without us now he has new friends defending them. I and Osahene brought himlm the father of the NDC because it came under the barrel of a gun and l fired the gun."
He said the Disciplinary Committee must restore calm and bring Rawlings to order ahead of the 2020 elections.
According to him, "Rawlings must be brought to book for bringing the name of the NDC into disreputehe must be taken to the Disciplinary committee and this is long overdue."
Addressing cadres and NDC activists at a Town Hall meeting at the Arts Centre in Accra over the weekend, Rawlings said he won't sit and watch his party go into the abyss.
"I am going to dedicate my time to speaking to my NDC people, When ever I am invited, I will come and speak to my people," he added.
He stated that there is hope for the NDC adding that he will show the party how to bounce back in 2020.
He that: "I shed my blood for the NDC. Those who understand, understand what it mean."
But Victor Smith in rebuttal said the executives of the NDC will do the party and its supporters lots of good if they call Rawlings to order.
He further called on Rawlings to quit the party quietly if he is no longer interested in the affairs of NDC.
The agreement will also permit the US military to use Ghana as a base for staging and deploying forces.
The deal is said to have been on Cabinet's agenda for the past 8 months, however, they only approved it on March 8.
Read the agreement below:
MINISTRY OF DEFENCEPARLIAMENTARY MEMORANDUM BY HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCEON AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAAND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
MARCH 2018SECRET
PARLIAMENTARY MEMORANDUM ON AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ON DEFENCECOOPERATION, THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES FORCES, AND ACCESS TO AND USE OF AGREED FACILITIES AND AREAS IN THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
HON DOMINIC .A. NITIWUL (MP)MINISTER FOR DEFENCEDATED 14th MARCH, 2018
CONFIDENTIAL
In case of reply thenumber and date of thisletter should be quoted.My Ref. No OPCA.3/3/120318Your Ref. NO .
REPUBLIC OF GHANA
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTP.O. BOX 1627ACCRATEL 0302-201000/212th March, 2018
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ON DEFENCE CO-OPERATION, THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES FORCES, AND ACCESS TO AND USE OF AGREED FACILITIES AND AREAS IN THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
Cabinet at its Twenty-eighth meeting held on Thursday, 8th March, 2018 discussed a report presented by the Security Committee of Cabinet on a Memorandum submitted by the Minister for Defence on the above subject.
2. The Memorandum sought Cabinet approval for an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Ghana on Defence Co-operation, the Status of United States Forces and Access to and use of Agreed Facilities and Areas in the Republic of Ghana.
3. Cabinet approved the Memorandum and recommended same to Parliament for ratification.4. I should be grateful if you could take requisite action on the decision by Cabinet.
READ ALSO: Cabinet approves agreement for a US military base in Ghana
MERCY DEBRAH-KARIKARISECRETARY TO THE CABINETTHE HON. MINISTER FOR DEFENCEcc: Chief of StaffSecretary to the PresidentSecretary to the Vice PresidentThe Chairperson, SecurityCommittee of Cabinet
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ON DEFENSE COOPERATION, THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES FORCES, AND ACCESS TO AND USE OF AGREED FACILITIES AND AREAS IN THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
Preamble
The Government of the United States of America (hereinafter the United States) and the Government of the Republic of Ghana (hereinafter Ghana), hereinafter referred to collectively as the Parties and singularly as a Party;
Desiring to conclude an agreement contributing to enhanced security cooperation between the Parties,and recognizing that such cooperation is based on full respect for the sovereignty of each Party;
Reaffirming the strong defense relationship between the Patties based on a shared commitment to peace and stability and common approaches to addressing regional defense and security issues;Reaffirming the recent dialogue between the Presidents of the United States and Ghana on the importance of the bilateral defense relationship; and
Considering that, by arrangement between the United States and Ghana, United States forces may be present in Ghana in pursuit of common defense efforts, as well as to provide support to the security of United States Government personnel and facilities in the region; and
Recalling the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the Government of the United States of America, Represented by the United States Department of Defense, and the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, signed at Stuttgart on April 13 and Accra on April 28, 2015 and entered into force April 28, 2015;
Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Definitions1. United States forces means the United States Department of Defense (hereinafter DoD), including its constituent organizations, and all of its property, equipment, and materiel and its military personnel and civilian personnel present in the territory of Ghana in connection with thisAgreement. Within this definition: .
a. Military personnel means members of the United States Armed Forces present in the territory of Ghana in connection with this Agreement; and
b. Civilian personnel means persons who are employed by DoD present in the territory of Ghana in connection with this Agreement.United States contractor means a person or entity supplying goods or services in Ghana to or onbehalf of United States forces under a contract or subcontract with or in support of DaD, and itsemployees who are not nationals of or ordinarily resident in Ghana.
3. Agreed facilities and areas means the facilities and areas in the territory of Ghana as described inAnnex A, and such other facilities and areas in the territory of Ghana as may be provided byGhana in the future, to which United States forces, United States contractors, and others asmutually agreed, shall have the right to access and use in connection with this Agreement.4. Executive Agent means DoD for the United States and the Ministry of Defence for Ghana.5. Duty means a task or action that one is required to perform as part of ones job as authorizedunder this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2Purpose and Scope
1. This Agreement sets forth a framework for enhanced partnership and security cooperation between the Parties with the aims of strengthening their defense relationship further and addressing sharedsecurity challenges in the region, including those relating to the protection of Governmentpersonnel and facilities.
2. This Agreement clarifies access to and use of agreed facilities and areas by United States forces,thereby facilitating training, including to maintain unit readiness, combined exercises, and othermilitary engagement opportunities.
3. United States forces may undertake the following types of activities in Ghana: training; transit:support and related activities; refueling of aircraft; landing and recovery of aircraft, accommodation of personnel; communications; staging and deploying of forces and materiel: exercises; humanitarian and disaster relief; and other activities as mutually agreed.
4. All obligations under this Agreement are subject to the availability of appropriated funds authorized for these purposes.
ARTICLE 3Status of Military Personnel and Civilian Personnel
1. Ghana shall accord to military personnel and civilian personnel the privileges, exemptions, and immunities equivalent to those accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961.
2. Military personnel may possess and carry arms in Ghana, while on duty if authorized to do so, by their orders, such authorization being made in consultation with the appropriate authorities of Ghana. Military personnel may wear their uniforms while performing official duties.
ARTICLE 4Entry and Exit
Military personnel and civilian personnel may enter and exit Ghana with United States Government-furnished identification (for military personnel, an identification card and collective movement or individual travel orders, and for civilian personnel, a passport and official orders.
ARTICLE 5
Access to and Use of Agreed Facilities and Areas
1. Ghana hereby provides unimpeded access to and use of agreed facilities and areas to United State forces, United States contractors, and others as mutually agreed. Such agreed facilities and area: or portions thereof, provided by Ghana shall be designated as either for exclusive use by Unite States forces or to be jointly used by United States forces and Ghana. Ghana shall also provide access to and use of a runway that meets the requirements of United States forces.
2. United States forces are hereby authorized to exercise all rights and authorities that are necessary for the use, operation, defense, or control of agreed facilities and areas, including taking appropriate measures to protect United States forces. United States forces intend to coordinate such measures with the appropriate authorities of Ghana.3. United States forces and United States contractors may undertake construction activities on, antmake alterations and improvements to, agreed facilities and areas. United States forces may carry out construction works and other services with military personnel and civilian personnel.
4. United States forces are hereby authorized to control entry to agreed facilities and areas that having been provided for exclusive use by United States forces, and to coordinate entry with the authorities of Ghana at agreed facilities and areas provided for joint use by United States force and Ghana, for purposes of safety and security.
5. United States forces shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance, construction, and development costs of agreed facilities and areas provided for the exclusive use of United State: forces unless otherwise agreed. The Parties shall be responsible on the basis of their proportionate use for the operation and maintenance costs of agreed facilities and areas provided for joint use byUnited States forces and Ghana. Ghana shall furnish, without rental or similar costs to Unite:States, all agreed facilities and areas, including those jointly used by United States forces andGhana.
6. United States forces and United States contractors shall be afforded priority in access to and use 0agreed facilities and areas that have been provided for joint use whenever United States forces areconducting exercises or other activities in connection with this Agreement in Ghana. Access toand use of agreed facilities and areas by others may be authorized with the express consent aboth Ghana and United States forces.
7. From time to time, representatives of the Executive Agents shall conduct joint inspections of agreed facilities and areas, for instance at the start and completion of each period during which United States forces are physically present at the agreed facilities and areas. Each inspection shall be documented by written report, prepared by representatives of the Executive Agents, an: including the date, time, names of inspectors, and conditions identified. Copies of the report shall be provided to each Executive Agent within seven-1days of the completion of each inspection.
ARTICLE 6Property Ownership
1. All existing buildings, non-relocatable structures, and assemblies affixed to the land in agreed facilities and areas, including ones altered or improved by United States forces, remain the property of Ghana. Buildings constructed by United States forces shall become the property of Ghana, once constructed, but shall be used by United States forces until no longer needed by United States forces.
2. United States forces shall return as the sole and unencumbered property of Ghana any agreed facility or area, or any portion thereof, including non-relocatable structures and assemblies constructed by United States forces, once no longer needed by United States forces. The Parties or their Executive Agents shall consult regarding the terms of return of any agreed facility or area, including possible compensation for improvements or construction.
3. United States forces and United States contractors shall retain title to all equipment, materiel, supplies, relocatable structures, and other moveable property that have been imported into or acquired within the territory of Ghanaian connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7Prepositioning and Storage of Equipment, Supplies, and Materiel
United States forces are hereby authorized to preposition and store defense equipment, supplies, and materiel (hereinafter referred to as prepositioned materiel) at agreed facilities and areas. The prepositioned materiel of United States forces and the agreed facilities and areas or portions thereof designated for storage of such prepositioned materiel shall be for the exclusive use of United States forces. United States forces shall retain title to and control over the use of prepositioned material and shall have the right to remove such items from the territory of Ghana.
ARTICLE 8Security
I. Ghana shall take such measures as are necessary to ensure the protection, safety, and security of United States forces and United States contractors and the protection and security of United States property and official United States information. In furtherance of this responsibility, Ghana and United States forces shall cooperate closely to ensure that such security, safety, and protection are provided.
The Parties mutually agree that Ghana retains primary responsibility for security on and outside of agreed facilities and areas provided for joint use and outside of agreed facilities and areas that have been provided for exclusive use by United States forces.
3. The Parties anticipate that United States forces and United States contractors may not be physically present at agreed facilities and areas at all times. During those times that United States forces, United States contractors, or Ghana authorities are not physically present at agreed facilities and areas, such facilities and areas shall remain locked and secure, and security for such facilities and areas shall be provided by Ghana, consistent with paragraph 2 of this Article.
ARTICLE 13Driving and Professional Licenses
1. Ghana agrees to accept as valid all professional licenses issued by the United States Government,or its States or political subdivisions, to military personnel and civilian personnel and to United States contractors, in relation to the provision of services as part of their official or contractual duties.
2. Ghana agrees to accept as valid, without a driving test or fee, driving licenses or permits issued bythe appropriate United States authorities to military personnel and civilian personnel and United States contractors for the operation of vehicles.
ARTICLE 14Use of Radio Spectrum
Ghana recognizes that it may be necessary for United States forces to use the radio spectrum. United States forces shall be allowed to operate its own telecommunication systems (as telecommunication is defined in the 1992 Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union). This shall include the right to utilize such means and services as required to ensure full ability to operate telecommunication systems, and the right to use all necessary radio spectrum for this purpose. Use of the radio spectrum shall be free of cost to United States forces.
ARTICLE 15Claims
1, Other than contractual claims, the Parties waive any and all claims against each other for damage to or loss or destruction of property owned by the Party, or death or injury to any military personnel and civilian employees of either Pa11y arising out of the performance of their official duties in Ghana.
2 Claims by third parties for damages or losses caused by military personnel and civilian personnelshall be resolved by the United States Government in accordance with United States laws and regulations.
ARTICLE 16Annex
Annex A shall be appended to this Agreement and shall form an integral part of this Agreement. Annex A to this Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the Parties or their Executive Agents without amending this Agreement.
ARTICLE 17Implementation1. The Parties, or their Executive Agents, may enter into Implementing Arrangements to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
2. The Parties hereby establish a Joint Committee to oversee implementation of this Agreement. TheJoint Committee shall be co-chaired by the representatives of the Executive Agents, and shall convene as necessary.
ARTICLE 18Settlement of DisputesAny dispute regarding the application, implementation, or interpretation of this Agreement, or its Implementing Arrangements, shall be resolved at the lowest level possible and, as necessary, elevated to the Executive Agents for consideration and resolution. Those disputes that cannot be resolved by the Executive Agents shall be referred to the Parties for consultation and resolution, as appropriate, and shall not be referred to any national or international court, tribunal, or similar body, or to any third party for settlement, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
ARTICLE 19Entry into Force, Amendment, and Duration
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later note in an exchange of notes between the Parties indicating that each Party has completed its internal procedures necessary for entry into force. Thereafter, it shall remain in force unless terminated by either Party ~n one years written notice to the other Party through diplomatic channels.
2. Except as set forth in Article 16, this Agreement may only be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties.
3 This Agreement, upon its entry into force, shall supersede the agreement between the United States and Ghana regarding the status of United States military and civilian employees of the United States Department of Defense temporarily present in Ghana in connection with the African Crisis Response Initiative and other activities, effected by an exchange of notes at Accra dated November 24, 1997 and February 24, 1998 and entered into force February 24. 1998: and the Agreement regarding the status of U.S. military and civilian personnel of the U.S. Department of Defense temporarily present in Ghana in connection with humanitarian relief operations in Southern Africa, effected by an exchange of notes at Accra March 22 and April 7. 2000 andentered into force April 7, 2000.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
DONE at ,in duplication, this -day of 20-, inThe English language
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THEUNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) founder led Ghana for 19 years, through both military and democratic regimes, having etched his name into the nations folklore.
Indeed, it goes without saying that one cannot talk about Ghanas political history without mentioning the name J.J Rawlings.
The former president sadly passed on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, after a short illness.
However, in recent times the name Rawlings has been more synonymous with some of the most intriguing remarks you can ever think of.
The late ex-president has often wasted no time in speaking his mind, as he is a man who does not mind positions or offices being occupied by another if you cross his path, you are sure not to go scot free.
The likes of former presidents John Kufour and John Mahama are just a few of the persons to have fallen victims to the rants of Rawlings.
Below are five of the most famous rants by the former Flight Lieutenant:
1. Rawlings jockey champion criticism of Hannah Tetteh
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh, was on the receiving end of some tough words from the late Rawlings.
The ex-president accused her of maltreating his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, during a public function and went ahead to blast Mrs. Tetteh for her behavior.
READ ALSO: Rawlings blasts Hannah Tetteh for disrespecting his wife
Whether those allegations were true or not, the ex-MP soon found out that she may have messed with the wrong mans wife.
Rawlings took aim of Mrs. Tetteh in a long rant, saying: One time, in fact twice, that woman [Hannah Tetteh] had turned herself into a Champion Jockey at congress meetings. The first time was in Tamale when she insulted my wife, second time somewhere. Then, third time was 6th March on the dais at the Independence Square, he recalled, adding, We were all sitting. She is the Foreign Minister. She led some guests to the dais to greet us. So in the course of exchanging pleasantries, she held my wifes hand and I heard a groan. Later when I asked my wife what had happened to her, she said Hannah Tetteh Kpoda squeezed her hand. Look at my wife, she doesnt have a thick skin and that Tetteh Kpoda (Hannah Tetteh) squeezed her hand!
Lesson number one, never squeeze the hand of any of the Rawlings. You know why? Because Rawlings will expose you in public one day, just ask Hannah Tetteh.
2. His heavy punches for the crying John Kufour
One other man who is fully aware of Rawlings intriguing rants is former president John Kufour. Both ex-presidents have engaged each other in the past, however, it is one of Rawlings criticisms towards Kufour that stands out.
In 2007 during Kufours reign as Ghana president he permitted for the mortal remains of Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs wife, Fathia, to be buried beside her husband.
However, the decision did not sit well with Rawlings, who believed it was wrong to bury Fathia beside the nations founder despite him being her husband.
He said Kufour had desecrated Nkrumah, insisting that national monument became a family graveyard.
But his succeeding remarks were what got everyone talking. Rawlings said: What did Kufuor do when Fathia Nkrumah died? He pretended to be crying and we were all following him, saying, oh Kufuor has done well for Fathia.Then he took a shovel and dug a hole next to Dr Nkrumah and put her therethe compound is big, you could have dug 101 holes and put Madam Fathia also there. You did not have to do that under the same monument under which Dr Kwame Nkrumah was. It fooled all of you.
Did you note how the words crying, shovel, dug a hole, 101 holes and fooled were used? If you havent gotten the import, just take a reread and thank me later because one of those words did just did not belong to Kufour, its belonged to me and you. Figure it out!
3. Rawlings on skinny, unhandsome Asideu Nketia
General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has also had a fair share of Rawlings witty remarks. The pair have not always agreed on issues but did you ever imagine Rawlings referring to Asiedu Nketia as not handsome and too skinny?
Well, this was not particularly a rant but addressing an NDC crowd last year, the ex-president said Asiedu is not fit to be the NDCs flagbearer. Are you wondering why Rawlings said that? Below is the reason he gave:
...it is a pity he is ugly [Rawlings bursts into laughter with the crowd]. If he were handsome, we would put him on a horse to go and help. Considering how light he is like air, the horse will run faster, Rawlings said in Twi, prompting the crowd into laughter.
This may have been a joke from Rawlings, but Asiedu Nketia certainly got the message, just like you do now.
4. Rawlings quotes the Bible in criticizing the NDC
Make no mistake about it, the late former president knew his Bible very well. If you doubt, then just wait till you read the following statement from him.
The NDC founder, Jerry Rawlings had been criticized so many times for bashing his own party more than he did to the ruling NPP.
Giving the reasons why he chooses to act so, Rawlings preferred to use the Bible as his defense by saying: I cannot lay claim to the position of party founder and spend time criticizing another party or institution when my house is burning. Removing the log in my eye is the only way to legitimize any right to expose the speck in anothers.
Using the Bible in Politics? Come on, just give the man an award for his oratory skills!
5. That famous Oko Vanderpuije snub
Perhaps the one person that will forever remember about Rawlings strict way of doing things if former AMA boss Alfred Oko Vanderpuije.
In what may go down as the most silent, yet powerful of rants, the Ablekuma South MP was given a dose of Rawlings bitter pills when he tried to interrupt protocol during a ceremony at Parliament.
With Rawlings walking on the red carpet, Vanderpuije approached the NDC founder to exchange pleasantries. However, his goodwill was not only rejected, but also it was turned into disgrace as he was fantastically snubbed by Rawlings.
The ex-presidents demeanor and actions went like hey Vanderpuije, remain in your tracks, withdraw your handshake and make sure you stop following me from the side of the red carpet.
With the farm operating at a loss and facing foreclosure, Fred Morgan believed his only solution was his $150,000 life insurance policy. He said he planned on killing himself so his family could receive the payout.
Id sacrifice my life so my family could keep the farm, Morgan said. His wife persuaded him otherwise.
Morgan was hardly alone in his suicide plan. There has been a spate of suicides in the state as the dairy industry has nose-dived, resulting in the closing of hundreds of small farms. While the dairy industry nationwide is in the grip of an economic crisis fueled by decreasing demand as customers turn to milk alternatives the picture is particularly bleak in New York, where dairy sales represent about half of total farm sales every year.
New York is the third largest milk-producing state in the country and low milk prices have not only devastated farmers financially most are selling milk for less than it costs to produce but also emotionally.
The situation has become so grim that NY FarmNet, a leading farm support group, has started running suicide prevention training for local agricultural service providers and lenders who deal with dairy farmers.
After a local dairy farmer took his life in January, Agri-Mark, a large cooperative that bought milk from the farmer, sent its 550 members in the state a list of suicide and mental health hotlines along with the news that milk prices would drop even lower this year.
In providing the information, the co-op wanted to get ahead of the curve in offering vital services to its member farmers, said Doug DiMento, a spokesman for Agri-Mark, which owns Cabot and McCadam cheese.
It was one of at least three suicides of its member farmers in recent years, DiMento said.
Hal McCabe, outreach director for FarmNet, believes the number of suicides is higher on the roughly 4,500 dairy farms across the state during this downturn, but the issue is hard to quantify, he said, because many have been reported as farming or hunting accidents.
There have been 81 work-related deaths on dairy farms reported from 2006-2016, with most of the victims the owners of smaller farms, according the state Department of Health.
Whatever the prevalence of suicides, there is no doubt about the widespread hopelessness afflicting the industry.
FarmNets 24-hour hotline has been fielding an increased rate of calls from distressed farmers, McCabe said, and the agency has begun offering stress-management training for its team of financial and other consultants who assist farmers.
Its not unusual to get woken up in the middle of the night by a farmer who is potentially suicidal, McCabe said.
Farming overall is a stressful occupation and farmers have higher suicide rates than almost any other occupation. Those working in farming, fishing and forestry were 3.4 times more likely than other U.S. workers to commit suicide on the job, according to a 2016 study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Morgans case, his wife was able to dissuade him from taking such a final step and instead seek the counsel of two FarmNet consultants Judy Flint, a social worker, and Dewey Hakes, a financial consultant and former dairy farmer.
The Morgans, unable to repay six bank loans and debts to neighbors and suppliers, declared bankruptcy, restructured their finances to help pay off debts and have been seeing increased revenue after switching to producing organic milk, which they can sell at $43 per 100 pounds, or hundredweight.
That is about three times the going price for conventional milk, which has dropped below $15 per hundredweight, from its peak of over $25 in 2014.
Milk prices are calculated under federal guidelines and have been driven down by a combination of strong milk production and weak demand in both global and U.S. markets with many Americans turning to alternatives such as soy and almond drinks, said Dr. Andrew Novakovic, who teaches agricultural economics at Cornell University.
In New York state, many smaller farms, facing financial hardship or run by aging owners, are closing at a rate of over 100 per year. Many of them become part of much larger operations.
Though about 550 dairy farms closed in the state from 2012-2017, the number of dairy cows has increased to 625,000, up from 610,000, in that same period, and milk production has risen steadily in recent years, according to the states Department of Agriculture and Markets, which helps fund FarmNet.
With prices depressed, farmers who are looking to sell are having a hard time finding buyers.
A lot of dairy farmers are thinking about closing, but with the prices down, nobody else has the money to buy their equipment and cattle. So youre between a rock and hard place, said Bill Kiernan, 75, a dairy farmer in Copake, New York, who runs Walts Dairy, which has 400 Holstein cows on 768 acres.
Kiernans two sons have helped the farm survive by taking construction jobs. When he received the suicide outreach information from Agri-Mark, Kiernan said he threw it in the garbage.
Everyone was kind of upset about it youd think there would be more optimism, said Kiernan, who has seen the dark side of dairy farming.
In 2010, his neighbor, Dean Pierson, 59, a dairy farmer, shot all 51 of his milking cows and then turned the weapon on himself, leaving suicide notes on cow tag cards stating that he was overwhelmed by personal and financial issues.
Pierson, whose body was discovered by an Agri-Mark driver, had grown increasingly isolated and had a lot of things to sort out, said Kiernan, who buried his neighbors cows and now rents Piersons farmland.
Piersons isolation is common to dairy farmers, said Paul Fouts, 45, whose farm in Cortland, New York, is also struggling.
You go into that barn and youre in your own little world, said Fouts, who wakes up at 2 a.m. every day to milk 410 Holsteins. There may be days on end you dont go into town. Its easy to get consumed in your own problems.
Fouts said he would like to see his farm, which his grandfather started in 1937, taken over someday by his two teenage children. But he has exhausted his credit with his lender.
This is my gamble, he said, pointing out recent improvements to his 750-foot-long barn, made to try to increase his cows productivity by making them more comfortable. Still, if his financial trajectory persists, he could operate at a $300,000 loss this year and be forced to fold.
Im not at the end of my rope, but the ropes getting short, he said.
Like Fouts, many dairy farmers run farms that have been in their family for generations and the shame of failing financially can be emotionally overwhelming, said Kate Downes, program coordinator at NY FarmNet, which is based in Ithaca.
But admitting they need help is not always easy. Many farmers would never want their vehicles to be spotted outside mental health offices, said Downes, whose uncle took his life several years ago at his third-generation dairy farm in Jefferson County.
Farmers tend to work long hours with few breaks from the farm or each other, if they are a family-run farm. And they often own guns, McCabe said.
Smaller problems can seem outsized, he said, before describing a recent call from a farmer who said he was suicidal over $27,000 worth of debt.
Youre not just losing your job and your house, he said. Youre losing your entire family history and legacy, through no fault of your own.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
While protesting in Akure, the state capital, the students stormed the State's Scholarship Board located at Oke Eda/Alagbaka and disrupted official activities.
The students under the aegis of National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) condemned governor Akeredolu's abolition of free education in primary and secondary schools in the state.
The protesting students also condemned the introduction of WAEC and NECO fee, non-payment of bursary, and an alleged plan by the state government to increase tuition of the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) from forty thousand Naira to two hundred thousand Naira.
Speaking with journalists, Comrade Olanrewaju Akeredolu, the President of the National Association of Ondo State Students( NAOSS) said the students have not enjoyed bursary since Akeredolu became the state governor.
According to Akeredolu, (the students' president), all efforts made by the NAOSS and NANS to meet the governor over their plight failed.
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We are giving the state government 7-day ultimatum to ascend to our demands or face a mega protest that would shut entire governments activities in Akure, he said.
Ondo State Government reacts
However, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Yemi Olowolabi has reacted to the students'' allegations against the governor.
The beautiful entrepreneur took to her Instagram page on Monday, March 19, 2018, where she shared her various experiences in life from how she was discouraged from going for the beauty contest and eventually winning.
"Someone very very close to me once told me that it was impossible for me to win MBGN. "The other girls are way prettier than you. Are u blind?". Yet i won. ow can you win Miss Tourism International? "Look at Miss Russia's body?".... Yet I won. ou can not win Miss Bikini International with your dark skin". Yet I won. In total 3 crowns. Yet i won . Next was you can never finish Unilag with an Upper Class Division. You are too busy as MBGN. Then i finished with a 3.9 GPA. Yet I won
"Kings College London can never admit you Omowunmi. Forget applying because they only take certain kind of students. Then Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, and Kings College sent me admission Letters. Oxford put me on their waiting list. Because i was told KCL was way out of my league i chose KCL. Plus i liked the fact that my High School was Queens College and my Uni was Kings College. Yet I won," she wrote.
She went on to reveal how she was almost discouraged from starting up a business when she first had the idea to kick-start one.
"Back track High school at Queens College Lagos, i was told i wasn't good enough to be a school Prefect. Yet i became a Class Supervisor and a School prefect and won a Dancing Machine Award at our school's awards night. Yet I Won. Last track when i decided to start a business and someone very close to me said "you know you are just not good at Business". Now they come to me for business advice. And i have 4 companies i run. Yet I won.
"I never go the way people tell me to go. When i do i fail. I go the way my spirit directs. If you follow the words of people you will fall and remain stagnant. Follow your own heart and fail forward knowing you followed you. At the end of the day you face your death alone so what the hec. Lets run this race called life and run it unapologetically . @iamwomanafrica #Gogetter #GodFirst #Spreadpositivity #Femaleentrepreneur #YetIWon #YetIAmstillWinning," she concluded.
As expected, the twist elicited social media reactions from many of the viewers. While some were excited about the prospect of having their favourites back on the show, others considered it unfair to the current housemates.
Via their official website, organisers of the show have explained the twist, which, while it's the first of its kind in Africa, has been featured in ten seasons across the US and Canada versions of the show.
What organisers have to say about recent #BBNaija twist
On a flat surface view, the potential returnees have been exposed to the outside world, the media and have created strategic formulae that might work in their favour in terms of game; again, flat surface view.
In reality however, the only difference between current and Ex-housemates is the amount of information at their disposal. The one group know whose been nominating them but the other doesnt, the one has established who the strongest contenders are in terms of numbers and the other hasnt.
In terms of the votes however, the power still lies in the viewers hands; immunity is only awarded to Housemate that wins it fairly and nominations are driven by the Housemates themselves so, the probability of two Housemates bringing biased scales to the House are non-existent. To each their own strategy.
Other twists on #BBNaija Double Wahala
Up until the seventh week, the housemates contested in pairs. This meant that if one housemate gets evicted, his or her partner leaves too.
If a housemate gets a reward or punishment, the partner will also be at the receiving end.
Also, for the first time in the history of #BBNaija, it was announced that whoever emerges the Head of House won't be guaranteed immunity and the veto power to save a nominated housemate and replace with another.
Pulse Movies has put together 10 things you may not know about the comic actor.
1. Ime Bishop Umoh is a native of Nsit-Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, in the southern part of Nigeria.
2. He graduated from the University of Uyo where he studied Philosophy.
3. The 2008 Emem Isong movie, Uyai," brought the actor to the limelight. But it was his role as the hilarious character Okon in movies such as "Okon Goes to Lagos" and "Okon Goes to School" that turned him into a household comic actor.
4. According to the actor, who doesn't drink or smoke, alcohol is huge turn off for him.
"I am naturally high. Do I look like someone who is normal? I am not normal," he told ThisDay Live during an interview.
5. The actor met his wife Idara at a wedding where he was the master of ceremony and she was one of the bridesmaids.
She was in a relationship when he asked her out, but he had persisted. They eventually got married on October 17, 2013, in Uyo.
6. In 2014, the actor and his wife welcomed their first child together; a beautiful daughter named Wauneta, Imeabasi Umoh.
7. The actor and his wife welcomed his second child in November 2017 and held her church dedication on Sunday, March 18, 2018.
8. In 2017, Ime Umoh won the Best Actor in comedy at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for his role in the movie "The Boss is Mine."
9. In 2016, he was appointed as a special assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, on Ethical and Social Reorientation.
He explained that the incident has forced school authorities to suspend learning activities.
The epidemic has forced authorities of the school to shut down the school and send pupils back home, says Lawal according to Punch News.
His account was supported by contemporaries, Garba Useini of the Kafur and Dutsin-ma's Honourable Bishir Mamnan. Their constituencies were also affected by the epidemic but they were not able to confirm the number of casualties.
The state's Science and Technical Education Board, however received blame for shutting down learning centers. It is feared that the move offers a chance of widespread.
In a bid to battle the growing menace, the house committees on education and health, have been charged with the duty and investigating the report and giving a feedback to the house.
The order came from speaker, Abubakar Kusada.
No one knows why Lassa Fever is on the rise in Nigeria
Since the beginning of the year 2018, several cases of Lassa fever have been reported in many states across the country, especially in the south.
The disease has even claimed many lives, just two months into the new year - patients, doctors and other health workers have been victims.
This has given rise to the question of why the disease is proving too stubborn for Nigeria to conquer, as it did Ebola and guinea-worm disease, in which no new cases have been recorded since 2013.
On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, the Director of Disease Control, Edo State, Dr Osamuwonyi Irowa, confirmed that 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever have been recorded in the state so far this month alone.
And as of February 18, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) reported 913 cases of Lassa fever and 73 deaths. That's compared with 733 cases and 71 deaths in all of 2017.
The number is a valid reason for Nigerian authorities to be concerned and put their best foot forward to end the epidemic once and for all.
"Everyone is scared," says Oyewale Tomori, a retired professor of virology who chairs Nigeria's Lassa Fever Eradication Committee.
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Lassa fever, which was originally discovered in 1969 in Lassa village, Borno State, Nigeria, is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus.
Its symptoms start out with a fever, plus a general weakness in the body, then sore throat, muscle and chest pain, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and stomach pain.
There have been countless outbreaks of various magnitude and severity across West Africa since the discovery.
Annual incidences of Lassa infections across the region was estimated at 300,000 and deaths at 5,000.
Instablog9ja reports that a corp member's hand was chopped off during the attack at the lodge.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Command, Mr Asinim Butswat, revealed that a fourth suspect is yet to be arrested.
ALSO READ: Four persons killed in robbery attack on two banks
According to the reports, the suspects allegedly attacked the Corpers Lodge at Angalabiri community, severing the hand of a corps member identified as Luntis Julius, with a machete.
A laptop and two mobile phones were also stolen from the victim who hails from Taraba State, during the attack which occurred at about 2.30am on Sunday, March 18, 2018.
Butswat identified the arrested suspects as Mosan Youdougha, 22; Godswill Vincent, 21; adding that the third suspect had yet to be handed over to the Police.
Gunmen murder Corps member during robbery attack
Back in 2016, a young man, Lawal Auwal Kontagora, who was serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was murdered by gunmen in Kaduna State.
Kontagora, along with two of his friends were sitting in a Peugeot 407 vehicle when the assailants approached them and demanded their phones.
In the process of getting the phone from the vehicle,the gunmen shot the victim, thinking he was trying to spring up a surprise.
Muhammed Momoh, the NYSC coordinator in the state confirmed the incident through a press release, which read:
NYSC has confirmed the death of a corps member who was attacked by hoodlums at Malali.
It is unfortunate that at a time the country is developing potential young Nigerians like him, some people are bent on frustrating such effort.
NYSC condoles with the family of the deceased while tasking the police and security agents to trail and fish out the perpetrators."
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, liyu Usman disclosed that some arrests have been made in connection to the incident.
This was expressed in a note by the preacher who spoke at the "Bringing America Back to Life" convention.
Various debates, mainly in a form of criticism, have placed focus on the immorality associated with same-sex relationships, a factor Harvey attributed to God's vengeance.
You may have thought these were separate issues, but they are foundationally connected.
"One has to consider, first of all, the horrifying possibility that this complete sexual and human identity meltdown could be an aspect of Gods judgment on us for aborting millions of our children.
"We wont know until we see him, but it is very possible that as an instrument of Gods judgment, he is using the punishment to come on us through our children, the corruption of our children.
"Even more horrifying, we are letting it happen," the evangelist observed according to online media.
ALSO READ: Lady threatens to frame man as gay for refusing to have sex with her
The reaction towards homosexuality in Nigeria is one of blunt disapproval as indicated in the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.
A 14-year jail term is the proscribed punishment for an offender.
LGBTQ activism in Nigeria
In Nigeria's popular culture, UK-based Nigerian Bisi Alimi, is the main attention when it concerns gay rights activism.
He has been connected on numerous occasions to controversies relating to a bid to get equal freedom for individuals who have unique sexual interests.
In 2017, Alimi criticized his countrymen over the hero's welcome given to homosexual CNN reporter, Richard Quest, who visited Nigeria at the time.
ALSO READ: Gay rights activist criticizes Nigerians for welcoming Richard Quest
In what he terms as hypocrisy, Alimi expressed displeasure over the incessant attacks on his personality. He wonders why such treatment was not directed at the English journalist.
The event happened on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
According to sources, the killing occurred in Odimodi community located in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Residents claim that a confrontation which led to a fight between the pair had focused on nothing tangible.
The belligerent men had reportedly fired several shots before the soldier was hit. His killer made a run for it after ensuring the death of his adversary.
The incident happened on Saturday at noon. The two officers a mopol and the military officer were members of a combined security team stationed to guard oil facilities in Odimodi community.
"They had a misunderstanding. After a while, we heard gunshots.
When people got there, they discovered that the mobile policeman had killed the soldier. The policeman cocked his gun and fired at the soldier and thereafter shot to scare people away from the scene.
He (policeman) took the soldiers gun and ran away. As of now, he has not been apprehended. The JTF authorities have removed the corpse of the slain soldier.
"There is tension in the community as we speak. People are afraid that the military may invade the community," a community leader told Punch.
In the community, residents have expressed a willingness to support law enforcement agents in an investigation, despite a denial by army spokesperson, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi.
Dad asked to forgive soldiers who punished daughter to death
Hyginus, the dad of 15-year-old Queendaline Ekezie, who reportedly died following an extreme frogmarch imposed on her, has been asked to forgive the soldiers responsible for her death.
According to Punch News, the grieving father collapsed and was rushed to a hospital when the report of his daughter's death reached him.
The deceased who was in company of a colleague identified as Delight Aguocha, went through a rigorous punishment for arriving late to school.
In a chat with Punch, Hyginus revealed that he has been getting an appeal from family members who urged him to let the case go. He confirmed that this occurred after returning to Umuoso, located in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
ALSO READ: Wicked frogmarch kills female pupil who arrived late to school
Meanwhile, Gertrud Oduka, the Commissioner of Education for the state has described the case as a sensitive one. As a result, there are no plans to issue a speedy statement on the matter which has generated sympathy on social media.
We dont want to issue a statement in a hurry. We have launched an investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the death of the pupil. Some senior officers of the ministry are in the girls village.
"The matter is a sensitive one and we are being careful," Oduka mentioned according to Punch News.
The 64-year-old was nabbed by NDLEA agents Edo State according to online sources.
During an investigation, the federal agency discovered the two warehouses found to contain 5,650kgs of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) but he denies owning the substances.
A friend of mine kept the cannabis inside the ceiling of my house.
"The house was built by my son who resides in Europe. He promised to handsomely reward me after selling the drugs, Idemudia made known during an interrogation.
His arrest might prove a heartbreak for hardened drug users in Nigeria, where substance abuse is being championed by youths regarded as 'Science Students'.
Death trap Tramadol kills young man in his 20's
In Abraka, Delta State, a young man in his twenties has been reported dead following an overdose of Tramadol.
Vanguard News reported that the deceased who is a regular user of the drug substance died at his shop located in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
A medical staff of the General Hospital, Abraka, confirmed the death of the unidentified man who died shortly after arriving at the health center.
Events before his death saw him enter a sudden seizure after vomit profusely before proceeding to foaming in the mouth.
"Those who rushed him to the hospital said, after taking the drug, he started vomiting, went into a sudden seizure after which he slumped and started foaming from his mouth.
"He was brought in too late as he had already gone into coma and was confirmed dead on arrival," confirms a worker at the Abraka General Hospital who spoke to Naij News on a condition of anonymity.
The hazard associated with the use of Tramadol among Nigerian youths has reached a level requiring urgent attention.
According to the reports, the police were called to a condo building in the north end of the Toronto, on Thursday, March 6, 2018, where Oribhabor was found dead on the building's balcony.
Following a search of the apartment, a woman was found inside a unit with obvious signs of trauma.
She was reportedly treated for injuries after being rushed to a hospital, where she eventually died.
Instablog9ja reports that the deceased Oribhabor graduated from Babcock University, Ogun State, before leaving for Canada.
The case has been described by the Police as a murder-suicide.
Husband murders wife, commits suicide
In a similar occurrence, a man committed sacrilege in Gambia after he murdered his wife before hanging himself in the Mandiary community.
According to a Facebook user, Sizzla Mandinka Worior Jadama, the man had engaged his wife in a fight following allegations of infidelity and in the process, used a knife to slice her throat.
On realizing the gravity of what he had done, the man went to a tree outside his house and used a rope to hang himself. His lifeless body was later discovered by relatives dangling from the tree.
Read what Jadama posted on his wall:
A statement offered by the presiding judge, Justice Nafisa Musa, insisted on having prosecution counsel present more witnesses who can support claim of the incident.
Comments presented by police prosecutor Mr U.F. Okeke, appeared too trivial to warrant a death verdict for an offence which reportedly took place on Thursday, December 29, 2016.
In a capital offence, the burden of proof lies squarely on the prosecution.
The position of criminal jurisprudence requires the prosecution to assemble all its witnesses to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person committed the crime, says Justice Musa.
Musa, who advised the accused to get a lawyer adjourned the case until Wednesday, May 9, 2018.
Born again native doctor exposes pastor who uses charm for healing
A native doctor has exposed some of the atrocities he has committed - one of which includes preparing a healing charm for a pastor.
The transformed soul who worships at the Lord's Chosen Church, revealed that his wife who was a strong Christian believer played a role in encouraging a new lifestyle.
It all began for the unnamed man following a conversation with his wife concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In a testimony, the former herbalist confirmed that a clergyman introduced to him by his partner requested for a charm aimed at enhancing his ability to perform miracles.
"Before I joined the Lords Chosen, I was of another religion and an herbalist for a long time. It was the Lord by his own design, that brought me to The Lords Chosen. However, my wife is a Christian.
"I used to prepare charms for people. One day, my wife woke me up and started preaching the gospel to me. Later, she took me to her priest in one of the Orthodox churches in Okene.
"When I met this priest, he told me that I had greater power than him. He wanted to know more about my power, which I told him and he requested that I give him the same power. I concurred , prepared and gave it to him later. The charm I gave to him was in form of a handkerchief.
"To prepare, that kind of charm for my clients, I would get an handkerchief, conjure an evil spirit inside it and then give it to them. They will tie it on their hands and cover it with their long sleeve shirts.
"During their ministration, if they touch or place the hand that has the handkerchief on anybody, such person would fall. Then, they would claim that the person had fallen under the anointing. That is how most of such ministers operate," the reformed revealed according to the Kemi Filani blog.
His experience touches on some of the debacle that has welcomed the practice of the Christian faith in Nigeria.
Against this backdrop, it was with a high sense of pride and accomplishment that I received the news of being accepted into the Future Leaders Connect Programme.
Here is my story:
From the over 4000 applications received in Nigeria, 12 of us were invited to the heat event in Abuja where we made a 5-minute pitch of our policy vision to the panel of judges and an audience. I spoke on the need for industrialisation given the drastic fall in oil and other commodity prices. With this pitch, I was voted the audience choice and joined 5 other talented young people to represent Nigeria in the UK.
During the course of the programme, we had the chance to visit BBC to learn more about their operations and Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury where we learnt a lot about their work on peace and reconciliation.
Another major highlight was the visit to No. 10 Downing Street, the Headquarters of the UK government; it was particularly significant for me as I grew up seeing the famous no. 10 door on TV whenever important global decisions were made. There, we were received by Mark Field MP (Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) to whom we presented all our policy recommendations on the various issue topics.
Beyond all the fanfare of meeting famous people and visiting important places, the Future Leaders Connect Programme was one of the highlights of my personal and career trajectory. It has enabled me to think deeply and extensively about the issues I claim to care about and the impact I intend to make in the world.
It has fuelled my passion to continue blogging (ogbonnanwamaka.com) and contributing to topical debates and conversations on politics, economics and policy. While I shall continue my current efforts to support Africas industrialisation through my job, I feel much more empowered and convinced about my long-term ambitions to significantly develop and implement successful industrial policies within Nigeria and across Africa. #KnowMoreDoMore
It all started when Constantin Reliu from Romania decided to travel to Turkey in 1992 to work.
However, when the professional cook returned in 1999, stories and apparent evidence of his wifes infidelity annoyed him so much that he thought it wise to return to Turkey for good.
It was during his stay in Turkey that the wife registered him with the Romanian authorities as dead.
According to reports, Reliu was arrested and detained in December last year by Turkish authorities on the basis of expired documents. He was subsequently deported back to Romania in January this year.
He faced another hurdle when he got to the Bucharest airport. Border officials told him that he had been declared dead.
He was then subjected to six hours of rigorous scrutiny after which he said: "They decided that it was me!"
He has since been struggling to get authorities of his hometown, Barlad to issue him papers to enable him live in the country as a living soul, but to no avail.
You are dead, we cant revive you - Court tells 63-year-old 'ghost'
He then proceeded to the court to overturn the death status, but that has also not materialized.
On Thursday, the court reportedly said his suit was filed too late and failed to meet procedure.
Out of disappointment, Reliu is quoted as saying: "I am a living ghost.
"I am officially dead, although I'm alive. , I can't do anything."
Sudan, 45, who lived at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya was put to sleep on Monday, March 19, 2018, after age-related injuries worsened significantly.
How Did Sudan die?
His keepers Ol Pejeta broke the sad news on Twitter. The elderly rhino was being treated for degenerative changes in his muscles and bones, combined with extensive skin wounds.
Unable to stand up and suffering a great deal in his last 24 hours, Sudan was put down by veterinarians at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
His death leaves only two females of the subspecies alive in the world. Hope for preserving the northern white rhino now lies in developing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques.
Why is a northern white rhino so rare?
The white rhinoceros consists of two sub-species: the southern white rhino, with an estimated 20,000 living in the wild, and the much rarer and critically endangered northern white rhino.
Sudan, was the last surviving male of the rarer variety, after the natural death of a second male in late 2014.
The subspecies' population in Africa was wiped out during the poaching crisis of the 1970s and 1980s. Poaching was fuelled by demand for rhino horn for use in traditional Chinese medicine in Asia, and for dagger handles in Yemen.
The last few dozen wild northern white rhinos in the Democratic Republic of Congo died in fighting by the early 2000s.
By 2008, the northern white rhino was considered extinct in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Is there hope for the subspecies to survive?
In 2009, the four remaining northern white rhinos, two males and two females, were transferred from the Czech zoo to Ol Pejeta in Kenya.
The hope was that this would encourage breeding. However, there were no successful pregnancies and Sudan was retired from his role as a potential mate four years ago.
Sudan's genetic material was collected on Monday, March 19, 2018, conservationists said, to support future attempts to preserve the subspecies.
The stored semen, and eggs from the remaining younger females, still gives conservationists hope that Najin and Fatu will be able to have their own calves one day.
Sudan and Tinder
An account was created for Sudan on the dating app Tinder last year, not to find love, but to help fund the development of IVF for rhinos.
The move won him fans across the world, fans who will now be mourning his death and the northern white rhino's proximity to extinction.
The gorgeous pair channeled royalty, classiness and fairytale romance in their pre-wedding pictures shot by Klala Photography.
Their love story below just makes everything a lot more beautiful____________
Love storyI met Chiji through a friend-turned-sister, Edwina.Eddie (like we usually call her) randomly told me about her friend in church whom she'll like me to meet, I was a little uninterested because I didn't want to meet anyone (I was minding my business lol). She talked positively about him a couple of times and encouraged me to talk with him and that it doesn't hurt
Now he had my phone number but still took him forever to call (lol ohh well, he finally called after a couple of weeks). Eddie and I were in her car one afternoon back to the office when Chiji called her to ask how she has been, she asked him if he had called me, little did he know we were together and the phone was on speaker, he replied back saying "our darling has refused to take her calls oo", that was apparently the first time I heard his voice (anyone who knows Chiji knows his voice is to die for) and that got me blushing.
Unknown to me that his number was among the calls I had been missing recently and always and failed to return, Eddie suggested that I take and store his numbers for subsequent calls.
He reaches out at lastFinally, he texted one Sunday introducing himself, and I was quite impressed with the tone of the message, the spellings (no abbreviations), etc, I could tell he wasn't just a joke.
I politely returned his call (OMG I said no long stories and I'm here writing plenty plenty).The first time we ever spoke that Sunday was like magic, we clicked on the spot, felt like I had known him for a long time and we planned to meet later that week.
Fast forward to the dinner date night, I thought we agreed to meet at 5pm after the close of business, but he had a reading to take in church at 6pm (Chiji & Eddie are lectors in church) so we rescheduled for 7pm. I didn't feel like going for the date anymore after we rescheduled, but I knew there was nothing I was going to tell Eddie that will make her see reasons with me on why I should cancel the date. Lol I remember her saying my shakara is something else together with Ogbanje.
I tried all possible means not to go, I went as far as using the white shirt sleeves I was putting on to clean the makeup on my face (ogbanje), but guess what? Eddie took me to her house and carefully washed my shirt and ironed it again (lol) while we were still awaiting 7pm.
It was 7pm and he called, he was 5 mins away...Boom Boom Boom and he was outside. I went out and met a perfect gentle man standing outside his car to receive me and open the car door for me (which hasn't changed till date).
We went out, wined and dined, laughed like never, had lively conversations, etc and since then, the rest is history as life has turned magical.
Winnie and the Magic [Chijis story]
2016 was an eventful year for me. January, I had only just returned from my Postgraduate studies in the UK buzzing, but I was empty.
There was a hollow space within and I needed to find love again. My people, I literally went spiritual (if you like laugh o). I took some wrong turns but I knew what level I needed to attain. So I decided to get back with the good works of sweet Jesus and on one of those days, late October 2016, I had a sit-down with Edwina Ugwu talking life, complimenting each other's sense of style, relationships and just being a nuisance generally.
She quipped in and said she'd like me to meet Irene (Winie). Now Chiji has always been one to initiate his own friendships or relationships, so I felt my ego dripping, when I replied saying I am not sure I would not want to rush to meet someone out of nowhere. How silly!
With Winnie, I wish I met her the next weekend though
Conversely, while at my workstation that same week I thought to look up her name and my eyes were dancing in its sockets, I was getting excited. She was bubbly, yummy with all transparent shades of wittiness. I decided then that I would want to meet her but I needed to swoon all over her and fall knee deep.
I wanted her to meet me halfway and I liked the feel of it. I would go through her social media handles reading her intelligent comments and interpreting her expressive pictures.
Winie is such a beautiful woman you know. Regrettably, it took me two whole months to do the needful and be a gentleman. I was selfish, saturating myself with her pictures while she was definitely thinking the boy was a douchebag.
January 2017, having deleted the negatives and preparing myself mentally for a life of expected bliss, I reached out.
My calls were not returned for the most parts of two weeks but being a nutcase, I sent an SMS laced with humour. I was having a dump in the loo when she called back same day and I'm like Charlieeeeeeeeeee! We hit the ground running like it was heaven on earth already and when she spoke intelligently - Winie sounding like the falsetto woman in an acapella group, very confident with humour - my space transformed to a hot Jacuzzi bath (come and fight me).
The next time we spoke on the phone, I was knee deep and long gone, I asked her if it was convenient to have lunch or a dinner date; she says ''of course that's fine", again Charlieeeeeeeeee!! We cancelled an initial lunch date and fixed for COB on the 19th of January 2017 at the Avenue Suites restaurant.
Thing is I got clumsy and forgot there was a church reading for 5PM same day and we had to move till 7PM. Anyhow, I was parked at the compound gate to pick her up, checking to be sure my hair was well set and shoes were spit clean and proper when she came out and I regretted not meeting her early last year. She was soooo beautiful, we were beautiful together, the evening air was beautiful just magical.
We took the shotgun position at the restaurant laughing out loud the whole evening and I knew I had found my own space in this world. She had braids on, a perfect gap tooth and adorned in her accessories, she was very appealing.
Phew! I dropped her off later at night and sent a text to Edwina saying "Thank youuuuu! Magical". And now, welcome to our world of bliss beyond.
The Lender in a statement issued by the Company's Secretary, Olufunmilayo Adedibu, and released on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, said Jadesimi's appointment followed the approval of his appointment as a Non - Executive Director by the Central Bank of Nigeria and subsequent approval of his nomination as Chairman by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on March 8, 2018.
Jadesimi who holds an Oxford M.A. (Honours) in Law and was a jurisprudence scholar at the University of Oxford, has run several businesses in the Energy, Finance and Real Estate sectors, and brings on board high-level competencies and varied experience.
He is the Founder and Chairman of Ladol Group, the largest indigenous Free Zone Industrial Park, which hosts a variety of high value industrial free zone enterprises. He also currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Niger Delta Exploration and Production PIG one of the largest indigenous integrated oil and gas producing companies.
His leadership on the FCMB Group Plc Board will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the Board and the FCMB Group as a whole.
In its latest financial report, FCMB Group Plc posted a profit before tax (PBT) of N6.8billion for the nine months ended 30 September 2017 with 64 percent increase compared to the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.
FCMB Group Plc is a holding company with subsidiaries including First City Monument Bank Limited, FCMB Capital Markets, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, CSL Trustees Limited, and FCMB Microfinance Limited.
Recently, the Group acquired Legacy Pension Managers Limited, a leading Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) in Nigeria, by increasing its interest in the company from 28.2 percent to 88.2 percent following the approval of the regulatory authorities, shareholders and directors of both companies.
The arrest was disclosed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, in a statement on Tuesday, March 20.
According to him, troops recovered two AK-47 assault rifles with 38 rounds of 7.62mm from the unnamed gun runner.
The statement read, "Troops of Mobile Strike Team II deployed in Kaduna arrested a notorious gun runner and recovered 2 AK 47 assault rifles with 38 rounds of 7.62mm special while on clearance operation at suspected armed bandits hideout in Rigachikun general area of Kaduna State on 19 March 2018.
"Due to criminal activities taking place at the Rigachikun forest and environ the Army placed high surveillance in the general area to deny criminal freedom of operation.
Boko Haram militants invaded Government Girls Science and Technical Secondary School in Dapchi, Bursari local government area of Yobe on Monday, February 19, 2018, and abducted 110 schoolgirls.
According to Amnesty International, authorities were warned mere hours prior to the incident that terrorists were on their way to Dapchi, yet the army and police were unable to even confront them and stop them from taking the girls.
In a report released by the agency on Tuesday, March 20, Amnesty's Nigeria director, Osai Ojigho, said inexcusable security lapses led directly to the girls' abduction.
The report read, "The Nigerian authorities have failed in their duty to protect civilians, just as they did in Chibok four years ago. Despite being repeatedly told that Boko Haram fighters were heading to Dapchi, it appears that the police and military did nothing to avert the abduction.
"The military withdrew troops from the area in January, meaning the closest personnel were based one hours drive from Dapchi. The Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed this abduction to take place without any tangible attempt to prevent it."
Despite Amnesty's claim that the Nigerian army and police received at least five phone calls warning that Boko Haram was on the way to Dapchi as early as four hours before the attack, a military spokesman told Reuters that the report is false.
The abduction was a repeat of another Boko Haram attack that happened when militants invaded Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State and kidnapped 276 female students in April 2014. After several escapes and releases, 112 of the girls remain in captivity of the deadly terrorist group.
No rest until Chibok, Dapchi girls are back - Buhari
When President Muhammadu Buhari visited Yobe on March 14, he promised stakeholders that his administration will not rest until all the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok and Dapchi are returned.
He said, "There will be no rest till the last girl, whether from Chibok and Dapchi, is released. The girls, like all our citizens, must enjoy unhindered freedom and pursue their legitimate aspirations.
"The Dapchi and Chibok students are our girls and must enjoy our protection. They must live to achieve their individual ambitions, to be great women of tomorrow. It is our duty to protect them."
On Monday, March 19, 2018, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to individuals, political and public office holders nationwide.
According to NAIJ, the VP said that he had earlier called for the withdrawal of policemen from VIPs.
Atiku also told newsmen that the move will enable the policemen focus on effectively protecting lives and property.
He said Our security forces are overstretched. We do not have enough military and paramilitary forces to provide security for the peace-loving people of Nigeria which is why the recent Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State kidnapping occurred. Their school was left unguarded.
Speaking on the kidnap of the Dapchi school girls by Boko Haram in Yola, the ex-VP said Recently, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Okiro, revealed that 150,000 policemen are guarding various elites and those we know as big men. If I had my way, I would have recalled all of those 150,000 policemen who are not performing core police duties and send them to provide security for every school in the North-East region.
ALSO READ: Melaye outburst over police withdrawal shows how spoilt he is
Melaye cries out
Following the IGPs order, Senator Dino Melaye alleged that the directive was aimed at making it easy for assassins to get to him.
Buharis congratulatory message was contained in a letter on behalf of himself, the government and people of Nigeria.
He noted that Putins success for the fourth time in the election is a clear testimony of the confidence Russians have in his leadership.
The president also urged his Russian counterpart to see this victory as a base to continue to promote international peace and stability.
Buhari assured Putin of Nigerias commitment to a stronger and mutually beneficial relation with the Russian Federation under your watch.
He said he looked forward to continue working with the Russian leader to strengthen our defence, trade and technical partnerships as well as promotion of private sector participation in all sectors of our economies.
The Russian Central Elections Commission said Putin scored 76.7 per cent of votes cast at Sundays presidential election to defeat his nearest challenger, the Communist Party candidate Pavel Grudinin, who received 11.8 per cent of the vote.
Justice John Tsoho dismissed the suit on grounds that the plaintiffs, Mr Michael Elokun, Mr Ibrahim Sule and Mrs Hawa Audi had no business instituting the case.
The plaintiffs were asking the court to grant an order for the return and immediate swearing-in of Mr Idris Wada, former governor of the state.
Tsoho, in his judgment, upheld the objection of Bello that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to institute the action.
He held that the plaintiffs were neither members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor aspirants in the primary election that made Bello the candidate of the party in the governorship election.
Moreso, the court agreed with Bello that the plaintiffs were not the only electorate in Kogi.
The judge also held that the subject matter of the suit was not within the jurisdiction of the court as it was not a pre-election matter.
He said that the suit was bound to fail because it was filed almost two years after Bello had been sworn in as the democratically-elected governor of Kogi.
Ahmed spoke during a courtesy visit by the National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharmacist Ahmed Yakassi, at Government House, Ilorin.
Ahmed said the country is faced with major challenges such as a spike in crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and insurgency, largely induced by abuse of drugs usually among youths.
The Governor said the right steps must be taken by governments at all levels to curb the menace of drug abuse which is spreading across all strata of society like a cancer and must be arrested before it becomes malignant.
Violence
Alhaji Ahmed said drug abuse leads to violence, stressing that the most theatres of violence and crime in the world have associated problems of drugs and substance abuse.
The Governor said a tripartite arrangement between governments, regulatory authorities and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) should be instituted to form platforms to dissuade youths from drug abuse, especially the misuse of over the counter and prescription drugs.
According to him, the level to which our youths have imbibed this habit of drug abuse is getting to an alarming rate at all levels; at the basic education level, at the secondary level, at the tertiary level, it is a very serious situation.
It will require all hands to be on deck. Everybody will be involved in advocacy and in ensuring that all areas that contribute to the use of drugs are properly handled to give us a better society.
Improvement
Governor Ahmed said the administration will improve the numbers of PSN in the state and ensure proper drug dispensation to users in the state hospitals.
Earlier, Yakassai said his association was engaged in fighting fake and counterfeit drugs in the country and ensuring that there is sanity in drug administration in the country.
Nigeria is fighting a debilitating drug war; with young people sniffing and ingesting all sorts of mixtures just to get high. The drug pandemic has led to a song titled 'Science Student' by pop sensationOlamide.
Premium Times reports that Idris said this while speaking at a meeting with the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) commanders.
On Monday, March 19, 2018, the IGP issued a directive for the withdrawal of all police officers attached to individuals, political and public office holders nationwide to be withdrawn.
He said Sanction awaits any officer who violates the order to withdraw personnel from the above mentioned persons.
We want to ensure absolute withdrawal of personnel this time around, any violation will be met with stiffer sanction.
ALSO READ:Dino Melaye says IGP Idris wants him killed
We must face and surmount the security challenges confronting us by all means, he added.
IGP condemns kidnap of Dapchi girls
The police boss also described the kidnap of theDapchi school girlsas a national disgrace.
Idris said that mobile police teams will be dispatched to all schools in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa to make sure that kind of incident does not occur again.
Atiku supports IGPs order
Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently issued a statement supporting the withdrawal of policemen from VIPs.
He said proper use of treated nets would help to reduce malaria caused by mosquito bites.
The U.S. Presidents Malaria Initiative (PMI) jointly implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) donated 1.6 million bed nets for distribution in Nasarawa State on March 16.
The chairman commended the donors for distributing 7,150 mosquito bed nets to the area and assured the councils support to eliminate malaria in the area.
He said malaria is no doubt one of the leading killer diseases that affect children, young and adults.
It is caused by mosquito bite and has affected the lives of many Nigerians and the socio-economic development of the country.
It is in view of this I want to call for effective use of the Long Lasting Insecticide Netsto eliminate malaria in the area and for the overall development of the country, he added.
Thomas said Nigerians should improve on their personal and environmental sanitation.
This is one of the surest ways of preventing and guarding against malaria and other diseases.
I want to advocate and call on Nigerians to always maintain self hygiene and ensure environmental cleanliness at all times.
He commended federal and state governments for efforts in combating malaria and other diseases through provision of funds.
Fayose said this while speaking to members of the Osoko Mass Movement (OMM) at the Government House Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.
The Governor also told newsmen that the Buharis administration does not have any solution to the challenges facing Nigeria.
He said People that voted Buhari must seek repentance. People thought he was coming to make a difference but he has caused more economic hardship. We are being ruled by fiat. Unemployment is second to none. The Transparency International said corruption had become worse among Nigerians.
Speaking on the upcoming Ekiti governorship election, the Governor advised the people of Ekiti to vote for a well educate candidate.
If you say Im not educated now I have presented a professor. We are not supposed to retrogress; we should progress. A professor is higher than doctor and supervises him. By all standard Im presenting the most suitably qualified aspirant.
Our interest was somewhere else but his name kept reappearing. Ekiti needs continuity, I have put in my best in the circumstance and I know he will do it better, he added.
Buhari wasted N40b
Fayose also accused President Buhari of wasting N40b on a botched oil exploration in the North, Independent reports.
According to him, the APC government has not benefited the people of Ekiti in any way.
The students - the youngest of whom is aged 10 - were seized from the town of Dapchi, Yobe state, on February 19 in virtually identical circumstances to those in Chibok girls' abduction in 2014.
More than 200 schoolgirls were taken in an attack that brought sustained world attention on the Islamist insurgency and sparked a global campaign for their release.
President Muhammadu Buhari has called the Dapchi abduction a "national disaster" and vowed to use negotiation rather than force to secure their release.
But as in Chibok nearly four years ago, human rights group Amnesty Internationalclaimed the military was warned about the arrival of the heavily-armed jihadists - yet failed to act.
In the hours that followed both attacks, the authorities also tried to claim the girls had not been abducted.
Amnesty's Nigeria director Osa Ojigho said "no lessons appear to have been learned" from Chibok and called for an immediate probe into what she called "inexcusable security lapses".
"The government's failure in this incident must be investigated and the findings made public -- and it is absolutely crucial that any investigation focuses on the root causes," she added.
"Why were insufficient troops available? Why was it decided to withdraw troops? What measures have the government taken to protect schools in northeast Nigeria?
"And what procedures are supposed to be followed in response to an attempted abduction?"
There was no immediate response from the Nigerian military when contacted by AFP.
Multiple calls
Amnesty said that between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on February 19, at least five calls were made to tell the security services that Islamist fighters were in the Dapchi area.
Locals spotted about 50 members of theIslamic State group affiliate in a convoy of nine vehicles in Futchimiram, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Dapchi, then at Gumsa.
In Gumsa, where Boko Haram stayed until about 5:00 pm, residents phoned ahead to Dapchi to warn them. The convoy arrived at about 6:30 pm and left about 90 minutes later.
Amnesty, whose researchers spoke to about 23 people and three security officials, said the army command in Geidam had told callers they were aware of the situation and were monitoring.
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Police in Dapchi promised to tell divisional commanders, while army commanders in Geidam and Damaturu were also alerted during the attack, it added.
People in Dapchi have previously said troops were withdrawn from the town earlier this year, leaving only a few police officers. The nearest military detachment was an hour away.
The Dapchi abduction has thrown into doubt repeated government and military claims that Boko Haram is on the brink of defeat, after nearly nine years of fighting and at least 20,000 deaths.
Boko Haram, which has used kidnapping as a weapon of war during the conflict, has not claimed responsibility but it is believed a faction headed by Abu Mus'ab al-Barnawi is behind it.
IS in August 2015 publicly backed Barnawi as the leader of Boko Haram, or Islamic State West Africa Province, over Abubakar Shekau, whose supporters carried out the Chibok abduction.
He accused Jonathan and his cronies of sharing N150 billion two weeks before the 2015 election.
Osinbajo disclosed this on Monday, March 19, 2018, during the 7th presidential quarterly business forum for private sector stakeholders which held at the old banquet hall of the presidential villa, Abuja.
The current administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari has continually blamed its perceived failure to perform optimally on the depletion of the treasury by Jonathan's government.
The President has been criticised over the economic hardship in the country, with many Nigerians lamenting daily that their living condition has gone from bad to worse since the ruling All Progressives Congress took power.
But Osinbajo said the current government has actually made the country way better than it met it.
Jonathan and massive corruption
He said with less revenue, the Buhari administration has increased capital funding by 400 percent in power, works and housing, defence, transportation, agricultural sectors while the Jonathan administration with surplus funds, spent N14 billion on agriculture in 2014, N15 billion on transportation, and a total of N153 billion on infrastructure in three years.
Osinbajo said, "In one single transaction, a few weeks to the 2015 elections, sums of N100billion and $295million were just frittered away by a few.
"Nobody should talk about the economy when you have this kind of huge leakages and huge corruption. Corruption that completely makes nonsense of even what you are allocating to capital projects.
"We saw from the presentation of the minister of finance that N14 billion was spent on agriculture in 2014, transportation N15 billion, so the total spent on infrastructure in those three years were N153 billion and in two weeks before the elections, N150 billion was essentially shared.
"So, if your total infrastructure spending is N150 billion and you can share N153 billion, that is completely incredible. That sort of thing doesnt happen anywhere else in the world. And when we are talking about the economy, we must simply understand that that is the problem."
While admitting that the Buhari has not completely dealt with corruption, which he said is the biggest problem of Nigeria, Osinbajo said the President has demonstrated enough political will to stop it.
According to him, corruption is not easy to stamp out but if the country sticks to the policy of ensuring that there is no impunity as far as public finance is concerned and people are held to account, the economy will "soar in no time".
"I must ask again what is wrong with the Nigerian economy and what do we need to do to correct the flaws. There are several issues many of which have already been articulated but I want to talk about what I think is the biggest problem which for some reason we hardly talk about when discussing our national economy," he said.
"This is grand corruption in the public finance space. Sometimes the way we talk about the Nigerian economy it does appear as if it is the economy of say Norway or somewhere where all things are equal. Even when we refer to what has taken place in our economy, we almost sound as if this is in every sense a very normal business environment, a very normal public finance environment but that is not the case.
"I do not think that any consideration about our economy development can be properly and honestly done without fully analysing corruption, especially grand corruption in the public finance space. You see that despite record high levels of oil prices, very little was invested in infrastructure and a record level of leakages were recorded in the past few years.
"This is the fundamental issue in our economy. Corruption affects everything. It affects even judgement as to what sort of infrastructure to put in place or whether infrastructure will ever be complete. It is so fundamental that we cant even think of our economy without thinking of what to do about it.
"Sometimes when we talk about our economy, we talk about the fact that we have relied on single commodity and that is one of the reasons why we are where we are. Yes, thats quite true, but the fact is that proceeds from that single commodity was regularly hijacked consistently by a few. That is really the problem. If we had spent the proceeds from that single commodity the way we ought to, we wont be where we are today," the Vice President added.
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Mr Nurayn Adebisi, the House Committee Chairman on Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, made the call on Tuesday in Osogbo at a meeting with consultants engaged for the operation of the land use charge and officials of the Ministry of Finance.
Adebisi said that the revenue generated from land use charge between 2015 when the bill was passed into law and 2017 was not commensurate with the expected revenue.
He said that more needed to be done to generate more revenue from the land use charge to enable government to perform its responsibilities.
The lawmaker called on officials of the Ministry of Finance and the consultants to collaborate with the Osun Internal Revenue Service to harmonise revenue collection from the land use charge.
Adebisi also said that there was need to review the operations of the land use consultants with a view to adhering strictly with the public procurement law.
He said there was also need for public enlightenment on the importance of the land use charge
While speaking on the sideline of an anti-corruption townhall meeting tagged "A spanner in the wheel of corruption", organised by the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Foundation in Abuja, Ribadu said the noise around the president's efforts in fighting corruption means that he's doing something to talk about.
The former EFCC boss also dismissed a recent report by Transparency International that ranked Nigeria low in its index of countries fighting corruption.
He said, "Buhari is doing extremely well. Fighting corruption is not easy; the more you see people are complaining, the more it means you are doing well. So it is a sort of badge of honour for those who are doing it.
"There are a lot of people saying so many things, but it is natural when you are fighting corruption. When it is silent, then things are not happening. So I am very okay with what is going on.
"Let Transparency International come and tell me a country that has 4,000 criminal cases of ongoing trial in their own courts that is not doing well in fighting corruption.
"The perception is so because people are complaining, every single person you ask in Nigeria will say, 'Why me? Why not others?', so that sent a message as if things are not going on properly.
"The moment you see these type of things happening, put your head up because you are doing very well."
Nigeria still corrupt under Buhari
In a report by Transparency International (TI) released on February 21, Nigeria still ranks as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
While the country is jointly ranked 148/180 alongside Guinea and Comoros, African countries ranked higher than Nigeria include Botswana (34th), Rwanda (48th), Namibia (53rd), and Kenya (143rd).
According to the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), which is Transparency International's national contact, the new index is worrying as it reflects the inability of President Buhari's administration to combat corruption like he promised.
Its assessment read, "This fresh setback in the fight against corruption confirms that grand corruption, political corruption, nepotism, favoritism and bribery persist in Nigeria at all levels.
"It is CISLAC's view that the negative perception is mainly a consequence of the inability to combat grand corruption and astronomical plundering of public coffers costing the Nigerian taxpayers around 25% of annual GDP.
Senate President, Bukola Sarakidisclosed this shortly before the adjournment of plenary on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.
Late Wakili reportedly slumped at his residence in Abuja on Saturday, March 17, 2018, and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Earlier, Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, had moved for the adjournment of plenary in honour of their late colleaue.
"On the 17th of this month, Saturday we woke up to a very sad news of the death of our friend, our brother and our colleague, very distinguished senator Ali Wakili," Lawan said.
"This is sad for not only this senate. Not only his senatorial district that he represented but for his entire country and the development of democracy in Nigeria.
"It is tradition that when this kind of divine incident happens and we lose a colleague in the senate or house of representatives we normally observe one-minute silence in the honour of the departed but also adjourn plenary and suspend activities in the national assembly in honour of the deceased. May his soul rest in peace," he added.
Prior to his death, Late Wakili was the Senator representing Bauchi south senatorial district.
His remains has since been laid to rest in line with Islamic injunction.
Prominent politicians have continued to send condolence messages to the family of the deseased.
Former Senate President, David Mark, had described Late Wakili's death as painful and a loss to the nation.
Fashola said this on Monday in Abuja during a one-day public enlightenment programme on developments in the road sector organised by the ministry.
Why the temptation to overload trucks against regulation and good practice may be appealing, it is ultimately a barrier to prosperity.
Such practices may provide cheap and perhaps corrupt riches and income in the short term but they do more damage to our roads for which the cheap income is made.
Those who engage in it prosper at the expense of others, this means that in the short run, the road is lost and the opportunities it offers diminishes, he said.
He said the enlightenment programme was for stakeholders to recognise that they were actors of the change that would lead the country to prosperity.
According to him, all over the world, one common trend to prosperity is the level of compliance to laws and regulations for every nation that prosper; there is high level of compliance.
In those societies, where there is high level of compliance, what you are likely to see is that the trucks are parked in proper parks and those parks create secondary opportunities to create jobs.
You will not see trucks parked on the highways which impede access and opportunities; you will see trucks carrying the specified tonnage of cargo because they want the load protected, he added.
He said the programme was for the stakeholders to brainstorm on ways to optimise the opportunities to be created by network of roads within the ECOWAS sub-region.
This meeting will deliberate on how we can optimise opportunities that lie in road network like the trans-Sahara highway which connects Nigeria to Chad, Niger Republic, Tunisia, Republic of Mali and Algeria.
We will indeed see how we can optimise the opportunities that lie along the Lagos to Abidjan highway that runs through the Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana, he added.
Speaking, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) commended the ministry for the programme.
He said the public enlightenment for stakeholders ahead of the federal government plan to commence enforcement of the regulations was a step in the right direction.
He said the commission arrests an average of 200 vehicles daily for excessive overloading, adding that the enlightenment would enhance the operation of FRSC.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other stakeholders at the programme commended the federal government for the initiative and pledged their support to ensure full compliance.
Two of the dead victims were soldiers of the 3 Division Garrison Jos Plateau State who were killed when troops responded to distress calls and were fired upon by herdsmen while moving in to settle the dispute.
That same week, 26 people who were killed the previous week in Omusu Edimoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, were buried.
In light of the hundreds of bodies that have dropped in Nigeria in 2018 alone in attacks linked to nomadic cattle herders, calls have grown ever so loudly to declare them terrorists.
Last week, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinkalent an even stronger voice to that position when he questioned President Muhammadu Buhari's motive behind not declaring the killers terrorists.
He said, "We're speaking of governance, will, and responsibility, the readiness to respond with massive punitive action when the fundamental security of a people is violated.
"We're speaking here of a president showing up at the arena of human desecration, not to shed any anxious tears, but to read the riot act and give an order, right on the scene of violation.
"Order his forces into action against the arrogant, blood-thirsty renegades of society who wallow in the blood of others, having been assured one way or the other, of a cloak of impunity.
"We're speaking of the courage to decree such monsters terrorists and enemies of humanity with the same dispatch as the declaration of far less violent, far less destabilising movements, albeit disruptive, supernaturalism and sometimes nasty in their attestation and activities."
A recent history of Nigerian terrorism
More than the wanton killings and the cynical nature of them, one of the main reasons the calls for the government to declare herdsmen terrorists are deafening is a result of very recent history.
The separatist pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the government after a week of unrest that involved clashes between the members of the group and troops of the Nigerian Army.
Even though many Nigerians didn't agree with the group's scandalous tactics, a lot of people, even the international community, deemed the act of labelling them terrorists as taking it too far.
The group, for all of its shortcomings, hardly openly engaged in armed confrontation with security agencies, unlike herdsmen who have already killed police officers and soldiers in bold fashion.
Much of the group's stock-in-trade involved peddling wild conspiracy theories such as the real president being switched out for an impostor from Sudan, as well as promises of marching on Abuja to demand secession.
Even if the penalty of tagging the group a terrorist organisation might have seemed excessive, it was done within the ambit of the law (eventually, at least) and is arguably deserved.
This firm decision, taken mere months ago, is what has made the government's inaction over the surge of extracurricular herdsmen activities more puzzling. Why is the terrorism tag good for the goose but not for the gander?
Many people allege that the president's kinship with the Fulani tribe, who have been mostly blamed for the killings, is the real reason why the government won't bring down the stamp of terrorism.
While the government continues to dither, it might be worth examining what it means to declare herdsmen as terrorists.
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Miyetti Allah group
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is the apex body of all Fulani cattle breeders in the country.
It was founded in the early 1970s as a loose partisan advocacy group centred on promoting the welfare of pastoralists.
The group has gained notoriety over the past decade as conflicts began to escalate between nomadic herdsmen and local farmers over the access and control of lands on which their cattle graze.
Tensions between both parties have long ago resulted in the armed conflicts that have been coloured by tribal and religious sentiments that have escalated the problem.
The group has always had something to say about these clashes in reckless ways that suggested that they were not merely condoning but orchestrating the attacks.
Since this year's killings first attracted the country's attention in Benue, state governor, Samuel Ortom, has used every opportunity to lay the blame at the feet of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural group.
According to him, the group had been making threatening statements in open rebellion to its implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law that outlawed open grazing in the state in 2017.
Just a day after the implementation of the law, Kautal Hore northcentral zonal leader, Gidado Bebeji, criticised the method of implementation.
He expressed concern that the herdsmen's human rights to free movement was being violated as a result of the restriction placed on the conduct of their business.
"The state government has been speaking English with nobody caring to properly inform the pastoralists," he said.
Since the 2018 killings became worse, the Miyetti Allah group has shuffled between a range of reactions; from raising alarm that the killings are not one-sided to appearing to justify the killings, and then denying involvement in carrying out attacks, all at the same time.
The group's often conflicted and firebrand manner of addressing the recent spate of killings across several states has led many to conclude that they are the ones fueling the crisis; hence, the big bad problem that needs to go away.
According to many, the solution to putting a definite end to the killings is to declare herdsmen or the Miyetti Allah groups as terrorists. The one-sided conversation is a little vague on how exactly it will work if the government listens to reason.
How does the terrorist declaration work?
According to the nation's Terrorism Act, a person or corporate body who knowingly in or outside Nigeria directly or indirectly does, attempts or threatens any act of terrorism; commits an act preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism; omits to do anything that is reasonably necessary to prevent an act of terrorism; assists or facilitates the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism; participates as an accomplice in or contributes to the commission of any act of terrorism; assists, facilitates, organizes or directs the activities of persons or organizations engaged in any act of terrorism; is an accessory to any act of terrorism, or; incites, promises or induces any other person by any means whatsoever to commit any act of terrorism; commits a terrorist offence and is liable on conviction to maximum of death sentence.
Going by just their public conduct alone, it's hard to argue against the notion that MACBAN is guilty of at least one of these conditions that qualify them to be tagged terrorists.
For instance, after the first wave of attacks in January 2018, MACBAN's National Co-ordinator, Garus Gololo, said the attacks were reprisals for the alleged killing of some herdsmen and theft of cows, explaining away the crime as self-defence. While he provided context for the conflict, he unwittingly admitted that herdsmen belonging to the group carried out attacks.
He further tried to argue that the attacks were due to the Benue government's implementation of the anti-open grazing law, but the violence has spread to places like Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa that have never entertained the idea of the same law.
So if the government decides to shake the tree here and label MACBAN a terrorist organisation, what does it mean in a bigger context?
It's really not a far-fetched thought that the perpetrators of these attacks are mostly undesirable elements who are manipulating the nation's tense political state right now to foment trouble and have no direct link to MACBAN. To put this in more transparent context, not all herdsmen are necessarily members of MACBAN or Kautal Hore.
If the government declares the group a terrorist organisation, does it mean that all the members under it will stop functioning in their vocation?
If MACBAN's activities get proscribed, will security agencies have the mandate to arrest every herdsman that openly grazes in the country? Does it mean a ban on open grazing across the country?
Unlike IPOB, or even Boko Haram, herdsmen are not necessarily tied to a group that can make it hard for them to go about their primary jobs if such a group is cast in the negative light of terrorism.
This means branding MACBAN a terrorist organisation doesn't necessarily solve the killing problem; unless what is being suggested here is that the government declare all herdsmen to be terrorists which is quite impracticable.
More importantly, how helpful is labelling herdsmen terrorists to ridding the country of the wasteful killings that have threatened to become commonplace?
Since the country does not have a federal anti-open grazing law in place, it'd be a constitutional violation to deny herdsmen the right to conduct their businesses across the country if they're not hurting anybody and are no longer a member of a proscribed group.
This means that despite the world of possibilities opened up by labelling MACBAN or bloodthirsty killer herdsmen as terrorists, there's a potential loophole large enough to lead a herd of cattle through.
This means these kinds of attacks could still continue with security agencies finding it hard to keep up with them.
While the killings keep happening nearly every week, the government's body language suggests that herdsmen, or MACBAN, or Kautal Hore, are never going to be tagged terrorists.
Since troubles escalated in January, the Federal Government has stepped up plans to establish the controversial cattle colony initiative which is a combination of many ranches restricted to one location.
This plan has already been openly criticised by the public and state governors who have said they won't give up their lands for such a venture but at least 15 states are known to have volunteered at least 5,000 hectares each.
While Nigerians continue to clamour for a world where herdsmen are tagged terrorists for the many atrocities they've committed in the space of three months, the government is barking up a different tree.
A lot of thought needs to go into either 'solution' as there are a lot of shadings to do around the edges to achieve anything close to effectively putting an end to the killings and the conflicts around them.
The truth is herdsmen didn't have to be declared terrorists before they were named (described as "Fulani militants") in the 2015 Global Terrorism Index as the fourth most deadly terrorist group in the world after being responsible for the death of 1,229 people in 2014.
A lot of forethought on the part of the government could have likely prevented the current crisis if they didn't wait for it to happen again, especially after the atrocities of Agatu, before trying to seek measures to address the root causes of the situation.
It also goes without saying that security agencies could have dealt better with the current situation by, for example, inviting MACBAN's leadership to explain a string of careless utterances in public before letting the sense of lawlessness fester.
Whatever the government resorts to now, it is important to ensure perpetrators of this current string of attacks are arrested and prosecuted with extreme prejudice to serve as deterrent that the nation does not condone senseless disregard for human lives within its borders.
In the end, putting a stop to the wanton killings and avoidable clashes as well as the bringing of perpetrators to book is what everyone wants.
In view of the current security challenges in the country, it has become expedient for the Nigeria Police Force to streamline the deployment of its personnel attached to political and public office holders, aimed at enhancing effective and efficient policing of the country, the statement from the IGP read.
"To this effect, a memo will be forwarded to the President for approval which will serve as a guideline or template for deployment to VIPs, political and public office holders in the country. Accordingly, a directive for withdrawal of all police officers deployed to VIPs, political and public office holders with immediate effect, is hereby given", the statement added.
80 percent
In February, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Rasheed Akintunde, lamented that 80 percent of the countrys police force are watching the backs of big men in our society.
Akintunde said: "Every big man wants personal security, they want a number of policemen to come and secure them and their family members, instead of supporting the police to work and ensure a safer environment.
"Honourable members want police security, even Reverend Fathers, Bishops now want police security, so the remaining 20% police the whole country.
"If we can redistribute policemen from some government formations and deploy them to work on their core duty, it will yield positive result."
AIG Akintundes revelation was embarrassing and should have sparked an outrage from an under-policed citizenry.
Under-policed
It is absurd that Nigeria has a police to citizen ratio of 1:600far below what the United Nations recommends, because police personnel are carrying bags for politicians and 'Oga's wives' all over the place.
The United Nations recommends one police officer for every 450 citizens. Nigeria has about 370,000 police officers. IGP Idris has been pleading for more police recruits to meet the demand of policing an increasing population.
According to Idris, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) requires about 155,000 personnel to adequately provide security for the country.
221 police officers to one Governor
In November of 2017, police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood kept a straight face while announcing that one GovernorAnambras Willie Obianohas 221 police officers keeping him safe.
This is done to ensure optimum safety and protection of the Executive Governor of Anambra,Moshood said without flinching and without shame.
Why do politicians require that much police officers to keep them safe?
I attended an event the other day where former Anambra Governor Peter Obi bragged that a politician who is doing well for his people should harbor no fear of getting shot.
The target
Which brings us to Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West in the upper legislative chamber.
Soon after the announcement of the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs, Melaye practically threw his toys out of the pram.
The order, he declared, was issued so he could get killed.
"The withdrawal of police from VIP. I am the target. IG want to expose me so I can be killed. Having survived assassination attempt twice I deserve police protection in a country where Im a tax payer. No amount of lies and blackmail will detract my attention from speaking the truth and defending it.
"Fabricated lies by Kogi State govt and the police will fail. It's utterly laughable and preposterous. It's a sign of desperation."
Unfortunate
Melayes meltdown is unfortunate. His argument that he badly deserves police protection because hes a taxpayer, flies in the face of sound reason and commonsense. Everyone I know in this country pays taxes. Should they be treated any less and exposed to the assassins bullets because they dont gyrate to 'Ajekun Iya' during plenary?
But then again, we have succeeded in making Melaye and his ilk entitled. We have successfully created a political class who exist in a bubble and who think that the police are there to serve at their pleasure. Our police officers have been reduced to errand boys and beggars on the streets right before our very eyes.
Now Melaye thinks that his life is worth more than the lives of millions of Nigerians who are pathetically under-policed, because he is a politician or senator.
Oyegun said this on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, when he received the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger Abubakar Dzukogi and the management team of the polytechnic at the APC secretariat.
The APC chairman noted that President Buhari is delivering on his campaign promises despite the challenges.
Yes, there are still challenges in the land, there is no question about it, Oyegun said. We took over in very difficult circumstances including a fundamental problem of the collapse of the price of crude oil, Conditions were such that we needed an extraordinary man of courage to be able to lead the country out the crisis that we inherited to the increasing economic stability and progress which this nation clearly is beginning to attain, he added.
Oyegun said the fight against corruption, one of the major promises of the APC is being won to the extent that it can no longer be a threat to the national economy, where it becomes an acceptable way of life.
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On infrastructure, a lot of beautiful work is going on, particularly on the railway system. You cannot carry meaningful development on trucks on the highways... Development has to be carried on the back of a modern railway system and the president has made that a top priority and today we can say on the implementation platform is 5oookm of modern standard gauge railway that will cut across the length and breadth of this country.
On corruption, we all know that corruption is fighting back. But it is not a problem you fight with a flick of a switch, because corruption is very rich, corruption is very wealthy, corruption is very elitist, they are bound to fight back and they are fighting back. But thank God we have a president who is single-minded about taming that scourge and tame it we will. We know now that corruption is not as brazen as it was.
We dont just now take money from the public till and distribute to politicians and the rest of it, that no longer happens... nobody is saying corruption has been wiped out, there is no country in the world where corruption has been wiped out, but it is being tackled in Nigeria to the point where it can no longer be a threat to the national economy, where it does not become an acceptable way of life, of doing business. Odigie-Oyegun added.
Buhari excellently fighting corruption
Former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu says the Buhari administration is fighting corruption extremely well.
"Buhari is doing extremely well. Fighting corruption is not easy; the more you see people are complaining, the more it means you are doing well. So it is a sort of badge of honour for those who are doing it.
Time is of essence to put PDPs house in order in Lagos. Now, what the people at the grassroots want is a non-rancour platform and party.
They (people) want to be very sure we (party) are intact and well positioned to take over power.
My message is that the party leaders should be on top of all rancors and issues, though managing human beings is one of the most difficult things on earth.
We should understand that time is of essence, the leaders should kindly preach to the people that life is about give and take, he said.
The lawmaker, however, said that there were no factions in the state chapter of PDP, but only disagreements which would be addressed.
I will not say that there are no issues in Lagos PDP.
There is rancour and misunderstanding in every party, we cannot rule that out.
The two parallel assemblies organised by some of our leaders are meant to propagate the party.
It is just a result of disagreement between the party Chairman in the state, Mr Moshood Salvador and some leaders for mobilisation purposes.
The most important thing is that the party Chairman, Hon. Salvador is intact already. It is just for him to settle the other executive.
There is really no faction at large. It is two children that are fighting, but Chief Olabode George has said that Salvador still remains the Chairman of the party in the state, he said.
The lawmaker also debunked the rumour that Chief Olabode George was contemplating leaving the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
NAN reports that leaders of the party in the state had on March 8 held a two parallel assemblies, one led by the Salvador executive while former deputy chairman, Prince Ola Apena held another.
In a sign of the country's determination, Bolivian President Evo Morales is heading up the Bolivian delegation to the UN's highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague.
"We have history, justice and right on our side," Morales said in a Tweet as seven days of hearings into the case opened in The Hague.
Bolivia, South America's poorest country, became landlocked after losing a four-year war against Chile in 1883, forfeiting territory and its access to the sea.
Following some 130 years of fruitless negotiations with Santiago, La Paz lodged a complaint with the ICJ in April 2013.
"We have waited a long time for this opportunity, but we are a patient and determined people," said former Bolivian president Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze, addressing the court.
Chile had made "a repeated and consistent commitment to Bolivia to end its landlocked situation," he maintained, saying the lack of sea access had had a devastating effect on the impoverished country's development.
"By fulfilling this promise to its neighbour, two countries united by culture, geography, history and fraternal spirit can heal all wounds and move forward," Veltze added.
The "entire Bolivian nation" was tuning into the proceedings in The Hague via giant screens erected in their cities, he said.
"We are here with one voice in pursuit of justice," he said, explaining the country once had 400 kilometres (248 miles) of coastline in the Atacama desert.
"Today it has none," he said.
According to estimates, Bolivia's "annual GDP growth would be at least 20 percent higher" if it had not been stripped of a sea access.
'An old debt'
While its transport costs are estimated to be 31 percent higher than the continental average, he said.
"More than a century has passed since the Chilean invasion of Bolivia's coast... an act of aggression that resulted in territorial dismemberment and the painful loss of sovereign access to the sea."
Allowing access "would make a small difference to Chile, but it would transform the destiny of Bolivia," Veltze said.
About two dozen Bolivian activists have also arrived in The Hague from around Europe to support La Paz.
"This is an old debt that needs to be settled," Amancay Colque told AFP, as they held up a large flag outside the Peace Palace.
The loss of the Chuquicamata mine, the world's largest open-pit copper mine which is situated in the disputed area, had badly hit the countrys indigenous peoples, Colque said.
Responding, the Pope said men who patronize prostitutes are criminals with a damaged mentality.
Pope Francis stated this during an intimate listening session with 300 young people who were invited by the Vatican to Rome this week to help church leaders learn what kids these days think about the Catholic Church.
"I ask myself, and I ask you: Is the male chauvinistic church able to truthfully ask itself about this high demand by clients?" Okoedion asked.
The Pontiff added that young people must take up the fight against trafficking and forced prostitution.
"This is one of the battles that I ask you young people to do, for the dignity of women," he said.
According to him, prostitution was born of a "sick mentality" that no form of feminism has managed to rid from society, one that thinks that "women are to be exploited."
Concluding his thoughts about Okoedion's point, the Pope said: "I want to take advantage of this moment, because you talked about baptized and Christians, to ask your forgiveness, from society and all the Catholics who do this criminal act."
The listening session is a preparatory meeting for the big synod of bishops in October on helping young people find their vocations in life.
Pope Francis also insisted that young adults, whether Catholic or not, should be an integral part of the process of informing the otherwise all-male, celibate and rather old church hierarchy about the future of the church.
He said the church and the world at large must take young people seriously.
According to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), Nigeria is one of the leading African countries in human trafficking with cross-border and internal trafficking.
Italy reportedly has the largest population of Nigerians victimized to human trafficking - with as many as 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes plying their trade in Italy.
Cruz, 18, told the deputies that he decided to visit the school to reflect on the school shooting and to soak it in, according to the sheriffs office.
Cruz was arrested on one count of trespassing on the grounds or facility of a school, a misdemeanor. The sheriffs office said that school officials had ordered Cruz to stay away from Stoneman Douglas High. It was not immediately clear when Cruz had received those warnings.
On Monday night, Cruz was being held with bail set at $25 in the same Broward County jail where his brother, who faces 17 counts of premeditated murder, is being held without bond.
Broward County Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday night. It was not clear whether Cruz had a lawyer yet.
Zachary Cruz, who, like his brother, was adopted, had a strained relationship with him. Cruz has lived with a guardian since his mothers death in November 2017. Two days after the school shooting, he told deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office that he regretted that he and his friends had bullied his older brother.
Zachary wishes that he had been nicer to his brother, the deputies report said, adding that Nikolas may have been the favored brother.
He also told the authorities that he felt as if someone was trying to get me and that he was upset about media coverage of the shooting. He said he was scared as he thought he had heard people outside, the sheriffs report said.
Zachary stated that he does feel somewhat responsible and guilty about the incident and that he could have possibly prevented this, the report continued.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
He was chosen as a cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. He had broken his collarbone and injured his head in a fall last month, they said.
Because of the sex scandal, OBrien recused himself from the 2013 Vatican conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI. The cardinals decision was considered unprecedented and had, by some accounts, been ordered by the retiring pope himself. OBrien was later ordered to leave Scotland for spiritual renewal and penance.
The scandal broke on Feb. 23, 2013, when three priests and a former cleric were quoted in the British newspaper The Observer as saying that OBrien had made sexual advances toward them after drinking bouts in the 1980s.
One of the men was a seminarian at the time, and the others were young clergymen. He was said to have had an enduring relationship with one of them.
After initially denying their accounts, OBrien issued a statement that March acknowledging, There have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal.
He added, To those I have offended, I apologize and ask forgiveness.
An inquiry by the Vaticans top sex-abuse prosecutor revealed other complaints against him, as well as evidence that he had quashed a proposed investigation of child abuse by priests since the 1950s.
Pope Francis, Benedicts successor, ultimately permitted him to retain the title of cardinal but, in effect, stripped him of all privileges associated with that rank, including the right to vote in any Vatican conclave.
Other leading Catholic clerics around the world have resigned for turning a blind eye to sexual abuse; others were convicted of abuse themselves; and some vaguely sought absolution. But few approaching the stature of OBrien have publicly admitted sexual conduct that is frowned upon by the church and that contradicted their own preaching.
While he left Scotland in disgrace, originally living in northern England incognito, OBriens legacy went well beyond the scandal. He had fiercely criticized the Act of Settlement, a 1701 British law preventing Catholics from ascending to the British throne; he said it encouraged sectarianism. He also favored Scottish independence.
Before his elevation, OBrien was considered a potential reformer and even a borderline liberal, but during the next decade he rarely veered from Vatican doctrine on such matters as prohibiting artificial contraception, barring women from the priesthood and declaring homosexual behavior immoral.
OBrien once described same-sex marriage as a grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right.
In 2005, though, he said he had no objection to gay teachers in Catholic schools. I dont have a problem with the personal life of a person, he added, as long as they are not flaunting their sexuality.
And the day before the Observer article was published in 2013, he said, without elaboration, It is a free world and I realize that many priests have found it very difficult to cope with celibacy as they lived out their priesthood and felt the need of a companion, of a woman, to whom they could get married and raise a family of their own.
Keith Michael Patrick OBrien was born on March 17, 1938 St. Patricks Day in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
His mother was the former Alice Moriarity. His father, Mark, was a member of the Royal Navy in World War II and, after his discharge, moved the family to Scotland, having found it difficult to get a job in Northern Ireland after the war because of anti-Catholic bigotry there.
Keith OBrien earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Edinburgh in 1959 and a diploma in education in 1966. He was ordained a priest in 1965.
He was appointed archbishop after serving as spiritual director of St. Andrews College in Drygrange and rector of St. Marys College in Blairs. Both Catholic seminaries have since closed.
He is survived by his brother, Terry.
In life, Cardinal OBrien may have divided opinion, his successor, Archbishop Leo Cushley, said in a statement. In death, however, I think all can be united in praying for the repose of his soul, for comfort for his grieving family, and that support and solace be given to those whom he hurt and let down.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Instead, it was ordered by a junior officer, according to two Defense Department officials. Four U.S. soldiers and five Nigeriens were killed when the unit was ambushed.
The two officials said Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are troubled that low-level officers are being blamed for the botched mission instead of senior commanders who should be aware when U.S. troops are undertaking a high-risk raid.
The mission began as a routine patrol before Operational Detachment-Alpha Team 3212 was redirected to the operation against the militant, Doundoun Cheffou, who has been linked to the Islamic State.
The orders to the unit normally would have been issued by senior military officers up the chain of command from Niger to Chad to Stuttgart, Germany, where U.S. Africa Command is based. If they were issued by a junior officer the same rank as the leader of Team 3212 it would signal a systematic breakdown in a mission that has ignited widespread criticism of the United States shadow war in Niger.
The two Defense Department officials, both of whom have knowledge of the preliminary findings, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation has not yet been released. One official cautioned that the findings could change as Mattis and Dunford review them.
This is not consistent with the approval for this type of re-mission, said Brig. Gen. Donald C. Bolduc, who retired shortly after handing over command of Special Operations forces in Africa in June.
Captains do not have this authority, said Bolduc, referring to the rank of the junior officers. Plus, if the ground commander pushes back on the mission, this should be a red flag for everyone in the chain of command.
A third Defense Department official said the leader of Team 3212, Capt. Michael Perozeni, had filed a concept of operations document or Conop that showed he planned only a daylong trip to meet with tribal elders when he and his soldiers left their base in Ouallam, Niger, on Oct. 3.
Instead, the team was rerouted miles away, toward the Mali border. Its repeatedly changing overnight mission targeted Cheffou, a former cattle herder believed to be involved in the kidnapping of an American in Mali.
The preliminary findings, according to the first two Defense Department officials, imply that senior officers up the chain of command believed Team 3212 was embarking only on the daylong reconnaissance mission, as Perozeni outlined in his Conop document. That trip, of 11 Americans and some 30 Nigerien soldiers, described a civil reconnaissance mission meant for key-leader engagement meetings.
Before he left Ouallam, those officials said, Perozeni received the order to join the kill-or-capture mission against Cheffou, to be led by a separate assault force flying out of the town of Arlit. The order came from another junior officer, who was filling in for a regional commander on paternity leave.
Perozeni pushed back against the change of mission, citing concerns over insufficient intelligence and equipment available to his team on the high-risk raid. But he did not resist orders to back up the separate assault force, the officials said.
As it turned out, that mission was later scrapped because of bad weather. Team 3212 was still on its reconnaissance mission, near the town of Tiloa, when U.S. intelligence officials concluded that Cheffou and a handful of fighters had left their desert encampment near the border with Mali. The team was ordered to press on to that location, hoping to collect any information left behind that might offer clues about Cheffous hideouts and network.
But the preliminary investigation indicates that senior officers at the Africa Command headquarters and its Special Operations component in Stuttgart were not informed of the change of plans. Nor were senior leaders at a Special Operations regional command in Chad, according to the findings.
However, according to the third Defense Department official, a lieutenant colonel in Chad had approved both the helicopter raid based from Arlit, which was scrapped, and Team 3212s original reconnaissance mission, which had taken it just 15 miles from the ambush site outside the village of Tongo Tongo.
Additionally, that official said, Col. Bradley Moses, the head of 3rd Special Forces Group in Germany, was informed of the two missions. The official was not authorized to discuss the missions or the investigation publicly.
Current and former military officials said they found it highly surprising that the captain who was filling in for the regional commander in Niger Maj. Alan Van Saun would have been empowered to redirect Team 3212 without higher approval. They also said it would be extraordinary that senior officers and their staffs, in Chad or in Germany, would not have been aware of or involved in that decision.
Had it changed missions, the team would have been required to send in new routes in part to be protected with medical evacuation support or other assistance if needed. Through a communications channel that was tethered to commanders at a base in Niamey, Nigers capital, the teams position would have been sent by either a satellite radio or phone and typed into a chat room monitored by the chain of command stretching from Niger to Germany. The teams GPS tracker would also be monitored in Germany.
In short, the mission change should have been duly reported and noted by military officials from West Africa to Stuttgart.
Team 3212 came under fire on Oct. 4, as the soldiers headed back to Ouallam from Cheffous encampment. After stopping in Tongo Tongo for water, the U.S. and Nigerien forces were ambushed and overpowered by militants who officials believe were linked to the Islamic State.
Perozeni and Sgt. 1st Class Brent Bartels, the radio operator for Team 3212, were shot and wounded early in the Oct. 4 ambush. Four Americans Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson and Sgt. La David Johnson were killed.
Initially, Pentagon officials said the results of the lengthy inquiry would be released in January to Congress, the American public and the families of the slain soldiers.
Speaking last week with reporters traveling with him to the Middle East and Afghanistan, Mattis said he expected aides to provide him with answers to several of his questions by no later than Monday. The secretary said he was also expecting Dunfords advice on the report soon.
In December, two months after the ambush, a separate team of Green Berets operating in a different part of Niger killed 11 Islamic State militants in a firefight. That battle was reported last week, by The New York Times, as one of at least 10 other previously undisclosed attacks on U.S. troops in West Africa between 2015 and 2017.
Together, they indicate that the deadly October ambush was not an isolated episode in a nation where the United States is building a major drone base. No U.S. or Nigerien forces were harmed in the December gunbattle.
The U.S. military did not disclose the December firefight or the others until pressed by The Times. We dont want to give a report card to our adversaries, said Dana W. White, the Pentagon press secretary.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The exercises, code-named Foal Eagle and Key Resolve, will involve some 23,000 U.S. troops and more than 300,000 South Korean troops. The scale this year is similar to that of previous years, Defense Department officials said.
South Korean officials have told reporters that North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, who is expected to meet with President Donald Trump by May about the Norths nuclear program, has appeared unexpectedly flexible about the exercises this year. During previous drills, Kim has conducted multiple missile tests.
But during talks with the South last month, Kim said that he could understand why the joint exercises must resume in April on the same scale as before, Chung Eui-yong, South Koreas national security adviser, said this month.
Choi Hyun-soo, a spokeswoman for South Koreas Ministry of National Defense, said the North Korean military was notified Tuesday of the schedule and defensive nature of the drills. Such notices are delivered through Panmunjom, a contact point established on the North-South border when the Korean War was halted in a truce in 1953.
The drills are always high profile, largely because the United States and South Korea seek to use them as a statement of unity and purpose in the defense of South Korea against the North. Because of that, the exercises always seem to anger North Korea.
Our combined exercises are defense-oriented and there is no reason for North Korea to view them as provocation, said Lt. Col. Christopher Logan, a Pentagon spokesman. These routine training exercises are not conducted in response to any DPRK provocations or the current political situation on the peninsula, he added, using the abbreviation for the Norths formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.
This year, the exercises are bound to be even more delicate, as the Trump administration rushes to prepare for first-of-their-kind talks between a U.S. president and a North Korean leader.
White House officials are scrambling to figure out how Trump will handle the negotiations, which will pose a stiff challenge to an administration that has built its North Korea policy around imposing crippling sanctions, backed by the threat of military action. Before the announcement of talks this month, there had been little planning for how a negotiation between Washington and Pyongyang would unfold.
The South Korean and U.S. militaries usually hold the exercises from late February through April.
The Key Resolve exercise is largely a computer-simulated war game, while Foal Eagle has typically involved large-scale ground, air, naval and special operations field exercises, including amphibious-landing drills.
The allied militaries did not immediately reveal when the exercises would end or whether any U.S. aircraft carriers would participate, as they have in the past.
The South Korean news media has speculated that this years drills will be shortened, ending before Kim and President Moon Jae-in are scheduled to hold their own summit meeting in late April.
At the height of the tensions between North Korea and the United States last year, the United States frequently dispatched strategic bombers on training missions over the peninsula, along with what Trump called an armada of aircraft carriers and other warships to surrounding waters, as part of Washingtons maximum pressure campaign.
The announcement about the exercises came as a senior North Korean official started unofficial talks with a delegation of former U.S. and South Korean officials in Finland. North Korean officials have held such informal talks periodically with former officials and scholars.
Washington said that the U.S. participants, including Kathleen Stephens, the former ambassador to South Korea, were not representing the U.S. government. But this years meeting drew unusual attention because of its timing before the anticipated meeting between Trump and Kim.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Omar rejected a government job as the deputy commissioner of Jowhar, a regional state in Somalia citing security fears.
He was appointed last week by Hirshabelle State Interior minister Mohamed Ali Adle to the role in Jowhar region.
However, Omar said he was not consulted for the position whose appointments are made in consultations with Somali clan leaders, and he wants to instead focus on his studies.
I am still a student at Sheikh Hassan Barsane School in Jowhar. I want to resign from that post because I cant manage it. I am making it clear that I am unable to perform that responsibility because you have seen the insecurity in the country. Now I am studying in my high school and I am going to finish in few months, I want to go to university and build my future," Omar told the BBC.
He said he has avoided school for days after receiving the offer letter.
In an undercover investigation titled: Cambridge Analytica Uncovered: Secret filming reveals election tricks, the firms top bosses admit to being the key drivers of Mr. Kenyattas campaigns.
Alex Taylor, Cambridges Chief Data Officer and Managing Director Mark Turnbull were caught on tape detailing the role they played in Kenyas elections.
Mr. Turnbull disclosed that they entered into a contract with President Kenyatta party in 2013 and continued during 2017 election when he vied for a second term.
Re-branding
We ran the Kenyatta campaign in 2013 and 2017. We have re-branded the entire party twice, Turnbull said.
In 2013, Mr. Kenyatta vied under The National Alliance (TNA) Party while in 2017 he was under the merger Jubilee Party.
Other roles
Mr. Turnbull stated that Cambridge was also involved in writing Jubilees manifesto, conducting surveys, preparing Mr. Kenyattas speeches among other duties.
We have written their manifesto, done two rounds of 50, 000 surveys. Huge amounts of research, analysis, messaging. Then we would write all the speeches and we would stage the whole thing so just about every element of his campaign, Turnbull said.
The firm is accused of using damaging information about politicians to push certain agenda to the electorates. The main purpose is to play with the citizenrys emotions by either creating fear or wooing undecided voters towards a candidate.
They will find all the skeletons in his closet quietly, discreetly and give you report, Turnbull reveals how Cambridge works with spies to gain information.
Turnbull notes that the information is then released on the web at an appropriate time. The key role according to the Managing Director is to make it as believable as possible and avoid the possibility of it being rubbished as propaganda.
It has to happen without anyone thinking thats propaganda because the moment you think that's propaganda the next question is, whos put that out? So we have to be very subtle, he mentioned.
Damaging Raila's image
Last year Kenyans on Facebook were bombarded with alarming information concerning NASA leader Raila Odinga who was the main rival of Mr. Kenyatta.
Countless videos were posted online describing how dangerous a man Raila was if elected to be the President of Kenya. The video portrayed the former Prime Minister as a leader who will drag Kenya into poverty, violence and dictator regime.
However, Cambridge denied any involvement in the production or publication of such videos.
At the same time, Cambridge confesses that to avoid being linked to certain activities it may change its name when entering into a contract.
"It may be that we have to contract under a different name, a different entity, with a different name so that no record exists with our name attached to this at all," he said.
In a press conference addressed by the Party Secretary General Eseli Simiyu, FORD Kenya has castigated the current division in NASA adding that it has been orchestrated by ODM which is a partner party of the NASA coalition.
The Wetangula led political union stated that ODM has in the recent past ridiculed and demonized NASA party partners following the Uhuru-Raila pact.
The party has expressed concern on the turn of events that have been targeting the leadership structure of in the two houses of parliament
FORD Party has pointed out that the current developments do not augur well when it comes to inclusivity and they do not provide the future hope of overseeing the governments duties as mandated by the constitution.
They lauded the Uhuru-Raila pact which is aimed at uniting Kenyans following months of deep political divisions.
The NASA affiliate Party stated that they do not see why their Party leader Moses Wetangula was ousted as senate minority leader.
The NASA partner party has pushed for new avenues in dialogues moving forward adding that the negotiation should engage like-minded entities who are people centered and not individual centered reiterating that the bodies should be people who value democratic governance.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue University School of Nuclear Engineering students are hosting a Millennial Nuclear Caucus in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Nuclear Energy.
With millennials in a unique position to shape the future of the nuclear field, members of the U.S. Department of Energy, along with nuclear industry leaders from Exelon Nuclear, NuScale Power and Clearpath Foundation, will discuss the state of nuclear energy and potential future developments.
The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday (March 22) in Room 224 of the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall. It is free and open to the public.
The millennial generation is going to be our next generation of leadership. Ensuring that they are well informed about the facts on nuclear technology is essential, said Suzanne Jaworowski, Office of Nuclear Energy senior adviser in the U.S. Department of Energy.
Nuclear power provides 60 percent of the carbon-free energy for the United States and is essential to medical diagnostics and treatment, food safety, and space exploration.
The development of nuclear technology and energy is rapidly increasing with or without the U.S. involvement. Jaworowski said this is the reason for discussion and information.
Our young people need to know the facts about nuclear to make up their minds about nuclear, she added.
The conversation will be broadcast live on the School of Nuclear Engineering Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PurdueNuclear).
State Street Redevelopment Project construction is in process. This work is closing portions of Stadium Avenue, McCormick Road, Airport Road and Williams Street and significantly affecting surrounding thoroughfares in West Lafayette. For construction and project information, visit www.statestreetwl.com.
Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu
Source: Shawn Dildine, 765-496-2133, sadildin@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Suzanne Jaworowski will be available for media questions immediately following the event.
Carnival Youth share new single 'Love Is The Answer' and announce UK dates by Khyle Deen . Published Tue 20 Mar 2018 11:24
Latvian trio Carnival Youth are back with a new single, Love Is the Answer, the single was released on 16th March via their own label distributed by The Orchard.
The new cut is the follow up to a series of internationally acclaimed releases, which gained the band the title of Latvias biggest musical export. Part of a new generation of bands coming out from the Baltic, Carnival Youth became the first Latvian act to win The European Border Breakers Award (EBBA) and EBBA Public Choice Award at Eurosonic in 2016.
Debut EP Never Have Enough opened the doors to the European Festivals circuit, as well as gaining the band a steady radio support across Europe and the UK, including backing from Amazing Radio and 6 Musics Steve Lamacq. Three years later and over two million Spotify plays, their first debut album No Clouds Allowed ended up being rewarded as Best Debut Album of The Year in Latvia, earning them support from BBC Radio 1s Huw Stephens, John Kennedy on Xposure, and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio. Whilst sophomore album Propeller, prompted Noisey to realize that there's some pretty fucking cool music coming out of the Baltics these days.
Love Is the Answer is the demonstration of Carnival Youths serious song craft, where the bands different influences are streamlined into the perfect song formula. Blending gloriously hazy vocals with Tame Impala-esque jangle guitars, the combination between melodic, experimental and catchy becomes undeniable when a choir of trumpets break into the chorus.
The compelling visuals accompanying the single, shot in the Latvian seaside city of Liepaja, transport the band back in time to the 20th century. Using a video-montage technique, the band, their friends and relatives appear in old photos and postcards from the final century of the 2nd millennium. As the song progresses to its climax point, the city around them becomes more and more lively and three dimensional.
Having notched up memorable live performances at legendary Reeperbahn, Eurosonic, The Great Escape and SXSW Festivals, the band will bring their dynamic live performance back to the UK to headlined The Islington in London on 30th April and will play Are You Listening? Festival in Reading on 28th April, alongside Field Music, Idles, BBC 6 Musics Steve Lamacq and BBC Radio 1s Phil Taggart.
Love Is the Answer is Carnival Youths most compelling single so far the first taste of the bands newly developed sound. Perfecting their craft with each new release, they are consistently creating music that will set them as one of the standout acts for 2018.
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Vostochny Cosmodrome embezzlement case convict gets 7 more years in prison
RIA Novosti, Igor Ageenko
11:55 20/03/2018
MOSCOW, March 20 (RAPSI) Moscows Gagarinsky District Court has sentenced ex-Chief Engineer of the State Design Institute for Special Construction Sergey Ostrovsky, who is currently serving a 5-year term for embezzlement during the Vostochny Cosmodrome construction in Russia's Far East, to another 7 years in prison, the courts press service has told RAPSI.
Ostrovsky has been found guilty of large scale fraud, according to the statement. The defendant has been additionally fined 1 million rubles ($17,300).
In June 2016, the Gagarinsky District Court sentenced Ostrovsky to 5 years in prison and fined him 800,000 rubles (about $14,000 at the current exchange rate) for embezzling over 14.5 million rubles ($251,000) allocated for the construction of the Cosmodrome. Moreover, the court upheld seizure of interests in the apartments, several land plots in the Kaluga region, Land Cruiser owned by the engineer, over 36 million rubles ($623,600) and foreign currency accounts.
Prosecution asked the court to give him a 7-year prison sentence and fine him one million rubles ($16,100). Ostrovsky pleaded not guilty and motioned for acquittal.
The construction of the space center, due to become Russia's main launch site, began in 2012. The first launch vehicle operation was carried out on April 28, 2016.
Russian Supreme Court upholds FSB decree on decoding messages
Fotolia/ Stockdonkey
13:01 20/03/2018
MOSCOW, March 20 (RAPSI, Nikita Shiryayev) The Supreme Court of Russia on Tuesday upheld the right of the Federal Security Service (FSB) to request information-dissemination organizers for data on decoding of user messages, RAPSI reported from the courtroom.
The court dismissed the lawsuit filed by Telegram Messenger LLP in December. The company demanded to cancel the FSB decree establishing the procedure for provision of decoding information.
According to the applicants lawyer Ramil Akhmetgaliyev, the decree in question issued on July 19, 2016, regulates provision of data for decoding messages of the Internet users. The decree cant be issued by FSB because it contradicts the federal law on information. Such measures can be adopted and regulated only by the government, Akhmetgaliyev told RAPSI earlier.
FSB asked the court to dismiss claims of Telegram because the challenged decree conforms to senior regulations and does not violate the applicants rights.
In October 2017, Telegram appealed a ruling of the Meshchansky District Court of Moscow fining the company 800,000 rubles (nearly $14,000) for refusing to provide FSB with information on message decoding concerning several users. Telegram was found guilty of failure to store and (or) furnish information on users and their messages to law enforcement agencies.
According to one of Telegrams arguments listed by lawyer Pavel Chikov, the court did not check if the company even has the data, which is of interest to FSB. He noted that the information in question was not replicated on the companys servers and that messenger had no technical means to abide by the ruling.
On October 25, journalists Alexander Plyushchev and Oleg Kashin filed lawsuits against FSB. The applicants explained that actions of the security service violate their right to confidential conversation with sources of information. Later, the court dismissed these lawsuits.
In June, the communications watchdog Roskomnadzor Alexander Zharov requested the Telegram management to comply with the Russian legislation or face blocking of the messenger. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has agreed to register the service in Russia. However, he refused to abide by laws incompatible with Telegram privacy policy, Durov wrote on his VKontakte (VK) page in late June.
In July, Durov reportedly received the FSB requests to provide information for decoding messages of six app users. In September, law enforcement authorities drew up administrative protocols against Telegram because of law violation, as Durov failed to reply for the request.
According to the Federal Law On Information, Information Technologies and the Protection of Information, organizers of information distribution on the Internet must submit information about users and their messages to the authorized governmental bodies conducting investigative activities and ensuring the state security.
AFK Sistema recalls $5.7 billion lawsuit against Rosneft and Bashneft
RAPSI
15:59 20/03/2018
MOSCOW, March 20 (RAPSI) The Moscow Commercial Court has granted a request filed by AFK Sistema recalling its 330.4 billion rubles ($5.7 billion) lawsuit against Bashneft and Rosneft oil corporations, RAPSI learnt in the court.
Proceedings in the case were cancelled.
On March 19, the Commercial Court of Bashkortostan unfroze assets of AFK Sistema and Sistema-Invest arrested in the course of a 131.6 billion-ruble ($2.2 billion) lawsuit filed against the companies by Bashneft and Rosneft.
In March, Bashneft and Rosneft asked the court to recall the motion seeking the recovery of 131.6 billion rubles. Earlier this month, AFK Sistema stated that it had transferred the final 40 billion rubles ($695.6 million) in accordance with an amicable agreement signed with Bashneft, Rosneft and Bashkortostan authorities, thus completely fulfilling its obligations.
The Commercial Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan approved an amicable agreement in a 170.6-billion-ruble dispute (about $2.9 billion) between AFK Sistema, Sistema-Invest, and Rosneft oil corporation in late December 2017.
According to the settlement, the parties undertake to renounce recriminatory claims after repayment of the said amount.
In December, the Eighteen Commercial Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal lodged by Sistema against recovery of funds in favor of Rosneft. The corporation has appealed a ruling issued by the Commercial Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan in late August 2017. The court granted a lawsuit filed by Rosneft demanding 170.6 billion rubles (about $2.9 billion) in part. Sistema regarded the ruling as unlawful and unreasonable.
Press service of Rosneft said previously that the lawsuit was connected with alleged siphoning of assets. Actions of AFK Sistema allegedly led to decrease of assets at this sum.
On June 23, 2017, the Commercial Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan seized 31.76% of MTS mobile operators shares owned by AFK Sistema and its subsidiary Sistema-Invest as well as 100% of Medsi Groups shares and 90.47% of Bashkir Power Grid Companys (BESK) as part of the lawsuit filed by Rosneft, Bashneft and Republic of Bashkiria.
Initially, Rosneft sought to collect 106.6 billion ($1.8 billion) in damages from AFK Sistema and its subsidiaries. Later, the oil giant increased its claim to 170.6 billion. The plaintiff revised the claim damage upwards taking into account currency fluctuations, according to a companys representative.
Retired judge charged with $90,000 attempted fraud
flickr.com / bloomsberries
17:54 20/03/2018
MOSCOW, March 20 (RAPSI) A retired judge of the Saratov Region Court has been charged with attempted fraud in the amount of 5.1 million rubles (about $90,000), the Investigative Committees press service reports Tuesday.
According to investigators, the defendant has promised his acquaintance to overturn guilty verdict against an individual sentenced to 8 years in prison for fraud and review the case for 5 million rubles. However, the accused was not included in the courts appeals instance panel considering the case and could not factor into a decision.
Investigation has been completed. According to investigators, assets worth 1 million rubles owned by the wife of ex-judge have been seized.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty.
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Rob Kardashian was all smiles while celebrating his 31st birthday with daughter Dream.
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The television personality spent the occasion Saturday with 16-month-old Dream, mom Kris Jenner and sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Kim Kardashian
Rob shared several photos from the fete on Twitter, including a picture of himself holding Dream. The doting dad appeared much slimmer in the snapshot, which Kim Kardashian also posted to Instagram Stories.
"March Madness," he captioned the photo.
Rob Kardashian, whose birthday falls on St. Patrick's Day, also posted a picture of Dream using a shamrock filter.
"Happy birtbday to me :)," he wrote, adding two shamrock emojis.
He shares Dream with ex-fiancee Blac Chyna, from whom he split in 2017. Chyna surprised fans by wishing Rob a happy birthday on Instagram Stories following months of conflict.
"Happy Birthday Rob from Dreamy and Chy," she captioned a photo of herself with him and Dream.
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Kim Kardashian also marked her brother's birthday in a post online. The 37-year-old television personality welcomed her third child, daughter Chicago West, with husband Kanye West in January.
"Happy Birthday to my brother Rob!!! I love you so much and wish you all of the happiness in the world! I love raising our kids together, you're the best dad and friend! Can't wait to celebrate today!" she tweeted.
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'AI will be bigger than the advent of the Internet or the harnessing of electricity.'
'India must embrace it with all its might,' says NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
Three factors have combined to bring Artificial Intelligence (AI) into widespread application across the global economy -- availability of massively parallel computational resources; development of better algorithms to coordinate the activity of computers engaged in AI; and the availability of big data associated with the Internet.
This combination of factors has, for example, led to error rates of image labelling falling from 28.5 per cent to a mere 2.5 per cent since 2010.
A PwC report estimates that AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030 -- more than the combined current output of China and India.
An Accenture report, ReWire for Growth, forecasts that AI will boost India's annual growth rate by 1.3 percentage points by 2035.
This amounts to an addition of $957 billion, or 15 per cent of current gross value added (a close approximation of GDP), to India's economy in 2035, compared with a scenario without AI.
India is uniquely poised to be a leader in AI for developing countries, given our strength in technology, favourable demographics and structural advantages in availability of advanced data (JAM trinity, UPI).
India's data diversity is a big draw for global AI implementers, as data is the fuel that powers current-generation AI algorithms utilising deep learning.
AI-based applications are especially useful in government, where scale and quality needs to be addressed simultaneously.
India ranked third among G20 countries in 2016 measured by the number of AI start-ups, which have increased since 2011 at a CAGR of 86 per cent, higher than the global average.
However, the sector is primarily dominated by American firms like Accenture, Microsoft and Adobe, which have their innovation centres here.
It is important to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in AI. Otherwise, local solutions and local entrepreneurs will be unable to face the increasing entry barriers.
Since deep neural networks are universal modellers, any AI application is only as good as the data it was trained on.
Increasingly, data has consolidated in the hands of ever fewer firms. Facebook has 2 billion monthly active users. Google processes 90 per cent of Web searches in many countries.
However, we have a lot of unique structured data due to our 'mobile first' usage and innovations such as UPI and Aadhaar.
We have unique needs also.
We should explore new approaches for privacy, preserving machine learning such as encrypted multi-party computation.
Openmined.org is one such open-source project which is building the necessary tools to leverage structured and anonymised data for training purposes.
This way, private data would remain entirely private, but machine learning algorithms could learn from them.
AI is often thought of a 'far future' technology -- especially by governments -- that is best left to research wings of governments who often make breakthroughs but also large numbers of indicative products not tailored to local communities or users.
This must change.
Since it can be reasonably argued that the addition of quality training data plays a greater role in the success of an AI application, IP laws around AI will have to be fine-tuned to reflect this.
Developing countries must embrace AI, not necessarily in sectors such as driverless cars, but in health, education, agriculture and other sectors where developing countries need to make quantum leaps.
NITI is undertaking several proof-of-concept projects.
First, it is partnering with ISRO and IBM to implement AI solutions to improve crop productivity and soil health on farms by using data from remote sensing satellite images and other data available with government.
This will be first implemented in 25 aspirational districts to assess impact and accuracy. The insights generated will be extended to farmers for taking action for the crop.
This will also be integrated with e-NAM mandis for better price realisation for farmers.
Second, NITI is working on creating a regional language AI-natural language processing library for entrepreneurs and developers.
The prime minister has called for 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'. Preserving the diversity of our many languages, while fostering more communication between citizens, is a goal of the government.
NITI has begun exploring the inception of a national language processing platform that can provide AI applications (current and future) with APIs/open source libraries to do natural language processing tasks like entity extraction and intent recognition on indigenous languages.
This will enable AI developers to reach the entire smartphone subscriber base, and not just the English-speaking base, without building their own models for their languages.
Third, NITI is partnering with several medical institutions to build a 'biobank' of images -- radiological and pathological, at the outset.
This biobank will be a collection of images from CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and x-rays, which will lend itself to training the AI model for early detection of anomalies -- expertise that is available only with super-specialised hospitals.
This capability to auto-analyse an image will lend diagnostic ability at the primamry health centre level, where India is severely underserved and the quality of medical diagnosis is inadequate.
This biobank can build up capabilities for analysing and predicting disease hotspots in India, helping the government to plan specific interventions at the regional level for improving health and nutrition outcomes.
Fourth, NITI has already designed architecture for building interoperable electronic medical records using blockchain which is secure, ensures patient privacy and is accessible to patients on their mobile phones.
An inter-operable EMR on blockchain can trigger a multiplier effect on innovations in health -- it will increase health and life insurance penetration, reduce insurance fraud to a minimum and eliminate government subsidy leakage.
The EMR data, stored in anonymised and encrypted form, can be used to undertake analyses using AI to predict early symptoms of epidemic outbreaks, extent of anti-microbial resistance (region-wise) and disease heat mapping.
This analysis will be useful for specific policy interventions and building requisite healthcare infrastructure in India's states and regions.
To keep the data on a blockchain private, zero knowledge proof-based architectures are being explored.
Fifth, we are exploring the use of AI to assist the judiciary in reducing the backlog of court cases.
NITI is working on an AI model to analyse existing court judgements and provide insights for judges in current cases.
India has more than 30 million cases pending in courts, many of them for over five years. Our Ease of Doing Business ranking is severely impacted by our score in enforcing contracts.
AI is a fundamental innovation. It will be bigger than the advent of the Internet or the harnessing of electricity.
In the years to come it will transform every single industry and sector.
India must embrace it with all its might.
Amitabh Kant is CEO, NITI Aayog. These views are personal.
Totally 13 global brands were surveyed by NGO on whether they ensured human right protection while sourcing gold and diamonds
Human Right Watch, a London-based NGO active in the field, has rated Indian jewellery brands like Tanishq, TBZ and Kalyan Jewellers as being very weak in sourcing gold and diamonds from places that are not tainted with human rights abuses'.
Thirteen global brands having a 10 per cent share in global jewellery business were selected on the basis of their domestic and international visibility.
Tanishq, a Tata group company under the Titan responded to the NGO, while two other Indian jewellery players didnt, and were therefore not ranked.
However, the NGO advised them to trace the origins of the gold and diamonds used in their businesses, and ensure that they are not tainted with human rights abuses.
"Tell your customers what you are doing to address human rights in your supply chain, Human Right Watch told them.
Human Right Watch, a global NGO established in 1978, tracks human rights conditions in some 90 countries.
In a report titled, The Hidden Cost of Jewelry: Human Rights in Supply Chains and the Responsibility of Jewelry Companies the NGO ranked 13 jewellery and watch companies globally on how they source gold and diamonds.
The NGO said in the report, Sometimes children have been injured and even killed doing hazardous work in small-scale gold or diamond mines. Communities have faced ill-health and environmental harm because mines have polluted waterways with toxic chemicals.
"And civilians have suffered enormously as abusive armed groups have enriched themselves through mining.
Juliane Kippenberg, associate child rights director at Human Rights Watch and co-author of the report, told Business Standard, Many jewellers can do more to find out if their gold or diamonds are tainted by child labour or other human rights abuses.
She said that companies buying gold and diamonds should put in more efforts and disclose transparently on their sourcing to ensure that their suppliers have protected human rights when the gold and diamonds supplied were mined.
The idea behind this exercise is to make all stakeholders from mines to markets aware and ensure human rights are protected while sourcing.
How 13 top global jewellery firms fared on human rights Strong: Tiffany & Co, US - Has taken significant steps toward responsible sourcing Moderate: Bvlgari (Italy)
Cartier (France)
Pandora (Denmark)
Signat Jewellers (US, UK) (Taken some important steps toward responsible sourcing) Weak: Boodles (UK)
Chopard (Switzerland)
Christ (Germany)
Harry Winston (US) (Taken some steps toward responsible sourcing) Very weak: Tanishq (India) - No evidence of steps toward responsible sourcing No ranking: Kalyan Jewellers (India)
TBZ (India)
Rolex (Switzerland) (Provided no information regarding responsible sourcing)
When contacted, C K Venkataraman, CEO, Jewellery Division, Titan Company Limited said his organisation is a signatory to the Tata Code of Conduct about the right ways of doing business. He explained how Titan strives to source its gold, diamonds and jewellery in the right, ethical way.
Titan is not in agreement with many dimensions of the framework used by the NGO.
"On aspects of chain of custody, assessment of human rights risks, response to human rights risks and third-party verification, it is Titans view that the framework assigns undue oversight responsibility to the buyer of gold and diamonds.
"Most of the suppliers of gold and diamonds are reputed global banks and corporations much larger than Titan Company and it would be unfair and impractical to expect Titan to exercise such oversight on their processes and policies and would in fact tantamount to a transfer of accountability.
"As such Titan is not in agreement with the NGOs assessment about the Companys brand Tanishq, said Venkataraman.
However, the NGO talked about public reporting of policies and suppliers. Venkataraman responded saying, Titan is currently in touch with its legal experts to determine the manner in which all this information, including details about its suppliers, are to be made public on a regular basis.
Kalyan Jewellers and TBZ didnt respond to the email seeking their views.
However, Juliane said, Titan made the efforts to speak to us and we see that as a positive sign. The other two companies didnt respond to our questions. TBZ did attempt, but very late, while the report was being finalized. They haven't contact us since.
The report by the NGO says that for diamonds, there is the Kimberley Process and certification by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
However, according to Juliane, "They do not by themselves provide sufficient assurance that diamonds or gold have been mined without contributing to abuse.
"The Kimberley Process is focused narrowly on diamonds linked to rebel forces, applies only to rough diamonds, and places no direct responsibility on companies.
"For Gold OECD has responsible sourcing guidelines."
For gold sourcing, the NGO focused on whether or not companies chose to disclose enough information to ensure precious metal and stones were sourced from suppliers who have taken adequate safeguards to protect human rights.
For this, seven questions, including whether they (jewellery companies) know the origin from where the stones and metals were mined, whether the mines were audited from this perspective, whether due diligence from the human rights points of view was done, whether these companies disclose names of suppliers, and whether they have a policy for responsible sourcing and human rights protection.
Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters
While it is okay to hunt for banks that offer higher rates, the safety aspect is equally important.
After a long time, fixed deposit Investors received happy tidings when the State Bank of India raised its rates last month. Small finance banks, however, are offering better rates.
Before investing, keep these in mind:
'Alas, the Congress party offers no suggestions as to how to unscramble the omlette it cooked during 2004-2014 on which the Modi government may have since lavishly spread some tomato ketchup,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi -- on his first foreign visit after he was elected Congress president -- listens to Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's minister of foreign affairs, who hosted a lunch for him. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rahul Gandhi/Twitter
The foreign policy resolution (external link) adopted at the Congress party's 84th plenary session on March 18 at New Delhi makes a revealing document.
The Congress has a long tradition dating back to the pre-Independence era of elevating itself from its mofussil/parochial roots by adopting an internationalist outlook.
The focus of the present document is once again on differentiating the Congress from its existential rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party.
This a brave attempt, because it is not so easy to allege major departures in the Modi government's foreign policies, which are by and large signifying continuity.
In some ways, arguably, the Modi government brilliantly outperformed the UPA -- breathing new life into relations with Russia and Iran or prioritising the West Asian region.
The deficiencies today are largely due to flawed inheritance.
Fundamentally, the foreign policy served the class interests of the Indian elite, and the Congress and the BJP represent the same interests more or less.
The foreign policies do not operate in a vacuum. They must be co-related with the rapidly changing international environment.
The period since 2014 is marked by unprecedented volatility even as an entire slice of post-Cold War era broke loose and began drifting away following the US-backed 'regime change' in the Ukraine.
Do not overlook that the Modi government came to power roughly at the same time when the gathering storms impacted the co-relation of forces internationally.
The yardsticks to be applied, therefore, should also include how well the present government coped with the transformative period internationally.
Regrettably, the Congress party document fails to offer any new ideas or make actionable suggestions. (The solitary exception is in the robust backing for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, where India is dragging its feet.)
To my mind, the salience of the entire document lies in a pithy paragraph of a single sentence under the improbable sub-heading 'Global Scenario': 'There is an urgent need to recalibrate equations with the US, arrest the slide in relations with Russia and improve communication and trust with China.'
It is a stunning statement for three reasons.
First and foremost, could this be the foreign-policy compass of our next government if the Congress emerges to lead yet another UPA regime in the coming parliamentary poll, which is no longer an incredible prospect on the political horizon? Incredible India!
Second, stemming from the above, this statement amounts to self-criticism. '
The lurch toward pro-US foreign policies that began during the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee became a tilt and a veritable quasi-alliance with the US during UPA rule, especially UPA-II when the Congress jettisoned the moderating influence of the Left and plunged the whole hog into the Washington Consensus.
In fact, but for the financial crisis of 2008, which hobbled the US' capacity to exercise global hegemony, the UPA might have galloped away on the American stud to the far horizon.
Therefore, it must be the mother of all ironies that in the year marking the 10th anniversary of the Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement, the Congress party is acknowledging the need to 'recalibrate' India-US relations.
It puts a brave face by claiming that the 2008 nuclear deal 'marked the acceptance of India in the global mainstream, ending three decades of nuclear isolation', but the single biggest outcome of the nuclear deal has been the big breakthrough that the US achieved to penetrate and dominate the Indian market for weaponry.
That, of course, eroded India's strategic autonomy.
By the way, only last week, the commander of the US Pacific Command Admiral Harry B Harris underscored in a testimony before the US Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington that India is the 'biggest strategic opportunity' for the US -- as if India could substitute for a Texan Steak. Three cheers for Lockheed Martin and Boeing!
If that is the Pentagon perception, who is responsible? The present NDA government? The previous UPA government? Rather, isn't it time past and time present telescoping as time future?
Alas, the Congress party offers no suggestions as to how to unscramble the omlette it cooked during 2004-2014 on which the Modi government may have since lavishly spread some tomato ketchup.
Thirdly, there is an inherent contradiction in the Congress party statement. For, it was during the UPA rule that India's relationship with Russia got significantly atrophied -- and, sadly, much of it happened during the period of Russia's resurgence on the world stage.
One wonders at times if that wasn't a deliberate act on our part to drain the verve and life force out of the India-Russia relations.
To what extent our bureaucracy acted under the influence of American mentors we do not know. But the progression of the US' containment strategies against Russia and the atrophy in India-Russian relations ran on parallel tracks and could that have been merely coincidental?
The 'communication and trust with China' also became a casualty of the quasi-alliance between India and the US. Make no mistake, the 'Quad' was conceived in 2006 no sooner than the Bush administration proposed the nuclear deal and hustled India into signing an agreement on military cooperation.
Again, it was Hillary Clinton who first coined the expression 'Act East'.
She chose Chennai, after all, to make her magnificent Vision for the 21st century speech containing a clarion call urging India to be the lynchpin for the Obama administration's containment strategy against China.
Didn't all this happen during UPA rule?
Of course, the Modi government since greatly complicated the India-China relations by injecting 'muscularity' into foreign policies. The catastrophic result is all too evident today.
But then, surprisingly, the Congress document keeps a deafening silence on this aspect of 'muscularity'. The Doklam faceoff, 'surgical strikes', Tibet-related issues -- the Congress document simply sidesteps the minefield.
The document exposes that the Congress is locked in a deathly embrace with the BJP to appropriate not only soft Hindutva but also the national security State that India has come to be.
Without doubt, the militarisation of India's foreign policies is traceable to the UPA-II era.
The US arms exports to India are fueled by India-China tensions. As a result, interest groups proliferated.
A nexus came into being involving fatcats, ideologues and bureaucrats (civilian and military). It is hard to see how the US will let go its vice-like grip on India even if there is a 'transfer of power' following the 2019 poll.
More than ever, the US needs India rather than the other way around.
'It does not appear that the campaign of 2019 will be positive.'
'It is unlikely that there will be an 'achche din'' style slogan either from the government or the Opposition,' says Aakar Patel.
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
What will be the issue that the 2019 elections will be fought on?
The polls are about a year away and in a few months from now the parties and alliances will have finished positioning themselves.
They will go to advertising agencies and polling agencies and marketing specialists to figure out how to package and distribute the most effective message.
The advertising company Ogilvy & Mather was hired by the BJP for its successful 2014 campaign while the Congress had hired J Walter Thompson.
The first time that an advertising agency was used in Indian politics so far as I can remember was in 1985, when Rajiv Gandhi hired Rediffusion.
This time again, politicians will be in meetings with men in suits making powerpoint presentations that attempt to frame a message that most appeals to the citizen.
Just like yeh dil mange more and yeh andar ki baat hai and achche din aane wale hain, marketing geniuses will produce catchy slogans to dominate the narrative.
The lessons learned from 2014, like the reward of large investments in social media and technology, will be seen in the 2019 campaign. A lot of people will make a lot of money from the elections.
The BJP reported to the Election Commission that it spent Rs 714 crore (Rs 7.14 billion) on the 2014 campaign.
The Congress spent Rs 516 crore (Rs 5.16 billion).
Single state parties like Sharad Pawar's NCP reported spending Rs 51 crore (Rs 510 million).
Expect these numbers to double or triple in 2019. And this does not include what will be spent in cash by candidates or spent by companies on behalf of the parties (a common practice in India).
The major candidates will easily spend Rs 15 crore (Rs 150 million) each and that does not include the cost of the ticket.
All in all, my guess is that at least Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion) will change hands before May 2019.
If you think this number is incredible, the Economic Times quoted a study which estimated that Rs 5,500 crore (Rs 55 billion) was spent on the Uttar Pradesh election of 2017.
Newspapers and television channels will get additional income from political advertising, much of it pretending to be news.
Many deals will be done and as the Nirav Modi scandal shows, corruption does not begin or end with a non-corrupt leader.
Political parties will also unemotionally assess and work out what alliances will give them maximum advantage.
Some leaders will leave their options open, giving up advantage in the beginning in anticipation of greater benefit and flexibility later.
The results from four states going to elections before 2019 -- Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh -- will help many regional parties decide how close or how distant to be from Rahul Gandhi.
The reasons for the Bharatiya Janata Party's spectacular electoral successes over the last six years will now be fully understood by its rivals who have sized the party up properly.
That is what has made the most unlikely of partnerships, such as the one we saw in Uttar Pradesh between Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav, possible.
To return to the question we started with, what will be the issue the election will be fought on?
That will depend on who will control the narrative. In 2014, it was the Opposition leader that controlled the narrative and not the ruling party.
The Congress was forced to defend its record on corruption and the BJP batted from the front foot on the presumed capacities of its leader.
In 2009, the BJP hired two agencies Frank Simoes-Tag and Utopia to produce a campaign projecting L K Advani as a strong leader. The slogan was 'Mazboot neta, nirnayak sarkar' to show Manmohan Singh as indecisive, which, of course, he was not.
The Congress in that year hired JWT, which produced the 'Aam Aadmi' slogan, which was later, of course, appropriated by Arvind Kejriwal.
Sometimes the dominant narrative of the campaign does not result in the victory. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 2004 campaign -- 'India Shining' designed by the agency Grey Worldwide -- resulted in a defeat nobody predicted and for reasons nobody still fully understands.
It does not appear to me that the campaign of 2019 will be positive.
By that I mean it is unlikely that there will be an 'achche din' style slogan either from the government or the Opposition.
The economy is not doing anything particularly special and I do not think our lives as citizens are in any noticeable way different than they were in 2014.
I was speaking to a BJP leader a few days ago and was told that the Ayodhya issue will be brought into focus sharply.
At the moment the BJP is not touching it, but that could change very soon.
The Supreme Court is hearing the case and it is possible a verdict will come soon.
A few days ago, the court dismissed the applications of individuals like Subramanian Swamy who were seeking to intervene in this matter.
The court also dismissed the idea of a settlement and wisely said 'How can a middle path be found in a land dispute?'
A verdict of any kind will likely become the issue of our next election, and I shudder to think of what the campaign messaging will be.
Aakar Patel is Executive Director, Amnesty International India. The views expressed here are his own.
Hyperbole by our ministers and a few saffronised scientists not only defames Newton and Einstein, but also mocks ancient India's achievements in mathematics, medicine and natural science, says Utkarsh Mishra.
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
While those of us who take the Fundamental Duty of 'developing a scientific temper' -- enshrined in the Constitution -- seriously were still recovering from Union Minister Satyapal Singh's onslaught on Charles Darwin, another Union minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan -- a qualified doctor -- aired a baseless remark at the Indian Science Congress in Imphal.
Remembering Stephen Hawking, Dr Vardhan declared, 'Each and every custom and ritual of Hinduism is steeped in science; every modern Indian achievement is a continuation of our ancient scientific achievement. Even Stephen Hawking said, our Vedas might have a theory superior to Einstein's law (sic) E=mc^2.'
Though this is not the first time that such a huge claim about ancient Indian science has been made at the Indian Science Congress, Dr Vardhan took it a little too far by co-opting 'each and every ritual and custom' into the realm of science.
When asked about the source of his information, he told reporters to discover it for themselves.
It later turned out that perhaps the claim was originally made by some pro-Hindutva Facebook page.
A little digging revealed that Dr Vardhan's ignorance apart, he knew nothing about Professor Hawking or the nature of his work. Because those who do will never believe that the venerable astrophysicist could have said anything like this.
A paper presented at an Indian Science Congress in 2015 claimed that Indians had discovered airplanes in the Vedic era.
It didn't stop just at that. According to the paper, the ancient aircraft was better than modern ones, because not only were the planes huge and could fly to another planet, they could also fly backwards and sideways, unlike their modern counterparts!
It prompted the Indian-born Nobel Laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan to remark that 'the Indian Science Congress is a circus', vowing he would never attend one again.
To be fair, one may accept that the idea of a flying object that could carry human beings may have existed at that time, but to claim that the technology to this effect was also available is a very tall claim to make.
Leonardo Da Vinci had made designs of something like a helicopter. But despite his phenomenal imagination, he could not create a flying machine as it requires an engine to lift the aircraft into air.
Rocket engines used for spacecraft propulsion are way more powerful. So did ancient Indians also have powerful engines and solid and liquid propellants?
How can such a 'research paper' making such outlandish claims be considered worthy enough to be presented at the Indian Science Congress?
Despite a formidable protest from the scientific community that the design contained in the paper was unscientific, it was allowed to be presented.
A year earlier, Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, speaking at a gathering of doctors in Mumbai, claimed that Lord Ganesha's head was joined with the help of 'plastic surgery' and the birth of Karna in Mahabharata shows that ancient Indians knew about 'genetic engineering'.
To be fair to the PM, the Mahabharata does contain verses to the effect that Gandhari, the queen of Hastinapur, had delivered a ball of flesh after two years of gestation.
When sage Vyasa, also the author of the Mahabharata, came to know of it, he 'sprinkled cold water on it and divided the ball of flesh into 100 equal parts'.
Each part was placed in a pot filled with ghee. 'After two years, each of the 100 Kauravas were born out of those pots'.
This sequence is quoted by people as 'proof' that ancient Indians knew of IVF.
But this is not how 'test tube babies' are born today. A fertilised egg has to be placed in a woman's uterus in order to establish a successful pregnancy. Foetuses just don't grow in a pot, but who is to tell the believers!
At best, it can be treated as science fiction where an author may ideate a futuristic technology without knowing what it would be like if it did become a reality. But the author cannot be credited with the discovery of such technology as and when it happens.
Such hyperbole by our ministers and a few saffronised scientists not only unfairly defames scientists like Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein who spent their lifetime pursuing a concept, but also mocks ancient India's achievements in mathematics, medicine and natural science.
Post the 'Vedic aircraft' controversy, Dr Jayant V Narlikar, the noted astrophysicist, remarked that many Western scientists recognise India's contribution in mathematics and other sciences, but if people make such baseless claims about ancient India, then the West would stop taking us seriously.
Something similar occurred in 2015 when former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman G Madhavan Nair was wrongly chastised merely for saying that Aryabhata knew about gravity before Newton.
He did not suggest that Newton 'copied' Aryabhata's work; and what he said was not wrong.
Perhaps the only surviving work of Aryabhata, known as Aryabhatiya, does contain calculations of astronomical time, description of the earth's rotation and its consequences (gravity being one), and correctly explains solar and lunar eclipses despite using a geocentric model of the solar system, -- keeping the earth, and not the sun at the centre of the solar system.
Aryabhata was not a religious guru. In fact, what he suggested was very much in contradiction to the prevailing beliefs about the cause of solar and lunar eclipses at that time; much like what Galileo did in Europe much later.
There are also verses and hymns in ancient texts like the Bhagavata Purana which one can relate to the idea of time dilation -- slowing down of time measured in a clock moving at a high speed with respect to an observer, from the time measured in a clock at rest in that observer's reference frame.
But certainly those ideas cannot be held superior to Einstein's precise mathematical calculations.
So if our political leaders, mainly those of the Hindu nationalist fold, continue to make such huge claims at international fora, they will only elicit responses like P Sainath -- one of India's finest contemporary journalists -- made while speaking at the Niti Samvaad at St Xavier's college, Mumbai, last month.
Reacting to Minister Satyapal Singh's comments challenging Darwin's theory of evolution, Sainath quipped, 'I grant that he is irrefutably right on one thing, that none of us has actually seen an ape turn into a man. But we are privileged in our time to witness ministers of the government attempt the reverse process, with some degree of success.'
'They are saying that we will now have to give a separate exam. For the last two years they have only been giving jumlas (false assurance) about employing us. Why should I give the exam again?'
Image: Students of the All India Railway Act Apprentice Association stage a blockade demanding jobs in the railways near Dadar and Matunga on the Central line in Mumbai on March 20, 2018. Photograph: PTI Photo.
So why did trains in Mumbai come to a sudden halt on Tuesday?
Angry students and young job-seekers seeking openings as railway apprentices halted the arterial Central Railway line between Matunga and CSMT (formerly VT station), disrupting local as well as outstation train services.
Bharat Pardeshi, one of the leaders from the All India Railway Act Apprentice Association, spoke to Rediff.coms Syed Firdaus Ashraf about why they had to resort to the unpopular move, disrupting the lives of thousands of railway commuters in Mumbai.
What is the reason for the sudden rail roko in Mumbai?
The reason is that the railways has suddenly given us only 20 percent quota of jobs, which we do not agree with. We want the old system to continue.
What is this 20 percent quota of jobs?
So far all railway ministers have given jobs to the people who cleared the Railway Act apprentice exams. This government, however, for the last two years, is not employing those who have cleared the apprentice exam.
But why were you not given the jobs after cleaning the exam?
That is precisely what we are demanding to know from the railways. They are saying that we will now have to give a separate exam. For the last two years they have only been giving jumlas (false assurance) about employing us. Why should I give the exam again?
When did you pass the railway apprentice exam?
I cleared it in 2014-15 and till date I have not got a job in the railways.
There are so many vacancies in the railways but still they are not employing us in spite of us clearing the exams.
But Indian Railways recently announced that they will hire 90,000 people.
They are saying that but those who cleared the railway apprentice exams are not being hired. They want us to clear the exams again and do medical tests too.
They want us to do a physical training test too by placing a 40-kg bag on our shoulders and run for one kilometre.
They gave jobs till 2015 but after that they stopped recruiting new apprentices. What kind of justice is this?
How many of you have not got jobs after clearing the apprentice exam?
There are 21,000 in all who have not got jobs.
But why cause inconvenience to the public by stopping trains? Didnt you inform the government about your protest plan?
We informed the government about our protests and I have proof of that in writing.
We alerted the government about our protest by sending a letter to Railway Minister Piyush Goyals personal assistant by Speed Post too, I have proof.
But you troubled the general public as well as students going for their exams, delaying them with your protests. Is it fair?
We had cross-checked earlier and there are no exams scheduled today in Mumbai. We too know student problem because we too are students.
The government forced us to take this decision. I have got signatures of 65 members of Parliament who supported our cause, but still the government did not bother to address our demands.
Did you meet Railway Minister Piyush Goyal about this issue?
I met Piyush Goyalji and begged for a job. There are vacancies in the railways but still nothing happened. I have done apprenticeship in railways but still my job was discontinued.
How many months did you serve as apprentice?
I did for one year from Valsad (in Gujarat). In an ideal situation I should have got a job after three months but the government changed the rules in 2016.
That was when Suresh Prabhu was railway minister.
Yes, he made that change. There was no logic.
I was trained to work in railways and also did my railway apprenticeship but still I did not get a job.
Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Atul Johri, who was arrested for sexual harassment of several women students, was on Tuesday granted bail by a Delhi court.
Duty magistrate Ritu Singh granted bail to Johri and directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 30,000 for each of the eight first information reports registered against him.
"It is settled proposition of the law that bail, not jail is the rule except where the circumstances are suggestive of fleeing of accused from justice or thwarting the cause of justice or repetition of offences," said the court.
It took into account the fact that the statement of the complainant had already been recorded by a judicial magistrate.
"For foregoing reasons, I'm of the opinion that no purpose would be served by keeping the accused in custody, accordingly accused admitted to bail on his furnishing bail bond in the sum of Rs 30,000 with one surety of like amount," the court, which granted him bail in as many eight similar cases, said.
It also imposed various conditions on Johri, including that he would have to appear as and when his presence is sought in a court of law.
"He shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat... the complainant/any person acquainted with the facts of the case...," it said, adding that, the professor shall not tamper with the evidence and assist the police in the case.
"I'm a victim of politics," Johri told the court during the hearing.
Advocate R K Wadhwa, appearing for Johri, had moved a bail plea saying sending him to jail would spoil his career.
Students, professors and women rights organisations have been protesting, demanding his arrest, after some students accused him of sexual harassment.
An FIR was filed against the Department of Life Sciences professor based on one of the eight complaints from women students.
In his bail plea, Johri said that in compliance with certain UGC guidelines with regard to compulsory attendance and leave pattern, he had sent an e-mail on February 27 to certain students, including the complainant (student), warning them against their irregular attendance pattern.
"In order to ensure that the applicant (Johri) is unable to take any action against them owing to their attendance issues, the complainant (student) herein in connivance with certain other female students, while levelling upon various frivolous allegations, got the present false FIR registered against the applicant," the bail plea said.
He also pointed out that woman and her other "accomplices" never made any sort of complaint or representation with the Internal Complaints Committee of the JNU with regard to the alleged harassment.
He also said that the allegations levelled by the woman pertains to 2013-14 but the FIR was registered in 2018.
"There is an unexplainable inordinate delay of four years in the registration of the FIR," he told the court.
Johri said the FIR was a counterblast to falsely implicate him. Before receiving the e-mail pertaining to her attendance, the complainant had cordial relations with him and his wife, and she even celebrated birthdays and festivals with them, he said.
After JNU students held a mass protest outside Vasant Kunj Police Station on Monday, women rights organisations including All India Democratic Women's Association and All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan on Tuesday held protest outside the police station demanding arrest of the professor.
IMAGE: On Feb 7, 2016, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had met with the family members of Indians stuck in Iraq, at Jawahar Lal Bhavan in New Delhi. On Tuesday, she gave the heartbreaking news that the Indians missing in Iraq had been killed. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said he was shattered at the heart-wrenching news that 39 Indians, kidnapped by Islamic State, had been killed in Iraq.
His Congress colleague Partap Singh Bajwa and Aam Aadmi Partys Kanwar Sandhu also expressed their grief and targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for misleading the families of those who had died.
Sandhu also asked for the ministers resignation.
Swaraj on Tuesday said 39 Indians, who were abducted by IS in Iraq nearly three years back, were killed and their bodies recovered.
As many as 40 Indians were abducted by the terrorist organisation in June 2015 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
'Shattered at the heart-wrenching news from @SushmaSwaraj that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead. My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them,' Amarinder Singh said on Twitter.
In the letter to Swaraj, Singh urged her to provide ex gratia and all necessary assistance to the families of the 39 killed in performing the last rites.
While the state government had been providing a monthly assistance of Rs 20,000 to the family members of the victims, the chief minister said that he would be grateful if the Centre could also give them due assistance.
Singh said it has come as a shock to the families and to everyone else in Punjab, as they had been hoping and praying for the well-being of the hostages.
The chief minister also spoke to Swaraj over phone requesting her to ensure that no stone is left unturned by the central government in ensuring that the mortal remains of the deceased are brought back to India for last rites.
The external affairs minister assured Singh that the Indian government was making arrangements to bring back the mortal remains of the deceased, which were exhumed from a mass grave in Badush -- a village northwest of Mosul in Iraq.
The chief minister told her that the Punjab government would make arrangements for the coffins to be delivered to the families of the victims and asserted that he has already directed the state government officials to personally visit the bereaved families.
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa added that he was saddened by the news confirming the deaths of those missing in Iraq and his thoughts and prayers are with their families.
'Why did Sushma Swaraj mislead the families for more than 3 years? This is complete failure of MEA & GOI,' he tweeted.
'I raised this issue many a times in Rajya Sabha that why is the government playing with emotions of families by giving them false hopes. Can there be anything more shameful than this?' Bajwa added.
Bajwa appealed to the government of India and Punjab government to provide all possible help and financial aid to the families.
Aam Aadmi Party leader and Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu demanded the resignation of the union minister.
'Sushma Swaraj should resign as external affairs minister taking responsibility for the lies she spread about the 39 missing Indians in Iraq,' Sandhu said in a tweet.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also slammed the government for encouraging the families of the 39 Indians kidnapped in Iraq to believe they were alive, a charge countered by Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal who said it was important to verify the facts.
Giving falsehood to people is actually cruel and suggests a certain level of lack transparency on part of the government, Tharoor said.
It is better to be honest, he added.
"My prayers for the families who have lost their near ones after being really encouraged by the government for four years to believe that these people were alive," he told reporters outside Parliament.
Hitting back, Union Food Processing Minister and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused the opposition leaders of playing politics over an unfortunate incident.
Defending the government, she said it took every measure to verify if even one of those kidnapped was alive.
"Do you not think that it is the job of the government and especially the external affairs ministry to carry on looking for even one proof, even one person being alive until the all doors have been shut," the minister told reporters.
Defending External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Badal said the former 'carried on the fight' trying to look for those who had been kidnapped.
"She (Swaraj) went on to the extent of having DNA sent over there and had proper proof that yes they are dead. She stood up in the Parliament and said yes I tried but I could not and today we have a proof," the minister added.
Congress Communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government has crossed all limits of insensitivity as it preferred to make the announcement of deaths of 39 Indians on television than call up every families of those dead.
"Modi Government has crossed all limits of insensitivity. The Indian Government had on seven occasions told the families of the 39 Indians kinapped by ISIS in Iraq that they are alive. The question is why did the Modi Government mislead the nation and the family members of those Indians kidnapped by ISIS," he told reporters.
The Congress leader said that if the government had some humanity left, Swaraj should visit each family. The government should also grant adequate compensation and an honourable funeral, as it has been keeping the families of the killed in the dark and has given them false hopes.
"At least there should not have been politics on the death of these Indians. Unfortunately, the Modi government is doing politics on this which is condemnable," Surjewala said.
The Congress leader also claimed that the government hurriedly made the announcement as it feared being 'exposed' by an Iraqi group called Martyrs Foundation.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed shock and his deepest condolences at the death of 39 Indians in captivity in Iraq.
His party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, added that it was not just a tragedy for the families but for the entire country.
'Im shocked to hear that 39 Indians who were in captivity since 2014, in Iraq, are now confirmed dead.
'My deepest condolences to the families of those who have lived in hope, that their loved ones will return unharmed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you today,' Gandhi said on Twitter.
Adding that the entire country was sad, Azad said the ministry of external affairs had forcefully asserted in Parliament last year that they are alive but was now saying they are dead.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it was 'unpardonable' that the families had to learn about their heartbreaking loss from television channels instead of the government.
'Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable (sic),' Omar said in a tweet.
Abdullah said senior officials in the Ministry of External Affairs should have personally informed each of the 39 families before the news was made public.
'Senior people in MEA, if not the Minister & her junior minister themselves, should have spoken to each of the 39 families before the news of the deaths was made public,' he tweeted.
Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Mohammad Salim said this showed how "insensitive and inhuman" the government is. "It is a farce. The government should have contacted the families of the victims first before Parliament was informed."
Harjit Masih, the lone survivor who had managed to flee from captivity of the Islamic State in Iraq in June 2014 following his abduction along with 39 other Indians there, said he had been maintaining for the last three years that all others had been killed.
I had been saying for the last three years that all 39 Indians had been killed (by IS terrorists), Masih on Tuesday said.
I had spoken the truth, asserted Masih, resident of village Kala Afghana in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
Masih was one of the 40 Indian workers abducted by the IS.
His statement came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday informed the Parliament that all the 39 Indian workers, abducted by IS in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies have been recovered.
Masih said they were killed in front of my eyes and I had been saying all these years, wondering why the government was not accepting what he had said earlier.
Giving details of the incident, Masih said that Indians were working at a factory in Iraq in 2014.
But we were kidnapped by militants and kept hostage for some days, he said.
On the fateful day, they were made to sit on their knees and the terrorists then opened fire upon them.
I was fortunate to have survived though a bullet hit my thigh and I fell unconscious, he said.
He, however, managed to return to India after giving a slip to the IS terrorists.
As many as 39 Indians, who had gone to Iraq to earn their livelihood, had been missing since 2014.
Among them, several were from Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar in Punjab.
Image: Harjit Masih managed to return to India after giving a slip to the Islamic State terrorists. Photograph: ANI/Twitter
The external affairs minister said that her deputy General VK Singh (retired) would travel to Iraq to bring back the remains on a special plane.
All the 39 Indians abducted by the Islamic State terror outfit in Mosul in Iraq three years ago are dead and their bodies have been recovered, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday.
While it was not immediately known when the Indians were killed, their bodies were recovered from Badosh -- a village in northwest of Mosul, and their identities established through DNA testing, she said making a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha.
The mortal remains, which were exhumed from a mass grave in Badosh, will be brought back to India on a special plane and handed over to their relatives, she said.
I had said that I will not declare anyone dead without substantive proof... today I have come to fulfil that commitment, she said.
I had said that closure will be done with full proof. And when we will, with a heavy heart, give the mortal remains to their kin, it will be a kind of closure.
A group of 40 Indian workers, mostly from Punjab, and some Bangladeshi were taken hostage by the Islamic State when it overran Iraqs second largest city Mosul in 2014.
Of the 40 Indians, one Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur had managed to escape and had claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the others. But the government rejected it.
His was a cock-and-bull story, Swaraj said adding he had managed to flee the IS by faking his identity as a Muslim from Bangladesh.
May take around 10 days to bring bodies: Singh It may take up to 10 days to bring back the bodies of all 39 Indians killed in Iraq as there will be legal processes involved, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said. There will be legal processes. We are waiting for information from there (Iraq). It may take 8-10 days (to bring back the bodies), Singh told reporters outside Parliament. Singh, who had visited Iraq several times to find out the details of the Indians abducted in 2014, also took a potshot at opposition parties for targeting Swaraj on the issue. The external affairs minister had said that they (the Indians) will not be declared dead without proof and she kept her words. Opposition takes things in a different way. You have seen it in Lok Sabha, he said. Singh said the government tried everything possible to verify the details relating to the Indians.
The Indians were first kept at a textile factory in Mosul and after Masih escaped, they were moved to a prison in Badosh.
Relentless searches for them led to a mass grave in Badosh, where deep penetration radar was used to establish the presence of bodies below a mound. The bodies, which were exhumed with help from Iraqi authorities, had distinctive features like long hair, kada, non-Iraqi shoes and IDs.
The bodies were sent to Baghdad for DNA testing.
The government was told on Monday that the DNA of 38 Indians matched with the remains of bodies found. One body was a 70 per cent match, she said.
Swaraj said she has previously maintained that the abducted Indians would not be declared dead without substantive proof.
Now, there is proof, she said.
Giving details, she said when IS overan Mosul, most Iraqis left the city but Indian and Bangladeshi workers stayed back.
Inquiries from a caterer revealed that the IS caught them when they were coming back after meals. They were first taken to a textile factory where Bangladeshi workers were separated and sent to the city of Erbil.
The caterer stated that he had received a call from one Ali who claimed that he is from Bangladesh and should be moved to Erbil as commanded by the ISIS, she said, adding Masih had called her up from Erbil but could not say how he had reached there.
He had escaped by faking as Ali in the van arranged by caterer to transport Bangladeshi to Erbil, she said.
When next day, a count of Indians found one of them missing, they all were moved to Badosh.
The minister said after the IS was overthrown, her deputy and Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh visited Iraq in search of the missing Indians.
He along with the Indian ambassador and an Iraqi official searched the Badosh prison, the last known location of 39 Indians.
Commending Singh for his efforts, she said the three had to sleep on floor of a small house during the search operations.
Local inquiries led to the mass grave, from where bodies were exhumed and taken to Baghdad for DNA testing. Baghdad-based Martyrs Foundation was requested to help establish the identity of Indians on priority.
The first match was of Sandeep... yesterday 38 matches were confirmed and 39th person had been 70 per cent matched because DNA of his relatives was used in absence of his parents, she said.
It has been the most difficult and complex task to get the proof, she said. Such a barbaric terror organisation. There were mass graves. It was a pile of bodies. To track down the bodies of our people and take them to Baghdad to test was a huge task.
The minister thanked Iraqi authorities for excellent cooperation in first using deep penetration radar to locate the bodies, then exhuming them and later transferring them to Baghdad for DNA testing.
She said Singh will travel to Iraq to bring back the mortal remains on a special plane. The first stop on way back would be Amritsar where 31 bodies of those from Punjab and four from Himachal Pradesh would be handed over to the relatives. It will then travel to Patna and then to Kolkata.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu termed it as very sad news, after which the MPs stood in silence to mourn the dead.
The Congress condoled the deaths but its leader and Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad sought to remind the government that it had assured us last year that the Indians were alive.
Days after Mosuls liberation from IS was announced, VK Singh was sent to Iraq.
Last year, Swaraj had told the families of the workers that an Iraqi official, quoting intelligence sources, had told VK Singh that the Indians were made to work at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm before they were put in a jail in Badosh.
Swaraj wanted to make a similar statement in the Lok Sabha but could not do so because of ruckus created by opposition members.
Photograph: PTI Photo
A group of opposition parties on Tuesday said the government was not keen on ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament and had not made any efforts to end the ongoing impasse, with the Congress alleging a 'conspiracy' behind it aimed at avoiding discussion on crucial issues including bank scams.
Leaders of 10 opposition parties met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday and discussed the matter.
They alleged that the government was not interested in running Parliament and wanted to 'bypass' legislative scrutiny.
Tuesday was the 12th day in a row that Parliament did not functioned and the current stalemate has entered the third week.
Azad said while opposition parties wanted various issues of national importance to be discussed in Parliament, the government showed no inclination of reaching out to the opposition to resolve the current impasse.
The opposition leaders said that they wanted to discuss the issues of bank scams, grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh and the Cauvery water sharing, but it seemed that the government was not ready for a debate on these issues.
Leaders of a total of 10 opposition parties were present during the meeting in Azad's chamber on Tuesday. These included the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Communist Party of India, CPI-Marxist and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
"The entire opposition holds that the government is responsible for the impasse and for not taking any interest in the functioning of Parliament. So, they are running away from the issues. The government is running away from debate.
"They, as a matter of fact, do not want to discuss the issues; they are very scared of the bank scam. They are very much scared. They know that they have no face to face the public of India and are scared to discuss this issue on the floor of House. They are not interested in running or in functioning of the House," Azad told reporters.
Chief Whip of the Congress in Lok Sabha Jytiraditya Scindia said, "...this is a conspiracy by the government to ensure that Parliament does not function."
He said there are only two parties now in the well and even the Telugu Desam Party and the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress are now back to their seats demanding a discussion on the 'no confidence motion'.
"Why is the government not coming ahead...why is it that when the finance bill can be passed in the din and a no confidence motion cannot be discussed," he said.
Azad said right through the opposition wants Parliament - both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to function, and also the issues that the opposition wants to discuss.
"It is most unfortnate that no efforts whatsoever have been made by the government for the first time. Despite the budget session being so important, no senior minister has approached the opposition parties. It seems the government is not interested in functioning of Parliament," he said.
Azad said the unanimous stand taken by the opposition parties was conveyed to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, who was requested that on behalf of the entire opposition, he be allowed to speak in the House.
CPI leader D Raja after the meeting said it was the primary responsibility of the government to see that Parliament functions, but it had shown no keenness to transact any business in Parliament.
"Parliament is undermined. Bypassing Parliament, the government wants to function. They can discuss, what is the problem. It is a question of rules, which can be negotiated. There is no serious attempt by the Government to reach out to the opposition and find a solution to end the current impasse in Parliament," Raja said.
The Left and the TMC, who are supporting the no-confidence motion brought in by the YSR Congress and the TDP, held the Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for not letting the House run properly.
"The rules can not be selectively implied. If the House is not in order, whose responsibility is it? Din is been orchestrated by the government. Whenever the government wants, they go silent," CPI (M) leader Mohammad Salim said.
The TMC accused the government of putting up lame excuses for not holding discussions on the no-confidence motion.
"The Speaker is duty-bound to take up the no-confidence motion, whether the House is in order or not. There is no rule saying that motion can not be taken up if the House is not in order," TMC leader Derek O'Brien told reporters.
The TMC also attacked the parliamentary affairs minister for not been able to bring the House to order.
"We have not received a single phone call from him or the ruling party. There is no serious attempt to reach out to the opposition. It is his responsibility to run the House," O' Brien said.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Tuesday said the government would not curtail the ongoing Parliament session and that it was ready to discuss all the issues, including the no-confidence motion against it.
At the same time, he added that the government was determined to go ahead with the key bills, including the one on triple talaq and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018.
Asked by reporters if Parliament would be adjourned sine dine, Kumar said, "No, the House will function as per the schedule till April 6. We want to transact all the key bills. The Congress is opposing on all issues."
He added that the government had been telling the Opposition, including the Congress, since day one that it was ready to discuss all the matters, including the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, special package to Andhra Pradesh, Cauvery river water dispute and the no-confidence motion.
"We are ready to discuss all the issues. We are waiting for both the Houses to function properly. We are ready to reply on all the issues," Kumar said.
The government was even ready for a discussion on the no-confidence motion of the TDP and YSR Congress against it, the minister said, adding, "We are not worried as we are a majority government. We have support within and outside Parliament."
The protest by agitating students that crippled the suburban train services on the Central Railway on Tuesday morning was called off following Railway Minister Piyush Goyal's intervention, officials said.
The Mumbai railway police, meanwhile, registered offences against hundreds of protesters, they added.
During the protest, which started at 6.45 am, the agitating students blocked the tracks between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus stations for three-and-a-half hours, forcing the railways to cancel 68 services and leaving thousands of commuters inconvenienced during the morning rush hour.
"We have registered a case against 800 to 1,000 people under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault or criminal force on public servant), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Bombay Police Act and the Indian Railways Act," Samadhan Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Railway, said.
WATCH: Students conduct rail roko at Mumbai's Matunga Station
He added that two persons were arrested so far in connection with the protests that left about 11 personnel of the Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) injured due to stone pelting.
Goyal said the agitation by the students, who were seeking permanent jobs in the railways, was called off at 10:35 am.
He appealed to the protesters to apply for jobs during the railway recruitment drive, which will go on till March 31.
One of the major demands of the agitators, mostly comprising those who had been apprentices in the railways, was the scrapping of the 20-per cent upper limit while hiring apprentices.
Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference, Goyal said the 20 per cent posts were reserved in keeping with the various judgments pronounced by the Supreme Court from time to time and as per section 22(1) of the Apprentices Act.
These 20 per cent posts were reserved for the course completed act apprentices, who were already engaged with the railway establishment under the Apprenticeship Act, he added.
Goyal said a massive recruitment drive was going on to fill over 90,000 Group C and Group D posts in the railways and urged the protesters to apply for the vacancies, the last date for which is March 31.
"There has been no recruitment for four years. We are struggling. More than 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," one of the protesters said.
Rail activist Subhash Gupta claimed that the agitation was a result of the complete failure of the railway's intelligence system.
"Apprentice students from across the country assembled here yesterday and the railways could not get a whiff of it. That is why entire Mumbai was held hostage," he said.
A section of railway officials, meanwhile, alleged that the agitation was instigated by outsiders.
A senior railway official, requesting anonymity, said, "There were very few students among the protesters. Most of them were outsiders, who held a meeting yesterday at the Railway Institute in Kurla Carshed and then decided to support the agitation."
He refused to comment on whether the railways would probe the role of its own staffers in the agitation.
A section of the protesters later met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and apprised him of their demands.
Photographs: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping over phone on his re-election for another five years and discussed efforts by both the countries to enhance high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Modi is perhaps the first foreign leader to have spoken to Xi as the Chinese President began his second five-year term after his election by China's Parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), which concluded its annual session on Tuesday.
The two leaders held the telephonic conversation at Modi's invitation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, a day after the Indian Prime Minister congratulated Xi on Chinese social media.
Both India and China are ancient civilisations with global influence, Modi said, adding that India will work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen bilateral ties, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs to further a closer developmental partnership between the two countries and promote global and regional peace and development, according to the report.
Xi appreciated Modi's congratulations, saying the just-concluded annual sessions of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference have achieved great success.
Modi said that Xi's re-election shows that he enjoys the support of the whole Chinese nation, the report said.
During the telephonic conversation, the two leaders agreed that as the two major powers grow rapidly, bilateral relations between India and China are vital for the realisation of 21st century as 'Asian Century', an official statement issued in New Delhi said.
The two leaders also agreed to continue their close consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement said.
Xi briefed Modi on the annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC.
At the sessions, a new state leadership and leadership of the CPPCC National Committee were elected, important proposals such as constitutional amendments were approved, while a new round of institutional restructuring of the State Council (Cabinet) has started, Xi told Modi.
China will deepen its reform and opening up, he said, adding that China, while realising its own development, will make greater contribution to the common development and progress of the world, he said.
Modi, in his message posted on his account on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, had said: "Dear President Xi Jinping, congratulations on getting re-elected as the President of the People's Republic of China.
"I look forward to working with you for further development of our bilateral relations".
Last week, Xi was unanimously elected by the 2970 deputies of rubber-stamp Parliament, the National People's Congress.
Xi, 64, now enjoying a life-long tenure, has emerged as the most powerful leader after Mao Zedong as he headed the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the military and the Presidency.
India and China are currently making diplomatic efforts to improve the relations in the aftermath of the 73-day long standoff at Dokalam in Sikkim section.
While Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited Beijing recently and held talks with top-level Chinese officials, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said she planned to visit China next month.
Modi and Xi are expected to meet this year on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held in June this year at the Chinese city of Qingdao.
Ruckus created by parties from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on Tuesday paralysed proceedings in Parliament for the 12th straight day, even as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj informed both the Houses of the death of 39 missing Indians in Iraq.
IMAGE: TDP MP Naramalli Siva Prasad dressed as a school child protests with party MPs demanding special status for the state of Andhra Pradesh during the budget session of Parliament in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo
The Lok Sabha was first adjourned till noon and then for the day due to the ruckus created by several protesting parties, leading Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to announce that she was unable to take up the no-confidence motion as there was no order in the House.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day within about 30 minutes since it assembled after Swaraj made a suo motu statement on the Indians killed in Iraq.
She said all the 39 Indians abducted by the Islamic State in Mosul in Iraq three years ago are dead and their bodies have been recovered.
After she made the statement, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu termed it as a very sad news, following which members in the Upper House stood in silence to mourn the dead.
Expressing grief over the deaths, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad sought to remind the government it had assured us last year that the Indians were alive.
Minutes before Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day amid ruckus by Tamil and Andhra parties, the Congress hit out at the government for the stalemate saying it was not making an effort to engage with all parties to ensure that issues like banking fraud are debated in the House.
Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said they wanted the House to function and debate three pressing issues as well as the Budget and other legislative business.
While most of the opposition wanted Azad to make the statement, Tamil parties -- Dravida Munnetra Kazagham and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam -- as well as those from Andhra Pradesh including Telugu Desam Party trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans for constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board and special status to Andhra.
Amid the din, he said 10 opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, DMK, Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India-Marxist had met on Tuesday morning and agreed that the House should function.
Three major issues which are agitating the minds of people are irregularities in banks where billions of rupees have been looted, special category status for Andhra Pradesh and Cauvery water, Azad said, adding we want that the House functions and discussions take place on the three issues.
The government is responsible for the impasse as it is not engaging with all political parties, he said, adding that no effective step has been taken so far to ensure that the
House functions.
IMAGE: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks in the Rajya Sabha. Photograph: PTI Photo
While Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad countered him saying the government is prepared for debate on all issues including the banking fraud, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government has since the first day said it is prepared for any discussion.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he too had on the very first day said that banking issue needs to be discussed and the government has also agreed to it.
I dont find any reason for disruption, he said. What is happening. This is no good. But minutes later, he adjourned the proceedings for the day.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have not transacted any substantial business since March 5 when the second half of the Budget session of Parliament resumed, due to protests. The Lower House had passed the budget without debate last week.
In the Lok Sabha, Swaraj was unable to make an elaborate statement on the 39 Indians killed in Iraq, due to ruckus created by slogan-shouting members.
Amid din, the notices of no-confidence motion against the government could not be taken up on Tuesday.
The Speaker said the House was not in order and hence she cannot verify whether the members who have given the notices can go ahead with moving the motion.
Amid slogan shouting by members from various parties, the House was adjourned for the day with Mahajan terming the scenes as unfortunate.
A bill to ban unregulated chit fund schemes was also moved for introduction amid disruptions.
When the House met at noon, Mahajan ordered laying of the listed papers, but soon AIADMK and TDP members rushed into the Well and started raising slogans in support of their demands.
Congress members, who were at their seats, objected to the disruptions, saying this would prevent the notices of no-trust motion from being taken up.
The Speaker urged the members to maintain order as Swaraj wanted to inform the House about a serious issue. At this moment, Congress and Left members started raising slogans such as no no, drowning the voice of Swaraj.
She wants to inform the House about the 39 Indians killed in Iraq. Please listen to her, the Speaker said.
Swaraj said she cannot make a statement in the din as it was a serious issue, while recalling that the Lok Sabha had on several occasions discussed about the fate of the 39 Indians.
I want to present the evidence today. Please listen to me... please maintain silence, the minister said, amid slogan shouting by Congress, AAP and Left members.
As Sushmas statement was repeatedly disrupted by opposition members, an anguished Speaker wondered whether the members have become insensitive and have lost compassion towards fellow countrymen.
Dont indulge in such politics. Dont be so insensitive... This is a very sorry state.... It has never been such a sorry state (of affairs). It is sad, Mahajan remarked.
After Swaraj took her seat, the Speaker referred to the notices of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers. She said she is duty-bound to take up the matter but since the House is not in order, she cannot verify whether the members who have given notices can move the motion.
When she referred to the notices, members from the TDP and the AIADMK were seen shouting slogans.
At least 50 members have to support the motion before it is moved. A headcount is difficult when there are disruptions and several members are standing, former top LS officials have explained. As the ruckus continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.
IMAGE: People of Lingayat and Veershaiva Community clashes with each other after Karnataka Government announce the Separate Lingayat religion in Kalburgi on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Union minister Ananth Kumar on Tuesday said the Congress government's move on grant of religious minority status for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community was 'vote-bank politics', and claimed the United Progressive Alliance government had rejected a similar proposal in 2013 saying Scheduled Caste members of the group would lose reservation benefits.
The minister's remarks came a day after the Karnataka cabinet decided to recommend to the Centre grant of religious minority status for the numerically strong Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community.
"Several demands were made in the past and even the Maharashtra government had also sought a separate religion tag for Veerashiva-Lingayat sect. But the then UPA government in 2013 rejected it," the parliamentary affairs minister told reporters in New Delhi.
"The Siddaramaiah is adopting Britisher Robert Clive's divide and rule strategy ahead of assembly polls. The Congress is doing vote-bank politics. This will not benefit them. It will boomerang," he said.
He accused the Siddaramaiah government of playing politics in the name of religion ahead of the assembly polls, even as the Union Home Ministry said it would examine in detail the Karnataka government's recommendation as and when it receives the proposal.
The Union home ministry is expected to forward the proposal to the Registrar General & Census Commissioner for a detailed examination and suggestions, a ministry official said.
Kumar further said the Registrar General India (RGI) -- in its letter written on November 14, 2013 to the Maharashtra government and also to All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha -- had said that Veerashiva-Lingayat is a sect of Hindu.
'The demand made by All India Veershiva Mahasabha is apparently not logical and correct. Therefore, no separate code/column was proposed to be assigned for persons returning their religion as Veerashiva-Lingayat during the Census of India, 2011,' the letter said.
The Registrar General had also said, "If Veerashiva-Lingayat is treated as a separate religion by providing separate code/column than Hindu, all SCs professing the Veerashiva-Lingayat sect will lose their Constitutional status, since SC can be only from Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh alongwith their sects."
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, who addressed media separately, reiterated the same. "In November 2013, the then Manmohan Singh government had decided that giving separate religion tag will split the society further and affect SCs professing Veerashaiva/Lingayat Dharma," he said.
The minister alleged that 'the Karnataka government is playing politics. The only reasons they are pushing for separate religion status is to stop Lingayat BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa from becoming chief minister'.
The central government's decision on this issue is very clear and there won't be any change in that, he added.
Union Minister of State of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi was also present at press conference.
The decision to give separate religion tag to Lingayat community is expected to have an impact on the upcoming elections as Veerashiva-Lingayats account for 17-18 per cent of the state's population.
Veerashaiva Mahasabha opposes Karnataka cabinet decision
The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha on Tuesday said it would not accept the Karnataka cabinet's decision to recommend to the Centre granting religious minority tag to the dominant Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community.
Calling the cabinet decision the 'height of injustice', Mahasabha President Shamanur Shivashankarappa, also the ruling Congress MLA, said a meeting has been convened on March 23 to discuss the next course of action.
Calling Veershaiva dharma a 'very ancient one', he expressed discontent over yesterday's cabinet decision.
Speaking to reporters at Davangere after meeting senior Veerashaiva seers, he said "We have called a meeting of Veerashaiva Mahasabha on March 23; prima facie itself this (decision of the cabinet) makes it clear that it is the height of injustice."
"Our feeling is that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are one. Veerashaiva Mahasabha will not accept cabinet decision," he added.
One section led by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has demanded separate religion status, asserting that Veerashaiva and Lingayats are the same.
The other group wants it only for Lingayats as they believe that Veerashaivas are one among the seven sects of Shaivas, which is part of Hinduism.
The decision that is fraught with political implications is seen as an attempt by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to wean away a section of the community towards the Congress.
Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa hails from the Lingayat community.
Earlier on Tuesday, breaking his silence on the issue, Yeddyurappa, also the state BJP chief, urged Mahasabha leaders to call for an emergency meeting and come to a decision.
Stating that the BJP has been saying it would abide by the decision of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, he said his party would make its stand clear, based on the Mahasabha's decision.
"I will not make any statement in urgency, let them (Mahasabha) call an emergency meeting, discuss the pros and cons and come to a decision and guide," Yeddyurappa said after a meeting with senior party leaders.
"Siddaramaiah has cleverly done what has to be done and come to a decision on the issue. But today Veerashaiva Mahasabha has to come to a decision...following their decision and guidance, BJP will make its stand clear," he added.
Will Parliament finally function? For the past 11 days, ever since Parliament reconvened for the second part of the Budget session, protests have been washing out proceedings, due to which no business has been transacted.
On Monday, the notices for no-confidence motion against the government by the Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha due to noisy protests by several parties, which washed out the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament.
Watch the live telecast from the Parliament.
Accusing the Congress of indulging in 'cheap politics', External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday she did not keep anyone in the dark over the killing of 39 Indians in captivity in Iraq or give the families 'false hopes'.
Defending herself against a barrage of criticism, the minister said she had kept her word that she would declare them dead if she gets conclusive proof.
Swaraj had said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day that 39 Indians, who were abducted by the Islamic State in Iraq about four years go, were killed and their bodies recovered from Mosul in Iraq.
The 39 Indians who were killed Here is the list of the deceased released by the MEA: Dharminder Kumar (Punjab)
Harish Kumar (Punjab)
Harsimranjeet Singh (Punjab)
Kanwaljit Singh (Punjab)
Malkit Singh (Punjab)
Ranjit Singh (Punjab)
Sonu (Punjab)
Sandeep Kumar (Punjab)
Manjinder Singh (Punjab)
Gurcharan Singh (Punjab)
Balwant Rai (Punjab)
Roop Lal (Punjab)
Devinder Singh (Punjab)
Kulwinder Singh (Punjab)
Jatinder Singh (Punjab)
Nishan Singh (Punjab)
Gurdeep Singh (Punjab)
Kamaljit Singh (Punjab)
Gobinder Singh (Punjab)
Pritpal Sharma (Punjab)
Sukhwinder Singh (Punjab)
Jasvir Singh (Punjab)
Parvinder Kumar (Punjab)
Balvir Chand (Punjab)
Surjeet Mainka (Punjab)
Nand Lal (Punjab)
Rakesh Kumar (Punjab)
Aman Kumar (Himachal Pradesh)
Sandeep Singh Rana (Himachal Pradesh)
Inderjet (Himachal Pradesh)
Hem Raj (Himachal Pradesh)
Samar Tikadar (West Bengal)
Khokhan Sikder (West Bengal)
Santosh Kumar Singh (Bihar)
Bidya Bhushan Tiwari (Bihar)
Adalat Singh (Bihar)
Sunil Kumar Kushwaha (Bihar)
Dharmendra Kumar (Bihar)
Raju Kumar Yadav (Bihar) (to be verified).
As many as 40 Indians were abducted by the terrorist organisation in 2014 but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said.
She added that the DNA samples of 38 people had been matched by the Iraqi authorities. In the case of the 39th person, the matching was 70 per cent.
The external affairs minister said two heads of states in that region had conveyed to India that the 39 Indians were not killed. She did not take any names.
Swaraj, who could not make a statement in the Lok Sabha because of an uproar from the Congress, addressed a press conference later in the day and said 27 of the 39 were from Punjab, six from Bihar, four from Himachal Pradesh and two from West Bengal.
In an indirect dig at the Congress, she said there were governments that would interpret missing persons as 'believed to be killed'.
Referring to criticism from some opposition members and families of the deceased who said they got to know about death of their loved ones through television, Swaraj said she followed parliamentary procedures.
"It was my duty to first inform the House about (it)," Swaraj said.
"I never gave any false hope to anyone. I was not involved in any falsehood..." she said, referring to her statements in Parliament in 2014 and 2017.
"I had very clearly said that I will declare them dead if I get conclusive proof. I kept my word. I will get my closure when the families receive the bodies," the minister added.
India was probably the first country which had managed to bring back all the bodies of its citizens from war-torn Iraq, she said.
The effort the government had put in to get the concrete details of the 39 Indians had never been made in the country, the minister asserted.
Swaraj did not give a direct reply to the volley of questions on when the Indians were killed, saying it was irrelevant as the bodies could have been recovered only after Mosul was liberated from the ISIS.
Mosul city was liberated from ISIS in June last year.
Taking on the opposition Congress, she wondered why the party, which was not involved in any disruptions in Lok Sabha, led the ruckus on Tuesday.
"In Rajya Sabha everyone listened to me patiently. I thought the same would happen in Lok Sabha. However, the Congress led the disruptions under Jyotiraditya Scindia ji.
"The Congress indulged in very cheap level of politics and crossed the limit. Will we indulge in politics over death as well," Swaraj said.
The government has rejected the claims of Harjit Masih of Gurdaspur, who had managed to escape the kidnappers, that he had witnessed the massacre of the 39 Indians.
Swaraj also dismissed as baseless allegations that Masih was harassed by the government.
Asked whether the government would consider compensation to the families of the victims, Swaraj said she would talk to the concerned state governments.
The minister said she has directed the Indian envoy in Iraq to impress upon the Iraqi authorities to expedite the process to hand over the bodies to India.
The first person whose death was confirmed through DNA matching was a person called Sandeep.
She said the 39th person whose DNA matched only 70 per cent had lost his parents and matching was done with his other family members.
"The Martyr Foundation does not declared anyone as confirmed death if the DNA matching is not 98 per cent," she said.
Iraq's Martyr Foundation, which was handling the issue of the 39 Indians, also held a press conference in Baghdad.
Photograph: ANI
Title Report to the Turkish Government on the visit to Turkey carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
Publication Date 20 March 2018
Country Turkey
Citation / Document Symbol CPT/Inf (2018) 11
Cite as Council of Europe: Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Report to the Turkish Government on the visit to Turkey carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), 20 March 2018, CPT/Inf (2018) 11, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5ab0d4d14.html [accessed 22 September 2021]
Title Response of the Turkish Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Turkey
Publication Date 20 March 2018
Country Turkey
Citation / Document Symbol CPT/Inf (2018) 12
Cite as Council of Europe: Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Response of the Turkish Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Turkey, 20 March 2018, CPT/Inf (2018) 12, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5ab0d5cd4.html [accessed 22 September 2021]
Disclaimer
This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
William Heath (March 7, 1737 January 24, 1814) was an American farmer, soldier, and political leader from Massachusetts who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Heath made his home for his entire life at his familys farm in Roxbury, Massachusetts (present day Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, part of the city of Boston). He was born on a farm that had been settled in 1636 by his ancestors. He became active in the militia, and was a captain in the Suffolk County militia in 1760. By 1770 he was a colonel and its leader.
In December 1774 the revolutionary government in Massachusetts named him a brigadier general. He commanded Massachusetts forces during the last stage of the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. As the siege of Boston began, Heath devoted himself to training the militia involved in the siege. In June of that year, Massachusetts named him a major general in the state troops, and the Continental Congress made him a brigadier general in the new national army, the Continental Army.
In 1776 Heath participated in the defence of New York City, and was one of those who urged General Washington not to abandon the city. He saw action at Long Island, Harlem Heights, and White Plains. In August 1776 he was promoted to major general in the Continental Army, but Washington had doubts about Heaths abilities and posted him where no action was expected. In November he was placed in command of forces in the Hudson River Highlands. In January 1777, Washington instructed Heath to attack Fort Independence in New York in support of Washingtons actions at Trenton and Princeton, but Heaths attack was botched and his troops were routed. He was censured by Washington and thereafter was never given command of troops in action.
General Heath was placed in charge of the Convention Army of John Burgoynes surrendered troops after the Battle of Saratoga. In 1780 he returned to command the Highland Department after Benedict Arnolds treason.
Heath was listed as an original member of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.
After the war, Heath was a member of the Massachusetts Convention that ratified the United States Constitution in 1788. He served in the state Senate 17911792, and as a probate court judge. In 1806 he was elected the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, but declined the office.
He died at home in Roxbury on January 24, 1814, and was buried nearby in Forest Hills Cemetery The town of Heath, Massachusetts, is named in his honor.
Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Heath
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
China should send more militia missions to safeguard territorial sovereignty and the marine rights and interests in the South China Sea, a national legislator said.
The number of such missions assigned to the militia in Tanmen, a port township among the nearest to Nansha in the South China Sea, has dropped in recent years, Wang Shumao, deputy head of the militia, told the Global Times.
The militia expects to receive more missions including patrols and to drive away invading vessels in the South China Sea, said Wang, who is also a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC).
According to Wang, the militia has been driving away foreign vessels entering the region every year, and local fishermen have been safeguarding the waters for generations.
Chinese media have called fishermen in Tanmen China's "marine rights protection vanguard" in the South China Sea.
While foreign vessels are better equipped, Chinese captains are more familiar with the region they have lived in for decades, so the militia seldom fails in these missions, Wang said on the sidelines of the ongoing annual NPC meeting.
The militia has 128 members and around 12 ships equipped with the GPS system, BeiDou navigation system and maritime satellite phone. It provides around 500 pieces of intelligence information from the South China Sea every year, Wang said.
Tanmen militia is not the only militia involved in missions in the South China Sea. In 2013, a militia was also established in the city of Sansha, which was expanded from 215 to over 600 members by the end of 2016, the Sansha government website said.
The Sansha militia is capable of providing support services, protecting sovereignty and fishing activities, and offering emergency rescue work, the China News Service reported in September 2016.
Compared to the Sansha militia, the Tanmen militia, which was established in 1985, has more sophisticated captains and are more familiar with the local environment, Wang said.
The Tanmen militia spends around 60 days of training a year, including a month for regular training offshore and nine days of live-fire training, said the 61-year-old veteran fisherman.
The training includes rescue courses, first-aid treatment and sessions like intercepting entering vehicles, Wang explained.
The militia has rescued more than 600 fishermen, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Since the 1990s, more than 170 fishermen have been detained, fired upon or abused by foreign forces at sea, Xinhua reported in 2016, citing government data.
Tanmen has almost 5,000 fishermen, including nearly 1,000 who work in the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and surrounding waters.
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
US President Donald Trump on Friday signed the Taiwan Travel Act. The bill, which would have gone into effect on Saturday automatically even if Trump had not signed it, allows US officials at all levels to travel to Taiwan and high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the US. It also encourages the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to "conduct business" in the US. The bill has drawn massive attention and was viewed as a major "diplomatic" victory by Tsai Ing-wen's administration.
As a pro-Taiwan base, the US Congress has played a negative part on the Taiwan question, creating obstacles for peace and stability of cross-Straits relations and hindering efforts to solve the Taiwan question peacefully. The Act was passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives by unanimous consent, showing a strong pro-Taiwan stance.
Since Trump became president, the move to end the restriction on official visits between the island and the US has become public. Some pro-Taiwan senators took the opportunity to show their dissatisfaction with Trump's policy toward Taiwan, exerting pressure on the government, and to gain political advantage for reelection in the coming mid-term election.
In the Capitol Hill and US political circles, supporting Taiwan is a kind of political correctness. It was widely predicted that Trump would not veto the bill. Therefore that the Act took effect is not a surprise.
The pro-Taiwan stance is rooted in the vigilance against China. In the US National Security Strategy, China was deemed a "strategic competitor" that challenges US national security. Hence, the US believes it needs to unite all forces that can be united to counter China. Such Cold War mindset brought pro-Taiwan forces to the stage, leading to cementation of the US-Taiwan alliance with an aim to keep Taiwan an instrument in the West Pacific in containing the mainland.
In 1979, the Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act as a guide for ties with the island, authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural and other relations between the people of the US and the island without supporting official exchanges. And the three joint communiques between Beijing and Washington severed diplomatic relations between the island and the US.
In international politics, official exchanges amount to recognizing bilateral sovereignty. In 1995, then-leader of Taiwan Lee Teng-hui's visit to the US triggered the third cross-Straits crisis. Afterward, leaders of Taiwan used the excuse of transit to visit the US and official exchanges were sought for decades by Taiwan authorities. The Act will pave the way for US-Taiwan official exchanges, send misleading signals to Taiwan authorities, encourage pro-independence forces within the island and drag cross-Straits relations into a quagmire.
The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations. Beijing firmly opposes all forms of official exchange and military contact between Washington and Taiwan. That the Congress tried to break the US commitment to maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan by legislation goes against the one-China principle and the three joint communiques .
As some of its clauses are not legally binding, the Act will not significantly dent Sino-US relations. However, the strong pro-Taiwan forces should be noticed. It is possible for Trump to cater to pro-Taiwan forces and use the Taiwan card to bargain with Beijing, bringing an element of uncertainty to Sino-US relations.
Recently, over a dozen high-level officials in the Trump administration were replaced, revealing a rise of forces which advocate a tough stance against China. But the US should not abandon the political foundations and consensus of relations with China which have existed for almost 40 years.
Peace and stability of cross-Straits relations are in line with the common interests of Beijing and Washington. If the Taiwan question is not dealt with well, it may bring disaster to bilateral relations.
Over the last year, the Trump administration has realized how vulnerable and vital the Taiwan question is for Sino-US ties. It should know there is no space to play tricks on the question. China and the US both need to contribute to maintaining the stable relationship and whether the Trump administration implements the Act will be a touchstone of bilateral ties.
TRIPOLI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan eastern-based army on Monday said that fighter jets have launched airstrikes on Chadian armed groups in southern Libya after the army's deadline for African migrants to leave the south.
"After the deadline, the operations began to secure southern Libya based on the mandate of the General Command. Air force began today to comprehensively enforce law and respond to terrorism and criminal operations and armed gangs, by carrying out the first combat airstrike targeting 10 vehicles south of Harug Mountains," the army said in a statement.
The army also confirmed that airstrikes were carried out on Sunday targeting vehicles of Chadian opposition in Libya.
On March 9, the army set March 17 deadline for nationals from neighboring African countries to leave southern Libya in order to curb the erupting violence there, warning they would be removed by force.
The army also called on tribal elders and leaders in southern Libya to stop social support for all those who "help in any way protect or house African nationals, leading to destabilization of southern Libya."
The city of Sabha, located some 800 km southwest of capital Tripoli, has recently been witnessing violent clashes between rival tribes that killed and injured dozens of civilians and forced hundreds of families to flee their homes.
People from Chad, Niger and Sudan have been accused of involvement in the conflicts in Sabha. Hamed Al-Khiali, head of the municipal council of Sabha, said last month that the local airport was occupied by "an armed group that has nothing to do with Libya," carrying flags of other African countries.
Recently in Tripoli, the UN-backed government announced measures to support its forces in Sabha to fight the so-called "mercenaries."
Students get the message from PC Chris Nicholson
COLLEGE students were encouraged to report hate crimes to police during a meeting with the man tasked with tackling the issue.
The districts hate crime co-ordinator PC Chris Nicholson spoke to 250 students at Thomas Rotherham College about hate crime and how the force was tackling the issue.
PC Nicholson said: The ultimate goal of this engagement activity and awareness work in both Rotherham and the rest of South Yorkshire is to encourage victims and witnesses to report hate and enable us to work to stop it.
As well as taking action against hate, we are also working to develop our understanding of the impact hate crime has on victims and the support and reporting methods they find most useful.
By holding engagement events and working in partnership with local organisations such as Thomas Rotherham College, we are able to gain this understanding and improve and tailor our responses using the feedback gathered.
This partnership work will now continue and I would like to offer my reassurance that hate crimes are not tolerated in South Yorkshire and we will always take action to stop it.
To report a hate crime call 101.
DMCC announces Ambassadors of WDCs System of Warranties DMCC has announced that its Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and its Special Advisor - Precious Stones, Dr Martin Leake, have been appointed as ambassadors of the World Diamond Councils (WDC) updated SoW initiative...
WDC launchd an upgraded and expanded System of Warranties The World Diamond Council (WDC) has marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment by the United Nations of the International Day of Peace with the official public launch of its upgraded System of Warranties (SoW).
Botswana Diamonds completes nine-hole drilling on Thorny River Botswana Diamonds has completed its nine-hole drilling programme on the Thorny River property in South Africa. It said the objective of the hole drilling was to see if two kimberlite blows were one contiguous orebody, thus increasing the overall resource...
Lifeline for small-scale chrome miners in Zim Zimbabwe Zhongxin Smelting Company, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, is constructing a $60 million smelting plant in Masvingo.
During the conference call on ALROSAs results in 2017 in line with the IFRS, the diamond miner's management informed there would be no changes in the dividend policy to be followed by the company in 2018 and dividends would not exceed 50% of its net profit.
"We do not think that ALROSA will pay more than 50% of its net profit in dividends. There are no changes at this stage," Sergey Ivanov, the companys CEO said, adding that the Supervisory Board of ALROSA will consider the liquidity of the company and will discuss possible changes in its dividend policy in the middle of this year.
Touching upon the trade in rough diamonds, he suggested that demand for diamonds in the second and third quarters of this year will be stable, although not as high as in the first quarter. "Demand for rough diamonds in the second to third quarters will be stable but will not match the parameters of the first quarter," said the head of ALROSA.
Sergey Ivanov explained this by seasonal cooling in the trade, which is usual during this period, since the situation in which the amount of diamond purchases in the first quarter is extrapolated to the second and third quarters is anomalous for the industry.
During this period, he noted, average prices for rough diamonds are also not expected to rise, but prices for certain categories of stones in the assortment of diamond goods may grow.
Theodor Lisovoy, Rough&Polished, Moscow
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)s new commissioner-general Godwin Matanga said he doesnt know that they own Gye Nyame diamond company in Marange.
He said maybe the former police chief who was ousted after the fall of Robert Mugabe as the countrys president would be the best person to provide details on the mines ownership status.
In as far as I am concerned, I only read about Gye Nyame in the newspapers, and I do not have information about it, Matanga was quoted by NewsDay as saying to a parliamentary portfolio committee on mines.
Maybe Chihuri would know about it.
Committee chairperson Temba Mliswa said they had received oral evidence from different mining executives who said the ZRP had concessions in Marange.
It was disturbing that we received information about Gye Nyame being under the personal name of the former Police Commissioner-General, he said.
Mliswa also asked Matanga to account for the diamonds mined by ZRP when they took over the Russian mine, DTZ OZGEO in Chimanimani.
We also want to know what happened to those diamonds and if the police are above the law, he asked.
However, Matanga asked the committee to give him a week to investigate the matter and bring comprehensive answers to parliament.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Soldiers stand at attention in front of tanks mounted with Cambodian flags during the opening ceremonies of this years Golden Dragon military exercises with China on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, hundreds of Cambodian and Chinese soldiers in full combat gear stood in formation in front of a backdrop of tanks, armoured trucks, machine gun-mounted helicopters, and artillery weapons. Generals from both sides spoke warmly of the deepening relationship between the two countries, which aim to be like-minded friends forever.
The Golden Dragon military exercise between Chinas Peoples Liberation Army and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces kicked off on Saturday at Mras Prov Mountain in Kampong Speu.
The exercises will last for 17 days, from March 15 through March 31, and are being conducted under the banner of Counter-terrorism and humanitarian relief. After two days of preparation, the event was inaugurated with speeches from RCAF Commander Pol Saroeun and Chinas Southern Theatre commander, Major-General Zhang Jian.
Saroeun said the exercise, which will feature live-fire operations beginning on Sunday, will celebrate Cambodias relationship with China, and strengthen the traditional friendship and political trust between both countries.
The general praised China for its recent aid package and reiterated Cambodias commitment to the One China policy. He said Chinas spiritual, equipment and financial support will help Cambodia quickly develop.
Saroeun added that Chinas support is like a firm wall supporting Cambodia and will help preserve peace, independence [and] sovereignty.
We, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, are the backbone of the country at any cost. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces must maintain the peace and firmly oppose and prevent colour revolution from occurring in Cambodia, he said.
I have a strong belief that China and Cambodia will be good neighbours and like-minded friends forever, Jian said, speaking via an interpreter.
RCAF Commander Pol Saroeun inspects weaponry following a speech opening this years Golden Dragon military exercise, during which he praised China extensively.
In the second of three Sidney Agricultural Research Service BrownBagger talks planned on biological control of invasive plant species, the emphasis is on the use of molecular tools to aid management of whitetop and saltcedar, two invasive species (a weed and a shrub/tree) plaguing the western U.S.
The BrownBagger is hosted by the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory (NPARL) in Sidney. The next presentation features Amanda Stahlke, a PhD Candidate in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program at the University of Idaho, who will be discussing how Genetics and genomics can inform biocontrol management decisions: Perspectives and prospects from the tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda spp) and whitetop (Lepidium draba). Stahlkes presentation is set for Friday, March 23, from noon to 1 pm in the Tech Transfer Room at the Sidney ARS lab, located at 1500 N. Central Avenue.
Stahlke studies rapid evolution in systems with defined management goals, such as biological control systems and endangered species. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science at Colorado Mesa University and was trained in biological control, assisting on the tamarisk leaf beetle project with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and host specificity testing at CABIs Swiss Center. Stahlke interned with Sidney ARS Plant Ecologist Dr. Natalie West last summer at NPARL. The two continue to collaborate on biocontrol efforts related to whitetop (aka hoary cress) biocontrol targets in different habitats. In her talk, Stahlke will discuss their ongoing research, as well as her dissertation research on hybridization in saltcedar beetles.
NPARL invites all interested persons to join us this Friday, March 23 for another interesting talk. Bring your lunch. Well provide the dessert!
Stahlkes presentation will be followed up on April 6 with our final 2018 BrownBagger presentation by John Gaskin. Dr. Gaskin and international colleagues recently completed a worldwide analysis of all known hybrid tree invasions around the world, looking at how hybridization may have aided or mitigated those invasions in new locations as well as how it may affect biological control efforts.
For questions or more information on Sidney ARS 2018 BrownBagger Series, contact Beth Redlin at 406-433-9427 or [email protected]
Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, Alexander Public Schools will join East Fairview, Fairview Public Schools, and many other regional schools in instituting a 4-day school week. Savage Public Schools may not be far behind, as the school is currently amidst a public meeting process to solicit community input on the matter.
The 4-day school week is an innovative and relatively new concept spreading across the United States. Improved morale in teachers and students, financial savings, and improved student and teacher attendance, as well as improvement in standardized test scores, are just some of the reported benefits of switching to a 4-day school week compared to the traditional 5-day week. However, some opponents allege that the concept hasnt been in practice long enough to establish a steady upward trend in test scores, and weekend learning-loss may pose a significant barrier to student learning, as typically, each weekend may be 3 days long.
Alexander Public Schools Commits to 4-Day School Week
In Alexander, what began as an Innovation Class project was presented to Superintendent Leslie Bieber in both spring and fall of 2017, and presented to the School Board in December. The Board gave consent to conduct a parent survey and public meetings in January. According to Shannon Faller, High School principal, she, Elementary principal Ms. Shaide, and four students traveled to Fairview and East Fairview to see what the 4 day school week looked like and ask the opinion of their staff and students. Amid support from parents and teachers, the Board approved the decision to move forward with the North Dakota state application for change to a 4-day school week.
Though the school week is shorter, the instructional time does not change, remaining at 1038 hours for high school students. Teacher work load, expectations of students, school activities, transportation, school meals, breaks and evaluations also remain unchanged. What is affected by the new school week is a change to normal business hours for teachers, additional time built in for one-on-one and small group instruction, and relief of academic fatigue. Pending Board approval, Alexander Public Schools will implement several programs to help address some community members concerns about not having school on Fridays. According to Faller, Our plan for the four day week includes two Friday programs, Friday Intervention Time (FIT program) and the High Five Club. The FIT program will be for students who are not at grade level, struggling with content material, or need assistance with homework due to absences. This is designed to have teachers available for students to receive the assistance and remediation in a small group or one on one setting. The High Five Club will be an enrichment opportunity that provides engaging, hands-on programming for those Alexander students who do not have a place to be on Fridays. Breakfast, lunch, and bussing will be provided on Fridays, she said.
Alexander teachers were supportive of the idea of a short school week, as high school teachers expected improvement in student morale and appreciated more time in class. Elementary teachers looked forward to more one-on-one time or small group time with students. Extra recess and down time would be built into the school day for elementary students.
In the parent survey, a large percentage of respondents were supportive of the new school week, but others expressed concerns about finding day care on Fridays, anticipated difficulties for special needs students, and wearing students out with such long school days.
It was with careful consideration of both positive and negative feedback that the Alexander Public School Board made their decision to move forward with the application to change to a 4-day school week. The effects of the change will be evaluated annually, as required by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The school has received a one-year waiver for the new school week, and will reapply next year for an additional one-year waiver, and after that, a 5-year approval. Student performance, data on progress and declines, changes in academic opportunities and teacher effectiveness will all be evaluated each year. School Superintendent Leslie Bieber explains that We are excited about this upcoming change as a great opportunity for our kids and community.
Savage Public Schools Considers 4-Day School Week
Savage Public School is in the later steps of investigating whether to implement a 4-day school week, currently working on soliciting input from parents and community members.
According to Savage Public School teacher and counselor Sarah Tuttle, Savage has looked into the 4-day school week before as a district, but never as extensively as we are now. Weve heard how much other schools like the 4 day week and as a teaching staff, we felt it would be a good fit for our school and community. Therefore, we decided to put in the research time to create an informed presentation for our school board and community, she explained.
Tuttle presented the information to the Savage School Board of Trustees at a recent meeting. So far, Savage has implemented staff surveys and school family surveys, and is currently collecting community input through Facebook and the schools postal patron. It has been found that though many are in favor of the change, there is some opposition in the survey responses.
At Savage, students are released early on Fridays already, so eliminating regular school hours on Friday should not significantly affect the amount of teaching. Staff and students alike are excited at the prospect of bringing study hall back into play, as students in grades 7-12 would have 30 minutes that could be used for class and club meetings, reducing or even eliminating interruption to class.
Savage is also proposing an optional Friday school, where ineligible, struggling, or students that simply want further assistance can come to the school and get more individualized instruction. This option would be available to students of all ages. Teachers and classroom aides have agreed to divide up Fridays so that students can come in from 8-12 for additional instructional assistance if the students or their parents feel it would be beneficial. Furthermore, our music teacher loves the idea of having Fridays to offer music lessons to students, Tuttle said.
As Tuttle explained, We feel there are many benefits to our students or we wouldnt be pursuing it and putting in the work that we have. Our staff feels it will give them adequate time to prepare meaningful lessons for their students. In addition, teachers will have more time to evaluate student work and plan next steps for instruction. Finally, it allows for more family time for students and staff alike.
The Savage School Board of Trustees will review community feedback to make their decision whether to implement a 4-day school week for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Five Montana Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington, D.C. in early March not only to attend the American Farm Bureau Issues Advisory Committee meetings but to meet Montana's Congressional Delegation and visit two agencies that have a strong effect on ag policy-the U.S. Trade Representative's office (USTR) and the Department of the Interior (DOI). Members included MFBF Director of National Affairs Nicole Rolf; Tonya Liles, a cattle rancher from Terry; Megan Mattson Hedges, a grain farmer from Chester; Chuck Rein, a rancher from Big Timber; and Don Steinbeisser, Jr., a diversified farmer from Sidney.
Agency Meetings
"We received an update from Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Ag Affairs and Roger Wentzel, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative on the TransPacific Partnership and the fact that we might try to get back into those negotiations," Hedges explained. "They have been doing a lot of work on moving American grain to Canada, and working toward ensuring grain is graded on the same level in Canada and the U.S."
The meeting with Tim Williams at the Department of the Interior provided insight into the department's reorganization and allowed the Farm Bureau members to voice their thoughts.
"Mr. Williams explained the reason for the reorganization at the Department of the Interior, which made sense," said Steinbeisser. "They want to make it simple for people trying to contact Bureau of Land Management about a certain issue to easily locate the person who is responsible for that issue. In addition, there are some groups saying Secretary Zinke is selling off land. All he's doing is giving that land back to the states."
Rein said, "We addressed our concerns about brucellosis in bison in Yellowstone Park and reiterated what a problem it is. We also talked about the release of Wilderness Study Areas which were not designed to be in limbo for so many years."
Congressional Delegation
Visits with Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte covered concerns voiced in the committee meetings; getting a workable Hours of Service and reasonable Electronic Logging Devices for agriculture; defeating the rules for air quality emissions reporting in cattle; rural development language in the farm bill; increasing broadband and internet access to rural communities; and sensible management of endangered species.
Rep. Gianforte personally gave the group a VIP Tour with an evening view of the Capitol, including the then-quiet Senate and House Chambers, which was very well received by the Montana Farm Bureau visitors. Liles found the trip to be extremely worthwhile. "It made me realize how important it is to be an advocate for what we are producing and ag in general," the rancher said. "You don't realize how essential it is to be involved until you get outside of your bubble and realize you can actually make a difference. It's not that hard to explain your issues to our Congressional delegation and ask them to support it. The leadership aspect of making a trip to Washington, D.C. really opens your eyes to what truly can be done."
Sidneys Russell Glaeske has been named as the recipient of the 2018 Friend of Public Health Award, for his long-time contributions to child safety as a Certified Car Seat Technician.
For the past 6 years, the Richland County Health Department has awarded a member or members of the community for extraordinary support of public health initiatives. Glaeske joins the Richland County Commissioners, Sidney Middle School Principal Kelly Johnson, the family of Janae Moore, and Door Bustn Portable and Septic as a recipient of the award. Recipients are nominated by Department staff, community partners, or community members, and selected to receive the award by Health Department staff. Winners receive an imprinted professional binder, and their name engraved on the Friend of Public Health Award plaque, kept on the wall of the waiting room at the Health Department.
Russell has been a Certified Car Seat Technician for more than 20 years. He has rarely missed a car seat installation and education event in all those years, and never missed a chance to re-certify and learn about new child restrain technology. The award is a well-earned thank you to Russell and his wife, Karen, who often accompanied him to assist where needed. Russell was nominated by Heidi Moran, Car Seat Program Coordinator at the Health Department.
Please join the Health Department in celebrating the contributions of Russell Glaeske to child safety in Richland County with an award ceremony following a presentation by Don Smies, on Thursday, April 5th beginning at noon. Light refreshments will be provided. The presentation will take place in Conference Room 202 of the Community Services Building in Sidney.
Guest Opinion
Because I grew up as a dry land farmer, when the Buffalo Commons was proposed in 1987, it didnt take long for me to realize what was really going on. While on one side, it involved repopulating the Great Plains with buffalo, on the other side, it was a push to depopulate the Great Plains of people. That would be people like my family, church, friends, neighbors, and entire communities. What had been promised in homesteading and earned by homesteaders and each succeeding generation would be stolen back.
Sometimes we dry landers are not as quick as we should be to understand the situation for irrigated farmers. When the issue of the pallid sturgeon first was raised, that did not sound as connected to me as the buffalo. It took a little study to see where this really is going. Lets cut to the chase and test what the Defenders of Wildlife really want in their lawsuit against the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project.
At the least, Buffalo Commons would require farmers to leave 139,000 square miles of farm land. For the pallid sturgeon, we can save the fish using only a small spot of land to construct a nice fish bypass. For once, we have the Army Corps of Engineers working in the same direction with farmers. They want to do the right thing by the fish and by farmers. And yet, lo and behold, for the Defenders of Wildlife, that is not enough.
They argue in court that the only acceptable method is one that nobody can afford, and which is actually worse for the fish, namely, pumping. The cost of electricity and maintenance for the huge pumps required to replace the weir is too expensive for irrigators to pay. Fish are hurt by the pumping approach. There are additional environmental harms from having pumping stations. This is a dead giveaway. They just want to stop irrigation altogether. To stop irrigation is to get rid of people. The object is Buffalo Commons by way of the pallid sturgeon. The goal is human depopulation of our area under the guise of caring about fish.
Take a look at what happens when irrigation ceases. Look at the vocations that no longer exist, the businesses that no longer can survive, and the employees who lose their jobs. Look at the out migration of people, the loss of school enrollments, and the loss of tax base by about 14 million dollars. From that loss, look at the collapse of school budgets and county budgets. Without irrigation to recharge the cities drinking wells, people will be forced to leave. This is human depopulation, pure and simple.
People are what Defenders of Wildlife want to get rid of. This is one more reason why We the People must show up in Great Falls on April 19 at the court hearing on summary judgment against irrigation. Lets get on that bus and show Judge Brian Morris, the Obama appointee, the faces of the people he is being asked to get rid of.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected TRC Companies Inc., to provide services for the agency's environmental program.
The $35.1 million, three-year contract outlines that TRC will provide environmental waste handling and environmentally-related construction services, with the potential for two one-year options worth a total of $7.1 million, the company said.
TRC was selected as the most qualified firm resulting from our highly competitive RFP process, said Cris Liban, LACMTAs executive officer for projects engineering. Their technical expertise will be called upon as we upgrade our facilities and expand our system over the next few years.
LACMTA said TRC will work on task orders for the transportation authoritys facility management and capital construction program. The contract marks the 13th consecutive year TRC has performed work for LACMTA on environmental infrastructure and transportation projects, including capital construction, energy efficiency and highway design work.
TRC is pleased to support [LACMTA] as it upgrades the regions transportation infrastructure and provides enhanced mobility to the regions 9.6 million residents, said David Zarider, TRC senior vice president. We have assembled a great team of subcontractors that will deliver superb service and bolster [LACMTAs] inclusivity goals.
SunWest Engineering Constructors of Chino, Calif., is one such subcontractor. SunWest is a certified LACMTA minority business enterprise, the company noted.
We recognize the tremendous business opportunity presented by this contract and look forward to working with the TRC team to help Metro meet its strong commitment to the environment, said Pam Lawrence, president of SunWests owner.
Kamil Brejcha, the co-founder of Czech cryptocurrency exchange Nakamoto X, announced the cultivation of cryptomatoes, which are tomatoes grown using excess heat from cryptocurrency mining.
In a Twitter post, Brejcha showed a photo of tomato plants growing in a greenhouse, noting that the first batch of cryptomatoes is ready to be harvested.
"Who would imagine that mining cryptocurrencies and agriculture can work together? The first batch of cryptomatoes is ready to be harvested. We are using the excess heat for the tomato greenhouse and it is working," he said.
According to him, the team developed a system called Cointainer, which is placed in the basement and the heat is blown into the greenhouses, which are around 5 acres.
Brejcha noted that the company initially planned to grow medical marihuana, but couldn't obtain a licence due to strict local rules, instead had to choose tomatoes and other vegetables.
He said the company will soon launch Agritechture blockchain startup for growing edible crops from excess mining heat. "We are in stealth mode.......We will release more details together with some other major announcement soon."
He also said in the Twitter that the company is producing own energy, and the mining operations are powered by 100% bio-waste produced energy.
Cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin, are created by solving complex mathematical problems in a process known as mining. The mining requires highly powerful computers and consumes enormous electricity. The process creates excess energy, raising concerns of environmental impact, with people around the world trying to find new ways to tackle the issue.
As per reports, startup Myera Group in Canada, founded by Bruce Hardy, turns excess heat from cryptocurrency mining to create a sustainable food source. The heat generated by more than 30 computers in his mining farm helps warm nearby makeshift greenhouse, which has cold-water fish, and plants such as basil and lettuce.
In a different project, French startup Qarnot Computing recently unveiled its crypto heater QC-1 for homes that mines cryptocurrencies using the in-built passive computer. This, the company claims "makes heating a source of revenue, not an expense."
According to Digiconomist's Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index, the whole Bitcoin network now consumes more than 55 terawatt-hours or TWh of electricity per year, which surpassed countries like Singapore and Portugal in terms of electricity consumption.
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Business News
Uber has temporarily stopped testing of its self-driving cars across North America after a pedestrian was killed by one of its self-driving cars in Tempe, Arizona on Sunday night.
Uber has halted the testing of self-driving cars in San Francisco, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Toronto.
According to reports, it is the first fatality in any testing program involving autonomous vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the accident.
"Our hearts go out to the victim's family. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident," Uber spokeswoman said.
"Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. We're thinking of the victim's family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened," Twitter CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted.
The accident occurred at about 10 p.m on Sunday in the area of Curry Road and Mill Avenue. The vehicle was in autonomous mode at the time of the crash, but a driver was behind the wheel. The woman, 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, was crossing the street when she was hit by the car. She died at a hospital.
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Business News
Uber Technologies Inc. suspended autonomous vehicle tests after one of its cars struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, in what is likely the first pedestrian fatality involving the .
The 49-year-old woman, Elaine Herzberg, was crossing the road outside of a crosswalk when the Uber vehicle operating in autonomous mode under the supervision of a human safety driver struck her, according to the Tempe Police Department.
After the incident, which happened at 10 p.m. local time on Sunday, she was transferred to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries. "Uber is assisting and this is still an active investigation," Liliana Duran, a Tempe police spokeswoman, said in a statement.
Uber said on Monday that it was pausing tests of all its self-driving vehicles on public roads in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto and the greater Phoenix area. "Our hearts go out to the victim's family. "We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident."
Companies including Alphabet Inc., General Motors Co., Uber and Baidu Inc. are investing billions of dollars to develop autonomous-vehicle technology because it has the potential to transform the auto industry, transportation in general and the way cities work. The fatality in Tempe could slow testing, delay commercialization and undermine such optimism.
The National Transportation Safety Board said that it is sending a team to Tempe, Arizona, to investigate the fatal collision of an Uber vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred on Sunday.
The Uber vehicle was part of the company's self-driving fleet of vehicles. The investigation will address the vehicle's interaction with the environment, other vehicles and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
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Business News
A Y-9 transport aircraft of the PLA Air Force flies over snow-capped mountains in Tibet to transfer Captain Wang Yuan, a staff officer of an air force unit under the PLA Western Theater Command, who suffered from multiple diseases threatening his life, from Lhasa to Chengdu on March 3, 2018. (Photo by Shi Jun)
CHENGDU, March 20(ChinaMil) -- An air force Y-9 transport aircraft sent by the PLA Western Theater Command successfully transferred an officer in critical conditions from Lhasa, Tibet, to Chengdu. This is the first time that the PLA has used a Y-9 transport aircraft for air medical rescue.
The 29-year-old Captain Wang Yuan is a staff officer of an air force unit under the PLA Western Theater Command. Wang's unit has been conducting field camp training since stationed in Tibet in November 2017. In late February, Wang suffered repeated fevers. On March 2, he was rushed to the PLA Tibet Military Command General Hospital. The results of medical experts consultation showed that Wang had Type I respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, loss of lung function, cerebral edema, and severely impaired heart, liver, and kidney functions caused by adenovirus infection. The hospital issued a critical condition notice on the very day.
On the next day, approved by the air force headquarters of the PLA Western Theater Command, a Y-9 transport aircraft took off at 11:32 a.m. from an airport in western Sichuan Province and arrived at Gongga Airport in Lhasa two hours later. Soon after medical workers waiting there immediately transferred Wang Yuan onto the plane, the plane took off again and flew off to Chengdu.
The Y-9 transport aircraft arrived in Chengdu at 16:54 and Wang was rushed to a military hospital for salvage.
"I can't imagine how serious his life-threatening conditions would have developed if the patient had been sent to our hospital one night later," said Chen Zhang, an expert on respiratory diseases and the doctor in charge of Wang's case at the military hospital.
Among the patients contracting adenovirus pneumonia the hospital has ever received and cured, Wang's condition was the most serious, the doctor said.
With effective treatment and 24-hour intensive care, the captain's condition is turning better and better. At present, Wang Yuan is able to get out of bed for minor activities and is recovering steadily.
Medical personnel monitor Wang Yuans vital signs and implement emergency treatment inside a Y-9 transport aircraft on Mar. 3, 2018. The PLA Air Force sent a Y-9 transport aircraft to transfer Captain Wang Yuan, a staff officer of an air force unit under the PLA Western Theater Command, who suffered from life- threatening diseases, from Lhasa to Chengdu for treatment on March 3, 2018. (Photo by Liu Chang)
Bellway PLC (BWY.L) reported profit before tax of 288.7 million pounds for the half year ended 31 January 2018 compared to 247.6 million pounds, prior year. Earnings per share increased to 190.7 pence from 163.2 pence.
First-half revenue improved 15.3% to 1.32 billion pounds, from last year. Housing revenue increased by 14.5% to 1.31 billion pounds. Volume growth was 6.3% to 4,741 homes, together with average selling price growth of 7.7%.
For the full year, the Board expects that volume will grow by around 600 homes, thereby enabling the Group's housing output to exceed 10,000 new homes per annum for the first time in its history.
The interim dividend has increased by 28.0% to 48.0 pence per share.
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Business News
The world's first whisky-backed cryptocurrency has officially been introduced through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) that gives investors a share in a 40-million pound Scotch whisky portfolio.
CaskCoin is created on the Ethereum blockchain, that combines with a physical asset investment in the form of maturing Scotch Whisky.
The whisky portfolio is made up of a selection of aged Single Malts maturing in between 25 and 50 years. They represent some of the finest and most sought after Single Malts of today.
Each token will be backed by legal and physical ownership of a share of a cask of Scotch Whisky underpinning CaskCoin. The website says each investor in CaskCoin must be whitelisted, meaning, adherance to AML/KYC. The token sale is currently on.
A maximum of 6.5 million tokens are available for purchase at 8.15 British pounds each through the ICO, which began on March 12 and will run until March 30. The minimum investment is 30,000 pounds in Bitcoin or Ether.
CaskCoin says, "Whisky an interesting alternative to traditional or even the alternative to SWAG (silver, wine, art and gold) investing."
The whisky-backed digital currency was created by Ricky Christie, the owner Edinburgh-based North of Scotland Distilling Co. Following the closure of the distillery, Christie is more focused on whisky brokering and the production of blended Scotch brand, Wolf of Badenoch.
CaskCoin comes close on the heels of the launch of the world's first publicly traded whisky fund, "The Single Malt Fund," created by Swedish entrepreneur Christian Svantesson earlier in 2018. However, the fund transacts in fiat currency only. It gave investors a chance to own a part of a collection of rare and limited-edition whiskies and exclusive access to buy them.
Some other asset-backed cryptocurrencies launched recently include Malaysia's gold-backed cryptocurrency GOLDX, and Venezuela's oil-backed PETRO.
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Business News
Cardiome Pharma Corp. (CRME) announced Tuesday morning that it has agreed to sell its Canadian portfolio to Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CPH.TO).
Cardiome Pharma has gapped open sharply higher this morning and is now up 0.61 at $2.18 on the highest volume of the year. The stock has leaped to a 6-month high.
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Business News
A group of major American companies in the retail sector has made an appeal to the U.S. President to reconsider imposing tariffs against China, saying they could hurt American families.
They wrote a letter to Donald Trump in the wake of reports that the Government is preparing to impose annual tariffs amounting to $60 billion on goods imported from China.
The signatories, which include Walmart, Target, JC Penney, American Eagle Outfitters, and Costco, account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales and tens of millions of American jobs.
They warned that a broadly applied tariff remedy on imports from China will hurt American households with higher prices and exacerbate a U.S. tariff system that is already stacked against working families.
The letter points out that the U.S. levies the highest tariffs on basic consumer goods, which force families shopping in American stores pay higher prices because America already levies import taxes as much as 32 and 67 percent on basic clothes and shoes.
"Applying any additional broad-based tariff as part of a Section 301 action would worsen this inequity and punish American working families with higher prices on household basics like clothing, shoes, electronics, and home goods," the companies said.
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Business News
Facebook stock is plunging due to self-inflicted wounds. What was once America's favorite social media site is being a accused of turning into a cesspool of misinformation and narcissism.
Facebook Inc.'s security chief, Alex Stamos, plans to step down from the company amid questions over Russia's role in the U.S. election, according to the Wall Street Journal.
U.S. and European officials are up in arms over Facebook's handling of user data.
The social network said it is investigating whether a firm linked to the 2016 Trump campaign improperly kept user's personal data for years despite saying it had destroyed those records.
"Allegations of misuse of Facebook user data is an unacceptable violation of our citizens' privacy rights. The European Parliament will investigate fully, calling digital platforms to account," the parliament's president, Antonio Tajani, said on his official Twitter account.
"It's clear these platforms can't police themselves," Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said Saturday on Twitter. "They say 'trust us.' Mark Zuckerberg needs to testify before Senate Judiciary."
Shares are down sharply Tuesday, extending Monday's drubbing. FB has tumbled 12% in the past few days, but is up 16% over the last year, so there may be more room to fall.
Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said the drop "shows that people are scared. The stock will go down if investors believe the experience will be impaired."
CNBC's Jim Cramer says, "The headline risk is too great" for this stock.
Some analysts are calling for CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the genius behind Facebook since the start, to step aside.
"I think it's time for maybe thinking about somebody stepping up and taking Zuckerberg's slot," Jim Calcanis of Inside.com told CNBC. "If you look at Zuckerberg, he is MIA. When was the last time we heard Zuckerberg talk about this? It's a...failure of leadership."
"I think Sheryl Sandberg should run the company," he added. "She is a better communicator [and] she is better at understanding how to manage these issues. She should run Facebook. Zuckerberg has done a horrible job handling this crisis."
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
(Agencia CMA Latam) - Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) Justice Gilmar Mendes has denied a collective habeas corpus (HC) filed by a group of lawyers that wanted to prevent people convicted in second instance courts from being imprisoned.
The decision revived a discussion that could define if the former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would be allowed to a new presidential bid later this year.
The habeas corpus called for attention to "all citizens who are in prison, and those who are about to be, for provisional execution of sentence, resulting from a confirmed conviction in the second instance."
According to the lawyers, these people are "suffering from illegal embarrassment," due to the omission of the Justice C?rmen L?cia, STF's chairwoman, who refuses to rule on the issue, since there is a 2016 decision authorizing provisional execution of sentence previously to any final ruling.
In this regard, the lawyers deemed Carmen L?cia's positioning as a "discretionary and omissive act, in addition to causing illegal embarrassment" and call for the suspension of all prisons and those that are about to happen.
In his ruling, Mendes said that he did not see any illegal constraint to sending people to jail after conviction in second instance courts since the imprisonment does not stem from pending court procedures, "but from judicial decisions supported by the Court."
"That is to say: the alleged omission does not remove the just cause of the arrests made, nor of any future arrests, which is why it can not be recognized as an illegal constraint," Mendes wrote in his ruling. According to him, there is "no reason to support the granting of a general habeas corpus order for the release of all prisoners because of the possibility of early sentence execution and to prevent further incarceration in such cases."
Mendes also pointed out that regardless of the STF's decision, the arrest must be decreed to happen. "Although there are doubts about the maintenance of this Court's understanding on the subject, the arrests are justified," he concludes.
The issue related to the former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, sentenced to 12 years and a month in prison for corruption and money laundering, is expected to be discussed by the Supreme Court justices.
by Agencia CMA Latam
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com
Economic News
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Collins also accused the head of the U.K.-based data firm Cambridge Analytica, Alexander Nix, of lying. Nix told the committee last month that his firm had not received data from a researcher accused of obtaining millions of Facebook users' personal information.
Collins said Facebook has "consistently understated" the risk of data leaks and gave misleading answers to the committee. "Someone has to take responsibility for this," he said. "It's time for Mark Zuckerberg to stop hiding behind his Facebook page."
Conservative legislator Damian Collins, who heads the British Parliament's media committee, said he would ask Zuckerberg or another Facebook executive to appear before his panel, which is investigating disinformation and "fake news."
A British lawmaker accused Facebook on Sunday of misleading officials by downplaying the risk of users' data being shared without their consent.
Lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic criticized Facebook and its chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, after reports surfaced that another company, Cambridge Analytica, improperly harvested information from 50 million Facebook users.
In Washington, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, said on Twitter that Zuckerberg "needs to testify before Senate Judiciary." "This is a major breach that must be investigated," Klobuchar, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said. "It's clear these platforms can't police themselves."
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, echoed Klobuchar's complaint. "This is more evidence that the online political advertising market is essentially the Wild West," he said. "It's clear that, left unregulated, this market will continue to be prone to deception and lacking in transparency."
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said on Twitter that "Massachusetts residents deserve answers" and announced that her office will investigate.
The officials reacted to reports in The New York Times and The Guardian of London that Cambridge Analytica, which is best known for working on President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, had improperly obtained Facebook user data and retained it after claiming it had deleted the information.
Former Cambridge Analytica employee Chris Wylie said that the company obtained information from 50 million Facebook users, using it to build psychological profiles so voters could be targeted with ads and stories.
Wylie told Britain's Channel 4 news that the company was able to amass a huge database very quickly from an app developed by an academic that vacuumed up data from Facebook users who agreed to fill out a survey, as well as their friends and contacts - a process of which most were unaware.
"Imagine I go and ask you: I say, 'Hey, if I give you a dollar, two dollars, could you fill up this survey for me, just do it on this app', and you say, 'Fine,'" he said. "I don't just capture what your responses are, I capture all of the information about you from Facebook. But also this app then crawls through your social network and captures all of that data also."
Wylie said that allowed the company to get roughly "50 million plus" Facebook records in several months and he criticized Facebook for facilitating the process. "Why Facebook didn't make more inquiries when they started seeing that, you know, tens of millions of records were being pulled this way, I don't know," he said.
Lawmaker Collins said he would summon Nix to reappear before the Parliament committee. "It seems clear that he has deliberately misled the committee and Parliament by giving false statements," Collins said.
Croatian emergency crews and soldiers are struggling to contain the swollen Sava River that has reached record levels southeast of the capital, Zagreb.
Authorities say water levels Monday by the town of Jasenovac exceeded the highest-ever recorded by some 10 centimeters (4 inches). About a dozen houses in a nearby village are cut off. The Croatian state TV channel HRT says residents have refused to evacuate so emergency crews are delivering food and water by boat.
Experts say the Sava is expected to rise further in the coming days due to fresh snow.
Police in Jeju have arrested a fireman for attempting to rape a young woman in a guesthouse on the resort island.
Police said Monday that Lee (29), a firefighter in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, checked in at the guesthouse on March 11 and met the victim at a drinking party in the guesthouse.
After the party, Lee walked with the victim and two other women to a beach 500 m from the guesthouse around 10 p.m. Lee attempted to rape the victim when the other women walked away from them in another direction. The victim received wounds on her knees and arms while resisting.
The victim reported the crime to police, who woke up Lee shortly after midnight and arrested him. Lee admitted the charges saying he was intoxicated.
"Female guests can be easily exposed to crimes at the parties some guesthouses throw to attract customers," a Jeju police spokesman said.
Diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, co-accused in the Rs 13,540 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, has said that "exaggerated" allegations by multiple investigating agencies has left him "completely defenceless" and that he feared for his safety to return home.
In a two-page March 16-dated letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Choksi denied he was a partner of Diamond R US, Stellar Diamond and Solar Exports.
These firms have been accused of conducting fraudulent transactions with Firestar International and Firestar Diamond International owned his nephew Nirav Modi, who is also an accused in the PNB fraud.
The companies were named by the CBI in an additional FIR filed on February 14. Choksi was summoned to appear before the CBI on March 16 for questioning in the case.
Reiterating that it was "impossible" for him to return to India, Choksi said his health condition was not conducive and that his passport remained suspended.
"Till date, the Regional Passport Office (in Mumbai) hasn't communicated with me and my passport remains suspended. I have the deepest respect for your offices and assure you that I am not making any excuse, whatsoever, to travel to India.
"I reiterate that I am abroad and have earlier also responded to your notices. Surprisingly, the issues raised remain unaddressed, making my fear of safety rise to extreme levels."
He questioned the CBI move to name him in another case related to the bank fraud "knowing fully well that I have no concern whatsoever" with Diamond R US, Stellar Diamond, Solar Exports.
"I am neither a partner (of these firms) nor do I have any kind of association with the three concerns."
He said various actions by multiple agencies taken against him and "the manner in which the allegations have been exaggerated has left me completely defenceless".
"In any case", he said, "I am extremely held up in my business abroad and am working hard to resolves the issues it is facing due to the unnecessary closure of business in India due to untenable allegation." Choksi had left the country along with his nephew and other family members in January this year.
He said doctors had advised him "not travel for a period of four to six months".
"I am unable to travel to India due to my persisting health condition. In February 2018, a cardiac procedure was conducted and medical follow ups still remain and as the entire procedure could not be completed. The situation still remains," he said.
Agitation paralysing Mumbai suburban services withdrawn An agitation by railway job-seekers that paralysed the Central Railway (CR) suburban train services in Mumbai for over three hours on Tuesday has been withdrawn. The agitation demanding railway apprentices' recruitment resulted in a major rail blockade, police caning and retaliatory stone-throwing.
The morning peak hour suburban and long-distance train services were severely disrupted as hundreds of protestors squatted on the railway tracks between Matunga and Dadar on the CR.
After the intervention of top CR officials and the Railway Ministry with a written assurance to the protestors, the agitation was finally withdrawn at around 10.45 a.m. and the highly-vulnerable system started limping back to normal.
The agitation's cascading effect led to overcrowding on the Western Railway (WR) with all trains running packed to capacity, on the roads linking Mumbai with the mainland and the Eastern Express and Western Express Highways slicing through the country's commercial capital.
More than 4.5 million commuters were badly hit for the second consecutive day following a strike called on Monday by drivers of cab aggregators and app-based taxis that disrupted Mumbaikars' schedules.
Attempting to restore normalcy, the local police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the protestors. Some retaliated by pelting stones at the police.
At least five protestors and a few police personnel were injured.
The protests were held by activists of the All India Act Apprentice Association (AIAAA) who demanded scrapping of the 20 per cent quota for direct recruitment and jobs for local candidates in all states who have cleared the All India Railway Act Apprentice Exams.
They claimed to have met Railway Minister Piyush Goyal but there was no progress in the matter and they have now threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands were not met.
A Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai Rahul Shewale met top CR officials to resolve the matter and later said that the railways would hire over 12,400 candidates who have cleared their apprenticeship exams.
A CR spokesperson said that there was no provision of giving jobs to apprentices as per the Apprentice Act who are only trained for a specific period to hone their skills and gain experience.
Meanwhile, the BEST deployed extra buses to ferry commuters to and from various points like Dadar, Matunga, Kurla, Sion and other stations.
The protests disrupted the entire suburban and long distance railway schedules in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Pune with commuters stranded for hours.
College students who started their University of Mumbai's BA, B.Com and B.Sc. examinations on Tuesday were also affected. The university permitted an hour's extension for students to reach the exam halls.
The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party have demanded a discussion on the issue in the Maharashtra Legislature on a priority basis.
Mumbai's famous Dabbawalas were also stranded at various CR stations right from Kalyan in Thane to Dadar in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Rail Yatri Parishad chief Subhash Gupta attacked the railways for "complete intelligence failure" and for the absence of railway officials.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid pandemonium created by the opposition parties over different issues soon after Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu took up Zero Hour.
As soon as the House met for the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement in the House confirming the death of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, who were abducted by the Islamic State terror group in 2014.
As she completed her statement, members from the TDP, AIADMK and some other parties trooped near the chair's podium.
Amid the din, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad rose to address the House and hold the government responsible for the deaths.
He was interrupted by the protesting members.
Naidu urged the agitated members to maintain peace.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said that the government was ready to discuss every issue raised by the members.
But the TDP members continued with their protest, holding placards and shouting slogans.
Naidu then adjourned the House for the day.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 p.m.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 p.m., on Tuesday minutes after it met for the day.
Protests started as soon as the House met, and several members trooped near the Speaker's podium raising slogans and
displaying placards.
In the din, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to run the Question Hour, but as the din continued, the House was adjourned.
Tuesday is the 12th day of the second half of the Budget Session marred by disruptions.
The session started on March 5 and will conclude on April 6.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Thirty-nine Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Iraq's Mosul in 2014 are dead, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. The minister confirmed the deaths in the Rajya Sabha and said the mortal remains will be brought back to India by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh.
"General V.K. Singh will go to Iraq to bring back the mortal remains of the Indians killed in Iraq. The plane carrying the mortal remains will first reach Amritsar, then Patna and then go to Kolkata," Sushma Swaraj said.
She said the bodies were spotted using deep penetration radar and were exhumed from mass graves.
Their identities were confirmed by DNA tests.
"The bodies were brought to Baghdad for DNA testing. The DNA of 38 Indians have been matched.
"For verification of the bodies, DNA samples of their relatives were sent there. Four state governments -- Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar -- were involved in the process," the minister said.
The victims -- 31 from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh and four from Bihar and West Bengal -- were construction workers and were employed by an Iraqi company in Mosul.
They were taken hostage when the IS took control of Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. The workers were trying to leave Mosul when they were taken hostage.
Sushma Swaraj also dismissed claims of Harjeet Massi, one of them who escaped from Mosul.
"He was not willing to tell me how he escaped," she said.
The minister said that she had concrete evidence that he was lying.
Massi had escaped along with Bangladeshis with the help of a caterer with a fake name 'Ali', she said.
She said the details were revealed to her by Massi's employer and the caterer who helped him.
In July 2017, Sushma Swaraj had said that she would not declare the 39 Indians dead without concrete proof or evidence.
Former rivals BlackBerry and Microsoft have announced they were collaborating to offer enterprises a solution that integrates the latter's expertise in mobility and security with Microsoft's Cloud and productivity apps.
Through this partnership, the tech titans have collaborated on a first-of-its-kind solution -- BlackBerry Enterprise "BRIDGE"."We saw a need for a hyper-secure way for our customers to use native Office 365 mobile apps. BlackBerry Enterprise 'BRIDGE' addresses this and is an example of how BlackBerry and Microsoft continue to securely enable workforces to be highly productive in connected world," Carl Wiese, President of Global Sales at BlackBerry, said in a statement late Monday.
"Our customers choose Microsoft 365 for productivity and collaboration tools that deliver continuous innovation. Together with BlackBerry, we will take this to the next level and provide enterprises with a new standard for secure productivity," said Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Commercial Business at Microsoft.
By making Microsoft's mobile apps seamlessly available from within BlackBerry Dynamics, enterprise users will now have a consistent experience when opening, editing, and saving a Microsoft Office 365 file such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word on any Android or iOS device.
As part of the collaboration, Microsoft added that BlackBerry Dynamics, along with the company's Secure, UEM Cloud, BlackBerry Workspaces and AtHoc platforms are also now available on Azure Cloud, thus, allowing more flexibility for workers on the go.
The Defense Ministry wants to slash about 100 generals over the next four years from the top-heavy roster of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, according to a government source on Monday.
About 90 generals will be lost to the Army alone, which has a whopping 313. The ministry plans to put the reduction plan in a report to Cheong Wa Dae next month after gathering opinions in the military this month.
"The Moon Jae-in administration originally sought to cut the number of top brass by about 80 as part of a defense reform plan," the source said. "But Defense Minister Song Young-moo wants to slash another 20 Army generals."
The plan is focused on the Army, which is seen as wielding undue clout and enjoying undue privileges in the military overall.
Little resistance is expected because the ministry has already been carrying out a reform plan that aims to cut troop numbers by 118,000 to around 500,000 and revamp military organizations by 2022, which means many command positions will disappear anyway.
Korea has 6.4 Army generals per 10,000 troops, close to the 6.6 of the U.S., the world's biggest military power.
It takes the smallest of sparks to start a fire. If that small fire finds fuel and if it is not contained properly, it has the potential to develop into an inferno destroying everything in its wake.
Such is the picture of what has been unfolding at the village of Luatuanuu during the past couple of days. It started from a very small spark.
In this case, it was an Under 20 rugby match between Luatuanuu and Falefa played at Saoluafata.
There is nothing unusual about that; it was just another Saturday rugby clash, except this one led to a fight between players. Understand this, fights in rugby are not unusual. It happens all the time all over the world. Somehow this one continued well after the final whistle to the point where some parties to the fight were hospitalised.
But that wasnt all. Still furious about what had happened especially the beating some of their relatives suffered, some untitled men of Luatuanuu took the law into their own hands on Sunday night and Monday morning. Not only did they block the road, they also threw rocks at passing vehicles, which they believed were from Falefa.
When the matter escalated on Monday and the safety of members of the public travelling along the public road was compromised, the Police were called.
Unfortunately, even that failed to deter the angry Luatuanuu youth who turned on the Police officers. They apparently attacked them with rocks while the officers were trying to remove the roadblock.
Now when the Police Commissioner, Fuiava Egon Keil, met the Village Council in an effort to resolve the situation, he was quite blunt. He gave them two options. The first option was for the village to hand in the men responsible for the attack while the second option was that the Police would return to the village armed.
At this point, we are happy to say that the second option was not exercised. Folks, wed hate to imagine what could have gone down if armed Police officers were to return to a village where there were a lot of angry people who only had one thing on their mind and that is to retaliate.
Back at the Prime Ministers office, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, was obviously furious so that he did not hold back.
There is only one outcome for such actions, Tuilaepa, who is also the Minister of Police, said. They should spend time in jail at Tafaigata Prison. The actions by these young men are not that of humans, rather they are the actions of dogs.
Dogs? Seriously? But that wasnt all. Like someone who had been loading up for war, Tuilaepa went to town on the leadership of the village of Luatuanuu.
When it comes to incidents like this, the question that comes to mind is, where is the Village Council of Luatuanuu?, he asked. I commend the Commissioner and his team for efforts put into calming the situation. They have guidelines to adhere to when it comes to protecting their lives and these Police Officers are also chiefs.
They are Chiefs in their respective Villages and they were there to keep the peace but the untitled men along with Chiefs assaulted them.
I am thankful they did not reach for their weapons because under the law they can use their guns. If that was the case, no matter where they run the bullets will seep through the walls, if the guns were used. They dont understand what they were getting themselves into.
If thats not threatening enough, I dont know what is. Which is the last thing we need. In times like these, we need cool heads who can work towards a compromise.
What we need to remember is that villages dont plan and premeditates these things. They happen and sometimes people use it as an outlet to bring out the worst of intentions they had been harbouring for a while.
From a leadership perspective, they are tests of our time, to see how we would react and what our response would be. Which means we need to be reasonable and rational in our thinking.
Now the village has already apologised. On the front page of this newspaper, the Member of Parliament has also apologised.
What more do we want? Crucifying the Luatuanuu Village Council does not help matters. I speak as a matai and I can tell you that Village Councils do not tell their aumaga to misbehave. I am sure the Luatuanuu Village Council did not tell their untitled men to do what they did.
But things happen from time to time. Why? We live in an imperfect world where the good and bad happen simultaneously. The best we can do is learn from our mistakes and do the best we can to mitigate and resolve them amicably.
What Prime Minister Tuilaepa and our leaders need to remember is that in Samoa, conflicts are not resolved through guns, weapons and angry statements. Fingering the blame does not work either.
Rather we are a nation blessed with rich oratory, Biblical principles, culture, dialogue and wisdom. Those are our weapons. And it is only through the use of those skills that peace, harmony and mutual respect is achieved and restored.
Now let this be a warning for Tuilaepa and the Ministry of Police. We are grateful that the conflict at Luatuanuu appears to have been resolved.
But the next time they threaten another village with weapons and guns, they might not be so fortunate.
They would do very well to remember the words of Jesus Christ, the greatest Peace Maker the world has ever known, when it comes to the sword: He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword. What do you think?
Have a wonderful Wednesday Samoa, God bless!
The Village Councils of Falefa, Lufilufi and Luatuanuu, met yesterday to reconcile and reassure the Police Commissioner, Fuaiavailili Egon Keil, that there would be no more fights.
Falefa Village Mayor, Fanualelei Purcell told the Samoa Observer that its not easy to reconcile when such a situation arises.
Our chiefs were called in for this reconciliation so thats why we gathered here in our village early this morning (yesterday) before heading to Luatuanuu, Fanualelei said.
More than 50 chiefs from our village with 10 from Lufilufi went together to meet at Luatuanuu."
We stopped our untitled men (aumaga) from attending the meeting because we never know what could happen.
Fanualelei said yesterdays reconciliation was difficult.
We are all Christians in times like these, we dont have to point out who is right and who is wrong."
The goals and visions behind reconciliation this morning were to bring villages involved together in equality and harmony."
We all need peace of mind, and peace in body and spirit, so to us, no matter what has been said inside during the meeting this morning, we just want to let it go."
Thats the main aim of our Village Council here at Falefa. We need to work together to restore relationships, not harm each other and also trust each other and not to be vengeful in the future.
Fanualelei believes everyone has the ability to either choose to forgive or not to forgive someone.
This is why the gathering this morning (yesterday) by the three villages is very important, it is a sign of Gods love for us."
God expressed his love by sending down his only son Jesus. When Jesus was left to die on the cross, it is written that he begged his father to forgive us."
Thats why its important for us to forgive others and live in peace and harmony."
Forgiveness comes down when taking responsibility for the choices we make and doing what we believe is right for our children, churches and our community as a whole."
And the authority of our own lives can be regained by letting go of the conflicting objects and misunderstandings of yesterday and moving into a more significant direction."
May God bless the villages involved and may His peace be upon Samoa always.
Luatuanuu chief, Pulemelei Tala told Samoa Observer its good that everything has been settled between the villages.
Thats the whole purpose of the gathering this morning, and we thank God that everything went well."
Honestly, we dont teach our children to act in such a way, its just that they dont want to listen and we all know that this is normal with our children these days."
But for our village, were now working closely with Police towards the matter.
In a statement to the Police, the Luatuanuu Village Council named 10 suspects from their village after the meeting yesterday.
The Member of Parliament for Anoamaa West, Fonotoe Lauofo Meredith, yesterday apologised in Parliament on behalf of the Luatuanuu village.
The apology follows an incident where young men from Luatuanuu blocked the road, threw rocks at passing vehicles and attacked Police officers who had been called to end the roadblock.
Eight Police officers were injured.
When Parliament convened yesterday, Fonotoe, a former Deputy Prime Minister, said he was deeply sorry for the hurt caused, especially to people who were injured.
I want to express my apologies as a representative of the constituency, Fonotoe said.
We humbly ask for your forgiveness for what had occurred as a result of a sporting event that let to a dispute among the children.
Fonotoe said the Luatuanuu Village Council is now working with the Police.
I believe this matter has been resolved and the four villages involved in this issue will meet and iron out things.
This is to ensure the safety of everyone so that this type of issue does not recur.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi acknowledged Fonotoes apology. He thanked the Member of Parliament for taking responsibility of what had happened.
Mr. Speaker, its important that this message comes from within Parliament, Tuilaepa said.
Shots were fired by village members of Luatuanuu and luckily no Police officers were injured or died as a result.
The Police officers, under the law, have the power to use their guns when necessary for their protection.
The same Police officers are highly respected Chiefs in their families and villages, yet they have been tasked for the safety of the public.
And as reported to me, to encounter such actions by the young men who covered their faces, they pursued the Police officers who were there to protect the public whose vehicles were stoned by the young men, how rude.
The Prime Minister again claimed that some chiefs from Luatuanuu were involved.
He made it clear that under the law, there is a high penalty levelled on anyone who assaults or kills a Police officer.
According to the Prime Minister, Police officers in the United States resort to the use of their guns when necessary. He said the young men are copying what they see in movies.
Tuilaepa also noted that what happened at Luatuanuu is a clear indication that Chiefs of the village have no authoritative strength to control the young men.
Even church ministers were unable to keep the young men calm and that is why the Minister summoned the Village Mayor on what their stand in this matter was.
This should have been resolved easily and again looking from it in a positive manner, we as Chiefs should be vigilant in advising our children, he said.
Tuilaepa said the matter should have been given to the Police to investigate and lay appropriate charges against the culprits, instead of taking the law into their own hands.
He assured those involved will be criminally charged and penalised in accordance with the law.
Today speaks for tomorrow and if this is not dealt with today, this will be repeated and we will not allow that to happen.
This is a lesson learned for all of us. We should be alert because the bad influence from overseas has reached Samoa and if we are not vigilant enough, this will ruin Samoa.
Samoa is the only remaining country in the Pacific whose culture and traditions are intact and that is why the role of a Chief is relatively important in our country.
About 20 elders of the Luatuanuu Village Council headed to the Prime Ministers Office yesterday to seek forgiveness.
They were eagerly waiting for the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, only to be told half an hour later that he had a busy schedule.
During the weekend, a rugby fight broke out between Falefa and Luatuanuu during the competition at Saoluafata.
This resulted in seven people being hospitalised and a roadblock near Solosolo that stopped traffic.
Speaking to Samoa Observer yesterday, a chief said they just wanted to apologise to Prime Minister Tuilaepa and the whole of Samoa for what had occurred.
Not every day is a good day. Things happen suddenly, unexpectedly and for us, an apology and seeking for forgiveness is most appropriate.
Thats why we are here today (yesterday). What has been said by the leader of our country to our village is alright with us.
We have nothing to say about it.
Despite waiting for quite some time, the security at the P.Ms office told the Village Council members the Prime Minister and Cabinet had a busy schedule.
The only person who can come to set up an appointment for your village is your Village Mayor, the security guard said.
He will give you the exact info (date settled) of when you are going to meet him.
But for now, we apologise.
High Chief, Fonotoe Fonotia agreed with the security guard and they left.
National security adviser Chung Eui-yong met with White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster and Japan's national security adviser Shotaro Yachi in San Francisco last weekend.
They also met in San Francisco last August and again in January to discuss North Korean issues. All three meetings took place after the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. spoke over the telephone to work out the big picture.
Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said, "Talks were held to discuss the inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korean summits scheduled for April and May."
A high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official said, "The three sides agreed on the importance of the inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korean summits not only for peace on the Korean Peninsula, but for the entire Northeast Asian region."
Supreme Court Justice, Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke has questioned why the Police did not show up on time to escort the accused to Court.
The question was raised when one of the defendants, Vaalagoa Kamilo Faumuina, who is remanded in custody, did not appear in Court when he was called on Monday.
It turns out, the Police officers working at Court were called to the dispute at Luatuanuu on Monday.
When the Court proceedings started, Justice Leiataualesa asked the prosecution, Lealofioamoa Mamaia, where the Court officers were.
She responded that they were attending a matter at Luatuanuu.
The defendant is downstairs but the officers at Tafaigata cannot bring him up here because there are no Court officers, Ms. Mamaia told the Court.
Justice Leiataualesa then asked why the case at Luatuanuu should affect the overall function of the Court.
Where are the Court officers? It is now passed 10 am, he asked.
In response, Ms. Mamaia said: We have been informed that nine of the Court officers are responding to an operation at Luatuanuu.
But Justice Leiataualesa did not have it: Sorry that is not satisfactory.
He adjourned the criminal mention for 10 minutes for the Prosecution to get a response from the Court officers.
When Court continued, all the in custodies were brought inside the Supreme Court, still without the Court officers escorting them.
Your Honour, those in custody have been brought up but there are still no Court officers, Ms. Mamaia told Justice Leiataualesa.
Justice Leiataualesa was still not satisfied.
Counsel have you had a response from the Ministry of Police? he asked, adding that it is for security purposes that prisoners are escorted in Court by Police officers.
Well it is unsatisfactory that the in custodies have been brought in before the Court unescorted and without the appropriate security measures in the Court room.
The Court officers showed up later on.
Outside of Court, a Police officer told the Samoa Observer that they were called to help out with a situation at the village of Luatuanuu.
Nadja McKellow has ticked Samoa as one of the best places to visit for romance.
She is in Samoa with her husband to celebrate their honeymoon and according to her; it has been a magical experience.
After being married for more than seven months, she finally was able to have quality time with the love of her life.
The mother of three is originally from Germany, but she has been staying in New Zealand for more than seven years now.
This is her first time in Samoa. Arriving in Samoa more than five days ago, she was astounded by the beauty of the island.
The highlight for our trip was swimming in the To Sua Ocean Trench and snorkeling in the reef. I have never snorkeled on a reef before, I mostly saw it on the movies, but it was quite nice to see it for myself.
To Sua is a magical spot, just looking down and seeing the water. Getting to swim in it with the cave above up, its nice.
I like swimming. You kind of letting all the daily routines go and just not worry about anything, instead of thinking where to get the next meal from and things like that.
Just experiencing nature, seeing natural features like that makes me happy. Being one with nature and the same time appreciating it, the 30-year-old said.
Being a part-time working mother, Samoa allows her to relax.
We have kids but we left them at home with their grandparents. We miss them but it is quite nice to get a holiday.
Having children, you cannot compare it to anything. They are just beautiful and I would not want to have it any other way.
It is kind of like our honeymoon, we got married last year in July, but buying a house and those things came in between. But it was just nice that we were able to go on a holiday.
Speaking to the Dear Tourist team, she shares that coming to Samoa was an eye opening experience.
It is a beautiful island. It has a really nice culture. We had a fiafia night here at the hotel. We also did a scenery tour around the island. I learned about traditional cooking.
I saw the making of the coconut milk, which I did not know how to make. But the Fiafia night was extraordinary, with people singing the songs and seeing the women and men dance, it was something special.
I have never seen it before. Kind of like the movie Moana with their clothing and the singing.
She adds they have always wanted to travel to Samoa but they never had the time.
I am certainly relaxed being here in Samoa, the weather is nice. It took a while to get used to the heat, but its really nice. The water is warm and it is really good.
The people are really friendly. New Zealanders are friendly but Samoa is a bit more. They smile a lot and that general happiness about them. I think it is part of their culture.
I guess if I booked a hotel myself, I would have chosen to stay in a fale. That way we get to experience more of the Samoan culture and meeting the locals, she said.
They will be leaving for New Zealand today and she says they will certainly return next time, but probably visit Savaii.
I will miss the good weather and warm water, also the fresh fish, the seafood and the fruits.
We have bought necklaces and wristbands, picture of a turtle drawn on coconut fiber to remember this trip.
What better place to spend your honeymoon then in beautiful Samoa.
Couple, Daniel and Jess have been courting for eight years and recently got married in their homeland, Melbourne, Australia.
Samoa was definitely the getaway destination to celebrate their love and enjoy a quiet peaceful stay away from their busy city life.
According to them, pictures they saw online of Samoa do not do justice to the natural beauty and the perfect landscape of the islands.
The water is so much bluer and the grass is greener, Daniel said.
Its their first time to any Pacific Island and for Daniel its his first time overseas.
It is overwhelming, you cannot know how beautiful it is until youve seen it, he said.
Jesss friend had posted photos online of Samoa so they decided to see the islands for themselves.
It is way better then what we expected it to be. We saw pictures of Samoa, but when you are here, it is just so much better, Jess shared.
This Island is a place you have to see by yourself.
Daniel couldnt have agreed more: It is different when you are really here.
Jess added: The landscape is impressive. Just opening the hotel doors and seeing the ocean right there. It is so calm and peaceful here. We just wanted to come and have a relaxing getaway.
Not only is the vibe in Samoa different, they also noted the weather.
In Samoa the weather and the temperature is great. In Australia, it is either really hot or really cold and it rains a lot as well.
They are staying at the Sheraton Beach Resort, Mulifanua.
The service is just phenomenal. Everyone is communicating, they look at you and ask you if you need help or you want something, Jess shared.
The staff pays attention and sees if you need anything. They even go and get you some extra tea. It seems like they can read your mind.
The couple also appreciates the friendly people and the helpful culture they experienced in Samoa.
It is a warm welcome to the Pacific for us because it is our first time. You feel that you are in good hands and safe too, Jess said.
We are 100 percent happy with the service and our decision to come to Samoa to spend our honeymoon, Daniel added.
The couple arrived on Sunday will leave on Saturday.
Before they leave they planned to visit the Tosua Ocean Trench and the waterfall. They want to visit a village as well and explore more of Samoa.
Samoa maybe the first Pacific Island the couple visited, but definitely not the last one. Into their third day yesterday, theyve already planned to return.
We just love it, said Jess.
BEIRUT (AP) Rockets fired on a market in a government-controlled neighborhood of Damascus on Tuesday killed 35 people and wounded more than 20 others, Syrian state-run media said, marking one of the highest death tolls in a single attack targeting the capital.
The government blamed rebels in the eastern suburbs of Damascus for the attack on the Kashkol neighborhood. The capital, seat of President Bashar Assad's power, has come under more frequent attack as government forces continue to pound rebel-held eastern Ghouta, with military backing from Russia.
With government forces tied up in the monthlong offensive on eastern Ghouta, Islamic State militants seized a neighborhood on its southern edge, forcing the government to rush in reinforcements.
IS militants captured the neighborhood of Qadam late Monday, a week after rebels had surrendered it to the government. At least 36 soldiers and pro-government militiamen were killed in the clashes, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It said dozens more were captured or wounded.
Last year, the Islamic State group lost the swath of territory it had controlled in eastern Syria since 2014 and where it had proclaimed its self-styled "caliphate" but it retains pockets of control in areas across Syria, including two neighborhoods on the southern edge of Damascus.
On Monday, the militants pounced on Qadam from the neighboring Hajr al-Aswad and Yarmouk neighborhoods, which they control. More than 1,000 rebels and their families had earlier fled Qadam for rebel-held territory in the north of the country, instead of submitting to the Damascus authorities.
There was no comment from the Syrian government following the IS seizure of Qadam.
The government's assault on eastern Ghouta has displaced 45,000 people, the United Nations said Tuesday, while tens of thousands more are living in desperate conditions in northern Syria, where a Turkish military campaign is underway.
In eastern Ghouta, rescue workers were still retrieving bodies from the basement of a school that was bombed Monday by government or Russian jets, a spokesman for the Syrian Civil Defense group said.
The bodies of 20 women and children were retrieved from the rubble, said the group, also known as the White Helmets. The school in the town of Arbin was being used as a shelter by residents.
Oways al-Shami, the Civil Defense spokesman, said continued bombing was slowing down rescue operations.
"They're not able to use their heavy vehicles because the planes are targeting the Civil Defense directly," al-Shami said of the rescuers.
Residents in Douma, the largest town in eastern Ghouta, also reported indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes.
"I haven't been able to go out to look for food since yesterday," said Ahmad Khansour, a media activist who spoke to The Associated Press from a basement in the town. He reported 175 strikes since Monday evening.
At least 36 people were killed under the hail of strikes on Tuesday, according to the Observatory.
Government forces abruptly intensified their fire on Douma on Sunday after a six-day reprieve to allow a limited number of medical evacuations. In the meantime, they made sweeping advances against other areas of eastern Ghouta, leaving just a fraction of the enclave still outside the government's control.
"There's nowhere left to attack" but Douma, Khansour said.
A spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency, Andrej Mahecic, told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that although tens of thousands have fled the fighting in eastern Ghouta, thousands more were "still trapped and in dire need of aid," adding that a shortage of shelters was "a major concern."
Meanwhile, the U.N. children's agency said some 100,000 people were trapped in rural areas of the northern Syrian district of Afrin and in need of humanitarian aid after Turkish and allied Syrian forces drove out a Syrian Kurdish militia there.
UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said the agency hadn't been able to deliver health and nutrition supplies to the district in 20 days, and water trucks had stopped deliveries since Thursday. The agency estimates 50,000 children are among those who need humanitarian aid in Afrin.
The International Committee for the Red Cross said it was able to deliver 25 tons of humanitarian aid items, like blankets, diapers, lamps, and water tanks, to displaced Afrin families.
Reports of looting in the largely deserted town spread on Tuesday, as more photos emerged showing allied Syrian rebel fighters attached to Turkey's military campaign breaking into shops, stealing goods and cattle, and hauling off tractors and motorcycles amid scenes of celebration.
It is proving an embarrassment to Turkey, which is battling perceptions that the Syrian opposition forces it has aligned with are corrupt, unprofessional and jihadist.
A top U.N. representative in Syria, Sajjad Malik, raised the alarm on Twitter, reporting "looting, destruction of properties & exodus of civilians" from Afrin.
Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said his country was "sensitive" to reports of looting and promised Turkey "will not allow it."
A Syrian opposition body published the phone numbers of military police commanders in the area, urging anyone who witnesses looting to file complaints with them.
Also Tuesday, at least nine people were killed in airstrikes targeting a camp for displaced people in rebel-held Idlib province in the northwest of the country, according to the Observatory and the Civil Defense. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
Scientists led by a UC San Diego chemist reported progress Monday in researching a universal flu drug, effective regardless of the strain.
Seth Cohen, a UCSD professor and co-founder of San Diegos Forge Therapeutics, said the drug inhibits a critical viral enzyme by jamming molecular machinery common to all strains. It could reduce the flus severity or perhaps block it completely.
The drug blocks an enzyme containing the metal manganese. Such metalloenzymes form the basis of Forges technology, which is currently directed toward developing antibiotics, not antivirals.
This enzyme is a component that allows the virus to steal the cellular machinery, so that the virus can reproduce using the human cells, Cohen said. The drug interrupts this process by binding to the manganese ions.
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While the results were observed only in lab testing of the viral enzyme, called RNA polymerase, further development in animal testing and eventually humans appears feasible, Cohen said.
UCSD retains the rights to the technology, so Forge or another company would need to license it to bring it to the market.
The results were presented at the 255th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans. The drug is a modified version of another compound Forge developed.
The original compound bound to one of two manganese ions in the enzyme. The new version binds to both, making it much more effective, Cohen said.
A potential antiviral drug inhibits replication of influenza by binding to manganese ions (purple spheres). (Christine Morrison )
Next, the effectiveness of the enzyme inhibitor needs to be tested against the entire virus, not just the enzyme. If the virus cannot mutate to bypass the drug, it should be effective therapeutically.
Another enzyme-inhibiting drug, baloxavir marboxil, is already on the market in Japan under the brand name Xofluza. It acts like Tamiflu, but can be taken once a day, compared with twice a day for Tamiflu.
Tamiflu works by a different mechanism, inhibiting a viral surface protein. So Xofluza and other RNA polymerase inhibitors represent a new approach to flu antivirals.
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Cohen said the new compound appears to be more effective than Xofluza, although this must be established in human testing. That testing could take a couple of years to start if all goes well, he said.
The current flu season has been one of the nastier on record. In San Diego County, more than 300 people have died. At the same time last year, 68 deaths had been reported.
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Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds
bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com
(619) 293-1020
From about 1,000 square feet in a business incubator, antibiotic developer Forge Therapeutics has moved to a 7,000 square-foot headquarters.
The tiny La Jolla company, with about a dozen employees, celebrated its move last week in an open house. The event was attended by notables including San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Congressman Scott Peters.
Forge is developing antibiotics based on enzymes containing metals. These metalloenzymes play key roles in health and disease, but are underexplored as drugs, said Zachary Zak Zimmerman, Forges CEO. (The companys name is a verbal play on its metal-based technology).
Forge lept to prominence last year when it won an $8.8 million award from a public-private partnership called CARB-X to develop a new class of antibiotics. Shortly thereafter, the privately held company raised $15 million in venture capital funding.
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As the company advanced its research, Forge doubled its payroll to about a dozen employees in the nearby JLabs incubator. With space increasingly cramped, the company looked for its own headquarters.
Alexandria Real Estate found and customized the new headquarters for Forge, which moved in at the years beginning.
Within that first week, even though we were still unpacking boxes, the chemists were up and running, immediately, Zimmerman said. There was no lost time. A week later, our microbiology (workstations) were up and running.
The headquarters can accommodate about 24 employees, double Forges present payroll, Zimmerman said.
Forge is a home-grown tenant that has grown so rapidly in large part due to the support of the San Diego life-science community, said Dan Ryan, an Alexandria Real Estate executive vice president, at the open house.
Life-science clusters in other parts of the country dont get that level of support, Ryan said, describing what he hears from executives in those regions.
Oftentimes, theyll be in meetings, where people are like, oh, you could never do that here in Seattle, or we could never do that here in Cambridge, or that would take us two years to get reconsidered in New York City, Ryan said.
And theyre like, how does it work in San Diego? he said. I dont know I just call it heaven.
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Underscoring that cooperative spirit, Faulconer and Peters praised Forge as an example of the innovation and company creation that characterizes the San Diego biotechnology community.
Chemistry first
The companys chemistry-based technology was discovered in the lab of UC San Diego researcher Seth Cohen, a Forge founder, and licensed to Forge.
(Coincidentally, Cohen presented UCSD research Monday on a potential universal flu drug. Although flu is a bit out of Forges chosen focus, the company may decide it wants to license the drug from UCSD.)
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Meanwhile, Forge is moving ahead in examining candidate molecules that could become its first antibiotic. The company plans on picking that molecule this year, Zimmerman said. In 2019, Forge expects to ask the Food and Drug Administration permission to begin clinical testing.
More drugs are in the pipeline, he said.
A year ago, we had one program. Now we have four novel antibiotic programs.
Novel is the key word. Antibiotics on the market belong to drug classes discovered decades ago. While new drugs have been developed from those classes, they run into the specter of antibiotic resistance.
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Bacteria mutate prolifically, and they also swap genes. So if bacteria develop resistance in one environment, such as a patient, they can quickly spread it, even to different species. And genes that confer resistance to one antibiotic are likely to work against others in its class.
Forge was founded to get in front of resistance with its metalloenzyme approach.
Chemistry rules at Forge, Zimmerman said in an interview at the open house. Chemistry is the source of small molecules that may eventually become drugs. From fundamental chemistry, Forge proceeds to biological and medicinal research,
Small molecules are preferred as drugs because they are easier and less expensive to make than large biological molecules, and they are generally taken orally.
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A lot of companies have outsourced their chemistry, but the chemistry is the foundation of our technology, Zimmerman said.
The company has four chemistry fume hood workstations that are in use around the clock, he said. And it has room to expand to eight chemistry workstations.
We make the small molecule chemistry drugs in our chemistry labs, we test them on assays in our molecular biology labs, and then go to our microbiology rooms, Zimmerman said.
Global talent
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The scientists themselves come from a diverse pool; men and women, from the United States, China, Russia, India and Mexico. Excellence was the primary goal, Zimmerman said.
We think that diversity has really helped us, because people bring new ideas, new insights, and we think its helped accelerate the science, he said.
And the other thing Im proud of is that our lead scientist, our most experienced scientist, is a female, he said. She runs the chemistry department .. and shes also the highest-paid scientist that we have.
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Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds
Related reading
Tiny San Diego company wins top antibiotics award
Forge Therapeutics raises $15 million to for new class of antibiotics
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Funding success stirs interest in antibiotic developer Forge Therapeutics
A Bioinorganic Approach to Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Targeting Metalloenzymes
bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com
(619) 293-1020
Michael Ferro retired from the board of Tronc Inc. on Monday, ahead of the newspaper chains $500-million sale of the Los Angeles Times and other California assets and hours before sexual misconduct allegations against him were made public.
The change was announced Monday shortly before Fortune magazine published an article about two women who allege that Ferro made unwanted sexual advances in 2013 and 2016, before he became Troncs chairman.
Michael Ferro has had no claims filed against him while leading Tronc as chairman, Tronc said in a statement. Further, we are aware of no claims filed against Mr. Ferro throughout his career. As Mr. Ferro has retired after leading a financial turnaround of Tronc, we wish him well in his private life and will have no further comment.
Fortune said it contacted Ferro last week with details of the womens accounts and that he declined to be interviewed.
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Ferros retirement was effective immediately, the company said Monday morning. Justin Dearborn, chief executive officer of Tronc, was named to succeed Ferro as chairman of the company, which also owns the Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News and other major daily newspapers.
I want to thank everyone who worked so hard over the last two years creating great journalism, strengthening the companys financial position and delivering significant value for shareholders, Ferro, 51, said in a news release Monday.
While Ferro is stepping down from the Tronc board, he will continue as a paid management consultant to the company, a result of a deal struck in December. Ferro received his first $5-million annual fee, which was paid in advance on Jan. 1, according to financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The agreement is in effect for two-plus more years and allows the company to leverage Mr. Ferros advisory services at the companys discretion, Tronc spokeswoman Marisa Kollias said in an email Monday. The agreement contains a covenant that restricts Ferro from running or working with certain other daily print newspaper businesses without Troncs approval.
By resigning from the companys board, Ferro is giving up 450,000 Tronc shares worth about $7.2 million based on prices Monday. According to a filing with the SEC last year, the company promised him a grant of that many shares, but the shares do not begin to vest until August.
Two companies Ferro controls, Merrick Media and Merrick Venture Management, already own more than 9 million Tronc shares, worth $144.8 million based on Mondays stock price of about $16. Ferro acquired most of those shares for just $8.50 apiece.
In recent weeks, Ferro has discussed with his fellow board members and the management team his desire to retire as chairman in connection with the closing of the Times transaction, the company said in the news release.
Last month, Tronc agreed to sell the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune and other California-based assets to Los Angeles biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong for $500 million in cash. Soon-Shiong, Troncs second-largest shareholder, also will assume $90 million of pension liabilities tied to the California properties.
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The deal is expected to close within weeks. The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice cleared the transaction of anti-competitive concerns ahead of the normal 30-day waiting period earlier this month.
Ferro, a technology entrepreneur who previously led the investor group that owned the Chicago Sun-Times, became the largest shareholder and chairman of Tribune Publishing in February 2016, and the corporate name was changed to Tronc shortly thereafter.
Soon-Shiongs Nant Capital, a Culver City technology firm, became Troncs second-largest shareholder in June 2016, and that investment helped Tronc fend off a hostile takeover bid from Gannett, whose last offer was $864 million for the company.
A longtime business partner to Ferro, Dearborn was appointed chief executive of Tronc in February 2016 after leading Merge Healthcare as its chief executive.
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Times staff writer James Rufus Koren contributed to this report. The Associated Press was used in compiling this report.
rchannick@chicagotribune.com
UPDATES:
3:35 p.m.: This article was updated with publication of the Fortune article and a statement from Tronc.
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12:15 p.m.: This article was updated with details of Ferros exit agreement.
10:45 a.m.: This article was updated with additional financial information.
This article was originally published at 7:15 a.m.
El Cajon continues to work to prove wrong those who say the city has turned its back on the homeless people who live in the city.
A Grand Jury report in 2016 chastised El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee and Lemon Grove, saying the four East County cities lacked resources and services for the homeless.
More recently, the city made international news by outlawing food-sharing events at city-owned properties in response to an outbreak of Hepatitis A in San Diego County. El Cajon lifted the ban once the outbreak was declared over.
El Cajon insists it has been one of the few cities in the county actively looking for ways to help those homeless persons who are interested in the support.
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Assistant City Manager Graham Mitchell on March 13 gave the City Council an update on the citys homeless programs that they set in place last year.
Those included:
Funding a housing navigator position through Crisis House at a cost of up to $70,000 for a one-year period;
Allocating up to $80,000 in housing assistance funds to Crisis House;
Offering up to $10,000 in reimbursements to The Salvation Army for its A Way Back Home reunification program;
Continuing the Homeless Outreach Team with members of the Police Department and the countys Health and Human Services Agency;
Starting a Real Change, Not Spare Change! panhandling campaign, including $1,300 for signage;
Funding with $3,550 the launch of a text-based phone application to link homeless individuals with services.
Karina Hernandez, the housing navigator working out of Crisis House, has enrolled 37 individuals for potential housing. Hernandez has secured housing for five families, a total of 11 individuals altogether, she said.
Capt. Sean Kelsey of The Salvation Army said the reunification program had assisted eight individuals so far. He reported more in depth on three homeless individuals that he was able to send to live with their families.
He said one person went to Missouri, another is in Montana and a third moved to Hemet. Kelsey said he followed up with all three and that he felt the future was promising for those three individuals.
El Cajon City Councilman Steve Goble wants the city to add this to signs around El Cajon as a way to help more homeless persons connect with services they might need. (Karen Pearlman/San Diego Union-Tribune )
Mitchell said the citys plan for creating an animal sheltering program from pets of homeless individuals is still being explored.
El Cajon remains committed to developing a program where it would be able to house pets for 30 to 60 days but Mitchell said he expects the program to be a challenge because 6 percent of homeless individuals turn down housing or assistance due to separation from a pet.
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Another obstacle is that El Cajons contracted veterinarian doesnt have the licenses required to treat animals or provide vaccinations through a city program.
Those licenses cant be obtained until El Cajon has an operational pet hospital. The current shelter doesnt offer that but the coming new animal shelter, expected to open later this year, will have this required facility and then the onsite veterinarian will be able to obtain the necessary licensing.Once the licenses are in place, Mitchell said, the program. can be offered and marketed.
City Councilman Steve Goble suggested that El Cajon improve its panhandling signage, adding additional information to help the homeless.
He held up a sign he designed that read Need Help? Text ConnectEC to 77453 to be used in conjunction with the citys signs that read PANHANDLING, DONT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM, CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOLUTION, WWW.ECHTF.ORG.
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City Counclman Gary Kendrick agreed with Goble and said that he was hoping that the city would put up larger signs near freeway entrances and exits.
He said people panhandling for money at on ramps and off ramps are not only distracting to drivers but also detract from family-friendly improvements the city has been working on to make residents and visitors feel safer.
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karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
Forty high school seniors from around San Diego County are getting some help for college thanks to a local hospital group.
Trustees from the Grossmont Healthcare District awarded $90,000 in scholarships on March 16, promising gifts of either $1,500 or $3,000 to students who have expressed interest in a career as a health care professional.
The students from 21 high schools in East County were selected by school administrators for meeting criteria that includes academic excellence, outstanding citizenship and a desire to serve in the health care field.
Students from each high school will receive either $1,500 or $3,000 at the end of their first successfully-completed semester of college.
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Grossmont Heathcare Board President Michael Emerson said the district appreciates the students who will lead the next generation of health care and shape its future.
Its important for us to invest in Americas youth and encourage these young adults as they continue their studies in the health care field with the goal of serving in the workforce of tomorrow, Emerson said.
The students who were honored and their schools are as follow:
Hannah Taggart and Jaelyn Henige (Christian High in El Cajon)
Destiny James (Diego Valley Charter, El Cajon Learning Center)
Sarah Ali and Sarah Yaqoob (El Cajon Valley)
Kamrie Toney and Marwa Mohammad Azim (El Capitan)
Malia Nowlen and Kendra Patterson (Foothills Christian in El Cajon)
Brooke Johnson and Haley Willhelm (Granite Hills)
Merna Nissan and Joseph Williams (Grossmont)
Brianna Robbins and Theresa Slaiwa (Grossmont Middle College)
Faith Mendoza and Omar Yusuf (Helix Charter)
Kate Hummel and Michael Estrada (IDEA Center High in El Cajon)
Tatyanna McKee-Cartwright (Innovation High School, Lakeside Learning Center)
Symeon Elkins and Rita Al Ankawy (Liberty Charter in Lemon Grove)
Ariana Mae Gaeta and Lauren Lee Simpson-Long (Monte Vista)
Roseline Annang and Sabrina Martinez (Mount Miguel)
Luisa Tamez and Audrey Bennett (Mountain Empire)
Chanel Sosa-Pineda and Abril Sosa-Pineda (Patrick Henry)
Zoe Dickinson and Dakota Hacker (River Valley Charter in Lakeside)
Taha Alani and Joshua Long (Santana)
Virginia Roberson and Sebastian Castillo (Steele Canyon Charter)
Carly Swavely and Mary Anthony (Valhalla)
Sabrina Major and Lauren Lines (West Hills).
The Grossmont Healthcare District has been honoring local high school students interested in a health care career with scholarship grants since 1999. Over the years, several hundred high school students have received individual scholarships totaling more than $1 million.
The district supports health-related community programs and services in East County and is the landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Grossmont Healthcare is governed by a five-member board of directors that represents more than 500,000 people inside a 750-square-mile area in East County.
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karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
Lemon Grove is getting ready to send a message to businesses that sell cigarettes: Dont sell tobacco to minors, because if you do, there will be a price to pay.
The city is crafting a Tobacco Retailer Licensing ordinance expected to be shared with the City Council in April.
El Cajon-based Community Action Service and Advocacy (CASA) is working with Lemon Grove on the ordinance that the city hopes will lower the use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, among youths.
Lemon Grove has 31 tobacco retailers, including convenience stores and gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores and smoke shops.
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A report from Lemon Grove Management Analyst Miranda Evans notes that the city has a high concentration in the Broadway commercial area. She also said that while the California statewide average for sales to youth is 10.3 percent, Lemon Groves sales rates have historically been significantly higher.
The latest local numbers from the California Healthy Kids Survey of seventh- graders in the Lemon Grove School District shows that 5 percent of those students had tried electronic smoking devices.
Several speakers at a recent City Council meeting said that e-cigarette use by kids, wooed by flavors such as cinnamon, chocolate and cotton candy, are among their biggest concerns.
My teenage daughter tells me many of her friends smoke and vape, said Hazell Belvin, a Santee resident who works for the American Lung Association. The tobacco retailers have to be held accountable. I worry as a parent. Todays teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes because kids love those sweet, friendly flavors. There are popular fruit flavors and they can also be used to smoke marijuana. Its a little worrisome.
Although there are no high school districts in Lemon Grove, Evans said that available data indicates that among East County 11th-grade students, 4 percent had smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days and 11 percent had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
The Centers for Disease Control report that nearly nine out of 10 smokers began using tobacco by age 18.
Lemon Groves ordinance will likely include the following:
Businesses will be required to pay a licensing fee to the city in order to sell tobacco products;
Compliance checks;
Financial deterrents for violators through fines and penalties, possibly to include suspension and revocation of the license;
Incentives to tobacco sellers when they comply with the ordinance.
The cities of El Cajon, San Diego, San Marcos, Solana Beach and Vista have tobacco retailer licensing programs that have seen success for several years.
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El Cajon was the first to have a program approved in 2004. That city, with 114 retailers, charges an annual fee of $675 to retailers. Fines for noncompliance run up to $1,000. Solana Beach, which has had an ordinance in effect since 2009 and has seven retailers, charges $110 yearly for a license.
Before Vista adopted its ordinance in 2005, the youth sales rate was 39 percent. The figure decreased significantly, to 1.9 percent, after the adoption of the law.
According to surveys conducted by CASA, in 2014, 39 percent of tobacco retailers in Lemon Grove sold tobacco products illegally to youth, including e-cigarettes. In 2015, 41 percent made illegal sales using the same survey protocol.
In June 2016, California became the second state in the country, after Hawaii, to increase the minimum tobacco sales age from 18 to 21, with the exception of active-duty military personnel, who can be 18 with military identification.
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A CASA young adult tobacco purchase survey conducted in Lemon Grove in April 2017 found that 31 percent of stores were still selling tobacco products to people under age 21.
The groups executive director, Dana Stevens, said that CASA and its youth volunteers conducted multiple surveys in Lemon Grove over the past three years and found that 31 percent to 41 percent of local tobacco retailers illegally sold a tobacco product to a minor.
Nearly three-quarters of the retailers didnt even ask the age of the young volunteer, and this was after we visited each retailer and provided training material about California tobacco laws and their responsibility to prevent illegal tobacco sales to minors, Stevens said. The bottom line is that tobacco sales represent a large portion of revenue for small retailers and the risk of being held accountable is non-existent.
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karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
Part of the trend is a growing awareness of work-life balance among Koreans and a consequent drop in night-time activities. On top of that, the minimum wage hike is prompting owners to close down early due to soaring overhead costs.
More and more convenience stores and fast-food restaurants that opened 24 hours are reducing their hours of operation, while a growing number of bars are opting to stop serving drinks at midnight.
The bright lights illuminating Korean cities at night are going out one by one due to lack of customers in the establishments that advertise themselves in neon.
Office Workers Drinking Less
More and more bars and restaurants near major office districts are closing down early because the culture of enforced conviviality after work is gradually waning.
One restaurant in southern Seoul used to open until 1 a.m. three or four years ago since office workers would come and eat at midnight after an evening of heavy drinking. But now the owner says he closes at 11 p.m.
A sushi restaurant nearby said most office workers nowadays have dinner gatherings that last no more than an hour and no drinking sessions afterwards. "We shut down early at night and recently started opening for lunch," the owner said.
A growing number of office workers shun late night drinking sessions with coworkers to avoid making inebriated passes at female coworkers amid the spreading "Me Too" movement.
One restaurant owner in western Seoul said, "One company that used to have an office dinner party at my restaurant every month made reservations at lunch instead recently. We also close down at 10 p.m. now because of a lack of customers."
Overtime Pay
The minimum wage hike has also contributed to this trend. Gas stations are now closing down at night rather than hiring part-time workers to tend to the pumps in the early hours of the morning. The owner of one gas station in southern Seoul said, "Due to soaring personnel costs, members of my family are taking turns tending to customers. I am thinking of running my gas station without staff."
One fitness center in downtown Seoul stopped opening 24-hours a day starting early this year in order to cut down on wage expenses. Many bars that open all night are also closing down at midnight due to a lack of customers.
One franchisee said, "We end up paying more in overtime wages to our part-time worker than the money we make staying open all night. We even tried cutting down on the number of staff but still couldn't make a profit."
Even convenience store franchisees are opting not to stay open 24-hours a day. Large supermarket chain E-Mart said the proportion of its franchisees opting to keep their stores open around the clock has plunged from 28.7 percent of new store owners in August of last year to just 8.9 percent in February of this year. That means only one in 10 stores are open all night.
For the next six weeks, motorists along eastbound state Route 78 from Vista to Interstate 15 will see a series of electronic signs telling them to slow to a specific speed, then to speed up again.
Its part of a pilot study aimed at synchronizing traffic in an effort to reduce bottlenecks that happen every rush hour, but will depend on at least partial compliance of drivers to make it work.
The California Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Institute of Transportation Studies and the University of California Berkeley, is conducting the Variable Speed Advisory project, which it hopes could lead to reduced delays on area freeways.
Route 78 is consistently one of the most congested highways in the region during commuting hours. Traffic will often bottleneck in certain areas through much of San Marcos in the afternoon and in Escondido and part of San Marcos in the mornings -- causing delays of 10 to 30 minutes.
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Starting Tuesday morning, seven electronic variable speed signs on the shoulder will advise travelers of speeds that will optimize their commute time, said Ed Cartagena of Caltrans.
The signs will be activated between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through April, Cartagena said.
He said the congestion issues along what is the primary east-west North County highway are pretty simple to explain. As more and more homes and jobs move into the area, the highway simply hasnt been able to keep up with the daily traffic demands, Cartagena said.
Add to that the expanding student populations of Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College, both largely commuter schools, and the problems have just gotten worse.
The aim of synchronizing traffic is to gradually slow traffic in advance of a bottleneck in order to keep traffic moving and avoiding stop-and-go traffic, said state Route 78 Corridor Director Allan Kosup. Essentially, we are asking motorists to slow down to go faster.
The roadside variable speed signs will display the advisory speeds at increments/decrements of 5 mph based on the traffic conditions.
The speeds are not enforceable and serve only as an advisory for motorists.
At the completion of the six weeks, staff from UC Berkeley will verify the algorithms, assess the compliance rates and overall change in queuing on one of San Diegos most congested interchanges, said Caltrans state Route 76/78 Corridor Project Manager Karen Jewel. Interested parties can view real-time results atwww.caconnectedvehicletestbed.org/VSA/ and can expect to view the studys findings later this summer.
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jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
The city of Chula Vista paid an employee $400,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit she filed against the city and a co-worker, according to the settlement agreement.
The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed May 2017 in which Mariana Garcia, 25, accused Alejandro Ruiz-Velasco, 42, of sexually harassing her from 2014 to 2017.
There is no court record of the settlement because the parties agreed to settle out of court. The document itself is public, but none of the parties involved are allowed to talk about it because of a non-disclosure provision written into the settlement agreement.
News of the settlement agreement came to light after Garcias lawyer, Dan Gilleon, mistakenly told the San Diego Reader that his client was paid $400,000.
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Gilleon told the Union-Tribune he was reminded of the confidentiality provision of the agreement after speaking with the Reader. He shared a copy of the complaint from the May 2017 lawsuit but declined to answer more questions about the settlement agreement.
According to the agreement, which was obtained through a public records request, Chula Vista and Ruiz-Velasco do not admit any liability and signed the agreement solely to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation.
Garcias lawsuit against the city of Chula Vista claims Ruiz-Velasco repeatedly asked Garcia out on lunch dates for several years, made unannounced visits to her work space, made inappropriate comments about her appearance, told co-workers he wanted to wake up next to her because shes so beautiful, and sent Garcia emails containing sexual innuendos.
The city denied the allegations, court records show.
Ruiz-Velasco works as a conservation specialist for the citys CLEAN Business Program. Garcia worked as a project coordinator for the Department of Economic Development. They worked under different supervisors.
According to the complaint, Garcia confronted Ruiz-Velasco about his behavior in June 2016, when he allegedly interrupted a group lunch to say he would totally date Garcia if she were older. Garcia told Ruiz-Velasco to leave her alone, that she would never go out with him so he should stop asking her out.
In November 2016, Garcia printed Ruiz-Velascos emails and told her supervisor at the citys Department of Economic Development about the alleged harassment. Garcia asked her supervisor to follow up with Human Resources. The complaint claims Garcias supervisor never alerted HR.
In December 2016, Ruiz-Velasco allegedly interrupted a conversation Garcia and friends were having about traditional Mexican Christmas foods by saying that a candy treat called piloncillo is also slang for vagina. Later that day, Ruiz-Velasco emailed Garcia saying all that talk about candy made him crave piloncillo.
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Ruiz-Velasco hired his own attorney, Mitchell Dean, in October 2017. Dean argued that the allegations do not meet the severe and pervasive standard of sexual harassment, court documents show.
Even looking at all instances alleged by plaintiff from November 2013 until June 2016, there is no severe incident and, even added together, the six specific incidents alleged do not even approach the evidence needed to sustain a finding of pervasiveness, Dean wrote in court documents.
Dean did not respond to a request for comment or a request to speak with his client, Ruiz-Velasco.
By January 2017, Garcia had met with a psychiatrist who prescribed medication and wrote her a note requesting she be moved to another work site because of anxiety and panic attacks, according to court documents.
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The city moved Garcia to a temporary work site but did not allow her to take any of her personal belongings from her old cubicle. The city took no action against Ruiz-Velasco, according to the lawsuit.
Ruiz-Velasco received a $11,000 raise from $38,384 to $49,629 during the alleged harassment period, according to data from Transparent California. He currently earns $55,671 a year, according to the city.
Garcia moved away from San Diego some time after filing the lawsuit, Gilleon said.
A city spokeswoman, Anne Steinberger, declined to comment on the settlement, citing the nondisclosure stipulation.
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While we cannot discuss the details of the Citys investigation in this case, or any personnel action taken as a result thereof, we can say that the citys investigation into the matter revealed information consistent with Mr. Ruiz-Velascos account of his conduct, she said. The citys decision to settle the case was a business decision to avoid the projected significant additional expenses and uncertainty of litigation.
She offered the following statement:
As with all cases, the city takes the allegations seriously. The city has a discrimination and sexual harassment policy in place, which it strictly enforces. In addition, city employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws regarding discrimination and harassment.
City employees who are supervisors are required to complete sexual harassment training. Chula Vista is evaluating potential updates to its employee conduct policies and training requirements, Steinberger added.
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Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter
Dockless bicycles, those ubiquitous two-wheelers that have overtaken downtown San Diego, have been declared a public nuisance in Coronado.
The city said it plans to impound the bikes if they are left in the public right-of-way streets, sidewalks, alleys and public parks or beaches and potentially charge the companies that lease them hundreds of dollars to get them back.
Enforcement could begin Wednesday, said City Manager Blair King.
It is the latest bump in the road for the bike-sharing companies since they introduced the so-called dockless service in the region less than a month ago, with complaints from merchants about discarded bikes cluttering sidewalks, posing safety risks and hurting business.
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Coronado didnt expect to encounter those challenges. The city doesnt allow the companies to operate. In December 2017, it denied business permits to LimeBike and other dockless bicycle companies.
However, the rampant use of dockless bicycles from neighboring cities has resulted in numerous dockless bicycles ending up in Coronado, King said.
Dockless bicycles from Imperial Beach and San Diego are making their way to the peninsula through the Coronado ferry and Silver Strand Boulevard. Locals have spotted bikes from LimeBike, ofo, and Mobike along Orange Avenue and state Route 75.
The freestanding bikes can be rented using a smartphone app for $1 or $2 and dont have to be returned to a shop or docking station. Instead, they lock in place when they arent in use.
When the bike-sharing companies approached the city last year, several of Coronados existing bike rental businesses asked the council to deny them business permits. One of them was Cruiser King, which is owned by David Parrish.
If the area is underrepresented by bike rental companies, maybe theres an opportunity for (dockless bikes), Parrish said. But the city has a right and responsibility to back the businesses that pay taxes.
Parrish said people can rent bikes throughout Coronado, including within 100 feet of the ferry.
Currently, Coronado can impound tagged bikes after 72 hours
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Under the new enforcement policies, police officers will place tags on the dockless bikes. If they are not removed within two hours, the bikes will be impounded.
Dockless bike companies can claim their impounded bicycles after paying a fee or citation. Coronado hasnt determined exactly how much it will charge companies, but it is considering citations of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for any subsequent violations.
Ofo, a dockless bike company operating in San Diego, said the two-hour time frame is too narrow for them to respond. In a letter to city officials, the company said police officers should be focusing on more pressing public safety concerns instead of tagging bicycles.
It appears the paper notice serves as the sole notification mechanism, providing ofo with a very limited opportunity to rectify, which essentially makes the proposal an impoundment ordinance, wrote Katie Stevens, ofos head of Public Policy West.
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While we understand the concerns voiced at previous hearings, we believe this approach unnecessarily places law enforcement in a position to tag bikes rather than handle more pressing public safety needs.
The company suggested other enforcement actions, such as having the city notify the company with an email instead of a tag.
Imperial Beach was the first city in the county to partner with a dockless bicycle company, LimeBike. The city likes the bikes so much that it renewed its six-month agreement.
San Diego cannot offer an exclusive deal because of a pre-existing bike share program, so multiple dockless companies began operating there three weeks ago. Business groups do not like that bicycles and scooters are being left in busy sidewalks.
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The Little Italy Association is lobbying Civic San Diego, which oversees policies for the downtown area, to request a cease-and-desist action until the San Diego City Council can study the problem and approve a comprehensive set of regulations.
In North County, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas have agreed to partner to create a regional bike share program. Carlsbad and Oceanside are expected to vote on the proposal.
To date, the Coronado Police Department has impounded two dockless bicycles, said department spokesperson Lea Corbin.
Coronado came up with the new policies after asking dockless bicycle companies to remove their bikes from the city in a timely manner.
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However, the city manager said, the companies have so far provided inadequate response to those informal resolution efforts.
LimeBike said it is working with the city to address concerns.
We have abided by their process, and have not distributed any bikes in Coronado, LimeBike spokesperson Mary Caroline wrote in a statement. Any LimeBikes located in that area would be from San Diego residents and visitors using them to ride to Coronado.
The company will continue to conduct a comprehensive outreach program to ensure they are addressing any challenges and best serving the needs of the community, she added.
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Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter
Maggie Hoffman, who writes for the Serious Eats website, knows too well the experience of discovering a new cocktail at your favorite bar, wanting to re-create it at home, and then finding that the ingredients are too numerous and expensive to be practical.
So, in her new book, The One-Bottle Cocktail, she set out to gather cocktail recipes that include common ingredients but only a single spirit.
She got this recipe for a smooth sour from Kaitlyn Stewart of Royal Dinette in Vancouver, British Columbia. I find that floral liqueurs always sit gathering dust in my liquor cabinet, and I usually prefer the flavors of fresh herbs and floral teas, anyway, Hoffman writes in the intro to the recipe. Theres no need to shell out for another expensive bottle when you have access to aromatic jasmine green tea and citrusy lemongrass.
Bees in the Trap
Makes 1 drink
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2-inch piece fresh lemongrass
Pinch kosher salt
1 ounces vodka
1 ounce strong-brewed jasmine green tea, cooled (see note)
ounce 2:1 honey syrup (recipe below)
ounce fresh lime juice
For garnish: 2 (4-inch) lemongrass pieces
Remove tough outer layer from lemongrass and slice into slim rings. Muddle lemongrass with salt in a cocktail shaker to break down the lemongrasss fibers and release the oils. Add vodka, cooled tea, honey syrup and lime juice and fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled, about 12 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with 2 pieces of lemongrass laid on top of the glass.
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To make the 2:1 honey syrup: Mix two parts (say, 1 ounce) honey with one part (so, ounce) hot water and stir until dissolved.
Note: For a strong brew, let the tea steep for about four minutes. Its robust flavor and touch of bitterness help to balance the drink.
Excerpted from The One-Bottle Cocktail by Maggie Hoffman; published by Ten Speed Press.
chris.ross@sduniontribune.com
Members of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board have agreed to take the first step toward filing a lawsuit against the federal government to stem the cross-border flow of contaminated water into the Tijuana River Valley.
Voting in a closed session on Monday, board members authorized staff to prepare a 60-day notice of intent to litigate against the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission for violations of the Clean Water Act. David Gibson, the boards executive officer, said the state agency will offer details of the decision in a statement that will be released in coming days.
The issue of litigation has arisen as the board prepares to demand stepped-up monitoring by the IBWC of contaminated water and sediment that crosses from Tijuana to San Diego, saying the trans-boundary flows pose one of the most significant threats in the San Diego region to ecological health...and public health.
In a tentative investigative order released Friday, the state agency asked for a water and sediment quality monitoring plan from the U.S. branch of the IBWC, a bi-national agency that is charged with resolving water and boundary disputes on the U.S.-Mexico border.
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The information will be used to evaluate human and ecological health impacts that may occur in the Tijuana River Valley due to pollutants generated in Mexico, according to the draft order.
It would also be used to identify the sources of the pollutants. The monitoring would begin within 30 days of approval of the plan.
The agencys final order would come after a 14-day public comment period that ends at close of business on April 2.
On another front, a bi-partisan group congressional group is urging continued funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Border Water Infrastructure Program, which has been critical to a number of projects affecting sewage collection in the Tijuana River watershed.
U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) was lead author of a letter addressed to the House Committee on Appropriations, and dated March 16 that requests the inclusion of $10 million in funding for the program in Fiscal Year 2019.
It is the only federal program that can fund projects on both sides of the border, with all projects benefiting communities on the U.S. side of the border, the letter stated.
The Trump administration has not requested funding for the program for FY 2019. In past years, the program has helped fund sewage infrastructure and other border projects in a program administered by the North American Development Bank.
In signing the letter, Vargas was joined by two members of San Diegos Congressional delegation: Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) and Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego), as well three Texas representatives: Democrats Vicente Gonzalez and Beto ORourke and Republican Will Hurd. Also signing the letter was Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat from New Mexico.
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UPDATES:
5:30 p.m Tuesday: This article was updated with new information from Mondays closed session, indicating that the Water Board took an initial step to file a lawsuit against the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission.
10:20 p.m. Monday: This article was updated to reflect the April 2 expiration of the public comment period on the tentative investigative order issued by the San Diego Regional Quality Control Board to the U.S. IBWC.
This article was originally published at 6:40 p.m. Monday.
Dockless bicycles, those ubiquitous two-wheelers that have overtaken downtown San Diego, have been declared a public nuisance in Coronado.
The city said it plans to impound the bikes if they are left in the public right-of-way streets, sidewalks, alleys and public parks or beaches and potentially charge the companies that lease them hundreds of dollars to get them back.
Enforcement could begin Wednesday, said City Manager Blair King.
It is the latest bump in the road for the bike-sharing companies since they introduced the so-called dockless service in the region less than a month ago, with complaints from merchants about discarded bikes cluttering sidewalks, posing safety risks and hurting business.
Advertisement
Coronado didnt expect to encounter those challenges. The city doesnt allow the companies to operate. In December 2017, it denied business permits to LimeBike and other dockless bicycle companies.
However, the rampant use of dockless bicycles from neighboring cities has resulted in numerous dockless bicycles ending up in Coronado, King said.
Dockless bicycles from Imperial Beach and San Diego are making their way to the peninsula through the Coronado ferry and Silver Strand Boulevard. Locals have spotted bikes from LimeBike, Ofo and Mobike along Orange Avenue and California 75.
The freestanding bikes can be rented using a smartphone app for $1 or $2 and dont have to be returned to a shop or docking station. Instead, they lock in place when they arent in use.
When the bike-sharing companies approached the city last year, several of Coronados existing bike-rental businesses asked the council to deny them business permits. One of them was Cruiser King, which is owned by David Parrish.
If the area is underrepresented by bike-rental companies, maybe theres an opportunity for [dockless bikes], Parrish said. But the city has a right and responsibility to back the businesses that pay taxes.
Parrish said people can rent bikes throughout Coronado, including within 100 feet of the ferry.
Currently, Coronado can impound tagged bikes after 72 hours.
Advertisement
Under the new enforcement policies, police officers will place tags on the dockless bikes. If they are not removed within two hours, the bikes will be impounded.
Dockless-bike companies can claim their impounded bicycles after paying a fee or citation. Coronado hasnt determined exactly how much it will charge companies, but it is considering citations of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for any subsequent violations.
Ofo, a dockless-bike company operating in San Diego, said the two-hour time frame is too narrow for them to respond. In a letter to city officials, the company said police officers should be focusing on more pressing public safety concerns instead of tagging bicycles.
It appears the paper notice serves as the sole notification mechanism, providing Ofo with a very limited opportunity to rectify, which essentially makes the proposal an impoundment ordinance, wrote Katie Stevens, an Ofo public policy official.
Advertisement
While we understand the concerns voiced at previous hearings, we believe this approach unnecessarily places law enforcement in a position to tag bikes rather than handle more pressing public safety needs.
The company suggested other enforcement actions, such as having the city notify the company with an email instead of a tag.
Imperial Beach was the first city in the county to partner with a dockless bicycle company, LimeBike. The city likes the bikes so much that it renewed its six-month agreement.
San Diego cannot offer an exclusive deal because of a preexisting bike-share program, so multiple dockless companies began operating there three weeks ago. Business groups do not like that bicycles and scooters are being left on busy sidewalks.
Advertisement
The Little Italy Assn. is lobbying Civic San Diego, which oversees policies for the downtown area, to request a cease-and-desist action until the San Diego City Council can study the problem and approve a comprehensive set of regulations.
In North County, Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas have agreed to partner to create a regional bike-share program. Carlsbad and Oceanside are expected to vote on the proposal.
To date, the Coronado Police Department has impounded two dockless bicycles, said department spokesperson Lea Corbin.
Coronado came up with the new policies after asking dockless bicycle companies to remove their bikes from the city in a timely manner.
Advertisement
However, King, the city manager, said the companies have so far provided inadequate response to those informal resolution efforts.
LimeBike said it is working with the city to address concerns.
We have abided by their process, and have not distributed any bikes in Coronado, LimeBike spokesperson Mary Caroline wrote in a statement. Any LimeBikes located in that area would be from San Diego residents and visitors using them to ride to Coronado.
The company will continue to conduct a comprehensive outreach program to ensure they are addressing any challenges and best serving the needs of the community, she added.
Advertisement
Solis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
China's state-run Global Times titled an editorial on Monday "Nothing should come between China and North Korea." The mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party wrote, "The North Korean nuclear crisis has placed Pyongyang under the spotlight of global public opinion, which is basically dominated by information from South Korean, Japanese and Western media. For China and North Korea, the major tests are how to keep the right balance between their divergences over the nuclear issue... and how to avoid the influence of South Korean, Japanese or Western media."
It made the absurd claims that North Korea "is a respectable country" and concluded by saying, "For North Korea, it would be difficult and dangerous to cope with Seoul, Washington and Tokyo all alone. China's support can defuse many risks. It is hoped that the Communist Party of China and the Workers' Party of Korea can remain the bedrock of relations between the two countries, making sure that no opportunist can find a market or opportunity to harm Beijing-Pyongyang ties."
Yet as recently as April last year, China's state media claimed that China would not intervene military even if the U.S. launches surgical strikes on North Korea's nuclear facilities. Now their attitudes shifted drastically after North Korea and the U.S. agreed to hold a summit, raising fears in Beijing that it is being sidelined by its own buffer state because it took part in international sanctions against the North, though belatedly, while ties between Washington and Pyongyang are warming. One Chinese diplomat said Chinese businesses that traded with North Korea now face bankruptcy, underscoring fears that China could end up with the short end of the stick.
Intensifying jostling between the U.S. and China over global hegemony is making things worse. Trump has threatened to impose huge tariffs on Chinese imports and even allowed a high-level Taiwanese diplomat to visit Washington, which could rattle Beijing's "One China" policy.
Kim may be waving an olive branch at South Korea and the U.S., but his gaze is probably fixed on China. The North Korean leader is deliberately making China nervous by warming up to South Korea and the U.S. with the aim of getting Beijing to sidestep international sanctions. If China does this surreptitiously in order to appease North Korea, all efforts so far to get the North to come to the dialogue table will come to nothing. And any inclination, however faint, that Kim has to scrap his nuclear weapons will dissipate.
China has always feared regime collapse in the North more than its nuclear armament because it is afraid of increasing U.S. influence in Asia. China's greatest fear is seeing U.S. military bases set up across the border in North Korea. This fear is at the center of the confrontation between Washington and Beijing over North Korea's nuclear weapons. But it is not impossible to get China on board. Seoul succeeded in mediating between North Korea and the U.S. It now desperately needs to mediate between Washington and Beijing so that the two superpowers share the same views when it comes to dismantling the North's nuclear weapons. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat, is visiting South Korea on March 28. Seoul needs to hold frank discussions with China and listen to Beijing's concerns, but make it absolutely clear that it cannot loosen international sanctions to pressure North Korea. This is a dangerous crossroads in dealing with the North Korean nuclear threat.
Ever since the engagement announcement of actress Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the tabloids and social media have been speculating about whether Meghans reclusive dad, an American expatriate quietly living across the Mexican border in Rosarito, would attend the royal wedding.
British paparazzi immediately converged on his modest, ocean-front hideaway, but he has kept a low profile, eluding interviews.
Markles older half-sister, Samantha, and her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., however, have not been so shy.
Samantha, 53, a Florida resident, told The Sun that Thomas Markle Sr. not only will attend the May wedding at Windsor Castle, but will address the wedding party.
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Before retiring, her father was a lighting director in Hollywood who worked on General Hospital, Married With Children and other popular TV series. Although he and Markles mother, an L.A. yoga instructor, have been divorced for years, they reportedly remain on friendly terms.
When media sleuths discovered Thomas living in Rosarito after the engagement news surfaced, most of their information came from Mexican residents who had chatted with Markle at a local supermarket and at a storage facility where he rents space.
Multiple publications have since reported that hell attend the royal wedding. The Daily Star said last week, though, that he will not walk his daughter down the aisle, that Meghan wants her mother to escort her. The actress lived with her mother after her parents split when she was 6.
The newspaper reported that the Royal Family, balking at breaking a traditionally male custom, suggested that Prince William walk her down the aisle instead. But an ABC News wedding update Monday speculated that both parents might accompany her to the altar. The curious may have to wait until May 19 for the answer.
Jackie Foster, who grew up in Poway, performs on Season 14 of The Voice on NBC TV. She will sing the National Anthem at Petco Park on the Padres Opening Day. (NBC / Tyler Golden/NBC )
Home team: The Voice contestant Jackie Foster has a local engagement coming up. The music major from Poway will return home from college in Boston to sing the National Anthem at Petco Park on the Padres Opening Day game on March 29.
San Diego is the top sun seeker city in the world, says 2018 Resonance analysis. Dave Chadwick hang glides above Blacks Beach after taking off from the Torrey Pines Glider Port on March 14, 2018. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune )
Best and worst of San Diego: Its hard to be a fan of lists when a new one is published every other day that seems to offset a previous one. Its like the seesawing good and bad health impact studies for coffee and wine.
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On the heels of California being judged to have the worst quality of life in America by U.S. News & World Report in its Best States rankings last month, comes a study that credits San Diego as being the No. 1 city globally for sun seekers.
The Resonance 2018 Worlds Best Cities Report analyzed weather patterns, air quality and available activities in beaches, parks and deserts and published a list of the 10 greatest sun seeker cities, topped by San Diego.
Plus, the USS Midway Museum continues to be a top national attraction. Money magazine just listed the single most popular global tourist attraction in each of our 50 states. For California, the hottest ticket is the USS Midway.
The USS Midway Museum is reported to be Californias No. 1 tourist attraction and fourth in the United States. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )
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Last month, the popular online travel service, TripAdvisor, released its list of 2017 U.S. experiences most booked by travelers around the world. The Midway Museum was No. 4 in the United States. Good news for the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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diane.bell@sduniontribune.com
(619) 293-1518
Twitter: @dianebellSD
Facebook: dianebell.news
A Carlsbad caregiver who authorities said abandoned a 2-year-old boy in an Encinitas craft store last fall pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of child endangerment.
Desirae Harris, 42, changed her plea during a pre-trial proceeding in Vista Superior Court.
Deputy District Attorney Justine Santiago said that, under a plea deal, she will not oppose a sentence of formal probation and the possibility of some custody time for Harris.
Harris whose attorney has previously said she has a history of mental health issues is set to be sentenced May 8.
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About noon on Nov. 16, the child was found wandering alone in a Michaels store in Encinitas. Eventually, deputies turned to the public for help identifying and locating the boys parents.
The parents were reunited with boy hours later, and Harris, his caregiver, was arrested.
On Tuesday, Harris defense attorney Jay Finnecy issued a statement that his client is deeply remorseful.
Ms. Harris was eager to accept responsibility for her conduct and to save (the boys) family from any further anxiety over the case. Finnecy said.
He said his client never intended to harm the boy and that she is thankful that he was well-cared for by store employees and authorities after he was found.
Following his clients arraignment last December, Finnecy said Harris had not set out to abandon the toddler. Rather, he said, he thought that it was an oversight when Harris left the store, and then panic set in.
The attorney said last year that his client has a history of mental health issues. He did not specify his clients diagnosis.
According to her attorney, Harris was a longtime caregiver, and had worked for the boys family for several months.
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She had been hospitalized for two weeks, then returned to working for the family a few weeks after her release. The incident happened on her first day back to work.
Finnecy said last fall that he was told that the family was aware of Harris hospitalization.
When the boy was found in the store on North El Camino Real, deputies searched it and surrounding businesses to find his parents.
Authorities also made loudspeaker announcements during a helicopter flyover of surrounding neighborhoods.
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Deputies found success after they released the childs photo to media outlets and asked for the publics help to figure out who his family was.
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teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com
(760) 529-4945
Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
Attorney C. Keith Greer called Adam Shacknai to the witness stand in a packed courtroom Monday and, after a slow start of questions, let loose with a barrage.
Did you see Rebecca Zahau after she stepped out of the shower? Did you panic when she tried to flee? Did you hit Rebecca on the head? Did you tie her up?
Shacknai calmly and firmly denied each action.
I was never in the house I never hit Rebecca on the head or anywhere else I never tied her up. Most certainly not.
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His own attorney, Daniel Webb, also hit him with direct questions.
Did you ever do anything at any time to participate in the death of Rebecca Zahau?
Most certainly not, Shacknai answered.
Shacknai, 54, is accused in a wrongful death lawsuit of strangling Zahau, then rigging it to look like a suicide by hanging her off the balcony of her boyfriends Coronado mansion on July 13, 2011.
Her boyfriend then was Jonah Shacknai, a pharmaceuticals industry tycoon from Arizona and older brother of Adam Shacknai, a tugboat captain.
County authorities said they found no evidence of homicide, and ruled Zahaus death a suicide.
They suggested the motive was that Zahau, 32, was distraught over being the adult in the house two days earlier when her boyfriends 6-year-old son, Max, suffered grave injuries in a fall from the second floor.
A sheriffs homicide detective, Troy DuGal, testified Monday that, There is no suggestion of a homicide in this case. None.
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Her family has not accepted the suicide finding and allege Shacknai killed Zahau after sexually assaulting her. He was the only other person at the mansion at the time relevant to the case.
Max died several days after Zahau did.
Before jurors came in to start a fourth week of testimony in the trial, Greer laid out the basis of his case to Judge Katherine Bacal.
Its our position that the whole thing relates to a sexual assault, Greer said, noting that Zahau was found naked, gagged, and bound hand and foot by ropes.
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Greer said an array of evidence, which he has presented over the past weeks, links Shacknai to Zahaus death: the nautical knots that bound her, her menstrual blood on a knife handle, the fact that she was naked and the handwriting analysis on a mysterious message painted on a bedroom door.
The message, in black paint from Zahaus art supplies, said, She saved him can you save her.
Greer questioned Shacknai about his statements to investigators that hed showered shortly before he called 911 to report finding Zahau hanging.
Greer asked Shacknai if he showered to clean off any residue of what you did to Rebecca Zahau?
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A defense attorney objected to the question and Shacknai was not required to answer it.
Shacknai was asked about his background, family, education and career path.
He said he and his brother grew up in a small town in New York. He attended George Washington University for two years and around 1987, moved to Memphis.
Shacknai became a tugboat deckhand and eventually a pilot of the boat. He also earned a bachelors degree in American literature at the University of Memphis.
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He said he has had a girlfriend for 20 years, but never brought her to his family gatherings because his Jewish parents would not like the fact she was a Christian.
During the plaintiffs attorney questioning, defendant Adam Shacknai while on the witness stand motions and ask a woman in the gallery if she is his girlfriend. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )
Shes not really your girlfriend, Greer said to Shacknai.
Shacknai surprised the court by calling out from the stand, Mary, are you my girlfriend?
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A woman in the gallery replied loudly, I am.
Shacknai said his father phoned him on the day of Maxs accident to tell him about it. Adam Shacknai then called Zahau to sound her out about whether he should fly to San Diego to support his brother.
She told me, follow your heart, Shacknai testified.
He took the flight from Memphis the next day, despite, he said, having a strong fear of flying.
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Zahau picked him up at San Diego International Airport. They went to Rady Childrens Hospital, where Max was in critical condition. They went out to a fast dinner with his brother and a friend.
Eventually Zahau drove him to the Coronado mansion. Shacknai said he thought it was around 7:45 p.m. when they said goodnight outside the garage and parted. He went to the guest house and Zahau went in the main house, he said.
He said he did not blame Zahau for Maxs accident.
Shacknai denied going into the main house after that, but went to bed about 9 p.m. When he got up the next morning and dressed, he walked outside with a plan of walking to a coffee shop.
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Instead, he said, out of the corner of his eye he saw something unspeakable and crazy. Zahau was hanging by a red rope.
I had a strong feeling she was dead already, Shacknai said.
He called 911. A tape of the dispatch conversation was played in court.
Uh, I got a girl hung herself in the guesthouse its on Ocean Boulevard across from the hotel the same place you just came and got the kid yesterday, Shacknai was heard saying.
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While on with the 911 operator, Shacknai went into the kitchen for a knife, shoved a rickety wooden table under Zahau and climbed up to cut the rope while holding her body across his other arm, he said.
He lowered her to the grass and started CPR chest compressions. The 911 dispatcher repeatedly asked him for his address, so he ran to the front to see the house numbers.
Under instructions from a different dispatcher, Shacknai rendered more CPR until medics showed up.
The lawyers finished with Shacknai by mid-afternoon and Greer told the judge he was done with his side of the case.
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Defense attorney Krista Enns called the homicide detective to testify. DuGal said he was tasked after Zahaus death with questioning neighbors, and one said shed heard a woman scream the night before.
Later, DuGal said, the woman changed her statement and said she believed the scream was from children playing in front of homes.
The trial is to continue Tuesday with testimony from more law enforcement officers.
1 / 14 Plaintiffs attorney, Keith Greer, questions defendant Adam Shacknai on the witness stand on what he did on the morning he discovered the body of Rebecca Zahau hanging from a rope over the balcony. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 14 Adam Shacknai raised his arms in San Diego Superior Court Monday to show how he lowered the body of Rebecca Zahau, who was dead and hanging by a rope from a Coronado mansion balcony. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 14 During redirect of the defendant Adam Shacknai on the witness stand, attorney Keith Greer ask the witness if the image of Rebecca Zahua death clear in his mind. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 14 Defendant Adam Shacknai sits on the witness stand as he is questioned by plaintiffs attorney, Keith Greer in the civil trial for the wrongful death of Rebecca Zahau in San Diego Superior Court before Judge Katherine Bacal continued on Monday morning. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 14 Plaintiffs attorney, Keith Greer, during his line of questions directed to defendant Adam Shacknai plays the 911 audio recording. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 14 Defendant Adam Shacknai while on the witness stand motions and asked a woman in the gallery if she is his girlfriend. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 14 After his questioning of defendant, Adam Shacknai, plaintiffs attorney, Keith Greer speaks with his client, Mary Zahau-Loehners. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 14 Plaintiffs attorney, Keith Greer, questions defendant Adam Shacknai on the witness stand in the civil trial for the wrongful death of Rebecca Zahau in San Diego Superior Court before Judge Katherine Bacal. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 14 During redirect of the defendant Adam Shacknai on the witness stand, attorney Keith Greer motions with his hand a guess of how high it could possibly be to cut the rope where Rebecca Zahua was hanging from. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 14 Defendant Adam Shacknai sits on the witness stand as his questioned by his attorney during cross examine in the civil trial for the wrongful death of Rebecca Zahau in San Diego Superior Court before Judge Katherine Bacal. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 14 Defense attorney, Dan Webb questions his client Adam Shacknai on the witness stand. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 14 Defendant Adam Shacknai is excused from the witness stand after a day of testifying in the wrongful death of Rebecca Zahau in San Diego Superior Court before Judge Katherine Bacal. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 14 In the civil trial for the wrongful death of Rebecca Zahau in San Diego Superior Court before Judge Katherine Bacal, Sgt. Todd Norton looks over court exhibits to refresh his memory on the ropes used in Rebecca Zahuas suicide. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 14 In the civil trial for the wrongful death of Rebecca Zahau in San Diego Superior Court before Judge Katherine Bacal, defendant Adam Shacknai listens to the cross examine by the plaintiff attorney. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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pauline.repard@sduniontribune
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Twitter: @pdrepard
A visual artist and professor who is originally from Lebanon is helping newly arrived refugees learn English through a volunteer-based support group.
Teach and Learn Literacy, or TaLL, formed at the beginning of 2017 to support an influx of Syrian refugees who arrived in late 2016. Many couldnt read in their native language, let alone speak or read English.
Doris Bittar, who organized the group as a branch of Syrian Community Network, a local nonprofit, said that progress for many of the adults has been slow, but shes proud of what theyve accomplished and how much of a community the group has built.
Its very gratifying, Bittar said. [The teachers] have bonded with each other. Theyve bonded with the families.
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One of the families that TaLL supports recently had a baby. The team of teachers assigned to the family took turns staying at the hospital to help with language barriers.
Since the group began, it has helped about 30 families and is currently supporting 18, Bittar said.
When members of the Syrian community began coming to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee to ask for help for the new arrivals, Bittar, who runs the San Diego chapter, decided she had to do something.
For Bittar, the work is personal. She came with her family from Lebanon when she was a child, and reading was one of the ways she kept from feeling lonely when she felt like she didnt fit in to her new country.
Reading was my refuge, Bittar said. I dont know what I wouldve done without it.
Many of the current volunteers are retired English as a Second Language teachers, Bittar said, but they dont have to be. Volunteers for the group receive ongoing training, and some have even gotten certified in teaching English since joining the program.
One woman who is about 50 and was not literate in Arabic recently learned, with the groups help, how to read a calendar in English. That is a big accomplishment for her, Bittar said.
It takes 64 repetitions to internalize a word or phrase if youre over the age of 16, Bittar said.
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Bittar hopes TaLL will eventually support other groups as well, including Americans who have limited literacy skills. Shes fundraising to create a couple of paid positions to run the organization.
Shes also looking for more volunteers.
New volunteers will go through a vetting process including a telephone interview and background check, Bittar said. They would need to commit to about five hours a week.
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Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence
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kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter
Former Navy SEAL Josh Butner is under fire for comments he made taking a shot at his Democratic opponent for Congress, saying, It should be a requirement to have served to even run.
The comment came in an interview with Voice of San Diego.
When you look at anybody for any political office you should look at their past experiences. I served for 23 years, Butner said in the interview. It shows dedication and youve been exposed to foreign policy at the tip of the spear. I learned a lot about cultures, in conflict and cooperation. It should be a requirement to have served to even run.
His comment was posted under the heading shots at each other, indicating he was referring to fellow Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, who has not served in the military. Both are challenging Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, a Marine Corps veteran.
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Several people on social media took Butners comments to mean that only military veterans should be able to run for office, something they found exclusionary.
As veterans we swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution and that includes the right of Americans to seek public office, former Marine Will Rodriguez-Kennedy said in his statement. Statements like that only demonstrate that as a candidate his bid for Congress has clouded his judgment and sets a discriminatory bar for people like those who are incapable of serving or who have been ejected from service as a result of unconstitutional discrimination from serving in Congress.
Rodriguez-Kennedy is also the president of San Diego Democrats for Equality, a LGBT political club, and was kicked out of the Marine Corps under the militarys now-rescinded Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy.
Another, Democrat Matt Strabone, a candidate for county assessor, asked Butner, (What) the hell is wrong with you in a tweet.
Im open to letting you explain yourself, Josh, but this isnt ancient Sparta. If you meant what you said, thats incredibly troubling, he tweeted.
In response to questions from The San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday, Butner put out a statement clarifying his statement.
When I referred to service, I mean some form of National Service, Butner said in a statement. National Service could consist of the Peace Corps, a similar form of national domestic service, or the military. This sentiment is what was meant by JFK when he said, Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. Im glad my comment has at least sparked a conversation about the importance of service to our country.
Campa-Najjar said that Butner clearly was referring to military service.
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That means ppl with disabilities, obesity, or LGBT ppl during Dont Ask Dont Tell wouldve been prohibited from running, he said in a tweet.
His campaign also released a statements from four veterans who preferred not to see military service as a requirement to run for Congress.
Butner, of Jamul, enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and trained as a corpsman before starting SEAL training immediately thereafter. He deployed to Iraq in the first Gulf War, became an officer in 1995 and later deployed to Afghanistan and back to Iraq. He retired as a lieutenant commander and now sits on the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District board.
For members of the House of Representatives, the Constitutions only requirements are that members are at least 25 years old, be a United States citizen for at least seven years and a resident in their districts state.
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A new national service requirement whatever the type would mean that many current members of Congress, including some incumbents who have endorsed Butner, would not be able to be a member of the House.
Butners campaign did not respond to questions about Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, and Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, two members who have both endorsed Butner but have not participated in a national service program.
A spokeswoman for Peters campaign expressed appreciation for Butners service, and said that its important for candidates to be committed to public service, but national service programs arent the only way to contribute.
[T]here are many different ways to serve your community, and many different paths to Congress; Congress should be made up of people from all walks of life, not just those whose path included national service, spokeswoman MaryAnne Pintar said.
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A military service requirement would disqualify even more incumbents than a record of any type of national service. There wouldnt have been a Democrat in the White House since Jimmy Carter, or a Republican since George W. Bush.
Of the 435 seats in the House, 80 are currently filled by veterans. Two of them are women Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, officers in the National Guard and the Air Force, respectively.
The militarys fitness, health, and other standards, as well as disabilities, chronic illnesses and other disqualifiers would also keep large portions of the general public from serving in uniform and later entering politics.
Besides Hunter and Campa-Najjar, Butner is also running against Republican businessman Shamus Sayed and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells. Democrat Patrick Malloy, a businessman, and independent Richard Kahle, an Army veteran, are running as well.
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This military service photo is used in Josh Butners campaign materials. (Butner campaign )
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Twitter: @jptstewart
joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com
(619) 293-1841
The Supreme Court on Monday turned down a request from Republican legislative leaders in Pennsylvania to block a redrawn congressional map that creates more parity between the political parties in the state.
The practical impact is the 2018 elections are likely to be held under a map much more favorable to Democrats, who scored an apparent victory last week in a special election in a strongly Republican congressional district. The 2011 map that has been used this decade has resulted in Republicans consistently winning 13 of the states 18 congressional seats.
Mondays action was the second time that the court declined to get involved in the partisan battle that has roiled Pennsylvania politics. The commonwealths highest court earlier this year ruled that a map drawn by Republican leaders in 2011 clearly, plainly and palpably violated the free-and-equal-elections clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
The U.S. Supreme Court deliberated nearly two weeks before turning down the request to stop the map from being used in this falls elections. Generally the justices stay out of the way when a states highest court is interpreting its own state constitution.
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The action came shortly after a three-judge federal panel also turned down a separate attempt by Republican legislators and members of Congress to stop implementation of the map.
The Supreme Court gave no reasoning in its one-sentence order, only that it was considered by all nine justices. There were no noted dissents.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, D, praised the courts.
I applaud these decisions that will allow the upcoming election to move forward with the new and fair congressional maps, Wolf said in a statement. The people of Pennsylvania are tired of gerrymandering and the new map corrects past mistakes that created unfair congressional districts and attempted to diminish the impact of citizens votes.
Under the map drawn by a nonpartisan expert and adopted by Democratic justices of Pennsylvanias elected Supreme Court, analysts say Republicans start with an edge in 10 of the 18 districts. Pennsylvania, traditionally a purple state, has a legislature controlled by Republicans, a Democratic governor and a U.S. senator from each party.
Candidates face a Tuesday deadline to qualify to run for the redrawn seats.
The redrawing is extensive. For instance, the 18th Congressional District was in the national spotlight last week, when Democrat Conor Lamb appeared to come out ahead against Republican Rick Saccone. But the district is split four ways under the new plan.
Political analysts say the changes in Pennsylvania might aid national Democrats in their attempt to flip the House from Republican control. Democrats need to take about two dozen seats to win the majority, and Pennsylvania could provide some of that total. Six incumbents, five of them Republicans, have said they will not be on the fall ballot.
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Pennsylvanias top Republicans have fought the imposition of a new plan since the state Supreme Court ruled. They have received encouragement from President Trump, who tweeted last month that they should challenge the new map all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
Your Original was correct! Trump tweeted. Dont let the Dems take elections away from you so that they can raise taxes & waste money!
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. turned down the states first request Feb. 5, after the state Supreme Court ordered a new map.
After the map was adopted, the legislative leaders were back, renewing their plea that the Pennsylvania justices were taking away the power that rightfully belongs to the state legislature to draw congressional lines.
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The Pennsylvania Supreme Court conspicuously seized the redistricting process and prevented any meaningful ability for the legislature to enact a remedial map to ensure a court-drawn map, said state House Speaker Michael Turzai, R, and Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R.
But those who challenged the 2011 map as an improper partisan gerrymander said the GOP lawmakers were making arguments the U.S. Supreme Court already has rejected.
Their latest stay application is just another ploy to preserve congressional districts that violate Pennsylvanias Constitution for one more election cycle, said a brief for the League of Women Voters, adding, It would be unprecedented for this Court to interfere with the state courts determination about its own states law.
The challengers pointed out that qualifying has already begun under the new map and that at least 150 candidates in all 18 new districts have begun collecting voter signatures on nomination petitions for May 15 primaries.
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Pennsylvania election officials have said changing the process again would require postponing the primaries and could cost the commonwealth $20 million.
Todays Supreme Court ruling was a victory for Pennsylvania voters who will now be able to cast ballots for congressional candidates in districts not unconstitutionally manipulated to make them uncompetitive, said Micah Sims, Common Cause Pennsylvanias executive director.
The victory in Pennsylvania for opponents of partisan gerrymandering suggests a new mode of attack, by challenging redistricting in state courts under state constitutions.
The U.S. Supreme Court has never thrown out a states redistricting plan by finding it so infected with partisan bias that it violates voters constitutional rights.
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But the court has on its current docket two cases - one from Wisconsin and one from Maryland - that raise the question.
Volunteers sweat to keep city's Mother River waters clean
From:Shine | 2018-03-20 01:29
AFTER almost two decades, a one-man campaign to clean up the riverbanks of Huangpu River in Wujing Town has grown to more than 540 volunteers.
Zhang Haiyang, a 46-year-old factory worker who has logged about 670 hours for the cleanup effort since 2003, was honored as one of Shanghais top volunteers in 2017.
Huangpu River flows from Taihu Lake in neighboring Jiangsu Province and Dianshan Lake in Qingpu District into the Yangtze River, taking a right angle in Wujing. Its at that crook where garbage tends to pile up along the western bank.
Although the stretch of river that provides water to households in Shanghai is further upstream, Wujing residents saw no reason why they had to endure the pollution in their backyard.
Wujing Park on the riverbank is now a favorite spot for fishing enthusiasts, but that wasnt the case two decades ago.
Fish, shrimp and crabs had largely disappeared from the waterfront by 2000, but since 2010, they have returned, said Zhang, who lived in a residential complex next to the park for three decades.
Zhang followed in the footsteps of his father, Zhang Gengda, a nationally awarded volunteer, in his campaign to clear garbage from the towns stretch on the Huangpu River, which Shanghai people affectionately call Mother River.
At my fathers deathbed, he asked me to take care of my mother and to keep cleaning up the riverbank, Zhang said.
Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE
Zhang Haiyang pulls out garbage from the Huangpu River in Wujing Park in Minhang District.
The volunteer who initially inspired the campaign was Wang Xianming, a retiree who started to dredge garbage from the river with a rod in 1999 and soon attracted a band of other volunteers.
One of Wangs legacies is a timetable of tides for each day of a Chinese lunar month. Volunteers still use it today.
The busiest time is the early afternoons of the first and the 15th day of a lunar month, when the water level is highest at about a meter above the silt in the riverbed.
Joining Zhang and a dozen volunteers on the afternoon of last Friday, this reporter saw rubber boots, shoes, beer bottles, gloves, porcelain cups, milk cartons and plastic foam food boxes tangled in tree trunks, branches and straw. It formed a floating garbage heap of about 20 square meters on the river at the corner of a ferry pier.
Shoes, bottles, foam and wood are most common trash, and there were also dead cats, dogs and pigs a few years ago, Zhang said, adding that foam trash has significantly declined in recent years.
It is a typical day for the clean-up campaigners. Zhang and a few men climb up the 1-meter-high cement wall. From that vantage point, they use long rods with a net or bent spearheads to drag garbage up from the water. Women volunteers help load the garbage into large plastic tanks. The air reeks of diesel from a fleet of barges parked near the riverbank.
Bundles of straws and bulky timber pieces soaked in water can be extremely heavy. Volunteer wake up with aching muscles the next morning.
When Zhang is ready to pull something from the water, he shifts the rod left and close to his chest before lifting slowly. He said he learned this technique from his father.
After half an hour, it looks as if about a fourth of the garbage on the water has been cleared. Then another group of volunteers takes over the rods.
The bamboo rods, 5 meters long, are made by Zhang and his fellow volunteers. The strongest rods are those made from older bamboo, which is less likely to crack in the middle, Zhang said. But even those dont last more than a year or two.
The work was easier when the cement wall on the riverbank was lower and 3-meter rods could be used, he said.
The volunteers also work when the tides are low and they can descend a ladder to the riverbed to hand pick garbage.
Zhang said about 3,500 tons of garbage has been cleared so far.
The band of volunteers includes students, workers and retirees from all parts of Minhang District and beyond.
Steve Breens cartoon, Big Pharma (March 20), was spot on, depicting Big Pharma sweating it over Donald Trumps statements about possibly giving the death penalty to the big pushers. This of course is right out of the playbook of his mentor, Philippines President Dirty Harry Duterte, who didnt bother with due process in his many drug dealer killings.
Recent 60 Minutes pieces documented in chilling detail how Big Pharma, led by McKesson Corp., continued to provide millions of opioid pills to small pharmacies in small towns even after federal regulators required them to monitor and report those inordinate drug shipments.
Trump suggested running commercials about the problem, but we should start with jail time for the greedy corporate fat cat drug dealers.
Bill Leonard
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According to Frances anti-fraud organization, more than five million gallons of wine falsely labeled as Cotes-du-Rhone - a designation given to wines from the Rhone region and carefully monitored, like all French wine appellations, by the governments Institut National des Appellations dOrigine - were sold between 2013 and 2016. Some 264,000 gallons of that were even marketed as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a particularly renowned Rhone wine that commands premium prices.
The findings were revealed late last week by the Direction Generale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Repression des Fraudes (DGCDRF). The investigation into the scandal found a massive misuse of the Cotes-du-Rhone label, some of it by an unnamed major wine wholesaler.
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The Drinks Business and other outlets have suggested that the company in question is Raphael Michel, whose eponymous chairman was arrested in August of last year for wine mislabeling, along with other high-ranking employees of the company. DGCDRF chief executive Virginie Beaumeunier reportedly told the media that the CEO of the company in the report was indicted for deception and fraud.
The high prices fetched by premium wines can present fertile ground for fraud. In 2016, Liber Paters Loic Pasquet was charged with fraud over the misuse of approximately $650,000 in agricultural subsidies that had been intended to promote his luxury Bordeaux wines in Russia, China, and Brazil. He was given a one-year suspended prison sentence, issued a $12,327 fine, and ordered to pay back $283,523 of the subsidies he received.
If you arent as particular about your vino as the French government, here are 8 secrets to scoring wine deals at Costco and 20 reasons to drink a glass every day.
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In this 1943 editorial, an African-American woman describes her struggle to help Americas war effort.
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A nurses aide in one of the Philadelphia hospitals tells us about one of her patients. The patient is a Negro woman, mother of several children. She is in the hospital recovering from terrible injuries received in an automobile accident on her way to work at a shipyard 20 miles away. She told the nurses aide how she got the job at the shipyard, as a welder.
The foreman didnt want me. He said I couldnt learn it anyway. I told him, Im not after this job to take away any mans work. Im trying to work here because you cant get men. You dont want women in here, and I would rather do a lot of other things better. But you need people here and I can learn this welding. I did learn it too. Before I was hurt I could even read blueprints and follow em. Why, that foreman who didnt want me to work for him came in yesterday to see how I am getting along!
The nurses aide tells us that everybody in the ward hopes this particular welder will recover rapidly, because her one fear is that she will not be out of the hospital in time to see her ship launched. That ship represents an instrument of victory which she helped build after a struggle to get a job, a lot of hard study learning how to do it, and plenty of hard work at the welding itself. Her right arm is so twisted and deformed as a result of the accident that the hospital staff are not so sure this spirited and patriotic Negro woman will do any more welding. But they are going to do their best to see to it that she gets to the water front to see her ship go down the ways.
Sometimes we wonder whether expressions like manpower, absenteeism, incentives and essential workers do not get in the way. After all, there are a lot of rugged individualists around, pushing their way into war jobs, learning how to do new kinds of work, exhibiting that fine but intangible affection which the true worker feels for the fruits of his labor. This colored womans story reminds us that there are phases of the great uprising by American democracy.
Some People Defy Statistics, Editorial, March 20, 1943
This article appears in the March/April 2018 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Subscribe to the magazine for more art, inspiring stories, fiction, humor, and features from our archives.
San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/20/2018 -- Pharmacovigilance (PV) is a process refereeing to the detection, collection, prevention, and monitoring of negative effects that may occur because of the use of pharmaceutical products and other drugs. PV services cater to a wide range of drug related activities such as discovery of a drug to its commercialization. It also helps with the utilization of tools and software that reviews, classifies data on drugs and pharmaceutical products. There has been a soaring demand for pharmacovigilance services due factors such as rising drug consumption, growing prevalence of chronic diseases, respiratory disorders, and cancer symptoms, among others. In addition to this, a large number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) has added a substantial burden on healthcare sector leading to the increased demand for pharmacovigilance.
The global pharmacovigilance market is expanding at a swiftly. Many leading pharmaceutical and IT companies are strategically collaborating and actively promoting pharmacovigilance software to bolster their market contribution. There are extensive post-market controlling mechanisms set up by multiple government supervisory agencies that concentrates on safety and efficiency of the various pharmaceutical products after they are pitched in the market. The governments have also established centers to enhance the pharmacovigilance services. For instance, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has aimed to assign around 40 pharmacovigilance officials across the country to coordinate with various ADR centers and strengthen reporting and monitoring of ADR activities. Increased mortality rate because of ADRs and rising awareness among patients about the safety and efficiency of the drugs are expected to be the significant driving factors for the growth of the global pharmacovigilance market.
Request a sample copy of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1328
Global Pharmacovigilance Market: Overview
Pharmacovigilance (PV) is a scientific process pertaining to the collection, detection, monitoring, and prevention of adverse effects that may arise due to use of drugs and pharmaceutical products.
Pharmacovigilance services cater to drug development activities ranging from its discovery to commercialization and consist of tools and software that helps in reviewing, classifying, creating, and other data. PV occupies a critical role in drug regulation system that helps in comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Increasing instances of ADR cause an extension of patient morbidity, increase hospitalization fees, and thus pose a significant burden on any responsive healthcare system. These factors stimulate the demand for pharmacovigilance services worldwide and contribute to the expansion of the market. Several pharmaceutical companies prefer collaborating with BPOs and contract research organizations (CROs) for pharmacovigilance services to bring down the cost and augment the operational efficiency.
Global Pharmacovigilance Market: Trends
The global pharmacovigilance market is primarily driven by the rising incidence of ADR, soaring patient awareness regarding safety of drugs, and stringent regulations by various agencies related to drug approvals. Strict guidelines related to clinical trials of new drug therapies and mandatory requirements to keep electronic medical records (EMR) have propelled the growth of the PV market. Initiatives taken by renowned regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA), and global organizations such as the WHO have mounted pressures on several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to manufacture safe drugs. This is expected to stimulate the demand for pharmacovigilance.
Furthermore, the rising trend of outsourcing of PV services to BPOs and CROs has resulted in effective drug regulation system. These outsourcing entities offer pharmacovigilance services that have high regulatory compliance, enhanced productivity, and better strategic outcomes, thus boosting the global PV market. However, concerns of patient data safety, rise in web-based sale of drugs, and lack of expertise are the key factors that may impede the growth of the market to some extent. Nevertheless, the rising number of clinical trials, particularly phase 3 and phase 4 clinical trial will unlock abundant opportunities for the market players.
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Global Pharmacovigilance Market: Market Potential
The global pharmacovigilance is growing at a rapid pace. Intense post-market monitoring mechanisms set up by various government regulatory agencies increasingly focus on safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products after they are launched in the market. This has led to a flurry of PV activities and procedures. Various coordination initiatives between national agencies, healthcare providers, and regional pharmacovigilance centers in several countries such as France, China, India, Romania, and Turkey have put the onus on pharmaceutical companies to collect and assess information relating to adverse drug effects. Subsequently, effective measures can be taken to prevent and mitigate the risks.
Furthermore, governments in various countries have created centers to expand PV services. For instance, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has intended to appoint as many as 40 district product safety pharmacovigilance officials in the country; these officials will coordinate with different ADR centers to strengthen the monitoring and reporting of ADR activities. These initiatives are expected to provide a robust boost to the market across the region.
Global Pharmacovigilance Market: Regional Outlook
The pharmacovigilance market in the U.S. held a prominent share in 2016 and the regional market is expected to rise at healthy CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the rising mortality rates due to ADR and soaring awareness of patients on safety and efficacy of drugs. Asia Pacific is expected to expand at positive CAGR in the next five years. Growth witnessed in the region will be driven by stringent health care regulations, vast geriatric base, intense government initiatives to set up PV centers, and rising number of clinical trials conducted.
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Global Pharmacovigilance Market: Competitive Landscape
Major technology and IT companies are actively launching pharmacovigilance software to strengthen their market shares. Pharmaceutical and life sciences companies are forming strategic collaborations with key contract research organizations (CRO) to expand their market presence in various regions. This has also enabled them to gain a better foothold in major regions by effectively positioning their services to new clients. Major players operating in this market include Accenture, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ICON, Covance, PAREXEL, Quintiles, Synowlwedge, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, and United BioSource.
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Still No. 1
UofSC excels in latest U.S. News graduate rankings
The Darla Moore School of Businesses International MBA program remained No. 1 in the country in the latest U.S. News & World Reports Best Graduate Schools publication.
From the top-ranked international business program to criminal justice and nursing, the University of South Carolinas graduate programs continue to make their mark in the Palmetto State and beyond.
Carolina has 43 programs listed in the newly released U.S. News & World Reports Best Graduate Schools publication, the popular annual guide for prospective students.
The year's highlights include a continued No. 1 ranking for the International MBA program. The Darla Moore School of Businesses Professional MBA program ranked 13th among public universities and 22nd overall.
Here are a few other ranking highlights from the guide, released Tuesday (March 20):
The masters in nursing program moved up more than a dozen spots and now ranks 23rd among all public universities (39th overall), while the doctor of nursing practice ranked 29th among public programs (44th overall).
The criminal justice graduate program at the College of Arts and Sciences ranked 18th among all public universities (22nd overall).
The College of Engineering and Computing has eight programs included in this years U.S. News & World Reports Best Graduate Schools rankings.
The College of Engineering and Computings nuclear engineering program ranked 17th among public universities (19th overall). It is one of eight programs in the college included in this years ranking.
The school library media program in the School of Library and Information Science (College of Information and Communications) garnered the No.5 overall ranking.
Provost Joan Gabel says graduate and professional programs are an important part of the universitys mission and impact. At nearly 9,000 students, Carolina enrolls far more graduate students each year than other institutions in the state. We know we have a shortage of baccalaureate degree holders in South Carolina, but the state also needs more advanced-degree graduates, Gabel says. Were proud that we can offer so many high-quality degree opportunities to students thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff who deliver excellence each and every day.
Learn more
Visit U.S. News & World Reports website for the complete graduate rankings.
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A team of geophysicists at the University of California, Berkeley, proposes that Martian oceans originated several hundred million years earlier than thought, as the Solar Systems largest volcanic system called Tharsis formed, and that greenhouse gases enabled the oceans. The teams theory predicts smaller oceans, more in line with estimates of water underground and at the poles today.
Volcanoes may be important in creating the conditions for Mars to be wet, said University of California, Berkeleys Professor Michael Manga.
Those claiming that Mars never had oceans of liquid water often point to the fact that estimates of the size of the oceans dont jibe with estimates of how much water could be hidden today as permafrost underground and how much could have escaped into space. These are the main options, given that the polar ice caps dont contain enough water to fill an ocean.
The new model proposes that the oceans formed before or at the same time as Tharsis, instead of after Tharsis formed 3.7 billion years ago.
Because Tharsis was smaller at that time, it did not distort Mars as much as it did later, in particular the plains that cover most of the northern hemisphere and are the presumed ancient seabed.
The absence of crustal deformation from Tharsis means the seas would have been shallower, holding about half the water of earlier estimates.
The assumption was that Tharsis formed quickly and early, rather than gradually, and that the oceans came later, Professor Manga said.
Were saying that the oceans predate and accompany the lava outpourings that made Tharsis.
Its likely that Tharsis spewed gases into the atmosphere that created a global warming or greenhouse effect that allowed liquid water to exist on the planet, and also that volcanic eruptions created channels that allowed underground water to reach the surface and fill the northern plains.
The model also counters another argument against oceans: that the proposed shorelines are very irregular, varying in height by as much as a kilometer, when they should be level, like shorelines on Earth.
This irregularity could be explained if the first ocean, called Arabia, started forming about 4 billion years ago and existed, if intermittently, during as much as the first 20% of Tharsis growth. The growing volcano would have depressed the land and deformed the shoreline over time, which could explain the irregular heights of the Arabia shoreline.
Similarly, the irregular shoreline of a subsequent ocean, called Deuteronilus, could be explained if it formed during the last 17% of Tharsis growth, about 3.6 billion years ago.
These shorelines could have been emplaced by a large body of liquid water that existed before and during the emplacement of Tharsis, instead of afterwards, said Robert Citron, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley.
The research is published in the journal Nature.
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Robert I. Citron et al. Timing of oceans on Mars from shoreline deformation. Nature, published online March 19, 2018; doi: 10.1038/nature26144
Press Release
March 20, 2018 Update on the Senate Relocation
Delivered by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson
March 20, 2018 https://pinglacson.net/2018/03/20/sen-lacson-updates-colleagues-on-the-senates-relocation-march-20-2018/ Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I have the distinct honor and privilege to render a progress report on the relocation of the new Senate building. Late last year, on November 21, 2017, this august chamber adopted PS Resolution No. 293 entitled "RESOLUTION CREATING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TASKED TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SENATE BUILDING AND RELOCATION OF THE SENATE THERETO," filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and thereafter voted for the transfer of the Senate to a parcel of land located at the Navy Village, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. In addition, this body has bestowed upon the Committee on Accounts the task of pursuing the relocation and overseeing the eventual construction of the Senate's new home. Mr. President, it is no secret that some may have misgivings about this decade-old plan to relocate the Senate. The walls and corners of our present building attest to the qualms of some who murmur or think out loud: "Hanggang plano lamang naman yang Senate relocation" or "Hindi rin naman matutuloy yan tulad noong mga nakaraang taon." Mr. President, humbly I stand here today to update all of you on the work that we have undertaken as a testament that we take the matter of realizing this long-time dream very seriously. Right after this chamber has approved the transfer, members of my staff and that of the Office of the Senate Legal Counsel, started the negotiation between the Senate and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would pave the way for the lot purchase for the future site of the new Senate building. Also, as part of our sincere effort to make sure that what was approved by this body would be carried out, this representation proposed the allocation of PhP1.5 billion, which was readily endorsed by the chair of the Committee of Finance, the Hon. Loren Legarda, for the relocation of the Senate under the 2018 General Appropriations Act. On January 3, 2018, the Senate, through the Senate President, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the BCDA on the former's intention to acquire and purchase 18,320 square meters of land at the Navy Village Property, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Under the said MOU, the Senate was given the option to purchase the BCDA property within one year, subject to the obligation of the latter to relocate the current occupants, with not more than P90,000 per square meter as purchase price. Considering that the construction of a Senate building requires technical capacity for such kind of project, for which the Senate has no capability, this representation sought the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through Secretary Mark Villar. Thus, the Bureau of Design of the DPWH, through OIC-Director Lea N. Delfinado, reached out to our office to extend a helping hand in the implementation of this project. Also, Secretary Villar gave the DPWH's assurance, in his letter-reply dated March 7, 2018, that it will assist the Senate in the realization of its vision of having a new and permanent home. On the part of the BCDA, having signed the MOU, it created a team that would not only negotiate the Contract to Sell but would also assist the Senate every step of the way as we embark towards acquiring and constructing our own building. Thus, on January 23, 2018, our Office called for its first coordination meeting with the BCDA and the DPWH. Also present in the said meeting were the Senate Legal Counsel and the Maintenance and General Services Bureau of the Senate. During the said meeting, our technical team presented the Project Road Map for the Senate Relocation. After the discussion, both the BCDA and the DPWH agreed that the proposed timetable was doable. Mr. President, allow me now to present the Project Road Map for the Senate Relocation. It is composed of five major stages: Project Planning and Land Acquisition
Conceptual Design
Procurement of Design and Build Package
Construction and Commissioning
Procurement and Installation of Fixtures The first stage is Project Planning and Land Acquisition. The stage that we are presently in is the Project Planning and Land Acquisition. It runs for three months from January to March, which basically sets things down and plans the course of the entire project up to its completion. All the preliminary activities are being made and coordinated during this stage. Simultaneously, in coordination with the BCDA, we are formalizing the acquisition of the land where we will relocate and build the new building. The second stage is the Conceptual Design Development Stage, which runs from February to June. Mr. President, my dear colleagues, if you will recall when we presented the Committee Report before this chamber last November 21, this body agreed with this representation that indeed the Senate deserves an iconic structure that relives the great lessons of history, represents the dignity of this independent institution, and consecrates the values of a truly democratic legislature. That said, let me take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the BCDA. As part of our negotiation for the purchase of the site for our new building and to pave the way for the building phase of this project, the BCDA rolled out the search for the Conceptual Design of the new Senate Building. May I reiterate that we have closed the first 100 years of the Senate on October 16, 2016, and last year, we started our course for the next centenary. Thus, I could not think of a more fitting recognition and legacy than to provide this institution with its own dignified home. On that account, we launched on February 14, 2018 the Global Conceptual Design Competition for the new home of the Philippine Senate with the theme: Bagong Senado sa ikalawang Siglo. Perusal of the website will show its viewers the rich history of the Philippine Senate through the different buildings that served as its previous homes and the iconic parliamentary landmarks around the world which serve as inspiration for our own. More importantly, our website lays down the key details of the competition, specifically the mechanics, design parameters, and timelines. One may also find a virtual board of relevant announcements, resources, frequently asked questions and complete contact information. Mr. President, I believe it is worthy to note that this website is a product of the Senate's own homegrown talents. This project is the fruit of the collaboration of the members of my staff, the social media team of the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau, Print Media Service, and Electronic Data Processing and Management Information System Bureau. At this point, allow me to briefly elaborate on the fundamental details of the two phases of the competition. This morning, we have just officially closed the first phase of the Conceptual Design Competition. Under this phase, we issued a call for the participation to all technically competent firms, local and international, to register their interest to take part in the design competition. There was a total of 40 firms that registered, composed of 16 local and 24 foreign firms. After the closing of submission, the Selection Committee, with representatives both from the Senate and the BCDA, conducted a technical working group session to vet and rank the participating firms into a shorter list of 10 firms. The technical working group based their evaluation on the following: Personnel and firm and projects. Under personnel, they considered Technical and Professional Capabilities of Key Personnel and gave it 40%. It includes: Education
Relevant Professional License/Certificates/Accreditation
Overall Relevant Work Experience
Number of Completed Similar Projects
Awards and Citation Under firm and projects, which is given 60%: Relevant Experiences
Years of Business Operation
Green Building Design
Identity/Uniqueness
Relevance
Awards and Citation Based on their evaluation, the Selection Panel, composed of Senators Tito Sotto, Gringo Honasan, Ralph Recto, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Nancy Binay, BCDA Chairman Gregorio Garcia, BCDA President Vivencio Dizon and this representation, as Chair, selected the five shortlisted firms qualified to come up with their respective conceptual designs. With the indulgence of everyone, let me now present to this body the final list of five firms and their descriptions: 1. AECOM
2. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
3. Henning Larsen Architects
4. Leeser
5. Aidea Distinguished colleagues, let me be clear that the firms presented are not in any order of preference. Having selected the five finalists, we are now on the second phase of the Conceptual Design Competition. We set the deadline for the submission of their conceptual designs on May 18, 2018. Mr. President, members of the majority as well as the minority blocs of this Chamber, let me take this opportunity to request the presence of your representatives on April 04, 2018 for the briefing of the final five firms. This is our opportunity to articulate the vision that we want mirrored in the designs that the five shortlisted firms will be submitting. This is also our chance to communicate to the firms the functions of this chamber and the needs which the designs should address. In addition, members of the Secretariat, particularly the Senate Secretary, Senate Legal Counsel, Sergeant-at-Arms, Deputy Secretary for Administration and Finance, Deputy Secretary for Legislation, and other officers would as well be invited in the said April 4th briefing. We will be sending out formal letters of invitation in this regard. Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the designs of the five shortlisted firms shall be evaluated by a Technical Evaluation Committee composed of the technical staff from the Senate, BCDA, DPWH, and experts from the following organizations: United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)
Philippine Green Building Council
Philippine Institute of Interior Designers
Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners
National Commission for Culture and Arts The shortlisted firms shall present their conceptual designs to the Senate Committee on Accounts and the Senate President, who will compose the board of judges, on May 28, 2018 at 9 a.m. the venue will be communicated a week before the event. The winning firm will be announced and presented for confirmation by this chamber on the same day. The firm with the winning design will have the opportunity to undertake the detailed architectural design of the project upon successful selection of the design and build contractor for the development of the new Senate building. The New Senate Building, Mr. President, must be green, secure, functional, and iconic. The Senate of the Philippines having recently celebrated its first centennial, our vision is to provide a design that will symbolize the Senate for what it stands for, a design that will become a landmark for the Filipino people, and a design that can take the Senate of the Philippines to the next 100 more years and beyond. As part of our due diligence, Mr. President, we requested the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to conduct an appraisal on the subject Navy Village property. On February 22, 2018, the DBP communicated to us the result of its appraisal, which confirms that the purchase price being negotiated is way below its appraised value. On the same day, this representation communicated to BCDA President Dizon the intention of the Senate to exercise the option under the MOU and presented the terms of payment in order to formally commence the negotiation. Thus, formal negotiation for the Contract to Sell is ongoing. The BCDA already requested the Government Corporate Counsel to review the draft Contract to Sell. Further, as part of due diligence, we also requested for a hazard assessment from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). In its report, dated March 2, 2018, the Phivolcs indicated that the site where the new Senate building will rise is approximately three kilometers west of the West Valley Fault and is thus safe from earthquake-induced landslide. The report also indicated that that the property is moderately susceptible to liquefaction. As stated by Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. through official communication (dated March 15, 2018), the liquefaction hazard was drawn from 1:5,000 scale, a geotechnical investigation is needed to establish site-specific susceptibility. Usec. Solidum, however, explained that the structure can be properly designed and constructed to prevent or mitigate liquefaction effects. To establish a better understanding of the soil properties on-site, a geotechnical investigation was conducted. The process classified and tested the soil type to be very dense soil and soft rock, down to a depth of 15 meters. The report outlined the parameters needed for the selection and design of the foundation system of the project. Also, part of our due diligence, Mr. President, is the conduct of relocation and topographic surveys. The survey results verified the accuracy of the lot coordinates and elevations provided by BCDA and established the property benchmarks necessary for the construction phase. Going even further, Mr. President, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has informed us that the maximum Allowable Top Elevation (above mean sea level) is 67 meters. That is about 20 floors in building height. At this point, we move to the third stage of the Project Road Map. Mr. President, as agreed with the DPWH officials led by Assistant Director Edwin Matanguihan and Engr. Jesus Oba, their agency would oversee the construction of the new Senate building. To date, the DPWH has already submitted to the Senate a draft Memorandum of Agreement, now under review by the Senate Legal Counsel. As part of its responsibilities, the DPWH will prepare the Bidding Documents for the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design and Construction Package. Again, considering that the Senate has no proficiency nor capability to undertake the procurement of the Design and Build package, we will request the DPWH to conduct the public bidding for and in our behalf. The DPWH will also cover the Project Monitoring and Management of the construction phase. Mr. President, the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design and Construction will be bidded out as one package. This is to save time and to make sure that the contractor will be able to implement the detailed architectural and engineering design seamlessly. It should as well be noted, as I stated a while ago, that the Conceptual Design shall be used by the winning contractor and the winning firm shall have an opportunity to work with the contractor. The preparation of the Bidding Documents for the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design and Construction is from March to July of this year. We expect that the Tender of Bids will be on the same month of July. Thus, we are hopeful that the contract for the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design and Construction will be awarded by the last quarter of this year. Mr. President, (if) the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design and Construction will be awarded to the winning bidder this year, the Construction and Commissioning phase or the fourth stage of the Project Road Map, can start next year. Thus, we are looking on a timeline of two years for the construction of the new Senate Building or from January 2019 to December 2020. In order to make sure that the new Senate building will be ready come 2021, we will commence the procurement of furniture, fixtures and equipment during the last quarter of 2019. We expect that the supply and installation of the items will be made on the second quarter of 2020. This will be the fifth and last stage of the Project Road Map. Mr. President, if our project of constructing a new and dignified home will not encounter any major setback or delay, we are hopeful that the Philippine Senate will open the Third Regular Session of the 18th Congress in its new building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Mr. President, as I have emphasized exactly four months ago, the plan of constructing the Senate its permanent building will be just another "cycle" if we do not take even an inch of movement. As somebody once said: "without action, the best intentions in the world are nothing more than that: intentions." The endeavor of constructing a new Senate home, OUR home, is not an easy task. Mr. President, with our current progress, I say that our intention, shared even with past Congresses, is finally shaping into reality. This will not be a single person or a single Committee's bequest. This will be the legacy of the Centennial Senators - tayo po yun Mr. President - of the 17th Congress. This is our legacy. Finally I will be remiss in my duty of presenting the committee's update this afternoon lest I recognize the men and women who diligently and tirelessly worked behind the scene and will continue to do so to make our common dream a reality. May I therefore acknowledge them: Atty. Louie Martinez, Atty. Marlon Mercado, Engr. William Hong, Ms. Inna Villamar, Jen and Claudyn, all from my Senate office staff;
Atty. Ma. Valentina Santana-Cruz, Senate legal counsel;
Atty. Daniel Salomon, the Senate President's Chief of Staff;
Atty. Arnel Jose S. Banas, deputy secretary for administration and financial services;
And from the BCDA: Engr. Marinel Paclibar, Daryl Garcia, Mark Torres, Attys. Richie Paclibar, Lea Maligaya, Ms. Marie Therese Cimafranca, Donald Tolentino; And other individuals who have chosen to remain nameless in this endeavor. Thank you very much.
Press Release
March 20, 2018 Sen. Grace Poe's Sponsorship Speech
On Senate Bill 1755 or An Act Strengthening the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
20 March 2018 Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, and guests, magandang hapon po. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, I rise to sponsor Committee Report No. 302, which recommends the approval of Senate Bill No. 1755 or An Act Strengthening the Powers of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 7925, taking into consideration Senate Bill No. 68 filed by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and House Bill No. 6558 introduced by Representatives Victor Yap, Dalipe, Santos-Recto, Violago, et.al. This legislation will complement another legislation The Open Access Bill of the Committee on Science and Technology which I understand is also being circulated on the floor for sponsorships and approval. The NTC was created by Executive Order No. 546 in 1979. The NTC was then under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The NTC is in-charge for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunication services, including the regulation and development of the telecommunications industry. Meanwhile, Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Act of the Philippines which was passed on February 20, 1995 provides the guidelines in regulating the country's telco industry. The role of NTC is indispensable in this day of fast-paced technology. Filipinos thrive on staying connected with their loved ones. As information plays a crucial role in empowering citizens, Filipinos need real-time information to enable a well-informed populace. There are an estimated 125 million mobile phone subscriptions--more than our country's population of 106 million. Further, according to UK-based web engine, Filipinos are the world's heaviest social media users with 67 million internet users in the country. Filipinos also spent an average of 3 hours and 57 minutes a day on social media sites. Thus, NTC leads a gargantuan task of regulating the telco sector and ensuring efficient services. Mr. President, this bill, once enacted, allows for NTC's regulatory latitude, as well as gives protection to the Commission, its Commissioner or Deputy Commissioners, Officers and Employees from frivolous lawsuits. We have introduced provisions that offer some form of protection to the entire Commission, in that they shall enjoy immunity from suit in the exercise of their powers and shall be indemnified for any and all liabilities, losses, claims, demands, damages, deficiencies, costs and expenses of whatsoever kind and nature that may arise in connection with the performance of their duties. This is quite important considering that during our discussions on this particular measure, the internet organization democracy.net.ph shared that in 2015, then NTC Director Edgardo Cabarios (now Deputy Commissioner) was threatened with lawsuits in relation to his alleged misleading statements about the controversial 700-megahertz frequency band. Cabarios had said he was just answering "questions from the media" and his statements were "based on facts." Moreover, this measure, consistent with efforts to improve telco services in our country, mandates an annual review of available and unassigned spectrum to ensure wider access and a more equitable sharing of these resources and ultimately, provide better broadband and data services to consumers. In the spirit of transparency, all service providers shall also open their books of account to the NTC. Binibigyan din natin ng mandato ang NTC na patawan ng multa ang telcos na lalabas sa anumang probisyon ng batas na aabot sa P1 milyong piso (P1 million) kada araw o isa hanggang dalawang porsyento (1-2%) na multa kung ang telco ay may gross annual income na P10 milyong piso (P10 million). Mr. President, umaasa tayo na kapag agarang naipasa itong panukalang batas na ito, magkakaroon ng mas malakas na kapangyarihan ang NTC na hikayatin at mag-demand ng mas magandang serbisyo mula sa telcos. Sa dami ng mobile prepaid at postpaid subscribers at internet users sa ating bansa, hindi na pupwede ang basta-bastang serbisyo dahil kada bayad sa pagtext, pagtawag at pag-browse sa Facebook ay may kaakibat na maayos na serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan. Marami salamat po.
AFT Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures the Maxigesic painkiller, is selling its "non-core hospital products" to Fortune 500 company Baxter Healthcare in New Zealand and expects to do the same in Australia.
Baxter, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, bought Claris, who AFT had an agreement with, in 2017. Claris's website describes the company as a skin specialist and provides mole mapping and surgical treatments such as biopsies and mole removal. AFT said its deal with Claris in New Zealand and Australia expires in March 2020 and following Baxter's acquisition, there was no certainty of renewal.
The New Zealand sale will take place on March 29 and Australia will follow in May or June 2018, the company said.
"These products for divestment across Australia and New Zealand contribute around 7.5 percent of AFTs operating revenue," AFT said, adding that revenue will be "more than replaced within the next financial year by the growing existing over-the-counter and new targeted hospital products." The company said it expects the sale to generate $5 million in cash which it will use for international expansion plans, and will make a positive contribution to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of "several million dollars" in the 2019 financial year.
In November, AFT reported it had narrowed its first-half loss in the six months to Sept. 30, 2017, to $6.9 million and said it is still on track to return to profitability this financial year or the next as it increases the number of markets where its products are sold.
Growth in Australia, which is 55 percent of the company's market, drove operating revenue up 23 percent to $36.6 million in the first half and AFT said it expects continued strong growth from Australia "particularly with the re-scheduling of codeine-based painkillers from over-the-counter to prescription only from Feb. 1, 2018," though it noted potential for a degree of patient stockpiling of codeine to delay the uptake of products such as Maxigesic.
New Zealand revenue grew 5 percent to $14.1 million in the first half and represented 39 percent of the group total, while its main market in Southeast Asia was Singapore. AFT also sells products in Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and Israel, and has added smaller markets such as Malta and Brunei.
The shares dropped 0.8 percent to $2.58, and have fallen 8 percent in the past year.
(BusinessDesk)
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Kathmandu Holdings, the outdoor equipment retailer, successfully raised $40 million through an institutional share placement of approximately 18.5 million new fully paid ordinary shares, it said in a release to the stock exchange.
The shares were issued at $2.16, a 10 percent discount to the closing price of $2.40 on March 19. Settlement is scheduled to occur on Friday and Monday for the ASX and NZX respectively, with allotment of all shares Monday. The company also intends to raise as much as $10 million selling shares to eligible retail shareholders in Australia and New Zealand for the same $2.16 share price as institutional investors.
The placement was oversubscribed and very well supported by our existing institutional shareholders, with strong demand also coming from new institutional shareholders. We look forward to completing the share purchase plan component of the offer, which opens on March 26," said chief executive Xavier Simonet.
The funds raised will be used to pay for its purchase of US footwear supplier Oboz Footwear for US$60 million in cash and a potential earn-out of up to US$15 million based on an earnings target for the 2018 calendar year, and Kathmandu expects acquisition costs of about $2 million.
The acquisition of Oboz represents a unique and exciting opportunity to expand our presence in the key North American outdoor wholesale market. We are pleased to see such strong support from our shareholders, which is an endorsement of our strategy to accelerate Kathmandus international growth," said Simonet.
The company's shares have gained 22 percent the past year.
(BusinessDesk)
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Air New Zealand chair Tony Carter said he has written to Minister of Finance Grant Robertson to underline the airline's independence from the Crown after Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones lamented its decision to axe regional routes.
"Any appearance of a lack of commercial independence is viewed seriously by the Air New Zealand board and is ultimately potentially damaging to the interests of all shareholders, including the Crown," Carter said in an emailed statement.
That follows an NZME report that Jones told Air NZ regional affairs manager Ian Collier "don't keep closing down regional air links. And take that message to your supervisors".
Jones reportedly made the comments at the Bay of Islands Airport after Air NZ said it will stop flying to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti coast north of Wellington, having axed flights to Kaitaia in 2015.
The Crown owns 51 percent of Air NZ and is represented by shareholding ministers Robertson and Winston Peters, as minister for state-owned enterprises. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sought to diffuse the situation, saying that while ministers have opinions her government has no intention of taking away the airline's independent decision-making.
Carter said the Crowns shareholding "gives it equal rights to all other ordinary shareholders."
Air NZ shares rose 0.2 percent to $3.375 and have gained 5.6 percent this year.
(BusinessDesk)
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New Delhi : Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Sunday confirmed that the 39 Indian who were taken as prisoners by ISIS in 2014 and went missing in Iraq have died.
"Deep penetration radar confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed," she said.The government said it was yesterday informed abot the DNAs of 38 Indians matching with remains of bodies found underneath a mass grave. One body was a 70 per cent match.
While the Rajya Sabha observed a minute's silence after the foreign minister's statement, several members from the opposition parties raised slogans when Sushma wanted to deliver statement on the death of the 39 Indians. Reacting to the ruckus, Lok Sabha Speaker requested the MPs to maintain silence. "This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics!," she added.
Shattered at the heart-wrenching news from @SushmaSwaraj that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead. My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them. Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 20, 2018
Sad news of the confirmation of the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq. Thoughts & prayers are w/their families. But why did the Govt give false hope to the nation for three and a half years that the people were still alive? That was disappointing behaviour. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) 20 March 2018
The MEA also said that General VK Singh will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains of Indians killed in Iraq.
The plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata.
The inevitable. Sad that this admission of the truth took so long. https://t.co/SfayRTAYdO 20 March 2018 Both India and Iraq maintain that the 39 Indian nationals are still alive and authorities in both countries remain committed to continue their search for them on this assumption.
It may be recalled that in July last year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had firmly said in a statement in parliament that she would not declare the 39 Indians dead without concrete proof or evidence. "It is a sin to declare a person dead without concrete evidence. I will not do this sin," Swaraj said in a statement in the Lok Sabha on the fate of 39 Indians missing in Iraq since 2014. The 39 persons, most of whom hail from Punjab, were working on projects near Mosul, when they were kidnapped during their evacuation. Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq expressed her shock over the deaths. "For past 4 years EAM was telling me that they were alive, don't know what to believe anymore. I am waiting to speak with her (Sushma Swaraj). No information was given to us, but just heard her statement made in Parliament," she said.
The government also came under fire earlier when opposition parties like Congress accused it of making "zero" efforts to bring back the Indians and misleading the nation that they were in were in a prison in Badush in Mosul.
Agitating railway apprentice candidates stop trains in Mumbai. Morning commute badly affected. pic.twitter.com/btcNxsYbzP The agitation was called off around 11 am after over three hours of protests. The students, who have cleared the railway apprentice exams, began the 'rail roko' since morning 7am between the Matunga and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT) stations.
Rajendra B. Aklekar (@rajtoday) March 20, 2018 The railway services were forced to stop running suburban and express trains.
: Several agitated students demanding jobs in Indian Railways on Tuesday blocked the railway tracks, including suburban services between Matunga and Dardar stations. This caused inconvenience to lakhs of commuters, a Central Railway official said.
Attempting to restore normalcy, the local police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disrupt the protestors. Some retaliated by pelting stones at the police.
At least five persons and a couple of police personnel were injured in the fracas even as top police and railway officials rushed to the site to control the situation, reported IANS.
Meanwhile, BJP lawmaker Kirit Somaiya assured that the justice to the job-seekers will soon be delivered, including a separate 20% quota and special examinations for Apprentice.
Mumbai Railway Apprentice Agitation, I just talked to Minister @PiyushGoyal.He assured discussion with andolan karta. justice b given to all including Apprentice.Separate 20% quota & special exam for Apprentice. I appeal the AndolanKarta to withdraw RailRoko & come for discussion Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) March 20, 2018
The Central Railway released a statement on the protest and said that there were no rules to provide jobs to apprentices.
"There is no provision of giving jobs to the apprentices as per the Apprentice Act."
"They are given only training of a specified period to improve their skills and experience of having worked in the field. However, Ministry of Railways have taken a decision and reserved 20 percent of the seats filled through direct recruitment."
"The notification is already issued with last date of submitting application as 31.3.2018. Apprentices can apply against this notification and Special Examination will shortly be held for Apprentices who have done training in Railway Workshops under Apprentices Act.
However, the students want the 20% quota limit removed and want the entire quota to be filled by students who have passed the test.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- On his way to Florida last year, Huguenot native Paul Errigo stopped to pick up bagels,
A business partner asked, "Why do you need to bring bagels?"
"Everybody knows that you can't get good bagels anywhere outside of New York. When you go visit people outside of New York, you bring bagels, pizza or bread," said Errigo.
And it all boils down to New York City water.
That's when he sat down with his business partner, Al Dorso, and figured out a way to re-create New York City water.
Only one year later, the New York WaterMaker is being unveiled for the first time on Tuesday at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. The machine will be on the market come April 1, said Errigo, president and CEO of the Belleville, N.J-based company.
"We quickly knew we had something that would change the culinary, food and beverage world. Being from New York we're a little biased; we know we have the best bread, pizza and bagels," said Errigo, who has found success as owner of various businesses over the last 25 years after earning his bachelor's degree from St. John's University, Grymes Hill.
HOW IT WORKS
This patent-pending water source replication system functions as a commercial water filter and replicator of the exact hardness, molecular structure, and chemical composition of a specific location's water, with a key focus on replicating New York City water.
Through this innovative system, recipes will have an authentic New York City style -- not an imitation -- taste, Errigo said.
"When water comes in we test the characteristics of the water, so we know exactly what we need to do, and it goes through our system and it literally changes the molecular structure to make the water molecules identical to the properties of New York City water," said Errigo.
He noted that the machine not only functions as a water replicator, but also as a filtration system, disinfection system and softener, he added.
TO BE FEATURED ON STATEN ISLAND HUSTLE
He noted his new filtration system will be featured on the upcoming series, Staten Island Hustle.
"The creator of the show, Brian D'Antoni, asked us about getting New York water out to other places," said Errigo, about how the system will appear on the show.
TESTED IN DENINO'S
Errigo said the machine was tested in Denino's, which has a Brick, N.J., restaurant that is a companion location to the popular Port Richmond pizzeria.
"Mike, the owner of Denino's, was shipping ice in the car every day to get the water right for the crust at his Brick location," said Errigo.
Mike Burke, owner of Denino's said the New York WaterMaker will allow him to expand his franchise of restaurants to different areas of the country and still produce his authentic New York-style pizza.
"We have been using this for nine months at the Brick location already. He took my tap water and put all the compounds and elements in that water, and the system makes the water exactly like that," said Burke.
"Now, I won't have to transport water and ice back and forth," he added.
GLOBAL INTEREST
Errigo said there is interest in the system from as far as Italy, where different regions of the country seek to replicate water from other areas.
"The possibilities are endless.... It's not just New York water that you can replicate. We can replicate any water with the New York WaterMaker," said Errigo.
And Errigo is no stranger to the pizza business; his younger brother, Phill is owner of Paulie's Pizzera and Errigo's Restaurant on Bay Street.
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new birth control pill for men is a step closer to approval after a new study found the formulation was safe and effective.
According to the results of a new small study presented in Chicago at the annual Endocrine Society meeting, the pill appears to be safe when used daily for a month. The study results, in 83 men, found hormone responses consistent with effective contraception.
Like the pill for women, the daily male oral contraceptive called dimethandrolone undecanoate, or DMAU, combines activity of the male hormone androgen and a progestin.
"DMAU is a major step forward in the development of a once-daily 'male pill,'" said the study's senior investigator, Stephanie Page, in a press release. "Many men say they would prefer a daily pill as a reversible contraceptive, rather than long-acting injections or topical gels, which are also in development."
The study included 100 healthy men, ages 18 to 50 years, who were divided into groups taking three different doses of the pill. Subjects took the pill for 28 days once daily with food. DMAU must be taken with food to be effective, Page said.
At the highest dose of DMAU tested, 400 mg, subjects showed reduced levels of testosterone and two hormones required for sperm production.
The low levels, Page said, are consistent with effective male contraception in longer-term studies. Despite the low levels of circulating testosterone, few subjects reported symptoms consistent with testosterone deficiency or excess.
All groups taking the pill had weight gain and decreases in HDL, or "good" cholesterol, which Page said were mild.
"These promising results are unprecedented in the development of a prototype male pill," Page said in a statement. "Longer term studies are currently underway to confirm that DMAU taken every day blocks sperm production."
DMAU is being developed by the National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which funded this study.
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China's Tencent to take stake in Ubisoft games maker
Paris, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2018
Chinese internet giant Tencent has entered into a strategic partnership with Ubisoft that includes it taking a five percent stake, the French videogame publisher said Tuesday.
Tencent will become a long-term shareholder in Ubisoft's capital as part of media company Vivendi selling its 27.3 percent stake in a 2-billion-euro ($2.5 billion) deal, Ubisoft said.
Ubisoft's chief executive and co-founder Yves Guillemot said the deal will "enable Ubisoft to accelerate its development in China in the coming years and fully leverage a market with great potential."
Tencent operates China's ubiquitous WeChat messaging platform and is the country's leader in social media and gaming.
Vivendi built up a stake in Ubisoft, publisher of popular titles like Just Dance and action game Assassin's Creed, which threatened the Guillemot family's control of the firm as they no longer owned a majority of shares.
Vivendi said its stake in Ubisoft was acquired over the past three years for 794 million euros.
As part of the sale of its shares, 3.4 will go to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, the Guillemot family and Ubisoft shareholders will receive some while institutional investors will be offered the rest.
"The investment from new long-term shareholders in Ubisoft demonstrates their trust in our future value creation potential, and Ubisoft's share buy-back will be accretive to all shareholders," said Guillemot.
Tencent's stake is worth 369 million at the price of 66 euros per share in the transaction.
Tencent got no seats on the company's board of directors and pledged not to transfer its shares nor to increase its share ownership and voting rights in Ubisoft, the French firm said.
spe-rl/bp
Tencent
Former top Canadian security officials warn Ottawa to sever links with China's Huawei
Bell Canada is conducting trial runs in rural communities to test the next generation of 5G technology. Last March, Huawei and the Ontario government announced they would focus on 5G technology at the Chinese company's Canada Research Centre in Kanata, Ont. In December, Huawei included Carleton University in its 5G research.
Mr. Adams, the former head of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), said Huawei has long been a concern to Canadian and U.S. spy services. CSE is Canada's secretive signals intelligence agency.
"I would be very careful about getting engaged with Huawei," he said in an interview. "It doesn't surprise me that the Americans are concerned about Huawei and no doubt especially concerned about what they may be doing in 5G."
U.S. security officials say Huawei products and the new 5G technology provide China with the capacity to conduct remote spying and maliciously modify or steal information or even shut down systems.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Some 53 Insel Air passengers were elated when flight 512 touched down safely on the runway of the Princess Juliana International Airport on Monday, March 19, 2018, at approximately 2:53 pm. The flight originally departed from St. Maarten en route to Curacao at 1:15 pm and later turned around due to engine failure.
Following a code red call from an Insel Air pilot, the SXM Airport Air Traffic controllers executed its safety procedures for an emergency landing. All the pertinent coordination was done with the San Juan Center to acquire all the necessary information. In efforts to uphold the current contingency plan, there was priority given to the aircraft for its emergency landing.
The Director of Operations, Lloyd Hinds disclosed that the aircraft type was a Fokker 50, which experienced engine failure. All the safety actions were taken and the relevant units which included the Rescue and Firefighting, Operations and Security departments were all notified and prepared in the event of any further unexpected developments, he said. The Island Government Fire Department and ambulance were also on standby to assist accordingly.
As the passengers and the flight crew disembarked the Insel Air aircraft, it was determined that there was no further cause for alarm. Meanwhile, the Rescue and Firefighting Department officially declared the situation as a code green at approximately 3:15 pm, which signified that all was cleared with the occurrence.
PHILIPSBURG:---This morning at approximately 10.00 am 12-year-old Joseph Prince, who reportedly went missing from his foster home earlier this month was returned to the Juvenile detective department at Police Headquarters in Philipsburg. Prince, who was spotted several times in public with his mother, was returned by her this morning without incident. After being returned, Prince was handed back over to the Court of Guardianship, who will continue to provide him with the necessary care and support. The investigation, in this case, is still ongoing.
KPSM Press Release.
PHILIPSBURG:--- A kind and generous female tourist, after reading an article in the Daily Herald regarding the donation of uniforms to the students of the Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performance Arts, decided to donate 20 cardigans to complement the uniforms. These cardigans will be donated to students, who were robbed of theirs by Hurricane Irma.
The tourist, who made the generous donation and chose to remain anonymous, was vacationing on the island for the very first time and was desirous of assisting the youth of the island after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. In spite of the post-hurricane condition of the island, she said that she had a wonderful vacation, loved the island and its people and would have liked to give back.
She expressed surprise that in the warm temperatures she experienced on St. Maarten, students would be in need of cardigans. She has explained that most of the classrooms at our school are air conditioned and that some children complain that they feel cold. The cardigans also come in handy during the cooler temperatures we have been experiencing lately early in the mornings. At that time most students leave their home either to catch a bus or walk to school.
Management and students thanked the donor profusely and assured her that the cardigans would be put to good use.
PHILIPSBURG:---The Rotary Club of St. Maarten Mid Isle has been continuing the fight to End Polio Now with three fundraisers for the Rotary Year 2017-2018.
For their second fundraiser of the Rotary Year, Mid Isle teamed up with Alex nAni on August 26th at their Front Street branch for A Charmed by Charity event. At this event, Alex nAni donated 15 pct of that days taking to Mid Isle toward the End Polio Now funds. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match the funds raised with a 2:1 match. President Anjali Manek was on hand to collect the check from Ritika Chugani. This was our second fundraising event for Polio with Alex nAni.
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. The polio virus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable but completely vaccine-preventable.
In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotarys advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.2 billion to the effort.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, formed in 1988, is a public-private partnership that includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments of the world. Rotarys focus is advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and awareness-building.
Today, there are only two countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The polio cases remaining are the most difficult to prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks.
Rotary will raise $50 million per year over the next three years, with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These funds help to provide much-needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. Governments, corporations and private individuals all play a crucial role in funding.
More than one million Rotary members have donated their time and personal resources to end polio. Every year, hundreds of Rotary members work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. Rotary Members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.
The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle meets Tuesday at 7 pm at Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay. For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our facebook page Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle.
MARIGOT:---This year, for the 370th commemoration of the Concordia Treaty, signed on the Mont des Accords on March 23, 1648, the Collectivite of Saint-Martin and its Territorial Youth Council (CTJ), in association with the school community of the College Mont des Accords of Marigot, propose a great morning of animation, at the college Mont des Accords.
From 9 am to 1 pm, the public will be able to attend the activities carried out under the sign of unity and sharing to mark this symbolic day.
The public will be invited to watch films, singing, poems, and dance, and discover the exhibitions organized by the students. It will also be possible to participate in games and animations put in place for the occasion. A culinary fair will be proposed to the visitors to lead them to the discovery or rediscovery of the traditional local dishes.
All these activities are exclusively carried out by the students of the College Mont des Accords, accompanied by the members of the CTJ, with the support of the students of the other colleges of the island.
The school community of College Mont des Accords and the Collectivite of Saint-Martin invite you to come and support this event initiated by the youth of the territory to celebrate the 370th anniversary of the Concordia Treaty. This event will give visitors a great opportunity to remind themselves the story of St. Martin and share a cultural and friendly moment with college students.
Come and enjoy ! Friday, March 23, 2018, from 9am to 1pm, at the Mont des Accords College, Spring Road in Concordia.
Une marche pour commemorer le Traite de Concordia
Le 23 Mars 2018, de 6h a 8h, avant la manifestation organisee au College Mont des Accords, le Conseil Territorial des Jeunes fera sa marche annuelle jusquau Mont des Accords pour commemorer la signature du Traite de Concordia. Cette annee, le CTJ rencontrera au sommet du Mont des Accords le Youth Parliament of Sint Maarten. Une lecture sera faite des articles du texte original du Traite, en francais, anglais et hollandais par les deux institutions.
March 23, 2018, from 6 am to 8 am, before the event at the College Mont des Accords, the Territorial Youth Council of St Martin will organize its annual march on the occasion of the commemoration of Concordia Treaty. This year the CTJ will meet the Youth Parliament of Sint Maarten at the summit of the Mont des Accords. Together, they will read the articles of the original text of the Treaty in French, English, and Dutch.
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U.S. Congress(WASHINGTON) -- House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday he's "received assurances" that firing special counsel Robert Mueller "is not even under consideration," but he would not say who gave him that assurance.
"The special counsel should be free to follow through his investigation to its completion without interference, absolutely. I am confident that he'll be able to do that," the Speaker said.
"We have a system based upon the rule of law in this country, we have a justice system and no one is above that justice system," he added.
While many of Ryan's Republican colleagues have publicly urged the president to stop attacking the special counsel, the Speaker declined to go that far.
Some Senate Republicans were notably more direct.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said, "Anything directed at firing Mr. Mueller blows up the whole town. That becomes the end of governing and the presidency as we know it. And I have zero concern that Mueller is going to be fired by Trump. Zero."
"I feel very confident that his people know what would happen there," Graham said.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, said, "I think the consequences of doing that would be um, very serious and I would hope the president would not do that."
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was even more blunt, saying of Trump, "He's a very bright guy. That would be a stupid thing to do."
Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, pointed to a statement Sunday from Trump lawyer Ty Cobb.
"They issued a statement they would not, they do not plan to fire Mueller. We have had conversations about it and I think they fully understand the type of reaction that would take place in the Senate. So hopefully it doesn't happen."
GOP Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent Trump critic, was asked whether it was a mistake that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has so far not said anything about a possible Mueller firing.
"I do," Flake replied. "I think he needs to say that. I mean come on. This is serious. Firing the special prosecutor?! The Leader may say hes not going to do that, but a couple of weeks ago he said he wasnt firing Tillerson. So I think that preemptively we need to say again don't do it, don't go there, that's a red line you cannot cross."
Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold talks in New York U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold trilateral talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this wee...
Facebook rocked by data breach scandal as investigations loom
Washington, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2018
Facebook shares plunged Monday as the social media giant faced an onslaught of criticism at home and abroad over revelations that a firm working for Donald Trump's presidential campaign harvested and misused data on 50 million members.
Calls for investigations came on both sides of the Atlantic after Facebook responded to the explosive reports of misuse of its data by suspending the account of Cambridge Analytica, a British firm hired by Trump's 2016 campaign.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican John Kennedy called for Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to appear before Congress, along with the CEOs of Google and Twitter.
The two lawmakers said the companies "have amassed unprecedented amounts of personal data" and that the lack of oversight "raises concerns about the integrity of American elections as well as privacy rights."
Senator Ron Wyden asked Facebook to provide more information on what he called a "troubling" misuse of private data that could have been used to sway voters.
Wyden said he wants to know how Cambridge Analytica used Facebook tools "to weaponize detailed psychological profiles against tens of millions of Americans."
In Europe, officials voiced similar outrage.
Vera Jourova, the European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality, called the revelations "horrifying, if confirmed," and vowed to address concerns in the United States this week.
In Britain, parliamentary committee chair Damian Collins said both Cambridge Analytica and Facebook had questions to answer.
"We have repeatedly asked Facebook about how companies acquire and hold on to user data from their site, and in particular whether data had been taken from people without their consent," Collins said in a statement.
"Their answers have consistently understated this risk, and have also been misleading to the committee."
- 'Systemic problems' -
On Wall Street, Facebook shares skidded 6.8 percent amid concerns about pressure for new regulations that could hurt its business model.
Brian Wieser at Pivotal Research said the revelations highlight "systemic problems at Facebook," but that they won't immediately impact the social network's revenues.
Still, he said, "risks are now enhanced" because of the potential for regulations on how Facebook uses data for advertising and monitoring users.
According to a joint investigation by The New York Times and Britain's Observer, Cambridge Analytica was able to create psychological profiles on 50 million Facebook users through the use of a personality prediction app that was downloaded by 270,000 people, but also scooped up data from friends.
A Cambridge Analytica statement denied misusing Facebook data for the Trump campaign.
Facebook said it had hired a digital forensics firm to examine how the data leak occurred and to ensure that any data collected had been destroyed.
"If this data still exists, it would be a grave violation of Facebook's policies," the statement said.
- 'Self-regulation not working' -
Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor who studies social media, said the disclosures will increase pressure to regulate Facebook and other social media firms, already under scrutiny for allowing disinformation from Russian-directed sources to propagate.
"Self-regulation is not working," Grygiel said.
"I'm wondering how bad this needs to get before our regulators step in and hold these companies accountable."
Daniel Kreiss, a professor of media and communications at the University of North Carolina, said Facebook failed to live up to its responsibilities on election ads.
"The fact that Facebook seems to make no distinction between selling sneakers and selling a presidential platform is a deep problem," Kreiss said.
Some analysts suggested the breach posed an existential crisis for Facebook because of how it gathers and uses data on its two billion members.
David Carroll, a media professor at the New School's Parsons School of Design, said Facebook and others will soon be forced to live with new privacy rules such as those set to take effect in the European Union.
"Facebook and Google will have to ask users a lot more permission to track them," Carroll said. "Most people are going to say no, so I think it's going to have a huge impact on these companies."
Carroll has filed a legal action in Britain calling on Cambridge Analytica to disclose what data was gathered and used on him.
"If I can get them to disclose my data or my personality score, it indicates every other American has the right to the same thing," he said.
An undercover investigation of Cambridge Analytica by Britain's Channel 4 said executives boasted they could entrap politicians in compromising situations with bribes and Ukrainian sex workers, and spread misinformation over the internet.
The executives claimed to have worked in more 200 elections across the world, including Argentina, the Czech Republic, India, Kenya and Nigeria.
The British firm said it "strongly denies" the claims from Channel 4 as well as reports on misuse of Facebook data.
"Facebook data was not used by Cambridge Analytica as part of the services it provided to the Donald Trump presidential campaign," a statement read.
UK MPs ask Facebook's Zuckerberg to testify on data row
London, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2018
A British parliamentary committee on Tuesday asked Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to appear before it to explain in person claims that millions of users' data was harvested for political campaigns.
Damian Collins, chairman of the House of Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee, wrote to Zuckerberg asking for his own account of "this catastrophic failure of process".
The request was made as part of the committee's ongoing investigation into fake news, which saw its members last month visit Washington for hearings with officials from Facebook and Twitter.
But it follows allegations that data from up to 50 million Facebook users was harvested by a British company, Cambridge Analytica, for use in the election campaign of US President Donald Trump in 2016.
"Following material published in the UK Guardian and The New York Times over the past few days, the committee would like to request that you appear before us to give oral evidence," Collins wrote.
"The committee has repeatedly asked Facebook about how companies acquire and hold on to user data from their site, and in particular about whether data had been taken without their consent.
"Your officials' answers have consistently understated this risk, and have been misleading to the committee.
"It is now time to hear from a senior Facebook executive with the sufficient authority to give an accurate account of this catastrophic failure of process."
He added: "Given your commitment at the start of the New Year to 'fixing' Facebook, I hope that this representative will be you."
Collins set Zuckerberg a deadline of March 26 to reply.
ar/rjm/rl
EU Parliament invites Facebook boss to speak on data breach
Brussels, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2018
The European Parliament on Tuesday invited Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to speak following revelations that a firm working for Donald Trump's US presidential campaign harvested data on 50 million users.
The parliament and the European Commission, the 28-nation EU executive, have already called for an urgent investigation into the scandal.
"We've invited Mark Zuckerberg to the European Parliament," its President Antonio Tajani tweeted.
"Facebook needs to clarify before the representatives of 500 million Europeans that personal data is not being used to manipulate democracy."
Facebook has faced worldwide criticism over the claims that Cambridge Analytica, the UK data analysis firm hired by Trump's 2016 campaign, harvested and misused data on 50 million members.
The European Parliament's Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt, a Belgian former prime minister, also called on the Facebook chief to personally answer the criticisms.
"When is Mark Zuckerberg going to explain what happened with our data? The data breach is an absolute scandal," tweeted Verhofstadt, who heads the parliament's liberal group.
"The European Parliament must start an investigation."
The EU parliament's civil liberties committee on Monday sent a letter to Facebook asking it to testify before the body, a parliamentary spokesperson told AFP.
British lawmakers on Monday also asked Zuckerberg to give evidence to a UK parliamentary committee on the data row.
EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, who has called the breach "horrifying", was seeking to meet with Facebook during her visit this week to Washington.
Her office said she had also called on independent European data protection authorities who are meeting Tuesday in Brussels to probe the growing Facebook scandal.
"Commissioner Jourova would encourage setting up a taskforce to investigate this case," as the authorities did last year with a similar breach by cab firm Uber, her office said.
Britain's Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham has already said her office would seek a court warrant on Tuesday to search Cambridge Analytica's computer servers.
Britain has voted to leave the EU but remains a member state until next year.
EU digital commissioner Mariya Gabriel told a press conference on Tuesday "we are constantly following this case as it unfolds."
Gabriel added that the EU will say "loud and clear" that "the protection of personal data is a core value for the European Union."
lc/dk/rlp
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Nine suspected FARC dissidents killed in Colombia military operation
Bogota, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2018
Nine suspected FARC dissidents were killed Monday in a military operation in southern Colombia, the defense ministry said.
The operation was carried out in the municipality of Calamar, in the southern central department of Guaviare, the ministry said on Twitter.
Defense minister Luis Carlos Villegas told a press conference authorities were in the process of identifying two of the dead believed to be rebel leaders.
He added that army, air force and police personnel contributed to the operation -- which included bombing -- allowing authorities to target the "entire criminal structure."
FARC guerrillas once operated in Guaviare due to the abundance of drug crops and its strategic position for controlling drug trafficking.
But a 2016 pact to end half a century of armed conflict saw 7,000 rebels disarmed -- and the FARC's transformation into a political party.
However, government and research centers say around 1,100 rebels broke away from the agreement, primarily to pursue drug trafficking and illegal mining.
As part of the peace deal, the FARC -- which funded its armed uprising with drug money -- committed to helping the government combat drug trafficking.
Colombia, whose government is now seeking a similar peace agreement with the National Liberation Army (ELN), is the world's biggest producer and exporter of cocaine.
raa/llu/ska/oh
Strike on Syria's Ghouta kills 15 children sheltering in school: monitor
Beirut, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2018
An air strike on a school in Syria's Eastern Ghouta late Monday killed 15 children and two women who were using its basement as a bomb shelter, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bombing raid hit Arbin, a key town in the dwindling rebel-held enclave of Ghouta that has been under attack by government troops for over a month.
"Three missiles from a single air strike hit the school, where the underground level was being used as a shelter," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based monitor.
"Rescue workers are still searching for survivors," he told AFP.
The Observatory, which identifies air strikes based on flight patterns, munitions used, and aircraft, said Monday night's raids were suspected to have been carried out by Russia.
Moscow has said it is helping Syria's government "finish off" fighters in Ghouta but has denied carrying out air strikes against civilians.
Since February 18, Syrian troops and allied militia have been waging a ferocious ground and air assault to oust rebels from Ghouta, just east of Damascus.
They have captured more than 80 percent of the former opposition and have splintered the remaining territory into three sections, each held by a separate rebel group.
The pocket where Arbin lies is held by the Faylaq al-Rahman Islamist faction.
Syrian troops have made sweeping advances against them in recent days, opening a "corridor" for terrified civilians to flee into government-controlled territory.
Other residents have opted to flee deeper into the shrinking rebel-held areas.
The White Helmets rescue force, which works to extract people out from the rubble after air strikes, said Monday its teams in Arbin were responding to a strike on a "basement" there.
US Air Force to begin fighter-mounted laser testing this summer
Washington, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2018
The US Air Force will this summer begin testing a laser that will be mounted on an F-15 warplane, an official said Monday.
The Pentagon last year awarded a $26 million contract to Lockheed Martin for a laser program called SHiELD (Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator.)
The idea is to put a laser system on aircraft with an output of about 50 kilowatts to test their ability to zap drones or cruise missiles.
"We have got tests starting this summer and the flight tests next summer," Jeff Stanley, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for science, technology and engineering, told reporters.
"There are still some technical challenges that we have to overcome, mainly size, weight, power."
Military laser beams are invisible to the naked eye.
By focusing a beam on a target, the technology rapidly heats it up inside, causing it to crash or explode.
India confirms deaths of 39 workers abducted in Iraq
New Delhi, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2018
The bodies of 39 Indian construction workers kidnapped in Iraq in 2014 by the Islamic State group have been found in a mass grave, India's foreign minister said Tuesday.
Sushma Swaraj told the upper house of parliament the workers had been murdered by IS.
Their bodies had been found in the grave in the village of Badush northwest of the city of Mosul and taken to a local organisation for DNA testing.
"Yesterday they told us that 38 samples had matched. The 39th had a partial match as he didn't have any immediate family," said Swaraj.
The workers were abducted in June 2014 when IS jihadists overran large swathes of territory in Iraq and captured Mosul.
The government had for years insisted they were believed still alive and the latest announcement sparked criticism from some relatives of the dead.
The victims were mostly from poor families in India's northern state of Punjab and had been working for a construction company in Mosul when they were rounded up.
"We got to know that these people were moved from Mosul to Badush by their captors," Swaraj said.
When India's junior foreign minister Vijay Kumar Singh and Iraqi government officials went to Badush, someone told them to inspect a mound in the village, the minister added.
"They said that they had buried many people there (in a mass grave). We reached there and requested Iraqi authorities to use a deep penetration radar, which detected many bodies under the surface," she told parliament.
When the area was excavated, Indian officials found many identification marks such as non-Iraqi shoes and Sikh religious bangles.
"We felt these were our people... contacted a foundation working on the issue and shared missing workers' families' DNA samples with them for the identification process," the foreign minister told parliament.
The Indian government had never received any ransom demand or any other direct communication from the kidnappers.
- 'Heart-wrenching' -
A special plane will bring 38 of the 39 bodies home after formalities are completed in Iraq. The DNA matching process is still incomplete for the final victim.
"Howsoever painful, the families will get the dead bodies after over three years. This will hopefully bring some closure to the grieving families," Swaraj said.
Some relatives, however, criticised the government.
"For the last four years the same minister has been telling me that we have traced their location and they're alive," Gurpinder Kaur, sister of one of the dead workers, told reporters in Punjab.
"I only heard what the minister said on television. I have no other information about it. I am waiting for her to contact me but I don't know what to trust," she added.
Punjab state's chief minister Amarinder Singh described it as "heart-wrenching news".
"My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them," he said, using another acronym for the Islamic State.
Shashi Tharoor, a lawmaker from the main opposition Congress party, told journalists the government had not done right by the families.
"If the government didn't have any details, why did they keep telling everyone they are alive? The government cheated the people (families) by giving them false hope for four years," he said.
At a press conference later, Swaraj denied the government had given families false hope, insisting it had needed proof before confirming any deaths.
The minister also could not say when the hostages had been killed.
Nigeria was warned before Boko Haram abduction: Amnesty
Lagos, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2018
Nigeria's military was on Tuesday accused of ignoring repeated warnings about the movements of Boko Haram fighters before they kidnapped 110 schoolgirls in the country's restive northeast.
The students -- the youngest aged just 10 -- were seized from the town of Dapchi, Yobe state, on February 19 in virtually identical circumstances to those in Chibok in 2014.
Then, more than 200 schoolgirls were taken in an attack that brought sustained world attention on the Islamist insurgency and sparked a global campaign for their release.
President Muhammadu Buhari has called the Dapchi abduction a "national disaster" and vowed to use negotiation rather than force to secure their release.
But as in Chibok nearly four years ago, human rights group Amnesty International claimed the military was warned about the arrival of the heavily-armed jihadists -- yet failed to act.
In the hours that followed both attacks, the authorities also tried to claim the girls had not been abducted.
Amnesty's Nigeria director Osa Ojigho said "no lessons appear to have been learned" from Chibok and called for an immediate probe into what she called "inexcusable security lapses".
"The government's failure in this incident must be investigated and the findings made public -- and it is absolutely crucial that any investigation focuses on the root causes," she added.
"Why were insufficient troops available? Why was it decided to withdraw troops? What measures have the government taken to protect schools in northeast Nigeria?
"And what procedures are supposed to be followed in response to an attempted abduction?"
Nigeria's military denied that any unit had been contacted before or during the abduction and called the allegations and other criticisms from the group an "outright falsehood".
The country's defence spokesman, Brigadier General John Agim, accused Amnesty of an "orchestrated campaign of calumny" to undermine the military's achievements against Boko Haram.
- Multiple calls -
Amnesty said that between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on February 19, at least five calls were made to tell the security services that Islamist fighters were in the Dapchi area.
Locals spotted about 50 members of the Islamic State group affiliate in a convoy of nine vehicles in Futchimiram, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Dapchi, then at Gumsa.
In Gumsa, where Boko Haram stayed until about 5:00 pm, residents phoned ahead to Dapchi to warn them. The convoy arrived at about 6:30 pm and left about 90 minutes later.
Amnesty, whose researchers spoke to about 23 people and three security officials, said the army command in Geidam had told callers they were aware of the situation and were monitoring.
Dapchi police promised to tell divisional commanders while army commanders in Geidam and Damaturu were also alerted during the attack, it added.
People in Dapchi have previously said troops were withdrawn from the town earlier this year, leaving only a few police officers. The nearest military detachment was an hour away.
The Dapchi abduction has thrown into doubt repeated government and military claims that Boko Haram is on the brink of defeat, after nearly nine years of fighting and at least 20,000 deaths.
Boko Haram, which has used kidnapping as a weapon of war during the conflict, has not claimed responsibility but it is believed a faction headed by Abu Mus'ab al-Barnawi is behind it.
IS in August 2015 publicly backed Barnawi as the leader of Boko Haram, or Islamic State West Africa Province, over Abubakar Shekau, whose supporters carried out the Chibok abduction.
Analysts have attributed a financial motive to the Dapchi kidnapping given government ransom payments made to Boko Haram to secure the release of some of the captives from Chibok.
British 'Red Arrows' jet crashes at air base
Anglesey, United Kingdom, March 20 (AFP) Mar 20, 2018
A British military jet used in the Red Arrows aerobatic display team crashed on Tuesday at an airbase in northwest Wales, the Ministry of Defence said.
Officials declined to give more details, but it was understood two people were on board when it crashed at the Valley Royal Air Force base.
"We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
"We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
Police confirmed they attended the scene.
At RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey, wreckage from the jet could be seen close to the runway.
The Red Arrows, Hawk fast jets flown by experienced military pilots, are known around the world for their daring stunts.
They are based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, eastern England.
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Execs from firm at heart of Facebook data breach say they used unattributable and untrackable ads, according to undercover expose
( March 21, 2018, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Senior executives from the firm at the heart of Facebooks data breach boasted of playing a key role in bringing Donald Trump to power and said they used unattributable and untrackable advertising to support their clients in elections, according to an undercover expose.
In secretly recorded conversations, Cambridge Analyticas CEO, Alexander Nix, claimed he had met Trump many times, while another senior member of staff said the firm was behind the defeat crooked Hillary advertising campaign.
We just put information into the bloodstream of the internet and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again over time to watch it take shape, said the executive. And so this stuff infiltrates the online community, but with no branding, so its unattributable, untrackable.
Caught on camera by an undercover team from Channel 4 News, Nix was also dismissive of Democrats on the House intelligence committee, who had questioned him over Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign.
Senior managers then appeared to suggest that in their work for US clients, there was planned division of work between official campaigns and unaffiliated political action groups.
MPs summon Mark Zuckerberg and accuse Facebook of misleading them
Read more
That could be considered coordination which is not allowed under US election law. The firm has denied any wrongdoing.
Cambridge Analytica said it had a firewall policy in place, signed by all staff and strictly enforced.
Sovereignty of the People is the primary source from which the Constitution derives its validity. Constitutional doctrines and concepts such as the separation of power and Constitutionalism therefore must be defined and interpreted to give effect to the concept of sovereign power of the people.
by S. Sarath Mathilal de Silva
( March 21, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The concept of sovereignty has a different connotation in the field of international law. When the term sovereign is used by writers on international law, it describes the position of a State whether a State is independent or whether it is subject to foreign domination. On the other hand the sovereignty in the municipal law involves a discussion of the extent of the law making powers of the main legislative authority.
The Independence Constitution was construed by the courts as conferring on the judiciary the power of judicial review, an aspect of judicial power of the constitutionality of legislation. Both the 1972 Constitution and the 1978 Constitution expressly precluded the judicial review of enacted legislation and limited it to judicial review of Parliamentary Bills within a limited period. The Constitution of 1978 by Article 3 proclaims that In the Republic of Sri Lanka sovereignty is in the People and is inalienable. Sovereignty includes the powers of government, fundamental rights and the franchise.
The 1978 Constitution provides essential links between the concept of sovereign power of the people as acknowledged in the preamble and Article 3 and the Judiciary by creating opportunities for the Supreme Court to supervise legislative and executive action which might be violative of that concept.
Judicial power
The judicial power is concerned with the ascertaining, declaration and enforcement of the rights and liabilities of the parties as they exist or are deemed to exist at the moment the proceedings are instituted.
Article 4 (c) of the Constitution enacts that: the judicial power of the people shall be exercised by Parliament through Courts, tribunals and institutions created and established, or recognized by the Constitution, or created and established by law, except in regard to matters relating to the privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and of its members, wherein the judicial power of the people may be exercised directly by Parliament according to law.
With regard to judicial response to this provision against the background of Article 3 of the 1978 Constitution, at the outset, reference may be made to the determination of the Supreme Court with respect to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. Clause 15A (1) of this Bill sought to empower the Minister to make order that a person be kept in the custody of any authority, which in effect meant that a person in judicial custody stood removed from such custody and placed under Ministerial custody. It was contended on behalf of the petitioner that this would permit the Minister to substitute his order of custody in place of the order of remand made by the High Court, in violation of Article 3 read with Article 4( c) of the Constitution. Upholding this submission, the Supreme Court determined that:
this constitutes an interference with a judicial order and is inconsistent with the provisions of Article 4(c) read with Article 3 of the Constitution, and must therefore be passed by a 2/3rd Majority and approval by the people at a Referendum as provided in Article 83 of the Constitution.
This decision may be compared with the ruling handed down by the Supreme Court in respect of the National Housing (Amendment) Bill. This Bill sought to confer power on the Commissioner of National Housing to order payment of compensation for improvement effected by person to whom State land has been given by an instrument of disposition and where such instrument is cancelled. The Bill also provided for an appeal to the Minister from the said order of the Commissioner. Commenting on these proposed provisions Supreme Court held that they appear to confer on the Commissioner a judicial power to decide the quantum of compensation.
The remedy against such an order of the Commissioner was only a right of appeal to the Minister which the Supreme Court held to be a conferment of judicial power which is in consistent with the Constitution, and may be passed only by a special Majority as required by the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 84. It will, however, cease to be inconsistent if it is amended by granting the appeal either to a Court of Law, to a tribunal or to an institution established by law, for example, a Board of Review may be constituted under this law for the purpose of deciding an appeal.
Although the Court held that the powers sought to be conferred by the Bill on both the Commissioner and the Minister amounted to judicial power no reference was made to Article 3 which in other cases had been held to impinge on Article 4 of the Constitution. Apart from this the legislature itself does not appear to have acceded to the suggestion made by the Supreme Court to modify the Bill in bringing it to a form not inconsistent with Article 4(c). In the result Section 60(2) (a) (ii) and 60(2) (b) of the present National Housing (Amendment) Act has found its way to the statute book in total disregard of the ruling of the Supreme Court. Indeed, the lack of a procedural mechanism in the Constitution to ensure compliance with directions given or suggestions made by the Supreme Court, is a major drawback of our Constitution.
The Proscribing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and Others similar Organizations (Amendment) Bill, sought to extend the period of operation of the parent statute by a further year. Section 7 of the parent law conferred on the Minister the power to forfeit to the State of moneys, securities or credits and movable or immovable property of the proscribed organisations in the hands of any person. The Supreme Court held that: the power to make such an order of forfeiture is, in our view, the exercise of judicial power. Section 7 is therefore in conflict with Article 4(1) ( c) of the Constitution, which sets out that the judicial power of the people should be exercised by Courts, Tribunals We, therefore, determine that the Bill under consideration by us is inconsistent with the Constitution and requires to be passed by a Special majority. Another important constitutional determination involved is the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Amendment Bill. The parent Act had provided for a quit notice to be served on a person who in the opinion of the competent authority contemplated by the Act was found to be in unauthorized possession or occupation of any State land. The proposed Bill provided inter alia that No person shall be entitled to any hearing or to make any representation in respect of (such) a notice. Responding to this clause the Supreme Court ruled that it appears to us to be inconsistent with Article 4 (c) of the Constitution in that it seeks to oust the exercise by the Court of the judicial power of the People
Singharasa case
The petitioner in Singharasa v the Attorney-General (2006), had been indicted for trial before the High Court under Emergency Regulations and the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, under charges, inter alia, for having conspired to overthrow the lawfully elected government.
After conviction by the High Court, his appeal to the Court of Appeal being dismissed (subject to a reduction in the sentence), an application for special leave to appeal to the Supreme Court was also refused.
Thereafter, the Petitioner sought to have the said order / judgment of the Supreme Court revised and / or reviewed and to have the said conviction and sentence set aside on the basis of, and pursuant to, the findings of the Human Right Committee in Geneva established under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which the President as Head of State had acceded to and had made a declaration inter alia recognizing the competence of the Human Right Committee to receive and consider communications from individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Referring to the distinction between the Monistic and Dualist theories and holding that Sri Lanka fell into the latter category and drawing attention to the exercise of (governmental) executive power of the President to enter into treaties in terms of Article 33(1) which is subject to the mutations thereto in the context of sovereignty as laid down in Articles 3, 4 and 33(f) of the Constitution.
The Chief Justice held that the President, not being the repository of plenary executive power as in the case of the Crown in the UK, nor the repository of the legislative power of the people as decreed in Article 3 read with Article 4(a) and 75 (which lay down the law making power) exemplified by Article 76(1) as well which reveals the scope and content of the Presidents power to exercise legislative power (and there being no material showing that the President had any authority from Parliament, post or prior to making the impugned declaration, the Presidents accession to the Optional Protocol in 1988 and the Declaration made was inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and was therefore ultra vires.
Human Rights Committee at Geneva
With regard to the Presidents accession to the said Optional Protocol as Head of State and Government, the Court held that, the Presidents said actions were also a purported conferment of a judicial power on the Human Rights Committee at Geneva to vindicate a public law right of an individual within the Republic and (is) inconsistent with the provisions of Article 3 read with Articles 4 (c) and 105(1) of the Constitution. It is here not intended to assess the Supreme Court ruling in the context of International Law.
Whatever the observations may be that have been made in that context with regard to its consequences and effect, it cannot be disputed that, the petitioner in the case was seeking to have his conviction set aside or to secure a retrial on the basis of the findings of the Human Right Committee at Geneva referable to the Presidents said accession and declaration, after his conviction had been confirmed by the apex Court of Sri Lanka.
Undoubtedly this is a situation brought about by the purported exercise of executive power by the President, which power is also reposited in the people, but without reference to the people at least through the conduit of the peoples legislative power vested in Parliament, with or without necessity for a referendum. It is submitted with respect that, whatever bearing that ruling may have on International Law, the said Supreme Courts ruling must rank as a bench mark in upholding the concept of sovereign power of the people as contained and entrenched in Article 3 of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka.
Sovereignty of the People is the primary source from which the Constitution derives its validity. Constitutional doctrines and concepts such as the separation of power and Constitutionalism therefore must be defined and interpreted to give effect to the concept of sovereign power of the people.
The whole structure of the Constitution is founded on Article 3. Article 4 of the Constitution is complementary. Consequently, in the event of a conflict or an apparent conflict between the two articles, Article 3 must necessarily prevail, for the ultimate source of power is the people.
Section 3 of the first Republican (1972) Constitution merely acknowledged the concept of sovereign power of the people linking it to the political mandate theory. In contrast, Article 3 of the present Constitution has been given entrenched status. Consequently, it is not only necessary but also imperative to look beyond the mere letter of the Constitutional document in as much as its spirit is not confined to that document.
(The writer is a retired Professor in Law, University of Sri Jayewardenepura)
The meaning of the word Islam is Peace. Islam teaches several moral and ethical values which guides human beings towards living in society with peace and tolerance. Muslims believe that Allah is the Most Merciful; that Allah is the Most Forgiving; That Allah is the Pardoner of sins.
by Mass L. Usuf
Views expressed in this article are author own
( March 20, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Very unexpectedly a close Sinhalese friend of mine asked me why did not the Muslims retaliate when they were attacked? I was perplexed. Firstly, because he is a Sinhalese and, secondly, the thought of attacking people never occurs in the mind of a practising Muslim. Out of curiosity, I asked him What do you mean by retaliate? He said, You all should have attacked business premises of the Sinhalese people in areas where you all are in majority. Now, I became curious, since this is a Sinhalese speaking about attacking the Sinhalese. I asked him What the hell is wrong with you and why are you talking like this? He replied, I am disgusted with these fellows. Believe me, after university I have never stepped into a temple. Him mentioning temple reminded me of our youthhood. I humorously reminded him how both of us used to hang around in the temple compound to catch a glimpse of his girlfriend. I said Machan api bodhi pooja atha gaanawa mathakada, hebai esdeka wena kohedo neda. He replied, Those days are now gone. I really feel sorry for our growing up kids
The question as to why the Muslims did not retaliate by attacking Sinhala houses or business premises requires an explanation. I have to distinguish here between a practising Muslim and a non-practising Muslim. The majority are generally, practising Muslims. In fact, the only religion in the world which has the largest number of practising followers is Islam. Anyway, we have our quota of black sheep like in any other community. A realistic comparison would be the Sinhalese racists who perpetrated the recent violence. They do not represent the majority of the respectable Sinhalese people. In fact, their criminal behaviour has embarrassed many Sinhalese people who feel ashamed.
Be Just Even To The Enemy
Self-defence is a religious obligation in Islam. Also, retaliating when attacked or repulsing an attack form part of this obligation. However, this obligation is restricted by several conditions. According to Islamic teachings, it is strictly prohibited for a Muslim to harm another innocent person for no reason. It is, also, strictly prohibited for a Muslim to wantonly take the life of another human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. Therefore, in response to the attack on Muslims in Digana, one cannot attack an innocent Sinhalese person in the streets of another part of Sri Lanka. Just because that person happens to be a Sinhalese. In the same manner, a Muslim cannot burn a house or a shop of an innocent Sinhalese person elsewhere. He would be committing a grave sin according to the teachings of Islam. Even at times like this Islam teaches equity and justice to be applied to all including the enemy. This partly explains why there were no such reprisals. The Quran states:
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well Acquainted with what you do. (Chapter 5 Verse 8).
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, (Chapter 4 Verse 135).
Islam Means Peace
Islam also enjoins the Muslims to respect the law of the country in which they live so long as it does not violate the teachings of Islam. On that basis, Muslims as citizens of this country would expect the law enforcement authorities to establish law and order, prevent violence against persons and property and provide protection to the public. The requirement of taking the law into ones hand does not arise under these circumstances.
The meaning of the word Islam is Peace. Islam teaches several moral and ethical values which guides human beings towards living in society with peace and tolerance. Muslims believe that Allah is the Most Merciful; that Allah is the Most Forgiving; That Allah is the Pardoner of sins. Therefore, a good Muslim is never revengeful, is never unforgiving or is never unpardoning. On the contrary, a Muslim goes on the premise that when Allah, the Almighty is the Most Forgiving and the Most Merciful why should not I be merciful and forgiving towards another human being. After all, according to Islam it is our belief that Allah is the Creator of all mankind which obviously includes the Sinhalese people too.
O mankind, worship your Lord who created you and those who lived before you, so that you may become righteous. (Chapter 2 Verse 21)
Patience An Exalted Quality
A practising Muslim always strives to be patient to the best possible extent in any given situation. This also constitutes the part of the Islamic ethics which exalts the conduct of patience in a Muslim. The behaviour of the Muslim is what it is because of the act of forgiveness, mercy and the practise of patience at times of trials and tribulations. The Quran states:
We shall test you through fear, hunger, loss of life, property, and crops. Give glad news to the people who have patience. (Chapter 2 Verse 155)
There is a misconception amongst the Sinhalese racists who always alleges especially, in the social media that the Muslims act innocent and harmless when they are weak but will not hesitate to kill someone if they are in power. Therefore, the Muslims cannot be trusted. This is an utterly false statement and by this these racists are deceiving the Sinhalese people. They want to sow the seed of hatred in the minds of people and to this end would not stop at anything good or bad, right or wrong, moral or immoral. Shameless creatures, arent they?
Boastful Cowards
A distinction has to be drawn between being a coward and being an individual who practises patience. It is not an act of bravery but absolute cowardism to come in organised groups, armed with weapons and then attack unarmed innocent men, helpless women and traumatised children. Not only that, to solicit the support and complicity of the Police and the Special Task Force, to set alight closed shops, places of religious worship and houses of people who have not done any wrong to anyone. The lack of conscientiousness in these sick people is further amplified by their claim of heroism or boast as seen in Venerable Gnanasara Thero recent statement for example.
On the other hand, a person practising patience should not be misunderstood as being cunning or pretentious or as being a coward. The Muslims have shown great maturity on the face of the puerile behaviour of the grown up racists and some self-deluded racist politicians, who think that they are smarter. The Muslims would not want to exacerbate a given situation by acting on their own. These are some of the virtues and values that restrains the practising Muslims from retaliating. As peace loving and law-abiding citizens, I think the Muslims are a great asset to this island, as part of a community showcasing multi-cultural, multi religious and multi ethnic diversity in unity.
O you who believe! have patience, help each other with patience, establish good relations with one another, and have fear of God so that you may be successful.. (Quran : Chapter 3 Verse 200)
End.
Featured Image courtesy: Vikalpa.org
This UK Statement was delivered at the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review adoption for Sri Lanka, held 19 March 2018.
( March 20, 2018, Geneva, Sri Lanka Guardian) The UK welcomes Sri Lankas continued engagement in the UPR process.
We also welcome Sri Lankas acceptance of a number of our recommendations. This includes its accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, following the voluntary commitment it made at the Universal Periodic Review in November 2017.
We welcome Sri Lankas commitment to design and implement strategies to tackle sexual and gender-based violence, including addressing related stigma towards victims and survivors, as per the National Human Rights Action Plan, the National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence and the Declaration on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.
We call upon Sri Lanka to introduce legislation requiring businesses to report publicly on efforts to ensure transparency in supply chains, as part of Sri Lankas national action plan to combat human trafficking.
We continue to urge Sri Lanka to fully implement the commitments made in resolutions 30/1 and 34/1, as the best way to ensure human rights and reconciliation and the long term peace and prosperity that is in the interests of all Sri Lankans.
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A CAMPAIGN is aiming to highlight areas of the country that have little or no mobile phone signal.
It has been launched by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and is backed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
The business group is pushing for improvements to poor mobile coverage.
And companies and individuals in Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to get on board and report issues and not spot areas.
A recent survey by the BCC of over 1,400 companies, found that a fifth say the UK mobile phone network doesnt meet their needs in accessing new and existing customers, suppliers and employees.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: One of the issues raised with the Chamber by our members is digital and mobile connectivity.
We are therefore right behind the BCC campaign and will be working with them and our members to help eliminate not spots in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.
The campaign is part of the BCCs wider call for a greater focus on fixing the fundamentals of the UK business environment to remove barriers to growth.
Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: A reliable mobile phone signal is one of the most basic requirements for any business, as more and more conversations and transactions take place while people are on the go.
"Unfortunately, dropped calls and poor signal remains an issue in many areas across the UK.
From today, well be campaigning for an end to mobile phone not spots all across the UK, so that businesspeople can connect to customers, suppliers and staff and so that local communicates can better connect, too.
Our campaign will be constructive and focused on solutions. While well press for investment and services improvements, well work with mobile operators and all parties with a stake in getting this right across the UK. Working together, business, communities and operators can identify key gaps in coverage and find shared solutions to resolve the real-world connection problems many business communities face.
Our message to all businesses is simple: share and report mobile not spots so that together we can take action to improve reliable coverage for the future. The UKs future prosperity depends on getting the fundamentals right here at home and a push for reliable, dependable and consistently improving mobile connectivity is the perfect place to start.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: One of the issues raised with the Chamber by our members is digital and mobile connectivity.
We are therefore right behind the BCC campaign and will be working with them and our members to help eliminate not spots in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.
Georgina Fuller reviews Australian comic Kathy Lette's touring show, which came to The Theatre, Chipping Norton, on Friday 16th March
We thought we were going to have it all but weve just ended up doing it all. Were getting concussion from hitting our heads on the glass ceiling and were expected to clean it whilst were up there.
So said the self-styled frazzled feminist, author, screenwriter and Australian bonne vivant Kathy Lette at her new show, Girls Night Out, at Chipping Norton theatre last week.
During an evening packed with amusing anecdotes, her characteristic humour and salacious puns, Lette shared intimate details of her remarkable life as a writer, mother, wife and friend to the stars.
The former writer-in-residence at The Savoy Hotel, paid tribute to a number of her fellow Aussie pals, Kylie, Natalie Imbruglia and Nicole Kidman and other pals including Maureen Lipman, Stephen Fry, George Clooney and even Prince Charles.
But, ultimately, Lette, author of 12 international bestsellers including How to Kill Your Husband, Mad Cows and Foetal Attraction is a womans woman. I always champion women because its still a mans world, she said.
There is, according to Lette, still double standards when it comes to men and women and its women who usually end up doing the bulk of the housework and childcare. Lette said it was always difficult to take the moral high ground with her former husband, especially when it came to changing nappies, as he was a human rights lawyer.
Women are each others human wonder bras uplifting, supportive and making each other look bigger and better, said Lette. And theyre called Wonderbras because after you take them off, you wonder where your breasts have gone!
Despite the success and fame, it clearly hasnt always been easy for Lette.
She paid tribute to her autistic son, Julian, who currently stars in Holby City, and the issues she had to overcome raising a child who didnt fit the norm. Jules (Wikipedia with a pulse) was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and Lette recounted the heartbreaking time he came home from school, aged nine, with a post-it note which said Kick me, Im a retard.
When Lette asked her son what he thought about the book she wrote about him, The Boy Who Fell to Earth, he said it was a celebration of idiosyncrasies.
There is, said Lette, no such thing as normal or abnormal. Theres just ordinary and extraordinary.
Lette is clearly the latter.
Girls Night Out will be on at the MAC in Birmingham on the 13 April.
The draw of the open sea is self-explanatory, but as the master of an ocean-going giant capable of reaching the farthest edges of the earth, life becomes a little more interesting.
Yersin's Owner - a man passionate about responsible exploration - tells us about the greatest adventures, the rocky moments and the awe-inspiring beauty that brought the stories to life.
What drew you to a life of exploration?
Exploration is an important part of my life but I have also many other points of interest and activities. What drew me to Exploration is the desire of Adventure. For me, there is no adventure without a boat. What I mean by exploration is to really explore which means going in areas very difficult to reach, where no one never went.
How far have you been and how far do you plan on going?
From the coldest Polar Regions to the extreme heat of the tropics, in harmony with the environment, in complete safety and with the greatest comfort. Sail on any sea and in all weathers. Such is the philosophy that gave rise to Yersin.
Reaching those little-known destinations requires being brave in difficult seas and extreme climates, which is why Yersin is designed and built to ensure safety and maximum comfort, with efficient systems that combine land and sea technologies to enable cruising in climates ranging from - 20 to + 50 C.
Have you had any dangerous moments during your trip?
The most dangerous experience was in Northern Canada on the Labrador coast: no maps available, no one around, cold weather, and a hurricane with 100 knots of wind. We took shelter and anchorage in a fjord (with 2 to 3 m waves even inside the fjord itself), facing the wind, under dynamic positioning, with always a man behind the wheel. It lasts 24h, the sea was smoking.
Even with all this action, the ship went 2000 miles behind inside the fjords. We feared for Yersin, her superstructures and awnings but we had no damage to declare: her sturdiness has been fully demonstrated!
Where would you recommend people go?
The real Adventure is Great North and Arctic which is really fascinating but only if you have the vessel made specifically for this. I would also recommend sailing in all those inhabited and little-known destinations which are becoming protected areas. But for this special and unique destinations, you need to have an ecological vessel like Yersin.
What is it about the boat that keeps you coming back?
Yersin itself! Because I made her with passion and she is really part of me. I have an absolute confidence in Yersin and never experienced any anxiety when I get on board. The comfort is also a part of the pleasure of course
Do you think explorers maintain resale value more so than normal motor yachts?
It has already been said by brokers that the resale value of an explorer is better than a normal motor yacht, but only if its a real Expedition vessel and not a classical explorer: the rarity is also part of the equation.
The value is also higher if the vessel has proven itself and travelled in really unique adventurous destinations. They can be also less expensive than a classic motor yacht: all the investments are mainly done for the technical equipment and not for the accommodation more subjected to fashion (even if they are still very comfortable).
A View from the Builder
The builders of Yersin, Piriou, added to the adventure by shining a light on the reality of creating such a boat and the ethos behind it. Travel and explore the world, from the coldest polar regions to the extreme heat of the tropics, in harmony with the environment, in complete safety and with the greatest comfort. Go anywhere, whenever, whatever the weather, in complete safety. Such is the philosophy that gave rise to Yersin and our expedition vessel concept.
Designed and built to stringent Passenger vessel standard, Piriou expedition vessels are extremely versatile ships that will carry their owners as far as they wish, their only limit being their owners' desires.
This incredible superyacht has a distinctive demeanour thanks to her style and size, but its the function that leaves the impression on those on board. Built to be versatile, stable, comfortable and clean, this is not just a world-class superyacht, but an icon of modern adventure.
From Monaco to Malpelo, Yersin's journey continues and we look forward to bringing you more from the far-flung reaches of the world very soon.
Nowhere lives Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter, with as much energy as Andalucia, and visitors can observe the rituals in every corner of the region
Huelva
In Huelva the Holy Week processions begin on Palm Sunday. It is a very interesting city to visit at this time of year, and nobody should miss the chance to try some of the traditional Easter cakes, as well as enjoying the religious aspects of the occasion. One of the most special processions takes place in the early hours of Good Friday, when the religious brotherhoods of El Perdon, Misericordia and El Nazareno carry their images through the streets. The latter is one of the oldest in the city, dating back to the 16th century.
Also well worth seeing are the joyful 'La Borriquita' on Palm Sunday, the solemn 'Santo Entierro' on Good Friday and the processions of the Virgins of La Victoria and La Esperanza on Wednesday.
Elsewhere in the province of Huelva, Ayamonte is also a good place to visit at Easter, as its processions have been classified as an event of special interest to tourists in Andalucia.
Jaen
Holy Week in Jaen is particularly atmospheric, a mixture of history, tradition, art and religious devotion. It combines the sobriety of Castilla and the splendour of Andalucia. Crowds of people line the streets to watch the magnificent processions, and one of the most popular takes place in the early hours of Good Friday, when the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, affectionately known as 'El Abuelo' (the grandfather), is brought out from the cathedral. It is accompanied by over 7,000 penitents and one highlight is when Nuestro Padre Jesus meets the Virgen de los Dolores in Calle Amargura. This is one of the most moving moments in the processions, which have taken place in this city for 400 years.
The Easter processions are also well worth watching in towns such as Alcala la Real, Baeza, Linares, Martos and Ubeda, all of which are classified as being of special interest.
Malaga
It has to be said that Holy Week in Malaga is very special and every one of the processions is a delight to experience. Most of the religious brotherhoods also have their own 'Casa Hermandad', museums containing the beautiful floats, the cloaks worn by the Virgins, and other religious and ceremonial items.
Early in the morning of Holy Monday, thousands of people gather outside San Pablo church to see the images of Jesus Cautivo and Maria Santisima de la Trinidad brought from their chapel. That evening, processions of Jesus de la Columna, Maria Santisima de la O and 'Los Gitanos', the joyful gypsy procession which begins at Calle Frailes, take place.
Another important moment in Malaga is on Wednesday, when a prisoner is released by Nuestro Padre Jesus El Rico each year. This privilege was granted by Carlos III when there was an epidemic of cholera in Malaga and people were not able to go out. Some prisoners managed to escape from the local jail, carried the image of Christ through the streets, and then returned voluntarily to prison.
Thursday morning is also popular in Malaga, when people go to the port to watch the Legion disembark from their ship.
In Malaga province, Holy Week is classified as being especially interesting for tourists in Alhaurin de la Torre, Antequera, Archidona, Arriate, Campillos, Riogordo, Ronda and Velez-Malaga.
Seville
Easter in Seville is unique in beauty and essence. Nearly 60 processions take place during the week, and this is not only a 400-year-old Catholic festival but also the synthesis of a whole culture centred on the essence of the human being.
The best way to see the processions is to look for some of the side streets which are off the official route but which they all have to pass through en route to the cathedral.
Good Friday and Holy Saturday are possibly the best days to enjoy Easter in Seville, but La Macarena and La Esperanza of Triana are also remarkably beautiful. Children also love La Borrequita on Palm Sunday.
Elsewhere in the province, Alcala de Guadaira, Alcala del Rio, Carmona, Moron de la Frontera, Coria del Rio, Utrera, Ecija, Marchena, Estepa, Osuna, Guadalcanal and Las Cabezas de San Juan are also especially interesting at Easter.
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DeWitt, N.Y. -- Aspen Dental Management Inc. will relocate some employees from its headquarters in DeWitt to Chicago when it opens a support center in the Windy City this summer.
Company spokeswoman Kathy Dwyer said the company has not determined how many employees will be transferred to Chicago but anticipates that many of the approximately 250 people who will eventually work there will be new hires.
"ADMI's Midwest location in Chicago will be a combination of relocated employees from Syracuse and what we anticipate to be a healthy number of new hires as ADMI continues to grow," she said in a statement. "The team is currently in the process of determining how many employees will opt to relocate to the Midwest location in Chicago later this year."
Aspen employs approximately 600 people at the company's headquarters on Sanders Creek Parkway in DeWitt. It disclosed plans in January to open a provider support center in Chicago rather than move its growing headquarters staff from DeWitt to larger quarters at the City Center project in downtown Syracuse.
Aspen Dental Management provides administrative and business support services to independently owned, Aspen Dental-branded dental practices throughout the country.
The company has been growing rapidly. It supports 660 dental practices in 36 states, with a new one opening every five or six days, according to the company.
The company said it decided to open a support center in Chicago because its Midwest location is easy for providers to get to.
A Chicago Tribune story on the new office, which is to be located in Chicago's Fulton Market district, said it will be "like a second headquarters." However, Dwyer described it as a "provider support center" and said the company's headquarters will remain in DeWitt.
Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- An Oswego County man admitted he struck a 10-year-old girl with a screwdriver, used a rope to drag her behind a vehicle in the woods and forced hot sauce into her duct tape-covered mouth.
Shawn Whaley -- a 24-year-old at the center of what Oswego County sheriff's deputies have described as one of the county's worst-ever child abuse cases -- was scheduled to go on trial Monday morning. But instead, he pleaded guilty to all 13 charges in an indictment, including six felonies, Oswego County District Attorney Gregory Oakes said in an email.
Whaley pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, a violent felony; first-degree unlawful imprisonment, tampering with physical evidence and three counts of first-degree coercion, all non-violent felonies; and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
"My client admitted to the charges because he was guilty," defense lawyer Sal Lanza said. "He was sincere and he was remorseful."
Whaley pleaded guilty to the entire indictment after lengthy negotiations, his lawyer said.
Previously, the district attorney had agreed to a 3 1/3- to 10-year indeterminate prison sentence if Whaley pleaded guilty to two non-violent felonies, Lanza said. But that meant Whaley would have had to serve 3 1/3 years before he'd be eligible for parole, and he could have spent up to 10 years behind bars, his lawyer said.
Before the trial Monday, Lanza said he continued negotiating and asked the judge what sentence he would give Whaley if he pleaded guilty to the entire indictment, including a violent felony.
Oswego County Supreme Court Judge James McCarthy promised to sentence Whaley to 2 1/2 years determinate for the violent felony, which would run concurrent with a 2 1/3- to seven-year indeterminate sentence for the rest of the charges, Lanza said.
Since the violent felony charge is determinate, that would mean Whaley could be released after he has served six-sevenths of the 2 1/2 year sentence, Lanza said. And since Whaley already has spent seven months in the Oswego County jail, he could be out of prison in 18 months, his lawyer said.
Whaley took the deal.
"He said, 'I just want to get this behind me,'" according to his lawyer. "He wants to serve his time, then get out of jail and be part of his newborn daughter's life."
In addition to the 2 1/3 to seven year prison sentence, Whaley also will receive three years post release supervision. An order of protection also will be put in place, his lawyer said. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29.
Three other defendants, Gary Bubis, 37; Brandy Shaver, 18; and Leslieann Raeder, 34, all lived at the home at 393 Albion Cross Road, and also were indicted on similar charges.
The group was accused of putting the child in risk of serious physical injury by duct-taping and/or zip-tying the child's legs and arms against her will. Duct tape was placed over the child's mouth. Hot sauce was inserted in the girl's mouth through a small hole in the duct tape, according to court documents.
The girl was beaten with fists, feet and a "beating stick," which was a rolled-up newspaper wrapped in electrical tape, deputies have said. She was forced to spend her days working outside and eat a single meal that was doused with hot sauce, deputies said.
Bubis has not pleaded guilty and his case is pending, according to the district attorney.
Shaver, who recently gave birth to Whaley's daughter, has pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted coercion, a felony. She has been promised of "no worse than" six months in jail and five years probation, as well as youthful offender treatment, as long as she cooperates and testifies against her co-defendants, if their cases go to trial, Oakes said.
"She was far less involved than any of the co-defendants, and she was primarily a bystander witness to most events," Oakes said.
Raeder has pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child. She also has been promised six months jail and five years probation if she cooperates against her co-defendants. If she fails to cooperate, the DA says she will be sentenced to state prison, potentially up to 1 1/3 to four years.
Another co-defendant, Jessica Edwards, also has pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child. Edwards has been promised three years probation for the misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child plea, and the felony plea -- unlawful imprisonment -- will be vacated if she cooperates, Oakes said. If she fails to cooperate, the felony conviction will stick and she will be sentenced to "no worse than" six months in jail and five years probation, the DA said.
"Edwards did not live in the home and was only charged for the incident involving the duct-tape, zip ties, and hot sauce," the DA said. "Further, it appears that she was a lesser participant in that offense."
Here is what Whaley admitted to in court on Monday, according to the district attorney:
Whaley intentionally caused physical injury to a 10-year old girl last August by pulling and/or dragging her with a rope attached to a vehicle;
He compelled the same child to walk in the woods three times last August by instilling in her a fear that she would be physically injured if she did not comply with the demand.
Whaley admitted he acted together with others to hold down the girl against her will and then duct-tape and/or zip-tie her arms and legs, place duct-tape over her mouth and then insert hot sauce in her mouth through a small opening in the duct-tape.
He said he and another person removed padlocks from the bathroom and kitchen areas of a home on Albion Cross Road so that the items would not be available as evidence.
Whaley admitted to subjecting the girl to repeated physical abuse by striking her on various portions of her body with his hand, striking her with a "beating stick," striking her with a screwdriver and kicking her with his foot.
He also admitted to forcing the girl to engage in excessive manual labor by forcing her to pull or remove brush and branches from the Albion Cross Road property.
Oakes, the district attorney, said he is "proud of the young victim, who escaped the home and ran to a neighbor to seek help.
"This little girl was incredibly brave and likely saved her own life," he said.
Oakes also commended the Oswego County Sheriff's Office for building a strong case against Whaley, as well as the Oswego County Department of Social Services and the McMahon-Ryan Advocacy Center, who coordinated efforts to provide mental health and other services to the children affected.
"This case is a testament to the multi-disciplinary process," Oakes said, "and shows the positive outcomes that can happen when agencies work together."
Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man who was critically injured in April 2017 when he was shot in the head was seen on security camera attacking the assailant before the shooting, a defense lawyer said today.
Justin Williams, 24, is charged with assault and illegal weapon possession in the Butternut Street shooting. The victim has not been identified by police.
Williams' lawyer, Charles Keller, said today he'd explore a self-defense strategy. After court, Keller said the footage shows the shooting victim launched an unprovoked attack inside a nearby store.
The defense lawyer, noting it was early in the case, did not concede that it was his client on the security footage. But even if it was, there was clearly an argument to be made that the shooter was fearful at the time, he argued.
State Supreme Court Justice Gordon Cuffy agreed today that there was a credible self-defense claim.
Williams is facing a separate gun case in which no one was hit by gunfire. In that case, Keller is arguing that his client wasn't there.
Williams remains out on bail as his case moves forward. He's facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted of assault, though the minimum sentence is much lower.
Even if he's found to have acted it self-defense, he could still face a weapons charge if proven that he possessed the gun illegally.
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office is investigating at least two cases at area YMCAs where several male suspects have defeated combination locks on members' lockers and removed credit cards or credit card numbers, police said.
The suspects appear to be targeting YMCAs across New York state that are not too far from the Thruway, the YMCA of Greater Syracuse recently told members in an email.
The suspects - which deputies said include two or more males - are wanted in connection with larcenies at area YMCAs between March 5 and March 7, deputies said. The deputies and YMCA officials would not identify which Ys were hit.
After removing the credit cards or the numbers on them, the suspects left the YMCAs undetected, said Sgt. Jon Seeber, a spokesman for the sheriff's office.
These credit cards or the numbers are typically then used to make unauthorized and high-dollar-amount purchases, which go unnoticed for hours or days by the victim, Seeber said.
YMCA of Greater Syracuse officials sent out a message to members on March 13 warning them of the thefts. The message said the suspects are not YMCA members.
Deputies recommend that gym members use keyed locks rather than combination locks if they must leave items in a locker, and suggest that they leave all valuables at home.
Detectives are investigating these incidents and are following up on leads at this time.
They are asking that anyone with information contact the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 315-435-3051 or by sending a text using the tip411 app.
Johnson City, N.Y. -- Gannett Co. plans to shift the printing of the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, Ithaca Journal and Elmira Star-Gazette to Rochester and lay off nearly 100 workers at its 12-year-old, $50 million printing facility in Johnson City this summer.
Gannett Publishing Services said in a required notice to the state Department of Labor that 93 employees at its printing plant at 10 Gannett Drive in Johnson City will be laid off during a 14-day period commencing June 16. The notice was filed under New York's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The Broome County printing plant opened in July 2006 on the former site of the Endicott Johnson shoe factory, bringing together the printing of the Binghamton, Ithaca and Elmira dailies.
Pressconnects.com, the website of the Press & Sun-Bulletin, reported a slightly larger number of workers will be affected by the move - 98. It said the company will continue distribution at the Gannett Drive site.
The website quoted George Troyano, president of Central New York Media, a part of Gannett's USA Today Network, as saying the company will assist employees in applying for any other positions in the company for which they are qualified. He also said the affected workers will be eligible to apply for positions at the Rochester facility.
Troyano said consolidation of the printing operations in Rochester will create "operational efficiencies and savings."
Starting in mid-June, the three newspapers will be printed in the same plant that produces the Gannett-owned Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
To the Editor:
Wednesday morning, March 14, 2018, students in a number of our school districts acted in support of students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Many students held tributes, others stood outside in silence on that cold March morning. All of these students were exercising their right to peaceful protest. They demonstrated leadership, intelligence and humanity in recognizing the loss of their peers, and their own right to be safe in their classrooms. The administrators in these districts should be congratulated for affording their students the opportunity to exercise their rights and experience the true value of their education.
A snow day was called Wednesday in a number of the districts where students had planned to protest. True to the weather forecast, that morning there were light flurries, with heavier snow and higher winds in the late afternoon. The roads were clear of snow throughout the school day. Each district superintendent has guidelines in place for declaring a snow day. It is hard to believe that Wednesday's forecast, the actual weather or road conditions met many superintendents' guidelines for closing school. Undeterred, students from one closed district met outside of their school to hold their demonstration. Students from another closed district protested in front of Congressman John Katko's office, one student carrying a sign declaring, "You can close our schools but you can't close our mouths." At another of the closed districts, students had been told that they would be suspended if they protested.
Any administrator who violated their own guidelines, and inappropriately declared a snow day, effectively abrogated their students' constitutional rights.
Jeffrey W. Powell
Baldwinsville
SYRACUSE, N.Y. --- One of the remaining puzzles about the Percoco corruption trial is why the jury convicted Cor Development executive Steven Aiello but not his business partner, Joseph Gerardi. The difference may come down to an angry text message Aiello sent in 2015.
Both men were charged with the same three counts involving allegations that they bribed Joseph Percoco, a top aide to the governor. Much of the evidence against the two Cor executives was identical.
But only Aiello came away facing a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He was convicted on a single count of conspiracy. Gerardi was acquitted on all charges.
The only element of the government's case that set Aiello apart from Gerardi was an allegation that one of the favors Percoco provided in return for Cor's bribes was to secure a $5,635 raise for Aiello' son, who worked in the governor's office at the time.
In his summation, prosecutor David Zhou drew the jury's attention to a text message in which Aiello complained about his son's salary, saying "I keep giving'' without getting help in return. Later that day, Percoco took action to get younger Aiello a raise.
"Stevie bust his ass, loyal as the day is long,'' Aiello texted in September 2015. "I have been loyal as the day is long. They insult us like this. I'm finished!!! Everybody else gets what they need and want. I keep giving. It's a sad statement!''
Zhou highlighted the message for the jury: "Do you want evidence of a quid pro quo in a single text message? There it is.''
Jurors have not publicly discussed how they arrived at their verdicts, so the content of their deliberations remains secret.
But prosecutors focused a lot of attention on the pay raise, an incident where Percoco's role seemed clear. The other two favors that prosecutors said Cor executives sought from Percoco -- to excuse Cor from negotiating a union agreement and to accelerate the processing of late state payments to Cor -- involved complex layers of state bureaucracy and conflicting testimony about who made the ultimate decision.
Defense lawyers downplayed the pay raise. They noted that a person who previously held Aiello Jr.'s position was paid more than $70,000, while young Aiello, who had a master's degree from Columbia University, earned less than $62,000 after his raise.
To bolster their case against Aiello, prosecutors also introduced evidence of Percoco's effort to separate Aiello's son from a bothersome co-worker, even though it did not fit the definition of an "official act'' that would constitute a bribery-related crime.
Ten months before the pay raise became an issue, Percoco reassigned Andrew Ball, a co-worker of young Aiello, to a different floor of the governor's office after the elder Aiello complained that Ball was creating excess pressure for his son.
Aiello's attorney, Steve Coffey, told jurors the episode was irrelevant to the case.
"If you can tell me what Andrew Ball was doing in this courtroom, send me a note, because I tell you what, I have no clue as to why Andrew Ball was in this courtroom,'' Coffey said in his summation.
But Zhou, the prosecutor, said the incident showed how responsive Percoco was to Aiello's demands. According to prosecutors, Aiello and Gerardi began bribing Percoco three months earlier.
"Percoco was one of the most powerful people in New York State government, the right-hand man of the governor,'' Zhou said. "Yet, he personally got involved in a petty dispute between two very young executive chamber employees. Why did he do that? Because it wasn't just any junior staffer, it was the son of Steven Aiello, the man who had bribed Percoco.''
There may have been other subtle elements of the case that turned jurors against Aiello but not Gerardi. As the president of Cor Development, Aiello signed company checks, including the ones that prosecutors contended were bribes for Percoco. Gerardi, the company's general counsel, seemed more often to remain in the background.
It was Aiello who, according to testimony from disgraced lobbyist Todd Howe, first came up with an idea to disguise the payments to Percoco by sending them through Howe.
"Aiello in July, I believe, of 2014 indicated that he would hire Percoco, and he wanted to pay me through a firm I had, Potomac Strategies, and then in turn pay Percoco,'' Howe testified.
That arrangement was later discussed in a meeting between Howe, Aiello and Gerardi, according to Howe. But again, Howe quoted Aiello doing the talking.
"Aiello indicated that, as I said earlier, that he would -- he didn't want to pay Percoco directly for -- a term he used was 'optics.' I interpreted 'optics' to be he didn't want to write a check and have Joe Percoco's name on it,'' Howe said.
Lawyers for Aiello and Gerardi insisted that Howe lied, and the payments to Potomac Strategies were to compensate Howe for legitimate work that was unrelated to Percoco. They point out that Aiello and Gerardi were charged with lying to federal officials when they denied the payments were intended for Percoco, and both men were acquitted of the charge.
Aiello plans to appeal his conviction. Meanwhile, both Aiello and Gerardi face a second trial beginning June 11, where they will face bid-rigging charges that were not part of the first trial.
Aiello was originally scheduled to be sentenced June 14, but his sentencing was later postponed until after his June trial concludes.
Contact reporter Tim Knauss | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in police custody amid allegations of illegal campaign financing from late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
A judicial source tells The Associated Press that Sarkozy was questioned by authorities Tuesday at the Nanterre police station, west of Paris. Sarkozy is accused of receiving millions of euros in illegal financing from Gadhafi for his successful 2007 presidential campaign.
Gadhafi, also identified as Gaddafi and Qadhafi by some publications, allegedly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros, more than double the legal campaign funding limit of EU21 million at the time. It would also violate French rules against foreign financing and requirements that the source of campaign funds be identified.
The Guardian reports Sarkozy, who served as France's right-wing president from 2007 to 2012, has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling the claims "grotesque."
Gadhafi, who ruled Libya with a dictatorial grip for 42 years until he was ousted by rebels in a bloody civil war, was killed in 2011 when revolutionary forces overwhelmed his hometown of Sirte.
According to the AP, an investigation began in 2013, shortly after Sarkozy left office. The Guardian reports Sarkozy was not initially named as a suspect, but the inquiry focused on allegations of trafficking, forgery, abuse of public funds and money laundering.
An investigation has been underway since 2013: French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine told an investigative site, Mediapart, that he delivered suitcases from Libya containing 5 million euros ($6.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff Claude Gueant. (@TheChiIIum) March 20, 2018
GREAT MILLS, Md. (AP) -- A Great Mills High School student with a handgun shot two classmates inside his Maryland high school Tuesday before he was fatally wounded during a confrontation with a school resource officer, a sheriff said.
The officer and the student both fired a single shot at that point, and it wasn't immediately clear whether he took his own life or was killed by the officer's bullet, St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said. The other students -- a boy and a girl -- were hospitalized in critical condition, and the officer was unharmed.
"When the shooting took place, our school resource officer, who was stationed inside the school, was alerted to the event and the shots being fired. He pursued the shooter and engaged the shooter, during which that engagement he fired a round at the shooter," Cameron said.
"Simultaneously the shooter fired a round as well. So, in the hours to come, in the days to come, through a detailed investigation, we will be able to determine if our SRO's round struck the shooter."
The shooter's motive also is being investigated, the sheriff said.
"I'm alerted to a number of things that are out there on social media about the potential relationship between the shooter and any of the victims. At this time, we can't confirm any of that," Cameron said.
This latest shooting comes as lawmakers nationwide face pressure to take action against gun violence following the Valentine's Day killings of 17 people at a Florida high school by a teenager with an assault weapon.
Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer praised the first responders, saying the officer at the school "answered the call this morning with swiftness, professionalism, and courage." He said it's now for Congress to take action.
"We sympathize. We empathize. We have moments of silence. But we don't have action," Hoyer said. "Wringing our hands is not enough."
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., also spoke to reporters near the high school, and expressing anger and saying that at a minimum, universal background checks and a ban on assault-style weapons are needed. He said he believes momentum is building for reform, fueled by student activism.
"These students are literally just not taking 'no' for an answer," Cardin said. "I can tell you that Americans are listening to our students. I think our political system will respond."
Maryland's Senate joined the House on Monday night to ban bump stocks, which enable a semi-automatic rifle to mimic a fully automatic weapon. Teachers union leaders issued statements Tuesday saying more policies must be changed nationwide to keep schools safe.
Outside the school, a line of about 20 school buses formed on the street in the rain to take students to a mnefront of the building. Ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles crowded the parking lot and the street. No students or parents could be seen outside at midmorning.
The St. Mary's County Public Schools said the situation was "contained" after the shooting at Great Mills High School, which has about 1,600 students and is near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, about 65 miles (104 kilometers) southeast of Washington.
Agents with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined deputies at the scene. The county sheriff said parents or guardians should stay away, urging them to go instead to Leonardtown High School to reunite with Great Mills students there.
Many students across the country are calling for effective gun controls, leading up to Saturday's March For Our Lives rally in the nation's capital against gun violence in schools. The violence hasn't abated since the massacre in Parkland, Florida; A high school student in Birmingham, Alabama, was killed this month when a classmate fired a gun inside a classroom. Threats against schools have proliferated as well, and Great Mills High has not been immune.
Just last month, the school's principal, Jake Heibel, told parents in a letter posted on the local news site The Bay Net that two students were interviewed after they were overheard mentioning a school shooting, and they were found to pose no threat. Heibel said the school increased its security nevertheless after social media posts about a possible school shooting "circulated quite extensively."
Also last month, St. Mary's County Sheriff's office said it arrested two teenage boys for "Threats of Mass Violence" and a 39-year-old man on related charges after the teens made threats about a potential school shooting at Leonardtown High School, a high school about 10 miles from Great Mills. Police said they obtained a search warrant that led to them finding semi-automatic rifles, handguns and other weapons, along with ammunition.
Three men - including the owner of a company that submitted a bid to build President Donald Trump's border wall - bombed a Minnesota mosque in an attempt to drive Muslims out of the United States, according to a federal complaint.
The three men from rural Illinois were arrested and charged last week after one of them said that they were responsible for bombing the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in a Minneapolis suburb last summer.
Michael McWhorter told federal agents that the trio did not intend to kill anyone, but wanted to "scare" Muslims "out of the country" and to "show them hey, you're not welcome here, get the f--- out," according to the complaint filed Tuesday.
The bombing on Aug. 5, 2017 did not result in injuries or deaths. Still, it amplified fears throughout Muslim communities in Minnesota, where many Somali migrants have settled. A Pew Research Center survey released in July 2017 found that 75 percent of American Muslims felt there was "a lot" of discrimination against Muslims in the U.S.
Muslim leaders criticized Trump for not condemning the bombing, prompting Sebastian Gorka, at the time a White House national security adviser, to defend the president's silence.
"There's a great rule: all initial reports are false," Gorka said in August, citing a number of "alleged hate crimes . . . that turned out to actually have been propagated by the left."
The federal complaint, however, makes clear that wasn't the case with the predawn bombing of the mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota.
McWhorter, 29, told investigators last week that he and the others each had specific roles in the bombing.
McWhorter said Michael Hari, 47, was the bomb-maker and driver, and Joe Morris, 22, was responsible for breaking one of the center's windows, he said.
And McWhorter said he himself threw a homemade PVC pipe bomb into the building. According to the court documents, McWhorter described the explosive as a "huge a-- black powder bomb."
The three men have been charged with arson, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota said in a news release. It's unclear if the men will face additional charges; a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office did not immediately responded to a call seeking comment.
Attorneys for Hari and Morris, who appeared in federal court in Illinois on Tuesday, were not immediately available, either. No attorney has yet been listed for McWhorter, whose initial court appearance has not been scheduled.
McWhorter also admitted that the mosque bombing was part of a larger spree of illegal activity, according to the federal complaint.
The three men tried to bomb an Illinois abortion clinic three months later, he said, but their device didn't explode. Court records say a secretary at the Women's Health Practice in Champaign, Illinois, came to work one morning in early November to find a smashed window, broken glasses and a PVC pipe bomb inside a surgical room.
The following month, McWhorter said, the trio also robbed an Indiana home they believed belonged to a Hispanic drug dealer. Armed with automatic weapons, McWhorter and the others posed as police officers executing a search warrant but did not find any cash, he told investigators. He said they also robbed three Walmart stores in Illinois.
While the court documents largely revolve around McWhorter's statements, perhaps the most compelling figure in the federal complaint is Hari, the alleged bomb-maker and driver.
According to public records, Hari owns a business called Crisis Resolution Security Services, which last year submitted a design proposal for Trump's wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. A 4 1/2-minute YouTube video presentation posted in April called it "The Great Western IBW (International Border Wall)," which would be made of stone bricks reminiscent of the Great Wall of China.
The wall, a video narrator said, would follow existing highways and would not be built right on the border, to avoid disrupting private property. It would be made with 26-foot concrete walls sitting on a 30-foot packed earth berm. Its top would be a 22-foot-wide pedestrian roadway. It also would have arched bridges guarded by border security officials.
The cost, the video claimed, would be nearly $10.9 billion - cheaper than the Trump administration's estimates.
"The wall will be culturally significant, a powerful architectural statement of the determination of the American people to defend their nation and its Anglo-Saxon heritage, western culture and English language," the narrator said, adding: "The wall exists to protect the economic rights of the U.S. population and to protect our way of life from other people who have different value systems. This proposal defends and values border property rights of U.S. citizens. The wall embodies patriotic value for ages."
"Build that wall," the narrator said as the video ended. "Make America great again."
Hari, a former sheriff's deputy, told the Chicago Tribune in April that he foresaw his proposed wall as a possible tourist destination.
"They can use it for patrolling, but it's more for the public," he said. "People can go up there, walk it or bicycle it. We're probably the only ones who have submitted a proposal making it recreational."
The federal investigation into Hari and the other two men began in December after a confidential source gave authorities several pictures of guns and bomb-making materials that allegedly belonged to Hari.
There was also a picture of a book that included instructions on how to create thermite, a powder mixture that explodes when ignited and is used in incendiary bombs, court records state.
Another source who previously worked for Hari told investigators that Morris and McWhorter had talked about the mosque and abortion center incidents while they were all drinking one night. Morris claimed that Hari was going to pay them $18,000 for their participation in the mosque bombing, court records say.
McWhorter also told investigators that the three of them had planted explosive devices at the property of a man identified as J.O. in an effort to get that person in trouble.
On Feb. 19, 2018, ATF received an anonymous tip about "a possible terrorism threat" involving J.O. who had been buying "wierd [sic] chemicals like nail polish remover and battery acide" [sic], the tipster wrote, according to court records.
The tip, laden with misspellings and a racial slur, further said:
"i thought he was making meth because he has science things like beakers too but he said no it is for a n----- schredder and he has four big black suitcases in his shed and a little greay bag and they are full of stuff like pipes and caps and wires nails and he told me to watch the news this week . . . i am afraid someone will get hurt is someone doesnt do something i also sent something about it to the newspaper so if you just blow it off like you did that school schooter kid in florida the press will know you got a tip so you better check it out . . ."
McWhorter told investigators that Hari was the one who sent the tip.
J.O. and his wife told authorities that they did not know anything about the devices discovered on their property, and they believe Hari had placed them there. Investigators found a pipe bomb attached to a small green propane tank - similar to tanks that Hari owned, court records state.
Police say a video from the Uber self-driving car that struck and killed a woman Sunday shows her moving in front of it suddenly, a factor that investigators are likely to focus on as they assess the performance of the technology in the first pedestrian fatality involving an autonomous vehicle.
The Uber had a forward-facing video recorder, which showed the woman was walking a bike at about 10 p.m. and moved into traffic from a dark center median. "It's very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode," Sylvia Moir, police chief in Tempe, Arizona, told the San Francisco Chronicle.
"The driver said it was like a flash, the person walked out in front of them," Moir said, referring to the backup driver who was behind the wheel but not operating the vehicle. "His first alert to the collision was the sound of the collision."
The chief's account raises new questions in the investigation that holds importance to the future of the burgeoning autonomous vehicle industry. Uber Technologies Inc. halted autonomous vehicle tests in the wake of the accident.
It's too soon to draw any conclusions from the preliminary information that has emerged, said Brian Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina who has studied autonomous vehicle liability.
"It's possible that Uber's automated driving system did not detect the pedestrian, did not classify her as a pedestrian, or did not predict her departure from the median," Smith said in an email. "I don't know whether these steps occurred too late to prevent or lessen the collision or whether they never occurred at all, but the lack of braking or swerving whatsoever is alarming and suggests that the system never anticipated the collision."
Police later said in a statement that the department would defer to county prosecutors on whether to bring charges, but didn't dispute any of the information released by Moir.
In a news conference Monday, Tempe Police Sgt. Roland Elcock said local authorities had not come to any conclusions about who is at fault. Decisions on any possible charges will be made by the Maricopa County Attorney's office. Neither the victim nor the backup driver showed any signs of impairment.
The victim, Elaine Herzberg, 49, was walking her bike outside of the crosswalk. The car was most likely going about 38 miles (61 kilometers) per hour, Moir said. Nearby signs show the speed limit was either 35 or 40 mph, though the 40 mph sign was closest to the accident site.
The department expects to give a further update later Tuesday but has no plans to release video footage while the investigation is underway.
Sensors on self-driving cars -- which may include laser-based technology, radar and video -- are designed to sense pedestrians and other obstructions even in the dark.
The National Transportation Safety Board is opening an investigation into the death and is sending a team of four investigators to Tempe, about 10 miles east of Phoenix. The Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dispatched a special crash investigation team.
The NTSB opens relatively few highway accident probes each year, but has been closely following incidents involving autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles. Last year, it partially faulted Tesla Inc.'s Autopilot system for a fatal crash in Florida in 2016.
STC musical to be featured at Iowa Thespian Festival
Into the woods, its time, and so I must begin my journey. Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. And so, the STC Music ...
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After more than three decades of clinical trials, scientists have finally created an experimental "male pill" that can provide effective contraception minus the mood swings, decreased libido, and other serious side effects.
Dimethandrolone undecanoate or DMAU releases a combination of androgen and progesterone receptors to form an agent that inhibits the production of gonadotropins and new sperm cells while maintaining androgenic activity.
Testosterone pills normally require two doses per day but DMAU contains a fatty acid, which prevents the male body from metabolizing too quickly. It is administered the same way as conventional contraceptives for women. To maintain consistent protection, it must be taken daily for 28 days.
The experimental pill has already passed its first clinical trial with "promising results" to be presented March 25 during the Endocrine Society's 100th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
Clinical Trial Of Promising Male Pill
To test the safety and tolerability of DMAU, researchers conducted a double-blind study on 100 healthy male participants with ages ranging from 18 to 50 years old.
All of them were randomly divided into four groups. One was given placebo capsules containing either castor oil or benzyl benzoate, then the other three were asked to take varying dosages of the male birth control pills on a daily basis for 28 days.
Throughout the study, only a few participants complained about experiencing side effects and none of the cases can be considered as severe. Overall, nine claimed to have lost their libido while eight grew acne.
Additionally, even those who were taking 400mg of the experimental male pill did not report to suffer from any adverse effects. Instead, their data showed a regulated suppression of testosterone levels and two other hormones needed for spermatogenesis.
"DMAU is a major step forward in the development of a once-daily 'male pill,'" said Stephanie Page of the University of Washington and the study's lead researcher. "Many men say they would prefer a daily pill as a reversible contraceptive, rather than long-acting injections or topical gels, which are also in development."
A separate report an upcoming clinical trial with a new batch of male participants by April 2018. This time, the study will last for three months to investigate the effects of long-term use.
Hormone-Free Oral Contraceptives For Males
In Australia, another group of scientists at the Monash University is in an ambitious quest to develop a hormone-free male pill without any adverse effects.
However, instead of preventing the production of new sperm cells, it focuses on blocking their transport during an ejaculation. According to the makers, such method helps avoid future infertility issues.
Dr. Sab Ventura, the lead researcher, said that if development and trials turn out successful, the first hormone-free male pill may become available in the market in the next five to 10 years.
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Apple already makes its own chipset for the iPhone, Apple Watch, and even the AirPods, but now it's making yet another effort to develop components in-house rather than sourcing them from third parties.
Apple is reportedly designing and producing its own displays for the first time, using a secret manufacturing facility in California to produce enough units for testing.
As Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter, the Cupertino company is making a "significant investment" in developing MicroLED displays. This type of screen, for the uninitiated, make use of different LED compounds than current OLED displays and promises to make smartphones slimmer, brighter, and less battery-intensive.
Apple Developing MicroLED Displays In-House
Bloomberg notes that MicroLED screens are much harder to manufacture than OLED displays, which the current iPhone X uses, sourced from OLED manufacturing leader Samsung. So difficult, in fact, that engineers working on the display technology nearly gave up and scrapped the project altogether.
But at some point, things turned a corner. The engineers are now at an "advanced stage" of development. That being said, it might take a while before customers finally see MicroLED display on Apple products.
The most important implication of this news is that Apple seems intent to develop components in-house, as mentioned. The notion of developing its own displays for its products will surely hurt profits of suppliers, from Samsung to LG, to Japan Display to Sharp and many others.
Apple sells millions and millions of iPhones each year. Third-party component suppliers make bank by providing Apple certain parts to make its phone, and needless to say that the display is probably one of the major components in manufacturing. Taking that away will surely cause a seismic shift in the industry.
Remember What Happened To Imagination?
Consider Imagination as an example. The company, which used to supply GPUs for Apple's iPhones, sold itself to Canyon Bridge in September 2017 after Apple suddenly decided to jettison the company to bring GPU development in-house. In just one move, Apple caused a company to suffer an existential crisis. It's easy to imagine a similar situation would occur suppose Apple does go through with its plan to make its own displays.
However, it's not that simple. There are hurdles for Apple to overcome. For starters, mass producing MicroLED displays will be a challenge since it will require new equipment. Also, by the time it's ready for manufacturing, a new display technology might have already surpassed MicroLED technology. Apple has to solve these potential problems before the displays are ready for market.
Most importantly, it's an extremely expensive undertaking, and Apple has never had significant experience in making its own displays. The project could be scrapped altogether, of course. But then again, suppliers must now think about what they should do in case Apple pushes through with the rumored plans.
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Twitter engaged in a massive investigation to determine the identity of an unnamed black female scientist in a photograph from a 1971 International Conference on the Biology of Whales. Most of the men in the photograph appear to be white males and are named in the caption for the photograph.
Even the Smithsonian aided in the search for this unnamed scientist.
Missing Biologist
Recognition for people of color in the scientific community has been scarce in the past. When Candace Jean Andersen posted on Twitter that she would write a picture book about the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, she was sent an article by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration that featured a photograph of the 1971 International Conference on the Biology of Whales.
Andersen noticed that one of the scientists stood out in a field of mostly white men as a black woman. The only problem was that out of all of the people in the picture, the woman was not named in the caption of the photograph.
To get down to the bottom of the mystery, Andersen turned to Twitter for answers regarding the identity of the mystery woman. Andersen reached out to some of the scientists that were present in the photograph. They directed her in the right way to find out the identity of the woman.
After finding out that her name may have been Sheila Minor, the Smithsonian was able to find a folder on Sheila Minor in its archives. Andersen was able to confirm that the woman in the photograph was indeed Sheila Minor after getting in contact with her.
Sheila Minor Huff
Andersen dug through the records to find out more about the background of Sheila Minor Huff. Huff told Andersen that she had worked in various federal agencies for 35 years. She was at the conference as a biological research technician with bachelor's in biology, not as an administrative assistant as previously believed.
Huff began working as an animal technician after she graduated with her bachelor's degree. She eventually completed a master's degree while working full-time. During her 35 year career, she became a GS-14 federal employee, which is one of the highest designations for someone working in the Department of Interior.
Huff told the New York Times that she wasn't bothered by the fact that her name was omitted from the photo in the first place. She added that it didn't matter whether anyone knew her name because she did her part to protect the Earth.
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When given the chance to erase the huge financial disparity between the super-rich and the poor, a vast majority of Americans, unfortunately, refused to pull the same heroic feat as Robin Hood.
In a new study conducted in the United States and Germany, political scientists gave 5,000 participants two Amazon gift cards valued at $25, $50, or $75. One of the cards was theirs, while the other is to be shared with another person.
They were then offered the option to move funds from the other card into theirs, free of charge, using the "give-or-take" slide bar.
Results Of The Robin Hood Study
Surprisingly, participants chose to transfer a small amount instead of giving the second card away with untouched funds.
Scientists also noted that most of the richer cardholders were not willing to share their funds with poorer cardholders, while those who were willing to preferred not to take from the rich even when they had the power.
"This suggests that inequality persists in part because individuals are not averse enough to inequality," says Michael Bechtel, coauthor and associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
Results of the study also revealed that participants from Germany were more keen on addressing economic inequality rather than those from the United States, and this matches the wealth redistribution programs that currently exist in both nations.
In the absence of such programs, Germany has a higher poverty level at 36 percent than the United States, which only has 32 percent. However, with the implementation of progressive social initiatives, Germany successfully reduced the level to only 20 percent.
Income Inequality In The United States
Every major data shows that the income gap between America's rich and poor citizens has grown significantly over the past three decades.
The inequality has become so apparent as those belonging to the elite class now earn an income that's nine times bigger than 90 percent of the nation.
Believe it or not, these people are making 198 times than America's poorest, and their income continues to grow throughout the years.
Income of the upper class started peaking during the late 1920s before the Great Depression started. By the middle of the 20th century, their share of the nation's income has already doubled.
To be specific, chief executives or employees on the same level enjoy a retirement benefit that is enormous when compared to that of a regular worker.
In 2015, the retirement fund of around 100 chief executives amounted to $4.7 billion. Meanwhile, regular workers who are fortunate enough to have a 401(k) plan only receive an average of $18,433.
A report blames this financial inequality on outsourcing and greedy companies who don't prioritize their workers. However, the recent study proves otherwise.
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Twin brothers in Louisiana were both diagnosed with a fatal disease that required a liver transplant to save their lives, but unfortunately, only one of them will survive the ordeal.
The twins needed a liver transplant miracle for both of them to pull through. However, it only happened for one of them, who will soon have to learn how to live without his brother by his side.
Twin Brothers Diagnosed With Liver Disease
Nick and Devin Coats, 18-year-old identical twins from Slidell, Louisiana, are facing very different outcomes after they were diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.
According to their mother, Margi Coats, Nick called from school one day to complain about pain in his hamstring that was so bad that he was not able to stand. Nick was taken to the emergency room, where a blood test revealed a very low number of platelets.
Nick was taken to a hematologist, with Margi worried that he had blood cancer. They were advised to have Devin tested too, when the doctor was told that Nick had a twin brother.
The twins had a liver biopsy, which revealed severe scar tissue on their livers. This resulted in the heartbreaking diagnosis that they were both suffering from stage 4 liver cirrhosis, caused by a genetic mutation.
Only 1 Brother Will Receive Liver Transplant
Upon diagnosis of the liver disease, both Nick and Devin were placed on a waiting list for a liver transplant that would save their lives.
However, only Devin received a call that he will be getting a new organ. It is now too late for Nick to receive a liver transplant, and he is currently "in the dying stage," according to the twins' mother.
Nick told his doctor that he would like to walk across the stage for his graduation, as he and his brother are seniors. This will likely no longer happen though.
Devin, meanwhile, is struggling to accept the circumstances.
"[Devin's] trying to heal through this too," Margi said. "He's got his life and yet his brother doesn't. It's been very very hard for both of them."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the medical bills accumulated by Nick and Devin, as the Coats family does not have insurance. The crowdfunding campaign has already more than doubled its goal of $5,000, with $11,000 raised at the time of writing.
"Thank you all for following along on our journey of trials, truth and triumph. We are going to stand and fight, and we know God is with us every step of the way," wrote the Coats family on the campaign's page.
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'Oumuamua, the cigar-shaped interstellar asteroid that astronomers first spotted zooming through the Solar System in October, was likely ejected from a binary star system.
Ejected By A Binary Star System
In a new study, Alan Jackson, of University of Toronto at Scarborough, Canada, and colleagues found that 'Oumuamua probably did not come from a system like our own.
Using computer modeling, the researchers found that rocky objects such as our first interstellar visitor are more likely to originate from a binary rather than a single star system. Unlike the solar system, which has only one sun, a binary star system has two stars orbiting a common center.
Jackson and his team found that systems with two close-orbiting stars are more efficient at booting out asteroids compared with one-star systems.
Single star systems are better at ejecting icy comets than asteroids because comets lie much further from the solar system's sun, which makes them more weakly bound by gravity than the nearer asteroids.
Two-star systems have stronger gravitational fields because there are two, not just one, stars orbiting each other. This makes binary star systems capable of booting out as many asteroids as comets into interstellar space.
"It's really odd that the first object we would see from outside our system would be an asteroid, because a comet would be a lot easier to spot and the Solar System ejects many more comets than asteroids," Jackson said.
How Asteroids And Comets Get Ejected Out Of Their Home Star System
'Oumuamua was highly likely born into a two-star system that harbors at least one big hot star. Researchers explained that this type of star system is more likely to have predominantly rocky bodies instead of icy bodies that orbit relatively close to the prime ejection zone.
Jackson and colleagues also said that the rock was likely ejected out of its home star system during the planet formation period.
NASA earlier explained how asteroids and comets stray into interstellar space. A large percentage of the original planetesimals that were around in the early solar system was ejected into interstellar space through encounters with Jupiter. Many of the original asteroids and comets were dispersed by the young Jupiter, which either spewed them out into interstellar space or into the sun.
NASA said that planetary systems that formed around other stars possibly evolved in the same manner with Jupiter-sized planets also ejecting the star system's own asteroids and comets into interstellar space.
"Galactic budget of interstellar objects like 1I/'Oumuamua should be dominated by planetesimal material ejected during planet formation in circumbinary systems, rather than in single star systems or widely separated binaries," the researchers wrote in their study, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
"The rocky population, of which 1I/'Oumuamua seems to be a member, should be predominantly sourced from A-type and late B-star binaries."
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Welcoming springlike weather, blooming azaleas add a pop of color to the Capitol Gardens dressing up the new State Capitol Building Thursday March 8, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. The ice blue sky and beautiful weather may be the calm before a stormy legislative session that begins at high noon on Monday.
The first piece of anti-hazing legislation after last fall's death of an LSU fraternity pledge passed its initial hurdle Tuesday in the Louisiana Legislature.
Under Senate Bill 91, anyone found responsible for a hazing-related death could face additional legal damages in civil court. Defendants could include the perpetrators, as well as universities and national chapters of organizations that dont have clear anti-hazing policies.
Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, sponsor of the bill, said his goal is to deter behavior that leads to hazing deaths. The criminal policy in place hasnt changed any conduct, he argued.
+3 LSU announces zero-tolerance policy for hazing, but six arrested in Gruver case still enrolled at school From now on, LSU students who are caught hazing will be expelled and the involved fraternities or other student organizations will be kicked o
+6 Max Gruver's parents: LSU's plan to curb fraternity hazing, drinking contains no meaningful reform Responding to the death of a fraternity pledge last fall, LSU unveiled its highly anticipated corrective action plan on Wednesday a list of
I want there never to be another instance of a kid to die in a hazing accident." Claitor said. "My hope is that we never have to pay a dollar under this statute.
This month, an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury that investigated the death of LSU freshman Max Gruver indicted a former student with negligent homicide and three others with hazing.
Gruver, 18, was one month into his first year at LSU when police said he attended an initiation event at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house and was forced to chug 190-proof liquor. Gruver was pronounced dead the following morning at a hospital. His blood alcohol level was 0.495.
Gruver's death and its aftermath have sparked arguments over whether existing laws are stringent enough and how to avoid repeat tragedies. Claitor's bill is one of two filed in the current legislative session.
The second is scheduled to be heard in a House committee Wednesday.
During Tuesday's hearing, Sen. Ryan Gatti, R-Bossier City, expressed concern with the reality of punitive damages because they are already so hard to obtain in the court of law, even against a drunken driver.
I think what weve noticed is that not holding folks responsible for the harms and losses they cause families has not changed behavior at all, Gatti said. The only way we can modify behavior as a legislature is to impose fear. Fear monetarily and fear about going to jail.
+2 In wake of Max Gruver death, legislator will file bill to dramatically increase criminal penalties for hazing In Louisiana, the maximum criminal penalty for hazing is softer than the penalty for shoplifting candy. A hazing conviction comes with a small
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Sen. Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans, questioned why the bill shouldn't go a step further to include cases of people injured during hazing rituals. Claitor said he wanted to push what he thought could pass but also wanted to discourage the behavior altogether.
This seems like a simple, clean solution to put people on notice that youll be held responsible, Claitor said.
Claitor's bill, which won approval in the Senate Judiciary A Committee, advances to the full Senate for vetting.
Rep. Nancy Landry, R-Lafayette, is sponsoring a second anti-hazing bill this session. House Bill 78, which will be heard at 9 a.m. by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, would increase criminal penalties for people and organizations convicted of hazing.
The hearing on Landry's bill likely will be heavily attended because Gruver's parents, who live in Roswell, Georgia, are expected to attend. Gruver's parents have become outspoken advocates of harsher legal repercussions for hazing.
Landry said in February that her bill was prompted by Gruver's death.
Landry's legislation would revamp the definition of hazing to include the consumption of alcohol or drugs "that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm."
Under Landry's measure, those who take part in hazing activities that result in death would face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
The penalty for nonviolent hazing would be increased to fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or both.
Currently, a hazing conviction carries a maximum $100 fine and 30 days jail time max.
Landry's bill also would expand the list of education groups covered by the state's anti-hazing law.
The list would include fraternities, sororities, associations, clubs, service groups, spirit groups and others whose members are largely students attending college.
In addition, anyone serving as an officer or representative of a group who knew or should have known that hazing was going on would face fines of up to $10,000 and other penalties.
When they came for M, he asked to see the law he had broken, but they ignored him.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto acknowledged Monday that he failed to disclose to the state ethics board more than $37,000 he earned as a state lawmaker in 2014 an oversight he referred to as an honest mistake.
+12 'We're this forgotten space': Jefferson sheriffs race overlooks neighborhoods with most violent crime The race for sheriff is virtually inescapable in Jefferson Parish, with campaign spots filling the airwaves and direct mailers inundating vote
Lopinto indicated on his state financial disclosure forms for that year that he earned no income as a state lawmaker, when in fact he earned his regular salary of $22,800 and nearly $15,000 in per diem and travel expenses.
"It looks like I made a mistake," Lopinto said by phone Monday. "It's not like I've ever hidden anything."
Lopinto's remarks came after his challenger in Saturday's special election, John Fortunato, issued a news release in which he accused Lopinto of violating state ethics laws.
Lopinto continues to lead sheriff's race fundraising; anti-Fortunato super PAC, attack ad surface Joe Lopinto, the Jefferson Parish sheriff, continues to easily outpace challenger John Fortunato in raising money, according to the latest cam
"Joe has based much of his campaign on being a lawyer. His decision to not file accurate documents does not inspire confidence in his legal knowledge," Fortunato said in a statement. "Either Joe Lopinto was a careless lawyer or an arrogant politician who didn't regard the ethics laws as important."
Fortunato's statement said that Lopinto was "the only member of the Jefferson Parish delegation in the Louisiana House of Representatives who failed to report his income as a state legislator in 2014, as required by state law."
"We should want a sheriff who will follow the law and pay close attention to details," Fortunato said.
+2 Records: Lopinto, Fortunato both earned outside income while working for Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Following recent revelations that Newell Normand enjoyed two lucrative side gigs while serving as Jefferson Parish sheriff, both candidates vy
Lopinto insisted the omission was unintentional and noted that he reported his income from his legislative job every other year he served in Baton Rouge, starting in 2008, when he was first elected.
He indicated that he earned between $25,000 and $100,000 from his law firm in 2014.
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Lopinto served two full terms in the House of Representatives and was elected to a third but resigned in 2016 to become the in-house counsel for the Sheriff's Office.
"Obviously, I made a salary as a state representative," he said. "People make mistakes."
Lopinto's campaign also released a statement saying that Lopinto, as a state lawmaker, "helped write some of the financial disclosure laws."
The statement further accused Fortunato of failing to report income he received from off-duty details in his own financial disclosures.
"What Joe did was make a typo in filing an honest report," said Kevin Stuart, a spokesman for Lopinto's campaign. "What Fortunato did was dishonestly hide his employment. Someone should remind Fortunato about the danger of tending to someone else's splinter when there's a plank in his own eye."
Fortunato previously coordinated off-duty security details at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. But former Sheriff Newell Normand stripped Fortunato of that duty for running afoul of a policy that required details to be administered through the Sheriff's Office's internal detail program.
Fortunato also worked the lucrative details before Normand relieved him of his role coordinating the shifts in May. Fortunato's financial disclosures indicate he received a $94,000 pension from the Sheriff's Office last year but do not mention income from any off-duty details.
Voters go to the polls Saturday to decide whether Lopinto or Fortunato will finish the remaining two years of Normand's unexpired term. Normand retired last summer to become a radio talk show host.
About 13,500 people about 5 percent of registered voters in Jefferson Parish cast ballots during early voting last week. Based on that participation rate, the total turnout in the election is likely to be between 30 and 35 percent, said Ed Chervenak, director of the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center.
"Whites turned out at a higher rate than did blacks, and they were three times more likely than non-black minorities to show up to vote early," Chervenak said after conducting an analysis of the early voting.
A word on language: People use different words to talk about their bodies and their genitals. Here we use medical words, such as penis, anus and vagina, to describe genitals. Some people may use other words, such as private parts, dick, ass and front hole. CATIE acknowledges and respects that people use words that they are most comfortable with.
1. What Is PrEP?
PrEP is used by HIV-negative people to help prevent HIV transmission. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It involves taking a prescription pill that contains two medications.
Taking PrEP also involves medical visits every three months for HIV testing, screening for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), monitoring for possible side effects, and ongoing support.
Most guys take PrEP every day, and some take it only on days before and after having sex (this is called on-demand PrEP). You can talk to your doctor about which way might work best for you.
PrEP is one of several highly effective ways to help prevent HIV, and it can be used as part of a healthy sex life. Another highly effective way to prevent HIV transmission is using condoms. Also, when people with HIV take treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load, they do not pass HIV through sex.
PrEP only helps to prevent HIV -- it does not protect against other STIs (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis) or other infections (such as hepatitis A, B and C).
Related: Getting Yourself Prepared for PrEP
2. Who Is PrEP For?
PrEP is for HIV-negative people who are at risk for HIV. You might want to use PrEP as a way of staying HIV negative if one or more of the following applies to you:
You don't always use condoms for anal sex or vaginal sex.
You don't know the current HIV status of one or more of your sex partners.
You have a sex partner who is HIV positive and who is not on HIV treatment with an undetectable viral load.
Talk to your doctor about whether PrEP is right for you.
This resource is about using PrEP to prevent HIV through sex, but PrEP also works to help prevent HIV transmission if you share needles to inject drugs.
3. How Well Does PrEP Work?
For HIV-negative guys who take PrEP as prescribed and who have regular ongoing medical care, it is rare to get HIV through sex.
Taking your pills when you are supposed to is very important because PrEP can be less effective when pills are missed. If pills are missed, drug levels in your body may be too low to prevent HIV infection.
4. Is PrEP Safe?
PrEP is generally safe and well tolerated, and most people who take it report no side effects. Some do experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea or fatigue, but these usually go away on their own within a few days to weeks as the body adjusts to the medication.
Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects.
In some people, PrEP can affect the kidneys, liver and bones. If this happens, organ function usually returns to normal after PrEP is stopped. Your doctor should monitor your kidney function while you are taking PrEP and check for evidence of other possible drug effects on the body.
5. What Else Is Involved in Taking PrEP?
Being on PrEP involves more than just taking pills. Before starting PrEP it is important to be tested for HIV to make sure you're negative. Starting PrEP if you are HIV positive (but don't know it) can create serious problems for future HIV treatment.
You will also need to be tested for other STIs and hepatitis B. Your doctor should also test your kidney function.
While taking PrEP you will need medical visits every three months to test for HIV and other STIs, to monitor for drug side effects and to get ongoing support if you need it.
Since PrEP doesn't protect against STIs, many guys use condoms at the same time as PrEP.
6. What Are Some Other Benefits of PrEP?
PrEP has benefits beyond preventing HIV. If you worry about getting HIV during sex, being on PrEP can help you feel less anxious about getting HIV.
PrEP is a way to help prevent HIV that you can control without your sex partner knowing that you are using it.
You can be on PrEP for as long or as short a time as you want. Many guys only use PrEP for a period in their life when they need it, based on their risk for HIV at the time.
7. What About PrEP for Trans Men?
There is not a lot of information about the effect of PrEP in trans men, but based on what we know from other people, experts think that trans men can use daily PrEP to help prevent HIV.
An on-demand PrEP schedule should not be used by trans men having frontal sex. For these men, it is very important to take PrEP every day and not miss any pills because daily dosing is needed to keep drug levels high in the front hole or vagina.
8. How Can I Get PrEP?
If you want to take PrEP, you have to talk to a healthcare provider who is licensed to write a prescription.
PrEP medications can be expensive, but cheaper generic versions exist. PrEP may be covered by some private and public health insurance plans in Canada.
You may want to contact your doctor, a sexual health clinic or an HIV organization for help to figure out how you can pay for PrEP.
More information about PrEP in different regions of the country, especially for gay guys and other guys who have sex with guys:
GET PrEPED by the Health Initiative for Men (HiM) in British Columbia
The Sex You Want by the Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance in Ontario
HIV now by the AIDS Committee of Toronto in Ontario
La PrEP by REZO in Quebec
PrEP by AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia
www.catie.ca/prep
[Note from TheBody: This article was originally published by CATIE in March 2018. We have cross-posted it with their permission.]
BENOIT TESSIER/AFP/Getty Images
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg are currently on a state visit to France, where they were the guests of honor at a state dinner on Monday evening.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
President Emanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were hosted the grand ducal couple at the Elysee Palace in Paris for the dinner. Unfortunately, white-tie/black-tie state dinners largely went out of favor in France years ago, so there were no tiaras to spot on this occasion.
BENOIT TESSIER/AFP/Getty Images
But Grand Duchess Maria Teresa did delve into the familys collection of diamond and emerald jewelry for the dinner, wearing the diamond and emerald choker necklace that belonged to Queen Astrid of Belgium. (Ill direct you to our friends at Luxarazzi for more on the necklace.) She paired the necklace, which can also be worn as a bracelet or a bandeau, with elaborate diamond and emerald earrings.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
She also wore more diamonds and emeralds on her left wrist. From some angles, this bracelet looks like it might be a diamond and emerald evening watch.
BENOIT TESSIER/AFP/Getty Images
Brigitte Macron was especially chic for the dinner. Check out that cocktail ring on her left hand!
BENOIT TESSIER/AFP/Getty Images
Heres a look at the four major players entire ensembles for the evening.
The depth of George Washingtons Christian beliefs is totally irrelevant to his vision of the country he helped found. It is only our American obsession with personal authenticity that would cause us to worry about whether Washington was inwardly Christian.
One of the most illogical historical debates Ive ever tried to follow concerns the personal religious conviction of our founding father George Washington. Presently, there seem to be two opposing schools of propagandists. They can be divided more or less into Beckites and Obamaites, and both seem obsessed with Washingtons theological leanings. The generally leftist historian Joseph Ellis is eager to tell us in his relevant work that Washington was not on the evidence a Trinitarian Christian. Although he dutifully attended Anglican-Episcopalian services with his wife Martha, he avoided taking communion after the American Revolution.
This lack of ritual practice, which was clear to Washingtons minister in Philadelphia (and the local Episcopal bishop), William White, supposedly reveals a great deal about the American founding. Like Jefferson and Franklin, Washington was a free-thinker influenced by the European Enlightenment, and to whatever extent Washington and his fellow founders went along with popular religious enthusiasm, they were simply masking their true feelings. If alive today, they would all no doubt be welcoming the removal of Christian religious symbols from the public square, and in all probability, they would be okay with gay marriage and with substituting holiday greetings for a blessed Christmas.
The other side, following Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and other authorized conservative voices, insists that Washington was a pious Christian, who spent his time in solemn religious meditation. The reason his gravestone and his last will and testament are full of references to Christ as well as to God the Father is that George was, in fact, a believing Christian. Presumably, if still around, our first president would by now be rallying to the GOP. He might even be on the Glenn Beck show, seated next to Rabbi Daniel Lapin and Martin Luther Kings niece. Here, he would join the other guests in decrying abortion and calling for family values.
In point of fact, the depth of Washingtons Christian beliefs is totally irrelevant to his vision of the country he helped found. It is no more relevant than whether or not Leon Trotsky really believed in Marxs historical materialism when he led the Red Army. It is only our American obsession with personal authenticity that would cause us to worry about whether Washington was inwardly Christian. This is joined to the equally questionable notion that if Washington did not truly accept the Thirty-Nine Articles of his confession, this lack of faith had profound implications for the republic he helped set up.
Such beliefs tell more about the quality of American journalistic debate than they do about the problem of historical impact. From his statements, Washington intended the American people to be religious Christians and allowing for certain exceptions, he probably hoped they would be Christians of the Protestant variety. The fact that he and other founders include in their addresses stern affirmations on the link between religious faith and social virtue indicate they were not smirking at Christian theology, whatever their private reservations.
These founders were most emphatically not modern secularists, and Washington was not an exponent of modern democracy. Our first president was a man of the eighteenth century, who believed in the benefits of property relations and gender-specific education, and, perhaps above all, as he tells us in his Farewell Address as president, in the public need for religious beliefs. In these respects, he was little different from the English monarch his countrymen broke from during the Revolution.
His proclamation of the first Thanksgiving holiday in October 1789 was most certainly not about celebrating democracy, which is a false connection that U.S. presidents since Lyndon B. Johnson have drawn. It was a defense of ordered liberty in a society in which God would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and the citizens of the United States at large. We citizens are urged to demean ourselves with the charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.
There is no need to contrast these tempered passages to President Obamas most recent Thanksgiving dithyramb, with its homage to Native American enrichments and to our fledgling democracy, to grasp the utterly transformed public purpose now assigned to Thanksgiving. Since the 1960s, this holiday has become closely identified, perhaps most grievously by Bush II, with a democratic liberating mission and with celebrating the democratic progress of our global society.
But the original proclamation, which came from Washington and may have been edited by Bishop White, bears no resemblance to current justifications for Thanksgiving. Moreover, even the decision of Lincoln in October 1863 to establish a yearly commemoration of the Pilgrims arrival in New England, an act prompted by the desire to link the nations birth to pro-Union New England rather than to Confederate Jamestown, does not really change the significance of Washingtons holiday.
Even in 1863 during a fratricidal war, the U.S. and its leaders continued to view the country in some sense as it had in Washingtons time. (Lincoln too was not a regular churchgoer, but his oratory is bathed in Old Testament phrases and Calvinist laments about the wages of sin.)
But Washington is explicit in calling for citizens to subordinate themselves to others. What he had in mind was probably a local constabulary and not, in any case, a modern welfare state. His language about authority issues straight out of Pauls Letter to the Romans, while in the second paragraph there is an Old Testament citation from the prophet Micah. Washington also commends our blessed religion, which presumably is not an early allusion to Kwanzaa. It is indeed hard to think of how any president today could draft such a proclamation, even transposed in the appropriate gobbledygook, without being attacked for hate speech.
Current attempts to understand the social-religious view of eighteenth-century Virginia gentlemen by relating them to modern-day fixations are an infantile project. The most we can hope to do by making comparative studies is to understand how different the past was from the present. Washington was no more a precursor of our egalitarian, post-Christian times than he was Donald Duck. And he could easily entertain theological doubts without wishing to hand over his country to cultural radicals, and especially not in a government that he would no longer have recognized as his. Equally important, his understanding of religion was anchored in non-modern social concepts, like deference and authority. Washington may have been the commander who finished the work begun with the Tea Party in 1773. But his solution, in the end, was as stately as the man himself and the holiday he proclaimed.
Republished with gracious permission from The American Conservative (December 2010).
This essay was first published here in October 2016.
The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now.
The featured image is George Washington praying at Valley Forge (1866), engraving by John C. McRae, based on a painting by Henry Brueckner. It is in the public domain, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 11:15 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caaa729 1 Editorial death-penalty,Arab-Saudi,migrant-protection Free
Another family is grieving over the death of a migrant worker; this time, by execution. Muhammad Zaini Misrin of Madura, East Java, was beheaded on Sunday following a trial in Saudi Arabia in 2008 that found him guilty of murdering his employer, a charge he had denied. Human rights advocates have urged the government to issue a diplomatic protest against the kingdom, against which Indonesia still has a moratorium on sending migrant workers, pending a better guarantee of their welfare.
The NGO Migrant Care pointed out that the Saudi government had not issued a mandatory notice to our Foreign Ministry regarding the execution. President Joko Jokowi Widodo himself had reportedly pleaded for the life of Zaini, who activists say did not receive his right to an impartial translator.
Nevertheless, a plea for the life of one of our own sounds hollow every time we make it, as we loudly defend our own death penalty. Despite reports of mistrials, several parties continue to claim it is the best deterrent for the worst crimes terrorism, drug abuse, sexual assault and rape, serial murders, etc. As long as Indonesia has the death penalty, how can we stand up for the life of Indonesians on death row overseas, despite the hard work of our diplomats?
We therefore join those who urge the government to apply a moratorium on the death penalty, while reviewing a move to abolish it. To survivors and families of victims of terrorism, rape and murder, for instance, executions of convicted perpetrators may help bring closure. But have we seen a deterrence against, say, terrorism, since the execution of the Bali Three bombers? And in at least two relatively recent cases, weak legal proceedings led to the revocation of one death sentence, but in another, a death row inmate could not be saved.
The Indonesian Ombudsman concluded last year a maladministration in the execution of Nigerian Humphrey Jefferson Ejike Eleweke in 2016, which took place while he was still seeking clemency.
In the case of convicted murderer Yusman Telaumbananua, the Supreme Court changed his death sentence to five years imprisonment following proof that he was a minor when he was sentenced for multiple murders by a district court in Nias, North Sumatra, in 2013.
Jokowi, who is running for a second term, enjoys support for the mounting executions under his watch, which has already surpassed the 17 executed during his predecessors 10-year term. Several more are reportedly planned this year.
Indonesians may be as desperate for peace and order as Filipinos who support their presidents war on drugs, which sparked allegations of extra-judicial murders against President Rodrigo Duterte. But Indonesia is lobbying for a temporary seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), an ambition that looks mighty strange considering the countrys stance on capital punishment.
Sure, UNSC member China also has capital punishment, as do a number of states in the United States. But Indonesia was among the founders of the ASEAN human rights commission, just one of several signs of our efforts toward a civilized society, one that seeks alternatives to justice rather than meting out an eye for an eye.
Baguette lovers may be horrified to learn that in 2017, for the first time ever, hamburger sales were higher in France than the classic jambon-beurre sandwich.
American-style burgers were on the menu at 85 percent of restaurants in France last year, with a whopping 1.5 billion units sold, according to Paris-based restaurant consultants Gira Conseil.
The silver lining for foodies was the gradual demise of junk food, with good-quality, fresh alternatives on the rise.
Interestingly, fast food joints sold just 30 percent of burgers in France, with the majority sold at restaurants with full table service.
This is all big news for a country that takes great pride in its national culinary culture, and which for years resisted the global burger onslaught.
"We've been talking about a burger frenzy for three years. This year, we don't know how to describe the phenomenon. It's just crazy," Gira Conseil director Bernard Boutboul told AFP.
There was a nine percent jump in burger sales last year. "That's phenomenal growth," Boutboul said.
In 2016, hamburger sales were on a par with the jambon-beurre, or ham-and-butter baguette -- which is still the most popular sandwich in France.
"But in 2017, for the first time, (burgers) overtook (the French classic) by a long way," Boutboul said, with jambon-beurre sales at 1.2 billion units.
"One wonders whether the burger might even overtake our famous steak frites in France," he said.
Read also: Must-try burger joints in Senopati
'I sold my soul'
There, Boutboul may have hit a nerve. While the French see their food culture as unique, the truth is a lot of it is based on meat, bread and potatoes -- not a far cry from what makes up a US burger meal.
More broadly, fast food joint sales were "beating record upon record", Gira Conseil found, making 51 billion euros ($63 billion) in 2017.
France is McDonald's most profitable market outside the US, with more than 1,400 restaurants.
The Golden Arches has adapted to French tastes with the McCamembert and the McBaguette with Emmental cheese, Dijon mustard, the various French salads and even macarons for dessert. Customers can also drink beer with their meals.
Jean-Pierre Petit, the man credited with helping France fall in love with "McDo", is one of the brand's most influential executives, pioneering McDonald's attempts to adapt itself to local tastes.
In his 2013 book, "I Sold My Soul to McDonald's,", Petit admitted that he had not eaten his first hamburger until he was 30.
In 2005 Frenchman Denis Hennequin, who introduced the Parmesan burger in Italy and the Shrimp Burger to Germany, became the first non-American to lead the McDonalds brand in Europe.
But a lot of the fast food that does best in France is high-quality -- and fairly pricey.
"Even the Americans are keeping an eye on what we're doing in our gastronomic fast food sector," Boutboul said.
E-cigarettes do far more harm than good, says a recently released study funded by the National Health Institutes of the United States.
It found that for every smoker who quits with the help of e-cigarettes, 80 others would pick up the habit following exposure to e-cigarettes. This lends strong support for Singapore's total ban on e-cigarettes that became effective last month.
The study, led by Associate Professor Samir Soneji of the Dartmouth Institute, the health services research and education center at Dartmouth College, was based on simulation modelling.
Read also: Vaping may raise cancer risk: Study
The model estimates that use of e-cigarettes in 2014 in the US would lead to an additional 2,070 adults quitting smoking in 2015.
However, it expects e-cigarettes to initiate smoking in 168,000 young people who had never smoked to become daily smokers by their mid-30s.
It concluded: "E-cigarette use currently represents more population-level harm than benefit."
Moonrise Over Egypt, a film that centers on founding father Agus Salim, is set to grace screens on March 22.
Directed by Pandu Adiputra, the film is an adaptation of the journey of former foreign minister Agus Salim and his delegation in April 1947. They sought de jure recognition from the Egyptian government on Indonesia's sovereignty and independence on August 17, 1945.
"Tensions arose because the Indonesian delegation had to deal with scheming Dutch Ambassador Willem van Receteran Limpurg, who would not let Indonesia become independent and wanted to thwart the diplomatic mission," Pandu said as quoted by Antara.
Accompanied by a strategist named Comelis Adriaanse, Van Receteran Limpurg then lobbied against Prime Minister Nokrashy and slipped their spies into the group of Indonesian delegates.
Finally, the two Dutch officials succeeded in influencing Nokrashy, who eventually decided to postpone a plan of bilateral cooperation with Indonesia that would mark the legitimacy of its sovereignty in the international arena.
Read also: Livi Zheng produces film for Indonesia's UN Security Council campaign
The film stars Pritt Timothy as Agus Salim, Vikri Rahmat (AR Baswedan), Satria Mulia (HM Rasjidi), drh. Ganda (Natsir Pamuntjak), Reza 'SM*SH' Anugrah (Zein Hasan), Bhisma Wijaya (Hisyam), and Ina Marika as Zahra.
Producer Adie Marzuki said historical stories needed to be told so younger generations could learn from the past.
"This film illustrates how Indonesia struggled to gain recognition from the international community," Adie said.
The Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministry conveyed its appreciation for the actors of SMEs that inspired the nation through their work, noting that the film was an example of a quality production.
"A big nation is one that appreciates the services of its heroes," Agus Muharram, secretary of the ministry, said in a statement. (liz/wng)
St. Patrick's Day falls each year on March 17 and is an annual celebration that is not to be missed, even 12,000 kilometers away in Indonesia. Ireland's national day was marked in the capital city with a lavish gala and charity event hosted by St. Patrick's Society Jakarta.
The 40-year-old community organization, with branches in Jakarta and Bali, has held a charity ball in the Indonesian capital since 1986 to commemorate the famous cultural and religious celebration.
This year was the society's biggest ball yet, with 600 guests attending the on March 10 charity event.
Irish Ambassador to Indonesia Kyle O'Sullivan, who was among the evening's special guests, said the event was an opportunity to share the Irish culture with the public, as anyone could join the celebrations.
"From an Irish point of view, we don't deal so much in military strength or political hard power. We're a soft power country. Our culture and our people are kind of what we do abroad," O'Sullivan said.
"We like to have events that bring our music, our dancing, our culture; that's where we feel we do our best, so we try and show it off," he added.
Read also: Tales of three cities in Ireland
Around 250 Irish nationals reside in Indonesia, the ambassador noted, of which 100 live in Jakarta.
The ball brought together the Irish community in Indonesia, including Irish-Indonesian descendants as well as Australians and Americans of Irish heritage.
O'Sullivan added that the gala event also aimed to give back to society, and St. Patrick's Society Jakarta had established close ties with children's charities across the archipelago over the past four decades.
"We support six organizations; they're all local Indonesian charities," said St. Patrick's Society Jakarta president Miranda Hough.
Representatives from the charities also participated in the event, such as a musical performance by the children from Rawinala, a foundation that focuses on children with multiple disabilities and vision impairment.
Other charities involved in this year's ball included Yayasan Goodwill International, Rumah Harapan (House of Hope), Yayasan Sosial Bina Sejahtera, the XS Project and the Rachel House Foundation.
The society holds monthly gatherings throughout the year as part of its efforts to raise funds to support other charitable organizations. (kes)
The way to Narnia is not through a wardrobe after all.
In fact, you can turn into a roundabout in the English town of Didcot and follow the route towards Power Station 'A', according to one of some five road signs that saw fictional locations added to them in the past week.
British broadcaster BBC reported on Monday (March 19) that besides Narnia, the roundabout signs in the Oxfordshire town seemingly also lead motorists to Gotham City, Neverland, Emerald City and Middle Earth.
Many residents shared photos of the amusing sight on social media, but the city council has called it an act of vandalism and raised concerns that it could distract drivers.
"We will investigate as soon as the weather improves," the Oxfordshire County Council told BBC.
"While on the surface amusing, it is vandalism and a potential distraction for drivers."
Resident Charlotte Westgate told local media that she saw a hooded man in his 20s adding the words "Gotham City" to a sign last Friday afternoon, though his identity remains unknown.
She said: "He was on his own, and didn't seem worried that anyone might be looking at him, but no one driving past did anything to stop him."
Mayor Jackie Billington said that the unusual events have shown that Didcot, recently described as the "most normal town in England" by researchers, is more than that.
She said: "It proves yet again, that Didcot is more than just a 'normal' town, it's quite quirky now with the new signage."
Speaking to local newspaper Oxford Mail on Monday, Ms Billington quipped that her favourite is the sign for Narnia.
"It's quite fitting that there's still a lot of snow around," she said.
However, she added that the signs will have to be removed at some point and that it could be a costly job.
Didcots most recognisable feature is the coal-fired Didcot A Power Station, which was running for 43 years before it was turned off in 2013.
In February last year (2017), a part of its boiler house collapsed when the power station was preparing for demolition. Four workers were killed.
Ride-sharing giant Uber said Monday it is suspending use of self-driving cars after one of the vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian in the US state of Arizona.
The Uber vehicle was in autonomous mode, with an operator behind the wheel, when it hit a woman walking in the street in the city of Tempe late Sunday, according to the San Francisco-based company.
The victim was hospitalized and later died from her injuries.
"Our hearts go out to the victim's family," an Uber spokesperson told AFP. "We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident."
Uber said it had temporarily halted its use of self-driving cars for testing or customer rides in Tempe, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and San Francisco.
Tempe is one of just two cities -- along with Pittsburgh -- where the ride-sharing firm has been using autonomous vehicles as part of its regular passenger.
The vehicle operator in the driver's seat was the only person in the car when the accident occurred, Uber said. The car was in police hands on Monday.
Sunday's accident was the first fatal self-driving car crash involving a pedestrian.
The first deadly self-driving car accident was reported in mid-2016, and involved a Tesla.
Read also: Autonomous cars: Still many questions to answer
Sheriff needed?
The Tesla Model S, cruising on "Autopilot," failed to detect a crossing tractor-trailer against a bright sky, killing the driver -- who it later emerged had kept his hands off the wheel for extended periods of time despite automated warnings not to do so.
Investigators at the US National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the Tesla crash was the combination of "a truck driver's failure to yield the right of way and a car driver's inattention due to overreliance on vehicle automation."
Autonomous-vehicle technology has been touted as having potential to save fuel, ease congestion, and to save thousands of lives by avoiding accidents due to human error.
As with the fatal Tesla crash, however, the deadly Uber accident is likely to stoke concerns that the industry is moving too fast.
Google-owned Waymo this month began using its self-driving trucks to haul cargo bound for the internet giant's data centers in Georgia, while rival Uber announced the use of self-driving semi trucks as part of an on-demand trucking service in Arizona.
In September, US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao released new guidelines that permit more testing of self-driving cars.
But America's non-profit Consumer Watchdog has warned that roads are being turned "into private laboratories for robot cars with no regard for our safety."
The group on Monday called for a nationwide moratorium on testing self-driving cars on public roads while investigators figure out what went wrong in the Uber accident.
"Arizona has been the wild west of robot car testing with virtually no regulations in place," Watchdog technology project director John Simpson said in a statement.
"When there's no sheriff in town, people get killed."
Read also: Toyota adds $2.8b to software push for self-driving cars
Car vision tests?
US states set their own rules for roads, and a handful have passed laws allowing self-driving vehicles.
California and Arizona have been particularly encouraging, hoping that companies developing autonomous technology in those states will create local jobs and facilities devoted to a promising new industry.
Duke University robotics professor Missy Cummings is among the advocates of slowing down introduction of autonomous vehicles to avoid risk and get proper regulations in place.
While machines are better at staying vigilant and reacting to routine situations, human drivers have proven superior at handling unusual or unexpected situations, according to the professor.
Cummings reasoned that if people need to pass vision exams in order to get driving licenses, so should self-driving cars.
She noted a case in which putting stickers on a stop sign could fool autonomous car sensors into seeing it as a sign indicating a speed limit.
"If we are still learning at this rate, and still uncovering major problems, it begs the question of why we are trying to put this technology into widespread use," Cummings told AFP.
"I am a big fan of the technology, but it is very unproven and experimental."
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 06:00 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caa2cd8 1 National pollution,factory,waste,Sukoharjo,Sritex Free
A crowd of activists protested in front of the Energy Building in the Sudirman Central Business District in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Monday to demand that garment company PT Huddleston Indonesia, which occupies the 20th floor of the building, shut down operations of PT Rayon Utama Makmur (RUM) in Sukoharjo, Central Java.
The activists said residents of Sukoharjo regency endured a foul smell for months because of pollution coming from the RUM factory, starting in October last year.
PT Huddleston holds 56 percent of shares of publicly listed PT Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex), one of the biggest textile garment producers in Southeast Asia. It supplies garments to well known brands such as Zara, H&M and Uniqlo as well as the uniforms for the Indonesian Military, NATO and armed forces of other countries.
Sritex obtains their rayon from RUM, activist Rahman Ladanu told The Jakarta Post.
Hundreds of residents of Nguter district, Sukoharjo, complained over a foul stench allegedly emitting from RUM factory waste. Protests escalated in February, when residents vandalized an RUM security post. The police later arrested seven peopleactivists and residentssome for vandalism and some for defamation.
In response, 100 lawyers have prepared a lawsuit against RUM.
Sritex spokesperson Welly Salam said the company was not affiliated with RUM, other than sharing the same parent organization.
We are different companies, although we are owned by the Lukminto family, he told the Post over the phone on Monday.
He declined to comment when asked about whether RUM supplied Sritex with rayon.
In late February, RUM president director Pramono said the Sukoharjo regent had ordered RUM to halt the operation. They had complied, as production had been put on hold to improve waste treatment, Pramono said. (gis)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 07:05 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caa3974 1 City West-Jakarta,raids,warehouses,expired-food Free
Jakarta Police personnel raided a warehouse that stored expired foods on Jl. Kalianyar in Tambora, West Jakarta, on Monday.
The police alleged that the owners would sell the foods after modifying their expiry date labels.
We have raided a warehouse and detained an individual for questioning, West Jakarta Police criminal unit head Adj. Sr. Comr. Edy Suranta Sitepu said as reported by kompas.com.
He said the investigation into the case had started in December last year when he found some employees had been falsifying the expiry date labels.
Among the foods confiscated included mayonnaise and children's foods, he said.
We have yet to question the suspect to discover where the foods would've been distributed, Edy said.
The perpetrator, who is also the owner of the warehouse, has been charged with violating laws on consumer protection. (fac)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 08:03 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caa56a3 1 City TGUPP,selection,Sandiaga-Uno Free
The Jakarta administration is in the process of selecting candidates for the Governors Team for Accelerated Development (TGUPP), which still has two more committees to fill, according to Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno.
Of the TGUPPs five planned committees, three have been established and its members revealed to the public, namely for development acceleration, synchronizing regulations and corruption prevention.
We are still selecting and building the [TGUPP] talent pool. We hope that the positions can be filled internally, such as by civil servants, [but they are also open to] non-civil servants, Sandiaga told reporters at City Hall on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.
The two remaining committees will focus on Jakarta Bay management, and economic development and spatial planning.
Sandiaga said that the three established committees were prioritized because they were needed by the administration.
Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioner Bambang Widjojanto, who was part of Sandiagas campaign team during the gubernatorial election, heads the corruption prevention committee, while lawyer Rikrik Rizkiyana leads the regulation synchronization team.
Meanwhile, former state-owned electricity company PT PLN director Amin Subekti has been appointed as head of the development acceleration committee.
The TGUPP has sparked controversy among observers who argued that it had far too many members with 73 people, whose salaries range from Rp 8 million (US$560) to Rp 50 million. (fac)
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java Tue, March 20, 2018 17:42 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cabb210 1 Politics Bawaslu,smear-campaign,hate-speech,2018-West-Java-gubernatorial-election,2018-regional-election,regional-elections,PDI-P Free
The West Java Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has declined to follow up on reports of alleged smear campaigning and hate speech reported by the campaign team of one of the provinces gubernatorial candidate pairs Tubagus Hasanuddin and Anton Charliyan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) last week.
The [reported] smear campaign and hate speech cannot be categorized as election crimes but rather violations of the Internet and Electronic Transactions [ITE] Law, said Bawaslu West Java chairman Harminus Koto in a letter explaining progress in the handling of the reports on March 16.
The ITE Law prohibits any form of hate speech pertaining to ethnicity, religion, race and inter-group relations (SARA).
Indra Sudrajat, a member of the Hasanuddin-Anton tickets advocacy team, reported an Instagram account named @perisai.rakyat21 to Bawaslu on March 13, saying the account conducted a smear campaign against the Hasanuddin-Anton pair.
The @perisai.rakyat21 account carries a picture of the candidate pair with the slogan changed from Hasanah, a portmanteau of Hasanuddin-Anton Amanah (trustworthy), to Hasetan, short for Hasanuddin-Anton Setan, or devil.
Indra said he was disappointed by the decision taken by the Bawaslu West Javas Integrated Law Enforcement (Gakkumdu) center.
It will be a bad precedent for our people. We are worried that people will be able to spread hate speech and smear campaigns as they wish without having to face any legal risks, said Indra on Monday, after the team also reported the case to the West Java Police. (srs/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 20:12 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cac1f60 1 City expired-food,business,West-Jakarta Free
A business in West Jakarta that sold expired food had a turnover of up to Rp 6 billion (US$436,200), police said on Tuesday.
West Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Hengki Hariyadi said the police found that the company, identified as PT PRS, had been running the business since 2014 in Jakarta, Greater Jakarta, Papua and Medan in North Sumatra.
Through our investigation, we found that their turnover was between Rp 3 billion to 6 billion [per month], Hengki said as quoted by wartakotalive.com.
The police then seized 90,080 food items of various brands from three different locations two warehouses in Tambora and Cengkareng in West Jakarta, and PT PRS' main office in Hayam Wuruk, Central Jakarta.
The first location was a warehouse in Tambora, which was used to store and change the labels of the expired food packages, while the second one was the main office in Hayam Wuruk and the last was the warehouse in Cengkareng, used to store the expired foods [and prepare them] for delivery, Hengki said.
He added that the case was brought to their attention on Feb. 24, and the police are still continuing to make developments in it.
So far, the police have arrested three perpetrators the companys director, and the heads of the Cengkareng and Tambora warehouses.
Furthermore, the Tambora warehouse did not have a permit to be used as a warehouse. Expired foods found in that location were not only local snacks but also imported ones from the United States and Australia.
The investigation began when some people noticed strange tastes in foods they usually consumed. They bought them from popular supermarkets, and it turned out those foods were expired as the taste and the shape had changed, Hengki said. (wnd)
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Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 10:47 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caa880a 1 National Chinese-Indonesian-residents,BPN,Yogyakarta,Yogyakarta-governor,Sri-Sultan,Sri-Sultan-Hamengku-Buwono,land-ownership Free
A joint statement supported by 39 individuals and institutions has called on Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono to revoke a Yogyakarta regional head instruction on land ownership for non-native Indonesians. The instruction, which was issued in 1975, prohibits Chinese-Indonesians in Yogyakarta from owning land in the province.
Awaludin Marwan, a doctoral student from Utrecht School of Law in the Netherlands, said he was striving to garner support for Chinese-Indonesians in Yogyakarta because according to Presidential Instruction No.26/1998, the term non-native is no longer allowed to be used in the governments decision-making. Labeling a group of entities "non-natives" also contravened other prevailing laws and regulations.
We are waiting for the Yogyakarta governor, who is widely known for his wisdom and simplicity, to act wisely. Please give all Yogyakarta residents equal treatment, Awaludin told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
During his doctoral research on the protection of the rights of minority groups in Indonesia, Awaludin claims to have found evidence that State Land Agency (BPN) officials in Yogyakarta did not process the transfer of land ownership to Chinese- Indonesians because of a 1975 regional head instruction.
They keep using the instruction although it is not legally binding and continue to carry out discriminatory measures, said Awaludin. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 13:17 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cab1205 4 Business Freeport-Indonesia,environmental-issues,state-losses,BPK-recommendation,report Free
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has said that ecological damage resulting from PT Freeport Indonesia's (PTFI) mining operations in Papua had caused Rp 185 trillion (US$12.95 billion) in state losses.
Based on the calculations of experts at IPB [the Bogor Institute of Agriculture], the environmental damage caused by Freeports mining waste reached Rp 185 trillion, BPK commissioner Rizal Djalil said in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.
He added that the mining company dumped its waste into forests, rivers and estuaries.
Rizal said the BPK had received data on the scale of the damage from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan). He added that Freeport Indonesia also utilized 4,536 hectares of protected forest for their operations in direct violation of Law No. 19/2004 on Forestry.
It has been 333 days since we issued the report, but it has not been followed up, said Rizal, adding that the BPK had recommended sanctions for the company to the Environment and Forestry Ministry and the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
Meanwhile, Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Pratama said the company had followed up on two BPK reports on violating the license on the use of protected forests and its environmental impact.
Riza said the ministry had imposed administrative sanctions on Freeport in October 2017 for violating the terms of the environment permit. (bbn)
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Linkedin Sarah Frier (Bloomberg) San Francisco, United States Tue, March 20, 2018 12:43 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caaf660 2 Business Facebook,data-breach,scandal Free
Facebook tried to get ahead of its latest media firestorm. Instead, it helped create one.
The company knew ahead of time that on Saturday, the New York Times and The Guardians Observer would issue bombshell reports that the data firm that helped Donald Trump win the presidency had accessed and retained information on 50 million Facebook users without their permission.
Facebook did two things to protect itself: it sent letters to the media firms laying out its legal case for why this data leak didnt constitute a "breach." And then it scooped the reports using their information, with a Friday blog post on why it was suspending the ad firm, Cambridge Analytica, from its site.
Both moves backfired.
On Friday, Facebook said it "received reports" that Cambridge Analytica hadnt deleted the user data, and that it needed to suspend the firm. The statement gave the impression that Facebook had looked into the matter. In fact, the companys decisions were stemming from information in the news reports set to publish the next day, and it had not independently verified those reports, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. By trying to look proactive, Facebook ended up adding weight to the news.
On Saturday, any good will the company earned by talking about the problem first was quickly undone when reporters revealed Facebooks behind-the-scenes legal maneuvering. Yesterday Facebook threatened to sue us. Today we publish this, Carole Cadwalladr, the Observer reporter, wrote as she linked her story to Twitter, in a post shared almost 15,000 times. The Guardian said it had nothing to add to her statement. The Times confirmed that it too received a letter, but said it didnt consider the correspondence a legal threat.
Yesterday @facebook threatened to sue us. Today we publish this.
Meet the whistleblower blowing the lid off Facebook & Cambridge Analytica. https://t.co/QcuBJfBU5T Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla) March 17, 2018
Front-running the stories along with the letters to newsrooms are but two of several ways Facebook failed to contain fallout from the Cambridge Analytica revelations. Silence on the part of Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg didnt help. Nor did a report late Monday in the New York Times that Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos is leaving after clashing with other executives, including Sandberg, over how Facebook handled Russian disinformation campaigns. Facebook said Stamos is still at the company, but didnt outright deny that he plans to leave.
Most of its executives havent done a real interview in ages, let alone answer deep questions, Zeynep Tufecki, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina who specializes in social networks and democracy, wrote in a post on Twitter.
Aaand Senator @RonWyden has questions for Facebook. Most of its executives havent done a real interview in ages, let alone answer deep questions. https://t.co/uUROlOG9n5. zeynep tufekci (@zeynep) March 20, 2018
In a sign of investor dismay, Facebook shares tumbled 6.8 percent on Monday, the biggest decline since March 2014. As the stock fell and criticism from lawmakers poured in from the US and Britain, the company worked to make it clear that it didnt actually have enough information, on its own, to react to Saturdays news reports in a stronger way.
Facebook put out another blog post, saying that Cambridge Analytica and the researcher who provided them the data, Aleksandr Kogan, had agreed to a digital forensics audit to prove they deleted it. Facebook said the one person who didnt agree to the audit was Christopher Wylie, the former Cambridge Analytica contractor who spoke to the newspapers about the data leak. With the post, Facebook aimed to stir more skepticism around Wylies information, according to a person familiar with the matter.
That didnt resolve things quickly either. The auditors were already on site at Cambridge Analyticas London office Monday when they had to pause their work. The U.K. Information Commissioners Office is pursuing a warrant to conduct its own on-site investigation.
The Cambridge Analytica saga is the latest in a series of bungled Facebook responses, often reactionary and sometimes unintentionally stirring public outrage instead of resolving concerns. The companys interaction with the public tends to start with a carefully crafted blog post, and then evolve into a much more improvised Twitter-based conversation with lower-level executives who defend the social network and explain its decisions. It doesnt always go well.
Earlier this year, when the US government indicted 13 Russians who used Facebook to manipulate voters, a Facebook advertising executive took to Twitter to clarify that overall, the Russian ads were primarily used to divide Americans, not influence the election. His comments went viral after President Donald Trump used them to back up attacks on the "fake news media."
In 2017, Facebook made its disclosures on Russias activities in a slow drip, each time illustrating a bigger problem. An April white paper on "information operations," for example, didnt name the country. The company that October said 10 million users saw Russias ads. Later that month, Facebook said 126 million people saw Russias posts in general. The company upped the number to 150 million during Congressional interrogation, when a senator asked if Facebook could include Instagram, the photo-sharing app it owns, in the count.
Stamos, who has favored more forthright disclosure, was frequently outvoted, according to the New York Times. Hes planning to leave the company in August, the newspaper reported. On Twitter, he later said hes still fully engaged with his work at Facebook, without answering questions about his plans. But that would make him the most high-profile exit since Facebooks election-related troubles began.
Meanwhile, higher ranking executives remain quiet. Zuckerberg and Sandberg, who in past years would post frequently about the issues of the day, have shied away from reacting to the most controversial news. Lawmakers have now called out Zuckerberg by name in both the US and the UK
Zuckerberg and Sandberg plan to remain quiet on the Cambridge Analytica situation until the company completes its internal review of what happened, according to a person familiar with the matter. Until they do, questions about Facebooks ability to cope with the Cambridge Analytica crisis will undoubtedly persist.
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Linkedin Tsuyoshi Inajima (Bloomberg) Tokyo, Japan Tue, March 20, 2018 14:15 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cab1f74 2 World oil,OPEC,price Free
Oil rebounded toward $63 a barrel from its first drop in four sessions as investors weighed record compliance to output curbs by OPEC and its allies against expanding US supplies and a broader selloff in risk assets.
Futures in New York rose as much as 0.4 percent after slipping 0.5 percent on Monday. While US crude inventories are forecast to have grown by 3.4 million barrels last week, that prediction calls for a slower pace of expansion than the week prior. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners, which are trying to ease a global glut via output cuts, are said to have complied with pledged curbs at a rate of 138 percent in February.
Oil has swung around this month after registering its worst February decline in half a decade as a global equity market rout spread to commodities. US crude production that has boomed to a record as well as rising American inventories are prompting speculation that OPEC and its allies will have to extend output cuts into 2019 to reach the groups goal of reducing inventories to their five-year average.
US shale production is putting a big cap on oil prices, Satoru Yoshida, a commodity analyst at Rakuten Securities, said by phone from Tokyo. Still, the oil market is quite firm. Even if prices fall for various reasons, they rebound fairly quickly and theres buying support there.
West Texas Intermediate for April delivery, which expires on Tuesday, climbed as much as 25 cents to $62.31 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and traded at $62.26 by 1:47 p.m. in Tokyo. The contract fell 28 cents to $62.06 on Monday. The more-active May contract climbed 20 cents to $62.33. Total volume traded was about 33 percent below the 100-day average.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 19:38 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cac186d 1 City Tanah-Abang,road-closure,Ombudsman Free
The closure of Jl. Jatibaru Raya in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, was the result of maladministration, the Ombudsman declared on Tuesday.
From our field inspection, we concluded that the road closure policy was an act of maladministration. According to the prevailing laws on roads and traffic, roads are meant for public use, not for other purposes, such as selling, as what is happening today, said Dominikus Dalu, head of the Ombudsmans Jakarta office, referring to Law 28/2004 on roads and Law 22/2009 on traffic and transportation.
Dominikus added that the Ombudsman would also take into account Gubernatorial Instruction No. 17/2018 on the Tanah Abang traffic arrangement, which was used as the basis of the road closure.
The instruction was issued on Feb. 6, almost two months after Jl. Jatibaru Raya was closed to accommodate street vendors.
Ombudsman officials conducted on Tuesday morning an inspection of Jl. Jatibaru Raya and nearby streets with Adj. Sr. Comr. Budiyanto, head of the Jakarta Polices traffic unit, after receiving complaints from the public.
The inspection was part of the Ombudsmans plan to submit several recommendations to the city administration, which it would do next week at the latest.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan instructed the closure of Jl. Jatibaru Raya in December to allow hundreds of street vendors to occupy the road.
Vehicles are barred from passing through the area from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., leaving commuters no choice but to use the TransJakartas Tanah Abang Explorer buses. (jlm)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 17:45 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cabc08a 1 Politics Golkar,GolkarParty,PDI-P,2019-presidential-election,2019-elections,Airlangga-Hartarto Free
Senior officials of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) paid a visit to the Golkar Party headquarters in Slipi, West Jakarta, on Tuesday, to consolidate relationships ahead of the 2019 presidential election.
Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartanto welcomed PDI-P secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto, his deputy Ahmad Basarah and other party members. Airlangga said this was the first official visit of PDI-P officials to the Golkar Party headquarters.
This meeting is held to officially announce that Golkar fully supports [President] Joko Jokowi Widodo, Airlangga told journalists.
We also need to synchronize steps by the two parties to win elections, especially in Central Java, Riau and South Sumatra, and in areas where Golkar and the PDI-P are supporting the same candidates, he added.
Airlangga said despite heavy speculation, his party still had no plan to offer a vice-presidential candidate for Jokowi.
The PDI-P has named Jokowi its presidential candidate in 2019, less than six months before the General Elections Commission (KPU) opens registration for next years election.
The party declared its support during a closed-door national meeting of party executives in Denpasar, Bali, on Feb. 23. I declare Joko Widodo the presidential candidate from the PDI-P, party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri told the partys rank and file in a video shared by the party with journalists covering the event.
Golkar is one of four political parties, including the National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP) and the NasDem Party, that have officially declared support for Jokowi's re-election bid. (gis/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 21:03 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cac3055 1 National National-Police,Polri,regional-elections,2018-regional-election,Tito-Karnavian Free
The National Police are set to intensify their search for weapons and illegal firearms to ensure public security during the upcoming regional elections, which will be held simultaneously in 171 provinces, regencies and cities on June 27.
Details of the nationwide security operation have been passed on to regional police forces, National Police spokesman Setyo Wasisto said on Tuesday, adding that each region had its own characteristics with regards to security and crime.
In Madura [East Java], its common to see a person walking on the street with a bladed weapon. Hence, the security operation must be done in accordance with local culture, he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
Previously, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian vowed to boost security precautions ahead of the elections by intensifying the search of illegal weapons.
The move was in response to recent attacks against religious leaders and places of worship across Indonesia.
Police have recorded at least 21 of such attacks from December to February this year, 15 of which were reportedly perpetrated by mentally-ill persons. The incidents occurred in Aceh, Banten, East Java, Jakarta, West Java and Yogyakarta. (srs/ebf)
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Tue, March 20, 2018 14:23 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cab214b 1 Politics Simalungun,North-Sumatra,forgery,Gakkumdu,Simalungun-regent,document,document-forgery Free
Simalungun Regent Jopinus Ramli "JR" Saragih has fulfilled the summons of the North Sumatra Integrated Law Enforcement (Gakkumdu) center for questioning as a suspect in a forgery case related to his bid to register as a candidate in the province's upcoming gubernatorial election.
JRs questioning was conducted at the Elections Supervisory Agency's (Bawaslu) North Sumatra branch in Medan on Monday, a week after the head of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggles (PDI-P) North Sumatra executive board was named a suspect in a separate case.
Hundreds of the regent's supporters staged a rally at the Bawaslu North Sumatra office to protest his being named a suspect. They said the Gakkumdus decision was a form of cruelty, as JR had never been questioned before, and believed the decision was politically motivated.
All tyrannical acts must be rejected. JR Saragih is the best son of North Sumatra. He is being treated cruelly. We have to fight against this cruelty, the protesters said.
(Read also: Two candidate pairs to run in North Sumatra election: Commission)
Headed by North Sumatra Police deputy chief Brig.Gen. Agus Andrianto, at least 600 personnel were deployed to secure the Bawaslu office during JR's questioning.
JR is being accused of falsifying a diploma he had used to register as a gubernatorial candidate in the North Sumatra regional election.
Gakkumdu named him a suspect last Thursday, after the Regional Elections Commission (KPUD) declared that JR, who had been elected twice as Simalungun regent, was ineligible to contest the provinces gubernatorial election. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, March 20, 2018 12:16 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caae915 4 Business skimming,bank-mandiri,surabaya,East-Java Free
Customers of state-owned lender Bank Mandiri in Surabaya have reportedly fallen victim to skimming. The case has emerged following the arrest of a number of suspects in a similar case affecting customers of state-owned lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) in Kediri, also in East Java.
Previously, BRI management said it had spent Rp 145 million (US$10,542) to compensate customers affected by the crime.
Skimming is the process of copying personnel data, particularly from debit or credit cards.
Tribunnews.com reported that dozens of Bank Mandiri customers visited a Bank Mandiri branch at the Graha Pena building in Surabaya on Monday to report the lost funds. They also asked the bank to block their accounts to prevent further losses.
According to the customers, the lost funds ranged from Rp 178,000 to Rp 5 million.
Bank Mandiri digital banking and technology director Rico Usthavia Frans said the bank had handled the case and that all affected customers had been compensated.
Rico did not mention the amount of lost funds, but he stressed that the lender was ready to reimburse all victims.
He said the bank had checked the ATMs, which had been reportedly installed with skimming devices, and blocked the ATM cards used in the machines. (bbn)
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Linkedin Ilya Arkhipov and Andrey Biryukov (Bloomberg) Moscow, Russia Tue, March 20, 2018 18:12 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cabe0d5 2 World trump,Putin,election,Russia-meddling Free
Vladimir Putin isnt concerned that US President Donald Trump hasnt called to congratulate him on his record victory in Russias presidential elections, the Kremlin said.
We should not consider this an unfriendly step and Putin remains open to normalization of relations with the US where its in Russian interests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call Tuesday. Theres no need to exaggerate anything.
Hinting that theres still time for a telegram or call from the White House, Peskov added: Tomorrows another day. Many foreign leaders have already congratulated Putin since he won 77 percent of the vote in Sundays election, while others couldnt call because they were too busy or for other reasons, he said.
The White House said Monday that Putins re-election to a fourth term was unsurprising and that there were no plans for Trump to make a congratulatory call. Theres been a mixed response from other world leaders. The UK criticized the conduct of the election amid rising tensions after it blamed a nerve-agent attack on Russia, which denies involvement. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel did offer congratulations, French President Emmanuel Macron pointedly wished success to Russia and the Russian people in a phone call with Putin, according to a statement from the Elysee Palace.
Putin received congratulations from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe and the leaders of most former Soviet republics, according to the Kremlins website.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) South Tangerang Wed, March 21 2018
Sounds of combat filled the hall as the crowd cheered. The scene was not of an ancient battleground, but a professional gaming competition. First blood was drawn, and the crowd went wild.
The GESC Indonesia Dota 2 Minor was held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in Serpong, South Tangerang, last weekend. Eight teams from around the world went head-to-head in a game of Dota 2, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game from Valve Corporation that originated from a custom, user-generated map in Blizzard Entertainments Warcraft 3.
The tournament featured six teams from regional qualifiers: Ukraine-based Natus Vincere from the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Southeast Asian wing of London-based Fnatic from Malaysia, Digital Chaos of North America, Infamous from Peru representing South America, The Final Tribe of Europe and VGJ Thund...
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Manila, Philippines Tue, March 20, 2018 07:29 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9caa49f4 2 SE Asia Philippines,divorce Free
The mainly Catholic Philippines, the only country apart from the Vatican to ban divorce, took a first big step towards legalizing it on Monday when the lower house of congress passed a bill.
The measure, which would allow a divorced partner to marry another person of the opposite sex, passed on third reading by 134-57 with two abstentions, the House of Representatives secretariat said.
The bill will become law if the Senate (upper house) also passes it and President Rodrigo Duterte fails to use his veto.
"In divorce and dissolution of marriage proceedings, there is no more marriage to protect or union to destroy because the marriage has long perished," said opposition leader Edcel Lagman, one of its sponsors.
"The institution of absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage does not negate the steadfast commitment of the state to protect and preserve marriage as a social institution and as the foundation of the family."
Duterte spokesman Harry Roque revealed Monday that the president opposed divorce, but did not say whether he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.
"The president is against divorce. He said the children will suffer," Roque told reporters, while adding he recognized the prevailing sentiment in the House.
At present the only way to exit a failed union is to bring an embarrassing, expensive and labyrinthine civil case of annulment in which a judge declares a marriage invalid -- generally because the spouses have a "psychological incapacity".
Applicants must undergo a mental exam, testify in court and sometimes even claim they or their spouse entered the union while afflicted by a disorder such as narcissism.
The process can take anywhere from one to 10 years to wind through the creakingly slow and overburdened Philippine court system and cost at least $4,800.
Duterte, 72, separated from his estranged wife in this manner long before he was elected president.
The proposed divorce law would require a court ruling to dissolve "irremediably broken" marital unions.
It is expected to face a tougher passage in the Senate, with several senators allied to Duterte having publicly stated their opposition.
Since 1999 Philippine lawmakers have regularly filed a bill to legalize divorce, only to see it languish in committee limbo -- until now.
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Linkedin Achong Tanjong (Borneo Bulletin/ANN) Bandar Seri Begawan Tue, March 20, 2018 19:29 1282 2c798a31c212039f000dc5df9cac14cc 2 SE Asia #Brunei,#Indonesia,#Agriculture,#rice,#research Free
A Research collaboration project on hybrid paddy varieties between the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood and PT Biogene Plantation from Indonesia has been going on for three planting seasons from 2016 to 2018.
The research is being conducted at the Wasan Agricultural Development Area, Mukim Pengkalan Batu.
The project aims to find out whether the hybrid paddy varieties developed by PT Biogene Plantation are capable of producing high yields (over 8.5 metric tons per hectare per season) consistently in the irrigated areas of Brunei Darussalam.
The research project is one of several research collaboration projects undertaken by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) through the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood together with foreign institutions in its efforts to raise local rice production beyond the benchmark set by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood and increase the countrys rice self-sufficiency levels.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, from the research conducted, two hybrid paddy varieties Sembada B9 and Sembada 188 have been identified as potential strains suitable to be planted in Brunei to help boost domestic rice production.
Under preliminary trials, the selection of these hybrid varieties for the purpose of studying their production capability in this country is based on their high yield potential of 12 metric tons per hectare per season in some parts of Indonesia such as Java.
During the first (May August 2016) and second (May August 2017) planting seasons, both paddy varieties were able to consistently produce 5-6 metric tons per hectare per season. Harvesting for the third season has already begun and both varieties are expected to achieve a yield of around 6 metric tons per hectare.
The prime reason for lower yields in Brunei compared to Indonesia is down to soil issues the soil in Brunei is generally of the acid sulphate type and acidic, which is not optimum for maximum output for this paddy variety.
Nevertheless, the yield for both Sembada B9 and Sembada 188 are still higher compared to the average yield of the Laila variety which is 3 metric tons per hectare per season. This is significant as it means that the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood has successfully identified varieties capable of producing twice the average yield of Laila paddy.
Apart from this research collaboration with PT Biogene Plantation, the MPRT has also established research collaborations in hybrid paddy varieties with Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co Ltd from China.
Meanwhile, cooperation on the production of hybrid rice is currently in the seed supply phase, with seeds being provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar.
In addition, the MPRT is continuously working on improving the skills and expertise of its officers and staff as well as farmers and preparing them for the upcoming large-scale hybrid paddy planting by having them undergo training courses on hybrid rice technology.
This large-scale paddy planting is scheduled to be carried out in a few stages in the irrigated areas of the country beginning in May.
Present to witness the paddy harvesting at the Wasan Agricultural Development Area recently were I Indiarto, a senior advisor at PT Biogene Plantation, Indonesia and his delegation.
The local photographers, James & Karla Murray, have used their creative talents to help raise awareness of New York Citys endangered mom-and-pop stores. In free workshops scheduled this spring and summer, theyll be showing the rest of us how to use a camera and keyboard to become community advocates.
Heres more about their upcoming project:
Capturing the Faces and Voices of Manhattans Neighborhood Storefronts is a photography and oral history workshop of the cultural significance of mom-and-pop stores and the impact they have on the pulse, life, and texture of their communities. There will be two separate 2-session free workshops held at the Neighborhood Preservation Center in the East Village culminating in an exhibition of each participants work at The Little Underground Gallery at the Jefferson Market Library in Greenwich Village from August 1 October 1, 2018. The workshops teach how photography and oral history can be tools for public awareness and advocacy. Participants will learn to create their own powerful photographs of neighborhood storefronts as well as record oral histories with shop owners, which communicate artistically and are insightful and moving. Taught by acclaimed photographers and best-selling authors Karla and James Murray. Space is limited to 35 participants per 2-session workshop (70 participants total).
The workshops are free, but advance registration is required. Click here for more details and to sign up. Karla and James Murray, East Village residents, published Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York (2008), an award-winning photo book. Other titles from the husband and wife team include: New York Nights, Store Front II- A History Preserved and Broken Windows-Graffiti NYC.
As we reported last month, they have a new exhibition coming to Seward Park during the summer.
The states Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is apparently continuing to investigate Mayor de Blasios campaign finance practices, including certain aspects of the Rivington House affair.
In a story published yesterday, the Times Union reported that JCOPE is still looking into donations to the mayors shuttered non-profit, Campaign For One New York. Heres more from the article:
JCOPE investigators are asking about a Sept. 28, 2015, event at City Hall restaurant in Manhattan that de Blasio attended. JCOPE is seeking information concerning discussions at the event about Rivington House, a Manhattan nursing home for people with AIDS that was sold in 2015 to a luxury condo developer after an unusual city decision to lift a deed restriction JCOPE investigators also want information about how the mayors event came to be known by attendees, donors discussions with de Blasio about their giving to his lobbying nonprofit, and the motivations for those donations.
News stories during the past few years have highlighted the role of lobbyist James Capalino in the Rivington House transactions. Capalino represented VillageCare, Rivington Houses former owner, until October of 2014. The deed restrictions werent lifted until November of 2015. Capalino was a high-profile de Blasio fundraiser. JCOPE initially suspected that the mayors non-profit might not have reported all lobbying activity.
Last year, federal prosecutors declined to prosecute the mayor, after a lengthy investigation of his fundraising activities. The Times Union article points out that JCOPE is heavily influenced by the governor, the mayors top nemesis.
A spokesperson for Capalino, James Yolles, said in a statement, Its no secret that Jim was a supporter of Campaign for One New Yorks agenda, and we are completely confident that his activities were in compliance with law. We spoke with Capalino in 2016 about his involvement with Rivington House.
The new owners of the Rivington House building are proceeding with their luxury condo conversion. The mayor has said the deed restrictions should never have been lifted, but argued that the city has no legal means of seizing the former community facility from private developers.
Unsane is an unsettling psychological thriller that's remniscent of another Steven Soderbergh movie, Side Effects (2013) - except Unsane skews much darker, which ends up hurting it in the end.
In a 2017 Reddit AMA promoting his then upcoming movie Logan Lucky (2017), Steven Soderbergh was asked for advice by someone interested in making an indepedent film. His answer - "Get a script and an iPhone and start shooting. Seriously."
Soderbergh's latest directorial effort is proof that he puts his money where his mouth is, as Unsane was shot entirely on an iPhone 7 Plus, something which is bound to be a cornestone of the promotion and conversation surrounding the movie.
Does it pay off? Unsane's style can be a bit jarring at first, with some noticeably odd angles and such, but it pretty quickly settles into a nice groove. It's not shot from the perspective of someone's iPhone or anything like that - it's just a very professionaly made low-budget film. If Soderbergh wanted to make a statement about what a filmmaker can do with just a smartphone, he certainly suceeded.
The story follows Sawyer Valentini (The Crown's Claire Foy), an up-and-coming business woman who seeks out counselling for victims of stalking. Unfortunately, she ends up being involuntarily submitted in a mental institution.
Early on, one of the movie's biggest question marks is whether or not Sawyer is truly unwell. Are her anger and violent outbursts the justified behaviour of someone frustrated with their predicament, or a sign that she clearly needs therapy? Is her growing fear that her stalker is still after her rational?
Claire Foy gives an excellent performance that finds the right balance between reasonably and irrationally upset. It's not easy to emotionally invest in a character that keeps you at arm's length like that, but she pulls it off.
Unsane keeps you guessing for a while and for the most part, it succeeds at making you question exactly what's going on. This reminded me of Side Effects, which was really good at playing mind games and making you question the sanity of its characters.
Side Effects did a better job though, as once you do find out what's going on, you also begin to see the strings holding the whole thing together. For the sake of keeping this review spoiler-free, let's just say that Sawyer's behaviour at times comes across as contrived.
In other words, sometimes actions play out a certain way seemingly just to make you second-guess yourself, rather than as something the character might really do, given what's really going on.
It is quite difficult to talk about Unsane's story in detail, since the reveal isn't an ending twist, but something of a halfway point. The story reframes itself once you find out the truth and becomes a different kind of thriller that's also quite effective and disturbing.
Unsane is a timely movie in many respects, as it tackles sexual harrasment and the unfair pressure women are put under because of the behaviour of awful men. One of the movie's more striking scenes has a male security expert tell Sawyer what she has to do to keep herself safe from her stalker.
The absurd lengths to which she has to change her life and daily routine just because of some creep is chilling. A later scene in which Sawyer has finally had enough also rightfully calls out the unfair expectations and ridiculous fantasies men project onto women.
Unfortunately, the movie's topicality doesn't always work in its favor. Both the ending and ultimate fate of several characters is quite dark, unpleasant, and even unsatisfying. Obviously, there's no rule that says a movie should always have a happy ending, but this is one instance in which it might have been for the best.
Get Out, for instance, famously had an alternate ending that's much darker and more depressing, with writer/director Jordan Peele deciding to change it in the aftermath of Donald Trump becoming president. The new context simply made the original ending too dark, which is how Unsane ends up coming across as.
In the era of #MeToo and #TimesUp, Unsane is somehow both well and poorly timed. It's an effective, engrossing psychological thriller that will most likely leave you in too foul a mood - and that's a shame.
On 14th of March this year, in the early hours of the Wednesday morning one of the most brilliant scientists of our century left us.
Stephen Hawking passed away at the age of 76 in his home in Cambridge.
There are many extraordinary things about him, I am not saying that in the past tense as I truly believe that his achievements and his courage touched many people and will continue to do so even when he is gone. He can be remembered for many things, for his work which expands our boundaries of knowledge, for his passion and brevity in a face of adversity of his disability, for his kindness, for his sense of humour. He was truly and remarkably extraordinary example of someone who would do everything he could in order to lead a great life and to follow his passion no matter what life can throw at him.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the disease that changed profoundly Hawkings life when he was diagnosed with it at the age of 21, while most patients are diagnosed between 40 and 70. Also, he is the only person who managed to live so long with such disease, 55 years lifespan as most people die within a decade or so after the disease is identified.
In an interview with New York Times he said:
My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit, as well as physically.
To put it mildly, Stephen Hawking was a hero.
As a scientist, he made a huge contribution in the fields of physics, among them, are his explanation of the Big Bang Theory and the idea of the singularity, the expansion of the universe, the nature of black holes, as well as unifying general relativity and quantum theory.
Among the fact that he was a brilliant psychophysicist, he held strong views on different topics and he was never averse to express them openly.
On what he said about AI development:
The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever-increasing rate... Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete and would be superseded.
Another case of a point was his opposition towards the privatisation of the NHS as he stated clearly that: If that all sounds political, that is because the NHS has always been political. It was set up in the face of political opposition. He was also widely outspoken about Brexit and the catastrophic consequences of it as much as the election of Donald Trump, as he said that we are at the most dangerous moment in the development of humanity.
Above all, Hawking gave us hope and inspiration, many people are quoting one of his famous quotes on Twitter and Facebook in order to pay a tribute to him.
Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you dont just give up.
Stephen would be remembered for his infinite capacity of being funny, here are some of the moments he made us laugh.
On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver asked: Youve stated that you believe there could be an infinite number of parallel universes. Does that mean that there is a universe out there where I am smarter than you?
Hawking replied: Yes, and also a universe where youre funny.
Or when he said that: Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.
Thank you for being part of our universe, Stephen Hawking. You won't be forgotten.
Three extreme right-wing activists and social media influencers were banned from entering the UK last week. They were supposed to deliver speeches in the Speakers Corner, in Hyde Park, London and to meet with Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League.
This ban from the British Border Force has been considered by many an anti-far-right move that threatens free speech.
Brittany Pettibone, an American fiction writer and alt-right commentator and her boyfriend Martin Sellner, an Austrian alt-right law student, were stopped at Luton Airport, detained for 2 days and deported. Lauren Southern, the Canadian activist and Youtuber, was held in Calais, France when she was trying to get a bus to the UK. She later responded with a YouTube video whose controversial title Closing down free speech in the UK gave way to a fired discussion online.
According to a spokesperson for the Home Office, "Border Force has the power to refuse entry to an individual if it is considered that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good." Brittany posted on Twitter the letter she received from an immigration officer, in which it was stated that her presence in the UK would pose "a serious threat to the fundamental interests of society and are likely to incite tensions between local communities in the United Kingdom."
Can this be considered political discrimination and, even worse, a threat to the freedom of speech and expression?
Well, it can.
The Speakers Corner was created exactly for the purpose of sharing different ideas, regardless of how much they differ from the ideas shared by the majority of the population. That is indeed what free speech is all about: peacefully expressing what we believe in without being detained, judged or punished for doing so.
It is, therefore, very easy to call this act discriminative.
Three apparently harmless people were denied entrance to a country merely due to their political views. However, for such powerful claims, people might need to research a bit more on the background of these three alt-wing activists. Instead of judging the discrimination towards them, why not trying to understand the reasons behind such ban?
Firstly, the alt-wing ideology, it is directly connected with concepts such as white supremacism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and, the most obvious one, neo-Nazism. Most people consider such values absurd, harmful and completely against the humankind- thankfully. But then we have the other side. Despite being a minority, they exist.
Brittany Pettibone considers herself a white nationalist, supported Trump in his election campaign (nothing surprising) and promoted theories such as the white genocide. Martin, her boyfriend, is the leader of the New Right movement in Austria, which advocates for white separatism and all those -isms that are too painful even to write. Lastly, Lauren Southern is the author of a book called Barbarians: How Baby Boomers, Immigrants, and Islam Screwed My Generation and was detained by the Italian Coast Guard for blocking a ship with refugees, only last year.
I supposed the adjective harmless does not suit them anymore. These are just a few examples of what these social media personalities have been doing, but it might be enough to back up the UKs argument that their views are triggering.
Considering this, perhaps the UK just banned hate speech. Perhaps there is no free speech here and their visions are actually damaging to the countrys legislation and, most importantly, values. Perhaps it is not even about the countrys values, but values shared around the world. Its about human rights. Its about common sense and knowing the definition of right and wrong.
If their views werent so extreme, they wouldnt be banned. But we are talking about harmful visions, ideas that shouldnt be spread. In this case, a country should prevent people from trying to spread them. When it oppresses human rights so severely, the free speech line is crossed and they shouldnt be tolerated anymore.
There is something here that I struggle to understand- these people are the ones who protest for more control and regulation in countries barriers. Something must be wrong. That is exactly what the UK did- it reinforced its control. So why are they protesting for less civil rights to minorities and more civil rights for them? This seems like Karma to me.
I am biased, of course. I have my own political views and they are very different from the ones these three activists defend. Everyone is entitled to have their own political opinions and the British Border Force did not arrest them for defending alt-wing policies, it just did not collaborate with them.
According to Nick Lowles, chief execute of Hope Not Hate, an anti-racism campaign, "during the last two to three years the government has taken a very strong position against hard-line neo-Nazis, extreme Holocaust deniers, banning many who've attempted to enter the UK." Now, they are paying closer attention to softer targets, such as these activists.
And I am glad they are doing so. I am glad that I live in a country that does not go along with violence, hate and any kind of discrimination towards any minority. Putting aside my political views and writing as a mere human being who wants my rights assured, it was well done.
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Liberia our beloved country located on the West Coast of Africa is considered to have the worst health care delivery system in the Mano River Nations and the entire West African Region. Liberia, after 170 years of our sovereignty we are considered to have the worst health care delivery system with the doctor to patient ratio of 1 medical doctor to the population of 86,000 by the time of the Ebola pandemic in Liberia. Liberia and the Mano River Nations were greatly devastated from the outbreak of the Ebola virus. Liberia was mostly affected by the Ebola virus outbreak than any of the four Mano River Union Nations at which time more than five thousand Liberians lost their lives in less than one year. This is a clear indication that Liberia has the worst health care delivery system in the Mano River Union Nations and within the entire West African Region.
Now lets look at the patients to a doctors Ratio within the Mano Rivers Union Nations and the West African Region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) analysis of the basic health care metric doctor to patients ratio, the key in helping identify the most vulnerable West African states to ongoing Ebola outbreak; unsurprisingly Liberia and Sierra Leone, which have remained the epicenters of the pandemic, have the worst patients to doctor ratio in West Africa. Liberia has a ratio of about 86,000 patients to 1 medical doctor and Sierra Leone has about 45,000 patients per 1 medical doctor. Now lets look at the patients to doctors ratio in the entire region.
Country-Total Numbers of doctors -- total population -- Doctors Patient Ratio population per doctor
Liberia 51 doctors 4.4 million people 86,000 persons per doctor Sierra Leone 136 doctors 6.2 million people 45, 000 persons per doctor Burkina Fasso 713 doctors 24.3 million people 24,000 persons per doctor Togo 349 doctors 7 million people 20,000 persons per doctor Benin 542 doctors 10 million people 18,000 persons per doctor Senegal 741 doctors 12.8 million people 17,274 persons per doctor Cameron 1,346 doctors 20 million people 15,000 persons per doctor Guinea Bissau 124 doctors 1.75 million people 14,113 persons per doctor Mali 1,291 doctors 15.7 million people 12,000 persons per doctor Ghana 2,325 doctors 27 million people 11,634 persons per doctor Guinea 940 doctors 10.6 million people 11,277 persons per doctor Gambia 175 doctors 1.8 million people 10,723 persons per doctor Cote DIvoire 2,746 doctors 23.2 million people 8,449 persons per doctor Nigeria 58,363 doctors 168 million people 2,879 persons per doctor South Africa 39,541 doctors 54 million people 1,320 persons per doctor
Source: Un/WHO Damina Advisors.
The purpose of this project is intended to urgently propose to the Government of Liberia and the Mano River Union Nations the most and cost-effective way to help improve our health care delivery system which is the worst in the region is to urgently begin to negotiate with the Government of the Republic of Cuba immediately to initiate a scholarship program for the education of our medical students in their country. Cuba has the largest medical institutions in the world with over 19,000 medical students from 103 nations around the world. Liberia and the Mano River Union Nations to begin negotiating with the Cuban Embassies in the region with the possibility of eventually signing an agreement to follow the path taken by other developing nations, including Africa. Many of these nations have had their medical students trained in Cuba as the result of the Cubans program of Medical internationalism. This partnership, when established, would help to boast up and develop our health care systems before we encounter another eruption of the pandemic of the Ebola virus or any other communicable disease that may devastate our communities.
For example, such agreement with the Cuban government could be for Cuba to send doctors and other medical personnel to Liberia and the Mano River Union Nations to help improve the health care delivery system, which could save about thousands of lives annually. The Cuban doctors upon arrival in Liberia could be dispatched and assigned in our rural communities while the medical students are undergoing their studies. Gradually, these Cuban doctors will be replaced as the medical students complete their studies. Medical education in Cuba is free including room and board. The Liberian government will only provide stipends for the medical students while undergoing six years period of studies, which may cost the government not more than 5 to 10 percent of the national budget. Liberia could emulate the government of the Republic of Ghana and other African Nations that have succeeded in training their medical students in Cuba, to help improve their poor health care delivery system. Liberia too could benefit to help improve the health system in the entire West African region.
Now lets take look at the Cuban Health Care medical internationalism.
History of Cubas Medical Internationalism around the World
Preceding the 1959 Cuban Revolution, the number of doctors per thousand of the population ranked above Britain, France, and the Netherlands. Yet there were inequalities because most Cuban doctors were based in the prosperous cities, while citizens of the towns saw few doctors. Health care services deteriorated because of the mass exodus of Cuban due to the United States embargo against Cuba as the result, there was an increase in infant mortality.
The urgent needs for better health care services prompted the new government to embark upon the idea of a universal health care delivery system. Based on an essay, On Revolutionary Medicine written by Che Guevara, a physician who was one of the architects of the Cuban Revolution in 1960; came up with a program plan which will provide public health services for a greater number of the population. The intended goal of the program was preventive health services. The entire population was taught to practice basic hygiene, like handwashing; before the new government enshrined its belief within the Cuba National constitution, it launched the medical internationalism. To be precise, it was done in 1963. Cuban medical internationalism began sending medical personnel overseas, particularly to Latin America, Africa, etc. By 2007 Cuba had 42,000 workers in international collaborations in 103 different countries of whom more than 30,000 were health personnel including, no fewer than 19,000 physicians. Cuba provides more medical personnel to developing nations than all G8 countries combined; this comparison does not consider what G8 development spent on developing nations health care. More important, the Cuban missions have had substantial positive impact on the population it served. It is widely believed medical workers are Cubas most important export commodity.
Cuba Medical Humanitarianism around the world
The Cuban Government driven by their foreign policy and humanitarian objectives dispatched Cuban doctors who worked alongside other local and foreign doctors to achieve their goals. For example, in 1972 and 1990 Cuba dispatched emergency assistance teams to Chile, Nicaragua, and Iran following the earthquakes. Similarly, in the wake of the December 1999 mudslides in Vargas State, Venezuela, which killed 20,000, Cuban government sent medical emergency assistance.
In Honduras, the medical personnel had a substantial impact. In the areas they served, infant mortality rates were reduced from 38.8 to 10.1 per 1000 live birth and maternal mortality rates from 48.1 to 22.4 per 1000 live births between 1998 and 2003. However, the idea of a nation saving lives and improving the human condition is alien to the traditional statecraft and is therefore discounted as a rationale for the Cuban approached. In 2004 the 1700 medical personnel in Guatemala received the order of the Quetzal, the country highest state honor. In the year 2000 an attempt by Honduras to expel the Cuban mission on the basis that it was threating Honduras jobs was successfully resisted by the trade union and community organizations.
The success of Cuban Doctors in Ghana
In 2013 the government of Ghana invited about 350 Cuban medical doctors in the country to support the national health care under a medical service and educational agreement between Cuban and Ghana. The Cuban doctors according to Ghana Ministry of Health were not to be paid salaries but rather receive monthly allowances and free accommodation during their stay in the country. As per the Ghanaian Ministry of Health, the Cuban doctors worked in the rural areas where typical Ghanaian doctors will not accept the assignment. Medical assistance from Cuba formed part of the efforts by the Ghana government to enhance the doctor patients ratio and accordingly improve on accessibility to health care delivery. In 2013 there were 2,843 doctors for the population of over 25 million, giving a ratio of one medical doctor to 10,000 patients a situation which affected the delivery of quality healthcare. On the training of Ghanaian doctors in Cuba, medical students are selected from deprived districts and communities, would be made to serve in their respective areas after graduation from medical school. The government of Cuba and Ghana signed a partnership agreement few years ago; that agreement allowed Ghanaian doctors to be trained in Cuba while Cuban would come to Ghana to offer health care services. Cuban doctors who were currently in Ghana worked mostly in public hospitals. For almost 20 years Cuban doctors had been working in Ghana to support the efforts of the government to improve the health care delivery system. So far as of 2014, Cuba had trained more than 1,100 Ghanaian doctors in different fields of medicine. When it comes to health care, it is the government responsibility to provide and improve the nations health care delivery system.
South African Medical Students in Cuba and Cuban doctors In South Africa
South Africa has a high-profile program which involved training of medical students in Cuba; it is part of an urgent national drive to increase the number of doctors produced. Meanwhile, the government of South Africa is also pushing for the national Universities to boost the number of homegrown medical graduates. South Africas high-profile program involved the training of medical students in Cuba which is part of an urgent national drive to increase the number of doctors being produced to augment the shortage of doctors in the country. One of the main draw cards the Cuban system use is placing emphasis on primary health care and prevention in the country with a large rural population like in most African countries. According to the South Africa Ministry of Health, South Africas eight medical schools produced roughly 1,200 doctors annually. Since the occurrence of HIV/AIDS together with the loss of qualified doctors to developed countries has exacerbated the shortage of Physicians in the country. The 2010 World Health Organization statistics identified South Africas doctor to patient ratio at eight medical doctors for every 10,000 people, which is much better than most African countries.
Since the inception of South Africa and the Cuba Health cooperation agreement in the mid-1990s which selects students from the rural areas to study for six years in Cuba and return to South Africa to take an assignment in the rural areas have made a tremendous impact in health care service delivery in the rural areas. Since 2010 nearly 246 graduates have been produced specially for South Africa Public health sector, another 388 are in the pipeline and will be graduating soon and more are still undergoing studies.
Lets look at the Cuban Medical institutions the largest in the world
In 1999 the Cuban government established the Escuela Latino Americana de Medicine (ELAM) in Spanish and in English Latin America School of Medicine (LASM) formerly the Latin America School of Medical Sciences. This is the major international medical school in Cuba and a prominent part of Cuban health care system. ELAM is operated by the Cuban government and considered the largest medical school in the world by enrollment with about 19,550 students from 110 countries including the USA reported to enroll in 2013. All those enrolled are international students from outside Cuba and mainly Latin America, the Caribbean as well as Africa and Asia. The school accepts students from the United States, 107 enrolled in 2007. Tuition accommodation and board are free, and a small stipend is provided for the student by the Cuban government.
The mission of ELAM is to make competent and cooperative doctors with the degree of MD (Doctor of Medicine) the same degree that is offered to medical schools graduates all over the Americas. The educational commission officially recognizes the Latin America School of Medicine for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG); this includes the World Health Organization. It is fully accredited by the Medical Board of the state of California which has the strictest US standard; it means that qualified US graduates of the Latin America School of Medicine are eligible to apply for residency placement in the state of California and the entire USA.
Admission to the Cuban Medical institutions
The Cuban government offered new students annual entry to the Latin America School of Medicine. The application is processed through the accredited Cuban diplomatic missions in the students home country. It is necessary to contact the Cuban Embassy or Cuban interest section to request for accurate information. The application process has been designed especially for young people from economically disadvantaged families or communities.
Scholarship Program
The scholarship program includes full tuition, dormitory housing, three meals per day at the campus cafeteria, textbooks in Spanish for all courses, school uniform, basic toiletries, bedding and small monthly stipend of 100 Cuban pesos, the scholarship does not include travel expenses to and from school which is not necessary in the first three years out of the six years as all classes during those years are walking distance from the dorms, the scholarship also does not include travel to and from Cuba.
Conclusion and Recommendations
I would like to recommend to the government of Liberia and the Mano River Union Nations to urgently begin negotiating with the Cuban Embassies in their respective nations for scholarship agreement from the Cuban government for our medical students to be trained in Cuba. This is the only cost-effective way to help boast and develop our health care delivery system. The government of Liberia, the incoming government should take advantage of this opportunity by immediately initiating the negotiation process with the Cuban government for a scholarship for at least 250 Liberian medical students to study in Cuba for six years, and after which another batch of 250 medical students will replace the first graduates. This relationship could be established with the Cuban government for the period of 12 years, at the end of which, Liberia would have trained about 500 five hundred medical doctors. Part of the diplomatic and humanitarian agreement should include bringing in about 200 Cuban Medical doctors to Liberia to help with capacity building that will improve the needed health care delivery system to the masses of the Liberian people.
I will suggest for the government of Liberia and the Ministry of Health to consider relocating the A.M. Diglottic College of Medicine to Fendell Campus from the present location at the Catholic Hospital Campus. The Fendell location has adequate infrastructure, which includes dormitories, better classrooms, well-modernized laboratory with high-speed internet services. This would help boast and increase the number of medical students and graduates annually. The Liberia government should also annex the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA) to the University of Liberia. Students who intend to enroll at the TNIMA should be recruited from the University of Liberia and other universities who have completed at least 60 credits in Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences. Students that are enrolled at TNIMA would complete the balance 68 credits in the various disciplines such as Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physician Assistant, Radiology and Environmental Health will be awarded a BS degree. In addition to TNIMA, the government should also consider the possibility of investing in the community colleges around the country to help establish paramedical departments such as Nursing and Medical Laboratory Technology to be taught on the associate degree level.
For the continued improvement of our medical facilities and institutions, the government should recruit retired A.M. Diglottic College of Medicine medical personnel and others from the Southeast Asian Nations like the Philippines India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka and China to serve as instructors at our universities and medical specialist at our healthcare institutions. Also, the government should promote the establishment of the school of midwifery and Nursing Assistant training program in all the 15 Counties to help contribute towards capacity building on the local levels.
Finally, I honestly believe that with the establishment of the diplomatic partnership with the Cuban government to help train our medical doctors, the relocation of the University of Liberia Medical School to Fendell with the construction of new infrastructure to accommodate and boast the number of our medical school graduates with improving other paramedical institutions around the nation and the recruitment of retired medical specialists to work in our healthcare institutions will help to improve the quality of our healthcare delivery system and save many lives.
Exploitation On The Rise In Zorzor District, Lofa County, No Benefit For The Hapless People Of The District
In my recent article called President Weahs Pro-Poor policy versus World Banks, I listed several policies that the Liberian economic adviser (World Bank) might view differently than the Pro-Poor policy of President Weahs government. For this article, I have focused on the Zorzor Districts public high school (i.e., an example of anti-poor policy) that the World Bank, facilitators and supporters usually institute and implement.
Yes, I visited my hometown, Fessibu, Zorzor District, Lofa County, after spending many years away from Liberia. Coincidentally, the visit was after Liberians had elected President George Weah and rejected former Vice-President Joseph Boakai, a son of Foya District, Lofa County. Before I departed from Monrovia to Lofa, many of my relatives and friends had jokingly stated that I was going to have fun and see many changes as war-weary residents strive to rebuild.
Lofa County, was the county hardest hit the during the fourteen-year civil war because four warring factions (NPFL, ULIMO-K, RUF, and LURD) operated within the County, and therefore needed assistance from just about anyone and from anywhere but with no strings attached of course. Okay, I had a few emotions here and there. But, whatever feelings of nostalgia that had overcome me, during the initial course of the visit, abruptly vanished to give way to feelings of melancholy that sort of suffused my entire being. I guess this was so because of the advancements I saw in neighboring towns such as Fassavolu town in Guinea.
Those advancements stood in stark contrast to the slow and rather sleepy developments within towns of Liberia such as Bokessa, Konia, Ziggida, Fessibu, Zorzor, Salayea, etc. Interestingly, advancement in Guinea does not paint the kind of picture many Liberians have in mind about Guinea. Failing to analyze true reasons underlying economic developments in both Liberia and Guinea, they often wrongly assume that Liberia is far more advanced than Guinea and, they also mistakenly hold Guineans who migrate to Liberia as part of the reasons why Liberians are encountering harsh economic conditions.
Well, yes, foreigners/aliens in America, Europe, etc. are always perceived as the problem.
Putting aside the impact of colonial rule in Guinea, Guineas 12 million people versus Liberias 4.5 million population or Liberias rich endowment with lucrative natural resources, is it realistic for Liberia to advance if the government does not invest in education? For instance, Zorzor District has a population of 90,080 residing in 42 towns. It also has eighty-five (85) elementary schools and only one (1) Public High School, according to the 2008-2011 Lofa County Development Agenda.
The same Report also shows that two other Districts (Foya, the District of the former Vice-President Boakai and Kolahun) have one Public High School each, while another District, Vahun has no public high school. This highly skewed distribution of schools was instituted in the 60s, many years ago before Liberias fourteen-year civil war. This kind of educational policy does not create an environment conducive for many eighth-grade graduates to prepare themselves for good-paying jobs. My siblings, for example, left Fessibu and joined me in Monrovia in order to enroll in high school. Zorzor District eighth-graders, who are residents of towns far away from the City of Zorzor and wish to enroll in high school are forced to move into the City of Zorzor, migrate to Monrovia, Sierra Leone, Ghana or elsewhere.
Why provide so little funding for education, if it is the great equalizer? The late former President of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela stated that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Does Liberia not need an educated workforce to lure good-paying investors to locate within the country? Would an educated population not have the means to earn adequate money to purchase goods and services produced by businesses located in Liberia? Unfortunately, big business, especially the slave-wage plantation-type, does not want to give education to the masses.
This is because an educated population might reduce its profits, deter the companys exploitation of workers, minimize the offering of bribes in exchange for fraudulent concessionary agreements, etc. For instance, the Liberian Firestone Rubber Plantation might face the shortage of unskilled labor if the Liberian government finances an effective educational policy that will have the effect of introducing skilled and better-educated workers into the labor market. Also, the oil-palm company in Bomi, Gbarpolu and Cape Mount, Counties might have to recruit unskilled employees from elsewhere if the Liberian government invests in education.
Always in search of and anticipating higher profits, big business will always support candidates who will support its anti-poor policy. History shows that other nations, including our darling and oldest partner and ally, the United States of America, had a similarly skewed public school distribution pattern prior to the 1900s.
For instance, public schooling in rural areas did not extend beyond the elementary grades for either whites or blacks. And, after 1900, some cities began to establish high schools primarily for middle-income class people. Blacks living in Southern states generally did not attend school beyond the eighth grade.
This is because big business made profits from slave-plantation-type jobs, similar to rubber tapping, log felling, gold and diamond mining or oil palm planting in todays Liberia. I did not zero in on the issue of education until a colleague and longtime friend and I found out that the towns had efficient electricity supply systems. For instance, the commissioner of the Fasavolu Region in Guinea was watching a television in his office, had a fax machine, and desktop computer, a copying machine, all because the Guinean government had invested in government office equipment and a Solar Panel System. The Solar Panel System supplied electricity to the towns streetlights, clinics, and schools.
Back to Liberia, there was no electricity supply for the streets, Custom, Immigration, and Revenue Offices, or within the rural towns of Zorzor District, least to mention the availability of fax machines, computers, televisions, etc. My colleague was surprised to hear from the Liberian officers that they did not even have hand-held Walkie-talkies to easily communicate with each other. My observation that our Liberian educational system is a mess is a restatement of former President Sirleaf. She stated a few years ago that the Liberian educational system is a mess. But I differ with her proposed solution that governments involvement is the problem, and not limited government funding.
Wait a minute, arent private investors (religious or not) dominating the educational sector in Liberia? Even during my high school days, there was one public high school in the capital City of Liberia, (Lab-High, which later morphed into the William V.S. Tubman High School), while there were countless private high schools. More so, students from both private and public high schools have and continue to fail University of Liberia entrance exams. The Africanews reported that in 2013, all 25,000 students who wrote the UL exam failed; in 2015, 15 passed out of 17,000, and in 2016 only one student of the 42,000 who wrote the West African regional examinations made an excellent grade. Zorzor District needs money to build additional high schools and hire additional qualified teachers.
Companies, operating in Lofa pay taxes to the government. For instance, a Logging Company, which ships logs from Zorzor District, drives through the streets of the City of Zorzor (I took pictures of the trucks carrying the logs). Certainly, I did not expect that a President Sirleaf, who implemented the dictates of big business, to institute any program that might reduce profits of big business such as the Liberian Firestone Rubber Plantation.
The million-dollar question is will our Pro-Poor Policy President, Mr. Gorge Weah institute an educational policy to address our Liberian educational mess and thus lift people out of poverty as part of his Pro-Poor policy?
jyanqui@aol.com
Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir
The recent violation of Israels airspace by an Iranian drone and Israels retaliation against Syrian and Iranian targets prompted many observers to suggest that the growing regional tension resulting from such incidents may precipitate a war between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah, and perhaps inadvertently with Syria as well. I disagree with this prognosis. I maintain that none of the players involved want to engage in a war that will inflict tremendous destruction and casualties without realizing any sustainable long-term gains. This, however, does not preclude an accidental war resulting from an unintended incident or miscalculation.
Israel views Iran as the number one enemy bent on its destruction and is determined to destroy any Iranian military bases in Syria in close proximity to its borders. Israel will also continue, as it has done in the past, to attack convoys that transport sophisticated arms from Iran to Hezbollah via Syria. Israel accuses Iran of regularly engaging in subversive activity to undermine its security and instigating the Palestinians to violently oppose the occupation of the West Bank and the blockade over Gaza. Israel believes that Iran is determined to acquire nuclear weapons once the sunset clauses of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the Iran deal) expire, particularly the first phase, after which Iran will be allowed to gradually resume (with some restrictions) the enrichment of uranium. For this reason, Israel is making supreme efforts to convince the Trump administration, as Prime Minister Netanyahu put it, to fix it or nix it.
Although Israel is confident that it can win any military confrontation against its surrounding enemies, it has concluded that there will be no long-term benefit by initiating preemptive attacks on Iranian, Syrian, or Hezbollah forces. To destroy Hezbollahs stockpile of nearly 150,000 short- and medium-range rockets, which are largely embedded within the civilian community, Israel will have to conduct, at least in part, carpet bombings which can result in the death of tens of thousands of civilians. Israel will preemptively strike, however, only if faced with an imminent threat.
Israel has no animosity against the Syrian regime as such and would rather see Assad remaining in power as long as he limits Irans maneuvering room and achieves a clear understanding with Iran that he will not allow Syria to become the battleground between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah.
To prevent any misunderstanding or miscalculation, Israel should make it clear that it wants to stay away from the war in Syria. That said, Israel must strongly iterate to Iran and Hezbollah via Russia that if faced with any threats, it will retaliate with massive force disproportionate to any provocation from either party.
Israel should openly define what constitutes provocative actions, which from the Israeli perspective include violation of its air space, firing rockets, or infiltration of terrorists emanating from the Lebanese or Syrian territory. Israel should make it clear that any of these violations constitutes a red line that neither Iran nor any of its surrogates can commit with impunity.
Israel should further make it unequivocally clear to Tehran through Russia that it will destroy any military installations near its borders, and if Iran were to counter-attack, Israel will not hesitate, as Netanyahu recently stated, to bomb specific targets on Iranian soil. In any case, the Israeli public is attuned psychologically to the Iranian menace and expects their government to take whatever actions necessary to inflict unacceptable damage on the enemy.
Russia is the most dominant power broker in Syria, and no solution to Syrias civil war or establishment of any new political order between the various factions can occur without Russias consent. Russia has had a presence in Syria dating back nearly 50 years, when Moscow established its naval base at Tartus and has always had the ambition to fill the vacuum created by the Obama administration, which opted to largely stay out of the conflict in Syria.
The Kremlin seized the opportunity to come to the aid of the Assad regime, which was on the verge of collapse, by dispatching ground troops as well as the air force to bomb many of the rebel and ISIS targets, which has significantly turned the tide of the war in his favor. Russia now uses its dominant presence in Syria as a springboard from which it can exert greater influence throughout the Middle East, a position it has been pursuing for the past ten years.
Even Israel, who traditionally seeks a green light from the US before it undertakes any major military strikes, must now receive Russias consent before it attacks Irans and Assads military installations in Syria. Although Russia and Iran joined hands to defend Assad, Russia wants to limit Irans influence in Syria partly because it wants to remain the main power broker in Syria, and partly because it wants to prevent any violent confrontation between Israel and Iran to avert further destabilization of Syria, which could undermine its strategic interests.
To be sure, Putin wants to secure Russias special position in Syria and is determined to prevent Iran, Hezbollah, Israel, and even the US from spoiling his gains and influence, and will not allow any of the antagonists to intervene without Russian cooperation.
Thus, Russia is in a unique position to prevent any miscalculations that could lead to unintended war, and to that end Putin must establish rules of engagement to which all the combatants need to adhere, unless faced with an imminent existential threat:
First, Russia must make it clear to Iran that it will not be permitted to establish any military bases near the Israeli borders.
Second, it should send a clear message to Hezbollah that it must not be tempted to provoke Israel, as in this regard, Russia cannot prevent Israel from conducting a massive retaliation which could undermine Moscows strategic interest.
Third, Putin must prevail on Turkey to stop its incursion into Syrian territory and disabuse Erdogan in his quest to subdue the Syrian Kurds, as this will only further aggravate and prolong the conflict in Syria. Putin is convinced that Turkey wants to maintain a permanent presence in Syria, which is a recipe for continuing violence between Turkish forces and the YPG, yet another destabilizing factor.
Fourth, Putin must now seek US involvement in the search for a permanent solution to Syrias civil war. The US remains a dominant regional power and even though Russia is the main power broker in Syria, the US support remains critical if for no other reason than it has close ties with Israel, and that it might be drawn into in any future war between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah.
The US: Sadly, the Trump administration, which has largely followed Obamas policy toward Syria, is now confronted with a new reality. The US under Trump does not seem to have a clear strategy as to how to deal with the conflict. Moreover, limiting American direct involvement in the conflict only to deter Assad from using chemical weapons against his people, as Trump has done once before, has had little impact on the course of the war and on Assads behavior, as long as he could count on Russian support.
The current situation in Syria is different for four reasons: 1) President Assad, who was excluded by the Obama administration from being a part of the solution, is assured of remaining president and will certainly be re-elected once new elections are held; 2) Irans direct involvement in Syrias civil war and its ambition to fully entrench itself in the country is a fact that Israel views as a threat against its security; 3) even when the civil war comes to an end, the sectarian conflict and the rivalry for power will continue to haunt the country for years, which is a recipe for destabilization that impacts the US regional allies; and 4) much of the country lies in ruin and would require tens of billions of dollars for reconstruction, which of necessity requires the US leadership role to raise the necessary funds.
To prevent miscalculation that could lead to an unintended war between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah, and perhaps the inadvertent involvement of Syria, the US must:
a) Maintain the presence of American troops and advisors that were dispatched to Syria to fight ISIS, and even further augment them to provide the US the leverage it needs to play an important role in the search for a solution, in coordination with Russia.
b) The US ought to restate its commitment to Israels national security. Additionally, notwithstanding the present strategic defense coordination between two countries, the Trump administration should consider issuing a statement, along the line of its commitment to NATO. The US should state that any major attack on Israel will constitute an attack on the US. This will certainly deter Iran from even contemplating any major hostilities against Israel.
c) Ideally, Trump should focus on amending the Iran deal in cooperation with the other five signatories, and do so through diplomatic channels rather than by issuing an ultimatum to withdraw from it completely by May, which will only heighten regional tensions. Knowing Trumps disdain toward Iran and his characterization of the deal as being 'the worst ever,' he may still withdraw from the deal. At a minimum, however, he should not reinstate the sanctions so that the other signatories will have the opportunity to modify it through negotiations.
Otherwise, the precipitous withdraw from the deal will only unsettle the Iranians and may well prompt them to abandon it altogether, which could potentially lead to regional nuclear proliferation that the US and its allies in the area want to avoid. Moreover, at a time when the US wants to negotiate denuclearization with North Korea, it should not unilaterally revoke the Iran deal and expect the North Koreans to trust the US to live up to its commitments.
The irony is that none of the players involved directly or indirectly in the civil war in Syria want to escalate the conflict by threatening Israel, which will stop short of nothing to protect its national security, especially if the threat is deemed existential. Every party also knows that regardless of how much damage Israel may sustain in such a war, it will emerge victorious while inflicting perhaps unprecedented destruction on its enemies.
In the final analysis, any resolution to a conflict is measured by the prospective losses or gains. There is nothing here to suggest that any of the parties involved foreseeing a long-term strategic gain that can justify a catastrophic war. A war could erupt as a result of miscalculation, but this can be avoided. Russia in particular and the US must cooperate and lean heavily on their respective clients to prevent such a miscalculation.
Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir
The recent violation of Israels airspace by an Iranian drone and Israels retaliation against Syrian and Iranian targets prompted many observers to suggest that the growing regional tension resulting from such incidents may precipitate a war between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah, and perhaps inadvertently with Syria as well. I disagree with this prognosis. I maintain that none of the players involved want to engage in a war that will inflict tremendous destruction and casualties without realizing any sustainable long-term gains. This, however, does not preclude an accidental war resulting from an unintended incident or miscalculation.
Regardless of each players mutual public acrimony and threats, their strategic interests are best served by avoiding war. The question then becomes: what kind of precautionary measures should be taken by all the players involved, especially Russia in cooperation with the US, to prevent such an ominous development?
Irans overall strategic interest is to become the regions hegemon, and it is determined to realize its objective by first securing a contiguous landmass from the Gulf to the Mediterranean, where Syria is a critical linchpin, and create a united front to threaten Israel. To protect its base and influence in Syria, Iran was quick to exploit the civil war by providing Assad with hundreds of millions of dollars, thousands of well-trained combatants, and military equipment to help him defeat the rebels and ISIS. Having suffered upward of 500 Iranian casualties, Iran became even more determined to reap the fruits of its efforts by pursuing the establishment of a permanent military presence in the country.
Irans second objective is to maintain a state of constant threat against its staunchest enemy Israel by seeking to establish a military presence in close proximity to the Israeli borders. Iran uses Israel as a rallying cry to attract violent extremists to support its proxy wars and further its regional agenda. Thus, by keeping up its public assault against Israel, Iran hopes to maintain animosity toward and heighten concerns over the Israeli menace against the Muslim world.
In addition, Iran continues to beef up Hezbollahs arsenals in Lebanon; first, because it wants to secure its foothold in Lebanon. Second, because it wants to open up three strategic frontsin Syria, Lebanon, and potentially Gaza by way of Hamasfrom which it can intimidate Israel and test its resolve, and create new controlled tensions, as it has recently done by flying a drone over Israeli skies, which was quickly shot down by Israel.
That said, notwithstanding its bravado, Tehran does not want to challenge Israel militarily, knowing that open hostilities now, and even in the foreseeable future, could provoke a massive Israeli retaliation that goes far beyond the reprisal following Irans incursion into Israeli airspace, with the potential to inflict a humiliating defeat.
Finally, Iran wants to preserve the Iran deal and would not want to give Trump reasons to nullify it. That said, even though Trump may still withdraw from the deal, Iran wants to remain in good graces with the other five signatories to the deal to prevent the resumption of the sanctions, especially at a time when the Iranian public is restive and is demanding improved economic conditions and greater social freedoms.
To prevent any miscalculation that could lead to a catastrophic war with Israel, Iran should rather acquiesce and refrain from establishing military bases near the Israeli borders and build them farther north in Syria. In so doing, Iran would also aid in preventing any serious threat to Assads grip on power, on whose behest Tehran is justifying its continuing presence in the country, which, in any case, assumes top priority in its scheme of regional hegemony.
Tehran will be wise to rein in Hezbollah and prevent it from provoking Israel since any conflagration between Israel and Hezbollah could destroy much of its infrastructure and rocket stockpile. After all, Iran is more interested in maintaining the threat against Israel from the Lebanese front, which serves its long-term strategic interest by solidifying its foothold in Lebanon only through maintaining a strong Hezbollah.
Hezbollah joined with the Syrian military to combat the rebels throughout the ongoing civil war. Even though much of its fighting force is battle-hardened, Hezbollah is now under increasing pressure to focus on restoring some normalcy to the larger Shiite community in Lebanon, while regrouping in the process. Hezbollah has sustained nearly 1,300 casualties, and Lebanon itself has suffered greatly from Syrias civil war and is still paying a heavy toll in its effort to accommodate over one million Syrian refugees.
Hezbollah, with the full support of Iran, will maintain its threatening posture toward Israel by continuing its efforts to increase its stockpile of weapons, but it will not challenge Israel militarily. Hezbollah knows that Israels threshold for casualties is very low, and the death of 40-50 Israelis from Hezbollahs rocket fire will provoke overwhelming retaliatory strikes that could inflict thousands of Lebanese casualties, which Hezbollah wants to prevent. In any event, Hezbollah will not initiate any hostilities against Israel without Tehrans approval because such a move ill-serves Irans strategic regional ambitions.
Under any circumstances, Israel will continue to attack convoys carrying weapons from Iran to Hezbollah, and will also target any weapons manufacturing facilities on Lebanese soil. This, of course, carries certain risks of escalating hostilities. But since Hezbollah and Iran want to avoid a war, they will address such Israeli attacks, in the same manner, they have addressed previous onesby saying little and doing even less. This, however, does not suggest that Israel has a free hand to do what it pleases. Israeli strikes will be measured against the backdrop of the overall environment, which is constrained by Israels own desire to avoid an open-ended war as long as it is not existentially threatened.
The Assad regime: Since he rose to power in 2000, Syrias President Assad has never contemplated waging a war against Israel. Like his father, he has fully adhered to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. In fact, throughout his reign, Assad has made several peace overtures toward Israel, believing that Syrias future stability and prosperity depends on peace with Israel, or at a minimum maintaining the absence of hostilities.
Since the outbreak of the civil war, Assad made certain that Israel will not be given any reason to enter the fray. Now that he is on the verge of winning against the rebels and ISIS, with the pivotal support of Russia and Iran, he is even more determined to avoid any military confrontation with Israel, which Russia in particular also wants to avoid under any circumstances.
Assad finds himself, however, between a rock and a hard place: on the one hand, he knows that his survival depends on the continuing support of Iran and Russia, and on the other, he wants to keep Iran in check to avoid a war with Israel. In this regard, he sees eye-to-eye with Russia, which also wants to keep Iran at bay.
To avoid any miscalculation, which may result in a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran, Assad himself must prevail on Iran and prevent it from establishing any military installations in close proximity to the Israeli borders. Assad can make it clear that such Iranian military presence will invite Israeli attacks, which could implicate Syria and severely undermine its national security. In this regard, Assad can rely on Russia to support his position, especially because Moscow itself does not and will not allow Iran to have a free hand in Syria.
As the defeat of ISIS draws nearer and the conflict with the rebels de-escalates, Assad should insist that the Iranian militia leave the country, the majority of whom are not Iranians and whose allegiance is to their paycheck rather than to the Iranian cause.
Assad should send a clear message through the proper channels to Israel that he will not engage Israel militarily and will not be persuaded by Iran to think otherwise. In this regard, Russia will certainly lend its full support to Assad.
Finally, regardless of how indebted Assad is to Hezbollah, he is still in a position to demand that under no circumstance should Hezbollah provoke Israel from Syrian soil. Even further, if Assad wants to restore stability and begin some reconstruction, the country should be cleared from any potential agitators. That is, Assad should not allow a permanent presence of Hezbollah in Syria, which will only invite Israeli attacks should any accidental or premeditated hostilities break out between Israel and Hezbollah.
About the Author: Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.
Cape Mount will be written off, as the result of the elevation of slavish flunkies and parasitic imbeciles, who are poised to serve as the new leaders of the county. Such asymmetrical power structure will eventually lead the county down the slope of decadence, leaving the people to wallow in despair. This will stifle growth, sap the resilience of the people, and keep the county in the state of backwardness.
In an epoch of global competitiveness when progressive societies are tapping on the expertise of the savvy and brightest to lead the task for transformation, Cape Mount has been cursed with a degenerate leadership which will kill every vitality left in the county. Our county has been plagued with a leadership which is lacking in every iota of competence and consciousness to lead the charge for a progressive future in which the county will situate itself at the apex of indices of national comparison of social indicators. This Reverse gear which has been activated will increase poverty levels, widen inequality, worsen the standard of living, and increase the death toll of the citizens by curable diseases.
Our Superintendent-designate in Aaron Vincent is a junior high school degenerate who abandoned school when he was in the ninth grade. As for the Assistant Superintendent for Development-designate in Boima G. Kamara, he is not only an elementary school dropout and terminal psychopath but also a serial killer whose past of savage violence in the civil bloodletting of Liberia relapses relations of his victims into traumatic disorder each time they see him walking scot-free. In addition, this pathetic scoundrel of the first order with a sordid human rights record headed a dreadful death squad which dismembered pregnant women, ignited arson attacks, slaughtered peaceful citizens in cold blood, and unleashed an onslaught of terror on the people of the county in particular and Liberians in general.
Again, the synecdochic relationship which echoes that the part represents the whole and vice-versa is instructive here when one looks at the national makeup of the moribund power structure of the state. For the enlightened vanguard, it is no surprise as we predicted that the political farce which was thrust on us by the bandit Jerome Kokoyah through the dastard manipulation of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her monstrous cabal of vitriolic plunderers will replicate itself across the landscape of the republic. If the top of the country has a nonentity what more about constituent parts of it? This is instructive in understanding the degeneracy which has dogged the country.
Cape Mount is now a scandalous scar on the conscience of the republic. It has been ripped-off expect it to remain embroiled in the inertia of backwardness. Due to the fact that this reactionary leadership doesnt have the foresight and intelligence to run the bureaucracy of the county, let alone the clairvoyance to roll out the social transformation. The sad truth is that why other counties may make a quantum leap in the right direction expect ours to be in perpetual stasis, as the new leadership is found wanting.
At best the new leadership of Cape Mount is like a cesspool of garbage on a rubbish dump. This is a national humiliation which leaves me wailing in the wilderness. I cannot fathom why my beloved county is being downgraded to drunk status in such an egregious faction. It is a pity that my helpless optimism about it rising above the current frailties have been dealt a mortal blow, from which it might not recover in the short term except something dramatic happens to overturn the status quo.
The farce is loathsome at a time when one takes into consideration the challenges the county is confronted with. It saddens this writer that a county so rich in talents and patriotic citizens have been given a poisoned chalice of a leadership to consume. This in itself unmasks the bankruptcy of the feudal monarch who resides in Monrovia, and further unveils the obvious indifference that the ruling clique harbors about the countryside-- a zoo where subhuman primates reside. If this is not tantamount to the elevation of toxic dummies in national leadership then I dont know what is.
The Feudal Economic Arrangement in Kingjor Town
The feudal economic structure in Kingjor Town is where the parasitic elements of the ruling class along with their intellectual prostitutes and local flunkies defraud our county of millions and pay the working class with starvation income. This brazen cruelty has happened for the past years due to the complicity of our lawmakers, who are also benefitting from the loot.
This town in Cape Mount has one of the best genres of gold and accounts for one of the largest deposits of that precious mineral in the republic. But life seems like hell for the people residing in the town, as the New Liberty Gold Mines in that town operated by the Avesoro Resource Incorporated is yet to meet the peoples aspiration for a poverty-free environment, provide better housing facilities, schools and other necessities of life that are central to their existence.
Wages remain meager for Liberians and other citizens of Cape Mount who are working with the company, while expatriates who are brought by it to do menial jobs which Liberians can do are paid bumper salary. Such deplorable wage gap has not gone unnoticed by the conscious Liberian workers who are quite aware that their living labor is what the company uses to make a surplus profit. This has led to protest actions in which citizens and workers alike of the company demand better a living wage, as well as making demands to the company to improve its emphasis on safety, health, and sanitation in the work environment. But these demands are yet to be met due to the collusion of the state with the company.
Avesoro Resource Incorporated makes million from the county while the peoples demand for a living wage is being overlooked. Conservative estimate puts the figure from the sale of gold by Avesoro at four million United States dollars a month. Another independent estimate puts the figure at a staggering six million United States dollars a month. Yet the people of the town lives are in tatters. Yet the people of the town, not to mention the entire county, dont have access to basic social services and modern housing facilities.
According to IRIN news agency, in March 2016, the Avesoro Resource Incorporated contaminated waterways with an accident at New Liberty Gold mine released cyanide and arsenic, byproducts of the mining process, into a nearby river that serves villages downstream. In Jikando, where people use its water to fish, bath and wash clothes, they began to see dead fish floating. Soon, they started developing skin rashes themselves. Yet no medical test has been conducted on villagers who reported such medical problem.
The workers knowing that the interests of the capitalists and the interests of the workers have not been one and the same have protested for higher wages, better work environment, but the ruling class and their accomplices of local lackeys have always inflicted pains on the working class. During the last protest organized by the workers in early 2018, the police shot and rounded up peaceful workers and consigned them to dingy prison cells simply because they were demanding a living wage. Such reveals the terrible nature of capitalism-- the possessing class has always used lethal violence, masked under the instruments of the rule of law, against the non-possessing class. And the state which exercises the monopoly of violence over the republic has been used as a weapon by the ruling class in the class struggle.
The natural resources which are deposited beneath the soil of Cape Mount are capable of transforming the lives of our people. They are sufficient to disallow children going to bed with hunger. They are enough to put our county at the apex of development in the republic. They are sufficient to ensure that the peoples children have access to free primary and secondary education. They are enough to roll out free healthcare for the generality of the people. They are enough to have free housing for the people. They are enough to transform the grim economic condition of the people. They are enough to have pipe-borne water and electricity for our people.
Will we sit in collective inertia and allow our county to rot to the core? Will we sit and fold our hands and allow such festering wound of economic gangsterism to go amok without ensuring that it falls like a house of cards? Will we insulate ourselves from the cries of our compatriots, some of whom are in martyrdom, still relishing the decisive hour when this menace which frustrates the working class stampede into history is expurgated from the nucleus of our county and yea the republic? Will we play indifference to such pervasive and pernicious economic sodomy?
Are there men who are not moved by the scenes of poor people, or the poverty of their compatriots? Will you spinelessly sit and watch your beloved compatriots die of curable diseases, although the county and the republic have a preponderance of natural resources to turn the tide around? Will the individuals who claim to love their county sit idle and allow it to go down the drain?
Of course, not! Forbid it! Preserve us from such terrible inaction! We should reject it! We should not be consumed by it!
We have wept for too long. We have intellectualized about this super-exploitation in our ivory tower for too long. We have also suffered from the paralysis of analyses for too long. We have held dialogues with the voracious capitalists for too long. We have been asked to remain silent for too long. We have been assured that this situation will change. Yet months have come and gone; days have come and passed, but our people still live in squalid Bantustans. This divulges the terrible truth that the working class and the capitalists have never had the same agenda: the latter is more concerned about getting surplus profit even at the cost of blood and the lives of the working class, while the latter is interested in unshackling itself from the stranglehold of exploitation so that the productive forces can be organized in a way such that they control the means of production and divide the surplus profit on the basis of egalitarianism.
We must stand and fight for what rightfully belongs to us. At this moment history has not given us the luxury to play callous insensitivity when the soul of the county is pierced on the altar of oppression and crony capitalism. We should stand for once and end this scandal. We must stand up to those who think that they can continue to suppress the people of our great homeland with reckless abandon and make history of them, without being taught the decisive lessons that oppressed people have taught their exploiters in the global South.
Just as the Liberian government is complicit in this amassment of bloody capital through its fusion with foreign settlers so too is the World Bank (a major shareholder in Avesoro Resource Incorporated). The former has always defended the interests of the capitalists as opposed to the interests of the combined forces of the working class and the peasant masses, while the latter which pontificates with righteous grandstanding is stained with the blood of defenseless compatriots who have died as the result of the bestiality of the Avesoro. The World Bank has exposed itself as a fraudulent farce which is part and parcel of the exploitation of even the most backward countries in its onslaught to amass private property. This devil of a Bank, to borrow from the Leader of the Bolivarian Revolution in Comrade Hugo Chavez of blessed memory, smells of sulfur.
When the people move en masse and in stiff resistance to such economic bestiality, those who suppress us will tremble in fear. We have nothing to lose but everything to gain. The dire need to redeem Cape Mount is now and cannot be postponed. It is a historical mission that we must not neglect, as history has no place for weaklings.
We must now unite under the insignia of economic emancipation in our lifetime. Forget about whether an individual is a Vai, Gola or Mende. In history, the struggle has never been about tribe but class. Lest we forget, the ruling class has always used tribal or sectional bigotry to divert our attention from the core issues. The Vai, Gola, and Mende peoples have been exploited. So the Vai, Gola, and Mende people must unite to overthrow this system of super-exploitation. Liberating the workers from the inferno of economic barbarity supersedes tribal or sectional infighting. When we unite in one accord, our adversaries will tremble in fears. Lest we forget, in unity, there is a strength.
At this stage, we cannot afford to discriminate. Division on tribal or sectional line is a form of bourgeois nationalism, which the oppressors use to frustrate the effort of the working class for self-determination. When we get divided into such false dichotomy, the elements of reaction will use their sterile tactic of divide and rule to kill the aspiration of the workers to attain economic emancipation.
For our compatriots who are comprador bourgeoisie (individuals who serve as agents for foreign interests or capital), we have to liberate them from mental slavery. If you like, call it the decolonization of the minds. We must do this so they can join us in trumpeting the collective agenda of the county. In this, we need all the forces to coalesce under a homogenous banner.
I must say to all and sundry that we either unite and fight in unison or perish in the division. We have nothing to lose but everything to gain. The contradiction arising from the organization of the productive forces in Cape Mount and the republic is not due to the fact that a few continue to enslave the workers, but it is an expression of the bestiality of the capitalist system of production. Now is the time to unshackle ourselves from the stranglehold of oppression. The ruling class and their parasitic collaborators have everything to lose. We have everything to gain. We must fight until this system is overthrown!
About the Author: Kiadii studies Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration at the University of Liberia. He is a social and political critic and the Secretary-General of the Movement for Social Democratic Alternative (MOSODA). He can be reached on Cell +233552176627 and bokiadii@gmail.com.
Two die, Lake Preston man seriously injured in Saturday wreck
A collision on Highway 81 left two dead and one seriously injured as a man attempted to pass a semi leading to a collision
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:20 am
The end of the Second World War meant the end of operations for many in the U.S. armed forces, though for one former Battle Ground teacher, fence-builder and current Mallard Landing resident, a learning experience like no other was just about to unfold.
George Morris, who served in the Marine Corps for about two years in the Pacific Theater, speaks largely positively of his time as part of the U.S. forces occupying Japan following the drop of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was there for about nine months, destroying Japanese military equipment while simultaneously picking up on Japanese culture and learning about the citizens of a nation that only months prior had been locked in conflict with the U.S.
How Morris got to Nagasaki was through island hopping crisscrossing the Pacific as U.S. forces gained ground. Born in 1922 in Colorado, Morris enlisted in May of 1944 at 21, relatively older than most recruits due to needing hernia surgery and the recovery period that followed.
Morris start in the Marines was rocky, finding himself in trouble before even leaving the mainland. Following boot camp in San Diego he spent a few days in Hollywood beyond the 48 hours of leave granted, leading to him being jailed. Morris said he spent time in the brig of a ship at Pearl Harbor, though eventually was released and he managed to stay out of trouble for the rest of his service.
From Pearl Harbor Morris made it to Saipan where the battle there was still going but dying down. Though initially trained to use the Browning Automatic Rifle, his discipline issues led him to work the commissary and guard duty, the latter of which had its fair share of close calls.
One incident in particular was during night guard duty that Morris had, keeping a spring from being contaminated by enemy troops. A fellow guard had heard possible enemy combatants and opened fire into the bush in the darkness Morris could hear but not see anything including possible Japanese, but he held composure rather than make a rash decision.
Luckily no Japanese were able to find the spring, and through his service Morris managed to avoid being wounded by the enemy.
Morris spent about five months on Saipan before the next plan of attack, the invasion of Okinawa. He was a part of feigned landings U.S. forces used to throw off the Japanese from their actual attack on another side of the island.
Morris said that no one but some of the higher-level officials knew it was a feint he and the other soldiers all thought they were going in for real. Packed into landing boats, it wasnt until about 100 yards from the beach that the boats would veer off and return to the main ships, leaving Army and Marine forces without resistance for the actual invasion.
The tactic was successful, Morris said, and after only a few days Morris unit was called back to Saipan to help defend the island, which would be his last island-hopping before arriving in Nagasaki.
Morris experience in the war, especially the occupation of Nagasaki following the drop of atomic bombs on it and Hiroshima, was a combination of bearing witness to the horrors of war while also enjoying times of levity, connecting with the Japanese people and learning the humanity behind what was once the U.S. enemy.
In order to bridge the language barrier Morris picked up some Japanese, learning conversational phrases and even a few songs. In some cases the rapport soldiers had with the local citizens led to them working together to their mutual benefit, in some cases under the noses of military brass.
In one case after the order of a superior to not see any Marines on the city streets after dark Morris and some fellow soldiers got creative, acquiring kimonos through trade with locals and using what little Japanese they knew to pass by guards who would blow their cover.
Morris commented that their disguises were paid for not in money, but candy and cigarettes, the de facto currency of postwar occupation.
Compared to wartime, the Nagasaki occupation had a lot more downtime, which allowed for much more opportunities to drink. Following discharge from the Marines in July 1946 Morris was directionless and spending much of his time drinking on his Colorado family farm.
Morris said he didnt drink because of any bad experiences in the war, though he did have some close calls; rather the relative ease of drinking in Nagasaki made him pick up the habit.
All that changed after the invitation of an old school friend who invited him to a youth group meeting where he had his first encounter with the Bible, having not grown up religious. What he learned in that one night would change his life.
The next morning I woke up and I didnt want to hit the bar, Morris remarked, and a purpose in life that would bring him to Clark County was established.
After kicking the habit, Morris used the college education offered to him from his service to study agriculture, eventually earning a teaching certificate to begin his first of two post-military careers. He married his late wife, Ardith, in Colorado in 1956 and after a few years helping out back on the family farm he got the teaching certificate and taught a few years before moving to Southwest Washington where Ardith was from.
Morris began teaching a number of hands-on skills at Battle Ground High School in 1964, getting the job from a tip from Ardith who had taught English at the school prior to her Colorado move.
After retiring from teaching in 1980 Morris was not quite done, setting up a fence construction company after seeing the need by the number of horses in the area. He had taught fence-building as a teacher.
Though decades of life, two careers and starting a family has passed, the experiences from Nagasaki were still clear in Morris mind. He said was able to understand part of the national mentality and the religious devotion to the nation instilled in its subjects, so strong that teenagers would be trained to fly planes in kamikaze suicide missions as they were taught that dying for their country was the ultimate offering they could give to their nation.
Being in Japan after the atomic bombs dropped offers Morris a unique perspective, one more sympathetic to the plight of Japans people than a black-and-white understanding on conflict.
After we saw that (devastation) it just changed us all; all of us realized what these poor people went through Morris remarked.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:25 am
Rocksolid Community Teen Center held its 17th annual Lucky Shamrock Auction Saturday, March 10 at the Battle Ground Community Center presented by Riverview Community Bank, S&T Truck Repair, and Dans Tractor.
For the second year in a row the event was sold out.
At the end of the evening the center raised over $130,000.00, a record total. The number of teens being served has doubled in the last year, these funds will help with the general expenses, enhance existing programs and send 20 teens to camp for 2 weeks this summer.
We have a phenomenal team who all helped make this auction a huge success. said Marcy Sprecher, Executive Director at Rocksolid. We have an enormous number of supporters, individuals as well as businesses who support our program. Wed like to thank all our incredible supporters. It is such a great feeling to see how much our community values youth and supports our program.
Rocksolid Teen Center
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:42 am
Those living in the 17th Legislative District will be able to learn what happened in the 2018 session through a town hall meeting set for Saturday.
From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Dengerink Administrative Buildings auditorium on the WSU Vancouver campus, 17th District Sen. Lynda Wilson and state Reps. Paul Harris and Vicki Kraft, all R-Vancouver, will talk about the most recent lawmaking session, according to a press release from the Washington State Legislature.
This is a great opportunity to look at which bills made it into law, and which ones fell short, and what it means to the 17th District and our state as a whole, Wilson stated in a release. We experienced an entirely new dynamic during our 60 days at the Capitol because of a change in the political balance. Itll be important to share how that is working.
This is an important opportunity to talk with the citizens of the 17th District about the results of the 2018 legislative session, and discuss concerns heading into the next session, Harris stated. I urge constituents to take the time to provide input so we can better advocate for the citizens of Southwest Washington.
I look forward to providing an update for our constituents on the 2018 session and hearing their thoughts on legislative issues, Kraft stated.
More information about the lawmakers can be found on Sen. Wilsons website at lyndawilson.src.wastateleg.org, Rep. Harriss website at paulharris.houserepublicans.wa.gov and Rep. Krafts website at vickikraft.houserepublicans.wa.gov.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:36 am
Last Wednesday, March 14, the family of Mycheal Lynch, who died at a Clark County jail in 2015, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Clark County, Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins, Chief Jail Deputy Ric Bishop and 12 corrections officers who, according to the legal team, withheld necessary medical treatment and employed unlawful excessive force against Lynch causing his death, a news release from the legal team states.
The lawsuit is seeking monetary and punitive damages in the fullest extent allowed by law, and the news release outlines claims of pain, suffering, pre-death mental distress and ultimate death.
The legal team alleges that Lynchs death was a result of Clark Countys customs, policies, or official practices that allowed, encouraged, and directed ... custody officers to impose punitive disciplinary sanctions on inmates in distress or suffering from mental illness and that the county and its jail administrators did not train corrections deputies on proper non-lethal restraint techniques, failed to properly supervise jail deputies when employing use of force or deadly force, and unreasonably withheld necessary mental health and emergency medical care to Mycheal Lynch thereby demonstrating a deliberate indifference to known and foreseeable risks of harm or death.
According to a news release, a tort claim against the county in 2015 served damages of $4 million.
This is a heartbreaking case because Mycheal's death was such an avoidable tragedy, said attorney Jack Green in the release. We hope this suit will result in meaningful changes at the jail so another family doesn't have to cope with the loss of a loved one.
Joining Green on the legal team are two other Vancouver attorneys, Gregory Ferguson and William Nelson.
"As this lawsuit progresses we expect to explore in detail what appears to be a troubling pattern of inmates being injured and ultimately dying at the hands of county corrections deputies while being restrained. Notably, this was the second jail inmate homicide death in a period of three years, Ferguson said in the release.
Nelson worked a similar case in 2012 when he represented the family of Marius Asanachescu. The family filed a lawsuit against the county and its health care contractor after Asanachescu died under restraint. That case was settled out of court.
The facts of this case are eerily similar to the Asanechescu case, and likely a deep disappointment to Marius family who sought justice for their son for the express purpose of preventing this type of tragedy from ever happening again, Nelson said in the release.
Lynch died on March 20, 2015, and his death was ruled a homicide by the Clark County Medical Examiner, who found that he died of anoxic encephalopathy, which is a fatal brain injury resulting from a lack of oxygen.
The officers involved with Lynchs death were cleared by the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney.
According to the lawsuit, Lynch was detained at the Clark County Jail on suspicion of a misdemeanor traffic offense after a call from his family prompted his arrest. He was held at the jail medical unit for a medical condition, possible intoxication from drugs and for showing signs of being emotionally and mentally distressed.
When he was booked, the lawsuit states, Lynch told law enforcement at the jail that he feared for his life. Once booked, Lynch repeatedly hit the call button for assistance. The lawsuit claims that a deputy told him that someone would kill him if he didnt stop pressing the button.
Lynch continued to press the button, and deputies moved to transport him to a solitary confinement cell as discipline.
When two deputies came into Lynchs cell to handcuff him, the lawsuit states that he panicked, and after escaping their grip, ran out of the cell and into the secured medical unit dayroom, where he fell to the ground after slipping. Around 10 officers piled on Lynch to restrain him, including holding his head against the floor. The lawsuit alleges that this caused two deep cuts in his forehead.
The weight of the 10 deputies cut off Lynchs breathing, the lawsuit states, and even when both his hands and feet were cuffed in a matter of minutes, they remained on top of him.
The lawsuit states that as the officers were holding him down he said he couldnt breathe and never attempted to fight back. While still being pinned down, Lynch lost bladder control and passed out. While unconscious, officers put a spit mask on him and waited a few minutes for restraint chair to be brought. The lawsuit says precious minutes were wasted during this time, including the time it took the deputies to move his body and strap him into the chair.
According to the lawsuit, it took several minutes for deputies to realize Lynchs dire situation and to remove him from the chair and administer CPR. Firefighters and other emergency responders arrived soon after and began their own efforts to revive Lynch, who did not have a heartbeat. On route to the hospital, Lynchs heart did start again, but he was brain dead by that point. After three days on life support, he died.
The legal team states in a press release that video surveillance from the jail will play a critical role in the case. Last year, a Clark County Superior Court judge found that the countys withholding of the video following Lynchs death for two years was improper because it is public record, and it was subsequently released.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:44 am
Hundreds of local students joined in a national demonstration last Wednesday to honor the 17 students who were killed in a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, FL on Feb.14 exactly a month before and with the hopes of effecting changes that could prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The demonstrations lasted, or were intended to last, 17 minutes in honor of the 17 victims.
At Battle Ground High School, district officials estimate between 60 and 75 students gathered in front of the school for around 17 minutes.
Darrian Manalo, a senior at Battle Ground, said he walked out to pay his respects to the victims of the shooting and to advocate for gun laws.
I felt as students we needed to come together, he said.
Manalo said he understood how touchy the issue of gun control is, but felt there needs to be, and is room for, a compromise where citizens still have their rights to bear arms while also making schools safe.
It felt empowering knowing that other students are standing up for the same cause as you, he said of participating in the national demonstration.
Along with one student who spoke in line with the demonstrations core messages, for a few minutes at the end of the the demonstration a student with opposing views spoke, expressing his beliefs that recent shooting-related tragedies were a result of mental health, not gun ownership.
The Reflector only spotted one sign, which read, 18th Century Laws Cannot regulate a 21st Century weapon #EnoughIsEnough."
The 10 a.m. student-led walkouts at both Battle Ground and Prairie high schools came at a convenient time for the district. They were during Tiger Time and Falcon Support times, which is designated for students to visit teachers in classes where they need more tutoring, or, if they are passing all their classes, for them to use at their own discretion. Hence, roll was not taken during the 30 minutes when students walked out.
Principal Mike Hamilton did not offer a clear answer as to whether or not students would have faced any disciplinary action had the organized walkout fallen during a different time.
There may have been some discipline depending upon the circumstances, for that, he said from the outskirts of congregated students during the walkout. A lot of the districts around have taken different stances on that. On one hand, we really want to support students and their exercise of their free speech. However, we would take a firm stance if its disruptive or creates a safety issue for our school.
District spokeswoman Rita Sanders said Prairie High School also had between 60 and 75 students walk out, and most of the middle schools in the district had about 75 students participate. Laurin had the most at around 180.
Sanders was adamant that the district did not actively encourage students to walk out and that their main focus was safety.
Our primary focus during this event was to make sure students feel safe, no matter what they chose to do, she wrote in an email. We supervised students on campus during the walkout while instruction continued inside classrooms.
As for discipline at middle schools around the district, Sanders said students who missed class to walk out might have received an unexcused absence and missed work might have needed to be made up, but because those decisions are made at the school level, she could not confirm any cases of that happening.
To the west, Ridgefield High School also hosted a demonstration. Students walked out into the center courtyard of the complex, standing in silence for the 17 minutes of the event.
RHS Principal Christen Palmer estimated about 150 RHS students participated on the student-led walkout. She spoke positively about the way the students went about their protest.
I felt they were honoring the victims of the Parkland tragedy in a somber but respectful and peaceful manner, Palmer wrote in a statement.
La Center High School also had a demonstration and more opportunities to make their voices heard, according to principal Carol Patton. She estimated about 35 students took part in the walkout, reading a name each minute for the 17 slain. Afterward there were opportunities to write to legislators, register to vote as well as send wishes and thoughts to the students in Florida through cards.
Overall, Patton said the days event8, totally coordinated by student youth, went very smooth and were well-received as a whole.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:37 am
At the March 5 Battle Ground City Council meeting, the Battle Ground Police Department announced officer Ed Michael as its 2017 Officer of the Year.
Michael has been serving Battle Ground since 2005, including three speciality assignments patrol bike instructor, field training officer and Taser instructor.
Michaels work last year was also recognized by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's Target Zero program. He honored as the 2017 Top Performer for his work with a number of different safety emphasis patrols.
According to city staff, Michaels colleagues at the Battle Ground Police Department characterize him as consistently having a positive attitude, an exemplary work ethic, and as a person they call upon for advice, support, and mentorship.
"For his outstanding service to the community, which reflects the mission and values of the Battle Ground Police Department, it is my honor to name Officer Ed Michael as our 2017 Officer of the Year," said Police Chief Bob Richardson when presenting the award.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:39 am
The legal groundwork allowing for a planned fiber optics loop in North Clark County is sitting on Gov. Jay Inslees desk, and if the Legislatures support is any sign, the area could have state-of-the-art internet service by the end of the year.
Substitute House Bill 2664 passed both chambers of the Washington state Legislature unanimously, putting the possibility of infrastructure going in this year for the Discovery Corridor fiber optics project only a governors signature away.
The bill itself is fairly simple, as all it does is strike a rural definition from law language, expanding the ability for ports across the state to undertake such projects. State law in 2000 allowed only rural ports and public utility districts to lay the infrastructure, defining the former as places with population densities lower than 100 people per square mile.
Should the bill be signed into law, the Port of Ridgefields $2.5 million project could start almost immediately from the effective date, Port of Ridgefield Vice President of Innovation Nelson Holmberg said. Design documents are already drafted its just the law that needs to change now.
All we were doing, really, was asking for modernization, Holmberg said about the bill. Legislation similar in intent was put forward in the 2017 session, though none made any big moves.
As to what made this years bill more successful, Holmberg reasoned that legislators had a better idea of what ports like the Port of Ridgefield were angling to do. The ports goal was for a free market, open-access network through its infrastructure, not a government-run internet service provider.
Thats where the dark in dark fiber comes from, as it would be internet service providers coming in and lighting the fiber optics system. Unlike other types of transmission lines, fiber optic lines use light to send information and has superior speeds to older forms of internet connectivity.
Holmberg likened it to other types of infrastructure that government entities build and private entities benefit from the development.
Whether it be roads, sewer systems or water systems, its the same thing with broadband, Holmberg explained.
The 42-mile loop goes from the La Center interstate junction south on both sides of Interstate 5 to Salmon Creek, extending to reach WSU Vancouver, Holmberg said. Funding for the project will use already budgeted funds on a six-year plan.
Barring any roadblocks, Holmberg said that the first phase could be in operation by the end of the year. How much of the 42-mile loop gets completed in that first phase will be the result of a number of factors including bid amounts, he added.
With excitement building over the possibility of getting the project started Holmberg said that companies have been paying attention to what the infrastructure will entail. As to why the Port has been so focused on the project, Holmberg explained how analyses by groups like the Columbia River Economic Development Council showed that for all of the other improvements along the Discovery Corridor, it was high-speed internet that was needed the most.
Thats the one big missing piece of infrastructure in their estimations, Holmberg remarked.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:51 am
Those familiar with Cub Scouts might do a double-take around Ridgefield next time they see the iconic blue uniforms, as it might be girls, not boys, donning the garb.
This is because theres an all-girls Cub Scout pack in Ridgefield, one of the first of its kind following the Boy Scouts of Americas recent decision to accept girls into their membership.
Pack 303 has been established featuring girls, a recent development in the BSA. Heading up 303 is Cubmaster Niah Henry, the former cubmaster of the all-boys Pack 310.
Henry had been cubmaster of the all-boys Cub Scout pack in Ridgefield, before her son, Wyatt, moved onto Boy Scouts this year, she explained. Henrys daughter, Lorelai, along with other siblings, had been along for the many activities the pack did, essentially doing the same things as the pack members but without a uniform. This was due to the packs family-friendly focus as she put it, where anything but summer camp could be done by the whole family.
Now they get to wear uniforms and actually get to earn badges, Henry said.
Jan. 15 of this year was the official first day that girls could be accepted into Cub Scouts. Only a few days later On Jan. 21 was the first planning meeting where she drew in past leaders from 310 to help in the organization.
Right now the pack is small with five girls all in the third-grade Bear level of Cub Scouts. Henry said there had been interest elsewhere, so she expects that each grade level will have a den in time.
Pack 303 was planting trees at Abrams Park March 10 as one of several activities the pack has done in its short existence, including outings to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and plans for a camping trip this month involving some beach cleanup.
Just because a girl is in Cub Scouts doesnt preclude them from taking part in their traditional scouting group, as Henrys own daughter is both in Cub Scouts and Brownies, the Girl Scout equivalent. Seeing how both groups work gave Henry an idea on their differences, saying Girl Scouts had more of a focus on business-minded leadership while Boy Scouts (and Cub Scouts by extension) had more of an outdoor focus.
Locally, Pack 303 had the support of American Legion Post 44 as the groups charter organization, the official operator of the Pack. Henry spoke positively of the group for their willingness to step up, having already donated a Pinewood Derby track to the pack, she said.
Its a really good group to work with, and I appreciate them jumping on board with us and doing what they can, Henry said.
Post 44 Commander Bryan Laycoe explained the post had always been strong supporters of scouting, Laycoe said, as the innate patriotism and civic-mindedness in both organizations made it a natural fit for Post 44 to take on Pack 303.
As to why a girl might want to join up, Henry said its not only about serving the community, but also about being active and possibly most importantly, having fun.
We always say it gives us an excuse to do the things we want to do otherwise, Henry said, explaining how scouting gives a structure that allows youth, and in the case of packs 303 and 310 whole families, the chance to get out and do something.
For myself, its very important to me that we always have fun, Henry added. We are going to do some work, but we are going to have fun doing it.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:40 am
Fire District 3 has concluded its search for a new assistant fire chief.
Although the search included a number of national applicants, ultimately they chose a veteran of their own force right out of their backyard with the selection of Hockinson resident Barbara Widlund.
Scott Sorenson previously held the role until taking over as fire chief following Steve Wrightsons retirement last November.
Widlund is a hometown girl through and through.
She grew up in La Center and graduated from La Center High School in 1985; she lived in Battle Ground for a time, and now lives in Hockinson.
She began her career with Fire District 3 in 2000 as a volunteer. She was hired full time a year later.
Its nice to serve and live in the same community, she said, adding that being selected for the position is very exciting.
Widlund is enrolled in the Managing Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and already has an associates degree in fire protection technology from Portland Community College.
Positions that Widlund has served, according to Fire District 3, include:
Firefighter/EMT-IV Technician
Captain
Apparatus Operator
Scene Officer
Station Officer
Shift Training Captain
Prefire Program Manager
SCBA Program Manager
Acting Battalion Chief
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:13 am
The city of Battle Ground is seeking public input on upcoming Phases 2 and 3 of the SR-502/503 Congestion Relief Project at a March 26 open house.
The goal of the project is to increase mobility and relieve congestion where the two state highways intersect in Battle Ground. Several project design options will be presented for public comment and input. The open house is scheduled 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 26 at Battle Ground City Hall located at 109 SW 1st Street. Project engineers will be on hand to present project goals, challenges, potential solutions, and gather your ideas and input.
Over the years, we have seen a substantial increase in the volume of traffic at the SR-502/503 intersection. Growth, both in the city and throughout the north Clark County region, has a significant effect on the number of vehicles traveling to and through Battle Ground on the two state highways.
With the SR-502/503 Congestion Relief Project, the city and Washington State Department of Transportation are focusing on near-term projects with the goal of reducing the congestion we are experiencing today. The three-phase project is funded by the states Connecting Washington program over a six-year period. Phase 1 was completed earlier this year.
Ultimately, the long-term solution for this intersection is a grade separated interchange an overpass and the widening of state Route 503 between Main Street and Onsdorff Boulevard to four lanes. This solution, however, requires substantial funding not currently available. We do not anticipate funding in the near future considering the many other transportation infrastructure projects within the county and state that compete for the same dollars.
We look forward to your participation at the March 26 open house. As we work to improve the transportation infrastructure in Battle Ground, public input is essential. Your consideration of this projects goals and challenges, along with your ideas and feedback is critical to the projects success.
Further information, draft design options, and a public input form for those unable to attend the open house are available at cityofbg.org/congestion-relief. We invite public comment on the posted design options through Friday, March 30.
Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:09 am
In reading the "Our Views" editorial section in the Feb. 28 Reflector made me furious.
For those not familiar, this is regarding Senate Bill 6617, retroactively exempting lawmakers and employees from transparency requirements of the Public Records Act. Excuse me. Those of you who voted for this need to be voted out in the next election, no matter what party you belong to. You work for us "We the People. We pay your salary. You were voted in under the premise that you were going to work for us. You were voted in by us, you can and should be voted out just as well. I don't know if in voting for this legislation it required an arrogant frame of mind or entitled frame of mind.
Neither has any place in our government. We're already dealing with this in Washington, D.C. where nothing of any constructive value is getting done by either party. Plea to Gov. Jay Inslee, please do not sign this bill, it is a major slap in the face to every citizen (Inslee did veto the bill last week).
Fourteen years ago The Killers released 'Mr Brightside'. This week marks the track's 200th week in the UK top 100.
How? Well, in 2014, the UK charts introduced streaming data and found 'Mr Brightside' was still bloody well loved.
In the last year alone the Official Charts Company reports that Mr Brightside has been streamed 45 million times and has averaged 878,000 plays and 696 downloads per week in 2018 already.
Mr. Brightside is the most streamed track released before 2010, EVER.
Essentially, it's the song of a generation. Dig it or not, chance are you've been cooked on a dancefloor, belting out every single lyric, word-for-word in an impromptu mass sing-a-long.
And if you haven't either your lying, or you were so steamed you can't remember.
remaining of
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Job Title: Driver
Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR)
Position No.: 10028923
Vacancy Notice: 015/2018
Reports to: Administrative Assistant
Duty Station: Mbarara, Uganda
Post Grade: GL2
About UNHCR:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was
established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly.
UNHCRs mandate under the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees is to lead and co-ordinate action for international
protection to refugees; seek permanent solutions for the problems of refugees
and safeguard refugee rights and well-being. UNHCR has an additional mandate
concerning issues of statelessness, as it is given a designated role under
Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Job Summary: The Driver is mainly responsible for up keep
and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and
specifications established by the organisation. The incumbent will be required
to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor.
While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of
UNHCR, he/she may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of
UNHCR vehicles. The incumbent has regular contacts with staff within UNHCR
office and with service providers outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange of
information The Driver is mainly responsible for up keepand maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance andspecifications established by the organisation. The incumbent will be requiredto follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor.While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles ofUNHCR, he/she may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair ofUNHCR vehicles. The incumbent has regular contacts with staff within UNHCRoffice and with service providers outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange ofinformation .
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Drive UNHCR vehicles
for the transport of authorized passengers and delivery and collection of
mail, documents, UNHCR pouch and other items.
Meet official
personnel at the airport and facilitate immigration and customs
formalities as required.
Carry out the
day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicles; check oil, water,
battery, brakes, tyres, etc. and ensure that the assigned UNHCR vehicles
are road worthy and maintained up to the established security standards.
Conduct minor repairs
and arrange for other repairs and ensure that the vehicle is kept clean.
required by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement in
accident Ensure that the stepsrequired by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement inaccident .
Log official trips,
daily mileage, gas consumption, oil changes, greasing, etc.
Perform any other
related duties as required by the Administrative/Finance Associate
Key Performance Indicators:
Assigned UNHCR
vehicles are properly maintained and equipped as per technical guidance
and specifications established by the Organisation.
Local traffic rules
and regulations are strictly observed.
Instructions and
security guidance provided by the supervisor and security focal point are
strictly followed by the Driver and the passengers during the journey
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate
for the United Nations UNHCR Driver job vacancy should have completed
Primary Education or equivalent technical or commercial school.
At least two years of
previous job experience relevant to the function.
Driving licence,
knowledge of driving rules and regulations and skills in minor vehicle
repair.
Good knowledge of
English and local language
Good mechanical
skills are desired
Ability to work in
remote areas.
How to Apply:
All interested Ugandan nationals who wish to join the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the aforementioned capacity are
encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions
after reviewing the job details.
Deadline: 20th March 2018
The Jewish Community of Berlin is pleased over the appointment of the new German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, who in his acceptance address said, I entered politics because of Auschwitz.
He is known to be a friend of the Jews and the Rav of Berlins community, HaRav Yehuda Teichtal. This past Chanukah he asked to be permitted to take part in the communitys Chanukah celebration a short time after a stormy anti-Israel protest to show his unwavering authentic support for Israel and the Jewish People.
Maas also spoke of plans to make a visit to Israel soon, sending another message of his commitment to support Israel and Berlins Jewish community alike.
(YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem)
The Palestinian president on Monday called the U.S. ambassador to Israel a son of a dog in an angry rant against the Trump administration, signaling new trouble ahead for an expected U.S. peace proposal.
President Mahmoud Abbas also took aim at the rival Hamas militant group, accusing it of being behind an attempted assassination last week of his prime minister and security chief, and threatening to retaliate.
In an address to Palestinian officials, Abbas pre-emptively rejected the White House peace proposal, which is still being developed.
U.S. officials have not said when it will be unveiled, but Abbas has already ruled it out, accusing the Trump administration of being unfairly biased in favor of Israel.
In his speech, Abbas criticized the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, the American plan to move its embassy to the city and the cutoff of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.
He also condemned Ambassador David Friedmans close ties with the West Bank settler movement, describing him as a son of a dog.
Then they said, Wait for our plan. What shall we wait for? We will not, he said. Many said, Why dont you go to Washington? They want us to go to Washington to sign. We will not accept that, and we will not let it pass.
Friedman responded to the remarks at a conference on anti-Semitism in Jerusalem.
Abbas response was to refer to me as a son of a dog. Anti-Semitism or political discourse? Not for me to judge. I leave that all up to you, Friedman said.
In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, President Abbass comments were outrageous and unhelpful. We urge the Palestinian Authority to focus its efforts on improving the lives of the Palestinian people and advancing the cause of peace.
Jason D. Greenblatt, a Trump assistant and special representative for international negotiations also responded sharply:
The time has come for President Abbas to choose between hateful rhetoric and concrete and practical efforts to improve the quality of life of his people and lead them to peace and prosperity, he said.
We are committed to the Palestinian people and to the changes that must be implemented for peaceful coexistence. We are finalizing our plan for peace and we will advance it when circumstances are right.
Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas forces in 2007, and attempts at reconciliation have repeatedly failed. The U.S. has been pushing for progress in reconciliation in the run-up to its peace proposal.
Abbas, however, said he was furious over the bomb that targeted the convoy carrying his prime minister and security chief last week, which did not seriously injure anyone. Abbas said he would take new punitive measures against Hamas.
As president of the Palestinian people Ive decided to take all national, legal and financial measures, said Abbas, without elaborating. He said his government will either take full responsibility for Gaza or abandon it to Hamas, a step that would in effect end the dream of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.
Abbas has already taken steps to put pressure on Hamas, including reducing electricity shipments to Gaza and cutting the salaries of former civil servants. Those steps, along with an Israeli-Egyptian blockade, have worsened Gazas long-running humanitarian crisis.
Earlier this month, the U.S. hosted a brainstorming conference on how to improve conditions in Gaza. After 10 years, they realized that the Gaza humanitarian situation is tough, Abbas said derisively.
(AP)
The recent terrorist attacks are the result on ongoing incitement by the PA (Palestinian Authority, stated Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked when asked to comment on the security situation of late.
Speaking to Kan Reshet Bet Radio, she added The funds for the PA must be offset, and we must make certain funds given do not fall in the hands of the terrorists.
Shaked then commented on remarks released by PA Chairman Abu Mazen, who labeled US Ambassador to Israel A son of a dog, settler.
This is unacceptable in the world of diplomacy, and here in our region, too, it is a disgrace. Abu Mazen was a Holocaust denier in the past, and to express such a statement against the US ambassador in Israel, who is also Jewish, has an anti-Semitic flavor, Shaked added.
(YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem)
Bayit Yehudi party faction chairwoman MK Shuli Muallem following the fatal stabbing attack in Jerusalems Old City on Sunday, is calling on Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman to expel the families of terrorists from their homes in Yehuda and Shomron.
Israel must increase its deterrence and demand a heavy price from the families of the terrorists Unfortunately, there are complexities that prevent the possibility of immediate expulsion of the families of terrorists into Gaza, but there is no legal limit to the immediate implementation of deportation in Yehuda and Shomron, wrote Muallem.
She calls on Lieberman to use all means at your disposal to oust the families of terrorists from their homes in PA areas of Yehuda and Shomron as soon as possible.
(YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem)
In a world of financial complexity, it is hardly surprising that the Individual Savings Account has its flaws.
There are too many versions and some niggly rules that can leave even the savviest of investors scratching their heads.
But the fact remains that the Isa still represents an effective - and flexible - way to accumulate wealth away from the clutches of the taxman.
Isa downsides: In a world of financial complexity, it is hardly surprising that the Individual Savings Account has its flaws
It makes a perfect saving companion to sit alongside a pension.
Isas are available to everyone - from newborn to those enjoying the fruits of retirement. For those under the age of 16, a maximum of 4,128 can be squirrelled away in the tax year ending April 5 this year.
This rises to 4,260 in the new tax year. Adults can save up to 20,000 both in this financial year and next.
There is no tax to pay on income or capital gains generated within the Isa. But is is a 'use it or lose it' tax break. You cannot carry over unused allowances into the next tax year.
Here are seven pillars of Isa wisdom to consider before you put money in between now and April 5.
1. Do not be tied to cash
Cash-based Isas, offered by banks and building societies, have been the most popular choice for those putting money aside for a rainy day.
You can put the entire 20,000 allowance in a cash Isa.
But since the introduction of the tax-free personal savings allowance two years ago, the appeal of cash Isas has dwindled.
Now basic rate taxpayers can earn 1,000 a year in interest tax-free, while for higher rate taxpayers the allowance is 500 and for additional rate taxpayers it is zero.
So the tax advantage of cash Isas no longer holds for most savers. Ever-decreasing savings rates have further diminished the attraction of cash Isas.
Top deals currently pay 1.3 per cent (instant access, Nationwide Building Society) or 1.45 per cent (fixed for one year, Aldermore).
Rachel Springall, savings expert at financial data scrutineer Moneyfacts, says those wedded to cash must shop around for top rates.
She says: 'Look beyond high street brands when comparing cash Isas. Some of the best returns are from less familiar names such as Aldermore, Paragon Bank, OakNorth Bank and Charter Savings.'
Watch out for bonuses applied to cash Isas. A short-term bonus often masks a low underlying rate.
For example, the AA has an easy access Isa paying 1.16 per cent which puts it among the best-buys. Yet this includes a 0.96 per cent bonus for the first 12 months.
Fail to switch after a year and the rate will plummet to 0.2 per cent. This is how Isa savers get caught out and end up with cash languishing at poor rates.
Remember, you do not have to just be a cash Isa saver.
Angela Murfitt, a chartered financial planner at Fairstone in Leek, Staffordshire, says: 'It is possible to subscribe to both a cash and stock sand shares Isa in the same tax year.
'You can hold either in any proportion as long as the total you pay in does not exceed 20,000.'
2. Think investments
Those with more than just 'rainy day'money should invest in a stocks and shares Isa, even if it is a step they have never taken before.
Fewer than one in five cash Isa savers also has an equity Isa. Also, less than 10 per cent of women opt for equity Isas. The full 20,000 allowance can be invested in equities or funds.
Greg Davies is head of behavioural science at consultant Oxford Risk. He says the jump from cash to equities makes many people uncomfortable.
Davies adds: 'People are put off investing because they fear getting it wrong, are overwhelmed by the complexity of it all and prefer to stick with the status quo that is cash.'
One of the attractions of an investment Isa is the potential for growth. The difference in performance between cash and the stock market is stark.
Someone who ten years ago invested 15,000 in an investment fund replicating the performance of the FTSE All-Share Index would now have an Isa war chest worth 29,210.
In contrast, if the same saver had put their 15,000 into the average UK savings account, they would have a cash Isa pile worth just 15,478. Research conducted by UBS Smart-Wealth suggests that if cash Isa savers had invested their contributions over the past five years, they would collectively be 46billion better off.
But Jeremy Squibb, a financial planner at Serenity Financial Planning in Helston, Cornwall, says equity Isas are not for everyone.
He says: 'If you are squeamish about seeing your capital fluctuate in value in the short term, or there is a possibility you may need your Isa money in six months to a year, then an investment Isa is not for you.'
3. Buy online
The best way to set up an equity Isa is online via a so-called fund platform, giving you the freedom to put your own portfolio together and choose how much you put in and when.
Those who want to keep things simple can invest in a UK tracker fund. Consider Vanguard's online offer.
Its FTSE 100 fund charges 0.06 per cent a year plus a 0.15 per cent account fee. The minimum investment is 500 for a lump sum or 100 a month.
Investors with smaller sums should look at Cavendish Online, which accepts a minimum of 50 a month.
Investors can buy the Fidelity UK Index fund at an annual charge of 0.06 per cent, plus a 0.25 per cent annual account fee.
Justin Moray, director at independent Candid Financial Advice, says: 'Do not underestimate the importance of choosing a suitable Isa platform as the quality of service and costs can vary.'
Savings focus: Charlie Harrison
4. Spring clean existing Isas
You have the right to change Isa provider, so look to see if you can get better value for existing Isas.
Murfitt says: 'Isas can be transferred from one provider to another without affecting your annual allowance. Not all will accept transfers in but all must allow transfers out.
'It means investors need not be stuck with poor rates in their cash Isas or high charges and poor performance from their stocks and shares Isas.'
5. Cast an eye over the new
A number of new types of Isa have been launched - Lifetime, Help to Buy and Innovative Finance - which may suit some savers.
The Lifetime Isa is available to those aged 18 to 39 and is designed to double as a home deposit builder and pension fund.
The maximum annual contribution is 4,000, forming part of the annual 20,000 Isa allowance. The money can be used to buy a first home.
The big attraction is the Government pays a 25 per cent bonus each year until you are 50 - 1,000 on the maximum 4,000 annual saving.
If you are not using the Lifetime Isa for a home deposit, it could be a good start towards a pension, as you can take it out when you turn 60. But if you access it early, you will be hit with heavy penalties.
The Help to Buy Isa can also be used to save for a home and is available to anyone over the age of 16 buying their first property (subject to a maximum property price of 250,000 or 450,000 in London).
Savers can put in up to 1,200 a month. The Government pays a 25 per cent bonus of up to 3,000 (equating to 12,000 in the Isa) when you release the funds to purchase a first home.
You can open a Help to Buy Isa until November 2019 and the bonus is set to run until 2030 so savers have lots of time.
However, the Lifetime Isa may be more attractive to first-time buyers as it has higher savings limits. Savers with a Help to Buy Isa can transfer their savings into a Lifetime Isa.
In some circumstances, a transfer before April 5 may result in a double bonus boost.
For 20-year-old IT technician Charlie Harrison, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, opening a Help to Buy Isa focused him on saving regularly.
Charlie, who lives with his mother, saves 200 a month into a Virgin Money Help to Buy Isa, which pays interest of 2.25 per cent a year.
He says: 'I do not have a time frame for buying a house but I like the idea of saving regularly and watching my pot grow. Knowing that I will get a boost form the Govenrment when I do come to buy my own place is a big incentive.'
The Innovative Finance Isa was launched in 2016, letitng savers invest tax efficiently in the growing peer-to-peer lending market.
Peer-to-peer websites enable individuals to lend direct to others and small firms, cutting out the banks and earning investors high returns of about six per cent.
Providers include Funding Circle, Folk2Folk, Triodos Bank and Zopa, but minimum entry investment levels can be high and your cash is not protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
If the businesses you lend to go bust then you have no recourse.
Research: Nafeesa Ahmed looks for growth potential
6. Remember children
Junior Isas are ideal for parents or grandparents wanting to build a fund that their offspring can draw on at 18. Up to 4,128 can be saved in this tax year, rising to 4,260 from April 6.
Those aged 16 and 17 can complement this with an adult cash Isa, perhaps helping to save for university or a home deposit.
For Junior Isas, equities make more sense than cash, as investments have a long time to grow in value.
For parents, who are wedded to cash, the best rates are from Coventry and Nationwide building societies at 3.5 and 3.25 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, National Savings & Interest has just raised its rate to 2.5 per cent. Previously it was 2.25 per cent.
7. Drip feed your money
Regular contributions into an investment-based Isa are the best way to build long-term wealth.
Not only is it a healthy investment habit, but it ensures you do not get caught out by investing all your cash ahead of a stock market correction. Plus drip-feeding is more effective when markets are oscillating, as you end up buying more when stocks are down.
Accountant Nafessa Ahmed, 32, saves 300 a month into an investment Isa.
She splits her money across several unit trusts, including Legg Mason IF Japan Equity, Fundsmith Equity, Threadneedle European Select and UK-based funds Invesco Perpetual High Income and Schroder UK Dynamic Smaller Companies.
She says: 'I have been investing for five years.
'It is money I am not planning to access for a while and that is why I have taken more risk with some overseas funds.
'I do not panic when markets fall as I am drip-feeding in money. A fall can be beneficial as my money will buy more of a particular fund.'
Nafeesa researched funds before making her selection and she reviews her investments at least once a year.
She adds: 'I read the financial press to get ideas. It is interesting to work out where the next growth areas may be.'
De La Rue, the maker of the new polymer 5 and 10 notes, issued a profit warning today and revealed the departure of its finance chief in an unscheduled announcement.
The unexpected news sent shares in the company more than 13 per cent or 82p lower to 520p.
De La Rue said it was expecting its full-year results to be around the lower end of the current consensus range, but did not say why. Consensus estimates for operating profit currently sit in the range of 71million to 73million.
Profit warning: De La Rue issued an unscheduled announcement today
Meanwhile, the company also announced that Jitesh Sodha, its chief financial officer, is to step down 'to pursue his career outside of the company'.
De La Rue said Jitesh had resigned as director with immediate effect but will remain in the business until the end of September in order to ensure 'an orderly transition' while a suitable successor is identified.
Chief executive Martin Sutherland said: 'Jitesh has been a valued member of De La Rues management team. He has been instrumental in the execution of our strategic plan to diversify our business.
'I would like to thank Jitesh for his support and contributions during his tenure and wish him every success in the future.'
Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, said the tandem of disappointments - the CFO resigning and profits warning - were unlikely to be linked.
'Whilst the timing is interesting, just weeks ahead of Aprils trading update and Mays FY results, even more intriguing is the lack of detail,' he said.
'In fact, had it not been for a key member of the C-Suite resigning, the profits warning an addendum to the Directorate Change RNS announcement could almost have been missed.'
He added: 'The shares had been weak since 8 Mar, down 8% from their 650p ceiling of the last few months, however, they had also been holding above 590p for the last year. So todays breakdown to flirt with post-referendum lows understandably has investors wondering whats up with H2, anything meaningful on contracts/operations surely having to be reported.'
Today's profit warning comes despite De La Rue's first half year results in November showing a 9.9 per cent rise in profits and a 29 per cent increase in revenues.
De La Rue has also benefited from a weakened pound since the Brexit referendum as it makes more than 80 per cent of its revenues outside the UK.
In February, De La Rue, which also makes passports, announced it was selling 90 per cent of its paper business to buyout firm Epiris, for 61million.
The business can make around 13,000 tons per year, and will continue to supply to De La Rue for at least the next ten years.
MBABANE It is cul-de-sac for purchasing Dubais at bargain prices. Dubais, as they are commonly known locally, refers to motor vehicles imported from countries outside Africa, especially Asia.
True to his pledge to introduce an import levy on non-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) used vehicles hardly a month ago, Minister of Finance Martin Dlamini has already imposed a three and six per cent levy, respectively.
The levy, which came into effect from the beginning of March, has been imposed strictly on all motor vehicles being imported into the kingdom from outside the region in terms of Legal Notice number 35 of 2018.
Dlamini, in exercise of powers conferred by Section Three of the Import and Control Order of 1976, explained that the three per cent of total value will be imposed on every motor vehicle that is six to 10 years old.
For a motor vehicle that is 11 to 15 years old, a levy of six per cent of free on board value will be charged.
In terms of the notice which may be cited as the Imported Motor Vehicle Levy of 2018, an imported motor vehicle means a motor vehicle imported outside SACU.
A Dubai motor services dealer, based at the Matsapha Industrial Sites who preferred to be quoted only as Mohamed, said news of the import levy were not good for their business. He said they would be forced to hike prices to accommodate the newly imposed levy. He projected a drastic decline in Dubai motor vehicle sales in the long term as buyers were likely to opt for vehicles produced within the SACU region.
The consumers will suffer at the end. Now that government has already imposed the levy, we have no choice but to increase prices, said Mohamed.
The businessman also said they felt like the move was intended at boosting the shrinking SACU revenues considering that it was announced by Dlamini during the 2018/19 Budget Speech and gazetted within weeks after the budget was delivered.
It should be mentioned that SACU remains one of governments major sources of revenue.
By his own admission when delivering the budget, Dlamini said revenue was expected to increase by two per cent in 2018/19 to E16.7 billion, excluding grants primarily due to the introduction of policies expected to be implemented in 2018/19, which were aimed at reducing reliance on SACU revenue, including the imported motor vehicles levy.
MBABANE The gospel music fraternity is associated with peace, love and unity, this according to the teachings of the Bible; but is that still the case in the country?
The two giants in the gospel music industry, Mandla Cheeks Nxumalo and Mzwakhe Myeni, were recently at loggerheads again.
In recent events, Myeni lashed out at Nxumalo for sending him promotional messages on WhatsApp.
In his message to Nxumalo, Myeni blatantly requests him to stop sending the messages.
Brother, I suggest that you should not send me your advertising messages and I do not understand why you are doing so. First, you never apologised kulobuluhlata lowabenta kimi (the rudeness you inflicted on me).
Useless
Secondly, you write bad news about me on your social media. Thirdly, you take that useless story to another media house. Kwekugcina (lastly), when I tried to make peace with you you decided to block me on your phone. Yewena skhohlakali hlukana nami (stay away from me), read the WhatsApp message from Myenis phone to Nxumalo.
This altercation is not new as Nxumalo once blasted ACASWA on Facebook regarding the way himself and his team were treated during businessman Victor Gamedzes memorial service at Prince of Wales ground in Mbabane about two months ago.
When contacted, Myeni denied knowing Nxumalo.
However, Nxumalo sang a different tune by not denying receiving the message. In fact, Nxumalo simply stated that Myeni was well within his right to send the request.
I sent a WhatsApp broadcast message promoting Worship Encounter 2 to my contacts and he unfortunately got it by mistake. Myeni is well within his rights to request that he does not like my message.
Apologise
I sincerely apologise to him for receiving it and I have no comment on the rest of the listed issues, said Nxumalo.
When contacted, ACASWA PRO Ronnie Dlamini said he could not comment.
I have no comment as this is an issue between two people, said Dlamini.
Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture (SNCAC) CEO Stanley Dlamini said this was a tricky situation which he was still to look into.
MBABANE Some of the countrys royal kraals are now making millions through the sale of Swazi Nation Land, something which is against their mandate.
The Land Management Board (LMB), which is chaired by Clement Dlamini has been irked by the discovery of E30 million which a certain royal kraal has made thorough the sale of Swazi Nation Land (SNL).
The sale of SNL remains illegal in the country. The discovery was made in a survey which was conducted to ascertain if people were sticking to the land management policy as provided by the countrys Constitution.
Speaking after the discovery on national radio yesterday morning, Dlamini said under no circumstances should SNL be sold.
Dlamini said the countrys Constitution was clear that SNL was governed by the King who ruled the country through chiefs who are trustees of the land on his behalf.
He wondered how the royal kraal, which he did not name, made over E30 million through the sale of the land which belonged to the Ingwenyama.
Dlamini said even though those who continued to sell the land believed that no action could be taken against them, the time had come for the Board to exercise its authority, which is embodied in the Constitution.
The chairman said ideally, if people felt that they were no longer going to use the land that was located to them, they were expected to return it to the royal kraals instead of selling it to other people. He said it was the royal kraal that would then decide what to do with the land.
Dlamini said the Board was aware that some people were selling land behind the authorities back and introduced the new comers to the royal kraals.
Collude
Returning the land to the royal kraal with a buyer is totally unacceptable and such should come to an end. We are alive to the fact that some members of the inner councils in some royal kraals collude with the people who sell the Swazi Nation Land for personal gain, Dlamini said.
Dlamini said it was disturbing that there were people who had made it a habit to spend time at the royal kraal looking for people who were desperate for land so that they could assist them. It is disturbing that some Swazis were selling the land to foreigners including Asians. This is the same land that we have to reserve for the future generation, agriculture, pastures and development, Dlamini said.
He added that some people have gone to the extent of selling the land which was under the national trust (farms). The chairman said the Board was also aware of the people who were advertising the Swazi Nation Land on newspapers.
He made an example of Mbekelweni, where he said people were allocated land at the mountains.
MBABANE Has the judgment that was issued by the chief justice in the corruption matter involving former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Gideon Dlamini and the ACC come back to haunt the courts?
Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala opined that certain sections of the Anti- Corruption Act were unconstitutional when he dismissed the application that was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to have Dlamini arrested with Nigerian businessman Fred Ngeri and his wife Sindile for corruption related offences. The CJ made statements known as obiter dicta, which were not binding, when he delivered the judgment to the effect that certain sections, including Section 12 under which former Managing Director (MD) Nathi Dlamini of the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation has been charged, were unconstitutional.
During Nathis trial for allegedly contravening Section 12(3) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act No.3 of 2006, which resumed yesterday, he raised a point of law based on the findings of the CJ.
Nathi is represented by Ben J Simelane in the matter and he submitted that the judgment in the matter between the ACC and the former minister be held to be applicable in so far as it held that Section 12 of the Act is constitutional.
Nathis trial has been started afresh after being heard by Judge Esther Ota who left the country. The offence Nathi has been charged with was allegedly committed between May 25, 2009 and July 24, 2009 while he was still the MD of SPTC. He is alleged to have refused to furnish the ACC with documents which related to the formation of New Horizon Mobile Limited, which was a subsidiary of SPTC.
The documents include authority from Cabinet or SCOPE, Public Enterprise Unit (PEU), SPTC Board of Directors and the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, authorising the incorporation of Horizon Mobile Limited, among others.
Simelane submitted yesterday that the chief justice had given all and sundry his opinion in the matter. Principal Judge Qinisile Mabuza reminded Simelane that the CJ made an opinion.
However, Simelane mentioned that judgments of the court were the courts opinion. The principal judge asked Simelane if he did not think that he should have filed a substantive application so that she would decide whether the matter should go before a full bench or she decides it herself.
Nathis attorney said there would be a problem if all the people who had constitutional issues were to file separate applications yet the court had made a decision on a similar matter.
The principal judge said it would be different with Nathis case because he challenged certain aspects of his arrest in the High Court and in the Supreme Court without success and the chief justice said the status quo should remain.
Your client is in a separate category. Your client is not at the arrest stage as Mr Gideon Dlamini was, said Principal Judge Mabuza. Simelane said the court accepted that Sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act were unconstitutional. The principal judge said that was why he should have filed a full-blown application because as things stood, she would continue with the trial.
LOBAMBA There will be no E5.5 million retirement home for the prime minister. This was made final by Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday when they passed the budget, less E2.5 million allocated for the construction of the Prime Minister (PM), Barnabas Sibusiso Dlaminis house.
The E5.5 million had been allocated for this financial year, but the legislators were adamant that they would be giving the premier E3 million instead.
This is despite the fact that the leader of Cabinet business fought tooth and nail last week as he justified why he deserved the home. He alleged that an area had already been blessed by His Majesty for the construction of the house and that none of the houses in that neighbourhood cost less than E10 million.
Chairperson of the PMs portfolio committee, appointed MP Thuli Dladla, tried but in vain to convince the legislators that the E5.5 million should be allocated for the construction of the PMs house.
She asked her colleagues to agree to setting aside the E2.5 million under Head 60 so that it would be used to finish off the house should there be shortages.
Dladla said according to the drawings already made and the quantity surveyors report, the total amount needed would be E5.5 million, including certain adjustment that may be needed.
However, the MPs were adamant that all they were allocating was E3 million, which would total E4.5 million when including the drawings which were allocated last financial year. Meanwhile, the 2018/19 budget now stands at a grand total of E20.4 billion. This follows a consensus reached by the House of Assembly yesterday after a five-hour debate on the issue. Initially, the budget presented by the Minister of Finance Martin Dlamini was E21.6 billion, but after several changes and reallocations were made by the House yesterday, there was a difference of about E800 million.
Some of the money removed from the expenditure items included E5 million, which had been allocated to the Empowerment Fund. A total of E7 million was temporarily placed at Head 60 which had initially been allocated to the Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services (SBIS) and the Swaziland Television Authority (STVA). A further allocation of E2 million, which was for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), was also placed under Head 60 and the E2.5 million balance from the construction of the prime ministers retirement home.
Other monies were reallocated to the Micro Projects Unit with other capital projects moved to the Rural Development Fund.
MANZINI One would assume the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) Camps were safe havens, when in fact they are not!
This comes after a domestic worker (23) was allegedly attacked by an unknown man who raped her twice in one night at knife-point in one of the new houses situated at Zakhele Police Camp.
During an inspection of the camp by this reporter, it was discovered that the place was not even properly fenced.
The rape incident happened at about 2am on Saturday while everyone, including her employer was asleep.
Information gathered is that the rapist, who informed the domestic worker that he was a police officer, entered the premises and headed straight to a senior female police officers house, which had one of its doors unlocked.
Allegations are that the officer was recently allocated the house without most of its main keys.
Upon gaining entry into the flat, the suspect went to the bedroom used by the domestic helper.
That is when he fought and stripped her.
He is then said to have raped *Sonto while also strangling her and ordering her to stop screaming.
He is said to have threatened to stab and kill her if she did not give into his demands.
While raping her, the suspect informed her that he was a police officer and had come to the complex to check on a friend.
His claim could not be verified as he is currently on the run.
After raping her, the suspect allegedly dragged her outside and headed toward the Zakhele Public Road situated next to the police camp. It is suspected that the man intended to continue raping her at a secluded place not far from the police camp.
While trying to cross the public road with her, a van approached and someone who was on board shouted his name and asked what he was doing to her.
[March 19, 2018] IP Infusion and Barefoot Networks Partner To Bring High-Performance P4-Programmable Switching Solution to Market
IP Infusion, a leader in disaggregated networking solutions, today announced the company has entered into a strategic technology partnership with Barefoot Networks. Leveraging P4-programmable Barefoot Tofino Ethernet switch ASIC series, the partnership will create the industry's most programmable and highest performance 10/25/40/100 Gbps Ethernet switching solution. IP Infusion (News - Alert) OcNOS is the industry's first full-featured network OS for bare metal switches. OcNOS supports network disaggregation not just in data center and DCI but also in other areas such as access, aggregation, enterprise, cell sites and core. Barefoot Deep Insight is the world's first network monitoring system, providing a ready-to-use production software solution that leverages the full power of Inband Network Telemetry (INT) to garner predictive insights and per-packet visibility into the network infrastructure. It analyzes INT data to detect anomalies in the network including microbursts, congestion problems and load balancing issues. Both companies are collaborating to address the challenges of operating large-scale networks, such as dynamic changes in traffic patterns and application behavior, real-time visibility and performance issues. Using OcNOS as a NOS and Deep Insight as a real-time analytics platform to visualize INT, Barefoot and IP Infusion will jointly present the solution to mutual customers and develop the market for key targeted segments, including financial applications. The solution is available and will be showcased at the IP Infusion booth at the upcoming OCP U.S Summit. "Network operators need more control and visibility to keep up with the scale of today's data centers and dynamic application workloads in a virtual, containerized environment. By integrating the advanced features in OcNOS with programmable silicon from Barefoot, we are giving network operators full control and flexibility to solve their application needs and provide end-to-end visibility," said Atsushi Ogata, President and CEO of IP Infusion. The collaboration between IP Infusion and Barefoot provides customers with: Carrier-grade NOS with robust L2 and L3 stack for enterprise and service provider applications
A P4 programmable data plane which enales IP Infusion to serve different markets / use-cases with the same chip. Fast reboot capability can be leveraged to restart the chip with a new P4 program
Barefoot Smart Programmable Real-time INT (SPRINT TM ) delivering packet-level visibility into traffic patterns, path changes, micro-bursts, congestion and latency spikes
) delivering packet-level visibility into traffic patterns, path changes, micro-bursts, congestion and latency spikes Seamless out of the box integration with Barefoot Deep Insight enabling advanced network performance monitoring and anomaly detection in real time with nanosecond accuracy and granularity
"Barefoot is pleased to partner with IP Infusion, bringing their network operating system, OcNOS, to platforms based on our P4-programmable Tofino series of switch silicon," said Craig Barratt, CEO of Barefoot Networks. "With the ability to adapt the forwarding plane of the network with P4 and Tofino and the availability of a feature-rich and a mature control plane, which takes advantage of new features like INT, customers can create solutions to deliver new applications and services that are not possible with existing fixed-function silicon-based systems."
At the 2018 Open Compute Project (OCP) U.S. Summit (Booth C12), to be held March 20 - 21 at the San Jose Convention Center, IP Infusion will be demonstrating how the companies are solving end-to-end network visibility challenges. This is accomplished by combining the capabilities of OcNOS with a fully programmable P4 data pipeline from Barefoot SPRINT and network performance monitoring and anomaly detection using Barefoot Deep Insight. About IP Infusion IP Infusion, the leader in disaggregated networking solutions, delivers enterprise and carrier-grade software solutions allowing network operators to reduce network costs, increase flexibility, and to deploy new features and services quickly. IP Infusion's OcNOS, the industry's first enterprise and carrier-grade network operating system for Open Compute hardware, allows for easier implementation of large-scale IT networks, and offers customers white box solutions to deploy more quickly. VirNOS, a NFV-based software platform, provides carriers and enterprises with a cost-effective network OS approach to implement and manage their networking services. With the OcNOS and VirNOS network operating systems, both powered by ZebOS, IP Infusion offers network operators, carriers, and enterprises with the physical and virtual software solutions they need to achieve the disaggregated networking model. Over 300 customers worldwide, including major networking equipment manufacturers, use IP Infusion's respected ZebOS platform to build networks to address the evolving needs of cloud, carrier and mobile networking. IP Infusion is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. Additional information can be found at http://www.ipinfusion.com. About Barefoot Networks Barefoot Networks launched in 2016 after two years of developing technology that built switch silicon with a forwarding plane that is defined in software while not compromising on performance. Barefoot empowers network owners and their infrastructure partners to design, optimize, and innovate to meet their specific requirements and gain competitive advantage. In combining the P4 programming language with fast programmable switches, Barefoot has also created an ecosystem for compilers, tools, and P4 programs to make P4 accessible to anybody. Backed by Google (News - Alert) Inc., Goldman Sachs Principal Strategic Investments, Alibaba, Tencent, and by premier venture capital firms Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Andreessen Horowitz, Barefoot Networks is headquartered in Silicon Valley. For more information, visit https://barefootnetworks.com/. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @barefootnetwork. Follow us on Facebook (News - Alert) : https://www.facebook.com/barefootnetworks. Follow us on LinkedIn (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/company/barefoot-networks. IP Infusion, ZebOS, VirNOS and OcNOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of IP Infusion. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Barefoot Networks, Tofino and Deep Insight are trademarks or registered trademarks of Barefoot Networks. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319005391/en/
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[March 19, 2018] ADAO Applauds the U.S. Senate for Introducing the Fourteenth Resolution Designating April 1-7 "National Asbestos Awareness Week"
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community work; today praised the Senate for introducing the 14th Resolution establishing "National Asbestos Awareness Week." Led by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and original bipartisan cosponsors Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Kamala Harris (D- CA (News - Alert) ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the resolution seeks to "raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure," underscoring ADAO's important mission. Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of ADAO, issued the following statement: "We are enormously thankful to Senator Tester and the 12 cosponsors for introducing the 14th 'National Asbestos Awareness Week'. Each year, up to 15,000 Americans die from preventable asbestos-caused diseases while imports and use continue. Undoubtedly, the resolution's momentum and U.S. Surgeon General's asbestos warning will raise awareness and save lives. Now, more than ever, it's crucial to raise asbestos awareness to ensure the American public understands that this is not an issue of the past. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that asbestos-caused deaths are on the rise in the U.S., despite significantly decreased use since peak consumption in the 1970s. Furthermore, the study reports that malignant mesothelioma deaths among patients aged 25-44 continue, indicating current and continued occupational, environmenta, and secondary exposure risk. Asbestos has even been found recently in makeup and other consumer products; its import and usage continue.
As the EPA begins its risk evaluation of asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), it is paramount that the Senate underscore what we've long known about asbestos - that it poses undue risk to human health and the environment and must be banned, as there is no safe or controlled use. This has been the sentiment of the last 13 Senate Asbestos Awareness Resolutions as well as five warnings from the U.S. Surgeon General's office; and former President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to acknowledge asbestos as a deadly carcinogen." This year, ADAO is partnering again with UK-based public relations firm McOnie to take Asbestos Awareness Week global. Educational materials have been translated into six languages for international distribution. ADAO will also hold its 14th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference "Where Knowledge and Action Unite," April 13-15, 2018 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Marriott in Arlington, VA, just outside of Washington, D.C. Global experts will speak on the latest advancements in asbestos disease prevention, treatment for mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases, and global asbestos ban advocacy.
Exposure to asbestos, a human carcinogen, can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers; as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study of 2013 published in the renowned Lancet Medical Journal reported that 194,000 people globally die from asbestos-caused diseases every year, equaling more than 500 deaths per day. As the World Health Organization states, "Exposure to asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries, and also mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings). Asbestos exposure is also responsible for other diseases such as asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs), and plaques, thickening and effusion in the pleura." About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO is the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice through our education, advocacy, and community initiatives. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims' civil rights. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319006354/en/
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[March 19, 2018] DocDoc raises US$5.45 million to boost patient empowerment in Asia's healthcare sector
SINGAPORE, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DocDoc, Asia's leading patient empowerment company, announced today that it has raised US$5.45 million in their latest round of funding. The financing is led by ADAM (Adamas Finance Asia Limited), a London listed Investment Company who invested US$2 million via a convertible bond offering alongside regional family offices and high net worth individuals. DocDoc leverages the latest in clinical informatics, artificial intelligence and healthcare quality assessment across Asia's largest healthcare provider network to deliver simple yet powerful solutions. In Asia's healthcare market, the majority of the healthcare decisions are based on recommendations from personal network or arbitrary sources which are not backed by concrete data. By empowering patients with the relevant data in their time of need, DocDoc aims to connect every patient to the most suitable doctor and thereby resulting in efficiently priced treatments, better outcomes and improved experiences for patients across Asia. The investment from ADAM will help DocDoc focus on scaling their doctor discovery product as explained by DocDoc's Co-founder and CEO, Cole Sirucek:/p>
The investment was in line with ADAM's strategy providing its shareholders with a diversified pan-Asian portfolio to maximize income and potential capital gain.
ADAM's Chairman, John Croft, commented on the new investment: "We are delighted to make our first investment following the change to our investment policy and a series of successful disposals in 2017. The transformation of the ADAM portfolio is fully underway and the DocDoc investment represents an important step in creating London's leading diversified, growth and income pan-Asian investment company. DocDoc is an exciting next generation digital health platform, adeptly fulfilling patient demand and supported by partnerships with leading insurance companies." About DocDoc DocDoc is Asia's leading patient empowerment company. Operating in 8 countries with more than 23,000 doctors, DocDoc enables patients to find the right care at the right time. The company combines deep expertise in clinical informatics, artificial intelligence, and healthcare quality assessment to deliver simple yet powerful patient solutions. About Adamas Finance Asia ADAM is a London quoted investment company focusing on delivering long-term income and capital growth to shareholders through a diverse portfolio of pan-Asian investments. ADAM aims to provide uncorrelated returns through a combination of capital growth and dividend income from a broad spectrum of national geographies and asset classes. The company's investment manager, Harmony Capital, which has a dedicated team with real Asian expertise, is focused on creating income and capital growth for ADAM's shareholders. Media contact
Name: Madhurima Dutta
DocDoc Pte. Ltd.
Phone: +65 9014743
Email: madhurima.dutta@docdoc.com SOURCE DocDoc
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[March 20, 2018] ZineOne Raises $2.5 Million Series A Round Led by Omidyar Network
The company helps traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises re-imagine customer engagement in a new, real-time, high-touch, digital world MILPITAS, California, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ZineOne today announced that it has raised $2.5 million in a Series A round led by Omidyar Network, the Silicon Valley-based impact investing firm established by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. ZineOne is a next generation customer engagement hub that uses machine learning algorithms to provide banks and retailers with the ability to engage with their customers real-time, in a highly contextual and personalized manner. The platform is redefining the brand-user interaction paradigm by helping enterprises not only connect the dots between their different customer data streams, but also create actionable insights that can be used while customers are interacting with their brand in real timesuch as in a branch or store, at their e-commerce website or mobile app. "More and more enterprises around the world are recognizing the need to move their customer engagement efforts beyond e-mails and call centers into an immediate, contextual, and real-time world," said Debjani Deb, ZineOne CEO. "2018 presents an inflection point in the industry, and with this new funding, ZineOne is well positioned to lead the market in this emerging segment." The emerging category of customer engagement hubs is expected to disrupt an estimated $10 billion currently spent on marketing automation and customer experience software worldwide, by moving the industry away from batch emails, push messaging, and call centers, to "in the moment" interactions. "We are excited to see how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other new technologies are coming together to personalize and enhance the consumer experience," said Ken Miller, venture partner at Omidyar Network and ZineOne's newest board member. "ZineOne delivers on this promise and benefits banks and retailers who are looking to better serve their clients, but most importantly consmers, who now have products and services tailored to meet their unique needs and delivered when they need them."
The company intends to use the newly raised funds to aggressively accelerate sales, marketing, and execution of a product roadmap that is focused on building the most intelligent system within this category, with significant investments toward securing top talent in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Other investors in this Series A round include Harvard Business School Alumni Angels, Touchstone Equities, as well as existing investors Hyderabad Angels and Golden Seeds. Anthill Ventures was an advisor to this round. The Series A round of investments brings ZineOne's total venture capital received to date to $5 million.
Value Proposition ZineOne is a leading player in the emerging segment of next generation customer engagement hubs, which bring together event-driven, streaming technologies to power real-time personalization. The company's mission is to help traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises re-imagine customer engagement in a new, real-time, high-touch, digital world. ZineOne currently enables more than 100 million users, processing over 5 billion events a year, and generating 100 gigabyte of data every hour worldwide. In the US, the company works with one of the top five retailers in the country, connecting all its digital and physical channels and delivering three to five times more sales conversions through highly personalized, contextual messaging with customers through various touch points. In India, ZineOne is enabling financial institutions to provide a seamless digital experience to their customers by using personalized context to nudge consumers to better financial behaviors, such as increasing savings. On average, the company has helped its client-banks increase transaction completion rates up to 20 percentcapturing transactions that were previously abandoned when users moved from channel to channel. HDFC Bank, India's largest private bank, is leveraging ZineOne's value proposition across all its digital channels and experiencing significant gains in customer engagement, including 3 times the click through rate than with traditional methods. ZineOne provides enterprises with a dynamic platform for agile experimentation, with no impact to their existing release cycles and without changing legacy systems. The company analyses data that consumers have already opted-in to provide to their bank or retailer in a anonymized manner, ensuring consumer's privacy and data security. About ZineOne, Inc. ZineOne is a real-time, stream-processing based customer engagement hub. It empowers brands and enterprises to enable a paradigm shift in the way they interact with their customers. It helps the enterprise move from a legacy batch world to a real time, event-driven world, where reactions to each customer's actions are sub-second versus a long phone call or an impersonal email. ZineOne is set to disrupt the worldwide $10 billion marketing automation and customer experience markets. To learn more, please visit www.zineone.com or follow on Twitter @zine_one. Media Contacts
ZineOne
Leo Merle, ZineOne, +1 (916) 501-8126, leo@zineone.com Omidyar Network
Claudia Parazzoli, Omidyar Network, +1 (650) 482-2504, cparazzoli@omidyar.com
In the US: Gena Madow, FleishmanHillard, +1 (415) 318-4230, gena.madow@fleishman.com
In India: Upasana Sarkar, The PRactice, +91 (858) 707-6270, upasana@the-practice.net
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[March 20, 2018] redPanda Software wins Global Award for Customer Value Leader in Enterprise Software for Retailers
redPanda Software's Connected Solution platform and strategy of developing in-house skills deliver exceptional service and value to customers LONDON, March 20, 2018 /CNW/ -- Based on its recent analysis of enterprise software for the retail market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes redPanda Software with the 2017 South Africa Customer Value Leadership Award for establishing a strong competitive position within the enterprise retail industry through its dedication to developing custom-made retail software solutions and managed services, which provides its retail and financial customers with a competitive edge for exceptional customer service and value. redPanda Software creates customized enterprise software platforms and services with the customer in mind, effectively establishing itself as the trusted retail technology partner of choice. The company has proactively stayed ahead of retail customer experience Mega Trends through the design of its latest platform, called Connected Solution. This platform addresses the customer experience, operational efficiency, productivity, and marketing feedback needs of customers, which is critical in an era where these factors make or break the in-store retail experience. The Connected Solution integrates with specialized partnerships to unlock rapidly a range of custom-made retailer services, such as payment offerings, Internet of Things features, loyalty and gift cards, and professional value-added services. These features leave its customers free to focus on delivering the best customer experience. "redPanda Software's strong ethos is embedded in its 'Way to Grow' vision. This vision is the driving force behind its ability to grow curiosity, creativit, and confidence, which in turn benefits its customers, operations, and employees. The company's robust strategy of empowering its employees keeps them motivated, empowered, and engaged and bodes well for its consultative approach with customers," said Fadzai Deda, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.
"redPanda Software's customer service strategy is to unlock human capital potential through training initiatives, such as enhanced management training for junior managers. The company's employees can also enroll in courses of their choice, with redPanda Software paying for the learning materials and exams," said Deda. redPanda Software has a solid strategy that promotes a celebrated employee retention record by encouraging creativity, discipline, and a drive for personal development. These qualities allow the company to consistently deliver growth-enabling solutions and exceptional customer value for its global retail customers.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that demonstrates excellence in implementing strategies that proactively create value for its customers with a focus on improving the return on the investment that customers receive from its services or products. The award recognizes the company's unique focus on augmenting the value it offers customers, beyond simply good customer service, leading to improved customer retention and customer base expansion. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About redPanda Software
redPanda Software is a specialist enterprise retail software developer with a focus on customer experience. With a proven track record of long-term partnerships in South Africa, Botswana, and the UK, redPanda Software caters to retailers who want to position themselves competitively by adding a layer of customization to their client's software to cater to client-specific needs. Its success is underpinned by its Way to Grow ethos, which is the driving force behind its distinguishing advantage to grow curiosity, creativity, and confidence and in turn benefit its customers, operations, and people. For more information on redPanda Software, visit www.redpandasoftware.co.za. About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact:
Samantha Park
P: 210.348-1001
F: 210.348.1003
E:: Samantha.Park@frost.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redpanda-software-wins-global-award-for-customer-value-leader-in-enterprise-software-for-retailers-300616321.html SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
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[March 20, 2018] Evolva Provides 2017 Financial Results and Business Highlights
Evolva (SIX:EVE) posted its financial results today for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017, and provided business highlights that illustrate how the Company is executing on its strategic transformation plan which was put in place last August. Elements of this transformation have included accelerating growth of our commercial products, building stronger R&D operations, successfully streamlining our operations and fortifying our cash balance. These elements have provided Evolva with a strong base to grow our product revenues while strengthening our world-class research and development capabilities to bring important products to market quickly. Key business highlights EverSweet TM Today, in a joint press release, Cargill and Evolva announced the official start of the commercial production of EverSweet to fill customer orders. Additionally, Cargill and Evolva reached a new agreement for the EverSweet sweetener which replaces the existing agreements, and adds certain additional high intensity sweeteners. Under this new agreement, Evolva will receive a royalty percentage on the sales of EverSweet, which will accrue to Evolva as soon as EverSweet starts generating revenues Evolva will benefit from a significant reduction of operational and capital expenses while maintaining long term value
Nootkatone pest control products Evolva has filed for US EPA registration for the active ingredient nootkatone a process that is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 In parallel, Evolva is actively engaged in discussions with leading pest control product companies to supply nootkatone for next-generation tick and mosquito products
Resveratrol products Following on the heels of the launch of our Veri-te TM brand, revenue growth is accelerating
Financial highlights: Product sales up by 82% in 2017 to reach CHF 2.0 million
Overall revenues were CHF 6.8 million (2016: CHF 9.6m), the decline being related to the reduced activities on contract R&D work, which is in line with our announced strategy
Cash position of CHF 97.2 million on 31 December 2017 (31 December 2016: CHF 47.5m) Evolva CEO Simon Waddington said, "The commercial launch of EverSweet marks the fifth product platform that Evolva has advanced from concept to market. We are very proud of this track-record and look forward to advancing further products that meet important societal needs. Evolva is a world-leader in applying cutting edge biotechnology to allow for sustainable bioproduction of next-generation ingredients that positively impact the health, nutrition and protection of people and animals."
Evolva CFO Oliver Walker commented, "Our finances are developing in line with our financial plan. We have a solid cash position of almost CHF 100 million, remain debt-free, and have significantly trimmed our burn rate. By any measure, Evolva has never been in such a strong financial position." Press/analyst call at 10AM CET on 20 March 2018 Simon Waddington (CEO) and Oliver Walker (CFO) will present the results in call for media and analysts. Dial-in numbers:
+41 (0)58 310 5000 (Europe)
+44 (0)207 107 0613 (UK)
+1 (1)631 570 5613 (USA) The full press release text, Powerpoint presentation and annual accounts are available on Evolva's website. A replay will be available as a podcast for 2 weeks after the call. The link to the podcast will be posted on Evolva's website. About Evolva Evolva solves the supply chain issues of nature through a 21st century mix of biotechnology and fermentation. We develop, make and sell natural ingredients that provide significant health, wellness and nutrition benefits to people in their daily life, but whose supply chain issues have limited their use until now. Our flagship ingredients are stevia, nootkatone and resveratrol. To make our world sustainable requires nature and technology to work together as one, and our aim is to play a (small) part in achieving this transformation. For more information see www.evolva.com. This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180319006276/en/
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[March 20, 2018] Bionik Laboratories Appoints Peter Gerald Malone and Joseph Martin to its Board of Directors
TORONTO and BOSTON, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bionik Laboratories Corp. (OTCQB: BNKL) ("Bionik" or the "Company"), a global robotics company focused on providing rehabilitation and assistive technology solutions from hospital to home for individuals with neurological and mobility challenges, today announced the appointment of Peter Gerald Malone and Joseph Martin to its Board of Directors. These additions coincide with the resignation of director Peter Bloch, effective March 14, 2018, and fill the two vacancies on the Board. With these changes Bionik has seven directors including three independent directors. Malone currently serves as Chairman of fluidOil Limited, an oil services technology company. He has extensive experience within the financial services sector, serving since 2001 as a board member and ultimately Chairman of Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund (FAX), a U.S. closed-end mutual fund. He also serves as a director of a number of other U.S. and Canadian closed- and open-end mutual funds, and of the Washington, D.C.-based Mutual Fund Directors Forum, a body representing independent fund directors. A Scottish lawyer by profession, Malone was previously a Member of Parliament in the U.K. from 1983 to 1997, and served as Minister of State for Health in John Major's government from 1994 to 1997. "It is an honor to accept this appointment to the Board of Directors of Bionik Laboratories at such an exciting time for the Company," said Malone. "With the recent launch of new products, the securing of key partnerships and the addition of notable clients, the Company is well positioned to continue its growth, bringing improvements in cutting-edge care to a wider patient population. I look forward to adding my strategic experience with healthcare delivery systems to Bionik's exceptional leadership team." Martin currently serves as Chairman of Brooks Automation, a global provider of automation, vacuum and instrumentation solutions. He also serves as a director of Collectors Universe, Inc., a third-party grading and authentication service for high-value collectibles, and of Allegro Microsystems, a manufacturer of high-performance semiconductors for the automotive, green energy and consumer electronics markets. He has served on the boards of multiple publicly traded companies including Collectors Universe, Inc., Fairchild Semiconductor, ChipPAC Inc. and Soitec Inc. In 2000 CFO Magazine awarded Martin the CFO of the Year award for turnaround operations. "I a excited to join the Board of an emerging leader in the clinical rehabilitation space, particularly as the adoption of technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence within the healthcare industry continues to grow," said Martin. "Bionik is well positioned as technology is poised to play a major role in the future innovation of healthcare. I look forward to working with the talented team Bionik has assembled."
Commenting on the departure of director Peter Bloch, Andre Auberton-Herve, Chairman of the Bionik Board of Directors, said, "We thank Peter for his contributions to Bionik Laboratories as a member of the Board and wish him well in his future endeavors. We expect that the addition of Gerald and Joe will have a tremendous positive impact on our company, and we look forward to relying on their expertise within the public equity capital markets and the healthcare industry." "We are extremely fortunate to add these two accomplished professionals to our Board. Their respective track records for leadership and success are impressive, reflecting strongly on the bright prospects for the future of our company," said Dr. Eric Dusseux, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Bionik Laboratories Corp. "We look forward to adding their business and governance experience, and to leveraging their global expertise in the healthcare, high-tech and financial services industries as we enter an exciting growth period for our company."
About Bionik Laboratories Bionik Laboratories (OTCQB: BNKL) is a global robotics company focused on providing rehabilitation and mobility solutions to individuals with neurological and mobility challenges from hospital to home. The Company has a portfolio of products focused on upper and lower extremity rehabilitation for stroke and other mobility-impaired patients, including three products on the market and four products in varying stages of development. For more information, please visit www.bioniklabs.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "should," "would," "will," "could," "scheduled," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," "seek," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to the design, development and commercialization of human exoskeletons and other robotic rehabilitation products, (ii) a projection of income (including income/loss), earnings (including earnings/loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) the Company's future financial performance and success in raising capital, (iv) the market and projected market for our existing and planned products, and success in penetrating those markets and (v) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in points (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances, and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company's current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the Company's inability to obtain additional financing, the significant length of time and resources associated with the development of our products and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, the Company's inability to expand the Company's business, significant government regulation of medical devices and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, volatility in the price of the Company's raw materials, and the Company's failure to implement the Company's business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bionik-laboratories-appoints-peter-gerald-malone-and-joseph-martin-to-its-board-of-directors-300616371.html SOURCE Bionik Laboratories Corp.
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[March 20, 2018] Morro Data Launches Channel Program to Enable Managed Service Providers to Deliver High-Performance Cloud Storage Services
FREMONT, Calif., March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Morro Data, an innovative provider of cloud-first global file services, today introduced its MSPEdge Program, a channel initiative that enables Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and other cloud service providers to leverage Morro Datas CloudNAS hybrid-cloud architecture to immediately deliver enterprise-class storage services to the underserved Small- and Medium-sized Business (SMB) market. Designed specifically for the SMB market, CloudNAS delivers one of the highest performance and most versatile 3-in-1 global file services solutions for storage consolidation, multiple office file sync, and instant disaster recovery.
Explosive data growth is a reality for SMBs, particularly those with multiple locations, said Paul Tien, founder and CEO of Morro Data. A hybrid-cloud architecture resolves many of the challenges, but even then, this solution can be too complex for many businesses without sufficient in-house IT expertise. For MSPs, this is a missing arrow in their quiver of services. Our MSPEdge program lets MSPs immediately serve this neglected market. Morro Datas CloudNAS is designed to deliver the performance and scale necessary for businesses with hundreds of users that require large capacity across multiple locations. CloudNAS combines Morro Datas Cache & Sync technology with its Global File System to ensure businesses have the highest level of file access performance, unlimited storage capacity and collaboration services such as file locks, versioning, and replication. Now, MSPEdge makes these capabilities available to MSPs as a new service offering. According to a 2017 survey of SMBs by Clutch, mre than 80 percent of this market has adopted paid cloud storage services for backup or other applications. For MSPs, this represents an untapped market hungry for services that deliver superior performance and functionality at an attractive price point.
The MSPEdge platform provides the missing components that address SMB storage pain points. Some of these features include: Hybrid-cloud architecture: CloudNAS is unique in its ability to deliver a NAS-like performance and user experience via its CacheDrive devices combined with cloud reliability, scalability and accessibility
CloudNAS is unique in its ability to deliver a NAS-like performance and user experience via its CacheDrive devices combined with cloud reliability, scalability and accessibility Storage Consolidation: CloudNAS makes it simple to consolidate primary and secondary storage across sites and for archive, eliminating hard to manage storage silos
CloudNAS makes it simple to consolidate primary and secondary storage across sites and for archive, eliminating hard to manage storage silos Multi-office File Sync: Morro Data is the only vendor that enables SMBs to sync their files across multiple locations without needing a VPNs or sync software
Morro Data is the only vendor that enables SMBs to sync their files across multiple locations without needing a VPNs or sync software Cloud Provider Agnosticism: MSPs can select the cloud provider of their choice, be it AWS 3, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, and more
MSPs can select the cloud provider of their choice, be it AWS 3, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, and more Cloud-based Management of Clients: Morro Cloud Manager makes it easy to deploy, manage, and analyze individual accounts
Morro Cloud Manager makes it easy to deploy, manage, and analyze individual accounts Superior Business Model: Affordable Pricing based on device, not user, enabling MSPs to generate higher margin services Leveraging Morros CloudNAS 3-in-1 File Services was really a no brainer for me, said Nate Ruehs, partner with MSP Network Management. They enable me to offer an easy-to-deploy, easily managed service I know my customers want and need at a price point both parties find acceptable. If you have customers that have more than one location, Morro Datas MSPEdge program is really the only game in town.
Pricing and Availability
Morro Datas MSPEdge program is looking for partners today. For more product and service information visit https://www.morrodata.com/company/partners/. About Morro Data
Paul Tien founded Morro Data in Fremont, California. Paul is one of the original visionaries for simple, high capacity, desktop storage for SMBs. A decade ago he launched ReadyNAS, which was later acquired by NETGEAR. Now, Paul and the Morro Data team strive to reinvent NAS for the Cloud era. Morro Data continues its legacy for simple IT, by moving NAS to the Cloud for reliable, accessible and scalable data storage, all while delivering local gigabit performance. Morro Datas CloudNAS Series is 3-in-1 global file services for businesses to quickly and efficiently manage unlimited file storage, multiple office file sync, and disaster recovery. For more information, visit www.morrodata.com. Media Contacts:
For Morro Data
Jay Nichols
Morro Data
jnichols@morrodata.com
Tel: (408) 772-1551
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[March 20, 2018]
Digital Arts Media Network Completes Acquisition of Equity Stake in truCrowd to Expand Accelerator Service Offerings
NEW YORK, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digital Arts Media Network, Inc. (OTCMKTS:DATI), a specialized tech accelerator leveraging the Public Accelerator-Incubator (PAI) model, announced today that as publicized by truCrowd, Inc. (owner and operator of www.truCrowd.com), the Company has completed talks and executed an agreement with truCrowd, to acquire up to 39.89% in the SEC registered, FINRA member crowdfunding portal.
truCrowd is 1 of only 38 Reg. CF portals currently registered with FINRA. As one of the first crowd funding portals to register with the SEC, DATIs management targeted truCrowd due to its managements long-standing experience in the crowdfunding space. With approximately 6,000 registered users, truCrowd has been successful in meeting their clients/issuers capital targets. Furthermore, truCrowd is positioned to have a positive impact on DATIs business model.
As part of Invest+, DATI has purchased a 19.9% equity stake in truCrowd that will vest over 6 months, with an option to acquire an additional 19.99%. In this bold move, DATI has strengthened its service offerings to startup and development stage companies, in addition to bolstering DATIs value proposition to angel investors and disenfranchised investors (microcap and non-accredited investors). The opportunity for more startup and development stage companies to leverage Angels+ has also increased significantly with this ageement; truCrowd itself will leverage DATIs Angels+.
Tech startups are continuously looking for alternate, faster ways to raise capital, while keeping some semblance of control and remaining compliant with securities laws, said Digital Arts Media Network CEO, Ajene Watson. This is especially true as we have seen a surge in blockchain related projects and we want to position DATI at the forefront of a changing business landscape.
Having the ability to appropriately leverage a FINRA member crowdfunding portal, gives DATIs client-startups additional avenues to access capital, faster. The truCrowd portal can also offer an additional method to introduce a company and its products to their marketplace. By adding the truCrowd platform to DATIs service offerings, the Company can further its initiative to offer private, high-growth / high-valued, high-tech startup opportunities that would normally not be available to microcap and non-accredited investors. DATI also helps angel investors to more effectively participate in the crowdfunding process through Angels+; receiving the benefits of early liquidity without giving up any equity in their private investment.
Mr. Watson concluded, truCrowd not only strengthens our ability to offer traditional and accelerated capital formation solutions in our end-to-end service offerings but will improve the way we onboard and seek to initially fund client-startups, market and test a companys market acceptance, and support the launch of properly developed blockchain related projects.
It is important to note, the parties to the transaction are requesting comments from truCrowds regulatory body prior to consummating the transaction. Accordingly, the parties may be required to eliminate or modify some of the provisions of the transaction prior to the final closing.
ABOUT Digital Arts Media Network, Inc.
Digital Arts Media Network, Inc. (OTCMKTS:DATI) is the first company to utilize the Public Accelerator-Incubator (PAI) model, with the intent to follow the global success of accelerators and incubators around the world, adding niche opportunities to both the microcap and startup communities. As a PAI, Digital Arts Media Network will develop and acquire innovations that solve problems through digital platforms and other electronic applications.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DigitalArtsDATI
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/digital-arts-media-network
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigitalArtsMediaNetworkDATI/
Medium: https://medium.com/@DigArtsMedNet
ABOUT truCrowd, Inc. (owner and operator of truCrowd.com)
Located in the heart of the financial district of downtown Chicago, truCrowd is a FINRA member equity crowdfunding portal operating under Regulation Crowdfunding (Title III of JOBS ACT); connecting startups and emerging businesses with non-accredited and accredited investors. Built on the belief that not all businesses and investors are alike, we pride ourselves on delivering a personalized and professional funding experience through industry-leading technology.
Website: https://us.trucrowd.com/
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking.
Contact:
Public Relations Answering Center
(866) 298-7691 Ext. 53
info@DigitalArtsMediaNetwork.com
[March 20, 2018] Checkmarx Names Bernd Leger Chief Marketing Officer
Checkmarx, a global leader in application security testing, today announced that it has appointed Bernd Leger as Chief Marketing Officer. Leger has been an innovator in marketing helping fast-growing global companies scale for more than 20 years. He will be responsible for overseeing Checkmarx's worldwide marketing organization. "Bernd's strong track record in helping companies manage hyper-growth and disrupt their markets, combined with a deep understanding of security marketing, a global background and a results-driven mentality is the perfect fit at Checkmarx," said Emmanuel Benzaquen, CEO of Checkmarx. "Bernd's leadership will be instrumental as we continue on our path of enabling companies to bring their products to markets faster with security built-in from the start." Before joining Checkmarx, Leger was the CMO of CloudLock, a leading provider of cloud access security broker (CASB) solutions. After the company was acquired by Cisco (News - Alert) in August 2016 for $293 million, Leger stayed on board to serve as the head of product markeing and insights in Cisco's Cloud Security Business Unit. At CloudLock, he was instrumental in positioning the company as a leader in the CASB space and helping drive the culture that led to the company being named one of the three best places to work in the U.S. by Glassdoor. In addition, Leger has held vice president of marketing positions at mobile engagement platform provider Localytics, security companies Rapid7 and Veracode as well as IT software solution provider Oblicore (News - Alert) and managed service provider Navisite. Five of the organizations that he has held leadership positions in have been named "Best Places to Work" and were listed on the Inc. 5000 of fastest growing companies.
"The application security space is going through a rapid transformation as more companies are adopting continuous integration and development strategies," said Leger. "This transformation requires a fundamentally different approach to security that focuses on speed, flexibility and developer enablement without disrupting the core business goals of the organization. No one in the market is better positioned than Checkmarx to help them manage this massive transformation." A native of Germany, Leger has been living in the Boston area with his family for the past 20 years. He earned an MBA from the University of Munich and has completed studies at Georgetown University.
About Checkmarx Checkmarx is an application security software company, whose mission is to provide enterprise organizations with application security testing products and services that empower developers to deliver secure software faster. Amongst the company's 1,500+ customers are 5 of the world's top 10 software vendors and many Fortune 500 and government organizations, including SAP (News - Alert) , Samsung, and Salesforce.com. For more information about Checkmarx, visit http://www.checkmarx.com or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @Checkmarx. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005807/en/
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[March 20, 2018] KnowBe4 Achieves Over 75% Increase in Online Visitors With Maropost
TORONTO, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Maropost client KnowBe4 released its latest round of marketing performance results. With a 77% increase in site visitssince joining the platform in June 2017KnowBe4 credits Maropost's marketing automation for its metrics improvements.
As the world's largest integrated new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, KnowBe4 has over 15,000 organizations relying on it for the latest information in cyber securityinformation they trust Maropost to deliver to their email subscribers. "We're always excited to work with companies taking an innovative approach to everyday problems," says Maropost CEO, Ross Andrew Paquette. "The information and training KnowBe4 provides saves companies millions of dollarsand I'm excited to be a part of the process." Through a 53% jump in new contacts, Maropost's unparalleled marketing automation abilities are bringing KnowBe4's message to more companies than ever before. Since joining Maropost, the company has vastly expanded their reachincreasing blog views by 45% and blog subscribers by 37%. "I'm impressed with the infrastructure. I'm impressed with the delivery rates. I'm impressed with the service," says Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 founder and CEO. "If someone would ask me 'could you recommend Maropost?' I can wholeheartedly say yes." To learn more about KnowBe4's experience with Maropost, read the full case study.
About Maropost Maropost is a B2C cloud-based sales & marketing suite that enables companies to increase cross-channel customer engagement and maximize revenue. Through integrated marketing and sales automation, Maropost provides the essential tools, strategic guidance, and support needed to create personalized customer experiences through a 360-degree business viewfrom marketing automation, to CRM, commerce, and customer support. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Maropost is trusted by brands like DigitalMarketer, New York Post, Mercedes-Benz, Rolling Stone, SHOP.com, and Yext. Learn more at www.maropost.com .
About KnowBe4 KnowBe4, provider of the worlds largest integrated new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 15,000 organizations worldwide. Founded by data- and IT-security expert Stu Sjouwerman, with backing from Elephant Partners and Goldman Sachs Growth Equity, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to security awareness training. Kevin Mitnick, internationally recognized computer-security expert and KnowBe4s Chief Hacking Officer, helped design KnowBe4s training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Thousands of organizations leverage KnowBe4 to enable their workforce to make smarter security decisions and create a human firewall as an effective last line of defense. KnowBe4 is ranked #231 on the 2017 Inc. 500 list, #70 on Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500 and #6 in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500. KnowBe4 is headquartered in Tampa Bay, Florida with European offices in London and Amsterdam. For more info, visit http://www.knowbe4.com and follow Stu on Twitter at @StuAllard.
For more information, please contact: Christine Glossop Marketing Communications Manager Maropost 1-888-438-3152 x239 christine@maropost.com
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[March 20, 2018] BioCorRx Comments on President Donald J. Trump's Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse
ANAHEIM, CA, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) (the "Company"), a developer and provider of advanced solutions in the treatment of alcohol and opioid addictions, today commented on President Trumps initiative to stop opioid abuse and address factors fueling the opioid crisis, including over-prescription, illicit drug supplies, and insufficient access to evidence-based treatment, primary prevention, and recovery support services. The White House issued a fact sheet on March 19, 2018 addressing the driving forces of the opioid crisis. According to the fact sheet, one of the initiatives will help those struggling with addiction through evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is evidence-based and one of the medications used in MAT is naltrexone. The fact sheet specifically discusses naltrexone use in the criminal justice system for offenders struggling with substance use disorder. Brady Granier, CEO of BioCorRx, Inc., stated, We appreciate President Trumps proactive stand in addressing the opioid epidemic. We have been an early leader in the field of MAT therapy specific to naltrexone for opioid use disorder (OUD) and expect these new inititives will help spur wider adoption of MAT. We strongly believe the most effective treatment for OUD is the combination of medication with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and peer support, which has proven highly effective for those patients treated with our BioCorRx Recovery Program. Our program was recently adopted in Philadelphia in collaboration with One Day at a Time (ODAAT), a program funded by the city of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania. As previously announced, we have already met with the FDA and received positive feedback on BICX102, our sustained release naltrexone implant. The FDA deemed the project acceptable for a 505(b)(2) pathway, which we believe will be a more abbreviated and cost-effective route to approval. We have received strong support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and we are currently finalizing our application for a NIDA grant. We look forward to the implementation of the Presidents initiatives, which we believe will have a meaningful impact on combating the opioid crisis.
About BioCorRx BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) is an addiction treatment company offering a unique approach to the treatment of substance abuse addiction. The BioCorRx Recovery Program, a non-addictive, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, consists of two main components. The first component of the program consists of an outpatient implant procedure performed by a licensed physician. The implant delivers the non-addictive medicine, naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that can significantly reduce physical cravings for alcohol and opioids. The second component of the program developed by BioCorRx Inc. is a one-on-one counseling program specifically tailored for the treatment of alcoholism and other substance abuse addictions for those receiving long-term naltrexone treatment. The Company also has an R&D subsidiary, BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals, which is currently developing injectable and implantable naltrexone products for potential future regulatory approval. For more information on BICX, visit www.BioCorRx.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The information in this release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "estimate," "become," "plan," "will," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof.
BioCorRx Inc. investors@BioCorRx.com 714-462-4880 Investor Relations: Crescendo Communications, LLC (212) 671-1020 x304 bicx@crescendo-ir.com
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[March 20, 2018] Timothy J. Healy Joins Buchanan & Edwards as Director of National Security
Buchanan & Edwards Inc., an award-winning and fast-growing technology leader creating transformative solutions for government customers, announced today that Timothy J. Healy has joined the company as its new director of national security. Healy, a veteran of the Marine Corps who also served our nation for more than 25 years in various roles within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, brings Buchanan & Edwards additional insight into federal law enforcement and defense environments as well as expertise in cybersecurity, intelligence, counterterrorism, and federal and international law enforcement. In his new role, he will be responsible for growing Buchanan & Edwards' customer relationships within law enforcement, homeland security and defense markets. "We are excited to have Tim join our team in this important new role to lead growth for our company in all areas of national security," said Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of Buchanan & Edwards. "We are confident that Tim's extensive career experience and overall knowledge of security and operations will help further our support of federal customers throughout the national security community."
Healy has more than 35 years of experience in the federal government and government contracting industries. Healy had a prestigious career at the FBI, where he worked for nearly three decades in a career that began as a special agent and advanced to roles that included deputy assistant director of the Directorate of Intelligence and director of the Terrorist Screening Center. Prior to joining Buchanan & Edwards, Healy was president of a Herndon, Virginia-based government contractor serving the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and federal law enforcement and intelligence communities with support in the areas of security strategy, operations, logistics, information technology and cybersecurity. For his honorable achievements during his career with the FBI, Healy received the FBI Director's Award for Outstanding Information Management and the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service.
About Buchanan & Edwards Since 1998, Buchanan & Edwards Inc. has served as a trusted partner on missions of vital importance to our customers, the nation and the world. Our experience in the civilian, defense, intelligence and law enforcement markets combined with our expertise in data analytics, cyber intelligence, operations support, cloud migration and digital services enable us to anticipate change and deliver tomorrow's solutions today. For additional information, please visit our website at www.Buchanan-Edwards.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320005931/en/
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[March 20, 2018] FogHorn Partners with Google Cloud to Deliver Industry Leading IIoT Solution
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FogHorn Systems, a leading developer of edge intelligence software for industrial and commercial IoT applications, today announced a collaboration with Google Cloud IoT Core to simplify the deployment and maximize the business impact of Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications.
The companies have teamed up to integrate FogHorns breakthrough Lightning edge analytics and machine learning platform with Cloud IoT Core, a fully managed service that allows you to easily and securely connect, manage, and ingest data from globally dispersed devices. Cloud IoT Core simply and securely brings the power of Google Clouds world-class data infrastructure capabilities to the IIoT market, said Antony Passemard, Head of IoT Product Management at Google Cloud. By combining industry-leading edge intelligence from FogHorn, weve created a fully-integrated edge and cloud solution that maximizes the insights gained from every IoT device. We think its a very powerful combination at exactly the right time. Cloud IoT Core is a comprehensive set of integrated services that helps unlock business insights in real time from data across globally dispersed devices. Device data captured by Cloud IoT Core gets published to Coud Pub/Sub for downstream analytics. Businesses can conduct ad hoc analysis using Google BigQuery, easily run advanced analytics and apply machine learning with Cloud Machine Learning Engine, or visualize IoT data results with rich reports and dashboards in Google Data Studio.
FogHorns Lightning product portfolio brings a groundbreaking dimension to IIoT by embedding edge intelligence as close to the source of streaming sensor data as possible. The FogHorn platform is a highly compact, advanced and feature-rich edge intelligence solution that delivers unprecedented low latency for onsite data processing, real-time analytics, machine learning and AI capabilities. By enabling data processing at or near the source of sensor data, FogHorn enriches and optimizes data published to the cloud for further processing and analysis. The combined capabilities of Cloud IoT Core and FogHorns Lightning product portfolio creates an ideal foundation for optimizing distributed assets and processes in manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, power and water, renewable energy, transportation, connected vehicles, smart building and smart cities.
Our integration with Google Cloud harmonizes the workload and creates new efficiencies from the edge to the cloud across a range of dimensions, said David King, CEO at FogHorn. This approach simplifies the rollout of innovative, outcome-based IIoT initiatives to improve organizations competitive edge globally, and we are thrilled to bring this collaboration to market with Google Cloud. FogHorn will demonstrate the joint solution at Google Cloud Next , July 24-27, in San Francisco, CA. About FogHorn Systems
FogHorn is a leading developer of edge intelligence software for industrial and commercial IoT application solutions. FogHorns software platform brings the power of advanced analytics and machine learning to the on-premises edge environment enabling a new class of applications for advanced monitoring and diagnostics, machine performance optimization, proactive maintenance and operational intelligence use cases. FogHorns technology is ideally suited for OEMs, systems integrators and end customers in manufacturing, power and water, oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, transportation, healthcare, retail, as well as Smart Grid, Smart City, Smart Building and connected vehicle applications.
FogHorn and Lightning are trademarks of FogHorn Systems. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contact
Kyra Tillmans
ktillmans@10fold.com
+1 925-271-8214
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[March 20, 2018] Twelve Global Startups Selected To Join New Innovation Platform, Plug and Play Cleveland
CLEVELAND, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play announced today that 12 startups will join the health program in the newly launched Plug and Play Cleveland Innovation Platform. The startups, which hail from around the globe, were selected from a group of more than 480 applicants. Many of the selected startups focus on provider facing digital health solutions and connected health innovation. During the next three months, startups will work with Plug and Play's corporate partners and have the chance to land pilots, develop proof of concepts, and explore investment opportunities with these companies. There is no cost for the startups to be in the program and they will remain part of the ecosystem after graduation. "It is an honor to open our Cleveland office in partnership with Cleveland Clinic and JumpStart, launching a program with the world's most promising startups in the HealthTech sector," said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. "Plug and Play intends to replicate the success we've had in Paris with BNP Paribas and in Stuttgart with Mercedes by working in partnership with a broad range of Cleveland Clinic specialists, including cardiologists, orthopedists, neurologists, endocrinologists, urologists, and many others." Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley Innovation Platform, formally launched Plug and Play Cleveland on March 1, 2018 with over 400 investors, corporations and entrepreneurs in attendance. The Cleveland platform will bring new digital health solutions and connected health innovation to Northeast Ohio and create economic development centered on world-class healthcare institutions. These 12 startups will graduate on June 28th, Plug and Play Cleveland's First Expo Day. For more information on the program and a complete summary of the companies selected for the program, please see pnptc.com/cleveland. limited number of tickets are available.
The 12 companies are as follows: Alertgy has a groundbreaking technology to non-invasively monitor blood glucose levels on demand for diabetics.
CancerAid is the number one cancer app in the US, UK and Australia that helps patients live longer. CloudMedx is a healthcare technology company that is creating population health management tools. The platform aims to provide health data information to healthcare organizations. Gyant is a friendly health assistant that leads patients worldwide into the right care and handles low acuity cases on the spot. HealthTensor has developed artificial intelligence to help automate documentation for clinicians in the hospitals. Their clinically-validated algorithms review all patient data, diagnose the most common conditions, and generate supporting documentation. InsightRX is a software platform that incorporates the principles of quantitative pharmacology and machine learning to provide an individualized understanding of a patient's response to treatment. Kenzen creates personal health wearables to support its users in all dimensions of health, including wellness, activities, 3D motion, and performance. Navimize is a digital health company aimed at improving patient satisfaction and increasing efficiencies and their first product reduces waiting room wait times in doctor's offices. OWKIN improves drug discovery and development using collective intelligence built on real-world patient data. Valencell produces the most accurate wearable biometric sensor systems in the world and provides this patent-protected technology to wearables and medical device companies. VideoTherapy is a digital health company, developer of the first clinically proven remote rehabilitation platform that transforms conductive physical therapy sessions to patients' homes. VRHealth develops breakthrough medical applications using Virtual Reality to deliver an enhanced experience and real-time data analytics that benefit patients and clinicians. About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in 28 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 6,000 startups and 220 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk. For more information, visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com Media Contact
Hadiyah Fain
408.524.1662
hadiyah@pnptc.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/twelve-global-startups-selected-to-join-new-innovation-platform-plug-and-play-cleveland-300616758.html SOURCE Plug and Play
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[March 20, 2018] 6sense Launches New Platform with ABM Campaign Execution
SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 6sense, the industry's leading predictive intelligence platform, announced today the launch of the 6sense Demand Platform for account-based marketers, delivering increased opportunity creation capabilities, full-funnel insights into a prospect's journey, and a B2B campaign execution engine to immediately activate time-sensitive demand intelligence. This announcement marks the next step in using AI and machine learning to find solutions for B2B marketing and sales teams to scale their ABM strategy with technology. "As we observed our customers that were most successful at utilizing 6sense in-market predictions for ABM workflows, it became clear that enabling a multi-channel ABM strategy with technology was a monumental martech integration task for organizations," said Amar Doshi, VP of Product at 6sense. "Customers expressed a need to go beyond analytic insights and take rapid action right within our product by setting up and executing different types of account-based campaigns this is what we set out to achieve." The 6sense Demand Platform offers the following key capabilities today: Uncovers account-based demand by monitoring intent on first and third-party data sources; connects anonymous and known data to provide comprehensive account engagement and account interest insights; creates segments for campaign execution
account-based demand by monitoring intent on first and third-party data sources; connects anonymous and known data to provide comprehensive account engagement and account interest insights; creates segments for campaign execution Accelerates ABM campaign execution using demand insights through native workflows and integrated user interface; activates account segments via: account-based digital advertising, account-based lead generation, or account-based email nurture triggers
ABM campaign execution using demand insights through native workflows and integrated user interface; activates account segments via: account-based digital advertising, account-based lead generation, or account-based email nurture triggers Captures revenue from marketing-driven pipeline and account engagement by enabling sales with the necessary account and competitive intelligence and workflows; scores accounts and leads daily for prioritization of outreach "This evolutionof 6sense to an ABM platform in partnership with our customers is a clear indication that machine learning and AI have an important role to play in ABM," said Jason Zintak, CEO 6sense, "not just in analyzing data and predicting outcomes, but in actioning data insights in a timely manner to drive business results."
The 6sense roadmap includes additional campaign execution features for account-based lead generation, account-based social network advertising, and account-based search advertising by working with leading solutions from LinkedIn, Google, Facebook and others. Lindsay Lyons, Global Director of Brand Content and Marketing at Dell Technologies, commented on this new platform announcement: "Dell has been using the new 6sense Demand Platform for a number of months and has already seen tremendous value in wrapping previously impossible account-level insights around our brand strategy and campaign efforts. We're excited about these new features from 6sense and their roadmap; our next step is to take advantage of the native ABM execution channels available on the platform. I believe every B2B marketer will see why we think their approach is game-changing, and why ABM-at-scale is becoming more feasible through innovations like this."
Olivier Thierry, CMO at Quorum Software expressed his excitement with this platform: "We were up and running and getting value from the 6sense Demand Platform within a week! The platform had a significant impact on our ABM outreach efforts for the oil & gas industry's premiere conference. By using 6sense to drive visitors to our NAPE booth through highly-targeted engagement, we ended up being the #1 visited company at the event and far exceeded our conference goals for valuable business conversations. The new features on the 6sense platform are extremely aligned to our ABM goals and allow us to further our segment and account intent insights." Launched in Early Access to several customers in July 2017, the 6sense Demand Platform builds upon 6sense's core intellectual property for predictive intelligence and machine-learning. This includes the 6sense Company Graph for company identification, the 6sense Intent Graph for collecting and connecting buyer intent, and the 6sense Sentinel for time-based predictive AI. The platform was made generally available on January 1, 2018, with successive features released every month since July 2017. To learn more about the 6sense Demand Platform and get a demonstration, companies are encouraged to reach out to 6sense here, or speak with us at one of the following events: TOPO Conference, San Francisco, March 20th-21st 2018. Oracle Modern Customer Experience, Chicago, April 10th-12th 2018. SiriusDecisions 2018 Summit, Las Vegas, May 8th-10th, 2018. About 6sense: 6sense is an ABM Platform built with industry leading AI and machine learning capabilities to help B2B companies generate more highly qualified pipeline. Aimed in particular at companies activating an account-based strategy, the 6sense Demand Platform uses market leading AI to connect a vast array of behavioral buying signals across every channel, across different devices, and across multiple individuals - uncovering where accounts are in the buying journey, accelerating account engagement through ABM campaign execution, and capturing revenue by extending account insights to sales teams. Enterprises of all sizes like Dell, Box, Cisco, NetSuite, Netapp, Qlik, and RSA use 6sense to support their ABM strategy and drive pipeline growth. The company was recognized as a leader in the Forrester Wave on Predictive Marketing Analytics in 2017. PR Contact: Rob Goldenberg, 860-716-0104 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/6sense-launches-new-platform-with-abm-campaign-execution-300616486.html SOURCE 6sense
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[March 20, 2018] TE Connectivity exhibits data and power connectivity solutions at OCP Summit 2018
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, today announced that it will showcase a broad range of data and power connectivity solutions in booth B23 at the 2018 Open Compute Project (OCP) US Summit being held March 20-21 at the San Jose Convention Center in California. During the show, TE will launch its 48V Bus Bar Connectors and Cable Assemblies to the market (see "TE Connectivity introduces 48V bus bar connectors and cable assemblies," also released today).
SHOW: Open Compute Project (OCP) Summit 2018 DATE: March 20-21, 2018 WHERE: San Jose Convention Center Booth #B23
San Jose, California
TE is a global industrial technology company delivering high-performance data and power connectivity solutions that can be designed for tomorrow's next-gen data center equipment needs. The company's products have been incorporated into server, storage, networking and artificial intelligence (AI) products across the OCP show floor. In its own booth, TE will display solutions for internal connectors and cable assemblies, external I/O, power, board-to-board connectivity and socket connectivity. TE experts will be on-site to show attendees how these solutions can address a wide variety of applications in next-generation products based on OCP reference designs. Products on site include: Our new 48V power connectors and cable assemblies for Open Compute Project reduce cost through lower power consumption and simple design.
48V power connectors and cable assemblies for reduce cost through lower power consumption and simple design. Sliver Card Edge Connectors and Internal Cable Assemblies enable your next generation designs to address your packaging and high-speed obstacles.
STRADA Whisper Two Piece Board to Board Connectors and Cable Assemblies are an industry leading, next- generation interface that supports traditional orthogonal and cabled backplane applications with future friendly data rate capabilities while addressing density requirements.
QSFP-DD, OSFP, Copper Cables and microQSFP high-speed I/O solutions with demonstrations on thermal performance, RU faceplate density and data throughput capabilities. "The Open Compute Project is bringing broad interoperability, high performance and high efficiency to data center equipment designs," said Nathan Tracy, Technologist, System Architecture Team and Manager of Industry Standards. "As a technology-driven ecosystem partner, TE is proud to be displaying its range of OCP-compliant solutions at the OCP Summit." To learn more about TE's presence at the OCP Summit, click here. ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY
TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL) is a $13 billion global technology and manufacturing leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. For more than 75 years, our connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, have enabled advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home. With 78,000 employees, including more than 7,000 engineers, working alongside customers in nearly 150 countries, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat and Twitter. STRADA Whisper, TE Connectivity, TE, TE connectivity (logo), and EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS are trademarks of the TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies.
zQSFP+ is part of the ZXP family of products and uses ZXP technology. ZXP is a trademark of Molex, LLC.
Other logos, product(s) and/or company names might be trademarks of their respective owners. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/te-connectivity-exhibits-data-and-power-connectivity-solutions-at-ocp-summit-2018-300616826.html SOURCE TE Connectivity
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Home Franchise Concepts and its Fast-growing Retail Brands Look to "Heart & Home" in 2018
Home Franchise Concepts (HFC), parent company of three home-related brands - Budget Blinds, Tailored Living and Concrete Craft - has launched its Heart & Home initiative, a long-term commitment to caring and giving-back to transform the lives of individuals through ongoing national partnerships and local, community efforts.
Heart & Home is an extension of HFC's long involvement in veteran causes and other nonprofit groups. HFC has renewed its partnership with Home for our Troops (HFOT), to which it has donated nearly $1 million in products, services and cash gifts through a five-year alliance that began in 2014. Beyond this corporate support, the company has inspired its franchise owners to donate to HFOT at the local level - with some franchisees contributing as much as $45,000 in a single year.
The company also renewed its alliance with Wounded Warriors Canada to help even more veterans and others in need realize their dreams of obtaining work, career advancement, homeownership and the ability to transition to civilian life after military service.
"Probably the most valuable lesson I've learned is the importance of following your moral compass and doing right by others," said Shirin Behzadi, CEO of Home Franchise Concepts.
According to Behzadi, HFC and its family of brands were able to meet aggressive growth goals in 2017 precisely because the brands care about their customers, franchisees, employees and communities. "We can never forget there is a very direct relationship between doing good and doing well."
HFC successfully reached its 2017 goals of 2.6 million Budget Blinds window-covering installations for the year (and 25 million installations since Budget Blinds' founding year of 1992) at a record pace of 50,000 per week. The brand operates with more than 1,140 franchise territories across 10,000 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
From its inception through the end of 2017, Tailored Living organized more than 245,000 lives and Concrete Craft installed more than 3 million square feet of decorative concrete.
Behzadi is now boldly ushering HFC into its next chapter with Heart & Home. "Our business is basedin products that make a house a home. Our corporate and franchise cultures are centered on caring and making our communities vibrant and full of hope. HFC employees are given time to volunteer, and that is a perk that brings both smiles and substance. Our people prove it: there really is no place like HFC."
Behzadi also announced the first six recipients of HFC's Heart & Home Award, given to franchisees who best embody HFC's caring and give-back spirit.
Priscilla Glidewell of Stayton, Ore. (Budget Blinds)
James and Elaine Trotter of Tampa, Fla. (Budget Blinds)
Tammy Conner of Terra Haute, Ind. (Budget Blinds)
Todd and Juliana Carter of Herndon, Va. (Tailored Living)
Mark Flood of Oakville, Ontario, Canada (Tailored Living)
Chuck Yates of Knoxville, Tenn. (Concrete Craft)
Under Heart & Home, HFC launched a new effort with Working Wardrobes called Give Me $5, a fundraising program that provides veterans and others looking for work with career training, job placement assistance, professional wardrobe services and spending money to buy gas and public transportation to get to job training, workshops and interviews.
On Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, 2017, HFC awarded U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sohel Gilani with a Concrete Craft franchise plus two-weeks training and $80,000 in operating capital. The new business package, valued at more than $300,000, represented the culmination of HFC's "There's No Place Like Home Veteran Partnership and Giveaway."
Said Gilani: "Throughout my military service, I witnessed things that no one should ever have to see. It was a constant internal struggle for me and, honestly, I felt as through my faith in humanity was slipping away. But winning this HFC program has restored my faith in humanity and reaffirmed what I have always known to be true. When you stay true to yourself, the kindness of others will prevail."
HFC welcomes the spring 2018 completion of the HFC Home Office and Franchise Support Center, a new, 38,094-square-foot headquarters facility in Irvine, Calif., featuring management offices, interactive product displays, and state-of-the-art training, education and support facilities for the growing HFC franchisee family.
The company also organized a series of volunteer, "Give-Back" days for HFC staff in 2017 with Working Wardrobes, Orangewood Children & Family Center, Home For Our Troops, Second Harvest Food Bank and Olive Crest.
On the marketing front, HFC unveiled a new brand look-and-feel and website, and added Gayle Milling, a 25-year brand and franchise marketing expert, as HFC CMO, and Adele Nasr as Budget Blinds VP of digital marketing.
Continuing on the staff-development front, Behzadi was voted one of 2017's Most Influential Business Leaders by the Orange County Business Journal, Milling was appointed to the Forbes Communications Council and Dan Tafoya, an HFC executive VP, was named a Woodworking Network Wood Industry Market Leader.
Home Franchise Concepts' brands continue to climb the prestigious Entrepreneur Magazine's "Franchise 500" ranking. In the most recent ranking for 2018, Budget Blinds and Tailored Living placed #23 and #131 overall, respectively, and #7 and #111 as top franchise choices among Veterans. Budget Blinds was also ranked #87 and #88 in the "Top Brands" and "Fastest-growing Brands" categories. Military Times ranked Budget Blinds #2 and Tailored Living #3 for Best Franchises 2018.
About Home Franchise Concepts
Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) is the top-selling family of direct-to-consumer brands in the home-related goods and services space, one of the world's largest franchise businesses and a recognized leader in franchisee-franchisor relationships. HFC's three brands including Budget Blinds, Tailored Living and Concrete Craft are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by nearly 1,400 franchise territories in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320006245/en/
[March 20, 2018] Awake Security Selected as Finalist for 2018 RSA Conference Innovation Sandbox Contest
Awake Security today has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2018 RSA Conference Innovation Sandbox Contest. On Monday, April 16, Awake will showcase its Security Investigation Platform to a panel of industry veteran judges and a live audience in a three-minute quick-pitch, competing for the coveted title of "Most Innovative Start Up" at RSA Conference 2018 in San Francisco. RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest is the leading platform for entrepreneurial cyber security companies to launch their ground-breaking research and innovation in front of venture capitalists, industry experts, senior level business practitioners and thought leaders. The event gives startups the kind of visibility and validation that turn into rapid growth and increased funding. Awake Security was chosen as a finalist for its ability to detect attacks that blend in with business-justified activity, enabling conclusive and rapid response. With exhaustive intelligence from the network, Awake uniquely identifies mal-intent to stop insider attacks, file-less malware, lateral movement and much more. "If you look at RSAC Innovation Sandbox contestants from the last five years alone, you'll see more than $1.38 billion in combined investments and 12 acquisitions, proving the businesses that take this stage gain exposure to the right people at the right time to launch them to success," said Sandra Toms, vice president and curator for RSA Conferences. "The submissions this year were noticeably competitive as we received exceptional entries from across the globe. I have no doubt this year's presentations will be a must-see at RSA Conference." Modern attackers have changed their tactics to circumvent defenses that increasingly are able to discover and block malware. These threat actors now exploit tools that every organization needs to run their business and operate their IT function. Awake not only uncovers this new attacker behavior, but takes all the information and resources an analyst might use to investigate and/or hunt for these threats and puts it at their fingertips, thereby enabling conclusive and rapid response. Awake uniquely: Delivers comprehensive analysis of network traffic by automatically building context on the source and destination entities
Uses artificial intelligence to score the entities and identify the highest risk devices, users or domains
Detects the most evasive threats such as file-less malware and exposes attacker command and control infrastructure
Combines institutional knowledge with machine learning and AI for conclusive response
Requires no agents, manual configuration or training period Awake's technology, with seven patents granted and pending, first parses full packet captre data and extracts hundreds of security-relevant signals. The platform then applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to automatically correlate, profile and track internal and external entities such as devices, users and domains into the Security Knowledge Graph context data model. Awake codifies entity attributes, behaviors and interrelationships into this model, tracks these against threat intelligence and allows the security team to enrich the context with institutional knowledge about the entity. Through analytics, Awake can then fully expose attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) such as ephemeral command and control infrastructure. In doing so, it goes beyond traditional solutions that perform basic network anomaly detection or simply look for known bad files, IPs and domains.
Without Awake, only the world's most sophisticated security experts are capable of performing such detailed forensic analysis, utilizing a manual, time-consuming process that typically occurs well after an attack. Awake has democratized this ability, making it accessible to any organization, regardless of size, budget or sophistication. Importantly, Awake delivers this proactive security control at scale and at the speed of the network. "The biggest challenge confronting security teams today is their ability to distinguish between good and bad when everything looks like normal activity," said Michael Callahan, CEO of Awake Security. "This observation drove us to deliver a solution that could have a profound impact on the day-to-day work these teams perform as well as the overall security of the organization. Coupled with our growing customer adoption, being recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Innovation Sandbox Contest is great validation that what we've built can have a lasting impact on the world of cybersecurity."
The RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest will begin at 1:30 p.m. PT on April 16 at the Marriott Marquis in the Yerba Buena Ballroom. Dr. Herbert (Hugh) Thompson returns to emcee the contest, and the panel of five judges includes Asheem Chandna, partner at Greylock Partners; Gerhard Eschelbeck, vice president of security and privacy engineering at Google; Niloofar Razi Howe, tech investor and entrepreneur; Patrick Heim, operating partner and chief information security officer at ClearSky; and Paul Kocher, entrepreneur, researcher and IT security expert. The winner will be announced in front of a live audience later that day at 4:30 p.m. PT. More information regarding RSA Conference 2018, taking place at the Moscone Center and the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco from April 16-20, can be found at: www.rsaconference.com. About Awake Security
Awake Security accelerates an organization's ability to detect threats that blend with business-justified activity, such as file-less malware, malicious insiders, credential abuse and lateral movement. Its Security Investigation Platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to combine data such as network full-packet capture and a security teams' institutional knowledge, providing analysts with a context data model that correlates, profiles and tracks entities, including devices, users and domains. This combination of autonomously derived entity information and human know-how empowers teams to investigate existing alerts and hunt for malicious behavior in a more rapid, iterative and conclusive manner. The company is based in Sunnyvale, CA (News - Alert) and backed by Greylock Partners and Bain Capital Ventures. Learn more at http://www.awakesecurity.com and follow Awake on Twitter (News - Alert) (https://twitter.com/awakesecurity), LinkedIn (News - Alert) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/awake-security) and Facebook (News - Alert) (https://www.facebook.com/AwakeSecurity/). About RSA Conference
RSA Conference is the premier series of global events where the world talks security and leadership gathers, advances and emerges. Whether attending in the U.S., the EMEA region, or the Asia-Pacific region, RSA Conference events are where the security industry converges to discuss current and future concerns and get access to the people, content and ideas that help enable individuals and companies to win, grow and do their best. It is the ultimate marketplace for the latest technologies and hands-on educational opportunities that help industry professionals discover how to make their companies more secure while showcasing the most enterprising, influential and thought-provoking thinkers and leaders in security today. For information on events, online programming and the most up-to-date news pertaining to the information security industry visit www.rsaconference.com. RSA Conference logo, RSA, Dell, EMC (News - Alert) , Dell EMC and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320006251/en/
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[March 20, 2018] MJ Biotech Inc. Announces Joint Venture with Florida's MarijuanaDoctors.com
CHEYENNE, Wyo., March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MJ Biotech, Inc. (FKA Michael James Enterprises, Inc.) (OTC:MJTV) announced that it executed a Joint Venture agreement with Marijuana Doctors.com located in Florida to provide CBD Teas manufactured by Zens Tea House. The CBD Teas will be sold at all the Marijuana Doctors Florida locations.
MarijuanaDoctors.com was founded as the trusted gateway for patients searching for medical marijuana treatment in legal medical marijuana states. We provide patients visibility and transparency in selecting a doctor and setting an appointment for a medical marijuana evaluation including detailed profile information, scheduling information, and ratings and reviews. We understand the uncertainty associated with the process and that medical marijuana is often the only effective treatment for many ailments for which traditional medicine provides little relief or is accompanied by uncomfortable and dangerous side effects. Conference Call update. The Confeence call update will be delayed due to the most recent Joint Venture agreement. The new date will be announced this week.
Due to the new Joint Venture agreement if there are additional questions regarding this Press Release please send them to questions@zenstea.com. Also Fernando Lopez the COO of MJ Biotech and President of Zen Tea House just did a new face book live with a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (FNS, CNPM, CHNP) about the benefits of teas & nutrition. This video can be seen at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/zensteahouse.
Additional information is available on the companys websites, www.mjbiotech.us and www.zenstea.com Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "will," "expects," and other terms with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations and speak only as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or any other reason. The above news release has been provided by the above company via the OTC Disclosure and News Service. Issuers of news releases and not OTC Markets Group Inc. are solely responsible for the accuracy of such news releases. Contact
Fernando Lopez
Fernando@zenstea.com
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[March 20, 2018] Everipedia Announces IQ Token Airdrop to Take Place in June 2018
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, March 20, 2018 /CNW/ -- Everipedia, the world's first and largest peer-to-peer encyclopedia project, today announced its airdrop will use the EOS.IO genesis snapshot tool for distributing IQ tokens in June 2018. IQ tokens will be a central component of the incentive structure within Everipedia's protocol, which rewards users for curating articles and allows every editor to become a stakeholder in the network. Following the original Airdrop announcement in Korea in January 2018, Everipedia has continued to move rapidly ahead in building out its peer-to-peer knowledge platform. To date, Everipedia has more than three million unique monthly visitors and about six million encyclopedia articles, surpassing English Wikipedia by content. The Everipedia Network itself will go live shortly after the EOS mainnet is released and every EOS token that is purchased through June will be entitled to IQ tokens proportionate to their amount of EOS. To receive IQ tokens in June, users should ensure their EOS tokens are registered for the mainnet snapshotting. In the instance that there will be multiple competing EOS mainnets in June, this distribution method will give complete flexiblity on network choice since the genesis snapshot process is mandatory for any EOS network launch. In such a scenario, there would likely be a community vote for picking a network.
"The airdrop will play a significant role in helping Everipedia accomplish as wide of a distribution as possible for IQ tokens," said Travis Moore, Everipedia Co-Founder & CTO. Everipedia is committed to transparent communications and security, which is why it has chosen to proceed with this method for the airdrop. The company will not ask for public keys or access to any funds, nor will it solicit purchases or conduct giveaways. Everipedia will continue to facilitate design discussions and collect feedback via Telegram. Further details about the percentage of the utility tokens that will be airdropped, the ratio of IQ to EOS tokens and the total circulating supply will be released as the airdrop date nears.
"We're delighted to share the airdrop date with our growing Everipedia community and look forward to further disrupting and democratizing the traditional encyclopedia model," said Everipedia Co-founder and CEO Theodor Forselius. "This June will mark an exciting step in decentralizing the world's knowledge on the blockchain. We want to ultimately see Everipedia be one of the largest dapps in the entire ecosystem of all blockchains," said Everipedia Co-Founder and President Sam Kazemian. About Everipedia International
Originally started in 2015 as a more modern and inclusive alternative to Wikipedia by Theodor Forselius, Sam Kazemian, Travis Moore and Mahbod Moghadam, Everipedia is now building the world's first peer-to-peer encyclopedia on the blockchain, incentivizing content creators by making them stakeholders in the knowledge base themselves. With over 3 million unique monthly users and over 6 million wiki articles, everipedia.org has already surpassed English Wikipedia as the world's largest English Encyclopedia by content. Media Contact:
Madeline Mains
FortyThree, Inc.
831.401.3175
everipedia@43pr.com All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. SOURCE Everipedia
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Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Announces Investigation on Behalf of Foot Locker, Inc. Investors (FL)
Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces an investigation on behalf of Foot Locker, Inc. ("Foot Locker" or the "Company") (NYSE: FL) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. To obtain information or aid in the investigation, please visit the Foot Locker investigation page on our website at www.glancylaw.co/case/foot-locker-inc.
On August 18, 2017, Foot Locker announced poor second quarter 2017 financial results, including a 6% decline in quarterly same-store sales year-over-year. In addition, Foot Locker disclosed that it would close approximately 130 stores, which was up from 100 it had previously stated it would close. Finally, on its Q2 2017 conference call with investors and analysts, Foot Locker revealed that it expected weaker sales for the remainder of fiscal year 2017.
On this news, shares of Foot Locker fell nearly 28%, to close at $34.38 on August 18, 2017, thereby injuring investors.
Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert) : twitter.com/GPM_LLP.
If you purchased Foot Locker securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180320006401/en/
[March 20, 2018] In a Demonstration of Support to the Crypto-Community, FundFantasy Offers 50 Percent Good-Faith Bonus for Its Participants
LONDON, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the recent market fluctuation, FundFantasy is offering the crypto community a 50 percent good-faith bonus on their FUNDZ for next 48 hours, as the market makes efforts to rebound. In order to participate in the 48-hour promotion, visit https://ico.fundfantasy.com. What is FundFantasy?
FundFantasy is a Daily Fantasy Trading (DFT) Platform allowing users to compete for prizes by crafting the most profitable investment portfolio they can come up with. Why is FundFantasy Interesting? 1. Development of the platform is already in advanced stages, and is available on https://www.fundfantasy.com. Launch of the mobile version was due on Q3 of 2018, and is already live ahead of time. 2. The FundFantasy ICO will redistribute unsold tokens pro-rata to Presale and ICO investors only (team, founders, advisers etc. are excluded from the distribution of unsold tokens). This protects investors from dilution as a result of burning the unsold tokens. For more information about this dynamic check out the following article on their blog: Unsold okens
3. The FundFantasy platform was unveiled a little over a month ago and is already approaching 2,000 users. 4. Of all the many ICOs out there, FundFantasy was officially chosen to appear on CNBC, CNN, History Channel and more. The show, called "Advancements" and hosted by Ted Danson, will focus on advancements in technology.
5. FundFantasy's partnership with Coinomi allows for easy handling of FundTokens after the ICO. 6. The team is both responsive and very active, with ambitious yet realistic long-term plans. 7. It's refreshing to see an ICO that is on schedule, has an MVP, goes to lengths to protect investors, and has long-term plans. Their whitepaper is actually a very nice read with some very insightful points about the current situation about the retail trading market. After reading it, FundFantasy's vision becomes much clearer and is really quite revolutionary and very interesting no wonder they're getting attention from the mainstream media. To Participate Now -> https://ico.fundfantasy.com
Contact info : contact@fundfantsay.io Related Images tal-zander-ceo.jpeg
Tal Zander, CEO play-from-any-device.jpg
Play from any device over-1600-users-all-under-a-month.jpg
Over 1600 users - all under a month from MVP launch Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSPa7BR8Q1w View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-a-demonstration-of-support-to-the-crypto-community-fundfantasy-offers-50-percent-good-faith-bonus-for-its-participants-300616988.html SOURCE FundFantasy
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[March 20, 2018] Privacy Commissioner launches Facebook investigation
GATINEAU, QC, March 20, 2018 /CNW/ - The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has opened an investigation related to recent media reports regarding alleged unauthorized access and use of Facebook user profiles. "We have received a complaint against Facebook in relation to allegations involving Cambridge Analytica and have therefore opened a formal investigation," says Commissioner Daniel Therrien. "The first step will be to confirm with the company whether the personal information of Facebook users in Canada was affected." The investigation will examine Facebook's compliance with Canada's federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). "The allegations we've seen in media reports raise extremely important privacy questions. The digital world, and social media in particular, have become entrenched in our daily lives and people want their rights to be respected." The UK Information Commissioner's Office has an ongoing related investigation. "We will remain in contact with the UK office and will work with other data protection authorities as appropriate. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that te privacy rights of Canadian Facebook users are protected," says Commissioner Therrien.
Due to confidentiality provisions under PIPEDA, no further details regarding the investigation are available at this time. Generally speaking, PIPEDA requires meaningful and informed consent for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities. Under the law, companies are also accountable for how they manage and safeguard the personal information in their care and must ensure that it is not disclosed inappropriately.
Neither PIPEDA nor Canada's federal public sector privacy law, the Privacy Act, applies to political parties. The Commissioner has asked Parliament to consider regulating the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by political parties. In fact, both federal privacy laws are in urgent need of reform and the Commissioner has called on the government to address the shortcomings in Canada's privacy regime. "If true, the allegations raise a major challenge for privacy rights. We have recommended strengthening Canada's private sector law in order to help strengthen consumer trust. I welcome the support of a Parliamentary committee that recently reviewed PIPEDA," says Commissioner Therrien. About the Privacy Commissioner of Canada The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated by Parliament to act as an ombudsman and guardian of privacy in Canada. The Commissioner enforces two laws for the protection of personal information: the Privacy Act, which applies to the federal public sector; and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, Canada's federal private sector privacy law. Please note that we are not in a position to offer interviews at this time due to confidentiality provisions under federal privacy law. SOURCE Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
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Updated, 4/10/2018 10:20am PT:
According to a report by Guardian Australia, only 53 Facebook users out of the total of
311,127 Australians impacted by the Cambridge Analytica data leak gave their consent to the quiz app made by the Cambridge Analytica partner, Aleksandr Kogan. This means that all the other Australians who had their data harvested by Cambridge Analytica were either friends of those who used the app or their data was obtained through other means.
In a similar case in New Zealand, 64,000 New Zealanders were affected by the same data leak, but only 10 of those people used the quiz app.
Australian privacy activists are also bringing into the spotlight the many issues surrounding online "consent" right now. These issues include the fact that consent seems to be irrevocable for online services, the contracts to which the users agree are unfair, and that users are overloaded with confusing information and legal concepts. Until these consent issues are fixed, scandals such as this one will likely continue to happen.
Updated, 4/5/2018 10:40am PT: Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that he will be present in both the U.S. Senate hearing on April 10, and the House hearing on April 11.
Meanwhile, the Office of Australian Information Commissioner also announced that it will open its own investigation into Facebook, following information that the data of over 300,000 Australian users has been accessed without authorization. The investigation will consider whether or not Facebook has violated the Australian Privacy Act 1998, but given the global nature of Facebook, it will also collaborate with other international regulatory authorities.
Updated, 3/26/2018, 8:25am PT: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced that it has started a "non-public investigation" into Facebook's practices:
The FTC is firmly and fully committed to using all of its tools to protect the privacy of consumers. Foremost among these tools is enforcement action against companies that fail to honor their privacy promises, including to comply with Privacy Shield, or that engage in unfair acts that cause substantial injury to consumers in violation of the FTC Act. Companies who have settled previous FTC actions must also comply with FTC order provisions imposing privacy and data security requirements. Accordingly, the FTC takes very seriously recent press reports raising substantial concerns about the privacy practices of Facebook. Today, the FTC is confirming that it has an open non-public investigation into these practices.
Original article, 3/20/2018, 11:30am PT:
Multiple branches of the UK, EU, and U.S. governments announced that they will investigate what happened between Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also been asked to testify before UK MPs and U.S. Senators.
UK Investigation
The UK Information Commissioners Office (ICO) issued a Demand for Access to records and data belonging to Cambridge Analytica on March 7. However, ICO said that the company didnt respond, so it asked a judge to issue a search warrant. After it obtained the warrant, the agencys investigators found Facebooks auditors in Cambridge Analyticas offices. ICO asked the auditors to terminate their audit so it wouldn't interfere with the UK governments own investigation.
Now, UK MPs are also demanding that Zuckerberg come to testify before a select committee formed recently to deal with the rise of fake news. In a letter sent to Facebook, Damian Collins, the chairman of the committee, accused Zuckerberg of misleading his committee at a previous parliamentary hearing. Implying that Facebook is the party most responsible for the recent data leak, Collins added that:
It is now time to hear from a senior Facebook executive with the sufficient authority to give an accurate account of this catastrophic failure of process.
EU Investigations
As soon as the news came out about Cambridge Analytica and Facebook, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova said she would look into the situation, because this sort of data leak is not acceptable:
Antonio Tajani, the new European Parliament President, also confirmed that there will be an investigation from the European Parliament, too:
U.S. Senate Investigations
Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to Facebook blaming the company for making it so easy for third parties to harvest user data:
The troubling reporting on the ease with which Cambridge Analytica was able to exploit Facebooks default privacy settings for profit and political gain throws into question not only the prudence and desirability of Facebook's business practices and the dangers of monetizing consumers' private information, but also raises serious concerns about the role Facebook played in facilitating and permitting the covert collection and misuse of consumer information.With little oversightand no meaningful intervention from FacebookCambridge Analytica was able to use Facebook-developed and marketed tools to weaponize detailed psychological profiles against tens of millions of Americans.
Senator Wyden also reminded Facebook that in 2011 it entered into an agreement with the FTC, under which the company was required to maintain "a comprehensive privacy program that is reasonably designed to address privacy risks related to the development and management of new and existing products and services for consumers, and protect the privacy and confidentiality of covered information."
According to Bloomberg, the FTC wouldnt comment on whether or not it will investigate Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica issue, but the agency said that it takes any violations of the agreement with Facebook seriously.
The Senate Commerce Committee also sent a letter to Facebook in which it asks the company to brief it on how Facebook shares user data with other companies.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is also considering its own hearing, in which it would invite not just Facebook, but also Alphabet (Googles parent organization), and Twitter to testify on how third-parties can harvest their users data without proper consent.
The common thread for most of the investigations seems to be that the authorities believe Facebook is the primary party responsible for the data leak. A former Facebook employee who used to be in charge of dealing with such leaks recently confirmed that Facebook's rules for how it shares data with third parties are still too lax, and it's why companies such as Cambridge Analytics were able to harvest so much data in the first place.
Ten cases of measles have now been identified in Johnson, Linn and Miami counties in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said those identified include eight Johnson County residents, one Linn County resident associated with the daycare and one Miami County resident not associated with the daycare.
Greitens wants trial to start in 2 weeks and will ask for judge, not jury, to hear case ST. LOUIS * The defense team for Gov. Eric Greitens wants his trial for invasion of privacy to start in as little as two weeks, and expects to waive a jury trial in favor of a judge hearing the case.
Here's the best look at the legal strategy of a politico who just about every other Republican in Missouri (not on his payroll) has abandoned. Read more:
Super Dave : "As a teenager I remember 1968 very well. As an adult what I see is those who were doing the rioting over MLK have completely turned their backs on what he was about and what he stood for. Hard to sell your cause when you resort to violence about every little whim you disagree with and for sure makes your cause moot when the issue that is used to destroy property and kill one another about turns out to be a lie created by those behind the cause . . . If a man is to be remembered and used as a figurehead of that which is suppose to be good then wouldn't following his ideas and preached examples of life be the road most traveled and the roads to violence the least traveled ones?"
Local Remembrance : "I remember this very ugly time, when National Guardsmen with rifles were stationed on the rooftops of the buildings on the Plaza, where I worked. Police blocked traffic from Missouri into my Kansas suburb out of fear. Whole blocks around the Prospect Corridor were in flames. I hope I never see anything like it again."
Critics claim that the current American discourse is exceptionally divisive . . . But we asked our blog community to reflect on an even more tumultuous time.Take a look at tonight's local PC talk and some of our blog community discourse that's even more reflective of current hostilities . . .Deets:Frustrated with the slow pace of civil rights reforms and outraged at the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., protesters in Kansas City took to the streets on April 9, 1968. The four subsequent days of civil unrest shocked many in a city known for its lack of racial violence despite deep, underlying tensions. Six people all African-Americans died, some 20 more were hospitalized, and arrests totaled nearly 300. A three-block area of Prospect Avenue was bombed out and burned down.The Library, in collaboration with KCPT-Kansas City PBS and KSHB-41 Action News, examines the indelible episode and its aftermath in a two-pronged event marking its 50th anniversary. First is the premiere screening of the new documentary short '68: The Kansas City Race Riots, Then and Now, co-produced by KSHB and KCPT. Then, a panel discussion featuring Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II and former city council member and longtime community activist Alvin Brooks addresses the lessons learned from the violent chapter of history, from the role of policing to the value of protest.Joining Cleaver and Brooks on the panel: Clarence Gibson, the last Kansas City police officer at the time of the unrest who remains on the force; Linda Spence, a Central High School student in 1968; and Southeast Missouri State University historian Joel Rhodes, who has extensively researched the episode. KCPTs Nick Haines moderates.########You decide . .
Congressman Cleaver Releases Statement on the Release of Syed Jamal
I am pleased to hear that Mr. Syed Jamal will be able to spend some much needed time with his wife and children but this is far from over. A federal judge released Mr. Jamal from a Missouri County detention center today but he still faces deportation. The current immigration system is broken and affects families who have responsibilities and deep ties to their communities. We must fix these laws that criminalize hard-working, contributing members of society like Mr. Syed Jamal and thats what I plan to push for in Congress.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Missouri whose office was flooded with calls about the case, took up Jamals cause. And Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Republican whose eastern Kansas district includes Lawrence, backed Jamals efforts to have his immigration case reopened, and filed legislation to allow Jamal and his wife to stay in the U.S.
With limited resources and violent, criminal illegal immigrants still in our country, the fact that our government would prioritize resources to attempt to deport Syed is offensive to our common sense and a fiscally reckless use of taxpayer dollars, Jenkins said in a statement issued after Tuesdays hearing.
This afternoon there is bi-partisan celebration on the good side of theas white middle-class ladies achieve an important victory over ICE.Connection to KC Proper . . . Many prominent politicos stood up for this struggle including Kansas City's top ranking D.C. Representative.Take a look:Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement regarding the release of Syed Jamal from the Platte County, Missouri Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center.Congressman Cleaver became involved after his Kansas City, Missouri district office was contacted by Mr. Jamals attorneys, his family and friends. After public outcry and political engagement, ICE officials granted a temporary stay for Syed Jamal. Congressman Cleaver visited Mr. Jamal with his attorneys while Jamal was detained in an El Paso, Texas facility.A Kansas Quote . . .Read more:Developing . . .
THE KANSAS CITY ANTI-GUN "MARCH FOR OUR LIVES" BUILDS AN EPIC COALITION FOR UPCOMING SATURDAY RALLY!!!
Two groups have combined forces as tech dude Mohammad Azeem of the Kansas Democratic Party has built an impressive local coalition to march in KC Proper.
- More than 5K people on FB promise to attend with more than 10K interested . . . Which means they're at least getting 2 dozen real life old school white ladies!!!
- Explanation of the collabo - Due to the overwhelming turnout interest (and a conflicting event scheduled at Mill Creek/JC Nichols Park), the event will be held across from the Nelson-Atkins, in Theis Park! Please update your calendar events accordingly. :)
March with the students in Kansas City hosted by:
PeaceWorksKC
Moms Demand Action - MO
Moms Demand Action - KS
Heartland Coalition Against Gun Violence
Grandparents Against Gun Violence
Kansas City Veterans For Peace
Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus
JoCo MoveOn
Voter Registration Project
March Forward KC
Our Revolution KC
Indivisible KC
MainStream Coalition
Stand Up KC
League of Women Voters Johnson County
Urban Ranger Corps
SURJ KC - Showing Up for Racial Justice, Kansas City
The Open Table
Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council
League of Women Voters of Kansas City, Jackson, Platte & Clay Counties
Heartland Alliance for Progress
A march to say "Enough!" We must protect Americans, American lives. Weapons are not more important than people.
We are gathering at Theis Park in Kansas City on Saturday, March 24 from noon to 4 pm as part of the nationwide effort to advocate for weapons reform. It is past time elected officials put the lives of Americans above the donations from the NRA and above profits for weapons manufacturers..
Let's join together to make a change for our future!
Right nowspeaks to our true feelings about gun control underneath this bloggy cloak of objectivity . . . Inasmuch as we believe that if guns werethey deserve to be respected, treated with care, caution, safety and, yes, freedom . . . And only tastefully unsheathed.But I digress . . .So far our TKC blog community is theand only real local blog to report on the topic with something more important than promotional cut & paste.Checkit:A few fun facts . . .Here's a reference list of local groups (mostly Democratic Party affiliated & Progressive activists) who have signed onto the anti-gun gathering:Finally, the mission statement:#########You decide . . .
Travels in Greece (15th-19th century), which presents to the public for the first time maps, publications, illustrations and travelers journals pertaining to the Hellenic world
Most people in Greece associate the name Candia with the Cretan wine brand. Fewer know of the 21-year Siege of Candia in the 1600s that resulted in Crete passing from Venetian control into the hands of the Ottoman Empire or that Candia was the name of present-day Iraklio.
Back in 1483, nevertheless, the postcard-pretty town of Iraklio had enchanted a German nobleman called Bernhard von Breydenbach. Three years later it appeared in a colored woodcut illustration in a book he published recounting his adventures on a tour of the Holy Land and Greece.
This woodcut is the first known realistic depiction of a Greek location in print and is also the image elected to advertise the Benaki Museums latest exhibition, Travels in Greece (15th-19th century), which presents to the public for the first time maps, publications, illustrations and travelers journals pertaining to the Hellenic world from the collection of Efstathios Finopoulos, regarded as one of the most important of its kind in the world.
Finopoulos, who is still adding to his collection, has amassed gathered with the order and method of a stamp collector, according to George Manginis, a member of the museums executive committee.
The show, which comprises 200 of the thousands of items in Finopouloss collection, includes rare depictions such as the bombing of the Parthenon by Venetian General Francesco Morosini, Ptolemaic maps and the first illustration of Athens in the Nuremberg Chronicle, which is completely fictitious and depicts it like a medieval city.
Europeans were always fascinated by our country, something that later came to be known as philhellenism, notes Mirka Palioura, one of the exhibitions curators.
The exhibition also sheds lights on the routes travelers took and the reasons for their trips. In the 15th century, most travels to the Middle East and the Mediterranean were pilgrimages to the Holy Land in Jerusalem and later to Constantinople. The Hellenic world in this exhibition encompasses much of the Balkans, Asia Minor and parts of southern Italy. Many travelers would sail from Marseilles or Venice and follow the sea routes to the eastern Mediterranean with stops in Sicily, Malta, Corfu, Kythera, Syros and Smyrna.
Mainland Greece became part of the itinerary much later. The first organized tours of the region began taking place in the 19th century, making them the forerunners of todays mass tourism.
The exhibition at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture (1 Koumbari & Vassilissis Sofias, Kolonaki, tel 210.367.1000, www.benaki.gr) runs till April 29. Opening hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Dimboukas License: CC-BY-SA
Source: ekathimerini.com
Greece can offer significant investment opportunities as it exits the economic crisis, provided that there is a investment-friendly environment, a stable tax system and a regulatory framework that faciliatates foreign investments
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis met on Tuesday with the Emir of Qatar. After the meeting, Mitsotakis said that Greece can become an attractive, international investment destination, ANA reports.
Mitsotakis stressed that Greece can offer significant investment opportunities as it exits the economic crisis, provided that there is a investment-friendly environment, a stable tax system and a regulatory framework that faciliatates foreign investments.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Pyatt has been on a visit to Ioannina and the Epirus region since Friday
US Ambassador in Athens Geoffrey Pyatt on Sunday paid a visit to the archaeological site in Dodoni in Epirus, accompanied by his wife and Ioannina Deputy Mayor Pantelis Kolokas. He was also met by Dodoni Mayor Christos Dakaletsis and other local officials, ANA reports.
After the archaeological site, he visited the village of Manteio and spoke with Dodonis mayor about actions on a local level to improve health and education services, along with work underway to restore the archaeological site and press for its inclusion in the UNESCO world heritage monuments list.
Geoffrey Pyatt @USAmbGreece Amazing ancient theatre of Dodoni -with some Homeric weather; pouring rain one minute, brilliant sun the next.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: arjenD License: CC-BY-SA
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Central Hotels has a number of strategic announcements lined up for the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place in Dubai from 22 to 25 April 2018.
(TRAVPR.COM) DUBAI - March 20th, 2018 - Central Hotels has a number of strategic announcements lined up for the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place in Dubai from 22 to 25 April 2018.
Confirming the groups presence at the show, Mr Ammar Kanaan, General Manager of Central Hotels, stated, ATM 2018 will be the perfect platform for us to showcase the widening reach and expansion of Central Hotels by securing new business partners to operate, collaborate and manage existing and upcoming projects. In addition to promoting our current and future properties we are keen to consolidate and strengthen our relationship with travel agents, OTAs, tour operators, DMCs, wholesalers, and other regional and international travel trade professionals. We are also eager to see the latest innovations and trends transforming the whole travel chain be it the growth of digital technology, mobile media consumption, social media usage or Artificial Intelligence.
Elaborating on the USPs of Central Hotels, Mr. Abdulla Al Abdulla, Vice President of Central Hotels, said, Our aim with Central Hotels has been to provide local know-how with modern comforts, creating value for our guests and associates. Though we have just begun our foray into hospitality we have seen an excellent response from both our guests as well as developers. With remarkable new hotels coming up we are strongly positioned in the UAE and well-placed to contribute to the growth of the local hospitality and tourism industry.
Visit Central Hotels stand #HC0810 at Arabian Travel Market in Sheikh Saeed Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre from 22 25 April 2018.
About Central Hotels
Central Hotels has very quickly established itself as a reputed hotel management group in the UAE with its flagship property First Central Hotel Suites located in Barsha Heights (TECOM) near Sheikh Zayed Road. Featuring 524 apartments equipped with top-notch facilities, it offers travelers the best of Arabian hospitality in the heart of Dubai. Building up on this amazing success, the brand is now poised to expand its footprint in the GCC targeting Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the primary markets for growth.
For more information about First Central Hotel Suites visit www.firstcentraldubai.com
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Undercover Video Captures Trump Campaigns Data Firm Discussing Entrapping Politicians With SexAn undercover video report by Britains Channel 4 has captured footage of top executives at Cambridge Analytica, the controversial data-analytics firm that worked on Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, talking about sending Ukrainian girls to the home of an opposition candidate and covertly spreading propaganda online.According to Channel 4, an undercover reporter for the network spoke with top officials from Cambridge Analytica on five separate occasions between November 2017 and January 2018 at different locations in London. The reporter posed as a fixer for a client hoping to influence Sri Lankan elections. One of the recorded meetings and a subsequent phone call included Cambridge CEO Alexander Nix.On Saturday, a former employee for Cambridge Analytica went public with allegations that the company had harvested the Facebook data of 50 million people without their knowledge in a scheme that may have violated Facebooks terms of services and data privacy laws. Facebook responded to the allegations by suspending Cambridge from accessing its platform until it had investigated the allegations. The company denied the charges, saying in a statement that it fully complies with Facebooks terms of service and is currently in touch with Facebook following its recent statement that it had suspended the company from its platform, in order to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. The company also denied allegations that it misused Facebook data as reported this weekend by the Observer, New York Times, and Channel 4.On Monday, Cambridge Analytica responded to Channel 4s undercover report. The report is edited and scripted to grossly misrepresent the nature of those conversations and how the company conducts its business, the statement says. The statement includes this quote from Nix: In playing along with this line of conversation, and partly to spare our client from embarrassment, we entertained a series of ludicrous hypothetical scenarios. I am aware how this looks, but it is simply not the case. I must emphatically state that Cambridge Analytica does not condone or engage in entrapment, bribes, or so-called honeytraps, and nor does it use untrue material for any purpose. I deeply regret my role in the meeting and I have already apologized to staff. I should have recognized where the prospective client was taking our conversations and ended the relationship sooner.The first segment of Channel 4s undercover report aired Monday afternoon. The footage shows that, in response to a question about obtaining opposition research on political candidates, Nix says his firm could send some girls around to the candidates house. He adds that Ukrainian girls are very beautiful, I find that works very well.Here is the full exchange, according to a Channel 4 preview of the segment:Reporter: For example youre saying when youre using the girls to introduce to the local fellow and youre using the girls for this, like the seduction, theyre not local girls? Not Sri Lankan girls?Nix: I wouldnt have thought so no, well bring some, I mean it was just an idea, Im just saying, we could bring some Ukrainians in on holiday with us you know, you know what Im saying.Reporter: They are very beautiful Ukrainian girls.Nix: They are very beautiful, I find that works very well.()Nix: And the answers are hypothetical and thats really important is, is please dont pay too much attention to what Im saying because Im just giving you examples of what can be done and what, what has been done. The right solution will be made for the right, for your problem.In another instance, Nix describes how to allegedly entrap a political candidate with a purported business offer. Well offer a large amount of money to the candidate, to finance his campaign in exchange for land for instance, he says. Well have the whole thing recorded, well blank out the face of our guy, and we post it on the Internet.At a January 2018 meeting, Nix also speaks about Cambridges supposed methods for going undetected in its efforts to influence campaigns:we have a long history of working behind the scenes you know, many of our clients dont want to be seen to be working with a foreign company So often we set up, if we are working then we can set up fake IDs and websites, we can be students doing research projects attached to a university, we can be tourists, theres so many options we can look at. I have lots of experience in this.A preview of the Channel 4 report notes that, in a later meeting, Mark Turnbull, the managing director of Cambridge Analyticas Political Global division, pushes back on the notion that his company would engage in underhanded tactics in the context of elections. Were not in the business of fake news, were not in the business of lying, making stuff up, and were not in the business of entrapment, Turnbull told a Channel 4 reporter. We wouldnt send a pretty girl out to seduce a politician and then film them in their bedroom and then release the film. There are companies that do this but to me that crosses a line.Former Cambridge employees whove spoken to Mother Jones describe Nix as a consummate salesman who wouldnt shy away from saying whatever was necessary to win new businesswithout always following through on those pledges. Alexander was always entertaining when meeting prospective clients, one former Cambridge staffer told me.Heres the video:
editorial@tribune.com
Opens branches in Punjab and Chandigarh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 20
Private lender IDFC Bank on Tuesday commenced its operations in the region by opening its branches in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.
Over the past two years, the bank has set up 132 interoperable Aadhaar-enabled micro ATMs and 27 Aadhaar Pay merchant points across Punjab, offering assisted digital banking services to residents of villages.
The bank said while online banking has been available earlier, with the start of these branches, customers can now open a savings account in just four minutes, using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. The bank will roll out its full suite of products, ranging from savings and current accounts to retail loans and wealth management services.
Across the country, the bank has 142 branches, 13,000 micro ATMs and 3,400 Aadhaar Pay merchant points. The bank intends to open more branches by June taking the total tally to 200.
Speaking at the launch, Avtar Monga, Executive Director, IDFC Bank, said, The launch of services in Punjab and expansion across the country is part of the banks stated intent to build a retail franchise for the masses, with a specific focus on the financially excluded and underserved segments. Our retail offering emphasises simplicity, convenience and service.
Amit Kumar, Head Personal Banking, IDFC Bank, said, Our objective is to offer top-of-the-line banking services to all customers ranging from salaried individuals to merchants and small businesses, as well as the populace in rural locations. We have used technology to make banking easy, create wider reach and anytime access.
Vibha Sharma
Vibha Sharma
With the country entering the home stretch for the General Election, political rumblings can be heard across the four states in southern India.
Currently, political parties from Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and Tamil Nadu and their representatives in Parliament are seen in the forefront of stalling proceedings in the Houses on issues concerning the respective states. Yet, the question is: are the concerns being raised now to address the altering landscape - the expansion of the Bharatiya Janata Party across the Vindhyas?
Upset over the denial of a Special Category status to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu led his Telugu Desam Party out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and stood with its chief opponent the YSR Congress to corner the Narendra Modi government in Parliament.
After sharing power both at the Centre and in the state for four years, the TDP found the denial of the status as an apt issue to reap political dividend, while neighbours in Telengana and Tamil Nadu stirred the cauldron over equally emotive issues of raising of quota of reservation and the constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board.
The BJP is not perturbed over Naidu's move. The BJP sees it from the prism of Naidu's growing worries over the increasing spread of the saffron base and the TDP losing ground in Andhra. Likewise, the BJP views the situation in Telangana as being a result of the vaulting ambition of KCR, as K Chandrasekhar Rao is known, to craft an alternative political front ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
"This is not the first time that Chandrababu Naidu has walked out of the NDA. This time, it shows he is worried about TDP's future," GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP's latest entrant to the Rajya Sabha, feels.
Interestingly, last year, when reports of tension between the BJP and TDP began to surface, as the BJP's pointsman for the state, the then Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, observed: "The BJP and TDP are working together well. Our expansion (BJP) in Andhra Pradesh should not be an objectionable thing as it is natural for political parties to grow on their own, it is very premature to draw conclusions at this stage on an alliance with TDP in the next polls".
BJPs expansion plans
Well, the BJP believes the "success" of president Amit Shah's carefully crafted "vistaar yatra" last year rattled the regional parties. In Telangana, Shah maintained that the state would prove to be BJP's "stepping stone" for its foray in the South.
The southern states together account for 130 Lok Sabha seats -- Andhra Pradesh (25), Telengana (17), Tamil Nadu (39), Karnataka (28), Kerala (20) and Puducherry (one). And it will be a mistake to ignore this major contribution for the next Lok Sabha. Currently, the BJP MPs' contingent from the south stands at 21: two from Andhra, where the party contested along with the TDP, 17 from Karnataka, and one each from Tamil Nadu and Telengana.
The region offers a whole lot of scope and is a good enough reason for Modi-Shah to keep focus here while drawing plans for 2019. For the BJP, these three states will allow consolidation for the party just as Assam and Manipur did in the North-East.
The BJP's plus point is its strike rate of success when it goes alone. In those terms, it senses the maximum potential from the two Telugu speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and the neighbouring Karnataka, where the lotus bloomed several years ago.
Party chief Amit Shah directed Andhra leaders to explain to people the Centre's position, emphasising on what the Modi government did for the state and how it is willing to do much more than just granting the Special Category status.
Relations with allies
Dismissing TDP charges of not following the "mitrapaksh (allies) dharma", the BJP accused it of "backstabbing" and falling into the trap set by the YSR Congress that upped the ante on the status issue. "The BJP cannot sacrifice its political interests to make its allies happy. We are committed to friendly relations and coalition dharma, but it could not be at the cost of suppressing its own interests," explains Rao, juxtaposing that the party suffered in Punjab on account of its commitment to coalition dharma even when the cadres wanted to separate from the Akalis.
Far from being distressed over the break-up, BJP Andhra cadres are in a celebratory mood at the thought of building on their own or, at best, courting emerging players in the form of YSR Congress and cinestar Pawan Kalyan, who is set to launch a new party. Kalyan is brother of former Union Minister and superstar Chiranjeevi, and belongs to the influential Kapu community.
The BJP is building its Telangana case on alleged minority appeasement by KCR, who argues that his reservation pitch is not guided by religion but by the desire to help weaker sections of Muslims. KCR also suspects a "Delhi conspiracy" to dethrone his government, leading to speculations of Assembly polls ahead of the scheduled May 2019 date.
In the centre of personality-based politics of TN, where it is still considered an "outsider", the BJP's hunt for partners continues. A section in the party feels alliance with cinestar Rajnikanth is better than AIADMK, on a downhill, post Jayalalithaa. It's a season of new parties in the state and AIADMK's sidelined leader TTV Dinakaran has launched one of his own, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam. And, if his success in the constituency previously held by Jayalalithaa is any indication, there is more to Tamil Nadu's political landscape than the BJP may have anticipated.
Politics of religion
Karnataka is one state where the BJP is on a firmer footing. Besides issues of governance, farmers' distress and stronger presence of Janata Dal (Secular) of HD Deve Gowda should traditionally cut into the Congress votes. Yet, Congress Chief Minister played a twin card by granting separate religion status to powerful Lingayat community, to which BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa belongs and offering a separate State Flag.
The season of politics has just begun.
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laxmi@tribune.com
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 19
BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma was today suspended for the rest of the ongoing budget session of the Assembly for allegedly making derogatory remarks in the House while opposing the presence of Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot.
AAP legislators accused Sharma of using unparliamentary and undignified language in the Assembly following which Speaker Ram Niwas Goel ordered Sharmas suspension for the remaining days of the session after a resolution moved by ruling party MLA Somnath Bharti was passed with voice of vote.
This is not the first time Sharma has been suspended from the House with the last time being over the insinuating remarks against AAP MLA Alka Lamba in November 2015. He was suspended for two sessions in the matter.
In the incident, the AAP legislators alleged in the House that Sharma threatened police action against them saying they will have to go to jail if they make a fake EVM machine during a heated exchange of words with the ruling side when he referred to its live demonstration of a dummy EVM in the House last year.
The BJP leaders, who staged a walk-out on Gahlot and the suspension issues, called the suspension "strangulation" of the Opposition's right to protest. Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta argued with the Speaker asking the latter under which rule of the House he was punished. Later he said he would appeal to the Speaker to reconsider his decision.
"It is an unconstitutional step showing how the AAP is muzzling the voice of the Opposition when we oppose the presence of Gahlot, who has been disqualified by the President, " Sharma told outside the House.
On March 16, all four BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the Assembly when they questioned the presence of Gahlot in the House.
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Many of us have been aware of, and concerned about, social media being used to peddle fake news. That may seem a quaint misdemeanour by the time the world fully realises the extent and implications of the Cambridge Analytica scandal that led to about $40 billion being wiped from Facebooks market cap over fears regarding the social media giants future. A psychologist and a corporate have apparently colluded to harvest data on 50 million Facebook users without the knowledge of most of them. They went on to create a model that used the data to build psychological profiles of the targeted audience, and directed custom-designed advertising at those individuals in order to alter their choices. In one specific case the service was sold to Republicans in the US elections; this has shaken the world the most over implications of how social media could be rigged to determine government formation. There is also suspicion the Brexit vote may have been influenced by these services.
Digital platforms irrespective of government policies are becoming an inescapable reality of existence in the modern world. A unique aspect of this world is the astounding gap between the abilities and comprehension of the companies offering the services and their users. This results in a very exploitative situation where most users end up voluntarily giving away information under legitimate circumstances. And this data is used to target products and ideas on unsuspecting individuals. But things start turning really ugly when even illegitimate means are used to mine data, and then it is sold to entities.
While there are reports that this same corporate is scouting for business in India ahead of the 2019 elections, Indians would be acutely conscious of how social media has already contributed to creating sharp and hostile political divides in the population. That is because social media companies tend to introduce you to threads that you are most likely to join, i.e., views that you already subscribe to. This leads to ghettoisation of minds or the formation of echo chambers. And it could only be the beginning of thought control via the net.
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During her stint as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been the lady in shining armour for nearly one lakh Indians who have found themselves stranded on hostile shores. The minister is certain to draw on her experience, flair and deep sense of empathy to handle the aftermath of the recovery of bodies of the 39 Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State in 2014. The minister is familiar with the contours of the case and with a change of government, the responsibility of locating them fell on her shoulders. She elevated the issue in public discussion by admitting to having discussed it with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As long as Mosul was a conflict zone, the fog of war precluded information from filtering out. That could be reason why the government at that time had relied on inadequately verified information that the 39 missing Indian nationals were probably in a jail.
An old world politician, Ms Swaraj thought it fit to face the media after the turmoil in the Lok Sabha precluded her from enunciating the governments version which she articulated in the Rajya Sabha first. But her account needs more elucidation, especially whether the disclosure about their deaths was the governments voluntary choice or the compulsion to break the news came from the Iraqis who were averse to being indefinitely saddled with the bodies of the Indians. Punjab, which has always remained invested about their condition, is also entitled to a complete and unadorned narration about the case to bring the saga of the unfortunate deaths to an acceptable closure.
The issue of Indians venturing into deadly war zones to earn a conflict bonus in exchange for risking their lives remains unresolved. The Indian Government has a quarter of century of experience of evacuating citizens from areas that transmogrified into militarily contested territories. But like all governments, it is helpless when desperate or ill-informed citizens opt to trade their well-being for a few extra dollars in active war zones. The government needs to adequately amplify the Foreign Offices advisories about no-go zones to the main catchment areas of immigration in the country to minimise such tragedies.
editorial@tribune.com
Gurugram, March 20
Demanding release of their three teachers from jail, Students of Mewat Model School, Nuh, boycotted their examinations. The teachers were arrested in connection with the suicide of a hosteller.
Despite counselling, the students from Classes IV to XI did not appear in their final examinations for the second day today.
The students said they would not appear in the examinations till the release of their teachers from jail.
Terming it a conspiracy of teachers, school chairman Khurshid Razaka said that the matter was sub judice and only the court could secure their release.
A total of five teachers were booked. Three are in jail and two are still free. We suspect that they and their accomplices are behind this drama. However, some of the students appeared in the examinations, said Razaka.
Renu, a student of Class XII, was found hanging in school hostel in December 2017. Following a probe, five teachers -- then principal, class teacher, physical education teacher, library in charge and hostel warden -- were booked for her murder. TNS
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Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, March 20
Apple farmers from Himachal have learnt new ways to increase apple production in the state from their counterparts in New Zealand. The New Zealanders are now using robots, solar light and new apple varieties to take apple production to 140 tonnes per hectare in three to four years.
This came as a harbinger of fresh hope for farmers in Himachal at a time when the farmers here are facing tough time to deal with the dry spell, hail storms, climate change and crop failures over the years.
Himachal farmers who were in Christ Church and Welson, the two leading apple producing area in New Zealand last week, shared their experience with apple farmers from 40 countries there. The annual meet was organised by the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA), a world body of apple farmers, that concluded recently in New Zealand. India was represented by two farmers from Jubbal valley, Lakshman Thakur, chairman, Eco Horts, Nandpur and Jangvir Singh Dulta of Shimla district. The fruit scientists from New Zealand also interacted with them that gave them new insights on how to increase apple production in Himachal from dismal 12 tonne to 35 tonne per hectare.
Lakshman Thakur said, It was an eye-opener for us how New Zealand government takes care for its horticulture. Our shoes were washed in solution to fumigate it for possible pathogens before we entered the apple orchards, which are ready for harvesting there these days.
editorial@tribune.com
Tribune News Service
Mandi, March 20
The local gurdwara prabandhak committee has opposed the intervention of SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) in the management of local gurdwara in Mandi town.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Surender Pal Singh Bhatia, president of local gurdwara prabandhak committee, said that SGPC members visited here two days ago to intervene in the matter of the management of gurdwara, which is not acceptable.
The local committee is running the management of gurdwara for years and the gurdwara is not under the SGPC control. The matter is pending in court and a decision is awaited, he said. We strongly oppose the intervention of the SGPC in gurdwara management until the decision of court on this issue. The decision of court, whatever it will be, will be acceptable, he said. Tension cropped up two days ago in the town when SGPC members in large numbers arrived at the gurdwara here which irked the local committee members. The district police administration had deployed huge police force to avoid any conflict between the two groups and to maintain law and order. However, no untoward incident was reported on that day.
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Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, March 20
With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj issuing a statement in the Rajya Sabha that the DNA samples of 38 out of 39 Indian youths missing in Iraq had matched with the bodies recovered from a mass grave, a pall of gloom descended on three villages of Kangra district.
The families of three Kangra youths, including Sandeep Kumar (40) from Dhameta Village near Pong Dam, Aman Kumar (27) from Passu village near Dharamsala and Inderjeet from Kadreti village in Dehra, had been waiting for the youngsters to return for the past more than three to four years.
The youths had left for Iraq in 2013-14 after they were hired through local recruitment agents working for foreign companies, mostly US firms. They were allegedly killed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Mosul, Iraq. In September last year, the blood samples of the family members of the deceased youths were taken by the authorities to send these to the Iraqi authorities.
Sandeep Kumar from Dhameta had left his home on September 16, 2013. He was working as a mechanic in TNH Company at Mosul. His wife Chandresh, who was inconsolable, said he was abducted on June 15, 2014. He last contacted his family in June 2014.
Sandeep was the sole bread-winner of the family and is survived by his wife Chandresh, 11-year-old son Ansh, seven-year-old daughter Punkit, father Dilawar Singh, mother Pushpa Devi, three sisters Anita, Jyoti and Neelam, who are married.
The family is poor and Sandeeps relatives and villagers are funding his childrens education.
Dilawar Singh said Sandeep had to go to the war-torn country as there were no jobs here. The family needed money. Now, he too is gone. We have lost him, said the wailing father.
The familys last contact with the government was when their DNA samples were taken in October 2017 at the local SDM office in Jawali.
Aman (27) from Passu village near Dharamsala was a JCB operator. He was working in some foreign construction company at Mosul when he went missing in 2014.
He is survived by his father Ramesh Chand, mother Beena Devi and grandmother Tara Devi. Ramesh Chand said Aman called them on June 14, 2014, and spoke to them for over an hour. After that, his phone was switched off. It was his last conversation with the family. We kept running from pillar to post, hoping that he might return, but today our hope has shattered. No family should send their son to work in such a country, he said.
Amans mother Beena Devi said they wanted nothing from the government. We have everything. I tried to convince Aman till the last moment not to go abroad, but he didnt listen to me, said Beena. The familys last contact with the government was in October last year when their DNA samples were taken.
Inderjeet (26) from Kadreti village, Dehra tehsil, was the third youth from Kangra district, who was killed in Mosul. He used to work as a machine operator.
He is survived by his father Pardesi Ram, mother Sulochana Devi, two elder brothers Vijay Kumar and Ajay Kumar, who live at Kadreti village in Dehra tehsil of Kangra district.
Were hired through local agents
The youths had left for Iraq in 2013-14 after they were hired through local recruitment agents working for foreign companies, mostly US firms. They were allegedly killed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Mosul, Iraq. In September last year, the blood samples of the family members of the deceased youths were taken by the authorities to send these to the Iraqi authorities.
editorial@tribune.com
Our Correspondent
Samba, March 20
An Army jawan allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a weapon in Samba district on Tuesday.
The deceased jawan, identified as Sepoy Naresh Kumar Yadav, shot himself on head around 10.30 am at Maheshwar Army Camp in Samba, the police said.
The Army said after hearing gunshots, other jawans and officers rushed to the barrack and found Naresh in a pool of blood. The jawan was immediately rushed to the Samba military hospital where he was declared brought dead, a police spokesperson said.
The body of the jawan was brought to the Samba District Hospital for autopsy. However, the reason for the extreme step taken by the jawan was not known yet, he said.
Yadav, who hails from Alwar in Rajasthan, had joined the Army 17 years ago and was posted with the dog unit and attached with the 168 Infantry Brigade at Maheshwar in Samba district. The police have registered a case and started investigation.
editorial@tribune.com
Jammu, March 20
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday described the use of Parliament to make the news about the deaths of 39 missing Indians in Iraq public as unpardonable.
He said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) should have spoken to each of the 39 families before breaking the news of the deaths. Nothing the Central government says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable, Omar said . Senior people in the MEA, if not the minister and her junior themselves, should have spoken to each of the 39 families before the news of the deaths was made public, he tweeted. He said, The calls could have been made minutes before Parliament was informed. Im sure no member would have objected to it. TNS
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Newcastle University is inviting applications for Women in Leadership scholarship which is an initiative to support innovative business women to become influential leaders. Through this scholarship, successful MBA candidates will receive mentoring support from the Business School Director, Professor Sharon Mavin, an international scholar in gender, leadership and organisation studies. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong track record for academic excellence and a wealth of professional experience.
Details: Partial award of 11,000, payable towards the cost of tuition fees
Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship the candidates must have completed the scholarship application form, including an essay of no more than 1,000 words in response to the question listed. Submissions need to be in English
Hold a conditional or unconditional offer of admission to the full-time MBA for 2018 entry and have managerial experience of three years
Ideally hold the equivalent of a UK 2:1 honours degree
Perform well at interview across all competency areas
Hold an English language qualification of IELTS 6.5 or its equivalent.
Number of awards: One
Deadline: April 20, 2018
How to apply: Online. Applications and essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges and final candidates will be announced by May 1, 2018.
Contact: mba@ncl.ac.uk
Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme
The Department of Science and Technology invites scientists with a proven track record to do basic research for a period of not more than five-years in the frontier areas of science and technology.
Eligibility: Doctorate degree holders in science, engineering or medicine, aged between 30 to 40 years and holding a regular position in any recognised Indian research organisation.
How to apply: Online only.
Details: Rs 25,000 p.m. for five years, grants for equipment, computational facility, consumables, contingencies, national and international travel and other special requirements will be provided, based on merit.
Deadline: March 31, 2018
Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/SFS3
Summer Fellowship at IISER
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, is inviting applications from graduation and post-graduation programme pursuers for two-month research and inter-disciplinary course work.
Eligibility: Candidates in second or third year of BSc. programme or in the first year of MSc. are welcomed to apply for this programme.
How to apply: Online as well as offline.
Details: Fellowship of Rs 5,000 and second class train fare to IISER Mohali and return will be given to the awardee.
Deadline: March 25, 2018 23:59
Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/SRF9
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research awards scientists with outstanding contributions to science and technology who have conspicuously important and outstanding contributions to human knowledge and progress.
Eligibility: The applicant must be involved in research in applied or fundamental disciplines of biology, chemical, earth, atmosphere, ocean and planetary, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physical sciences, aged not more than 45 years.
How to apply: Applications can be made via post only to Scientist In charge SSB YSA Unit Human Resource Development Group, CSIR Complex, Library Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi.
Details: The scholar will be awarded Rs 5 lakh p.a.
Deadline: March 31, 2018
Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/SSB1
Inputs courtesy www.buddy4study.com
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Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 20
The trauma that began in June of 2014 as families of 39 Indians received panic calls just days after their abduction by Islamic State in Iraq, will hopefully now find a closure.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday informed Rajya Sabha that the 39 missing Indians, who were abducted in the northern city of Mosul, were killed.
After the fall of Mosul to Iraqi forces in July last year mass graves were seen. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, who flew to Baghdad within 24 hours of the recapture, was tasked with collecting DNA samples from relatives of missing persons for matching first with countless bodies exhumed from mass graves and later from a specific mound.
The first body whose sample matched was a boy named Sandeep Kumar.There were 39 bodies.
From the archives: Families of 39 missing Indians in Iraq asked to give DNA samples
Fresh worry over missing Indians
DNA test for relatives of missing people is normal procedure, says Centre
"Yesterday, they informed us that DNA of 38 persons have matched," Swaraj said in Parliament.
She added families of the dead were not informed prior to the announcement as Parliament is in session and the House had to be informed first.
Najiha Abdul-Amir al-Shimari, Head of Iraq's Martyrs Establishment that coordinated closely with the Indian government on search and forensic examination process, informed on Tuesday that the bodies were found buried near Badush, northwest of Mosul.
Of the 39 dead, 27 are from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh, six from Bihar and two from West Bengal.
Raju Yadav from Bihar is the only Indian whose DNA matching is awaited as he did not have parents and samples of his close relatives were sent across which have so far matched 70 per cent. The mortal remains will be flown back to the respective states with General VK Singh flying to Baghdad in a special aircraft as soon as Indian Ambassador Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit completes the documentation process.
Meanwhile, Swaraj defended her ministry saying she had not misled or provided false hope to the families whom she had met at least a dozen times since the abduction crisis. Questions remained as to why did the government not take seriously the account of lone survivor Harjit Masih who called himself Ali and fled the ISIS camp with Bangladeshi workers in 2014.
Back home, he claimed that remaining Indians had been shot dead. Masih complained of harassment for having stated facts, a claim dismissed by Sushma Swaraj as baseless. "Harjit Masih is an individual, we are a government. If the government simply announced deaths based on Masih's account, it would have been irresponsible," stated Swaraj, adding that Masih had been kept in protective custody. "We are not a missing, believed to be dead government," she retorted.
The following is the list Indian nationals killed in Iraq around Mosul. The list was put out by the MEA.
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Mukesh Ranjan
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 20
The Centre today remained non-committal on the Karnataka Governments proposal to grant religious minority tag to the Lingayat/Veerashaiva community, as a senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said, the department would examine in detail once it receives the recommendation from the state.
The response from the MHA came a day after the Congress government in poll-bound Karnataka decided to recommend granting religious minority tag to the numerically strong and politically-influential Lingayat/Veerashaiva community.
When asked to comment on the development, the official said the issue of granting religious minority tag to the community would be examined as and when the MHA received the proposal from the state government.
He added that the MHA would most likely forward the proposal to the Registrar General & Census Commissioner for a detailed examination and suggestions.
The Karnataka Government took the decision following a recommendation of an expert panel set up by the state on the issue.
According to the panel, Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats are those who believe in the philosophy of Basaveshwara, 12th century social reformer.
The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva/ Lingayat faiths had surfaced from the community, amidst resentment from within over projecting the two communities as the same.
Karnataka State Minorities Commission had formed a seven-member committee, headed by retired high court Judge HN Nagamohan Das, on the issue which submitted its report on March 2.
The Lingayat/Veerashaiva community that owes allegiance to the social reform movement initiated by Basaveshwara has a substantial population in Karnataka, especially in the northern parts of the state.
The BJP and several sections of the Hindu community have maintained a cautious stance, keeping away from the move to give Veerashaiva/Lingayat separate religion status. They have accused the Siddaramaiah government of dividing the society to draw political mileage ahead of assembly elections due in the next couple of months.
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Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, March 20
The Congress party is wary of Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena becoming part of an anti-BJP front which is taking shape in Maharashtra.
Senior Congress party leaders are worried that the party could lose support among voters in North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should the MNS join a coalition of which it is a part.
We are not happy with the stand of MNS on a number of issues, Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief, told reporters here.
Though the MNS has been completely marginalised with its corporators in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation joining the Shiv Sena, Thackeray has been drawing big crowds at various protest programmes organised by
the MNS.
Even the partys annual Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park on Sunday saw a large number of people in attendance.
The MNS chief hit out at the Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also indicated that he was ready to be part of a larger anti-BJP front.
According to observers, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is keen on Raj Thackeray joining the anti-BJP alliance that he is putting together in Maharashtra.
Over the past few weeks, Thackeray has had at least two meetings with the Maratha strongman.
Last month the MNS chief carried out a much publicised interview with Pawar in which the latter played the Marathi card much to everyones surprise.
We see less of Marathi and more of Gujarati in signboards in Mira and Bhayandar (on the outskirts of Mumbai), Pawar said in the interview which was televised across the state.
The MNS had kicked up a row over a Jain religious figure asking voters in the twin township to vote for the BJP in the last civic polls and Thackeray has been playing up the growing presence of Gujaratis and other migrants in some neighbourhoods.
On the other hand, sections of the Congress and the NCP feel that friendly fights with the MNS and the Shiv Sena should it contest the next elections on its own would help reduce the BJPs tally in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls.
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Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 20
The initiative to float a Federal Front consisting of political parties minus the Congress to take on the Narendra Modi juggernaut in the 2019 General Election was on Tuesday trashed by the CPI(M).
CPI(M) broadly indicated its strong reservations in associating itself with a move to cobble up an anti-BJP front in which TMC would be a part or has a big role.
The CPI(M) is major entity in spectrum of Left parties which are, generally driven by a common ideology and strategy. They are working to strengthen unity among themselves.
The setback to the move, even if temporary, is bound to bring cheers in the government camp.
The move for a Federal Front has come from Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) head and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The two met in Kolkata yesterday on the issue and decided to carry the move forward.
CPI(M) deputy leader in Lok Sabha Mohammad Salim when asked at a press conference on the possibility of his party joining the proposed Federal Front, quipped: Which Federal Front?
Watch the conduct of political parties on the floor of the two Houses of Parliament which allow the government to bail out from answering questions on issues of public importance raised by the Opposition.
Without identifying, he said the political parties are playing games. They are acting on a prepared script in Parliament, and suggested its author is the government.
He left no one in doubt that the political parties are TMC and TRS. Without taking names, he referred to Banerjee saying that her track record of her anti-government stand, including on demonitisation, in and outside Parliament has helped government to divert attention from its accountability and questions by the Opposition on critical issues.
He said the present mantra to counter the BJP is to stop division of anti-BJP votes. He referred to SP and BSP, traditional rivals in BJP-ruled state Uttar Pradesh politics, joining hands to defeat the BJP nominees at Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha constituencies in the recent by-elections.
He said although the Congress had put up nominees for both the constituencies, the Left parties extended support to the SP nominees who were supported by the BSP.
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Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, March 20
Apprentices demanding jobs with the railways squatted on the railway tracks in the suburban section of the Central Railway in Mumbai on Tuesday morning throwing train services out of gear and inconveniencing commuters.
While local train services on the central line were completely halted for nearly five hours, the railways rescheduled several outstation trains.
According to the Central Railway authorities, several hundred youths who had cleared the Apprentices examination conducted by the railways descended on the tracks demanding that they be given full-time jobs with the transporter. Banded together under the banner of the All India Act Apprentice Association (AAAA), the protesters were demanding that the railways scrap recruitments under the open category.
The railways have announced recruitment for 90,000 jobs.
According to railway officials, the protesting apprentices stopped trains at 7 am between Matunga and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). These apprentices were undergoing training at the railways Parel workshop, according to AAAA.
Sources said the apprentices association had held talks with senior railway officials but failed to get any assurances about the youths being absorbed in full-time jobs. During the protests many of the youths held placards demanding an audience with Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.
The protests almost threatened to get out of hand after some of the youths hurled stones at police. However the situation was brought under control by a mild lathi-charge police said.
By noon, train services on the central railway line resumed after railway officials promised to hold a special examination for the apprentices who had undergone training at railway workshops under the Apprentices Act.
amansharma@tribunemail.com
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 20
The Congress on Tuesday accused External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj of repeatedly lying to the nation and families of 39 Indians slain in Iraq.
"We kept asking the minister in Parliament about these people and she kept saying they were safe and sound," Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni said.
Swaraj and the BJP government has square responsibility of bringing these people back, but they kept on misleading, Soni told mediapersons.
Congress MP from Punjab Partap Singh Bajwa said this is a tragic news for India "I raised the matter in zero hour last year in Parliament. The government kept telling the families that they had reports from six sources that these people are alive."
Bajwa said Harjit Masih from his area, Gurdaspur kept saying these people had been killed but the government didn't believe him.
He added that the government was sleeping till the Iraqi President declared the capture of Mosul.
"VK Singh was sent to Iraq to probe the matter and he said the captive Indians had been shifted to some jail on the outskirts of Mosul but it was learnt that the jail was under ISIS capture," Bajwa said.
"The government lied and mishandled the issue," he said, adding Swaraj knew she had taken a wrong stand on the issue throughout but she was never willing to admit that.
Ambika Soni said, "The government was in such a hurry to get over with the statement in Rajya Sabha that we could not even stand in two-minute silence to condole the deaths." The government should give Rs 1 crore each to families, she demanded.
The Congress also demands public apology from Sushma Swaraj, Union minister Harsimrat Badal and former Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal to the shocked families of 39 slain Indians, Soni said.
amansharma@tribunemail.com
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a congratulatory telephone call to President Xi Jinping on his re-election for a second five year term as the President of China.
The two leaders agreed that as two major powers growing rapidly, bilateral relations between India and China are vital for the realisation of "21st century as Asian century", said the Indian government in its formal statement.
On Monday, Modi had posted a congratulatory message on his account on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. "I look forward to working with you for further development of our bilateral relations," wrote PM Modi.
The leaders had last met at the BRICS summit in Xiamen soon after Indian and Chinese troops mutually disengaged following a 73-day tense stand-off at the tri-junction with Bhutan.
64-year-old Xi now has unbridled power after the two-term presidential limit was removed by the Chinese Parliament, the National Peoples Congress. Xi also struck a nationalist tone in the closing address of the parliament session.
As reported by The Tribune earlier, China has proposed an informal meeting between Xi and Modi this year. Amid tension in ties, India has also made overtures to Beijing with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in a secret note to the Cabinet Secretary advising government ministers and officials to stay away from exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's functions as the environment with China is very sensitive currently.
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are expected to head to China next month in the run up to the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit scheduled for June this year.
The two leaders also agreed to continue their close consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest,added the Indian government's release following the Modi-Xi conversation.
gspannu7@gmail.com
Yash Goyal
Jaipur, March 20
Due to tension from across the border and in diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India, no delegation of Pakistani pilgrims is coming to attend the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti's Dargarh 806th Urs at Ajmer which began on Monday.
There is no information till now, nor any correspondence from the External Affairs Ministry on the arrival of pilgrims from Pakistan, Additional District Magistrate, Ajmer city, Arvind Kumar Sengwa told The Tribune on Tuesday.
The preparation, security arrangements, stay and local transportation for foreign delegates especially for Pakistani pilgrims are done well in advance after receiving the information from the MEA, the ADM said.
Last year, about 400 Pakistani pilgrims had attended the annual Urs, he said.
While Anjum Sadar, secretary, Sayed Wahid Hussain Angarashah, says, Two nations relations may be a reason but Khawja jab bulatein hain, tabhi zayreen aatein hain Dargah ki chokhat pe.
There was a time during 1991-97 when no official delegation from Pak visited Urs...and in recent years this is the third time when Zayreens are not visiting, he said.
Keeping their identity secret, other local Anjum functionaries feel that the Indian Embassy has not granted visa to the delegation from neighbouring country due to non-congenial atmosphere prevailing between the two nations and tension on the international border.
So far 300 buses packed with pilgrims from entire country have arrived for offering Ziyarat at Khawaja sahib. Urs will attracts lakhs of pilgrims till March 29 for which the district administration has made elaborate security arrangements.
On Monday, Union Minister MA Naqvi had offered a chadar at Ajmer sharif on behalf of PM Narendra Modi and read out PMs message to the audience.
uttara@tribuneindia.com
Padubidre (Karnataka), March 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is insulting the common man by claiming credit for India's progress, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday, as he embarked on this third visit of poll-bound Karnataka.
Gandhi accused the BJP of dividing people despite its talk of dharma.
The Congress leader also accused the prime minister of favouring big businesses by waiving their loans while ignoring farmers.
"Wherever Narendra Modi goes he says in the last 70 years nothing has happened. He is insulting your parents, poor farmers, labourers, small businessmen of India.
"If this country stands as equal to other countries of the world today, it has not happened in two years. It has taken years of time, sweat and blood of common people. Modi should stop insulting the common man," he told a party rally at Padubidre in coastal Udupi district.
No single person can take a country forward, he noted.
Gandhi spoke about social reformers to attack the BJP, which he accused of dividing people.
"BJP people talk about dharma, but wherever they go, they divide people by pitting one against the other. On one side they praise Basavanna and Narayana Guru (social reformers), and on the other every day they indulge in things that these two great people fought against," he said.
Gandhi, who visited the northern parts of the state during the previous two rounds, in now on a two-day trip of south coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions.
Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, which have a strong BJP presence, and Hassan, the home district of former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda, are on his itinerary.
Noting that five major banks originated in Udupi district, Gandhi said the Congress party's idea behind that was to take banks to the people, and blamed the Modi government for mounting non-performing assets (NPAs).
"We took banks to villages, but if you see today there are NPAs worth lakhs of crore of rupees of rich people.
"About 10-15 rich persons of India have taken away your Rs 8 lakh crore. In the last few years, BJP has waived Rs 2.5 lakh crore loans taken by 15 rich people... but when a farmer asks for loan waiver Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister) say it is not our policy," he added.
Repeatedly invoking social reformers Narayana Guru and Basavanna, Gandhi said the two preached "we are all one".
"Narendra Modi speaks about Basavanna and Narayana Guru. I want to ask him a question. You speak about Basavanna and Narayana Guru, then why do you differentiate between rich and poor?" he said.
Gandhi, who has been visiting religious places during his election tours recently, will pay obeisance at Gokarnatheswara Temple, Rosario Church, Ullal Dargah, Sringeri Sharadamba Temple and also Sringeri Mutt. He will also meet the Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Mutt.
The Assembly elections in the state are likely in April-May. PTI
rchopra@tribunemail.com
United Nations, March 20
UN chief Antonio Guterres is following the situation in Kashmir closely and encouraged a dialogue between India and Pakistan to settle any outstanding differences, his spokesperson said.
Spokesman for Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric made the comment while responding to a question on the tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.
Obviously, we are following the situation there as closely, as we always do, and we would encourage dialogue between the parties to settle any outstanding differences, Dujarric told reporters at his daily briefing here on Monday.
On whether the Secretary-General had talked with the prime ministers of Pakistan or India, Dujarric said there is nothing to report on that currently.
In the past, Dujarric, when asked at press briefings about the Secretary-Generals response to the situation in Kashmir, had repeatedly said that Guterres followed the situation in the region closely.
The UN chief reiterated his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. PTI
monicakchauhan@gmail.com
Chandigarh, March 20
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said he was "shattered at the heart-wrenching news" that 39 Indians, kidnapped by the ISIS, had been killed in Iraq.
His Congress colleague Partap Singh Bajwa and Aam Aadmi Party's Kanwar Sandhu also expressed their grief and targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for misleading the families of those who had died.
Sandhu also asked for the minister's resignation.
Swaraj today said 39 Indians, who were abducted by ISIS in Iraq nearly three years back, were killed and their bodies recovered.
As many as 40 Indians were abducted by the terrorist organisation in June 2015 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
"Shattered at the heart-wrenching news from @SushmaSwaraj that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead. My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them," Amarinder Singh said on Twitter.
Shattered at the heart-wrenching news from @SushmaSwaraj that the 39 Indians missing in Iraq, most of whom were Punjabis, are dead. My heart goes out to the families who had been living in hope since their reported abduction by ISIS in 2014. Prayers with all of them. Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 20, 2018
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa added that he was saddened by the news confirming the deaths of those missing in Iraq and his thoughts and prayers are with their families.
"Why did Sushma Swaraj mislead the families for more than 3 years.This is complete failure of MEA & GOI," he tweeted.
"I raised this issue many a times in Rajya Sabha that why is the Government playing with emotions of families by giving them false hopes. Can there be anything more shameful than this?" Bajwa added.
Bajwa appealed to the government of India and Punjab government to provide all possible help and financial aid to the families.
AAP leader and Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu demanded the resignation of the union minister.
Sushma Swaraj should resign as external affairs minister taking responsibility for the lies she spread about the 39 missing Indians in Iraq.#39missing Kanwar Sandhu (@SandhuKanwar) March 20, 2018
"Sushma Swaraj should resign as external affairs minister taking responsibility for the lies she spread about the 39 missing Indians in Iraq," Sandhu said in a tweet. PTI
rchopra@tribunemail.com
Praful Chander Nagpal
Our Correspondent
Fazilka, March 20
The BSF claims to have arrested two Pakistani smugglers near the SS Wala Border Out Post in Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district on Monday night.
The smugglers have been identified as Muhammad Aslam alias Pehalwan and Mohammad Shakeel alias Namaz Ali, residents of Kasur district in Pakistan.
The troops of 2 battalion of BSF on search seized nine packets of heroin weighing about 2.97 kg, two pistols, four magazines, 36 cartridges, a knife, Rs 270 in Pakistani currency, two mobile phones, three Pakistani SIMs and 104 boxes of Dunhill brand cigarettes from their possession.
They have been booked under Sections 21 and 23 of the NDPS Act, Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 4 of the Indian Passport Act.
rchopra@tribunemail.com
Chandigarh, March 20
Harjit Masih, the lone survivor who had managed to flee from ISIS captivity in Iraq in June 2014 following his kidnapping along with 39 other Indians there, on Tuesday said he had been maintaining for the past three years that all others had been killed.
I had been saying for the past three years that all 39 Indians had been killed (by ISIS militants), Masih said.
I had spoken the truth, asserted Masih, resident of Kala Afghana village in Gurdaspur district.
Masih was one of the 40 Indian workers kidnapped by the ISIS militant outfit.
His statement came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday informed Parliament that all 39 Indian workers, kidnapped by ISIS in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies had been recovered.
Masih said they were killed in front of his eyes and he had been saying all these years, wondering why the government was not accepting what he had said earlier.
Giving details of the incident, Masih said the Indians were working at a factory in Iraq in 2014.
But we were kidnapped by militants and kept hostage for some days, he said.
On the fateful day, they were made to sit on their knees and the militants opened fire upon them.
I was fortunate to have survived though a bullet hit my thigh and I fell unconscious, he said.
He, however, managed to return to India after giving the slip to the ISIS militants after suffering a gun wound.
As many as 39 Indians, who had gone to Iraq to earn their livelihood, had been missing since 2014.
Among them, several were from Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar. PTI
monicakchauhan@gmail.com
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 20
Majority of the families of the 31 Punjabi men who went missing in the Mosul city of Iraq were found ignorant of the fate of their kin who were massacred by the ISIS militants in 2014.
While the statement made by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is yet to reach these families living in remote villages, Swaran Singh, the brother of one of the 39 Indians killed in Iraq from Sangowal village in Amritsar, expressed anguish over the way the announcement was made by the minister.
This is nothing less than a brutality to the families who were waiting for the safe return of their boys. The minister should have called us before exploding the bomb on us, said an aggrieved Swaran Singh.
Refusing to accept her claim that all the 39 Indians who were kidnapped by the ISIS were killed, Swaran Singh said that the government earlier trusted on unreliable sources and maintained that they were safe and were held hostage at an undisclosed place.
Later, through another unreliable source, it stated that they were held hostage in a mosque, but that again was proved wrong.
It is very much possible that the claim made by them now is also wrong, said Singh that the families may file a case against the Union Government for keeping them in dark and a re-investigation of the claim made by Swaraj about the death of their kin in Iraq.
Kanwaljit Kaur, mother of 25-year-old Dharmendra Kumar of Batala village in Gurdaspur, said, I have not lost hope. I have shortlisted few girls for him and is anxiously waiting to see him as a bridegroom.
As her voice was filled with laughter and hope, this correspondent didnt have the heart to tell her the truth.
Manjit Kaur, wife of the deceased Punjabi youth Davinder Singh from Roorka Kalan village, said: Umeed jiundi e ajje takaaun taan sahivekhyo kidda welcome karna mein(Hope is still alive. Let him come and see how we have planned his welcome).
Little did she know that she would not see her husband again.
It was last year in July that the Ministry of External Affairs had sought DNA testing of the 39 Indian families.
The process was initiated after Iraqi authorities informed India about mass graves found in and around Mosul.
The process was completed in December last year following which Swaraj on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that all 39 Indians kidnapped by ISIS in Iraqs Mosul were found dead.
rchopra@tribunemail.com
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 20
Turbans were tossed as police tried to prevent SAD-BJP leaders from marching towards the Punjab Assembly here to register their protest on Tuesday.
As Akali leaders led by Sukhbir Badal breached the second line of defence, water cannons were used to keep them at bay. Police also lathicharged the protesters.
Protesters hurled bricks at the forces. Turbans of both Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia were tossed in the mayhem.
All BJP and SAD leaders, including Vijay Sampla, later surrendered. Sukhbir and Majithia also courted arrest.
Earlier, Sukhbir said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is scared of the wrath of the farmers as he had failed to keep the promises made to them.
He was addressing a protest rally organised by the SAD-BJP against the Congress government over its alleged failure to implement the farm loan waiver and its alleged efforts to stop subsidised power to the agricultural sector.
Sukhbir said all social security pensions besides the insurance scheme for farmers has been stopped; and now efforts were on to start charging them for power used in the agricultural sector.
Sukhbir accused Amarinder of being inaccessible to people and succumbing to coteries.
He said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal would have been jailed had he not tendered an apology to Bikram Majithia for levelling false charges against him.
He alleged that the Congress government had been unable to manage finances. He took a dig at the CM and Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal for crying continuously about the state treasury being empty.
sanjiv@tribunemail.com
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, March 20
The budget session of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on Tuesday began on a stormy start note with the opposition Congress raising the demand for making Gairsain the capital of Uttarakhand forcing the Uttarakhand Governor Dr KK Paul to complete his address to the House amidst sloganeering.
As soon as the Governor began delivering his address the opposition benches rose to their feet urging the government to come clean on the issue of Gairsain. We want answers from you to come clear on the issue of Gairsain, said Indira Hridayesh, Leader of the Opposition.
Soon the Congress MLAs reached the well of the house and continued with their sloganeering. In the midst of the sloganeering Uttarakhand Governor delivered his address to the house chalking the future road map for the state as conceptualised by the BJP government and also listed the achievements of the BJP-led TS Rawat government.
In his address, the Governor spoke on 35 points focusing on Gairsain and how government plans to start the stalled works over there. Around 67.50 acre land would be acquired for the construction of a mini secretariat. He then focused on the governments decision to give a push to promote and encourage traditional farming and step up irrigation facilities for farmers.
Farmers and their concerns are top most priority for the government and we intend to double the income of the farmers by introducing traditional farming and improving irrigation facilities, said Dr KK Paul.
The Governor also focused on disaster management and a transparent excise policy in which the permanent residents were being allocated the liquor vend.
Throughout his address, the Congress MLAs continued with their sloganeering and later sat in the well of the house. We had sought answers from the government as the local people are agitating on issue. They did not allow us to speak, said Pritam Singh Congress MLA. As the sloganeering continued, Speaker Prem Chand Agarwal adjourned the house as soon as the Governor completed his address.
Later, the Governor also released a book titled Mansa Vacha Karmana Uttarakhand Uttkarsh penned by Chief Minister TS Rawat. The book contains information about several schemes started by the BJP government and the Chief Ministers own experiences.
shalender@tribune.com
London, March 20
Nearly two dozen Russian diplomats expelled by the British government in retaliation over the poisoning of a UK-based former Russian double agent and his daughter left the country today with their families.
The Russian Embassy in London confirmed that around 80 people, including the 23 Russian diplomats and their families, were on their way back to Moscow, which marks the one-week deadline given by British Prime Minister Theresa May in her House of Commons statement.
May told Parliament that the UK was certain that a deadly nerve agent from the Novichok stock associated with Russia had been used in the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury on March 4.
The 23 diplomats expelled were identified by May as undeclared intelligence officers, a charge the Russian embassy has denied.
A small crowd gathered outside the embassy and waved goodbye to people carrying suitcases, children and pets as they boarded diplomatic cars and buses. They boarded their flight back to Russia from Stansted Airport. The Kremlin has also expelled 23 British diplomats in response, who have until Saturday to leave Russia. PTI
shalender@tribune.com
Paris, March 20
French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy was taken into police custody today and questioned over allegations that late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi financed his 2007 election campaign via suitcases stuffed with cash, a source close to the inquiry told AFP.
Sarkozy was detained early this morning and was being questioned by prosecutors specialising in corruption, money laundering and tax evasion at their office in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre.
The 63-year-old had until now refused to respond to summons for questioning in the case, one of several legal probes that have dogged the right-winger since he left office after one term in 2012.
Sarkozys detention was first reported by the Mediapart investigative news site and French daily Le Monde. AFPs source said Brice Hortefeux, a top government minister during Sarkozys presidency, was also questioned today as part of the inquiry.
Sarkozy has been a focus of the inquiry opened in 2013 by magistrates investigating earlier claims by late Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi and his son Seif al-Islam that they provided funds for Sarkozys election effort.
Sarkozy has dismissed the allegations as the claims of vindictive Libyan regime members furious over his participation in the US-led military intervention that ended Gaddafis 41-year rule and led to his death.
But the case drew heightened scrutiny in November 2016 when a Franco-Lebanese businessman admitted delivering three cash-stuffed suitcases from the Libyan leader as contributions towards Sarkozys first presidential run.
In an interview with the investigative website Mediapart, Ziad Takieddine said he had made three trips from Tripoli to Paris in late 2006 and early 2007 with cash for Sarkozys campaign.
Each time he carried a suitcase containing 1.5-2 million euros ($1.8-2.5 million) in 200-euro and 500-euro notes, Takieddine claimed, saying he was given the money by Gaddafis military intelligence chief Abdallah Senussi.
Sarkozy, the son of a Hungarian immigrant father who takes a hard line on Islam and French identity, was nicknamed the bling-bling president during his time in office for his flashy displays of wealth. When asked about the allegations by Takieddine during a televised debate, Sarkozy called the question disgraceful and said the businessman was a liar who had been convicted countless times for defamation.
Investigating magistrates have recommended Sarkozy face trial on separate charges of illegal campaign financing over his failed 2012 re-election bid.
Franco-Lebanese bizman did him in
France opened an inquiry into the Libya case in 2013, after reports by French website Mediapart based on claims by a Franco-Lebanese businessman, Ziad Takieddine (pic), who said he had transferred 5 million euros from Gaddafis former intelligence chief to Sarkozys campaign director
The Libya inquiry has largely focused on the evidence provided by Takieddine, who is himself under investigation in a separate affair of arms sales to Pakistan in the 1990s
Sarkozys lawyer at the time, Thierry Herzog, dismissed Takieddines claims and produced a copy of a witness statement to police by Takieddine in 2012 in which the businessman said he had last seen Sarkozy in November 2003
French leader Dogged for years by political scandals
Nicolas Sarkozy has been dogged for years by political scandals, but none has led to a conviction. He faces up to a year in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros if convicted, but he is appealing the decision to send him to trial
Only one other French president-Jacques Chirac-has been tried in Frances Fifth Republic, which was founded in 1958. He was give a two-year suspended jail term in 2011 over a fake jobs scandal
Sarkozy failed with a bid to run again for president in November 2016 and has stepped back from frontline politics, although he remains a powerful figure behind the scenes at the right-wing Republicans party
AFP
shalender@tribune.com
Seoul, March 20
A delayed joint military exercise between South Korea and the US will be cut short by a month, a Seoul defence ministry spokesman said today, as the diplomatic thaw with North Korea intensifies.
The Foal Eagle exercises will be held for a month in April due to a delay caused by the Olympics and as each military has its own schedule, the spokesman told AFP.
Last year the drills were conducted for two months through March to April. This years exercises were delayed to avoid clashing with the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South last month.
The Pentagon said the North Korean military had been notified about the schedule for the drills by the United Nations Command.
Our combined exercises are defence-oriented and there is no reason for North Korea to view them as a provocation, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan said in a statement.
The South Korean official said consultations were underway over whether US strategic assets such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers or bombers would be deployed for the drills.
Logan said the two joint drills would involve about 23,700 US troops and 300,000 South Korean forces.
He said they were not in response to any specific North Korean actions or the current situation on the Korean peninsula. Agencies
shalender@tribune.com
Great Mills, March 20
A student who shot and critically wounded two fellow students at a Maryland high school on Tuesday morning, has died after exchanging gunfire with a campus security officer, the county sheriff said.
The school day had barely begun when the student, who has not been identified, shot a male student and a girl student at Great Mills High School in St. Marys County before the campus security officer intervened, county Sheriff Timothy Cameron told NBCs Washington affiliate.
The two victims were in critical condition at hospitals.
The officer was not harmed, and the public schools roughly 1,600 students were later escorted off campus by police, classroom by classroom, to reunite with their parents.
Fifth package bomb explodes in Texas
Houston: A package bomb has exploded at a FedEx distribution facility in San Antonio city in Texas, hurting one person. The package bomb exploded Sunday night and appeared to have been set off by a tripwire mechanism. It is more than possible that the explosion is linked to the prior ones in taking place in Austin, as the package was believed to be headed toward that city, which has witnessed four bombings this month. Agencies
The operators of an online registration service for motor carriers has agreed to settle with the Federal Trade Commission over charges that they impersonated and falsely claimed affiliation with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other government agencies.
The accused allegedly took more than $19 million from small trucking businesses by creating the false impression that they were affiliated with U.S. DOT, the UCR system, or another government agency.
The two were accused of deceiving small trucking businesses into paying them for federal and state motor carrier registrations.
Under the settlement order, the defendants are banned from misrepresenting affiliation with any government entity and from using consumer billing information to obtain payments without expressed consent.
They must also adequately disclose that they are a private third-party service provider and any fees associated with their services. The order imposes a $900,000 judgment that must be paid within one day.
James P. Lamb and Uliana Bogash were accused of violating the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence ACT while operating under the company names DOTAuthority.com and DOTFIlings.com, Excelsior Enterprises International, and JPL Enterprises International.
Certain trucking companies that must register annually with the Unified Carrier Registration system can register through the official UCR website or the official website of their state.
In a released statement, Lamb characterized the lawsuit as a nuisance case, saying that it was government overreach at best, a failed political hit job to disgrace me at worst. Lamb said he believed that the lawsuit was retaliation against his businesses for two federal lawsuits he brought against the U.S. DOT in 2013 and 2015 as a non-profit trade group president.
Lamb and Bogash are accused of taking more than $19 million from thousands of small businesses by creating the false impression that they were affiliated with U.S. DOT, the UCR system, or another government agency.
Through allegedly misleading robocalls, emails, and text messages they would send false warnings to the fleets that they could be subjected to civil penalties, fines, or law enforcement actions unless they registered with one of their sites instead of through official government websites.
They were also accused of obscuring the total amount charged, which ranged from $25 to $500 or more. In some cases, fleets alleged that they were automatically enrolled in an annual renewal program without knowledge or consent.
Lamb further went on to state that DOTAuthority.com offered customers a convenience-oriented alternative and were simply filling a need in the market and not deceiving carriers. According to the release, DOTAuthority.com displayed disclaimers on its website to make it clear that they were not affiliated with the government.
Some fleets were automatically enrolled in recurring payments, but there was an option to opt out that did meet the requirements for what is legally regarded as negative option marketing, and is in compliance with FTC rules, according to Lamb
Their goal was not to protect the public from deception as they speciously represented, but to engage in character assassination to take down an outspoken trade group president standing up for small business and to corruptly put my legitimate business out of business in retaliation, said Lamb.
Editor's note: Updated to include statements from DOTAuthority.com.
For the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to become reality, countries must be able to measure their progress and report back to their citizens and to the wider world. The 2030 Agenda provides governments the opportunity to offer their own assessments of their nations progress towards the SDGs.
These Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are presented at the annual High-level Political Forum (HLPF), which is also an opportunity for governments, UN agencies and other stakeholders to share data, experiences and perspectives on SDG implementation.
So far, 64 countries have told the world about their SDG progress through VNRs in 2016 and 2017. UNDP has supported the majority of them, including through facilitation of stakeholder dialogue and engagement. Countries are also compiling national SDG country reports that capture more depth and detail of their progress. UNDP has supported 22 countries to ensure resources and consultations for the first wave of these reports, which show that stakeholder engagement has indeed a vital role to play.
For example, in The Bahamas, private sector and civil society organizations (CSOs) gave their views on public policies and programmes to help identify gaps in SDG implementation and to highlight tradeoffs between goals. This exercise formed the basis of the SDG report and for a prioritization among SDG targets. Community-based CSOs and private companies also identified SDG champions who reviewed the draft SDG report and provided feedback to make sure that No One is Left Behind.
In The Gambia, the government successfully determined SDG baselines, identified data sources and developed a mechanism for SDG monitoring and reporting together with the private sector, civil society and international development partners, which will be built into the monitoring and evaluation framework of the National Development Plan.
Through similar consultations, Jamaica set out to continue its awareness raising work through a dedicated SDG advocacy plan to obtain and coordinate stakeholder input, and to identify knowledge gaps throughout society. The plan includes toolkits for entertainers and the media, promotion of SDG essay competitions in schools and campaign material for visually impaired persons. Mirroring the 2030 Agenda, the plan underlines the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach that harnesses the knowhow and capacities from all of society, which is necessary for effective follow-up and review.
UNDP and partners have developed a data visualization platform allowing users to explore SDG progress around the world.
These are just a few examples of the country-led actions that are going on around the world. Tracking progress and challenges and making them known is crucial to advance the 17 Goals. That is why UNDP together with partners, including UN DESA and UN SDG Action Campaign, has set up a new, soon to be launched data visualization platform that allows the user to explore VNRs and SDG country progress reports as well as the interlinkages they make between the Goals.
But tracking progress is not enough. SDG implementation is a team effort and everyone must play at their best to fulfil the promises of the 2030 Agenda. Through the UNs Major Groups and other stakeholders programme, people ranging from youth, indigenous communities and farmers to trade unions, businesses and the tech community, can express their views on the progress of the 2030 Agenda.
The MY World 2030 survey is another example of how citizens around the world can express their views on SDG progress to inform government action and reporting on SDG implementation. If you havent taken this brief survey yet, we highly encourage you to do so!
The 2030 Agenda is a bold plan for humanity that requires everyone to participate. UNDP is committed to continuing to work with partners to ensure that No One is Left Behind when reviewing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
This years HLPF will be held from 9 to 18 July in New York under the theme of Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies. Forty-seven countries are planning to present their advancements and challenges in turning the SDGs into a reality on the ground.
About the author
Catharina Klingspor is a knowledge and advocacy officer for the 2030 Agenda in the Strategic Policy Unit at UNDP.
Follow @UNDP_SDGs for news and insights into UNDPs work on the SDGs.
Among the most important changes facing large organizations like UNDP is the need to manage ever-increasing amounts of data to run operations, improve efficiency and decision-making.
In Mali, where I recently completed a 3-year assignment as Deputy Country Director for Operations, I saw firsthand how transformative technology can be. Mali is a vast country of 1.2 million square miles where our work is fraught with security and logistical challenges.
As necessity is the mother of invention, the Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) developers put their minds together to design software that would facilitate the running of daily operations. A couple of years ago they started working on the Africa Productivity Software Suite, a set of innovative tools that has had a huge impact on our operational capacities.
They started with STREAM, a business intelligence that provides RBA managers information about the status of programme performance, key country office metrics and trends. A popular resource among our staff, STREAM is now available to all UNDP Regional Bureaus.
To address the risks of operating in often volatile environments with a network of remote sub-offices, they created IRIS, a web-based system that provides real time and 24/7 information on operations and staff location thanks to its GPS feature. Linked to UNDPs human resources and procurement system, IRIS also allows for real-time physical asset inventory from mobile phone with QR code identification.
Our developers also launched One-Pay, a broadband free mobile application that ensures the seamless management of funds in areas where banking structures are non-existent, a constant among countries in post-conflict or transition situations. The app also limits the risk of fraud and facilitates the handling of cash by UNDP staff.
Teaming with up with NASA and UNDPs Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT), we recently started implementing One-Eye, one of our most ambitious projects yet, in 10 countries across 120 sites. One-Eye is a satellite imagery system that helps conduct remote monitoring and evaluation of project sites and can rely on drones to carry out project monitoring through georeferenced aerial mapping.
Beyond the appeal of high-tech gadgetry, these tools matter because they allow us to work in a seamless and agile way. They help ensure our accountability with donors as they help them stay informed about how, when and where their funds are spent.
The new Strategic Plan emphasizes the need to leverage our technical know-how as data will be key to help the countries we serve realize the Sustainable Development Goals. Whether its in the area of governance, resource mobilization, poverty reduction, environment protection, emergency relief or post-disaster recovery, the potential fields of application are seemingly endless.
As I was returning from a recent field mission to Timbuktu, I thought about the citys Sankore University, a major centre of learning for more 25,000 students during the 14th and 15th centuries. Back then and as now, the power of knowledge and information to improve peoples lives was a reality.
"Whether its inequality or whether its [the] ability to reach people to leave no one behind, I view science and technology as integral to expanding both the capacity and the efficacy of our work," UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said at a recent event on SDGs in Action.
I could not agree more. I see these tools as harbingers of UNDPs transformation into a full-fledged digital platform organization that can deliver our signature solutions. Their potential is quite promising the sky is quite literally the limit.
UNHCR staff speak with a resident who escaped the conflict in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. Mysa Khalaf producer / Mazen Haffer camera/editor
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, is alarmed by a further deepening of the humanitarian crisis in Syria as fierce fighting in Eastern Ghouta, rural Damascus and Afrin in the countrys northwest causes massive new displacement.
In Eastern Ghouta alone, more than 45,000 Syrians have fled their homes in recent days. UNHCR is responding to urgent humanitarian needs on the ground, but we are today reiterating our call for the protection and safety of both the newly displaced and of hundreds of thousands civilians, still trapped by fierce fighting and in dire need of aid.
UNHCR takes no part in the current evacuation deal or in its implementation. But from the outset of the most recent escalation, our teams have been at the makeshift collective shelters as thousands of families, exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and sick and with few or no belongings were arriving from Eastern Ghouta. More civilians continue to make their way out every day.
The newly displaced are currently accommodated in Dweir, Adra Schools, Adra Electricity department, Herjelleh, Najha, Nashabiya, Khirbet al Ward, where conditions are miserable. According to UNHCR staff, the needs are overwhelming and growing by the hour. There are also serious health risks.
All existing shelters are extremely congested and overcrowded and lack basic sanitation. People queue in lines for hours to use restrooms, and most have no lighting. UNHCR and its partners have been working around the clock to provide life-saving assistance. This is in close coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), UN agencies and other humanitarian actors.
UNHCRs partners are registering persons lacking documents, particularly unregistered newborn children, with a view to tackle this major protection concern with the Syrian authorities.
UNHCR has so far delivered 180,000 core relief items to meet the urgent needs (mattresses, blankets, high thermal blankets, plastic sheets, winter clothes kits, solar lamps, jerry cans, and kitchen sets). At several collective shelters, people living in the open in schoolyards are desperate and using UNHCRs blankets as partitions to create some privacy, and to protect themselves and their families from the sun in daytime, and from the cold at night.
The shortage of appropriate shelter is a major concern and we are striving to bridge this gap. More than 2,200 shelters kits had been provided to SARC to make the facilities allocated for collective shelters habitable. Some 800 UNHCR family tents have been dispatched from northeast Syria and will reach Damascus within the next 48 hours. More tents will be brought but in the meantime UNHCR is also dispatching several rubb halls to be used as temporary shelter for people sleeping in the open, particularly at collective shelters.
Full and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians inside and outside Eastern Ghouta, in collective shelters and elsewhere is crucial to ensure the urgent needs of civilians are met.
Equally important is full respect of the civilians freedom of movement and choice of place where they feel safe. They must be allowed and guaranteed the right of choice to remain in Eastern Ghouta or seek safety elsewhere. UNHCR is aware of, but has no access to security screening reportedly taking place as civilians leave Eastern Ghouta.
UNHCR call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law in the treatment of civilians both in and fleeing Eastern Ghouta.
Meanwhile, another emergency is unfolding in the northwest of Syria where an estimated 104,000 people have been uprooted from their homes in Afrin region by the latest escalation in fighting. The majority, some 75,000, are displaced in Tal Rifaat, while another 29,000 have sought safety in Nubol and Zahraa and surrounding villages in northern rural Aleppo. In addition, some 10,000 people are reportedly stranded at Az-Ziyara, attempting to no avail to cross into areas controlled by the Syrian government.
A UNHCR team was on the ground in Nubol yesterday where they heard stories of their exhausting journey, walking long hours through the mountains. They also witnessed the crowded conditions at the schools and mosques where the newly displaced people from Afrin are sheltered.
In the face of the growing Afrin emergency, UNHCR has scaled up its response, with 100,000 core relief items having been delivered in the last two days. These include matrasses, blankets, high-thermal blankets, plastic sheets, solar lamps, jerry cans, clothes, and other basic aid items. Also, 1,100 shelter kits have been dispatched, and 1,000 tents are expected to reach Tal Rifaat in the coming days.
As in Eastern Ghouta, freedom of movement for newly displaced from Afrin is essential. We urge safe and prompt passage towards Aleppo and other destinations where many of the displaced say they have relatives, friends or other properties.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
Displacement of Syrians from Eastern Ghouta continues (Mysa Khalaf producer / Mazen Haffer camera/editor)
DAMASCUS, Syria With his shattered leg held together by metal plates, 75-year-old Ali Touma fled fighting in Syrias Eastern Ghouta on crutches.
Even with my broken leg, we made our way out, he said describing the desperate trek to safety with his wife and grandchildren. I used my crutches to walk out, he adds.
Ali and his family are among more than 45,000 men, women and children driven from Eastern Ghouta by war, currently seeking safety at collective shelters in and around the Syrian capital Damascus.
Most of the residents have been trapped for five years by fighting, and many reaching shelter like Ali are broken physically or emotionally. Covered in dust from the destruction, he explains how his wife collapsed on arrival and was rushed to hospital, where doctors found she had suffered a stroke.
Even with my broken leg, we made our way out. I used my crutches to walk.
Its all because of the miserable hardship we faced over the years and now we dont know how long we will stay here - one day, two days, a week. Nobody knows, he says.
Since war erupted in Syria seven years ago, 5.4 million have fled the country, while 13.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance inside their country.
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today reiterated its calls for the protection and safety of both the newly displaced and of hundreds of thousands civilians still trapped by fierce fighting and in need of aid.
Among those escaping danger was Mohamad, who fled from his home in Saqba, a few kilometres east of Damascus, on Saturday. He spoke of his fear of not making it to the Hamouriya crossing point and the safety of a shared shelter.
We walked with two young boys for more than an hour, we were all scared as the fighting was still ongoing all I want is to secure the future of these children, he said.
From the outset of the most recent escalation, UNHCR teams have been both at crossing points and at the makeshift collective shelters as thousands of families, exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and sick and with few or no belongings began arriving from Eastern Ghouta.
The newly displaced are currently accommodated in seven collective shelters, in buildings such as schools and an electricity utility, where conditions are very basic. According to UNHCR staff, the needs are overwhelming and growing by the hour. There are also serious health risks.
"All existing shelters are extremely congested and overcrowded and lack basic sanitation."
All existing shelters are extremely congested and overcrowded and lack basic sanitation. People queue in lines for hours to use restrooms, and most have no lighting, UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters at a news briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.
Mahecic said UNHCR and its partners have been working around the clock to provide life-saving assistance, in close coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, UN agencies and other humanitarian agencies.
UNHCRs partners are registering persons lacking documents, particularly unregistered newborn children, with a view to tackle this major protection concern with the Syrian authorities.
The UN Refugee Agency has so far delivered 180,000 items of aid, including mattresses, thermal blankets, plastic sheets, winter clothes kits, solar lamps, jerry cans, and kitchen sets.
At several collective shelters, people living in the open in schoolyards are desperate and using UNHCRs blankets as partitions to create some privacy, and to protect themselves and their families from the sun during the day and from the cold at night.
UNHCR calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law in the treatment of civilians both in and fleeing Eastern Ghouta.
Cameroonian refugees wait in line with tokens for food and other aid distributed by UNHCR and its partners in Cross River State, south-east Nigeria. UNHCR/Simi Vijay
The number of Anglophone Cameroonians seeking asylum in Nigeria has doubled since mid-January. Without urgent international support, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warns that their struggle for survival will be increasingly desperate.
Anglophone Cameroonians began fleeing violence in October 2017 and continue to pour into Nigerias Cross River, Taraba, Benue and Akwa-Ibom states. In total, over 20,000 refugees have been registered in the area. Women and children account for four-fifths of the population.
A recent assessment by humanitarian groups shows how grim the situation has become. Ninety-five per cent of the asylum seekers have no more than three days of food. Most families are down to one meal per day. The coping strategies people are using are themselves risky, and range from borrowing money to cutting food portions or saving food only for children.
Most asylum seekers say they are having to drink water from streams, ponds and other unsafe sources, because of inadequate or dysfunctional drinking water facilities. Essential relief items, such as clothing, blankets and plastic sheeting, are available to fewer than 25 per cent of them.
Only five in every 100 Cameroonians have proper or independent shelter. The rest have little or no privacy, squatting in rooms hosting on average 10 to 15 people. Protection from the cold is lacking, increasing health concerns due to the imminent start of the rainy season.
Malaria is reportedly already on the increase. Children commonly exhibit rapid breathing and coughing. Many participants at the assessment were suffering from fear and anxiety, poor sleep and flashbacks. In all, about 20 to 30 per cent of the asylum seekers have some kind of vulnerability, such as a physical disability.
Three quarters of the Cameroonian children who recently fled to Nigeria currently cannot access school, because their families cannot afford to pay for books and uniforms. Adults are also becoming more frustrated as they struggle to make ends meet.
A political solution to the situation in Cameroon is urgently needed, so that the Cameroonians can safely and voluntarily return home. Until then, UNHCR and its partners will continue their efforts to provide assistance and support to this population as long as we are able.
Our office has worked on a contingency plan of US$18 million to help cover their needs. However, so far no funds have been received, leading to immense challenges and gaps in the response.
Earlier this month, the authorities in Nigeria allocated land to UNHCR which should allow for shelters to be established to ensure the safety, security and self-reliance of refugees. UNHCR acknowledges the authorities commitment to assist in moving the refugees at least 50 kilometres away from the border, in line with humanitarian principles.
We also remain concerned about reports of further arrests of Cameroonian nationals in Nigeria, including at least one asylum seeker at the beginning of March. UNHCR urges the Nigerian authorities to refrain from the forcible return of individuals who may have fled persecution in their country of origin, and to respect the principle of non-refoulement or no forced returns.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
Copenhagen/Stockholm, Mar 20 (UNI) Number of new tuberculosis (TB) patients has been decreasing at an average rate of 4.3 per cent yearly in the last decade in the WHO European region, says a new report published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Despite being the fastest decline in the world, this trend is insufficient to achieve the target of ending the TB epidemic by 2030, as envisioned in the End TB Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals, a WHO Europe/ECDC statement here said.
The report was released on Monday ahead of World Tuberculosis Day, which this year calls on global leaders to accelerate efforts to end TB once and for all.
It is not enough to walk towards ending TB, as this way we would arrive too late for too many people. We need to leap forward and invest now for individual benefits and societal returns. The Tuberculosis action plan for the WHO European Region 20162020 shows that bold actions will save over 3 million lives and US$ 48 billion in 5 years in the Region, says Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
We need to revamp political commitment at all levels to achieve tangible and immediate results that change and save the lives of all those people suffering from TB today and ensure a TB-free world for our children tomorrow.
Recalling the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, Dr Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, adds,The European Commission is fully committed to helping member states reach the goal of ending TB by 2030. I urge leaders in Europe and beyond to take a multisectoral approach to TB, mobilizing the necessary funds for research, ensuring access to preventative and curative health care for all, and addressing the social conditions that encourage its spread.
Dr Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director, says, Remaining vigilant about TB even in low-incidence settings is important due to the potential resurgence of this airborne disease, especially in light of increased
population mobility and of multidrug-resistant TB.
She adds, New technologies to aid investigations of cross-border outbreaks of multidrug-resistant TB, such as whole genome sequencing, are key in curbing transmission in the European Union/European Economic Area.
Despite progress, TB, especially in its drug-resistant forms, remains a major public health concern in the WHO European Region. Latest data from the TB surveillance and monitoring report indicate that 1 in 4 MDR-TB cases is not detected in the WHO European Region. While diagnosis of MDR-TB patients increased from 33 per cent in 2011 to 73 per cent in 2016, it remains below the regional target of 85 per cent defined in the European TB action plan.
MORE UNI XC-BM SB 0928
March 20 2018
Three large-scale landscapes have been earmarked for 5.6m of investment by the National Lottery as part of measures to bolster biodiversity across 700sq/km of countryside.The North Isles in Orkney, Callanders Pass at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and the River Garnock in North Ayrshire will benefit from the scheme, which includes funding for 60 individual conservation projects.In addition the money will be used to encourage young people to stay and work in Orkney with new heritage trails and interpretation to encourage more visitors to explore one of Britains most remote landscapes.Lucy Casot, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: Our species and habitats are under constant threat, yet they make a massive contribution to our economy. The enormous pressures upon them mean that we have to approach landscape restoration and conservation on a bigger scale than ever before.Elsewhere Callander will be marketed as the Outdoor Capital of Loch Lomond while wetland and wild flower meadows on the Garnock flood plain will be nurtured with the historic tug boat MV Garnock transformed into a makeshift viewing platform.
UTSA professor M. Sidury Christiansen will spend two weeks in Russia working on an English Language Specialist project.
(March 20, 2018) -- The U.S. Department of State has selected M. Sidury Christiansen, assistant professor in The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, for a two-week English Language Specialist project focusing on writing centers and academic writing for publishing in Russia. She will be working at three different universities and a research consortium in the cities of Kazan, Samara, and Moscow. Christiansen is part of a select group, as one of approximately 80 U.S. citizens each year selected to serve on an English Language Specialist assignment.
The U.S. Department of State English Language Program is a tremendous opportunity for the college to continue our research and scholarship on an international level, said Margo DelliCarpini, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. We are very proud of Dr. Christiansens selection into this prestigious program. Her work in linguistics and digital literacy will be a wonderful asset to the program, and to the educators, students, and researchers she will work with during her time in Russia.
Christiansen teaches applied linguistics and English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in the UTSA College of Education and Human Development's Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, and is a former Fulbright Scholar. In her research and pedagogical practice, she has explored the intersections between literacy and language ideologies, identities, and culture online. In the area of digital literacy, her current work focuses on the use of digital technologies for second language writing development (e.g., digital storytelling, use of apps and video making to advance academic essay writing). In this project, Christiansen will help Russian academics on two fronts: first, she will help Russian universities develop writing centers to aid English for Academic Purposes (EAP) development in undergraduate and graduate students. Second, she will help the academic community learn the rules of academic writing and research for international journals beginning with teaching notions on the foundation of solid research.
Im in a new stage in my career where I am able to both publish my research and inform and advance theory, said Christiansen. This honor to go to Russia on behalf of UTSA and the U.S. Department of State provides me the opportunity to share this theory with practitioners internationally to improve the English language learning experience of students around the world.
The English Language Specialist Program is the premier opportunity for leaders in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way that English is taught abroad. Through projects developed by U.S. Embassies in more than 80 countries, EL Specialists work directly with local teacher trainers, educational leaders, and ministry of education officials to exchange knowledge, build capacity, and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities in the United States and overseas.
Since 1991, the English Language Specialist Program has sent hundreds of TESOL scholars and educators abroad to promote English language learning, enhance English teaching capacity, and foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries through cultural exchange. On assignment, EL Specialists may conduct intensive teacher training, advise ministries of education or participate in high-level educational consultations, and offer plenary presentations at regional, national or international TESOL conferences. These projects are challenging and those selected represent the best of the U.S. TESOL community. In return, the program provides professional development opportunities to help participants experience different cultures and build skills that can greatly enhance their TESOL careers back home.
Im looking forward to the exchange of ideas with English language teaching scholars in Russia and to the many fruitful connections that I can create for UTSA, said Christiansen.
English Language Specialists are counted among the more than 50,000 individuals participating in U.S. Department of State exchange programs each year. The Specialist Program is administered by the Center for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University.
Taylor Eighmy is the sixth president of UTSA.
(March 20, 2018) -- Taylor Eighmy will be formally inducted as the sixth president of The University of Texas at San Antonio during an inauguration ceremony this afternoon in the Convocation Center on the UTSA Main Campus. The university community is encouraged to attend this special event. A webcast of the inauguration is also available.
Inauguration festivities will begin today at 2:30 p.m. with a prelude and processional. The inauguration ceremony will feature the Spirit of San Antonio marching band as well as UTSA student music and dance performances.
A series of speakers will join President Eighmy at todays event. Jaciel Castro, the UT Systems Student Regent, will welcome guests and serve as the events Master of Ceremonies. City Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, who represents District 5, where the Downtown Campus is located, will offer President Eighmy congratulations on behalf of the City of San Antonio. UTSA Student Government Association President Marcus Thomas will offer opening remarks. UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven will deliver special remarks. Following the ceremony, all attendees are invited to a reception on the Convocation Center Plaza.
Notably, Carmen Tafolla, a professor in the UTSA Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and 2015-2016 Texas Poet Laureate, will read Estrellas of Possibility, the poem she wrote for the Presidential Inauguration. Her poem celebrates Eighmys vision to make UTSA a flourishing community that drives prosperity.
Eighmy began his service as the sixth president of UTSA on September 1, 2017, after serving as the chief research officer at the University of New Hampshire, Texas Tech University and, more recently, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In those roles, he developed a strong track record of advancing urban serving research institutions through strategic government collaborations, public-private partnerships and community engagement.
Shortly after beginning his role as UTSA President, Eighmy unveiled a long-term strategy to make UTSA San Antonios university of the future and to help it earn National Research University Fund (NRUF) eligibility and R1 (highest research activity) classification from the Carnegie Commission. The vision leverages UTSAs strengths as a great multicultural discovery enterprise, an exemplary urban serving university of the future, a world-engaged institution, a university that fosters exceptional student experiences, and an institution with exceptional people and operational and infrastructure excellence.
To celebrate President Eighmys inauguration, UTSA students, faculty and staff will participate in UTSA's Day of Service on Saturday, March 24. In honor of President Eighmy's vision of UTSA as an urban serving university, the day will provide an opportunity for the university to give back to San Antonio. The Day of Service kicks off at 8:30 a.m. in Bill Miller Plaza at the UTSA Downtown Campus. Service projects benefitting a variety of community partners will continue throughout the day.
Blockchain Technology Topic of e2e Wyoming Meeting in Laramie April 4
This past legislative session, Wyoming took a bold stance as the leader in blockchain-friendly regulation, and the state is poised to become a leading hub for developing blockchain-based innovations.
Mike Borowczak, director of the University of Wyomings Cybersecurity Education and Research Center and Lab, and Ruben Gamboa, a UW professor of computer science, will present Understanding Blockchain Beyond the Buzzwords from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at UWs Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Its part of the e2e Wyoming program.
The two will discuss what blockchain is; what the legislation that Wyoming passed means; and what opportunities this opens up for entrepreneurs.
The Wyoming Legislature passed some bills to encourage the development of blockchain companies in Wyoming. Thats absolutely why were doing this, says Jon Benson, CEO of UWs Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC). A lot of people dont even know what blockchain is.
Invented in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto, blockchain technology offers a way for untrusted parties to reach agreement on a common digital history. A common digital history is important because digital assets and transactions are, in theory, easily faked and/or duplicated. Blockchain technology solves this problem without using a trusted intermediary.
For example, blockchain is used for digital transactions involving cryptocurrency called bitcoin, the first digital currency created and exchanged independently of banks and governments. Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer electronic cash system that allows online payments to move from one party to another, without going through a financial institution.
During its recent legislative session, the Wyoming Legislature passed five separate bills to smooth the way for blockchain technology to operate in the state and help diversify the states economy.
We thought wed do a program about what blockchain is; what the legislation was that was passed by the Legislature; and what kind of impact blockchain can have on startups in Wyoming, says Benson, who noted the WTBC has already received 50 responses from people who want to attend.
E2e is an educational networking program with chapters in Laramie, Casper, Gillette and Sheridan. It is designed to improve the climate for the startup and growth of entrepreneurial companies. Each e2e chapter meets bimonthly for 45 minutes of networking, followed by a 45-minute program. The programs feature successful entrepreneurs telling their stories, panel discussion on relevant topics and advice from experts in specific businesses.
Administered by the UW Office of Research and Economic Development, the WTBC is a not-for-profit business incubator that provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for success.
To register for the e2e meeting go to http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=imnvztkab&oeidk=a07ef7qj6zdfbf6d0e0, call Fred Schmechel at (307) 766-6395, or email him at fschmech@uwyo.edu.
Nearly seventy homes have been destroyeed in the picturesque New South Wales seaside village of Tathra. (Photo: AFP)
Sixty-nine homes were destroyed in the picturesque seaside village of Tathra on the south coast of New South Wales when a fire tore through the area on Sunday.
Some 40,000 hectares were also scorched in southwestern regions of neighbouring Victoria as dozens of blazes swept through over the weekend, wiping out beef and dairy cattle.
Despite the damage, authorities said there were no reports of serious injuries or deaths.
"It was an absolutely awful set of circumstances yesterday afternoon for the community of Tathra, dominated by this very hot, dry air and these very strong winds," NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told Sky News Australia Monday.
Tathra resident David Porter, who fled home with his family to the neighbouring town of Bega as the fire approached, described seeing thick smoke and flying embers.
"As the fire came close, you could actually hear the sound of the fire and see the enormity of it coming over the hill," Porter told AFP.
"It was just an overwhelming sight to see something so big and strong that was unstoppable moving towards you. You really realise as a human how insignificant you are when you see such a sight."
UNSEASONABLY WARM
The fires flared up as southeastern Australia was hit by a bout of unseasonably warm weather, with gusting winds fanning the large blazes.
Experts said the infernos showed the bushfire season - which usually occurs in the summer months of December-February - was lengthening as climate change disrupts weather patterns.
In Tathra, over 1,000 hectares were burnt and more than 60 firefighters were continuing to battle the flames Monday, supported by three water-bombing aircraft, NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Greg Allan told AFP.
In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews said the "unprecedented" force of the fires had claimed at least 18 homes.
"The size of this fire, its absolute intensity, how fast running it was and of course at night, we are all very fortunate that we are not talking about serious injury or loss of life," he told reporters.
Firefighters were hopeful they could contain three remaining blazes in the region as the weather became milder, Andrews added. Cooler conditions and rain were also forecast for Tathra, Fitzsimmons said.
The devastating scenes came as the northern city of Darwin cleaned up after it was hit by Category two Cyclone Marcus, which brought down trees and power lines. No injuries or serious damage was reported.
The extreme weather ignited political debate about whether they had been fuelled by climate change.
Greens party leader Richard Di Natale told the upper house Senate that "we are seeing climate change in our everyday lives have an impact on the risk of bushfires to our communities".
David Bowman, an expert in environmental change biology at the University of Tasmania added that "this (Tathra) event shows destructive fires can occur 'outside' the summer bushfire season".
"Fire seasons are lengthening globally in response to climate change, similar seasonally 'anomalous' destructive fires are being reported elsewhere in the world, such as California."
But Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who visited Tathra residents at a Bega evacuation centre Monday, said the disasters should not be politicised.
"We have an environment which has extremes. Bushfires are part of Australia, as, indeed, are droughts and floods," he told reporters.
Coffee and book shops finds market share in coffee shop business sector in Vietnam
A niche market
Le Bros, a brand consultancy, marketing, and public relations company and the biggest event organiser in Vietnam, has launched the Dep Cafe shop at Hanois book street in Hoan Kiem district. This makes the firms second coffee and book shop in Vietnam after its first shop in Ho Chi Minh City in early 2016.
The launching of Dep Cafe comes in the wake of the coffee and book shop model with brands like Cafe Sach Dong Tay in Dong Da district, Heritage Space in Cau Giay district, The Pride Hai Phat in Hadong, Le Petit Cafe in Hoan Kiem, and Bookn Coffee in Hai Ba Trung, among others.
These coffee and book shops are just the place for people, especially young people, looking for a miniature library in order to immerse themselves in their favourite books next to a steaming cup of coffee.
According to Euromonitors report, the coffee chain model in Vietnam see an average increase of 7 per cent per year. To date, there are 26,000 coffee stores across the country, 3 per cent of which are operating under the coffee chain model. The report shows that creative architecture, in harmony with nature, is an important factor in coffee shops to lure customers.
Businesses in the coffee and book sector, which is considered a niche segment with relatively few potential customers, build their brands via focusing on the quality of drinks, books, as well as unique decor and architecture.
According to Le Quoc Hung, the creative director of Le Bros cum the runner of Dep Cafe, with the target to become a favourite haunt of book lovers and the bridge connecting book lovers and book stores, Dep Cafe is entirely unique, with no duplicity with any coffee or book shop.
Meanwhile, Le Tham, the founder of Le Petit Cafe, a French style coffee and book shop, shared that despite changing managers for several times, with the attractive menu, especially French-style teas in collaboration with the stacked book shelves, the shop always strives to stay true to its credo: serving drinks and expanding the horizons of the youth.
Lopsided competition
According to Quoc Hung, the coffee and book shop model is a typical business model that targets a small number of potential customers (almost all of whom are book lovers) and business is difficult as the reading culture is at a low point.
Besides, finance is not the strength of the founders of these coffee and book shops, thus they will face difficulties in keeping in business what with rent, wages, and the advertisment.
Furthermore, these coffee and book shops also compete with established coffee houses like The Coffee House, Highland Coffee, and Trung Nguyen, as well as milk tea brands.
However, the Vietnamese coffee house segment is proving exceedingly difficult. In spite of receiving investment from foreign investors with powerful financial capability and strong brands, numerous well-known coffee chains in Vietnam still either closed or scaled down operations, including New York Dessert Coffee (NYDC), a European-American coffee and dessert chain, Australian-owned Gloria Jeans Coffees, The Coffee Inn and The KAfe, among others.
The following are images of unique coffee and book shops in Hanoi:
Nguyen Tri Hieu
At the meeting to discuss the draft decree replacing Decree No.86/2014/ND-CP on March 8, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said that Grab and Uber should be regulated as taxi firms in Vietnam. Do you think this statement is justified in terms of economic integration and development?
Grab and Uber are specialised in developing and supplying applications in technology-based platforms. Specifically, they are ride-hailing apps that efficiently match drivers with passengers. As tech companies, they do not own vehicle fleets or employ drivers. Thus, it is not suitable to treat Grab and Uber the same way as traditional taxi services.
Moreover, new products and services are continually launched in developing economies. There are some companies that are specialised in internet-based sharing services like Grab and Uber. They are basically tech companies providing ride-hailing services for commuters. Therefore, it is not reasonable to regulate them as traditional taxi companies like Vinasun and Mai Linh, especially in the increasingly integrated economy as well as in the era of Industry 4.0.
As tech companies, they help connect nearby vehicles to passengers more efficiently. Meanwhile, drivers can enjoy the flexibility of ride-hailing and earn additional income opportunities as well. To better manage Grab and Uber, the government should develop regulations governing internet-based sharing services rather than treating them as traditional taxi firms.
Vietnam decided to regulate Grab and Uber as taxi services after running a ride-sharing pilot programme for two years. Do you think it would dampen foreign tech companies enthusiasm to expand operations in Vietnam?
During two years of the pilot programme, Vietnam has allowed Grab and Uber to operate as tech companies providing ride-hailing services. If the country decided to treat them as traditional taxis all of a sudden, it would adversely impact the local investment climate as well as pose high risks for foreign companies investing in Vietnam.
The move would create a barrier for foreign companies to invest in similar fields as well as for other foreign companies to commit long-term investment in the country. On top of everything else, it would affect the investment and cooperation environment as Vietnam has just signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). As a member country of the CPTPP, Vietnam should take a step forward in the process of integration into the global economy.
Do you think banning or forcing Grab and Uber to leave country is in line with the provisions of the CPTPP in the field of e-commerce?
The newly-signed CPTPP anticipates global economic integration. According to the trade pact, companies specialising in researching and developing applications in technology-based platforms like Grab and Uber are defined as services brokerage firms.
It is not reasonable to ban or force these service firms to leave the country given that the relevant regulations have yet to be fully developed. Specifically, Decree 86 has not covered all the operations of Grab and Uber, which are providing internet-based sharing services instead of conventional transportation services.
After nearly three years of the pilot programme, I think the government has accumulated sufficient data to complete a legal framework for these services, facilitating them to operate in Vietnam as ride-sharing service providers.
The regulatory authorities should not hesitate to develop the framework and seek approval from the government and the National Assembly. The framework will help these companies to operate in a fair and equitable business environment.
If the legal framework has yet to be fully developed, Grab and Uber will also face difficulties in operation and expansion. Meanwhile, traditional taxi firms are not satisfied with the issue of fair competition. As a result, it will hinder the development of the transportation industry and the economy.
In an increasingly integrated economy, strong brands with the best services will survive the competition.
What should be done to create balance between tech-based apps and traditional taxis?
We should take a holistic approach to the competition between tech-based apps and traditional taxis, in three aspects including the government, customers, and corporates. The government should introduce regulations related to the rights and obligations of related parties, creating an open and fair business climate.
Meanwhile, traditional taxis need to accept the development rules of economic integration, which require the application of science and technology in transportation.
In addition, a variety of new services will be launched, including both conventional and unconventional services. Therefore, traditional taxi firms should adapt to the changes. If they want to compete with tech-based services, they should offer reasonable fares with quality service and skilled drivers. In particular, they should invest in technology to improve services for commuters.
In an increasingly integrated economy, strong brands with the best services will survive the competition. Regarding customers, the Ministry of Transport and the government should start a campaign to publicise the new regulations effectively.
Dinh La Thang at the second trial at the Hanoi's People's Court
The indictment said Thang independently made the decision to purchase a 20 per cent stake in OceanBank in 2008 without discussion with other board members or approval from the then prime minister. But Thang claimed that he was following the rules.
He said that Vietnam's then prime minister backed the investment that resulted in $35 million in losses to state-owned PetroVietnam.
Dinh La Thang said at the time there were no regulations requiring him to consult board members, but he had nonetheless discussed the plan with other PetroVietnam executives for months and got their support.
He also said, the acquisition was approved by the prime minister. Thang said that after ten years, he could not remember all the details, but he remembers having received directions.
"In fact, the group conducted the capital contribution in line with regulations. Three months after receiving approval from the prime minister, leaders of PetroVietnam poured money into OceanBank. All the decisions of this investment were approved by the prime minister," said Thang.
PetroVietnam had researched various other banks before making the investment into OceanBank. PetroVietnam assessed that the investment into OceanBank would be profitable.
"In 2010, PetroVietnam was paid dividend of up to 16 per cent," Thang added.
Related to the third capital contribution, Thang said that he authorised defendant Nguyen Xuan Thang to operate the business when he went abroad for nearly ten days. At this time, Nguyen Xuan Thang signed the resolution to approve pouring VND100 billion ($4.4 million) into OceanBank, maintaining the contribution rate of 20 per cent.
Dinh La Thang said that he did not know of this, while Nguyen Xuan Thang said he reported it to chairman Thang upon his return.
Nguyen Xuan Son, PetroVietnam's former deputy general director, is one of the six other defendants in this case. Son told the court that the investment decision was made because OceanBank was running a profitable business.
He said he signed two documents relevant to capital contribution. The group did not seek the approval of the prime minister for the third contribution because the two transactions before had been okayed and the third transaction was a lot less in value.
PetroVietnams investment in OceanBank took place during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who was in office between 2006 and 2016.
Trial on wrongdoings in PetroVietnam's investment in OceanBank The Hanoi People's Court on March 19 opened a trial for Dinh La Thang and six accomplices who were charged with 'deliberately violating State regulations ...
Dinh La Thang to stand for series of allegations at second trial Tomorrow, the Hanoi Peoples Court will open the second trial of Dinh La Thang, who is charged with of pouring VND800 billion ($35.3 million) of ...
Second trial of Dinh La Thang to be opened on March 19 Dinh La Thang and six defendants are accused of causing VND800 billion ($35.3 million) in damages to state-run Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) through ...
Trial of Trinh Xuan Thanh and Dinh La Thangs brother to start today Today, the Hanoi Peoples Court opens the first instance hearing of the trial of Trinh Xuan Thanh, Dinh Manh Thang, and six other defendants charged ...
Procuracy finds group benefits in Dinh La Thang case The Peoples Procuracy of Hanoi has held that Dinh La Thang appointed a bidding for PVC (PetroVietnam Construction JSC) due to group benefits at the $1.7-billion Thai ...
Trial of Dinh La Thang and 21 others to start on January 8 On January 8, 2018, the Hanoi Peoples Court will open the first instance hearing of the trial of Dinh La Thang and 21 other defendants ...
Dinh La Thang arrested and facing legal proceedings Dinh La Thang - a member of the Party Central Committee and deputy chairman of the committee's Economic Commission, was arrested on December 8, 2017 ...
Dinh La Thang served as chairman of PetroVietnams Board of Directors between 2006 and 2011, before he was appointed as Minister of Transport in Dungs cabinet and then Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.
He was sentenced to 13 years in jail two months ago for economic mismanagement which caused million-dollar losses at a construction subsidiary of PetroVietnam.
In this second trial, Dinh La Thang is facing charges of deliberately violating state regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences which carries a sentence of 10-20 years in jail.
Foreign investors eager to acquire Habeco
Carlsberg eager to buy Habeco stake
According to the latest movement, Ceest Hart, chairman cum general director of Carlsberg, has arrived to Hanoi to look for specific plans to increase Carlsbergs holding in Habeco.
In the framework of the visit, representatives of Carlsberg discussed with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), Habeco, and relevant authorities about the state divestment progress.
According to the representative of Carlsberg, despite the parties making progress after numerous discussions, they have yet to reach the final compromise due to legal problems relating to Carlsbergs priority purchasing rights at Habeco.
Earlier in the third quarter of last year, the representatives of Habeco and Carlsberg signed a strategic co-operation agreement and a purchase contract. According to the contract, when Habeco lists its shares on the stock exchange, Carlsberg can use its priority purchasing rights to buy Habecos stake.
The reference price of Habeco on UpCOM is valued at VND134,500 ($5.91) and its capitalisation is VND31.75 trillion ($1.39 billion) at the date of March 15, 2018. In case, the government will sell 51 per cent of the state-owned stake for investors, the government may acquire VND16 trillion or $700 million from the deal.
However, an expert told VIR that while the contract is legal, its contents do not suit existing regulations. Thus, if the two parties implement some of the clauses in the contract, they will violate regulations.
Due to legal changes since Carlsberg completed the purchase of a 17.3 per cent stake to become the strategic investor and hold the priority purchasing rights, the government asked MoIT, which owns 81.8 per cent in Habeco, to scrutinise Carlsbergs priority purchasing rights.
Previously, in 2016, Carlsberg proposed the authorities to permit it to buy more of the states stakes in Habeco, according to the plan it built. Notably, Carlsberg proposed MoIT to sell 20 per cent of the state's stake via a competitive bidding.
Carlsberg would make a bid, and if it won, it would use the same price to purchase 61.70 per cent more of the state holding at a later date. However, Carlsbergs plans have been blocked by regulations.
At present, Ceest Hart stated that Habeco is a good asset and Carlsberg will offer a competitive price for a stake in the brewer.
Opportunity to change the face of the Vietnamese beer market
Along with Carlsberg, Heineken, and AB Inbev also expressed ambitions to acquire Habecos stake to increase their market share in Vietnam.
According to Phan Chi Dung, former head of the Light Industry Department under MoIT, acquiring Habecos stake will help these investors to increase their beer market share in Vietnam, which they could not do by buying into Sabeco (for example, the Competition Law does not permit Heineken that has 25 per cent of the market share to buy a stake in Sabeco because the purchase would make competition unfair for the remaining players).
At present, Sabeco is the largest brewer in Vietnam with a market share of 41-43 per cent, while the runners-up are Heineken with 25-27 per cent, Habeco with 16 per cent, and Carlsberg with 10 per cent, respectively.
AB InBev is the largest brewer on the world holding 500 beer brands and one-third of the global beer market. The firm earns $45 billion in annual revenue, 30 per cent of which is profit. M&A deals play an important role in AB InBevs success as well as its global coverage.
Heineken expressed the ambition to increase its market share via the purchase of Habecos stake numerous times. In case it succeeds in acquiring a controlling stake in Habeco, its market share will soar legally.
Countless foreign investors expressed interest in a slice of Vietcombank
A representative of Vietcombank noted that the share auction would take place in the first half of 2018.
Specifically, the two most prominent foreign investors who would participate in the upcoming share auction were Singapore-based global investment firm GIC Private Ltd. and Mizuho Bank, one of the three so-called Japanese "megabanks" under the management of Mizuho Financial Group.
Currently, the Japan-based retail and corporate bank seized a 15 per cent stake at Vietcombank, and is planning to further expand its ownership at the state-owned bank.
Mizuho Bank was reported to participate in the share auction to maintain its existing15 per cent ownership.
Previously, in August 2016, GIC Private Ltd. signed a preliminary agreement with Vietcombank, stating that it would acquire 7.7 per cent of the capital, valued at slightly less than $400 million, at the starting price of VND29,000 ($1.28) per share. However, the government did not approve of the deal with GIC since the market price then was already almost double the proposed rate, at VND57,500 ($2.54) per share.
Over the past eight months, Vietcombank's share price surged to VND72,000 ($3.18) per share, which in turn would heat up the upcoming bidding for the state-owned bank's stakes.
Among the state-owned commercial banks, BIDV was the last commercial bank which had not traded its 30 per cent stake allotted for foreign ownership due to years of delay in the bank's planned share sale.
However, thanks to the striking recovery in the bank's business performance, BIDV's share price skyrocketed by 50 per cent in the last two months, sending off inviting signals to potential foreign investors. To date, numerous banks in the ASEAN and Northwest Asian region expressed interests in strategic partnership with BIDV.
HCM City's police crack down a major drug trafficking ring, seizing a total of 9.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine. (Photo: VNA)
The ring was led by Le Thi Ngan, 48, from District 8, HCM City.
The citys police had discovered Ngan as a major drug wholesaler and Thai Vi Dan, 44, from Binh Tan district, as one of her regular buyers since the end of January 2018, they announced on March 19.
They caught Dan red-handed with about 150 grams of methamphetamine in District 6 at 20:00 on March 14, shortly after he purchased the amount from Ngan, during an anti-drug operation in collaboration with the Investigation Police Department on Drug-Related Crimes (C47) under the Ministry of Public Security.
In earlier morning the next day, the police raided Ngans home in a small lane on Phu Dinh street in Ward 16, District 8, seizing 9.3 kilogrammes of the drug.
She confessed that she bought the drug from Cambodia to distribute in Vietnam. The police are collecting more evidence to take the suspects to court.
HCM Citys police also cracked down on another large drug trafficking ring earlier this year. They arrested eight persons involving in illegal drug trade and stockpile, and seized 26,300 ecstasy pills, nearly 14 kg of crystal meth, and 200 grams of ketamine.
The ring was led by La Van Hai, 46, who went to Cambodia to buy drugs and gave the contrabands to Nguyen Thanh Lam, 40, to sell in Vietnam. Both reside in Ho Chi Minh City.
FILE PHOTO: A Hyundai Motor's booth is seen near the Pyeongchang Olympic Plaza in Pyeongchang, South Korea, February 11, 2018., photo source: REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo
Hyundai Motor said on Tuesday it is cautious about developing autonomous vehicles because of safety concerns after an Uber self-driving car hit and killed a woman in the United States.
The accident involving the U.S. technology firm's car in Arizona marked the first fatality linked to an autonomous vehicle and a potential blow to the technology expected to transform transportation.
Yoon Sung-hoon, a director at Hyundai Motor, said safety concerns are a big factor in the development of autonomous cars, and as a result the South Korean automaker is "cautious about mass producing self-driving cars."
"When we evaluated other companies vehicles, they had more relaxed safety standards," he told reporters, adding that Hyundai is taking more time than rivals to develop autonomous technology to guarantee safety.
No one knows under what situation accidents will occur.
Hyundai, which has been slow in rolling out self-driving cars, has said it plans commercialise level 4 autonomous vehicles - which can operate without human input or oversight under select conditions - by 2021.
It will be followed by a memorial service at the hall at 7:30 am on March 22. The burial ceremony is scheduled at 11:00 am the same day in his hometown Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City.
The tribute-paying and memorial ceremonies will take place at the International Convention Center, Le Hong Phong street, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi at the same time with those in HCM City.
Pictures from Ho Chi Minh City:
Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong (first row, middle), former Party leader Nong Duc Manh (R) and former Party chief (L) Le Kha Phieu at the State Funeral in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoitre.vn
Delegations arrive at Thong Nhat Hall to pay tribute to late PM Phan Van Khai. Photo: VNA
State President Tran Dai Quang signs the Book of Condolences. Photo: Tuoitre.vn
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: Tuoitre.vn
(First row right-left) NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former NA Chairman Nguyen Van An, former NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. (Second row right-left) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Photo: Tuoitre.vn
A delegation of Party and State leaders and former leaders pay tribute to late PM Khai in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VNA
At International Convention Center, Ha Noi
A delegation of high-ranking officials pay tribute to late PM Khai at the International Convention Center, Le Hong Phong Street, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi. Photo: VGP
Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue offers incense to pay tribute to late PM Khai. Photo: VGP
Photo: VGP
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Khai was known as an active and decisive leader in institutional development with innovative spirit in order to promote the capacity of all economic sectors, especially private one, together with opening door to the world and integrating internationally.
During his tenures, Viet Nam issued the Law on Enterprises, abolishing hundreds of sub-licenses, and joined several rounds of tough talks on Viet Nams accession to the World Trade Organization, among others.
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai
People from Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces gather at the home of late PM Khai to bid farewell to him. Photo: VNExpress.net
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Earlier on Monday, thousands of people from Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces gathered at the home of late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Tan Thong Hoi Commune, Cu Chi District to pay tribute and bid farewell to Khai.
At 7 pm March 19, his coffin was transported to the Independence Palace (Thong Nhat Hall) in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City for State Funeral.
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Phan Van Khai was born on December 25, 1933 in Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City. He became a member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on July 15, 1959.
He studied foreign languages and economics in Moscow, former Soviet Union (Russia now) from 1959-1965, then worked in the General Affairs Department of the State Planning Committee from 1965 to 1971 with the highest position as head of the office.
From 1972-1975, he was a researcher of the southern economy. In the period, he was sent to the southern battlefield and then served as deputy head of the Government Unification Committee.
From 1976-1984, Khai was Vice Chairman and then Chairman of the Planning Committee, Vice Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, member of the citys Party Committee.
From 1985 to March 1989, he served as a member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the city Peoples Committee.
From April 1989 to August 1991, he was a member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the State Planning Committee.
From July 1991 to August 1997, Khai was a Politburo member and served as Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, and Standing Deputy Prime Minister.
Phan Van Khai took the office of the Prime Minister from September 1997 to June 2006.
He was a National Assembly deputy of the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th tenures, and a member of the Politburo in the 7th, 8th and 9th tenures.
He was conferred with the Golden Star Order and the 55-year Party membership badge.
The Government Inspectorate is completing the documents to transfer to the investigation agency of MoPS
According to Document No.2398/VPCP-VI of the Government Office submitted to the Government Inspectorate, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS), MobiFone and relevant agencies, the PM has agreed with the investigation conclusionss on MobiFones acquisition of 95 per cent of AVGs shares. After the approval of the PM, we will publicise the conclusions, the Government Inspectorate told dantri.com.vn.
Currently, the Government Inspectorate has been reviewing all relevant documents on the deal and transferred to MoPS investigation agency for consideration, investigation, and to prosecute this case.
The inspection conclusions stated that the violations and irresponsibility of MobiFone caused a loss of around VND7 trillion ($308.6 million) of the state capital in the corporation. This loss came from VND1.134 trillion ($50 million) of AVGs payable debts, and ineffective investment projects, which led to losses in 2016 and the next years.
Profit from MobiFones financial activities in 2016 was reduced by VND312.7 billion ($14.2 million) and accumulated losses reached VND1.983 trillion ($87.4 million).
Despite being the representative agency of state ownership and management on information and communications, MIC was not responsible for appraising the acquisition deal. Decision No.236/2015/QD-BTTTT approved this deal, which was not based on any legal foundation and violated regulations, causing damage to state capital. Thus, the decision needs to be withdrawn.
Earlier, the Party Secretariat said the AVG acquisition of MobiFone is a really serious and complicated case that required comprehensive inspection and drew public attention.
On March 12, leaders of MIC directed and witnessed MobiFone and AVG's shareholders to sign the minutes cancelling the acquisition deal of the two sides. AVG's shareholders who sold the shares will return the money to MobiFone, along with interest and
Three telcos gained $62 million from Vietnam's largest gambling ring The Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) has just announced that three telecommunication companies (Viettel, Vinaphone, and MobileFone) earned VND1.4 trillion ($62 million) from the gambling ...
Inspectorate proposes prosecution of MobiFone over AVG acquisition Most of the violations and damages caused by MobiFone are the responsibilities of the Board of Directors and relevant key officers.
MobiFone and AVG to cancel acquisition deal The shareholders of AVG will return all the money paid by MobiFone, along with interest, and related costs.
President Vladimir Putin meets with the media at his campaign headquarters in Moscow. (Sergei CHIRIKOV/POOL/AFP)
Vladimir Putin on Monday (Mar 19) said he would address disputes with the West after an election that saw him return to the Kremlin with a record vote share, as Moscow faces increasing isolation.
International leaders were slow to congratulate the Russian president after a Sunday election that saw him take almost 77 per cent of the vote, as monitors reported ballot stuffing and other alleged cases of fraud.
The poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain along with fresh sanctions from Washington over allegations of meddling in the US 2016 election have isolated Moscow to an extent not seen since the Cold War.
The president, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, on Monday denied he was driving a new arms race with Washington after he unveiled a range of "invincible" nuclear weapons this month.
"From our side, we will do all we can so that the disputes with our (international) partners be resolved by political and diplomatic means," he said during a meeting with the seven other candidates he resoundingly defeated on Sunday.
"It goes without saying that not everything depends on us - as with love, both sides have to be involved, otherwise there can be no love at all," he said.
Putin said he would focus on "increasing the well-being of the residents of this country" through investments in healthcare, education and infrastructure during his next term.
CARROT AND STICK
With Putin's most vocal opponent Alexei Navalny barred from running for legal reasons, the outcome of the weekend election was never in doubt, and most of the suspense lay in how many people would turn out to vote.
The Kremlin pushed for high participation to give greater legitimacy to a fourth term for Putin, who is already Russia's longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin.
But Navalny called on supporters to boycott the vote and sent out more than 30,000 monitors to voting stations.
Navalny's movement and the non-governmental election monitor Golos reported ballot stuffing, repeat voting and Putin supporters being bussed into polling stations en masse.
Fewer irregularities were reported than in previous years, however. An OSCE observer mission said that although the election was marred by a lack of "genuine competition", it was generally well conducted.
Authorities used both the carrot and the stick to boost engagement in the polls.
Selfie competitions, giveaways, food festivals and children's entertainers were laid on at polling stations to entice voters.
But employees at state and private companies, as well as students, said they had come under other pressure to vote.
'MODERNISING RUSSIA'
Analysts said Putin used tensions with the West to rally support and suggested that armed with a strong new mandate, he could push through further punitive measures against dissenters.
Putin's campaign spokesman Andrei Kondrashov said that turnout, which was above 67 per cent, was eight to 10 percentage points higher than expected. He claimed that was "thanks to Britain."
London this month implicated Putin in the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in England with a Soviet-designed nerve agent.
Most of the voters AFP spoke to said they had backed Putin despite Russia's problems of poverty and poor healthcare, praising his foreign policies.
MUTED WESTERN REACTIONS
Western leaders were slow to publicly acknowledge Putin's landslide win.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel "warmly congratulated" Putin while stressing in a message she wrote the need to continue dialogue "to address important bilateral and international challenges and find viable solutions."
French President Emmanuel Macron wished Vladimir Putin success in "modernising Russia" after his re-election, but urged Moscow to shed light on the "unacceptable" attempted assassination of an ex-spy in Britain.
Macron also expressed concern over the war in Syria, in which Moscow plays a key role as the regime's closest ally, in a carefully-worded statement that steered clear of congratulating Putin directly.
British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said Britain would not comment on the vote until after a report by independent observers on the electoral process.
And 24 hours after the election, there has been no public comment from US President Donald Trump.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo called Putin to congratulate him on his victory as did Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has just gained a path to indefinite rule.
GRIM MOOD
Among liberal Russians the mood was grim.
"Have you been thinking about emigrating for a long time? This really is the ideal moment," remarked Stanislav Kucher, a journalist for Kommersant FM radio.
Putin polled well ahead of his nearest rival Pavel Grudinin, the Communist Party candidate, who described the elections as "dishonest".
With 99.84 per cent of ballots counted, Grudinin had secured 11.8 per cent.
Ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky took 5.66 per cent, former reality TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak was on 1.67 per cent, while veteran liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky received just over one per cent of the vote.
First Lady of the Republic of Korea Kim Jung-sook and Vietnamese students in a group photo (Photo: VNA)
Beginning the conversation by saying hello in Vietnamese, Kim introduced the RoKs writing script and major socio-economic development features to the students.
She took her guests around the Blue House, including the Presidents working room, and briefed them on the buildings architecture, highlighting the architectural similarities between Vietnam and the RoK.
The First Lady joyfully talked about the Vietnamese students interest in her countrys educational system and their decision to further their studies here.
Expressing her empathy with the group on their difficulties while living away from home, Kim wished Vietnamese students success with a belief they will become a bridge connecting the two nations.
She recalled her trip to Vietnams central city of Da Nang in November last year and said she is happy that Korean culture has been warmly welcomed in the Southeast Asian country.
Vietnamese culture is also thriving in the RoK, Kim said, adding that she and her daughter often eat Vietnamese dishes like pho (noodle served with beef or chicken) and bun cha (grilled pork and noodle).
On behalf of the Vietnamese students, Ta Le Huyen, who is studying at the Kyung Hee University, briefed the First Lady on Vietnamese student communities in the RoK.
Huyen expressed her hope that the RoKs Government and universities would offer more scholarships to Vietnam.
After the meeting, the guests were treated to a lunch of pho and bun cha.
Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Huyen said she was honoured to be part of the unforgettable meeting.
Nguyen Phuong Dung from the Sejong University, also a member of the Vietnamese delegation, noted her hope that Vietnam and the RoK will issue more policies to expand education and training collaboration.
Dung said she expects the RoK Government to further facilitate learning and post-graduate conditions for Vietnamese students, and the Vietnamese Government to come up with more policies to help students obtain suitable jobs upon returning home.
Taekwang initiated talks to discuss strategic investment in PV Power
Some days ago, representatives of Taekwang Power joined a working session with the leaders of PV Power to discuss options of buying nearly 29 per cent stake to become the strategic investor of PV Power.
The South Korean party has plans to spend VND12 trillion ($527.2 million) on the deal.
So far, PV Power met with 195 foreign investors, 35 of whom expressed intentions to make a bid. However, ultimately, only four firms submitted applications.
Two of these investors come from South Korea, one from Thailand, and one from Germany. The German firm registered to buy shares for a maximum of $100 million, while the three remaining investors registered to buy the entire 28.88 per cent stake offered to the strategic investor. However, the names of these firms have yet to be disclosed.
PV Power was established in 2007 and is fully-owned by PetroVietnam. As the second-largest electricity producer in Vietnam, the company operates one coal-fired thermal power plant, three gas-fired power plants, and three hydropower plants.
Taekwang Power is well-known as the co-investor of the $2.3-billion Nam Dinh 1 thermal power project.
Notably, in July 2017, the consortium including Saudi Arabian ACWA Power and Taekwang Power officially received an investment certificate for the project.
Nam Dinh 1 is the seventh foreign-invested power project licensed in Vietnam since the country opened its doors to foreign direct investment three decades ago.
The 1,200MW plant is an independent greenfield power project to be developed on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. It is part of the 2,400MW Nam Dinh thermal power complex.
The project is scheduled to commence construction in early 2018. The first unit will enter commercial operations within 51 months, while the power facility will take 57 months.
The investment consortium will operate for 25 years. The project will be financed by Export-Import Bank of Korea and Korean Trade Insurance Corporation.
South Korean Posco E&C has been selected as a preferred bidder for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract of the project.
The plants annual production will be 7,800GWh, which will be a considerable contribution to power generation in northern Vietnam and will facilitate the development strategy presented in the nation's power development strategy.
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MONTREAL, Quebec, March 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (Maple Gold or the Company) (TSX-V:MGM) (OTCQB:MGMLF) (Frankfurt:M3G) is pleased to announce that it plans to complete a non-brokered, hard-dollar private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$3,800,000 (the Offering) through the issuance of 15,833,333 common shares at a price of $0.24 per share.
Maple Golds President & CEO, Matthew Hornor, stated: Completing this financing without warrants and having the strong support of long-term, Quebec-based institutional investors wanting to partner with us to build significant value in the Abitibi is another important step for Maple Gold. This financing provides the Company with the necessary working capital to comfortably enter 2019 with a solid balance sheet.
All the securities will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. Finders fees may be payable on a portion of the funds in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSX-V). The Company intends on using the net proceeds from the private placement to continue advancing the Douay Gold Project and for general corporate purposes. Closing is expected on or about March 28, 2018, and is subject to regulatory approval including that of the TSX-V.
The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the U.S. Securities Act) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.
About Maple Gold
Maple Gold is a well-funded gold exploration company focused on advancing a district-scale gold project in one of the worlds premier mining jurisdictions. The Companys 370 km Douay Gold Project is located along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone within the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt in northern Quebec, Canada. The Project has an established gold resource that remains open in multiple directions, with excellent infrastructure and several large scale operating mines within this prolific mining district. Maple Gold has a significant drill campaign under way to expand on the known Resource Areas and test new discovery targets within the Companys 55 km of strike along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone. For more information please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.
ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD.
Matthew Hornor
B. Matthew Hornor, President & CEO
For Further Information Please Contact:
Mr. Joness Lang
VP, Corporate Development
Office: +1 416.306.8124
Email: jlang@maplegoldmines.com
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.
Forward Looking Statements:
This news release contains forward-looking information" and forward-looking statements (collectively referred to as forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and managements best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Companys expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding timing and completion of the private placement. When used herein, words such as anticipate, will, intend and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
An police officer raises a barrier Monday near the site of an explosion in Austin, Texas. Multiple people were injured in the blast Sunday night.
Collaboration and licensing agreement combine Harvard's expertise in tumor biology and materials science with Novartis' diverse immuno-oncology pipeline
Teams will explore the development of novel implantable and injectable biomaterial systems for delivering Novartis' portfolio of second-generation cancer immunotherapies
Investigators at Harvard's Wyss Institute and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have reported evidence of anti-cancer immunity in preclinical experiments of the biomaterial systems[2]-[5].
Basel, March 20, 2018 Novartis announced today that it is teaming up with scientists from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to develop biomaterial systems for its portfolio of immuno-oncology therapies.
The licensed biomaterial systems aim to overcome barriers that have hampered traditional cancer vaccines, including their limited duration of action and lack of targeting to specific cancer cells. Through many years' work, researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the Wyss Institute, and Dana-Farber have engineered the biomaterial systems with an aim to provide sustained delivery of immunotherapies and target specific types of cancer. Novartis will further collaborate with the team at the Wyss Institute to advance development of the biomaterial systems, investigating their use to deliver agents from its broad and deep portfolio of second-generation immunotherapies.
"Our collaborators have combined the fields of immuno-oncology and material science to develop novel platforms for delivering immunotherapies to combat cancer," said Jay Bradner, President of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). "We look forward to collaborating with the Wyss Institute to further develop this technology in conjunction with our growing immunotherapy portfolio."
The licensing agreement with Harvard's Office of Technology Development and the collaboration with the Wyss Institute support Novartis' efforts to develop combination immunotherapy regimens. New immunotherapies have benefited subsets of cancer patients, presenting opportunities to develop new immuno-oncology treatment strategies to help more patients [1]. Novartis is developing combination immunotherapies in clinical trials.
The implantable and injectable systems are made of biodegradable materials that assemble into porous, three-dimensional structures. In lab experiments, the systems release cell-recruiting factors to attract host dendritic cells and present tumor antigens to those specialized immune cells, intending to bolster immune responses to cancer [2]. While these systems have yet not been proven in human clinical trials, they hold great promise because of their potential to serve as engineered microenvironments to educate the immune system about cancer and initiate immune responses against tumors over a sustained period of time.
The technologies licensed under this agreement for target-specific applications are owned or co-owned by Harvard University, Dana-Farber, and the University of Michigan.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "teaming up," "to develop," "next generation," "aim," "yet," "promise," "potential," "will," "look forward," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding the collaboration and license agreement with the Wyss Institute and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, or regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products or the collaboration and license agreement with the Wyss Institute and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the collaboration and license agreement with the Wyss Institute and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will achieve any or all of its intended goals and objectives, or be commercially successful. Neither can there be any guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products and the collaboration and license agreement with the Wyss Institute and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 122,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
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References
[1] Nat Rev Cancer. Prospects for combining targeted and conventional cancer therapy with immunotherapy. Gotwals P. et. al. 2017.
[2] Nat Commun. Injectable cryogel-based whole-cell cancer vaccines. Bencherif S.A. et al. 2015.
[3] Ali OA, Emerich D, Dranoff G, Mooney DJ. In situ regulation of DC subsets and T cells mediates tumor regression in mice. Science Transl Med. 2009 Nov 25;1(8):8ra19. PMCID: PMC2872791.
[4] Kim J, Li WA, Choi Y, Lewin SA, Verbeke CS, Dranoff G, Mooney DJ. Injectable, spontaneously assembling, inorganic scaffolds modulate immune cells in vivo and increase vaccine efficacy. Nature Biotechnology. 2015 Jan;33(1):64-72. doi: 10.1038/nbt.3071. Epub 2014 Dec 8. PMCID: PMC4318563
[5] Li AW, Sobral MC, Badrinath S, Choi Y, Graveline A, Stafford AG, Weaver JC, Dellacherie MO, Shih TY, Ali OA, Kim J, Wucherpfennig KW, Mooney DJ. A facile approach to enhance antigen response for personalized cancer vaccination. Nat Mater. 2018 Mar 5. doi: 10.1038/s41563-018-0028-2
# # #
Novartis Media Relations
Central media line: +41 61 324 2200
E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com
Eric Althoff
Novartis Global Media Relations
+41 61 324 7999 (direct)
+41 79 593 4202 (mobile)
eric.althoff@novartis.com Ryan McBride
NIBR Communications
+1 617 871 3018 (direct)
+1 617 599 0871 (mobile)
ryan.mcbride@novartis.com
Novartis Investor Relations
Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944
E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com
English Dutch
Collected through the on-board car sensors of Brabant roadside inspectors vehicles, AND's MapFusion automatically keeps map and location data up-to-date
Capelle aan den IJssel, the Netherlands, 20 March 2018 - AND is happy to announce a collaboration with Talking Maps, a pilot with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the province of Noord-Brabant and V-Tron. AND ensures that data collected by smart cameras in the vehicles of roadside inspectors automatically improves, updates and enriches map and location data via MapFusion.
This collaboration starts with a pilot where the focus is on improving, updating and enriching HD Maps with road marking and traffic signs on the Maasvlakte-Venlo corridor, covering approx. 200 km. The next phase will be set up on the basis of the pilot results. HD Maps provide a highly accurate model of the road network which enables the self-driving car to manoeuvre very accurately and determine its exact location. This is critical for advanced driving applications and cooperative and autonomous driving.
AND follows the trend in the automotive sector of more and more vehicles getting connected to the Internet and equipped with advanced sensors. Map and location data are an essential component for more advanced safety, eco-efficiency, comfort and autonomous driving. The conventional way of creating maps no longer fulfills the requirements of these modern functions and systems. AND's MapFusion not only ensures an unprecedented richness and accuracy of map data, but also delivers it at substantially lower costs. Earlier, AND announced its collaboration with Continental to automatically enrich and maintain digital maps.
Hugo van der Linde, CEO AND: "We are very excited to use our MapFusion technology, together with V-Tron, for knowledge questions of governments and other Talking Traffic partners. AND automatically integrates data from the car to create highly detailed and up-to-date maps. With this pilot AND aims to provide fresh data and give an extra boost for autonomous and cooperative driving with both passenger cars and trucks in the Netherlands."
Initially cars from the Brabant roadside inspectors will be used for this pilot. Later, other road authorities are likely to join the Talking Maps trail, which means that even more vehicles will be collecting data.
Intertraffic
The Talking Maps project will be kicked off this afternoon at 14:00 at the international mobility fair Intertraffic Amsterdam at the RAI exhibition centre in Amsterdam. You are welcome to attend. For more information you can visit the program SmartwayZ.NL: 08.304, Smart Mobility Hall, Intertraffic Amsterdam.
About AND
AND is one of only four companies that offer worldwide proprietary digital map data and the only independent one. AND thereby focuses on innovative map data technologies to create better and more relevant map data.
This is an English translation of the Dutch press release. In the event of any disparity between the Dutch original and this translation, the Dutch text will prevail.
Note for editor, not for publication:
For further information, please contact Hugo van der Linde on 0031-10-8851200 or go to www.and.com
English Dutch
's-Hertogenbosch, 20 March 2018
In the period from 13 March 2018 until 19 March 2018 Van Lanschot Kempen has repurchased 16,626 of its own shares (depositary receipts for Class A ordinary shares). The shares were repurchased at an average price of 26.52 per share for a total amount of 440,983.
These repurchases are part of the share buy-back programme for at most 400,000 of own shares, which was announced on 22 February 2018. The total number of shares repurchased to date is 52,244.
More information, including a detailed overview of the repurchase transactions under this programme, is available on www.vanlanschotkempen.com/sharebuyback.
Media Relations: +31 20 354 45 85; mediarelations@vanlanschotkempen.com
Investor Relations: +31 20 354 45 90; investorrelations@vanlanschotkempen.com
About Van Lanschot Kempen
Van Lanschot Kempen, a wealth manager operating under the Van Lanschot, Evi and Kempen brand names, is active in Private Banking, Asset Management and Merchant Banking, with the aim of preserving and creating wealth for its clients. Van Lanschot Kempen, listed at Euronext Amsterdam, is the Netherlands' oldest independent financial services company with a history dating back to 1737.
vanlanschotkempen.com
Disclaimer
This document does not constitute an offer or solicitation for the sale, purchase or acquisition in any other way of or subscription to any financial instrument and is not an opinion or a recommendation to perform or refrain from performing any action.
This document is a translation of the Dutch original and is provided as a courtesy only. In the event of any disparities, the Dutch version will prevail.
To Madame Rangeri,
(director of the publication Il Manifesto)
I would ask you note that the article entitled In the grip of the USA and NATO , published on 13 March 2018 and signed by Manlio Dinucci, contains information which is inaccurate and deceptive.
Paragraph 3 :
It is incorrect to write that - The exercise is to be directed by NATO Command in Lago Patria (JFC Naples), under the orders of US Admiral James Foggo .
It is true that NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM), whose headquarters are at Northwood in Great Britain, assumes the command and control of the exercise, which is overseen by Admiral Clive Johnstone.
Paragraph 4 :
It is incorrect to write the following - It was Admiral Foggo himself who explained the purpose of the Dynamic Manta 2018 exercises - the "Fourth Battle for the Atlantic" began after the battles of the two World Wars and the Cold War .
However, it is true that in his article entitled The Fourth Battle of the Atlantic , published in 2016, Admiral Foggo had shared indications concerning the vision of NATO and the United States. However, this mutual vision can not be used to explain Dynamic Manta 2018. I refer you to MARCOMs publication on the subject of Dynamic Manta 2018 on its Internet site mc.nato.int.
Paragraph 6 :
It is incorrect to write that - In his position as NATO Commander, he is preparing in Italy the Allied Naval Forces against Russia, while in his position as Commander of US Naval Forces in Europe, Admiral Foggo is sending the 6th Fleet from Italy to the Juniper Cobra 2018 US/Israeli joint exercise, which is directed mainly against Iran .
It is true that - Admiral Foggo is leading the JFC Naples in the preparation, planification and realisation of military operations aimed at preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of the member states of the Alliance . For further details, you may consult the Internet site of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, under the heading Mission statement . Furthermore, in the English version of your article, the use of the term Captain is inappropriate. The correct term is Commander . Concerning the Admirals national competences, you may benefit from a visit to the Internet site www.c6f.navy.mil.
I would like to bring to your attention another inaccuracy in the final paragraph of the article we are discussing this concerns the authors statement that Since Scaparrotti is also the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (a responsibility which is always traditionally assumed by a US General), the plan anticipates participation by NATO, particularly represented by Italy, in support of Israel, in a large-scale war in the Middle East .
The true concept is as follows - Juniper Cobra is a bilateral Israeli-US exercise. Besides which, any intervention by NATO requires the unconditional approval of the Atlantic Council. This is an important aspect which the author overlooks entirely.
While I appreciate, in general, the article you have published, I would ask you to correct your version on line with the modifications noted above, and sincerely hope that our mutual collaboration may last.
Cordially yours,
Richard W. Haupt
Captain of the US Navy, head of the Public Relations Service of the NATO JFC Command, Lago Patria, Naples.
Response by Manlio Dinucci
We appreciate the attention that NATO brings to our publication. Il Manifesto and myself take note of the rectification the only one which is accurate, and, frankly, no more than a detail concerning the specific command of Dynamic Manta 2018.
For the rest, in any case, the role of the JFC Lago Patria, Naples, one of the two permanent commanders of the NATO Joint Force at the operational level remains centralised under the orders of US Admiral James Foggo.
The Admiral commands both the US Naval Forces for Europe and Africa and the US 6th Fleet, whose area of responsibility covers half of the Atlantic Ocean and the adjacent seas, including the Mediterranean.
During a seminar in Norway on 26 February, the Admiral spoke about the Fourth Battle of the Atlantic against increasingly sophisticated Russian submarines which menace the lines of maritime communication between the United States and Europe [1].
Since these lines also cross the Mediterranean, the Dynamic Manta 2018 exercise also enters into this NATO/USA vision . Its a false vision what proof do we have that Russian submarines wait in ambush, ready to sink ships along the maritime lines between Europe and the United States ?
It is also false to claim that the JFC Naples has a mission for the preparation, planification and realisation of military operations aimed at preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of the member states of the Alliance .. We only have to remember the wars by which NATO destroyed two states, Yugoslavia and Libya, which posed no threat whatsoever to the members of the Alliance.
Concerning the presence of General Scaparrotti in the Israeli/US joint exercises (to which Foggo sent the Admiral of the 6th Fleet), it would be ingenuous to ignore the fact that he is not only the commander of the European Command of the United States, but at the same time the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.
Finally, by simple curiosity on the basis of what norm must the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe traditionally be a US General?
Thank you once again for your attention to our work.
Manlio Dinucci
Comment by the Voltaire Network
It is absolutely false to write - Any intervention by NATO requires the unconditional approbation of the Atlantic Council. This is an important aspect which the author completely overlooks .
It is indeed a very important point the bombing of Tripoli (Libya) by NATO was perpetrated not only in violation of Resolution 1973 of the UN Security Council, which mandated NATO with the protection of the civilian population, but also in violation of the statutes of the Organisation.
Never, absolutely never, did the North Atlantic Council give its approbation for the massacre which cost the lives of approximately 40,000 people, the great majority of whom were civilians.
The fact that the United States and certain of their allies trampled all over the rights of other allies speaks volumes about the reality of this pseudo-alliance.
Thierry Meyssan
A number of eyewitnesses have testified to Sana Agency that on 26 February 2018, two anti-Daesh Coalitions helicopters landed at Twaimin, in the South-East of al-Shadadi. They took on board some of the Daesh officials that they were supposed to fight and transported them to the illegal US base of Sabah al-Kheir, 20 kilometres from Hassake.
Monday morning 19 March: three helicopters belonging to the US-led Coalition landed, in a location situated between the villages of Jissi and Calo, in the South East suburb of the town of Qamichli. They evacuated four Daesh officials of Iraqi origin and set off again, to where we do not know.
On 17 March 2018, the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov denounced the presence of the US, British and French Special Forces in Syria; this is something that both London and Paris deny. He drove home the point, insisting: What this presence means is that the issue is no longer a war by proxy but direct intervention in a war.
Mr. Lavrov then went on to give a stern warning to Washington, London and Paris, should they take the decision to bomb Damascus. The documents seized by the Syrian and Russian Secret Services confirm the existence of a plan to attack Damascus along similar lines to the plan conceived against Bagdad in 2003. Part of this plan includes killing off President al-Assad. Allied ships have been positioned to enable them to carry out this attack from the Mediterranean.
On 19 March 2018, the Syrian and Russian armies warned of a new chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta instigated by the United Kingdom under a false flag. The Syrian and Russian armies have already seized two chemical laboratories on 12 and 13 March. On 20 March, during a meeting of the Leaders of the Russian Armed Forces, the Russian Minister for Defence, General Sergey Shoygu, referred to three attempts to use these weapons during the week in Eastern Ghouta. While he explicitly avoided inculpating London with backing these attempted bombings, the way his words were couched, removes any possible doubt from his listeners minds.
He continued:
We are hoping that in the current situation, our Western Partners will allow good sense to guide their decision-making; that they stop flirting with terrorists and come together with Russia in their peaceful initiatives in Syria.
In five days, more than 79 000 prisoners of armed groups in the Ghouta have successfully sought refuge in the Syrian Arab Republic. This is thanks to the humanitarian corridors of Muhayam al-Wafedin and Hamouriyah.
Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Ive long been obsessed with star billing, the delicate art of negotiation that decides the order of where actors will be placed in the credits of their project. It involves contractual wrangling and supersized egos, and sometimes the results can be as revealing as any industry expose. Do you remember when Richard Gere was billed over Julia Roberts on the poster for Pretty Woman, only for her to vault over him when they reteamed for Runaway Bride? Or when Gene Hackman took his name off the poster for The Firm because he was miffed by Tom Cruises above-the-title billing? Hell, if I was stabbed in the street, had only 15 seconds to live, and flagged over a stranger to help, I think Id probably just spend that time with my Good Samaritan whispering, Did it make any sense to you that American Horror Story: Coven billed its two black Oscar nominees Angela Bassett and Gabourey Sidibe as guest stars the whole season, even though they appeared in more episodes than most of the main cast?
So when Avengers: Infinity War was announced, while most people were wondering which Marvel characters would die at the hand of supervillain Thanos, I was saving all my speculation for the billing block. The movie is an unprecedented team-up of characters that far outstrips even the last two Avengers casts, and it has to construct a plausible credit order for dozens of actors who have become big stars in their own franchises, and arent used to being 16th billed. How would Marvel manage it?
The answer is deliciously complicated. Lets do a deep dive into the billing block at the bottom of that Infinity War poster, which has the tricky business of sorting 27 stars and leaving a few notable Marvel heroes out entirely.
Photo: null
The first five names in the billing block are the core, OG Avengers: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson. Even within that tried-and-true group of superheroes, though, there are some interesting credit placements. For example, this is the first time that Downey Jr., Marvels biggest star, has received a below-the-title credit since the original Iron Man. Is that his concession to the supersized ensemble? Ive also got to hand it to Hemsworths lawyers: Though Evans was second-billed after Downey Jr. in the first Avengers movie, Hemsworth has taken that spot in the movies since, and now Evans is billed fourth after Ruffalo, whos never even had a solo Marvel franchise. There remains only one constant: In every Avengers film, Johansson has been billed fifth. Call it the superhero glass ceiling.
Photo: null
Things get a little more interesting in the next section, where six more stars join the fray: Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, and Elizabeth Olsen. Im surprised that Cumberbatch scored the highest billing of this group, likely owing to the fact that his solo Marvel film Doctor Strange debuted earlier than Hollands Spider-Man: Homecoming or Bosemans Black Panther. The other actors, who all appeared in Captain America: Civil War, are credited in the same order they were sorted in that film, aside from Holland, who swung past Boseman and landed just behind Cheadle, one of Marvels supporting stalwarts since Iron Man 2. Given that Boseman just toplined what will be the biggest Marvel movie ever made, it seems a little eyebrow-raising that hes billed behind the likes of Cumberbatch and Holland, but again, it seems like Marvel mostly decided that order based on who had a solo franchise entry first. Still, when they make a fifth Avengers film, expect Boseman to get an overdue promotion in the billing block.
Photo: null
Names 12 to 17 mostly feature the supporting actors from other Marvel movies: Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan from the Captain America franchise, Thors Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba, newcomer Peter Dinklage, and Doctor Stranges Benedict Wong. Give it up for Team Mackie, since this is the first time hes jumped above Stan in a Marvel billing block. Hiddleston and Elba are likely billed lower since they dont feature into the movie as heavily, but its interesting that Dinklage, the only person in the credited cast who has never appeared in a Marvel film before, still slid in there before Wong.
Photo: null
The most eccentric crediting comes with the Guardians of the Galaxy, who are joining the Avengers cast after two successful space-faring films on their own. The Guardians are last in the billing block before we get to all the special designations, but the normal billing order of their core human cast has been reversed: Recent addition Pom Klementieff (Mantis) is first, then Karen Gillan (Nebula), Dave Bautista (Drax), and finally Zoe Saldana (Gamora), who is the female lead of that franchise. (Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, who provide the voices of Groot and Rocket, are listed last.) Why would Saldana agree to flip the credit order like that, given that she is a big star with an important Infinity War presence? Perhaps for the same reason Chris Pratt hasnt even been listed yet: At a certain point, its more chic to attract attention in the back of the billing block.
Photo: null
And now we get to the special designations. Gwyneth Paltrow earning the first with makes me cackle because it reminds me that she was billed above Zendaya for her five-second gig in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Look, if you want Gwyneth for a cameo, youve got to meet her terms!
Photo: null
And then there are the three final names in the billing block: Benicio del Toro, who also gets a with; Josh Brolin, who gets both a with and an as; and Chris Pratt, who earned this stacked casts only and. Lets take these one by one, shall we? I suspect that del Toro, who was cast in the first Guardians of the Galaxy before Brolin came onboard, likely had a contractual precedent that came into effect again here and led to him being billed first. Then again, maybe Brolin wants that same back-of-the-pack cool factor that Pratt got for being the last, most distinctive credit in the main cast. Today alone, Ive seen two different trailers that bill their most famous stars last: Erstwhile Avenger Jeremy Renner (who is conspicuously absent from the Infinity War poster) got the and credit for his new movie Tag despite being the biggest movie star in the ensemble, while Amy Poehlers Wine Country finished its teaser by featuring Tina Fey.
If Pratt had really wanted to wade into the credit melee, he could have had a shot at nabbing Hemsworths second billing, since he has a big non-Marvel franchise in Jurassic World; instead, he staked out what feels like a cooler perch. Clever! But even now that weve named the 27 stars in that billing block, there are still some head-scratchers: How come we see Black Panthers Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright on the poster but their names didnt make the bottom block? Is Renner pulling a Gene Hackman by sitting this one out entirely? And can anyone explain to me why B.J. Novak was always in the opening credits of The Office despite playing such a marginal supporting character? That one doesnt have anything to do with Marvel, but hey, Id still like to know.
Kristoff (Jelani Alladin) and Anna (Patti Murin). Photo: Deen van Meer
In the animated film Frozen, instantly coating a room or a field with ice requires creative drawing and rendering. On a Broadway stage, entirely different kinds of skill and craft come into play. Director Michael Grandage and scenic designer Christopher Oram had to figure out how to bring the cold into the St. James Theatre for eight shows a week, conjuring snow and ice with everything from sculptural set pieces to video and lighting effects. We cant have the stage covered in small white particles that everyones going to slip on, says Oram. That means the show deploys only the occasional flurry of glitter and paper, and other techniques are used to let it snow.
The Bridge of Ice
The bickering Anna and Kristoff bond in a new number written for the show while traversing a Temple of Doomlike footbridge suspended above the stage. The bridges steel skeleton holds together rope and wood, which is then covered with sculpted transparent plastic icicles. Anna falls off the side of the bridge mid-song, hanging upside down with the help of a harness.
Violent Ice
Each time Elsa did something, Oram explains, I wanted it to be a bit different. When she gets angry during one scene and acts out, an array of spikes rocket out of the stage in a form meant to resemble a wave. When she defends herself in the second act, internally lit icicles emerge from within the turntable at the center of the stage.
Actual, Non-Stagecraft Ice
In the basement of the theater, theres an enormous vat of frozen CO2, refilled once a week, thats used to pump out fog through vents along the stage. It takes a lot of dry ice to make a lot of magic.
Photo: Marc Brenner
Folk-Art Ice
The shows effects all come together in the Act One finale, when the actress Caissie Levy sings the big song, Let It Go, transforming her costume in the process. Here, the ice looks most elegant, curling in forms that resemble flowery Norwegian rosemaling. In a finishing (and breathtakingly expensive) touch, sheets of Swarovski crystals descend from the rafters.
Photo: Deen van Meer/ Deen van Meer 2017
Wooden Ice
Designed to look like the warm carved woodwork of a Norwegian church as the show begins, a swath of Frozens set appears to freeze over once Elsa lets loose her powers in the first act. The woodwork itself is a video screen, and the crystallization spreads outward from her touch, timed in concert with the lights projected upon it and, of course, the music.
Photo: Deen van Meer/ Deen van Meer 2018
Human Ice
In the shows climax, ensemble members act out the part of the storm, whirling in motion across the stage and separating the main characters from each other. Choreographer Rob Ashford suggested the staging, which also calls for a group of actors to solidify into a sheet of ice as Anna rushes to save her sister.
Frozen will open on Broadway on March 22.
*This article appears in the March 19, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!
Ignore Kilgrave, look at the jeans. Photo: Netflix
I judged Jessica Joness jeans prematurely. Writing about the superpowered private detectives return to Netflix a few weeks ago, I noted that Jones still appears to possess exactly one pair of pants. This was not true. (Blame screener sites, and reportorial laziness.) While our heroines favorite light-wash jeans still make plenty of appearances in the second season of Jessica Jones, theyre joined by a bunch of new pairs definitely three, if not four, in the estimation of the shows costume designer Liz Vastola.
Before we get to the new jeans, though, Vastola has a word of defense for the old ones, a controversial pair of Citizens of Humanity boyfriend jeans that Jones wore in every episode of season one, as well as in The Defenders. The way that Jessica approaches what she wears, its a miracle if she really cares what shes wearing, she says. Those jeans made sense for her in the first season. They occupy a space thats not entirely on-the-nose fashionable. Theres an element of security to them, Vastola says, which is why Jessica keeps wearing the ensemble even during a summer heat wave: She wouldnt let go of it. She would just be hot and miserable.
The old jeans. Photo: Netflix
For a show as action-packed as this one, there was also a practical element to Jessica wearing the same jeans all the time. They had a stretch to them that was able to withstand a certain amount of rough wear, Vastola says. We made peace with them in a similar way that Jessica makes peace with them.
But enough about the old jeans. Ever since Vastola signed on for the second season, she envisioned expanding Jessicas wardrobe beyond her trademark outfit. Her jeans take a lot of very visceral damage this season, she says. Theres a lot of blood. Her familys ashes. Theres an episode where shes burning the clothing that she has on. That felt like the most natural point to find something new. Vastola says shes a big fan of the new jeans, which have very little stretch, more natural-looking rips. Heres the story behind the new denim.
Photo: Netflix
The Black Jeans
One of the biggest shocks of Jessica Joness second season besides the reveal that [REDACTED] is actually [REDACTED] comes early in episode two, AKA Freak Accident, when Jessica breaks out her first pair of black jeans. (She accidentally wears them to a shiva.) Though these jeans also come from Citizens of Humanity, when paired with a black leather jacket and a black T-shirt, they give off a slightly different vibe from her usual ensemble. Vastola says that the show uses them when Jessica needs to be sad, or when Jessica needs to be stealthy. Its like her version of a superhero suit, she says. Its darker, its easier to sneak around in, and it feels a little bit more rough.
Photo: David Giesbrecht/Netflix
The Stunt Jeans
Id love to say that everything is poetic and character-based, but on a show like these Marvel Netflix shows, you really have to pay attention to what the clothing needs to endure, Vastola says. One extremely distressed pair of washed-out boyfriend jeans is particularly suited for action scenes: Its a looser fit, especially around the hip and the knee, which helps hide stunt padding on Krysten Ritter and her double. Plus, Vastola says, I kind of prefer the color to her Citizens. Its not as cheery of a blue. Its definitely a little more intense-feeling.
Photo: Netflix
The (Other) New Jeans
Most of Jessicas new denim comes from a New York denim company called R13. The line itself is a little more self-aware than Jessica is, a little more self-conscious in terms of the New Age grunge kind of look, Vastola says. It just so happens that they have a really rugged, plain, boxy look that fit Krys beautifully.
Photo: Netflix
The Flashback Jeans
One of the standout episodes of the new season is AKA I Want Your Cray Cray, which takes place in a flashback to the mid-2000s. (The exact year isnt specified, but the vibe is very Pop Culture Died in 2009.) Since production had to create multiple versions of the same outfit for stunts, they couldnt rely on vintage stores too heavily. Instead, they sourced period-appropriate clothes from Urban Outfitters and Barneys. (That the mid-2000s look is slowly coming back in style surely helped.) Other times, they just made the clothes themselves. Certain things for Jessica, we saw something and printed it ourselves to make it work more for her, Vastola says. Trishs clothes, which were directly inspired by outfits that Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, and Britney Spears were wearing at the time, were also mostly made from scratch.
One last thing: If youve been reading Vultures Jessica Jones recaps, you may have seen someone in the comments purporting to be the shows costume designer. Vastola confirms that was indeed her; she sees the comments as a way to let the public know what her job is all about. There are some shows where actors walk into the trailer, pick out what theyre going to wear for the day, and thats that. Essentially, youre a glorified shopper, she says. But on a lot of shows, contemporary costume designers do a lot more than people think. You need to stand up for yourself.
Oslo (Norway), 20 March 2018 - PCI Biotech (OSE: PCIB), a cancer focused biopharmaceutical company today announces its full year result. Please find enclosed the full year 2017 presentation.
2017 was a year of significant progress for PCI Biotech. The year started with the completion of a strongly supported rights issue that together with a grant from the Norwegian Research Council provided the Company with funds to complete key programme milestones. The positive early signs of tumour response in the Phase I study with fimaChem in bile duct cancer, presented at the International Liver Congress in the spring, have during the year translated into encouraging survival data, with 25% of the patients in Phase I still being alive. An extension study has been initiated to explore whether it is possible to introduce repeated fimaChem treatment in the pivotal study, which could potentially enhance efficacy further. The Company was also granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by FDA for fimaporfin in bile duct cancer. Further interactions with regulatory authorities in Europe and the US during the year provided important clarifications on the development path for fimaChem in this disease, enabling the Company to initiate preparations for a pivotal study.
The fimaVacc Phase I study provided promising initial signs of enhanced cellular immune responses at tolerable dose levels and the study continues with the objective to determine the optimal dosing regimen. Research collaborations based on fimaNAc progressed further during the year with expansion and extension of two ongoing collaboration programmes.
Per Walday, CEO of PCI Biotech, comments: "The achievements in 2017 has transformed PCI Biotech to a pivotal phase ready company with two promising assets in clinical development. The regulatory discussions last year provided important information on the requirements to bring fimaChem to the market and our focus is now on progression of all activities leading to start of the pivotal development phase. The clinical translation of the fimaVacc asset has provided promising initial results, suggesting that fimaVacc can provide highly sought-after features for vaccination technologies, such as early responses and high response rates."
Highlights
*New funds raised enabling further progress in development programmes. Successful rights issue completed in January 2017, enabling PCI Biotech to progress the fimaChem programme in bile duct cancer towards pivotal phase.
*Received important guidance from regulators for development of fimaChem in bile duct cancer. Encouraging outcome from regulatory meetings on the development for treatment of bile duct cancer.
*Granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for fimaporfin in bile duct cancer by the US FDA. ODD is a significant regulatory milestone providing important development and commercialisation benefits.
*Promising initial clinical results for the fimaVacc programme. The initial clinical results on overall T-cell responses indicate enhanced cellular immune responses, with early and high response rates.
*Progress in research collaborations with key players for the fimaNAc programme. Collaboration projects with key players within nucleic acid therapeutics were expanded and extended.
*Executive management team further strengthened with Dr Olivecrona as Chief Medical Officer. Dr Olivecrona leads the execution of all clinical development programmes.
A presentation in English will be held today, Tuesday 20 March 2018, at Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park.
Time: Tuesday 20 March 2018, 08.30am - 09.30am CET (local time).
Venue: Jonas Einarsson aud. (2nd floor, entrance 2B), Oslo Cancer Cluster
Innovation Park, Ullernchausseen 64, Oslo.
The presentation can be followed as a live audiocast (access through link http://webtv.hegnar.no/presentation.php?webcastId=83472058 ) or the company's website under "Investors - Reports and presentations - Webcasts"). It will be possible to post questions through the webcast console.
About PCI Biotech
PCI Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on development and commercialisation of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer through its innovative photochemical internalisation (PCI) technology platform. PCI is applied to three distinct anticancer paradigms: fimaChem (enhancement of chemotherapeutics for localised treatment of cancer), fimaVacc (T-cell induction technology for therapeutic vaccination), and fimaNAc (nucleic acid therapeutics delivery).
Photochemical internalisation induces triggered endosomal release that is used to unlock the true potential of a wide array of therapeutic modalities. The company's lead fimaChem programme consists of a Phase I/II clinical study in bile duct cancer, an orphan indication with a high unmet need and without approved products. fimaVacc applies a unique mode of action to enhance the essential cytotoxic effect of therapeutic cancer vaccines, which works in synergy with several other state-of-the-art vaccination technologies. fimaNAc utilises the endosomal release to provide intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, such as mRNA and siRNA therapeutics, thereby addressing one of the major bottlenecks facing this emerging and promising field.
For more information visit: www.pcibiotech.com
Contact information: PCI Biotech Holding ASA, Ullernchausseen 64, N-0379 Oslo
Ronny Skuggedal, CFO, rs@pcibiotech.no, Mobile: +47 9400 5757
Forward-looking statements
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which as such are not historical facts, but are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. These assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this announcement by such forward-looking statements. PCI Biotech disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Finding out how much money people make is fun. Finding out how much money teen stars can leverage from a studio after they become sensations is extra fun. Ahead of Stranger Things season three, all the major players are getting a raise. Deadline first reported that the young stars and veteran actors recently finalized negotiations for salary bumps, with sources saying that the core group of boys Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Finn Wolfhard would be going from about $30,000 per episode to more than $150,000. David Harbour and Winona Ryder, meanwhile, started the show with higher quotes than the kids, and will now be making somewhere around $200,000 per episode. Deadline did not have a figure estimate for Millie Bobby Browns salary, but it is reportedly higher than the rest of her young cohort.
The Hollywood Reporter then published a story with different, higher numbers for all parties. According to THR, the Hawkins A.V. Club members, including Noah Schnapp, will each me collecting $250,000 per episode (the outlet speculates they were previously making around $20,000), while Harbour and Ryder will make $350,000 (up from $80,000 for him and $100,000 for her). They also had estimates for the teens Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), and Joe Keery (Steve) who will reportedly be bumped up to about $150,000 per episode. Brown remains the outlier for both publications, with THR not tagging a specific number to her pay, but speculating she will make at least as much as the core group of boys, and could be making as much as Ryder and Harbour. Some of the sources speculated, however, that Brown making as much as Ryder would be absurd, and suggested she was in her own compensation tier of about $300,000 per episode. In other words: Everyone is doing just fine.
(CNN) -- [Breaking news update at 1:42 p.m. ET]
A Florida judge Tuesday set bond at $500,000 for Zachary Cruz, the younger brother of Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz, and ordered him to wear an ankle monitor after his arrest at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Charged with misdemeanor trespassing, the junior Cruz was also instructed to stay at least a mile away from the high school and to have no contact with his brother. Deputies will be allowed to search Zachary Cruz's home in Lantana for guns, the judge ruled.
[Original story published at 10:56 a.m. ET]
The younger brother of school gunman Nikolas Cruz was arrested Monday on a trespassing charge on the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, police said.
Zachary Cruz, 18, said he wanted to "reflect on the school shooting and soak it in," according to an arrest report. It said the teen had no ties to Broward County and that he "surpassed all locked doors and gates and proceeded to ride his skateboard through school grounds."
He has since posted bond and been released. He is scheduled to make a first appearance Tuesday afternoon, said Meredith Bush, spokeswoman for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
The school intends to prosecute him, the arrest report said, adding that Zachary Cruz had received "prior warnings by school officials to refrain from entering the school campus." The report did not elaborate on the warnings.
Zachary Cruz has been living in suburban Palm Beach County with Rocxanne Deschamps since he and his brother's adopted mother, Lynda Cruz, died in November.
According to court documents from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Zachary twice spoke with police February 16, two days after the mass shooting. That morning, deputies spoke with Deschamps and Zachary Cruz about a tip they'd received, the nature of which is redacted from the report.
An officer with the sheriff's behavioral science unit interviewed Zachary Cruz, and a detective later determined the tip was "only rumor at this time" and no further action was taken, the report said.
About three hours later, Palm Beach deputies arrived to assist the Broward Sheriff's Office with an interview, according to a separate report.
Zachary Cruz said he told Deschamps on the night of the shooting, "I don't want to be alive; I don't want to deal with this stuff."
He also told police that the night after the shooting, he felt as if "someone was trying to get me" and was scared when he thought he heard people outside his home.
He said he felt some responsibility for the shooting, according to court documents, and that he felt he could have possibly prevented the tragedy. He also conceded some resentment toward Nikolas for being "the favored brother," according to the report.
"Zachary explained that he and his friends, when they were younger, had bullied Nikolas, which he now regrets ever doing," the report said. "Zachary wishes that he had been 'nicer' to his brother."
A 2014 psychiatric memorandum from Cross Creek School, which serves emotionally and behaviorally disturbed students in Broward County, seems to confirm the bullying.
After summarizing Nikolas Cruz' oft-violent behavioral issues, the memo reports the behaviors "seem to be exacerbated by his strained relationship with his brother."
"Ms. Cruz stated that she has found knives and scissors in his bed. She think that he feels he needs to protect himself from his brother," the memorandum said.
In a second February 16 interview, Zachary Cruz told the officer he didn't understand why his brother shot and killed 17 people February 14 in one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern US history.
"It's not a realistic option to kill people," he told police, according to the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office report.
The officer interviewing the younger brother said he detected no "homicidal ideations at this time" but recommended the teen be evaluated further.
In closing, the officer wrote, "It should be noted that there is a shotgun and a rifle in the (Rocxanne Deschamps' son's) bedroom and should be secured in a closet."
Nikolas Cruz is being held without bond at the Broward County Jail, where he's segregated from other inmates.
A judge entered a plea of not guilty on Cruz's behalf as the teen was arraigned last week.
Prosecutors announced in court filings March 13 that they will seek the death penalty against Cruz. They listed several factors, including that he knowingly created a risk of death for many people and that the shooting was "especially heinous, atrocious or cruel."
A Broward County grand jury indicted Cruz March 7 on 17 counts of premeditated murder in the first degree and 17 counts of attempted murder in the first degree.
Zachary Cruz was present during his brother's arraignment, where he was seen wiping away tears.
The-CNN-Wire
& 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
District Judge Carlton Reeves issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday, blocking the law from taking effect for 10 days while the court considers further action.
"The law threatens immediate, irreparable harm to Mississippians' abilities to control their 'destiny and ... body,' " Reeves wrote, citing another ruling. "A brief delay in enforcing a law of dubious constitutionality does not outweigh that harm, and in fact serves the public's interest in preserving the freedom guaranteed by the United States Constitution."
House Bill 1510 was signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant on Monday, making Mississippi the state with the earliest abortion ban in the nation.
The same day, the nonprofit Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law, which had gone into effect immediately. It also asked the court to block the ban, a particularly urgent request because a woman was scheduled to have a 15-week abortion Tuesday afternoon.
Bryant called the temporary restraining order "disappointing."
"House Bill 1510 protects maternal health and will further our efforts to make Mississippi the safest place in America for an unborn child. We are confident in its constitutionality and look forward to vigorously defending it," he said in a statement.
The Center for Reproductive Rights maintains that the law violates "longstanding Supreme Court precedent."
"By banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, the law violates decades of well-established, clear precedent under the U.S. Constitution. Courts have consistently struck down similar bans on abortion before viability as unconstitutional," the center said in a statement.
House Bill 1510 is also known as the Gestational Age Act. It makes exceptions only for medical emergencies or cases in which there's a "severe fetal abnormality." There are no exceptions for incidents of rape or incest.
The law also requires doctors who perform abortions after 15 weeks to submit reports detailing the circumstances of each case. If they knowingly violate the law, their medical licenses will be suspended or revoked in Mississippi. If they falsify records, they will face civil penalties or be forced to pay fines of up to $500.
Mississippi is among a small handful of states with only one remaining clinic that provides abortion services: in this case, Jackson Women's Health Organization. Although Mississippi was already among the states with a 20-week ban, until the enactment of this latest bill, the cutoff time for abortions at the Jackson clinic was 16 weeks.
The-CNN-Wire
& 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
(CNN) -- A 17-year-old male student shot two other students at Great Mills High School in Maryland on Tuesday morning before a school resource officer engaged him and stopped the threat, authorities said.
The incident began in a school hallway at 7:55 a.m., just before classes started. Authorities say Austin Wyatt Rollins, armed with a handgun, shot a female and a male student. The shooter had a prior relationship with the female student, St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said.
School resource officer Blaine Gaskill responded to the scene in less than a minute, the sheriff said. Gaskill fired a round at the shooter, and the shooter fired a round simultaneously, Cameron said.
Rollins was later pronounced dead. Gaskill was unharmed. The 16-year-old female student is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, and the 14-year-old male student who was shot is in stable condition.
Cameron said he was not sure whether Gaskill's bullet hit the suspect, but he praised the officer's quick response to the situation.
"He responded exactly as we train our personnel to respond," he said.
The incident is the 17th school shooting in the United States since January 1, according to CNN research.
"This is what we train for, this is what we prepare for, and this is what we pray that we never have to do. On this day, we realized our worst nightmare," Cameron said.
"The notion of 'it can't happen here' is no longer a notion."
The school was on lockdown for a brief time, and students were evacuated from Great Mills High School to a reunification center at a nearby high school, the school system said.
'I'm still a little shaken up'
Toni Foreman, who lives near the suspect and his family in nearby Lexington Park, said he was a good kid from a nice family who used to play catch and ride bikes with her son.
"Whenever snow was out, he would help shovel," she said. "I'm just totally floored that it was him."
Jonathan Freese, a student at Great Mills, called CNN from his cellphone during the lockdown in his math class. Police were going through classrooms to clear the school, Freese said.
"I'm still a little shaken up," he said.
Freese said the school had held drills a couple of times for this kind of situation.
"I didn't really expect for this to happen. I do always feel safe, though, because they always have police at the school," he said.
Great Mills High School is in Great Mills, about 70 miles southeast of Washington. It has more than 1,500 students, about 56% of them minority students, and its four-year graduation rate is 91%, according to the school's 2015-16 improvement plan.
17th school shooting this year
Last week, students at Great Mills High School walked out of class as part of a student-led protest against school violence in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Several students from Stoneman Douglas tweeted about the Great Mills school shooting on Tuesday, offering their thoughts and calling for an end to gun violence in schools.
"The words School & Shooting should not be next to each other. Headlines like this should not have to be typed up every week. All of these incidents have one thing in common. My thoughts are with Maryland right now," tweeted student activist Adam Alhanti.
Other Stoneman Douglas students contrasted the Maryland school resource officer's quick response with the Stoneman Douglas officer's decision not to enter the school and engage the shooter.
"At least someone is doing their job," Stoneman Douglas student Tanzil Philip said. "I feel like if our (school resource officer) would have went in the building, the overall result would've been less bad."
"It makes me feel angry that the protocols were not effective in our situation," said Demitri Hoth, another Stoneman Douglas student.
Gov. Larry Hogan said the shooting was a "call to action" to address school safety.
"Although our pain remains fresh and the facts remain uncertain, today's horrible events should not be an excuse to pause our conversation about school safety. Instead, it must serve as a call to action," he said in a statement.
Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump called the shooting "a terrible thing."
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& 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
The Limestone County NAACP is still seeking answers as to why Tanner High School's Principal, was put on paid leave last week.
Members now believe Gordon's suspension is a race issue. They claim another black principal in Limestone County was dismissed a few years ago.
Members of the NAACP walked into the county school board office asking to speak with the school superintendent Tom Sisk.
According to the members Sisk was out of the office so they spoke with Tommy Hunter who is the Director of Human Resources. Hunter said he would not answer their questions without Sisk available.
"When you attack a leader of the school. Especially one that was hired for a specific purpose to make changes that Dr. Sisk said they needed improvement. When a person comes in and does that and you penalize him for doing what he was hired to do, there's no justification for that," said Alabama NAACP Board President, Benard Simelton.
Eddie Walton a Tanner High School parent said, "If 67 percent, nearly 70 percent of the students at Tanner High School are minorities, what type of message is the Limestone County Board giving out to students that are minorities."
NAACP members told WAAY 31, they contacted the State Board of Education regarding Gordon's suspension and the U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights.
Selbyville, Delaware, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Structural Insulation Panels Market will surpass USD 600 million by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Growing demand for modern, energy-efficient and fast track building techniques will drive structural insulation panels market growth. Shifting trends toward green building construction to reduce energy consumption and global CO2 emissions will propel the product adoption rate. Factors such as ease of installation, sound proofing and light weight product properties will boost SIPs market size.
Rising global warming level and increasing consumer concern pertaining to high electricity bills is anticipated to support structural insulation panels adoption. Continuous legislative amendments including LEED and Model Energy Codes regarding sustainable building measures for construction companies will improve SIPs market development.
Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2452
Globally, increasing labor cost is expected to shift manufacturers preference towards advanced construction materials. Benefits such as cost, and design flexibility is augmenting product demand. Increasing government support to promote green building technologies will significantly enhance industry expansion. For instance, in 2016, the EU enacted Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to encourage better renovation and cost-effective material usage in the region.
EPS was valued over USD 180 million in 2016. High compatibility with oriented strand board, low vapor permanence and minimum water absorption are the key properties influencing EPS demand in SIPs. Easy availability, rigidness, low maintenance cost and lightweight features are major aspects likely to influence segment growth.
OSB one side is expected to observe growth over 7% up to 2024. Improved code-compliant air barrier due to better permeability is the key factor propelling OSB one sided structural insulation panels market expansion. Strong application scope in sliding and roofing walls for improved heat transfer and moisture resistance will support segment growth.
Browse key industry insights spread across 300 pages with 350 market data tables & 12 figures & charts from the report, Structural Insulation Panels (SIPs) Market Share & Forecast, 2017 2024 in detail along with the table of contents:
https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/structural-insulation-panels-market
Residential sector dominated the structural insulation panels market share in 2016 and will witness over 6% CAGR up to 2024. Expansion of zero energy homes industry and affordable housing schemes supported by government will provide lucrative opportunity for industry manufactures. For instance, U.S. Department of Energys (DoEs) planned to reduce residential energy consumption by supporting zero-energy homes development by 2020.
Commercial sector is projected to witness fastest growth over the projected time frame. Increasing necessity for high thermal insulation to reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings will propel segment demand. In addition, surge in electricity bills is anticipated to trigger product penetration rate. Rapid expansion of hotel chains, malls and hospitals will also boost SIPs market expansion.
North America is expected to hold over 35% structural insulation panels market share by 2024. Escalating government regulations including EPA's Energy Star Home will drive regional industry size. Increasing preference for low maintenance building materials among manufactures likely to propel SIPs market. Rising energy security concern along with social awareness regarding efficient technologies will boost structural insulation panels industry size.
Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2452
Global structural insulated panels market share includes ArcelorMittal, Isopan, Lattonedil, k Metecno, Romakowski, J-Deck Inc. and Nohara. Rising competition among organizations is resulting into several mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances to enhance market share foothold. Other prominent industry participants include Foard Panel, Foam Laminates Future Building of America, ICS Eco-SIPs, T. Clear Corporation, Murus Company, and Eagle Panel Systems, Inc.
Browse Related Reports:
High Temperature Insulation Market Growth, 2017 2024
High Temperature Insulation Market Size was valued more than USD 3.0 billion in 2016 and the industry will grow at a CAGR of over 5% up to 2024. North America high temperature insulation market is exhibiting a significant growth across the globe over the forecast timeframe owing to innovation and investments in research and development of better products with the support of technology from the U.S. and Canada.
https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/high-temperature-insulation-market
Building Thermal Insulation Market Trends, 2017 2024
Building Thermal Insulation Market size was over USD 25 billion in 2016 and will surpass 10 billion square metres by 2024. Commercial sector will witness gains over 4% up to 2024. Expansion in commercial spaces including shopping malls, convenience stores, and grocery stores will enhance the revenue growth.
https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/building-thermal-insulation-market
About Global Market Insights
Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.
SAN FRANCISCO and IRVINE, Calif., March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sellpoints, Inc., a ConversionPoint Technologies company dedicated to helping brands and retailers sell more online, has promoted its chief revenue officer, Jon Gregg, to the position of president.
Gregg succeeds Brian OKeefe, who has stepped down to pursue other interests but will continue to serve on ConversionPoints advisory board. The move follows ConversionPoints acquisition of Sellpoints last December.
As president, Gregg will be responsible for leading the companys growth strategy as a fast-growing global provider of e-Commerce marketing technology.
Jon was the ideal candidate for this position, given his extensive operational and sales experience, stellar performance as Sellpoints CRO, and clear vision for growing the company and enhancing the technologies we deliver to our clients, said Robert Tallack, CEO of ConversionPoint Technologies. Jon will continue to build upon Sellpoints foundation of amazing e-Commerce capabilities, marquee clients and industry partnerships, which has set the stage for growth and market expansion in 2018 and beyond.
Following his foundational career experiences at Ogilvy & Mather and Wunderman Cato Johnson, Gregg went on to develop and lead sales and operational strategies which have generated more than $260 million in revenue for both startups and established global enterprises. He became a top sales producer at Yahoo!, where during his seven-year tenure he developed enterprise licensing partnerships that included a co-branded ISP service for Costco and K-Mart.
He has also activated foundational content licenses for Autonomy's consumer video platform, Blinkx, and launched consumer revenue operations for Bezos Expeditions-backed SkyGrid. He has served as vice president of west coast sales for NewsCorps FOX Audience Network, and as chief revenue officer of ShareThis where he was responsible for sales, account management, ad operations and business intelligence.
Im honored to lead our talented Sellpoints team and further our mission of helping brands sell more online, commented Gregg. Our focus on developing world-class technology has driven the evolution of our OMNI and ReTargeter platforms. Combined with our deep expertise and industry relationships in eCommerce, were uniquely positioned to enable eCommerce brands to more effectively engage their audiences. As we continue this commitment to our global retailer partners and more than 500 global consumer brands, we see robust opportunities to deliver even greater differentiated value to our customers.
Originally from New York, Gregg now lives in the Bay Area with his wife and three children.
About Sellpoints
Sellpoints, a ConversionPoint Technologies company, is an e-Commerce technology provider dedicated to helping brands and retailers sell more online. Sellpoints achieves this by attracting qualified shoppers to product pages using traditional traffic acquisition channels (SEO, PPC) as well as innovative, predictive advertising solutions. Sellpoints then engages shoppers with the most relevant, targeted rich media content that increases the time spent interacting with the product description. Shopper behaviors and transactional data are tracked and analyzed to provide insights that drive more qualified traffic acquisition and further engagement to increase purchase conversion. To learn more, visit www.sellpoints.com .
About ReTargeter
Acquired by Sellpoints in 2015, ReTargeter is recognized as a premier provider of programmatic and RTB advertising solutions through managed services and a proprietary SaaS solution. To learn more, visit www.retargeter.com.
About ConversionPoint Technologies
ConversionPoint Technologies, Inc. is a group of e-Commerce technology companies that are changing how brands, advertisers and agencies connect with, acquire and retain customers. Powered by AI-enabled media optimization, CRM, and robust post-purchase platforms that automate product delivery and remarketing, the ConversionPoint companies offer proprietary technologies to increase conversions, lifetime customer value, and return on ad spend. Solutions are available for selling direct (.com), via online retailers and Amazon. Connect on Twitter, LinkedIn or ConversionPoint.com
Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, this press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management of ConversionPoint Technologies, Inc. with respect to potential future events. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties.
Company Contact:
Amy Chilla
amy@conversionpoint.com
Tel 949-573-7830
Investor Relations:
Ron Both or Geoffrey Plank
CMA
Tel 949-432-7566
cpti@cma.team
INDIANAPOLIS, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OneCause , the leading mobile fundraising platform helping nonprofits engage donors and raise more money, recently took home a Silver Stevie Award in the Customer Service Department of the Year Computer Software category in the 12th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service .
The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the worlds top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes seven of the worlds leading business awards programs, also including the prestigious American Business AwardsSM and International Business Awards.
This is an important award for OneCause because it reaffirms our commitment to being the very best partner for our customers, said OneCause CEO Steve Johns. The Stevie award recognizes our commitment to placing our customers causes at the center of everything we do. Superior customer service is just one more way that we truly differentiate OneCause.
James Rischar, OneCause vice president of customer service and support, added, It was an absolute honor to receive this award alongside the biggest names in technology. The Stevie Award, along with our 96 percent customer satisfaction rating, affirms the value of our service approach. We strive daily to delight our customers and help nonprofits power their fundraising with OneCause solutions.
More than 2,500 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this years competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in 89 categories for customer service and contact center achievements.
Stevie Award judges praised OneCause, calling the companys customer service impressive. OneCause has an excellent story and the empirical data to back up their claim for excellence in customer service/experience, said one judge.
All of our Stevie Award winners should be proud of their achievements. Independent professionals around the world have agreed that their accomplishments are worthy of our public recognition, said Stevie Awards president Michael Gallagher.
About OneCause
OneCause (formerly BidPal) creates user-friendly fundraising software that helps nonprofits engage donors, raise more money and save valuable time and resources. Our cloud-based mobile bidding and payment solutions have helped more than 4,000 organizations connect with over 1.5 million unique supporters annually. Located in the marketing technology hub of Indianapolis, OneCause has been recognized on the Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Companies and has received a Techpoint MIRA award for Mobile Technology Excellence & Innovation.
For information contact:
Linda Muskin, 847.432.7300
lmuskin@teamclarus.com
Mara Conklin, 847.816.9411
mconklin@teamclarus.com
Investor Relations Press Release March 20, 2018
TBC Bank wins Best Bank in Georgia 2018 award from Global Finance
TBC Bank is delighted to announce that it has been named "the Best Bank in Georgia" for the seventh consecutive year by Global Finance Magazine. This award underlines TBC Bank's efforts to provide continuously superior customer experience and innovative product offerings and services.
"We are honoured to receive this prestigious award again from Global Finance. It is acknowledgement of our leading position in Georgian banking, encouraging us to further enhance and innovate our products and exceed customer expectations", commented Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, Chief Executive Officer of TBC Bank.
TBC Bank has won the Best Bank in Georgia Award from Global Finance magazine in the following years: 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2012-2018.
"The winners are world-class leaders, responding adeptly to shifting political winds, new technologies and changing market conditions," said Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance.
About Global Finance
Global Finance, founded in 1987, has a circulation of 50,050 and readers in 189 countries. Its circulation is audited by BPA. Global Finance's audience includes chairmen, presidents, CEOs, CFOs, treasurers and other senior financial officers responsible for making investment and strategic decisions at multinational companies and financial
institutions. Global Finance's website - GFMag.com - offers analysis and articles that are the legacy of 31 years of experience in international financial markets, and provide a valuable source of data on 192 countries. Global Finance is headquartered in New York with offices in London and Milan.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Head of Investor Relations
Anna Romelashvili
ir@tbcbank.com.ge
About TBC Bank Group PLC ("TBC PLC")
TBC PLC is a public limited company registered in England and Wales that was incorporated in February 2016. TBC PLC became the parent company of JSC TBC Bank ("TBC Bank") on 10 August 2016. TBC PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol TBCG.
TBC Bank, together with its subsidiaries, is the leading universal banking group in Georgia, with a total market share of 38.2% of loans and 39.8% of non-banking deposits as at 31 December 2017, according to the data published by the National Bank of Georgia.
Contact Details: If you have any questions or if you need additional information please contact IR@tbcbank.com.ge or visit our website www.tbcbankgroup.com
If you no longer wish to receive press releases from TBC Bank, please click to confirm your cancellation Unsubscribe
English Icelandic
Skeljungur hf. held its Annual General Meeting today, Tuesday March 20, 2018 at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica at 16:00. Chairman of the Board Jon Dirik Jonsson addressed the meeting on behalf of the Board, and CEO Hendrik Egholm reviewed Skeljungur's earnings report and the highlights of operations in 2017.
All proposals that were put forward on the meeting can be found on the company's website: https://www.skeljungur.is/annualgeneralmeeting2018
1. Annual accounts for 2017
Annual General Meeting approved the Financial Statements for 2017.
2. Allocation of profits and payment of dividends 2017
The meeting approved the Board's proposal that the Company pays a dividend of ISK 500 million to shareholders for the year 2017, which is about 0,24 per outstanding share, according to the Company's dividend policy, which amounts to 43.7% of the Company's profits in 2017. Payment date is April 6, 2018, March 21, 2018 is the ex-date and March 22, 2018 is the record date.
3. Remuneration Policy
The Board's proposal to have the current Remuneration Policy unchanged was approved at the meeting. The Remuneration Policy is available on https://www.skeljungur.is/lisalib/getfile.aspx?itemid=939276e3-1702-11e8-8103-005056a6135c
4. Remuneration of Board Members, Sub-Committees and the Accountant
The Board's proposal on remuneration of Board Members, Sub-Committees and Accountant was approved.
This proposal is a part of restructuring of boards and committees in the group where most of Magn's tasks are transferred to Skeljungur's Board. Overall board and committee salaries are lowered by 8,4% in the group.
5. Election to the Board of Directors
Following individuals were elected at the meeting to server on the Board of Directors of the Company until next Annual General Meeting:
- Birna Osk Einarsdottir
- Gunn Ellefsen
- Jens Meinhard Rasmussen
- Jon Dirik Jonsson
- Baldur Mar Helgason
6. Election of the Nomination Committee
Following individuals were elected at the meeting to serve on the Nomination Committee:
- Katrin S. Oladottir
- Trausti Fannar Valsson
7. Election of auditors
The meeting approved to re-elect KPMG ehf., Borgartun 27, 105 Reykjavik, as the Company's auditing firm for the year 2018.
8. Other matters
No other matters were lawfully brought up at the meeting. Meeting dismissed at 17:12.
The Annual Report is available on http://arsskyrsla.skeljungur.is/annual-report-2017/
Other relevant documents from the Annual General Meeting are available on https://www.skeljungur.is/annualgeneralmeeting2018
* * *
Following the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Directors met and decided on allocation of responsibilities.
Jon Dirik Jonsson was re-elected as Chairman of the Board and Birna Osk Einarsdottir was elected as Vice Chairman.
Helena Hilmarsdottir, Baldur Mar Helgason and Jens Meinhard Rasmussen took place in the Audit Committee. In the Remuneration Committee, Jon Dirik Jonsson and Birna Osk Einarsdottir were appointed. Then Jens Meinhard Rasmussen was nominated as a member of the Board of Directors to take place in the Nomination Committee.
For further information: Hendrik Egholm, CEO, fjarfestar@skeljungur.is, tel: 444-3000 / 840-3002.
Skeljungur is an energy company with operations in Iceland and in the Faroe Islands. Skeljungur sells fuel and oil to consumers and businesses in fisheries, agriculture, transportation, aviation and construction under the brands Skeljungur, Orkan and OrkanX. The company also sells fertilizer and other chemical products. In Iceland the Company runs 65 gas stations and 4 oil depots. Magn P/F, Skeljungur's subsidiary in the Faroe Islands, runs 11 retail and gas-stations and 2 oil depots. Magn also serves and sells oils for house heating to individuals and companies in the Faroe Islands. Skeljungur's goal is to serve the energy needs of consumers and businesses in an efficient and safe way and in harmony with the environment.
www.skeljungur.is
https://www.linkedin.com/company/skeljungur-hf/
A businessman from Murrumbateman has been extradited from Serbia two months after his arrest in Belgrade in relation to an alleged international drug ring.
The Australian Attorney-General's Department confirmed Rohan Arnold, 44, had been surrendered to Australian authorities.
Rohan Arnold has been extradited from Serbia. Credit:radfordcollegians.com.au
He is expected to land in Sydney in the coming days to face charges over an alleged $500 million cocaine haul.
The exact charges he will face are not yet known.
HOUSTON, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transwestern today announces Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine have named it one of the 2018 Best Workplaces in Texas. This marks the second year in a row the commercial real estate firm has been recognized. The most recent honor brings the number of Fortune awards collected over the past 12 months to five.
It is truly an honor to be named one of the Best Workplaces in Texas again, said Larry P. Heard, CEO of Transwesterns family of companies. Our team members in Texas and across the country exemplify the purpose we strive to achieve every day empowering good people to do extraordinary things together. Our culture is what makes Transwestern a great place to be and a great place to do business.
The Best Workplaces in Texas stand out for excelling in the states competitive marketplace. Some incentives Transwestern provides its team members include a full healthcare and benefits package; vacation time plus two personal paid days off; eight hours of paid time off for community service; wellness and philanthropy initiatives; paid training and skills development; certifications and memberships; formal mentorship; a young professionals group; an innovation reward program; holiday parties; and social events. The firm has consistently been recognized as a Best Place to Work across the country by local organizations.
In the past year, Transwestern has been recognized as a Best Workplace for Millennials, a Best Workplace for Women, a Best Workplace for Diversity, and a Best Workplace in Chicago. In addition, the firms Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Colleen Dolan, was honored at the inaugural Great Place to Work For All Leadership Awards gala earlier this month. Read Transwesterns Great Place to Work overview at http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/transwestern.
The ranking for the Best Workplaces in Texas list considered more than 28,000 team member surveys from companies across the Lone Star state. Great Place to Work, a research and consulting firm, evaluated more than 50 elements of team members experience on the job, including pride in the organizations community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and feeling their work has special meaning.
Texas is the top exporting state in the U.S. and one of the top 10 economies in the world, said Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. Texans can be proud that organizations like Transwestern are building the states economy by creating great places to work for all.
The Best Workplaces in Texas is one of a series of rankings by Great Place to Work and Fortune based on employee survey feedback from Great Place to WorkCertified organizations.
ABOUT TRANSWESTERN
Transwestern is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service the Transwestern Experience. Specializing in Agency Leasing, Management, Tenant Advisory, Capital Markets, Research and Sustainability services, our fully integrated global enterprise adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types. We leverage market insights and operational expertise from members of the Transwestern family of companies specializing in development, real estate investment management and research. Based in Houston, Transwestern has 34 U.S. offices and assists clients through more than 180 offices in 37 countries as part of a strategic alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate. Experience Extraordinary at transwestern.com and @Transwestern.
ABOUT THE BEST WORKPLACES IN TEXAS
Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index survey responses from more than 385,000 employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit Greatplacetowork.com.
ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, industries and, internationally, countries and regions. Through its culture consulting services, Great Place to Work helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, retention and stock performance. Learn more at Greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97d52eb2-7ad4-4450-8977-a16029217111
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ea4f31c-a704-4648-a832-07f5b90ec43f
The former head of Rio Tintos ill-fated Mozambique coal business warned in May 2012 of a number of problems in the African nation, including serious infrastructure shortcomings and the [government] influence of corruption on decision-making.
Rio's ill-fated foray into coal mining in Mozambique continues to haunt it. Credit:Scott Douglas
The explosive email, which appears to have been sent by Eric Finlayson to a Rio colleague, refers to quite a long list of government issues, then adds that two have been left off the list - high-level corruption and autocratic PR.
The email then itemises government challenges including competition and poor communication between ministries in the country, lack of experience and capacity in many areas, the influence of corruption on decision-making, as well as the overriding personal views, interests and prejudices of the President.
It also said: What now is apparent is that the key decision-maker in all major investments is the President. He calls the shots and then positions his favoured partners and himself.
More than half the people hit by Labors new tax plan are over the age of 65 and could lose the equivalent of their annual electricity bills, according to a government analysis that seeks to blame Bill Shorten for slugging older Australians.
The government will take the message to voters in regional electorates this week in a bid to intensify pressure on the Labor leader over his ambitious policy, which would raise $5.6 billion a year from 1.1 million taxpayers.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to campaign in a NSW seat today with a warning that the Labor policy will cost $1,078 on average for NSW pensioners who receive cash refunds on their dividend franking credits.
The government estimates a Victorian pensioner who claims the cash refunds would lose $1,354 under the Labor policy, adding that this is roughly equivalent to a pensioner's annual household electricity bill.
The peak body for public school parents has slammed Bill Shorten's "irrational and illogical" promise to hand an extra $250 million to Catholic schools, and accused the Labor leader of taking his cues from a handful of powerful Catholic bishops.
In a blistering letter obtained by Fairfax Media, the president of the Australian Council of State School Organisations, Phillip Spratt, said Labor's "spectacular special deal" for the Catholics had shocked public school parents and teachers, and likened it to the corrupting self-interest portrayed in George Orwell's dystopian parody of communism Animal Farm.
Mr Shorten this month told Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart Labor stood "shoulder-to-shoulder with the church" on school funding and would give Catholic schools an extra $250 million in the first two years of a Labor government, and billions more over the decade.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek at St Thomas the Aspostle Primary School in Canberra. Credit:Andrew Meares
It reportedly prompted Catholic education bosses in Melbourne to make 30,000 robocalls backing Labor in the Batman byelection, which the party ultimately won in a tight contest with the Greens.
The Turnbull government has been accused of making deeply misleading claims about Labors divisive new tax policy as new research counters fears about 610,000 taxpayers on low incomes.
The new analysis rejects claims from Treasurer Scott Morrison about the impact on Australians earning less than $18,200 a year who could be vulnerable to the Labor policy to cancel cash refunds that cover the tax credits on their share dividends.
Grattan Institute researchers Brendan Coates and Danielle Wood conclude that most of those affected by Labors new policy are far from being low-income earners because the use of the $18,200 figure gives a misleading impression of their overall wealth.
Treasurer Scott Morrison has been accused of misleading the public on the impact of Labor's tax policy. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
The government claims that 54 per cent of people affected by Labors policy - some 610,000 individuals - have taxable incomes of less than $18,200, Mr Coates and Ms Wood wrote on Tuesday.
The New York Times report that a political firm hired by the Trump campaign acquired access to private data on millions of Facebook users has sparked new questions about how the social media giant protects user information.
Who collected all that data?
Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm hired by President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, gained access to private information on more than 50 million Facebook users. The firm offered tools that could identify the personalities of American voters and influence their behaviour.
The idea was to map personality traits based on what people had liked on Facebook. Credit:Wayne Taylor
Cambridge has been largely funded by Robert Mercer, the wealthy Republican donor, and Stephen K. Bannon, a former adviser to the president who became an early board member and gave the firm its name. It has pitched its services to potential clients ranging from Mastercard and the New York Yankees to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In the process, the army killed at least 6,700 civilians including 730 children under the age of five in a single month, according to Doctors Without Borders. Myanmar has banned the aid group for its audacity in speaking about what it witnessed. In death as in life, the victims are not allowed any identity. The faces of the dead are systematically disfigured beyond recognition, according to reports by the Associated Press. Illustration: Dionne Gain Suu Kyi has dismissed reports of the atrocities as "fake news" and international criticism is "a misunderstanding". The detail published by the UN of systematic mass murder, organised mass rape, and the torching of hundreds of villages is nauseating.
Last week the UN special rapporteur to Myanmar, South Korean academic Yanghee Lee, said that the situation bore "the hallmarks of genocide". And the UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, said his office has "strong suspicion that acts of genocide" had taken place.
"I am therefore not surprised by reports that Rohingya villages which were attacked in recent years, and alleged mass graves of the victims, are being bulldozed," said the Jordanian diplomat, a bid to destroy "potential evidence of international crimes". "I have also received reports of the appropriation of land inhabited by Rohingya and their replacement by members of other ethnic groups". And it's not over. "Ethnic cleansing" was continuing still, he said last week. Suu Kyi has cancelled public appearances where she would have been unable to avoid the topic. The UN's annual general assembly meeting last September, for instance. And on Monday she cancelled her scheduled appearance at the Lowy Institute in Sydney today. It was to be the only event of her four-day visit to Australia where she was to face reporters' questions. She wasn't feeling well, the Myanmar Embassy said. But she wasn't able to hide from the other leaders and ministers in official meetings in Sydney and Canberra over the last few days. Behind the closed doors of the ASEAN summit meetings on the weekend, and separately in Canberra in talks with Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop on Monday, she gave two types of response, according to people who were present. Where she could get away with it, she sat in stony-faced silence. "She doesn't appreciate questions," said one participant.
Illustration: Andrew Dyson And where she couldn't avoid a response, her responses were risible. She didn't deny some isolated violence but says that there was trouble between some of the "Rakhine Muslims" and the police. Rohingya "terrorists" were responsible for most of the violence, she said. And it is true that Rohingya militias have formed and have attacked police stations. The Rohingya have been fighting back. The army, however, was blameless, according to Suu Kyi, with the exception of a handful of rogue soldiers who are to be prosecuted. The UN's Zeid last week said that the regime's announcement that it would prosecute seven soldiers and three police officers for the extrajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya men was "grossly inadequate". He called for "real accountability". When Suu Kyi said privately during her meetings in Australia that the outside world had "misunderstood" the situation, other leaders responded that she must therefore welcome the idea of an independent investigation to clear up the misunderstanding. Suu Kyi's reply? That's already been done, she said, referring to a report by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.
Annan's commission was mandated only to examine broad underlying causes and solutions for underdevelopment and unrest in Rakhine state and not to investigate specific events. A spokesman for the Myanmar president's office, U Zaw Htay, last year told reporter Moe Myint: "Whenever there is an accusation from the international community, we say we are taking action in line with the recommendations of the Kofi Annan commission. The commission is serving as a shield for us." And Suu Kyi used it just so. But when asked why her government hadn't acted on some of the Annan recommendations that could have been implemented immediately, she had no answer.
A key one would be changing the 1982 law that denies the Rohingya citizenship, even though some of their families have lived in Myanmar for centuries. Annan's commission said the lack of citizenship for Rohingya was the biggest obstacle to peace: "Almost all other issues are linked to citizenship - for instance, access to education and the right to vote and work," it reported. Suu Kyi is quiet on the lack of action. Two of the ASEAN leaders who have big Muslim populations, Indonesia's Joko Widodo and Malaysia's Razak Najib, over the weekend urged her to work for a solution to the crisis, and they urged her publicly and privately. Turnbull pressed her too, though only in private. But, as one participant said, "she is deep in denial". Her defenders on the political left say that we shouldn't be too critical of her because if she is too weakened the military will remove her and Myanmar will revert to dictatorship. Well, what terrible things might happen then? What could be worse than genocide?
The actor has vehemently denied the allegations, saying in a statement of claim the articles portray him as "a pervert" and "sexual predator" who engaged in "scandalously inappropriate behaviour in the theatre".
Rush, 66, sued the Telegraph's publisher Nationwide News and journalist Jonathon Moran in the Federal Court after the newspaper published two stories and a newsagent poster in late 2017 detailing allegations he had inappropriately touched an actress during the 2015-2016 production of King Lear in Sydney.
Actor Geoffrey Rush has had a significant win in his defamation case against The Daily Telegraph, with a judge ruling part of the newspaper's defence must be struck out.
The Telegraph defended the claims on the basis of truth and qualified privilege, alleging in court that the "touching" happened repeatedly when Rush was carrying a female colleague across the stage, and the woman had asked him to "stop it".
However, Justice Michael Wigney on Tuesday ruled the entirety of the truth defence should be struck out because it was "vague and imprecise" and provided "inadequate and insufficient details ... about the alleged touching".
"What was the nature and duration of the 'touch'?" Justice Wigney asked.
"If Mr Rush was required to carry the actress, he would obviously have to have some contact with parts of the actress body.
"What exactly distinguished the alleged touch from the contact that must otherwise have been made between Mr Rush and the actress during the scene? How and why did the alleged touch make the actress feel uncomfortable? Was the discomfort physical or emotional?
The Blockchain Pipe Dream
Nouriel Roubini , Preston Byrne
NEW YORK Predictions that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will fail typically elicit a broader defense of the underlying blockchain technology. Yes, the argument goes, over half of all initial coin offerings to date have already failed, and most of the 1,500-plus cryptocurrencies also will fail, but blockchain will nonetheless revolutionize finance and human interactions generally.
In reality, blockchain is one of the most overhyped technologies ever. For starters, blockchains are less efficient than existing databases. When someone says they are running something on a blockchain, what they usually mean is that they are running one instance of a software application that is replicated across many other devices.
The required storage space and computational power is substantially greater, and the latency higher, than in the case of a centralized application. Blockchains that incorporate proof-of-stake or zero-knowledge technologies require that all transactions be verified cryptographically, which slows them down. Blockchains that use proof-of-work, as many popular cryptocurrencies do, raise yet another problem: they require a huge amount of raw energy to secure them. This explains why Bitcoin mining operations in Iceland are on track to consume more energy this year than all Icelandic households combined.
Blockchains can make sense in cases where the speed/verifiability tradeoff is actually worth it, but this is rarely how the technology is marketed. Blockchain investment propositions routinely make wild promises to overthrow entire industries, such as cloud computing, without acknowledging the technologys obvious limitations.
Consider the many schemes that rest on the claim that blockchains are a distributed, universal world computer. That claim assumes that banks, which already use efficient systems to process millions of transactions per day, have reason to migrate to a markedly slower and less efficient single cryptocurrency. This contradicts everything we know about the financial industrys use of software. Financial institutions, particularly those engaged in algorithmic trading, need fast and efficient transaction processing. For their purposes, a single globally distributed blockchain such as Ethereum would never be useful.
Another false assumption is that blockchain represents something akin to a new universal protocol, like TCP-IP or HTML were for the Internet. Such claims imply that this or that blockchain will serve as the basis for most of the worlds transactions and communications in the future. Again, this makes little sense when one considers how blockchains actually work. For one thing, blockchains themselves rely on protocols like TCP-IP, so it isnt clear how they would ever serve as a replacement.
Furthermore, unlike base-level protocols, blockchains are stateful, meaning they store every valid communication that has ever been sent to them. As a result, well-designed blockchains need to consider the limitations of their users hardware and guard against spamming. This explains why Bitcoin Core, the Bitcoin software client, processes only 5-7 transactions per second, compared to Visa, which reliably processes 25,000 transactions per second.1
Just as we cannot record all of the worlds transactions in a single centralized database, nor shall we do so in a single distributed database. Indeed, the problem of blockchain scaling is still more or less unsolved, and is likely to remain so for a long time.
Although we can be fairly sure that blockchain will not unseat TCP-IP, a particular blockchain component such as Tezos or Ethereums smart-contract languages could eventually set a standard for specific applications, just as Enterprise Linux and Windows did for PC operating systems. But betting on a particular coin, as many investors currently are, is not the same thing as betting on adoption of a larger protocol. Given what we know about how open-source software is used, there is little reason to think that the value to enterprises of specific blockchain applications will capitalize directly into only one or a few coins.
A third false claim concerns the trustless utopia that blockchain will supposedly create by eliminating the need for financial or other reliable intermediaries. This is absurd for a simple reason: every financial contract in existence today can either be modified or deliberately breached by the participating parties. Automating away these possibilities with rigid trustless terms is commercially non-viable, not least because it would require all financial agreements to be cash collateralized at 100%, which is insane from a cost-of-capital perspective.
Moreover, it turns out that many likely appropriate applications of blockchain in finance such as in securitization or supply-chain monitoring will require intermediaries after all, because there will inevitably be circumstances where unforeseen contingencies arise, demanding the exercise of discretion. The most important thing blockchain will do in such a situation is ensure that all parties to a transaction are in agreement with one another about its status and their obligations.
It is high time to end the hype. Bitcoin is a slow, energy-inefficient dinosaur that will never be able to process transactions as quickly or inexpensively as an Excel spreadsheet. Ethereums plans for an insecure proof-of-stake authentication system will render it vulnerable to manipulation by influential insiders. And Ripples technology for cross-border interbank financial transfers will soon be left in the dust by SWIFT, a non-blockchain consortium that all of the worlds major financial institutions already use. Similarly, centralized e-payment systems with almost no transaction costs Faster Payments, AliPay, WeChat Pay, Venmo, Paypal, Square are already being used by billions of people around the world.
Todays coin mania is not unlike the railway mania at the dawn of the industrial revolution in the mid-nineteenth century. On its own, blockchain is hardly revolutionary. In conjunction with the secure, remote automation of financial and machine processes, however, it can have potentially far-reaching implications.
Ultimately, blockchains uses will be limited to specific, well-defined, and complex applications that require transparency and tamper-resistance more than they require speed for example, communication with self-driving cars or drones. As for most of the coins, they are little different from railway stocks in the 1840s, which went bust when that bubble like most bubbles burst.
Nouriel Roubini, a professor at NYUs Stern School of Business and CEO of Roubini Macro Associates, was Senior Economist for International Affairs in the White House's Council of Economic Advisers during the Clinton Administration. He has worked for the International Monetary Fund, the US Federal Reserve, and the World Bank.
Preston Byrne is a Fellow of the Adam Smith Institute and Sole Member at Tomram Consulting.
Digital marketing consultant Adriana Belotti says the ICO landscape is changing. At the beginning, ICO investors were mostly from within the tech community. Now, traditional investment funds have pools of money for clients with a high-risk appetite. She also says the market is becoming more sophisticated. Last year, people were less informed and buying into all sorts of bad projects. Now, regulators are looking to understand this new economy to create rules that protect the consumer without stopping innovation. Belotti says the main challenge of an ICO is getting attention. There are at least a dozen ICOs happening every week. If you want to be successful, you need to understand your target audience and future users of your coin. Derek Meyers is the chief executive of the Zero Carbon Project and is soon to formally launch his ICO.
The Zero Carbon Project aims to deliver lower energy prices to consumers by leveraging international carbon credits. It runs a zero carbon marketplace and hopes to attract 500 energy businesses to the market over time. It has used blockchain to create tokens, which users accrue by buying zero-carbon power through the project. Zero-carbon energy includes green energy sources, such as solar and wind. The underlying technology is the Ethereum blockchain, which is a cryptocurrency like bitcoin. It provides a software platform with global reach, a distributed ledger and a smart contract facility. We have grown reasonably well over 15 years without any external funding. Recently our green energy tenders have become competitive with those from the fossil fuel industry. The ICO provides the opportunity to raise funds from customers who can see the merits of our blockchain-based solution, Meyers says. Organisations such as governments ask energy businesses to tender to provide energy for large projects.
Half the funds raised will be used to market the project, and Meyers says his aim is to roll out zero-carbon markets in all national competitive electricity markets, followed by a market service to regulated markets where consumers cant switch suppliers. We will launch the market service in the UK in October followed by Australia by the end of this year. In 2019 we will launch in competitive markets in North America, Europe and Asia, he says. The rest of the funds will be used to build operations in, for instance, customer service capabilities, as well as services and systems. Meyers says investors are likely to be future customers, mainly household energy consumers, who want to buy their Energis tokens at a discounted price. The tokens can be used to pay the markets transaction fees. They can also be sold to other customers. Christopher Quinlan is the chief executive of Krios and is right in the middle of an ICO.
Christopher Quinlan, chief executive of Krios, is right in the middle of his ICO, having sold 200 million tokens so far. They are priced in US dollars at 10 each, but there are also bonuses and giveaways in the offer. He says its not possible to give an exact amount for the funds raised so far because cryptocurrency values fluctuate so much. But each token is valued at 10 at time of purchase. Krios is a marketing platform that connects businesses with people working in marketing like ad managers, graphic designers and copywriters. Funds raised will go into product development, marketing, and running and growing Krios. Investors have been marketing people, businesses likely to use the platform in the future and people involved in cryptocurrencies.
The offer is being marketed through social media. Quinlan says he has been happy with the response so far, although the project has had hurdles. Facebook banning advertising of ICOs did have a significant effect as it happened right in the middle of our first offering. We had to shift to marketing through cryptocurrency channels and their databases, Quinlan says. Another issue is the constantly evolving landscape. A night of bad press around cryptocurrency could have significant effects on the whole industry, and would be reflected in our marketing results at the end of that day. Being such a new space, there is constantly evolving regulatory and compliance issues. As such, Quinlan has to constantly readjust his focus to comply with new rules. We always go above and beyond with our compliance, he says. Quinlans advice to people thinking about launching an ICO is to spend time building a community before launching the offer.
A man is facing a string of charges related to mail theft in Perth's western suburbs.
Wembley Police have charged the 39-year-old man with more than 20 offences in relation to a series of stealing incidents in the Claremont and Crawley areas.
A Wembley man is facing 21 charges including burglary with intent. Credit:Jessica Shapiro
It will be alleged between February and March the man broke into post office boxes and letter boxes and stole mail.
Police will allege he used identification from the stolen mail to create false accounts for goods and services.
Major Crime detectives have been called to a Cannington property following the discovery of a body on Tuesday afternoon.
While it's not yet clear if the sudden death is suspicious, homicide officers are understood to be investigating.
Police are investigating the sudden death. Credit:Kerrie Armstrong
A Marriamup Street property has been cordoned off by police, with multiple officers at the address.
Inquiries are under way.
One Nation is being urged to back the WA government's 10 per cent levy on taxi and ride-sharing journeys after the Nationals struck a deal to support the scheme in exchange for a regional exemption.
The Nationals have agreed to support legislation to impose a four-year levy on the total fare revenue of all taxis and ride-sharing operators.
The government will calculate the worth of a plate-licence according to when it was purchased.
The funds will be used for a $120 million voluntary taxi plate buy-back scheme for drivers who want to get out of the industry, frustrated by competition from outfits such as Uber.
Nationals MP Vince Catania said the exemption was a good outcome for regional WA.
The WCO Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) had their 42nd Meeting from 12 to13 March 2018 in Kampala, Uganda at the invitation of Mr. Dickson Kateshumbwa, Commissioner of Customs, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). The meeting was chaired by John Mein from PROCOMEX.
The group reviewed and discussed the outcomes of the WCO SAFE Working Group (SWG) held in February 2018, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation and the 1st WCO E-commerce Conference held in February 2018 in China, among other things. The PSCG recognised the extensive inter-sessional work undertaken by the SAFE review subgroup for the finalisation of the SAFE 2018.
The PSCG had a fruitful and meaningful dialogue with Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, Mr. Dickson Kateshumbwa, Commissioner of Customs, URA, and the Chair of the WCO Council, Mr. Enrique Canon from Uruguay. The meeting also had several local and regional private sector representatives that joined the meeting on Day 2 to discuss the possibility of a regional private sector group for the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region.
Crash blocking one lane of I-24 West in Paducah merge zone
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If Francis Turnly had made up the events that feature in his new play The Great Wave you would be forgiven for calling them far-fetched. The fact that they are based on the truth gives added heft to a heart-felt and engrossing story.
Turnly, who describes himself as a Japanese Ulsterman, sets up the tale like a thriller, but it is not giving away too much to say that it begins when 17 year-old Hanako goes missing from a beach at night. The authorities in the Japanese coastal town where she lives think she may have been swept away by a great wave, or perhaps murdered by her friend Tetsuo. But her mother, Etsuko and sister Reiko refuse to believe she is dead; it turns out they are right. The next time that we see Hanako she is in North Korea. The whys and wherefores are slowly revealed.
As the years pass, from 1979 to 2002, Turnly shows how the dislocation caused by the event sends its own shock waves through the lives of those affected, breaking and warping the lives of Hanako's family. The complex realities of the North Korean regime, where the beloved leader is both father and mother, are revealed in their full Kafka-esque horror, but the people we meet are not traduced. They have their own sorrows and their country has been formed by similar political forces to those that shape Japan's reaction to the disappearance.
The play may be relating past events but its relevance to today could not be clearer. "Where North Korea is concerned," says the slimy Japanese politician (played by David Yip, who also has a turn as a bullying detective) "we have to tread very carefully."
If the unfolding of the tale can sometimes seem a tiny bit didactic, the production has a wonderful fluidity. Complemented by Alexander Caplen's sound design of rushing waves and echoing air, Tom Piper's set is a rotating cube, with the paper walls of a Japanese house and the bare spaces of a North Korean home providing a blank screen for moving projections of water, of trees, of mountains.
It has a stark effectiveness that is mirrored by Indhu Rubasingham's direction. She brilliantly uses simple devices to create profound effects. The scene, for example, where a Korean describes his betrayal of his parents in a labour camp is staged with devastating directness, his slumped body, perfectly still as he speaks, framed by the dying light. At another moment, mother and daughter sit alongside each other, in matched poses, separated by years and miles but bound together by love.
As Hanako, Kirsty Rider has often to remain impassive, hiding her true feelings. Her skill is in always managing to reveal exactly what she is thinking. As her mother and sister Rosalind Chao and Kae Alexander are wonderfully, emotionally alert; you can feel their determination and their sadness. I also liked Leo Wan as their journalist friend, forever eager and often anxious.
Turnly's achievement, in bringing this dark story to the stage, is to make it speak of many things. For all its pared-back dialogue, he makes it resonate loudly. The events it depicts are overwhelming, but his characters find ways to hope, to be brave and to carry on. It is a fresh and powerful piece of theatre.
The Great Wave runs in the Dorfman at the National Theatre until 14 April.
By Jina Belcher Ground zero for federal efforts to boost communities reeling from the downturn[Read More]
Bedtimemany peoples favorite time of the day.
But according to the National Sleep Association, 50-70 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder. That's why people in Mid-Michigan are looking at their sleep habits and why sleep is so vital to ones overall health.
"Basically if you don't get a good night's sleep, you're not going to function well, sleep medicine Dr. Oktai Mamedov said.
Dr. Mamedov has been practicing sleep medicine for over 20 years and practices at Comprehensive Center located in East Lansing. He told us that not getting enough shut-eye can be detrimental to a persons health. Heart problems, high blood pressure and depression can all be results of a person not getting enough sleep.
"Well we spend one-third of our life in sleep. Because sleep deprivation is so common in the United States and its very important, I would advise anybody and everybody to get more sleep, he said.
To get a better nights rest, Dr. Mamedov told us that people should reduce their caffeine intake. In addition he advised people to put down their phones at least an hour before bedtime. This can be a tough task however, many use their phone as a way to wind down after a long day at work or school.
"I'm usually on YouTube for about an hour or so before I go to bed generally. Text messages, Snapchat, last minute social networking before I go to bed," Michigan State University senior Alexander Ilieve said.
"A bad habit is my phone for sure. My brain is always like calm down, do something to kind of relax you, Emergency Room physicians assistant Sarah Lilleboe said. So I play games just to kind of have my brain not focus on something. It's not a good habit though, and I know the whole screen thing."
Dr. Mamedov said that many people have sleep problems and don't even know it. This is where a spouse or partner can come in. He said if a person notices kicking or snoring while his or her partner is asleep, it could be the result of an underlying issue. He also added that people need to pay attention to how their body and mind feels during the day.
"If you still feel sleepy during the day, tired, you can't function, you really need a nap during the day, or you're not really well focused or having problems with concentration, I think its a good time to talk to your primary care doctor or checked at a sleep center, he said.
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U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, D-Wis., today pressed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on several issues, including her position on gun violence prevention, her support for school choice programs and her failure to visit low-performing schools.
During the exchange, Pocan asked DeVos if she would meet with students from Parkland, Florida, to discuss gun violence, but DeVos refused to commit to an upcoming meeting.
Pocan also asked DeVos why she has not visited low-performing schools. He then extended an invite for her to join him in Wisconsin for a visit to one of the many taxpayer-funded voucher schools in Wisconsin that were rated by the state as failing to meet expectations.
Here is the exchange, as provided by Pocan's office:
Pocan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Madam Secretary, for being here. Last night on our Facebook page, I said you were coming before the committee and got over 100 different questions, but Im going to try to cover some of the topics they covered.
I was very heartened to hear you say that the budget is about students, not special interests its about the faces of the students. A lot of the questions came in around gun violence. Theyre concerned not just about the faces, but the hearts, and the minds, and the lives of the students. If you go to school in the morning, youre able to go home alive at the end of the day. And that hasnt been happening.
You once in an interview said, I would imagine that there is probably a gun in the school to protect from potential grizzlies. Is it still your opinion that we need guns in schools to protect from grizzlies?
DeVos: Thanks, Congressman, for that question. If I had it to do over today, I probably would have used a different example. The point was that if there are going to be guns in schools, they need to be in the hands of the right people, and those who are going to protect students and ensure their safety. And that is the point.
Pocan: So I appreciate that because I agree, there is not a grizzly bear problem in this country, theres a gun violence problem in the country. And then a few weeks ago, the President seemed to be on board with some sensible alternatives and then he met with the NRA and the sensible alternatives went out the door. Are you a member of the NRA by any chance?
DeVos: I am not.
Pocan: You are not? Okay. I was wondering, specifically, do you know how many school shootings and incidences involving guns have taken place in schools since you were confirmed last year?
DeVos: Too many.
Pocan: Yeah, so its over 85. In fact, that number this morning increased at least two people were injured in Maryland, seventeen lives recently in Parkland. In your comments you made a comment about trying to prevent young people from getting guns. Does that mean that you support banning the purchase of guns for people under 21?
DeVos: The President has indicated support for that. I think its an important issue for this body to deal with. I would like to think that this body and Congress could go ahead and get progress on some of the things that are broadly supported and I encourage that, and the President has certainly encouraged that.
Pocan: And so you support that?
DeVos: The President has said that that should be part of the consideration. Thats actually part of the study that the school safety commission will be looking at and making a recommendation on.
Pocan: So you support that?
DeVos: The President has indicated his support.
Pocan: I gotcha, I gotcha, okay so
DeVos: I have not reached a conclusion myself
Pocan: Someday we will find out where youre on it, but the President supports it. I got it. This Friday, the Parkland students are going to be up here. Would you be willing to sit down? I know you had a meeting with the President, but you didnt get a lot of one-on-one time. These students would really like to be heard. Im staying an extra day, just to meet with them. Would you be willing to meet with the Parkland students? Wed be glad to facilitate a meeting.
DeVos: I look forward to meeting with Parkland students. I have actually talked with a few of them about meeting them in Parkland at a time that is workable for both of us.
Pocan: Sure, are you available this Friday to meet with them when theyre in town?
DeVos: I dont know. I cant say right now what my schedule is then.
Pocan: If we could just follow-up with that, we would certainly appreciate it.
Pocan: On voucher schools, I want to associate myself with the remarks from our Ranking Member of the Committee on the GAO report, because I do think there are concerns there. I know in another interview, you made a comment just recently that you havent visited poor-performing schools. I think thats another one youd like to reel back.
DeVos: As Secretary, I have made a point of visiting schools that are doing things creatively, innovatively, out-of-the-box thinking. I think it would be important to visit some poor-performing schools.
Pocan: Great.
DeVos: I think the question is, Will they let me in?
Pocan: So thats the exact place Im going, but you and I are on the same wavelength. So youre willing to meet with some schools that are poor-performing schools?
DeVos: Absolutely.
Pocan: Okay, so there are, according to a recent article in the Milwaukee Journal (Sentinel), at least 25 choice schools, which I know youre a big advocate for, that are performing way below the standards and level theyre supposed to.
I would love to meet you in Wisconsin and one of them that ranks the lowest, recently said, We dont let people from the media in our building. And they are the lowest of 121 schools in the Milwaukee area.
I would love to go to one of those with you because I have seen the problems in my state, as you know we are one of the early adapters of the choice program just to see exactly what that problem is. We have 140 private schools voucher schools statewide that couldnt be rated because they wont provide the information.
Do you think thats right that the State of Wisconsin, as much as you want to give the state rights, cant even get the information from schools that are ultimately getting some sort of federal dollars because they are a choice program?
DeVos: Congressman, Wisconsin has legislated their program and their accountabilities to the
Pocan: But do you think it is right? That is the question.
DeVos: I think parents and I think taxpayers
Pocan: Do you think it is right?
DeVos: I think parents and taxpayers need to have more information, not less. And the goal of this administration and this department is to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to access a great education.
Pocan: So Im going to take it that you think that they should have to report. Is that fair?
DeVos: I have been focused on ensuring that children and students and parents have opportunities to make the right education decision for them. And I support those parents in Wisconsin who have made choices for their children. Im not going to comment on the Wisconsin method of reporting and accountability.
Pocan: So you dont think those schools should have to provide the information?
DeVos: I think all parents need to have information and I think all taxpayers should have that information.
Pocan: Okay, maybe if we get a second round, I can get more. Thank you.
The University of Oregon Police Department is investigating a report of a kidnapping and sexual assault near campus.
A student reported that he was walking near East 19th Avenue and Agate Street on Saturday night when he was grabbed from behind by an unknown man, restrained, dragged to a car, driven to an unknown location and sexually assaulted.
The victim told investigators the attacker then ran away. The suspect is described as a white man, 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches tall with a thin and muscular build. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black Ray Ban sunglasses, a black beanie-style hat, a black bandana over the lower part of his face and black pants.
There was no description available for the driver of the car.
The University of Oregon Police Department said in a statement that the case was reported to the Eugene Police Department, but was not shared with university police until Monday. After receiving the information, administrators offered support to the victim and shared the information with the campus community.
This case follows a string of armed robberies at least eight in two weeks in Eugene, with several occurring near campus.
In another recent incident, university police said a female student reported being attacked by three men at 12:30 p.m. March 15 near East 15th Avenue and Alder Street.
In that case, the student said she was approached by three men, with one of them grabbing her hair and pushing her up against a car, while the other two pulled out knives and tried to cut the straps from her backpack.
The student said she was able to take out her phone and told the men she had called police, which led to the suspects running away. The student said the men did not "menace" her with the knives.
She said the men were between 25 and 30 years old and spoke Spanish to each other.
The University of Oregon Police Department has added extra officers to patrol the streets near campus and also contracted with a private security company to provide four unarmed security officers to patrol city streets near campus. The campus shuttle also now has expanded hours and a 25-person bus has been added to the fleet to boost capacity.
For more information, go to police.uoregon.edu.
By Madison Park, Holly Yan and Ed Lavandera, CNN
(CNN) -- This time, the bomb could have maimed anyone walking though this quiet Austin neighborhood.
For the fourth time this month, a device exploded on residents in the Texas capital. What makes this blast especially terrifying is that it was left on the side of a residential road and may have been triggered by a tripwire, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said.
The three previous bombs were stuffed inside packages and left on residents' doorsteps.
And unlike the victims of the previous blasts, the two men injured in Sunday's explosion are white, Austin police said. Both men are expected to recover.
"The use of a tripwire is far less discriminating than leaving parcel bombs at residences and suggests that the latest victims were not specifically targeted," said Stratfor Threat Lens, a global think tank.
"The device's success, despite significantly different design, further suggests that the bombmaker behind these attacks is an accomplished one, and has likely to have received some training, perhaps as a military or police explosive ordnance disposal technician."
This latest attack has even impacted area schoolchildren. The Austin public school district says it can't send buses to the affected neighborhood Monday because of police activity. "Any tardies or absences due to this situation will be excused," the district said.
Now, investigators are trying to determine if the person responsible is linked to the trio of bombings this month that killed two people and wounded two others.
"The entire community is anxious this morning," Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Monday.
Latest developments
- "As the bombmaker changes up design and geography, all residents of Austin and surrounding areas should avoid suspicious items," Stratfor says.
- Residents living near the scene must stay indoors until 10 a.m. CT Monday.
- The two injured men were either biking or pushing bicycles when the explosion occurred.
'Extra level of vigilance' needed
The circumstances of Sunday's blast were different from previous explosions, the police chief said.
"We're not believing that this was similar to previous ones, as in packages left on doorsteps. But instead, this was some type of suspicious package that was left on the side of the road, that detonated and injured these two men," Manley said.
The men had been biking or walking their bicycles in southwest Austin when the explosion happened.
"What we do understand now, is that the possibility exists this device was triggered in a different mechanism -- that being a tripwire," he said.
The latest explosion comes less than a week after police said three previous package explosions -- in a span of 10 days -- were connected. Those explosions killed a man and a teenager, and injured two others.
The victims in those three explosions were African-American or Hispanic. Police have not yet discovered a motive, but have not ruled out the possibility those bombings could be hate crimes.
Police are working under the belief that the explosions are related. Manley said they'll get a better idea with a post-blast analysis and examination of the device components.
In the meantime, Manley told residents not to touch or go near anything that looks suspicious.
"We now need the community to have an extra level of vigilance and pay attention to any suspicious device -- whether it be a package or a bag, a backpack -- anything that looks out of place," Manley said Monday. "Do not approach items like that.
'It's a family neighborhood'
Stan Malachowski, who lives about half a mile away from the blast Sunday, said he heard a loud explosion.
"It was loud enough to hear inside of our house with our windows and door shut. Again, airplanes go by and cars backfire so we didn't think much of it," he told CNN affiliate KXAN.
"This is a quiet neighborhood. It's a family neighborhood. It's concerning."
Police warned residents in the immediate area to stay inside their homes until at least 10 a.m. Monday. All three entrances to the neighborhood have been blocked off.
Regents School of Austin, a nearby private school, will open two hours late Monday for "a complete security sweep," it said in a statement.
On edge
Many in Austin have been on edge since the bombings, as some residents of color say they feel under threat.
But unlike the first three bombings, which happened in east Austin, the latest attack happened in a predominately white part of town.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever's responsible for the three explosions increased to a total of $115,000, authorities said earlier Sunday.
"We believe that the recent explosive incidents that have occurred in the city of Austin were meant to send a message," Manley said in a news conference.
"We hope this person or persons is watching and will reach out to us before anyone else is injured or anyone else is killed out of this event," he added.
Officials have urged residents to call police with any tips they may have, even if the information seems to be "inconsequential."
South by Southwest, the huge film, interactive and music festival, wrapped up Sunday, but a bomb threat was made against it Saturday that resulted in the cancellation of a concert featuring The Roots.
(The-CNN-Wire & 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.)
By Madison Park and Jason Hanna, CNN
(CNN) -- Investigators are trying to determine whether an explosion early Tuesday at a FedEx facility outside San Antonio is connected to four explosions that have rattled the Austin, Texas, area this month.
The most recent blast happened inside a FedEx facility in Schertz, Texas, FBI San Antonio spokeswoman Michelle Lee said. Schertz is a San Antonio suburb that is roughly an hour's drive southwest of Austin.
One FedEx team member suffered minor injuries when a "single package exploded" at the ground sorting facility, company spokesman Jim McCluskey said Tuesday in a statement. An ATF spokeswoman earlier had said no injuries were reported.
"We are not providing any additional specific information about this package at this time," McCluskey said.
Based on preliminary information gathered at the scene, Lee said there could be a connection with the four Austin explosions, which killed two people and injured four others over 17 days starting March 2.
"We suspect it is related to our investigation," Lee said.
If the FedEx incident is confirmed to be linked to the Austin blasts, it would represent a new method for the suspect or suspects. None of the four previous explosives was mailed.
The ATF could not confirm that the latest explosion is associated with the Austin blasts, ATF spokeswoman Nicole Strong said. The ATF's Houston field division is at the FedEx facility in Schertz, the agency said on Twitter.
FedEx is "working closely with law enforcement in their investigation," McCluskey said.
In Austin, authorities have been combing for clues to the four explosions there, the first three of which involved cardboard packages that were left in front yards or porches and weren't delivered the US Postal Service or services such as UPS or FedEx, police say.
In the fourth blast, a device was triggered by a tripwire Sunday, injuring two men, police said.
Key developments
- President Donald Trump has been briefed on the Austin bombings, a White House spokesman said Monday, adding that the White House pledges its support to local law enforcement.
- Three members of the Congressional Black Caucus called Monday for federal officials to classify the bombings as terrorist attacks and determine whether they are "ideologically or racially motivated."
- The NAACP called the incidents "acts of domestic terrorism" and called for vigilance and caution for communities in Austin.
The four Austin bombings
Many minority residents in Austin have been on edge since the bombings started, as the first three explosions -- one on March 2, and two more on March 12 -- killed or wounded minorities who received packages at their doors. Police have not uncovered a motive and have not ruled out the possibility those bombings could be hate crimes.
The fourth explosion injured two white males, who were injured by a device left on the side of a road.
"The use of a tripwire is far less discriminating than leaving parcel bombs at residences and suggests that the latest victims were not specifically targeted," the global think tank Stratfor Threat Lens said.
The use of a tripwire suggests that the bomb maker, if he or she made all four Austin devices, is perhaps more sophisticated and capable of making a more complex bomb, law enforcement and analysts have said.
What agencies are involved?
More than 350 special agents assigned by the FBI, as well as ATF agents and forensic investigators in Quantico, Virginia, are on the Austin case.
At the state level, about 100 Texas Department of Public Safety officers, sergeants, and special agents, as well as the Texas Ranger bomb squad, bomb-sniffing dogs, intelligence agents and helicopters are also involved, reported CNN affiliate KXAN.
Police departments in Houston and San Antonio are sending bomb technicians and canine teams to Austin, their police chiefs said Monday.
How are they examining the evidence?
ATF has taken evidence from the four blast sites in Austin, Police Chief Brian Manley said.
"The prior three scenes are already in the lab at Quantico, and the evidence from the scene from last night is on its way to Quantico as well," he told CNN's Anderson Cooper Monday night.
"They're looking at the devices, they're comparing them, looking for similarities," he said. "The similarities they've seen to this point, lead them to believe -- as we do -- that these are all being constructed by the same person or persons who are responsible for this."
How are they handling the tips?
Austin police has received lots of tips, Manley said Monday night.
"As each tip comes in, it gets assigned to either a team of FBI agents, ATF agents or Austin Police detectives to do follow-up work on," he said.
Manley urged residents to call police with any information.
"No matter how inconsequential you think it may be, that may be the piece of evidence we need to link it together and solve this before we have someone else in our community that gets seriously injured or killed," he said.
What resources are they getting?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced more than $265,500 in emergency funding for the Austin Police Department and the Texas Ranger Response Team to purchase seven portable X-ray systems.
The systems can be used on site to quickly assess the safety of packages.
"I want to ensure everyone in the Austin region and the entire state that Texas is committed to providing every resource necessary to make sure these crimes are solved as quickly as possible," Abbott said in a statement.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible for the blasts totals $115,000.
What are police asking residents to do?
Police are appealing to residents to pay attention to their surroundings. Residents shouldn't approach or touch anything that looks suspicious, Manley said.
"We now need the community to have an extra level of vigilance and pay attention to any suspicious device -- whether it be a package or a bag, a backpack -- anything that looks out of place," Austin's police chief said Monday. "Do not approach items like that."
Authorities are also asking anyone in the neighborhood with security camera footage to call police.
(The-CNN-Wire & 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.)
MARCY U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand made a stop in Marcy on Monday to push for a new law that she says would help manufacturers like Advanced Tool Inc. on River Road.
Gillibrand was joined by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi and business owners to speak about new legislation called the Investing in Americas Small Manufacturers Act.
Gillibrans says the bipartisan legislation would increase the loan guarantee limit for small manufacturers, eliminate a penalty that new manufactures are required to pay when applying for a certain small business administration loan, eliminate fees for loans under $350,000, and cut loan fees in half for larger loans.
We have been great manufacturers for 100 years and so we want to continue to see that, Gillibrand said. And so this is a family-owned business and they just need a little support to make sure they get the capital they need to grow and keep providing jobs in this community. And so my bill makes it easier for a company like this to get better loans and get more loans to buy the things they need to grow.
The new legislation would also give business owners more opportunities for education assistance.
Being a small manufacturer is extremely difficult, said Sherry DePerno, president and CEO of Advanced Tool Inc., in a news release. Our struggles and challenges to stay profitable while trying to keep up with the latest technology are very real.
UTICA, N.Y.--Opening arguments began Monday in the murder trial against Robert Coffin.
The Rome man is accused of shooting and killing Thomas Shepherd II outside Sammy G's bar in August of 2017. Coffin was found 13 days later in Las Vegas. He faces a second-degree murder charge, along with criminal possession of a weapon.
During opening arguments, Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Michael Nolan claimed to have surveillance footage from Sammy G's back parking lot, depicting Coffin shooting Shepherd once in the face, exiting the vehicle, shooting him again in the back of the head, and then driving away. The footage will be played for the 12 jurors and one alternate.
The prosecution claims the altercation began when Coffin parked in Sammy G's lot at closing time. Nolan said Coffin confronted his ex-girlfriend, and that Shepherd stepped in to defend her.
"Who was parked in that back parking lot in that red Nissan sedan that these friends used to see Robert Coffin drive," Nolan said. "He leaned into the vehicle and the only thing that is heard next is 'pop pop.'"
Nolan claimed the second bullet fired into Shepherd's head was listed as the cause of death by medical examiners, entering the back of his skull and ending up in an eye socket.
Nolan said three other people, including a Sammy G's waitress and sister of the ex-girlfriend witnessed the alleged murder. He said the two others were on parole at the time of the shooting.
When Coffin was found in Las Vegas, Nolan claimed he did not shy away from admitting he had a weapon.
"The defendant replied 'what you're looking for is in my backpack," Nolan said. "Officer Eggers, looking at Mr. Coffin, responded 'What are we looking for?' And this time, the defendant replied 'my gun.'"
Nolan said law enforcement also found more than $10,000 in cash, two out-of-state IDs for two different individuals, four cell phones and a pair of shorts. Nolan said the shorts and gun were found to have DNA from Shepherd.
"The muzzle is where the bullet comes out, and those swabs contained single-source male DNA that is at least one trillion times more likely to have originated from Thomas Shepherd than if it originated from an unrelated or unknown male," Nolan said.
Defense attorney Kurt Schultz presented a much shorter opening argument. He said Coffin's behavior did not match that of a person who committed a murder.
"He retained this weapon with him, he retained the weapon and the clothing you'll clearly see he was wearing in the video at Sammy G's," Schultz said. "All the places, the bus stops, the restrooms, all the dumpsters, all the garbage cans in the restrooms, nothing was disposed. All of the evidence that would implicate him in what they refer to as a murder, he retained and kept with him."
Schultz also said the surveillance footage lacks an audio component, missing details from the altercation leading up to Shepherd's death.
"You'll see there's a struggle between two individuals of the six that were there that evening behind Sammy G's," Schultz said. "You will clearly see what transpired, you will not hear what transpired."
"There's more to it, what transpired between these individuals before this horrible event happened, and that's what I want you to pay attention to," Schultz said.
Court resumes at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) A Montgomery County woman who pleaded guilty to stabbing and killing her 7-year-old son, Tyler and 3-year-old daughter, Charlee is headed to prison. Thirty-year-old Brandi Worley was sentenced to 120 years fully executed in the Indiana Department of Corrections Monday.
She was charged with two counts of murder. The judge ordered 55 years for count one and 65 for count two.
They are to be served consecutively.
Worley gave no statement at the sentencing. Her lawyer told the court there was no explanation for what she did. However, Worley has said in multiple statements to police that she killed her kids so her husband couldn't have them. Jason Worley was about to divorce Brandi at the time of the murders in November of 2016.
After Brandi killed her kids, she told Jason, "Now you can't take my children from me."
Jason testified at the sentencing saying his children were his everything. When asked how long he wanted his now ex-wife in prison he said, "I never want to see her again. Out of sight, out of mind."
During the sentencing, more details were presented about what happened the night the children were killed. Jason said Brandi told him she was going to Walmart to buy supplies for her son's school project.
The state said instead, Brandi bought a sharp, combat knife at Walmart and hid the knife in her son's room until her kids fell asleep.
She woke up Tyler and Charlee for what she told them was a sleepover on the floor. After they were asleep, she got the knife, straddled Tyler and stabbed him 4 times. She then did the same thing to Charlie 3 times.
She tried to cut herself, hang herself and strangle herself but was unsuccessful.
That's when she called 911.
Related: Mother appears unemotional in 911 admission after a double murder
She told police, "I didn't want him taking the kids so I stabbed them. I just wanted to die with them."
The state noted how selfish that was and stressed to the court that Brandi was never remorseful about the murder. She was only sorry about not dying with them.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) WorkOne West Central and Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette are partnering up Tuesday for its annual career fair.
More than 80 Indiana employers and organizations are expected to be at the career fair. The event is open to anyone who wants to attend.
There are full-time, part-time, volunteer, and internship opportunities waiting to be claimed including fields like human services, manufacturing, business, and healthcare. Each employer is looking forward to speaking with you about the opportunities they offer, but make sure to bring a few copies of your resume.
"In addition we will also have admissions representatives from Ivy Tech," said Ivy Tech Career Development Director Jessica Farrell. "Individuals who are interested in coming to school, returning to school, they can take advantage of some of the great programs that we have here at Ivy Tech Lafayette."
The career fair is Tuesday at Ivy Hall in the Lilly Rooms and Grand Hall. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. there will be a special veterans and family hour.
"They've done a really great service in providing their skills and abilities for our country," said Farrell. "So we want to be able to give back to them."
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) Leaders in a southwestern Indiana city are saying no to the idea of self-imposed term limits.
The Evansville Courier & Press reports the Evansville City Council rejected the measure for term limits Monday night by a vote of 5-4. City council, the mayor and city clerk would have been restricted to three terms starting in 2020 under the ordinance.
Republican Justin Elpers proposed the ordinance, saying it's a good place to start. The newspaper says Elpers favors term limits for all offices.
Democrat Connie Robinson voted against the measure and has suggested that Vanderburgh County voters instead could decide the issue. Robinson was first elected in 1995 and has held the 4th Ward council seat since for a total of six terms. She says she's not seeking another term.
Natural and computational sciences escape island in annual Raft Debate
Winner: Associate Professor of Chemistry Doug Young claims his prize for winning the 2018 Raft Debate. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Battling for the raft: The participants in this year's debate were (left to right): Associate History Professor Fabricio Prado, representing the humanities; Assistant Professor of Government Jaime Settle, speaking for the social sciences; Associate Professor of Chemistry Doug Young, championing the natural and computational sciences; and Associate Professor of Computer Science Pieter Peers as the Devils Advocate Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Raft Debate: Assuming the persona of a political candidate, accompanied by her earpiece, sunglasses and suit-wearing student bodyguard, Jaime Settle began her address by adorning her head with a red cap that read, Make Data Great Again. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Raft Debate: The Commonwealth Auditorium was filled with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members for the popular annual event. The debate was also streamed live on Facebook page. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Sweetening his argument: Dressed in an elf costume,Doug Young hands donuts out to the audience. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Raft Debate: Judge Virginia Torczon, dean of graduate studies and research for Arts & Science, had the challenging task of keeping the competitors in line as the debate got heated. She also declared the winner based on audience reaction. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Photo - of - Hide Caption
Armed with his tousled wig, bountiful box of donuts and distinctly fervent enthusiasm, Associate Professor of Chemistry Doug Young bore the attire of Buddy the Elf as he claimed his hard-fought victory for the natural and computational sciences at William & Marys annual Raft Debate. After a series of spirited presentations from professors, featuring everything from combusting balloons to student-body-guards, the impassioned crowd of Sadler Centers Commonwealth Auditorium granted Young freedom from his island isolation.
Students, faculty and community members gathered on March 15 to witness the ultimate battle of wits: Three professors, representing their individual disciplines, found themselves stranded on a remote island after an imaginary shipwreck. With only a small escape raft to support one professors escape, each competitor had to convince a cheering audience why their discipline merited the surviving slot on the raft.
{{youtube:medium:left|nrIxlkNLBSk, Highlights from the 2018 Raft Debate}}
The premise
The Raft Debate, one of William & Marys most treasured traditions, was first instituted in the 1960s. After its brief disappearance in the 1980s, the Graduate Center, the Arts & Sciences Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Association collaborated to revive the brutal battle of academic disciplines in 2002. Although historically held in the fall, the event was moved to the spring this year in order to coincide with the Graduate Research Symposium.
The 2018 debate featured a panel of fierce castaway competitors: Associate History Professor Fabricio Prado, representing the humanities; Assistant Professor of Government Jaime Settle, speaking for the social sciences; and Associate Professor of Chemistry Doug Young, championing the natural and computational sciences. Opposing all of the disciplines was Associate Professor of Computer Science Pieter Peers as the Devils Advocate. Judge Virginia Torczon, dean of graduate studies and research for Arts & Science, had the challenging task of keeping the competitors in line as the debate got heated even with actual flames, thanks to Youngs scientific demonstrations.
The brutal opening round
The debate began with seven-minute opening statements from each representative. Clad in dark garb, a black top hat and the goggles of an explorer, Prado commanded the stage with his first words.
Its an honor to try to save humanity by saving the humanities, he remarked.
He began with a demonstration on an electronic synthesizer, illustrating how the sounds of the machine turn into music only with human touch. Throughout his speech, Prado highlighted the pitfalls of his opponents, maintaining that technology can be recreated, but history, identity and culture cannot.
We have to keep the spirit, we need to keep our ethics, and above all, we need to know where we came from, he said.
Next, Settle stepped up to the podium as student voices rang through the crowd, chanting, Settle this debate! Settle this debate!
Assuming the persona of a political candidate, accompanied by her earpiece, sunglasses and suit-wearing student bodyguard, Settle began her address by adorning her head with a red cap that read, Make Data Great Again. Her argument called attention to the structure of debate; she claimed that the institutional framework of the competition was democracy in action, an example of channeling the will of the people.
We as candidates stand here to represent our parties, she said.
Or maybe, she added, its just professors haphazardly selected to represent their disciplines.
Settle demonstrated the importance of social science by walking through the design of the raft debate and examining the trustworthiness of the system. Students dressed as the Voter Fraud Commission circulated the audience as she attempted to inflate the debates democratic qualities.
Vote based on your conscience, not based on your identity or affiliation, she began.
Whispers from her bodyguard interrupted her.
OK. So it turns out, the raft debate is entirely about your identity and affiliation, she said. Lets hear it if youre a social scientist!
Undeterred by his opponents striking presentations, Young stepped forward to begin his resolute defense of the natural and computation sciences. Outfitted in a lab coat and goggles, he started his presentation by igniting a flame and popping a balloon.
I just created water from fire! he said. That is the power of science!
Playing to his young audience, he presented D.J. Khaleds major keys of sciences significance, expressing that science is foundational. Science, he argued, is a necessary basis for partnership with other disciplines and represents the key to civilization.
Young concluded his presentation with his most effective argument: The best thing that science gave us ... was donuts.
Sliding into a donut costume, Young opened a box and began throwing bags amongst the ecstatic audience.
After the crowd calmed, Peers was next up in his attempt to encourage the crowd that no discipline deserved a slot on the raft. He demanded that the audience exercise skepticism about the circumstances that placed his three competitors on a stranded island.
Last time we dumped people who did bad things on an island, he said, we ended up with Australia.
Rebuttals and the vote
After a close opening round, the heightened stakes of the rebuttal arguments were exhibited with intensified energy and even grander demonstrations.
Prado played the unmusical sounds of his machine, claiming that his opponents arguments were mere noise. Settle illustrated the superiority of political sciences by breaking down how each other discipline would fail to tackle an issue like fake news. Young brought his flashiest performance for his final defense of the sciences, employing liquid nitrogen, memes, a Buddy the Elf costume and even more donuts.
Torczon quieted the audience in preparation for the voting procedure. Her explanation was simple, the discipline that received the most screams would win the raft.
After a few ear-piercing minutes and the inevitable loss of voices, the winner was clear. Young jumped in the raft with pride and conviction, claiming a challenging win for the discipline of natural and computational sciences.
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Chalk River laboratory request for proposals issued
20 March 2018
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Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the design and construction of a CAD370 million (USD283 million) laboratory research complex that will be the largest single capital investment in the CAD1.2 billion revitalisation of its Chalk River site.
The ANMRC is central to CNL's vision for Chalk River (Image: CNL)
The Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC) will consolidate key capabilities from a number of ageing facilities that are scheduled for decommissioning and will provide services critical to the life extension and long-term reliability of existing reactors, CNL said. It will include new shielded facilities for post-irradiation examination of small modular reactor (SMR) and next-generation nuclear fuels; glovebox facilities to support the development of advanced fuel fabrication concepts; and materials storage bays that will simplify the on-site transportation of radioactive materials, improving work efficiency at the Ontario campus.
With construction scheduled to start in 2019, the ANMRC will be one of the largest active research facilities ever to be constructed in Canada and, according to CNL president and CEO Mark Lesinski, will be at the centre of the transformation of Chalk River.
"Once complete, the facility will serve as a state-of-the-art laboratory complex that will allow us to grow our research programmes, penetrate new international markets and add capabilities to better meet the needs of our federal, academic and commercial customers," he said.
Chalk River Laboratories is home to the National Research Universal reactor, which is due to close down later this month after 60 years of operations. CNL in April 2017 unveiled a ten-year strategy for the site after the closure of the reactor, consolidating and modernising it to support federal and industrial nuclear research needs.
CNL has a long-term term vision of Chalk River as a hub for SMRs, and plans to site a prototype or demonstration SMR at the site by 2026. The organisation's 2017 request for expressions of interest in SMRs received 80 responses, including 19 expressions of interest in building a prototype or demonstration reactor at a CNL site.
CNL in February launched the construction of three new 'enabling' facilities at the site: a new logistics complex, business hub and manufacturing and maintenance support facility, together representing an investment of more than CAD100 million. It has also opened a new CAD-55 million hydrogen laboratory complex and a CAD-100 million materials research laboratory, and is in the final stages of commissioning a new CAD40 million tritium laboratory. Over CAD90 million is also being invested in on-site infrastructure improvements.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The Supreme Court Tuesday hears arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of a California state law requiring licensed crisis pregnancy centers" pro-life facilities that offer pregnancy-related services to post notices advising clients that they are not medical facilities and that abortion and other services are available elsewhere.
The notice reads: California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women.
The National Institute of Family Advocates contends Californias FACT ACT, which stands for Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency Act, violates the First Amendment right to free speech.
California imposes this compelled speech only on centers that oppose abortion," the group says. "The Act does not impose these compelled statements across the board but uses broad exemptions to exclude health providers that provide or promote abortion or abortifacients. Therefore, the only ones forced by the State to speak these government messages are those who oppose abortion.
Attorneys for California argue the disclosure notice the centers must post under the act, falls well within the First Amendments tolerance for the regulation of the practice-related speech of licensed professionals.
Attorneys for the state argue the FACT ACT provides needed information. A woman who seeks advice and care during pregnancy needs certain basic information to make informed decisions and obtain appropriate, timely medical care," they argue. "When she is offered assistance by a facility that provides pregnancy-related services of a type the public may associate with medical clinics, she needs to know whether the entity she is dealing with is in fact a state-licensed clinic staffed with regulated professionals."
"And when she visits a state-licensed clinic that caters to those not covered by private insurance or already enrolled in public programs and provides less than the full spectrum of relevant health care," they say, "she needs to know that there are state resources available to access additional care if she wishes to do so.
The U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the California law. Both the Fourth and Second U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals have struck down similar laws.
ABC News Supreme Court contributor Kate Shaw helps us understand the case:
Whats this case about?
This case involves a First Amendment challenge to a California law called the Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency Act, popularly known as the FACT Act.
The FACT Act requires all pregnancy-related clinics in California to make certain disclosures. First, the law requires unlicensed pregnancy centers, which typically provide women with counseling, adoption services, free baby products, and other sorts of support, to post notices informing patients that they do not provide medical care.
Second, the law requires centers that are licensed to provide medical care to post notices explaining that publicly-funded family planning services, including contraception and abortion, are available in California.
A group of clinics, who call themselves pro-life pregnancy centers, have challenged the FACT Act, claiming that it violates their speech and religion rights under the First Amendment.
What are the two sides arguing?
California claims it is simply imposing reasonable requirements to ensure that women do not inadvertently seek care at a center they believe to be a medical facility when in fact it is not, and that when centers do provide medical services like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, they do not mislead women about their range of options.
The pregnancy centers argue that the state of California is forcing them to recite the states pro-abortion message, in violation of their religious convictions; they argue that they exist to promote childbirth and that California is requiring them to highlight the possibility of abortion.
How might the Justices rule?
The Justices could affirm the Ninth Circuit, which upheld that the FACT Acts constitutionality. Or they could side with the challengers, striking down the FACT Act in its entirety. A third possibility is that they could uphold some but not all of the FACT Actessentially the position of the Trump Justice Department, which has filed a brief arguing that they unlicensed clinic requirements are constitutional, but that the licensed clinic requirements are not.
This is the Courts first significant abortion case since Justice Neil Gorsuch took the bench, so there will be a great deal of interest in how he votes in the case.
What is the national impact of this case?
Pregnancy centers like the plaintiffs in this case operate in every state, so the Courts ruling here could well have national impactthough even if the Court upholds Californias law, no state will be required to regulate these centers as California has done. If the Court sides with the centers, the state argues that pregnant women will be at risk of deception and misinformation at these centers, with state law essentially powerless to prevent it.
Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Police ask anyone who saw the Red Arrows jet which crashed at RAF Valley to contact them
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Mar 20th, 2018
North Wales Police is appealing to anyone who may have seen the Red Arrows Hawk aircraft which crashed on Anglesey this afternoon to contact them.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed this evening an engineer from the Red Arrows aerobatic team died in an air crash involving one of its iconic red jets at RAF Valley today.
An MOD statement was said;
It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (The Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today. The servicemans family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released. The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.
Its thought the aircraft was flying from RAF Valley to the teams base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire when it crashed.
North Wales Police say the were alerted to the incident at 1.50pm they and other local emergency services responded to calls for assistance from the RAF Valley base.
A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called shortly before 1.30pm this afternoon they sent emergency ambulance and a Wales Air Ambulance to the scene.
Following the aircraft incident at RAF Valley earlier this afternoon, if you were an eyewitness, please send any photographs of the incident to rafwebadmin@btconnect.com. Any images may help with an investigation. Please DO NOT share these online. Please be sensitive, thank you. Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) March 20, 2018
Chief Inspector Simon Barrasford at North Wales Police who is leading the initial response said
The aircraft involved, a Red Arrows Hawk crewed by two RAF personnel was reported to have crashed. Sadly I can confirm that one of the two personnel has died whilst his colleague is now being treated in hospital. Our thoughts are with both mens families at this very difficult time. Until that time it would be inappropriate to add anything further. The Coroner for north west Wales will also be informed.
Police and Crime Scene investigators supported by other specialists have begun a joint investigation led by the Air Accident Investigation Branch to establish what led up to and caused the crash.
Welsh Government put council mergers back on the table (again) including joining Wrexham with Flintshire (again)
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Mar 20th, 2018
The Welsh Government have announced new plans which they say would strengthen local government in Wales including the merging of Wrexham and Flintshire Councils.
An early days Green Paper consultation has been published by the Welsh Government today setting out proposals to again explore the possibility of creating larger and stronger councils.
The Welsh Government say that Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services Alun Davies has spent the past few months visiting local authority leaders across Wales to learn more about the unprecedented challenges they face and how these challenges are impacting on the future sustainability of services.
As a result todays Green Paper sets out for debate possible options on how this can achieved from voluntary mergers, to a phased approach with early adopters merging first, followed by other authorities, to a comprehensive merger programme.
The proposals aim to ensure councils are able to continue to provide excellent essential services by providing the support, recognition and reward for the crucial role they play in our democracy.
Within the document there are proposals to reduce the number of councils in Wales from 22 to 10 echoing a similar proposal that was shelved just a couple of years ago.
As with the proposals first mooted in 2014, Wrexham Council would be lined up to merge with neighbouring local authority Flintshire Council.
Wrexham Council notoriously stood firm against any merger plans, with Council Leader Mark Pritchard stating in September 2014 that the local authority would not bullied into a merger with Flintshire County Council by Cardiff.
The controversial plans for council mergers appeared to be binned off in 2016. However it was acknowledged by First Minister Carwyn Jones that there was still a need to reorganise local government to make local government stronger and to make our town and community councils stronger.
The Green Paper published today sets out three options voluntary mergers, a phased approach which would allow early adopters to merge in 2022, and a single merger programme taking place in 2022.
This would mean anyone standing for election in 2021, would potentially be elected to a Wrexshire Council.
In a statement issued today Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, Alun Davies, said unless radical steps are undertaken the role of local government will increasingly be one of managed decline.
I believe in public service and the fundamental role local government plays in communities across Wales, said Mr Davies.
Wales needs strong, effective, empowered local authorities which can weather continued austerity and build local democratic structures fit for future generations. I do not believe that our local authorities, as currently constituted, can fully play this role; and I am not alone.
Councils have been clear that services are wearing down to the point of collapse and there is a general acceptance that things cannot carry on as they are and a general acknowledgement that more money, even if it were available, would not solve the problem.
He added: I also know local government has made real efforts to change, adapt and invest for the future but I also understand that in the face of UK Government cuts, there are limited options to ensuring the future sustainability of local services.
Unless we do something radical in response to these challenges we all recognise, the role of local government will increasingly be one of managed decline.
The next step must be game-changing. I believe there are many in local government who understand this and I am committed to working with them to secure change.
I have already announced proposals to increase participation and improve the democratic process for everyone in Wales, today I am launching a consultation on further re-invigorating the local government landscape.
The Cabinet Secretary also noted that it is important as part of this debate to have an agreed template for a future footprint for local government, which any merger must be consistent with. This would ensure that any changes are aligned with the boundaries other public services operate on.
The Green Paper sets out an approach which reflects the thinking of the Williams Commission and feedback from previous consultations to stimulate discussion to arrive at an agreed approach.
Alun Davies continued, I recognise there are a number of challenges in creating larger, stronger authorities; but these challenges are not insurmountable.
If we do proceed with one of the options for creating larger authorities in the future, we will provide early practical support to local authorities.
The topic of mergers was mentioned briefly during a democratic services scrutiny committee earlier this month, when Cllr Derek Wright asked if there was scope for a regional scrutiny committee to question the likes of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Speaking at the time Council Leader Mark Pritchard referred to the mooted council reorganisation as something that had risen from the ashes.
We have contacted Wrexham Council and are awaiting further comment on the new proposals.
The remains of a Carmel native who was killed in Iraq were returned to the United States early Monday morning.
Vice President and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence attended the dignified transfer ceremony for Capt. Christopher "Tripp" Zanetis and Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Zanetis, 37, was one of seven U.S. airmen killed when their helicopter went down after hitting a power line in Iraq. The Pentagon says the helicopter crash does not appear to be the result of enemy activity and is under investigation.
The helicopter was used by the Air Force for combat search and rescue and was shifting from one location to another when it went down Thursday afternoon near the town of Qaim in Anbar Province.
Zanetis graduated from Carmel High School and volunteered weekends with the Carmel Fire Department. He was not married. He leaves behind his parents and two sisters, Angie and Britt.
PARIS, Ill. (WTHI) - Homelessness is a problem in many communities.
But an organization called Hopes and Dreams in Paris, Illinois is looking to create a Hope House.
Austin Porter, a student helped by the Bridges Program and Hopes and Dreams, and Beth Hansel of the Regional Office of Education and Hopes and Dreams, talking at Austin's new apartment in Paris, Illinois. (WTHI Photo, Lacey Clifton) Austin Porter, a student helped by the Bridges Program and Hopes and Dreams, and Beth Hansel of the Regional Office of Education and Hopes and Dreams, talking at Austin's new apartment in Paris, Illinois. (WTHI Photo, Lacey Clifton)
Paris teen Austin Porter is one young man whos been touched by the organization. Hes faced many challenges in his first 19 years of life.
Porter recalls, "When I had my first job, I was the one paying for the bills. Checks were only like $150, so we had to choose, Do we want electricity this month or water this month?"
Porter grew up in a home with several siblings, parents struggling with drug addiction, and a lack of basic necessities.
He says, "I wasn't going to school at all. I was pretty disrespectful back then."
But a major turning point for Porter was him joining the safe school program called Bridges.
Porter says, "First thing they did was get me to a place where I had necessities so I could focus on school and all that. After a while with a lot of effort from them, they molded me into somebody who wanted to work hard."
Porter and others in Bridges have been touched by Hopes and Dreams. Both programs aim to help students take control of their lives.
Regional Office of Education Attendance Specialist, Beth Hansel says, "We have about 10 students who we've put into apartment settings. So in that situation they have actually been able to pay their own rent while working and going to high school. So that's a lot of adult responsibilities in addition to trying to be a kid."
Hansel is affiliated with Hopes and Dreams, and wants to create a "hope house" and safe teen hangout. The goal is to help teens like Austin focus on school instead of trying to fulfill their basic needs.
Hansel says, "When you don't have a place to stay, you just feel unsafe. You feel unsecure. You feel like you don't mean anything. We would like to be able to provide a place for students who are 15, 16, 17, and going to school to be able to stay without having to work full time."
The "hope house" would be a 16-bed facility for teens, set up similar to a dorm. Hansel says they would also like to provide teens a place to get a shower, do laundry, and have homework help.
Organizers say they're close to securing their 501c3 charity status. They say that should open the door to a potential location for the shelter, and they would like to open with the year.
However, the organization says it needs volunteers and monetary donations to sustain the Hope House. The organization is looking to partner with individuals, churches, or other organizations.
Organizer Beth Hansel says the best way to reach out about volunteer or donation opportunities is messaging Hopes and Dreams on Facebook. You can find the organizations page by clicking here.
If contact by phone is your only option, you can contact Beth at 217-251-5712.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is leading a trade mission to Canada next week.
The three-day mission will include stops in Ottawa and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The trip will wrap up on March 27.
The Republican governor is slated to meet with the mayor of Montreal and the premier of Ontario. In addition to Canadian government officials, Holcomb is slated to meet with shipping industry leaders and aerospace industry officials.
The trip is Holcombs fourth trade mission since becoming governor in 2017. He has previously made trips to Japan, Europe and India.
He will be joined on the trip by First Lady Janet Holcomb, Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Illinois voters headed to the polls Tuesday, but on the other side of the state line in Indiana, there's still some time left before the 2018 primary election.
Election day is Tuesday, May 8th.
The deadline to register to vote in April 9th. The State of Indiana has information online about that process.
The 2018 general election is November 8th.
News 10 will have complete coverage for all of this year's elections.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI)- The White House has some new plans to fight the opioid addictions. The Trump administration wants taxpayers to know they're taking the problem seriously.
Dr. Randy Stevens, a medical director has been treating people with substance use problems for 45 years. He says the problem isn't the drugs. "We've had no place to send people to," Stevens said. "I tell people to head to Indianapolis." He says there are not enough treatment plans that is the issue. "We shouldn't give up on people," he said.
He speaks from experience. Stevens served as a doctor for the Vigo County Jail. "We saw the worst of the worst back then," Stevens said. Now, 20 years later a prisoner her watched every day locked up for drugs is now back on his feet.
"I still see a man that I met in the jail going through drug withdrawal," Stevens said. "Now, 20 years later, he is very successful in this community."
He says he has witnessed first-hand people changing their lives.
"If somebody has a new hip, do we expect them to really be up and walking on their own in the next day or two?" Stevens said. "No. You have several weeks of that person recovering from that type of thing. It is no different from people who have lived the life of substance abuse."
President Trump says his opioid plan will focus on law enforcement and intervention. The Trump Administration plans to put a chunk of money towards advertising. The plan will also work on improving the ability to fund treatment through the federal government. Stevens believes this is long overdue.
"You really need some long-term treatment programs," he said.
The part of the plan that's turning heads involves capital punishment. The Department of Justice could seek the death penalty for certain drug traffickers when appropriate. "There should be penalties, but I don't think the death penalty is the way to go," Stevens said.
Stevens says the answer starts in the community.
"Not one aspect of this can make this work," he said.
Stevens says he's excited more treatment plans have been put in place in Terre Haute. He says the Hamilton Center will begin offering an opioid treatment program to a small degree in April. The Harsha Behavioral Center is planning on having an alcohol and drug program.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Vigo County's title of "unhealthy" comes as no surprise to some.
"Parts of the city seem to be a food island," said Dorothy Drummond, resident.
News 10 recently reported on Vigo County's health ranking. The county ranked among the higher end of unhealthiest counties in Indiana.
For Drummond, places like Terre Haute lack access to affordable, healthy food.
"If people want to shop, where do they go?" Drummond said, "There's no place or not necessarily even bus coverage, this is a problem."
Others also recognized that problem at Monday night's meeting for the Greater Terre Haute NAACP Branch.
Every month, the NAACP highlights an issue impacting the community. March's topic of food justice fell right in line with Vigo County's recent unhealthy ranking. Food justice is the right of everyone, and communities everywhere, to healthy food, which includes access and eating healthy food along with the ability to grow and sell it.
"We have so much food production near where we are," said Executive Board Member Jeanne Rewa, "but the food that we produce near here doesn't necessarily feed local communities."
As part of Monday's meeting, the NAACP brought in several local groups that address food justice in different capacities.
Presenters included community garden projects like ReThink Inc.'s HOPE Garden, as well as local growers, The White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, The United Way Mobile Market, Terre Foods Co-Op, Bread for the World, The Institute for Community Sustainability at ISU and The Farmers Market.
Drummond is also part of Bread for the World, an advocacy group that communicates with congress on behalf of the hungry.
"They write letters," she said, "One of the most important things you can do as a citizen is write a letter. That has a bigger impression on congress than any other, other than coming directly and speaking to the congressmen."
While bringing the groups together is a step in reaching a solution, Rewa hopes it will also reach local families who otherwise may have not heard of the mentioned projects before.
"Having food justice in your community is really a complicated issue, there's a lot of different angles to it," Rewa said, "and there already are a lot of really great projects happening in the Wabash Valley that address different aspects of food justice. We're here to help people learn about food justice in our community as well as how to understand this challenging issue a little bit more."
A group of doctors from the St. Louis-area is doing incredible work in Africa.
Led by a husband and wife team, they recently opened an intensive care unit at a rural hospital in Yendi, Ghana. Part of the reason why is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring.
Building 1441 is the intensive care unit named in honor of the 14 years and 41 days a boy named Cameron was alive. Tragically, he died in a four-wheeler crash in October 2016.
"He was the most bright, loving, his smile could make anyone happy. A dreamer. An amazing young kid," said Dr. Patricia Limpert about her nephew. "After his death, our whole thought was 'How can we bring his light to the world?'"
Cameron's aunt and uncle, both passionate about their volunteer work in Ghana, funded the building with Cameron in mind.
Dr. Patricia Limpert is a breast surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital. Her husband, Dr. Jonathan Limpert, is a general surgeon at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri. A few years ago, they started taking medical mission trips with a group from Washington to Yendi. There, they found a single doctor, serving half a million people and a hospital with patients lying on mats on the floor during the busy malaria season, but they also saw something much deeper.
"I think more than anything, it's the people. Never in my life have I seen someone who has absolutely nothing, in our eyes they have nothing, but they are the happiest, most generous, most affectionate, most grateful people," said Dr. Patricia Limpert.
During their week-long trips, their team would do hundreds of operations and see thousands of patients, but they wanted to do more.
"What we've decided as a mission group is we want to do things that are sustainable. That, when we leave there after 10 days will continue until we come back," said Dr. Jonathan Limpert.
They talked with local leaders in Yendi to try and learn what the community really needed.
"This hospital sits very far from any referral center. So when they have someone who is critically ill, they typically die in transport. So the question was, 'What can we do to stabilize those patients?'" said Dr. Jonathan Limpert.
That's when they decided to fund the construction of the ICU.
"I think that's a new angle the world of missions has found to be key - to empower the local people. Give them just the resources they need. Keep the jobs there, keep the pride there. They built that. They can look at that and say they built that," said Dr. Jonathan Limpert.
Then, St. Louis-area healthcare companies and families helped outfit the ICU with real hospital beds, oxygen inlined into the wall, an EKG machine, ventilator, and much more.
They also set up a telemedicine platform with support from Mercy Virtual so doctors here in St. Louis and Washington can communicate with nurses and the doctor in Yendi when they need help using the new equipment.
"It's really neat to see how engaged, how empowered each person who comes through that building is. They have this hunger for knowledge, hunger for growth," said Dr. Patricia Limpert.
The ICU officially opened in January and it's already proven its worth. The most recent example is a mother of newborn twins, which were delivered by C-section. The mother developed post-partum hemorrhage. Because she was so ill, she needed the ventilator to breathe for her after a second operation. A local physician, Dr. Ayuba, contacted Dr. Jonathan Limpert from the operating room after the woman's second operation, desperate to get help with the ventilator. Dr. Limpert connected him to a team in the U.S., via the new telemedicine equipment, to get the ventilator on the correct settings for the patient. The team kept tabs on her by making several video calls back and forth until she was able to breathe on her own. The mother and her twins are now home and doing well.
As a mother to two children of her own, Dr. Patricia Limpert hopes stories like these teach her daughters what is really important.
"I hope more than anything they see yes, it's not just the people who look like us, it's not just the people who talk like us, it's not just the people who walk like us, it's anyone in the world deserves love just as much as anyone else," said Dr. Patricia Limpert.
They were put on hold to avoid inflaming tensions on the Korean peninsula, but defense officials say Tuesday that joint military drills between the US and South Korea are back on and will take place on April 1.
While the two nations said the exercises would be similar in scale to those of previous years, the drills, as stipulated in a joint statement, appear to be occurring within a shorter timeframe.
The "Foal Eagle and Key Resolve" drills would begin on April 1 for four weeks, both countries said in a statement. Last year, Foal Eagle began on March 1 and continued until the end of April, lasting a total of two months.
Additionally, the shorter timeframe indicates that the drills might be over by the time US President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two are set for a historic meeting sometime before the end of May.
Some observers had questioned whether the 2018 version of the military exercises would be the same length and scale as previous iterations given the recent diplomatic engagement with North Korea, but the Pentagon spokesman stressed that the exercises "are the same scale, scope and duration as previous years."
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and the Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual combined exercises including Foal Eagle and Key Resolve which were de-conflicted with the schedule of the Olympic Games. The exercises are expected to resume April 1, 2018, at a scale similar to that of the previous years," Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said in a statement issued late Monday.
"The United Nations Command has notified the Korean People's Army on the schedule as well as the defensive nature of the annual exercises," Manning added, referring to the official name for North Korea's military.
North Korea often views military exercises between the US and South Korea as a provocation aimed at the North and has used such military maneuvers to justify its nuclear and missile programs.
In the past, Pyongyang and even Beijing have asked the US to suspend exercises to allow for diplomatic negotiations with North Korea regarding its nuclear program.
Remarkably, when South Korea's national security adviser told reporters at the White House earlier this month that North Korea's leader had invited Trump to meet, that Kim "understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue."
The South Koreans said the postponement was part of an effort to reduce tensions with North Korea and help ensure a successful Olympics, while US officials maintained the postponement was due to logistics and a need to "de-conflict" the exercise with the Olympic Games.
This year's Foal Eagle field training exercises will involve about 11,500 US forces and some 290,000 South Korean troops, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Logan.
"Our combined exercises are defense-oriented and there is no reason for North Korea to view them as a provocation," Logan said, adding, "They ensure the ROK-US alliance is prepared to defend the Republic of Korea."
Xi Jinping began his second term as China's president with a blunt warning for Taiwan, an island it views as a breakaway province.
"All acts and tricks to split the motherland are doomed to failure and will be condemned by the people and punished by history," Xi said Tuesday at the close of the National People's Congress, Beijing's rubber-stamp legislature.
"Every inch of our great motherland's territory cannot be separated from China," he said, drawing loud applause from his audience inside the Great Hall of the People.
The tough talk on Taiwan isn't new. But Xi now has the option to serve as president for life, meaning he can execute strategies that last decades rather than years.
That long leash could give Xi opportunity to focus on achieving something that's eluded Chinese Communist leaders for nearly seven decades since the founding of the People's Republic: regaining control of Taiwan.
"Taiwan is very important and he wants to do it within his lifetime," said Willy Lam, a professor at the Center for China Studies at the Chinese University in Hong Kong.
"If Xi Jinping can pull off this national reunification by so-called liberating Taiwan, then he has something in the history books," Lam said.
The democratic island of Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) is separated from mainland China (the People's Republic) by a thin stretch of water and has been self-governed since a bloody civil war ended in 1949.
Though both Taipei and Beijing view the island as part of China, neither government recognizes the legitimacy of the opposing side, with Beijing warning that it could retake the island by force if necessary.
A renewed focus by Xi on Taiwan would put China on a collision course with the United States, which has diplomatic relations only with Beijing but maintains close unofficial links with Taipei.
Washington also provides arms to the island under the Taiwan Relations Act, and has signaled closer ties with Taiwan after President Donald Trump signed a bill Friday that aims to make it easier for US officials to visit the island and Taiwan officials to visit the US.
Long-term goal
Zhang Baohui, a professor of political science at Lingnan University in Hong Kong said that Taiwan could be part of Xi's motive for removing restrictions on term limits but it's not an issue he's likely to move on in the near term.
"His most important priority is domestic politics. Externally, Taiwan is secondary compared to US-Sino relations, the Korean peninsula and boosting China's leadership role in the world."
For now, what he wants is to deter Taiwan from greater independence, Zhang said, but that calculation could change should the balance of power shift between the US and China.
"After 20 years, by 2040, if China's achieved military parity then it may be feasible if they could win at a low cost."
One of China's top military leaders, Han Weiguo, the commander of the Chinese military's ground forces, said last week that Taiwan should be reunited by peaceful means but warned: "That doesn't mean the problem could be postponed indefinitely. It should be solved as quickly as possible," Han said, according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.
Nationalist fervor
A pillar of Xi's leadership has been his promise of returning China to its former glory, before Western powers dealt the country a humiliating blow, starting in the Opium Wars of the 1800s, and the chaos that engulfed China throughout the early 20th Century.
Part of that promise is steeped in nationalism, and there's perhaps no other issue that whips up more nationalist fervor inside China than the issue of Taiwan.
Straying from the policy of "One China," which has governed relations between Beijing, Taipei and Washington for decades, can lead to serious consequences.
Companies like Marriott, Zara and Delta all had their websites blocked by China's censors in January after authorities found they listed Taiwan as a separate country.
The same sensitivity can be seen in Beijing's furious response to the Taiwan Travel Act, which Trump signed into law with little fanfare Friday.
The new law encourages US government officials of all levels to travel to Taiwan for official meetings and vice versa. While it has no binding legal force, it's symbolically supportive of Taiwan. Beijing has often called on the US to block visits by Taiwan's political leaders.
"China demands that the US keep its promises, rectify its wrongs, refrain from implementing relevant clauses of the bill and stop seeking any official contacts, military ties or arms sales with Taiwan, so as to avoid doing serious harm to the China-US relationship, the ties between the two countries' militaries and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said Sunday.
Beijing fears developments in Taiwan that are out of its control, said Bonnie Glaser, the director of the China Power Project at Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
"Beijing is worried about the potential for Taiwan to sort of drift off in a direction toward independence," Glaser said.
"They seem to be nervous that because, in part, President Trump is unpredictable, that this could lead to a surprise ... they're particularly worried about very high level visitors from Taiwan such as the president, the minister of defense, the minister of foreign affairs," Glaser said.
Carrots and sticks
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen warned late last year that China's military exercises around the island had become more frequent and were affecting regional stability, according to Taiwan's state-run news agency CNA.
As of this year, Taiwan has 215,000 people in its armed forces, while Beijing counts more than two million, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. In 2017, China's military budget was three times higher than Taiwan's.
China's military has "established a clear superiority," said Zhang, the political science professor, however he said Taiwan could still make a military conflict very costly to Beijing.
"Xi has a defensive agenda. He doesn't want to coerce reunification," he said.
But experts say soft power and economic integration appear to be the keys to Xi's plans regarding Taiwan.
During his speech Tuesday, Xi called for peaceful reunification and said China would "share opportunities" with "compatriots" in Taiwan.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office in February revealed 31 new measures it will undertake to promote exchange and cooperate with Taipei, many of which make it easier for those from Taiwan to work, do business and study in mainland China including teachers and doctors.
This view is reflected on the streets of Taipei, Taiwan's largest city, where some young people speak openly about the need for pragmatism over idealism.
"As much as we want to enjoy the freedom and democracy in Taiwan, we also want the money and the opportunities China can provide," a 22-year-old restaurant worker surnamed Wu told CNN.
However, opinion polls conducted by Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council show the vast majority of those in Taiwan favor maintaining the status quo and want China to "pragmatically face up to the fact that the Republic of China (ROC) is a sovereign state."
Others spoke of a brain drain, and many see the continued integration as inevitable due to Beijing's growing economic might.
"If the trends continue, the elected government in Taiwan will have to reconsider the direction of cross-strait policy," said Chong-Pin Lin, Taiwan's former deputy minister of national defense and first vice-chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council. "I think Beijing knows that very well."
"Soft power may eventually lead to what Beijing or Xi wants, which is integration and unification," said Lin.
A legacy risk
Analysts believe Xi is a man deeply aware of history and concerned with his legacy. He's already considered China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, Communist China's founding father, and has had his political doctrine included in the Chinese Communist Party's Constitution.
The longer he leads, the higher the expectations will be, argues Glaser, the academic at CSIS, and Taiwan would be the biggest prize.
"If Xi stays in power for another term or even a fourth term, then I do think that there is growing pressure on him to achieve more," she said.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi is asking for your help in solving three cases being investigated by law enforcement.
The Prentiss County Sheriff's Department is trying to find Joseph Brewster Rhodes, who is being sought in the theft of a 2014 New Holland tractor.
Sheriff's investigators are also looking for information that can solve recent home burglaries in the area of Highway 4 East in the Hobo Station area. Cash, jewelry, guns and medications were taken during the day while people were away from their homes.
Tupelo police are trying to identify a woman accused of false pretense. A woman picked up a money transfer at a Walmart February 28 that was supposed to be used in buying horse trailer.
Anyone with information on these cases is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at 1-800-773-TIPS. You don't have to give your name, and you could get a cash reward for the information.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed 30 bills into law.
Those he signed Monday include post-secondary revenue bonds and debt. One bill allows Florida A&M University to participate in the U.S. Department of Education's Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program.
The Florida Slavery Memorial Bill establishes the Florida Slavery Memorial to honor the nameless and forgotten men, women and children for their contributions to the United States.
Here is the complete list of bills Scott signed Monday:
SB 146 - Appointment of Attorneys for Dependent Children with Special Needs This bill requires certain court costs be paid by the state when pro bono attorneys represent special needs children in dependency proceedings.
SB 220 - Bankruptcy Matters in Foreclosure Proceedings This bill authorizes documents filed in a federal bankruptcy proceeding to be admitted as evidence in a foreclosure.
CS/CS/CS/SB 268 - Public Records/Public Guardians/Employees with Fiduciary Responsibility This bill creates a public record exemption for former and current public guardians and employees with fiduciary responsibility.
CS/SB 386 - Consumer Finance This bill provides additional repayment schedule options for consumer finance loans and sets a maximum delinquency charge of $15 per calendar month for each loan payment in default.
CS/SB 394 - Fire Safety This bill requires the Division of State Fire Marshal to establish specified courses as a part of firefighter and volunteer firefighter training and certification.
SB 472 - National Statuary Hall This bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to replace the statue of Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith in the National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of Mary McLeod Bethune.
SB 498 - Office of Public and Professional Guardians Direct-Support Organization This bill repeals the sunset date for the Foundation for Indigent Guardianship.
CS/CS/SB 510 - Reporting of Adverse Incidents in Planned Out-of-Hospital Births This bill requires that adverse incidents of planned births that occur outside of hospitals be reported to the Florida Department of Health.
CS/SB 512 - Homestead Waivers This bill provides language that can be included in a deed to waive spousal homestead rights.
CS/CS/SB 568 - Telephone Solicitation This bill expands the Do Not Call list to include direct to voicemail sales calls.
CS/CS/SB 622 - Health Care Facility Regulation This bill amends numerous provisions related to the regulation of health care facilities.
SB 660 - Florida Insurance Code Exemption for Nonprofit Religious Organizations This bill expands the nonprofit religious organizations insurance code exemption to include people sharing a common set of ethical or religious beliefs.
CS/CS/CS/SB 920 - Deferred Presentment Transactions This bill creates a new type of small loan up to $1,000.
CS/SB 1132 - Vessel Safety Inspection Decals This bill provides an expiration date for vessel safety inspection decals.
SB 1712 - Postsecondary Revenue Bonds and Debt This bill allows Florida A&M University to participate in the U.S. Department of Educations Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program.
CS/CS/HB 21 - Controlled Substances This bill takes significant steps to combat opioid abuse in Florida.
CS/HB 41 - Pregnancy Support and Wellness Services This bill codifies the Pregnancy Support Services Program in Florida Statute.
HB 53 - Coral Reefs This bill creates the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area.
HB 67 - Florida Slavery Memorial This bill establishes the Florida Slavery Memorial to honor the nameless and forgotten men, women, and children for their contributions to the United States.
CS/HB 85 - Voter Registration List Maintenance This bill enhances the Florida Department of States ability to prevent voter fraud by joining a nongovernmental organization with other states to verify voter registration information.
CS/HB 87 - Public Records/Statewide Voter Registration System This bill creates a public records exemption for voter registration information received by the Florida Department of State from another state in which the information is confidential or exempt.
HB 405 - Linear Facilities This bill provides legal certainty for decisions made under the Power Plan Siting Act and Transmission Line Siting Act.
HB 413 - Trusts This bill updates and revises provisions of the Florida Trust Code relating to revising trust decanting procedures, electronic delivery of trust documents, and trust accounting.
CS/CS/HB 429 - Donation and Transfer of Human Tissue This bill requires the Florida Department of Health to develop and publish on its website educational information relating to tissue transplants.
HB 623 - Out-of-Country Foreign Money Judgments This bill increases protections from unjust foreign court judgments.
HB 6021 - The Guardian Ad Litem Direct-Support Organization This bill continues the Direct Support Organization for the Guardian ad Litem Office.
CS/HB 6515 - The Relief of Cathleen Smiley by Brevard County This bill directs Brevard County to provide $25,000 in relief to Ms. Cathleen Smiley for injuries caused by a county bus.
HB 7029 - A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Human Trafficking Expunction This bill continues the public record exemption of criminal history records relating to a victim of human trafficking.
HB 7031 - A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Criminal Justice Commission This bill continues the public meeting exemption of a criminal justice commission while members discuss active criminal intelligence or investigative information.
HB 7035 - Ratification of St. Johns River Water Management District Rules This bill ratifies a St. Johns River Water Management District rule for Silver Springs.
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - A Georgia inmate dies after a fight with another inmate.
The Georgia Department of Corrections says investigators are looking into the death of Valdosta State Prison inmate Benjamin Snyder.
The agency says Snyder was pronounced dead just after 10 a.m. Friday.
Snyder was sentenced to prison in 2013 in Richmond County after he was convicted of making terroristic threats.
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - A Valdosta man known to be a member of the Black Gangster Disciples received a six-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a prosecutor said.
Jahmal Malcom McGee, 24, pled guilty to the charge on Oct. 12, 2017, and was sentenced on March 14, 2018, according to Charles E. Peeler, the United States attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
As part of the plea, McGee admitted that on April 25, 2017, two FBI Task Force Officers encountered him and learned that he had an active warrant outstanding for violating his probation.
McGee was then arrested and, during a search, authorities found a small quantity of methamphetamine and a stolen semiautomatic pistol in McGees right pocket. A 30-round magazine containing 30 9-mm cartridges was also found in his left side front pocket.
McGee was prohibited from possessing a firearm as the result of a 2013 conviction of conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in Lowndes County Superior Court.
He was also convicted of attempted armed robbery in Lowndes County 2015.
"Yet another case of guns and drugs being found together on a convicted felon," Peeler said. "Hopefully the sentence in this case, along with others prosecuted by my office and our state counterparts, will get the message out that criminals with guns will do more time because of their decision to go armed."
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - Valdosta State University's accounting program has received it's initial Advance Collegiate School Business Accreditation.
VSU's accounting program has has been trying to obtain this particular accreditation for the last two years.
According to department head Ron Strunda, ACSB is considered to be the most prestigious accreditation for the business sector all around the world.
Strunda says, that less than two percent of all accounting programs in the world have this accreditation.
"If you're familiar with a full audit by the IRS that's what I would compare it to, so it's a series of meeting standards, assessing standards, assessing the faculty, assessing the students, assessing the administration here in the college of business and specifically the department of accounting," said Strunda.
This new accreditation will add more credibility to student degrees as well as appeal to employers who are in search of accountants.
CHEYENNE - With the sound of a gavel, the Wyoming Legislature wrapped up the 2018 Budget Session Thursday at the Jonah Business Center in Cheyenne.
CHEYENNE - With the sound of a gavel, the Wyoming Legislature wrapped up the 2018 Budget Session Thursday at the Jonah Business Center in Cheyenne.
At the start of the Session on Feb. 12, a total of 330 bills and resolutions were numbered for introduction. The Wyoming Legislature passed a total of 142 bills. Of the 126 pieces of legislation that were introduced in the Senate, 71 of those bills passed both the House and Senate. The House introduced 204 bills and 71 of those garnered the approval of both bodies. Legislation that passed both houses has either been acted on or is waiting to be acted on by Gov. Matt Mead.
In addition to those bills, the Cowboy State's biennial budget bill was signed by the Governor on Wednesday. The total appropriation in the 2018 Budget Bill for the 2019-2020 biennium totals $8.63 billion, of which $2.9 billion is General Fund.
Both the House and Senate have addressed a broad range of issues affecting Wyoming residents and while some of these laws will take effect immediately, many will not go into effect until July 1 of this year.
In a press release, House and Senate leaders spoke about the recent session.
"We have accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time to support economic diversification, advance opportunities for innovation through blockchain technology, support critical state agency priorities, and meet our constitutional obligation to balance the budget," said Senate President Eli Bebout. "This session was marked by constructive debate and a tremendous amount of hard work from the Wyoming Senate. Now we need to turn our attention to decreasing our $900 million deficit and solving our long-term spending problem. I have every confidence that the next Legislature will hold fast to our conservative values and work toward solutions that responsibly broaden our tax base and create a transparent spending policy for Wyoming agencies."
House Speaker Steve Harshman said, "This year we showed our commitment to public education, our most vulnerable citizens and to representing the conservative values and priorities of Wyoming people. It is wonderful to see important legislation for our students like statewide computer science standards, adequate funding of our K-12 and higher education systems, and important economic diversification initiatives secure passage and we've solved K-12 major maintenance capital construction."
"We went from zero to 100 this session in the field of blockchain technology," said House Majority Floor Leader David Miller. "This package of economic diversification legislation will cost the state nothing while bolstering our technology industry, bringing new startups and established businesses to our state and putting Wyoming on the map as a global leader in one of the most exciting and cutting-edge fields in tech. Republicans worked diligently to advance a wide set of economic diversification measures this session that will put Wyoming's small business owners and entrepreneurs in a position to enjoy a prosperous future across a wide set of industries."
The majority in the Wyoming State Legislature passed a number of bills this session to diversify Wyoming's economy for the long-term, make government more accountable and efficient, ensure schools and local communities have the adequate funding they need and protect personal liberties and freedoms. Among the important measures passed this session were bills to expand air service, improve broadband access, add computer science to the state educational program, provide workforce training, support blockchain and virtual currency, encourage entrepreneurialism and innovation and defend Second Amendment rights, according to the release.
Republicans' conservative approach to budgeting and continued fiscal discipline have led to substantial savings that enabled the state to weather the recent economic storm and tackle the challenges faced today. In the past year alone, Republican legislators reduced the structural deficit by 20 percent, from $1.2 billion to $900 million. Moving forward, lawmakers are committed to continuing to chip away at this deficit until it is eliminated.
According to the Legislative Service Office, lawmakers will begin their interim committee work in the coming weeks. The Legislature's Management Council plans to finalize interim committee topics April 19. Wyoming's Sixty-Fifth Legislature will convene on Jan. 8, 2019 for the General Session.
The Wyoming Legislature encourages the public to participate in interim activities. The public can use the Legislature's Website at http://www.wyoleg.gov to find information about interim legislative committees, including committee membership, the dates and locations of interim legislative committee meetings which are held throughout the state and minutes of committee meetings.
The website also contains a free email subscription service for all interim committee information.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 01:22:34|Editor: Yurou
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Chinese professor Huang Xiaojun speaks at the meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 19, 2018. The 44th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) began its second day in Lisbon on Monday with a presentation by Professor Huang Xiaojun, chairman of the Peking University Institute of Hematology. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)
LISBON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The 44th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) began its second day in Lisbon on Monday with a presentation by Professor Xiaojun Huang, chairman of the Peking University Institute of Hematology.
The EBMT annual conference is the most important event concerned with research and education in the field of bone marrow transplantation in Europe. Over 5,000 delegates attend the four-day event to participate in a series of presentations, lectures, discussions and workshops.
Professor Huang was invited to join two French professors Mohamad Mohty, president of the EBMT, and Didier Blaise, an EBMT Scientific Co-Chair in tackling the topic of "Results of haploidentical transplantation." Professor Huang spoke first and focused on results "In non-malignant haematological disease."
Professor Huang is an expert in hematology, a branch of medicine concerned with diseases relating to the blood. His particular area of expertise is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Hematopoietic stem cells are generally found in the bone marrow, where they self-renew and mature into all types of blood cells: white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Blood diseases typically occur when immature blood cells become cancerous within the bone marrow. With leukaemia, for example, abnormal white blood cells are formed. White blood cells help the body fight infections and so abnormal cells make the body vulnerable to disease. They also crowd out red blood cells, which supply oxygen to the body, and platelets, which allow the blood to clot.
The most effective way to cure leukaemia is through HSCT. This usually takes the form of a bone marrow transplant (BMT).
The major downside to a BMT is that donors and patients must have matching human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), a series of genomes that help identify the type of cells that belong in a body and its immune system.
If the HLAs don't match, the patient's body will reject the implant and shut down, a fatal process known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Finding good matches is difficult. A perfect match will only be found in a twin, a high-percentage match in a sibling. This leads to a large imbalance in donor supply and demand, particularly in a country like China, vast in scale and with a one-child policy in a past period.
But Professor Huang and his team pioneered a process where BMTs can be successful when HLAs match by just 50 percent. Such a match is known as haploidentical and typically takes a parent or child as a donor.
The key to haploidentical transplantation is the T-cell, a type of white blood cell believed to be the primary cause of GVHDs. Removing the T-cell prevents the bone marrow from functioning properly, so Professor Huang sought to control it instead.
The results were hugely successful and such advances have practically eradicated the problem of finding donors.
Thanks to Professor Huang's groundbreaking work, Haplo-HSCT came to be known in the sector as the Beijing Protocol. It has been adopted in numerous countries, including Japan, Korea, Israel, Italy and France.
In the United States, a similar procedure, one that also focuses on controlling the T-cell, was developed in Baltimore and has come to be known as the Baltimore Protocol. Conferences such as the EBMT enable specialists to compare notes on the Beijing and Baltimore protocols, as the science behind HSCTs fine-tunes itself.
Thus Professor Huang was at the EBMT to speak about the Beijing Protocol, to provide background on how the process was researched and developed and specifically to talk about how the technique is now being applied to non-malignant diseases, as well as malignant ones like leukaemia.
His presentation focused on the latest progress made in using Haplo-HSCT to treat forms of anaemia, a condition related to a deficiency of red blood cells, inborn errors of metabolism (IMEs), genetic disorders whereby the body cannot properly turn food into energy, and proxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare blood disease.
"It's very impressive," Professor Blaise said after watching Professor Huang's presentation. "Due to the work and the number of patients being treated in China, and not only in Beijing, the field of transplantation is progressing very rapidly."
"In my own talk I quoted many findings from China, because this is the reality," he added. "What will be very interesting to see in the future is developments in terms of the average age of the patient. The average age in China is much younger and this is very important in terms of long-term survival rates and actions, but cancers are more prevalent in older patients and there are economic implications besides."
Professor Huang has now represented China at the EBMT for five years in a row, a period that Professor Blaise says has seen huge progress in the field.
"These are very exciting times, things are completely changing. We could never have imagined that we'd be talking about these treatments even just a few years ago."
LONDON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The diplomatic stand-off between Britain and Russia will have profound and long lasting consequences, a British academic expert in intelligence and security said Monday.
Prof. Anthony Glees, director of the Center for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham, said the row provoked by a nerve-agent attack in the southern England city of Salisbury on a former Russian agent and his daughter was an extremely serious matter. Glees described it as the worst collapse in relations between the two countries since the cold war.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has not only pointed a finger of blame at Russia, but claimed that Britain has evidence from within the last decade that Russia has been "creating and stockpiling" the Novichok nerve agent used in the Salisbury attack.
Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's ambassador to the European Union, has claimed the nerve agent used in the attack was manufactured in British government's own top-secret defense laboratory at Porton Down, just a few kilometers away from Salisbury.
Moscow has long insisted that the production of chemical agents stopped in 1992 and that its stockpile of material was completely destroyed by 2017.
With each country expelling 23 diplomats in the usual tradition of tit-for-tat reactions, a waiting game is now under way into what happens next, and who makes the next move.
Britain's Foreign Office says it has no disagreement with the people of Russia and so far said it is not in the national interest to break off all dialogue with Russia. But the department has insisted the onus remains on the Russian state to account for their actions and to comply with their international obligations.
Glees told Xinhua: "Neither the UK nor Russia can have any interest in armed conflict so a channel of communication must stay open. But if Russia retaliates in the next days or weeks for example with a cyber attack, that will ramp things up. Russia sees the UK as weakened and divided due to Brexit. We are very vulnerable at the moment. That is why this is potentially a big crisis."
Glees said relations may not be cordial for a long time to come.
A team of inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based at The Hague, arrived Monday will collect nerve agent samples used in the attack and send them for independent testing. It could take two weeks for results of the testing to emerge.
In The Guardian newspaper, the leader of Britain's main opposition Labor Party Jeremy Corbyn warned: "Britain needs to hold the perpetrators to account. Yet this is not a time for hasty judgments that could lead to a new cold war."
Corbyn added: "The continuing fallout from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the virtual collapse of the Russian state in the 1990s must be addressed through international law and diplomacy if we are to reverse the drift to conflict."
Meanwhile, Sir Rodric Braithwaite, who was Britain's ambassador to Russia during critical years of the Cold War, has criticized senior British government ministers of "shooting their mouths off" amid the deepest crisis in relations with Moscow since the end of the Cold War.
Braithwaite told The Independent newspaper in London: "Whether you like Russia or not, it is a big country, which now has rather a lot of influence in the world -- whether you like it or not."
He said it seemed to him that some British politicians, including the Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson, had come out too early saying things that are much too wild.
Briathwaite described the current diplomatic crisis between Britain and Russia as a highly emotional confrontation he urged caution about referring to it as a new "Cold War".
ROME, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Prosecutors gathered in the Italian capital on Monday to start a probe launched into the death of an 18-year-old Egyptian girl in Britain, local media reported.
The girl, Mariam Moustafa, was born and grew up in Ostia, at the outskirts of Rome, before moving to Britain with her family to continue her studies some four years ago.
She died in Nottingham on March 14, after suffering an assault by a group of girls in Nottingham on Feb. 20. Partial footage of the aggression emerged on the internet, and was divulged by Italian media.
Rome prosecutors announced on Sunday the opening of their probe on suspicion of murder, and would ask their British counterparts to acquire all of the case files, state-run RAI News TV channel said.
They would particularly focus on whether the assault was racially motivated, and a possible negligent conduct from the hospital in Nottingham where the girl was first treated the evening of the attack, and dismissed in a few hours.
Later in the same day, Moustafa needed to be hospitalized again, and died after lying some three weeks in a coma due to an alleged brain hemorrhage, according to Ansa news agency.
Italy's Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement its hope that "perpetrators of this atrocious crime would be soon brought to justice." It specified the Italian Ambassador to London Raffaele Trombetta was asked to personally follow the case in cooperation with his Egyptian counterpart.
The Ministry added Trombetta held talks with his Egyptian colleague on Sunday "to renew our (Italy's) complete willingness to support any action the Egyptian Embassy might want to take."
On Monday, a sit-in was called in the seaside neighborhood of the Italian capital where the girl grew up. In a show of support of her family, former classmates, friends, and representatives of the Egyptian community gathered before the elementary school in Ostia attended by Moustafa as a child.
Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi also sent a solidarity message on Twitter, saying the girl's death due to the brutal aggression was "absurd and unacceptable."
BRUSSELS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed the Alliance's solidarity with Britain over Salisbury investigation on Monday at a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
Welcoming Johnson's visit at NATO headquarters, Stoltenberg said Johnson updated him on the latest developments in the Salisbury investigation.
He reaffirmed that, "the attack in Salisbury was the first use of a nerve agent on Alliance territory."
"NATO Allies have been united in condemning this attack, and they have offered their support to the ongoing investigation," said NATO chief.
Stoltenberg said NATO continues to "call on Russia to provide complete disclosure of the Novichok programme to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons".
On March 4, former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious on a bench in a shopping center in the southern England city of Salisbury. They remain in a critical condition.
However, the Russian government has denied any involvement in the attack.
Moscow has long insisted that the production of chemical agents stopped in 1992 and that its stockpile of material was completely destroyed by 2017.
And Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's ambassador to the European Union, has said that the nerve agent used in the attack was manufactured in British government's own top-secret defense laboratory at Porton Down, just a few kilometers away from Salisbury.
LONDON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- British and European Union negotiators announced Monday their biggest leap forward in Brexit negotiations. But the optimism shared by some was not welcomed by critics of the breakthrough announced in Brussels.
The biggest stumbling block remains the question of the border between the Irish Republic and Ireland when Britain leaves the European Union (EU).
The two sides announced an agreement has been reached on the relationship between both sides until the end of 2020, almost two years after Britain ends its membership next March.
The Confederation of British Business (CBI), which represents the country's biggest companies, said the breakthrough had brought a welcome gift for firms on both sides and had helped lift a cloud of uncertainty for businesses.
CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn, said: "Agreeing transition is a critical milestone that will provide many hundreds of businesses with the confidence to put their contingency planning on hold and keep investing in the UK.
"This is what businesses have been calling for since last summer. This is a victory for common sense that will help protect living standards, jobs and growth. It shows what can be achieved when people and prosperity are placed above politics and ideology," Fairbairn said.
He said other hurdles on the Brexit path now need to be cleared in the same spirit, including urgent resolution of the Irish border.
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, also welcomed the deal, saying it was the milestone many businesses across Britain have been waiting for.
"The agreement of a status quo transition period is great news for trading firms on both sides of the channel, as it means that they will face little or no change in day-to-day business in the short term.
"While some companies would have liked to see copper-bottomed legal guarantees around the transition, the political agreement reached in Brussels is sufficient for most businesses to plan ahead with a greater degree of confidence," Marshall said.
Keir Starmer, from the main opposition Labor party who is shadow Brexit secretary, accused ministers in Prime Minister Theresa May's government of wasting time by fighting among themselves and pursuing their reckless red lines.
"It is welcome that they have finally struck a deal on transition and now the government must prioritize negotiating a final agreement that protects jobs, the economy and guarantees there will be no hard border in Northern Ireland," said Starmer.
Nigel Farage, co-founder and former leader of the anti-EU party UKIP, accused the prime minister of a climb down and said May should resign, saying: "she is totally useless and must go."
A spokesperson for the Leave Means Leave campaign accused the government of caving in to the EU, adding: "Under the current plans, we will not be taking back control of our fisheries when we leave the EU, something which the government had previously promised.
Meanwhile, Open Britain issued a statement from Labor MP Chuka Umunna, in which he said Monday's deal shows that Brexiters have had to surrender on almost every single point.
"Despite once claiming they held all the cards in the negotiations, in the end the Brexiters have been prepared to compromise and surrender on almost every single point," said Umunna. It would have made more sense for Britain to extend the Article 50 period and remain for a while longer in the EU beyond next March, Umunna added.
Although the EU and Britain have provisionally agreed how the transition period will operate, they have yet to finally settle how to handle the Northern Ireland border issue.
There are fears a wrong solution could threatened the so-called Belfast Agreement which ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.
Former British diplomat Jonathan Powell, who worked on the negotiations that led to the return of Hong Kong to China, was also involved in the Belfast peace agreement.
Writing Monday night in the London-based Independent, Powell warned that Theresa May's failure to deal with problems posed by Northern Ireland's border threatens to bring Brexit negotiations "crashing down".
Concern was also expressed in Scotland where the fishing industry reacted angrily to the Brexit deal which will see Britain consulted on fish quotas and access to its waters until 2021.
Bertie Armstrong from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation: "We will leave the EU and leave the Common Fisheries Policy, but hand back sovereignty over our seas a few seconds later."
Britain's Brexit Secretary David Davis said the agreement is conditional on both sides agreeing a final withdrawal treaty, adding today's development would smooth the path to a future permanent relationship.
The focus will now shift to the summit meeting later this week of European leaders who will be asked to sign-off the transitional period deal announced Monday by Davis and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 05:03:25|Editor: Yurou
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African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat (L) and Chairperson of the AU Executive Council and Rwandan foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo talk at an AU executive council meeting in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda on March 19, 2018. Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday stressed the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali. (Xinhua/Gabriel Dusabe)
KIGALI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday stressed the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda.
The international context, marked by "a worrisome weakening of multilateralism" and the principles of solidarity among peoples, make the execution of this flagship project crucial, said Faki at the 18th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of AU, part of the ongoing AU extraordinary summit on the AfCFTA.
At a time when the rest of the world is coming together and consolidating itself in the resolute defence of its strategic interests, African countries have no choice but to forge ahead, said Faki.
The chairperson said some technical issues remain to be overcome, relating in particular to the nature of the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area, the number of ratification required for the entry into force of the AfCFTA agreement and the admissibility of reservations.
The AfCFTA will induce an increase in intra-African trade of 52 percent by 2022 and significantly increase Africa's industrial and agricultural exports, according to Faki.
African leaders are expected to sign an agreement to launch the AfCFTA on Wednesday, the last day of the summit, according to the AU. It will make Africa the largest free trade area created since the formation of the World Trade Organization, the AU said.
The AfCFTA could create an African market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars, said the pan-African bloc.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 06:58:42|Editor: Jiaxin
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UNITED NATIONS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday urged the international community to help carry forward the political process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The international community should continue to work to push parties in the DRC toward a peaceful solution through political consultations and dialogue, and support the mediating role of regional and subregional groups such as the African Union and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.
He asked the international community to ensure the leadership of the DRC government in solving the crisis, and fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
The DRC government holds the primary responsibility in protecting civilians, he said, the international community should help the DRC government enhance security capacity.
The international community should continue to provide humanitarian aid to the DRC to help the country tackle such challenges as food insecurity and displaced persons. He also asked the international community to help advance socio-economic development in the DRC and invest more in agriculture, infrastructure and other areas.
He said China has always supported the peace process in the DRC and actively participated in peacekeeping in the country. China has also provided humanitarian assistance and has actively participated in the country's socio-economic development.
He said China is ready to work with the international community to paly a constructive role in the DRC's peace, stability and development.
SUVA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of the life threatening meningococcal disease on Tuesday.
The island nation with a population of about 890,000 has recorded 18 cases of the meningococcal disease as of Feb. 21, an increase from previous level.
The highest number of cases was in 2017 at 48, while 29 cases were recorded in 2016, according to statistics from the ministry.
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides and can cause infections in the lining of the brain (meningitis) and in the blood (meningococcemia), or both.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has set up a Meningococcal Disease Taskforce to strengthen early detection and urgent treatment of patients suspected to have meningococcal disease at all health facilities.
The Health Ministry urged the public to identify the symptoms early and seeking urgent medical treatment at a health facilities if they feel sick, which is critical and will give a meningococcal patient the best chance of survival.
According to the World Health Organization, without appropriate medical treatment, up to 50 percent of people who get the disease die.
Most patients treated appropriately can recover fully, however 10 percent to 15 percent will still die, and around 20 percent will have permanent disabilities, including severe brain damage.
In 2017, 14.4 percent of all meningococcal patients in Fiji died.
The meningococcal disease bacteria are spread from person to person via transfer of saliva or spit.
The disease often occurs in babies, children under the age of five, teenagers and young adults.
Fijians have been urged to practice proper hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease by covering their mouths and nose with tissue or handkerchief when coughing and sneezing, among other measures.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 09:03:55|Editor: Liangyu
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The first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) holds its closing meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) held its closing meeting Tuesday morning.
President Xi Jinping and NPC Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu are scheduled to address the meeting.
Lawmakers will vote on a draft supervision law and draft resolutions on the government work report, and the work reports of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
They will also vote on draft resolutions on the reports of the national economic and social development plan as well as the central and local budgets.
TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been under fire amid a deepening cronyism and document-tampering scandal, which has drastically brought down his cabinet's approval ratings, while people staged protests across Japan calling for the cabinet's resignation.
A cut-price land deal scandal implicating Abe and his wife Akie first came to light in February last year, when local media reported that Moritomo Gakuen, a private school operator, bought a 8,770-square-meter piece of land in June 2016 in Toyonaka, Osaka prefecture, for 1.26 million U.S. dollars, equivalent to only 14 percent of its appraisal price.
The scandal, after fading for some time since the ruling bloc's victory in the upper house election last October, has drawn renewed attention recently after local media reported that some finance ministry documents linked to the dubious deal appeared to have been revised in an apparent attempt to cover up the scandal.
Experts pointed out that the protracted scandal could seriously dampen Abe's chances of securing a third term as LDP (Liberal Democratic Party)President and in turn his chances of becoming the longest-serving prime minister in post-war Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso attend an upper house Budget Committee session in Tokyo, Japan, March 19, 2018. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
WIDENING SCANDAL
Lined up in front of parliamentary buildings in Tokyo, the impressively eye-catching banners with such slogans as "Abe and Aso have no shame!""Abe's cabinet should step down!" were firmly held by thousands of protesters shaking their fists in anger.
The protest was triggered by Abe's denial of either his or his wife's involvement in the cut-price land deal.
"I didn't know about even the existence of the finance ministry's internal settlement documents. I couldn't order the rewriting of them," Abe told an upper house budget committee session Monday.
Finance Minister Taro Aso, also deputy prime minister, said that a few officials in the ministry's financial bureau altered the documents without Abe's knowledge.
Aso's claim obviously has failed to blind the protesters.
"The government tries to hide the truth and distract people's attention from the scandal. We won't allow that to happen. We will continue to express our anger on behalf of the people," said Shingo Fukuyama, a member of a civil group that organized the protest.
People protest in front of the parliamentary buildings against the cronyism and document-tampering scandal and call for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet to resign in Tokyo, Japan, March 19, 2018. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
The protesters' opinions were also mirrored in recent media polls, which saw a plunge in the approval ratings of Abe's cabinet, with a majority of people believing that Abe can hardly absolve himself from the widely reviled document alteration.
According to a Kyodo News poll released on Sunday, the approval rate for the prime minister's cabinet dropped to 38.7 percent, down 9.4 percentage points from a previous survey conducted on March 3-4, while the disapproval rate stood at 48.2 percent, up 9.2 percentage points.
According to the poll, some 43.8 percent of the respondents said Abe should step down after more evidence came to light about the adverse impact of the shady land deal, and a total of 66.1 percent said Abe should be held accountable for the finance ministry's tampering of documents.
Another survey by the Asahi Shimbun showed that the cabinet's approval rate has plunged to 31 percent, the lowest ever in the newspaper's polling since Abe re-took office as prime minister in 2012.
Abe's approval rate was down 13 percentage points from 44 percent in a previous poll, while the non-support rate rose to 48 percent from 37 percent.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso attend an upper house Budget Committee session in Tokyo, Japan, March 19, 2018. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
ABE'S THIRD TERM ENDANGERED
While experts believe that investigations to the scandal would last for weeks or even months with Abe holding on to power, they pointed out that the protracted scandal could seriously hurt Abe's chances of securing a third term as LDP president in the September election and in turn his chances of becoming the longest-serving prime minister in post-war Japan, as criticism was building up inside the party.
LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai has said that doctoring the documents was a serious problem that was beyond imagination and could not be explained simply as a mistake.
LDP lawmaker Seiichiro Murakami, a strong critic of Abe, has reportedly called for Abe to resign last week.
Several polls also showed that Abe has fallen behind his main rivals inside the party regarding whom the voters would like to elect as prime minister.
According to a Kyodo poll, Shigeru Ishiba, former defense minister, was supported by 25.4 percent of respondents, followed by Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, while Abe fell to the third from the first place in a February survey, with 21.7 percent supporting him.
Another poll by the Nippon TV also showed that Ishiba and Koizumi, with 24 and 21.2 percent of approval ratings, were far ahead of Abe's 14 percent.
People protest in front of the parliamentary buildings against the cronyism and document-tampering scandal and call for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet to resign in Tokyo, Japan, March 19, 2018. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Takakage Fujita, a political analyst and head of a Japanese civic group dedicated to upholding and developing the well-known Murayama Statement, said that if the Abe administration fails to apologize to the people sincerely, the approval rating for Abe's cabinet could still go down, and Abe's rivals inside the ruling party might take some actions (in the upcoming party president election).
The Murayama Statement was released by the then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on Aug. 15, 1995. In it, he apologized for the damage and suffering caused by Japan to its Asian neighbors during World War II.
Ukeru Magosaki, a former senior official with the Japanese foreign ministry, said that document tampering constitutes a crime under Japanese law and those associated with it should be held accountable.
He added that if Aso, a close ally of Abe and a key member of the Abe administration, steps down to take responsibility as the public calls for, it would significantly weaken the Abe government.
The resurgent scandals also trigger concerns over Abe becoming a lame duck in carrying out his major policies.
(Jon Day in Tokyo also contributed to the report.)
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 09:49:00|Editor: ZD
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TRIPOLI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called the disappearance of Libya's military prosecutor - believed to have been kidnapped by gunmen last week - a "blow to the rule of law," highlighting the ongoing poor security situation in the country.
"UNSMIL is concerned about the disappearance of the Military Prosecutor Masoud Erhouma on March 15 in Tripoli and calls on authorities to investigate his whereabouts, clarify his status and ensure his safety," UNSMIL said in a statement on Monday.
"Forced disappearance, unlawful arrest, abduction constitute a serious blow to the rule of law," it added.
Local media said that gunmen kidnapped Erhouma in front of his house in the Libyan capital Tripoli. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping so far.
The Libyan National Human Rights Commission described Erhouma's kidnapping as a "grave indicator of the lack of respect for judicial bodies in the capital Tripoli."
"As the military prosecutor is the secretary of the criminal branch of the military establishment, this crime committed against him in the capital indicates that the security situation in Tripoli is very bad as a result of the increasing indications of kidnapping, arbitrary and illegal detention, and forced disappearances," the commission said in a statement.
The commission also called on the attorney general to "urgently investigate the kidnapping, pursue those responsible, and ensure that they are not unpunished."
Following the 2011 uprising which toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been suffering insecurity and political division, with divided authorities in the country's eastern and western regions.
HELSINKI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), South Korea and the United States started an unofficial meeting here on Monday, local media reported.
A joint dinner at a downtown restaurant was arranged on Monday and more talks will take place in the following two days, according to Finnish national broadcasting company Yle.
Local television aired a footage showing the DPRK delegation entering the restaurant in Helsinki. Choe Kang Il, who is responsible for relations with the United States at the DPRK Foreign Ministry, was seen among the delegation.
Participants from the United States and South Korea mainly include former diplomats and security experts.
There are 18 participants, six from each country, said Yle.
The agenda on Tuesday and Wednesday will also include the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the reduction of tension there, according to Yle.
Earlier on Monday, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said the role of Finland related to this meeting is "thin." Niinisto said Finland would be prepared to offer services in the future if the meetings continue.
The Finnish Foreign Ministry has earlier described the gathering as a routine academic meeting.
The actual location of the talks on Tuesday and Wednesday has not been reported. The Japanese embassy in Helsinki earlier denied media reports that it would be the venue.
KIEV, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine and Croatia agreed on Monday to deepen dialogue on reintegration of non-controlled territories, the Ukrainian government press service said.
The agreement was reached in a meeting here between Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and visiting Croatian Labor and Pension System Minister Marko Pavic, said a statement on the Ukrainian government website.
Groysman said that his government is interested in learning about Croatia's unique experiences in peaceful reintegration of non-controlled territories and is willing to apply them in Ukraine, according to the statement.
In particular, Kiev is counting on Zagreb's consultative assistance on issues related to creating proper social and working conditions for conflict participants and internally displaced persons, the statement said.
For his part, Pavic said that Croatia is ready to share with Ukraine its experience of peaceful reintegration of territories which fell beyond government control.
Ukraine is troubled by a conflict in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, which broke out in April 2014 after government forces launched offensives to regain control of the cities and towns seized by armed groups which declared independence from Kiev.
The conflict has uprooted about 2 million Ukrainians. More than 1.4 million of them are still registered as internally displaced persons.
A law on the return of the Donbas region under Kiev's sovereignty, the so-called law on Donbas reintegration, came into force in Ukraine in February.
SEOUL, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Combined forces of South Korea and the United States will launch their joint military exercise from April 1, Seoul's defense ministry said Tuesday.
The springtime war games, codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, will be carried out in a similar scale with last year as agreed upon by defense ministers of the two countries, according to the ministry.
Seoul and Washington had agreed to halt the joint war games during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic period.
The Winter Olympics was held in February in South Korea's east county of Pyeongchang, followed by the Winter Paralympics that ended on Sunday.
The UN military command informed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea of schedules for the exercises, saying the Key Resolve command post drill and the Foal Eagle field training exercise are defensive in nature.
The Foal Eagle would reportedly last for about a month from April 1, while the Key Resolve would be conducted for two weeks from April 23.
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday that the joint exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle between the United States and South Korea will restart on April 1 "at a scale similar to that of the previous years."
The United Nations Command has notified Pyongyang on the schedule as well as "the defensive nature of the annual exercises," said the Pentagon in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and South Korean Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual war games, which were postponed this year during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic period, according to the statement.
KATHMANDU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of Nepal's business community and the visiting delegation from OBOR International Trade and Investment Platform on Monday discussed on attracting Chinese investment in Nepal under the framework of the OBOR.
The OBOR Platform is a mutual exchange platform of global purchasers and suppliers established to promote Belt and Road Initiative also known as One Belt, One Road (OBOR), initiated by China. A delegation led by Shu Ya, founder of OBOR International Platform is currently in Nepal.
During the meeting, representatives of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the apex private sector body of Nepal, requested OBOR Platform delegation to increase investment in Nepal's infrastructure, energy, tourism and agriculture sectors, according to a press release of FNCCI.
FNCCI President Bhawani Rana requested the Platform to contribute Nepal's prosperity through investment under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the investment climate in the Himalayan country is fine.
Following the recent elections to elect local, provincial and federal governance structures, Nepal is expected to head towards political stability after a prolonged political transition since civil war ended in 2006.
Rana also stressed on establishing greater connectivity among the nations who are part of the BRI. Nepal signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on OBOR in May 2017.
According to FNCCI press statement, OBOR Platform delegation proposed holding another meeting soon to identity the areas for partnership in Nepal while expressing interest to bringing foreign investment in various sectors of Nepal.
According to FNCCI, two sides also discussed on developing entrepreneurship in Nepal, technology transfer, identification of Nepali goods that could be exported to China.
Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, chairman of Nepal Chapter of OBOR Platform told Xinhua on Monday that the delegation is set to sign an MoU with Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal on Wednesday in order to promote Nepali handicraft products to China under the banner of OBOR Platform. Handicraft is one of the Nepal's major exportable items to China.
Earlier, the OBOR Platform had signed MoU with various related trade bodies to promote Nepal's Pashmina, wild honey, a Nepali wine and Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia diversifolia).
The team has also the met with speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives, the Lower House Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Matrika Yadav and Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Lalbabu Pandit, according to Rajbhandari.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 11:54:21|Editor: Chengcheng
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by Jamal Hashim
BAGHDAD, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At sunset of a beautiful spring day, the thoroughfare of Mansour neighborhood in western Baghdad, the city center, was crowded with people as usual.
They looked as usual on the day marking the 15th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by the U.S.-led coalition on March 20, 2003 to topple its leader Saddam Hussein, promising peace, freedom and democracy for Iraqis.
However, they had much to say. Most of them expressed their disappointment as the invasion turned their lives upside down and made them pay a high price.x Kareem Yousif, 58, a shop owner at the thoroughfare, told Xinhua that he was happy when the war broke out and toppled Hussein, who led his country into three wars and 13 years of severe UN sanctions that destroyed Iraq's economy and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis.
"Fifteen years ago, I used to say let's have a new beginning after Saddam Hussein fell down. But now it is only the start of my people's misery," Yousif said.
"We have suffered under Saddam, but the suffering after the war was much larger. The Americans brought corrupt politicians and empowered sectarian and ethnic parties that yield bloody sectarian strife," Yousif said.
"The Americans and those who came with them are much worse than Saddam," Yousif said.
In 2003, acting upon false intelligence and the preemptive strike doctrine, the U.S.-led Operation Iraqi Freedom, a war fought to topple Hussein's government broke out, marking the beginning of the U.S. military deployment in the country.
After seven years and five months, Washington withdrew its troops, leaving the country to suffer worsening poverty, political rivalry, religious conflicts and terrorist attacks.
At an ice cream shop, a group of teenage girls were sitting at a table giggling and chatting. One of them, Maha Hassan, wished that the invasion had never occurred.
"Was it the only way to change Saddam Hussien's regime? Did we have to pay such a high price of deaths and misery?" she asked, referring to thousands of Iraqi families who had lost one or more of their beloved sons, killed either by the U.S. forces or by the subsequent chaos and sectarian strife.
"Nothing will ever justify the costs that we paid during the past 15 years," said the girl who lost her 12-year brother in a car bombing in 2010.
Maher Abbas, a 47-year-old lawyer who was jostling with his family on the sidewalk of the thoroughfare, said that those Iraqis who had celebrated the occupation are now disappointed after they realized that what they had thought to be hope was only illusion and that the Americans' promises were only a deception.
"The idea was tempting: to replace dictatorship, tyranny and tragedies of UN sanctions with prosperity, freedom and democracy. But the question is who would make the dream come true?" Abbas wondered.
"Today, 15 years on from the invasion the situation is not what those celebrants hoped and expected, as they realize that foreigners don't care the fate of our country, except to the extent that serves their interests and achieves their goals," Abbas answered.
Mazin Mohammed, a 43-year-old teacher, told Xinhua that "the real losers after all these years appeared to be the poor people of Iraq, who suffer from mass killings, terrorism, poverty, unemployment and corruption, while the country's wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few people who supported the occupation."
Ass'ad Abdullah, a 33-year-old engineer who was spending time with his friend at the thoroughfare, told Xinhua that after 15 years of devastation and bloodshed, Iraq has only got "a failed state with a false democracy," but he still thought that there is hope for a better future after the defeat of Islamic State (IS) militant group.
"We need to unite our people as we did, when all Iraqis -- Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Muslims and non-Muslims -- together fought back Daesh (IS group) and defeated them," he said.
"I can say that there could be hope for a new beginning to build our country if we together fight the corrupt people whether by elections or by massive demonstrations," Abdullah added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 12:09:24|Editor: Liangyu
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China will open even wider to the rest of the world, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday, stressing opening up is a two-way movement.
Chinese economy is so integrated into the global economy that closing the doors would only block China's own way, he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session.
Li said China still has much room for further opening up its market and will lower overall tariffs on imports. Tariffs on popular consumer goods, including drugs, will be slashed, while the much-needed anti-cancer drugs might phase in zero tariffs.
Despite a deficit in service trade, China will increase efforts in relaxing control over market access to the service sector, including old-age care, medical care, education and financial services, according to him.
China will gradually relax and even scrap foreign-owned equity limits in some sectors and shorten the negative list for foreign investment, Li added.
No compulsory technology transfers will be imposed on foreign investment in the general manufacturing sector and intellectual property rights will be protected, he said.
"We aim to make the vast Chinese market a fair place for both domestic and overseas firms with all kinds of ownerships to compete to offer more options for about 1.3 billion Chinese consumers, expediting upgrading of Chinese products and services," Li said.
Li said China's opening-up is a gradual process and should be perceived in a long-term and holistic view, as some seemingly minor reform steps might produce impressive dividends later, citing China's booming overseas tourism market thanks to streamlined private visa application procedures.
"Like rowing a boat, opening up is a two-way movement entailing mutual efforts," Li added.
HAVANA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Cuba will continue to expand Internet access despite Washington's new "political program" aimed at carrying out "subversive activities" in the country, the minister of communication said on Monday.
At the inauguration of the 12th International Conference and Fair here, Maimir Mesa highlighted that the Cuban government would "continue to develop the use of information and communication technologies."
"It is ironic that the U.S. government has established a task force with the supposed objective of helping the Cuban people enjoy new technologies," he said.
U.S. State of Department created a Cuba Internet Task Force in January, claiming to examine "technological challenges and opportunities to expand Internet access in Cuba and help the Cuban people enjoy a free and unregulated information flow."
Havana sees the task force as an attempt to violate its sovereignty and seek "political subversion" in the Carribean country.
During the past several years, Cuba has launched a group of programs to improve Internet service and speed up its digital network so as to promote connectivity across the country, the minister said.
Cuba had registered a significant jump in terms of the number of Internet users in 2017, with over 4 million Cubans, or about 40 percent of the population, having access to the Internet, according to official figures.
by Matthew Rusling
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Despite the fanfare around the upcoming U.S. summit with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), some U.S. experts have minimal expectations for the event.
After much heightened rhetoric between U.S. President Donald Trump and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, the two sides have agreed to hold a one-on-one meeting in the coming months, as Washington is pressing Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program, and has turned up the heat on the regime.
"We should have minimal expectations for this initial summit between Kim Jong Un and President Trump," Troy Stangarone, senior director with the Washington-based Korea Economic Institute, told Xinhua.
Rather, the one-on-one meeting -- the first time a sitting U.S. president has ever met with one of the Kim family -- may start off small and there are no guarantees that promises will be kept, analysts said.
"An ideal outcome would be if the two leaders were to agree on a set of principles or a framework that could be fleshed out in working level discussions that the two leaders could later endorse. If they are successful in reaching an agreement on principals, I'd expect there to be a series of interlocking summit meetings between the players in the region and at least one more Trump-Kim summit before final agreement is reached," Stangarone said.
In an initial summit, Trump will press Kim to commit to denuclearization and attempt to use flattery to bring Kim around to his point of view, Stangarone said, adding that the United States will also likely push for limits on DPRK missile programs.
"If the summit is in Pyongyang, I would expect Kim Jong Un to put on a lavish military parade and perhaps a running of the mass games to appeal to President Trump and put him in as persuadable mood as possible," Stangarone said.
As for Kim, his objectives for any meeting will be multifaceted, he said.
He'll be looking to ensure that the process moves forward so as to minimize the pressure on the regime going forward, Stangarone added.
At the same time, he'll be looking to ensure that any framework leaves him with room to maneuver and create an environment to be able to maintain his nuclear program, he added.
The DPRK may be willing to release prisoners and compromise on some issues, but is not likely to stop its nuclear program or agree to meaningful inspections, Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.
"Having the nuclear program has been part of the country's DNA for several decades and it seems unlikely they will sacrifice their major bargaining chip," West said.
Some analysts also ponder what may happen if Pyongyang ultimately fails to halt its nukes program, as Trump now has a hardline inner circle.
With Trump's recent sacking of several key administration officials, including former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, experts are asking whether this will result in a more hawkish U.S. foreign policy.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 13:04:34|Editor: Liangyu
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said the Chinese are people with great spirit of struggle.
"Our pursuit of progress has never paused," Xi said at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.
The Chinese people have been aware since ancient times that "we cannot sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others' work and happiness can only be achieved through great endeavor," he said.
NEW DELHI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Train services have been severely affected in India's Mumbai on Tuesday as thousands of job aspirants blocked railway tracks demanding immediate placement.
Media reports said that as many as 60 local trains were cancelled in Mumbai following the protest, thus affecting the commute of over 2 million people.
Local trains are the lifeline of India's financial capital.
The protesters blocked the tracks during the morning rush hour, claiming that they have already cleared the railway apprentice exams but are yet to be given jobs by the Indian Railways.
However, Indian Railways officials say that apprentices have to undergo mandatory training for a specified period before they are offered jobs as per rules.
The state-owned Indian Railways last month announced that it would recruit nearly 90,000 new employees, days after deciding to sack in one go some 13,000 staffers on "unauthorized" leave.
The Indian Railways is one of the world's largest train networks, criss-crossing the country from north to south. It operates 9,000 trains and carries nearly 23 million passengers daily.
The vast public enterprise runs schools, hospitals. It also has its own police force and has 1.3 million people on its payroll, making it the seventh biggest employer in the world.
However, much of the colonial-era rail infrastructure is out of date. In 2015, the Indian government pledged 137 billion U.S. dollars over five years to modernise the railways.
CANBERRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Temperature in northern Australia is tipped to soar over the next 12 years, with Darwin expected to receive 132 days of 35-centigrade-plus heat by 2030, up from the current figure of 22 days.
And by 2070, the Northern Territory capital could swelter in temperatures above 35 centigrade for 275 days a year, a 1,250 percent increase on the current figure.
The warning is delivered from an Australian Institute report, based on data from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and the Bureau of Meteorology, released on Tuesday.
It says Darwin residents and NT industries are facing a dramatic increase in the number of days where heat stress reaches "extremely dangerous" levels.
Mark Ogge, principal advisor at The Australia Institute and co-author of the report, told Xinhua News on Tuesday that the projected heat would have a "devastating effect" upon tourism and residents' liveability.
"You won't be able to spend time outdoors enjoying the territory and lifestyle will be severely constrained," he said.
"Elderly people and small children the most impacted, but a temperature increase like this impact everybody. It can cause death even among healthy people.
"The temperatures will slash productivity in the construction industry and could have really serious health impacts upon workers."
The number of days over 35 centigrade between 1911 and 1940 was recorded at 5.6 a year, which has increased to an average of 22.2 days since 2013.
Without climate change action, the report suggests the Darwin community and it key industries face a major struggle, and humidity will add to the risk.
"When combined with Darwin's humidity, many days of the year will have extremely dangerous heat stress risk," said report co-author, Liz Hanna.
"If this happens, the risk of death is possible after a short period of exposure at rest, and particularly in combination with even relatively low levels of physical exertion."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 13:49:42|Editor: Yurou
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RIO DE JANEIRO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer announced on Monday that the government will allocate between 600 and 800 million reals (182 million to 243 million U.S. dollars) to finance federal intervention in Rio de Janeiro state's public security sector.
The Brazilian government has decided to put Rio de Janeiro state under a public security federal intervention, which means the federal government takes over the entire public security sector, which is usually in charge of the state administration.
According to Army General Walter Braga Netto, the total amount needed to carry out the intervention is 3.1 billion reals (945 million dollars), almost four times the amount the federal administration is willing to grant.
The shortage of resources and planning for the intervention is a big source of criticism from the opposition. Congressman Alessandro Molon called the intervention an improvised move.
Rio has been facing problems in the public security sector for the past few years. The security situation in the state continues to be precarious. The police are short-staffed and suffer from chronic corruption.
In 2017, 134 policemen were killed in the state, and 14 were killed by mid-February in 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 13:54:43|Editor: Liangyu
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said China's development does not pose a threat to any other country.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion," he said at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress. "Only those who are accustomed to threatening others see everyone as a threat."
"The Chinese people's sincere wish and practical action to contribute to the peace and development of humanity should not be misinterpreted, nor should they be distorted," Xi said. "Justice will prevail!"
Xi said China will stay on the path of peaceful development, and continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up.
Xi said China endeavors to uphold international fairness and justice. China advocates that all issues in the world should be settled through consultations with people around the world.
China will not impose its will on others, Xi added.
He said China will contribute more Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions and Chinese strength to the world, to push for building an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.
"Let the sunshine of a community with a shared future for humanity illuminate the world!" Xi said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 14:04:46|Editor: Liangyu
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SAN FRANCISCO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. leading audio technology company Dolby laboratories (Dolby Labs) Monday announced that it has formed a global, strategic intellectual property (IP) partnership with a Chinese smartphone manufacturer.
Dolby Labs said in a statement that it welcomes the Chinese smartphone company, Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., to the community of its global partners.
"OPPO, a leader in global consumer electronics, is well-known for its smartphones incorporating innovative technologies," said Andy Sherman, executive vice president and corporate secretary of Dolby Labs, a famous American company specializing in audio noise reduction and audio encoding and compression.
The partnership between the two firms will encompass Dolby's High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding and JPEG-HDR technologies.
Dolby Labs said its agreement to share its IP-based audio-visual technology with OPPO will help the Chinese smartphone firm establish a transformational technology ecosystem.
Adler Feng, director of OPPO IP Department, hailed OPPO's cooperation with the San Francisco-based U.S. company, saying it will enable OPPO to create more remarkable smartphones with exciting technological innovations and spectacular user experiences.
Since its establishment in 2001, OPPO, one of the world's leading smartphone manufacturers headquartered in Shenzhen, southern China, has been famous for its smartphone cameras with mobile photography technology, which enjoyed huge popularity among young people around the world.
An International Data Corporation report showed that OPPO was ranked as the No. 4 smartphone brand worldwide in 2016.
SYDNEY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government plans to work out a new visa program this year which will make it easier for companies to attract highly skilled tech workers.
In Australia, access to talent for startups is probably the single biggest factor in helping them grow, StartupAus chief executive Alex McCauley said to Xinhua on Tuesday.
This new arrangement will mean companies will be able to move much more quickly in order to lure the best talent from around the world.
On offer for positions over 180,000 Australian dollars (139,000 U.S. dollars) per year, the new scheme will undertake a two-month consultation period with industry before a one year trial begins on July 1.
Unlike the previous 457 visa system which blocked the pathway to permanent residency in most cases, the new process will give migrants the opportunity to become an Australian permanent resident in just three years.
These kind of employees are coming from anywhere the talent is, McCauley said.
The traditional business linkages that Australia has had in the past have meant that companies look first to the U.S. and the U.K. (Britain) but that has been rapidly changing over the past five to 10 years.
Now young companies here will absolutely be looking to China for really high quality business and technical talents.
While the visas are only available for trusted companies with a turnover of 4 million Australian dollars (3.1 million U.S. dollars) in areas like biomedicine and agriculture technology, the government will allow exceptions for operators in the startup space.
Typically when the Australian government is talking about trusted companies, they mean companies that have been around for a long time and have a lot of revenue with a good visa track record, McCauley said.
But the problem is that obviously startups cant qualify for that sort of program.
With efforts made by the business community and advocacy groups like StartupAus, the Australian government responded to the feedback and made the decision to create a startup stream visa which will be authorised through an industry body.
Although there have been some concerns, the new scheme may cost Aussie jobs, McCauley believed the improved visa program would actually play a vital role in creating more jobs for Australian workers by helping businesses expand.
These positions that startups are looking to hire for these visa arrangements are super high skilled jobs that are in global demand, that means the Australians who have these skills will almost certainly already have jobs either here or elsewhere.
Of the 1,079 cases of infectious intestinal sickness registered in Armenia during the first six months of 2017, 333 occurred in Yerevan.
According to data Hetq received from the Ministry of Health, 50-60% of infectious intestinal cases in 2016-2017 and January of this year were food-related. The main culprit is coming into contact with sick animals or consuming tainted dairy products.
Intestinal Ailments on the Rise in Armenia
According to a report on the matter, intestinal ailments intensify in the summer, when the temperatures rise.
Some of the most common ailments are salmonellosis, brucellosis, shigellosis and tularemia.
In September 2017, 25 cases of shigellosis were reported.
And intestinal ailments are on the rise in Armenia. Between January and May 2017, 143 cases on intestinal ailments were registered, up from 104 in the same period in 2016.
Most 2017 intestinal sickness cases occurred in the provinces of Syunik, Kotayk and Armavir. Tavoush and Shirak registered the fewest.
No deaths from infectious intestinal diseases or consuming contaminated food were registered in Armenia for the past two years.
Rise in Brucellosis
Brucellosis in humans occurs when a person comes into contact with an animal or animal product infected with the Brucella bacteria. General symptoms of brucellosis are often vague and similar to the flu. They may include: Fever (the most common symptom, with high "spikes" that usually occur in the afternoon), back pain, body-wide aches and pains, poor appetite and weight loss, headache, night sweats and weakness.
Three Outbreaks in One Month
Armenia experienced three outbreaks of infectious intestinal diseases in September 2017.
At P.S. 3 in Goris, 48 pupils were diagnosed with shigellosis (severe diarrhea/dysentery) and 37 were hospitalized. The cause was found to be contaminated school food.
Twelves residents contracted a variety of intestinal ailments in the Aragatzotn community of Sasounik. All were hospitalized.
Contaminated water caused 37 cases of intestinal infection in the Lori community of Metzavan. Fourteen residents were hospitalized.
74 Children Contract Intestinal Infections from School Food
From January 2016-January 2018, three cases of contaminated school food resulted in 74 children getting sick in Armenia. These occurred in a Hrazdan kindergarten, and schools in Goris and Tchotchkan.
Armenias Food Safety Service registered 179 sanitary code violations in the countrys kindergartens between 2013 and 2017. Only three occurred in Yerevan. Ararat Province topped the list at 33.
Consequences of Long-Term Consumption of Unsafe Food
Days before his March 3 death, due to a heart attack, Armenias Chief Infectious Diseases Physician Ara Asoyan, sounded the alarm about consuming foods that dont meet health standards.
Long-term consumption of foods than contain trace amounts of antibiotics can negatively impact ones health, and can also trigger allergic and anaphylactic shock, and depress the intestines microflora, leading to microflora disorders and fungal infections.
The Ministry of Health told Hetq that it constantly takes steps to prevent the spread of intestinal ailments.
Source: Xinhuanet| 2018-03-20 14:59:29|Editor: Jiaxin
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Turkish Ambassador to China Abdulkadir Emin Onen accepts Xinhuanet's interview on March 13, 2018. (Xinhuanet)
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Air pollution in China is reducing quickly, said Turkish Ambassador to China Abdulkadir Emin Onen.
During a recent interview with Xinhuanet, the ambassador said the environment is improving rapidly, with impressively bright, blue sky in Beijing.
According to a research done by the University of Chicago, concentrations of fine particulates in Chinese cities have decreased by an average rate of 32 percent since 2014.
As I observed, China has made enormous progress during the past 40 years. While economic development is going on, China has also made big steps in terms of social policy and environmental protection, he said.
The ambassador hailed Chinas great efforts in protecting the environment as a responsible member of the United Nations, especially in terms of fulfilling its obligations.
Further explaining his view on Chinas role in the world, the ambassador highlighted President Xis vision of building a community with shared future for mankind, saying that it has become an important concept for international affairs.
He believed that within the framework of the vision, Chinas reforms and opening process would contribute to prosperity, peace and stability all around the globe.
He also talked about cooperation between China and Turkey under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The initiative has converging aspects with longstanding efforts to revitalize the ancient Silk Road, which Turkey was a part of, he said.
He cited Turkeys Middle Corridor plan, an important project in line with Chinas initiative.
The Middle Corridor connects Georgia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and China, and will create a modern road from Europe to China, he said.
In his view, the Belt and Road Initiative cements ties among many countries on the basis of joint infrastructure projects, policy coordination, as well as people-to-people interactions.
He extended warm welcome to Chinese tourists.
Turkey is one of the most exciting and positively surprising destinations in the world. It is not only a country of the sun, beaches and seas; it also offers unique culture and historical heritage, said the ambassador.
This year is Turkey Tourism Year in China, and Turkish tourism players have a goal of hosting 1 million Chinese travelers, he said.
MOSCOW, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Russian army will soon adopt the latest version of BMPT-72 tank support fighting vehicle, also known as Terminator 2, local news reported Tuesday.
"The principal decision on the adoption of the Terminator has been made. The signing of relevant documents is expected soon," Sputnik news agency quoted a source in the Russian defense industry as saying.
Terminator 2, invented to protect tanks from rocket attacks in an urban environment and fitted with a guided missile weapon system, can destroy enemy tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other armored objects.
The new vehicle was spotted at the Russian-run Hmeimim air base in northwestern Syria last year, and is believed to have been first deployed in the Syrian campaign against the Islamic State terrorist group, Sputnik said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 14:59:53|Editor: Yurou
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CARACAS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The vice president of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela slammed on Monday U.S. President Donald Trump for signing a decree prohibiting Americans from using Venezuela's newly introduced cryptocurrency, the Petro.
In a statement reported by local media, Diosdado Cabello said that Trump was "wrong" when he announced possible further sanctions against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"Today, the emperor Trump has announced measures that will not be easy to execute, but imperialism is seeking to sow fear, to scare the free peoples of the world," he added.
Cabello expressed his "profound indignation and rejection at the decision of the North American imperialism, which is intended to submit Venezuela to more blockades, and our people to more sanctions and to more aggressions."
Trump signed an executive order Monday, forbidding any American company or person from carrying out transactions in the Petro.
Backed by the country's oil reserves, Venezuela launched the Petro cryptocurrency last month, and has since seen 5 billion U.S. dollars in buying intentions, according to the government.
NEW DELHI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The 39 Indians who had been "missing" in Iraq's Mosul area for over three years, were killed by ISIS and dumped in a mass grave, announced Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday in parliament.
The bodily remains were identified with the help of DNA samples of their family members. Amongst the 39 Indians missing, 31 belonged to the northern state of Punjab, four to Himachal Pradesh in north, and the rest belonged to the states of Bihar and West Bengal, both eastern states.
Thanking the Iraqi government, Sushma said that the dead bodies were discovered with the help of a deep penetration radar, and thereafter they were exhumed and their DNA samples were matched with those of their respective family members.
"All the DNA have fully matched, except one whose only 70 percent DNA samples could be matched with those of his relatives as his parents are not alive," added the minister while making the announcement in the parliament upper house Rajya Sabha.
She also thanked the "Martyrs Foundation" which, according to her, carried out the difficult task of matching the DNA samples.
Junior External Affairs Minister V.K. Singh will take a special flight to Iraq and bring back the remains of all the 39 dead. Thereafter, the remains would be handed over to their respective family members, said Sushma.
The Indians had gone to Iraq to work as labourers. In 2014, as many as 40 Indians were abducted by ISIS and kept hostages for a couple of days, before allegedly being shot dead. Harjit Masih, one of the hostages, claimed to be present on the spot when all were shot dead, and managed to escape after being shot in the leg.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 16:05:34|Editor: Yurou
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A girl eats in a shelter for displaced people in the town of Herjalleh, the countryside of the capital Damascus, on March 19, 2018. Thousands of people have been relocated to government-run shelters in the countryside of Damascus, fleeing the battles in rebel-held areas in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
Source: Xinhuanet| 2018-03-20 15:50:04|Editor: ZD
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Lao Ambassador to China Vandy Bouthasavong (Photo provided by Lao Embassy)
by Liu Dan
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhuanet) -- China's progress in poverty alleviation is a major achievement in the history of humankind, said Lao Ambassador to China Vandy Bouthasavong.
The ambassador hailed the significance of China's anti-poverty success in a recent interview with Xinhuanet.
Over the past five years, China has been making huge efforts in fighting against poverty and further improving people's living standards, she said.
The poverty rate decreased from 10.2 percent to 3.1 percent in past five years, which is a major achievement in the history of humankind, the ambassador said.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up.
In the past four decades, great and profound changes have taken place and the country has become the second largest economy in the world, she said.
During this period, China's economic achievement has played an important role for global economy's stability, she said.
And China has contributed to over 30 percent of world economy growth, she added.
Looking into China's future development, the ambassador pointed to the 6.5 percent growth target set in this year's government work report.
"I am confident that China will attain this goal and I believe this will provide great encouragement and valuable experience for Laos," said she.
China's economic plan and efforts to develop an open economy will benefit the trade between China and Laos, which will promote the economic development in Laos, she said.
It will also help to promote people-to-people exchanges and bring new opportunities for people in these two countries, she added.
Speaking of the cooperation between China and Laos, she highlighted the important role of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The initiative promotes not only the trade and financial connectivity, but also policy, infrastructure and people-to-people connectivity between these two countries, she said.
It helps to cut transportation costs, create more jobs, and further attract foreign investment, enabling Laos and other countries along the Belt and Road to enjoy the shared benefits, she added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 15:35:03|Editor: Mengjie
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The election of China's new leadership is conducive to the country's development goals and will benefit the entire world, experts have said.
On Saturday, Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president by a unanimous vote at the annual session of the country's top legislative body.
Andrey V. Vinogradov, a research fellow at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the election of China's new leadership is conducive to its long-term stability and development and will promote China's efforts to establish a new type of international relations. The election will further promote China's proposal of building a community with a shared future for humankind.
Russia-China relations are at the best in history, he said, adding that he believes China's new leadership will continue to promote the healthy development of bilateral ties.
Pierre Picquart, an expert on China at the University of Paris VIII, said China is in need of a stable, united and strong leadership to lead the country toward achieving its national goals.
The new leadership will lead the Chinese people to build a better China and work with other countries to bring stability to the world, he added.
Gai Lin, secretary-general of the EU-China Friendship Group of the European Parliament, said the election of China's new leadership guarantees the country will build a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
It will also lay a solid foundation to build China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, said Gai.
Shahid Javed Burki, chairman of the Institute of Public Policy in Pakistan, said the world needs visionary politicians like Xi, who brings stability to the world.
Medhat Emam, editor-in-chief of China Weekly, an Egyptian newspaper, said China has witnessed extraordinary economic, social and political achievements at home over the past five years.
Cuban sinologist Jose Luis Robaina said Xi's leadership is fundamental for China to create a socialism based on Chinese characteristics.
A socialist, strong, united and stable China "benefits everybody because it contributes to strengthening a multi-polar world," said Robaina.
Kostas Guoliamos, rector of European University Cyprus, said China's efforts to expand innovation, combat corruption and eliminate poverty have provided the world with alternative choices to solving problems.
Guoliamos said he believes China has a bright future under the new leadership and is on course to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
(Xinhua reporters Luan Hai in Moscow, Han Bing, Ying Qiang in Paris, Zhou Jun in Brussels, Liu Tian in Islamabad, Zheng Siyuan in Cairo, Zhang Zhang in Nicosia also contributed to the story.)
SEOUL, March 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's art troupe will visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in late March to do two performances in Pyongyang in early April, Seoul's unification ministry said Tuesday.
South Korea will send the art troupe, composed of 160 members, to the DPRK on March 31 to hold two concerts in Pyongyang during their stay through April 3, the ministry said in a statement.
The announcement came after South Korea and the DPRK held a working-level contact for the Pyongyang performance earlier Tuesday at Tongilgak, a DPRK building in the truce village of Panmunjom.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 15:55:10|Editor: Mengjie
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that he will consider paying an official visit to Japan while attending the China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting in the first half of this year.
"There have been signs of improving relations and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has invited me to visit Japan on several occasions," Li told the press following the conclusion of the annual session of China's top legislature.
"We may now have a spring in China-Japan relations, but we also need to watch out for any possible return of chills," Li added.
China expects Japan to contribute more to the sustained and steady development of bilateral relations, according to the premier.
"The improvement of bilateral relations requires not just the right atmosphere. It also calls for commitment and vision," he said.
Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Li called on both sides to honor the spirit and consensus of all the four bilateral political agreements.
The premier added that, while the exchange of visits at the leadership level helps to get the relationship back on track, consolidating the foundation for bilateral relations matters more.
"We should not aim at making any one-time deal," he said.
MOSCOW, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Russian presidential election on Sunday was "legitimate, transparent and fair," Zhang Deguang, the head of the five Chinese observers who monitored the election, told Xinhua on Monday.
"The election process was smooth and calm. We found no violations of law or regulations," said Zhang, who was Chinese deputy foreign minister and ambassador to Russia.
Acting on earlier invitation of the Russian side, the Chinese observers met representatives from Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC) and Foreign Ministry to hear about preparations for the election.
On March 18, the Chinese observers visited seven electoral districts in Moscow, monitored the whole process of voting and talked with Russian voters.
"We think Russian society is stable. The election was held in an orderly fashion. Russian voters showed enthusiasm to participate and most of them have confidence in the future," Zhang said.
Incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected by garnering more than 76 percent of ballots. He is expected to lead Russia through 2024.
A total of 1,513 observers from 115 countries monitored the Russian election, according to the CEC.
Referring to an interview Serzh Sargsyan gave to Tert.am yesterday in which the outgoing Armenian president didnt rule out becoming the countrys next prime minister, Yelk Alliance leader Nikol Pashinyan declared in parliament that, I believe that Sargsyan wants to create a new form of government in Armenia and that it should be called a government of lies.
Pashinyan made the statement during a parliamentary hearing on the candidacy of Hrayr Tovmasyan as the next president of Armenias Constitutional Court.
In the interview, Sargsyan said that while hes not interested in becoming prime minister, he feels that he has a certain responsibility to see that Armenia efficiently transfers to a parliamentary system.
Today, on the foreign affairs front, we have positive results that serve as a basis for security. We have reached a level of domestic stability that has already paved the way for positive economic trends. But we cannot overlook the threats that have, sadly, only increased during the process of constitutional change, Sargsyan said.
He then listed the April 2016 war in Artsakh and the July 2016 Sasna Dzrer incident as some of these challenges.
Sargsyan said that if his party (Republican Party of Armenia) saw fit to nominated him for the post of prime minister, he would accept, with one caveat.
Parallel with carrying out my constitutional duties, I will devote more time to passing on my experiences, both visible and invisible, regarding what the country has gone through to the young political leaders. This is an issue of vital importance. We all have work to do in molding new political leaders, regardless of their party affiliations, regardless of current political positions.
Pashinyan argued that Armenias current government is based on lies since officials heap praises on the countrys soldiers but cant even provide them with proper hygienic utensils.
From morning to night, this government drinks toasts to the soldiers. But the same government, in popular parlance, places the burden of providing soldiers with shirts and underwear on the families. If they the parents cant send these items, the soldiers go without undergarments. The day will soon come when parents will have to purchase guns, tank chains, and even missile fuel as well.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 16:30:17|Editor: pengying
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NANCHANG, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The annual fishing ban on the Poyang Lake, China's biggest freshwater lake, started Tuesday.
Scores of fishing boats were docked in the bay area near Hongwei Village of Nanchang City, in east China's Jiangxi Province, as the fishing ban began at Tuesday noon. Any form of fishing is strictly banned from March 20 to June 20.
The Poyang Lake has rich water and fishing resources, but natural reasons and rampant fishing have caused the resources to decrease significantly. Starting in 2002, the fishing ban was put in place each spring.
"The fishing ban effectively protects fishery resources on the Poyang Lake and contributes to sustainable development and biodiversity there," said Shu Chang, head of the fishery bureau of the Poyang Lake.
Authorities said they would patrol frequently to weed out any illegal activity.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 16:40:20|Editor: Mengjie
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday China is capable of forestalling systemic financial risks in response to concerns about tightened regulation over financial markets.
"The fundamentals of the Chinese economy are sound and the financial sector is stable," Li said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's national legislature.
The capital adequacy and provision coverage ratios of Chinese banks are higher than international standards, Li said, adding that China's huge deposit reserves in the banking system will also help cushion risks.
Prevention of financial risks is key for China in what policy makers called the three tough battles, namely defusing major risks, reducing poverty and tackling pollution.
The country is moving swiftly and decisively to curb financial risks and crack down on market violations. The insurance regulator in February announced a decision to take over Anbang Insurance Group for a year after the company was found involved into illegal business practices that may seriously threaten its solvency.
"Such moves...aim to prevent the risks from spreading. We will continue to resolutely deal with similar risk points in the future," Li said.
National lawmakers have approved the merger of the country's banking and insurance regulators as part of a massive institutional restructuring scheme, which, Li said, will prevent the occurrence of regulation evasion.
The government has lowered the fiscal deficit target by 0.4 percentage points to 2.6 percent of GDP for 2018. "We brought down the target on our own initiative as the economy steadied and fiscal incomes surpassed expectations," Li said, signaling more cuts in the future.
But the reduction does not mean a change in China's proactive fiscal policy, he added.
Li said he is confident that China will fulfill main economic and social development goals this year. China's GDP growth target was set at around 6.5 percent for 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 16:55:22|Editor: Mengjie
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China will soon unveil and implement a plan for building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to promote regional development, Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao area can be built into a world-class Greater Bay Area because each of the three areas can complement each other with their own unique strength, Li told a press conference following the conclusion of the annual legislative session.
The plan is being formulated and will be made public soon for implementation, according to Li.
The premier said the plan would gradually enable residents in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to enjoy equal access to housing, education and transportation once they live and work in the mainland, especially in Guangdong Province.
While encouraging Hong Kong and Macao to integrate their development plans with that of the mainland, the central government will continue to uphold the principles of "one country, two systems," and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and "Macao people administering Macao" with a high degree of autonomy, he noted.
by Peter Mertz, and Xinhua writers Guo Shuang, Zhou Zhou
DENVER, the United States, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Heated recently online has been the debate on whether self-driving cars are safe enough and who is to blame for the death on Monday of the woman hit by a self-driving Volvo SUV from the ride-hailing giant Uber traveling 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour.
Social media users expressed sadness and regret for the death of 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, who was pushing her bicycle across the street in Tempe City in the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona when she was hit by the Uber self-driving vehicle on Sunday.
Besides, reaction was strong and diverse across the United States especially in the west, where Arizona, California, and Utah had been vying to become the first American state to allow widespread use of self-driving cars by the end of 2018.
MATURER THAN HUMANS
The argument that cars driven by people cause thousands of deaths a year was one of many used by a majority of Americans who defended the fledgling self-driving car industry.
"The technology is already better than humans in many respects; it's never drunk, drugged, tired, had an argument, distracted, inattentive etc." noted Kate Carpenter of Britain's Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.
In 2016, 37,461 Americans were killed in 34,436 motor vehicle crashes, an average of 102 per day, U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data showed.
Tempe, Arizona police reported that the deceased was not walking within the "crosswalk" area -- which experts say was defined by the car's software as the place to stop -- when she was hit.
Timothy Lee who blogs on future transportation from Washington D.C., addressed the legal implications of the vehicle being the cause of death.
"The pedestrian is required to yield, and can be fined for J-walking, but a collision is ALWAYS the driver's fault," Lee wrote.
"This is done this way legally to make sure the mandatory car insurance the driver has covers the accident as the pedestrians have no mandatory insurance," he wrote.
MORE DETAILS NEEDED
Voices of concern on social media noted that forthcoming details of the tragedy will reveal every possible angle and explanation for what transpired.
"This will probably be the most well-documented and studied car-on-pedestrian crash in history," "Ignatius 345" wrote on MacRumors forum.
"It's important to remember that the car probably recorded this accident in extreme detail and we'll know exactly what happened soon enough," wrote Nela K on ArsTechnica, a tech news and analysis website.
From across the Atlantic Ocean in England, industry experts voiced dismay but hoped that self-driving car progress and adaptation will not be slowed.
"It is very unfortunate that a fatality has arisen," University of York professor John McDermid said, "but it serves to draw attention to the need for widely accepted approaches to assessing the safety of autonomous systems."
Like most, the York computer science professor defended the industry by saying safety questions can be answered in "a supportive way that enables the benefits to be realized, rather than blocking advancement of the technology."
By and large most interested parties asked "questions that must be answered in this case," as declared by engineering chance professor Duc Pham of the University of Birmingham.
Dr. Pham cited vehicle speed, brake functions, weather and road conditions, control systems and the existing straight-line path trajectory as variables that needed further analysis.
STILL EVOLVING
Still, most bloggers were looking for solutions and not to point blame for the terrible event -- the first time a person was killed by a self-driving car, the New York Times reported.
"Still evolving!" McDermid said, "One of the problems is that we do not have good frameworks for assessing safety of such systems, especially where they are learning.
"The car should take avoiding action. In principle the car should always be monitoring pedestrian behavior (even trying to predict it) so it can avoid the accident," he said.
"Lessons need to be learned so similar tragedies are avoided in future," said Matthew Channon, an expert on legal issues connected to driverless vehicles at the University of Exeter Law School.
"Those vehicles being tested are designed to act cautiously if anything is in their vicinity," Dr. Channon said.
"This is very sad," he added.
"Clearly, however, autonomous vehicles are still a work in progress and more research and development is needed to ensure they are safe for all road users in the future," Pham cautioned.
NEW DELHI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- India's eminent Hindi language poet Kedarnath Singh has died at the age of 84.
Singh passed away at the country's premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on Monday night after a prolonged illness, doctors said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sorrow on the demise of Singh, a recipient of the country's prestigious Jnanpith Award.
"Sensibilities of public life found the place in his poems. Singh's poem will always inspire the literary world and people in general," the prime minister said in a message.
Originally from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Singh rose to fame for his modern poems, many of which were translated in foreign languages including Spanish, German and Russian.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 17:30:28|Editor: Mengjie
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BANGKOK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A Thai driver and a Chinese tourist were killed and seven others injured in a road accident in southern Thailand on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Consulate-General in the southern Thai city Songkhla.
The Chinese female was killed at the spot while three other Chinese females and four Chinese males were injured after a van in which they were riding crashed with an 18-wheel trailer truck on a road in Takua Thung district of Phang Nga province, about 760 km south of Bangkok.
All of the injured are now being treated at a local hospital in Phang Nga while two of them, who suffered severe injuries, were transferred to another hospital in Phuket Tuesday afternoon, the Chinese Consulate-General said.
The consulate-general has sent representatives to visit the injured.
According to Thai media, the trailer truck was about to take a U-turn when the van rammed into the rear of the truck, the police said.
The Thai driver of the speeding van, who was pronounced dead at the hospital, had picked up the Chinese tourists from Phuket and was heading to a pier in the southern province where they would take a boat trip to Similan islands.
In the picture taken on March 19, 2018, business is slow at a grocery store in Aden, Yemen due to the recent sharp rise in food prices. (Xinhua/Murad Abdo)
ADEN, Yemen, March 20 (Xinhua) -- After three years of war and violence in Yemen, the recent soaring food prices are taking a further toll on the daily lives of many ordinary Yemeni families.
In the southern port city of Aden and five southern provinces controlled by the internationally-backed government, Yemenis have a relative sense of security despite sporadic terrorist attacks.
But on the economic side, the ordinary Yemeni families in the government-controlled provinces feel insecure, as the prices of basic needs soar month after month.
The skyrocketing food prices have forced a number of Yemeni families to practice food rationing by having only one meal per day.
The cost of several daily food items sharply increased during the past weeks, creating anger and fear among the residents.
"We are unable to afford the cost of sugar and rice imported from different countries particularly in this year," said Ahmed Gamal, an employee at the General Electronics Corporation in Aden.
"There are unknown reasons behind the incredible soaring prices of the food items in Aden these days," he added.
An owner of a supermarket told Xinhua that "the main reason behind the soaring prices is the higher costs in importing goods from foreign countries."
The owner said the suppliers raised their prices under the pretext of facing the depreciation and the continuing changes of the Yemeni currency.
He added that the suppliers of important commodities like rice and sugar are forced to buy U.S. dollars from the black market at higher exchange rate due to the recent foreign currency shortage in Yemen.
Some Yemenis blamed the Saudi-backed Yemeni government based in Aden for its weak supervision of the big merchants or importers to make sure that prices are decided according to the rules.
"Prices of food items are not similar in every store in the city and there is a huge difference between each one," said Saleh Saddam, a grocery owner in Aden's neighborhood of Mansourah.
"You can buy a sack of rice or flour at a specific price from this shop but you will find it with a different price elsewhere in the same neighborhood," he added.
Abdullah Ali, a marketing specialist based in Aden, told Xinhua that "the factors behind the price increase of basic commodities are all related to the recent political situation and the war taking place in the country."
"The economic situation of the country that is engulfed by a three-year of fighting is deteriorating day after day and it's normal that the prices of everything will be doubled," he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of commuters in Aden are complaining about the sharp rise of bus fares as a result of oil price hike in the city.
"Getting 20 liters of gasoline requires standing in a long queue in front of the gas station for about eight hours," said Hamdi Ridha, a bus driver in Aden.
"Sometimes we engage in quarrels with passengers who refuse to pay high fares and we feel helpless. We are all victims," the bus driver added.
An increasing number of students gave up going to high schools and others quitted universities because of high public transportation fares in Aden and neighboring provinces.
"Going to university campus and coming back to your home is a bit difficult nowadays," said Tamim Shmasan, a student at Aden's Faculty of Education.
"Some of my smart colleagues don't attend the lectures anymore because their families can't afford the bus fares. Other students left the faculty to search for work instead of studying," he said.
Yemen's government, allied with the Saudi Arabia-led Arab military coalition, has for about three years been battling the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels over control of the country.
The coalition began a military campaign with airstrikes in March 2015 to roll back Houthis' gains, in a bid to reinstate Yemen's exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government.
The coalition also imposed an air and sea blockade to prevent weapons from reaching Houthis, who seized the capital Sanaa and most of the northern Yemeni provinces.
UN statistics show more than 10,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since the coalition intervened in the Yemeni civil war that have also displaced around 3 million others.
COLOMBO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government will introduce a new Inland Revenue Act next month to strengthen the island's business climate and lure more investors into the country, state media reported Tuesday.
Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, quoted in the report, said the Act will create a level playing field for everyone to do business, moving away from the culture of preferential treatment.
"We are setting the platform and working continuously on promoting the business climate by enhancing tax payers' protection and providing greater certainty on tax affairs. Through last year's budget titled 'Enterprise Sri Lanka', our government showed steadfast commitment towards creating an investment friendly environment," Samaraweera said.
"Our aim is to create an environment of transparency, fairness and equity for every citizen and entrepreneur in the future," the minister added.
Samaraweera further made a fervent plea to all citizens to pay their taxes as the current number of individuals and firms registered for paying taxes remained at a surprisingly low level.
He said the government was in talks with the World Bank to widen the Social Safety Net to shield the poor and vulnerable from getting affected from the liberalization of the economy.
He said this new legislation carved a clear strategic direction about taxation in the country and the government is expected to increase the share of direct income tax against indirect taxes.
International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama last month said his department plans to attract 2.5 billion U.S. dollars of foreign direct investments in 2018 through foreign investment projects, especially to bring in new investors in sectors such as export-oriented manufacturing and services.
Samarawickrama said forex earnings will be increased by investing heavily on sectors such as IT, tourism, processed food and component manufacturing as recommended by the national export strategy.
BANGKOK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A Lao national was sentenced here on Tuesday to life imprisonment on charges of trafficking 1.2 million tablets of methaphetamine from Laos to Thailand.
Thailand's Criminal Court ruled the Lao male, identified as Xaysana Keopimpha, 42, guilty of trafficking the 1.2 million speed pills aboard a van from Laos to Nong Khai province in northeastern Thailand in September 2016.
Xaysana was arrested alongside several Thai drug trafficking suspects at varied spots in Thailand early last year.
The court eventually toned down the penalty for Xaysana from a death sentence to the life term in jail due to his confession to the drug trafficking charges during police investigation.
The Thais who had been charged as alleged accomplices to the Lao drug trafficker included some who had been arrested and others who have remained at large as yet, police said.
The smuggled methamphetamine had been allegedly destined for southern Thailand and somewhere in Malaysia, the police said.
YANGON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Indian authorities handed over the last batch of six diesel electric locomotives to Myanmar Railways, bringing the total to 18 delivered to Myanmar since the first batch in July 2017, Myanmar News Agency reported Tuesday.
The Indian YDM-4 diesel-electric locomotives, controlled by microprocessors, will be used on Yangon-Mandalay, Mandalay-Myitkyina and Yangon-Mawlamyine railways.
The locomotives are supplied by RITES, a public sector enterprise under the Indian Ministry of Railways and built by Diesel Locomotive Works, according to a statement release by the Indian Ministry of Railways.
Myanmar and India have been cooperating in the rail transportation sector since two decades ago and the project will help strengthen friendly border relations with India, the statement added.
Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on promoting economic cooperation was signed between the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and India-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce (IMCOC) earlier this month.
According to Myanmar's Commerce Ministry, bilateral trade between Myanmar and India reached 1.257 billion U.S. dollars as of January in the present fiscal year 2017-2018. Of the total, Myanmar's export to India took 547 million dollars, while its import from India accounted for 709 million U.S. dollars.
Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan today hosted outgoing Italian Ambassador to Armenia Giovanni Ricciulli.
Karapetyan thanked the ambassador for the work hes done to strengthen Italian-Armenian relations since arriving in Armenia in December 2013.
According to the Armenian governments press release, Ambassador Ricciulli thanked Karapetyan for his close cooperation on a variety of matters, stressing that positive trends tying the two countries on the business front have emerged of late.
Ricciulli is quoted as saying that the steps taken by the Armenian government to get Italian investors interested in Armenia are paying off.
TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a new record for the month in February, according to estimations from the Japan Tourism Agency on Tuesday.
According to the agency, 2,509,300 tourists visited Japan in the recording month, marking a 23.3 percent jump from a year earlier.
The agency noted that as the Chinese Lunar New Year this year began later than last, the number of inbound tourists from Asian countries leapt and helped boost the overall influx.
Visitors from China's mainland topped the chart with a jump of 40.7 percent from a year earlier to 716,400 tourists, while South Korea ranked second with visitor numbers reaching 708,300, which is 18.1 percent more than the previous year.
Travelers from China's Taiwan took the third spot with 400,900 visitors and those coming from Hong Kong totaled 178,500 in the recording month, the agency said and was quoted as saying that holiday makers from these parts choosing to travel to Japan in February were largely due to the Lunar New Year holidays.
The agency also noted that visits to Japan from Singapore and Malaysia in the recording month also posted significant upticks on year in February, with numbers jumping 33.2 percent and 32.4 percent, respectively.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 18:20:41|Editor: Lifang
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File photo taken on Nov. 20, 2016 shows former President Nicolas Sarkozy arriving to vote during the French right wing party "Les Republicains" Primaries as he is running for candidacy for the 2017 Presidential Election in Paris, France. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody for an investigation into his election campaign financing, local media reported on March 20, 2018, quoting a judiciary official source.(Xinhua/Hubert Lechat)
PARIS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody for an investigation into his election campaign financing, local media reported Tuesday quoting a judiciary official source.
Sarkozy appeared for the first time before financial magistrates in Nanterre commune, near Paris, as part of an inquiry into whether he took cash funding his victorious election bid in 2007 from Libya, Le Monde newspaper said.
A judicial inquiry was opened in as early as April 2013 into the suspected irregularities over the former president's campaign funding after investigative online journal Mediapart unveiled that Libya had offered money to finance his campaign.
In 2016, French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine revealed to Mediapart that he delivered three suitcases containing five million euros (6.17 million U.S. dollars) in cash, from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to Sarkozy, as well as to Sarkozy's former chief of staff and campaign director Claude Gueant between 2006 and 2007.
Takieddine said he had given a written deposition to judges on Nov. 12 2016, detailing the cash handovers and his meetings with them.
Sarkozy's custody could be heard over such affairs for 48 hours, and he risks to be convicted after the questioning, according to the report.
Sarkozy, 63, served as president of France from May 2007 until May 2012.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 18:40:45|Editor: Lifang
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DAMASCUS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) militants fully captured a southern Damascus' neighborhood on Tuesday after clashing with Syrian government troops, a monitor group reported.
IS militants took control of the al-Qadam neighborhood from the hands of Syrian army which earlier liberated the area from the rule by the rebel forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
At least 36 Syrian soldiers were killed in the battles with IS militants in the area, according to the report.
Earlier this month, the rebels who controlled al-Qadam withdrew to the rebel-held areas in northern Syria after refusing to surrender to the army.
While the rebels abandoned their positions in al-Qadam, the IS militants in the nearby areas of Hajar al-Aswad and Yarmouk Camp launched an offensive to oust the government troops from the area.
In eastern Syria, the Syrian army and allied fighters have launched a counter-offensive to retake the T2 oil pumping station in the countryside of Deir al-Zour province, just two days after the IS militants captured that facility.
Since late last year, IS militants have carried out several infiltrations and swift attacks in the countryside of Deir al-Zour and Damascus, the capital.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 18:45:45|Editor: Mengjie
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The first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) holds its closing meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- As the curtains closed on the annual two sessions Tuesday, China is setting sail in the "new era" with a detailed chart, steered by a remarkable helmsman and a competent team.
The first sessions of the 13th National People's Congress and the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference are the first high-profile national political events held since the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress last October, a landmark Party congress that revealed the roadmap for China's rejuvenation.
"It will be another Long March to materialize the blueprint," said newly-elected President Xi Jinping at the closing meeting of the annual legislative session, calling for greater efforts to make outstanding achievement in the new era.
The historic two sessions expedite the country's march to its rejuvenation. China not only conventionally unveiled specific targets and priorities for this year's development, but also set a new state leadership and government to realize its ambitions.
Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping, who was re-elected president unanimously, at the core, such pledges will be fulfilled to benefit China and the world.
The economic target is GDP growth of around 6.5 percent for 2018, unchanged statistically from last year but different in essence. Gone are the days when double-digit growth was the norm. China has made it clear that it intends to pursue high-quality development powered by greener and more sustainable engines such as consumption and services.
The projected GDP expansion rate will still be one of the fastest worldwide, lending new steam to the recovering global economy.
China rolled out a sweeping cabinet restructuring plan to cut bureaucracy and improve governance efficiency, introduced a nationwide supervisory commission network to toughen the fight on corruption, and most importantly, amended its fundamental law to enshrine "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" as the guiding principle for the country's rise.
These reforms will help China to achieve "socialist modernization" basically by 2035, and become a "great modern socialist country" by the middle of the century, a key goal in the Chinese Dream.
The world should rest assured that China's ambitions are not hegemonic.
"The Chinese people's sincere wish and practical action to contribute to the peace and development of humanity should not be misinterpreted, nor should they be distorted," Xi said.
China has no plans to dominate the world. Its rise might "alarm" certain countries, but it will be good news for the world at large. The country's success story offers other countries and regions new philosophies of growth and governance.
The year 2018 marks the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth as well as the 170th anniversary of the publication of the Communist Manifesto. This Western-originated philosophy has taken root in China and been adapted constantly to meet China's changing needs.
Whatever coinages are thrown at China's political and growth model, the effectiveness and efficiency of Socialism with Chinese characteristics cannot be denied.
It has helped hundreds of millions of Chinese people grow rich and the country become strong. "History has proven and will continue to prove that only socialism can save China and only by adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics will we realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said.
The world, especially the West, should be open-minded about China's formula for growth.
Cold War-era thinking is outdated and could only hinder the world's irresistible course into a new era. Being stuck with a zero-sum mentality risks plowing the globe into a "Thucydides Trap," a scenario without winners.
For the world, China's development is mutually beneficial in nature.
The country's burgeoning middle-income population, at around 400 million now, offer a growing consumer market for overseas firms. Increasingly affluent Chinese are ready to pay for high-quality products, services and unique experiences, fuelling imports and globe-trotting trips.
China has decided to completely open up its general manufacturing sector to overseas investors this year, while market access to sectors like telecommunications, medical services, education, elderly care and new energy vehicles will also be expanded.
The development of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will see more roads and railways built to accelerate cross-border exchanges on more fronts, consolidating a new platform for fresh sources of global economic growth and shared prosperity for other countries.
Even bolder steps are expected to be taken to open China's market wider this year as the country marks the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up drive, a "game-changing" move, as the government work report termed it, in making China what it is today.
China's rejuvenation might also be a game-changer when it comes to shaping a Western-dominated international community into a more balanced, stable and prosperous world.
The misleading "China threat" argument is losing ground in the new era. China must seize the day; the world must seize China's opportunities.
TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower for a third straight day as a selloff overnight on Wall Street of tech issues saw their domestic counterparts weigh on the market, while investors took a cautious stance ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 99.93 points, or 0.47 percent, from Monday to close the day at 21, 380.97.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 3.68 points, or 0.21 percent, to finish at 1,716.29.
Tokyo stocks dropped from the get-go tracking technology shares' losses on Wall Street overnight on concerns stiffer regulations will be applied to large technology companies, market strategists here said.
They explained that the selloff was triggered after reports came to light that a British firm commissioned by U.S. President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign had been implicated in a privacy scandal involving Facebook users' data.
Losses in the tech sector were expanded in later trade on the likelihood that the European Union will slap hefty levies on U.S. technology companies in retaliation for Trump's proposed controversial tariff policy on steel and aluminum imports, market players said.
A wait-and-see mood took over in later trade, brokers said, as investors hit the sidelines ahead of a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting beginning later in the day.
They said that while investors have already factored in a rate hike, the Fed's outlook on the economy and the possible increase in the rate of pace hikes were key points being keenly watched out for.
Electric appliance, precision instrument and pharmaceutical-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play, and falling issues beat rising ones by 1,025 to 947 on the First Section, with 101 ending the day unchanged.
On the main section on Tuesday, 1,181.68 million shares changed hands, dropping from Monday's volume of 1,206.63 million shares.
The turnover on the second trading day of the week came to 2,255.9 billion yen (21.22 billion U.S. dollars).
JAKARTA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Indonesia is forecast to be oversupplied this year despite of rising domestic consumption.
LNG outputs is estimated to be surplus about 3.2 million ton this year, senior analyst gas and power Asia Pacific Wood Mackenzie Edi Saputra disclosed on Tuesday.
The analyst explained that the production of LNG is projected to be 18.5 million tons this year and a total of 12.5 million tons of them will be exported, and 2.8 million tons for domestic consumption.
Last year Indonesia's domestic consumption of LNG reached 2.4 million tons as several power plants kicked off operation, according to him.
"Domestic consumption can hike this year because there are power plants start operating," he said at J.W. Marriot Hotel.
Indonesia shipped LNG to East Asia market, including China, he said.
Several contracts with foreign buyers, such as Japan and South Korea, which are not extended, have also factored to the restriction of exports, the analyst said.
Limited refinery facilities to channel LNG to end users have also hampered efforts to expand domestic consumption of the products, according to him.
The analyst urged the authorities to expand shipments of LNG overseas to reduce the oversupplied products.
Indonesia has a huge natural gas reserve of 104 trillion cubic meters, according to the country's upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 19:10:50|Editor: Lifang
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JERUSALEM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police said Tuesday they have detained eight Palestinian merchants from East Jerusalem for not acting to prevent a deadly stabbing attack.
The arrests came in the wake of a stabbing attack in East Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday. Abdul Rahmani Faddal, a 28-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank village of Aqraba, stabbed Israeli Adiel Kolman, 32, before shot dead by Israeli police.
Kolman later succumbed to his wounds in a Jerusalem hospital.
A police statement said the detainees, aged 15-67, are suspected of "noticing what was happening but did not act to prevent or minimize the injury of the slain civilian."
Two of them were released after questioning and six others will be brought before court to remand their arrest in the afternoon.
Also on Tuesday, an Israeli military spokesperson said that its troops arrested 17 Palestinians and seized an illegally-held pistol during an overnight raid in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
An army statement said the detainees are suspected of being involved in "terrorist activities."
Tensions in the region rise ahead of the expected relocation of the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May and amidst a looming humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.
KIGALI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Benefits from increased intra-trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are tools for creating prosperity for every African, said the chairperson of the African Union (AU) and President of Rwanda Paul Kagame on Tuesday.
With the signing of the "historic agreement","a new chapter in the story of African unity is set to begin," said Kagame at the AfCFTA Business Forum, held under the framework of the AU extraordinary summit on the AfCFTA.
African leaders are expected to sign on Wednesday an agreement that will launch the AfCFTA at the heads of state and government summit of the extraordinary summit, according to the AU.
The stakes of the AfCFTA are enormous for Africa, but also for the entire global economy, to which Africa will contribute an ever-greater share in the decades ahead, said Kagame in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda.
The AfCFTA will make Africa the largest free trade area created in terms of numbers of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization, according to the AU. The AfCFTA could create an African market of over 1.2 billion people with a GDP of 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars, the pan-African bloc said.
The AfCFTA will progressively eliminate tariffs on intra-African trade, making it easier for African businesses to trade within the continent and benefit from the growing African market, said the AU.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the AfCFTA has the potential to boost intra-African trade by 53.2 percent by eliminating import duties, and to double this trade if non-tariff barriers are also reduced.
Kagame also said increasing intra-African trade does not mean doing less business with the rest of the world; on the contrary, African firms will become bigger, more specialized, and more competitive internationally.
CAPE TOWN, March 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's newly appointed Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe pledged on Tuesday to ensure policy certainty in the mining sector.
For such certainty, South Africa needs to see finality with regards to the controversial Mining Charter and the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development (MPRD) Amendment Bill, with the aim of improving investor confidence, the minister said.
Mantashe issued the statement after meeting with shareholders in the mining industry over the weekend amid growing calls to review the Mining Charter.
Mantashe said there are key aspects the country needs to address with urgency and speed so as to enable the industry to operate optimally, and make a meaningful contribution to the growth and development of the economy.
In February, Mantashe took over Mosebenzi Zwane as the Minister of Mineral Resources. Zwane had strongly pushed the Mining Charter, under which a new mining right must have 30-percent black persons' shareholding from the previous 26 percent, with the 30 percent shareholding to be apportioned between employees, communities and entrepreneurs in a specific manner.
The Charter also wants 70 percent procurement of mining goods and 80 percent procurement of services from BEE (black economic empowerment) entities, among others.
The Chamber of Mines, which represents 90 percent of South Africa's mines, maintains that the Charter is illegal and could destroy South Africa's mining industry while undermining transformation attempts.
In July last year, the South African government put the Charter on hold pending a court judgment in an urgent interdict application fielded by by the Chamber of Mines.
Mantashe did not say how he would review the Charter but noted that the Charter concerns transformation.
Transformation means the ownership, control, management and meaningful participation by the black majority in the industry and such transformation can occur in a growing and competitive mining industry, said the minister.
"Our emphasis on transformation is on a mining industry that benefits producers--big and small, workers, communities and the economy of the country.
"Consequently, in our view, transformation and competitiveness are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, the long-term objective must be captured in the vision for the industry," he added.
Mantashe said his meeting with shareholders in the mining industry had decided to establish two teams, with one focusing on transformation and the Mining Charter, and the other engaging on issues of growth and competitiveness.
These teams will report back in three weeks, said Mantashe.
He said his ministry will continue to engage with mining shareholders "in an open and transparent way to re-establish trust among the social partners."
Mantashe said his ministry is currently developing a planned program for consultations with communities on the Charter.
"It is my wish that the final Charter is finalized and gazetted during the first half of this year," Mantashe said.
As for the MPRD Amendment Bill, it is currently before Parliament, and appropriate ways of ensuring urgent progress at that level are being considered, according to the minister.
BY DRAGANA PECO
The story begins with a stolen car. It ends -- according to a new investigation by KRIK, an OCCRP partner -- with a connection to Vladimir Marinkovic, a senior legislator and vice president of the Serbian National Assembly.
In late June 2001, a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV belonging to V.B., a Belgrade resident who didnt want his name used for fear of retribution, was stolen.
His pregnant wife was behind the wheel.
They attacked a pregnant woman. As she stepped out of the car, [the thief] pulled her down and she fell on the asphalt, V.B. told KRIK, recalling the incident seventeen years later. It was a classic carjacking. (The police report filed at the time describes a somewhat tamer version of the crime.)
According to the report, V.B. had heard from a friend that a private investigator named Ranko Vukomanovic had successfully resolved a similar case, and reached out to him.
The two men made a deal to start a search for the car. The detective called him that same evening saying that he had found it, but explained that the thieves had demanded 7,000 German marks (about US$ 3,000) for its return.
This demand raised V.B.s suspicions that the detective knew more than he was admitting. He decided to call the police.
Together, he explained to reporters, he and the police officers then developed a plan: He would visit the detective and pay for his services -- and for the car -- with banknotes the police had given him.
The officers drove V.B. to the detective agency. One of them came in with him undercover, posing as a friend, while others stayed in their car outside.
Inside, detective Vukomanovic made several calls to unknown parties who allegedly knew where the stolen vehicle was. He then told V.B. that they wouldnt let him see it until he had paid. He refused.
According to the police report, while they spoke, two of Vukomanovics associates -- Dragan Colovic, also a police officer, and Nenad Latincic, another employee of the detective agency -- came into the office.
Soon after, Vukomanovic and his colleagues began to suspect that the police were involved. The detective told V.B. that nothing could be done about his car, and that the thieves had withdrawn their offer. Colovic and Latincic rushed out of the office and tried to escape by car, V.B. said.
The officers outside reacted immediately and arrested all three men. This is how this group of stolen cars finders, as it was called in the media, fell.
V.B. told KRIK that he never saw his car again. And hes not the schemes only victim. The police and the prosecutor's office found that the same group was behind at least six other car thefts in 2000 and 2001, according to documents obtained by KRIK.
Seventeen years later, nobody has been convicted for any of these thefts. V.B. cant get over his bitterness to this day, and says he has lost faith in his countrys government and justice system.
The Gang Goes Free
Further details about how the group allegedly operated are revealed in police and prosecution documents, which describe the specific role played by each member.
Typically, one group of men would steal the cars using a specially designed tool called a breaker and take them to a safe place. Colovic would look up the license plates to find the vehicles owner and forward the information to Vukomanovic. The detective would then call the owner and offer to find the car -- for a price.
After being paid, the group would reveal where the vehicle was parked. They would then split the money among themselves, according to the police documents.
All three of the arrested men testified that the plan had been developed by Vukomanovic and Colovic, the police officer. According to their testimony, Colovic had approached Vukomanovic, telling him that he had an associate who could steal cars throughout Belgrade, and the detective agreed to the plan.
Vukomanovic also implicated a recently deceased criminal named Mirko Besevic in the scheme. Besevic -- also known as Besa -- became so infamous during the nineties that director Srdjan Dragojevic based one of the characters in his cult film The Wounds on him. Nearly a hundred criminal charges and several arrest warrants had been filed against Besevic, but he was killed in 2001 after being shot in a clash with police.
The police reports on the case were inconsistent. The final versions showed that Colovic and Latincic had confessed to the crimes; but according to the reports that describe their initial interrogations, they had denied any involvement.
In February 2002, prosecutors dropped all charges against Colovic and Latincic, and the proceedings continued only against Vukomanovic.
In the end, instead of indicting him for criminal offenses, prosecutors tried him for covering up the thefts. But after a four-year trial, the statute of limitations on the crimes expired in mid-2007 and the charges against him were dropped as well.
Vukomanovic told KRIK reporters that, despite the findings of the police investigation, he had never committed any crimes. He grew angry during the interview, threatening to investigate the journalist working on the story. Im going to call you in fifteen days, when Im done with my investigation, to ask for your opinion about things youve done, he said. Private and business things!
During his trial, Vukomanovic publicly boasted of his good ties with the police. To this day, he is often described in the media as a successful private detective with years of experience, and is frequently called on by journalists to comment on crimes.
Vukomanovic had also managed to establish a trusted relationship with a senior politician. According to the latest available data, Belgrade's James Bond, as the media calls him, is playing an important role in a company owned by Vladimir Marinkovic, a vice president of the Serbian parliament.
I didnt really know those details
Marinkovic has been a member of Serbias National Assembly, which has just a single chamber, since 2012 -- first as an MP and later as a vice president. He was elected to his post as a member of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia, which is a member of the countrys ruling coalition.
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Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 19:35:59|Editor: Lifang
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by Xinhua writers Wang Bowen, Liu Xue
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At a new bar-restaurant in Israel's ancient port city of Jaffa in Tel Aviv, Jews and Arabs mingled together Monday night to enjoy a rare fashion show featuring Israeli-Arab designers.
Nadia Ibrahim Azizi, the lead designer of the show, is probably the most popular Israeli-Arab designer in the predominantly Jewish country.
Aziz said she staged the show, which also attracted a number of ambassadors and foreign diplomats, in a bid to promote Israeli-Arab designers in the international arena.
"We live in a very diverse country, we exist, we got the talent, we love what we do, and we are good at it! Now it is time to get the well-deserved exposure," said Azizi.
Among other designers exhibiting their works at the event included shoe designer Sahar Abu Seif, jewelry designer Hanan Masalha, and bag designer Omar Rafat. Like Azizi, they are all Israeli Arab designers.
After studying corsets, evening and wedding dresses at the Concept Community College, Azizi developed her immense interest in fashion designing.
She went on to study fashion designing at the Shankar College of Engineering and Design, Pattern Making and Fashion Design.
Azizi soon became a leading player on the Israeli fashion scene: participating in the annual Fashion Week in Israel in 2011 and 2012, launching own fashion productions in Italy, Austria and Belgium, and often appearing on Israeli magazines.
Rafat, who created his own bags brand "Eyemnur," said that Israeli Arab designers are far too few at the moment, as the number of them could be "counted with hands."
Living in a Jewish country where there have been tensions between Jews and Arabs, Rafat defines himself as an Arab Palestinian Israeli, and more precisely, a global citizen.
Rafat, 40, has travelled extensively around the world. To him, identity is inherited, and he is happy with his Arab identity.
Everything, including politics, keeps evolving, but Rafat believes it is important to be "citizen of the world."
He said the fashion show is a good start for Israeli-Arab designers to shine in this country and he would love to see and attend more events of this kind.
Gradually, Israeli-Arab designers are starting to join the mainstream fashion industry in Israel.
At the Tel Aviv Fashion Week 2018, with diversity as the underpinning theme, Naim K. Qasim, also an Arab fashion designer, was selected to display a piece at the "Shine" Gala event on Saturday.
"Fashion can bring change between peoples and cultures," said Qasim.
SOFIA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime has arrested a four-member organized criminal group suspected of conducting "innovative frauds" in gambling halls and casinos across the country, officials said Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry, the authorities have revealed that the group has created an innovative mechanism for illegal remote access to gambling machines.
Thus, the four suspects altered the data in the software of gambling devices and generated large amounts of illegal profits, the statement said.
The four were arrested immediately after receiving a profit from manipulation of gambling facilities, the statement said.
Last May, Bulgaria arrested 23 suspects for the creation of malicious software by which criminals got remote access to computer information systems of the National Customs Agency. Thus, various customs documents for the movement of goods were counterfeit.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 20:06:06|Editor: Jiaxin
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Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj speaks during a press conference about Indian hostages killed in Iraq in New Delhi, India, on March 20, 2018. Iraq said Tuesday that the bodies of 39 Indian nationals executed by the extremist Islamic State (IS) militants in 2014 will be returned to India after DNA testing. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)
BAGHDAD, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraq said Tuesday that the bodies of 39 Indian nationals executed by the extremist Islamic State (IS) militants in 2014 will be returned to India after DNA testing.
The bodies were found in a massive grave in the Wadi Akkab area of Mosul, the capital of Nineveh province.
The DNA samples were matched with family members of the dead, the Iraqi Martyrs Foundation's spokesman Basim Jihad said.
"The remains will be transferred to India in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities of the Iraqi government," Jihad said.
Indian Ambassador to Iraq Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit visited the foundation's headquarters to thank its efforts, the foundation said.
The Indians were laborers in Iraq. In 2014, 40 Indians were abducted by IS and kept hostages for a couple of days before allegedly being shot dead.
One of the hostages, claimed to be present at the killing scene, managed to escape after being shot in the leg.
IS militants seized large swaths of territory in Iraq in June 2014. After three years of battles, the Iraqi forces retook all the occupied areas from the terrorist group, including the country's second largest city Mosul.
Bless our families and our children,
and choose from our homes those who you desire for this holy work.
Heavenly Father,your divine Son taught usto pray to the Lord of the harvestto send laborers into His vineyard.We earnestly beg youto bless our Diocese and our worldwith many priests and religiouswho will love you fervently and gladlyand courageously spend their livesin service to your Son's Church,especially the poor and the needy.Teach them to respond generouslyand keep them ever faithfulin following your Son Jesus Christ,that under the guidance of the HolySpiritand with the inspiration ofSaint Damien and Blessed Mariannethe Good News of redemptionmay be brought to all.We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 20:26:12|Editor: Lifang
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MANAMA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain warned Tuesday that it is facing security challenges because of the alleged cooperation between Qatar and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Bahrain's Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa blasted what he called "the constant interference" by Iran and other countries in Bahrain's security affairs.
At a speech announcing the formation of a national committee to reinforce loyalty and national values, the minister claimed that Iran continues efforts to recruit Bahrainis to change their national ideology and train them to carry out "terrorist acts."
But he said Bahrain's security forces are capable of dealing with such threats.
"Today, massive efforts are being made in Bahrain to deploy police that is capable of meeting security challenges in the wake of the changes in the nature of the crimes," he said.
Bahrain cut its diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016 after demonstrators stormed and set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran in a protest.
Along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, Bahrain also cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June last year, citing Doha's interference in their internal affairs and its support to extremism and terrorism. Qatar has strongly denied these charges.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 20:46:15|Editor: Mengjie
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BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang pledged Tuesday to promote peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and oppose any attempt for "Taiwan independence".
The mainland always works to ensure that people from Taiwan will enjoy the same treatment as mainlanders when they come to work, study and live here, he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session. "We are one family."
The mainland will never tolerate any attempts, propositions or acts for "Taiwan independence," he said. "Nor will we tolerate attempts of any external force to use Taiwan as a card to cause difficulties for cross-Strait relations and the people on both sides."
The mainland is ready to have dialogue and consultation with all political parties and groups in Taiwan who recognize the 1992 Consensus embodying the one-China principle to discuss issues that concern the people on both sides.
"We are working for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations to eventually achieve peaceful reunification, he said. "That represents the fundamental interests of our nation."
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 20:56:18|Editor: Lifang
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RAMALLAH, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian national unity government on Tuesday urged Islamic Hamas movement to fully hand over the rule of Gaza Strip to it.
The government said in a press statement after its weekly cabinet meeting that its jurisdiction over the strip "is a national duty, an essential requirement to rescue Gaza from the dangers it faces and not allow Israel to take advantage of the continuation of the internal division."
The statement strongly condemned "the assassination attempt" targeting Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Intelligence Chief Majid Faraj during their visit to Gaza last week.
On Monday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas of being responsible for the bombing attack targeting Hamdallah's convoy.
Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the executive committees of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and his Fatah Party's central committee, Abbas warned that if the assassination attempt succeeded, "it would have disastrous results and lead to the outbreak of a Palestinian civil war."
He urged Hamas to fully hand over its administration, including the security, of the enclave to the Palestinian Authority.
An explosion occurred when the convoy of Hamdallah entered the Gaza Strip through the Israeli-controlled Erez checkpoint last Tuesday.
Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that unknown assailants placed a roadside bomb as soon as his convoy entered the Palestinian side of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 after ousting forces loyal to Abbas, has condemned the incident and vowed to conduct investigation into it in order to prosecute the perpetrators.
BUCHAREST, March 20 (Xinhua) -- An explosion occurred Tuesday in a convenience store in central Chisinau, capital of Moldova, killing two people and injuring two others.
Local media reported that the explosion took place at the shop's entrance, when a grenade possessed by a client exploded.
The man entered the store and took some 10 cigarettes packs before approached the saleswoman, head of General Police Inspectorate Alexandru Panzari told a press briefing soon after the blast.
According to him, the man refused to pay for unknown reasons. And then, from the man's hand or backpack an explosive object fell, which blew up at the store's entrance.
The blast killed the man himself and another man, who was in the street just outside the store, said the police officer, correcting the earlier media reports, which mistakenly said the saleswoman was killed.
Preliminary investigations showed that it is unlikely to characterize the explosion as a terrorist attack.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 21:06:22|Editor: pengying
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NAIROBI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to launch a digital media campaign to woo more Chinese tourists into the country, Kenya's tourists agency said on Monday evening.
Betty Radier, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), told Xinhua in Nairobi that the campaign will run from March to end of June in five large Chinese cities.
"The aim of the digital media campaign on the Chinese social media platform is to achieve a 25 percent increase in inbound tourist over last year's figures," Radier said.
Some of the Chinese cities to be targeted include Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Government data indicates that in 2017, approximately 69,000 Chinese tourists visited the East African country.
The total number of visitors reached 1.4 million last year. Radier said that Kenya has opted for a digital media campaign due to budgetary constraints.
She said that the challenge in targeting Chinese tourist is for Kenya to be China ready. "This means we have to develop products that specifically cater for the tastes of the Chinese," she noted.
KTB said that China is a very diverse market and therefore there is need to tailor packages for each segment.
Radier noted that Chinese basically know Kenya for the annual wildebeest migration that occurs between Kenya and Tanzania on the Masai Mara ecosystem.
"So our marketing campaigns will center on the fact that Kenya is not a just a one experience destination but it offers many other options," she said.
The tourist agency noted that it will intensify marketing efforts to highlight Kenya's beach, adventure, hiking and sport activities to allow visitors to visit all parts of the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 21:21:25|Editor: pengying
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by Xinhua writers Li Binian and Liu Jinhui
ZHENGZHOU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Despite his reluctance to leave his two-month-old son, Chinese farmer Duan Lin flew to Tajikistan Friday.
It was the fourth time that Duan, one of 16 Chinese managers on a 1,670-hectare Tajik farm, had flown to the Central Asian country after the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Before being sent to Tajikistan in 2015 as a technical adviser, Duan, 30, worked as an agricultural technology promotion employee at Huangfanqu Farm, where his grandfather and father had worked.
The Huangfanqu Farm was established in 1951 based on a large parcel of land in Xihua and Fugou counties in China's central Henan Province. The land was flooded by the Yellow River, China's second longest, in the 1930s due to war and became unsuitable for farming because of high soil salinity.
After three generations of efforts, the 6,670 hectares of land became arable again. In recent years, the farm started to seek expansion opportunities along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.
"The state-owned farm could hardly support its workforce of 30,000 people. New growth drivers were urgently needed," said Zhai Jinzhong, director of the farm's overseas investment department.
About 10 years ago, the farm's officials visited countries including Namibia, Uganda, Cambodia and Myanmar to seek potential investment opportunities, said Zhai.
In 2013, the same year China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, the farm established subsidiaries in Tajikistan and Ukraine. Now the farm grows wheat, corn and cotton in Tajikistan and raises cows in Ukraine.
In Tajikistan, the farm has invested more than 200 million yuan (31.6 million U.S. dollars) in improving infrastructure and building cotton processing plants. As a result, its average output of cotton reached 3.5 tonnes per hectare, 50 percent higher than local levels.
The farm in Tajikistan has achieved full mechanization and two harvests of corn and wheat per year, a shift from the country's "one harvest per year" tradition.
"When Chinese agriculture goes global, it is not just renting land. It is quite comprehensive, including exchanges in trade and technology," said Han Yijun, a professor with China Agricultural University.
As the Belt and Road Initiative pushes ahead, China is encouraging its agricultural firms to expand overseas and promote agricultural trade with countries and regions along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.
Many companies and agricultural research institutes have answered the call. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has introduced 61 agricultural products and technologies to countries along the Belt and Road.
Yangling Agriculture Hi-Tech Industrial Zone, a national-level high-tech development zone in Shaanxi Province, has established modern agricultural demonstration parks in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and signed agreements with over 20 countries to deepen agricultural cooperation.
"When we first came here, there were only two Chinese agricultural companies in Tajikistan and now there are at least five. The Central Asia region has become a hot investment destination for Chinese agricultural firms," said Duan.
"As more countries recognize the Belt and Road Initiative, I believe more Chinese agricultural firms will go out and promote agricultural technology to benefit countries and regions along the Belt and Road," said Gao Fei, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 21:56:35|Editor: Lifang
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DAMASCUS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The planned evacuation of rebels from the city of Harasta in the Syrian capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta area is awaiting consensus among the militiamen in that area after an agreement was recently made, Ali Haidar, the Minister of National Reconciliation, told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The deal for the evacuation of rebels from Harasta, which is under the control of Ahrar al-Sham and Failaq al-Rahman rebels, should have seen light two days ago, but the rebels didn't honor the agreement, Haidar said.
"The agreement is ready and all it needs is to enter into force and we are waiting for the rebels to reach a consensus to start implementing the agreement," Haidar said.
The minister said all measures are ready for the evacuation of the militants from Harasta.
"Everything is ready and the starting point begins with the rebels and this could happen at any moment and it could also be hindered like it happened for the first time," he noted.
The minister said the agreement with the rebels to abandon their positions to rebel-held areas in northern Syria is the result of the progress made by the Syrian army in Eastern Ghouta in recent days.
He said the Russians are handling the mediation and direct talks.
Eastern Ghouta, a 105-square-km agricultural region consisting of several towns and farmlands, poses the last threat to the capital due to its proximity to government-controlled neighborhoods east of Damascus and ongoing mortar attacks that target residential areas in the capital, pushing people over the edge.
Four major rebel groups are currently positioned inside Eastern Ghouta, namely the Islam Army, Failaq al-Rahman, Ahrar al-Sham, and the Levant Liberation Committee, known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.
The UN humanitarian agencies have sounded the alarm about the worsening humanitarian situation for 400,000 people in that region.
But with the progress of the Syrian army, which captured 80 percent of Eastern Ghouta in the recent days, thousands of civilians are evacuating their areas in Eastern Ghouta on daily basis, seeking refuge in government-run shelters, while condemning the rebels' presence in their areas.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 22:21:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a keynote speech at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday vowed to continue to serve the people at the closing meeting of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) annual session.
"It is a glorious mission and weighty responsibility to take on this great position of the President of the People's Republic of China. I will, as always, faithfully fulfill my responsibilities empowered by the Constitution, be loyal to the motherland and the people, perform my duty scrupulously, do all my best, be diligent at work, and stay devoted and dedicated," Xi said in a speech.
"I will continue to serve as a servant of the people, accept supervision by the people, and will absolutely not betray the great trust from all deputies and Chinese people of all ethnic groups," he added.
Xi asked all personnel of state organs to always put the people in the most prominent place in their hearts, always serve the people wholeheartedly, and always work hard for the people's interests and happiness.
"No matter how high a position one holds, all personnel of state organs should keep firmly in mind that our republic is the People's Republic of China," he noted.
The meeting was chaired by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu.
Other Chinese leaders including Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the meeting. Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng and Zhang Gaoli were also present.
Lawmakers adopted the supervision law and resolutions on the government work report, and the work reports of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
They also passed resolutions on the reports of the national economic and social development plan as well as the central and local budgets.
Xi signed a presidential decree to promulgate the supervision law.
The Chinese people are people with great creativity, Xi stressed in his speech, noting that he is confident that as long as the over 1.3 billion Chinese people keep on developing such great creativity, China will definitely create miracles one after another.
The Chinese people are people with great spirit of struggle, he said, noting that he believes as long as they uphold that spirit, China will definitely fulfill the great goal of creating a better life.
The Chinese people are people with great spirit of unity, he said, noting that he believes as long as they uphold the great spirit of unity, China will definitely forge an unstoppable and invincible force.
Chinese people are people with great spirit of pursuing dreams, he said, noting that he believes that as long as they keep carrying forward this great spirit of pursuing dreams, China can and will realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
"It is a country where all power of the state belongs to the people. We must base our efforts on the interests of the people, ensure the principal status of the people, humbly learn from the people, and heed their needs and draw on their wisdom," he said.
Expressing his full confidence in China's future, Xi urged everyone to adapt to the new historic juncture for the development of the country and act in response to the evolution of the principal contradiction in Chinese society.
The Chinese people have always had the sense of justice and compassion and tied their destiny closely to that of the people around the world, he said.
"The Chinese people are always ready to do their utmost to contribute to the peace and development of humanity," he said.
Xi stressed that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party is the highest force for political leadership and the fundamental guarantee of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
In his speech after Xi's, Li Zhanshu said it has been the collective will of nearly 3,000 NPC deputies and common wish of all Chinese people to unanimously elect Xi president of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC.
"Comrade Xi is the core of the Party, commander of the army and leader of the people, who is supported by the whole Party, loved and respected by the people," he said. "He is the helmsman of the socialist nation with Chinese characteristics in a new era and the guide of the people."
He said he was honored to be elected the NPC Standing Committee chairman and pledged to work hard to fulfill his duty.
NAIROBI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Mobile money transactions in Kenya declined in January, pointing to a slowdown in activities after the December festivities.
Transactions fell to 3.2 billion U.S. dollars during the month, down from a historic peak of 3.3 billion dollars in December, according to data released by the Central Bank of Kenya on Tuesday.
Kenyans normally consider January a tough month due to overspending by most people during Christmas and New Year festivities, leaving many broke.
Unlike December when mobile money is used for shopping, buying gifts and sending money back home, Kenyans mainly use the service in January to pay school fees, as they grapple with declined income.
However, even as usage declined, the number of agents increased to 188,029, up from 182,472 in December, according to the central bank.
Subscribers, similarly, rose to 37.8 million in January from 37.4 million at the close of 2017 in December, while monthly transactions fell to 137 million from 140 million.
Kenyans transacted a record 36 billion dollars on mobile phones in 2017, defying jitters arising from two elections held in August and October. The transactions were an increase of 3 billion dollars from 2016.
With Kenya currently experiencing political stability following a truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, his main rival in last years poll, mobile money usage would soar this year, analysts reckoned.
File Photo: South Korean and U.S. soldiers take a position during an annual joint military landing exercise in Pohang, on South Korea's southeast coast, on March 12, 2016. (Xinhua/AFP)
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday that the joint exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle between the United States and South Korea will restart on April 1 "at a scale similar to that of the previous years."
The United Nations Command has notified Pyongyang on the schedule as well as "the defensive nature of the annual exercises," said the Pentagon in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and South Korean Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual war games, the statement said.
Flag bearer of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Hwang Chung-gum (L) and flag bearer of South Korea Won Yun-jong march together under a unified Korean flag during the opening ceremony of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium in PyeongChang, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
The military drills, which were postponed this year during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic period, come amid signs of a growing rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula.
Over a week ago, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to meet top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un by May "to achieve permanent denuclearization," a big step forward following the announcement that the third inter-Korean summit is expected to be held in late April.
This picture provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Feb. 9, 2018 shows the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un attending the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Korean People's Army in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK. (Xinhua/KCNA)
A high-level South Korean official, after briefing Trump on the outcome of a meeting with Kim earlier this month, told reporters in Washington that Kim said he "understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the United States must continue."
Amid detente on the peninsula, uncertainties remain whether the leaders of the DPRK and the United States can finally meet each other in May.
Analysts say that the two sides need to initiate working-level consultations at first. If their positions are too divergent, the face-to-face meeting may not be held as scheduled.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-20 23:21:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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DUBAI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi's Aldar Properties and Dubai's Emaar Properties, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s two largest real estate developers, will "unite efforts" signaling a far-reaching partnership, Dubai daily Gulf News reported on Tuesday.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said on Twitter that the two companies will unite efforts, energies, co-operation and work together in creative plans and programs.
This partnership, he added, would "enhance the leadership of our companies and the competitiveness of our institutions at the global level."
Aldar has built scores of landmark buildings in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, among them Yas Mall near the Formula-1 track on Yas Island.
Emaar's flagship is the world's tallest tower Burj Khalifa, and the company under its CEO Mohammed Alabbar currently develops the Dubai Creek Tower, which according to Alabbar shall be "a notch higher than the Burj Khalifa" once completed by 2020.
Aldar is listed on the Abu Dhabi stock market ADX, Emaar shares are bellwether securities currently developers traded on the Dubai financial market DFM. Emaar gained one percent on Tuesday, while Aldar lost insignificantly.
HOUSTON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A worker was injured in an explosion early Tuesday morning at a FedEx Corp. distribution center near San Antonio, about 310 km west of Houston in the U.S. state of Texas, officials said.
A medium-sized package exploded at around 1 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) at the distribution facility in Schertz outside San Antonio, the San Antonio Fire Department said on Twitter.
The Schertz Police Department said investigations revealed a package in the sorting area as the source of the blast. One worker was treated for injuries.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents were also on the scene to investigate. This is the fifth parcel bomb explosion in Austin this month. Two people have died and over five sustained injuries so far.
PHNOM PENH, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia inaugurated a museum near the Preah Vihear world heritage site in northwest country's Preah Vihear province on Tuesday, 10 years after the project initiated.
Deputy Prime Minister Bin Chhin, acting minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, and Anne Lemaistre, representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to Cambodia, jointly opened the museum, which was dubbed "Samdech Techo Hun Sen Eco-Global Museum."
"The museum will be a center for studying and researching on cultures, traditions, customs, languages, arts, religious beliefs, and daily lives of Kuay ethnic minority group and other ethnic minority groups," Bin Chhin said in a speech. "It will be the only ethnologic museum in Cambodia."
The museum would also be a venue for conserving rare flora and fauna, and traditional medicines for countries along the Mekong River, he said, adding that it would also be a place to promote cooperation in culture and tourism with neighboring Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona said the first phase project cost 753,400 U.S. dollars, which was funded by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Cambodian government, and some donors.
She said the UNESCO provided technical support for the project.
"This new cultural institution not only reflects the civilization of the ancient Khmers but also the life of local ethnic Kuay communities and the rich diversity of their natural environment," the UNESCO said in a statement.
It added that the museum displayed not only archaeological collections from the famous Preah Vihear temple and its wider network of related monuments, but also exceptional and sometimes endangered flora and fauna as well as objects that illustrated the livelihood of local communities, both Khmer and Kuay.
The museum is currently being displayed on an area of 10 hectares and offer exhibitions on the local culture, history, customs, and nature, however, in its ultimate stage, the museum will cover 177 hectares of land, the statement said.
Preah Vihear, a Hindu temple, is situated on the top of a 525-meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains in Preah Vihear province, about 415 km northwest of capital Phnom Penh. It was inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List in July 2008.
PHNOM PENH, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Cambodia still have huge room for growth in trade and investment, a HKSAR's top economic official said here on Tuesday.
Trade volume between HKSAR and Cambodia rose to 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, an average increase of 3.1 percent a year since 2013. On the investment side, HKSAR had invested about 1.33 billion U.S. dollars in 257 projects in Cambodia in the last two decades.
"The current 1.2 billion U.S. dollars volume of trade in goods is just a humble sum that stands a high chance of expansion, especially if our trading relationship prospers in the areas of mutual investment and professional services," Edward Yau, HKSAR's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said in a speech during a Luncheon Seminar.
The seminar was attended by approximately 300 HKSAR and Cambodian business people and officials.
"Hong Kong and Cambodia are much closer than we thought and together we could foster an even closer economic and trade relationship," he said.
Yau, who led a 48-strong HKSAR delegation of businessmen and professionals, arrived in Cambodia on Monday, the first leg of their two-nation tour, which will also bring them to Vietnam.
The mission was the first of its kind to Southeast Asia since HKSAR signed a free trade agreement and a related investment agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in November last year.
CAIRO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's exports to the European Union (EU) markets rose by 24 percent in 2017 to reach 7.5 billion euros (9.2 billion U.S. dollars) compared to 6.3 billion euros (7.7 billion U.S. dollars) a year earlier, the Egyptian trade and industry minister said on Tuesday.
Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil stressed the importance of translating the strategic relations between Egypt and the EU into "balanced trade relations that achieve the common interests of both economies alike."
Kabil's remarks came during his meeting with EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom in the capital Cairo, where he emphasized that the EU is the number one foreign investor in Egypt.
The Egyptian minister also noted that Egypt's imports from the EU delined in 2017 by three percent to reach 18.2 billion euros (22.35 billion dollars) compared to 18.8 billion euros (23 billion dollars) in 2016.
In mid-January, an Egyptian official report said that the country's non-oil exports increased by 9 percent to exceed 21 billion dollars in 2017 compared to 19.3 billion dollars in 2016.
Egypt has been suffering economic recession over the past few years of political instability and relevant security challenges.
To boost economy, Egypt started in late 2016 with full local currency floatation as an initial step of a strict three-year economic reform program based on austerity measures, fuel and energy subsidy cuts and tax hikes.
Egypt's reform plan has been encouraged by a 12-billion-dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund, half of which has already been delivered to the most populous Arab country.
COLOMBO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government decided on Tuesday to give concessionary bank loans for people affected by communal riots in the central hills to rebuild their lives, a minister said on Tuesday.
Public Enterprise Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella said there were extensive damages to the houses and places of religious worship in the Kandy district of the central hills in Sri Lanka during the first week of March.
The minister said he had secured approval from the cabinet to give loans for the affected families to rebuild their livelihoods.
"Most affected people are businessman. Their business places have been set on fire during riots," he said.
The minister said the state banks would cooperate with the ministry in issuing loans.
Investigations into the communal clashes, which left three people dead and several others injured, were still underway.
"We have arrested some people. More arrests will be made later," the minister said.
A week-long state of emergency was declared on March 6 to prevent violence from spreading to other areas, the first of its kind after the island nation ended a 30-year civil war in 2009.
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A high school shooting Tuesday has injured three people, including the shooter, according to local authorities.
"There has been a shooting at Great Mills High School. The school is on lockdown the event is contained, the Sheriff's office is on the scene," St. Mary's County Public Schools said on its website.
According to the local sheriff's office, the gunfight started shortly after school started, when a male student fired at a female student in the hallway, injuring another male student in the process.
Police who shortly arrived at the scene exchanged fire with the shooter, while students of the school were evacuated to another school to be reunited with their parents.
School principal Jake Heibel has warned of a shooting threat weeks prior to the incident, but concluded that the threat was "not substantiated" after investigation. It is unclear whether the threat was linked to Tuesday's shooting.
The incident comes just one month after a similar tragedy in a high school in Florida that claimed the lives of 17 people.
BUCHAREST, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Moldova's Interior Minister Alexandru Jizdan on Tuesday said the store explosion in central Chisinau was not a terrorist attack.
"It is very important to note that this is not an armed attack but an incident," the minister wrote on his social media account.
He added that he had asked the chief of General Police Inspectorate to tighten control of illegal possession of weapons, especially among people with criminal records.
An explosion occurred Tuesday in a convenience store named Jardin in the center of the capital city, killing two people and injuring two others.
Local media reported that the explosion took place at the shop's entrance, when a grenade possessed by a client exploded.
Alexandru Panzari, chief of General Police Inspectorate, said at a press briefing after the blast that there were no signs of a terrorist attack.
According to him, the man entered the store, bought cigarettes packs before approaching the saleswoman. For unknown reasons, the man refused to pay and then from the man's hand or backpack an explosive object fell, which blew up at the store's entrance.
The blast killed the man himself and another man, who was in the street just outside the store, said the police officer.
According to Panzari, the man, 50, was a resident of Chisinau with a criminal record and carried the grenade in his pocket or bag.
It is unclear whether the man deliberately activated the grenade.
| 2018-03-21 00:10:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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GENEVA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Parliamentarians from more than 137 countries are meeting here next week to work on parliamentary inputs to the United Nations-led reforms on the rights and protection of migrants and refugees, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) said Tuesday.
"Nearly 258 million people, about 3.4 percent of the world's population, are living outside their countries of birth," the IPU said in a statement.
The IPU said that in 2016, UN members determined that the existing global migration regime offered insufficient protection of migrants and refugees human and socio-economic rights, and called for two global compacts to strengthen them.
These are the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, and the global compact on refugees.
The IPU will hold a panel on March 25 with William Lacy Wing, director general of the International Organization for Migration, the UN's migration agency, and UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, on migrants and refugees.
The 138th Assembly of the IPU will take place in Geneva, from March 24 to 28.
The ruins of al-Nuri Mosque are seen in Mosul, Iraq, on Jan. 4, 2018. Mosul was taken control by the Islamic State in June 2014 and suffered tremendous damage during the fight between Iraqi army and extremists, and was finally liberated by Iraqi army in July 2017. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
by Jamal Hashim
BAGHDAD, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At sunset of a beautiful spring day, the thoroughfare of Mansour neighborhood in western Baghdad, the city center, was crowded with people as usual.
They looked as usual on the day marking the 15th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by the U.S.-led coalition on March 20, 2003 to topple its leader Saddam Hussein, promising peace, freedom and democracy for Iraqis.
However, they had much to say. Most of them expressed their disappointment as the invasion turned their lives upside down and made them pay a high price.x Kareem Yousif, 58, a shop owner at the thoroughfare, told Xinhua that he was happy when the war broke out and toppled Hussein, who led his country into three wars and 13 years of severe UN sanctions that destroyed Iraq's economy and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis.
"Fifteen years ago, I used to say let's have a new beginning after Saddam Hussein fell down. But now it is only the start of my people's misery," Yousif said.
"We have suffered under Saddam, but the suffering after the war was much larger. The Americans brought corrupt politicians and empowered sectarian and ethnic parties that yield bloody sectarian strife," Yousif said.
"The Americans and those who came with them are much worse than Saddam," Yousif said.
In 2003, acting upon false intelligence and the preemptive strike doctrine, the U.S.-led Operation Iraqi Freedom, a war fought to topple Hussein's government broke out, marking the beginning of the U.S. military deployment in the country.
After seven years and five months, Washington withdrew its troops, leaving the country to suffer worsening poverty, political rivalry, religious conflicts and terrorist attacks.
At an ice cream shop, a group of teenage girls were sitting at a table giggling and chatting. One of them, Maha Hassan, wished that the invasion had never occurred.
"Was it the only way to change Saddam Hussien's regime? Did we have to pay such a high price of deaths and misery?" she asked, referring to thousands of Iraqi families who had lost one or more of their beloved sons, killed either by the U.S. forces or by the subsequent chaos and sectarian strife.
"Nothing will ever justify the costs that we paid during the past 15 years," said the girl who lost her 12-year brother in a car bombing in 2010.
Maher Abbas, a 47-year-old lawyer who was jostling with his family on the sidewalk of the thoroughfare, said that those Iraqis who had celebrated the occupation are now disappointed after they realized that what they had thought to be hope was only illusion and that the Americans' promises were only a deception.
"The idea was tempting: to replace dictatorship, tyranny and tragedies of UN sanctions with prosperity, freedom and democracy. But the question is who would make the dream come true?" Abbas wondered.
"Today, 15 years on from the invasion the situation is not what those celebrants hoped and expected, as they realize that foreigners don't care the fate of our country, except to the extent that serves their interests and achieves their goals," Abbas answered.
Mazin Mohammed, a 43-year-old teacher, told Xinhua that "the real losers after all these years appeared to be the poor people of Iraq, who suffer from mass killings, terrorism, poverty, unemployment and corruption, while the country's wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few people who supported the occupation."
Ass'ad Abdullah, a 33-year-old engineer who was spending time with his friend at the thoroughfare, told Xinhua that after 15 years of devastation and bloodshed, Iraq has only got "a failed state with a false democracy," but he still thought that there is hope for a better future after the defeat of Islamic State (IS) militant group.
"We need to unite our people as we did, when all Iraqis -- Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Muslims and non-Muslims -- together fought back Daesh (IS group) and defeated them," he said.
"I can say that there could be hope for a new beginning to build our country if we together fight the corrupt people whether by elections or by massive demonstrations," Abdullah added.
BERLIN, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The German Social Democrats (SPD) was criticized on Tuesday for appointing Joerg Kukies, a senior executive at the U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs, as one of four secretaries of state under the new finance minister Olaf Scholz (SPD).
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) budgetary expert Eckhardt Rehberg described the decision as "dubious" in the newspaper "Passauer Neue Presse" and questioned the extent of Kukies' dedication to public service.
"It raises the question if he really serves the interests of the federal government, or those of his former industry," Rehberg said.
Kukies is stepping down from his role as co-head of Goldman Sachs' operations in Germany to assist Scholz in the areas of European policy and financial regulation. The 50-year-old card-carrying member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) once presided over the SPD's regional youth organisation (Juso) in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a position in which he was succeeded by the current SPD parliamentary faction leader Andrea Nahles.
Kukies subsequently studied economics at Harvard and received a doctorate from the University of Chicago before working for Goldman Sachs in London and Frankfurt. Compared with the widely-acknowledged phenomenon of a "revolving door" in the U.S. capital Washington, it is relatively uncommon for executives in Germany to transfer between careers in business and politics.
A spokesperson for the finance ministry justified the personnel decision with reference to the financial industry executive's expertise in questions of banking supervision and European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The spokesperson further said that it was a positive development if an accomplished manager in the private sector chose to place his talents in the service of government.
Nevertheless, the Green party (Gruene) attacked the SPD for allegedly giving up its social-democratic values. Gerhard Schick, Green party finance expert said to press that Scholz was making a "mistake by listening to investment bankers and their friends in questions concerning financial markets."
"That the SPD would even consider making an investment banker responsible for banking regulation demonstrates the current problems of social democracy," Schick added. It was hypocritical of the SPD to criticize the appointment of the former European Union (EU) commission president Jose Manuel Barroso as an advisor to Goldman Sachs, only to subsequently recruit the co-head of the company's German division.
Founded in 1869 and based in New York City, Goldman Sachs is one of the largest and most profitable investment banks in the world. Due to the financial institute's close connections to an extensive network of global political elites, it is often referred to by the nickname "Government Sachs".
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 00:42:13|Editor: Jiaxin
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Representatives of Bangladeshi and Chinese firms shake hands after signing a power plant contract in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on March 20, 2018. Bangladeshi Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) on Tuesday signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with the consortium of two Chinese firms for the installation of the 400-MW coal-fired power plant. The consortium includes China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) and China National Corp. for Overseas Economic Cooperation (CCOEC). (Xinhua)
DHAKA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A consortium that includes China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) and China National Corp. for Overseas Economic Cooperation (CCOEC) has been awarded a contract for a Bangladesh power plant.
Bangladeshi Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) on Tuesday signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with the consortium of two Chinese firms for the installation of the 420-MW coal-fired power plant.
AMM Sazzadur Rahman, managing director of APSCL, Tang Yi, chairman of board of CNTIC, and Hou Xuejun, chairman of board of (CCOEC), signed the contact on behalf of their respective sides at a ceremony in Dhaka.
Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, power, energy and mineral resources affairs adviser to the Bangladeshi prime minister, and Bangladeshi State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, among others, witnessed the signing.
Kshitish Chandra Biswas, director of the project, told Xinhua that the power project will be implemented at Ashuganj in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, some 109 km northeast of capital Dhaka.
Under the EPC agreement, the consortium will do engineering, construct the plant, procure the machinery and necessary performance testing to put the power plant into commercial operation, he said.
The project will be fully completed in three years, and go into commercial operation and be connected to the national grid by April 2021.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. (Reuters Photo)
MOSCOW, March 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election and they discussed bilateral cooperation in a phone call on Tuesday, the Kremlin said.
Putin and Trump agreed on further contacts and "paid particular attention to the question of holding a possible summit," the Kremlin said in a press release.
The Kremlin said their conversation was constructive, businesslike and focused on overcoming the accumulated problems in Russia-U.S. relations.
"The leaders spoke in favor of developing practical cooperation in various areas, including ensuring strategic stability and combating international terrorism. In particular, the importance of coordinated efforts to limit arms race was stressed," it said.
The two presidents showed interest in strengthening economic cooperation, including in the energy sphere.
The two sides discussed the Syria issue and the Ukrainian crisis, noting the need to achieve early progress in their settlement, according to the Kremlin.
"Satisfaction was expressed with a certain degree of a decrease in tensions around the Korean Peninsula. The feasibility of continuing consistent efforts to resolve the situation by peaceful, diplomatic means is emphasized," it said.
Putin was re-elected Russian president for the fourth time in a landslide victory on Sunday, garnering more than 76 percent of the vote.
MOGADISHU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At least six al-Shabab fighters were killed and several others injured in heavy fighting with the Somali National Army in southern Somalia, officials said Tuesday.
Somali Army official Abdirahman Ibrahim Muhamed said the militants ambushed an army base in Budhubo town, in Gedo region, on Monday evening, sparking fighting that lasted several hours.
"Somalia National Army killed six terrorists in Burdhubo town and wounded more of them during the fighting," Muhamed said. "We are safe and there are no casualties on our side."
About 90 militant fighters took part in the attack, he said.
Al-Shabab said on its affiliated websites that its fighters staged major attacks against SNA and Ethiopian bases in Burdhubo town overnight with casualties.
Independent sources said at least two civilians were killed during the fighting between the two sides.
Budhubo was calm after soldiers from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) regained control.
The al-Qaida-linked militant group has lost control of several small towns in the Horn of Africa nation, including in the restive city of Mogadishu, but still manages to stage assaults on military bases and government facilities, including AU bases.
ACCRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday urged African governments to place the aviation sector among the top priorities of their national development agenda.
He was addressing the 57th annual conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA), the global voice of air traffic control.
The five-day conference, being held on March 19-23 in Ghana's capital Accra, provides the platform for knowledge-sharing on current global trends in the industry.
Akufo-Addo said the aviation sector was key to the realization of the African Union's Agenda 2063, recounting that at the last AU Summit in Ethiopia, the regional bloc committed itself to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aims at improving intra-African air connectivity, and promoting regional integration, among others.
According to him, meeting technical and international safety standards is critical to the success of the SAATM, adding that the African civil aviation commission was working with its international counterpart to improve civil aviation safety and security in Africa.
"The time has come for the AU and IFATCA to pursue a new initiative for a continent-wide policy framework and mobilization of appropriate resources to enable the air navigation sector meet the projected growth of the African aviation sector," he said.
According to the 2017 figures released by the International Air Travel Association (IATA), the global air transport industry supports 62.7 million jobs worldwide.
Aviation's global economic impact amounts in value to 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars, with 3.5 percent of global GDP supported by aviation.
Everyday, 9.8 million passengers take to the air with 104,000 flights, and some 18.6 billion dollars worth of goods are carried.
IATA notes that air traffic, globally, has been growing at five percent annually, and is projected to grow at 5.6 percent per year over the next 20 years.
LAGOS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to halt the herdsmen attacks, kidnapping and other vices in the north and other parts of the country.
Speaking in northern city of Kaduna on Tuesday, Ibrahim Coomasie, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the government should do everything to stop all these killings, kidnapping and other vices.
The killings by rampaging herdsmen, kidnappings, particularly of the 110 female students of the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State and other vices were portraying the region in a bad light, the former police chief told reporters.
Coomasie said the ACF was gravely concerned about killings in the region.
The ACF Chairman also appealed to northern leaders to put their heads together to save the region from actions or activities that cast negative narratives on the north.
The former police chief called on the Buhari administration to do all within its powers to see to the end of all killings and kidnappings of particularly women and children.
"Chibok girls are still missing. Now it has gone to Dapchi in Yobe State. What happened? Are we always going to be the victims? Boko Haram, see what they did to the Northeast. They have spread over to the North central and even to the southern part of the country," he added.
Nigeria in recent times has witnessed an unprecedented level of insecurity. The West African nation has lost more than 20,000 lives in the northern region since 2009 to the insurgency of the infamous sect Boko Haram which has been ravaging the northern region of the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 02:02:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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Photo taken on March 20, 2018 shows the site of a rocket attack east of Damascus, capital of Syria. The death toll rose to 35 in a rebel rocket attack on a crowded marketplace Tuesday east of Damascus. (Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 35 in a rebel rocket attack on a crowded marketplace Tuesday east of the Syrian capital Damascus.
The improvised rocket hit the Kashkoul marketplace east of Damascus, leaving many more people wounded.
The attack is one of the deadliest caused by rebels' rocket fire in Damascus, where four other people were killed Tuesday by mortar shells in other parts of the capital city.
This comes as the Syrian army is advancing in the depth of the rebel bastions in Eastern Ghouta in the countryside of Damascus.
The state TV said the Syrian forces reached on Tuesday the farmlands of the Ayn Tarma area, a key bastion of the Failaq al-Rahman rebels, who are responsible for most of the mortar and rocket attacks on the capital.
The Syrian army has already controlled over 80 percent of Eastern Ghouta, the last remaining threat to the capital.
LUANDA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Angolan private mobile phone service provider UNITEL SA, 25 percent owned by businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, will be the fourth mobile operator in Zambia, where the Angolan company will invest more than 350 million U.S. Dollars.
According to a statement by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority, UNITEL has pledged to invest over 350 million U.S. Dollars and create more than 450 direct jobs.
Zambia has selected UNITEL International Holdings as the fourth-largest mobile phone service provider in the country, Angolan media reported on Tuesday.
For Zambia's part, the country's telecommunications regulator concluded after a two-year review that more competition is needed to improve services and lower prices.
DAR ES SALAAM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank said on Tuesday Tanzania lagged behind in expanding and sustaining basic water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) coverage.
"More than 23 million citizens retrieve drinking water from unimproved sources, and 41 million people use unimproved sanitation facilities," said the World Bank in a report launched in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's population is 54 million.
"Adequate WASH is a crucial component of basic human necessities that allow a person to thrive in life," said Bella Bird, World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Somalia and Burundi.
She added: "Outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne illnesses do not only overburden health systems and increase premature deaths, they do also leave a negative mark on the individual's social mobility, health, quality of life, and their human capital."
Tanzania will need to invest more in WASH if it is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), improve human development outcomes, and accelerate poverty reduction, according to a new WASH Poverty Diagnostic published by the World Bank.
The Tanzania WASH Poverty Diagnostic is part of a multi-partner Global WASH Poverty Diagnostic initiative being implemented in 18 countries across regions.
Its objectives are to highlight the priority gaps in WASH access; identify regions and population groups that are most deprived of higher-quality WASH services; demonstrate how investment in WASH can aid poverty reduction and human development strategies; and identify the major institutional constraints that hold back effective WASH service delivery.
While Tanzania has achieved significant growth, averaging 6.5 percent over the past decade, with a modest reduction in poverty from 34 percent to 28 percent (2007-2012), it lags in expanding and sustaining basic WASH coverage, said the report.
"As Tanzania seeks to achieve the ambitious SDG targets, it is more important than ever to assess the current state of WASH service delivery to inform evidence-based strategies that target gaps in service delivery," said George Joseph, World Bank Senior Economist, who co-authored the report.
"The country needs to see the new SDG era as a good opportunity to move its WASH agenda forward ambitiously to improve human development and eradicate poverty," said Joseph.
CAIRO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Uber and Careem taxi services operating in Egypt said Tuesday that they will appeal the court order banning their services to a higher court in the country.
Earlier on Tuesday, an administrative court in Egypt decided to ban the Uber and Careem taxi services from operating in the country based on a lawsuit filed by a group of traditional taxi drivers, accusing the two companies of breaking traffic laws by using private vehicles for commercial purposes.
"We respect the Egyptian judiciary... but we will appeal the verdict before the concerned court and our services are still available in Egypt," Uber Egypt's General Manager Abdel-Latif Waked said in a statement Tuesday.
"Uber is considered as one of the largest participants in the national economy and it has contributed to the creation of more than 150,000 job opportunities in Egypt during the year 2017 alone," he added.
Similarly, Careem released a statement Tuesday saying that it has not been officially informed to stop its services in Egypt and that the company continues its business normally.
The administrative court order came in response to a case filed in February 2017 by a group of Egyptian traditional taxi drivers who accused the two services of violating the Egyptian traffic law by using privately-owned cars as taxis without license.
The two online-based taxi service companies have been providing services in Egypt for a few years during which traditional taxi drivers have repeatedly protested the negative impact of the two companies on their work.
Uber and Careem have recently introduced taxi motorbikes and three-wheeled motorized rickshaws, known as "tuk-tuks," as new services in some areas in the most populous Arab country.
The court order banning their operation can still be appealed before the Higher Administrative Court.
"The ruling must take effect and cannot be stopped except by an order from the Higher Administrative Court," Tarek Nagida, a lawyer told Xinhua.
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will probably meet Russian President Vladimir Putin who won Sunday's election in a landslide victory "in the not too distant future."
"I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on the victory," Trump told reporters at the White House before his meeting with visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
"The call had to do also with the fact that we will probably get together in the not too distant future," Trump added.
Trump said that they could discuss the arms race between Washington and Moscow and also talk about issues including Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula.
The White House said in a statement that Trump and Putin in their phone call earlier on Tuesday discussed the bilateral relations, resolving to continue dialogue about mutual national security priorities and challenges.
During the phone call, Trump also emphasized the importance of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, according to the statement.
Putin was re-elected Russian president for the fourth time in a landslide victory on Sunday, garnering more than 76 percent of the vote.
Trump's remarks on his possible meeting with Putin came less than a month after the United States bridled at Putin's missile plan, saying U.S. defense capabilities remain "unmatched" and "second to none."
The U.S. Department of Defense rolled out its budget for fiscal year 2019 in late February, asking Congress for 716 billion U.S. dollars for arms purchases and a staff expansion.
KHARTOUM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir headed Tuesday for Rwanda's capital Kigali to participate in the 10th Extraordinary Summit of African Union (AU) summit, Sudan official news agency (SUNA) reported.
The AU summit on African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, SUNA said.
SUNA added President al-Bashir is heading Sudan's official delegation to the AU summit, which was agreed during the AU summit in Addis Ababa last January.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) is aimed at deepening African economic integration, promoting agricultural development, food security, industrialization and structural economic transformation through single-air continental transport market with free movement of persons, capital, goods and services.
The Sudanese president left for Kigali accompanied by Minister for Presidency, Minister for Foreign Affairs, State Minister for Presidency, General Manager of Office of the president, according to SUNA.
VILNIUS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's State defense council decided on Tuesday to increase the country's defense spending up to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, citing ongoing security tensions in the Eastern Europe as the reason for the increase.
The state security council (VGT), a top defense body, governed by the country's president, approved the decision to "gradually increase" the defense spending, pushing it further above the NATO target of 2.0 percent of GDP.
According to the VGT, an extraordinary security situation could lead to an even higher increase.
"The security situation in the region remains complicated, tensions around Lithuania haven't diminished. People's security has to be guaranteed, we have to continue strengthening the country's defense capabilities," Zivile Satuniene, the chief national security adviser to the Lithuania president, told journalists after the VGT sitting.
In 2018, Lithuania's defense expenditures are 873 million euros (1.07 billion U.S. dollars), or 2.01 percent of the country's GDP.
The country's parliament has the final say on the allocation of budget expenditures but so far, the parliament and the government have followed the VGT's recommendations.
However, Ramunas Karbauskis, the leader of Lithuania's ruling Peasants and Greens Union in parliament, criticized the plans.
"There's no need for us to lead in terms of defense spending when we have so many other problems in the country," Karbauskis was quoted as saying by local news agency BNS.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis backed the idea of boosting defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP.
Lithuania, a small Baltic country with a population of less than 3 million and NATO's eastern-flank member, has found itself under increased security threat since 2014.
VILNIUS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday rejected the opposition party's initiative to hold early parliamentary elections this June.
The draft project calling for early elections was presented at parliament by Gabrielius Landsbergis, the leader of opposition's Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats party.
"There is no ruling majority at the parliament anymore. A ruling minority has been working for some time already which makes decisions difficult," said Lansbergis, referring to the ruling Farmers and Greens Union.
According to Landsbergis, the ruling party is unwilling to make compromises.
"We are open to compromise, unfortunately, we have not been heard so far," he added.
However, the opposition's proposal was rejected as it was supported by only 52 lawmakers, while 57 members of parliament voted against.
"It would be a waste of time and money as the early elections would barely change the current political situation," Mindaugas Puidokas, a lawmaker from the ruling Farmers and Greens, was quoted as saying at the parliament by local media.
According to calculations by the ruling party, an early election would cost more than 10 million euros (12.3 million U.S. dollars).
The initiative of early elections was pushed forward by the opposition last week after the unsuccessful impeachment process of Mindaugas Bastys, a member of parliament who was accused last year of acting against the Lithuanian state and grossly violating the Constitution.
Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite was skeptical about an early election in her comments last week. The head of state urged the parliament to find a compromise in order to "start working for the sake of the state and its people."
In the past 25 years, each of the eight initiatives for holding early election submitted at Lithuanian parliament have been rejected.
Lithuania's next parliamentary election is scheduled for October 2020.
LUANDA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Angolan Ministry of Fisheries and the Sea, in partnership with Norway, is working on the drafting of a national strategic plan for the sea, which will guide the exploration and management of marine resources in Angola, with a view to ensuring its sustainability.
In addition to fishing, the strategic plan will also have the mission of obtaining more knowledge about the other marine resources that the Angolan coast has, according to the country's Minister of Fisheries and the Sea, Victoria de Barros Neto on Tuesday.
Given the long experience of Norway in the fisheries and the sea, the Minister requested Norwegian support to help the country to draw up concrete strategies for the sustainable exploitation of the Angolan sea.
She affirmed that the sustainability of the Angolan sea is related to its preservation, exploring the marine resources in a responsible manner, so that the new generations can take advantage of the sea.
On the other hand, Norway's Charge d'affaires, Havard Hoksnes, expressed his availability to cooperate with Angola in the expansion of fish processing plants in the country's coastal provinces to ensure the supply of fish to the national market.
He said that Angola has great potential and a vast coastline, which could guarantee the food security of the local population and neighboring countries.
"We value our collaboration with Angola in contributing to a sustainable and viable fishing industry, which can in turn help in the diversification of the country's economy, with a view to eradicating poverty and improving the environment along the Angolan coast," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 03:28:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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KUWAIT CITY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait on Tuesday called on Chinese investors to increase investment in the country.
The call was issued by Rabah Al-Rabah, director general of Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the second Kuwait Investment Forum, which kicked off Tuesday in Bayan Palace in Kuwait City.
China and Kuwait currently maintain practical cooperation in a wide range of fields, especially within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.
The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.
"In the past few years, China has always been one of Kuwait's most important trading partners. We hope that more Chinese investors will come to Kuwait to do business," Al-Rabah noted.
"We encourage and support trade liberalization and policy of openness, opposing all trade barriers," he said, noting that it is also an important basis for encouraging foreign investment.
The two-day Kuwait Investment Forum will focus on the prospect of investment in the country, its commercial facilities, business opportunities, funding and sustainable development.
The first forum was held in March 2017, shedding light on Kuwait's approach toward sustainable development and innovation.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 03:33:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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NEW YORK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday as concerns over tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia supported oil markets.
Saudi Arabia called the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers a "flawed agreement" on Monday, on the eve of a meeting between the Saudi crown prince and U.S. President Donald Trump, according to CNBC.
Trump has threatened to withdraw the United States from the accord between Tehran and six world powers, raising the prospect of new sanctions that could hurt Iran's oil industry.
Oil prices were also supported by falling production in Venezuela, whose output has been halved since 2005 to below 2 million barrels per day.
The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery jumped 1.34 U.S. dollars to settle at 63.40 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for May delivery added 1.37 dollars to close at 67.42 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
In this file photo taken on Nov. 11, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk as they make their way to take the "family photo" during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in the central Vietnamese city of Danang. (Xinhua/AFP)
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will probably meet Russian President Vladimir Putin who won Sunday's election in a landslide victory "in the not too distant future."
"I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on the victory," Trump told reporters at the White House before his meeting with visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
"The call had to do also with the fact that we will probably get together in the not too distant future," Trump added.
Trump said that they could discuss the arms race between Washington and Moscow and also talk about issues including Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula.
The White House said in a statement that Trump and Putin in their phone call earlier on Tuesday discussed the bilateral relations, resolving to continue dialogue about mutual national security priorities and challenges.
During the phone call, Trump also emphasized the importance of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, according to the statement.
Incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures to people at an occasion in Moscow, Russia, on March 18, 2018. Incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to win his fourth term as he got 75.91 percent of the votes after 70 percent of the ballots were counted, preliminary data from the Central Election Commission (CEC) showed. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
Putin was re-elected Russian president for the fourth time in a landslide victory on Sunday, garnering more than 76 percent of the vote.
Trump's remarks on his possible meeting with Putin came less than a month after the United States bridled at Putin's missile plan, saying U.S. defense capabilities remain "unmatched" and "second to none."
In this file photo taken on May 09, 2017, a Russian Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile system rides through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP)
The U.S. Department of Defense rolled out its budget for fiscal year 2019 in late February, asking Congress for 716 billion U.S. dollars for arms purchases and a staff expansion.
KIGALI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said Tuesday that his country and Rwanda are going to resolve existing challenges between the two countries.
"The challenges that were there are going to be resolved," said Ramaphosa, who was referring to the issue that the South African embassy in Rwanda does not issue visas to Rwandans.
Foreign ministers of the two countries are going to work on this immediately, said the president at a panel discussion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum, a side event of the African Union (AU) extraordinary summit on the AfCFTA.
"President Kagame and I are going to sign it off. We thus consider this matter of visas as solved," he said.
Rwanda and South Africa have had luke-warm relations after South Africa expelled in 2014 three Rwandan diplomats it linked to a raid on an exiled Rwandan general's Johannesburg home, and Rwanda retaliated by expelling six South African envoys.
ATHENS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian national Maria Efimova named in international arrest warrants as a key witness in a journalist's murder case in Malta, was arrested in Athens, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Tuesday.
Efimova, 36, a former bank employee showed up in a police station on Monday night and surrendered, according to the report. It was not stated when and how she arrived in Greece.
Two international warrants have been issued against her by Malta and Cyprus over charges of embezzlement and fraud, respectively.
Efimova was led before a prosecutor in Athens and ordered detained.
She is held at maximum security Korydallos prison, until an extradition request is examined.
Efimova is considered a key whistleblower in investigations into widespread corruption in Malta carried out by journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in October 2017.
Military personnel wearing protective coveralls work to remove a vehicle as part of the ongoing investigation in connection with the major incident sparked after a man and a woman were apparently poisoned in a nerve agent attack on March 12, 2018, near Middle Winterslow. (Xinhua/AFP)
UNITED NATIONS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A team of experts from the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) are collecting samples of the poisoning of a former Russian spy in southern England and the chemical used could be determined in three weeks, said Ahmet Uzumcu, the head of the OPCW, on Tuesday.
The samples will be sent to designated labs for analysis, which may take two to three weeks. Once the results were determined, they will be shared with the British government, the director-general told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.
British authorities have claimed that the nerve agent Novichok was used in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia on March 4 in the southern English city of Salisbury. London has demanded Moscow explain why the nerve agent that traces back to Russia should end up in Britain. Moscow has denied any involvement.
A police officer stands on duty at a cordon near a bench covered in a protective tent at The Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, southern England, on March 12, 2018, where a man and woman were found critically ill on March 4, after being apparently poisoned with what was later identified as a nerve agent sparking a major incident. (Xinhua/AFP)
Sergei Skripal, 66, is a former Russian spy before he became a double agent for Britain.
Asked about the possible link between Russia and the poisoning, Uzumcu said: "I cannot really prejudge the outcome of such a technical work at the moment."
Uzumcu, who has just briefed the Security Council on chemical weapons use in Syria, said there are several new allegations of chlorine attacks in the country. The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria are looking into the alleged incidents, he said.
A Syrian boy holds an oxygen mask over the face of an infant at a make-shift hospital following a reported gas attack on the rebel-held besieged town of Douma in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus on Jan. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/AFP)
There are also allegations of chemical weapons use in the district of Afrin, where Turkish forces are launching attacks on Kurds. But the OPCW mission could not find credible information to pursue investigations, said Uzumcu.
A worker counts Chinese currency Renminbi (RMB) at a bank in Linyi, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 11, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Chunlei)
NEW YORK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Instead of stressing their own views, the United States and China should seek win-win solutions to their disputes, a veteran U.S. business leader said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
"The United States and China are the two biggest economies in the world ... We have to work together," Shirley Young said, pointing out that the two country's business interests are highly intertwined.
Photo taken on Nov. 2, 2017 shows a local resident marinating beef imported from the United States, in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Young, 83, is a former vice president of U.S. automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM). She co-led the brand's entry into China in the 1980s.
PARTNERSHIP BRINGS WIN-WIN RESULTS
"Given the intertwined relationship and globalization, it's ridiculous to think we cannot work together," Young, an eyewitness to the evolution of China-U.S. economic relations over the past four decades, said.
A win-win situation is the basis for success and requires both sides to take into consideration each other's goals, the octogenarian said, adding that a partnership based on mutual respect allows both parties to win.
She called GM's success story in the Chinese market a good example of win-win cooperation between the two countries.
"In order to know what they want, you have to understand them and listen to what they say, instead of trying to push your point of view only," she said.
That willingness is key to forging good relationships not only in the economic sphere, but also in other sectors, she said.
The daughter of a Chinese diplomat, Young was born in Shanghai in 1935 but raised in the United States. She said she respected China throughout her upbringing though she didn't have any first-hand knowledge of the country until her first trip there.
Young had an analogy to describe the U.S. view toward China: "All of a sudden the little brother has become big and strong and equal ... in many ways, but still (the two of them) can live together in a peaceful way."
WHEN PEOPLE DETERMINE POLICIES
Young, who chairs the New York-based U.S.-China Cultural Institute, has devoted herself to promoting people-to-people exchanges, believing it is important for the West to understand Chinese people and Chinese culture since the development of China-U.S. relations will ultimately be determined by the people of the two countries.
A student from Beijing teaches a student from Medgar Evers College Preparatory School of New York how to write Chinese calligraphy during a cultural exchange event in New York, the United States, Feb. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
"(If) you can work with the people ... then eventually policies will change because the people choose the leaders and the leaders reflect what the people think," she said.
The former businesswoman encouraged young Americans to travel to China and see with their own eyes what the country really is, rather than solely relying on China-related news in the U.S. media. They will find that the world is not as polarized as described by the media and the political rhetoric in the West, she said.
Rejecting the notion that the rise of China poses a threat to the rest of the world, Young said it is important for people in the West to understand China, whose culture is vastly different from theirs.
"China is such a big country with so many people. It's very much concerned about itself, not so much concerned about dominating the world -- that has been true throughout China's history," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 04:33:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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Photo taken on March 20, 2018 shows the exterior of the office building of Cambridge Analytica in London, Britain. Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting company, was accused of harvesting data of up to 50 million Facebook users without permission and using the data to help politicians including U.S. President Donald Trump and the Brexit campaign. (Xinhua/Stephen Chung)
BRUSSELS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) and British lawmakers demanded on Tuesday that social media giant Facebook should clarify data breach following revelations that personal data was massively misused for political purposes.
"We've invited Mark Zuckerberg to the European Parliament. Facebook needs to clarify before the representatives of 500 million Europeans that personal data is not being used to manipulate democracy," European Parliament president Antonio Tajani tweeted.
Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting company, was accused of harvesting data of up to 50 million Facebook users without permission and using the data to help politicians including U.S. President Donald Trump and the Brexit campaign.
"If true, manipulating our personal data is unacceptable and a threat to democracy," Tajani said.
"We are waiting for Facebook representatives to testify on transparency and the respect of EU rules on data protection," he added.
British lawmakers have also summoned Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to give oral evidence after "misleading to the Committee" occurred at a previous hearing.
In a letter to Zuckerberg, Damian Collins, chair of the influential Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee (DCMS), said the answer of Facebook officials "consistently understated the risk" of user data being used without their consent and given "misleading" evidence to the parliament.
"It's now time to hear from a senior Facebook executive with the sufficient authority to give an accurate account of this catastrophic failure of process," Collins said.
BBC reported that Britain's information watchdog is seeking to apply to court for a warrant to search the offices of the London-based Cambridge Analytica.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has expressed her concern over the allegations that Cambridge Analytica exploited data on millions of Facebook users without their authorization in election campaigns, her spokesman said.
However, the firm denied all wrongdoings and insisted it followed the correct procedures in obtaining and using data.
The company has suspended its CEO Alexander Nix "with immediate effect, pending a full, independent investigation".
"Mr. Nix's recent comments secretly recorded by Channel 4 and other allegations do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation," Cambridge Analytica said in its latest statement.
Alexander Nix was filmed by an undercover reporter with Channel 4 News and he appeared to suggest tactics his company could use to discredit politicians online.
"We did all the research. We did all the data. We did all the analytics. We did all the targetting. We ran all the digital campaign and our data informed their strategy," Nix was filmed and told the undercover reporter during a meeting in a London hotel.
In its previous statement, Cambridge Analytica said it "strongly denies" the claims recently made by the New York Times, the Guardian and Channel 4 News.
"In 2014 we received Facebook data and derivatives of Facebook data from another company, GSR, that we engaged in good faith to legally supply data for research," the statement said.
The company added after it subsequently became known that GSR had broken its contract with Cambridge Analytica because it had not adhered to data protection regulation, Cambridge Analytica deleted all the Facebook data and derivatives, in cooperation with Facebook.
"This Facebook data was not used by Cambridge Analytica as part of the services it provided to the Donald Trump presidential campaign ... We did not work on the Brexit referendum in the UK," it added.
Facebook said on Friday it has suspended Cambridge Analytica from Facebook "given the public prominence of this organization".
Bloomberg reported on Monday that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Facebook over the use of that personal data.
Facebook said Tuesday it faced questions from FTC about the data acquired by Cambridge Analytica and the FTC said it had no indication of a formal investigation.
Facebook Deputy Chief Privacy Officer Rob Sherman said that the company remained committed to protecting people's information.
Facebook shares tumbled as much as 5 percent Tuesday, following a 6.7-percent plunge on Monday.
TRIPOLI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Italian Ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Peroni on Tuesday praised the joint efforts with Libya in dealing with illegal immigration.
Peroni made his remarks during a joint press conference in the Libyan capital Tripoli with Mohamed Beshr, the head of Libya's anti-illegal immigration department.
"There is a remarkable cooperation between Rome and Tripoli in reduction of illegal migration flows and the humanitarian management of the phenomenon, resulting in a decline of the number of migrants crossing towards Europe," Peroni said.
"We also commend the significant cooperation in combating crime and smuggling networks, which exploit and extort migrants," he added.
The Italian ambassador also revealed that there is a high-level coordination between Libyan and Italian NGOs to provide assistance to immigration reception centers.
He stressed that combating illegal immigration is a common priority between the two countries, especially with the suffering, repercussions and negative effects of illegal migration.
Beshr praised the partnership between the department and the Italian Embassy in reducing migrant flows towards Europe.
"We consider Italy as a closer partner than any other country due to its geographic and regional situation. It has provided a lot of logistical and material support in the fight against illegal immigration," Beshr said.
Beshr pointed that Libya relies on increased support from Italy to improve the conditions of migrant shelters.
Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores, due to the state of insecurity and chaos that followed the 2011 uprising.
EU has launched the naval operation Sophia in 2015 to monitor Libyan maritime border in order to fight illegal immigration across the Mediterranean, as well as applying an arms ban on Libya. The EU has extended the mandate of Sofia until the end of 2018.
According to European reports, the operation stopped 470 boats from transporting migrants to Europe, and rescued 40,000 migrants at sea.
The operation also arrested more than 100 smugglers and members of human trafficking networks and handed them over to Italy.
RABAT, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been awarded Morocco's 6th Hassan II Great World Water Prize at the 8th World Water Forum in Brasilia, Brazil, the Moroccan MAP official news agency reported on Tuesday.
This award was presented by Morocco's Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani to OECD in recognition for its work in elevating water security as a crucial issue, ensuring greater visibility globally for a wide range of associated issues and providing policy guidance on water security to OECD members and non-OECD countries, the report said.
Speaking on this occasion, Moroccan State Secretary for Water, Charafat Afailal, said that the Hassan II World Water Prize embodies the noble values for which it was created, noting that this 6th edition focuses on rewarding candidates specifically for working towards "greater solidarity and inclusion in order to ensure water security and climate justice."
The Hassan II Great World Water Prize recognizes excellence in "cooperation and sound management in the development and use of water resources."
Now in its 6th edition, the King Hassan II Great World Water Prize is a world-renowned and prestigious policy tool, jointly established by the Kingdom of Morocco and the World Water Council.
The prize is awarded every three years at the World Water Forum by an international jury.
It operates under the theme of "cooperation and solidarity in the fields of management and development of water resources."
The World Water Forum is being held from March 18-23, under the theme of "Sharing Water," in light of water's role in uniting communities and tearing down barriers.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 04:43:31|Editor: Jiaxin
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Botswana's Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi made remarks at the closing ceremony of the International conference on poverty eradication in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, March 21, 2018. The two-day conference, under the theme "leave no one behind in the fight against poverty, exclusion and inequality", was hosted by government of Botswana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (Xinhua)
GABORONE, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Experts and policymakers from around the world gathered Tuesday to share ideas on poverty eradication, in Gaborone, capital of Botswana.
The two-day conference, under the theme "leave no one behind in the fight against poverty, exclusion and inequality", was hosted by government of Botswana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The conference will focus on identifying and showcasing best practice examples from countries that have been successful in reducing and alleviating poverty, as well as sharing ideas on the critical pathways and trade-offs for achieving further progress.
Speaking at the official opening, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama said the theme, 'leave no one behind', is also a guiding principle for the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which world leaders made a commitment to implement in 2015.
"Botswana is finalizing the Poverty Eradication Strategy, which will be of great assistance to us in our implementation of the goals and targets that we have set ourselves to take everybody out of poverty," said Khama.
According to Khama, as the poverty eradication program was rolled out, emphasis was given to targeting more vulnerable groups such as women and the youth through additional initiatives such as the Youth Development Fund and the Women Economic Empowerment, amongst others.
The latest statistics from a 2016 World Bank Report indicates that more than 700 million people or 10 percent of the world's population still live in extreme poverty. The majority of the vulnerable groups are children.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed, and four others were injured in a gas explosion in a five-story apartment building in Murmansk in northern Russia.
TASS reports that the explosion occurred at 16:55 local time. A part of the wall and a part of the roof collapsed, destroying three floors of the building.
"I was in the shop, when I heard a loud bang, walls started to shake. Rescuers came within minutes," Local citizen Roman told TASS. Another witness said there was a "strong blast wave."
More than 390 people and over 90 units of equipment are involved in the rescue effort.
Investigators have launched a probe into the blast.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-21 05:28:42|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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GENEVA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency UNHCR on Tuesday said it is alarmed by a further deepening of the humanitarian crisis in Syria as fierce fighting in Eastern Ghouta, rural Damascus and Afrin in the country's northwest causes massive new displacement.
In Eastern Ghouta alone, UNHCR said, more than 45,000 Syrians have fled their homes in recent days.
"We are today reiterating our call for the protection and safety of and full, unhindered and continuous humanitarian access to both the newly displaced and the hundreds of thousands civilians, still trapped by fierce fighting and in dire need of aid," Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for UNHCR, told a press briefing here on Tuesday.
According to UNHCR, the newly displaced are currently accommodated in places where conditions are miserable, and the needs are overwhelming and growing by the hour, together with serious health risks.
"All existing shelters are extremely congested and overcrowded and lack basic sanitation. People queue in lines for hours to use restrooms, and most have no lighting," Mahecic said.
UNHCR said it has so far delivered 180,000 core relief items to meet the urgent needs. At several collective shelters, people living in the open in schoolyards are desperate and using UNHCR's blankets as partitions to create some privacy, and to protect themselves and their families from the sun in daytime, and from the cold at night.
"Full and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians inside and outside Eastern Ghouta, in collective shelters and elsewhere is crucial to ensure the urgent needs of civilians are met," Mahecic stressed.
According to UNHCR, another emergency is unfolding in the northwest of Syria where an estimated 104,000 people have been uprooted from their homes in Afrin region by the latest escalation in fighting.
In the face of the growing Afrin emergency, UNHCR said it has scaled up its response, with 100,000 core relief items having been delivered in the last two days.
JOS, Nigeria, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Nigeria, the two nations with biggest population and economies in their continents, has a special bond between them, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Zhou Pingjian said in central north city of Jos on Tuesday.
He spoke at a ceremony where he offered scholarships to 47 indigent students of the University of Jos.
Zhou said the gesture was aimed at solidifying the special bond between China and Nigeria, adding that the scholarships would further cement his country's friendship and cooperation with Nigeria.
The Ambassador promised to look into calls for more scholarships to needy students and fellowships for post-graduate students to boost the standard of education in the institution.
The ambassador advised Nigeria to pay special attention to education so as to arm the youths with the knowledge and capacities to make Nigeria a great nation.
"No nation can be great or happy if its youths are not happy. No nation can grow if the potentialities of its youths are not fully explored," he said.
Zhou also said both China and Nigeria were developing nations, saying that China was focused on eliminating absolute poverty by 100 percent in 2020.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Sebastian Maimako, thanked the Chinese ambassador for the fellowship, saying the gesture would deepen the relationship between the institution and China.
He also called for more exchange programs and special grants for researches toward finding solutions to issues affecting humanity.
Seven students living with disabilities were among the beneficiaries of the Chinese fellowship.
RABAT, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's trade deficit increased by 19.2 percent by February compared with the year before, reaching 5.2 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by the foreign exchange regulator on Tuesday.
The rise in the deficit was driven by a hike in imports by 12.5 percent to nearly 75 billion U.S. dollars from 66.5 billion dollars in February 2017, according to exchange regulator statistics.
The hike was due to a 19.9-percent increase in energy bills and 13.9-percent rise in equipment imports, the same source pointed out.
Total exports rose by 8 percent year on year, but stood at only 42.7 billion dollars, pushed by the rise of 15.5 percent in car industry and 2.5 percent in agriculture exports, the exchange regulator said.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. aerospace leader Boeing Company announced Tuesday that it has struck a deal with Ukraine's new airline, SkyUp, to sell five 737 MAX aircrafts to help grow its Boeing fleet.
The deal, valued at 624 million U.S. dollars at list prices, includes two 737 MAX 8 and three 737 MAX 10 jets, making SkyUp the first customer in Eastern Europe to order the MAX 10 model, Boeing said.
The Kiev-based SkyUp is a new airline that plans to begin charter operations in April with leased Next-Generation 737 airplanes, and the new order of the MAX airplanes will help the airline meet future demand in the Ukrainian market.
"Distinctive dispatch reliability, low operational costs and passenger comfort were the main factors for choosing the 737 MAX," said Eugeny Khainatsky, general director of SkyUp Airlines.
SkyUp is the 95th customer of Boeing's 737 MAX series, and the latest 737 MAX 10 model has a maximum seating capacity of 230 with a range up to about 6,110 kilometers.
Launched in August 2011, the Boeing 737 MAX program has made the MAX family the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,300 orders from 95 global customers of Boeing Commercial Airplanes headquartered in Seattle, Washington state on the U.S. Pacific West.
BERLIN, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Both headquarters of German carmakers BMW and Volkswagen have been searched on Tuesday by German prosecutors.
The raids on BMW in its company base Munich were part of a "preliminary investigation into suspected diesel emissions fraud," the Munich prosecutors said on Tuesday, cited by German media Deutsche Welle.
The prosecutors said that they had reason to believe that more than 11,000 BMW vehicles were equipped with "inadmissible defeat devices."
The carmaker recalled 11,700 cars to fix engine management software last month because of wrongly installed programming. The company said the software was "erroneously allocated" in vehicles of the BMW 750d and BMW M550d models.
On the same day, another German carmaker Volkswagen's headquarters were also raided by German prosecutors.
The new investigation relates to two press releases in late 2015, which admitted that Volkswagen had found "unexplained figures" in CO2 and fuel-usage readings, according to a company statement.
The first statement said the irregularities could affect around 800,000 cars. Then the second statement revised the figure significantly downwards, stating that nine models were affected and that "no unlawful change" had been found.
"We have reason to believe that more vehicles are affected," prosecutor Klaus Ziehe said, cited by German new agency dpa.
"The prosecutors will check whether Volkswagen employees acted negligently or with intention," he added.
Yuma News
Yuma, Arizona - Today at approximately 2:13 p.m., Yuma Police Officers responded to a report of threats with a handgun at Carver Elementary School, located at 1341 W. 5th Street. Officers responded to the school and placed it on lockdown.
Arriving officers split up; some were attempting to locate the male subject while others were locating witnesses. Witnesses that were interviewed did see the male subject, but did not see him threaten anyone or display a handgun towards anyone.
The male subject was identified and located at his residence. Officers interviewed the subject and he stated he was near the school, but did not have a weapon on him. He was not armed when officers made contact.
Once it was determined that there was no threat, the school lockdown was lifted.
Proiectele de case fara etaj sau cele cu mansarda, tot mai cautate - iata de ce!
(P) Ideea de a locui la casa nu mai echivaleaza doar cu grandoarea unui spatiu. Ne multumim cu orice palma de pamant. Exista diverse modalitati prin care poate fi exploatat un spatiu, astfel incat locuinta sa fie una reusita si conforma [citeste mai departe]
SEOUL: In view of looming threats from North Korea, Seoul is planning to deploy surface-to-surface missiles in a newly created counter-artillery brigade which can destroy the bunkers of its hostile neighbour in the event of a military conflict between the two Korean states.
According to reports, the deployment of missiles is likely to be complete by October. These missiles have the potential to destroy North Koreas hardened long-range artillery sites near the Demilitarized Zone, according to a report by Defensenews.
It quoted a defense source as saying that the plan is part of South Koreas plan for developing an offensive operations scheme under which tactical missiles will be developed.
The sources further said that the plan to create an artillery brigade under a ground forces operations command has been cleared by the Ministry of National Defense. It will be inaugurated in October, the sources said.
The proposal, which is part of 'Defense Reform 2.0 policy, awaits President Moon Jae-in's nod. It mainly focusses on destroying North Koreas long-range guns more rapidly and effectively, should conflict arise, they said.
The three-year development of the GPS-guided Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile was completed last year b the Hanwha Corporation in partnership with the state-funded Agency for Defense Development, or ADD.
The missile, dubbed artillery killer, has a range of more than 120 kilometers and can hit targets with a 2-meter accuracy, as per the South Korean officials.
At least four missiles can be launched simultaneously from a fixed launch pad, which can penetrate bunkers and hardened, dug-in targets several meters underground.
Beijing: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said that China won't cede even an inch of its land and was prepared to fight the bloody battle against its enemies.
"Not a single inch of our land will be or can be ceded from China," Xi said on the concluding day of the annual session of the National's People's Congress - China's Parliament.
"We are resolved to fight the bloody battle against our enemies," Xi said at the Great Hall.
China fears secession by Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Taiwan is a self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own and vows to unite it with China one day.
People in Hong Kong - a former British colony and now a special administrative region of China - resent growing interference by Beijing.
Xi's views were echoed by Prime Minister Li Keqiang.
"China is resolute in upholding its own territorial integrity and will not abandon an inch of its own land. China will not take and occupy an inch of land of others," Li said in a press conference on the closing day of the NPC session.
Ranchi: Jailed former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad, who has been convicted by a special CBI court in the fourth fodder scam case, has been referred to Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) for treatment, according to Zee Media sources.
The RJD chief is admitted to Ranchi's Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). However, the nature of his ailment is not confirmed.
On Monday, CBI judge Shiv Pal Singh had held the 69-year-old guilty along with 18 others. On the other hand, another former Bihar CM and Congress leader Jagannath Mishra was among the twelve acquitted in the case RC 38 A/96 pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury in the early 1990s.
The charges against the convicted persons are 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (misappropriation), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), 477A/IPC and section 13 (2) with 13 (i) c &d of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (misuse of official position for pecuniary advantage by the public servant and others).
The judge will hear arguments on the quantum of the sentence from March 21, according to a CBI counsel, PTI reported.
The decision was the fourth conviction for Lalu in fodder scam cases pertaining to illegal withdrawal of money from government treasury in 1990s in the undivided Bihar when RJD was in power and he the CM.
Lalu has been in Birsa Munda jail at Ranchi since December 23, 2017, after being convicted in the second case pertaining to illegal withdrawal of money from Deogarh treasury.
Earlier, he was convicted on September 30, 2013 in the RC 20A/96 case of Chaibasa pertaining to illegal withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore in the 1990s. He got five years prison term in the case following which he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha and barred from contesting elections for six years after completion of jail term.
There were a total of 47 accused in the fourth fodder scam. Fourteen of them had died during the course of the trial, while two turned approvers.
In the second case, Lalu was convicted in the RC64A/96 in connection with fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from Deoghar Treasury in the 1990s. He was awarded 3.5 years sentence in the case on December 23, 2017.
In another Chaibasa case, RC 68A/96 pertaining to Rs 37.62 crore Lalu got five years prison term on January 24, 2018, while Mishra was acquitted in two fodder cases while being convicted in two cases.
The fifth case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 139 crore from the Doranda treasury in Ranchi is pending with the court.
(With PTI inputs)
It was said about the Bourbons, the ruling dynasty at the time of the French Revolution (1789), that they had learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. For, after the fall of Napoleon and their restoration, they continued with their old ways, the ways that had led to the Revolution in the first place. The 84th plenary of the Congress gives a similar message: the grand old party has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.
Other than providing catchy quotes to the media, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi didn't offer much substantive to the country in terms of alternative policy and workable programmes. For instance, he castigated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "corrupt ways." He compared the 2019 general elections with the Mahabharata, in which the "power-hungry" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fight the "humble" Congress. Needless to say, in this epic battle, the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are the Kauravas and Congress leaders the Pandavas.
However, the 'Resolution on Economic Situation In India,' approved at Plenary, gives a glimpse of the thinking in the party. The glimpse is not comforting, for it confirms the impression that the GOP remains wedded to socialism even after 27 years of liberalization-ironically carried out by its own leaders. "State ownership of businesses in certain critical sectors such as defence production, mass transportation, natural resources, and financial services is both needed and justified where maximization of value to shareholders may not be the sole measure of success," says the Resolution.
In plain English, it means that the party is not only opposed to the privatization of big public sector undertakings and banks (PSUs and PSBs) but also to the private sector participation in Railways, metro, roadways, airlines, petroleum, steel, aluminium, coal, etc. More importantly, the Congress does not like private companies to participate in defence production.
There is something very odd about the Congress's dislike for the involvement of domestic private companies in defence production, for it doesn't have problems with foreign private companies. This, by the way, was government policy till 2002, when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime allowed private enterprise in the sector. Announcing the change, Union Minister Pramod Mahajan had highlighted this dissonance in policy. The announcement paved the path for private companies in defence production.
Two years later, however, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance came to power, and all progress in defence production came to a standstill. For eight years in the UPA's two tenures, AK Antony was Defence Minister. Defence preparedness suffered enormously under him; defence production hit one roadblock after the other. At the time he quit, the Indian military needed arms and ammunitions worth $100 billion. The well-known defence expert, Rear Admiral (Retired) K Raja Menon, called Antony the "worst Defence Minister ever."
Antony's biggest problem, as also of the entire UPA, was his marked tilt towards socialism. So, the eight defence PSUs, 39 ordnance factories, three defence shipyards, and 52 DRDO laboratories continued functioning in typically sarkari manner. The private sector was anyway looked at with suspicion. The upshot was that our dependence on defence imports rose to around 65 per cent.
This is not to say that all is well with private sector participation in defence in defence in particular and with Make in India Programme in general. In fact, the Modi government's performance on economic reforms is less than stellar. But the Congress seems to worse: it is against the very idea of liberalisation, if the Resolution is anything to go by.
An illustration of the GOP's fascination with socialism is its conviction that state-owned banks ought to continue. "Pinning all the woes of India's banking sector merely on state ownership of banks is a gross simplification of the problem," the Congress Resolution says.
This is factually incorrect, for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has ruled out denationalization of PSBs, even though Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian favours privatisation. In May last year, RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had also recommended the sale of some PSBs. Besides, there have been committees constituted by the Reserve Bank of India that suggested privatisation of PSBs.
It seems that the Congress wants to nip any such move in the bud. This is despite the fact that PSB re-privatisation is the solution to the banking woes. Denationalisation is necessary for two reasons. First, the taxpayer has been suffering because of PSBs: in the last 11 years, their recapitalisation has cost the exchequer Rs 2.6 lakh crore; in the next two years, about Rs 1.3 lakh crore would be needed. Second, since 70 per cent banking is in the public sector, rickety PSBs become a drag on the entire economy.
In a nutshell, the Congress offers a policy framework which is worse than stale: it not only promises ruinous schemes like farm loan waivers but also hints at reversal of liberalization, something it did when it was last in power for two terms. It was the jettisoning of economic reforms that led to humungous scams and policy paralysis. The party has not learnt any lessons from the UPA experience; nor has it forgotten the hackneyed slogans of its socialist past. Just like the Bourbons.
(Ravi Shanker Kapoor is a journalist and author. He has spent around 25 years in the media. As a freelance journalist, Kapoor has written for a number of leading publications. He has written four books on Indian politics and its associated institutions.)
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)
New Delhi: Responding to the fresh set of summons sent by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), absconding jeweller Mehul Choksi again wrote a letter to the investigative agency stating that was impossible for him to return to India and join the investigation due to the suspension of his passport and ill-health.
Regional Passport Office hasn't communicated with me and my passport remains suspended. I have deepest respect for your offices and assure you that I am not making any excuse, whatsoever to travel to India, Choksi said.
In a detailed e-mail reply to the CBI's notice seeking his appearance, he added, I am extremely held up in my business abroad and am working hard to resolves the issues it is facing due to the unnecessary closure of business in India due to untenable allegations. Further I am unable to travel to India due to my persisting health condition.
On the first week of this month CBI had sent fresh summons a to designer diamond jewellery businessman Nirav Modi and his uncle Choksi to join investigations immediately. The agency had earlier sent summons on February 19, 23 and 28 asking them to appear on March 7.
I reiterate that I am abroad and have earlier also responded to your notices. Surprisingly, the issues raised remain unaddressed, making my fear of safety rise to extreme levels. Media continues to conduct a trial by itself and blow every issue out of proportion, he said.
I further inform that requiring me to join investigation, though leaving me helpless and information less, by various actions taken by multiple agencies is unfair. The manner in which the allegations have been exaggerated has left me completely defenseless, Choksi added.
Choksi, Modi and others are being investigated by the CBI and ED after the bank fraud recently came to light, following a complaint by the PNB that they had allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank The CBI and the ED have registered two FIRs each to probe the case.
Both Choksi and Modi have left the country before criminal cases were lodged against them. They have, however, denied any wrongdoing. The ED, a central probe agency under the union finance ministry, is investigating if the allegedly defrauded bank funds were laundered and proceeds of crime were subsequently used by the accused to create illegal assets and black money.
New Delhi: The Congress party has now advised the Delhi Chief Minister to change his name to Arvind Sorry Kejriwal hours after the latter tendered an apology to BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Kapil Sibal for making unverified allegations of corruption against them.
Consequently, both Gadkari and Sibal withdrew their defamation cases against the AAP chief on Monday.
However, reacting to the development, the Congress later said that this is what happens when "one does politics for sensationalism".
"There is a sorry Chief Minister in the country. He should change his name to Arvind Sorry Kejriwal. This is just the beginning of his trail of saying sorry, and not the end. He also has to apologise to the people of Delhi and the country, whom he has deceived," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjwala said in a press briefing.
Surjwala also asked Kejriwal to apologise to the people of Delhi for poor governance.
"He also has to apologise for poor governance. When you do politics only for sensationalism, and not for balance, then this going to be the consequence. The propaganda which was spread by him and his associates in collusion with BJP-RSS at Ram Leela Maidan during UPA rule, the truth of it has come out, '' he said.
"Delhi is sorry to have Kejriwal and his government," he added.
The development came days after Kejriwal regretted having accused Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia of drug trade without evidence.
In a March 16 letter to Gadkari, Kejriwal said he was feeling sorry for making "certain statements, without regard to its verifiability, which seem to have hurt you...
"I have nothing personal against you. I regret the same. Let us put the incident behind us and bring the court proceedings to a closure."
He also suggested to the Union Shipping and Transport Minister that "we should put our energy to serve the people of this country in the spirit of mutual respect".
Consequent to the regret, Gadkari and Kejriwal later filed a joint application in the Patiala House Court, seeking withdrawal of the defamation case.
"Kejriwal has acknowledged that (the) complainant (Gadkari) was hurt on account of unverified allegations and expressed regret, in the larger public interest" and that "the complainant does not wish to pursue the defamation case", read the application.
The court allowed the plea and disposed of the case.
In 2014, Gadkari had filed the defamation suit against Kejriwal after he named him in a list of "corrupt politicians".
Kejriwal and his Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also wrote to Congress leader Kapil Sibal and his son Amit, seeking apology for making "unfounded" allegation against them at a joint press conference on May 15, 2013.
"Now, I have learnt that the allegation I made against you and your father at the press conference were unfounded. I hereby withdraw all my allegations made against you and your father and apologize for the same.
"The damage caused to your esteem, the hurt caused to your family, friends and well-wishers and the loss caused to you is regretted," Kejriwal and Sisodia wrote in separate but identical letters.
The four -- Kejriwal, Sisodia and the Sibals -- then jointly wrote to the court seeking withdrawal of the defamation case by the Sibals. The court disposed of the case filed by Amit Sibal after Kejriwal alleged a conflict of interest over his appearing in the Supreme Court for Telecom major Vodafone when his father was the union Communication Minister.
Kejriwal has been dragged to courts in several defamation cases by various political leaders, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Last week, the AAP leader wrote to Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia for accusing him of involvement in drug trade without any proof to back the allegations.
The apology triggered a virtual rebellion in the AAP Punjab unit, leading to the resignation of Bhagwant Mann as its Punjab Unit chief.
(With Agency inputs)
NEW DELHI: Members of CPI-M's women's wing, All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), on Tuesday protested outside Vasant Kunj Police Station over cases of alleged molestation against a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor.
Members of CPI(M)'s women's wing All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) protest outside Vasant Kunj Police Station over cases of alleged molestation against a JNU professor, demand action. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/mPrt543Jij ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
They demanded strict and prompt action against the accused JNU professor. Meanwhile, All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) also staged a protest and submitted a memorandum to Vasant Kunj police station regarding the issue.
#Delhi: All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) staged protest and submitted a memorandum to Vasant Kunj police station over alleged molestation against a JNU professor. pic.twitter.com/g6lCLHWA2V ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
On Monday, students of the university had clashed with cops outside the Vasant Kunj Police Station during a protest against the professor accused of sexually harassing students in class. Demanding that the professor - Atul Johri - be immediately arrested, the students had also said eight FIRs based on eight complaints should be registered.
Hundreds of students had gathered outside the police station demanding strict action against Johri. While an FIR has already been filed against him, many are alleging only one FIR based on one of the many complaints has been filed. Instead, the demand is for eight separate FIRs based on eight complaints filed. The situation had quickly escalated with the protesting students clashing with cops deputed to ensure law and order was not compromised.
Earlier in the day, 54 JNU professors had petitioned Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Milind Dumbere's office for separate FIRs."Even though you have received 8 complaints, each of which reports incidents that are distinct and separated by space and time, you have chosen to register only one FIR under only one of the names. We are shocked to learn this as the law requires that a separate FIR is registered for each complaint," the petition read.
The accused professor Atul Johri has, however, maintained that he is innocent. While he has resigned from two administrative posts in JNU -- the director of the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC) and the director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) -- on "moral grounds", he claims that the allegation against him was a "motivated move" by students with vested interests.
Professor Johri of School of Life Sciences (SLS) has been accused of sexual harassment by a group of women students of the prestigious university. He has also been accused of financial irregularities.
At a press meet held on the campus, the women students of the SLS issued a statement which had said that the professor often makes lewd remarks, open demands for sex and comments on the figure of almost every girl. If a girl objects, he holds a grudge against her, it had said.
Another statement issued by the protesting students alleged a financial nexus between the professor and the JNU administration.
A 26-year-old student, who went missing and was later traced to her relative's house, had reportedly also sent an e-mail to the professor in which she said that she was leaving the prestigious university as she was tired of the professor's alleged sexual misconduct.
New Delhi: Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday appealed to the WTO members to identify common ground for strengthening the multi-lateral trade body amid challenges being faced by it following the deadlock at the Buenos Aires ministerial in December.
Delegates from as many as 52 countries, including the US and China, are participating in the informal meeting of the WTO called by India amidst increasing protectionism in global trade.
India has called this meet to explore options to reinvigorate the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Addressing the representatives, Prabhu said the meeting is happening at a time when WTO is facing multiple challenges including a deadlock which happened at Buenos Aires, Argentina, and systemic issues.
"Most of you present here would agree that the multilateral trading system has contributed significantly to economic growth, international trade, development and employment... If you value WTO and its contributions, then you should collectively agree to make all efforts to strengthen it. Inaction should not be choice for any one of us," he said.
There is an urgent need for reflection and political engagements on all such matters which are likely to have implications on the multilateral trading system, he added.
"Our meeting today is an initiative by India to facilitate free and frank exchange of views on all issues of common interest as well as seeking to address the challenges," Prabhu said.
The objective of this meeting is to reinvigorate the WTO and "we need to work together for achieving this objective," the minister said, adding, "let us find the ways to identify common ground for strengthening the organisation".
He called upon the participants to focus on issues like providing political guidance to further work in the WTO and the way forward on development.
He said that in the absence of guidance at the last ministerial conference, highest decision making body of the WTO, in Argentina, there is a need to provide collective political guidance on aspects such as matters where there are no work programmes.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of imposition of import duties on steel and aluminium by the US administration, and Washington dragging India to the WTO against export incentive programmes.
Although India has invited Pakistan for the meeting, it has decided to skip the conference.
WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo, who is here for the meet, has said: "We are facing many challenges in the WTO and outside. Trade environment globally is very risky at this point of time. We will try to have an open and honest conversation at the informal WTO meeting here".
The meeting would also discuss the issue of appointment of members of the appellate body of the WTO's dispute settlement body. The US has blocked appointment of these members, which would hamper its functioning.
The meeting has been convened by India in the aftermath of failure of the trade talks at Buenos Aires last year on account of differences among the members of the WTO.
The rich nations are forming groupings to prepare ground for pushing new issues such as investment facilitation, preparing rules for e-commerce, promoting gender equality and reducing subsidy on fisheries.
India has been keenly pushing agriculture issues at the WTO. It has also been raising its voice against bringing new issues, especially those which are not directly linked to trade, to the negotiating table.
The talks at the WTO's 11th ministerial conference collapsed after the US went back on its commitment to find a permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue, a key matter for India.
The four-day conference in Argentina, which ended without a ministerial declaration or any substantive outcome, did manage to make feeble progress on fisheries and e-commerce by agreeing to work programmes.
New Delhi: World Trade Organisation chief Roberto Azevdo has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The WTO director-general is here for a mini-ministerial meeting.
"Had a wonderful meeting with Mr. Roberto Azevdo, Director-General of the WTO" the PM tweeted and posted a picture with him.
Delegates from as many as 52 countries, including the US and China, are participating in the informal meeting of the WTO called by India amidst increasing protectionism in global trade.
India has called this meet to explore options to reinvigorate the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The meeting comes against the backdrop of imposition of import duties on steel and aluminium by the US administration, and Washington dragging India to the WTO against export incentive programmes.
Although India has invited Pakistan for the meeting, it has decided to skip the conference.
WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo, who is here for the meet, has said: "We are facing many challenges in the WTO and outside. Trade environment globally is very risky at this point of time. We will try to have an open and honest conversation at the informal WTO meeting here".
The meeting has been convened by India in the aftermath of failure of the trade talks at Buenos Aires last year on account of differences among the members of the WTO.
The rich nations are forming groupings to prepare ground for pushing new issues such as investment facilitation, preparing rules for e-commerce, promoting gender equality and reducing subsidy on fisheries.
India has been keenly pushing agriculture issues at the WTO. It has also been raising its voice against bringing new issues, especially those which are not directly linked to trade, to the negotiating table.
The talks at the WTO's 11th ministerial conference collapsed after the US went back on its commitment to find a permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue, a key matter for India.
The four-day conference in Argentina, which ended without a ministerial declaration or any substantive outcome, did manage to make feeble progress on fisheries and e-commerce by agreeing to work programmes.
With PTI Inputs
New Delhi: The Gujarat Chapter of Indian Institute of Mass Communication Alumni Association (IIMCAA) organised 'Connections 2018 Ahmedabad', the annual alumni meet of the institute at SilverCloud Hotel on Sabaramati Riverfront on Sunday (March 18).
Chapter President Dr Pradeep Mallik presided over the meeting. Chapter General Secretary Arvind Kumar and Treasurer Piyush Mishra were also present in the meeting.
IMCAA General Secretary Mihir Ranjan, founder member Ritesh Verma and electronic media journalist Kishan Barai were among the prominent guests.
A range of topics were discussed during the event whose primary objective is to establish connect between people who have studied at the prestigious IIMC.
At Indian Institute of Mass Communication we hardly know any of our senior or junior batch people as by the time a new batch had entered the campus the previous had already left. But IIMC Alumni Association served as the common thread which brought us together and today we are proud to say that we are a close-knit family, Mihir Ranjan said while addressing the gathering.
IIMCAA is hosting its annual meet 'Connections' in 14 cities across India apart from Singapore and Tashkent. IIMCAA Connections 2018 was launched in Delhi on February 18. The final event is scheduled in Chandigarh on April 22.
With the motto of communicating through its annual meet, the IIMC Alumni Association emphasizes on creating a bond between the ex-students, current batch and the faculty.
New Delhi: A giant France-sized glacier floating in the Antarctica waters has raised concerns among scientists, who revealed that there is more of the moving mass of ice than previously estimated.
Scientists fear that the glacier could melt faster as the climate warms and have a dramatic impact on the already rising sea-levels.
One of the fastest-flowing and largest glaciers in Antarctica, the Totten Glacier, could potentially unleash an enormous amount of water and scientists are keen to keep a close eye on its melting pattern.
Using artificially created seismic waves that help scientists see through the ice, researchers have discovered that more of the Totten Glacier floats on the ocean than initially thought.
"In some locations, we thought were grounded, we detected the ocean below indicating that the glacier is in fact floating," said Paul Winberry from Central Washington University, who spent the summer in Antarctica studying the Totten.
The findings are important because recent studies have shown the Totten Glacier's underbelly is already being eroded by warm, salty sea water flowing hundreds of kilometers inland after passing through underwater "gateways".
As it does, the portion of the glacier resting on water rather than rock increases, accelerating the pace of disintegration.
Winberry said more of the glacier floating on a warming ocean could help explain recent periods of accelerated melting.
"It also means the Totten might be more sensitive to climate variations in the future," he added.
Glaciers are huge bodies of dense ice that slowly move down valleys, mountains, and slopes under their own weight over many centuries, sculpting the earth below as they go.
They hold the vast majority of Earth's freshwater and are the main contributor to rising sea levels when they melt.
According to NASA monitoring, between 2002 and 2016, Antarctica lost 125 gigatonnes of ice per year, causing sea levels worldwide to rise by 0.35 millimeters annually.
From the air, the contours of Totten Glacier are invisible because the entire Antarctic continent is covered by a seamless, kilometers-thick blanket of snow and ice.
That is why scientists are so determined to understand what is happening underneath the glacier, hidden from view.
Team leader Ben Galton-Fenzi, from the Australian Antarctic Division, said the Totten Glacier contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by about three meters (9.8 feet) if it all melted.
"Since the 1900s the global sea-level has risen by around 20 centimeters and by the end of the century it's projected to rise by up to one meter or more, but this is subject to high uncertainty which is why studying glaciers such as the Totten is important," he said.
"These precise measurements of Totten Glacier are vital to monitoring changes and understanding them in the context of natural variations, and the research is an important step in assessing the potential impact on sea-level under various future scenarios."
Instruments to measure the glacial flow, speed and thickness have been left on the glacier for another 12 months collecting data.
(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Putting to rest speculations about the fate of 39 Indians who went missing in Iraq's Mosul since 2014, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday declared them dead. ''Out of the 40, who were kidnapped, one person managed to escape, while others were confirmed dead after DNA samples of their relatives matched from the bodies exhumed from a mound, '' EAM Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.
Swaraj said that the dreaded terror outfit Islamic State (ISIS) had killed all of them.
Speaking in the Upper House, Swaraj said, ''Mortal remains were sent to Baghdad. For verification of bodies, the DNA samples of their relatives were sent there and four state governments - Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar - were involved in this.''
''Yesterday, we got information that the DNA samples of 38 people have matched and DNA of the 39th person has matched 70 percent,'' Sushma told lawmakers in the Rajya Sabha.
Yesterday we got information that DNA samples of 38 people have matched and DNA of the 39th person has matched 70 per cent: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #RajyaSabha on 39 Indians kidnapped in Iraq's Mosul pic.twitter.com/almEfDANlz ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
I would like to confirm with a heavy heart that they have been killed by the Islamic State militia, she said.
The EAM further informed that Union Minister and former Army chief General VK Singh will now go to Iraq to bring back the mortal remains of the 39 Indians killed in Iraq.
''The plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata, '' Swaraj informed.
Swaraj had earlier refused to declare them dead without credible proof, saying this would be amount to "committing a sin".
"Declaring anyone dead without proof is a sin and I won't commit a sin," Swaraj had said in the Lok Sabha, responding to allegations that she was "misleading the house" on whether the Indians were alive.
Sushma Swaraj had then asserted that it was the government's duty to keep looking for the Indians, given that so far, "there are no bodies, no bloodstains, no list, no ISIS videos."
A group of Indian labourers, mostly from Punjab, Bihar and Himachal, was taken hostage by ISIS when it overran Iraq's second largest city Mosul in 2014.
The workers were trying to leave Mosul when they were intercepted and taken hostage by the ISIS fighters.
One of the captured Indians, Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur, had managed to escape and claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the others.
The Government of India (GoI) rejected his claim and maintained that all efforts were on to find the missing Indians and, without any credible information, the workers would be considered alive.
The GoI had even asked Iraq for help in locating the missing Indians after Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul from ISIS.
The government in Iraq too had earlier expressed its inability to confirm if Indians taken hostage by the ISIS in Mosul three years ago were alive or dead.
(With Agency inputs )
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday confirmed that thirty-nine Indians who were missing in Iraq's Mosul since 2014, were kidnapped and killed by the dreaded terrorist outfit Islamic State.
Speaking in Rajya Sabha, EAM Swaraj said that their bodies were spotted using deep penetration radar. The bodies were exhumed from a mass grave and their identities confirmed by DNA tests, she said.
Here's is how Swaraj broke the news in Parliament:-
-All 39 missing Indians have been killed by ISIS
-I confirm with a heavy heart that all 39 missing Indians are dead.
-Those killed by ISIS were employed by a firm in Iraq.
-Along with 40 Indians, the ISIS fighters had abducted some Bangladeshi nationals too
-They were intercepted and abducted by the ISIS when they were going to an eatery to have their meals
-All Bangladeshis were set free by the ISIS and sent to Erbil
-One Indian national Harjit Masih too managed to escape from ISIS captivity
-In a bid to escape from ISIS captivity, Harjit Masih changed his name to Ali
-During counting, the ISIS later found that there were 39 Indians in their captivity
-All 39 Indians were then sent to Badush in Iraq
-After proper investigation, a mass grave was found in Badush
-Radar mapping confirmed the presence of 39 dead bodies
-The bodies were exhumed and several things including bangles, pendants were found
-Long hair strands, bangles recovered from dead bodies confirmed they were Indians
-Some dead bodies were found wearing long boots not made in Iraq
- DNA samples of kin of 39 missing Indians were sent to Iraq
-The DNA of 38 Indians matched totally while the DNA of the 39th person matched nearly 70 percent
-The DNA samples were taken from their relatives from Punjab, Himachal and West Bengal
-Gen VK Singh will visit Iraq to bring back their mortal remains
-A special plane will be sent to Iraq with him
New Delhi: CRPF braveheart Chetan Kumar Cheetah, who was last year awarded Kirti Chakra - the second highest peacetime gallantry medal - has finally resumed active duty as the Commandant at the force headquarter in Delhi.
Cheetah, who reported back to duty last week, was fatally shot by the terrorists during a fierce gunbattle in Hajin area of Bandipora in North Kashmir in February last year.
Cheetah's survival was ''nothing short of a miracle'' as he was left almost dead after the gunbattle in Hajin.
Cheetah had suffered multiple gunshots during the encounter between terrorists and security forces in the wee hours of February 14, 2017, in Hajin area of Bandipora.
The gunbattle started after an Army patrol party, which was conducting a search operation in Bandipora, was targeted by the terrorists hiding in the area.
Cheetah, the Commandant of 45 battalion, bravely stalled the terrorists and ended up in suffering multiple gunshots.
After being shot 9 times by the terrorists, the CRPF braveheart was initially taken to the base hospital in Srinagar where he was operated upon and given primary treatment, after which he was flown to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had praised Cheetahs courage, will and determination, and later Army chief General Bipin Rawat too visited him while he was in the hospital.
Cheetah had joined the CRPF in Jaunary, 1998.
Cheetah, who hails from Rajasthan, was later awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry medal last year, for his exploits against the terrorists.
The commandant during his year-long recovery had reiterated several times that "military solution to Kashmir can be the only political solution to Kashmir's problem".
New Delhi: Sources in the Indian intelligence agencies have revealed that Bangladesh-based Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) - an Islamic extremist group - may have plans of targeting several cities in India.
The information is believed to have come to light after Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested five suspected terrorists recently. Previously, seven suspected operatives of ABT were also arrested in Bodh Gaya and consequent interrogations have pointed to a possible attack being planned by the group.
According to sources, ABT has already managed to create several bases in cities like Pune and Ambarnath in Maharashtra. It is suspected that these bases may even exist outside Maharashtra as well.
The ABT is believed to be a front for Al Qaeda and was banned by Bangladesh in 2016. With a corporate-like functioning system, the ABT apparantly has divisions like finance, operations, IT, finance and transport. It originated in Bangladesh in 2007 and even went bust due to lack of funds - only to resurface around 2013.
BENGALURU: Congress's decision to recognise Lingayat community as a religion is aimed at preventing Yeddyurappa from winning, alleged BJP leader and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Karnataka CM wants to reverse decision of Manmohan Singh govt on Lingayat community. Yeddyurappa ji comes from Lingayat community, Congress is doing so to prevent him from becoming Chief Minister by dividing society for votes. Weaker sections will be at loss, said Meghwal.
Meghwal went to add, Lingayat is a part of Hinduism. The matter of Lingayat as a separate religion is being brought up to fulfill political goals and divide Hindus.
Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government on Monday accepted the recommendation to recognise the Lingayat community as a separate religion. The state Cabinet meeting okayed the religion based on the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee and has approached the Centre for the same.
When the Home Ministry will receive the proposal of Karnataka govt over #Lingayat issue, only then will a decision be taken, sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
Clashes broke out between Lingayat and Veerashaiva followers in Kalaburag on Monday, after members of the former faith came out to celebrate cabinet's decision.
The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva and Lingayat faiths has been surfaced from the numerically strong and politically-influential community, amidst resentment from within over projecting the two communities as the same.
The move to recognise Lingayat as a religion comes weeks before the Karnataka Assembly elections, which are likely to be held in May.
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre dubbing the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) as 'Students Suffer Corruption'. It demanded a time-bound probe into the alleged SSC paper leak scam.
It also called for the sacking of Minister of State (MoS) in PMO Jitendra Singh, under whose ministry the SSC functions.
Hitting out at the BJP, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused the party of spreading the 'Vyapam virus' across the country. He alleged that paper leaks, bogus candidates, massive cheating and deliberate collusion had marred the future of youths who applied to the SSC.
"The future of India's youth gets jeopardised. Need of the hour is a thorough and independent probe in the entire SSC scam. No probe is possible until Minister of State, DOPT Jitendra Singh and SSC Chairman Ashim Khurana are sacked," Surjewala told reporters.
Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the issue, he asked, "Will Modiji show the courage of conviction to secure the future of India's youth or will he remain on a perpetual 'maun vrat (vow of silence)'."
The Congress leader claimed that after the infamous 'Vyapam scam', the 'SSC scam' had marred the future of India's youth.
"Instead of giving two crore jobs per year, the career of two crore youths, who apply every year to SSC for around 50,000 vacancies, has been jeopardised.
"Typical of the government to brush every such issue under the carpet. Students demanding justice are hounded, beaten up and evacuated, with an arrogant government refusing to order a thorough probe," he alleged.
Surjewala further alleged that there have been eight paper leaks in the SSC under the present government which forced cancellation of examination.
He also alleged that there was an "unprecedented compromise of secrecy and safety of examinations by the SSC and it failed to conduct a security audit of the software".
He claimed that the parliamentary panel had passed strictures against the government and the SSC for not maintaining the "sanctity of exam process, lack of trust of public in general and examinees in particular, malpractices and technical glitches, supervision on private entities involved in examination process and audit of hardware and software".
"Irregularities, malfeasance, paper leaks, proxy candidates, fake centres, lack of audit and supervision, questionable software and deliberate collusion have put a question mark on the future of India's youth," Surjewala alleged.
(With PTI inputs)
Top headlines on Tuesday evening:
1. Delhi Police arrests JNU professor accused of sexual harassment
The Delhi Police had registered eight FIRs against JNU professor Atul Johri of alleged sexual misconduct. Read more
2. No stone unturned to trace them: PM Modi on death of 39 Indians in Iraq
'Every Indian grieves with those who lost their loved ones in Mosul,' said the PM. Read more
3. Harjit Masih's story of fleeing from IS false, was kept in protective custody: Swaraj
Masih claims to have escaped from the clutches of Islamic State (IS) captivity in Iraq in June 2014. Read more
4. RSS, BJP signalled cadres to destroy statues of leaders, alleges Rahul Gandhi
Taking to microblogging site Twitter, the Congress chief accused the BJP and the RSS of encouraging the tearing down of Lenin statues in Tripura. Read more
5. Horrific: Refused gold earrings, Pakistan man mutilates wife's genitalia
The victim's family has said that the couple used to fight often because they were unable to conceive. Read more
6. Did Shakib Al Hasan break the dressing room door after Bangladesh win?
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan apparently broke the glass door in the wake of the Tigers' win against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Nidahas T20 tri-series at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. Read more
7. Alia Bhatt injured on the sets of 'Brahmastra', may return to Mumbai soon
Alia is currently shooting in Bulgaria for Ayan Mukerji's film opposite Ranbir Kapoor. She has reportedly been advised to take rest and may not be able to shoot for 15 days.Read more
8 'Kundali Bhagya' actress Shraddha Arya's 'towel dance' goes horribly wrong
Watch viral video
NEW DELHI: Shortly after External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj declared the 39 missing Indians in Iraq dead, families of the people urged to meet her. "For the past four years EAM was telling me that they were alive, don't know what to believe anymore. I am waiting to speak with her, no information was given to us, we heard her statement she made in Parliament," said Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh - one among the 39 Indians.
For past 4 yrs EAM was telling me that they were alive,don't know what to believe anymore.I am waiting to speak with her,no information was given to us,we heard her statement she made in Parliament: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq pic.twitter.com/fwNqRoRPUG ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Amritsar: Family of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq mourns his death. pic.twitter.com/Rqpsbz7fDB ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Ending all speculations about the fate of the 39 Indians who went missing in Iraq's Mosul since 2014, Swaraj declared them dead. "Out of the 40, who were kidnapped, one person managed to escape, while others were confirmed dead after DNA samples of their relatives matched from the bodies exhumed from a mound," she said in Parliament.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Swaraj said, "Mortal remains were sent to Baghdad. For verification of bodies, the DNA samples of their relatives were sent there and four state governments - Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar - were involved in this."
"Yesterday, we got information that the DNA samples of 38 people have matched and DNA of the 39th person has matched 70 percent," Sushma told lawmakers in the Upper House.
"My husband went to Iraq in 2011 and I spoke to him last on 15 June, 2014. We were always told us that they were alive. We don't demand anything from the government," said Manjeet Kaur wife of Davinder Singh - one among the 39 Indians killed in Iraq.
My husband went to Iraq in 2011&I spoke to him last on 15 June'14. We were always told us that they were alive. We don't demand anything from the government: Manjeet Kaur wife of Davinder Singh, who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul #Jalandhar pic.twitter.com/Vq983kCkSb ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Swaraj said that the Indians were killed by the dreaded terror outfit Islamic State (ISIS). "I would like to confirm with a heavy heart that they have been killed by the Islamic State militia," she added.
Brother of another Indian who was killed said, "We had got information that that my brother was abducted by terrorists, after that nothing was know about his whereabouts. My DNA test was done twice, but we received no information."
We had got information that that my brother was abducted by terrorists, after that nothing was know about his whereabouts. My DNA test was done twice, but we received no information: Brother of an Indian national who was killed in Iraq's Mosul #Jalandhar pic.twitter.com/rouCGmxInt ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
The EAM further informed that Union Minister and former Army chief General VK Singh will now go to Iraq to bring back the mortal remains of the 39 Indians killed in Iraq.
"The plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata," Swaraj informed.
A group of Indian labourers, mostly from Punjab, Bihar and Himachal, was taken hostage by ISIS when it overran Iraq's second largest city Mosul in 2014.
The workers were trying to leave Mosul when they were intercepted and taken hostage by the ISIS fighters.
One of the captured Indians, Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur, had managed to escape and claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the others.
The Government of India (GoI) rejected his claim and maintained that all efforts were on to find the missing Indians and, without any credible information, the workers would be considered alive.
The GoI had even asked Iraq for help in locating the missing Indians after Iraqi forces recaptured Mosul from ISIS.
The government in Iraq too had earlier expressed its inability to confirm if Indians taken hostage by the ISIS in Mosul three years ago were alive or dead.
(With inputs from agencies)
NEW DELHI: Harjit Masih, the Indian worker who claims to have escaped from the clutches of Islamic State (IS) captivity in Iraq in June 2014, was kept in protective custody, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, adding that the stories stated by him are false.
Addressing the media in a conference on Tuesday, the senior BJP leader said that all allegations of government harassing Masih is completely baseless. It is baseless that Harjit Masih was harassed, he was kept in protective custody. I had said this in Parliament earlier, said Swaraj.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister confirmed that the 39 Indians, who went missing in Iraq's Mosul since 2014, are dead.
''Out of the 40, who were kidnapped, one person managed to escape, while others were confirmed dead after DNA samples of their relatives matched from the bodies exhumed from a mound, '' EAM Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.
She confirmed that banned terrorist outfit IS had killed all of them.
''Mortal remains were sent to Baghdad. For verification of bodies, the DNA samples of their relatives were sent there and four state governments - Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar - were involved in this,' Swaraj said.
In 2015, Swaraj had denied Masih's claims of all 39 Indians being killed by IS.
Harjit Masih is claiming that all of them are dead, but I do not believe him, will continue with search Swaraj had said at the time.
A group of Indian labourers, mostly from Punjab, Bihar and Himachal, was taken hostage by IS when it overran Iraq's second largest city Mosul in 2014. The workers were trying to leave Mosul when they were intercepted and taken hostage by the ISIS fighters.
One of the captured Indians, Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur, managed to flee and claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the others.
In an interview, Masih claimed that four days after the kidnapping incident, all the 40 Indians were asked to kneel down by the terrorists near a railway track. Later, he heard the firing sound of assault rifles and one by one men dropped dead.
Masij claimed he was shot in the leg and pretended to be dead til the terrorists left. He, somehow, managed to reach an Iraqi Army checkpoint in Erbil, from where he was picked up by the Indian embassy.
Masih further said, he sent back to India days later, and remained in the custody of security agencies for three months.
NEW DELHI: India has just 4.13 lakh beggars and vagrants, the Lok Sabha was told on Tuesday. West Bengal emerged on the top with just 80,000 beggars and vagrants, informed the Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has the second and third highest number of beggars on the list with more 65,000 and 29,000 beggars respectively.
Out of the total of 4,13,670 beggars, 2.21 lakh are men and 19.1 lakh women.
Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal has a total of 81,244 beggars and vagrants including 33086 males and 48158 females.
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Gehlot said that Lakshwadeep has just 2 beggars the least number of the list.
West Bengal has the highest number of beggars,vagrants in India followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at number 2 and 3 respectively: Reply of Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot in Lok Sabha today pic.twitter.com/uI1GpyLKNp ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Of all the Union Terrorities, Delhi has the highest number of beggars 2167.
With ANI inputs
New Delhi: Arrested on Tuesday on charges of sexual harassment, JNU Professor Atul Johri claimed once again that he was innocent. His lawyer - RK Wadhva - has said that the charges made by certain students are because they were reprimanded for their attendance.
Speaking to members of the press, Wadhva said that Johri has been targeted for being strict in the classroom. "This was a political conspiracy and he (Johri) was made a scapegoat. The children used to work with the professor. He had reprimanded them for their attendance and had asked them to attend classes. The students conspired to complain against him," he said.
As many as eight complaints were filed by students against Johri last week. On Monday, there was a massive protest outside Vasant Kunj Police Station in which students demanded that eight - and not one - FIR be registered against Johri. While Johri was eventually arrested after three hours of questioning, before being granted bail.
Johri is from the Department of Life Sciences.
New Delhi: Both houses of Parliament were on Tuesday adjourned for the day as the opposition members from TDP, YSR Congress and AIDMK continued their protest over various issues.
According to reports, the Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12 pm and then for the day by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan shortly after it met for the day.
Protests started as soon as the House met, and several members trooped near the Speaker's podium raising slogans and displaying placards.
In the din, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to run the Question Hour, but as the din continued, the House was adjourned.
''This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics! : Lok Sabha Speaker told MPs raising slogans when EAM wanted to make a statement on the death of 39 Indians who went missing in Iraq's Mosul.
This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics! : Lok Sabha Speaker to MPs raising slogans when EAM wanted to deliver statement on death of 39 Indians in Iraq's Mosul pic.twitter.com/fHrQ5XlKAF ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
''The country has never seen such a sorry state, this is not proper. You are insensitive to your own people, '' Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said before adjourning the house till Wednesday.
''The House is not in order and so no-confidence motion cannot be moved,'' the Speaker said.
Meanwhile, the YSR Congress MP YV Subba Reddy today wrote to Lok Sabha Secretary General and gave notice to include the no-confidence motion in the list of business for Wednesday.
YSRCP's YV Subba Reddy writes to Lok Sabha Secretary General, gives notice to include no-confidence motion in the list of business for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ucxSyaE7Lq ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Tuesday is the 12th day of the second half of the Budget Session marred by disruptions.
The session started on March 5 and will conclude on April 6.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the day amid pandemonium created by the opposition parties over different issues soon after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu took up Zero Hour.
As soon as the House met for the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement in the House confirming the death of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, who were abducted by the Islamic State terror group in 2014.
As she completed her statement, members from the TDP, AIADMK and some other parties trooped near the chair's podium.
Amid the din, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad rose to address the House and hold the government responsible for the deaths.
He was interrupted by the protesting members. Naidu urged the agitated members to maintain peace.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said that the government was ready to discuss every issue raised by the members.
But the TDP members continued with their protest, holding placards and shouting slogans. Naidu then adjourned the House for the day.
(With Agency inputs)
NEW DELHI: Expressing grief at the death of 39 Indians, who went missing in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that no stones were unturned in trying to trace them. Taking to Twitter, he tweeted, The MEA and particularly my colleagues Sushma Swaraj Ji and General V K Singh Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul.
Every Indian grieves with those who lost their loved ones in Mosul. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and pay our respects to the Indians killed in Mosul, he added.
The MEA and particularly my colleagues @SushmaSwaraj Ji and @Gen_VKSingh Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul. Our Government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2018
Every Indian grieves with those who lost their loved ones in Mosul. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and pay our respects to the Indians killed in Mosul. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2018
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed on Tuesday that the 39 Indians, who went missing in Iraq's Mosul since 2014, are dead.
''Out of the 40, who were kidnapped, one person managed to escape, while others were confirmed dead after DNA samples of their relatives matched from the bodies exhumed from a mound, '' EAM Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.
She added that Harjit Masih, the Indian worker who claims to have escaped from the clutches of Islamic State (IS) captivity in Iraq in June 2014, was kept in protective custody, and that the stories stated by him are false.
Shortly after Swaraj's statement, kin of the deceased questioned the government's previous statements of bringing them back.
Why did she keep saying they're alive & she'll bring them back? She could've said she'll bring them back only if they're alive. I want to see DNA reports. We'll get answers only after meeting her, said Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh, one of the deceased.
We should have been contacted as soon as they received the information. Had that been done it would not have been such a huge blow. We feel betrayed from all sides, she added.
Congress party, meanwhile, claimed that the government made the sudden announced due to panic.
Unfortunately the one who is playing politics on this issue is Sushma Swaraj ji. She misled the parliament and kin seven times. Today Martyrs Foundation announced they will hold media briefing on the issue, so as a result Government panicked and announced before them, said Congress spokesperson RS Surjewala.
Congress has expressed grief at death of 39 Indians in Iraq. Modi Govt has passed all limits of heartlessness, when the whole world was saying they have died, the Indian government assured the country and the kin seven times that they are alive, he added.
A group of Indian labourers, mostly from Punjab, Bihar and Himachal, was taken hostage by IS when it overran Iraq's second largest city Mosul in 2014. The workers were trying to leave Mosul when they were intercepted and taken hostage by the ISIS fighters.
With agency inputs
Beijing: Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation on Tuesday during which the Prime Minister congratulated the Chinese President on his re-election for another five-years.
The telephonic talk between Modi and Xi came a day after Modi congratulated Xi on Chinese social media.
Modi said that Xi's re-election shows that he enjoys the support of the whole Chinese nation, state-run Xinhua news agency said in a report.
"Dear President Xi Jinping, congratulations on getting re-elected as the President of the People's Republic of China," Modi had said in his message posted in his account on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
"I look forward to working with you for further development of our bilateral relations," he had said.
Last week, Xi was unanimously elected by the 2970 deputies of rubber-stamp Parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC).
Xi, 64, now enjoying a life-long tenure, has emerged as the most powerful leader after Mao Zedong as he headed the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the military and the Presidency.
India and China are currently making diplomatic efforts to improve the relations in the aftermath of the 73-day long standoff at Dokalam in Sikkim section.
While Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited Beijing recently and held talks with top-level Chinese officials, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said she planned to visit China next month.
Modi and Xi are expected to meet this year on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held in June this year at the Chinese city of Qingdao.
DMK acting president MK Stalin has urged the Tamil Nadu government to act immediately to stop the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra from entering the state. According to the DMK strongman, the Rath Yatra will disturb the communal harmony and peace in Tamil Nadu.
Stalin has reportedly released a statement saying that the yatra, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, would be contempt of court as the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case is pending before a Constitution Bench of Supreme Court. He added that the move by the VHP can also been seen as a pressure tactic.
The statement from Stalin comes even as there were reports of a group announcing a protest against the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Following their call for protest, section 144 was enforced in the area with immediate effect, and would remain imposed till March 23.
According to The Hindu, Stalin also hit out at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy, accusing him of giving the nod to the Rath Yatra to protect his government and chief ministership.
On Monday, four independent MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly had staged a walkout demanding ban on the yatra entering the state.
The 39-day Ram Rajya Rath Yatra was flagged off from Ayodhya in February and is slated to end in Rameswaram on March 25. While initially Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was expected to flag it off, but he skipped the event for poll campaign in Tripura.
The Yatra was flagged off by VHP general secretary Champat Rai amid chanting of 'Jai Sri Ram' and 'Ram lala hum aayenge, mandir wahin bananyenge' slogans.
The yatra is being carried on a special wooden carved Rath (chariot), depicting design and replica of the proposed Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya. It took four months from artisans in Maharashtra to carve the rath having 28 pillars with a cost of over Rs 25 lakhs.
Though the BJP and its leaders have deliberately kept themselves away from the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra, the RSS and its offshoots will actively participate in the yatra as well as 40 public meetings it will hold in six states to keep the Ram temple issues alive before 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
(With agency inputs)
CHANDIGARH: In a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has requested for financial assistance to the families of those killed by 39 Indians.
Expressing shock on the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq, Singh writes that 24 deceased are from Punjab.
The State Government has been providing a monthly assistance of @20,000- per family. I would be grateful if the Government of India could assistance to the families of the deceased, given the circumstances, he wrote on Tuesday.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh writes to EAM Sushma Swaraj expressing shock on the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq, requests for financial assistance for families of the kin pic.twitter.com/u2Y2A9X9a8 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Earlier, External Affairs Minister confirmed that the 39 Indians, who went missing in Iraq's Mosul since 2014, are dead.
''Out of the 40, who were kidnapped, one person managed to escape, while others were confirmed dead after DNA samples of their relatives matched from the bodies exhumed from a mound, '' EAM Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.
She added that banned terrorist outfit Islamic State had killed all of them.
''Mortal remains were sent to Baghdad. For verification of bodies, the DNA samples of their relatives were sent there and four state governments - Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar - were involved in this,' Swaraj said.
With ANI inputs
The Rama Rajya Rath Yatra, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), reached Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday despite protests by opposition parties. DMK acting president MK Stalin, who had urged the state government to not allow the yatra inside Tamil Nadu to ensure peace, staged a walkout in the state Assembly over the issue.
#Visuals Rama Rajya Rath Yatra organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad reached Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli. pic.twitter.com/M2KoVoZE9a ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Following the walkout, Stalin and other DMK leaders staged a protest raising slogans against the Palaniswami government. He was later detained by the police.
On Monday, Stalin had released a statement saying the rath yatra, if allowed in Tamil Nadu, will disturb communal harmony and peace in the state. He had also said that allowing the yatra would be contempt of court as the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case is pending before a Constitution Bench of Supreme Court. He added that the move by the VHP can also been seen as a pressure tactic.
Chennai: DMK working President MK Stalin walked out of state assembly over the issue of Ram Rajya Rath Yatra, sat on the roadside & raised slogans against state govt, later detained. pic.twitter.com/EOAJ4nb080 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Hitting out at Chief Minister Palaniswami, Stalin had said that the AIADMK leader had given the nod to the yatra to protect his government and chief ministership.
Apart from Stalin-led DMK, four independent MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly had also staged a walkout demanding ban on the yatra entering the state. There were also reports of a group announcing a protest against the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra in Tirunelveli. Following their call for protest, section 144 was enforced in the area with immediate effect, and would remain imposed till March 23.
The 39-day Ram Rajya Rath Yatra was flagged off from Ayodhya in February and is slated to end in Rameswaram on March 25. While initially Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was expected to flag it off, but he skipped the event for poll campaign in Tripura.
The Yatra was flagged off by VHP general secretary Champat Rai amid chanting of 'Jai Sri Ram' and 'Ram lala hum aayenge, mandir wahin bananyenge' slogans.
The yatra is being carried on a special wooden carved Rath (chariot), depicting design and replica of the proposed Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya. It took four months from artisans in Maharashtra to carve the rath having 28 pillars with a cost of over Rs 25 lakhs.
Though the BJP and its leaders have deliberately kept themselves away from the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra, the RSS and its offshoots will actively participate in the yatra as well as 40 public meetings it will hold in six states to keep the Ram temple issues alive before 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
It started with the bulldozing of a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Tripura after state Assembly elections, and is continuing till date. A statue of Dravidian movement ideologue Periyar EV Ramasamy was damaged in Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu, reacting to which Congress president Rahul Gandhi has once again hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Taking to microblogging site Twitter, the Congress chief accused the BJP and the RSS of encouraging the tearing down of Lenin statues in Tripura. He added that they signalled their cadres to destroy statues of those opposed to their ideology.
He tweeted, When the RSS & BJP encouraged the tearing down of Lenin statues in Tripura, they signalled their cadres to destroy statues of those who opposed their ideology, like Periyar, the great social reformer who fought for the Dalits. His statue too was destroyed today in Tamil Nadu.
When the RSS & BJP encouraged the tearing down of Lenin statues in Tripura, they signalled their cadres to destroy statues of those who opposed their ideology, like Periyar, the great social reformer who fought for the Dalits. His statue too was destroyed today in Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/vYpYYGtszj Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 20, 2018
A sculptor of Periyar was beheaded by unidentified persons on Tuesday, following which a case was registered. The investigation is underway. Periyar was a social activist and a politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam.
Earlier in March, two persons one from BJP and the other from CPM were arrested in Tirupattur in Tamil Nadu for vandalising a statue of Periyar.
Last week, a statue of Syama Prasad Mukherjee was found vandalised in Assam's Kokrajhar. Earlier this month, another statue of the Jana Sangh leader was damaged in Kolkata's Jadavpur University. Seven people were also arrested in connection with the incident.
Also, a life-size statue of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a prominent poet during the 19th century Bengal renaissance, was found defaced in Raniganj of West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district. According to police and eye-witnesses, Dutt's face was smudged with red colour by unknown miscreants. The incident triggered condemnation in the political circles as also among the locals.
There have been several incidents of statue vandalism in various parts of the country since the results of the Tripura Assembly came in wherein the BJP toppled the CPM government.
Soon after the results, two statues of Vladimir Lenin was demolished in Tripura one razed by a mob at Sabroom Motor Stand in Agartala and another by a bulldozer at Belonia College Square in a Tripura town.
New Delhi: The RSS believes in Hindutva which has truth and non-violence as its core values about which Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar and Vivekananda had spoken, its chief Mohan Bhagwat has said.
However, if required, one should fight to protect the core values of Hindutva, he said.
We consider Hindutva as only one It is the set of values which we believe in. It is the same one about which Vivekananda, Subhas Chandra Bose, Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur, Babasaheb Ambedkar have spoken, he said in an interview to weekly magazine Organiser.
Replying to a question about portraying Hindu religion in two different narratives--one as Hinduism and the other as Hindutva--Bhagwat said RSS considers Hindutva as the one and only narrative.
While underlining that the RSS believes in truth and non-violence being the core values of Hindutva, Bhagwat, however, said, "If somebody is attacking or indirectly killing the truth and non-violence we believe in, then to protect those values we will have to fight. To fight and practise truth and non-violence is Hindutva, he added.
Claiming attraction towards Hindutva is growing, Bhagwat said that is why confusions and distortions are being created about it. This is happening not only in Bharat but all over the world. The proponents of Hindutva are getting natural benefit of it. To deny that advantage divisions are being created, he said.
Bhagwat said Hindus do not consider anyone their enemy.
But for the same Hinduness we have to protect Hindu dharma (religion), Hindu sanskriti (culture) and Hindu society. In the process, we may have to explain, we may have to fight, if necessary, he said.
Bhagwat said the talk of extremist and moderate Hindutva is irrelevant.
"That's why in Meerut I said if Hindus become more fanatic, it means they will be more liberal, he said, adding in that sense, Mahatma Gandhi was a "kattar (hardcore) Hindu". He referred to Gandhi's writings in Harijan in which he had declared himself a "fanatic Sanatani Hindu".
Speaking about how to practise Hindutva, the RSS chief said it is an individual's decision. There is no differentiation in Hindutva, and there is no meaning in saying our or their Hindutva, he said.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear the plea of Karti Chidambaram on Enforcement Directorate's jurisdiction on April 3 in the alleged INX Media bribery case. In a relief for Karti, the apex court last week had said that the Congress leader could not be arrested till March 26, extending the interim protection from arrest granted by Delhi High Court.
The SC transferred to itself matter pending before the Delhi HC in view of conflicting views by different HCs on the Enforcement Directorate's power to arrest. It said that it will deal with the issue related to ED's power to arrest the accused in money laundering case. The apex court has fixed the matter for hearing on March 26.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud had said it would hear the matter on March 26 and the top court would answer the question regarding the interpretation of section 19 of the PMLA.
SC's order had come hours after the high court extended Chidambaram's protection from arrest in the ED case from March 20 to March 22. Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, is in jail in connection with the INX Media corruption case lodged by the CBI.
He was arrested on his return from the United Kingdom in connection with the FIR lodged on May 15 last year. It alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds of about Rs 305 crore in 2007 when his father was Union finance minister.
The CBI had initially alleged that Karti Chidambaram received Rs 10 lakh as bribe for facilitating Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media. It, however, later revised the figure to USD 1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the current exchange rate and Rs 4.50 crore in 2007).
The fresh evidence in the case, which triggered Karti Chidambaram's arrest, was based on the statement of Indrani Mukerjea, former co-director of INX Media (P) Ltd, who recorded it under section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate on February 17.
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj defended the government's decision to inform Parliament of the confirmation of the death of 39 Indians who had been abducted four years in Iraq before informing the family members.
Calling the issue one of national importance, she said she had made a promise to Parliament that she would inform both Houses as soon as confirmation on the status of the missing Indians became available. She revealed that the government had over the course of the crisis received information from different heads of states on three separate occasions that said the 39 Indians had not been killed.
"Some kin of the victims have questioned as to why they were not told about the deaths before Parliament. It is parliamentary procedure to first inform the House, so it was my duty," Swaraj said. "Some of the family members have spoken out with anger. I believe it is natural for them to be angry. I would like to assure them that at no point have I hidden anything from them. I have repeatedly told them I refuse to declare their family members dead without definitive proof. This is all I have done," she added.
She also hit out at allegations that the government had intentionally delayed telling the families and the nations of the deaths of the Indians. "I have said multiple times in both Houses of Parliament that I neither have proof that they are alive nor that they are dead, and that I would make no declaration on their status without concrete proof and confirmation. We maintained this in 2014 and in 2017. We have not kept anyone in the dark, and given false hopes to no one. The moment we had the confirmation for all 39, I went straight to Parliament to inform the Houses," said Swaraj.
"It would have been a sin to hand handed over some body to the families and claim that it is of their loved one, just for the sake of closing files. I believe the family members can have closure only once they have received the bodies of their loved ones and their last rites are done," she said. "I will personally find closure only after ensuring that the mortal remains are handed over to the family members," Swaraj added.
Swaraj said there is no reason for any of the bodies to be brought to New Delhi. She said the bodies would be taken straight to whichever part of the country they were from.
She further claimed that India is probably the only country so far to have retrived the bodies of all of its citizens who were killed in ISIS-controlled areas, and pointed out that many other countries had lost their citizens in Iraq and Syria.
Swaraj also outlined some of the events leading to the confirmation of the deaths of the 39 Indians. She said she had on numerous occasions used back-channels to approach a number of countries in the region for any information they may have come across about the missing Indians. She said the Ministers of State, especially VK Singh, had visited Mosul in relation to the search for the missing Indians at least thrice since the fall of ISIS fighters in the ancient city. She also gave some details of the mass grave found near Mosul, which contained 39 bodies, and that it had taken days to confirm the identities of each of the bodies using DNA tests.
She also expressed disappointment over the politicking over the issue.
"Today, Congress indulged in very low level politics on this issue. Probably, the Congress president decided to ask Jytiraditya Scindia to lead protests in Lok Sabha after seeing that there had been no uproar in the Rajya Sabha," she said.
Earlier in the day, Swaraj had made separate statements in the Rajya Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, confirming the worst, that the 39 Indians who had been abducted in Iraq and have been missing for four years, were dead.
The identities of 38 of these Indians had been confirmed by DNA tests. The reamins of the one other Indian has had a 70 percent match in the DNA test, she told Parliament.
New Delhi: Little work, big pay has almost become synonymous with Indian democratic functioning - amply highlighted yet again by the ongoing Budget session which resumed on March 5. Repeated disturbance, disruptions and delays have meant little in terms of actual work has been achieved in Parliament. On Tuesday, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari - apparently appaled by repeated adjournments - wrote to Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan asking for salary cuts for MPs when no constructive work happens in Parliament.
In his letter addressed to Mahajan, Tiwari wrote that he is pained by the 'unprecedented chaos in the House resulting in loss of valuable time of the Parliament.' He further called for 'No Work No Pay' system to be enforced. "I propose deducting the salary of MPs for their failure to engage in any constructive work," he wrote. Highlighting that public representatives are 'running away from their responsibilities', he said he was disturbed with how MPs have been behaving.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari writes a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, 'proposing deduction of salary of MPs for their failure to engage in any constructive work'. pic.twitter.com/WVKEBgu9ki ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018
Several opposition parties have repeatedly created ruckus in Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha. On Monday, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu lamented and said Parliament is being made a laughing stock with the repeated agitations. Ironically, the only time when politicians cutting across party lines come to a sure-shot agreement is when it is about getting a pay hike. Last month, MPs were given a 100 per cent salary hike in Budget 2018. Basic salaries were raised from Rs 50,000 per month to Rs 1 lakh. Pension too was increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month.
New Delhi: TamilRockers is a well-known website that publishes pirated copies of south Indian movies.
Recently, the anti-piracy cell of Kerala Police nabbed five people in a film piracy racket. Three of them are from Tamilrockers.com.
Google has blocked domains owned by TamilRockers, but still, tamilrockersss.com is available on one of the leading search engines. It seems that they have changed the name of the domain after the other domains got blocked.
The other domains are tamilrockers.com, tamilrockers.me, tamilrockers.co and tamilrockers.ac, which has been blocked by Google after the racket.
As per the reports, TamilRockers and DVD rockers, another piracy website, together had bought a total of 19 domains online where they allegedly released new south Indian movies in case the police block one.
The police arrested the TamilRockers and DVD rockers members after tracking an e-mail which, according to the reports, had mentioned having a connection with the piracy website.
Around seven cases have been filed against Tamilrockers including one for allegedly leaking the Mohanlal hit film Pulimurugan online. It is also believed to be behind the leak of Pranav Mohanlals debut film Aadhi.
Police have claimed that all the accused are young and academically qualified and some of them even hold degrees in MSc and BSc in computer science.
The police also recovered laptops, hard disks and other gadgets used for piracy from their possession.
The TamilRockers members had earned more than Rs 1 crore through film piracy.
In January last year, the anti-piracy cells arrested the members of the well-known piracy website TamilRockers.
New Delhi: The BJP appears to be in a fix and has slammed the Karnataka government for its decision to recommend separate religion status for the state's powerful and electorally crucial Lingayats in the Congress-ruled state.
BJP - the main opposition party in Karnataka - has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of "playing with fire for vote bankpolitics".
BJP general secretary in-charge of Karnataka P Muralidhar Rao has accused the state's ruling Congress of practicing a "divide and rule" policy.
"Congress carrying 'Divide and Rule' legacy of Britishers in India. Siddaramaiah is playing with fire for vote bank politics. Why has Congress done this before elections? Why haven't they done it four years back?" he said in a tweet.
Whatever one says but the Karnataka cabinet's decision has clearly put the main opposition party BJP in a Catch-22 situation since Lingayats are the party's backbone in the state and it's CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa is also a Lingayat.
The Karnataka government's decision is also being viewed by the saffron party as an attempt by the Congress to divide Lingayat voters, who strongly backed him have in the past polls.
Meanwhile, the Congress has dared BJP chief Amit Shah and BSY to clarify their position on the Lingayats, arguing that the Karnataka cabinet's decision of granting the status of a religious minority to the sect should not be seen as a "political move".
"It is inappropriate to link the decision of Karnataka Government vis-a-vis declaration of Lingayat Samaj as a minority community to the political processes," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
He noted that the Jain Community had for years had made a similar demand, and the then UPA government had got the demand of the community examined, following due process.
"Many people objected and said Jain Samaj is part of Aggarwal Samaj and that is why should not be separately branded as such or included in the minority community.
"After examination of all the evidence available and the historical facts, the then UPA government came to a conclusion that Jain community has to be part of the minority community," he added.
He said when Lingayat Samaj raised the similar demand, the Karnataka government followed due process.
"It got the entire evidence, facts and claims examined. Counter-claims were also received and they too were examined.
"The government in its wisdom in adherence to the demand of the community and based on the facts has decided to include the Lingayat Samaj as part of the minority community so that the benefits that extend to the minority community can also be extended to them," he added.
Surjewala asked Amit Shah and Yeddyurappa to clarify if they supported or opposed the decision.
In a bid to woo the Lingayats, a dominant community in the state, ahead of the assembly elections, the Karnataka cabinet on Monday decided to grant them the status of a separate religion.
Massive clashes broke out in Kalaburagi between members of Lingayat and Veerashaiva followers after the state cabinet's approval for the recommendation of separate religion for Lingayat community on Monday.
The clashes broke out when members of Lingayat came out to celebrate cabinet's decision to approve the recommendation of a separate religion.
Members of Veerashaiva community - who had assembled to protest against the decision - came face-to-face and sloganeering led to flared tempers. Soon, scuffle and manhandling broke out as members of both communities clashed against each other.
The Lingayats are nearly16% of the population in Karnataka and are influential in almost 100 of the 224 Assembly seats in the state.
(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi is slated to visit Chikmagalur on Wednesday as part of the campaign for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.
Interestingly, Chikmagalur is the place where his grandmother Indira Gandhi scripted her political comeback. The former PM had visited the place when she was not even a Member of Parliament.
Indira had contested the Lok Sabha bypolls from Chikmagalur in 1978 and had subsequently won from there at the time when the Congress was down in dumps after the imposition of emergency. She had defeated Janata party's Veerendra Patil.
DB Chandre Gowda, a Congress loyalist, had vacated his parliamentary seat for Indira. Chikmagalur was a Congress stronghold until then. Two years later she returned as the PM of India dislodging the Janata Party government.
Meanwhile, apart from meeting senior leaders in Mangalore, Rahul will visit Sharadamba Temple in Sringeri and also meet Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Mutt. Later in the afternoon, he will address two public meetings.
On the other hand, in a hard-hitting attack on the BJP, the Congress president on Tuesday accused it of spreading violence, forming governments using money and dividing the country for the sake of power.
Embarking on the third round of his campaign tour in poll-bound Karnataka, he also lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi charging him with "insulting" the common man by claiming credit for the country's progress.
"They will do anything for power. Modi ji will come and repeatedly lie," Rahul said, addressing public meetings in the coastal Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, considered the stronghold of the BJP.
Two days after using Mahabharata analogy at the Congress plenary where he had said while BJP was like Kauravas, who fought for power, the Congress, as Pandavas did, battled for truth, he again invoked the epic battle to portray the present situation.
"The question then was whether Hindustan walks on the path of truth or lies. In a way, a similar question is again being asked today. On one side BJP that can do anything for power," he charged adding on other side, Congress was "based on truth."
(With PTI inputs)
With hundreds of job aspirants crippling Mumbai local train services, the railways has refuted the claims of protesters saying they did not appear in any examination. Chief PRO of Railways, Sunil Udasi, has clarified that the protesting aspirants did not appear for any examination.
He said that the protesters just pursued apprenticeship at railway workshops. He added that they can still submit their forms till March 31, following which the examinations will be conducted.
The protesters have claimed that they have not been given jobs despite appearing for examination. They said there has been no recruitment in the services in the last four years, claiming that over 10 students have committed suicide over the issue.
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATES ON MUMBAI PROTESTS
They said that several prayers have been made to Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division but none have been acted upon. Protests wont be stopped unless Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal comes to protest site and meet the aspirants, said one of the protesters.
The aspirants have demanded one-time settlement must be done from General Managers quota.
The students blocked the rail track at 7 am in the morning, forcing railway to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT. Entire four lines have been affected between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Police and railway official are having talks with them, the official said.
"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.
"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.
"Mumbai police along with GRP and RPF jawans are having talks with the students and railway's first priority was to clear the track first," Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi said.
Students shouting slogans against railways held placard in their hands demanding one-time settlement from GM quota and said that they demand jobs from government.
It was a harrowing experience for office goers in Mumbai on Tuesday morning as the local train services on the Central Line of the suburban train network was crippled by hundreds of job aspirants who took to tracks alleging promises made to them were not fulfilled.
The protests that started at 7 am went on for more than four hours blocking the rail track between Matunga and Dadar. Reports said that the protesters even pelted stones following which police personnel resorted to lathicharge. Speaking to Zee News, some of the protesters said that they suffered injuries during the police action.
The aspirants were demanding employment in Central Railways, claiming they had already cleared the examinations for the same. However, Railways later clarified that they had not appeared in any examination, adding that they had just gone for apprenticeship in workshops.
Though the protests were called off shortly after 10.30 am, the damage had been done by then as over 60 trains were cancelled leaving office goers stranded during rush hour. Mumbais Central Line being the busiest, over two lakh commuters reportedly failed to reach their respective destinations on time.
What added to the woes of Mumbaikars was the ongoing strike by Ola and Uber cab drivers, who began their strike on Monday. There were reports of some taxis plying, but with hiked fare. On its part, the railways announced that the commuters on Central Line could travel on Western and Harbour line trains on the same ticket. It also released a helpline emergency number to help the commuters.
The protesters earlier said that they would not end their protest unless Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal met them and assured jobs. "We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," one of the protesters said.
"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," said another aspirant.
Claiming that more than 10 aspirants had committed suicide over the issue, the protesters demanded one time settlement from General Managers quota.
"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.
Aspirant shouted slogans against railways and held placard in their hands demanding one-time settlement.
AS IT HAPPENED - JOB ASPIRANTS PROTEST IN MUMBAI, CRIPPLE TRAIN SERVICES
Mumbai: The makers of Shoojit Sircar's October starring Varun Dhawan and debutante Banita Sandhu, have unveiled the teaser of the song from the film.
Titled Theher Ja, the song sung by Armaan Malik has been penned by Abhiruchi Chand and composed by Abhishek Arora.
Check out the teaser here:
Dhawan is looking forward to introduce his "October" co-star Banita Sandhu to everyone and is helping her get ready for her journey in Bollywood.
"Banita is just 20 years old and does not know much about how the media functions here," Varun said in a statement.
"She doesn't have a manger so Shoojit dada and I just want to make sure she gets the best and is comfortable cause meeting the massive media and paparazzi can be very overwhelming," he added.
Talking about how happy he is to be a part of the film, Varun said, "When I sign a film, I look at the script more than anything, and how much the maker is putting in the film. In 'October' Shoojitda, writer Juhi Chaturvedi and every one of our crew members put their heart and soul in it. I had to be a part of this film. They signed me for the film even before 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' and 'Judwaa 2'.
Co-produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Sheel Kumar, October celebrates love, nature and the autumn season.
In the film, Varun will be seen playing role of a sweet yet mischievous boy who is trying to get into the hospitality industry.
He will be seen as a hotel management student who is working in a five-star hotel as part of the trainee programme. Varun's profession plays very integral part to his character and environment in the film, which shapes up the events that follow.
The actor shot for his character in a hotel in Delhi where he spent time observing the way all the hotel employees work.
A Rising Sun Films Production, the film is set to release on April 13.
(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: Actress Alia Bhatt got injured on the sets of 'Brahmastra' in Bulgaria while shooting an action sequence. The actress hurt her right arm and shoulder, a DNA report claimed on Tuesday.
Alia is currently shooting in Bulgaria for Ayan Mukerji's film opposite Ranbir Kapoor. She has reportedly been advised to take rest and may not be able to shoot for 15 days.
The team was shooting for a scene when Alia fell and hurt herself. She has injured her right shoulder and arm. Theres a clot in her arm, so she has been advised bed rest. She is in a lot of pain. Her right arm is bandaged and held up in a sling, so she cant exert it or her shoulder for the next 15 days," the tabloid quoted a source as saying,
The 'Brahmastra' team was supposed to wrap up the shoot in Bulgaria and return to Mumbai by the end of March. But Alia's injury has stalled the shoot and the team is now looking for options, In the current scenario, Alia cant film any stunt sequences. She can only shoot for close-up scenes and the team is checking if they would need any right now, " a source told DNA.
'Brahmastra' is the first instalment of the upcoming fantasy adventure trilogy by Ayan Mukerji. The film will bring Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir and Alia together for the first time and is slated to release on Independence Day, August 15, 2019.
New Delhi: Actress Kangana Ranaut, who recently expressed her fondness for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had a fangirl moment when she met him. The picture has gone viral on the internet in which Kangana is shaking hands with the PM and you can't miss the wide smile on her face.
Kangana's sister Rangoli Chandel took to Twitter to share the picture, she captioned it, "Proud moment for the whole family!!"
For the event, Kangana was dressed in a floral printed saree. The encounter happened at the Rising India Summit, which took place in New Delhi. At the event, Kangana called Modi her role model and said that she is a big fan of the PM.
At the summit, she said that she hadnt even heard of the term nationalism and its a good thing that at least the word has come out. She also stated that she would like to join politics and lend her services to the nation. DNA quoted the actress as saying, I am a big Modi fan because of his success story. As a young woman, I do believe that we need to have the right role models. I mean the graph and the ambition of an ordinary man and whenever we have a PM who is a chai wala, then I always say that it is not his victory but it is the victory of our democracy. I feel he is the right role model."
On the work front, Kangana is shooting for 'Manikarnika', which is a biopic on Rani Laxmibai the queen of Jhansi.
New York: Indian cinema icons Shashi Kapoor and Sridevi will be remembered at the New York Indian Film Festival. The event will be held from May 7-12.
Shashi Kapoor, star of Merchant-Ivory films such as "The Householder", will be honoured with the screenings of "Shakespeare Wallah" and "Heat and Dust", reports variety.com.
The fest will also hold a Merchant-Ivory retrospective that also includes the screening of "Autobiography of a Princess", starring Madhur Jaffrey. To honour Sridevi, her 2012 hit "English Vinglish", which was mainly set in New York, will be screened.
Son of Prithviraj Kapoor and younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor made his debut in Bollywood with the 1961 film "Dharmputra" after working as a child artist. He passed away in December 2017.
Bollywood's ultimate "charm house" Shashi Kapoor then went on to make a name for himself globally by associating with international cinema. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan -- the third highest civilian honour -- by the Indian government in 2011.
Sridevi, known for her ability to slip into myriad roles, expressive eyes, sheer comic timing and her fluid dancing skills, died on February 24. Her death left everyone shocked and saddened.
The fest opens on May 7 with 'Nude', a Marathi-language film directed by Ravi Jadhav.
The story centres around a single mother who gets a job as a nude model at an art school but fears the judgment of others and keeps her job a secret.
Hansal Mehta's "Omerta", starring Rajkummar Rao, is the closing night film on May 12. The film traces the life of British-Pakistani terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh.
New Delhi: The war of words between the two stellar comedians took an ugly turn when Kapil Sharma called Sunil Grover a liar in a public platform like Twitter. However, Sunil didn't retaliate and in an interview with Times of India, he revealed that he is not at all hurt that Kapil called him a liar on Twitter and added that he is only worried about the latter's health.
It all started when a fan asked Sunil about working with Kapil again, Sunil tweeted, "There are more people who asked me the same question. But I didn't get a call for this show. My phone number is the same."
Bhai aap jaise kuch aur log bhi mujhse same poochte hain. Lekin mujhe iss show ke liye KOI call nahin aaya. Mera phone number bhi same hai.
Intezar kar Ke ab maine kuch aur sign kar liya kal. Aap logon ki duaon se ek achhe project Ke sath juda hoon. Jaldi aapke samne Aata hoonhttps://t.co/t6n04SxtMK Sunil Grover (@WhoSunilGrover) March 16, 2018
On Sunday, Kapil decided to keep 'nothing personal' and reply back to Sunil in a series of tweets.
Paji I called u more then 100 times n came to ur house to meet u twice .. every time u were out for some show n all .. pls dont spread rumors that I didnt call u. KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 17, 2018
"Please don't spread rumours that I didn't call you... He is lying. I called him 100 times and sent my people to his home. Even I went to his home to meet him for the show but now I will not let anybody take advantage on my name. Enough is enough," Kapil said.
I know the people who r working behind u .. trust me .. u will get nothing .. take care KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 17, 2018
A Twitter user showed support to Kapil.
After which Kapil wrote, "Yes, I love him but sometimes it hurts a lot when you do a lot of hard work for somebody and he just wants fame in your name. Why did he choose to speak up now? A year later?"
Yes I love him.. but sometimes it hurts u a lot ..when u do a lot of hard work for somebody n he just want fame on ur name .. abhi qyun bola ? Ek saal ke baad ? KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 17, 2018
"I don't want his support but at least he should not spread rumours. I am tired of all this."
Dont want his support .. but at least he should not spread rumors.. m tired of all this. KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 17, 2018
Responding to his tweets, Sunil wrote, "Now people know the answer why I didn't join the show earlier. I am talking about 'this' show. You are bringing up an old topic."
"I didn't speak up for one year as details about your bad behaviour would come out in the public and I wanted your dignity to stay intact. We have done very good work together.
"I referred to this show and not the previous show. And you are a better comedian. Everyone knows it. But I will still keep trying with whatever I know. Take care. There are only two kidneys and one liver. Take care of your health. Again, I will say I have not been offered for this show. Good luck with the new show. Wishes and love," Sunil signed off.
Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover have given us many hilarious moments when they were together on the former's comedy show. But good things ended too soon.
After the infamous mid-air brawl between the duo, Sunil left 'The Kapil Sharma Show' followed by a few other co-actors. The two clarified their stand about the issue on various occasions, but fans were left disappointed and wanted to see the two great comedians join forces again.
Kapil's show took a brief sabbatical as the actor had a film 'Firangi' lined up for release and also his health took a backseat. However, these are things of the past and the actor-comedian is now all geared up for his new show titled 'Family Time With Kapil Sharma'.
While Sunil Grover is most likely to share screen space with 'Bigg Boss 11' winner Shilpa Shinde in his new show.
'Family Time With Kapil Sharma' will go on air on March 25, 2018.
Mumbai: Indian cinema's invisible Baahubali - Prabhas - has been busy shooting for Sujeeth Reddy's Saaho for quite some time now. It was being believed that Saaho starring Shraddha Kapoor would be his next release. But wait, there seems to be a surprise in store for his fans.
According to Indian movie industry tracker Ramesh Bala, Prabhas' next release will be a romantic entertainer co-starring Pooja Hegde. The romantic flick will be directed by Radha Krishna Kumar and it will be a bilingual made in Telugu and Hindi languages.
#Prabhas next release won't be #Saaho - It will be the romantic drama with @hegdepooja and Dir #RadhaKrishnaKumar It will be a Telugu - Hindi Bilingual.. A Complete Entertainer.. pic.twitter.com/5RyI6DpkT9 Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) 19 March 2018
But according to Sreenivasa Kumar, Saaho will be Prabhas'first release after Baahubali: The Conclusion.
He tweeted: "Next Release will be Saaho only, But two films will get ready with short gap (sic)"
Next Release will be Saaho only, But two films will get ready with short gap Sreenivasa Kumar (SKN) (@SKNonline) 19 March 2018
Given the fact that it's been a while we have seen Prabhas on the silver screen, it would be a joy to watch two of his films releasing one after the other.
For the unversed, Saaho is a futuristic film which promises some breathtaking action sequences and spellbinding visual effects.
Prabhas reportedly underwent rigorous training to perform some death-defying action sequences on his own.
Saaho will also star Bollywood stars Neil Nitin Mukesh, Jackie Shroff, Mandira Bedi and Chunky Panday.
The film which is reportedly being made on an estimated budget of Rs 250 crores will release in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil languages
New Delhi: The first-known interstellar cigar-shaped object spotted in October 2017 most likely came from a binary star system, a study has found.
Named Oumuamua' by those who discovered it, the asteroid was highly elongated up to 400 meters long perhaps 10 times as long as it is wide.
That aspect ratio is greater than that of any asteroid or comet observed in our solar system to date.
While its elongated structure is quite unusual and surprising, scientists believe that it may provide new clues about how other solar systems formed.
The findings at the time suggested this unusual object had been wandering through the Milky Way, unattached to any star system, for hundreds of millions of years before its chance encounter with our star system.
"It's remarkable that we have now seen for the first time a physical object from outside our solar system," said Alan Jackson from the University of Toronto Scarborough in Canada.
A binary star system, unlike our Sun, is one with two stars orbiting a common center.
For the study, published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Jackson and colleagues tested how efficient binary star systems are at ejecting objects.
They also looked at how common these star systems are in our galaxy.
The researchers found that rocky objects like 'Oumuamua are far more likely to come from binary than single star systems.
They were also able to determine that rocky objects are ejected from binary systems in comparable numbers to icy objects.
"It's really odd that the first object we would see from outside our system would be an asteroid because a comet would be a lot easier to spot and the Solar System ejects many more comets than asteroids," said Jackson.
Once the researchers determined that binary systems are very efficient at ejecting rocky objects and that a sufficient number of them exist, they were satisfied that 'Oumuamua very likely came from a binary system.
They also concluded that it probably came from a system with a relatively hot, high mass star since such a system would have a greater number of rocky objects closer in.
The team suggests that the asteroid was very likely to have been ejected from its binary system sometime during the formation of planets.
'Oumuamua, which is Hawaiian for 'scout', was first spotted by the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii in October last year.
With a radius of 200 meters and traveling at a blistering speed of 30 kilometers per second, at its closest, it was about 33,000,000 km from Earth.
When it was first discovered researchers initially assumed the object was a comet, one of the countless icy objects that release gas when they warm up on approaching the Sun.
However, it did not show any comet-like activity as it neared the Sun and was quickly reclassified as an asteroid, meaning it was rocky.
Researchers were also fairly sure it was from outside our solar system, based on its trajectory and speed.
(With PTI inputs)
Chenna: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Tuesday rebuffed reports of being backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Interacting with the media, he said, "There have been reports that the BJP is supporting me, but I say that God is behind me and after that, I have the support of the people. No matter how many times you ask me this question, my answer will remain the same."
Rajinikanth further condemned the vandalisation of Periyar`s statue, terming it as a 'barbaric act'.Speaking on the controversy of Rama Rajya Rath Yatra, he said, "Tamil Nadu is a secular state, I have full confidence that police will maintain communal harmony."
The actor, who enjoys cult status in Tamil Nadu, had on December 31, 2017, announced he will launch his political party, which will contest all 234 seats in the next Assembly elections.
Earlier, on March 5, 2018, invoking the legacy of late AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran, he had said that he was confident of giving a good administration like the yesteryear matinee idol.
"Nobody can match MGR even in 1,000 years and that includes me," Rajinikanth had said referring to criticism, especially from the ruling AIADMK that not all can emulate the late CM's success in politics.
Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, is often referred to as the benchmark of success in Tamil Nadu politics, especially for an actor, with many other cinema professionals trying to emulate him.
The 67-year old superstar had added that he would take recourse to technology besides assistance from experts and technocrats in delivering governance.
Rajinikanth had further said that he would follow spiritual governance that would have no discrimination based on caste or creed.
(With Agency inputs)
CHENNAI: Expelled and jailed AIADMK chief VK Sasikala on Tuesday applied for 15 days parole to attend her husband M Natarajan's last rites. Earlier today at around 1.30 AM, Natarajan died at a hospital in Chennai following multiple organ failures.
Last week, the 75-year-old was rushed to Gleneagles Global Health City hospital for chest infection.
Sasikala, who is currently lodged in Bengaluru's Parappanna Agrahara Jail, is reportedly expected to travel to Thanjavur directly by road for the funeral.
In January, Natarajan had surrendered before a CBI court here in connection with a case involving evasion of duty on the import of a luxury car from Britain.
The Madras High Court had in November last year upheld a trial court order sentencing Natarajan and three others in the case registered 23 years ago.
In December, the Supreme Court granted bail to Natarajan and asked him to deposit Rs 25 lakh each in its registry. He didn`t appear in the past hearings citing poor health.
Shanmuga Priyan, Chief Operation Officer, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, released a statement, stating that every possible attempt was made to sustain his revival. However, despite their best efforts, he was unable to recover.
Natarajan had also undergone a liver and kidney transplant in 2017.
Sasikala is currently serving a four-year imprisonment and is lodged in central prison in Bengaluru in a disproportionate assets case. She was sent to Parappana Agrahara central prison in February last year.
(With inputs from ANI)
CHENNAI: Expelled and jailed AIADMK chief VK Sasikala's husband M Natarajan died at a hospital in Chennai following multiple organ failures.
Last week, the 75-year-old was rushed to Gleneagles Global Health City hospital for chest infection.
In January, Natarajan had surrendered before a CBI court here in connection with a case involving evasion of duty on the import of a luxury car from Britain.
The Madras High Court had in November last year upheld a trial court order sentencing Natarajan and three others in the case registered 23 years ago.
In December, the Supreme Court granted bail to Natarajan and asked him to deposit Rs 25 lakh each in its registry. He didn`t appear in the past hearings citing poor health.
An Australian mechanical engineer, Peter McMahon, has claimed that he has discovered the debris of Malaysian Airline plane MH370, which went missing between Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai over the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014.
He has claimed to have found the debris of MH370 with the help of Google Maps. According to the engineer, the debris is located 22.5 km north of Mauritius and 16 km south of Round Island. Daily Star reported that the Australian pored through NASA and Google Maps since MH370 disappeared.
The report also quoted the McMahon as saying that the flight was riddled with bullets before it went missing. However, the claim has been dismissed by investigating authorities and Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai.
The minister dismissed the claim that that the wreckage was found riddled with bullet marks, adding that Malaysian government has been cooperating with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which has received the findings of the Australian engineer.
Even the Joint Agency Coordination Centre has dismissed the claims of the man, saying at no stage did the ATSB suggest his evidence could be missing flight MH370. The agency further confirmed that McMahon had contacted ATSB via Facebook and email.
The disappearance of the aircraft en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014 with 239 people aboard ranks among the world`s greatest aviation mysteries.
Australia, China and Malaysia ended a fruitless A$200-million ($157 million) search of a 120,000 sq. km area in January last year, despite investigators urging the search be extended to a 25,000-square-km area further to the north.
In January, Malaysia signed another deal to pay a US seabed exploration firm up to $70 million if it finds the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft within 90 days of embarking on a new search in the Southern Indian ocean.
Beijing: China will not cede a "single inch of land" and is ready to wage a "bloody battle" to take its due place in the world, a belligerent President Xi Jinping, now enjoying probably a life-long tenure, asserted on Tuesday.
In a 30-minute long nationalistic speech in China's Parliament, Xi said "since modern times, rejuvenation of the great Chinese nation has become the biggest dream of our nation".
"The Chinese people and the Chinese nation have a shared conviction which is not a single inch of our land will be and can be ceded from China? Xi said, addressing the closing session of the NPC the first by a President in recent years.
Though Xi made no mention of any territorial issues, the country has been involved in a number of disputes.
Besides the border dispute with India, China claims rights over the disputed islands in East China Sea under the control of Japan and vast stretches of the South China Sea (SCS) where it is firmly asserting its control.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the South China Sea.
Xi said China has all the capabilities to take its due place in the world.
Every year, Chinese annual parliament season ends with a press conference by the Premier. This is the first-time a President addressed its valedictory session.
Xi this month has altered the course of the history of China after the NPC besides re-electing him for a second five-year term also ratified a constitutional amendment scrapping the decades old two-term limit paving the way him to remain in power for life.
He has emerged as the most powerful leader after Mao Zedong as he headed the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC), the military and the Presidency.
Seeking to allay fears about absolute powers enjoyed by him controlling all levers of power, Xi vowed to continue to serve as a servant of the people.
"The Chinese people has been indomitable and persistent. We are resolved to fight the bloody battle against our enemies and on the basis of independence we are determined to recapture the relics," he said.
"We have strong capabilities of taking our due place in the world. We have fought for that big dream for about 170 years. Today more than ever the Chinese people are close to that dream, ever more confident and capable of realising the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said.
"I am convinced once the 1.3 billion Chinese people carrying on such big dreams we will certainly translate into a reality," he said amid thunderous applauds in a nationally televised speech.
"We should safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and achieve full unification of the motherland. This is the aspiration of all Chinese people. This is also in line with fundamental of the Chinese nation," Xi said in an apparent reference to Taiwan which China claims as part of it.
In his speech, Xi also delivered a stern message to the separatists.
"Faced with this important question of our nation and history any action that separates the country is doomed to fail. These separatist actions will be met with the condemnation of the people and punishment of the history," he said.
"Chinese people have strong determination, full confidence and every capability to triumph over all the separatist actions," he said.
Besides Taiwan, China brands the Dalai Lama as "splitist". China is also carrying out extensive crackdown in the Muslim Uygur majority Xinjiang against the separatist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement, (ETIM).
Xi said any actions and tricks to split China are certain to meet with the people's condemnation and the punishment.
At the same time, he also sought to allay the concerns of the world about rising China as well as his multibillion dollar pet project the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying that China's development does not pose a threat to any other country
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion. Only those who are accustomed to threatening others see everyone as a threat," he said, taking a dig at the US.
"We will not impose our will on other people and China will continue to advance its BRI and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries in the world so that reforming and opening of China will benefit all mankind," Xi said.
The BRI has special implications for India as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of it. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it traverses through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Paris: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was on Tuesday in police custody for questioning over allegations that he received campaign funding from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Sarkozy, 63, was summoned to a police station in Nanterre and was being questioned in relation to "irregularities" over the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign that swept him to power for a single five-year term, Le Monde daily reported citing court sources.
An inquiry was opened in April 2013 into allegations that Sarkozy`s campaign had benefited from illicit funds from Gaddafi but it is the first time that he is being questioned over the matter. He has denied wrongdoing.
The development came several weeks after a former associate, Alexandre Djouhri, was arrested in London and later released on bail. One of Sarkozy`s former ministers and a close ally, Brice Hortefeux, was also being questioned on Tuesday, the BBC reported.
The former President can be held by police for up to 48 hours before facing magistrates.
French law bans candidates from receiving cash payments above 6,300 pounds, but the massive donation is said to have been laundered through bank accounts in Panama and Switzerland.
A document made public in Paris apparently showed that the French leader and the former Libyan dictator made an illegal financial deal, reports say.
Written in Arabic and signed by Mussa Kussa, Gaddafi`s Intelligence Chief, in 2006, it referred to an "agreement in principle to support the campaign for Sarkozy for a sum equivalent to 50 million euro".
A bundle of evidence was originally leaked by senior members of Libya`s National Transitional Council to French investigative news site Mediapart, according to a Daily Mail report.
A governmental briefing note among papers sent to Mediapart pointed to numerous visits to Libya by Sarkozy and his colleagues which were aimed at securing funding, it said.
A Pakistani man has been arrested on charges of mutilating his wife's genitalia after she reportedly refused to hand over a pair of gold earrings to him. The barbaric act was committed in the country's tribal area of Dera Ghazi Khan.
Local media reports say the husband locked his wife in a room and began assaulting her after she refused to hand over her gold earrings. The woman's father and uncle were passing by the house and were shocked to hear her screams. Both rushed in to find the room locked from inside. When they smashed the door open, they found the woman bleeding profusely. Local police officials were immediately called and the husband was taken into custody. According to an FIR filed, the husband has admitted to mutilating his wife's genitalia.
The woman, meanwhile, was rushed to the hospital and was provided with medical assistance.
The victim's family has reportedly told investigating officers that this is not the first time that the man has become aggressive and that the couple often fought with each other - primarily because they were unable to conceive.
Pakistan is resorting to new terror tactics to assert their influence in Afghanistan. According to sources, Pakistani spy agency ISI has orchestrated deadly attacks in Afghanistan cities and is also colluding with Taliban to target NATO forces.
The ISI has instructed Taliban to hire personnel of the Afghan National Army and get into a joint operation to carry out insider attack at NATO forces in Afghanistan, said sources. The meeting between ISI officials and Taliban terrorists was held recently wherein it was decided that they would jointly attack foreign forces on the soil.
They further said that the Pakistan Army is also giving training to few Top Taliban commanders to ensure that coordinated attack on foreign forces can be successfully made out.
This comes after US intelligence agencies issued warnings that the Taliban could launch major attack particularly in Kabul. The US intel had said that terrorist groups based in Pakistan would continue to use their sanctuaries and carry out more attacks on US forces.
Pakistan has been restoring to terror tactics using Afghan Taliban to carry out attacks targeting Afghans forces and their critical infrastructure.
On January 20, Taliban terrorists had attacked the landmark Intercontinental Hotel and killed around 25 people, search for them in each room of the hotel. The Afghan Embassy in the US had claimed that the attack was planned by Pakistan.
Another evidence suggesting Pakistans collusion with Taliban attackers was military grade goggles procured by the Pakistani army from British company. A tweet by Majeed Qarar, Cultural Attache at the Embassy of Afghanistan, had alleged that the goggles were supplied by Pakistan Army to terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kashmir and Taliban in Afghanistan.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a proposal to hold accountable, detain, and arrest Ukraine's deputy Nadia Savchenko
Read the original text at 112.ua.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a proposal to hold accountable, detain, and arrest the non-factional deputy Nadia Savchenko.
It looks like the high-profile case of the head of the "Officer Corps" Center for the Release of Prisoners Volodymyr Ruban, detained on the contact line in Donbas and later accused of preparing a terrorist act and illegal handling of weapons, turns into a new "Savchenkos case".
The Prosecutor General says that the investigation has irrefutable evidence of the complicity of the People's Deputy in the preparation for a coup d'etat in Ukraine, commissioned by the Russian Federation.
During the meeting of the parliament, Prosecutor General Lutsenko has voiced a loud statement: Savchenko has planned to conduct a terrorist attack in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada. "The investigation has irrefutable evidence that Nadia Savchenko has personally planned, personally recruited, and personally instructed how to carry out the terrorist act here in this hall, destroying two lodges, government and official one, shelling the dome of the Verkhovna Rada with mortars, and killing those who survive with the guns," he said.
Yuriy Lutsenko
In this regard, the Prosecutor General announced the submission to the Verkhovna Rada of the idea of holding accountable, detention, and arrest of Savchenko. At the same time, Lutsenko asked the parliament "to immediately support the draft law that after the Prosecutor General's presentation, the diplomatic passports of the People's Deputy stop acting so that she/he remains in Ukraine."
Prosecutor General does not renounce the support of Savchenkos release of from the Russian captivity, but he stressed that "the released hostage, even if it is a hero of Ukraine, must fulfill the law."
A photocopy of Prosecutor Generals appeal to the Verkhovna Rada Chairman, Andriy Parubiy, was posted by his press secretary Larysa Sargan on her Facebook.
In addition to the submissions, Lutsenko has attached the materials, which justify these submissions (a volume of 174 sheets).
As specified by the press service of the Prosecution General, the documents were sent in the framework of criminal proceedings:
- Part 1 of Art. 109 ("Actions aimed at the forcible change or overthrow of the constitutional order or the seizure of state power");
- Part 1 of Art. 14 ("Preparing for a crime"),
- Part 2 of Art. 28 ("Committing an offense by a group of individuals, a group of persons by prior agreement, an organized group or a criminal organization"),
- Part 1 of Art. 109; Part 1 of Art. 14 p. 2 tbsp. 28, art. 112 ("Encroachment on the life of a public or public figure"),
- Part 1 of Art. 14 p. 3 tbsp. 258 ("The Terrorist Act");
- Part 1 of Art. 258-3 ("Establishment of a terrorist group or terrorist organization");
- Part 2 of Art. 28 and part 1 of Art. 263 ("Illicit treatment of weapons, ammunition or explosives") of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Some of these articles, such as the terrorist act, provide for up to 15 years in prison.
In fact, the start of the story with Nadia Savchenko could be considered the detention of head of the "Officer Corps" Center for the Release of Prisoners Volodymyr Ruban, which took place on March 8.
As claimed by the Security Service (SBU) he drew a minibus to return from the Donetsk Peoples Republic and carried a full arsenal of the weapons: from the guns and machine guns to anti-personnel mines, grenades, and mortars.
Later, the SBU said that Ruban was preparing a series of large-scale terrorist attacks in the government quarter, during which the massacres of politicians, including the president, were planned. The attack was ordered by Russia.
Ruban has dismissed all these accusations and said that he helped one representative of the special forces of Ukraines Armed Forces (call sign "Cedar"). The bus belonged to this man, and Ruban knew nothing about the cargo.
Nevertheless, Shevchenkivsky district court has arrested him for 60 days without the right to deposit a pledge.
Open source
Savchenko, Ruban
Then Savchenko expressed her readiness to take Ruban on bail. A few days later the prosecutor's office said that she was being summoned for questioning in this case. There are rumors that Savchenko is suspected of complicity with Ruban in organizing preparations for a coup d'etat in Ukraine.
Savchenko denies all the accusations and associates them with her active position in disclosing the corruptness of the authorities. "All three days I have spent in Europe, where I managed to testify in European legal bodies against Poroshenko's corruption, against the criminality of our power and political persecution," she noted after the interrogation in the Security Service.
Nadia Savchenko
The People's Deputy was convinced that there were no legal reasons to expel her from the National Security Committee. She considers submitting the proposal on removing the parliamentary immunity without her presence a crime.
"The accusations of preparing a military coup d'etat and an attempt on power are good accusations. It is good that I am an officer of the Armed Forces. I swore an oath to the Ukrainian people to defend the land, not the Ukrainian government. I accuse the Ukrainian authorities of crimes against the people, of deaths during Poroshenkos criminal power," she said, emphasizing that now many militaries would agree that "a military coup in Ukraine is quite an expected and actually a rather good event."
In addition, Savchenko accused the Prosecutor General of lying. "Lutsenko has lied once again: I was summoned as a witness for interrogation to investigator Tomusyak. The questioning was conducted by another investigator, and I was not interrogated as a witness, but an explanation," she noted.
Later, Savchenko said that she offered the SBU to interrogate her publicly on a lie detector regarding her links with the Russian Federation. "I am not acquainted with Medvedchuk, and all the allegations of my links with the Russian Federation are all lies. I offered the prosecutor's office, the SBU to interrogate me publicly on a lie detector. The public, the whole country should hear the answers to all questions. Or are they afraid of it?"
The idea of the removal of immunity and the arrest of Savchenko should now be considered by the Standing Committee of the Verkhovna Rada.
The Prosecutor General is confident that this will happen next Wednesday (although the committee itself might postpone consideration or send a submission to the Prosecutor General for the revision).
A day earlier, Lutsenko had promised to present to the evidence of all the crimes in which Savchenko was accused of. According to him, the investigation has about a hundred hours of audio and video recordings, on which an examination has been carried out and which prove the guilt of the people's deputy.
If the Standing Committee reviews the submission against Savchenko on Wednesday, the Verkhovna Rada will be able to vote for the deprivation of its immunity on Thursday, March 22.
As reported before, the parliamentarians have excluded Savchenko from the National Security Committee.
Vladimir Putin celebrates victory in the presidential election in Russia. According to the Russian Central Election Committee, he beats all other candidates with 76.65 percent of votes. During the time that Putin is in power, 4 presidents were already reelected in Ukraine. 112.ua remembered what kind of relationship they all had with Putin, according to Putin himself
Read original article at 112.ua
Putin about Leonid Kuchma (1994-2004)
112 Agency
2004: Although during the presidential elections in Ukraine, Putin supported Viktor Yanukovych and even twice congratulated him on winning the election even before the announcement of official results, on the eve of the third round of voting, on December 26, he said that he had "very good relations with Yushchenko" and that Russia is ready "to accept any decision of Ukrainian people and work with any president of Ukraine."
2005: Viktor Yushchenko made his first foreign visit to Moscow, where Putin warmly greeted the new president: "We are very glad to see you, we welcome you to Russia ... With a new leader many things in domestic politics, and indeed in the external policies look different, but we expect that the choice that has been made by the Ukrainian and Russian peoples for rapprochement, for the development of relations, will remain unchanged, and in this sense, we count on the continuity of politics. "
However, the period from 2006 to 2009 was remembered by intensive "gas wars" between Ukraine and Russia.
2006: During the press conference following the meeting with Yushchenko, Putin expressed himself as follows:
"We are very pleased to state that for many years of relations with Ukraine we now have people in Kyiv who are doing what they are saying ... I view our today's talks with Viktor Yushchenko as a kind of impetus for Russian-Ukrainian cooperation, enriched by a new successful experience in solving problematic issues, relations between our countries have acquired an additional development potential in ascending order. "
2008: On the eve of Putin's meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko, an incident occurred. The Yushchenko's plane, on which he was supposed to fly to Lviv, made an emergency landing. The president moved to a reserve aircraft and flew to Lviv. Tymoshenko said that the president used the plane, which was intended for her flight to Moscow. As a result, she had to go to Russia by charter flight.
2009: During a press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Putin again joked in response to a question about what he thought the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Viktor Yushchenko were discussing.
"The soldiers remembered the past days and battles that they lost together," Putin said.
In addition, Putin advised the two presidents to have dinner without ties:
"It's better for two presidents to have dinner without ties. Ties are now in price... Yushchenko's guests can eat his tie," Putin continued joking, hinting at a well-known video with Saakashvili during the Russian-Georgian war.
Putin on Viktor Yanukovych (2010-2014)
The Joint Forces operation takes place under the strategic guidance of the General Staff
Open source
Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev who was appointed as the Joint Forces Commander in Donbas claimed that the main difference in the holding of the anti-terrorist operation and Joint Forces operation is the subordination. He claimed this to Ukrinform.
'The main difference is subordination. If earlier the ATO took place under the common guidance of the Anti-terrorist center of the SBU, now the Joint Forces operation place under strategic guidance of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine', the general noted.
According to him, consequently, there is another question connected with the management, responsibility, operative and tactic tasks that should be consistently fulfilled to reach the aims of the operation.
Nayev added that he personally obeys to Chief of the General Staff, General Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine'.
Earlier the General Staff worked out the documents on the beginning of the Joint Forces Operation instead of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas. Now, President Poroshenko should approve them.
Open source
The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has submitted a petition asking to remove Ukrainian metallurgical goods from the application of 25% import tarrifs recently introduced by the United States government, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
I have submitted a letter to the economic adviser to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine J.P. Schutte. The letter, written by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman, asks the United States government to avoid applying import tariffs to goods imported from Ukraine. We ask to provide Ukrainian exporters with full access to the U.S. market, which has been traditional for the structure of our exports for a long time, - Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Ukraines trade representative Natalya Mykilska posted on her Facebook page on Monday.
On 8 March, the President of the United States Donal Trump signed two documents that introduce a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on imported aluminium, excluding steel and aluminium produced in Mexico and Canada, as Washington, D.C. is currently in talks with these countries regarding the revision of NAFTA provisions. The measures are to become effective on 23 March. At the same time, President Trump can still repeal them or change the specifics of any or both laws.
Representatives of Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises have turned to the countrys government for support regarding the possible tariffs. This matter was discussed at the working meeting presided by the First Deputy Prime Minister Stepan Kubiv and the Deputy Minister Natalya Mykilska on 12 March.
According to the customs statistics from the State Fiscal Service, Ukrainian exports of black metals in 2017 rose by 20% against 2016 to reach $8.66 billion. Black metals accounted for 20.03% of the total revenue from goods exports in 2017, against 19.93% the year before. The imports of the same kind of goods grew by 42%, to $1.13 billion in 2017.
Budapest consciously goes for political manipulations in their concerns over the protection of national minorities in Ukraine, Ministry says
Open source
Hungary's latest claims on Ukrainian education law are nothing but political manipulation, which brought Budapest 'very close to the red line'. Maryana Betsa, the spokeswoman of the Ukrainian foreign ministry said that in her exclusive commentary for 112 Ukraine TV channel.
'All latest statements have brought Hungary very close to the red line, - if not crossed it yet. These are the conscious political manipulations and an obscene distortion of reality. It's very sad because Hungary is our partner, and we're ready for constructive dialogue regarding various questions, but such manipulations and distortions are unacceptable for us', she said.
Betsa expressed doubts whether Hungary will be able to block the participation of Ukrainian president Poroshenko in NATO and EU events. 'I don't think Hungary can do that; it's not bilateral relations, after all,' she said.
'We're constantly working with our Hungarian colleagues; we remain open to any dialogue. However, such statements work in Russia's favor', the official concluded.
As 112 International reported, the Venice Commission did not support Hungarys accusations of infringement of ethnic minorities rights by the recently adopted education law in Ukraine.
The new law on education was signed by Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on September 25. In particular, it introduces a 12-year-long school program and limits the number of subjects taught in the languages of national minorities. This particular decision evoked outrage in Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Hungary. Budapest even threatened to slow down the process of Ukraines integration with the EU.
Former French President Sarkozy is suspected of financial fraud during his election campaign of 2007
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was detained in France on the case of financing his 2007 election campaign. This was reported by Reuters referring to court sources.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy in police custody in investigation over campaign financing, the message says.
As reported by Le Monde, Sarkozy came in the morning of March 20 to the hearing in Nanterre, where he was taken into custody by the police. The trial was devoted to the issue of possible illegal financing by the Libyan authorities of his election campaign.
Sarkozy was present for the first time at the hearings on the case opened in April 2013. Law enforcement agencies have 48 hours to decide on the restraint.
It is suspected that Sarkozys campaign headquarters could receive illegal funding from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Earlier, the son of a former Libyan dictator announced his father's financing of Sarkozy's election campaign in 2007 and demanded the return of money. According to media reports, Sarkozy received from Libya over 50 million euros.
Sarkozy constantly denied these charges.
Also, in 2013, the Bordeaux prosecutor's office brought charges of corruption against Sarkozy. Politics were suspected of receiving illegal financial assistance for the presidential campaign of 2007 from the former owner of L'Oreal, Liliane Bettencourt. He was accused of receiving an envelope for 50 thousand euros bypassing the reporting documents.
As it was reported earlier France does not recognize the results of the Russian presidential election in the occupied Crimea. The press service of French foreign ministry reported Monday. The official statement mentioned that France remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. 'Four years after the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, France most decisively confirms its commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Crimea within the internationally recognized borders,' it says.
Head of presidential office thinks that the congratulations before the announcement of the final results are inappropriate
Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland will not send the congratulations to his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin due to the win at the election. Krzysztof Szczerski, the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland claimed this at the broadcasting of RMF 24.
'The president will not congratulate President Putin on the voting in Russia. Because the president thinks that it is not a good time for the congratulations. Moreover, Poland did not participate in this election and usually those who lose, they congratulate. We do not have the official results', he said.
Szczerski expressed the surprise that some officials congratulate Putin with the re-election without the announcement of the official results.
'Yes, it is quite amusing that some people try to send these congratulations before the official announcement of the results of the election', he said.
At the same time, the official does not exclude that Duda will send the formal diplomatic congratulation to mark Putin's inauguration.
'I do not exclude that the president will send the official, diplomatic and polite congratulations when President Putin will be inaugurated', he emphasized.
As we reported U.S. and EU leaders did not congratulate Putin on his win.
The current President Putin beat a record of the support, receiving 56.2 million of votes or 76.65 percent of votes, with 99% ballots processed.
Eight Security Council nations say it's "imperative" that the U.N. body "immediately pursue decisive action" to achieve a cease-fire in Syria if U.N. member states, especially Russia and its ally Syria, don't implement a resolution demanding a cessation of hostilities
Russia on Monday blocked a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the human rights situation in Syria, Reuters reported.
We do not see any justification for this meeting since human rights is not a subject on the agenda of the security council, said Gennady Kuzmin, deputy permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations.
The move by Russia, the largest backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, comes as human rights groups say a devastating bombing campaign by Syrian allied forces has killed hundreds of civilians in the eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus, including 15 children and two women reported killed on March 19.
Eight Security Council nations say it's "imperative" that the U.N. body "immediately pursue decisive action" to achieve a cease-fire in Syria if U.N. member states, especially Russia and its ally Syria, don't implement a resolution demanding a cessation of hostilities.
Russia's move to block discussion of human rights prompted a strong condemnation from the UN's human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein, who had been scheduled to brief the council at the blocked meeting.
"This failure to protect the lives and rights of millions of people is corroding not only the work but also the legitimacy of the UN," Zeid said.
France and six other members had called for the meeting, which was expected to include a briefing from Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Our council needs to have all necessary information to understand the crisis that it is examining, including those pertaining to human rights. And this is particularly the case in Syria, said French U.N. ambassador Francois Delattre.
Kuzmin asked for a procedural vote and only eight delegations voted in favor of having the meeting, one short of the number required.
China, Bolivia and Kazakhstan voted with Russia to prevent the meeting, while Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia were abstentions.
Those who voted to hold the meeting alongside France were the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, Holland, the United States, Peru and Kuwait. All except Kuwait later hosted an informal meeting in which Zeid was expected to speak.
Open source
All assets of Russia's energy monopolist Gazprom, located in Ukraine, were moved to this country's state budget. Pavlo Petrenko, Ukraine's justice minister reported that at a Tuesday briefing in Kyiv, as quoted by Ukrinform news agency.
'I can say that the Justice Ministry will surcharge from Gazprom another six billion U.S. dollars, which is foreseen by the Ukrainian court's decision. The whole case was initiated by the Anti-Monopoly Committee. We already surcharged a part of the sum. Part of that sum has been already surcharged; we seized, arrested and transferred these funds into the state budget. That's almost four million dollars for the Ukrainian budget,' he said.
The official added that the Ministry will cooperate with counterparts to make Russia pay every penny of its debt before Russia.
The sides signed the respective agreement during the visit of Ukrainian leader to Kuwait
The visa-free regime between Ukraine and Kuwait is to enter into force in April 2018. KUNA, Kuwait's information agency reported that on Tuesday.
The respective agreement was signed on March 18, when President Petro Poroshenko came to Kuwait with the working visit.
The paper's enactment is timed to the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
It is noted that during the meeting the sides also discussed the possibilities for closer cooperation between the two countries within the framework of international organizations and support of Kuwait's foreign policy initiatives of Ukraine.
'Heads of states also talked about the prospects for cooperation within the framework of the non-permanent membership of Kuwait in the UN Security Council in 2018-2019, in particular on the issue of the UN peacekeeping mission in the occupied part of Donbas, and Ukraine's membership in the UN Human Rights Council in 2018-2020', noted Poroshenko's press service.
Open source
The Spokesperson for the Secretary-General commented on the illegal elections on the territory of the Crimea and reminded of the resolutions 68 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said that during the Daily Press Briefing by the Office.
"With regards to the situation in Crimea, the General Assembly expressed itself on several occasions, notably through resolution 68/262 on the "Territorial integrity of Ukraine" and resolution 71/205 on the "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol", Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said.
He also stressed that the UN position on Crimea remains unchanged.
Our position on Crimea and the general and following General Assembly resolutions is unchanged and will not change, he said.
As we reported earlier, the OSCE claimed that there was no real choice at the election of the president of Russia and noted the pressure on the critics of the authority.
According to Bloomberg, Russian election observers denounced what they said were large-scale violations in the presidential vote that handed Vladimir Putin a crushing victory, including ballot-stuffing that was captured on state-controlled cameras.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged the international community to extend anti-Russian sanctions due to the election in Crimea.
The election of the president of Russia took place on March 18, 2018, in the fourth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea. Eight candidates, including the current president, took place in it. Russia also held the election at the peninsula.
The current President Putin beat a record of the support, receiving 56.2 million of votes or 76.65 percent of votes, with 99% ballots processed.
The head of the Pobuzhsky Ferronickel Plant's legal department called on the Ukrainian authorities to amend legislation to protect international investors from blackmailing and false accusations brought by the so-called anti-corruption activists
Pobuzhsky ferronickel plant 112 Agency
Kiev, March 20, 2018. Last week at the press meeting dedicated to announcing the companys 2017-year results, the head of the Pobuzhsky Ferronickel Plant's legal department Rustam Dzhamhurov called on the Ukrainian authorities to amend legislation to protect international investors from blackmailing and false accusations brought by the so-called anti-corruption activists.
In response to journalists questions Mr. Dzhamhurov said:
It is absolutely necessary to change the laws and approaches the state now exercises while dealing with the requests from organizations like IACC. It is worth establishing a system of reimbursing the costs caused by the falsified claims.
In late 2017 a number of exporting businesses, including Borshchahivskiy chemical-pharmaceutical plant, LLC Delta Wilmar CIS, Zhytomyroblenergo and Pobuzhsky ferronickel plant, drew the attention of the charitable foundation IACC. The foundation sent out several appeals to the state authorities of Ukraine and a few foreign countries claiming the companies were involved in a variety of criminal activities. The scale of IACC performance became noticeable enough for the prime minister of Ukraine to order two ministries to work on the problems the Foundations public statements created for a number of exporting businesses.
After checking facts, Ukrainian state authorities declined all appeals as no documented proof of the illegal performance brought up by the Foundation "International Anti-Corruption Courts" in their claims was found. This proves IACC performance is based on blackmailing and providing false facts about the operation of a number of export businesses to the respected state entities of Ukraine and foreign countries.
By sending false statements IACC complicates the companys business operations, initiates audits, and puts administrative pressure on business. This can be seen as an attempt to devalue the reputation of the companies in the spotlight and of their investors nationally and internationally. On January 18, one of the businesses highlighted by the IACC called a halt to the USD 150 mln investment project.
According to the head of the Pobuzhsky Ferronickel Plant's legal department, there should be clear guidelines obliging the authorities of Ukraine to make the swindlers accountable for the expenses caused by their actions. As well, there should be changes in the law regulating cases where the claimants have falsely accused trustworthy citizens of criminal activities. These types of cases can only be heard in the criminal courts.
Also, it is necessary to widen the interpretation of the concept of "counteraction". This would help the courts to identify the existence of unreasonable obstacles to economic activities based on fact falsification as counteraction, and act accordingly. commented Rustam Dzhamhurov.
The EU remains steady in its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty
The European Union does not acknowledge the results of Russian presidential elections in annexed Crimea and called for examining the messages on violations, which came from the international observers. Maja Kocijancic, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that in her message on the EEAS website.
The message says that the EU relies on the preliminary findings of the internationally-recognised OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission (EOM) and The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.
The European Union does not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and therefore does not recognise the holding of elections in the Crimean peninsula, the message says.
Besides, the EEAS added that the elections were held in a totally controlled legal and political surroundings, marked by constant pressure on critical voices.
The EU called for examining the message o the violation which came from the international observers concerning the voting on the territory of Russia.
Earlier, Russian presidential elections were held on March 18, the fourth anniversary of Crimea annexation.
Ukraines President Poroshenko claimed, that Russia presidential elections in annexed Crimea is another severe violation of International Law and called the international community for tightening anti-Russian sanctions.
Hungary also plans to prevent the meeting of the defense ministers of Ukraine and the EU in April
Open source
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said he would block the participation of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in the NATO summit scheduled for July 2018. He said this during a visit to Brussels at a meeting of the European Union, press service of the Hungarian government reports.
Szijjarto announced his intention to block the holding of the Ukraine-NATO commission at the highest level in July, and also refused to support the meeting of the EU and Ukrainian defense ministers in April.
"With relation to Ukraine, Hungary has no other instruments at its disposal than to block Kyiv's international, European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations," he said.
"Accordingly, Hungary is also not supporting the holding of the EU-Ukraine defense ministers' meeting planned for April, or the NATO-Ukraine summit scheduled for this summer. Hungary will only be supporting these meetings if Ukraine adheres to the abovementioned conditions and to its international obligations," he said.
Hungary and the European Union expects Ukraine to implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission, to consult with national minorities and to take the ban on removing existing rights seriously. So negotiations with the Hungarian national community must begin and the implementation of the Ukrainian Education Act must be suspended, he highlighted.
He also pointed out that Hungary is one of three EU countries, including Poland and Slovakia, that is supplying natural gas to Ukraine following the dispute between Russian energy company Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz.
He also expressed concern over the fact that Ukraine is planning to redeploy a battalion of some eight hundred to a thousand soldiers from the east to the city of Berehove (Beregszasz), which is close to three NATO member states and home to the largest ratio of Hungarians. He added that even more worrying is the reason given by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, according to which the measure is necessary in view of threats to Ukraine's territorial integrity. "This means that Kyiv regards the Hungarian national community as a threat factor, which is outrageous, and is something that Hungary rejects in the strongest possible terms," he said.
Sentsov's sister asks not to spread the information that the problems with health are connected to the intentional poisoning
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine demands from Russia to provide the urgent access of the consul to Oleh Sentsov, the Ukrainian director illegally detained in Russia due to the deterioration of his health. Mariana Betsa, the spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry reported this on Twitter.
'Due to the information about the deterioration of the health of Sentsov, we demand from Russia to urgently provide the consul with the access to Oleh', she wrote.
In her turn, Natalia Kaplan, the sister of Sentsov asked on Facebook to not spread the information that the problems with health are connected to the intentional poisoning.
'The rumors grew with the opinions of 'the experts' that Oleh was poisoned and he dies. He is not at the resort, four years of the prison, including the far north do not add health', she wrote.
Earlier the mass media reported citing Yuru Kolesnykov, the military expert that Sentsov could be poisoned with the radioactive substance.
'Now we know that Sentsov is dying. According to all signs, it is the poising with the radioactive substance. It is not excluded that Sentsov was poisoned just 'for fun', Kolesnykov noted.
Earlier it was reported that the health of Oleh Sentsov deteriorated his teeth crumble and he loses his hair.
As it is known, Ukrainian movie director Oleg Sentsov and Crimean activist Oleksandr Kolchenko were detained by the Russian FSB in the annexed Crimea. Both were taken to Russia. Sentsov was charged with preparing a terrorist act in Crimea and sentenced to 20 years in the high-security penal colony. Kolchenko was sentenced to ten-years-long imprisonment.
Open source
Ukraine and Qatar signed an agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements. This was reported on March 20 by the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Pavlo Klimkin.
"Hello from Qatar. I signed several agreements, among them - the visa-free travel with Qatar. The visa-free breakthrough in the Bay, and not only there, continues,", "he wrote.
President Petro Poroshenko congratulated the Ukrainians on this occasion.
"This increases the importance of the Ukrainian passport, which means even greater respect for Ukrainians. Unique tourist opportunities for Ukrainians will be created in Qatar and a large number of Qataris are expected to visit Ukraine," the president said.
The head of state also noted that Doha is an aviation hub and launched two planes a day from Kyiv.
"The agreement provides that citizens of Ukraine Qatar who use passports for traveling abroad, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the states of the other party, can enter, leave, transit and stay without visas on its territory for up to 90 days within 180 days, " the press service of the Ukrainian president noted.
It is expected that the signing of the document will promote the cooperation between the countries, both in the consular, economic and humanitarian spheres, will allow bringing to a qualitatively new level the protection of the rights and interests of legal entities and individuals, activate contacts of business representatives, open additional opportunities for national tourist industries.
As it was reported earlier, Petro Poroshenko held the meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar during the official visit to the state.
It is noted that the sides positively noted the visible intensification of the Ukraine-Qatar relations and active development of the trade and economic cooperation. Particularly, during the negotiations the sides noted the presence of the various goods of agricultural industry complex and products of the domestic metallurgy at the Qatari market.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw condemned the manifestation of Polish nationalists at its building, which was held today. This was said by the Ukrainian Embassy in Poland in statement published on the embassy's website.
The statement says that the nationalists led anti-Ukrainian propaganda.
"Consciously or unconsciously, but by their actions and statements they foment intolerance, act in the interests of Kremlin, in the imperial policy in which there is no place for either free Ukraine or free Poland as well as democratic Europe. At the same time, we are grateful to the citizens of the Republic, who on this day came to the embassy in order to counterbalance the nationalist rhetoric to express solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people under the slogan "For your dignity and ours," the embassy said.
As the Polish Fakty.interia agency notes, nationalists under the embassy chanted slogans: "Shukhevych is a murderer", "Bandera's killers" and held posters with the inscriptions "Banderite is not my brother", "StopAntipolonism, Defend the truth".
The protest was attended by representatives of the National Movement, the All-Polish Youth and the National Radical Camp. During the demonstration, the radicals burned pictures of Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych.
As it was reported earlier, two men attacked the citizen of Ukraine in the tram and beat him up in Wroclaw, Poland as the Center of Monitoring of Expressions of Racism and Xenophobia in Poland. The incident took place near tram stop Bus station. It is noted that the malefactors also offended the Ukrainian on account of his ethnic descent.
As we reported more than a million of the Ukrainians emigrated to Poland. Also, the Ukrainians who plan to get the permission to stay in Poland are questioned about their attitude toward Stepan Bandera and Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during the interview. Before this Polish leader Andrzej Duda has signed the bill with amendments to the law about the Institute of the National Memory in Poland. They stipulate criminal responsibility for denial of the Volyn Massacre of the 1940s and forbid the propaganda of the 'Banderite ideology'.
PLEASE NOTE!
Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!
All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!
(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
Some of us are thoroughly in touch with our own emotions. Some of us clearly struggle through emotions daily. For Sallie Scheufler 's MFA thesis, she created A Good Cry. Through a series of performative videos and sculptural installations, Sallie brings her knowledge and discovery of the human struggle to life for people of all ages to explore and enjoy. CFA Downtown hosts this beautiful and moving exhibit, which opened on March 12 , and concludes on March 23 , running from 11am to 6pm . Whether wearing a bleeding heart on your sleeve or bottling it all up until the breaking point hits, this display of sadness, euphoria and the gamut of human feels, offers a chance to see exactly what this accomplished artist wants to convey about the nature of tears and crying behavior. This installation is free to the public. (Mayo Lua de Frenchie)
Performative videos and sculptural installations, the exhibition questions and scrutinizes the the nature of crying behavior.
A GOOD CRY is inspired by, and made of tears. Through a series of performative videos and sculptural installations, the exhibition questions and scrutinizes the the nature of crying behavior.
A GOOD CRY is Sallie Scheufler's MFA Thesis Show!!
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Sallie Scheufler currently resides in Albuquerque, where she is pursuing her MFA in Photography from the University of New Mexico. Raised in the Sonoran Desert, she received her BFA from Arizona State University in 2012. Scheufler is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily with image-based media. She has exhibited work in galleries like the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe, Eye Lounge in Phoenix, 516 ARTS in Albuquerque, and the University of New Mexico Art Museum. Scheufler's practice is concerned with how humans communicate, the performance of gender, intimacy, her knowledge of her own body, the informative coming-of-age years, the complexities of unhealthy and healthy relationships, the questioning and formation of identity, growing old, the scientific and cultural ignorance of female sexuality.
A GOOD CRY is inspired by, and made of tears. Through a series of performative videos and sculptural installations, the exhibition questions and scrutinizes the the nature of crying behavior.
A GOOD CRY is Sallie Scheufler's MFA Thesis Show!!
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Sallie Scheufler currently resides in Albuquerque, where she is pursuing her MFA in Photography from the University of New Mexico. Raised in the Sonoran Desert, she received her BFA from Arizona State University in 2012. Scheufler is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily with image-based media. She has exhibited work in galleries like the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe, Eye Lounge in Phoenix, 516 ARTS in Albuquerque, and the University of New Mexico Art Museum. Scheufler's practice is concerned with how humans communicate, the performance of gender, intimacy, her knowledge of her own body, the informative coming-of-age years, the complexities of unhealthy and healthy relationships, the questioning and formation of identity, growing old, the scientific and cultural ignorance of female sexuality.
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Once in Armenia competition of unique and real stories will be an additional impetus to present Armenia and Artsakh to the world. It enables to present Armenias tourism attractiveness, disclose famous and still unknown sides of one of the ancient countries of the world.
The competition has been initiated by Armenia Airlines, ARMENPRESS state news agency and the State Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments. It will popularize tourism in the contemporary media and will strengthen tourism-media link.
The ceremony of awarding the winners of the competition was held on March 19 in Yerevan.
We are holding such event for the first time. The State Tourism Committee and ARMENPRESS state news agency assisted us in this project. This was the first serious cooperation with ARMENPRESS, and I hope the cooperation is on the right path. Among the series of stories in one case was the tourist who visited Armenia, and in the other one was the person with whom the story happened. We made the final selection from the already selected nearly three dozens of stories, Gevorg Khachatryan, Armenia Airlines Deputy Director, said.
The main prize of the competition was a free air ticket en route Yerevan-Beirut-Yerevan or Beirut-Yerevan-Beirut. Khachatryan said Beirut was chosen as many Armenians live there. It is the country where one can communicate with what is Armenain culture, history, churches, even trade. Armenians have a great contribution in Beirut, he said and expressed hope that the trip will serve the right purpose for the winners.
Aram Ananyan Director of ARMENPRESS state news agency, attached great importance to this project.
By this project we solve several issues increasing Armenias tourist attractiveness, strengthening tourism-media ties, popularizing tourism and creating content of media production by consumers in contemporary media. This was the first attempt of such cooperation, and I think it was quite successful, Aram Ananyan said, adding that they will try to implement similar projects in the future which will make both tourism and journalism more attractive.
Mekhak Apresyan First Vice President of the State Tourism Committee, said the competition aimed at having as much interesting stories as possible. It also aimed at presenting Armenia, Artsakh, tourism result with more interesting and diversified results to both the domestic and international market based on these stories. And as this required a creative solution, we made a decision to announce such competition, he said.
Apresyan said the competition reached its goal, quite interesting opinions were voiced. And maybe in the future a film or just a video will be made by using these stories.
Nane Hayrapetyan and Meri Zohrabyan the two winners of Once in Armenia competition, received air tickets en route Yerevan-Beirut-Yerevan or Beirut-Yerevan-Beirut. Anna Gevorgyan, Gayane Sargsyan, Liana Yeghiazaryan and Mher Ter-Tadevosyan received 50% discount cards for the trip.
I was planning long to visit Beirut, and every time it didnt happen for some reasons. When I read about the competition that the award is a trip to Beirut, I decided to apply. But until the last day of the deadline of the competition I couldnt decide what to write. My sister gave the idea. And I wrote a story about our village and Tatev. I presented the village bus where I was, as well as my family, the people of the village and French tourists, Nane Hayrapetyan said.
Next winner Meri Zohrabyan said she decided to participate in the competition as she dealt with Diaspora-Armenians both in the scientific circle and in tourism field and she always tried to understand why repatriation didnt work. Given these concerns I started research and communicated with Armenians abroad. And I understood that we from Armenia, and they from abroad, can create something common. My story focused on the idea that one should feel strong and not concentrate on weaknesses and the past. We should remember the past, attach importance to it, but not to stay on that point, she said.
Liana Yeghiazaryan stated that her story was about a beautiful church located in the mountain. She said her story is just a call and invitation to everyone to go to see that church in Martiros village.
Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan
The competition launched on December 21, 2017. Several dozens of stories were received.
Anna Grigoryan
English translator/editor: AnetaHarutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is taking actions in several direction for transforming several regions into winemaking centers and attracting new tourism flows, as the country is being positioned on the world tourism map as the birthplace of wine.
A development program for local producers is underway in Vayots Dzor province, which is widely known for the Areni grape variety. As a result, locals will present their own wine to tourists in a more presentable way.
Zaruhi Muradyan, director of the Viticulture and Winemaking Foundation of Armenia, told ARMENPRESS they have designed the project with assistance from GIZ, and is being implemented by the Union of Young Winemakers.
Beneficiaries are provided with consultation ranging from cultivation up to bottling, she said.
Organizers want to show local home producers that cultivation of grapes is profitable and it is possible to transform into a small and medium business. The program will be completed in 2019.
The next phase plans to transform five businesses chosen by international structures to guest-homes, in order to enable tourists to enjoy the entire process of winemaking.
In addition to being a very interesting region, it is also a transit route to Artsakh and Tatev, and since the road is long, tourists will have the opportunity for accommodation and rest, she said.
The same program is expected to be implemented in Tavush province.
English translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenias defense ministry released the Armed Forces development 7-year program which is on the ministrys website, Armenpress reports.
The 18-page document is titled 2018-2024 Modernization Program of the Armenian Armed Forces.
The complex efforts planned by the Modernization Program will ensure the confident entry of the Armed Forces to the fourth decade of establishment as the main guarantor of the national security of Armenia. This guarantor will serve as a restraining factor for possible adversaries, a reliable source for the implementation of Nation-Army concept and a platform for conducting an effective international partnership, stated in the document.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The delegation of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie visited the Tsisternakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims, reports Armenpress.
The delegation members were accompanied by Armenian MP Margarit Yesayan.
The delegation included representatives of parliaments of 27 countries - a total of 50 officials, politicians.
They laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and then toured the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, got acquainted with the documents on the Genocide.
The delegation arrived in Armenia to hold the regular session of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie on March 20.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
Most read of the week
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and its coalition partner ARF continue discussions on nomination of the candidate for the prime minister, but many MPs see President Serzh Sargsyan in that post, RPA faction MP Samvel Farmanyan told reporters in the Parliament, reports Armenpress.
And, as it is known, many MPs have their own opinion. And its not a secret that everyone, perhaps each presenting his/her argument, believes that its appropriate to nominate Serzh Sargsyans candidacy for the post of the prime minister, the MP said.
Commenting on Serzh Sargsyans recent interview, MP Farmanyan said the President talked about the fact that he has no ambitions to become prime minister. He reaffirmed that as for the ambitions, yes, there are no such ambitions. But there is a real political situation which shows the following: in the conditions of parliamentary system the Constitutional right to nominate candidate for the PM belongs to the parliamentary majority. These discussions still continue, he said.
Farmanyan said he doesnt want that while making such decisions to leave the reality, rather he stresses the need to consider the real situation that today exists. At least in my view the reality is clear there is a parliamentary majority, coalition that must nominate its candidate for the PM. I personally see President Serzh Sargsyan in that post, the lawmaker said.
Asked what realities the talk is about, whether there is no other candidate in Armenia who is ready to assume the role of the countrys leader, Farmanyan said there are other candidates, but in the real situations, in political reality its necessary to make the best choice. From the perspective of our political team, coalition, I think, this is the best solution, he said.
In an interview to Tert.am, President Serzh Sargsyan, asked will he become the Prime Minister in April, responded: Its not a secret for anyone that this topic is being discussed in various formats for months inside the Republican Party of Armenia, that assumed the political responsibility to form the Government based on the parliamentary elections, and the ARF that is in coalition with the RPA, though those discussions have not still reached the party-institutional level. Many of my colleagues have talked to me about the issue, but I do not know when the discussions will be over. But if finally its decided that my candidacy should be nominated, I will have one precondition, which is that parallel to the full implementation of my constitutional powers I will allocate more time to convey the entire experience of the years our country to the young political leaders. This is an issue of key importance for today. We all have something to do for shaping new political leaders irrespective of their party belonging and their current political position.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities non-implementation of the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to release public figure Ilgar Mamadov is unacceptable, Gevorg Kostanyan Armenias representative at the ECHR, told reporters on March 20, reports Armenpress.
In connection with non-implementation of the ECHR decision to release public figure Ilgar Mamadov, Armenias delegation proposed at the ministers committee to discuss the issue of removing Azerbaijan from the Council of Europe. Not implementing the verdict is unacceptable as it means not showing a respect towards that person, the European values and democracy, he said.
He said Armenia does not have a plan to remove Azerbaijan from the Council of Europe, but by this way it tries to make Azerbaijan closer to the European values the bearer of which is Armenia.
Azerbaijans withdrawal from the Council of Europe will not be beneficial to Armenia since if that country is removed from the CoE, it will mean that Armenia will have a neighbor and adversary which will be incompatible with the European values. Therefore, our main goal is to make Azerbaijan closer to the European values, rather than to remove it from the CoE, Kostanyan said.
The CoE ministerial committee launched a legal procedure against Azerbaijan in connection with not implementing the ECHR decision on releasing public figure Ilgar Mamadov.
According to the ECHRs 2014 decision there have been no grounds to arrest Mamadov or keep him under custody until the trial. The Court stated that these actions have been made only because Mamadov criticized the Azerbaijani leadership.
On May 24, 2014 the ECHR called on to immediately release Ilgar Mamadov, but three years after this decision he still is arrested.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received a delegation led by World Bank Yerevan Office Head Sylvie Bossoutrot, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia.
During the meeting Ms. Bossoutrot presented the partnership framework between WB and Armenia for 2018-2022 and the proposed reform agenda, based on the Governments five-year plan. She underlined that the World Bank is ready to build on the ties of effective cooperation with the Government of Armenia in a number of areas, including public administration, infrastructure, export promotion, human capital development, sustainable environment and natural resource management.
The WB Yerevan Office Head appreciated the ongoing transformations in Armenia and complimented the Prime Minister for achieving high rates of growth. Highlighting the successful course of constitutional reforms, the completion of our countrys transition to the parliamentary system, the signing of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the high rates of economic growth and the rising tide of Diasporas involvement in various spheres of the economy, Silvie Bossoutrot noted their positive impact on the ongoing reform process in Armenia.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan attached importance to the deepening and expansion of bilateral cooperation, welcomed the draft partnership program and the proposed reforms. The head of the Armenian government suggested continuing discussions on various projects with the government agencies and thanked the World Bank for supporting the reform of the water resource management system. Karen Karapetyan noted that his government will continue to reform this sector and take further steps towards its optimization.
We have started implementing a large package of projects in the field of agriculture, aimed at directing farmers to engage in a more efficient, modern and intensive agriculture. In this regard, it is important for us to continue the reforms in the sphere of water resource management so that it becomes a logical business, which in turn will lead to higher efficiency, discipline and cost-effectiveness, the Prime Minister said.
A number of other issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed during the meeting.
English translator/editor: Tigran Sirekanyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian defense ministry will take measures to expand the types of service, fight against corruption and increase public trust in the Armed Forces, according to the Armed Forces 2018-2024 modernization program which has been released by the defense ministry on March 20, reports Armenpress.
According to the program, a targeted policy will be carried out aimed at consistently increasing the combat readiness, forming effective potential of military education and science, skilled use of modern equipment and weapon times.
It is stated in the program that the Armenian Armed Forces must be capable of restraining the threats of resumption of large-scale military operations by set of military-political and military tools and be ready for any development of the situation using their military-political resource, the modernized arsenal and the combat skills to improve troops.
The main pillars of the Nation-Army concept which is based on the modernization are the leadership, progress, innovation, inclusion and etc. The material part of the modernization program is based on the principles of countering future war technologies, advanced weapon times and military tools, expanding the opportunities for their domestic development and production.
According to the program, the restraining system will aim at preventing an armed encroachment against Armenia and the military operations at the earlier stage with beneficial conditions for Armenia. A special importance is attached to guaranteeing the security of the Republic of Artsakh and its people.
The main task of the formation of the restraining system is to reach the combat service to a new qualitatively level aimed at discovering and countering the adversarys plan or attempt for the attack, sabotage operations and etc.
For this purpose it is planned in the short-term prospect to supplement it with modern surveillance cameras, intelligence and fire-fighting, engineering measures and as a final goal to form a united system. The upgrading of the combat duty system aims at increasing the security level of personnel included in it, which supposes additional engineering equipment of military posts and respective dressing of the staff.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Newly-appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Armenia Woo Yoon-keun (residence in Moscow) presented his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan, the Armenian Presidential Office told Armenpress.
President Sargsyan congratulated the Ambassador on assuming the post, wished him success and expressed hope that his activity will give new impetus to the Armenian-Korean relations. The President assured that all state bodies of Armenia are ready to assist the Ambassador in his activity.
Serzh Sargsyan said last year Armenia and South Korea celebrated the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations and during these years the achievements recorded in bilateral relations still do not fully reflect the great cooperation potential existing between the two countries.
In terms of developing the inter-state dialogue and cooperation in different spheres the President attached importance to the high-level active mutual visits, intensification of inter-parliamentary ties and the steps aimed at further deepening the effective mutual cooperation between the two states in international organizations.
The Korean Ambassador thanked the President for the reception and congratulations and conveyed the warm greetings and wishes of his countrys president. The Ambassador assured that he will spare no efforts to contribute to strengthening the Armenian-Korean relations, increasing the mutual recognition of the two peoples, establishing active contacts between the business communities, legislative bodies, as well as deepening the cooperation in economic, humanitarian and other spheres.
The Ambassador thanked for Armenias decision to eliminate visa for the Korean citizens, stating that it will significantly boost bilateral ties.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament discussed the draft law on making changes in the Law on International Agreements, reports Armenpress.
Deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan introduced the draft law to the lawmakers.
The adoption of the law is linked with the Constitutional changes and has two main directions. The first direction is to make it in accordance with the Constitution, and the second one is to improve signing procedures based on the experience reached at international legal-contractual relations, the deputy FM said.
He said the ratification, termination and cancellation of an international agreement adopted by the Parliament will be by law, but previously this process was taking place by the Parliaments decision. Approval, termination or suspension of an international agreement by the President can only take place based on the governments proposal, the deputy minister noted.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Armenia Giovanni Ricciulli on the occasion of completion of his diplomatic mission in Armenia, the government told Armenpress.
The Armenian PM thanked the Ambassador for the work carried out since December 2013, the contribution to developing the Armenian-Italian ties and wished him success in his future activities. The PM highly appreciated the cooperation of the two countries in political, cultural fields and attached importance to the steps aimed at deepening the economic ties. We have much greater potential in this sense than we utilize. In 2017 we have 25% growth in trade turnover between Armenia and Italy and we hope this growth will continue as a result of the activity of the inter-governmental commission, the PM noted.
He attached importance to the mutual cooperation with Italy within the Armenia-EU framework.
In his turn the Italian Ambassador also thanked the Prime Minister for the close cooperation, stating that good business development trends are noticed in the Armenian-Italian relations especially in the recent period. The Ambassador stated that thanks to the active work of the Armenian government the interest of Italian businessmen towards Armenia has increased. I am confident that this interest will lead to good results in the future, he said.
During the meeting the officials discussed different issues relating to the cooperation agenda of the two states, touched upon the possibility of launching bilateral flights.
English translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan
CYBERSPACEKaren McDougal, the 1998 Playboy Magazine Playmate of the Year who says that she had a 10-month affair with Donald Trump in 2006 and 2007, has filed a lawsuit that would allow her to break her public silence on the affair. In her lawsuitwhich may be read in PDF format at this linkshe says that the National Enquirer tricked her into taking a $150,000 payoff to sell the rights to her affair story once Trump became a presidential candidate.
But after paying her, the tabloid suppressed the story, effectively silencing McDougal, in what is known as a catch and kill, a technique sometimes used by tabloids and publicists to shield celebrities from damaging stories becoming public.
McDougal also charges that her lawyer at the time, Keith Davidson, colluded with the tabloid as well as with Trumps personal fixer Michael Cohen, to pressure into signing what the lawsuit calls a fraudulent and illegal contract. The lawsuit says that Davidson took 50 percent of the $150,000 payment from the Enquirer, which is owned by David Pecker, a close personal friend of Trump.
Davidson is also the lawyer who represented Stormy Daniels when she received a $130,000 hush money payoff from Cohen to keep quiet about her own alleged affair with Trumpan affair that ran concurrently with the Trump-McDougal liaison in 2006 and 2007.
Davidson no longer represents either Daniels or McDougal. Daniels, of course, has also files a lawsuit to be freed from the hush agreement that she signed about her own affair with Trump.
McDougals current lawyer, Peter K. Stris, told The New York Times that the Enquirers parent company, American Media Inc., has engaged in a multifaceted effort to silence Karen McDougal and that the lawsuit will invalidate the so-called contract that American Media Inc. imposed on Karen so she can move forward with the private life she deserves.
McDougal in the lawsuit alleges that after McDougal told her story to New Yorker journalist Ronan Farrow in an article published last month, American Media Inc. threatened her with financial ruin for breaking the agreementa threat that the company has made against her repeatedly, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit outlines numerous similarities between McDougals experiences and Daniels, in relation to Trump including the involvement of Davidson in both payoffsand also comes on the same day that a judge in New York ruled that a defamation suit against Trump by former Apprentice cast member Summer Zervos, will be allowed to proceed.
Zervos is one of 19 women who have charged that Trump sexually assaulted or harassed them. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump labeled her and the other women horrible, horrible liars. He also called her allegations pure fiction. Zervos last year filed a defamation suit against Trump, and Trumps lawyers responded by claiming that Trumps statements were protected political speech. But on Tuesday, a judge disagreed.
CYBERSPACEIn 2011, Stormy Daniels was given a polygraph test to ascertain whether she was telling the truth about her claimed sexual relationship with Donald Trump. On Tuesday, nearly seven years after she took the lie detector exam, the results of that test went public, posted online by NBC News.
The polygraph test was administered to Daniels in Las Vegas on May 19, 2011more than four years prior to Trumps announcement that he was a candidate for president of the United Statesby examiner Ron Slay of the security firm Western Security Consultants.
Slay found that Daniels was truthful about having unprotected vaginal intercourse with Donald Trump in July 2006.
Read the polygraph examiners report in its entirety at this link.
The report focuses on three relevant questions Slay asked of Daniels in the exam. Those three questions were:
Around July 2006, did you have vaginal intercourse with Donald Trump?"
Around July 2006, did you have unprotected sex with Donald Trump?"
Did Trump say he would get you on The Apprentice?"
The exam used two separate formulas to determine whether Daniels, who answered Yes to all three of those questions, was telling the truth. The first method, an algorithm developed at Johns Hopkins University, according to Slays report, found that the probability that Daniels was lying in her answers was less than 1 percent.
The second formula was a more traditional method of evaluating polygraph responses. Under that method each answer received a positive or negative score. A score of +4 or higher is described as adequate to determine that a polygraph subject is telling the truth.
On the question of vaginal intercourse with Donald Trump, Daniels received a score of +9, or truthful, according to the report. On the unprotected sex question, Slay gave Daniels a score of +6, also truthful.
On the final question, regarding whether Trump offered to get (Daniels) on The Apprentice, she received an inconclusive score of +1.
Slay then concluded that Daniels was telling the truth about her sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. But as to whether he offered to put her on his reality show, The Apprentice, Slay made no determination.
"Long before Mr. Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency, Ms. (Daniels) passed a lie detector test confirming her relationship with Mr. Trump," her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, told NBC News. "Where are his test results claiming otherwise? Where are Mr. Cohens test results claiming otherwise? When this is over, the American people will know the truth about the relationship and the cover-up." (Avenatti tweeted the above photo, and confirmed to NBC News that it is from a video of Daniels during a polygraph exam conducted in May 2011.)
Mr. Cohen refers to Michael Cohen, Trumps self-described fix-it guy who has admitted paying Daniels $130,000 in what Daniels and Avenatti describe as hush money, to keep her quiet about the sexual relationship with Trump.
In 2011, Daniels gave an interview about the affair to InTouch Weekly. The polygraph test was connected to that interview. But the interview never ranuntil January of this year.
LAS VEGAS, NVThe Erotic Heritage Museum (EHM) has announced that it will be hosting a lecture and discussion by Dr. Neil McArthur tomorrow evening. Held Wednesday, March 21, from 6-7 p.m., the event will include a lobby reception and meet-and-greet immediately after.
We are thrilled to have Dr. McArthur speak at the Museum this week, said an EHM representative. With increasing media attention on technology and how it applies to our ever-evolving sexuality, its not only timely but incredibly fortuitous that one of the foremost experts in the field is available to speak to the Vegas public. We look forward to the sharing of knowledge and lively discourse that is sure to happen tomorrow night.
Dr. McArthurs presentation, From Phone Sex to Robot Sex: The Crazy Past and Wild Future of Sexual Technology, is promoted as A hitchhikers guide to the past and future of digital technology, including: sex robots, virtual reality (VR) porn, and interactive teledildonics. Dr. McArthur will review the latest research into technology, how it applies to sexuality in the new millennium, and discuss what it means for all of us.
The Museum is the perfect venue for a talk like this, observed Dr. McArthur. This is a really exciting time for sexual technology, and I think well give people a lot to think about. This issue has been in the media a lot, but this is the chance to start a real dialogue about what it all means. So I hope people will come, and listen, and participate.
Dr. Neil McArthur is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Manitoba; with a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, he is the author of Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications, as well as a documentarian and presenter. With areas of interest including LGBTQ rights, alternative sexualities, sexual ethics, sex with robots, the philosophy of human rights, and 18th century philosophy, Dr. McArthur is a regular contributor to VICE.com, invited to speak on panels regularly, and is the Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba.
To view Dr. McArthur discussing robot sex on Huffington Post Live, click here. Dr. McArthur may be followed via Twitter and through his blog MoralLust.com.
To attend From Phone Sex to Robot Sex: The Crazy Past and Wild Future of Sexual Technology tomorrow evening, guests must purchase a Museum entry ticket at the Museum ticket counter on the day of the event. Tickets are $15 for general admission, or $10 for students/military/seniors over 55.
Attendees can also earn 1 Continuing Education credit by attending, via the UW-Stout Certificate in Sex Therapy through AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists).
The Erotic Heritage Museum houses more than 24,000 square feet of permanent and featured exhibits. The museums ethos is that sexual pleasure and its depiction are natural aspects of the human experience, and that such celebrations of individual human sexualitythat of pleasuremust be made available to all, regardless of gender, race, or belief.
To contact the Erotic Heritage Museum, including location rental inquiries, workshop rates, upcoming events, and more, please email [email protected] or visit EroticMuseumVegas.com. The EHM may also be followed on Twitter and on Facebook, where an interactive Events Calendar shares all upcoming events and information on how to purchase tickets.
LOS ANGELES7Veils Social Media Management is teaming with The Phoenix Forum and its host company CCBill.com as its official social media partner.
We are thrilled to be working with The Phoenix Forum in 2018 to help make the industrys signature event even more social, said Lauren MacEwen, chief strategist and CEO of 7Veils.com. Having seen the impact that the show has had on my own business and on the businesses of so many other companies in adult, I see it as an important responsibility to make the show as accessible to newcomers as it can be while also maintaining the level of discretion and familial camaraderie many who have been in this industry for decades expect of the show. Working with CCBill in the broader sense on a year round basis should facilitate greater reach for the show itself and will hopefully make the CCBill team even more accessible between events as well.
7Veils Social Media launched in 2014, nearly two decades after the CCBill brand and ThePhoenixForum were born. In a short period of time the company has attracted dozens of noteworthy brands in adult and in other verticals as well by demonstrating the ability to attract and monetize traffic via several different social media channels including: Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, Tumblr and more.
I cant imagine anyone being more social than Lauren MacEwen, and after getting to know the whole team at 7Veils I have been impressed with the professionalism that permeates all that they do, said Gary Jackson, vice president of sales and marketing for CCBill.com. We originally had a smaller deal in mind, but the more we talked the more it made sense to work together on a more enduring basis. We are expecting a lot from working with 7Veils and knowing Lauren, I am quite confident that they will deliver all that and more.
A former operations manager at bakery ingredients supplier BFP Wholesale is appealing for ex-employees to come forward and share stories of their time at the company.
Paul Rees is penning a self-published book on the 13 years he spent working for the company, which went into administration in May 2016, and the characters he met from 1981 and 1994.
The semi-retired part-time writer, who plans to donate half the profits to the Craft Bakers Association, has so far compiled 100 pages of handwritten research and intends to publish before the end of year.
Rees said he felt the book would be his way of giving back to an industry he has the highest respect for.
I spent a lot of time with bakers and I have the utmost respect for them, Rees told British Baker.
I have quite a few stories of my own, but Im short of a lot of pictures and information from ex-employees and customers and would like to appeal to them if they have any anecdotes.
Paul can be contacted on: paulreesauthor@gmail.com.
The food industry has welcomed news that a transition period will be implemented if the UK leaves the EU on New Years Eve 2020.
The ordered withdrawal, announced yesterday by chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and David Davis, secretary of state for exiting the European Union, is expected to be ratified by leaders of the other 27 countries at a European Council meeting on Friday.
Draft legal text published by the UK Government confirmed Britain would no longer be members of the bloc at the end of March 2019 signalling the end of the Article 50, which was triggered last March and gave Britain two years to leave the EU. The text also confirmed there would be a 21-month implementation period.
We welcome agreement between the UK and EU on a transition period that will allow continued free movement of people until at least 2020, said Jim Winship, director of the British Sandwich Association.
This will provide some reassurance to the many food businesses that rely heavily on EU workers to maintain the food chain and the service levels we have come to expect. Businesses will also be assured by the signs that both parties are moving towards a longer-term agreement.
We hope the final agreement will be similarly flexible in terms of worker mobility, as our industry is very dependent on the availability of employees from the EU.
Alex Waugh, director general of The National Association of British & Irish Millers (Nabim), told British Baker he hoped the agreement would be signed off on Friday.
Nabim understands that the agreement means existing arrangements for business will remain in place until the end of 2020, meaning that there will be more time to plan for changes that will come thereafter, he said.
The next stage will involve a huge amount of detailed work on the shape of the future relationship between the UK and the EU from 2021 onwards.
We hope this will result in an accord that avoids the introduction of tariffs and minimises regulatory issues around trade in grain, flour and bakery products, as both sides say they want.
Nabim and the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) last week flagged up concerns over tariffs on goods exported from the UK.
Commenting on news of the transition period, Tate & Lyle Sugars senior vice-president Gerald Mason said: Its a significant achievement that the UK will be able to agree new trade agreements with other countries during the implementing period, as well as applying existing ones. For businesses like ours, which do the majority of our trade with the rest of the world, this is great news.
Ian Wright, FDF director general, described the progress as positive, particularly in relation to citizens rights, and a time-limited transition period.
The FDF has long supported a transition period of at least two years, he said. Transition must not be open-ended, but its end point will depend on how quickly the nature of our future trading relationship with the EU is confirmed.
Some food and drink businesses will be ready earlier than two years, but transition must not end until the bulk of the industry is ready and we have confidence in the systems on both sides of the Channel. Food and drink manufacturers are now looking for serious reassurance from Government that it will not press ahead at any economic cost and that it will be flexible if systems particularly customs are not ready in 21 months time.
However, chief Brexit negotiator Barnier yesterday confirmed there was a lot of work still to be done on subjects including the Ireland and Northern Ireland border.
Wright insisted that negotiations must avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, where ingredients, finished products and workers cross the border many times a day.
Until the appropriate technological solutions can be found, then the option of a regulatory backstop must be left on the table, he said. We hope that European leaders will give the green light on Friday for talks to formally move onto our future relationship with the EU food and drinks most important trading partner.
NASPO opposes local preference laws on the basis that they interfere with free trade, discourage open competition and increase the cost of government. These laws are complex, confuse vendors, and substantially increase the cost of administering a state's procurement system. In addition, many states apply other states' preferences laws against that state's vendors-a reciprocal or reverse preference policy. This may harm the very in-state businesses on whose behalf a preference law may have been established.
State governments have long favored giving preferential treatment to businesses in the state. North Carolina, for instance, has a general policy that favors local companies for state purchases.Now, in a perplexing move, University of North Carolina system is exploring a similar measure. At a December meeting, the Board of Governors discussed a "buy local" resolution that would require UNC colleges to favor North Carolina venders and products for capital projects, like new building construction and renovating existing ones.Currently, North Carolina universities solicit contractor bids for each project, then award the contract to the "lowest responsible bidder," which means the contractor with the lowest price after considering quality, performance, and time it takes to complete a project.But now there may be another criterion: the state where the bidder is headquartered. The resolution would require the UNC System to account for a contractor's location when evaluating bids, which may give in-state contractors a new advantage. The resolution "declares the State's preference for the purchase of North Carolina products and services to the extent that such a preference does not result in increased price or loss of quality." Those standards, however, are hard to quantify, let alone implement.It is difficult to understand why the university system is raising this issue at this time, since local contractors are already winning the majority of capital contracts from UNC institutions. In 2017, 93 percent of 375 contracts awarded in the UNC System went to North Carolina-based contractors, according to a Martin Center analysis of construction contracts over a four-year period with data from the North Carolina Department of Administration. And the domination of local contractors has only increased in recent years; in 2014, 75 percent of the 28 contracts went to local contractors. It would appear that North Carolina contractors do not need further assistance winning bids.The most successful firm at winning bids for the UNC system was Heartland Contracting in Indian Trail, North Carolina, which won 87 contracts, easily outpacing H.B. Wentz Associates of Raleigh, with 23 contracts, and MV Momentum of Charlotte, with 21 contracts. T.A. Loving Company and Barnhill Contracting Company of Goldsboro and Rocky Mount, respectively, won the largest contract, a whopping $95 million bid for work at East Carolina University on the student union and parking deck.In fact, it seems odd that hardly any capital projects are awarded to out-of-state contractors. One reason why in-state contractors are preferred may be that they know how to keep costs low with their previous experience working in North Carolina.So why bother with this resolution? So far, UNC System officials have not explained their rationale for introducing it. Repeated attempts by the Martin Center to contact them went unanswered. The resolution asserts that a buy-local rule would benefit the state and its citizens economically, but it neither describes how that would occur nor estimates how big the benefit would be. As the resolution itself notes, the state of North Carolina already has an "expressed preference for the purchase of North Carolina products and services," so it is not clear that UNC contracts are exempt from that preference.Furthermore, the resolution poses some potentially severe risks. One is that the resolution could weaken competition. Out-of-state contractors may view the policy as unfair favoritism and submit fewer bids, leading to higher costs. If a contractor needs to beat out only three competitors instead of nine, the pressure to keep costs down diminishes. And, even worse, the resolution could increase the possibility of unethical collusion. If a handful of companies dominate the process, it is easier to coordinate what work to compete-or not compete-for. One begins to wonder, when such a resolution is introduced, who stands to benefit?And the resolution may cause other mischief. State legislatures often pass " reciprocity laws " that punish out-of-state businesses for benefiting from a local preference in their home state. So, hypothetically, if North Carolina has a local preference law that handicaps Texas firms wishing to do business in North Carolina, North Carolina companies may be penalized when bidding in Texas. If a contractor works solely in their home state, it will not affect them-but it may make expanding beyond state borders difficult.Despite these potential drawbacks, virtually every state has so-called " preference laws " which favor in-state bids for government work of some sort. Some are minor, such as Iowa's preference for artwork made by Iowans to be displayed in state buildings. Others, such as North Carolina's preference for local engineering and construction firms, can apply to large contracts that exceed $10 million.The details of these laws vary widely. Some states favor local contractors even if their bid for the contract is higher than an out-of-state rival's, whereas other states like North Carolina will use local preference as a tie-breaker between two bids.What seems new is a higher education governing board embracing the policy. Donald Boudreaux, an economist at George Mason University, said he was "not aware of any other such piece of nonsense" at the university level. Some states specifically include their higher education systems in preference laws, but that is done by the state legislature, not by university boards. Nor do state procurement officials usually advocate for local preference rules. The National Association of State Procurement Officials, a trade group, calls them counterproductive One out-of-state contractor had no problem with the resolution, even though it may reduce his ability to get contracts from North Carolina's state universities.said Ronnie Douglas, vice president of the South Carolina-based Cayce Company.The Cayce Company previously received a contract UNC-Pembroke. The resolution would not deter him from submitting a future bid, either.Given the overwhelming success of in-state contractors getting contracts from the UNC system, it seems the Board of Governors has found a solution for a non-existent problem. Perhaps it is an easy win, a way to show that the board wants to support North Carolina businesses. But that would mean the board is playing politics, something they have denied in the past Whatever the explanation, the resolution seems to be an unnecessary regulation. North Carolina contractors are already succeeding; codifying a preference for them in law could hamstring their growth beyond the state's borders, hurting long-term economic dynamism. What may be better in the long run, instead, is to focus on areas that actually need attention. There are plenty of real problems to address.
With the vote, San Francisco has sent out a clear message to fashion retailers and designers: fur is not fashionable. Photo by iStockphoto
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San Francisco has just voted to ban all sales of fur within its limits, in a historic victory for millions of animals cruelly confined and killed for their skins and hides.
Todays unanimous vote by its board of supervisors makes San Francisco the largest city in the United States to enact such a ban. Two other California cities, West Hollywood and Berkeley, already ban fur, and bans on fur sales and imports exist in India and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The citys ban, which will go into effect in January 2019, pending the mayors approval, states that the sale of fur products in San Francisco is inconsistent with the Citys ethos of treating all living beings, humans and animals alike, with kindness. The ban includes all retail sales and online sales of fur to San Francisco addresses.
With the vote, San Francisco, a major fashion center in the United States, has sent a clear message to fashion retailers and designers: fur is not fashionable. The HSUS has worked with an ever-growing list of retailers and designers who have, in recent years, dropped animal fur from their fashion lines. In the last six months alone, Gucci, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Furla, and Versace, have announced they are going fur-free. Guccis CEO Marco Bizzarri said of fur in Guccis announcement that its not modern. In an interview with 1843 magazine last week, Donatella Versace said: I dont want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesnt feel right.
The victory in San Francisco is a milestone in a global war against fur that is gaining momentum. In the United Kingdom, Humane Society International is making progress toward a national ban on the fur trade. Prime Minister Theresa May has indicated her intention to make the U.K. a world leader in the care and protection of animals, and next week our HSI/UK office will deliver a petition to the prime minister, signed by 375,000 people, urging her to end the fur trade.
HSI/U.K. has also worked to secure a parliamentary inquiry into the U.K. fur trade. Members of parliament were shocked to hear HSI/U.K.s investigative findings that animal fur can now often be sold more cheaply than fake fur, given the appalling welfare standards on farms in countries, including Poland, Finland, and China.
The HSUS and HSI support the global Fur Free Retailer program, which now has more than 850 brands signed up, reflecting the public distaste for animal fur and the expanding range of quality synthetic alternatives.
The fur industry looks increasingly antiquated and desperate as it stands by the confinement of wild animals in tiny cages, and the suffering and misery that fur production entails. With cities like San Francisco taking a stand against this cruelty, its time for those still peddling fur to look to the future, which is decidedly fur-free.
As a yoga teacher, I hear plenty of stories from folks who feel defeated from trying yoga. They quit and rightfully so. The truth is yoga is most definitely harder than it looks. But with the right teacher and instruction, you can practice at least some yoga and find great benefit.
Why do students give up, and what can you do to stick with it?
Failed Class Experiences: There could be lots of reasons why but just to name just a few: Class is too big, the teacher does not have adequate skill/training, it is impossible to follow along, the terms and cues make no sense, the pace is too fast or too slow. Or, most frustrating of all there is no personal feedback how do you know if your downward dog is correct, safe, or looks more like a dreadful dog?
What May Help:
If you are new to the practice, let the instructor know before you start. Nearly every adult beginning a yoga practice has some physical issues best to tell the instructor before the class starts!
Remember every pose can be modified! It may be useful to schedule a private session to become more familiar with the terms used and learn safe options for getting in and out of a pose. Additionally, while online instruction is convenient, it may not be the best first step for those new to yoga. It is nearly impossible to both look at a screen and put yourself in the pose. However, if you choose an online option, best to watch it first before starting to follow.
Expectations: They run all over the place but mostly it begins with I cant do yoga Im not flexible. If you are a beginner and attend a more advanced class, then chances are you will be totally lost which will immediately result in a failed experience.
What May Help:
Seemingly in hiding these last few days, Mark Zuckerberg's plans are anyone's guess. But a committee chairman in the UK's House of Commons would like a word. He doesn't have to go, obviously, but just for reference, Rupert Murdoch did. [via]
British MPs have issued a formal request to Mark Zuckerberg to appear in front of a parliamentary committee and explain Facebook's handling of the Cambridge Analytica data use scandal. The Conservative MP said the committee had "repeatedly asked Facebook about how companies acquire and hold on to user data from their site", with a particular emphasis on whether data had ever been taken without users' consent. "Your officials' answers have consistently understated this risk and have been misleading to the Committee", he added.
To Zuckerberg, you were and are and always will be dumb fucks.
Here's a piece of tech history that was new to me: Apparently Thomas Dolby played a crucial role in the development of the first polyphonic ringtones.
Tedium has a great piece on the history of ringtones; it goes back to 1902 when the Spanish guitarist Francisco Tarrega composed "Gran Vals," decades later the inspiration for the "Nokia Tune" ringtone and delves into the fascinating 1960s/70s fights over the deregulation of the telephone industry, which made it possible for third parties to create customized phone-ringers, and thus, eventually, ringtones.
But then Dolby enters the picture. It turns out that in addition to being a superb musician and songwriter he ran a software firm
As Dolby noted in a 2005 interview with The A.V. Club, he stumbled into the ringtone space because of a piece of software his company, Beatnik, had created. The technology was intended as a website plugin not unlike Flash or Java, but it checked off most of the marks for working in simplistic cell phones. "When the whole dot-com crash happened, what Beatnik was left with that wasn't a bunch of fluff was a contract with Nokia, who were looking to put polyphonic ringtones into phones," Dolby explained to the news outlet. "Sort of by accident, the requirements for Web audio-software technology were not that dissimilar to what Nokia needed, because we'd made a software-based audio engine that could be downloaded very quickly and used files like MIDI files, but which had good fidelity because they could include actual samples of recordings." Beatnik's strategy was effective because of how it workedit was a software solution to a problem that other cell phone makers were trying to solve with hardware chips that cost a lot of money. Nokia, which used monophonic sounds previously, was looking to add more layers of depth to the tones coming out. Dolby's solution was so effective that every major cell phone company of the pre-smartphone era licensed the software after Nokia had success with it.
(CC-licensed photo of Dolby via Wikimedia)
Tobacco heir Johann Rupert is worth $7.5B; he's head of Cartier, Montblanc, Chloe and other luxury goods labels, having returned to the helm of his Richemont holding company after a year-long fly-fishing sabbatical; in a speech to the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit in Monaco he revealed that he no longer sleeps at night because he is worried that "envy, hatred and social warfare" will destabilize the world.
Rupert said it was "unfair" that the current inequality is "destroying the middle classes" and noted that the new, precarious middle classes will no longer buy the luxury goods he peddles because they're worried about going broke.
He's got a point. Wealth inequality is destabilizing. It leads to the donor class taking charge of policy, trying out their daffy, incoherent ideas on the general population, destroying the media who criticize them, potentially at the cost of the world itself.
Surveillance makes it cheaper to separate sheep from goats and neutralize the opposition meaning that the deluded rich can make things that much worse before their day of reckoning, racking up a huge policy-debt that will come due for all of us.
"We cannot have 0.1 percent of 0.1 percent taking all the spoils," said Rupert, who has a fortune worth $7.5 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. "It's unfair and it is not sustainable." "How is society going to cope with structural unemployment and the envy, hatred and the social warfare?" he said. "We are destroying the middle classes at this stage and it will affect us. It's unfair. So that's what keeps me awake at night" "We're in for a huge change in society," he said Monday. "Get used to it. And be prepared."
Billionaire Cartier Owner Sees Wealth Gap Fueling Social Unrest [Andrew Roberts and Thomas Mulier/Bloomberg]
Cartier boss with $7.5bn fortune says prospect of the poor rising up 'keeps him awake at night' [Adam Withnall/The Independent]
Over the weekend, Jeff Warren and his family spotted this mysterious sea monster washed up on the shore of the Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge near Darien, Georgia. It is either:
Altamaha-ha (aka Alty), a cryptid, said to live near the mouth of the Altamaha river, that reportedly looks very similar to what's in the photo
A frilled shark, according to a marine science educator at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center
A basking shark, in the opinion of a Savannah State University marine scientist
Or a hoax, according to scientists at Georgia Southern University.
Either way, the story ends well.
"My son, who is twelve, thinks it is the child of the legendary Altamaha-ha and has now decided he wants to be a marine biologist," Warren said.
(Savannah Morning News)
Anna Campbell, from Lewes, England, has died fighting in the Kurdish Women's Protection Units ("YPJ") in Syria; she was likely killed by a Turkish airstrike. She was 26.
I met Anna at some of my UK signings; she was a fan of my books. I never got to know her well, but I'm moved by the tributes of her family and friends, who describe her burning need to make a difference in the world and fight for justice. Anna trained and certified as a plumber before leaving the UK.
The YPJ is an all-woman brigade within the Kurdish YPG, a group that fights ISIS. They are classed as a terrorist organization by the autocratic Turkish government, which has a long history of ruthless violence against the Kurdish independence movement.
Anna had been fighting with the YPJ since last May.
He said his daughter was an "incredibly principled, brave, determined, committed woman" whose death had left him "in pieces". "She was determined to live in a way that made a difference to the world and she was determined to act on that and do whatever it took," he told the BBC. "She was prepared to put her life on the line. There aren't many people who do that. "In retrospect I think that I probably should have done more to dissuade her (from going to Syria) but I also knew that she would never have forgiven me if I had actively prevented her from going. "I couldn't affect or try to influence her own perceived destiny. It was the most important thing in life for her."
British woman Anna Campbell who joined all-female fighting unit killed in Syria [The Telegraph]
(Image: YPJ)
Karl Marx was born in the German city of Trier 200 years ago and lived there until he was 17; to celebrate his bicentennial, the city has installed a Marx-themed pedestrian signal light designed by Johannes Kolz, with another to come.
They're also planning to erect a statue of Marx, donated by the Chinese government, in May.
"Trier is showing its colours for Marx," Mayor Wolfram Leibe said.
German city installs Karl Marx traffic lights [BBC]
(Image: Trier.de)
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a big-business think-tank that authors "model legislation" at the local, state and national level that benefits corporations at the expense of everyday people; their greatest hits make for scary reading you can thank ALEC for ag-gag laws, stand-your-ground laws, private prisons, bans on municipal ISPs, killing Obamacare and jailing pipeline protesters.
ALEC's Republican legislator friends often introduce bills that are word-for-word identical to the "discussion drafts" they circulate, making ALEC the nation's most prolific and unapologetic legislative ghost writer.
Alibaba is ALEC's latest member. The Chinese tech giant is an integral part of China's surveillance apparatus and a de-facto arm of the Chinese government. It's the latest Chinese giant to join US corporate lobbying efforts, a list that includes Wanhua Chemical joining the American Chemistry Council to help fund its legendary pro-pollution super-PACs.
Bill Anaya, head of government affairs for Alibaba operations in the Americas, spoke at ALEC's States & Nation Policy Summit in Nashville, Tenn., last December, according to notes taken at the meeting and obtained by The Intercept and Documented. The gathering brought together over one thousand state and local lawmakers and lobbyists. Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment, but at the conference, Anaya heralded his company's entry into the lobby. "We're so excited to be a part of ALEC," said Anaya. "We are probably the world's largest e-commerce company you have never heard about. We have business-to-business marketplace solutions. We have VC marketplace solutions. And we have over 500 million active buyers on our marketplaces."
Chinese Corporation Alibaba Joins Group Ghostwriting American Laws [Lee Fang and Nick Surgey/The Intercept]
News / International
by thetimes
Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, has been arrested over allegations that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the late Libyan despot, illegally funded his 2007 election campaign.Mr Sarkozy was placed under arrest this morning after being summoned for questioning by French police detectives in Nanterre, outside Paris.Investigators suspect that Gaddafi gave the centre-right French leader millions of euros to help pay for his first presidential election campaign. Brice Hortefeux, who served as Mr Sarkozy's interior minister, was also questioned over the allegations today, although not placed under arrest.
News / Local
by Simbarashe Sithole
The People's Democratic Party president Tendai Biti said MDC Alliance will not boycott the looming elections, instead there will be no election without implementation of the ten point peace demands.Biti took it to micro blogging Twitter saying "we will not boycott the election but there will be no election without implementation of the Ten Point Peace demands."Meanwhile, Biti's statement is contrary to MDC presidential candidature Nelson Chamisa who threatened to boycott the election if reforms are not implemented while addressing a rally in Chinhoyi on 4March 2018.Apparently MDC is not new in boycotting elections after they boycotted in 2008 re-run under the leadership of the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
News / National
by Staff reporter
NATIONAL police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has urged journalists and police officers to work together when covering rallies and demonstrations to avoid disseminating contradictory versions on the same events.Addressing a media workshop on elections organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa-Zimbabwe chapter in Bulawayo last week, Charamba said police and the media should regard each other as partners."While we do not have the answers to ensure that all journalists are safe, I am sure that through interaction and co-operation, we will identify areas that need improvement from either side. It is a fact that the media plays a vital role in informing, educating and entertaining the public before, during and after elections. Information dissemination is, therefore, key to a peaceful election process. The ZRP [Zimbabwe Republic Police] and media need to worktogether," she said."The relationship between the police and the media is like of fish and water', we cannot go without each other and we need each other. The ZRP is the source of important information, more-so as it relates to security. Our police stations across the country receive information as they occur and we have a lot of information and that information needs to be managed."Charamba said journalists covering demonstrations or public disorder situations should contact top police officers on the ground to avoid being caught up in the crossfire."This has not been happening before, but what we are also doing within the police is that we have also engaged with these commanders who are on the ground. They have the officer-in-command in [the] province and their deputies so that each and every commander across the country now knows that we need to engage with the journalists and media houses," she said."It is pleasing to note that our interactions are leading to positive results. We have so far managed to address some of the concerns and I can safely say there's trust between the media and the police. It is a continuous process."Charamba said Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga had approved the request for the media to address trainee police officers on how journalists operate.
News / National
by Stephen Jakes
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) condemns in the strongest terms the detaining and torture of Evans Gogo (33) at the hands of the police following the violence that rocked Harare Central Police Station, leading to the shooting that claimed two lives on 23 February 2018.Gogo was severely assaulted by the police on the head, privates, under the feet, legs, back and was then taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital on the 24th of February. While still critically ill, police transferred him to remand prison where he was not receiving adequate medical treatment.His mother, Eustina Gogo, his sister Charity and relatives had to buy him diapers, milk and tubes that were being used to feed him milk as he could not eat, sit, talk or walk.While his mother and sister are of the opinion that Evans, who is a vendor, was on his way home when he was apprehended by the police, he was charged with public violence, which is Chapter IV Clause 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] .On 8 March Gogo's relatives approached the Forum and the Forum paid his bail and he was released. He was then admitted at the Avenues Clinic after help from the Counselling Services Unit, which is a Forum member that provides psycho-social support for victims of violence and torture.After being bludgeoned on the head with an unknown object while in police custody, Gogo is suffering from brain edema, that is, swelling of the brain due to severe beating he received at the hands of the police.He was also beaten on the privates with an unknown object, such that he is unable to pass urine and is using a urine bag. Gogo can no longer speak or walk due to the torture.Gogo is expected to appear in court on March 28.The Human Rights NGO Forum is assisting Gogo on the case.
News / National
by Stephen Jakes
A political analyst Albie Matarutse has said the President Emmerson Mnangagwa's proclamation of New Beitbridge Municipality has usurped the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's functions ahead of this year's election.He said unless ZEC acts to rectify the situation, people in Beitbridge will not be able to vote for councillors to represent them and Beitbridge is not the only place that will have this problem."Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC] is Responsible for Delimiting Wards Section 160(2) of the Constitution provides as follows: "For the purpose of elections to local authorities, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must divide local authority areas into wards according to the number of members to be elected to the local authorities concerned.""The section could hardly be clearer: it is the constitutional function of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC] to define the boundaries of wards, and no one else can do it. As if to reinforce the point, section 239(f) of the Constitution states that one of ZEC's functions is "to delimit constituencies, wards and other electoral boundaries," he said."As the Constitution is the supreme law, any law inconsistent with section 160(2) is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency [Constitution, section 2]. President's Division of Beitbridge into Wards for Voting is Unconstitutional It is unfortunate that the President's recently gazetted proclamation establishing the Beitbridge Municipal Council is clearly inconsistent with section 160(2) of the Constitution, in that it divides the municipal area into wards."He said the proclamation concerned is Proclamation 1 of 2018, published on 9th March in Statutory Instrument 28/2018."It replaced the former Beitbridge Town Council with the new municipal council, fixed the municipal area and specified that there must be six councillors. In doing this it was legally in order. It went on, however, to include descriptions of the new municipality's six wards, and here it was decidedly not legally in order because it necessarily implied that the President had divided the municipal area into wards and by doing so had acted inconsistently with section 160(2) of the Constitution," he said."Why was this allowed to happen? Because the Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act still contain provisions purporting to allow the President to divide local authority areas into wards and to alter the wards from time to time. For instance, section 4 of the Urban Councils Act empowers the President by proclamation to establish a municipality, to fix the council area, and "after consultation with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, to divide the council area into any number of wards". These provisions are inconsistent with section 160(2) of the Constitution to the extent that they allow the President to divide a local authority's area into wards. The President cannot do so, even if he consults ZEC. Only ZEC itself can do it."He said the words they have quoted from section 4 of the Urban Councils Act and the equivalent words in the Rural District Councils Act are so clearly inconsistent with section 160(2) of the Constitution that no declaration of invalidity by the Constitutional Court is necessary; they are self-evidently invalid and void."When a new local authority is established, therefore, the President's proclamation can lawfully fix its council area and name, but should not divide the council area into wards. Division into wards is a matter for ZEC alone, once the local authority has been legally established by the President's proclamation. Need for Constitutional Alignment of Our Laws," he said."The error in the proclamation shows how important it is for all our laws to be aligned constitutionally. Veritas has been pushing for the Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act to be amended to bring them into line with section 160(2) of the Constitution. To no avail. As a result, the inevitable has come to pass and the President's advisers have allowed him to publish a proclamation which, in an important respect, is null and void."Veritas has drafted an Electoral Amendment Bill which contains amendments to the Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act, bringing their provisions into line with the Constitution in so far as they relate to elections and ward boundaries.The boundaries which the President purportedly fixed for Beitbridge may be the same as the previous ward boundaries, but that does not make them legal. The municipality of Beitbridge is a new entity, and its boundaries do not carry over automatically from the old town council. The boundaries have to be fixed afresh, which is why the President tried to fix them in his proclamation. But the President had no power to do so, even if he consulted ZEC, so the ward boundaries are void.The illegality in the proclamation is not just a technicality, or of academic interest only."As we have indicated, the ward boundaries are void because of the illegality, so although the Beitbridge Municipality has six councillors there are currently no properly delimited wards for them to represent. And unless the proclamation is rectified the municipality will have no wards for the forthcoming general election so it will not be possible for any new councillors to be elected. Councillors cannot stand for non-existent wards," he said.
News / National
by Stephen Jakes
Heal Zimbabwe recorded a total of 17 human rights violations from 13 districts from the 27 February to 09 March 2018.The trust said in the period under review, three categories of human rights violations were recorded."The human rights violations include intimidation (with threats of violence or threats of withdrawal of food aid or agricultural inputs), assault and partisan distribution of aid. Intimidation remain the major cause for concern with 76.4% (13 cases) being recorded this week, followed by assault and partisan distribution of food and agricultural inputs both recording 11.8% each (2 cases). The recorded human rights cases largely emanated from (i) the emergence of new political parties (ii) the collection of BVR serial numbers, (iii) the deployment of army officials in some rural communities and (iv) ZANU PF restructuring exercises in local communities," said the trust."Intimidation remain a cause for concern for Heal Zimbabwe as it continues to threaten and destabilise the prevalence of social cohesion and peace in communities. Local communities continue to be victimised by some political gatekeepers who instill fear as a way of gaining control and mobilising support for the ruling ZANU PF party. This in turn create fearful communities who are not able to freely exercise their democratic rights."HZT said it therefore perceive intimidation as a direct impediment to the realisation of peaceful coexistence and cast doubt over the possibility of free participation of citizens in the upcoming elections.
News / National
by Staff reporter
A 31-year-old self-confessed sex worker has appeared in court for allegedly assaulting a fellow hooker over a client.Angela Chiwira, who resides at Mverechena Business Centre, pleaded guilty before a Harare magistrate charged with assault.When Chiwira was asked to plead before the court, she stated that it was an act of self-defence as complainant Melody Malunga was beating her.Allegations are that on March 17, Malunga approached the accused person in the evening at the V.M Night Club.Malunga was drinking beer when the male client sent her to collect his t-shirt from Chiwira who reacted in a violent manner and hit the complainant once on the left cheek using an empty bottle."I just saw myself on the ground being assaulted by 20 people while I lay on the ground. When I managed to stand I picked up a bottle and hit Malunga while defending myself," said Chiwira.The presiding magistrate remanded the matter to March 23.
News / National
by Staff reporter
Amendments to the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act have been gazetted in a move signaling the government's commitment to opening Zimbabwe for business.The development has been welcomed, with analysts saying the government is walking the talk on its promise to open Zimbabwe for business.The amendments are contained in Section 42 of the Finance Act 1 of 2018 which was gazzetted as law in an extraordinary government gazette dated 14th March 2018.An economic analyst, Dr Davison Gomo said the amendments will ensure policy consistence, lack of which was a concern to investors."The important thing is that it is now clear to investors what is expected of them. The amendments have basically opened up the country to foreign direct investment," he said.Some of the sweeping changes to the indigenisation law comprise Section 2a which states that the Act now applies only to the following businesses: a designated extractive business, that is one involved in the extraction of diamonds or platinum, and a business in one of the twelve reserved sectors of the economy which are a preserve of Zimbabwe citizens.In addition, the reserved sector is no longer just for indigenous Zimbabweans but all citizens of the country.According to the Act, apart from the reserved sectors and mining of diamonds and platinum, any person is free to "invest in, form, operate, and acquire the ownership or control" of any other business.The 12 reserved sectors comprise transportation passenger buses, taxis and car hire services; retail and wholesale trade; barber shops, hairdressing and beauty salons; employment agencies; estate agencies; valet services; grain milling; bakeries; tobacco grading and packaging; advertising agencies; provision of local arts and crafts and their marketing and distribution; and artisanal mining.An indigenisation and economic empowerment unit and fund will be established.This will be a unit within the ministry staffed entirely by members of the civil service and headed by a director.It will replace the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB), which functioned as an autonomous body outside the civil service framework.Companies will also have an opportunity to revise their indigenisation implementation plans already approved under Si 21/2010.
News / Regional
by Stephen Jakes
Mthwakazi Republic Party has declared that Matabeleland has ended the chapter in which it has been for so long used as a play ground by political parties from Mashonaland."Recent MDC-T's flopped campaign rallies has served as a warning that Matabeleland is no longer a play ground for Harare parties particularly ZANU PF and MDCs. A few years back the late Morgan Tsvangirai would fill Matabeleland stadiums with much easy, until him and the rest of MDCs showed the people of Matabeleland their true colors, particularly the fact that MDC-T is no different from ZANU PF in all ranging from tribalism, corruption, violance and marginalization of Matabeleland," MRP said."MDC Alliance failed to gather a mere thousand people in Dete and further failed to make a mark in Plumtree despite the fact that the two rallies got much media attention prior to the date. We thank Mthwakazi Republic Party for preaching the gospel of self-determination in Mthwakazi to the extent that everyone now clearly understand what needs to be done and is ready to support the Mthwakazi cause. The recent political events that have forced the two major Mashonaland parties which is ZANU PF and MDC-T to speak our language surely proves that Mthwakazi can actually get its own share of the National cake if we all unite and speak with one voice, like we did over the King issue."Mthwakazi Republic Party said as the Mthwakazi people's revolutionary party will leave no stone unturned its quest for self-determination and a better future for Mthwakazi people."To think that MRP is not donor funded and oparates on zero budget sounds like its a lie yet its the truth, which actually proves that nothing can stop a determined and focused people. As Team MRP we remain resolutely committed to the fight for Mthwakazi Restoration and we are determined to achieve this in our life time," said MRP."For a long time our people have not had enough courage to stand up and be counted, since the demise of Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo and ZAPU there has not been a formidable party that represents the interests of Mthwakazi forcing people to support ZANU PF and its replica parties in their different shapes, sizes and manifestations. The biggest beneficiary being the late Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and his MDC party."The party said but this will no longer be the case thank God for Mqondisi Moyo the President of MRP who himself and his fellow Cdes stood up and said enough is enough."Play your part Mthwakazi omuhle support your party MRP and vote Team MRP in all Mthwakazi constituencies. We are fielding parliamentary and council candidates in Matabeleland North, South, Midlands and Bulawayo. Time for standing up and be counted, lets not allow Zanu PF and MDC to do as they wish here Nelson Chamisa can not be allowed to abuse our people beating them both in Mashonaland and KwaMthwakazi calling them dissidents then come back to ask for votes from the same dissidents how is that different from ZANU PF's Gukurahundi genocide? Chamisa is a threat to peace in Matabeleland together with his uncle Emerson Mnangagwa say NO to these two gentlemen," said MRP."Meanwhile join Team MRP campaign Team in Beitbridge today, where there is going to be a Roadshow from Makhado to Dendele Beitbridge West from 09:00 to 17:00pm and tomorrow another one in Beitbridge East town same time."
Opinion / Columnist
It is saddening that journalists who covered the MDC Alliance rally in Gweru over the weekend became victims of that party's supporters, after they were heavily stoned by rowdy members of that opposition outfit.Although MDC-T leader, Nelson Chamisa said his party was committed to ensuring the safety and security of journalists at all times, it was reported that the MDC Alliance supporters were harassing journalists who were covering their rally in the City of Progress, claiming that they were distracting them from having a full view of their leader.The MDC Alliance has been ignoring the call by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to have a peaceful election environment before, during and after elections.It is worthy to note that the media plays a very crucial role in our society, more so at this crucial juncture of elections. Attacks on innocent journalists who will be performing their duty of covering such rallies is political violence, which should not be accepted by any sane leader.On the 1st of March 2018, The Herald's senior reporter Zvamaida Murwira and a freelance journalist Anna Chibamu were also harassed by the MDC-T vanguard at Harvest House during a press conference where Chamisa was confirmed as that party's leader.Following the attack of the two journalists on 5 March 2018, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) released a statement against hate speech and abuse of journalists by MDC-T leadership and youth. ZUJ posted on its Facebook page condemning the violence saying, "ZUJ would like to register its alarm and concern following the hate speech and abuse directed at two journalists by the leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change, (MDC) and some rowdy youths."We call on the MDC together with their young people to shun violence against journalists or anybody for that matter. If they have concerns they know who to lodge their complaints with"The unacceptable behaviour by MDC-T thugs must not be allowed to continue and the unruly members involved in the latest attack must be brought to book as a matter of urgency. The Zimbabwe Republic Police should vigorously act on this issue of harassment of journalists by opposition party members.Among other electoral reforms, the MDC-T has been crying for media reforms which include being covered by all media houses. However, the MDC-T has been enjoying broadcasts from pirate radio stations which blasts and de-campaign other political parties.While presenting on the role of the police in protecting journalists at the Elections, Safety and Security workshop in Masvingo last Saturday, Police deputy national spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said security of journalists should always be guaranteed.On the other hand, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe chapter posted a tweet on its handle expressing their concerns over the harassment of journalists by MDC-Alliance supporters.MISA tweeted that, "We are following upon reports of possible assault of journalists at yesterday's MDC-T rally. Please contact us if you have any information on this incident."Currently, some journalists are seriously debating if they should risk their lives by attending events hosted by the MDC-T.A correspondent for Aljazeera Media Network, Harugumi Mutasa once lambasted MDC Alliance supporters for attacking journalists. Mutasa openly said that it was now a risk to cover opposition rallies as most of them are packed with violence and harassment.It is pleasing to note that President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to implement media reforms that the opposition has been clamoring for. The President said these reassuring remarks at a CEO's Africa Roundtable conference that was held in Victoria Falls last week. He said, "we are looking at that issue of liberalising free waves within the media fraternity but bear in mind that after the coming elections that's when we are going to be implementing most of these programs."When implementing the media reforms, President Mnangagwa should be encouraged to address the issue of harassment of journalists by members of political parties.
By Philip Pullella ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis branded exploitation of women for prostitution a "crime against humanity" on Monday and asked forgiveness from society for Catholic men who use prostitutes. The pope made his frank comments in a remarkable, freewheeling question-and-answer session with young people from around the world who came to Rome to prepare for a bishops' meeting scheduled for October at the Vatican. Blessing Okoedion, a 32-year-old Nigerian who was once a victim of human sexual trafficking, told the pope she was troubled that many clients of prostitutes on the streets of Rome were Catholic. "I ask myself and I ask you, is it possible for a Church that is still too male chauvinist to be able to question itself truthfully about this high demand by clients?" she said. Francis responded that in Italy it was likely that some 90 percent of male clients of prostitutes were baptized Catholics. "I would like to take advantage of this moment to ask forgiveness from you (exploited women) and society for all the Catholics who carry out this criminal act," he said. "I think of the disgust these girls must feel when men make them do these things," he added. Prostitutes, most of them victims of human trafficking from Nigeria, other African countries and Eastern Europe, are found at night on the streets of Rome's periphery and around parks. At the meeting with the some 300 delegates at a university in Rome, Francis said sexual exploitation of women stemmed from a "sick mentality" embedded in many people. He added that feminism had still not be able to remove it and asked the young people to fight against it. "(It says) women are to be exploited in one way or another. And that is what explains this ... it is a sickness of humanity, a sickness of looking at society in a certain way, a crime against humanity," he said. Francis rejected the idea that going to prostitutes could be considered harmless. "Who does this is a criminal. This is not making love, this is torturing a woman. Let's not confuse terms. This is criminal, a sick mentality," he said. Francis also heard some tough talk from Angela Markas, 22, of Australia. "There is a tendency in the Church to avoid matters that are not-so-easy to talk about. This includes same-sex marriage, our sexuality, and also, the role of women in the Church," she told the pope. Earlier this month, Catholic women led by former Irish president Mary McAleese demanded a greater decision-making role for women in the Church, urging the pope to tear down its "walls of misogyny". [L5N1QQ5ZN] (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Steve Holland and Yara Bayoumy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump gave a warm welcome to Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday and credited U.S. defense sales to the Saudis with boosting American jobs, even as Riyadh's involvement in Yemen's civil war faced criticism. In the Oval Office, Trump and the crown prince praised the strength of U.S.-Saudi ties, which had grown strained under the Obama administration in part over differing views toward Riyadh's regional rival, Iran. Not so with Trump, who has taken a hardline view against Iran similar to that of the Saudi crown prince who has compared Iran's supreme leader to Adolf Hitler. The talks were part of the first visit by the prince to the United States since he became the heir apparent last year to King Salman. Trump's red-carpet treatment highlighted his administration's strong backing of the crown prince, who carried out an anti-corruption purge that consolidated his power and whose aggressive foreign policy has caused unease among some Western allies. At the same time, the kingdom has seen a cautious new climate of social freedoms with the rise of the 32-year-old crown prince after decades of elderly rulers. Trump and Prince Mohammed discussed an agreement last year for $200 billion worth of Saudi investments with the United States, including large purchases of U.S. military equipment. Trump said the military sales contributed to the creation of 40,000 American jobs. Trump held up charts to show the depth of Saudi purchases of U.S. military hardware, ranging from ships to missile defense to planes and fighting vehicles. "Saudi Arabia is a very wealthy nation, and they're going to give the United States some of that wealth, hopefully, in the form of jobs, in the form of the purchase of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world," he told reporters. The crown prince, who is also the defense minister, is on a public relations blitz while traveling in the United States, with stops in New York, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston to cultivate investments. As they talked, U.S. senators debated a resolution seeking an end to U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen's civil war, in which about 10,000 people have been killed. Some members of Congress have been critical of the Saudi involvement, particularly over the humanitarian situation and civilian casualties. The Senate rejected the resolution. A Saudi-led coalition, with logistical and intelligence support from Washington, is fighting to counter the influence of Iran, an ally of the Houthi militia, which denies any help from Tehran and says it is fighting a revolution against corrupt politicians and Gulf powers in thrall to the West. A senior Trump administration official said the two leaders talked about the humanitarian situation in Yemen and that civilian casualties "did not come up in a major way," given that Washington had been working with the Saudis to minimize them. They also discussed nuclear cooperation. Riyadh has been stepping up plans to develop a civilian nuclear energy capability as part of a plan to reduce its dependence on oil. Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the chamber's Foreign Relations Committee, said senators questioned the crown prince closely about Yemen during a meeting with him on Tuesday. The Saudi embassy said the prince discussed with members "countering the threat posed by Iran and the Iran-backed Houthi militias" as well as Saudi "efforts to address and alleviate the humanitarian situation in Yemen." PRINCE'S RAPID RISE Prince Mohammed capped his rapid rise to power last June by replacing his elder cousin Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who had close relationships with U.S. intelligence and defense circles, as crown prince. He is likely to rule for many decades if he succeeds his father. Trump praised the king's move to elevate Mohammed and called U.S.-Saudi ties strong as ever. "I thought your father made a very wise decision. And I miss your father - a special man," he said. King Salman is to visit the United States later this year. Although the prince has won Western plaudits for seeking to ease Saudi Arabias reliance on oil, tackle chronic corruption and reform the conservative Sunni Muslim kingdom, the severity and secrecy of his anti-corruption crackdown last November unnerved some in the West. The crown prince, in a rare foray into speaking English, said on Tuesday the Saudi pledge for $200 billion in investments would end up at $400 billion when fully implemented. He said a 10-year window for implementing the deal was under way. A key focus of his visit will be any information on a potentially lucrative listing of up to 5 percent of Saudi oil firm Aramco. The New York Stock Exchange is among the possible venues for the listing. Also high on the agenda in the White House talks was confronting Iran, a country Trump has repeatedly criticized for its expansionist policies in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia on Monday called the Iran nuclear deal a "flawed agreement," and Trump has made clear he plans to exit the agreement unless changes are made to it. "But Iran has not been treating that part of the world or the world itself appropriately," he said. "The deal is coming up in one month and well see what happens." The prince was also due to have dinner with Jared Kushner, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, along with Jason Greenblatt, the two point men in the Trump administration overseeing Middle East peace efforts. Crown Prince Mohammed and Kushner have forged a close relationship, which has at times come under criticism in Washington for circumventing normal diplomatic channels. (Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Alistair Bell and Peter Cooney)
The Liberal government is enlisting CSIS and the Communications Security Establishment to look into how online personal information is being managed just as three federal NDP MPs are asking Canada's privacy watchdog to investigate Facebook over concerns the social media giant is not properly securing the private data of Canadians.
On Monday, NDP MPs Charlie Angus, Matthew Dube and Brian Masse wrote to Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien in the wake of media reports alleging massive privacy breaches at Facebook.
"Over the weekend, the troubling news emerged that Cambridge Analytica, a firm owned by hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and linked to the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, was able to access tens of millions of Facebook users' private data without their consent for use in psychographic modelling for political purposes," the letter said.
"The reaction of Facebook's executives to this enormous breach of its users' privacy has been incredibly cavalier."
The letter goes on to ask Therrien to ensure that the information of Canadian Facebook users has not been compromised and that the social media outlet will adequately protect users going forward.
"As Members of Parliament, we will also be calling for a parliamentary investigation into this breach, as well as broader review of the practices of large tech and media platforms with regard to user privacy, data storage and market competition."
Enlisting CSIS and the CSE
Acting Democratic Institutions Minister Scott Brison, echoing comments he made Monday, confirmed Tuesday the government is enlisting Canada's foreign signals intelligence agency in the job of checking up on social media's privacy safeguards.
"We also, as a government, asked [the Communications Security Establishment] to actually engage on this. They did a thorough report on this in 2017 and they are vigilant on an ongoing basis both working with social media platforms, but also with other governments," he said.
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CSE also works to protect Canadian computer networks and information from outside attack and assists with police and security operations.
"Social media platforms have a responsibility to protect the privacy and personal data of citizens, and to protect the integrity of our electoral system where they operate."
Brison said he planned to meet with CSE and told The Canadian Press he would also meet with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the national domestic spy service, to consider the global environment and assess threats to the electoral system and the protection of personal information.
And while he said Canada already has strong privacy laws, Brison said he'd be open to making further changes if necessary.
The government has also contacted Facebook to find out if any Canadians were among those affected by the data breach and to call on the company to explain how it will ensure this kind of event doesn't happen again, said a spokeswoman for Brison.
Privacy commissioner reaching out to Facebook
Daniel Therrien, Canada's privacy commissioner, said in a statement on Monday that the reports raise "serious privacy concerns."
Therrien said that his office will be contacting Facebook to seek information about whether the personal information of Canadians was affected.
He also called on the Canadian government to strengthen regulations surrounding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by political parties.
This weekend The New York Times and the British newspaper The Observer reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign hired Cambridge Analytica, and that the company harvested private information from the Facebook profiles of more than 50 million users.
In a lengthy blog post, Facebook said that, while none of the information leakage was a result of a data breach, it did appear to involve the passing of personal information from Cambridge Analytica to a third party when that data was supposed to have been destroyed.
"We are suspending Strategic Communication Laboratories, including their political data analytics firm, Cambridge Analytica, from Facebook," the social media company's vice-president and deputy general counsel Paul Grewal said after learning of the allegations.
"Several days ago, we received reports that, contrary to the certifications we were given, not all data was deleted. We are moving aggressively to determine the accuracy of these claims. If true, this is another unacceptable violation of trust and the commitments they made," said Grewal.
Beyond having the privacy commissioner look into Facebook and asking a parliamentary committee to examine the facts, Angus said he wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take up the issue internationally.
"We're also asking the prime minister, Mr. Trudeau, when he meets with the G7 to take this up with his international counterparts," Angus said Tuesday.
Asked in House of Commons question period Tuesday by the NDP's Guy Caron if he would commit to bringing the subject up with his G7 counterparts, Trudeau said he would.
"I can reassure the member opposite that not only will we do that, we have already done that several times. We have had these kinds of conversations at the G7 summit," Trudeau told the House in French.
"I've had these kinds of conversations with my counterparts, whether it be Theresa May or others, about the responsibility of web giants to respect privacy, to respect our democratic institutions, and we are working on this."
Toronto man 'rotting' in Florida hospital because there are no beds for him back home, wife says
An elderly Toronto man is stuck in a Florida hospital, according to his wife, because their insurance company says that there are no beds available back home a claim refuted by the provincial health minister.
"He's rotting in this hospital," said Lillian Hrabchak of her 83-year-old husband, Todd Hrabchak.
"I keep getting the same message from them when we have a bed, when we have a bed," she told CBC Toronto.
Last Monday, Todd was admitted to the Englewood Community Hospital, close to the couple's winter home in Rotonda West on Florida's west coast. He had an infected cut on his shin that made it impossible for him to stand or walk.
He arrived with a high fever and was "shaking, shivering and losing his mind," Lillian said. He was given antibiotics and soon recovered, but is still weak. Doctors say he may need a pacemaker due to some complications, she said.
Todd remains in a "seriously vulnerable state," Lillian said.
She has been in daily contact with her insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance a third-party administrator for Sun Life in a desperate attempt to get him home and, preferably, into a Toronto hospital bed.
But Allianz says it can't.
"A bed must be available prior to arranging transportation home," Sun Life said in an emailed statement to CBC. "From time-to-time patients may need to wait for a hospital bed to become available."
The company added it "sympathizes with Mr. Hrabchak's situation and is doing everything we can to ensure he receives the quality care required."
Beds available
Several weeks ago, CBC London reported about two local men who were stuck in hospitals outside of Canada under similar circumstances.
Asked about the situation in the provincial legislature, Health Minister Helena Jaczek said last month it was the insurer's job to find a space for their clients in the province.
But on Tuesday, Jaczek said there "appears to be a gap in the way that travel insurance companies locate hospital beds in Ontario."
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"We know that there are beds available for critical care patients in Ontario," she said in a statement to CBC Toronto.
"Travel insurers must work with our healthcare system, as patients abroad rely on their due diligence to engage our robust network of hospitals here at home."
Jaczek added she has written to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association asking for a meeting to discuss the recent delays.
Sole caretaker
Meanwhile, Lillian says her husband's mood has fallen during his hospital stay, and he "seems uncharacteristically sad, as if he has lost hope."
Todd lives with dementia and suffered a stroke during heart surgery in 2013. Lillian, who is in her 60s, has been his sole caretaker for the last five years.
She wants him back in Toronto so he can be seen by his own doctors, and get physiotherapy.
"Physically he's going downhill because he's not getting any movement," she said.
"If he doesn't get into rehab I'm going to end up with somebody who I can't take care of."
Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.
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..JNS.org..19 March '18..That journalists rely uncritically on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), especially in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is well established (read Matti Friedman in The Atlantic ). Legal and factual claims by groups that purport to promote human rights are often treated as automatically credible, while their political biases, lack of methodology and even ties to terror organizations are ignored.Glenn Kesslers March 14Fact Checker column, Does the Palestinian Authority pay $350 million a year to terrorists and their families?, responding to statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about prisoner payments, suffers from the same over-dependence.Throughout the article, Kessler quotes groups with ties to terrorist organizations as if they were credible sources for fact-checking. He quotes Palestinian NGOs Addameer and Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCI-P), both of which are closely associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The PFLP is designated as a terrorist organization by the US, EU, Canada and Israel. Addameer is relied upon byto suggest that Israel fabricates evidence to convict Palestinians of attempting stabbing attacks. (An usual case is one of a Palestinian found in possession of a knife being charged with attempted murder without any real evidence to indicate that he or she actually used or intended to use the weapon to kill, said Sahar Francis, director of Addammer, an organization that assists Palestinian prisoners.)
Are we seeing the biblical signs, described by Jesus' disciple Matthew?
"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."
Matthew chapter 24, verses 7-13
This is not airy fairy bible talk is it? "And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew chapter 24, verses 32-33)
I previously wrote about the flood of Noah. People laughed when Noah was building the ark. They ignored the warnings and they perished.
The New King James Bible translation of Isaiah chapter 59 verses 19-20 says this...... "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. The Redeemer will come to Zion...."
Bible believers know a day of reckoning is at hand. We often moan and decry the brutality that seems to strike despite the best intentions of governments and security services.
How big a bomb do we need to contain the onslaught? How great an army?
Some reading this may say I am beginning to preach. So what? Noah did too. He was ignored and the outcome was tragic.
The Prophet Isaiah announced The Sovereign Lord will come with power (Isaiah chapter 40 verse 10). The Teachers Commentary points out from Isaiah "The Holy One of Israel will bring judgment on the earth. (Isaiah chapter 41 verses 14-15)
The English Standard Version Bible translation of Isaiah chapter 59 verses 19-20 says: "So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun;for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion."
A redeemer is one who buys back property. A redeemer is one who buys back a family member who has fallen away. The word go'al translated 'redeemer' means avenge, revenge, do the part of a kinsman.
David says in Psalm chapter 71, verse 1, "In you O Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be ashamed." That word has been steadfast proven time and time again in the survival of the Jewish people".
How is it they continue to be successful? Even prosper? Over 300 years ago, King Louis XIV of France asked Blaise Pascal, the great Christian philosopher, to give him proof of God. Pascal answered, "Why the Jews, your Majesty, the Jews!"
Mark Twain, an agnostic and self-acknowledged skeptic, penned this in 1899 in Harper's Magazine:
"Other peoples have sprung up, and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out and they sit in twilight now or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal, but the Jew. All other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"
Winston Churchill Prime Minister of Great Britain "Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world."
I researched the amazing contributions by Jewish men and women and found them in Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Economics, Computer Hardware and software, Agriculture, Energy of course defense and even in water conservation.The evidence comes as no surprise to believers.
God spoke to Israel saying:"And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, And so you shall be a blessing." (Genesis chapter 12 verse 2)
Jews and Christians are children of Abraham. Today more than ever we share together in persecution. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, was once 90% Christian. Today it has a 65% Moslem majority.
The only place in the Mideast where Christian communities continue to grow is in the Jewish State of Israel.
Non-believers may deny and ignore the Bible but that does not give them immunity.
David summed it up at the very beginning of Psalms. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm chapter 1, verse 1)
Think about the many who ignored Noah. They missed the boat. God continues to reach out in troubled times and He always offers a new beginning.
Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.
His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com)
Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html
TUESDAY, March 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Food allergies are common among American kids, with nearly one-third of U.S. school nurses reporting at least one severe reaction to food among their students in the last school year, a new survey finds.
But the survey, of more than 200 school nurses nationwide, also uncovered some good news.
Ninety-six percent of the nurses said school staffers had been trained on how to handle severe allergic reactions to food. And 80 percent said their school had an emergency epinephrine auto-injector available to treat potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
"We were encouraged to see high rates of epinephrine availability in schools," said senior study author Dr. Ruchi Gupta, of Children's Hospital of Chicago.
"This is significant improvement over the last decade. We also saw that epinephrine was available more often when schools had full-time nurses. Greater nurse presence appears to be an important factor in implementing food allergy policies in schools," Gupta said.
Most of the respondents worked at a public school and at an elementary or middle school.
The findings were published recently in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Food allergies affect up to 8 percent of U.S. children, and as many as two students in every classroom, the researchers noted.
There are no standardized food allergy protocols for schools, but recommendations are offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of School Nurses.
The nurses in the current survey pointed to some areas in need of improvement.
Their responses indicated the least implemented policies: labeling of school lunch items with allergen information; specific food policies for after-school activities; and not having emergency epinephrine with students on field trips or other activities away from school.
"Listing allergen information on foods sold during lunch at school is critical to protect kids with food allergy from accidental ingestion," said Gupta, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University School of Medicine.
The top eight allergens -- peanut, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fin fish, soy and wheat -- must be listed clearly on all food products, he added.
"We also know from previous studies that up to 19 percent of life-threatening allergic reactions to food during the school day may occur outside of the school building or on field trips. Given this high risk, we need to promote the availability of emergency epinephrine to keep children with food allergies safe during these situations," Gupta said in a journal news release.
Given these survey results, she said, "we need to continue working together with families and schools to develop feasible policies that protect children with food allergies."
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on food allergies.
Mumbai
How can high-speed, energy-efficient travel improve the quality of living in Indian cities? Here's exploring what the recent announcement on Hyperloop transport means for infrastructural development in the country.
Imagine hopping on to a car-shaped pod in Mumbai and being whisked away inside a 140-km long vacuum tube, reaching Pune in less than 25 minutes. For the average citizen battling traffic snarls in metros across the country, this may seem like an unlikely utopia. But such a system may soon become a reality in India, as announced at Mumbai's recently concluded investment summit 'Magnetic Maharashtra'. In addition, a US-based company has also proposed to evaluate construction of five Hyperloop lines in India Bengaluru to Chennai; Mumbai to Chennai via Bengaluru; Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram; Mumbai to Delhi and Mumbai to Kolkata. Feasibility studies are also proposed in Andhra Pradesh, connecting the new state capital Amravati to Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam.
A unique concept that can transport people and cargo in pod-like vehicles propelled through vacuum tubes with magnetic levitation, Hyperloop is exciting from the perspective of energy efficiency and emission-free high-speed travel. Ashok Mohanani, vice-president, NAREDCO, believes, "There is certainly a need for improving infrastructure and connectivity across the country. There is already a lot in progress, with feasibility checks going on for bullet trains, trade corridors and expressways. Hyperloop is definitely a futuristic idea and can be revolutionary if implemented correctly."
What's the hype about hyperloop?
With Hyperloop test tracks and trail runs being undertaken all over the world from the US to South Korea and UAE to Slovakia, many experts believe that India could be among the early adopters of this technology. "To keep up with the country's rapid growth momentum, we need transport systems that are faster, safer and much more cost and energy efficient. Hyperloop is a transport system through vacuum tubes with magnetic levitation that overcomes two of the most fundamental challenges of modern-day transportation contact friction and air resistance. By circumventing both friction and resistance, Hyperloop uses far less energy to achieve speeds upto 1000 kmph. In fact, we are working towards an energy-positive Hyperloop system that can be powered entirely by solar," says Prithvi Sankar, Business Development Head, Hyperloop India, a Bengaluru based team of engineers and designers aiming to make Hyperloop a reality in India.
Unlike conventional transport systems such as cars, aircrafts and trains which use fossil fuels, Hyperloop is conceptually an energy-neutral system that propels itself by eliminating friction and air resistance. However, since it is still in its conceptual phase, it is difficult to be completely sure about its energy-efficiency claims. Sankar clarifies, "According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra Government, we hope to complete a 10-km long test track on the Mumbai-Pune route within two years, to assess the feasibility of this technology in India. However, we estimate that Hyperloop will be 40 per cent cheaper to build and operate compared to a bullet train along the same route."
Key challenges
As the technology is still in the testing phase, the debate hasn't arrived at cost as yet. However, the initial capital investment is likely to be very high, with potential offsets of energy and operational costs in the long-term.
"Environmentally-sound mass transportation systems are what the country needs today. Hyperloop is one such technology that promises to meet these needs but it's too early to comment on its feasibility in India," opines Prof Patil.
With more innovations and optimisations in the pipeline, the coming years will prove to be decisive not only for Hyperloop across the world, but also the transport revolution in India.
Did you know?
Hyperloop is conceptualised to operate in vacuum or low-pressure tunnels on columns or underground;
It is not operational anywhere in the world as yet but feasibility studies are underway;
At 1000 kmph, it is likely to be the fastest mass transportation system in the world;
It is designed to consume relatively less energy, thus making it cheaper and environmentally friendly.
Hyperloop: in a nutshell
Max speed:
1000 kmph approx
Approx.
2x faster than bullet train
Approx.
10x faster than traditional rail
Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop
Total track length: 140 km Time to cover this distance: 25-30 mins Likely to be operational by 2024
Annabel Dsouza, Times Property, The Times of India, Mumbai
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Hours after the Chinese Communist Party proposed a constitutional change last month to lift presidential term limits, any words or phrases that remotely suggested President Xi Jingping was seeking a life term were blocked from social media. Censors targeted everything from Emperor Xi, The Emperors Dream, and Dream of Returning to the Great Qing, to Winnie the Pooh, a reference to Xis apparent resemblance to the cartoon character, the China Digital Times reported.
Such censorship is not new in China, but in recent months the country has increased its grip, regulating tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) that can bypass the countrys infamous firewall, issuing lists of approved news outlets, and disbarring lawyers who represent jailed journalists.
On January 30, the Cyberspace Administration of China announced a list of 462 websites and social media handles granted permission to provide online news services. Outlets that create a news website without permission face a fine of up to 30,000 Chinese yuan (US$4,700). The following month, the administration announced regulations for social media users that will legally require users to disclose their name, personal ID, organization code, and phone number before being allowed to post content online. The new regulations come in effect March 20.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also announced that from March 31 it will regulate unlicensed VPNs to maintain a fair, organized market order. The move means that individuals and foreign companies whose operations require the use of VPNs will only have access to state-approved VPNs.
A veteran reporter for an English-language media outlet told CPJ that VPNs are crucial to their reporting in China. Without them, the reporter said, they would not feel safe to file stories and pictures or to communicate with editors, colleagues, and interviewees.
This is not the first time authorities have attempted to regulate circumvention tools or social media. Pu Fei, a volunteer at human rights news website 64 Tianwang, told CPJ that since 2016, most of the sites volunteers found they were blocked from opening Weibo accounts when they tried to register using their ID.
As well as attempts to regulate and censor social media platforms, authorities appear to be using the technology to track journalists.
The reporter, who asked to remain anonymous because the outlet for which they work has a strict interview policy, told CPJ they believe their WeChat messages are being watched. In more hostile circumstances, my WeChat account has been forcefully logged out, and I was banned from using my WeChat account for over a week, the journalist said. As for Weibo, my private message function might have been permanently disabled or filtered.
The reporter added that they believe officials accessed their WeChat account to surveil the journalist. The reporter said that after using WeChat to discuss visiting a friend in another city, local community officers approached the friends family and warned them not to let the journalist stay. The reporter told CPJ the officers had their full name and the name of their news outlet.
The impact of such surveillance means that reporters are becoming more reluctant to use WeChat and Sina Weibo.
It makes China reporting very costly, in terms of manpower investment as well as security measures, the journalist said. It would also greatly endanger the safety of my interviewee. But it doesnt mean we can stop doing it just because its hard. It calls [for] more professional, creative and persistent reporting.
Chinas crackdown is not just confined to the internet and social media. Earlier this month, police in Beijing detained French journalist Heike Schmidt, the China correspondent for the French Foreign Ministry-funded outlet, Radio France Internationale, for about an hour and confiscated her voice recorder, the journalist told CPJ. Schmidt said she was stopped and questioned after interviewing people in a mall about the constitutional vote.
While international journalists are more likely to be deported than detained for a long period, local journalists or media sourcesalong with their families and the lawyersface greater risks.
CPJ documented in January how the wife of Chinese American journalist Chen Xiaoping disappeared from her home in Guangzhou city, apparently taken by authorities in retaliation for Chens reporting. And on February 10, police detained Xu Qin, an independent human rights researcher whom news agencies rely on as a source, according to Radio Free Asia. Xus arrest came just days after Radio Free Asia interviewed her about the detention of Sun Lin, a journalist jailed for reposting articles critical of the Communist Party, according to a detention notice officials provided to Xus family. Both are still in custody, according to reports.
Lawyers representing jailed journalists and critics also face harassment. On February 12, the Guangdong Department of Justice disbarred Sui Muqing, the lawyer who represented Huang Qi, the publisher of human rights news website 64 Tianwang. A notice from the Guangdong Department of Justice, sent to the lawyer, said he was disbarred for using uncivilized, offensive wording and other poor behavior while representing a fellow lawyer, and for bringing cell phone to take photos of a rights activist in a detention center whom Sui was representing.
Sui told CPJ he believes his disbarment will intimidate other lawyers into not representing human rights activists or people charged with political crimes. Although there will still be lawyers brave enough to take on rights cases the flexibility of what lawyers can say and how they handle these cases will be very confined, said Sui.
Lin Qilei, a lawyer who represented jailed journalist Wang Shurong, told CPJ that he feels the pressure after Suis disbarment, but is mentally prepared for anything that could happen, including jail. I think, as a lawyer, my duty is to defend for my clients. Most of my clients are persecuted for defending public interests or speaking out about social issues. I admire them, Lin said.
Myanmar: Small-scale aquaculture improves the lives of farmers in Myanmar
March 20,2018 | Source: WorldFish Center
orldFish through the CGIAR Research Program FISH is supporting small-scale fish farmers, enabling the fast-growing aquaculture sector to create jobs and boost the health and incomes of the poor. In Myanmar, the fast-growing aquaculture sector has huge potential to improve the lives of rural households, which make up 70 percent of the population and depend largely on low-yielding agriculture for their livelihoods (FAO 2015). Research by the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) shows that job creation potential in aquaculture is about twice as strong per acre as for paddy farming. It can also generate higher incomes than almost any other form of agriculture. And as incomes rise in Myanmar, consumption of fisha nutritious source of micronutrients and proteinwill rise, particularly consumption of farmed fish.
However, thus far many of the 200,000 or so small-scale fish farmers in Myanmar, have missed out on these benefits. Many have limited technical knowledge of aquaculture and poor access to quality seed, which results in low yields. In addition, government regulations prevent the conversion of paddy land to aquaculture and insecure land tenure dissuades households from renting privately-owned land to build more fish ponds. Working to develop small-scale aquaculture, and realize the sectors potential to create jobs and boost the health and incomes of the poor, is the focus of the LIFT - funded Promoting the sustainable growth of aquaculture in Myanmar (MYFC) project (20152018) led by WorldFish. By 2018, the project aims to directly engage 5000 households from 77 villages in fish production, which will indirectly benefit another 5000 households through exposure to knowledge sharing and learning.
Enhancing farmer knowledge
Implemented in collaboration with four government and NGO partners, the project focuses on Myanmars Ayeyarwady Delta and the Central Dry Zone, where the majority of subsistence fish farms are located. Many of these sites are underutilised and derelict. To boost the level of technical knowledge among small-scale farmers, the project provides training in good aquaculture practices, with topics also including nursery management, nutrition, gender, dike cropping and business skills. As part of the training, each beneficiary receives fish seed, feed and fertilizers.
For 36-year-old farmer Hnin Nu Moe, who was previously unable to earn money from farming fish in her familys 975 m2 pond, the training had a huge impact. After stocking her pond with rohu and grass carp seed provided by the project, Hnin applied the techniques she had learned in training. This included regular feeding, exchanging water, applying fertilizer and testing the water quality. Six months after stocking, she harvested 219 kg of fish. After saving some for household consumption, she sold the rest and made 550,000 Kyat (USD 400) on an investment of 50,000 Kyat (USD 36). This income enabled her to buy a new cowa purchase she once couldnt afford. If we carefully follow all the techniques and knowledge we gained from the project, we will be successful fish farmers even if we face lots of challenges, she said. Since 2016, over 1200 farmers out of the target 3000 farmers have received training and inputs such as seed, feed and fertilizer. Trained farmers report that they are now successfully managing their own fish ponds. This has led to a 30 percent higher consumption of fish and a 40 percent increase in household income among beneficiary households.
Improving access to quality fish seed
Good fish seed is needed to achieve a good fish harvest. Yet small-scale farmers often use poor quality seed from the wild or buy seed from government or private hatcheries, which often offer low productivity due to poor management of the genetic resource. To improve seed access, WorldFish started promoting improved management practices at fish hatcheries run by the Department of Fisheries in Myanmar in 2017. The aim is to produce quality rohu carp seed, which accounts for 70 percent of all farmed fish production in Myanmar, as well as seed for silver barb. The breeding initiative also includes tilapia and climbing perch, which are currently produced in small amounts but for which there is strong local demand and the potential to earn higher returns. For tilapia, the project will focus on genetically improved farm tilapia (GIFT), an improved strain of Nile tilapia developed by WorldFish that grows more than 30 percent faster and has a higher survival rate than other strains.
In parallel, the project has established 30 fish nurseries in 30 villages since 2016, providing rural farmers with local access to affordable quality seed. After the project is finished, I will continue with aquaculture because I know where to get good fish seed and how to make my fish culture business successful, said Daw Than Myint from Phoe Swar village. Since joining the project in June 2016 and applying the practices she learned from training, the mother-of-two achieved a harvest of 451 kg of pangasius, from which she was able to earn 400,000 Kyat (USD 295).
Since 2016, the MYFC project has distributed over 450,000 seed to more than 1000 farmers in 152 villages. By 2018 it aims to have distributed around 1 million seeds to more than 2500 farmers. These efforts are being supported by the development of more than 25 small fish feed mills in the project areas. More than 30 metric tons of feed have been produced, providing project farmers with improved access to quality feed. Aquaculture has grown rapidly over the last 10 years, mostly due to large enterprises, and now accounts for 22 percent of total fish production. With no sign of this growth slowing, efforts by MYFC to engage smallholders in aquaculture will be critical to increasing incomes and contributing to food and nutrition security for the poor in Myanmar.
DAs notes said jurors were slow or ignorant or fat
In handwritten notes, Columbus prosecutors described prospective African-American jurors as slow, ignorant, con artist and fat. They also jotted a B or an N next to black peoples names on jury lists and routinely ranked them as the least desirable jurors. This astonishing system of race discrimination, revealed in a court motion filed Monday, was intended to exclude black people from juries in seven death-penalty cases against black defendants in the 1970s.
The motion was filed on behalf of Johnny Lee Gates, who is serving a sentence of life without parole for the 1976 rape and murder of Katrina Wright. It contends that Gates deserves a new trial because prosecutors made a concerted effort to keep black people off his jury. In Gates case, the prosecution struck all four prospective black jurors.
Every person accused of a criminal offense has the right to a fair trial thats free of race discrimination, said Patrick Mulvaney, a lawyer with the Southern Center for Human Rights and a member of Gates legal team. Mr. Gatess trial was undermined by race discrimination from the start.
In court filings, Gates lawyers say the prosecutions alleged discrimination against black jurors was harmful to the community and the integrity of the judicial system.
The Muscogee County District Attorneys Office has yet to explain or defend the exclusion of black jurors by its prosecutors in the 1970s. Instead, in a recent court filing, it said Gates claims should be rejected because he is relying on just seven capital cases. To prevail, Gates must show systematic exclusion of blacks in case after case, whatever the circumstances, whatever the crime and whoever the defendant or victim may be, the DAs office said.
The DAs office had repeatedly refused to turn over its jury notes to Gates lawyers until Senior Superior Court Judge John Allen ordered prosecutors to release the records to the plaintiffs in March.
District Attorney Julia Slater told the AJC Monday that she will have no comment for now on the filing. Slater took office about 30 years after the events described in the motion.
Rape and murder of German immigrant, 19
Gates was convicted and sentenced to death during a three-day trial in 1977. He was re-sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2003 while appealing his case on claims he is intellectually disabled.
Prosecutors said Gates sexually assaulted and killed Wright, a 19-year-old German immigrant who had moved to Columbus just 12 days earlier to be with her husband, a soldier at Fort Benning. Gates posed as a gas company employee to gain entry into the apartment, prosecutors say.
Gates took $480 in cash from Wright. He then bound her hands and gagged and blindfolded her before shooting her in the head with a .32-caliber pistol, prosecutors said.
Although Gates gave a videotaped confession, his description of what happened did not fully match with the physical evidence in the case, say lawyers from the Georgia Innocence Project, who also represent Gates. They have obtained court orders for DNA testing.
The two prosecutors who tried the case against Gates were then-District Attorney William Smith and his assistant DA Douglas Pullen, who later succeeded Smith as district attorney.
Smith was involved in four of the seven death-penalty cases that were tried from 1976 to 1979, the motion said. In three of those cases, all 15 prospective black jurors were struck by the prosecution. In the fourth case, involving defendant William Henry Hance, prosecutors struck 10 of the 13 prospective black jurors, allowing two African-Americans to decide his fate, the motion said.
But in Hances case, an all-white jury was impossible because the pool of prospective jurors had more black citizens than the prosecutors had strikes, the motion noted.
27 of 27 black jurors struck from pool
Pullen was involved in five of the death-penalty trials, and all of them had all-white juries. In those cases, 27 of the 27 prospective black jurors were struck by the prosecution, the motion said.
Michael Lacey, a Georgia Tech mathematics professor, reviewed the jury strikes made by prosecutors in these seven capital cases. The probability that black jurors were removed for race-neutral reasons was .000000000000000000000000000004 percent, Lacey said in a sworn statement filed by Gates legal team.
Pullens name surfaced in recent years in the case against Timothy Foster, a black man who was sentenced to death in Floyd County for killing a 79-year-old widow in 1986. Pullen, while still a prosecutor in Columbus, assisted with jury selection in Fosters trial in Rome. In that case, prosecutors struck all four prospective black jurors.
High court decries similar tactic in Rome case
In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court condemned the prosecution for improperly assembling an all-white jury in Fosters case and repudiated their stated reasons for striking all four prospective black jurors. The ruling referred to the prosecution teams color-coded jury notes that listed potential black jurors as #B1, #B2, #B3 and so on.
(T)he focus on race in the prosecutions file plainly demonstrates a concerted effort to keep black prospective jurors off the jury, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a 7-1 majority.
In Gates case, prosecutors notes designated prospective white jurors with a W and prospective black jurors with an N. One set of notes ranked prospective jurors on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being the least desirable and five being the most favored to have on the jury.
All four prospective black jurors were designated as a 1, with no explanation why. A note explaining why the only white juror received a 1 said he was opposed to capital punishment but could still impose the penalty.
Listed below are the seven African-American death-penalty defendants prosecuted in Muscogee County in the late 1970s; the number of prospective black jurors removed by prosecutors; the number of African-American jurors who served as jurors; and the status of the defendant.
Joseph Mulligan: 1976; four of four; zero; executed in 1987.
Jerome Bowden: 1976; eight of eight; zero; executed in 1986.
Johnny Lee Gates: 1977; four of four; zero; serving life sentence.
Jimmy Lee Graves: 1977; four of four; zero; paroled in 2012.
Williams Brooks: 1977; four of four; zero; serving life sentence.
William Henry Hance: 1978; 10 of 13; two; executed in 1994.
William Spicer Lewis: 1979; seven of seven; zero; serving life sentence
| Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
Tuesday marked the 23rd anniversary of a deadly sarin attack on the Tokyo subway system, as speculation grows that members of the cult behind it could soon be executed.
At Kasumigaseki Station, one of the targets of the attack, subway staff gathered at 8 a.m., around the same time the events occurred on March 20, 1995, to observe a moment of silence and offer flowers.
Toyohiko Otomo, the 57-year-old chief of the station, and Shizue Takahashi, 71, who lost her husband, Kazumasa, an assistant stationmaster, were among those who offered flowers at the station.
"We will work together to make further efforts to ensure the safety of passengers so that they can feel safe using the service," Tokyo Metro Co. said in a statement.
The subway operator set up stands to allow people to offer flowers at Kasumigaseki, Kodenmacho, Tsukiji and three other stations where lives were lost in the attack.
13 people were killed and thousands more injured when members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult released bags of sarin on packed rush hour trains, piercing the pouches with sharpened umbrella tips before fleeing.
The nerve agent caused horrendous deaths and injuries, and prompted mass panic, turning the busy capital into something resembling a war zone.
Passengers streamed out of stations vomiting, coughing and struggling to breathe, with emergency services administering life-saving treatment by the side of the road.
Ambulances streamed through the streets, and helicopters landed on major roads to assist with evacuations.
On that day, Kazumasa Takahashi unwittingly picked up a punctured packet of the nerve gas from the floor of one of the trains at Kasumigaseki Station.
He and another colleague died.
"I came here today, with the same feeling I have every year," Shizue Takahashi told reporters at the station after paying tribute to her late husband.
"The health of some victims is deteriorating, and some families are also going through a tremendously difficult time," she said, adding that the passage of time had not healed the pain suffered by victims' families.
After years of legal proceedings, the prosecution of 13 Aum Shinrikyo members on death row for the attacks and other crimes finally concluded in January, clearing the way for their execution.
Last week, authorities began separating and transferring them to different detention facilities equipped with the infrastructure to carry out executions by hanging.
The transfers have prompted speculation that cult leader Shoko Asahara and the 12 of his followers on death row could soon be executed, though there has been no official indication.
Authorities usually announce executions after the fact, with no advance warning.
Takahashi said the timing of the transfers initially startled her, but stressed that the executions must proceed in due course.
"The death penalty came as the result of long trials, and it has entered the next phase," she said.
"It is not at a phase where I can say or do anything about it. I feel that steps should be taken in accordance with the law," she said.
Some experts, however, oppose the executions - with the exception of Asahara - saying authorities risk transforming the other 12 into martyrs that will help the cult's successor groups recruit new members.
Japan prepares to execute up to 13 members of Aum Shinrikyo cult
Some cult members, who killed 13 people in a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995, have been moved to new facilities
Japan is believed to be preparing to execute as many as 13 members of a doomsday cult in what could become the country's biggest round of hangings in the past decade.
Tuesday marked the 23rd anniversary of Aum Shinrikyo's sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway, which killed 13 people and caused illness among thousands of others.
Some of the members of the cult were transferred to detention facilities outside of Tokyo last week, fuelling local media speculation that their executions could be imminent. Japan normally doesn't execute people until all accomplices' cases have been finalised. That milestone was reached in January this year.
Japan executed 15 people throughout the course of 2008, the largest number to be sent to the gallows in a single year in recent history.
It is unclear whether the Aum Shinrikyo members would be put to death on the same day, but executions in Japan are routinely shrouded in secrecy until the final moments. In previous cases, inmates have spent years on death row only to be informed of their impending execution hours before being led to the gallows. Families are sometimes informed only after the hanging has taken place.
Amnesty International argued that if the government proceeded with the Aum Shinrikyo executions in coming months, it would be seen as a "cynical" attempt to get the news out of the way before the elevation of a new emperor next year and the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020.
"The mark of a civilised society is recognising the rights of every individual, even those responsible for heinous crimes," said Amnesty east Asia researcher Hiroka Shoji.
"The death penalty can never deliver justice as it is the ultimate denial of human rights."
Aum Shinrikyo was a violent cult that sought confrontation with the state as a prelude to the end of civilisation. On 20 March, 1995, members used umbrellas with sharp tips to puncture bags filled with liquid sarin in five train carriages during Tokyo's morning rush hour.
13 members were sentenced to death for a range of Aum-related crimes including the subway attack. Seven were transferred to a number of different detention facilities outside of Tokyo. Ringleader Shoko Asahara, 63, who is also subject to a death sentence, is yet to be moved.
The Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery (JSCPR) has written to the justice minister calling for everyone but Asahara to have their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
"Asahara was the brain and the other 12 were merely the limbs," said Taro Takimoto, a JSCPR board member who himself was a victim of a sarin attack by Aum Shinrikyo.
Japan was recently challenged about the death penalty in a United Nations human rights forum. Several countries called for the punishment's abolition, or at least for a moratorium on executions being carried out.
But the Japanese government said sovereign countries should be allowed to make independent decisions.
"The majority of the Japanese people consider the death penalty to be unavoidable in the case of extremely heinous crimes and therefore Japan currently does not have any plans to establish a forum to discuss the death penalty system," the government said in a formal reply.
Shizue Takahashi, 71, whose husband Kazumasa died in the subway attack, laid flowers at Kasumigaseki station in central Tokyo on Tuesday morning. Referring to the death row inmates, she told Kyodo News: "I hope they will be executed according to law and without making a fuss about it."
| Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
: Japan Times, March 20, 2018The Guardian, March 20, 2018
Shareholder of Russian-controlled BM Bank decides to withdraw banking license in Ukraine
Plans for further actions are not disclosed.
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Regardless of the end result, the legal action has already set a precedent in Ukraines court practice.
A district court in Ukraine's Kyiv region has accepted a lawsuit which is setting a precedent in Ukraine where the plaintiff seeks compensation in bitcoin for moral damages caused by law enforcement officials.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled after the presiding judge found no legal grounds to reject the claim, according to Bitcoin.com.
Ukrainian citizen Dmytro G. wants to be paid 1 BTC for moral damages he suffered in result of an unlawful search. He is suing officers from Ukraines Security Service (SBU) and their colleagues from the Prosecutors Office who conducted the operation.
Read alsoUkrainian lawmakers invest US$7.3 mln in cryptocurrency in 2017 mediaBoryspilsky District Court in Kyiv region has agreed to look into the case and has even scheduled a preliminary hearing, Forklog reports. Judge Zhuravskiy found no legal grounds to reject the lawsuit, according to a document, acquired by the outlet.
All applicable norms have been observed, according to the court, which has already sent a copy of its resolution to the defendants. They have 15 days to respond officially to the claims made by the plaintiff. If the government agencies fail to do so, the court proceedings will continue based on the available information.
Regardless of the end result, the legal action has already set a precedent in Ukraines court practice. If Dmytro is granted the bitcoin compensation he seeks, that would de facto legalize cryptocurrencies as means of payment in the country.
There have been multiple calls, including from officials and institutions, for the regulation of cryptos, like bitcoin. A cybersecurity meeting in January discussed cryptocurrencies and the National Security Council set up a working group tasked to finalize proposals. Ukraines Cyberpolice also called for the legalization of cryptocurrencies.
Some statements suggest that Ukrainian legislators may separate crypto mining and cryptocurrencies in the new legislation. Mining can be legalized in the country before decisions are made in regards to the status and the circulation of cryptos.
Even after 2020, Gazprom to need Ukraine transit
Over the past year, the energy giant transmitted 93 billion cubic meters via the Ukrainian gas transmission system.
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Ukraine, Qatar sign visa-free deal, number of agreements on economic, trade cooperation, investment promotion
Ukraine's foreign minister says there is an ongoing "breakthrough in the Gulf and beyond".
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The agreement reached will promote the strengthening of friendly relations between Ukraine and Qatar aimed at improving the defense capabilities of the two states.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the State of Qatar have signed an agreement on military-technical cooperation.
The deal was signed in the presence of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the presidential press service reports.
The signing of the document will promote the mutually beneficial and long-term cooperation between the two states in the military-technical field with the use of the latest scientific and technical achievements in the defense industry.
The document will promote the strengthening of friendly relations between Ukraine and Qatar aimed at improving the defense capabilities of the two states.
Read alsoUkraine, Qatar sign deals on economic, trade cooperation, investment promotionAs UNIAN reported earlier, Antonov Company, Taqnia Aeronautics, a subsidiary of Saudi Technology Development and Investment Co (TAQNIA) and WAHAJ, an affiliate of SIPCHEM, in late February signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to manufacture the An-132 aircraft.
The Saudi-Ukrainian multi-purpose aircraft is intended in particular for military transportation of armed personnel, and warfare equipment.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plans in 2019 to begin construction of an assembly plant for multi-purpose An-132 aircraft and to launch by 2021 their serial assembly.
Serial production of the new multipurpose An-132 aircraft will be organized within the framework of setting up a technopark near the city of Taif, located in the west of Saudi Arabia.
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From bloated overhead to cost overruns, the bar for excellence is set extraordinarily low in Washington, D.C. As can be seen from deliberations over the $1.2 trillion omnibus bill, lawmakers from both parties have little discipline in reining in spending. Traditional cost estimates of federal undertakings, however, often fail to take into account the woeful state of cybersecurity. Compounding this problem is the scourge of no-bid contracts and their propensity to bilk taxpayers and leave federal agencies vulnerable.
The government has a demonstrably terrible record on cybersecurity, scoring below virtually every private industry in a 2016 study by SecurityScorecard. And, as the latest Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act scorecard shows, federal agencies are failing to beef up their cybersecurity. Six agencies slid in their ratings, while only three improved and fifteen stayed the same.
Strangely, though, private contractors seem to perform just as poorlyor worseas their public counterparts. Last month, security rankings firm BitSight released a cybersecurity scorecard comparing public agencies with federal contractors, and found that agencies actually tend to score better than their private counterparts on average.
Alarmingly, over 40 percent of contractors scored a D or F for Protective Technology countermeasures laid out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. Now, comparing public agencies and contractors is not exactly fair. Private companies doing business with the federal government are often expected to manage and safeguard sensitive information on citizens that is often targeted by hackers.
Still, the relatively poor performance by private firms seems strange, especially considering earlier findings by SecurityScorecard. But private contractors are unlike other companies in important ways. In particular, many benefit from no-bid, or non-competitive, contracts awarded by the federal government. At many agencies, no-bid contracts have become commonplace, as leaders cite the public interest in evaluating multiple bids.
The share of Pentagon contract spending awarded competitively has steadily declined over the past decade, driven by no-bid proliferation in areas such as human resources and Special Operations Command. In fiscal year 2017, more than half of Defense Department procurement spending totaling more than $100 billion was on noncompetitive contracts. Now, as the Pentagon has secured more money via the current budgeting process, there will be less incentive to spend funds wisely and the share of competitive spending will likely drop even further.
This lack of competition gives awardees little incentive to improve their operations, giving rise to deficient operations normally expected from a government agency. In June, 2017, Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin awarded a multi-billion dollar no-bid contract to Cerner to install a new electronic health record system for the agency. The award, which came despite a troubling track record of software glitches and data breaches by the company, has hit a series of bumps that threaten taxpayers and health care customers. With little explanation, the cost of the contract spiked 60 percent, and concerns over system interoperability mean that implementation may take far longer than originally expected.
To Cerner, and other beneficiaries of no-bid contracts, the message going forward is clear: system breaches, mammoth overruns, and unreliable service will be tolerated in an environment where companies do not have to compete for federal awards. Fortunately, more light is shining on federal contracting than ever before, thanks to the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) passed in 2014.
Currently, grant and procurement reporting by agencies is still in the pilot phase, and the reporting of awards by some agencies has remained limited. The Government Accountability Office found in November, for instance, that the Department of Defense failed to link budget and award data in submissions to the Treasury. By ensuring that all agencies report all information to the Treasury, Congress can ensure that taxpayers are at least made aware of the types of contracts being made on the public dime.
More information alone will not lead to the demise of no-bid contracting. But consistent data reporting can enable Congress to tie funding to bidding competitiveness benchmarks, and allow watchdog groups to keep up the pressure on agencies that hand out contracts without due diligence.
As Congress gears up to spend even more taxpayer dollars on an array of wasteful and duplicative programs, the least they can do is make sure resulting contracts are fairly awarded. Greater competition can ensure that private contractors mirror their industry counterparts in cybersecurity protection and reliability, saving taxpayers and customers billions of dollars.
Ross Marchand is the director of policy for the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
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Today in Syria, "we are confronted once more with some of the worst atrocities known to man," said National Security Council Advisor Lieutenant General HR McMaster in a speech at the Holocaust Museum in Washington.
For seven years now, the Bashar al-Assad regime has killed indiscriminately, tortured, starved, raped, and used chemical weapons on its own people. It has attacked hospitals and schools, and countless Syrians have been arrested, abducted, or have simply disappeared.
At the same time, ISIS has kidnapped, tortured, murdered, brutally persecuted religious minorities, and committed unspeakable horrors.
It is estimated that nearly 500,000 people have perished since the war began. In February alone, nearly 1,400 civilians have died. The conflict has created over 5 million refugees and over 6 million displaced persons.
The United States is taking action to protect innocent Syrians, defeat ISIS, and hold the Assad regime accountable for its crimes.
First of all the U.S. is helping to fund the International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism created by the United Nations General Assembly. It is tasked with collecting evidence of crimes committed in Syria particulartly international humanitarian law violations and crimes against humanity and preparing this evidence for potential independent criminal proceedings on Syria.
Second, the U.S. is fighting alongside partners, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces, to defeat terrorist organizations. The Coalition to Defeat ISIS has now liberated almost 100 percent of territory previously held by these terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
The United States will continue to pursue these murderers until ISIS is completely defeated.
Third, the U.S. is providing humanitarian aid - over 7.6 billion dollars - to assist Syrians both in and outside of Syria.
Finally, the U.S. is working to protect innocent civilians from chemical attack and to hold Assad accountable for using these heinous weapons. Following Assads April 4, 2017, sarin attack on innocents, President Donald Trump launched a powerful missile strike on the Syrian air base from which the chemical attack originated, destroying twenty percent of the Syrian Air Force.
The U.S. along with its allies and partners will continue to expose atrocities, defeat ISIS, provide humanitarian assistance, and deter chemical weapons attacks. Assad must and will be held to account.
A reformists political activist has found common ground with hardline former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in their criticism of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
While ultraconservative Ahmadinejad has thus far limited his criticism to implicit comments, reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh has ventured more blunt remarks, calling the Supreme Leader corrupt in practice.
Tajzadeh, 61, is a former deputy interior minister and advisor to President Mohammad Khatami, who was in office from 1997-2005.
In an open letter addressed to Ahmad Tavvakoli, a prominent conservative former MP from Tehran, Tajzadeh wrote that the Supreme Leader is the flag bearer of the campaign against corruption only in his remarks and speeches, but he and the authorities appointed by him are engaged in corruption.
Tajzadeh also singled out the judiciary and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which is directly under Khameneis control, saying the IRGC engages in corruption related to its business interests.
In his letter, published March 18, Tajzadeh wrote that the Supreme Leaders partisan response to corruption has helped it spread across the country.
Tajzadeh, who lived briefly in the U.S. before returning to Iran to participate in the 1979 Islamic Revolution against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, expressed regret in his letter that the revolutionary generation mistakenly assumed that dictatorship and tyranny could only manifest itself in the office of the president.
We disregarded the fact that when the management and control over the armed forces, the judiciary, the Guardian Council, state-run radio and TV, as well as a significant bulk of the national economy are granted to one single person, the possibility of that single persons tending toward dictatorship will be much higher, he wrote.
Khameneis conservative allies on social media are demanding Tjzadeh be arrested for his latest comments.
Tajzadeh is no stranger to the prison cell. He was arrested in June 2009 in the aftermath of Mahmoud Ahmadinejads controversial election that led to months of unrest across Iran. Tajzadeh was convicted of assembly and collusion against national security and propaganda against the system. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment and a ten-year ban on political and media activity.
Tajzadeh was released from Tehrans notorious Evin Prison in 2014, and has since become known for opposing conservatives and the IRGC.
Last December, he slammed the IRGCs extraterritorial operations in a tweet. He was responding to Major General Mohammad Ali Jafaris announcement November 23, 2017 that Tehran would provide advisory assistance to Yemeni Shiite Houthi militants at their request.
Yemen has no strategic importance for Iran. Yemen is not occupied by ISIS and it has no holy places; it is not a neighbor of Israel to be considered as a part of the Islamic Republics strategic sphere Tajzadeh tweeted.
Reports originating from Tehran City Council say it is more likely that political pressure has been the underlying reason for centrist Mayor Mohammad Ali Najafis resignation, although his illness was also instrumental in his decision to step down in mid-March.
A Tehran City Council member says pressures by a security organization and the humiliating behavior of the Prosecutors Office are among the reasons for the resignation of Tehrans mayor.
Meanwhile, two other council members have stated that the mayors illness, officially stated as the reason for stepping down, is not the only reason why Najafi has decided to resign his post.
The Young Journalists Club (YJC), a news organization affiliated with Irans state TV (IRIB) quoted Ali Ata the spokesperson for the Tehran City Council as saying on March 19 that the news of Najafis illness is not fabricated.
However, Ata explained, that illness is not the only reason for Najafis resignation.
Ata told the YJC: Najafi had already decided to resign, but the illness which occurred during the past month, gave him enough reason to insist on stepping down.
Ata did not elaborate on the details of the illness and the nature of pressures that forced the Tehran mayor to resign.
Councillors Bahareh Arvin and Mohammad Alikhani had also said on March 17 that Stress and pressures exerted by security organizations have exacerbated Najafis conditions.
Arvin said that A security organization had told the Tehran City Council before Najafis appointment as mayor that the organization would not accept Najafi as Tehrans mayor, and if the council appoints him, the security organization would disclose damning documents about his background.
In this statement, Arvin was probably alluding to the IRGC Intelligence Organization.
Arvin added that Khameneis office has postponed a meeting between the councillors and Supreme Leader Khamenei, and this could indicate that opposition to Najafi is led from somewhere higher up in the Iranian establishment.
She said Najafis interrogation was humiliating as a young man in his early twenties questioned and indicted him.
Another Councillor, Mahmud Mirlohi has said that Najafis illness is not so serious that it could force him to resign. Meanwhile former deputy interior minister Mostafa Tajzadeh, an outspoken reformist, has implicitly said in a tweet that it was pressure byKhamenei and his close aides that led Najafi to step down.
The news of Najafis resignation broke out one week after the Tehran Prosecutors Office summoned him for questioning about his presence at a ceremony marking the International Womens Day on March 8 in Tehran during which a number of young girls danced on stage in the mayors presence.
Najafi was known to have a heart condition, but there are rumors he has developed cancer, as well, Mehr News Agency reported on March 14.
Najafi took office as Tehrans mayor in August 2017 by the city councils all reformist members and his resignation after seven months has brought the city council under loads of criticism.
The Tehran City Council will discuss Najafis resignation after the Iranian New Year holidays, which end in early April.
Najafi is a member of the centrist Executives of Construction Party, which is part of Irans reformist camp although the partys platform introduces it as a moderate centrist party.
Najafi himself has not elaborated on the reasons of his resignation, but some observers say that pressures on Najafi started after the Tehran Municipality published evidence of financial corruption in the Municipality under former conservative mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Najafi had said that he was going to hand over some of the evidence to courts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 20
By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend:
Implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project will contribute to the social and economic development of Azerbaijan and strengthen the country's role as a supplier of energy resources, Sabit Bagirov, Director of the Foundation for Assistance to Entrepreneurship and Market Economy, told Trend on March 19.
"For Azerbaijan, the significance of the project primarily lies in the revenues expected from the gas sale. The process of extraction and transportation of fuel is also important from the point of view of ensuring the employment of citizens and other positive effects on the real sector of the economy, the banking system, etc.," Bagirov said, adding the project is also important in terms of geopolitical interests of Azerbaijan.
For Georgia and Turkey, the project means transit revenues and increased energy security, and as for the countries of Southern Europe, according to him, they will ensure diversification of energy sources, and thus increase their energy security.
The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority projects for the EU and provides for the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe.
At an initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.
As part of the Shah Deniz Stage 2, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 20
Trend:
Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 115 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said March 20.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March. 20
Trend:
The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has denied the information that Azerbaijani drone was shot down by Armenians.
The Ministry notes that the photos posted in Armenian media depict a quadrocopter produced in China, which can easily be purchased in stores.
"Most likely, it was used for filming celebrations in connection with Novruz Bayram, or fell while children were playing with it," the ministry said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 20
By Gulgiz Muradova - Trend:
The people of Azerbaijan enjoy freedom, religious tolerance, economic growth and political stability, Rob Sobhani, director general of the Caspian Group Holdings, told Trend.
He said that President Ilham Aliyev presides over an economy that has seen an average of 12 percent growth over the past 10 years, which is truly remarkable.
"In addition, President Aliyev has been able to reduce overall poverty in Azerbaijan, which means a growing middle class and more purchasing power for the average citizens of Azerbaijan. According to the World Bank, the level of poverty in Azerbaijan is now down to 6 percent," he said, reminding that the poverty figure for neighboring Armenia is 29.8 percent and in Iran it is 44 percent, according to the World Bank.
Azerbaijan is getting ready to host presidential election on April 11, and Sobhani believes the current president will be re-elected.
The ruling party and its leader, Ilham Aliyev, have delivered on all their promises, and for these reasons President Aliyev will get a majority of his countrymen's votes, he said.
Sobhani further stressed that the situation in Azerbaijan before the April 11 election speaks of a country that is confident, stable, prosperous and moving forward.
"It is important to point out that these positive features did not happen overnight. The stability we see today in Azerbaijan is thanks to the wise leadership of both national leader Heydar Aliyev and current President Ilham Aliyev. The people of Azerbaijan enjoy these positive features thanks to the policies advocated by the leadership of Azerbaijan," he said.
Sobhani believes that President Aliyev's reform programs in the economic and political arenas are the main reasons why he will be re-elected with a comfortable margin.
"Going back to the days when he was the Vice-President of the State Oil Company, President Aliyev was busy working for the people of Azerbaijan to ensure that his country gets the best deals from its partnerships with foreign oil companies. These wise decisions by Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation for a strong and stable economy for Azerbaijan," he noted.
President Aliyev's focus on fighting poverty so that all Azerbaijanis enjoy a good life is also important to take into consideration, according to Sobhani.
"I would like to remind that Azerbaijan went through very difficult times in the early days of its independence, and it was only because the late President Heydar Aliyev and then his able son Ilham Aliyev stabilized the country that foreign investment found its way to Azerbaijan," he said.
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Follow the author on Twitter: @GulgizD
President Danny Faure received the Permanent representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the African Union, H.E. Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, at State House this morning, State House Seychelles official website reported.
The President welcomed him to Seychelles and acknowledged the harmonious and respectful relations that exist between Seychelles and Azerbaijan.
The discussions centred on areas of mutual cooperation where both countries can benefit at local and multilateral level. Being a member of the Task Force of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the promotion of EXPO 2025 Baku Bid, Ambassador Abdullayev also briefed President Faure on their initial plans.
Seychelles is a very important economy for Africa and an important destination. There is great potential to further develop our relationship. Azerbaijan is a major economic power in the region where we are located and very strategic in terms of many other aspects. We are well situated geographically to work with other countries, said Ambassador Abdullayev in an interview with the local media following the meeting.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 20
By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend:
It is necessary to further strengthen the economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Ivanic said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
He noted that although at the present the trade cooperation is limited and sporadic, there is an interest to be improved.
"There are the potentials especially in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical industry, energy, construction and pharmaceutical industries. The excellent bilateral relations between the two countries will certainly open up a space for better economic and business cooperation," Ivanic said.
Commenting on the prospective spheres for Azerbaijani investments to Bosnia and Herzegovina, he noted that the area of agriculture is very potential as well as the activities in the field of wood processing, because about 60 percent of the country is covered with forest.
"In that regard, the investment of Azerbaijan in Bosnia and Herzegovina factories for fruit and vegetables processing will certainly contribute to the improvement of our relations. It is a positive example and the important reason and indication for other investors to come and invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Ivanic said.
Azerbaijans trade turnover with Bosnia and Herzegovina amounted to $866,110 in 2017.
Subscribers of Trend News Agency can read this and other exclusive materials before they are published in open access.
More information on Trends news products can be found here.
Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, Mar. 20
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
Official visit of Iranian President Hassan Ruhani is scheduled for March 27, 2018, Mehr News agency reported.
It is noted that the implementation of agreements and documents on cooperation previously reached between the two countries will be discussed in Ashgabat.
Ashgabat and Tehran previously confirmed their intention to promote further activation of business contacts, increase bilateral trade turnover, and stimulate investment activity.
Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, March 20
By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:
Preparations for the upcoming March 25, 2018 elections of deputies to the Majlis (parliament) and members of local government and self-government bodies - the Halk Maslahaty and Gengesh are continuing in Turkmenistan
During the working government meeting, the chairman of the Majlis (parliament) Akja Nurberdyeva informed about the steps being taken to hold this event.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that, as before, these elections will be held on a broad alternative basis, on the principles of democracy and transparency.
The head of state stressed the importance of using advanced technologies in the conduct of elections, in particular, the possibility of online broadcasting from polling stations on election day, an automated system of vote counting.
The European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said that the European Union is united in preserving Iran nuclear deal also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), IRNA reported.
EU members are united both on the need to preserve the JCPOA and on the need to address regional issues with Iran through dialogue, Mogherini said Monday in the press conference following a session of the Foreign Affairs Council.
Also, as you know very well, those of you that follow this closely, we do have a sanctions regime in place with Iran sanctions that are not nuclear-related and are related to other issues. The point today was not to discuss that. The point today was to re-state our unity in the expectations that all parties continue to fulfil their obligations and their commitments under the JCPOA.
Mogherini earlier refuted certain media reports suggesting new sanctions against Iran saying There is no proposal of additional sanctions against Iran. The focus today will be on continuing the full implementation of the nuclear deal. All three, but also Russia, China, the United States and Iran, just assessed on Friday that the deal is being implemented and that we all stay committed to its full implementation.
She went on to say that We finally addressed once again Iran: restating our full support to the full implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran. Just last Friday we chaired a positive Joint Commission [of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - JCPOA] in Vienna where all parties recommitted to the full implementation of the agreement.
We assessed once again with the 28 Member States that we attach strategic importance to the full implementation of the agreement by all parties. It is for us a matter of security, for Europe and for the rest of the world. And obviously there are issues like Syria or Yemen, on which we have very critical positions on Iran moves, but we are determined to address them outside of the scope of the nuclear agreement, she reiterated.
Elaborating on US President Donald Trump's deadline of May 12, she said Here we are the European Union and we work on our deadlines, on our timeline and on our priorities, making clear which are our strategic priorities. And our clear strategic priority is to continue with the good implementation that was certified ten times by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
We all recognized that this is the case, including our American friends - last time was on Friday during an E3+3 or 5+1 meeting together with Iran [meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission]. I always say you might hear different tones, different accents - diversity is one of the richnesses of Europe and we value it, she added.
Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that Iran wants to see its neighbors' peace and security strengthened in the region, and will spare no effort on the path to fight destabilizing security threats of the terrorist groups.
'Iran's measures in fighting Daesh (ISIS) and the Takfiri terrorism have been taken upon the request by some states and in coordination with other states of the region, Iranian FM spokesman said earlier.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 20
By Farhad Daneshvar Trend:
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on the nation to dedicate efforts to promote domestic production.
In his speech on the occasion of the turn of the Iranian calendar year on Tuesday, the Leader extended New Year felicitations to all Iranians at home and abroad and other peoples who celebrate Nowruz, which marks the beginning of the spring.
In the year ahead, the Leader said, what is important is that everybody should work hard, adding that our main concern this year is yet again the issue of economy and peoples living conditions, Press TV reported.
Ayatollah Khamenei described domestic production as the pivotal issue this year, which he said is the key to resolving many of the countrys economic and social woes.
The key is the domestic production and if it is speeded up, many of the problems would go away, said the Leader.
I chose this as the pivot for this years motto. This years motto is supporting Iranian products.
Ayatollah Khamenei said, This is not the concern of officials alone but the people from all walks of life can contribute to it. To the very sense of the word, they can have a part.
The Leader said he would elaborate on ways to promote domestic production in his upcoming live address from the holy city of Mashhad.
A US military plane violated on Saturday the airspace of Venezuela near the archipelago of Los Monjes, country's Defense Minister Padrino Lopez said, Sputnik reported.
"On Saturday, a Boeing C17 plane of the US Air Force, which took off from the Hato base on the Curacao island and violated the [Venezuelan] airspace over the territorial waters near the Los Monjes archipelago, was revealed," Lopez said on Monday, as quoted by the Noticias24 media outlet. The minister called on the United States to respect the international air law.
The US-Venezuelan relations have been remaining tense for decades with Caracas regularly accusing Washington of interfering in its internal affairs.
In September, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said after Donald Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly that the US president basically used UN platform to declare a war on Caracas. The minister then promised to take counter measures. Arreazaalso told reporters that Venezuela is open for dialogue with the US government but also is ready to respond to any hostile actions.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody on Tuesday morning, where he was to be questioned as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities over his election campaign financing, an official in the French judiciary said, Reuters reported.
The probe related to alleged Libyan funding for Sarkozys 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. A lawyer for Sarkozy could not be reached immediately for comment.
At least nine people were killed and 56 more injured when two passenger buses collided in Ecuador's coastal province of Guayas late on Saturday, the country's emergency services said, Xinhua reported.
A call to the emergency services, ECU 911, at 11:40 p.m. local time (0440 GMT Sunday) reported the accident and 18 ambulances were dispatched from the town of Samborondon in Guayas.
"Once on site, the rescue units from different services began the task of extracting the passengers from both buses, as they found themselves caught inside the vehicles," said a statement from ECU 911.
It added that, near the site of the crash, the Jujan-Tres Postes highway remained closed to traffic for over four hours while the emergency was attended to.
As part of the rescue efforts, medical personnel provided emergency care on site to the injured, who were then transported to hospitals and clinics in nearby towns.
Road accidents are one of the main causes of death in Ecuador, mainly due to excessive speed and reckless driving, according to road authorities.
A 75-year-old Spanish businessman has died after being shot in the head in Mexico City, while two people were seriously wounded on Monday when a custody dispute turned violent at a shopping center in an upscale part of the city, authorities said, Reuters reported.
The shootings, which occurred in areas not generally plagued by violence, were the latest incidents to weigh on Mexicos security record.
A spokeswoman for Mexico City Attorney General Edmundo Garrido said the Spaniard, Jose Gonzalez, died in a hospital after being shot around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in the northwestern borough of Miguel Hidalgo.
In a statement, the office of the attorney general said the man was shot outside one of his businesses, in a part of the borough known as Escandon, a normally peaceful area.
The motive for the shooting was under investigation, according to the spokeswoman. It was also unclear how many people took part in the attack on Gonzalez, she said.
Spanish newspapers, including El Pais, said Gonzalez had interests in hotels and gas stations.
El Pais said Gonzalez was a friend of some prominent Mexican entrepreneurs and that he customarily spent part of the year in his native Galicia in Spain, and part of it Mexico.
Separately, a man embroiled in a child custody dispute shot the mother of his daughter, then turned the gun on himself in the high-rise shopping center and residential complex known as Reforma 222 in central Mexico City, local police said.
The man, 30, went into a footwear shop where the woman was working on Monday afternoon and shot her in the abdomen before shooting himself in the head, police said in a statement.
The complex is a landmark on Paseo de la Reforma, one of the citys principal thoroughfares, and includes foreign diplomatic officials among its residents.
Killings in Mexico hit a record high in 2017, and the violence has sapped confidence in the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto. His ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party faces an uphill battle to secure re-election in July.
The explosion occurred in one of the shops in the center of the capital of Moldova, killing two people, police told RIA Novosti.
"Chisinau police inform that a few minutes ago, there was an explosion in a grocery store on Alexei Matejevic Street in Chisinau, as a result of which two people were killed. Police have arrived at the scene," the police press service said.
The explosion occurred in one of the shops in the center of the capital of Moldova, killing two people, police told RIA Novosti.
"Chisinau police inform that a few minutes ago, there was an explosion in a grocery store on Alexei Matejevic Street in Chisinau, as a result of which two people were killed. Police have arrived at the scene," the police press service said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March. 20
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
If the US is an ally of Turkey, then they must act together with Turkey, said Recep Tayyip Erdogan March 20, Turkish media reports.
Erdogan noted that Turkey has decided to comply with the West's request for an early cessation of hostilities in Syria's Afrin and within two months completely cleared Afrin of terrorists.
Turkish president added, that US tried to deceive Turkey in Afrin, giving empty promises about the fight against terrorism.
He also noted that, the weapons that Turkey wanted to purchase from the US, is being confiscated in Afrin now.
Turkeys Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army liberated Afrin city from terrorists of Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) on March 18.
On Jan. 20, the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria.
F-16 fighters of the Turkish Air Force are involved in the operation, inflicting strikes on the positions of PYD/YPG on the Syrian-Turkish border.
Twitter: @rhafizoglu
The United States and South Korea will resume joint military drills on April 1, North Korea has already been informed about these plans, the US Department of Defense said in a statement, Sputnik reported.
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and the Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo have agreed to resume the annual combined exercises including Foal Eagle and Key Resolve which were deconflicted with the schedule of the Olympic Games. The exercises are expected to resume April 1, 2018, at a scale similar to that of the previous years," the statement said on late Monday.
The US Department of Defense pointed out that the United Nations Command had already notified the Korean People's Army "on the schedule as well as the defensive nature of the annual exercises."
"In accordance with the previous practices, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will observe the exercises to confirm their compliance with the armistice agreement," the statement added.
Earlier, a senior US administration official reported that the United States and its allies would continue conducting routine defensive exercises near the Korean peninsula after the 2018 Winter Olympics.
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KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2018 - 15:01 | Arts, All
Japanese artist Kazuhiro Tsuji on Tuesday expressed his joy at winning this year's Academy Award for best makeup and hairstyling, saying he was "surprised" by the public reaction during his visit to his home country.
"I was really glad as the Oscar is the biggest one (among awards received)," he told a press conference in Tokyo.
Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick were recognized at the 90th Academy Awards earlier this year for their work transforming actor Gary Oldman into British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill for the film "Darkest Hour." Oldman won his first Oscar for best actor.
Born in Kyoto in 1969, Tsuji went to the United States in 1996 to work as a makeup artist. He became a contemporary artist in 2012.
He made a comeback as a makeup artist upon the request of Oldman.
Tsuji, 48, will receive a culture and art award from the city Kyoto on Thursday and a commissioner's award at the Cultural Affairs Agency the following day.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2018 - 11:54 | Urgent, All
A district court in southwestern Japan on Tuesday rejected local residents' request to suspend the planned restart of nuclear reactors in Saga Prefecture over safety concerns.
Some 70 people sought an injunction to halt the restart of the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at the Genkai nuclear power plant of Kyushu Electric Power Co., scheduled for Friday and May, respectively, questioning safety standards and citing the risks of a volcanic eruption in the region.
But the Saga District Court's Presiding Judge Takeshi Tachikawa said the utility's safety measures are "reasonable" and that the court found "no specific risk of (the reactors) causing serious damage."
The decision was in sharp contrast with a Hiroshima High Court ruling in December to halt the planned restart of a reactor of Shikoku Electric Power Co.'s Ikata plant on the grounds of a possible eruption of Mt. Aso.
As the 1,592-meter volcano is located some 130 kilometers from the Ikata plant, almost the same distance as from the Genkai plant, attention was on how the Saga court would evaluate the risk.
During the trial, the plaintiffs from Saga, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Yamaguchi prefectures expressed doubt about the credibility of the new safety standards introduced after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, saying they were compiled when the Fukushima crisis had yet to be resolved.
The plaintiffs also claimed that there is no measure to respond to a catastrophic volcanic eruption which cannot be forecasted.
Kyushu Electric argued it has taken safety steps and that there is no imminent danger of a serious accident.
In June last year, Judge Tachikawa dismissed a similar request from a different group of local residents for an injunction to stop the restart of the two Genkai plant reactors.
Separate from the lawsuits seeking injunctions, some 10,000 people in Japan and abroad have filed a suit demanding suspension of the Genkai reactors.
The Chief Minister even hinted that an apology or a retraction was the only acceptable way out for the Pala bishop.
A long-standing debate in the field of cultural evolution has revolved around the question of how and why human societies become more hierarchical. Some theorize that material changes to a society's resources or subsistence strategies lead it to become more hierarchical; others believe that hierarchy is the cause rather than the result of these changes. Many see the answer as being somewhere on the spectrum between these two extremes. In order to test these theories, a group of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and the University of Auckland examined 155 Austronesian societies, the results of which are published in PNAS.
Diverse societies with similar cultural ancestry
The societies examined had a geographical range stretching from Taiwan to New Zealand, Madagascar to Easter Island. They are also diverse in terms of social stratification and agricultural practices, making them a good fit for the study. "The Pacific is an ideal setting to test these ideas," explains senior author Quentin Atkinson, of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and the University of Auckland. "It's like a giant natural experiment with populations spread across hundreds of islands with different political institutions and modes of subsistence. And we know the cultural ancestry of these populations because it is encoded in the languages they speak." These societies varied from egalitarian to rigidly stratified, and their agricultural systems ranged from among the least intensive to the most intensive in the pre-modern world - the rice terraces built by the Ifugao people of the Philippines have often been described as the "eighth wonder of the world."
Intensive agriculture and social hierarchies in a feedback loop
The results of the study showed that there was not a simple causal connection between changes in a society's mode of agriculture and increasing hierarchy. Although in many cases agricultural intensification appeared to coevolve with sociopolitical hierarchy, in other cases, these traits appeared independently of each other. When both traits did appear, it was not always the case that intensive agriculture came first. "There's a widely held view that material changes to the environment drive social evolution and not the reverse," states Atkinson. "Our findings challenge that view and show that the causal arrow actually goes both ways."
"The findings suggest that intensification and hierarchy promoted each other, perhaps as a part of a feedback loop that may also have involved population growth," explains first author Oliver Sheehan, also of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and the University of Auckland. "These results reveal how social and political factors, far from being secondary to the process of cultural evolution, are among its most important drivers."
Study co-author and current Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History Professor Russell Gray states, "This study shows the power of computational phylogenetic methods to test causal hypotheses about human history." The researchers next hope to conduct similar research in other areas and in other cultural contexts.
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DNA has an important job--it tells your cells which proteins to make. Now, a research team at the University of Delaware has developed technology to program strands of DNA into switches that turn proteins on and off.
UD's Wilfred Chen Group describes their results in a paper published Monday, March 12 in the journal Nature Chemistry. This technology could lead to the development of new cancer therapies and other drugs.
Computing with DNA
This project taps into an emerging field known as DNA computing. Data we commonly send and receive in everyday life, such as text messages and photos, utilize binary code, which has two components--ones and zeroes. DNA is essentially a code with four components, the nucleotides guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine. In cells, the arrangement of these four nucleotides determines the output--the proteins made by the DNA. Here, scientists have repurposed the DNA code to design logic-gated DNA circuits.
"Once we had designed the system, we had to first go into the lab and attach these DNA strands to various proteins we wanted to be able to control," said study author Rebecca P. Chen, a doctoral student in chemical and biomolecular engineering (no relation to Wilfred Chen). The custom sequence designed DNA strands were ordered from a manufacturer while the proteins were made and purified in the lab. Next, the protein was attached to the DNA to make protein-DNA conjugates.
The group then tested the DNA circuits on E. coli bacteria and human cells. The target proteins organized, assembled, and disassembled in accordance with their design.
"Previous work has shown how powerful DNA nanotechnology might possibly be, and we know how powerful proteins are within cells," said Rebecca P. Chen. "We managed to link those two together."
Applications to drug delivery
The team also demonstrated that their DNA-logic devices could activate a non-toxic cancer prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine, into its toxic chemotherapeutic form, 5-fluorouracil. Cancer prodrugs are inactive until they are metabolized into their therapeutic form. In this case, the scientists designed DNA circuits that controlled the activity of a protein that was responsible for conversion of the prodrug into its active form. The DNA circuit and protein activity was turned "on" by specific RNA/DNA sequence inputs, while in the absence of said inputs the system stayed "off."
To do this, the scientists based their sequence inputs on microRNA, small RNA molecules that regulate cellular gene expression. MicroRNA in cancer cells contains anomalies that would not be found in healthy cells. For example, certain microRNA are present in cancer cells but absent in healthy cells. The group calculated how nucleotides should be arranged to activate the cancer prodrug in the presence of cancer microRNA, but stay inactive and non-toxic in a non-cancerous environment where the microRNA are missing. When the cancer microRNAs were present and able to turn the DNA circuit on, cells were unable to grow. When the circuit was turned off, cells grew normally.
This technology could have wide applications not only to other diseases besides cancer, but also beyond the biomedical field. For example, the research team demonstrated that their technology could be applied to the production of biofuels, by utilizing their technology to guide an enzymatic cascade, a series of chemical reactions, to break down a plant fiber.
Using the newly developed technology, researchers could target any DNA sequence of their choosing and attach and control any protein they want. Someday, researchers could "plug and play" programmed DNA into a variety of cells to address a variety of diseases, said study author Wilfred Chen, Gore Professor of Chemical Engineering.
"This is based on a very simple concept, a logical combination, but we are the first to make it work," he said. "It can address a wide scope of problems, and that makes it very intriguing."
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About Wilfred Chen
Wilfred Chen joined UD in 2011 as the Gore Professor of Chemical Engineering. He was previously a Presidential Chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Riverside.
Chen has published more than 240 journal papers and delivered over 90 invited lectures. He serves on the editorial board for eight scientific journals and is the winner of the 2015 Daniel I.C. Wang Award from AICHE/ACS and the 2017 Marvin J. Johnson Award from ACS.
He earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, and his doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. He also spent a year conducting post-doctoral research at the Institute of Biotechnology, ETH-Honggerberg, in Zurich, Switzerland.
Census
Trump campaign taps census question as a fund-raising tool
As part of a fundraising effort, the Trump-Pence reelection campaign is pushing for the addition of question on the 2020 Census that would ask respondents whether or not they are U.S. citizens.
"The President wants the 2020 United States Census to ask people whether or not they are citizens," states the new fundraising email. "In another era, this would be COMMON SENSE." Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell called attention to the email in a March 19 tweet.
Adding the new question at this late date, some census experts say, could drive up costs and degrade the accuracy of the final count.
Phil Sparks, co-director of the watchdog group the Census Project, warned that "adding an untested citizenship question at this late date will both increase costs and lessen participation on this once-a-decade exercise in American democracy."
The Department of Justice already requested that the Census Bureau add the citizenship question to the questionnaire for the first time since 1950, citing the need to "fully enforce" violations of the Voting Rights Act.
Some critics took the fundraising email as a sign the decision has not only been made, but done so primarily for political purposes.
"It's hard to see how the use of this unusual, untested, and unnecessary request to change the census questionnaire for fundraising purposes advances the goal of a fair and accurate count," said Indivar Dutta-Gupta, co-executive director of Georgetown Law's Center on Poverty and Inequality. "Instead, it suggests that the administration may not have been truthful in claiming that their motivation was to enforce the Voting Rights Act," he said.
In a letter to John Gore, the political appointee who heads DOJ's Civil Rights Division, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote they had "serious doubts" about the need for such a question.
"We are deeply troubled not just by the request to add a citizenship question, but by the impact that such a question would have on the accuracy of the 2020 Census," the senators wrote. "We are concerned that the addition of a citizenship question will depress participation among immigrants and those who live in mixed-status households."
Playing catch-up
The Census Bureau is already scrambling to catch up on the development and testing of its IT systems and as it prepares for a census that leans on more tech than ever before. The fundraising message comes just 12 days before the bureau must submit to Congress the final questions that will appear on the 2020 questionnaire.
As the Census Bureau kicks off its critical dress rehearsal for the decennial count, persisting issues funding, IT systems development, a lack of permanent leadership and concerns over low response rates continue to face the federal government's largest civilian undertaking.
"I'm more worried now than I have been," said Terri Ann Lowenthal, who has provided census oversight as a congressional aide, presidential transition team member and private consultant for four decennial counts.
"There are challenges to every census," she said, but added that this time around, "there are unprecedented factors that taken together could create this perfect storm in 2020."
The bureau has been operating without a permanent director or deputy director both politically appointed positions since former director John Thompsons retirement took effect in June 2017 and former deputy director Nancy Potok was named U.S. chief statistician before Inauguration Day.
The bureau plans for the 2020 Census to be the most high-tech to date, and will use 52 IT systems in the decennial count -- 44 of which will need to be tested during the dress rehearsal. However, the readiness of those systems has been a longstanding concern.
Atri Kalluri, chief of the bureau's Decennial Information Technology Division, told FCW at a March 16 Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board meeting Census has released 40 of the 44 systems.
"They are now in testing, and a major portion of the 40 systems have been actually deployed for internet self-response and the associated data collection," he said.
Facing concerns over cybersecurity and data privacy, Kalluri said he was "very confident" about the systems' success in 2018, but added, "we really need to see how the response rates are and how the people react."
Thompson said that while securing funding for fiscal year 2018 is important, "its even more important for [fiscal year 2019]." The White House's fiscal year 2019 budget proposed $3.8 billion in Census funding, a number experts consider too low.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is testifying before House Appropriators on March 20, and will almost certainly face questions about the bureau's progress in preparing for the 2020 population count.
Underfunding over the past several years and the continued funding uncertainties have already prompted Census to pare down field tests, ballooning late-decade costs , as well as the deferral of critical partnership and communications programs that build trust in local communities and help boost participation rates.
Among the main activities in fiscal year 2019 are hiring census-takers, the partnership and communications programs, any corrections needed based on the results of the 2018 test and final preparations for 2020.
People
HUD CIO is out
Johnson Joy, CIO of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, resigned in the early morning of March 20, according to an agency official.
Chad Cowan, the chief of staff to the deputy secretary, will temporarily serve as the acting CIO. Cowan is a public relations specialist who left communications firm Burson-Marsteller to join HUD last August.
Joy left amid an investigation by the Guardian newspaper into potential corruption and retaliation at HUD. An article on Joy's departure notes that he is facing an Office of Special Counsel probe into allegations that he retaliated against a former executive assistant who raised concerns that contractor Accel Corporation was being overpaid.
Additionally, the Guardian reported, Joy and former agency senior adviser Naved Jafry were both associated with a nonprofit charity called GJH Global Ministries that the Guardian found may have improperly endorsed Donald Trump's presidential campaign and may have collected donations without performing charitable works.
Jafry resigned amid disclosures that he had exaggerated his military record and had been accused of fraud.
Joy and Jafry were connected to each other through the Houston-area megachurch run by Joel Osteen. Joy's previous tech experience included work as project manager on Osteen's mobile app, the Guardian found.
HUD is slated to spend $400 million on IT in FY2018. The agency's FY2019 budget request has that figure dropping to $300 million for 2019.
Just in time for tax season: An IRS example of (online) government at its worst
Blog readers surely know that I am hardly one to look for opportunities to bash the performance of government organizations. Recently, for example, I posted about my excellent experience deregistering my car and cancelling my insurance online with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
However, I have recently had a small experience with online IRS service that is so appalling it has driven even me to complain.
That experience involved the W-2 form I submit each year for a part-time household employee (and a W-3 that aggregates my employee W-2 forms, in this case for this one employee).
Up to now, reflecting my general status as a tech dinosaur, I have requested my W-2 and W-3 forms each year over the telephone where you can dictate your request without human intervention. This year, however, I decided to enter the 21st century (actually the late 20th) and get the forms online from the IRS website -- or more precisely, I asked my wife to download them at work because I dont have a printer at home. (Remember: tech dinosaur.)
I had filled out the forms and was preparing to mail them when my wife showed me a text appended to the download section of the website marked Attention.
That notice declared that the official printed version of this IRS form is scannable, but the online version of this, printed from this website, is not. Do not print and file Copy A downloaded from this website with the SSA. (Not was actually in boldface.)
To order official IRS information returns such as Forms W-2 and W-3, go to IRS Online Ordering for Information Returns and Employer Returns. Well mail you the scannable forms and any other products you order.
I was planning to bring my tax documentation to my tax accountant next weekend, but the printed form wont arrive in time for that.
The good news is that other than Copy A of the form, which is the one that goes to the Social Security Administration, the the other copies that must be submitted for the employee and for state tax departments can use the online form. But since every filer using this form must submit Copy A, one cannot simply use forms downloaded from the website to complete this transaction.
I should also note that it is possible to submit these forms electronically, but for somebody submitting only one W-2 or a small number of them, such as myself, this takes a lot of time and effort.
It gets worse. If you file a downloaded, non-scannable copy of the form, the IRS tells us, a penalty may be imposed for filing forms that cant be scanned. (Again, this word was in boldface.)
Is this actually happening? Is the IRS making these forms available online, only to not allow their use? Do IRS officials get the idea behind making forms available online in the first place? Is this their idea of online government? Can they possibly be threatening to impose a penalty on taxpayers who submit a non-scannable form, probably because they went online to get these forms and never bothered to read the IRS warning?
Who at the agency decided this was a good idea? Has anybody ever heard the phrase user-centered design?
Boeings first 737 MAX 7 jet takes a photogenic spin over Mount Rainier. (Boeing Photo)
For its first test flight, the newest and smallest sibling in Boeings top-selling 737 family of jets, the 737 MAX 7, took a three-hour trip today from Renton, Wash., to Seattles Boeing Field, just eight miles away.
Getting from Point A to Point B wasnt the point: Instead, the circuitous journey was designed to give test pilots a chance to put the plane through its paces for the first time in the air. The flight path ranged from the tip of Washington states Olympic Peninsula to Moses Lake in central Washington, with several photogenic circles around Mount Rainier added for good measure.
Test pilots Jim Webb and Keith Otsuka were greeted with applause as they emerged from the cockpit at Boeing Field, at the end of a trouble-free flight.
Everything we saw during todays flight shows that the MAX 7 is performing exactly as designed, Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a news release. I know our airline customers are going to enjoy the capabilities this airplane will bring to their fleets.
Like the other single-aisle 737 MAX variants, the MAX 7 has been optimized for low-cost operation. It incorporates fuel-efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines as well as lift-maximizing wingtips and other innovations. Thats expected to result in an 18 percent reduction in fuel costs per seat, compared to its predecessor, the 737-700.
The MAX 7s passenger capacity can range from 138 to 172 seats, depending on the configuration. It has the farthest range of the 737 MAX family, amounting to 4,430 statute miles (3,850 nautical miles).
The miniMAX is airborne! The Boeing 737 MAX7 lifts off on its first flight at Renton. Coming soon to @WestJet! pic.twitter.com/Q5AUOKLOxO Howard Slutsken (@HowardSlutsken) March 16, 2018
The Boeing 737 MAX7, the newest and smallest of the MAXs, the Boeing 737 MAX7, taxies in after its 3hr+ first flight. #737MAX pic.twitter.com/Q7Ri676fXq Howard Slutsken (@HowardSlutsken) March 16, 2018
After further flight tests and certification, the MAX 7 is due to get its first delivery to Southwest Airlines and go into service next year.
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The plane is the smallest member of a MAX family with capacities ranging as high as 230 seats. The first 737 MAX jet, the MAX 8, made its maiden flight in January 2016, and that was followed by the MAX 9s aerial debut in April 2017.
A 200-seat version of the MAX 8, designed specifically for low-cost airlines and known as the MAX 200, should be ready for flight next year. The largest variant of the single-aisle jet family, the MAX 10, is scheduled to enter service in 2020.
The MAX line is part of whats recognized as the worlds most widely sold commercial jet family. Just this week, Boeing rolled out its 10,000th 737 jet, a 737 MAX 8 thats going to Southwest Airlines. But Boeings European rival, Airbus, is hot on the 737s tail with its own single-aisle A320 family. Boeing has more than 4,600 orders lined up for 737s, while Airbus has a backlog of more than 6,000 A320 orders.
To date, the MAX 7 accounts for roughly 60 of Boeings orders.
More from GeekWire:
By Carolina Mandl and Tatiana Bautzer
SAO PAULO, March 20 (Reuters) - Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc is preparing a $1.6 billion local bond sale in Brazil to help finance part of its investment in a Brazilian gas pipeline, three people with knowledge of the matter said.
In what would be Brazil's largest local bond sale in two years, Brookfield is in talks to issue 5.2 billion reais ($1.6 billion) in local bonds as part of a strategy to leverage its $5.2 billion investment in the gas pipeline and raise its profits with the deal.
The bonds will be issued by Brookfield's unit Nova Transportadora do Sudestes (NTS) and will mature in five years, two of the sources said, asking for anonymity since talks are still private. One of the sources said NTS is expected to pay around 109 percent of Brazil's interbank benchmark rate known as CDI.
The take out strategy will allow Brookfield to free part of the capital invested in NTS with medium term bonds. In September 2016, Petroleo Brasileiro SA agreed to sell 90 percent of its gas pipeline NTS to a group of investors led by Brookfield, Brazil's state oil company largest divestment so far. (http://reut.rs/2GKxFJ5)
Brookfield declined to comment.
According to the sources, local asset management units of Itau Unibanco Holding SA and Banco do Brasil SA , alongside with Banco Bradesco SA are in talks to acquire the bonds.
NTS' bond sale is expected to be the largest in Brazilian local bonds market since September 2016, when NCF Participacoes, a shareholder in Banco Bradesco SA, sold 5.6 billion reais in domestic bonds, according to securities industry group Anbima. ($1 = 3.2929 reais) (Editing by David Gregorio)
(L R) Turnbull and Nix Cambridge Analytica 2
Channel 4 News
Channel 4 News secretly filmed Cambridge Analytica's CEO, Alexander Nix, offering to entrap politicians with bribes and sex workers.
The bombshell investigation also shows Cambridge Analytica's executives acknowledging that it discreetly seeded compromising videos of politicians on the internet and helped them go viral.
Cambridge Analytica has pushed back on allegations that it uses entrapment tactics. In a statement, Nix said he played along with the undercover reporter, who he thought was a client, to spare them from embarrassment.
The company was recently suspended by Facebook over a huge data scandal.
The CEO of Cambridge Analytica, the political-research company at the center of a massive Facebook-data scandal, has been secretly filmed offering shadowy services to entrap politicians.
The bombshell footage, broadcast Monday as part of an investigation by Channel 4 News, comes days after Facebook suspended Cambridge Analytica over an incident involving its harvesting of data from 50 million profiles.
An undercover Channel 4 News reporter filmed the data firm's CEO, Alexander Nix, and his colleagues over four meetings from November to January. The journalist posed as a fixer for a wealthy client hoping to get candidates elected in Sri Lanka.
In one exchange filmed in January, Nix said Cambridge Analytica could send "somebody posing as a wealthy developer" to Sri Lanka to offer incumbent politicians a "large amount of money" in a "deal that's too good to be true," such as for land.
"We'll have the whole thing recorded on cameras, we'll blank out the face of our guy, and then post it on the internet," Nix said on camera.
"These sorts of tactics are very effective, instantly having video evidence of corruption," he added.
Offering bribes to public officials is an offense under both the UK's Bribery Act and the US's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Cambridge Analytica operates in the UK and is registered in the US.
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At the same meeting at London's five-star Berkeley Hotel, Nix said Cambridge Analytica could "send some girls around to the candidate's house we have lots of history of things."
He added: "That was just an idea. I'm just saying we could bring some Ukrainians in on holiday with us, you know. You know what I'm saying."
In the footage, Mark Turnbull, the managing director of Cambridge Analytica Political Global, also described the company's process of discreetly seeding compromising videos on the internet and helping them go viral.
Turnbull Cambridge Analytica
Channel 4 News
At a meeting in December, Turnbull told Channel 4's reporter: "We just put information into the bloodstream of the internet, and then and then watch it grow, give it a little push every now and again like a remote control."
He also said: "It has to happen without anyone thinking 'that's propaganda,' because the moment you think 'that's propaganda,' the next question is 'who's put that out?'"
Channel 4 News' investigation also accuses Cambridge Analytica of using "shadowy front companies" or subcontractors to achieve its aims.
You can watch excerpts from the secret filming below.
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According to Channel 4 News, the executives also boasted that Cambridge Analytica and its parent company, Strategic Communications Laboratories Group, had worked in more than 200 elections across the world, including in Nigeria, Kenya, the Czech Republic, India, and Argentina. Cambridge Analytica also worked for Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016.
Business Insider contacted Cambridge Analytica more than two hours before the Channel 4 investigation was broadcast, and a spokesman said it was "hard to reply to something we haven't seen." But Business Insider understands that Channel 4 News sent the data firm a 20-page document a week ago detailing the allegations and the contents of the undercover filming.
The data firm told Channel 4 News, "We entirely refute any allegation that Cambridge Analytica or any of its affiliates use entrapment, bribes, or so-called 'honey-traps' for any purpose whatsoever," adding that "Cambridge Analytica does not use untrue material for any purpose."
A former Cambridge Analytica employee named Christopher Wylie recently detailed how the company harvested the Facebook data of millions of users and used the information to power software that helped target voters with personalized political advertising.
Channel 4 News says it will broadcast further allegations later this week about Cambridge Analytica's work for the Trump campaign.
Update: A Cambridge Analytica representative emailed Business Insider with the company's full statement soon after Channel 4 News' investigation aired on British television.
It included a direct quote from Nix, saying he played along with the undercover reporter, who he thought was a client, to spare them from embarrassment.
Read the statement in full:
Cambridge Analytica held a series of meetings with the undercover reporter to discuss philanthropic, infrastructure, and political projects in Sri Lanka. While outlining the company's services as a data-driven communications and marketing agency, a senior Cambridge Analytica executive clearly set out the principles which govern its work and said the following to the undercover reporter:
"We're not in the business of fake news, we're not in the business of lying, making stuff up, and we're not in the business of entrapment There are companies that do this but to me that crosses a line."
Despite this clear statement, the undercover reporter later attempted to entrap Cambridge Analytica executives by initiating a conversation about unethical practices. After several meetings discussing ostensibly legitimate projects, the reporter unexpectedly and suddenly turned the conversation towards practices such as corruption and the entrapment of political figures.
Assessing the legality and reputational risks associated with new projects is critical for us, and we routinely undertake conversations with prospective clients to try to tease out any unethical or illegal intentions. The two Cambridge Analytica executives at the meeting humoured these questions and actively encouraged the prospective client to disclose his intentions. They left with grave concerns and did not meet with him again.
We use meetings like this to make an informed decision about those whom we should or shouldn't engage with, in line with the guidance laid out by Section 9 of the UK Bribery Act 2010. The company's practice is for staff to gently de-escalate the conversation before removing themselves from the situation. However, CEO Alexander Nix acknowledges that on this occasion he misjudged the situation:
"In playing along with this line of conversation, and partly to spare our 'client' from embarrassment, we entertained a series of ludicrous hypothetical scenarios. I am aware how this looks, but it is simply not the case. I must emphatically state that Cambridge Analytica does not condone or engage in entrapment, bribes or so-called 'honeytraps,' and nor does it use untrue material for any purpose.
"I deeply regret my role in the meeting and I have already apologised to staff. I should have recognised where the prospective client was taking our conversations and ended the relationship sooner."
Cambridge Analytica is a high-profile company. While we work for clients from all sides of the political mainstream across many countries, some do not want it known that they are using a professional political consultancy. We understand this and allow our clients to work with us discreetly. This is not unusual in the industry.
Like any marketing agency, Cambridge Analytica uses social media platforms for placing paid advertisements and organic content. Influencer marketing and building grassroots networks on social media are both common activities for a modern political campaign.
NOW WATCH: How AT&T conquered all forms of communication after the government forced it to break up
See Also:
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Christopher Wylie, the 28-year-old who blew the lid off a huge Facebook data breach
By Kevin Yao and Philip Wen
BEIJING (Reuters) - Voicing hopes that Beijing and the United States could avoid a trade war, Premier Li Keqiang told the close of the annual parliament session that China would open its economy further, so that foreign and Chinese firms can compete on an equal footing.
Fears of a global trade war mounted after U.S. President Donald Trump's imposed hefty import tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this month and, according to sources in Washington, the United States is set to unveil new tariffs specifically targeting China by the end of this week.
"I hope both China and the U.S. will act rationally, and not be led by emotions, and avoid a trade war," Li told reporters in a televised news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Those hopes would be damaged if, as sources say, Washington goes ahead with plans for new tariffs on up to $60 billion worth of Chinese technology and consumer goods annually, in a move to fulfill Trump's campaign promises to get tough on China and its trade practices.
Earlier on Tuesday, riding high after China's largely rubber-stamp parliament unanimously re-elected him and set the stage for him to rule indefinitely, President Xi Jinping warned self-ruled Taiwan it would face the "punishment of history" for any attempt at separatism.
The warning came just days after Trump angered Beijing by signing into law legislation encouraging closer ties between Taiwan and the United States.
But for the world, the potential fall out from any trade conflict between its two biggest economies posed the more pressing danger.
Without going into detail, Li told his once a year press conference that China will improve access to its services and manufacturing sectors while further lowering import tariffs, including those on cancer-related drugs.
"China's economy has been so integrated with the world's, that closing China's door would mean blocking our way for development," Li said.
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"China's aim is to ensure that both domestic and foreign firms, and companies under all kinds of ownership structure, will be able to compete on fair terms in China's large market."
TAIWAN WARNING
During his half-hour closing speech, President Xi was heavy on aspirational themes and he delivered a strong message on Taiwan, which is claimed by China as part of its territory.
"Any actions and tricks to split China are doomed to failure and will meet with the people's condemnation and the punishment of history," he said, to loud applause from the almost 3,000 parliamentary delegates.
China has been infuriated by Trump's signing legislation that encourages the United States to send senior officials to Taiwan to meet Taiwanese counterparts and vice versa.
Xi made repeated references to a resurgent nation of 1.3 billion people which would "ride the mighty east wind of the new era" and was on the cusp of matching the country's greatest achievements in its long history.
At the same time he reiterated increasing global concerns over China's rise were unjustified and added: "Only those who are in the habit of threatening others will see everyone else as a threat."
"We will not impose our will on anyone."
TRADE TENSIONS
When Xi's top economic adviser Liu He visited Washington recently, the Trump administration pressed him to find ways to reduce China's $375 billion trade surplus with the United States.
"We are unwilling to see a big trade deficit, not only with the U.S.," Li said. "We hope trade will be balanced."
In his remarks, Li said that as China widens access to its markets, there will be no forced transfers of technology, and China will better protect intellectual property rights.
Trump says Beijing has forced U.S. companies to transfer their intellectual property to China as a cost of doing business there, though China has insisted that technology transfers are not a condition of gaining market access.
A source who had direct knowledge of the Trump administration's thinking told Reuters last week that the tariffs expected to be announced this week would chiefly target information technology, consumer electronics and telecoms and other products benefiting from U.S. intellectual property.
But they could be much broader and hit consumer products such as clothing and footwear, with a list eventually running to 100 products, this source said.
"We hope the U.S. could ease restrictions on high-tech or high value-added product exports," Li said.
"We will strictly protect intellectual property. We hope this important means for balancing China-U.S. trade will not be missed, otherwise we will lose a chance to make money."
ECONOMIC TARGETS
Before the press conference, Li introduced China's four new vice premiers, including Liu He, widely regarded as China's new economic tsar. But adhering to protocol, it was the premier who did all the talking.
Li said China was confident of achieving its 2018 economic targets. The government aims to expand its economy by around 6.5 percent this year, having easily surpassed the same target in 2017.
China's financial sector was in good shape and banks have enough provisions, Li said, adding that regulators would take "resolute measures" to tackle financial risks.
The Chinese central bank was being given responsibility for drafting important laws covering the banking and insurance sector, with regulation over the $42 trillion sector becoming more streamlined and tighter.
And Li said he was willing to consider a formal visit to Japan, amid signs of improving ties between the two nations.
Tokyo has repeatedly pressed Beijing to do more to help rein in North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. China says it is committed to enforcing U.N. sanctions but that all parties need to do more to reduce tensions and restart talks.
(Additional reporting by Lusha Zhang, Elias Glenn, Stella Qiu, Christian Shepherd and Ben Blanchard; Writing by Ryan Woo and Tony Munroe; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
"Mad Money" host Jim Cramer sits down with Cigna CEO David Cordani to hear the story behind Cigna buying pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts.
Cordani defends the acquisition despite Wall Street's somewhat skeptical response.
Cigna's $67 billion deal to buy pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts ESRX is less of a routine acquisition than an expansion of what Cigna CI can already do, Cigna CEO David Cordani told CNBC.
When asked why Cigna, a massive health services provider, agreed to buy Express Scripts while developing its own pharmacy benefits management service, Cordani defended the decision.
"This is not the acquisition of a pharmacy benefit management company, it's a broadening of capabilities," Cordani told " Mad Money " host Jim Cramer in a Monday interview.
The CEO went on to highlight the benefits of the takeover. First, Cigna would get 80 million more customers and a growing order book from Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefits company in the United States.
"Secondly, the ability to further accelerate the affordability equation, so lowering health care costs," Cordani continued. "Cigna's delivered the lowest medical cost trend every year for the last five years. Express Scripts delivered the lowest pharmacy trend last year. And then, lastly, expanding distribution you know how important distribution is selling to more clients, more health plans and more governmental entities."
"So capabilities, reach, quality, affordability, that's what this is about," the CEO added.
Cordani also pushed back against the notion that Express Scripts' business was in secular decline after the loss of one of its biggest corporate customers, health insurer Anthem ANTM .
"We don't see it that way," he told Cramer. "Even including the transitioning client, this combination will be accretive in the teens in the first year."
Calling the combination of Cigna and Express Scripts "a high-intimacy play with the customer and health care professional," Cordani also argued that it would narrow the gap in health care service quality in the United States.
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With pharmacy costs now accounting for 20 percent of total health care costs, Cordani said that the No. 1 cause of quality gaps in U.S. health care services is typically tied to pharmaceuticals, whether consumers are getting the wrong drug, wrong dose or being told to take it for the wrong duration.
This takeover could help stem those gaps given Cigna's network of professional medical partners, accessibility and focus on quality, Cordani suggested.
"It all starts with having the right products and services for individuals that are affordable, are of high quality and help people live better lives," he said. "Cigna's been doing that for many years and with the combination of Express Scripts, we'll be able to do that for even more lives and with broader capabilities to keep health care more affordable, have higher quality and connect better with health care professionals."
And when it comes to prospective competitors like the proposed joint venture between Amazon AMZN , J.P. Morgan and Berkshire Hathaway BRK.A , Cordani was more confident than concerned.
"If that joint venture has legs and takes off, they're going to need a service partner and a service provider of choice," the CEO said. "We'll be really well-positioned."
Watch David Cordani's full interview here:
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Has Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) Outpaced Other Utilities Stocks This Year? Is (TDS) Outperforming Other Utilities Stocks This Year?
Enbridge Inc. ENB recently cleared a significant regulatory hurdle of final environmental review for its proposed Line 3 crude pipeline project in northern Minnesota. The project has received unanimous approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The project's fate now awaits an administrative law judge's report on its importance, which is expected to be released on Apr 23, 2018.
Regulators: Line 3 Project is adequate
The regulatory board is of the opinion that the project meets all legal requirements, after it considered the proposed alternatives for the pipeline's route. Through the project, which was highly opposed by the environmentalists, the company is planning to replace the aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline.
The old pipeline was built in the 1960s and ships crude to Enbridge's terminal in Superior, WI from Alberta through North Dakota and Minnesota. The company, with the use of strong steel, is likely to restore the pipeline's original shipping capacity of 760,000 barrels per day (BPD), which has come down to 390,000 BPD. The company's proposition incorporates replacing the old pipeline's 282-mile stretch in Minnesota with a new alternate routed pipeline of 337 miles that goes through the pristine Mississippi River headwaters area. It is also expected to make the shipping to Midwest refineries more reliable.
Meanwhile the public opinion on the pipeline remains divided. The Minnesota locals have welcomed the replacement to ensure better environmental security and the creation of 8,600 jobs. The total economic impact of the project on the state is expected to be around $2 billion. On the other hand, it contradicts with the interests of the Ojibwe groups, who fear that a spill in their lake can disrupt food sources as it can contaminate the area where they gather wild rice.
Enbridges View
Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridges take on the project answers many questions regarding the environmental impact of the pipeline. As it is, the pipeline, being quite old, needs frequent maintenance. Moreover, the pipelines currently curtailed capacity forces oil shippers from Alberta oil sands to carry the additional crude by rail or road, both less efficient than the pipeline. Enbridge believes, the approval of the replacement project will help the refineries in Minnesota and the regional oil market. Moreover, the company expects that the jobs created through the project and following its completion will be important for the state's economy.
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The capital cost of the project in Canada is estimated to be C$5.3 billion while the portion in the United States will cost $2.9 billion. The pipeline will transport light, medium and heavy crude oil.
Price Performance
Enbridge has lost 24.7% last year against 12.2% growth of its industry.
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Enbridge carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A few better-ranked stocks in the oil and energy sector are Pioneer Natural Resources Company PXD, Continental Resources, Inc. CLR and ConocoPhillips COP. While Pioneer Natural and Continental Resources sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ConocoPhillips has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Irving, TX-based Pioneer Natural is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. Its revenues for first-quarter 2018 are anticipated to improve 22.8% from the prior-year quarter. The company witnessed a positive average earnings surprise of 66.9% in the trailing four quarters.
Oklahoma City, OK-based Continental Resources is an oil and gas exploration and production company. Its revenues for first-quarter 2018 are expected to improve 55.1% from the year-ago quarter. For 2018, the bottom line is anticipated to be up 366.7%.
Houston, TX-based ConocoPhillips is an upstream energy player. Its revenues for first-quarter 2018 are anticipated to improve 9.6% from the prior-year quarter. The company witnessed a positive average earnings surprise of 144.5% in the trailing four quarters.
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And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
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Tensions between Washington and Beijing have been on the rise. After introducing a tariff on steel and aluminum, President Donald Trump has proposed the imposition of tariffs on around $60 billion worth of Chinese imports of IT, telecom and consumer products. China registered a $375-billion trade surplus with the United States in 2017 and the Trump administration is pressing Chinese representatives to cut that humongous amount by $100 billion (read: Trump Tariffs: ETF Winners & Losers).
United States trade representative Robert Lighthizer is leading an investigation into Chinas alleged policies that force American companies doing business in China to hand over their technological knowhow. Trumps administration is planning to impose tariffs on wide ranging Chinese products.
Corporate America is Worried
A trade war was imminent, following the 2016 United States general election, as Trumps America first agenda focused on United States budget deficit from day one. However, the corporate sector of the United States is not convinced. A coalition of 45 trade associations issued a joint statement addressed to Trump urging him not to impose tariffs against China.
"The imposition of sweeping tariffs would trigger a chain reaction of negative consequences for the U.S. economy, provoking retaliation; stifling U.S. agriculture, goods, and services exports; and raising costs for businesses and consumers, wrote the group, comprising companies from diverse sectors of the United States. It warned Trump of punishing China at the expense of American families.
Potential Retaliation From China
The countrys foreign minister noted that in case of a trade war, China will be ready with a justified and necessary response. However, Chinese foreign minister Li Keqiang stated that the emerging market nation aims to further open the economy and pledged to lower import tariffs. With Chinas economy so deeply integrated to the international economy, shutting the door would only block Chinas own way, per a Bloomberg article, citing Li during a news conference at the close of the annual National Peoples Congress in Beijing (read: China Had a Strong Start in 2018: ETFs to Buy).
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Given President Xi Jinping desire to take China closer to being the number one country, retaliatory actions can be expected. Analysts believe that China may reduce its imports of soybean from the United States, as China is expected to account for around 64% of global soybean imports in 2018, per a Market Watch article, citing a report by S&P Global Platts. If China decides to retaliate, major chunks of U.S. rural population from Republican-dominated states will suffer, serving a blow to Trumps political campaign.
China could easily levy their own tariffs on the cost of soybeans, and such a tax war could create serious problems on domestic soil, per a Market Watch article citing Adam Koos, president of Libertas Wealth Management Group.
Moreover, the aerospace sector also might take a hit, if sour relations between Washington and Beijing compel China to order Airbus planes instead of Boeing. Boeing mentioned that it expects China to spend around $1.1 trillion over the next 20 years. However, the Chinese government made it clear that if Trump spoils trade relations, it might retaliate by reducing purchases of U.S. made goods.
Let us now discuss a few ETFs likely to be impacted by a potential trade war between the two countries.
iShares China Large-Cap ETF FXI
This fund seeks to provide exposure to Chinese equities, serving as a pure play on the economy.
It has AUM of $4.7 billion and is a relatively expensive bet as it charges a fee of 74 basis points a year. From a sector look, Financials, Energy and Information Technology are the top allocations of the fund, with 52.4%, 11.1% and 10.0% exposure, respectively. From an individual holding perspective, China Construction Bank Corp, Tencent Holdings Ltd and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China are the top allocations of the fund, with 10.4%, 9.5% and 8.1% exposure, respectively. The fund has returned 30.8% in a year. FXI has a Zacks ETF Rank #2 (Buy), with a Medium risk outlook.
Teucrium Soybean SOYB
This ETF seeks to provide exposure to soybeans, by investing in futures based contracts.
It has AUM of $15.9 million and charges a fee of 100 basis points a year. The fund has lost 1.3% in a year but has returned 4.5% year to date. SOYB has a Zacks ETF Rank #5 (Strong Sell), with a High risk outlook.
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ITA
This fund seeks to provide an exposure to the Aerospace and Defense industry. It has AUM of $5.8 billion and charges a fee of 44 basis points a year. The fund has 10.5% exposure to Boeing BA. ITA has returned 31.6% in a year and 5.6% year to date. It has a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy), with a Medium risk outlook.
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ISHARS-CHINA LC (FXI): ETF Research Reports
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Alex Stamos Facebook
Facebook's Chief Information Security Officer Alex Stamos plans to leave the company in August, according to media reports.
Stamos reportedly clashed with other executives at Facebook over how to handle the spread of misinformation on the platform.
Stamos acknowledged in a tweet that his role had changed at Facebook, but did not confirm or deny that he planned to leave Facebook in August.
Alex Stamos, Facebook's chief information security officer, plans to leave the company in August as it grapples with a storm of controversies relating to its role in spreading misinformation, according to a report in the New York Times on Monday.
Stamos favored being more transparent with the public about how the 2-billion member social network was misused to spread propaganda during the 2016 presidential election, according to the report which cites anonymous sources familiar with the matter. That position put Stamos at odds with Sheryl Sandberg and other executives inside the company.
A well-known figure in the world of cybersecurity, Stamos' day-to-day responsibilities were assigned to others in December prompting him to make plans to leave, the Times said. Stamos was convinced to stay on until August to avoid causing concern among employees, the report said. Reuters also reported that Stamos planned to leave in August.
In a tweet following the report, Stamos said he was "still fully engaged" at Facebook, despite the "rumors." He acknowledged that his role had changed and that he was currently focused on "emerging security risks and election security," but he did not say anything about whether he planned to remain at the company past August.
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Despite the rumors, I'm still fully engaged with my work at Facebook. It's true that my role did change. I'm currently spending more time exploring emerging security risks and working on election security.
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In an emailed statement to Business Insider, Facebook said that Stamos "continues to be the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Facebook," but did not address whether he planned to leave in August.
"He has held this position for nearly three years and leads our security efforts especially around emerging security risks. He is a valued member of the team and we are grateful for all he does each and every day," Facebook's statement said.
The news of Stamos' departure comes amid revelations that the personal information of 50 million Facebook users was stolen and exploited during America's 2016 presidential election. The data was used by Cambridge Analytica, a tech firm that creates "psychographic profiles" of voters for advertisers, by the Trump campaign.
Facebook has been criticized for its handling of the Cambridge Analytica incident. The company has also faced pressure for not taking the issue of Russia-linked propaganda and misinformation on its platform during the 2016 election seriously enough.
This isnt the first time Stamos has clashed with employers over their approach to security matters. He was previously the chief information security officer at Yahoo, before leaving to come to Facebook in 2015. He quit after then-CEO Marissa Mayer agreed to scan customer emails for US intelligence officials, Reuters reported in 2016.
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I don't know a more universally respected leader in information security. @alexstamos has held several of the biggest CSO jobs on the planet, and he has resigned on ethical grounds before. I don't know the inside story here, but it looks bad for Facebook. https://t.co/nMQKSZoyDm
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Facebook stock price
Markets Insider
Facebook's stock dipped early Monday morning.
The social media giant has faced intense criticism over news that Cambridge Analytica, a political research company with ties to President Donald Trump, had allegedly illegitimately obtained and used 50 million Facebook user profiles.
US and UK lawmakers fear the data was used to sway voters in the last presidential election and Brexit.
Watch Facebook's stock move in real time here.
Shares of Facebook fell 4% early Monday morning after news broke over the weekend that a third party was accused of accessing and using the data of more 50 million Facebook user profiles without their permission.
The New York Times and Guardian reported Saturday that the controversial political research outfit, Cambridge Analytica, was accessed user information for highly targeted political ads on Facebook.
Facebook says it provided the data to a University of Cambridge psychology professor, Aleksandr Kogan, for "academic purposes" but that Kogan gave the data to a third party, Cambridge Analytica. The social-media company says that was a violation of its privacy policy, so it immediately suspended Cambridge Analytica, Kogan, and Cambridge Analytica's founder, Christopher Wylie, while asking them to delete all of their data. Wylie, who no longer works for Cambridge Analytica, was the whistle-blower who detailed how the firm harvested the data from over 50 million Facebook profiles, as well as their "likes" and their friends.
UK lawmakers have already questioned Cambridge Analytica executives in court over it's handling of Facebook's private user data and its involvement in manipulating voter beliefs in the Brexit elections. Damian Collins, a member of parliament, said he plans to ask Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg or a senior executive to testify before the group.
The attorney general of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, said she may launch an investigation into this matter.
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Facebook has been under intense heat for its role in allegedly allowing parties tied to Russia and the Kremlin to launch political ads and disseminate "fake news" on its platform to influence US voters during the last presidential election. Zuckerberg maintained that the idea Facebook had any serious impact on the election was "crazy."
European regulators have been especially concerned over privacy and what happens to Facebook's trove of user data.
Facebook's stock was trading at $177.74 per share, and was down 2.09% for the year.
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Christopher Wylie
Channel 4 News/YouTube
Over the weekend, Cambridge Analytica founder Christopher Wylie came forward to say that his company had gathered information from 50 million Facebook users and used it to target voters during the 2016 election, according to extensive reporting done by The Guardian.
Wylie said Facebook knew in 2015 that it had gathered information, and asked Cambridge Analytica to delete the data, but never followed up to check if it did. (Spoiler alert: It did not.)
Users angered by the irresponsible use of their data are taking to Twitter using the hashtag #DeleteFacebook and removing all Facebook-owned applications including Instagram and WhatsApp.
Over the weekend, news broke that a data firm known Cambridge Analytica used Facebook to harvest 50 million user profiles illegitimately, which was used to target voters during Trump's 2016 campaign for the US presidency, as well as the Brexit Leave campaign.
Cambridge Analytica, a data-analytics company that worked for the Trump campaign in 2016, pulled user information by paying people to take a quiz, and then proceeded to use the information it gathered from the users' friends without their permission, or permission from Facebook.
Cambridge Analytica founder Christopher Wylie came forward about the illegitimate use of data in an interview with The Guardian over the weekend, saying Facebook knew his company had gathered a large sum of data back in 2015. At the time, Facebook deleted the quiz and company lawyers sent a letter to Cambridge Analytica asking they delete the information, but Facebook never followed up to make sure the deed was done, according to Wylie.
Users are taking to Twitter to express their anger at the irresponsible use of their data, using the hashtag #DeleteFacebook:
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I #DeleteFacebook long ago. Remember, this includes @facebook @instagram @WhatsApp and any other @facebook product. https://t.co/xcCr8iM9yj Tweet Embed:
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Deleted. Had been deactivated for a long time, but now I'm done. Side note: getting an archive of your data is a good thing to do. #DeleteFacebook https://t.co/FN9R9dRNSp pic.twitter.com/wLJtCaots3 Tweet Embed:
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Why I deleted my @facebook pages years ago except for this page because they don't let me. It's still stuck on this absurd question.#FacebookExit #DeleteFacebook pic.twitter.com/rEXy1NwgBE Tweet Embed:
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Just deleted my facebook account. It's nothing but a time waster at best, and a liability at worst. #DeleteYourFacebookAccount #DeleteFacebook pic.twitter.com/KneGyjNg7I Tweet Embed:
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Currently deleting my #Facebook history using https://t.co/HfRuSKRWuH #DeleteFacebook I don't have any use of that anyway.
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The personal information that Cambridge Analytica pulled helped build psychographic profiles that assessed things like IQ, agreeableness, political views, and personality traits. The analysis was so in-depth that the company was able to categorize people into five "sensational interest" categories:
"militarism" guns and shooting, martial arts, crossbows, and knives
"violent occultism" drugs, black magic, paganism
"intellectual activities" singing and making music, foreign travel, the environment
"credulousness" the paranormal, flying saucers
"wholesome interests" camping, gardening, hill-walking
On March 16, more two years after the alleged data breach from Cambridge Analytica was first reported, and four days after the Guardian reached out to Facebook for comment, Facebook finally suspended Cambridge Analytica from its platform. A couple of days later, it suspended Wylie's Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Both companies are now under investigation, and Facebook's stock has dropped 8% from market close on Friday as of noon ET on Monday.
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SEE ALSO: Christopher Wylie, the 28-year-old whistleblower of the Trump-linked data firm Cambridge Analytica, says his Facebook account has been disabled
India bitcoin price
Regulatory and bank challenges are pressuring cryptocurrency exchanges in the country, as evidenced by a 90% decline in volume on bitcoin trading platforms. The Reserve Bank of India, its central bank, has not put the hammer down on trader accounts, but Indian banks have taken a two-pronged approach thats denting trading activity, including closing bitcoin exchange accounts and limiting cryptocurrency transactions among locals.
Dehli-based bitcoin exchange Coinsecure has suffered through some of the worst of it, with CEO Mohit Kalra telling Economic Times the trading platforms volumes are off from between BTC 300-400 daily at year-end to a range of just BTC 30-40 today.
The writing was seemingly on the wall, as the governments Income Tax Department at year-end 2017 did a sweep of nearly a dozen bitcoin exchanges, searching for customers who traded cryptocurrencies. Tax officials discovered and alerted some 100,000 residents who were responsible for high-volume trades, as per the Economic Times.
The involvement of tax authorities has been exacerbated by the action of public- and private-sector financial institutions that have moved to freeze the accounts of bitcoin exchanges. The banks include
State Bank of India
HDFC Bank
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Citibank
ICCI Bank
Meanwhile, customers are similarly facing restrictions, with banks having banned credit, debit and prepaid card transactions including bitcoin and altcoins. The steps are more severe than the action taken in the United States, where a handful of top banks prohibited bitcoin transactions with credit cards.
But if curbing bitcoin trading is the intention, this move by banks and the tone of regulators may backfire, as investors instead shift to using cash for bitcoin transactions. This would complicate the process of tracking transactions to support know-your-customer and anti-money laundering protocols.
A Run on Bitcoin Exchanges?
Blockchain and cryptocurrency industry trade group representatives in India consider the latest actions by banks as blatant overreach, without any instruction from regulators, saying: Without any clear mandate either from the RBI or other regulators, asking us to close down our (exchange) accounts while refusing to give in writing what the reason is just disruptive to our business.
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Meanwhile, this has led to confusion and angst among investors. Bitcoin exchanges are having to manage an influx of user complaints on their trading platforms amid traders not being able to access funds for days or more. Its a function of the banks freezing the accounts of these exchanges, which has tied the latters hands for issuing withdrawals.
In the interim, BTCXIndia and ETHEX India have both closed their operations until there is greater clarity on the regulatory front. Shaktikanta Das, an Indian Finance Ministry official, doesnt believe cryptocurrencies can be reined in and instead wants to issue a blanket ban, similar to the approach taken by China.
Featured image from Shutterstock.
The post Indias Bitcoin Trading Volume Plummets amid Banks Blockade of Exchanges appeared first on CCN.
Bitcoin first drew attention to the cryptocurrency world, but once in, investors haven't hesitated to look beyond it. The rise of high-flying alternative crypto tokens has in some cases left bitcoin's returns in the dust.
One key player in the budding cryptocurrency market is Ripple Labs, which is seeking to revolutionize the way that people make global payments. Its payment system works without crypto tokens, but it offers speed advantages in conjunction with its XRP token, which many simply refer to as ripple. Some believe that ripple has one of the best chances of becoming an accepted form of cryptocurrency, but there's currently a lot of controversy surrounding it because of a lawsuit between Ripple Labs and a former partner. Following key events in the lawsuit within the last week, some investors are growing increasingly nervous about the potential impact that the litigation could have on ripple.
Blue circles and rays on black background celebrating XRP 5th anniversary.
Image source: Ripple Labs.
The story of Ripple Labs and R3
According to Ripple Labs' state court filings in California, an entity called R3 held itself out as a potential partner to the crypto company. R3 allegedly said that it could get access to a consortium of banking institutions and promote the use of ripple to its contacts. Based on those claims, Ripple Labs agreed to an option agreement that gave R3 the right to buy 5 billion ripple tokens at a price of $0.0085 per token.
Ripple Labs argues that R3 misled it about R3's ability to make good on its promises. It claims that R3 didn't pay attention to its obligations under its contracts with Ripple Labs and banks in the R3 consortium left the group, diminishing its value. Therefore, Ripple Labs terminated the agreements in June 2017, and it's seeking to have the option agreement declared invalid in addition to seeking further damages from R3 for what it says were fraudulent misrepresentations.
Meanwhile, R3 filed suit against Ripple Labs in New York state court, asserting breach of the option agreement. It sought equitable relief to declare Ripple Labs' efforts to terminate the option contract unilaterally as null and void, and it hopes to force Ripple Labs to honor the option agreement.
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What's at stake
The reason the lawsuits are such a big deal at this point is that the value of ripple tokens has skyrocketed. Even at the time of the lawsuit, R3 stated a recent value of roughly $0.21 to $0.23 per token for ripple, which would have put the value of the option at more than $1 billion. When ripple briefly jumped above the $3 mark earlier this year, the lawsuit suddenly had more than $15 billion at issue.
With 100 billion ripple in existence -- more than half of which is locked in escrow at the moment -- a 5 billion ripple payout could shake the entire market. Although general nervousness about the cryptocurrency market has played a key role in pulling down prices of popular crypto tokens recently, ripple's drop to between $0.65 and $0.70 per token is also in part due to uncertainty about the resolution of the lawsuit and the potential for a flood of option-related ripple to come onto the open market.
Two strikes against Ripple Labs
So far, Ripple Labs hasn't had much success in its efforts. The California court chose last week not to hear Ripple Labs' appeal of the dismissal of its lawsuit. With a previous suit in Delaware also having been dismissed late last year, that leaves the sole remaining proceedings in R3's home state of New York -- far from Ripple Labs' San Francisco home.
If Ripple Labs loses the case, then it wouldn't necessarily lead to an immediate puncturing of the market for ripple. R3 knows just as well as Ripple Labs does that dumping billions of ripple onto the market will send the price plunging. With the option not expiring until September 2019, R3 would have plenty of time to gauge the timing of its move.
Some investors still believe that the use of ripple is one of the best practical applications for cryptocurrencies in the young market. Until this lawsuit gets resolved, however, investors will always be looking over their shoulder in fear that an R3 victory could create massive and lasting disruptions in the supply and demand dynamics for the ripple market for the foreseeable future.
More From The Motley Fool
Dan Caplinger has no position in any of the tokens or stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the tokens or stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Venezuelas oil-backed cryptocurrency, the Petro, was the work of a joint collaboration between Venezuelan and Russian government officials with Putins personal approval, Time Magazine said Tuesday.
Citing anonymous sources close to the half-hidden joint venture between Venezuelan and Russian officials, Time Magazine is reporting that Russian president Vladimir Putin signed off on Kremlin aiding Venezuela in launching the Petro the worlds first state cryptocurrency.
As reported previously, the Petro was first announced by Venezuelan president Maduro in December as a payment instrument to evade international economic sanctions and a blockade led by the United States. Maduro officially launched the pre-sale of the 82.4 million Petro tokens on February 20.
Specifically, todays report points to two key Russians involved as Maduros advisers on the Petro, with ties to major Russian banks and billionaires close to the Kremlin. Denis Druzhkov and Fyodor Bogorodsky were reportedly seated in the front row in the presidential palace during the much-publicized launch of the Petro last month. The two Russians were also thanked by the President for aiding his fight against American imperialism, the report added.
Of the two Russians who also signed agreements with the government to help develop the petro one, Denis Druzhkov, CEO of a company called Zeus Trading, was fined $31,000 and barred from trading for three years by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for fraudulent trading in futures contracts, read an excerpt from a separate investigative report by the Associated Press. The other, Fedor Bogorodskiy, lives in Uruguay and was described by the government as director of a company, Aerotrading, whose website consists of a single home page with no company information.
According to an executive at a Russian state bank who deals with cryptocurrencies, senior advisers to the Kremlin have overseen the effort in Venezuela, and President Vladimir Putin signed off on it last year, the Time report added.
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The state bank executive reportedly added:
People close to Putin, they told him this is how to avoid the sanctions. This is how the whole thing started.
While the Kremlin did not respond to communication from the magazine, Moscows Finance Ministry insisted that none of Russias financial authorities were involved in developing or launching the Petro. The Venezuelan government did not respond to the magazine for comment either.
The revelations come within a day of US President Donald Trumps executive order banning American citizens and residents within the country from trading or acquiring the cryptocurrency.
Meanwhile, Maduro congratulated Putin on the latters recent re-election victory that confirms Putins continuing role as Russias President.
Gran victoria de Vladimir Putin! Felicitaciones a el y al Pueblo de Rusia por la inmensa votacion en las elecciones presidenciales. pic.twitter.com/lRFW1da7sr Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) March 19, 2018
Featured image from the Kremlin.
The post Russia Secretly Helped Venezuela Launch State Crypto Petro: Report appeared first on CCN.
Saudi Arabias crown prince and President Donald Trump have a lot in common, despite being about 40 years apart age. Both leaders continue to make bold moves that will help define their legacies.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of King Salman and heir to the throne, recently oversaw a country wide corruption crackdown that included 150 high level business leaders, government officials and royals, such as Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a large investor in Twitter and one time investor in Citibank.
It was a strongman decision for the internal leadership of the country and he won that battle hands down said John Hoffmeister, former Shell Oil president, during an interview on FOX Business Varney & Co.
It also netted a reported $109 billion for the Kingdom, $9 billion of which was Alwaleeds penalty, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Last fall, Alwaleed and others ended up in the Saudis version of jail a Ritz Carlton Hotel and after a reported 83 days - had to pay up to get out.
The now free Alwaleed, in an interview with Bloomberg published this week, wants to clear his name as he continues running his Kingdom Holding company.
When you are detained, for sure some of the business community, some of the banking community will say they have doubts. Thats my job right now, to interact, to meet with all of them individually or jointly and tell my story said Alwaleed as quoted in the story. His net worth is $17 billion per Bloombergs Billionaires Index.
Billions of those seized funds are likely to be reinvested in the Kingdom which has suffered financially from a drop in oil prices, once their bread and butter. While the Trump administration has yet to endorse the aggressive tactics, both leaders have much in common.
"I think these two gentlemen Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman are going to hit it off and have hit it off and will do well together" added Hoffmeister. When it comes to business acumen, both ave doubled down on shoring up and diversifying their country economies among other issues.
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Last October, the Crown Prince announced plans for a futuristic city called Neom which will have a business-friendly regulatory regime. "The project today does not have a population so the regulations will be formed in a way that instigates, encourages the businesses," Salam told Maria Bartiromo last October. "This is the first time in the world where the regulations are designed by business people in order to encourage them [and] their businesses." Located on the coast of the Red Sea, the city will span more than 10,000 square miles, and will cost more than $500 billion. The city will also be a leader in solar, have self-driving cars and all kinds of robots, the prince said.
While Trumps Make America Great Again campaign has backed one of the biggest tax overhaul campaigns in history, which is bringing more U.S. money and jobs back to America from overseas. Since late last year, now over 4 million Americans are set to receive a pay boost via tax cuts, pay hikes or one-time cash payments. Trump, like the Crown Prince, is also battling the status quo but hes doing it with pointed tweets, insults and cabinet shake-ups.
The two may also find common ground in the hot bed of the Middle East and enemy of the Saudis: Iran.
The fact you have the new Saudi leader and American president, by the way, they're 40 years apart in age, if they find some common cause among other things to deal with the Iranian, what I call the imperial Iranian challenge to the Middle East that would be great said Richard Haas, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Suzanne OHalloran is Managing Editor of FOXBusiness.com and a graduate of Boston College. Follow her on @suzohalloran
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uber self driving car volvo
REUTERS/Natalie Behring
A woman in Arizona has been hit and killed by a self-driving Uber car.
It's believed to be the first time an autonomous vehicle has killed a pedestrian.
Uber says it is cooperating with the authorities.
The victim has not yet been named by the Tempe Police Department.
A woman in Arizona has died after being hit by a self-driving car operated by Uber in what is believed to be the first time a pedestrian has been killed by an autonomous vehicle.
One of the transportation firm's vehicles struck a woman in Tempe late Sunday night, and she died of her injuries at a hospital, the Tempe Police Department said in a statement.
The vehicle was in self-driving mode at the time of the crash, police said. The news was first reported by ABC 15.
The vehicle was travelling at around 40 miles per hour at the time of the collision, a spokesperson said, and did not appear to slow down when the pedestrian entered the road.
The incident appears to be the first time a pedestrian has been killed by an autonomous vehicle, and it is sure to ignite debate about the ethics, safety, and legal culpability of the technoogy. Proponents of the technology tout it as a far safer alternative to human-driven cars.
A male driver was previously killed while using Tesla's semiautonomous "Autopilot" mode, though he had ignored seven safety warnings.
Uber has paused all its self-driving-car operations in Tempe, San Francisco, and Toronto, WPXI News reports.
The victim was walking outside of a crosswalk when she was hit, police said. She was not yet named because her next of kin had yet to be notified. There was a vehicle operator behind the wheel of Uber's car at the time of the crash.
The exact circumstances of the crash were not yet known.
In a brief statement provided to Business Insider, Uber confirmed someone had died and said the company was cooperating with investigators.
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A spokesperson said: "Our hearts go out to the victims family. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident." The company did not immediately provide further details about the deadly incident.
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Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. Were thinking of the victims family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened. https://t.co/cwTCVJjEuz
In a statement Tempe police said:
"We wanted to provide an update to the Uber accident that occurred overnight on Mill Ave. just south of Curry Rd. The vehicle involved is one of Ubers self-driving vehicles. It was in autonomous mode at the time of the collision, with a vehicle operator behind the wheel. The vehicle was traveling northbound just south of Curry Rd. when a female walking outside of the crosswalk cross the road from west to east when she was struck by the Uber vehicle.
"She was transported to a local area hospital where she passed away from her injuries. Her next of kin has not been notified so her name is not being released at this time. uber is assisting and this is still an active investigation."
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, it said on Twitter.
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Tempe police said car was in autonomous mode at the time of the crash and that the vehicle hit a woman who later died at a hospital
A car passes the location where a woman pedestrian was struck and killed by an Uber self-driving sport utility vehicle in Tempe, Arizona, on Monday. Photograph: Rick Scuteri/Reuters
An autonomous Uber car killed a woman in the street in Arizona, police said, in what appears to be the first reported fatal crash involving a self-driving vehicle and a pedestrian in the US.
Tempe police said the self-driving car was in autonomous mode at the time of the crash and that the vehicle hit a woman, who was walking outside of the crosswalk and later died at a hospital. There was a vehicle operator inside the car at the time of the crash.
Uber said in a statement on Twitter: Our hearts go out to the victims family. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident. A spokesman declined to comment further on the crash.
The company said it was pausing its self-driving car operations in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto. Dara Khosrowshahi, Ubers CEO, tweeted: Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. Were thinking of the victims family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened.
Uber has been testing its self-driving cars in numerous states and temporarily suspended its vehicles in Arizona last year after a crash involving one of its vehicles, a Volvo SUV. When the company first began testing its self-driving cars in California in 2016, the vehicles were caught running red lights, leading to a high-profile dispute between state regulators and the San Francisco-based corporation.
Police identified the victim as 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg and said she was walking outside of the crosswalk with a bicycle when she was hit at around 10pm on Sunday. Images from the scene showed a damaged bike. The 2017 Volvo SUV was traveling at roughly 40 miles an hour, and it did not appear that the car slowed down as it approached the woman, said Tempe sergeant Ronald Elcock.
Elcock said he had watched footage of the collision, which has not been released to the public. He also identified the operator of the car as Rafael Vasquez, 44, and said he was cooperative and there were no signs of impairment.
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A still image taken from video provided by ABC-15 at the scene, where a pedestrian with a bicycle was hit. Photograph: AP
The self-driving technology is supposed to detect pedestrians, cyclists and others and prevent crashes.
John M Simpson, privacy and technology project director with Consumer Watchdog, said the collision highlighted the need for tighter regulations of the nascent technology.
The robot cars cannot accurately predict human behavior, and the real problem comes in the interaction between humans and the robot vehicles, said Simpson, whose advocacy group called for a national moratorium on autonomous car testing in the wake of the deadly collision.
Simpson said he was unaware of any previous fatal crashes involving an autonomous vehicle and a pedestrian.
Tesla Motors was the first to disclose a death involving a self-driving car in 2016 when the sensors of a Model S driving in autopilot mode failed to detect a large white 18-wheel truck and trailer crossing the highway. The car drove full speed under the trailer, causing the collision that killed the 40-year-old behind the wheel in the Tesla.
Earlier this year, California regulators approved the testing of self-driving cars on public roads without human drivers monitoring inside.
The technology is not ready for it yet, and this just sadly proves it, said Simpson.
In one recent incident, California police officers found a Tesla that was stopped in the middle of a five-lane highway and found a driver asleep behind the wheel. The man said the vehicle was in autopilot, which is Teslas semi-autonomous driver assist system, and he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
An Uber self-driving car travels in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Angelo Merendino/AFP/Getty Images
In another recent case, a Tesla car rear-ended a fire truck on a freeway, with the driver again telling the authorities the car was in autopilot mode at the time of the collision.
Michael G Bennett, an Arizona State University associate research professor who studies autonomous cars, said the self-driving vehicles have become ubiquitous around campus and on the streets in Tempe. Often they have operators behind the wheels, but sometimes they are fully autonomous with no human inside.
The fatal collision could spark significant calls for reform and reflections within the industry, he said.
It may be problematic for the industry, because one of their central arguments for the value of the technology is that it is superior to human drivers, said Bennett, adding that autonomous cars should be able to detect pedestrians and avoid hitting them, even if they arent in crosswalks: Every day, pedestrians in cities around the world step outside of the crosswalk.
The governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, has been a strong proponent of allowing corporations to test the technology in his state, publicly slamming other governments for over regulation and in 2016 urging Uber to ditch California and launch in his region. In March, he issued new rules and said that more than 600 automated vehicles have driven on public roads in the state.
Our prayers are with the victim, and our hearts go out to her family, Patrick Ptak, Duceys spokesman, said in an email to the Guardian, adding, Public safety is our top priority.
Linda Bailey, the executive director of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (Nacto), said in an interview that there has not been enough regulatory oversight of testing and that some governments are overwhelmed trying to understand autonomous technology and its limitations.
Theres an essential role for the public sector in regulating the safety of these vehicles, which has been largely left to private companies, she said, adding that Nacto supports third-party testing of the vehicles.
Tempes mayor, Mark Mitchell, defended the citys ongoing support of autonomous vehicles in a statement Monday, saying: All indications we had in the past show that traffic laws are being obeyed by the companies testing here.
Target Chairman & CEO Brian Cornell offers advice to men looking to be advocates for their female peers in the workplace (AP Images)
While the #MeToo era has paved the way for more victims of sexual harassment to speak up about their experiences, many males arent stepping up, said Target (TGT) CEO Brian Cornell.
Amid sexual harassment claims, what male advocates cant do is step backwards. Ive heard too many whispers from men: Im not going to meet one-on-one with women or Im not going to travel with women. Thats one of my single biggest concerns right now, said Cornell at a conference hosted by Catalyst, a global nonprofit that promotes inclusive workplaces for women in New York City, on Tuesday. Some of these issues are surfacing, but we have to continue to move forward as we continue to see the advancement of women across America.
The #MeToo movement is cascading throughout Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Washington and the world of professional sports.
In October, Harvey Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Company after dozens of women accused him of sexual harassment and assault. Cornells statement comes during a reckoning for high-profile executives in corporate America, which had remained out of the #MeToo limelight until recently.
Just last week, two Nike (NKE) executives exited the company after reports that they had protected male employees who mistreated women. Last month, Steve Wynn resigned as chairman and CEO from his namesake Wynn Resorts (WYNN) after accusations surfaced. And Lululemon (LULU) CEO Laurent Potdevin left the athleisure company, after falling short of standards of conduct.
We cant put the car in reverse
Cornell, who joined Catalysts board of directors in 2016, addressed the handful of men among the room of 800 attendees, a majority of whom were women, with a simple message.
When men alter their behavior out of fear, they are hindering any advancement in gender equality in the workplace, according to Cornell. That means men have to make an effort to gain the trust of their female colleagues or speak up when they witness injustice.
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Be respectful, be a good person, and know where those lines have to be drawn. You need to develop great relationships [with female colleagues], said Cornell. We have to continue to make sure were making progress. One of the things we cant do is put the car in reverse. We need a zero-tolerance policy, good judgment and good values, but we have to continue to move forward.
Melody Hahm is a senior writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm.
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As CCN earlier reported, US president Donald Trump has banned US citizens from trading in the Venezuelan-government backed Petro cryptocurrency. This isnt like a chat ban, though. Its a law. They have to send some guys after you if you decide to ignore the law, and of course, in this editorial, I dont mean to suggest that you should. Its clearly a bad idea to tempt the federal government.
Yet, it does present us the rare opportunity to discuss the ultimate power of cryptocurrency over the traditional fiat system. While I personally have no stake in Venezuela, and thus no particular reason to trade in the Petro, aside from potential speculation which Im willing to forego in the interest of being off the radar of the government, it seems evident to me that anyone who does wish to trade in it will have no problem doing so. The beautiful and most basic nature of cryptocurrency is that it is semi-anonymous. Adding in technologies like Monero, it becomes easier and easier to transact in truly private ways where the governments of the world will have one hell of a time interfering with whatever it is you want to do.
The Ban
Of course, the new power were given through the miracle of cryptocurrencies requires us to be quite responsible. The point here is that one little government ban isnt enough to actually stop an activity, not where cryptocurrencies are involved. The truly dedicated can send all the money they want today without any boundaries on it. They can even buy all the Petro they want if they for some reason want it. The role that cryptocurrencies play in international disputes like that between the US and Venezuela is still being defined. If cryptocurrencies create an obvious way around the banking blockade, it seems evident that some activities with cryptocurrencies will inevitably be made illegal. It seems even inevitable that there may even be attempts to ban cryptocurrencies. Again, such moves cant actually rid the earth of the new paradigm. Instead, the more theyre banned and attacked, the higher their value will go. Risk breeds reward.
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For better or worse, the nature of cryptocurrencies is to enable value to flow, regardless of extraneous borders or other issues. While issues like this bring to light the more controversial aspects of cryptocurrency, the fact remains: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies liberate transactions from government interference. While there is still plenty the government can do, the choice remains with the citizen as to whether theyre actually going to send and receive value or not, and this was not the case before the advent of cryptos. When banks and money services were the only options, it was trivial for governments to stop the flow of money to areas they had decided to punish.
Your Call
Now, in the days of Bitcoin, its actually the citizens who have to decide whether money will go somewhere or not. Arbitrary decisions by leaders, well-intentioned or otherwise, now only play a role of determining the type of punishment a person might receive. The decision as to whether money will flow certain places is in the hands of the people with the money rather than the people with the guns. While this is Bitcoin keeping its promise of be your own bank in action, one wonders what would happen if Bitcoin were used in some full-scale flouting of federal authority. Although Bitcoin and other borderless cryptocurrencies are constantly under some form of attack or another, there are pain points, such as exchanges and bank accounts of users, which are always vulnerable. It would seem, then, that the practical usefulness of Bitcoin as a form of protest or facilitation thereof only goes so far.
Featured image from Shutterstock.
The post About Trumps Petro Ban: Cryptocurrencies Ignore Invisible Lines appeared first on CCN.
United Continental Holdings Incs (NYSE:UAL) United Airlines is temporarily suspending its PetSafe program.
United Airlines Suspends Pet Cargo Program PetSafe After Mishap
Source: Shutterstock
PetSafe is a service that United Airlines offers that lets owners end their pets on flights. The pet cargo service came under fire last week after making a series of mistakes that caught the attention of the media.
The first includes the death of a small dog on one of United Airlines flights. There was also a case of one dog that was supposed to be heading for Kansas ending up in Japan. Finally, the airline had to divert a plan to Ohio after a pet was loaded onto it by accident. All of these incidents havent put the airlines PetSafe program in the best light.
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United Airlines says that the suspension of the PetSafe program will last until May 1, 2018 while it conducts a review of it. The airline says that it wont be accepting any new reservations until this process is complete, reports CNNMoney.
Customers that have already scheduled flights for their pets can still choose to go forward with them. The airline also notes that it will still allow passengers to bring some animals with them. However, these must be small pets in carry-on bags.
United Airlines is the airline company with the most animal deaths in the past five years. This includes 18 of the 24 animal deaths from last year. It also handles the most pets of any airline, with 138,178 animals sent as cargo last year out of 506,994, USA Today notes.
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As of this writing, William White did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
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Zimbabwe vows to name and shame offshore cash holders as it struggles to repatriate $1.4 billion
Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that less than half of the $1.42 billion believed to be illegally kept abroad have been brought back onshore, despite the deadline for an amnesty period passing.
Zimbabwe is to hold elections in July, a move welcomed by the UN. These will be the first since 1980 without recently ousted President Robert Mugabe as a candidate.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa visited neighboring Zimbabwe over the weekend, saying that the two countries' economies were "joined at the hip."
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that less than half of the country's estimated $1.42 billion believed to be illegally kept abroad has been brought back onshore, as a 90-day amnesty period ended.
Mnangagwa announced shortly after his swearing in as president in November that the money was to be repatriated. On Monday, he said that only $591 million had returned to Zimbabwe, adding that the individuals and companies who had ignored the amnesty would be named, and he would "ensure that those responsible for such illicit financial flows are brought to justice," Reuters reported.
But despite the difficulty in repatriating cash, Zimbabwe's latest economic and political developments indicate renewal.
Mnangagwa announced on Saturday that former British colony is to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in July, the first since former President Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in November.
"We are looking forward to very peaceful, transparent and harmonized elections," he told reporters.
The move was welcomed by the United Nations , which, alongside the European Union and Japan, is helping facilitate the voter registration process. Mnangagwa has said that he would invite foreign observers to the vote. According to local press, European Union officials are in Zimbabwe's capital Harare Monday on an assessment mission ahead of the vote.
Zimbabwe and South Africa are 'joined at the hip'
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Meanwhile, South Africa's new President Cyril Ramaphosa also visited neighboring Zimbabwe on Saturday. The meeting confirmed that the two countries are "joined at the hip" and will find "clever ways" of growing their economies, Ramaphosa was quoted as saying by South African media outlet News24 .
"As the leader of the region's main power, Ramaphosa's endorsement carries significant symbolic weight," William Attwell, practice leader for sub-Saharan Africa at emerging market advisory firm Frontier Strategy Group, told CNBC Monday. He "paves the way for similar trips by other leaders, both from the region and from Western donors (who Mnangagwa is actively courting.)"
Question marks remain over the circumstances in which then-Vice President Mnangagwa assumed power in November last year, ending former President Robert Mugabe 's nearly four decades-long rule. Mugabe himself, speaking on Thursday in his first televised comments since being ousted , described the process as a "coup d'etat."
Foreign investors are taking note of Zimbabwe's recent upheaval. "Investors are bullish on Zimbabwe's prospects going forward, attracted by the market's resource endowments, large urban middle class and skilled talent pool," Attwell said. "Senior executives from major local banks I spoke to say the upswing in inbound queries by prospective investors is the highest they've seen in many years."
However, foreign investors from close to home could prove to be the biggest boon for Zimbabwe.
"South African investors will play a critical role in any turnaround of Zimbabwe's economy, given the countries' close geographic proximity, long-standing business ties and historically amicable political relations," Charles Laurie, director and head of politics at consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, told CNBC Monday.
"Infrastructure links, close banking ties and established working relationships mean that South African businesses recognize their unique first-mover advantage over Western competitors in capitalizing on early entry into Zimbabwe," Laurie detailed.
A twinning of political events in Zimbabwe and South Africa has occurred in recent months, as Ramaphosa was appointed president of the latter country in February of this year , ending the nine-year rule of scandal-ridden former President Jacob Zuma.
"Both countries are now led by successful businessmen and not by political dinosaurs. If both leaders can build on early progress towards a more pragmatic business-focused policy agenda, the stage is set for a significant uptick in cross-border trade," Laurie said.
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Career diplomat John Bass is the current U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan. In a wide-ranging interview with Radio Free Afghanistan, he reflects on the prospects and challenges to peace and security in Afghanistan.
RFE/RL: How do you see President Ashraf Ghanis peace offer to the Taliban?
John Bass: Youve started off with one of the key issues, which is prospects for peace and reconciliation and an end to this terrible conflict. We believe that President Ghanis offer at the Kabul Process was courageous and was the most detailed, comprehensive description of what peace can look like if the Taliban chooses to engage the government in a serious dialogue and negotiation.
Equally importantly, at the conference, that offer for President Ghani was supported by every government in attendance, which included all of Afghanistans neighbors, the other major powers in the region, Afghanistans large friends and allies.
RFE/RL: But the Taliban are silent. What does that mean?
Bass: Well, I think youd ask the Taliban why they are still silent. From our perspective, we are waiting to hear their answer. More importantly, the Afghan people are waiting.
RFE/RL: But dont you think that Pakistan would be behind the silence of the Taliban?
Bass: Thats speculation. I think its more important to focus on what is being said and what can happen if the Taliban takes the decision and agrees to sit down and talk to the government, because for conflict to come to an end and for peace on the other side of that conflict to be durable and sustainable, thats going to require first and foremost and principally a conversation between Afghans.
RFE/RL: On many occasions, the Taliban have shown a willingness to just be involved with peace negotiations with the United States rather than the Afghan government.
Bass: We are aware that that is their preference. Youd have to ask them, again, why they insist on that. It largely has to do with their continued narrative that the Afghan government is not the negotiating partner they should have. But in point of fact, we believe that the Afghan government, as the elected representative of the Afghan people in a series of elections, is the right government, and the right interlocutor, if you will, for the Taliban to be talking to.
RFE: The United States has rejected the Talibans offer [of direct talks] many times. What kind of support could it offer to this process?
Bass: We certainly will support the Afghan government as, and when, it chooses to sit down and talk formally or informally with the Taliban. Well continue to support its efforts to compel, if necessary, with military action, or to persuade through other means the Taliban to sit down and talk with the Afghan government. And well look carefully at what would be required on the other side of peace to make sure that it is a durable and sustainable peace. But ultimately these are questions for Afghans to answer and to discuss amongst themselves.
RFE/RL: The United States suspended aid to Pakistan at the beginning of 2018 after President Donald Trump accused Islamabad of deceiving the international coalition in the war against terror. But there is still no visible change in Pakistans behavior. What next steps we might see?
Bass: Well, to get into hypotheticals, in terms of a specific next step that we might take, I will say that, as you noted, a key piece of our strategy is better cooperation and a stronger effort by Pakistan to deal with the terrorist problems that are based in Pakistan. Weve seen a bit of cooperation from them, but its not sufficient for us and its not sufficient for the Afghan government. And so we will continue to encourage in a variety of ways the Pakistani government to live up to its rhetoric asserting that there arent terrorist problems in Pakistan and demonstrate that in facts as well as in words.
RFE/RL: The United States and some its international partners are pressing Pakistan to change its behavior toward Afghanistan and for it to be cooperative in the peace process. But Pakistan is skipping these pressures, and instead is trying to form a regional alliance led by Russia and China. How do you see the situation?
Bass: Its something to note that Pakistan, the government of Pakistan -- along with the governments of China, Iran, and Russia -- were among those countries at the Kabul Process conference that supported President Ghanis call for talks and a peace process with the Taliban. So there shouldnt be any confusion in anyones mind about where the governments of the region stand on this issue. I would expect we will see another strong call to the Taliban at the upcoming Tashkent conference, and I think its important for the Taliban to respond positively or the alternative is going to be more violence and destruction by the Afghan security forces against the Taliban and its supporters.
RFE/RL: Russia and Iran are seen as more proactively involved in the conflict in Afghanistan, and one of the reasons for the Russian involvement in Afghanistan is considered to be Islamic State (IS) activities in Afghanistan. Dont you think that it will complicate the ongoing war on terror?
Bass: Well, the involvement of any outside country in Afghanistan, any activity by outside governments against terrorists, or groups, or threats inside Afghanistan, should only occur with the concurrence and support of the Afghan government. Im not aware they have provided that kind of agreement to the governments of Russia or Iran.
Weve heard some outrageous accusations from both the Iranian and Russian governments suggesting that the United States or other partners are responsible for Daesh Khorasan (eds: local name of IS). Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, weve done the most, along with the Afghan government and security forces, to deal with the presence of Daesh Khorasan [in Afghanistan].
And unfortunately, I think this is a reflection on efforts on the parts of the Russian and Iranian governments to change the subject away from their responsibility to a large degree for the growth and the terrible violence perpetrated on Syrians and other people, by Daesh in northern Iraq and Syria.
RFE/RL: There are concerns in Afghanistan that their country will change it into a second Syria if Russia gets directly involved.
Bass: Russia couldnt get involved here unless it is welcomed by the Afghan government. I would certainly hope that the Russian government would not work in secret to support any group here. Thats s inconsistent with the approach and obligations that we all have under the United Nations charter and would be a pretty significant violation of international law.
The death of a schoolteacher who relatives and colleagues say was hit by a truck while cleaning streets in Samarkand ahead of a visit by President Shavkat Mirziyoev, has sparked controversy in tightly controlled Uzbekistan.
Regional officials on March 18 denied reports that 23-year-old Diana Enikeeva had been forced by local authorities to clean the streets in the Qattaqurgon district when she was hit by a truck on March 14.
However, Enikeeva's mother, Oskana Enikeeva, told RFE/RL that her daughter and other teachers were ordered to clean the streets, which is seen as a common practice by local authorities.
Oksana Enikeeva vowed to fight for justice and take local officials to court.
Presidential spokesman Komil Allamjonov said on March 17 that the teacher's death would be thoroughly investigated.
Mirziyoev, who took over Uzbekistan after his autocratic predecessor Islam Karimov's death in 2016, has called on all regional authorities to stop the longstanding practice of compelling teachers and medical personnel to do cleaning work or pick cotton.
The chief of the Education Department in Qattaqurgon district, Alisher Jumaniyazov, told RFE/RL, "Nobody forced them to clean the streets." He declined to comment further.
Patching security holes in GPS, computer timing
When Navy ships were involved in two collisions in the summer of 2017 -- one off the coast of Japan and another near Malaysia -- some analysts suspected that the cause might have been GPS spoofing, the transmission of falsified Global Positioning System data to the ships computers.
In September 2017, researchers reported multiple instances of GPS spoofing in Russian waters. In one widely reported case, two ships' GPS indicated they were at Sochi Airport, 12 miles away from the vessels' actual locations. Some experts speculated that the GPS spoofing might have been the result of efforts to protect Russian President Vladimir Putins nearby summer home from drone incursions.
Now researchers at Clemson University have received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop ways to prevent such mishaps and, potentially, even greater catastrophes that could result from GPS spoofing. The researchers also are looking at defenses against attacks on the Network Time Protocol (NTP), which keeps computers synchronized.
"In a network where time has to be aligned, such as the internet, cellular communication networks and power systems, if the time on one device goes wrong, then there could be catastrophic consequences, said Yongqiang Wang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and the research team leader. So we want to provide secure timing solutions by securing the two most commonly used time distribution approaches, GPS receivers and NTP."
The threats are varied. While GPS spoofing can make ships think theyre on land, Wang said, rolling back timing on a device can make it easy for hackers to access encrypted documents.
The Clemson teams plan for protecting against GPS spoofing is to set up a server that will be used to certify GPS signals by embedding a secret code in them. The Clemson server will sample satellite GPS signals every 10 seconds, and end users devices will be able to access the Clemson sample to verify that the signals they are receiving are coming from a genuine source.
The teams strategy for protections against attack on NTP is similar -- they will create a pulse synch protocol that computers can access to cross-check whether they are correctly synchronized with each other.
Other teams are tackling this challenge as well. Given that some GPS spoofing may result from determined hackers, researchers at the University of Texas, San Antonio, have developed an algorithm that mitigates the effects of spoofed GPS attacks on electrical grids and other GPS-reliant technologies.
The algorithm can recognize false GPS time and location signals and counter an attack while it occurs. It estimates the clock bias and drift of the GPS receiver along with the possible attack and corrects that data, according to a summary of the research. The researchers say the proposed technique can easily be implemented in real time and can work with standard position, velocity and time estimation algorithms in off-the-shelf receivers.
While focusing primarily on preventing attacks on the American electrical power grid, the San Antonio researchers said the algorithm is applicable to many industries that depend on reliable GPS data from autonomous vehicles to cell phone signals and financial transactions. They are planning to make their algorithm available in app stores for Android and iPhone users, as well as for larger devices like computers.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
When natural disasters strike, intelligent virtual assistants respond
When citizens have a critical need, whether from events expected or unexpected, their rush to seek assistance can overwhelm even the most prepared government contact centers. So when recent natural disasters hit California, Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, an immediate and massive response was needed by agencies tasked with helping affected citizens. In times like these, contact centers can become inundated -- not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the months following as victims file claims for assistance for housing, food, health care and more.
The unique urgency of addressing citizen service during natural disasters
When there is a natural disaster, call volumes to government agencies can spike. Without the ability to scale quickly, this extra traffic invariably leads to longer hold times for the citizens reaching out for help. Backlogs in both handling calls and processing the thousands of claims and appeals slows much-needed assistance and relief to citizens.
While leveraging additional staffing and systems from vendors that specialize in managing these surges can help, it is not practical to maintain them as a permanent solution. Procuring additional staffing and infrastructure for new or expanded contact centers is rarely cost-effective. It requires extensive time to execute and ultimately leaves agencies with expensive resources they have to maintain but may not always need.
Relief agencies are also keenly aware of budget and resource limitations, so they need a long-term, cost-effective solution that allows them to quickly and effectively establish or scale up contact centers during these volume spikes -- with both live agents and robust self-service tools. They must also be able to easily reduce services levels during down cycles, continually adjusting to maximize efficiencies, without lowering the quality of the citizen experience.
Intelligent virtual assistants can save critical resources
Artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in addressing the citizen service challenges that arise from a natural disaster. With systems like contact center intelligent virtual assistants -- which take the best speech recognition technologies from traditional interactive voice response (IVR) systems and incorporate human assistance to circumvent their traditional restrictions -- citizens can resolve many of their own requests. This enables contact centers to process more citizen requests faster without increasing staffing.
Citizens are used to an Amazon-like experience, says Martha Dorris, a former GSA executive and founder of Dorris Consulting International. They are comfortable using self-service tools to conduct a transaction, but they dont want the run-around, especially not from an automated system.
Additionally, intelligent virtual assistants use each interaction with a citizen to make the system smarter and more adept. By using machine learning and the help of a behind-the-scenes human assistor, it can overcome obstacles it encounters and then retain the action for future scenarios. These AI-enabled assistants can actually learn from experience and become adept enough to complete upwards of 60 percent of citizens requests. And, with a 95-percent success rate in recognizing natural speech, intelligent virtual assistants can reduce citizen frustration by preventing misunderstanding, repetition and misdirection.
Another benefit of the intelligent virtual assistant technology is that it is hosted in a secure cloud environment, eliminating the need for new facilities or expanded technology infrastructure. Agencies can choose when and where they use intelligent virtual assistants -- whether just to meet increased demand or as a part of their overall contact center strategies.
As unpredictable as natural disasters can be, we know they will occur. Agencies can increase their preparedness by incorporating AI-enabled intelligent virtual assistants into their response strategies. By including virtual assistants in their contact centers, as an emergency resource or as part of normal operations, agencies can avoid additional spending and backlogs, increase efficiencies, improve the citizen experience and delivery on their primary mission of helping people and communities recover from natural disasters.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadas approach to health policy is much more restrictive than in other developed countries with more successful universal health-care systems, notably on the use of the private sector and patient cost-sharing, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.
Previous research has shown Canada ranks among the top spenders on health care internationally but ranks poorly on a number of key performance indicators.
Universal health-care systems in other developed countries have evolved and progressed over the years, providing better services for patientsbut not in Canada, said Bacchus Barua, associate director of health policy studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of How Canadian Health Care Differs from Other Systems, part of a two-part series on the Canada Health Act.
The study compares the health policies that characterize Canada with those in eight other high-income OECD countries with universal health care: Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Crucially, these countries health policy differs significantly from Canadian health policy in several ways. For example:
Private sector delivery: Canada remains the only country of the nine where the private sector is essentially shut-out of delivering medically necessary treatment. In fact, private for-profit hospitals can help increase capacity or act as an alternative and make-up 39 per cent of hospitals in Australia, and 43 per cent in Germany.
Canada remains the only country of the nine where the private sector is essentially shut-out of delivering medically necessary treatment. In fact, private for-profit hospitals can help increase capacity or act as an alternative and make-up 39 per cent of hospitals in Australia, and 43 per cent in Germany. Private sector financing: Canada is the only country of the nine where private financing for medically necessary services is disallowed, leaving the government system as the only option for patients in need of treatment.
Canada is the only country of the nine where private financing for medically necessary services is disallowed, leaving the government system as the only option for patients in need of treatment. Cost-sharing: Canada and the United Kingdom are the only two countries among the nine where patients are not expected to directly share in the cost of medically necessary treatment. By contrast, deductibles, co-insurance payments and co-payments by patients are staple features of other universal health-care systems and can help encourage responsible use of scarce medical resources.
Canada and the United Kingdom are the only two countries among the nine where patients are not expected to directly share in the cost of medically necessary treatment. By contrast, deductibles, co-insurance payments and co-payments by patients are staple features of other universal health-care systems and can help encourage responsible use of scarce medical resources. Hospital funding: Global budgeting for hospitalsthe allocation of all funds at the beginning of each fiscal yearis also unique to Canada. Elsewhere, hospitals are more commonly paid based on activity, by procedure or on a per-case basis, which incentivize them to treat patients and potentially reduce wait times.
Its not a question of whether Canada should have universal health care, but rather how can Canada have the best universal system in the world, said Nadeem Esmail, Fraser Institute senior fellow and study co-author.
Other countries with universal health care have found ways to improve their systems for the benefit of patients and taxpayers, and Canadian policymakers should learn from their progress.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bacchus Barua, Associate Director, Health Policy Studies
Fraser Institute
Nadeem Esmail, Senior Fellow
Fraser Institute
To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:
Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute
(604) 688-0221 Ext. 589
bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org
Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter and Facebook
The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org
LYNK , closed-loop communication, is implemented between Discovers batteries and Schneider Electrics inverters
, closed-loop communication, is implemented between Discovers batteries and Schneider Electrics inverters Closed-loop communication provides significant improvements in 0-100% SOC recharge times.
The LYNK will reduce recharge times by over 25% when compared to other advanced batteries
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Discover Battery (Richmond, BC) and Schneider Electric (Burnaby, BC), the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announce the implementation of LYNK closed-loop communication between Discovers Advanced Energy System (AES) lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ) batteries and Schneider Electrics Conext SW and Conext XW+ inverter systems over Schneider Electrics proprietary Xanbus network. In addition to remote reporting of state-of-charge (SOC) and system-level status through the Conext ComBox and Insight cloud monitoring services, closed-loop communication provides significant improvements in 0-100% SOC recharge times. The LYNK between the Discovers battery management systems (BMS) and the connected Conext SW or XW+ charge source enables dynamic optimization of charge parameters reducing recharge times by over 25% when compared to other advanced batteries.
We wanted to provide an off-grid solar solution for installers in each of our key geographic markets, so we approached Schneider Electric, a globally-recognized, leader in off-grid inverter design for our initial integration project. When our batteries are able to LYNK over Schneiders Xanbus network, our installers can offer their customers a true, system solution that finally demonstrates the potential for advanced energy storage chemistries when used in off-grid applications, says Darwin Sauer, President at Discover Battery. The BMS in Discover Advanced Energy Storage batteries reports very accurate SOC and status information in real time which Schneiders networked hardware can read and react to. Once theres an external power source, our BMS is able to take over and drive. We can improve recharge times by nearly a third over other lithium batteries with the same capacity while reducing diesel costs and increasing useable power harvested from an array.
With our Conext inverter/chargers directly communicating with Discover AES batteries over our Xanbus network, installers can design systems with smaller arrays or increase the usable power from any existing array and expect significant reductions in supplementary, diesel consumption, says Jon Sharp, Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric. Direct communications over our Xanbus networks using LYNK simplifies system installation and provides solar installers with seamless, plug-and-play connection of communications between their Discover AES pack and single inverter Conext SW and XW+ systems, saving time and ensuring accuracy of set points and parameters.
About Discover Battery
Discover Battery is the world leader in designing and manufacturing of transportation, motive power, and advanced energy storage solutions. To discover means to find something in the course of a search. At Discover, we are always searching for better solutions to battery and energy storage challenges. What started as a battery distribution business in 1949 has evolved to become a leading innovator and manufacturer of high value power solutions delivered and serviced globally through the best sales and service network on the planet. Success in our market is about delivering excellence with the design, manufacture and supply of battery products and energy storage solutions that we know will provide meaningful results and outcomes for our customers.
www.discoveraes.com
info@discoverbattery.com
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems.
We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.
https://solar.schneider-electric.com/
www.schneider-electric.com
New York, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Petrogress, Inc. (OTC:PGAS) announces that its Petrogress Co. Limited (PGL) subsidiary has entered into a Partnership Agreement with Platon Gas Oil Ghana Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in Ghana (PGO), pursuant to which PGL will supply crude oil for storage, refinement, marketing and distribution in Ghana by PGO.
Under the Partnership Agreement, PGL is expected to deliver 3,000-5,000 metric tons of crude oil on a monthly basis for storage and processing by PGO into various petroleum products, including crude oil, blend stocks, cutter stock and other feedstock. PGO will also be expected to market and distribute the refined petroleum products. Net profits from the sale of the petroleum products will be split evenly between PGL and PGO.
We are excited about our partnership with PGO and believe it is an excellent opportunity for Petrogress to expand its supply operations into Ghana. Our companies combined facilities, assets and services are not only expected to provide for enhanced revenue streams, but also strengthen our footprint in West Africa, stated Petrogress Chief Executive Officer Christos P. Traios.
About Petrogress, Inc.
Petrogress, Inc. owns and operates a fleet of tankers from its base in the historic Port of Piraeus through a series of Marshall Islands subsidiaries. Its principal and Chief Executive Officer, Christos P. Traios, has over 25 years of experience in operating and managing shipping operations from Greece. Currently, the Companys ships trade off the coast of West Africa, transporting crude oil, distillates and refined products. The Company also operates service and shipping facilities at the Port of Limassol in Cyprus and the Port of Tema, Greater Accra, in Ghana. It is actively seeking expansion opportunities, including in operating and developing natural gas production and transmission facilities along with LNG processing in the U.S., refinery operations in north and West Africa, and the transport and sales of LNG in Europe. For more information, visit www.PetrogressInc.com
About PGL
Petrogres Co. Limited, is a Marshall Islands corporation. PGL operates as an international merchant of petroleum products specializing in crude oil and refined products trade within West African and Mediterranean countries, with a focus on the supply and trade of light petroleum fuel oil, refined oil products and other petrochemical commodities. Such products are shipped and delivered by its four beneficially-owned affiliated vessels.
About PGO
Platon Gas Oil Ghana Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in Ghana, is the current owner and operator of storage tank and refinery facilities in Ghana, in which it stores and refines petroleum products and distributes such products to local customers. PGO presently has the capacity to refine up to 10,000 metric tons of petroleum products or 75,000 barrels per month.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, trends, analysis, and other information contained in this press release including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," and other similar expressions of opinion, constitute forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results described within the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could contribute to such differences include those matters more fully disclosed in Petrogress ' reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking information provided herein represents Petrogress estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause Petrogress estimates to change. Petrogress specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Petrogress estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Project Highlights: Pre-Tax NPV (5% Discount Rate) USD 300 million (AUD 380 million) IRR 21% pre-tax / 18% post-tax Production rate 300,000 tonnes per year phosphate concentrate
1 million tonnes per year aglime Initial Capital Expenditure USD 75.6 million
+ USD 8.3 million contingency
USD 83.9 million OPEX Phase 1: USD 51/tonne of phosphate concentrate
Phase 2: USD 77/tonne phosphate concentrate + USD 5/tonne aglime
Phase 3: USD 2/tonne aglime EBITDA Phase 1 (Saprolite): USD 28 million per annum
Phase 2 (Carbonatite): USD 37 million per annum
Phase 3 (Aglime): USD 26 million per annum Strip Ratio (average LOM) 1.61 (tonnes waste to tonnes phosphate) Total Ore, ROM 43.5 million tonnes
Open pit operation with a 16-year life of mine plus additional 20 years of aglime production from reclaimed tailings, totalling 36 years of operation
Phased production will focus on mining high-grade oxidized ore in initial years of operation - Phase 1 mining oxidized ore, Phase 2 mining fresh carbonatite ore and Phase 3 producing aglime only
Minimum tailings disposal with only 10% of tailings generated over the life of mine reduced environmental footprint
Phosphate concentrate grading 30.1 to 32.7% P 2 O 5, aglime concentrate grading 40% CaO with superior reactivity with a TNP of 84.7%
Optimizations to crushing circuit, milling circuit, flotation circuit, filtration all resulted in CAPEX and OPEX reductions
Market study confirms logistics cost advantage to displace phosphate imports and quality aglime by-product with no further processing required
TORONTO, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazilian fertiliser developer Aguia Resources Limited (ASX:AGR) (TSX-V:AGRL) (Aguia or Company) is pleased to announce the completion of a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for its flagship Tres Estradas phosphate deposit. The Company retained Millcreek Mining Group from Utah, USA to complete the independent engineering and resource studies.
Robust Project Economics
The BFS financial model indicates a pre-tax IRR of 21% and a post-tax IRR of 18% with a pre-Tax NPV of USD 300 million (AUD 380 million) using a 5% discount rate. The financial model is based only on the reserves noted below (does not include any inferred resources) and on the following assumptions:
The BFS assumes a long-term phosphate concentrate price of USD 133/tonne and an aglime price of USD 29/tonne as defined by respected Brazilian agribusiness market analyst, Agroconsult and BRL/USD foreign exchange of 3.45.
The Tres Estradas project will have a life of mine of 16 years that will require an initial capital expenditure of USD 75.6 million (USD 84 million including contingency):
Area Sub-Area Phase 1 (Saprolite)
(million USD) Phase 2 (Carbonatite)
(million USD) Mining Mine - 3.5 Waste Dump 2.8 - Processing Plant General - Access Roads and Earthworks 4.8 2.7 Process Plant 28.2 40.4 Administrative / Operational Buildings 2.7 0.7 Utilities 10.2 2.9 Electrical System 11.6 14.2 Dam Aglime Dam 2.7 3.7 Water Dam 4.2 - Total - Direct Costs 67.3 68.0 Indirect Costs 8.3 5.4 Contingency 8.3 7.3 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 83.9 80.8 Recoverable Taxes (3.3) (3.5) TOTAL COSTS (Net of Recoverable taxes) 80.6 77.3
The high efficiency of the column flotation circuit translated into an operational cost of USD 51/tonne of phosphate concentrate produced in Phase 1, USD 77/tonne of phosrock plus USD 5/tonne aglime produced in Phase 2 and USD 2/tonne of aglime in Phase 3.
Financial Results Summary
Financial Analysis Unit Pre-Tax2 Post-Tax NPV@5% (USD Million) 300 212 NPV@7.5% " 186 129 NPV@10% " 116 78 IRR (%) 20.7% 18.3% Total Cash Flow (USD Million) 1,041 849 Payback1 (Years) 5.9 6.2 EBITDA Years 1 to 3.5 (Phase 1 - Saprolite) (USD Million) 28 EBITDA Years 3.6 to 16 (Phase 2 - Carbonatite) 37 EBITDA Years 17 to 36 (Phase 3 - Aglime) 26 1Undiscounted, after start-up, 2Before direct taxes
Mineral Resources
In September 2017, The Company released an updated JORC/43-101 compliant Mineral Resource statement for Tres Estradas based on the results of an infill drilling campaign that occurred between December 2016 and June 2017. The Mineral Resource (effective date September 8, 2017) includes total Measured and Indicated resources of 83 million tonnes grading 4.1% P 2 O 5 of which 43% is Measured and 57% is Indicated, using a cut-off grade of 3% P 2 O 5 and an additional 21.8 million tonnes grading 3.7% in the Inferred category.
Resource Classification Domain Volume (m3 X 1000) Tonnage (T X 1000) Density (T/m3) P 2 O 5 % CaO% P 2 O 5 as Apatite (%) CaO as Calcite (%) Total Measured Resources 12,975 36,196 2.82 4.01 33.59 9.50 59.95 Total Indicated Resources 17,671 47,014 2.74 4.18 31.72 9.91 56.63 Total Measured + Indicated Resources 30,646 83,210 2.77 4.11 32.53 9.73 58.07 Total Inferred Resources 7,605 21,845 2.88 3.67 33.62 8.69 60.01
Mineral Reserves
Mine planning, cost estimation and economic analysis has indicated that a significant portion of the resource may be reasonably considered being feasible for economic recoverability. Total estimated Proven and Probable reserves (effective date, March 13, 2018) for the Tres Estradas Phosphate Project are summarized below. The reserve is further broken down into Phase 1 and Phase 2. The higher-grade Phase 1 material allows for a reduced up-front capital expenditure, lower operating cost and improved project value. There are no known legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of mineral resources or reserves.
Classification Reserves PHASE 1 (Saprolite, tonnes) Reserves
PHASE 2
(Carbonatite + Amphibolite, tonnes) Reserves (Total, tonnes) Head Grade (% P 2 O 5 ) Proven 844,302 27,023,619 27,867,921 3.92 Probable 4,352,915 11,334,168 15,687,083 5.01 Proven + Probable 5,197,217 38,357,787 43,555,004 4.31
Mining and Processing
The updated mining plan forecasts a total of 43.5 million tonnes of ROM ore mined at a strip ratio of 1.61 (waste to phosphate, in tonnes). The project includes an open-pit, truck and shovel operation, over a life of mine (LOM) of 16 years plus another 20 years of aglime production which will be reclaimed from the tailings dam. The phased approach to the project reduced the initial capital and maximized the economics of the project.
Phase 1 (Saprolite): Takes advantage of the highhead-grade, low strip-ratio, and relatively low processing costs to produce a high-value phosrock concentrate. Open pit mining of 1.3 Mtpy RoM of saprolitic ore, to the processing plant, which will produce an average of 307,000 tpy of phosrock.
Phase 2 (Carbonatite): As saprolite is depleted, the plant is expanded to handle the carbonatite ore types, as well as produce an aglime by-product. Mining an average of 3.3 Mtpy RoM of lower-grade carbonatite ore, with expansion of the processing plant to maintain production of 300,000 tpy of phosphate concentrate, as well as 2.8 Mtpy of aglime. Anticipated that 1Mtpy of aglime will be sold, the remainder stored in a tailings dam.
Phase 3 (Aglime): Remaining stockpile of stored aglime is reclaimed and depleted. Following mining operations, recovery of 1Mtpy of the remaining aglime from the Tailings Dam.
With an average capacity of 300,000 tpy of phosrock the average annual feed to the processing plant will be 1.3 million tonnes of the oxide ore in Phase 1 ,and 3.3 million in Phase 2 of the fresh carbonatite ore, resulting in a life of mine production of 4.7 million tonnes of phosphate concentrate and another 32.9 million tonnes of aglime, averaging about 300,000 tons of phosrock annually over 16 years and one million tonnes of by-product aglime annually over 33 years. The relatively steeply dipping and confined nature of the deposit, as well as the drive to optimize project value through early development of the saprolite ore, leads to a decreasing strip ratio after Year 4.
Mine Schedule - Quantities
An infographic is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/3d5ac6b1-4f0d-468e-b707-3fca1b20e242
Aguia engaged Eriez Flotation Division (Pennsylvania, US) to run a pilot-plant testing for flotation, which was backed-up with a recent comminution study by Metso. A multi-month study, using bulk samples and performed at Eriezs pilot-plant facilities in Pennsylvania, USA, has confirmed the earlier bench-scale work, as well as further improvements in the process design to improve grade - recovery projections. The current findings and conclusions from the most recent pilot-plant program and collector reagents optimization testwork are as follows:
For the saprolite ore, global phosphate recovery of 81.4% is achievable at a concentrate grade of 32.7% P 2 O 5 ;
O ; For the carbonatite ore, global phosphate recovery of 75.3% is achievable at a concentrate grade of 30.1% P 2 O 5 ;
The phased approach and further optimization of the crushing and grinding circuit for the initial phase of mining and processing the high-grade oxidized ore, allowed substantial reduction of the initial capital expenditures, including the following circuits:
Phase 1 Primary crushing consisting of a mobile crusher system, stockpile and reclaim system, grinding circuit utilizing one rod mill, column flotation followed by magnetic separation, thickening and dewatering, drying, tailings thickening and tailings storage collection dam.
Phase 2 Primary crushing that will be modified to a primary jaw crusher and secondary cone crusher, stockpile and reclaim system, two-stage grinding circuit utilizing rod and bar mills, column flotation followed by magnetic separation, thickening and dewatering, drying, tailings thickening and tailings storage collection dam.
Phase 3 - Reclaim the tailings as slurry and deplete the remaining tailings from the storage dam facility, dewater, and continue to sell it as an unprocessed aglime. No drying is required.
Filtration test work developed at Pocock Industrial Inc. demonstrated that press-filtering of the phosphate concentrate prior to drying will allow a significant reduction of the size of the drying unit. This represents further savings on the drying operational costs that will also be significantly reduced by using locally sourced thermal coal instead of diesel as contemplated in the preliminary economic assessment.
Environmental Improvements
The new development plan outlined in the BFS will result in a 60% decrease in the environmental footprint of the project decreasing the affected area from 1,340 Ha in the PEA to 550 Ha in the current project. In addition, the Company has completed a water use study with the result that the proposed project has optimized water usage such that it will be reduced from 1,250 m3 to 260 m3 based on the new project design. The commercialization of the carbonatite ore tailings as aglime, which is a required input for the acidic soils of Rio Grande do Sul, reduces the tailings storage from 38 million tonnes to just 4 million tonnes. All of these important environmental initiatives not only reduce the impact of the project on the natural environment but also provide important cost savings.
Marketing
According to Agroconsult Estudios Setoriais Ltda., who were retained by Aguia to evaluate the regional market for phosrock, approximately 771,000 tonnes of phosrock imports were required in 2017 to service fertilizer production levels in the Southern region of Brazil. The potential market, as defined by the installed capacity of phosphate fertilizer production in the region, is about one million tonnes of phosrock.
Of the 771,000 tonnes of phosrock consumed in the Southern region of Brazil in 2017, Rio Grande do Sul State (where the Tres Estradas project is located) accounts for 528,000 tonnes of consumption (almost 70% of the Southern Region market). Since there is no phosrock production in the Southern region, phosrock demand in Rio Grande do Sul is entirely supplied by imports from Peru and Morocco.
As a new entrant to the market, Aguias strategy will be to displace current and future phosrock imports to Rio Grande Port. The planned production of 300,000 tonnes per year will displace around 60% of current and future demand of 528,000 tonnes. Agroconsult forecasts a phosrock free on board Morocco price of USD 133 per tonne by 2027.
MacrologisticaConsultoria Ltda., was engaged by Aguia to identify the optimal logistic footprint for Aguia in the Southern region of Brazil. The results of this study confirmed Aguia has a logistic cost advantage of USD 18.5/tonne over phosrock importers when selling to fertilizer blenders at the Rio Grande Port Hub.
Calcite, which is of suitable quality to be sold as commercial aglime, will be produced as a by-product from carbonatite beneficiation. As a new entrant to the market Aguias strategy will be to displace aglime currently supplied to Rio Grande do Sul from neighbouring Parana State and to displace other local competitors by undercutting the market price.
Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analyses were performed on a variety of independent factors, including:
P 2 O 5 concentrate price: 30%
O concentrate price: 30% Operating costs: 30%
iCAPEXSaprolite: 30%
iCAPEX Carbonatite: 30%
Exchange Rate: 30%
The NPV, on a pre-tax basis, was found to be most sensitive to exchange rate, followed by P 2 O 5 concentrate pricing:
An infographic is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/60449838-fcfb-4417-bfbc-02c7813396aa
Financing Options
As announced on 15 June 2017, Aguia and Nebari US entered into a non-binding MOU where Nebari US agreed to work with Aguia and provide the optimal debt financing structure for up to 100% of CAPEX required to construct Tres Estradas. The proposed debt facility will be priced within the context of the market and at commercial terms. The funding is contingent upon, among other things, the completion of the Bankable Feasibility Study, obtaining all necessary permits to build the project, finalisation of appropriate off-take agreements.
Additionally, Aguia management will be exploring other sources of debt funding with institutional and strategic partners and will commence negotiations on offtake agreements. Aguias management is confident that financing to fund the Tres Estradas CAPEX requirements will be available on attractive commercial terms.
Next Steps
The Company has completed a detailed survey of the project site area and has filed the environmental impact assessment with the local environmental agency. Formal official hearings with the State authorities and local community are anticipated to occur in the next three to four months, after which Aguia expects to be granted the preliminary license for the Tres Estradas project. Meanwhile the Company is intensifying community outreach events as preparation for the formal hearings and will be initiating negotiations for offtake contracts in the coming months.
Management Commentary
Technical Director Fernando Tallarico commented, These new and robust economic results are the result of an extensive analysis that has been conducted over the last year and satisfy our objective of designing a simple and efficient project that delivers significant value for Aguia shareholders. The introduction of column flotation was a definitive milestone that resulted in a more efficient and higher performing mill circuit and the excellent outcome of the infill drilling expanded our understanding of the Tres Estradas mineral resource. The improvements that our engineering team introduced in the processing circuit, and demonstrating that the production of calcite was viable and of exceptionally high quality, have made the project even more robust. The hard work of our technical team to deliver the Bankable Feasibility Study and continue to advance the permitting process moves us closer to the execution phase.
Justin Reid, Managing Director of Aguia, added, The BFS confirms that the Tres Estradas project is capable of delivering high quality phosphate and aglime with a significant cost advantage compared to what is currently being supplied to the Southern Brazil market. The project is economically attractive even at the bottom of the phosphate price cycle using a phosphate price that is 37% lower than the price used in the 2016 PEA. This represents a major opportunity for Aguia underpinned by a robust and growing agricultural sector in Brazil.
Meanwhile, we continue to explore adjacent properties that have promising indications that there is more phosphate that could eventually feed into the Tres Estradas project and substantially expand its current mine life.
Qualified Person
The Bankable Feasibility Study for the Tres Estradas Phosphate Project, was authored by Mr. Steven B. Kerr, C.P.G., Principal (Geology), Millcreek Mining Group; Mr. Rainer Stephenson, MMSA-QP, Principal Engineer, Millcreek Engineering; and Mr. Alister D. Horn, MMSA-QP, Principal(Mining), Millcreek Mining Group, each of whom are independent qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release pertaining to the Tres Estradas project has been reviewed and approved by the following Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 who consent to the inclusion of their names in this release: Mr. Steven B. Kerr, C.P.G., Principal(Geology), Millcreek Mining Group; Mr. Rainer Stephenson, MMSA-QP, Principal Engineer, Millcreek Engineering; and Mr. Alister D. Horn, MMSA-QP, Principal(Mining), Millcreek Mining Group, each of whom are independent qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
The Company is preparing a technical report in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, which will be filed with Canadian securities regulators within 45 days and will then be available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .
For further information, please contact:
Justin Reid, Managing Director
E: jreid@aguiaresources.com.au
T: +1 416-216-5446
Spyros Karellas, Investor Relations North America
E: spyros@pinnaclecapitalmarkets.ca
T: +1 416-433-5696
Follow Aguia on Twitter: @ Aguia_Resources
Released through: Ben Jarvis, Six Degrees Investor Relations: +61 413 150 448
Aguia Resources Limited, (Aguia) is an ASX and TSXV listed company whose primary focus is on the exploration and development of phosphate projects in Brazil. Aguia has an established and highly experienced in-country team based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil with corporate offices in Sydney, Australia. Aguias key projects are located in Rio Grande do Sul, a prime farming area which is 100% dependent on phosphate imports. The Rio Grande phosphate deposits exhibit high quality and low cost production characteristics, and are ideally located with proximity to road, rail, and port infrastructure. Aguias experienced management team has a proven track record of advancing high quality mining assets to production in Brazil.
Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and Australian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the Bankable Feasibility Study, the economics of the Tres Estradas project, the next steps for the Tres Estradas project, the path to receiving permits and licenses for the Tres Estradas project, the marketing and market for phosphate and aglime, the anticipated mining and production of the Tres Estradas project, the metallurgical results, production targets, the anticipated timetable, permitting, forecast financial information, and ability to finance the project, and the prospectivity and potential of the Tres Estradas project.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The material factors and assumptions underlying the forwardlooking information of the Mineral Resource Statement results have been outlined above and will be detailed in the associated technical report.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks inherent in the mining industry and risks described in the public disclosure of the Company which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on the ASX website at www.asx.com.au and on the Company's website at www.aguiaresouces.com.au. These risks should be considered carefully.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Persons reading this news release are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and there can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, estimates, options, future events, results or otherwise and does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
NEITHER THE AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE, TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
PANAMA CITY, Panama, March 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ADVFN Crypto NewsWire -- CryptoSecure.com (through its Service Operator Crypto Investor, Inc.) is pleased to advise:
CryptoSecure Phone, Laptop, and Portable Platform (CryptoSecure OS, Wallet, Exchange) Development
Security for the cryptocurrency market sector is everything. Without it there will never be trust or confidence in any cryptocurrency, which is a major factor currently holding back mass cryptocurrency adoption.
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To address this market, CryptoSecure through consultancy with its Senior Strategic Advisor, John McAfee, members of the McAfee Team, and in-house specialists have concluded that, as well as continued Platform development, CryptoSecure should also be addressing this rapidly growing mobile market need for substantially improved security.
Development will include partnerships with existing hardware/firmware providers, or as mobile device portable software. In all cases, devices will incorporate core CryptoSecure Platform technologies. Development time-frame will be over an 18-month to 3-year period through the licensing agreement CryptoSecure has with Key Capital Corporation (OTCPink:KCPC), in conjunction with the CryptoSecure Technical Development Team comprising over 40 software engineers and programmers.
On market release, the developed products, and annual software licensing, as is the case for all other CryptoSecure products and services, will only be able to be purchased using SECURE Token cryptocurrency.
CryptoSecure ICO
Round One closes at Wednesday midnight this week - 9750 SECURE coins can be acquired per ETH. As from Thursday 22 March 2018 Round 2 payment exchange will be reduced to 6,500 per ETH however payment exchange can be by BTC, ETH, LTC, BTC Cash, ETH Classic, Dash, or PayPal. For details see: https://CryptoSecure.com
The ICO continues to receive strong independent review from parties including CryptoConnection which gave it a 4.8/5 rating, from Medium.com Crypto Brothers who rated it 9/10, and from Gemmas Gems wherein she provides demonstration feedback on using SafeWindow.
CryptoSecure Platform Development
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The CryptoSecure Platforms first product, SafeWindow which is exclusively licensed through Australian based GoPC Pty Ltd, is now released. SafeWindow creates a virtual computer on the user computer screen, and also on the users tablet or smart device. These virtual existences are only there for the duration of the cryptocurrency activity or transaction. They cannot be seen by any hacker, authority, or spyware as the interaction is conducted in invisible virtuality. As soon as the activity or transaction is finished, the user closes the virtual windows, and everything vanishes leaving no residual trace of anything on any of the devices used. See how it works at Youtube-CryptoSecure.
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EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:
Hi tvotech92,
Before I can offer you the specific advice that youre looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:
Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Thank you for the reply. So I'll do my best to answer these questions as succinctly and accurately as I can.1.) Started studying two months ago.2.) 2015 GMAT book, 2017 Official GMAT Quantitative Guide, GMAT Club free online.3.) This is where I feel my practice was inadequate. I only took two times practice tests on Princeton Review (530 overall. 65 percentile Verbal, 23 percentile quant) and the times GMAT Cub test where I scored 500 with similar thresholds.4.) Goal score is mid-600s-7005.) Likely within 3/4 months6.) Starting the application process now7.) University of Wisconsin, University of Southern Illinois, University of Texas at Arlington. (I want to work in Marketing Research and these schools have specific programs for it.) Other schools I may consider applying to if I'm feeling ambitious and I tremendously raise my GMAT are Duke and Indiana.Thanks for all your help!Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
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Renowned British physicist, Stephen Hawking, has passed away at age 76.
Amongst a range of other work, Hawking was best known for his theories on black holes and relativity, predicting that black holes emit radiation.
He is also credited with introducing key scientific concepts into the mainstream, with his book A Brief History of Time selling more than 10 million copies and being translated into 35 languages.
Hawking spent the majority of his career as an academic at the University of Cambridge.
From 1979 to 2009 he held the position of Lucasian Professor, a position previously held by Isaac Newton.
In recent times, Hawking had formed some strong opinions on Artificial Intelligence.
The rise of AI could be the worst or the best thing that has happened for humanity, Hawking told a Web Summit in Lisbon late last year.
We simply need to be aware of the dangers, identify them, employ the best possible practice and management, and prepare for its consequences well in advance.
We need to take learning beyond a theoretical discussion of how AI should be, and take action to make sure we plan for how it can be.
Another one of his more controversial theories was his belief that computer viruses should be considered as a life form.
I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image, he famously said.
In 1963, at the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, and given two years to live.
Although his physical abilities began to decline, he continued his career in academia, and in 1986 he received the Equalizer computer program, which allowed him to communicate despite not having use of his voice.
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
"Joy and pleasure are as real as pain and sorrow and one must learn what they have to teach. . . ." -- Sean Russell, from Gatherer of Clouds"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." -- Helyn D. Goldenberg"I love you and I'm not afraid." -- Evanescence, "My Last Breath"If I hear not allowed much oftener, said Sam, Im going to get angry. -- J.R.R. Tolkien, from Lord of the Rings
New York, Mar 20 (JEN): At a time when resources for refugees from Syria is declining, the top United Nations humanitarian official in Lebanon, the country host to some 1.5 million Syrian and several thousand Palestinian refugees, has launched a funding allocation to ensure that critical relief programmes can be sustained.
Preserving the stability of Lebanon means preserving tolerance, diversity and stability in the region, said Philippe Lazzariniat, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, warning that the needs of the affected communities are fast outpacing the resources and capacities.
More than ever, international solidarity needs to match the hospitality of Lebanon as host country. No country in the world can or should carry alone the challenge that Lebanon is facing. Responsibility-sharing is key.
Launched Monday, the $6.5 million Standard Allocation, will fund support programmes for Palestinian refugees from Syria, persons with specific needs, and sexual and gender-based violence survivors (the three most vulnerable groups).
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the call for proposals under the Allocation will remain open until 6 April. Most of the funds through the Standard Allocation process will be used for priority projects in line with the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan.
In addition to the Crisis Response Plan, the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund has allocated over $40 million to support the humanitarian response in Lebanon since 2014, filling in with vital funds to sustain support for more than 850,000 individuals, including Syrian and Palestinian Refugees, as well as vulnerable Lebanese 55 per cent of whom are women and girls.
However, lack of funding remains a major challenge and overall funding for the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan have fallen for three consecutive years.
In 2017, of the $2.75 billion needed, only 43 per cent was received. In 2016 and 2015, funding level stood at 46 and 54 per cent, respectively.
UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi
Early signs of a policy shift as it relates to Iran may become evident in the next few days as American leaders meet with the crown prince of Irans chief Middle Eastern adversary, Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammad bin Salman arrived in Washington on Tuesday for a three-day visit, which was expected to focus primarily on strategies to confront Iran and its regional meddling, according to Al Arabiya.
An editorial published by CNBC characterized the trip in more critical terms, calling it a shopping trip for war and part of an effort by Saudi Arabia to acquire buy-in from its American allies as Salman pursues further escalation with a country that is already on the opposing side of a series of proxy wars in the region. The editorial notes that as part of that escalation, Salman has brazenly announced his ambition to acquire nuclear weapons if Iran acquired them, but if this has any impact on the Trump White House it will likely be the further entrenchment of its commitment to tightening restrictions on Iran at the expense of the JCPOA.
Trump has personally signaled substantial interest in expanding relations with the Saudis, having arranged a more than 100 billion dollar weapons sale last year, as well as setting the stage in recent weeks for the sale of American nuclear energy technology to the Sunni kingdom. Assuming that the White Houses policy is indeed shifting toward more assertiveness regarding Iran, it seems likely that the results of Salmans visit to Washington will entail more of the same.
Naturally, not all commentators are as critical of that prospective outcome as the author of the CNBC editorial. On Monday, Haaretz greeted the news of Salmans trip by quoting one senior American official as calling it, a tremendous opportunity to make progress on a range of issues. In addition to discussing Irans regional role, the Saudi prince and his hosts at the White House were expected to explore ways to make Russia pay a price for its support of the Assad regimes atrocities in Syria, as well as examining the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
But these broader ambitions do little to diminish concerns about the worsening of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, or about the potential American role in this trend. Both nations rhetoric has at times turned bellicose, with each explicitly signaling readiness for war. Iran has variously taken the same stance toward the United States and has blamed both the US and Saudi Arabia for domestic unrest such as the mass protests that spanned all major Iranian municipalities in December and January.
Iranian state media has broadcast animations depicting the defeat of American naval forces by smaller Iranian flotillas, and a similar propaganda tactic may have been employed against Iran by the Saudis. The New York Times published a report on Tuesday regarding just such an animation, one that depicted a much more advanced and highly equipped Saudi military invading the Islamic Republic of Iran under the direction of Mohammad bin Salman. The animation has reportedly been viewed more than 1.2 million times online since its release in December, but it is not clear whether it originated with the Saudi government or independent supporters thereof.
The Times piece even quoted Princeton University Professor Bernard Haykel as saying the Iranians may have created the animation themselves, to make the Saudis look silly. This would by no means be out of keeping with the familiar practices of Iranian propagandists. The recent attempts to blame domestic unrest on foreign infiltrators is indicative of Tehrans preoccupation with justifying its military expenditures and regional interventions by portraying the Islamic Republic as being under constant threat of invasion or other forms of attack. This same tactic has been on display in various state media broadcasts defaming dual nationals who have been arrested in Iran or boasting about close encounters with allegedly hostile Western naval forces.
Still, the Times suggests that the supposedly pro-Saudi animation might be a glimpse of a crown princes dream regarding the victorious end of ongoing tensions between the two countries. On the other hand, various analysts have recently observed that while neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia is likely to back down from their proxy wars in the near future, neither side is keen to pay the cost of direct confrontation. Consequently, the focus of escalating tensions and of the Saudi crown princes visit to Washington appears to be on assigning blame to the opposing side for the ongoing crises in the region.
Accordingly, Iranian.com reported on Monday that Salmans visit was to coincide with the Saudi presentation of new evidence supporting the conclusion that Iran is arming the Houthi rebels who are fighting for control of Saudi Arabias southern neighbor, Yemen. That conclusion has already been fully accepted by the White House, whose ambassador to the UN presented evidence of the Iranian manufacture of Houthi missiles in a press conference late last year.
The United Nations has somewhat more tentatively accepted the same conclusions, issuing its own report that acknowledge the Iranian origin of relevant weapons components but allowed for the possibility that Tehran simply failed to prevent the weapons from falling into Houthi hands, as opposed to actively delivering them.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported upon Saudi efforts to blame the Iranian regime for broader problems of global terrorism. Specifically, the Saudis accused Tehran of harboring Osama bin Ladens son Hamza and setting the stage for him to become the new leader of the notorious Sunni terrorist organization al Qaeda. Salman personally made these allegations in an interview with American television, during which he also accused Iran of recruiting some of the Saudi hijackers responsible for the attacks on New York and Washington in 2001. The aim of this recruited, he said, was to create a schism between the Middle East and the West, between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.
Tehran predictably denied all these allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi insisting that al Qaeda fighters who crossed into Iran following the US invasion of Afghanistan were all arrested and deported. However, Reuters noted that intelligence veterans have long recognized that Iran gave shelter to some factions of al Qaeda, allowing its operatives to plan and execute missions from there, on the understanding that they would only target mutual enemies of the Sunni terrorist group and the Shiite theocracy. Aspects of this collaboration were confirmed by documents recovered from the compound in which Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is widely recognized as the worlds foremost sponsor of terrorism. By emphasizing this status and the specific evidence for it, the Saudis may hope to inspire more assertiveness regarding Iran, not only from the US but also from the nations of Europe. Although the European Union has been distinctly more wary of sabotaging the 2015 nuclear agreement and prospective expansions in trade relations, the tone of its member states has apparently been trending closer to that of the Trump White House, perhaps as a result of ongoing public emphasis on Tehrans misdeeds.
On Monday, JTA reported that the Europeans had proposed new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program and its regional role. And on Tuesday, Reuters focused on the specific push for these sanctions by the government of France. Both sources described the efforts as part of a bid to keep the US as a party to the JCPOA by addressing President Trumps concerns over flaws and omissions in an agreement he has described as the worst deal ever. But Reuters said that there was also substantial push-back against this initiative, and that the discussion of sanctions failed to dominate a debate among foreign ministers on Monday over the future of the deal.
Additionally, Fars News Agency, an Iranian outlet that is close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported that EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini had denied that any additional sanctions were proposed by the international body. Many European policymakers remain fixated on the prospect of rebuilding economic ties to the Islamic Republic, regardless of perceived flaws in the JCPOA or in Western policies toward Iranian destabilization of the Middle East.
The persistent lack of agreement among EU member states is putting the JCPOA in ever greater danger. On Monday, the Independent Journal Review quoted Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker as predicting that President Trump would most likely pull out of the agreement, unless European allies really come together on a framework for addressing his concerns.
In January, Trump renewed the waivers for sanctions that were suspended under the JCPOA, but he warned that unless the agreement was fixed he would not do so again when the waivers next come due in mid-May. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was credited with previously convincing the president to waive sanctions and to initially even certify Irans compliance with the nuclear deal. His ouster and the corresponding shift in foreign policy makes it more likely that Trump will follow through on his threats, especially in the wake of cooperative discussions with Irans leading adversaries.
The demonstrations turned violent after members of the Sufi order known as Gonabadi dervishes assembled in response to speculation that their leader Nour Ali Tabandeh was slated for arrest as part of the governments crackdown on political activists in the wake of nationwide protests in December and January. By some accounts, security forces did attempt to gain access to Tabandehs home but were blocked by the masses of dervishes. In addition to the three deaths attributed to Salas, two members of the basij civilian militia were killed in a separate stabbing incident. Three hundred dervishes were arrested in the midst of the clashes.
Despite Salas denying that he willfully killed the three police officers, there appears to be no dispute about whether he was behind the wheel of the bus that also injured 30 others. He now has 20 days to appeal the verdict, but if the death sentence stands it will be among the minority of death sentences in Iran that arguably rise to the level of the most serious crimes for which the death penalty is deemed acceptable under international human rights conventions.
But Iran, consistently the nation with the worlds highest rate of executions per capita, has frequently thumbed its nose at some conventions, even those codified in documents to which Iran is a signatory. By executing non-violent drug offenders and certain types of political prisoners, the Iranian regime has rejected the international limits regarding the severity of capital crimes. Additionally, Iran is among the small handful of countries that continues to execute juvenile offenders in defiance of the United Nations absolute prohibition on the practice.
In its recent annual report on the death penalty in the Islamic Republic, the website Iran Human Rights noted that at least five juvenile offenders were executed in the year 2017. Each incident spurred international outcry and letter-writing campaigns by human rights organizations, yet Irans commitment to the practice appears to only be intensifying. Three more juvenile offenders have already been put to death since the start of 2018.
On the other hand, Iran Human Right called attention to the possibility that domestic and international pressure are proving effective in the case of death penalties for non-violent drug offenders. Last year, the Iranian parliament passed legislation which lightened the minimum sentences for certain crimes in that category. This led to speculation that death sentences could be commuted for thousands of prisoners, although it also raised questions as to whether Iranian courts would fully implement the changes.
Data on this subject appears inconsistent so far. The report by Iran Human Rights finds that 65 fewer drug offenders were executed in 2017 than in 2016. This represents a reduction of about 22 percent. However, few drug-related death sentences have actually been commuted and there were reports last year which indicated that the execution dates had been moved up for some of the people who might have been spared by the legal change, especially Sunnis and members of other minority groups.
Additionally, Iran Human Rights notes that the judiciary seems to have compensated for the reduction of drug-related executions by carrying out more hangings of persons convicted of murder. Overall, at least 517 inmates were executed in 2017, and this is comparable to the figures for the previous year. Naturally, those figures do not account for extrajudicial killings or executions that the government managed to conceal from the public. Of the 517 known executions during the past year, 406 of them were not officially announced.
Extrajudicial killings may prove to be an even more serious issue than before, once statistics for the current year begin to be tabulated. Violent crackdowns on perceived threats to the clerical regime are a familiar phenomenon, but the recent targeting of environmental activists indicate that these may have further expanded in scope. Several such individuals were arrested last month and one of them, the Iranian-Canadian Professor Kavous Seyed-Emami, died suspiciously while in police custody.
Prison officials attempted to claim that Seyed-Emami had confessed to spying for Western governments and then committed suicide, but their subsequent efforts to silence his family and prevent an independent autopsy suggest that there has been a cover-up. That conclusion is made stronger by the fact that the regime has made virtually identical claims about a number of people who have died in police custody, especially since the mass protests in January.
As reported by the Center for Human Rights in Iran on Thursday, a slightly different cover story has been applied to the latest suspicious death, that of nursing student Taleb Basati, who was arrested for taking photographs and video of the protests. His arrest reportedly took place at his home on February 18 as security forces continued to round up persons linked to the demonstrations or to anti-government activism in general. His body was released to his family on February 25, after which authorities asserted that his death had been the result of a stroke.
In view of the fact that Basati was only 26 years old, it seems unlikely that he would have suffered a stroke unless it was brought on by other factors, such as torture. As with other deaths, including that of Seyed-Emami, the deceased students family was cautioned against speaking to the media, asking questions about his death, or requesting an autopsy. Sources indicate that Basatis death certificate did not specify a stroke but referred only to head trauma.
CHRI identifies Basati as the fifth person to die in police custody in two months. But the National Council of Resistance of Iran has determined that at least 14 people have died while being tortured in police custody since the start of protests in late December. Early this month, the NCRI identified Ghobad Azami of Kermanshah Province as the 14th victim. His family was reportedly told that he too had committed suicide in prison.
This is Whats Trending Today
The world's last known male northern white rhinoceros has died.
Sudan was 45 years old. He was living in Kenya at a wildlife conservancy called Ol Pejeta. The conservancy said his age-related health problems had worsened, and that he was put to sleep on Monday.
Sudan was no longer able to stand, workers there said. His muscles and bones had weakened, and his skin had severe wounds. He also had an infection in his leg.
Sudan was born in the wild in Sudan. At two years old, he was captured and taken to a zoo in the Czech Republic. He lived there from 1975 until 2009, when he was moved to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Sudan had been part of the conservancys effort to save the northern white rhinos from disappearing. Now, just two females are left. One is his daughter, Najin. The other is his granddaughter, Fatu.
Conservationists had tried many times to get Sudan to mate with the two females naturally. However, they were not successful.
Last year, they created an account for him on the dating app Tinder, where Sudan was described as The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World. The effort was meant to raise funds for a $9-million fertility treatment to help the species survive.
Elodie Sampere is a manager at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. She spoke to VOA after Sudans death. She said there is still hope of keeping the species from disappearing.
The death of Sudan does not mean the death of the species. We still have two females that are there, she said.
However, both Najin and Fatu are unable to carry a pregnancy to full term. So, scientists hope to use a technique called in-vitro fertilization. They want to combine the genetic material of a female and male northern white rhino. Then, they will implant the resulting embryo in the uterus of a female southern white rhino.
Northern white rhinos once lived across parts of Chad, Sudan, Uganda, Congo and the Central African Republic. Fifty years ago, about 2,000 remained in the wild. They became especially threatened because of armed conflicts in the area.
Many were also killed by poachers. In some cultures, rhino horns are used in traditional medicine. They can be worth up to $50,000 per kilogram. All international trade in rhino horn is outlawed. However, demand in several Asian countries continues to fuel an illegal black market.
Along with health problems, Sudan may have also suffered from loneliness in his final days at the conservancy. The only other male of his species, Suni, died in 2014. Sudan spent his final years surrounded by armed guards who protected him from poachers.
And thats Whats Trending Today.
I'm Ashley Thompson.
Ashley Thompson adapted this story based on reports by the Associated Press and VOA News reporter Rael Ombuor in Nairobi. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.
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Words in This Story
conservancy - n. an organization that works to protect animals, plants, and natural resources especially by purchasing and caring for areas of land
app - n. a computer program that performs a special function
eligible - adj. able to be chosen for something
bachelor - n. a man who is not married
implant - v. to place (something) in a person's body by means of surgery
poacher - n. someone who catches or kills animals illegally
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has no desire for an arms race.
The Russian leader spoke in Moscow on Monday, one day after he was elected to a fourth term as president.
Nobody plans to accelerate an arms race, he said.
Putin added that he would do everything he could to settle differences with other countries. We will do everything possible to resolve all the differences with our partners using political and diplomatic channels, he said.
His comments mark a change from some of his recent statements. During the election campaign, Putin talked about new nuclear weapons he claimed could strike almost anywhere in the world.
Russian denies poisoning former spy
His election win came as the British government accuses Russia of poisoning a former Russian spy living in Britain. The man, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter Yulia are listed in critical condition at a English hospital.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson spoke to European Union ministers in Brussels Monday. Johnson said Russias continued denial of involvement in the poisoning was growing, in his words, absurd.
He added that technical experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons plan to study samples of the suspected nerve agent.
The apparent poisoning of Skripal and his daughter has led to a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Last week, Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over the incident, causing Russia to answer by expelling an equal number of British officials.
British lawmakers are urging Prime Minister Theresa May to seize the assets of wealthy Russians with ties to Vladimir Putin.
European group says election not competitive
The Reuters news agency described the vote on Sunday as Putins biggest ever election victory. He defeated seven other candidates to win re-election.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the election lacked genuine competition. Putin received more than 76 percent of the votes. The second-place candidate received almost 12 percent of the vote.
Well-known opposition leader Alexei Navalny was barred from running as a candidate.
The Russian government had sought to get 70 percent of registered voters to mark ballots in the election. A little less that 68 percent actually voted.
Several world leaders called Putin to congratulate him on his victory. The callers included Chinas president, Xi Jinping.
French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke with the Russian leader. Agence France Presse reported that Macron wished him success for the political, democratic, economic and social modernization of Russia. He also pressed Putin to provide information about the poisoning dispute with Britain.
Putin also received a call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who noted challenges in the countries relationship. He also heard from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe called for close cooperation in reaching an agreement to end North Koreas nuclear activities.
After his victory, Putin said he wanted to reduce spending on Russias defenses. He said he wanted to direct his attention to raising the quality of life of average citizens and investing more in education, healthcare and public services.
Sanctions weigh on Russias economy
A number of Western nations have approved economic actions against Russia for taking Crimea from Ukraine and continued Russian involvement in that country. The international community also has criticized Russia for its support of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, most recently for continuing violence near the Syrian capital Damascus.
Last week, the United States Treasury Department announced sanctions against five Russian groups and 19 individuals for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
U.S. officials say Russian organizations and individuals sought to divide Americans with false or misleading news stories during the election campaign.
Putins reelection would keep him as Russias president until the year 2024. The former intelligence officer has been either president or prime minister of the Russian Federation since 2000. He took power in 1999 after Boris Yeltsin resigned as president.
Im Mario Ritter.
Jaime Dettmer and Fern Robinson reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted their report for VOA Learning English. His story includes with additional information from AP and Reuters. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in This Story
channel n. a system or way to communicate between people or groups
accelerate v. to cause to speed up
critical adj. very serious, involving danger of death
absurd adj. unreasonable, making no sense
sample n. a small amount of something often to be studied or tested
asset n. a valuable person or thing
genuine adj. real or true
challenge n. things that are difficult to accomplish
sanctions n. punishments usually in the form of trade restrictions meant to force a country to obey international law
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned Taiwan that it would face the punishment of history if it moves to split from China.
Xi made the comments in a speech to about 3,000 delegates at the end of the National Peoples Congress legislative meeting in Beijing.
Xi discussed many issues during his speech but comments on Taiwan received a great deal of attention. He said mainland China would do more to permit Taiwan to take part in the opportunities of Chinas development. He also called for efforts toward a peaceful reunification of the motherland.
However, Xis warning to the self-ruling island was the strongest yet and received the most applause of any part of the speech.
Any actions and tricks to split China are doomed to failure and will meet with the peoples condemnation and the punishment of history, Xi said. The Chinese people share a common belief that it is never allowed, and it is absolutely impossible to separate any inch of our great countrys territory from China.
China claims Taiwan, a self-ruling island of 24 million people, as part of its territory. The division came when the government of the Republic of China went to Taiwan in 1949 ending Chinas civil war. The Chinese Communist Party took control of the mainland.
By the 1980s, Taiwans government had become increasingly democratic. Most Taiwanese oppose unifying with mainland China.
Xi has increased pressure on Taiwan since the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016.
Tsai is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party which supports independence from the mainland. However, Tsai has said she supports the status quo and has not sought a major change of policy.
Taiwans foreign ministry spokesman Andrew Lee said he was not concerned about Xis comments and called on other countries to support Taiwan. Lee said the island hopes to play a more active part in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in the area.
US Taiwan Travel Act calls for closer ties
The U.S. officially cut ties with Taiwan in 1979 when it recognized China. Unofficial ties were then governed by the Taiwan Relations Act that was passed the same year.
Last week, United States President Donald Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act law passed by Congress. The legislation is meant to make it easier for U.S. officials to travel to the island and meet with Taiwanese officials.
As part of that effort, a top U.S. State Department official is traveling to Taiwan. Alex Wong is deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He is to be in Taiwan until March 22 after meetings in Singapore.
Wong is expected to speak at a dinner of the American Chamber of Commerce. The event is meant to help American businesses meet with Taiwanese officials.
Bonnie Glasser is director of the China Power Project at the Center for International and Strategic Studies. She told VOA, Chinas growing political, military, and economic pressure on Taiwan is a threat to Taiwans security and harmful to U.S. interests. She said increasing ties with Taiwan, makes sense.
The Taiwan Travel Act states that ties between the U.S. and Taiwan have suffered because of self-imposed U.S. restrictions.
China, however, has reacted angrily to the new legislation.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang urged the U.S.: To correct its mistake, stop pursuing any official ties with Taiwan or improving its current relations with Taiwan in any substantive way.
The Chinese Embassy also released a statement. It said parts of the bill severely violate the one-China principle, the political foundation of the China-US relationship.
However, it remains to be seen how the Chinese president will answer the recent developments. Earlier this month, the Chinese government announced 31 measures that make it easier for Taiwanese to work, study and invest in China.
Im Mario Ritter.
Bill Ide and Nike Ching reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.
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Words in This Story
applause n. a show of approval by clapping, striking ones hands together over and over to make noise
absolutely adv. completely
status quo n. (foreign language term) the current situation, the way things are now
stability n. a state of not being changed easily
prosperity n. a state of being successful
pursue v. to be involved in, to follow a path
substantive adj. meaningful
foundation n. something that provides support for something
allow v. to permit, to let happen
self-imposed adj. not given or required by someone else
principle n. an idea that forms the basis of something, a truth
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United States lawmakers are calling for more regulation of Facebook. The move comes after reports that the social media company may have let a political organization have access to personal data from around 50 million Facebook users in 2014.
Facebook wrote about the issue on Friday in a public online message, just before news media began reporting on the story.
Reports said that Cambridge Analytica was given access to the data. The data company is linked to conservatives and is known for its work on Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. The reports also say the company may not have deleted, or removed, the data.
Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote on Twitter that it is clear that companies like Facebook cannot police themselves. She added that Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg should speak before the Senate Judiciary committee.
Facebook announced late Friday it was banning Cambridge Analytica from its service for misusing data.
The reports are the latest threat to Facebooks public image. It has been criticized over Russias use of Facebook to influence American voters during the 2016 election.
Facebook said researchers and Cambridge Analytica lied to the company and abused its policies. Yet critics are blaming Facebook. They are also demanding answers for users whose information was given to Cambridge Analytica.
Facebook claims the data was misused, not stolen. It says users gave it permission. The companys position has led to a debate about what is considered a hack that users must be told about.
How to keep online information safe
Frank Pasquale is a University of Maryland law professor. He has written about Silicon Valleys use of data. He said that Facebooks explanation that data had not been stolen avoided the central issue that data was used in a different way than users expected.
Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat, said the event proves the need for new regulations about internet advertising. He described the industry as the Wild West. He said that without new regulations, the market will continue to deal with deception and secrecy.
Both The New York Times and Londons Observer reported Saturday that private information from more than 50 million Facebook users was wrongly given to Cambridge Analytica. They also reported that the company had not deleted the data, even though Facebook told them to beginning in 2015.
The reports say that about 270,000 Facebook users gave a researcher permission to use their data. The researcher also took the data of all their friends, a move that was permitted based on Facebooks rules until 2015.
The researcher then sold the data to Cambridge Analytica. That move was against Facebook rules, the newspapers said.
Cambridge Analytica worked on Trumps 2016 campaign. However, a Trump campaign official said they used Republican data sources, not Cambridge Analytica, for voter information.
Calls for new regulation
Facebook said in a series of statements over the weekend that researchers and Cambridge Analytica broke Facebook rules. It said it was considering legal action against them.
In answer, Cambridge Analytica said that they had, in fact, deleted the data. It also said the company supplying the data was responsible for obtaining it.
Andrew Bosworth, a Facebook vice president, said the company could make more changes to demonstrate that it values privacy. We must do better and will, Bosworth wrote on Twitter.
Nuala OConnor is president of the Center for Democracy & Technology in Washington, D.C. She said Facebook was depending on the honesty of people rather than preparing for the planned misuse of data.
OConnor also added that Facebook knew about the abuse in 2015 but did not inform users until Friday. Thats a long time, she said.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy said on Saturday she was launching an investigation into the use of Facebook data.
Healeys office said she wants to understand how the data was used, what policies may have been abused, and what the legal effects are.
Im Phil Dierking.
This story was originally written by David Ingram for the Reuters News Agency. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional information. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
What kind of security polices do you think Facebook should have? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
regulation - n. an official rule or law that says how something should be done
access - n. a way of getting near, at, or to something or someone
delete - v. to remove (something, such as words, pictures, or computer files) from a document, recording, computer, etc.
hack - v. to secretly get access to the files on a computer or network in order to get information, cause damage, etc.
Wild west - expression. meaning wild or having no laws
deception - n. the act of making someone believe something that is not true
source - n. someone or something that provides what is wanted or needed
obtain - v. to gain or get (something) usually by effort
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Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV.
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Actions speak louder than words. Thats how you can describe the significance of the top-rated MarketBeat stocks. The objective is to direct our subscribers to popular stocks that MarketBeat users have added to their watchlist and the stocks that have a high number of search queries on MarketBeat over a given period of time.
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Centrica plc operates as an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, North America, and internationally. The company operates through British Gas, Energy Marketing & Trading, Centrica Business Solutions, Bord GAis Energy, and Upstream segments. It supplies gas and electricity to residential customers, as well as offers energy-related services; and generates power from combined cycle gas turbines and nuclear assets. The company also provides installation, repair, and maintenance services for domestic central heating, plumbing and drains, home electrical, and gas and kitchen appliances; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, as well as offers breakdown services. In addition, it is involved in the procurement, trading, and optimization of energy; procurement and sale of LNG; and supplies energy efficiency solutions and technologies to residential customers. Further, the company produces and processes gas and oil; develops new fields to maintain reserves; constructs, owns, and exploits infrastructure; and engages in the social enterprise investment fund activities. Additionally, it provides vehicle leasing, commercial, and insurance services, as well as energy management products and services; and operates a gas storage and franchise network. The company was formerly known as Yieldtop plc and changed its name to Centrica plc in December 1996. Centrica plc was incorporated in 1995 and is based in Windsor, the United Kingdom.
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The Williams Cos., Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico; Northeast G&P; and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment comprises of interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. The Northeast G&P segment includes midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment consists of gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. The company was founded by David Williams and Miller Williams in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa,
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Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was feted in Australia with a military honor guard and 19-gun salute yesterday as part of a state visit that has provoked protests over her response to her countrys violent campaign against Rohingya Muslims.
Suu Kyi arrived in Sydney over the weekend for a summit of Southeast Asian leaders and her state visit officially began Monday, when she was welcomed to Parliament House in Canberra. Her visit comes as she faces international criticism over what has become Asias worst refugee crisis in decades.
More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh since August, when the military responded to insurgent attacks on police with a clearance operation that the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing. The campaign has included the burning of Rohingya villages, systematic rape, shootings and other rights violations.
There was no press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull or any public comment from Suu Kyi during her brief visit to the capital on Monday. She had meetings with the prime minister and opposition leader.
Turnbull said Sunday that Suu Kyi had used the weekend summit to seek humanitarian help from her fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Australia to deal with the crisis.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told the summit that the refugee crisis was no longer solely a domestic issue for Myanmar, as fleeing Rohingya could be prime targets for terrorist radicalization.
Myanmar staunchly denies that its security forces have targeted Rohingya civilians and Suu Kyi has bristled at the international criticism.
But Myanmars denials have appeared increasingly tenuous as horrific accounts from refugees have accumulated and satellite imagery and other evidence of destroyed Rohingya villages have been assembled.
The Associated Press last month documented through video and witness accounts at least five mass graves of Rohingya civilians. Witnesses said the military used acid to erase the identity of victims. The government denied it, maintaining that only terrorists were killed and then carefully buried.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate, was a longtime political prisoner of Myanmars former junta and frequently called for international intervention in her country during her almost 15 years under house arrest. She was released in 2010 and last visited Canberra in 2013 on an Australian tour, before she was allowed to stand for an election that her party eventually won in a landslide.
Then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott described her as an icon of democracy as he stood by her side at a joint press conference. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Suu Kyi had inspired her to enter politics.
Suu Kyis global image has since taken a battering. She has seen several international honors she was given in the past revoked. Several fellow Peace Prize winners have publicly condemned her.
Though Suu Kyi has been the de facto head of Myanmars civilian government since her party took power, she is limited in her control of the country by a constitution written by the outgoing junta. The military has effective veto power over all legislation and controls key ministries including those overseeing security and defense.
The military is in charge of operations involving the Rohingya and ending them is not up to Suu Kyi.
Yet even when Suu Kyi has spoken on the issue, she has drawn criticism. In a September speech, her first public comments on the crisis, she asked for patience from the international community and suggested the refugees were partly responsible.
Suu Kyi faces a potential domestic backlash if she speaks on behalf of the Rohingya, who have been the target of anti-Muslim rhetoric. Many people agree with the official government stance that there is no such ethnicity as Rohingya and that those in the country have illegally migrated from Bangladesh.
Myanmars backers globally have also had to tread carefully, not wanting to undermine Suu Kyis weak civilian government at a time when the country is just emerging from decades of authoritarian rule.
Unlike the United Nations, United States and Britain, Australia has not accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity.
But Australia did support a U.N. resolution in December condemning the very likely commission of crimes against humanity by Myanmar security forces against Rohingya.
Human rights groups have criticized Australia for maintaining its limited military engagement with Myanmar. Australia provides English-language lessons and training courses to Myanmar officers to promote professionalism and adherence to international laws, according to the defense department.
But Australia maintains a long-standing arms embargo with Myanmar. Rod McGuirk, Canberra, AP
Representatives from the Macau Delegation of Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCILC) and the Macau Economic Bureau (DSE) recently conducted discussions and exchanged views on the business and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The delegation, led by president Leong Wa Kun, was received by DSE director Tai Kin Ip and deputy director Chan Tze Wai who also discussed topics on youth entrepreneurship. According to a statement issued by the chamber, Tai noted that the bureau would reach an agreement with e-commerce platforms in mainland China to set up a Macau Pavilion, in a bid to help local companies to sell products, which are made in Macau or from Portuguese-speaking countries. He hopes that the chamber could encourage corporate members to make full use of the platform in tapping the Chinese market and business.
Govt launches first Guangdong internship program
The government is launching the first edition of the Guangdong and Macau Summer Internship Programme, according to a statement released by the Talents Development Committee. Under this programme, university students who are Macau residents can apply for internships in companies from Guangdong Province. This year, the available internship categories include information and technology, creative designing, accounting, tourism, exhibition, catering, cooking, and railway maintenance management. The maximum number of eligible candidates is currently 36. The internship period will begin from June 23 until July 21. Admissions will be open from April 4 to April 30.
Talents Committee with more members
More governmental departments have been included in the Talents Development Committee, according to a dispatch from the Chief Executive published yesterday by the Official Gazette. The new members include the director of the Labour Affairs Bureau, the chairman of the Board of the Directors of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, and the Chairman of the Administrative Committee. The committee is formed by a maximum of 25 people who are recognized as outstanding people or professionals in their own fields, the dispatch reads.
The chief engineer of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB), Su Quanke, said last week that the completion of the mega-bridge project paves the foundation for the development of the countrys Belt and Road Initiative, according to a report by Macau News.
Su made the remarks in Beijing prior to the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Su, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, said that the completion of the delta bridge marked two great breakthroughs.
The first breakthrough was that the bridges completion had proved that the nations bridge-tunnel construction capability is among the best in the world. This position will pave the way for Chinese enterprises to go overseas and assist in the development of the central governments Belt and Road Initiative.
The second breakthrough was that the delta bridge was an example of the ability of the three jurisdictions of Macau, Hong Kong and Guangdong Province to work together through the processes of making plans and decisions and agreeing on solutions. He added that such cooperation will be of great value for future collaborative projects.
Macau News said that Su identified three issues, which have not yet been addressed but are important for improving the bridge project.
The first issue is to come up with a plan to regulate the cross-border traffic and to improve the efficiency of the bridges operation.
The second issue is to ensure that the bridges maintenance will be well carried out a difficult feat given the enormous size of the project. The third challenge will be to utilize the experience gained through the bridges construction over the past 14 years in the development of a sustainable model for maintenance, based on cooperation between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau.
Macaus work regarding the protection of the regions cultural heritage adheres to guidelines from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and to advice from experts in the field, the Chief Executive said yesterday before departing to Beijing to attend the National Peoples Congress closing ceremony.
During a public consultation regarding the Plan for Protection and Management of the Historic Centre of Macau, the government claims to have received a number of opinions regarding the proposed delineation of a visual corridor in order to preserve the view as seen from the Macau peninsula of the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, at Penha Hill. Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that it would be difficult to comment on whether there should be height limits for buildings in relation to the proposed visual corridor, as that topic is still under consultation procedures.
Commenting on other issues, Chui told reporters that the government is looking forward to exploring opportunities with Hebei Province regarding development of the latters Xiongan New Area economic zone. This would be a subject for discussion during a meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee, Wang Dongfeng, and the Governor of Hebei, Xu Qin.
Chui has embarked on a four-day visit to Beijing. While in the capital, Chui will also meet with scholars from the Institute for Public Safety Research a body based at Tsinghua University as well as meet with representatives of China Central Television.
According to a statement issued yesterday, the visit to Tsinghua University aims to provide the government with better insights on the Institutes latest scientific and technological researches regarding public emergency management, and would help optimize Macaus capabilities regarding the citys response to any public emergency.
Chui said the government is paying great attention to the development of Macaus young people. The key policy objective for the government is how to improve the upward mobility of young people, most of whom had the opportunity to receive an education in a tertiary educational institution, he noted.
A fatal industrial accident which occurred on a construction site at City of Dreams on Sunday afternoon has been reported by the Public Security Police Force (PSP).
The victim is a mainland female resident in her 30s, who according to the authorities was illegally working in the MSAR.
The worker fell from a height of between six and seven meters from the construction site of the Morpheus Hotel. She was later found unconscious by her husband, who was working at the same site. She was confirmed dead on Sunday afternoon.
Lawrence Ho, the CEO of Melco International, which operates the City of Dreams complex told the media yesterday that he will follow up with the construction company that hired the worker.
We are working very closely with the contractor to fully understand the situation, he told public broadcaster TDM, [] and of course we are working very closely with the relevant authorities to do a thorough investigation.
According to documents read by the Times, the construction company that hired the deceased worker is a subsidiary of MECOM Power and Construction Ltd, a publicly listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which had its initial public offering last month.
Lawrence Ho is a major shareholder in the company through his wholly-owned company, King Dragon.
Among MECOMs co-owners is Tam Chi Wai with an 8 percent stake. Tam is regarded as an independent third party even though he was Melcos chief financial officer until November last year.
Construction work on the Morpheus Hotel has been temporarily suspended by the Labour Affairs Bureau, according to TDM. It was similarly suspending after a previous accident at the site last year.
Chinas next economy czar is a Harvard-trained supporter of free markets who is President Xi Jinpings top adviser but has no experience fighting the bureaucratic battles the post can require.
Liu Hes rise comes as the ruling Communist Party faces mounting pressure to make its cooling, state-dominated economy more productive. That will require politically fraught changes to open industries wider to private and foreign competition.
Yesterday, the 66-year-old Liu was named one of four vice premiers by Chinas ceremonial legislature. No details of his duties were immediately announced but he is widely expected to have broad economic powers.
As a vice premier, Liu would answer to Premier Li Keqiang, whose post traditionally is top economic official. But Xi has stripped Li of many of his jobs most prominent duties by appointing himself head of the ruling Communist Partys body overseeing economic reform.
Dubbed Chinas economic mastermind by Hong Kong newspapers, the silver-haired Liu is making a late-career change to a politically challenging role carrying out plans after two decades designing them. He is close to Xi, Chinas most dominant figure since the 1970s, but unlike previous reformers- in-chief has no background in industry or as a mayor or provincial governor.
He might be able to design the right policy. However, getting people to implement it, especially at the local level, might be a challenge, said Hongyi Lai, a specialist in Chinese politics at Britains University of Nottingham, ahead of the announcement.
If someone is disobedient, he may draw on Xis power to push through the policy, said Lai. But I would say that cannot be used on a daily basis.
A member of the partys 25-member Politburo, Liu already is in charge of a Cabinet agency created in November to oversee financial reform, monetary and industrial policy and regulatory changes.
Liu made his debut on the global stage with a speech in January at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on a program that included U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
People who have met him say Liu is fluent in colloquial English and talks candidly about the need to change state-owned industry, as well as the resistance that might face. He has told foreign businesspeople he favors free markets and disagrees with plans for state-led development of industries from electric cars to robots to biotech.
There is a sense of urgency among Xis people, including Liu He, that reforms have lagged behind, said Dali Yang, a University of Chicago political scientist.
Reform advocates are hoping that after spending his first five years in office amassing power, Xi will accelerate what they complain has been sluggish action on carrying out an ambitious agenda announced by the party in 2013. It called for giving markets the decisive role and opening industries wider to private business.
Xi has sent mixed signals by affirming plans to build up state companies that dominate fields from energy to banking to telecoms.
Foreign companies complain that even when Beijing promises to open finance and other industries, it fails to follow through or imposes unappealing conditions such as ownership limits or a requirement to hand over technology.
Companies are getting very tired of promises, said Jake Parker, vice president for China operations of the U.S.-China Business Council. They want to see action.
Previous top economic officials had more bureaucratic experience.
Former Premier Zhu Rongji, who openly feuded with state company bosses and local officials during a painful industry overhaul in 1998-2003, was a former mayor and party secretary of Shanghai. Wu Yi had a career in the state-owned oil industry before she helped negotiate Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization and ran finance policy as a vice premier in 2003-08.
Lius experience is in the halls of power in Beijing, an asset at a time when Xi has gathered decision-making powers to the party center.
Liu has been part of the policymaking inner circle since the 1990s, helping to craft the partys five-year development plans. He was named a vice minister of the partys economic leading group in 2003 under Xis predecessor, Hu Jintao, and is a vice chairman of the Cabinets planning agency.
Liu was among millions of urban young people who were sent to the countryside during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, the ultra-radical upheaval launched by then-leader Mao Zedong.
In 1972, Liu joined the partys military wing, the Peoples Liberation Army, where he served in an anti-aircraft regiment, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. He earned a masters degree in economics from the partys Renmin University and a second in public administration in 1995 from Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government.
In 2014, Liu was awarded Chinas top economics prize for a research paper that compared the causes and outcomes of the 1930s depression and the 2008 financial crisis.
Among its conclusions: Seek the widest intersection between Chinese and global interests.
Another calls for avoiding conflict abroad a position at odds with Xis ambitions for global influence and confrontational stance toward Japan, South Korea and Vietnam over territorial disputes.
We should always warn ourselves not to be easily embroiled in international conflicts, Liu wrote. Instead, we should focus on really important matters to substantially improve our domestic conditions.
Even as a vice premier, Liu still would be carrying out plans made by the party leadership as a whole.
You have to respect the fact that state-owned enterprises continue to be significant assets for the political system, said Yang. He needs to be fairly careful. Joe McDonald, Beijing, AP
Pollyanna Chu has lost her title as Hong Kongs richest woman after her listed company turned into Asias worst performer this year.
Worth almost USD12 billion as recently as January, shes seen more than half of her wealth wiped out as the stock crashed. Kingston Financial Group Ltd., which operates businesses including Macau casinos and margin lending, has tumbled 50 percent since Hong Kongs securities regulator in January warned investors that the companys shares were overly concentrated among a small number of stockholders.
The company owns the Casa Real and Grandview casinos in Macau and operates under a service agreement with SJM Holdings.
Kingston Financial plunged 8.7 percent yesterday after FTSE Russell, one of the worlds most-followed index providers, removed the stock from its benchmarks. For its financing, the firm relies largely on unsecured loans provided cheaply by Chu and her family, according to January analysis from activist investor David Webb. The stock is the worst performer on MSCI Inc.s Asian gauge this year, after surging 88 percent in the last quarter of 2017.
Some speculators may have made a killing from Kingstons misfortunes short interest was about 6.3 percent of free float as of Friday, according to IHS Markit data. The company declined to immediately comment on the slump in shares.
The Securities and Futures Commission said in a Jan. 29 statement that 20 holders controlled more than 91 percent of the shares as of Jan 8. The stock plunged 17 percent the following day.
Part of Chus wealth stems from her fathers background managing casino VIP rooms in Macau. The sector still features prominently in the family controlled business; gaming and hotel revenues from the former Portuguese colony amounted to more than HKD670 million for the 2017 fiscal year, some 23 percent of total sales, according to Kingstons annual report.
Chu is joining a record $5.2 billion deal to buy most of a Hong Kong skyscraper from Li Ka-Shings company, people familiar with the matter said last month. Chu will take a 17 percent stake, they said.
Pansy Ho, the daughter of Stanley Ho, is now No. 1 in Hong Kongs ultra-rich women list, followed by Vivien Chen, chairwoman of closely held real estate developer Nan Fung Group, according to Bloombergs Billionaires Index. MDT/Bloomberg
Russian President Vladimir Putin won a fourth presidential term with nearly 77 percent of the vote his highest score ever and a massive mandate to pursue his nationalist, assertive policies for another six years in power.
Near-final results released yesterday showed that the other seven candidates were far behind Putin in Sundays voting.
Observers reported widespread ballot stuffing and unprecedented pressure on Russians to vote, but that is unlikely to seriously damage Putin given his popularity and his tight control over Russian politics.
With 99.8 percent of the vote counted, the Central Election Commission said yesterday that communist Pavel Grudinin came in a distant second with 11.8 percent. Third was ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky with 5.6 percent. The only candidate to openly criticize Putin during the campaign, liberal TV star Ksenia Sobchak, won just 1.6 percent.
Putins most serious rival, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was barred from the race.
The electoral commission said official turnout was 67 percent, but the figure was thrown into question by images circulating online of ballot stuffing and nationwide accounts of workers being coerced to vote.
Putin has never faced a serious threat to his rule since he came to power on the eve of the new millennium. He won 53 percent of the vote in the 2000 presidential election, 71 percent in 2004 and 63 percent in 2012.
The massive victory gives Putin new confidence to stand up to the West.
The election came amid escalating Cold War-like tensions, with accusations that Moscow was behind the nerve-agent poisoning this month of a former Russian double agent in Britain and that its internet trolls had waged an extensive campaign to undermine the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The accusations ultimately bolstered Putin among a populace that sees him as their defender against a hostile outside world and the embodiment of Russias resurgent power on the world stage.
The election was such a foregone conclusion that Putin gave only a perfunctory victory speech and said nothing about what he will do for his country.
We are bound for success, he said, to crowds near the Kremlin chanting Russia! Russia!
Putins victory puts his opponents in a tough spot.
Navalny called for a boycott but its unclear whether that had any effect. He then clashed publicly with Sobchak on Sunday night, accusing her of being a Kremlin stooge. Both were silent Monday, and their future plans are unclear.
Putins electoral power has centered on stability, a quality cherished by Russians after the chaotic breakup of the Soviet Union. But that stability has been bolstered by a suppression of dissent, the withering of independent media and the top-down control of politics called managed democracy.
That included pressure on voters to fulfil their civic duty.
Two election observers in Gorny Shchit, a rural district of Yekaterinburg, told The Associated Press they saw an unusually high influx of people going to the polls just before 2 p.m. A doctor at a hospital in the Ural mountains city told the AP that 2 p.m. was the deadline for health officials to report to their superiors that they had voted. Angela Charlton and Vladimir Isachenkov, Moscow, AP
The European Unions top diplomat criticized Turkey yesterday over its military offensive in a northern Syrian town, calling on Ankara to ensure that fighting eases in the conflict-torn country.
The appeal came as looting was widely reported in the town captured a day earlier by Turkish troops and allied Syrian fighters, according to residents and monitors. Meanwhile, Turkeys state-run news agency said 11 people seven civilians and four Turkish-
backed Syrian fighters were killed in an explosion in a building in Afrin town center as it was being cleared of booby traps. Anadolu News agency said the bomb was reportedly left by Syrian Kurdish fighters.
On Sunday, Turkish troops and Syrian opposition fighters allied with Ankara marched into Afrin, nearly two months after Turkey began its offensive on the enclave. Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish militia in Afrin a terrorist group and an extension of its own Kurdish insurgency within Turkey.
I am worried about this, Mogherini told reporters in Brussels yesterda, in reference to Turkeys offensive in Afrin. She said that international efforts in Syria are supposed to be aiming at de-escalating the military activities and not escalating them.
Turkey views the local Kurdish militia, the Peoples Defense Units or YPG, as a threat to its national security and has vowed to push it out of the district and away from its borders. The YPG retreated amid the swift Turkish offensive on Afrins town center, and vowed to start a new phase of fighting against the Turkish troops and allied fighters.
Meanwhile, Afrin residents and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported widespread looting and pillaging soon after Turkish troops and allied Syrian fighters marched into the town center. The Observatory said the pillaging began on Sunday.
Images have emerged of torched stores, men in uniforms and others in civilian clothes walking out of homes with full loads of bales, while others were seen driving away with tractors and agriculture supplies.
A Syrian commander with the Free Syrian Army, which captured the district along with Turkish forces, blamed thieves for the looting. Moataz Raslan, a commander with the FSA, said a unit for protection of property has been formed to prevent further theft.
Thousands of Afrin residents, many of whom had earlier fled from the villages near the border with Turkey to the town center, streamed out of Afrin before the Turkish troops entered. Lines of vehicles and civilians on foot headed toward Syrian government-controlled areas to the south or other Kurdish-controlled areas.AP
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam has confirmed to the public that the delivery charge hike for non-resident mothers at the public hospital will be means-tested.
He said that that the proposed ninefold increase will only be applicable to some non-resident workers, while those earning below a yet-to-be-defined threshold will face fares just three times higher than at present.
Tams intervention in the proposal will see natural births for low-income non-resident women raised from MOP975 to MOP2,925, while caesarean sections will increase from MOP1,950 to MOP5,850.
The policy change is a significant departure from the plan announced by the Health Bureau on February 28, which called for an across-the-board, ninefold hike for deliveries by all non-resident women at the public hospital.
Tam said last week that the hike was never intended to affect domestic workers among the lowest earners in the Macau SAR implying that it had been miscommunicated to the public.
A statement from the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture issued yesterday said that Tam was unimpressed by untrue statements that have surfaced on the internet that try to mislead the public regarding the increase in childbirth charges.
However, the same statement seemed to acknowledge that the decision to exempt some non-resident workers had come about in response to public opinion. It said that the Secretary, after consideration and consultation with local organizations, has decided to lower the increase in delivery charges for low-income non-resident workers.
Since announcing the proposal last month, the Health Bureau has argued that deterring non-residents from using the services of the public hospital will allow the institution to improve the quality of healthcare afforded to residents.
In yesterdays statement, the Secretary Tams Office said that by clearing maternity wards the government hopes to encourage local residents to have more children.
The value of local childbirth rates is extremely low in comparison to the mainland, neighboring countries and regions, and it is expected that, with the increase in the fees in question, pregnant tourists will resort to private hospitals, of medical resources, granting residents privileges in using the medical services of the public hospital, it read.
According to data provided by the government, around 200 non-resident women give birth at the public hospital each year (excluding tourists), accounting for 8 percent of the total number of births.
Top U.S., South Korean and Japanese officials discussed how to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during weekend talks ahead of upcoming inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korean summits, Seoul said yesterday.
South Korean officials who visited Pyongyang recently say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to hold talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April. Seoul says Kim proposed meeting with President Donald Trump, who agreed to meet him by the end of May.
The developments have raised hopes for a potential breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear crisis. But many experts say animosities would flare again if the summits fail to produce any progress and leave the nuclear issue with few diplomatic options. North Korea has yet to confirm North Korea-U.S. talks.
U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster met his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, Chung Eui-yong and Shotaro Yachi, in San Francisco for talks over the weekend on denuclearization and the summit talks, South Koreas presidential office said in a statement.
They agreed to maintain close trilateral cooperation in the next several weeks and shared a view that its important not to repeat past mistakes, the statement said. It didnt elaborate but likely refers to criticism that North Korea previously used disarmament negotiations as a way to ease outside pressure and win aid while all along secretly pressing its weapons development.
Appearing on CBSs Face the Nation aired over the weekend, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Kim had given his word that he was committed to denuclearization.
Hes given his word. But the significance of his word is is quite quite weighty in the sense that this is the first time that the words came directly from the North Korean supreme leader himself, and that has never been done before, she said.
Kims willingness to negotiate over his nuclear program is a step forward, but many experts remain skeptical about how sincere he is about giving up a nuclear program that his country has built for decades despite toughening international sanctions.
Chung, who headed a high-level delegation to Pyongyang and met Kim during his March 5-6 trip, says North Korea told his delegation it wont need to keep its nuclear weapons if military threats against it are removed and it receives a credible security guarantee. The North has long maintained such a stance, saying it wont abandon its nuclear weapons unless the United States pulls out its troops from South Korea and Japan and stops regular military drills with South Korea that it views as an invasion rehearsal.
A senior North Korean diplomat, meanwhile, flew to Finland on Sunday for talks with former U.S. officials as well as American and South Korean civilian academics. The meeting, set for Tuesday and Wednesday, is a possible opportunity to examine the Norths sincerity about its denuclearization pledges. North Korean officials and former U.S. officials and experts have often held such talks, known as Track-2. Hyung-Jin Kim, Seoul, AP
Collaboration among hospitals across the U.S. as part of a new research consortium is giving hope for the future of babies born with a rare congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A baby from Alabama named Ryals is one of the first to benefit from the consortium.
"He's amazing," Andrea Sexton says, beaming about her infant son. "He is the strongest little boy ... If you were just looking at him, you'd never know anything was wrong."
Sexton and her husband, Heath Sexton, never imagined that would even be possible for their son Ryals after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect while still in the womb.
"All of a sudden, to see the ultrasound tech blinking and staring at the monitor, and then getting a little frantic and rushing out to get the doctor, I knew something was wrong," Heath Sexton says.
The diagnosis: hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS. Essentially, there was no left side of baby Ryals' heart.
It's a relatively rare condition. Only about a thousand children are born with HLHS each year in the U.S.
Coming home from the hospital we were wondering how is this going to change our lives ... Obviously, the care of a child that possibly would need a lot of help, maybe a lot of long-term help," Heath Sexton says. "And then, of course, in the back of your mind, obviously, you've read that a lot of children don't make it past three months. And, so, just thinking about, you know, am I going to be prepared ... for a funeral?"
The Sextons packed up and temporarily left their home in Alabama to move to Philadelphia. The plan was to place Ryals' hopes of survival in the hands of a team of doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the leading medical centers for HLHS surgeries and treatment.
There they met Dr. Joe Rossano, who heads up the cardiac center at CHOP.
"Yeah, they're a very complicated surgery," Dr. Rossano says. "You know, prior to the 1980s and '90s, there were essentially no good surgical options for these patients. But a number of very innovative surgical techniques were developed that have allowed many of these children to survive and thrive."
Children born with HLHS go through a series of three surgeries to essentially rework the plumbing of the heart. The first surgery comes within days of birth. The second surgery generally occurs three to six months later. And the third surgery is usually performed about three years later.
This series of surgeries allows children with HLHS to live relatively normal lives, but it isn't perfect.
Having the right side of the heart perform the tasks normally handled by both sides of the heart puts tremendous stress and pressure on the right side.
As patients with HLHS are aging, doctors are realizing many of their hearts are unable to continue to function on their own, and some patients need a heart transplant.
But Andrea Sexton found out about a clinical trial going on at Mayo Clinic aiming to solve that problem.
"Quickly they set me up with an interview over the phone with Dr. Nelson," Andrea Sexton says. "He was amazing. He gave me hope."
Dr. Tim Nelson oversees the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He leads a team of roughly 60 people who research and conduct clinical trials for new HLHS treatments.
"The HLHS program has a mission to ... recreate the right ventricle to make it bigger and stronger," Dr. Nelson says. "So we're finding ways of inventing new therapies to make that right heart stronger by stimulating the growth of the heart muscle and make the five-horsepower engine, a 10-horsepower engine, a 50-horsepower engine. And if we make it strong enough, we believe that that has a shot at delaying and preventing transplant for a significant number of these children."
The key to this groundbreaking regenerative therapy clinical trial is stem cells, but not just any stem cells. Dr. Nelson's team uses the babies' own stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.
"So the first product that we're testing in our clinical trial is using umbilical cord blood from the baby's own body," Dr. Nelson says. "So the child has to be diagnosed in utero, and we have to be able to collect the cord blood at birth. We can collect the cord blood from anywhere in the country and ship it into Rochester, Minnesota, to have it processed to have a high concentrated product that gets frozen in low temperatures of liquid nitrogen. That product is frozen for three months until the child has their second surgery, or the Glenn operation, which then we can bring those cells back into the operating room, thaw them, and deliver them directly into the heart muscle."
"The hope of this is that it causes a fertilizer type of an effect where these cells are able to fertilize the right ventricle muscle and allow it to grow bigger and stronger because it's received this cell-based therapy," Dr. Nelson says.
On May 4, 2017, Ryals became the fifth clinical trial patient in Mayo Clinic's HLHS team's research.
Dr. Nelson and his team, who had traveled to Philadelphia to deliver the cells, looked on as a surgeon from CHOP injected the cells into Ryals' tiny heart near the end of his operation. A surgical assistant counted down as the surgeon injected the cells into different areas of the heart.
After several tense hours of waiting during Ryals' surgery, his parents were emotional and relieved to hear all went well and that there were no problems injecting Ryals' cells.
During an emotional hug, tears flowed down Andrea Sexton's face as she thanked Dr. Nelson.
"You're welcome," Dr. Nelson says. "He's a trooper."
"I felt like we had a superhero come in on this jet plane, and he had this box of super cells," Heath Sexton says with a big smile stretching across his face. "And it felt like you'd come to save my son."
A few hours later, Dr. Nelson and his team from Mayo Clinic were back on board Mayo Clinic's fixed-wing plane to head back to Minnesota and begin preparations for the next cell delivery in the clinical trial.
In an effort to expand the research and help more families, in 2017 the HLHS team at Mayo began creating a hypoplastic left heart syndrome research consortium.
"So we've built this infrastructure to be able to do clinical trials, and ultimately, we need to be able to have a large number of families participating in that," Dr. Nelson says. "So the consortium really represents our ability to take the science and technology and teams of people to other centers of excellence that allows us to interact with more families at more locations."
CHOP joined Mayo Clinic as the first members of the consortium, and Ryals was the first patient to benefit from it.
Within a few months, Children's Hospital of Los Angelesbecame the third institution to join the consortium, followed soon after by Children's Minnesota.
Dr. Nelson sees the collaboration eventually leading to breakthroughs that once seemed impossible.
"You can even imagine where the technology is leading usto be able to recreate patches and constructs and maybe even whole ventricles that can be engineered, that can be transplanted at some point," he says.
The days after Ryals received his cells were filled with firsts for the Sextons: a first smile and a first bottle.
They were able to bring Ryals back home to Alabama as a growing, relatively healthy baby boy.
And they finally have what they feared they never would: a sense of normalcy and a chance to dream about Ryals' future.
"I guess I see the survivors of the day that are having children and having careers," Heath Sexton says. "And that's what I see my son as. And the hope is that he can see his grandchildren."
"I see college," Andrea Sexton says. "I see happiness and I see my boys playing together. I see a happy family. And I believe that this work, this research that these doctors have put hard work into is going toto let us achieve that."
Ryals continues to need minor procedures to maintain the health of his heart. But now, instead of fear and worry filling the Sextons' home, a baby's laughter does.
Explore further Mayo Clinic first in US to test stem cells in pediatric congenital heart disease patients
2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Sheree Thein's mother was supposed to go home the next day.
Thein's mom, Jadeen Rivard, was hospitalized in 2014 with a partial intestinal blockage. She had her stomach pumped and after a few days she was feeling better. During Thein's last visit, everything seemed fine, except that her mom kept falling asleep while they were watching television.
"There was nothing going on with her that gave us any reason for concern," Thein said during an interview at her house in Leawood, Kan.
Her mom didn't survive the night.
Thein said her mother was a victim of what's called "Dead in Bed," a phenomenon that's well-known within the medical community, especially among anesthesiologists, but not discussed much with the general public.
The hospital could offer no answers and an autopsy was inconclusive. But the exam didn't include a toxicology report and Thein's family soon became convinced that if it had, it would have shown that her mother died of opioid intoxication from Dilaudid, the common but potent painkiller she was repeatedly given during her hospitalization.
Experts who reviewed her medical records said the doses seemed unusually high for someone being treated for such a minor procedure. Cumulatively, they said, it could have been enough to make a patient stop breathing, especially someone like Rivard who was 80 and hadn't been on opioids before, so she had low tolerance.
It usually happens in hospital wards that aren't intensive care units. Patients on painkillers, often recovering from surgery, quietly suffer respiratory failure while asleep.
Frank Overdyk, an anesthesiologist from South Carolina and national patient safety expert, said an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Americans die that way every year.
That's far fewer than die in hospitals of other complications like infections or surgical errors, but Overdyk said it's still too many.
"These tragic deaths continue to happen everywherelarge hospitals and small hospitals, famous hospitals and rural hospitals," Overdyk said. "They are completely preventable."
Overdykwho disclosed that he receives payments from Medtronic, a medical device company that makes monitoring equipmentis chairman of a coalition of 15 groups pushing for continuous electronic monitoring of all hospitals patients on opioids that are injected or infused intravenously.
Very few hospitals do that now, though it would alert staff immediately if a patient was struggling to breathe. The coalition includes several national nursing groups and the American Association for Respiratory Care.
But other physicians who don't have financial interests also said the public should be aware of the dangers of overuse of painkillers in hospitals.
"It's not just the elderly and it's not just Dilaudid," said Andrew Kolodny, the executive director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. "I believe that opioid overdose deaths in hospital beds are not uncommon."
Kolodny said "aggressive screening for pain" mandated by an accreditation group called the Joint Commission and federal reimbursements that are linked to patient surveys were the main causes of the problem.
Hospitals have known of the problem since at least August 2012, when the Joint Commission released an alert about it. The group identified several risk factors that made patients more susceptible, including sleep apnea, obesity, age, smoking and medication combinations.
It estimated that 47 percent of the adverse events, including deaths, related to inpatient opioids were due to dosing errors. But 29 percent were due to improper monitoring of patients.
Thein has made it her mission to improve patient monitoring and also spread the word about what other families should look for when they have loved ones in the hospital. In retrospect, she said, there were warning signs that both she and the nursing staff missed.
Thein said she didn't want to name the hospital where her mom died, partly because of a legal settlement her family reached with the facility in 2016, but also because she doesn't want people to think other places are risk-free.
"I don't think it's limited to that hospital at all," Thein said.
Continuous electronic monitoring tools include pulse oximeters that are attached to a patient's finger and measure oxygen in the blood and capnography monitors that measure vital signs and beep when they fall to dangerous levels.
They're used in operating rooms and intensive care units, and anyone who has seen a hospital drama on TV is familiar with them. But Overdyk said only about 20 to 25 percent of hospitals have the capacity to use them at every bed and only about 1 percent do.
The main reason, he said, is cost.
Officials from the Missouri Hospital Association and the Kansas Hospital Association said neither kept data on how many of their members use electronic monitoring.
The Kansas City Star asked eight of the Kansas City area's largest health systems for information about what kind of measures they take to prevent inpatient opioid overdoses how they use electronic monitoring.
Truman Medical Center and Olathe Health did not comment.
Shawnee Mission Health chief medical officer Larry Botts said through a spokeswoman that his system follows federal guidelines and electronically monitors all patients "on continuous IV opioid medication." Patients like Rivard who are being given IV opioids intermittently are monitored based on "the unique needs of each individual patient's history and physical status."
The University of Kansas Health System, St. Luke's Health, North Kansas City Hospital and HCA Midwest all also said they use electronic monitoring on a case-by-case basis depending on patient risk.
KU Health spokeswoman Jill Chadwick said KU has formed an Opioid Stewardship Committee to study whether its protocols should be updated.
"The committee and doctors are watching closely the studies around continuous electronic monitoring of all forms with great interest," Chadwick said.
Pat McBratney, a spokesman for Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., didn't say anything about that hospital's electronic monitoring, but said Providence employs "industry best practices" including the Pasero Opioid-Induced Sedation Scale.
The five-part scale was developed by Chris Pasero, a retired nurse and author of several textbooks on pain management in nursing.
It's intended to help nurses spot patients who may be receiving too many opioids by gauging how drowsy they are while awake and how hard it is to rouse them when they're asleep.
Thein said the scale is no substitute for electronic monitoring. But she wishes she and her family had known about it, because it would have told them something was seriously wrong with her mom.
Thein said her mom was in excellent health for an 80-year-old before she was hospitalized.
"She seemed a lot younger than she was and I think it was misleading for people," Thein said. "Maybe made the doctors and nurses think she was so healthy they didn't need to worry about her."
Thein said her mom was put on Dilaudid initially because the bowel obstruction was causing her significant pain. But that abated after her stomach was pumped and by the second day her only pain was a sore throat caused by the suction tube put down through her nose to do the pumping.
The nurse on duty said she had decided to back off her pain meds at that point, but instead of lowering her mom's dosage, Thein said the nurse instead kept her on the same amount but gave it every six hours instead of every three.
Meanwhile, Thein and her family were seeing what they later learned were signs of opioid intoxication.
Her mom was having trouble staying awake and when she fell asleep it was hard for them to rouse her. Her speech at times was slurred and mumbling. When she went to the bathroom she seemed dizzy and unsteady on her feet.
But Thein said at the time she knew nothing about the risks of opioid pain medication, and she figured that the hospital staff would know if anything was wrong.
"I didn't know it would be any kind of serious situation," Thein said. "I just thought maybe they had given her something to make her sleep."
Thein said by the end of the day the nurse had decided that her mom shouldn't get more pain medication. But her records showed that later that night, when a different nurse was on duty, Rivard was given another dose.
She was dead before sunrise.
"We were totally shocked by the phone call in the morning, which most of us got from my dad around 5 or 5:30, just telling us that she had died at the hospital," Thein said.
It wasn't until the family members got together and talked about how groggy Rivard was during their hospital visits that last day that they started piecing together the painkiller connection.
Now Thein said she worries every time she hears about someone she loves is going to the hospital, even for routine procedures.
"Until we have all patients monitored," Thein said, "we won't have 100 percent (of) patients coming home from the hospital."
Explore further Researchers use health data to predict who will use opioids after hospitalization
2018 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.)
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Providing free supplies of insulin and blood glucose test trips to families with type 1 diabetes in low- and lower-middle income families can result in improved blood-sugar control and diabetes-related knowledge, a new study of families in India suggests. The research results will be presented Tuesday, March 20, at ENDO 2018, the 100th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Chicago, Ill.
In Indian families with type 1 diabetes, the cost of care is largely borne by the family, with the highest economic burden borne by the lower and lower middle socio-economic class families, said lead researcher Vijayalakshmi Bhatia, M.D., professor at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, India. "Paucity of financial resources may result in inadequate spending on diabetes, which in turn can have an adverse effect on healthcare outcomes," she said.
For a condition like diabetes, where self-management is the key to controlling the disease, other social factors such as education status, urban or rural dwelling and access to healthcare facilities, among others, may impede a good outcome, despite provision of insulin and other supplies, Bhatia said.
The researchers studied, for the first time in India, the effect on blood sugar levels and diabetes-related knowledge of reducing the cost-related barrier, by providing free insulin and blood glucose test strips to 85 patients (average age 13 years) from low- and middle-income families for one year. Additionally, in the second six months of the study, half the patients received phone calls from a diabetes nurse educator every two weeks.
The study found a significant improvement in hemoglobin A1c, a test that measures blood sugar control, at three and six months. Patients' knowledge of diabetes improved at six months despite only standard of care, with no special teaching or interaction. This suggests patients received improved insight into their diabetes through more frequent self-monitoring of their blood sugar levels, the researchers said.
During the second six months, the diabetes knowledge of the group receiving telephone calls improved compared to the non-telephone group. Improvements in A1c levels did not differ between those who received the calls and those who did not.
Urban families and families where the head of the household had more than a high school education showed greater improvement in diabetes knowledge than rural families or those with lower formal education.
"Policymakers can infer from this preliminary study that provision of free supplies will pay short-term (and possibly long-term via improved knowledge) dividends in improving the health of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes from low- and lower-middle income families in a developing country," Bhatia said.
Explore further Veterans with type 2 diabetes improve blood sugar control using telehealth
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Eric Russell, 24, recently joined a health support group for young Latino and black gay men, where he learned about the HIV-prevention pill known as PrEP. He resisted the medication at first, convinced he didn't need it and fearful that taking it would stigmatize him.
But after Russell learned more about PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, he decided it would be a good investment in his health. The Los Angeles man started taking the drug this year and now encourages other young minority men to do the same.
"A lot of people won't necessarily tell you their (HIV) status," said Russell, who is on Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income people. "You have to look out for yourself."
Medicaid beneficiaries in California are taking the HIV-prevention pill in greater numbers than ever before. Across the United States, PrEP use is also rising significantly, according to data released this week. Blacks and Latinos, however, have been slow to embrace the medication even though HIV infection rates among them are much higher than among whites.
In California's Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, the number of PrEP users rose from 79 in the first half of 2012the year the drug was first approved for preventive purposesto 3,295 by the end of 2016, according to a report released last month by the California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Centers.
Nationally, the number of PrEP users rose from 8,768 in 2012 to 77,120 in 2016an average annual increase of 73 percent in each of those four years, according to new data released by AIDSVu.org, an HIV web site run jointly by Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and Gilead Sciences Inc., which manufactures the pill. Gilead told financial analysts in July 2017 that 136,000 people in the U.S. were taking PrEP, also known by its brand name, Truvada.
Truvada was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to treat HIV, then eight years later to help prevent it. It can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by more than 90 percent, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If taken daily, the medicine's presence in the bloodstream can prevent the HIV virus from taking hold and spreading in the body. It costs about $1,500 a month but is covered by Medicaid and many private insurers.
Wide ethnic and racial disparities persist in its use, however, with far less uptake among nonwhite Medicaid enrollees than among their white counterparts.
The authors of the California study found the rate of PrEP use among black Medi-Cal enrollees in 2016 was 37 percent lower than the white rate, even though new diagnoses among blacks are four times that of whites. Latinos had the lowest rate of PrEP usage among Medi-Cal recipientsabout one-quarter that of whiteswhile their rate of new infection was 1.5 times higher.
That disparity exists nationwide as well, with disproportionately low use of the HIV-prevention pill among blacks and Latinos.
About 44 percent of people who could potentially have benefited from PrEP in 2015 were blacks, but only 1.4 percent of those7,000 out of about half a millionhad prescriptions for PrEP, according to a new study released earlier this week by the CDC. And in a similar time period, a quarter of people who could have benefited from PrEPnearly 300,000were Latino, but only about 3 percent of them had PrEP prescriptions, according to the study. Among whites who were candidates for the drug, 14 percent had prescriptions.
Disparities in use of the HIV-prevention pill are also geographic. Nearly half of all PrEP users reside in five states that account for 37 percent of the U.S. populationCalifornia, Florida, New York, Illinois and Texasaccording to AIDSVu. The majority of new HIV diagnoses52 percentare in the South.
The California researchers cited several possible reasons for the racial and ethnic disparities, including a lack of knowledge about PrEP, the perceived stigma of taking it, mistrust of doctors and an inadequate understandingor denialof the HIV risk. They also found disparities by age, with greater use among people 25 and older.
The report was based on 2012-16 data from the California Department of Health Care Services, which runs Medi-Cal. The report's authors said studying PrEP use among Medicaid patients is important because they are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and "might most benefit from public health policy interventions to support uptake" of the prevention drug.
The ethnic and racial disparities shown in the data are an important finding because of the role the pill can play in helping reduce new infections, said Nina Harawa, an associate professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the lead author of the California study.
"We are at this point where it's really possible to turn the tide on new infections," Harawa said. "PrEP is a huge part of the strategy to eventually get to zero cases of new HIV. We need to make sure resources around PrEP are being used wisely and getting to the right people."
Hoping to encourage wider use of the drug, California eliminated a rule in 2014 that had required doctors to seek pre-authorization to prescribe it. State health officials say they believe that decision helped increase the number of prescriptions. Two years later, another law required that information about the HIV-prevention pill be provided to people who test negative for HIV.
Tony Cava, spokesman for the Department of Health Care Services, said the rise in PrEP prescriptions can also be attributed to outreach by advocacy groups and dissemination of educational materials in areas with residents at high risk of HIV.
More resources are needed to "redouble efforts to reach the communities that are impacted," said Craig Pulsipher, another author of the study and a state affairs specialist at APLA Health, which sponsored the group that Eric Russell attended.
Such efforts paid dividends in New York, where the number of Medicaid enrollees using the HIV-prevention drug rose more than 300 percent in the two years from July 2013 to June 2015, following a statewide initiative to educate doctors and patients about it, according to a study published by the CDC in 2015.
Doctors play an important role in the uptake of PrEP, Pulsipher said.
"We hear very frequently about providers who are still unfamiliar with PrEP or unwilling to prescribe it," he said. "If you live in West Hollywood, you can just walk down the street" to find a doctor willing to prescribe Truvada. "If you live in South L.A., access looks very different."
Last year, the Los Angeles LGBT Center launched a campaign to educate black and Latino gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women, about the HIV-prevention medication. The campaign began with volunteers distributing information about PrEP in West Hollywood bars, and has continued with art installations and conversations with people at gay pride and other events, said Paul Chavez, the campaign's manager.
"What we found in our outreach was that a lot of people are not aware that Truvada actually exists," Chavez said.
He said outreach workers must gain the trust of people who haven't always felt comfortable seeking medical care, much less cared to prevent HIV. "Accessing health care can be overwhelming, period," Chavez said. "You add these layers on top of this, and the barriers start piling up."
Explore further Study finds barriers to accessing HIV prevention pill
2018 Kaiser Health News
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Nurse caring for an infant in Zambia.
Hypothermia in newborns is common worldwide with prevalence ranging from 32 to 85 percent. The incidence of neonatal hypothermia is substantially higher in developing countries such as Zambia compared with developed countries. Even in the United States, many babies require hospitalization because of hypothermia.
A team of physicians, nurses and medical students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham are working in collaboration with Zambian counterparts at the University Teaching Hospital to find a low-cost way to protect newborn babies from hypothermia and improve their chance of survival. One such way is through kangaroo mother care, a technique that provides warmth to an infant through direct skin-to-skin contact.
Researchers from UAB and Zambia looked at the effectiveness of kangaroo mother care right after birth when the babies are most at risk of hypothermia. A study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood showed practicing shorter durations of kangaroo mother care during the first few hours after birth does not prevent moderate hypothermia in the infant. However, the study showed babies who received longer durations of kangaroo mother care more than 80 percent of the time were protected against hypothermia in the first few hours after birth.
"Kangaroo mother care is commonly practiced and well-accepted in many cultures, promoting breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding in infants; but it has not been tested right after birth as a way to prevent hypothermia," said Manimaran Ramani, M.D., lead author and assistant professor in the UAB Division of Neonatology. "It is possible that kangaroo mother care will be beneficial in preventing hypothermia in infants born in resource-limited facilities, like in Zambia, if it is practiced for a longer rather than shorter duration of time."
The team found that infants who received kangaroo mother care more than 50 percent of the time during their hospital stay did not have the risk of hypothermia at discharge.
To reduce the neonatal hypothermia, the World Health Organization recommends a set of interlinked procedures called the "warm chain," or thermoregulation protocol, to be implemented with every newborn from birth until the first few hours to days after birth. The warm chain procedures include warm delivery rooms, immediate drying, as much uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact as possible, early breastfeeding, delayed bathing and weighing, appropriate bundling, mother and baby together, warm transportation, warm resuscitation, and improved training and awareness.
"Not all elements recommended in the WHO thermoregulation protocol are practiced routinely in many birth facilities around the world," Ramani said. "Kangaroo mother care is a low-cost intervention that could save the lives of infants by providing natural warmth from the mother if used consistently during the first few hours after birth."
There are several factors that could impair the mothers' ability to provide continuous KMC, including post-partum tiredness, sickness, hygiene care, routine postpartum checkups, essential newborn care and frequent diaper changes. Other factors that are hard to control and play a role in the infants' body temperature include unregulated delivery room and postnatal ward temperatures in the resource-limited birth facilities.
Visiting physicians from UAB continue to search for alternative options to help prevent hypothermia of infants in Zambia.
"In addition to determining the efficacy of low-cost intervention tools such as skin-to-skin contact, and plastic and kangaroo wraps in the prevention of hypothermia in newborns, our team is also teaching the local mothers the importance and the benefits of skin-to-skin and essential newborn care," Ramani said.
Explore further Maternal singing during skin-to-skin contact benefits both preterm infants and their mothers
More information: Kangaroo mother care for the prevention of neonatal hypothermia: a randomised controlled trial in term neonates. Archives of Disease in Childhood. DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-313744 Journal information: Archives of Disease in Childhood Kangaroo mother care for the prevention of neonatal hypothermia: a randomised controlled trial in term neonates.
When Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico, it didn't just flatten houses and flood hospitals it plunged the island into a darkness that many islanders have yet to emerge from, both literally and metaphorically.
The catastrophe sent the island into the longest blackout in US history. Six months after the disaster, many residents are still without access to power. "Such prolonged darkness is insidious to community mental health," says Oxiris Barbot, First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Barbot visited the island as a relief worker two months after the disaster and found nearly everyone she met knew someone in their immediate circle or one degree removed who had contemplated or died by suicide. Preliminary data from Puerto Rico's health department suggests that suicides were up nearly a third in September and October compared to the same period for 2016.
Physicians know that extreme events can have negative impacts on mental health, causing symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But in a recent paper, researchers admitted that much is still unknown about the consequences of disasters on long-term behavioural health.
In Puerto Rico, most of the islanders were unable to evacuate and so weathered the full trauma of the storm. Some were isolated and without assistance for days or weeks afterwards. In the following months, many faced hardships such as bereavements, loss of income and limited access to fresh water and food.
It's an experience that could leave a lasting imprint. "Exposure to trauma not only affects you in the moment, it affects you for the rest of your life if you don't have access to support services that will help you develop effective coping skills," Barbot says.
But little is known about how survivors of extreme events respond relative to the help they receive, according to Sandro Galea, Dean at the Boston University School of Public Health. He says scientists need to investigate the most effective post-disaster responses to both physical and mental health challenges: "The stigma that you can just 'get over' mental illness remains. In truth, one can get over mental illness roughly the same way one can get over a broken bone by oneself with difficulty, and likely in a way that will not result in proper healing."
Public health researchers need to invest in research that prepares health systems for the next extreme event, Galea says. The first step would be to identify at-risk populations from both a physical and mental health perspective. Then health workers could act to create resilience and mitigate the consequences in vulnerable communities.
Doing such research now, before the next hurricane hits, could reap significant financial savings in disaster response efforts. "The payoff is enormous," Galea says. "And if we ask the right questions, we can mitigate mental health consequences that cost people's lives."
Explore further The mental health toll of Puerto Rico's prolonged power outages
More information: James M. Shultz et al. Preparing for the Next Harvey, Irma, or MariaAddressing Research Gaps, New England Journal of Medicine (2017). Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine James M. Shultz et al. Preparing for the Next Harvey, Irma, or MariaAddressing Research Gaps,(2017). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1712854
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This article first appeared on Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence.
Generalized 3 Hz spike and wave discharges in a child with childhood absence epilepsy. Credit: Wikipedia.
Researchers have discovered a "missing mutation" in severe infant epilepsylong-suspected genetic changes that might trigger overactive, brain-damaging electrical signaling leading to seizures They also found early indications that specific anti-seizure medications might prevent disabling brain injury by controlling epilepsy during a crucial period shortly after birth.
"These are still early days, but we may be able to use this knowledge to protect the newborn brain and improve a child's long-term outcome," said study leader Ethan M. Goldberg, MD, PhD, a pediatric neurologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Goldberg collaborated with European and American researchers in this neurogenetic study of early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, published online Feb. 21, 2018 in Annals of Neurology.
The study focused on mutations in the gene SCN3A. Scientists already knew that the gene had a pattern of high expression in the brain, before and shortly after birth. Variants in SCN3A had also been previously linked to less severe forms of epilepsy, but the current research solidified this link and was the first to establish that SCN3A mutations cause the severe infantile form.
The gene regulates sodium channels that allow sodium ions into brain cells: "sodium influx underlies action potentials, which are the currency of information transfer in the brain," said Goldberg. Of four sodium ion channels predominantly expressed in the brain, he added, scientists had discovered that gene mutations in three of those channels already had a clear role in causing forms of epilepsy. Only one channel, called Nav1.3, encoded by the SCN3A gene, had not previously been linked to epilepsy, and hence was the "missing channel." The new research implicated novel SCN3A mutations in severe childhood epilepsy, joining the other brain-expressed sodium channels as causes of early infantile epileptic encephalopathy.
"We identified gain-of-function mutations in SCN3A," said Goldberg. "These mutations generate increased channel activity that leaves the ion channel stuck open and leaking current. This overactivity, in turn, leads to epileptic encephalopathythe most severe type of childhood epilepsy."
The study team reported on a cohort of four unrelated children from different countries, all of whom had severe epilepsy. Their epilepsy had a particularly early onset, within the first two weeks of life. For the children, the results were devastating: severe to profound developmental delay, seizures that did not respond to medication and lifelong disability.
The researchers used whole-exome sequencing to pinpoint mutations in SCN3A. The mutations were de novopresent in the affected children, but not inherited from the parents. Cell studies, including electrophysiological recordings, revealed detailed properties of the electrical signaling.
Further cell culture studies also showed that existing anti-seizure medications, lacosamide and phenytoin, selectively inhibited the persistent current in mutant ion channelssuggesting a possible future therapy for this condition.
Translating these findings into potential clinical treatments, Goldberg stressed, will require considerable further researchboth in nerve cells and in future animal models, in which neurologists can test possible precision-medicine treatments for safety and efficacy before they can be investigated in patients. In addition, the current research allowed the SCN3A gene to be added to an existing diagnostic test, CHOP's Epilepsy Panel, which uses next-generation sequencing to rapidly test for over 100 genetic causes of childhood epilepsy.
Precise, early diagnosis, added Goldberg, will be crucial, because of the highly regulated timetable of early-life neurological events. "The mutation's activity in the Nav1.3 sodium ion channel occurs during a short period in newborns, but if we can intervene during that window, we may be able to help prevent long-term neurological injury and benefit patients," he said.
Explore further Researchers unravel mysteries of SCN8A mutation in epilepsy
More information: Tariq Zaman et al, Mutations in SCN3A cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, Annals of Neurology (2018). Journal information: Annals of Neurology Tariq Zaman et al, Mutations in SCN3A cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/ana.25188
Increasing the availability of effective pain management in low- to middle-income countries will be an essential part of ongoing efforts to expand global access to safe surgery and anesthesia, according to a special article in the April issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.
"Pain is a common, widespread problem with some clearly complex barriers that need to be overcome before more effective treatment options can be delivered to our patients across the world," write Roger Goucke, FFPM, of University of Western Australia, Nedland, and Pongparadee Chaudakshetrin, FFPM, of Mahidol University, Bangkok. Their article appears as part of special section devoted to the theme of "Safe Surgery Globally by 2030."
Addressing the Neglected Problem of Pain in Low-Resource Settings
Drs. Goucke and Chaudakshetrin discuss the high burden of uncontrolled pain in low- to middle-income countries. They note that 80 percent of the world population lacks adequate access to pain management, while also experiencing three-fourths of deaths from cancer and HIV. Attention to expanding the availability of effective pain treatments will be an essential part of an ongoing initiative to expand the availability of appropriate surgical services and safe anesthesia around the world.
That effort, called Global Surgery 2030, defines targets for increasing access to surgery worldwideincluding an ambitious goal of reaching at least 80 percent coverage of essential surgical and anesthesia services per country by 2030. "It is essential that the increase in surgical procedures is accompanied by appropriate acute pain management," Drs. Goucke and Chaudakshetrin write.
It has been estimated that one in five adults worldwide suffer from pain, while one in ten are diagnosed with chronic pain each year. Although 80 to 90 percent of cancer pain can be controlled with appropriate use of oral opioids, progress has been "exceptionally slow" in delivering opioids to patients in need. Only 6.7 percent of the world's supply of medical opioids is available to low- and middle-income countries.
The authors note a wide range of barriers to improving access to these and other effective medications for controlling pain. These include distribution difficulties, regulatory requirements, staffing issues, and patients' cultural or religious beliefs. Global health, anesthesia, and pain medicine societies have taken the position that access to appropriate pain relief should be a basic human right.
Drs. Goucke and Chaudakshetrin outline some broad strategies that will be essential to making progress toward universal access to pain treatment. These include a commitment to education in multidisciplinary pain medicine, both in medical and nursing schools and for practicing healthcare workers. Once governments have been made aware of the scope and cost of the problem, the world healthcare community must be prepared to respond with information and guidanceincluding the need to balance regulation and control of opioids and their use in cancer, postoperative, and trauma pain.
Drs. Goucke and Chaudakshetrin conclude: "With our increasing knowledge of the mechanisms of pain and the complex interaction between the social, psychological, environmental and physical components, we must do more to address these issues not only in the low resource setting but also in high income countries."
Increasing access to treatment for cancer and postoperative pain is only part of anesthesia's responsibility for reaching the Global Surgery 2030 goals, according to an editorial by Robert J. McDougall, MD, of University of Melbourne and Angela Enright, MB, of University of British Columbia. Other topics in the special issue include examples of highly successful training programs to address the shortage of anesthesia providers; considerations to help ensure that the expanded availability of surgery is accompanied by efforts to improve and maintain safety in anesthesia; the development and use of standards to measure progress toward global goals; and the special challenges of expanding obstetric care, including cesarean section.
"Lack of access to safe anesthesia and surgery threatens 5 of the 7 billion people who occupy this planet," Drs. McDougall and Enright write. They add that world governments and the anesthesia community have a "moral imperative" to act in increasing the availability of surgery, anesthesia, and pain treatment. "For those 5 billion people in need, it is their human right to expect that we will."
People who take replacement thyroid hormone may have more comorbidities and lower quality of life than those who don't take the hormone, a large population-based study from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands reports. The study results will be presented Tuesday, March 20, at ENDO 2018, the 100th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Chicago, Ill.
Hypothyroidism is a common disorder, and replacement therapy with levothyroxine (LT4) is the standard treatment.
"Unfortunately, about 10 percent of patients on thyroid hormone continue to experience symptoms and disturbed well-being, despite the fact that their blood thyroid hormone levels are within the normal range," said lead study author Hanneke Wouters, an M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of Groningen.
"We demonstrated that individuals treated with thyroid hormone had a lower quality of life compared with matched individuals not using thyroid hormone. Also, thyroid hormone users had more comorbidity than non-users. Furthermore, the presence of comorbidity seemed to have more negative impact on the quality of life of LT4 users compared with non-users," she added.
Wouters and her colleagues reviewed the records of 34,440 participants from the Dutch Lifelines cohort study, including data on their medical history, thyroid hormone concentrations, medication use and quality of life. They evaluated health-related quality of life using the RAND-36 questionnaire to examine physical, social, psychological and general health, as well as pain and vitality.
The authors considered comorbidity to be medication use other than LT4 and oral contraceptives, or conditions such as migraine, for which patients are not always prescribed medication.
Of the 955 individuals who used LT4, 80.6 percent had comorbidity, compared with 66.0 percent of those who did not use LT4. Overall, 60.0 percent of those taking LT4 had normal TSH levels, while 89 percent of those not using the drug had normal levels.
LT4 users had lower scores on almost all health-related quality-of-life domains compared to non-users.
The presence of comorbidity had more impact on health-related quality-of-life among individuals using LT4 than among those not using LT4, especially on physical functioning and general health.
"This study demonstrates that attention to comorbidity in patients with hypothyroidism is indicated," Wouters advised.
The Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing (NCHA) and Biobank Standardisation and Harmonisation for Research Excellence in the European Union (BioSHaRE-EU) funded the study.
Explore further Chronic fatigue syndrome possibly explained by lower levels of key thyroid hormones
The child is well-known in the halls where state bureaucrats oversee health care for millions of Californiansnot by name, but by a number: $21 million.
His medications alone cost state taxpayers that much in a single year, not including other health care. The boy, whose identity has not been released, was California's most expensive Medicaid patient in recent years. His case was singled out in a tweet last year by the state's top health care official to highlight the public insurance program's extraordinary obligations as a backstop for low-income patients.
How on earth can a single child's treatment cost that much? The answer: He has hemophilia and needs large quantities of a pricey drugknown as clotting factorthat makes blood coagulate.
Hemophilia drugs are among the most costly drugs in the nation, and taxpayers are footing the bill for many patients on Medicaid who could never afford them on their own. Officials in California and other states are doing what they can to manage the costs, but it's a daunting task that highlights the complexity and secrecy of prescription drug pricing.
Kaiser Health News is examining how America has become a "Medicaid Nationwhere tens of millions of poor and disabled people now rely on the support of the federal and state insurance program. Hemophilia is one those diseases that helps explain its burgeoning cost.
Medications for hemophilia are crucial to patientsoverwhelmingly malewith the rare genetic condition that prevents clotting and puts them at great risk of bleeding to death, even from a minor injury. There is no question the drugs prolong and save lives, and state officials are not arguing that they should be withheld.
"It's a highly vulnerable population," said Ken Kizer, a veteran federal and state health administrator who formerly oversaw Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid. "If anyone has seen a hemophiliac in crisis, you're not going to say no."
But drugmakers profit handsomely, competing vigorously for the limited number of patients.
The U.S. hemophilia market, which serves about 20,000 patients, is worth $4.6 billion a year, according to AllianceBernstein, a research and investment firm.
"There are millions being made out there on these kidsit's a huge business," said Dr. Doris Quon, medical director of the Orthopaedic Hemophilia Treatment Center at UCLA.
Contributing to the costs is the fact that there is no cure for hemophilia and no cheaper substitute for blood factor. Factor may be prescribed at high doses for a lifetime, even more so when a patient has an injury or complications.
Nationwide, a third of adults and children living with hemophilia are covered by Medicaid. And the Medicaid program's three most expensive drugs per prescription are for hemophilia, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (California Healthline is produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent publication of the foundation.)
In 2015 alone, Medicaid paid about $353 million for prescriptions of Advate, the most commonly prescribed blood-clotting medication for hemophiliaa 273 percent increase from 2011.
Generally speaking, the price of hemophilia drugs rise as rival drugs hit the market. But, in addition, doctors are prescribing ever more clotting factor for prevention of joint-damaging bleeds and for improved long-term health. The increase in the cost of Advate, for example, was nearly all attributed to increased use.
The California boy whose drugs cost $21 million in a single year was an extreme case, and the circumstances of his care have not been disclosed because of confidentiality protections. Still, medications to treat hemophilia on average cost more than $270,000 annually per patient, according to a 2015 Express Scripts report, and they can easily soar past $1 million annually.
In contrast to more common diseases like hepatitis C, hemophilia treatment is not a state "budget buster" per se: Only about 4,000 patients live in California. About 1,100 of them are covered by Medi-Cal or two other government-funded programs for chronically ill children in California, according to Jennifer Kent, director of the state Department of Health Care Services and author of last year's tweet. But the amount of money spent per person dwarfs that spent on people with other serious diseases.
One Stanford University study of 34,000 California kids with severe chronic diseases found that the tiny portion of children who needed blood factor accounted for 41 percent of the state's outpatient drug spending on this entire patient population. About $195 million was spent on just 145 kids over a three-year period, although some of that money came back to the state in rebates from drug companiesa portion of the cost that Medicaid can recoup after purchase.
Caitlin Carroll, director of public affairs for PhRMA, the pharmaceutical industry lobbying group, said high development costs and a complicated and lengthy manufacturing process play a role in how hemophilia drugs are priced. She added that federally mandated rebates significantly reduce the cost of blood factor. They amount to 17 percent of the average manufacturer price per unit.
Manufacturers also note that some newer and more expensive hemophilia drugs last longer and do not need to be administered as frequently, so they can prove less costly to payers overall.
Even so, some patients require a monumental investment to survive.
Colleen Tuite's son Kevin, 7, has severe hemophilia with a complication known as an inhibitoran antibody that makes his regular blood-factor infusions less effective. Inhibitors can dramatically increase the cost of care, because massive doses of blood factor or expensive, specialized blood products known as bypassing agents may be needed.
Tuite and her husband initially were Kevin's foster parents, then adopted the boy as a toddler. Because he has been a foster child, Kevin qualifies for Medi-Cal until he is 26.
The Monrovia, Calif., family also has private health insurance, which pays for about half of Kevin's medical bills. These can run upward of $200,000 per month, Tuite said.
"We definitely would not have been able to adopt him without the help of Medi-Cal," Tuite said. "We've been extremely fortunate."
With the support of drug manufacturers and hemophilia advocacy groups, patients and their families have significant political clout. Some experts say they also have a moral claim on public resources: In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, thousands of the nation's hemophilia patients died after they contracted HIV through transfusions before the virus could be eliminated from the blood supply.
State health officials say the costs of hemophilia are hard to anticipate and control, even with rebates.
"We do a really aggressive job of collecting rebates on our pharmacy costs," said Kent, California's top Medicaid official. "But there's just not any way around blood factor. It is just a very, very expensive product. It's nonnegotiable for people that require it."
In 2016, California's Medicaid program paid at least $205 million for medications used to treat hemophilia, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of federal Medicaid data. That figure doesn't account for the federal rebates.
States can negotiate "supplemental" rebates with drugmakers for individual medicationsbut those must be kept secret under federal and some state laws. Such secrecy is becoming increasingly controversial as states continue to confront spiraling drug prices.
In 2016, Pfizer sued Texas' state health agency for giving data on the drug company's supplemental Medicaid rebates to state lawmakers who requested it. The drugmaker alleged that releasing the confidential information would undermine the company's competitiveness and give away trade secrets, and warned that the discounts it gave Texas could disappear.
In early October, a judge ruled that lawmakers should be able to obtain some of that data, noting dryly that "in Pfizer's view, legislators are not necessary to carry out the state's Medicaid program."
Instead of seeking additional rebates from manufacturers for blood factor, some states, including Washington and Oregon, have chosen to require patients to get their blood factor only from federally designated Hemophilia Treatment Centers. That allows state Medicaid programs to take advantage of a federal drug-discount program known as "340B."
However, officials in California said they studied that option and determined it wouldn't save them any more money than the rebates they negotiate with drugmakers.
Whatever their approach, state health officials say they are struggling against forces they are nearly powerless to change.
"There aren't a lot of options available to Medicaid programs in terms of controlling costs, because we don't set the initial costs," said Deborah Weston, pharmacy program manager for Oregon's Medicaid program.
Explore further FDA OKs new therapy for some hemophilia patients
2018 Kaiser Health News
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Huaweis smartphone business has seen massive growth in South Africa over the past year.
Speaking at Huaweis Consumer Business Group briefing in Johannesburg, Huawei CBG general manager Zhao Likun said the companys smartphone market share has increased to 16.3% in South Africa.
Likun said Huaweis share of the local premium device market has also shown strong growth, rising from 7% at the beginning of 2017 to 13.8% at the end of the year.
The companys brand awareness remains strong at 83%, and the brand consideration for Huawei has almost doubled over the past year.
Huawei brand consideration in South Africa increased from 13% in 2016 to 25% in 2017.
Globally, Huawei Consumer Business Group revenue for 2017 was $36 billion and it is the only Chinese smartphone manufacturer to ship over 100 million devices.
Huawei shipped a total of 153 million smartphones during 2017, said Likun.
Innovation and expansion
Moving forward, Likun said Huawei will construct its own local warehouse in South Africa which should shorten device delivery times from 21 days to three days.
He added that South Africa is a key market for Huawei and the company plans to expand it product portfolio, with a focus on middle and low-end devices.
Huawei said it aims to continue innovating and improving its products in markets across the world, too, with a focus on emerging technologies such as 5G.
Likun predicted that Huawei would launch its first 5G smartphones in 2019, and the company has already launched a chipset which is compatible with 5G networks.
He also estimated that certain countries would start deploying 5G networks in 2019.
Now read: Huawei MateBook X Pro vs Apple MacBook Pro
South Africas desktop PC market may not be showing much growth, but the demand for gaming machines is growing.
This is according to Lenovo South Africa general manager Thibault Dousson, who said the gaming hardware market has seen a lot of growth locally and will continue to do so.
There is no question, gaming is going to grow in South Africa, said Dousson.
Gamings potential for growth stands in contrast to the desktop PC and tablet industries, both of which have shown little growth worldwide of late.
Dousson said he did not expect the demand for standard desktop machines to decrease much further, however, as there are applications for which they are preferable to laptops.
I dont think desktop demand will disappear, as desktop machines can be robust, cheap, and reliable options for consumers who do not require portability.
Legions success
Lenovo recently launched its Legion gaming hardware lineup in South Africa, with upgraded versions of the devices arriving later this year.
The laptops sport powerful processors, desktop-class graphics cards, and a bold design which is aimed squarely at gamers.
Despite the relatively low number of high-end device sales in South Africa compared to more developed countries across the world Lenovos Legion devices have been a success in the country.
Interest in gaming devices has been huge in the last six months, said Dousson.
Dousson said the local market is still in its infancy compared to large markets like China and Europe, but it has seen steady growth which is expected to continue.
He said a number of South African schools have begun offering eSports and gaming clubs, which could be a major driver for the growth of PC gaming in South Africa.
Lenovo has also worked closely with several local schools by providing their gaming teams with hardware and assisting with the integration of computers in learning environments.
The potential for PC gaming in the country is also evident by the fact that major entities like VS Gaming which hosts million-rand tournaments have been established.
Comic Con is also set to come to South Africa for the first time this year, and VS Gaming will host its annual DGL Masters Finals at the event.
The event will feature top PC gamers competing for a prize pool of over R1 million.
Now read: Upgraded Lenovo laptops coming to South Africa in 2018
Azerbaijan FM demands that counterparts of VUAM "exert pressure on Armenia"
Armenia FM to Austrian counterpart: Armenian heritage of Artsakh urgently needs to be in international community's focus
Armenia opposition MP: No protection of public interests mentioned in administrative-territorial division law
Analyst: Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan know the price for new and possible escalation
Embassy of Iran in Armenia on situation regarding Iranian truck drivers detained in Azerbaijan
Armenian and Slovenian FMs discuss pressing regional and international issues
Armenia Parliament Speaker receives congratulatory messages from Iranian and Indian counterparts
His Holiness Karekin II receives Samvel Karapetyan and participants of Armenian Business Forum 2021
Armenia MOD chairs consultation devoted to army's preparations for winter
Driver dies in gorge after driving off Armenias Kapan-Kajaran road
Armenia FM meets with Polish counterpart
Armenia ruling party MP on reason why military parade was not held on Independence Day
Armenia and Lithuania FMs meet in New York
Criminal found at Armenia's border crossing point, was wanted by Greek law-enforcement authorities for 1 year
Armenia Supreme Judicial Council members receive Swedish National Courts Administration delegation
Level of Armenia's Lake Sevan drops 1 cm in period between September 13 and 19
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs planning to resume talks with Azerbaijani and Armenian FMs
Digest: Blinken, Cavusoglu discuss Karabakh, Russia peacekeepers remove Artsakh flag from monastery
Analyst: It's fundamentally important for Russia to maintain role of mediator between Yerevan and Baku
Armenia and Karabakh territorial administration ministers discuss administrative-territorial reforms in Artsakh
Tajikistan President congratulates Armenia PM on 30th anniversary of Independence
Iran-Armenia Chamber of Commerce chairman visits Embassy of Armenia
Dollar still going down in Armenia
Armenian ruling party MP: Erdogan's demand for corridor is not ruled out, but Armenia granting it is ruled out
Armenia drops 4 spots in Freedom House ranking of internet freedom
Armenia's Assyrian community protesting against Dimitrov village's "enlargement" in front of parliament building
US House of Representatives to vote on release of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan
Analyst: Russia is much more involved in Karabakh conflict now than it was before September 27, 2020
Ukraine President congratulates Armenian counterpart on 30th anniversary of Armenia's Independence
Armenia Prosecutor General leaves for Kazakhstan on working visit
Armenia President: I am concerned about the present and future of Armenian science
Armenia important road link in cargo transportation from India to Black Sea
State Department official: We will have meetings with Armenians and Azerbaijanis this week and make the same proposal
Armenia's Byurakan Observatory plans to establish science base in Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia deputy minister: National minorities shouldn't be left out of process of enlargement of communities
Garibashvili, Erdogan discuss Armenia, Azerbaijan
Armenia opposition member points to link between enlargement of communities and upcoming local elections
Deputy minister: New administrative-territorial division of Armenia will enable decentralization of power
Armenia official: Enlarged communities list will include capital Yerevan
Armenia ambassador has virtual meeting with US Congressman David Price
US Under Secretary of State, Azerbaijan FM discuss situation in Karabakh
Armenia Central Bank chief, Eurasian Economic Commission board member discuss Eurasian integration
Queen Elizabeth congratulates President Sarkissian on Armenia Independence Day anniversary
Machkalashen village mayor: Russia peacekeepers removed Artsakh flag on Amaras Monastery
CSTO antidrug military exercise to be held in Armenia
Armenia parliament vice-speaker: Positive that Azerbaijan returned our lost citizens after 1.5 day
273 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia
5 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh
Blinken, Turkeys Cavusoglu discuss Nagorno-Karabakh
World oil prices on the rise
Driver dies on the spot after accident at Yerevan section of North-South highway under construction
Newspaper: Armenia PM buys wiretapping system for $7m
Newspaper: Azerbaijanis demand taking down Artsakh flag placed on Amaras Monastery
US special services announce country's main external threats
Catholicos of All Armenians visits Yerablur Military Pantheon (PHOTOS)
Russian State Duma chairman congratulates Armenian counterpart on Armenia's Independence Day
Putin appoints Armenia's Mikayel Aghasandyan Russia's Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative to CSTO
Resident of Karabakh's Karmir Shuka runs over three 14-year-olds, body found hanged from a tree later
Adam Schiff congratulates Armenians on 30th anniversary of Armenia's Independence
Nikol Pashinyan: Grove of Life will symbolize the start of era of peaceful development of Armenia
Armenia premier: History has shown that it's not mandatory and is sometimes unnecessary to defeat others to win
Azerbaijan FM meets with Turkish counterpart in New York
Karabakh President meets with President of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan in Yerevan
New Armenian flag placed in Armenia's Tegh village, higher than Azerbaijani flag
UN Secretary General urges to ban weapons that kill without human participation
Russia Federation Council chairwoman congratulates Armenia Parliament Speaker on Independence Day
US may approve Pfizer child vaccine drug soon
Biden calls on UN to protect rights of sex minorities from Chechnya to Cameroon
"Vivid" Independence Day event kicks off at Republic Square in Yerevan
Iranian Deputy FM to arrive in Azerbaijan on a three-day visit
Police inspecting citizens with metal detectors before Independence Day event at Republic Square in Yerevan
Armenia marks Independence Day: Digest on congratulations from int. leaders
Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of another Armenian serviceman found in Mataghis
Largest flag of Armenia raised in Yeraskh village of Ararat Province (PHOTOS)
Putin, Erdogan to discuss Syria and other regional conflicts
Karabakh President sends condolence message to Russia's Putin
China PM to Armenia counterpart: Cooperation in sidelines of One Belt One Road joint construction steadily develops
Lukashenko to Pashinyan: Belarus, Armenia will be able to fully realize bilateral cooperations potential
Monument to Marshal Baghramyan unveiled in Moscow
Kazakhstan President: Armenia achieved great success, enjoys well-deserved reputation in international arena
Putin to Pashinyan: Trilateral agreements implementation will ensure your countrys peaceful, prosperous development
Mishustin to Pashinyan: Russia-Armenia relations progressively developing in all directions
Guy Parmelin: Switzerland remains reliable partner of reforms in Armenia
France MP: Armenia fighting for survival of itself, its people, against Azerbaijan, Turkey
Wendy Morton: UK will continue to be proud supporter of Armenias democratic, economic development
Russia envoy to Armenia: Any challenge in modern world can be overcome only through joint efforts
Top Iran officials congratulate Armenia, Armenian people
Members of "Armenia" alliance and MPs of homonymous faction visit Yerablur Military Pantheon (PHOTOS)
Karabakh's Arayik Harutyunyan visits Armenia 1st President, latest developments in Artsakh discussed
Armenia health minister's vaccinated mother contracts COVID-19
Pope Francis: May divine blessing be with people of Armenia
Wreath laid on behalf of Armenia ex-President Sargsyan at Yerevan military pantheon (PHOTOS)
Sweden ambassador: My best wishes to all Armenians (VIDEO)
Netherlands envoy to Armenia: This beautiful country, wonderful people have bright future (VIDEO)
Xi Jinping to Armen Sarkissian: Dynamics of development of China-Armenia relations is maintained
Armenia First President: Independence is non-negotiable for me
Putin: Development of Russia-Armenia relations corresponds to fundamental interests of our fraternal peoples
Blinken: US remains committed to helping negotiate long-term political settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Armenia Security Council chief refuses to speak about possible Pashinyan-Erdogan meeting
Biden: US will continue to advocate for release of all Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan
New Ambassador of South Korea to Armenia Woo Yoon-keunwith residence in Moscowon Tuesday presented his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.
Congratulating the ambassador on assuming office, the President of Armenia wished him success and expressed the hope that during his tenure, Woo Yoon-keun would give new impetus to Armenian-South Korean relations. The President assured that Armenias state agencies stand ready to assist the newly appointed ambassador in his activities.
Also, President Sargsyan complimented South Korea on successfully hosting of the 23rd Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang, and which helped shape a climate of solidarity in the spirit of these games in the Korean peninsula, and which, according to the President, is crucial not only for South Korea, but the entire world.
Stressing that last year Armenia and South Korea marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Serzh Sargsyan noted that the achievements in bilateral relations recorded during these years have not yet fully reflected on the great potential of cooperation between the two countries.
In terms of boosting interstate dialogue and multifaceted cooperation, the President of Armenia highlighted the role of reciprocal high-level visits, close parliamentary ties, and the steps aimed at promoting effective cooperation between the two countries within international organizations.
The South Korean ambassador, for his part, conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes on behalf of his countrys president.
Also, Woo Yoon-keun assured that he will spare no effort to build on Armenian-South Korean relations, promote mutual awareness between the two nations, establish active contacts between their business communities and legislatures, and enhance interaction in economic, humanitarian, and several other domains.
In addition, the diplomat appreciated Armenias decision to exempt South Korean citizens from visas, noting that this will facilitate and foster bilateral exchanges.
US President Donald Trump has congratulated Vladimir Putin on his election victory and said the pair will hold talks in the not too distant future.
The US president revealed he had spoken on the phone to the newly re-elected Russian leader during a White House appearance on Tuesday.
The leaders spoke in favour of developing practical cooperation in various areas, including efforts to ensure strategic stability and combat international terrorism, with particular emphasis on the importance of coordinated efforts to curb an arms race, Kremlin reported.
The exchange on economic cooperation revealed an interest in bolstering it. Energy was discussed separately.
The problem of Syria was discussed, as was the internal crisis in Ukraine. There was recognition on both sides of the need to make rapid strides toward achieving settlements.
Satisfaction was expressed with the limited reduction of tensions around the Korean Peninsula. The expediency of continuing consistent efforts to resolve the situation by peaceful, diplomatic means was underscored.
It was agreed to develop further bilateral contacts in light of the changes in leadership at the US Department of State. The possibility of organising a top-level meeting received special attention.
On the whole, the conversation was constructive and businesslike, with a focus on overcoming the accumulated problems in Russian-American relations.
Pioneer chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, has described Nigeria as the only country in the world that has successfully recovered stolen money taken abroad.
He also stressed the need for the police and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to wake up from their slumber and assist the EFCC in fighting corruption in the country. Ribadu, who spoke at an an anti-corruption townhall meeting, entitled A spanner in the wheel of corruption, organised by Shehu Musa YarAdua Foundation, in Abuja, yesterday, noted that the situation of corruption in the country was not always negative, adding that the country had been able to record some strides in the anti-graft war. Nigeria is the only country that has successfully recovered stolen money taken abroad.
Other countries in Africa and other places have tried but they never succeeded, he said. He decried the high rate of corruption in the country, pointing out that Nigeria had the highest number of corruption cases in the world, which is probably bigger than cases in all African countries put together.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Waziri Adio, said for the problem of corruption to be addressed, there was need for Nigeria to first tackle institutional corruption. Wherever monopoly exists, and where there is institutional discretion and without measures of accountability, the institutions will definitely be abused.
Home | News | General | Wicked landlady allegedly pours hot porridge on tenants 1-year-old baby, check out what they did (photos)
It has just been reported that a heartless landlady allegedly poured hot porridge on her tenants baby over 2 months unpaid house rent in Zambia.
Zambezi reports that the one-year and three-months-old baby boy went through this pain due to his parents inability of paying rent for February and March. They are reportedly owing about N1,900 for their house rent.
The landlady was reported to be a teacher at Kamwala Primary School, Zambia. It was added that the incident allegedly took place on Sunday, March 18. The father of the baby reportedly pays 25 Zambian kwacha per month, making it k50 (N1,900) for two months.
Landlady allegedly pours hot porridge on tenants 1-year-old baby over unpaid rent in Zambia
READ ALSO: Nigerian grave tiler sleeps in grave over unpaid workmanship
It was reported that: This happened when she was claiming to be given k50 rentals which George Simwinga was owing for 2 months being February and March respectively. The baby belonging to Mr and Mrs Simwinga sustained serious burns from this incident. The Teacher who is famously known as Bana Paul started throwing things out of the house in the late evening yesterday and later got a hot pot which was burning on the brazier and poured it on the baby who was being held by the father. Simwinga pays k25 as rentals per month and says he is saddened that such inhuman behavior could be shown on him by the landlord over a fifty kwacha. Simwinga has since called for local authorities to intervene in the matter so as to see justice prevails.
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This is wickedness!
Should a 'homeless' man move into a house built by his wife? (Nigerian Street Interview)|Naij.com TV - on NAIJ.com TV.
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Home | News | General | President Muhammadu Buhari takes new responsibility, reveals plan for food security
- President Muhammadu Buhari says he will inaugurate the Food Security Council (FSC) very soon
- Buhari expresses happiness with the progress in the agriculture sector of the economy
- The president says he would personally chair the council as it works with the private sector
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, March 19, announced he would soon inaugurate and personally chair the Food Security Council (FSC) that would include the federal government, six governors and a host of others.
According to Buhari, the FSC will also work closely with the private sector to ensure the alignment of all related policies for the improvement of farming in the country.
READ ALSO: Police arrest, parade suspected criminals allegedly armed and working for Dino Melaye
The president, who posted the message in his personal handle on social media, said: Next week I will inaugurate a Food Security Council, which I will personally chair, and which will work closely with the private sector to ensure alignment of all related policies, as well as bring greater efficiency to our farming, fisheries and livestock production.
The Food Security Council will bring together the federal government, state governors - who will be represented by six governors from across party and regional lines (Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi, Delta, Taraba and Plateau), security agencies, and key players in our agriculture sector.
Buhari noted that he recently met with stakeholders in the rice sector including investors, farmers, processors and dealers in Abuja.
I am extremely pleased by the impact theyre making in our rural economy; some of the most remote and hitherto forgotten parts of Nigeria.
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The numbers so far have been impressive: investments of more than N300 billion - a significant part of this invested during the recession; and largely in rural areas, building mills, creating jobs, empowering our rural areas. But there is still a lot more to be done.
I would like to specially thank all who have played a part in the success were witnessing: ministers, state governors, the CBN - managers of our Anchor Borrowers Program, and very importantly the investors and millers. We must continue to collaborate for even greater success, he said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state recently said that in two and half years, rice production has risen from 5.7 to 17 million metric tonnes per annum, Leadership reports.
It was gathered that he made the disclosure to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
According to the Kebbi state governor, eight new rice mills were commissioned last year which has increased rice production in the country.
Not Too Young to Run Bill: Nigerian youths march to Aso Rock in support (Nigeria News) | Naij.com TV
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Home | News | General | Built environment professionals pick holes in Lagos Land Use Charge
By Kingsley Adegboye
A committee comprising seasoned professionals from the seven built environment professional bodies set up the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG, to examine and take a position on the recently re-enacted Land Use Charge Law by Lagos State Government, has picked holes in the Law.
The position of the committee headed by the National Financial Secretary of BCPG, and immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Lagos State Chapter, Samuel Offiong Ukpong, is that last weeks reduction of the tax payable to 50 per cent by the state government has not addressed the issue.
Land Use Charge
The report of the committee signed by Samuel Ukpong, its chairman, said the foundation of the assessment which is the crux of the matter has not been addressed by the state government, adding that the major question is, who did those valuations to arrive at those capital values?
The report made available to Vanguard Homes & Property pointed out that the example of N20 million adopted by the government does not show how it was arrived at, where it situates and what constituted commercial or owner occupied, arguing that assuming part of the property is rented as residential or commercial, where do people stand?
The built environment professionals who agreed that the entire exercise is faulty and the government should admit and do a rethink, said the consolidation of the three forms of land taxes into one payment for ease of administration is good, adding however, that the state has about 300 heads of taxes, and this is a huge burden on the citizenry.
Reasoning that the government has not respected her own laws nor complied with the processes, the professionals said professional valuers did not carry out any valuation to determine the Market Values before the issuance of demand notices, insisting that the publication of the rate of relief as enshrined in the law was not done in any national newspaper before the demand notices.
According to them, the Assessment Appeal Tribunal had not been set up before demand notices thereby hampering appeal within the 30 days stipulated by the law, pointing out that the tax formula though a known one, should be based on the annual equivalent and not on capital value.
There are alternative methods of valuation for tax purposes especially the annual income approach. Taxes should be based on income and not on the capital values derived from market value. There are other forms of property taxes at the disposal of the asset such as capital gain tax, capital transfer tax, withholding tax, consent fees and others.
The neighbourhood law stipulated that levies should not be higher than ground rent and the intention was affordability. The core professional Ministry, Bureau or Department in the government saddled with land matters/valuation should head the Land Use Charge Administration rather than the Commissioner for Finance, the professionals said.
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Home | News | General | Why real estate sub-sector remains investors hub in 2018
By Kingsley Adegboye
EXPERTS in the real estate sub-sector of the nations economy have reiterated that the sub-sector remains one of the potential revenue drivers for the Nigerian economy in 2018. This is based on the sectors performance so far in the year as well as outlook for the rest of the year. Although the economy was in recession at the beginning of the previous year, the exit from recession in the second quarter of 2017, has created an opportunity for rekindled activity and subsequent recovery for real estate, according to the experts.
Speaking at the third edition of the West Africa Property Investment, WAPI, summit which held recently, Broll CEO, Bolaji Edu reiterated the huge investment potential that exists in the Nigerian real estate sector. He noted that Nigeria as a power house in West Africa, has the capability to attract investors, stressing that the diversification of the economy should be extended to the sector.
He noted that the fund managers and asset managers with the property skills are able to drive excess returns. The market is creating good quality grade A stock developed by local investors and international private equity firms, as well as completed assets generating stabilised returns, which investors in West Africa are targeting. According to him, the capital base of real estate will keep growing due to investments in Grade A commercial office and retail segments of the sector, pointing out, however, that to cater for the needs of the domestic occupier market, there has to be development of good quality Grade B or Grade B+ investment. There has also been a rise in demand for space from sectors such as finance, oil and gas, professional services and technology, propelling a larger market for real estate investment in the country.
Unlike in the past when most of the available rental spaces were taken up by businesses predominantly in oil and gas, demand enquiries are now more diversified. The market, however, remains a tenants market as demand and supply remain in disequilibrium due to the existing and anticipated supply in the market. This stalls the scope of rental growth in the market, the Broll boss said. In its Occupier Service Snapshot Report for 2017, Broll Nigerias Head of Corporate Real Estate Services and Research, Nnenna Alintah, noted that the rental trend endured a consistent decline in the past three years due to the simultaneous increase in building stock and contraction in economic activities. With bullish expectations for the Nigerian economy in 2018, it is expected that Nigerian commercial real estate will mirror this development although not immediately. In the short term, as the economy improves towards 2019, greenshoots of rental growth should return. The sector is expected to also attract more investors during the year due to its long-term investment benefits.
Meanwhile, Stanbic IBTC has thrown its weight behind REIT Investors in Real Estate Investment Trust. REIT has received a boost as Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has indicated its preparedness to support individuals and businesses interested in long-term investment in the real estate sector.
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Home | News | General | Dwindling inflow of FDI responsible for poor maintenance of infrastructure, public assets, says Alpha Mead boss
The Group Managing Director, Alpha Mead Limited, Nigerias leading total real estate solutions company, Femi Akintunde, an engineer, has described the deplorable state of the nations infrastructure as a major reason for the dwindling inflow of Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, into the country.
Akintunde who disclosed this while responding to questions on the Business Morning Show aired on Channels TV recently, described the countrys attitude to maintenance of infrastructure as appalling and disheartening considering the huge investment made in the 70s to construct these public assets.
According to him, the poor state of the nations infrastructure across key sectors of the economy such as aviation, healthcare, logistics, transportation and education, naturally heightens the risk factor for investors willing to open up new business opportunities in the country.
The state of a countrys infrastructure has a direct impact on the economy, the real estate expert said, explaining that the absence of the requisite infrastructure has continued to hinder the smooth flow of business and commercial activities thereby dampening investors confidence in the economy.
He said Nigerias infrastructure gap has significantly widened in recent times owing to the poor management of the countrys existing assets, pointing out that a facilities management company such as Alpha Mead can readily support the government to address this through strategic solutions targeted at maximising the life cycle of these assets at optimal costs Painting a vivid picture of the current situation, the Alpha Mead boss argued that the poor state of most public assets such as roads often leaves business owners scrambling for alternative means of transporting goods and services within the country. He noted that the negative effect of this trend ranges from stifling business environment, high operational cost to decreasing employment opportunities and reduced earning capacity for the populace.
Continuing, he noted that the inability of the government to maintain some of the countrys most priced assets such as the National Theatre and Stadium led to their current dilapidated state, losing their relevance in contributing to the economy and social well-being of the populace.
However, as facility managers, we have been trained to connect people with the space where they live, work and play by ensuring that their real estate assets remain functional, viable and provide them with the necessary support for a pleasurable living experience and smooth flow of business and commercial activities, he said.
According to him, Alpha Mead currently manages a wide range of real estate assets across every segment of the property market, one of which is the biggest car park in Nigeria, where the company delivers value by effecting global best practices, processes, procedures to ensure optimal utilization and maintenance of the facility.
Responding to questions on the high cost of maintaining infrastructure and public assets, Akintunde emphatically stated that the value a maintained asset offers to its users when consistently maintained clearly outweighs the cost of resuscitating such infrastructure when it is completely worn out.
He further argued that one of the reasons public assets are not effectively managed is because often times the decision makers are not presented with a coherent data on the cost savings and value addition a FM company can deliver on such asset.
To him, the government, business owners and leaders must begin to evaluate facilities management from a value addition perspective rather than expenditure. Organizations, business entities and government functionaries must begin to appreciate the huge impact of FM on their real estate assets and business support services and not see them as cost centres, Akintunde stated.
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Home | News | General | FG committed to affordable housing policy Fashola
By Chris Ochayi
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has warned government agencies in the housing sector that the provision of affordable housing policy of the Muhammadu Buhari administration must be delivered to the people.
Mr. Fashola, who gave the charge at the inauguration of the Governing Boards of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, in Abuja, said the agencies must be repositioned in order to deliver service to Nigerians.
Fashola
The minister recalled that Since the FHA and FMBN were set up, they have experienced their fair share of challenges while they have also become well-known brands within the country.
According to him, This is now your responsibility to reposition these brands and utilise them, by providing the guidance for the managing directors and management teams of FHA and FMBN to enable them deliver service to Nigerians.
For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that the policy of government is to deliver afordable housing, acceptable to Nigerians and these agencies, whose brands you will now administer are the implementing arms of government for housing delivery (FHA) and housing financing (FMBN).
The managing directors and their management teams have the executive responsibility for carrying these out, subject to your Boards oversight, approvals and advice, while the ministry plays a supervisory role.
Therefore, we expect to see harmony, respect, teamwork and a healthy working co-operation between boards and management. On the part of the ministry, I assure you that we will supervise but we will not interfere. For your information, we are piloting a housing programme and currently constructing in 33 states of Nigeria.
We do this to validate and test what type of housing design responds to Nigerias diverse cultural, climatic and religious needs, so as to ascertain what is acceptable and affordable.
We are at different stages of construction in different states, and we have recommended these designs to FHA, without imposing them.
Our decision is informed by the evidence of previous housing initiatives that people did not take up and empty houses that still abound in almost every state of Nigeria.
These houses that are not taken and the deficit of housing, suggests to us that the houses not taken are either unacceptable or unaffordable or both. We see housing as a product, and we take the view that before they can be delivered to market, we must know what the people want and what they can afford. When our pilot is fully completed, these answers will become self-evident and this is when we can mass produce.
There is certainly nothing that stops FHA from undertaking other designs of housing if it can find a market for them, and it can deploy the income to cross-subsidize and make mass housing more affordable. As for the financing side, this is critical to affordability and it is as much the function of FHA in cost management and delivery as it is that of FMBN in delivering mortgages of affordable tenures and costs.
Since May 2015 to date, FMBN has issued 2,724 mortgages worth N20.237 billion to assist Nigerians buy their own homes under the National Housing Fund NHF
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Home | News | General | President Buhari deserves commendation for listening Reno
Four days ago, on the front page of ThisDay, I advised the Buhari administration against attaching 150,000 policemen to VIPs while schools in the Northeast do not have security (which led to the #DapchiGirls Kidnapping).
On March 15, 2018, in response to President Buhari boasting that he handled Dapchi better than Jonathan handled Chibok, I said as follows:
Three weeks ago, Chief Mike Okiro, the head of the Police Service Commission, revealed that under President Muhammadu Buhari, 150,000 policemen are guarding big men instead of performing core police duties.
President Buharis son, Yusuf, alone had more guards guarding him than the guards attached to Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, at the time of the kidnapping, yet the president has the guts to say he handled Dapchi better than Jonathan handled Chibok.
A serious president, knowing how vulnerable the North-east is, would have sent these 150,000 policemen to guard schools in the Northeast rather than send them out to guard APC big shots all over the country.
I am glad to report today that the Inspector General of Police announced the withdrawal of those officers and ordered their return to core police duties.
Apparently, the ear infection he complained about and for which he received medical treatment in London at Nigerian tax payers expense has made him better able to listen to Nigerians.
I therefore commend President Buhari for listening to counsel.
Reno Omokri
Number One Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years, Chibok, 2015 and the Conspiracies.
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Home | News | General | Shell, GTbank agree $270m oil-backed loan to Amni
Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell and Guaranty Trust Bank have granted a $270 million loan to Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited.
The seized money.
Amni is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company in Nigeria, with two producing offshore operations in Nigeria and an interest in a newly awarded block in Ghana. Amni owns its own infrastructure including platforms, pipelines and offshore terminals.
The terms of loan will give Shell Western Supply and Trading sole access to the 16,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil the company pumps in two fields off Delta region.
The companys production at offshore fields, including Amnis Ima and Okoro/Setu, is difficult to maintain. But, Amni said the loan would allow them to further develop the fields.
The company also has an offshore concession in Ghana. According to the companys Chief Executive, Tunde Afolabi, We are excited to work with GT Bank and Shell as commercial and financial partners to enable the realisation of Amnis ambitious plans for growth.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited stated: Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited can confirm it has signed a loan agreement with Amni International as part of a package that includes long-term crude oil off-take contracts. We cannot share further details about the deal for reasons of confidentiality.
The Group Head, Communication and External Affairs, GTbank, Oyinade Adegite, told Vanguard that, The release did not come from us. So, unfortunately, we do not have a statement available to send to you. We do not usually issue press statements for facilities and loans.
We will try and see if we can get a statement but we might not be able to come back to you on this till Monday.
In January, 2018, oil trading firm, Vitol Group, reached a $530m deal with a Nigerian oil and gas producer, Shoreline Group, to finance an oilfield in exchange for access to some of the oil it produces, the Nigerian firm said on Thursday.
The agreement with Shoreline will provide the company with cash to refinance existing debt and further develop the Oil Mining Lease 30 in the Niger-Delta. The field currently produces 50,000 barrels per day and has an estimated one billion barrels of oil reserves. Shoreline has a 45 per cent interest in the field. The Chairman, Shoreline Group, Mr. Kola Karim, stated that the transformational deal would enable the company to step up gross production to as much as 100,000bpd over the next year.
The funds will be used to refinance existing debt and provide us with working capital to expand production. As part of the funding arrangements, Shoreline will work with Vitol to market the crude, and in the development of its export logistics capabilities, he said.
The financing was arranged with support from Vitol, as well as Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Fidelity Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Farallon Capital Management LLC. The Federal Government is also turning to private companies in an effort to finance everything from refinery upgrades to oil pipeline reconstruction.
Bigger oil companies and trading houses often extend financing to smaller oil and gas producers in deals that allow the financier preferential access to physical cargoes and give the recipient companies the cash they can use to develop and maintain their assets.
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Home | News | General | WHO, USAID, others offer free tuberculosis screening, treatment to FCT residents
By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA As part of activities to commemorate this years World Tuberculosis Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), on Monday, collaborated to offer free tuberculosis screening and treatment for residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The programme, which also featured a community sensitisation programme on early detection and treatment of the ailment, had about 1,000 residents benefiting from the medical outreach.
In a chat with journalists at the Utako Motor Park, where the outreach took place, the National Professional Officer in charge of Tuberculosis (TB) at the WHO, Dr Ayodele Awe, decried the low-level of awareness, among Nigerians, on the need to go for tuberculosis screening especially when they suffer prolonged cough.
He said: In Nigeria, it is reported that over 400,000 persons are at risk of contracting tuberculosis with an estimated 50,000 deaths but less than 100,000 persons present themselves for TB screening annually.
So, this community outreach programmes using the Wellness on Wheels (WoW) truck, which has the capacity to screen patients for tuberculosis and produce test results within 110 minutes, will help in the early detection of the disease so that necessary treatment can be commenced in order to ensure the ailment does not spread further.
Vanguard reports that the WoW truck deployed for the free medical outreach is a state-of the-art mobile diagnostic vehicle for tuberculosis screening which also contains an X-ray machine and a geneXpert machine. It was funded by USAID through KNCVs Challenge TB program.
Also speaking, the FCT Coordinator of NTBCLP, Dr. Josephine Okechukwu, said that some of the symptoms of tuberculosis include; prolonged cough that lasts for more than two weeks, loss of appetite, night sweating, weight loss, chest pain and difficulty in breathing.
Others, according to her, include enlargement of lymph nodes and failure to thrive and grow among children.
Dr Okechukwu further explained that tuberculosis is curable. She, however, maintained that early diagnosis and treatment was key to stopping the spread of the disease.
Tuberculosis is one of the highly infectious diseases in Nigeria. But it is curable, treatable, and preventable. Treatment for TB is free across all level of healthcare institutions in the country. So, residents should come forward for screening and also avail themselves of the free treatment on offer, she said.
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Home | News | General | When ex-students rescue alma mater with N.7m chairs/tables
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME
WARRIKOKO, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area was agog last Friday when Iwerre College Old Students Association, ICOSA, donated chairs and tables valued at about N700,000 to the school.
*The chairs donated by old students
An elated Principal of the school, Mrs Iyabo Enukpere in her address said seats were part of the major challenge in the school, noting that at a time students were sitting on bare floor, a situation that forced her to reach out to several companies and organisations for support.
She thanked the old students for coming back to give to their secondary school, urging them to do more.
Mrs Enukpere also enjoined them to help press for more teachers to be posted to the school, stressing that the school at the moment, needed teachers in some science subject areas and Government.
We appreciate what you have done for us. I admitted students into SS1 at a time there were no seats. I went to Total and several other companies around to beg for seats. To crown it all, you have given us seats, we are grateful.
We will always ask for more. Government is doing its best. We will want you to support the efforts of government to sustain the glory of the school. We dont have enough teaching staff. Until government closes this gap, arrangement can be made for teachers to assist the school, she said
Interim National President of the body, Mr. Eyinsan Esiegbuya during the presentation assured that the old students would continue to support the growth of the school and appealed to old students yet to identify with the body to come forward.
He said the school turned out its first graduates in 1973/74, adding that as old students, they were impressed with the sanitary condition of the school when they came in for the donation.
Esiegbuya appealed to the students to shun any temptation to indulge in acts of cultism and urged them to take their studies seriously.
He further promised that the old students would take steps to see how they would redress challenges of teaching staff and related problems in the school.
He said the old students were already working to ensure that the golden jubilee of the school by 2020 would be well celebrated.
We understand the current challenges with shortages of academic staff in key subjects like mathematics and sciences thereby leaving the school laboratory and equipment to moths, cobwebs and dust with dire impacts on student academic performance. We shall strive to draw government attention to the school in these areas that need governments attention, he said.
The students later did a special dance for the old students, thanking them for their support.
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Home | News | General | EKEDC appeals to police, armed forces on settlement of debt
THE management of Eko Electricity Distribution Companies, EKEDC, has urged security agencies to pay their outstanding debt.
Power
In a statement sent to Vanguard, the companys General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, quoted Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, EKEDC, Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi to have said this during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Imohimi Edgal.
He stated that the huge outstanding electricity bills of the police, armed forces, other security agencies, ministries, departments and agencies have made it difficult for the company to meet all the demands of customers.
While congratulating Edgal on his appointment as the Lagos State police commissioner, he indicated that the visit was based on the recognition of the important role being played by the police.
Fadeyibi said EKEDC consider the police as a major partner in the realisation of its business objectives since no business could thrive under an atmosphere of insecurity.
He appealed to the police commissioner to help fast-track payment of the huge outstanding electricity bills of many police formations within the companys operational territory in Lagos.
Commenting on the electricity debts, Edgal said the police was aware of the need to settle its financial obligations to organisations providing services to it.
He said while electricity bills for offices and operational facilities were being paid centrally, policemen and women were being enlightened to pay their bills.
According to the commissioner, everybody must come to terms with the fact that electricity companies are now owned by private investors that must be supported by all to provide good services and make profit on their investment.
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Home | News | General | Shell says Amnesty Intls claims on 89 oil spills false, without merit
By Prince Okafor
Shell, Eni reported 89 oil spills of 1,830 in 7 years Amnesty Intl
AMNESTY International has accused international oil companies, Shell and Eni of negligence when addressing spills in Nigeria, describing their actions as serious negligence.
Ogoni land, polluted with oil spills
Amnesty said the companies were taking weeks to respond to reports of spills and publishing misleading information about the cause and severity of spills, which may result in communities not receiving compensation.
Shell had reported 1,010 spills since 2011, and Eni 820 since 2014, according to
Amnesty, which said among those 1,830 reports, it found 89 about which there are reasonable doubts surrounding the cause provided by the oil companies.
But in a statement sent to Vanguard, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) denied the allegations levelled against it at the weekend by Amnesty International, reiterating its commitment to swift response to oil spill incidents as much as access and security conditions permit teams to mobilise and deploy to spill sites to investigate, clean up and remediate such areas.
This is in addition to deploying technology and best practice to make it more difficult for unauthorised persons to break pipelines and steal crude oil from its facilities.
SPDC, in collaboration with government regulators, responds swiftly to spill incidents as quickly as it can and cleans up spills from its facilities regardless of the cause, said General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli.
We regularly test our emergency spill response procedures and capability to ensure staff and contractors can respond rapidly to an incident. However, response to spills, clean-up and remediation depend on access to the spill site and ultimately, on the security of personnel and equipment while work is ongoing.
He said Amnesty Internationals allegations are false, without merit and fail to recognise the complex environment in which the company operates where security, a sole prerogative of government, remains a major concern with persisting incidents of criminality, kidnapping, vandalism, threats from self-described militant groups, etc.
Mr. Weli said the transparency in the online reporting of spill incidents by SPDC in its areas of operation since 2011, which Amnesty International itself acknowledged, demonstrates its commitment to creating awareness and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders on oil spill response and clean-up processes and deepening understanding of the complex and challenging operating environment.
Similarly, ENI spokeswoman said the rights groups statements are not correct and, in some cases, not acceptable, adding it had provided a detailed response to Amnestys allegations.
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Home | News | General | 3000 less-privileged in A-Ibom communities benefit from free medical services
By Chioma Onuegbu
UYO LAST week witnessed about 3,000 less privileged persons from across Akwa Ibom State and particularly from Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area receiving free medical services from their citizens in the Diaspora under the aegis of Ibesikpo Asutan Organisation California Incorporated in collaboration with the council.
Beneficiaries at the Ibesikpo Asutan free medical outreach
NDV observed that the week-long medical outreach which held at Imaobong Missionary Outreach Medical Centre in Mbak Ekpe, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area covered free HIV test, eye test, fibroid surgery, distribution of drugs to persons suffering from diabetes, typhoid, high blood pressure, malaria infection among other health issues.
Amazing gesture
Some indigenes of the area who spoke with NDV described the project embarked upon by their citizens in California as amazing and worthy of emulation
Mrs. Comfort Williams, who said she was there to see things for herself added: As an indigene of this community, I can tell you that I am overwhelmed. I am not ill, l decided to see if they are real.
I think they have been able to touch no fewer than 5,000 lives since they started, going by the number of people they attend to on daily basis. I went to the clinic in town where they are carrying out some surgeries and saw the number of people they listed for surgery. It has never been this good here. They are real.
They came really, really poised to touch the lives of their people. The impact has been tremendous. I remember that they have done this for two years but it was not this massive. I really appreciate them, I feel good about this and I ask God to bless them. This is a sacrifice that many other individuals can emulate.
I was told that indigenes of Nsit Ubium carried out similar thing. It is a thing of joy that they came from the US trying to help less privileged people in their community. This is what government is always talking about, that individuals who are well placed should not stack their money in the banks but use it to touch the less privileged in our communities.
Real empowerment
And I think that they are also doing intervention in education. I believe in this kind of empowerment because it is a great thing to find people who care in life, come together to help in their communities.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Cecilia Brown from Obotidem Ibesikpo Asutan said: I came for eye test. I heard about this just yesterday night from a friend and I decided to come. And I feel real good because even as I came today, which is the last day, I have been attended to. I have here with me my reading glasses. I have been looking for this opportunity so I ask God to bless those that organised it. I am very, very happy.
Why we embarked on programme Coordinator
The project coordinator, Mrs. Iniobong Archibong Uboh who said she could not give the exact figure of those treated at the moment, though their projection was 300 persons daily, however, said their reason for treating different ailments was because when they visited last year just for people with vision problem, they discovered that many people complained about diabetes, high blood pressure and malaria but they didnt have personnel for then.
So when I went back to the US, we put heads together and say lets try and see how we can come back and we started working hard towards it to ensure things are in place for us to come back. Here we are and so far, so good. I am happy for a successful mission here
Mrs. Uboh appreciated prominent indigenes of Ibesikpo Asutan who assisted in various ways including accommodation and mobilization of the residents.
From my heart I appreciate them. We will continue the project based on the need and support of the community, but l dont think we are coming here next year. And I appreciate members of the organization for not discriminating. It is not only indigenes of Ibesikpo Asutan, we are serving the entire state and neighbouring States of Calabar, Abia especially for the eyes.
So the need is not only for us and we dont discriminate. We are treating everyone based on the limited resources that we have. Even other local governments have invited me for the eye treatment which I dont know how I am going to do that.
Time to give back to communityNurse
On her part Enobong Inyang a nurse from California, and indigene of Nung Udoe Ibesikpo Asutan said, We came to help the less privileged ones in our rural areas. So I am here to give back to the community. Back in the US we have been watching, and hearing a lot of the less privileged ones who cannot afford the money to go the hospital or have surgery.
So we decided to see what we can do to help one way or the other to alleviate their suffering. That is why we are here. Also this is a non-profit organization, so we all volunteered to do this, we paid for our transport
The Vice Chairman of Ibesikpo Local government council Mr. Ubong Jonah commended their indigenes in the US for the gesture saying, This effort is encouraging because there are people suffering from one ailment or the other but cannot afford hospital bills due to their financial status. So this is a unique opportunity for them to get treated.
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Home | News | General | Family of kidnap victim cries out to Gov Ayade for help
BY IKE UCHECHUKWU
CALABARTHIS is certainly not the best of times for the Olugu family of Orumukpong, Oron in Okobo LGA of Akwa Ibom State whose breadwinner, Mr. Joshua Asuquo was abducted four months ago and his whereabouts unknown.
Joshua Asuquo kidnapped in Calabar
The troubled family members of the victim are pleading with the state government and the security agencies to intervene and ensure his rescue.
NDV learned that the victim, aged 58, was seized in the presence of his wife and his six children by four heavily armed men on November 4, 2017 as he was about entering his compound at Ekpo Abasi, Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State and whisked away.
Asuquo, a retiree of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) never thought his freedom would be cut short and his movement restricted as it is till date, neither could his family have imagined that a day will come when their father and bread winner as well as defender, would be unable to defend himself from external forces.
Anxiety over victims safety
Since his abduction, fear has gripped members of his family, who wonder whether their father, husband and brother is still alive or dead.
According to a source, uncertainty has trailed his fate and whereabouts since his abduction. Most disturbing is the fact that his abductors have since cut off every communication and kept his family in the dark.
The nightmare of the Asuquos began on that fateful day at about 8pm when their father was returning from an outing. He got to the gate of his residence quite alright but never had an inkling that he was being followed by his abductors, he added.
The source who pleaded anonymity said just as he drove into his premises, the gun-wielding hoodlums accosted him, entered his car and ordered him to reverse and go back to the road.
One of his curious daughters who witnessed the drama, attempted to raise alarm to attract the attention of neighbours but the abductors pointed a gun at her, threatening to silence her if she made any noise.
Instinctively, she retreated while they sped off with their father to God knows where till today, said an eyewitness.
According to the daughter, confused as they were, they ran helter smelter, thinking of how to proffer solution to the imminent danger awaiting their father.
N20m ransom demand
She said: We ran to the police station but there was no respite. A day after, the kidnappers got in touch with our family requesting for N20m ransom as a condition for his release. Several pleas by our family to the kidnappers to accept N400,000 we planned to raise fell on deaf ears.
The issue became more confusing to the Asuquos when the hoodlums were said to have kept calling with different phone numbers and sending different account numbers from different banks to them for the deal, thereby making it difficult for them to believe the sincerity of the kidnappers.
NDV also learned that during a telephone conversation between the gang and Asuquo family, the kidnappers promised to leave Mr. Asuquos Lexus jeep in which he was whisked away at a designated point along the highway but failed to keep their promise.
Though some arrests were allegedly made at the initial stage of the investigation, the suspects were let off the hook after their innocence was proved in the course of interrogation.
While the family look up to the state government, Governor Ayade and the police, the police authorities said their hands are tied as they appear to have met a brick wall in the course of their investigation on the matter, a source said.
Family seeks government intervention as kidnappers cut off communication
When NDV contacted the family of the victim in Calabar, they were clearly disturbed as his 48-year-old wife and children were all gloomy.
According to the wife: Life without our father and bread winner has been traumatic. This is one of the most challenging moments of our lives. It has been tortuous and frustrating. Most especially that we are not sure of his safety because we have been in the dark about his wellbeing and whereabouts as there is no iota of information from anywhere.
The kidnappers have shot down communication with us for a long time now. We are confused. I am appealing the Gov Ben Ayade, and the entire government of Cross River State to come to our rescue. I dont know where else to take this matter to. Although I have also handed it over to God, but man must do something about it, and that is why I am calling on the government of Prof Ben Ayade, the DSS and Police to help us before it is too late.
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Home | News | General | AU launches ambitious bid for worlds largest free trade area
Africas leaders will gather in Rwanda Wednesday to launch what they say will be the worlds largest free trade area but Nigeria has already pulled out, highlighting the challenge in getting the continent to sign up.
African leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Ethiopia on 28th Jan 2018
Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) with 55 African Union (AU) members having a cumulative GDP of $2.5 trillion is one of the blocs flagship projects.
However Muhammadu Buhari, president of one of Africas largest markets Nigeria, this week cancelled plans to attend the Kigali launch and called for more consultations after business leaders objected to joining the worlds biggest free trade area in terms of countries.
The signature of the CFTA is something that makes Africa look good on paper, but for implementation its going to have a lot of hiccups, said Sola Afolabi, a Nigeria-based international trade consultant.
Some 27 heads of state are expected to attend the Kigali meeting, but it is unclear who will sign on to the CFTA right away.
Trade between neighbours
AU trade and industry commissioner Albert M. Muchanga said Africas fledgling industries and growing middle class would benefit from the CFTAs removal of tariffs.
Currently, African countries only do about 16 percent of their business with each other.
If we remove customs and duties by 2022, the level of intra-African trade will increase by 60 percent, which is very, very significant, Muchanga told AFP.
Eventually, we are hoping that all the African Union states will be parties to the Continental Free Trade Area, he added.
With underdeveloped service and industrial sectors across the continent, African countries have for decades seen their fortunes rise and fall with the prices of exported commodities such as oil, cocoa and gold.
In recent years, nations like Ethiopia and Ghana have tried to wean themselves from this cycle by building factories and new infrastructure for local industries, spurring rapid growth.
Landry Signe, a development expert with Stanford University in the United States, said the agreement could help these industries, while giving African countries a unified platform to negotiate trade deals with wealthier nations.
With the CFTA, the manufacturing sector would be much more diversified, as the market would not be a few million people, but potentially 1.2 billion people, he said.
South Africa, a vocal backer of the trade deal, has argued that African economies are too small to support economic diversification and industrialisation on their own.
Regional integration is critical to reduce the vulnerability of African economies to global shocks, a vulnerability which results from their heavy reliance on commodities, South Africas Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies wrote in an editorial last week.
However in Nigeria, the plans have not gone down well with unions and business leaders.
We have no doubt this policy initiative will spell the death knell of the Nigerian economy, said the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Easing trade and travel
The CFTA is a key part of the AUs long-term development plan Agenda 2063, which calls for easing trade and travel across the continent.
At its most recent summit in Ethiopia in January, AU member states agreed to a common air transport market that could drive down air fares, as well as plans for visa-free travel for Africans across the continent.
Which countries will adopt these agreements remains unclear, as do the prospects for the CFTA, which requires 22 ratifications at a national level after its signing to come into force.
Afolabi said countries with more developed industries would embrace the CFTA because it could open more markets, but nations whose ports served landlocked neighbours could opt out, fearing a loss of revenue.
He worked on setting up the Economic Community of West African Statess (ECOWAS) common market, which he has subsequently criticised for failing to punish countries that violated its terms.
The regional trade agreements are not working and those are supposed to be the legs for the continental version, Afolabi said.
If there is no reward for compliance and there is no punishment for non-compliance, then it is going to be a very nice agreement without any teeth or any legs, he said.
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Home | News | General | NDA, Unilever seek improved oral health care for Nigerians
By Chioma Obinna
To commemorate this years World Oral Health Day, today, March 20, the Nigerian Dental Association advocate, NDA, staff of Unilever Nigeria, makers of Pepsodent and other stakeholders trooped out in their numbers for an oral health walk aimed at promoting good oral hygiene among Nigerians.
From L-R: Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Ogechukwu Anozie; Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever, Toluwaleke Salu; President, NDA, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe; Unilever Marketing Director, Ghana/Nigeria, Bunmi Adeniba; General Secretary, NDA, Dr. Kola Obagbemiro, during the Pepsodent Health Walk in celebration of the 2018 World Oral Health Day held in Lagos recently.
The walk from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, ended at the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park, Alausa, Ikeja featuring host of Nigerian celebrities and other enthusiasts.
Free dental checks, distribution of Pepsodent toothpaste and oral health educational materials took place during the walk.
Reiterating the need to prevent tooth decay, the walk was avenue to canvass for the adoption of good oral care habits, including brushing twice daily (morning and night) with a fluoride toothpaste.
In a speech, Toluwaleke Salu, Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria: Tooth decay is a global widespread disease which affects 3 out of 5 children, and almost all adults. This disease can be prevented via good oral hygiene practices. This health walk is part of Unilever Nigeria continuous effort to fight oral diseases in Nigeria, and promote good oral hygiene.
Pepsodent consistently advocates the need for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of brushing twice daily by using a fluoride toothpaste.
We remain committed to improving the oral health of 10 million Nigerian children by 2020, through the Pepsodent brush day and night Schools Programme, where we educate kids on the importance of brushing twice a day (morning and night), Salu concluded.
President of NDA, Dr Bode Ijarogbe said: With the growing rate of tooth decay, this walk is intended to promote worldwide awareness of the issues surrounding oral health and reiterate the importance of good oral hygiene.
Themed Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health, the 2018 World Oral Health Day event, WOHD, holds at The Arcade, Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.
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Home | News | General | Army to evict Delta community for barracks
By Jimitota Onoyume
WARRIIndigenes of Ohorhe 1 community, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, have sent an SOS to President Muhammadu Buhari over threat by the Nigerian Army to evict them from their community over claim that the area had been earmarked for an Army barracks.
They said the Army recently came to erect signpost in some area with inscriptions Army land, keep off.
Mr. Silver Ofugara, an indigene, who spoke to Vanguard said: My parents are from this community. The Army eviction notice is a threat to my citizenship. If the Army takes over this land, then I am no longer a Nigerian.
Another indigene, Chief Julius Oghojamuni, pleaded with the Federal Government to wade into the matter and direct the Army to leave their community alone.
He said: The Army came and asked us to move out in one week, that our community was for Army Barracks. We were all surprised.
We ran to our king, while the senior man in our community ran to the Orodje of Okpe, General Mujakpero (retd), because his mother is from Okpe.
The Orodje went to Abuja and when he came back, the soldiers were asked to clean the marks they inscribed on our walls.
However, they kept disturbing us, so we rushed to court; nothing has come from the court till date.
Surprisingly, soldiers came back to our community recently, saying they had been told not to move in and for now.
They came again, taking photographs of the community. They warned us not to build and that if we did, they will destroy the building.
They came again few days ago with signboards asking us to keep off the community that it is Army land.
Army reacts
When Vanguard contacted spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, he said: I have not heard of it. I will find out. I will call the military location in that state and from 4 Brigade Benin City to find out.
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Home | News | General | Saraki's wife gets WHO appointment
Wife of the President of the Senate, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, has been named as special adviser to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the World Health Organisations (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO).
The Media Office of Toyin Saraki, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said the appointment was made earlier this month by WHOs Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.
This move is intended to bring Mrs Sarakis considerable frontline experience to bear on WHOs strategy and policy.
NAN reports that Toyin Ojora-Saraki had since accepted the appointment based on the Advisory Groups focus on women and childrens health and in view of her role as a global champion for Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).
READ ALSO: Northern CAN reacts to herdsmen killings
I welcome the Advisory Group meetings focus on the health of women, children and adolescents as flagship indicators for Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) progress.
As a global champion for UHC, I advocate for a fuller understanding of its benefits, which go beyond health outcomes and include improved gender equality, higher levels of preparedness for epidemic outbreaks and transformative economic effects.
As Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives, I particularly welcome the introduction of WHO AFROs focused curriculum for the professional qualification education of Midwives and Nurses in Africa, she said.
I am looking forward to hitting the ground running in my new role as special adviser at the Independent Advisory Group meeting this week in Johannesburg.
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The experience I have gained as Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, working closely with our midwives on the frontline, as part of the global Every Woman, Every Child Strategy to end all preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, including stillbirths, by 2030, will inform my advice to the WHO, she added.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed displeasure over unnecessary caesarean section that pregnant women are subjected to in the course of child birth.
WHO stated that women are being pushed into unnecessary C-section because they are not given enough time to give birth.
18-year-old teenager studying for Phd makes startling revelation | Faces of Nigeria on NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Northern CAN condemns herdsmen killings, urges FG to find permanent solution
- Northern Chirstian Association of Nigeria has spoken out against herdsmen killings
- The association called on the federal government to put in more effort to combatting the crises
The chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Yakubu Pam, while lamenting the killings by suspected herdsmen, called on the federal government to intensify the efforts to combat the violent killings.
The Sun reports that Pam, who spoke on Monday, March 20, in Jos, condemned the re-emergence of insecurity in Plateau State, after two and half years of Governor Simon Lalongs effort in restoring peace in trouble spots.
READ ALSO: Suspected herdsmen attack Kogi community; traditional ruler, 10 others killed
He said: "I condemn the wanton destruction of lives and property of the rural people of Plateau state in Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa and Daffo Districts of Bokkos Local Government Area.
The development in Plateau, in the last one week, is unacceptable and should be condemned by those who love and cherish peace on the Plateau.
We have had a similar episodes in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara and other communities in the North. Something urgent should be done before the people are wiped out."
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has pleaded with federal government to upgrade the Exercise Ayem A Kpatuma or Cat Race to a full military operation to effectively check the ongoing killings in the states rural communities.
Ortom, who made this statements on Monday, March 20, while inspecting four Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) camps at Abagena in Makurdi, said full army presence in the state may help to prevent the attacks.
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Home | News | General | My administration has fulfilled promise on road development - President Buhari
- President Buhari promises that his government would continue to work on the countrys road network
- He says road transportation is important to the economic development of Nigeria
- The construction work at the Zungeru Hydro Power Plant attains 45 percent completion
President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration has fulfilled the promise it made in May 2015 as regards developing road infrastructure in the country.
Speaking at a one-day public enlightenment forum organised by the federal ministry of power, works and housing on developments in the road sector, Buhari promised that his government would continue to work on the countrys road network.
The president who was represented by the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha at the event on Monday, March 19, said administration had raised the countrys budgetary commitment for capital projects from 15% to a minimum of 30%, The Punch reports.
READ ALSO: Police arrest, parade suspected criminals allegedly armed and working for Dino Melaye
The president who noted that road transportation was important to the economic development, said his administration has prioritized development of infrastructure in the country.
He said: Presently, the haulage of industrial goods and raw materials, agricultural produce, petroleum products, power plant components and many other equipment are carried about using the nations road network. It was this realisation that underscored our promise of change in May 2015 with infrastructure as a priority. This we have fulfilled by policy and action.
It is on record that this administration has raised our annual budgetary commitment for capital projects from 15 per cent to a minimum of 30 per cent and committed to a fiscal stimulus targeted at infrastructure. The result is a revival of construction activity on highway projects nationwide.
From 2015 to date, my administration has constructed and rehabilitated several hundred kilometres of interstate federal roads and bridges to ease the movement of persons, goods and services.
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He urged participants to change in attitude towards enhancing the countrys road policies, adding that only then will the country be able to get value for its investments.
Meanwhile, the federal government on Wednesday, March 14, said that the Zungeru Hydro Power Plant currently under construction by the Chinese company EEC/SinoHydro, was 45 per cent complete.
The 700MW project, which is located in Zungeru, Niger state, is expected to be completed at the end of 2019.
Speaking to journalists during a site visit to the project, deputy director, energy resources, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Engineer Olatubosun Owoeye, said six turbines would be installed, Leadership reports Read.
NAIJ.com gathered Owoeye stated that when the project is completed, it would not only increase power generation but equally improve the economic activities of host communities.
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Home | News | General | Herdsmen still attacking villages at night - Governor Ortom cries out for more military presence
- Governor Samuel Ortom urged the federal government to upgrade the military exercise in the state
- The governor said about fifty communities in the state have been taken over by herdsmen
- He lamented that attacks are still ongoing and the state IDPs camps are welcoming more victims everyday
Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has pleaded with federal government to upgrade the Exercise Ayem A Kpatuma or Cat Race to a full military operation to effectively check the ongoing killings in the states rural communities.
Vanguard reports that Ortom, who made this statements on Monday, March 20, while inspecting four Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) camps at Abagena in Makurdi, said full army presence in the state may help to prevent the attacks.
He said: With the magnitude of crisis we have at hand, given the ongoing killings, despite the ongoing Exercise Ayem A Kpatuma, we appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to convert the exercise to a full military operation to chase out the killer herdsmen from our communities.
READ ALSO: 21 APC governors to convince Senate to support Buhari's decision over amendment of electoral act
I know that the rules of engagement in an exercise and operation are completely different, that is why we are demanding a full military operation in Benue state to check these killings and to ensure that the displaced persons, who are over 170,000, returned to their homes.
There is so much fear in the people as more than 50 communities in Guma, Logo, Makurdi, Agatu and Gwer West local government areas have been affected by the crisis and we are still counting because IDPs are still pouring into the camps because night attacks are still going on in these communities.
I was told that about 150 herdsmen have been arrested in Benue by security personnel, some for violating the Open Grazing Prohibition Law and some of them were arrested for the killings in our communities."
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that armed men suspected to be herdsmen have unleashed terror in Kogi state killing 10 persons including a traditional ruler.
The attack was carried out on Monday, March 19. It was reported that the Onu Agbenema, Musa Edibo; and his wife were killed while several houses were burnt in separate attacks on Agbenema, AjIchekpa, Opada and Iyade villages.
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Home | News | General | 46 senators reportedly supports Buhari's veto on amendment of electoral act
- There is reportedly trouble brewing at the National assembly over Senate's plot to override Buhari's veto of electoral act
- About 46 of the 108 senators have signed a register to stop moves by the Senate to pass the amendments to the Electoral Act without Buharis assent
Forty-six (46) out of one hundred and eight (108) senators have signed a register and are reportedly planning to resist the National Assemblys plot to override President Muhammadu Buharis veto on amendments to the Electoral Act.
Recall that the president had earlier rejected the amendments to the Electoral Act which will see the presidential election coming last after the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and governorship elections.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Suspected herdsmen attack Kogi community; traditional ruler, 10 others killed
The Nation reports that some supporters of the President are lobbying members of the House of Representatives to oppose the plot to override his veto and they are targetting about 260 members of the House.
There are also reports that 21 governors on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) are lobbying to prevail on Senators and Representatives to retain the present Order of Elections.
The 46 senators formed a Parliamentary Support Group (PSG) to push through their minority strength in the Senate.
In the group are 46 senators, who have subscribed to the new group and signed to reject plans to override the Presidents veto on amendments to the Electoral Act.
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The group, which has held a series of meetings in the past two weeks, may hold another session in Abuja today.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that APC has made major moves to settle the rancour between the executive arm of the government and the National Assembly.
The Nation reports that the decision to send senior members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC to meet with the leaders of the National Assembly came after lawmakers threatened to override President Muhammadu Buharis veto on the Electoral Act amendment.
The national party chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) chairman Abdulaziz Yari and other leaders of the party had intervened through meetings with the presidency officials and National Assemblys leaders.
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Home | News | General | Experts raise alarm over rising cases of kidney disease in pregnant women
By Gabriel Olawale
A new baby is a joy for any family, but experts have raised alarm over the growing incidence of kidney disease among Nigerians, particularly in pregnant women.
Pregnant-mother
The experts who say they are seeing more cases of kidney disease in pregnant women, have urged women seeking to get pregnant to know their medical history and recognise specific medical indicators that can lead to malfunctioning or total breakdown of their kidneys.
Speaking on this years World Kidney Day, themed: Kidney and Womens Health they narrated how pregnancy puts women in situations that impinge negatively on their health, noting that kidney disease is one of such disorders.
Even the Nigeria Association of Nephrology warns of a looming epidemic of kidney diseases in the country, and has urged the Federal Government to prioritise treatment of kidney disorders.
The kidneys excrete water and other waste products from the body; regulate the internal environment but once they start failing to carry out these functions, symptoms of ailments appear.
A damaged kidney can cause wastes to build up in the body and blood and urine tests are the only way to know confirm kidney disease.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation, WHO, show that kidney disease in medical circles means that the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood normally.
In Nigeria alone, nephrologists say each year, 17,000 new cases of kidney failures are diagnosed even as around 38 million persons are suffering from various degrees of kidney disease.
Findings by Good Health Weekly show that although kidney disease is preventable and treatable, it is one of the most expensive disorders to treat and manage.
Worse still, with N18,000 as minimum wage, the total lifetime cost of handling kidney disease in Nigeria is huge. For instance, a kidney transplant goes for about N10 million. Unfortunately, not many patients can afford it. Dialysis costs between N30,000 N40,000 per session, while most patients spend N90,000 N150,000 a week.
According to Consultant Nephrologist and Head of Clinical Services, Healing Stripes Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Adedamola Akinsiku, hypertension and diabetes either before or during pregnancy can lead to kidney disease if the conditions are not properly managed.
Akinsiku explained that some women are genetically hypertensive while others become hypertensive as a result of their lifestyle, but when they get pregnant which is additional load on the kidneys, can result in kidney diseases if not properly managed.
During pregnancy some women, due to pressure and stress, develop gestational hypertension. The good thing about this is that after the baby is born, the blood pressure returns to normal.
He, however, noted that there are percentages of women who develop hypertension during pregnancy and after delivery continue to be hypertensive.
In his view, Akinsiku said sometimes when a woman has an abortion, or loses a pregnancy, if not properly cared for, could develop acute kidney disease.
Women can bleed because of placenta problem, it is not the fault of the women, the placenta chooses where it wishes to stay.
But with qualified personnel, some women take about three to four pints of blood before the placenta is separated.
Imagine a situation where pregnant women consult Traditional Birth Attendants, TBAs who do not understand why the placenta should be separated before the baby comes out, it may result in massive blood loss because TBAs cannot carry out blood transfusion which is one of the reasons for high infant mortality.
If such women are not properly transfused in a standard hospital where blood transfusion can be done, this can cause the kidneys to shut down. If not properly managed, the affected women could end up with chronic kidney disease, requiring dialysis or transplant.
Akinsiku also explained that besides pregnancy, other diseases predominant in women could predispose them to kidney diseases.
For example, lupus occurs about 10 times more in women than in men and it is one of the diseases that can predispose to kidney disease.
Eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia are major causes of premature death linked to kidney disease in pregnant women.
Good Health Weekly gathered that in Eclampsia, one or more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high blood pressure, often followed by coma and posing a threat to the health of mother and baby.
Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs only during pregnancy and some symptoms may include high blood pressure and protein in the urine, occurring after week 20 of pregnancy.
A Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist, and Vice President, Nigerian Association of Nephrologists, Dr Adaeze Asinobi, said increasing cases of kidney disease in Nigeria had reached epidemic level.
Speaking during a function in Ibadan, Asinobi who stated that about 15 per cent of Nigerians have some form of kidney disease, lamented that many cases are due to undiagnosed and untreated cases of hypertension and diabetes.
Chronic kidney disease is a major burden and people need to recognise it as a major problem and do everything to prevent it.
She warns that pregnancy can put a lot of stress on a womans body, hence women are more likely to develop kidney disease than men due to factors such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, unwanted pregnancies resulting to abortion, and auto-immune diseases.
Worse still, pregnant women with chronic renal disease adapt poorly to a gestational increase in renal blood flow. This may accelerate their decline in renal function and lead to a poor pregnancy outcome.
Also speaking, a Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Adewunmi Adebowale, urged women to know their medical history before they get pregnant.
If you are going into pregnancy and you already know that you are hypertensive the doctor will know what to do so that your kidney can be safe.
Check your blood sugar level, diabetic is not a reason not to get pregnant it is just that you need to have knowledge of your status so that you can be properly managed.
He however recommends a healthy lifestyle and regular medical check up, give your kidney enough water to function, avoid self medication such as combination of pain killer drugs which can damage the kidney, exercise and be active, avoid smoking, avoid alcohol, reduce excess salt, manage your weight, have enough rest.
Doctor-in-Charge, Healing Stripe Hospital, Dr. Ezinne Onyemere who also spoke during a free screening, dialysis and health awareness talk organised by the hospital, called for early detection when symptoms have not started manifesting such as uncontrolled blood pressure, leg swelling, facial swelling, forming urine, blood in urine, among others.
When people present late, all we can offer is renal replacement therapy which encompass dialysis or transplantation.
But with early presentation we can halt the rate of progression, or reverse them to early stage. Prevention is better than cure, it is important you screen yourself regularly.
Onyemere however called for government intervention noting that out-of-pocket payment can not address the challenges.
Managing chronic kidney disease is huge and not many people can afford it. For example, one session of dialysis costs over N30,000 and for the person to function properly, may require dialysis about three times in a week. How many people can afford that?
Kidney transplant is in the region of N10 million, how many people have such amount in their accounts? How about the drugs to support the care? This is time to urge government to do something about kidney disease, by supporting the service.
In Cote dIvoire, dialysis is free to citizens of the country. In Nigeria every patient pays out of pocket, she lamented.
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Home | News | General | Suspected thugs, kidnappers, robbers finger Dino Melaye as arms supplier
By Boluwaji Obahopo
LOKOJAThe Nigeria Police, yesterday, paraded two suspected political thugs with two AK-47 and five pump action guns allegedly working for the lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye.
Jimoh Moshood and the alleged thugs hired by Dino Melaye
Melaye, 3 others charged with illegal possession of firearms
The two suspects Kabiru Saidu aka Osama, 31, and Nuhu Salisu aka Small, 25, were paraded by the Police Force Headquarters Public Relation Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, at the Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja.
According to him, they were arrested after a gun battle with a Police team, which lasted for several hours on January 19.
However, reacting to the allegations, Senator Melaye said it was an orchestrated lie by the governor and the Police to shut him up, and that he had never seen the arrested suspects.
Meanwhile, parading the two kidnappers alleged to have been supplied guns and ammunition by Senator Melaye, Moshood said the Senator had been ignoring Police invitations to clear his name from the allegation.
Moshood said the two suspects, Osama and Small, were members of a notorious gang behind numerous kidnapping and robbery cases in the state.
He said: Working on actionable intelligence, the Kogi State Police Command personnel and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, trailed and arrested the two suspects after a gun battle with the Police team on January 19 at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
During investigation, they confessed to several kidnappings and robberies in different towns across the state and its environs for which they have been on the wanted list of the Police for more than two years.
During interrogation, they further confessed they were political thugs recruited by some mischievous politicians in Kogi to cause mayhem, disruption of peace, and destruction of lives and properties in the state.
Saidu fingered Dino Melaye
Continuing, the Police spokesman said: They also confessed to belong to the gang of a dreaded and vicious kidnap-for-ransom gang under a gang leader whose whereabouts is being investigated.
According to the gang leader, Kabiru Saidu, he has been working as a political thug for a politician, who introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met at Airport Road, Abuja inside Senator Melayes car in December 2017.
The suspect further confessed that Senator Dino told him to start working for him as a political thug and they should recruit and train more thugs to work for him in preparations towards 2019 general election to enable him challenge his political opponents and disorganise Kogi State.
Moshood said the suspects further confessed that Dino handed over a bag containing one AK-47 rifle, two pump action and N430,000 for them to share.
He said a case of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms had been filed by the Police against the two suspects and Senator Dino Melaye.
Its Kogi govts frame-upMelaye
Meanwhile, Senator Dino Melaye in his reaction to the allegations, said it was a frame-up and an orchestrated attempt by the state government to discredited him.
The Senator said he had never seen the suspects in his life and did not have anything to do with them.
Melaye said the move was an attempt by the Kogi State government to shut him up and prevent him from speaking the truth about governance in the state.
The Senator noted that he contested and won elections into the House of Representatives and the Senate without working with political thugs, saying the plan had been exposed about six weeks ago.
Melayes words: This is an attempt to shut me up and stop me from speaking the truth. But they have failed. It is an orchestrated lie by the governor and the Police.
I have tweeted about it six weeks ago; that they want to set me up because I got a tip-off from government house when they met to set me up.
You can see the conflicting statements by the criminals. I heard one said I gave two AK-47 and pump action, while the other said I gave only one rifle and that I gave N430,000 to train militia, and that I met them on Airport Road in December 2017.
But they didnt give a date and time. I dont know anybody. I have not involved myself with any thug. I became member House of Representatives and Senate without thug. If this is an attempt to shut me up they have failed.
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Home | News | General | Okorocha cant stop my ambitionDeputy gov
By Chinonso Alozie
OWERRIDEPUTY Governor of Imo, Mr Eze Madumere, said he would pursue his governorship ambition to a logical conclusion in spite of opposition from the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.
Madumere
This came as he was endorsed by stakeholders in his local government, Mbaitoli.
This is even as Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday, declared that 95 percent of members of the Catholic Church in the state, will vote for his choice for 2019 gubernatorial election.
In a statement by Mr Uche Onwuchekwa, the deputy governors media aide, Madumere said that no amount of opposition from the governor would make him to lose sight of the ambition.
He said, God is the giver of power and decider of destiny and no man born of a woman can stop my ambition.
I think that from the wealth of my experience as a seasoned administrator both in public and private sectors, I am the most qualified to take Imo state to the next level.
Madumere, however, revealed that the greatest opposition to his ambition was from people he nurtured politically.
He said he was betrayed by people he brought into politics, but stressed that no level of betrayal or sabotage could stop him from the governorship race.
Okorocha had some weeks ago announced in the state that his son in-law and current Chief of Staff to him, Mr Uche Nwosu, would succeed him as governor in 2019.
More endorsements for Madumere
Vanguard gathered yesterday, in Owerri, that the event where Madumere was endorsed was strictly to show support for his gubernatorial ambition.
Among the leaders who endorsed Madumere, was Mr. Marcon Nlemigbo, who said: There is need to work in synergy with our brothers and sisters from other local government areas.
This is a project God Himself has a hand in, which requires everyones input irrespective of political leanings. Madumeres candidacy was as a result of his competence and capacity with humane heart.
Another leader in the area, Mr. Chukwuma Ekemaru, was quoted to have said: Madumeres temperament and humility to have worked with Governor Okorocha for about 25 years, is mind blowing.
In her opinion, Ihioma Njoku, said: Madumere deserves to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha, having accumulated enough experience with his impeccable credentials as a seasoned administrator.
95% of Catholics will vote my choiceOkorocha
Meantime, Governor Rochas Okorocha has boasted in a statement to newsmen in Owerri that 95% of Catholics will vote his choice.
He also said that he has not offended the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Anthony J. V Obinna, as reported.
He added that 95 per cent of members of Owerri Catholic Diocese are his strong supporters, including the Elder brother to Archbishop, Mr. Paddy Obinna.
According to the release, In 2019, no doubt, the members of the Diocese will also vote for the governors choice for the governorship because they know the truth of this whole story.
They know that the governor has never in any way offended the Archbishop or the Diocese.
Okorocha recalled that, In 2011 and 2015 respectively, Governor Okorocha and his party APC won overwhelmingly in Owerri Municipal where most members of Owerri Catholic Diocese reside.
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Home | News | General | Boundary dispute: Nwoye urges FG to end clashes between Anambra , Kogi communities
By Charles Kumolu
LAGOSA member of the House of Representatives Dr. Tony Nwoye has called on the Federal Government to quickly resolve the boundary dispute between Ezi-agulu Otu and Enugu Otu Aguleri communities in Anambra State and Ibaji/Odeke community in Kogi State to stop further destruction of lives and property.
Nwoye
Moving a motion titled: Need to Deploy Security Personnel to Stop Recurring Crisis Between Ibaji/Odeke and Eziagulu Otu and Enugu Otu Agularei Communities, he lamented that four people were injured while more than 15 farm settlements were destroyed recently.
His words: The communities of Ibaji/Odeke and Ezi-agulu Otu and Enugu Otu Aguleri have been involved in crises over land and oil for several years. Several lives were lost, many were wounded and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The communal crises occurred recently and have been ongoing for the past four days, leaving more than four persons with bullet wounds. More than 15 farm settlements were destroyed while houses were also destroyed. Economic activities in Onueke, Ogbuoka, Igozi, Anaovia, Ataja, Odubuenyi and its environs were disrupted.
The House, however, called on the National Security Adviser, Major General Mohammed Monguno, retd; Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Yusuf Burutai, and Inspector General of Police, Idris Kpotum to deploy security personnel to the affected communities.
It also mandated its committees on Defence, Army, and Police to ensure immediate implementation of the resolution.
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Home | News | General | Milost move to inject $1bn investment in Unity Bank
By Peter Egwuatu
Milost Global Incorporated is planning to inject about $1 billion to recapitalize Unity Bank Plc, through a combination of equity and debt instruments.
But the Head, Corporate Communications, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Matthew Obiazikwor, told Vanguard that many investors are having interest in the bank and various discussions are going on.
He stated: I cannot confirm or refute the interest of Milost Global for now. All I can say is that there are many investors that have shown interest to invest in the bank. There are various discussions going on with the management of the bank and our regulators.
Any investor interested will have to go through the process before the deal is consummated. So, I believe deal will be completed in the nearest future as I cannot give specific time since there are processes that have to be followed.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg, yesterday reported that, The New York-based Milost offered to invest $700 million in equity and $300 million in five-year bonds that can be converted into shares in the Nigerian lender, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified as talks are confidential. The private-equity firm will get an initial stake of about 30 percent in the Lagos-based bank in exchange for its first equity investment of $250 million, the person said.
The transaction is still subject to a due diligence as well as regulatory approvals, the people said. The first part of the deal may be completed in the second quarter, one of the people said. The rest of the cash will be drawn down in intervals over a period of four years, provided Unity Bank has sufficient shares to issue to Milost, one of the people said.
Unity Bank, which was formed out of the merger of nine banks between December 2005 and March 2006, said in April last year that it is in talks to sell its non-performing loans to avoid penalties after missing a deadline set by regulators on its recapitalization plans.
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Home | News | General | Labour demands full investigation of alleged N30bn fraud at NSITF
By Victor Ahiuma-Young
ABUJAUNITED Labour Congress of Nigeria, ULC, has demanded thorough investigation of N30 billion fraud allegedly perpetrated by the last board of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF.
Ngige
While commending the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige on his decision to probe the NSITF and unearth the rot said to have been going on for years, ULC, however warned that the issue must not be swept under the carpets, but that culprits must be brought to book.
A statement by ULCs General Secretary, Comrade Didid Adodo, reads in part: ULC wishes to state categorically that we support this probe and any other action the Honourable Minister will take to sanitize the agency and make it fulfill the aims and objectives of its existence. Hearing the rot and the plundering that has taken place in that agency is enough for any right thinking organization and comrades to support a major probe that will not only unearth what has taken place but to also bring the perpetrators to justice.
This Fund which was set up to bring sucour to the working class has been looted over the years making it unable to fulfill the reason for its establishment. The current probe is therefore a welcome one and we hope that after the probe, NSITF will be put in proper shape to deliver on its mandate. We call on government to do a detailed investigation on the fraud in NSITF and Trustfund, as no stone should be left unturned. These two bodies have workers funds, their life savings and in this era of fight against corruption, there should be no sacred cow.
Corroborating the General Secretary, ULC Deputy President, Comrade Igwe Achese, demanded to know the roles representatives of Labour and Private sector on the board of NSITF played in the alleged fraud, saying: the probe should be extended to the Board members that served in the last tenure and that they should be arrested by the EFCC and relevant security agency for prosecution.
We need to know roles and actions of all the Board members, including the representative of Labour when the fraudulent activities took place as they were supposed to represent workers interest.
If the representatives of Labour were involved, Nigerian workers should rise up against the Board members for not protecting their hard-earned life-savings.
He added that the Board members did not do well in protecting the workers savings, which led to the high magnitude of fraud and embezzlement, therefore, they should be made to face the wrath of the law.
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Home | News | General | Mysterious Deaths, Diseases Hit Edo Community Following Curses By Oba of Benin
MYSTERIOUS deaths has hit Iguomon village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, following curses placed on the community by the Oba of Benin for flaunting his orders.
The curses, Vanguard gathered, was necessitated by the disobedience and perversion of native norms by the former officials of the outlawed Community Development Association, CDA, in the village, who flouted the orders of the Benin monarch.
The inhabitants of the village, who besieged the palace of Oba Ewuare II in tears yesterday, appealing for a revocation of the curses placed on Iguomon community.
They also claimed that mysterious deaths, strange diseases, attacks of various kinds as well as untold afflictions have been ravaging the community shortly after the curses were placed.
Spokesman and Secretary to the community, Mr. Joseph Ighodaro, said they were at the palace to appeal to the monarch as the supreme traditional authority in the state to revoke all the curses placed on Iguomon village by his ancestors.
He stated that the people of the village were ready to carry out all the necessary rites needed for the revocation of the curses.
They also pleaded with monarch to consider Mr. Roland Okhuarobo as the rightful Odionwere of Iguomon village, just as they promised to refrain from all forms of violation of traditional norms to avoid further premature deaths and disasters.
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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, yesterday, accused formations and units of the service of not rendering proper record of arms in their possession.
He made this known in a speech at the Nigerian Army Headquarters while inaugurating a 17-member panel to verify the number of arms in the various army formations and units across the country.
While noting that the army has an existing procedure for checks and balances in which formations and units render computerised arms returns for accounting purposes, he, however, lamented that these laid-down procedures have over time been jettisoned or compromised for various reasons.
The arms verification exercises across all Nigerian Army, NA, formations remain highly valuable to the Nigerian Army, hence it is carried out annually or as at when necessary.
The Nigerian Army has an existing procedure for checks and balances in which formations and units render computerised arms returns for accounting purposes. These laid down procedures have over time been jettisoned or compromised for various reasons.
The NA has procured different types of arms for the conduct of training and operations. However, we have discovered that some of these weapons were delivered straight to various theatres of operation without following the proper process of documentation and accounting.
This has sometimes resulted in double accounting by many formations especially those involved in counter-insurgency and other military operations in aid of civil authority. There is therefore the need to have accurate records of the holding in various depots and arms stores across the Nigerian Army.
It is to this end that your committees were convened to go round all the units and formations in the NA to verify their arms holdings.
He said the committees report would complement existing accounting procedures with a view to enhancing efficient planning support for ongoing Nigerian Army operations, telling members who are all retired Army offers that :As committee members, you have all been carefully selected based on your proven record of integrity and meticulousness.
he Presidency on Monday called on the Senate to lift ban on confirmation of nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari pending before it.
The call was made by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang during the screening of two nominees for deputy governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and four members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
The Senate had in 2017 placed an embargo on confirmation of nominees of the President not captured in the Constitution.
The move was said to have been as a result of a remark by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on confirmation of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
Until last week when the Senate lifted ban on the confirmation of the CBN nominees, over 40 appointees of the President were awaiting Senate confirmation.
The Presidential adviser told the Senate committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions chaired by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (APC, Kwara) to prevail on their colleagues to extend similar gesture to other nominees of the president.
Enang said, Thank you for lifting what appeared to be an injunction.
I know that with the magnanimity of the Senate, you will extend that gesture to other nominees, particularly the CBN board members, he said.
Those who were screened yesterday are Aisha Ahmad (Deputy Governor), Edward Adamu (Deputy Governor) and four members of the MPC namely Professor Adeola Festus Adenikinju; Dr Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi; Dr Robert Chikwendu Asogwa and Dr Asheikh A. Maidugu.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara has once again explained why he is clamouring for restructuring of the existing federal system of Nigeria.
Dogara said the call for restructuring became imperative because it will give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians.
He said this while speaking on the topic, Reforming the Nigerian Federation: Which Way Forward, at the 3rd annual Political Summit organised by the Save Democracy Africa in Abuja on Monday.
The Speaker noted that, The talk ofNigerias success or genuine federalism can no longer hold waters giving the state of internal insurgencies, divisiveness, ethnic and religious schism witnessed in several parts of Nigeria. Efforts at wishing away the problem associated with Nigerian federation have only resulted into several tribal, ethnic and religious movements that have even metamorphosed into terrorist syndicates.
One can, therefore, no longer fold his arms but engage some of the issues that have confronted us as a nation and threatened the Nigerian federation. This forum provides one of the opportunities for such interrogation. Accordingly, I commend the organisers for bringing this issue to the front burner once again.
That Nigeria could survive despite predictions to the contrary by the World Powers not only portrays a ray of hope but also demonstrate that Nigerian Federation has come to stay.
Nigeria is far behind many Nations and everything possible should be done to takeNigeria to where it rightly belongs among the comity of Nations given her huge and rich minerals and agricultural resources, and population.
It is therefore incumbent on us to fashion out our own type of federalism that is best suited to our people and to local circumstances. There should be genuine efforts to build the nation. Therefore ethnic, religious and sectional agenda should take back place. The essence of federalism is to foster unity and development. This has however, not been achieved.
Consequently, the recruitment processes of our elective office holders are being re-visited in the Electoral Amendment Bill to ensure that the system is able to recruit the best at all strata of leadership. We need leaders who are visionary, selfless, prudent, intelligent and indefatigable and having integrity and honour.
He added that the current National Assembly had shown enough determination to ensure that the federation of Nigeria is managed effectively for the good of every citizen in its several initiatives to address imbalances.
Hon Dogara stated, There should be massive awareness to change the mindsets of the rulers and the ruled. This is where there is the need for proper education and awareness for both the rulers and the ruled. I challenge our tertiary institutions to break the disconnect between them and the political institutions and industries not only to fashion out the appropriate curriculum to drive this new orientation to confront our political and economic malaise but also to lead cutting edge research in providing correct local solutions to our diverse of problems.
The speaker also identified some emerging issues in Nigerias federation political gerrymandering, corruption and nepotism, state creation and boundary delimitation, electoral boundary manipulation that discriminates against voters on account of tribe, language, religion, or related status.
The same is also true of boundary adjustments, state creation and Local Governments in Nigeria. The minority tribes have complained of being short-changed. The issue of fiscal federalism and resource control.
The allocation of revenue in Nigeria is presently heated as there are always allegations and counter-allegations of manipulations against the federal government by states. There are also allegations of zero allocation to local governments by states despite very clear constitutional provisions. In addition, there has been complaint of total neglect of the states that generate the revenue as such the derivative formula has been very contentious. There is over concentration of powers and responsibilities on the federal government. There are several responsibilities that can better be handled by the states.
The power sharing between the Federal Government and the states will have to be revisited and the issue of the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria which state Houses of Assembly keep voting against, he further stated.
Dogara added, The issue of resource control must be properly addressed. The communities where those resources are found should be adequately compensated. The Host Community Bill initiated by the House of Representatives on the Oil and Gas industry will be a test case. The call for resource control may by implication have a semblance of territorial devolution.
Home | News | General | Stop lying to young girls about how hard you have worked - Media Personality Vimbai slams female celebs
- Media personality Vimbai Mutinhiri recently shared some tough words aimed at female celebrities
- She asked them to stop lying about the source of their lavish lifestyles
- Further adding that they should also stop giving terrible advice to young ladies who look up to them
In recent times, many female celebrities have taken it upon themselves to act as guides for young ladies especially on social media.
These celebs show off their lavish lifestyles while telling their fans how hard they have worked to get to where they are even though it is very clear that someone or something else is funding their lifestyles.
One person who is tired of such shenanigans is popular media personality Vimbai. She took to her Instagram page to slam these celebs while also asking them to be humble. Read her post below:
READ ALSO: Do you want ogun to kill your household? - Hushpuppi blasts woman on Instagram
If your expensive handbag is a gift, thats ok. If your first luxury car was a gift from hubby thats great. If you travel in luxury courtesy of bae thats cool too. If your talent is social media, embrace it and earn off it.
BUT please stop lying to young girls about how hard you have worked, and giving terrible advice about how to build this or that and how to be successful in business or have a high flying career.
STOP IT!! If your business hasnt made at least N20m turnover per annum, please just book a seat in the audience and pay attention to those who have done it. There is no shame in it and it doesnt make you any less of a respectable woman. Making it in life begins with harnessing your truth TableShaker#MondayMotivation#MoreProfitsLessPackage.
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Women need to work ten times harder to get noticed in the Nigerian music industry on NAIJ.com TV.
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Home | News | General | The time scheduled for the examination was too short - JAMB candidates in Ekiti lament poor results
- Some of the candidates who failed the JAMB examination in Ekiti are giving different reasons for their woeful performances
- Some say the questions were not difficult but the results failed to meet their expectations
- Others complained about faulty systems and lack of enough time
Candidates in the 2017/2018 examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) who failed in Ekiti state, have said they were not successful because of the time scheduled for the exercise was too short.
They also complained that some of the computers used for the examinations malfunctioned.
The Nation reports that some of those who spoke including Tope Anjorin, Gbenga Fabiyi, Nneoma Ubani and Bisola Ajayi, said some of the questions asked were not difficult but they were disappointed when they saw their scores on the internet.
READ ALSO: Melaye gave us three guns, N430,000 cash, says suspect
The report quoted Anjorin as saying that though most of the questions were simple while others were difficult, but he was shocked when he saw 175 as his scores.
For Ajayi, it is not a time to be happy as shown by the result of the examination because most of her colleagues failed woefully.
Also, Fabiyi and Ubani condemned the examination saying they scored below their expectations.
Reacting to some of their claims, the coordinator of JAMB, Hezekiah Onileowo, said the current examination was peaceful and without any malpractices.
He added that those who failed did not prepare well while others were not patient enough to read the instructions and the questions of the examination.
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Onileowo further argued that the candidates concluded their examination at the states JAMB centre on March 14, but the two other centres at Ile-Abiye and the Federal Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti would conclude theirs on March 17.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that Oghotomo Ogheneruno Goddowell, a 16-year-old boy from Ethiope East in Delta state recently set a new record for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board examination as he scored 321 believed to be the highest in the ongoing 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
What does Nigeria need right now? (Nigerian Street Interview) | NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | More trouble for Saraki as pro-Buhari governors, senators allegedly mobilise against him, list his sins
- Some pro-Buhari governors and senators have vowed to stop Saraki's alleged anti-Buhari move in the Senate
- They accused Saraki of pursuing selfish agenda against the president
- One of the senators was quoted to have said that one of Saraki's sins is the Senate's refusal to confirm Ibrahim Magu as EFCC chairman
Some senators loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari are reportedly regrouping to fight what one of them called selfish agenda of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his cohorts.
Premium Times reports that a ranking senator who is in support of Parliament Support Group (PSG), said that despite that they are the ruling party, a few senators have turned them to opposition.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Suspected herdsmen attack Kogi community, 10 killed
Some of us feel we are being taken for a ride. We are of the ruling party but a few people are turning us into opposition for no reason, he said.
NAIJ.com gathered that he cited the example of the Senates embargo on confirmation of nominees for appointments over the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He said: The main grouse for those people is about Magu. But Nigerians are made to think that is it a problem for the entire Senate. Senators with EFCC cases are not more than 20 but they have lorded it upon everybody to accept their position.
He further stated that a lot of lawmakers are now wiser and will not allow them to be used as props in a proxy war.
It was reported that the initial rallying point for the senators was a move to stop the National Assembly from vetoing the presidents refusal to assent on the newly amended electoral act.
The arrow-head of the group of senators, called Parliament Support Group (PSG) told Premium Times they are now pursuing a wider agenda.
The PSG is led by Abdullahi Adamu, who was recently removed as chairman of Northern Senators Forum.
The amendment to the law guiding elections including re-ordering election sequence, is widely seen as a move against President Buhari.
In February, some senators staged a walk out when they could not stop the Senate from passing the bill into law.
The House of Representative later adopted similar changes to the law, before the two houses adopted a harmonised version.
However, Buhari wrote the two chambers of the National Assembly in March announcing his decision to withhold assent to the amended act.
But fearing that the National Assembly leadership may rally support of lawmakers to veto the president, some lawmakers are mobilising to block the veto.
An official of the PSG, who declined to be named as he was not authorised by his colleagues to speak, said the group has so far signed on 46 senators.
He said the number is more than what we require to block the veto. We only needed 36, which is the simple majority.
Two-thirds of senators (73) are required to override the presidents veto.
The group said it has also garnered the majority of members in the House of Representatives.
Premium Times gathered that to perfect the plan, lawmakers enrolled support of governors loyal to Buhari.
Twenty out of 24 APC governors are with us and they have constituted a committee under the Jigawa state governor to sort out this National Assembly issue, the source said.
According to him, some of the governors have given their National Assembly members marching order to sign on, and we are still expecting more members.
We hope to have some PDP members too. The PDP has 45 senators, 25 are with them. We are targeting the 20 that is non-aligned.
The group also said it has perfected plans to ensure that the electoral act veto did not get through.
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A source close to the Parliament Support Group said the group is meeting Tuesday night, March 20, with some governors and government officials to further strategise on their next steps.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that out of the 108 senators, 46 have signed a register and are reportedly planning to resist the National Assemblys plot to override President Muhammadu Buharis veto on amendments to the Electoral Act.
Election-2019: (Dont) mark your calendar - on NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Olusosun dump: Police in Lagos arrest 6 suspected burglars for stealing valuables worth N8 million
- The police in Lagos have arrested six suspected hoodlums for allegedly breaking into a firm near Olusosun dump and stealing N8 million worth of valuables
- The suspects were said to have taken advantage of the fire incident at Olusosun dump and broke into Revive Technologies
- They reportedly carted away with generator plant, weigh bridge machines, air conditioners, among others
The police have arrested six suspected hoodlums for allegedly looting a firm near Olusosun dump in Ojota, Lagos, and stealing equipment worth N8 million.
The suspects were identified as Abu Muhammed, 18; Emmanuel George, 43; Abubakar Ibrahim, 28; Abubakar Abdullahi, 24; Bello Champion, 24 and 25-year-old Adeniyi Ifelowo, Punch reports.
NAIJ.com notes that the suspects reportedly cashed in on the confusion that followed the fire incident at the dump to break into the company, Revive Technologies, and carted away a generator plant, weigh bridge machines, air conditioners, bulldozer parts, computers, truck parts, among others.
READ ALSO: Nigeria's longest serving school principal Reverend Father O'Connell dies at 85
The dump went up in flames around 6pm on Wednesday, March 14, destroying buses and offices of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency in the area.
The fire was later put out by a combined team of the Lagos state firefighters and the state emergency management agency.
A police said: The hoodlums lived around the scene of the fire incident. They broke into the firm during the fire and stole a lot of valuables. They thought the fire would spread to the firm to cover up their dastardly act.
The soldiers guarding the firm caught six of them and brought them to the police for prosecution. They perpetrated the act around 11pm that day when the fire was on.
The police arraigned the suspects at an Ikeja magistrate's court sitting in Ogba on three counts of stealing and burglary.
The charges read in part: That you, Abu Muhammed, Emmanuel George, Abubakar Ibrahim, Abubakar Abdullahi, Bello Champion and Adeniyi Ifelowo, and others now at large, on March 14, 2018, at 23.30hrs, at Olusosun dump, in the Ikeja magisterial district, with intent to commit felony, broke and entered Revive Technologies offices.
That you and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal bulldozer parts, three air conditioners, doors, machine oil, wires, electric cables, weigh bridge machines, generator plant, window blinds, truck parts, computers and switch over box, valued at N8m, property of Revive Technologies, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial.
They were granted bail by the presiding magistrate, A.O. Adedayo, in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till April 4, 2018.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that a gang of six, suspected to be burglars were arrested by the Lagos state police command in the Ikoyi area of the state.
The suspected burglars, identified as Friday Eze, Stanley Ejiofor, Femi Miracle, Raphael Ijoha, Emmanuel Omojuwa and Daniel Thomas, were arrested by the operatives of the Ikoyi police division while sharing looted items in the area.
The gang members, facially identified to be between the ages of 24-30, were said to be notorious for breaking into houses and stealing valuables.
See the faces of newly arrested criminals in Lagos state - on NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Amnesty: Militants give FG 4-week ultimatum to reinstate Boroh
By Samuel Oyadongha
YENAGOAA coalition of nine militant groups in the Niger Delta, under the aegis of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, has given President Muhammadu Buhari four-week ultimatum to reinstate sacked Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd).
Gen. Paul Boroh (retd)
They threatened to resume fresh attacks on oil facilities across the region if Mr. President failed to reinstate the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta on the expiration of the ultimatum.
Leader, RNDA, General Johnmark Ezonbi, who handed the threat, yesterday in a statement after an enlarged meeting of the militant groups in the creek of Bayelsa State, said it was obvious that the Federal Government was toying with the destiny of the Niger Delta region.
They alleged that nothing tangible had been recorded since the coming of the current All Progressives Congress-led government at the centre.
Ezonbi said, I want to warn that any intruder into our planned action in four weeks time if the Federal Government fails to reinstate Gen. Paul Boroh will be severely dealt with without mercy. Our attack will make security agencies in the creek very small.
We are fully ready to take on anybody as we have the instrumentality of warfare that will make the biggest military might to marvel at our coordinated attacks.
We are ready to dirty our rivers and creeks with our oil, it is better we spill it than allow government use it to develop other parts of the country.
We are not unmindful of the roles played by self-styled leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the South-South region by sponsoring falsehood against the person and office of Boroh for his blunt refusal to grease their palms to the detriment of the Amnesty Programme meant strictly for ex-militants and agitators.
We have always known those leaders to be anti-Niger Delta since the coming on board of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government as the latter kicked against the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
He said Boroh had made concerted efforts to put the amnesty programme back on track with the regular training of ex-militants and payment of monthly stipends without delay.
He added, The RNDA declares Prof. Charles Dokubo unfit for the job because of his age. He has long lost touch with happenings in the creeks.
The Federal Government will hear from us at the expiration of the four weeks ultimatum as no single stone will be left unturned as the Buhari-led administration prefers to go back to the recession period where Boroh played a major role by visiting the creeks with other stakeholders to prevail on the boys to drop their arms and embrace peace.
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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has solicited the support of the United States, US, in bringing an end to the crisis between farmers and herdsmen in his state.
Ortom said the US should assist in the realization of the move for establishment of ranches across his state and the country.
He spoke while receiving the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi, the state capital.
According to Ortom, assisting in the establishment of ranches was one reliable way of guaranteeing peace in his state and the country.
Ortom said, Let me on behalf of the government and people of Benue State welcome you to the Presidential wing of the Benue Peoples. I appreciate your visit. We were glad when we learnt that you are coming to visit us because we look up to America for a lot of things. Today the Presidential system of Government that we practice, we borrowed it from America.
I have been advocating for ranching which I know America for the rearing of cattle instead of the grazing that we have in Nigeria today. Because of the shortage of land, the issue of grazing has become a major security challenge, especially in my state. Frequently, there are clashes between farmers and herdsmen because the land is not there and my people are mostly farmers so they find the herdsmen encroaching and trespassing on farmlands and thus destroying their crops and when they are confronted, it will become a fight and we have lost so much.
I have been calling for the establishment of ranches just like it is done in America. Most of us look forward that our Government at the Federal level and the state level will come together and find a lasting solution because this crisis is not only peculiar to Benue State. There are other states too that are affected. But to me, I see that ranching as it is done in America can solve the problem permanently because the land is not increasing but the population is increasing.
When there were grazing routes in the fifties, the total population of Nigeria was less than forty million. Today, by the 2012 projection, we are over a hundred and seventy million and by 2017, I am sure we will be hitting two hundred million. So it is a big challenge. While we want to support the herdsmen to graze and to rear cattle, it should not be at the detriment of lives and property of our people. And so you are welcome.
America has been supporting us in several ways. USAID has been of great assistance to my Government. Before I assumed office, they were about leaving the state but I invited them to come back for dialogue and since then, they have been of tremendous help to us.
Amnesty International (AI) says the Nigerian military was aware of the presence of Boko Haram insurgents in Dapchi, Yobe state, hours before 110 schoolgirls were abducted.
The organisation said its investigation revealed the security forces failed to act on advance warnings that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters was heading towards Dapchi on the day of the abduction.
The insurgents raided the Government Girls Science and Technical College in Dapchi on February 19, after which the schoolgirls went missing.
Amnesty said a police source disclosed that officers fled the town over the fear that Boko Haram may overpower them.
Evidence available to Amnesty International suggests that there are insufficient troops deployed in the area, and that an absence of patrols and the failure to respond to warnings and engage with Boko Haram contributed to this tragedy, Osai Ojigho, AI director in Nigeria, said in a statement.
The sighting of an armed convoy at Futchimiram immediately sparked several phone calls to alert authorities. Sources who informed the military commander in Geidam at 2pm report that he responded to them by saying he was aware of the situation and was monitoring it.
At around 3pm, the convoy arrived in Gumsa, where they remained till 5pm. People in Gumsa called Dapchi villagers to warn them that Boko Haram fighters were on their way. One villager who received such a call said he informed a police sergeant who promised to notify the Dapchi division police officer (DPO).
At around 6:30pm, when residents were heading to the mosque for evening prayers, Boko Haram members entered Dapchi. Witnesses said Boko Haram fighters asked for directions to the military post, the local government office and the girls school.
A police source in Dapchi told Amnesty International that officers fled because they feared that the Boko Haram fighters would overpower them.
According to Ojigho, the organisations crisis advisor for military operations described the militarys response as woefully inadequate.
Victims and eyewitnesses interviewed were quoted to have said the insurgents arrived Dapchi at about 6:30pm and operated for one hour.
During the attack, army officials both in Geidam and Damaturu were again alerted. The military only arrived in Dapchi one hour after Boko Haram left, Amnesty said.
The Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed this abduction to take place without any tangible attempt to prevent it.
TheCable was unable to get the reaction of the military to AIs claims.
Jude Chukwu, army spokesman, did not answer calls to his phone nor respond to text messages sent.
Home | News | General | We need harmony in Oyo PDP - Chief whip tips Ladoja to accept party's resolve
- A PDP chief, Hosea Agboola has urged former governor of Oyo state, Rashidi Ladoja to accept the party's decision to resolve its issue
- Agboola described Ladoja's threat to leave the party as playing god
- He said the ex-governor is talking about decamping from the party when things are beginning to work for good
A former deputy chief whip of the Senate and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chief in Oyo state, Hosea Agboola, on Monday, March 19, called on former governor Rashidi Ladoja to accept the resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC), of the PDP in finding a solution to the crisis in the party in the state.
The Punch reported that Agboola described Ladojas threat to leave the party because of the harmonisation of the state executives by the NEC as playing god, while also saying that effort to resolve all differences in the party was yielding results, the Punch reports.
READ ALSO: NSCDC intercepts diversion of food and supplements donated to Borno state
Reacting to Ladojas comment that he (Agboola) had no strong following in the party, the former deputy chief whip of the Senate called on the former governor to review his political tactics.
He said: In 2007, Ladoja, who was an incumbent governor sponsored a governorship candidate against Adebayo Alao-Akala of the PDP but the latter won. In 2011, Ladoja contested against Governor Abiola Ajimobi and lost.
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In the 2015 election, a number of the PDP chiefs dumped the PDP and worked for Ladoja and his Accord Party but they all lost to Ajimobi again. What we are saying is that we need to harmonise the state party executive to give room for a level playing field for all the aspirants. The threat to leave the party wont do anybody any good and Ladoja is playing god with the PDP crisis.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reported that a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde, was appealing to the former governor of Oyo state, Rashidi Ladoja, not to dump the opposition party as reports claimed the latter was already scouting for a suitable political platform.
NAIJ.com gathered that Makinde spoke on Tuesday, March 13, in Ibadan through his organisation. He reminded Ladoja of his leadership role and the collective desire of the residents of the state for a change through 2019 elections.
PDP's Magnificent 7 for 2019 - On NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Vacate your current location - Lagos govt instructs Olusosun residents, following fire outbreak at dump site
- The Lagos state Government has instructed residents living around the Olusosun dump site to relocate, following the fire outbreak
- The instruction is in order to prevent health hazards as thick smoke has been billowing from the site since the incident occurred
- The state government is reportedly working towards ensuring zero accidents in the next three years
Residents living close to the dump at the Olusosun area, Ojota, have been asked to relocate by the Lagos state Government in order to avoid health hazards associated with inhaling the smoke billowing from the site, Punch reports.
The notice was given on Monday, March 19, by the director-general of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Hakeem Dickson, at a press conference on Vision Zero in Ikeja, the states capital.
READ ALSO: Kogi doctors finally suspend 72-day-old strike
NAIJ.com gathers that thick black smoke has been billowing from the dump site, which caught fire on Wednesday, March 14.
Dickson stated: The smoke has continued to billow and the advice became necessary to prevent health hazards.
He further disclosed that the state government is working towards ensuring zero accidents in the next three years.
Dickson said the Vision Zero campaign was inaugurated towards that aim. It also seeks to bring safety consciousness to the fore among corporate bodies and individuals.
In his words: Lagos Vision Zero is a transformational approach that interprets the tripod stand of safety, health, and well-being at all levels at work. It was borne out of the need to reduce hazards in workplaces and ensure zero accident and zero death.
He stated that at a three-day conference being planned by the commission to hold in April, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would sign a safety policy document on safety at workplaces.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that six suspected hoodlums were arrested by the police for allegedly looting a firm near Olusosun dump in Ojota, Lagos, and stealing equipment worth N8 million.
The police identified the suspects as Abu Muhammed, 18; Emmanuel George, 43; Abubakar Ibrahim, 28; Abubakar Abdullahi, 24; Bello Champion, 24 and 25-year-old Adeniyi Ifelowo.
The suspects reportedly cashed in on the confusion that followed the fire incident at the dump to break into the company, Revive Technologies, and carted away a generator plant, weigh bridge machines, air conditioners, bulldozer parts, computers, truck parts, among others.
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Home | News | General | Court sentences federal pay officer to 127 years imprisonment for alleged fraud
- ICPC arraigns a federal pay officer, Lawal Wilson Olusegunon, on a 24-count charge bordering on abuse of office and embezzlement of public funds
- The commission says the accused was found guilty on all the 24 count charge
- EFCC re-arraigns Dasukis ally for alleged N600 million fraud
A federal pay officer, Lawal Wilson Olusegun, has been sentenced to 127 years imprisonment by a high court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state, for diverting N103 million infrastructural development and meal subsidies funds of three federal government colleges.
The Guardian reports that Olusegun was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi on a 24-count charge bordering on abuse of office and embezzlement of public funds.
READ ALSO: More trouble for Saraki as pro-Buhari governors, senators allegedly mobilise against him, list his sins
According to the charge sheet, the suspect was accused of embezzling funds meant for feeding of students in Federal Science Technical College, Ijebu-Imushin, Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu and Federal Government College, Odogbolu.
Spokesperson for the commission, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said that the convict was found guilty on all the 24 count charge filed against him.
The commission said the convict conferred corrupt advantage upon himself when he diverted subsidy monies through his company, Sog Best Concept Nigeria Limited, to his personal use without any authorization, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000".
The ICPC said it had recovered the sum of N56.1 million from the accused before his arraignment in 2016, which was handed over to the representatives of the affected schools.
Based on the evidence presented before the court, Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi sentenced the accused to five years in jail for counts one to 20, for violating Section 19 of ICPC Act 2000.
The court also sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on counts 21 to 23 for contravening Section 12 of the ICPC Act and another three years on count 24 for violating Section 456 of the Criminal Code. All the sentences are without option of fine.
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Meanwhile, the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, March 19, re-arraigned Aliyu Usman, an associate of the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Premium Times reports that he was re-arraigned on a fourcount amended charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N600 million.
NAIJ.com gathered that Usman was initially arranged on October 5, 2017 alongside one Nuru Yahaya and two companies Leaderettehe Nigeria Limited and Nordeen Global Resources on a 6-count charge of money laundering contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under Section (15) (3) and (4) of the same Act.
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Home | News | General | Jonathan, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Donald Duke, others to be hounoured in Rivers
A former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Patience; former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke among many others will be awarded the Niger Delta peace heroes inPort Harcourt, Rivers state
The award, NAIJ.com gathered will be handed to the recipient during the 2018 edition of the Niger Delta peace summit which will be hosted by the River state government on Saturday, April 21.
The Niger Delta Peace Ambassador Award specifically acknowledges the role of awardees long-term transformation, inclusive social and economic development, peacefully resolving violent conflicts and building good governance on the Delta.
READ ALSO: More trouble for Saraki as pro-Buhari governors, senators allegedly mobilise against him, list his sins
The award also recognises the work of the awardees in the struggle against abuse of human rights in the region.
Others to receive the award include the late Nigerian nationalist Isaac Adaka (aka Boro) who will be hounoured posthumously
Also, late Ken Saro-Wiwa Kenule Beeson, a Nigerian writer, television producer, environmental activist, and winner of the Right Livelihood Award and the Goldman Environmental Priz will be honoured.
Speaking on the summit, Chris Odey, an environmentalist said the individuals are chosen as recipients of the 2018 Niger Delta Peace Ambassador Awards as an affirmation of their efforts in bringing equality and for peace building.
READ ALSO: Edo community urges Oba of Benin to revoke curses after mysterious deaths
Odey said that some of the individuals died for having the courage to challenge the federal government to duly give back to the communities where over 80% of the nations wealth is generated from.
He said: We have seen our parents shed tears of sorrow when they could not farm nor fish again due to crude oil discovery, but at same time we have seen individuals we now call Heroes of Peace stood up and said enough is enough, our voices must be heard. We cannot say Uhuru yet, but we also have reasons to be hopeful, because we have won court cases in our favour.
Niger Delta Peace Ambassador Awards is more than just a plaque and frame, it is a celebration of oneness, an honour worthy of the receivers, as it is expected to bring together sons and daughters of the Niger Delta, from Bayelsa to Akwa Ibom, Abia to Ondo and connecting Delta, Edo, Cross River, Imo and Rivers states, Odey noted.
It was gathered that the award recipients will cut across all individual and organisation who have demonstrated unprecedented effort in ensuring a safe and peaceful environment in the region.
Other recipients of the award include: Edwin Clark, Raymond Dokpesi, Godswill Akpabio, Liyel imoke, Ayiri Imima, Lulu Briggs, Ben Murray-Bruce, Adams Oshiomhole and George Iwo.
Others are: Timi Frank, John Momoh, James Ibori, Godwin Emeifele, Florence Ita-Giwa, Jim Ovie, Tony Elumelu, late Gordon Obua, among others.
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that some Niger Delta youth had accused leaders in the region of being the cause of major challenges faced by different communities.
The youths said accused the leaders of squandering resources earmarked for the development of the region.
The also said that the leader in the Niger Delta are selfish thereby involving in activities that has plunged the region into abject penury.
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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has urged politicians that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to seek Gods forgiveness for the untold hardship in the country.
He lamented that Nigerias economy had become worse under the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, which he noted had no solution to the myriads of problems facing the country.
The governor spoke on Monday at a meeting of the Osoko Mass Movement attended by representatives of labour unions, civil servants and public institutions in the state.
He said, People that voted Buhari must seek repentance. People thought he was coming to make a difference but he has caused more economic hardship. We are being ruled by fiat. Unemployment is second to none. The Transparency International said corruption had become worse among Nigerians.
The governor urged the people to vote for a well educated candidate in the election and not to sell their votes.
He said his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola was the most educated and suitably qualified aspirant to rule the state.
If you say Im not educated now I have presented a professor. We are not supposed to retrogress, we should progress. A professor is higher than doctor and supervises him. By all standard Im presenting the most suitably qualified aspirant.
Our interest was somewhere else but his name kept reappearing. Ekiti needs continuity, I have put in my best in the circumstance and I know he will do it better, he said.
Fayose said the APC government had not benefitted the Ekiti people in anyway despite having a former governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
He said, There are many mineral deposits in Ekiti which have been left untapped despite our son being the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
Buhari spent N40b searching for crude oil in the North; where is Fayemi looking?
Home | News | General | Breaking: Nnamdi Kanu absent in court as fresh trial of IPOB members commences
A fresh three-count charge relating to treasonable felony was filed against four members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Nigerian government on Tuesday, March 20, but their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was absent.
Premium Times gave the names of the four accused persons as Bright Chimeze, Benjamin Madubugwu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe and David Nwawuisi, adding that they were earlier facing a similar charge along with the wanted IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Former vice president Sambo in closed door meeting with President Buhari
Following the stalling of the trial by the disappearance of Kanu in September last year (2017), the prosecution lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran, asked the court to hear the charge against the other defendants separately.
The request was granted by the court presided over by Binta Nyako and resulted in the new charge read before the court on Tuesday (March 20), the report said adding that the accused pleaded not guilty.
Before the plea was taken, Labaran reportedly read from a sheet of paper which he described as the published version of an online publication, which had a threat on the life of an operative of the State Security Service by IPOB members.
Labaran further said a picture of the alleged operative was taken earlier and used on the social media, with a threat by the IPOB members to teach the operative a lesson.
The counsel to the defendants, Nnemeka Ejiofor, urged the court not to recognise the publication and the allegation.
According to Ejiofor, the prosecution fabricated the allegation just as he stressed that the report does not bear any similarities with a traceable medium.
While warning judge and family members to desist from taking pictures in the court room, Justice Nyako said: Otherwise, I shall ban the press. I shall also ban family members. I can do all that.
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The judge also warned parties against wasting the courts time. She then adjourned the case till Thursday, March 22, for further hearing.
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Home | News | General | UNDP partners with Edo state government, empower 42 Libyan returnees
- Forty two Libyan returnees recently concluded an entrepreneurship training courtesy of the state government and UN Development Programme
- The state government commended the UNDP for the support and partnership as well as commitment towards the programme in the state
- One of the beneficiaries of the training expressed his appreciation to the UNDP and the state government for impacting in his life
Forty two Libyan returnees and other other youths in Edo state have concluded an entrepreneurship training that was organised by the state government and the UNDP, NAN reports.
NAIJ.com notes that the country director of UNDP, Samuel Bwalya, represented by an official, Robert Asogwa, said that the UN agency was committed to bringing to an end, human trafficking and illegal migration in the state.
READ ALSO: Law professor shares inspiring experience as a messenger in University of Jos
He said that UNDP initiated the training to help the state deal with the current challenges of human trafficking and illegal migration by empowering the youth.
Bwalya commended Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo for empowering the youth in the state, stressing that the governor was very passionate about the programme and has demonstrated it
According to him, UNDP prioritised youth empowerment because it was very key to addressing all social vices, whether it is militancy, youth restiveness, or illegal migration.
He said: You know that most of the countries that are successful today have their successes linked to entrepreneurship, whether it is China, India or elsewhere.
At UNDP we have partnership with governments to have robust programme on empowerment on innovation, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition and sustainable finance programmes.
Entrepreneur is key even if you dont get employment you can start your own business and employ others in the next one or two years.
We want to create more young entrepreneurs in order to address the insurgency and to stem the youth restiveness. I am sure if we are able to have massive number of youth entrepreneurs we will be able to destroy the business of traffickers, illegal migration."
Earlier, Obaseki who was represented by his chief of staff, Taiwo Akinrele, commended the UNDP for the support and partnership as well as commitment towards the programme in the state.
He said: The Edo government is committed to skill acquisition particularly to build the capacity of its citizen to take the advantage of the business and new investment in the state We are not discouraging migration but you need to migrate legally which could only be done when you have skill and capacity. We are going to scale up this intervention for others to partake in the programme. We are still going to set up monitoring scheme to help you further."
One of the trainees, Paul Oshamodiamen, thanked the UNDP and Edo government for organising the training which he said had changed his orientation and focus.
The 49 year old father of six said that the training would help him to establish a viable business that would make him live happily rather than embarking on dangerous journey again to Libya.
He said: I want to say a very big thank you to the UNDP because they remember us to put together the training to help us stabilise in our business. They have actually created an impact and added value to my life."
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state approved the release of 150 hectares of land and N100 million seed capital for the 150 Libyan returnees and victims of human trafficking.
It was reported that the money and land were given to those who completed a skills acquisition training at the Edo Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) office in Benin City, the Edo state capital.
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Home | News | General | Reveal Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara, ministers ruining cost - Okupe dares Sagay
- An aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan has dared the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption
- Doyin Okupe asked Itse Sagay to reveal the running cost of all principal officers in Nigeria including the president, his vice, ministers and special advisers
- He also wants Sagay to reveal his (Sagay's) allowances and and his running cost and the chairman of PACAC
A media adviser to former president Goodluck Jonathan has called on the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), Itse Sagay to reveal the running cost of principal public office holders in Nigeria.
Doyin Okupe urged Sagay to carry out his threat on the revelations of the allowances and salaries of the Senate President, his deputy, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, his deputy and other principal officers within the National Assembly.
In a statement released on Tuesday, March 20, by Okupe, the former presidential aide said he wants Sagay, who is a senior lawyer to include in his list the revelation of running cost of the president, his vice and ministers and advisers of the presidential cabinet.
He also urged the senior lawyer to release the running cost of himself as the chairman of the presidential committee.
READ ALSO: Just in: Police sergeant, 3 others arrested for robbing deputy governor
Okupe said should Sagay fail to carry out his threat, his credibility will continue to diminish over time.
"I find the threat by Professor Sagay on allowances and running cost of the leadership of the National Assembly very interesting. It will aid our fight for transparency in public affairs. However, he should not be selective," Okupe said.
For us to take him seriously, he should include the details of the running costs of the office of the president, vice president, ministers, special advisers, heads of government agencies, parastatals and even himself. After all, all the salaries, allowances and running costs come from the same public coffers.
He should tell the world how much he is paid, how much he spends on his numerous junketing abroad, his allowances, honoraria and others, including the ones paid for by international donor agencies.
For Prof. Sagay to say that the country would explode if he gives out certain figures is inciting, particularly, at a volatile and tensed period as we have now in the country. I believe the President owes this country a duty to call this man to order," he said.
READ ALSO: James Ibori's elder brother weds younger woman in Delta state (photos)
He added that it will be interesting for Sagay to also tell Nigerians what the committee which leads have been able to achieve in the past 30 months.
He queried whether PACAC was set up for the purpose of abusing and attacking the National Assembly
With the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rating recently released by Transparency International (TI), it does appear that Sagays committee has neither helped Nigeria nor the President who set up the committee and funded it with tax- payers money.
Mr. Sagay should sit down with members of his committee to work seriously in developing position papers and policies that will actually help the anti-corruption war and make it more effective.
This will by far be a much more dignified job than rabble-rousing and witch-hunting of institutions and personalities in the country," Okupe noted.
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that Sagay had threatened to release details of the salaries and allowances received by the Senate president and the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sagay in an interview said the N13.5 million revelation made by Senator Shehu Sani as money received by senators as running cost is only a tip of the iceberg.
He also said that Nigerians will be shocked when he releases details of allowances received on monthly basis by the principal officers of the National Assembly.
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Home | News | General | Turkey to UN rights chief: You re terrorist collaborator
Turkey branded the UN rights chief Zeid Al-Hussein as a terrorist sympathiser on Tuesday.
The UN Human Rights Office in Geneva in a report criticised Turkey for not revoking the measures that were put in place in reaction to the July 2016 coup attempt.
Turkeys Foreign Ministry in a statement said that the said text has no meaning, arguing that Al-Hussein had ignored various terrorist threats that the country is facing.
This person, who is the head of an international body bearing an unquestionable global importance, unfortunately, relegated the said UN body under his administration into a position of a collaborator of terrorist organisations, the ministry added.
Turkey blamed the coup attempt on the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric.
Ankara has designated the movement as a terrorist group.
Al-Hussein pointed out that nearly 160,000 people, including 300 journalists, have been arrested between July 2017 and the end of that year, while 152,000 civil servants have been dismissed.
More than 100,000 websites were blocked in 2017.
Clearly the successive states of emergency declared in Turkey have been used to severely and arbitrarily curtail the human rights of a very large number of people, Al-Hussein said.
Al-Husseins office had, in fact, acknowledged Turkeys right to respond to the coup and to terrorism, but it concluded that the measures have been excessive and have eroded the rule of law.
NAN
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Home | News | General | Invest in Rivers State, Wike begs leading European investors
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that his administration has implemented sound economic policies and programmes that have made the state the investment destination of Nigeria.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (r) being welcomed by the
Commercial Director of Financial Times in charge of Africa and Middle East, Mark Cowardine at the Financial Times Headquarters London on Tuesday during a Special Breakfast Meeting tagged: Invest in Rivers State .
Speaking during a Special Investment Programme Organised for Rivers State by the Financial Times tagged: Invest in Rivers State at their headquarters in London on Tuesday, Governor Wike told the select investors at the event that return on investment in the state is the highest in Nigeria.
Governor Wike said: The Government of Rivers State remains committed to making Rivers State the best place in Nigeria to live, work and do business through the implementation of sound policies and creating the enabling peaceful, secure and friendly environment for doing business in Rivers State. Investors are warmly welcomed, Rivers State awaits you .
Rivers State Governor assured intending investors that his administration has lined out incentives that has made the state investor friendly.
According to the Rivers State Governor, the Rivers State Government under his leadership has provided visibility gap funding, minimum revenue guarantee, provision of land for development, provision of subsidies and reduction of/exemption from payment of taxes and levies.
There is a stable, focused and progressive government that is committed to the states economic objectives, which is to build a strong, balanced and growing economy for Rivers State.
The Government has created the most business friendly environment for Rivers State with unprecedented investments in infrastructure, tax reforms and related economic incentives to reduce cost of doing business , Governor Wike explained on why European Investors should invest in Rivers State.
Governor Wike added: We have given unprecedented attention to security of lives and property, Rivers State is now safe and secure for businesses and investors .
The governor added that his administration has eliminated double taxation, instituted expeditious processing and grant of land documents, facilitation of investment processes and regulatory approvals.
Governor Wike said that intending investors in oil and gas would benefit from the presence of the Oil and Gas Free Zone in the state, noting that the facility provides opportunities for the establishment of businesses across the oil and gas value chain.
The governor declared that the Rivers State Government has institutionalised laws, processes and policies to protect investments in the state.
He said: Besides national laws, the Rivers State Government has also put in place appropriate legal framework to promote and protect investments in the state .
Governor Wike said as a gateway into the South-South and South-East zones, Rivers State also boasts of immense investment opportunities in the area of information and communication technology.
He added that there remarkable investment opportunities in the areas of tourism and hospitality, pointing out that as the destination of choice for organisers of events, conferences and sporting events, Rivers State investment climate will reward any foreign investor.
He pointed out the successes recorded by establishing the innovative Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, which is now a regional centre of tourism, attracting several thousands of Nigerian and foreign visitors.
Governor Wike informed the European Investors that investment opportunities exist at the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, where his administration has established framework for public-private partnerships , land subsidies and the development of infrastructure.
He also stated that there are investment opportunities in the area of manufacturing where investors can take advantage of the Trans-Amadi Industrial Estate. He added that Public Housing and property development remain another profitable outlet because of the population of the state.
The governor maintained that the availability of vast arable land and water, make Rivers State the national hub of agriculture and agro processing.
He said: The states population, including the middle class is increasing in geo-metric proportions. Besides, the availability of a young educated, skilled and semi skilled population eager for employment offers abundant workforce and large emerging and relatively untapped market for consumer products and services .
Governor Wike said that Rivers State possesses abundant natural resources, two existing seaports, an international airport and Nigerias second largest economy, waiting for credible international investors.
In his remarks, Commercial Director of Financial Times in charge of Africa and Middle East, Mark Cowardine assured the Rivers State Governor that the message of the investment potentials of Rivers State will promote economic growth in the state.
Vice Chairman of Westminster Africa Business Group, Mr Tim Johnsen noted that the presentation of Governor Wike has highlighted key areas of investments to be explored by European Investors.
The Chief Executive Officer of Invest Africa and United Kingdom Business Council for Africa , Karen Taylor said that the State Government has redefined the economic advantage of Rivers State, making it attractive to the world.
Leyla Boulton, Editor, Special Reports of Financial Times said that Rivers State has become Nigerias leading economic destination due to the programmes initiated by Governor Wike.
Imad Mesdoua, Senior Consultant at Control Risks expressed satisfaction with the quality of information and opportunities that Governor Wike has exposed to Europe on Rivers State.
Governor Wike was accompanied by Senator George Sekibo, Commissioner of Information and Communication, Emma Okah, Chairman of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Anabrabra, Commissioner of Sports, Boma Iyaye and Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara.
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Home | News | General | Atiku reacts to IGs withdrawal of police from VIPs
- Atiku Abubakar said he was happy with the police IG's directive
- The former vice president said police were needed to protect schools
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the order given by the inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris for the withdrawal of police from VIPs saying it was a good move to address the insecurity situation of the country.
Premium Times reports that Atiku spoke through his media aide, Paul Ibe on Tuesday, March 20 concerning the directive.
READ ALSO: Herdsmen reportedly kill 4 farmers in Delta
Our security forces are overstretched. We do not have enough military and paramilitary forces to provide security for the peace-loving people of Nigeria which is why the recent Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State kidnapping occurred. Their school was left unguarded.
Atiku said he had earlier advocated for police to be withdrawn from VIPs so they can concentrate on guarding the citizens.
Asked by THISDAY on Saturday what he would do different to prevent abduction like Dapchi, the Waziri Adamawa had responded thus: Recently, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Okiro, revealed that 150,000 policemen are guarding various elites and those we know as big men. If I had my way, I would have recalled all of those 150,000 policemen who are not performing core police duties and send them to provide security for every school in the North-East region, the statement recalled.
That to me would be a better use of their time and services. We already know that Boko Haram has an agenda to cripple Western education in Nigeria. So how could we have left those schools unguarded? Why should the police be guarding VIPs who can afford personal guards and leave vulnerable girls unguarded? We are spending billions of Naira trying to encourage girls to go to school only to allow them be abducted by terrorists.
He said he welcomes the reported new policy of reassigning these 150,000 policemen from guarding VIPs to regular police duties especially as it relates to the much-needed protection of schools in the Northeast and other troubled zones.
As Kenneth Blanchard said, none of us is as smart as all of us. The Waziri Adamawa continues to call on the Buhari government to be open to solutions from well-meaning Nigerians and friends of Nigeria so we can navigate this nation away from the precipice.
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NAIJ.com had reported that Idris on Monday, March 19, ordered the immediate withdrawal of personnel attached to private companies and individual, Guardian reports.
NAIJ.com notes that the head of the Nigeria Police Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit, stated that Idris also ordered that all the police SPY number plates should be returned to Force Transport Officer.
Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that the Police Service Commission said that more than 150,000 policemen were attached to VIPs and unauthorised persons in the country.
Are Nigerian Policemen the worst in the world? - on NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Lassa fever: God saves man, who saves himself!
How to prevent Lassa fever: main tips! Dangerous disease threatens Nigeria and West Africa! Take care and protect your family. Read vital information.
Nigeria is experiencing an outbreak of Lassa fever. This potentially fatal disease can cause an epidemic, and currently, there is no vaccine against it. Employees of health facilities are working hard. Some of them infected and became the victims of the disease.
What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is an acute and at times heavily flowing viral hemorrhagic disease. It can affect various organs and destroy blood vessels. For most infected, the disease has a mild form. Its symptoms are general weakness, headache, and fever. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all.
But in acute cases, the course of the disease can look like another dangerous hemorrhagic fever Ebola. Its accompanied by bleeding from the mouth, nose, and other parts of body. According to statistics, a fatal outcome occurs in about one percent of cases. However, under the National Center for the Control of Infectious Diseases, the current outbreak in Nigeria may cause mortality in 20% confirmed and suspected cases of infection.
Lassa fever in Nigeria
Since January, more than one thousand occasions of suspected Lass fever have been documented in Nigeria. More than three hundred of them are confirmed. It is estimated that the virus took about 90 lives. But in fact, this quantity may be higher, as the ailment is difficult to diagnose. In its early stages, its mostly impossible to differentiate it from malaria and dengue fever.
For women who get infected on the late terms of pregnancy, the probability of loosing the pregnancy is 80%. There is no special analysis for this virus. One way to detect it is to examine the blood or body tissue in one of the few specialized labs.
At first the illness was discovered in 1969 in the Nigerian city of Lassa when the outbreak occurred in a local hospital. After that, the virus was found in other countries of West Africa. But the current outbreak is of particular concern since the number of diseased for this season is unprecedented. Sanitary services are trying to determine the epidemic cause.
The outbreaks occurrence can be affected by seasonal changes in weather conditions. It influences on the number of natural virus carriers - Masto mice or natal mice (Mastomys natalensis). The rodents combine the features of mice and rats.
These mammals are widespread in West Africa and easily penetrate into living quarters. It is also possible that a greater number of diseases became known due to the growing awareness of society. Most of the patients caught the infection through products contaminated with mouse secretions such as feces, urine or saliva. They could use such products for food or just bring them home.
Infection can also be transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets. In this case, the medical staff working without protective outfit and patients family members are at risk especially. Lassa fever incubation period lasts to three weeks. The scientists want to find out whether Lassa like Ebola can stay in the organism and be transmitted genitally later after the disease has receded. Nigeria has a developed health system with proven methods of countering such epidemics.
Nigerian authorities work in cooperation with the World Health Organization to coordinate protective measures. British authorities sent a group of medical experts from the operational support team to the areas affected by the outbreak.
READ ALSO: ommon diseases in Nigeria
Lassa fever prevention and control
Since the Mastomys population in endemic areas is very large, their complete destruction is not possible. So, how to prevent Lassa fever?
1. Residents of the affected areas are encouraged to follow the basic precautions:
block the cracks through which mice can enter the house;
keep close trash cans and far from habitation;
store food and water in tightly closed containers;
hand washing;
avoid contact with sick people;
do deratization;
keep cats
2. Family members who take care of patients are recommended to
put on protective clothing, masks, and gloves;
adhere to safety in the burial of the dead
3. While caring for patients in medical institutions, regardless of the expected diagnosis, health care providers should always follow standard infection prevention and infection control measures. They include:
elementary hand hygiene;
respiratory hygiene;
the use of personal protective equipment (from splashes or other contacts with infected materials);
safe injection techniques;
monitoring of contact persons for 17 days;
the use of antiviral medicines as emergency prophylaxis for people contacted diseased;
quarantine for people with a high temperature of unknown origin
4. Laboratory workers are also at risk. Personnel should work with samples taken from humans and animals to study the infection caused by the Lassa virus. The research should be done in laboratories with maximum bio-security.
5. Rarely people traveling to and from endemic areas bring this disease to other countries. Although cases of malaria, typhoid fever, and many other tropical infections occur much more often, Lassa fever should be considered when diagnosing high-temperature patients returning from rural areas or hospitals where Lassa fever patients had been treated. When patients with suspected Lassa fever are admitted, health workers should immediately contact local and state experts for guidance and laboratory testing.
However, despite all the measures taken, the struggle against the Lassa virus as well as with other infectious diseases is considerably complicated because of the medicines shortage, including diagnostic materials and vaccines.
Lassa fever vaccine
Most likely the vaccine against Lassa fever will be developed soon. It will avoid the threat of the epidemic spreading on a global scale. But, as in the case of other infectious diseases mainly affecting developing countries, this process is considerably skidding.
The vaccine working out is a long, complicated and expensive process. Especially it comes to new epidemic diseases. In this case, the vaccine prototype can only be tested during an outbreak.
In 2017, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) started. With the financial support of the Wellcome Trust, governments of various countries, as well as Bill and Melinda Gates, it seeks to accelerate the vaccines development, including against the causative agent of the Lassa fever.
The institution has allocated the first grant for development of a vaccine against Lassa fever. It was received by the Viennese biotechnology company Themis Bioscience. In some laboratories in the United States and Nigeria, specialists are working on the development of medicines for the disease treatment and rapid tests for its diagnosis. CEPI hopes that within five years it will be able to develop and prepare for testing one or more vaccines.
The most affected countries need strong health systems together with quality medical equipment and health personnels training. Also, its necessary to work with the population. The main task is teaching people to realize how to detect infection outbreaks in the early stages and prevent their spread.
Prevention of Lassa fever in Nigeria plays an important role today. The Nigerian authorities and representatives of international medical organizations are trying to take all possible measures to ensure the isolation of patients and avoid further spread of the disease.
READ ALSO: Who is the current Minister of Health in Nigeria 2017?
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Home | News | General | Suspected herdsmen reportedly attack farmers in Delta, 4 killed
- Suspected herdsmen attacked farmers in Delta
- 4 farmers were reportedly killed
- The community members called on the government to come to their aide
Armed men suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly killed four farmers in Delta state.
It was reported that the farmers were on a fishing expenditure when they were reportedly shot dead by suspected herdsmen.
READ ALSO: Police sergeant, 3 others arrested for robbing deputy governor
The attack was carried out over the weekend and has sent fear into the mind of residents.
The Punch reports that some people also sustained varying degrees of injury.
A security personnel confirmed the attack which he said took place at a bush in Oreba village of Uwheru community.
Another source said those that survived the attack were receiving treatment in various hospitals.
A senior Police officer at the Ughelli Police Area Command also confirmed the attack and said the bodies of the deceased have been recovered.
The President General, Uwheru community, Ogarivi Utso called on security operatives to come to their aid claiming the community was under siege.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom said there is no alternative to the ranching law enacted by the Benue state government to regulate livestock business.
He stated this on Tuesday, March 20, at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi while briefing journalists after a meeting with the state and zonal leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
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The governor said the ranching law was the collective decision of Benue people, stressing that he lacks the powers even as governor to reverse or make adjustments to it.
He disclosed that MACBAN had requested for more time to enable them adjust and conform with the law but he had promised them that the law would be implemented with a human face and that was being done.
Victims of Herdsmen killing buried in Benue State on NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Nollywood actress Lola Margaret allegedly deported from US, secretly relocates to Ibadan
- Nollywood actress Lola Margaret who was allegedly arrested on charges of credit card fraud and later released, gets deported
- Margaret was allegedly sent back home to Nigeria after she gave up the names of her partners to the US police
- According to reports, the Bisola Alan star actress has quietly relocated to Ibadan and gone off social media
NAIJ.com earlier shared details of Nollywood actress, Lola Margaret who was detained in the US over credit card fraud and later released after she reportedly gave the names of her partners up to the police. Following her release, the actress is said to have been deported back to Nigeria from America.
Reports claim Margaret has since quietly relocated to Ibadan and is staying away from Lagos where she previously resided. The actress has also been absent in many societal functions of late and fans are now worried about her current state.
Recall Lola relocated to the US a little over a year ago. Things got ugly when she landed in the police nest for withdrawing huge amounts of money from the bank . After making bail and getting released, the Bisola Alan star got sent back home to Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Runtown shares adorable photo of his 9-month-old son
Unfortunately, she appears to have eloped from social media as well as her account is not found, making fans believe she has changed her name and gone private.
Lola Margaret is a Nigerian actress whose career blossomed after she starred in the movie titled Bisola Alan. Since then she has appeared in some major Nollywood productions up until she relocated to the US.
However, the actress who is reportedly residing in Ibadan and keeping a low profile, is said to be planning a comeback to the industry in the nearest future.
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2017: The Most Controversial Naija Celebrities Of The Year on NAIJ.com TV:
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Home | News | General | Chioma emerges winner French Embassys First Chefs challenge
Juleit Chioma, of Le Petit Square restaurant, located in Grand Square, Abuja, has emerged winner of the first Chefs Taste Challenge, an initiative of the Embassy of France, in Nigeria.
Nigerian food
Newsmen report that the initiative is run under the `Good France programme by the Embassy to further create cultural fusion between the two countries, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Chioma who spoke on her winning dish, Out of the Pot Chicken, expressed delight on the win said: it is very rewarding for a chef to win in a contest of this nature.
I felt since this was the era where people want to eat good cuisine and still look good, I decided to prepared the Out of the Pot Chicken.
This is a meal that I created with natural ingredients produce in Nigeria, which you can find around your neighbourhood and gives you a natural taste, she said.
She commended the embassy of France for creating the awareness which would enable Nigerian chefs showcase their expertise globally.
Mr Denys Gauer, French Ambassador to Nigeria, said the initiative was created five years ago to celebrate gastronomy as an art of cooking.
He said that four restaurants were participating in the programme to showcase different varieties of cuisine of Nigeria and France.
This is the first year we are organising a contest of this nature and I hope it increases as time goes by.
The embassys aim was to create awareness in the culinary world for both Nigeria and Europe to come together to promote culture through gastronomy, he said.
Highlight of the event include the presentation of certificate of participation to the chefs, drawn from various Food Company and restaurants in Nigeria.
Each chef was rewarded with a `Relais Cafe prepared duck, bread and mango dressing for their presentation which lasted 15 minutes.
NAN
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By Godwin Oritse with agency report
Bernard Koffi of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) disclosed this today at the ongoing African clean mobility week taking in Nairobi, Kenya.
With the global car fleet due to triple by 2050 and greenhouse gas emissions from transport growing faster than any other sector, West African states have set sights on 2050 to phase out dirty and inefficient fuel.
ECOWAS
West Africa is believed to be Africas sub-region with the least fuel efficiency and economy levels as 80% of the vehicles across the sub-region are used vehicles while 72% of the vehicles used in ECOWAS countries are imported.
The challenges of attaining fuel efficiency and economy in West Africa, according to Koffi include absence of policies and strong fiscal measures against the importation of vehicles that are over the age limit; and high age limits for the importation of used vehicles. Age limit for the importation of used light duty vehicles (LDVs) in most West African states hover between 8-15 years.
Other extant challenges include poor fuel quality, and road congestion leading to high carbon emissions.
These challenges notwithstanding, ECOWAS is confident of achieving fuel efficiency and economy at least by 50% by the year 2050 through the implementation of its Air Quality Agreement signed by ECOWAS ministers in 2009, and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of all ECOWAS member states to the Paris agreement.
Mr. Koffi believes that the sub-region can achieve the target even before the target year by harmonising carbon emission standards and fuel specification, promoting clean vehicles and fuel economy, and strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks on fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
An example of these measures is the recent ban placed on the importation of dirty diesel by five West African countries he said.
It would be recalled that Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Togo in 2016 announced measures to end the practice of European oil firms and traders who export to Africa, highly polluting fuels (derogatorily dubbed African quality) that could never be sold in Europe.
Effective 1st July 2017, the five West African states banned the importation of high-sulphur diesel fuels making the permitted levels of sulphur in imported diesel to fall from as high as 3,000 parts per million (ppm) to 50ppm. Meanwhile, Europe since 2009 fixed the maximum permitted level at 10ppm.
Speaking at the African clean mobility week, Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) commended the ban by the west African states.
West Africa has sent a strong message that it is no longer accepting dirty fuels from Europe. Their decision to set strict standards for cleaner, safer fuels and advanced vehicle emission standards shows they are placing the health of their people first Solheim said..
Home | News | General | Biafra: FG re-arraigns Kanus co-defendants on 3-count charge
as defendants allege plot to frustrate their trial
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA- The Federal Government, on Tuesday, re-arraigned four pro-Biafra agitators- Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi- on a three-count amended charge bordering on treasonable felony.
Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
The quartet, who hitherto faced trial alongside the missing leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, took fresh plea before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
It will be recalled that trial Justice Binta Nyako had on February 20, okayed separate trial for the four defendants, following the inability of both the prosecution and the defence lawyers to produce the IPOB leader whose whereabouts has remained unknown since September last year.
Meantime, FG, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, alleged that the four defendants, alongside Kanu (now at large) and others at large, on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in Nigeria and London, United Kingdom, did conspire amongst yourselves to broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, preparations being made by you and others at large, for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into a Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In count-two of the amended charge dated March 16, FG alleged that Chimezie and Kanu had between the months of March and April, 2015, imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L, which they concealed in a container that was declared as used household items, contrary to section 47(2) (a) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Besides, FG alleged in count-three that Madubugwu had sometimes in the month of October 2015, had in his possession at his house in Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, one Emerald Magnum Pump Action Gun with Serial Number TS 870-113-0046 and one Delta Magnum Pump Action Gun with Serial Number 501, as well as forty-one cartridges/ammunition without lawful authority or licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 27(b) (i) of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, before they pleaded innocence to the charge, the defendants, through their various lawyers, alleged plot by FG to frustrate their trial.
They decried that over one month after the court severed their trial from that of Kanu, FG waited to serve them with a copy of the charge in the courtroom.
The defendant noted that the court had at the last adjourned date, ordered the prosecution to serve the amended charge on them, at least two weeks before the commencement of the trial.
My lord, contrary to your order, this charge which was filed four days ago, was only served on us this morning, counsel to the 1st defendant (Chimezie), Mr. Chidiebere Igwe fumed.
Mr. P. A. N. Ejiofor and Maxwell Okpara, who represented the 3rd and 4th defendants, respectively, contended that the charge was legally defective, noting that section 390 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, provided that such charge must be served at least 7 days before trial.
My lord, it is our position that there is no charge before this court. It is incompetent because it was not brought within the time prescribed in the law.
Refusal by the prosecution to serve us the charge on time was nothing but a deliberate ploy to continue to keep our client on detention
The essence of the whole delay in serving us this morning is to frustrate this case.
In view of this unnecessary delay occassioned by the prosecution, I urge my lord to grant my client bail at least on his health ground, Ejiofor added.
Okpara noted that FG has amended the charge five times.
On his part, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. M. S. Labaran apologised for the later service of the charge on the defendants, saying he was unable to trace offices of their lawyers.
Earlier, Labaran drew attention of the court to what he termed a vexatious publication in the social media.
He told the court that one cChinasa Nwobi, who he identified as an IPOB member, snapped and posted a picture of an Ignorant DSS operative involved in the case, urging other IPOB to target and kill him for masterminding the arrest of their members.
Labaran tendered a photocopy of the said social media publication.
However, counsel to all the defendants challenged the claim which they said was aimed at distracting the court.
After he had listened to all the parties, Justice Nyako held that FG knows what to do, stressing that the said publication had nothing to do with the proceeding before her.
The court subsequently remanded all the defendants in prison custody and adjourned till Thursday to commence full-blown trial of the matter.
Kanus lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor was in court on Tuesday to witness the proceeding
FG had in one of the charge it earlier entered before the court, alleged that Kanu had on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did in a broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu state and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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Home | News | General | Multi-Door Court to facilitate speedy dispensation of justice in Oyo Ajimobi
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says his administrations support for the establishment of multi-door court house is to facilitate speedy dispensation of justice.
He spoke in Ibadan on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Oyo State Multi-Door Court House within the premises of the State High Court.
Newsmen recall that the gove
Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi
rnor had on Aug. 16, 2017, directed the Commissioner for Justice to ensure the passage of the law to establish the multi-door court house.
Ajimobi said the establishment of the court would serve as an alternative dispute resolution door for easier access to justice and decongestion of court dockets.
The effort is to provide a credible alternative, that is, a constitutional route toward dispute resolution and attainment of justice.
This effort will sustain societal harmony, preserve communal/family ties, protect commercial relationships and uphold our common bonds, he said.
The governor said that each of the judges in the High Court currently carries a case load of between 300 and 400.
I am informed that 306 new civil cases have been filed by the disputants before the Oyo State High Court and 173 Criminal cases filed by the Ministry of Justice and the Police, he said.
Ajimobi stated that the establishment of Multi-Door Court was to further reposition the state as a business destination where dispute resolution structures would be an attraction for more businesses.
He also said that the facility and its structures would ensure that commercial disputes do not frustrate business goals and objectives by the resolution options being offered to litigants. .
The governor counselled the people on the need for attitudinal change, saying that no society could develop except its inhabitants embrace the best sets of attitude.
Mr Oluseun Abimbola, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said that the transformation initiative of government was now focusing on the judiciary.
The Oyo State Multi Court Law 2017 is an enabling law proposed by this administration as an executive bill to establish the Multi-door Court.
This allows the High Court of Justice to deploy other dispute resolution channels other than litigation, thus transforming the State High Court to a Multidoor Court House, he said.
He stated that the law was aimed at liberialising the dispute resolution space and promoting access to justice for all residents.
The commissioner said that the efforts of the administration was in furtherance of the emphasis placed on peaceful coexistence and security in the state.
NAN
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Home | News | General | Adeyeye hails return of NAFDAC to nations Ports and borders
By Sola Ogundipe
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Professor Christianah Adeyeye, has said the return of the Agency to the Ports, will restore its key responsibility of monitoring imports of sensitive chemical substances, food, drug and other regulated products.
Prof Mojisola Adeyeye
Disclosing this in a statement, Adeyeye said NAFDAC, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and with the active support of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, will be returning to Ports and borders to effectively control the importation of narcotic drugs and chemical substances identified to be grossly abused and posing public health and security threats to the nation.
She said the training held under the auspices of the ONSA with the theme Towards a Secured Importation, Distribution, Storage and Use of Chemicals in Nigeria would enable NAFDAC continue its regulatory role of monitoring imports of all substances that require expertise to monitor their industry-wide application and use.
NAFDAC wishes to commend the Office of the NSA, the Chemical Society of Nigeria and other key stakeholders for recognising NAFDAC as a key player in the national security architecture by this singular act of restoring the presence of NAFDAC officials at all designated Ports of entry and land borders.
The laws that set up NAFDAC empower the Agency to statutorily operate at the ports. The clearance of regulated products outside of the current legal framework poses immediate and life threatening risks to the public as unregistered, spurious and falsified products exit the ports without recourse to the agencys approval for such products to be in the market.
Adeyeye assured members of the public that NAFDAC will continue to contribute its quota to governments efforts in securing lives and property by ensuring that only quality, safe, efficacious and wholesome regulated products and are consumed by Nigerians and smuggling of chemical weapons, harmful drugs and substances into the country is checked.
It will be recalled that NAFDAC and a number of other government Agencies, have been absent from the nations Ports and borders since 2011 on orders of the Federal government.
A Communique issued last week at the end of the National Chemical Security Training Conference in Abuja, had recommended return of officials of the Agency to the Ports and borders.
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Home | News | General | Herdsmen kill 4 in Delta community, behead another
By Perez Brisibe
UGHELLI TWENTY Four hours after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State revealed that farmers are compelled to pay herdsmen before they can access their farms in Uwheru community, Ughelli North local government area of the state, suspected Fulani herdsmen, the next day, killed four persons who had embarked on a fishing expedition in the area.
Armed herdsmen
The attack on the fishing team according to security sources happened at a bush in Oreba village of Uwheru community.
Vanguard gathered that other members of the group were said to have escaped with gunshot wounds as a result of the incident which occurred last Saturday.
The attack on the fishing team is coming less than a week after a farmer was reportedly killed and beheaded by another group of suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking to Vanguard yesterday on the attack, a senior police officer at the Ughelli Police Area Command disclosed that four persons of the fishing team were shot dead while others scampered from their assailants with gunshot wounds and are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.
Though efforts to speak with the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka was fruitless as at press time, the police source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: The corpses of the four persons were discovered the next day (Sunday) when a search team constituted by the community conducted a search for the victims only to discover their lifeless body in the bush.
Confirming the attacks to Vanguard, President General, Uwheru community, Chief Ogarivi Utso when contacted, said: A total of six persons have been killed by Fulani herdsmen in Uwheru.
This excludes other deaths recorded in the years past in the community as a result of herdsmen attacks.
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Home | News | General | BBnaija's Leo hold 3rd day Fidau prayer for his late mother (photos)
- Former BBNaija housemate, Leo recently held 3rd day Fidau prayer for his late mother, Alhaja RMO Sanni
- The ex housemate lost his mum a week after being evicted from the Big Brother house
- His mum was buried on March 18, the same day she passed on according to Muslim rites
NAIJ.com earlier reported the sad loss of former BBNaija housemate, Leo who lost his mother a week after being evicted from the Big Brother house. According to religion, the grieving son recently held a 3rd day Fidau prayer in her hounor.
Photos from the session which was reportedly held in their family house in Surulere has been circulating online. Fans have poured in sympathizing messages to the former housemate who suffered the huge loss a week after exiting the BBnaija house.
His mum, Alhaja RMO Sanni passed on March 18 and was buried the same day according to Muslim rites.
READ ALSO: See photos of your favourite celebrities at Banky W and Adesua Etomis traditional wedding
Here are photos from the Fidau prayer session:
Leo's late mum, Alhaja RMO Sanni Source: Twitter
3rd day Fidau prayer held in honour of Leo's mum in Surulere Source: Twitter
READ ALSO: Nollywood movie producer Obaseki writes an open letter to Rita Dominic
Leo at the 3rd day Fidua prayer hel in honour of his late mum Source: Twitter
May the soul of the departed rest in peace.
Meanwhile, Leo has shown interest in wanting to go back in the house, following Biggie's announcement of sending back two evicted housemates.
He revealed that his mum who always supported him would want him to go on to try to claim the grand prize of N45 million a second time.
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BBNaija 2018: Dee-One from BBNaija reveals fake housemates on NAIJ.com TV:
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Home | News | General | APC has recorded success in the area of corruption fighting - Oyegun
- Chief John Oyegun said the APC was delivering its campaign promises
- He said this was in spite of the challenges in the country
- He noted the party has done well in the are of corruption fighting
National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said that in spite of obvious challenges, the party-led federal government is delivering on its campaign promises to Nigerians.
He stated this on Tuesday, March 20 in Abuja when a delegation from the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, visited him at the party`s National Secretariat.
READ ALSO: Atiku praises IG's directive for police to be withdrawn from VIPs
Odigie-Oyegun, however, said that the federal government was doing everything to completely eliminate insurgency, but that it was only God and inspiration that can stop the killings of soft spot targets by the sect.
He stated that the APC-led federal government was doing well in its fight against corruption, adding that though the menace was fighting back, it was not as breezy as it used to be.
Nobody is saying that corruption has been wiped out completely, because this is not even possible in the most advanced country. But, it has been stemmed and degraded in the country, he said.
The APC chairman expressed pleasure that the Federal Polytechnic found him worthy to be honoured, and therefore said that he was accepting it because it was for the right reasons.
According to him, it is in recognition of the achievement of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government in the last three years.
Odigie-Oyegun assured the management of the polytechnic that the APC would support it to achieve its objectives in any way possible.
Earlier, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, who led the delegation, had said that the visit was to formally invite Odigie-Oyegun to the institution`s 15th combined convocation on March 28 for an honour.
He explained that management of the institution decided to honour Odigie-Oyegun because of his contributions to humanity within and outside government.
Dzukogi described the APC chairman as a master strategist who had built a legacy for himself and the party.
He added that APC under Odigie-Oyegun`s leadership and the Federal Government was doing well in governance by developing infrastructure, ensuring security and stabilising the economy.
He noted that though the menace of Boko Haram was still prevalent in parts of the North, the Federal Government had been able to stem the situation.
According to the rector, the APC-led government has been able to ensure security in the country as well as stabilised the economy by ensuring that it is out of recession in record time.
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Meanwhile, the state chairmen of the APC on Monday, March 19, said there is no going back on the tenure extension for national executives and warned that members who have gone to court to challenge this decision may be expelled.
The Punch reports that the national secretary of the APC State Chairmens Forum, and chairman of the party in Enugu state, Dr. Ben Nwoye, made this known while addressing journalists at APC secretariat in Enugu.
APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 on NAIJ.com TV
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Home | News | General | Labour Party denies meeting with Obasanjo
- Following the recently publicised gathering of top politicians in Lagos, Labour Party says it was not party of the meeting
- The meeting was said to have been anchored by former president Olusegun Obasanjo
- Former governor Rabiu kwankwaso with the representatives of 35 political parties were said to have attended the meeting
The Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from a meeting reportedly convened by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in Lagos recently.
35 political parties were said to have attended the meeting chaired by the former president.
Ebere Ifendu, national publicity secretary of the LP, in a statement made available to NAIJ.com said the claim that the party was part of the meeting was falsehood.
READ ALSO: Herdsmen reportedly kill 4 farmers in Delta
The attention of the Labour party has been drawn to a story published in the Punch and some national dailies about the meeting held in protea hotel, Lagos, anchored by former president Olusegun Obasanjo with former governors Rabiu kwankwaso (Kano) and others with the representatives of 35 political parties.
Of concern to us is the inclusion of the Labour Party as part of the political parties in attendance.As a party held in trust for the generality of the people of this great country, it is important for us to quickly debunk this falsehood and set the record straight.
We categorically declare our inclusion as false, Labour Party had no representatives in the said meeting and has no association with the coalition for Nigeria Movement in respect to the 2019 general elections. We are not part of any political merger.
We immediately request an amendment to the story as earlier written to reflect our parties position.We also enjoin our media friends to endeavor to confirm such stories or any other sensitive information from the official spokesperson of the party before going to the press.
Our party is currently repositioning for the onerous task of presenting Nigeria with a better alternative to the present government that has not satisfied the yearnings of the majority people, the statement read.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo met with former governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and other political bigwigs to forge a path to wrestling power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.
The former president convened the meeting with 35 political parties in a hotel in Lagos under the umbrella of Coalition for New Nigeria.
APC chieftain give reasons why his party could be voted out in 2019 on NAIJ.com TV:
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Home | News | General | FG to benchmark calendar for PhDs
..As panel decries unnecessary delay of completion
By Joseph Erunke
ABUJA THE federal government hinted Tuesday that it would review academic calendar for award of doctoral degrees in the nations universities.
The review,according to the National Universities Commission,NUC,which said this, was aimed at pegging a given calendar expected for the programme.
The government said the need to benchmark the programme became necessary following unnecessary delay by universities to let scholars pursuing the programmes go.
Executive Secretary of the NUC,Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, disclosed this while addressing participants at a workshop organised by the commission on proposed higher education reform and impact of African Centers of Excellence.
The Executive Secretary mentioned that the review was part of the recommendation made by the National Higher Education Reform Committee..
Professor Rasheed decried situations whereby scholars spend 10-15years before obtaining Doctoral Degrees.
He described the trend as tradition in some Nigerian universities.
The NUC Executive Secretary noted that for Nigeria to thrive ,the Nigerian academic community must consider itself critical and as stakeholders.
He disclosed that Nigeria in the next 30 years will double her population to becone 400million thereby making important for the Nigerian Universities to plan ahead so as to help the government.
Prof Rasheed emphasised the need to produce graduates who are not only nationally relevant but also internationally relevant.
We have been motivated with general trend of knowledge ,NUC is working with other stakeholders to ensure that investment in education is investment for all. We therefore intend to help fast track Nigeria Nation from becoming oil resource based nation to knowledge based country
Among other recommendations made by the reform committee includes curbing incidences of academic corruption, Curriculum review,enforcement of Academic Benchmarks ,development of minimum governance structure in Nigerian Universities.
The reform committee recommended that by 2023 access to university education should have increased by 20%. Higher education is central to any attempt to reform in Nigeria as will make all sectors of the economy more functional Prof Rasheed said
The World Bank Representative ,Andreas Blom said quality of education process and update of curriculum is more needed for reform of higher education in Nigeria.
Blom urged for increase autonomy of Universities and the need to reduce political influence in affairs Nigerian Universities.
Reform of higher education in Nigeria should be gradual while evaluation of every stage should be considered. Reforms takes 10-15years and to achieve this reform, additional resources will be needed He said.
He stressed that strike must be avoided in Nigerian Universities.
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Home | News | General | Gender parity: Stanbic IBTC reiterates equal opportunity for its workforce
STANBIC IBTC has pledged to continue to advance the cause of its women workforce as it strengthens its equal opportunity policy.
This pledge was made at the 2018 Stanbic IBTC Blue Women Network, BWN, event in Lagos to commemorate the International Womens Day, themed Press for Progress. According to the financial institution, women constitute over 42 per cent of its workforce.
The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc Mr Yinka Sanni, in his opening speech at the BWN event, said Stanbic IBTC has shown, through its women-rich leadership, that it is indeed an equal opportunity employer. I am pleased to note that our female colleagues continue to rise up to leadership roles across the group, Sanni said.
According to him, Stanbic IBTC remains an equal opportunity organisation where anyone can attain heights that their education, talent, performance, leadership, skill, experience and determination can take them.Such attainment is generally a function of ability and preparedness, he added.
The Stanbic IBTC Blue Women Network is a platform established to provide the women in Stanbic IBTC the opportunity to engage and share knowledge among themselves and in the process gain new insights that will enhance their professional skills.
The platform is also expected to support their all-round growth through information sharing, best practice and mentorship to help develop their leadership skills and advance their career prospects.
In her opening speech as chairperson of BWN, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Trustees, Binta Max-Gbinije, said women have a responsibility to ensure relevance in their sphere of influence. She said she was proud that Stanbic IBTC is a shining example of an equal opportunity employer, and that women who occupy very strategic roles in Stanbic IBTC continue to fly the flag admirably. She, therefore, encouraged the women to take advantage of this to aspire to leadership positions in their various business segments and across the Stanbic IBTC Group.
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Home | News | General | AfCFTA: association advises FG on awareness creation, consultation
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), has advised the Federal Government to consult extensively and create awareness on the implication of signing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
President Buhari and other African leaders during the Opening Ceremony of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Ethiopia on 28th Jan 2018
The NANTS President, Mr Ken Ukaoha, gave the advice in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ukaoha said it would not be proper for the government to sign an agreement which would affect the livelihood of Nigerians without proper sensitisation.
NAN reports that the AfCFTA is part of Africas plan to promote intra and inter-regional trade, economic cooperation and partnership on the continent by 2063.
AfCFTA seeks to make Africa the largest free trade area, improve its economies and strengthen its position in global trade.
Ukaoha said President Muhammadu Buhari should be praised for not signing an agreement that would affect the lives of Nigerians without proper consultation and cooperative buy-in and ownership of the people.
He, however, commended the President for cancelling his scheduled trip to Kigali, Rwanda, to sign the framework agreement for establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Buhari had on March 18, canceled his scheduled visit to Rwanda to attend an Extra-Ordinary Summit of the African Union on March 21.
The President was to sign the framework agreement for establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area during the Summit that would host leaders of African countries.
What the President has done is for the interest of the country. In fact, it is for the economic, political and social future of the country.
First of all, I am sure that 99 per cent of the 180 million population of Nigeria are not aware of this agreement.
The same population may not be aware of the content of the agreement. This is the agreement that will touch on their livelihood and their lives on daily bases, he said.
Ukaoha said that the era of top bottom approach in policy and agreement signing was gone, saying it is no longer admirable at all.
According to him, the method that is tenable is bottom top approach, where people decide the content and implications.
What the government needs to do right now is to go back and create awareness on the implication and impact of signing the agreement, Ukaoha said.
NAN reports that the decision to establish the AfCFTA was taken in 2012, by AU leaders at their 18th ordinary session.
AfCFTA is the first step in the implementation of AU Agenda 2063, the Vision for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.
Actual negotiations for the AfCFTA were launched at the AU Johannesburg Summit in 2015.
The negotiations are in two stages: Stage one covers trade in goods and services; while stage two covers intellectual property, competition policy and investment.
Negotiations on stage one were concluded this month; while the AU Heads of States and Governments are to adopt, sign and launch the AfCFTA framework agreement at the ongoing summit in Rwanda. (NAN)
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Home | News | General | 30-year-old Nigerian graduate allegedly takes his life after killing his 27-year-old girlfriend in Canada
- A 30-year-old Nigerian graduate, identified as Onoseta Oribhabor has allegedly taken his own life in Toronto, Canada
- Oribhabor who graduated from a top Nigerian university before leaving for Canada was found lifeless in a condo
- Reports say the young man murdered his girlfriend before he took his life
A 30-year-old Nigerian graduate named Onoseta Oribhabor has allegedly taken his own life shortly after murdering his 27-year-old girlfriend in Toronto, Canada. According to reports, Oribhabor was found dead on the balcony of a condo by the police.
The incident happened on March 6 and the police stated that his girlfriend was found in another part of the house with obvious signs of trauma and abuse. After being treated, she didn't survive, making it a murder case.
Reports suggests that Onoseta domestically abused his late girlfriend, Essozinam "Martine" Assali who was found with several injuries by the police before she gave of the ghost at the hospital.
READ ALSO: Rihanna appreciates her young fans from Nigeria
Late Onoseta was said to have graduated from a top Nigerian university before he left for Canada. The police recorded the case as a murder-su*cide, stating that the deaths were a result of domestic incidents, eliminating any further investigation.
May the soul of the departed rest in peace.
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Home | News | General | NNPC promises to work with military in oil exploration in Chad Basin - Baru
- NNPC has vowed to resume oil exploration in the Chad Basin despite Boko Haram threat
- The Corporation says it will work closely with security agencies in bids to make this possible
- It was also revealed that the corporation planned to drill four wells and would continue with the exploration of regional acquisition across the lower Benue
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it will work closely with security agencies in its bid to resume oil exploration in the Chad Basin.
The group managing director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru disclosed this on Tuesday, March 20, in Kano at the 54th annual international Conference and exhibition of Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS).
Baru said the resumption of oil exploration activities was imminent and the corporation would work with security agencies to remobilise to Chad Basin and continue their work.
We are going to work with military authorities to remobilise our workers to Chad basin.
In terms of the Gongola basin, we have been acquiring data and we intend to start drilling exploration wells in the Gongola basin, particularly around the Golmani river.
We are going to go back to that area in shortest possible time , may be before the end of the year, he said.
He said that the corporation planned to drill four wells and would continue with the exploration of regional acquisition across the lower Benue.
According to him, activities have started in Nasarawa and they will be going to Benue state before the end of year.
Baru said that communal clashes in the area had seriously affected their operations.
He said that the Nasarawa state governor had promised to provide enough security for them to continue.
The GMD commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at restoring peace in the Northeast.
In his remarks, Kano state governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, said that the state government had trained 44 youths on gemstone cutting and polishing.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji said the government would harness the mining sector to boost revenue of the state.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, said that oil exploration will continue in the Chad Basin.
Baru said the corporation has concluded all arrangement to recommence exploration activities in the region.
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Leading a team of NNPC top management staff to the Kaduna International Trade fair on Wednesday, February 28, Baru said the corporation has discovered four locations in the Benue Trough. He said the discovery has renewed Nigeria's hope on the prospect of finding oil find in the basin.
Survivors of Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV:
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Home | News | General | ERA/FoEN to Labour Ministry: Distance Nigeria from Ugandan position on ILO partnerships with tobacco industry
By Oboh Agbonkhese
The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, has called on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and other delegates attending the meeting of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, to support calls for ILO to cut ties with Big Tobacco.
ERA/FoEN said Nigeria has to declare its stand unequivocally in view of the Ugandan position last week that African bloc of nations still support that the agency continues its partnership with the Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco Growing Foundation, a non-profit funded by tobacco companies since 2002.
In a statement by ERA/FoENs Philip Jakpor, Head of Media and Campaigns, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Deputy Executive Director, said: Nigerias delegation and that of other countries currently under tobacco industry assault should distance themselves from the Ugandan position.
ILO and Big Tobaccos split is long past-due. ILO must join other UN agencies in casting this deadly industry out for good.
Big Tobacco has no place in any UN space. This month, ILO has the opportunity to stand on the right side of history and show Big Tobacco the door.
The statement said the Ugandan position is not the true position of Africans, insisting that partnership with the tobacco industry by ILO represents a conflict of interest in the United Nations, UN, system.
The call to the Nigerian delegation is coming as the governing body of the UN entity, which met last week, failed to come up with a unified position on shuttering one of the tobacco industrys last remaining avenues of interference in the UN. A vote is proposed this week.
Director-General of the UN, Michael Moller, issued a report three weeks ago calling on the ILO governing body to end its public-partnerships with Big Tobacco.
Over 150 public health and labour leaders had also called on ILO to cut ties with the industry and as the Secretariat of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, WHO-FCTC, is demanding that ILO sever ties.
Big Tobacco is the big five largest global tobacco companies, which are Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco International, and China Tobacco.
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We examine in brief how Africa has failed correcting issues by adopting silent diplomacy as a strategy of dealing with each other even in times of extreme hardship on the masses of a particular nation. The western Nations are no different except that if they do intervene they seek to install their own stooges often. Zimbabwe coup in November 2017 was internally motivated from and for the survival of Zanu. It's not for certainty whether the crew that sought to protect itself against Mr. Mugabe may have had consultations with China in particular.
In November 2017 Zimbabwe was under the global mirror because Mr. Robert Mugabe had miscalculated the discharge of a man who served him for fifty years and fired him. To start with, the overzealousness with which accumulation of power in the executive presidency had reached its climax and showed her ugly head in Mr. Mugabe's unilaterally dismissal of Mr. E.D. Mnangagwa.
The fact in this paper is not on the good or bad of the Coup, a coup is always bad no matter how it is schemed because it nullifies the legitimacy of power transfer and sometimes ends breaches constitution. May be the issues is in Mr. Mugabe's timing given that Mr. Mnangagwa had saved him selfishlessly for fifty years. It baffles any common sense persons let alone any justifications by politicians or social scientist as to why anyone would do that except for his old age and the bad and amateurish influence compounded by the blind ambition of a very ambitious wife.
It was then very clear that Mr. Mugabe had a plan to salvage her politically novice wife, Mrs. Grace Mugabe into the way of power by creating room first into Zanu women league leadership and then through the G40 group pretext. Perfect timing this was, with a Zanu congress soon to come so Mrs. Mugabe may ascents into a powerful role constitutionally since the presidency had powers to appoint and remove Vice Presidents. In the background, the women league was leading in advocating for the women into leadership role after the disappearance of Mrs. Joyce Mujuru from the Vice President position.
Truthfully the debate on terms of the presidency and their age had done its turns in the AU even though very passively since both Do Santos of Angola and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe were scare crores who pride in having been mentors for the liberation struggles. At the AU 11th summit in 2008 at Egypt's desert city of Sham el-Sheikh, a lot of background work had been done prior the meeting in which I went around visiting African leaders for them to know and take decisive decision on isolating Mr. Mugabe's regime for rigging the 2008 elections .
We knew our battle as opposition party had been lost when suddenly the announcement of the Zambian president departure to England for treatment was circulating among delegates. Mr. Mwanawase had become a jewel to understanding the dirty politics Mr. Mugabe played and hated it to the core. Being a diplomatic delegate for the opposition political party of the MDC I had done small but effective running around to pave the way for Africa to understand her role in leaving the masses suffering while these leaders stand isolated in support of tyrants.
To the best of my memory, this was one of those Summit meetings when African leadership almost talked into a resolution to force Mr. Mugabe into surrender where it not for Angola powerful role in talking Africa not to dislike the meriting role of the liberation struggle on the continent. Mr. Mugabe escaped the fate of shame and embarrassment through the needle's whole. He never learnt anything though against his poor Machiavellian strategy worked out for him by the same guys who later applied the method to his removal nine years later.
During the Kigali Rwanda conference of 2014 on " Africa: Choosing leaders we want," the former president of South Africa Mr. Thabo Mbeki had openly declared that Africa could not make progress on choosing the leader of their choice because leaders themselves were not honest with each other on where they grieve masses while still in power.
At no point in time had Africa ever pursued a retired leader for crimes while they were in office except when they are militarily removed and are in exile. There appears to be a new wave of change in both perception and outlook and a development on constitutionalism as we watch former President of South Africa Mr. Jacob Zuma being pulled into courts for crime he committed prior to his nomination as a presidential candidate for the African National Council Party.
No doubt Mr. Mugabe excitement in hoping to push a case against Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa and the army of Zimbabwe of having removed him out of power is ill advised, naive and very mean and suffers from political myopic in lacking foresight. Mr. Mugabe risks being condemned even by the AU once Zimbabweans make another declaration that Mr. Mugabe was the most brutal African, outside the military regime, whoever ruled?
Zimbabweans are very annoyed and angry on the role Mr. Mugabe played in undermining democracy to build his legacy bankrupting the country and denying the children a stable future. Above all if Mr. Mugabe and his relative including his former ministers were subjected to a simple audit it will be a sorry state when revelations show gross mismanagement and corruption. Mr. Mugabe needs to go quiet and peacefully thanking God he escaped shame and embarrassment.
Africa needs to wake up to its responsibilities on building democracy for the peace and stability of countries and change her charter so she can have more substantive authority in dealing with former dictators. Africa perhaps needs her African Continental Criminal Court (ACCC) to try dictators and pass sentences proving she is not silent but slowly working her way into abusing of power in corridors of powers for Executive Presidency. More scrutiny of past administrations must be encouraged if some outstanding issues exist so rule of law will be adhered to than flouted. Mr. Mugabe latest video remarks are an insult to the masses of Zimbabwe who bore his monotony of incompetency only to peacefully voice their concern that he must retire.
Enough for the day is born on wisdom. Whoever is behind Mr. Mugabe stammering political innuendos need to understand Mugabe committed a crime against humanity on Gukurahundi and Murambasvina when he brutally abused people seeking his protection to death without apology and/or compensation. It's sad to realize that once again Africa Union puts her silent diplomacy ignoring the harm caused to people of Zimbabwe for thirty-eight years seeking for a peaceful solution from within and with the AU assistance in vain.
Home | World | Africa | Mudede declines to divulge age
REGISTRAR General, Mr Tobaiwa Mudede, yesterday declined to divulge his age before legislators and questioned why out of all civil servants he was targeted to disclose when he was born.
This comes as Mr Mudede told MPs that 10,6 million people above 18 years were registered in his office database.
The figure showed that at least 4,5 million prospective voters were not yet registered given the fact that last month the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said it had registered 5,3 million voters under its Biometric Voter Registration blitz.
Mr Mudede said this while giving oral evidence before a Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Defence and Home Affairs chaired by Makokoba MP Tshinga Dube (Zanu-PF) on issuance of primary documents.
Budiriro MP, Mr Costa Machingauta, had asked Mr Mudede to tell the committee his age with Musikavanhu legislator, Mr Prosper Mutseyami (both MDC-T) weighing in to say the nation was entitled to know his age since he was a civil servant.
"It is a highly personalised question. If you want to know the age of the RG, you might as well go to the whole Government. The RG is highly competent to the extent that the African Union has come to get information on our system, even the United Nations has come to my office," said Mr Mudede who showed signs of agitation.
Mr Mudede said he had been elected to chair an association of registrar generals in Africa.
"That speaks volume of the RG. If you want to know the competence of the RG, just visit my office. It is not about age. It is my right and I do not need to answer that question. The fact that I am an RG and not an MP does not mean that I should be put in an awkward position," he said.
Mr Mutseyami said an array of challenges that were found in his office could be as a result of his old age which might warrant his retirement.
On issuance of identity documents, Mr Mudede said they had registered 5,4 million women above 18 years and 5,2 million males giving a total of 10,6 million who were registered and above 18 years old.
He said at least 1,7 million had died since the last election in 2013.
Legislators bemoaned the stringent conditions required for one to acquire national documents like birth certificates.
They said in some remote areas, a whole generation did not have birth certificates owing to stringent conditions particularly related to distance and in circumstances where one parent or both were not available.
Legislators implored Mr Mudede's office to consider relaxing some of the "stringent" requirements.
In response, Mr Mudede said there was need to interview people who seek birth certificates when they were already adults lest they risked registering foreigners.
He said once a person is registered he or she assumed all rights including the right to become President of a country hence the need to be thorough.
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Home | World | Africa | What we want is freedom of Mthwakazi not power less king - activist
Mthwakazi activist Hloniphani Ncube has said what the people of Mthwakazi want is their freedom and not powerless king who will not empower them.
"I was going through the latest news pertaining to the kingship issue whereby ZANU PF is saying they are ready to negotiate with the King. Apart from that, I heard the spokespersons of the King Bulelani C Khumalo saying the King is not worried about the territory and the political issue of Mthwakazi he just exists as the cultural head," he said.
"If thus the case then the King might not play the role of freeing Mthwakazi. What I want as an individual and many more people is the freedom of Mthwakazi and a constitutional monarchy. Cause if a King is reduced to be only the cultural head, then we have a serious problem and again if a King is not worried about his territory and his people scattered all over the world we have a serious problem."
He said he wishes the matter could be clarified cause what they need as Mthwakazi is their territory.
"In fact we need to rule ourselves and the king must facilitate that. The king must influence policies of our territory and revive the culture and also advise political. The king with his chief are also supposed to have their parliament where they pass resolutions and merge them with the government ones referring to the Mthwakazi governance because what we have under Zimbabwe is the system left by colonialists, which means systematically we are still colonised," he said.
Debate do not insult!
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"Former President Robert Mugabe's statement alleging that the country lost USD15 billion in diamond looting was misplaced and is not true, the parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Energy chaired by Temba Mliswa heard today. Godwills Masimirembwa, the former ZMDC Board Chairperson claimed that during his tenure as the organisation's chairperson, from June 2010 to May 2013, there was no way that the country could have realised such an amount of revenue from diamond proceeds," reported Zimeye.
"Wherever he (Mugabe), got the evidence from that the country lost USD15 billion through missing diamonds, I would be happy to get that information," said Masimirembwa.
This is nonsense, Mai Mujuru and her late husband alone can account for over $15 billion in diamonds!
Spotlight Zimbabwe reported the following: "Bernd Hagemann, the head of Firstar Europe, a commodities trading company based in Warrington in the United Kingdom, said Joice Mujuru phoned him after the company had blacklisted her, her husband Solomon Mujuru, her daughter Nyasha, Nyasha's husband Pedro Del Campo and their South African agent Dancor Spies.
"Nyasha had tried to sell the company 3 700 kg of gold and several consignments of diamonds.
"The diamonds in batches of two, three, four and five carat and had a total value of $15 874 366.60.
"The gold was worth $141.9 million at the 2009 prices."
Spotlight Zimbabwe went on to show documentary evidence of diamond batches. The full report is available on spotlight-z.com
Grace Mugabe, Saviour Kasukuwere and Professor Jonathan Moyo are just some of the Zanu PF leaders who threatened to reveal more details of Mai Mujuru's looting activities. It is shocking therefore that a very senior executive in the diamond industry like Masimirembwa would now pretend that he never heard of Mai Mujuru and her activities in the diamond industry!
The trouble with the parliamentary committee is that its members are hopeless incompetent. There have been numerous who have appeared before the committee only for them to walk away scot free because the committee failed to nail them on anything. The questions put to the individuals were so vague one could give a thousand different answers and they will all be correct!
Home | World | Africa | Matabeleland no longer playing ground for Harare parties
Mthwakazi Republic Party has declared that Matabeleland has ended the chapter in which it has been for so long used as a play ground by political parties from Mashonaland.
"Recent MDC-T's flopped campaign rallies has served as a warning that Matabeleland is no longer a play ground for Harare parties particularly ZANU PF and MDCs. A few years back the late Morgan Tsvangirai would fill Matabeleland stadiums with much easy, until him and the rest of MDCs showed the people of Matabeleland their true colors, particularly the fact that MDC-T is no different from ZANU PF in all ranging from tribalism, corruption, violance and marginalization of Matabeleland," MRP said.
"MDC Alliance failed to gather a mere thousand people in Dete and further failed to make a mark in Plumtree despite the fact that the two rallies got much media attention prior to the date. We thank Mthwakazi Republic Party for preaching the gospel of self-determination in Mthwakazi to the extent that everyone now clearly understand what needs to be done and is ready to support the Mthwakazi cause. The recent political events that have forced the two major Mashonaland parties which is ZANU PF and MDC-T to speak our language surely proves that Mthwakazi can actually get its own share of the National cake if we all unite and speak with one voice, like we did over the King issue."
Mthwakazi Republic Party said as the Mthwakazi people's revolutionary party will leave no stone unturned its quest for self-determination and a better future for Mthwakazi people.
"To think that MRP is not donor funded and oparates on zero budget sounds like its a lie yet its the truth, which actually proves that nothing can stop a determined and focused people. As Team MRP we remain resolutely committed to the fight for Mthwakazi Restoration and we are determined to achieve this in our life time," said MRP.
"For a long time our people have not had enough courage to stand up and be counted, since the demise of Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo and ZAPU there has not been a formidable party that represents the interests of Mthwakazi forcing people to support ZANU PF and its replica parties in their different shapes, sizes and manifestations. The biggest beneficiary being the late Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and his MDC party."
The party said but this will no longer be the case thank God for Mqondisi Moyo the President of MRP who himself and his fellow Cdes stood up and said enough is enough.
"Play your part Mthwakazi omuhle support your party MRP and vote Team MRP in all Mthwakazi constituencies. We are fielding parliamentary and council candidates in Matabeleland North, South, Midlands and Bulawayo. Time for standing up and be counted, lets not allow Zanu PF and MDC to do as they wish here Nelson Chamisa can not be allowed to abuse our people beating them both in Mashonaland and KwaMthwakazi calling them dissidents then come back to ask for votes from the same dissidents how is that different from ZANU PF's Gukurahundi genocide? Chamisa is a threat to peace in Matabeleland together with his uncle Emerson Mnangagwa say NO to these two gentlemen," said MRP.
"Meanwhile join Team MRP campaign Team in Beitbridge today, where there is going to be a Roadshow from Makhado to Dendele Beitbridge West from 09:00 to 17:00pm and tomorrow another one in Beitbridge East town same time."
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Home | World | Africa | Khupe to fight to the end
MDC deputy president Thokozani Khupe has declared that she was not going to give up in her fight to be ordained as the party's president.
Khupe, who was addressing a gathering of supporters at Amphitheatre here on Sunday, described her struggle as the beginning of a new journey.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," Khupe said, quoting Lao Tzu - a major figure in Chinese philosophy recognised as the founding father of Taoism.
"We have just begun a new journey. I am not going to be intimidated nor am I going to be afraid because of the things that are happening," she said.
"I am going to fight to the finish. I am going to walk with you every step until we arrive to our destination. I stand before you as the constitutionally and democratically elected president of the MDC," said Khupe, who was flanked by suspended party spokesperson Obert Gutu and national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe said.
Taking a dig at party president Nelson Chamisa, whose ascendency she has openly refused to acknowledge, Khupe said he had gone on a constitutionally wrong path.
"We have come a long way with our colleagues but they seem to have taken a different path, a path which is violent, unconstitutional, a path which discriminates against ethnicity and women. We will not be silenced by violence," she said.
"We are still going to an extraordinary congress which will elect the president of the MDC.
"I hereby urge all of us here to respect the outcome of the congress."
Khupe invited officials from the Joice Mujuru-led People's Rainbow Coalition (PRC) and also members from the controversial Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) to her rally, raising speculation about her next move.
She, however, hinted that she will pursue what she termed "a broad-based coalition that will face Zanu PF in the forthcoming elections."
Speaking at the same event, Gutu said: "We do not want to have a Zanu PF habit of beating and killing each other whenever there is a dispute and this is why we are saying if we do not follow the constitution, we risk being another version of Zanu PF.
"We are drawing the line in the sand to say we are not going to be forced to associate with characters that are violent," Gutu said.
Chamisa took control of the MDC after his nomination as acting president during a national council meeting, but Khupe argues she is the rightful leader on grounds she was the only elected deputy president at the 2014 congress.
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Home | World | Africa | Welshman Ncube attacks Khupe, brands her a 'bad follower'
The MDC Alliance has laid into beleaguered MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe describing her as a politician who lacks wisdom and leadership qualities.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Welshman Ncube told thousands of Midlands State University students over the weekend that in the last 12 months, Khupe had exhibited disturbing signs of a bad leader.
"I want to say one last thing about my sister. I don't know (kuti arikurasika papi chaipo, ulahleka ngaphi) where she is losing the plot," he said amid huge cheers from the students who vowed to vote for the MDC Alliance in the forthcoming elections.
"There has never been a good leader anywhere in history who has been a bad follower. To be a good leader, you must first be a good follower. For the last 12 months, she failed to be a good follower" said Ncube in reference to Khupe.
Ncube said MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has proven to possess qualities of a capable leader.
"This young man (Chamisa) has been a good follower from day one when we formed the MDC. When his time came, when his generation time came he had been a good follower, he must therefore be a good leader."
Ncube told the students that losing to Zanu PF in the next elections was not an option, adding that there is not a single revolution in history which was not led by young people.
"If Zanu PF wins in the next elections, God forbid, you will all be without jobs and we can't afford that. We therefore must make sure that 2018 will not be the year in which history refused to turn. We must make history turn. We must ride on the generational consensus and ensure that the generational ideals are fulfilled."
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The privately owned daily newspaper, the NewsDay, risks losing credibility after it appointed itself the MDC Alliance's mouthpiece, a position that has forced it to throw into the bin, the basic journalistic ethos in a bid to please the former.
The Newsday has been cooking up the MDC-Alliance rallies' attendances, a move that has exposed its unholy alliance with the opposition party.
It's worrisome that the NewsDay, which is supposed to report facts, has now jumped onto the bandwagon of false reporting with the intention to seek political relevance for the MDC-T leader, Nelson Chamisa.
The MDC Alliance which is being led by MDC-T president, Chamisa recently held a rally at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru. The attendance of the rally was allegedly poor and not as per expectation. Considering that the alliance consists of more than five opposition political parties, the crowd was also expected to be huge. However, this did not turn up as anticipated.
To circumvent this reality, the alliance mouthpiece went into propaganda overdrive to propel their agenda, the NewsDay decided to use an old picture showing MDC-T supporters at a rally at Rudhaka Stadium, Marondera in 2013 at the launch of that party's manifesto. But who is fooling who here?
Deliberate propaganda of using fake pictures by NewsDay to prop up Chamisa in his campaign rallies is an embarrassment and can be equated to putting lipstick on a pig. Using an old picture to misinform the public will not make Chamisa a winner. Remember voting will be done in the ballot box and not in the press. It's actually better for the Alliance to know the truth than living in la la land lest they get a rude awakening post-election, punctuated with a dismal showing at the polls.
The MDC Alliance leader also believes in his own propaganda. Whilst in Chinhoyi, Chamisa peddled falsehoods on social media about the number of people who attended the opposition alliance rally. Chamisa tweeted a post on his twitter handle that the alliance rally was attended by 20 000 people. This was contrary to what was on the ground. People who attended the rally, including reporters from various media houses questioned Chamisa on the inflated number of supporters whom he said attended his rally. However, the alleged number of 20 000 supporters in Chinhoyi was fabricated with no basis on the ground by desperate political day dreamers like Chamisa. Some journalists said they were threatened by that party's vanguard for posting genuine pictures showing the actual number of supporters that were present at that rally.
In as much as Chamisa tries to market himself as the presidential candidate of the MDC Alliance, being deceptive is no recipe to election victory but rather a deal breaker. The same applies to the NewsDay. Being a mouthpiece of Chamisa and his allies is not a problem; the hitch only comes when what is being disseminated is falsehood. The propensity by NewsDay to continue publishing "naked" propaganda will cost that press's credibility.
The privately owned newspapers in Zimbabwe are known for being mouthpieces of opposition political parties through their propaganda articles that spearhead their agendas while discrediting the ruling Government. This was also depicted by the Dailynews, which published a story on doctor's strike and used a fake picture. According to analysts, the picture with people protesting was taken from Kenyan picture archives.
All journalists should abide by media ethics when reporting, since, the media is used as a yardstick to assess democracy in any country. The media should not undermine the intelligence of readers.
Journalists should be warned against reporting biased news as being objective is one of the key journalistic ethics that must be adhered to.
Home | World | Africa | Tribalism rocks Hillside Teachers College
For many years the Hillside teachers college in the Hillside suburb of Bulawayo has stood head and shoulders over its fellow colleges, producing a high calibre of secondary school teachers.
Among the problems bedevilling the institution today though is the rampant tribalism that has rocked the college. An investigative journalist attached to the Hillside Post spoke to one of the lecturers who insisted on anonymity. The lecturer who has been at the institution for more than a decade says the problem started about five years ago.
"Yes, we do have a serious problem of tribalism although no one wants to talk about it let alone admit it. One just has to look at our enrollment trend. Most applicants from Matebeleland are turned away while places are reserved for applicants from outside the region."
It is reported that even the sporting teams representing the institution this year are almost totally made up of Shona speaking students while the locals are deliberately left out.
"We challenge anyone who disputes these facts to visit the college and see for themselves," a 3rd-year student also said.
Students have also been complaining about lecturers who deliver their lecturers in Shona., "he always delivers his lecturers in Shona and when we ask him to speak in English he insults us and says Zimbabwe is a Shona country. How are we expected to pass when we can't hear what the lecturer is saying. Most of us don't even attend his lecturers anymore," an angry first-year student said, describing one of her lecturers (name withheld).
Our reporter attended a gid at the institution last Friday to get first hand insight into the college social life and in his own words said, "there really seems to be a problem at this institution, of all the students I spoke to, 3 out of 5 were Shona speakers and even more than 95% of the songs were shona zimdancehall, I thought I was in Harare. Efforts to contact Sibindi the acting principal were fruitless.
A leader of a local political party said they were aware of the issue and blamed the government saying this was part of the 1979 Grand Plan which seeks to destroy Matebeleland by marginalising it and depriving its citizens of education.
"You see, if you read the Grand Plan of 1979 you will understand. It details how the Ndebele people will be subjected to a genocide and ethnic cleansing (which we saw in the early 1980s with Gukurahundi) this would be followed by cultural genocide and marginalisation, deprivation opportunities which will force our children to leave the country opening up space for amaShona to occupy. Its all in their plan you should read it."
The Hillside Post will bring you more of this story in its next edition.
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Home | World | Africa | Moyo seen dumping Khupe
MDC-T chairman Lovemore Moyo is on the verge of dumping Thokozani Khupe who broke away from the mainstream opposition party following a vicious power struggle, sources have said.
Khupe, who has been challenging new MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa for the control of the party, announced on Sunday that she was breaking ranks to join former vice president Joice Mujuru's People's Rainbow Coalition.
Sources said Moyo was distancing himself from the break-away group and has now set his sights on taking over from Khupe.
MDC-T's national council is expected to formally show Tsvangirai's former deputy the door when it meets in Harare on Friday.
Khupe is accused of absconding party meetings and several other misdemeanors
According to sources, the speaker of parliament is the front runner in the race that might also feature MDC-T acting spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo and founding youth assembly secretary general Dr Bekithemba Mpofu.
Khupe's faction appears rooted in Matabeleland and if claims that Moyo has already jumped ship are true, source said, the project will die a still birth.
Last month, Moyo claimed MDC-T had been hijacked by the "Lacoste cabal" when Chamisa was pushing to take over the running of the party.
"As we speak, the MDC-T Lacoste cabal is running away with the party, violating every known rule, principles and values, including the party constitution," Moyo told the Zimbabwe Independent at the time.
Moyo's return is likely to bolster Chamisa's credential especially in Matabeleland where the party will be weakened by Khupe's departure.
Khumalo, a long time Khupe rival, could be Moyo's main challenger because of the gender card.
On the other hand, Mpofu is a close associate of Chamisa and is one of the longest serving party leaders.
His backers say he will bring stability to the crisis torn party, which is struggling for cohesion after Tsvangirai's death last month.
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This year's Command Agriculture programme is poised to be successful since there are no in-house political problems in Zanu PF, Agriculture and Mechanisation minister has said.
Minister Perrance Shiri made the remarks when he addressed commercial farmers at Seedco National Field Day at Rattray Arnold Research station on Tuesday afternoon.
Shiri, who was dressed in a green work suit told farmers implored farmers to respect their obligations adding that it's glorious to be rich as long as one works for it.
"For us to work well on the farms, we want peace and stability. Therefore, farmers should work together and avoid unnecessary squabbles.
"There are no more in-house political problems in Zanu PF, so command agriculture will get even better as the nation works as a team," he said.
Shiri called on some farmers, especially ones called cellphone farmers to pull up their socks.
"For us as to be a developed country, we need to create wealth. Agriculture feeds the country. We may pride ourselves in our minerals but those ones will be depleted at some point."
The minister said government will not hesitate to force out illegal settlers in the farms.
"99 year leases should be respected and if you invade farms you will be breaking the law. Illegal settlers will be removed and are being removed," he said adding that in the case of a dispute, farmers must approach the Land Commission and not the ministry for recourse.
"We now have officers in each province. They are available to attend to any challenges to do with land.
As the country moves on from political turmoil, so is the economy, and the recovery of externalized funds (USD $591, 1) million is a good starting point.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday named and shamed corporates and individuals that failed to return nearly a billion dollars which was externalized in past years, a situation which is likely to stir formal sector resuscitation and industries recapitalization seeing that foreign currency largely hampered their development.
The country's formal sector had become paralyzed necessitating elicit trading and parallel market of foreign currency due to externalization, a scenario which is likely to become a thing of the past, given the President's initiative.
Whilst critiques may argue that the list falls short of their expectations, and is nothing more than a housewife's grocery checklist', I beg to differ. If naming of over 1 800 companies and repatriation of more than a quarter of the national budget is deemed unworthy, then what is it.
As much as expectations on people to constitute the looters list rocked the public sphere, no one had access to names of those who took heed to the President's moratorium, so why the negative fuss from the opposition when they have no access to those who returned half a billion.
And to prove that the list is authentic and un-discriminatory, even Government entities such as Print Flow, Allied Timbers, Zimpapers and even churches were also cited on that list.
The ignorance over the released company names which the opposition is arguing to be a mere charade of the real offenders is astonishing given that anyone is welcome to access names of company directors, and owners at the Registrar of companies , if they are eager to unveil their specific names.
For now, all what the Government needs to do is to hasten the enactment of new legislative framework to prosecute these people. If not these current offenders, then certainly this will a warning to future externalizers.
Whilst a brigade of opposition critiques have been unleashed to rubbish the President's efforts to restore the country's economy, with the former finance minister Tendai Biti arguing that under the Exchange Control Regulations, externalization of US dollars, rands, pulas, or any other currency under the basket of currencies does not constitute a crime since 2009 when the Government announced adoption of foreign currencies as legal tender, how then does he justify companies which were exporting and not remitting the proceeds of their exports back to the country. The Currency Declaration (CD) 1 forms, are certainly clear on repatriation of all proceeds.
In order to avoid such misunderstanding, the Government should then hasten to enact the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Bill so that it becomes law and facilitate for prosecution of such persons and or companies.
Externalization will continue to weigh on the fiscus for as long as looters have an escape route and no proper legislation to pin them down.
Most companies and persons are just but trying to hide behind a finger instead of applauding this move which benefits most Zimbabweans.
Also this move of naming and shaming proves that the new dispensation means business and any loopholes in the way will be plugged out. At the same time it will act as a deterrent measure to those who were contemplating on looting in future, renewing investor confidence and the public who had lost hope to 37 years of talk and no action.
The Head of State and Government who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other prestigious titles you carry, Vice President Rtd General Constantino Dominic Nyikadzino Guvheya Chiwenga, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, And the rest of our beloved countrymen who make up your cabinet and government. All protocols reserved, not forgetting the potholes that need to be filled or the roads that need your utmost attention in the name of infrastructure development and economic improvement.
Firstly we would like to applaude you all gentlemen of honour and ladies of valour who make up the government of our beloved country Zimbabwe that you have been trying through thick and thin to restore its 'Regacy'(legacy) in the sights of its proud civilians and the 'biased' global community. There is no denial that the economy of Zimbabwe has been on a free-fall in recent years. A number of students from various tertiary and other learning institutions have continued to be churned out into our already bedraggled streets some with tenements which need revamp to meet the standards.
Mr President we do appreciate the efforts you are showing out and also the love you have had for your country which has seen you carrying our Zimbabwe flag regalia wherever you have gone even though some of our friends who in colloquial terms are given the Fashion Police nomenclature have insisted the continual code blocking by putting on that scarf.
After all you are a human and they will continue barking while you continue to wear it and put on what you want. Lest we forget Mr President, that brown farm shoe might not augur well with the valour that comes with your title, but after all there is no problem because you have been an explorer since you came into office and your 'sandals' must not wear out[sic]. You have been running around the globe to various states trying to make sure that our country has something and your children have been fed which to all of us is the most essential issue not that Vasco Da Gama would be turning with anger in his grave seeing his record under threat of being broken. The effort that you have put in the re-engagement exercise with the international community is very much estimable even though some of the 'Super Powers' have hammered some painful nails on you by asking you for reforms, with the inclusion of free and fair elections. In your inauguration speech you promised to strenuously dig the rooted graft virus that had and has been lingering all the vital sectors of the economy. We have seen signs that something has been working out and you even gave us feedback on the returned money that was externalised during the impetuous reign of your icon and our former President Robert Mugabe.
To show your solemnity you set the deadline date for all the 'looters' to repent and return back the externalised money to its rightful owners. The deadline passed and as you promised to shame those who had failed to return it, you did so. However, there has only been a minor concern Mr President in the way which you have been conducting the business of curbing corruption. The way we have seen corruption being diagnosed is somehow disappointing for every patriotic Zimbabwean or extremely patriotic as we advocate. Corruption scandals have been targeting perceived enemies and leaving out some untouchable bigwigs-cum-allies. This will(if not urgently rectifed) 'soil' your efforts and cause concerned citizens to think you are not concerned about restoring legacy but instead about the ghetto anthem 'regacy' which is popular somehow for other reasons. On Monday, you gave out the list of those who had failed to 'repent' but on that list there were those well know 'looters' who were conspicous by their absence. The problem maybe is that your 'good' list was supposed to applaude and name those who had returned the money they had externalised, this would have brought clarity and removed the 'bias and doubt' (as we can call it) in our eyes and minds that some world record holding 'looters' had been omitted. There are also those who have suddenly turned into becoming your number one henchmmen Mr President, after realising you have been hunting them down on 'generous' corruption scandals and we have seen that after realising they were publicly throwing support on your name, you have applied the 'breaks pedal' on their prosecution. This is like cranking fire in your eye Mr President. Hopefully you will look into that without delay. We appreciate all your efforts and wish to see your short-comings being remediated, obviously for the benefit of our country and its precious citizens.
Wilson Chipangura is the spokesperson of the Pan-Zimbabwean Society, which is a non-partisan lobbyist group that advocates for extreme patriotism by all Zimbabweans anywhere and everywhere. Like our official facebook page: Pan Zimbabwean Society for updates.
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's food and drug officials were directed on Monday to look at ways of restricting the sale of highly sweetened alcoholic beverages following the death of a Quebec teen who consumed a few cans.
"I am deeply concerned by the increasing availability and appeal of single-serve highly sweetened, high-alcohol beverages and by the increasing number of youth admitted to hospital after drinking these products," Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said.
"Accordingly, I have instructed my department to take all necessary action to address this issue."
The proposal would limit the maximum size of single-serve containers or the alcohol content in the beverage.
The new regulation would apply to all alcoholic beverages that "exceed a certain sweetness threshold, including those that contain artificial sweeteners," Health Canada said in a statement.
It is not intended, however, to capture liqueurs, or dessert wines.
Health Canada is also asking stakeholders to consider changes in advertising, marketing and labeling to reduce the risks of these products.
According to officials, there has been an explosion of beverages on the Canadian market in recent years that are strongly flavored and very high in sugar or sweeteners, and contain as much alcohol as four glasses of wine.
The world's largest softdrink maker Coca-Cola said earlier this month it would launch its first ever alcoholic drink in Japan.
Canadian public health concerns were raised after a 14-year-old girl was found dead in a stream behind her high school in Laval, Quebec last month.
A coroner's report confirmed she had consumed two cans of a sweetened alcoholic beverage containing 11.9 percent alcohol.
Will Josh Hartnett make a cameo??
Probably the only way I'd watch this, tbh!!
Probably the only way I'd watch this, tbh!!
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I loved him in Penny Dreadful. My love.
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Babe 40 days and 40 nights was so iconic
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That H20 + Faculty double shot had my tween self clutching pearls.
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srsly. we need an update on Lauries son. Keep that canon part!
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Unf U N F
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Thx for that. John Carpenter in '78, wow. The long shaggy hair, the bell-bottom jeans and tucked in shirt... he was kinda hot.
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Will we get little Shamrock masks from Season of The Witch?
Wouldn't surprise me. The scripts for Halloween 3D and Halloween Returns (the scrapped Halloween movies before this one came to fruition) both referenced Silver Shamrock.
Wouldn't surprise me. The scripts for Halloween 3D and Halloween Returns (the scrapped Halloween movies before this one came to fruition) both referenced Silver Shamrock.
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Halloween 3 is misunderstood and underrated imo. Really makes me wish the series had been able to stick to Carpenter's original idea of a thematic anthology.
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Loomis Psychiatric Facility
The Samuel Loomis Institution
Dr. Loomis Medical Journal
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I am really looking forward to this.
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hey qt icon
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Me too! Danny McBride being writer/producer is giving me one of those "so crazy it might work" vibes. Plus I like him in general, so
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i haven't been scared during any horror movie since i was a kid
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i actually have high hopes for this. they better not fuck it up
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TRICK OR TREAT, MOTHAFUCKA
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Whats everything after 4 besides H20??
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i'm so excited for this movie
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I've never been big on the Halloween movies, but if they can top H20 (which I doubt) then I'll happily watch it. And really, if there's one sequel they shouldn't ignore, it's that one.
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I'm looking forward to this, but I feel like I'm going to be really disappointed.
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The only thing of note that happens in Halloween 2 is when the nurse tells Loomis that Laurie is really Michael's sister. Beyond that it's just Jason stalking Laurie around a strangely vacant hospital. I don't mind that they are ignoring it though, since she shoots him in the eyes and he doesn't die, then he's on fire and still moving, etc. Picking it up after the first movie is probably the easiest thing to do, but that still sucks because H20 was actually really good.
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Yeah ignoring part 2 eliminates the family angle and supernatural stuff so I get them ignoring part 2.
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tbh I never cared for the family angle. Giving Michael any reason for his behavior makes him less scary.
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Even though Halloween isn't my favorite franchise, I definitely wanna see it though.
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Still think it would've been cooler to just merge some of them and make Josh and Danielle her kids.
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Are the sequels worth watching? I love the original but never bothered with the sequels. I have heard that H20 is good, but do I have to watch the others first?
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I like Halloween III which has nothing to do with Michael Meyers, back when they thought it would be an anthology series. It's terrible, don't get me wrong here, but it's hilarious and has to do with like Irish death curses and stuff.
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H20 is really good imo! and you can watch that as a stand alone.
As for the other sequels, I'd recommend seeing the 2nd. Not as good as the original but good.
The 6th one (with a bb Paul Rudd) is fun and I watch it every year because it's always on TV.
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Halloween II is great
Halloween III is good and underrated, nothing to do with Michael though.
Halloween IV I actually like a lot, it definitely captures the Fall/October season and Jamie is a good replacement for Laurie
Halloween V is a bit of a let-down after IV but still has Jamie.
Halloween VI is not as bad as people say but it's not particularly good either, you do get Paul Rudd though. They also kill off Jamie in the first few minutes and that sucked. (Not really a spoiler since it literally happens right at the beginning)
Halloween: H20 is good but definitely feels like a late '90s Teen Horror movie. Worth seeing for Laurie vs Michael
Halloween: Resurrection sucks, they kill off Laurie in the first few minutes and after that it's just a lot of bullshit. Fuck this movie.
As for Rob Zombie's two Halloween movies, I happen to love them. He does rely on the White Trash thing too much but you definitely won't be bored and his Halloween II is especially fucking weird.
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i'm ngl i prefer the rob zombie reboots
they're genuinely freaky esp the first one
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^^ definitive answer to OP's question
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I'm just not feeling this is going to be very successful. It's a genre that's older than... uh, well, than Jamie Lee Curtis... and I don't think that many horror fans are psyched to see ~The Shape's~ story continue.
Dramatic movies like Get Out and A Quiet Place are what tends to pique ppl's interest of late, not the 15th sequel to a slasher that's so totally worn-out that the Final Girl's gone completely gray.
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If you don't think an even remotely decent Michael Myers movie is gonna get the Horror fans into theaters than you don't really know Horror fans.
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It's true, I'm a relatively new fan who started getting into the genre deep into the 21st century. But so is a lot of the audience that are making The Conjuring and Insidious such big draws, and giving buzz to what would otherwise be strict arthouse movies like "The VVitch."
The audience for horror has changed substantially -- demographics-wise and taste-wise -- and that will probably be reflected in the box office returns.
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Imagine the thought process behind paying the star of your show, lower salary than a supporting cast member. Just because she's a woman
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It's not because she's a woman. It's because he was on a high-profile show before, and had more "power". Yes, it's dumb, but I think it's pretty stupid to say it was because she's a woman even though this is standard practice.
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this. the guy was freaking doctor who.
did people actually think they were equally paid? im more interested to know the the difference of their two salaries' and how wide the gap before making a judgment call here. actors with bigger resumes are just assumed to make more (and have higher quotes), and i don't that's necessarily terrible. if you want to entice a big name, you do with a high salary.
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That would work for S1 but he was also paid more for S2. There is no excuse for that.
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right idgi
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He deserved higher pay for the first season, absolutely. But, Netflix should've paid her the same or more for the second, especially with her Golden Globe win and her nominations. However, it's Netflix's place to fix that, not Matt's. This petition is stupid and I hope he ignores it completely.
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it's the same bullshit on shameless with william h. macy and emmy rossum. don't even try to tell me that frank is a bigger character than fiona.
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he's a Doctor
she was a nobody before the show
Edited at 2018-03-20 01:24 pm (UTC)
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No one has confirmed it yet, but I'd bet John Lithgow's salary was also higher than Claire Foy's.
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He was the Doctor before joining the show and had actually more credits than her. I think she should have been paid the or more for the second season but at least for the first season it makes sense
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It wasnt because she was a woman. Matt Smith was arguably one of the most well known faces of the cast and had the largest name recognition. He got more money because he was the most bankable cast member, NOT because he was a man. Throwing this in the same category as genuine gender discrimination only weakens the cause.
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i agree. idgaf about "star power", she is doing the work of carrying the series and should be compensated accordingly.
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I think their reasoning was that he at the time, was a bigger name (just coming off Doctor Who) but after the show catapaulted Foy's name onto everyone's lips, there was absolutely no reason to continue the practice in the second season.
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If he cared, he would've done it already.
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Ummm no
wtf?
How is this his problem? He's an employee, he doesn't write the checks. He was the biggest star at the time (still is) why would he lower his salary or donate it to match that of a virtually unknown actress??? He doesn't owe her anything.
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Thank you.
But hey, we should all jump on the bandwagon and pressure and guilt people into giving up their money because they were paid more money and have a penis.
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I love her but I agree. In this case he got paid more bc he's more famous than she is
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wait... his *entire* salary for the series? maybe aim for a fraction of it instead lol.
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After it came out that Matt Smith was paid more for his role on The Crown than the star of the show Claire Foy, people are urging Smith to pull a Mark Wahlberg and donate a portion of his salary to Time's Up
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wtf how did i read a completely different sentence, this is a berenstein bears situation.
or i just didn't read, sry.
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It takes longer to write this comment than to read the post sis.
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I caught up on DW over the weekend and oh my GOD Peter Capaldi completely blows him out of the water. the man can act circles around all the previous doctors, although I do hold a soft spot for 9. DW and especially Moffat did not deserve PC
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I just wish Capaldi had been given material worthy of his talent.
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this is a bit much in my opinion. if he wants to donate a portion of his salary to the cause, then that's great. but to basically be pushed into it by the general public seems improper. do I think it is absurd that he got more than the main character? yes. but maybe Netflix should donate to Times Up for doing that in the first place.
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Yeah I agree, its definitely outrageous to not pay Claire more, but thats on Netflix. It seems like Matt is getting all the blame instead if theres a petition pushing him into donating his salary
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Yes, Netflix is a trash company anyhow who've supported abusers time and again. The pressure should be on them to pay up.
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I don't like that the petition is trying to publicly shame him into donating his salary.
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I agree. This is like low-key extortion lol.
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agreed...ppl are doing too much here
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I understand he was Dr. Who but by the second season, there shouldnt have been a gap. I wonder the gap between Matt Smith and John Lithgow.
I started watching The Crown, am on episode 8? Of the first season. Im really liking it. I hate Phillip though lol
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But do we know if they signed two-year contracts? I know for many U.S. shows, the cast often signs three-year/seasons contract and so it takes awhile before they can renegotiate. It's very possible that when these contracts were signed, Claire didn't have much bargaining power, no one knew how well received the show would be, etc.
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Contracts can be renegotiated cant they? Especially after the first season was very well received.
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I remember Matt and Claire saying on Happy Sad Confused podcast that they show a big part of season 2 before season 1 even premiered.
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Netflix, donate. Cut some of Adamn Sandler's budget and go for it.
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Being paid more in season one made sense (I guess) since he was a bigger star. By season two it shouldve been equal, though. Shame.
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i'm just here to tell you that you have a gr8 username
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The true star of gen 7!
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I don't know how I feel about this. It's not his fault Netflix made that decision and it seems like in Hollywood your pay is almost always determined by past work/star power.
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It would be a nice gesture if Matt did donate a portion of his salary; however, I believe the public pressure for action should be directed primarily at Netflix instead.
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I agree. Netflix created the pay gap. Dont blame or hold accountable the actor for what th corporation did.
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this is so not the same situation as the all the money in the world mess
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Keep the money King !!
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This.
If anything Netflix should.
Leave this guy alone, this is getting ridic, I hope he doesn't donate shit.
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I wouldnt either.
If its like almost any other job the employees dont really speak to each other about how much they make. Unless there was a clause that said Pay me more than women in his contract then
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I wouldn't either tbh. Maybe if I was a Mark Wahlberg and loaded with cash already, but as a working person? Fuck no.
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I feel like the Mark Wahlberg reshoot situation isn't exactly comparable to this (because the gap was sooo ridiculous, and Michelle thought everyone was just being paid scale etc. etc.) but like whatever.
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And Mark benefitted from the initial press that everyone came back for scale. That's what really bugged me. He happily took the good press and didn't do a thing to correct it until he was busted.
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And Mark Wahlberg is a piece of shit racist and misogynist.
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The most important question is, "Are you Mindys baby daddy?"
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Cory Booker is a fucking disgrace and his political history is a mess but at least he is making an attempt at getting progressives on his side and is doing legit work on criminal justice.
Still a no for me though. But keep up the somewhat decent work, even if you're doing it for no other reason except your presidential ambitions.
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I wish he would just talk like a normal human for 30 seconds so I know what he actually believes lol
He said so many words but still said nothing.
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He said so many words but still said nothing.
yup. plus, his paulo coelho persona is annoying as fuck. he often talks like he is quoting some dumb self-help book. but that's what passes for being a good speaker these days i guess. saying a whole bunch of nothing peppered with some new age nonsense.
Edited at 2018-03-20 04:16 pm (UTC)
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so I know what he actually believes lol
That's asking for the impossible, I'm afraid
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Seriously. He talks like he thinks he is so prolific but hes full of it.
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You dont lie. Rme at anyone rooting for him tbh. His policies are the definition of why the 2016 election went the way it did.
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mte Cory working on charter school bullshit with Betsy should have been a sign to most people. He's definitely moving to the left because of his plans to run for president.
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idk who i want as the dem nom in 2020, but i cant deny that booker is so good at making himself sound presidential. he's charming and a great speaker
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love the guy
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I really like him. I'm sure his presidential run is coming.
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Okay, but is he still dating instagram "poet" Cleo Wade?
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oh, is he? I didn't know that.
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https://pagesix.com/2017/09/10/cory-booker-checks-out-art-installation-with-cleo-wade/
He was as of last year, but I suspect he may need to wife up his young bae if he's going to run for president. He was as of last year, but I suspect he may need to wife up his young bae if he's going to run for president.
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He gave an interview where about wanting to marry her a few months ago so I'm guessing they'll get married soon. She seems like she has good intentions but she's so ridiculous.
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Her poems read like a freshman in Creative Writing 101 went on a binge after a breakup and read too much Sylvia Plath (who I love). There is no depth or emotion to any of the ones I read on her Instagram.
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I just looked her up. She has gorgeous hair if anything.
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oh, he's dating a woman? yeah he's gunning for president
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Is America ready for a vegan president though?
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Lol. The real question.
I'd like to see a vegan prez take on the turkey pardon tbh.
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I remember how everyone was going on about how progressive he was and blah blah blah and then I think it was Bernie set forth a bill to try and get cheaper pharmaceuticals from Canada, something alongs those lines and Cory didnt vote in favour of it and it turned out because he had his hands in something. The whole thing was shady af. I dont trust him. I hope he isnt the hope for democrat party because I cant get behind him.
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yes and his excuse was that these drugs wouldn't meet "American safety standards." such bullshit!
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Well you know we in Canada have no standards LOL
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Yes because Canada is such a 3rd world country with no safety standards.
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He caught a ton of shit for that and announced I think last year he no longer takes campaign contribution/lobbying money from big pharmaceutical companies.
He's by no means perfect (his charter school issues fir example) but he is pretty well liked in nj. A friend interned at his office and he and his team inspired her to go to law school.
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Didn't he end up voting for the other amendment on that bill that would lower drug prices?
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He also worked closely with DeVos to push the charter school bullshit. He can gtfo.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/koch-brothers-conservative-liberal-groups-unite-on-criminal-justice-reform/ He and the Koch Brothers allegedly had or have ties. He isnt shit.
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He'll bend if he gets enough backlash but Booker is your stereotypical politician who has zero principles and will take money from anyone.
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this big pharma bro can gtfo. his words mean nothing to me.
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Megan is insufferable.
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How about Sarkozy being under arrest, though?
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someone get mary kate olsen on the horn
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wait... what I had to look it up. These politicians really love taking campaign donations from anybody.
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He can be charming but there's something performative about a lot of his appearances that won't sit well tbh. Also he has too many corporate ties in his past. I think those Jarvanka donations sealed his fate.I think he should put his presidential aspirations aside and do all the good he can. I perhaps see him as a VP pick at best.
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Hes garbage tried to sell off my city. Lied and lied and lied again. Bye you bird looking bitch.
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I was a big fan until he defended Trumps racism
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I think he'd probably be an okay president, but I'd really prefer someone else. Also this is really dumb and shallow but I wish he'd get his eyes fixed.
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True. I mean I wouldn't show mercy either but I don't know if I'd eat the giant myself.
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Kalevala/Kalevipoeg vibes
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I love stories like these
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You got: Arista
You love all things music! Sometimes you can be a little oblivious, but you're just trying to have fun.
You love a good adventure and make the most out of tough situations.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexandraj4eccbed21/which-of-ariels-sisters-are-you-379xd?utm_term=.ykwwMvvwY#.vhq46aa40 : AristaYou love all things music! Sometimes you can be a little oblivious, but you're just trying to have fun.You love a good adventure and make the most out of tough situations.
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You got: Andrina
You should be a stand-up comedian! Everyone thinks you're super funny and loves your jokes. You're always trying to make sure you're having fun, because who wants to be boring?
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I got Andrina too. Twinses <3
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You got: Attina
As the oldest sister, you feel a sense of responsibility for others. You love research and learning more about the sea. You hate letting people down, so you always work hard to make sure you're the best you can be
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Attina
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You got: Andrina
You should be a stand-up comedian! Everyone thinks you're super funny and loves your jokes. You're always trying to make sure you're having fun, because who wants to be boring?
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Aquata
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You got: Alana
You LOVE all things beauty and skincare, but it's not for vanity purposes. People call you glamorous, and that's fine with you! However, sometimes you can be shy and want to spend some time alone.
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You got: Andrina
You should be a stand-up comedian! Everyone thinks you're super funny and loves your jokes. You're always trying to make sure you're having fun, because who wants to be boring?
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You got: Aquata
You're definitely on the clean side. Everything has to be in its rightful place with its rightful owner, especially when the stuff belongs to you (ahem, Arista). You can be a little tough, so doing things that you aren't good at isn't something you like.
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also attach a tissue to her nose pls my current mood:also attach a tissue to her nose pls
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I watched that film 'Life' last night, even though I heard it was garbage. I didn't hate it! It wasn't original, but the character deaths were awesome and the ending was great (even if it was obviously going to end that way). Did anyone else like it?
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it wasn't a terrible way to waste a couple of hours but it was just so unnecessary, it didn't bring anything new to the table to me
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I liked it! I really liked the ending a lot.
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I hated it and liked it at the same time. They were all SO STUPID. They could have avoided literally all of the situation if they left it alone.
My friend and I were literally talking at the screen. It was infuriating but entertaining.
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Good luck!
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Good luck!
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good luck!
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Good luck bb!
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I feel ya. Coming up with excuses to why you gotta leave work is exhausting. Btw, good luck!
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yes
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Literally made some for breakfast this morning. I had 3.
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Nnnn i had banana pancakes with coconut syrup last week
Highly recommend
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i miss ihop
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oh man I haven't had ihop in a while, that sounds good right now
I love their butter pecan syrup
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splurged on some chocolate chip pancakes topped with strawberries on sunday!
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I highly recommend the Single Lady pancake recipe from Joy the Baker, when I need a pancake really, really badly. In fact, that might be my lunch.
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I could go for some pancakes right now.
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Every time I yawn I remember I agreed to work evening shift today
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I watched The Visit for the first time this weekend and it was trash. The trailer was so much better than the whole of the movie. I'm glad I didn't see it in theatres when it came out.
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is that the one with the kids visiting their grandparents? i keep wanting to like the latest shamyalan movies, but they haven't really been good since...The Village? (i'm being generous lol)
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Yeah that's the one. I also wasn't prepared not appreciative of how much naked grandma! I saw
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it's been a couple of years so I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure I didn't guess the twist, so that made it better for me lol
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Happy Persian New Year!!!!!!!!
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nowruz mubarak!
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happy norooz!
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I made cornish hens for the first time last night and they turned out great!
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...do I follow you on tumblr...
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You might? I almost always post my food on my tumblr and instagram too.
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omg <3
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They're so cute, nestled in their pan! I just got a cast iron skillet and I'm obsessed- maybe I'll add cornish hen to my to-try list :)
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looks bangin. would eat
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Omw, that looks fantastic.
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that made me laugh too, but did anyone actually think that weird thing coming out the side of his leg was a dick? other than the OP
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lmaooo, thank you for sharing
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That post was what I needed lmao
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lmao i'm mad that i missed that post
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Question: in the great Millennial vs Baby Boomer battle, why does no one talk about Gen X?
(This topic was brought up to me by a Gen Xer the other day).
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They learned from BB Gen who still exist and make rules I guess lol
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Because were at that phase in our lives where we have no time for such arguments (kids, mortgages). Boomers have paid for houses, empty nests and c suite jobs, so lots of time to bitch about what everyone else is doing.
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the only time anyone talked about gen x was to complain about mtv and the dot com bubble of the late 90s. the eternally ignored generation haha
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Cuz Baby Boomers realized Gen Xers are old now.
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Gen Xers were the original lazy, entitled twerps (according to Baby Boomers) who loathe Baby Boomers for their self-indulgence and entitlement and screwing up the economy/screwing over younger generations by cutting taxes and basically pulling up the upward mobility ladder behind them.
But there are more Millennials, so we get the attention now. Generation groupings are mostly important to advertising, so the biggest gen will get the most attention.
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everyone forgot about gen x. and then as an xennial you don't fit anywhere
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There's something about Gen X-- I assume it's because they're the Pluto in Libra generation, that just never caught on to the political scene
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I don't know about the astrological stuff but I feel like this is accurate -- Gen X was never very political as far as I'm aware and they've really become the forgotten generation due to their own actions (or lack thereof).
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they aint been shit aint never gonna be shit thas why
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My grandma was admitted to the hospital yesterday because she has small bowel obstruction , she was in the hospital 3 times back in December for it. The other day she had corned beef and that did it for her, I dont know why she had it but she did. But she didnt want to go st first again because they put a tube in her nose to get the stuff out, but today shes doing better, and she farted witch is a good sign, but its hard cus shes 80 and I think at her age shes prone to getting it, shes had stomach problems in the past but I guess if u had adominal surgeries your more prone to get it,
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newts>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ed sheeran
eta: great work with the pun in the middle there.
Edited at 2018-03-20 06:40 pm (UTC)
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What I'm getting from this is that Ed Sheeran's an animal killer
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I love how his neighbors probably don't care at all about the newts and are in fact probably just rich as hell and don't want their pretty view obstructed by a tacky church on his property
If they genuinely care then that's cool too. Either way newts are gettin saved and that's all that matters.
Edited at 2018-03-20 06:45 pm (UTC)
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This kind of newt is so cute too!
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Aww, they look like teeny dinosaurs!
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this comment was my thoughts entirely.
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LET THE NEWTS LIVE IN PEACE, YOU GREMLIN
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Like you just know hes not even religious at all but just wants it bc he thinks there has to be a chapel, which is whatever but killing something for that reason?
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This is horrible, what kind of person kills his own family?
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I snorted tyvm
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LMFAO
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UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK
had to close the door to my office to laugh. DAMN.
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKhad to close the door to my office to laugh. DAMN.
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Im praying for the next revolution and hope its life the French one where all these boujee people get whats coming for them.
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Theres no such thing as solidarity between amphibious creatures. smh.
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He can't get married in a normal chapel like everyone? Oh, good old Edward. So humble...
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came in here to say this. like????
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did you have to google sad Newt for this picture
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LOL
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LOL oh my god I'm at work and did not expect this and just laughed SO loud! Thanks a lot, sis!
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Edited at 2018-03-20 06:53 pm (UTC) he's worried his fiance will run away with one of the newts
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are there not existing chapels for him to get married in? what is the point of building a permanent structure for a wedding
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I see what you did sis lmaoo he should newt indeed
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Marielle Franco, councillor and police critic, shot dead in targeted killing in Rio https://t.co/e8dcYPQKdB The Guardian (@guardian) March 15, 2018
Marielle Franco, newly-elected member of the Rio di Janero city council as part of the Socialist and Liberty Party in Brazil (PSOL), was murdered along in a drive by shooting along with her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes on the night of Wednesday, March 14th.
Officers have said that it was two men who were responsible for the shooting. They fired nine shots into the vehicle that carried Franco and her driver, along with a press officer in the backseat who survived. The press officer said it appeared the shots were targeted at Marielle.
Marielle was a major advocate for poor people, LGBT rights, black rights, and women's rights. Being her first term in office starting 2016 as an openly gay Afro-brazillian woman was risky enough, but Marielle was also very condemning of police violence and brutality and recently accused officers of being too aggressive in their raids and searches. 46,500 people voted for Marielle to reflect their interests on the city council.
Many outlets are omitting Marielle's positions and sexuality. She loved her partner Monica Teresa Benicio and her 19 year old daughter, her parents, and her sister. On March 18th, after nearly a week of anger from citizens, Brazil's most powerful media outlet, Rede Globo, held a 45 minute segment on Marielle's murder. It featured interviews from Marielle's partner and family, and Anderson's widow, but in the only segement about her political positions described her passion for "human rights", that humans are free and equal, and should be given the same rights as everyone else, watering down her radical progressive positions into something unobjectionable and cliche.
In an interview with Democracy Now, Former Brazilian President Lula said [translated]: "Mainly, we have two problems in Brazil. The first is that her assassination is unacceptable. The only thing [Marielle] did was to work against the assassinations of black persons in the peripheral areas in the defense of human rights and the defense of lives of people. It's clear that her death was a pre-meditated killing. Now I don't know if it was a militia or a police, but what is clear is that it is unacceptable, and that all of us Brazillians could come together in a single voice and shout out loud to demand punishment of those responsible for that killing. And President Temer should learn a lesson with this killing, which is that the problem of violence in the peripheral areas of our Brazil is not going to be resolved by turning to the armed forces. It is necessary that the state have a presence in the peripheral areas of the state of Brazil."
Her murder has prompted mass mourning and protest across Brazil.
Many found great hope in Marielle's advocacy for issues important to locals who don't have a voice in their government. Some people are taking the protests for Marielle as an insult against local police officials, which, well. The passion for Marielle's life and political work is growing beyond state and media attempts to control it. Because of this...
Celebrities across the world have expressed their condolences over Marielle's murder. Check below for reactions and personal photos of Marielle with her partner Monica.
Im still in shock - numb - horrified by the murder of #MarielleFranco https://t.co/vLuUz4R8Ev Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) March 19, 2018
Saddens me to hear that #Mariellefranco who dedicated her life to fighting against racism, prejudice & police violence in Rio de Janeiro, was assassinated last night. COME ON BRAZIL STAND UP pic.twitter.com/A7OHwOU77y Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) March 15, 2018
1/ I cant stop thinking about #MarielleFranco. What a brave and brilliant human being.
Marielle Franco, councillor and police critic, shot dead in targeted killing in Rio: https://t.co/2APzMBL5G5 Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) March 15, 2018
lembra que mencionei que veiculos diversos de com falaram de marielle? aqui: RT @okayplayer: In Brazil, tens of thousands gathered to demand justice for #MarielleFranco, one of the countrys most promising and beloved political figures. (via @okayafrica ) https://t.co/E9qac14PyQ Maria Rita (@MROFICIAL) March 19, 2018
Retaliation is REAL. Specifically against women. God bless Marielle Franco https://t.co/7yj0APElXR terrycrews (@terrycrews) March 16, 2018
The assassination of human rights activist #MarielleFranco was a huge loss for Brazil and the world @ShaunKing https://t.co/POeQR2bsgG pic.twitter.com/Ocrw1WwYoB RuPaul (@RuPaul) March 19, 2018
The assassination of human rights activist Marielle Franco was a huge loss for Brazil and the world. https://t.co/qumu345jVw pic.twitter.com/XgHIL3igDF The Intercept (@theintercept) March 17, 2018
Marielle Franco, who spent years speaking out against police violence and fighting for LGBT rights, gave this powerful speech just hours before she was killed in a suspected assassination. pic.twitter.com/GgPAPQisjQ BuzzFeed LGBT (@BuzzFeedLGBT) March 16, 2018
Marielle Franco was openly gay, erasing her partner is disrespectful | AFROPUNK https://t.co/xxtxSCeLsW LeslieMac (@LeslieMac) March 20, 2018
The violent death of Rio politician Marielle Franco has prompted mass mourning and protests in Brazil https://t.co/pD1voKqogB pic.twitter.com/ixehNGB7cV TIME (@TIME) March 16, 2018
"Brazil, Latin America's most populous country, is one that has long hidden its apartheid behind the myth of a racial democracy." https://t.co/8Favf8g3I7 OkayAfrica (@okayafrica) March 19, 2018
Here's @DavidMirandaRio talking to Al Jazeera about the life, work and assassination - and the unique importance - of his close friend and colleague Marielle Franco. It's short but powerful https://t.co/R0KqeaB6Ed Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) March 16, 2018
Our exclusive interview with Brazils former president Lula da Silva (@LulapeloBrasil), the frontrunner in the upcoming presidential election, on his possible imprisonment, the assassination of Marielle Franco, U.S. interference in Latin America & more. https://t.co/kErPKnL4Oy Democracy Now! (@democracynow) March 19, 2018
Former Brazilian President Lula: Its Clear Marielle Francos Assassination Was Premeditated @democracynow #FSTVDN pic.twitter.com/ll2Al325D2 Free Speech TV (@freespeechtv) March 20, 2018
Every now and then you meet someone in politics that makes you believe that the whole thing is worth it, despite all the dirt and decay and corruption that drowns it, that it can actually improve things for people. @mariellefranco was one of those people - for so many. #RIP pic.twitter.com/JJtXnkgrlJ Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) March 15, 2018
Tensions frighteningly high in Rio right now. Ex: last night, at classic Copacabana samba bar Bip Bip, an off-duty highway patrolman threatened to shoot crowd after owner offered homage to Marielle Franco. Police arrived & took away owner, shocking crowd. https://t.co/l7xeLH4Ff5 Shannon Sims (@shannongsims) March 19, 2018
What about the 200 dead police? the patrolman had shouted in response to Marielle Franco homage. Appears increasingly that outrage at her death is being interpreted by many as an insult to police. Shannon Sims (@shannongsims) March 19, 2018
I used to live across the street from Bip Bip & everyone knows me there. Alfredinho, the 74-year-old owner, is a known leftist. Every night he gives a rant about politics - its a tradition. People are often offended. But theres a problem when that becomes an armed threat. Shannon Sims (@shannongsims) March 19, 2018
Brazilian demonstrators march through the streets of Rio to protest murder of councilwoman and human rights activist Marielle Franco. https://t.co/U5qT87uzio pic.twitter.com/4QltbqbNRh ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2018
It was 98F, humid & sunny today in Rio de Janeiro. Nonetheless, tens of thousands came out to protest the brutal execution of city councilwoman Marielle Franco. The murderers want to scare the Marielles of the world, but Marielle brought reinforcements. #MariellePresente https://t.co/DsALNB5ta6 Andrew Fishman (@AndrewDFish) March 16, 2018
lmao
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These childish adults are tiring.
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lol this sounds amazing
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If there can be a Trump dating site, why not Yeezy?
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what is going on here
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her attempting a stage presence.
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Art
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lol mte
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me every single day
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The leadup to the album sans LWYMMD was painful. Gorgeous is so bad
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are those lyrics... or was she like ad-libbing...
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Lmfao she always acts things out so literally. This is killing me
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This is such a weird gifset
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hideous
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LMAO at that lyric forever.
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this gives me secondhand embarrassment bc it reminds me so much of high school drama class
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OMG try harder
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Shes so gorgeous
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No thanks
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kanye has outkanyed himself
and this is obviously fake
Edited at 2018-03-20 10:19 pm (UTC)
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This ain't for the best
My stannings never been worse, so
You must like me for me
We can't make
Any promises via Yeezy Dating can we, babe?
But you can use the The Swift Life
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How are you boo? I remember you saying you had to be in the ER I think? Hope things are well now.
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Aw. Doing better. Its been a roller coaster tbh.
Thank you bb.
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when Kanye took that VMA from Taylor I was like "oh, weird" not "this will psychologically cripple both artists, driving them to madness" caitlin bitzegaio (@caitorade) August 27, 2017
Seems like a good time to bring this back:
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Lol
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lol irl
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Omg
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Me too, Caitlin. Me too.
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Lmao
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LMAO I know right
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lmaoo
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Lol for real though
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lmao
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Lmao this is a good one lol irl
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haaaaaaaaaaaalol
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lmfao this is always so relevant
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Lmao I love Kanye.
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This seems fake.
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Meanwhile Taylor is living her best life and getting dicked down in jolly old England.
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Dicked down by Joe Alwyn? That can't be living her best life.
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would you swipe right or left for these bangs?
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they look like bad fake clip ins
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Left...but then again, at least they aren't those heinous half/baby bangs that are so popular now, so maybe right.
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in this picture, left. but in general her bangs this era have been really pretty imo, when her hair is down and wavy.
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That's pathetic
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it is fake.
one of the instagram photos clearly has a message stating the creator is a kanye fan. he even left his number on there, definitely based in the uk
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oh thank goodness.
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Japanese cherry blossom season is here but trees could be wiped out by foreign species of beetle
After a long and cold winter, the much anticipated announcement that cherry blossom season has finally arrived in eastern Japan has been greeted with enthusiasm. That excitement has been curbed, however, by the warning an invasion by a foreign species of beetle from mainland Asia could decimate the nations cherry trees in just a few years.
Few things are as quintessentially Japanese as cherry blossoms the delicate pink flowers rank alongside the profile of Mount Fuji and geisha as motifs of the nation and the progress of the opening of the buds is followed with near-religious zeal each spring.
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced shortly after noon on Saturday that six flowers had bloomed on a specific somei-yoshino cherry tree in the grounds of a Yasukuni Shrine, nine days earlier than usual.
Unless something is done, it would not surprise me if someday Japans cherry trees were wiped out
Koichi Goka, entomologist
There was additional good news for lovers of the cherry blossom season when a botanist in Wakayama Prefecture, central Japan, announced he had identified a new species of cherry tree on the Kii Peninsula. If confirmed, the new species of early-blooming trees will be the first to be discovered in Japan in a century.
Yet the good news has been tempered by some extremely bad news for cherry trees.
Koichi Goka, an entomologist who works for Japans National Environmental Research Laboratory, has told the Yukan Fuji news magazine that native cherry trees are at risk due to an invasion of aromia bungii, better known as the red-necked longhorn beetle.
Unless something is done, it would not surprise me if someday Japans cherry trees were wiped out, Goka said.
Native to China, Mongolia and other parts of mainland Asia, the beetle has a distinct preference for cherry and peach trees. The creatures grow up to 4cm in length and bore into the trunks of their victims to lay their larvae before their young emerge in the summer months.
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The beetles were first identified in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, in 2012 and are believed to have entered the country in cargoes of timber from China, Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. They have quickly acquired a taste for life in Japan.
Local authorities admit to having been caught off guard by the invasion and have been forced to cut down trees as no effective pesticide exists to exterminate the beetles. To date, hundreds of cherry trees have been felled in Tokyo as well as the prefectures of Saitama, Gunma, Tokushima, Tochigi and Osaka.
On January 15, the Japanese government finally designated the red-necked longhorn beetle an invasive foreign species, which will make government assistance available for the battle ahead.
Despite Gokas pessimistic outlook for this potent symbol of Japan, there is hope. German scientists, for example, have been successful in developing a method of killing the beetles without harming the tree.
This article Japanese cherry blossom season is here but trees could be wiped out by foreign species of beetle first appeared on South China Morning Post
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.
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Xi Jinping warns China will crush any attempt to separate an inch of territory of our great country in keynote speech
President Xi Jinping spoke at the closing of Chinas National Peoples Congress today.
This years NPC carried special meaning for Xi. His status as the most powerful Chinese leader in decades was cemented over the course of the 16-day event.
The constitution was changed to remove presidential term limits allowing him to stay on as head of state for as long as he sees fit.
The political theories that bear his name were also enshrined in the constitution, giving him the same political status as Mao Zedong and the former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping.
He also reshuffled the government and placed his trusted aides, including vice-president Wang Qishan, in key positions concerning the economy, relations with the US and the battle against corruption.
Xi addressed the legislature and the nation as the landmark session closed.
10:05am The end
Xi has finished his speech. Premier Li Keqiang will be holding a press conference at around 10:30 am. Journalists are expected to ask him about China-US trade wars and other issues of concern. The South China Morning Post will be covering it live.
10:02am More Marxism
He now returns to what he describes as the importance of the Communist rule in China by urging people to rally behind the party.
In his closing remarks also says China will continue its campaign to root out all corruption and purify the party.
10:00am Chinas place in the world
He continues on the theme by setting out his vision for Chinas place in the world - highlighting his signature Belt and Road policy.
9:58am
Xis speech has already lasted for half an hour, compared with his 20-minute speech five years ago when he began his first term.
He stresses to other countries.
Only those who are threats to others will see others as a threat to them, he says, without specifying which country he is referring to.
9:56am National sovereignty
The nationalist theme continues with comments about Hong Kong and Taiwan and a promise to crush any efforts to divide the nation, which is greeted with loud applause.
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Every inch of the territory of our great country cannot be separated from China, he said.
He emphasises that it will be impossible for any parts of China to leave the country, highlighting Beijings hardline stance towards any talk of independence for Taiwan and Hong Kong.
9:51am
Xi makes sure to highlight Chinas long-standing cultural history, as the roots for its present and future development. His use of the phrase great revival of the Chinese nation has been a slogan closely tied with him since he became president in 2012
Xi also refers to Marxist theory and the thoughts of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. He also mentions the theories by his two predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, without mentioning their names.
He said stresses the role of the Communist party in engaging different sectors of the society.
He also says China will develop into a culturally strong country before highlighting his signature pledges of eradicating poverty and caring for the sick and elderly.
9:41am History and tradition
Xis first five years in office have been characterised by a nationalist agenda and in keeping with the theme his speech is full of references to ancient Chinese literature and folklore to support his vision for great Chinese revival.
By contrast, five years ago he began his speech by thanking his predecessor Hu Jintao for his 10-year governance
Xi tries to rally the public saying China has defeated all fierce invaders and defended the freedom of Chinese.
Xi puts special emphasis on the unity of the country. A country that is split cannot make great progress, he says.
9:34 am Stressing the innovative nature of the people
Xi Jinping, known for his nationalism, highlights the importance of Chinese ancient philosophers, and inventions, and ancient literature and architecture.
I believe, as long as 1.3 billion can keep the great innovative spirit (like in ancient times), we can create miracles one after another.
9:30 am Xi Jinping begins to address the Legislature
Xi starts his speech by expressing gratitude to the support he received for the second term of his presidency. He stresses he would abide by the constitution.
He then states that all government officials should remember that they should always serve the public and put public interest first.
People are the real heroes, he said.
This article Xi Jinping warns China will crush any attempt to separate an inch of territory of our great country in keynote speech first appeared on South China Morning Post
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.
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A vehicle goes by the scene of Sunday's fatality where a pedestrian was stuck by an Uber vehicle in autonomous mode, in Tempe, Ariz., Monday, March 19, 2018. A self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed the woman in suburban Phoenix in the first death involving a fully autonomous test vehicle. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The deadly collision between an Uber autonomous vehicle and a pedestrian near Phoenix is bringing calls for tougher self-driving regulations. But advocates for a hands-off approach say big changes aren't needed.
Police in Tempe, Arizona, say the female pedestrian walked in front of the Uber SUV Sunday night. Neither the automated system nor the human backup driver stopped in time. Local authorities haven't determined fault.
Current federal regulations have few requirements specifically for self-driving vehicles, leaving it for states to handle. Many, such as Arizona, Nevada and Michigan, cede key decisions to companies.
Many federal and state officials say their regulations are sufficient to keep people safe while allowing the potentially life-saving technology to grow.
Explore further Crash marks first death involving fully autonomous vehicle
2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Credit: Georgia State University
Last september, the ACLU filed an amicus brief in a California case that brings to a head a controversy over the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in criminal law.
A DNA sample taken from a larger sample of mixed human DNA implicated Billy Ray Johnson in burglaries and sexual assaults. Johnson denied committing the crimes, but he received a sentence of life in prison without parole. Prosecutors based their case on results of a law enforcement tool running a sophisticated algorithm called TrueAllele.
Johnson's attorneys were never allowed to examine TrueAllele's source code, to see if it somehow held any information bias. Prosecutors successfully argued that laws protected the algorithm as a trade secret.
For Jessica Gabel Cino, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of law, the decision raised a big red flag.
"No technology is foolproof," she said. "Tech is designed by humans and run by humans, so there is definitely room for human error all through the process. Moreover, the results are only as good as the input."
Cino continued. "Systems are developed for proprietary purposes, by private companies looking to make a profit. But we're talking about access to information that affects a person's freedom. To deny access to validation sequences, source code or proprietary data when it affects a person's freedom? Using a wizard hiding behind a curtain to get a conviction dilutes the integrity of the system."
The ACLU's Vera Eidelman, a William J. Brennan Fellow with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology project, explained further in September.
"Racial bias also often creeps into algorithms, both because the underlying data reflects existing racial disparities and because inaccurate results for smaller minority groups may be hidden in overall results," Eidelman wrote. "And, of course, there's the possibility that financial incentives will pervert the goals of companies that build these algorithms. In the context of DNA typing, the prosecution, backed by the substantial resources of the state, is a company's most likely customer and that customer is likely to be most satisfied with an algorithm that delivers a match. So companies may build programs to skew toward matches over the truth."
Similar concerns arise regarding the use of AI in bail and sentencing decisions.
Vic Reynolds (J.D. '86), district attorney for Cobb County, Georgia, has seen the sweep of technology in law practice in his career. He's been on both sides of the bench, as a judge, a defense attorney and, today, a prosecutor.
"We're talking about an area of law where there is very little precedent," Reynolds said. "If we commit to a system where AI is being used to help formulate a criminal sentence, we do in fact have an ethical obligation to share the foundation of that system with the very people whose lives are affected."
He says there are both pros and cons to using AI as a sentencing tool.
"On the positive side any time we have the human element involved, it carries with it human frailties," he said. "Judges are human, so even good judges can have a really bad day, a day when there's a fight with a spouse or something else affecting him or her.
"Using an AI system has the potential for removing some of this human frailty," Reynolds said.
And the cons?
"Having been a judge, I know that the essence of that position is discretion," Reynolds said. "Even the federal sentencing guidelines have recently begun giving some of that discretion back to sentencing judges.
"Let's say we plug a person's history into an artificial intelligence system.Based on prior felony convictions, the system recommends a 10-year sentence. But with a closer look, we may see that prior convictions were based on a drug abuse situation and that a better long-term decision might be a sentence which emphasizes substantive treatment. To me, this is where a judge's discretion would come into play.
"If you don't have that human element involved, and you lose the element of discretion, there's a chance for mistakes."
Cino cites a study published in Science Advances on the credibility of the computer program COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions), which assesses whether defendants should be released on bail based on their risk of reoffending. The study's authors found that COMPAS, which has been used to assess more than one million defendants throughout the U.S., "is no more accurate or fair than the predictions of people with little to no criminal justice expertise who responded to an online survey."
"The criminal justice system is hungry for technology that makes decision-making less subjective," Cino said, "but early adoption without proper validation creates long-term consequences that are difficult to rectify."
Cino, Reynolds and many others in the legal system will be watching the Johnson case in California. Attorneys will present oral arguments in early 2018. Cino hopes for a decision supporting transparency.
"If we're going to use artificial intelligence," she said, "we'll hopefully move to an open-source model that moves us past this Chinese wall of proprietary trade secrets. Either open source, or the accused gets access to the algorithm. There's a reason we have the right to a fair trial."
Explore further Court software may be no more accurate than web survey takers in predicting criminal risk
China has announced it is building the world's fastest wind tunnel to develop a new generation of super-fast airplanes, but it could also be used for hypersonic missile technology.
Wind tunnels test how air will pass over a solid object, helping designers improve aerodynamics or reduce stress points for objects as they reach high speeds.
State-run Xinhua news agency ran a report late Monday revealing the development of what it said would be "the world's fastest hypersonic wind tunnel".
"The 265-meter-long tunnel can be used to test hypersonic aircraft that can travel at speeds of up to Mach 25 (30,625 kph), 25 times the speed of sound," Han Guilai, a researcher with China's State Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was quoted as saying.
To compare, the current fastest generation of fighter jets can travel up to speeds of around 2.5 Mach.
The revelation comes as the world's leading military nations embark on a race to develop the next generation of hypersonic weapons, from missiles and spy planes to railguns, that can beat conventional defence systems.
Earlier this month Russia's president Vladimir Putin boasted his nation had developed a new generation of "invincible" hypersonic missiles in his state of the nation address, sparking anger in the United States and other NATO countries.
While experts are deeply sceptical about how close to operational such a missile might actually be, US officials in recent weeks have sounded growing alarm about the potential threat from hypersonic weaponsdefined as weapons that can travel at five times the speed of sound or more.
Such weapons can beat regular anti-missile defences as they are designed to switch direction in flight and do not follow a predictable arc like conventional missiles, making them much harder to track and intercept.
According to reports in the Japan-based Diplomat magazine, China has also developedand last year testeda new type of hypersonic missile called the DF-17.
Though the Pentagon is warning about hypersonics, the United States has itself been developing the technology for years.
The Air Force says its X-51A Waverider cruise missile, tested in 2012, could travel at speeds faster than Mach 6 (3,600 miles per hour, 5,800 kph).
The Xinhua report said the Chinese Academy of Sciences had already simulated a hypersonic plane flight in its current wind tunnel at speeds "ranging from Mach 5 and 9".
"The new tunnel will aid the engineering application of hypersonic technology by duplicating the environment of extreme hypersonic flights. Once issues are discovered during these ground tests, they will be ironed out before test flights begin," Han was quoted as saying.
Explore further Hypersonic plane design tested in wind tunnel, discussed in journal
2018 AFP
Credit: Shahid Khan / shutterstock
Upon becoming Greater Manchester's first elected mayor, Andy Burnham announced his ambition to make the city-region one of the greenest in Europe. In his Mayor's manifesto, the former MP and Labour leadership candidate, committed to "a new, accelerated ambition for Greater Manchester on the green economy and carbon neutrality". If achieved, Manchester would be transformed from one-time poster city for Britain's dirty past to a decarbonised oasis in the post-industrial north-west of England. What it will take to realise this vision is the topic of a "Green Summit" to be held in Manchester on March 21.
The Green Summit website claims the best minds from Greater Manchester's universities and businesses, local activists and residents will be brought together to debate how to "achieve carbon neutrality as early as possible", ideally by 2050. Leading up to the summit, expert workshops and "listening events" were held across the region, in order to inform a forthcoming Green Charter, the plan for how the city will become "carbon neutral".
We argue that the concept of "carbon neutrality" is a lofty ambition, but it needs unpacking before anyone gets too excited about its potential. The idea that a zero carbon target is the best driver for creating a city-region and planet that's inclusive and liveable for all raises important questions.
Understanding carbon
Carbon neutrality, or "zero-carbon", is a curious term. NASA remarks that "carbon is the backbone of life on Earth. We are made of carbon, we eat carbon, and our civilisations our homes, our means of transport are built on carbon". Even our bodies are 18.5% carbon. Ridding our cities of carbon suddenly seems absurd. Removing the "backbone of our life on Earth" is surely not on Burnham's eco-agenda. So what does "carbon neutral by 2050" actually mean? Understanding a little about carbon footprinting helps to expose the nuances and silences behind the ambition.
Carbon is emitted at various points within the production, transportation and consumption of goods and services, but establishing responsibility for these emissions depends on your standpoint. Is it the consumer, the manufacturer, the haulage firm, the investor, the source country or the destination country? Our actions and impacts do not respect political boundaries.
Governments typically count carbon emissions following guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Taking a "territorially-based" approach, only the direct carbon emissions (and removals) taking place within a certain city or a country are counted, along with those from the production of the energy consumed. "Carbon" stands for a whole raft of greenhouse gases, including CO. This approach underpins declarations of successes and failures worldwide, but it's just one way to allocate carbon emission. And herein lies the issue.
An alternative "consumption-based" accounting is more often used by environmental NGOs such as the WWF or some parts of the UK government. This approach counts the total emissions from goods and services (including travel) consumed by a person, city or country, regardless of where they occurred. Under consumption-based accounting, eating an imported steak means factoring in shipping emissions, the plastic used in packaging, and the emissions from the cow itself all of which take place far outside of the typical "footprint". One recent analysis found a group of large cities across the world emitted 60% more carbon when considered like this.
But will Greater Manchester, the aspiring "Northern Powerhouse", really want to include emissions from such key drivers of economic growth? The city-region has a busy airport, for instance, that it might be convenient to exclude under "zero carbon". Greater Manchester's ambition may be laudable, but the zero-carbon definition risks side-lining much-needed action in other areas.
There is some degree of hope. Greater Manchester is implementing a new standard which extends the IPCC's approach, also considering emissions from residents' travel beyond Greater Manchester and waste disposed of beyond the city-region. This is significantly more ambitious than a territorial-based approach. But, even if "zero-carbon" was defined under this approach, there would still be difficult questions as to what extent aviation emissions would be included if at all not to mention other consumption-based emissions, such as those from imported food.
Cleaner, greener, and lower carbon
In any case, the city needs environmental policies beyond the focus on becoming "carbon neutral". Litter is one of the top resident concerns about environmental quality, for instance, while a recent study by MMU's Gina Cavan found many people in the city have limited access to green and blue spaces. Research by our colleagues found the greatest level of microplastics ever recorded anywhere on the planet in Manchesters' very own River Tame.
No doubt the mayor and his team will be concerned about these other problems too. But the pollution crises and the lack of access to green spaces are questions of environmental injustice, and their root causes will not necessarily be addressed by carbon neutrality. To avoid obscuring other areas of action, it's vital that claims about a "carbon neutral" future clearly state what they are referring to.
Carbon neutrality doesn't cover everything it might only be concerned with decarbonising energy and in-boundary emissions. If Greater Manchester is serious about becoming greener, cleaner and inclusive, then there needs to be accountability for other perspectives on emissions responsibility, including those associated with consumption and aviation.
Explore further Microsoft pledges to curb carbon emissions despite growth
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Credit: Bill Kuffrey/public domain
Living abroad can clarify your sense of self, according to new research by a team of social scientists at Rice University, Columbia University and the University of North Carolina.
They found living abroad increases "self-concept clarity," the extent to which individuals' beliefs about themselves are clearly and confidently defined and consistent and stable over time.
The researchers are Hajo Adam and Otilia Obodaru of Rice's Jones Graduate School of Business; Jackson Lu and Adam Galinsky of Columbia Business School; and William Maddux of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. They conducted six studies involving 1,874 participants and published their findings in "The Shortest Path to Oneself Leads Around the World: Living Abroad Increases Self-Concept Clarity" in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
To conduct the studies, the authors recruited participants from online panels and United States and international MBA programs, including some who had not lived abroad, who then completed surveys on living abroad.
The researchers found living abroad triggers self-discerning reflections in which people grapple with the different cultural values and norms of their home and host cultures. These reflections are helpful in discovering which values and norms define who people are and which simply reflect their cultural upbringing, according to the study.
"In a world where living-abroad experiences are increasingly common and technological advances make cross-cultural travel and communication ever easier, it is critical that research keeps pace with these developments and seeks to understand how they affect people," the authors wrote.
"In this vein, our studies demonstrate that living abroad affects the fundamental structure of the self-concept by enhancing its clarity. The German philosopher Hermann von Keyserling wrote in the epigraph to his 1919 book 'The Travel Diary of a Philosopher,' 'The shortest path to oneself leads around the world.' Almost 100?years later, our research provides empirical evidence in support of this idea."
While most research on foreign experiences has focused on whether people have lived abroad or not, this new research takes a more nuanced approach to distinguish between the depth and the breadth of international experiences. It finds that depth (the length of time lived abroad) rather than breadth (the number of foreign countries lived in) enhances a clear sense of self. The longer people live abroad, the more self-discerning reflections they accumulate and, as a result, the more likely they are to develop a better understanding of themselves and have increased clarity about career decision-making, the authors said.
Understanding the impact of living abroad has practical implications for organizations as they operate across national borders and recruit foreign talent.
Past studies have found that transitional experiences, such as getting divorced or losing a job, typically decrease individuals' self-concept clarity. In contrast, this research examines the possibility that living abroad is a rare kind of transitional experience that actually increases self-concept clarity.
Extended periods of time spent in a foreign country can yield numerous benefits that come with a clear sense of self, ranging from greater life satisfaction to decreased stress, improved job performance and - as the new research shows - enhanced clarity about the types of careers that best match an individual's strengths and values. Having a clear sense of self could thus become increasingly important in today's world with its unprecedented range of available career options, according to the authors.
Explore further Experiencing different cultures enhances creativity
More information: Hajo Adam et al. The shortest path to oneself leads around the world: Living abroad increases self-concept clarity, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes (2018). Journal information: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes Hajo Adam et al. The shortest path to oneself leads around the world: Living abroad increases self-concept clarity,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2018.01.002
Almost all organisms have an internal biological clock that synchronizes their behavior with the environment in which they live. Endogenous biological clocks follow the major cyclical rhythms: the solar-influenced 24-hour transition of day and night, the tidal 12.4 hour rising and falling of the tides that is governed by the lunar cycle, and the annual seasonal changes.
Organisms that live in shallow waters are presumably influenced by the lunar and tidal cycles to a greater extent than the solar ones and therefore mostly exhibit circatidal, rather than circadian rhythms. As its name implies, the circa (about) tidal rhythmicity is a ~12.4-hour rhythm following the tidal oscillation with its high and low tides that alternate approximately every six hours. Consequently, intertidal organisms are typically covered in water for part of the day and exposed the rest of the time. Having evolved in this type of environment has presumably been a very strong driving force for them to adapt an endogenous tidal clock.
Countless studies conducted over the past century have helped establish a comprehensive understanding of how the circadian clock works, and importantly, which genes are involved in its ticking. These studies have been predominantly conducted in the usual biological model organisms but have expanded in recent years into further 'real world' species, such as tropical corals, arboreal monkeys and many others from wide ranging habitats.
Life on earth began its journey at sea, presumably influenced to a great extent by the tidal cycle, which perhaps went on to evolve into a 24-hour cycle. So in order to understand how timing works, it is important to first understand how it works in the sea, particularly in its shallow waters.
In a first-of-its-kind, transcriptomic study conducted over four years, researchers at Bar-Ilan University set out to broadly examine the rhythmicity of Cellana rota, an intertidal limpet. The aim of this study was to use C. rota to understand the temporal landscape of a world manifested by two strong exogenous rhythms, circadian and tidal cycles, and their impact on the biological clock/s of the organism. To date, very few studies have been conducted in this realm and still little to nothing is known about the molecular basis of tidal rhythmicity. The results of their findings were published today in the journal Scientific Reports.
Throughout the course of the study, the researchers collected hundreds of thousands of images through a customized camera setup deployed on the sea shore of Eilat in southern Israel. The camera setup monitored a limpet population for several years, day and night. Few studies have conducted such a long-term, high-resolution sampling of animal behavior in such a challenging environment as the tidal zone. Portions of this data were quantified, showing that these limpets have a robust tidal rhythmicity, and curiously only exhibiting a circadian component to their behavior only at one particular time of the year.
Video composed of one image taken every five minutes during the day and night (IR illumination) over the course of three days. Speed x16 for viewer convenience. The limpets can be seen moving up and down the boulder with the rising and falling of the tide with no movement during high and low tides. Credit: Yisrael Schnytzer
The researchers then removed the limpets from their natural habitat of high and low tides and brought them into the lab, where they were held under constant conditions - i.e., no tidal or circadian cues, in order to establish that they indeed possess an internal clock and are not just behaving in tune with the rising and falling of the tides. The researchers correctly predicted that if the organism has an internal clock it would continue to behave in the tidal manner in the lab, and so they did. The limpets were then kept under these constant conditions for longer periods of time in order to desynchronize their rhythmicity. The researchers then set up an aquarium with a novel mechanism that sprayed them with water every 12.4 hours, mimicking the tidal cycle. This procedure once again entrained the limpets to a rhythm mimicking which they are exposed to in nature.
"We established that limpets have a tidal rhythm. Under laboratory conditions, they didn't take the day and night cycle into account at all," says Yisrael Schnytzer, of the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University, who conducted the research as part of his doctoral dissertation under the supervision of Prof. Yair Achituv and Prof. Oren Levy.
The researchers subsequently returned to Eilat and sampled limpets off a boulder every four hours over the course of 48 hours on two separate occasions. They wanted to obtain a high-resolution sampling that would aid in deciphering the pattern of the limpets' gene expression over the course of time.
The researchers worked in collaboration with Dr. Mali Salmon-Divon at Ariel University, as well as Dr. Hiba Waldman Ben Asher at Bar-Ilan University who assembled the transcriptome. They further collaborated with Prof. Michael Hughes And Dr. Jiajia Li, at the Washington University School of Medicine, who conducted the rhythmicity analysis of the transcriptome. "We found that far more genes are expressed in a tidal rather than a circadian rhythm, which is not surprising based upon what we saw at sea and in the lab," says Schnytzer. This is in contrast to previous studies which have suggested that even in the tidal zone the circadian cycle is the dominant one. More importantly, the researchers found that none of the core circadian clock genes exhibited a typical circadian rhythm. They were mostly arrhythmic, an observation which has been seen by others studying non model marine organisms, particularly those residing in the tidal zone. They did, however, find that some genes which are known to have a connection to the circadian clock, albeit not at its core, exhibited a tidal rhythmicity.
"This leads us to believe that the tidal and circadian clocks are either one and the same and that there is a certain plasticity in how these genes are expressed under different environmental conditions, or that at the very least some of the "putative" circadian clock genes are involved in both timing mechanisms, yet the core of the tidal clock still evades us...," says Schnytzer.
To date these researchers are the first to conduct such a comprehensive study combining long-term observations in nature, as well as the lab supported by a transcriptomic investigation. They have provided further clues, including a checklist of genes possibly connected to the tidal "clock", that bring us a step closer to understanding how this evasive mechanism works which, as stated above, perhaps predates our own clock.
Explore further New evidence animal behaviour regulated by interaction of tidal and circadian clocks
Composite which combines gas temperature (as the color) and shock mach number (as the brightness). Red indicates 10 million Kelvin gas at the centers of massive galaxy clusters, while bright structures show diffuse gas from the intergalactic medium shock heating at the boundary between cosmic voids and filaments. Credit: Illustris Team
By understanding the stars and their origins, we learn more about where we come from. However, the vastness of the galaxylet alone the entire universemeans experiments to understand its origins are expensive, difficult and time consuming. In fact, experiments are impossible for studying certain aspects of astrophysics, meaning that in order to gain greater insight into how galaxies formed, researchers rely on supercomputing.
In an attempt to develop a more complete picture of galaxy formation, researchers from the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, the Max-Planck Institutes for Astrophysics and for Astronomy, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and the Center for Computational Astrophysics in New York have turned to supercomputing resources at the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS), one of the three world-class German supercomputing facilities that comprise the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS). The resulting simulation will help to verify and expand on existing experimental knowledge about the universe's early stages.
Recently, the team expanded on its 2015 record-breaking "Illustris" simulationthe largest-ever hydrological simulation of galaxy formation. Hydrodynamic simulations allow researchers to accurately simulate the movement of gas. Stars form from cosmic gas, and starlight provides astrophysicists and cosmologists with important information for understanding how the universe works.
The researchers improved on the scope and accuracy of their simulation, naming this phase of the project Illustris: The Next Generation (IllustrisTNG). The team released its first round of findings across three journal articles appearing in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and are preparing several more for publication.
Magnetic modelling
Just as humanity cannot envision exactly how the universe came to be, a computer simulation cannot recreate the birth of the universe in a literal sense. Instead, researchers feed equations and other starting conditionsobservations from satellite arrays and other sourcesinto a gigantic computational cube representing a large swath of the universe and then use numerical methods to set in motion this "universe in a box."
For many aspects of the simulation, researchers can start their calculations at a fundamental, or ab initio, level with no need for preconceived input data, but processes that are less understoodsuch as star formation and the growth of supermassive black holesneed to be informed by observation and by making assumptions that can simplify the deluge of calculations.
Gas density (left) and magnetic field strength (right) centered on the most massive galaxy cluster. Zoomed panels show the magnetic field orientation and stellar light (top) and xray and radio emission from massive cluster (bottom). Credit: Illustris Team
As computational power and know-how have increased, so, too, has the ability to simulate larger areas of space and increasingly intricate and complex phenomena related to galaxy formation. With IllustrisTNG, the team simulated three universe "slices" at different resolutions. The largest was 300 megaparsecs across, or roughly 1 billion light years. The team used 24,000 cores on Hazel Hen over the span of 35 million core hours.
In one of IllustrisTNG 's major advances, the researchers reworked the simulation to include a more precise accounting for magnetic fields, improving the simulation's accuracy. "Magnetic fields are interesting for a variety of reasons," said Prof. Dr. Volker Springel, professor and researcher at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies and principal investigator on the project. "The magnetic pressure exerted on cosmic gas can occasionally be equal to thermal (temperature) pressure, meaning that if you neglect this, you will miss these effects and ultimately compromise your results."
While developing IllustrisTNG the team also made a surprising advance in understanding black hole physics. Based on observational knowledge, the researchers knew that supermassive black holes propel cosmic gases with a lot of energy while also "blowing" this gas away from galaxy clusters. This helps to "shut off" star formation in the biggest galaxies and thus imposes a limit on the maximum size they can reach.
In the previous Illustris simulation, the researchers noticed that while black holes go through this energy transfer process, they would not shut off the star formation completely. By revising the black holes' physics in the simulation, the team saw much better agreement between the data and observation, giving researchers greater confidence that their simulation corresponds to reality.
A long-standing alliance
The team has been using GCS resources since 2015 and been running the IllustrisTNG simulation on HLRS resources since March 2016. Considering that IllustrisTNG's dataset is both larger and more accurate than the original, the researchers are confident their data will be widely used while they apply for more time to continue refining the simulation. The original Illustris data release garnered 2,000 registered users and resulted in more than 130 publications.
During that time, the researchers have relied on GCS support staff to help with several low-level issues related to their code, specifically related to memory crashes and file system issues. Team members Drs. Dylan Nelson and Rainer Weinberger also both benefited from attending 2016 and 2017 machine-level scaling workshops at HLRS. The team's long-standing collaboration with HLRS has resulted in winning 2016 and 2017 Golden Spike awards, which are given to outstanding user projects during HLRS' annual Results and Review Workshop.
Nelson pointed out that while current-generation supercomputers have enabled simulations that have largely overcome most fundamental issues related to massive-scale cosmological modelling, there are still opportunities for improvement.
"Increased memory and processing resources in next-generation systems will allow us to simulate large volumes of the universe with higher resolution," Nelson said. "Large volumes are important for cosmology, understanding the large-scale structure of the universe, and making firm predictions for the next generation of large observational projects. High resolution is important for improving our physical models of the processes going on inside of individual galaxies in our simulation."
Explore further Astrophysicists release IllustrisTNG, the most advanced universe model of its kind
More information: Volker Springel et al, First results from the IllustrisTNG simulations: matter and galaxy clustering, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2017). Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Volker Springel et al, First results from the IllustrisTNG simulations: matter and galaxy clustering,(2017). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stx3304
Provided by Gauss Centre for Supercomputing
Depth cross-section through the plume structure showing its connection with the Yellowstone hotspot. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2018) doi:10.1038/s41561-018-0075-y
A pair of researchers from the University of Texas has found what they claim is evidence of a plume beneath Yellowstone National Park. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Stephen Grand and Peter Nelson further propose that the plume is part of a zone that runs to the park all the way from Mexico.
A plume is a still theoretical abnormality that lies at the boundary between the Earth's core and the mantle, and rises through the mantle into the crustan abnormality that would exist as a vertical stream of magma. As the researchers note, the prospect of a plume beneath Yellowstone has been strongly debatedsome have suggested a plume would explain the source of the heat that drives so much surface activity in the park. Others disagree pointing out that it could just as easily be explained by shallow subduction or lithospheric processes. In this new effort, the researchers have taken a new approach to studying the hot spotthey used seismic data obtained from EarthScope's USArraya project that placed geologic listening stations across North America.
The researchers found what they describe as "a long, thin, sloping zone" (approximately 72 by 55 kilometers in size) inside of the mantle where seismic waves were traveling slower than the areas around themthis suggests a section of the mantle that is approximately 600 to 800 C degrees warmer than surrounding areas, and offers strong evidence of a plume. They conclude by suggesting that there is likely a thin plume stretching from the core-mantle boundary beneath the park and that it is responsible for the volcanism seen at Yellowstone. But they also acknowledge that more research is required because there are still questions regarding how Yellowstone exists in its current location. They theorize that it is possible because the plume is held steady by a part of the Pacific large low-shear-velocity province. They finish by suggesting that current methods used by other researchers to study plumes may not be adequate because global tomography is not capable of capturing thin thermal plumes such as the one they suggest lies beneath Yellowstone.
Explore further New study challenges traditional theory of Yellowstone formation
More information: Lower-mantle plume beneath the Yellowstone hotspot revealed by core waves, Nature Geoscience (2018) www.nature.com/articles/s41561-018-0075-y Lower-mantle plume beneath the Yellowstone hotspot revealed by core waves,(2018) DOI: 10.1038/s41561-018-0075-y Abstract
The Yellowstone hotspot, located in North America, is an intraplate source of magmatism the cause of which is hotly debated. Some argue that a deep mantle plume sourced at the base of the mantle supplies the heat beneath Yellowstone, whereas others claim shallower subduction or lithospheric-related processes can explain the anomalous magmatism. Here we present a shear wave tomography model for the deep mantle beneath the western United States that was made using the travel times of core waves recorded by the dense USArray seismic network. The model reveals a single narrow, cylindrically shaped slow anomaly, approximately 350 km in diameter that we interpret as a whole-mantle plume. The anomaly is tilted to the northeast and extends from the coremantle boundary to the surficial position of the Yellowstone hotspot. The structure gradually decreases in strength from the deepest mantle towards the surface and if it is purely a thermal anomaly this implies an initial excess temperature of 650 to 850 C. Our results strongly support a deep origin for the Yellowstone hotspot, and also provide evidence for the existence of thin thermal mantle plumes that are currently beyond the resolution of global tomography models. Journal information: Nature Geoscience
2018 Phys.org
Facebook search was not safe for work or home on Thursday night.
Typing "video of" into the Facebook search bar yielded a disturbing result. The first autocomplete was "video of girl sucking d."
Jonah Bennett, a graduate student, researcher and journalist, says he was tipped off to the search bar snafu by a friend. He shared it on Twitter where others got the same search results.
"Go to your Facebook search bar and type: video of," Bennett wrote on Twitter, "and see what results show up."
A couple of hours later, Facebook results were back to normal. But then Bennett tried the search in Spanish: "videos de..." and the second result was live sex videos.
Facebook said it's investigating why the search predictions appeared.
"We're very sorry this happened. As soon as we became aware of these offensive predictions we removed them," the company said in a statement to USA TODAY.
"Facebook search predictions are representative of what people may be searching for on Facebook and are not necessarily reflective of actual content on the platform," the statement said. "We do not allow sexually explicit imagery, and we are committed to keeping such content off of our site."
Last week the giant social network was criticized for asking users whether pedophiles should be able to proposition underage girls for sexually explicit photographs on the giant social network.
Facebook wants to help users find what they are looking for amid the billions of status updates, photos and videos they post each day.
For years people mostly used the search bar to find other Facebook users. In 2014, Facebook turned the search bar into a tool to find what everyone's talking about. Type "Black Panther" or "Florida shooting" into the Facebook search bar and up pops what your friends and others are sharing on Facebook.
Now Facebook is encountering the challenges that have bedeviled Google, the leader in search, which has spent years cleaning up racist, sexist and other objectionable autocomplete results. For example, when users typed in the phrase, "are Jews," Google used to automatically suggest the question, "are Jews evil?"
The autocomplete results are usually what Google algorithms have learned that people want to know when they search for something. They're based, in part, on what other users have searched for. So Google has had to adjust the algorithm to banish autocomplete results that are violent, hateful, sexually explicit or dangerous, in violation of the company's rules.
2018 USA Today
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A new AI tool created to help identify certain kinds of substance abuse based on a homeless youth's Facebook posts could provide homeless shelters with vital information to incorporate into each individual's case management plan. Credit: CC0 Public Domain
Can Facebook be trusted with your personal information?
That's the question many Americans are asking after revelations that a data-mining firm working for the Trump campaign improperly got its hands on the personal information of tens of millions of Facebook users and created detailed profiles that were used to target unsuspecting voters in the presidential election.
For many, the incident raises troubling new questions about how Facebook manages third-party access to the sensitive information of its 2 billion users, including what safeguards the social media giant has in place to prevent apps from sharing information and whether it has any way of knowing when it's shared more broadly than intended.
Facebook says a researcher, Cambridge University's Aleksandr Kogan, gained access to the data of 270,000 Facebook users in 2013 through a personality quiz app that required Facebook users to grant access to their personal information including friends and "likes."
According to Facebook, he then gave that information to Cambridge Analytica, the firm that claimed it helped President Trump win the 2016 election. The Trump campaign says it did not use data from Cambridge Analytica.
Facebook says the transmission of data to Cambridge Analytics was a violation of its rules and, on Friday, it suspended the firm. On Monday Facebook announced that Cambridge Analytica had agreed to an independent audit by a digital forensics firm. But the auditors were turned away by the UK Information Commissioner's Office, which is pursuing its own investigation.
Before apps gain access to Facebook users, the Silicon Valley company says it conducts "a robust review" to determine if apps have a legitimate need for users' data. It also noted it has restricted how much personal information outsiders can obtain since the Cambridge Analytica incident.
"We actually reject a significant number of apps through this process. Kogan's app would not be permitted access to detailed friends' data today," Facebook said.
It's unclear if that statement will assuage worried users. It certainly hasn't lowered the political heat in the U.S. and Europe, where calls are intensifying for new regulations.
And on Monday the markets reacted.The nearly 7% plunge in Facebook shares led a sell-off in tech stocks.
Cambridge Analytica "is another indication of systemic problems at Facebook," Pivotal Research analyst Brian Wieser.
Those systemic problems have dramatically worsened since the presidential election, with Facebook coming under intense fire on multiple fronts: Russian operatives using Facebook to manipulate voter sentiment during the presidential election, Facebook accounts spreading "fake" news, the potential for its advertising system to be used for racist targeting and its slow response to violent or harmful content on the platform.
Wieser says he does not believe the latest public relations nightmare will dent Facebook's advertising business because advertisers are unlikely to suddenly pull back on spending.
And that's the problem, says Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy.
"The Cambridge Analytica scandal gives us a glimpse of how Facebook makes billions of dollars off of our personal information without ever dealing with the consequences," said Chester, a longtime privacy critic of Facebook.
Tapping the personal information people freely share on the social network to target advertising is the special sauce that has turned Facebook's business into one of the world's most powerful and lucrative. But it's also Facebook's greatest weakness, making it vulnerable to criticism from privacy activists, regulators and lawmakers.
Over the weekend, U.S. and British lawmakers and privacy activists slammed Facebook, with some demanding that Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg personally appear at legislative hearings.
In 2007, Facebook gave third parties who created an app on the Facebook platform access to the personal information of Facebook users including friend lists, interests and "likes." The move coaxed more people to join Facebook and spend more time there, fueling the rapid rise of the social network from 58 million users to more than 2 billion.
Marc Rotenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, says the Cambridge Analytica incident is a textbook violation of the settlement Facebook reached with the FTC in 2011 which required that Facebook users give permission before their data was shared beyond the privacy limits they set on Facebook.
That news, which broke over the weekend, didn't seem to rattle Facebook users, who have shrugged each time the Silicon Valley company has played fast and loose with their privacy.
John McGrath, who says he rushed to delete his Facebook account when he heard the news, didn't end up pulling the trigger. He says a four-year-old photograph of his daughter playing the piano stopped him in his tracks.
"It feels like the Gambinos have hijacked my family album," McGrath, a 48-year-old software developer and product manager from San Francisco who works for Amazon, wrote in a Facebook post.
So instead he removed all the identifying information he could: where he lives, works, where he went to school, family relationships, contact information and more.
"You can't do psychometric profiling with no data," McGrath said, "so I'm taking my data back."
Explore further Facebook launches audit of data leaked to Trump consultant
2018 USA Today
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
IAEA experts, charged with reviewing Japans plans for the Fukushima nuclear facility, leave Unit 4 in 2013. Credit: IAEA/Flickr, CC BY
On March 11, 2011, a nuclear disaster struck Japan. The 9.0 magnitude Tohoku earthquake triggered a 15-meter tidal wave, which hit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant approximately 45 minutes later. The plant's power was knocked out and the backup generators crippled. After the emergency batteries were exhausted, three of the plant's six reactors soon overheated, and at least two of the cores melted down, releasing immense amounts of radiation. While the reactors are now in theory stabilised, the work to understand and contain the damage continues.
In the seven years that have elapsed since the disaster, much has been written and said about its causes. Yet expert reports have paid little attention to the extensive testimony of Masao Yoshida, who was plant manager at the time and passed away in 2013.
One can only wonder about the decisions Yoshida had to make between March 11 and 15, 2011, to avoid the worst. And his gripping account calls into question some of the keystone principles of nuclear safety.
A 'made in Japan' disaster?
The international community and the Japanese themselves quickly characterized the disaster as one that was "made in Japan", meaning it was enabled by two circumstances specific to Japan: the country's exposure to environmental hazards (earthquakes and tsunamis) and its cultural acceptance of collusion real or imaginary between corporations and government.
Management of the accident, both by its operator, the Tepco Group, and the Japanese government, has been condemned as ineffectual. Serious failings were attributed to Tepco, which was unable to prevent a nuclear meltdown and subsequent explosions. A rare bright point was the heroism of those working on the ground, who risked their own lives to avert an even greater disaster.
Calling Fukushima a "made in Japan" disaster focuses attention on the failures of a socio-technical system apparently disconnected from industry good practices and the norms of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Moreover, its extraordinary scale allows it to be filed in the same historic category as another "aberrant" accident, Chernobyl. The latter was attributed to gross Soviet negligence, implicitly reinforcing a utopian vision of a safe and reliable nuclear industry. But do the nature of the Fukushima disaster and the specificity of its causes really make it an exception?
There have been a wide range of official inquiries. In Japan, reports were issued by both a governmental investigation and a parliamentary commission. Investigations were also conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the American Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD.
These analyses chiefly focused on the impact of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on the nuclear power plant, the way the crisis was managed by the operator and the authorities, and on the cooperation between those onsite (emergency services) and offsite (Tepco staff). Hundreds of thousands of pages of reports have been published as a result. Ultimately, authorities unanimously concluded that upholding IAEA norms alone guarantees nuclear safety.
But the majority of the thousand-plus hearings given by the people involved have remained confidential. This is troubling: Why would a democratic society allow hearings given to a parliamentary commission to remain secret?
During the Japanese government's investigation, Fukushima Daiichi plant manager Masao Yoshida was interviewed for more than 28 hours, over 13 sessions. His testimony was only made public in September 2014 after critical reporting by Japanese media. Printed in Japanese on A4 paper, it filled more than 400 pages.
Shedding new light on the story
The Risk and Crisis Research Centre of the Mines ParisTech engineering school translated Yoshida's testimony into French, the first complete version in a language other than Japanese. (A partial English translation exists, made available by the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, but it proved to be inaccurate on several crucial points, and is highly controversial.)
Given that France generates 76% of its electricity with nuclear power, the task of a complete translation should have been undertaken by a nuclear-sector operator. None volunteered, however, no doubt asserting that all had already been said and settled. The Fukushima investigators all followed a pre-set formula, apparently designed solely to confirm hypotheses that would put events down to purely technical causes. Yet Yoshida responded to the investigators' questions from an entirely different point of view, attributing his decisions and actions to the brutal struggle between men (himself and his staff) and technology or, more precisely, the machines (the reactors) that had suddenly gone out of control.
The brutal reality of the situation in March 2011 was that it was no longer a question of managing a crisis, applying established procedures or rolling out plan A or plan B. Day after agonising day, the Fukushima Daiichi power plant was an island, plunged into darkness, without electricity or emergency diesel generators, and almost completely devoid of resources.
Largely left to their own devices, Yoshida and the plant's staff risked their lives at every moment. Wearing stiflingly hot protective wear and buffeted by aftershocks, they searched for slightest sound or visual clue in the absence of measurement data. Groping around the labyrinth of the ruined plant, they sought, more or less with success, to protect themselves from radioactive contamination in order to continue their work.
During the hearings, Yoshida confided his fears, doubts and beliefs. He lauded the commitment of his colleagues inside the plant, even as he deplored the absence or incompetence of those outside Tepco headquarters, the government, the regulatory authority, and so on.
The emotional intensity of his account is both striking and moving. It shatters the all-too-bureaucratic certitudes that underestimate the complexities of situations, to the point of ignoring our humanity: the workers were facing the possibility of their own deaths and, above all, the deaths of their colleagues, their families and everything dear to them.
Almost miraculously, after four days of desperate efforts, the worst the explosion of the Daiichi reactors, which could have set off those at the close-by Daini and Onagawa plants as well was narrowly avoided. Yet we have learnt almost nothing from this catastrophe, and the much larger one that was averted.
Beyond safety margins
Of course, re-examining safety standards is important, as are "hard core" safety systems (a kind of fortified line of defence against external onslaughts) and the costly installation of diverse backup power generators. Such measures certainly increase safety margins, but what about the bigger picture?
The creation of "special nuclear forces", such as France's nuclear rapid action force (FARN), is a perfect example of such a mind-set. They are on-call to restore installations in accordance with regulations on radiation exposure. But what will such teams do if levels of radioactivity are above those set out in the legislation? Could we count on their commitment, as Japan did for that of Masao Yoshida and his staff, at once heroes and victims, sacrificed willingly or under orders, in order to prevent a nuclear apocalypse?
Explore further Fukushima operator gets first safety approval since 2011 disaster
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain
Photosynthesis has driven life on this planet for more than 3 billion yearsfirst in bacteria, then in plantsbut we don't know exactly how it works.
Now, a University of Michigan biophysicist and her group have been able to image the moment a photon sparks the first energy conversion steps of photosynthesis.
In photosynthesis, light strikes colored molecules that are embedded within proteins called light-harvesting antenna complexes. These same molecules give trees their beautiful fall colors in Michigan. From there, the energy is shuttled to a photosynthetic reaction center protein that starts to channel energy from light through the photosynthetic process. The end product? Oxygen, in the case of plants, and energy for the organism.
Jennifer Ogilvie, U-M professor of physics and biophysics, studied photosynthetic reaction centers in purple bacteria. These centers are similar to the reaction centers in plants, except they use different pigments to trap and extract energy from light. There are six slightly differently colored pigments in purple bacteria's reaction centers.
"In photosynthesis, the basic architecture is that you've got lots of light-harvesting antennae complexes whose job is to gather the light energy," Ogilvie said. "They're packed with pigments whose relative positions are strategically placed to guide energy to where it needs to go for the first steps of energy conversion."
The differently colored pigments wrestle with different energies of light and are adapted to gather the light that is available to the bacteria. Photons excite the pigments, which triggers energy transfer in the photosynthetic reaction centers.
"The antennae take solar energy and create a molecular excitation, and in the reaction center, the excitation is converted to a charge separation," Ogilvie said. "You can think of that kind of like a battery."
But it is this momentthe moment of charge separationthat scientists do not yet have clearly pictured. Ogilvie and her team were able to take snapshots to capture this moment, using a state-of-the-art "camera" called two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy.
In particular, Ogilvie and her team were able to clearly identify a hidden state, or energy level. This is an important state to understand because it's key to the initial charge separation, or the moment energy conversion begins during photosynthesis. They were also able to witness the sequence of steps leading up to charge separation.
The finding is a particular achievement because of how impossibly quickly this energy conversion takes placeover the span of a few picoseconds. Picoseconds are one trillionth of a second, an unimaginable timescale. A honey bee buzzes its wings 200 times a second. The first energy conversion steps within purple bacteria take place before the bee has even thought about the downward push of its first flap.
"From x-ray crystallography, we know the structure of the system very well, but taking the structure and predicting exactly how it works is always very tricky," Ogilvie said. "Having a better understanding of where the energy levels are will be very helpful for establishing the structure-function relationships of these photosynthetic reaction centers."
In addition to contributing to unraveling the mystery of photosynthesis, Ogilvie's work can help inform how to make more efficient solar panels.
"Part of my motivation for studying the natural photosynthetic system is there is also a need to develop more advanced technology for harvesting solar energy," Ogilvie said. "So by understanding how nature does it, the hope is that we can use the lessons from nature to help guide the development of improved materials for artificial light harvesting as well."
Explore further Deep within spinach leaves, vibrations enhance efficiency of photosynthesis
More information: Andrew Niedringhaus et al, Primary processes in the bacterial reaction center probed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Andrew Niedringhaus et al, Primary processes in the bacterial reaction center probed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy,(2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721927115
The photo shows a picture of the Hintereisferner and the Weisskugel in Tyrol, which was taken during a photo flight of the Institute for Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences of the University of Innsbruck at the end of August 2015. The two upper side glaciers (shown on the right) were still connected to the Hintereisferner just a few years ago. The snow deposits are no longer sufficient to keep the glacier in balance. Credit: Institute of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of Innsbruck
Researchers from the Universities of Bremen and Innsbruck have shown in a recent study that the further melting of glaciers cannot be prevented in the current centuryeven if all emissions were curtailed. However, due to the slow reaction of glaciers to climate change, human activity will have a massive impact beyond the 21st century. In the long run, 500 meters by car with a mid-range vehicle will cost one kilogram of glacier ice. The study has now been published in Nature Climate Change.
In the Paris Agreement, 195 member states of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to limit the rise in global average temperature to significantly below 2C, if possible to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. This should significantly reduce the risks of climate change. What would the success of this plan mean for the evolution of glaciers? This is the conclusion of climate researchers Ben Marzeion and Nicolas Champollion from the Institute of Geography at the University of Bremen and Georg Kaser and Fabien Maussion from the Institute of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences at the University of Innsbruck. They have investigated this question by calculating the effects of compliance with these climate goals on the progressive melting of glaciers. "Melting glaciers have a huge influence on the development of sea level rise. In our calculations, we took into account all glaciers worldwidewithout the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets and peripheral glaciersand modeled them in various climate scenarios," explains Georg Kaser.
One kilogram of CO 2 emitted costs 15 kilograms of glacier ice. Whether the average temperature rises by 2 or only 1.5C makes no significant difference for the development of glacier mass loss over the next 100 years. "Around 36 percent of the ice still stored in glaciers today would melt even without further emissions of greenhouse gases. That means more than a third of the glacier ice that still exists today in mountain glaciers can no longer be saved, even with the most ambitious measures," says Ben Marzeion.
However, looking beyond the current century, it does make a difference whether the 2 or 1.5C goal is achieved. "Glaciers react slowly to climatic changes. If, for example, we wanted to preserve the current volume of glacial ice, we would have to reach a temperature level from pre-industrial times, which is obviously not possible. In the past, greenhouse gas emissions have already triggered changes that can no longer be stopped. This also means that our current behaviour has an impact on the long-term evolution of the glacierswe should be aware of this," adds glaciologist Kaser. In order to make these effects tangible, the scientists have calculated that every kilogram of CO 2 that we emit today will cause 15 kilograms of glacier melt in the long term. Calculated on the basis of an average car newly registered in Germany in 2016, this means that one kilogram of glacier ice is lost every five hundred meters by car," says Ben Marzeion.
Explore further Melting glaciers raise sea level
More information: Ben Marzeion, Georg Kaser, Fabien Maussion, Nicolas Champollion: Limited Influence of climate change mitigation on short-term glacier mass loss. Nature Climate Change (2018). Journal information: Nature Climate Change Ben Marzeion, Georg Kaser, Fabien Maussion, Nicolas Champollion: Limited Influence of climate change mitigation on short-term glacier mass loss.(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0093-1
Google is paying tribute Friday to "the father of modern philanthropy."
On March 16, 1867, George Peabody received the Congressional Gold Medal after donating $2 million to education initiatives.
Born in 1795, Peabody stopped attending school at age 11 before working at a general store, according to a biography on the website for Yale University's Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Peabody eventually became partner in a wholesale dry goods business, conducting most of his business out of Baltimore. He settled in London in 1837 and became a banker, which is where he amassed most of his wealth.
During his lifetime, Peabody gave away more than $8 million to causes such as education. In 1866, Peabody gave $150,000 to help establish the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale, where his nephew attended college.
Friday's doodle was created as part of a volunteer art mural project. The mural sits inside the student cafeteria at George Peabody Elementary School in San Francisco.
Explore further Mercury meteorite among world's rarest rocks
2018 USA Today
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Kelp growing in the Gulf of Maine reach toward the surface. Researchers Douglas Rasher from Bigelow Laboratory and Robert Steneck from University of Maine will conduct a study of the Gulf's kelp forests, funded by Maine Sea Grant. Credit: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has been awarded funding from Maine Sea Grant for a new study of kelp forests in the Gulf of Maine. Senior Research Scientist Douglas Rasher will lead the project with support from University of Maine scientist Robert Steneck, continuing a long-standing partnership between Bigelow Laboratory and the University of Maine's Darling Marine Center. The researchers will collaborate with government and industry partners to assess the current state of kelp forests in the region and learn how Maine can maintain a sustainable kelp industry.
Kelp forests are declining across much the planet, a result of global climate change and local human activities. In the northern Gulf of Maine, however, the researchers believe kelp forests may actually be returningthough the Gulf's warming and acidifying waters mean that some of the kelp species are likely different than those that historically thrived in the region.
Rasher and Steneck believe that one major reason for the return of kelp forests is a lack of animals that eat kelp, namely sea urchins. In the later part of the 20th century, humans triggered a "boom and bust" urchin fishery, which reduced them to very low population densities within a decade.
"Humans effectively served as a replacement for predators of urchins, like cod," Rasher said. "We flipped the system back to where there are no urchins around to eat the kelp. And now kelps are returning to the Gulf of Maine, particularly in the Midcoast and Down East regions."
Over the next two years, the researchers will monitor 25 sites along the state's coastline, from Down East to southern Maine. Gauging the current status of this important coastal habitat establishes a baseline to measure future change against and paints a picture of long-term change. The researchers will compare their data to historical records collected by Steneck and Walter Adey at the Smithsonian Institution's Department of Botany, who will also collaborate on this project.
"In order to gauge subtle and gradual changes moving forward, we need to establish a baseline now," Rasher said.
Steneck began studying Maine's kelp forests in the 1970s, and recorded changes that resulted from the urchin fishery that opened in 1987. He will bring to the project his first-hand observations of how kelp forests in the Gulf of Maine are changing.
"My contribution to the project is a long-term perspective," Steneck said. "It is against this background of change at sites I monitored for decades that we will focus studies on the growth, resilience, and continued change of Maine's kelp forests."
Rasher and his team will also perform experiments to determine which kelp species are growing best in a rapidly changing Gulf of Maine and what amount of wild harvest is sustainable.
"We predict that kelps are growing most rapidly in the Down East region, which might foster new economic development in that area," Rasher said.
The researchers will work with Postdoctoral Scientist Matthew Suskiewicz of Bigelow Laboratory, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, urchin fishermen including Jim Wadsworth, and Paul Dobbins, the owner of the Ocean Approved kelp farming company. They will also collect data in accordance with the Kelp Ecosystem Ecology Network protocols, allowing them to place their findings in a global context.
Closer to home, the researchers believe the recent loss of kelp in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where conditions are much warmer, may foreshadow the future of Maine's forests.
"Recent changes in the food web are fostering the return of kelp forests, but in the coming decades we may reach a tipping point where ocean warming reduces forests in the northern Gulf of Maine," Rasher said. "For now, however, we may be in the sweet spot for their return."
Explore further The rise of turfsflattening of global kelp forests
Provided by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
The National Park Service on Friday formally moved forward with its proposal to put 20 to 30 wolves on Isle Royale in Lake Superior over three years to bolster the nearly extinct population on the island and cull the growing herd of moose.
The Park Service made the announcement that it had completed a final Environmental Impact Statement announcing the plan on Friday, with a Record of Decision to follow after a monthlong waiting period.
That Record of Decision will start the process of physically reintroducing wolves onto the island located 55 miles away from the Upper Peninsula across Lake Superior possibly as early as this fall, depending on the availability of funding and the procuring of suitable wolves, said Phyllis Green, the superintendent of Isle Royale National Park.
The 20-year cost of reintroducing wolves and monitoring them should be about $2 million, according to a cost estimate included in the plan.
"Wolves are a key component of the Isle Royale heritage and part of what makes this national park one of Michigan's unique treasures," said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, who has closely monitored the situation on the island and visited himself on occasion. "By reintroducing wolves onto the island, the National Park Service is also taking steps to restore and preserve the entire Isle Royale ecosystem."
Over the years, the Detroit Free Press has reported extensively on the question of whether to reintroduce wolves onto Isle Royale, a 45-mile-long island and national park known for its vast, largely untouched wilderness. Hunting is prohibited and the islandand its wolves and moosehave existed largely outside of human interference.
But in recent years, a longtime study of wolves and moose interaction on the island has found that due to inbreeding and disease, the pack of wolves had dwindled to just two, with the moose population exploding. That, in turn, could lead to the island being effectively stripped of vegetation by the moose herd, which would hurt other species.
In December, the annual wolf survey done by Michigan Technological University could only confirm a single wolf remaining on the island.
More than a year ago, in December 2016, the National Park Service released a draft proposal for putting 20 to 30 wolves on the remote island, which is only accessible by boat and is located far closer to the Canadian side of the lake than the Upper Peninsula.
Park Service personnel noted that while reintroducing wolveswhich would be monitored by radio collarsresulted in "substantial impacts to (the island's) wilderness character." But it also addressed changing conditions, believed to be due to climate change, which have led to fewer ice bridges to the island for wolves to pass onto the island. Park Service officials felt their plan best balanced the two concerns.
"This is about more than wolves," Phyllis Green, superintendent of Isle Royale National Park, said at the time. "It's about the entire park ecosystem and where it is heading in the future with changing conditions."
The plan attracted nearly 5,000 comments, with some arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent that may violate the federal Wilderness Act's requirement that lands remain "untrammeled" by human intervention. One well-known group, Wilderness Watch, called on the Park Service to not intervene, saying that "is the only alternative that respects the wolves autonomy and lets them decide whether or not they inhabit Isle Royale."
"Perhaps the wolves intuitively know of the genetic downsides to island isolation," the group wrote.
That stance contrasts to those by other groups in favor of reintroduction. Some, like the National Parks Conservation Association, argue that instead of a shorter window in which wolves would be reintroduced to the islandthe proposed alternative allows for wolves to be put on the island from three to five years, depending on how they establish themselvesthat it should be stretched over a much-longer 20-year window, with potentially even more wolves being placed there as needed.
"In the absence of wolves," the group said, "actions would be necessary to manage the moose population and/or undertake revegetation of balsam fir, which are both much more intrusive actions."
The final proposal is available online. There are also a limited number of hard copies available at park headquarters as well as public libraries in Houghton and Marquette as well as those in Superior, Wis., and Duluth, Minn.
Explore further Fading wolf population to be restored at Lake Superior park
2018 Detroit Free Press
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A more sustainable pint of craft beer possibly coming to a pub near you
Hoppy beer is all the rage among craft brewers and beer lovers, and now UC Berkeley biologists have come up with a way to create these unique flavors and aromas without using hops.
The researchers created strains of brewer's yeast that not only ferment the beer but also provide two of the prominent flavor notes provided by hops. In double-blind taste tests, employees of Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California, characterized beer made from the engineered strains as more hoppy than a control beer made with regular yeast and Cascade hops.
Bryan Donaldson, innovations manager at Lagunitas, detected notes of "fruit-loops" and "orange blossom" with no off flavors.
Why would brewers want to use yeast instead of hops to impart flavor and aroma? According to Charles Denby, one of two first authors of a paper appearing this week in the journal Nature Communications, growing hops uses lots of water, not to mention fertilizer and energy to transport the crop, all of which could be avoided by using yeast to make a hop-forward brew. A pint of craft beer can require 50 pints of water merely to grow the hops, which are the dried flowers of a climbing plant.
"My hope is that if we can use the technology to make great beer that is produced with a more sustainable process, people will embrace that," Denby said.
Hops' flavorful components, or essential oils, are also highly variable from year to year and plot to plot, so using a standardized yeast would allow uniformity of flavor. And hops are expensive.
A former UC Berkeley postdoctoral fellow, Denby has launched a startup called Berkeley Brewing Science with Rachel Li, the second first author and a UC Berkeley doctoral candidate. They hope to market hoppy yeasts to brewers, including strains that contain more of the natural hop flavor components, and create other strains that incorporate novel plant flavors not typical of beer brewed from the canonical ingredients: water, barley, hops and yeast.
Using DNA scissors
The engineered yeast strains were altered using CRISPR-Cas9, a simple and inexpensive gene-editing tool invented at UC Berkeley. Denby and Li inserted four new genes plus the promoters that regulate the genes into industrial brewer's yeast. Two of the genes - linalool synthase and geraniol synthase - code for enzymes that produce flavor components common to many plants. In this instance, the genes came from mint and basil, respectively. Genes from other plants that were reported to have linalool synthase activity, such as olive and strawberry, were not as easy to work with.
The two other genes were from yeast and boosted the production of precursor molecules needed to make linalool and geraniol, the hoppy flavor components. All of the genetic components - the Cas9 gene, four yeast, mint and basil genes and promoters - were inserted into yeast on a tiny circular DNA plasmid. The yeast cells then translated the Cas9 gene into the Cas9 proteins, which cut the yeast DNA at specific points. Yeast repair enzymes then spliced in the four genes plus promoters.
The researchers used a specially designed software program to get just the right mix of promoters to produce linalool and geraniol in proportions similar to the proportions in commercial beers produced by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which operates a tap room not far from the startup.
The classic ingredients of beer, hops and barley, are combined with water and yeast to produce a refreshing brew. UC Berkeley scientists have found a way to avoid expensive, variable and water-intensive hops by endowing yeast with the ability to create a hoppy flavor without using hops. Credit: Roxanne Makasdjian and Stephen McNally, UC Berkeley
They then asked Charles Bamforth, a malting and brewing authority at UC Davis, to brew a beer from three of the most promising strains, using hops only in the initial stage of brewing - the wort - to get the bitterness without the hoppy flavor. Hop flavor was supplied only by the new yeast strains. Bamforth also brewed a beer with standard yeast and hops, and asked a former student, Lagunitas's Donaldson, to conduct a blind comparison taste test with 27 brewery employees.
"This was one of our very first sensory tests, so being rated as hoppier than the two beers that were actually dry-hopped at conventional hopping rates was very encouraging," Li said.
From sustainable fuels to sustainable beer
Denby came to UC Berkeley to work on sustainable transportation fuels with Jay Keasling, a pioneer in the field of synthetic biology and a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. The strategy developed by Keasling is to make microbes, primarily bacteria and yeast, ramp up their production of complex molecules called terpenes, and then insert genes that turn these terpenes into commercial products. These microbes can make such chemicals as the antimalarial drug, artemisinin, fuels such as butanol, and aromas and flavors used in the cosmetic industry.
But the brewing project "found me," Denby said
"I started home brewing out of curiosity with a group of friends while I was starting out in Jay's lab, in part because I enjoy beer and in part because I was interested in fermentation processes," he said. "I found out that the molecules that give hops their hoppy flavor are terpene molecules, and it wouldn't be too big of a stretch to think we could develop strains that make terpenes at the same concentrations that you get when you make beer and add hops to them."
The final hook was that a hoppy strain of yeast would make the brewing process more sustainable than using agriculturally produced hops, which is a very natural resource-intensive product, he said.
"We started our work on engineering microbes to produce isoprenoids - like flavors, fragrances and artemisinin - about 20 years ago," said Keasling. "At the same time, we were building tools to accurately control metabolism. With this project, we are able to use some of the tools others and we developed to accurately control metabolism to produce just the right amount of hops flavors for beer."
Denby and Li first had to overcome some hurdles, such as learning how to genetically engineer commercial brewer's yeast. Unlike the yeast used in research labs, which have one set of chromosomes, brewer's yeast has four sets of chromosomes. They found out that they needed to add the same four genes plus promoters to each set of chromosomes to obtain a stable strain of yeast; if not, as the yeast propagated they lost the added genes.
They also had to find out, through computational analytics performed by Zak Costello, which promoters would produce the amounts of linalool and geraniol at the right times to approximate the concentrations in a hoppy beer, and then scale up fermentation by a factor of about 100 from test tube quantities to 40-liter kettles.
In the end, they were able to drink their research project, and continue to do so at their startup as they ferment batches of beer to test new strains of yeast.
"Charles and Rachel have shown that using the appropriate tools to control production of these flavors can result in a beer with a more consistent hoppy flavor, even better than what nature can do itself," Keasling said.
Explore further A brewer's tale of proteins and beer
More information: Industrial brewing yeast engineered for the production of primary flavor determinants in hopped beer, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Industrial brewing yeast engineered for the production of primary flavor determinants in hopped beer,(2018). nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03293-x
Provided by University of California - Berkeley
The deeper the water, the most long-lived species. Credit: Cristina Linares (UB-IRBio)
Deep marine ecosystems from 100 to 1,000 meters deep are dominated by long-lived species that live from 100 to 1000 years, while other waters are inhabited by those species that live up to about 10 years.
This is the main conclusion of a new study on marine ecology and biology by an international collaboration.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, describes for the first time the impact of the environmental factors including light, nutrients, temperature, physical disturbances, and other inputs on the longevity patterns of sessile species that live in seabeds (corals, gorgonians, sponges, macroalgae, clams, etc.).
The deeper the water, the most long-lived species
Marine ecosystems are the most abundant in the planet, but less well explored than land ecosystems. Due the difficulties of the marine environment for scientific research, the most studied biological communities by researchers are mostly those at 30 to 40 meters deep maximum (tropical reefs, algae infralittoral communities, etc.).
Despite the biological variety of ocean ecosystems, the new study notes that the deeper they are, the more longevity species have. It was known that environmental factors of deep environments, which are stable and protected from environmental disturbances, favour long life, but so far, "there was not a single scientific study proving this pattern between depth and longevity quantitatively and systematically," says Cristina Linares, lecturer from the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences of the University of Barcelona.
The extreme life of red coral in the Mediterranean
The article is centred on several scientific studies on the distribution and longevity of sessile marine species and on a long-term study on red coral as an emblematic and long-lived species of the Mediterranean.
The new study states that the red coral (Corallium rubrum) can live up to 500 years, and it is one of the most long-lived anthozoans described so far. This result was achieved via the analysis of demographic data series combined with new modelling techniques on population dynamics. In the Mediterranean, the Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata corals, big creators of marine clams in cold waters, show another high longevity profile, similar to some marine phanerogamous species such as Posidonia oceanica.
UB expert Ignasi Montero Serra, predoctoral researcher and first author of the article, says, "The deepest habitats, more stable than shallower waters, have more long-lived species. These have stable population dynamics, slow growth rate, a high survival of adult individuals and a lower breeding rate, factors that limit their recovery regarding the effects of environmental disturbances."
In shallow waters, diversity of life strategy is larger and there is a coexistence of long-lived species with short-lived ones. The populations at these depths are more dynamic and variant, with a lower survival in adults but a higher sexual reproduction rate. Therefore, these species have faster recovery patterns regarding the impact of disturbances (storms, etc.).
The most vulnerable communities live in the great depths
Regarding biodiversity preservation, the authors warn about the effects of human activity on the most vulnerable inhabitants of the seabeds. "Long-lived species in the deepest habitats are usually sensitive to the impact that increase mortality of adult individuals," says Joaquim Garrabou, scientific researcher at ICM-CSIC.
As a result, the species that live in the deepest seabeds show a low resilience to destructive environmental impacts created by human activity, such as trawling. In case of a natural habitat disturbance, it could take dozens or hundreds of years for some species to recover, if they can even do so.
Therefore, depth could be a predicting factor for the longevity patterns of benthic organisms in marine ecosystems, which could help in assessing the potential vulnerability of deep, unexplored ecosystems regarding potential impacts coming from human activity.
Protecting the ecological state of marine ecosystems
Despite the progress of new studies, there is a lack of knowledge on environmental factors that determine the distribution and composition of communities in marine depths. Therefore, it is necessary to join efforts to study deep ecosystems, "prioritize environmental management to protect the known communities, and apply the precautionary principle in areas on which we do not have enough ecological knowledge," the scientific team writes.
Explore further New insights into biodiversity hotspots could help protect them from potential deep-sea mining
More information: I. Montero-Serra et al. Strong linkages between depth, longevity and demographic stability across marine sessile species, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B I. Montero-Serra et al. Strong linkages between depth, longevity and demographic stability across marine sessile species,(2018). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2688
Researchers used the synchrotron x-ray facility at Argonne National Laboratory to capture live videos of the mosquito's two-pump feeding system at work. Credit: Virginia Tech
Mosquitoes may have a reputation for being one of the world's most intractable pests, but they're actually quite tiny and fragile. So when an international team of scientists, including several at Virginia Tech, wanted to observe the underlying mechanisms of how the insects feed, they had to get creative.
The researchers would trap wild mosquitoes in the forest edging the Advanced Photon Source in the Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago, then essentially starve the insects for 48 hours. After anesthetizing them with nitrogen gas, the team used nail polish to glue a single mosquito to the head of an insect pin, and then submerged its proboscisthat long, straw-like appendage mosquitoes use for drinkinginto a sugar-based feeding solution. As the hungry insect sucked up the nectar, live synchrotron x-ray videos captured footage of everything that happened behind its opaque exoskeleton.
These efforts, published in Scientific Reports, not only yielded the discovery of a new mode of drinking in mosquitoes, but they could also answer a fundamental question of insect morphology: Why do some insects that drink liquid have two pumps in their heads, while others have only one?
"We found that these two pumps in the mosquito's head allow for a secondary 'burst mode' of feeding," said Jake Socha, associate professor in the department of biomedical engineering and mechanics at Virginia Tech and a senior author of the study. "This burst mode involves a single, large-volume intake of fluid, which is something that had never been observed before. It potentially gives an insect with two pumps more options and allows for multi-modal feeding, as well as functional flexibility."
Due to the 2016 Zika virus outbreak and a new epidemic of yellow fever currently sweeping through Brazil, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry remain an ongoing focus of public health concern. These new findings on the insect's feeding mechanisms and modalities could have larger implications for how scientists address mosquito-borne disease transmission in future research.
"Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance, but also a health threat," said Mark Stremler, a study co-author and professor in the department of biomedical engineering and mechanics. "The more we can understand about their robustness and how they survive, the better chance we have of figuring out ways to control them."
Despite the importance of feeding in mosquitoes, previous research has not fully understood the internal mechanics of the mosquito's two-pump system. In bouts of normal drinking, these two muscular pumps operate in a pattern of continuous reciprocation with multiple small strokes, like a back-and-forth motion of small sips on a straw.
However, in the newly discovered burst mode, a mosquito takes a single, large-volume strokea giant gulp through the strawduring which the two pumps expand massively to what appears to be their maximum volume. This burst mode produces a large, quick influx of fluid, but it's also far more energetically costly than the normal continuous mode of pumping.
"The burst mode creates this big expansion in volume, producing a flow rate that's up to 27 times greater than what we see in the continuous pumping mode," said Socha. "But it takes about 1,000 times more energy. So that begs the question, why do mosquitoes even use it at all?"
To explore that question, the researchers developed a mathematical model of the mosquito's fluid pumping system, which gave them a detailed mechanical understanding of how it works. They found the burst mode allows mosquitoes to generate a low-pressure vacuum on demand, which the insects could then use to drive an obstructionlike an air bubble or a small particle, for exampleup through the proboscis. The temporary boost in volume intake could also be used for faster drinking, perhaps if the mosquito were trying to avoid detection, but that scenario seems less likely because the bursts were only observed sporadically.
"The fluid mechanics model allowed us to postulate new hypotheses about what this burst mode might do instead of just saying that it exists," said Stremler. "Now we have a parametric description that gives a basis for deliberately testing questions of potential function. Overall, the model helps direct and inform the possibilities of where we go from here with the research."
In addition to the biomedical implications of mosquito-borne disease transmission, the researchers also envision the possibility of mimicking the mosquito's two-pump system in a microfluidic device that could be used to deliver targeted drug therapy within the human body.
"For these types of tiny devices, you might never have stumbled upon that functional design unless it's something you can see in nature," said Socha. "Evolution is the ultimate tinkerer."
With a number of hypotheses remaining, avenues for future research look promising.
"As opposed to closing an open question, this study has instead opened the door to a whole new set of questions and possibilities that we didn't even consider before this burst mode was observed," said Stremler.
Explore further A new way to thwart disease-spreading mosquitoes
The EU project 'Laser and Ultrasound Co-analyzer for Thyroid Nodules (LUCA)' aims to develop a new, non-invasive low-cost device that will provide more specific results in thyroid nodule screening and enable better diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Credit: LUCA Project
Early diagnosis in thyroid cancer can improve a patient's likelihood of recovery, but current screening methods use instruments with poor sensitivity and can yield inaccurate results. Consequently, doctors often have to rely on incomplete information to make diagnostic decisions and recommend treatments, and this can lead to patients receiving unnecessary surgeries or experiencing a reduced quality of life.
Recently, a team of international researchers developed a point of care device that could enable consistent and cost-effective screening for thyroid nodules. Their work is part of a Horizon 2020 European project titled, "Laser and Ultrasound Co-analyzer for Thyroid Nodules," or LUCA. They will present the project's progress at the OSA Biophotonics Congress: Optics in the Life Sciences meeting, Florida, 3-6 April 2018.
"The problem is in the poor specificity of the current approaches which leads to a significant number of unnecessary biopsies and surgeries," said Turgut Durduran, the project coordinator and professor at ICFO - Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona, Spain. "Unfortunately, current imaging or screening modalities are not able to distinguish malignant nodules from benign nodules with a good specificity."
Standard thyroid screening methods currently involve an initial ultrasound with sub-optimal sensitivity and resolution. If the ultrasound detects an abnormal nodule, clinicians perform a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), to test for malignancy. But, FNAB results are often nondiagnostic or false positives. These inaccuracies can subject patients to unnecessary surgeries.
The LUCA project's aim is to develop a technology that improves data acquisition for medical professionals by simultaneously probing chemical constitution, water concentration, structure and hemodynamics, like blood flow and oxygenation, of tissue. This novel device builds on the current ultrasound standard with a 'hybrid optics/US [ultrasound] probe.'
The device's optical modules use near-infrared time-resolve spectroscopy (TRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) to collect all the tissue data, each independently a commercial-level technology already. The DCS laser subsystem features a fiber coupled laser diode at 785 nanometers and custom developed driving and cooling electronics. The custom design cuts the device cost by 10-15 times that of a standard DCS laser system.
The optical module also collects data on chromophore concentrations, like water and lipids, through TRS. The TRS subsystem, which features photomultipliers and time-correlated single photon counting, also cuts the cost to about five times lower than commercially available equivalents.
According to the team, the high prevalence of thyroid nodules, at up to 76% of the population, means that even modest strategy improvements for characterizing lesions could have a major positive impact. And in fact, they have already seen how this optical innovation could impact patients' lives if it were in the clinic.
"In a pilot study, the mere fact that the ultrasound screening was carried out next to our measurements identified a malignant nodule in a healthy, young volunteer, and we have seen that many nodules that went all the way to a surgery turned out to be benign" said Durduran.
The researchers report that the LUCA project is also unique in the scope of collaboration across the scientific community. The consortium draws on academy, industry and clinical resources.
Explore further Ultrasound can help low-risk patients avoid invasive thyroid biopsy
It seems the "Next New World" may not be coming to Tahiti after allthe government of French Polynesia has thrown a wrench into plans for a libertarian utopia on floating islands thereas proposed by a group founded by Peter Thiel and a former Google engineer.
The "Floating Island Project" by the Seasteading Institutewhich started up with funding from libertarian Silicon Valley contrarian and PayPal founder Thielbecame ensnared in Polynesian politics, with the government appearing to back away from the project.
The institute, founded in 2008 by Thiel and former Google software engineer Patri Friedman, has described the floating-island plan for the Polynesian paradise as its "first stride to the seas." The group aims to create the "Next New World" on the planet's oceans, its website says.
Ultimately, the institute aims to set up ocean-based colonies that would "cure the sick" by stripping medicine of bureaucracy; "enrich" hundreds of millions of "poor and oppressed" people with "no place to go" by providing them with ocean-surface communities; "feed the hungry" with farmed algae and open ocean-farmed fish; "power the world" with solar energy; and "improve governance" by giving the world's citizens a "fluid frontier" where they could "sail about and choose the states they want."
Plans had progressed to the point where the institute and French Polynesiawhose capital Pape'ete is in Tahitihad signed a memorandum of understanding that would allow the ocean colonists to set up a "seazone" with a "unique governing framework" where seasteading could begin, according to the institute.
"We plan to be in Tahiti by the beginning of 2018 to begin the development of our floating island pilot project," the group said on its site.
But late last month, the government of French Polynesia's Facebook page was updated with a notice accusing its opposition of riling up the populace over the ocean-colony plan. The agreement between the group and the government expired at the end of 2017 and is now "obsolete," the post said.
However, institute staff member Joe Quirk was not prepared to write off the French Polynesia project. The memorandum between the two parties required the institute to conduct studies that were finished in 2017, and there was no need to renew the agreement, Quirk said.
Quirk is a founder and managing director of Blue Frontiers, which works with the institute and would build the sea colonies.
"While we would like to bring the project to Tahiti or elsewhere in French Polynesia, it isn't our only option," Quirk said.
He wrote in a March 5 blog post that Blue Frontiers "will only build seasteads in a place where most people are proud to host it."
Blue Frontiers "has opened discussions with other island nations that are just as concerned about sea level rise, the fate of their people, their culture, and their homeland," he wrote.
Thiel invested $1.7 million in the institute, but resigned from its board in 2011, according to Business Insider, which spotted the French Polynesia government's Facebook post.
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2018 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The platypus is the ultimate evolutionary mashup of birds, reptiles and mammals. A new study has provided insights into platypus population structure and history from whole-genome sequencing. Credit: National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH
The platypus is the ultimate evolutionary mashup of birds, reptiles and mammals. The iconic, egg-laying, venom producing, duck-billed platypus first had its genome sequenced in 2008, revealing its unique genetic makeup and its divergence from the rest of the mammals around 160 million years ago.
Now, a greater effort to understand its ecological and population history has been made possible by the first, whole-scale genome sequencing efforts of 57 platypuses across Eastern Australia and Tasmania.
The work was led by researchers at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford and the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, and published in the advanced online edition of Molecular Biology and Evolution.
They were able to establish a platypus family history and kinship in a level of detail not previously sampled.
"We have described the first population-scale, whole-genome sequencing study of the platypus," said Dr. Peter Donnelly from Oxford. "Our analyses provide insights into the population structure and levels of diversity in this species not previously possible and estimate the relatedness between individuals."
"For example, we found that more than half of our samples had a least a third-degree relative amongst the other individuals sampled from the same river. Additionally, there were 26 pairs of second- or third-degree relatives, in all cases from the same river or creek, or closely connected waterways, involving 28 of our 57 samples."
The research team was also able to estimate vital evolutionary forces at work including platypus mutation rates, divergence times, and population sizes throughout its history.
Dr. Hilary Martin, one of the lead authors of the study also from the University of Oxford said: "We estimated the de novo mutation rate in the platypus, the first estimate in a non-placental mammal."
They found it to be middle of the road for mammals, lower than humans and chimpanzees but higher than laboratory bred mice.
"The relative ordering of the point estimates is consistent with the observation that mutation rates in mammals are negatively correlated with body mass and generation time," Dr. Martin said.
Credit: Dr. Hillary Martin, University of Oxford
The study also estimated that the platypus population most likely last shared a common ancestor nearly 1 million years ago.
Dr. Jaime Gongora, from the University of Sydney, said the deepest branch on the population tree separated three separate groups: the samples from Tasmania (an island to the south of Australia that separated from the mainland around 12,000 years ago); those from north Queensland (in the far north); and the remaining samples, which are from central Queensland and New South Wales.
"We think it is most likely that there were three ancestral populations (Tasmania, North Queensland and North New South Wales/Central Queensland) which all coalesced around the same time, about 800KYA," said Dr. Gongora.
"The central Queensland samples likely shared an ancestral population with the North New South Wales samples about 300KYA. This implies that there has been extensive population structure in platypus samples across Australia over a long time period."
Dr. Donnelly commented: "Interestingly, the divergence times we have estimated predate the earliest fossil evidence for platypus."
"This finding does not necessarily contradict fossil evidence but suggests that the modern platypus extends back to the Early to Middle Pliocene. This could be consistent with it having evolved from the giant platypus species, O. tharalkooschild," Dr. Donnelly said.
In addition, researchers found evidence of past population bottlenecks, particularly in North Queensland around 10,000 years ago, and identified modern populations (especially near the Carnarvon River) that would be aided by conservation efforts.
The Queensland bottleneck likely reflects the historical and current isolation and paucity of suitable habitat for platypus between North (Australian Wet Tropics) and Central Queensland, known as the 'Burdekin gap' (named for the Burdekin River).
Dr. Gongora concludes: "This hot and dry area is currently climatically unsuitable for platypus and has long acted as a barrier to genetic exchange."
With the new genome data in hand, future studies will continue to explore the population history and unique biology of the platypus. And given concerns about the impact of climate change, disease, and other factors on platypus populations, their better window into past responses of platypus populations may help to improve conservations efforts.
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More information: Insights into platypus population structure and history from whole-genome sequencing, Molecular Biology And Evolution (2018). Journal information: Molecular Biology and Evolution Insights into platypus population structure and history from whole-genome sequencing,(2018). DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy041
The zero power warming (ZPW) chamber pictured on coastal tundra in Alaska. Credit: Alistair Rodgers, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Seeing how ecosystems respond to rising temperatures often requires heating a research plot. Working in the Arctic and other remote areas, scientists often build structures that rely on passive warming from the sun. This approach only warms the research plot by about 1.5 degrees Celsius. Scientists developed an alternative approach that uses modulating venting. The system requires no electrical power for fully autonomous operation. When tested on the coastal tundra of northern Alaska, the chambers doubled the warming achieved by existing approaches.
The chamber lets scientists study the effect of higher temperatures than possible with passive warming. This is particularly relevant for remote and challenging environments, such as the Arctic. Locations in the Arctic are projected to warm by more than the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit of current technology by the middle of the century.
The zero power warming chamber requires no electrical power for fully autonomous operation. It uses a novel system of internal and external heat exchangers that allow differential actuation of pistons in coupled cylinders to control chamber venting. This enables the zero power warming chamber venting to respond to the difference between the external and internal air temperatures, thereby increasing the potential for warming and eliminating the risk of overheating.
During the thaw season on the coastal tundra of northern Alaska, the zero power warming chamber elevated the mean daily air temperature 2.6 degrees Celsius above ambient, double the warming achieved by an adjacent passively warmed control chamber that lacked the hydraulic system. The approach to designing the chamber is highly flexible and tunable. The design enables customization for use in many different environments where significantly greater temperature manipulation than that possible with existing passive warming approaches is desired.
Explore further Added Arctic data shows global warming didn't pause
More information: Keith F. Lewin et al. A zero-power warming chamber for investigating plant responses to rising temperature, Biogeosciences (2017). Journal information: Biogeosciences Keith F. Lewin et al. A zero-power warming chamber for investigating plant responses to rising temperature,(2017). DOI: 10.5194/bg-14-4071-2017
Polar bear reaching out paw to touch ice. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, free use. Mario Hoppmann
A major shift in western Arctic wind patterns occurred throughout the winter of 2017 and the resulting changes in sea ice movement are possible indicators of a changing climate, says Kent Moore, a professor of physics at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Thanks to data collected by buoys dropped from aircraft onto the Arctic Ocean's sea ice, Moore and colleagues at the University of Washington, where he spent the year as the Fulbright Visiting Chair in Arctic Studies, were able to observe this marked, anomalous shift in Arctic wind patterns and sea ice movement during the winter of 2017.
Their study is published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Usually, the western Arctic has relatively stable weather during the winter; it is home to a quasi-stationary region of high pressure known as the Beaufort High, which promotes "anti-cyclonic" winds that travel in a clockwise direction and move sea ice along with it. By contrast, the eastern Arctic has a more dynamic climate where cyclones are a common winter phenomenon with storms moving from Greenland towards Norway and the Barents Sea.
"Last year, we looked at the buoy tracks in the western Arctic and saw that the sea ice was moving in a counter-clockwise pattern instead and wondered why," Moore says. "We discovered that storms were moving in an unexpected direction from the Barents Sea along the Siberian coast and into the western Arctic, bringing with them low-pressures that caused the collapse of the Beaufort High."
Moore and colleagues believe that the low-pressure systems were able to make inroads into the western Arctic because of an unusually warm fall in 2016 resulting in thinner and less extensive sea ice. During the winter, this allowed for more oceanic heat to be transferred to the atmosphere and provided an additional energy source for these storms.
"As a result of this additional energy source, the storms did not dissipate over the Barents Sea, as is usual, and were able to reach into the western Arctic," Moore says. "We reviewed more than 60 years of weather data from the Arctic and it appears that this collapse has never happened before."
Generally, the Beaufort High drives sea ice motion throughout the Arctic as well as impacting ocean circulation over the North Atlantic Ocean. Any shift in movement patterns has the potential to affect the climate in these regions, as well as the Arctic ecosystem that depends on predictable areas of open water and ice.
For example, as a result of this collapse, sea ice was thinner along the coast of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, as well as in the southern Beaufort Sea last winter. Such changes can disturb Arctic food webs, stressing marine mammals and polar bears, especially if they are ongoing.
"If this becomes part of the normal patterneven if it happens every few yearsit will mean that the climate is changing," Moore says. "We are still exploring all of the specific impacts."
More information: G. W. K. Moore et al, Collapse of the 2017 winter Beaufort High: A response to thinning sea ice?, Geophysical Research Letters (2018). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters G. W. K. Moore et al, Collapse of the 2017 winter Beaufort High: A response to thinning sea ice?,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/2017GL076446
A pioneering project has proven successful in helping women sex workers escape a downward spiral and in one case was a life-saver.
The Leeds pilot scheme saw women's charity Basis Yorkshire use an approach known as "Housing First" to secure homes for a number of sex workers with extremely complex needs.
Thought to be the first of its kind in the country, the project has now been evaluated by a researcher from the University of Leeds her report is published today.
Gemma Scire, CEO of Basis Yorkshire, said: "Our non-judgemental, unconditional and flexible approach to working with sex workers is focused on reducing harm and providing choices for women. It made our service an ideal fit with Housing First."
With little women-only housing provision in the city and high levels of sexual and domestic violence risks associated with street sex work, Basis identified an urgent need for a service that was driven by women's experiences, applying the principles of Housing First.
Housing First provides permanent, affordable and safe housing as quickly as possible backed by the unconditional support people need to stay in their new homes.
The Leeds project started in November 2016, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and West Yorkshire Finding Independence (WY-FI)'s Innovation Fund. Its aims were to relieve homelessness, alcohol and drug use, re-offending and mental health issues. It also provided a dedicated caseworker from Basis Yorkshire and a housing support worker from Leeds homeless charity Foundation.
Hidden homeless
Report author Emma Bimpson, from the University's School of Sociology and Social Policy, said: "The journey these women took through the project was far from straightforward and at times chaotic, so the intensive and immediate support provided by Basis' support worker and by Foundation's tenancy manager was absolutely vital."
Women helped by Basis Yorkshire's Housing First project were a part of the country's growing group of "hidden homeless", so-called because the nature of their employment or lifestyles means they are often not counted in official statistics.
For some of these women, access to housing means enduring domestic violence or other unhealthy relationships. For some it means staying with drug dealers, exchanging sex for somewhere to sleep, "sofa-surfing" with friends or sleeping on the streets.
Other approaches to housing are not designed to meet the sheer complexity and volume of such women's needs. Even temporary housing options such as hostels or sheltered accommodation are often not an option because of strict access conditions relating to substance abuse or curfews which restrict sex workers' access to an income.
The project included eight women during the year, of which six remained in the homes found through the scheme one left shortly after starting her tenancy and another moved on after deciding she did not need the intensive support provided. Three of the women ended their intensive support towards the end of the year, demonstrating the value and cost benefits of the scheme.
The dedicated, assertive, trauma-informed and flexible support provided by the caseworker and housing support worker was critical, supporting multiple visits by some of the tenants to healthcare professionals and coordinating multiple services.
This approach saved two of the women from having to have leg amputations, and another was not expected to survive her alcohol-related illness beyond the project she is now making positive progress in her health.
Two of the women have stopped sex working since joining the project; two more have reduced their frequency of sex work and others reported a positive impact in terms of safer working practices and a reduction in harm. Five have started on programmes to address their drug use all have stayed on track.
In addition to the stability and lifeline this provided to women facing debilitating stigma and hostility were benefits such as:
Costs savings through reduced need for acute emergency services, as well as less demand on these services; a reduction in drug or mental health-related crisis situations, and costs related to abandoned tenancies
Improved engagement with other services such as drug rehabilitation and domestic abuse support, as well as more effective access and improved collaboration with other agencies this went from sporadic at best, to regular engagement
Services users who had a history in the criminal justice system did not return to prison and were not arrested during the project.
While acknowledging that the investment is significant in the short term, Ms Scire pointed out that cost savings could be found in both the short and long term.
"The wider benefits of this programme to both service users and stakeholders cannot be overstated either. Women with highly complex needs are no longer in a spiral of chaos, and improved housing stability was found to lead to stability in other aspects of their lives too," she said.
As one of the women taking part in the scheme said: "This is the first time in a couple of years that I have felt secure and happy with my housing situation things can only get better."
Ms Bimpson, a postgraduate researcher who looks at ways housing and homelessness providers have responded to austerity, added: "Housing First can't solve homelessness alone, nor should it be the only solution. But it demonstrates how people's needs might not be met by existing housing and homelessness services, and the evidence collected from the Basis project and others across the UK is a testament to the success of this approach.
"It's also really important to note that Housing First sits within a wider system of essential services, so those have to be in place and effectively coordinated for it to work."
Basis Yorkshire has now successfully secured a further three years of funding for the scheme, from the Tudor Trust.
"We are excited to see the outcomes for service users and partners alike and are particularly pleased we've been able to work with the Tudor Trust to secure funding to continue this work in Leeds," Ms Scire added.
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More information: An evaluation of Basis Yorkshire's Housing First pilot: An evaluation of Basis Yorkshire's Housing First pilot: basisyorkshire.org.uk/wp-conte eport-March-2018.pdf
More than 700,000 hectares of land in the EU were destroyed by forest fires between January and September 2017. Credit: CC0 Public Domain
Swarms of firefighting drones could one day be deployed to tackle hugely destructive megafires that are becoming increasingly frequent in the Mediterranean region because of climate change, arson and poor landscape management.
It's one of a number of initiatives looking at how best to fight large fires from the air a challenge that's becoming more and more common.
A 2017 report on forest fires by the EU's Joint Research Centre said that the year would 'likely be remembered as one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in Europe since records began," after the destruction of nearly 700,000 hectares of land in the EU by early September.
Such fires are dangerous not only for people who live in the area but also for the crews of people whose job it is to put the fires out. But using intelligent robots to scout the area and drop water can allow humans to stand further back from the danger zone, only looking at the drones' data to make decisions from the safety of a command and control centre.
Because drones can fly day or night and gain rapid access to previously inaccessible urban or rural fires they can help to save both the lives of the public and first responders.
Torrential
Multiple autonomous drones dropping 600 litres of water every minute during the night while other unmanned vehicles refill to repeat the attack on a raging fire is the vision of Spanish company Drone Hopper. Despite this torrential approach, 'we are not meant to be competitors with the airplanes and helicopters, we want to be complementary," Drone Hopper's chief executive officer, Pablo Flores, said.
Their drone uses heat cameras to locate the fire, analyse it, send back the data, and identify what type of fire it is. At just over a metre and a half in length, it can be deployed from an aircraft, as well as a ground vehicle.
The drone is like a helicopter and can hover directly over a specific burning area, but it has many propellers. Once over its target it will release its liquid cargo as a mist designed specifically for the fire type identified.
A mist is good at fighting fire because it cools the area by evaporation and it blocks the transfer of heat to anything flammable nearby. To create the right type of mist, the Drone Hopper uses a proprietary magnetic system and the jet wash from its many propellers to direct the released water and nebulise it.
Spanish company Drone Hopper wants to create a fleet of drones that can drop 600 litres of water every minute during the night. Credit: Drone Hopper
Flores wants to offer his drone, which is still in development, to local authorities for firefighting. "They can't buy a $30 million airplane, but can have this platform and have their own means to (tackle a fire)." He says that the Drone Hopper UAV costs five times less per litre than a water tanker aircraft.
But, there is a regulatory obstacle. At the moment, it hasn't been proven that drones can reliably act autonomously, so national rules generally require each one to have a human remote pilot.
Dr. Nazim Kemal Ure, an assistant professor in the aerospace department at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey, said: "With multiple autonomous systems many things can be achieved much more quickly."
Swarming
He is developing a way of coordinating drones that he hopes could contribute to a change in regulation. By the end of the year, Dr. Ure expects to be field testing autonomous drones and their swarming algorithms, developed under the DUF project.
Like Drone Hopper, 'we are detecting the fire by using vision," Dr. Ure explained. In initial testing the image processing will not be done by the drones, but eventually in real-world flight-testing the algorithms will be installed onboard.
His drones would fly over a burning area and,by examining the vegetation and wind direction and other factors, predict the fire's spread and direction. With that information they would then precisely drop retardant to stop the fire.
Dr. Ure added that further flight-testing may see cooperation with the Turkish government's Ministry of Forestry and involve a controlled fire.
However, there is work yet to be done to improve the computer-generated fire images in the simulated environment they are using for training the artificial intelligence. "Our models are, in the graphical parts, not state-of-the-art," said Dr. Ure. He wants to have 'hyper-realistic' fire for the drones' vision analysis software to learn from. For him, that will help ensure the drones will operate well in the real world.
And in the real world, Dr. Ure sees many other applications. "I would like to extend this algorithm to other scenarios such as search and rescue and planetary exploration," he said.
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Modelled 2 goodness of fit for the masses of the TRAPPIST-1 planets as a function of the planet's radius and relative H2O mass fraction in wt% added to the system. Credit: Nature Astronomy (2018) doi:10.1038/s41550-018-0411-6
A team of researchers from Arizona State University and Vanderbilt University has found evidence that suggests the exoplanets surrounding the star Trappist-1 may be too wet to support life. In their paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the group describes using data from prior efforts that focused on determining the mass and diameter of the stars' planets to calculate densities, and from that, used a computer to model the likely building blocks of each.
Last year, scientists discovered the Trappist-1 star systema red dwarf 39 light years away surrounded by seven planets, all of which are similar in size to Earth. This discovery set off speculation on the possibility of one or more of the planets harboring life. The researchers with this new effort have thrown a wet blanket on such speculation by suggesting that all of the planets have too much water to support life. In modeling the planets, the researchers found that they all have far more water than Earth, from 50 percent of their mass to 10 percent. The Earth, by contrast, is just 0.2 percent water. So much water likely means there are no exposed land masses, which suggests no geochemical cycles that could promote an atmosphere. Also, a planet covered by very deep oceans would experience extreme mantle pressure preventing rock from moving upward, likely resulting in a runaway snowball effect.
Slice through a model composition of TRAPPIST-1 'f' which contains over 50 percent water by mass. The pressure of the water alone is enough to cause it to become high-pressure ice. The pressure at the water-mantle boundary is so great that no upper mantle is present at all; instead the shallowest rocks would be more like those seen in the Earth's lower mantle. Credit: ASU
The seven planets are classified as rocky, which means they are not gaseous. Also, three of them reside in the "habitable zone," but their star is approximately 2,000 times dimmer than our own, which means that the planets most likely to support life reside very close to their star. But that could be a problem for a couple of reasonsone is that it means the planets are likely tidally locked, resulting in one side always being too hot while the other is too cold. Also, red dwarfs are known to flare a lot, which could spell doom for life on nearby planets.
All seven planets discovered in orbit around the red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 could easily fit inside the orbit of Mercury, the innermost planet of our solar system. Credit: NASA/JPL- Caltech
The researchers suggest their results could also have implications for theories on how planets develop as they note that all seven of the planets in the Trappist-1 system lie within the "snow line," but the model shows that the outer planets likely formed beyond that line and migrated inwards over time.
This graph shows the minimum starting distances of the ice-rich TRAPPIST-1 planets (especially f and g) from their star (horizontal axis) as a function of how quickly they formed after their host star was born (vertical axis). The blue line represents a model where water condenses to ice at 170 K, as in our Solar System's planet-forming disk. The red line applies to water condensing to ice at 212 K, appropriate to the TRAPPIST-1 disk. If planets formed quickly, they must have formed farther away (and migrated in a greater distance) to contain significant ice. Because TRAPPIST-1 dims over time, if the planets formed later, they could have formed closer to the host star and still be ice-rich. Credit: ASU
Explore further TRAPPIST-1 system planets potentially habitable
More information: Inward migration of the TRAPPIST-1 planets as inferred from their water-rich compositions, Nature Astronomy (2018) www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0411-6 Inward migration of the TRAPPIST-1 planets as inferred from their water-rich compositions,(2018) DOI: 10.1038/s41550-018-0411-6 Abstract
Multiple planet systems provide an ideal laboratory for probing exoplanet composition, formation history and potential habitability. For the TRAPPIST-1 planets, the planetary radii are well established from transits, with reasonable mass estimates coming from transit timing variations2,3 and dynamical modelling4. The low bulk densities of the TRAPPIST-1 planets demand substantial volatile content. Here we show, using massradiuscomposition models, that TRAPPIST-1f and g probably contain substantial (50 wt%) water/ice, with TRAPPIST-1 b and c being significantly drier (15 wt%). We propose that this gradient of water mass fractions implies that planets f and g formed outside the primordial snow line whereas b and c formed within it. We find that, compared with planets in our Solar System that also formed within the snow line, TRAPPIST-1b and c contain hundreds more oceans of water. We demonstrate that the extent and timescale of migration in the TRAPPIST-1 system depends on how rapidly the planets formed and the relative location of the primordial snow line. This work provides a framework for understanding the differences between the protoplanetary disks of our Solar System versus M dwarfs. Our results provide key insights into the volatile budgets, timescales of planet formation and migration history of M dwarf systems, probably the most common type of planetary host in the Galaxy. Press release Journal information: Nature Astronomy
2018 Phys.org
The target chamber, where the laser beams are focused. Credit: Imperial College London
In laser facilities in the UK, Imperial physicists are testing an 84-year-old theory which was once thought impossible to prove.
The theory of the Breit-Wheeler process says it should be possible to turn light into matter by smashing two particles of light (photons) together to create an electron and a positron. However, past attempts to do this have required the addition of other high-energy particles.
Physicists from Imperial College London, led by Professor Steven Rose, came up with a way of testing the theory that did not rely on these added extras in 2014, and today an experiment is running in the hope of turning light directly into matter for the first time.
Professor Rose said: "This would be a pure demonstration of Einstein's famous equation that relates energy and mass: E=mc2, which tells us how much energy is produced when matter is turned to energy. What we are doing is the same but backwards: turning photon energy into mass, i.e. m=E/c2."
The system involves two high-power laser beams, which are being used to create the photons of light to be smashed together. One of the photons has about 1000 times the energy of photons that produce visible light, and the other has 1,000,000,000 times the energy.
The target chamber, with optics used to focus the beams. Credit: Imperial College London
The laser beams are focussed on two separate tiny targets inside a target chamber, which contains complex optics used to focus the laser beams and magnets used to deflect the charged particles. It is the charged positrons coming off the collision that the team will look for to confirm if the process was a success.
The team, led by Dr Stuart Mangles and Professor Rose, looked around the world for a suitable laser system, but found the most suitable close to home: the Gemini laser at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory's Central Laser Facility near Oxford.
If they are successful, they will detect positrons, but they will have to undertake a careful analysis of the data before those positrons can be confirmed as originating from the Breit-Wheeler process and not from other background processes, proving the success of turning light into matter.
Dr Mangles said: "When Gregory Breit and John Wheeler first proposed the mechanism in 1934, they used the then new theory of the interaction between light and matter known as quantum electrodynamics (QED). Whereas every other fundamental prediction of QED has since been demonstrated experimentally, the 'two-photon Breit-Wheeler process' has never been seen.
Credit: Imperial College London
"If we can demonstrate it now, we would be recreating a process that was important in the first 100 seconds of the universe and that is also seen in gamma ray bursts, which are the biggest explosions in the universe and one of physics' greatest unsolved mysteries."
Some of the detectors the team will use come from CERN, and the team are hoping to use a network of schools students to help them analyse the data through the Institute for Research in Schools, of which Professor Rose was one of the founders.
Explore further Scientists discover how to turn light into matter after 80-year quest
Credit: International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)
The visual process that allows humans to recognize the gender or emotional state of another person is very sophisticated. Until recently, only primates were believed able to perform such complex operations as object recognition. A new study published in the journal Current Biology shows that rodents also use advanced and diversified object recognition strategies. These results confirm the validity of this animal model for the study of object vision and offer new opportunities for the development of artificial vision systems and diagnostic approaches.
The identification of an object, a person or its emotional state comprises fundamental cognitive processes that occur in just a few tens of milliseconds. Underlying such processes is the ability to extract from the retinal image the specific features of an object or a face and their spatial relationships.
The new research, conducted in the visual neuroscience laboratory directed by Davide Zoccolan, has demonstrated the existence of similar object recognition strategies in rodents. Through a behavioural study, Vladimir Djurdjevic and co-authors investigated the ability of rats to discriminate a reference object (Y-shaped) from 11 other objects, more or less similar to the reference. The scientists observed different, rat-specific recognition strategies, based on detecting the presence or absence of specific parts of the object in question. Through the use of computational models, developed in collaboration with Jakob Macke of the Caesar Research Center in Bonn, the authors have also succeeded in demonstrating that the highest levels of performance are associated with the perceptual strategies that are more complex, in terms of number and variety of visual features extracted from the image.
"These results not only confirm the validity of rodent models for the study of vision but can also have interesting applications," says Zoccolan, "The type of visual recognition strategies employed by rats seems to be quite advanced, and could be used as an inspiration for the improvement of artificial vision systems based on neural networks. Furthermore, measuring the complexity of perceptual strategies can be applied in studies using rodent models of psychiatric and neurological disorders, in which sensory perception is altered or distorted, as in autism spectrum disorders."
Explore further An innovative model for the study of vision
More information: Vladimir Djurdjevic et al, Accuracy of Rats in Discriminating Visual Objects Is Explained by the Complexity of Their Perceptual Strategy, Current Biology (2018). Journal information: Current Biology Vladimir Djurdjevic et al, Accuracy of Rats in Discriminating Visual Objects Is Explained by the Complexity of Their Perceptual Strategy,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.037
Baguette lovers may be horrified to learn that in 2017, for the first time ever, hamburger sales were higher in France than the classic jambon-beurre sandwich. American-style burgers were on the menu at 85 percent of restaurants in France last year, with a whopping 1.5 billion units sold, according to Paris-based restaurant consultants Gira Conseil. The silver lining for foodies was the gradual demise of junk food, with good-quality, fresh alternatives on the rise. Interestingly, fast food joints sold just 30 percent of burgers in France, with the majority sold at restaurants with full table service. This is all big news for a country that takes great pride in its national culinary culture, and which for years resisted the global burger onslaught. "We've been talking about a burger frenzy for three years. This year, we don't know how to describe the phenomenon. It's just crazy," Gira Conseil director Bernard Boutboul told AFP. There was a nine percent jump in burger sales last year. "That's phenomenal growth," Boutboul said. In 2016, hamburger sales were on a par with the jambon-beurre, or ham-and-butter baguette -- which is still the most popular sandwich in France. "But in 2017, for the first time, (burgers) overtook (the French classic) by a long way," Boutboul said, with jambon-beurre sales at 1.2 billion units. "One wonders whether the burger might even overtake our famous steak frites in France," he said. - 'I sold my soul' - There, Boutboul may have hit a nerve. While the French see their food culture as unique, the truth is a lot of it is based on meat, bread and potatoes -- not a far cry from what makes up a US burger meal. More broadly, fast food joint sales were "beating record upon record", Gira Conseil found, making 51 billion euros ($63 billion) in 2017. France is McDonald's most profitable market outside the US, with more than 1,400 restaurants. The Golden Arches has adapted to French tastes with the McCamembert and the McBaguette with Emmental cheese, Dijon mustard, the various French salads and even macarons for dessert. Customers can also drink beer with their meals. Jean-Pierre Petit, the man credited with helping France fall in love with "McDo", is one of the brand's most influential executives, pioneering McDonald's attempts to adapt itself to local tastes. In his 2013 book, "I Sold My Soul to McDonald's,", Petit admitted that he had not eaten his first hamburger until he was 30. In 2005 Frenchman Denis Hennequin, who introduced the Parmesan burger in Italy and the Shrimp Burger to Germany, became the first non-American to lead the McDonalds brand in Europe. But a lot of the fast food that does best in France is high-quality -- and fairly pricey. "Even the Americans are keeping an eye on what we're doing in our gastronomic fast food sector," Boutboul said.
A British expatriate convicted of using "pornographic" photos to promote a pool party in Cambodia was given a one-year suspended prison sentence on Tuesday. Daniel Jones, 31, was among 10 foreigners arrested in January after police raided a private villa in Siem Reap, a tourist town near the famed Angkor Wat temple ruins. During his trial in siem Reap Jones insisted there was no sex or nudity at the party, which he promoted on Facebook with the tagline "Let's Get Wet", and apologised for causing offence. But prosecutors successfully argued that any images which encourage sexual activity are illegal and against Cambodian culture. The court found him in breach of decency laws and handed him the maximum one-year sentence. But since he had already served a month and 22 days on remand "the rest will be suspended", the judgement said, according to court spokesman Yin Srang. It was not clear if Jones would be released immediately. His lawyer Ouch Sopheaktra said he would see if his client wanted to appeal the verdict. Cambodia is popular with foreign backpackers and many are drawn to the wild nightlife. But the Buddhist country is often strict when protecting local traditions or heritage, especially around the Angkor complex. During the trial a police witness said officers raided the pool party to prevent sexual acts, adding that they had found condoms at the villa. Jones told the court he had organised four parties for tourists before his arrest, charging attendees $5 for transport and offering a free drink and T-shirt. Authorities have already banned skimpy clothing inside the Angkor Wat complex and deported foreigners for taking saucy photos among the temple ruins, which are considered sacred. But those violations occurred inside the ancient city and not in the adjoining town of Siem Reap, a party destination crammed with bars catering to foreigners.
Two men from South America and Europe believed to be the masterminds of a global drug syndicate were arrested on Monday at luxury properties in Hong Kongs upscale Gold Coast neighbourhood.
Customs officers involved in raiding three flats discovered sachets of cocaine concealed in the metal shafts of noodle-making machines shipped from South America via mainland China. Similar discoveries had been made in previous raids in recent weeks.
The drug bust, together with another on Friday in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, netted a total of 14kg of cocaine worth HK$14 million (US$1.78 million). Since the beginning of March, 70kg have been seized in related raids across the city the largest amount so far this year from a single operation.
Mondays raid at Gold Coast, a low-density residential neighbourhood near Tuen Mun in northwest Hong Kong, provided a rare glimpse into the delicate operation against the drug trafficking ring.
Inspector John Yip Lap-man from the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau revealed that one of the flats had been converted into a drug processing plant more often found in industrial buildings. He said moving the operation to residential units was a tactic to evade detection.
Soundproof materials lined the walls of one of the properties, Yip added, to muffle the noise of the heavy machinery, which was found together with 2kg of cocaine and HK$110,000 in cash.
Two men, a Colombian aged 29 and a Colombian-born Spaniard aged 38, were arrested with passports and luggage in tow. Yip said the pair were believed to be the masterminds of the syndicate and were planning to flee. The first was apprehended outside Avignon housing estate off Kwun Chui Road at about 3pm.
Officers seized a small quantity of drugs from a flat inside Avignon, along with a rental invoice leading to another property later found kitted out with soundproof materials in one of its three bedrooms. They believed the room was used to open the noodle machines with metal-cutting equipment, a process that took customs officers four hours after a previous bust.
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Another property, a duplex apartment at Gold Coast housing estate, was raided at the same time, netting the Spaniard. Inside his flat, officers seized HK$110,000 along with a small quantity of drugs.
By lunchtime on Tuesday, the pair were still being held for questioning and had not been charged.
Yip said the arrests had led to the dismantling of an international drug trafficking ring, and additional busts were likely.
Fridays raid at a factory unit in To Kwa Wan saw the seizure of another noodle machine, inside which two metal shafts were used to conceal packets of cocaine weighing 12kg.
The machine was the same model as those confiscated in two previous raids this month that netted HK$56 million worth of cocaine. The Post earlier learned the devices were delivered by plane to the mainland from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, before being smuggled into Hong Kong.
This article Cocaine worth HK$14 million found in noodle-making machines as South American and European arrested in Hong Kong raids first appeared on South China Morning Post
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A former politburo member went on trial in Vietnam Monday in his second corruption case this year, as the communist state continues its public crackdown on powerful figures in politics and business accused of graft. Dinh La Thang, who was also the former head of state-run oil giant PetroVietnam (PVN), is already serving a 13-year jail term for a previous conviction for corruption. The new trial sees him accused of approving a $35 million investment of state funds in Ocean Bank in 2008 without the authorisation of PVN's board or the Prime Minister. Prosecutors allege that "violated state regulations on economic management" causing heavy losses, according to Vietnam Law online, the Ministry of Justice's official mouthpiece. He faces up to 20 years in jail, and is accused along with five others in the trial expected to last 10 days. Thang is the most-high profile official to be charged in a corruption crackdown waged by a conservative leadership that assumed power since 2016. Dozens of bankers, businessmen and politicians have already been convicted as part of the government's anti-graft campaign that observers say is unprecedented in its scope and scale. Ocean Bank nearly folded after a massive fraud case involving dozens of bankers and businessmen who were tried last year. Among them was businessman Trinh Xuan Thanh, the head of PVN's construction subsidiary, who was sentenced to life for embezzlement. His case grabbed the global headlines when Thanh was allegedly abducted by Vietnamese security agents in a Berlin park last year. Hanoi insists Thanh returned to Vietnam voluntarily, but Berlin slammed the alleged kidnapping as a "scandalous violation" of its sovereignty and expelled two diplomats. The very public corruption crackdown has gripped a Communist country where the affairs of the powerful are normally kept secret.
FILE PHOTO: Former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver exits the Manhattan U.S. District Courthouse in New York City, U.S., May 3, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday rejected former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's bid to dismiss his indictment on corruption charges, clearing the way for a scheduled April 16 retrial after his earlier conviction had been thrown out.
U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan said Silver's arguments for dismissing or narrowing the indictment "run counter to the law," and there was no basis to limit the maximum sum he might forfeit.
Michael Feldberg, a lawyer for Silver, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman in Manhattan declined to comment.
Last July, the federal appeals court in Manhattan overturned Silver's November 2015 conviction and 12-year prison sentence, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision narrowing what kind of conduct could support corruption prosecutions.
But it also said prosecutors had sufficient evidence to prove the honest services fraud, extortion and money laundering counts on which Silver had been convicted.
Silver, 74, has been free on bail.
The Democrat had represented Manhattan's Lower East Side, and was Assembly speaker from 1994 to 2015.
Along with Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, he was one of the "three men in a room" with effective power to dictate New York legislative priorities.
Prosecutors accused Silver of collecting roughly $4 million of illegal fees, in return for actions that benefited a prominent cancer researcher, two real estate developers, a friend's law firm, and a law firm Silver was affiliated with.
Silver's original conviction was overturned after the U.S. Supreme Court, in voiding the corruption conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, said in June 2016 that routine political activities such as arranging meetings or reaching out to public officials were not as "official acts."
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Caproni rejected Silver's contentions that the indictment failed to allege illegal "quid pro quo" arrangements, and that the McDonnell decision overruled an underlying bribery theory.
She also said that whether specific activity constitutes an "official act" is a question for jurors.
Last September, the federal appeals court overturned the corruption convictions of Skelos, a Republican, and his son Adam, also citing the McDonnell decision. The Skeloses are trying to have their indictments dismissed.
And in January, the U.S. Department of Justice decided against retrying New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez for corruption, following a mistrial.
The case is U.S. v. Silver, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 15-cr-00093.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Tom Brown and Richard Chang)
Singapore state courts (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
A man who secretly filmed women including students changing clothes and relieving themselves, and distributed more than 600 obscene films was jailed 11 months on Tuesday (20 March).
Shaun Lee, a 29-year-old fund accountant, admitted in the State Courts to having 663 obscene films in his possession for the purpose of distribution, insulting the modesty of a woman by using a hidden camera to record a woman in a vulnerable position, and being part of a conspiracy intended to insult the modesty of a woman. Another count of being part of the conspiracy was taken into account for sentencing.
Lee was part of a syndicate which shares voyeuristic videos taken with hidden cameras in places such as toilets and changing rooms on an online platform. He was the fourth man from the syndicate to be dealt with.
Police investigations showed that one of the Google groups involved was SG Horizon Club. The administrator of the group was former security guard Ali V P Mohamed, 46, who had since been jailed two years and fined $80,000 for his offences. Former sales engineer Joel Chew Weichen and customer service officer Ong Yi Jie, both 27, had also been jailed six months and three years, respectively.
A fifth person, digital marketing specialist Clarence Tang Jia Ming, 25, has yet to be dealt with by the courts.
Ali set up the group some time in late 2016 and granted membership to Singaporean users who were willing to share sexually-themed films made in Singapore. As a condition of being a member of the group, users had to upload and share at least one video a week or risked being kicked out of the group. Lee, one of the 200 members of the group, adhered to the rules by sharing videos from his own collection.
However, Lees involvement with hidden camera footage dated as far back as 2013.
Lee became acquainted with Ong over MSN messenger that year and the two exchanged hidden camera films. Ong later told Lee he filmed the footage with cameras in the shape of clothes hooks, which inspired Lee into doing the same. Lee purchased a few hidden cameras to commit the acts.
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Sometime between April and June 2016, Lee invited some of his female friends to his home for a gathering. His friends were unaware that he had placed one of his hook cameras on the wall under the basin of the toilet so that he could film them while they used the toilet.
Lee also transferred money to Ong to purchase new hidden cameras and in return, Ong sent Lee about 40 to 50 obscene videos via Skype.
On 11 November 2016, the Ministry of Education (MOE) lodged a police report saying it had received information about obscene videos of school girls in toilets or changing rooms circulating on the Internet, on Sammyboy Forum, as well as on Google Groups and on a filesharing website, Volafile.
Police raided Lees home late in November 2016 and seized items such as hard drives containing the obscene films.
Thousands of visitors have posed on his trompe-l'oeil facades, he made the pointed tip of the Buenos Aires Obelisk disappear and he even tricked visitors into thinking they were seeing others underwater in a giant pool. Argentina's Leandro Erlich is shaking up the art world with his wonderful world of illusions. The 44-year-old conceptual artist divides his time between his hometown Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the very livable capital of neighboring Uruguay. In his dream factory -- a three-story studio in the Villa Crespo residential area of Buenos Aires shielded from the road by a giant metal barrier -- Erlich creates his giant installations, which have earned cult status in London, Paris and New York. - The secret to his success - Erlich has managed to wow both art amateurs and discerning critics with his work. The biggest display of his work to date -- 44 pieces in total -- has drawn 400,000 visitors to the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, where it will run until April 1. "Erlich stimulates the senses, not just the intellect. He's asking patrons to live through an experience, as one does at the theater," explains Andres Duprat, director of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. "Not only are his works making waves in the art world, they are reaching a much wider public," Duprat says. "This is not someone who is doing special effects. He's showing how it all works. Once the visitor understands the work, he or she can begin to savor it, and reflect on it." In "Port of Reflections," colorful rowboats seem to float -- except there is no water. "Swimming Pool" sees people walk fully clothed into a pool -- except there is no pool. "Elevator Maze," a matrix of elevator banks, confuses patrons when they don't see their own reflection in the mirror. Visitors are thrilled, confused, annoyed or experience an emotion somewhere in between -- but they are never indifferent. "When a work is well received, it brings great satisfaction. It opens up opportunities for the future. In concrete terms, my projects are difficult to do," Erlich told AFP in an interview. "There is no single format," he added. "I've done video, sculpture, photography and of course installations. The idea of conceptual art is now broad enough to include all forms of expression." - Not a solitary artist - Erlich's works play with optical illusions and our perception of sound. At his studio in Buenos Aires, he works with craftsmen and designers to bring his vision to life. Erlich said his team "came together over time and depending on need." "Fifteen or 16 years ago, I did one or two projects a year. Now, it's more like four," he said. In Montevideo, he found refuge and the "distance" needed to work. "I have lived for a long time away from Buenos Aires -- five years in the United States, five years in France, before returning to South America." In the Uruguayan capital, he finds inspiration and time to think. "I have trouble working in places where there is too much stimulation, too much noise," Erlich says. "With globalization, the world is smaller now. My universe is indisputably very 'Rioplatense'," he says -- an adjective describing the Rio de la Plata estuary separating Argentina and Uruguay. In Buenos Aires, many remember when he made the tip of the obelisk vanish in 2015. He covered the point with a sort of square cap, giving the impression it was cut off. In tandem, a replica of the tip was built and placed in a museum. "The idea was for people to take back the monument," which cannot be entered, he said. The artist's work has been displayed in cities around the world -- New York, Paris, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Venice, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, to name a few. In "Building," visitors from a dozen countries placed themselves on a building facade installed on the ground, but reflected in a mirror to the side. "All of my work has an aspect of public participation," Erlich says. "The starting point is my passion for challenges, and being able to express my ideas."
300 residents were evacuated after fire broke out at two coffeeshops and a wet market on 11 October 2016 (Photo: SCDF)
Angry that he couldnt retrieve his belongings from a coffeeshop, he set fire to two Styrofoam boxes, causing a blaze that razed a wet market and two coffeeshops in Jurong West at an estimated cost of more than $6 million.
When asked about the incident by a friend, odd-job worker Lim Ying Siang, 42, admitted to the act and said F*** care them lah, referring to the stall owners whose businesses he destroyed.
The fire in the wee hours of 11 October 2016 destroyed the livelihood of 56 stall owners. Many of them had not bought fire insurance and some were unable to afford stalls at the temporary market erected after the fire in front of Blk 495 on 1 January.
A new two-storey complex, which will house facilities including a market, will be built within two years.
Lim, who has borderline intelligence, pleaded guilty to one charge of committing mischief by setting fire at the market at Blk 493 Jurong West Street 41. He was also convicted and sentenced on one charge of drug consumption as he had consumed about 10 to 20 drug pills on the night prior to the incident.
According to his charge sheet, Lim, who has lived in the Jurong West area for over 30 years, set the fire knowing that he would cause destruction to the market and its two adjoining coffeeshops at Blk 493 and Blk 494. The damage was so extensive that the wet market had to be demolished.
For these offences, Lim was sentenced to 11 years and six months jail and three strokes of the cane.
On the night of 10 October 2016, Lim had joined his friends in consuming drugs and drinking beer at a coffeeshop at Blk 493. They later moved to another coffeeshop at Blk 494 where Lim, a divorcee who lives with his parents, continued consuming beer.
After a dispute with a friend, Lim returned to his home in Jurong West Avenue 1 but realised that he had misplaced his belongings, including his house keys and mobile phone. He returned to the coffeeshop at Blk 493 at around 2.30am on 11 October to look for his belongings but the coffeeshop was shuttered.
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Angry and irritated that he could not retrieve his belongings, Lim threw around some furniture belonging to the coffeeshop before heading to the market at Blk 493 while smoking a cigarette.
While at the market, he passed by a vegetable stall with a styrofoam box and proceeded to burn the lid of the box with his lighter. Even though he burned a fist-sized hole in the lid, Lim was unhappy as he thought the box did not catch fire, said the prosecution.
He then stopped by an incense stall at the same market and used his lighter to burn another styrofoam box he found there. Both styrofoam boxes were placed near combustible materials such as cardboard boxes, newspapers, and other styrofoam boxes. Lim then left to meet his father.
The fire, which was spotted by members of the public, spread and soon engulfed the entire market and coffeeshop at Blk 493. The fire extended to the Blk 494 coffeeshop before Singapore Civil Defence Force officers were able to extinguish it.
At around 10am the same day, Lims friend asked if Lim knew about the fire, to which Lim replied, You dont know ah? This one I burn one.
Later that day, Lim also told another friend that he set the market on fire and challenged the friend to report him. He was arrested two days later and his urine sample was found to contain methamphetamine.
A report found that the overall stability of Blk 493s main structure was compromised by the fire, resulting in highly unstable and weakened structure. Several internal structures were also said to be damaged beyond repair.
The report also found that although the structural stability Blk 494 was not affected, it had caused extensive damages such as cracks, and exposure of the metal roof.
Renovation works at the wet market and coffeeshop at Blk 493 cost an estimated $4 million to $5 million while repairs at Blk 494s coffeeshop cost $372,276.
A total of 56 stall owners at the wet market and two coffeeshops were affected, with the loss of property reaching $740,000. Most stall owners said they did not purchase fire insurance, hence they lost properties ranging between $1,000 and $60,000. The affected stall owners said in statements that their total income loss was estimated at $980,000.
In sentencing Lim, District Judge Kenneth Yap noted that it was fortuitous that no lives were lost.
What is disturbing is the complete callousness of (Lim)(he) vented his frustration by setting fire to the styrofoam boxes with no regards for risk to human life and property.
Whats worse is that the next morning, when he sobered up, he demonstrated complete lack of remorse as seen from his flippant remarks to his friend, said the judge.
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Wong Kok Weng, sought at least 11 years and six months jail for Lim and three strokes of the cane.
He cited the serious harm done to the property and the high culpability of Lim, who deliberately set fire to the boxes.
He knew that there were flammable or combustible items throughout the Blk 493 market he was familiar with the area as he had grown up in the neighbourhood, and regularly frequented the market and surrounding areas, said DPP Wong.
The DPP added that the fire posed a great danger to residents staying in the area and started in the early hours when most residents would be asleep.
Lims lawyer Ahmad Firdaus Daud asked for a jail term of 10 years and three strokes of the cane for Lim.
He said that his client was intensely remorseful and wished to seek forgiveness from residents and stall owners, some of whom were his friends.
For committing mischief by fire intending to cause or knowing it would cause destruction of any building, Lim could have been jailed up to ten years and fined.
Greece currently draws over three times more tourists than its 10.8 million residents, but Athens still has "a lot of untapped potential," tourism minister Harry Theocharis said Monday
As Greek god Kratos swaps his homeland for a mythic Scandinavia in April's "God of War," it appears that the "Assassin's Creed" franchise has set its sights on an Ancient Greek stop-off.
The follow-up to Ancient Egyptian action adventure "Assassin's Creed Origins" will step into an Ancient Greek setting, according to a new report.
Expected late on in 2019, the 11th core entry to the era-straddling "Assassin's Creed" franchise is going to take players to Ancient Greece.
That's according to video game researcher and WWG writer Liam Robertson, who cites "several sources linked to [franchise publisher] Ubisoft."
It would appear that at one point Ancient Greece was in line to make an appearance in "Assassin's Creed Origins" and now forms the backdrop for a separate game instead.
Both periods overlap, with the "Assassin's Creed Origins" storyline taking place between 49 and 47 BC, and the Ancient Greek era running from 800 BC to not long after 500 AD -- though by the time of "Assassin's Creed Origins," Greece was already under Roman rule.
The Ancient Greek "Assassin's Creed" is said to be in development for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, raising a question over the existence of a Nintendo Switch edition.
"It's entirely possible that Ubisoft could have a spin-off or port of an older Assassin's Creed in the works for the Switch," Robertson notes. "It would be unusual for the publisher to snub Nintendo fans -- especially given their success on the system."
Ubisoft and Nintendo recently collaborated on "Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle," an unlikely brand and genre crossover that plunged two sets of company mascots into the sort of territory more commonly associated with turn-based strategy games about alien invasions: the 2017 release was an apparent critical and commercial success.
Norway's Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug announces her resignation in Oslo Norway's Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug announces her resignation in Oslo, Norway, March 20, 2018. NTB Scanpix/Hakon Mosvold Larsen/via REUTERS
By Joachim Dagenborg and Gwladys Fouche
OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug quit on Tuesday to avert a collapse of the minority government after she caused uproar with comments accusing the opposition of being lenient on militant suspects.
Listhaug had been poised to lose a confidence vote in parliament later on Tuesday over her Facebook postings - a prospect that could have seen her right-wing party leave the coalition in protest or the whole government resigning.
Her decision to resign defused Norway's worst political crisis in years.
"The choice (to resign) was mine alone, and I've done what I believe was right," Listhaug told a news conference.
She said she had faced a witch hunt and accused the opposition of not tolerating free speech. "The national debate has been turned into something of a kindergarten dispute," she said.
Listhaug, of the Progress Party, accused the opposition Labour Party this month of putting "terrorists' rights" before national security, a particularly sensitive topic for Labour, which had to deal with the mass shooting by far-right militant Anders Behring Breivik in 2011.
Listhaug made her comments after Labour and the Christian Democrats helped defeat a bill that would have given the state the right, without judicial review, to strip individuals of Norwegian citizenship if they were suspected of terrorism or of joining foreign militant groups.
She apologised in parliament last week for causing a political storm. Opposition parties, however, said her gesture was not sincere enough, and that she should resign.
Norway's opposition Christian Democrats said on Monday it would back five centre-left parties in backing a no-confidence motion, securing a majority in favour of ousting Listhaug.
Finance Minister Siv Jensen, her party leader, told reporters on Tuesday the Progress Party would have left the government had the motion of no confidence passed.
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Listhaug "told me late last night that she wanted to resign," Conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference, adding that Listhaug could potentially make a comeback in the cabinet at some point.
"The situation was much more critical for the government yesterday. Now it is solved," said Johannes Bergh, a researcher at the Institute of Social Research in Oslo.
Bergh said Listhaug stood out from other politicians in Norway, where the tradition is to search for consensus across parties.
"She is polarising," he said. "She has a rhetoric that is not common in Norway but more normal in other countries ... She is more populist, and a more right-wing populist, than other Norwegian politicians."
Per Sandberg, the fisheries minister, was appointed interim justice minister, the government said.
(Additional reporting by Ole Petter Skonnord, writing by Terje Solsvik and Alister Doyle; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Norway's Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug and her political adviser Espen Teigen are seen in the Norwegian parlament in Oslo Norway's Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug and her political adviser Espen Teigen are seen in the Norwegian parlament after several parties supported a motion of no-confidence against her in Oslo, Norway March 15, 2018. NTB Scanpix/Gorm Kallestad via REUTERS
OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's parliament will vote on Tuesday on a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug that could bring down the centre-right government, which rules in a minority.
The Christian Democrats, holding the balance of power, said on Monday they had lost confidence in the minister, who has accused the opposition Labour Party - the target of a 2011 massacre - of putting terrorists' rights before national security.
"Now it's up to Prime Minister Erna Solberg to clean up this situation," Christian Democrat leader Knut Arild Hareide told reporters.
The statement left the door ajar for Solberg of the Conservative Party to make last-minute concessions, but she has so far been unwilling to fire the right-wing Progress Party justice minister or move her to a different government post.
The no-confidence motion applies only to Listhaug, but the prime minister is widely expected to raise the political stakes and announce that her cabinet stands behind the justice minister, and would therefore resign if the no-confidence vote were to succeed.
While such brinkmanship could in turn persuade the Christian Democrats, long-term supporters of Solberg's government, to back down, it may also lead to the cabinet's collapse if Hareide holds firm.
Snap elections are not allowed, and Norway's next general election is only due in 2021. Solberg might be able to form a new government, but if the Christian Democrats switched sides the task could fall to opposition Labour leader Jonas Gahr Stoere.
Parliamentary leaders will address Parliament in turn on Tuesday from 1000 CET (0900 GMT), with a vote due later in the day.
On July 22, 2011, far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed eight people in downtown Oslo with a car bomb and then shot dead 69 people, many of them teenagers, at a Labour Party camp on Utoeya Island.
On March 9, Listhaug posted on Facebook a photograph of masked people clad in military fatigues, black scarves and ammunition with the text: "Labour thinks terrorists' rights are more important than the nation's security. Like and share."
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In a country that traditionally strives for consensus, the comments unleashed a political storm, and Listhaug apologised in parliament on March 13. Most opposition parties said her gesture was not sincere enough.
The dispute erupted after Labour and the Christian Democrats helped defeat a bill allowing the state the right, without judicial review, to strip individuals of Norwegian citizenship if they were suspected of terrorism or of joining foreign militant groups.
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Joachim Dagenborg; Editing by Eric Meijer)
Peru's embattled President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said Monday he was confident of surviving an impeachment vote later this week. "I know that Thursday will be fine," the conservative leader said in a speech in the Amazonian city of Iquitos. The 79-year-old former Wall Street banker is facing an impeachment vote in the opposition-dominated Congress on Thursday over alleged bribe-taking from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. "I'm not giving up, I am not giving in because my mission hasn't yet ended," he said, while supporters chanted "PPK, PPK" -- his initials. "I also have strength because I do not let myself be kicked around by injustice. We will always fight for the people against injustice and abuse, and lies," he added. In December, Kuczynski survived an impeachment vote in Congress over the same Odebrecht-related matter. He survived the first vote after getting support from lawmakers led by Kenji Fujimori, days before he pardoned his father Alberto Fujimori for human rights crimes committed while he was president. On Sunday, Kuczynski said removing him would amount to a "coup d'etat" in the South American country -- and tarnish Peru's image just before it is due to host the Summit of the Americas next month. Odebrecht has admitted spending millions to bribe government officials across Latin America to secure public works contracts. It said it paid five million dollars in fees to companies linked to Kuczynski when he was a minister.
Photo of President Halimah Yacob (foreground) and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (behind Halimah): AFP
President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have expressed deep sadness over the bus accident in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that killed one Singaporean pilgrim and injured several others on Tuesday (20 March).
The bus was carrying mostly Singaporeans who were performing minor pilgrimage (umrah) when it met with an accident in Mecca on Tuesday morning (Saudi time).
I feel very sad for our pilgrims and their families and I pray for their well-being and peace of mind during this very difficult period, said Halimah in a post on her Facebook page.
Expressing deep sadness in a post on his Facebook page, Lee extended his deepest sympathies to those involved in the accident. He added that The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is working together with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to assist the next-of-kin of the deceased, as well as the injured and their families.
In a post on Facebook, Muis said it understands that the passengers are pilgrims managed by local travel agency, Abu Bakar Travel Services.
Expressing its deepest sympathies to the affected pilgrims, Muis said the injured have been sent to hospitals in Mecca to receive medical attention.
Muis is working with the MFA to help those affected. Its Consul-General in Jeddah has visited the injured at the King Faisal Hospital, and the Singapore Consulate in Jeddah will continue to provide the necessary support to the injured and their families, as well as to the deceased and his next of kin.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as 'MBS,' has said he will not apologize for his luxury lifestyle and lavish spending.
In a wide-ranging interview ahead of a visit to the U.S., MBS told CBS News that his personal finances are a private matter. The prince will be hosted at the White House by President Donald Trump on March 20.
The 32-year-old son of Saudi Arabias King Salman has rapidly amassed power since a June 2017 coup, in which he usurped his cousin to become crown prince and anointed successor to the throne.
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Mark Wilson/Getty Images
MBS was the driving force behind a corruption clampdown that recovered $100 billion from Saudi businessmen, royal family members and state officials. Those detained were forced to pay large fines to secure their freedom, while it has been alleged that torture was used to coerce those who refused.
However, questions remain over his own cash flow, with the New York Times reporting that the prince recently bought a $500 million yacht, a $450 million Da Vinci painting and a $300 million French chateau.
My personal life is something I'd like to keep to myself and I don't try to draw attention to it. If some newspapers want to point something out about it, that's up to them, MBS said.
As far as my private expenses, I'm a rich person and not a poor person. I'm not Gandhi or [Nelson] Mandela. I'm a member of the ruling family that existed for hundreds of years before the founding of Saudi Arabia.
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Despite his extravagant spending, the crown prince claimed he spends part of my personal income on charity. I spend at least 51 percent on people and 49 percent on myself, he said.
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RTR2OWNF Chateau Louis XIV
REUTERS/Charles Platiau
The young prince is a complex, and at times contradictory, character.
He is a leading proponent of modernization in the ultra-conservative nation and the architect of the Vision 2030 project, which hopes to wean the Saudi economy off of its addiction to oil and create a modern vibrant society, open to foreign investment and able to exert international influence.
Social reforms have included reopening cinemas, enabling women to join the army and allowing women to drive. Despite such progress, Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system remains in place. This means that adult women must obtain male permission to travel, marry or leave prison. When asked if he thought men and women were equal, MBS said, Absolutely. We are all human beings and there is no difference.
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Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
The crown prince also has a darker, more ruthless side. The corruption probe highlighted his authoritarian tendencies and his rise to power demonstrated his ambition. It has been reported that MBS is hiding his mother from his father, for fear of her opposition to his rapid accumulation of power. It seems the prince will do anything he believes is necessary to ensure a smooth path to the throne.
His uncompromising foreign policy is delivered with confidence. MBS has wholeheartedly thrown his country into a proxy conflict with Iran; Saudi Arabias regional arch-rival. The prince has called Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a new Hitler and was behind Saudi involvement in the ongoing war in Yemen, in which the kingdoms forces are fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi movement. He warned that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia will be forced to follow suit.
MBS was also central to the decision to impose a diplomatic blockade of Qatar, which Saudi Arabia accuses of funding terrorism in the Middle East. The blockade, which was backed by Trump despite the strategic importance of Qatar to the U.S., has been in place since June 2017.
Mohammed Bin Salman Saudi Arabia
AFP/Getty Images
The prince has worked hard to cultivate a relationship with Trump. Before becoming crown prince, MBS used his relationship with Jared Kushner to secure a White House visit just two months after Trumps inauguration. He will return to Washington D.C. this week as one of the U.S.s most valuable global allies as American diplomatic clout wanes and with the State Department in chaos.
MBS expects to reshape Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Only God knows how long one will live, if one would live 50 years or not, but if things go their normal ways, then that's to be expected, he said.
MBS will have to successfully negotiate a chaotic region and a juggle the sensitivities of a deeply conservative country with required reforms. Asked what could stop his ambitious agenda, the young prince replied: Only death.
This article was first written by Newsweek
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Actress Cynthia Nixon of "Sex and the City" fame kickstarted her campaign for New York governor on Tuesday -- and sparked a media frenzy -- by taking the subway to meet minority voters in the poorest neighborhood of Brooklyn. The 51-year-old celebrity turned novice politician, running to become the first woman and first openly gay governor of New York, donned an aquamarine blue sheath dress and chose a multicultural church to outline her left-leaning brand of Democratic politics. "We need to show the entire country and the world that in the era of Donald Trump's divide and conquer agenda, New Yorkers will come together and we will lead our nation forward," she told a sizeable press contingent and clutch of supporters. "We will fight for you, girlfriend!" nursing assistant Winsome Pendergrass, 59, told Nixon, hugging her. The event in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn came one day after the actress declared she was taking on two-time Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo, the scion of a political dynasty in the Empire State. Pledging to do things differently from "big corporate Democrats," she delivered a short stump speech, promising to fix New York's "broken" subway, shore up the $15 an hour minimum wage, foster renewable energy, and end racial and economic inequality. She then stepped off the stage to greet a handful of voters, mastering a camera-ready smile for the bevy of television cameras, before being whisked down the corridor for a closed-door meeting. "I think it's wonderful. It's a breath of fresh air," Pendergrass told AFP. "She will listen to us more than the men do and I think she's approachable." Retired porter Norman Frazier, 66, also said he would vote for Nixon in the September primary over Cuomo. "If it was today, I'd do it right now," he told AFP. "This is what we need here," he added, identifying with Nixon's portrayal of herself as having grown up with little money and working as an actress from the age of 12. Cuomo "does nothing for Brownsville," Frazier countered. The majority black neighborhood is one of the toughest parts of America's most populous city, where average life expectancy in 2015 was 74.1 -- 11 years below the city's highest of 85.4 in Manhattan's financial district. - 'Pour yourself a cosmo' - The Trump presidency has mobilized Democrats and led to an unprecedented surge in women running for office at state and federal elections this November -- polls widely considered as a referendum on the Trump White House. With wife Christine Marinoni in the audience at the Bethesda Healing Center, Nixon said she was "honored" to join their ranks. "Thousands of women all over America are running for office for the first time and we're realizing that if we want things to change, we have to do it for ourselves," she said. But Nixon took aim less at Trump -- whose celebrity path into politics she is mimicking, albeit on a radically different ticket -- and laid much of the blame for New York's "crushing inequality" at Cuomo's eight years in office. She accused the Democrat -- whose father Mario was a three-term New York governor -- of giving tax breaks to corporations and the super-rich, and presiding over "inhumane budgets" that have deprived children, the elderly, working class and minorities. "We hear all the time about how the big money interests control DC. But if Washington is a swamp, Albany is a cesspool," she said, making a reference to the governor's "right-hand man," who was convicted of corruption last week. "There is a reason that people close to Andrew Cuomo keep winding up under indictment for corruption," she said to applause and laughter. Yet Cuomo is a hard man to beat. He has amassed a $30 million war chest, commands a 66 to 19 percent lead over Nixon in one recent poll of Democrats and is also touted as a potential presidential contender in 2020. Still there is speculation he's unnerved by a celebrity run from the left. "Is Governor Cuomo really that worried by Cynthia Nixon -- or has he just lost it?" sniped one New York Post op-ed. "The right approach to Nixon, sir, is to relax heck, pour yourself a cosmo."
A rocket killed 35 people in a Damascus shopping district Tuesday, in one of the deadliest rebel attacks on the Syrian capital, as fire in the other direction left dozens of civilians dead in an opposition stronghold. The rocket attack came as heavy bombardment killed 38 civilians in the shrinking rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus. State media said the opposition fire hit the area of Jaramana, which residents said was full of shoppers -- including some buying presents ahead of Mother's Day. A taxi driver, who asked not to give his name, said he was nearby when the rocket hit a street known for its cheap clothes and food shops. "The place was full of people buying presents for Mother's Day," the 41-year-old said. A nurse in her 30s, who asked not to be named, said the projectile hit a shopping area "next to a security checkpoint". "The intensity of the blast was terrifying," she said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has brought swathes of territory back under his control since the war started in 2011, with help from Russia and allied forces, including Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia. He has recently focused efforts on flushing out the last pockets that escape government control in and around the capital, the largest of them being Eastern Ghouta. - 'Love one' in a sack - A month-long air and ground assault on the area, which was home to around 400,000 residents, has left more than 1,400 dead. Regime and allied forces have retaken more than 80 percent of Eastern Ghouta and splintered the rump of the enclave into three pockets, each controlled by different rebel groups. In images broadcast on Sunday, Assad congratulated soldiers in Ghouta, and told them Damascenes would "maybe tell their children in the coming decades how you saved the capital". Clashes shook the various zones on Tuesday, with bombardment by the regime and its Russian ally killing at least 29 civilians in the main town of Douma, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Another nine civilians were killed in bombardment in other areas of the enclave, the Britain-based monitor said. Washington has voiced concern that the chaos in Syria could allow a revival of the Islamic State group, whose "caliphate" collapsed late last year after three years of international military operations. The jihadists launched a surprise nighttime attack in a southern neighbourhood of Damascus, the Observatory said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said the regime was sending reinforcements to retake Qadam, which was attacked from the adjacent IS-controlled neighbourhood of Hajar al-Aswad. The jihadists also have a presence in the nearby Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk. An AFP correspondent in Douma reported heavy bombardment through the night from Monday to Tuesday that left ambulances struggling to reach the wounded. At the town's main hospital, a man walked the facility's halls with a sack. Medics said it held the human remains of a loved one killed in raids. - 'War crimes' - After a seventh day of medical evacuations on Tuesday, some 1,800 civilians including 375 patients had crossed over into government-held territory, a medical source said. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled both the intense bombardment of Ghouta and the deprivations of a siege that lasted five years. The ramifications are catastrophic, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein told the Security Council, accusing the Damascus regime of "war crimes" in Eastern Ghouta. But Hussein also warned of another humanitarian catastrophe unfolding hundreds of kilometres (miles) to the north in the Syrian border enclave of Afrin. The Turkish army and its Syrian proxies -- a motley assortment of jihadists, former rebels and members of other armed groups -- seized Afrin from Kurdish forces on Sunday. Turkish military police deployed across the city on Tuesday, as some civilians tried to return to homes and shops looted by Ankara's Syrian proxies. The two-month offensive has displaced around 100,000 people, most of them to the town of Tal Rifaat further east, the UN has said. On Tuesday, a convoy carrying food, blankets, and other aid was being delivered to thousands of families seeking refuge in Tal Rifaat, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The capture of Afrin, one the cantons in the self-proclaimed autonomous administration run by Syria's Kurds, has been a huge blow to the minority.
Speaking before the countrys parliament, Singapores minister for home affairs, K Shanmugam, extolled the countrys success in fighting drugs. He attributed these results to Singapores harsh drug laws, which include the use of capital punishment.
It may seem surprising to the uninitiated that Singapore has the death penalty for drug crimes. But, as the minister said: Our penalties are severe because we want to deter such offences.
Singapore is one of a tiny number of countries classified by Harm Reduction International (HRI) as high application states in the use of capital punishment for drugs. This means that death sentences and executions are a regular part of the criminal justice system. Indeed, there have been two executions for drug offences just this month, killings which were condemned by UN human rights officials.
The idea that harsh drug laws such as the death penalty are effective is one actively promoted by Singapore. And it is a belief now allegedly being adopted by US president Donald Trump. Given Trumps notorious concern with what he considers fake news, it is somewhat surprising he has embraced one of the more dubious claims in global drug control the myth that Singapores harsh penalties have nearly eliminated drug use and drug crime.
The Singapore myth
Singapore consistently claims that it has one of the lowest rates of drug use in the world. Yet the government does not publish reliable data on drug use, making this statement impossible to independently verify.
As far back as 2008, the reference group to the United Nations on HIV and injecting drug use found Singapore to be one of the only countries in Asia without reliable data on rates of drug injecting. More recently in 2016, HRI published its global state of harm reduction, which similarly found almost no reliable data on levels of drug use in Singapore.
Instead, the government typically cites information from the world drug report, published annually by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). However, rather than being independently produced, this report reflects data provided by governments.
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This practice which I have long referred to as data laundering puts a UN seal of legitimacy on Singaporean government data that is at best unverified, and at worst politically expedient. UNODC admits that the vast disparity in data quality and collection methods between countries affect the reliability, quality and comparability of the data in the report, making comparisons between countries of little value.
Even the Singaporean ministers recent speech did not offer any figures on drug-related crime, sticking instead to a few emotive stories about the dangers of drugs. The governments failure to provide transparent data creates huge doubts about any claims of effectiveness, and raises the question of whether their statements represent anything more than political spin to justify controversial drug policies.
Missing data
The only data Singapore does publish on drug use are figures on what it terms drug abusers people who come into contact with the health or criminal justice system for drug treatment. Given that UNODC estimates the number of people who require treatment globally is only 10% of all people who use drugs, we can see how these government figures (even if accurate) are a dramatic under-representation of levels of drug use in a country.
What about Singapores success in reducing drug-related crime? As with data on drug use, published figures on drug-related crime are neither robust nor transparent, again making such claims impossible to independently verify. The annual statistical crime brief published by the Singapore police force does not provide any data on drug-related offences. Nor does the annual report of Singapores central narcotics bureau an odd omission given the bureaus practice of regularly reporting major trafficking arrests on its website.
This lack of data certainly does not reflect a lack of crime. The government admits 80% of people in prison are drug offenders. This, coupled with the fact that Singapore has the seventh highest rate of incarceration per capita in Asia, does not mesh easily with the governments claims of low levels of drug-related crime either.
Interestingly, what the narcotics bureaus 2016 report does show is that seizures of both methamphetamine and cannabis increased by approximately 20% over the previous year, while heroin seizures remain basically level. Hardly indicators of a shrinking drug market.
Clearly the statistics used to promote the Singapore myth either do not exist, or fall apart under scrutiny. As a result, any attempt to use the Singapore model as evidence of the effectiveness of the death penalty for drug offences is ludicrous. Given the unprecedented overdose crisis in the US, Americans deserve an evidence-based response. Pursuing myth-based drug policies will only make the problem worse.
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
The Conversation
Rick Lines is Executive Director of Harm Reduction International.
Monday episodes of Late Night with Seth Meyers are a special treat. Back in the pre-Trump era, the shows A Closer Look segments were often reserved for a John-Oliver-style piece on a single topic (hence the title, presumably). But theyve long since been broadened into Weekend Update type overviews in an attempt to keep up with the manic pace of our national implosion. On Mondays, Meyers has three days of new developments to cram in, and the result is as much fun as watching Lucy and Ethel at the candy factory. Meyers acknowledges the challenge, opening the segment by ruefully shaking his head and exclaiming, Man, crazy shit happens so fast in this presidency, sometimes it feels like Im binge watching it. Heres a brief rundown of everything he takes a closer look at:
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The president suing Stormy Daniels.
Trumps inconsistency about how well he knows Putin.
Facebook suspending Cambridge Analytica.
Trumps Twitter tirade against Robert Mueller.
Trumps tweets about Andrew McCabe.
Trump firing McCabe.
Trump firing James Comey.
McCabes claim that he has memos about his meetings with Trump and Trumps reaction.
Trumps incentives and possible consequences if he fires Robert Mueller.
That is a lot to cram into nine minutes of late night television, and its a tribute to Meyers that he makes it through so much news and necessary context while still finding time to make a joke about the president hiring lawyers named Harder and Stonerock to sue an adult actress. But it doesnt seem like the pace of the news is likely to slow down soon, so sooner or later, the show will have to either narrow its focus or hire the Micro Machine man.
This post is part of Outward, Slates home for coverage of LGBTQ life, thought, and culture. Read more here.
On March 20, the National LGBT Bar Association will host an Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award Reception at the Altria Group office overlooking the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The $250-per-plate event celebrates legal professionals who promote LGBTQ equality and welcoming workplaces. This year, the LGBT Bar will honor Denise Keane, the former executive vice president and general counsel of Altria Group Inc., who recently retired after 40 years of distinguished service at Altria. Altria says that it values diversity and has received perfect scores from the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index.
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Never mind that Altria owns tobacco companies like Phillip Morris USA, maker of Marlboro, the most-smoked cigarette brand in the United States and the world for more than 40 years. Never mind that tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, leading to more than 480,000 deaths annuallymore deaths each year than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined. Never mind that 10 times more U.S. citizens have died from cigarette smoking than from all the wars the U.S. has fought throughout our history. Worldwide, the annual death toll from tobacco is more than 7 million. Never mind the billions of dollars spent marketing these deadly products and fighting any regulation that restricts their use. Never mind the role of tobacco industry lawyers who manipulated attorney-client privilege to conceal sensitive documents from disclosure and employed litigation tactics to largely prevent successful lawsuits against their client companies. Never mind the 1,683-page opinion from Judge Gladys Kessler holding the tobacco companies liable for violating RICO by conspiring to fraudulently cover up the health risks associated with smoking and for marketing their products to childrenand finding that they will continue to do so in the future.
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On one hand, LGBTQ organizations might be tempted to celebrate acceptance from wherever it comes. However, this approach ignores the profound harm the tobacco industry inflicts on LGBTQ people. There have been few studies on smoking rates among transgender people, but the smoking rates of LGB adults are significantly higher than straight adults. About 1 in 6 straight adults smoke compared with nearly 1 in 4 LGB adults. LGB youth are twice as likely to smoke a cigarette before they turn 13 compared to their straight peers, and LGB students smoke more frequently. The cumulative result: More than 30,000 LGBTQ people die from smoking-related diseases each yearmore than 80 a day. On June 12, 2016, 49 people were slaughtered in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida in what was at the time the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Yet tobacco quietly killed more LGBTQ Americans even on that terrible day, and the deaths have continued every day since.
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The disparately high rates of smoking are the result of aggressive marketing by tobacco companies that depict smoking as a normal part of gay life. Stigma, discrimination, social bonding, and bar culture may be contributing factors, but marketing creates the links between gay culture and cigarettes. In the late 1990s, R.J Reynolds launched Project Scum, a campaign to market Red Kamels to alternative lifestyles in San Francisco. Tobacco companies still sponsor events, buy booths at pride festivals, print advertisements in LGBTQ magazines, host bar promotions and giveaways. Cigarette displays shine bright on the gay bars, branded ashtrays on tables. This marketing is not a sign of acceptance. Its a hate crime.
Major public health organizations have been sounding the alarm about health disparities between straight and LGBTQ smokers. American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, The Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Truth Initiative, and other public health groups have specific campaigns aimed at reducing LGBTQ tobacco use. Yet LGBTQ groups like the LGBT Bar Association seem reluctant to take up the fight.
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life. The disparately high rates of smoking are the result of aggressive marketing by tobacco companies that depict smoking as a normal part of gaylife.
Some of the resistance may come from the perceived need for charitable donations and funding. Altrias total charitable donations in 2016 was barely $56 million, about a half-percent of the $10 billion net earnings last year. This includes token donations to Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute, Gay Pride Virginia, Equality Virginia, and Out and Equal Workplace Advocates. Altria is also a platinum sponsor of the LGBT Bars Out and Proud Reception and contributes more to their annual conference. On April 1, 2017, Equality Virginia hosted a 1,000-person gala in Richmondgiving Altria, the events primary sponsor, a chance to pinkwash their image while snuggling up with officials like Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Sen. Tim Kaine, and Reps. Donald McEachin and Bobby Scott. That event raised $300,000.
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The irony is that LGBTQ Americans alone spend an estimated $7.9 billion on tobacco products annuallywhich is 65 times more money than pro-equality funders spend on all LGBTQ issues combined. Tobacco companies need the goodwill and open wallets of the LGBTQ community. Its not the other way around.
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The leaders of many LGBTQ organizations do not view tobacco control as a priority health issue. Many feel that smoking is central to the coming-out process. The Human Rights Campaign encourages partnerships with tobacco companies through its Corporate Equality Index, their rating of LGBTQ equality in workplaces. HRCs rating system rewards tobacco companies for demonstrating public commitment to LGBTQ populations by marketing to LGBTQ consumers or philanthropic support of LGBTQ organization or events. These endorsements actively perpetuate the harms by normalizing Big Tobacco within the community and helping them retain talented employees.
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There are signs of change. Ellen Kahn, director of the HRC Foundations children, youth and families program acknowledged that the LGBTQ community needs to be educated about how they have been targeted. Transgender rights activist and HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador Jazz Jennings appeared in a truth video challenging the tobacco industry. Maybe, as with gun control, the youth will finally break the status quo.
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LGBT HealthLink, an LGBTQ organization dedicated to reducing health disparities, has compiled a collection of interventions that would reduce tobacco use among the LGBTQ community. For example, educational campaign about the dangers of smoking should message directly to LGBTQ persons, like CDCs Tips from a Former Smoker campaign that features real stories of people suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities. Tobacco cessation services should be as ubiquitous as a bowl of free condoms. LGBTQ community events and spaces should be free of tobacco smoke and tobacco marketing. Organizations should reject all tobacco money.
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LGBTQ organizations continue to allow tobacco companies to pinkwash their own image with awards and partnerships. Meanwhile, other corporations have made positive steps to promote the health of the community. Both Target and CVS removed tobacco products from their shelves and maintain a perfect score on HRCs Corporate Equality Index. Other organizations are quitting tobacco, too. There is plenty to celebrate. If the LGBT Bar Association needs lawyers to celebrate, consider the state and federal attorneys who forced the tobacco companies to admit the truth about their addictive products and made it harder for them to recruit next generation of LGBTQ replacement smokers.
Early Wednesday morning, police announced that a 24-year-old man suspected of being behind the package bombs in Austin, Texas, blew himself up in his vehicle after being chased by police. That news came the day after a package bomb that was apparently intended for Austin detonated at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio, injuring one person. Police say they believe that explosion was connected to the others, making it the fifth incident since the beginning of the month, when a man was killed at his home. Over time, the incidents were similar enough to seem linked but varied enough to seem unpredictable, raise questions, and put Austin residents on edge.
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Here is a timeline of the Austin bombings as they have unfolded:
March 2
The first bombingthough the police would describe it as an isolated incident at the timeoccurred on a Friday. Around 7 a.m., Anthony Stephan House, a 39-year-old father of an 8-year-old girl, was killed on the porch of his house by a package bomb in Haverford Drive in northeast Austin. Police did not yet confirm, however, that the device that caused the explosion was a package bomb.
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March 5
The following Monday, police confirmed that a package bomb was the source of the explosion and reclassified Houses death from a homicide to a suspicious death. Assistant Police Chief Joseph Chacon told reporters that it was doubtful someone left the package bomb on Houses porch and that it was possible House had made the device himself and accidentally set it off, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
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Police would later say they had been operating under the theory that the explosion had something to do with a nearby house that had just a few days earlier been the location of a drug bust. A week later, police came under fire for downplaying the bombing.
March 12
The narrative changed abruptly a week later when two more explosions happened in relatively quick succession. Around 6:45 a.m., police were alerted to another package bomb explosion in Oldfort Hill Drive in east Austin. The bomber likely placed the bomb on the doorstep of the house, and it appears to have detonated when brought inside, police said. The explosion killed 17-year-old Draylen Mason, who is remembered as a talented musician. Masons mother was also injured in the explosion.
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Police immediately began considering a link to the March 2 explosion. Houses stepfather told the Washington Post he believed the killer was targeting people by race, as House and Mason were both related to prominent members of the black community in Austin. Police didnt rule out the possibility of a hate crime.
Just before noon, police raced off after a call of a third explosion in Galindo Street in southeast Austin. A 75-year-old Hispanic woman, Esperanza Herrera, was badly injured but not killed. Police confirmed in a press conference that all three explosions were linked and said they believed the packages were delivered by hand by someone with a certain level of skill and sophistication, and not by mail carriers or delivery services. Police warned Austin residents to be cautious and report any suspicious-looking packages. They did so, calling in more than 150 packages by the next morning. None of the packages were dangerous.
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March 18
Almost a week later, on Sunday, a fourth explosion startled investigators by appearing to strike randomly. Two white men in their 20s who were walking and riding a bike in Travis Country, a more affluent neighborhood in southwest Austin, were seriously injured around 8 p.m. when they set off a tripwire, triggering the bomb. The police described this device as different from the package bombs but displaying a similarly high level of sophistication. Police Chief Brian Manley called the killer a serial bomber.
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Police told reporters they received more than 500 leads, according to the Associated Press, and had several persons of interest but no suspects. At the time of the fourth explosion, authorities had increased the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction to $115,000.
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March 19
The NAACP released a statement calling the bombings acts of domestic terrorism and cited the attacks on people of color in the first three bombings.
March 20
Around 1 a.m. Tuesday, another package bomb exploded, this time on a conveyer belt in a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio, leaving one worker with minor injuries. An FBI spokeswoman told reporters that investigators suspect it is related to the other bombings, and a member of law enforcement told CBS News that the package appears to have been mailed from Austin, to Austin.
Later in the morning, Austin police deployed a hazardous materials squad to a FedEx shipping facility in Austin after a suspicious package was reported. Its unclear if that package is linked to the bomb called in earlier in the day.
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On Tuesday night, emergency services reported there was another package explosion that injured a man in his 30s. Police later said the package that caused the injury was not a bomb but contained an incendiary device and that there was no reason to link the incident to the serial bombings. According to NBC News, the president of Goodwill Central Texas said that one of his employees sustained minor hand injuries when he was looking through a bag of donations. According to the AP, someone donating to Goodwill had dropped off a device used in military training, and it was not believed to be the work of the bomber or a copycat.
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March 21
Early Wednesday morning, police announced that the suspect in the case had blown himself up in his vehicle after police chased him from a hotel in the suburb of Round Rock. Investigators had been closing in on him as a suspect over the last day or so, and Manley described the bomber as a 24-year-old white man whose motives are still unknown. As members of a SWAT team approached his car, the man set off an explosion, injuring one of the officers. Another officer fired at the suspect.
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The suspect was later identified as Mark Anthony Conditt, who lived in Pflugerville, a suburb northeast of Austin.
Although the suspect is dead, police warned Austin residents to be wary, as authorities do not know where the suspect spent his last 24 hours and said he might have planted other bombs. While authorities have said they believe the bombs were all made by the same person, they have not ruled out that the suspect might have been aided by an accomplice.
After a Monday evening meeting of House Republicans, a reporter asked Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, an appropriator, if leaders had told the group of any decisions that had been made regarding what will be included in the $1.3 trillion spending bill they need to pass by Friday.
Funding for the legislature is in, he said, and let out a deep laugh.
Congressional leaders hoped to file the omnibus appropriations bill, which would fund the government at spending levels set in last months budget deal, by late Monday night, ahead of a Wednesday vote in the House. But as of late afternoon on Monday, negotiators said that some two-dozen thorny issues had still yet to be resolved and were now in the hands of the highest ranks of leadership. Members had been scrambling all weekend just to whittle the list down that far, and they would scramble into Monday night. If the timeline gets pushed back even a day, any given senator intent on holding up the chambers activitymaybe this guy? could push the process beyond the Friday night deadline, and into another oopsy-daisy shutdown.
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The omnibus appropriations bill is much more than a simple allocation of dollars, though. Its also the last big must-pass bill ahead of election season. That means members will be angling to get all of their backed-up legislation into this vehicle. If your pet cause doesnt make it in? Try again in the next Congress.
There have been notable Hail Marys in the last week on two of the most prominent issues Congress failed to act on over the last six months: Immigration and health care. Few can say with certainty whether either of these charges will prove successful, in some form, by the deadline. But as of Monday, both appeared to be collapsing under the same factional weights that have felled them before.
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The White House and lawmakers are still fiddling with the same formula for an immigration bill and wondering if, in the nine-millionth hour of negotiation, they can discover that golden ratio of wall-money-to-Dreamer-lives that works for everyone. Youll recall that when we left this issue last month, in utter Senate ruins, the White House wanted $25 billion for border security (including a wall) and sharp cuts to legal immigration in exchange for a path to citizenship for 1.8 million Dreamers. Over the weekend, the White House floated an offer to Democrats that would abandon the legal immigration cutsin exchange for protecting fewer Dreamers, and protecting them only in the near term.
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Democrats rejected the administrations offer of $25 billion in border security and a 2.5 year DACA extension for currently enrolled recipients and countered with $25 billion and citizenship for the DACA eligible population, a source familiar with the negotiations said. The White House rejected that. They may still be talking, but the parties appear to have shifted into the more familiar phase of blame-allocation.
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Right now, it seems the Democrats want to use the DACA permit-holders as pawns in a political game more than trying to find a solution, Marc Short, the White Houses legislative director, told reporters Monday. If theyre asking us to put aside certain things that were asking for on legal immigration, he said, its kind of unrealistic to expect that the scope of the deal would stay the same size on their end. Which means that optimism for any deal on the issue also remains unrealistic.
Remember Alexander-Murray? The bipartisan Obamacare stabilization bill that got members all het up last fall and then went nowhere, like most bills? Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander is back at it, and Maine Sen. Susan Collins has joined him in an effort to secure the health legislation that President Trump and Senate leaders promised her they would pass in exchange for her tax vote.
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After a week of bipartisan negotiations, a Republican-only group including Alexander, Collins, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden and Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan Costello released their own stabilization legislation on Monday. It took much of the Alexander-Murray bill, including the funding of cost-sharing reduction payments and allowing more bare-bones plans to be sold on exchanges, and pooled together tens of billions of dollars for reinsurance programs to quell costs for the highest-risk patients.
But the Republican bill, which Democratic aides did not know was coming, also attached Hyde Amendment language banning federal funding for abortion to private plans offered on Affordable Care Act exchanges. Republicans, like Alexander, expressed shock that Democrats would complain about this, since Democrats have been voting for the Hyde amendment since 1976. That doesnt mean they want it expanded, though. There was, after all, an extremely tiresome fight over this issue during the drafting of the bill in 2009 and 2010.
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By Monday afternoon, House leaders had decided not to include the stabilization bill in the package because of the disagreement over the Hyde language. Alexander and Collins still hope that the Senate could, at least, offer an amendment vote for the bill in their chamber when it reaches them. But if the Hyde language is still in it, then its not going anywhere. There may still be some last-minute attempts to tweak the language, but House Republicans will be perfectly pleased to avoid voting on any form of Obamacare bailouts.
Just because the omnibus appropriations bill is a must-pass vehicle doesnt mean that all other issues that failed on their own must pass with it.
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump spoke frequently about the drug crisis ravaging rural communities in states like New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Trump didnt have solutionscompared to Hillary Clintons $10 billion Initiative to Combat Americas Deadly Epidemic of Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Trumps plan was a hastily scribbled sketchbut he had rhetoric. His message had two prongs. The first was compassion and treatment for the victims. [T]he people that are in trouble, the people that are addicted, were going to work with them and try and make them better, he said in a Facebook video during the Republican primary. And we will make them better. The second was punishment for those responsible, with longer mandatory minimums for drug dealers.
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As with all Trump narratives, this one was highly racialized. The victims were his base: white, rural, and blue-collar. The villains were not the usual scourges of the opioid crisisthe major pharmaceutical companies that aggressively marketed these drugs and the doctors who knowingly overprescribed thembut, instead, Hispanic immigrants, whom Trump blamed for bringing drugs into these communities.
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One year into his presidency, Trump still has no solutions for the crisis, but he has come up with some new ideas for how to punish the black and brown people he thinks are to blame. In a speech on Monday in New Hampshire, Trump called for more treatment and promised a 21st-century just say no campaign. But he was most animated in his call to get tough on drug crime, making punishment central to his goal of ending the scourge of drug addiction in America once and for all. [I]f we dont get tough on drug dealers, were wasting our time and that toughness includes the death penalty, Trump said. We have got to get tough This isnt about nice anymore. Included in all of this is his long-promised border wall with Mexico, which he says will stop the flow of drugs into the United States.
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The presidents focus on supply stands at the opposite end of informed opinion. In a panel of 30 experts on addiction and opioids, convened by the New York Times, to spend a hypothetical budget of $100 billion, just 11 percent of the proposed spending called for supply-side solutions. Three percent of the total saw a solution in greater police activity. None of the experts suggested a border wall would help the problem. The largest share of proposed spending, 47 percent, called for greater treatment, followed by efforts to reduce demandnone of them punitiveand further efforts to reduce the harms of using drugs.*
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Harsh punishmentmuch less the death penaltywont do anything to relieve the opioid crisis. But then this tough language has less to do with solutions and more to do with the presidents racist worldview.
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During his New Hampshire speech, Trump tied opioid abuse and addiction to sanctuary cities in states like California. Every day, sanctuary cities release illegal immigrants and drug dealers, traffickers, and gang members back into our communities, he said. Ending sanctuary cities is crucial to stopping the drug-addiction crisis. From here, Trump jumped into his usual attacks on unauthorized immigrants, tying all undocumented people to the MS-13 gang, whichas he likes to remind audienceslikes to use knives because its more painful and it takes longer. The president concluded this riff with a final play on the theme. Sanctuary cities are hard to understand for people because they dont get it. They dont get it. You see whats going on in California, how terrible it is, how dangerous it is. And theyre all trying to protect sanctuary cities.
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All of this is in line with Donald Trumps longtime belief that black and brown people are vectors for crime and disorder who should be punished with the harshest tools available, regardless of their actual guilt. The Central Park Five were still just defendants, not convicted offenders, when Trump called for the state of New York to execute them for their alleged crimes. He continued to hold that position, even years after they were exonerated. During the campaign, he compared black communities across the country to literal war zones, essentially amplifying beliefs in black cultural pathology. In his attacks on sanctuary cities and his constant invocations of MS-13, Trump is tying all undocumented immigrants to any criminal activity that may occur in their general vicinity.
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Part of Trumps enthusiasm for death as a punishment for dealing drugs comes from his general admiration for authoritarian rulers like Rodrigo Duterte, who, as president of the Philippines, has embarked on a murderous assault on drug users in his country. President Trump even alluded to this in his speech. If you look atif you look at other countriesIve gotten to know the leaders of many countries. And I wont mention names, but you know the countries Im talking about, he said.
The other part of Trumps enthusiasm has to be understood in the context of President Trumps worldview, which puts black and brown people outside any zone of dignity and respect. In his story of the opioid addiction, they are villainsnever victimsand deserve nothing less than the harshest punishment he can offer.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed the countrys most restrictive abortion measure into law Monday, immediately banning abortions after 15 weeks in almost all cases, including cases of rape and incest. The states previous abortion law had a 20-week deadline, but the second-term governor has publicly campaigned to make it harder for women to get an abortion in the state. In 2014, Bryant announced his goal was to end abortion in Mississippi.
For a sense of how far state lawmakers have restricted access to abortion services, Mississippi has a single abortion clinic, which filed suit within the hour of the Gestational Age Act being signed, seeking a preliminary injunction to keep the law from being enforced. The clinics lawyers also filed for a temporary restraining order. In 2012, the same clinic, The Jackson Womens Health Organization, filed suit challenging a different abortion bill signed into law by Bryant.
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We are saving more of the unborn than any state in America, and what better thing we could do, Bryant said at the bill signing. Well probably be sued here in about a half hour, and thatll be fine with me. It is worth fighting over.
I was proud to sign House Bill 1510 this afternoon. I am committed to making Mississippi the safest place in America for an unborn child, and this bill will help us achieve that goal. pic.twitter.com/O0O4QeILLx Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) March 19, 2018
This ban is not only unconstitutionalit endangers womens health care across our state. If legislators truly cared about womens health, they would be focused on ways to improve access to health care for women, not restrict it, Mississippi state director for Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates Felicia Brown-Williams said in a statement.
A high school student who was suspended for swearing in a conversation with a congressional staffer about gun control is asking for an apology from his school and his congressman.
On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada sent letters on behalf of 17-year-old Noah Christiansen to request Robert McQueen High School in Reno, Nevada, remove the record of his suspension and apologize to the student. The students punishment, they argued, amounted to an infringement on his First Amendment rights and could deter other students from reaching out to their representatives.
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Christiansen got into trouble after the student walkout he participated in last Wednesday as part of a coordinated nationwide protest movement to demand solutions to school gun violence. Christiansen and his fellow students were marked tardy for walking out of class at 10:17 a.m. to mark the 17 peoplemostly studentswho were killed in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
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Christiansen told the Washington Post that during the walkout, his classmates passed around pieces of paper with phone numbers of legislators to call. Christiansen called the office of Rep. Mark Amodei, a pro-gun Republican, to complain, and reached a staffer in his office.
He told the Post that he said, I believe bump stocks should be banned, the minimum age should be raised, and Congress people not already asking should get off their fucking asses and do something about gun control.
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The staffer thanked him for his comments, Christiansen said. But the school later told the student that staffer called the school to alert it to Christiansens use of offensive language. That afternoon, Christiansen was suspended for two days for disrespectful behavior/language and barred from assuming his role as the class secretary-treasurer, according to the ACLU.
Amodei, who told the Los Angeles Times he would review the protocol for taking calls from the public, defended his staffer, saying he wouldnt apologize because my guy accurately described what happened and he didnt ask for any specific thing or beat the kid up, he told the Nevada Independent.
Welcome to the world where words have impact, he told the Times.
President Trump cannot stand to live in a world where he is vulnerable to serious scrutiny. Its been clear, for some time, that Trump wants to end the Russia investigation and purge both the FBI and Justice Department of any potential adversaries. He has launched jeremiads against the deep state and regularly claims corruption and disloyalty within federal law enforcement.
But its only now, after reports of the firing of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on Friday, that a potential move against special counsel Robert Mueller seems imminent. Having removed internal critics and potential threatswith little resistance from within his own partythe president is turning his aim toward Mueller.
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Trump spent the weekend on Twitter raging furiously against McCabe, the FBI, and the investigation, readying and rallying his supporters ahead of a likely confrontation with the special counsel. Andrew McCabe FIRED, a great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI, said the president in one tweet. He knew all about the lies and corruption going on at the highest levels of the FBI!
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In another, Trump took aim at Mueller. The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime. It was based on fraudulent activities and a Fake Dossier paid for by Crooked Hillary and the DNC, and improperly used in FISA COURT for surveillance of my campaign. WITCH HUNT! (That particular charge, made in Rep. Devin Nunes controversial memo alleging serious abuses of power by the FBI, was debunked in a dueling memo produced by Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee.) Underscoring the presidents rhetoric was a statement from his attorney, John Dowd, who told the Daily Beast that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein should shut down the Russia investigation.
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Trumps attorneys subsequently issued a statement saying the president plans to cooperate with the special counsel, suggesting his advisers once again talked him down from the ledge. In the long run, the only thing likely to stop Trump from firing Mueller is the threat of actual consequences. At this moment, those consequences depend on Republican lawmakers in Congress. Some GOP leaders are fully behind the president and clearly skeptical of the investigation, like Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana: I think there are credibility concerns the Mueller investigation needs to address so they can dispel the fears that this is becoming a partisan witch hunt. Others, like Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and John Cornyn of Texas, have been silent on the presidents recent rhetoric.
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Still others have tried to split the difference, affirming their support for Mueller without issuing any particular threat or warning. I remain confident that the special counsel is going to conduct a probe that is fair and thorough and is going to arrive at the truth and is not going to go down rabbit holes that are not places that we need to be going, said Sen. Marco Rubio on NBCs Meet the Press. Special counsel Mueller has served our country with honesty and integrity. Its critical he be allowed to complete a thorough investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 electionunimpeded.
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How should we understand these varying Republican reactions to Trumps rhetoric as he flirts with derailing the Russia investigation and sparking a bona fide constitutional crisis?
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First and foremost, the Mueller reactions come as Republicans have reportedly made the decision to tie their electoral prospects directly to the presidents personal standing. Senate Republicans, even those in competitive elections, want Trump to campaign in their states. Despite his unpopularity on the national level, Republicans insist there isnt a state on the Senate map where they are nervous about deploying Trump, Politico reports.
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Republicans almost certainly know that an attack on Mueller would be catastrophic for Trump and his presidency, galvanizing opposition and virtually ensuring a Democratic wave in November. But they also know that a preemptive move against Trump could have a similar effect, bolstering Democrats and demoralizing Republican voters who still support the president. Jeff Roe, a GOP consultant who managed Ted Cruzs 2016 campaign for the Republican nomination, succinctly made this point in a recent op-ed for the New York Times. If you are a Republican on the ballot, you are in the same boat as Mr. Trump, whether you like it or notif enough Republicans run from their leader, the Republican brand will be so diminished as to produce historic defeats up and down the ballot, Roe wrote.
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Without speculating about what various lawmakers actually believe, its clear that this is the political calculation at hand: to both support Trump as a matter of partisan loyalty but also push him away from acting against Mueller until the elections. If Republican leaders survive with their majority intact, then they can re-evaluate. And if they dont, then Democrats will likely use their newfound investigative power to move aggressively against the administration, free of the pressure to act.
Its a rational gamble with a potentially catastrophic downside: It can backfire. Refusing to draw a clear line against Muellers firing bolsters Trumps belief in his own invulnerability, making him more likely to follow through on his impulse to fire Mueller and threaten our constitutional order. If President Trump doesnt fire Robert Mueller between now and November, Republicansand the countrywill have simply gotten lucky.
President Trumps strategic approach to the possibility of sitting down for an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller has vacillated from folksy why not? to why on earth would I do that? Theres also been a healthy dose of: ask my lawyers. Those lawyers, while taking a more cooperative approach to the administrations interactions with Muellers team more generally, when it comes to the president of the United States sitting down with Mueller to discuss all things Russia, theyve tried to minimize Trumps exposure. One problem: Trumps penchant for lying could, understandably, be problematic for his legal defense and, therefore, the future of his presidency. In order to further minimize the scope of a potential interview, Trumps lawyers have submitted written descriptions that chronicle key moments under investigation, the Washington Post reported Monday.
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From the Post:
The written materials provided to Muellers office include summaries of internal White House memos and contemporaneous correspondence about events Mueller is investigating, including the ousters of national security adviser Michael Flynn and FBI Director James B. Comey. The documents describe the White House players involved and the presidents actions The records do not include Trumps personal version of events but provide a narrative of the White House view, the people said. Trumps lawyers hope the evidence eliminates the need to ask the president about some episodes.
Investigators have told Trumps lawyers the thrust of their questions fall into two categories: What did he do? and What was he thinking when he did it?, according to the Post. The exact nature of Trumps sit-down continues to be negotiated, but appears to be increasingly likely to happen, barring Trump firing the special counsel. Mueller reportedly sent a list of questions to Trumps lawyers it was reported last week as part of the deal-making.
Two victims have been injured by a male student shooter at Great Mills High School in Great Mills, Maryland, local authorities say. NBC News has this account from St. Marys County sheriff Tim Cameron:
The chaos unfolded before 8 a.m. ET when the shooter walked into the 1,600-student school and fired a round at a female student, also hitting a male student. The school resource officer was alerted to the gunfire and quickly confronted the gunman, according to Cameron.
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The shooter and the officer exchanged gunfire and the shooter was injured; he has since died. Its not clear if the round that hit him was fired by the officer or was self-inflicted.
One of the victims is in critical condition and the other was critically injured but is stable, NBC says. Cameron says the shooter had been involved in what CNN describes as a prior relationship with the female victim.
The Washington Post reports that Great Mills High School had held a public meeting earlier this month after a rumor of a planned shooting circulated among students. The schools principal said at the time that the rumor was not substantiated.
Great Mills is an unincorporated community located approximately 65 miles southeast of Washington, D.C.
This post has been updated with new information.
The U.K. government has filed for a warrant to search the databases and servers of the political data firm Cambridge Analytica. The UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham is conducting an investigation into the allegations that the company used illegitimately gathered data of 50 million American Facebook users to help the Trump campaign, and demanded the London-based data firm turn over its databases and servers by Monday evening. When the company missed the deadline, Britains data protection authority sought a warrant to seize the data.
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The move came after Channel 4 in the U.K. ran a report using undercover video showing Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix describing the nefarious tactics his company could employincluding political entrapment, the use of honey traps, and briberyto help a prospective client, who was actually a journalist posing as as a Sri Lankan intermediary.
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A full understanding of the facts, data flows and data uses is imperative for my ongoing investigation. This includes any new information, statements or evidence that have come to light in recent days, Denham said in a statement Monday. Our investigation into the use of personal data for political campaigns, includes the acquisition and use of Facebook data by SCL, Doctor Kogan and Cambridge Analytica. This is a complex and far reaching investigation for my office and any criminal or civil enforcement actions arising from it will be pursued vigorously.
The European parliament president, Antonio Tajani, said on Monday that the institution would investigate fully, the Guardian reported Monday. Tajani urged the social media company to take more responsibility, saying on Twitter that allegations of misuse of Facebook user data is an unacceptable violation of our citizens privacy rights.
Facebooks head of security, Alex Stamos, is leaving the social network in August, according to the New York Times as well as multiple journalists citing sources within the company Monday evening. The Times reports that Stamos has already started to prepare for his exit, a slow-motion exodus that began last year following a push from Stamos and his security team for Facebook to be more forthcoming about how Russian operatives utilized the social network to attempt to influence voters during the 2016 election. Though Facebook was eventually forced to disclose information about that activity, Stamos reportedly lost the fight.
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Why does the egress of a Facebook executive unknown to the vast majority of its users matter? Because of the awkward timing of the reportingjust days after Stamos struggled to publicly defend the companys fraying reputation in the aftermath of its stunning disclosures involving the data firm Cambridge Analyticaand because of the internal debate that apparently led to Stamos exit in progress: It was between those who think Facebook should prioritize doing right by its users and those who think its first responsibility is to its profits.
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Not that you got that sense listening to Stamos and Facebook on Monday night. Both said that the Times reporting is offkinda. In a notable nondenial, Stamos wrote on Twitter: Despite the rumors, Im still fully engaged with my work at Facebook. Its true that my role did change. Im currently spending more time exploring emerging security risks and working on election security. Facebook issued a kind of nondenial of Stamos nondenial: Alex Stamos continues to be the Chief Security Officer at Facebook. He has held the position for nearly three years and leads our security efforts especially around emerging security risks.
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News of Stamos departure comes as Facebook is grappling with a long string of public relations nightmares over the past year, the most recent being the companys announcement this past Friday evening that it had suspended the accounts of the Trump-hired data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica and two others involved with firmthis in advance of damning reports from the Guardian and the New York Times. Those reports detailed how Facebook allowed for data on more than 50 million user profiles to be harvested and then passed to Cambridge Analytica, which ran voter-targeting operations for both Ted Cruzs and then Donald Trumps presidential campaigns. Facebook says that when it found out that user data had been improperly passed to Cambridge Analytica in 2015, it requested the company and its associates delete it and confirm that the data had been destroyed. After recently learning, more than two years later, that the data had not actually been destroyed, Facebook shared publicly that it was suspending the data firm and its associates accounts.
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News of Stamos departure comes as Facebook is grappling with a long string of public relations nightmares.
Immediately after sharing the news, Facebook started receiving criticism for not notifying tens of millions of users who had their profile data illegitimately handed over to a voter-targeting operation when it first learned of the incident. And Stamos, who has encouraged responsible disclosures of security missteps in the past, tweeted an attempt to rationalize the companys data-security practices at the time, which allowed for app developers to scrape the Facebook data of their users and their users friends, the method by which associates working on behalf of Cambridge Analytica were likely able to collect Facebook data on tens of millions of people. With details of Stamos pending goodbye coming into focus Monday night, Facebooks decision not to inform users that their data was improperly handed to Cambridge Analyticaon top of newly reported details about how Facebook delayed the disclosure of evidence the company had collected of Russian governmentsponsored propaganda efforts on its sitethe reputation of the security operation Stamos was tasked with managing is hurting. After all, Facebooks users put a lot of trust in the companys security every time they post a photo or missive, even if they dont always think deeply about the privacy bargain they make in order to use a free service. Thats something that cant sit well with Stamos, who is highly respected in the information security community for being a staunch advocate of working in the interest of users.
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Tensions between Stamos and Facebook reportedly began to mount in spring 2017, after Facebooks security team had spent the past year uncovering evidence about how Kremlin-backed trolls weaponized Facebook to push disinformation as well as news about the reportedly Russian-orchestrated hack of the Democratic National Convention, according to the Times. Although Stamos team had found evidence of Russian meddling by November 2016, it wasnt until April 2017 that Facebook even nodded at the idea publicly. And even then, it was in a footnote in a report saying its findings were in line with the January 2017 report from the director of national intelligence that stated with high confidence that Russia worked to undermine Hillary Clintons presidential campaign and help secure Donald Trumps election.
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Less than a month later, in May, Time reported that Russian agents had created fake accounts on Facebook and Twitter and had bought ads on Facebook in an attempt to manipulate American social media users. Despite the fact that Stamos had reportedly found evidence of Russian meddling on Facebook back in fall 2016, Facebook told Time that it had no evidence of Russian agents buying ads on Facebook to target specific users with divisive content. Four months later, in September, Facebook came forward with more specifics in a blog post. The company admitted that Kremlin-linked operatives had spent $100,000 to push some 10,000 ads to Americans since mid-2015. This admission sparked congressional concern, ultimately leading to three public hearings where lawyers from Facebook, Twitter, and Google testified in front of Congress about the extent of Russian disinformation on their platforms and what they should have done to stop it. All along, according to the Times, a debate raged within the company over whether Facebook should err on the side of full disclosure or foremost protect its business.
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By the end of last year, Facebook had reportedly started to whittle down Stamoss security team and assign employees to work under two other executives at Facebook as their old boss began to prepare for his departure.
This isnt the first time Alex Stamos has left his post as chief of security at a major Silicon Valley company after it failed to protect its users. The engineer resigned from a similar job at Yahoo in 2015 after learning that the company had complied with a secret request, either from the National Security Agency or the FBI, according to Reuters, to scan all of its customers incoming emails, affecting hundreds of millions of users. In May 2015, Stamos team found the surveillance installation, which had reportedly been approved by then-CEO Marissa Mayer, and he resigned shortly after. In June 2015, he started at Facebook. Considering Stamos once organized a conference called TrustyCon in protest of reported collaboration between the security firm RSA and the NSA to put back doors in popular encryption products, I have to imagine Stamos wont go for a tech-giant hat trick after he leaves Facebooks Menlo Park headquarters for good. Either way, when he leaves, he will be the first major executive to depart Facebook since it became embroiled in a controversy over how it mishandled a plague of disinformation and bad faith during the 2016 presidential election. He probably wont be the last.
Read more from Slate on Cambridge Analytica.
The plot was made for front-page headlines and cable-news chyrons: A scientist-turned-political-operative reportedly hoodwinked Facebook users into giving up personal data on both themselves and all their friends for research purposes, then used it to develop psychographic profiles on tens of millions of voterswhich in turn may have helped the Trump campaign manipulate its way to a historic victory.
No wonder Facebook is in deep trouble, right? Investigations are being opened; calls for regulation are mounting; Facebooks stock plunged 7 percent Monday.
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Sensational as it sounds, however, the Cambridge Analytica scandal doesnt indict Facebook in quite the way it might seem. It reveals almost nothing about the social network or its data policies that wasnt already widely known, and theres little evidence of blatant wrongdoing by Facebook or its employees. Its also far from clear what impact, if any, the ill-gotten personal data had on the elections outcome.
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In short, the outrage now directed at Facebook feels disproportionate to the companys culpability in this specific episode. But that doesnt mean people are wrong to be outraged. For Facebook, the larger scandal here is not what shadowy misdeeds it allowed Cambridge Analytica to do. Its what Facebook allowed anyone to do, in plain sightand, more broadly, its the data-fueled online business model that Facebook helped to pioneer.
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The Facebook tools and policies that allowed researcher Aleksandr Kogan in 2014 to obtain information for the political-data firm Cambridge Analyticavia an app called Thisismydigitallifewere public and well-known. They were also quite permissive, allowing developers to collect data not only on users who signed up for their app, but also on those users Facebook friends. (Facebook has since changed that policy.) As the Washington Post points out, entities ranging from Tinder to FarmVille to Barack Obamas 2012 presidential campaign used the same tool to collect many of the same kinds of information. As late as 2015, this was simply how Facebook worked.
The people who used Kogans app explicitly granted it access to that data, albeit for academic, not commercial, purposes. (Theres a strong case to be made, of course, that Facebook should never have allowed users to sign away their friends privacy in that way.) For what its worth, Facebooks policies did not permit the sort of misrepresentation that Kogan appears to have engaged in. And by Facebooks own account, when the company found out that he had used the data for unauthorized purposes, it required both him and Cambridge Analytica to delete it and to certify to the company that they had done so. It now appears that they may have lied. But its not clear that Facebook had any way of knowing that.
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As for what Cambridge Analytica did with that information, you could argue that has been overblown, too. Sinister as it sounds, psychographic targetingadvertising to people based on information about their attitudes, interests, and personality traitsis an imprecise science at best and snake oil at worst. Distilled to its essence, the Cambridge Analytica scandal is a case of campaign consultants using some shady tactics to try to get their message out to the most receptive audience in the most effective way they can. That is, in a word, politics.
From Facebooks perspective, then, the company is on the ropes mostly because an unscrupulous developer abused a permissive data policy that it has since tightened. (Theres also the fact that it apparently kept the 2015 leak of user data quiet for years and that it hired and continues to employ a researcher who was connected to it. Facebook has not commented on either of those reports.) Its possible to imagine rogue app developers exploiting other platforms, such as Twitter, Android, or Apples iOS, in an analogous fashion.
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That helps to explain why Facebook executives mounted a tone-deaf defense of their company on Twitter this past weekend, even as the outcry kept growing: They really dont think they did much wrong here. The companys chief security officer, among others, pushed back on the March 17 Guardian story that broke the scandal for referring to it as a data breach. (That executive, Alex Stamos, has since deleted his tweets, and he confirmed reports Monday that he is no longer Facebooks CSO and is planning to leave the company in August.) As Tiffany C. Li pointed out in Slate, the semantic point matters because a data breach could expose Facebook to legal action from state governments and the Federal Trade Commission, including fines and other remedies.
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But if there was no data breach, and Facebooks security wasnt compromised, then why isnt it just Cambridge Analytica thats in the barrel this week?
But if there was no data breach, and Facebooks security wasnt compromised, then why isnt it just Cambridge Analytica thats in the barrel this week?
Its partly because the stakes in this particular data scandal are so high. Had the same data been used to sell people refrigerators or send them email spam, the story would not be playing out on such a big stage. In other words: Almost any significant role Facebook played in the success of the Donald Trump would be a momentous one, because his victory altered the course of history. Many of those who opposed Trump are still furious and still searching for people to blame. And we already know Facebook was a key part of his strategy, as it was for the U.K.s Brexit campaign, in which Cambridge Analytica was also involved.
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But theres another reason Facebook is getting pilloried over this in a way that another technology companysay, Apple or Microsoftmight not. It isnt just that Facebook was careless with its users data in this instance or that its policy of allowing third-party apps access to information on users friends was cavalier and misguided (though it certainly was both of those). Its that Facebook is the chief architect of the entire socio-commercial arrangement by which people around the world routinely offer up their personal information in exchange for the free use of online services.
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Facebook isnt just the source of the data that Cambridge Analytica used. Its the reason this sort of dataorganized in this wayexists in the first place. Sure, Google and Twitter and plenty of other companies employ similar business models. And the idea of supporting a website by showing people ads has been around longer still. But it was Facebook, more than any of these, that taught people around the world to freely give themselves online and to accept the use of their personal data in targeted advertisements as the price of admission to the modern internet.
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If you think of that data, and the ads, as a relatively small price to pay for the privilege of seamless connection to everyone you know and care about, then Facebook looks like the wildly successful, path-breaking company that made it all possible. But if you start to think of the bargain as Faustianwith hidden long-term costs that overshadow the obvious benefitsthen that would make Facebook the devil.
This scandal has made the grand bargain of the social web look a little more Faustian than it did before.
What this scandal did, then, was make the grand bargain of the social web look a little more Faustian than it did before.
From that perspective, the real scandal is that this wasnt a data breach or some egregious isolated error on Facebooks part. What Cambridge Analytica did was, in many ways, what Facebook was optimized forcollating personal information about vast numbers of people in handy packets that could then be used to try to sell them something.
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Yes, the rules were supposed to prohibit these specific packets from being used in this specific way. But with high enough stakes, it was probable, if not inevitable, that those rules would be broken. Facebook appears to have given little thought to how to enforce them, beyond shaking hands and hoping for the best. All indications are that it simply cared more about growth in 2014 than it did about users privacy. That the company has evidently matured in recent years doesnt excuse the way it was built.
TechCrunchs Josh Constine has followed Facebook as closely as anyone in the media over the past five years, and hes been known to defend the company when it seems just about everyone else is attacking it. Not this time. In a piece headlined, Facebook and the Endless String of Worst-Case Scenarios, he catalogues nearly a dozen instances over the years in which the company has launched products without the safeguards needed to prevent abuse, then ignored or downplayed the consequences.
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That habit may be catching up to it at last: Facebook is not getting the benefit of many doubts when it comes to Cambridge Analytica, and its hard to feel much sympathy for it. The time for Facebook to self-regulate its way out of the hot seat has probably passed. Now its up to the public, legislators, and regulators to rework the terms of that agreement by which people sign away their personal dataand one anothersfor the benefit of tech platforms, their advertising clients, and whoever else might be sneaky enough to get their hands on it.
Read more from Slate on Cambridge Analytica.
On Friday, Facebook announced that it was suspending Cambridge Analytica, a controversial research and data analysis firm, due to unauthorized access and use of Facebooks user data. Facebooks announcement came the day before two explosive reports in the Guardian and the New York Times showed that Facebook had had knowledge of Cambridge Analyticas so-called unauthorized use of user data for years and yet had done nothing in response. The story is still developing, and its not yet clear who should be held responsible for any harms to consumers.
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But who is at fault for what Facebook claims is an unauthorized use of Facebook user data? To put it more simply: Who should we blame for this? Is Facebook or Cambridge Analytica (or perhaps, another party) responsible? This question is more complicated than it might appear at first glance. Ultimately, responsibility should fall on the shoulders of Cambridge Analytica, Facebook, the U.S. government, and even ourselves as consumers.
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Facebooks Friday announcement appears to be an attempt to get ahead of the news that broke on Saturday. (Reporters from the Guardian note that both they and the New York Times had been in contact with Facebook before the articles were published.) Facebooks statement also arrived on the same day as a new lawsuit filed in the U.K. from a professor alleging harms from Cambridge Analytica using his Facebook data to profile him. Even more controversially, Cambridge Analytica has been, at times, linked to the Trump presidential campaign and to foreign interests, potentially in violation of U.S. election laws.
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In various statements by Facebook and its executives, the company has claimed that there was no data breach involved, but that user data was used in an unauthorized manner. This distinction is important for legal and ethical reasons.
If there had been a data breach, Facebook could be held responsible. State laws on cybersecurity and data breaches would apply to Facebook in that case. It could be forced to pay fines, and the company would have to follow certain obligations, including notifying users and providing remedies that could include identity protection services. The Federal Trade Commission would also likely enforce a fine or other legal consequences on Facebook, as it regularly does for organizations that suffer data breaches. Admitting there was a data breach would effectively be the equivalent of admitting that Facebook was at least somewhat at fault.
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If there was no breach, it would seem to follow that data was accessed with permission. However, Facebook has stated that Cambridge Analyticas access of Facebook user data was unauthorized. This is likely because admitting that it allowed Cambridge Analytica to access the data could also open Facebook to liability. In response to Facebooks statements, Cambridge Analytica has claimed that it only accessed and used data in authorized ways. This distinction matters because lawmakers will likely be looking for someone to blame for whatever privacy harms were caused by Cambridge Analyticas data profiling. If Cambridge Analytica was not authorized to use Facebooks data, the blame would likely fall solely or mostly on Cambridge Analytica. If Facebook authorized Cambridge Analyticas use of data, that would mean at least some of the blame would be allocated to Facebook.
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By claiming that Cambridge Analyticas data use was both not a breach and yet also unauthorized, Facebook is making a shrewd move that may help the company avoid or ameliorate some liability. However, its likely that even Facebook would admit that it is somewhat at fault here.
Facebooks core defense rests on the fact that Facebook did not directly transfer user data to Cambridge Analytica. Rather, it appears that Aleksandr Kogan, who wore dual hats as a psychology researcher with Cambridge University and as an entrepreneur, collected the data through a third-party app on the Facebook platform, using Facebooks API under the auspices of being an academic. He then sold or transferred the data to Cambridge Analytica. This, in effect, is a failure in what privacy expert Ann Cavoukian terms privacy by design. In designing its app developer tools and permissions, Facebook should have created more protections for user privacy and taken into account the risks of third-party data use. Another way Facebook could have prevented this scandal is giving users more information on how third-party apps use their data and offering more choices to users on how to manage it. Users should be able to understand where their data goes and who has access to it.
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To be fair, Facebook faces a difficult battle here. Without user data, advertisers would be less inclined to advertise on Facebook. The sites features would also be less personalized to users, which would likely make their experiences less engaging. One could also argue that consumers simply dont care that much about privacy and dont care to learn more. Tech companies like Facebook also have to navigate a confusing array of different, often conflicting privacy laws from different countries.
Governments could also do more to stop this kind of privacy violation. Lawmakers have long been pressuring tech companies to do more to solve a wide variety of problems, including harassment, privacy violations, media manipulation, and election interference. These pressures have intensified in the wake of the 2016 election, as exemplified by the tense Senate tech hearings last fall. In response to this scandal, policymakers, including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, are now calling for investigations into Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. Some, including Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, are even calling for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before Congress. However, blaming Facebook and other tech companies for privacy harms is not effective if the government doesnt create consistent, actionable standardsboth rights and regulations for companies.
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Ultimately, some responsibility should also fall to us, as consumers. We have created the privacy environment that allows for these violations to happen. We freely give up our data to various apps, websites, and companies. In return, we reap the benefits of many new technologies, including technologies that rely on use of personal data. You can blame Cambridge Analytica for using your data, or Facebook for collecting your data, or the government for not regulating either. But if the public really cares about preventing this kind of privacy violation, we need to change our social understanding of privacy and how data should be collected and used. Otherwise, we should stop being surprised when our most personal information is inevitably misused.
Read more from Slate on Cambridge Analytica.
Good news youre growing. But you want to make sure your team feels comfortable and can do their best work in your space. Thats why we asked 14 entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question:
What is your top tip for finding office space when your company has outgrown its current location?
Heres what YEC community members had to say:
1. Talk to Your Property Manager
If youre currently renting a space, have an open conversation with your property manager. Often they will have something available that they are already managing, and will cut you some slack on your lease terms if you continue renting with their company. Weve moved spaces three times in the past six years with the same property manager, and they let us keep our existing lease terms. ~ Cassie Petrey, Crowd Surf
2. Always Be Looking
You never know when that deal or opportunity that triggers explosive growth will be presented to you. Stay alert to what is going on in your local commercial real estate market. Check LoopNet every few weeks. ~ Jonathan Long, Market Domination Media
3. Consider Co-Working
Consider moving your team, big or small, to a co-working office that caters to your work culture. Co-working spaces are a win-win situation. You still have the privacy of an office, as well as exposure to a community of like-minded individuals built-in networking! ~ Rakia Reynolds, Skai Blue Media
4. Track Down an Experienced Broker
Find a local broker who has marked success closing deals with companies similar to yours. Navigating these waters from leasing to construction is tricky, and you dont want to waste your time with brokers who havent proven themselves before. A broker whos serviced similar companies will be more likely to understand your unique needs. ~ Zach Robbins, Leadnomics
5. Get Creative
When we outgrew our office space for the second time, we looked for a new place only to realize we had a treasure in our own backyard. An empty warehouse was transformed into a new modern space that our employees love. We added an employee lounge, open office plans and many meeting rooms. It is now an integral part of our company. ~ Elliot Bohm, Cardcash.com
6. Ask Yourself if Its Necessary
Do you need the new office? In this day and age, you should ask yourself if you actually require more space, or if its time to stretch your wings and go remote. It isnt always important to have every member of your team in house. Further, it can actually help with creativity and growth if you offer employees who can easily manage themselves the ability to work from home. ~ Blair Thomas, EMerchantBroker
7. Use Your Negotiation Skills
We were moving from a space three times the size of our first office, and I think you really have to work it. I aggressively negotiated the price down to get into a space that I know were going to fill in as we grow. ~ Josh York, GYMGUYZ
8. Consider Multiple Offices
You dont have to have everyone in one place. You can have another office of similar size and move some staff there. When RED began to expand, another office space was necessary since it was going to take too long to find another location that could accommodate everyone. ~ Chude Jideonwo, Red Media Africa
9. Find a Recently Vacated Location
After a year on a waiting list, my co-founder and I were accepted into the startup incubator at the university and grew the company to a full-time staff of 15. It became clear we outgrew the incubator, so we looked for office space downtown. We found a freshly renovated office by a large telco who never moved in and wanted to terminate their lease. It saved us $250,000 in leasehold improvements. ~ David Ciccarelli, Voices.com
10. Prioritize Company Culture
My company, Saxbys Coffee, just moved from the suburbs to Philadelphia. Our goal was to find a space with a location and vibe that bolstered our company culture. Its essential to be in a city for both the accessibility and the community. My team has a simpler commute, which attracts new members too. And now were part of the fabric of Philly and locked into the growing business community here. ~ Nick Bayer, Saxbys Coffee
11 . Put a Link in Your Email Signature
Reach out to your clients for any leads they may have. You can do this by putting information in the signature line of your email. C-level executives, for example, may add a line like, Were growing and looking for space! Contact us with any information you may have. ~ Mike Seiman, CPXi
12. Seek Out News About Large Company Moves
Look for news articles in your area about large companies who have moved out of their office space. Then contact those buildings. We moved into a space that the U.S. Navy had recently vacated. The building had a big void they were looking to fill and so we were able to negotiate an amazing deal. ~ Douglas Baldasare, ChargeItSpot
13. Focus on Engagement
We recently purchased a 6,200 square foot building that we renovated to fit our needs. Before, we occupied a 1,200 square foot ranch house and had exceeded its capacity. Work stations were in closets outfitted with tailgate tables. Cars were double parked and there were no perks. Morale was stagnant. he new space has an open environment, gym, locker room, full kitchen, lounge and parking. Morale is up! ~ Matt Telmanik, CCS Construction Staffing
14. Check Craigslist
With so many tech companies riddled with debt, it is surprising that more organizations dont focus on running lean businesses. Renting a high-cost office space and signing a long-term contract for the space can spell disaster for a company down the road. Utilizing a platform like Craigslist, which can eliminate the middle-man, can help companies find cheaper spaces and more flexible contracts. ~ Robert Lee, Circa Interactive Inc
You may have noticed something new on your Google My Business listing.
You do have one of those, right? Theyre a highly visible, influential and most importantly, free way to list your business on the internet. Its especially important for local small businesses.
The latest feature on Google My Business listings is the Q&A section. The new section was fully rolled out toward the end of 2017. Below all the primary information about your business in whats known as the Knowledge Panel, youll eventually see the Q&A section.
If people have asked questions about your business through Google good or bad theyll appear here. Itll show if youve been asked and havent answered, and it will show customer answers to other customer questions.
And, according to reputation management expert Mike Blumenthal of GetFiveStars.com, the best thing your small business can do with this new section is get ahead of it. That means asking and answering questions about your small business.
Google Questions and Answers for Small Businesses
As noted, the Google Q&A section appears on your Knowledge Panel. Thats the Google My Business listing that appears on search pages. Its got all the pertinent details on your business. If youve taken the time to sign up for a Google local business listing, you know the information thats there. If not, you should check it out to make sure the information is accurate.
Under all those details, youll now see the Questions and Answers section. Google places one question there on your Knowledge Panel and you can click to see the rest of the questions that have been asked.
Blumenthal told Small Business Trends in an interview recently that Google allows you, the business owner, to ask and answer your own questions.
These questions could and should range from those about special directions to your store or special hours for holidays to those about certain products or brands you carry.
If you dont ask these questions, someone else will. Right now, Google will populate the teaser section on your Knowledge Panel with those questions instead of yours.
You cant trust some random visitor to ask the questions you want asked and answered.
Take, for example, this local business listing. This company hasnt really taken advantage of the new Google My Business feature at all but heres what people will see if they check out the questions that have been asked about this particular pizza shop. (Weve blocked out the name to protect the innocent they actually have great pizza!)
Thats not exactly the facade you want people seeing on your Google My Business listing, right?
Heres an example from Blumenthals Big Guide on the new Q&A section. You can see what this section will look like if you get ahead of the feature and use it to your advantage. (Image via GetFiveStars.com)
You can see that Barbara, the business owner, filled in her own questions and answered them, too.
Reputation Management
In the one bad example provided, you can see how some business owners havent even taken control of their listings. This means theyre not answering customer questions.
Getting ahead of Google Q&A also involves staying on top of it. This means responding to the questions visitors have. Blumenthals company, GetFiveStars.com has a tool that helps manage this section and other sites on the web where your company could be and is being reviewed.
In lieu of having that tool, its important to promptly respond to the questions even the tough ones! Just as you cant control the questions people ask, you canr control the answers given by members of the public. Only you can be sure to provide accurate answers to questions about your business.
Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now...
Statue of Maria Theresa deemed unsuitable for Bratislava city centre
The sculpture has been temporarily moved to the promenade in River Park.
The statue of Maria Theresa was installed in front of the Hotel Carlton for a short period of time. (Source: SITA)
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On March 15, Bratislava city councillors decided that the equestrian statue of Maria Theresa should not be installed in front of the Hotel Carlton in the city centre. Several of them claimed that the statue was not suitable for this site and that it would be better placed in Bratislavas borough of Raca, at Bratislava Castle or inside a public building.
We already have several sculptures on Hviezdoslavovo Square that have no context, said city councillor and architect Branislav Kalisky, as cited by the TASR newswire, adding that this statue, due to its size, is more of an interior sculpture. Lets not put everything in one place, he commented
Raca mayor and city councillor Peter Pilinsky has offered to find a place for the statue in his borough.
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Read also: Maria Theresa may again have a monument in Bratislava Read more
The Bratislava Beautification Association (BOS - Bratislavsky Okraslovaci Spolok), initiator of the return of the statue to Bratislava, has now moved it from the front of the hotel, where it was installed for a short period of time, to the promenade in River Park on the Danube embankment. It will stay there until the BOS decides on its next location.
Of the proposed possibilities, the premises of Bratislava Castle seem to them to be the most suitable. The castle is currently undergoing a restoration that should return it to the form it took during the rule of Maria Theresa.
Read also:
Read also: Reconstruction of Bratislava Castle enters final phase Read more
The statue
The bronze statue is a reduced copy of the legendary marble statue by Slovak sculptor Jan Fadrusz that used to stand on what is nowadays called L. Stur Square. It depicts the event of Vitam et sanguinem from 1741 when the Hungarian nobility supported the young ruler in her succession to the Hungarian throne and is considered to be a symbol of loyalty.
The site where the statue used to stand is now occupied by a sculpture of Ludovit Stur and his companion.
The BOS concept is for the statue to recall the Austro-Hungarian ruler Maria Theresa and the era when Bratislava (Pressburg at the time) was a coronation city.
To achieve this vision, Maros Macuha, as cited by the TASR newswire, said, We chose this statue by sculptor Jan Fadrusz, which has stood in L. Stur Square since 1897 and was destroyed for political reasons by Czechoslovak legionaries in 1921.
video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA
Sculptor Martina Zimanova created a bronze, reduced, reproduction of the statue on the basis of historical photos and the remaining fragments from the destroyed original.
The BOS has been looking for a place to install the statue for a long time. Originally they wanted to locate it on the Vajanskeho embankment, but the commission for monuments did not recommend this. In the end the site in front of the Hotel Carlton was deemed to be appropriate.
Maria Theresa was crowned in St Martin Dome in Pressburg in 1741 however, no street or square in Bratislava bears her name.
20. Mar 2018 at 1:48 | Compiled by Spectator staff
General prosecutor sends draft agreement on creating joint investigative team to Italians
Any progress in the investigation of the double murder has not yet been disclosed.
Following the earlier intensive communication with Italys judicial authorities, general prosecutor Jaromir Ciznar has sent them a draft agreement concerning the creation of a joint team for the investigation of the double murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. The Prosecutor Generals Office spokesperson, Andrea Predajnova, specified that the draft agreement was sent via Eurojust on Friday, March 16.
The Prosecutor Generals Office expects that the joint investigation team will provide a faster and more complex and operative investigation of this concrete criminal deed, said Predajnova, as cited by the SITA newswire.
Earlier on Monday, Ciznar discussed setting up the joint investigation team with outgoing Justice Minister Lucia Zitnanska (Most-Hid). In practice, creating a joint investigation team and signing an agreement in this regard is time-consuming, as it can usually take several weeks or even months.
General prosecutor Jaromir Ciznar, in cooperation with Eurojust, has done his best to smooth the way for the assembly and operation of the joint investigation team as soon as possible and to allow foreign judicial authorities to join the ongoing criminal investigation into the murders of Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, said Predajnova, adding that Italian judicial bodies are currently evaluating the draft agreement.
If the Italian side responds positively to the draft agreement, both sides will hold talks on the details regarding the joint investigation team, such as specifying the joint investigations framework, the rights and duties of the joint team members, the duration of the teams operation as well as the participation of international institutions, including Eurojust and Europol.
Predajnova added that the General Prosecutors Office will keep the public informed about the course and outcomes of the talks with the Italian bodies.
Investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were shot dead in their family house in early March by a currently unknown culprit or culprits. For now, any progress in the investigation of the double murder has not been disclosed.
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Read also: General Prosecutor: No progress in murder investigation Read more
It is assumed that Kuciaks work uncovering the operation of the Italian mafia in eastern Slovakia and its possible connection to top politicians might have been behind the murder.
20. Mar 2018 at 1:04 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Rating agencies are watching Slovakia closely
They point out the dependence of Slovakia's economic growth on EU funds.
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Rating agencies are closely watching the political developments in Slovakia but for now, they do not expect any sharp shift in economic policy.
Slovakias political crisis has increased near-term political uncertainty but we think sharp changes to economic or fiscal policy are unlikely, Fitch Ratings wrote in its press release on March 16. While the political consequences remain unclear, fiscal policy is anchored by domestic and European provisions, and economic policy settings have supported favourable growth.
It remains to be seen whether the resignation of prime minister Robert Fico defuses the crisis, in which the interior minister has resigned and a junior member of the three-party coalition government called for early elections, Fitch observed.
We would not expect any early elections [the next general election is due in 2020] to change current economic policy settings significantly, Fitch wrote. The economic policy framework is robust and credible, and the role of foreign investment [notably from EU funds and the car industry] in boosting growth incentivises any government to promote macro-economic stability.
Fitch forecasts a real GDP growth for Slovakia of 3.6 percent this year and 3.9 percent next year.
Fitch affirmed the A+/Stable rating for Slovakia on 2 February. It reflects sound macroeconomic performance, supported by sustained foreign capital inflows and EU and eurozone membership.
Moodys affirmed Slovakias A2 rating and maintained a positive outlook on March 9. Nevertheless, it stressed that the well-publicised murder of a journalist and his partner, and underlying concerns regarding transparency and accountability in the use of EU funds, have triggered a political crisis.
This crisis narrowly raises the risk of the coalition government not completing its four-year term, which would place in doubt the governments continued commitment to economic and fiscal reform, it wrote. At a deeper level, recent events, and the related long-standing problems concerning the utilisation of EU funds raise doubts regarding the control of corruption and the strength of voice and accountability in overall governance.
Moodys decision to affirm the A2 ratings partly reflects the rating agencys view that the coming months will provide further insights regarding the implications of recent events for Slovakias institutional strength and the future direction of economic and fiscal policy.
Downward pressure that could lead to a stable outlook and eventually a downgrade of the rating could develop if Slovakias current political tensions were to escalate, resulting in policies that would undermine confidence in economic growth and fiscal consolidation, wrote Moodys. Given the dependence of Slovakias growth on EU funds, marked worsening of relations with the EU would also put downward pressure on the rating.
20. Mar 2018 at 0:41 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Korcok: Slovakia refutes Russias allegations that Bratislava stores Novichok
The Novichok nerve agent was allegedly used to poison Sergei Skripal, a former spy, and his daughter Yulia on British soil.
On Monday March 19, EU foreign affairs ministers approved a strongly-worded resolution regarding the attack on British soil using the Novichok nerve agent, with Slovakia publicly refuting Russias intimations that the agent could have originated from our country, stated Foreign and European Affairs Ministry state secretary, Ivan Korcok, at the session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on the same day.
I used the debate to reject vehemently any connection with Slovakia, said Korcok, as cited by the TASR newswire, adding that the speeches given by the chiefs of diplomacy from the Czech Republic, Sweden and other accused countries were in a similar vein. We consider this to be absurd and unsubstantiated. The debate must turn in a direction where Russia dispels the concerns over the employment of the nerve agent, produced in the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s, and answers the questions raised by Great Britain.
The Novichok nerve agent was allegedly used to poison Sergei Skripal, a former spy, and his daughter Yulia on British soil on March 4.
European diplomats unanimously concurred that they share the concerns harboured by Great Britain regarding the high probability of Russian participation in this attack and are also troubled by the logical connections with respect to the agents origin and the fact that Russia has failed to answer inquiries by Great Britain for many days, according to Korcok.
Never before has such substance seen use on European soil, said Korcok. This happened in an EU member state and to our ally. Theres been a strong expression of solidarity with the United Kingdom and were all aware that if this could happen then anything can happen and if in one country then in any country.
20. Mar 2018 at 0:29 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Bratislava is 80th best city to live in
The chart ranking cities as the best and worst to live in has been put together by the Mercer company a ninth time, comparing 231 cities worldwide.
Vienna continues to be the best city worldwide to live in, the 2018 chart compiled by the Mercer company finds. It surveyed a total of 231 cities,for the ninth time. Out of central and eastern European (CEE) cities, Prague places best at 69th, while Budapest ended up at 76th and Bratislava 80th.
The worst city to live in is Baghdad.
When comparing cities, Mercer uses dozens of criteria evaluating e.g. political stability, level of health care, criminality rate, opportunities for leisure time and recreation, as well as quality of transport.
Globally, eight of the best ten cities are in Europe three are in Germany and Switzerland each, while New Zealand, Canada and Australia have one each, the Dennik N daily cited the Mercer ranking.
Vienna with 1.8 million inhabitants tops the Quality of Living ranking mostly thanks to its vivid cultural scene, complex health care and affordable accommodation costs. It is followed by Zurich, Auckland and Munich.
Vancouver, fifth overall, is the best in North America, while first in Asia is Singapore (25th), and Uruguays Montevideo, 77th overall, is best in South America. In Africa, Durban in South Africa is best (ranking 89th overall).
An important role in a citys attractiveness for talent and business is sanitation, Honolulu ranking first in the Sanitation ranking.
20. Mar 2018 at 12:20 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Chinese gave up fight for increasing their J&T share
The transaction worth nearly EUR 1 billion has been called off for now.
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The CEFC Chinese group was planning to increase its share in the J&T Finance Group from 9.9 percent to 50 percent, but its head Ye Jianming is currently being investigated in China for the alleged violation of a law. He is expected to leave the top management, the Hospodarske Noviny daily wrote on March 20.
As a result, CEFC decided to withdraw its request submitted to the Czech National Bank to acquire a one-half share in the group. The transaction was estimated at almost 1 billion.
The whole transaction became more complicated at the turn of 2017 and 2018 when the Czech central bank refused to approve the transaction, claiming there was a problem with proving the origin of CEFCs money.
Investigation escalated situation
Moreover, the information on the chair of the CEFC board, Ye Jianming, being investigated by police, only fuelled the tension. Chancellor of the Czech President Milos Zeman, Vratislav Mlynar, travelled to Shanghai to verify the information. There, the rumours about Jianming being investigated, who is also an advisor to the Czech president, was confirmed. However, CEFC China itself is not under investigation and has expressed interest in continuing projects in the Czech Republic.
If the transaction had gone smoothly through all the regulatory offices, the J&T Finance Group would have officially become a Chinese financial institution, which would consolidate its economic data in Asia. CEFC China chose the Czech Republic when entering Europe, and it bought shares in several companies.
The J&T Finance Group has not commented on the matter so far, the daily wrote.
20. Mar 2018 at 13:34 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Slovakia lost 12 cases at ECHR in Strasbourg
From the total number of cases lost last year, five involved restituted flats.
In 2018, the Slovak state lost 12 disputes with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, the Justice Ministry reported on March 19.
From the 12 cases, five verdicts concerned the owners of restituted flats who submitted 11 complaints concerning the regulation of rent for the flats, the Dennik N daily wrote, citing the TASR newswire.
The ECHR in this case stated that the right to the peaceful use of property was violated and acknowledged the complainants are entitled to a compensation of 5.8 million in total. From that, the 5578 is the damage and non-material damage, while 258 are the legal charges.
What the case of the restituted flats is about
The restituted flats are flats which were nationalised, i.e. seized by the communist state and then returned to the original owners within so-called restitutions. In the meantime, however, the tenants in these flats usually paid a regulated rent to the state and now, the regulation is also in place after the original owners received their property again. It is not possible to rent them out under marker conditions.
Last years verdict from the EHCR continues the series of similar decisions from 2014 to 2016, as the court found no reason to change its stance, the government representative before the court, Marica Pirosikova, informed TASR.
The ECHR obliged Slovakia in 2014 to introduce a domestic tool enabling the compensation of flat owners due to the application of a regulated rental system. This has not been fulfilled until now, as the Justice Ministry informed the newswire, arguing that the Strasbourg court has failed so far to specify its calculation sufficiently so that Slovakia can draw a clear instruction for national legal adaptation.
20. Mar 2018 at 13:38 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Whats new at the Foreigners Police in Bratislava?
The Slovak Spectator visited the new premises of the Foreigners Police department in the Vajnory district, which opened on March 19.
Everybody visiting the Foreigners Police department in Petrzalka can remember the old police office building divided into two parts for foreigners coming from non-EU countries and EU citizens, and long waiting lines in front of the former in particular.
After several postponements, the department finally moved to Regrutska Street in the Vajnory district, opening its doors on March 19.
Opening hours Monday: 8:00 15:00
Tuesday: 8:00 15:00
Wednesday: 8:00 17:00
Thursday: 8:00 15:00
Friday: 8:00 14:00
The building is pretty nice and the waiting area is a lot bigger, so more people can wait here, Milan Dogo from Serbia told The Slovak Spectator.
He also appreciated the increased number of counters and more police officers processing applications, saying that the whole process is much faster.
I was in Petrzalka four or five times and my average waiting time was around 10 hours, Dogo added. Here, it will be maybe 3.5 or four hours.
Foreigners offered more comfort
The old Foreigners Police department in Petrzalka was situated some five-minute walk from the bus stop, surrounded by blocks of flats.
The department relocated to new, reconstructed building where it serves foreigners on two floors. The ground floor is divided into the section where the machines issuing tickets with order numbers are situated, along with a waiting area and counters for foreigners coming from non-EU countries. There are altogether 19 counters.
The second floor is for the agenda of EU citizens, with three counters at the moment.
The plan is to gradually increase the number of counters as well.
20. Mar 2018 at 16:37 | Radka Minarechova
The Strecno Castle opens its doors in March
Before the ceremonial opening for the summer season at the end of April, the famous castle ruin in central Slovakia will open for tourists.
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The gates of Strecno Castle will open on March 24-25 and during Easter holidays, the marketing manager of Povazie (Vah Region) Museum in Zilina, Michaela Kolarikova, told the TASR newswire. During this weekend, it will be open between 9:00 and 15:00.
On Easter weekend, its exposition will be accessible to the public from Great Friday (March 30) until Easter Monday (April 2), she added. The last entry coincides with the opening hours of the ticket office, i.e. 17:00.
Exhibition added
Part of the tour of the castle includes a unique, 3-dimensional exhibition called Life in the Clouds Alpine Animals / Zivot v Oblakoch Vysokohorske Zivocichy, created by zoologist Ladislav Hloska of the Povazie (Povazske) Museum in Zilina, and ornithologist and environmentalist, Miroslav Saniga, of the Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Zvolen, Kolarikova explained for TASR, adding that this exhibition offers a fascinating view on the Alpine faunas life in its natural habitat.
video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA
From April 1, visitors can come to the Strenco Castle daily, Monday through Sunday, between 9:00 and 17:00. (Normally, the castle is closed between January 1 and March 31.)
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The most famous resident
The ceremonial opening of the castle for the summer season takes place on Sunday, April 29, when visitors will be able to spend the day with historical local personality, Zofia Bosniakova (Zsofia Bosznyak), the most famous resident of the castle.
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There is a new guided tour, and if visitors like it, it will be used for the whole tourist season and on other selected dates, castellanus Katarina Repanova summed up.
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20. Mar 2018 at 23:05 | Compiled by Spectator staff
But they are ready to monitor the steps of the new government closely and return to streets when necessary.
Andrej Kiska met with the representatives of the For a Decent Slovakia initiative. (Source: SITA)
The For a Decent Slovakia gathering planned for March 23 in Bratislava has been cancelled.
President Kiska appointed the new government today, the organisers informed in a press release, as quoted by the Sme daily. Thus, we decided that the For a Decent Slovakia gathering will not take place in Bratislava on Friday. Since the very beginning, we have been representing the public voice and we are proud of what it has achieved.
Decent people respect the constitution, they added, stressing that the next steps are expected to be made by the parliament.
Activities will continue
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We are not leaving; we will closely monitor the systemic changes the new government promised to make, the organisers continued.
They are founding a civil platform bearing the same name as the series of gatherings, with the aim to support the public engagement and unite people calling for a fair and decent Slovakia.
They stressed they are ready to enter the streets anytime.
We will develop various forms of civil pressure to make sure the investigation of the murders of Jan and Martina is completed without suspicions of connection between the state institutions and organised crime. We want to see the Interior Ministry acting independently, and not as a partys subsidiary.
Meeting with the president
Earlier this week, the representatives of the For a Decent Slovakia initiative met with President Andrej Kiska on March 20. They agreed that Slovakia needs to restore trust in the government.
Kiska thanked the initiative, represented at the meeting by Karolina Farska, Katarina Nagy Pazmany, Tatiana Sedlakova and Juraj Seliga, which has organised three gatherings held across Slovakia and abroad in the past weeks.
The whole world has looked at us, and the marches in Slovakia that have been the biggest since 1989, the marches that were decent and cultivated, where we really showed Slovakia is a decent country, for which I need to appreciate these young people, Kiska said, as quoted by the SITA newswire.
The president explained to the representatives of the initiative what steps he will take to start the process of restoring the trust in state, which will not be easy and will take some time. The basic task needs to be fulfilled by the new government, whose composition he rejected on March 20. He is now expecting a new proposal of government members, SITA wrote.
Protests will continue in other towns
Despite the decision to cancel the gathering in Bratislava, other towns will continue in protests. The gatherings were also confirmed abroad.
In addition, students from several Bratislava-based universities will organise a silent march at 16:30 on Friday, meeting in front of Comenius University building on Safarikovo Square from which they will walk to SNP Square. There they will light candles for Kuciak and Kusnirova, the Dennik N daily wrote.
These Slovak towns will hold protests on Friday:
Events abroad:
Aalborg, Gammeltorv at 17:00
Copenhagen, Radhuspladsen at 18:00
Helsinki, Slovak Embassy at 17:00
London, Marble Arch at 19:00
Luxembourg, Place d'Armes at 17:30
Malaga, Honorary Consulate at 19:00
Munich, Max-Joseph-Platz at 18:30
Palo Alto, Hoover Park at 12:00
Stockholm, Slovak Embassy at 17:00
Sydney, Bradfield Park at 19:00
Vienna, Stephansplatz at 17:00
The Hague, Het Plein at 19:00
Zurich, Stadthausanlage, Burkliplatz at 17:00
This article was first published on March 20.
22. Mar 2018 at 14:35 | Compiled by Spectator staff
The opposition proposes early elections
The MPs point to the fundamental changes the parliament has undergone since March 2016.
The early parliamentary election should take place on September 8, 2018. This is the date proposed by opposition parties Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) and We Are Family, whose representatives submitted to the parliament a draft constitutional law on shorting the election tenure.
To adopt the draft, it is necessary to win the support of at least 90 MPs, the TASR newswire reported.
The early elections will be discussed at the special session. According to the parliaments rules of procedure, the proposal that is to be negotiated in parliament should be submitted at least 15 days before such a session. This means that the signatures for this purpose need to be filed next week, while Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko (the Slovak National Party) will have another seven days to summon the session, TASR wrote.
Parliament underwent significant changes
The opposition stressed in its proposal that since the 2016 general election, the distribution of the political powers in the parliament has changed significantly.
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Eight political parties made it to the parliament, creating eight caucuses, the opposition said, as quoted by TASR. However, in the first days significant moves between the caucuses occurred, and later the caucus of one coalition party disappeared. Currently, there are 15 non-affiliated MPs, which is 10 percent of their total number.
Moreover, the government relies on a vague and fragile, non-representative majority.
This proves that the current composition of the parliament is not a result of peoples wills, not even that from 2016, the opposition added.
They also pointed to the gatherings organised in March 2018, showing their disagreement with the current government. Moreover, the situation became more serious after the current cabinet resigned last week.
20. Mar 2018 at 22:29 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Tomas Drucker may become new interior minister
Following the president's refusal to appoint the new government, designated PM Peter Pellegrini will submit a new list of candidates on March 21.
The ruling party Smer has nominated current Health Minister Tomas Drucker to the post of new interior minister. He is expected to be replaced by the current state secretary at the Health Ministry, Andrea Kalavska.
The proposal follows the discussion with President Andrej Kiska, who is expected to invite both candidates and discuss with them certain issues. He should then announce the date for appointing the government, Pellegrini told the journalists, as reported by the SITA newswire.
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The designated PM did not want to comment on the presidents decision. He hopes that Kiska does not start a dangerous precedent that would result in not respecting the parliamentary majority.
Kalavskas husband questioned
Drucker accepted the offer to become new interior minister despite his wish to stay at the Health Ministry.
I wanted to continue in changes I started, but I made the decision to keep the standard of the constitutional and democratic country, in particular with the aim to calm down the current situation, Drucker said, as quoted by TASR.
As for the proposed health minister, the Sme daily wrote in early January 2018 that while Kalavska was responsible for medicaments at the ministry, her husband Erich Kalavsky has been working as a manager in pharmaceutical company, Pfizer.
Despite these close family ties, both the ministry and the company rejected any non-standard relations.
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However, Sme pointed out that back in 2010 Pfizer was preferred by ex-health minister Ivan Uhliarik (the Christian Democratic Movement) in a competition to provide the vaccination against pneumococcal. Both he and his brother worked for the pharmaceutical company in the past.
The potential conflict in interests is so huge that the post of drug politics should be filled by a person with no ties to pharmaceutical companies and at the same time an expert in the field, said Peter Visolajsky, head of the Medical Trade Unions Association (LOZ), responding to Kalavskas post, as quoted by Sme.
No other changes planned
As for the other nominations, no changes are planned.
This means that current Kosice Mayor Richard Rasi was proposed to become deputy PM for investments and informatisation, while Lubica Lassakova should be appointed new culture minister and Gabor Gal new justice minister, SITA reported.
20. Mar 2018 at 22:35 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Unemployment rate reaches historical minimum in Slovakia
The unemployment rate, which stands at 5.72 percent, is the lowest it has been since the modern Slovak Republic came into existence.
The unemployment rate in Slovakia stands at 5.72 percent, down by 0.16 percentage points (p.p.) month-on-month and 2.67 year-on-year. The number of jobseekers immediately able to take up a job was 158,444, an increase of 4,631 individuals m-o-m and a decrease of 70,221 y-o-y, said Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Centre (UPSVaR) head, Marian Valentovic, as quoted by the TASR newswire.
The unemployment rate calculated from the total number of jobseekers amounted to 6.97 percent in February, down by 0.15 m-o-m and 2.83 y-o-y, he added. The total number of jobseekers reached 193,321 in the second month of 2018, going down by 3,947 individuals m-o-m and 73,898 y-o-y.
As for regions, all eight Slovak regions recorded cuts in their unemployment rates in February, with Banska Bystrica and Zilina regions witnessing the most significant drops. In terms of districts, the unemployment rate declined in 75 of them, while only four districts posted a growth in unemployment.
The unemployment rate in February fell to a record-low, Labour Ministry state secretary Branislav Ondrus said, as cited by TASR. "Weve managed to keep the unemployment rate below 7 percent, he said, adding that the cabinet measures are helping to boost the positive development of the labour market.
Employing foreigners
The unemployment rate keeps decreasing at a time of continuing economic growth which is expected to speed up to more than 4 percent, thanks to the anticipated launch of production in the Jaguar Land Rover plant near Nitra.
Slovak companies have been complaining about lack of qualified labour in the long term, and recently, they have started employing foreigners in greater numbers. A new law, that will become effective in the beginning of May, will simplify the process of employing workers from non-EU countries in professions that lack people the most, and in regions with an unemployment rate over 5 percent, the Sme daily wrote.
Analyst sees stable cyclical growth
The unemployment rate followed expectations for February, Lubomir Korsnak, macroeconomic analyst of UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, wrote: The last time we witnessed a slight growth in the unemployment rate was in September 2015, he noted, adding that the main reason for this development is the relatively strong and stable cyclic growth of Slovak economy.
Even after considering seasonal adjustments, the unemployment rate has marked a similar decline. The February decline was almost identical with the previous two months, Korsnak wrote.
However, we can see a slow-down in dynamics of the unemployment rates decline, compared to spring and summer 2017, he added, arguing that this is probably most visible on the side of labour where the inflow and outflow of the unemployed from official statistics has slowed down recently, and the number of newly unemployed and the unemployed was the lowest it has been in the past three years.
This is because in Slovakia, the demand for labour does not quite overlap with unemployment, especially in regional distribution, but also in poor education structure of the jobless, Korsnak opines, adding that the employers lacking workers are gradually decreasing their demands concerning the skills and knowledge of job applicants. The latest figures showing vacancies and import of labour from abroad prove this.
Foreign workers concentrate mostly in the west of the country, a majority coming from non-EU countries such as Serbia (25%),though this percentage has stopped growing; Romanians and an increasing number of Ukrainians are also employed here.
Outlook
The growing economy is expected to generate new jobs in the upcoming months still, and bring the unemployment rate to new, historical minimums, Lubomir Korsnak summed up.
20. Mar 2018 at 22:58 | Compiled by Spectator staff
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A Tauranga retiree has won $1 million in a Bonus Bonds draw this month.
The winner, who heard about the prize on her wedding anniversary, says her only big purchase will be taking her train-obsessed husband to Australia to ride heritage trains.
We live in a retirement village so its different than if we had our own place which we could do up. We have a good life here so theres no need to spend it at the moment, she says.
After hearing she won, the winner asked her husband, How tall would a pile of money of that amount be? Id never seen money like that before in my life!
The winner thought it was her husband who had won, as he has won smaller Bonus Bonds prizes in the past.
I passed the phone to my husband after hearing the news. I thought, oh this cant be for me. When my husband handed me back the phone my jaw-dropped I had won a million dollars, she says.
When my mother died she left us kids a little bit of money. I invested that in to Bonus Bonds and if it wasnt for her I wouldnt have won the grand prize.
The winner has held Bonus Bonds for 16 years and won a prize of $5000 previously.
I thought, alright thats my big win and never thought Id receive a prize larger. Wasnt I wrong?!
The winner says she plans to reinvest some of her winnings back into Bonus Bonds.
Instead of earning interest or receiving investment gains, a $1 million grand prize is paid to one winning bondholder each month along with one prize of $100,000, one prize of $50,000 plus multiple prizes of $5,000, $500, $100, $50 and $20.
To date the youngest bondholder to win $1 million was just three years old and the oldest was 92.
Bonus Bonds have to be owned for one calendar month before they are eligible for the monthly draw. Minimum purchase is $20. See bonusbonds.co.nz for more information.
ANZ Investment Services (New Zealand) Limited is the manager and issuer of the Bonus Bonds Scheme. A copy of the product disclosure statement is available at bonusbonds.co.nz or at any ANZ branch.
Education Trends
Report: Profit Motive Pervades Online Charter Schools and Blended Programs
A new report from the Network for Public Education offered little good news about virtual and blended education in K12. "Online Learning: What Every Parent Should Know," is less of a guide for parents than an indictment of the profit motive behind online learning. The non-profit advocates for traditional public schools with smaller class sizes and other education policies that "have been proven to work."
According to the report, many online and blended-learning schools operate as charters run by for-profit companies, such as K12 Inc. and Connections Academy, owned by Pearson. Combined, the two companies delivered education to 52 percent of all full-time virtual school students in the 2015-2016 school year. Where states run their own online schools, these are often in partnership with either for-profit or non-profit curriculum and course providers. The largest and oldest online school, Florida Virtual, contracts with Connections Academy for use of its online courses.
As NPE noted, these forms of instruction are "potentially profitable" because the schools receive the same funding per student that a standard district public or charter school would get, "while having far fewer costs for teachers, services, transportation or facilities."
One way the schools keep expenses down is by rethinking the number of teachers needed, NPE asserted. Citing a "confidential" 2010 memo by K12, the report stated that high school student-to-teacher ratios were from 225-to-1 to 275-to-1; the memo cited a ratio of 60-to-1 to 72-to-1 for K8. Analysis by Mathematica revealed that online schools "on average provided students with less live teacher contact time per week than students in conventional schools had in a day." To make up the difference, education and oversight is actually being provided by parents.
But money doesn't buy completion. The report quoted the National Education Policy Center (NEPC), which found the graduation rates for 2015 in virtual schools to be just half the size of the national average: 43 percent vs. 82 percent.
While virtual charters often argue that they're enrolling kids at greater risk of dropping out or who are already behind, which would bode poorly for performance, the report's authors said demographic data for those schools tells "a different story." Annual reports from the NEPC find that students in virtual schools "are more likely to be white and less likely to be poor, have disabilities and/or be English language learners than students attending brick and mortar schools."
The report painted schools that mix online and in-person instruction with the same brush as virtual schools, finding that many of the research studies on the impact of blended learning or part-time online learning "has been produced by organizations that promote this strategy," and yield disappointing results over time.
Why are the programs continuing to be picked up and promoted by districts and states? NPE pointed to the financial influence of for-profit virtual charter companies, which rely on a combination of lobbying, campaign contributions, support advocacy groups and advertising including to students themselves.
There's no mincing words. "Based on the preponderance of evidence, as well as the fraud and mismanagement associated with cyber charter schools, we strongly recommend that parents not enroll their children in virtual schools," the report stated. If families are inclined to consider online education anyway, NPE advised, parents need to get information on to class size and teacher/student ratio, how much time is dedicated to actual teacher/student interaction, what the school's retention and passing rates are and what kind of commitment parents have to make to ensure success. And that's just the start of the questions to ask.
The report is openly available on the NPE website.
Esch-sur-Alzette will be host Tuesday 20 March of the first performance in Luxembourg of the Russian activiststs .
The iconic Russian group will take the stage at the Kulturfabrik on Tuesday 20 March to deliver" Pussy Riot Theatre with Riot Days " a punk and rock performance that tells the story of the emblematic group
Days of Insurrection
The play is based on Maria Alyokhin's book "Days of Insurrection" (published in UK in Summer 2017).
Alyokhin is one of the three founding members of the Russian a protest art collective who was founded in 2011 and based in Moscow.
Pussy Riot shot to fame after they delivered their legendary anti-Putin punk prayer in a Russian cathedral in 2012. One of the most talked about stunts in which the group has been embroiled over the years.
Activists supporting punk rockers Pussy Riot gather in front of the Russian embassy. The Hague 2012. / AFP
Sentenced to two years in a prison for hooliganism, two of the band members were freed only after few months, when Russian President Putin pardoned them. Maria Alvokhin however had to serve a longer sentence and was even sent to labour camp.
Human-Rights groups' support
The trial and sentence attracted considerable attention and criticism, particularly in the West. Human-Rights groups, including Amnesty International, which designated the women as prisoners of conscience, adopted the case.
The band who continues protesting against the Russian establishment, has received American pop icon Madonna's public support during a a New-York concert performance under the auspices of Amnesty International.
It is famous for staging unauthorized provocative guerrilla punk rock performances in unusual public places, which are made into music videos and posted on the Internet.
The collective's lyrical themes included feminism, LGBT rights, and opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom the group considered to be a dictator.
Pussy riots interview by De Magazin's host Monica Semedo Pussy Riot talk to RTL about politics in Russia, bringing about change, fear, revolution and political art worldwide.
The Kulturfabrik's performance
The Kulturfabrik's performance will feature four people on stage: two women and two men.
Maria Alyokhin herself, Kyril Masheka - her main stage partner, plus Nastya and Max of the music duo AWOTT (Asian Women On The Telephone).
Pussy Riot
The project is produced by Alexander Cheparukhin and directed by Yury Muravitsky - one of the leading Russian theatre directors.
We have a voice. We have a choice. We want to inspire people." says Maria Alyokhin "Community is stronger than any government. To overcome nationalism, sexism,racism, fear and indifference, we should riot together ! You have a voice. I'll show you !
Centre culturel Kulturfabrik
116,rue de Luxembourg
L-4221 Esch-sur-Alzette
Tickets Presales: 25 (+ presales fees) Doors: 30
Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed raising the countrys electricity imports from Laos through a planned 500-kilovolt power line project linking the two countries.
The move will make Vietnam a major importer of Laos' power and help it exert greater influence over the countrys power policies, experts say.
Vietnam has been buying electricity from its northwestern neighbor since 2016, when a 220kV line connecting Laos Xekaman 1 hydropower plant to Pleiku City in Vietnams Central Highlands was completed.
The 500kV power line project, which was agreed in principle by the countries trade ministries in 2010, is still in an early stage of development with no official announcement made so far concerning its future location.
If built, the high-voltage line will not only improve transmission capabilities between Vietnam and Laos but also link Vietnam with other electricity-producing countries in the region, according to Hanoi-Vientiane Electricity and Infrastructure Development Company, the projects developer.
Vietnam is looking to import 2.4 percent of its total power supply by the year 2020, with a plan to reduce this number to 1.6 percent in 2025.
Laos, which produces more power than its domestic demand, is largely dependent on foreign electricity importers to develop its local power projects, experts said at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City last November.
Thailand used to be Laos biggest power market, but the country has cut down on its electricity imports due to stalling demands, increased domestic production, and citizens opposition.
Vietnam therefore is the only country with potential to become a major market for Laos-produced electricity, said Brian Eyler, director of Stimsons Southeast Asia Program.
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The U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) has slapped record high anti-dumping duties on catfish imports from Vietnamese companies, raising concerns that the Southeast Asian market will eventually fail to continue selling to this important market.
The steep tax rates were announced as the final ruling of the investigation by the USDOC into Vietnamese catfish imports, believed to affect local manufacturers in the U.S.
The probe looked into shipments of Vietnamese frozen catfish fillet sold to the U.S. during the 13th period of review (POR), from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016.
Two Vietnamese catfish exporters, Cadovimex II Seafoods and Hoang Long Seafoods, were both handed a record anti-dumping duty high of US$7.74 a kg, whereas other companies involved in the investigation received a duty of $3.78 a kg.
The ruling is a huge shock for Vietnams catfish industry, as the $3.78 a kg tax rate is nearly equal to the exporting price of Vietnamese shipments to the U.S., according to Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Vietnamese companies will no longer be able to export to the U.S. in the coming time with these high duties in place, Hoe said.
The VASEP official also explained that the record $7.74 a kg duty was given to the two companies as they had issues with tax transparency.
VASEP and affected catfish exporters are working with lawyers to study the reasons behind the exorbitant anti-dumping duties by the USDOC to consider what steps should be taken next, according to Hoe.
More than six months ago the USDOC announced the preliminary results of the POR13, which imposed a duty of $2.39 a kg on Vietnamese catfish, three times higher than the rate set in the previous investigation.
Vietnams catfish exporters have faced a number of difficulties selling to the U.S. over the last two years, with anti-dumping duties repeatedly increased and new technical barriers put in place.
While 62 Vietnamese companies have registered to sell catfish to the U.S., fewer than ten exporters are actually doing business in this market. Only three of these firms enjoy significant export values to the U.S.
Companies that are given lower anti-dumping duties have to deal with another challenge new, stricter regulations stipulated by the U.S. farm bill, or the Agricultural Act of 2014, that was signed into law on February 7, 2014.
At the invitation of the Chief of Staff of Indonesian Presidency Moeldoko, businesswoman Ly Nha Ky had a meeting with him at the Bina Graha building, Indonesian Presidential Palace to discuss trade opportunities between Indonesian businesses and LYNK Group.
In March 2018, Mr. Moeldoko met with Vietnamese businesswoman Ly Nha Ky at the Bina Graha building, Indonesian Presidential Place.
In addition to the cooperation between Ly Nha Ky's LYNK Group and Indonesian businesses, the two sides exchanged views on opportunities to further promote trade between enterprises of the two countries.
Impressed by the accomplishments of businesswoman Ly Nha Ky and her group, Mr. Moeldoko specifically emphasized: "Indonesia has always opened its investment market for foreign businesses, especially influential ones with strong development steps like LYNK."
Mr. Moeldoko in the interview
With her usual calm style of a successful business owner in the market, businesswoman Ly Nha Ky replied to Mr. Moeldoko that: "First of all, I would like to convey my sincere thanks for your kind invitation which allows me to have this special meeting.
Having led the LYNK Group for many years so far, I feel fortunate to have many opportunities side by side with challenges. Until now, when the LYNK trademark has established its firm standing in the market, our special meeting marks one of the rare opportunities that I strongly believe my business group has been able to join the playground for international businesses in the process of our international integration."
Ly Nha Ky becomes the first female entrepreneur from Vietnam who is invited to the Presidential Place by the Chief of Staff of Indonesian Presidency one of the leading figures in the Indonesian government.
Despite his hectic schedule in the role of the Chief of Staff of Indonesian Presidency, Mr. Moeldoko spared his time for an interview.
Mr. Moeldoko and businesswoman Ly Nha Ky exchanges views on various issues.
What is your opinion of businesswoman Ly Nha Ky?
When I was Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, I came to know Ly Nha Ky as the first Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador. It can be said that she is a smart and sharp businesswoman.
What are your views on the trade promotion opportunities between the two countries?
Vietnamese and Indonesian enterprises have many cooperation opportunities for mutual development. Special meetings like that of today can mark the turning point for both sides. In fact, our two countries need a "fulcrum point" to promote tourism and economic cooperation. In my opinion, businesswoman Ly Nha Ky fits perfectly well to the role as a bridge connecting businesses from both sides.
The two sides find their meeting satisfactory.
Following is an interview with Ly Nha Ky:
Can you share your feelings when you become the first Vietnamese businesswoman to be invited by the Chief of Staff of Indonesian Presidency?
I personally feel extremely happy and I much appreciate this special invitation. As a businesswoman, however, this clearly marks a big challenge for me on the path ahead as it is associated with the visibility of my business. In my meetings with international friends, especially with such VIPs as Mr. Moeldoko, I always consider them golden opportunities to come up with daring ideas which are decisive to the future of my business.
Can you tell us more about the current activities of LYNK?
As you know, LYNK Group makes investments in many fields. In addition to our strength in investment consultation and real estate, LYNK is also the distributor of world-class luxury diamond brands. LYNK is currently making investment in international film production. Especially in the category of popular diamond, we are developing designs with the LYNK brand name. They are affordable yet retain good quality of international level.
Mr. Moeldoko takes Ly Nha Ky to visit the office.
In the near future, we will increase our investment in both domestic and international markets. Indonesian companies will become our potential partners. We are currently negotiating with EACP one of Indonesia's largest investment groups on trade opportunities in many fields.
As a successful businesswoman in the marketplace, an artist of moments, an exemplary fashion model who frequently participates in diplomatic and community activities, so what can define Ly Nha Ky's limit?
I have to confess that I have never set any "limits" for me. I just set goals and plans. I find myself happy doing what I put forth. I think everyone is born with a particular role in society. The important point is how you can connect work with responsibility. No pain, no gain, and when there is a will, there is a way.
The administration of Da Nang has proposed building a modern urban area along the shore of the citys bay in an effort to generate greater growth for the central metropolis.
Part of the stretch of land around Da Nang Bay, a water region located to the north of the city, may witness the appearance of a special area with spectacular architecture and notable services in the next two decades.
This was emphasized in a report on the general planning for economic and social development discussed on Monday by the municipal Peoples Committee in a conference attended by the citys key leaders.
The committee aims to use Da Nang Bay to increase the citys stature.
The reason, it said, is that the bays potential has not been fully leveraged despite its international reputation as a beautiful location.
The future coastal urban area is expected to draw tourists and investors alike.
Local authorities suggested creating a specific policy for attracting investment in Da Nang.
It is necessary first to introduce an investment and construction policy and appropriate planning for the bay, according to Tran Du Lich, a member of a group advising the Vietnamese prime minister.
He pictured the envisaged urban area as bearing the modernity of Dubai, able to generate enormous economic benefits.
Tourism and resorts will be developed, and a program advertising Da Nangs image to foreigners will be formulated.
The general planning for socio-economic growth in Da Nang by 2035, produced by prestigious specialists, is regarded as seminal to the orientation of the citys future evolution trajectory.
Da Nang Bay is partly surrounded by a shoreline around 30 kilometers long, stretching in a semi-circle from Son Tra Peninsula, to the northeast of Da Nang, to the foot of Hai Van Mountain, to the north.
Sitting near international sea routes crossing the East Vietnam Sea, the bay has a strategic position in commerce.
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An issued has occurred to the network of Vinaphone, one of Vietnams major mobile network operators, which affected the connectivity of many users.
The incident happened on Monday morning, and the affected users were mainly post-paid subscribers.
Quynh Anh, a Ho Chi Minh City resident, stated that the services were still normal on Sunday.
As of Monday morning, she was unable to make outgoing calls and receive incoming ones. The same thing applied to text messages.
I dont know why this happens. I have always paid my bills on time, Anh elaborated.
Hoang Vinh, who lives in District 3, complained that the service error had negatively impacted his daily schedule and work.
I thought there were some problems with my SIM card or my phone. It turned out many other Vinaphone subscribers suffered the same issue, Vinh stated.
Another post-paid user in District 3, T.X., also reported the similar situation.
The monthly bill is often required to be paid prior to the 20th day of each month, X. said, adding that there is no reason for the operator to cut the service on the 19th day.
I was only able to make phone calls as of 11:00 am, An, a Vinaphone subscriber, said.
A representative of Vinaphone admitted to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that their service had been interrupted on Monday morning due to a technical error during the upgrade of the subscription management system.
We have promptly dealt with the problem and our services were back to normal, the representative continued.
"This is an unexpected technical problem. We would like to sincerely apologize to our customers, he said.
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Swede photographer Tanya Olander has shared with Tuoi Tre News some of her pictures capturing the beauty of women she has met at Saigon markets, and they are brilliant.
Around 600 photos that Olander posted on her Instagram @somewheresaigon with over 6,700 followers bring viewers a sense of the street life in Saigon.
On her page, she dedicates numerous spots to showcasing the women of the city who caught her eye early on.
Their hard work and resilience was obvious, and I wanted to share this with people who may otherwise not have given these women any thought, encouraging them to stop and see these women, the photographer from Stockholmtold Tuoi Tre News through email from Shanghai, where she is currently based.
Olander said that the smiles in her photos were taken in different situations.
Besides pictures in which the women burst out laughing as they were shy seeing a foreigner taking photos of them, there are also photos Olander took by chance when the market sellers were talking to a customer or a colleague, sharing a joke, some good natured gossip or just having fun.
These are the moments that I love to observe, Olander said.
Below are some photos capturing Saigon market women by Tanya Olander and the stories behind them as written by the photographer:
Not everyone at every market is as chummy as this joyful butcher at Tan Dinh Market, but when they are, listening to the friendly banter between stall owners is a joy to behold. Which market do you think is the friendliest in Saigon?
Such a favorite burst of colors in the dim light of the early morning that I hope you forgive me for digging into the archives to share this with you.
Nothing short of a million dollar smile from this vendor at Tan Dinh Market
As much as I love to return with prints, Im not entirely sure I can find my way back to this lovely butcher at a tiny alley market in District 3. As the female vendors chatted, she was busy adding up a bill, glancing up and commenting every now and then. As she did I took this picture. Only moments later when I showed it to her, she covered her mouth chuckling, as if me wanting a picture of her working was absurd. But I think she's beautiful and will at some point try to find my way back to give her this picture.
Tickled, embarrassed, incredulous, curious. I see a range of emotions surface when I get down on street level, smile, point at something and ask a simple question...and it usually allows me to share a warmer, more human image than what comes from simply standing above someone shooting down. What a lovely laugh she has, doesn't she?
She stood out as a sudden burst of color with her red and gold outfit against the turquoise wall, as I made my way in to explore a small alley off a main street near the Saigon train station.
The genuine pleasure and pride that this woman's face exudes in the simple act of serving a bowl of "hu tieu" soup should be bottled and sold. It was a pleasure watching her. I'll make sure to return on an empty stomach next time!
She radiates beauty. With the heartwarming giggle of a schoolgirl, this "banh mi" vendor along Hoang Sa Street gently pushed back tresses of hair before placing the "non la" on her head in order to pose for this portrait, all while mumbling "I'm so fat, why would you want a picture of me?". I couldn't disagree more. She radiates beauty.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Vietnam, and Australia have agreed to provide more favorable conditions for small and startup businesses in a bid to boost local economies.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney on Sunday, within the framework of his official visit to Australia from March 14 to 18.
PM Phuc was one of the four ASEAN leaders invited to deliver a keynote speech at the retreat.
ASEAN is a social, economic and political organization whose members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, the Vietnamese premier urged ASEAN and Australia to make efforts to build open, transparent, inclusive order in the region, and ensure that regional countries observe international law and respect each others interests.
Focus should be directed on innovation, connectivity promotion, support for businesses and improvement of economies among ASEAN member nations and Australia, he said.
Delegates reached consensus on strengthening trade and investment ties, boosting multilateral trade systems on the basis of law, and deepening economic links between ASEAN and Australia.
They pledged to create favorable conditions for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), support startups and promote the digital economy.
Efforts will be exerted to improve the business and investment environment, allowing enterprises in ASEAN and Australia to cooperate and expand their operations.
During the gathering, delegates also discussed initiatives for peace and connectivity between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific in line with international law, as well as strategic regional and international matters including issues in the Korean Peninsula and East Vietnam Sea.
PM Phuc stressed the importance to abide by international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), saying that respect for the law must be a foundation to build trust and maintain stability in the region.
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An underpass in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang, which was built to welcome the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit week, has been flooded in the middle of the dry season.
It has not rained recently but the Nguyen Tri Phuong underpass has been submerged, causing immense difficulty to commuters, especially during rush hours.
The water appeared at around 7:00 am on Monday and reached up to 10 to 20 centimeters over an area of 20 square meters.
People were struggling as they traveled through the passageway. A traffic jam also happened as a result.
Local traffic police officers were dispatched to the location to control the traffic.
At around 7:30 am, the pump system within the structure was put into operation to alleviate the situation.
Luong Thach Vy, head of the Priority Infrastructure Investment Project Management Board, which supervises the underpass project, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the pump works automatically whenever it detects water.
A traffic jam at an entrance to the underpass on March 19, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre
However, a power cut on Sunday night had caused the system to be unable to notice the abnormal signs.
We had to operate the pump shortly after discovering the flooding, and it took about 20 minutes for the machine to deal with the situation, Vy explained.
The agency is determining the reason why water appeared inside the underpass in the middle of the dry season, the official added.
Situated at the intersection of Dien Bien Phu with Nguyen Tri Phuong Streets, the underpass was opened to traffic on November 2, as part of Da Nangs preparations for the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Week.
The structure is 4.75 meters high and 409 meters long, whose capital investment was estimated at VND118.3 billion (US$5.2 million).
Running from November 6 to 11, the APEC summit week was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among other leaders of the forums member nations.
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A senior official from Ho Chi Minh City has said that the metropolis will form its own science area, whose organization is similar to that of a famous Japanese science city.
Nguyen Thien Nhan, secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, said Monday during his trip to Japan that the city of Tsukuba is an excellent example for a future Vietnamese science area to follow.
The understanding of the science city of Tsukuba will provide us with a basis for the creation of a prototypical city where science and technology are put to use, he said.
He was particularly impressed with Tsukubas successful policies of attracting experts and measures in urban planning and management which are facilitative to local growth.
The secretary asked the Vietnamese leaders of the municipal department of architecture and planning who accompanied him to work with Tsukuba so as to obtain more knowledge of the model.
Nguyen Thien Nhan (R) presents a souvenir to Igarashi Tastuo, Tsukubas mayor, during his trip to Japan. Photo: Tuoi Tre
In Ho Chi Minh Citys perspective, a modern to-be-built area that it calls science city covers its three adjacent sections of Thu Duc District, District 2 and District 9.
Thu Duc District is expected to be home to a number of prestigious universities of the city, while District 2 serves as a future commercial center, and District 9 focuses on developing science, technology and innovation around the nucleus of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, which has already been in operation for a long time.
The science city of Tsukuba, spanning 2,700 hectares as a national project, includes residential buildings, educational institutions, commercial sites, national laboratories and research institutes, according to Mayor Igarashi Tastuo.
The city, inhabited by around 250,000 people, was founded partly to reduce the population of neighboring Tokyo, and is the vanguard in science and technology in Japan.
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The numbers of traffic accidents and traffic-related casualties and injuries in Ho Chi Minh City within the first two months of 2018 surpassed the figures reported in the same period last year.
The municipal Department of Transport organized a media briefing on Tuesday to address traffic-related issues arising during the first two months of this year.
Traffic was deemed complicated in Ho Chi Minh City.
The department reported 707 cases of road accidents, which caused 143 deaths and 492 non-fatal injuries, an increase of 43 deaths and 116 injuries compared to the first two months of 2017.
The metropolis had to handle more than eight million vehicles as of mid-February, including 677,309 cars and 7,493,595 motorbikes, according to the department.
The total number of passengers using public transport rose six percent in comparison with the same period last year, reaching 100.4 million.
There were 60,696 passengers using internal waterway transportation, 42,291 of whom used the new waterbus.
The department also announced a future project establishing parking lots around the municipal perimeter.
The paperwork is currently being finalized as prospective investors for the project have been chosen.
A number of underground parking spaces are going to be established at the Trong Dong Stage, Tao Dan Park, and Hoa Lu Stadium in District 1.
Construction is expected to begin this year and complete in 2020.
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The formal ceremony began at 8:00 am on Tuesday and will conclude at the end of Wednesday, during which the body of former PM Khai is kept at the Reunification Palace in the southern metropolis.
Many incumbent and former leaders and high-ranking officials of Vietnam arrived early at the location to prepare for the funeral and pay tribute to the late premier.
A 33-member funeral committee is led by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.
PM Khai is an excellent leader of the Vietnamese Party, state, and people, who devoted his entire life to the revolutionary cause of the nation, General Secretary Trong wrote in a guestbook.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong pays respects to the late leader.
Local residents can pay their respects to the late leader at the Reunification Palace during the two-day state funeral.
Police officers have been tasked with keeping order and security at the venue, while traffic units are in charge of controlling traffic at the entrance as well as nearby streets.
Meanwhile, people in northern Vietnam can also attend the ceremony at the International Convention Center in Hanoi.
State President Tran Dai Quang arrives at the funeral on March 20, 2018.
At 7:30 am on March 22, the celebration of life will be carried out in both cities, which will also be aired on Vietnam Television and Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
The burial ritual will be conducted in PM Khais hometown in Tan Thong Hoi Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City at 11:00 am on the same day.
Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan pays tribute to late PM Phan Van Khai.
Vietnamese leaders and members of the Central Party Committee at the state funeral
A delegation led by General Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of National Defense, at the formal ceremony
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong writes in a guestbook.
Local residents wait for their turn to visit late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai at the Reunification Palace.
People gather at the entrance of the Reunification Palace.
Students from Nguyen Van Tao Elementary School in Nha Be District attend the funeral.
Students from Le Loi Elementary School in Nha Be District attend the funeral.
A traffic police officer controls traffic in front of the Reunification Palace.
A traffic police officer controls traffic in front of the Reunification Palace.
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The incident was captured in a video uploaded to social media on Sunday, which showed a boy sitting behind the wheel of a 2.5-ton truck while an adult man sat next to him on the front passenger seat.
The vehicle was moving forward slowly on Ba Trieu Street in Thanh Hoa Province, according to local police.
The adult was later identified by authorities to be 34-year-old Cao Duy Thien, who is the boys uncle.
Thien told police the clip had been filmed at around 1:00 pm on Saturday, when he had just delivered construction materials to a client.
He allowed his nephew, who is ten years old, to try driving the truck for around 100 meters before both of them were stopped by passers-by who opposed the dangerous stunt.
Thien was found illegally handing a vehicle to an unqualified person and driving a vehicle with expired inspection.
He was fined a combined VND8 million for both violations.
A boy operates a heavy truck while his uncle sits next to him in Sam Son City, Thanh Hoa Province, located in north-central Vietnam, in this video posted on Facebook.
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A man in southern Vietnam who manages a fan page on social media has received a financial penalty for publishing a worrisome canard.
Nguyen Minh Chanh, a 29-year-old resident in Ben Tre Province, has been required to pay VND10 million (US$439) after he spread a piece of fake news on his Facebook fan page.
Thai Huynh Tu, a chief inspector from the provincial Department of Information and Communications, provided the information on Tuesday.
Chanhs page, Ben Tre News, followed by 30,000 people, posted the news in which a four-year-old child was decapitated, after one of his friends told him via social media on March 14 that the incident had been confirmed by an official.
He gave an update on the case the next day, saying it had been verified by a hospital in Ben Tre.
The news was shared by more than 70 people.
But he later deleted its original version after a person told him that it was incorrect.
Those who spread misinformation shall be fined VND10-15 million ($439-659), according to Vietnamese law.
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A Vietnamese man was caught by police on Sunday for stealing a motorcycle at a parking lot over his financial difficulty.
Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested Nguyen Anh Khoa, 28, residing in Nha Be, a suburban district of the metropolis, charging him with theft.
Khoa has a college degree and was serving as the manager of a restaurant at a shopping center in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, authorities said.
Lack of money motivated him to illegally take the Air Blade scooter of Ho Thi N. Loan, a 44-year-old woman in District 5.
According to probe results, on the afternoon of March 17, he rode his motorcycle to the parking space in the basement of the building where he worked, and the lot warden by mistake gave him two parking tickets, in which the motorcycles license number was written down as the convenient valid indicator of the vehicle ownership.
One of the tickets bore Khoas motorcycle license number, with the other staying unfilled.
Having spotted a key still left in the ignition switch of the scooter, he wrote the registered number of the to-be-stolen vehicle in the available ticket and ran away after the attendant checked it without suspicion.
He hid the scooter at an apartment building where he lives before returning to work with calmness.
He rode his own motorcycle successfully out of the parking lot on the evening of the same day with the other ticket.
The man replaced the scooters license plate with a fake one that he bought at VND600,000 (US$26) so as to use it on the street.
He admitted all his wrongdoings.
Nguyen Anh Khoa illegally takes an Air Blade scooter at the parking lot of the shopping center in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, where he worked, in the security camera footage provided by Ho Chi Minh City police officers.
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Discovery will debut Finding Escobars Millions next month, as two former CIA operatives infiltrate communes in Medellin, Colombia, on a hunt for Pablo Escobars buried fortune.
This launches with a double episode.
Pablo Escobar, Colombias most infamous drug lord, rose from a mere cocaine dealer to running the Medellin Cartel; a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse in the narcotics market. While Escobar spent much of his money on luxury items and properties around the world, he also buried masses of his fortune all over Colombia. Urban legends have led many to believe a vast majority of it has never been found. With never-before-granted access and support from the Colombian government, Finding Escobars Millions follows two former intelligence officers on a 45-day mission to uncover a potential fortune.
Armed with the skills and training from ten years of service in the CIA, Doug Laux and Ben Smith are on the hunt for the drug lords alleged hidden treasure. The former CIA operations officers, who served multiple tours throughout the Middle East, use their elite skillset along with the latest advancement in ground-penetrating radar, to hunt down the illicit profits of Escobars drug war and solve the mystery once and for all. Never has there been a search of this scope or magnitude.
Working with the original DEA agents that handled the Escobar case, Doug and Ben set out to infiltrate the infamous drug lords inner circle, heading to some of the countrys most volatile and dangerous spots in search of the cash. Their operation uses numerous inside sources and the clues Escobar left behind to scour Columbia.
Will the two former operatives uncover Escobars fortune and solve a 24-year-old mystery, or will they come up empty-handed?
Thursdays from 19 April at 8:30pm on Discovery.
UK culinary comedy The Trip To Spain, featuring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, begins tonight on ABC Comedy with a double episode.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom this sees the duo set off on a coast-to-coast road trip through Spain, starting with Txoko, the picturesque port village of Getaria.
Just as Don Quixote undertook three journeys, so Steve and Rob will set off on a third jaunt of their own, this time travelling over 1,000 miles down the entire length of Spain. Following in the footsteps of poet and novelist Laurie Lee, Steve and Robs semi-fictional alter-egos hit the road in search of culture, history, breathtaking vistas and, of course, some of the finest food in Europe. All the while serving up sparkling, free-flowing conversation, peppered with barbed back-and-forths, in-car singalongs and their peerless trademark impersonations.
9:30pm tonight on ABC Comedy.
Warning: language
The ABC is under fire from the Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield after Tonightly with Tom Ballard showed a poster of an Australian Conservatives candidate with the wording is a c**t.
The joke from comedian Greg Larsen suggested the electorate of Batman be renamed Batman is a c**t due to founder John Batmans links to the murder of Aboriginal people.
We cannot shy away from the terrible things he did, Larsen suggested.
Elaborating on his idea, to feigned objections from Ballard, Larsen showed mock posters of Greens candidate Alex Bhathal & Labor candidate Ged Kearney with the words Batman is a c**t.
But for Australian Conservatives candidate Kevin Bailey he noted, This was an issue because there is no Batman anywhere on that poster, so Ive had to put Kevin Bailey was a c**t, Larsen said.
Greg that is unacceptable; regardless of what you think of his politics that is completely beyond the ball! Ballard replied.
Mitch Fifield said in a statement, Candidates for elected office expect to be criticised and parodied. But this ABC segment clearly crossed a line, particularly given that it was directed towards an individual who has served his nation in uniform.
Vitriolic abuse of this kind has no place on the national broadcaster and I will be asking the ABC to investigate. The ABC should also immediately offer an unreserved apology to Mr Bailey.
Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi has also reportedly written to ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie to complain.
A spokesman for the ABC said: The ABC will respond to the minister and Senator Bernardi in due course.
Meanwhile Indigenous comedy Black Comedy has released a promo for its upcoming season, parodying a recent Sunrise segment.
Earlier this week, beloved Aboriginal man Uncle Stevie in a press conference referred to white people as white c**ts, Nakkiah Lui says, with the swear word censored.
This has sparked outrage in the white community, with many calling for the removal of his uncle status and a public apology.
Aaron Faooso replies, I know a lot of white people. Warm, kind white people. And I say this with a lot of love, but white people are c**ts.
Source: The Age, The Australian
Seven News presenter Peter Mitchell has apologised to the Victorian Supreme Court after going off script in a 25 second report about a murder trial last Wednesday.
Fairfax reports he gave a sincere apology, joined in court by news director Simon Pristel and Seven Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin.
Last Wednesday the court directed media to act responsibly in its reportage of the case. Hours later Mitchell inserted some words into the report he was to read as part of a review he did to all scripts. Those words are currently unpublishable.
Will Houghton, QC, appearing for Seven and Mitchell, said the words used were not part of the script and not meant to be used, offering a sincere and genuine apology.
Justice Lasry accepted the apology as genuine, but said it should have been bleeding obvious to an experienced journalist not to go off script.
This is thumbing ones nose at the court, isnt it? Justice Lasry said at one stage.
The action is not in contempt of the court, but it almost is. The very thing we talked about not happening is exactly what occurred, he said.
He recognises your honour that he shouldnt have used those words. That was regrettable and unfortunate and we have apologised for that, Houghton QC said.
Justice Lex Lasry will review the matter and the footage. Seven requested the case not be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Source: Fairfax, Nine News.
Sunrise this morning featured an extended Hot Topics discussion following wide criticism of a segment last week which advocated for the removal of at-risk Indigenous children into white families.
A 9 minute segment today hosted by David Koch included 3 Indigenous community representatives, CEO Danila Dilba Health Service Olga Havnen, Aboriginal health expert James Ward and NACCHO Chief Executive Patricia Turner.
The discussion clarified where such children are prioritised with relatives and local communities.
We absolutely believe that the safety and well-being of children is paramount, first and foremost, said Olga Havnen.
Secondly, in response to the removal of kids, we dont actually believe that is the best course of action. The reason for that is, with sufficient support we hope that families might be able to continue to care for their children or alternatively extended family. If thats not possible then there is absolutely no prohibition or restriction on the ability of non-Aboriginal people to care for children -either as foster carers orin permanent adoption.
However we dont see those processes as being the solution. We have a child protection system that is absolutely under strain.
Discussion also tackled health, funding, government and systemic problems.
Its been terrific to talk to all 3 of you, really appreciate it, David Koch concluded. Lets work together to try and get some of those changes through. It is a real issue affecting Indigenous communities right across the country.
Olga Havnen added, Youre absolutely right. What we need is intelligent, informative discussion looking for solutions rather than the confected outrage and anger.
Last week the show was subjected to protests and headlines with commentator Prue MacSween referencing another stolen generation, in a panel with no inclusive or contrasting perspectives.
Updated: However demonstrators are yet to subside for the Seven show, again attending Martin Place today. A petition calling for an apology at Change.org currently has over 13,000 signatures.
THE BBC have rejected complaints that they photoshopped the image of corbyn on the BBC Two programme Newsnight. Following the criticisms of the Labour leaders response in the Commons to Theresa Mays handling of the Sergei Skripal poisoning, the late night political programme used a graphic that pictured Mr Corbyn next to the Kremlin in Moscow. Critics claimed that he was digitally altered to look like a Soviet stooge.
Political commentator, Owen Jones, who is a supporter of Mr Corbyn, was a guest on the programme the night after and criticised the programme for editing the image to make it look Jeremy Corbyn was dressed similar to that of a Russian.
Dangerous propaganda
The image that they claimed to have used and not edited, was taken in 2016 and if you compare the two, there is certainly a red hue that has been applied along with the lowing the contrast and tightening the aspect ratio which make his clothes appear darker. This changes the look of the hat he is wearing, which makes it look more like a Russian ushanka hat, whilst there are noticeable differences in the Newsnight image and an ushanka, to those who arent paying a massive amount of attention to the backdrop or are unable to see a comparison, it would certainly look like one on first look.
The BBC have rejected the criticisms of their programme whilst acknowledging they did edit the image, by saying that they previously did a similar mock up of Gavin Williamson on the same programme.
But what is considerably worse and the issue with these kinds of imageries is that on the same day, newspapers like the Daily Mail ran with such headlines as CORBYN, THE KREMLIN STOOGE.
This kind of English nationalistic propaganda is a throwback to the British Empire days, the idea of racial superiority. Allowing this kind of rhetoric to thrive will continue the cycle of right wing to far-right leadership that England has always had and this is not just through politicians but the wealthiest, who have the money to lobby government and create ways to manipulate the public into voting in a specific way, Cambridge Analytica, who boasted the use of dirty tricks to influence public opinion.
Cheap shot or active campaign?
Images like the BBC used may have meant to have been harmless or just a cheap shot, but with the ferocity of anti-Corbyn propaganda often used by the likes of the Mail, Express, Sun etc. It creates this image that he is an enemy, which is not true. But more disturbingly there have been reports surfacing that the BBC actively partakes in anti-Corbyn bias, a top British barrister and someone who isnt a Corbyn fan tweeted:
Just remembered I have a written message from a senior BBC bod explaining (unambiguously) that the BBC does code negative messages about Corbyn into its imagery. Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) March 18, 2018
Following responses questioning his validity, he then wrote a blog post about the contact, who he named x.
He explained that he would happily testify over the note and that he would ask a lawyer to swear a witness statement, which they will be bound professional duty of confidentiality. Many have dismissed the image on Newsnight but that is because they have been made aware that people are questioning the image used. The illusion of impartiality has been cloaking the BBC for a while and Id argue that it isnt left or right-wing bias but agenda bias. This I mean, truth only when it fits the English imperial narrative. To compare it is like magician revealing their secrets, an illusion or magic trick is broken once the secrets are learned.
Russia, plenty has been made of the Sergei Skripal poisoning and plenty MPs in the Commons have come out in condemnation of Russia and place the blame firmly with them. This doesnt mean they believe the Kremlin and Putin are directly involved. Jeremy Corbyn called for evidence before jumping to conclusions, whilst others immediately blamed Russia. In more recent interviews, Labours shadow chancellor has blamed Russia, along with the likes of Kier Starmer.
The Conservatives have been unequivocal over who they believe to be responsible. But what is known so far about the incident?
If Putin did order the attempt, why and how did it fail? The other possibility is Kremlin linked mafia, which is a possibility.
Conservative supporting Kremlin?
The Russian ex-spy who along with his daughter was poisoned by a nerve agent in the U.K. may have been exposed to it through his cars ventilation system, sources told ABC News. However, British investigators are reportedly convinced that Novichok, a military-grade nerve toxin, was planted in the luggage of Yulia Skripal, the former spys 33-year-old daughter. In the last election, the Russian Embassy tweeted their support of the Conservatives, which raises all sorts of questions but why do they have such a desire to see them in power.
Firstly, the 3 million in donations the Conservatives have received from Russian oligarchs and Putin cronies since 2010 and the Conservative party have consistently blocked Magnitsky powers to clamp down on all the Russian dark money sloshing around the City of London, the UK housing market, and their own party coffers. Whilst Jeremy Corbyn has been calling for the Magnitsky powers since 2010 and been vocally critical over human rights abuses in Russia since becoming Labour leader in 2015.
Russia also see Brexit as a strategic and economic blow to the NATO alliance, furthermore, Russia are the UKs biggest exporter in weapons grade nuclear material, with Corbyn government likely to clamp down on the sale of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear products to countries with poor human rights records. When Theresa May was Home Secretary, she repeatedly resisted an official inquiry into the Litvinenko poisoning, her reasoning was relations with Russia, yet is happy to jeopardise those relations on a whim with no real evidence?
Geopolitics and foreign policy
Importantly what is being ignored is geopolitics and foreign policy. Over century ago, the Sykes-Picot Agreement was signed between Britain and France, this was to break up the Middle-East following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire after WWI. This along with the Darin Treaty with Ibn Saud of Al Saud and the Balfour Declaration created what Churchill described as colonies in the Middle-East (Saudi Arabia and Israel).
Russia werent involved because Britain didnt trust their anti-imperialism (not saying they were better, just different form of abhorrent violence). Throughout that time, along with the US allies, UK and Russia have been rivals in the Middle-East with the UK/US holding power, until more recently.
Those colonies became more important after WW2 and the dismantling of the British Empire, especially with global trade being propped by arms sales.
In recent years, with the rise in Chinas economic power, who are close allies with Russia, Turkey and UAEs anti-imperialism within the region and Russias close ties with Assad and increase activity in Syria. They have become an important voice within the region, much to detriment of the UK/US hold over the region. Weakening NATO and the UN, the latter have been vocal in their condemnation of Russia, Turkey, Assad etc. and this would be vital for Russia to continue their push in the region. An attack on foreign soil, particularly that of a member of NATO, would directly undermine plans to restructure global powers in their favour.
By no means are Russia good but whoever or whatever happened, it is being used so that ordinary people can be used as weapons against a fake enemy, which will only benefit the elite. In which who knows how many innocent people will be killed in the process but much like Iraq, those few millions are just collateral damage to those who sit in parliament and decide the fate of others without having to experience it for themselves.
BREXIT has an update and after a week of Russia, this is a light relief. But this is important as David Davis and his team have struck a deal with their EU counterparts over the Transitional Period. There has been little movement on Brexit thus far because the government largely havent been able to decide what they wanted and throughout the first stage faced the same problems, first, it was the fee, then it was EU citizens rights and lastly, the Good Friday Agreement.
The government however, did announce yesterday that they have come to an agreement.
The problem is, is that the deal they have struck means they have capitulated on every single promise they made.
The devil is in the detail
The transitional period will last from 29 March 2019 (official leaving date) to 31 December 2020, during that period any EU citizens who arrive in the UK between these dates will receive the same rights and guarantees as those who arrived before Brexit. This will also apply to UK expats on the continent. During this period the UK will be able to negotiate, sign and then ratify its own trade deals to be implemented after 31st December 2020. The UK will still be party to existing EU trade deals with other countries. The UK will also remain part of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) until the leave date but will have no say in any rule changes.
northern ireland will effectively stay in parts of the single market and the customs union in the absence of other solutions to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.
A panel of three judges led by Scotlands most senior judge, Lord Carloway, the lord president, said the cross-party group of politicians behind the case had raised a point of great importance which had to be fully heard.
Appeal judges have ruled that a Scottish court has to properly examine claims that the UK should be able to unilaterally abandon Brexit, without permission from other EU member states. Furthermore, Scottish Conservative MPs are set to meet the PM to discuss the UK's agreement to keep EU fishing policies during the Brexit transition period.
The meeting, expected to take place at Number 10, follows criticism from Scotland's fishing industry over the deal struck in Brussels.
Northern Ireland is an important aspect and they look set to have further clashes with the EU. This comes following every time the DUP vetoed any plan put forward, the EU got fed up and called on Theresa May to come up with a solution. Alas, this has not happened as of yet and the solution mentioned above isnt a permanent solution but one that will remain unless May can come up with a better solution that will also appease the DUP, as they hold the power over Mays government. Under a joint withdrawal deal published on Monday, of which 75% is agreed, the UK will retain the benefits of the single market and customs union for near enough to the two years we asked for, Davis said, albeit while losing its role in any decision-making institutions.
There is one lesser talked about issue with the agreement. There is no mechanism in place to extend the transitional period beyond 2020 if it were needed. This presents a multitude of problems for the government because you will get those from one side rightly complaining that there is no protection should there be no trade deals in place by the time Britain officially leaves. However, if there were such a mechanism, the hard-line Brexit supporters will claim that Britain will never leave the EU. Yet, it is unlikely that there will be any trade deals implemented by that time because the time period that they do have is only sufficient to get a broad outline in place.
A Bellway sign is seen at a housing construction site in London, Britain, February 5, 2017. Picture taken February 5, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville
(Reuters) - British housebuilder Bellway Plc